Pokémon: Raising Abandoned Pokémon into Legends

"That’s right—what about the Kanto League? If I leave, what happens if Kanto gets attacked again?" Zoroark-as-Rio said, looking troubled. "Sorry, Diantha—I might not be able to go."

"That’s perfectly fine, Mr. Rio. Your willingness to help already means a lot to Kalos. As the Kanto Champion, it’s only right that you prioritize your own region’s interests." Diantha said, seeing no issue with his reluctance.

"Steven and I can head there instead." Diantha added.

"Exactly." Steven nodded in agreement.

"If that’s the case, I could stay here and help protect Kanto," Alder offered.

"No, no—you three should head to Kalos immediately. That region needs you more right now. I’ll stay here just in case." Zoroark quickly declined.

Diantha, Steven, and Alder exchanged glances, nodded, and left to assist Kalos. Zoroark watched them go, a small smile curling at the corner of its mouth. Then it turned to Serīna.

"Woman, your reminder was spot on. If you hadn’t said anything, I might have forgotten—if I left and Kanto got attacked again, we’d be in real trouble." Zoroark-as-Rio patted Serīna on the shoulder.

Truthfully, even without Serīna’s reminder, it would have found a way to avoid going to Kalos. Its earlier enthusiasm had been for show. But Serīna’s warning made its excuse even more convincing.

"I’m just doing my job, Mr. Rio." Serīna blushed.

Back in Kalos’s Orus Forest, Xerneas and Yveltal were in a miserable state. Each was being ganged up on by four Pokémon—unable to escape, unable to fight back. Gengar’s Shadow Ball, Kyurem’s Dragon Claw, Charizard’s Fire Blast, and Dialga’s Aura Sphere all rained down on Xerneas, who could only cry out in pain. It tried to escape, but the four blocked all directions, leaving it with no choice but to endure the beating.

Yveltal, in the sky, was faring no better. Giratina’s Dragon Tail, Mewtwo’s Aura Sphere, Palkia’s Aura Sphere, and Zekrom’s Thunderbolt all struck it without mercy. When Yveltal tried to use its divine move, Oblivion Wing—a powerful move that drained life and petrified its victims—it was immediately countered by Zekrom or Palkia using their own divine moves. That left Yveltal open to attacks from Giratina and Mewtwo.

Unlike Xerneas, Yveltal had wings and could fly, giving it a chance to escape. But no matter how fast it flew, it couldn’t outpace Mewtwo’s Teleport. Every time it thought it had escaped, Mewtwo would appear above it and blast it down with a dark Aura Sphere—followed by a barrage from Giratina and the others.

Watching Xerneas and Yveltal getting pummeled, Rio smiled. Z1, the Zygarde core cell in his bag, had long since poked its head out, staring in shock at the scene. It never imagined that its two "little brothers" would one day end up in such a pitiful state. Even when it had fought them, it hadn’t been this brutal. After watching for a while, Z1 nervously glanced at Rio—would he have its legendary minions gang up on it once it reached its complete form?

Rio noticed Z1’s gaze but didn’t respond. Instead, he looked down at the Carbink Great Elder Dai and said: "So—do you still think I was being reckless or suicidal for challenging Xerneas and Yveltal?"

The Great Elder didn’t answer. It was too stunned to speak. After a long pause, it finally said: "You’re incredible. I was mistaken. The Princess’s Fairy Aura is in your hands."

"Don’t worry—I told you, I’ll make sure Diancie gets the Fairy Aura and masters the Sacred Diamond." Rio smiled.

[Diancie’s friendship has increased]

[Friendship: 17 (0 → 17) ]

Hearing the notification, Rio’s smile widened. In such a short time, Diancie’s friendship had already reached 17 points. If he added the 30 points from catching it in a Poké Ball, it would only need 13 more points to unlock its first reward. His gaze settled on Diancie.

"What’s wrong, Rio?" Diancie asked, noticing his stare.

Rio didn’t answer—he just kept looking at her warmly.

[Diancie’s friendship has increased]

[Friendship: 18 (0 → 18) ]

Diancie grew shy under his gaze. "Is there something on my face?" She touched her cheeks.

"I was thinking... Diancie, how would you like to become my Pokémon?" Rio suddenly asked.

Diancie’s expression froze. She had just been about to ask the Great Elder if there was something on her face—but now she stared at Rio in disbelief. She never expected him to suggest that.

"Kid, what are you doing?! Don’t even dream about it! Our Princess isn’t going anywhere—she’s the ruler of the kingdom, with thousands of subjects waiting for her leadership!" Before Diancie could respond, the Great Elder Dai rushed to her defense.

[Diancie’s friendship has increased]

[Friendship: 20 (0 → 20) ]

Rio smiled at the notification—he could tell Diancie was a little tempted.

"What are you smiling at?! The Princess is not going with you!" The Great Elder shot Rio a suspicious look, stepping protectively in front of Diancie.

"Dai, I—"

"Princess, don’t worry! This guy might be strong, but we won’t let him force you to leave. Even if it costs us our lives, we’ll protect you!" The Great Elder cut her off.

"That’s right, Princess! We’d give our lives to keep you safe!" The three Carbink guards also stepped forward, their leader glaring at Rio.

"I never expected you to be such a bastard! You’ve been traveling with us all this time just to take the Princess away?! Damn humans!" The lead guard shouted.

Rio raised an eyebrow at their anger. "You’ve all misunderstood me. I said I want Diancie to become my Pokémon—but I never said I’d take her away. I just want to capture her in a Poké Ball and release her. She can stay in the kingdom and continue to rule."

The angry Carbink paused, staring at him in confusion.

"What do you mean? Capture the Princess but not take her away?" The Great Elder squinted.

"Exactly. Just a quick capture and release—I don’t take her anywhere. She stays here, leading you all." Rio shrugged.

"Then why do you want to catch me at all?" Before the Great Elder could ask, Diancie spoke up.

"Simple—to protect you from other trainers who might try to capture you. And if your kingdom ever faces a crisis, I can come here as Diancie’s trainer and help you out. See? I’m doing this for your own good. Isn’t that right, Elder Dai? You should thank me." Rio smiled.

[Diancie’s friendship has decreased]

[Friendship: 19 (0 → 19) ]

Rio: "..."

"I was wrong about you, kid—you really do have good intentions. If that’s the case, I don’t mind the Princess entering your Poké Ball." The Great Elder’s attitude did a complete 180.

"We’re sorry—thank you!" The three Carbink guards also apologized, their opinion of Rio improving.

Only Diancie looked at Rio with a hint of displeasure.

"So you’re all okay with me capturing your Princess?" Rio asked.

"Go right ahead." The Great Elder quickly stepped behind Diancie.

"Go ahead, go ahead." The three guards also retreated, leaving Diancie exposed.

"Diancie, would you like to become my Pokémon?" Rio smiled at her.

"No! I don’t want to be your Pokémon!" Diancie shook her head.

The Great Elder immediately protested. "Princess, why not?! You won’t lose your freedom, and he can protect us! Look—even the legendary Xerneas and Yveltal are getting beaten because of him. If you join him, we’ll always have someone to turn to for help! Don’t miss this opportunity—it’s a win-win!"

"No! I don’t want to be caught and then left behind—that would just be charity! I refuse!" Diancie turned away, acting like a spoiled princess.

"Oh, my Princess—this is no time to be stubborn! You need to seize this chance! Look at Xerneas—look how badly it’s being beaten!" The Great Elder hopped in front of Diancie, pleading frantically.

As it pleaded, Xerneas was crying out in surrender—but it was only using cries, not telepathy aimed at Rio. And since Rio couldn’t understand Pokémon cries, Dialga, Kyurem, and the others pretended not to hear. Kyurem even shouted:

"Kyurem~!" — What’s that? I can’t hear you!

Then it sent Xerneas flying into a tree with Dragon Claw. "Dialga~!" — Yeah, what are you saying? I don’t understand a word!

Dialga followed up with Dragon Tail.

Back with Rio, seeing Diancie grow even more defiant under the Great Elder’s pleas, he decided to take matters into his own hands. After having the Great Elder and the guards step aside, Rio crouched down and said:

"Little Diancie, I know what you’re thinking. There’s another benefit to becoming my Pokémon—you can come find me and play whenever you want. If the Great Elder says it’s dangerous outside, you can just say I’ll protect you. What excuse could it possibly give to keep you locked up then?"

Diancie’s stubborn expression softened—she looked interested.

"That’s true... If I become your Pokémon, I can ask you to take me out to see the world, and the Great Elder won’t have to worry about my safety." Diancie’s voice echoed in Rio’s mind.

"Exactly. So now, will you become my Pokémon? So we can explore the world together?" Rio smiled.

[Diancie’s friendship has increased]

[Friendship: 20 (0 → 20) ]

"Yes!" Diancie nodded eagerly.

"I’m honored to be your trainer, Diancie." Rio smiled, pulling out a new Luxury Ball.

"I’m honored to be your Pokémon, Rio." Diancie returned his smile and reached out to touch the ball’s button. A flash of light—she was drawn in.

"How did you convince her?!" The Great Elder and the guards rushed over, staring at Rio in shock.

"Secret." Rio watched the Luxury Ball shake in his hand.

"Secret?" The Great Elder looked suspiciously at Rio, then at the ball. After three shakes, it clicked—capture successful. Rio released Diancie immediately. Her level information showed that her friendship had risen from 20 to 50—only 10 points away from unlocking the first-level reward.

"Princess, what did he say to you?! How did he change your mind?" The Great Elder pressed Diancie the moment she appeared.

"Secret." Diancie giggled.

The Great Elder looked suspiciously from Diancie to Rio, trying to figure out what had happened.

Just then, Xerneas, having endured enough, finally directed its pleas for mercy toward Rio.