Pokémon: No Way! The Golden Finger Only Comes When I'm About To Die!?

After confirming the identities of Milis and Argus, Officer Jenny said, "Well then, Your Highness, I'll take these two away. Thank you for your assistance."

Angie replied, "It's the least I could do."

Officer Jenny then left with Milis and her father, along with their Pokémon, aboard Jeremy's aircraft.

As for the duo's own aircraft, Officer Jenny would later arrange for someone to tow it away.

Watching Jeremy's aircraft disappear into the distance, Volcanion remarked with some pride.

"Wasn't it thanks to me this time? Otherwise, you wouldn't have even known there were intruders!"

Volcanion couldn't help but feel a little smug. Despite spending most of its time idling on the plateau and not having much to do, Angie still paid it a salary. Deep down, Volcanion felt a bit self-conscious about this arrangement.

It was not the kind of Pokémon to take a free ride.

So, after helping capture Milis and her father, Volcanion couldn't resist showing off a little.

"Yes, yes, all thanks to you!" Angie said with a smile. "You deserve the most credit."

Hearing Angie's praise, Volcanion instantly felt satisfied.

At this moment, Ash who is standing nearby, looked curiously at Volcanion and asked Angie.

"Mr. Angie, what kind of Pokémon is that? Why isn't it in the Pokédex?"

"Hmph, another human!"

Noticing Ash and his friends, Volcanion snorted coldly, then turned around and walked away with Infernape and the others.

Ash and his friends were baffled by Volcanion's attitude.

Angie chuckled and said, "Volcanion isn't very fond of humans, but it doesn't mean any harm. Don't mind its attitude."

Ash and the others nodded dumbly.

Angie continued, "As for why Volcanion isn't in the Pokédex, that's because, like Diancie, Volcanion is a mythical Pokémon. Your Pokédex likely doesn't have data on Diancie either, does it?"

Hearing this, Ash and his friends suddenly understood. At the same time, they were secretly astonished—Mr. Angie's home actually housed two mythical Pokémon.

Angie then led Ash and his group, along with Diancie, back into the house.

At that moment, Magearna came down the stairs wearing an apron. Holding a tray with gloved hands, it said cheerfully.

"Magearna~"

Angie, we have guests, right? I baked some egg tarts for them to try.

With that, it happily placed the egg tarts on the table.

Noticing yet another Pokémon they had never seen before, Ash and Serena instinctively pointed their Pokédex at it.

Magearna noticed this and gave them a warm smile.

[ No Data ]

"Mr. Angie, is this... another mythical Pokémon?" Clemont asked.

Angie smiled and nodded. "That's correct."

"Incredible," Clemont said, amazed.

A third mythical Pokémon!

Angie said, "Everyone, please have a seat and try Magearna's creations. It's currently training in dessert-making, so feel free to give some feedback after tasting."

Ash, his friends, and Diancie quickly gathered around the table. Angie and Magearna distributed the egg tarts to everyone.

Bonnie couldn't wait to take a bite, exclaiming immediately, "Mmm~ It's so delicious—it tastes like happiness!" She then fed the rest to her Dedenne.

Serena also couldn't help but comment, "Eating this egg tart gives such a comforting feeling." She similarly shared the other half with her Fennekin.

Ash, unable to find the right words, simply repeated, "It's really good!"

"This is absolutely delicious," said the princess of the Diamond Domain, holding the egg tart with both hands and speaking sincerely.

Merrick, Bort, and Allotrope all chimed in, echoing the princess's sentiments.

"Magearna~"

Magearna responded cheerfully.

Magearna was delighted by everyone's praise. It gleefully grabbed Diancie's hand and began spinning in circles. However, it quickly tripped over its own feet, nearly falling.

Startled, Ash and his friends cried out instinctively, "Be careful!"

Thankfully, Diancie caught Magearna in time.

"Magearna~"

Magearna giggled awkwardly after regaining its balance.

After finishing the egg tarts, Angie began chatting with Ash and his group about the Fairy Aura and Xerneas.

"Mr. Angie, can your Diancie use the Fairy Aura?" Clemont asked curiously.

Angie nodded. "Yes, it can."

Diancie, seated next to Angie, stretched out its hands as a pink glow blossomed from its palms.

The Princess of the Diamond Domain gasped in awe. "It's the Fairy Aura! How impressive!"

Angie smiled. "Actually, it's thanks to Xerneas that my Diancie could master the Fairy Aura."

Hearing this, the princess's expression turned to one of admiration.

Ash suddenly had an idea. "Then, could Mr. Angie's Diancie create a Sacred Diamond? If it helped, wouldn't that solve the crisis in the Diamond Domain?"

At these words, the princess and the three Carbink looked at Angie and Diancie with hopeful faces.

Angie explained, "My Diancie can indeed create Sacred Diamonds and could temporarily solve the crisis in the Diamond Domain.

But then what? Sacred Diamonds have a lifespan. Does the Diamond Domain intend to rely on outsiders indefinitely?"

Hearing this, the princess and the Carbink all lowered their heads in shame.

Ash scratched his head awkwardly. "I'm sorry. I didn't think it through before speaking."

"Pikachu~ Pikachu~"

Pikachu patted Ash's arm to console him.

Angie shook his head. "You can try searching for Xerneas first. If you can't find it, come back here. My Diancie can help you with a temporary solution, and then you can continue searching for Xerneas afterward."

"Exactly," Diancie nodded. "I'd be happy to help you!"

Hearing this, the princess and the Carbink lit up with joy. It truly was the best solution.

"Thank you both so much," the princess stepped down from her chair, bowed deeply, and expressed her gratitude sincerely to Angie.

As they chatted, the sky grew dim. Angie remarked, "It's getting late. Would you like to stay at my place for the night?"

Clemont scratched his head. "Isn't that a bit too much trouble?"

Angie chuckled. "It's no trouble at all. If you don't stay here, you'll have to camp outside."

Hearing this, the group had no choice but to accept Angie's hospitality.

Just then, several of Angie's apprentices returned from playing outside. After introducing them to Ash and his friends, Angie said, "You all sit tight. I'll take Munchlax and the others to prepare dinner."

"Let us help!" Serena offered.

Feeling guilty about freeloading, she wanted to lend a hand.

Angie waved her off. "No need. You all just relax. We'll have it ready in no time."

Hearing this, Serena reluctantly sat back down.

While Angie and his apprentices were busy cooking, Diancie walked into the kitchen.

Angie looked up briefly while working and asked, "What brings you in here?"

Diancie softly said, "There's a mission!"

Angie wasn't surprised. He asked, "Does it have something to do with Fairy Aura?"

Diancie smiled and gave Angie a thumbs-up.

Angie opened the system task panel, and sure enough, there was a new task listed.

[ (Temporary Mission) Help the Princess of the Diamond Domain find Xerneas – Incomplete. ]

Angie was speechless. How was he supposed to help the princess find Xerneas? It wasn't like he had a tracker on Xerneas.

Maybe he should just… forget about this mission?

After informing Angie about the task, Diancie left the kitchen.

Once outside, Diancie said to Ash and his group, as well as the princess of the Diamond Domain, "Would you like to explore a bit before it gets dark?"

Serena's interest was piqued. "Can we?"

"Of course," Diancie nodded. "I'll guide you!"

She bent down to pick up a Mareep that had been following her, tucked two Spinarak into her pocket, and led Ash and the others out the door.

By now, Pokémon were gradually returning from their jobs. They gathered in groups at the square, chatting about what might be served for dinner tonight.

Seeing so many Pokémon in one place, Ash was thrilled.

"Are all these Pokémon Mr. Angie's?" he asked.

Diancie replied, "These Pokémon all work on the plateau; they're Angie's partners. But you can't exactly call them his Pokémon since Angie isn't a Trainer like you."

"That makes sense." Ash and the others nodded in realization.

Soon, they released their own Pokémon to join the fun: Ash's Pikachu and Froakie, Serena's Fennekin, Clemont's Chespin and Bunnelby, and Bonnie's Dedenne.

Before long, their Pokémon were playing enthusiastically with the ones from the plateau.

Just then, two Charcadet riding two Oinkologne returned from an adventure, stepping into the golden hues of the sunset.

Ash immediately noticed them.

"What are those?"

He pointed his Pokédex at the four Pokémon.

[ Oinkologne, the Hog Pokémon. Normal-type. Males and females have different appearances.

Males take pride in their glossy, well-groomed skin and release a concentrated fragrance from the tip of their tails, which captivates female Pokémon.

Females emit a floral fragrance that can heal Pokémon around them. Their powerful legs enable them to leap over five meters with ease. ]

[ Charcadet, the Fire Child Pokémon. Fire type. Life resides in the burning charcoal on its body, turning it into a Pokémon. Even when facing a strong opponent, it will fight with fiery determination.

Once in battle mode, its flames can reach 1,000 degrees Celsius. It loves eating berries with high fat content. ]

"More Pokémon I've never seen before!" Ash murmured to himself.

Diancie, with her sharp hearing, caught Ash's muttering and explained, "Oinkologne and Charcadet, like Espathra, are Pokémon Angie brought back from Paldea region."

"I see!" Ash nodded in understanding.

The Charcadet and Oinkologne joyfully approached, but they mistook the princess of the Diamond Domain for their own Diancie. Just as they were about to excitedly show off their day's adventures, Diancie cheerfully called out, "Charcadet, Oinkologne, I'm over here!"

The four Pokémon froze, looked between their Diancie and the princess of the Diamond Domain, and became thoroughly confused.

Diancie introduced them, "These are guests visiting our home."

When the Pokémon heard from Diancie why Ash and the others were here, the Oinkologne and Charcadet jumped for joy, enthusiastically volunteering to help Ash's group find Xerneas.

Diancie asked, "You want to help?"

"Oinkologne~"

Yes, yes!

"Oinkologne~"

We're friends with Xerneas. We'll definitely find it!

The two Oinkologne jumped and cheered.

Ash and the others looked at the suddenly excited Oinkologne and Charcadet with puzzled expressions.

Seeing this, Diancie explained, "Xerneas came to the Nebel Plateau as a guest at Oinkologne and Charcadet's invitation. They're offering to help you find Xerneas."

"Really?" The princess of the Diamond Domainlooked at Oinkologne and Charcadet with hopeful eyes.

Oinkologne and Charcadet nodded vigorously.

"Oinkologne~"

With us, you can relax.

The female Oinkologne boasted.

"Oinkologne~"

That's right, that's right!

The male Oinkologne echoed his mate.

"Charcadet~"

"Charcadet~"

At this moment, the two Charcadet took Diancie by the hands and began leading her toward the house.

"What are you doing?" Diancie asked.

"Charcadet~"

Something good.

The crybaby Charcadet said joyfully.

So Diancie and Ash's group returned to the house.

The goodboy Charcadet took off their backpacks and started pulling out objects wrapped in leaves, stacking up a total of over a dozen.

"What's this?" Diancie asked curiously.

Ash and the others craned their necks to look.

"Charcadet~ Charcadet~"

The goodboy Charcadet opened one of the leaf-wrapped bundles, revealing small, gem-like berries inside.

Each berry was about the size of a fingernail, dark purple, and glistening. Just the sight of them made Diancie swallow involuntarily.

"What kind of berries are these?" Diancie asked.

Oinkologne and Charcadet shook their heads. They only knew they were edible, but beyond that, it was beyond their understanding.

At this moment, Robert 2.0 passed by. Diancie waved it over, and Robert 2.0 immediately came over.

"Robert 2.0, what are these?"

Robert 2.0's eyes glowed as it scanned the berries and compared them to its database. After a brief search, it replied.

[ Raspberries, a shrub species from the Rosaceae family. Wild raspberries usually ripen between June and August. ]

"How strange. It's not the right season for them to be ripe yet!"

Robert 2.0's curiosity mirrored Metagross's.

"Charcadet~ Charcadet~"

The Charcadet gave an explanation.

It turned out they had found these raspberries on a volcanic mountain.

"That explains it. The high temperatures around a volcano can speed up the ripening process," Robert 2.0 nodded and then turned to leave.

"Then let's try them," Diancie suggested.

She fetched a basin, poured in the raspberries, and washed them thoroughly.

After washing, Diancie distributed the raspberries among the Pokémon present, reserving a portion for Angie and the others.

The raspberries tasted tangy and sweet, absolutely delicious. When Diancie popped one into her mouth, she couldn't help but shiver.

Not only were they tasty, but they also stimulated her appetite!

Clemont commented, "The taste is a bit like Bluk Berries!"

Serena nodded. "I agree."