Chapter 0701: I, Giovanni, Require No Explanation for My Actions(Two-in-One)

That night, the "Litleo" meteor shower did not arrive as scheduled.

Yet, not just at the Mossdeep City Observatory, but across many places, people witnessed a grand meteor shower.

On the refreshing summer night, people stepped out of their homes, looked up, curious fingers pointing at the starry sky, guessing the reason behind this meteor shower.

As burning meteors filled the sky, Rayquaza and the rider within its barrier streaked like a golden comet across the night.

Natsume, wrapped in the "Rocket Suit" spacesuit, returned from the outer atmosphere, touching down at Mossdeep City Space Center.

Countless scientific researchers were in uproar and excitement, greeting Natsume, Ruby, and Sapphire with the demeanor reserved for heroes.

Steven, one hand in his pocket, smiled, watching quietly from the fringe of the crowd.

Wallace, arms crossed, exchanged a glance with his student Ruby, giving a slight nod.

Natsume removed his helmet and shook out his black hair, meeting Rayquaza’s gaze in the open air.

The sky behind it was streaked with meteor trails as Rayquaza perched, claws extended wide.

“A pleasure working with you,” Natsume said with a smile.

Rayquaza was silent for a moment, then nodded: “A pleasure working with you.”

At that same moment, Natsume heard a long-missed notification sound.

【Ding! Special Mission ‘Episode Δ’ completed!】

[Mission Summary: Pacify the conflict between Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon. Smash the massive meteorite with Mega Rayquaza.]

【Mission Reward: Random legendary Item 1, Shiny Charm 1, Random Rare Berry *1!】

Natsume: ?

I’ve nearly unlocked every Berry in the Pokémon world!

Not even those called "Berry Masters" know more Berries than I do, right!?

“Well… if I draw another Spicy flavor Berry, maybe I could use it for a new Cooking recipe.” Natsume mused.

The drawing and item inspection step, Natsume decided to save for later.

Right now, Mossdeep City Space Center was immersed in the jubilant atmosphere of crisis averted.

Ruby hugged his father Norman, and Sapphire embraced her father Professor Birch.

Meowth, James, and Jessie also wanted to hug their Executive, but Natsume caught the flying Meowth’s forehead with one hand.

“Ugh… Executive!” Meowth flailed his paws in midair.

“Later,” Natsume said wryly, “I need to finish debriefing Rayquaza first.”

James and Jessie looked up at Rayquaza with awe, nodding like pecking chicks.

After the excitement died down, Natsume asked, “Will you return to Sky Pillar?”

“Or maybe I’ll circle the ozone layer for a world tour.”

Rayquaza replied calmly: “Natsume, you’re not the ideal Successor, but you live up to the name of Arceus’s Messenger.”

Through the meteorite incident, Natsume had earned Rayquaza’s recognition.

Natsume suddenly recalled the inscrutable smile Arceus once gave him.

“Natsume, when the world is thrown into crisis by legendary Pokémon, you won’t stand by and do nothing.”

Natsume-sensei’s expression grew strange.

Cursed Arceus… I’ve been set up!

He pulled a notebook from his shirt’s inside pocket, flipping through pages and pulling out a clipped pen.

“What are you doing?” Rayquaza craned his head curiously.

Natsume tucked the notebook back in, the burden visibly lightening as he smiled:

“Just recording in my notebook.”

Did I just glimpse that the whole notebook was the same name written again and again?

Rayquaza thought to himself:

“He probably loves that person very much... Or maybe that person owes him money…”

……

The crisis of the massive meteorite was resolved.

Rayquaza returned to Sky Pillar.

As for the other meteorite mentioned in Olympia’s prophecy, the Rainbow Meteorite, Steven promised to return it to Meteor Falls.

After all, it was a treasure guarded over generations by the Draconid people, and Devon Corporation had no right to keep it.

The [Meteorite Fragment] remained with Natsume, and still retained the aura of ‘Dragon Ascent’.

Mastering the move is impossible… But as for Command functions, maybe ‘Dragon Ascent’ might be rolled.

Ordinarily, “Metronome” can’t trigger signature moves like Precipice Blades or Roar of Time.

But there are always exceptions.

For example: a Togepi who has witnessed these moves and battled Legendary Pokémon is an exception…

If they’d met Primal Groudon earlier and seen Precipice Blades, Togepi could have used it against Leon’s Charizard.

Given that Precipice Blades can’t hit Flying types and often misses, it fits Natsume perfectly!

At the end of the incident, Deoxys’s whereabouts were unknown.

The Deoxys, “Specimen 1”, missing from space, was not the same as the one who’d bonded with Red.

Natsume had no idea where it had gone—most likely hiding in some corner, preparing to seek revenge on Giovanni.

Since it’s after Giovanni, what does that have to do with me, the Mentor of Team Rocket?

Natsume looked up at the starry sky.

Boss Giovanni couldn’t possibly be unable to handle Deoxys… could he?

……

Hoenn Region, Mossdeep City.

A man in a suit, with a cold and intense gaze, his hands in his pockets, stared upward at the night sky.

Meteors streaked night after night, brilliant and wondrous, reminding onlookers of the epic battle in space between Rayquaza and Deoxys.

Natsume’s success at Mega Evolving Rayquaza had truly surprised Giovanni.

But it wasn’t the first—or even the second—time Natsume had given Giovanni such a shock, just like the red-capped young man who once destroyed Team Rocket headquarters single-handedly.

Giovanni stood silently; suddenly he raised a hand, and Nidoqueen stood ready, roaring at an uninvited guest.

Aerodactyl’s wings beat as it grabbed a sharp-eyed, black-haired youth in a red cap and vest.

Landing lightly, Red brushed dust from his jacket and smiled, greeting: “Uncle, long time no see.”

Giovanni didn’t turn, only the corner of his mouth slightly rising. Nidoqueen’s fist flashed white, striking toward Red!

Red’s eyes sharpened. Aerodactyl returned to its Poké Ball, red light fired—and Snorlax stood firm in his place, grappling with Nidoqueen!

“You’re not here to battle me, are you.”

Giovanni found it tedious, recalling Nidoqueen and turning, saying:

“Otherwise you wouldn’t be fighting at that level.”

“I’m just passing by,” Red explained. “I heard Mossdeep City was having a meteor shower, so I came with Yellow… on the way I saw a familiar silhouette, so I came to check.”

“Yellow…”

Giovanni recalled the blond girl with the Aura of Viridian, and said calmly, “Let’s call it a truce, shall we?”

An older Giovanni, openly exposing his back to Red, hands still in his pockets, stared out from the cliff at the night sky.

“Just as well, let’s enjoy the meteorite show that Natsume shattered together.”

Red hesitated for a moment, then stood by Giovanni’s side, the two side by side.

And so, the one watching the meteor shower with Red was not Yellow—

But Boss Giovanni!

“I heard…” Red searched for conversation, “Team Rocket is changing.”

“It is,” Giovanni replied coolly. “Pivoting the business, so I can hand a clean Team Rocket to Silver.”

“Already preparing your successor?” Red said in surprise.

“Everyone changes, especially after being affected or inspired by others.”

Giovanni paused, then said, “No more of that. I have an important battle tonight. You don’t need to interfere.”

“Battle?” Red was puzzled.

Suddenly, a change struck.

A burning meteor shot from the night sky, heading straight for Giovanni on the cliff!

Giovanni’s face was calm.

A red light flared. With a clash of metal, Beedrill flew like a lance, its twin needles focusing all their power to a single point—shattering the meteorite!

Crash!

The meteorite broke into pieces.

Red looked at the purple crystal within, “Deoxys?”

“Not the one you know.” Giovanni said, “Some matters can only be settled by me personally.”

Giovanni then removed his suit jacket, revealing a muscular, scar-ridden frame in a white vest.

Deoxys stretched its form, staring coldly at Giovanni.

“I don’t owe you any explanation, Deoxys.”

Beedrill hovered at Giovanni’s side, twin drills sharp, compound eyes glowing crimson like rubies.

Giovanni’s gaze was cold and biting.

“Because, I’m going to defeat you with my own hands.”

“Beedrill—Mega Evolution.”

Only a Trainer with a deep bond can use Mega Evolution.

Now, between Giovanni and his Beedrill, it was done effortlessly!

BANG!!

Figures clashed at blinding speed, sparks flashing as they crossed.

Mega Beedrill burst with a brilliant rainbow glow, twin needles sharp as knight’s lances, tail stinger flickering. With blinding speed, it matched Deoxys move for move!

Watching Giovanni’s fight with Deoxys, Red suddenly understood something Giovanni had once told him.

“If you can’t admit defeat, you’ll never become stronger.”

Clang!!

The fight was decided.

Mega Beedrill’s lance was just one centimeter from Deoxys’s neck, as Deoxys knelt, hands braced on the ground.

Giovanni stepped forward, looking down at Deoxys from above, and said coldly:

“I am stronger than you, so your revenge is meaningless.”

Deoxys’s face showed no emotion, but a flicker of surprise passed through its eyes.

Only to see Giovanni slowly step back, looking up as he returned Beedrill to its Poké Ball, then put his hands back in his pockets.

“Now, I let you go. Go find your companion, Deoxys.”

Giovanni’s mouth curled in a mocking smile.

“When you and your companion become stronger, try and defeat me then!”

Deoxys stared at Giovanni in silence. Then, rising, it shifted to the bladed Speed Form and shot from the cliff.

Giovanni watched for a moment, then turned: “I thought you’d step in.”

“I won’t interfere.”

Red smiled. “Because, Uncle Giovanni, this was your battle.”

Giovanni looked at Red deeply.

“Childish.”

Giovanni shoved his hands in his pockets and left, his suited back vanishing into the darkness.

“You missed your last chance to beat me, Red—see you again.”