After the hot spring bath, Lorze and Latias cast Safeguard together to purify the hot spring water they had defiled back to its clean original state.
—Otherwise, it would be a bit too unethical, tsk tsk.
The Mega Stone was officially given to Absol as a gift by Lorze—of course, it couldn't be the one used as an anal bead. It was a new one, shaped into an earring by the system at Lorze's request.
"Such a precious thing, I..."
"It's fine, take it, just consider it a memento of our memories together."
Absol nodded, very obediently letting Lorze put the Mega Stone earring on her.
At the same time, the heart that had previously rejected the young man's invitation wavered a bit. It was just... she really still bore the responsibility of guarding Jirachi and couldn't just leave like this.
This matter seemed to trouble Absol a bit, but Lorze didn't bring it up again, allowing her to escape the question, and she breathed a sigh of relief.
After that, although the group tacitly said nothing, they still involuntarily revealed a faint reluctance and sorrow.
Sucking her finger, Jirachi showed an innocent smile.
"Why is everyone sad? Isn't it fun to play together? Lorze, keep playing with Jirachi!"
"Mmhmm, of course. As long as Jirachi wants to, we can keep playing forever~"
The little cutie's smile was very infectious, capable of sweeping away the gloom in their hearts. Being by her side made them involuntarily smile along.
Lorze could tell: Actually, Jirachi also knew her time awake was running out, but she instead comforted everyone with a smile. She was a remarkable child...
Time ticked by minute by minute, and night came again—the last night of the Millennium Comet, and also Jirachi's last night awake.
"Jirachi still has some unfinished business, right?"
"Yes! So Jirachi is going to do it now!"
Under everyone's gaze, Jirachi slowly floated into the sky. The two ribbons on her back were soft and beautiful like a fairy's silk scarf.
—However, it would be even better if her head wasn't so big, she would look more like a hazy fairy.
Opening the True Eye on her belly, a faint ray of light seemed to link Jirachi and the Millennium Comet. This was the ceremony of Jirachi absorbing the comet's energy.
This time, because there was no interference from Butler, the process of Jirachi absorbing the Millennium Comet's energy went very smoothly.
Even without the interference of the Groudon clone—the terrestrial monster, Jirachi still erupted with dazzling light, rushing high into the sky in the posture of Doom Desire, putting on a small fireworks display for everyone.
And those strands of energy went from the comet to Jirachi, and then were returned to the earth by Jirachi to protect Forina's richness and beauty.
With this, Jirachi's mission during her awakening period was fully completed.
Although there wasn't the vigorous and sensational adventure of the last night in the movie, the ordinary was also joyful. Compared to those things, Lorze still preferred the little cutie to be safe and sound.
"Lorze... Jirachi is going to sleep soon. Make a wish before Jirachi falls asleep, okay? The current Jirachi just finished eating the comet's energy and can definitely help Lorze grant a wish!"
"Sure."
The young man seriously closed his eyes and clasped his hands together, saying slowly—
"My wish is that I hope Jirachi can stay awake forever and live together with me and everyone else."
The highlight in Jirachi's large eyes instantly dimmed, her eyelids drooping in disappointment, the triangular markings under her eyes looking just like tears.
"I'm sorry, Lorze. This wish... Jirachi cannot grant. If possible, Jirachi also wants to be with Lorze forever."
Actually, this was also Jirachi's wish, but ironically... she, named the "Wishing Star," couldn't grant her own wish.
However, Lorze smiled and pinched Jirachi's cheek.
"I know, so this isn't a wish, it's my promise to Jirachi. Jirachi has always been helping others grant their wishes. This time, it's my turn to help Jirachi grant her wish. Of course... not right now, but I promise I will definitely come to pick you up. So wait for me, Jirachi!"
"Mhm! Jirachi... will wait for Lorze!"
Parting is such sweet sorrow. Tears welled up in Jirachi's eyes as well.
Then, under the dumbfounded gazes of Ash's group, Butler, and Diane, Lorze and Jirachi hugged and kissed.
May even flushed bright red, covering Max's eyes while staring intently: Is, is, is this even broadcastable?
Lorze: It's broadcastable, because even stronger stuff has been broadcasted.
With the Millennium Comet as the backdrop, the tall young man and the tiny Pokémon kissing passionately under the stars formed a contrasting yet aesthetically pleasing picture.
But... discordant notes always pop up, ruining this scene that required quiet appreciation.
"Huh? Why are Mr. Lorze and Jirachi putting their mouths together?"
The rest of the group looked at Ash with dark lines on their heads: It's clearly a confession across species, such a romantic scene, what on earth are you talking about, Ash!?
What greeted Ash was a charged heavy punch like a shrew's, a force that made even the Super Palletian see stars. The power was evident.
"May? Why did you hit me?"
"Shut up, you idiot!"
Right at this moment, Jirachi fell asleep with her final happy memories, turning into the purple crystal from their first encounter, cradled in Lorze's arms.
"Jirachi... turned back again."
May looked at Lorze with a trace of sadness: Although everyone feels more or less reluctant to part, the strongest feelings must undoubtedly belong to Mr. Lorze, right? I really want to know how he is feeling right now.
Don't worry, even if I'm sad, it's only temporary. I will definitely pick up this little cutie in a short period of time! I will work hard.
"Sir Lorze, we must also thank you."
This voice belonged to Butler, who was holding hands with Diane, looking at Lorze with unspeakably grateful eyes.
The young man smiled and nodded: Although he wasn't some old man who had seen the vicissitudes of the world, he still understood the principle of turning back from the wrong path, and of course hoped to pull back those who almost walked down a path of no return.
"Next, please send Jirachi back to her original place, I'm counting on you, Absol."
Placing the crystallized Jirachi on Absol's back, the handover was considered complete.
Absol looked up at Lorze. Their eyes met, the girl's deep and affectionate gaze seemed to ask if Lorze had anything else to say.
"Absol." "Mhm."
"I will definitely come back to pick up Jirachi. But not just Jirachi, if I really find a way to keep her awake... Absol, I want to take you away too. If you don't agree, I'll catch you by force, got it?"
Looking at the Love Ball the young man took out, the Disaster Beast let out a "pfft" and laughed out loud. She realized she seemed to haven't laughed so heartily in a long time.
With this, there were no more worries. She immediately followed her desire to be with Lorze and approved of this plan from the bottom of her heart.
"Alright, I'll wait for you. But I still refuse to be captured. Staying by your side... we can just live together, right?"
Lorze pressed the Love Ball in his hand, somewhat puzzled: "Everyone else clearly likes getting into the ball, just how much do you hate Poké Balls?"
Absol shook her head.
"It's not that, I just don't want your team to look too abrupt. But, even if you need me to fight, just ask."
The existences that could make Absol willing to fight to protect until death were previously Jirachi, and from now on, Lorze was added.
"Alright, alright, whatever you like~"
Leaning down to kiss Absol one last time, Absol carried Jirachi and walked into the distance. The white figure gradually faded from everyone's sight under the pitch-black night canopy.
Because she was carrying Jirachi, Absol didn't run, her steps very steady.
The light of the Millennium Comet had gradually dimmed, and the surrounding light was very dim. Therefore, the blush on Absol's face was hard to notice.
Actually, the Disaster Beast still had words she left unspoken: She wanted to give birth to a child for Lorze—this sinful man who had sex first and fell in love later, a child conceived by a human and a Pokémon? Sounds very interesting.
But that's a story for another time~
Looking forward to the young man returning to pick her and Jirachi up, Absol's face overflowed with bubbles full of happiness...
Has the seven-day festival of the Millennium Comet completely come to an end... or has it?
"Right, May, did you fold today's amulet?"
"Oh yeah! I was so busy watching Mr. Lorze and Jirachi, I almost forgot about it!"
Under everyone's witness, May folded the last flap of the amulet, completing the seven-day check-in.
"With this, my wish can come true."
—Clearly nothing had happened, yet people's hearts were greatly encouraged.
Like planting a seed in the young girl's heart as a psychological suggestion, May gripped the amulet in her hand a bit tighter: Let this belief of certain victory urge me to fulfill my wish!
The bell for midnight rang. It was the soothing music Lorze set on his phone.
And in the distant sky canopy, various Pokémon-shaped fireworks exploded in mid-air, as if seeing off the Millennium Comet.
For Lorze and the others, it was accompanying Jirachi to sleep, like accompanying a sleepy baby.
And it was precisely in this fireworks show that the Wishing Star of Seven Nights finally took her bow.
But the curtain fall is not an end, but a new beginning. The story of Lorze, Jirachi, and Absol could not end here~