CHAPTER 697: STOP, RAYQUAZA!

The Sky Pillar soared into the clouds, wrapped in mist so thick its top could not be seen.

Lu Ye landed on a lower platform of the Sky Pillar riding Latias, glanced at the entrance, and guessed,

“So, Ruby and Sapphire went into the trial first… and then another trainer also entered the Sky Pillar?”

Steven was bent over, examining footprints.

“It’s not impossible.” Steven straightened, frowning. “I think Ruby and the others rushed the trial to deal with Groudon and Kyogre as quickly as possible, so they didn’t want to waste time on fights.”

No one had expected the crisis with Hoenn’s guardian deities to be resolved so swiftly.

Qianli looked at the black-haired youth with respect, then said in a low voice,

“Ruby and the others probably haven’t learned the crisis was resolved yet.”

“Let’s go into the Sky Pillar,” Lu Ye said. “Maybe we can find them.”

No one had counted the exact number of floors in the Sky Pillar;

they only knew that climbing on foot would take at least a day.

Not to mention the oppressive aura of Rayquaza inside the pillar, ancient Pokémon like Hypno, and the frequent floor cracks.

Danger lurked everywhere;

one misstep could cause the stairs to collapse and send someone plummeting hundreds of meters!

“Can’t we fly in here?” Lu Ye asked.

“You can, but Rayquaza can sense conditions inside the Sky Pillar. Flying in the Sky Deity’s domain might anger it,” Steven replied.

Lu Ye pointed ahead at a floating Hypno whose eyes spun around: “Then how the heck can that thing fly?!”

Hypno: ?

“Roar!!”

Slaking scratched its nose, its eyes suddenly sharpening. The shadowy afterimage of Shadow Claw surged from its raised paw and struck the Hypno into unconsciousness in a single blow!

Hypno hit the ground, its eyes swirling cartoonishly, and the passage to the second level opened up before them.

Qianli recalled Slaking and said calmly, “Alright, let’s keep going.”

Lu Ye: “…”

No wonder Qianli was the gym leader — ruthless and few words!

Rumble!

They looked up at the ceiling shedding debris;

fighting was erupting on a higher floor, though they couldn’t tell exactly which one.

Lu Ye looked at the fragile ceiling and proposed,

“How about we just punch a hole in this ceiling and fly up?”

Steven and Qianli’s faces shifted;

they both shook their heads.

Doing that wouldn’t just fail to win Rayquaza’s favor — it would be an act of aggression, and Rayquaza would be justified in striking them down.

“Fine.” Lu Ye relented. “Then we’ll fly up using the stairwell… since the fights have already started, flying isn’t a big deal.”

Steven and Qianli exchanged a glance and ultimately accepted the plan.

The staircase spiraled upward.

Steven’s white Metagross pushed a gust of air with its four arms and barreled ahead.

Teacher Lu moved steadily and took rear guard, thinking to himself,

“We can’t use that here. Once we reach the top platform, Palkia’s spatial teleport will be available.”

Rumble!

Explosions and combat intensified as they quickened their pace;

looking out through a stone window, they were already above the cloud sea.

Around twenty-plus floors up, a red glow of flames lit the stairwell. Qianli suddenly halted:

“This is it!”

Ten hours earlier, Ruby and Sapphire had led the way into the Sky Pillar. Ruby used the leftover energy cubes to attract swarms of ancient Pokémon, delaying Zinnia’s pursuit long enough for the two to stay ahead.

But the Sky Pillar’s trials involved puzzles and mechanisms too. After an entire night, with the summit nearly within reach, Zinnia finally caught up to Ruby and Sapphire.

Wrapped in a cloak, Zinnia floated with Salamence and Noivern at her side and said coldly,

“I told you… people from Devon Corporation, leave the Dragon God’s domain!”

Rayquaza had already identified the true successor, and it was not Zinnia but her namesake friend, ‘Xijiana.’

‘Xijiana’ was prophesied by the Meteor People to be the one who could make Rayquaza Mega Evolve and shatter the colossal meteor.

But ‘Xijiana’ had died in a clash with Devon Corporation… so Zinnia assumed the successor’s name and vowed to save Hoenn in her friend’s stead.

Because Zinnia was a substitute, she never received Rayquaza’s recognition in the game or special episode.

Still, her resolve to avenge and save her deceased friend rivaled that of Steven, President Zaffres, and others.

“I don’t know your origins, but…”

Ruby stared at Salamence and gripped Sapphire’s hand tightly. “We have a mission we must finish!”

“ZUZU, Zuzu, Mega Evolve!!”

Both Swampert and Blaziken Mega Evolved. At the same moment, Zinnia’s Mega bracelet glowed white.

Under the rainbow light, Salamence’s blood-red wings reshaped into a crescent as it roared, “Roar!!”

Mega Salamence’s nature was violent;

it could even attack its trainer and was called the “Bloodstained Crescent.”

Zinnia had no time to consider that they were inside the Sky Pillar. The pain of losing her friend and her anger at Devon Corporation clouded her eyes.

“Salamence, Double-Edge!”

“Roar!!” Mega Salamence flapped its crescent wings, whipping up a gale in the tight chamber!

“Water Vow!” Ruby and Sapphire cried in unison. “Fire Vow!”

Flames laced along the outer edge of a water column and slammed into Salamence, forcing it back. From the rising black smoke a brilliant rainbow formed!

“Child’s play…” Zinnia covered her face against the smoke, her cloak flapping in the gust. She hurled a Poké Ball with force. “Goodra, Ice Beam!”

“Waa!!” A rotund, mucus-covered, grayish-purple Goodra inhaled and expelled an icy-blue beam.

The beam smashed into the ground and froze Ruby and Sapphire at the ankles, clearly inflicting the freeze status!

Ruby and Sapphire didn’t dodge;

instead, they stared wide-eyed past Zinnia, faces lighting up with joy.

“There’s no time to mess around with you.” Zinnia snapped her fingers and said coldly, “Salamence, use—”

“That’s enough, girl.” Qianli stood behind Zinnia and said in a low voice, “Slaking, Mega Punch!”

Zinnia whipped around to see the ferocious Slaking swing a massive fist and crash into Mega Salamence.

Boom!!

Mega Salamence couldn’t dodge and was slammed back, smashing part of the wall and letting out a pained bellow!

“Ha~” Slaking yawned, arrogantly picking its nose.

Qianli crossed his arms, expression fiercely protective.

“Father/uncle!” Ruby and Sapphire said together.

Qianli looked at his son and his future daughter-in-law, nodding coldly.

“You are…” Zinnia’s gaze fell on Steven’s trademark blue hair;

she ground her teeth, “from Devon Corporation!”

Steven had heard of the Meteor People’s “traitor.” Zinnia had been an ordinary person who, for the sake of deceased Xijiana, took on the forbidden mantle of successor.

In truth, Steven frowned slightly;

Devon Corporation did owe her a great deal…

“They’re from Devon. I’m not.” Lu Ye interjected. “I’m with the Pokémon Company.”

Everyone froze.

Zinnia stared at the handsome black-haired youth for a moment and then shook her head.

Fine — he wouldn’t be on her hit list then…

“The Meteor People’s successor.” Steven said with regret, brows knitted, “I apologize for Devon Corporation’s actions.”

“But we share the same mission: to save Hoenn.” Steven’s eyes flashed. “Successor, maybe you can work with Devon Corporation…”

“Work together?” Zinnia cut him off. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

Her voice fell silent for a beat, then her expression turned ice-cold.

“I won’t trust you hypocrites anymore.”

“I will make a bond with the Dragon God on my terms and save all of Hoenn.”

With that she retrieved her Pokémon and strode past Steven and Qianli toward the Sky Pillar’s summit.

She pushed past Steven and Qianli and headed straight for the very top. This short-haired girl looked up at the summit light with fierce resolve.

I will finish this for you, Xijiana…

Zinnia whispered her deceased friend’s name in her heart.

Even if it costs my life, I will complete our promise!

“Aren’t you going after her, Mr. Steven?” Sapphire urged. “Outside, there are still Groudon and Kyogre…”

“The Groudon and Kyogre crisis has been resolved.” Steven’s voice boomed. “Don’t worry — Teacher Lu defeated them.”

Ruby and Sapphire both froze and looked at Teacher Lu in bewilderment.

He defeated Hoenn’s guardian deities without Rayquaza’s power!?

Then what’s the point of us coming to the Sky Pillar!

Lu Ye seemed to read their confusion and explained, “The massive meteor in ten days still needs Mega Rayquaza’s help… I still want to meet Rayquaza.”

“Then that girl just now…” Ruby began.

“She’s called Zinnia.” Steven’s eyes flickered with memory. “Let her undergo Rayquaza’s test… after all, that is the Meteor People’s rightful privilege.”

Zinnia and Devon Corporation were both trying to solve the colossal meteor in different ways.

The Meteor People’s succession and Devon’s science were clashing, irreconcilable.

Lu Ye watched Zinnia’s departing steps and his expression shifted.

Shouldering a dead friend’s mission, standing alone against the tide of capital — Zinnia had a romantic, almost utopian heroism about her.

But as Teacher Lu told N in Unova, the world is not simply black and white.

To stop the meteor, the Meteor People could still join forces with a former enemy like Devon.

Zinnia didn’t see that yet;

she stubbornly sought to bond with Rayquaza for its power.

Lu Ye shook his head.

Rayquaza isn’t stupid — it wouldn’t let Zinnia use it as a weapon…

“What if that girl isn’t recognized by Rayquaza?” Sapphire asked softly.

“It will attack her,” Qianli replied sternly. “Unlike you and Ruby, as a Meteor Person she’ll face much harsher punishment.”

Ruby froze and widened his eyes. “She knows that, and still…”

“Let’s go up together.” Lu Ye said.

They all turned to Teacher Lu.

A sparkling white shimmer gathered around him as a ripple of space-time rolled about his form.

Lu Ye looked up at the dome of the sky.

Zinnia might not be Rayquaza’s favored successor… but that didn’t mean she’d die here.

For Teacher Lu understood Zinnia’s heart and possessed conviction and power neither Devon nor the Meteor People had.

Succession, science, revenge, duty—these concepts were abstract, worldly.

Facing the lofty Sky Deity looking down upon Hoenn, there was only one transcendent answer—

“It’s not Rayquaza testing the successor.”

Lu Ye’s eyes hardened as the gust lifted his black hair. He said,

“It’s the successor who will test Rayquaza!”

The Sky Pillar—summit.

A barren heap of broken rocks filled the view, cloud seas drifting, an invisible intimidation blanketing the area.

Zinnia reached the top, her gray cloak snapping in the wind, legs trembling.

She inhaled deeply and stepped into the mist, then abruptly stopped.

A peculiar gas layer hung before her. Zinnia knew its primary component was ozone;

when Rayquaza slept outside the ozone layer, it wrapped itself in ozone.

That meant the Dragon God was very near!

Zinnia crept forward, eyes veiled by thick fog and barely able to tell direction.

Kala!

A stone was kicked aside. Zinnia’s pupils shrank;

a huge form inside the fog was slowly waking!

Gales swept in. Zinnia crossed her arms as her cloak billowed.

The dense mist suddenly cleared to reveal a colossal green dragon coiled on the rocks, its massive torso upright, sharp claws extended and towering before her.

The ancient Pokémon, the Sky Deity — Rayquaza!!

Golden patterns along its body glittered as it erupted in a piercing roar.

“Rooooar—!!”

The sheer intimidation made it hard to breathe. A bead of sweat slid from Zinnia’s cheek to her clavicle. She lifted her chin, and a stubborn gleam appeared in her black eyes.

Snap!

Zinnia took a step toward Rayquaza, dropped to one knee, bowed her head and shouted,

“Dragon God, I am the Meteor People’s successor—please… form a bond with me!”

The roar ceased.

Rayquaza’s violent, haughty yellow eyes stared coldly at Zinnia, and a voice without warmth echoed in her mind:

“You are not the Meteor People’s successor, yet you carry the successor’s aura.”

Zinnia froze and whispered hoarsely,

“Xijiana is gone… now I will finish her mission!”

Rayquaza narrowed its eyes as golden patterns along its body flashed. The energy organs called the Celestial Organs radiated dazzling golden flecks. Its voice sounded like an accusation:

“Do you mock the lonely?”

A wave of dread shot down Zinnia’s spine. She produced a golden scroll from her chest, held it out with both hands, and knelt with her head bowed:

“Dragon God, this is the Meteor People’s symbol of succession… please, take it!”

“Rooaar—!!” Rayquaza gave no answer;

instead it unleashed a violent gale.

The powerful wind sent the scroll flying. Zinnia’s pupils constricted—the Dragon God had no intention of taking the scroll!

Thud!

Rayquaza’s claw struck Zinnia’s back. With a mere flick, cracks several meters wide opened beneath her feet;

her pupils dimmed as she coughed up blood!

Rayquaza was no gentle deity, and Zinnia’s actions were undoubtedly provocation in its eyes!

Swoosh—

Rayquaza opened its maw;

a furious mass of light surged from its throat!

A shadow flashed by and whisked the dying Zinnia behind a boulder.

Zinnia opened her dim eyes and looked at the Pokémon beside her. “La-ti… as…”

“Just watch, okay?” Latias said in a muffled, displeased tone. “You only make trouble for him!”

Zinnia’s eyes were dull, then suddenly a faint spark lit. She peered toward the battlefield behind the rock.

On the broad Sky Pillar summit, jagged stones littered the ground and Rayquaza coiled in domineering majesty.

A small black-haired youth stood before Rayquaza, staring it down.

“Who are you?” Rayquaza asked coldly.

Lu Ye gave no answer. A shadow stretched behind him and, in an instant, transformed into the murky, rolling form of Darkrai.

Above the canopy of sky, five teleportation rifts of different colors tore the heavens apart, opening in sequence behind Lu Ye!

Rumble—!!

Lightning and fire intertwined;

shadows overlapped;

the sky dimmed.

Blue, red, grey, black, white—time, space, inversion, ideal, reality!!

Rayquaza’s eyes flew wide as it stared at the five raging rifts above, briefly startled.

“Stand down, Rayquaza.”

Lu Ye said calmly, “I will give you a reason you cannot refuse.”

Rayquaza: ???