Two days later—
the final day of March.
Behind the ranch, in the deepest part of the mountain cave.
Before Hayato Sora stretched a vast underground chamber. The cave walls were embedded with glowing minerals, illuminating the entire space.
But compared to the brilliance radiating from the pink diamond formed by Diancie, their light was like fireflies competing with the moon.
In just two days, the Carbink had transformed this place into an environment suitable for Diancie's metamorphosis.
It showed just how hard they had worked—operating in shifts twenty-four hours a day, simply to create a comfortable space for Diancie.
Below this location lay the deep crust of the earth.
The dense Rock-type energy in the surroundings acted as the perfect catalyst.
After observing for a while without noticing anything special, Hayato Sora turned to the elder Carbink beside him.
"How long will Diancie's metamorphosis last?"
"Mimi~"
The elder Carbink shook its head.
"I'm not sure."
"I've already sent some Carbink to find the Diamond Minister. When he was young, he once raised a Diancie."
"I see."
Hayato Sora gently touched the pink diamond again.
The system panel remained unchanged—no new information appeared.
He suspected that some conditions were still missing.
Diancie was a Rock/Fairy-type Pokémon.
Its transformation should logically require energy from both attributes.
The Rock-type energy was already abundant.
What was missing was Fairy-type energy.
Hayato Sora's gaze shifted toward the Carbink working busily around the cave.
It seemed they still needed to expand the Carbink colony.
After sharing his theory with the elder Carbink, the elder agreed.
It quickly gathered all the Carbink to attempt something.
Led by the elder Carbink, the entire group used a Fairy-type move they had learned through tutoring—
Misty Explosion.
A faint pink mist spread throughout the cave.
Standing beside Diancie, Hayato Sora was the first to notice the change.
The previously steady glow from the diamond began to pulse like breathing, alternating between bright and dim.
Gradually, Diancie seemed to establish a mysterious connection with the surrounding earth and the Carbink.
Hayato Sora touched it again and checked the system panel.
[Diancie (Mutating): Current Progress 1%]
"So that's it," Hayato Sora thought.
Ordinary Pokémon needed to accumulate energy to evolve.
Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon required massive energy reserves—like Tyranitar during the beach festival evolution.
For a Legendary or Mythical Pokémon, the energy required would only be even greater—possibly overwhelming in scale.
Now that they had found a workable method, both Hayato Sora and the Carbink were delighted.
After observing for a bit longer and confirming there were no issues, Hayato Sora prepared to leave.
"Carbink, today I'll be leaving for about a week with the ranch Pokémon."
"Later, Pyroar will come here. If anything happens, you can ask Pyroar for help."
"I'll inform Pyroar as well," Hayato Sora added.
Then, to make sure they took it seriously, he said:
"You wouldn't want anything to affect Diancie, right?"
"Mimi!"
The Carbink nodded earnestly.
Absolute loyalty!
After saying goodbye to the Carbink for now, Hayato Sora went to find Noivern.
It was lazily sleeping atop a pile of glittering gemstones.
All of them had been gathered and gifted by the Carbink.
One share for Diancie—
one share for Noivern.
Hayato Sora looked around but didn't see the two Noibat.
"Where are the other two little guys? Call them—we're about to leave."
"Rooo!"
Noivern rubbed its head against Hayato Sora and released ultrasonic waves from its massive ears.
Soon enough, the two Noibat flew out from the tunnel.
They had practically gone crazy trying to evolve, searching for Sableye every single day.
Hayato Sora recalled them into their Poké Balls and walked out of the cave with Noivern.
Once back at the ranch, he shouted loudly.
Across the riverbank, Cinccino and the others ran back.
"Chii?"
(Are we leaving now?)
Catching the Cinccino that leaped toward him, Hayato Sora gently squeezed its ears.
"The time's about right. Go pack the things you want to bring."
"Chii!"
Cinccino immediately jumped down and dragged Morpeko into the house.
Meowth, Flabébé, Mareep, and the others did the same.
They packed their belongings into the Spatial Satchels Hayato Sora had prepared for them.
Just then, Cyclizar came running from the chicken coop.
It was carrying a large chicken cage.
"Gaaao~"
"Living creatures can't be stored in the Spatial Satchel," Hayato Sora explained.
"Gaaao!"
Cyclizar had raised the chickens for a long time and was reluctant to leave them.
Hayato Sora smiled.
"Don't worry about the chickens. I already arranged things with Denzel. They'll stay temporarily at his ranch."
"We'll pick them up when we return in a week."
Hearing that everything had been arranged, Cyclizar immediately brightened up.
It set down the cage and rushed toward the house.
It had things to pack too.
With some time still left, Hayato Sora walked to the lake.
Beneath the water, faint greenery had begun to appear.
The lotus seeds planted earlier were finally sprouting.
"Relicanth, are you sure you don't want to come with us?"
Hayato Sora stroked the Veluza swimming beside him and called toward the lakebed.
"Bloop…"
Relicanth responded sluggishly.
Right now, it only wanted to stay in one place and not move at all.
Seeing this, Hayato Sora returned Veluza to its Poké Ball.
He then walked toward the nearby stable.
Mudsdale had already packed Mud Cookies and various snacks, worried it wouldn't be able to find them wherever they were going.
After confirming everything was ready, Hayato Sora recalled them into their Poké Balls one by one.
He didn't forget the five little Mareep in Sheep Village either.
Aside from necessary food and snacks, they didn't have much to pack.
By the time Hayato Sora returned to the front of the ranch house, a long string of Poké Balls hung from his waist.
Fortunately, Poké Balls could shrink automatically.
Otherwise it would be difficult to carry more than twenty Pokémon from the ranch.
Once the Pokémon had finished packing, the male Pyroar hurried over.
The moment he arrived at the ranch, he collapsed onto the grass, panting heavily.
His hind legs trembled weakly—he looked completely drained.
Female lions… were terrifying.
It was only a week apart—did they really have to be that enthusiastic?
"Thanks for your hard work, Pyroar," Hayato Sora said.
"When I come back, I'll cook you a dish that can restore your masculine vigor. It'll definitely improve your standing in the family."
"Roar…"
Pyroar barely responded.
He didn't even have the strength to speak.
Hayato Sora chatted with Pyroar for a while and asked Noivern to call the elder Carbink over to explain things.
Only then were all his preparations finally complete.
"Cyclizar, all of you return to your Poké Balls for now. I'll let you out when we arrive."
Beams of red light flashed.
The Pokémon were recalled one after another.
Kangaskhan was included as well, entering the Poké Ball hanging around Hayato Sora's neck.
The entire ranch suddenly felt empty.
Only Noivern remained beside Hayato Sora.
Well—almost.
There was also an egg.
Hayato Sora strapped it to his chest.
Everyone else might be going on vacation, but he definitely couldn't forget this little one.
More importantly—
The system panel showed this information:
[Manaphy Egg – Time Until Hatching: 5 Days 15 Hours…]
That's right.
The egg would hatch very soon.
They had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
After saying final goodbyes to Pyroar and the Carbink, Hayato Sora climbed onto Noivern.
Noivern grabbed the chicken cage.
First, they flew to the Miltank Ranch to deliver the chickens.
Once that was done, Noivern soared into the clouds and flew at top speed toward Lumiose City.
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