Within the snowy valley—
Azure flames roared as Glastrier galloped and yowled in agony, quite literally with its tail on fire.
"So lively, aren't you," Dylan remarked, clearly amused.
Fire trumps ice. Reshiram hadn't even gone all-out, but its blue flames still hurt like hell.
That was exactly how Glastrier felt—racing ahead as the flames chased behind, licking at it at just the right pace to keep it panicking.
Glastrier was going nuts. It had no doubt this was deliberate—this holy-looking white dragon was messing with it on purpose.
Dirty dragon!
Damn it! Bullying a horse, huh? Got guts, don't you? Why don't you go mess with my King instead!
"Glastrier!!"
The ice horse neighed furiously, practically yelling, "I've got backing, you know!"
Reshiram tilted its head slightly, flames flaring even hotter. It really had no patience for those who bragged about their connections.
Backed by someone? Cute. Did this little pony know Reshiram had six big brothers now—and just picked up a seventh?
You think you're something?
"Reshiram," Dylan chuckled knowingly.
Reshiram understood the cue. Its flames surged.
BOOM!
A concentrated wave of azure fire exploded, slamming into Glastrier. It neighed in anguish, its body flung into the air before crashing to the snowy ground, smoldering.
Its once-snowy coat was now singed black in patches—utterly humiliated.
"Seems like you're no match for Reshiram," Dylan sighed as he walked toward the downed steed.
Glastrier was scorched and aching all over, glaring in disbelief at the man and dragon approaching.
This human... wasn't normal.
And that dragon… it was outrageously strong. It hadn't even stood a chance.
"As we agreed, you're mine now."
The treasured ball in Dylan's hand enlarged, his smile widening as he loomed over the disgraced horse.
Glastrier's eyes went wide with panic. Wait—he was serious?! That wasn't supposed to count! It had just been boasting!
Why get captured by a human? It liked its freedom! And what about the King—wouldn't that make His Majesty sad?
"You're not backing out now, are you?" Dylan's smile deepened as he leaned closer.
"Glastrier!! (Your Majesty, help meeee!!)"
"Don't bother yelling. You trying to cheat your way out of this?"
"Glastrier!! (Spectrier! Where the hell are you?! Save me!!)"
"Tch. Still got energy to shout, huh? Reshiram—Fusion Flare."
Dylan wasn't buying it. The ice horse still had a full set of lungs on it. Reshiram must've gone too easy.
The white dragon's turbine spun up, crimson fire swirling into a massive sphere above.
Glastrier froze in terror. One hit from that and it might actually faint.
"GLASTRIER!! (KING!! I'M GONNA DIE OUT HERE!! HELP!!)"
And just then, a heavy, oppressive aura swept in from behind.
Ghostly, black wisps crept in, dark and eerie—unnerving to behold.
"Brother!"
"Dylan!"
Leaf and Lillie turned to see a wave of spectral energy spilling in behind them, panic flashing in their eyes.
But Dylan had already sensed it.
"Reshiram," he called.
The dragon turned instantly, hurling its massive fireball into the encroaching darkness.
BOOM!
Flames collided with ghostly light, erupting into a blast that sent shockwaves rippling outward. The air howled with power.
That… that was Astral Barrage—Black Steed Calyrex's signature move!
Dylan narrowed his eyes slightly. That ghostly aura was unmistakable.
So Glastrier's cries had actually summoned its King. How amusing.
As the smoke cleared, the world grew quiet once more.
Clop, clop, clop…
Hoofbeats echoed across the snow as a black horse with a flowing purple mane stepped forward, silent and composed.
And upon its back sat a small, white Pokémon—its large green bloom crowning its head like a diadem.
"Spectrier…? Then that means…"
Lillie and Leaf stared at the black horse in awe. Spectrier—the partner of Glastrier. And riding it…
There could be no doubt.
That was the King of Bountiful Harvests—Calyrex.
Though…
Leaf's expression turned subtly odd.
In her mind, someone called the "Legendary King" or "King of Bountiful Harvests," a figure who once ruled all of Galar, should be tall, regal, and commanding.
But the real Calyrex? Petite. Almost delicate. Though that enormous bud-shaped crown on its head did draw the eye.
Beep—Calyrex (Riding Spectrier form). Psychic/Ghost-type. Emperor Pokémon
Ability: As One
Moves: Astral Barrage, Future Sight, Solar Beam, Psychic, Nasty Plot, Hex…
Entry: Said to possess energy that lets it see all events past and future. Saved a forest from a meteor crash using that power.
The Rotom Dex whispered its entry. It didn't sound all that threatening, but the information itself was wild.
Emperor Pokémon.
And apparently, it could see all past and future events?
That seemed… excessive.
Spectrier came to a halt. Glastrier, still lying on the ground, perked up and whinnied with glee.
Calyrex's deep eyes swept over the Rotom Dex, prompting it to immediately float behind Leaf—absolutely intimidated.
It was just a little Rotom, okay? Calyrex's aura was way too much.
"You've exaggerated me far too much. I am not that impressive," came a clear, calm mental voice—Calyrex's telepathy.
It was… complaining about its Pokédex entry.
"…," Rotom wanted to shrug. That wasn't its fault! The data was uploaded by Dylan!
"Wait, you can't really see the past and future?" Leaf asked curiously. Calyrex didn't seem aggressive at all—more like a grumpy old soul.
"That was praise from my people, not fact. I am the King of Bountiful Harvests—not the Lord of Time," Calyrex replied, cool and composed.
Regrettably, those loyal people who once revered it… were long gone.
And Calyrex, the former ruler of Galar, now slumbered away the centuries in a ruined temple. A king with no crown, awaiting a time that would never come.
Its eyes carried the weight of time—distant and melancholic.
This era had no place for it.
Though it had once tried to maintain the kingdom, time eroded everything. Even its existence had faded into myth.
A quiet sigh echoed in its heart.
But no matter. Just frost and memories, now.
"Glastrier."
Calyrex raised a small hand. Wisps of green energy flowed from its fingertips, weaving into Glastrier's body.
The horse sighed with relief as its injuries rapidly vanished. In seconds, it stood tall again—snorting and trotting excitedly back to Calyrex's side.
Then it began circling the King like a child begging attention.
"Glastrier!! (Ride me, Your Majesty! RIDE ME!!)"
Yeah. It wanted the King to ride it again—so it could go beat up that smug white dragon with royal dignity.
Dylan raised a brow, watching the posturing horse. This guy really was something else.
"My Glastrier seems to have troubled you," Calyrex said calmly, ignoring the excited beast beside it.
Its gaze shifted to Dylan, eyes flickering with sharpness.
Calyrex's psychic prowess was immense. When united with its steed, both horse and rider gained dramatic strength—not a mere addition, but a synergistic boost.
On its own, Calyrex might only match the lower ranks of high-tier legendaries.
But mounted?
It rivaled the best.
It could sense the auras surrounding Dylan—each one powerful and different.
If it hadn't seen it firsthand, it would never have believed such energy came from a human.
"It's no trouble. Meeting the legendary King of Bountiful Harvests is an honor. In fact, I should apologize to you," Dylan said with a wry smile, glancing toward the suddenly sheepish Glastrier.
Seemed the King wasn't planning to ride it today. Maybe Spectrier was just a smoother ride?
Glastrier was clearly offended by this.
Calyrex blinked. What?
"I'm grateful that you've allowed me to take Glastrier. Thank you."
Dylan spun the treasured ball in his hand, smiling.
Calyrex's gaze sharpened. It could feel the aura within that ball—immense.
"GLASTRIER!!"
Glastrier's eyes bulged. What the hell was this human saying?! Asking for a royal gift? Right in front of its King?!
"Glastrier." Calyrex's sharp tone silenced the horse immediately. Still, it glared resentfully at Dylan.
"Human…"
"My name is Dylan."
"Dylan… your words confuse me."
If it had eyebrows, Calyrex would've been frowning.
"Since my kingdom fell, I've hidden in the Crown Tundra and withdrawn from the world. My steeds as well."
"But that doesn't mean I'm weak or easily taken advantage of. Glastrier is my companion—my bonded steed. Not an object I can give away."
Its mental tone remained even, but the force behind its words was undeniable.
It could feel the overwhelming strength on Dylan—but if this human dared try to steal Glastrier, it would not sit idly by.
If it came to a fight—so be it.
"Glastrier!!" The horse whinnied tearfully, deeply moved.
"You misunderstand, Your Majesty. I never meant to take it by force. But as a former ruler, surely you understand the importance of honor and credibility."
Dylan's voice was warm, polite.
Glastrier suddenly stopped prancing.
"Of course."
Calyrex glanced at the now-quiet steed. A suspicion crept into its mind.
Dylan didn't elaborate. Instead, he took out his phone—and played a recording.
'Glastrier, if I beat you, will you become my Pokémon?'
'Glastrier!! (Then I'll be your Pokémon!)'
Crystal-clear.
Silence fell.
Calyrex stared at the phone, deadpan. That was Glastrier's voice, no mistake.
A dark aura began to ripple from the King.
Glastrier gulped. This human had TRICKED it?!
It started backing away—maybe it could hide for a few decades, let the King cool off…
Dylan grinned, watching Glastrier sneak backward. This was priceless.
Calyrex didn't even need to look—of course it knew what the horse was up to.
It had one thought.
"Spectrier—Astral Barrage."
"GLASTRIER!!!"
(End of Chapter)