Chapter 308: Sky High Pokémon
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Sky Pillar – Dragonhark Alter]
Azure Sky, a trainer whose name echoed through Kanto and Johto's hallowed halls after two consecutive League victories, found himself standing at the precipice of a new legend. A legend born from ancient prophesies and the raw, untamed power of the sky.
He had come to the Sky Pillar, and his objective was singular: to commune with, and perhaps even capture, the Sky High Pokémon, Rayquaza. The final confrontation with Zinnia had been… straightforward.
A strategic deployment of Regice, its icy heart radiating a chilling Blizzard, had effectively neutralized the Dragon-type Master. The Sky Pillar, once a stage for dramatic pronouncements and chaotic battles, was now quiet, the echoes of Zinnia's defeat a fading whisper.
Azure's path to the summit was clear, the air thick with anticipation, and the faint, otherworldly shimmer of the summit's entrance. Before stepping into the unknown, Azure performed a familiar ritual. With a series of practiced clicks, he recalled his formidable team all returned to the comforting confines of their Poké Balls.
He allowed himself a fleeting moment of pride in their strength, their loyalty, before focusing on the task at hand. The light ahead was not merely light; it was a barrier, a celestial shield that repelled Pokémon and their abilities with equal ferocity.
A safety measure, he realized, designed to protect the slumbering titan within. Stepping into the luminous beam felt like being drawn into the heart of a star. A gentle, yet insistent, pull guided him upwards, through a spectral passageway that seemed to ascend into the very heavens.
As he navigated the ethereal corridors, a ghostly edifice materialized before him. It was the ice berg, an artifact of Regice's strategic intervention, now serving as a conduit, a bridge across the chasm of untamed energy.
It held the shimmering chains of the barrier at bay, allowing Azure a safe passage. With each step, the weight of his journey, the countless battles, the years of dedication, seemed to coalesce into a singular purpose. Finally, the passage opened. The passageway expelled him onto a vast, windswept platform.
The air grew thin, impossibly so, yet Azure found himself breathing with surprising ease as he activated his Viridian Force. The Viridian Force seemed to expand, a protective bubble that not only negated the environmental hazards but also created a pocket of familiar comfort.
Then, he saw it.
Rayquaza.
The embodiment of draconic majesty, the embodiment of storms, the Sky High Pokémon, Rayquaza, in its slumber. The Sky High Pokémon was immense, its serpentine form coiled in a majestic slumber, a colossal entity seemingly woven from emerald scales and stardust. It was magnificent, terrifying, and utterly serene.
But its repose was not one of peace. Between Azure and his quarry lay a thick, swirling miasma of poisonous ozone, a defense mechanism born of the legendary Pokémon's raw power and its millennia of isolation. It obscured Rayquaza, creating a hazy, distorted silhouette.
A sickly, iridescent cloud of poisonous ozone enveloped it, a toxic shroud that emanated a palpable aura of distress and immobility. The air itself crackled with the stagnant, suffocating energy.
*Shiii*
Azure's Viridian Force, however, pulsed stronger now, a soothing balm against the noxious fumes. He could breathe. He could be.
*Pop*
A familiar, comforting weight settled on his shoulder, followed by a lighter, more inquisitive presence on his head. Azure chuckled, the sound muffled by the sheer awe of the moment, "Hahaha… Pikachu. Eevee."
His most loyal companions, unable to bear being left behind, had burst from their Poké Balls the instant the ozone's effect had lessened. Pikachu, ever the eager protector, perched on his shoulder, its tiny paws digging slightly into his jacket.
Eevee, with its boundless curiosity, had made a beeline for his head, its soft fur tickling his scalp. Their presence, their unwavering trust, was a grounding force in this surreal environment. Their familiar presences were a comforting anchor in this place of immense power.
*Shiii*
Azure felt a familiar warmth spread through his chest, a soothing balm against the noxious atmosphere. He activated his Viridian Force, a unique, intrinsic power that seemed to resonate with the very essence of life.
The poisonous ozone, as if recognizing a kindred spirit, receded, allowing him to breathe freely. But the playful reunion was fleeting.
He looked back at the slumbering legend. The ozone layer was a formidable barrier, a testament to Rayquaza's power, but it was also a sign of its dormancy. He'd prepared for this moment.
Azure's gaze returned to the colossal dragon. From within his backpack, he withdrew his collection of Key Stones. There were ones he'd relieved Zinnia of their ancient power, humming with a barely contained energy, and others he'd painstakingly acquired from Steven Stone himself, each a testament to his dedication to understanding Mega Evolution at the time.
He held them aloft, a glittering constellation in his palm, and called out, not with his voice, but with the focused intent of his Viridian Force. He called out to Rayquaza, his voice resonating with an authority forged in Kanto's competitive fires, "With these stones… Awaken Rayquaza!!"
*SNAP*
The Sky High Pokémon stirred, its immense form shifting in the stagnant air. The poisonous ozone, like a living entity, was drawn into Rayquaza itself, absorbed into its colossal frame, making Azure gulp.
Rayquaza stirred. Its massive head lifted, emerald scales glinting even through the haze. The ozone around it seemed to recoil, as if acknowledging the power Azure held.
Then, its gaze fell upon the Key Stones. The slumbering dragon's eyes, ancient and wise, narrowed slightly. A flicker of recognition, perhaps, or a disturbance.
Azure felt a subtle shift in the air as Rayquaza's attention also drifted to a familiar, yet unsettling, object in Azure's hand – the Jade Orb. Azure felt a prickle of unease as he sensed Rayquaza's own latent anger, a primal response to the Orb's presence, a shared experience of unwanted manipulation.
He recalled its history, its torment at the hands of the Pokémon Association, a victim of their insatiable scientific curiosity and futile attempt to control it. Rayquaza's ancient mind sensed this painful resonance, a flicker of defensive fury building within its slumbering form as its eyes snapped open.
Seeing the accursed Jade Orb made Rayquaza furious at the thought, 'Foolish human! Do you seek to bind me as others have tried?'
It tensed, ready to retaliate against any perceived threat to its freedom. Its eyes, ancient and wise, focused on the Key Stones glinting in Azure's hand.
Recognition flickered, followed by a deep-seated suspicion. Azure's gaze hardened as he observed Rayquaza's subtle shift. He knew what was coming.
*Shiii*
But before the instinct could fully manifest, the faint, soothing aura of Azure's Viridian Force washed over the Dragon Lord. It was a calming wave, a silent balm that tempered the rising anger.
But then, as quickly as it had surfaced, the anger subsided. Rayquaza sensed the soothing aura of Azure's Viridian Force, an energy that spoke not of control, but of harmony. The dragon settled, its massive body tensing, awaiting Azure's intention.
Rayquaza paused, its immense head tilting slightly, as if weighing the sincerity of the human before it. It sensed something else, too – a faint, yet undeniable, aura veiling Azure, the luminous presence of the Rainbow Pokémon, Ho-Oh.
It was a sign of great respect, perhaps even a pact. Then Rayquaza's eyes narrowed as it thought cautiously, curious, glaring intently at Azure, 'The Rainbow Hero… Ho-Oh's chosen. Tch… seeing that it was Ho-Oh choosing him, this human better have a damn good reason awakening my slumber…'
Seeing that it had not attacked, that its initial hostility had abated, Azure extended his hand, offering the Jade Orb. Beside it, he placed the collection of Key Stones and, with deliberate care, produced the Meteorite. The very same Meteorite that he obtained from Prof. Cozmo.
It was dull and unremarkable to the untrained eye, but as Azure held it, a faint warmth emanated from it, a beacon of cosmic energy that surged in the presence of the Sky High Pokémon. The Meteorite began to glow, a soft pulse that grew steadily brighter, capturing Rayquaza's full attention.
*Bdmp*
It pulsed with a soft, ethereal light, a beacon in the dim chamber, drawing Rayquaza's full attention, eyes widening, detecting the cosmic energy within. Seeing its momentary pause, Azure seized the opportunity.
He said in a clear voice, steady and calm, facing the Sky High Pokémon, "Rayquaza! I offer you not chains, but freedom. Not subjugation, but partnership as equals."
With a practiced flick of his wrist, Azure hurled them upwards. Seeing the objects fly in Rayquaza's direction…
*Wooosh*
… The objects ascended, catching the faint light, and then, with a surge of primal power, Rayquaza lunged. Its colossal maw opened, and in a single, fluid motion, it swallowed the offerings whole.
*GULP*
The Meteorite's glow intensified, then faded, absorbed into the dragon's very being. Rayquaza's body pulsed as its Mikado organ eyes widened as it thought, 'My power…!!! It's finally returning!!!'
A genuine smile spread across Azure's face. Rayquaza had chosen him. It had accepted his offerings, its dormancy broken, its power seemingly renewed. Rayquaza, sensing the return of its lost energy, the restoration of its ancient power, had chosen him.
It had chosen him to be the region's savior, the one to stand against the coming storm. Hoenn had found its savior, and Azure had found a new partner. But his journey was far from over. He needed to forge a true bond, not just a partnership of necessity.
Thus, he issued his challenge. Azure stated his voice resonating with a newfound confidence, declared, "You've regained your strength. And for that, I am grateful. But I ask you to be my Pokémon. To join me, not as a tool, but as a partner. But know this: I earn my partners through battle. I challenge you!"
He reached into his belt and pulled out a single Premier Ball, a sphere of pure white and crimson, imbued with a special significance. With a powerful swing flick of his wrist, he hurled it into the air…
*POP*
The ball burst open with a blinding flash, and from its embrace emerged a creature of breathtaking beauty and power as it cried out, "SCHEEE!!!"
Ho-Oh. The Rainbow Pokémon, in all its magnificent glory, spread its wings of vibrant plumage, each feather catching the ethereal light of the Sky Pillar. Ho-Oh, the Rainbow Pokémon, descended in all its glorious brilliance, a celestial phoenix gracing the ancient platform.
*Fwp*
Its presence filled the cavernous chamber, a testament to divine power. Rayquaza's eyes widened, its gaze locking with Ho-Oh's.
Rayquaza's immense head turned, its ancient eyes locking with the radiant gaze of Ho-Oh. A silent recognition passed between them, a greeting between two beings of immense power, their forms etched into the very fabric of the Pokémon world.
A silent telepathic dialogue ensued, a conversation of epochs and cosmic currents. Then, Rayquaza let out a deafening roar that vibrated through Azure's very bones, "Graooo!!! (Very well then… Rainbow Hero!!! I accept your challenge!!)"
Then, a telepathic resonance filled Azure's mind, a voice that was both ancient and majestic as Rayquaza's voice echoed in his thoughts, 'You have awakened me… You have offered what I needed. So, you seek my allegiance. You offer me power, and then… You summon this?'
*Rmbl*
A rumble vibrated through the stone floor. Rayquaza, seeing Azure's determined expression, recalled its previous Trainer, Aster. The bond it once treasured, reminded it of its former partner standing in place of Azure.
In the same way, he stood before it brave and determined. Rayquaza nodded its head as it roared, replying to Azure's challenge, 'Very well. Unlike those other humans, your spirit is pure if Ho-Oh is willing to follow you! I accept your challenge. If you can defeat me, then the Sky High Pokémon shall indeed be your partner, viewing you as my equal. A partner forged in the fires of this encounter. For your aid in restoring my strength, and for the audacity of challenging me, I shall grant you this battle.'
Azure grinned, his eyes alight with the thrill of the impending battle. Azure grinned, a wolfish, triumphant expression. He declared, his voice filled with anticipation, "It's a deal, Rayquaza. Then let the battle begin!"
He turned to Ho-Oh, his voice filled with respect, patting its neck, and said strongly, "Ho-Oh, prepare yourself. We'll need all our power for this."
*Fwp*
Without another word, Azure leaped onto Ho-Oh's broad back, its feathers surprisingly soft and warm beneath his hands. His Pikachu, ever resourceful, quickly found purchase on his shoulder, burying its claws into his jacket for stability, while Eevee clutched tightly around Azure's neck.
The air crackled with anticipation as the battle between two living legends commenced. The Rainbow Pokémon unfurled its magnificent wings, and with a powerful beat, settling in as the grand Pokémon took flight, its wings beating with the rhythm of a thousand sunrises.
*Fwp*
They ascended into the swirling ozone, and above them, Rayquaza ascended, a serpentine shadow against the ethereal glow. Rayquaza rising to meet them, its emerald form a stark contrast to Ho-Oh's vibrant hues.
The battle of legends had begun.
Ho-Oh, with Azure firmly seated on its back, initiated the assault as he ordered, "Ho-Oh! Air Cutter volley!"
*Fwp*
*SHINNG*
With a melodic cry, it unleashed a barrage of condensed air slashes, the swift and sharp movements of Air Cutter ripping through the air. Unleashing a volley of condensed air slashes, its Air Cutter attacks, slicing through the oppressive atmosphere.
*Wooosh*
Rayquaza, however, moved with an ethereal grace, its massive form weaving through the strikes with effortless evasion. Rayquaza was a blur of motion. Its serpentine body weaved through the aerial onslaught with effortless grace, each dodge a testament to its unparalleled speed and agility.
Azure, recognizing the ineffectiveness of the initial strategy, adjusted his approach. He commanded boldly, his voice steady despite the roaring wind, "Ho-Oh! Strong Style Sacred Fire!"
*SSSSS*
The Rainbow Pokémon obeyed, its wings glowing with an intense, sacred heat. A colossal inferno erupted from its beak, a torrent of pure, divine fire. Rayquaza, instead of evading, met the attack head-on.
*Zoooom*
With a ferocious roar, it unleashed its Extreme Speed, a streak of emerald lightning that cleaved through Ho-Oh's Sacred Fire. The force of the collision sent Ho-Oh spiraling downwards, its magnificent form momentarily engulfed in the dissipating flames.
*BAM*
However, in a display of remarkable resilience, the legendary bird managed to regain its balance, its wings catching the air, preventing a catastrophic fall. Both Pikachu and Eevee chirped in surprise, struggling for a moment before managing to regain control of its balance, flapping its powerful wings to stabilize itself.
Pikachu and Eevee clung tighter, their small bodies tense. Azure, quick to capitalize, followed up, "Will-O-Wisp!"
*Sssss*
Ho-Oh unleashed a volley of spectral fireballs, each imbued with the ability to burn. They arced through the air, a mesmerizing, yet dangerous, spectacle, all aimed at the dragon. Rayquaza, still recovering from the impact of Sacred Fire, met the incoming fireballs with another powerful Fly attack.
*BOOM*
The dragon's speed was astonishing, a controlled dive that seemed to outpace the very air. Yet, despite Rayquaza's speed, some of Ho-Oh's fireballs found their mark. They struck the dragon's scales, a brief, intense flash of flame that left behind a faint, lingering burn…
*Ssssss*
Rayquaza's offensive capabilities were momentarily hampered, its attack stat reduced. The clash was magnificent, a symphony of elemental fury and raw power. Azure, perched atop his Rainbow Pokémon, felt the thrill of the battle coursing through his veins.
Rayquaza, scarred but unbowed, its eyes burning with renewed intensity, met Azure's gaze. Both knew, with an almost primal certainty, that this exchange, though fierce, was merely the prelude to a much grander and far more dangerous conflict.
The Sky High Pokémon had been tested, and the Rainbow Pokémon had shown its mettle. The true test of their strength, and of Azure's partnership, had only just begun. Both Trainers and Pokémon knew the battle was far from over, but Azure had secured the first crucial tactical advantage.
Azure commanded, their voice ringing with authority, "Ho-Oh, defensive maneuvers! We need to pierce through its defenses!"
*Fwp*
Ho-Oh responded instantly, its movements a blur of gold and rainbow. It weaved through the chaotic air, its every beat of iridescent wings generating a shimmering wake that deflected some of Rayquaza's lesser attacks.
Rayquaza roared as it gathered energy in its maw. Azure's eyes narrowed as he thought, 'It's going to use Dragon Pulse!'
Azure quickly ordered, "Protect!"
*SHIII*
*CLANG*
A shimmering barrier of light, a graceful Protect, flared around them, absorbing the brunt of a precisely aimed Dragon Pulse that would have shattered stone. Rayquaza, sensing their defiance, coiled tighter, its body a living tempest…
*PEW*
It let loose a furious Hyper Beam, a blinding emerald laser that tore through the sky, vaporizing clouds in its path. Ho-Oh spiraled upwards, its movements fluid and impossibly fast, narrowly avoiding the devastating blast.
*WOOOSH*
Azure felt the heat searing past them, the air superheated in its wake. Azure muttered, their brow furrowed in concentration, "It's trying to overwhelm us, break our resolve. This wasn't like battling a wild Pokémon; this was reasoned, ancient power…"
Seeing the difference in power, Azure issued another command, "Ho-Oh, Sacred Fire! Aim for the energy emanating from its fins, try to disperse it!"
*SSSSSS*
Ho-Oh descended in a blaze of glory, its beautiful wings igniting with a holy inferno. A colossal, vibrant flame erupted from its beak, spiraling toward Rayquaza. The Sacred Fire, imbued with a purifying light, collided with the emerald energy rippling from Rayquaza's fins…
*KA-BOOOOOM*
The sky exploded in a blinding clash of green and gold, a deafening crackle that vibrated through Azure's very bones. The impact didn't seem to faze Rayquaza much. It merely recoiled slightly, its roar growing more frustrated, more potent…
*RMBL*
The storms intensified, the emerald lightning striking all around them, illuminating the ancient carvings on Sky Pillar below, making them look like silent, petrified witnesses to a cosmic drama. Rayquaza roared defiantly, "GRAOOOO!!!"
*WOOOOSH*
Rayquaza retaliated with a terrifying Fly attack. It rocketed upwards, then plummeted, a living emerald meteor, directly towards Ho-Oh.
The speed was breathtaking, a blur of green scales and raw power. Azure gasped, their heart hammering against their ribs. A devastating dive that obliterated everything in its path.
Azure shouted resolutely, their voice strained but firm, "Ho-Oh, Strong Style Brave Bird! Meet it head-on! Don't let it gain momentum!"
They knew the risk. Brave Bird was immensely powerful, but it came with recoil, a price paid in pain. It was a testament to their bond that Ho-Oh didn't hesitate.
*FWP*
Ho-Oh transformed into a projectile of pure, burning light. Its body encased in a fiery aura, it surged upwards, a living spear of iridescent fire. The two titans collided mid-air with a force that shook the entire Hoenn region. Sky Pillar itself seemed to groan under the sheer pressure...
*KA-BOOOOOM*
The impact was a dazzling explosion of emerald and rainbow, a silent scream of energy that ripped the clouds apart, creating a temporary, eerie void in the storm. Azure was thrown violently against Ho-Oh's back, their vision momentarily filled with flashing lights and searing heat.
They grimaced, forcing themselves to focus, to see through the chaos. When the light faded, both legends recoiled. Ho-Oh was visibly shaken, its magnificent feathers ruffled, a faint shimmer of pain in its eyes.
Rayquaza, too, seemed to have taken a hit, its emerald glow flickering, but its fury remained unchecked. It coiled its massive form, its gaze fixed on Azure, acknowledging the human's role in this impossible struggle.
Azure felt a surge of fear, but also a deep resolve. Rayquaza wasn't just directing its attacks at Ho-Oh, but at the very concept of interference.
It was an ancient, solitary guardian, and its rage was a protective, if destructive, instinct. Azure whispered, their voice raspy, "It's tiring, Ho-Oh, but so are we. We need to find a different approach. Fire and power alone can't overcome this tempest."
They closed their eyes for a brief second, clearing their mind, trying to sense the vibrations of the agitated air. But then an idea sparked in Azure's mind.
Azure commanded, their eyes now open and alight with a new strategy, "Ho-Oh, we need to envelop it. Not with fire, but with light! Extrasensory, then a Strong Style Sacred Fire! Cage it with your power!"
Ho-Oh understood. It rose higher, its body radiating a gentle, yet potent, psychic energy. Azure felt a subtle hum in the air around them, a wave of calming force pushing back against the storm's raw power…
*SHIII*
Rayquaza flinched, its movements momentarily stiffening as the Extrasensory pulse washed over it, a psychic touch attempting to soothe its agitated mind. But the legendary Sky High Pokémon quickly shook it off. It roared enraged, "DRAOOOO!!!"
*PEW*
*PEW*
*PEW*
Rayquaza retaliated by launching a rapid barrage of Dragon Pulses, green energy balls that exploded on impact with blinding force. Ho-Oh danced through them, its agility honed by countless encounters, its feathers shedding sparks of psychic energy as it evaded.
Then, Azure saw their opening. Rayquaza, in its fury, overextended, leaving a brief, shimmering vulnerability as Azure ordered boldly, "Now, Ho-Oh! Full power! Sacred Fire! Spiral around it, enclose it!"
*FWP*
Ho-Oh let out a magnificent cry, a sound of pure divinity. Its wings beat with renewed vigor, channeling every ounce of its spiritual power…
*SSSSSS*
Instead of a single blast, Ho-Oh unleashed a torrent of golden, rainbow-hued flames, not scorching and destructive, but luminous and ethereal. The flames spiraled around Rayquaza, forming a fiery, glowing cage of purifying light.
*RMBL*
*RMBL*
*RMBL*
Rayquaza thrashed wildly within the fiery vortex cage, its roars echoing with renewed desperation, but also a hint of confusion. The Sacred Fire wasn't burning it, but then the golden light enveloped it…
*KA-BOOOOOM*
… before it exploded inside the cage. Rayquaza experienced the full power of Sacred Fire destruction from all sides. Azure held his breath, his knuckles white as they gripped Ho-Oh's feathers.
The shockwaves from the clashing attacks buffeted Azure and his companions, yet the Trainer remained a pillar of concentration. Through the light, Rayquaza emerged looking more pissed as it growled, "Grrr…"
Azure frowned, seeing that the Sacred Fire caged explosion failed. He needed to restrict the dragon's superior mobility.
Thinking quickly, a sly grin formed as he ordered, "Ho-Oh, Imprison!"
*SHIII*
Ho-Oh focused its psychic will, projecting a shimmering, invisible force field that enveloped Rayquaza. The Sky High Pokémon faltered mid-ascent as it suddenly struggled. It thrashed, its body struggling to maintain its aerial position, the invisible bonds of Imprison making its natural flight difficult.
Imprison took hold, preventing the target from using any moves that the user knows. Since Ho-Oh knew Fly, Rayquaza lost the ability to execute the powerful aerial attack, disrupting its flawless air movement.
Azure smirked lightly with a bead of sweat dropping from his face, thought, 'With Fly down, it can't keep itself in the air. Hopefully this will ground it, but then again…. it was a master of the atmosphere…'
Immediately, Azure's thoughts proved true. Rayquaza was no ordinary Pokémon. Its very being was tied to the weather, to the atmosphere. Even if it couldn't execute Fly anymore, the Sky High Pokémon had options.
*Woooosh*
Roaring in defiance, pure will overcoming the inhibition, it began to manipulate the very air currents around it, creating powerful updrafts that kept its massive form aloft, despite its struggles. Its golden eyes blazed, fixed on them with unbridled fury, roared, "Graooo!! (You seek to bind me? I am the master of the skies!)"
Using its natural abilities to manipulate the weather, it managed to keep itself afloat, glaring down with cold fury. A terrifying surge of energy gathered in its mouth, coalescing into a colossal sphere of destructive power.
*SHIII*
Azure yelled, recognizing the signature move, "Hyper Beam!"
The Legendary dragon gathered its might, its mouth glowing with terrifying intensity. Azure felt the pressure of the attack as he pondered its destructive damage, 'If Lance's Dragonite can destroy a town with one Hyper Beam… then what does a Hyper Beam launched from a Legendary Pokémon like Rayquaza can accomplish…'
*Shiver*
Azure felt a shiver run down his spine even thinking about the idea. Eevee and Pikachu gulped seeing the Hyper Beam finished charging and then…
*PEW*
… Rayquaza unleashed it, a blinding, emerald torrent of pure force, roaring towards us with overwhelming intensity. This was its full power, even in its base form. The wave of energy that erupted was overwhelming, raw power at its base form limit.
It was a golden, destructive column aimed squarely at the riders. The sheer force promised annihilation if it connected.
*Bdmp*
Despite witnessing the strongest Hyper Beam Azure seen to date and his heart hammering, his expression was calm. Years of experience and battling stronger foes before steeled his resolve, gazing at the incoming beam.
Despite the monumental attack bearing down on them, Azure remained calm, a strategy already forming in my mind. He shouted at the counter, "Ho-Oh! Substitute!"
*Poof*
With a majestic cry, in a flash of light, Ho-Oh generated a spectral decoy of itself, a shimmering shield of energy fueled by the sacrifice of its HP. Just as quickly, Ho-Oh flapped its wings away from the blast.
*Fwp*
In doing so, the group saw the Hyper Beam slam into the Substitute, obliterating it in a blinding flash of light and sound. The impact was still immense, tearing through the air and sending debris flying as shockwaves could be felt.
*BOOOM*
The Substitute absorbed the full force of the Hyper Beam. The decoy exploded into glittering fragments, sacrificing one-quarter of Ho-Oh's remaining health, but buying them precious milliseconds.
Azure, Pikachu, and Eevee felt the powerful reverberations of the shockwave destruction of the substitute. But Azure calmly gazed and murmured, "At least we're safe… albeit at a cost. Ho-Oh's HP dropped by a quarter, a sacrifice that needed to be done for us to gain the advantage."
Azure grinned as he now had an opening, as Rayquaza was now recharging. He commanded, his voice cutting through the fading echoes of the Hyper Beam, "Now, Ho-Oh! Strong Style Hidden Power!!"
*SHIII*
An orb of pure, unadulterated energy formed before Ho-Oh's beak, shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow. This was no ordinary Hidden Power; years of training had honed it into a devastating force capable of striking any type with super-effective damage.
*PEW*
Ho-Oh unleashed a torrent of energy—a brilliant, concentrated rainbow beam fueled by a type advantage designed to hit Rayquaza's blind spot. With a powerful release, the rainbow beam shot forth, a direct hit to the still-recovering Rayquaza…
*BOOOOM*
… Ho-Oh's Hidden Power, tuned precisely to land a Super Effective strike, slammed into Rayquaza's chest. The Sky High Pokémon roared in pain, its massive body writhing as the super-effective energy surged through its scales, knocking it back.
Rayquaza, wounded but not defeated, let out a furious scream. It ascended, battling against the lingering effects of Imprison, climbing as high as it could into the tumultuous clouds above.
*Zooom*
The dragon, enraged and injured, knew it needed to finish this with overwhelming power. The Sky High Pokémon clawed its way higher, reaching the absolute ceiling of the Sky Pillar's summit, where the true open sky of Hoenn lay exposed.
*Fewwww*
*Fewwww*
The sounds of whistling could be heard, making Azure feel something bad in his stomach. He looked up in shock as Rayquaza unleashed a truly terrifying sight. Rayquaza began to draw down the heavens as it roared, "GRAOOO!!!!"
Azure watched, stunned, as Rayquaza performed the move not as a focused projectile, but as a summoning. It called upon the skies themselves, bringing down a catastrophic series of meteors—chunks of celestial rock burning with reentry fire—all aimed at the small patch of the Dragonhark Alter.
Azure yelled, recognizing the move, "The hell?! Draco Meteor!"
Azure had seen Draco Meteor before, but never like this. Rayquaza wasn't merely conjuring a handful of energy spheres. It was calling upon the very skies, pulling fragments of meteoric rock down from the upper atmosphere, imbued with draconic energy.
*RMBL*
The clouds above them churned violently, and then, a barrage of colossal meteors, blazing with internal power, rained down upon the Sky Pillar, directly targeting their position. Each one was a harbinger of utter destruction.
Azure roared, knowing he had no other choice, his voice strained by the sudden, terrifying scale of the attack, "Protect!"
*Shiii*
Ho-Oh created a crystalline green barrier around them. Ho-Oh shimmered, a barrier of pure energy enveloping them, just as the first meteor struck…
*BOOM*
*RMBL*
The Sky Pillar shuddered violently, dust and debris exploding upwards. More meteors followed, slamming into the ancient structure, destroying the surrounding area, and creating craters where pathways once stood.
The world rumbled, a symphony of cosmic demolition. Pikachu and Eevee huddled tight, their eyes wide, seeing the power of Rayquaza firsthand. The first meteor struck the shield, creating a shockwave that threatened to destabilize their entire position.
*BOOM*
*BOOOM*
*BOOOOM*
Meteor after meteor bombarded the shield, reducing the surrounding cavern floor to smoking ruin. However, in such an attack, Azure grinned as he thought, 'This wasn't just about Ho-Oh and me. This was about teamwork. And Rayquaza… you've just given us the golden opportunity for victory!'
Azure gripped Ho-Oh's back feathers, his eyes narrowed against the fiery chaos. He saw the opportunity in the destruction—the descending meteors were now floating platforms of debris as he ordered, "Pikachu! Iron Tail! Go!"
*Zooom*
Without hesitation, his loyal partner, empowered by my Viridian Force, burst from his shoulder. Pikachu, understanding the audacity of the plan, launched itself from Azure's shoulder...
*CLANG*
Under the protective dome, the small mouse Pokémon dashed forward, using the metallic density of its tail as a springboard onto the surface of the first impacting meteor fragment. Using the shattered remnants of the Sky Pillar, the falling meteors themselves, as stepping stones, Pikachu began its impossible ascent.
*CLANG*
Its tail glowed with steel-type energy, striking the meteors with perfect timing, using the force of impact to propel itself higher, a tiny, determined spark against the cosmic assault they're enduring...
*CLANG*
It moved with incredible agility, dodging incoming debris, its focus unwavering. The Draco Meteor continued its furious assault, but Pikachu used the destruction as its ascent ladder. It dashed and leaped, its tail flashing, using each chunk of burning rock as a dynamic step towards the still-recoiling Rayquaza.
*CLANG*
Rayquaza, preoccupied with maintaining the devastating attack, finally noticed the minuscule threat darting up the fiery path. The Sky High Pokémon stared down, shock momentarily replacing its fury as it thought, 'How had this tiny electric creature traversed a storm of space debris?!!'
*CLANG*
Rayquaza, still grappling with the lingering burn and the aftereffects of Hidden Power, watched in utter shock as the small Electric-type Pokémon scaled its very attack. Its golden eyes, for the first time, held a flicker of genuine surprise.
*Zooom*
Pikachu, brimming with raw power and fierce loyalty, landed squarely on Rayquaza's massive snout, directly in front of its astonished gaze. Azure bellowed, his voice echoing across the ravaged altar, "Now, Pikachu! Strong Style Pika Papow!"
*ZAP*
Pikachu's body crackled with an unprecedented surge of electricity, a unique move born of our bond. The unique electric attack, signature to Azure's Pikachu, detonated.
A concentrated sphere of raw, crackling electricity slammed directly into Rayquaza's face. It slammed its electrified head directly into Rayquaza's face…
*THWAMM*
*CRACKLE*
A blinding flash of yellow energy erupted, followed by a thunderous crackle. The Sky High Pokémon recoiled, its entire body spasming from the direct hit. The shock was immense, the pain unexpected, leaving it vulnerable, its concentration shattered.
The remaining meteors scattered harmlessly into the distance, and Rayquaza momentarily lost its grasp on the atmosphere, tumbling slightly. The burn damage from Will-O-Wisp flared painfully, compounding the shock from the electric attack.
The Sky High Pokémon recoiled violently, its concentration broken. This granted Azure the opportunity he created as he commanded, pressing the advantage, "Ho-Oh! Strong Style Hidden Power, again! And Eevee use Strong Style Hidden Power too!"
*Shiii*
Both Eevee and Ho-Oh began to gather energy as Eevee became surrounded by white orbs that combined into a giant white ball of energy. Ho-Oh began to gather a rainbow colored ball of energy as they reached their peak…
*PEW*
Both were seizing the opportunity and unleashed another potent Hidden Power. Both attacks streaked across the shattered expanse, slamming into Rayquaza's now exposed form, weakened from its burns and attacks…
*KA-BOOOM*
The legendary dragon cried out, a sound of agony and immense power, as the super-effective attack sent it reeling. The sheer cumulative damage—the burn, Sacred Fires, the Hyper Beam sacrifice, the Pika Papow, and the Hidden Powers—was too much.
*THUD*
Its massive body, unable to resist any further, tumbled from the sky, crashing onto the ancient Dragonhark Altar below with a deafening thud that shook the entire Sky Pillar foundations.
*Fwp*
Ho-Oh flapped its wings as Azure caught the falling Pikachu in his arms, thanking his Pokémon proudly, "You three were absolutely amazing!"
Ho-Oh merely smiled at the praise being given. Pikachu cried out happily with a thumbs up. Eevee cried out, nuzzling his chest affectionately. But then they turned their attention to the Sky High Pokémon.
The burn from Will-O-Wisp, which had been subtly chipping away at its strength throughout the battle, now seemed to flare, adding to its exhaustion. It had fought with the might of a god, but even gods could fall.
*Rmbl*
The battle was over. With a final, echoing groan of defeat, the titanic Sky High Pokémon fell, crashing heavily onto the ancient, scarred stone of the Dragonhark Alter, "Graooo… (I see… I've been defeated, it seems…)"
*Tmp*
Azure landed Ho-Oh gently nearby. Rayquaza lay still, scales dull, massive body heaving with exhaustion. The burn marks still smoked faintly.
The pact had been made, the challenge issued, and Azure had prevailed. The Sky High Pokémon Rayquaza, protector of the Hoenn skies, lay before him, weakened but undefeated in spirit.
The moment of truth arrived. Azure reached into his bag and retrieved the final, definitive Poké Ball—a symbol of ultimate trust and recognition.
The Master Ball.
He raised it, the smooth purple orb reflecting the residual energy in the chamber. With a calm surety earned from countless battles, Azure hurled the Master Ball.
*Bonk*
The sphere arced through the air and struck Rayquaza's forehead. A blinding red light erupted, engulfing the Legendary dragon and pulling it inside the mechanism. The Master Ball dropped heavily onto the stone altar.
It wiggled once…
*Wiggle*
…Twice.
*Riggle*
… A third, sharp tremor, and then, silence.
*BON*
The resounding sound echoed through the high chamber, the sound of destiny sealed. Azure let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding, "Sigh… we did it, guys. We pulled it off... somehow we did it..."
Pikachu cheered triumphantly on his shoulder, and Eevee wriggled excitedly on his head. Azure dismounted Ho-Oh, walking toward the quiescent Master Ball.
He picked it up, feeling the immense, sleeping power contained within. Azure murmured, "Welcome to the team, Rayquaza."
He and Ho-Oh looked out over the vast expanse of Hoenn, the region now under the protection of a new, formidable alliance. The threat of Groudon and Kyogre still loomed, but Azure now held the power to confront it—the power of the Sky High Pokémon, earned through strategy, trust, and the unwavering strength of his partners.
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 100 PS to get a Bonus Chapter! Also, how did you guys like the fight with MC vs Rayquaza? Was it good or could've gone better...