Hoenn region, one of Devon Corporation's mining sites.
Hazy mist shrouded the surroundings, making visibility very low, with only faint lights visible in the distance.
This place seemed to be located deep in some mountains, perpetually covered by white mist.
Carrying a white briefcase, Steven arrived here by helicopter.
Two Aron were visible pushing rocks slowly - this was their dinner.
And upon seeing humans, the two little ones didn't seem afraid at all, continuing their work.
At this time, what was originally just the central area of the mining site had been cordoned off with warning tape, with tents set up and numerous staff members in researcher uniforms busily working.
Steven walked straight in, with workers immediately opening the cordon for him.
Arriving at the center of the mining site, after excavation and polishing by Devon Corporation staff, a strange ancient altar that had been buried was now presented before Steven.
On that altar were two broken pillars and some strange patterns.
"The giant stone... became an altar?" Seeing this appearance, Steven was somewhat surprised.
A nearby worker said helplessly:
"Originally this giant stone was extremely hard. Considering it might affect the structure and stability of the entire mining site, we didn't touch it. But after the batch of energy ore you brought arrived at the mining site, the giant stone developed numerous cracks on its own..."
Finally, with careful handling by the workers, they managed to extract this altar.
"Energy ore?"
Wasn't what he brought from Petalburg City just ordinary ore?
However, Steven didn't dwell too much on this question.
"Where is it?"
"On top, we didn't move it."
The worker led Steven to the top of the altar. Stepping on the strange patterns, Steven felt something unusual in his heart.
Soon reaching the top of the altar, beside the two ancient but still very solid stone pillars, Steven saw what he called the "thing."
A... broken and ancient wooden tablet.
Opening his briefcase, this wooden tablet fit perfectly inside.
"Do you know what's written on it?" Steven asked.
"We're still waiting for the company's archaeology team to decipher it," the worker answered honestly.
"Too slow." Steven frowned slightly.
The worker was also helpless about this: "This is an ancient but uncommon script, seemingly used by some ancient Hoenn period tribe, so..."
"It's fine." Steven waved his hand, his voice gentle, indicating he wasn't blaming anyone.
He took out his phone: "I'll find a professional to help take a look."
Saying this, he directly took a photo of the wooden tablet and sent it to the "Teacher Johan's Little Classroom" group chat.
[Stone-digging Steven]: (wooden tablet.jpg)
The group quickly became active.
[Still-working-overtime Lucian]: Wow! Such ancient and rare writing.
As someone who had read through the Canalave Library extensively, Lucian was also surprised by the rarity of the ancient script on the wooden tablet.
[My-name-is-Flint]: Hey Lucian, aren't you working overtime?! @Still-working-overtime Lucian
[Still-working-overtime Lucian]: Who are you? @My-name-is-Flint
[Stone-digging Steven]: Everyone, does anyone recognize this script? Online and waiting, quite urgent.
[Dragon-tamer Lance]: It is very ancient, I don't really understand this kind of thing.
[Princess Caitlin]: For this kind of thing, you should ask my family's Cynthia. @Very-busy Cynthia
[Stab-you-to-death]: You could also ask Teacher Johan. @Teacher Johan
[Dragon-tamer Lance]: Who are you? @Stab-you-to-death
[Stab-you-to-death]: Come to Seven Island, I'll stab you to death!
[Dragon-tamer Lance]: Running away, running away.
Looking at the messages jumping through the group, Steven couldn't control the upward curve of his mouth, but his expression also showed helplessness as he covered his forehead.
The worker nearby was very curious seeing the young master's expression of both amusement and melancholy.
Could this be a Champion and Elite Four group?
[Stone-digging Steven]: @Teacher Johan, @Very-busy Cynthia
However, neither responded.
[Still-working-overtime Lucian]: Big sis just returned from Kalos two days ago, probably already on Mt. Coronet now, where the signal isn't great.
Kalos?
Cynthia went to the Kalos region to find Teacher Johan?
Steven knew about Johan's summer vacation in Kalos.
[Stone-digging Steven]: What about Teacher? @Teacher Johan
[My-name-is-Flint]: Generally speaking, when Teacher Johan doesn't appear, there are two reasons.
Hm?
Two reasons?
[My-name-is-Flint]: First, he probably didn't see the message, or like big sis, has poor signal.
[My-name-is-Flint]: The second reason would be troublesome...
[Stone-digging Steven]: Accept the challenge once.
Holding his phone, Flint grinned widely and quickly typed.
[My-name-is-Flint]: The second reason is that this thing involves something too big, and Teacher Johan needs to digest it.
Something too big?
Steven frowned tightly, looking at the wooden tablet in his briefcase, his heart inevitably feeling heavy.
[My-name-is-Flint]: But with Teacher Johan's personality, no matter how big the matter, it's not a problem. Steven, just do your best, leave the rest to Teacher Johan.
[Still-working-overtime Lucian]: Flint, you can actually say something so reasonable?
[My-name-is-Flint]: Of course! (Proud Infernape.jpg) Wait! Didn't you say you didn't know me?
Watching the group become lively again, Steven smiled and put away his phone.
He had to admit that what Flint said was indeed very reasonable.
Suddenly, his psychological pressure decreased considerably.
When the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up. The feeling of having a reliable teacher behind you... was really good.
Once his mood relaxed, he actually gained some "insight."
In the group.
[Sootopolis Wallace]: I... might know something.
"When the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up, don't be nervous."
The storm had continued for two days, and today's rain was particularly heavy, with strong sea winds and large waves. Even with the Seagallop's displacement, there was inevitable swaying.
This made Snivy somewhat nervous.
Although Johan was also curious why the Seagallop chose to sail during such weather conditions, with continuous storms and lightning all the way, it seemed particularly impressive.
But the Seagallop was indeed stable. Even with waves crashing one after another outside, the Seagallop only swayed slightly.
The signal was just consistently poor, making it impossible to go on deck to sunbathe or fish.
But it wasn't a big deal.
At most... let "Kyogre" be arrogant for a few more days. If it had the ability to storm the entire sea route from Kalos to Hoenn, then "Kyogre" would be impressive.
"Sni-sni!"
I-I'm not nervous at all!
Snivy stubbornly declared.
"Look at Larvitar."
"Yoji~burp~Yoji?"
Larvitar, sitting in the room leisurely munching on diamonds and even swaying happily with the ship's motion, looked up with crystalline particles still at the corners of its mouth, lightly burping with a confused expression.
Johan smiled: "The little one who should be most afraid of water is completely carefree."
"Sni! (#`皿)"
Snivy called out to Larvitar.
It's fine, keep eating!
"Yoji~"
Oh~
Larvitar buried its head and continued eating.
If you're not serious about eating, there's something wrong with your thinking.
Full?
Burping didn't mean it was full.
"Sni! (▼皿▼)"
Snivy directly climbed onto Johan's head and started stepping on it.
I told you not to say that, I'm not afraid! Not afraid at all! Not nervous either!
While calling out, its movements were actually quite gentle, even giving a massage-like feeling.
Johan smiled.
This little one was typically sharp-tongued but soft-hearted, acting tougher than anyone else but actually...
Johan half-leaned back on the sofa, letting Snivy "vent," just feeling comfortable enough to close his eyes.
Unlike Gengar - when Gengar wanted you to close your eyes, you really shouldn't expect to open them fully again.
"Speaking of which."
Johan put his hands behind his head.
"Larvitar plus Snivy feels like another excuse to dominate the Baby Cup?"
The "Master Trainer" certification was just harder to obtain.
"Ka-kaah~"
Gengar floated in from the balcony glass, soaking wet, then floated beside Ceruledge, extending both hands like warming by a fire. Soon its body was dry.
On the balcony.
Urshifu also climbed up, shaking its body vigorously to shake off all the water droplets, but its fur became droopy as a result.
This was perhaps why Rapid Strike and Single Strike Forms had different fur styles.
However, Urshifu was holding something in its hands.
Several lively jumping sea fish.
Pushing the door open, it handed the fish to Rotom, then also ran to Ceruledge's side to warm up like Gengar.
Ceruledge was already used to this.
These two days, Gengar, Urshifu, and Dragonite would team up and go out for strolls, wreaking havoc on the sea floor Pokémon, cough, no, engaging in friendly exchanges with the sea floor Pokémon.
"Oven form, Rotom!"
Rotom transformed into Heat Rotom, putting the already-processed fish into the oven to roast directly.
Daily variety meals were also inevitable.
They even varied the flavors.
Not only had they eaten grilled fish, but also grilled octopus, grilled conch, grilled lobster, etc.
Johan suspected that if he let them eat freely, they could probably destroy an entire marine ecosystem, so he limited them to eating just a little each day.
This also added some novelty to the boring, tedious sea voyage under the storm.
Watching the little ones gather around Rotom's oven with eager expressions, Johan stretched his body and sank deeply into the sofa.
Although such days were a bit boring.
He had to admit that compared to various magnificent major events, he still preferred this kind of lazy, leisurely life.
"Sure enough."
Johan yawned.
"I'm still a homebody at heart."
World peace would be great~
So...
Cynthia was about to become Champion, so Steven probably wouldn't be far behind either.
Similar to Cynthia, Steven's strength might still be far from its peak, but... considering the Hoenn League's staff shortage, no, it should be said the shortage of capable staff... it was probably soon.
At that time.
As the Champion's boyfriend and another Champion's teacher...
Highlighting status and comfort~
Hoenn region.
"Draconid script?"
Steven looked at Wallace sitting across from him, somewhat understanding yet somewhat puzzled.
Wallace was a descendant of the ancient Sootopolis people, who were as renowned as the Draconids, and in ancient times, the Draconids and Sootopolis people had some connections.
Therefore, Wallace barely knew something about this wooden tablet's origin.
So...
Wallace was brought over by Steven.
"Can you decipher this script?" Steven couldn't help but ask.
Wallace rubbed his temples.
"It's a bit difficult."
After all, he was from the Sootopolis people, and moreover a descendant. Just knowing this much was already quite knowledgeable.
Wallace leaned down, staring at the wooden tablet, saying intermittently:
"I can only decipher part of it. Giant stone... path... door, key light? No, glowing stone?"
"No, no."
Wallace shook his head and sat back in his chair.
"Too ancient, and this wooden tablet seems incomplete to begin with. I can only try to decipher it based on Sootopolis people's ancient script."
After all, Wallace wasn't studying archaeology.
"Door? Path? Glowing stone?"
Steven frowned tightly.
These contents were fragmented, just a few nouns. Who could tell what was what?
"Wait."
Steven suddenly seemed to think of something and ran out of the tent.
Wallace didn't understand what was wrong with him but followed anyway.
Soon.
The two arrived at the previous altar again. Steven stood in front of the two massive and broken stone pillars, saying:
"Wallace, look, do these pillars plus the altar... look like a door?"
Hearing this, Wallace was stunned, then shrugged helplessly:
"Steven, if you're going to stretch it like that, there are many doors."
Steven rubbed his nose, knowing he was being a bit far-fetched.
"Door, path..."
These two words were too broad.
Only the word "stone" had "glowing" as a descriptor, making it relatively easier to find.
"Glowing stone..." Steven murmured.
Wallace looked around and couldn't help but gently touch the stone pillar.
The rough texture showed ancient traces.
The patterns on it...
Wallace's gaze followed the patterns until it swept past the stone on his wrist bracelet that emitted faint rainbow light...
!!!
Wallace suddenly turned to look at Steven.
At the same time, Steven also looked at him with some excitement.
The two almost spoke in unison:
"Mega Stone!"
There were many glowing stones, and Mega Stones were the first thing both thought of simultaneously.
"Speaking of which, there are some groove marks here." Steven said.
"Same here." Wallace touched the other stone pillar, feeling the traces within.
The two exchanged glances again.
Try it?
Try it!
Anyway, they were just guessing, and there was a high probability they were wrong.
So.
Steven and Wallace both took out their respective Mega Stones and placed them in the grooves.
Buzz—
Almost instantly.
Their Mega Stones burst with brilliant rainbow light, and this light quickly spread along the patterns on the stone pillars and altar, finally forming a path leading to the mountain peak shrouded in clouds and mist.
The Devon Corporation employees below saw this scene and all ran out, looking shocked.
Actually, Steven and Wallace weren't much better.
They looked in amazement at the stairway that appeared before them.
"Door?" Wallace said softly.
"Path?" Steven also said.
It seemed like everything suddenly matched up?
The two climbed the steps.
Soon they arrived at another altar on the mountaintop, larger and relatively more complete. The rainbow light spreading from the lower altar converged at the center of this larger altar.
Click—
With a mechanical sound, a crack opened in the center of the altar.
Then.
A stone also emitting rainbow light, no, it should be said emitting extremely dazzling rainbow light with iridescent radiance, slowly rose from within.
"This is..."
Seeing this stone he had never seen before, Steven's heart shook violently.
"A Mega Stone?" Wallace was also full of disbelief, murmuring.
Such a large Mega Stone?
This was something neither had imagined.
However.
Before the two could recover from their shock.
Roar!!
A dull thunder-like explosion suddenly erupted from the sky, and a huge cyan dragon shadow appeared in the thick, dense clouds.
Steven and Wallace almost simultaneously felt an extremely strong sense of danger. Both stepped back several steps and grabbed their Poké Balls.
When the green figure in the clouds quickly approached and completely appeared in their sight, their pupils contracted to pinhole size!
A green giant dragon soaring through the sky, with heart-palpitating powerful pressure and crimson eyes full of contempt...
The legendary Sky Dragon, Rayquaza!!
"Roar!!"
A roar faintly carrying anger, like thunder exploding in their ears, made them tense up sharply. The strong airflow made their clothes flutter and their hair fly wildly.
"Rayquaza..." Steven said in a slightly hoarse voice.
Wallace swallowed.
Who was he? Where was he? What was he here to do?
Right.
He had clearly just come to help Steven decipher a wooden tablet. How did he end up seeing the legendary Rayquaza?
Although this wasn't their first time seeing Rayquaza - when Rayquaza battled the extraterrestrial visitor Deoxys at Mossdeep City, they had seen it from afar.
But distant observation was completely different from the almost close-up feeling now.
But soon.
Steven and Wallace quickly calmed down.
Even if it was Rayquaza, they also...
"Roar!!"
Rayquaza roared again, quickly circling in the air, then diving straight toward the huge rainbow stone in the center of the altar.
Then.
Steven and Wallace witnessed the most shocking thing of their lives.
Buzz—
They saw.
Rayquaza's body burst with the familiar light of Mega Evolution. Under the rainbow light mixed with evolutionary light, the huge rainbow stone disappeared into thin air. Above Rayquaza's head, the symbol of Mega Evolution appeared and quickly dissipated.
"Mega Evolution?" Wallace opened his mouth, not knowing what to say for a moment.
The legendary divine beast, Sky Dragon Rayquaza, actually... Mega Evolved?
"Roar—!!"
The rainbow light faded, and Rayquaza reappeared in their sight, its appearance greatly changed.
"Mega Rayquaza..."
[You... are not the inheritors!]
Mega Rayquaza's aggressive gaze swept over Steven and Wallace.
Inheritors?
Steven and Wallace exchanged glances.
As a descendant of the Sootopolis people, Wallace seemed to understand something...
"The Draconid legend?"
"Legend?"
Wallace's mouth drooped as he spoke quickly:
"Legend says that a thousand years ago, a huge meteorite was about to impact the Hoenn continent. The Draconids of that time prayed to a rainbow meteorite for Rayquaza's help, and Rayquaza responded to this wish, ultimately resolving the crisis."
"Meteorite? Wish?"
"The legend has a second half. It's said that a thousand years later, another huge meteorite will appear. At that time, the inheritor will again find Rayquaza and try to gain Rayquaza's recognition, finally... resolving the crisis together."
As a descendant of the Sootopolis people, Wallace was not only the Sootopolis Gym Leader but also the guardian of the Sky Pillar.
The Sky Pillar was said to be where inheritors tried to gain Rayquaza's trial.
However, after so many years, inheritance would inevitably have gaps. Wallace hadn't previously connected this matter with Steven's wooden tablet.
Now he understood.
This stone that allowed Rayquaza to Mega Evolve was exactly the stone worshipped by the Draconids a thousand years ago, their only means of contacting Rayquaza!
Steven focused more on the content of Wallace's words.
Another huge meteorite?
Now that Rayquaza appeared, didn't that mean...
[Considering your relationship with him, I won't make things difficult for you.]
Rayquaza coldly glanced at them, said no more, flicked its tail and shot toward the clouds. The Mega Evolution characteristics on its body also quickly faded, returning to its original appearance.
But.
Along with Rayquaza's departure, the huge rainbow stone from before also disappeared.
Watching Rayquaza leave, Steven and Wallace both breathed a sigh of relief.
Although they weren't afraid of challenges, it was better not to have such challenges if possible.
As for who the "him" Rayquaza mentioned was...
"Teacher Johan's reputation is really great." Wallace clicked his tongue in amazement.
Steven nodded in deep agreement, showing some pride.
My teacher's reputation is indeed great.
But soon.
Both realized the seriousness of this incident.
The key point wasn't Rayquaza's appearance or Rayquaza's Mega Evolution, but the Draconid prophecy.
The words "a thousand years later" were too vague - who knew which year it was.
But Rayquaza's appearance and their discovery of this huge rainbow stone seemed to confirm something.
Moreover...
"I feel this rainbow stone's appearance won't be this 'simple.'"
A stone that could make even Rayquaza Mega Evolve would surely bring something.
This made Steven and Wallace feel heavy-hearted.
If they hadn't curiously tried to open this path, this door, and release this rainbow stone, maybe nothing would have happened.
If it really was as they thought, accompanied by a series of troubles or even disasters...
"I'll go inquire about the situation at Mossdeep Space Center." Steven said.
"I'll return to Sootopolis City and go through the Sootopolis people's ancient texts again to see if I can get more information." Wallace said.
At this moment.
Johan was still leisurely on his way back.
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Powerstones?
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