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AZ stood on Hotel Z’s rooftop, gazing at Ange and a flickering green light that occasionally zipped up and hit it. He was able to piece together that it was Zygarde. He leaned heavily on his cane, a shudder running down his spine. He was vaguely aware of the flapping of wings and the clatter of hooves behind him. He didn’t turn, but he could tell it was Yveltal and Xerneas. He had forged a psychic connection with the legendaries upon the terrible day he launched the ultimate weapon. They had only crossed paths twice, both times being horrific for the poor creatures. He eventually spoke, not daring to look at them. “You sensed it…” “One of your devices firing off and Zygarde in it’s complete form was definitely noteworthy.” Yveltal “said”, it’s tone cool. Xerneas trotted up beside AZ, gazing at the tower. “We will have to assist in the recovery.” It’s tone was less passive aggressive, but still sounded a bit irked. The voice was also more faint than it’s counterpart’s. “I’ve begun to slip off the ledge between you two, haven’t I?” He asked, running his thumb along the subtle grooves of his cane. Yveltal moved to hover beside AZ on the side opposite to Xerneas, responding in a grim, yet gentle voice. “I’m afraid so.” Xerneas closed it’s eyes, ears twitching. “You have about 2 hours naturally. We come to reconvene with you, because those 2 hours will be riddled with pain, unless you allow us to-” AZ looked to the sky, finishing it’s statement. “-euthanize me… On one hand, I do not wish to die without a final goodbye, but those under my care do not deserve to see me actively ebbing away.” Yveltal brushed a wing across AZ’s head, a gesture that would’ve been comforting if not for the chill it sent down his spine. He closed his eyes, and pictured his beloved Floette having to witness him die agonizingly. He could not bear the thought. Opening his eyes, he nodded. Xerneas and Yveltal bowed their heads, the former stepping back and the latter rose upwards, wings slowly spreading. A ball of energy began to form, and Xerneas closed it’s eyes, jerking it’s head away as if yanking away any sort of life energy it would supply. AZ looked up at the ball aimed right at him, feeling a sense of odd fear. Would Arceus accept him? Or would he end up as a ghost type Pokemon, forced to remain a shell of himself even longer, with no loved ones recognizing him? Or, worst of all, would Arceus outright reject him, banishing him from his domain? He couldn’t know. But as the beam approached, he turned his head to look as a flash of green light appeared. He knew that Lumiose was now safe. And that’s when the beam hit him. It felt agonizing and like nothing at all at the same time. He felt warm and cold, young and old, happy and sad, healthy and ill, he felt everything. He slumped over as the beam faded, feeling himself slip away as the world got faint. AZ was aware of a gentle set of teeth dragging him to sit on the ground. It’s telepathic voice was too faint to hear, but he could hear Yveltal as clearer than ever as he slipped away. “Rest, your highness. You are under my wings until Arceus judges you.”