In Wyndon, as Eternatus absorbed the lifeforce of the entire Galar region and transformed into its Gigantamax form, the Dynamax Pokémon that had been rampaging across the land suddenly reverted to their normal states.

For the moment, the crisis caused by the out-of-control Dynamax Pokémon had been averted. Survivors who had taken shelter slowly emerged, tilting their heads upward to watch the two trainers locked in battle high above, and the enormous, terrifying figure looming in the sky.

"What… what is that thing?"

"Is it even a Pokémon?"

"Darkest Day… That's the Darkest Day! I've heard the stories. Thousands of years ago, the Darkest Day nearly destroyed all of Galar. They say only two heroes stopped it back then!"

Darkest Day.

The name struck a chord with many in Galar. Almost everyone had heard it at some point, an old legend passed down for generations.

And now, looking at the chaos in the skies, an unsettling thought began to form in the minds of the onlookers.

Could this monstrous, unidentified creature be the very one responsible for that ancient disaster?

The sight was overwhelming, a storm-twisted sky and a serpent-like colossus radiating destructive power, yet strangely, the presence of those two human figures battling above Wyndon brought a measure of calm.

Leon and Naoki. Two of the strongest trainers in the world. Surely they could stop this.

Meanwhile, far away in the Paldea region, on Naoki's ranch,

Calyrex sat peacefully in the flower garden, sipping tea under the warm sunshine. But suddenly, he froze, his face tilting slightly as if she had sensed something.

That aura…

That creature had awakened.

Calyrex's gaze sharpened. In the next instant, his vision seemed to pierce across countless miles, spanning both time and space, until it landed upon the battle raging above Wyndon.

Naoki was there.

And so were Zacian and Zamazenta.

With them standing together, there should be no trouble defeating Eternatus this time.

Calyrex lowered his gaze, about to resume sipping his tea, but even after taking a small sip, the weight of the Darkest Day's return lingered in his thoughts.

Millennia ago, he had tried to stop it himself, and in the end, both sides had suffered greatly.

And now…

Feeling the unmistakable presence of the Darkest Day once again, Calyrex could not simply sit idly by.

He set down his cup and rose slowly to his feet.

The next second, Calyrex's figure shimmered and vanished from sight.

...

At that very moment, the awards ceremony for the Eighth Masters Tournament Champion came to an abrupt halt, the scene instantly catching the attention of viewers watching the live broadcast all across the world.

Internet chatter about the Galar region erupted in an instant.

People everywhere were talking about it, and in the heat of the moment, someone pulled out their Rotom Phone, recorded the unfolding events, and began live-streaming them online.

As curious viewers from other regions rushed into the stream, they were immediately greeted by the breathtaking sight playing out over Wyndon.

The chat was flooded with comments.

[A giant claw just reached out from the clouds, what is that thing?!]

[Wait! I see Leon and Naoki!]

[Oh my gosh! Why is Wyndon in that state? Was there an earthquake?]

[What? Is that Pokémon in the sky the one responsible?]

[That thing looks unbelievably strong!] I mean, when Arceus appeared, it wasn't this dramatic. Do you think Naoki and the others can really take it down?

[Of course they can! Naoki's the legendary trainer who even defeated Arceus, the God of Creation!]

The livestream audience seemed certain their heroes could win.

Meanwhile, in the Distortion World, Giratina, the reclusive "influencer", caught wind of the situation from Rotom.

"Rotom reporting! A dangerous Pokémon has appeared in Galar, and Naoki is battling it!"

The news jolted Giratina into full awareness. With a low growl, it opened its eyes and beheld the vision through Rotom's feed:

From the swirling mass of purple-black clouds, a gigantic claw had emerged, aiming to crush Naoki beneath it.

The dragon of antimatter's expression twisted into fury.

No Pokémon in any world was allowed to bully Naoki!

With a deafening roar, Giratina twisted its massive serpentine body and surged forward through the void, tearing toward Naoki's location.

"Be careful!" Leon shouted, seeing the Gigantamax Eternatus gathering another surge of destructive energy.

The force building there could shatter even the tallest skyscrapers; if it struck, it would leave anyone, human or Pokémon, critically injured.

"Of course," Naoki replied with a confident smile.

Despite its overwhelming power, the Gigantamax form of Eternatus was cumbersome. It didn't move like a nimble predator, it stood rooted in place like a fortress turret, unleashing relentless bombardments on the battlefield below.

A purplish-red beam of raw, devastating energy erupted from the core between its colossal claws.

Naoki and Leon moved in perfect sync, darting aside to avoid the beam, while Zacian and Zamazenta became streaks of blue and crimson light, soaring into the sky to counterattack.

Just as Naoki expected the beam to smash into the ground, something unexpected happened, a shimmering barrier materialized above them, vast and gleaming like a dome of light.

Then, stepping through the air as though walking across invisible steps, a regal figure astride a white steed appeared behind the barrier.

BOOM!

The Eternabeam slammed into the shield with earth-shaking force, but the barrier didn't even ripple.

"That's… Calyrex?!"

The audience watching the livestream collectively gasped.

Zacian and Zamazenta also turned to look, their eyes widening.

The King's power had returned, no, it felt even greater than before!

Seeing its attack blocked, Eternatus let out a furious, distorted roar.

It unleashed another devastating Eternabeam, but the blinding ray failed to pierce Calyrex's shimmering psychic barrier.

Then, without warning, a swirling purple vortex tore open the sky.

With a bone-rattling roar, Giratina emerged from the rift between dimensions, its massive wings slicing through the clouds. The moment it entered the real world, it hurled a Shadow Ball straight into Eternatus's face, the explosion blooming like black fire against its scales.

[Ahhh! Giratina's here too!]

[This is insane! Are they all teaming up now? Yes! Come on, everyone, work together and take that thing down!]

Naoki: "…"

He hadn't expected Giratina and Calyrex to appear together.

Honestly, the power gathered against Eternatus was already overwhelming, Zacian, Zamazenta, Pawmot, Leon, Koraidon, plus Naoki himself. Even without this extra help, Leon could have finished Eternatus with Zacian and Zamazenta at his side.

Now Giratina and Calyrex had joined the fray…

Eternatus didn't stand a chance.

Still, Naoki welcomed the reinforcement. This was the perfect chance to let Calyrex, the former High King of Galar, personally end a feud that had lasted for a thousand years.

"So, the King of the Crown Tundra has returned," Leon said, his voice steady but eyes blazing. "We didn't finish you off a thousand years ago, Eternatus… but this time, we won't make the same mistake."

"King!"

Zacian and Zamazenta called out in unison.

Calyrex turned toward them, his gaze regal and commanding. "You two, join me. Today, we finish this, once and for all!"

With their king at their side, the Legendary heroes felt an unshakable surge of confidence.

"Yes!" they cried.

The two became twin streaks of light, taking position beside Calyrex.

With a thought, Calyrex shattered Eternatus's beam against his psychic shield. Then he lifted one hand high, the aura of a ruler radiating from him. Frost swirled around his arm, condensing into a massive, gleaming spear of ice.

Glacial Lance!

Zacian charged in first, the sword clenched in her jaws. Her entire body blazed with radiant light as she spun into a dazzling arc toward Eternatus.

Behemoth Blade!

Zamazenta followed, his King's Shield expanding until it covered his whole body. He rocketed forward like a living cannonball.

Behemoth Bash!

Leon's excitement flared. "Let's join in! Charizard, Flamethrower! Dragapult, Dragon Pulse!"

Naoki grinned. "We're not sitting out either! Koraidon, give it everything you've got, aim for the core with Dragon Dive! Pawmot, use Behemoth Hammer!"

The commands rang out almost simultaneously.

Charizard's maw unleashed a roaring stream of flames. Dragapult's body glowed as it fired a spiraling wave of violet dragon energy. Koraidon's scales lit with crimson light as it dove like a meteor toward Eternatus's core. Pawmot's form shimmered with golden energy as its hammer grew immense, ready to smash down with the weight of a titan.

Glacial Lance. Behemoth Blade. Behemoth Bash. Behemoth Hammeragain. Flamethrower. Dragon Pulse. Dragon Dive.

Seven colossal attacks, each from a different direction, converged on Eternatus in a storm of power.

At that very moment, the live broadcast of the Masters Eight Finals, thought to be cut off, suddenly reconnected.

Viewers around the world, glued to their screens, watched the breathtaking scene unfold.

Eternatus tried to counter with another Infinity Beam, but the combined assault crashing down upon it was like a torrential flood. There was no escape.

The Snow Spear shattered its prized attack with ease, then drove straight through its colossal frame.

Zacian and Zamazenta followed immediately, their own attacks striking with devastating force.

Boom!

A massive explosion erupted as the combined energies collided. High above the city, it was like a blinding display of fireworks.

Amid the brilliant bursts of light, Eternatus roared in agony. Its enormous body convulsed, the last of its strength draining away. Countless purple orbs of light burst from its form, scattering across the Galar region.

These were the immense stores of energy it had stolen from the Power Spots. As the energy dispersed, its towering Gigantamax form collapsed into a flash of light, returning it to its original shape.

The darkness that had smothered Galar finally lifted. Golden sunlight broke through the clouds, bathing the land in warmth.

High above, Calyrex surveyed the familiar yet changed landscape with quiet emotion. Long ago, he had galloped across these fields with his beloved steed. Now, all of that was in the past.

He exhaled softly. From this day forward, there would be no King of Galar, only a humble Pokémon tending the fields on Naoki's ranch.

In the livestream, millions watched as Calyrex, astride his steed, soared across the sky with regal poise. His gaze swept over the land, radiating the dignity of a ruler.

[Is that the King of Galar?]

[So incredible...]

[Just looking at him makes you want to bow your head.]

Countless cameras captured the image of Calyrex in that moment, the true embodiment of a king watching over his people.

Meanwhile, Naoki and Leon reached the site where Eternatus had fallen.

Now free of its Gigantamax form, the Pokémon lay among the ruins. Its once-blazing pink core had dimmed, and its body emitted only the faintest glow.

Leon glanced at the weakened Pokémon and said firmly, "Naoki, take out your Poké Ball and capture it."

Naoki blinked in surprise. "You're not going to capture it yourself?"

He knew all too well the importance of Eternatus to the Galar region, and of Chairman Rose's plans for it. After all, Eternatus's power was the very source of the Dynamax phenomenon that had taken the world by storm.

But Leon shook his head with a faint smile. "If we leave it here in Galar, sooner or later it will awaken again, and darkness will fall upon this land once more."

"Even though its energy fuels the Galar region's Dynamax battles, and Chairman Rose believes it could solve our future energy crisis, it would also leave behind a dangerous threat."

"This is my request to you. Capture Eternatus. With Calyrex's help, take it somewhere safe, far from where it can bring harm again."

Leon's eyes met Naoki's, his tone steady and resolute.

Naoki was silent for a moment before asking, "What if the Galar region's energy resources truly run out?"

Leon grinned. "Before that happens, we'll find a path that truly belongs to us."

Naoki was slightly taken aback, then smiled. "I understand. In that case, I'll grant your request and take good care of Eternatus."

However, when he reached into his pocket, he felt a twinge of embarrassment; he didn't have a single empty Poké Ball.

"Use this," Leon said, handing him a purple Poké Ball. "This is the latest Poké Ball developed by the Macro Cosmos Group. It's called the Master Ball, the most powerful Poké Ball yet."

The Master Ball…

Naoki hesitated for a moment, wondering if this was too extravagant, but he didn't voice his thoughts. Instead, he took the Master Ball, aimed it at Eternatus, and captured it.

Even with a Pokémon like Eternatus, the Master Ball didn't shake once.

"Alright!" Leon's expression finally brightened into a cheerful smile. "The awards ceremony isn't over yet. If you don't mind, let's head to the stadium. I still have some matters to deal with, but I'll come visit your ranch sometime."

"Okay."

The two parted ways. Watching Leon hurry off, Naoki could guess where he was headed.

The Galar region had undergone such drastic changes, and the person behind it all was Chairman Rose.

If Naoki was correct, Leon would soon take over Rose Tower, transform it into a Battle Tower, and replace Rose as the President of the Galar Pokémon League.

May Leon and the Galar region continue to prosper.

Naoki took a deep breath. With Eternatus's Poké Ball secured, he went to find Koraidon and the others.

Zacian and Zamazenta were nowhere in sight.

"Where are Zacian and Zamazenta?" Naoki asked, puzzled.

Calyrex replied, "They went to see Leon."

Naoki nodded. That made sense. This time, things had played out differently, Zacian and Zamazenta's chosen one wasn't Hop anymore, but Leon.

Giratina, who had stayed to enjoy the commotion, asked, "Want to go back to the ranch?"

"You go on ahead. I still have something to take care of." Naoki smiled and patted Giratina's head. "Thank you for coming to help this time."

It was proof that Giratina cared about him.

Giratina gave a proud snort. Although it had originally come to teach the Pokémon who bullied Naoki a lesson, in the end, it had simply shown up for support.

Just then, a group of excited people came running toward them.

"Look, your fans are here!" Naoki pointed at the crowd and laughed.

Giratina decided it had to maintain its dignity in front of humans. If it stayed, things might get messy.

"I'm heading back now."

Keeping a calm expression, Giratina cast a final glance at the people, then turned, tore open a rift in space, and slipped away.

It was a stylish exit.

Compared to Giratina, Calyrex's farewell was much simpler.

Looking at Naoki with gentle eyes, Calyrex said, "I'll wait for you at the ranch."

Naoki nodded, and then Calyrex vanished from sight.

It must have used teleportation to travel from the Galar region to the Paldea region.

With Calyrex's current strength, such a feat was no problem at all.

Once Giratina and Calyrex had left, the remaining humans turned their attention back to Naoki.

He exchanged a few words before finding an excuse to slip away.

Leading Dragonite and Pawmot to where Koraidon was waiting, he returned to Wyndon Stadium.

There, Leon had already instructed the League staff to resume the awards ceremony.

Naoki, holding the championship trophy, was soon surrounded by a group of Pokémon.

Koraidon stood on his left, Dragonite on his right, three Gogoats flanked him, and Pawmot perched proudly atop one of them.

"Get ready! Time for the championship team photo!" the Galar League staff called. "Alright, everyone, say 'Cheese!'"

"Cheese!"

"Meaaa!"

"Bamo!"

"Agassi!"

"Awoo…"

Elsewhere in Wyndon City, Leon looked at Chairman Rose and Oleana, who were being escorted away by Officer Jenny, his expression mixed.

Sonia, having already been released by Rose, rushed over the moment she spotted Leon.

"What happened? Where's Eternatus?" she asked urgently.

"Don't worry. With Naoki's help, everything's over," Leon replied with a wide grin.

Sonia let out a sigh of relief. "That's great."

But then, from the corner of her eye, she caught sight of two figures slowly approaching behind Leon.

Her breath caught. Was that… Zacian, the Sword King, and Zamazenta, the Shield King?

Leon turned and met the gaze of the two Pokémon.

Zacian and Zamazenta had come to thank him and say goodbye. His courage and determination to save the Galar region had rekindled their long-lost strength, restoring the sacred sword and shield to their full glory.

"Thank you," Zacian said telepathically.

"The Galar region is our home too. There's no need to thank us," Leon replied.

The two Legendary Pokémon exchanged a silent glance, their expressions unreadable. They lingered for a few moments, then turned as if preparing to leave.

"Where are you going?" Leon called out. "Back to the Hero's Court in the Slumbering Weald?"

Zacian and Zamazenta looked back at him.

"To find our king," they answered.