The surroundings fell into silence, enormous waves slamming against the tower as this ancient Sky Pillar stood unmoving amid the storm.
Rayquaza gave no response.
Wallace's heart instantly sank.
*
Paldea Region, Porto Marinada Town, Naoki Ranch.
Holding an umbrella, Mayor Thomas hurried to Naoki Ranch.
The weather had been unstable recently, and he worried that Naoki lacked experience dealing with this kind of weather, so he planned to come over and give him a few reminders.
But when Mayor Thomas arrived at the ranch, he learned from Little Sister Indeedee that Naoki had gone out.
Looking at Little Sister Indeedee who was receiving him, the old man's face was full of surprise: "Gone out? Did Naoki say where he was going?"
Little Sister Indeedee: "Ai-ii..."
Seeing the worry in Mayor Thomas's heart, it comforted him: "Ai-ii!"
"All right then. When Naoki comes back, remember to tell him to call all the Pokemon on the ranch back into the house, lock doors and windows, and prepare enough food." Mayor Thomas instructed.
"Ai-ii!" Little Sister Indeedee nodded happily, indicating that it understood.
Only then did Mayor Thomas turn and leave.
*
"Rayquaza didn't respond..."
Wallace's slightly heavy voice came through the communicator.
"I've tried many methods, but there's no way to summon it..."
Hearing this, Steven's brows furrowed tightly.
Was there really no way?
Together with Metagross and Skarmory, he looked toward Groudon and Kyogre in the distance.
News had come from the Hoenn League that the four Elites and Champions from other regions were on their way here to provide support.
Before they arrived, he had to hold out.
As if sensing their Trainer's feelings at this moment, the badly scarred Metagross floated to hover in front of him.
Steven was slightly taken aback: "You want to keep fighting?"
Metagross nodded its heavy head.
Beside it, Skarmory let out a cry and flapped its wings, seemingly preparing to join Metagross in stopping those two Super Ancient Pokemon.
"I understand." Steven took a deep breath. "In that case, I'll be counting on you!"
At his side, only these two could fly; his other Pokemon had no way to battle Groudon and Kyogre on this vast ocean.
Metagross and Skarmory gave Steven a look, then once again charged toward Groudon and Kyogre.
Standing on the ice, Steven watched their figures.
The hearts of a Trainer and their Pokemon are connected; even without words, they clearly understand each other's thoughts.
This time, Metagross went to face Kyogre, while Skarmory went for Groudon.
Explosions and fiery light kept blooming over the distant sea.
Torrential rain, giant waves, beams of light, flowing magma, solidified earth...
This scene, worthy of being called grand, was reflected in Steven's pale blue eyes.
In that instant, the flow of time seemed to slow down.
Until Metagross was blasted away by Kyogre's Origin Pulse and crashed down onto the ice.
The tremendous impact sent Steven sprawling as well.
His Rotom Phone was forced out of his pocket and tumbled away.
The female reporter from Purple Orchid TV Station watched this scene and couldn't help bursting into tears.
"Mr. Steven..."
At this moment, everyone watching the live broadcast felt their hearts grow unbearably heavy.
Someone noticed Steven's physical condition.
"He was already injured when he and Skarmory were knocked down by Kyogre just now."
"Then doesn't that mean Mr. Steven has been forcing himself to keep battling..."
"Steven..."
Some prayed for a miracle, while others cheered for Steven with all their might.
"Hang in there, Mr. Steven!"
Steven seemed to hear the cries of the people.
Lying unconscious on the ground, he slowly opened his blurry eyes.
After a moment, his vision gradually cleared.
What entered his sight was a silver Metagross-style Rotom Phone.
At that moment, a certain person's voice suddenly surfaced in Steven's mind.
That person had told him: "If those Super Ancient Pokemon, Groudon and Kyogre, really do awaken, and the Hoenn League can't resolve it, you can contact me. Maybe I'll be able to help."
That person had also said: "Me? I'm a Rancher."
Thinking of this, Steven stretched his hand forward and gripped the Rotom Phone.
He opened the phone, unlocked the screen, launched Poke Communications, and tapped open his chat with Wing King.
[Steven: If you're there, please contact me!]
The other side replied very quickly. It was only two short words, yet they unexpectedly brought a sense of reassurance.
[Wing King: I'm here.]
[Steven: Please help the people of the Hoenn Region!]
After that message was sent, there was no immediate reply. Staring at the explosions over the distant sea, Steven suddenly felt like he was clutching at straws.
Well, yeah—after all, the other party was far away in the Paldea Region; even if he agreed to help, what good would it do?
After all, coming all the way from there to Hoenn would take a very long time.
Yet just then, Steven suddenly noticed a massive shadow once again rising beneath the distant sea surface.
Was that Kyogre?
No! Kyogre had already leapt into midair, lunging at Groudon!
Then what was that?!
The shadow gradually shrouded the entire sea, and the vast ocean completely turned into a domain of shadows.
The next second, a silhouette even larger than Kyogre and Groudon burst forth from within.
A gigantic body, black wings, black-and-red stripes, golden structures, blood-red eyes...