Ding~
As the soft chime of the second Dream Ball Liam had taken out echoed through the cavern, Deoxys entered the ball without the slightest resistance.
Just like that, Deoxys became Liam's Pokémon, companion, and friend.
...….
[Ding!]
Pokemon: Deoxys
Type: Psychic-type
Species: DNA Pokémon. Once believed to be an extraterrestrial lifeform, it was later confirmed that Deoxys is actually a cosmic virus that attached itself to a meteorite and mutated after exposure to cosmic radiation. It possesses extremely high intelligence and can freely manipulate its body, assuming multiple forms. Its core is the gemstone embedded in its chest.
Ability: Pressure
Nature: Calm
Gender: None
Base Stats: ??? The system has detected unknown energy fluctuations and cannot accurately determine its base stats.
Moves Learned: Bind, Night Shade, Teleport, Knock Off, Pursuit, Confusion, Psych Shift, Zen Headbutt, Cosmic Power, Recover, Psycho Boost, ???, ???, ???, ???, ???, ...
Egg Moves: None.
Evaluation: Unknown. Insufficient data prevents an accurate evaluation. However, from every observable aspect, Deoxys possesses strength that cannot be underestimated. It has tremendous potential and is highly recommended for focused training.
.....
As soon as Deoxys willingly entered the Dream Ball, a much more complete set of information appeared in Liam's mind.
What puzzled him, however, was that the system had not issued an emergency mission this time. No mission meant no rewards, and for some reason Liam felt as though someone had docked his pay.
Perhaps it was because he had already obtained Deoxys long ago, even if it had only been a Core crystal at the time.
Now that Deoxys had officially become his companion, the smile that had already been lingering on Liam's face became even harder to suppress.
He laughed loudly, grinning from ear to ear.
This trip to Meteor Falls had exceeded every expectation. Not only had he successfully awakened Deoxys, but he had also captured Rayquaza—something he had never even dared imagine beforehand.
And that wasn't all.
Deoxys had joined his team, and Empoleon, who had once been merely a Prinplup, had now evolved into an Empoleon.
.....
[Ding!]
Pokemon: Empoleon
Type: Water and Steel-type
Species: Emperor Pokémon. Empoleon is the final evolution of Prinplup. Upon evolving, it gains the Steel typing in addition to its Water type. Its regal body possesses numerous steel-like growths, most notably the blade-like edges on its wings, which serve as its most powerful weapons.
Ability: Defiant
Nature: Hardy
Gender: Male
Base Stats: Total 560/530
HP: 90/84
Attack: 100/86
Defense: 90/88
Special Attack: 119/111
Special Defense: 101
Speed: 60
Moves Learned: Pound, Growl, Bubble, Water Sport, Peck, Bubble Beam, Metal Claw, Aqua Jet, Swords Dance, Fury Attack, Whirlpool.
Egg Move:Endure.
TM Moves:Brick Break, Ice Beam, Blizzard, Water Pledge, Surf.
Evaluation: Exceptional! Due to long-term nourishment from the Host's mysterious power, Empoleon's accumulated energy has finally erupted, allowing it to surpass its natural limits. This is nothing short of a miracle. Highly recommended for focused training.
Note: The system has detected an extraordinarily strong bond between Empoleon and the Host. Friendly reminder: the Host and Empoleon now possess the potential to achieve Mega Evolution.
.....
Just as the system stated, Liam could feel it himself.
Among all his Pokémon, aside from Garchomp, the one with whom he shared the closest spiritual connection was now Empoleon.
Perhaps it was the result of the time Liam had entered Empoleon's mental world.
Just like Garchomp's mindscape, Empoleon also possessed a vast and boundless spiritual realm. The difference was that Garchomp's inner world had been a barren desert, while Empoleon's was an endless azure ocean. Different in appearance, but fundamentally the same.
The once-weak Piplup had now evolved into a majestic and powerful Empoleon.
This was something the original Empoleon would never have dared imagine.
Yet now, he had accomplished it.
With Liam's help, he had reached this point.
One could easily imagine just how important Liam had become in Empoleon's heart.
Meanwhile, after reading the system's note, Liam revealed a look of surprise, but that surprise quickly turned into satisfaction.
He was proud of Empoleon's growth. Proud that Empoleon still possessed such enormous potential.
The road ahead remained long, and the bond between them would only continue to grow stronger.
Time flew by.
Before he knew it, an entire week had passed.
Liam had now arrived at the seaside harbor of Petalburg City, quietly waiting for Champion Drake, whom he had already contacted, to come pick him up and return him to Kanto.
A week had passed since the chaos at Meteor Falls.
Perhaps because of how remote Meteor Falls was, news of the incident had not spread widely.
Although the commotion outside the falls had been tremendous at the time, the only person who truly knew what had happened was Liam himself.
The Draconid people knew nothing due to the restrictions of their clan's traditions, and Liam had never told them that he had captured Rayquaza.
It wasn't that he deliberately wanted to keep it secret.
Rather, he felt that if he casually revealed such news, very few of those Draconid elders would be able to handle the shock.
So, for the sake of their health...
He chose to remain silent.
As for the others who had been inside Meteor Falls at the time—
Steven and Zinnia had assumed that Team Magma had launched another attack the moment they heard the commotion outside. As a result, the two of them remained stationed at the entrance with their subordinates, guarding it until the very end. Only after Liam emerged from the Draconid settlement did they finally relax.
Then there was Takao.
When Liam found him again at the entrance platform of Meteor Falls, he discovered that Takao had somehow already pitched a tent. The man was lying inside with earplugs in, sleeping peacefully despite everything that had happened outside.
He had slept through the entire incident.
Liam had nothing to say except that he was deeply envious of such incredible sleep quality.
Thus, after giving Takao the meteorite fragment he had obtained at Mt. Moon, Liam bid farewell to Steven and Zinnia and left Meteor Falls.
After another three days of travel, he finally arrived in Petalburg City.
During that journey, Liam had also released Rayquaza.
"ROOOAR!!"
Having recovered some of its strength after resting, Rayquaza's very first action upon being released was to unleash an extremely furious roar at Liam.
The powerful shockwave whipped up fierce winds, leaving Liam's hair completely disheveled.
Yet despite its continuous roaring, Rayquaza never actually attacked him.
Taking advantage of that, Liam shamelessly pulled out a large assortment of medicine and immediately began treating Rayquaza's injuries.
The legendary dragon's wounds were indeed severe. If it relied solely on its own recovery, who knew how long healing would take?
"Roooar..."
Watching Liam busily tending to its injuries, Rayquaza first snorted two streams of hot air from its nostrils.
Then it turned its head away.
Quietly.
Silently.
It simply lay down on the ground and allowed Liam to spray all manner of medicines across its body.
Seeing this scene, a faint smile slowly appeared on Liam's face.