Not knowing when Deoxys might regain consciousness, Rex, Cynthia, and Diantha hurried up the mountain with Diancie at their side.
The Pokémon that had once inhabited this mountain had all been driven away by Deoxys, so they encountered no resistance and quickly reached a cave entrance.
Nearby, there was a large crater filled with water, oval in shape, and ringed with scorched earth.
Rex immediately realized this was where the meteor had landed.
"Stay sharp," Cynthia whispered as they approached.
None of them knew what might be waiting inside the cave Deoxys called home, so their steps were cautious and tense.
To their surprise, the cave was relatively small, its interior visible at a glance.
At its center was a crescent-shaped meteorite, pulsing faintly with light. It was impossible to miss.
"What is that?" Diantha asked, frowning, as she looked at the violet crystal embedded in the meteorite's cracked surface.
"It looks a lot like the core on Deoxys's chest," Cynthia said after careful inspection. "If I'm right, this is the life core of another Deoxys."
Among the three, Cynthia had the most extensive knowledge of Legendary Pokémon like Deoxys.
"This might explain everything—Deoxys was simply protecting its dying companion," she added.
Rex agreed. He could sense an energy signature from the violet crystal that resembled the Deoxys outside—but faint, as if barely holding on.
"Rex, do you think you could heal it with your ability?" Cynthia asked, concern in her eyes.
"I'm not sure. I've only ever treated living Pokémon, not a crystal… but I'll try."
Rex stepped forward gently, fearful that the slightest pressure might cause the cracked crystal to shatter.
As his fingers brushed the surface, all of the life energy stored within his body surged into the crystal.
True to form, the mysterious energy never let him down.
The crystal responded immediately. A vital force bloomed from within. Slowly but clearly, the cracks across its surface began to mend.
"Get out!"
Just as they were beginning to smile at the progress, a flash of red shot into the cave. Deoxys appeared beside the meteorite and launched an attack.
Diancie raised a shield just in time, blocking the strike. Otherwise, they would've been seriously injured.
"Wait—Deoxys! Look at your friend! They're healing!" Rex called out before it could attack again.
Deoxys paused, scanning the crystal with its psychic powers.
It didn't take long to sense that the core was now much stronger than before—its condition clearly improved.
Seeing that its companion was on the path to recovery, Deoxys immediately stopped attacking. Its rage dissolved in an instant.
Its body swayed, and it collapsed to the ground.
The truth was, Deoxys had already been gravely wounded. It had only used Teleport to escape Keldeo's watch and reach the cave one last time.
"Rex, can you treat it now too?" Cynthia asked, concerned.
"I used all my life energy on the crystal. All I can do now is have Jumpluff help with its healing."
Rex summoned Jumpluff, who spread Grassy Terrain to gently tend to Deoxys's wounds. Though the move wasn't ideal for a Psychic-type, it helped stabilize the injured alien.
Now that the crisis was over, Deoxys calmly watched its friend's crystal core recover.
With most of the cracks gone, only a few deep ones remained. But they no longer posed a threat.
"Too bad I couldn't finish the job," Rex muttered, looking at the remaining damage on the core.
"You've done more than enough. Thank you… human."
Floating before him, Deoxys gave a solemn bow.
Rex, surprised by its politeness, returned the gesture. "You're welcome. I only did what I could."
"Rex! Are you okay? Deoxys ran off!"
Keldeo galloped into the cave, eyes wide with alarm.
It had spotted Deoxys's escape and rushed after it, only to find it here—peaceful.
"Keldeo, it's fine now," Rex quickly explained. "Deoxys isn't our enemy anymore."
It took a while, but eventually Keldeo understood the whole story. Learning that Deoxys had only been protecting its companion softened its stance.
To ensure the crystal's full recovery, Rex stayed in the cave for several more days.
When the final cracks vanished, and the core was whole again, he knew it was time to leave.
The Deoxys in the meteorite would still need time to gather enough energy to awaken, but the crisis was over.
With no need to guard this mountain any longer, Deoxys decided to take its companion elsewhere—to a safer home.
As for Cynthia and Diantha, they had departed a few days earlier. Their vacation time was nearly up, and both had to return to their respective regions.
Still, they left with no regrets. After all, they had met and helped a new Legendary Pokémon—an experience far more valuable than any rest.
(End of Chapter)