Pokémon: No Way! The Golden Finger Only Comes When I'm About To Die!?

"Let's go," said Dace.

Ash and the group nodded and walking into the forest with Diancie.

Oinkologne and Charcadet showed none of the heavy mood that burdened Ash's group and Diancie. They cheerfully led the way, occasionally pausing to look for special ingredients, as if they were on a sightseeing trip.

Unlike their last visit, the forest was now brimming with vitality. The trees stood tall and lush, and the vegetation flourished.

Diancie and the others saw many Pokémon along the way: Scatterbug leisurely munching on leaves in the treetops, Fletchinder darting swiftly between the trees, and Bunnelby darting through the grass in a flash.

Dace remarked, "The forest has come back to life."

While Ash's group ventured into the forest, Team Rocket followed suit in their hot air balloon.

"This is the forest they call the Forbidden Place?" James said, holding a map. "It feels a little scary."

The ever-bold Jessie snatched the map from James's hands. "What's there to be afraid of? We'll be fine as long as we catch Diancie! Once we do that, we'll never have to worry about anything again!"

Lost in her fantasy, Jessie wore a dreamy expression.

"Exactly! Why be scared? Following the twerps means nothing can go wrong!" Meowth chimed in, agreeing with Jessie.

Unnoticed, they all ventured deeper into the forest.

At a hillside, Ash and the others were suddenly stopped by a Pokémon standing in their path.

Seeing this Pokémon, Oinkologne and Charcadet were thrilled.

"Oinkologne~~"

Xerneas!

"Oinkologne~~"

It's Xerneas!

"Charcadet~~"

Friend!

"Charcadet~~"

Good friend!

The four Pokémon rushed to Xerneas's side.

"Charcadet~~"

Xerneas, did you come to see us?

The two Charcadet hugged Xerneas's forelegs, one on each side.

The two Oinkologne stood side by side before Xerneas, looking at it expectantly.

"Yes, my friends."

Xerneas's gentle voice echoed in the hearts of the four Pokémon. Lowering its head, it lightly touched each of their cheeks with its forehead.

Xerneas had sensed Charcadet and Oinkologne's arrival and revealed itself willingly.

Xerneas's sudden appearance brought immense joy to Ash's group and Diancie.

"Xerneas!"

Diancie stepped forward nervously.

Xerneas turned its gaze to Diancie and spoke to it.

"I know you've been following my path and seeking something. Now… I shall grant your wish!"

With that, Xerneas's body radiated green light, scattering colorful particles into the air.

This was the power of the Fairy Aura.

The aura also enveloped Ash and his friends. Feeling the immense power contained within the Fairy Aura, they couldn't help but be amazed.

"So warm!" Serena said involuntarily.

"I feel like my whole body is brimming with energy," Ash exclaimed, clenching his fists.

"So comfortable, so relaxing!" Bonnie said with her eyes closed, savoring the sensation.

When the light finally faded, Xerneas turned to Diancie and said the same thing it had told Angie Diancie before.

"Remember, the power to nurture life comes from within you!"

After speaking, Xerneas lowered its gaze to the Oinkologne and Charcadet standing on either side of it and asked, "Will you come with me?"

"Oinkologne~"

"Charcadet~"

The four Pokémon nodded eagerly. Of course, they would go with their good friend. They had fulfilled their promise to help Diancie find Xerneas; now their role was complete.

With that, the two Charcadet climbed onto the backs of the Oinkologne. Together, they followed Xerneas and disappeared from Ash, Diancie, and the others' sight.

"They're gone!" Bonnie said.

"It feels like a dream," Serena said, somewhat dazed.

Ash, brimming with excitement, bounded to Diancie's side. "Diancie, have you mastered the Fairy Aura? Can you create the Sacred Diamond now?"

Dace and the three Carbink servants surrounded her, their faces full of anticipation.

"Princess!"

"Princess!"

Diancie who is uncertain, replied, "I don't know. Let me try!"

Ash nodded enthusiastically. "Go ahead, try it!"

As Diancie stretched out her hands, preparing to see if she could create the Holy Diamond, a shadow suddenly darted toward her, grabbing her and fleeing into the distance.

"Princess!" Dace cried out in panic.

When Ash and the others got a clear look at the figure, they realized it was a Greninja.

Right after, a man dressed in a ninja outfit appeared beside the Greninja.

"It's you!" Ash shouted in anger.

The one who had abducted Diancie was none other than the infamous thief, Riot, who had been relentlessly pursuing her.

"Diancie is mine now," Riot declared.

As he spoke, two Ninjask appeared, holding ropes. Riot and Greninja, with Diancie in their grasp, grabbed onto the ropes and flew away.

"After them!" Ash yelled.

With that, he, Clemont, Serena, and Bonnie, accompanied by the four Carbink, gave chase.

In their pursuit, Riot flew deeper into the forest. Unknowingly, he arrived at a desolate area.

The place was barren, with no grass growing and dead trees everywhere.

If the Oinkologne and Charcadet had been there, they would have realized it was the very place Xerneas had warned them not to approach.

To escape Ash and the others, Riot entered an underground cavern.

The cavern was dimly lit, with a pool of water at its center. Riot hid behind a rock near the pool.

Diancie, anxious, pleaded, "Is it diamonds you want? I can give them to you. But please let me go! My Diamond Domain and my people are waiting for me to save them. I beg you."

But Riot ignored Diancie's plea.

At that moment, a Yanmega flew into the cavern. Its tail lightly tapped the surface of the pool.

The next second, roaring flames erupted from the depths of the cave. Fortunately, Greninja reacted quickly, pulling Riot to safety, narrowly avoiding the fiery attack.

A woman clad in a red magic robe emerged with a Delphox by her side—it was none other than Merilyn, another thief who had been relentlessly pursuing Diancie.

Yanmega swiftly seized Diancie and carried it over to Merilyn. It turned out Yanmega was Merilyn's Pokémon.

"Merilyn!" Riot snarled through clenched teeth.

Merilyn holding onto Diancie, ascended into the air with Yanmega. Hovering midair, she smirked at Riot and teased, "Riot, you look so~ dashing when you're angry."

However, before Merilyn could exit the cave, Riot's two Ninjasks appeared above her. Each launched a Shadow Ball, striking both Merilyn and Yanmega.

Merilyn along with Diancie, plummeted into the pool below.

At the same time, Delphox unleashed another attack on Riot and Greninja, forcing them into the water as well.

What neither Merilyn nor Riot noticed was that as they splashed into the pool, a dark force began to stain the water a deep crimson. Meanwhile, a black cocoon lying dormant at the bottom of the pool started to rise.

Hearing the commotion, Ash arrived at the cave entrance and shouted toward Diancie,

"Diancie! Are you okay?"

Diancie shook its head. "I'm fine!"

It struggled, trying to pull itself away from Merilyn, but Merilyn held on tightly, giving it no chance to escape.

Ash yelled, "Diancie, hold on! I'm coming to save you!"

Releasing Hawlucha, Ash had it glide down into the cave, carrying him. Once in the pool, Ash grabbed Diancie's free hand and managed to wrest it from Merilyn's grip.

However, Ash failed to notice that as he entered the water, the crimson-stained pool began to darken further, slowly shifting to an ominous black hue.

"Diancie, let's get out of here!" Ash declared, cradling Diancie in his arms. With Hawlucha's assistance, they began to ascend.

But just then, a Shadow Ball materialized from thin air, striking Hawlucha and causing Ash and his Pokémon to fall back into the water.

At that moment, Diancie was snatched by a mechanical arm.

"Nyahahaha~" Jessie, James, and Meowth appeared at the cave entrance, their sinister laughter echoing.

It was Team Rocket.

Hovering near Jessie was a Pumpkaboo, the very Pokémon responsible for the earlier Shadow Ball attack.

"We'll be taking Diancie now," Jessie declared smugly.

Riot growled, "Think you can get away? Not a chance!"

Merilyn snapped, "Leave Diancie here!"

Simultaneously, Delphox and Greninja attacked Team Rocket with Flamethrower and Water Shuriken, striking the balloon they were using. The balloon burst, sending Jessie, James, and Meowth plummeting into the water.

Diancie wasn't spared from the fall either.

As everyone hit the water, the pool darkened entirely to an eerie black.

James stared blankly at the water. "Hey, guys, doesn't this water look...off to you?"

Jessie hesitated. "Now that you mention it, something does feel strange. What's going on?"

Thanks to James' observation, Ash, Riot, and Merilyn finally noticed the abnormality as well.

Ripples spread across the water's surface, and moments later, a black cocoon floated up from the depths.

Serena, Clemont, Bonnie, and the Carbink finally arrived at the cave, just in time to witness the eerie sight.

Dace leaned over the cave entrance, his face filled with terror, shouting to Ash and Diancie, "Your Highness, hurry up and leave at once! That's the Cocoon of Destruction!"

Hearing this, Ash and Diancie's expressions changed drastically, while Team Rocket, Riot, and Merilyn looked utterly confused.

"Anyone who disturbs the slumber of the Cocoon of Destruction will face its wrath!" Dace yelled.

Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie, equally alarmed, urged Ash and Diancie to escape. Upon hearing this, Ash immediately grabbed Diancie and started running toward the shore.

Even at such a moment, the ignorant Merilyn and Riot were still scheming to capture Diancie.

Team Rocket, sensing danger, quickly used a rope to climb out of the cave.

Merilyn riding her Yanmega, suddenly swooped down, grabbing Diancie while Ash wasn't paying attention, attempting to fly away.

But Riot wasn't about to let her succeed. He ordered Greninja to knock Merilyn down.

Merilyn crashed into the water again, creating a massive splash in the pool.

Finally, with a deafening roar, the black cocoon rose into the air, glowing brilliantly before transforming into an enormous bird-like Pokémon.

This Pokémon had an imposing presence, its expression ice-cold and emotionless. Its body was mainly black and red, with two curved horns on its head. Its wide wings and long tail bore claw-like feathers, and its talons resembled sharp, powerful eagle claws.

"Yveltal!" Dace cried.

Indeed, this Pokémon was the embodiment of destruction—Yveltal!

Yveltal lightly flapped its wings, its icy gaze sweeping over everyone present, humans and Pokémon alike.

"So, this is Yveltal…" Ash murmured, awe-struck.

Seizing the opportunity, the greedy Riot grabbed Diancie, commanding his two Ninjask to carry him out of the cave.

Seeing this, Merilyn pursued them on her Yanmega.

Neither realized the gravity of the situation they were in.

"Yveltal~!"

Finally, Yveltal let out a fierce cry, flapping its wings as it flew out of the cave and into the sky.

"Diancie!"

Ash called out urgently, and with the help of Hawlucha, he chased after Riot.

Just as Ash exited the cave, he saw Yveltal unleash its attack on Riot.

A black energy beam swept across the area under Yveltal's control. Everything touched by the beam lost its vitality, turning gray and lifeless.

This was the overwhelming power of the God of Death and Destruction. It drained the life force from all it touched.

As the black energy beam approached, Riot, knowing he couldn't resist it, instinctively closed his eyes.

Fortunately, Greninja and the two Ninjask leapt in front of Riot, shielding him from Yveltal's attack.

When the beam dissipated, Greninja and the two Ninjask had turned into gray statues, devoid of life.

"Greninja! Ninjask!" Riot cried out in anguish.

Seizing the moment, Diancie broke free from Riot and ran away. Riot, overcome with grief, couldn't even chase after her.

But Diancie didn't get far before Merilyn caught up to her again, trying to take her away from the forest.

Unbeknownst to Merilyn, Yveltal had now set its sights on her.

Another black energy beam struck down without warning.

At that moment, Merilyn's Delphox appeared, waving its wand to create a fiery barrier against the incoming attack.

But how could it possibly withstand Yveltal's power?

A massive explosion ensued, and both Delphox and Yanmega were turned into gray statues.

"Delphox! Yanmega!" Merilyn exclaimed in terror.

Yveltal launched another attack, leaving Merilyn and Diancie scrambling to escape in different directions.

Before long, Merilyn crossed paths with Riot, who was also fleeing for his life.

Merilyn cried out, "What is this Pokémon? It's terrifying!"

Riot gave a bitter smile. "Forget it; just run!"

But before he could finish speaking, Yveltal's beam engulfed them both. In an instant, they lost their vitality, turning into lifeless statues.

Meanwhile, Ash, carrying Pikachu, finally found Diancie. By now, the rampaging Yveltal had begun targeting everything around it.

Large swaths of the forest, along with countless Pokémon, were drained of their life force and turned into statues under its assault.

Dace staring in horror at the devastation, murmured, "The Great Destruction is happening again!"