"Regi—!!"
The immensely massive Regieleki stood like a thunder-formed giant in the vast forest.
In the cloud-covered sky, golden lightning bolts resembled rolling golden dragons. Any one that fell could cause tremendous destruction to the surrounding forest.
But they just wouldn't fall.
"Eleki!!"
Roar after roar that sounded angry echoed through the woods.
If someone looked carefully at this moment, they would discover that on the shoulder of the giant-like massive Regieleki sat a Gengar wearing sunglasses, with electrical arcs jumping from Regieleki's body reflecting light on its sunglasses.
"Ka-kaah~"
As Regieleki moved its feet, Gengar instinctively reached out to steady itself, but when its hand made contact with Regieleki...
Crackle crackle—
Electrical current flashed.
"Ka-kaah! o(TヘTo)"
Gengar immediately let go, vigorously "huffing and puffing," then tugged at the Spirit World cloth it was sitting on to prevent its bottom from suffering the same fate.
It loudly called out to Regieleki several times.
"Regi?"
The giant Regieleki paused, looking at the surrounding Officer Jennys, League police, and their Pokémon, scratching its head.
That's right.
The exercise was in progress.
But facing the massive and powerful Electric Pillar Regieleki, the Officer Jennys didn't have many good methods to resolve the situation.
However, when actually encountering legendary Pokémon "disasters," their task wasn't to directly confront the legendary Pokémon, but to evacuate civilians as quickly as possible to reduce casualties while trying to slow the legendary Pokémon's advance.
Everything was proceeding in an orderly fashion.
And under Gengar's "guidance," Regieleki was slowly mastering acting techniques.
At the same time.
In the vast Orrans Forest, an extremely tall man in tattered clothes emerged from a dilapidated cave, chewing on a piece of jerky that had been stored for who knows how long, looking up toward the thunder giant in the forest.
Seeing that towering Electric Pillar, the man's expression immediately became serious.
Without a word, he grabbed all his belongings - a tattered cloth bag - and strode quickly toward Regieleki's direction.
During this time, several wild Fletchling did take notice of the jerky in the man's mouth and wanted to approach to "share," but they quickly fled after flying only halfway.
The reason was simple - the slovenly man emanated a smell of decay and ruin. Having not bathed for who knows how long, he naturally carried an odor comparable to Gloom.
However, at this moment, the man's eyes held only that massive Regieleki, which was continuously "destroying."
"Why would the ancient Thunder Giant appear here?"
Under his disheveled grayish-silver hair, the man's gaze was resolute and serious.
"We really can summon legendary Pokémon..." The older Officer Jenny looked at Regieleki, her inner surprise lasting a long time.
Although she'd already heard about this from other Officer Jennys, seeing Regieleki actually cooperating with the exercise still inevitably shocked the older Officer Jenny.
Johan smiled helplessly.
You're the one who wanted legendary Pokémon to assist with the exercise, and you're also the one surprised by the legendary Pokémon. What do you want?
"I promised to send it back, but don't have time now, so... it will stay with me for a while." Johan said.
Anyway, the League police would reimburse Regieleki's food expenses, so he wasn't in a hurry now.
Moreover...
To be honest, Regieleki wasn't that shocking a legendary Pokémon.
Battle Frontier's Pyramid King Brandon still owned three legendary titans, though in Johan's view, those three might have been made from Regigigas's "scraps."
Cough...
Besides.
Among the Joy family, renowned alongside the Jenny family, wasn't there a Joy who had tamed a Latias?
The older Officer Jenny nodded. She didn't yet know how exaggerated Regieleki's "appetite" was, so she remained relatively calm.
"However, for the young Officer Jennys, the pressure of facing legendary Pokémon is still great." the older Officer Jenny said.
Although the Officer Jennys appeared to be acting in an orderly manner, the older Officer Jenny still noticed many areas where they were inadequate or incorrect.
These were inevitable distortions or oversights caused by pressure.
This was also why exercises were necessary.
Discovering problems early meant when they actually encountered situations, the League and residents would suffer fewer losses.
"That's about enough." the older Officer Jenny said.
The "legendary Pokémon disaster" exercise had lasted nearly half an hour. Any longer... would be unnecessary.
Johan nodded, just about to call off Gengar and Regieleki, when he suddenly saw...
A Golurk flew out from the nearby forest, its feet like jet engines, carrying powerful Ground-type energy as it charged directly at Regieleki.
"Ka-kaah?"
"Regi?"
Seeing the suddenly appearing Golurk, both Regieleki and Gengar sitting on its shoulder were stunned.
What was this?
The exercise plan they'd discussed earlier didn't include this...
The main content of the exercise was evacuation and guidance, not direct combat. This Golurk was...
However, Gengar and Regieleki could somewhat sense this Golurk's strength - not weak!
"Ka-kaah..." Gengar rubbed its round chin.
Could they have temporarily changed the exercise plan to include direct confrontation?
Gengar and Regieleki stared at each other as the Golurk was about to reach them. Johan's voice finally echoed in their minds.
"It's an enemy!"
This wasn't part of the exercise.
Actually, when they saw the Golurk appear, both Johan and the older Officer Jenny were somewhat surprised. After quickly exchanging information, they confirmed... this Golurk wasn't one of the Officer Jennys' or League police's Pokémon.
Since it was attacking like this, it was undoubtedly an enemy.
"Eleki!!"
Hearing it was an enemy, Regieleki immediately became eager to fight.
During the earlier exercise, it had been holding back its power to cooperate. If not exactly frustrating, it was at least unsatisfying.
Now with a Golurk charging up, it immediately had a "target" to vent on.
Zzzt zzzt zzzt—
Countless bolts of lightning burst from Regieleki's body, forming a giant net that wrapped toward the Golurk.
As a Ground-type Pokémon, Golurk actually wasn't afraid of Electric-type moves, but the prerequisite was that Golurk had to be standing on the ground.
Charging up like this...
The massive electric cage fell, and the charging Golurk was caught in the net and smashed downward before it could even attack Regieleki.
"Go Regieleki!" Korrina cupped her hands like a megaphone and shouted loudly.
"Lucario..."
Lucario beside her looked at Korrina, then at the Golurk that had been knocked back.
This... still needed cheering?
"Ka-kaah~"
Gengar stood up, put away the Spirit World cloth it had been sitting on, and dove into a rift it had torn in space.
When it reappeared, it was already in the forest shadows, searching for traces of the "enemy."
At the same time.
The Officer Jennys also led teams into the woods to search for the culprit who had "disrupted" the exercise.
And that "culprit" was currently... staring at Diancie, who was wandering in the forest to see if she could encounter Xerneas.
"You are..."
Diancie, holding a bouquet of flowers, looked at the extremely burly but shabbily dressed man in front of her, tilting her head with curiosity.
When the man saw Diancie, his expression became slightly dazed.
The holy and beautiful Diancie holding flowers, combined with those brilliant crystalline pink diamonds, was like a sacred existence. Especially the gentle smile on its face made the man... involuntarily recall his former partner.
However, soon enough.
Gengar appeared first beside the man. Looking at the shabby man and smelling an odor comparable to Gloom, it didn't pay much attention. It was just somewhat curious - Gengar faintly sensed the "scent of history" from him.
"Ka-kaah?"
Then the Officer Jennys surrounded them.
Seeing so many people suddenly appear, the man instinctively lowered his head.
Finally, Johan, Korrina, and the older Officer Jenny also arrived.
"So... so tall..."
Seeing the man's stature, little Korrina couldn't help exclaiming.
He was almost twice as tall as her.
When Johan saw the man, he was also somewhat shocked.
"AZ?"
Hm?
Hearing someone call his name, the man looked toward Johan with surprise.
"Regi?"
The shrunken Regieleki came to Johan's side. The Golurk that had attacked them earlier now stood like a guardian behind the man.
But despite Golurk's nearly three-meter height, standing behind the man, it was still half a head shorter.
At this point, the man - AZ, as Johan had called him - finally understood... he seemed to have misunderstood.
But he was also somewhat surprised.
The ancient Thunder Giant actually listened to this man?
"Sorry..." AZ said heavily, then picked up his cloth bag and prepared to leave with Golurk.
"Wait!"
Johan quickly called out to stop him, then turned to the older Officer Jenny and said rapidly: "Officer Jenny, this is... my friend. Let me have a few words with him. Your exercise needs to continue."
The older Officer Jenny looked at AZ somewhat strangely.
Vaguely.
She felt this burly man named "AZ" seemed familiar, but since she wasn't from the Kalos region, she couldn't remember immediately.
Plus the exercise really did need to continue, so after telling Johan to call if he needed help, she led the puzzled Officer Jennys and League police to continue the next phase of the exercise.
And AZ did indeed stay in place.
Originally, he actually hadn't planned to pay attention, especially since the other party had recognized him.
But when he heard the word "friend" from Johan's mouth, AZ found his feet wouldn't obey him.
After the Officer Jennys left, Johan walked in front of AZ, looking up at this man who was at least three meters tall, unable to help clicking his tongue.
AZ, the king of the Kalos region from three thousand years ago!
The very king who had used the Ultimate Weapon to revive his own Pokémon, not hesitating to start a massive war.
Three thousand years had passed, yet he was still alive.
This was because he'd been affected by radiation from the Ultimate Weapon, not only gaining an unknown lifespan but even having his body undergo certain changes.
Johan had originally thought AZ's infinite lifespan was impressive, but now it seemed...
Besides a seemingly endless lifespan, Johan also sensed a ghostly aura from him, with a strange feeling... like a candle that had burned out but its flame still flickered.
Was this a strange state between life and death?
Not just him - Gengar actually had the same feeling.
While Johan observed AZ, AZ was also observing him.
A young monster user... no, in this era they should be called "trainers."
In the age AZ lived in, Pokémon were more often called "monsters," dangerous but powerful creatures that were often involved when major wars broke out.
A young trainer, powerful Pokémon, enviable companionship, and... was this the Creator God's aura?
"What are they doing?" Korrina looked at the two men staring at each other but not speaking, leaning over to ask quietly.
"Lucario..."
Lucario spread its hands, indicating it didn't know either.
However, after a period of silence and mutual observation, Johan slowly said: "King AZ..."
"You know me?" AZ finally spoke again, his voice somewhat low and hoarse.
Johan smiled slightly. "With your stature, it's hard not to recognize you."
AZ was silent for a while before saying again: "I'm no longer a king. Now I'm just someone seeking redemption."
Someone seeking redemption?
Johan didn't argue, instead changing the topic: "Then Mr. AZ, if you have time, why not sit down and chat?"
AZ looked at him deeply and nodded:
"As you wish, messenger of Arceus."
Hm?
This time it was Johan who was surprised.
AZ had met Arceus?
Splash splash—
By the babbling stream.
"Cha~"
Tinkaton shouldered its hammer, "clang clang clang" showing off the chair it had just custom-made for AZ, gesturing for him to sit and try it.
"Would you prefer coffee or tea, respected King AZ, Rotom~"
Rotom had somehow learned a set of "etiquette" and asked quite politely.
Sizzle—
Ceruledge lit charcoal to start a fire, adding fresh water just drawn from the stream and placing it on the stove.
"Garruu~"
Urshifu held a hand-crank coffee grinder, "whirr whirr" turning at a steady pace, quickly grinding full coffee beans into coffee powder.
"Ka-kaah!"
Gengar opened its mouth and took out a box of "treasured" Energy Root tea, waiting for the water to boil.
"Draaa~~"
Dragonite set up the tent by itself today. Without Gengar's help, it actually managed quite well.
Diancie and Ninetales sat beside Johan, the two little ones quietly sharing some private conversation.
As for Regieleki, it sat with Larvitar, busy eating.
For some reason, after eating with Larvitar for a while... Regieleki felt its appetite had increased.
That was actually a good thing.
AZ took in the entire scene, especially lingering a few extra seconds on Victini, who was sitting on Johan's shoulder munching macarons with "crunch crunch" sounds. He thanked Tinkaton and sat down.
Then, under Rotom's expectant gaze, after pondering for a moment, he said: "...Tea, if possible. Thank you."
"Roger, Rotom!"
"Ka-kaah! (Д)b"
Gengar slapped the picnic table and gave AZ a thumbs up.
Hey! Good choice! I admire people like you!
Energy Root tea - one sip refreshes your mind, two sips and you'll never tire, three sips and you'll live forever, yeah!
"Coffee! I want coffee!" Korrina quickly shouted before Rotom could ask.
Tea?
She had "recklessly" chosen tea two days ago, and then... it was so bitter her mouth tasted bitter all day.
"Coming right up, Rotom!"
Rotom handled the tea, but for coffee... Johan was more used to making it himself, unless Love Ball Maid was there.
"These monsters... they get along very well with you." AZ said with a somewhat complex expression.
Johan took the hand-ground coffee powder from Urshifu, poured it into cone-shaped filter paper, and smiled: "Of course, they're all my best partners, family."
"Goka~"
Ceruledge handed over a kettle, and Johan thanked it.
"Partners, family?"
AZ's voice was low and hoarse. "Aren't they servants?"
His eyes became especially bright at this moment, even somewhat sharp.
In ancient times, precisely in the ancient times he lived in three thousand years ago, monsters were beings enslaved by humans.
Just like in ancient Michina, Pokémon called "monsters" wore restraining shackles.
Johan slowly poured water into the coffee powder, watching the brown-yellow liquid slowly drip into the cup, rising with rich coffee aroma.
He didn't look at AZ's eyes, just calmly asked back:
"Mr. AZ, this question of yours... what do you think?"
After saying this, he looked up, meeting AZ's gaze directly.
Perhaps feeling guilty, AZ avoided Johan's gaze.
In ancient times, monsters were indeed often like that, but he, AZ, was an "exception" - he had a very good relationship with his Floette.
This was also why after Floette died, AZ still wanted to use the Ultimate Weapon to revive it.
He even couldn't forgive a world that had hurt Floette, trying to use the Ultimate Weapon to destroy everything.
Although AZ didn't answer, his silence seemed to answer everything.
"King AZ, your tea, Rotom~"
Rotom brought over a cup of tea with a bitter aroma.
"Thank you." AZ thanked it again and took the tea.
Looking at the... root-like things floating in the cup, AZ felt puzzled.
What kind of tea was this?
"Ka-kaah!"
Gengar raised its teacup toward him, grinning with great spirit.
Friend, let's down this cup of Energy Root tea!
Friend...
AZ looked at Gengar, who was blowing on its teacup then sipping in small mouthfuls, and imitated it.
Under Korrina's "expectant," no, gleeful gaze, AZ took a big sip.
Gulp, swallowing.
Whoosh—
Some hot air drifted from his mouth.
For some reason, his condition seemed... much more energetic, even his listless eyes became somewhat livelier.
"Good tea!" AZ nodded.
"Ka-kaah! d(○)"
A connoisseur, my friend!
Gengar was delighted.
"Eh?" Korrina was greatly shocked.
This guy... had no sense of taste?
Johan wasn't surprised.
Someone who had experienced true suffering... the bitterness of mere Energy Root tea was nothing. That's you, Gao Jin!
AZ held the teacup with both hands, looking up slightly at the clear sky, murmuring:
"This is probably what you call 'trainers,' right?"
Trainers?
Korrina looked toward Lucario beside her, and Lucario looked back.
What were trainers?
This was a... overly broad question.
AZ turned to look at Johan again. "You seem to know quite a bit about me?"
Korrina perked up her ears, as if smelling "gossip."
Johan shrugged. "Pokémon and trainers - why use the word 'forgiveness' between them?"
"Hm?" AZ didn't understand.
Johan held his coffee, taking a sip, and like AZ, put both hands on his elbows resting on his knees, leaning forward slightly. Victini immediately seized the "opportunity," treating his back like a slide and "vii" sliding down.
"Since they're partners who trust each other, it understands why you did what you did, and you understand why it disappeared..."
"Rather than saying it forgives you, shouldn't it be when will Mr. AZ forgive yourself?"
After saying this, Johan quickly leaned back against his chair.
He had to admit, AZ really did smell pretty strong.
"Forgive... myself?" AZ was stunned, repeating in a low voice.
Johan shook his head.
Rather than saying Floette forgave AZ, it was more like Floette forgiving itself, because it was its death that brought about AZ's series of "revenge" actions.
At the same time, it was also AZ forgiving himself - he had caused too many casualties for one person, one Pokémon.
For a moment.
Only the sounds of the little ones playing and AZ drinking tea and Johan drinking coffee remained nearby.
After a while longer.
AZ stood up, looking at Johan seriously: "Thank you, messenger of Arceus."
After saying this, he picked up his cloth bag.
"Mr. AZ, why not have dinner together? As a friend's invitation." Johan said.
AZ paused.
"Alright."
"However... before that, have you considered taking a bath?"
"Eh?"
"Long, long ago, there was a man and a Pokémon who loved each other."
"War broke out, and the man's beloved Pokémon was used in the war. Years passed, and he only received a small box."
"The man wanted his Pokémon to be revived, no matter what, no matter how. The man created a machine..."
Under Korrina's persistent questioning, Johan briefly told some of AZ's story.
Not just Korrina - the little ones also gathered around and heard the entire story.
"I see... so that's how it is..."
After hearing it, Korrina's expression was somewhat dazed.
This was what trainers were, this was humans and Pokémon?
Although what AZ did was infuriating, AZ's methods, his way of reviving Floette, made Korrina admire him.
For some reason.
The previously cheerful Korrina suddenly had a moment of enlightenment.
So this was what "trainers" really were?
This time she didn't look at Lucario, and Lucario didn't look at her, but at this moment, the trainer and Pokémon's hearts produced a strange resonance.
Perhaps this was the bond forged between trainers and Pokémon?
Seeing the deeply moved Korrina and Lucario, Johan smiled.
This story wasn't told for nothing - Korrina and her Lucario sometimes might just lack that little bit, just that little bit.
"Ka-kaah..."
Gengar floating behind Johan rarely wasn't being mischievous, even its expression showing some seriousness and earnestness.
After hearing Johan's account, Gengar's form flickered slightly, and without anyone noticing, it silently drifted toward the other side of the forest.
At sunset, the dim yellow sunlight filtered through thin clouds, bringing scattered gold to the river surface.
The burly AZ sat in the river, leaning against rocks on the shore, letting the water wash over his body while repeatedly thinking about Johan's earlier words.
"Rather than waiting for Floette's forgiveness, it's more about forgiving myself?"
Buzz—
AZ's shadow in the sunset rippled with black mist as a serious-faced Gengar slowly floated out.
"It's you?"
Seeing Gengar, AZ was somewhat surprised.
"Ka-kaah~"
Gengar handed over a cup of Energy Root tea and sat on the rock AZ was leaning against.
"Thank you." After taking it, AZ still looked at Gengar with some puzzlement.
"Ka-kaah?"
Gengar didn't look at AZ, just watching the flowing water in front of them, speaking softly.
I heard Johan say you once revived your deceased Pokémon?
Strangely, AZ could understand Gengar's words.
He nodded. "Indeed."
Whoosh—
Suddenly, black mist surged from Gengar's body as it turned sharply to look at AZ, speaking with extreme seriousness:
"Ka-kaah!"
Teach me!
"Hm?" AZ frowned.
Only someone who had used the "Ultimate Weapon" knew how terrifying that thing truly was. That destructive power should absolutely not be mastered by anyone with impure intentions, human or Pokémon.
He hadn't expected Gengar to want to learn to use the "Ultimate Weapon"...
"What do you want to do?" AZ asked sternly.
Had he misjudged Johan, misjudged Arceus's messenger?
"Ka-kaah!"
Under AZ's gaze, Gengar clinked its teacup lightly against AZ's, then drained it in one gulp, roughly wiping its mouth.
Those who didn't know might think it was drinking alcohol instead of tea.
Nothing much! I'm just preparing for Johan's future!
AZ was stunned.
Preparing for Johan's... future?
Looking at the serious-faced Gengar, AZ's expression became dazed. He actually saw his former self reflected in a Pokémon's body and eyes?
It sounded somewhat laughable, but seeing Gengar's serious expression, he couldn't laugh at all, because he could feel... Gengar was serious.
"Do you..." AZ opened his mouth, "know what price you'll pay, what pressure and guilt you'll bear?"
"Ka-kaah! (▼皿▼)"
Gengar crossed its arms and snorted coldly.
As long as it's for Johan, I don't care about floods or world destruction or rebirth!
"What about Johan..."
Before AZ could finish, Gengar interrupted without hesitation.
"Ka-kaah!"
Of course Johan understands me and accepts me!
Full of confidence, even pride.
Gengar believed Johan would absolutely understand it and accept it - this was the bond between them, needing no words.
But this statement struck AZ like lightning.
This was... the difference between him and Floette, and Johan and Gengar?
AZ's expression gradually softened.
Looking at the "proud and spirited" Gengar in front of him, he suddenly wanted to laugh.
Not mockery, but genuine envious laughter.
Then his mind filled with images of the gentle, easy-going, kind Johan from earlier, connecting it with his identity as Arceus's messenger.
Perhaps this was destined.
Thinking this, AZ removed a pendant he wore close to his chest, shaped like a key, and handed it to Gengar.
"Ka-kaah?"
Gengar looked at what AZ offered, blinking twice.
What was this?
AZ said: "The key to activate the 'Ultimate Weapon.'"
"Ka-kaah?! (▼O▼)"
Gengar's mouth gaped open, eyes glowing golden as it immediately put down its cup, roughly wiped its hands on its body, and took the key AZ offered.
Examining it carefully.
This thing was what activated the "Ultimate Weapon"?
After giving away the key, AZ seemed much lighter overall. He drank some Energy Root tea, tasting some bitterness and also the sweetness that followed.
Wrinkles appeared on his aged face as he showed the first genuine smile from his heart in three thousand years.
"If it's you two, you should be able to protect this thing well."
Although Gengar claimed to prepare for contingencies, AZ believed Johan wouldn't give Gengar the chance to use it.
With such Pokémon accompanying and protecting him, how could Johan, as Arceus's messenger, possibly meet an early end?
But he didn't understand Gengar's meaning - Gengar was referring to... after Johan's hundred years...
"Ka-kaah!"
Gengar quickly stuffed the key in its mouth, then grabbed AZ around the neck, showing a big smile.
You're the kind of friend I approve of!
AZ's smile grew even broader.
"Friend..."
Night fell.
Johan's temporary camp.
He looked somewhat puzzled at AZ and Gengar sitting together.
When had their relationship become so good?
Seeming to notice his gaze, AZ and Gengar both looked over simultaneously.
AZ showed a wrinkled smile, mm... somewhat unsettling.
While Gengar's eyes darted around evasively.
Hm?
Something fishy was going on.
As Gengar's trainer, how could Johan not understand this purple fatty?
Just by how it stuck out its butt, Johan knew whether it was going to fart or poop.
However, now wasn't the time for "interrogation." Johan still had some questions about AZ's appearance.
"Mr. AZ, how did you end up in this forest?" Johan voiced his confusion.
Wasn't AZ supposed to be wandering everywhere, then... captured by his descendant Lysandre and imprisoned in Team Flare's base?
For Johan's confusion, AZ had no intention of hiding anything. He said directly:
"Because I wanted to see Xerneas."
Wait!
Xerneas?
"This forest?"
Orrans Forest?
It sounded somewhat familiar.
"Xerneas?" Diancie suddenly stood up, looking somewhat excited.
AZ nodded. "Xerneas once slept in this forest. Now... perhaps it has awakened."
Johan: "..."
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Powerstones?
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