The next day.
On Devon Corporation's private jet, heading to Sky Pillar on Glass Island.
Speaking of which, Johan had been coveting this kind of private jet for quite some time, but considering his financial situation, this kind of thing was just something to covet - at worst he could call Steven, and Steven surely wouldn't mind giving him a ride or pickup service.
Having students and not "freeloading" off them - what was the point of being a teacher?
"Bangi! ψ(｀∇´)ψ"
Here I go!
Tyranitar sat on the plane's open space, grabbing a handful of diamonds of various sizes and stuffing them in its mouth, soon producing crisp "crunch crunch" sounds.
If these diamonds were like candy to Larvitar before, then now these diamonds were probably just... rice to Tyranitar.
The way it was wolfing down food, not to mention Johan, even Wallace sitting nearby was watching with trembling heart.
"No wonder Teacher Johan's Tyranitar could compete with Groudon for weather control right after evolution..."
Wallace sincerely sighed.
"The appetite is also quite exaggerated. Teacher Johan really spares no effort in raising Pokémon."
"Haha." Johan, holding a book, gave a bitter smile.
"It's not just about food."
Steven also spoke up.
"There are plenty of wealthy people in the Pokémon world. Even if everyone imitated Teacher's methods of raising Pokémon, how many could actually raise a Tyranitar to Teacher's level?"
Wallace nodded thoughtfully.
That was true.
Teacher Johan's Tyranitar...
Yesterday Wallace witnessed its "friendly" relationship with Groudon, even learning moves from Groudon.
Having learned that move and calling it "little Groudon" wouldn't be excessive.
And how many "little Groudons" could there be in the Pokémon world?
Regarding Steven and Wallace's praise, Tyranitar turned a deaf ear, just focused on eating.
After finishing the diamonds, it took out energy cubes and branches from the World Tree.
Others eat meat without garlic, losing half the flavor.
It eats diamonds without tree branches, losing thirty percent of the taste.
"Bangi~(￣~￣)"
Don't worry, I'll definitely eat you up without wasting a bit!
After Larvitar evolved into Tyranitar, its attributes changed - it became Evil and Rock type, and its original quadruple weakness to Water and Grass types became double weakness.
However, it didn't lose its quadruple weakness entirely - Fighting type became its "fatal" weakness.
But Tyranitar seemed to already have some "experience" with this, finding Urshifu every day for guidance and training to strengthen its resistance.
In this aspect, Tyranitar was quite clever.
"Sni~"
Snivy lay against the plane window, gazing at the sea of clouds below, eyes twinkling.
This was its first time on a plane, and it still felt quite novel - very different from riding Dragonite.
Johan, leaning back in his chair with his head against the headrest, was actually thinking about a question.
Sky Pillar, inheritor, Rayquaza - when these elements combined, would the Draconid Zinnia appear?
In "Pokémon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire," Zinnia was the key to breaking the deadlock.
Johan's deepest impression of Zinnia was her somewhat bizarre Pokémon team.
Five dragons, plus a Whismur named "Aster."
Actually, "Aster" had its own story - she was also a Draconid, an inheritor, and more precisely, she was the true inheritor. Zinnia took over the inheritor position after her unfortunate death.
In fact, Aster had already gained Rayquaza's recognition, while Zinnia still needed to work for it.
However, considering that the "Rayquaza Capture Plan" hadn't been implemented, there probably wouldn't be the sisters Aster and Zinnia.
"But Rayquaza's situation..."
Johan closed his eyes, gently stroking the belly of Dragonite napping beside him, trying to contact Rayquaza through it and aura again, still to no avail.
"Still the same." Johan slowly opened his eyes and sighed softly.
Setting aside their relationship, Rayquaza was essentially a very violent and proud legendary Pokémon. Compared to the black and white dragons and Xerneas, it actually wasn't easy to communicate with.
It could even be said to be difficult to communicate with.
Rayquaza was naturally proud and looked down on everything.
And it indeed had such ability.
"If we need to fight..." Johan silently calculated Rayquaza's battle power.
Compared to other legendary Pokémon... Groudon and Kyogre weren't worth mentioning - two of them together weren't enough for Rayquaza to fight.
Just comparing it to the Sinnoh space-time trio, Palkia and Dialga together facing Giratina would have difficulty determining a winner, let alone one suppressing the other two.
The Unova Tao trio was even more so.
What truly demonstrated Rayquaza's power was its legendary battle that made it famous.
In the movie "Hoopa and the Clash of Ages," a black Rayquaza dominated one against seven, fighting seven legendary Pokémon alone - a feat that was truly awe-inspiring.
Although Johan wasn't sure if the Rayquaza he knew was the same black Rayquaza from the movie, its power was definitely not to be underestimated.
"If worst comes to worst..."
Johan rubbed his temples.
With Giratina not "home," this was really giving him a headache.
Johan couldn't help but complain.
"Giratina? More like Hoopa."
In a desolate desert area on Glass Island, stood a towering spire reaching into the clouds, with strange patterns carved on it that looked quite magnificent.
"This is Sky Pillar?"
Standing at the base of the tower and looking up, Johan could only see patches of white clouds, completely unable to see the top.
"I didn't know Sky Pillar was actually on Glass Island?" Steven was somewhat surprised and curious.
"Usually, this area is filled with high-level wild Pokémon with strong territorial instincts. Without guidance from the 'People of Sootopolis,' it's hard to approach." Wallace explained.
It was also because Kyogre had caused such a disturbance that the wild Pokémon here had all hidden, otherwise approaching would still be troublesome without Wallace's guidance.
Of course, with Johan and Steven's strength, if they really wanted to fight their way through, there weren't many wild Pokémon that could stop them.
"The 'Draconid people' a thousand years ago could build such a tower - it seems they were quite powerful back then." Johan said.
Wallace nodded, "Indeed. Back then, we 'People of Sootopolis' could only be considered vassals of the 'Draconid people.'"
Theoretically, the "People of Sootopolis" only had the qualification to guard Sky Pillar, but not the qualification to climb it. Only chosen "Draconid people" could ascend.
"There might be stones I haven't seen here..." Steven muttered quietly.
Hm?
Johan and Wallace looked at him.
Steven came to his senses and smiled: "Then let's go up."
"Fly up?" Johan craned his neck.
But Wallace said: "Can't fly."
"According to ancient texts I've read, the cloud layer above Sky Pillar belongs to Rayquaza's domain. Flying up rashly would be considered an enemy and would anger it."
Not just ordinary people, even "Draconid people" weren't allowed to fly up before gaining Rayquaza's recognition.
"Tsk."
Johan clicked his tongue.
Such a tall tower, who knew how many floors it had.
Besides being tall, the "Draconid people" had also set up many mechanisms inside Sky Pillar when building it, essentially blocking most people from going up. Only "Draconid people" knew how to deal with these mechanisms.
Moreover.
Sky Pillar housed many Pokémon, such as...
A Claydol blocked Johan and the others' path.
Bang! Bang!
Huge fists collided, echoing dully in the small space.
"Kang!"
Metagross flew out from Steven's waist, faster than Tyranitar, punching the Claydol into the wall with one strike, making it unable to battle!
"Bangi?"
Tyranitar, which had been clenching its fist excitedly, looked confused.
"Uh..." Steven rubbed his nose with slight embarrassment: "Sorry, force of habit..."
He'd encountered guardian Pokémon in ruins so many times while digging for stones that every time he met this kind of Pokémon guarding ruins, Metagross would punch them away.
Cough, a bit too skilled.
Johan patted Tyranitar, standing inside Sky Pillar's base and looking up.
What he could see was just ancient walls covered with patterns and spiral staircases going up, with no end in sight.
He opened his mouth.
"Cynthia would be ecstatic if she saw this place."
But walking up step by step?
Even without mentioning attacks and mechanisms, it would take a whole day just to walk.
"Dragonite." Johan called softly.
"Wu?"
The Poké Ball opened, red light forming into Dragonite as it emerged on its own.
Johan climbed onto its back and grabbed the protective gear.
"Steven, can't fly." Wallace quickly said.
"Rules are dead, people are alive. We'll stick to the stairs and fly." Johan said.
Really walk up?
They weren't "Draconid people," so they didn't need to maintain any pilgrimage mentality. Getting the gist was enough.
Besides, this time they'd come seeking Rayquaza's help, but that didn't mean they had to rely entirely on Rayquaza.
Worst case scenario...
Two Deoxys plus Mewtwo - he didn't believe they couldn't handle that meteorite.
If Rayquaza was willing to help, that was great - give it the honor it deserved. If it didn't want to help... then help it be honored!
Wallace and Steven exchanged glances.
Considering the urgent meteorite crisis, acting expeditiously seemed understandable.
So they both got on Metagross's back and followed Dragonite, sticking to the stairs as they flew toward the upper levels of Sky Pillar.
Along the way, they encountered some Pokémon like Claydol, but clearly, these Pokémon couldn't stop Johan and the others.
In many cases, Johan's Snivy could handle most of the trouble.
"Sni!(▼皿▼)"
Snivy stood on Dragonite's head, its vines lashing out to smack a Baltoy flying.
It had to be said, most of the Pokémon in Sky Pillar were Ground and Rock types, and none could withstand a few hits from Snivy.
Watching this, Wallace and Steven following behind couldn't help but sigh.
Teacher Johan really had leading-edge, unique insights into raising "babies."
"What floor is this?" Johan looked back.
"Forty-eight." Steven answered.
Forty-eight...
Looking at this pace, the fiftieth floor should be Sky Pillar's top level.
Leaning on Dragonite's back and looking down...
Pretty scary.
Johan remembered that in the game "Pokémon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire," Sky Pillar had a level 70 Rayquaza, and after capturing it, you'd encounter a level 80 Deoxys.
So the reason Rayquaza couldn't beat Deoxys was found - insufficient level!
Hm?
Just as Johan and the others were about to reach the forty-ninth floor, they vaguely heard some strange sounds.
"Sounds like... someone?" Steven also noticed this.
Someone?
On the forty-ninth floor?
But how could there be any trace of human activity or passage along the way?
Moreover.
Who would come to Sky Pillar at this time?
Johan and Steven both looked at Wallace, the "guardian" of Sky Pillar.
Noticing their gazes, Wallace's eye twitched as he spread his hands: "I don't know."
"Let's take a look."
Johan ultimately took the lead, flying to the forty-ninth floor.
Then he saw...
A tent made of unknown hide, clearly with a somewhat outdated style, set up in the middle of the forty-ninth floor, with things like a campfire and cooking utensils in front of it.
Most importantly.
Johan saw a figure climbing the stairs from the forty-ninth to fiftieth floor in the corner of the stairwell.
All he could make out was long black hair, and under a wide cloak seemed to be tight clothing. The overall outfit was somewhat reminiscent of ancient people.
Very similar to the Zinnia in Johan's impression.
A Draconid?
"Someone's living here?" Steven and Wallace, who came up next, also noticed the tent and the obvious signs of life.
Wallace looked somewhat dazed.
As a guardian of Sky Pillar, someone was actually living on the forty-ninth floor of Sky Pillar?
And he had no idea at all!
"No, judging by the traces, they've only been living here for a few days." Steven shook his head.
A few days?
Johan frowned slightly.
A strange sense of danger suddenly rose in his heart, and he immediately shouted:
"Be careful!"
At the same time, a sound wave came from the corner of the stairwell from the forty-ninth to fiftieth floor, with ripples of sound waves spreading.
"Wu!"
Dragonite folded its wings, then quickly spread them again, sending two bright white air blades that split the incoming sound waves, making them dissipate.
"Oh?"
A puzzled light exclamation came from the corner.
Then the owner of the voice appeared before Johan and the others - indeed the person Johan had seen, a girl about seventeen or eighteen years old.
Zinnia?
No.
This was Aster?
Beside her was a Noivern, and the earlier attack obviously came from it.
"Humans?" Aster was somewhat surprised.
She had just gone up when Noivern heard movement below and quickly returned.
She thought it might be wild Pokémon from below coming up to the forty-ninth floor again, but she hadn't expected it to be several humans.
And looking at them... they seemed quite capable.
Although her Noivern's attack wasn't at full power, it definitely shouldn't have been so easily deflected.
But soon Aster frowned again.
Besides "Draconid people," no one else should appear here.
And these people, especially Wallace - when she noticed the special markings on Wallace, she understood.
"You're the 'guardian'?" Aster suddenly spoke.
Wallace jumped down from Metagross, placed his right hand on his chest, and made a noble bow: "I am Wallace."
Then he introduced the similarly dismounted Johan and Steven.
"These two are Devon Corporation's Daigo Stone and... 'Pokémon Whisperer' Teacher Johan."
When introducing Steven, it was simple, but when introducing Johan, Wallace racked his brains before finally coming up with "Pokémon Whisperer."
Hearing this, Aster showed no particular reaction, but Johan's mouth twitched.
What the hell is a "Pokémon Whisperer"?
Aster nodded and, like Wallace, placed her right hand on her chest and bowed slightly: "Draconid people, this generation's inheritor, Aster."
Sure enough, it was Aster!
Johan glanced at her, then at Steven...
What a fateful connection.
In the manga, Aster gained Rayquaza's recognition and officially became the inheritor, but coincidentally... the Alliance's "Rayquaza Capture Plan" was implemented.
Led by the Alliance, funded by the Belritz family, with technical assistance from Devon Corporation and Greater Mauville Holdings, Devon's development of the weapon "Flower" using "∞ Energy" and the ultimate weapon was the most crucial part of the plan.
"Flower" could weaken opponents using ∞ energy, including Rayquaza.
But during that operation, Aster used Mega bracelets and large quantities of Key Stones to help Rayquaza achieve Mega Evolution and attempt to break through.
But ultimately the breakout failed, Rayquaza was captured, and Aster died as a result.
That's how Zinnia's story came about later.
After introducing herself, Aster frowned and said:
"Even if you're the 'guardian,' you shouldn't come here, let alone..."
But before she could finish, she shook her head again.
"Forget it. You probably came here because of Kyogre and Groudon's awakening. Don't worry, I'll gain the 'Dragon Lord's' recognition and solve this crisis."
With that, she turned her cloak and headed toward the fiftieth floor again.
She also reminded them:
"You should leave quickly. The 'Dragon Lord's' majesty cannot be violated. Appearing rashly before the 'Dragon Lord' might provoke its wrath."
Having said that, she quickly climbed the stairs.
Kyogre and Groudon's rampage would cause more destruction to the Hoenn continent the longer it continued. She had to gain the "Dragon Lord's" recognition as soon as possible.
She'd already been here for several days.
Today was the final test!
Aster unconsciously touched the scroll in her pocket.
I will definitely succeed!
For Hoenn, for... everyone!
Watching Aster disappear again, Wallace opened his mouth, wanting to say... those two gods had already been taken down by Teacher Johan.
But unfortunately, Aster had already run up.
"This is much gentler than Zinnia..." Johan muttered quietly.
The inheritor Zinnia who inherited her will was like a villain, especially hostile to Devon Corporation people, often striking with deadly force.
But the current Aster was obviously much better in character.
Perhaps it was also because she hadn't experienced the death of her best friend...
"Teacher, should we..." Steven looked at the entrance to the fiftieth floor and asked.
"Go."
Johan lightly patted Dragonite's arm and walked toward the stairs.
Our Snivy said yesterday it wanted to beat up the "green caterpillar," so shouldn't we give it a chance?
Also...
He'd been unable to contact Rayquaza all this time because it was testing the "inheritor"?
Sky Pillar, top floor.
At the top floor in the clouds, one could see the Sky Pillar platform surrounded by endless sea of clouds, with a faint sense of pressure completely enveloping this area.
Aster pulled her cloak tighter, exposing her mouth to breathe out white mist.
The air was too thin near the ozone layer.
If not for her special constitution, just standing on Sky Pillar's top floor would make her dizzy from oxygen deprivation.
Rumble rumble—
With Aster's appearance, the sea of clouds around Sky Pillar's top floor began to churn, and ozone concentration skyrocketed.
Even though this was already Aster's several visits, she still unconsciously showed nervousness, her face paling.
Whether from cold, thin air, or... the great being about to appear in the clouds!
"Dragon Lord!" Aster placed her right hand on her chest and bowed respectfully, awaiting the "Dragon Lord's" descent.
"Wu?"
Behind her, sounds suddenly came.
Aster's heart jumped.
How did those people still come up?
She'd clearly warned them that this would easily anger the great "Dragon Lord." If her test failed because of their appearance, then this crisis in Hoenn...
She should have knocked them out earlier... Aster regretted a bit.
Although those people didn't seem weak, she'd seen Snivy.
Someone who still kept initial form Pokémon couldn't be that strong, right?
Rumble rumble—
The sea of clouds churned again.
"Green caterpillar's coming out. Get ready." Johan said to Snivy with some teasing.
"Sni!(#皿)"
Just a green caterpillar!
But soon Snivy reacted.
Wait.
How could a green caterpillar live in this kind of place?
In the sea of clouds, green light flickered, and an incredibly huge figure appeared in the clouds, accompanied by howling winds and roaring air currents.
Bang!!
The clouds suddenly dispersed.
A green dragon with cold golden eyes appeared before Aster and Johan's group!
The super-ancient legendary Pokémon, Sky High Pokémon, Rayquaza!
"Sni, sni?(∑(O_O;))"
You call this a green caterpillar?
But remembering yesterday's boasting, Snivy gritted its teeth, jumped down from Dragonite's head, and walked toward Rayquaza with a "the wind is howling and the Yi River is cold" attitude, pursing its lips.
Even if I die, I have to do what I bragged about!
Seeing this, Johan quickly grabbed the little one and held it in his arms, struggling as its strength weakened.
"Alright, alright, I was just joking with you."
"Sni!(╰╮o(￣皿￣///)"
Aster didn't pay attention to the changes behind her, only focused on passing the test before the "Dragon Lord" truly got angry!
She quickly said: "Great 'Dragon Lord,' I've come for the final inheritor test!"
With that, she gripped the scroll in her pocket tightly.
Rayquaza looked down at Aster...
This was already the third day.
Since the rainbow meteorite appeared and it gained power from the rainbow meteorite, this "Draconid" girl had come to Sky Pillar, saying she wanted to gain its recognition.
As the deity worshipped by the "Draconid people," Rayquaza had such an understanding with the "Draconid people."
So it accepted the girl's test request.
Honestly.
Rayquaza already had some recognition of Aster, otherwise the so-called test wouldn't have lasted until this third day.
But...
That man appeared.
Rayquaza's gaze briefly stopped on Johan.
This was a choice.
Fragrant, delicious food, or a gentle, lovely girl...
So difficult.
[You.]
Rayquaza's voice rang out.
[Defeat him!]
Its gaze fell on Johan.
Defeat him?
Aster turned around, looking at Johan with considerable surprise.
She hadn't expected this final test to be defeating this suddenly appearing person?
Was the "Dragon Lord" testing my strength?
Aster's expression became serious.
Although she wasn't someone who particularly enjoyed battle, if it was the "Dragon Lord's" request...
"Sorry..." Aster pursed her lips and said apologetically to Johan: "For Hoenn, for ending Groudon and Kyogre's conflict..."
But Johan's behavior far exceeded Aster's understanding.
"Crazy!"
Johan waved his hand quite irritably, holding Snivy as he turned toward Sky Pillar's lower levels.
"I was wondering why you wouldn't respond when I tried to contact you. Turns out you were just bored. If you're fine, that's good. I'm leaving."
Steven and Wallace looked at Rayquaza, then at Johan, swallowing hard.
Teacher Johan was...
They were in this situation and he still acted like this?
Buzz—
The surrounding sea of clouds suddenly churned, and the path back to the forty-ninth floor was blocked by cloud mist.
Seeing this, Johan stopped, raised an eyebrow, and turned back to look at Rayquaza past Aster.
He suddenly broke into a big grin, a Gengar-style smile.
"Fine. Let's fight if you want to fight, Rayquaza."
"Wu—"
"Roar—"
Two figures rapidly approached from Sky Pillar's lower levels, reaching Sky Pillar's top floor in just a few breaths.
Reshiram!
Zekrom!
From Johan's shadow, black mist churned as Darkrai and Gengar also floated out.
Under the strong wind, Johan's clothes fluttered as he stared directly at Rayquaza and said:
"Tell me, how many do you want to fight? Five? Seven? Nine? You name the number."
Buzz—
Auras familiar yet strange appeared around Johan.
Truth, Ideals, Ice, Time, Space, Antimatter, Life, Psychic...
Faintly, even some outlines belonging to them appeared.
On his chest, Arceus's Millennium Wrist radiated heat, seemingly materializing these "representatives."
Aster stared wide-eyed with her mouth agape, blankly looking at Johan.
This, he, Dragon Lord...
Rayquaza's expression also froze.
I was joking, do you believe it or not?
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Powerstones?
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