After being warmly hosted by Baraz, Lucas and his group temporarily rested in the Arche Valley. Baraz had even gone out of his way to arrange two places for them to stay.
Along the way, they also met Baraz's younger sister, Meraz, a gentle-featured young woman, who was also one of Hoopa's caretakers and thus a second host.
Their sincere hospitality toward complete strangers showed clearly the kindness in Baraz's heart.
Early the next morning, Lucas and the others bid farewell to the siblings.
"You're leaving already? You could actually stay a few more days."
At the village entrance, Baraz tried to keep them a little longer, his voice reluctant.
"No, if we stay any more, we'll feel bad for troubling you. We're planning to go take a look at Dahara City. If there's another chance, we'll come visit you again."
Lucas declined politely. Simply getting to know Baraz and Meraz beforehand was already enough.
And besides, staying too long here wasn't appropriate either.
"You must come again sometime, okay? Hoopa will bring out all kinds of things to treat you!"
Hoopa looked gloomy about their departure — though honestly, it was more reluctant about Reshiram leaving…
Ever since its powers were sealed, it had stayed in the Arche Valley for a full hundred years. It had been far too long since it last saw another legendary Pokémon.
Although Hoopa could summon legendaries, the ones it had offended in the past were even more numerous…
For example: the white dragon Reshiram — the one it pulled out a century ago just to tease. If Lucas hadn't been here, the first thing Reshiram would have done upon seeing Hoopa again might have been firing a searing Blue Flare right at it…
The relationships between legendary Pokémon were far from harmonious — this applied to almost all of them.
"Of course. And Hoopa, you also need to behave and listen to Baraz and Meraz, okay?"
Lucas smiled gently, then turned his gaze toward Baraz.
"Although I might not be the right person to say this… from what I see, Hoopa may still be a little mischievous, but its nature isn't bad."
"Keeping its power sealed forever… I don't think that's a good thing for Hoopa. If the timing is right, maybe you two can consider giving its power back."
"For a powerful legendary Pokémon, having all of its power taken away… is actually quite a sad thing."
Lucas chose his words carefully, speaking to Baraz with tact and sincerity.
Upon hearing this, Hoopa's eyes instantly brightened, full of hope as it looked toward Baraz.
Regaining its power was, of course, something it longed for deeply.
"Ah… we know. Meraz has already been going through Grandpa's old notes lately."
Baraz smiled at Hoopa's big, watery eyes. He and Meraz had already discussed this before. They had even reached a decision.
"Yay~! Baraz! Meraz! You're the best!"
Hearing this, Hoopa spun happily in circles around the two siblings, cheering nonstop.
Seeing the punishment vessel so joyful, Baraz and Meraz couldn't help but smile warmly.
They truly treated Hoopa as family. Time flew — it had been by their side ever since they were children.
Hoopa had witnessed every step of their growth. So, if it was possible, the two naturally wished Hoopa would regain its full power and become whole once again.
"Since that's the case, we'll take our leave now. See you again someday."
Lucas slightly curved his lips in a gentle smile. After bidding farewell, he walked off slowly with Giovanni and the others.
But not long after Lucas's group left…
Another group arrived at the outskirts of the Arche Valley.
"Is this the place?"
A man with a lion-like red mane stared at the narrow valley path ahead, questioning the subordinate beside him.
"Yes, Lord Lysandre. If you follow this path all the way down, you'll reach a valley."
A small squad captain of Team Flare pointed ahead respectfully.
Ever since he received the order two days ago, he had been searching nonstop for the Arche Valley. Since he had seen it personally, there could be no mistake.
"Good. Move out."
Lysandre nodded in satisfaction. Without hesitation, he issued the command.
"Are you sure about this? We still haven't figured out who sent that intelligence, have we?"
As Team Flare's members began moving forward one after another, the lightly disguised Malva frowned slightly and questioned Lysandre.
The existence of the Arche Valley did confirm the intel's accuracy.
But they still had absolutely no idea who had leaked this information.
And why? What was the purpose of giving it to them?
Anyone with half a brain would know that something about this was wrong.
Malva couldn't understand why Lysandre, normally cautious and calculating, would still come personally knowing there was clearly something suspicious.
"There's no such thing as a free lunch, Malva. No plan in the world can ever have a perfect success rate."
Lysandre spoke lowly, his gaze fixed on the distant valley.
"I don't care what scheme the person behind this may be plotting. That Hoopa… is too important to us!"
His voice deepened. To this day, Team Flare still had no clues about the locations of Xerneas and Yveltal.
Finding those two legendaries was far too difficult.
But Hoopa…
Hoopa was a dream he could reach out and seize.
"But…"
Malva's brows tightened further.
"No buts! Malva, we must succeed this time! A beautiful world is calling to us — don't you understand?"
"And besides… with this fellow here, even if there is some trap, we won't need to fear it."
Lysandre turned his gaze behind him.
Following closely was the plump Xerosic, carrying a metal case.
Inside that case, a Zygarde Core lay quietly, its eyes tightly closed.
"…"
Malva fell silent.
The Zygarde Core was Lysandre's greatest trump card.
Yet for some reason, unease continued creeping through her heart.
The Arche Valley —
the peaceful and tranquil village —
was about to welcome a group of new, ominous visitors.
"Huh? Welcome, strangers!"
As Lysandre and his people approached the village entrance, Meraz happened to notice them and greeted them with a friendly smile.
"Hello. We've come here to search for something."
Lysandre scanned the small village. It wasn't big — with the men he brought, searching the entire place would be easy.
"What are you looking for? We'll help you search."
Coming closer, Meraz looked him over. Her brows knitted ever so slightly.
She didn't know why, but she felt a sense of danger from these people.
Completely different from the gentle and polite presence of Lucas earlier…
These people seemed difficult to deal with even hostile.
"Thank you, young lady. We're looking for a certain Pokémon."
Lysandre met her gaze. Meraz was innocent and simple; her emotions practically showed on her face. But he didn't mind.
With this many intimidating strangers suddenly arriving, how could these secluded villagers not be worried?
"Hoopa. The Pokémon we're looking for is named Hoopa. Do you know it?"
Hoopa?!
Meraz's heart tightened.
They came here specifically for Hoopa?!
"I… don't know. There are very few Pokémon here. I've never heard of that name…"
She forced a smile, attempting to deny Hoopa's existence.
But—
"You're not suited for lying, child. And someone as pure as you shouldn't pick up such bad habits."
Lysandre interrupted her gently.
With his sharp eye, seeing through her clumsy lie was effortless.
And her reaction told him everything he needed —
Hoopa was here.
Meraz bit her lip and took small steps back. She could almost confirm it now: these people came with bad intentions.
But when she tried to retreat further, two Liepard had already blocked her path, bodies low, eyes hostile.
Meraz trembled. This—
"We won't hurt you. But I need a little cooperation from you."
Lysandre's tone remained calm. He didn't see himself as an evil man — at least in his own mind.
"W-what do you want…?"
Meraz forced back the fear. She grew up in this peaceful valley — she had never faced an evil organization like Team Flare.
"As long as you cooperate, nothing will happen. I don't want to stain such a beautiful place with ugliness."
His gaze shifted toward the village.
Then he waved his hand.
In an instant, Team Flare members rushed into the village.
A place that had known peace for over a century was, in that moment, thrown into turmoil.
Lysandre wasn't someone who enjoyed harming the innocent. He hated greedy, selfish humans — and the people of this valley were simple and pure.
But he didn't mind using violence to achieve his goals.
The harmony was shattered.
The villagers were far too weak to resist Team Flare. Their attempts at struggle were easily suppressed.
Until—
Outside the village—
"Meraz! Everyone! Who are you?! Meraz!"
Baraz arrived, his voice trembling with fury as he saw Meraz and the villagers restrained.
Hoopa hovered anxiously beside him, its round little face filled with worry.
"You don't know me. Just think of me as a stranger. This is Hoopa, isn't it?"
Lysandre ignored Baraz completely. His eyes locked onto Punisher Hoopa.
Even someone normally as composed as he was… couldn't help showing a faint heat in his gaze.
"You… came here for Hoopa?"
Baraz forced himself to calm down, though his fists were clenched tight enough to tremble.
"Yes. I need your Hoopa to help me with a small task. Afterwards, I'll release everyone."
Threatening them using hostages — the simplest method.
And Lysandre felt no shame about it at all.
Baraz gritted his teeth and exchanged a look with Hoopa.
Hoopa nodded back, understanding the gravity of the situation.
"What do you want Hoopa to do?"
"Hoopa, the Great Djinn… possesses extraordinary spatial powers. I need Xerneas and Yveltal."
Lysandre's voice deepened. He chose to trust the intel — or rather, he needed to believe it.
Both Baraz and Hoopa froze in shock.
"Summon Xerneas and Yveltal for me. Then I'll release them."
"Are you insane?! If Yveltal appears, we'll all die!"
Baraz finally snapped. His voice thundered with anger.
His gentle personality could no longer hold back the rage. His sister, his relatives, the villagers he grew up with — all held hostage.
And this madman wanted Hoopa to summon Yveltal?!
Every Kalos native knew the legends —
Yveltal, the Wing of Destruction.
The ender of life itself.
"That isn't for you to worry about. The choice is yours. You can have Hoopa summon the two legends… or…"
Before he finished, the Liepard and other Pokémon surrounding the villagers bared their fangs threateningly.
Baraz trembled with frustration and helplessness. He had never felt so powerless.
"Baraz…"
Hoopa sensed his agony and spoke softly.
Such a bad man!
If its power wasn't sealed, how could these people dare threaten them?
"Please… Hoopa… If anything happens to Meraz and the others…"
"I understand."
Hoopa lowered its head.
They had no choice.
Removing the two golden rings from its horns, Hoopa tossed them high into the air.
The rings expanded massively, and the space within began to distort.
"Hoopa… pull…!"
With Hoopa's chant, the center of the spatial rings twisted violently.
Lysandre held his breath, eyes fixed on the two enormous rings.
Finally—
A large black cocoon…
and a green plant-like object…
fell out of the rings.
Silence.
Team Flare stared blankly at the "black egg"… and the tree.
Lysandre: "…"
(End of Chapter)