While Hikaru was busy working in the Distortion World, the massive floating island of the Dream Workshop in the Dream World had become lively with the arrival of many new Pokémon.
The Swords of Justice had kept their word. They traveled through the dreams of Pokémon from Unova, persuading them on behalf of Calyrex, vouching with their own "reputation," and spreading word about the Training and Meditation Labyrinths.
For those Pokémon who longed to secretly become stronger and surprise everyone, the floating island was now a perfect training ground!
One-on-one coaching from powerhouses like the Swords of Justice and Mewtwo—this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
At the same time, they reassured those unfortunate Pokémon who had previously been "plundered" by Walking Wake, promising that under their witness, every Pokémon who had suffered such indignity would be given a chance to battle the ancient dragon and reclaim their pride!
That statement won them plenty of admiration. And regardless of their motives, a crowd of fiery Pokémon charged onto the floating island.
Among them were Cofagrigus and Bisharp, who had both been forcibly "picked clean" by Walking Wake. Their fury was unmistakable.
"Give us back our golden and leader badges!"
"Raargh~!"
To their provocations, Walking Wake wasn't afraid in the slightest—in fact, it was thrilled. It had been itching for a fight for a while now. Its battle with Cobalion had ended too quickly, leaving it unsatisfied.
Fighting these losers one-on-one wasn't fun—but a battle royale? Now that was more like it!
Besides, what was the big deal about taking stuff in a dream? It wasn't like they actually lost their treasure in the real world. If they still couldn't let it go, then fine! Let the ancient dragon "pick them clean" again!
Meanwhile, Calyrex shook its big round head and introduced itself to the Pokémon who had come just to settle down and not to fight.
『I am Calyrex, the King of Bountiful Harvests who once ruled the Galar region. Stop touching my head! What do you mean you've never heard of Galar… I'm not some backwater monarch!』
The Unova Pokémon were a chatty bunch, and most of the murmuring centered around the size of Calyrex's head, which made an angry vein pop up on its forehead—"╬".
Calyrex floated to the front, raised both arms, and prepared to give a speech.
Among the crowd:
Cacnea: "What's this big-headed bunny rabbit trying to do?"
Gothorita: "Shh! Quiet! Didn't you hear? That's Calyrex! It has something important to announce!"
Emolga: "Ugh… I… I can't eat another berry…"
[Calyrex's Pressure prevents berry consumption.]
Calyrex maintained its dead-fish stare for a moment, then suddenly widened its eyes and raised a Golden Star Carrot high in the air.
"Golden Star Carrot!"
The sweet aroma from the carrot instantly enchanted the surrounding Pokémon. They stared at the perfect vegetable with sparkling eyes, and one by one, the sounds of rumbling stomachs echoed through the crowd.
Calyrex then pointed toward the massive expanded farmland in the distance and declared:
"Carrots! Carrots! Carrots! We'll fill the land with them! Dishes made with carrots are even tastier! I'll cook them myself!"
"We can also plant even more vegetables! Star! Star! Star!"
The Pokémon were silent for a moment… then erupted in cheers!
Escavalier: "I have decided to devote my life to this king! I shall brave fire and water for him!"
Pansage: "I offer my broccoli head as tribute!"
Pignite: "Roast those carrots and bring them out! I can't wait!"
Swanna: "Such a pragmatic speech… I'm touched. Truth be told, my trainer owns a vegetable farm next to an airport in Unova. It grows the finest crops in the region…"
With just a few well-placed words, Calyrex had already won the Pokémon's hearts. After all, no speech was more convincing than a Golden Star Carrot in hand. However, the carrot Calyrex held hadn't been grown by itself.
It was Hikaru who had helped cultivate it!
So, if they wanted more of that delicious Golden Star Veggie goodness, everyone needed to work together!
"No wonder he's king… He's already united the Pokémon in no time," the Swords of Justice murmured among themselves as they listened to Calyrex's speech.
"Some of those Pokémon look like they belong to Gym Leaders…" Virizion noted, especially eyeing Swanna. That story about a farm next to the airport rang a bell.
Could it be in Mistralton City?
That was the place where people were still fiercely debating whether "organic vegetables" or "greenhouse veggies" were better. The area had even split into two competing farms. Virizion had tasted both before and found them equally delicious.
"Growing crops next to a runway and airlifting them out with cargo planes… Honestly, that's a bit much," Terrakion muttered.
Meanwhile, Walking Wake had already entered a chaotic melee with those challenging Pokémon. And casualties were mounting.
Bisharp, full of confidence, was the first to step up—only to be blasted off the field by a single Flamethrower, collapsing into a twitching mess. Cofagrigus got peeled open like a chest and had even its secret stash taken away. Golett was KO'd early, lying motionless on the ground.
Then came Ferrothorn, who proudly declared its unbeatable Grass-Steel typing… only to get incinerated by another Flamethrower. "What the hell?!" it cried as it crashed—"That's a WATER-TYPE using a FIRE-TYPE move?!"
Pokémon like Liepard, Watchog, Zebstrika, and Koffing were terrified and didn't dare go near the dragon.
Among the other victims was a powerful Excadrill, waving its claws and shouting at Walking Wake, accusing it of stealing its stash of sparkling gems.
"I'm the top digger in Driftveil City! I won't be bullied by a wild Pokémon!"
Eat my Bulldoze and Earthquake!
But Walking Wake responded with Whirlpool. Excadrill got caught in the swirling vortex!
Then came Hydro Pump—a finishing blow. It collapsed, eyes spinning.
The final challenger was a Zoroark.
"Zoro…" Zoroark looked at its fallen allies, then at the cowering crowd behind it. Everyone was cheering it on, pinning their hopes on this one last fighter.
But this time, Zoroark wasn't here for revenge.
It had come to recruit Walking Wake for a greater cause!
"Zoro!"
Zoroark calmly tried to persuade Walking Wake. It revealed that it served a "king" capable of genuinely understanding Pokémon. That king was seeking the aid of the legendary dragon. If possible, Zoroark wished to ask Walking Wake to lend its strength!
That person was a being of completeness, able to communicate with Pokémon sincerely and feel what they felt. He could converse with them, share deep bonds, and was chosen by the heavens to walk alongside them.
Changing the world by force would only bring chaos and harm innocent Pokémon. That's why the king sought to draw upon Unova's founding myths to change hearts peacefully. And to do that, the might of the legendary dragons was essential!
"Hmph." Terrakion's snort drew Zoroark's attention.
Wait—why were the Swords of Justice looking at it with such odd expressions?
Was recruiting Pokémon for a cause forbidden here?
Or… did it say something wrong?
Lord N had placed great expectations on Zoroark. Gaining the approval and aid of the legendary dragon rested on this moment. And if it came to it, Zoroark was ready to prove its worth in battle!
Walking Wake gave a fearsome grin.
Oh? So this was the minion of that "knock-off king" and "knock-off hero"? Who would've thought this Zoroark had that kind of background?
Walking Wake pondered for a moment.
Want my recognition? Fine!
First, hand over all the treasures your master owns!
Zoroark's expression changed.
As expected… this legendary dragon's temper was just as awful as before! And its attitude just as uncouth!
If this thing was going to be Lord N's partner… the road ahead looked very troubling indeed…
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum]
[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[Thank You For Your Support!]