To be able to kill even a Champion-level Pokémon without leaving behind a single external wound… this kind of power meant that even if the entire Pokémon Squad joined forces, it was far from certain that they could take down such an opponent.
"Heh, I knew it! I knew that you, Instructor, wouldn't just sit back and do nothing."
Elliot chuckled with visible relief.
Before finding Nathan, he couldn't even bring himself to smile, let alone laugh. But now that Nathan was here—forget merely smiling, he could have celebrated right on the spot without any hesitation.
After all, Nathan's strength was something they had all personally witnessed. No matter which Pokémon he casually sent out, it would always be leagues stronger than any of theirs.
With Nathan around, even the pace of their journey quickened significantly.
In less than half an hour, the dozen-odd people reached the exit of the mystic realm.
At this moment, nearly ninety percent of the Pokémon Squad members had already gathered there. Only Crane and his team had yet to return.
"Instructor!"
"Instructor!"
The moment they saw Elliot bringing Nathan over, the group lit up with joy, their excitement plain to see.
"Alright, enough with the greetings. Let's not waste time catching up—what matters now is that we deal with the murderer as soon as possible."
Nathan waved his hand, urging them forward.
Under his direction, the Pokémon Squad immediately mobilized. The member who had earlier escorted Elite Guardian Gray out of the mystic realm now took the lead.
In just over half an hour, the group managed to rendezvous with Crane's team.
"Instructor, you're here!"
Though only a few days had passed since their last meeting, Crane's respect for Nathan was as strong as ever.
"Mm. Let's move. You said you already know where the culprit is, right? Tell me everything while we walk."
Nathan nodded lightly, signaling them to advance.
Over a hundred people began moving in the direction from which Elite Guardian Gray had escaped.
As they traveled, Nathan was brought up to speed on this so-called Draco, as well as everything that had happened.
"Tsk, tsk… Instructor, if you ask me, this guy is truly insane. He actually dreams of stepping over you to become the strongest trainer in the world."
Elliot, ever eager to flatter, spoke with disdain as he walked at Nathan's side.
Earlier, Crane's group had already heard Elite Guardian Gray's explanation, but the rest of the squad hadn't. Now, after learning the details, all hundred-plus members shared the same reaction.
That man was a fool living in a dream—an impossible dream that would never, ever come true.
"Well… we can't be too quick to judge. What if the guy really is strong?"
Nathan responded with modesty.
But deep inside, his mind was constantly turning, pondering what kind of Pokémon this Draco possessed.
To be able to kill both humans and Pokémon without leaving a trace of injury… such a method was exceedingly rare.
The Pokémon capable of such feats were usually Ghost-types, or perhaps Dark-types.
As they pressed on, the group suddenly spotted several Pokémon corpses lying scattered across the desert sands ahead.
Nathan immediately rushed over to inspect them.
Seeing the lifeless bodies, his brows arched slightly. A suspicion formed in his mind: could it be that Draco's Pokémon was the ancient nemesis of Xerneas?
"Come out, Xerneas!"
He drew out a Poké Ball and released the majestic Legendary.
"Take a look. Do you think this is the handiwork of your old foe?"
Pointing to the corpses on the ground, Nathan asked solemnly.
Xerneas cast its gaze over the remains. Its expression grew tense.
It had fought Yveltal countless times before, and it could tell immediately—this was unmistakably Yveltal's doing.
"That's right. It's him. But… wasn't he supposed to be trapped within another mystic realm? How did he get out?"
Xerneas nodded gravely.
Back when it had first met Nathan, it had already heard from him about Yveltal's situation.
But now, inexplicably, Yveltal had appeared here.
"Yes, but did you forget how you yourself left the mystic realm?"
Nathan sighed.
He couldn't help but feel a pang of regret—he had learned of this matter far too late. Had he known earlier, so many lives might have been spared.
If he had simply waited patiently for the mystic realm's official opening, entering together with the others, things might have turned out differently. Perhaps he could have intercepted this creature outside the realm entirely, cutting it off before it had the chance to cause such havoc.
"Can you track him down? That creature has already taken lives. Even if you choose not to act, I will."
Nathan's gaze was firm as he addressed Xerneas.
Xerneas shook its head. After being rivals with Yveltal for countless ages, it was determined to face this opponent on its own.
"You want to handle it yourself? Fine. If you can't bring him down, I'll step in."
Seeing Xerneas insist, Nathan didn't argue. It would be easier for him if Xerneas handled it personally.
The Pokémon Squad, meanwhile, stared in awe at the legendary Pokémon before them. None of them had ever laid eyes on such a being before, and their reverence toward Nathan deepened.
Truly, their instructor was in a league of his own. Even when he released a Pokémon casually, it turned out to be a legendary one. How could ordinary trainers even hope to compete?
At that moment, Xerneas suddenly turned its head toward a particular direction.
Sensing Yveltal's presence, it immediately charged off.
Nathan and the others followed closely behind.
Barely twenty minutes later, Xerneas came to a stop.
And there, just ahead, stood a man and his Pokémon, gathering the spoils of their slaughter.
"Nathan Ves[er! To think I searched everywhere for you, only for you to come straight to me of your own accord!"
Draco's eyes instantly locked onto Nathan.
As for the others beside him, he dismissed them entirely as if they were air.
"You're looking for me? Sorry, but you'll have to get through it first."
Nathan pointed calmly at the Xerneas standing in front of him.
Still, inwardly he was curious. Just how had this man managed to enter that other mystic realm, survive an encounter with Yveltal, and even bring it out with him?
"Hmph! So, this is your Pokémon? Doesn't look like much to me."
Draco sneered arrogantly.
Nathan sighed. This fool really was hopeless. Not only was he arrogant, he was also blind.
Could he not see? His so-called trump card, Yveltal, was staring intently at Xerneas with deadly seriousness. And yet here he was, still posturing like a king.
"If you can't handle it, just say the word. My Pokémon are more than strong enough."
Nathan spoke lightly to Xerneas, then led the squad far back.
He knew very well how destructive these two Pokémon could be once they clashed. Watching from too close would be far too dangerous.
"Well? What are you waiting for? Kill that Pokémon!"
Draco, noticing Nathan retreating, grew anxious that he might escape. Quickly, he shouted at Yveltal.
Yveltal cast him a sideways glance, its eyes full of contempt.
If not for the chance to escape that wretched mystic realm, why would it ever have followed such a pitiful human?
"Too much nonsense."
A voice rang out like a rusted gong.
It was the first time Draco had ever heard Yveltal speak.
But to his shock, the very first words it directed at him were an insult.
"You… If not for me, you'd still be trapped inside that mystic realm!"
Draco's face twisted with anger and humiliation. To be spoken to like this by his own Pokémon—especially in front of so many people, including Nathan, the man he had sworn to surpass—it was unbearable.
"Hmph! Your usefulness ended the moment you freed me. Did you truly think that with your pitiful Pokémon, you could ever make me yours?"
Yveltal's words dripped with disdain.
With that, it turned away, ignoring Draco entirely, leaving him to stew in his fury.
"Pathetic… utterly pathetic. This is the Pokémon you thought would let you defeat me?"
Nathan clicked his tongue. He held back a laugh, but only because the timing was inappropriate. Otherwise, he would have burst out laughing at the absurdity of it all.
Unable to control a single Pokémon, yet dreaming of becoming the world's strongest trainer by relying on it—what a farce.
Xerneas and Yveltal now stood face to face, their auras colliding, the tension so thick that battle could erupt at any second.
To be safe, Nathan released both his Volcarona and his Mewtwo, ready to step in should anything unexpected happen.
"Yveltal, I never thought you would stoop so low as to use this human to escape the mystic realm. But it matters little. Since fate has brought us together here… then you shall remain trapped in this mystic realm forever!"
Xerneas glared at its ancient nemesis, its voice filled with resolve.
As it spoke, radiant seven-colored light burst forth from its body.
The glow was so suffused with life force that even the desolate sands around it began to sprout fresh, green grass.
"A thousand years have passed… Do you intend to slumber away yet another millennium alongside me?"
(End of Chapter)