Pokemon: A New Path-Internet Celebrity Giratina[442]

In the end, Naoki didn't attend the horse racing event that year.

This was because Glastrier, upon realizing that the so-called "crown" was merely a regular golden trophy, deemed it unworthy of its regal demeanor as the "King of Horses."

When Glastrier spoke about it, Spectrier stood silently nearby, saying nothing.

After all, it had once worn that same trophy atop its head like a crown.

Not just once—it had worn it for nearly a year.

Awkward.

Spectrier quickly pushed the thought out of its mind, pretending it had never done such a thing.

With no Pokémon interested in participating in the horse racing event, Naoki sighed and left the stable, intending to inform Mayor Thomas of the situation.

After Naoki left, Glastrier smirked quietly as it recalled Spectrier's past behavior.

Spectrier might not have been able to see, but its hearing was incredibly sharp, and it immediately caught the sound of Glastrier's stifled laughter.

Furious, Spectrier's body flickered with ghostly light as it attacked Glastrier with a powerful kick.

Glastrier neighed in pain.

Infuriated that Spectrier dared to strike first, the hot-tempered Glastrier retaliated with a kick of its own, holding nothing back.

Spectrier, now fully enraged, gathered its energy and launched a Shadow Ball directly at Glastrier.

The next moment, there was an earth-shaking explosion. The previously intact stable was reduced to a pile of rubble.

Nearby, a group of playful Eeveelutions froze in surprise at the sight of the battling horses. They cried out in alarm.

Umbreon, ever vigilant, dashed into the house and tugged at Naoki's pant leg with its teeth, urging him outside.

"Umbree!"

"What's wrong?" Naoki asked, startled. Seeing the urgency in Umbreon's actions, he quickly told Mayor Thomas over the phone, "Something's come up at the ranch. I need to check on it. We'll talk later."

"Of course, take care of things," Mayor Thomas replied with understanding.

Hanging up, Naoki hurried outside, following Umbreon's lead.

On the open grass, Glastrier and Spectrier were locked in a fierce battle.

They charged at each other with full force, colliding body to body, kicking with powerful hind legs.

The stable, their former home, lay in ruins.

Naoki's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Glastrier! Spectrier!" he shouted, attempting to stop the fight.

But the two furious Pokémon ignored him entirely.

Realizing he couldn't intervene on his own, Naoki pressed the button on his Rotom Phone to summon Calyrex.

In an instant, Calyrex materialized in the ranch, his majestic presence commanding immediate attention.

His gaze swept over the scene, and his frown deepened when he saw the brawling horses.

A surge of immense psychic energy emanated from Calyrex, creating a barrier that forcibly separated Glastrier and Spectrier.

"What is the meaning of this?" Calyrex's voice was firm and authoritative.

Spectrier, calming down slightly, was the first to speak.

"Spect-eigh!" (This fool provoked me!)

Glastrier, unwilling to back down, snorted defiantly.

"Glas-eigh!" (You attacked first!)

Spectrier glared, retorting, "Spect-neig!" (You provoked me by mocking me!)

Glastrier rolled its eyes and responded with a sharp tone. "Glas~neigh?" (Mocking you? I was just telling the truth—you're the one who wore the trophy like a crown!)

Calyrex: "…"

Naoki: "…"

Spectrier's fury reignited upon hearing this, its frustration boiling over.

Two streams of ghostly purple smoke rose from its ear sockets as it gathered an overwhelming wave of shadowy energy. The force condensed into a dark, monstrous silhouette, poised to crush Glastrier.

Glastrier, sensing the imminent danger, refused to back down. With a powerful stomp, it summoned a massive icicle, directing it straight at Spectrier.

Calyrex's patience reached its limit.

With a flash of blue light in his eyes, he unleashed another wave of psychic energy. Both Spectrier's shadowy attack and Glastrier's icicle were instantly dissipated.

"Enough!

Looking at his two beloved horses, Calyrex felt a headache coming on.

"Glastrier, you were the one who started this. You shouldn't have mocked Spectrier," Calyrex said sternly.

Glastrier snorted in dissatisfaction. In its opinion, Spectrier had brought it upon itself by being foolish. It had only spoken the truth.

Hearing Calyrex's explanation, Naoki quickly pieced the situation together.

Glastrier had teased Spectrier for wearing the trophy like a crown. Spectrier, infuriated, had lashed out, leading to their fight.

Naoki sighed.

He had to admit, Glastrier's emotional intelligence was astonishingly low…

Seeing Glastrier's defiant attitude, Calyrex found himself in a difficult position.

While Glastrier was clearly at fault, it refused to acknowledge its mistake. On the other hand, Spectrier, feeling wronged, stood silently to the side, saying nothing.

Calyrex was caught in a bind. Both horses were deeply cherished companions, and he didn't want to alienate either of them.

With the matter unresolved, Calyrex turned to Naoki for help.

Naoki immediately understood Calyrex's silent plea.

After a moment of thought, he stepped forward and addressed the two Pokémon, "This conflict between you seems to be about the crown, right?"

Both Spectrier and Glastrier turned their attention to him.

"In that case," Naoki continued, "why don't we settle this with a duel? The winner will earn the title of Horse King. As the Horse King, they'll receive a real golden crown—a true symbol of their status. Calyrex and I will personally oversee the coronation. How does that sound?"

At the mention of a "real golden crown," both Spectrier and Glastrier's ears perked up, their attention fully captured.

Spectrier let out a soft snort, its determination clear.

If it could claim the crown, Glastrier would no longer have any right to mock it. Spectrier would finally prove itself as the rightful king of horses.

Glastrier's eyes lit up with excitement.

This crown—it had to win it at all costs!

Calyrex gave Naoki a helpless look, silently wondering what would happen to the horse that lost.

Naoki caught Calyrex's expression and gestured for patience. Then he turned back to the two Pokémon and continued:

"However, keep this in mind: every year, any horse that hasn't won the crown will have the chance to challenge the reigning Horse King. After all, the Horse King should not only be the fastest horse but also the strongest. If a Horse King cannot defend its title, it won't deserve to keep it. The position of Horse King is earned, not given."

Calyrex's eyes brightened with understanding.

That made perfect sense! This way, no horse would feel permanently excluded. Even if they lost this year's competition, they could train harder and challenge again the following year.

What a clever solution! Calyrex gave Naoki an approving nod of gratitude.

Spectrier and Glastrier fell into deep thought after hearing Naoki's words.

He was right—the Horse King should embody both speed and strength. Only a truly powerful Pokémon deserved such a title.

After a moment, Naoki smiled at their thoughtful expressions and said, "Good. Now take some time to rest and recover. Once you're both at your best, we'll hold the Horse King Competition."

"But you must understand," Calyrex said solemnly, "I won't ride either of you during the competition. You'll have to win the crown using your own strength."

"Neigh!"

"Neigh!"

Both Spectrier and Glastrier looked fired up, their determination shining through.

"Alright, go rest up for now!" Naoki said with a smile.

The two horses, their minds full of thoughts about the crown, each found a spot to rest and prepare for the competition.

The loss of the stable didn't seem to bother them. Back when they lived on the Crown Tundra, they were used to sleeping under the open sky anyway.

Watching their retreating figures, Naoki and Calyrex exchanged a glance, momentarily at a loss for words.

"Well, I suppose I should go find Kelly to help rebuild the stable," Naoki sighed.

However, Kelly was still busy working on the expedition guild at the World Tree and likely didn't have time to spare for the ranch.

In that case, the two horses could rough it out for a bit and sleep on the grass. Perhaps it would teach them to think twice before wrecking ranch facilities again.

"Where are you planning to get the crown?" Calyrex asked, his tone tinged with concern.

"Oh, that's easy," Naoki replied, a certain Pokémon coming to mind. "I'll ask Gholdengo for some gold coins and take them into town to have a golden crown made."

Luckily, Gholdengo had gifted him a large number of gold coins in the past, and Naoki had saved them all. There would be no need to borrow anymore.

That afternoon, Naoki packed a hefty bag of gold coins and made his way to Kosaji Town.

At a goldsmith's shop renowned for its craftsmanship, he handed over the gold coins and requested a custom crown.

"No problem!" the elderly artisan said, patting his chest confidently. "My work is the finest in all of Kosaji Town. I'll have it ready in just one day. Come back tomorrow, and it'll be waiting for you!"

"Perfect," Naoki said with a nod. "A Pokémon will come by to pick it up."

"Not an issue!" the artisan agreed cheerfully.

Back at the ranch, Naoki began cleaning up the remnants of the stable that had been destroyed during Spectrier and Glastrier's fight.

The debris, consisting of shattered wood and planks, was scattered everywhere. Not wanting to waste anything, Naoki decided to gather the wood for use in the fireplace during the colder months.

Meanwhile, the Pokémon were playing happily in the pasture.

Since the events of the other day, the relationship between Koraidon and Cyclizar had improved dramatically.

Naoki often saw them together, with Cyclizar seeking advice and Koraidon patiently teaching it new moves.

This newfound camaraderie between the two Pokémon brought a smile to Naoki's face.

Looking back, their relationship had started off rocky. Koraidon had been openly hostile toward Cyclizar, and Cyclizar had been deeply intimidated by Koraidon.

Yet, against all odds, they had become good friends.

It reminded Naoki of an old saying: "I didn't like you when we first met, but who knew we'd grow so close over time?"

"Good work, you two!" Naoki called out from a distance. "I'm heading to the World Tree to check on Slowking!"

He was curious to see if Slowking was still deeply engrossed in contemplating the mysteries of life.

"Raao!"

"Gaaao!"

Both Koraidon and Cyclizar responded cheerfully.

Naoki smiled faintly, then grabbed his Rotom Phone and the translator seeds as he headed toward the World Tree.

As he walked, he glanced at Rotom Phone and noticed that Giratina had been complaining in the Legendary Pokémon chat group.

[The Most Powerful Giratina in the World]: I'm so annoyed. Those two next door are starting to get restless again. They'd better not mess with my Distortion World, or I'll deal with them both personally!

Naoki: "…"

The message had been sent five minutes ago. Below it, Calyrex had responded with a comment.

[The Farmer]: If you remain calm, you'll feel much better.

[The Most Powerful Giratina in the World]: Hmph. You don't understand how infuriating those two are! They despise each other and fight every time they meet. And every one of their fights causes disruptions in my Distortion World. They're just two old-fashioned relics who can't keep up with the times!

Naoki: "…"

Two old relics? Was Giratina referring to Dialga, the God of Time, and Palkia, the God of Space?

The current timeline seemed to be focusing on the Hoenn region, leaving just one year before the major events in the Sinnoh region would unfold. If Naoki remembered correctly, the realms of time and space would soon collide, leading to a fierce battle between Dialga and Palkia.

This was also a prelude to the awakening of Arceus, the God of Creation, from its deep slumber.

Who would have guessed that the signs of this conflict were already starting?

It was particularly amusing that Giratina called Dialga and Palkia "old relics" who couldn't keep up with the times.

Naoki couldn't help but chuckle as he opened the Pokémon Forum and clicked on Giratina's personal page.

There, he saw an astounding figure: Giratina had over 5.5 million fans.

[The Most Powerful Giratina in the World]: Annual VIP10 – Number of fans: 5,550,384.

"Wow," Naoki muttered, stunned. "Giratina's fan base has exceeded 5.5 million!"

Out of curiosity, he checked Calyrex's profile. The number of fans for theCalyrex was slightly lower—just 5 million. Unlike Giratina, which actively posts its photos daily, Calyrex rarely posted anything beyond occasional replies to private messages or public questions.

However, one detail on Giratina's profile stood out: Annual VIP10.

"How does Giratina even get the money for a VIP membership?" Naoki wondered aloud.

Intrigued, Naoki stopped by Giratina's Flower Sky Island on his way to the World Tree to ask this very question.

"Humph," Giratina replied proudly, "my fans gifted it to me! I have plenty of money now. Rotom, show Naoki my savings!"

"Got it!" Rotom Phone chirped happily, opening Giratina's personal savings account.

Naoki leaned in to take a look. "Ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, one hundred thousand… one million… 1.6 million?!"

Naoki's eyes widened in disbelief. "Being an internet celebrity can earn this much?!"

Giratina's pride was palpable. "Humans can be surprisingly generous when they want to be."

Naoki then noticed several stacks of special food for Electric-type Pokémon on the Sky Island.

"What's all this?" he asked, puzzled.

Before Giratina could answer, Rotom Phone cheerfully chimed in. "These are treats Giratina bought for me!"

Giratina glanced at Naoki and declared, "I'm rich now! Is there anything you want? I can buy it for you online!"

Naoki: "…"

It seemed Giratina had made impressive progress in adapting to modern technology, even mastering online shopping apps. No wonder it had such disdain for Dialga and Palkia's outdated ways.

"Thanks, but save your money. I don't need anything," Naoki said with a wry smile.

Out of curiosity, Naoki decided to investigate why Giratina was so popular. He called over Rotom and asked it to check the origin of Giratina's fanbase from its profile analytics.

"Copy that, Rotom !" Rotom chirped as it began analyzing the data on Giratina's personal homepage.

Moments later, an organized chart appeared on the screen:

[Fanbase Distribution: Sinnoh Region: 58%, Kanto Region: 8%, Johto Region: 2%, Hoenn Region: 6%, Kalos Region: 4%, Unova Region: 7%, Galar Region: 3%, Alola Region: 2%, Paldea Region: 8%, Others: 2%]

Naoki's eyes widened.

"Over half of Giratina's fans are from Sinnoh?"

But then he noticed something peculiar. Could it be that the people of Sinnoh revered Giratina as a deity?

Intrigued, Naoki searched the internet and quickly stumbled upon several news articles about Sinnoh residents building a Giratina statue in a city park. It even mentioned that the Sinnoh League had approved significant funding for the statue's construction.

Naoki couldn't help but feel bewildered.

The thought struck him: in the Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life movie, Arceus sought to punish humanity, and during that conflict, Giratina, Dialga, and Palkia worked together to stop Arceus.

What if humans interpreted that battle as Giratina standing against the wrath of a god to protect humanity?

Naoki shuddered at the thought.

"That would be… quite the misunderstanding."

His imagination began to run wild, envisioning a dramatic scene:

The heavens rain down meteorites as Arceus's anger threatens humanity. In their darkest hour, Giratina boldly steps forward, shielding the planet. Despite its best efforts, Giratina is eventually defeated. Humanity, inspired by Giratina's courage, places its hopes in the legendary Pokémon, uniting their light with its power to confront Arceus.

Naoki shook his head, trying to dispel the bizarre image.

"That's just too weird," he muttered to himself.

At that moment, Giratina noticed Naoki's distracted expression. "What's on your mind?" it asked curiously.

Snapping back to reality, Naoki quickly replied, "Nothing! Just thinking about the World Tree. I need to check on it."

"Alright, go ahead!" Giratina said casually, before turning its attention back to Rotom and their internet browsing.

Naoki glanced back one last time, observing Giratina sprawled out on its Flower Sky Island, basking in the sun, smiling as it chatted with Rotom.

A thought crossed his mind: Is this what happiness looks like for Giratina?

Initially, Naoki had worried about Giratina getting along with Rotom. However, those concerns proved unfounded. The two had become close companions. Rotom guided Giratina through the intricacies of the online world, and in return, Giratina spoiled Rotom with gifts, including electric-type food it had purchased online.

It was clear that Giratina had adopted Rotom as a younger sibling, and Naoki felt confident that Giratina would protect Rotom if danger ever arose.

With a satisfied smile, Naoki turned his attention back to the World Tree. Taking the elevator, he reached the top floor.

The once-empty grassland was now bustling with new structures. Over the past month, significant progress had been made.

Kelly approached to give Naoki a tour.

"Currently, the café, food warehouse, Pokémon dormitory, and restaurant are complete. The guild headquarters, item shop, Pokémon hospital, training center, and other facilities are still under construction but should be finished by April," she explained.

Naoki nodded, impressed. He pushed open the warehouse door and was surprised to see it filled with neatly arranged berries.

"Where did all these come from?" he asked.

Kelly smiled.

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

"The Treeckos and Arboliva have been hard at work harvesting fruits from the orchard and storing them here."

Naoki's eyes wandered to a corner of the warehouse, where he noticed dried fruits and bottles of juice neatly stacked.

"What's that?" he asked, astonished.

Kelly shook her head.

"I didn't make them. It seems the Pokémon figured it out on their own. I have no idea where they learned to make dried fruit."

"Huh?" Naoki was taken aback by the surprising news.

Could it be that the Pokémon themselves came up with this ingenious solution? Turning berries into dried fruit not only extended their shelf life but also made them easier to carry, perfect for traveling or adventuring.

Fascinated, Naoki decided to find out more.

While Kelly continued her work, Naoki headed out to track down Arboliva and uncover the details. Munching on a few Translator Seed Crisps along the way, he eventually found Arboliva in a clearing within the woods.

To his surprise, a group of Pokémon had gathered there. Alongside Arboliva were Tatsugiri, Milotic, Dragonite, and Tropius.

Even a few Dragonites were lined up, waiting patiently in a queue!

What caught Naoki's attention most was the sight of Slowking sitting atop a large rock at the center of the gathering, its expression serene and contemplative, like a philosopher lost in thought.

At the front of the line, Milotic was asking a question: "Miloooo?" (If I use Water Gun to water the fruit trees, it takes dozens of attempts to cover all of them. It's exhausting, and I run out of energy. Is there a better way to water them?)

Slowking tilted its head, reflecting deeply. After a moment, it replied, "Why not channel your water energy into the sky to create rain? That way, all the trees can be watered at once."

Milotic's eyes sparkled with realization. It began practicing immediately, failing several times before finally succeeding. With a sudden downpour, rain clouds formed above the clearing, drenching the area in heavy rain.

While some Pokémon scampered for shelter, others—like Tropius, Treecko, and Slowking—welcomed the rain and reveled in it.

Then, three Tatsugiri approached the rock, their tails wagging with excitement. "Tatsu! Tatsu?" (How can we run a successful sushi restaurant?)

Slowking pondered for a while before answering sagely, "Treat your customers with care. If they feel valued, they'll return often."

The Tatsugiri leaped with joy, chirping their gratitude before running off to prepare their plans.

Naoki watched the scene unfold, amazed.

"Has Slowking become the great sage of the World Tree?" he muttered, incredulous.

Just then, Arboliva noticed Naoki and approached him with a warm greeting.

"Arbo~"

"What's going on here?" Naoki asked.

Arboliva gestured toward the Pokémon patiently waiting in line to consult Slowking. "Arboli…" (They're asking Slowking for advice.)

Through Arboliva's explanation, Naoki pieced together what had transpired during his absence from the World Tree.

It all started a week ago when three Treeckos, frustrated by the amount of fruit going to waste, happened upon the clearing. Sitting beneath the rock to rest, they lamented their inability to consume all the fruit before it spoiled.

At that moment, Slowking, perched atop the rock in its usual contemplative state, overheard their concerns.

After some thought, Slowking proposed a solution: "Why not use sunlight to dry the fruit? That way, it can be stored for longer."

The Treeckos decided to give it a try. Using large leaves, they sliced the fruit into pieces and placed the slices under the radiant glow of Sunflower stationed nearby.

The result? Perfectly dried fruit.

The Treeckos were stunned. Who would have thought that Slowking, who often appeared absent-minded, could offer such a brilliant solution?

Word spread quickly. Before long, Slowking earned a reputation as the "Sage of the World Tree." Whenever a Pokémon encountered a problem, it would seek Slowking's wisdom.

Hearing this, Naoki was very surprised.

The information recorded in Slowking's Pokédex entry is actually true!

If Naoki remembered correctly, Slowking was referred to as the "Sage of the Sea" in the Pokédex.

It's known for its incredible intelligence, and in some regions, there's even a saying: "If you're lost, ask a Slowking."

Not only does Slowking help those who are lost by guiding them to safety, but it also offers solutions to problems faced by both humans and Pokémon who ask for its help.

Now, seeing the events at the World Tree, it seems the description of Slowking in the Pokémon Encyclopedia was indeed accurate!

Naoki had initially been worried that Slowking might seem out of place on the World Tree.

But now, it was clear that Slowking had integrated itself into the community in its own unique way.

Although it couldn't fulfill the role of running a Pokémon tavern, serving as a great sage was just as admirable.

In the future, as more Pokémon settled on the World Tree, inevitably bringing a variety of challenges, they would have Slowking to turn to for guidance.

With such a wise and intelligent Pokémon in their midst, those problems could easily be resolved—just like how Slowking had helped the Pokémon that came to it for advice today.

...

The next morning, a Dragonite set off from Naoki Ranch and flew to the nearby town of Kosaji to retrieve the golden crown Naoki had commissioned.

The old goldsmith, startled but awestruck by the sight of Dragonite, handed over the crown. Dragonite, with the golden crown in its grasp, took off and flew back to the ranch.

Naoki Ranch - 9:00 AM

On the battlefield beside the Gogoat pen, Glastrier and Spectrier stood at opposite ends of the field, their expressions resolute as they stared each other down.

Calyrex held the golden crown in its hands, while Naoki stood beside it, explaining the rules of the Horse King Tournament to the two-horse Pokémon.

"The rules are simple: this is a one-on-one. The Pokémon that emerges victorious will earn the right to wear the golden crown, symbolizing the honor of the Horse King!"

"Neigh~!"

"Neigh!"

Both horse Pokémon neighed in response, their determination evident.

Glastrier anxiously pawed at the ground with its front hooves, eager for the match to begin. In contrast, Spectrier remained composed, exuding an aura of calm focus.

Though Spectrier's vision was impaired, its other senses—hearing, smell, and touch—were extraordinarily keen. These heightened senses gave it the ability to accurately assess its surroundings and locate its opponent, even in the heat of battle.

Despite Glastrier's intimidating and aggressive demeanor, Spectrier stood unshaken.

Naoki observed the contrasting pre-match attitudes of the two Pokémon.

To ensure that neither Pokémon felt defeated or disheartened, Naoki addressed them once more:

"Winning this match doesn't mean you'll always hold the title of Horse King. The Pokémon that loses today will have the chance to challenge the champion again next year. As long as you win, you can claim the crown."

He turned his attention to Glastrier and added:

"And for the Pokémon who wins today, remember that being the Horse King comes with responsibility. You must protect the crown and continue to grow stronger. Only by triumphing in every Horse King Tournament can you truly earn the title of the greatest Horse King!"

After announcing the rules, Naoki stepped aside to observe.

Calyrex floated gracefully to the center of the battlefield, addressing its two cherished steeds with authority:

"Let the battle begin!"

With a whistle-like sound of energy, the match commenced.

The next instant, both Pokémon sprang into action.

Glastrier galloped forward with thundering strides, icy energy erupting from its hooves and freezing the ground beneath it. Its charge was ferocious, barreling toward Spectrier with an overwhelming aura of cold power.

SLAM!

Spectrier stood its ground, seemingly unshaken, as the eerie purple mist around its body shifted ominously.

Glastrier charged with all its might, but just as it reached its target, it passed straight through Spectrier's form as if it were a mirage.

Glastrier: What?!

Spectrier let out a mocking whinny, its sharp senses pinpointing Glastrier's new position. With precise timing, it spun and delivered two solid kicks to its opponent with its hind legs.

Glastrier's eyes widened as it staggered, the blows leaving it momentarily dazed. Enraged, it roared, and a cold beam of energy erupted from its hooves.

Anticipating the attack, Spectrier leaped gracefully, activating Agility to enhance its speed. It darted across the battlefield with breathtaking speed, leaving Glastrier struggling to keep up.

The more Glastrier failed to connect with its target, the more its frustration grew. Fueled by rage, it raised its powerful front legs and stomped heavily on the ground.

The earth quaked under its hooves, sending shockwaves rippling across the battlefield. The tremor reached Spectrier, slowing its movements and causing it to grunt softly in discomfort. Sensing an opportunity, Glastrier surged forward.

But Spectrier wasn't done yet. It released a burst of Confuse Ray, an eerie, glowing light that struck Glastrier, clouding its mind. Dazed, Glastrier began to gallop aimlessly, imagining its opponent in an entirely different direction.

Taking full advantage of the confusion, Spectrier calculated its next move with cunning precision. It conjured a Shadow Ball—a swirling sphere of dark energy—and hurled it with precision at its disoriented opponent.

BOOM!

The Shadow Ball struck Glastrier squarely, sending it crashing to the ground. The battlefield fell silent as the mighty steed struggled briefly before succumbing, unable to continue.

The match was over. Spectrier stood victorious.

Naoki observed the Phantom Horse with admiration.

"Did Spectrier use Nasty Plot to boost the power of its Shadow Ball at the end?" he mused.

Nasty Plot, a Dark-type move, allows a Pokémon to sharpen its mind and drastically boost its special attack. Spectrier's clever use of strategy and abilities had turned the tide of battle decisively in its favor.

In comparison, Glastrier's brute force seemed simplistic. Naoki sighed as he glanced at the defeated Pokémon.

"It even tried using Tackle, a Normal-type move, against Spectrier—a Ghost-type. That's never going to work."

Glastrier and Spectrier—one is straightforward and brash, while the other is cunning and calculated. These two cherished Pokémon of Calyrex truly made for an entertaining rivalry.

After the battle concluded, Calyrex used its Heal Pulse ability to mend Glastrier's injuries.

Soon, Glastrier regained consciousness.

"It seems the match has been decided," Calyrex said, floating gracefully toward Spectrier with the golden crown in hand.

Spectrier's excitement was palpable as it laid its gaze on the genuine golden crown—not some ordinary trophy. The fact that it was being personally awarded by Calyrex made the moment even more special.

Memories of a time long past flooded Spectrier's mind. It remembered how, at the Crown Shrine, Calyrex had crowned Zacian and Zamazenta in a similar ceremony, giving rise to the Sword and Shield Kings.

Now, Spectrier itself was about to ascend as the unrivaled Horse King. Such an honor was exhilarating.

Spectrier snorted with pride and anticipation.

"My beloved steed," Calyrex said in a warm and regal tone, "accept this golden crown. From this day forward, you are the King of Horses."

Under the influence of Calyrex's psychic powers, the golden crown floated gently onto Spectrier's head.

Feeling the weight of the crown, Spectrier lifted its head high and let out an ecstatic cry toward the heavens.

"Neigh~!"

Nearby, Glastrier exhaled sharply through its nostrils, twin streams of frosty air billowing out.

"This conniving trickster!" it thought furiously. "Winning with such devious tactics... I can't accept this!"

Calyrex turned to Glastrier, its tone calm yet firm.

"My dear steed, there is no need to feel disheartened. One year from now, you may challenge Spectrier again. Should you prove victorious, I will place this crown upon your head."

Glastrier glared at Spectrier, resolve burning in its icy gaze.

"Neigh" "Just you wait," it thought fiercely. "Next year, that crown will be mine! I am the true King of Horses, the strongest steed in the world."

Spectrier, however, paid no heed to Glastrier's defiance. It had already ascended as the rightful Horse King and dismissed the other as unworthy of its attention.

With the crown adorning its head, Spectrier trotted off, its prideful demeanor evident as it inspected its "territory." Meanwhile, Glastrier silently focused on growing stronger, determined to claim the crown in the next Horse King Contest.

Watching the two horses reach a tentative truce, both Naoki and Calyrex exhaled in relief.

Finally, peace had returned.

Naoki mused aloud, "Perhaps this rivalry will drive both of them to grow stronger."

Calyrex nodded in agreement. With its connection to both steeds, it could unleash powerful fusion moves like Astral Barrage and Glacial Lance when merged with them. These moves were not only majestic in name but also devastating in battle.

Considering Calyrex's current strength, Naoki felt confident that few Pokémon in the world could withstand its Glacial Lance. Perhaps only a few, like Hydreigon from the Unova region, could pose a challenge.

Even Rayquaza, with its Dragon/Flying typing, would likely falter against the overwhelming ice-type attack of Glacial Lance. Against Rayquaza's quadruple weakness to Ice, Calyrex's lance would be a true "dragon-slaying spear."

Naoki sighed wistfully. 'It's a shame Calyrex rarely gets the opportunity to showcase this move. I'd love to witness its full power in action.'

His thoughts drifted to the events of Hoopa and the Clash of Ages, where Hoopa summoned legendary Pokémon to engage in a colossal battle. Perhaps Calyrex and its regal moves could shine in such a chaotic spectacle.

The idea sparked an amusing thought: Naoki considered creating a documentary to analyze such battles. For instance, how long would it take Groudon to walk from Kalos back to Hoenn?

With a chuckle at the thought, Naoki set his gaze back on the harmonious scene at the ranch, his heart light with satisfaction.

...

Bonus Chapter