Kalos region, Shixiang Town.

Shixiang Town was famous for its jagged, peculiar rock formations, with towering stones arranged around ancient ruins that attracted many tourists to visit.

A blue-haired man dressed in a suit gazed intently at the wind-eroded traces on the stone forest, like a collector appraising a painting.

A flicker of recollection passed through Steven's deep blue eyes.

"King AZ used these stones, combined with the powers of Yveltal and Xerneas, to create the ultimate weapon..."

That was a legend known to every household in the Kalos region.

A thousand years ago, the Kalos king AZ created the ultimate weapon integrating 'life and death' to resurrect his beloved Flabébé.

At the cost of countless Pokémon deaths in the Kalos region, he brought back the 'eternal flower' Flabébé with infinite life.

However, Flabébé couldn't forgive AZ's actions and chose to leave.

The heartbroken king, granted eternal life by the ultimate weapon, wandered for nearly a thousand years to atone for his sins.

In the romantic Kalos region, even little girls knew this fairy tale—

Perhaps that tall homeless man rummaging through trash bins on the street was once a king.

A desolate wind swept through the stone forest.

Steven looked up at the empty open-air ruins surrounded by stones, as if seeing the sky-piercing ultimate weapon before his eyes.

Faintly, Steven could somewhat understand King AZ.

Survival and destruction had always been an unsolvable problem.

Beep beep beep.

The PokéNav flashed with an incoming call.

Steven composed his expression, answered the call, and smiled. "Teacher Lu, what can I do for you?"

The screen showed a handsome black-haired young man, with a Haunter behind him sticking out its tongue and making funny faces, trying to make Steven laugh.

"Steven."

Lu Ye said cheerfully, "Are you free next week? Let's go mining together!"

A trace of surprise flashed in Steven's eyes. "Have you discovered a new Mega Stone ruins?"

"No, it's related to the Mineral Kingdom." Lu Ye said. "The Ralts are migrating on a large scale. If we go to the Mineral Kingdom now, we might make new discoveries."

It was said that the diamonds created by Ralts had time limits—they would dissipate once their energy ended.

Lu Ye's thoughts wandered.

But if he could obtain 'indestructible diamonds' created by Diancie, and even use them to propose to Mengmengda...

"The Mineral Kingdom from Kalos region legends?" Steven's eyes sparkled as he nodded readily. "I understand. I'll come to your café next week to discuss the specific action plan in advance!"

Lu Ye was taken aback.

Why did it feel like Steven had suddenly gotten fired up?

If President Kaiba's fetish was White Dragon, then President Steven's fetish must definitely be minerals...

Glancing at the iconic stone forest behind the blue-haired man, Lu Ye asked casually:

"Are you in Shixiang Town?"

Shixiang Town—the location where the ultimate weapon appeared in Pokémon XY games, and also where Flore's secret base was located in the anime.

Flore was actually a descendant of King AZ's brother, and in both the games and Special Episode, he once imprisoned his ancestor AZ to activate the ultimate weapon.

But since Lion Head was already in prison now, he wouldn't have chances to cause trouble anymore.

"Yes." Steven nodded gently. "Teacher Lu, do you know the story about King AZ?"

"Well... Bamboo Lan's collection of myth illustrations has many references to AZ too." Lu Ye said.

"Actually... I chose to visit the stone ruins in Shixiang Town after hearing the legends about King AZ and the ultimate weapon."

Steven frowned. "Even though he was responsible for the great destruction, AZ seems widely admired in Kalos..."

"Because in ancient times, AZ led Kalos to victory in the war against Galar."

A dazzling golden color entered the video call view.

Cynthia appeared from the side of the screen, raising a finger as she smiled. "So he's also called the Wise King by the Kalos people."

"But," Cynthia's tone shifted, "the king's Flabébé was also lost in that battle... which led to the subsequent ultimate weapon incident."

The war between Galar and Kalos... corresponding to the Hundred Years' War between England and France?

That wasn't the main point though. Lu Ye turned his head to look at Cynthia.

"Weren't you playing games with Togepi?"

"Just getting some ice cream from the fridge—do you want some?"

"No... be careful not to catch a cold."

"Ahem!" Steven cleared his throat with a fist, reminding them of his presence.

"Alright~" Cynthia waved her fingers, as if she had just dropped by to check on things, and said lazily, "If it's Steven then it's fine—you two continue chatting."

Watching Mengmengda's graceful golden-haired figure.

Lu Ye pondered for a moment.

Could it be... Mengmengda was guarding against Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy stealing her territory?

Lu Ye exchanged another glance with Steven on the screen.

"I get the same situation when I call Ruby." Steven said.

Lu Ye cleared his throat lightly and returned to the main topic. "Why did you suddenly ask about AZ?"

"I wanted to hear your evaluation of him and the ultimate weapon." Steven's eyes flickered.

Lu Ye remained silent for a while before saying:

"I believe... AZ didn't have the right to bestow life and death, but he has indeed atoned for it for a thousand years."

"When AZ frees himself from the past," Lu Ye paused, "he and Flabébé will definitely meet again."

"The wandering king of a thousand years, reuniting with the eternal flower..."

Steven seemed thoughtful. "By the way, Teacher Lu. I found two Z-Crystals at the Shixiang Town market that might be helpful for your upcoming trip."

The life and death energies in Shixiang Town were particularly active, so Alola traveling merchants brought Fairy Z and Dark Z to Shixiang Town, hoping to find high-paying buyers.

Back in Hoenn, Steven had heard that Teacher Lu was collecting Z-Crystals, so he paid special attention to them.

After hearing the story, Lu Ye felt complicated yet tempted. "Which two Z-Crystals?"

To be honest, what Teacher Lu wanted most right now was Psychic Z, which could strengthen Haunter's Hypnosis.

Watching Mengmengda's graceful golden-haired figure.

Awkward dancing didn't matter anymore—increasing survival rates was the primary goal!

"One is Dark Z, the other is Fairy Z." Steven said.

Lu Ye raised an eyebrow.

The Dark Z move was called "Black Hole Eclipse," while the Fairy Z move was called "Twinkle Tackle."

Just from the names, you could tell the moves symbolized destruction and cuteness respectively.

The Dark Z move wasn't too awkward—just raising both hands would do, and both Molayne and James had performed it before.

Moreover, Dark Z could be combined with Haunter's illegal 'Dark Void'—

Dark Z might become the first Z-Move I can use!

As for Fairy Z, it could be left for Sylveon, and the fairy waves on it would be helpful for Sylveon.

Lu Ye: "If possible, sell me these two Z-Crystals, Steven."

As the chairman of Pokémon Company, Teacher Lu had long escaped poverty—the days of owing Mengmengda millions were gone forever.

However, Cynthia hadn't been champion for so many years for nothing.

If the company went bankrupt, he could only go back to eating soft rice from the rich lady!

"Of course, no problem." Steven smiled. "I'll keep an eye out for other Z-Crystals for you, Teacher Lu."

"The key is Psychic Z!" Lu Ye reminded.

"Are you planning to strengthen Haunter's Psychic?"

"No... it's to strengthen Haunter's Hypnosis Z."

Steven's favorite move was "Steel Wing," while Teacher Lu's favorite move was "Hypnosis."

Haunter uses Hypnosis, Darkrai gives nightmares, and Meloetta sings to deepen the dreams.

This is Teacher Lu's Infinite Tsukuyomi technique! (Scratched out)

...

The next day, Steven had the shining Dark Z and Fairy Z delivered to Lu Ye's residence.

The delivery person was the familiar Delibird.

Delibird seriously took out the package from its bag, dusted it off, and handed it to Lu Ye with both hands.

"Woo!"

"Thank you." Lu Ye smiled.

"Woo~" Delibird scratched its head shyly.

"Let me treat you to some cake made by Alcremie—Indeedee, Espathra, you come sit too!"

Afternoon tea time passed quietly amidst the warm moments surrounded by Pokémon.

The departure date for the Mineral Kingdom was set for three days later.

Before that, Teacher Lu planned to find a secluded place to practice the Dark Z movements until he was familiar with them.

The Dark Z move was called "Black Hole Eclipse," which could strengthen Haunter's damaging but illegal "Dark Void."

Additionally, according to anime settings, Z-Crystals were placed on the trainer, not taking up item slots.

Mega Stones were placed on Pokémon.

And this meant... in unofficial competitions, Mega Evolution and Z-Moves could be used simultaneously!

Of course, the prerequisite was that little V provided enough energy to ensure the trainer wouldn't drop dead suddenly.

"Mega Haunter's Dark Void can shatter Arceus's avatars."

Lu Ye looked up at the sky. "So it's reasonable for my enhanced Dark Void to match against the newly revived Yveltal, right?"

In the shadows, Darkrai choked on an energy cube, eyelids twitching wildly.

Oh no, something big is going to happen on this trip!