After Xerneas hit the ground, her whole body ached so badly she couldn't move for a moment.
Just a few years ago, this Diancie had only been mildly threatening in her eyes—dodging her moves had been effortless.
Who would've thought that in only a few years, she'd grown to this level?
Was this really still Diancie?
If you didn't know better, you'd think she was some kind of Zygarde variant…
The furious thought flashed through Xerneas's mind—and in the next blink, a vast Diamond Storm was already swallowing her up.
Diancie held both small hands out, controlling the diamonds with a blank, unreadable face.
Xerneas backing out truly had caught her off guard.
But to Diancie… it was just a minor complication.
As long as she smashed both Pokémon flat, she could still activate the Ultimate Weapon right beside them and revive Elias.
She calculated calmly, a cold glint flickering in her eyes.
Only when the attack was about to crash down did Xerneas grit her teeth through the soreness and force herself upright.
She swept her gaze across the area and couldn't help feeling powerless.
That stupid bird Yveltal was still some distance away—there was no way it could reach her in time.
And after that last strike, there wasn't even a scrap of cover left near her.
In other words…
This fully-charged barrage from Diancie… she'd have to take it alone.
Careless.
Xerneas bared her teeth and prepared to throw up Protect again, trying to shave off as much damage as possible.
But in the instant before she moved, an inexplicable power surged into her limbs.
Xerneas's ears twitched. Her eyes widened as she looked down at her chest.
She could feel it clearly—her Fairy power had been strengthened.
But…
How?
Who could possibly make a Fairy-type Legendary suddenly stronger?!
Flash.
A wash of white light burst out as a hastily fired Dazzling Gleam slammed into the oncoming storm of diamonds.
Yet strangely, the lopsided outcome she expected didn't happen.
Most of the diamonds were held back by that light, unable to come even an inch closer to her body.
"Hm?"
Diancie frowned at the sight.
By her calculations, Xerneas shouldn't have been able to block that…
Why had she suddenly gotten stronger? Had she been holding back the whole time?
Diancie's eyes widened slightly, but she dismissed the thought almost immediately.
Impossible. She knew Xerneas's strength well.
If it wasn't Xerneas, then the only explanation was an outside factor.
"Dianna, someone might be interfering," Diancie said, tilting her head toward Dianna behind her.
It was fine. She'd prepared for this kind of situation, too.
Dianna gave a small nod.
"I'll go take a look."
Her voice was just as cold, but it still eased something in Diancie's chest.
If Dianna stepped in, there wouldn't be another mistake.
Watching Xerneas retreat to a safer distance, Diancie was certain of it.
...
After Teleporting again, Elias stopped among the trees to catch his breath.
He'd been moving without pause.
Even though he was still a ways from his destination, Xerneas had already entered his psychokinesis range.
"Delphox, wait a second."
Seeing Delphox ready to move again, Elias reached out and caught her.
"Whu?"
Delphox tilted her head, puzzled.
"Xerneas looks like she's run into a little trouble. I'll help her first," Elias explained, eyes narrowing.
In his senses, Xerneas had taken a hit when she wasn't paying attention.
And now she was being blanketed under a continuous Diamond Storm.
If that landed cleanly, even Xerneas would be hurting for a while.
It had been years—his little Diancie really had grown up.
Luckily…
The conditions for his Fairy affinity weren't strict. He had enough time to slap that boost onto Xerneas.
As expected, with the enhancement, Xerneas's strength surged noticeably.
Even a move thrown out in a rush was enough to block Diancie's attack completely.
"Alright."
Elias let out a slow breath, then turned to Delphox, who'd been waiting beside him.
"Whu…"
Delphox puffed out her cheeks and muttered under her breath.
She'd noticed it—Elias had done something just now that strengthened Xerneas's Fairy power.
Realizing that left Delphox feeling oddly off-balance.
She could tell: Xerneas, Diancie, even Diantha's Gardevoir…
They were all Fairy-type.
Only she was Fire and Psychic.
Why…? Did she not look like a Fairy-type Pokémon or something?
Crackle, crackle—flames snapped at the tip of Delphox's wand.
Delphox didn't bother hiding what she was thinking, so Elias immediately caught it.
He opened his mouth, not quite sure how to comfort her.
Being unhappy with your own typing… that was a new one.
"Don't worry. I've got ways to boost Psychic-type power, too."
Elias pinched her soft cheek and smiled as he soothed her.
"Whu?"
Delphox's eyes lit up—then she gave Elias a suspicious look, like she was checking whether he was just placating her.
"I do. It's just… you might have to go ask her for it yourself."
Elias thought of the Mind Plate that got hugged in Gardevoir's arms all day long, and his smile stiffened slightly.
Gardevoir was gentle—she'd lend it… right?
"Alright. Let's move."
Before Delphox could spiral further, Elias patted her head and spoke.
As his words fell psychic energy surged through the air, and his figure blurred.
TELEPORT
With that skip-step travel, he'd already left Xerosic and Alain far behind.
If nothing went wrong, two or three more Teleports and he'd be right at Diancie's side.
But—after this Teleport, what greeted his eyes wasn't dense forest.
Instead, several massive boulders hemmed him in tightly.
ROCK TOMB
The move name flashed through Elias's mind—and the surrounding rocks were already flying in, slamming toward him.
THUD—
Dianna stood with her arms crossed, watching the boulders crash together, and let out a cold snort.
---
T/N: DIANNA??? I WAS JUST PRAISING YOU?
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