Pokemon Paldea [351-352] (Patreon)

Chapter 351: Freezington, the King of Bountiful Harvests Appears!

Compared to the four students who looked like the walking dead, the towering Peony, at least 1.8 meters tall, was both more energetic and more flamboyant.

Leaping down from the Copperajah's back, Peony rushed ahead of the four students, seized Lucas's hands, eyes brimming with tears, and said, "I've been waiting for you so long, my kindred spirit, Pen-pen's teacher, the legendary exorcist!"

Only Peony knew how long he'd been hoping for this moment.

These past few nights he'd watched the villagers of Freezington get possessed one after another, suddenly floating in midair with no warning, muttering incoherent, dreamlike nonsense.

And it had to happen in this nearly isolated hermit village, built out in the vast snowfields.

Seeing not just Nemona, Arven, and Eri, but even Penny and Peonia fall victim to that unknown ghost or Ghost-type Pokémon in succession, Peony—who had strength like steel but nowhere to use it—was tormented inside.

After another night of anxiety, they finally welcomed Lucas, who according to Nemona could exorcise spirits with ease!

The burly Peony thumped Lucas's right shoulder hard, marveling, "My my, though we only met once over a long-distance phone call, I didn't expect, teacher, that you'd achieved so much in exorcism too!"

Lucas: "…"

If his physique hadn't gotten sturdier after half a year of farm work—his abs even showing now—he'd worry Peony's claps would knock him to pieces.

He glanced at Nemona's utterly unashamed face, then at Arven who didn't really believe but chose self-hypnosis, the dazed Penny, and the exhausted Eri, and understood everything.

Most likely Penny or Eri mentioned Lucas encountering a real ghost in Alola, then Nemona exaggerated it (she truly believes it), and this group, desperate for a cure, called him for help.

"Sigh."

Lucas exhaled lightly, hoping Nemona hadn't been boasting about him to others across Galar this month besides this.

He then smiled at Peony. "A pleasure to meet you, Penny's father, Mr. Peony."

"No time to waste—why don't we head to the village? The Crown Tundra's weather has been unpredictable these days."

He greeted Peony amiably and cut the small talk, getting straight to Freezington.

Peony blinked—normally a big goof—then followed Lucas's gaze to see Nemona and the others interacting with a Vulpix and a Pokémon he didn't recognize.

When Peony focused on Penny, he clearly saw how awful her condition was.

Even paler than her already fair skin, dark circles showing despite her thick frames, and dry, chapped lips…

At the end of the day, they're just teenagers.

Peony wasn't dumb. He got Lucas's point and nodded firmly. "Alright, let's go back to Freezington now."

"They all respect you. If you're here, maybe they can finally sleep."

The trip to Freezington wasn't far, and though the deep snow made walking hard, Copperajah made an excellent mount in the tundra.

Its broad back easily seated several people. The gentle swaying lulled the already exhausted students toward sleep.

Kids who are still growing can't resist that kind of drowsiness.

By the time a small village built on the snowfields appeared in Lucas's sight, it had begun to flurry, delicate flakes filling the view.

Nemona and the others had fallen completely asleep, showing how long they'd been on edge.

Except for Penny, the three kids had encountered a haunting incident while traveling abroad—an immense pressure.

Outside Freezington, Copperajah stopped on its own, evidently aware that its size would only wreck things inside the village.

They dismounted. Seeing Peony preparing to carry the four kids back one by one to his temporary home, Lucas said, "Let me help."

Peony froze, but Lucas moved first.

With two adults present, Lucas sent out Ceruledge and Swampert. Ceruledge carried Nemona princess-style; Swampert hefted Eri; Lucas hoisted Arven onto his back; and Peony cradled Penny like a treasure. Together they entered the village.

To deter wild Pokémon, Freezington was ringed by wooden palisades. The village wasn't large—maybe only a dozen or two households—very sparse.

Rumor had it there were other tiny settlements in the Crown Tundra, or solitary people living out in the snowfields.

These were notes Lucas had picked up from his research.

With Arven on his back, Lucas walked through a silent Freezington.

It was only midafternoon, two or three o'clock, yet no one was out. The few fields lay strewn with tools, crops wilted despite the hard-won growth in this icy land.

From experience, Lucas could tell they'd been neglected for some time.

Everything pointed to the haunting having pushed this village—standing firm in harsh Crown Tundra—to the brink of collapse.

"It's worse than I thought…"

Lucas murmured too softly for even Peony to hear.

Swampert, carrying Eri, studied the surroundings, as if sorting out the tangled auras.

Ceruledge, blades sheathed and edges turned away, carefully adjusted its hold to avoid nicking the student. Its calm gaze swept the village; as a Ghost-type, it could sense its own kind to a degree and read traces of their movements.

But so far there was no strong aura—nothing like a place ravaged by Ghost-types for over a week. Almost no traces.

Unless the Ghost-type could fly.

If not a Ghost-type Pokémon, then something else was at work—or a true ghost even Ghost-types couldn't explain.

As Lucas's gaze fell on a damaged statue by the fields, Arven mumbled in his sleep—either groggy or napping unusually in daylight.

Snuggling into Lucas's back, Arven rubbed his face against him nostalgically and muttered a few indistinct sleep-words.

"Dad…"

Lucas stiffened, face turning odd.

No way.

Buddy, I'm only seven or eight years older than you—calling me that is a bit much, no?

Peony, perhaps preternaturally sharp-eared, leaned in, all gossip. "What what! My kindred spirit—could Arven be your son!?"

"Didn't see that coming! You look under twenty—baby-faced, huh?"

Before Lucas could scowl out a denial, their conversation—already at Peony's house door—was overheard by someone waiting inside.

With a creak, the door opened, and at the first words, Peony froze.

"Incredible. I don't recall my dad being this oblivious."

"Even if this reliable baby-faced trainer journeyed all the way here to help and made mistakes in his youth, you shouldn't poke at his sore spots so loudly!"

The speaker, revealed behind the door, was the opposite of Penny—cheery, even wearing a miniskirt in this frozen world: a young gal.

Peony's elder daughter, Penny's big sister: Peonia.

"It's not like that, Peonia, let me explain!"

Panicking at the thought of being iced out by his daughter, Peony flailed, oblivious to Penny—jostled about—wearing the twisted look of someone trapped in a nightmare.

Deadpan, Lucas murmured, "…Kind of want to go home. Maybe just take Penny and the others back to Paldea."

…

A moment later.

The fireplace crackled, tossing sparks as it devoured logs.

Warm red light filled the room, a refuge from the ice-bound world outside.

By the hearth, the four students lay on a rug under thin blankets, sleeping soundly.

Peonia and Peony knelt on guest cushions, heads bowed in shame, not daring to meet Lucas's eyes as he lounged, a guest turned host, in the Appletun beanbag chair.

They were in the wrong.

If Lucas, who'd come all this way, really took Nemona, Penny, Arven, and Eri and left tonight, what would the two of them do?

Cancel the ruins expedition? Give up exploring the Crown Tundra caves?

No way!

Clowns no more, they humbled themselves, hoping the exorcist Nemona touted would solve Freezington's nightmare rather than abandon them.

A cup of perfectly hot boiled water melted the chill in Lucas, warmth blooming inside.

He sighed almost inaudibly, then looked down at Peony and Peonia and began on details.

For example: any known Ghost-type activity near Freezington? Any strange items villagers had brought back?

More importantly: when did the haunting start, did it only occur late at night, and were there any patterns to the possessions?

Peonia and Peony exchanged a look. Peony began: "Our ancestors built here for safety. There are almost no high-threat wild Pokémon nearby. Ghost-types? Never heard of them."

"As for strange items—none that I know of."

"…Though that statue in the village center looks like it's missing something. Very suspicious."

Peonia picked up the thread.

"I think so too. The horse looks abstract enough, but the rider's head is missing a chunk!"

"Maybe an ancient spirit is dwelling in the statue…"

For once, father and daughter agreed, eyes shining as they looked at each other.

If Penny were awake, she'd be dead-eyed, muttering, "Idiot dad, idiot sis…"

"Ahem."

Lucas coughed. With these two goofballs, no wonder Penny hid her family ties.

Jolted by the reminder, the pair froze and continued.

The hauntings began about a week after Penny's group arrived in the Crown Tundra.

Peony had taken the students all around: the red tree, the ruins in the snowy valley, mining Water and Ice Stones, climbing several peaks…

After a day of exploring, the night they excitedly discussed their next captures, the village was struck by hauntings one after another.

Ever since.

At night, villagers were on edge—afraid, curled up, clinging to each other, praying not to be possessed.

By day, they salvaged the quiet to sleep or refuel; even the fields were neglected.

Hence the ruin and desolation Lucas saw.

After listening, Lucas rubbed his chin, thoughtful. "Something moving in the village is a fact."

Peony and Peonia glanced at each other, delighted.

As expected of a master—so quick to a conclusion!

"…Forget it."

One look at their faces and Lucas knew what they were thinking, silently praying for the thousandth time that Nemona hadn't bragged about him elsewhere in Galar.

He sighed and glanced toward the door, thinking the time was about right—his two Pokémon should be back.

Sure enough.

A dozen seconds later, two figures dusted with snow opened the door and entered the cozy house.

Ceruledge and Mimikyu, whom he'd sent to scout the village and surroundings.

By the way, Ceruledge, whose hands are blades, cannot open doors. Mimikyu had to tiptoe and extend Shadow Claw to manage it.

Inside, seeing Lucas's questioning look, both shook their heads—no useful clues.

"I see…"

So even weakened by the loss of faith, the King of Bountiful Harvests could still infiltrate without leaving traces?

Seeing them hang their heads, Lucas smiled, rubbing Mimikyu's head and, with restraint, patting Ceruledge's shoulder.

"It's okay. Good work."

Now they could only switch from proactive to reactive, waiting for night to see if the king would appear.

That would be the time to resolve things.

But today was July's last day; they probably couldn't get back to Paldea for Naranja Academy's opening ceremony tomorrow.

He messaged Director Clavell to explain and put in leave for the four students as well.

As for their families, they'd wait till the kids woke.

He stood and told the duo, "Ceruledge and the others didn't find Ghost-type traces. We'll act tonight as needed."

"You two watch over them. I'll walk the village and see if any villagers are awake—maybe we'll learn something new."

They blinked. Peonia nudged Peony with her eyes: she'd stay, so he should guide Lucas around.

Peony cheerfully stood, straightened his red explorer's outfit, grabbed an item from a side table, and followed Lucas out.

Outside, the flurry thickened toward real snowfall.

Lucas glanced at the sky blurred by falling flakes, recalled Ceruledge, and kept only Mimikyu hiding in his shadow and Vulpix in his arms.

To villagers, he and a blade-armed knight might look like robbers. Ceruledge's twin swords were too obvious.

Mimikyu could hide—convenient.

Vulpix was pure cute buffer, making Lucas look more harmless, friendly, trustworthy.

Just as he set off toward other houses—

"My kindred spirit—wait!"

Peony called out, using a carved wooden object as a snow-hat.

Lucas turned with Vulpix in his arms—then froze.

On Peony's head sat a carved… broccoli?

"Vul~?"

Vulpix found it abstract; a broccoli-capped Peony was even more abstract. Remembering its mother's teachings, it covered its eyes with its tiny paws.

Lucas snapped back, eyeing the wooden broccoli. As if remembering something, he asked, "Where'd you get that?"

Peony grinned, striking a pose. "Heh, I think I just picked it up by the road. Great for blocking snow. You want it?"

"…I do."

Lucas nodded.

"No helping it—since you're my kindred spirit." Peony handed over the perfectly sized carving. "Here."

"Thanks."

Lucas put Vulpix down, took the larger-than-his-head wooden broccoli, examined it, then, under Peony's curious stare, walked to a field corner.

There stood a damaged wooden statue.

As Peony and Peonia had said, the craftsmanship was rough and the style abstract.

But you could tell: a Pokémon missing the top of its headgear riding a wise-looking horse.

Without hesitation, Lucas set the broccoli into the gap.

It fit perfectly, flush.

Peony stared, stunned, mouth working.

Just then Vulpix noticed something. It looked past the statue.

"Vulpix~!"

Prompted by Vulpix, Lucas looked over.

Out beyond the village, in a snow-laden grove, a small green figure hovered, watching him with a regal gaze.

Peony followed his line of sight and blurted, "What a big green head! Is that… a Pokémon made from broccoli?"

Lucas: "…"

"Koron… koron rei."

The Pokémon gave Peony a long look, then turned to Lucas and uttered some unintelligible cries before gliding deeper into the trees.

Lucas needed only a moment to understand. Scooping Vulpix, he vaulted the fence and gave chase.

His mind raced.

Despite the snow blurring his vision, he was certain: that Pokémon was the legendary Calyrex—the King of Bountiful Harvests!

The ancient, faith-forsaken monarch of Galar—Calyrex!

Chapter 352: From Another World? What Calyrex Entrusts!

Even without speaking to Freezington's people, Lucas had guessed, from Peony's reaction to the statue alone:

There likely weren't any meaningful records about Calyrex left even in this rare Crown Tundra village.

Some might reduce it to a bedtime story, or an invention of elders.

Otherwise, given the villagers' behavior—and their regard (or lack thereof) for the field-side statue—Peony, carefree but not stupid, would've noticed.

After all, he settled here to investigate the King of Bountiful Harvests, the legendary birds in the tree, and the titans in the ruins.

A legendary king forgotten by posterity, sitting day after day upon an empty throne, feeling his body grow weaker as time flows.

Could there be anything more cruel?

Who was to blame?

Lucas doubted Calyrex had lost hearts through tyranny.

Even among legends, Calyrex was gentle; its power was associated with kindness and bounty.

He recalled in Sword and Shield's postgame those two Galarian royals who hid while Eternatus rampaged, then popped out to seize the Rusted Sword and Shield, trying to force Zacian and Zamazenta to fight for them.

He remembered that their royal line had appropriated the honor of the sword and shield heroes, claiming the glory for themselves.

Might the forgetting of Calyrex be tied to the Galar royal lineage?

The games didn't say, but it seemed likely.

Some humans are greedy. After stealing the heroes' glory, maybe they set their sights on the title of king.

Perhaps they gradually made society forget Calyrex, then proclaimed themselves Galar's royals. The sword-and-shield theft may have come later.

Hence Lucas's belief that Calyrex wasn't a tyrant.

It was lenient—too lenient, even.

If Lucas himself had been betrayed like that, wrath at the Galar royals wouldn't be surprising.

For such a gentle king to repeatedly appear in Freezington, possessing humans—descendants of its own people—there had to be a message it desperately wanted to convey. Lucas wanted to know.

This wasn't in the games; Calyrex appearing in Freezington like this was a first.

Fortunately, Calyrex didn't flee or try to shake Lucas. It stopped in the grove's center and turned to him—and to Peony, who irked it a little.

Its gaze fell on the Vulpix in Lucas's arms. Seeing those young, curious eyes, Calyrex paused and abandoned the idea of testing Lucas in battle.

Lucas slowed, locking eyes with Calyrex a moment before looking it over.

With fewer flakes in the grove, he could see clearly.

Just as he remembered:

A huge dark-green bud like broccoli with silver-gray tendrils, a face like deer and rabbit both with regal blue eyes; dark-green bead-like collar; a gray-white petite body with cloak-like wings; long pure-white legs hovering centimeters above the ground—Psychic-type.

As he observed, Peony committed his second rude outburst.

"Whoa! Up close it's even clearer."

"What a huge head!?"

Lucas: !!!!

Calyrex: …

Whether angered or just trying the same trick as in the village, Calyrex's eyes flared blue.

It floated up to Peony, locked eyes, and unleashed psychic power before Peony could reach for Scizor.

Peony yelped, lifted by blue light, eyes shut, going limp.

Vulpix stared, aghast, then looked up at Lucas—who did nothing, watching the broccoli-headed figure and its blue aura, as if waiting.

Moments later—

To Vulpix's shock, Peony, still seemingly asleep, spoke.

"Hmm… At last, a body sturdy enough to bear mine psychic power and convey mine will clearly."

"Though pressed by necessity—compared to her peers, that silver-haired girl's physique was stronger—her age rendered her still unsuitable. For this, I feel remorse."

"A thousand apologies for borrowing this body, and for the trouble caused your village. I offer my apology."

Lucas was sure.

Though the voice was Peony's, the speaker—given Calyrex hovering before him—was Calyrex.

From its words, possession seemed to require certain physical conditions.

Likely only Peony qualified in Freezington.

Noticing Lucas's steady gaze, Calyrex, thinking he didn't recognize it, felt a pang—until Lucas spoke:

"Calyrex… Why do you keep entering the human village?"

"Thou knowest me!"

Calyrex's eyes shone with joy; hearing Peony's voice created dissonance for Lucas and Vulpix.

After the burst of joy, Calyrex examined Lucas and then said sadly:

"But why… art thou not mine follower?"

Facing its dejection, Lucas felt like he was talking to a lonely elder.

Before he could comfort it, Calyrex, used to this, shook its head as if to scatter the worry, exhaled a thin mist, and appraised Lucas anew.

"O human who alone these countless years knowest mine name and visage—regarding the Pokémon in thine arms, thou seemest adept at rearing children?"

Lucas: "?"

Why the sudden turn to childcare?

But… thinking it over…

He glanced at Vulpix's innocent eyes.

Dragonite, Arcanine, Applin, Tropius, Combee, Vulpix flashed through his mind.

Most he'd raised from eggs: Dragonite by himself; Arcanine with Moltres; Applin and Tropius with Serperior; Combee and Vulpix from early stages needing care.

Not to mention the farm's many partners raised to their final evolutions.

In a sense, yes—he was good at raising kids.

Not understanding why Calyrex asked, he nodded. "I know a thing or two."

Seeing his quiet confidence, Calyrex mused and, through Peony, said, "Thou art modest."

"Very well. Hast thou time? I wish to take thee somewhere."

Its tone was reserved, but beneath it was the yearning of one who'd been lonely too long—wanting to talk more, even if this human wasn't its follower.

Better that he wasn't—no believer would have to witness its fallen state.

A cold wind stirred its cloak-like wings.

Lucas caught a bleak, autumnal sense of withering from Calyrex and felt a twinge of sadness. "I'll accept. But first, please release my companion."

If Peony stayed controlled, Penny would worry, and who knew about side effects.

Calyrex looked back at Peony, having read Lucas's concern. "Be at ease. This bears little negative effect upon humans. I but use his mind to speak."

"Should I release him, our speech would again fail—for my power is too faint to sustain a telepathic channel…"

Lucas had a solution. "It's okay. I have a way."

"Oh?"

Calyrex studied him, then, though it could ill afford a bad bet, chose trust.

"I believe thee."

It released Peony and, not wanting to be seen by others, rose and vanished.

Only its last words lingered in Lucas's ears:

"I shall await thee further out upon the snowfields. Come when night hath cloaked the heavens."

Lucas couldn't tell if it had used Teleport; in his memory, Calyrex didn't learn it, but a Psychic legend not knowing Teleport felt odd. Perhaps things had changed.

"…Ugaa!?"

Peony came to, clutching his throbbing head, muttering about big heads that seemed not so big anymore, shivering with cold till he recovered.

Lucas: "…"

No serious side effects—just a headache.

In the games Peony didn't have a headache after control; given his broccoli remarks, perhaps Calyrex did it on purpose.

"Vulpix~!"

Vulpix, with an easy laugh, giggled in Lucas's arms, making him smile despite Peony's pitiful, reproachful look.

What to say…

This Calyrex differed somewhat from his impression, yet was oddly likable.

A living being of flesh and blood—not a fool of naive goodness on an empty throne, unmoved by ages.

When Lucas brought the shivering Peony home, although only a few hours had passed, dusk's approach roused the kids.

They clustered by the fireplace with hot milk from Peonia, peeking outside, waiting.

As Lucas and Peony returned, five gazes turned on them. Peonia asked, "Idiot Dad—and Mr. Exorcist—did you find anything important?"

Nemona and the others looked at Lucas with hope.

Peony brushed off snow, head still aching, and said weakly, "I got possessed too…"

"What!?"

They gasped. Before, it only happened in the dead of night—was the ghost so strong it could now act by day?

Fear surged. Penny, more perceptive, sensed something off and looked at Lucas. "Teacher Lucas—did you drive it away?"

Lucas nodded. "Starting tonight, there won't be any more possessions in Freezington."

"What!?"

Joy burst; days of fatigue evaporated. Peony and Peonia looked at Lucas like a savior, gratitude beyond words.

Lucas didn't let them speak and explained:

"But it isn't fully resolved. I still need to go out tonight. You all stay here."

"And… this wasn't a ghost, but a certain special Pokémon. We've made an agreement. I'll go alone tonight."

He didn't name Calyrex yet. From its words, it wanted only him.

Even Peony wasn't invited.

He'd tell the full story after.

…

Night fell quickly. The snowfall eased.

Despite worry and requests to accompany him, Lucas firmly refused everyone—including Peony.

This was Calyrex's wish.

The others split up to inform the villagers the hauntings were over.

Lucas, following Calyrex's indicated direction, rode Dragonite to a place called the Snowslide Slope. Under a tree in the white world, he found Calyrex waiting.

Seeing Dragonite but no Vulpix, Calyrex chirped curiously in a tongue Lucas couldn't understand.

"Koron… jiji mm?"

Not wanting Dragonite to freeze, Lucas recalled it, then released Victini from a Level Ball.

Victini circled Calyrex curiously.

"Viti~"

For some reason, it sensed in Calyrex the same royal aura it once felt from the old king of the people of the land, bringing a touch of warmth and nostalgia.

Calyrex's regal eyes examined the small, cute Pokémon. It seemed to sense a special power—but language barred questions.

Lucas brushed off snow, scooped up Victini, and smiled. "Don't worry, we'll be able to talk in a moment."

He signaled Victini to charge Calyrex.

"Vini~!"

Victini took its hand. Golden aura rose, a trickle of Infinity Energy flowing into Calyrex's faith-starved body.

In an instant—

Like parched earth drinking rain, Calyrex could no longer hide its shock. Feeling the resurgence within, it spoke via telepathy, "Unbelievable. Both that ball that houses Pokémon and this Pokémon—everything exceeds mine expectations."

"…Wait. Mine power hath recovered enough for telepathy?"

It looked at Lucas, astonished; perhaps this was its wisest choice in ages.

"I used a Poké Ball to recall Dragonite. Vulpix is also inside one now."

"This child is Victini. It's a bit special… Think of it as producing universal energy to aid humans and Pokémon—like you just felt."

Holding beaming Victini, Lucas smiled and explained.

"Poké Balls… Victini…" Calyrex looked at its hands, murmuring, "In that case… I can do it!"

Forgetting its royal diction in excitement, it turned to Lucas. "As I said this afternoon, I want to take you somewhere. Please don't be alarmed."

Lucas nodded—ready.

Calyrex floated up in blue light.

Space began to distort. Lucas, used to it, knew what came next.

Sure enough, as the twist peaked, weightlessness washed over him. In a blink, the snowy world became a ruin—an ancient, desolate temple.

"This is… the Crown Shrine?"

Victini chirped in wonder as Lucas whispered to himself.

Calyrex looked toward the shrine's interior, at a space shrouded in a membranous glow, and spoke into his mind. "I wish to entrust it to thee."

It carried Lucas inside to a damaged throne, where a Pokémon slept deeply.

Shaped like a little nebula—body gases colored from purple to light blue; pale yellow eyes now narrowed in slumber; blue round cheek marks; a golden crescent on both upper and lower body; cloud-like ear tufts that twinkled like hands.

Seeing the tiny nebula, Lucas's pupils shrank. He whispered:

"Cos…mog?"