Chapter 0727: Natsume’s Backpack Is Like a Mini Storage

The Pixie Plate wasn’t convenient to stash in the Reverse World.

So Natsume chose the most straightforward method—he just stuffed it into his own backpack.

Some Trainers’ backpacks are like little storage warehouses, packed with Berries, Full Restores, and sometimes even the Arceus’s Plates...

Sunbeams shifted through the forest.

Natsume stroked his chin, lost in thought.

The Pixie Plate absolutely needed to be returned to Arceus, or it could cause a disaster, just like what happened in Michina Town.

But he couldn’t go wake Arceus up early—he’d have to wait for Arceus to come find him...

Natsume’s expression was complicated.

He surely wouldn’t come for the Plate while Hoopa happened to be around, right?

Darkrai glanced at Natsume’s ever-changing expression and tensed.

Not good!

Every time he pulled that face, something always went wrong!

Darkrai realized that every one of Natsume’s premonitions had come true.

This was probably less a curse and more like… Anticipation!

Darkrai, ever cautious, grew worried and muttered to himself:

"Better get started on war preparations ahead of time..."

“My duties are complete. From here on, I will begin a long sleep.”

Xerneas’s voice carried a tint of weariness as the stag turned a gentle smile to the guilty-eyed Sylveon.

“Life and death is a long cycle, so there is no need to grieve, Sylveon.”

The green glow gradually faded.

The branches atop Xerneas’s head slowly dimmed and turned blue, shifting from “active mode” to “relaxed mode.”

This meant—Xerneas’s energy had run low, and it would need deep sleep to recover.

“You can’t rely on the Pixie Plate’s strength for this, Xerneas?” Natsume frowned.

Xerneas smiled and shook its head.

To sleep, to awaken, to cycle life and death—that was its and Yveltal’s mission and duty.

Yveltal, after migrating, would soon fall into deep sleep as well.

Natsume breathed a gentle sigh.

“Say my farewells to Diancie and to the eternal flower.”

Xerneas softly closed its eyes.

Beautiful blossoms bloomed among its antlers, its blue body turned into a trunk, its four limbs glowed into roots.

The voice faded, the great tree surrounded by flowers, telepathy tinged with a smile.

“In endless life, meeting you all has made me truly glad.”

“Sylveon…” There was a look of sadness in Sylveon’s eyes.

“For Xerneas, sleeping for a few millennia is nothing out of the ordinary.”

Natsume crouched down, rubbed Sylveon’s head, and smiled: “It wakes up from time to time. It’s possible you’ll see each other again.”

"Sylveon?" Sylveon looked up.

“Of course you will,” Natsume answered with a laugh.

Natsume took Sylveon’s ribbon in his hand, connecting their feelings and sharing Sylveon’s dejection.

Sylveon stared at the Life Tree Xerneas had become, quietly looping her pink ribbon around Natsume’s arm.

The Pixie Plate lay silent in the backpack, radiating with treasure-like brilliance.

Rainbow Wing: Σ(っ °Д °;)っ

Uh oh... There’s a new rival again!

……

Leaving the altar.

Natsume met up with Steven and the others.

“What just happened?” Diancie asked, sensing a shift in the Fairy Aura.

Natsume briefly explained about Xerneas falling asleep.

Bonnie cradled Dedenne, hiding her face. “That’s such a shame...”

Clemont smiled. “It’s just part of the cycle!”

Princess Diancie’s pure eyes shimmered. She breathed out, turned, and smiled:

“I invite everyone to come visit the Land of Ores!”

“That’s amazing!” Ash cheered.

Steven’s body jolted.

Visit the Land of Ores?

Hanging at Natsume’s waist, the Dusk Ball began shaking violently.

"Tyranitar... (〃ω〃)"

Visit the Land of Ores!

Natsume: “……”

Inviting Steven and Tyranitar over... That might spell the end for the kingdom...

Sylveon’s newly-learned Geomancy and Tyranitar’s Precipice Blades—Natsume planned to hone them both after reaching Touran’s Victory Road.

After all, Natsume had absolute faith in Touran’s infrastructure and high-tech prowess!

“Diancie, open up a vein to Lumiose City! Then Dedenne and I can come play with you anytime!” Bonnie giggled.

“No problem,” Diancie replied with a soft smile.

For Diancie, master of all diamond creation, opening veins could be tricky, but it was mostly a breeze.

“Best if it’s a real diamond mine,” Natsume quipped.

Whether it’s for mining or not, the most important thing is being able to hang out with Diancie!

"I’ll come visit Lumiose City often, Mr. Natsume~" Diancie beamed.

Natsume was about to reply.

“You’re always welcome!” Steven interrupted.

Have some self-control, Steven!

Natsume turned to look at AZ and his eternal flower.

King AZ was completely calm. “I’m planning to try being a Trainer with Floette.”

“If you have questions, you can always come to the café in Lumiose City.”

Natsume grinned. “Just find Gengar—he’ll teach you the ropes.”

"Gengar!" Gengar let out a mischievous giggle.

AZ’s gaze was warm, his lips curling to a smile. “Thank you, Natsume-sensei.”

“Not going to battle me now?” Natsume teased.

“No need—admitting defeat is much faster,” AZ replied honestly.

AZ planned to travel across the Kalos Region with his eternal flower.

Just like N and his Zekrom.

There would surely be new sights, new Pokémon and Trainer bonds, and countless fresh stories ahead of them.

Natsume was overjoyed.

He’d always empathized with these two from the original story, and seeing them make up for their regrets filled him with genuine joy.

Looking back one more time at Allearth Forest, Natsume turned with a smile:

“Let’s go. Back to Lumiose City—I’ll treat you all to a big feast!”

……

The conclusion of the event.

The perfect moment for a movie ending BGM.

Xerneas’s Fairy Aura breathed life back into Allearth Forest; Pokémon awakened everywhere, rubbing their sleepy eyes.

Princess Diancie passed through a rainbow-hung waterfall to return to the Land of Ores, where she created an immense Holy Diamond.

The Carbinks gathered around Princess Diancie, who hid her smile behind her hand, celebrating joyfully; Master Diamond wiped tears from his eyes.

The Team Rocket Trio made their way back to face Giovanni. When Giovanni slapped the sofa, their shoulders jolted—they apologized in tears.

Out the door, the Trio glanced at Bill’s reminder alert, then were stunned by the astronomical sum that had suddenly been credited to them.

The sender’s avatar was a Gengar pulling down its eyelid and sticking out its tongue.

AZ carried the eternal flower on his shoulder, silhouette walking toward the setting sun, waving back at Natsume and the others.

Natsume smiled slighty and nodded in return.

At the victory banquet in Lumiose City, Princess Diancie dabbed her mouth with a handkerchief, eyes curling into crescent moons as she watched everyone scramble for food.

Ash and Clemont ate ravenously; Steven sat with refined grace, knife and fork in hand;

Next to Steven, equally elegant, Sirfetch'd sat with him: “Sirfetch’d…”

Bonnie balanced a plate on her head, another in each hand, delivering freshly baked Poké Puffs.

Serena appeared in a waitress outfit for the occasion, cheeks pink as she twirled in front of everyone.

Ash blinked, for once actually scratching his cheek in embarrassment.

Natsume leaned back, both hands on his head—on his left, Gengar raised a microphone; on his right, Sylveon glared fiercely.

Ding dong—

“I’ll get the door!” Natsume darted up.

Outside, the night was awash in gentle shadow.

Dressed all in black, Cynthia stood with arms folded, hand at her chin, surprised:

“Did I come at a bad time?”

“You’re just in time!” Natsume replied, taking Cynthia’s hand.