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"Is that so? I heard Xerneas, you can share eternal life, correct?"
Mammon didn't probe, but directly asked Xerneas.
Whether Xerneas can truly share eternal life is, in fact, still unknown.
After all, in the Pokémon world, the Pokedex is essentially compiled by Professors and various researchers after collecting information, and many entries are actually subjective.
The Pokedex description for Xerneas states: "It is said to share eternal life. It revives after sleeping for 1,000 years in the form of a tree."
But in reality, Pokedex information is not entirely accurate; many entries are exaggerated or their meaning is unclear.
For example, the classic cases: Gardevoir can conjure Dark Void with its hands, and Gothitelle can influence the cosmos tens of thousands of light-years away.
If Gardevoir and Gothitelle had such abilities, what would be left for other Pokémon?
Another example is the 'world's most beautiful Pokémon.' Before the sixth generation, this title always belonged to Milotic, but after the sixth generation, Diancie was also hailed as the world's most beautiful in the Pokedex.
So which one is truly the 'world's most beautiful'?
Similarly classic is Mew. Many people believe Mew has high prestige because of its 'Pokémon ancestor' setting, which is actually completely unconfirmed.
But the original Pokedex entry states: "Because it can use all moves, many scholars believe it is the ancestor of Pokémon."
Firstly, the Pokedex uses phrases like 'many scholars believe it is the ancestor of Pokémon.'
In fact, the origin of the Pokémon world has since been fully confirmed: Arceus created the Pokémon universe, and the first Pokémon in the world were Giratina and the other 'Six Gods.'
It has nothing to do with Mew. If anything, Mew might be the ancestor of ordinary Pokémon, which isn't impossible.
Can Mew use all moves? This actually depends on the perspective, because Mew cannot use many moves without transforming.
The scholars in the Pokedex wrote that Mew can use all moves. This Pokedex description is not entirely wrong, just not precise, because Mew can indeed learn all moves from TMs, which is correct.
However, there are many other moves, and moves that cannot be recorded by TMs, that Mew cannot use.
So, the Pokedex contains too much subjectivity, speculation, and exaggeration. You can believe it, but not entirely, as it is, after all, filled out by humans in the Pokémon world.
Mammon himself could write Pokedex entries, as long as he applied to renowned Professors like Oak, Elm, or Birch.
And whether Xerneas's Pokedex entry is true or not is uncertain, which is why Mammon directly asked it.
"Strictly speaking, no, it cannot."
Xerneas replied to Mammon.
"Can you elaborate?" Mammon wasn't too surprised, after all, if Xerneas could truly grant immortality.
Why would Lysandre need to rely on the ultimate weapon?
The ultimate weapon's activation required Xerneas's energy, and then it would be used to gain eternal life.
If Xerneas itself could grant immortality, wouldn't Lysandre be making an unnecessary effort?
Unless Xerneas itself cannot grant immortality, and Lysandre in the game captured Xerneas and thus learned this fact.
That's why he used the ultimate weapon.
"The life force I share can extend the lifespan required for a person's existence, but your human bodies will continuously grow and age."
With that, Mammon probably understood.
Simply put, the life force provided by Xerneas can grant longevity, but not eternal youth, because the human body has its limits.
"Mammon, do you desire longevity?"
Xerneas looked at Mammon; it seemed to have sensed this.
"That's right. Now I lack nothing, Xerneas, you can understand, can't you?"
Mammon admitted it directly.
"For me, everything is within reach. My life is already infinitely close to perfection, but I still lack one thing."
"Mammon, for you humans, eternal life by no means represents happiness. A long life can also be a Curse."
Xerneas said this. It is a long-lived species, so it could deeply understand the longing and pursuit of longevity by short-lived species like Mammon.
But is eternal life… truly a blessing?
Xerneas didn't think so.
"Moreover, in the future, you will have a wife and children. Your family, your friends, all your bonds, you will watch them gradually age and die with the passage of time, while you yourself remain eternally youthful."
"Can you accept such a result?"
Xerneas couldn't grant Mammon true immortality, but in reality, with its life force, it could make Mammon internally immortal and also slow down the aging of his body.
Even if true immortality wasn't possible, making Mammon live for several hundred years was absolutely achievable.
But that kind of false longevity was not a good thing.
Upon hearing Xerneas's words, Caitlin's heart tightened.
That's right, if Mammon gained longevity while her youth faded, it was truly not what she wished for.
"Couldn't I just have my beloved accompany me forever as well?"
Mammon had naturally considered what Xerneas said.
"It seems you have made your decision."
Xerneas didn't say much more. Humans pursuing eternal life was a perfectly normal thing.
Xerneas had already given its warning, and it didn't intend to say more.
It simply stomped on the now-awake Yveltal again, knocking it out and making sure it stayed 'asleep' to prevent it from causing trouble.
"Yes, I already have a method, but that will require your help, Xerneas."
Mammon nodded and revealed his plan.
"There is a person of extremely superior talent who created a divine tool that can help me achieve longevity. However, that device requires your energy, Xerneas, to activate."
"I see." Xerneas's eyes rippled slightly. Humans are indeed a race that can create miracles.
"Since it is your request, Mammon, then I agree."
Xerneas assented. It didn't think Mammon's longevity was a bad thing.
It could sense that Mammon was not an evil person, and that was actually enough.
Having such a long-lived human in this world was not a bad thing either.
Furthermore, if Mammon lived long, Yveltal would always be by Mammon's side, which would prevent Yveltal from causing widespread destruction, which was also a good thing.
"But, Mammon, please promise me, if one day you grow weary of this world, please do not destroy it, okay?"
Xerneas's gentle telepathy carried a plea.
"Please, at that time, be sure to recall your original intention, rather than embarking on an irreversible path."
Yes, this was Xerneas's final request. If a human like Mammon were to develop negative, world-weary emotions due to longevity, he would be far more terrifying than the current Yveltal.
"Please rest assured, I won't."
Mammon smiled and nodded.
He knew what Xerneas meant, but he wouldn't 'go crazy.' After all, Mammon clearly knew that even if this world ran out of fun, there were still parallel worlds to explore.
Besides, he wasn't planning on achieving longevity alone; he had a wife too.
Xerneas nodded with a smile in its eyes, then looked down at Yveltal on the ground.
"Then, I will capture it now."
Mammon took out an empty Ultra Ball and began the capture process for Yveltal.
Since it was Yveltal, Mammon didn't ask Mewtwo for 'help.'
But it must be said, capturing Yveltal was indeed a difficult process. Although it was unconscious, Yveltal's subconscious struggles were astonishing enough.
It took over two hundred Poké Balls to finally capture Yveltal. If Mammon hadn't brought enough Poké Balls with him, it really might not have been enough.
It's worth mentioning that Yveltal even woke up several times midway, but Xerneas very enthusiastically gave it a kick each time, helping it fall back asleep.
But the result was good in the end.
"However, being in the Poké Ball doesn't mean it's completely captured. I still need to have a good talk with it."
Mammon toyed with the Poké Ball in his hand, wondering how to thoroughly make Yveltal 'loyal.'
Perhaps a special 'welcome party' would be needed.
"That's right, but Mammon, you can definitely do it." Xerneas had great confidence in Mammon.
"Then Mammon, do you need my help now?"
Xerneas asked very thoughtfully.
"Because next, I will share my life with this land. After I finish sharing, I will fall into slumber."
"Can you wake up midway?" Mammon was a little troubled. To be honest, he suddenly thought of something.
If he were exposed to the ultimate weapon's light of eternal life right now, would he be permanently stuck at his current appearance?
He was only seventeen years old now; he hadn't fully developed yet.
"Unless there's a special circumstance, probably not. However, I can retain a bit of life force. That way, in an emergency, you can use Yveltal to awaken me."
Xerneas thought for a moment and told Mammon.
Its slumber was essentially a slow recovery of the life force it had shared, so strictly speaking, it definitely couldn't wake up.
But there are always some special circumstances, aren't there?
"Okay, thank you, Xerneas."
"It is I who should thank you, Mammon. Your appearance has freed me from that painful cycle."
Xerneas's gaze and tone were so gentle.
Even Mammon, upon hearing this, couldn't help but feel a little moved.
Honestly, this was the first time he had encountered such a gentle Pokémon. He clearly gained a huge advantage, and Xerneas should have understood that.
Yet, Xerneas still thanked him so selflessly, gently, and with such gratitude.
This sincerity made Mammon feel very subtle.
"Then, I will look forward to our next meeting, Mammon."
Xerneas looked at the lifeless gray land, slowly took two steps forward, and its body glowed with dazzling rainbow-colored light.
The life-filled light instantly swept over everything in front of it.
The desolate gray gradually refilled with color. Flowers, trees, Pokémon—all living beings whose lives had been taken by Yveltal's Death Wing were once again filled with vitality.
And all of this came from the selfless Xerneas.
It shared its life force with these beings, allowing them to regain life.
This was the 'cycle' of Xerneas and Yveltal: Yveltal awakens and takes, Xerneas awakens and gives.
But was this truly fair? No, it wasn't fair. Xerneas shared its own life force, which it had painstakingly recovered through slumber.
It used its own 'life' to replenish the 'lives' of these beings.
But the benevolent Xerneas never dwelled on these things. Each time it awoke, it was so selflessly 'giving.'
When the light faded, a vibrant land reappeared before Mammon and Caitlin.
Beautiful flowers, green plants, and those bewildered yet joyful wild Pokémon—what a moving sight.
"Xerneas… it's truly magnificent~"
Caitlin looked at the scene and couldn't help but exclaim from the bottom of her heart.
"Yes, it is indeed magnificent."
Mammon looked towards Xerneas, but standing there was no longer the rainbow-colored deer, but a large tree without leaves.
It had fallen into slumber.
"I also look forward to our next meeting, Xerneas." Mammon gently stroked the Tree of Life and said slowly.
Then Mammon didn't hesitate and took out his phone.
Under Caitlin's puzzled gaze, he dialed a certain number.
"Yes, Baraz, it's Mammon. Yes, I have something here that requires Hoopa's help. Can you call him for me? Okay, I'll wait."
Mammon didn't hang up the phone. He didn't wait long.
"Mamom Mamom~ What's up?"
Hoopa's voice came through.
"It's Mammon, not Mamom." Mammon corrected him.
"So, Hoopa, I just met Xerneas here. We hit it off right away, but it fell asleep again. I want to move its home, can you help me?"
"Huh? Move Xerneas's home?"
"Yes, first you grab it and bring it to your side, then you send it over to Regigigas. No problem, right?"
Mammon had no choice, as the current Hoopa was in its Unbound form and couldn't pass through its own rings, otherwise, it wouldn't be so complicated.
If Hoopa could just come to him directly and transport the Tree of Life, it would be done. Now, an extra step was needed.
"Oh, oh~ No problem, Mamom, leave it to me."
As soon as the words fell, a spatial ring silently appeared above the Tree of Life, completely encompassing it.
When they looked again, the Tree of Life had vanished.
"Alright, Mamom, I've sent Xerneas to Regigigas. Isn't Hoopa amazing?"
"Hoopa, my Superman~ You're truly wonderful!"
Mammon couldn't help but praise. He was truly impressed. Hoopa was just too useful.
At the same time.
Regigigas, who was sleeping underground, suddenly felt an itch on its head. What was that?
Regigigas thought for a moment, got up, and grabbed the object.
Then…
Regigigas looked at the strange tree in its hand and fell into contemplation.
Xerneas: "…"