"Kyogre is the ruler of the seas. It can command storms and rain, and it defeated Groudon with a single move just now. Obviously Kyogre is stronger!"
Ash and Max argued back and forth on the spot over whether Ho-Oh or Kyogre was stronger. Their noisy debate actually eased the heavy atmosphere from before, making things feel a little lighter.
But at this moment, Theo had no mood to care about their argument at all.
After Absol escaped from Groudon's body, it limped over to Theo's side and gently rubbed its head against his pant leg, its eyes filled with gratitude.
Jirachi also flew over. The moment it saw that Absol was safe and unharmed, it happily rubbed cheeks with it.
Then Jirachi slowly turned around and looked at the devastated land beneath them. The once beautiful earth had been ravaged beyond recognition, and deep sorrow and guilt gradually appeared in its clear eyes.
Its little face was filled with heartache.
It slowly floated in front of Theo and stretched out its tiny hand, gently touching his cheek with reluctance.
Then it moved one by one toward Milotic, Tyrantrum, Mega Metagross, Volcarona, and the others beside him, hugging and rubbing against each of them, its eyes full of attachment and unwillingness to part.
A moment later, silver white light once again began to shine from Jirachi's body.
This time, however, the glow was even stronger than before.
The light gathered around the True Eye on its stomach, and suddenly a dazzling beam shot straight into the sky toward the Millennium Comet above.
Seeing this, Ash, Max, and the others immediately stopped arguing and hurried over, nervously staring at Jirachi, not knowing what it intended to do.
High above the sky, the light beam that Jirachi fired toward the Millennium Comet seemed to trigger some kind of reaction.
In an instant, the comet erupted with even more brilliant radiance.
A massive wave of life energy poured down from the comet like a waterfall, covering the entirety of the Forina mountains.
And under the illumination of that energy, a miracle occurred.
The cracked and dried earth gradually became moist again.
The yellowed grasslands slowly regained their emerald green color.
The withered trees began sprouting fresh buds, while countless specks of green light flickered and spread across the land.
In only a few short minutes, the land that had resembled a lifeless ruin was reborn with vibrant vitality, overflowing with greenery and life once more.
The surviving wild Pokémon all emerged from their hiding places one after another, happily cheering and jumping around as the entire forest seemed to awaken in an instant.
After accomplishing all of this, Jirachi's tiny body swayed weakly.
It staggered as it slowly drifted down from the sky and softly fell into Theo's arms.
Max, Ash, May, Brock, as well as Milotic, Larvitar, Pikachu, and all the Pokémon immediately gathered around it, staring at Jirachi without blinking, their eyes filled with worry.
Looking at every person and every companion surrounding it, Jirachi slowly opened its mouth and spoke softly in that sweet and gentle voice of its.
This time, unlike when it first learned to speak, it no longer stuttered awkwardly.
Its childish voice was clear and tender, yet filled with a heartbreaking gentleness.
"I… feel a little tired. I really want to sleep."
"But I don't want to sleep. I'm afraid that when I wake up again… I won't be able to see all of you anymore."
Jirachi slowly raised its little hand and gently touched Theo's cheek, its eyes overflowing with reluctance.
"Theo… I really like you."
"Max, I like you too. And everyone else…"
"Larvitar, Pikachu, Milotic, Metagross… I like every one of you. Everyone has been so kind to me. Being able to play together with all of you made me really, really happy."
The moment Max heard those words, his eyes instantly turned red, and tears uncontrollably rolled down his face.
"Big brother Theo, aren't there still two days left? This is only the fifth day! Why does Jirachi have to sleep already? There should still be time…"
"It's probably because Jirachi used too much power to save this place."
Brock's voice sounded slightly choked with emotion.
Theo tightly hugged the Jirachi in his arms.
Just like when they first met, he gently rubbed noses with it and lightly pinched its cheek. His voice was low, yet firm and unwavering.
"Jirachi, don't worry. When you wake up again, you'll definitely still be able to see all of us."
"I promise you, I will definitely find a way to let you stay awake forever."
"When that time comes, you won't only wake up for seven days anymore. You'll be able to play with everyone for a very, very long time, just like other Pokémon."
Theo gently hooked Jirachi's tiny finger with his own, solemnly making a pinky promise with it. Then he pressed their thumbs together lightly.
"Pinky promise, sealed with a stamp. This is the promise between you and me!"
The sadness on Jirachi's face slowly began to fade away.
"Mhm… this is our promise. I believe you, Theo."
"I'll always wait for you."
Slowly, strands of soft purple light began spreading across its body.
Jirachi's tiny form gradually became transparent and crystal clear.
In the end, it transformed into a warm purple crystal, becoming the cocoon of slumber once more.
"Jirachi!"
Everyone could not help but softly call out its name, their eyes filled with reluctance and sorrow.
Larvitar suddenly jumped up frantically, trying to leap toward Jirachi. In its tiny claws, it tightly held an apple it had just dug out from the backpack, wanting to give it to Jirachi.
Jirachi originally tried to stretch out its little hand to accept it.
But the purple light had already spread across its entire body.
In the end, the apple never made it into its hands.
Seeing this scene, the apple slipped from Larvitar's claws and fell to the ground with a soft thud.
It could no longer hold back its emotions.
"Laaar…"
Larvitar burst into tears, constantly rubbing its eyes with its little claws.
Ice Vulpix and Fire Vulpix hurriedly ran over and gently rubbed their heads against its body, softly comforting it.
Theo slowly crouched down and used his fingers to wipe away the tears on Larvitar's cheeks as he gently said,
"Don't cry anymore, Larvitar."
"Believe me. Very soon, I'll wake Jirachi up again."
"When that time comes, you can play with it together again. You can even have it help you win claw machine prizes, and then you can give this apple to it to eat, alright?"
Larvitar nodded as if it half understood.
It threw itself into Theo's arms while crying out "Lar, Lar," and even stretched out its little claws to tightly hook onto Theo's finger, as though it too was making a pinky promise and forcing him to keep his word.
Max wiped away his tears as he choked out,
"Big brother Theo… can Jirachi… really wake up again?"
May, Ash, and Brock also looked toward Theo with reddened eyes, their gazes filled with hope.
Holding Jirachi's cocoon of slumber in his arms, Theo nodded heavily toward everyone, his tone firm and solemn.
"Don't worry. It definitely can."
"I already have some ideas about how to awaken Jirachi."
"I promise everyone that I will absolutely make it wake up again. And when that day comes, it won't only stay awake for seven days anymore. It'll be able to play with us for a very, very long time, just like every other Pokémon."
Although the cocoon of slumber could not respond, Max and the others could all feel the weight of that promise.
Theo and the others quietly stood around Jirachi's cocoon for a very long time.
Above them, the stars in the night sky seemed to bear witness to this promise as well, twinkling softly with gentle light.
(End of Chapter)