"The only Pokémon in the games that can Mega Evolve without a Mega Stone."
Dylan observed Rayquaza with great interest. As Hoenn's third legendary deity, the Sky Dragon, its power was nothing short of mesmerizing.
In the games, Rayquaza was unique—it didn't need a Mega Stone to Mega Evolve. All it had to do was learn Dragon Ascent.
Of course, in reality, other Pokémon had demonstrated the ability to Mega Evolve on their own, like Mewtwo, Latios, and Latias in the movies. However, Dylan suspected that they either had their Mega Stones embedded in their bodies or had fused with them entirely.
As for Kyogre and Groudon, they didn't undergo Mega Evolution—they underwent Primal Reversion, which, according to official lore, represented their true awakened forms—their full power.
Aside from the Red and Blue Orbs, natural energy itself could trigger Primal Reversion, which explained why Kyogre and Groudon fought over it.
"I wonder which Rayquaza this is… No, wait, if it can't Mega Evolve, then it can only be that one."
Rayquaza wasn't unique—there were multiple across different timelines.
The one from Destiny Deoxys, the Mega Rayquaza from the XY Giant Rock arc, and even the Black Rayquaza from Hoopa and the Clash of Ages.
The Black Rayquaza needed no explanation, while the Mega Rayquaza from the XY Giant Rock arc was ridiculously strong, defeating both Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre at once.
As for the one from Destiny Deoxys?
…Emmm. It sure could take a beating.
While Dylan was lost in thought, Zinnia was already in motion.
Clenching the Key Stone in her hand, she took a deep breath. The super bracelet on her wrist glowed intensely.
Rayquaza's internal organ allowed it to replace a Mega Stone, meaning it didn't need one, but for a Draconid successor to trigger Mega Evolution, they still needed a Key Stone.
And not just any Key Stone—a special one.
Or, failing that, an overwhelming number of them.
Zinnia had chosen the same method Aster had used years ago—brute force with a ton of Key Stones.
"Mega Evolve, Rayquaza!"
A surge of brilliant green light erupted from Zinnia, and Rayquaza's body began to glow in response.
It was working! It had to work!
Her heart pounded in excitement. If Rayquaza could just Mega Evolve—
But then…
The radiant colors dimmed.
The green aura faded.
Rayquaza remained unchanged, standing exactly as before.
Zinnia's smile froze, her eyes widening in disbelief.
The Key Stone's energy dimmed, but Rayquaza had not Mega Evolved.
She had failed.
Her breath caught in her throat as she staggered back, staring blankly at the still, unmoving Rayquaza.
Her gaze fell to the Key Stone in her trembling hand.
Clink—
The Key Stone slipped from her fingers, hitting the stone floor with a sharp, hollow sound.
"Why…?"
Her face turned deathly pale, her expression dark and empty.
A buzzing noise filled her ears, and a splitting pain stabbed through her skull like needles.
Why had she failed?
She had absolute faith in Rayquaza.
She carried the burden of her entire clan's legacy.
She had a mission she could not afford to fail.
Her vision blurred, her body weakened, and she collapsed onto the floor, her head hanging in defeat.
She had used Aster's Super Bracelet.
She had gathered a mountain of Key Stones.
But she had still failed.
Why?
Was she not devout enough?
Were the Key Stones insufficient?
She couldn't comprehend it.
What had all her efforts been for?
How could she face her people now?
Aster was dead.
Her clan's hopes and dreams rested on her shoulders.
To ensure nothing went wrong, she had manipulated Team Magma and Team Aqua into awakening Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre—
And yet…
She had failed.
Her faith and determination began to crumble.
"ROOOOAAAR!!"
Rayquaza watched the breaking girl, its golden eyes flickering with emotion before soaring into the sky.
It wasn't entirely surprised that she had failed.
After all, Mega Evolution isn't a one-way process.
Rayquaza could sense Zinnia's inner turmoil—she carried too much weight, even hatred.
And Rayquaza didn't like that.
It hadn't outright rejected her command, but it also hadn't fully accepted it.
"As the successor, stand strong. This is your duty and responsibility."
The deep, commanding voice echoed in Zinnia's mind.
Her hollow eyes flickered, but when she looked up again, Rayquaza was already gone.
"Even without Mega Evolution, it still chose to fight. As expected of the Sky Dragon."
Dylan stepped forward, gazing at the vanishing streak of green in the sky.
Throughout Hoenn's history, Rayquaza had always been the one to end the battle between land and sea—a heroic figure.
But in truth, Rayquaza's temper wasn't that great.
"Dylan… I failed…"
Zinnia's voice was hoarse.
"I… I've failed everyone…"
Her words trembled with choking sorrow.
She knew—she had always known.
Ever since Aster died, her people had placed all their hopes on her.
But she had failed them.
She wasn't worthy of being their successor.
If Rayquaza didn't acknowledge her, then what would happen to her clan's dream?
"Yeah… I saw."
Dylan sighed softly, crouching down to gently pat Zinnia's shoulder.
Nearby, her Salamence whined in concern, nuzzling against her.
"It's okay, Zinnia. There's still hope. Rayquaza did appear, didn't it?"
Dylan tried to reassure her.
Truth be told, he had expected her to fail from the beginning.
"But for now… we need to stay focused."
Dylan's gaze darkened. That Rayquaza couldn't Mega Evolve—would it really be able to stop Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre?
For an ordinary Rayquaza, that was a tall order.
"Maybe you should try summoning another one. One that can Mega Evolve."
Zinnia shook her head weakly.
"I… I can't…"
Prayers weren't guaranteed to work, and she could only attempt it once per cycle.
She had put everything into this one chance—and it had failed.
"Then leave it to me."
Dylan exhaled.
Looked like it was his mess to clean up.
"Let's go check it out."
"…Okay."
Zinnia was completely lost, her faith shattered beyond repair.
Luckily…
She still had Dylan.
As they stepped out of the Sky Pillar, they ran straight into Steven and Wallace, arriving on Metagross.
"Aizen! Zinnia!"
Wallace's eyes narrowed.
But what shocked him was…
Why did Zinnia look so exhausted—like she had been completely drained?
"Ahhh, well, if it isn't Teacher Wallace and Teacher Steven."
Dylan smiled warmly, adjusting his glasses as he eyed the two Champions.
"Looks like you two weren't completely stupid—you figured out to come here."
"Aizen—did you summon Rayquaza?!"
Steven had no interest in arguing with Aizen and asked in a serious tone,
"When Wallace and I arrived, we saw a green dragon flying toward the battlefield, but we weren't sure if it was Rayquaza."
Though they had their suspicions, they couldn't confirm it, which was why they had come to the Sky Pillar.
"That's right," Aizen confirmed.
Steven and Wallace exchanged glances, both feeling a wave of relief.
This was good. If Rayquaza had appeared, it would surely be able to stop Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre.
At last, they could breathe easy.
"Zinnia, you…"
With the crisis of Groudon and Kyogre momentarily put aside, Steven turned to Zinnia, his expression growing complicated as if he wanted to say something.
But before he could finish, Dylan cut him off.
"Zinnia and I need to check things out ourselves, so we won't chat with you two any longer. See you."
Releasing his Hydreigon, Dylan took off with Zinnia, leaving without looking back.
Steven watched their departing figures in silence, his heart heavy.
"Let's head back too," Wallace said.
Though their trip had been in vain, the news that Rayquaza had appeared was enough for now.
Meanwhile, at the battlefield of Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre—
The two ancient titans were still locked in an intense battle, their clash escalating into close combat.
Surprisingly, it was Primal Kyogre that had moved in first.
"Uuuhh—!"
Primal Kyogre surged forward, its entire body surrounded by powerful currents.
Liquidation!
But Primal Groudon did not flinch. Raising its massive arms, a bright white light shone from its fists—
Hammer Arm!
BOOM!
Liquidation slammed into Primal Groudon's guard, forcing the massive land titan backward with sheer force.
Primal Kyogre's strength was overwhelming!
Yet Primal Groudon was stronger.
Planting its feet firmly, it let out a low growl and exerted all its power, lifting Primal Kyogre off the ground.
With an angry roar, it hurled Kyogre through the air, sending it crashing into the ocean with a massive splash.
The next moment, Primal Groudon's mouth gleamed with blinding white energy—
Solar Beam!
BOOOOM!
The massive energy blast struck the point where Primal Kyogre had fallen, the explosion sending shockwaves through the ocean.
A towering wave rose up, but before it could fully develop into a tsunami, the waters suddenly calmed.
Primal Kyogre surfaced, its golden eyes narrowing as it gazed warily into the distance.
Primal Groudon also sensed it, lifting its gaze toward the horizon.
This aura…
It was that green flying worm!
Both Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre realized it at the same time.
Damn it! It got here this fast?!
Frustration burned in their eyes. They hadn't finished fighting yet!
A streak of green rushed across the sky, coming to a halt just above them.
"Is that Rayquaza?"
Cynthia's eyes shimmered as she looked at the majestic figure hovering in the sky.
There was no doubt about it—this was Hoenn's third ancient legend, the Sky Dragon, Rayquaza.
'Beep—Rayquaza, Dragon/Flying type, Sky High Pokémon.
Ability: Air Lock.
Moves: Hyper Beam, Outrage, Hurricane, Fly, Dragon Pulse, Draco Meteor, Giga Impact, Dragon Ascent…
Description: It is said that Rayquaza has lived for hundreds of millions of years in the ozone layer above the clouds. Due to its extreme altitude, its existence remained unknown for a long time.'
Rotom Dex dutifully provided its analysis.
"If Rayquaza is here, then Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre should stop fighting, right?"
Lillie let out a sigh of relief.
After all, that's how the legend went.
ROOOOAAAR!!
Rayquaza let out a thunderous dragon roar, its presence overwhelming.
But—
Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre narrowed their eyes, showing no signs of backing down.
Instead, with a low growl, Primal Groudon attacked first!
Boulders rose from the ground and shot through the air at incredible speed—
Rock Slide!
And as soon as Primal Groudon made a move, Primal Kyogre followed up instantly.
A chilling blue glow formed at its mouth—
Ice Beam!
Attack Rayquaza! Beat down the flying worm!
Rayquaza roared in fury, but its reaction was swift. It darted into the air, dodging the incoming Rock Slide and Ice Beam in a single elegant motion.
Looking down at its two opponents, Rayquaza's eyes hardened.
Just as it had expected—without Mega Evolution, it couldn't intimidate them.
Rayquaza's expression turned grim.
If that was the case…
There was only one solution.
Fight.