Calyrex sat atop Glastrier, gripping the reins tightly, as Glastrier seemed to resonate, raising its front hooves high and letting out a neigh.
A glow enveloped their bodies, and within that intense light, a green halo emitted from the massive crown on Calyrex's head.
The King's Cloak behind Calyrex gradually lengthened, turning into a pure white reminiscent of snow and ice, rustling majestically.
After a moment, everything returned to calm.
Calyrex held the reins, riding on Glastrier, gazing down at Naoki with a look that's both authoritative and compassionate.
A vigorous energy radiated from Calyrex, indicating that this former King of Galar had regained its power.
"Naoki, would you be willing to accompany me to the Crown Shrine?" Calyrex asked in a deep voice.
Hearing these words, Naoki was momentarily stunned, but quickly understood Calyrex's meaning.
Having regained its strength, Calyrex now intended to head to the Crown Shrine to tame Spectrier once more!
Without hesitation, he nodded: "Of course!"
Calyrex slightly tugged at the corners of its mouth, revealing a smile: "Then follow me!"
With that said, it turned Glastrier around.
"Ice! Neigh!"
Glastrier raised its front hooves high, letting out an excited neigh, and trotted briskly across the snow-covered expanse toward the distance.
"So majestic!" Naoki thought.
He quickly mounted Koraidon, "Let's follow!"
"Agaah!" Koraidon understood, and the moment Naoki was seated firmly, it leaped high, pursuing the path Calyrex had taken across the snowy plains.
The sky began to sprinkle with tiny snowflakes once more.
Koraidon caught up with Glastrier, allowing Naoki to ride alongside Calyrex.
Calyrex turned its head slightly, exchanging a nod with Naoki, and the Pokemon beneath them picked up speed.
Twenty minutes later, the pair arrived at the northern mountains of the Crown Tundra.
The Crown Shrine stood at the mountain's peak, towering amidst the white wasteland of ice and snow.
This was an ancient temple long abandoned, surrounded by ruins and encircled by crumbling outer walls.
Tall, ancient, majestic…
Just looking at it, one could imagine how grand and sacred this old temple must have been.
But now, it had become a desolate ruin deprived of any living souls.
Glastrier exhaled two white breaths as its galloping hooves gradually slowed, finally halting before the shrine.
Calyrex, perched on its back, looked up at its Crown Shrine, softly speaking: "This was where I used to live."
Its gaze was both sorrowful and reminiscent: "I spent much time here with my beloved steed, and in those days, humans often came here to offer me tributes in gratitude."
Naoki nodded silently.
He could roughly grasp Calyrex's previous thoughts.
Awakened from its slumber, Calyrex lost its power, and with both of its beloved steeds gone, it believed that humans had forgotten it, causing it to feel sorrow and despair.
Fearing to recall those beautiful memories, Calyrex had been deliberately avoiding the Crown Shrine, wandering the Crown Tundra instead.
"Is it an escape?" Naoki thought.
At this moment, Calyrex retracted its gaze and turned back: "Like Glastrier, Spectrier was once defeated by me; it will not approach anything that poses a threat to it."
"Therefore, we should hide, and when Spectrier returns, I will step forward to subdue it."
The scale of the Crown Shrine was immense, making it easy to find a place to hide.
Naoki nodded; there was nothing more for him to do, just to stay and watch Calyrex perform.
The two hid with Koraidon and Glastrier in a corner, awaiting Spectrier's return.
Time ticked by.
No one knows how long had passed before Naoki felt restless and wanted to stretch when a Pokemon entirely black, with blue mane, pale blue tail, and limbs wrapped in a mist-like soul, walked through the shrine entrance.
Naoki perked up instantly.
Spectrier had arrived!
The next moment, Calyrex beside him moved.
Calyrex, riding the white horse, flashed to appear in front of Spectrier.
Upon seeing Calyrex, Spectrier seemed startled, and in the next second, tried to turn and flee.
But Calyrex had long been prepared to respond.
It charged towards Spectrier on Glastrier, the earth instantly freezing under Glastrier's power, only to be shattered by its hooves again.
Calyrex raised its right hand high, blue light flashing in its eyes, using its spiritual power to condense Glastrier's cold aura.
Instantly, tiny ice shards emerged in the air, swiftly gathering together to eventually form a completely snowy white icy spear.
Calyrex held the ice spear, then used its psychic power to fling it at the Spectrier ahead.
"Whoosh!"
Spectrier was instantly hit, releasing a pained cry, its forelimbs buckling and it collapsed to the ground.
Calyrex reined Glastrier in, its hooves clapping loudly against the stone below, eventually halting in front of Spectrier.
Calyrex looked down at Spectrier, then flashed down from Glastrier, extending a hand to place a palm on its forehead.
Pulses of pure energy flowed out, gradually healing Spectrier's injuries.
The once fierce gaze Spectrier had towards Calyrex now softened significantly.
Once fully recovered, Spectrier stood, bowing its head in submission to Calyrex once more, standing alongside Glastrier to the left and right of Calyrex.
Naoki stepped out with Koraidon, raising his eyebrows, "Is it done?"
Calyrex shook its head gently, "Not yet, there's still a rein missing."
"Hm?"
Naoki paused, quickly realizing.
The Reins of Unity made from Glastrier's mane and the Radiant Flower can only merge Glastrier and Calyrex.
But for Spectrier, it needs a rein made from its own mane!
"Seems I have another favor to ask of you," Calyrex appeared somewhat embarrassed.
So far, the little disciple has helped it so much, yet it hasn't done anything in return.
This gratitude brings some shame to Calyrex as it recalls what the little disciple once told it, starting to think earnestly.
But before it could decide, the little disciple in front said, "Leave it to me, the Radiant Flower is used up, apart from the flower, we'll need Spectrier's mane."
Having done this once before, Naoki believed he had mastered the technique of crafting the Reins of Unity.
Upon hearing this, Calyrex was slightly taken back, then nodded gently, handing over the materials, with a gentle and loving expression:
"This is the last task I entrust to you, when it's completed, I'll give you an answer to that question you asked the other day."