"Princess Diancie, how are you feeling? Did my ability help at all?"
After a while, once the healing was complete, Rex asked gently.
"…It's an incredible power. It appears outwardly as life energy, but within it is a trace of origin force—it's repairing the damage caused by the loss of my own origin. Slowly, but effectively."
Diancie gave her assessment after a moment of thought.
Though the energy Rex infused didn't fully restore what she had lost, Diancie could feel that her injuries were already seventy percent healed—something that would've taken her decades to achieve on her own.
And while time flows differently in the Diamond Kingdom, even Diancie was grateful to regain strength sooner.
"I'm just glad I could help," Rex replied with relief. "I was worried it wouldn't do anything at all."
He had long suspected his healing wasn't merely standard life energy. When he'd helped Celebi purge Yveltal's corruption, it had worked far too efficiently. Still, most Pokémon he healed weren't high enough in tier to reveal the true nature of his power.
But now, with Diancie's feedback, Rex had confirmation—his energy operated on the same tier as origin force.
It wasn't something he could fully explore right now. His priority was standing guard beside Carbink—waiting patiently for its transformation to complete.
With Diancie's permission, the trio pitched their tents inside the palace hall, camping beside the massive pink crystal that encased Carbink. No one wanted to miss witnessing the rebirth of a mythical Pokémon.
For Korrina and Mai, the opportunity to see a Diancie born was unimaginable. Mythical Pokémon were so rare, most Trainers never even learned of their existence—let alone met one.
"Rex, don't worry—we won't tell anyone about your ability," Mai said earnestly once they finished setting up.
"Yeah, your healing gift is safe with us," Korrina added, smiling.
"Thank you," Rex replied sincerely. "If word got out, it'd cause more trouble than I could handle."
They understood. With a power like his, shadowy organizations might come looking. The League could protect him, but the underworld wouldn't play by any rules.
And so, the three of them sat, chatting quietly by the crystal cocoon, waiting for the moment Carbink would re-emerge as something new.
Diancie had returned to her private chamber to rest. Even after Rex's healing, she still needed time to recover her lost origin power—and splitting it off had left her deeply drained.
Time passed. On the third day of their stay in the Diamond Kingdom, the massive pink crystal began to shrink.
By now, only a thin translucent membrane of pink energy remained around Carbink's body.
"Look! It's almost fully absorbed the surrounding energy!" Mai whispered excitedly, gripping Korrina's hand.
"I wish I could record this," Korrina said, her tone full of regret. "But we promised not to reveal this place."
The three of them had agreed—they would keep the existence of the Diamond Kingdom secret. If word got out, Trainers would swarm here and ruin the peace of this sacred underground realm.
"We're lucky just to witness this," Mai reassured her. "That's already more than we ever dreamed."
Then it happened.
With a final shimmer, the pink energy veil vanished—and a blinding white light burst from Carbink's form.
The cavern dimmed around them, making the flash all the more intense. The three instinctively shut their eyes, waiting for the glow to pass.
A gentle, crystalline chime echoed through the hall.
When the light faded and their eyes adjusted, a new figure hovered before them—a Diancie, slightly smaller than the princess, but unmistakably radiant.
The newly evolved Diancie blinked slowly, still dazed from the transformation. As she glanced down at her new body, her expression brightened with joy.
She'd known what was happening the past few days, even while cocooned—her senses had remained aware, and Rex's constant presence had given her strength.
She had done it.
She had become something she once thought impossible.
"Congratulations, Carbink—no, I should say… Diancie," Rex said warmly, stepping forward.
"Diiiaa~!"
Tears shimmered in her eyes as she flung herself into Rex's arms, overwhelmed.
She had fulfilled his hopes. She had achieved her dream.
"Alright, alright… You were amazing," Rex chuckled, gently patting her back like a proud parent.
After a while, the newly born Diancie pulled back, a little shy, and gave a small wave to Mai and Korrina—who were both grinning, eyes sparkling with awe.
It was a miracle.
And they had been there to see it.
(End of chapter)