Pokémon: Raising Abandoned Pokémon into Legends

Diancie used Sacred Diamond first, then Cotton Guard. Moments later, a massive pink diamond materialized in the air. After forming the diamond, Cotton Guard encased Diancie in vine armor, then layered over the Sacred Diamond—greatly enhancing its defenses.

Just then, Zygarde—still being ganged up on—used one of its signature moves, Thousand Arrows. Green arrow-shaped beams burst from the ground, shooting toward the gathered legendaries in the sky.

"Everyone, get behind Diancie! Let it block this attack!" Rio shouted.

Hearing Rio’s command, Dialga and the others exchanged uncertain glances—but they obeyed. After all, Rio was their trainer, and if they didn’t listen, they might lose their future gang-beating privileges. So, under the watchful eyes of Team Flare and the three Champions, the legendaries lined up single-file behind Diancie like chicks hiding behind their mother hen. It was a comical sight.

But the comedy turned to awe when Diancie’s Sacred Diamond, reinforced with Cotton Guard, successfully blocked Thousand Arrows. Arrow after arrow struck the massive pink diamond—it didn’t shatter. The vines frayed, and the diamond cracked slightly, but it held.

Dialga, Palkia, and Yveltal were stunned. They couldn’t block Zygarde’s attacks one-on-one—yet this small Diancie had done it. Charizard, Mewtwo, and Gengar, however, understood immediately. Simple: Diancie had just received a power boost from Rio.

Even Zygarde—or rather, Z2 controlling its body—was shocked. After Diancie blocked Thousand Arrows, it raised its right arm and fired a Dragon Pulse. A massive dragon-shaped energy blast shot from its cannon-like hand.

"Don’t let your guard down, Diancie—Zygarde’s Dragon Pulse is strong. It even overpowered Yveltal’s Oblivion Wing earlier." Rio warned.

"Understood—I won’t slack off." Diancie nodded seriously, its gaze locked on Zygarde. Its body glowed as it repaired the diamond’s cracks and restored the worn vines.

"Hey! Don’t twist the truth! I was caught off guard—if it were a real contest of moves, my Oblivion Wing would beat Zygarde’s Dragon Pulse any day!" Yveltal flapped its wings in protest, but Rio and Diancie ignored it.

Moments later, Zygarde’s Dragon Pulse struck Diancie’s Sacred Diamond—and once again, it held. The diamond cracked further, but it didn’t shatter.

"Great job, Diancie—you’re amazing!" Rio praised.

[Diancie’s friendship has increased]

[Friendship: 61 (0 → 61) ]

Diancie’s face lit up—it had blocked another attack. "I did it! I blocked Zygarde’s attack again!" it said excitedly.

"Don’t get too cocky, little one—I’m serious now! I’m really serious!" Z2, controlling complete Zygarde, was furious. It had already been humiliated by being ganged up on—now even a lesser legendary was using it for practice. Was every Pokémon going to use Zygarde as a punching bag?

"Die—all of you!" Z2 roared, unleashing its strongest signature move, Core Enforcer. A brilliant beam burst from its chest, instantly striking Diancie’s Sacred Diamond, cracking it badly.

"Get ready to take over." Rio told Mewtwo, who nodded, preparing to Teleport and block the remaining blast.

"Don’t help me! I can do it—I can hold it!" Diancie shouted, its face determined. It poured energy into the diamond, constantly repairing the cracks. But in the end, it couldn’t hold—the diamond shattered just as the Core Enforcer was about to finish. Mewtwo Teleported in front of Diancie, raising a white barrier that absorbed the remaining blast.

"I’m sorry—I failed." Diancie hung its head in shame.

Rio softened and was about to comfort it—but Mewtwo spoke first: "There’s nothing to be sorry about. You blocked three of Zygarde’s attacks in a row, even most of Core Enforcer. Among everyone here, only me and Charizard have done better. Even Old Ghost couldn’t block half of Core Enforcer earlier—you’re far ahead of it."

Diancie looked at Mewtwo, surprised to receive acknowledgment from the usually aloof Pokémon. Rio just clicked his tongue—Mewtwo had stolen his lines. He could only add: "Mewtwo said exactly what I was going to say."

"Hey! Mewtwo, if you’re going to comfort the girl, don’t drag Old Ghost into it! Try blocking Core Enforcer without Mega Evolution!" Only Old Ghost was unhappy, but Mewtwo ignored it—Zygarde was already following up with Thousand Waves. Mewtwo Teleported to engage, and Charizard followed. Old Ghost abandoned its complaints to join the fight.

"You really did great, Diancie. You almost blocked Zygarde’s strongest move—Xerneas and Yveltal wouldn’t have done as well." Rio continued praising Diancie on the ground.

But Diancie only hummed in acknowledgment, its eyes fixed on the battle. Rio raised an eyebrow, following its gaze. Though seven legendaries were ganging up on Zygarde, he could tell which one Diancie was watching.

"No way..." Rio thought in disbelief. "One save and it’s already captured a heart?"

Ten minutes later, Zygarde was split apart, with Z1 and Z2 separated. Rio knew it was time to end things.

"Alright, everyone—you can go home now." Rio called out. After the Sinnoh Three left, Rio gathered the fallen Z1 and Z2 in his arms, mounted Charizard with Diancie, and prepared to leave.

But before departing, he looked down at Diantha, who wanted to stop him but didn’t dare.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this world will eventually be controlled by me—or rather, by Team Rocket." Rio smirked from Charizard’s back.

"Stop using Rio’s name as a shield! We already know you’re from Team Rocket—you almost slipped up yourself!" Steven shot back.

"Bullshit! I am Rio! I’m not—" Rio caught himself and laughed. "Fine, I’m Team Rocket—I admit it. If you’ve got the guts, come stop us in Unova. Otherwise, just wait for us to take over the world!"

With that, Charizard flew off. Diantha, Steven, and Alder exchanged stunned glances.

"Did you catch that? He admitted to being Team Rocket and said we should go to Unova to stop them!" Diantha looked at Alder.

"He’s saying their base is in Unova?" Steven also turned to Alder.

Alder was shocked. "Team Rocket has been hiding in Unova? And I, as Champion, had no idea!"

"Now’s not the time for anger—Pride comes before a fall. If he’s admitting it, they’re getting overconfident, and that’s our chance." Steven patted Alder’s shoulder. "Alder, you need to start investigating Team Rocket’s location in Unova immediately. If you need help, Diantha and I will assist you. We need to wipe them out completely."

Meanwhile, on a beach in Unova, Team Rocket boss Giovanni was enjoying a rare break, soaking up the sun—until he suddenly sneezed.

"Someone talking about me?" He rubbed his nose, looking around at the three floating Pokémon behind him: the Forces of Nature—Landorus, Thundurus, and Tornadus—all now under Team Rocket’s control. They gave him a great sense of security.

"Just you wait, Rio—once I bring the other dimension’s Team Rocket here, I’ll settle the score." Giovanni muttered, then resumed his sunbathing.

Back in Kalos, Rio had landed in a secluded forest with Z1 and Z2. He set them down in the sunlight to recover.

Five minutes later, Z1 and Z2 woke up. "Still want to fight?" Rio asked Z2.

"Rrrrr~" Z2 screeched at him.

"It says you’re a shameless bastard—fight it one-on-one if you dare!" Old Ghost translated.

"Sorry—we don’t do one-on-ones here. Only gang-beatings." Rio smiled. "Z1, didn’t you tell your partner?"

"Rrrrr~" Z1 called out.

"It says it did, but Z2 wouldn’t listen—it called Z1 a coward for obeying a human." Old Ghost translated.

"So, Z2—want another round?" Rio clenched his fist. Z2 fell silent. Rio smiled and continued: "Z2, you only have one option now: join Z1 as my Pokémon. And like Z1, you’ll have your freedom—you can go wherever you want."

Z2 looked at him, and Z1 kept urging it to be smart—it didn’t want to get dragged into another beating. Finally, Z2 bowed its head. Rio tossed a Luxury Ball, capturing Z2. After three shakes, it was done.

"Alright, you’re free to go." Rio released Z2, upholding his promise. Z2 looked at him, then at Z1, and tentatively hopped away. When Rio didn’t follow, it let out an exasperated cry: "Rrrrr~" — So I took all that beating for nothing?

"Aren’t you leaving, Z1?" Rio asked, seeing Z1 still there.

"Rrrrr~"

"It says it’ll leave once Z2 is completely out of sight—it’s going in the opposite direction so they don’t run into each other." Old Ghost translated.

Rio smiled and shrugged, then turned to Diancie. With all his targets in Kalos captured, it was time to head to Paldea.

"Diancie, I’m leaving the Kalos region now." Diancie’s face fell. "It’s okay—we’ll see each other again. If you miss me, send word through your subjects to Kanto." He patted its head. "Before I go, let’s have one last meal together—I’ll release Mewtwo, Charizard, and Gengar."