"This doesn't seem right."
Chen Shi stared blankly at the rainbow-colored pillar of light piercing the sky in the distance.
A growing sense of betrayal filled his heart.
Wasn't the plan to find a sleeping Xerneas?
Why did it suddenly look like it was waking up?
After two seconds of silence, Chen Shi slowly turned toward Mew, who had returned to his shoulder.
"Care to explain?"
Mew nodded seriously.
Then it somehow produced a black-and-crimson feather from nowhere.
[Here you go.]
Chen Shi: "......"
Was that the explanation he was asking for?
At this moment, he genuinely wanted to swear.
Nearby, Steven and Diantha were practically vibrating with excitement.
"Old Chen, is Xerneas waking up?"
"Yeah! With a commotion this huge, it has to be waking up, right?"
Chen Shi's face twitched.
Through gritted teeth, he replied:
"Isn't that obvious?"
"If Xerneas isn't waking up, then what?"
"I'm the one waking up?"
Steven: "...."
Diantha: "...."
For some reason, both of them felt that Chen Shi was in a particularly bad mood.
So after exchanging a glance, they wisely chose to keep quiet and focus on Xerneas instead.
What they didn't notice was the restrained Beedrill.
Its eyes were filled with excitement as it stared at the awakening Xerneas.
Chen Shi's guess had been correct.
The Beedrill had been born in this region and had grown strong thanks to the occasional traces of life energy leaking from Xerneas during its slumber.
The reason it attacked earlier was simply because it wanted to protect Xerneas.
It had never expected these humans to be here for the purpose of awakening Xerneas.
Thinking about it now, the Beedrill looked at Chen Shi with a trace of resentment.
You could've told me you were allies.
You made me worry for nothing.
If Chen Shi knew what it was thinking, he would definitely curse it out.
Who the heck is your ally?!
"......"
Moments later, the rainbow pillar gradually faded.
At the same time, the withered tree vanished completely.
In its place stood a Pokémon covered in black and blue fur, crowned with magnificent branching antlers.
Xerneas resembled a majestic stag.
Eight antlers extended from its head like the branches of an ancient tree.
Each antler split into smaller branches at the tips.
Cream-colored horns were decorated with brilliant protrusions of orange, red, purple, and sky-blue.
Viewed from the front, its silhouette even resembled the shape of an "X."
Slowly, Xerneas opened its eyes.
Those eyes seemed to contain endless mysteries and boundless vitality.
Like stars shining within the depths of the cosmos.
Its gaze first drifted toward Zygarde in the distance.
That single look carried familiarity.
Nostalgia.
The unspoken emotions of old companions reuniting after a very long time.
Then its attention shifted toward Mew.
Warmth and amusement appeared in its eyes.
"I'm well."
Its voice was gentle and feminine.
Like a flowing stream.
Clear.
Pleasant.
Capable of melting away all tension.
Mew grinned.
[Big Deer, long time no see.]
[You finally look normal again.]
Xerneas paid no attention to the nickname.
"Yes."
"I survived three thousand years of darkness."
"I nearly lost myself."
[You probably don't know this, but a lot of eyes are watching right now.]
[Many beings want to see your current condition.]
Xerneas nodded softly.
"If I were them, I'd be curious too."
Just as Mew was about to continue, Zygarde suddenly interrupted.
"Since you are unharmed..."
"Do not start another conflict with Yveltal."
"Otherwise, I will not show mercy."
After saying that, Zygarde turned and left.
It had only come to confirm Xerneas's condition.
Now that it knew Xerneas was safe, there was no reason to remain.
Mew's eyes lit up.
Immediately, it sent a telepathic message after the departing Zygarde.
[Big Snake, how come you stopped talking like 'I' and 'thou' this time?]
Zygarde paused briefly.
Then continued walking without looking back.
After Zygarde left, Xerneas's gaze settled upon Chen Shi.
A flash of surprise appeared in its eyes.
Originally, it had only been curious because Mew seemed unusually close to this human.
So it took a closer look.
Yet that single glance left Xerneas stunned.
Just like Zygarde during its first meeting with Chen Shi.
After a long silence, Xerneas finally spoke.
"Human."
"You are very special."
Its voice remained as gentle as before.
But now it carried a trace of seriousness.
And curiosity.
"Mhm. I know."
Chen Shi answered expressionlessly.
At this point, he was used to it.
Every Legendary Pokémon seemed to say something similar the first time they met him.
[Of course he's special.]
[He's the World Tree Guardian I chose.]
[How could he not be impressive?]
Mew puffed out its chest proudly.
"World Tree Guardian..."
Xerneas murmured softly.
Then it looked at Chen Shi with an unreadable expression.
A bad feeling immediately rose in Chen Shi's heart.
The way this deer was looking at him felt wrong.
Just as he was about to ask about it, Diancie hurried forward.
"Lord Xerneas."
"The Sacred Diamond of the Diamond Kingdom is nearing the end of its lifespan."
"I would like to ask..."
"What must I do to create a true Sacred Diamond?"
Upon hearing the question, Xerneas didn't answer immediately.
Instead, it quietly studied Diancie.
At first, Diancie lowered her head.
Then she gathered her courage and met Xerneas's gaze.
Several moments passed.
Xerneas seemed satisfied.
Finally, it spoke.
"In this matter, there is little I can directly teach you."
"At most, I can allow you to experience Fairy Aura."
"When the day comes that you understand the essence of life..."
"You will be able to create a true Sacred Diamond."
"Remember."
"The only one who can nurture life..."
"...is yourself."
The moment those words were spoken—
Diancie froze.
Her eyes widened.
Her mouth fell slightly open.
She stood there completely stunned.
Several moments later, she slowly turned her head.
Her gaze locked onto Chen Shi.
At the same time, Steven, Cynthia, and Diantha all fell silent.
Because if they remembered correctly—
Chen Shi had said those exact words earlier.
Chen Shi scratched his head awkwardly.
Looking slightly embarrassed, he laughed.
"Why are you all staring at me?"
"I'm a Pokémon Breeder."
"Knowing a little breeding knowledge..."
"That's perfectly reasonable, right?"
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