Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 643: Xerneas’s Gift (Two-in-One - )

Yveltal very "generously" gave out another Fairy Plate fragment.

But speaking of which.

This thing really was useless to it. As a Dark-type Pokémon, what would it do with a Fairy Plate fragment—restrain itself?

And Xerneas quietly mentioned:

This Fairy Plate fragment was formed when it suppressed Yveltal last time, reformed from the life energy that had been absorbed by Yveltal’s Oblivion Wing. It could increase the speed at which it recovered itself using life energy.

Though not by much.

But it did have some use.

However, Johan still shamelessly took it, since this thing would be much more useful in his hands than in Yveltal’s.

With this.

Ninetales and Tinkaton, two little ones who weren’t particularly proficient in Fairy-type moves, each received a Fairy Plate fragment. No more passing it back and forth, no more taking daily turns.

[Is that enough?]

Yveltal’s tone was still not very good, somewhat aggressive.

But Johan quite appreciated its "rebellious and untamed" appearance, nodding:

"Thanks for your trouble, Yveltal. These... consider them compensation."

Saying this, he took out several boxes of energy cubes and placed them in front of Yveltal.

Hm?

Looking at those energy cubes, Yveltal was stunned, not having expected things to develop this way. For a moment, its previously bitter and resentful expression softened considerably.

[If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving!]

Saying this, it picked up the energy cubes in its mouth, flapped its wings, and prepared to leave.

However, Johan quickly asked:

"Wait a moment!"

[What else?!]

Yveltal’s eyes widened, becoming unfriendly again.

"I just wanted to ask, did you see King AZ?" Johan asked.

AZ had disappeared early in the morning. Though he said he was going to clear his mind, Johan felt... Yveltal’s sudden awakening was somewhat related to him.

Hearing Johan ask about AZ, Yveltal snorted coldly with displeasure.

[He has already paid the price he should pay!]

After saying this, it flapped its blood-colored wings again, spreading them as it flew toward the outside of Orrans Forest.

Where it would go, no one knew.

But presumably, it wouldn’t be like when it awakened this time, wantonly destroying and devouring all life.

"Cha..."

Tinkaton hugged its hammer, looking regretful.

Such a nice big bird...

Too bad it was too strong to keep.

However, since it gave a Fairy Plate fragment, it should count as a "good" bird, right?

[Don’t worry, when Yveltal first awakens, it’s mostly driven by instinct. After regaining consciousness, it won’t go too far.]

Xerneas’s gentle voice echoed in everyone’s minds.

Everyone nodded thoughtfully.

At worst, they’d just beat it up again.

"What about those petrified Pokémon..." Steven spoke up.

Xerneas didn’t speak, but its actions gave Steven an answer.

It gently raised its head, the branch-like antlers on top blooming with seven-colored light. A Fairy Aura spread from beneath its feet, vigorous life force rippling outward.

Some of the closer petrified Pokémon gradually recovered under this power.

This included the master thief Argus.

"Dad!!" Seeing the recovered Argus, Millis directly threw herself at him, tears streaming down.

The joy of reunion was certainly delightful, but...

Johan gave Regieleki a look.

"Regi..."

Regieleki scratched its head and made a throat-slitting gesture.

Kill them again?

Johan: "..."

"Watch them." Johan said helplessly.

No matter how touching Argus’s earlier behavior of protecting his daughter was, it wasn’t a reason to eliminate the "crimes" on their record.

"Eleki!"

Regieleki suddenly understood.

[Follow me.]

Xerneas moved with light steps toward the deep pit where Yveltal had been sleeping.

As it moved, the coverage of the Fairy Aura gradually expanded.

Soon.

At the deep pit in the center of Orrans Forest, by the dim pond, the seven-colored aura full of life energy swept past.

AZ, who had been petrified sitting on a rock by the pond, slowly recovered under this power.

"Jo-Johan?"

When AZ opened his eyes and saw Johan, Steven, and the others, his expression was somewhat dazed.

Wasn’t he already dead?

"Xer-Xerneas!"

When AZ saw Xerneas behind Johan and the others, he suddenly stood up.

But Xerneas gently stepped back half a step.

Seeing this, AZ smiled bitterly and stopped trying to approach.

"King AZ, what were you..." Korrina couldn’t help asking.

Had AZ awakened Yveltal, trying to use Yveltal’s power to seek death?

AZ turned to look at the dim pond, saying in a low voice:

"I originally wanted to settle down here, partly to express my apology to Yveltal, and partly hoping that when Yveltal awakened someday, it could eliminate some hatred and resentment through me."

He hadn’t expected to awaken Yveltal, just felt that if Yveltal woke up and petrified him first, perhaps it could spare one Pokémon’s life.

"But you awakened Yveltal just by approaching?" Johan spoke up.

AZ nodded, "I didn’t expect it either..."

If Xerneas was unwilling to see him, then the only one he could find was Yveltal.

[Yveltal sensed your aura and awakened early from the Cocoon of Destruction.]

At this time, Xerneas, which had stepped back, turned its head and softly explained the reason.

Hearing this, AZ was stunned, "So... that’s how it was..."

Saying this, he suddenly shivered and grabbed Johan’s shoulder, urgently asking: "Then what about Yveltal now? The situation outside..."

"It’s already over, Mr. AZ." Johan said.

AZ immediately breathed a long sigh of relief, gratitude appearing in his eyes as he looked at Johan, Steven, Korrina, and the others.

But Johan continued: "It said you’ve already paid the price you should pay, and it forgives you."

"For-forgives me?"

AZ was completely stunned, his eyes reddening.

"Good... good..."

What else could be said about forgiveness earned with one’s life?

Johan looked toward Xerneas.

Noticing his gaze, Xerneas sighed lightly.

[These years, I’ve seen everything you’ve done in Orrans Forest—planting trees, helping wild Pokémon.]

"Just trying to do... things that might make amends..."

[Since you’ve been given another chance at life, live well.]

Saying this, Xerneas lightly leaped, jumping above the deep pit.

AZ was stunned again, subconsciously looking at Johan.

Johan smiled: "Mr. AZ, it seems... they all forgive you."

[Johan, come up.]

Xerneas, which had jumped above the pit, didn’t leave but called to Johan.

"Coming."

Johan stood on tiptoe, wanting to pat AZ’s shoulder but found... he couldn’t reach, so he patted his arm instead:

"Mr. AZ, I might... know where your Floette is. We’ll talk about it later."

Without waiting for AZ’s reaction, he got on Dragonite and came above the pit again.

Xerneas lowered its head, trying to look directly into Johan’s eyes, saying with gratitude:

[Thank you for your help, messenger of Arceus, Johan.]

"No need to be polite." Johan waved his hand, "I just happened to encounter it and had the ability to intervene, so I did."

"Besides, I didn’t come away empty-handed."

Two Fairy Plate fragments—just this alone was worth more than the effort.

Moreover.

Gengar had learned something from Xerneas’s Fairy Aura and Yveltal’s Dark Aura, confirming that its previously uncertain move that could be either a field or weather effect was indeed an aura.

Johan didn’t know when his family’s Gengar had started increasingly departing from the category of ordinary Pokémon.

This made Johan sigh.

How bold the ghost is, how productive the moves are. As long as you dare to think, there’s nothing you won’t dare to do.

Piecing together here and there, copying and learning everywhere, you can always learn something.

Facts proved.

Pokémon’s potential might have limits, but Pokémon’s imagination was endless.

And it wasn’t just Pokémon.

Like the Draconid people of the Hoenn region, they recorded Rayquaza’s "Dragon Ascent" on scrolls to help Rayquaza learn better.

But as for where the original "Dragon Ascent" came from and why Rayquaza needed to learn it again, that was unknown.

However, this also illustrated one thing.

Pokémon moves, even legendary Pokémon moves, weren’t impossible to learn as long as compatibility matched.

The difference was just the difficulty of learning, and whether there was direct instruction from Pokémon made a big difference.

Of course, the biggest difference was definitely that legendary Pokémon, especially so-called "first-class legendaries" like Xerneas, weren’t truly powerful because of their moves, but because of the "authority" they possessed.

Xerneas could manipulate life force, Yveltal could absorb life force—this was what other Pokémon couldn’t learn.

Xerneas smiled.

What Johan gained was what he deserved, which didn’t mean Xerneas had nothing to show for it.

[Your Gengar is learning auras, right?]

Xerneas nodded, saying: [Why not let it come out and learn more?]

"Ka-kaah?"

Before Johan could speak, Gengar emerged from behind him.

Learning auras, me? Me?

[Also, your Fairy-type Pokémon can accept my aura baptism.]

What a great gift...

Johan didn’t hesitate, throwing out Poké Balls to summon Ninetales and Tinkaton again.

"Oowoo?" Ninetales looked at the elegant Xerneas.

"Cha?"

Tinkaton, which had been holding its hammer preparing to nap, scratched its head.

Johan still trusted Xerneas quite a bit. After all, this was one of the few legendary Pokémon that wouldn’t immediately start fighting upon meeting.

[Here we go.]

Xerneas gave a gentle reminder.

Buzz—

From its body, an extremely powerful Fairy-type energy immediately released. The already spreading Fairy Aura surged again, even greater than when it had infused Diancie with Fairy Aura earlier.

"Ka-kaah~(_)"

Gengar wore its Wise Glasses, rubbing its chin while watching and nodding.

I see, I see...

The purest Fairy-type energy fell on Ninetales and Tinkaton, primarily... on Ninetales.

Both Fairy-type Pokémon—Ninetales excelled in Special Attack while Tinkaton was better at Physical Attack. Although Xerneas was good at both offensive stats, its battle style and abilities were more suited to Special Attack.

So...

"Oowoo~"

Ninetales’ snow-white fur was immediately dyed with a layer of crystalline pink, its nine tails moving like flexible swimming fish. In its azure eyes, Xerneas’s figure was reflected.

[More talented than expected.]

Xerneas’s entire body was wrapped in energy, its feet slowly growing roots as its whole form gradually transformed toward a tree-like appearance.

Hm?

Witnessing this scene, Johan was somewhat surprised.

Xerneas... was going to sleep?

The peculiar Fairy Aura continued to overflow.

[Release your Misty Terrain.]

"Oowoo~~"

Ninetales raised its head lightly and howled, a light pink aura spreading from its body.

Tinkaton grabbed its hammer.

I don’t know how...

"Feel it carefully." Johan patted Tinkaton’s head.

Oh!

Tinkaton immediately became serious.

Johan’s heart couldn’t help but sigh.

Such rich Fairy energy—probably unique in the entire Pokémon world right now. No wonder the Kalos region was considered the origin of Fairy-type Pokémon. Xerneas’s existence was key.

Even he felt his body seemed to be cheering, every cell in his body benefiting.

My lifespan shouldn’t be extended, should it? Johan thought.

Hm?

However, before he could pay much attention to his own changes, his aura detected that Ninetales’ Misty Terrain was changing.

That Fairy-type energy... seemed to be drawing power from the vast earth.

"This is..."

[Using your human terminology, it’s called ’Geomancy.’]

Xerneas provided an explanation.

Geomancy!

Xerneas’s signature move.

After charging for a while, it could greatly boost a Pokémon’s Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed!

If Ninetales could learn this move...

Wow, epic enhancement!

But... wouldn’t this be a bit too unreasonable?

Even though legendary Pokémon moves weren’t impossible to learn...

[Your Ninetales is very clever. It knows how to use ’Misty Terrain’ to utilize Fairy-type energy.]

Even Xerneas couldn’t help but praise.

"Of course."

Faced with Xerneas’s praise for his Ninetales, Johan was quite like a father whose daughter had been complimented, accepting it without any reservation.

If Ninetales could learn Geomancy, combined with its own personality and characteristics—Special Attack and Special Defense boosted, plus increased speed, constantly building ice walls and Aurora Veil...

Perfect match!

Snow weather brought physical defense increases to Ice-type Pokémon.

Both defenses were now covered.

The opponent couldn’t break through, couldn’t catch up, and couldn’t withstand Ninetales’ attacks.

Just...

How was his elegant and charming Ninetales getting further and further down the path of being a "mobile tank"?

Xerneas smiled.

[Gengar and Tinkaton aren’t bad either.]

Gengar could simulate auras, and Tinkaton...

Johan looked at Tinkaton.

He found this girl was actually sleeping while hugging her hammer?!

This was called "not bad"?

But when he carefully sensed with aura, he discovered... Tinkaton was actually absorbing the life energy from Xerneas’s Fairy Aura through her hammer?

Oh no!

The hammer absorbing life energy wouldn’t come alive, would it?

It would really become the main body!

[More importantly.]

Xerneas looked at Johan, its eyes showing recognition.

[I can sense their dependence and bond with you. You are the key to guiding their growth.]

Johan adjusted his glasses, "Cough, well, the little ones work hard themselves..."

Who knew how much energy he had to spend every day to keep the house from being demolished?

Wait, energy...

After receiving Xerneas’s Fairy Aura baptism, his little ones’ energy would probably...

Johan turned to look at Dragonite.

He found it staring at him with sparkling "innocent" eyes, blinking twice.

At the same time.

Johan also sensed that not only Dragonite, but even the Pokémon in their Poké Balls had more or less received Xerneas’s gift.

Just like when Diancie had received Xerneas’s Fairy Aura baptism earlier, everyone’s level had improved!

He was doomed.

However.

As the Fairy Aura continued, the process of Xerneas transforming into a tree also continued. Its condition visibly became tired.

[I hope we can meet again next time.]

Xerneas’s voice gradually diminished, and the rich Fairy Aura slowly dissipated.

Finally.

The Life God Xerneas transformed into what appeared to be a quite sturdy tree, quickly sprouting branches. The ground around its feet, which had withered and decayed due to Yveltal’s power, regained vitality.

Grass slowly covered the ground.

Xerneas had fallen into slumber.

[It seems it really recognizes you all.]

At this time.

The Zygarde core that had been silent finally spoke.

"How so?"

The Zygarde core perched on Johan’s shoulder looked at the dispersing clouds in the sky, bathing in the falling sunlight, its body seeming to shimmer slightly.

[Yveltal’s awakening destined Xerneas’s slumber.]

This was balance.

When life brought too much vitality, death would always take some away.

Such were the rules, unchangeable by anyone.

[But before sleeping, it gave you all the life energy it had accumulated.]

"Tsk..."

Johan clicked his tongue, not having expected Xerneas to give so much.

"Thank you, Xerneas. If there’s a chance in the future, maybe we can meet again."

But if Xerneas slept for a thousand years, forget it.

"Ka-kaah?!"

Eh?! Asleep?

Gengar, who had been pondering auras, suddenly jumped up.

Oh no, oh no!

Gengar paced back and forth.

Earlier it had been thinking that since Xerneas was the Life God, and AZ had gained immortality through the "Ultimate Weapon’s" life energy radiation, maybe Xerneas could... also grant Johan immortality.

But it had been busy pondering auras and forgot.

However, Gengar quickly calmed down.

No problem, no problem, I still have backup plans.

Gengar patted its chest and breathed a sigh of relief.

Johan looked puzzledly at Gengar, which was alternately anxious and relieved, not knowing what was going through the purple fatty’s little brain.

He shook his head and looked at Ninetales.

"How is it?"

"Oowoo~"

Ninetales affectionately nuzzled Johan, then nodded.

Learned it!

Johan was overjoyed. frёeωebɳovel.com

This way, Gengar’s normal strength was roughly Champion-level main team standard. Adding Mega Evolution and various miscellaneous special abilities, in surprise situations, it probably had strength above ordinary Champion ace level.

Ninetales had been slightly behind before, but now with Xerneas’s greatest gift, its strength might... also be above ordinary Champion main team level.

A huge power increase!

Moreover, this "calculation" was under normal circumstances. If they "went all out," that was another story entirely. Anyone could potentially "go all out."

Although "going all out" wasn’t like "corruption," which directly tripled strength, at least the upper limit wasn’t bad.

Tinkaton was still sleeping, so Johan put it directly into the Luxury Ball.

He’d see when it woke up. At most... the hammer came alive.

In the Pokémon world, swords and shields could come alive, so what was a hammer coming alive?

Look at the Galar region’s Zacian and Zamazenta—they were called legendary Pokémon, but were just sword and shield "stands."

"Speaking of which, do all legendary Pokémon in your Kalos region like ’earth’?" Johan said to the Zygarde core on his shoulder.

[What do you mean?]

"Look, Xerneas’s Geomancy is clearly a Fairy-type move but named ’earth.’ People who don’t know might think it’s a Ground-type move. You also have a move called ’Thousand Arrows,’ right?" Johan counted on his fingers.

Don’t let Larvitar find out that Ninetales learned a move called "Geomancy" and frantically demand to learn it too.

[How do you know?!]

The Zygarde core was very surprised.

It hadn’t acted many times, and last time... human technology hadn’t developed to current levels. How could its moves be known?

Wait.

[I am Ground-type by nature!]

The Zygarde core protested.

Zygarde was Ground and Dragon-type.

"Oh, right... another ’land dragon,’ quadruple weak to Ice."

Zygarde core: "..."

"Haha, just joking, don’t take it too seriously." Johan laughed.

[How could I stoop to your level?]

"So when will you make a mecha for me to pilot?"

[What is a ’mecha’?]

Johan pouted, not getting the expected reaction, slightly disappointed.

"Next time when there’s a chance, have Rotom transform and show you. Basically, it looks similar to your Complete Form."

"Rotom?"

Rotom blinked.

Transform into a mecha? Me?

[Then you’ll probably be disappointed. When combined with my partner, I might not be so agreeable.]

The Zygarde core raised its head slightly, showing some pride.

"Speaking of which, where is your partner?"

[It...]

Mentioning Zygarde’s other core, its expression became somewhat unnatural.

[I’ve temporarily lost contact with it, probably due to the interference from Yveltal and Xerneas’s battle auras...]

Lost contact?

Johan was stunned.

Could it be... captured by Team Flare?

Was Zygarde this easy to catch?

"Xerneas actually... turned into a tree?!"

Korrina, who had just come up, saw the tree and exclaimed.

Following her, Steven, AZ, and others also came up.

Everyone was surprised that Xerneas had transformed into a tree and fallen asleep.

AZ stood before the tree, his surprise mixed with more emotion and gratitude.

"Thank you, Xerneas." AZ said sincerely.

Then turning around, he also said to Johan and the others: "And thank you all..."

"You worked hard yourself." Mega Diancie, who hadn’t yet returned to normal, curved her eyes.

"By the way, Diancie, this is your diamond." Johan took out the pink diamond with the Mega Evolution symbol at its center.

But Diancie shook her head, saying softly: "This is proof of our friendship."

Hearing this, Johan smiled and didn’t say anything more, just smilingly put it in his inner pocket.

Seeing this, Steven felt somewhat envious.

A pink diamond...

Such a big one.

As it left Diancie, the Mega Evolution energy in the diamond would slowly dissipate, returning to Diancie itself, but this diamond’s significance was more valuable than the diamond itself.

At this time, Diancie slightly bowed.

"I’d like to invite everyone to visit the Diamond Kingdom."

Having regained confidence, Diancie’s every gesture showed self-assurance.

It wanted to invite everyone to witness it creating the "Eternal Crystal."

Steven’s eyes immediately brightened.

Diamond Kingdom?

Wouldn’t that have many rare stones?

"Just don’t mind that Larvitar can eat." Johan watched Steven and saw what he wanted to see, saying with satisfaction.

Diancie shook her head.

"No problem, all you can eat!"

It had witnessed Larvitar’s appetite.

Highlighting confidence and generosity.

Tsk—

Just from the "generosity" aspect, Johan felt... Diancie and Steven were quite similar.

"Sorry, Diancie."

AZ apologized.

He looked at the tree Xerneas had become, saying seriously: "I want... to stay here and restore the forest with Xerneas."

"Mr. AZ..." Korrina grabbed his arm.

AZ smiled, "Not that meaning. Before, I was for repentance, for forgiveness. Now I... want to do this from my heart."

One was with some purpose, the other was from the heart. AZ felt relieved.

"Mm!" Diancie didn’t feel disappointed either, nodding with approval, "There will be many opportunities in the future!"

"However, Mr. AZ." Johan said: "Won’t you go see Floette first?"

Hearing this, AZ was stunned.

"Johan, you know where Floette is?"

"Roughly... guessed."

Johan looked toward a distant direction, "A thousand years ago, Mr. AZ went to the Hoenn region, right?"

"Hm?"

"You planted a tree."

AZ’s body trembled slightly, "You mean..."

"If I’m not mistaken, Floette has been near that tree all along."

Though it hadn’t forgiven AZ, Floette had used its own way to accompany AZ.

Or rather...

"You’ve never been lonely these thousands of years."

AZ had also been accompanying Floette in his way.

AZ tilted his head slightly, and under the sunlight, two crystal lines appeared on his cheeks.

"I..." AZ began hoarsely.

"Of course, I can also help you bring Floette here, so you can both accompany Xerneas together."

Johan knew AZ was conflicted. Having just decided to help Xerneas, leaving right after saying it would probably feel bad.

"Thank you..." AZ felt relieved, then somewhat excited despite himself.

Having lived over three thousand years, but hearing news about Floette, his mentality was still like a child’s.

The decayed, deteriorated aura on him also improved considerably.

"You’re welcome." Johan waved his hand.

It was just a matter of making another trip.

Anyway, his summer vacation was still long.

After visiting the Diamond Kingdom, he’d go see Valerie, whom Cynthia had already arranged to meet.

Although Ninetales and Tinkaton had both received Xerneas’s blessing, learning more about Fairy-type cultivation knowledge and techniques... was never wrong.

Moreover, Valerie had promised to help design an outfit for him.

He couldn’t stand her up.

Right.

"Diancie, please wait a moment for me."

Johan remembered Argus and Millis, the father-daughter thief duo.

Though they weren’t his main target for coming to the Kalos region, they might know... about the Pokémon hunter group Johan was looking for.

"Mm!" Diancie nodded obediently.

Johan returned to where they had been before.

He saw...

Regieleki sitting on what looked like a bench-shaped rock, hands supporting its head, staring straight at Argus and his daughter, along with their Pokémon.

Zzzt zzzt zzzt—

A golden lightning cage prevented Argus and his daughter and their Pokémon from moving, huddled like quails in the cage.

Johan couldn’t help laughing.

Especially seeing Regieleki sitting on the little bench and staring, he laughed even more heartlessly.

"Regi?"

Hearing the sound, Regieleki turned around.

"Well done, Regieleki." Johan couldn’t help reaching out to pat Regieleki encouragingly.

But then...

Crack!

Just touching it, a jumping arc directly gave him a heart-chilling shock.

He’d forgotten that Regieleki was a pure electrical current creature. This touch... was no joke.

Johan truly experienced what Ash felt when taking a Thunderbolt, deciding to let Ash enjoy it himself in the future.

"Eleki..."

Seeing Johan get shocked, the simple Regieleki was like a child who’d made a mistake.

"It’s fine, it’s fine." Johan exhaled black smoke, waving repeatedly, "No problem, next time I’ll get gloves that insulate against electricity."

Volkner’s pair looked quite good.

"Regi!"

Hearing there was a solution, Regieleki immediately perked up, letting out a low but energetic call.

Had to say.

The ancient giants really had very simple minds. Regigigas was like this, and the Regi trio it created were the same.

However, who wouldn’t want to be friends with simple folks?

Johan took out energy cubes as a small reward for Regieleki.

Regieleki wasn’t polite either, immediately sitting on the ground and eating the energy cubes, while keeping its gaze on Argus and his daughter.

No wonder ruins large and small always had Regis guarding them. With this serious attitude, who wouldn’t feel at ease?

Johan then sat on the "little bench" Regieleki had been using, under its guidance.

Looking at Argus and his daughter.

Choosing his words carefully.

"You two... want to go mining, or spend forty or fifty years in prison?"

Hearing this, both Argus and Millis’s faces immediately went pale.

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Powerstones?

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