The villagers stared at the scene, dumbfounded.
After a long while, the village chief snapped back to reality and exclaimed loudly, "What kind of Pokemon is that!"
Carmine and Kieran saw the culprit controlling everyone being defeated and instantly shouted excitedly.
"Calyrex is amazing! Awesome! It should teach that villain a harsh lesson!"
Calyrex?
Upon hearing this, the village chief stood frozen in place.
Why did he feel that name was so familiar?
The village chief looked over at Naoki not far away, and suddenly, a memory surged in his mind of the legend of The King of Bountiful Harvests that Naoki had told him about while visiting the rice fields a few days ago!
If Calyrex truly exists, then that legend... is real!
The village chief was astonished.
Calyrex, however, paid little attention to the villagers.
It rode forward on its beloved steed, arriving at the fallen Pokemon, a slight thought flickered in its eyes as it saw this Pokemon's past and future.
After a while, it withdrew its gaze and sighed:
"Thou hast always been loved, yet remain unaware; instead, thou used thy power to capture those who truly loved thee, and in the end, thou wrought this tragedy out of greed, taking away what others loved."
"Thou can neither take away thy life nor seek forgiveness from those thou hast harmed."
Calyrex initially planned to imprison the Pokemon named Pecharunt here until it learned the meaning of love.
But upon reconsideration, it realized it lacked the authority.
Thus, Calyrex stepped aside, ignoring this sad and pathetic Pokemon.
Ogerpon looked at the Pokemon that had once led the Loyal Three to take its mask and loved ones, its eyes burning with fierce anger.
The surrounding villagers were still present, their expressions complex as they looked at the Pokemon that had controlled them, then glanced at the so-called "ghost."
Under the villagers' gaze, Ogerpon tried to suppress its emotions.
Upon seeing this scene, Naoki sighed and stood beside Ogerpon.
Ogerpon was stunned for a moment, then blankly raised its head.
Naoki looked down, meeting its gaze, and spoke: "Go ahead! Do what you want, and I'll bear all the consequences."
Whether it continued to be seen as a ferocious ghost by the villagers or feared by the world, no matter the outcome, it didn't matter.
Because from now on, Ogerpon would no longer belong to Kitakami; it would join him in the distant Paldea Region to start a new life there.
There, it would no longer be a ghost, free to play with everyone in the town, and during the celebration hosted by Calyrex in the mountains, it could take off its mask and celebrate with everyone.
At this moment, not only Naoki, but Yukito, Yukiko, Carmine, and Kieran were also watching Ogerpon.
The atmosphere briefly fell silent, no one spoke, as if awaiting Ogerpon.
"Boni..."
Ogerpon's eyes reflected Naoki's face, watching his hand on its head, and its eyes gradually grew wet.
Ogerpon removed the Teal Mask from its face, revealing its true appearance.
A rich Grass Type Energy quickly condensed from its hand, eventually transforming into a massive thorn stick.
Ogerpon grasped the thorn stick tightly, then walked toward the barely breathing Pecharunt under the watchful eyes of everyone and every Pokemon.
One step, two steps, three steps...
A drop of tear fell onto the stone below with a "plop."
Just like one day long ago, when Ogerpon charged down the mountain in anger to avenge the man in town.
"..."
The townspeople slightly opened their mouths, looking dazed at the "ghost."
Gradually, Ogerpon finally reached Pecharunt, slowly and steadily raised the thorn stick in its hand.
Then, struck down with force.
"Boom!"
*
The journey to Kitakami finally came to an end.
Before leaving, the village chief tearfully shoved a purple peach doll containing the power of Calyrex's Imprison into Naoki's hands.
The previous events had all been recounted to them by the non-controlled villagers upon their return.
Now everyone in Kitakami knew it was the villainous peach Pokemon controlling the townsfolk, not only the people but even the Loyal Three were its followers, attempting to seize Ogerpon's mask.
The village chief grew fearful of these four Pokemon, afraid Calyrex's Imprison might weaken, and one day these villains would emerge again, turning the villagers into their toys.
"Mr. Naoki, please take these Pokemon that plagued the town away with you!"
Naoki: "..."
What a joke!
Although Ogerpon hadn't killed Pecharunt that day, merely created a large crater in the ground beside it.
But now even looking at this doll made him uncomfortable, let alone having it with him while Ogerpon was around.
If he accepted it, Ogerpon would likely recall those unpleasant memories every time it saw the doll.
Therefore, Naoki pushed the peach doll back: "Calyrex's power is mighty; before this Pokemon understands what true love is, it absolutely cannot come out."
"If you truly dislike it, just dig a pit on Apple Hill and bury them there!"
This thing was better left here to "nourish" the people of Kitakami!
The village chief was on the verge of tears.
"Let's leave it at that! The exchange meeting is over, I should head home," Naoki said.
Not only did he capture Ogerpon, but Calyrex also harvested a wave of faith from Kitakami, further strengthening its power.
Thinking of this, Naoki turned to leave.
Yet the village chief called out to him again: "Wait! Mr. Naoki!"
"What is it?" Naoki stopped and looked back.
The village chief was full of hesitation and finally stammered:
"Could you refrain from revealing the truth about the legend circulating in Kitakami... please!"
Because they still needed to rely on the reputation of the Loyal Three to develop tourism, attract visitors, and prosper the town!
"..."
Naoki was speechless.
Not to mention, apart from Yukito's family, the people of this town in some way were quite similar to those four Pokemon.
Pecharunt and the Loyal Three wanted to seize Ogerpon's mask, while the villagers wanted to use the fame of the Loyal Three to attract tourists and develop their hometown; they all had bright futures.
As for the merits of the Loyal Three, they didn't care at all.
It's like that saying: whether black or white, if it brings money to Kitakami, it's a good cat.
Naoki, quite speechless: "In that case, you might as well promote Ogerpon instead; after all, they're all Legendary Pokemon, there's not much difference."
"This... this..." The village chief hesitated, quite troubled.
"I'm going!"
Naoki said no more, mounted Koraidon, and flew into the sky.
Kitakami gradually disappeared behind him, eventually vanishing from sight, and Naoki took out Ogerpon's Poke Ball from his waist, softly speaking to it:
"Ogerpon, please take care from now on."
The Poke Ball shook slightly, as if Ogerpon inside was responding.
Naoki smiled faintly and then stowed the Poke Ball away.
The wind tousled his hair as Naoki gazed at the endless blue sky above, speaking to Koraidon:
"Huff—time to go home!"
"Ah gah si~"