Behind them.
Dianna's expression was dazed too. Staring at the figure already dissolved into nothingness in the distance, she nearly thought she was dreaming.
She couldn't believe Elias… was truly gone from this world.
She couldn't believe she'd rushed here desperately, only to witness this scene.
As a queen, Dianna rarely revealed her emotions.
Only by maintaining dignity at all times could she reassure her people and earn the respect of those who would succeed her.
Yet now…
Tears slipped from Dianna's eyes, one after another, like beads spilling from a snapped string.
It felt as if an enormous hand was gripping her heart, spreading unbearable pain through her chest.
A pain so deep it took her breath away.
For centuries, Elias had been the only one who truly cared for her.
Diancie cared too, but that was more like a successor's devotion to her Majesty.
Only Elias had genuinely understood her—caring for her as a Pokémon of flesh and blood.
Not as the distant, mighty queen of a clan.
She was a Pokémon too. She had feelings of her own. She could drown in sweetness just like anyone else.
But…
Dianna knew that from this moment forward, she had to become that queen again—the one who silently bore everything.
No one would ever wander aimlessly through the kingdom with her again.
Not far away.
Pink diamond dust lay scattered over the ground, so delicate a mere gust could carry it off.
And at this moment, Diancie could no longer sense even a trace of Elias's aura.
It was as though the shattered diamond had become an ordinary stone—no different from countless others underground.
"E-Elias…"
A fragile whisper escaped Diancie's lips.
Like her soul had been pulled out, she stood swaying unsteadily, a deathly stillness surrounding her.
Rock-type Pokémon lived extremely long lives.
Yet from the moment she'd been born until now, this was the first time she'd truly understood what death meant.
A word that once seemed impossibly distant was now terrifyingly real.
Scenes from the past flashed through her mind like a film reel.
Beginning a hundred years ago, when she'd first found that diamond.
When hungry, Elias would patiently cook Pokémon food she liked.
When tired, he would quietly soothe and heal her using the Power of Viridian.
Even when upset, she could bury herself in that gentle embrace, feeling his comforting touch.
She'd tasted happiness most Pokémon wouldn't even dare dream of.
Diancie knew clearly: no Trainer could ever do as much for their Pokémon.
That had always been her secret pride, kept deep inside.
She genuinely believed that happiness could last forever—that no one could disturb it.
Until…
Until the scene unfolding right before her eyes.
Thud.
Diancie's head spun. Without realizing, she dropped to her knees on the dirt.
Soil stained her small hands, but she was too numb to care.
A dream she'd lived in for countless years had shattered completely, right here.
The emotional impact left her stunned, frozen even now.
Instead of bursting into loud sobs as she usually would, Diancie's eyes slowly turned numb.
Those lovely pale pink irises gradually shifted toward vivid blood-red.
"Xerneas…"
"The Life Pokémon… Xerneas… life…"
Title and name slipped repeatedly from Diancie's lips, as though she intended to carve them deep into her heart.
Normally, Elias was so smart—he should've easily noticed a Pokémon's malicious intent.
But… what if all his attention had been on her?
When you cared too deeply, you made mistakes. A cruel Pokémon really could exploit such an opening.
Diancie's eyes trembled slightly. The helplessness in her chest slowly vanished.
And in its place—
Anger and hatred surged in, instantly filling her heart.
Boom!
An intense Fairy aura erupted from Diancie.
The diamond within her—normally bright but never dazzling—now blazed with radiant light.
Sensing the violent shift in aura, Dianna finally snapped out of her daze.
The instant she saw Diancie clearly, her pupils tightened sharply.
Diancie was… drawing power directly from the giant diamond deep underground?
From this distance?!
...
On the small hill.
Watching Elias vanish right before her eyes, Xerneas's expression was complicated.
At his request, she had done it.
With the death of this human ghost, the blessing had returned to her.
Reality proved her instincts correct.
The strength contained in that blessing was astonishing.
The moment she absorbed it, all her injuries healed instantly—and her power rose another step.
In this state, she could easily escape Zygarde.
And perhaps…
For a very long time to come, Yveltal likely wouldn't be a match for her.
Thinking this, Xerneas cast a cool glance behind her.
Yveltal, still trapped in the capture net, seemed to sense her gaze. Its body stiffened instantly, and it suddenly looked extremely obedient.
It had entirely lost its temper.
It still carried resentment toward Elias, but seeing how ruthless Elias had been toward even himself, it was… almost relieved.
Thank goodness it had only been trapped in a capture net…
"Hm?"
Turning away, Xerneas sensed something unexpected. She turned, surprised, toward the distance.
As a Fairy-type Pokémon herself, she naturally felt the storm of Fairy-type energy erupting far away.
Narrowing her eyes, Xerneas relied on her keen vision and clearly saw the Pokémon at the center of the storm.
"Diancie?"
She was surprised—she hadn't expected Diancie to arrive so quickly.
But that was fine. It saved her a trip.
Before approaching Diancie, Xerneas glanced toward Zygarde, still absorbing cells.
Transforming into its complete form required considerable time.
After all, those cells were scattered worldwide. Calling every last one back wasn't easy.
Tap… tap…
Xerneas's body felt lighter again.
Her crisp hoofbeats rang through the open space; with one graceful leap, she landed atop Zygarde's head.
Sensing her, Zygarde was forced to halt, raising its sinister serpent's head.
"Vmm—"
BOOOOM!
A full moon rose behind Xerneas.
Then multiple beams of moonlight shot straight down.
Upon striking Zygarde, violent explosions erupted.
Flames merged into a single sea of fire, instantly engulfing its massive form.
Simultaneously, a thin mist spread through the forest.
Having set Misty Terrain, Xerneas landed elegantly. Her multicolored antlers cast radiant patterns through the fog.
This was the first time…
She'd ever gained the upper hand against Zygarde.
---
Zygarde: Not a single one of them is legal!
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