After sitting outside for a while, Ange saw that it was getting late, so he took several Pokémon back to their rooms to sleep.
As Diancie entered its room, Ange called out to it, "Diancie, why did you suddenly Mega Evolve today?"
He clearly didn't have a Key Stone, and Diancie didn't have a Mega Stone either.
"I don't know," Diancie shook its head, "I just felt as if some power was about to well up inside my body. I tried to respond to that power, and then I Mega Evolved."
If Ange hadn't mentioned it, it wouldn't even have known that was Mega Evolution.
Ange fell into deep thought upon hearing this. After a long silence, he said, "Alright, it's late. Let's talk about it tomorrow."
"Okay. Goodnight, Ange," Diancie said with a nod.
"Goodnight, Diancie," Ange replied.
After returning to his room and finishing his nighttime routine, Ange was about to take off his clothes to sleep when he suddenly felt the diamond he had tucked into his chest pocket.
He took the diamond out and was about to place it on the bedside table, but he unexpectedly noticed a strange light flashing within the gem.
Confused, he brought it closer to his eyes and saw a spiral pattern of pink, yellow, and white in the center of the diamond.
Is this...
Startled, he quickly held the diamond up to the light. The spiral pattern became even clearer under the illumination.
Isn't this... Diancie's Mega Stone?
Ange was stunned.
How did a diamond made by Diancie suddenly turn into a Mega Stone? Furthermore, would this diamond still disappear?
After thinking for a long time, Ange decided to see how things were tomorrow. Diamonds created by Diancie usually didn't last until the second day.
Placing the diamond on the table, Ange pulled up the covers and turned off the light to sleep.
The next morning, Munchlax was sleeping in a daze when it seemed to hear someone calling its name.
Suddenly, it felt a jolt in its heart and sat up abruptly. Master! It was waiting for Master to come home!
However, as it gazed at the bright sky outside, it froze in a daze. Why was the sky light? Moreover, why was it in its own room?
"Munchlax, still half-asleep? It's time to get up and exercise!"
At that moment, its Master's voice rang in its ears.
"Munch~" Master, you're back!
It dove headfirst into Ange's arms.
"I came back last night!" Ange said, hugging it with a smile.
"Munch~" Last night?
It was finally wide awake now, so it looked up at its Master with a dissatisfied expression.
"Munch munch~" Master, why didn't you call me when you got back?
Ange tapped its forehead. "You were sleeping so soundly, how could I have the heart to wake you?"
"Munch munch~" Hehe~~
Munchlax giggled while covering its forehead.
"Alright, get up. We need to go exercise," Ange said, pinching its chubby cheeks.
"Munch~~"
Hearing this, Munchlax jumped off the bed in a flash and sprinted into the bathroom to wash up. Once finished, it quickly took off its pajamas and nightcap, then happily held its Master's hand to go exercise together.
Before long, the shouts of Pokémon rang out on the grass in front of Ange's house. There were the voices of Drizzile and Pawmi exercising with Ange, as well as the sounds of Lairon and Croconaw working hard under Metagross's supervision.
After the exercise ended, Ange returned home drenched in sweat. Diancie was waiting for him at the door.
"Let's go," Diancie said, handing Ange a towel.
Ange nodded while wiping his sweat, and immediately went to the fifth floor of the Secret Fortress with Diancie.
By this time, the Water-type Pokémon living on the fifth floor had already gone out. Ange and Diancie exchanged a look.
"Let's begin!" Ange said, pulling out the diamond.
An entire night had passed, yet this diamond had not disappeared.
Diancie nodded and took a deep breath as it stepped forward. It stretched its hands out in front of it. In the next second, its body and the diamond in Ange's hand simultaneously erupted with a brilliant light.
Within the light, Diancie completed its Mega Evolution once again. At the same time, a massive diamond slowly took shape in the air, surrounded by dense Fairy-type and Rock-type energy, just like the situation at the amusement park last night.
With a buzzing sound, the Holy Diamond was completely formed and absorbed into the energy hub of the Secret Fortress.
The energy hub slowly closed, enveloping the massive Holy Diamond. Another buzz sounded, and a thick pink pillar of light shot from the top of the energy hub, hitting the ceiling of the fifth floor.
Simultaneously, an interface appeared on the ceiling that perfectly accommodated the light pillar. In an instant, pink patterns spread out in all directions from the interface as the center.
"Is it all set?" Ange asked.
"It's done," Diancie nodded, "From now on, the energy for our home will be entirely provided by it."
As Diancie finished speaking, it reverted from its Mega Evolved state. Creating the Holy Diamond was truly too physically demanding.
Seeing this, Ange quickly stepped forward to support it.
"Are you okay?"
Diancie shook its head. "I'm fine. I just need some rest."
"Then let's go back," Ange said.
Diancie nodded.
After sending Diancie back to its room to rest, Ange took a shower and then hurriedly took Drizzile and the others to work at Munchlax Home.
Before leaving, he instructed Munchlax to make something delicious for Diancie.
Not long after Ange left, Infernape woke up.
When it opened its eyes, it found itself lying on a soft bed covered with a fluffy quilt. Outside was a blue sky, and the happy laughter of Pokémon could be heard from the window from time to time.
What is this place?
It tried to get up, but it felt a sharp pain throughout its body, as if every bone in its body had been shattered.
Just then, the door was pushed open, and Magearna walked in carrying food, medicine, and water.
"Magea magea~" You're awake!
Magearna was very happy to see Infernape wake up.
However, Infernape's gaze toward Magearna was filled with caution. It struggled to sit up, and seeing this, Magearna quickly stepped forward to stop it.
"Magea magea~" Your injuries are very serious. You can't get up yet.
"Infern~ Infern~" What is this place?
Infernape asked.
Magearna placed the things on the bedside table and reached out to help Infernape sit up. Infernape wanted to refuse, but the intense pain throughout its body prevented it from resisting Magearna.
"Magea magea~" This is the Nebel Plateau. It's a very safe place. Recover well and don't worry about anything else.
"Infern?" Nebel Plateau?
Infernape looked puzzled.
Magearna nodded. "Yes. Do you remember the commotion you caused in the Azoth Royal Capital last night? It was quite a stir; it even made the news."
Hearing Magearna's words, Infernape fell into thought.
Then it heard Magearna continue, "I heard about your situation from Ange. The criminal group that persecuted you has been completely captured, and the Pokémon who were persecuted alongside you have also been rescued."
Hearing this news, Infernape felt a sense of relief. It was good that everyone had been rescued.
As she spoke, Magearna brought a bowl of congee carefully brewed by Munchlax to Infernape.
"Eat quickly."
Looking at the steaming congee, Infernape was stunned for a moment and didn't reach out to take it.
Magearna stubbornly held the bowl in front of it with a serious expression, as if saying that if it didn't eat, she wouldn't take it away.
Smelling the aroma of the congee and looking at the stubborn Magearna, Infernape finally took the bowl and ate it in large gulps.
It was indeed very hungry at this moment, having not eaten for a day and a night. Coupled with the rampage last night, its physical strength was severely depleted.
A bowl of congee was soon finished. Diancie—now acting as an assistant—brought over a pill and water. "This is the medicine to treat your injuries. Take it quickly!"
Since it had already eaten the congee, Infernape no longer resisted taking the medicine. It took the water and pill and swallowed them in one go.
Magearna nodded with satisfaction. After tidying up, she said to Infernape, "Rest well. Call me if you need anything!"
She then left with the tableware.
Perhaps because of the medicine, Infernape soon felt drowsiness wash over it and drifted back to sleep.
About an hour later, Infernape woke up again. Perhaps the medicine had taken effect, as it felt its body was much lighter, so it got out of bed.
Hearing the laughter from outside, it swayed unsteadily to the balcony. There, on the boundless grassland, various Pokémon were running, playing, and frolicking. Occasionally, Altaria and Talonflame would flash across the sky.
In the distance, there was a huge lake surrounded by flower fields and fruit forests. it looked like a paradise on earth.
"Zee zee~"
At that moment, Spritzee flapped its wings and landed on the railing in front of Infernape. It tilted its head, observing Infernape with curious eyes.
"Zee zee~" Are you the new Pokémon Ange brought back?
News of Infernape had already spread across the Nebel Plateau. Everyone knew that Ange had brought back a very seriously injured Pokémon last night.
"Infern?" Ange?
When Magearna mentioned Ange earlier, Infernape had ignored it because it was too focused on the news. Now that Spritzee mentioned it again, it realized with a start that this seemed to be a human name.
"Zee zee~" Yes, the person who brought you back, the owner of this place.
"Infern?" A human?
Infernape finally confirmed that the one called Ange was a human. It immediately became very agitated. Its excessive emotions tugged at its wounds, causing it to grimace in pain.
Looking at Infernape's distorted face, Spritzee immediately asked with concern:
"Zee zee~" Are you okay?
Ignoring Spritzee, Infernape immediately wanted to climb over the railing and leave. It didn't want to stay in the territory of a hateful human.
But before it could act, it fell to the ground due to the intense pain.
"Zee zee~" You need to rest properly!
Saying this, Spritzee grabbed Infernape's shoulder with its small claws, trying to carry it to the bed. But how could it possibly lift Infernape? After trying for a long time, Infernape didn't budge.
In desperation, Spritzee had to give up and turned toward the outside to shout.
"Zee zee~~"
At this time, Meowstic and Espurr heard Spritzee's cries. Light flashed in their eyes. Then, holding hands, they flew up and landed on the balcony where Infernape was.
"Zee zee~"
Spritzee gestured toward Infernape. Meowstic and Espurr understood immediately and used their Psychic powers to move Infernape back onto the bed.
Shortly after, Magearna arrived having heard the noise. She scolded Infernape, "Didn't I tell you to rest well? Why are you still acting recklessly? I'll get angry if you keep this up!"
Infernape asked in a weak voice, "Why didn't you tell me this was a human's home?"
Magearna tilted her head and asked in confusion, "Does it make a difference whether I say it or not?"
Infernape's face showed anger. "Humans! Hateful!"
It had originally lived a carefree life in the dense forest, but because of a human's selfishness, it had left its home and suffered greatly.
Because it was too agitated, it tugged its wounds again and gasped in pain once more.
Upon hearing this, Magearna showed a disapproving expression. "That only means the humans you met were bad people. It doesn't mean all humans are bad! At least Ange isn't a bad person!
Ange even saved you. If Ange hadn't stopped your rampage, do you think you'd still be lying here recovering peacefully?"
Hearing Magearna's words, Infernape lowered its head, lost in thought.
"Please stay here and recover, okay? Once you're healed, Ange won't stop you no matter where you want to go," Magearna added.
Perhaps Magearna's words had an effect. During the following time, Infernape indeed stopped acting up. Instead, it lay quietly in bed to recover. It obediently ate the food Magearna delivered and never missed a dose of medicine. It was very well-behaved.
Its injuries were too severe, requiring medicine at regular intervals. Its physical strength was also depleted, and due to its injuries, it needed to eat small, frequent meals.
When Ange returned at noon, he originally intended to visit Infernape, but after hearing about Infernape's aversion to humans from Magearna, he gave up on the idea.
It was better to let Infernape stay by itself quietly.
At noon, Magearna again brought food and medicine to Infernape.
After setting up a small table on Infernape's bed, she laid out a sumptuous spread of food.
"Eat up. Ange made all of this specifically for you," Magearna said.
Looking at the fragrant food in front of it, Infernape suddenly asked, "Is the person who saved me named Ange?"
Magearna smiled and said, "Yes!"
Infernape didn't speak again after asking. It silently finished the food, then took its medicine and rested.
Over the next few days, Infernape ate food handmade by Ange every day. Although it had never seen Ange once since arriving at the Nebel Plateau, it heard this name and stories related to it every day from Magearna.
Gradually, Infernape couldn't help but feel a hint of curiosity about this human named Ange.
In the blink of an eye, a few more days passed. Under Magearna's careful care, Infernape was finally able to get out of bed and walk around. Although it still couldn't engage in strenuous exercise, it no longer felt intense pain with every movement as it did at the beginning.
Nurse Joy's medicine was indeed very effective.
After being able to walk, Infernape's favorite thing to do was to sit on the roof of Ange's house every day and quietly observe the Nebel Plateau.
Finally, it also saw that human it was curious about, although only from a distance.
Every morning, it would see that human taking a group of Pokémon for a walk on the grass in front of the house. Any Pokémon that saw him would greet him warmly.
Then that human would disappear for a while, not returning until noon. According to Spritzee, Swablu, and Fletchling, who often visited it, he went to the Azoth Royal Capital to earn money to support everyone.
Infernape didn't understand. Would a human really be willing to work so hard to earn money to support so many Pokémon?
As it turned out, yes! Because in the evening, it saw the scene of many Pokémon gathering at the door to eat.
It had never seen such a scene. The Pokémon talked and laughed while eating, and the happy smiles on their faces were so dazzling.
The more it observed, the more curious Infernape became about this human. Unknowingly, it spent more time watching him.
It would watch him inadvertently smile while playing with other Pokémon, and then, upon realizing it, it would crossly pull a long face.
It would watch him, Munchlax, Pawmi, and Drizzile lying on the grass sunbathing, watching for hours, completely unaware of the passage of time.
It would even feel worried if he didn't come home on time, wondering if he had run into some trouble.
Occasionally, Ange would notice Infernape watching him, and he would wave at Infernape with a bright smile. Whenever this happened, Infernape would hurriedly jump back to the balcony from the roof and hide in its room.
As time passed, Infernape gradually discovered that the human named Ange was truly loved and respected by all the Pokémon on the Nebel Plateau.
This was completely different from the humans it knew.
One day, Ange received a call from Lila.
On the phone, Lila told Ange that most of the employers related to the training grounds had been caught. Those persecuted Pokémon had also been sent to a Pokémon Sanctuary after treatment. They would never have to worry about their safety again.
She was calling this time because she wanted to pick up Infernape and take it to the sanctuary.
Ange agreed.
According to the agreement, Lila would come to the Nebel Plateau an hour later.
After hanging up the phone, Ange glanced at his roof and indeed saw Infernape dazing up there.
After a thought, he called Spritzee over and told it that Lila was coming to pick up Infernape, asking it to inform Infernape.
"Zee zee~"
Spritzee nodded, flapped its wings, and flew to Infernape's side, landing on its shoulder.
Spritzee gestured to Infernape for a while. Then, Ange saw Infernape jump agilely from the roof and dive into its room.
An hour later, Lila arrived as scheduled.
Stepping off the flying machine, Lila said to Ange, "Your Highness, thank you for your hard work in taking care of Infernape."
Ange shook his head. "It was nothing. Let's go see Infernape."
"Okay," Lila nodded.
After the two entered the house, Ange said to Magearna, "Magearna, could you please ask Infernape to come down? The person picking it up is here."
"Magea magea~"
Magearna nodded and turned to go up to the third floor.
However, a few minutes later, Magearna rushed downstairs in a panic, shouting in alarm:
"Magea magea~" Oh no, Infernape is gone!