Chapter 296: The Meaning of Punishment
The evil entity fell unconscious. In the darkness, Hoopa in its Unbound form encountered Hoopa in its Confined form.
Hoopa in Confined form revealed its signature mischievous grin: "Hehehe, Hoopa lost. Ryan didn't lie to Hoopa, Hoopa won't disappear."
Hoopa in Unbound form angrily retorted, "What's so funny?! I am your power. My loss means we all lost. Hoopa isn't the strongest anymore!"
"No, Ryan told me that although we are one, you're so angry because you were sealed for a hundred years. Hoopa understands. If Hoopa were sealed for a hundred years, Hoopa would die of loneliness too, so Hoopa doesn't blame Hoopa. But causing destruction is bad, so Hoopa will apologize to everyone after it gets out," said Hoopa in Confined form.
"Don't even think about it! Hoopa is the real Hoopa. I will replace you! You will never get out!" Hoopa in Unbound form shouted.
"No, you lost. So your anger has actually subsided quite a bit, and Hoopa could leave at any time. But Hoopa didn't leave now because Hoopa wanted to talk to you. You're about to disappear, aren't you? Hoopa can sense it," said Hoopa in Confined form.
As Hoopa in Confined form spoke, Hoopa in Unbound form fell silent. Hoopa in Confined form was right. Having been defeated and knowing it wasn't the strongest, Hoopa in Unbound form already knew it was about to disappear. With its obsession gone, what was there left to hold onto?
"Actually, Hoopa, you've kept Hoopa trapped here, despite Hoopa's attempts to persuade you. But Hoopa doesn't blame you, and for so long, I've been pondering the meaning of punishment that Great-grandfather spoke of," Hoopa in Confined form said earnestly. "Great-grandfather once told me that only when I truly understand the meaning of punishment can I travel through space through the ring. But for the past hundred years, Hoopa hasn't been able to figure out the meaning of punishment. But today, sensing your feelings and the situation, Hoopa has gradually come to understand some things."
After saying this, Hoopa used its psychic powers to show Hoopa in Unbound form the past hundred years, and then quietly explained it to him.
"This is where Great-grandfather took me. At first, Hoopa hated it there, and we couldn't escape. We had to learn so many things every day. But after Meray and Baraz were born, Hoopa had its own companions, and the days living with them were really happy. Then Great-grandfather passed away, and Meray and Baraz brought you out, wanting to restore my power. You know what happened after that. Hoopa thought a lot. Great-grandfather said that punishment is to punish mistakes and warn against future ones. But Hoopa found it hard to understand those things. But, but, Hoopa knows one thing: bad things must be corrected. Hoopa's power should be used to change those bad things and turn them into good things. That will definitely surprise everyone! Hoopa, are you surprised?!"
"Ah, you surprised me." Hoopa in its Unbound form revealed a mischievous smile, its fangs showing. As it spoke, Hoopa in its Unbound form gradually disappeared into the darkness.
"Ah, gone. Hoopa's going out too! Hoopa wants to see if its current understanding of punishment is correct."
With that, Hoopa left the dark space with a mischievous grin. When Hoopa opened its eyes, it found Ryan and the others watching it. Hoopa grinned mischievously, "Ryan, I'm back!"
Ryan nodded and said, "Good to see you back, but it seems we've run into some trouble."
As Ryan spoke, Hoopa realized that the surrounding space was constantly collapsing, and the sand and stones were being swallowed up by the black void. Moreover, the collapse was happening incredibly fast, almost reaching Ryan and his group. Fortunately, Lillie and the others were far enough away that they weren't swept up in it.
"Hoopa, how are you?" Ryan asked. Actually, Ryan already knew about Hoopa's situation from the system. Hoopa's understanding of the meaning of punishment was a crucial step for it. And clearly, Hoopa had achieved this, successfully comprehending punishment and stepping into the realm of power.
"Ryan, I'm fine. I understand the meaning of punishment now. Although I don't know if Hoopa's thinking is right, Hoopa is willing to try!" Hoopa said.
Hoopa then took a golden ring from one of its horns. The ring gradually grew larger until it was large enough for Hoopa's massive body to pass through. Hoopa poked its head out of the ring, then pulled it back in, grinning mischievously, "Success! Hoopa can pass through like before!"
With that, Hoopa passed directly through the golden ring, then poked its head out and said, "Ryan, everyone. Come on over, it'll be safe once you're here."
Ryan nodded, letting Xerneas and the others leave first. After all the Legendary Pokémon were out, Ryan looked at the collapsed space, smiled, stepped through the golden ring, and arrived at the outer edge of the collapsed space, where Lillie and the others were.
Lillie saw Ryan come out and threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly. She said with lingering fear, "You scared me to death! Can't you just calm down?! Do you only feel happy when you make me worry to death?!"
Ryan hugged Lillie tightly and said, "It won't happen again next time. I promise."
"Alright. If your promises were reliable, Groudon could fly. Don't take too many risks, I'll worry." Lillie rolled her eyes at Ryan and said seriously. Lillie had come to understand Ryan. Whenever something happened, he was always the first to rush to the front, but because he was always the first, he was also the one in the most danger. Lillie understood Ryan, so she knew that persuasion was useless. She could only silently stay by his side and go through those things with him.
Ryan looked at Lillie, their eyes met, and a warm moment lingered between them. However, Hoopa, that troublemaker, came over and said, "Ryan, Lillie, what are you doing?"
The pleasant atmosphere was instantly shattered. Ryan, looking helpless, released Lillie, pushed Hoopa's large face away, and said, "The matter is resolved. Let Hoopa decide its own fate. Now, I still want to know some things. Can you tell me, Arceus?"
As Ryan finished speaking, the spatial collapse gradually disappeared, leaving only a huge crater in the distant sand. Above the crater, a gentle breeze blew, and the clouds in the sky gradually dispersed, revealing the figure of Arceus.
(End of Chapter)
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