"Roar!"
An emerald radiance gradually burst out before fusing into Rayquaza's body, causing Rayquaza's speed to reach its peak. Precipice Blades brushed past its sides, and no matter how furious Groudon was, all of its attacks missed.
Precipice Blades can knock down the Pidgeys that taunt it or any unidentified flying objects, vindicating the Ground type, but it's completely helpless against the blazing speed of Rayquaza's flight.
Against Kyogre's Origin Pulse, Rayquaza teased it by weaving up and down, spiraling forward around the Origin Pulse.
A streak of green light flashed across the sky, and in the blink of an eye Rayquaza was already in front of Kyogre. The power of Dragon Ascent fully erupted, sending Kyogre's massive body flying, and then Rayquaza, still brimming with momentum, charged toward Groudon.
Kyogre sank into the sea, while Groudon collapsed upon the blistering, lava-scorched land behind it.
Surging waves rushed toward Kaido's position, and blobs of magma splashed up from Groudon's body and flew over as if to join in the fun, but Kaido showed no sign of withdrawing; instead he transformed into his Azure Dragon form, created the Protect barrier around his head and charged high into the sky.
He needed a better vantage point to watch the battle.
As Kaido flew upward, Kyogre had already swum back out from the deep sea, and Groudon also forced itself up from the lava-scorched ground, but the power on their bodies symbolizing Primal Reversion had already vanished.
Under Rayquaza's Dragon Ascent, Kyogre and Groudon were both beaten back to their original forms, and the fighting intent that had filled them earlier had completely dissipated.
Their conflict had not disappeared, but because of Rayquaza's power they were forced to halt their fight.
"Roar!" (Keep fighting! Go on, show me more of your battle! When you've had enough, both of you get lost from here!)
Kyogre and Groudon stared at each other for a while, as if arranging a time for their next fight. Then, as if to taunt, Kyogre first flew a half circle in the sky before turning and diving back into the deep sea.
On the other hand, Groudon angrily turned its body and strode off step by step toward the distance. As the dispute ended, Rayquaza also cancelled its Mega form and prepared to return to the ozone layer.
"Sky High Pokemon Rayquaza, it maintains the balance of the Hoenn region. Lord Arceus wants…."
At that moment, Kaido chased straight after it, not even letting Cynthia finish her words.
"Worororo, you can understand me, right? Come fight! This is the kind of battle I want!"
The battle between Groudon and Kyogre was thrilling. From the moment they appeared, the weather changed dramatically, and the attacks they unleashed with a wave of hand or a step were enough to reshape the land. If those two behemoths kept fighting, the scale of disaster they would cause could not be predicted.
After all, without Rayquaza to mediate, Kyogre and Groudon would fight until Hoenn was destroyed; even the continental shelves would be utterly remade.
Yet these two world-ending calamities were taken on by Rayquaza one against two. Though it wasn't a fight-to-death, the weaker party could not possibly force such a fight to stop; only a stronger side could end it.
To let such an opponent leave without a proper fight would be an incredible waste.
But before Kaido could catch up, the surroundings suddenly shattered, and when he reappeared he was already beside Arceus on Sacred Mountain.
The moment Rayquaza's figure vanished, the live broadcast in front of Yamato also broke apart. Dust-like ice crystals reflected the sunlight and created a gorgeous sight before Yamato, but she could not appreciate it at all.
Her eyes were vacant, and there seemed to be a spirit drifting above her body.
In the end, her ominous premonition really became a painful reality. She had seen the scene of Kaido chasing Rayquaza and had heard Kaido's declaration. If Kaido obtained that power….
[Dragon Ascent • Ragnaraku Bagua!]
In her imagination, a single blow sent her back to God. She even made up a name for Kaido's technique.
"No, absolutely not. If I'm slower than that b*stard father, we'll be right back to how things were over a decade ago."
Right now, Kaido was a nuisance to Yamato, but no longer an overwhelming threat she couldn't handle. She had the ability to stand against him. Should Kaido let his guard down and let her land a hit, he'd be the one suffering.
It wasn't the same as over a decade ago. Back then, she was beaten by Kaido on all fronts, and the outcome of their battles depended entirely on how much Kaido felt like toying with her.
She finally completed her studies, but it wasn't yet time to inherit the vast family business. So, her task became helping out family while traveling, all while preparing to pursue higher education.
But, out of nowhere, Arceus enrolled Kaido in an adult remedial class, and it looks like he's about to pass and make it big.
At that moment, a Blissey curiously poked half its body through the door, eyeing the strange Yamato with interest.
"Blisseeeey~?"
It was the end of autumn; Wano Country's temperature was in a pleasantly comfortable range, and golden sunlight streamed into the room through the window, looking very cozy.
But the sunlight didn't seem to bring Yamato any warmth. Bathed in light, she seemed to be wrestling with life's dilemmas, her kneeling posture tinged with a hint of despair.
After a short while, Yamato stood up again, her eyes full of fighting spirit.
"I'll be faster than that b*stard father! Zekrom, Reshiram, get ready. I'm starting again!"
With her fighting spirit temporarily awakened, she resolved to master that power first. She nimbly climbed out the window, unfurled her lightning wings, and flew toward the Sacred Mountain. She was going to continue her trial.
As for why she didn't run away? She had to try first. After confirming she couldn't handle Kaido, it wouldn't be too late to think about escaping.
Arceus's decision snapped the slightly lax Yamato back into urgency. As she hurried this way, the preparations made for Kaido were also continuing.
"Ready?"
"Worororo, I've been ready for a long time. So, what do I need to do?"
Kaido wasn't a mere thug. Before doing something, he needed to know the general approach.
"Gain its approval, or make it acknowledge you."
"Isn't that the same thing?"
"There's a difference. You saw that battle. Calling it a war of gods wouldn't be an exaggeration.
"Pokémon at this level have their own wills. Groudon won't favor someone who worships the sea, and Kyogre won't accept someone who advocates for the land."
"If you don't earn their approval, or if your personality isn't suitable, they won't lend you their power.
"You must have qualities they value to earn their recognition."
This is the most common way Legendary Pokémon form connections with humans - Bonds.
Darkrai of Alamos Town and Noland's Articuno in the Battle Frontier are examples of such bonds.
The method isn't unique, but the other approach is basically something no one can accomplish.
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