Giovanni…
So Team Rainbow Rocket still hadn't given up.
Rei Akagi rubbed his temples with a headache.
Why are these Rainbow Rocket guys so persistent?
They failed in the previous world, and now they're planning to wreak havoc in this one too?
"Rei Akagi. Long time no see."
The calm, low voice belonged to Giovanni.
"Rayquaza, Dra—"
Rei Akagi didn't even bother listening.
He lifted his hand immediately, ready to finish things with a decisive blow.
Maintaining Rayquaza in its normal combat form consumed enormous energy. Rei Akagi had no intention of wasting precious Battle Points.
Sensing the sudden spike of killing intent from both Rei Akagi and Rayquaza, Giovanni sped up his speech.
"Stop. I didn't come here to fight you."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Otherwise… what Mewtwo used earlier wouldn't have been mere telekinesis as a greeting."
The moment he finished speaking—
Mewtwo casually raised one hand.
The pile of precision machines nearby instantly lifted into the air, crushed and twisted into a compact metal sphere.
From the debris, a shining data chip flew out and landed perfectly in Giovanni's open palm.
Rei Akagi's eyes narrowed.
Rayquaza let out a suppressed growl.
Not here to fight? Then what—chat?
"These insects…"
Rayquaza's telepathic voice was filled with absolute disgust.
"A violent clash of energy will accelerate the collapse of this already unstable subspace."
Giovanni calmly pocketed the chip.
"Leave before it completely disintegrates. I would rather not lose a respectable opponent due to meaningless damage."
He turned and walked toward the Ultra Wormhole, protected closely by Armored Mewtwo.
Before entering, he left one final remark.
"Oh—and a friendly reminder…"
"The rampage has already begun."
"Rayquaza—Dragon Ascent!"
Rei Akagi ignored him completely.
Take your advice and tell it to my Dragon Ascent.
The moment the command was given, Rei Akagi and Rayquaza instantly synchronized their minds.
"ROOOAR—!"
A dragon's roar shook the entire subspace.
Rayquaza's obsidian scales refracted golden light as Mega Evolution activated.
Divine golden markings flowed across its body.
Two long golden whiskers streamed like sacred banners within the raging energy storm.
In the next instant—
A golden meteor tore through space.
Mega Rayquaza became a beam of destruction that pierced the void itself, striking toward Giovanni's back at a speed faster than thought.
But almost simultaneously—
Armored Mewtwo vanished.
Reappearing directly behind Giovanni.
Its arms crossed before its chest.
Blue energy surged through the silver armor.
A massive diamond-shaped energy barrier unfolded instantly.
For a moment—
Time itself seemed frozen.
The colliding energies compressed—
Then detonated.
There was no thunderous explosion.
Because the shockwave had already exceeded the realm of sound.
The entire Grand Palace groaned under unbearable pressure as violent tremors spread through every corner.
And that was only the beginning.
The entire Mausoleum Subspace cried out under the impact of this unimaginable power—
On the verge of collapse.
Outside the Palace
The Team Rocket leader, now pinned at the throat by Mega Garchomp's blade-like fin, swallowed nervously.
He forced a miserable smile.
"S-so… can we negotiate?"
Before Cynthia could answer—
The ground suddenly shook violently beneath her feet.
Her heart jolted.
She looked toward the depths of the palace, worry flooding her eyes.
Rei Akagi!
I have to go inside!
But before she could move—
An invisible wave of destructive energy swept outward.
"Protect!"
Cynthia shouted.
Her six Champion-level Pokémon instantly formed a defensive formation.
Layer upon layer of energy barriers appeared, barely holding back the devastating shockwave.
When the energy storm finally subsided—
The surviving members of Team Rainbow Rocket had already disappeared.
"Tch."
Cynthia frowned.
But there was no time to pursue them.
She recalled her other Pokémon and rushed toward the palace entrance with Mega Garchomp.
And then—
She saw a scene she would never forget.
Rei Akagi was pulling on Mega Rayquaza's golden whiskers, lecturing it angrily.
"You! Did you slack off after I left?!"
"That was Dragon Ascent! And you couldn't even break Armored Mewtwo's defense?!"
"You let him escape right in front of you! Aren't you embarrassed?!"
Cynthia's brain went blank.
That is… Rayquaza?
Rei Akagi… is Rayquaza's Trainer?
Rayquaza—
The supreme deity of the sky.
Unlike ordinary Legendary Pokémon.
It was a being that truly held divine authority.
Suddenly everything made sense.
Why Rei Akagi always remained calm.
Why he controlled the entire situation.
Why he treated Cynthia like someone who needed protection.
She already knew Rei Akagi was a powerful Trainer.
His battle instincts and command ability made that obvious.
But she had never imagined—
He was this powerful.
He was a Trainer recognized by Rayquaza.
He could even trigger Mega Evolution through their bond.
Rei Akagi…
Just how many secrets are you hiding?
Meanwhile—
Unlike Cynthia's shocked silence—
Mega Garchomp beside her looked at Rei Akagi with clear admiration.
The massive dragon even nodded approvingly.
Not bad…
That's the man I chose.
Dominating. I like it.
"Oh, Miss Cynthia. You're here. Were you hurt?"
Seeing her arrive, Rei Akagi stopped scolding Rayquaza and walked over.
Taking advantage of the distraction—
Mega Rayquaza shrank back into its miniature pendant form and secretly whipped its tail at Rei Akagi's arm.
Rei Akagi dodged effortlessly.
He grabbed the tiny dragon mid-swing and suppressed it again before pinning it back onto his collar.
Cynthia's face flushed slightly.
So it wasn't a decoration…
A black Rayquaza… that scale…
He wasn't lying…
"I-it was just small fry. Nothing that could injure me."
She forced herself to regain composure.
But Rei Akagi suddenly remembered Giovanni's final words.
His expression turned serious.
He stepped forward and gripped Cynthia's shoulders firmly.
"Miss Cynthia! The situation is urgent!"
"The Ghost-type Pokémon sleeping here have all gone berserk, and they've already left the subspace!"
"I need you to return immediately and contain them inside the mausoleum! I have a way to calm them—but it will take time!"
"Please!"
Cynthia instantly suppressed her shock.
Her Champion instincts returned.
She took a deep breath.
"I'll handle it."
"Thank you!"
Rei Akagi nodded seriously and released her shoulders.
"Gastly!"
From the shadows, Gastly jumped out.
It affectionately licked Rei Akagi's cheek before transforming into thick purple mist.
The fog enveloped Cynthia and Garchomp—
Transporting them out of the collapsing subspace.
When Gastly returned—
Rei Akagi turned slowly toward the glowing jade coffin.
Please let my guess be correct…
Inside—
The Ghost Plate.
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