If his Flygon's strength had already reached the Champion level, then what had just happened wouldn't have been a cause for concern at all.
The gap between the Elite tier and the Champion tier was by no means a small one—it was a chasm.
If it were possible, Nathan would've loved to learn Mewtwo's Teleport ability.
Unfortunately, he was just a human.
Even though he could attempt to learn psychic powers to a certain extent, the gap between him and a true psychic-type powerhouse like Mewtwo was still far, far too wide.
Humans had their own strengths: their ability to learn, their intelligence, and many other traits.
But precisely because of these unique strengths, humans were also limited in ways that Pokémon were not.
They couldn't, for example, reach the same absolute peaks in certain aspects the way Pokémon could.
Nathan pulled out his thick coat and wrapped it tightly around himself once again.
The piercing cold still made him feel deeply uncomfortable, but it was a good reminder:
He was still alive.
That sensation alone was… oddly comforting.
Lying back in the snow with his eyes closed, Nathan took two minutes to rest and collect himself.
Just as he was about to sit up again, he suddenly felt something fall onto his face.
He opened his eyes and took the object off—
To his surprise, it was that same map that had mysteriously vanished earlier.
Seeing this all-too-familiar map again, Nathan was immediately filled with the urge to tear it into shreds.
If it hadn't been for this map, he would never have encountered so many dangerous, near-death situations.
However, he managed to suppress his impulse. He didn't tear it.
Instead, he climbed back onto Flygon's back.
Flying high into the sky, he began comparing the surrounding landscape with the markings on the map in his hand.
And when he saw that the place he was currently in perfectly matched the marked location on the map,
he didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
This map… it had certainly brought him great benefits.
It had allowed both him and his Pokémon to gain the gift of eternal life.
But at the same time, they had almost lost their lives in the mystic realm before even getting the chance to enjoy that so-called eternity.
Not even a birthday star trying to hang himself would be as tragic or ironic as that.
"Well… I've gained something, sure.
But now I have a new problem to worry about—how to deal with Shadow Mewtwo."
Nathan looked at the map in his hands, rubbing his temples in frustration.
Even though he had obtained the secret of eternal life, the crisis surrounding Mewtwo still hadn't been resolved.
If, in a year's time, he failed to defeat Shadow Mewtwo…
Then the fate awaiting Mewtwo would still be nothing less than complete annihilation.
"Hmm… I wonder…
Could Xerneas defeat Shadow Mewtwo?"
That thought suddenly surfaced in Nathan's mind,
and once it appeared, it simply refused to go away.
Unable to resist the idea, he pulled out Xerneas's Poké Ball.
He released the Legendary Pokémon into the snow, intending to say something—
But the moment he laid eyes on Xerneas, he saw that the majestic Pokémon looked utterly exhausted.
It was only then that Nathan realized:
Just earlier, Xerneas had helped him buy that crucial moment of time during the spatial rift collapse.
If not for that moment… he would probably have died right there in the mystic realm.
Without hesitation, Nathan opened the system shop and bought more than a dozen different kinds of Pokéblocks—
All of them top-tier.
He placed the entire pile in front of Xerneas.
"These will help you regain your strength."
He gestured to the Pokéblocks as he spoke.
Xerneas lowered its head and sniffed the brightly-colored blocks resting in the snow.
Then it took one into its mouth and began to chew.
The taste of high-quality Pokéblocks was something no Pokémon could resist.
Not even a Legendary Pokémon like Xerneas.
Despite its weak and depleted condition, Xerneas still maintained the graceful composure of a noble lady.
It slowly and elegantly ate the Pokéblocks, one at a time.
One couldn't help but admit—
Compared to Xerneas, most other Pokémon really did come across like uncultured bumpkins.
Nathan's own Pokémon didn't count—they were already used to eating such delicacies.
They never ate in a rush.
But wild Pokémon were a different story.
Any wild Pokémon that had ever gotten to taste Nathan's Pokéblocks would try to gobble down a hundred pieces in one bite if they could.
After finishing all the blocks Nathan had laid out, Xerneas still looked somewhat unsatisfied.
Catching the look in its eyes, Nathan quickly pulled out another dozen or so Pokéblocks.
Legendary Pokémon truly were on another level—even their appetites were enormous.
After downing three to four dozen Pokéblocks in total, Xerneas finally stopped.
"I'm really sorry.
I nearly got you killed back there in that mystic realm…"
Xerneas said softly, its voice full of remorse.
As it spoke, its noble head—which it rarely lowered for anyone—dipped slightly.
But this was a sincere apology, not an empty gesture.
To be a human and receive an apology from a Legendary Pokémon—
In the entire world, Nathan was probably the only one.
"There's nothing to apologize for.
After all, there's no way you could've known that would happen.
And besides, I'm still alive and kicking, aren't I?"
Nathan waved his hand casually.
"What are your plans now?
Are we heading off to find Yveltal?"
Rather than dwelling on the apology, Nathan was more concerned with what Xerneas planned to do next.
If they were heading off to find Yveltal, then Nathan would have to find a way to catch Xerneas during that short journey.
If not… then perhaps he could just keep Xerneas by his side for now.
After all, even among humans there was such a thing as "feelings developed over time."
The same could apply to the bond between a Trainer and a Pokémon.
As long as they spent enough time together,
And neither party was cold-blooded or heartless—
A connection would inevitably grow.
And once there was a bond, catching the Pokémon would just be a matter of time.
"No…
I feel like there's no need to find Yveltal for now.
Didn't you say he's still inside the mystic realm?
I'd like to take this chance to explore this world a bit while he's still in there."
Xerneas shook its head as it replied.
Its purpose wasn't solely to confront Yveltal.
Xerneas was also a wise being, with intelligence and thoughts of its own.
"Well, since you put it that way,
I hope you'll come with me—
Let me take you on a journey to explore this world."
Nathan immediately seized the opportunity and responded without hesitation.
Xerneas had just said it wanted to explore the world,
So why not have it travel by his side?
That was the perfect way to deepen their bond!
Winning Xerneas over with raw strength?
That option had already been thrown out the window by Nathan.
It was simply too difficult.
After all, a Legendary Pokémon like Xerneas was already standing at the pinnacle.
That wasn't a height Nathan could currently reach.
"Alright."
Xerneas agreed without even thinking.
The good news came so suddenly that Nathan was momentarily stunned.
He had originally thought Xerneas might refuse.
Or if it agreed, it might come with a list of conditions.
He hadn't expected it to be this easy.
"Great!
So… would you rather stay inside your Poké Ball, or travel outside?"
Nathan asked, clearly thrilled.
"I'd prefer to stay outside.
Being inside the Poké Ball isn't very comfortable."
Xerneas answered after thinking it over.
On the journey back, Nathan now had a new companion—Xerneas.
Every so often, Xerneas would ask Nathan various questions,
And Nathan answered every one of them openly and honestly.
Because Xerneas was traveling with him,
Not a single wild Pokémon dared to interrupt their journey.
It was almost too smooth—
Suspiciously smooth.
But, as always, good luck didn't last forever.
As Nathan returned to the glacial canyon they had passed earlier,
An unexpected event occurred.
A loud and piercing roar suddenly rang out!
Nathan and Xerneas turned their heads in the direction of the sound—
And there, they saw it:
Kyurem.
Another Legendary Pokémon!
The moment Kyurem appeared, its gaze locked squarely onto Xerneas.
Kyurem's head and snout were blue, and its pale yellow eyes lacked pupils.
It had a pair of bright blue horns on its head, along with a golden crest.
Its long neck was gray, and gray lines extended from its neck to its body, legs, arms, and tail.
Its arms ended in claws connected to unusually shaped blue wings—
Wings that allowed it to fly and store freezing air.
Each wing bore two jagged ice spikes, and the wings themselves were encased in ice.
When the ice shattered, tendril-like appendages extended from its back.
Its right side appeared damaged, with the right wing and horn smaller than the left.
The right jawline had jagged edges, unlike the smooth left side.
Kyurem had long, lean legs and a tail ending in three conical ice spikes—
These looked like broken turbines, possibly used for propulsion or energy storage.
By any conventional standard of aesthetics,
Kyurem was an incredibly majestic and powerful-looking Pokémon.
But at this moment, the Kyurem before them radiated nothing but raw, burning battle intent.
And when a Legendary Pokémon was brimming with the desire to fight…
It was no small matter.
Sensing the hostile energy from Kyurem,
Xerneas immediately stepped forward, placing itself in front of Nathan.
"This is my territory. Leave this place!
And you—human—
Return what is mine!"
Kyurem's voice boomed like rolling thunder, low and menacing.
(End of Chapter)