Chapter 166: Shaymin Hatches
After parting ways with Ash and the others, Ryan rode Charizard alone through Steel Valley. He found very few Aron, though he spotted a few here and there, all of which he captured.
Having found no more Aron, Ryan and his companions hurried to Fortree City.
Time was running out; they needed to obtain the next Gym Badge as quickly as possible before preparing for the next task.
While searching for Aron, Ryan had received a message from Courtney, which contained only a few simple words: "Meet up, head to the sea."
Ryan couldn't wait any longer; Courtney's message was clear: Team Magma and Team Aqua had already met, preparing to head to the Seafloor Cavern.
"Ruby, after the Contest, you and Sapphire will immediately head to the waters near Sootopolis City to search for the Seafloor Cavern," Ryan said. "I'll have Mewtwo and Darkrai accompany you. With their protection, entering the seabed shouldn't be a problem. But just in case, I'll lend you my Greninja and Gyarados. You must bring back the orbs."
"Understood," Ruby said.
"I'll do my best," Sapphire said.
"Then we'll split up in Lilycove City. I'll take Lillie to the Sky Pillar," Ryan said. "Flying there is necessary. This is the time to demonstrate our strength to the League."
They nodded and hurried to Fortree City.
Arriving in Fortree City a few days later, Ryan teleported all his Pokémon to the Day Care. Mewtwo, Lugia, and baby Lugia were all on their way to Hoenn. The next step was to have a serious conversation with the League.
Ruby and Sapphire teleported their Pokémon back and accepted the four Ultra Balls Ryan handed them. Lillie also teleported her Pokémon back to the manor, fully equipped with Ryan's Pokémon.
Leaving Fortree City, Ruby and the others headed to Lilycove City to participate in the Contest. Ryan released his Master Ball, and baby Rayquaza soared into the sky. Though still a bit short of its full-grown 7-meter length, its massive 5-meter body was more than enough to carry Ryan and Lillie.
Baby Rayquaza, carrying Ryan and Lillie on its head, soared rapidly toward the Sky Pillar.
A deep dragon roar officially announced its arrival to the world!
Ryan's high-profile debut sent the League's top brass into a frenzy: Rayquaza had reappeared after so many years, only to fall into Ryan's hands.
Some were optimistic: after all, Ryan had received assistance from the League, so handing over this Rayquaza would be easy.
But some astute individuals noticed: this Rayquaza wasn't the one previously known, and judging by its size, it was clearly a juvenile. Clearly, Ryan knew of the League's intentions regarding Rayquaza, and so had kept it hidden.
The League confirmed this within hours with the Dragon Master in Blackthorn City. It turned out that Ryan had acquired baby Rayquaza long ago but had kept it hidden, concealing it from the League.
His high-profile debut meant he had secured the trump card that would prevent the League from taking it! Or perhaps his backers were strong enough to suppress the League!
While the optimists paid no mind, the astute had already seen through most of the hidden agenda and couldn't help but sigh: "Another major storm is brewing."
The scene shifted to Ryan. He and Lillie were originally heading to the Sky Pillar, but halfway through, Lillie heard a movement from her backpack.
Ryan helplessly watched Lillie cradling the Pokémon Egg. Using his psychic powers to shield her from the wind and turbulence, he said, "This little one's hatching timing is truly unfortunate."
"Perhaps it's because it senses the presence of the sky, and so can't wait to come out and see the azure heavens," Lillie said, her face lit with excitement as she held the Pokémon Egg.
The Pokémon Egg's light gradually grew brighter, and then there was a crack. A small, hedgehog-like Shaymin opened its eyes in Lillie's arms. It looked at her, smiled, then gazed up at the azure sky, crying out excitedly.
Ryan chuckled, "You're right! This little Shaymin really is eager to see the vastness of the sky, that's why it couldn't wait to hatch."
Lillie hugged the little Shaymin and said, "It's a shame there's no Gracidea flower. If there were Gracidea pollen, Shaymin would transform into Sky Forme and fly freely."
"It's been ready for a long time," Ryan said with a smile.
He then searched his backpack and pulled out a small bottle of Gracidea pollen he had obtained from the system. He then handed the bottle to Lillie.
"Thank you, Ryan," Lillie said.
She opened the bottle and sprinkled some of the pollen onto Shaymin. Shaymin cried out in delight, gradually transforming into its Sky Forme.
Shaymin, now capable of independent flight, couldn't sit still any longer. It broke free from Lillie's embrace and took to the sky. Shaymin, already possessing considerable speed, flew circles around baby Rayquaza.
Then, as the effects of the Gracidea pollen wore off, it exited Sky Forme and returned to Land Forme. However, judging by its unsatisfied expression, the sky still held a strong allure for it.
"Hold on tight, I'm going to try Rayquaza's Mega Evolution," Ryan said. "Rayquaza, Dragon Ascent!"
With a roar, baby Rayquaza soared to a higher altitude, a green aura enveloping it as it charged forward. As baby Rayquaza charged, its form gradually shifted, becoming larger. The yellow V-shaped markings on its head also changed, the top portion becoming streamlined and extending backwards, while the bottom became larger, jutting out and converging around Rayquaza's mouth to form a protective crest.
Mega Rayquaza's stats also increased significantly, gliding through the sky at an extremely fast speed, leaving behind bursts of sonic booms. Ryan had to slow it down, otherwise the drain on his psychic barrier would be too much for him to bear.
The distance from Fortree City to the Sky Pillar was considerable. Even at baby Rayquaza's current speed, it took nearly a day.
Upon reaching the Sky Pillar, Ryan and Lillie disembarked from baby Rayquaza, who was exhausted from the day's flight.
As if sensing baby Rayquaza's presence, a massive green figure descended from the sky. Its enormous dragon head gazed at baby Rayquaza with a loving look.
"Rayquaza, I've come to you as promised. Now it's up to you, and I'll bring you justice later," Ryan said.
Rayquaza nodded, then suddenly sensed something and let out a deep roar. Ryan smiled at the sound and said, "Really? Groudon and Kyogre have awakened."
Ryan and Lillie looked eastward, towards the location of Sootopolis City. Dark clouds were clearly gathering there, as if a torrential downpour was imminent.
But suddenly, the clouds began to dissipate, and sunlight began to pierce through to the earth. Ryan stroked his chin and said, "It looks like Maxie has taken action. After all, he has both orbs in his possession, and he's using them to suppress Kyogre and strengthen Groudon. I hope Ruby can catch up with them."
Then he turned to Rayquaza and said, "The stage is set for you. Do you want to go?"
Rayquaza nodded, but called out to Ryan a few times. Ryan shook his head and said, "It's okay. I'll use my psychic power to form a shield and leave a vent. Try to keep the ozone layer out. We won't suffocate."
Rayquaza nodded and lowered its head near the Sky Pillar. Ryan, without hesitation, jumped onto Rayquaza's head with Lillie, and at the same time, he recalled baby Rayquaza. Using the power of Aura, he communicated with Rayquaza: "Can you use Dragon Ascent?"
"Don't underestimate me," Rayquaza grinned.
"Then charge at full speed and help me block the wind. Baby Rayquaza's control of power is still a little weak."
"When this is over, let it train with me for a while."
"Yes. Please."
Rayquaza roared and rushed towards Sootopolis City. At the same time, during the sprint, its body transformed into Mega Rayquaza!
(End of Chapter)
[+100 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[+5 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter]
If you enjoyed this chapter, leave a Review!
P*atreon/Soulforger (30+ advanced chapters)
Buy me coffee - ko-fi*com/soulforger01