The black Rayquaza fixed its gaze on Lucas with deep curiosity.
Through the passage of endless time, it had already forgotten how long it had truly existed.
The seas had changed, the land had shifted, countless ages had passed—yet in this long stretch of history, there were already very few things left in the world that could stir its heart.
After all, unlike many other legends who spent their lives slumbering away the years, Rayquaza bore the responsibility of guarding the planet's ozone layer.
It could be said that while it did not possess the same sort of divine power as the Sinnoh Creation Trio, the Rayquaza clan were, in the truest sense of the word, the planetary guardians.
With a territory-consciousness stronger than nearly any other being, Rayquaza would never allow any creature that might bring harm to the planet to descend upon this world.
And so, through such long and endless years, they had already seen far too much. Very few lives could still draw their attention anymore, but now…
"Could it be that one is an outsider? The White Dragon… Dialga's and Mew's aura as well… hm?"
The black Rayquaza's draconic eyes shifted toward Eternatus and Reshiram. At a single glance, it could tell that Eternatus was not a native creature of this planet.
But since this being had already been subdued by Lucas, and so long as it posed no threat, the black Rayquaza was willing to skip over Eternatus without further concern.
Yet at the end, something unusual caught its senses—its gaze locked tightly on Lucas.
On this human's body, traces of Dialga and Mew's aura could be faintly felt as well. However, that was not the most important thing. There was also…
"Uncle, don't get so close to him. You'll scare him."
Rayquaza, noticing how its black-scaled uncle was staring with such strong interest at Lucas, hurriedly spoke up.
It knew very well how different this uncle was compared to its own calm and steady father.
And after just having fought side by side, Rayquaza already felt a strong sense of goodwill toward Lucas.
"Alright, alright~ Young Greeny, rather than worrying about this human, perhaps you should be worrying about yourself first."
"This time, big brother won't forgive you so easily."
The black Rayquaza lazily raised its head. A deep yet faintly mocking telepathic voice resonated, carrying with it a trace of gloating.
This nephew of its had truly brought disgrace upon the Rayquaza name today.
Rayquaza froze for a moment, and then its dragon face showed an almost humanlike expression of sorrow. Ah… this…
It had already drawn much dissatisfaction from the Mega Rayquaza for failing to master Dragon Ascent. And now this humiliating mess on top of it…
Emmm…
"That Plate of yours—where did you get it?"
Seeing Rayquaza seemingly racking its brain on how to get through the scolding, the black Rayquaza's gaze once again turned to Lucas, its deep telepathic voice carrying rare gravity.
Yes—what it had sensed on him earlier was unmistakably the aura of the Creation Plates!
"It was obtained under very special circumstances. I intend to return it to Arceus once it awakens."
Lucas responded inwardly to the black Rayquaza, as this telepathic message was connected to him alone.
It was clear the black Rayquaza treated this matter with utmost seriousness.
"Special circumstances? Did something happen to Arceus?"
The black Rayquaza was taken aback. The Creation Plates were Arceus's very source of life; by all rights, there should be no way they could ever be lost.
As for the incident with Arceus in Michina a thousand years ago—other regional legends had never known of it.
Otherwise, could the people of Michina who had once harmed Arceus really have escaped unscathed?
The Sinnoh trio of Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina knew of it, of course, but that was only because the Tribe of Guardians had contacted them through the power of Aura.
"Yes. Perhaps… when Arceus awakens, it may even need the help of your Rayquaza clan."
Lucas nodded, then after a brief pause, he explained to the black Rayquaza.
He briefly recounted the circumstances surrounding Arceus. Though the earlier battle had pressed him so tightly that he could not fully gauge the limits of the two Rayquaza before him, their displayed strength was already clear enough.
Whether the Mega Rayquaza or this black Rayquaza—their power would not be inferior to Kyurem, and might even surpass it.
Such mighty allies—if he could win their friendship—would be invaluable. There might come a day when he would truly need their aid.
The black Rayquaza's draconic eyes flickered repeatedly as it listened to Lucas's concise account.
"So in the end… humanity."
After a long silence, the black Rayquaza gave its massive head a slow shake, muttering in a tone that was hard to tell whether it was sighing or sneering.
Humanity.
Just how frighteningly greedy must a species be, that they would even dare reach their claws toward the very origin of creation itself?
"That is the world as it is. If the world contained only good and no evil, then it would also lack a certain measure of color."
Lucas smiled faintly in reply. This was the truth of legends.
Compared to the deeply scheming, endlessly calculating humans, even the most ancient legends were, in truth, far more transparent and pure in their thinking.
Even with endless ages behind them, when it came to plots and deceit, many legends still fell short of the schemes of a human who had lived for just a few decades.
The world of Pokémon and the society of humanity were fundamentally different—Pokémon saw the world in simpler terms.
This held true even for legends. Complexity in one's nature was never something that could be accumulated simply through the passage of time.
"This is your human sophistry. Yet, I cannot deny that what you said does hold truth."
The black Rayquaza lightly flicked its tail. Though it could not entirely agree with Lucas's words, it could not deny reality either.
What was a complete world?
Light and darkness. Good and evil. Birth and death. It was nothing more than these contrasts.
Even among legends, not all were benevolent or bright—how much less so, then, among the infinitely more complex humans?
As one who had long stood guard over this planet, the black Rayquaza too had its own definition of what the world was.
"Regardless, this time I must still thank you, human."
Setting aside the heavier topic, the black Rayquaza expressed its gratitude to Lucas.
The return of Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre—by right, it should have been the Rayquaza clan who intervened to quell their conflict.
But the black Rayquaza spent most of its time roaming the void beyond the planet, while the Mega Rayquaza maintained its vigil around the ozone layer.
Thus, it usually fell to the younger Rayquaza to guard Hoenn directly.
And if not for Lucas's intervention today, that young one might very well have ended up lying dead.
Though, of course, the black Rayquaza would never know that Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre's reawakening had also been partly due to Lucas's own actions…
"I only did it for myself."
Lucas replied with a faint smile.
"You are honest enough. Though your heart is far from pure."
The black Rayquaza looked at him with keen interest. It could sense clearly that his heart was not spotless.
Yet it did not dislike that. Unlike Ho-Oh—the great fiery turkey, as it thought of it.
In the eyes of the black Rayquaza, Ho-Oh had become utterly obsessed. It actually wished to find a soul of complete innocence and purity within the cesspool of humanity.
Could such a person still exist in this age? What a ridiculous thought.
Lucas only shrugged. He had never pretended to be pure, nor ever hidden that fact.
Perhaps such an impure heart would cost him the recognition of some legends. But not every legend sought out only the purest of children…
"The sky is clearing."
Zinnia lifted her head. The heavens that had been shrouded by the Primal Reversion fields—Primordial Sea and Desolate Land—were now restored to normal.
Yes. Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre had been defeated.
Both lay exhausted—Groudon half-kneeling upon the land, gasping for breath, while Kyogre hovered weakly on the surface of the sea, gazing up at the Mega Rayquaza in the sky.
The battle had ended without suspense. Though after the initial clash the black Rayquaza had ceased interfering, this had been deliberate.
After all, the Mega Rayquaza was the young Rayquaza's father. Allowing him to vent his anger for his son was only natural.
And in truth, even alone, the Mega Rayquaza was more than sufficient to deal with the already half-crippled, flightless overgrown fish.
"ROOOAAAR!"
The Mega Rayquaza's draconic eyes swept across the two defeated foes, letting out a commanding roar.
The order was clear—return to the places where you belong.
Though Groudon and Kyogre were unwilling, the fact remained: they had been defeated.
Kyogre flipped its massive body and slipped back beneath the waves, swimming toward the distant sea. Groudon, too, turned away, trudging step by heavy step into the far horizon.
"Hah… finally, it's over."
Seeing this, Steven and Wallace exchanged a glance, each catching the other's expression of relief.
With Groudon and Kyogre's retreat, the crisis had at last passed.
As the tension drained away, a bone-deep exhaustion settled over them both.
"Rayquaza truly is strong. I've learned much today."
Marnie lowered her camera and phone, a satisfied smile upon her face. She had captured countless photos and videos—another habit of hers.
And since this was the first time she had personally witnessed the clan of Rayquaza, these memories were all the more precious.
"With the matter settled, the next thing is…"
Wallace ran a hand through his bangs, turning his gaze toward Archie and Shelly, a gentle smile curving his handsome features.
Earlier, with Groudon and Kyogre raging, he had had no time to deal with those two.
But now… did they truly think he was joking when he said they'd be spending the rest of their lives behind bars?
Meanwhile, at Lucas's side.
The Mega Rayquaza descended beside the black Rayquaza. Its dignified eyes swept briefly over Lucas, then turned toward its son.
"Father… you've worked hard!"
Feeling his father's gaze, the younger Rayquaza lowered its head and spoke in a low voice.
"Father, I have already made up my mind!"
"Oh?"
"I realize that my training is still far from enough. So from this moment, I will work hard and grow stronger!" Rayquaza's voice was serious.
"And then?"
The Mega Rayquaza's eyes narrowed faintly.
"This is the chosen that I chose—Lucas! Father, you may rest assured. I will grow quickly, and I will master Dragon Ascent in the shortest possible time!"
The younger Rayquaza flew to Lucas's side, lifting its head high and declaring this promise with great force.
"???"
Lucas froze at those words, glancing at Rayquaza with an odd expression.
Good heavens—wasn't it obvious? This weakling dragon was just using him as a shield!
And Zinnia was completely dumbfounded as well. Her successor status… was just gone like that?
(End of Chapter)
TN: Lmao what a funny Rayquaza