1. Ash's Story (Part 7: Kalos)

Chapter 68: Future Sight

After Sina left the Pokémon Center, Calem led us toward the person she had mentioned. Anistar City looked even stranger in the morning light, with the huge Sundial glowing above the rooftops like a crystal that had caught time itself. Helioptile kept staring at it from beside Serena's feet, its frills opening and closing whenever sunlight flashed from the stone.

The storyteller was an elderly man sitting near the path that curved toward the Sundial. He greeted us kindly after Calem explained why we had come, then folded his hands over his cane and looked toward the sky.

He told us the first tale in a low, steady voice. "It happened around eight hundred years ago. The Pokémon known as Xerneas used its shining horns to illuminate the lands of Kalos. At that moment, people and Pokémon throughout the land felt great energy and vitality surge through their bodies. A vast forest sprang up, with Xerneas at its center."

Serena listened closely, and I could feel Yveltal's Poké Ball become heavier at my belt.

The old man continued. "Legend says that when Xerneas nears the end of its thousand-year lifespan, it releases its remaining energy and shares it with all living things nearby. Another story says that three thousand years ago, during Kalos's terrible war, a Pokémon came to rescue wounded Pokémon caught in the conflict. Some believe it was Xerneas, though perhaps people only wished a Legendary Pokémon had brightened a tale of sorrow."

He paused, then added, "After Xerneas released its remaining energy, the tales say it transformed into a dried tree and remained hidden deep within a forest. Stories and tales, of course, but old stories often carry some truth."

Then his expression darkened as he told the second tale.

"It happened around eight hundred years ago. The Pokémon known as Yveltal spread its ominous wings and engulfed Kalos in darkness. People and Pokémon began to fall one by one. Yveltal cried out, took to the sky, and vanished to an unknown place."

Bonnie held Dedenne tighter. The old man noticed but did not soften the story, because legends were not always kind.

"When Yveltal nears the end of its thousand-year lifespan, it absorbs the life force of living things around it to restore its own energy. Another tale from the war says a terrifying Pokémon appeared and stole life from countless beings. Some believe it was Yveltal, though perhaps it became a metaphor for war and pestilence. After storing the energy it absorbed, Yveltal transformed into a cocoon and hid deep in the mountains."

When he finished, Calem looked at me. "So what do you think, considering you have Yveltal?"

I lowered my gaze to Yveltal's Poké Ball. "When Yveltal uses Oblivion Wing, people and Pokémon can turn to stone. I think they are still alive inside, but if the stones are destroyed, then that life is lost too."

The thought made the street feel silent for a moment.

Serena gently touched my arm. "We can worry about that, but Olympia is waiting too. Have you prepared which Pokémon you are going to use?"

I looked toward Zoroark and Absol, who were already watching the Gym in the distance. "Those two are musts. Olympia specializes in Psychic types."

Before we headed for the Gym, Helioptile suddenly ran toward the Sundial path. Serena called after him, and we followed as he climbed over a low stone rim where sunlight pooled between crystal shadows.

Helioptile scratched at something half-buried in the ground. A warm orange stone rolled free, shining as the Sundial's light struck it.

Clemont's eyes widened. "That is a Sun Stone."

Helioptile touched it with both small hands. Sunlight gathered around him at once, and his meaning reached me through the way he looked back at us. "The sun here is calling, and I am ready to answer."