Diancie's heart pounded madly all the way there.
Maybe it was because she'd been rushing so hard, but she suspected it was more due to the unease gripping her chest.
She'd felt it since morning—otherwise, she wouldn't have called Elias so early.
And the feeling had only grown stronger since then, worsening by the minute.
Is Elias… really going to abandon me?
The thought raced through Diancie's mind as she hurried along.
She'd never considered it before.
He'd always been so kind, so patient with her. She'd grown used to Elias always being by her side.
He was like air, something she subconsciously believed could never disappear.
But…
The communicator, still silent, made her panic.
He'd even taken Delphox with him—had he finally grown tired of her?
Diancie's gaze dimmed, her teeth gently biting her lip.
Ahead of her, Dianna had no attention to spare for Diancie's feelings.
Her own thoughts were in chaos.
Memories and clues from the past pieced themselves together into a clear, undeniable truth.
Elias had never abandoned her. He'd never intended to let her suffer the consequences of the diamond's collapse.
From the start, Elias had planned everything—even keeping her in the dark.
But…
Why?
Wasn't he Diancie's Ghost Form?
Why had he gone so far for her as well?
Questions exploded in Dianna's mind, nearly overwhelming her.
No matter what, she had to interfere with his plan.
She had to save that Ghost Form—she wouldn't allow him to sacrifice himself!
After this…
Dianna glanced at Diancie behind her, looking lost and frightened.
Even if she had to cast aside her pride as the queen, she'd fight to claim him for herself.
Even if…
Even if her rival was her successor, Diancie!
...
Traveling underground was convenient—most of the time, you could head straight there.
Following the diamond on Elias, Dianna pinpointed their destination precisely.
After traveling for a while, she and Diancie finally surfaced.
"Your Majesty, where's Elias?"
Diancie scanned the surroundings, face pale and voice tight with urgency.
What should've been forest was now scorched earth—barely a single intact tree remained.
Seeing this, Dianna's skin crawled, her limbs turning cold.
Yveltal.
Dianna vividly remembered the Pokémon that had injured her before.
The devastation around them was clearly from its battle.
And its opponent… was obvious.
Thinking of that Pokémon's terrifying power, Dianna struggled to breathe.
"He's… just ahead."
After sensing carefully, Dianna forced the words out.
Before she'd even finished, Diancie grabbed her hand and ran.
The pressure in Diancie's chest intensified; she couldn't wait another second.
She wanted to throw herself into his arms.
She wanted to demand, loudly and clearly, why he'd abandoned her.
She wanted to promise she'd behave better.
No more picky eating, no more tantrums—training, studying, she'd do all of it.
Whatever he asked, she'd say yes.
As long as… as long as he returned to her side.
The scorched land seemed endless.
They stumbled and ran, but still couldn't see its edge.
Finally…
After rounding a small, completely barren hill, they reached the boundary at last.
Green vegetation came back into view.
"This is it."
Dianna spoke—and immediately began searching for Elias's familiar figure.
Her gaze had barely moved when a tall, regal silhouette appeared before them both.
Xerneas!
Seeing the graceful Pokémon crowned by multicolored antlers, Dianna let out a relieved breath.
Thank goodness…
Xerneas was Yveltal's mortal enemy—and the Legendary Pokémon of life itself.
With Xerneas here, Elias would surely be safe.
"Elias!"
Diancie's gaze went straight past Xerneas, locking onto the figure nearby.
She spotted Elias instantly.
Having lived together day after day, she knew his silhouette better than anyone.
Though she was too far away to be heard, Diancie's panic finally eased.
Elias had always said Xerneas could heal her—but they'd never found it before.
Now, seeing the legendary Pokémon herself, those words rushed back to her mind.
Then…
Elias hadn't abandoned her after all. He'd brought Xerneas to her?
Of course—answering her call in front of such a powerful Pokémon probably wasn't a good idea.
Elias really was the best.
Diancie smiled faintly, running forward eagerly, ready to leap into his arms.
She'd been terrified today—he had to comfort her properly.
But just then, Xerneas moved.
It stepped forward, approached Elias, and gazed down at him from above.
An uneasy feeling gripped Diancie's heart again.
She stopped, staring blankly at the scene before her.
Xerneas paused, carefully examining her Elias.
Then—
Its long neck lowered slowly, the Legendary Pokémon of Life bringing its muzzle close to Elias's throat.
Crack—!
Something shattered inside Diancie at that moment.
Watching Xerneas open its mouth and bite down, her mind went utterly blank.
"Xerneas is supposed to be kind…"
"A Ghost Form can't be hurt by a bite. It's fine… it's fine…"
Diancie murmured repeatedly, desperate to reassure herself.
But then—
She saw a streak of green light burst from Elias's body, absorbed immediately by Xerneas.
And as Elias's form began to fade, slowly dissolving into nothingness—
Diancie could no longer deceive herself.
Click—click—!
Her anxiety peaked—then vanished like a receding tide.
As though the danger had passed, and calm returned.
Yet Diancie just stood there, staring at the distant scene, unable to make a sound.
Even after the figure she'd lived with day after day disappeared completely, leaving not a single trace behind, Diancie remained frozen.
The Ghost Form… had truly become a ghost.
Crack!
A crisp sound rang out.
Diancie instinctively looked down.
A pink diamond fell from her—and shattered into countless fragments before reaching the ground.
It was the very first diamond Elias had inhabited.
The one that had led her to him in the first place.
She'd always treasured it dearly.
But now…
It was broken.
---
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