Groudon passed out.
Previously, it was always Groudon and Kyogre working together to withstand Rayquaza for a while.
But this time, Groudon unleashed its power early and took down Kyogre first, naturally leaving no one to share the pressure. Coupled with Rayquaza's furious attack, Groudon indeed couldn't withstand it.
As for Kyogre, it was even worse.
Under Rayquaza's gaze, Kyogre broke through the ice and disappeared into the vast ocean at a rapid pace.
No one knew where it was going.
Seeing this scene, Rayquaza showed a satisfied expression.
Only then did it suddenly react.
It seems... it forgot something.
Just then.
As Rayquaza finally stopped, Natsuhiko, with Darkrai's support, shakily climbed down from Rayquaza's back.
This life.
He suspected he wouldn't want to experience such an "exhilaration" of rapid descent and rapid ascent again.
Ugh—
Through the layers of fog created by Darkrai, Rayquaza could see Natsuhiko's face looking pale at that moment.
It couldn't help but show a bit of awkwardness, but soon concealed it.
Initially, it didn't plan to act this way, but seeing Groudon's arrogant demeanor, and recalling Natsuhiko's previous words, its anger surged and made it forget Natsuhiko.
Its mouth twitched slightly, then quickly recovered.
"Well, if there's nothing else, I'll head back first."
"Wait!" Natsuhiko couldn't speak, but his telepathy wasn't affected.
Supporting himself with Darkrai, he resisted the discomfort in his stomach and slowly approached Rayquaza.
"Hmm?"
Rayquaza exhaled two streams of white gas, a dull bang sounded in Natsuhiko's mind.
But Natsuhiko didn't budge, still approaching Rayquaza.
Even.
Under Rayquaza's gaze, he held onto its rudder-like lower wing.
Staring straight at Rayquaza, he said deliberately and with emphasis: "What's the situation with Ono?!"
Natsuhiko rarely spoke to Rayquaza in such a firm tone.
This matter needed to be clarified now; otherwise, who knows when he'd see Rayquaza again.
Upon hearing the words, Rayquaza was slightly stunned, a complex expression emerged.
It didn't get angry because of Natsuhiko's tone.
After a moment of silence, it slowly said, "She... lacks a catalyst. She was injured much worse than Latios back then."
"So now, is she considered human or Pokémon?" Natsuhiko continued to ask.
Rayquaza slowly lifted its head, gazing at the sky gradually returning to normal.
"Now... consider her a human for the time being. Perhaps letting her leave is the right choice, increasing the chance of encountering that catalyst."
"Catalyst? What kind of catalyst?"
"I don't know either, you'll have to see it through, you're her only human friend, right?"
Speaking, Rayquaza's gaze intersected with Natsuhiko's.
Silence enveloped the person and Pokémon once more.
Hoo—
Natsuhiko took a long breath, the nauseous feeling had gotten much better.
"I understand, I'll take good care of her."
After solemnly promising, Natsuhiko suddenly dumped a bunch of Energy Blocks out of his backpack.
"These were meant for you; they're useless for me; consider them a dessert after meals. If you want more after eating, you can contact me."
Psychic power wrapped around these Energy Blocks, presenting them to Rayquaza.
Looking at these shimmering red little objects, Rayquaza didn't answer.
It just swayed its body and flew toward the sky.
And all those Energy Blocks vanished without a trace.
But it left behind a bright green scale, reflecting a dazzling halo in the sunlight.
Rayquaza's scale!
Natsuhiko put away the scale, finally revealing a big smile.
Exchange a bunch of ordinary Energy Blocks for a Rayquaza Dragon Scale, what a deal!
Though it might not be Rayquaza's Nirvana scale, its value is much higher than ordinary "Dragon Scales," and also higher than the two Elite Trainer Level "Dragon Scales" Natsuhiko possesses now.
After all.
This came from Rayquaza.
It might even contain some unique abilities.
Darkrai watched Rayquaza quickly fly away, then glanced at Natsuhiko beside it.
It had an illusion.
Rayquaza was bought off?
"Here."
Then, Natsuhiko handed it some Energy Blocks.
Though not as many as Rayquaza's, they seemed of higher quality, and the energy contained within and the scent emitted had quite the allure for Darkrai.
These Energy Blocks were originally intended for bribing Hydreigon, the Dark Energy Block.
Though mixed with Dragon Type.
But for a Pokémon like Darkrai, energy was secondary.
Darkrai's blue eyes watched Natsuhiko.
Its gaze didn't seem to contain any special meaning; he simply gave it to it purely.
"Though not custom-made for you, I also didn't know you'd follow me for so long. Had I known earlier, I'd have made them for you sooner; consider these a gesture of goodwill." Natsuhiko explained.
Darkrai was silent.
Buying off....
Hand open, a small dark cave absorbed these Energy Blocks.
"Thank you."
Darkrai was still very polite.
Unlike a certain proud dragon, its mouth says no, but its body is honest.
"Could you help me one last time?"
Darkrai silently nodded.
It knew Natsuhiko wanted it to help conceal his identity.
Seeing Rayquaza leave, the three people not far away, who had spent a lot of effort barely stopping the aftermath from spreading, finally approached.
The expressions of the three varied.
Genji's eyes showed more relief and emotion, Senri's mostly curiosity, and Shinda's showed some nostalgia.
"Elite Trainer Yuanzhi, Mr. Shinda, Mr. Senri." Natsuhiko nodded to them one by one.
"Well done..."
Genji wanted to pat Natsuhiko's shoulder, but remembering his concealed identity and Darkrai beside him, ultimately held back.
"I don't mean to intrude, but if you have time, you can visit our Battlefront Territory." Shinda said.
Upon hearing it, Genji and Senri nearby raised their eyebrows but said nothing.
Though they had just joined forces against Kyogre and Groudon, the Battlefront Territory and Hoenn Alliance were ultimately different system institutions.
"If there's an opportunity, I will."
Natsuhiko didn't refuse, giving face.
Anyways, they didn't know who he was.
Then he looked at Senri.
"I really want to have a battle with Mr. Senri."
This was heartfelt.
In the entire Pokemon Realm, not many impressed Natsuhiko, Senri was one of them.
Senri, however, showed a bitter smile.
"Battling someone who can summon Rayquaza and even ride on its back, better forget about it."
This would be bullying, wouldn't it?
Natsuhiko smiled, without further explanation.
Finally, he looked at Genji.
"Elite Trainer Yuanzhi, I'll send my friend back. Here..."
"Go ahead, we'll handle things here just fine."
As long as Groudon doesn't meet Kyogre, it isn't solely focused on destruction; it's just overly excited due to its recent revival.
Compared to Groudon, caution should be taken with the supposedly defeated but possibly still alive Flarepine, who was struck by the "Sword of the Cliff."
"Please help keep this a secret, Elite Trainer Yuanzhi."
Natsuhiko last used telepathy to convey a message to Genji, then disappeared from their sight, enveloped by Darkrai.
Genji discreetly nodded.
After Natsuhiko left.
"Elite Trainer Yuanzhi, is Darkrai his Pokémon?" Shinda couldn't help but ask curiously.
"Probably... not." Genji was also a bit uncertain now.
Mostly because the relationship between Natsuhiko and Darkrai seemed overly close.
Not just Darkrai.
Natsuhiko could even sit on Rayquaza's back, something never done by anyone.
"Regardless of whether it is or not, being able to call upon Darkrai and Rayquaza means his abilities are remarkable. External power is also strength." Senri slowly said.
Gaining unanimous agreement from Genji and Shinda.
And the incidents that occurred today.
Became the biggest news in the entire Pokemon Realm the following day.
Among them.
The most attention-grabbing point is.
Who was the person riding on Rayquaza's back?