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

Angie dismounted from Espathra and asked curiously, "Ash, what brings you here?"

Ash responded, "Mr. Angie, so you're the owner of this place?"

Angie nodded. "That's right!"

Ash explained, "We're here with Diancie, searching for Xerneas."

Hearing this, Angie turned her attention to the other Diancie, who was locked in a wide-eyed stare-off with her own.

Merrick, Bort, and Allotrope were equally stunned. Glancing back and forth between Angie's Diancie and their princess, they muttered in disbelief, "There are... two princesses!"

Who would have thought that outside the Diamond Domain, another princess of the Diamond Domain could exist? Typically, only the massive Carbink population in the Diamond Domain could give rise to the rare mutation that is Diancie.

"Um… hello," Angie's Diancie said first.

"Greetings," the Diamond Domain princess replied, her curious gaze fixed on Angie's Diancie.

Despite both being Diancie, Angie's, having lived with humans for a long time, was clearly more expressive and human-like, while the Diamond Domain princess exuded innocence and purity.

At this moment, Merrick hopped over with Bort and Allotrope, addressing Angie, "Sir Angie, it's an honor to see you again."

Angie smiled. "So it's you all!"

The three Carbink nodded vigorously, and Bort stepped forward to say, "It's a great honor to reunite with you, Sir Angie!"

Angie replied, "The honor's mine. I never expected you to be Princess Diancie's retainers."

Allotrope added, "And we never expected Sir Angie to have a princess of their own. It's truly astonishing!"

Merrick and Bort nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Angie commented, "Meeting a second Diancie surprises me as well."

Serena, curious, asked, "So, Mr. Angie, you already knew Merrick and the others?"

Merrick explained, "Sir Angie is the one I mentioned before—the person who saved us and gave us food. Without Sir Angie's help, we wouldn't have found the princess so quickly."

"I see," Serena said, nodding in understanding.

Ash and the others finally realized the connection.

"But how did you all end up here on the Nebel Plateau?" Angie asked, puzzled.

Clemont began explaining, "Here's what happened…"

The Diamond Domain, where Diancie resides, is a vast underground world scattered across the globe, home to numerous Carbink. At the pinnacle of Carbink society is Diancie, their ruler.

The Diamond Domain's existence hinges on the support of a Sacred Diamond created by Diancie. However, as years passed, the Sacred Diamond that sustained the domain had reached the end of its lifespan. Unfortunately, the newly emerged Diancie had yet to master the art of crafting a new Sacred Diamond.

If Diancie couldn't quickly learn this ability, the entire Diamond Domain would collapse without its energy source. This would leave countless Carbink homeless and unprotected.

To create a Sacred Diamond, one must first grasp the power of Fairy Aura. Seeking the guidance of Xerneas was the most direct solution.

Thus, under the advice of her ministers, Diancie left the Diamond Domain, embarking on a journey to find Xerneas, accompanied by Merrick, Bort, and Allotrope.

Along the way, Diancie's rarity and unique abilities caught the attention of thieves, who pursued her relentlessly. Eventually, Ash and his friends came to her rescue. Feeling grateful, they decided to help Diancie search for Xerneas.

Diancie possesses the ability to sense Fairy Aura. Wherever Xerneas has been, traces of Fairy Aura linger. Following these residual traces, Diancie led Ash and his friends to the Nebel Plateau.

After hearing Clemont's explanation, Angie remarked, "So that's how it is… Xerneas was indeed here on the Nebel Plateau."

Hearing Angie's words, Diancie and Ash's group were all elated.

However, their joy lasted barely three seconds before Angie added, "But Xerneas has already left!"

"What? No way!" Ash groaned.

Diancie and the Carbink also looked disheartened.

Seeing the group's dejected faces, Angie offered, "Why don't you all come over to my place? You've been traveling for a while—you must be tired!"

"That's great idea!" Bonnie cheered, raising her hand enthusiastically. "I'd love to see what your house looks like, Mr. Angie!"

Ash's group exchanged glances with Diancie and eventually agreed to Angie's suggestion.

"Alright then, follow me," Angie said, climbing back onto his Espathra, leading the way.

Ash's group followed closely behind. Seeing Espathra, Serena, curious about the unfamiliar Pokémon, pulled out her Pokédex and scanned it.

The Pokédex immediately displayed an image of the Gallade and provided its information:

[ Espathra, an Ostrich Pokémon, Psychic-type, and its the evolved form of Flittle. It immobilizes opponents by bathing them in psychic power from its large eyes. It also emits psychic power from the gaps between it's multicolored frills and sprints at speeds greater than 120 mph. ]

After hearing the Pokédex entry, Ash and his friends were amazed. The elegant appearance of Espathra left a strong impression.

Hearing the sound of the Pokédex, Espathra turned its head slightly to glance at the group. Its sharp gaze glimmered, causing Serena to shudder involuntarily.

Ash, however, was unfazed and exclaimed, "Another Pokémon I haven't seen before!"

Serena was surprised. "Wait, even you haven't seen it, Ash?" To her, Ash was an experienced Trainer who had encountered countless Pokémon, so it was shocking to find one he didn't recognize.

Angie chuckled and explained, "Espathra is more commonly found in the Paldea region. It's not as easy to spot in other regions.

Ash, being from Kanto, probably hasn't visited Paldea, so it's not surprising he doesn't know Espathra."

The group nodded in understanding, while Ash silently made a mental note of the Paldea region.

Clemont, meanwhile, observed the surrounding orchards, noting how some trees were still flowering while others had thumb-sized berry. Among the trees, colorful Vivillon fluttered gracefully. He turned to Angie and asked, "Mr. Angie, did you plant all these berry trees yourself?"

Angie nodded and replied, "Yes, although most of the care is done by Pokémon. I'm just reaping the benefits."

Clemont nodded thoughtfully.

With Angie leading, the group quickly made their way through the orchard, formally entering the Nebel Plateau.

As Ash, Diancie, and the others stepped onto the plateau, a Honedge silently trailed them from behind, slipping in unnoticed.

Meanwhile, aboard a distant airship, a father and daughter were closely monitoring Diancie's every move through the Honedge.

"Daddy, another Diancie has appeared!" the daughter, Milis, exclaimed in surprise.

Her father, Argus Steel, who had been lazily lounging in a chair eating chocolate, suddenly sat upright. "Two Diancie?" he echoed in shock.

Milis nodded and confirmed, "Yes!"

Argus excitedly said, "Doesn't that mean we're going to strike it rich?"

Diancie had the ability to create diamonds, and as long as they could capture Diancie, they would have a continuous source of wealth.

However, both father and daughter were well aware that until they mastered the Fairy Aura, the diamonds created by Diancie would disappear after a short period of time and would be of no use to them.

So, they followed Diancie closely, not rushing to act, even offering help when Diancie faced difficulties. They waited patiently for Diancie to find Xerneas, learn the Fairy Aura, and only then did they plan to capture Diancie.

Milis furrowed her brows and said, "But the second Diancie seems to have a Trainer!"

Argus was surprised. "I never thought someone could catch Diancie, but..."

With a sinister smile, he added, "So what if it has a Trainer? Have you forgotten who we are?"

Upon hearing this, Milis smiled as well.

Yes, they were the infamous thieves, the Steels!

The surname Steel belonged to both Milis and Argus.

On their way back, Angie encountered an Infernape patrolling alongside Hippopotas, Hippowdon, Lairon, and Drilbur. He waved at the Pokémon, and Infernape immediately led the others over.

When Ash saw Infernape, a nostalgic look appeared on his face, as he also had an Infernape of his own.

Angie waved at Infernape, who looked at him in confusion before walking over.

Angie subtly glanced at the sky, then whispered something in Infernape's ear. Infernape, surprised, looked toward the sky. The next second, it leaped into the air effortlessly and punched the empty sky.

Flame Punch!

Sparks exploded in the air, and then a scream rang out. A Honedge suddenly appeared out of nowhere, wobbling as it fell toward the ground.

Back with Milis and Argus, they were monitoring everything happening on the Nebel Plateau through the Honedge, but as soon as it was knocked out, their monitor went blank.

Although Honedge could become invisible, its aura could not be hidden, and Angie had detected it immediately.

Infernape grabbed the fallen Honedge and tossed it at Angie's feet before continuing to patrol with the others.

Angie picked up the unconscious Honedge and, after a quick search, retrieved a broken camera from it.

Clemont frowned and asked, "Mr. Angie, what's going on with this Honedge?"

Angie responded, "Didn't you notice that you were being watched? This Honedge must have been tailing you all the way!"

Ash and his group were shocked, exchanging confused looks. They hadn't noticed at all.

"Could it be them?" Serena guessed.

"Who are you talking about?" Angie asked.

"The man and woman—one in ninja clothes, the other in a magician's outfit. They've been chasing Diancie, and I've heard they're famous thieves," Clemont explained.

Actually, Clemont was referring to the notorious thieves, Riot and Marylin, who had also set their sights on Diancie and had attacked it multiple times along the way.

The ones helping Diancie escape their clutches were Milis and her father.

"It has to be them!" Ash said firmly.

In Ash's mind, Milis and her father, who had once helped them, were good people, so he had no doubt about their innocence.

Angie was unaware of Milis and her father's presence, and naturally, he believed that Honedge's actions were the work of the ninja thief and magician thief Clemont had mentioned.

However, he didn't dwell on the matter and smiled at Ash and the others, saying, "Let's go."

Ash and his group nodded and followed Angie as they continued toward his home.

Meanwhile, Milis and Argus were in a tense situation.

Milis anxiously said, "Dad, what are we going to do? Honedge has been captured!"

Argus stood up from his reclining chair and replied, "Let's go and get Honedge back."

At the same time, Doublade and Aegislash appeared on each side of Argus, firmly showing their support.

Like Honedge, they were Argus's Pokémon and had played a major role in his life as a thief. Argus couldn't afford to lose Honedge.

"Let's go then!"

Milis didn't object to her father's decision.

Although they were thieves, their attitude toward their Pokémon was no different from that of a regular Trainer.

Pokémon were their companions, their family!

Milis then piloted their airship toward the Nebel Plateau.

The airship, which had cloaking capabilities, flew unnoticed through the Nebel Plateau, undetected by the patrols of Talonflame, Staraptor, and Altaria that were keeping watch from the air.

However, shortly after the airship entered the Nebel Plateau, Volcanion, who had been resting on the grass, suddenly lifted its head.

Although it couldn't see the airship, its sensitivity to airflow was extraordinary, and the disturbance caused by the airship caught its attention.

There's an intruder! Volcanion thought.

When the airship flew directly above Volcanion, it released its twin arms from its back, and an immense surge of energy erupted from them. In the next moment, Volcanion shot into the air, landing on the airship and shaking it violently.

"What's going on?" Argus asked.

"It seems like a Pokémon is attacking us!" Milis shouted, struggling to control the ship.

However, Volcanion had already begun its assault. Streams of fire erupted from its arms, transforming into fiery rings that surrounded the entire airship.

It was a Fire Spin!

"How could a Pokémon have discovered us?" Argus's face darkened.

"I don't know!" Milis wiped the sweat from her brow in a panic.

Under the intense heat of the flames, the airship's cloaking ability was deactivated. Both Milis and Argus, affected by the high temperatures inside, had no choice but to make an emergency landing.

As soon as the airship touched the ground, Infernape and the others surrounded it, while Talonflame, Staraptor, and Altaria also arrived from the air to block off any escape.

Volcanion looked at the Pokémon and said, "Keep an eye on it. I'll inform Angie."

It didn't engage with the people inside the ship but instead left the situation to the other Pokémon, eager to let the younger ones experience a real battle!

The Pokémon nodded in agreement.

Once Volcanion left, Milis and Argus emerged from the ship, looking disheveled from the intense heat.

Upon realizing they were surrounded, Milis and Argus understood that things had taken a turn for the worse and decided to make a break for it.

"Aegislash, Shadow Sneak!"

At Argus's command, a long shadow extended from Aegislash's body, silently circling behind Infernape and striking its back.

Infernape staggered from the hit.

Aegislash tried to continue its assault, but Hippowdon leapt forward, using Crunch to bite into Aegislash and halt its advance.

Seeing this, Doublade unsheathed both swords and attempted a critical strike with Night Slash to free Aegislash.

At that moment, Drilbur leapt high into the air, using Shadow Claw to strike Doublade, sending it flying.

Having studied under Metagross for so long, Dribule wasn't someone to be taken lightly.

Milis, seeing her father's Pokémon at a disadvantage, immediately reached for a Poké Ball. With a flash of red light, her Chesnaught appeared outside.

Chesnaught didn't need its Trainer's command. It whipped out two vines to bind Drilbur, tossing it away.

Staraptor, who was flying nearby, quickly swooped down to catch Drilbur.

Both Altaria simultaneously used Ice Beam, firing two beams of white light toward Chesnaught.

Chesnaught crossed its arms in front of itself, and a large number of green thorns erupted from its body, blocking the attack from the two Altaria.

It was Spiky Shield!

On the other side, Infernape, furious after being ambushed by Aegislash, immediately used Flamethrower, spewing flames toward Aegislash.

Aegislash quickly shook off Hippowdon, using King's Shield to protect Milis and Argus behind it.

When Doublade wanted to attack Infernape, Hippopotas stepped forward, leaping into the air and knocking Doublade to the ground. It opened its mouth and used Crunch to bite into Doublade.

The Dark-type Crunch attack was doubly effective against Doublade, dealing it severe damage.

"Doublade!" Argus shouted in concern.

At this time, Hippowdon also pounce over and using the Ground-type move Stomping Tantrum, which was also effective against Doublade, and stomped heavily on Doublade.

Doublade immediately lost the ability to fight.

Infernape had already jumped to the front of Aegislash and used Fire Punch, landing blow after blow on Aegislash's shield.

Although King's Shield had strong defensive power, its success rate decreased with continuous use.

Finally, after persistent attacks from Infernape, Aegislash's King's Shield was broken.

At that moment, Talonflame swooped down, its body enveloped in fierce flames, and crashed into Aegislash with full force.

It used the Fire-type physical move Flare Blitz.

Aegislash screamed in agony as it fell to the ground.

Infernape didn't hesitate and jumped on top of Aegislash, landing another Fire Punch.

Fire-type moves were super effective against Steel-type Pokémon like Aegislash, and Aegislash also immediately lost the ability to fight.

The situation with Chesnaught was similar to Aegislash's. Spiky Shield, being a move that becomes less effective with repeated use, eventually faltered under the constant barrage of Ice Beams from the two Altaria.

Chesnaught, unable to do anything but defend, was struck by two Ice Beams at once after multiple uses of Spiky Shield, instantly turning into an ice sculpture.

Milis and Argus sat on the ground in despair upon seeing this.

At that moment, several vines appeared, binding the father and daughter tightly. It was Gogoat and Skiddo, who had heard the commotion and rushed to their aid.

As for Angie, he had just arrived home with Ash and the others and hadn't even sat down when he heard Volcanion's loud voice from outside.

"Angie! Angie! Are you home? Hurry up and come out!"

Angie, upon hearing the voice, said, "That's Volcanion's voice."

He turned to Ash and the others and said, "Wait here for a moment, I'll go check it out."

Volcanion? Who's that?

Ash and his group, curious, followed Angie outside.

"What's going on, Volcanion?" Angie asked in confusion.

On the second floor, Magearna, who was practicing making desserts in the kitchen, heard Volcanion's voice. She stuck her head out to check the situation, still wearing a floral apron.

Volcanion said, "Intruders have arrived on the plateau and I've caught them! Come with me and take a look!"

Ash and his group were very surprised when they saw Volcanion, a Pokémon they had never seen before. Ash and Serena simultaneously took out their Pokédexes and pointed them at Volcanion, but the Pokédex responded.

[ No data available. ]

Ash, Serena, and Clemont exchanged shocked glances.

Angie, upon hearing Volcanion's words, was surprised. "Intruders?"

Volcanion nodded, speaking with certainty, "They came in an invisible airship, sneaking around with bad intentions. I'm sure of it!"

"Let's go, I'll go check it out with you!" Angie said.

Volcanion nodded and turned around, walking ahead to lead the way.

Angie called out upstairs, "Metagross, could you come out and accompany me on this trip?"

Since these were intruders, Angie decided to take Metagross with him just to be safe.

"Metagross~"

Metagross, who was preparing lessons inside, heard Angie's voice and flew out from the balcony, with Pawmi sitting on its head.

"Pawmi~"

Pawmi waved happily at Angie.

"Let's go!" Angie said.

Seeing this, Ash and the others quickly followed. That way, if Angie encountered any trouble, they could help.

When they arrived at the scene, they saw Milis and Argus tightly bound by vines, wrapped in tight circles.

Ash's group was shocked when they saw Milis.

"Why is it you..."

Clemont looked at Angie and said, "Mr. Angie, is there some kind of misunderstanding? This young lady has helped us before. She doesn't seem like a bad person."

Milis, as if clinging to a lifeline, quickly explained, "Yes, we're not bad people. We just happened to pass by here, and didn't expect to be attacked by the Pokémon here. Our airship was destroyed as well."

"Is that so?" Angie said with a faint smile, looking at the father and daughter. "It's easy to figure out whether you're bad people or not."

With that, Angie waved his hand at the Talonflame in the sky. Talonflame quickly flew down to Angie's side, and he whispered something in its ear. Talonflame flapped its wings and flew off.

Soon, Talonflame returned carrying Ralts, who was then placed next to Milis and Argus.

"Now, tell me again—are you really not bad people?" Angie asked.

Ralts was able to easily sense whether someone was lying or not.

At this point, Milis and Argus fell silent.

Just then, Metagross brought out Robert 2.0, who emitted beams of light from its eyes, scanning the father and daughter. The photos of both were entered into the computer, and the images were cross-referenced with information from the internet.

Metagross was very efficient at filtering network information, and soon, Robert 2.0 spoke up.

"Information on the two has been found.

Female: Milis Steel, 16 years old, member of the Steel Thieves. Her father is Argus Steel.

Male: Argus Steel, 41 years old, member of the Steel Thieves. His daughter is Milis Steel.

Steel Thieves: International thieves, wanted criminals, previously involved in multiple theft cases..."

Upon hearing Robert 2.0's words, Ash and his group looked at Milis and Argus in disbelief.

"So you've been targeting Diancie from the start? Helping us was all part of your plan?" Serena asked.

Once their identities were exposed, Milis gave up and said, "Yes!" She then revealed the real reason she had helped Ash and the others, as well as Diancie.

Ash and his group were stunned after hearing her confession.

Angie, seeing this, said, "Alright, let's leave these two to Officer Jenny."

With that, he dialed Jeremy's number.

Soon, Jeremy and Officer Jenny arrived at the Nebel Plateau.