Carl was absolutely stunned, never expecting the trio of Deoxys to use such a strategy. The ice-type attacks were particularly effective against Rayquaza, and with two high-tier legendaries teaming up with a near-legendary, their combined power was formidable.
If they could continue to reinforce the ice, even if they couldn't completely defeat the shiny Rayquaza, it would at least buy them enough time to escape.
Realizing this, Carl suddenly worried—what if the three Deoxys took this opportunity to flee? Would all his efforts have been in vain? His expression froze at the thought.
He was then witness to a breathtaking spectacle. A massive sphere of light burst from the icy prison, shooting up into the sky. As it reached a great height, it exploded into countless burning meteors, each trailing fiery tails as they plummeted toward the ground.
"Dragon Ascent?!" Carl's heart skipped a beat.
The power behind this move was terrifying, capable of leveling anything in its path. Wait a minute, why were some of those meteors heading straight for him?
"Hoopa, help!" he shouted.
Lusamine was puzzled, "What's happening?"
Hoopa, who had been quietly observing Carl's actions, sprang into action at his call. A ring spun to life, glowing with a brilliant blue light.
Simultaneously, a slanted portal appeared before Carl. Without a second thought, he grabbed Lusamine's hand and jumped through.
Behind them, the sound of an earth-shattering explosion echoed, and Carl exhaled deeply in relief. "Thanks, Hoopa!"
He looked around and thanked Hoopa once more. "You're the best!" Hoopa beamed with pride.
"Yes, you truly are," Carl affirmed, giving a thumbs up.
While Cosmog could help them escape the immediate danger, it was Hoopa's intervention that ensured their safety and return.
"Hoopa likes you," Hoopa chuckled mischievously.
"Call me Carl," he corrected, a bit bemused.
"Alright, Carl! Carl!" Hoopa repeated joyously.
"Hoopa, what's happening over there now?" Carl asked, concerned.
The shiny Rayquaza was in a furious state, and the three Deoxys seemed to be in trouble. This was no cartoon or game—Rayquaza's might was very real.
The three Deoxys were struggling against the powerful shiny Rayquaza. If they were defeated, it would be a significant loss.
"Hoopa, show us!" Carl urged.
Hoopa tapped its head, and the hovering ring expanded. The once calm blue screen rippled like water disturbed by a stone.
The scene showed massive meteors, blazing with fiery tails, descending from the sky. Some fragmented into smaller meteors mid-air, causing explosions on the island and waves in the sea.
The Deoxys trio switched to speed mode, darting through the meteor shower. But the meteors were too numerous and fast, occasionally grazing them. Attempting to teleport was futile, as Rayquaza's aura locked down the surrounding space.
Ultimately, they had to face it head-on. Two shifted to defense mode to shield themselves, while the third switched to attack, using its beam to shatter incoming meteors. Large ones were destroyed, and smaller ones were obliterated entirely.
Though a few slipped through, they were easily handled by the defensive Deoxys. It seemed they might just survive this meteor storm.
"Impressive!" an observer remarked. "As you said, Deoxys can maximize its abilities through form changes, even challenging a high-tier legendary."
Lusamine speculated that if Deoxys could merge, it might stand a chance against Rayquaza. Carl agreed, acknowledging Deoxys's formidable capabilities.
"Do you think they can escape?" Lusamine wondered.
Carl shook his head. "Who's to say Rayquaza isn't herding them together on purpose?"
"What do you mean?" Lusamine asked, feeling tense.
Suddenly, a dragon's roar rang out. The icy sphere shattered, with burning ice chunks swirling around. From the mist, a shadow emerged, descending with blue-purple energy.
Rayquaza, now covered in fiery ice, dashed toward the Deoxys trio, crashing them into the island below with a thunderous impact.
The island's center erupted into a massive shockwave, as the entire land began to crumble. The core was pulverized, and a bright orange beam shot skyward.
A tsunami spread in all directions, leaving the world in silence. Carl and Hoopa could only watch quietly.
A blue-purple tornado whipped up, dispersing the dust. Rayquaza followed the beam into the clouds, vanishing from sight.
As the orange beam faded, a massive crater was revealed in the sea, where the island once stood tall, now utterly obliterated.
Lusamine finally collected herself, swallowing hard. "Good thing you had Hoopa get us out of there, or else..."
Carl understood. No ordinary human could survive such an impact.
"So, how will you thank me?" Carl teased.
"Thank you?" Lusamine scoffed, "If it weren't for you, the island would still be intact."
"That's not fair," Carl argued. "I only went there because of you."
Lusamine retorted, "You came to find me."
"True, but it was Lillie's request. Besides, I didn't throw you on that island." Carl suddenly grinned. "Did you anger some mystical creature to end up there?"
Lusamine was momentarily at a loss for words. "That was a misunderstanding," she muttered.
"Alright, alright, thank you," she conceded.
"You're welcome," Carl replied, satisfied.
Not wanting to dwell on the topic, Lusamine changed the subject. "What about the three Deoxys? Are they gone for good?"
"They're probably just defeated," Carl speculated, turning to Hoopa. "Help me look for any crystals."
Hoopa tilted its head. "Hoopa doesn't understand, what are we looking for?"
"In that big crater," Carl pointed at the screen, "see if there's anything shiny."
"Shiny things?" Hoopa pondered, then brightened. "Hoopa knows!" It tossed out a golden ring.
In the blink of an eye, three shimmering crystals landed at their feet.
Carl's eyes lit up, laughing in delight. "This is quite the find."
"Thanks to that green worm for the gift."
[Green Core Crystal: The core of Deoxys (Level 115), containing its essence. Can absorb energy to heal injuries.]
Carl couldn't help but smile at the unexpected treasure.