About Xerneas

"King John Bayne, I do not understand why you have come to the Mining Nation," Carbink asked loudly, gazing at the king.

King John Bayne stroked his beard and replied, "I am here for Diancie."

"For me?"

Hearing her name, Diancie tilted her head, her red eyes gleaming with curiosity.

King John Bayne then explained to Carbink and Diancie about the previous day's defeat of Galar Articuno.

"So that's what happened…" Carbink's eyes shone with a faint but noticeable hint of horror as it muttered, "Lord Articuno has actually lost a battle."

To Carbink, Lord Articuno, invincible in all battles, losing to the humans before him was shocking.

In such matters, Carbink did not need to distinguish truth from falsehood.

No human would dare to deceive a Legendary Pokemon, as such actions would only invite their wrath.

After a brief moment of shock, Carbink quickly regained composure.

Galar Articuno, the guardian of the Diamond Forest, had now been defeated by King John Bayne. It was simply another protector and posed no threat to them.

Both Princess Diancie and the Mining Nation needed their protectors.

After thinking for a moment, Carbink said, "King John Bayne, the Mining Nation is willing to offer a certain number of diamonds each year."

"All we ask is—"

"Protect the Diamond Forest."

Hearing this, Bruce raised an eyebrow, wondering: Where did this Carbink learn human language, including terms like "offering"?

"Understood." King John Bayne nodded slightly, then added in a deep voice, "But that is not the main reason for our visit this time."

—"What is the purpose then?"—Carbink asked, visibly puzzled.

"To meet Princess Diancie," John Bayne said with a faint smile.

"Meet me?" Diancie appeared somewhat confused.

John Bayne nodded at her, smiling warmly. "Yes, to meet you."

Upon hearing this, Carbink's eyes sparkled as if it understood King John Bayne's intent. It hesitated momentarily before replying, "King John Bayne, let me introduce the current situation regarding Her Royal Highness Diancie."

After a pause, it continued, "Her Royal Highness Diancie of this generation is still in her infancy."

Diancie stood quietly to the side, her small hands folded and an elegant smile gracing her face.

"Please follow me, honored guests," Carbink said.

Leaping in place, it then bounced off in the opposite direction. The surrounding Carbinks moved aside to clear a path.

The trio and Diancie followed.

Before long, a massive pink diamond came into view, radiating a brilliant glow that dazzled their eyes.

"This is the Sacred Diamond," Carbink said, gazing upward with its blue eyes sparkling with a peculiar light.

"The Sacred Diamond has long brought great strength and peace to our nation."

Diancie watched silently.

"But now it has become worn out.

"The fire of life has been extinguished.

"The sacred is fading."

Carbink frowned, its expression solemn.

"It still gleams beautifully."

"It's too much to say it's worn out…" Diancie murmured softly.

"No, Your Majesty Diancie," Carbink said, leaping with emotion, its face serious.

"Please listen carefully. By my estimation, the Sacred Diamond will darken completely within two years at most."

"By then, the entire Mining Nation will collapse!"

"Only Her Royal Highness Diancie can create the Sacred Diamond," the Diamond Minister said, fixing a thoughtful gaze on Diancie.

"But I…" Diancie froze at the words.

"Yes." Carbink nodded, speaking softly. "Her Royal Highness Diancie has not yet mastered the ability to create a Sacred Diamond.

"Without that, she cannot create eternal ordinary diamonds either."

Looking once more at King John Bayne, Carbink's face filled with concern.

King John Bayne squinted slightly, realizing this was yet another looming challenge.

Bruce merely smirked, having already guessed where this story was heading.

"In order to harness the energy to craft a Sacred Diamond, you must find Xerneas, imbued with Fairy Aura."

Carbink recounted a story from its youth, traveling the world.

It had been petrified by a dark crimson light and only woke to see Xerneas, who revived all the petrified Pokemon before transforming into a tree and falling into a deep slumber.

"King John Bayne, only by finding Xerneas can Diancie create diamonds that last forever," Carbink said earnestly.

Hearing this, King John Bayne rubbed his brow. It seemed the constant flow of diamonds was no simple matter.

But Xerneas… how could it be found?

If he remembered correctly, Xerneas was a supreme deity, its strength and presence far surpassing Articuno's.

From ancient times to the present, records of Xerneas were scarce.

Bruce thought to himself that it was no surprise Xerneas and Yveltal would eventually appear together.

"I only hope Yveltal stays sound asleep and doesn't awaken suddenly," Bruce prayed inwardly.

If Yveltal did wake, the resulting catastrophe would be unimaginable.

Perhaps sensing the anxiety in King John Bayne's eyes, Carbink reassured warmly, "King John Bayne, Xerneas is a Legendary of friendship and bears no malice toward humans."

Indeed, Xerneas treated Pokemon and humans equally.

"Furthermore, there is no need to rush. You have two years to find it.

"If, during this time, Her Royal Highness Diancie can master the ability to gather Sacred Diamond energy on her own, then there will be no need to seek Xerneas," Carbink added.

King John Bayne's expression remained composed. He nodded lightly and said, "I will arrange for assistance to search for Xerneas."

"Thank you, King John Bayne," Carbink replied.

"Alright, we'll be taking our leave for now," King John Bayne said.

"If you encounter other problems in the future, feel free to ask for our help."

"Understood, King John Bayne." Carbink bowed slightly.

"Goodbye, King John Bayne."

"Goodbye, Bruce."

Diancie's sweet voice echoed in their minds.

Bruce smiled faintly, raising his slightly numb right hand in farewell.

It had been an extraordinary experience visiting the Mining Nation and meeting Diancie, hailed as the most beautiful Pokemon in the world.

Based on Carbink's words, Bruce knew it wouldn't be long before he encountered Diancie again.

"What do you think?"

As the trio emerged from the cave, King John Bayne suddenly asked.

"It must be true," Agatha replied after a moment.

"But finding Xerneas… that will be incredibly difficult."

"Yes." King John Bayne nodded, his tone heavy. "This is indeed a troubling matter."

"There's something even more troubling," Bruce interjected.

As the two turned to him in confusion, Bruce explained slowly, "If I'm not mistaken, it was Yveltal's attack that caused Carbink to fall petrified in that crimson light."

—"Yveltal?"—Both frowned simultaneously.

"Yes, Yveltal," Bruce confirmed.

"In mythology, Yveltal and Xerneas represent death and life, respectively.

"Yveltal drains the vitality of all things, petrifying life, while Xerneas possesses the opposite power.

"Wherever Xerneas sleeps, Yveltal also slumbers."

"If Yveltal is accidentally awakened, a future catastrophe is inevitable."

The disaster a top-tier Legendary Pokemon like Yveltal could unleash would affect multiple cities and tens of millions of lives.

"I see…"

King John Bayne's expression grew increasingly solemn.

"This remains a delicate matter.

"But it cannot be ignored. If Yveltal awakens, it will harm the surrounding people."

"The duty of our security forces is to resolve such dangers!" the elder declared, his voice resolute.

Bruce understood the sentiment but doubted the police forces' ability to confront a divine beast like Yveltal.

If Yveltal truly woke, even King John Bayne might fall.

Dealing with Yveltal would require at least a Champion and multiple Elite trainers working together.

For now, Bruce, just an Ace-level trainer, could only prepare for what lay ahead.

The trio boarded the helicopter and returned to Vortex Base, knowing the challenges of tomorrow—or the weeks ahead—could strike at any moment.