At a cozy farm town just south from the Max Lair. Sonia was given a cabin key, by an elderly gentleman in thick winter clothes and round glasses. "Thank you for the rent, Mayor. My companion should be here at any moment, so just point the-" She noticed Peony making his jog to a nearby cabin and found Gloria was close behind. She waved to bring the girls attention as the Mayor turned around. "Hello, hello! Are you the visitor the Professor has talked about?"

Gloria waved back and approached. "I sure am, I got good news Professor, Peony and his daughter talked it out for a bit. The girl's going to be doing some exploring at the cavern while we take on this Adven-tour together. She'll be around once she has her fill." Sonia hummed. "I hope we'll still have an adventure to spare by the time that happens." She showed a key. "Gloria, the Mayor's agreed to let us rent a cabin for a couple days." The Mayor shook his head. "I must say, it's a surprise to have visitors arriving in and out-of-the-way town, one after another. Might you two be here, to learn about the legend of the King of Bountiful Harvests as well?"

Gloria pressed her hands together in gratitude. "Well, me, the Professor and Hop did uncover the Legend of the Two Heroes back up north, so this is precisely what we've been looking for." The Mayor wishes he has better access to a library. "I've heard that's what the book was about. But it hardly bares asking for that. After all, there's very little otherwise to attract visitors to our sleepy corner of the region. Which is a bit of a shame, really."

Sonia smiled in good will. "It could be a fairy tale, or there could be more to the legend. Gloria and Hop have living proof of one tale already, so we're going to dig our heels in until we find something." The Mayor doubted the two would find anything. "If you say so. But since you've came all this way already, I must offer you two these Freezington specialities as mementos."

They were given grey bottleneck sweaters with a logo of a wooden statue, of a crowned rabbit on top of a horse. "It's a shirt emblazoned with the likeness of the King of Bountiful Harvests. I'm afraid it hasn't sold quite as well as we'd hoped. We've got a fair number left over. The illustration's based on extremely ancient accounts of the king's appearance. Hence the usually sized head. We thought it would make the design at touch more "hip" as they say." He looked on to something by a fence of a field. "If you'd like to see what the king really looked like, I suggest you look at the statue by the fields in the center of the village."

Sonia noticed the statue's head was puny as Gloria noticed a cabin with a raised red flag of a P, much like the logo on Peony's cap. The ladies took the advise as Peony stepped out of the cabin. He carried a binder of notes and waved. "Oi, over here!" Sonia could tell just by looking at the statue, that something was either covered up or straight up neglected. "I'm going to see if I can't find us a lead. Go see what Peony has uncovered for us."

Gloria nodded and went over. "Good news, Mr. Peony. We got two cabins to use as a base. We figured out the idea on what's been going on with the local legend, but we needed a bigger clue. You got some?" Peony cheered. "I got more than that, but come inside and we can talk 'bout it!"

Gloria agreed to follow in to a typical building with a kitchen, living room, book shelves, a t.v and resting rooms. The girl immediately found a very suspicious, cabbage shaped wood carving on the living table. Her eye's widen as Peony went to the table and announced. "These pokey little places will be our lodgings as well." He laughed. "I know, I know. Not much of a base camp, is it? Still, we've got to give it a proper air of importance, haven't we? Now, enough faffin' about, Gloria! Let me tell you of the Peony Exploration Team is after!"

He made for the kitchen. "Round here, they've got a few strange and mysterious legends! FOR EXAMPLE" "A huge-headed pokemon known as the King of Bountiful Harvests!" "NOT TO MENTION" "A massive red tree where legendary flyin' pokemon gather!" "AND FURTHERMORE" "These great, hulkin' dot-faced giants that sleep in some ruins or somethin'" Gloria's amused by the eccentric poses. "Well, since I'm hearing some stories. This place is a ripe harvest for Legend findin'." Peony nodded. "And we're not stoppin' until we've found just how much truth they've got to 'em! And there you have it! We are the Peony Exploration Team and that is our grand, noble, magnificent goal!"

Gloria wouldn't say it like that. "And it just so happens, we have a mysterious Legend that is waiting for us to uncover. Where do I sign up?" Peony readied the documents worth of clues. "We've just got started, Expedition Chef Gloria!" The girl gasped. "Chef?!" Peony winked. "Obviously! Look, what do you think would happen if the three of us go gallivantin' off together at once?"

Gloria realized one thing. "That could leave the cabins empty and for all we know, some crook could be looking into the legends for their own gain and would try to barge right in. Or if Nia ends up finishing up and find no one's home? She isn't gonna know what to do until it's too late!"

Peony isn't sure about the former, but pointed onward. "You're right about what would happen to my darling Nia. That isn't anythin' for her, sittin' here all alone and missin' out." He shook his head. "Nope, not on my watch! I'd never let that happen! So I'll be the hold-down-the-fort chief! Until Nia changes her mind. Which leaves you get the pleasure of bein' the Expedition Chef that catches those legends! Gahahaha! Which brings me to this, go on and have it!"

Gloria obtained two expedition uniforms, one at around her size and the other for the Professor. Just the thing needed for a frigid adventure. The girl appreciated how easy it would be to get in to the jacket and simply changed her shoes to fit in the boots and started putting her supplies in the back pack. "Fit's like a glove! Thank you!"

Peony appreciated that. "I brought some spare uniforms, just in case we get into a rough one out there. I'm reckonin' that you and the Professor got your own changing rooms over there and everythin'. There's some scarves in the back pack, incase you want to change up your style." He presented the notes. "These ought to help ya get started."

Gloria obtained the three clues. The first one had an old photo of something connected to the King of Bountiful Harvests. Showing the statue most complete and depicted knowledge that is known. The second clue is about the giants, illustrated rather nicely was four temples. A brown one with a H pattern of dots. An icy green one with a + pattern of dots. A steel grey one with a hexagon pattern of dots and the most strange. A temple that is half yellow and half red. The yellow half showed a dot pattern of a wide x, the other looked like a v with an extra stem on the top of bottom. The final clue was more of a childs drawing of a pink leaf tree of red fruit. Where legendary wings come to roost. "They're Legendary Clues I've meticulously compiled from hours of dedicated telly watchin'!"

Gloria put the clues away and focused on the one of the statue. "I think this one might have what we need for the immediate legend at the town. Let's look at that first!" Peony agreed and had a second read. "Seems like this king's bonds with it's loyal steed- or whatever you call it- runs proper deep! So if I had to name this expedition, I'd call it-" "The Sacred Bonds of Sovereign and the Steed!" He stepped out of the way and looked to the cabbage like wooden carving. "There's a great big statue of it bang in the middle of the village! Though it's head isn't nearly as massive as in my notes."

Gloria went to observe it. "So, how did this get 'ere?" Peony ohed. "My pillow's caught your eye, eh?" The girl raised a brow. "You used this thing as a pillow?" The man waved a hand. "Oi, listen. I've got some wisdom to impart. If you can put your head on it and have a kip, it's a pillow!" He was a little embarrassed. "Unfortunately, I went and left my favorite pillow back at home. So I went to have a look around town for somethin' to rest my head on and I found this out back behind the inn!" Gloria hummed. "I see! May I borrow it?" Peony took a step back. "Come off it! You want me to hand over my ultra-mega-comfy pillow?!" The girl wouldn't say the thing is comfey, but wasn't going to argue about that as Peony's a bit hesitate. "That's askin' a lot, even comin' from you, Chief!"

Gloria pressed her hands together, like a regal queen. "It would, but I'm thinking this looks pretty familiar to the statue out by the fields. If it connects, it could lead to our next clue. If not-" She shook her head. "Well, I'll give it right back with no problems." Peony felt the girl was onto something. "Gaah! This is just some old thing I found! But if you really need it, Chief, who am I to refuse."

Gloria went to her bag and rummaged. "Lucky for you, my Mum has me pack extra supplies in case something gets lost. I got an extra fluffy spare pillow you can keep for the trip back."

She pulled out a humble pillow with the color of cyan blue. Peon cringed. "Ah man! But I thank ya. Go on and see if that pillow's part of the clue." Gloria took the wooden "pillow" and placed the other at the table. "I'll be right back!"

She went out to find Sonia seeing that something was knocked off of the statue. "Oi, Professor, Peony went and found something for us!" Sonia made a turn and saw the wooden cabbage matching the depictions if applied to the statue. "Did he now? Where did he find it?"

Gloria looked over to the Inn. "Somewhere around there. He was using it like it was some pillow." She shook her head, not wanting to delve too deeply into it. "He's also gathered some clues about a strange tree and some ruins that don't feel like they're connected to this one." She applied the cabbage to the statue and made sure it fit into the slot before giving Sonia an expedition uniform. "We also got some of these for the Expedition Team. Are you ready to get digging?"

Sonia's impressed by the preparations and had her Rotom Phone snap a picture of the statue. She brought out the sweat shirt and compared the pictures. "Yup! This is the statue! Once I get changed into this, we should thank Mr. Peony!"

Gloria agreed with that and noticed something behind the statue, a short, floating grey rabbit with four ears raised up around a cabbage like bulb and green sleeve like fur around his arms. He had a green cloak on his back and a necklace of green bulbs, each with a marking if three upside down, blue triangles with a central grey triangle. It floated to the shrubbery by some trees and Gloria made an instant connection, Sonia gasped. "Could that be?"

The girl nodded. "I think it wants me to follow it. Go get changed while I handle this!" The Professor obliged and took off, letting the girl approach the hide out of the strange creature. It turned to ask. "Craaa...Crawwwwn?" It felt like he was asking for a battle, Gloria took out a ball and let Brainy out. The Crowned Rabbit channeled a psychic power and Gloria saw the opening. "Use bug buzz to stop that!"

The Orbeetle was more intrigued than battle hungry, but followed the order regardless, bringing the rabbit towards the tree in a gentle thud. The Rabbit was quite surprised, but impressed. "Rooown. Crararown. Rrrow crow crow crown." Gloria stared into a complete blank and looked to the intrigued Orbeetle as the Rabbit continued. "Ricown Crocrocrocrown. Crooown recrown." Brainy was seeing that Gloria wasn't getting the message and looked back to the Rabbit in a buzz. (Sorry, my friend doesn't speak that.)

The Crowned Rabbit closed his eyes and lowered his head in disappointment as Gloria waved a hand sideways. "Yeah, I can't really understand any of that."

"Oi, oi, what's up? I heard a big ruckus from over here!"

Gloria gasped and turned fast. "Mr. Peony!" She smiled confused. "I was right about that pillow, it was a clue that lead me to this!" She showed the Crowned Rabbit that had an idea, there was signs of a scuffle that the man noticed. "So you were right, eh? Were you havin' a Pokemon Battle?"

The Crowned Rabbit had a bit of an opportunistic stare and Peony realize. "Huh?! What a massive noggin!" The Rabbit announced an idea, floated to the man in top speed and before Peony could say much, the Rabbit glowed blue. Peony floated upward, his head lifted up and his cap fell over. Gloria and Brainy eeked as one as Peony spoke in his trance. "Ah, yes. A sturdy body, just as I expected."

The Rabbit turned to the duo as Peony apologized. "I hope he doesn't mind that I make use of it for the time being." Gloria looked to the man and to the pokemon in that glow. "Hold on, are you a psychic type that's using Mr. Peony as a translator?"

The Rabbit nodded. "I see that you've grasped the situation already. Very astute of you!" He gave a gracious bow. "I am Calyrex. I am the one known as the King of Bountiful Harvests. I have borrowed this man's body in order to thank you in person..." He tilt a paw. "so to speak." Brainy ohed as Gloria calmed down. "Good to know he isn't going to be hurt from all this. Was this because we put that statue together?"

Calyrex smiled in gratitude. "Indeed! There are no words to adequately express my gratitude towards you for restoring my statue." Gloria blushed. "Ah shucks, I was only connecting the clues together." Calyrex let the girl know that it was still appreciated. "In days long past, I reigned over these lands as king. The humans offered me their loyalty and respect as I was able to bring lush vegetation to the land and give them plentiful harvests year after year. However, it seems that over the many, many years, the people of this land have forgotten my existence. They used to make offerings to me every year, but even that tradition has long since been lost to the ravages of time."

Gloria sighed in pity. "And there was a reason you couldn't just show up and have the people remember anymore?" Calyrex nodded at the correct guess. "For you see, it is the faith of the people that grants me strength and now, I have lost all but a fraction of my former power. Even my loyal steed has abandoned me. However, you were kind enough to restore my statue! Even if it was out of curiosity, that act has returned some strength to me, at least enough to speak to you. All be, by borrowing the body of another." He pressed his hands together in a plea. "Now, kindhearted human child. I have a favor to ask of you and your companions." He floated close with Peony. "I must know once and for all whether the people have truly forgotten about me. I wish of you to speak to the villagers and ask if they remember the King of Bountiful Harvests. I have tried asking them myself, you understand. But they treated me like I'm some sort of fairy-tale creature or flew into a mild panic at the sight of me."

Gloria and Brainy cringed. "And they'd go into a major panic if they see you use one of them as a voice." Calyrex sighed in regret. "Indeed they would! Please, kindhearted human. I beg you to help me." Brainy took out the noted clue and borrowed a pen to write. "Calyrex appeared once I placed the crown on the statue of the King of Bountiful Harvests. Calyrex can apparently speak to humans by taking over a persons body. Peony in this case. Now me and Brainy need to gather more information on the King of Bountiful Harvests from the people of the village!" He showed Gloria the note and asked. (Is this close enough to how you'd write it?)

Gloria blushed in appreciation. "You don't got to impersonate me, but it's nice of you to record this for me. Let's get this favor done before things get too cold for Peony."

The two took off in exploring the town and asked around if they know of a King of Bountiful Harvests. At best, the elders of the village recited them as old stories told to them when they were young, of a pokemon that would snatch bodies away. At worst, they demand that the King make the crops more likely to grow, even if Calyrex isn't at the power to do so because the townsfolk don't have much faith to give. The Mayor had more informative results. "Do I remember the King of Bountiful Harvests? Why, of course I do! It's only the main tourist attraction of our lovely Freezington, after all! I imagine would see more visitors if only the king was real."

Gloria and Brainy looked to each other in disappointment of the last answer and headed back to Calyrex, who waved hello. "Ah, human child and noble Orbeetle! Trust you were able to speak to the villagers. So, how was it? Did they say anything about me?"

Gloria took a deep breath as Brainy readied to write down on the note. "They have, but at best they think you're a fairy-tale. Would want to see your power in full bloom if they're gonna believe you to be real or find you a tourist lure to make an income around here." Calyrex huhed. "An income?" Brainy blip a noise. (A sum of human currency that they use to maintain settlement around here. You could see how well that's going.)

The Rabbit King sighed in disappointment. "I see. It is as I suspected. Nobody truly believes that I am real." He closed his eyes in gloom. "It seems the people of this land have indeed forgotten the bond they once shared with me." He sensed Gloria's sympathy and waved his paws in defense. "Oh no, I am not grieving!"

The girl denied it. "It isn't that, I'd dealt with a pokemon that was in that pickle before. She and her brother saved all of Galar from a giant hand and some royal snots took all the credit while burying the truth. That got uncovered recently and this isn't too different." Brainy agreed with that. (At least no one is stealing your tale.)

Calyrex cringed. "Indeed, that would have been more dreadful. I am the King of Bountiful Harvests, after all! I know better than to count on humans to remember me after all these years. This proves beyond a doubt that I cannot simply rely on human faith if I want my powers to return. If only my loyal steed were to return to me, I would regain something of what I've lost."

Gloria guessed. "That Loyal Steed is a pokemon connected to you? That much I figured out." Calyrex appreciated that knowledge. "Yes! A four legged one that I used to travel all across the land. The very same pokemon that my statue in the village shows me riding. Alas, though in ancient times we spent many days together, dashing through the valleys and over the mountains of this land my power waned, and I was forced to part ways with her. Now I know not where she may be. Even if we should succeed in locating my loyal steed, I have doubts as to whether she has remained... well-" He had an awkward look at his next word. "loyal."

Gloria imagined. "If she's part of the legend too, then she's definitely still around. But if we go after her now, we won't be able to do much to so help as capture her." Calyrex imagined the dire task ahead. "Perhaps the villagers know something about my... currently not-so-loyal steed. I'll be in your debt if you could speak to the head of the villagers on my behalf. If you're able to find any information at all, I ask that you let me know."

He elevated to the trees and let Peony drop to his feet, the man woke up like nothing happened, unaware of his cap being put back on his head as a courtesy. "Gah?!" He looked around disoriented. "Huh?! Chief?! With the massive noggin! Or... wait. No, it's normal. I must've fallen asleep where I stood! Sorry 'bout that, Chief!"

Gloria was relieved that Peony wasn't really hurt. "It's fine, I'm glad you're alright." Peony felt strange, thinking about that. "Still, I feel strange. Like my body's not quite my own." He took off back to the cabin. "Guess I'll head back to the base and get some rest! 'Sides, it's freezing out here!"

With him getting to safety, Gloria and Brainy made their way to the mayors house and found Sonia looking around in her explorers gear. The adult gasped. "There you are, Gloria! I was worried you disappeared somewhere." The Champion sighed. "I'm fine, we've ran into that big mystery we were looking for. Brainy, show her the notes!"

The Orbeetle buzzed and presented Sonia with the list of events. "He used Peony as a translator?" Gloria nodded. "He isn't hurt by it, but I had to get him out of that before long. Our next clue is with the mayor, I'll tell you along the way." An elderly woman over heard. "The mayor's not home at the moment. He went to have a look at the fields in the Giant's Bed. You can go look for him, if you're in a hurry. It's just south east of the village." The ladies looked on to a path beyond the grass. "Go through Frostpoint Field and just keep going to the left."

The ladies and Orbeetle did just that, having a few encounters of nidorans and an amaura before making for a grassy field and what looked to be the ruins of a farm. Sonia noticed a pedestal and gave it a read as Gloria looked around for the mayor. "January 2. Before long, the ruffian has bent it's knee to the king and became its loyal steed. Our people's faith in the king grew firm and unwavering. Our ancestors built a temple around the sacred sapling atop a tall mountain to give the king a worthy home. Moreover, they crafted a set of reins to let the king command its proud steed with ease."

Sonia thought. "A set of reins? That could be helpful to know."

Gloria spotted the mayor looking upon the fields of weeds in despair. "Alas, this field is no good, either. The soil is barren. No crop could possibly grow here now. Perhaps the lands of the Crown Tundra truly are beyond hope." He noticed someone arrived and turned with an exclamation point. "What's this? Oh, our visitors! What brings you here?"

Gloria cleared her throat and answered. "It's a bit complicated, but we need to know about the Steed that the King of Bountiful Harvest uses to get around. What do you know about it?" The Mayor ohed. "Well, this is hardly the place for story telling. Come to my home at Freezington. It's better to have a nice chat in the warmth, after all! Stop by when ever you're ready and I'll be waiting for a while."

He took off back to home and Gloria had the chance to see what Sonia was observing. "So, what do you think?" The Professor felt a conundrum. "Calyrex's power can only grow if the people believe in him. But they'll need to see solid proof in order to do so, which isn't possible at the state he's in. If we could gather the proof that he exists though, it could do the trick. We need to find that steed of his soon!" Gloria agreed and lead the way back. "The Mayor ought to help us out with that, at least."

The band made their way back to town and found the Mayor at the door of a house. The elder waved hello. "Have you seen what's happened to the statue of the King of Bountiful Harvests? It's head has become massive!"

Gloria regained her breath. "Mister, that was what the statue was suppose to look. I'd put it together with it's missing part, not too long ago." The Mayor was surprised. "Hmm?! You say that's the way the king's suppose to look?" He realize. "Now that you mentioned it, it does resemble the design of our town's souvenir shirts. But you're speaking as if you've seen the king with your own two eyes!" He shook his head. "That statue's been broken since I was a child."

Gloria wasn't going to argue, there's one likely explanation for the town's behavior. "The legend has been neglected for so long, that things have been falling apart in our time. Now then-" The Mayor remembered. "Oh, of course! You wanted to learn about the loyal steed of the King of Bountiful Harvests! Well, I don't know why you'd be interested in such things, but come then follow me!"

The three were allowed entry to a well kept cabin with a filled bookshelf. The Elder looked to the shelf. "An old book I read long ago said that the king's loyal steed was particularly fond of a certain special vegetable. But my memory isn't what it use to be. I can't recall exactly what the steed so desired! I think it's best you search on the bookshelf over there if you want to find out any more."

Brainy saw a Carbink minding it's own business and floated to the shelf. Gloria and Sonia approached and searched their selection of books. Some felt more recent, but three in particular were of a dusty green, white and purple variety. Gloria picked up one talking about the King of Bountiful Harvests while Sonia found one about "The King's Proud Steed." She opened it and read out loud. "The horse pokemon gave over its power to serve the King and carry it hither and thither. The two even became one for a time, combining their strength to create a forest in a single night. This proud steed had been a wild thing once, ravaging the village crops and causing much woe. But the king, in all it's greatness, brought this fierce creature to heel and secured its loyalty. And for each among us who claims the steed's hide was black as the midnight gloom in which ghosts appear, there is another who claims it was white as a block of solid ice. None alive can now say which one is."

Gloria interrupted the story. "Or so they say." Sonia closed the book and put it away. "Quite. We'll have to uncover another clue to determine which horse is the steed." Gloria opened the book labeled the Reins of Unity and gave a read. "Good luck with that one." She winked to que Sonia to play along and read out loud. "Through these reins did the king send its power, in order to tame and control it's proud steed. The reins, in fact, were made by the hands of the people, in thanks to the plenty brought by the king. These reins bound not only the horse and the king to one another- they bound the people to the king as well. At the dawning of each new year, we must never forget to gift the king with this offering. Let the radiant flower and the mane of the steed be woven together to bind us all in faith. Let the secrets of this sacred art be passed from parent to child to grandchild and never forgotten." This wasn't quite the important clue for how the steed would be brought over, but it would be handy for a later step.

Brainy had a pick and found a book with the image of a carrot. He showed it to the ladies, who read the title. "Hardy Crops of the Tundra." Gloria felt tempted to try these in a curry. "While carrots can be grown in the Crown Tundra, they have rather unusual growth habits. When grown beneath the heaped snow, these hardy roots tend to develop into Iceroot Carrots. When grown in tracts close to where many souls are laid to rest, Shaderoot Carrots will be your crop. Shaderoot Carrots are a favorite treat for many ghost-type pokemon, while ice-type pokemon seem to delight in eating Iceroot Carrots." Sonia found a text with a sure answer. "According to old fairy tales, the steed that the King of Bountiful Harvests rode upon loved both of these variants- or perhaps one or the other." She smiled to Brainy and petted him on the forehead. "By jove, I think we've solved this one!"

Gloria gave Brainy a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for finding this one! So, it's not certain which horse is the steed. But if we grow both of these carrots somewhere... we can figure out for sure." Sonia nodded. "And I believe there's a farmer selling carrot seeds out in the field. Let's go get them and see if we can't find our friend."

The Champion thanked the Mayor, lead the way out and found Calyrex by a bush near the village. The band of three thought to visit the farmer, trade some ore found in the Max Lair for two bags worth and went to the bush to find the King sensing progress. Sonia ohed. "King Calyrex, I presume? Gloria's told me about you while we were searching for clues." Calyrex gave a polite bow. "Crow-row. Crrrrown." Suddenly, Peony approached after a nap called. "Oh, hey there Chief, Professor. I had a feelin' someone called me. Was it you?"

The explorer had a feeling of deja vu. "Huh?" Calyrex raised a paw in apology and had Peony knocked out in a psychic hold. Through the human, Calyrex asked. "Humans! Were you able to find something about my loyal steed?" Sonia cringed at the fascinating phenomenon. "So Gloria was right. Well, if we could communicate better-" Calyrex sighed a confession. "If there was another way that wouldn't require this, I would rather prefer that."

Gloria pressed her lips together. "Maybe if we had more time to study you and your power. But we don't. We found out that your steed could either be a ghost type horse, or an ice type horse. They both love these particular carrots, a Shaderoot and an Iceroot that grows in this very Tundra."

Calyrex gasped. "Ah! It's been so long since we rode together that I had completely forgotten. With this information, we may be able to lure my loyal steed to me yet! But-" He put a paw under his chin. "Which of the two is my true steed? Is she still roaming the Tundra?"

Sonia raised a finger to a plan. "The only way we're going to find out is if we plant both of them and see which horse comes neighing by. Gloria ought to handle either or just fine." Calyrex ahed. "Yes, yes. I remember now. Even back when we were together, she would leap at any chance to eat some of the crop. It took everything I had to restrain her. I'm in your debt for this, humans. What we must do now is clear. If we are able to grow those carrots somewhere, it should be but a trifle to lure my steed back to me! I wonder, do the humans of the village grow carrots?"

Gloria showed the bags of carrot seeds and shook them. "Why yes they do. All packed up here for a quantity!" Calyrex's pupils and irises shrank in delight. "By the stars! You have carrot seeds in those strange bags?" He's quite impressed. "You humans never stop adapting and evolving. I am constantly amazed by your ingenuity." Gloria ahed like it was nothing. "If we keep a bunch of something stored somewhere, we can get it easily for later when there isn't much around."

Calyrex found that amazing and hummed. "Now let's see. If we could find rich soil with those conditions, I could use my powers to grow the crops we need. Where might we find soil suitable for growing crops in this tundra of mine?" He glowed his eyes and focused in a zen, Brainy joined in the meditation and shared a vision Calyrex is having. One was of a ruined farm by a frozen pond, with tilled soil that is buried in snow. "Ah, I see two spots that suit our needs. One is a field covered in pristine snow."

Flash!

The vision shifted to a graveyard with a ruined farm close by, having tilled soil that is awaiting planting. "Another spot is a field by gravestones, where those who moved on were laid to rest." Pew! The ladies vision returned to normal and Calyrex thought out loud. "Those locations should allow me to use my powers and grow the carrots we need. Please, I ask you to go to those fields and plant those seeds!"

He ascended to the trees to disappear and let Peony go, the man was non the wiser. "What in the? I seem to be getting' the habit of fallin' asleep outside!" He laughed it off. "I guess it goes to show that holdin' down the fort isn't all that easy. Take care of yourselves and don't over do it in this weather!" He walked back to the lodge while the three didn't have the heart to tell him what's been going on.

Gloria had her Rotom Phone check the two spots on the map that could be good for carrot planting. An old cemetary by the giants bed and somewhere up in the mountains. The choice is which crop should be planted first. The three hurried out of town and listened to an child asking an elder a song. "Sing that song about the king's steed pokemon!" The elderly woman obliged. "Of course, my dear. I'd love to." She gave of a rather ominous tone in her voice. "Iceroot carrots, cold as ice. Much all up by the bully in white. Shaderoot carrots, dark as gloom. Crunched by the bully with a ghostly gloom. Now, you make sure you eat your veggies too, just like the pokemon in the song!" The girl nodded as the local Spheal clapped.

If it wasn't obvious, the pokemon could be that of legendary power and it might have a temperament befitting of a Linoone. The three went south, noticed sealed ruins with hexagonal dots. Sonia felt the pattern familiar as Gloria read the notes Brainy made and appreciated his pen work. "I guess it's a tad too late to let the reader know who was writing this. But it's still nice of you to chronicle this for me." The Orbeetle didn't mind and felt something off at the cemetery ahead. Figures of three, were already there. A Sigilyph by a strange woman that is holding a Galarian Slowpoke. She had short black hair, a thick red winter coat and distinct, pink in her eyes. She was lost in thought and sensed someone approaching, on a turn of the Orbeetle, she took a few steps back in an eek. Sonia waved. "Don't worry, Brainy's just helping us travel. Are you here for discoveries too?"

The strange woman calmed herself and was intrigued by Brainy's curious observation. "You can say I'm doing that. You've came here to uncover a mystery and bring back a legend?"

The Orbeetle buzzed a yes as Gloria admitted. "You're spot on. But how did you figure that out?" The woman giggled. "I have my ways. I'm Yang and you happen to be the new Champion of Galar, Gloria." She addressed Sonia. "The Professor and author of that intriguing book." and the Orbeetle. "And Brainy, who happened to have went on a long adventure and is chronicling the moment of history."

The group gave a hearty nice to meet ya and went to the field, Yang felt a twitch and noticed Calyrex approaching with a suspended Peony. She giggled as Calyrex asked. "I see you've reached the fields." He gave Yang a nod. "Good day, ma'am." Yang gave a respectful bow to him. "I suppose he would help lighten the barrier of language between us. You see to plan something on two fields, the other happens to be up the mountain?"

Calyrex nodded as the humans were a bit suspicious to the details. "Indeed,. We need the Shaderoot crop and the Iceroot crop, up the mountain in order to grow carrots. It's been so long that my memory is hazy as to whether my loyal steed prefers these or the other. If these do the trick, then my Steed would be a ghost type." Yang shivered as Gloria planted the carrot seeds and explained. "It would take time for these to grow, but Calyrex has the ability to speed this up."

Yang gasped and asked. "If I may, we could sort this puzzle out quicker, if one of us helps with the other." She showed a quick ball and smirked. "I know a friend who also has the power to accelerate the growth of plants. She's taken the chance to travel with me for this journey." Pop! Out of the ball came a green fairy that twirled in energy, Gloria gasped and had her Dex show what it is. "Celebi: The Time Traveler Pokemon. Grass-Psychic type: This Pokémon has the ability to move through time. Records describing it as a forest deity can be found from many different eras. It bolsters grass and trees with its own strength, and it can heal wounds, too."

Calyrex gasped. "I say! How have did you two meet?" Yang hand waved. "It was during a crisis. One that was as catastrophic as the recent one I heard about. If you may, I would to like to borrow some of those seeds." Gloria didn't mind and gave Yang the other bag. "We're gonna be growing 'ere anyways." Celebi waved to Calyrex and promised. (In case we grow the wrong crop, we should still be alright.)

Yang gave a focus and like that, she and her companions disappeared from thin air. Gloria thought out loud. "Woah! She's got to be a psychic herself, one that's a bit above what Avery could do." Sonia nodded in bewilderment. "She's got to be from Kanto to have those kind of abilities!"

Gloria buried the seeds into the soil and gave Calyrex a thumbs up. "Alright, it's all yours!" Calyrex smiled to the girl. "You have quite the able hand when it comes to hard work! Now then," He floated to the field. "It's time to do my part. Let me show you my powers!" He put his paws on his hips and broke into a tap dance, Peony twitched in rhythm to the dance, like he was partaking in it.

Simultaneously.

Yang was at a snow covered crop field and finished burying the carrots, she had Celebi twirl over the crop in a bit of a dance, causing the field to glow green and sprout in fast, icy green carrot leafs. Yang was amused by her encounter. "Seems to be we've crossed paths with a hero of another tale. The moment we do this and see what happens, we should step aside and let it play out."

The Slowpoke gave a delayed grunt of a question and was given a petting. "It will soon be time for you to evolve and our client will be pleased by the knowledge you'll provide. Along with the dependable partner you would become regardless." The carrot leafs reached their peak and Celebi chimed. (All done!) Yang snickered and raised her hands as a way to channel a psychic power that brought about carrots with frosty white roots.

Back at the Cemetery.

Gloria and her crew watched a field glow in blue and sprout out green leafs that have hints of gloomy purple. Only one though. Calyrex cursed his capabilities. "You've planted so many seeds, yet my powers could only get one to grow." He sat on the edge of the field and rested his head with his paws. "To think I truly have fallen so low! It's heart breaking." Sonia didn't mind. "Well at least you've gotten one of them to grow. You got to try, you know."

Calyrex sighed in agreement. "You are right. Soon it will be time to bid my sorrow farewell! Now human child. I must ask you to pull that Shaderoot Carrot free with all your might!" Gloria rubbed her hands and went to the root as Sonia noticed a pedestal of history and read. "Our village has long been plagued by ruffians that ran rampant through the fields, devouring crops as they pleased. But the king, resplendent in its full power, suddenly spoke to us in our tongue, vowing the rein in the ruffians." She gasped. "Ruffians?!" She asked. "Calyrex, what do you suppose... happened if it turned out there was more than one of those horses?"

The King thought about it. "That shouldn't be, there was only one steed I have bonded with. Unless-" Gloria felt a firm grip of root and pulled with her muscle, yanking the carrot out with little effort. She looked at the dark purple root and felt it appetizing. "Oh! We got a carrot!" Calyrex's eyes widen in a realization. "The other was bested and kept from the Tundra, until I've lost my power." He floated up in appreciation for the two's efforts. "Well done humans. That carrot will be the key to luring my loyal steed back to me. I believe I have a way to be certain which is the one."

Gloria huhed. "You think the steed will remember being there with you?" Calyrex nodded. "While the other would be more wild in comparison. Now all we need are the Reigns of Unity. They will amplify my power, letting me ride my loyal steed with ease." Gloria aha'd. "And that is what we need the village's aid for. It needs a humans help to make it."

Calyrex groaned. "I doubt I shall ever get another set from the humans in the village, at my state." The girl tapped her noggin and readied to say something as a wailing neigh echoed close by. The group turned to see a black horse with a dark purple and black, flowing mane, a light purple tail and disembodied purple hooves. The horse had her eyes closed and gave another neigh that sparked a memory of that spectral mane. "Spectier, my loyal steed! Is it truly you? That glossy black pelt. That rough, violent gallop." He's a bit pleased. "She has not changed from the day we first met! Oh, how that brings back memories."

He realized something. "Oh my!" Suddenly, a high pitch, chilly neigh was heard from the mountain. "Then this means we've let that woman provoke Glastier? If she's capable of battling, then we might have time. "Spectier may have caught the scent of the carrot, but she couldn't determine where it came from. Judging by the direction, she's heading straight to the village, in an attempt to pillage carrots there!" Sonia cringed. "Ah bullocks. According to the legend, these horses are pretty destructive on their own." Calyrex agreed. "Indeed. Freezington is in danger, humans! We must make haste and rescue our friend above!"

As the band followed Spectier.

Yang wasn't having much luck as the neighing galloped towards her direction. A white horse with a mane of icicles sticking out, frozen hooves and a tail resembling crystal, was charging with the scent of a chilled root in his nostrils. The psychic brought out a ball and sent out a Slowking with his eyes visible from under his crown, having a sync will with his Shellder crown. "Slow!" Plop! Glastier saw the Slowking was standing in the way between him and a rare treat, he turned back and bucked crashing icicles upon the royal pokemon. Yang pointed. "Scald!"

The Slowking shot out burning hot water that left a burn, forcing the Glastier to rush in for a thrash and take "follow with a flamethrower and with a scald, we can capture this horse!" The Slowking inhaled a torrent of flames, took the thrashing blow and shot a scald that made the Glastier make a leap over the edge and to the snow bellow, making his way towards another scent. "This is unfortunate." She readied a mass call back. "Come, we must ensure that this doesn't bring about disaster."

At Freezington.

Gloria was the first to enter the village and was seeing the worse case scenario of her escapades. Spectier was at the crops, stomping in an attempt to unearth the vegetables and as the terrified villagers tried to get close, the horse let loose her spectra power as a warning that they should back away. Gloria kept a step back, brought about a ball and waved the shaderoot carrot to the horse. "Hey! Over here!"

The horse caught the scent and turned her head as Gloria sent out Franken. Who cawed fiercely. The horse galloped a double edge charge and Gloria tossed a fast quick ball, Spectier caused the ball to glow purple and fly off to the side uselessly.

Ram!

Franken was sent waddling and kept a stand, Gloria realize capture wasn't going to work and readied another ball. "Alright, plan b!" Spectier neighed a shadow ball blast aimed for the girl that let out Fubear, who took the shadow ball and gave a fierce glare at the eye closed horse. Gloria flexed downward. "Oh, is that it's gonna be? Fubear, deliver a wicked blow and wrestle 'er down!"

The Urshifu nodded, took another shadow ball and channeled a dark aura before disappearing and punching the horse to where she was at the other side of the field. Fubear leaped at Spectrier and was rolling in the dirt in a wrestle. The horse thrashed Fubear loose and was making a gallop of an escape, right at an old lady who was in the way.

Calyrex, Sonia and Brainy reached the village at the moment of the charge and the King, without hesitation, let loose a psychic suggestion. "Crowww!" Spectier halted her charge for a moment, redirected herself and galloped around the elder for her escape. Fubear was back first in the snow and sat up with a piece of black hair in her fingers. The Urshifu grumbled as Gloria pulled it from the fingers and realized. "Oi', we can track Spectier's scent with this!"

"Brr!"

They heard the sound of more hooves and caused a sweat. "Aw, bugger! We got another one on the way! Franken, let's try this again only we need a thunder wave so Glastier doesn't escape!" The Arctozolt flopped his flippers in preparation. Glastier leaped from a ledge and landed on the field to begin his search for the carrots. He doesn't have quite the same aura that Spectier has and Sonia noticed. "Gloria, I think Glastier had a thrashing up in the mountain. This could be your chance to catch it!"

The girl nodded and had Franken prepare. "Thanks for the tip! This ought to be easy for us!" Glastier glared with the eyes under his icy head and stomped the field in an attempt to flush out the carrots. "We're challenging you 'ere! Franken, get his attention with a thunder wave!"

The Arctozolt nodded and rushed to the Glastier to let loose a paralyzing blast, the horse gave a deep bray and struggled to move. Franken followed with a fast bolt beak and was kicked aside by a thrashing struggle. Gloria signaled. "Okay Brainy, come over here with a reflect and we'll have one psychic blast to get him ready!"

The Orbeetle gave Sonia the notes and rushed to battle to take the trashing kick for his partner. He conjured a reflect to absorb the other and watch the horse shake in confusion. Brainy used a psychic blast to send the Glastier back and watched the horse bash a chin to a fence in confusion. Gloria tossed a timer ball that broke in an instant and watched Glastier shake off the confusion and kick an icicle crash, Brainy dodged it and Gloria whispered. "Bug buzz for another scratch and we got him!" Brainy followed the order and watched the horse waddle weakly from the battling, stiffening from paralysis and opening himself to a timer ball throw. It dragged the horse in and fell into the snow. Shake... shake...shake... click!

With that, Gloria raised a fist and cheered. "Got ya, you rowdy horse!" She laughed and rushed to pick up her prize as Calyrex went into hiding with Peony. Sonia and the Mayor approached at the aftermath. Gloria cheered to her partners. "Good work everyone, we caught another legend!"

The Mayor hurried in gratitude. "Oh, thank you, kind visitor! How could I possibly thank you enough for saving the people of this village? I had no idea such vicious pokemon still existed in the tundra. Why, they reminded me of the pokemon in the fairy tales. The loyal steed of the king." He sighed. "Ah, but no doubt I am overthinking things." He noticed the black hair in Gloria's hand. "Hm? What is that you have there?" The girl had a chance to check, it felt like a small cluster of black mane hair. "This? Fubear must have pulled it off of Spectier when they were getting into a wrestle. I'm thinking this can be useful for later."

The elder nodded. "In the fairy tales, it is said that by weaving hair of the loyal steed together with a radiant blossom grown by the king, it is possible to create the Reins of Unity, which link the King with his steed." Gloria and her party had exclamation marks over their heads as the mayor continued. "In fact, it was my own ancestors who use to weave the Reins of Unity, following an ancient tradition passed down over many years. Of course, I myself have never seen any kind of radiant flower, and the method of making the Reins have been lost to time."

Gloria considers an idea as the Mayor wanted to get things prepared. "In any case, we can't spend all day musing over fairy tales! I must make plans and preparation, that other Pokemon could well decide to pay us another visit, after all." He nodded in gratitude. "Thank you very much for your kind help, travelers."

He and the villagers hurried to prepare for a possible attack from the spectral horse, once they were out of site, Calyrex made himself known by Peony's base. Gloria and her party approached and saw Yang entering the village in a shiver. The damage wasn't too major and the psychic phewed. "Sorry for provoking that other one. I didn't realize how aggressive he could be when he smells those carrots."

Gloria waved a hand. "It's fine now. Now I got both Glastier and a some the black mane fur to make the Reins with." Sonia thought of a plan to save time. "Maybe we could borrow some hair from the other steed and take Spectier on with that combined power?"

Calyrex considered it as Gloria shook her head to an ill advised plan. "It be easier said than done though. Once a pokemon like that gets caught, they need to cool down in the ball until I can give him a one on one. It's worked with Eterny just fine. But like him, asking Frigid Mane for something like that, right now would just make him angrier."

Calyrex felt that was a good point. "Agreed. If I were at my full power, I could have tamed Spectrier right there. But now, all I could do was influence her will and make her depart. If I have the Reins of Unity. I would be able to tame the steed." The girl showed the fur. "Then it's a good thing that fight went as nasty as it did. Fubear got rough on her and pulled this out when no one was looking. All we need now is a flower to make the set. A flower, only you could grow."

Calyrex felt that word spring a memory. "A flower?! A flower..." He gasped. "Of course! "I assumed the humans stopped making the Reins of Unity because they lost faith in me. But it was because I lost the power to grow the material needed. I have spent far too long holding my misguided assumptions it seems."

Sonia let Calyrex know he wasn't alone in that pickle. "You weren't the only legend who had their story buried in the ages. But once we uncover it, the people will believe again."

Calyrex took a deep breath at the good will. "It has been many centuries since I grown a radiant flower. Doing so drains much of my power. But I felt a franction returned to me, when I halted Spectrier in that moment." He raised his paws in determination. "There's only one thing to be done now. Let the Radiant Flower Bloom!" He aimed a paw outward, shook his bulb and focused, causing the surroundings to shake from a building up power and chanted. "Crownus Bloomus!" Pew! Suddenly, a blue glowing petal appeared, surprising Calyrex. "That actually worked?"

He felt light headed and was about to fall over, Brainy kept him up and let the King relax. "Thank you. Take this, human child!" Gloria took the radiant petal and put it in her back pack, she saw Calyrex was a bit embarrassed. ""It pains me to admit it, but a whole flower is beyond me right now. I do not know if that petal is enough, but I still ask you to try to create the Reins. The descendents of the family that make it are still alive in that village!"

Gloria knows that for a fact and asked. "Professor, could you escort Fraken, Fubear and Frigid Mane to the cabin for now? That fight tired them out." Sonia was on it as she, Yang and the pokemon made their way to a cozy cabin. Brainy let Calyrex go and followed Gloria to the one person to admitted to having an idea on how the make the reigns. The Mayor.

The elder was busy reading something and writing down calculations as he noticed. "Oh, hello again, saviors of the village! Come to do some more reading?" Gloria waved a hand and went for her bag. "Not this time." She pulled out the mane hair and the Radiant Petal. "I need you to make the Reins of Unity out of these. It's very important."

The elder gasped. "The Reins of Unity? I beg your pardon? Well, I say, that presents a bit of a problem. If my dear, great-grandad were still around, he'd be able to make you a set." He turned around in shame. "But unfortunately, we've no one left who knows the traditional ways at this point. What's more, I doubt you have the flower you'd need to forge a set of the reins." Gloria waved the petal. "I got a petal at least." The Elder huhed, turned and had a closer look. "Is... is that a petal from a radiant flower? If so, would that not mean the King of Bountiful Harvest has truly...?"

He stopped. "No, no. I dare not hope. If I recall, my ancestors made the Reins of Unity by following the ways passed down in fairy tales. There were two key materials- a flower and hairs from a pokemon. But I'm afraid those old traditions have long since faded from memory. Still, how could I refuse a favor to such a kind and helpful guest. The materials if you please."

Gloria gave the man the hair and the petal. "Just take your time if you need to." The Mayor nodded, picked up tailoring supplies and warned her. "I can't promise this will turn out as the ones my great-granddad would've made, but..." He tensed in determination. "Time to breathe life back into the traditions of my village." His glasses gave a shine as he went to work. It took around an hour and he wasn't having much luck connecting the petal to the hair. "I'm afraid it hasn't come out well at all."

Gloria crossed her arms in disappointment as the elder explained himself. "I fancy myself a crafty enough sort, but I'd suppose it'd take a craftsman of truly delicate technique to make some fine reins." Gloria wondered. "So where are we suppose to-" "Oi, Mr. Mayor!" The group turned to find Peony well and alright, if a bit chilled. "The hot water in my shower seems to have gone on holiday!" The Mayor apologized to the both of them. "Ah, yes, terribly sorry. I'll have a look at it soon." He noticed Gloria. "Oh, you're here too Chief? Were you in the middle of somethin'? The three of you seem awful gloomy!"

Gloria took a deep breath. "Here's what happened. We need to make these Reins of Unity and we're having naught a luck putting it together." Peony huhed and laughed. "What is that all? Gahahahaha! So, all you need to do is make some nice cord!" He went to the table and asked the Mayor. "Pass me the materials for a mo." He carefully picked up the petal and hair. "All right! Got my petal, got my hair! Now what'm I suppose to do with 'em?" The mayor coughed. "If I maybe so bold, allow me to share a song that survives from the legends. Blossom woven round and rooound. A royal gift in mane hair's booound."

Peony advised against the off beat tune. "Steady on, old bloke! The singin's a bit much! Oh well, that'll do for an answer." Hiyaaah! In around twenty minutes, Peony tied the petal around the mane hair and made a set of Reins. "All finished! Have a look! Think this'll do?" Gloria obtain a sturdy yet soft set of reins and glittered in the eyes along with the cord. "Incredible!"

The mayor agreed in gratitude towards Peony. "You're more capable than your face lets on! These Reins of Unity are the spitting image of those in my family's tales!" Peony laughed. "Gahaaahaha! I don't sew all my dear rebellious daughter's clothes for nothin', you know!" He closed his right eye and addressed what Gloria's wearing. "Even the explorer's outfit I gave you was handmade by yours truly, Chief!"

The Champion gave credit where it's due. "Like that flag you made at the base and everything. You know what they say, practice makes perfect!" That the Mayor agreed. "In any case. You have the Reins of Unity that you need. Isn't that just smashing?"

It is. The exploring team went out of the cabin and Peony had a hint that Gloria's going to be using the Reins for something epic and legendary. "I've just had an idea. Here's a little somethin' to help you out in case you're goin' after somethin' big!" He brought out a very familiar master ball and gave it to the girl who oh'd. "A Master Ball?! Where did you get this?! How long have you been having this?"

Peony had a bit of a memory of a particular brother that tried to keep a certain event as professional as possible. "I got it ages ago from somebody I used to know. Never could bring myself to use it, though. This is supposed to be one ultra-mega-corker of a ball!"

Gloria put the ball in her bag. "And it's reserved for the beast of captures we could find. Did you find yourself sleeping outside, yet again?" Peony smirked. "Would you believe it? I was chilled to the bone, so I thought I'd warm myself up with a good, hot shower at the base. But the water comin' out was ice cold!" Gloria went for her bag and brought about a heat pouch with the image of a Torchic. "Then you're gonna need this! Just put it in a pocket and it will make you toastier than a Flareon in a sunbath!"

That is something Peony tried out and felt the warmth. "Thank ya! I got ultra-mega-surprised and jumped out of that shower withou-" In a sudden, Peony was in a psychic strane, out cold. Calyrex descended down, fascinated by the idea of a heat pouch. "Incredible! You've crafted an amulet that would provide warmth in this cold tundra?" Gloria shook her head. "I didn't, but some tech geek built these for the cold days it gets in Galar." She winked. "I figured you were going to drop by for news on the reins. Thanks for letting him go when it got cold, but let's say he had bad luck at the showers."

Calyrex imagined. "Then it was fortunate you've planned ahead. Were you able to make the Reins of Unity?" Gloria looked over to Peony. "Actually, the mayor had trouble making the reins. But Mr. Peony managed to pull a miracle. He's the parent of a pretty rowdy girl, you see."

Calyrex ahed. "That's glorious news! I have some good news of my own. I was finally able to track down my loyal steed. Spectier is making her home in the Crown Shrine." Gloria felt an idea on where it's at. "It's all the way up in the mountain?" Calyrex nodded. "It's a place where my loyal steed and I spent so much time together! I had been avoiding that place, as I feared I would get trapped in mine own nostalgia." Gloria ahed. "Which explains why you forgot about Spectier and Glastier earlier."

Calyrex let Gloria know she was correct on that. "By why would Spectier make the shrine her home? Does she reminisced about our time together?" Gloria guessed. "She could, or she found it to be perfect territory for her when you separated." She turned to find a frozen tree on top of the northern mountain. "All the way up there, where few people would dare to trend!" Calyrex imagined it to be a perfectly good reason. "It would be a great journey up there. Bring the carrot and the Reins of Unity with you when you meet me there. I shall hasten there now, but you should come when you think you're ready."

That is fine by Gloria. "I'll need the rest of my companions with me, just to make it up there." Calyrex smiled in a nod. "I'm counting on you child!" He floated off and brought Peony with him, handling the body with care. The girl made her way to the cabin and opened the door to declair to a freshened up Sonia and Yang. "We got the reins! Let's make a legend happen!" Sonia and the pokemon gasped, Acer heated up his steps as Yang felt a forboding prediction. "If Calyrex is allowed to be with a pokemon like that, he'll be at his full power. You may need someone to even the odds."

Gloria waved a Master Ball and went for a timer ball. "I'll see how much of a help Frigid Mane could be before I just toss this at Calyrex and Gloom Hoof. Then we can show them to the village and they'll start believing again." She readied a mass call back. "Acer, you'll help us get to the mountain with your hot steps. It's gonna be cold!" The Cinderace cheered a flex as Brainy blushed and squeed in excitement for what he is about to chronicle. Sonia brought out her Yamper and readied to lead on. "Let's go see this legend for ourselves!"

The trip up the mountain wasn't too daunting, with Acer alone scaring off the ice pokemon, even those who were found in the tunnel to the top and the path to the peak minded their own business. The band found a set of stairs up the snow blowing mountain, that lead to a type of courtyard to the frozen tree. The band entered and found the courtyard to be barren, even the trees are without a leaf to share. By the left was a stable of hay and a basket for something and up the stairs leading to it was Calyrex and Peony.

The King waved jolly. "I have been waiting, humans. The Crown Shrine is a place I once called home. Spectier must think me helpless now that I have lost my powers. She taunts me by making this place her own dwelling." Gloria winked. "She had her fun, but now it's time she learns that can't last forever."

She gave Calyrex the Reins of Unity, the king held the center with a paw and raised it to view of the light. "Ah. The feeling of holding these again. The color... The way they shine to the light. Oh this brings back memories." He warned the humans. "Spectier is a very proud pokemon. One might even call her arrogant. She will not accept me as her master again unless I am able to prove that my power outweighs her own. Much like what you have done to Glastier." He held the other end of the reins with his other paw. "I will use the Reins of Unity to pour my power into the very body of my loyal steed. That should convince her that I am indeed still deserving of her loyalty!"

Gloria went over to the basket and guessed. "So in order for Spectier to come, I need to put the carrot somewhere she can find it easily?" Calyrex nodded as Sonia looked around to find a root to hide behind. "Once the Shaderoot Carrot is placed there, we need to hide, fast!" Gloria put the carrot in the basket and felt her heart racing as Calyrex advised to Sonia's suggestion. "The time has come, human child! But you have successfully defeated my loyal steed once already. She will not willingly approach anyone she considers to be a threat. Especially if you became the master of the other. We should hide and wait for her to appear!" The band went into hiding and Calyrex let Peony sit down gently. They had a peak from a small gap of the root and waited for a few minutes, right at the sound of hoofs.

Spectier slowly appeared and sniffed around the area, she had a scent of a root on a basket and gave a mellow smile and galloped to the basket. She munched on the carrot gleefully as Gloria found the que where the horse is completely distracted, Calyrex floated ahead with the reins. Spectier felt something was off and felt Calyrex on her back and applying the ends of the reins to her cheeks. Spectier immediately raised herself and bucked in defiance, leaping to several places of the shrine and causing a tremor. Peony woke up to find the crowd in disbelief and had a peak to see, gaping at the chilly rodeo.

Calyrex kept balanced and calm before giving a slight tug of the reins and cause them to glow in blue light. Spectier froze in her tracks as she and Calyrex unified in a glow. The rider's cloak extended a length befitting a king and the horse calmed down from her stubborn behavior. She stood down in a gentle tap and Calyrex phewed before giving a gentle tap with his legs. Spectier walked over to the base of the frozen tree and let loose a pulse of spectral power that combined with Calyrex's own glow. The band went out of hiding and Peony was completely blank on to what happened. "What in the world?!" Yang asked out loud. "Their wills became one! I never seen a unity like this before." Sonia huhed. "Before?"

Yang nodded and raised two fingers. "There are two legends that have the ability to unify... or fuse, with other legendaries connected to them. But one is incomplete and the other benefits one legend over the other. The most this one has done to Spectier is subdue her wild instincts." Peony shook his head all the more. "This one has such a huge 'noggin! And he's got a ride?"

Calyrex raised a paw. "Craw! Rrrownrawn! Rooownn crown!" Peony gasped. "Wagh! He can talk?!" Calyrex nodded. "Crooown... Crownrown." Peony tapped his foot. "What...what d'you want?" Calyrex tried to clarify something and was feeling he hasn't quite got the hang of talking on his own yet while Peony felt he had a bare minimum of what was said. "Huh?! I-I've got no idea what you're sayin'! But...somehow it also makes sense? So hold the phone, what in the world are you any-" The man hovered in a psychic hold and felt himself passing out. "Oh, not again-"

"It appears I need to work on speaking your tongue soon. Human child! Thanks to your efforts, I have been reunited with my loyal steed. And now I am finally at my full power! I was convinced that the people no longer believed in me... and I had also lost so much of my power. I was trapped in the throes of deep loneliness. But you saved me. There are truly no words with which to fully express my gratitude to you. So... I have a suggestion. If you're able to catch me, even with my powers restored, it will prove your worth beyond any doubt, and I will lend you my strength on your journey. Once you have readied yourself, come face me!"

Gloria brought out the timer ball as Calyrex looked to Peony. "Ah, but first. I should get this man back to the warmth of the hearth. He has been brought out cold one too many times in this frigid clime."

Yang stepped in and put a hand on Peony's shoulder. "Allow me, this would be quicker." PEW!

She and Peony teleported away, Calyrex felt a body in immediate warmth and relaxed. Spectier tapped her hoof to let Gloria know it is safe to battle. The girl took a step back and had Acer at the ready. "As soon as we see what they can do. Sprint in!" The Cinderace nodded as Calyrex and Spectier gave a combined cry as one, Gloria sent out Frigid Mane and heard a horse that realized where he's in and stomped a fierce neigh.

Calyrex's presence unnerved the ice horse as Gloria ordered. "Just to keep on the safe side, go for a bulldoze!" Frigid Mane stomped a hoof, looked to the burning eyes of the girl and quickly complied with a shock wave that went for the hooves. Calyrex and Spectier glowed as one and unleashed an astra barrage of explosive ghostly power that sent Gloria falling on her rear. Glastier took a step back in a stagger and Calyrex aimed a hand to glow a giga drain, sending the horse falling to his side fast and bringing Acer to leap in. Gloria stood up fast and watched Spectier let loose an empowering grim neigh. The girl's eyes showed a bit of terror. "Oh that's not good! Acer, circle around them! Stat!" The Cinderace sprinted around the duo that took a step back and channeled their ghostly power, right out of sight of a trainer readying a master ball. "Go!"

Fling!

The Master Ball whistled to the side of Calyrex's head and made contact, opening to bring the duo in and closing shut. It fell to the ground and gave three shakes. Gloria called Frigid Mane back. "Sorry about that." Pew! Click! The Master Ball made it's click and the battle was over as soon as it begun. Gloria went to pick up her catch and let Calyrex out, the King was quite puzzled and realized he was captured. A voice echo'd in the girl's mind. "Human child." He closed his eyes. "No, I should refer to you by your name for now on. Gloria. What new adventure is going to await us together?"

Gloria had a bit of an idea. "If you and Spectier come with us, we can get things settled at the village so they'll remember you again. They'd also be happy to know that Spectier isn't going to be a problem again either." Blip! Blip! The Rotom Dex floated and let a call come over. "Hello? That you, Chief? It's me—Peony! I just had a dream about a bigheaded Pokémon, talkin' on and on in a weird shrine... You were there, too, Chief! It all felt so real! I got worried about you and decided I'd better give you a call and check in! You haven't hurt yourself, have you, Chief? Not in a bunch of trouble, are you?!"

Gloria shook her head. "Not really! That Master Ball you gave me really helped me in a pinch." Peony laughed to that news. "Ah, good to hear! Guess I got nothin' to worry about, then! Gahahaaa! The Peony Exploration Team is all about the safety and well-bein' of its members, after all! So you be careful on your way back, too, you hear? No expedition's over until you're safe and sound back at home base!" He laughed jolly and hanged up, Gloria turned to Sonia and an Orbeetle that was at the end of note writing. "Well, you heard him right. We should head back and let the village know what's been going on, then we can break for a curry lunch with some of the local carrots!" Sonia gasped and burst into laughter as Calyrex was amused, the thought of trying a dish out with that is quite appeasing.

As the ladies and pokemon head back to the village.

Yang was heading to a shoreline, by a ruins of two mixed colors, to report to a partner on the upcoming events. A woman with hints of blonde hair, green eyes and a thick, pink, winter coat. "I found something interesting while you were uncovering the mystery of the ruins. Miss Sun."

The woman pulled her mouth scarf down, curious as to what happened. "I was a little worried when I heard all the neighs. I figured out, that in order to open these ruins and uncover this mystery, we'll need to gather the golems that are sealed away in this tundra." Yang sighed in disappointment. "I see. The neighs came from a duo of horses that are apart of the Tundra's legend. Sonia and a girl named Gloria." The strange woman gasped. "The new Professor and the latest Champion?"

Yang nodded. "The very same! Helped bring the legend back to the ears of the people, Gloria has captured the wilder horse and as we speak, is capturing Calyrex and his loyal steed. Should we leave the discoveries for her?"

The woman nodded and perked. "Just as long as I know of the moves those pokemon can learn. It would be a shame to go home without any new data. Once you acquire a Galarian Slowking, we would just need to study on the Slowbro." Yang giggled. "That we know Gloria has. We should make camp out here, it's dreadfully cold."