Senri's words were not yet finished.
Boom!!!
A massive roar exploded over the sea.
Groudon and Kyogre clashed once again.
And Kyogre, who leaped out of the water trying to use its aerial advantage against Groudon, underestimated Groudon's revival level and was struck right in the abdomen by a huge pillar wrapped in golden magma.
The painful cry echoed throughout the entire sea region.
It slid a long distance on the ice sheet it had created to combat Groudon's magma before coming to a stop.
Fat-headed Fish got a good beating.
The group's gaze fell on Senri.
Senri's expression was somewhat awkward.
Natsuhiko almost gave him a thumbs up.
Nice talk.
Taking a deep breath, "I'll try to be quick, but please do your best to delay it."
Saying so, he gently patted Latios' back, exchanged a glance with Darkrai, and quickly soared vertically into the sky.
Darkrai hesitated a bit, but ultimately followed him up.
"Why have me go with you?"
As they rapidly ascended, Darkrai couldn't help but ask beside Natsuhiko.
"I think finding Rayquaza quickly can best solve this matter, don't you agree?" Natsuhiko replied with a question.
Leaving Darkrai behind could help significantly.
But Natsuhiko feared Darkrai was too straightforward, and might rush into the clash between Groudon and Kyogre, like in the original story, trying to stop the rampaging Palkia and Dialga, resulting in its own demise.
However, Natsuhiko didn't directly state the reason, lest Darkrai turn around and leave.
Thus, he chose persuasion from the perspective of "greater good".
"Aren't you going to find Rayquaza?"
"Do you think with my strength, if I happen to encounter Rayquaza, can I be of any help?"
Darkrai was silent.
Yet it quietly helped Latios to increase speed, undeniably showing its choice.
Very soon.
They rushed into the ozone layer again.
Latios, after returning from a journey in Rayquaza's Alternate Space, had improved its flight speed considerably.
However, the ozone layer's range is larger than the entire planet, trying to find Rayquaza is like chasing a fool's dream.
"Darkrai, release your energy fully."
Natsuhiko had a simpler method.
The ozone layer is Rayquaza's domain; it might not always care about things passing quickly, like some satellite rockets or occasional meteors.
But an intrusion like Darkrai's is the biggest taunt for it.
It's also the quickest way to attract Rayquaza.
Darkrai didn't hesitate either, quickly spreading a pitch-black mist from its body.
The surrounding ozone was rapidly forced to scatter; as a "Nightmare God", Darkrai's energy inherently mixed with a lot of malice.
However.
Despite Darkrai's energy almost covering half the sky, Rayquaza was still unseen.
Natsuhiko's brow furrowed, realizing things seemed really off.
He gritted his teeth and said, "Go further up!"
Going further up would mean leaving the planet and entering the actual universe.
Darkrai glanced at Natsuhiko, confirming he wasn't joking, with a slight change in expression in his eyes.
"Oss..."
Latios spoke somewhat reluctantly.
"Let them head back first; I'll take you further, they're too strained." Darkrai said.
Latios is still only at Elite Level, just entering the ozone layer is already very strenuous.
Going further up, it wouldn't be able to maintain.
Ono was also in a similar situation.
Upon hearing this, Natsuhiko was momentarily stunned.
Then he reacted.
"Latios, you take Ono back first, find a secluded place to hide." Natsuhiko said softly.
"Oss!" Latios decisively refused.
"No, Natsuhiko, I want to be with you!" Ono was also very firm in attitude.
"Don't be unruly, I'll be back soon, Latios be obedient! Protect Ono."
Natsuhiko's voice became somewhat stern.
Latios shrank its neck, a bit frightened when Natsuhiko got angry.
Seeing this, Darkrai appeared behind Natsuhiko, grabbing his shoulder, wrapped in thick black mist, and continued upward.
Ono and Latios stood watching them ascend.
"Latios, are we the burdens?" Ono murmured.
"Oss!"
"You're right, let's go back quickly, don't distract Natsuhiko."
Upon hearing this, Latios folded its wings and swiftly flew towards a remote corner of the Hoenn Region.
Inside the rising Darkrai mist, seeing Latios and them heading back, Natsuhiko secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Raising his head to gaze above.
The starry sky was getting closer.
He happened to catch sight of the red serrated things encircling Darkrai's neck.
"Darkrai, why do you strive so hard to stop this disaster?" Natsuhiko suddenly asked.
He saw its blue eyes lower briefly, exchanging a glance with Natsuhiko.
After a long silence, a voice only echoed in Natsuhiko's mind.
"I don't know."
Then it asked:
"How about you?"
Natsuhiko was momentarily stunned, and then a smile appeared on his face.
"I don't know either."
Perhaps to save some people and some Pokémon, perhaps to gain some fame, perhaps to fulfill certain promises, or perhaps to obtain some benefits.
At times like these, who could still weigh the gains and motives clearly?
He wasn't a robot.
Because he felt he should do it, he did it.