However, Primal Kyogre still hadn't "go right up to the face and open wide," not because it's afraid, but because as the elder it sees bully‑barging a little Rayquaza would be a bit of an identity slip.
"Yo~, Zinnia, after all this time apart, how did you end up like this so soon?"
Primal Kyogre lowers its body slightly, a silhouette leaping from its back with a teasing note in Zinnia's ear.
Zinnia lifts her head slightly, her red, damp eyes meeting the boy before her.
"Damian—"
Zinnia's vision blurs, but she still notices the silhouette before her.
"Looks like you're not looking too good—need a hand?"
Damian looks at the Lorekeeper's dull, lifeless eyes, so different from the bright, sharp look she used to have.
Sure enough, failure has occurred — Rayquaza probably hasn't endorsed Zinnia yet.
But that was to be expected.
"I can't do it; I can't make Rayquaza Mega Evolve."
Zinnia bites her lip, head dropping again, a dim, painful tone that aches the heart.
This is the first time that the once proud, outgoing Zinnia seems to vanish in an instant.
And yet, right? The one who's been chasing Rayquaza hard all this time cannot win Rayquaza's approval; the blow is just too big for Zinnia.
She bears so much: her people, the prophecy, her sister, faith—and for all of this she must succeed, yet she failed.
"I I—"
Thinking of these, Zinnia's voice cracks into tears; how can she face her people's disappointed gazes?
Damian's smile tightens slightly, glancing at Rayquaza; the little Rayquaza observing cautiously stiffens at once.
It clearly remembers this human's "fearsome"!
This guy led Primal Kyogre; they defeated her invincible Shiny Rayquaza father!
For Rayquaza, this left a deep shadow.
Moreover, it seems the father figure is quite interested in this human; perhaps he could become his father's trainer someday?
Then what should that human be called?
Rayquaza falls into thought; if this human really becomes a partner with its father, then, by human naming, should it call him "Uncle—"?
Damian cannot help but sigh; Rayquaza really has caused a lot of trouble for that bright Zinnia.
But "Uncle! I'm here!"
Deep in its mental storm, Rayquaza hears this and responds with consciousness.
"???"
Damian is startled, Zinnia and Primal Kyogre both stare at Rayquaza.
Aren't you the guy calling someone "uncle"?
Rayquaza, coming back to itself, straightens its head and goes cool, as if nothing happened.
But that suspicious red cloud on its face obviously represents its current mood.
"Zinnia, don't worry, I've told you before, we're now a fate‑bound organization."
Damian glances oddly at Rayquaza, crouches down, pats Zinnia's shoulder, and smiles.
"Whatever happens, don't fear, don't be confused, don't worry. Just hand yourself to me; I can shoulder your life."
Damian's soft yet firm tone moves Zinnia.
Her swallow goes dry; she slowly looks up at Damian, heart fluttering.
"Damian—"
Lorekeeper's eyes reflect the silhouette of the boy before her.
"Zinnia, You Really Can Always Count on Me."
Damian smiles, slowly turning to face Rayquaza.
"Even if you fail, I can take all consequences for you, so don't bow your head; I'll help you recover what you've lost."
Primal Kyogre's golden beast‑eyes grow cold and aloof, a palpable pressure pressing down.
And the goal, of course, is Rayquaza.
"Wait—"
But Rayquaza feels something is off; why does it feel like it's become the villain?
"Uncle— no, humans, I didn't bully this Lorekeeper!"
Rayquaza hurriedly explains via Telepathy; it even feels wronged, it has a conscience, you know.
This Lorekeeper is Aster's little sister; Rayquaza had already planned to give her another chance.
But before it can finish, Primal Kyogre and Damian show up again.
"Although she isn't exactly meeting my requirements right now, I'm prepared to keep observing her for a while; she still has a chance!"
Rayquaza isn't eager to suffer a needless disaster; while it can shake its father, that would be embarrassing.
Hearing this, Zinnia's expression shifts.
"Really?"
Damian raises a brow.
"Totally true!" Rayquaza nods furiously.
To Damian, its feelings toward Rayquaza are indeed complex, since this human beat its invincible dragon father.
"How about this?" Damian asks Zinnia.
"I will work hard to make Rayquaza recognize me!"
Zinnia wipes away the tears, reveals a determined look.
Yes, she cannot be weak!
"Well, it doesn't really matter; you all's prophecy's Meteorite, I can help you deal with it, no psychological burden."
Damian pats her shoulder.
"Hm~!" Zinnia stares at Damian's face, grins.
She can't really describe her mood; she feels very at ease, very at ease.
In fact, she recalls that Damian has said similar things before, but compared to then, after the just endured despair, her mindset has changed subtly.
"Well, since we're going to observe, you should observe Zinnia up close, right?"
Damian ponders, sizing up Rayquaza.
"?" Rayquaza tilts its head.
"Then you stay by my side for now; you can observe Zinnia, and also train yourself well."
Damian pulls out an Ultra Ball, grins at Rayquaza.
"Huh?" Rayquaza freezes.
"See, your dad is so strong; how did you end up like this? I'll train you well."
Damian tries to express his ideology, but anyone can see he's after a temporary, free "labor force."
"This— isn't appropriate, is it?"
Rayquaza politely wants to reject, but truthfully is a bit tempted.
Damian speaks bluntly; Rayquaza knows the gap between it and its parents is huge.
But Rayquaza doesn't want this; the mental pressure is big, but it can't seem to master the finish.
"Not suitable? This is perfectly suitable, Rayquaza, don't you have any self-awareness? Do you really think your weakness is only because you can't Mega Evolve? The main reason is that your battle skills are terrible."
Damian bluntly critiques.
"If it weren't for me thinking of your dad, I wouldn't bother with you—look how weak you are; you couldn't even beat a Deoxys."
Rayquaza shudders.
"I understand; please Uncle, teach me!"
Rayquaza believes Damian's words.
It doesn't want to hold back Rayquaza's name any longer; the pressure is heavy!
"Come on in; I'll teach you how to fight when I have time."
Watching Damian so easily stuff Rayquaza into a Ultra Ball, Zinnia's head reels.
And this Rayquaza calls Damian "Uncle"—what the heck is that language among Rayquaza?
But anyway, not the worst result; at least Rayquaza has said it can still give her a chance.
As for the meteor crisis, Damian is willing to help resolve it.
Zinnia's heart is incredibly at ease, though she wonders why looking at Damian for long makes her heart race…
Lorekeeper is perplexed; why?
...
Lilycove City hospital.
Steven slowly awakens, the first thing in sight is a pale ceiling.
Where the heck is this?
Steven tries to sit up, but his whole body is weak, head hurts, throat dry.
"Steven! Steven, you're awake at last!"
A surprised voice; Wallace's small face suddenly enters his view, startling Steven.
"Steven, you okay? You fainted out of nowhere; I almost died."
"Water— water please."
Wallace hurriedly pours a cup of warm water, bringing it to Steven's lips.
After a sip, Steven stabilizes; Wallace props him up with pillows.
"What happened to me?"
Steven glances at the IV on his arm and the hospital room where Leon and the others are.
"Doctors say you were overwhelmed physically, plus exhaustion, then drenched by rain gave you a fever."
Cynthia speaks softly.
"Steven, you need to rest longer in the hospital."
Leon adds.
Steven falls silent; he recalls.
"Sorry for causing trouble."
"It's nothing, Champion Steven; you still need to take care of yourself, and we understand."
Giovanni's deep voice adds.
Steven's pressure lately; they've all seen it.
And given what happened, Steven's collapse is normal.
Of course, this was also helped by Wallace's timely aid; Wallace is indeed impressive.
Damian did so much, yet didn't break Steven's mind-sensei, but Wallace-sensei delivered a precise "one hit" that knocked him down.
"Where's Team Rocket?"
"They pulled back; no need to worry for now," Leon responds.
"Right now, your main priority is to rest and recover."
"Yes, Senior Steven; health is the most important!"
Nemona nods in agreement.
Steven's sudden collapse did frighten them; clearly Steven's body is near its limit.
To fight Team Rocket, Steven spent too much mental energy; the outcome was not great.
Wallace's line "Steven, save me!" proved the final straw that broke the camel's back.
"Okay, thanks for your concern." Steven forces a smile.
"Steven, you rest first; we'll head out."
Giovanni gestures to Leon and the three, then the four exit the hospital room, leaving Wallace alone.
"Wallace, I'm sorry for Hoenn League," Steven sighs, fatigue and self-reproach heavy in his voice.
"Steven, what are you saying?" Wallace frowns, handsome brows knit.
"I won't allow you to speak that way about yourself; in my heart, you're Hoenn's best Trainer and Hoenn Region's guardian deity."
Wallace speaks with resolve.
Steven is moved; Wallace truly is his good brother.
"Wallace, I need you to help me with something; I hope you'll agree."
"Shoot; we're brothers; no need for formalities."
"After this event, I feel I'm still too hard on myself as Hoenn Champion."
"And I can't bear to let the consequences pass unaddressed; it's because of me that things turned out this way."
Steven sighs.
"So, Wallace, I hope you'll take back the Hoenn Champion title—"
"Steven." Wallace interrupts.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Wallace, I need your help— Hoenn Champion title to you."
"I won't."
Wallace's expression is flat and decisive.
That's a joke; brothers or not, who would want him to be Hoenn Champion again?
Impossible, absolutely not!
Steven cannot believe it, and feels a lump of old blood rising.
Cough cough cough—
"Steven! Steven! what happened to you, Steven! Doctor! Doctor, help!"
~~~
Get early access to 90+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
patreon.com/PokemonStoryWeaver
~~~
Every 100 Power Stones = 2 extra chapter