To be honest.
If Johan hadn't quite gotten a handle on Rayquaza's temperament yet, he wouldn't have needed to climb up Sky Pillar step by step with Steven and Wallace - he would have flown straight up long ago.
The main reason was that he couldn't contact Rayquaza, and this guy had the potential to turn hostile without warning.
After all, having gained extremely powerful Mega Evolution, its strength had improved tremendously.
On the other hand, he was also somewhat worried that Rayquaza might have encountered some problems.
For example, when Deoxys descended back then, it was driven to madness by Team Magma. If Team Magma and Team Aqua were well-prepared, it wasn't impossible for them to "control" Rayquaza in advance.
But now it seemed...
This guy was purely busy with "inheritor" testing, plus Groudon and Kyogre hadn't really fought, so it hadn't appeared.
As for Rayquaza...
It was actually quite conflicted.
The "inheritor" was essentially an agreement it had reached with the "Draconid people" who had worshipped it for so long.
Overall, it was quite satisfied with Aster.
She was respectful enough toward it, her strength wasn't bad, and most importantly, she possessed a special constitution that naturally made Dragon-type Pokémon feel close to her, and could even further stimulate Dragon-type Pokémon's potential to some extent.
Of course, such stimulation and influence was negligible for Rayquaza, but it was still a good choice, wasn't it?
But after Johan appeared, it became somewhat conflicted.
After all, this was a human who had once helped it and had befriended it first.
If Rayquaza's relationship with Aster was that of superior and subordinate, then Rayquaza's relationship with Johan could be considered equal.
Therefore, it had the idea of having Johan and Aster battle, then deciding whom to choose.
It's just...
[Only one day has passed, yet your influence...]
While speaking, it glanced at Reshiram and Zekrom beside Johan, sensing those auras that hadn't completely dissipated, and immediately changed its tune.
[Your strength impresses me.]
One day?
Johan blinked, communicating with Rayquaza through aura.
"Hasn't it been a long time already?"
It had been several months since he last saw Rayquaza, right?
[It was just one day.]
Rayquaza was quite certain about this.
[I just took a nap, one nap equals one day.]
Johan: "..."
He opened his mouth.
He was starting to understand Rayquaza's concept of time.
This guy lived in the ozone layer and even beyond the planet, and didn't have any concept of "days" based on sunrise and sunset, so it used "sleeping" as its measurement.
One sleep = one day, no matter how long that sleep was, it was one day.
Moreover, for Rayquaza's incredibly long lifespan, having a concept of "days" was already quite good.
Because calculating this way, Rayquaza's own age assessment... might be about the same as Johan's as a human.
"Alright, you have the final say." Johan didn't want to argue with it about this.
Rayquaza proudly raised its head.
"So, are we fighting or not?" Johan asked, bringing the topic back.
At the same time, he muttered:
"I originally wanted to bring you some food since we hadn't seen each other in a while."
With that, he took out pre-prepared energy cubes, looking like he was shaking his head and sighing.
Rayquaza's proud head lowered again, looking directly at Johan and the black and white dragons, Darkrai and others beside him.
[I was just joking earlier.]
Everyone's friends here - no need to draw swords and fight.
As Arceus's messenger and contractor of the black and white dragons... one should take a long-term view and broaden one's perspective.
This face, even if not given to Arceus, should be given to the food...
It wasn't like Groudon and Kyogre, those two brainless ones.
Hearing this, Johan smiled.
That was fine. Since it was only "one day" for Rayquaza, it hadn't forgotten their friendly relationship.
"There's something I'd like to ask your help with." He said, then glanced at the dumbstruck Aster beside him and added: "How about you finish the test first?"
Anyway, the meteorite's descent was still some time away - at least seven or eight days, at most half a month. There was no rush.
[Don't you want to try?]
Rayquaza asked back.
Johan chuckled softly.
Rayquaza testing the "inheritor"?
When it came to him, it would be him testing Rayquaza.
"Who is this...?"
At this moment, Aster finally snapped back to reality, looking at the handsome black-haired young man who was chatting and laughing with the supreme "Dragon Lord" in her eyes, her heart full of confusion.
Fortunately, Wallace beside her provided the answer.
After all, as the "People of Sootopolis," they had been on good terms with the "Draconid people" for a thousand years. Even though there wasn't much contact now, the old friendship remained.
So Wallace introduced:
"Teacher Johan, the one who calmed the Hoenn twin gods Groudon and Kyogre, the one who resolved the space-time dragon confrontation in Alamos Town, the one recognized by the truth and ideals black and white dragons, Arceus's appointed messenger, Mewtwo's bonded partner, Master Trainer recognized by Professor Oak, fighting master, Pokémon breeder, trainer, Youth World Championship winner..."
Aren't you thirsty?
Listening to Wallace recite like a catalog, Johan couldn't help but complain internally.
But for Aster, such a long string of titles... just hearing them was intimidating.
As everyone knows, regardless of what they represent, long titles are intimidating enough.
What's more, Aster understood the meaning of some of these titles.
Finally, Steven couldn't help but add:
"My teacher."
After hearing all this, Aster looked at Johan with completely changed eyes.
They became incredibly respectful, even reverent.
Never mind anything else.
Just being someone who could calm the Hoenn twin gods' battle without borrowing Rayquaza's power was enough to earn her admiration.
The reason she left "Meteor Village" to come to Sky Pillar seeking Rayquaza's recognition was because the clan sensed the seven-colored meteorite's movement and foresaw disaster, sending her here to quickly save Hoenn.
Who would have thought that before she could fully gain the "Dragon Lord's" recognition, Hoenn's crisis was already resolved!
The pressure in Aster's heart immediately lessened several-fold.
Moreover, as ancient survivors isolated from the world, the "Draconid people" also worshipped strength internally, just like Dragon-type Pokémon - strength deserved respect.
Teacher Johan...
Aster silently etched this name firmly in her heart.
While Wallace was introducing Johan, Rayquaza was also discussing with Johan.
"You want me to help you test her?"
Hearing Rayquaza's meaning, Johan was stunned.
Rayquaza nodded.
[The final test is her strength. If you think she's acceptable, then it's her.]
Giving me validation rights, huh? Johan grumbled internally.
But thinking about it...
If he went, perhaps this little girl Aster would pass more easily.
Moreover, Rayquaza rarely made a "request" of him, so directly refusing wouldn't be very nice.
So after thinking for a moment, he nodded:
"Alright."
[Also...]
Rayquaza pointed at the energy cubes in front of it.
[Could there be more of these?]
"Ask Dragonite for them." Johan waved his hand.
Being the same Dragon and Flying types, Dragonite's energy cubes were the most compatible for Rayquaza.
"Draaa?"
Dragonite immediately crossed its arms, looking somewhat warily at Rayquaza.
Rayquaza: "..."
Johan then walked toward Aster, Steven, and Wallace. He looked at Aster and said:
"You heard what Rayquaza meant, right?"
"Yes!"
Aster immediately stood straight, shouting very seriously and loudly.
"No need to be so nervous."
Johan winked at Aster, indicating she should just go through the motions casually.
But Aster seemed to misunderstand Johan's meaning, her cheeks reddening as she pursed her lips and said:
"I'll definitely give it my all!"
With that, she took out a rather classical-looking Poké Ball, black and gold in color. After rotating the gear-like device on top, she threw the Poké Ball.
Hm?
That Poké Ball...
Black light flashed.
What appeared was a fierce and intimidating Dragon-type Pokémon - Salamence!
Johan's attention was drawn to that special ancient Poké Ball, and he momentarily forgot to remind Aster again that "we're just going through the motions."
So Aster took the initiative to attack.
"Salamence, Flamethrower!"
Nearby, Steven and Wallace couldn't hear Rayquaza's words, so they didn't understand what was happening.
"Why are they fighting again?" Wallace nudged Steven with his elbow and asked softly.
"Seems to be for... a test?" Steven wasn't very certain either.
Meanwhile, Rayquaza and Dragonite seemed quite leisurely, each holding energy cubes and putting them in their mouths one by one. If you didn't know better, you'd think they were eating popcorn and watching a movie.
Oh, it wasn't just Rayquaza and Dragonite, but also Reshiram and Zekrom.
And Darkrai and Gengar hiding in another corner.
"Ka-kaah..." (Such a cool place, finally came up here once. I absolutely can't return empty-handed. Any good stuff?)
Darkrai rolled its eyes irritably, "Stop looking. This place is bare except for rocks. What good stuff could there be?"
"Ka-kaah?" (Then what are you doing picking up that rock?)
Gengar half-squinted, looking at Darkrai crouching to the side, lifting a rock and peering underneath.
"I'm just... cough, look! They're fighting!" Darkrai "bang" put down the rock and immediately changed the subject, shouting.
"Ka-kaah?"
Gengar looked toward Johan's side.
Roar!!
Blazing flames formed a fire column that gushed forth, scattered sparks falling everywhere. The red flames reflected on everyone's faces, turning them red.
It had to be said.
Aster did have some skill, otherwise she wouldn't have gained Rayquaza's recognition.
But the current Johan could resist legendary Pokémon to a certain extent for short periods!
Boom!!
The surging flames suddenly exploded, and Tyranitar, looking even more fierce than Salamence, roared out.
Dust began flying in this high altitude space.
"Bangi!!"
Rumble rumble—
Suddenly.
Aster felt the ground beneath her feet begin to shake, and a fire-red rock spike wrapped in lava immediately shot up from the ground!
Neither Aster nor Salamence, nor even Rayquaza, had anticipated such a change.
Especially Rayquaza - the energy cube in its mouth almost came out uncontrolled. It looked somewhat incredulously at Dragonite for confirmation.
Seriously?
"Draaa~"
Dragonite was quite calm, waving its hand downward.
Normal operation, don't worry~
Precipice Blades?!
That flightless fool's signature move?
For some reason, Rayquaza suddenly felt a sense of "crisis" rising in its heart.
Oh no.
That Groudon fool... was also starting to "influence" Johan?
It had Dragonite, so that fool found Tyranitar?
No, no, no - Rayquaza shook its head, leaving Dragonite confused.
[You need to work harder and not be outdone by it!]
"Draaa?"
Dragonite scratched its head.
What was all this about?
Rayquaza vigorously chewed the energy cubes, starting to have some thoughts.
Even that fool was getting smarter...
"Stone Edge."
Johan calmly stated the name of Tyranitar's move.
When the opponent was a Flying-type Pokémon, it was Stone Edge. If it were another type... it might be Precipice Blades.
Move duality, that was.
Boom!!!
Salamence, caught off guard by the attack to its abdomen, let out a pained cry.
Stone Edge?
Whose Stone Edge could shoot that high and still have lava?
"Salamence!"
Seeing this, Aster cried out in alarm.
"Truly worthy of someone recognized by the 'Dragon Lord'..."
Aster took a deep breath, closed her eyes, then quickly opened them. Determination flashed in her bright pupils.
"Salamence—"
She called out loudly.
Buzz—
On Aster's ankle, what appeared to be a special ankle ornament burst with seven-colored light.
"Mega Evolution!!"
"Roar—!!"
Salamence stopped its fall, quickly completing Mega Evolution while wrapped in seven-colored super evolution energy.
At the same time, Aster crossed her hands left and right, forming claws with all ten fingers. Black pupils slowly gained a hint of blood-red as she shouted:
"Dragon Claw!"
"Roar!!"
Mega Salamence roared again, charging toward Tyranitar at extreme speed.
Then Johan saw a scene that left him stunned.
After commanding Salamence, Aster herself actually swept her cloak aside and charged toward Johan.
Holy crap!
No-rules battle!
Although Johan had always secretly complained that Ash, Red, and Team Rocket were suited for no-rules battles, but...
This was his first time witnessing a trainer going straight for another trainer.
Moreover, Rayquaza had said earlier that it barely recognized Aster because of her special constitution.
Not only could she stimulate Dragon-type Pokémon's potential, but she herself... was the same.
Don't be fooled by her thin arms and legs - her muscle definition was quite distinct, full of wild beauty.
The sudden charge caught Johan off guard. He instinctively raised his arm, trying to block Aster's incoming claw.
Bang!!
Solid contact.
Aster's eyes widened.
Although she hadn't used full force, being blocked so easily by Johan just raising his hand?
Hm?
Honestly, Johan hadn't expected Aster's seemingly powerful strike to have so little strength.
Didn't eat?
She couldn't have misunderstood and thought... she was the one who should hold back? Johan thought.
Aster tried again, pushing off the ground with her foot and sweeping like a Kommo-o.
But Johan easily jumped over it.
Earlier was lack of reaction time, but now in this situation... Johan would be sorry to his deep aura power if he didn't use aura.
Under aura, Aster's attacks were completely exposed.
Whether front, side, or back, whether brute force, technique, or speed - nothing worked.
She couldn't touch Johan.
Moreover, Johan could easily command Tyranitar to deal with Mega Salamence while handling Aster.
The more they fought, the more wrong it felt.
Wait, wasn't he supposed to let Aster pass the test smoothly?
And Aster was extremely shocked in her heart.
Although Wallace had mentioned earlier that Teacher Johan was a "fighting master," she hadn't expected someone's fighting skills to be this incredible.
Not just fighting skills - his physical abilities were ridiculously exaggerated.
In the clan, she might not be the strongest in wrestling, but because of her special constitution allowing some "feedback" from Pokémon, despite her young age she was incredibly strong. Yet before Teacher Johan, she still seemed like a little chick.
Only Johan felt that Aster was still holding back - no, holding an ocean back.
"That's enough." Johan muttered to himself, immediately conveying his meaning to Tyranitar.
Understanding, when Mega Salamence charged again, Tyranitar raised its hand to block its Dragon Claw while suddenly staggering backward three or four steps, then falling to the ground with a "bang."
"Bangi~!"
Ah! I lose!
Johan: "..."
Mega Salamence: "..."
Aster: "..."
Rayquaza: "..."
Tyranitar lying on the ground even winked at Johan, as if saying "see how realistic my acting is" before finishing.
White dragon Reshiram covered its face with its wing.
I didn't see anything, I didn't see anything.
Johan didn't care whether Tyranitar's acting was realistic or not, immediately distancing himself from Aster and turning to Rayquaza:
"Mm, not bad. It's her."
Rayquaza, holding an energy cube, stopped its claw mid-air, expression dazed. The energy cube uncontrollably fell.
Fortunately, Dragonite caught it.
"Draaa~~ (ω)b"
"Stop spacing out. It's her." Johan said again: "Or would you prefer to choose from those two?"
Nearby Steven and Wallace, seeing Johan's gaze, quickly put away their phones that had been recording.
Next time, who dares say Teacher Johan is "ordinary"?
Tyranitar patted its rear and stood up.
Rayquaza looked at Tyranitar, looked at Johan, looked at Aster, then looked at Steven and Wallace, finally... nodding.
[Acceptable.]
Aster looked completely bewildered.
It worked?
The clan had planned for so long, she had made so many preparations, done so much mental preparation to face the "Dragon Lord," even prepared for a near-death experience, and then... it worked just like that?
This was... Teacher Johan's "power"?
"Stop spacing out." Johan said softly.
"Oh, oh."
Aster snapped back to reality, quickly running to Rayquaza and kneeling on one knee, taking out a pre-prepared scroll.
"Great Dragon Lord, this is the 'inheritor's' scroll!"
Rayquaza showed a majestic expression, nodding slightly. Strange power lifted the scroll, slowly floating toward it.
Feeling her hands empty, Aster's anxious heart finally relaxed completely.
It worked!
However, when she looked up at Rayquaza again, she saw...
[Here you go.]
The scroll fell into Dragonite's energy cube box.
Aster: "???"
"Draaa?"
Dragonite was also confused.
What's this?
[Study hard!]
Rayquaza said quite seriously and solemnly.
[Don't lose to it!]
"Draaa?"
Dragonite flew to Johan's side with small wing flaps, handing over the scroll.
"What's this?"
Aster watched the scroll that ultimately ended up in Teacher Johan's hands, even more bewildered.
Could it be that I've been isolated from the world too long?
The outside world has completely changed from what I thought?
However, facing Johan's confusion, Aster quickly explained:
"It's a move scroll, the 'Dragon Lord's' move inheritance scroll."
Johan slowly opened the scroll. Inside... were ancient characters he completely didn't recognize, but the scroll seemed to contain some special power.
Realizing Johan might not recognize these "Draconid people" characters, Aster helped translate:
"This is 'Dragon Ascent'..."
Dragon Ascent?!
Rayquaza's signature move?
Come to think of it, his Dragonite had learned a bit from Rayquaza last time, just getting the basics, but it greatly increased Dragonite's speed.
If Dragonite really learned "Dragon Ascent," then the speed... Johan's face paled slightly.
This couldn't be learned...
Looking at Rayquaza.
Rayquaza looked magnanimous.
[I don't need it. This scroll is just to prove the 'inheritor's' identity - it's a move I already master.]
Rayquaza's Mega Evolution required two conditions.
One was contacting the seven-colored meteorite to catalyze the "Delta Symbol" in its body, the other... was mastering Dragon Ascent.
Obviously.
This Rayquaza, having Mega Evolved before, had already mastered Dragon Ascent.
The scroll was just to better confirm the identity of "Draconid people" and "inheritor."
"Draaa~~" Dragonite looked at the scroll thoughtfully and nodded.
Johan couldn't understand the characters on it, but Dragonite seemed to understand. It first showed confusion and puzzlement, but gradually its expression became enlightened, understanding, and excited about "so it can be done this way."
Noticing Dragonite's expression, Johan understood.
"So... this is a relatively ancient 'TM,' right?"
The Pokémon world was strange.
You say its technology is advanced and constantly progressing... things it has now, ancient times had too.
But you say it's not progressing... ancient things have all been improved.
Very mysterious.
Speaking of which.
Could there be Groudon's Precipice Blades scroll and Kyogre's Origin Pulse scroll?
Probably unlikely, since these two don't have believers...
No, hard to say.
Johan vaguely seemed to remember there was a remote island where people worshipped Groudon and Kyogre...
[By the way, what was that matter you mentioned earlier?]
Rayquaza asked.
"Oh, right."
Johan snapped back to attention.
"There's a huge meteorite in space, expected to hit the Hoenn region in some time. I'd like to ask for your help intercepting that meteorite before it enters the atmosphere."
Hearing this, Rayquaza laughed.
[Meteorites are trivial matters.]
For other Pokémon, even legendary ones, meteorites could be huge troubles.
Look at Michina a thousand years ago - Arceus nearly died blocking a falling meteorite, all its plates scattered. Without help, that Arceus avatar might really have been finished.
But for Rayquaza, meteorites... were just food, the only difference being size.
As expected, Rayquaza would agree.
Johan nodded, "Then I'll count on you."
Rayquaza waved its claw.
Getting a satisfactory result, Johan was in a good mood.
This trip wasn't wasted.
However, Rayquaza soon raised another question.
[Which area should I wait in?]
The sky was vast.
The ozone layer's range was even vaster.
Even just the ozone layer above the Hoenn region, Rayquaza couldn't instantly travel from the easternmost to westernmost edge - this needed advance preparation.
"Uh... let me ask."
Johan then asked Steven about this question.
Steven gave a fairly precise coordinate, and Mossdeep Space Center had even calculated the meteorite's flight trajectory.
Then, another problem arose.
Human coordinates and human divisions of sky and space were different from Rayquaza's understanding!
Johan and Rayquaza stared at each other.
The big problems were settled, but they were blocked by such a small coordinate issue?
[How about... you come with me?]
Rayquaza made a suggestion.
"Me? Space?"
Remembering the first time riding Rayquaza, Johan's face paled.
"Not... not very appropriate..."
Johan looked at Steven and Wallace, but before he could speak, Rayquaza proudly raised its head.
[They won't work.]
[Their physical constitution won't hold up.]
Moreover, Rayquaza obviously wasn't someone just anyone could ride.
In the manga...
Johan: "..."
Aster?
Forget it, such a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl child...
And Rayquaza didn't know coordinates and star regions, so the isolated "Draconid people" probably didn't know either.
"I..."
Nearby Steven put down his phone and gave Johan a thumbs up:
"Teacher, custom spacesuits - Devon will prepare them."
Johan's mouth twitched.
Really something.
"Bangi..."
Tyranitar swallowed and quietly asked Johan.
Meteorites, tasty?
Johan: "..."
Fine, fine, fine.
Go then go!
Just consider it... going to get some meteorites for Tyranitar to eat, indirectly relieving wallet pressure, equivalent to making money.
Since it was making money, Johan's "resistance" wasn't so strong.
Under Rayquaza's watchful gaze, Johan and the others left Sky Pillar.
Also leaving was Aster, who still hadn't recovered.
So the thousand-year prophecy's meteorite was also about to fall during this time?
But fortunately...
With Teacher Johan there, plus the "Dragon Lord," it seemed no longer a problem?
Steven and Wallace also immediately informed the Hoenn League of this news after descending Sky Pillar.
Learning that the meteorite crisis would be jointly resolved by Johan and Rayquaza, all the Hoenn League's upper echelons breathed sighs of relief.
The appearance of the huge meteorite was like a Sword of Damocles suddenly appearing over their heads - one wrong move and they'd all be finished.
Old Joseph Stone also sighed in relief.
Finally didn't need to cause too much destruction for so-called "∞ Energy."
Thus.
All of Devon quickly operated again, striving to create the safest, most secure spacesuit for Johan in the shortest time!
Actually, Johan wasn't very concerned about this.
Because he'd already decided.
This trip to space, bring Darkrai!
On one hand for safety, on the other hand naturally also for safety - safety above all.
If worst came to worst, have Gengar and Darkrai simultaneously open spatial rifts and flee.
After all, life was precious.
Additionally.
He also tried contacting Deoxys through his phone.
His phone had once been "inhabited" by Deoxys, so he could contact Deoxys through special signals plus signal amplifiers.
With these multiple safeguards, this space journey should be safe.
After leaving Sky Pillar, Johan didn't leave Glass Island quickly, but went to Sootopolis City.
He remembered his agreement with King AZ.
If nothing unexpected happened, AZ's eternal Floette should be under that tree on Sootopolis City's central island.
Last time when he and Cynthia came together they didn't find it. He didn't know if he could successfully find that eternal Floette this time.
"You still have business?"
Before entering Sootopolis City, Johan couldn't help asking this question, looking at Aster who had been following behind them since leaving Sky Pillar.
Aster kept a straight face, pursing her lips, seemingly having made some decision.
The next second.
Whoosh—
Aster's cloak fluttered as she knelt on one knee before Johan.
This stance startled all three of them.
"What are you doing..." Johan sweated, quickly helping Aster up.
Aster wanted to resist, but found... she wasn't as strong as Johan.
Surrounding people all cast strange looks.
"It's Teacher Johan!"
"And Mr. Steven and Mr. Wallace!"
Originally wanting to quietly enter Sootopolis City, Aster's outburst caused the three to be recognized anyway.
Quickly escape!
To calm the anxious hearts of Hoenn residents after the disaster, the Hoenn League hadn't hidden this super-ancient twin god destruction incident.
The commotion was too big to hide anyway.
Although specific details weren't widely known... rumors had already spread about "Teacher Johan taking down Groudon and blowing up Kyogre's skull."
He was already quite famous.
With this incident...
Wanting to appear quietly in crowded places was too difficult.
Quickly pulling the bewildered Aster along, they ran.
They finally ran into what seemed like a quiet house.
"Check if people are gone. Don't let us be mistaken for thieves." Johan said.
"It's fine, Teacher. This house is mine."
Johan: "..."
Randomly running into a house in Sootopolis City and it's yours?
"I want to apprentice myself to Teacher Johan!" Aster finally stated her purpose.
Similarly, she had also taken Steven's words to heart, gaining some understanding.
So it could be done this way...
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Powerstones?
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