Chapter 230:
[Air Lock: All effects of weather conditions are eliminated.]
This canceled even Groudon's Desolate Land and Kyogre's Primordial Sea—let alone a mere rain shower.
Just yesterday, Hayashi Kaede had been fantasizing about seeing Rayquaza and riding it through the skies.
Now, with the massive dragon looming before him, the only thought in his mind was: "Good grief… who brought it here…?"
Hayashi Kaede looked at Mew.
Aside from transforming into Rayquaza yesterday, he couldn't think of any other action that might have attracted the real Rayquaza. He didn't even have any items related to it.
Rayquaza wasn't emitting any aura, but its immense size and the yellow pupils in its jet-black eyes immediately put all the Pokémon in the plantation on edge.
The situation seemed to freeze in an inexplicable stalemate.
Gardevoir quietly rested its hand on Hayashi Kaede's arm.
Finally, a puzzled sound broke the tense silence.
"Meeew?"
Mew hovered in the sky, looking at Rayquaza, confused as to why everyone had gone silent.
But it soon realized the reason—this Rayquaza was too intimidating for anyone to speak.
It stared at Rayquaza with righteous indignation. "Meeew?" (What are you here for?)
Rayquaza: "???"
The counter-question momentarily stunned Rayquaza, who had come to ask Mew why it had taken its form.
Regardless, it quickly regained composure and used telepathy.
(Why did you assume my form?)
Rayquaza felt a touch of helplessness.
The small cat before it, though tiny in appearance, possessed immense authority. When the Creator distributed its powers, Mew could borrow any power—aside from creation itself, even Rayquaza's power over the skies.
Mew didn't answer immediately. Instead, it pulled Jirachi along, who stared in awe, and flew next to Rayquaza.
It said matter-of-factly, "Meeew~" (Because my friend wanted to see it, so I transformed!)
Rayquaza: "???"
Because it wanted to see… you transformed?
It had expected a serious reason, or that one of those two Legendary Pokémon was about to cause trouble again.
Jirachi became even more excited after flying next to Rayquaza, its eyes holding a trace of worship.
"Jirachi" (Really? You're the real Rayquaza?)
Only then did Rayquaza look at this star-like Pokémon, a hint of confusion in its eyes. It sensed the energy of this creature was somewhat similar to the meteorites it usually consumed—and somehow… even more fragrant.
Should it…
Before it could finish the thought, Jirachi flew closer, exclaiming excitedly, "Jirachi!" (You're amazing! You always manage to drive away both Groudon and Kyogre.)
Rayquaza's train of thought halted. Looking at this fragrant little being, it couldn't help but feel a touch of fondness.
Quite the smooth talker.
"Jirachi!" (A thousand years ago, you saved Akaze…)
Jirachi recounted the events from a millennium ago. "Jirachi!" (Do you remember me? I was the one who asked for your help back then.)
Rayquaza's confusion deepened.
"Jirachi…" (It was… a thousand years ago.) Jirachi waved its hands, attempting to jog Rayquaza's memory. *(You appeared nearby and helped a human tribe drive away a flying Pokémon!)*
A light shone in Jirachi's eyes as it spoke, but Rayquaza remained silent. After a long pause, it shook its head.
Whether a thousand years ago or now, it had no memory of this Pokémon.
"Jirachi…" (Really, it was a small human tribe, with lots and lots of Caterpie inside.)
Jirachi's voice grew urgent, met only with Rayquaza's continued silence.
Its existence was legendary across regions. While some stories and novels liked to link it to humans or Pokémon like Caterpie, in reality, Rayquaza spent its days in outer space, only occasionally descending. Sometimes it didn't even know why.
Like a dragon stretching after a long rest, how could it care about every little worm on the ground?
Perhaps a thousand years ago it did help this species, but with time, such memories faded—unless something exceptionally memorable occurred.
"Jirachi…" (I see…)
Jirachi felt a twinge of disappointment, having hoped to learn more about Akaze's fate from the great Sky High Pokémon.
But it quickly let go of its disappointment.
Hayashi Kaede watched the conversation below, trembling.
Especially when Mew and Jirachi flew next to Rayquaza, his heart tightened.
Mew probably wasn't in danger, but Jirachi…
As a Wish Pokémon, it would turn to stone after falling asleep.
And it absorbed the energy of shooting stars.
And what did Rayquaza like to eat the most?
Meteorites.
Their energies were similar. Hayashi Kaede was even ready to offer the Wishing Star to Rayquaza if it tried to take a bite.
Fortunately, it didn't come to that. This Rayquaza seemed understanding.
It scanned the plantation, finally settling its gaze on Mew.
It wanted to warn the little cat not to use its sky powers, but felt its words might not be effective.
So it turned to Hayashi Kaede.
This human seemed familiar…
Being stared at like that, Hayashi Kaede tensed.
But he bravely greeted it. "Ahaha… Hello, Rayquaza?"
The moment he spoke, he immediately regretted it.
What kind of greeting is that? Who greets a Legendary Pokémon with "Hello"…?
Starting with "Hello" instantly made him look foolish.
Rayquaza, however, didn't focus on that.
It asked directly:(I sense the presence of the Tree of Life on you. That is where Mew resides. Are you close to Mew?)
Though startled, Hayashi Kaede quickly nodded. "Yeah…"
After all those shared meals, their friendship level was over 80.
Mew flew down and landed beside Hayashi Kaede.
Seeing this, Rayquaza nodded in satisfaction.
(Very well. Keep it under control…)
"Meeew?"
But Mew wouldn't listen. It immediately leapt onto Hayashi Kaede's shoulder. "Meeew~!" (Not listening, not listening! Come on, Hayashi Kaede, let's go on its head! Didn't you say you wanted to ride it and fly?)
Hayashi Kaede's expression instantly shifted dramatically.
Wait, can you actually say that out loud?!
Rayquaza: "???"
(っ °Д °;) !