However.
Baimu's hand had just reached out when he was startled by the cold gaze of Hoenn Rayquaza and quickly pulled back.
It seems he was thinking too optimistically.
Besides Baimu's preparation of sufficient emotions, the cooperation of the other party is also crucial for using the Divine Heart, but clearly Hoenn Rayquaza was unwilling to bow its head for him to touch.
The dignity of the Dragon God...?
He sighed regretfully but was not too surprised.
Communicating minds with Lugia and Alternate-colored Rayquaza was exceptionally smooth due to special circumstances. One was compelled, the other willingly came to him.
How often does such good fortune come by?
If efficient communication isn't possible, then he must opt for the relatively inefficient way.
Baimu turned to look at the Alternate-colored Rayquaza just inches away, only to see it turning its head to look at Hoenn Rayquaza.
Before he could ascertain the situation, it spiraled around like a coil dragon to his rear, and gently nudged him with its tail.
"Huh?"
Baimu nearly stumbled but upon regaining his balance, found himself face to face with Hoenn Rayquaza.
This is...
He looked up at Hoenn Rayquaza whose head was held high. Its golden dragon eyes seemed to overflow with a sense of displeasure, prompting him to turn toward Alternate-colored Rayquaza.
The latter appeared like a parent encouraging a child, his gaze full of encouragement.
"Hsss——"
Baimu inhaled sharply, and his previously stagnated mind suddenly became clear. He hadn't expected that he would eventually gain the chance for mental communication with Hoenn Rayquaza.
Though the latter inexplicably found him quite disagreeable, Baimu still wanted to express what needed to be said.
Unwilling to bow... then let it remain unbowed.
As long as eye contact can be made, that's enough.
He looked up into Hoenn Rayquaza's lowered gaze, slowly reaching out to place his hand on its extended three-clawed dragon claw, brewing emotions within.
In fact.
Compared to the Alternate-colored Rayquaza, Baimu had much more contact with Hoenn Rayquaza through both video works and games. No matter how many times he played Emerald or Gemstone Revisions, he would always capture this Pokémon at the Pillar of the Sky.
Even though often there wasn't an opportunity to use it, having it in the computer brought him joy.
Therefore, his affection for Hoenn Rayquaza was beyond words, while his respect like that of the Meteor People was honestly quite limited.
With just this fondness, can he successfully employ the Divine Heart?
The answer is undoubtedly yes.
In the Pokémon World, only affection is most sincere. There are only two types of people here—the straightforward Pokémon enthusiasts and the obsessed Pokémon enthusiasts.
Golden light emerged, extending from the claw to the head.
Hoenn Rayquaza watched this scene in amazement; despite the external invasion-like appearance, it felt no resistance. By the time it reacted, its "eyes" were already flooded with radiant gold.
The Mind Space had appeared.
Baimu floated not far from it, gently pressing his hand on its head, allowing a vast amount of emotions and thoughts to exchange in that instant, revealing the deeper meanings previously masked by surface interactions and language barriers.
[Divine Heart].
A stairway to communicate with the "gods" of the Pokémon World.
A while later.
The pair exited the Mind Space, and there was a slightly odd atmosphere as they gazed at each other.
"——Aong!!"
Hoenn Rayquaza suddenly roared, disregarded Baimu in front, darted toward the heavens at a pace that had it vanish almost in the blink of an eye.
The latter was knocked to the ground by the gust, yet he bore Hoenn Rayquaza no grudges.
He was merely surprised that the Hoenn Rayquaza emerging from the Mind Space was not as savage and domineering as he had imagined; rather, it was quite introverted... well, a bit of a brooder.
In the scene just now where Baimu reached out only to be startled back.
It wasn't that Hoenn Rayquaza was unwilling—the creature thought this human lacked awareness; clearly, Baimu should have approached instead of expecting it to move towards him.
Does Rayquaza not care about its pride?
Moreover, with Alternate-colored Rayquaza already coiled up, where could it rest its head?
That's why it wouldn't lower its head to let Baimu approach, a subtle hint of its displeasure—a gesture well mastered after enduring the reverent attitudes and constant mental gymnastics about it from the Meteor People.
Albeit certain someone was oblivious, not only not buying into its game but didn't even notice it.
So Hoenn Rayquaza was simply flirting with a blind man.
In the mental interaction, this point was fully conveyed to Baimu, without any holding back.
Of course.
This wasn't the fundamental reason for Hoenn Rayquaza "fleeing" the Pillar of the Sky. Its departure was partly due to a rejection of the Divine Heart.
'Not all Legendary Pokémon are willing to bare all the thoughts in their heart to others.'
After this event, Baimu understood that even wielding the power of the Divine Heart, he couldn't use it recklessly. Considering empathy, even while knowing the other party's goodwill, how many would be willing to have their thoughts thoroughly exposed?
Privacy is crucial.
Another reason for Hoenn Rayquaza's departure is its psychological shadow concerning human technology. Perceiving its little fear as shame, once acknowledged, it couldn't continue the interaction.
This made Baimu increasingly remorseful.