Pokemon: A New Path

Chapter 423: The Legend of the King

Chapter 423: The Legend of the King

Professor Oak’s mind was racing with thoughts as he glanced at Calyrex, sitting beside him with a calm and regal demeanor. Unable to hold back his curiosity, he finally asked the question burning in his mind.

“Why did Calyrex fall into such a state?”

Naoki nodded knowingly. “A lot happened in the Galar region thousands of years ago. Tell me, Professor, have you ever heard of the Darkest Day?”

“Darkest Day?” Professor Oak asked, his brow furrowing in thought.

Naoki elaborated. “You might know it better as the origin of Dynamax energy.”

At this, Professor Oak’s expression shifted to one of recognition. Gigantamaxing, a phenomenon unique to the Galar region, came to mind. He recalled that trainers used Dynamax Bands, developed by Professor Magnolia, to temporarily Gigantamax their Pokémon during battles. Pokémon would grow to enormous sizes, and their moves would transform into powerful G-Max attacks.

Despite being far from Galar, the rumors of Dynamax energy and its peculiar effects had reached even Kanto. “Is this related to Dynamaxing?” he asked.

Naoki nodded, his tone solemn. “Yes, it is. The story begins a long, long time ago.”

“In ancient Galar, there were two horse Pokémon living in the Crown Tundra—a harsh, snowy region. One was called Glastrier, the Ice Rider Pokémon, and the other was Spectrier, the Ghost Rider Pokémon,” Naoki explained.

At that moment, a wave of telekinesis emanated from Calyrex, enveloping both Naoki and Professor Oak. The next instant, the living room vanished, replaced by a vast, snowy tundra under an overcast sky.

Professor Oak blinked in astonishment as the scene unfolded before him. In the middle of the snowfield stood Glastrier and Spectrier, their majestic forms etched against the pale backdrop.

“What is this?” Professor Oak whispered, looking around.

“This,” Naoki began, “is a memory of the past.”

Calyrex had decided to show Professor Oak its memories through telepathy, a decision made after Naoki and Calyrex concluded that mere words would fail to convey the gravity of the tale.

In the memory, humans and their Pokémon trudged through the tundra, bundled tightly against the biting cold. But as they approached the horses’ territory, the two Pokémon began to defend their land fiercely, attacking the humans and their Pokémon without mercy.

Naoki’s voice narrated the scene, resonating in the icy air. “Glastrier and Spectrier were furious at the humans for invading their territory. Their attacks were relentless, driving the intruders away.”

Amidst the chaos, a regal figure appeared on the horizon—Calyrex. Its body radiated an aura of immense psychic power, and its gaze was filled with authority. It approached the battling horses, its power quelling their rage.

Calyrex unleashed a powerful telekinetic wave, subduing both Glastrier and Spectrier. The injured horses lay on the snow, subdued but wary. Then, Calyrex used its healing powers, a soft green light enveloping their wounds. Slowly, the horses rose, looking at Calyrex with newfound respect and reverence. From that day, they became Calyrex’s loyal steeds.

The memory shifted again, showing a group of settlers building homes in the snowy tundra. However, the harsh environment made it nearly impossible to grow crops, and food supplies quickly dwindled. The settlers faced starvation.

Watching from a distance, Calyrex, astride its loyal steeds, couldn’t bear their suffering. It raised its hands, and a miracle unfolded—fertility was bestowed upon the land. Hardy crops like carrots and radishes began sprouting in the frozen ground, and delicate blue flowers bloomed despite the cold.

The settlers, awestruck by the miracle, built a grand temple in honor of Calyrex and its steeds. They named it the King of Bountiful Harvests and worshipped it as their savior.

The vision shifted once more, showing Calyrex traveling across forests and plains atop its steeds, spreading life and abundance wherever it went. 

Under the serene glow of the memory, Naoki’s voice rang clear and steady, narrating the tale of Calyrex's reign.

“At that time, Calyrex rode atop his loyal steed, traversing the lands of Galar. Gradually, people began to call him the King of Bountiful Harvests, revering him as the ruler of the Galar region. Under Calyrex’s guidance, the Galar region prospered.”

Professor Oak watched the memory unfold, his gaze captivated by the harmony between humans and Calyrex. Villages flourished under Calyrex’s protection, the fields abundant with crops, and the people free from the hunger and hardship that had once plagued them. The radiant King bestowed blessings, ensuring that life in Galar thrived.

“So this is why Calyrex is called the King of Bountiful Harvests,” Professor Oak murmured, deeply moved by the sight.

However, Naoki’s tone grew solemn as the scene began to shift. “But the good times didn’t last forever. One day, Calyrex foresaw a terrible disaster that would soon engulf Galar.”

Professor Oak listened intently as the narration continued. “Calamity loomed on the horizon. Darkness would soon cover the entire region, and under its influence, countless wild Pokémon would grow to massive sizes, lose their minds, and wreak havoc indiscriminately.”

The memory projected by Calyrex’s psychic power changed, displaying a foreboding vision of the future. Gigantic Pokémon rampaged through forests and towns. Flames consumed buildings, and a suffocating black shroud hung over the skies. It was chaos incarnate.

“To prepare for the impending crisis,” Naoki continued, “Calyrex sought out two legendary Pokémon: Zacian and Zamazenta, known as the Heroes of Many Battles.”

In the evolving scene, Zacian and Zamazenta appeared alongside a Melmetal, their presence commanding respect and awe. Naoki explained, “Using Melmetal’s durable steel, he forged a sword for Zacian and a shield for Zamazenta. Calyrex, in an extraordinary act of sacrifice, imbued both with his power, enabling them to transform into their crowned forms—Zacian, the Sword King, and Zamazenta, the Shield King.”

The vision depicted a grand coronation ceremony. Calyrex, standing with regal poise, placed the sword and shield into Zacian and Zamazenta’s care. The two legendary Pokémon knelt in deference before rising as champions prepared to face the encroaching darkness.

“Once everything was ready, night fell, and Zacian and Zamazenta departed for battle,” Naoki said. The memory showed the two heroes bowing to Calyrex before turning toward the source of the looming darkness.

However, even as the heroes set off, Calyrex remained vigilant. The King had expended immense energy during the preparations but had no time to rest. “Disaster struck shortly after,” Naoki continued. “Giant Pokémon began wreaking havoc across Galar, and Calyrex was forced to act.”

The vision shifted again, revealing Calyrex standing amidst a forest besieged by chaos. Using the last reserves of his strength, Calyrex unleashed a miraculous wave of psychic energy. The entire forest was uprooted and safely moved to a distant location, sparing countless Pokémon from the dark forces. However, this act of immense power left Calyrex utterly drained.

“After saving the forest, Calyrex fell into a deep slumber. When he awoke, thousands of years had passed,” Naoki concluded, his voice heavy with the weight of the tale.

As the memory dissolved, the living room returned to view. Professor Oak sat silently, his expression a mixture of awe and sorrow. “How could this happen.....?” he muttered, his voice barely audible.

After learning about the King of Bountiful Harvests and his extraordinary feats, Professor Oak's admiration only grew. Yet, the lingering questions about the events of the "Darkest Day" pressed on his mind.

"What happened next?" Professor Oak asked eagerly. He was fully immersed in the story, desperate to know whether the disaster had truly been averted and the truth behind Dynamax phenomena.

Naoki replied, "Later, Zacian and Zamazenta successfully repelled Eternatus, the source of the Darkest Day. However, they couldn't completely defeat it. Eternatus was sealed away, left in a dormant state. But even now, the threat of its awakening looms."

"Eternatus?" Professor Oak perked up at the unfamiliar name. "Is that a Pokémon?"

Naoki nodded. "Yes, but not a Pokémon of this world. According to legend, Eternatus came to the Galar region on a meteorite from deep space."

"From outer space..." Professor Oak muttered, his thoughts flashing to other extraterrestrial Pokémon like Clefairy and Deoxys. But his brow furrowed as something clicked.

'If Eternatus was neutralized, shouldn't Dynamaxing have ceased to exist? Why does the phenomenon still occur in Galar?'

Professor Oak looked solemn.

Naoki knew what the professor was thinking. "Zacian and Zamazenta managed to suppress it, they didn’t destroy it. Maybe it will wake up again in the near future."

Professor Oak’s expression darkened with concern. 

Professor Oak opened his Rotom Phone, hoping to find information on Eternatus or the events of the Darkest Day. However, his search yielded nothing but tales of two human monarchs from Galar’s ancient history—the "Sword King" and "Shield King"—who were said to have repelled the darkness using their legendary weapons.

There is also an introduction about them above. It is said that they were the royal family of the Galar region.

Looking at this information, Dr. Oak couldn't help but be filled with questions.

'Why is this different from what Naoki said?'

Naoki knew what the professor was thinking.

However, it is impossible to find information about Calyrex on the Internet.

The situation in the Galar region is a bit complicated.

Rose, the president of the Macro Cosmos Group and the chairman of the Galar Pokemon League plans to use Eternatus as a power bank to provide Dynamax energy to the entire Galar region.

President Rose's intentions may have been good, but his plan was too horrifying, and he underestimated the power of Eternatus, which led to Eternatus getting out of control and allowing darkness to once again shroud the Galar region.

In the effort to prevent the looming disaster, Champion Leon fought valiantly but suffered serious injuries. In the end, he relied on the help of Hop, Zacian, and Zamazenta to turn the tide. 

This operation was extremely perilous. Naturally, Chairman Rose, the head of Macro Cosmos, withheld all information regarding Eternatus, ensuring that it would remain a secret. As the president of both the Pokémon League and the Macro Cosmos Corporation, which monopolizes nearly every industry in the Galar region, Rose wielded the power to suppress such information with ease.

"Why does the historical record claim that it was the Galar royal family who defeated the Darkest Day?" Professor Oak asked, puzzled.

Naoki sighed before replying, "That’s because the heroic deeds of Zacian, Zamazenta, and Calyrex were seen as a threat to the royal family’s influence. After Calyrex fell into slumber and Zacian and Zamazenta retreated into obscurity, the royal family appropriated their achievements. They claimed to the public that it was their ancestors who repelled the Darkest Day."

He continued, "At that time, communication methods were primitive. There were no mobile phones, no television, and even the number of people who witnessed the battle was limited. The truth was easy to manipulate. Over time, as those who knew the real story passed away, the false narrative became widely accepted."

"The faith and belief of humans empower Calyrex. With his accomplishments stolen and belief in him fading, Calyrex lost his source of strength. As a result, he was unable to awaken for a long time, and even lost his memories in the process."

Hearing this explanation, Professor Oak nodded in understanding, his face clouded with sympathy. The earlier image of Calyrex wandering alone across a desolate snowfield now resonated deeply with him.

"Those deceitful royals! How despicable!" Professor Oak exclaimed, his voice tinged with anger. It was rare to see the usually calm professor so worked up. 

"Pokémon risk their lives to protect humans, and instead of gratitude, their efforts were stolen to bolster the royal family’s rule? It’s unforgivable!" 

Naoki was unsurprised by Professor Oak’s reaction. Smiling slightly, he said, "That’s precisely why we asked you to come here, Professor Oak. We need your help."

"Help?" Professor Oak asked, his curiosity piqued.

Naoki leaned forward, his expression serious. "We need your assistance in officially documenting Calyrex’s legend and deeds in the Pokémon Encyclopedia. The world needs to know the truth about the King of Bountiful Harvests."

Without hesitation, Professor Oak nodded. "Leave it to me. I won’t allow these Pokémon heroes to be disrespected."

As a renowned researcher who loved Pokémon deeply, Professor Oak was resolute. However, as an authority in the Pokémon research community, he knew it was important to verify the story before officially recording it.

Even though the Kanto region was far from Galar, Professor Oak had his own methods of investigation. It didn’t take long for him to confirm the truth.

Through his research, he uncovered evidence of the ancient legend in the Galar region. The frozen village in the Crown Tundra, the ancient Snowfield Temple, and accounts of Zacian and Zamazenta—everything aligned with Naoki’s story.

"So that’s the truth," Professor Oak muttered.

That afternoon, after verifying the details of the story, Professor Oak used Naoki's computer and his own Rotom Phone to work remotely. He contacted the Oak Laboratory in Pallet Town and communicated with his assistants.

Naoki wasn’t entirely sure what Professor Oak was up to. However, by the next morning, new information had been added to the Pokémon database on Rotom Phones.

[Calyrex: A regal Pokémon that possesses the power to heal and bless. Revered for its compassionate heart, it once ruled the Galar region long ago.]

Following that update, a groundbreaking research paper authored by Professor Oak was published. This paper, completed overnight at Naoki Ranch, meticulously detailed the legend of Calyrex and its bond with Zacian and Zamazenta. It highlighted Calyrex's immense contributions to Galar’s history and emphasized its greatness as a Pokémon.

With the assistance of his connections, Professor Oak managed to have the paper published in one of the most authoritative journals in the Pokémon research community.

The impact was immediate.

The Pokémon community buzzed with excitement. Trainers, researchers, and enthusiasts from Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Unova, and beyond expressed admiration for Calyrex's noble deeds. As the story spread, the number of Calyrex’s fans skyrocketed once more.

However, the revelations in Galar caused an uproar.

The paper claimed that Calyrex was once the revered king of Galar. For many in the Galar region, this was a shocking revelation.

Netizens quickly took to online forums to debate the newfound information.

[Caller Woofwoof]: "Is everything in this paper true?"

[Eevee Enthusiast]: "It must be! This came from Professor Oak, the most renowned Pokémon researcher in the world."

[Surprised Pikachu]: "Oh my! Are you telling me that Calyrex and his companions saved us from the calamity of the Darkest Day?"

[Rocky Geolith]: "This is unreal! I once heard the elders in Freezington mention Calyrex, but I thought it was just a myth to draw tourists!"

[Wooloo Lover]: "I can’t believe the Galar royal family stole credit for this! They erased the true hero’s achievements!"

But not everyone was willing to accept this narrative.

[Ninja In Pajamas]: "This is nonsense! It was our ancestor, the true Hero of Galar, who ended the Darkest Day. Zacian and Zamazenta were just assisting him!"

[Squirt Cool]: "Exactly! The royal family defeated Eternatus. Zacian and Zamazenta’s existence only brings chaos to Galar!"

[Passionate Citizen]: "Oh, please! The royal family couldn’t possibly have done this without Zacian and Zamazenta. They relied entirely on the Pokémon's strength!"

The debate grew heated.

[Ninja In Pajamas]: "How dare you insult the royal family! Mark my words, we’ll prove the truth!"

[Squirt Cool]: "We’ll expose this fabricated tale. You’ll all see what history truly looks like!"

The tone and replies from the two individuals claiming ties to the Galar royal family clearly conveyed a sense of entitlement. Their condescending attitude angered many users on the forum, leading to their posts receiving thousands of critical comments.

Frustrated by the backlash, the two uninstalled the Pokémon forum app in a fit of rage.

Amid the uproar, a realization dawned on the netizens.

Had Professor Oak actually met Calyrex, the King of Bountiful Harvests?

Curiosity spiked, and many rushed to Professor Oak’s public profile, bombarding him with private messages to confirm the rumor.

In response, Professor Oak offered a carefully worded explanation:

"I’m sorry. While I would love to share details, Calyrex has expressed that He no longer identifies as a king. He wishes to live a quiet life as an ordinary farmer and doesn’t want his peace disturbed."

This revelation sparked shock among forum users.

"Wait, Calyrex can talk?" some exclaimed.

Professor Oak, ever the educator, shared his expertise with a down-to-earth tone:

"Telepathy! Psychic-type Pokémon often use their powers to establish mental links, allowing them to communicate directly with a person’s mind. Isn’t that fascinating?"

Although Professor Oak refrained from revealing Calyrex’s location, observant netizens pieced together clues. Reports indicated that Professor Oak had departed for the Paldea region two days prior, strongly suggesting that Calyrex now resided there.

Paldean netizens swelled with pride, engaging in spirited banter with their Galarian counterparts on the forum:

[Favorite Sprigatito]: "Hehe, Calyrex is now our King of Paldea!"

[Mighty Machamp]: "Rumor has it that our region’s booming agriculture in recent years is thanks to the blessings of Calyrex. Farmers claim the bounty is a gift from the King of Bountiful Harvests."

[Corviknight Commander]: "Argh! I’m going to give those royal families a piece of my mind again!"

[SnowyDay]: "That’s it—I’m moving to Paldea!"

Public sentiment in Galar turned overwhelmingly negative toward the royal family, reducing their influence to mere whispers. Meanwhile, their followers were left scrambling to avoid scrutiny.

Wyndon City, Galar Region

In a sleek office atop the Rose Building, President Rose sat calmly as his secretary briefed him on the growing public discourse.

When she finished, Oleana inquired, "What course of action should we take, President?"

Rose shook his head. "Leave it. Let the royal family handle their own mess. Our focus remains on Eternatus."

Rose's sights were set firmly on the energy revolution. For Galar, backward agriculture was a thing of the past. The key to future prosperity lay in harnessing the power of Dynamax battles through Eternatus’s energy.

Paldea Region, Paldea League Headquarters

Geeta, seated at her desk, couldn’t conceal her excitement. A triumphant smile lit up her face as she reviewed recent developments.

Rika, standing nearby, raised a skeptical eyebrow. "...Chairwoman, please, control your expression."

Geeta laughed, unbothered. "Did you see the forums, Rika? So many trainers are talking about moving to Paldea! It’s only a matter of time before talent from all over the world flocks here."

Her voice brimmed with enthusiasm. "This is amazing! Naoki is truly a lucky star for our Paldea region!"