Meowstic.
The moment he saw that little blue-and-white cat, Elias recognized what it was.
A Psychic-type Pokémon.
Aside from the obvious sexual dimorphism and its strong mental power, there wasn't anything especially notable about it.
Based on its coloring, Elias easily determined this was a female Meowstic.
And you could tell from her personality, too.
That cool, distant air, chin slightly raised, the faint hint of attitude—those were classic female Meowstic traits.
But…
Why had Dianna brought an Meowstic?
Elias glanced at Dianna, not quite sure what she was thinking.
Off to the side.
After catching the scroll in a fluster, Diancie also looked toward where Dianna was standing, puzzled.
She tilted her head slightly, her gaze shifting between Dianna and Elias.
In the end, it landed on the Meowstic she was meeting for the first time.
Clearly, she didn't know what she was supposed to do, either.
And when Diancie carefully spread the scroll open, she found that it was only covered in bizarre, unfamiliar patterns.
It looked like it was recording something, but with so much time having passed, it was hard to make out what the drawings were meant to be.
"Your Highness?"
Diancie looked to Dianna and asked tentatively.
Hearing Diancie's voice, Dianna kept that same detached expression and said flatly, "Have the Meowstic help you see what's on the scroll."
As her words fell, the Meowstic seemed to receive an instruction and continued strolling forward at her unhurried pace.
On that adorable little face, she even seemed to be wearing a look of disdain.
She didn't go close to Diancie. Instead, she stopped in front of Elias, who was giving off a distinct Psychic aura.
Just as Diancie's brows drew together, a pale blue light bloomed from Meowstic's eyes.
It fell onto the scroll, and the scroll began to glow faintly in response.
Diancie looked over on instinct—and froze after a single glance.
Her lively eyes went slightly unfocused in an instant, as if she'd sunk into a world of her own.
Hypnosis.
Elias narrowed his eyes, recognizing the move Meowstic had used.
Vaguely, he thought he could guess what Dianna was trying to do.
When he looked over, she turned toward him as if she'd expected it.
"The giant diamond is exceptionally important to the entire clan—no, to the entire underground world," Dianna said.
"It's the prerequisite for Carbink to continue on. Making every Diancie understand how important it is is necessary."
"This method was something my predeccessors long ago came up with."
Dianna's voice was noticeably gentler than before.
Seeing what Elias was thinking, she patiently gave him a serious explanation.
Just as I expected.
Her words confirmed Elias's suspicion.
First, have Meowstic read what was on the scroll.
Then, use Hypnosis so Diancie could watch—like a dream—what would happen if the giant diamond didn't exist.
So she would truly understand its importance.
It really was a good method.
In fact, even in human society it was a fairly advanced idea, only used in a handful of fields.
It went to show that some Pokémon weren't any dumber than humans—if anything, they could be smarter.
While Dianna was explaining, Diancie, deep in hypnosis, seemed to have seen something intensely shocking.
Elias clearly saw her fragile body tremble.
He couldn't help but worry.
Was this Meowstic really reliable…? It'd be better if he were the one using Hypnosis.
As if she'd sensed Elias thinking something rude, the Meowstic standing ahead suddenly tilted her head. Without breaking Hypnosis, she stared at him with a blank expression.
Even with that same expressionless face, Elias had the distinct feeling she was angry.
"Don't worry. Meowstic knows her limits," Dianna said quickly, smoothing things over.
Otherwise, being stared at by a cat with a deadpan face like that… Elias couldn't help feeling weird about it.
On the other side, who knew what Diancie had seen.
Elias could clearly see her little face contorting with struggle.
Like she felt guilty about something, and like she was terrified of something.
Until, at last…
"Elias, wait!"
"Don't go—don't!"
That was the only time during the Hypnosis that Diancie got emotional enough to speak.
The violent surge of emotion seemed to smash right through what Meowstic could hold with Hypnosis.
Diancie's dull eyes suddenly regained their light.
Meowstic, on the other hand, looked like she'd taken a hit—she clutched her head and stumbled back two steps.
After steadying herself, she wore an expression for once, frowning at Diancie, who was still taking short, shaky breaths.
A Rock-type Pokémon breaking free of a Psychic-type's Hypnosis…
Meowstic found it utterly unbelievable.
"Diancie, are you okay?"
The moment Diancie woke, Elias—who'd been watching closely the whole time—hurried over.
Only after hearing that familiar voice did Diancie's mind start to clear.
When she saw Elias looking at her with worry all over his face, she froze for a second. Then, once she was sure it wasn't a hallucination, she threw herself into his arms.
"Elias… ugh…"
"I'll listen. I'll be good… don't go…"
Even though he didn't know what Diancie had seen, Elias gently patted her back.
"I won't go. I won't."
He soothed her softly.
After quite a while, Diancie finally calmed down.
But even then, she still looked shaken, clinging to Elias with no intention of letting go.
As she replayed what she'd seen in that illusion, her body still trembled uncontrollably.
The giant diamond shattered, and countless mineral veins collapsed with it.
The entire Underground Kingdom became a field of ruins—almost completely wiped out.
And those clanmates who used to call her "Your Highness," one after another were buried beneath the wreckage.
In only a moment, the Carbink population was nearly extinct.
In a daze, Diancie heard cries for help and wails of agony, and now and then, voices thick with resentment.
It was the first time she'd experienced so directly just how great a disaster the giant diamond's disappearance could bring.
And since she hadn't created the diamond, she was unquestionably the indirect culprit behind it all.
But…
What truly drove her to despair was the Elias in that illusion, looking at her with nothing but disappointment.
He seemed unable to accept her—as though she were a criminal.
He drew a clear line between them, then left her behind, taking Delphox and the others with him.
Thinking of that disappointed gaze, and that back turned away without the slightest hesitation, Diancie's heart hurt in waves.
She was scared… that one day, it would really happen.
If Elias dying was the thing she feared most, then him abandoning her was surely the second.