6. Prince Ash and Princess Lillie

Chapter 23 Galecrest Kingdom

As Ash, Lillie, and Golly approach the Galecrest Kingdom, the air around them shifts dramatically. The landscape transforms into vast, open skies with towering cliffs and floating islands suspended by powerful updrafts. The wind howls through the narrow mountain passes, carrying with it the distant cries of bird Pokémon that circle high above, their wings slicing through the air with effortless grace.

The trio moves cautiously, their eyes scanning the skies for any signs of danger. Ash, in particular, feels a familiar tension in his injured shoulder—the very shoulder that was struck by a missile from this kingdom's jets when they first entered the United Region. The memory of that attack is still fresh in his mind, fueling his determination as they press on.

"This is where it happened," Ash murmurs, his voice tight with a mix of pain and resolve. "The Galecrest Kingdom... they're the ones who attacked us."

Lillie places a hand on Ash's arm, her expression filled with concern. "We need to be careful. If they find out we're here, they might try something like that again."

Golly, her gaze fixed on the horizon, nods in agreement. "Galecrest is known for its formidable aerial defenses. The entire kingdom is built around the concept of air superiority. The winds and skies are their domain, and they'll do anything to protect it."

As they continue forward, the trio notices the massive airships patrolling the skies, their sleek, metallic forms glinting in the sunlight. The air is thick with tension, and the sense of being watched is almost palpable. The Galecrest Kingdom is a place of power and vigilance, where the slightest misstep could lead to disaster.

As they traverse the windswept paths of the Galecrest Kingdom, Golly begins to share the story of its origins, her voice steady against the backdrop of howling winds.

"The Galecrest Kingdom wasn't always the formidable force it is today," Golly starts. "In fact, its beginnings were quite humble, tied to the legend of a young boy named Jack."

Lillie perks up at the familiar name. "Jack? As in Jack and the Beanstalk?"

Golly nods, a small smile playing on her lips. "That's right. The tale says that Jack was a poor boy living in a small village at the base of what is now known as the Galecrest Mountains. One day, he traded his family's last cow for a handful of magical beans. His mother, furious, threw the beans out of the window, but by morning, they had sprouted into a massive beanstalk reaching up into the clouds."

Ash listens intently, intrigued by how such a story could lead to the kingdom they now find themselves in.

"Jack, being curious and brave, climbed the beanstalk and discovered a giant's castle high above the clouds," Golly continues. "There, he found treasures beyond imagination, but it wasn't just wealth that Jack brought back. In his final encounter with the giant, he managed to defeat him by chopping down the beanstalk, sending the giant plummeting to his doom."

"And that's how he became king?" Ash asks, already guessing the outcome.

"Not quite," Golly replies. "With the giant gone, the sky above the mountains became clear and calm, making it possible for Jack to establish a kingdom there. Using the riches he brought down from the castle, Jack built the first settlements on the floating islands you see today. His cleverness, bravery, and resourcefulness earned him the loyalty of the people, and they made him their first king."

Lillie smiles at the thought. "So, the kingdom started with a boy who dared to reach for the sky."

Golly nods, her voice filled with reverence for the tale. "Exactly. Jack's legacy lives on in the very foundations of Galecrest, where reaching for the sky isn't just a dream—it's a way of life."