"I can't really say what the exact situation is. Gym Leader Grey, I'll have to ask you to judge for yourself."
Joseph Stone did not spell things out too clearly.
After all, these were all companies. It would not be good to gossip about someone behind their back.
Everything could easily come back to bite you, so it was better not to speak too absolutely.
Grey gently nodded. "Mm, I understand. I'll keep an eye on it."
The two of them chatted for a while like that. During that time, Joseph Stone even asked Grey whether he wanted some shares in Devon Corporation, saying he could consider it a greeting gift.
Grey smiled and politely refused.
Steven Stone had also wanted to give him shares before, and he had refused then too.
Now that Joseph Stone brought it up, Grey had even less reason to accept.
It was still the same reasoning. If he wanted to accept, he would have accepted on his own.
There was no way he would only reluctantly accept after someone repeatedly insisted.
Absolutely not.
After that, Grey said goodbye to Joseph Stone.
…
…
Before anyone realized it, half a month had passed.
During these days, Grey had stayed in Rustboro City.
Every day, aside from accompanying Riolu and the others to eat barbecue, he observed Deoxys's condition at Devon Corporation.
Occasionally, he would also visit Gyms in various places.
He also got acquainted with a series of Gym Leaders, such as Norman and Roxanne.
Now, Deoxys's body had completely recovered.
Its consciousness had simply not returned.
On this day, Grey came to Devon Corporation as usual to see whether Deoxys had regained consciousness.
"Gym Leader Grey, is that you?"
Just as Grey was about to enter Devon Corporation, a young boy's voice came from behind him.
Grey turned around to look.
He found a green-haired young boy with two Ralts, one on each shoulder.
This person was Wally, Grey's Captain membership little buddy.
"Oh? These two Ralts… You're 'Little Angel Ralts,' right?"
Seeing these two very distinctive Pokémon, Grey walked over and shook Wally's hand. "Have you set out on your journey?"
"That's right!"
Wally nodded. "After watching the livestream last time, I ran out from home and set off on a journey with Ralts!"
Grey: "?"
Wait. What did you just say?
What do you mean, after watching my livestream, you ran out from home?!
No, huh?
Grey's expression changed, and he hurriedly said, "What about your family? Does your family know about this?"
"They know. They also agreed to let me travel, so right now my first goal is the Rustboro Gym!"
Wally was full of energy, but after saying those bold words, he coughed a few times.
Seeing this, Grey supported him and told him not to get too worked up.
After all, Wally was one of the rare people in the Pokémon world with a weak body.
If he was even slightly careless, he could easily get hurt.
"Ralts."
The Shiny Ralts on Wally's shoulder released Heal Pulse, and Wally's condition improved quite a lot.
Grey blinked and felt this was pretty good.
With Ralts around, Wally's wilderness journey should be fine.
"Sorry for embarrassing myself, Gym Leader Grey," Wally said bashfully.
Grey waved his hand. "It's fine. I believe you'll get better."
"Mhm! Then I won't disturb you anymore, Gym Leader Grey!"
After saying that, Wally bowed to Grey, then left.
Grey watched Wally walk away.
Then he turned and entered Devon Corporation.
…
…
Devon Corporation, third floor.
Inside the nutrition pod, Deoxys's condition was much better compared to half a month ago, when only a single core had been left.
Now, it had already opened its eyes and was curiously watching Grey.
"Human… who… are you?"
"And where… is this?"
"Why… am I… here?"
Deoxys asked three questions in a row.
There was a gap in its memory.
It vaguely remembered feeling lonely from drifting through space, coming to this blue planet, then being shot down and crashing.
As for what happened after the crash, Deoxys had completely forgotten.
"You are Deoxys, a Pokémon from space. As for why you came here… a Pokémon named Rayquaza saw you approaching this planet on a meteorite and mistook you for an invader, so it shot you down."
"As for me? I'm just an ordinary Trainer."
Grey did not lie.
In any case, Deoxys would learn the truth later, so he might as well say it directly and let Deoxys understand what had happened.
After hearing Grey's explanation, Deoxys's brain seemed to freeze.
It fell into silence.
It had wanted to come to this planet to play, and then it had been treated as an invader and beaten into a near-death state.
Mm…
Deoxys did not know what to say either.
It was true that it had also had some problems.
"This isn't really a good place to talk. How about this, can you move freely now? If you can, I'll take you out and find a quieter place to talk."
Grey felt there was no way to explain everything clearly in such a short time.
It would be better to take Deoxys outside first.
"I can… Then… I'll trouble you."
Deoxys's speech was somewhat halting.
"It's no trouble."
Grey waved his hand and asked the office-lady secretary, who had been standing nearby for a long time, to help open the pod door.
Psshh…
The pod door opened, and the rich scent of medicine spread through the room.
Since Deoxys had not moved for too long, it had even forgotten how to float and walk.
Fortunately.
After only half an hour, Deoxys initially adapted to its current condition.
Grey held Deoxys's hand and had Riolu use Teleport to send them to Sky Pillar.
…
…
Hoenn region, Sky Pillar.
"This place… is so close… to the sky."
Deoxys subconsciously looked up at the sky. Although it could not see the universe, with its powerful psychic abilities, it could already sense all kinds of energy in space.
It seemed…
There were various kinds of energy that felt familiar to it.
Deoxys could not describe that feeling.
Then it looked at Grey, curious about what he wanted to say.
"Rayquaza, no need to hide anymore. Come out."
Grey shouted toward the sky.
"Roar…"
Rayquaza tore through the clouds.
After poking out its dragon head, it also looked a little embarrassed.
After all, it had been the one to beat Deoxys into this state. Now that Deoxys's relative was about to come knocking, along with the various things Grey had told Rayquaza recently, Rayquaza had started to feel apologetic.
"So… you are… the dragon… who beat me… into a core?"
Deoxys met Rayquaza's gaze.
Rayquaza turned its dragon head away and said in a low voice, "Sorry. I didn't mean to."
Deoxys did not say much either.
Things had already reached this point. What was done was done. There was not much else to say.
"Rayquaza, where are the things I asked you to prepare?"
Grey raised an eyebrow and signaled.
"They're here."
Rayquaza dragged over a few meteorite fragments.
They were not Minior, but meteorites scattered through space.
They contained Cosmic Power, and they should be able to restore some of Deoxys's essence.
Aside from the meteorites, Rayquaza had also specially gone to the Unova region with Kyurem.
They had gathered many Psychic Gems.
At this moment, all kinds of items appeared in front of Deoxys.
Deoxys could not really say anything more.
After all, Rayquaza had apologized and given it so much compensation.
The thing was…
If one said it had no resentment at all, that was definitely impossible.
"Say it. What else do you want to do?"
Rayquaza could naturally sense Deoxys's dissatisfaction. It returned to Sky Pillar and swept the dust on the ground away with its tail.
"You let… me beat you… once."
Deoxys felt that it at least had to beat Rayquaza once to vent.
Rayquaza raised an eyebrow, but it did not say much. Instead, it nodded. "Fine. Just one battle. Regardless of who wins or loses, our grudge is wiped clean afterward. How about that?"
"Good… No problem."
Deoxys also agreed to Rayquaza's proposal.
"Wait a second."
At this moment, Grey stepped out and stood between the two Pokémon, then slowly said, "I have a plan. If you just fight like this, it won't be fair to Deoxys."
"After all, Deoxys has only just regained consciousness and can't perfectly control its current body yet. So, it needs a Trainer to help command the battle."
Rayquaza: "???"
The moment it heard Grey say that…
Rayquaza was stunned.
You bastard, you just want to watch me embarrass myself, don't you?
Rayquaza could think of no other possibility.
Otherwise, Grey would not have taken the initiative to suggest this.
Naturally evil Grey…
Rayquaza suffered in silence.
It had originally been a perfectly fine one-on-one fight with Deoxys.
But now it had turned into Grey commanding Deoxys to fight it.
Rayquaza was not afraid of fighting Deoxys.
But if Grey joined in, it would be completely different.
With Grey's battle style, who knew how many dirty tricks he would use…
"No way. Could it be that the famous Rayquaza is actually afraid of a battle where a Trainer gives commands?"
Grey chuckled.
Rayquaza: "…"
There were some things that could be endured, and some that could not!
"Human, this old dragon is not afraid of you! Use whatever tactics you have against me!"
Rayquaza gnashed its teeth and glared fiercely at Grey.
Seeing that his plan had worked, Grey looked at Deoxys and signaled with his eyes for it to come in front of him.
"I'll command you in a moment. Just follow my instructions."
"Human…"
Hearing Deoxys speak, Grey looked a little puzzled. "Hm?"
"Why… are you helping me?"
Deoxys did not understand. It had only just "revived," and it did not seem to be very familiar with Grey.
Yet Grey was actually willing to help it, which moved Deoxys somewhat.
"It's because you looked far too lonely all by yourself. While I'm at it, let me tell you something. There are many psychics in the city where I live. If you feel lonely, you can go there. You don't need to answer me right now. We can talk after the battle."
Grey explained to Deoxys.
Deoxys gently nodded and came in front of Grey.
Off the field, Kyurem frowned.
When it had actively wanted to fight alongside Grey, Grey had not paid it much attention.
So why was it that when it came to other Pokémon, Grey took the initiative to offer?!
Damn it!
Was the mighty Kyurem of the Tao trio really that lacking in face?
Grey, you bastard…
Meanwhile, Grey used the system to check both sides' panels.
Pokémon: Deoxys, Mythical Pokémon.
Type: Psychic.
Level: 80.
Ability: Pressure.
Moves: Psycho Boost, others omitted.
Description: It has just been reborn and needs to grow familiar with its body through battle.
…
Pokémon: Rayquaza, Legendary Pokémon.
Type: Dragon, Flying.
Level: ???
Ability: Air Lock.
Moves: omitted.
Description: Its essence is incomplete and needs corresponding energy to replenish it.
Rayquaza's level was still three question marks?
Meanwhile, Deoxys's was unchanged at Level 80.
Based on Grey's judgment, Rayquaza's current strength was probably around the same level. It should be roughly at Level 80. The system simply was not showing it.
"Human, I'll give you two the first move."
Rayquaza deliberately acted generous.
"Fine."
Grey instantly revealed his battle face. "Deoxys, Ice Beam!"
Deoxys raised its arms, which resembled DNA spirals. Two bursts of blue light appeared, and extreme cold energy was instantly released, turning into two aurora-like beams that roared out.
Rayquaza did not dare take them head-on and immediately used Dragon Dance, spiraling out of the way.
Seeing Ice Beam miss, Rayquaza's mouth curved upward.
But very soon, Rayquaza could no longer keep smiling.
It discovered that Deoxys had vanished, and it hurriedly looked around. Then it sensed a bone-chilling cold coming from above its head.
"Ice Punch!"
Deoxys's fists, covered in extreme cold, smashed down with a crash and struck Rayquaza's head on the spot, making its head ache as if it were splitting open.
Damn it!
Teleport too?!
That was not right. Hadn't this Deoxys only just been "revived"?
Logically speaking, Deoxys's control over its psychic power should not be this perfect. It had even teleported above its head without Rayquaza noticing.
All of this was thanks to Grey.
All that time he spent helping Sabrina control her psychic power at night had not been for nothing.
He knew all kinds of techniques like the back of his hand.
It was only a matter of temporarily letting Deoxys accurately use Teleport.
Grey said this was all easy.
"Tsk. This is going to be annoying."
Rayquaza twisted its head and released Dragon Pulse. A pinkish-purple beam burst out, turning into a fierce energy dragon that swung its claws and slashed over.
Whoosh!
Deoxys could not dodge in time, but it instinctively changed the cells inside its body.
Thud!
A heavy sound rang out.
Dragon Pulse pierced through Deoxys's body.
But…
Nothing happened to Deoxys.
When Dragon Pulse scattered, Rayquaza saw that Deoxys was completely different from before.
Defense Forme!
Its Defense and Special Defense were both as high as 160. Even Rayquaza had no way to break through Deoxys's defense in one strike.
"Deoxys, use Icy Wind this time."
Taking advantage of the instant Rayquaza froze up, Grey suddenly gave his command.
Deoxys pressed its whole body against Rayquaza, and extreme cold exploded once more. Waves of icy wind "stabbed" into Rayquaza's body, making it shiver uncontrollably.
It was super effective, a four-times weakness.
But still…
Rayquaza was worthy of being a "first-tier Legendary." Even after taking two consecutive moves that hit its four-times weakness, it did not actually suffer that many injuries.
To Rayquaza, the humiliation was greater than the damage.
"Deoxys, Thunder Wave!"
Seeing that Rayquaza was still angry and not even using a move, Grey quickly had Deoxys inflict a status condition on it.
Use whatever worked, with maximum sneakiness.
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