"That's..."
A roar filled with power echoed from the sky.
To the Dragon-type trainers of this Master Tournament's host region, that voice was extremely familiar.
The dragon's roar!
It is said that only Dragon Pokémon trained to their peak or some legendary Pokémon can emit such an authoritative sound.
Combined with the appearance of this Pokémon, the answer was self-evident...
Rayquaza!
Lance's gaze toward the sky was filled with fervor.
Although it was unclear why this being, known as the Sky Guardian in the Hoenn region, appeared in the Paldea region...
One thing was certain—
Legendary Pokémon never appear in human sight without a reason.
Like the Ho-oh once worshipped on Indigo Plateau, only a few lucky trainers have glimpsed its true form.
It even left behind the legend that "seeing Ho-oh would bring good fortune."
This Rayquaza was likely no different.
Was it because the energy of Dragon-types filled Mesagoza due to this Master Tournament that Rayquaza appeared?
Lance could only make such a guess.
"A Legendary Pokémon appears before humans again?"
Compared to other awestruck viewers, Professor Oak, who had seen more, slightly frowned instead.
This might not be a good thing...
According to Hoenn legends, compared to the other two gods who created land and sea respectively, Rayquaza is friendlier towards humans.
However, their appearances often herald impending disasters.
Not necessarily influenced by nature or deities, but more likely by humans...
Thus, having seen more, Professor Oak couldn't help but worry.
Thankfully, it was in the relatively safer Paldea region; otherwise, it might really attract attention from some forces.
After silently locking eyes with Aiden for a moment, Rayquaza suddenly took new action.
After a heavy sonic boom, Rayquaza's body plummeted downward, aiming straight for the battlefield at the center of Mesagoza.
It is said that Rayquaza's speed surpasses all Pokémon; it can even catch up to meteors falling from space and feed on the energy contained within them.
In about three seconds, Rayquaza had arrived, its massive and majestic figure appearing before all the spectators.
Only at this point did Aiden suddenly understand the classic CG from the Gen 3 series.
No wonder when Rayquaza rushed headlong, Groudon and Kyogre, who had been fighting fiercely, immediately backed down and shamefully fled each on their own.
If you don't run when you see Rayquaza charging at you, you're just asking for it.
Only by personally witnessing a Legendary Pokémon up close can one truly feel the insurmountable gap between them and ordinary Pokémon.
And Rayquaza had merely shown off a bit of "zero-frame acceleration," without using any moves yet.
If targeted by such a being whose startup speed is several times faster than sound and whose Draco Meteor is comparable to a giant meteor, it's hard to muster the will to fight it…
Aiden's gaze toward it was somewhat complex.
Though still unclear why Rayquaza appeared openly above Mesagoza this time, it could at least be confirmed that it probably meant no harm.
Perhaps it has something to do with me again?
"Lu..."
Riolu looked at the black figure in the sky, its eyes narrowing.
This familiar feeling!
It's the strong one who helped us and the trainer with Draco Meteor last time!
Compared to the fleeting glimpse last time on Poco Path, the Rayquaza appearing before them now made Riolu truly feel what it means to be powerful.
Even the combined strength of Big Sister Garchomp and Lucario would have less than a twenty percent chance of defeating this Rayquaza…
An existence beyond specifications, far surpassing the two Master Urshifus of the Isle of Armor!
However, facing the power of a legendary Pokémon made Riolu's eyes burn even brighter.
If I could possess such power...
I would surely become the trainer's most reliable helper.
"Bui?"
Compared to the sternly prepared Riolu, Eevee's reaction was much calmer.
It could sense that this unfamiliar Pokémon held goodwill toward itself or the trainer, so it should count as a friend, right?
Such a huge and handsome presence is really suitable for sketching a picture...
Unfortunately, there was no drawing paper nearby, so it could only memorize its image in its mind.
Eevee couldn't help but feel regretful about this.
"Gao...?"
The appearance of Rayquaza even made Miraidon momentarily wary.
Powerful aura!
But after a moment of hesitation, Miraidon, peeking out from the railing, quickly retracted and decisively played dead lying on the ground.
It's none of my business; I've already laid down. When the sky falls, there are taller ones to hold it up!
So it's decided, Trainer Aiden!
"..."
After withdrawing his complicated gaze from the thoroughly flopped Miraidon, Aiden turned his attention back to the Rayquaza in the air.
However, at this moment, he suddenly noticed—
Rayquaza's gaze seemed not on him but on the little Bagon standing on the railing, looking up at it in admiration.
"Eee!"
In its vision, there was only the gracefully spiraling figure in the sky. Bagon 's heart held no other thoughts, only the yearning to freely soar in the air like it.
If only I could fly freely in the air like it when I grow up!
Perhaps it sensed Bagon 's pure belief, or maybe it was simply a spontaneous whim.
Staring at it with those dark golden eyes, Rayquaza soon emitted another explosive sound.
Then, a strangely shaped stone was spat out from its mouth, slowly guided by an invisible force toward Aiden.
"..."
Noticing the small round ball floating in front of him, the red and blue stripes were particularly eye-catching.
(Doesn't it look like this?)
Isn't this a Mega Stone? Judging by the color inside, it's indeed a Salamencite...
Aiden was a bit stunned.
The Mega Evolution introduced in the XY series relies on the resonance between the Mega Stone and Keystone, linking bonds to produce this special phenomenon.
There was also speculation in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire that all Mega Stones seem to originate from mysterious space, brought into the current world through meteorite impacts.
So, it's unexpectedly reasonable that Rayquaza, which feeds on meteorites, possesses this thing.
By the way, could this be a first-hand item that Rayquaza ate and didn't digest, left in its stomach...
While Aiden reached out to accept the "mysterious gift" offered by Rayquaza, both live stream and on-site audiences witnessed this scene.
[Shocking! The Black Rayquaza actually conducted a shady deal with Teacher Azure in public?]
[Bro, it's understandable that Teacher Azure's connections include champions, but now even Legendary Pokémon come to pay their respects?]
[Am... I even f*cken awake rn?]
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