Pokémon: I have no choice but to do this old thing?

Chapter 130 Beneath the Divine Tree, Wings of Return to Heaven

In the heart of the Orianes Forest, the seven-colored giant tree that Xerneas transformed into stands silently.

For three thousand years, it has been protecting the balance of this forest, nourishing all things with its boundless life energy, and soothing the restless black cocoon beneath the tree with its gentle suppressive force.

But tonight, the balance is being broken.

"Shh—shh—"

—

The colorful leaves rustled rapidly without wind. An even more concentrated life energy surged from the tree trunk, transforming into a pale green halo that spread out like ripples, attempting to reinforce the seal on the giant black cocoon.

However, this time, suppression doesn't seem to be so easy.

"Click—click—"

A series of subtle, dense cracking sounds emanated from inside the cocoon, each sound like the heartbeat of the entire forest.

The giant black cocoon trembled violently, its surface, with its bizarre, skeletal-like patterns, shimmering with an increasingly bright, dark red light. Wisps of black energy seeped from more and more cracks, twisting and spreading through the air like living tentacles.

Wherever it passed, vegetation withered instantly, flowers faded, and even the soil lost its vitality, turning gray and cracked. "Crack—!"

A huge crack pierced through the surface of the cocoon, and dark red light burst forth from the crack, staining the ground within dozens of meters around with an ominous blood color.

The being inside the cocoon slowly opened its eyes.

Those were a pair of scarlet eyes, filled with a pure, destructive desire.

Flames seemed to burn deep within his pupils, reflecting three thousand years of seal, three thousand years of anger, and three thousand years of hatred for the mortal who stole his power and for the meddlesome Xerneas.

"Eh-!!!"

A silent roar exploded on a spiritual level.

The wild Pokémon in the forest shuddered simultaneously. The Diggers scurried back into their burrows in terror, the Vivids fluttered away, and even the usually calmest of the steeds, the goats, let out uneasy neighs.

They instinctively gathered together, gazing towards the center of the forest, their eyes filled with fear.

The entire Oruans Forest was plunged into an eerie silence.

There were no insects chirping, no birds singing, and no wind blowing.

Only the sound of the black cocoon breaking apart echoed in the silence like a death knell.

Cracks spread across the surface of the cocoon like a spider web.

finally-

"boom!!!"

A black energy shockwave exploded, completely shattering the cocoon!

A crimson light shot into the sky, turning the night sky pitch black. Within the light, a colossal figure slowly unfurled its wings.

It was a giant bird with a Y-shaped skeleton, its entire body dark red, except for black patterns along the edges of its wings and tail feathers. Its body was enormous, and when it spread its wings, it almost blocked out the moonlight, casting shadows that covered the entire area of ​​the divine tree.

Yveltal, the embodiment of destruction, has been fully awakened after sleeping for three thousand years.

Its scarlet eyes first looked at the seven-colored giant tree at its feet, the old rival that had sealed it away until now.

The leaves of the divine tree trembled violently, and life energy surged wildly in an attempt to suppress it in one last way. But Yveltal merely glanced at it with disdain.

suppress?

Three thousand years ago, if that strange device hadn't stolen my source of authority, if that damned Diamond Pokémon hadn't attacked me when I was weak, would this tree have been able to trap me?

It opened its massive beak, making no sound, but an invisible wave of destruction spread out.

"Click click click"

The leaves of the sacred tree began to wither and fall at a visible rate. Although new buds quickly sprouted, the rate of growth could not keep up with the rate of decay.

Yveltal felt the power gradually returning to his body and flapped his wings with satisfaction.

It didn't immediately destroy the troublesome tree; that would be too easy on Xerneas.

It wants to turn this forest, this land, and everything it cherishes into a kingdom of death in front of this so-called "incarnation of life".

Then, slowly savor Xerneas's expression of despair.

Yveltal's crimson eyes turned toward the edge of the forest, where there was a human town, a large, pungent cluster of life forms, and—a familiar yet abhorrent energy fluctuation.

That direction was the same town that Zhang Jianying and his group had just left.

Yveltal raised its head, its wings, resembling giant black hands, spread wide.

The anger that had been building up for a thousand years, the humiliation of having power stolen, and the resentment that had been suppressed and sealed away—all the negative emotions were transformed into a pure desire for destruction at this moment.

It flapped its wings, and its massive body slowly rose into the air.

The dark aura is fully unleashed!

Centered on Yveltal, black energy ripples spread outwards like a tide. Wherever the ripples passed, life was stripped away, color was erased, and everything was petrified.

The running digger rabbit, suspended in mid-air, transformed into a gray stone sculpture; the colorful butterfly, flapping its wings in an attempt to escape, froze in mid-air, falling helplessly; even the flowing stream turned into hard gray stone slurry—

Yveltal felt the power within him growing stronger with each destruction, and a gleam of excitement flashed in his crimson eyes.

Yes, that's it.

The more it destroys, the stronger it becomes.

Will Xerneas be able to suppress himself this time, just as he did three thousand years ago?

It sped towards the town, leaving a black trail in the night sky, like the scythe wielded by the Grim Reaper.

Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of Diamonds.

Daigo stood at the entrance of the cave, completely stunned.

This former Hoenn champion, who had seen countless rare ores, explored countless mines, and even personally unearthed the Creation Stone Tablet, now looked like a country boy visiting the city for the first time, his eyes wide and his mouth slightly open, completely speechless.

His gaze moved from the pink crystals embedded in the cave ceiling to the exquisite diamond carvings on the walls, and then to the huge sacred diamond pillar in the center.

-

"This, this is—" Daigo's voice trembled.

"Diamond Kingdom, Mr. Daigo." Zhang Jianying patted him on the shoulder, his tone tinged with sympathy. He completely understood Daigo's feelings at that moment.

For a rock enthusiast, this place is simply paradise.

No, even heaven might not be this exaggerated.

Daigo took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. But when he saw a cluster of tiny diamonds floating through the crystal corridor and the ancient murals on the walls made of tiny diamonds, his hard-won mental defenses crumbled once again.

"Friend, let's make a promise. After I die, please scatter my ashes here," Daigo murmured to Zhang Jianying.

Karen, standing to the side, stared at Daigo in awe.

Zhang Jianying: ————

"You've miscalculated. Calm down."

"I'm very calm." Daigo turned his head, his eyes burning with fierce determination. "I'm just thinking about how to persuade Her Highness to extend the Diamond Kingdom's mines into the Hoenn region—"

Zhang Jianying sighed. He knew it.

At this moment, Elder Dai came forward. Seeing Diancie return safely, the little diamond elder visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Welcome back, Your Highness. And to all our distinguished guests."

"Elder, we've brought Princess back," Cynthia said with a smile. "We encountered a small problem on the way, but it's been resolved."

Elder Dai nodded, his telepathic connection conveying gratitude: "I have learned of what just happened through the descriptions of my people. Thanks to everyone's protection."

It turned to Diancie, its voice becoming serious: "Your Highness, the situation with the Sacred Diamond is becoming increasingly unstable. I'm afraid—"

Diancie nodded, a determined look on her small face: "I understand, Elder. I will try to charge the Sacred Diamond now."

Led by Elder Day, the group arrived before the sacred diamond.

The enormous pink diamond pillar still emits a soft light, but upon closer inspection, one can see that the light fluctuates irregularly, sometimes bright and sometimes dim, and the energy flowing inside also appears chaotic.

Diancie walked to the Sacred Diamond, stretched out her hands, and gently pressed them against the surface of the pillar.

It closed its eyes, and its whole body began to radiate a pink fairy energy glow.

"Buzz"

The sacred diamond resonated with it, emitting a deep hum.

Everyone held their breath, watching this scene with bated breath.

Diancie's brow furrowed slightly, clearly not at ease. She strained to muster all her strength, attempting to guide and regulate the chaotic energy within the sacred diamond.

The pink light grew brighter and brighter, almost bathing the entire cave in a dreamlike hue. The fluctuations of the sacred diamond began to stabilize, and its radiance became more consistent.

"Go for it, Diancie!" Ash couldn't help but whisper.

Pikachu waved its little paws and shouted, "Pika pika!"

Cynthia, Karen, Daigo, Zhang Jianying—everyone looked at Diancie with encouraging eyes.

However, just as the energy of the sacred diamond was about to be fully restored and stabilized.

Tianxi's body suddenly swayed.

Its little face showed a strained expression, and fine beads of sweat appeared on its forehead.

"Buzz—Whoosh—"

The sacred diamond emitted a mournful tremor, and the energy that had just stabilized began to become disordered again.

Diancie gritted her teeth and tried to exert force again, but her strength was already nearing its limit.

finally-

"call----"

It let go, staggered back a few steps, and was caught by Cynthia in time.

The brilliance of the sacred diamond became unstable again, even more disordered than before.

Tianxi lowered her head, her small hands clenched into fists.

"I'm sorry, I... I still can't do it—"

Its voice was filled with disappointment and self-blame.

Elder Dai sighed, but his eyes showed more pity for the princess: "It's alright, Your Highness. You've done your best."

It floated down to Diancie and gently soothed her little crown with its long "beard": "It was the old ministers who were too anxious and put too much pressure on you. We shouldn't have pressured you like that."

Cynthia and Karune quickly stepped forward to comfort her.

"Your Highness, you have done very well," Karuni said gently.

"Yes, don't put too much pressure on yourself." Cynthia gently patted Diancie's body.

Xiao Zhi, Zhang Jianying, and Daigo stood quietly to the side, and the atmosphere became somewhat heavy.

Ash looked at the dejected Diancie and murmured, "Is there really no other way—"

Elder Day was silent for a moment, as if he had made up his mind.

It gestured for everyone to follow it.

The group arrived at the throne deep within the cave. The small diamond crown still lay quietly on the throne, radiating a mysterious and ancient aura under the light of the sacred diamond.

Under Diancie's questioning gaze, Elder Dai gently lifted the crown with his telekinesis, and then slowly and solemnly placed it on Diancie's head.

The crown fits perfectly with Diancie's small head, as if it were born to belong to her.

Elder Day's eyes were filled with reminiscence, and his aged spiritual senses echoed in everyone's minds: "This crown is a symbol of the friendship between the first princess and Lord Xernias three thousand years ago."

As the telepathic narration unfolded, epic scenes seemed to emerge in everyone's consciousness.

Three thousand years ago, Yveltal, enraged by the theft of her power, indiscriminately petrified everything in the forest. At that time, Princess Diamond, amidst the terrifying wave of destruction, protected many weak Pokémon groups with a diamond barrier she created.

After the war, Xerneas, grateful for the princess's kindness and courage, used his own energy crystals to forge this crown for her before turning into the Tree of Eternity and falling into slumber.

"The crown contains Lord Xerneas's blessing and records the experiences and insights of princesses throughout history in resonating with the sacred diamond."

Elder Day turned to Diancie, his voice filled with affection and trust: "Your Highness, your talent is the greatest I have ever seen in my life. All you lack is an opportunity."

"There's no need to rush, nor to blame yourself. You can take this crown and head to the center of the forest to find Lord Xerneas, who has transformed into the divine tree."

"Perhaps the opportunity you need is right there."

Diancie raised her little hand and gently touched the crown on her head. She could feel the warm and ancient energy flowing within the crown, an energy that shared the same origin as the sacred diamond, yet was deeper and purer.

A determined look returned to her small face.

It nodded vigorously: "I understand, Elder. I will definitely find Lord Xernias and resolve the issue of the Sacred Diamond!"

Seeing the determination in Diancie's eyes and feeling the resolve in her words, everyone was moved.

"We'll go with you," Cynthia was the first to speak.

“That’s right, how could we let Princess Xerne go on an adventure alone?” Karen said with a smile. Daigo nodded: “I’ll go too. I’m very interested in Xerneas.”

Ash jumped up immediately: "I want to go too! I want to see the legendary Xerneas!"

Looking at this group of hot-blooded guys, especially when he saw Xiao Zhi's sparkling eyes, Zhang Jianying's heart skipped a beat.

He gasped.

Go find Xerneas?

Bring Ash along as a "plot trigger"?

Is this really okay? I have a feeling something terrible is about to happen!

But when he looked at Diancie, that small figure made of diamonds, yet carrying the hopes of the entire kingdom, when he saw the gentle yet firm support in the eyes of her two best friends, and the unreserved trust and encouragement from the group, he felt a surge of emotion.

Zhang Jianying suddenly laughed. He shook his head, putting his worries aside.

It doesn't matter anymore.

Kyogre was already beaten to tears, what's one more Yggdrasil?

It's just a legendary Pokémon of the same caliber.

What's there to be afraid of!

"Let's go." Zhang Jianying stretched his wrists. "We'll accompany Her Highness to find Xerneas."

What they didn't know was that in the center of the forest, beneath the Seven-Colored Divine Tree.

Yveltal has completely departed, leaving behind only devastation: withered vegetation, petrified Pokémon, and...

And the lingering aura of destruction in the air.

The leaves of the sacred tree were still rustling, and life energy was laboriously repairing the damaged land, but very slowly.

An unsettling silence permeated the entire area.

Meanwhile, in a town on the edge of the Oruans Forest, the owner of the crepe stall had already packed up and gone home.

He sat in his warm living room, cradling his adorable, toddler daughter in his arms, his gentle wife nestled beside him. On the coffee table sat the pink diamond that Diancie had used to exchange for food.

-

"Daddy~ Liangliang!"

The little girl stretched out her chubby little hand, trying to grab the diamond.

"Be careful, sweetheart." The shopkeeper smiled and moved the diamond a little further away, but then slowly twirled it in front of his daughter. "Look, this was given to me by a very, very cute little customer today."

His wife leaned closer curiously: "Is it that Pokémon you were talking about that can communicate telepathically? The one with the diamond body?"

"yes."

The boss nodded, his eyes full of warmth. "It was so polite, it even told me to exchange it fairly."

This diamond was given to me by it.

He carefully held the diamond up to the light. The pink crystal refracted a soft glow in the warm yellow light, as if tiny starlight were flowing inside.

"Although it says this isn't a permanent diamond—"

The boss said softly, "But I feel that even if it disappears, this sentiment will last forever."

His wife leaned on his shoulder and whispered, "Then you must keep it safe. When our daughter grows up, you can tell her this story about a polite little diamond princess and a heartwarming diamond."

The boss nodded, carefully placed the diamond in his daughter's small hand, and then gently wrapped his daughter's small hand in his own large hand.

"Come on, touch it gently and feel it."

The little girl stared wide-eyed at the pink light in her palm with curiosity.

Beside the warm fireplace, an old Dominican lion lay quietly, gazing gently at its owner and his family of three.

Outside the window, the night sky suddenly darkened.

"What's wrong?" The wife stood up in confusion and walked to the window.

The boss also stood up, holding his daughter.

Then, they all saw it.

A huge black shadow slowly descended from the night sky.

It was a giant black bird, unlike any I'd ever seen before, with a Y-shaped skeleton. When its wings were spread, it almost blotted out the entire sky above the town. Its scarlet eyes shone like two blood-red lanterns in the darkness, surveying everything below.

"What—what is that—" The boss's voice began to tremble. He instinctively sensed danger.

The daughter in her arms seemed to sense something and burst into tears.

The next second, black energy descended from the sky like a tide.

The boss reacted quickly enough; almost the instant the energy subsided, he turned around abruptly, shielding his daughter in his arms with his entire body, while simultaneously trying to pull his wife into his protective circle.

The loyal Dorimia, without hesitation, dragged its aged body high into the air, wanting to shield its trainer and his family from the unknown harm.

But their actions were as insignificant as dust in the face of the power of legendary Pokémon.

Black energy penetrates walls, flesh, and everything.

His wife's exclamation stopped abruptly, the crying in her arms vanished instantly, and Doria's leaping figure fell silently to the ground.

The boss remained in his final posture, leaning forward with his arms tightly wrapped around his wife and daughter, trying to shield them from everything with his not-so-broad back.

Then, everything froze.

His skin turned into cold, gray stone, his muscles stiffened, his blood stopped flowing, and even the terror and determination in his eyes were frozen in that moment forever.

Several stone statues are lifelike.

The husband protects his daughter, the wife reaches out as if to grab something, and Doria leaps up.

Their lives, their warmth, and their love were all taken away in an instant.

Only the pink diamond held in the little girl's petrified hand, the diamond made by Diancie that was not permanent, still shone with a faint, stubborn light.

Above the town, Yveltal hovered a hundred meters above the ground, his crimson eyes looking down.

Those lights, those laughs, that vibrant life, and that familiar, faint scent—

It all made it nauseous.

It opened its massive beak, and destructive energy condensed within its mouth.

Then, flap your wings!

"well--!!!"

Deathwing has fully erupted!

Black energy descended from the sky like a tide, instantly engulfing the entire town.

On the street, a little boy chasing a ball suddenly froze. He remained in a running posture, his smile frozen, and his skin rapidly turned into cold, gray stone.

His mother chased after him from inside the house, and when she saw what was happening, her mouth dropped open in horror. But the next second, she too turned to stone.

In the restaurant, the chef held a spatula, the customers held wine glasses, and everyone froze instantly.

In the plaza, trainers and their Pokémon maintain poses of talking, playing, and battling, transforming into a series of vivid sculptures.

In just ten seconds.

The entire town fell into a deathly silence.

All sounds disappeared—laughter, conversations, Pokémon calls, even the wind.

Only stone statues remain. Thousands upon thousands of stone statues.

Yveltal felt a surge of satisfaction as he felt the power coursing through his body. With each life destroyed, each being petrified, his power increased.

Its scarlet eyes looked into the depths of the forest, towards the direction of the seven-colored divine tree.

Who can you save this time?

It flapped its wings, preparing to head for its next target.

At that moment, a strange energy fluctuation came from deep within the forest.

It was very familiar, and it disgusted it.

Yveltal turned his head sharply, his scarlet pupils shrinking to the size of pinpoints.

"Hey!!!"

A deafening roar echoed through the night sky.

Yveltal changed direction and flew at full speed towards the depths of the forest, towards the Diamond Kingdom, towards the fairy aura that it loathed!

The destruction has only just begun.

Meanwhile, Zhang Jianying and his group, along with Tianxi, were heading towards the sacred tree in the center of the forest, following the forest path.