They walked up the last stairs for another ten minutes in silence. By the time their legs started to ache, they finally reached the top of the Sky Pillar.
The path opened into a high, triangular platform. As soon as they stepped on the stone, four green flames burst from the corners of the platform.
The fire appeared suddenly—it was a cold color and felt eerie. It looked like a signal to the sky or an old beacon lit again after a long time. Nobody had to explain what it was. This was the most important place on the Sky Pillar.
The Dragon's Altar.
Natsui looked around the platform.
"It doesn't look like much," he thought.
Except for the old floor and some steps, there was almost nothing. There were no statues or signs that said "holy ground." But when he walked to the edge and looked down, the truth was clear.
A thick layer of clouds surrounded the tower. These clouds were very dense and didn't look natural. They were there on purpose to hide the tower from everyone else.
The Draconids didn't just use traditions to protect this place; they had worked hard to keep it hidden.
Now that they were here, the next step was necessary.
Natsui and Zinnia looked at each other at the same time.
After a long silence, Zinnia spoke first. Her voice was calm, but she sounded firm. "As we agreed, I brought you here. Now tell me—what is your plan?"
The long trip and the climb had made her less angry. She could admit to herself that Natsui's earlier comments were just to provoke her. But it didn't matter now. He was on sacred ground. The rule was already broken.
Since they were already there, arguing was a waste of time. She couldn't act like an enemy and throw him out—especially with Misty there and knowing how strong Natsui was.
"What plan could I have?" Natsui shrugged. "I want to summon Rayquaza and try to catch it. And for the summoning... I still want you to do it."
Zinnia stared at him. "Me?"
Then, she added a detail he seemed to forget. "Summoning Rayquaza requires the Rainbow Meteorite. And that meteorite was lost a long time ago."
"I don't think that's the only way," Natsui said, looking at her steadily. He didn't tell her everything. Instead, he asked, "You keep mentioning the Rainbow Meteorite—what does it actually look like?"
Zinnia's face tightened. "I don't know. It disappeared when my parents were young. I only know what people say it can do."
She hesitated but continued. "It doesn't just attract Rayquaza. It allows Rayquaza to Mega Evolve—into something even stronger."
Mega Evolution... Natsui thought.
That sounded very similar to the round stone in his backpack—the one with the special pattern that felt like a Key Stone and had a heavy energy.
Could it be the Rainbow Meteorite?
Did the Draconids spend decades looking for a treasure that was actually inside the Sky Pillar all this time? Was it hidden right under their noses because everyone thought it was lost?
It sounded ridiculous.
But that was exactly why it might be true.
He kept a neutral face and asked, "So you have never seen it yourself."
Zinnia didn't answer.
That silence was enough. For a Draconid, losing their most important treasure was a humiliation. She didn't want to talk about that shame with an outsider.
Natsui looked at her for a moment, then reached into his bag. He took out the round stone he found earlier and showed it to her.
Zinnia looked at it.
For a second, she looked confused. She didn't understand why he was showing her a smooth rock now. She didn't move; she just waited.
Natsui watched her. Her reaction—confusion, not recognition—showed she wasn't lying. She really hadn't seen the legendary treasure.
Then Natsui turned the stone, showing the pattern on the other side.
Zinnia's eyes went wide.
"Wait... that's—!"
She was shocked for only an instant, but it was enough. Natsui saw it. He started tossing the stone gently in his hand.
Zinnia's eyes followed the stone up and down.
She looked at him, her voice full of disbelief. "How do you have something like that?"
Natsui raised an eyebrow. "So you recognize it?"
Zinnia hesitated, then nodded. "By the shape... that's a Meteorite Key Stone."
A Meteorite Key Stone? So it wasn't the Rainbow Meteorite.
Natsui was surprised, but not disappointed. This new information was also valuable. He held the stone and thought about it.
Most Key Stones come from mountains. But some—very rare ones—came from space inside meteorites. Both can trigger Mega Evolution. However, people say meteorite Key Stones have more cosmic energy.
Researchers don't know exactly how that changes a battle. But there are rumors: Pokémon that use a Meteorite Key Stone are stronger than those using a normal one.
There was no proof, but rumors usually start for a reason.
Natsui smiled a little. "Then I'll use this one instead of my current Key Stone."
Zinnia couldn't stay quiet. "Where did you get it?"
"You saw me find it," Natsui replied.
Zinnia remembered the climb. Natsui and his Pokémon had searched the tower as they went up. Now it made sense.
So that's what he was doing, she thought.
She wanted to ask how he knew it was there. She wanted to ask about his comment about "being here before." But she didn't. Whether it was a normal stone or a meteorite one, her goal was the same.
Misty was listening quietly. She didn't understand all the technical details, but she understood the result: Natsui had found another rare treasure.
She was happy for him.
Natsui then connected another idea.
So that's why the stone attracted Rayquaza. It wasn't just "magic"; it was the concentrated cosmic energy. It was a signal Rayquaza couldn't ignore.
He closed his hand around the stone and looked at Zinnia.
"Okay," he said. "Let's talk about what matters. I won't lie—the reason I asked you to bring me here is because I want to use your strength."
Zinnia stayed calm. "I already told you. Without the Rainbow Meteorite, I can't help you."
"Are you sure?" Natsui looked slowly at the Key Stones hidden on her right leg.
Then he smiled.
"Haven't you already prepared for this? You have a lot of Key Stones."
Zinnia went stiff.
Her eyes became small, and for the first time, she looked truly alarmed.
"How... how do you know that?"
That wasn't just a strategy. That was her biggest secret.
As the most talented person of her generation, Zinnia was very determined. After she failed to get Deoxys, she almost went crazy looking for a way to summon Rayquaza without the meteorite. She had a theory: if she didn't have the relic, she could copy its effect.
She would sacrifice many Key Stones to create a huge surge of energy. That would attract Rayquaza. Her tests showed it was possible.
She only needed the altar and the right moment.
She had never told anyone this plan. Not her clan, not outsiders. No one.
So how did he know?
Could he see the future? Or did he have a spy? That would explain why he was so confident about this place.
Before she could think more, Natsui continued.
"I'm not asking for your help for free," he said. "But I think you've been too busy to check the news."
Zinnia blinked. That was true. She had been traveling non-stop to meet him.
"What news?"
Natsui looked at Misty. She explained, "Yesterday, near LaRousse City, two Deoxys fought Rayquaza and defeated it. Someone recorded the battle and put it online. It's a huge deal."
"Rayquaza defeated by Deoxys?" Zinnia looked at Natsui. "What does that have to do with this? Was that you?"
She didn't doubt the story. It was easy to check, and Natsui didn't seem like a liar.
"Yes," Natsui said. "I'm not bragging. I'm telling you so you understand: I can find Rayquaza, and I have the strength to defeat it—and maybe catch it."
Zinnia knew he was strong. She learned that during the Deoxys incident. But she didn't understand his point.
He explained clearly.
"If you help me summon Rayquaza tonight," Natsui said, "I will help you catch one too. I can help you do what your clan has wanted for generations."
Zinnia's heart raced.
For a second, she felt very excited. She had to breathe slowly to stay calm.
Then she asked the most important question.
"If it's that easy for you," she said, "why do you need my help?"
Natsui looked at the sky. "Don't worry about that. I only want to know one thing: do you accept the deal?"
"A deal..." Zinnia said quietly.
She thought about it for a long time. Then she shook her head.
"I don't need your 'help,'" she said. "I can summon Rayquaza. And I can catch it myself. But... I'll give you a chance for a fair competition."
Natsui was surprised. He didn't expect her to say no to a guaranteed advantage just to prove she could do it alone. Her pride was real.
Still, this was fine for him.
"And what does 'fair competition' mean?" he asked.
Zinnia looked into his eyes. "I will do the summoning. But Rayquaza will choose who to fight. It will recognize whoever is a real challenge. That depends on our own skill."
Natsui nodded.
It was a risk. If a Shiny Rayquaza appeared and chose her, he would lose his chance. But he looked at his Meteorite Key Stone and felt confident. If Rayquaza liked cosmic energy, this stone was a beacon.
Also, Natsui didn't like to force things. If it was meant to be, it would happen.
"Fine," he said. "Start the summoning."
"Not yet." Zinnia sat down on the stone steps. "It's not time. We wait until dark."
"Until dark? Why?" Natsui asked.
Zinnia shook her head. "No special reason. My success rate is just higher at night."
Natsui was surprised by that answer.
But he accepted it. The more strange and illogical the method sounded, the more he felt it might produce something rare.
He looked up. The sun was high and very hot. It wasn't even afternoon yet.
They had to wait a long time for the night.
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