"Knight" was technically a Trainer class...
No, perhaps it couldn't even be called a proper Trainer class. After all, there was only one Trainer who wore that particular style of armor.
Wikstrom, the Steel-type Elite Four member of Kalos.
Even if Commander Kamado was included, there would still only be two.
Among Pokémon classifications and titles, however, there were plenty associated with knights: the kings of sword and shield, Calyrex, Sirfetch'd, Escavalier, Armarouge, and Iron Valiant.
"In Galar, everyone knows the legend of the duel between Escavalier and Sirfetch'd," Chairman Rose said.
"Could we ask the king to describe the requirements and standards for becoming a Knight of the Round Table? I need to record everything and entrust it to the Chairmen who come after me."
Even though Chairman Rose intended to turn himself in, he remained extraordinarily enthusiastic whenever he planned Galar's future development.
However, forming a knightly order and using it to test future challengers was something Calyrex had already considered.
It was merely entrusting Hikaru with the practical work.
Although Hikaru couldn't help wondering...
Wasn't Calyrex actually trying to select twelve different mounts?
What Knights of the Round Table?
They were merely accessories for Calyrex's riding system.
By that standard, Keldeo could also be counted among them.
Although Keldeo was primarily based on d'Artagnan, it also incorporated elements of Scottish kelpie folklore. That was why Keldeo and the other Swords of Justice appeared in the Pokémon Sword and Shield DLC.
The most famous version of the Knights of the Round Table contained twelve members, although their numbers had supposedly reached an astonishing 150 at their peak.
Standing beside the Titan King, Hikaru asked:
"Did you get this idea because Paldea is planning to construct a Battle Frontier? Are you trying to create something similar?"
["Indeed! Naturally, an ideal land requires knights to protect it!"] Calyrex declared.
["This is also a tradition left behind by the ancient people. I am merely incorporating it into modern society."]
["A king grants knighthood, and thus a knight is born. It represents the ideals of the ancient world being recreated in the present—the arrival of humans and Pokémon who possess truly noble and sacred hearts before their king."]
["What do you think? It would make an excellent Frontier title!"]
["When humans defeat a Battle Frontier, they always receive a reward. Whether it is called a Badge, a Symbol, a Ribbon, a Medal, or a commemorative Print, they all serve the same purpose."]
["As for the material reward, we shall use large carrots—"]
["Hmm. I would have liked to give out Radiant Petals, but producing those consumes far too much of my strength!"]
The Big-Headed King's idea for a knight-themed Battle Frontier was genuinely good.
The only questionable part was making the final reward a carrot.
["Hmm. It seems a more substantial reward is required."]
["Then I shall attempt to cultivate the Berries from Dyna Tree Hill that we discussed earlier. We can offer the rare and legendary Starf Berry, along with Dynite Ore—a special mineral native to the Crown Tundra that enriches the soil and brings material abundance."]
["And in addition..."]
["How about young Shiny Pokémon?"]
["We can use that—your statue of Arceus!"]
["Naturally, only pure-hearted knights who pass every trial shall be entrusted with such Eggs!"]
Finding Shiny Pokémon was easy for the king. With psychic power extending across fifty kilometers, locating Eggs that were "exceptionally gifted" was effortless.
There was also the statue Hikaru had carved in the past and a certain modified Shiny Charm.
"Artificially producing Shiny Pokémon and Alpha Pokémon? That could be dangerous."
The Fossil Restoration Machine also appeared to have a chance of restoring an Alpha Pokémon.
However, an Alpha Pokémon with maximized HP potential and an enormous body was somewhat dangerous for modern humans.
Superhuman Galarians such as Gloria and Victor were exceptions.
"What a shame no one invited you to Johto to research Egg Groups. You really have become the king of Shiny hunting."
"Still, there's another method, isn't there?"
"In Galar, the more Pokémon with powerful auras you defeat, the more likely you are to encounter a Shiny Pokémon."
It was a peculiar game mechanic.
Some players would randomly encounter glowing Pokémon surrounded by a powerful presence early in the game.
Interestingly enough, these higher-level Pokémon surrounded by that intense aura were known as—
Brilliant Pokémon!
Brilliant Pokémon usually had higher levels, knew an Egg Move, and possessed two or three perfect individual values. Capturing or defeating one awarded Watts, with higher-level Pokémon providing more Watts.
Furthermore, depending on how many Pokémon of that species had been defeated or captured, the number of Shiny rerolls could increase from one to six!
That fully demonstrated one thing.
"Brilliant Aura exists within Galar."
"There also seems to be some connection between a Pokémon's aura and whether it is Shiny. Could that become a new field of research?"
Hikaru's casual suggestion immediately caught Sonia's attention.
Before she could ask anything, however, Calyrex interrupted her with an excited cry.
["Crown-crex! This is a tremendous discovery!"]
["In other words, seeking Pokémon surrounded by powerful auras makes it easier to discover Shinies!"]
["I must communicate properly with the Pokémon living here. The Pokémon population of the Crown Tundra shall flourish once more!"]
["Could the state of a Brilliant Pokémon coexist with that of an Alpha Pokémon?"]
"Maximum size, damage reduction, an Egg Move, a high level, and perfect IVs?" Hikaru coughed. "That certainly wouldn't be an opponent an ordinary person could defeat."
However, giving away Shiny Pokémon as rewards for clearing a challenge facility was another long-standing tradition.
Upon completing the ultimate challenges of Black Tower and White Treehollow, Benga rewarded the player with a Shiny Pokémon—either a Shiny Gible or a Shiny Dratini.
Different battle facilities offered their own unique rewards.
Hoenn's facilities even offered exclusive dolls that couldn't be purchased anywhere else. More universal rewards included battle items, training items, rare plants, and unusual TMs.
"If the theme is 'light,' then you should teach challengers that move."
["I see! Solar Beam!"] Calyrex exclaimed. ["It is indeed an excellent ultimate move to teach! I shall personally provide the instruction!"]
Now even the most valuable moves would become prizes for completing the challenges.
And that wasn't all.
["I have also mastered various space-based moves. Most humans would consider them exceedingly rare."]
["Hmm. It seems our rewards have been properly settled!"]
"The Crown Tundra also has unique Apricorns," Hikaru said. "Like those on the Isle of Armor, they grow far away from mainland Galar."
"And what can be made from Apricorns?"
"Other than juices that improve physical ability, the obvious answer is Apricorn Balls!"
Even Hyde, Mustard's son, had great difficulty reproducing Kurt's craftsmanship.
That absolute technological barrier remained unbroken until Blueberry Academy's Item Printer suddenly appeared, effectively driving traditional artisans out of the major cities.
That machine had committed every possible atrocity!
A soulless machine without the heart of a craftsman!
What? Hikaru also owned an Item Printer?
Then never mind.
Craftsmanship had to keep pace with the times!
Even so, there were still Poké Balls that the Item Printer couldn't create.
It could produce a Master Ball, but it couldn't create Strange Balls, blue Poké Balls, or—
The GS Ball and Cherish Balls!
As for the Origin Ball, the source explicitly stated that it required ore from the Primeval Grotto. Only one piece of that ore existed, and the Item Printer obviously couldn't synthesize it from nothing.
The Origin Ball was an ultra-limited item.
"Still, you probably can't work with Apricorns."
Calyrex looked down at its short little arms.
The Big-Headed King appeared rather depressed.
Never mind.
Apricorn Balls weren't an absolute necessity. If needed, Calyrex could exchange for them inside the Dream World!
A king had to understand the hearts of the people!
To support the enormous family living in the Crown Tundra, it would have to work hard and continually climb the tower!
Meanwhile, the discussion between Hikaru and Calyrex had sent Chairman Rose into a state of feverish excitement.
"The king shall select twelve guardian Pokémon! Then, after the annual Champion Cup, Trainers who successfully advance can be recommended to come here and challenge the trials of the Knights of the Round Table."
"Alternatively, they might form a bond with one of those knights. That would also be excellent!"
"It would be like a grand annual festival of trials!"
"The festival to select the Knights of the Round Table could become a new Galarian tradition... No, this would be a revival!"
"It would continue being passed down from generation to generation!"
"The future... I can see a genuine, brand-new future!"
Chairman Rose had become completely lost in planning Galar's future.
Behind everyone, the Titan King remained seated.
Regigigas's repairs were complete!
["Hmm. My body feels lighter..."]
["Was it the other Titan Kings who asked you to perform these repairs?"]
["I had almost forgotten what it felt like to wield my full strength so freely!"]
["How much time has passed since I collapsed on the Crown Tundra and lost consciousness?"]
["What do you mean by three thousand years?"]
Regigigas—the Titan King of Galar—gradually realized that a very long time had passed.
Hmm...
Its five figurines had been sealed inside ruins.
But if the ancient people had already constructed five ruins, why place the two titans Regigigas had impulsively created last inside the same ruin and force people to choose between them?
Golems were originally created as assistants for physical labor or as guardians of important locations.
But if those guardians were sealed away, they couldn't protect anything!
["You say that titans in other regions have also been sealed away?"]
["Perhaps something significant happened to the ancient people. I never understood humans particularly well."]
Regigigas wasn't a Pokémon that frequently communicated with humans.
The Titan Kings who had formed the closest bonds with humanity were probably those from Unova, Almia, and Sinnoh.
Originally, the Titan Kings and all the subordinates appearing throughout the mainline regions could be added together to reach exactly eighteen—the symbolic number of the titan race.
However, if another Regigigas was hidden in Hoenn, its legend would conflict with that of Sinnoh's Titan King.
In other words, it would be a retcon.
Then again, the three Legendary Titans had been scattered around like statues of Ultraman Tiga, so perhaps there was no need to follow the number eighteen too strictly.
It appeared as though the Toilet King and all its subordinates added up to eighteen.
But in reality...
Perhaps there were eighteen Toilet Kings!
["Since Regieleki once brought terror and disaster to the people here and was fitted with restraints, I shall give it to you."]
"Give it to me?"
Hikaru held the Poké Ball containing Regieleki.
It was a Quick Ball.
Naturally, a Quick Ball was supposed to be thrown at the beginning of a battle.
But after beating an opponent to its knees and leaving it unable to fight, did the type of ball really matter?
["Yes. I shall give it to you as thanks."]
["Being continuously bound by those restraining rings must be extremely uncomfortable for Regieleki."]
["Someone capable of correctly releasing those restraints would be able to command its full power without suffering any burden. That would also prevent another disaster."]
["Perhaps I used too many crystallized electrons when I created it."]
["I shall use less next time."]
The Titan King generously handed one of its figurines to Hikaru, with no intention of taking it back.
Crystallized electricity was relatively easy to obtain. Regigigas could always sculpt another Regieleki without restraints.
Next time, it would reduce the electrical crystals to thirty percent.
Dragon crystals, however, were much more difficult.
Regidrago was essentially a discontinued, limited-edition product. Even Regigigas couldn't create another one now.
It could hardly break off Eternatus's bones and use them as materials.
Calyrex therefore made a request.
["I wish to borrow the dragon's power so that this land may retain its vitality forever."]
["Please lend Regidrago to me!"]
The Titan King considered it briefly.
Hmm.
There didn't seem to be any problem.
This was all for the sake of the Crown Tundra!
Then the matter was happily settled!
Regigigas rose to its feet.
Now that it had lost the Slow Start Ability, it had become a terrifying existence comparable to the Titan King of Unova!
["Then it is decided!"] Calyrex declared. ["The mighty inhabitants of the Crown Tundra shall occupy the highest seats at the Round Table!"]
["The Titan King and the Dragon Titan shall stand among us!"]
Calyrex decided to incorporate Regigigas and Regidrago into its Round Table.
It had already begun imagining the overwhelming power of its riding system and even attempted to recruit the Titan King into—
The Eternal Battle Reverie!
They would fight side by side within that world!
["This is the new ideal I have created!"]
["The heroes of Galar shall display their abilities upon a boundless stage—across the past, present, and future!"]
["Release your power without restraint and ensure that the name of the Round Table is remembered forever!"]
["Let the Legendary Pokémon of other regions learn of our existence!"]
Calyrex's ideals resonated with the other powerful Pokémon!
They also believed that with the king's return, the Crown Tundra could finally become the ideal land that had never been realized before!
Calyrex swept its cape dramatically.
["My knights, we still have much to accomplish!"]
["We must transform the Crown Tundra into an abundant land, rebuild Freezington so its people can once again live and work in peace, and clear the ruined mountains and cavern systems!"]
["There are also... those two!"]
["And my system, my vegetables, and my T-shirts! We must advertise them all extensively!"]
The other two Pokémon Calyrex referred to were the captured Legendary Birds.
Galarian Moltres had been defeated by Marnie.
Galarian Articuno and Galarian Zapdos had been frozen in place by Calyrex's Blizzard and remained unable to move until the battle ended. By the time they were released, Frostbite had already depleted their strength.
Both birds were proud and unruly, making them difficult to tame.
Galarian Articuno, in particular, never looked anyone directly in the eye.
It wore a mask, after all.
In Pokémon Adventures, the black Moltres had also proven the most understanding of the three. After receiving a Max Revive, it repaid Henry Sword by carrying him to Calyrex.
The other two were simply awful.
They received no additional story whatsoever.
Perhaps Galarian Moltres had earned more attention purely because its design was the coolest.
Even after being captured, the two birds continued chattering inside their Poké Balls.
Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!
["If I'd known we would be immobilized, I would've run away immediately!"] Galarian Zapdos complained.
["The black bird has already been defeated. At least there'll be one less mouth competing for Berries!"]
["Hmm. Being caught by humans doesn't matter, so long as we're allowed to return here every year and eat Berries,"] Galarian Articuno mused.
["Should we negotiate?"]
["Your gluttony led you to attack the kings of sword and shield, nearly causing a catastrophe,"] Calyrex admonished them calmly.
["The Crown Tundra is an ideal kingdom. We must abandon the tradition of fighting among ourselves, especially when the two of you are Pokémon who originally came from overseas."]
["However, after migrating here for several decades, you should also regard this land as your homeland."]
["Fight alongside me, and remain with this land forever!"]
Calyrex's ideals failed to resonate with the simple-minded birds, who cared only about food.
Hikaru therefore explained matters to the two Poké Balls.
"Calyrex can grow the Berries you love."
"You won't be limited to the single crimson tree on Dyna Tree Hill."
"Perhaps another pale-red branch reaching toward the sun could grow near the mountain containing the enormous Wishing Star."
That immediately gave both birds something to consider!
The gluttons quickly surrendered!
["If it means obtaining such a feast, there appears to be no reason to refuse!"] Galarian Articuno declared.
["It's nothing more than being ridden occasionally!"] Galarian Zapdos agreed. ["That's surely better than being taken away by humans!"]
Calyrex nodded happily and used its psychic power to form a connection with the two birds.
Their intentions were then transmitted into Hikaru's mind.
[An extraordinary symbol has been detected. Trace its shape!]
[You obtained the Light Trail of "Galarian Zapdos"!]
[You obtained the Light Trail of "Galarian Articuno"!]
"Well, well. From a certain perspective, these three really are simple."
"All it takes is a few Berries to establish a bond with them?"
"It's only Starf Berries. I still have plenty."
Chirp?!
Those words shocked both Legendary Birds.
They were even more astonished when Hikaru genuinely took out a Starf Berry and casually tossed it into a pot of stew.
What a waste!
Something like that should be eaten fresh so its original flavor can be properly appreciated!
We surrender, Big Brother!
You really have Starf Berries!
If you'd said that earlier, we would've surrendered from the beginning!
["These two truly possess no ideals whatsoever..."] Calyrex muttered.
"You shouldn't say that."
Hikaru looked toward the embarrassed king, who was currently gnawing on carrots alongside its beloved steeds.
"Knights gather beneath the Round Table because of different ideals. It's only natural for their beliefs to differ."
"But when it comes to protecting the homeland that allows them to survive, they'll do whatever is necessary."
Galarian Articuno and Zapdos stared at Hikaru in surprise from inside their Poké Balls.
Hmm.
Their thoughts might differ, but his words were correct!
You, the King of Bountiful Harvests, can create Starf Berries!
For the sake of protecting this ideal land filled with Starf Berries and crimson trees—and for the sake of protecting your throne—
We shall dedicate our lives to you, our king!
We will brave fire and water without hesitation!
"Here are the cards."
Following the Big-Headed King's earlier request, Hikaru handed it the cards engraved with Light Trails.
There were twelve in total.
"When you encounter suitable Pokémon, connect your hearts with theirs."
"If you can see a Light Trail, engrave it onto one of these cards."
Calyrex waved excitedly.
["Wonderful!"]
["With so many Reins of Unity and Light Trail cards, my riding system is finally approaching completion!"]
["Pokémon from other worlds can appear within the caverns beneath the sacred mountain, correct?"]
["In other words, I may also have an opportunity to ride them!"]
["The official name of that activity is..."]
"Uh... Dynamax Adventures?" Hikaru answered.
"Although Eternatus has already reclaimed the enormous Wishing Star, so Pokémon appearing down there probably won't Dynamax anymore."
"As for the Ultra Wormhole, it may have closed, but its coordinates remain. No one knows when it might reopen, and there isn't much we can do about that."
"And what was that about a T-shirt?" Marnie asked, blinking.
Of everything the king had discussed, the mysterious T-shirt had caught her interest the most.
"What kind of T-shirt is it?"
Calyrex's eyes lit up.
["The T-shirt is a specialty product of Freezington!"]
["It is a limited-edition shirt printed with my noble likeness!"]
["For the sake of Freezington's development and future, I shall promote it on the village mayor's behalf. You must accept one!"]
"A local specialty..." Marnie murmured.
"If the king recommends it, then I suppose..."
No one could refuse Calyrex's enthusiastic sales pitch.
Besides, the shirts were free.
And if these T-shirts genuinely became popular in the future...
"They have investment potential."
Marnie muttered those words under her breath.
Someone who helped manage a band understood the added value of merchandise better than anyone.
A significant portion of Spikemuth's revenue came from punk merchandise related to Piers's band.
Moreover, from this day onward, Calyrex's name would undoubtedly spread from this southern ideal kingdom to the northern reaches of Galar.
"There's one more thing," Hikaru said.
He searched the surrounding area and selected an enormous fallen stone. After carving a passage into its surface, he turned toward Calyrex.
"After we leave, could you return this new monument to Ballimere Lake?"
"The location is—"
"Since I removed Spiritomb's original gravestone, I should replace it with a new one."
"Carving the correct words into the stone will transform it into an item that gathers supernatural energy. As time passes, the area beneath that tree will become a new paranormal location."
"In simple terms, we're adding another explorable area."
"You could also make this one of the trials."
"Other regions have similar paranormal challenges. Spiritomb enjoys playing pranks. Some of them have violent personalities, but with the king watching over everything, there shouldn't be a problem."
————————
After escaping the disaster, the elders who had taken shelter at the Crown Shrine returned to Freezington with grateful hearts.
The land had become fertile and abundant.
Just as the legends promised, the king had appeared and saved its people.
Everyone gazed upon it with admiration and reverence.
"It's decided!" the village mayor declared.
"From now on, the annual offerings connecting humanity to the king will include not only the Reins of Unity, but Freezington T-shirts!"
"I've already imagined designs for the new shirts!"
"We'll create an entire series featuring every Legendary Pokémon that appeared here, with the king at the center!"
"Freezington may be a village populated mostly by the elderly, but this will undoubtedly restore its vitality!"
["Indeed! The mayor's words greatly please me!"] Calyrex proclaimed.
["My friend is a famous designer who specializes in precisely this field. There is no need to worry about design fees—the work has already been completed!"]
"Oh!"
"The original image was based on the wooden statue in our village. Although it possessed a traditional atmosphere, there were a few minor flaws."
"After the redesign, the king's magnificence has been perfectly expressed! Even its large head no longer appears unusual. Combined with its cape, it conveys the dignity of a true monarch..."
He was speaking sincerely.
The mayor didn't consider Calyrex's enormous head a problem.
As the King of Bountiful Harvests, Calyrex possessed such beautiful stats.
Didn't the large head simply make it resemble a crown even more?
"Are you a professional artist and designer?" the mayor asked Hikaru.
"Forgive me for failing to recognize you. Could we perhaps use that fact in our advertising?"
Hikaru smiled helplessly.
"I think Freezington will prosper for some time even without using my name in its advertisements."
"The Crown Tundra has become extraordinarily fertile. You could scatter seeds almost anywhere and wait for a harvest."
"The weather will remain cold because of the latitude, but that can't be helped."
"So long as the king remains here, this land will never again suffer hunger or cold."
"Mayor, this truly is an ideal homeland, isolated from the rest of the world."
"From now on, the people of Galar will continually learn the king's name."
"The challengers of the new age—those who come to undertake the trials—will cross the mountains and enter this secret realm covered in snow and emerald grass."
"Freezington can also begin cultivating Radiant Vegetables."
"Ahem... These vegetables are already grown in several regions. Although Freezington is only a small village, you could communicate with the other agricultural bases where Radiant Vegetables are cultivated."
"In other words, farmers and agricultural specialists from other regions may come here to pay their respects to the king and learn advanced cultivation techniques."
"Oh! If such a future truly comes to pass, it would be wonderful!" The mayor's expression brightened.
"It's all thanks to the king, and thanks to the help of everyone here!"
"So many memories of the past are resurfacing within my heart. Life over these last several decades has certainly had its ups and downs..."
"I never imagined such a small village could become known as the homeland of kings."
"Should we construct more guesthouses?"
"Should the abandoned fields be restored?"
"It seems we'll be very busy for some time!"
"We can also sell the Iceroot Carrots from Snowslide Slope and the Shaderoot Carrots from the Old Cemetery as Crown Tundra specialties!"
"Thank you! Thank you all so much!"
The mayor enthusiastically spoke with everyone.
Because Calyrex couldn't communicate directly with him, it used its classic technique of "borrowing this body" and selected one of the village's more hot-tempered elders.
After all, the king's exclusive human loudspeaker—Mr. Peony—wasn't present.
The mayor looked toward Hikaru.
"And please take good care of this child."
"I think Fwoofy should also be included in the new T-shirt designs. After all, it will soon be time to say farewell."
"Children must eventually grow up and leave home."
"You're traveling to a region filled with warm sunlight. We don't know how far away it might be, but everyone in the village will offer you their blessings!"
"Fwooo!"
Fwoofy swayed happily as it floated in the air.
Although it was reluctant to part with the villagers, it had to leave.
It would depart from this village that had once been bitterly cold but had now become warm.
It would travel to the homeland it had never seen—the place where it truly belonged.
"The king's power really is magnificent!" the mayor continued. "The destroyed fields were completely restored in an instant!"
"It happened exactly as the legends described!"
"Many of the village houses were damaged, but thanks to Mr. Rose's donation, reconstruction will be completed very quickly."
"He truly is a good man."
——————————
"Yes, Big Bro, I'm perfectly safe!"
"You saw me appearing on the royalists' channel?"
"Phew... Whatever else happened, I really was appointed a knight."
"They called me a hero, but I didn't actually do much... Ah, never mind that. How are things on your end?"
"Galar is currently suffering a complete blackout?!"
Marnie was speaking with Piers over the phone.
When she learned what had happened in Spikemuth and mainland Galar, she was utterly astonished.
Bea had also called the people of Stow-on-Side. When the conversation ended, she wore a concerned expression.
"Unfortunately, I don't understand machinery at all."
"Even if the Energy Plant has suffered some kind of problem, a blackout across such a large area..."
"Fortunately, Stow-on-Side is a mountain town with many traditional ways of living. It seems the effects there aren't as severe as in other places."
"The Chairman took Mr. Avery, Sordward, Shielbert, and all the other royalists back with him."
"A major vote will be held to determine their punishment. After an incident of this magnitude, the public certainly won't support them."
"However, the ancient royalists apparently invested in many industries."
"Now that they've been arrested and the Chairman has announced his intention to turn himself in, all those businesses have fallen into a leadership vacuum."
"I never imagined Galar's upper class would experience such severe social disorder."
"The Chairman will handle it," Hikaru said. "Ms. Oleana can be trusted as well."
He wasn't particularly worried.
Chairman Rose had departed early, and the royalists would undoubtedly be imprisoned.
This wouldn't end like the original story, where everything was treated as a minor incident, everyone laughed it off, and the brothers later returned to invest in and sponsor competitions.
Their actions had been far worse than the Chairman's brief recreation of the Darkest Day.
They had caused riots in several stadiums, resulting in injuries and deaths.
"Electricity from the Energy Plant is distributed throughout Galar," Marnie said. "Now Spikemuth is without power, and the same is true everywhere else."
"No matter who becomes the next Chairman, they'll have to clean up this mess," Hikaru replied.
"Still, if the power grid needs to be restored quickly, weren't we just entrusted with an extremely powerful new companion?"
"Electricity?" Marnie thought for a moment.
"Oh! What about that Pokémon called Raging Bolt?"
"If it can produce as much electricity as that enormous, lightning-covered brachiosaur appeared capable of..."
"Galar's Electric-type Gym is near the bottom of the minor division, and hardly anyone even knows it exists."
"Galar therefore lacks Pokémon capable of producing tremendous amounts of electricity."
Hikaru laughed.
"That's only natural. Electivire, a Pokémon capable of generating enormous amounts of electricity, was discovered relatively recently."
"Electivire was first discovered in Sinnoh and evolves using a special device."
"Its electrical output ranks among the highest of all Electric-type Pokémon. When it becomes fully charged, intense blue-white sparks erupt between its two horns."
"A single Electivire can provide every building in a large city with all the electricity it requires for an entire year."
"However, Galar doesn't have that Pokémon."
More precisely, it didn't exist on the mainland.
Electivire could only be found in the Crown Tundra.
And somehow, there were wild ones?
Considering that Electivire had required trade evolution in previous generations, the origin of the Crown Tundra's wild population was a genuine mystery.
Perhaps they had escaped from another world or from the caverns used for Dynamax Adventures.
"Electivire?" This was Marnie's first time hearing of the Pokémon.
However, Hikaru shook his head.
"But I'm not talking about Electivire or Raging Bolt."
"When I was in Sinnoh, I experienced a blackout that affected half the region."
"At the time, I used the Electric-type Pokémon in my possession, along with a genuine Zapdos that happened to be passing through, to restore the local power supply."
"But Sinnoh wasn't highly industrialized. It couldn't compare with Galar's two-hundred-year history of industry."
"When Galar began industrializing, Sinnoh was still living in a tribal era."
"The amount of electricity generated and consumed is on an entirely different level."
"Raging Bolt can't supply all of Galar with electricity."
"Of course, an ancient thunder dragon being incapable of it doesn't mean nothing else can."
"I'm talking about the Pokémon the Titan King gave me—"
"Regieleki."
"If we remove Regieleki's controllable power restraints, we can release its true strength."
"The greatest difference between it and other Electric-type Pokémon lies in its ecology."
"Electric-type ecology?" Bea asked.
"I don't know much about it, but some Electric-type Pokémon also feed on electricity, don't they?"
"That sounds right," Marnie said. "Even though they can generate electricity, without power plants, Electric-type Pokémon have to consume naturally occurring electricity."
"In other words, even Electric-type Pokémon need to eat electricity."
"Exactly," Hikaru said. "That's what makes Regieleki different."
"It survives by absorbing electrons from the atmosphere. Electrons throughout the world are its source of power."
"Most of its body consists of electrical energy, which means its entire body functions as an electricity-generating organ."
"Perhaps the Titan King foresaw such a need when it created Regieleki. Or perhaps it was only a coincidence."
"Either way, Regieleki possesses enough power to generate all the electricity Galar requires!"
"All of Galar?!" Marnie exclaimed.
She had never seen Regieleki. She had only heard Hop say that Hikaru had defeated and captured it.
She immediately looked toward Hop, who had just finished his own phone call.
"That Pokémon? I don't really know either!" Hop hurriedly shook his head.
Sonia, however, looked delighted.
"Wait! If that Pokémon truly possesses so much power, then there was never any need for the Darkest Day...?!"
She froze midway through the sentence, then shook her head with a sigh.
"No. Using it like an energy cell would be far too cruel."
"But temporarily supplementing Galar's electricity would be fine!"
"As expected of a crystallization of electricity!"
"It seems Regieleki exists only in Galar?"
"If so, then the Titan King has truly saved the world thousands of years into the future."
"It pulled the continents and created civilization... Pokémon truly are magnificent creatures."
"My grandmother's laboratory has lost power too, but fortunately, our family has Yamper."
In an early concept, Sonia had been intended to become one of Galar's new Elite Four members and specialize in Electric-type Pokémon.
That concept was ultimately discarded.
Reaching the Elite Four with nothing but Yamper...
Hikaru couldn't help shaking his head.
She would've been the ultimate one-trick specialist.
"Let's go to the Energy Plant," Hikaru said. "There are also two people I'd like to meet regarding the repairs."
"When discussing the greatest authorities on mechanical and electronic engineering in Galar, the answer obviously isn't Ms. Oleana."
"And it certainly isn't Sordward or Shielbert."
"The two greatest experts are obscure children hardly anyone knows."
"Hyde, Master Mustard's youngest son."
"And..."
"Mr. Peony's younger daughter."
The Eevee-obsessed girl had once been suspended from school for a year and a half.
As a result, she looked very young, but was actually around the same age as Kieran.
She was at least a year or two older than Nemona.
"The Meteor Hacker."
"Cassiopeia—Penny."
"Cassiopeia?" Marnie raised an eyebrow.
"That's quite an imposing title."
Hikaru laughed.
"I call her Cassiopeia because I believe her talent shines as brightly as a constellation in the night sky."
————————————
On a hillside near Slippery Slope, an enormous sword floated in the air.
It looked back toward the mountain, waved its shield, and offered its respects to the distant king of the ideal land.
I truly received your teachings.
[Aegislash learned Behemoth Blade!]
After being wielded by the sovereign of swords, Aegislash had understood the secret of wrapping its body in steel.
By absorbing metal during battle, it could transform Iron Head into an entirely new move.
["Sister, you're still staring in that direction?"] Zamazenta asked.
["What's wrong? Are you truly so reluctant to leave?"]
["This is the first time I've seen the Fairy King make such an expression."]
["For the first time in three thousand years, I've developed an unnecessary emotion,"] Zacian replied.
["There is nothing wrong with looking for a little longer."]
["I once saved my homeland with a sword. Then I encountered a new sword worthy of being called a king."]
["It was almost like seeing another side of myself."]
["A swordsman naturally cherishes the sword they wield. But when the other party is also a swordsman, the matter becomes quite different."]
["As a Pokémon that has finally discovered its true wish, perhaps I should attempt the examination to join the Swords of Justice."]
["It sounds rather entertaining. That is also an organization, after all."]
["The wind that had stopped has begun to flow again."]
["At the end, there seems to be one thing I cannot bring myself to say..."]
["Never mind. Perhaps this is enough."]
["We will meet again somewhere else. The sword and the swordsman shall be reunited."]
["The king is calling us,"] Zamazenta said.
The kings of sword and shield turned around.
They couldn't return to the Slumbering Weald. Their former homeland had already collapsed.
The Crown Tundra would become their new home.
Calyrex was calling!
["The stars protect the land through thousands of nights and countless joys."]
["Clouds drift between the sun and moon."]
["Now is the appointed hour."]
["Heroes of Galar, gather at the Round Table within the Crown Shrine!"]
["All Pokémon who yearn for strength may come to the shrine!"]
["I shall acknowledge this place as the land where heroes and legends gather!"]
The Great Red Dragon soared across the heavens.
The Titan King strode across the mountains.
The dragon-headed jewel hovered in the sky.
The kings of sword and shield looked at one another.
As the wind roared past, the knights vanished from sight, yet seemed to transform into stars in the heavens.
Sunlight illuminated the reborn land.
The snow and ice melted away, becoming fields of flowers.
They rose from the earth and raced across the golden grasslands, traveling toward the ends of heaven and earth.
——————————
Ballimere Lake.
Spiritomb had witnessed the earth-shattering disaster and originally intended to demand an explanation.
It had made it halfway there before becoming terrified and fleeing back the way it came.
Since then, it had remained motionless.
Spiritomb's expression became extremely strained as it stared at the colossal monument Calyrex had delivered.
Creating a comfortable new paranormal location was certainly nice.
But wasn't this monument far too enormous?
Wouldn't this turn the entire place into a tourist attraction?!
The original gravestone had been small and inconspicuous.
That allowed it to remain hidden in a corner of the hills, secretly asking people to spread its voice.
That gave the place a properly ghostly, mischievous atmosphere.
This new stone was so enormous that its ancient inscription could be seen from a tremendous distance!
"Yorah!"
Never mind.
Having something returned was still better than having it truly stolen.
It seemed that the grave robber possessed at least some morality and basic decency.
["Still, his actions are understandable!"]
["He witnessed something truly terrifying!"]
["Can those creatures even be considered Pokémon anymore?"]
["Could I obtain a rare seat at the Crown Shrine?"]
["So many unfamiliar things have appeared across the Crown Tundra!"]
["I slept for several centuries. How did the world become like this after I woke up?"]
["There are dragons and fossils running everywhere!"]
["Are you kidding me? Didn't the ancient people consider some of those things extinct?!"]
["Could the souls composing my body be deceiving me?"]
There were many things Spiritomb couldn't understand.
But for now, it should enjoy itself.
Although its soul was dark and damp, even Spiritomb occasionally felt like basking in the sunlight...
Whoosh—
A terrifying red figure fled along the coast.
It crossed the ocean and raced toward the distant horizon without looking back.
Spiritomb witnessed the entire scene from the shoreline.
Ohhh!
A monster!
A monster it had never seen before!
["There are already enough monsters on the Crown Tundra. Hurry up and leave..."]
Spiritomb muttered to itself.
Still, why did that creature resembling an otherworldly life-form appear so frightened?
That thing truly didn't look like a Pokémon.
Its appearance was almost as mismatched with the world as Spiritomb itself—an artificial entity created through sealing.
Then Spiritomb witnessed an even stranger sight.
Something seemed to have come from the direction of the sacred mountain.
It spun through the air like a star and pursued the red monster.
As the crimson creature fled in panic, dark-red power resembling the Darkest Day overflowed around the pursuing Pokémon.
It transformed into something like a crimson sphere and drove the invader from Ultra Space beneath the sea!
Although its opponent escaped, the pursuer refused to relent.
It would cross the ocean and chase its target all the way to the land overflowing with light and aura!
The geometrically shaped Pokémon transformed in midair.
Under Spiritomb's astonished gaze, it came hurtling down!
Wait...
Was that...?
["Starmie?"]
It was clearly a Pokémon Spiritomb recognized, yet intense light overflowed from its body.
That brilliant radiance shone outward.
When the spinning star completed its transformation, it had assumed a gigantic humanoid form!
["Did you see a red creature fleeing in that direction?"]
Why would a red muscle mosquito with a base Attack of 139 become so frightened that it fled across the ocean?
Because the cosmic superhero pursuing it possessed a base Attack of 140—
Exactly one point higher!
Spiritomb nearly jumped out of its Odd Keystone when it saw the enormous creature.
What had happened on the Crown Tundra?
Had the world truly become this insane after five hundred years?
Starmie had stood up?!
["What in the world are you?!"]
["The red creature... It fled across the sea, toward the place with the most intense light!"]
Spiritomb hurriedly pointed out the direction.
"Hyah!"
The starfish superhero nodded its...
Arm?
["I see. Alola!"]
["The coordinates were displaced by this much?"]
["Then I must depart immediately!"]
Calling it Starmie was no longer correct.
It should be called—
Mega Starmie!
The Giant of the Stars stood upon the earth!
["I came here from another world to sink that Ultra Beast into the Lake of the Sunne!"]
["Do you know about Ultra Beasts?"]
["Would you like to learn about extraterrestrial life-forms?"]
["Ultra Beasts are aliens that invade Alola!"]
"Hyah!"
Mega Starmie flew toward the far side of the ocean.
Spiritomb stared after it for a long time.
Then it began bouncing in panic and abandoned its comfortable little home.
It needed to hurry to the Crown Shrine and report what had happened.
This place was no longer safe!
(End of Chapter)
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