"Pikachu, Discharge!"
"Pika—CHUUU!!!"
Blinding electricity surged forth, exploding into the narrow alleyway with a violent crackle.
Ash and Pikachu now stood firmly in front of Diancie, shielding her with their bodies.
"Riot, Marilyn… Pokémon thieves. This ends here."
Because Ash already knew how things were supposed to unfold in the original story, he didn't hold too much hatred for these two small-time crooks. His only goal was to drive them off without unnecessary conflict.
"Tch! Some snot-nosed brat who barely grew out of diapers dares call my name out loud and meddle in our business? Greninja—huh?"
Riot had been about to order Greninja forward, but froze when he realized what had happened. His Greninja, still smoking from Pikachu's earlier Discharge, collapsed with a heavy thud.
"Come on, Diancie, let's get out of here."
"Pika!"
Ash grabbed Diancie's hand and pulled her along. Pikachu leapt back to his shoulder, cheeks sparking with protective energy.
Marilyn, far more cunning than Riot, did not move a muscle. Her Delphox was already down for the count from that same discharge—she wasn't about to risk another strike.
But Riot wasn't willing to let things end so easily. His eyes flashed with frustration. The moment Ash turned his back, Riot lunged forward, aiming to subdue the boy himself before stealing Diancie away.
He had no intention of truly harming Ash—despite being a thief, his code was clear: steal, but never shed innocent blood. All he wanted was to rough him up a little, make him drop his guard.
But reality, as always, was cruel.
Before Riot's hand even brushed Ash's shoulder—
WHAM!
Ash's foot connected squarely with his chest, launching him like a ragdoll. Riot flew backward more than ten meters, crashing into the wall with a sickening impact. Blood trickled down from the corner of his mouth as he slid to the ground, groaning.
Without even sparing him a glance, Ash kept walking, Diancie in hand, Pikachu on his shoulder, and vanished back into the bustling streets.
"…He's a tough one," Riot muttered, clutching his ribs as he glared at Ash's retreating figure.
Then he turned to look at Marilyn, whose expression was unreadable. With nothing more to say, he recalled his Greninja and slunk off into the shadows. Ash's kick had left his insides rattled—he'd need time to recover.
Being a thief meant having a strong body by default. And yet… that boy's strength was unnatural.
-------
Meanwhile, Ash had returned to the restaurant with Diancie in tow.
To most people, Diancie was just a peculiar-looking Pokémon. Unless someone was of Champion-tier strength or steeped in legends, they wouldn't recognize her for who she really was—the princess of the Diamond Domain.
Only specialized thieves like Riot and Marilyn had the knowledge to spot her value at first glance.
Ash quickly introduced Diancie to Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie, who finally understood what Ash had been running off to do.
"Thank you, Ash. And you too, Pikachu," Diancie said softly, her voice carrying an elegant tone befitting royalty. "But I cannot stay… I must find another Pokémon."
With gentle words, she explained her plight. Excitement caused her to instinctively conjure a flawless pinkish-violet diamond in her hands.
Bonnie gasped, her eyes sparkling even more than the gem itself.
Diancie smiled and, without hesitation, gifted the jewel to the young girl.
From that moment, Ash and his friends agreed unanimously: they would help Diancie in her quest to find the one she sought—none other than the Fairy Aura Pokémon, the legendary guardian of life itself—Xerneas.
Ash didn't object in the slightest. After all, his true interest lay in the opposite side of the myth: whether or not he could seize the chance to face—and possibly capture—Yveltal, the embodiment of destruction.
"Since we're all in agreement," Serena said, flipping through her travel guide, "let's start with the legends. Every record that mentions Xerneas…"
Before she could finish, Diancie perked up suddenly—Carbink servents had come scurrying into the restaurant!
Her eyes softened. These were her loyal servents, frantic after discovering that their princess had gone missing.
Ash and Pikachu remained calm as Diancie explained everything to them. Once they understood, the three Carbink relaxed and pledged their support.
Among them was the eldest, whom Diancie respectfully called the "Dace".
With his vast experience and surprising mastery of telepathy, the Dacequickly devised a route. "Princess, honored companions, the fastest path to Xerneas lies through the hidden tunnels of the Diamond Domain. From there, we can reach the AllearthForest—known to the world as the dwelling place of the Life Pokémon."
At the same time, high above in the skies, within a sleek, invisible airship…
Two infamous figures observed from the shadows. A notorious father-daughter duo—Argus Steel and Millis Steel.
Their vessel resembled the stealth craft once used by Hunter J in Sinnoh, capable of vanishing from radar and sight alike.
"Diancie is with that boy—Ash Ketchum," Millis muttered, reclining on the sofa. On the screen before her flashed Ash's image, along with detailed information about his battles, achievements, and his key role in unveiling Mega Evolution to the world.
"He's not one to underestimate," she added. "We can't just storm in."
Argus popped a piece of chocolate into his mouth, narrowing his eyes. "Troublesome brat… If he's involved, a direct strike would be suicide. But perhaps we can turn the legend of the Cocoon of Destruction to our advantage. Outsiders may not understand its truth, and fear can be as sharp a blade as any weapon."
The two thieves exchanged a meaningful glance. A scheme—subtle yet dangerous—was already taking root.
------
Back underground, Ash and his companions pressed onward, guided by the Dace's wisdom.
"Princess, everyone… beyond this path lies the Allearth Forest. Once you emerge, you'll see the great waterfalls. It is here that Xerneas always returns, no matter how far it roams."
The elder Carbink's voice echoed solemnly through their minds.
"Legends tell of this sacred place… but also of a forbidden cocoon. In the deepest heart of Allearth Forest, a terrible being slumbers. Should its rest be disturbed, the entire forest would transform into a land of ruin, unleashing a cataclysm upon the world."
His tone grew heavy, reverent, and fearful.
"I speak of the Destruction Pokémon, Yveltal. Its fury can erase life itself. Grass, flowers, rivers, even living beings… all turn to stone or fade into nothing when struck by its power.
Long ago, it awakened once—bringing devastation. And it was only because of Xerneas, the Life Pokémon, that balance was restored. Xerneas subdued Yveltal and returned it to slumber. That is why, Princess Diancie, and honored companions, if you journey into Allearth Forest … you will find Xerneas."
The group fell silent, the weight of the tale pressing upon them like the shadows of the forest ahead.
And Ash… felt a shiver of anticipation.
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T/N:
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