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The divine battle in Allearth Forest came to a temporary conclusion.
Under the "mediation" of Aiden and Zygarde, Yveltal ultimately had no choice but to accept the life energy from Xerneas with tears in its eyes and deep, heartfelt emotion.
After eating its fill, it quickly re-entered its dormant state, curling up into a ball and transforming into a giant stone cocoon, standing tall in the depths of the forest.
As for Xerneas, it also returned to the center of the forest where it slumbered, crouching down and burying its entire body into the soil.
Seeing its clumsy and slow movements, Aiden suddenly thought of something marine creatures often did.
Burying itself in the sand!
However, Xerneas's sand-burying behavior would likely last for quite a long time—
[Thank you once again for your help, humans.]
Xerneas, with only its head exposed, sent one last telepathic message, then closed its eyes and plunged its head into the dirt as well.
Only its glowing crown of antlers remained pointing towards the sky, looking like a bizarrely shaped large tree.
"Is this the final step representing the ecological cycle?"
Steven nodded, full of respect for the steadfast Xerneas.
A Legendary Pokémon possessing such immense power was actually willing to awaken once every millennium, gifting its excess energy as nourishment to its nemesis in order to maintain the long-term stability of the ecosystem.
Even among divine beasts, it was the most divine and rational existence he had ever seen.
"Yeah, there shouldn't be any problems now, right?"
Aiden looked up at Zygarde, which hadn't left yet.
Zygarde pondered for a moment, then finally nodded.
Just as it was about to expel gas and accelerate away, a burst of footsteps from afar immediately caught everyone's attention.
Looking in the direction of the sound, a man nearly three meters tall, like a giant, appeared in their vision, sprinting wildly towards them.
The man was dressed in rags, his scattered white hair falling from his temples and resting on a tattered green scarf wrapped tightly around him.
Even though Kalos was still a bit hot this season, he was wrapped up tightly from head to toe, wearing a fedora in addition to the scarf.
He looked bizarre no matter how you looked at him.
AZ?
Aiden immediately recognized his identity, while feeling curious in his heart—did this King of Kalos from three thousand years ago really run all the way from Lumiose City on foot?
Was he really Superman?
"Damn it— am I still too late!"
When the man quickly arrived near the group and saw Xerneas and Yveltal already fast asleep, he suddenly collapsed to the ground as if he had lost all his strength, muttering to himself.
"Who— is that?"
Steven scratched his head.
Everything was already over, and he was still planning to ask Diancie to take him back to the Diamond Domain.
He didn't expect an unknown human to suddenly appear at this moment.
Also— could a human really grow to be three meters tall?
Could this guy be a Pokémon capable of mimicking humans!
Hiding behind Aiden, Ansha and Hoopa also kept their eyes fixed on him.
"It's Grandpa AZ—"
Ansha turned to look at little Hoopa, suddenly realizing something—the time they stayed in this space-time was indeed not long, but it had indirectly changed many things and caused quite a shift in the original worldline.
For example, while they directly aborted Mr. Lysandre's plan, it resulted in Grandpa AZ not being able to participate in this divine battle, causing him and Floette to miss each other once again—
Without Grandpa AZ and that inn, would the future Kalos region even realize what was going to happen?
Thinking of this, Ansha immediately tugged on Aiden's clothes.
After Aiden crouched down, she leaned in and whispered, "Uncle Aiden, can you help Grandpa AZ?"
"He's really pitiful—"
Aiden's expression suddenly became a bit complicated.
Was AZ pitiful?
Judging only by his performance three thousand years later, he indeed was.
A former king of a generation had now been reduced to a disheveled wanderer, barely surviving by digging through trash cans.
And the last trace of obsession binding his life still remained unresolved.
But tracing it to its roots, these were all his own choices—
Three thousand years ago, it was he who single-handedly created the "Ultimate Weapon" with the power to destroy the entire region, nearly leading to the complete annihilation of Kalos.
Every cause has an effect; everything he endured was merely paying the debt for his insane actions back then.
However, after three thousand years of wandering, the AZ of today had long since awakened to his mistakes and felt remorse for the sins he had committed.
His appearance in Lumiose City was likely because he had sensed Lysandre's intentions and planned to persuade him not to follow his old path, right?
Thinking of this, Aiden was already moved to compassion.
"Still no release this time, must I wait another millennium?"
"If this is the 'eternal' punishment I must endure as a sinner—"
After muttering a few more sentences to himself, the man's face clearly became much more desolate. He stood up with difficulty and, hunching over, prepared to leave.
"Then, I will continue to wait."
"Until the day I see Floette again, or until my end arrives."
However, Diancie blocked his path.
"Hello, have you run into some trouble?"
Seeing the man's distressed look, Diancie took the initiative to speak, revealing a sweet smile at him.
AZ's expression froze for a moment, then he shook his head.
"It's nothing."
A magical beast shining like a Sacred Diamond... every thousand years, I always run into its descendants here.
And they always ask the same question.
"If you're lost, we can take you out of here with us~"
Although AZ seemed very resistant to communicating with it, Diancie didn't mind at all and continued to ask enthusiastically.
"—It's not me who's lost, but a friend of mine."
Perhaps infected by Diancie's enthusiasm, AZ, who was originally about to leave, actually stopped in his tracks and whispered in his weathered, hoarse voice.
"I can't find her."
"Friend—"
Diancie thought seriously for a moment, then nodded heavily.
"That is indeed a very important matter; you can't just abandon a friend!"
"Do you need us to help you look for her?"
"—"
The words Diancie said with a smile made AZ fall silent for a long time, before he finally revealed a bitter smile.
"No need, thank you for comforting me."
"Sorry, I have to go."
Just as he was leaving, Zygarde, which had been silently observing him, suddenly spoke up.
[I know you, human king who committed the crime.]
Hearing the mechanical voice resonate in his mind, AZ violently raised his head to look at the giant Gundam standing on the earth.
"Are you here to see me make a fool of myself, Zygarde?"
AZ's voice was devoid of sorrow or joy; even when speaking directly to a Legendary Pokémon, his tone held little respect.
"A thousand years from now, you and I will meet again."
"Say whatever you have to say then."
Zygarde didn't mind the offense in AZ's words.
It only took a few sentences to make the other party instantly lose control of his expression.
[I have heard from my avatars about your three thousand years of wandering, and I know you have truly repented.]
[Now, I want to ask you one last question.]
[Do you regret it?]
Zygarde's voice was like a bolt from the blue, leaving AZ frozen on the spot.
It took a long while before he licked his dry, cracked lips and showed a self-deprecating smile.
"I don't regret it."
"If it was to save Floette, I wouldn't hesitate to pay any price."
"It's just— I indeed hurt the subjects who trusted me, and I implicated many innocent Pokémon."
"Therefore, from now on, I will forever use myself as a negative example, warning future generations not to make the most extreme decisions."
AZ's tone was extremely firm.
No one ultimately benefited from that war in Kalos three thousand years ago.
Even though Kalos won in the end, the price paid was far too heavy.
Therefore, Kalos could not afford another war.
Perhaps the meaning of his immortality lay in using his own personal experience to warn future generations not to repeat that dark history.
He was also willing to accept this arrangement.
[———]
Zygarde did not speak, only silently scrutinizing him for a long time.
In the end, it didn't say another word, very straightforwardly spewing high-temperature gas to rapidly ascend, turning into a shooting star and disappearing.
AZ shook his head, seemingly unsurprised by Zygarde's actions.
He never begged for forgiveness from gods or humans; he only hoped to see his closest friend again one day.
That Eternal Flower Floette, when would it ever bloom before him again?
AZ suddenly choked up a bit, and when he looked up at the direction Zygarde had left, the light in his eyes had already faded.
However—
"I actually think your answer is pretty good~"
"And that little guy, its thoughts should be the same as mine, right?"
Aiden had appeared in front of AZ at some point. After speaking with a smile, he pointed behind him.
AZ froze, then violently reacted, immediately looking back.
The sunlight was perfect today, and a beautiful red-and-black flower appeared before him.
The Black Flower Floette holding the flower raised its head, quietly watching this close friend who had waited three thousand years for her with a complicated gaze.
"Flo— Floette!"
Two streams of clear tears slid down AZ's cheeks, his pupils involuntarily contracted, and his body trembled violently along with his sobs.
He carefully raised his hands, but just as he gently touched Floette's body, he retracted them as if shocked by electricity.
"I finally found you—"
"This time, we will never be apart—"
After repeatedly wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes, AZ showed an ugly yet happy smile.
Seeing this, the Black Flower Floette silently flew over and sat on his right shoulder, reaching out to help him wipe away his tears.
"Hmm—"
Steven suddenly felt that using this scene as the ending to a major event wasn't bad at all?
But who on earth was he—
The King of Kalos from three thousand years ago could actually live until now—
Of course, even a blockhead like Steven wouldn't ask such an atmosphere-ruining question during such a touching reunion.
"Phew—, Grandpa AZ finally reunited with Floette in the end!"
Ansha patted her chest, heaving a huge sigh of relief.
Aiden also showed a gratified smile.
Ever since this little guy showed something different earlier, he had vaguely started guessing.
Sure enough, just like Lysandre, AZ would play a key role in the events five years later?
This way, it could be considered a happy ending for everyone.
At least from what he remembered, the Kalos region shouldn't have any other major problems for the time being.
Lysandre and Team Flare's conspiracy died in the womb; the aftermath could just be handed over to Diantha's side for evidence collection and resolution.
AZ also finally got his wish, reuniting with the Eternal Flower he had searched for for three thousand years.
Even Steven, who shouldn't have been here originally, gained Diancie's friendship in the Kalos region and received a Sacred Diamond as a gift.
Almost everyone gained something; the only one who had it rough was probably Professor Sycamore, whose papers were all written in vain—
Yeah, the waters of Mega Evolution were indeed too deep; he couldn't handle it all by himself as a mid-generation Pokémon Professor!
When walking out of Allearth Forest, AZ and Floette had already left beforehand.
Steven, on the other hand, looked visibly reluctant.
So when Diancie waved goodbye to them, he finally asked the question he'd been wanting to ask but never had the chance to: "Diancie, would you allow me to accompany you to the Diamond Domain?"
"Of course~"
Diancie smiled and nodded, making Steven's eyes instantly shine with light.
"As a friend of this princess, the doors of the Diamond Domain will always be open to you. You're welcome to come visit me anytime~"
"Great! Then I—"
Just as Steven was about to leave with Diancie, he was suddenly elbowed in the chest by Aiden, who couldn't stand watching anymore.
"You guy, if you go to the Diamond Domain, I'm afraid you'll never want to come out again!"
Aiden teased with a smile, but then his expression turned much more serious.
"There's something I need to give you, the Hoenn Champion, a heads-up about."
"Due to the impact of Hoopa Unbound earlier, Legendary Pokémon in certain regions might awaken ahead of schedule."
"And the highest probability among them is those two divine beasts in your Hoenn region."
"So— you know what I mean, right?"
After all, this was intel from Arceus, so its credibility was very high.
Aiden winked at Steven a few times, and the latter could only reveal a wry smile.
"That's really bad news, and the timing is terrible—"
"But you're right."
"As the Hoenn Champion, no matter how unserious I usually am, I must bring confidence to the people at critical moments."
Steven nodded, then turned his head to look at Diancie, who was curiously waiting for his reply.
"I'm sorry, Diancie."
"When we have time in the future, Aiden and I will come visit the Diamond Domain again."
"Okay, I'll be looking forward to your arrival~"
After Diancie responded with a smile, she bounced away.
Watching her back gradually disappear, Steven's expression quickly returned to seriousness.
"Then, I'll take my leave first, Teacher Azure."
"I plan to return to the Hoenn region and keep a close eye on the movements of Team Magma and Team Aqua."
"If the Hoenn region inevitably has to face a disaster then, and I am unable to resolve it—"
Steven looked up and earnestly requested Aiden.
"At that time, I'll have to ask you, Teacher Azure, to summon that black Rayquaza and help the Hoenn region overcome the crisis!"
Aiden smiled and nodded.
"Of course. Come to think of it, I haven't been to the Hoenn region yet."
"If you need my help then, just shout my name loudly into your PokéNav."
"When it comes to dealing with Legendary Pokémon, Teacher Azure is the pro!"
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