Chapter 818: Meeting AZ Again
The ability Greninja taught was simply too crucial.
Of course, what was even more crucial was that Cynthia's heart power was peerlessly strong, capable of perfectly unleashing the effects of this ability.
Immune to the influence of shadow energy corruption.
This meant that even if he got injured in the future and shadow energy attached to him, it wouldn't affect Kazuya's combat effectiveness.
For Kazuya.
There was only dying in battle, no corruption.
From today onwards.
The greatest advantage of those magical beasts and Demon Gods would vanish into thin air before Kazuya. They were even inferior to his past rational self.
"What a pity. If only this power could be mastered by more survivors."
Kazuya looked down at his shoulder and sighed.
He could now only feel physical pain; the mental anguish had completely vanished.
He couldn't begin to describe how relieving this feeling was.
"If that were the case, this world might not have ended up like this."
Greninja shook his head.
The threshold for Bond Phenomenon could be considered both high and low.
In fact, as long as the Trainer and Pokémon reach a state of being "of one mind and body," similar to "man and sword as one" in fantasy novels, it was enough.
But throughout history, there were barely any pairs who could achieve this.
The last pair capable of Bond Phenomenon.
Was an ancient hero from the Ninja Village in the Kalos region, a figure from several centuries ago.
After all.
There are no two completely identical individuals in this world.
Even the most synchronized Trainer and Pokémon are different souls and different lives; they have their own thoughts.
There are barely any existences capable of completely understanding each other, identifying with each other, or even becoming each other.
"Let's not talk about this. Thank you for teaching me how to use the power of the heart, Greninja."
"It's nothing. Are you preparing to set off for Lumiose City?"
"Mm. After all, the agreed-upon day is today. I will put my companions in their Heal Balls and head over."
Kazuya nodded and stood up.
He recalled Dragonite and the other two into their Heal Balls, then looked at Greninja.
The latter also stood up, walked to Kazuya's side, and said: "I'll go with you. I intend to talk to AZ about Giratina."
"Alright!"
With Greninja accompanying him all the way.
Even if they ran into Zygarde and Giratina again on the road, they would at least have strong backup.
Their current location was not far from Lumiose City.
After all, Dragonite was heavily injured and suffering from shadow energy corruption, so she couldn't fly too far.
Therefore, Kazuya and Greninja took less than half a day to return to Lumiose City.
When entering Lumiose City.
They were extremely cautious.
Deeply afraid that Zygarde and Giratina were still hiding within Lumiose City.
However.
From the surface.
They couldn't see anything unusual.
They couldn't even tell that a massive battle had taken place here three days ago.
After all, this world refreshed every day. Even if the entire Lumiose City was obliterated yesterday, a brand-new Lumiose City would appear again today.
"I'm not sure about Giratina, but at least Zygarde really isn't here."
Kazuya, hiding in Greninja's shadow, continuously wove through the high-rise buildings of Lumiose City.
To make it easier to focus on sensing.
He handed the task of moving to Greninja.
At this moment.
Within Kazuya's Aura perception range.
He could confirm with absolute certainty that Zygarde was not present; at most, there were some individual Cells.
As for Giratina.
If the other party was hiding in the Reverse World, it would be quite difficult for him to perceive It.
However, Giratina harbored uncontainable killing intent and hatred towards Kazuya. So even if the other party was hiding in the Reverse World, Kazuya would highly likely be able to catch Its gaze.
Right now, he didn't feel that cold gaze.
Which indicated that Giratina was highly likely no longer in the vicinity.
But Kazuya couldn't guarantee it, so he could only say he "wasn't sure".
"He probably really isn't here. I've already taken you around this area three times."
Greninja scratched his head.
He originally intended to go straight to Prism Tower.
But Kazuya was worried about hidden watchers and that going directly would expose Team Flare's location, so he had Greninja circle around more.
"Mm, let's go over then."
"..."
"..."
Greninja finally breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this.
He rapidly approached the direction of Prism Tower, afraid Kazuya would change his mind, and immediately found the hidden door and headed straight down upon entering the interior of Prism Tower.
As a native frog, and even a resident of this city.
Greninja was not unfamiliar with Lumiose City at all.
Not only was he born here.
He also met Ash here.
Moreover.
Prism Tower, as the site of the former Lumiose Gym, was the turf of their travel companion Clemont.
Greninja was naturally quite familiar with the various mechanisms and passages inside Prism Tower.
There was no need for Team Flare to come out and welcome them.
He could lead Kazuya into the underground Team Flare base by himself.
Heading downwards all the way.
Kazuya, hiding in Greninja's shadow, could also see the situation outside.
In an alloy corridor leading underground from Prism Tower.
He frequently saw a few people wearing Team Flare uniforms pass by, presumably the patrol personnel here.
What made Kazuya find it even stranger was...
None of these Team Flare members carried any Poké Balls. Their combat capability seemed to rely entirely on the rifle-like weapons in their hands.
Most likely some kind of black technology left behind by AZ or Lysandre.
This group of patrol personnel didn't seem surprised by Greninja's arrival, allowing him to walk deeper on his own.
"It seems you're a regular here."
Kazuya's voice drifted lightly into Greninja's ears.
"Team Flare monitors the entirety of Kalos and also has contact with other survivor organizations. I can get a lot of information from them."
Greninja nodded.
Continuing downwards.
Kazuya originally thought they would first pass through the shelter zone where ordinary people and Pokémon lived.
However, that wasn't the case.
AZ had established their Team Flare base on the upper level of the shelter, seemingly intending to use it as the shelter's final layer of defense and camouflage.
"Greninja? Didn't you just visit a short while ago?"
AZ was quite surprised when he received the news.
After all, according to his usual pattern.
Greninja basically only appeared once a month, sometimes not even once in two months.
His last visit was just two weeks ago.
Logically speaking, he shouldn't have seen this frog for a long time.
"I brought him."
Greninja, with his arms crossed, glanced at his own shadow.
"Hm?"
AZ looked down, his heart skipping a beat.
Only then did he notice that Greninja's shadow actually had an eye resembling blue flames!
This clearly meant a Ghost-type Pokémon was hiding inside.
And not just an ordinary Ghost-type Pokémon.
It wasn't until AZ's gaze fell upon him.
That Kazuya realized it somewhat belatedly, and then gradually emerged from Greninja's shadow: "I don't know if you've seen my companions. They are Scizor, Lucario, and Cofagrigus. We agreed to meet at Prism Tower today."
Hearing his words.
AZ didn't respond immediately, but instead stared at Kazuya with interest for quite a while.
It wasn't until Kazuya felt a bit creeped out.
That AZ withdrew his gaze and said, "You are Kazuya?"
Come to think of it.
He thought Kazuya was still that Sceptile from back then.
He didn't expect.
That the rebirth Lucario spoke of would actually mean being reborn as a different species?
And a Legendary Pokémon at that, the "God of Nightmares," Darkrai.
"The sense of incongruity is so strong..."
AZ muttered inwardly.
Under the promotional efforts of the Pokémon League in the first world, the former Hero of the Leaves was associated with words like light, fire, hope, and life, having long established a glorious and righteous image in the hearts of all humanity.
But this "God of Nightmares"...
Truly made AZ sweat a little.
"Oh? You know me? Did Lucario tell you?"
Kazuya raised an eyebrow.
He originally thought AZ didn't recognize him.
So he conversed with an attitude of meeting for the first time.
But looking at it now, Lucario and the others had told AZ about him.
"Mm, after that Scizor reminded me, I did remember. We've met before. Speaking of which, where is that Meowscarada who was by your side? I remember she became quite famous later on. Could it be..."
AZ's gaze towards Kazuya became much friendlier, and his tone of communication also carried a sense of comfort.
This feeling was actually the same as with Greninja.
In such a dark and difficult era, the people around him changed batch after batch.
To suddenly meet a creature he had encountered long ago couldn't help but evoke a sense of deep emotion and nostalgia.
However.
Thinking of the various possibilities regarding that Meowscarada.
AZ couldn't speak entirely freely.
"She didn't die, but I don't know where she went either. I'm looking for her. Before that, I'm more concerned about how my companions are."
Kazuya shook his head.
Dispelling AZ's series of speculations and bringing the topic back to the starting point.
"Scizor and Lucario found their way here. As for the Cofagrigus you mentioned, I haven't seen him. I heard he stayed behind alone to fight Giratina. I think you'd better prepare yourself mentally."
AZ looked at Kazuya and spoke solemnly.
Although speaking like this might be a bit blunt, some things needed to be prefaced.
If things had truly reached that point.
At least it would be a bit easier to bear mentally.
"...Take me to see Scizor and Lucario first."
Kazuya lowered his gaze before speaking.
"Mm, come with me."
AZ nodded and led the way.
The surrounding researchers were all looking at Kazuya with curious and surprised gazes.
But right now, Kazuya couldn't care less about their stares.
His mood wasn't particularly good.
Thinking of the various possibilities of Cofagrigus facing Giratina alone.
He couldn't feel optimistic no matter what.
If he hadn't known that Scizor and Lucario were safe and sound, perhaps he wouldn't have been able to stay here for a second longer, and would only want to find a deserted place to be alone and quiet.
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