"Rayquaza!"
Zinnia's eyes lit up with indescribable excitement as she gazed at the majestic dragon drawing closer and closer in the skies. There was no way she could ever mistake that form!
"ROOAAARR!"
Another earth-shaking dragon's roar echoed across the heavens as Rayquaza descended, halting in midair above the ancient altar. Its imposing draconic eyes fixed firmly on Zinnia. Slowly, its long, serpentine body coiled downward until it settled atop the altar itself.
The overwhelming pressure it exuded spread in all directions like a crashing tide, striking directly into the hearts of all present.
It was a Rayquaza—its body a deep emerald green, resembling a colossal flying dragon. It was at least seven to eight meters in length, its head crowned with horn-like protrusions, its limbs ending in sharp claws, and its jet-black eyes burning with golden pupils.
This was the legendary Sky High Pokémon—Rayquaza!
"Rayquaza, with Groudon and Kyogre now awakened, I beg of you, please step forth and stop them."
Zinnia's heart pounded violently within her chest. As a descendant of the Draconid people, just like the generations before her, she had always revered Rayquaza with boundless admiration and longing.
And now, with Rayquaza so close she could practically touch it, how could she not feel overwhelmed with emotion?
Yet in her excitement, she completely failed to notice that Rayquaza's gaze upon her was cold and detached—utterly indifferent. But in Zinnia's eyes, perhaps this was only natural. After all, for a being such as Rayquaza the sacred protector of the Draconid people, wasn't divine aloofness simply to be expected?
At her words, Rayquaza's eyes did not flicker in the slightest. It continued to look down from above with serene detachment, like a ruler gazing upon a mortal.
"…On you… there lingers a familiar aura."
The sudden, sonorous voice reverberated in Zinnia's mind without warning.
It was Rayquaza's telepathy.
"I am the successor of Aster, from several years ago," Zinnia answered, her expression shifting slightly as she immediately realized who Rayquaza was referring to.
Aster—her elder sister.
Her predecessor. The one who had borne the title of Lorekeeper before her. But Aster… was already gone.
She had died.
Zinnia had inherited her mantle, as well as her Mega Bracelet and her Pokémon. Yes—Zinnia's Noivern had once belonged to Aster.
Back then, Aster had succeeded in reaching Rayquaza, and with her guidance, had even brought about its evolution. But when the noble houses and wealthy companies launched their "Rayquaza Capture Project"…
Aster had perished.
"I see…" For a fleeting moment, a faint ripple of emotion stirred within Rayquaza's golden eyes, as though it were recalling that lost successor.
"Use your power then, Lorekeeper."
But memories lasted only for an instant. The next moment, Rayquaza's deep telepathic voice once again rang clearly in Zinnia's ears.
Right now, what mattered most was halting Groudon and Kyogre.
That was the sworn duty of the Rayquaza lineage—ever since ancient times, guardians of the Hoenn skies. And as the one who had remained vigilant over this land, Rayquaza bore the responsibility of stopping them now that they had awakened.
But to achieve Mega Evolution, unless it could use the technique known as Dragon Ascent, it still required the aid of a Lorekeeper.
And Zinnia was the Lorekeeper of this generation. Only she had the right to seek out Rayquaza. Only she could act as the key that unlocked its Mega Evolution.
"Yes!"
Zinnia nodded firmly, then reached into her dimensional bag and retrieved a great quantity of Key Stones.
The Rayquaza lineage was unique—within its body existed a natural organ known as the Delta Organ. This organ allowed it to substitute for a Mega Stone, meaning Rayquaza had no need of one.
In fact, a Mega Stone for Rayquaza did not exist in this world.
Yet without mastering Dragon Ascent, Rayquaza still required the use of Key Stones to undergo Mega Evolution.
Mega Stones and Key Stones were designed to complement one another: the Mega Stone to be borne by the Pokémon, while the Key Stone was wielded by the trainer.
But the sheer power required for a top-tier Legendary such as Rayquaza was no trivial matter. Ordinary Key Stones would never suffice.
Either one had to possess an especially customized stone… or else rely on a vast quantity of Key Stones, until quantity itself transformed into quality.
Back then, Aster had used precisely such a multitude of Key Stones to trigger Rayquaza's Mega Evolution.
"Beyond Evolution! Mega Evolution!"
Drawing a deep breath, Zinnia stepped back, and the Mega Bracelet on her wrist shone with dazzling radiance.
At the same time, the mass of Key Stones before her began to glow with blinding light.
A brilliant rainbow aura enveloped Rayquaza's body, draping it in a mantle of resplendent energy. Zinnia's eyes glittered with uncontrollable excitement.
It was working—it had to work!
The radiant colors surged higher and higher, then gradually began to dissipate.
Rayquaza's form slowly came back into view, clear and distinct before Zinnia's eager gaze.
But then—
"…How… how could this be?!"
The brilliance in her eyes dimmed in an instant. Zinnia's face turned deathly pale as she muttered in disbelief.
Yes… Mega Evolution had failed!
Rayquaza's form showed no change at all—her Mega Evolution had failed!
Was it because she lacked enough devotion? Or was it because the number of Key Stones wasn't sufficient? Why had it failed?
Zinnia stared at Rayquaza, her eyes filled with darkness. Suddenly, a piercing pain stabbed through her mind, forcing her to clutch her forehead in agony.
She could not comprehend it. No matter how she thought about it, she simply could not understand.
Why did her Mega Evolution fail?
She had absolute devotion toward Rayquaza. The Mega Bracelet she wore was once Aster's very own Key Stone, and she had even gathered a large number of additional Key Stones.
It shouldn't have been like this. Why would it fail? Why… why did it turn out this way?
The fact that she couldn't make Rayquaza Mega Evolve made Zinnia's face twist with pain, her body collapsing uncontrollably to the ground. Then—what had all her efforts been for?
The hope and inheritance of her clan… the death of Aster… everything she had done for Rayquaza—even guiding Team Magma and Team Aqua to awaken Groudon and Kyogre…
All the burdens she carried, the weight that demanded her success, had ended in failure.
Despair spread within her.
"ROAARR!"
Noticing the abnormal state of its successor, Rayquaza's deep dragon's roar echoed in Zinnia's ears.
Her chaotic mind went blank in that instant.
A violent gale swept past, lifting Zinnia's body into the air.
The next moment, Rayquaza's massive draconic form rose and caught her, its long serpentine body swaying as it carried her far away.
"Do not let temporary despair consume you. You are the heir of the Draconid people. You bear the duty and responsibility to remain strong."
Rayquaza's low telepathic voice resonated within Zinnia's heart.
That she could not trigger Mega Evolution…
Rayquaza, in truth, was not surprised. From the very first time it had laid eyes on Zinnia, it could already see that her heart was not transparent and pure.
It did not like such a successor. With Rayquaza itself subconsciously resisting, how could Mega Evolution possibly succeed?
Mega Evolution was fundamentally different from Z-Moves or Dynamax. Mega Evolution relied heavily on the bond and trust between Pokémon and trainer.
Without such trust, Mega Evolution could not succeed. Even if it somehow did, by sheer chance, the Pokémon would very likely fall into a violent, uncontrollable frenzy.
Mega Evolution had failed…
In Rayquaza's solemn dragon eyes, this failure meant it now had to face Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre in its current form.
Could it truly do so?
Rayquaza did not know. But this region—this land and sky—had been entrusted to it by its father and uncle. It had to protect this place!
If worst came to worst…
If worst came to worst, it would just call its father and uncle over to beat those two fools into the ground!
Riding on Rayquaza's back, Zinnia's eyes still carried confusion. Her faith, with the failure of Rayquaza's Mega Evolution, had begun to shatter.
And as Rayquaza carried her away from the Sky Pillar—
"Steven, it seems we no longer need to summon Rayquaza."
At the entrance of the Sky Pillar, Steven raised his head, gazing at the Rayquaza swiftly flying across the heavens, and spoke in slight astonishment to Wallace.
Rayquaza had left on its own… Did that not mean their trip here had been for nothing?
"Uh, this…"
Wallace was even more dumbfounded than Steven. He had been thinking all the way about how to summon and persuade Rayquaza.
Yet before they even got the chance, Rayquaza had already left?
-----------------------------
The sky was split into two strange halves: one black, one white.
Reshiram spread its wings and flew toward the battlefield where Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre clashed.
"What an overwhelming pressure… and the power is still spreading without end."
In the torrential downpour, as he watched the battle between the two Primals from close range, Lucas lifted his head toward the heavens, clicking his tongue in amazement.
The powers of the Primordial Sea and the Desolate Land had not stopped. Yes, the terrifying weathers continued to spread outward.
At this rate, it would take less than half a day before the entire Hoenn region was blanketed by the Primordial Sea and the Desolate Land.
The abilities of these two ancient legends were far too terrifying.
"Eternatus!"
Lucas's expression grew more solemn as he hurled Eternatus's Poké Ball.
A dangerous crimson glow erupted as Eternatus's massive skeletal form floated before him.
A heavy, oppressive aura slowly seeped outward.
"Eternatus…"
On a nearby island, Cynthia's beautiful eyes flickered at the sight of the easily recognizable skeletal dragon legend.
The battle between Eternatus and Dialga back then had left far too deep an impression on her.
"This time, I'll have to rely on you again, Eternatus." Lucas smiled at the dragon.
"Another opponent like this, huh?"
The white, speckled pupils of Eternatus flickered slightly. Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre before it radiated an immense pressure.
Even Eternatus had to admit—Lucas was something else.
Every now and then, he would throw such powerful opponents at it. Was he afraid that if it stayed idle, its bones would rust?
But complaining aside, Eternatus did not resist. After all, being stuck in a Poké Ball all the time was stifling.
"Dynamax Cannon!"
As Reshiram flew toward Primal Groudon, Lucas gave his order to Eternatus.
Time to give these two ancient legends a proper greeting!
With a deep, hoarse roar, Eternatus's chest and abdomen shone with a blinding crimson light… A massive red beam of energy blasted toward Primal Kyogre.
Primal Kyogre, having just exchanged devastating blows with Primal Groudon, noticed the incoming attack too late—it could not dodge.
BOOM!
An explosive detonation rang out. With a pained cry, Primal Kyogre's huge body was blasted backward.
"Draco Meteor!"
Reshiram flew to Groudon's side, its jaws gathering pure Dragon-type energy.
"Techno Blast!"
At the same time, Lucas hurled another Poké Ball. A shiny Genesect landed at his side, the cannon on its back glowing with violet-red light.
Draco Meteor soared into the skies, a cascade of dragon meteors raining down like a meteor shower.
Genesect's Techno Blast was fully charged, firing at Primal Groudon.
Lucas's strategy was actually much the same as N's stall Primal Kyogre. But with three legends at his command, he could also interfere with Groudon simultaneously.
After all, Groudon could not fly. Compared to Kyogre, interfering with it was much easier.
"ROOOAARR!"
Primal Groudon roared, unleashing a massive white beam from its jaws to meet Techno Blast.
Solar Beam!
The violet-red and white energies collided fiercely in midair.
Yet very quickly, Techno Blast was overpowered by Solar Beam, the latter pushing forward relentlessly.
In terms of sheer power, Genesect was clearly no match for Primal Groudon.
Though Groudon specialized more in physical attacks, its special attack stat was still an impressive 150.
In theory, Groudon and Kyogre were both flawless dual-offensive legends. Both physical and special attacks were terrifyingly strong—the only difference being which one they excelled at more.
In the games, one would naturally train toward the higher stat. But in reality, without the restriction of only four moves, both Groudon and Kyogre wielded devastating strength in both areas.
"Dodge it."
Seeing that Genesect could not win the clash, Lucas commanded without hesitation.
Reshiram and Genesect swiftly shifted position, evading the Solar Beam that came tearing through.
Meanwhile, sensing further interference, Primal Kyogre let out an enraged roar.
Its body glowed with white light as it beat its wings and lunged toward Eternatus.
Double-Edge!
"Dragon Tail!"
Eternatus swung its long tail with explosive force, striking directly against Kyogre's charge.
Dragon Tail and Double-Edge collided violently, shockwaves and gusts blasting outward.
But Lucas could see it—Primal Kyogre was steadily pressing in.
"Dragon Pulse!"
Eternatus charged draconic energy into its maw, blasting a Dragon Pulse straight at Kyogre.
Kyogre noticed, and four orbs of water rapidly formed at its sides.
Origin Pulse!
BOOM!
Dragon Pulse struck Kyogre, forcing its body back. But at the same time—
Four resplendent water beams shot forth from its wings.
Origin Pulse!
The water beams slammed into Eternatus. The explosion was deafening, Eternatus letting out a cry of pain.
"Dragon Tail!"
Lucas's brows furrowed—this was truly troublesome.
But enduring the pain, Eternatus whipped its tail again, slamming it down squarely onto Kyogre's head.
The immense force smacked Kyogre straight into the ocean, raising a massive splash.
"Who knows when Rayquaza will arrive… ah, well, no need to rush."
Sitting atop Reshiram, Lucas mused, while the white dragon and shiny Genesect played a game of "tag" with Groudon—dodging Solar Beams and Flamethrowers.
They couldn't keep this up forever, but—
It was fine!
Absolutely fine.
After all, once Rayquaza arrived, both of those titans would be taught a lesson and sent back where they came from. So Lucas wasn't worried at all.
But what he couldn't possibly know was that the Rayquaza summoned by Zinnia to mediate… had failed even to Mega Evolve.
Cough, cough…
So, in the end, would Rayquaza be disciplining Groudon and Kyogre? Or would Groudon and Kyogre be the ones disciplining this green flying caterpillar? That remained to be seen…
(End of Chapter)