Three thousand years ago, meteor showers streaked endlessly across the night sky.
It was during that distant age that Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre rose and clashed violently over the energy within the Hoenn region. Their battle raged uncontrollably, threatening to consume everything.
Then, amidst that chaos, a dazzling seven-colored meteor fell from the heavens and crashed into what would later be known as Meteor Falls.
With the arrival of that rainbow-hued meteor, Rayquaza descended from the skies.
It was Rayquaza's overwhelming might that put an end to the destructive conflict between Groudon and Kyogre.
Two thousand years ago, another catastrophe came.
A massive meteorite hurtled from space and struck the Hoenn region, the impact carving a crater that would eventually become the city of Sootopolis.
The descendants of the Draconid People made a wish upon the rainbow meteor, calling forth Rayquaza once again and triggering its Mega Evolution. Through its transformed form, Rayquaza quelled Groudon and Kyogre's awakening and returned peace to the land.
After that event, the Draconids erected the great monument known as the Sky Pillar.
There they enshrined the seven-colored meteor and began to revere Rayquaza as their guardian deity, giving it the honorific title of The Dragon God.
Time continued its relentless march. A thousand years passed.
Through sacred murals and prophecies, the Draconid People foresaw that another meteor would inevitably fall upon Hoenn in the far future.
In order to prepare for this calamity, the Draconids devoted themselves to discovering a way to prevent it. But in truth, there was only one path: to call upon Rayquaza once more, for only its transcendent power could destroy a descending meteor.
Now, in the present era—yet another millennium later—the duty fell upon the previous successor, Zinnia's elder, Aster.
She succeeded in finding Rayquaza and even brought about its Mega Evolution. At first, this seemed to be a moment of triumph, a reason for joy.
But fate was cruel. Aster became entangled in the schemes of the Pokémon League and the powerful conglomerates and aristocratic families who sought to capture Rayquaza for themselves.
Rayquaza survived unscathed. But Aster… tragically lost her life.
Thus, the mantle of "Successor" was passed on to Zinnia.
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"So, what you are telling us," Green finally spoke after listening to Zinnia's account, staring at her in astonishment, "is that you plan to use Team Magma and Team Aqua to awaken Groudon and Kyogre, let them cause disasters, and in that chaos, lure Rayquaza to appear so that it can deal with the coming meteor?"
Her words trembled slightly, her eyes holding both disbelief and confusion.
What the hell… this girl is seriously that reckless?!
"Yes," Zinnia replied with perfect seriousness, her gaze sharp and unwavering.
"Only a Mega Rayquaza possesses the power to shatter a meteor. Without it, once the meteor truly falls, Hoenn will suffer an unimaginable catastrophe."
"Groudon and Kyogre are eternal rivals. If they are awakened, they will inevitably fight. And when they clash, Rayquaza will never stand idly by. It will descend again, just as it has before."
Green could not hold back anymore. "But if Groudon and Kyogre reawaken, won't Hoenn be devastated anyway? You're just tearing down the east wall to patch up the west wall!"
Zinnia's expression hardened, her voice deep and cold.
"Some sacrifices are inevitable. And those foolish people out there… they deserve to be taught a lesson."
Her eyes glinted with a frigid light. If it were not for her sacred mission, she would never forgive Devon Corporation and those who schemed against her people.
Although Devon Corp was only one among several groups responsible during the "Rayquaza Capture Incident," Zinnia no longer had the time or strength to seek vengeance on all of them.
Hearing this, Green fell silent for a moment, her expression troubled. She could not approve of Zinnia's ruthless reasoning, but she could understand it.
Another one consumed by hatred, Green thought with a quiet sigh.
Perhaps, deep down, Zinnia's determination to awaken Groudon and Kyogre was not only because it was the most straightforward solution—it was also driven by her personal resentment.
"So then, you intend to give this Blue Orb to Archie of Team Aqua, don't you?" Lucas's calm voice cut in, his hand gently turning the gem so its azure glow shimmered in the dim light.
Zinnia looked at it intently. Her eyes betrayed a flicker of raw desire, though her tone remained steady. "Yes. Without both the Red Orb and the Blue Orb, Groudon and Kyogre cannot be awakened. Both are indispensable."
Lucas leaned back slightly, having pieced together the Draconids' history and intentions from her tale.
His lips curved into the faintest of smiles. Without further hesitation, he slid the orb across the table toward her.
"...Thank you," Zinnia murmured softly, almost dazed. She truly had not expected him to hand over such a crucial artifact so easily.
"There's no need for gratitude," Lucas replied smoothly. "I told you before—this is cooperation, a transaction. For me, keeping this Orb is useless. I don't even know where Kyogre sleeps. Without that, it's nothing more than a pretty gemstone, a glorified glowing pearl."
Zinnia slowly stood and gave him a deep, formal bow. "If you ever need me in the future, I will lend you my full strength."
Her plan might be reckless, but she was not someone who forgot kindness.
"That's all I could ask," Lucas said with a faint chuckle. "With your strength, you'll be very useful to me."
Green and Marnie exchanged looks and simultaneously rolled their eyes.
This "binding gratitude to repay a favor" routine… the vibe was unmistakable.
And worse—he was being completely blatant about it, right in front of Zinnia herself!
Yet Lucas remained utterly unfazed by their expressions. To him, this was nothing more than business, an exchange of benefits. If he truly wanted Zinnia to follow him wholeheartedly, he already had other methods in mind.
Their discussion shifted.
"You said the Sky Pillar was built by your ancestors. Then why have I heard that only the people of Sootopolis can break its seal?" Lucas asked curiously, tapping the table with his finger.
Zinnia blinked, puzzled. "Sootopolis… people?"
"Yes. The Sootopolitans, descendants of that city," Lucas explained.
"I have never heard of such people," Zinnia admitted after a moment of thought. She then frowned and added, "But if anyone could unlock the Sky Pillar's seal, it could only be us—the Draconids."
After another pause, she elaborated:
"Too much time has passed. Not all of our people remained in Meteor Village. Many migrated elsewhere. Some may have even settled permanently outside Hoenn."
Meteor Village had existed for three thousand years deep within Meteor Falls.
But the Draconids were not completely isolated; over centuries, many of their kin left to live in other regions.
"It's possible those called 'Sootopolitan' are in fact the descendants of our people who remained behind at the impact site of that ancient meteor," Zinnia reasoned. "The Sky Pillar was built by us. Outsiders could never unseal it. Only our bloodline could."
Lucas froze for a moment—then slowly nodded.
That explanation… actually made sense.
Perhaps the so-called "Sootopolitan people" were simply a branch of the Draconids, their identity reshaped over centuries of living by the great crater that became Sootopolis City. Their title, their traditions, gradually diverged, until they were no longer remembered as Draconids but as something new.
Yes, that would explain why Wallace, of all people, was linked to such a mysterious "ancient heritage."
"Enough for now. Let's eat," Lucas said, brushing the matter aside with a wave of his hand.
"Zinnia, since you've already resolved to act, you should quicken your pace. I'll remain in Hoenn for a while. I'll support you."
Zinnia's lips curled into a bright, almost relieved smile. "Then I'll accelerate my guidance of Maxie and Archie. With your help, we can hasten the awakening."
The two locked eyes—both knowing what the endgame would be: summon Groudon and Kyogre, and by their clash, summon Rayquaza itself.
Green let out a long sigh, her tone laced with sarcasm. "Well… Hoenn is really doomed now, isn't it?"
From her perspective, one Zinnia was already a headache enough. But with Lucas secretly aiding her, the situation had turned from bad to catastrophic.
Meanwhile, the Hoenn League was still fixated entirely on Team Magma and Team Aqua, oblivious to the fact that the true threat lay elsewhere.
Green could only lower her head for a moment of silence—for Hoenn's future.
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Back atop Mt. Pyre, the League began rounding up the remnants of Magma and Aqua who had surrendered.
A man stood at the summit, his tall frame draped in an immaculate white cloak that concealed his body, a white dome-shaped hat crowning his head. His features were strikingly handsome, almost ethereal, with long green hair flowing like silk.
His presence radiated elegance and refinement, his soft, almost delicate voice carrying a strange charm.
A man so beautiful that the word "beautiful," usually reserved for women, felt entirely appropriate.
This man was none other than Wallace, the reigning Champion of Hoenn, and presently the single most powerful trainer in the region.
At his command, Officer Jenny and the League officers moved to arrest the last of the Team Magma and Team Aqua members, forcing the beaten grunts into custody.
Wallace turned to Steven with a curious expression. "What exactly happened here?"
Steven's expression was calm, his voice low.
"Do you remember that Legendary Trainer from Kanto… the one connected to Team Rocket? Lucas Blackthorn? He's here in Hoenn now."
Wallace froze, then his perfectly shaped brows furrowed tightly.
"That man…" His voice sank.
A calamity.
This was the same man who had already caused chaos in Galar, in Unova, and of course, in Kanto—Team Rocket's very heartland.
Now that disaster had come to Hoenn. This was not good news. Not good news at all.
"What is his purpose?" Wallace asked tensely.
Steven could only shake his head with a helpless sigh. "I cannot say for certain… but most likely, he has come for the legendary Pokémon."
He briefly recounted everything that had transpired since his first encounter with Lucas.
Wallace massaged his temple in frustration. "So, he took the Blue Orb…"
"Yes," Steven confirmed. "But so long as he doesn't discover Kyogre's resting place, we should be safe. For now, we must focus our efforts on capturing Maxie."
He hesitated, then added gravely:
"Wallace… prepare for the worst. Speak with the chairman. Tell him to request aid from other regions' Leagues. If things spiral out of control—if Groudon and Kyogre truly awaken—we will need every ally we can get."
Wallace remained silent for a long moment. Finally, he nodded.
"…I understand."
For a man like Steven, whose caution bordered on paranoia, such words were not unexpected. Yet even Wallace felt the weight of them.
And yes—he was right. If those two titans returned to the world, only overwhelming preparation could give Hoenn even a chance at survival.
(End of Chapter)