At that very moment, it felt as if every single heartbeat in the world had come to a complete standstill.
Theo raised his head, staring at the colossal figure that blotted out the sky, his chest surging with an indescribable excitement that was impossible to put into words.
This… this was the true God of the Sea, Kyogre.
Compared to the mere five-meter models from the anime and games of his previous life, those depictions now seemed almost like a form of disrespect.
The Kyogre before him stretched nearly a hundred meters in length. With just a gentle flap of its massive fins, the sea of clouds beneath it parted like a receding tide, retreating obediently to both sides, revealing a vast expanse of sky dominated entirely by its overwhelming presence.
At this moment, the heavens themselves seemed to transform into a deep ocean abyss, and Kyogre stood as the sole ruler of that boundless domain.
Even the already enormous Wailord, which could be considered a giant among Pokémon, appeared no more than a child in comparison. This kind of overwhelming, dimension-crossing majesty forced every living being to feel an instinctive reverence.
Kyogre's golden eyes slowly swept across everything below before finally settling on the figures standing atop the ceremonial platform, Juan and Wallace.
It sensed the soft blue glow emanating from the teardrop-shaped ornament on Wallace's chest, a light that carried the purest reverence and sincere call toward the God of the Sea.
With a slow beat of its fins, Kyogre drifted through the sky, its immense body gliding forward until it hovered directly above the platform.
It lowered its head slightly, allowing the pillar of blue light to wash over it. The light flowed into its body like water, and the currents surrounding it became livelier, more vibrant, as though rejoicing.
Then, Kyogre gave a slight nod toward Juan and Wallace and released a deep, majestic roar.
As the sound spread outward, a visible ripple of blue energy burst from its body, radiating outward with Sootopolis City at its center and sweeping across the entire Hoenn region.
Wherever the wave passed, the previously violent storms began to calm. The torrential rains that had fallen without warning gradually softened, transforming into gentle showers that nourished the land like a blessing from the heavens.
The volcanic regions of Mt. Chimney, the fields of Littleroot Town, the streets of Oldale Town…
Every place touched by the rain felt this gentle, soothing power. The air filled with fresh moisture, bringing a sense of peace and renewal that made people feel refreshed both in body and mind.
On the platform, Juan and Wallace led the people of Sootopolis City in kneeling down, bowing deeply toward Kyogre. They understood that this was Kyogre's response to the festival, a blessing bestowed upon the land of Hoenn.
Just as Kyogre was about to turn and leave, its massive head suddenly paused.
Its golden eyes shifted slightly, turning toward the lakeside.
At close range, it had sensed something… something that caught its attention.
That irritating aura.
The presence of that troublesome rival who always opposed it out of frustration for not being able to fly. But this time, the aura felt strangely faint.
Was it injured?
Kyogre stopped moving entirely, a trace of confusion appearing in its expression.
It slowly turned its head, its massive form emerging further from the clouds like a floating mountain as it lowered itself bit by bit, its gaze scanning carefully across the crowd below.
At last, its attention locked onto a distant spot by the lake.
There stood a human, standing atop a dragon-like Pokémon, surrounded by several companions of different forms.
And that familiar, irritating aura… was coming from one of them.
A small, red, chubby bug.
Kyogre began to approach.
Its immense shadow spread across the area where Theo stood, covering everything beneath it.
"Tyrant!"
Tyrantrum immediately set Theo and the others down, stepping forward to shield them, letting out a low, wary growl from deep within its throat.
Metagross and Milotic moved forward as well, positioning themselves beside Tyrantrum, standing together to protect their trainer.
As for Larvesta, all the excitement it had shown earlier while hosting the livestream had completely vanished. It kept its head lowered, its small body trembling uncontrollably as it pressed tightly against Theo's back.
It could clearly feel it.
That enormous being in the sky had locked onto it completely.
Inside its body, the imprint of the Omega symbol that belonged to Groudon struggled to surface, but Larvesta desperately suppressed it.
Ever since it began following Theo, with the help of high-grade energy clusters, the strange stone bearing the Omega mark that had been with it since birth had been completely absorbed into its body.
It could no longer be taken out like before in Mt. Chimney.
What should it do?
Would that massive creature… eat it?
Larvesta was so terrified that it did not even dare to make a sound, curling into itself and trembling in silence.
"Don't be afraid. I'll protect you."
Theo spoke softly, comforting it, while raising his hand to stop Metagross, Milotic, and Tyrantrum from making any rash moves.
"Don't act yet. Wait."
At this point, Theo already understood the situation.
Larvesta had fused with a stone that carried Groudon's aura, and as ancient rivals, Groudon and Kyogre would naturally sense each other's presence.
At that moment, the moisture surrounding them suddenly began to stir.
The raindrops that had been drifting in the air instantly gathered together, forming an invisible force.
Like a gentle current, it wrapped around Theo and all of his Pokémon, lifting them slowly upward and carrying them toward Kyogre's massive head.
The sensation of being lifted by water was strange.
There was no feeling of weightlessness or fear of falling, only a soft, warm embrace, as if they were being cradled by the ocean itself.
Theo glanced down at the city below. The once towering buildings now looked like small blocks, and the boats on the lake resembled tiny floating leaves.
Under countless gazes filled with shock, envy, and concern, Theo was carried higher and higher until he reached a height level with Kyogre's head.
At such close proximity, he could truly feel Kyogre's overwhelming presence. Its golden eyes were like two massive moons, clearly reflecting the tiny figures of Theo and his companions. Every breath it took caused the surrounding clouds to tremble.
Kyogre stared intently at Theo.
More precisely, it was staring at Larvesta behind him.
Its gaze was filled with confusion, as though it was wondering how such a weak little creature could possess the aura of that old rival, and such a faint one at that. It did not even resemble it.
Just as Kyogre's curiosity continued to grow stronger, Theo suddenly raised his right hand.
In his palm, a small green sphere of light appeared.
Then another.
And another.
One after another, the green lights condensed, merging together, gathering into a single mass until they formed a green sphere about the size of a human head, radiating a gentle, life-filled aura.
This was the result of Theo combining all twenty advanced grade energy orbs from his system space.
Without any hesitation, Theo extended his hand forward and pressed the glowing sphere against Kyogre's massive face.
Kyogre's pupils shrank slightly, but it did not dodge.
The moment the green sphere made contact with its skin, it transformed into a warm current that flowed directly into its body.
Almost instantly, a look of comfort appeared on Kyogre's face, and a series of low, satisfied hums rumbled from deep within its throat.
(End of Chapter)