Rayquaza had appeared!
A boundless and oppressive draconic aura swept across the sky, so immense and suffocating that even the rampaging Necrozma froze mid-air. It raised its head, its prism-like eyes flickering with ever-shifting colors as they locked onto the dragon above.
An instinctive wariness welled up inside it—it could feel that this Rayquaza was no ordinary foe!
The legendary Sky High Dragon of Hoenn, Rayquaza—its name alone was one known throughout the world. Even Lusamine, all the way in Alola, had heard of it.
So, it was true after all, her purchased intel hadn't been wrong. Lucas was not only the "White Dragon Trainer," but during the Hoenn incident some time ago, he had also subdued a Rayquaza.
After all, the dragon itself was right here before their very eyes.
However…
Nowhere in that intelligence report had it said that this Rayquaza was shiny and even more shocking, its scales were a dark, blood-red hue!
That dark crimson sheen was domineering beyond compare—like the dried color of old blood—and it radiated a ferocious, almost predatory energy that made one's spine tingle.
Yes, it was murderous!
That deep, death-tinted red was so unsettling that even just looking at it made one's chest tighten with a stifling sense of dread.
A terrifying sight indeed—the "Red Rayquaza"!
From the corner of the battlefield, Phycos and the others trembled, daring only to glance at it out of the corners of their eyes.
"Shiny…? But that doesn't seem right either… Could it be…?" Lusamine whispered in disbelief as she stared up at the crimson serpent writhing across the darkened heavens.
According to all documented records, the Rayquaza species was supposed to have deep green scales. Yet this one was crimson—so by all logic, it had to be a shiny Rayquaza!
But wait, Lusamine had paid a fortune to acquire an alleged photo of a shiny Rayquaza before!
That photo, purchased for a ridiculous price, was said to have been taken accidentally by a League trainer during the Hoenn incident. It had shown a black Rayquaza.
True, the image was blurry—the creature had been moving too fast—but now, seeing this red one before her, Lusamine suddenly realized she had been scammed!
The shiny Rayquaza wasn't black at all—it was red!
That damn photo seller had clearly edited a picture of a normal Rayquaza, duping the president of the Aether Foundation like some gullible fool!
"When I get back, I'll definitely deal with those bastards properly… Daring to make a fool out of me!"
Cold fury flashed across Lusamine's refined face. She didn't care about the money, but she refused to tolerate being played for a fool.
And so, in her mind, she had already confirmed it—this red Rayquaza before her was the true, authentic shiny form!
After all, it looked too natural, too majestic—and she was seeing it with her own eyes. How could that be fake?
…
"It really does feel a lot more intimidating, huh? What do you think, Marnie?"
Green stared up at the crimson Rayquaza, clicking her tongue in admiration as she examined it from every angle.
Even though she knew full well that the color had been painted on… she had to admit—it looked even more imposing than black. Maybe it was just her imagination, but the contrast of that dark red gave it a whole new level of visual impact.
"No, I still think black looks better. Gold would be nice too," Marnie replied seriously.
"Gold?!" Green twitched at the thought. "That'd be way too flashy! Don't you think a big golden snake flying in the sky would just look… weird?"
"Gold is noble, it would better reflect Rayquaza's status," Marnie countered solemnly.
"That's… your opinion," Green muttered helplessly.
Lusamine watched the two girls' back-and-forth with visible confusion. Why couldn't she understand what they were even talking about?
And besides—what was wrong with gold? She personally thought gold would look beautiful.
…
"Rayquaza, be careful. This opponent isn't weak," Lucas reminded through their telepathic link.
After all, their enemy was Necrozma. Even if it was still in its normal form, it was a fearsome creature nonetheless.
"Don't worry, human. No matter who the opponent is—I am invincible!"
The freshly recolored Flying Caterpie radiated overblown confidence, exuding the very essence of a smug "Dragon Protagonist."
It was no longer an ordinary Rayquaza, nor is it the black hue like its uncle.
It was the one and only Red Rayquaza—unique across the world!
It was invincible!
In fact, Rayquaza almost felt like even if its father and uncle stood before it now, it could still charge in head-first without hesitation.
Yes—new paint job, new confidence!
"I swear…" Lucas sighed, massaging his temples. This dragon's condition was getting worse.
Ever since the Sinnoh incident, after mastering Dragon Ascent and even overpowering Dialga head-on, it had come back home, gotten a new coat of paint… and ever since then, it had been bursting with absurd self-confidence.
He seriously wondered whether Dragon Ascent gave the Rayquaza species some kind of "Invincibility Mindset Buff."
Though, oddly enough, Rayquaza's father and that black one didn't seem nearly this inflated…
"Leave it to me, human! That dark, gloomy thing could never be my match!"
The Flying Caterpie lifted its head proudly, draconic eyes glinting as it glared down at Necrozma.
That tiny, shadowy creature—how could it possibly be its opponent?
Heck, it didn't even need to bother with Mega Evolution for this!
Necrozma, only about three meters tall, looked like a small fry before the nearly eight-meter-long dragon.
With a roar, Rayquaza charged straight at it.
Breaking Swipe!
Its tail shimmered with radiant energy and swept through the air toward Necrozma like a blazing whip.
"Croooo!"
Necrozma's prism-eyes flared violently, its low growl rumbling through the air as it darted aside to evade the strike.
"Dragon Pulse!" Lucas commanded.
Rayquaza opened its maw, gathering draconic light before firing a beam straight toward Necrozma.
Necrozma's twin claws glowed and crossed in front of it—Power Gem!
The two beams collided midair with a thunderous explosion. One Power Gem was destroyed, but the other slammed directly into Rayquaza's body.
BOOM!
The shockwave shook the sky as Rayquaza reeled backward, smoke curling off its scales.
"Damn! That actually hurt!" the dragon snarled through clenched teeth, finally giving the black creature a hint of respect.
"I told you to be careful," Lucas chuckled.
Without Mega Evolution, Rayquaza's power, while formidable, wasn't enough to comfortably handle Necrozma. Moreover, without Delta Stream, its Flying type remained vulnerable—Rock-type moves like Power Gem hit for double damage.
"I've gauged its strength, human. Now watch my show!"
Caution? Never heard of it! There was no way this puny thing could match the great Lord Rayquaza!
"ROAR!!"
With a mighty cry, Rayquaza soared skyward, and the air itself seemed to ignite with color as radiant light engulfed its body.
Mega Evolution!
Since learning Dragon Ascent, Rayquaza could Mega Evolve entirely on its own—no Key Stone required.
A blessing for Lucas, really, it saved him a valuable slot.
…
"Mega Evolution…?" Lusamine murmured as she gazed up at the dazzling transformation.
She had heard that Rayquaza could Mega Evolve, but witnessing a top-tier Legendary do it in person was an entirely different experience.
Soon, the blinding light faded—revealing a massive, majestic red Mega Rayquaza spreading its golden whiskers across the heavens.
A crushing divine aura rippled outward.
"NECROOO!!"
Necrozma roared back in defiance, raising its claws as golden energy surged between them.
A massive golden beam erupted from its hands—Photon Geyser!
"Breaking Swipe!" Lucas ordered.
The Mega Rayquaza's tail flared with power and smashed into the incoming beam. The two forces collided violently, shockwaves rippling outward.
Then, with a sudden surge of might, Rayquaza's attack overpowered Photon Geyser and shattered it apart!
"Dragon Claw!"
The dragon twisted its serpentine body, diving down at lightning speed.
Necrozma bellowed, refusing to back down. Its claws gleamed metallic—it was using Metal Claw.
But the strength gap between them had already widened too far. When their attacks met, Rayquaza's claws easily overpowered Necrozma's, knocking it flying backward.
"Brutal Swing!"
Rayquaza's tail gleamed darkly as it whipped around again—an Dark-type move!
Necrozma responded instantly, gathering light once more and firing another Photon Geyser.
But Rayquaza's strike landed first, smashing into Necrozma's body and sending it hurtling through the air.
The Photon Geyser hit in return, making Rayquaza wince—but the damage was minor.
"Dragon Pulse!"
Lucas's command came sharp. Rayquaza surged forward, overtaking Necrozma mid-air and firing a blazing beam of dragon energy point-blank!
BOOM!
The blast engulfed Necrozma completely. It howled in agony as it spiraled downward.
"Rayquaza's power is… astonishing," Lusamine murmured, her eyes flickering with awe as she glanced sidelong at Lucas.
This Team Rocket executive was terrifying, possessing not only the White Dragon, but even a Mega Rayquaza as his trump card. Such a person must be treated with utmost care—and never offended.
…
"Dragon Ascent!"
Lucas's voice cut through the air. If he was going to end this, he would do it thoroughly.He would crush Necrozma's resistance completely!
"ROOOOAAAR!!"
Mega Rayquaza's entire body shone with green light, gathering power until its entire form blazed emerald. Then, with a blinding streak, it dove from the sky—faster than lightning!
A single stroke of pure brilliance split through the darkened heavens—Dragon Ascent!
BOOM!!
Necrozma froze mid-air for an instant. Then came the explosion—its body detonating in a burst of light as it was sent crashing into the ground like a meteor.
When the dust settled, Mega Rayquaza hovered proudly above, head raised high, exuding an aura of solitary dominance—its dark red form glowing faintly under the dim light, serene yet terrifying.
It was… perfection.
To Lusamine, Phycos, and the others watching, that was the image of absolute supremacy—the very embodiment of divine might.
But then—
"Ha! You see, human?! I told you! That dark little thing was never a match for me!"
The Flying Caterpie's smug telepathic voice rang loudly in Lucas's mind.
"I, the one and only Red Rayquaza, am invincible! No monster in the world can withstand me!"
"Yes yes, you're amazing, truly amazing," Lucas replied weakly, rubbing his forehead. This dragon was too much.
Over two thousand years old—and still bragging like a child showing off to its parent.
"Human! Next time, I want to try gold! Your mate said I'd look super handsome in gold!"
"Sure, sure… next repaint, we'll try gold," Lucas sighed, his temples throbbing.
Still… for such a powerful and obedient fighter, all for the cost of a simple dye job, he wasn't complaining.
Where else could he find a top-tier Legendary that followed orders just for a new paint color?
But just then—Necrozma, who had been lying in the crater below, suddenly stirred.
It rose again—then shot upward, not toward Rayquaza… but toward a nearby building's rooftop.
And there, resting weakly, was Lunala!
"The hell—why me?! It was that dragon that beat you up!"
The graceful, elegant "moon goddess" who had been content to sit quietly and watch the spectacle now panicked as Necrozma charged straight for her.
"Why are you attacking me?!"
She was about to crack.
(End of Chapter)