Chapter 0696: Sky Pillar, the Inheritance Scroll(Two-in-One)

Sinnoh Region, Floaroma Town.

This is a small town embraced by a sea of flowers. A gentle breeze sweeps over the fields, carrying with it the fragrance of petals and berries.

Not far from Floaroma Town lies Gracidea Sea, where Natsume once encountered Shaymin.

Parting the tall, wild grass, a rarely visited, mirror-smooth lake comes into view.

A cobalt-blue four-legged beast is lowering its head to drink, ears pricked to the faint ripples in space. It raises its head and lets out a piercing cry.

“Roar——!!”

Space fractures with a crack, and the rosy-hued Palkia retracts its blade of light; the pearls on both arms shimmer as it bursts forth from the rift.

Dialga, eyeing the uninvited guest, lifts its head and begins to gather the Roar of Time in its jaws.

“You know why I’m here.” Palkia spoke calmly. “He needs our help.”

The Roar of Time dissipated. Dialga snarled in annoyance. “I thought you wanted another fight.”

Palkia ignored the quip, continuing, “He saved the turbulent time-space, and in a way, he saved us too. Besides...”

The words hung in the air. The two lords of time and space fell silent, their expressions becoming subtly complicated.

Besides, the first time we met, he bound us with the Red Chain; the second time, he was riding atop Giratina;

The third time... He directly shattered Arceus’s avatar...

There’s absolutely no reason to refuse him aid.

It's not cowardice.

It's about understanding the ways of the world.

Sssh—

A flash from Spacial Rend slashes open a swirling warp in space.

Palkia levitates by the portal, glancing back:

“Besides us, there may be other deities present.”

“You mean—Giratina?” Dialga frowned, puzzled.

“Possibly.” Palkia said vaguely. “Maybe even more than that…”

Three pulses at the same power level cut across space, racing toward them!

Who knows how many legendary Pokémon Natsume has drawn in. It seems he’s summoned the entire pantheon!

With such a lineup… perhaps only the super-deity imprisoned by Arceus could compare to Natsume...

Palkia shook his head, eyes sharpening, and entered the spatial warp.

The ones we face could be deities from other regions, wielding other powers...

With all parties meeting, don’t lose face!

Dialga’s cobalt-blue body shone as he made his leap into the portal.

Truth be told, the Pokéblocks hoarded by Giratina had Dialga a little curious.

“Roar——!!”

Dialga roared, resolved.

If he worked hard in battle, maybe he could sneak a meal from Natsume too!

……

August 16th, Monday.

Natsume awoke in total exhaustion, throat dry, his bones feeling fit to fall apart.

“Gengar!” Gengar handed over a glass.

“Thanks, you saved me…” Natsume groaned, taking the glass. His throat was on fire, and then his eyes went wide. “Is this iced cola!?”

“Gengar~” Gengar scratched his head, grinning.

Natsume: (* ￣︿￣)

Awsl, now I really am dead...

In the end, it was Cynthia who rose elegantly, poured Natsume a glass of warm water, and sat at the bedside, legs crossed, chin in hand.

“Battled for twenty hours straight, then commanded Regigigas against Primal Groudon, with two Mega Evolutions in a single day.”

Cynthia sighed softly, “I’ve heard all about your feats as a Champion… Only eight hours of sleep—of course you’re exhausted.”

“If I’d just stayed up all night, maybe it wouldn’t hit me as hard, but the exhaustion’s come now.”

Natsume rubbed his brow, voice rough: “Victini’s energy can keep my life force from fading, but humans definitely have their limits…”

The wind stirred the curtains. Cynthia reached out her cool, delicate fingertip, gently massaging Natsume’s brow. Natsume closed his eyes, then suddenly said:

“Oh, those legendary Pokémon—have responded.”

“Don’t command them to battle.” Cynthia frowned.

“Relax, they’re just there for presence.” Natsume replied. “Maybe I can even invite them for dinner..."

Suddenly, Natsume froze for a second.

A legendary Pokémon version of—the final dinner?

Buddy, don’t tempt fate with that kind of flag!

Last night, he’d been too worn out to try for more with Moe-Moe! He’d blacked out as though Bewear had punched him in the face.

Not that it was a bad thing.

Natsume’s gaze lingered, somewhat dazed, on Cynthia’s beautiful fair cheek.

“What’s on your mind?” Cynthia whispered.

“Marrying you.”

Natsume blurted out, then remembered Zekrom’s evaluation as the ‘Dragon of Ideals’, and flushed red.

For a second, time seemed to halt. To his surprise, Cynthia’s neck turned softly pink as well, and she pressed a pillow onto Natsume’s face.

“I’ll make breakfast.”

Natsume heard Cynthia laugh gently, her voice light and cheerful.

He lay there motionless, staring at the pillow, and could feel his heart leaping in his chest—then froze.

Cynthia is making breakfast!?

“I’ll do it!” Natsume called after her.

After breakfast, as they’d agreed, Cynthia returned to Sinnoh to maintain league stability.

Natsume would handle Hoenn’s crisis, provided he ensured his own safety.

This matter involved the Creation Trio, the black-and-white Opelucid, Darkrai, and Victini... There was no room for carelessness.

Not to mention the bystander little Latias—

“You’re too weak, so you don’t need to step in,” Natsume said slyly.

Latias puffed up her cheeks: “Latias!”

“Then fly yourself!”

Natsume froze, then apologized immediately: “Sorry, I need you!”

“Latias~” Latias closed her eyes in satisfaction.

Wait!

Couldn’t I just ride on Reshiram this time?!

Natsume rubbed his chin, looked at fluttering Latias, villainously plotting:

“I’ll keep Latias on standby as a backup ride…”

The weather was clear, baby-blue sky without a single cloud.

Next to Natsume floated Victini and Gengar. Meloetta, still weak, was resting in her Love Ball.

She hadn’t been caught but willingly stayed inside the Ball, free to choose her own resting place… Having her along was pretty convenient.

Victini and Latias had a similar arrangement. With lifespans so long for Mythical Pokémon, bonds were more important than Poké Balls.

Natsume quietly eyed Darkrai.

So what kind of relationship do I have with Darkrai?

Comrades-in-arms? Partners? Or subordinate?

“Do you think Rayquaza will suddenly go Mega and try fighting all of us at once?” Darkrai muttered.

Suddenly, Natsume had an epiphany.

Jinx—it’s a bond made of jinxes between me and Darkrai!

“Then we just avoid battling.” Natsume said. “Let’s try persuasion first.”

Darkrai shot him a skeptical look.

Time, Space, Reverse, Truth, Ideals.

A team of five legendary dragons—doesn’t look like a negotiation party!

Things had come this far; guess he was stuck on this pirate ship now—might as well push for more Pokéblocks—

Darkrai froze, miserable.

Damn, I promised not to take any reward this time!

That’s a loss!

“Natsume-sensei!”

Steven called out on the plaza in front of Devon Corporation, waving as he met Natsume.

Natsume nodded, looking toward the flat-topped man beside him: “Mr. Norman.”

“To seek my son together… I’m in your debt, Mr. Natsume!”

Norman bowed a full ninety degrees, startling Natsume.

“No need,” Natsume waved it off. “Let’s get going.”

The portal Palkia offered appeared on the first floor of Sky Pillar, so they’d need to get there first.

On the rooftop of the Devon Corporation Building, they summoned their flying Pokémon.

Norman’s flying partner was Staraptor. With a heavy heart, he rode in silence.

Natsume rode on Latias’s back, flying alongside Steven’s white Metagross, and asked:

“What about Groudon and Kyogre—any follow-up?”

“They’re both asleep again.”

“Gold and the others?”

“They stayed in Rustboro City, with Red looking after them. I don’t think he’ll let Gold cause too much trouble.” Steven smiled.

That was true… After all, Gold had been trounced by Red on Mt. Silver more than once.

Steven said, by the way, Alain’s Charizard was badly injured, and the kind-hearted Yellow had offered to use her Viridian Aura to help heal it.

This battle would help grow both Alain and his Water Absorb Charizard’s mindset as well.

Natsume looked up at the sky.

Say what you will, Alain was the most powerful of Ash’s rivals in battle.

The growth of idiots is remarkable. From runner-up at the Lily of the Valley Conference to a tailwind at the Vertress Conference, plus all the Mt. Silver training—their failure and hardship would become his nourishment.

The scenery on the flight was monotonous, but eventually—as Steven led the way into the clouds and a long moment passed—suddenly everything opened up.

“There—”

Steven pointed at the massive tower piercing the clouds, voice deep:

“That’s the tower built by the Draconid people, symbol of Rayquaza—Sky Pillar!”

Natsume squinted up at it, filled with awe.

Thousands of years ago, the Draconid people built this tower to the sky. Even with Pokémon assisting, it was a tremendous feat.

Sky Pillar had long fallen into disrepair. In the game “Emerald” you had to ride a Mach Bike over cracked floors, or you’d fall down a level.

Natsume wondered, why not just fly up with Pokémon… or is there an anti-flying barrier inside?

He was just thinking that when Norman suddenly called out: “Mr. Natsume, Mr. Steven, there are signs of battle here!”

“Signs…” Natsume scanned the empty sky.

“Contrail clouds.”

Steven frowned. “When a Pokémon flies, it leaves invisible contrail clouds behind... The Draconid people are said to be able to see them, and use them in battle. So, aerial battles still leave traces.”

“How can Norman sense them?”

“Maybe… it’s a father-son connection.” Steven suggested.

Natsume considered, then chose a more direct probing method. Closing his eyes, he used himself as the center, the Power of One to scan their surroundings.

The sea of clouds grew clearer, almost three-dimensional. Just as Norman had said, Ruby and Sapphire had remained here for a while, and engaged in battle with another Trainer!

In his mind, Natsume saw the Draconid Successor, Zinnia, attempting to ride Rayquaza.

“So it’s a rebellious, tough young girl…” Natsume murmured.

……

The lingering energy pulse in the air dated back about fourteen hours; at that time, Natsume was fending off Primal Kyogre.

Ruby and Sapphire, on Steven’s behalf, had gone to Sky Pillar, seeking Rayquaza’s awakening.

“Tororo, go faster!”

Sapphire’s red bandanna was soaked by the rain as she shouted.

“Tropius—”

Tropius beat its giant banana leaves, carrying Ruby and Sapphire over the tempestuous, storm-tossed sea.

“POPO’s Sunny Day isn’t working.”

Ruby looked at the levitating bubble in his Poké Ball, gritting his teeth. “We have to reach Sky Pillar quickly...”

Even if Rayquaza couldn’t Mega Evolve, they had to at least ask for his help in stopping Kyogre and Groudon!

“Ruby, up ahead!” Sapphire called.

Raising his head, Ruby’s pupils reflected the thundercloud of Fusion Bolt. He flung out an arm, shielding Sapphire behind him.

Ka-boom!

The thunder roared. Tropius only just managed to break through the storm clouds.

Resting in Ruby’s arms, Sapphire’s cheeks flushed—not with fear, but with a strange little thrill.

“It’s alright now.” Ruby glanced around in surprise. “It’s so calm here!”

Neither storm nor sun affected this patch of sky.

Sky Pillar towered up ahead, ringed by clouds—a sunny, windless haven in the eye of the storm.

Thunder rumbled on. Both gazed up at Sky Pillar in awe. Ruby comforted the trembling Tropius:

“Go, Tororo… We’ll make the rest of the way on foot.”

“Tropius…”

Tropius groaned softly, flapping its wings.

But as they neared Sky Pillar, a sense of crisis welled up in Ruby’s heart. He barked:

“Tororo, look out!”

A searing Flamethrower shot down from higher in the clouds, striking Tropius’s flank and exploding in a cloud of black smoke!

Boom!!

“Tropius!!” Tororo wailed and plummeted. Ruby and Sapphire clung tightly to it.

Rustle-rustle—

Tropius somehow righted itself. Ruby looked up at the Trainer who attacked.

“You’re with Devon Corporation, aren’t you?”

A cold-faced girl with short black hair and a gray cape stood atop Salamence, her voice icy.

“Salamence!”

At her words, Salamence beat its blood-red wings; its blue scales split wide its maw with a furious roar!

Ruby and Sapphire didn’t reply, wary as they sized up the hostile Zinnia, quietly clutching their Poké Balls, ready for combat.

“Leave now.” Zinnia said coldly, “That was the final warning. Take one more step and I won’t guarantee you’ll get out alive.”

It wasn’t what she truly wanted to do. But if they came any closer to the Dragon God’s domain, Zinnia swore she would knock them out.

Ruby fixed Salamence with a keen look, bit his lip, and muttered a poem just for himself:

“Though body fades, the heart’s beauty remains. Carried tears of longing turn to sorrow and pain...”

“Hey! What stunt are you pulling?” Zinnia snapped.

“MIMI.” Ruby stylishly tossed a Poké Ball skyward. “Disarming Voice!”

“Milotic~!” Milotic sprang from the ball like a wave, cherry-coloured hair shedding glittering motes as she sang with fairy-like grace.

The Coordinators' flair for battle was clear as could be.

“Salamence!!” Zinnia’s Salamence’s eyes went bloodshot, suddenly going on a rampage—it charged for Milotic, ignoring all commands!

Ruby recalled Milotic instantly, floating before him instead was an elegant, white-gown-wearing Gardevoir; he ordered sharply:

“RURU, Dazzling Gleam!”

Gardevoir’s heart-shaped horn shone; her sweeping arms unleashed dazzling beams that struck Salamence fiercely!

In a flash of white, Salamence roared in pain. Zinnia threw out another Poké Ball, leaping onto the back of her Noivern.

“Noivern, Boomburst!!”

Energy burst forth, clashing with Sapphire’s Blaziken’s Flamethrower.

Black smoke billowed. Zinnia saw Ruby and Sapphire had landed on Sky Pillar’s base, dashing through the barrier!

“Damn it!”

Zinnia gritted her teeth. “No inheritance Scroll, trespassing upon the Dragon God’s domain… Devon Corporation will be damned as the cause of Hoenn’s destruction!”

As a Draconid, Zinnia had always planned to awaken Rayquaza. Yet with the Hoenn duo’s sudden awakening, she had to accelerate her plans.

She never expected that, upon arriving at Sky Pillar, she’d be face to face with two Trainers from Devon Corporation!

“The evaluation takes at least a day…”

Zinnia glanced at the clouds beyond, as if she could see all of Hoenn in turmoil—the surging tsunami and merciless sun.

If, if only the Dragon God would answer me… Surely Hoenn could be saved from Kyogre and Groudon!

Her expression steeled itself with renewed determination.

“Wait for me, Dragon God…”

Zinnia unfurled the glowing scroll in her arms, whispering: “I will be the Successor, and complete the mission to save Hoenn!”

The Scroll was exquisitely engraved, made of special materials, with archaic script inscribed in golden-green.

If Natsume were here, he’d surely recognize the archaic script’s meaning; that too was the key to Rayquaza’s Mega Evolution.

Beyond the energy boost of the Rainbow Meteorite, Rayquaza’s Mega Evolution required another signature move—

Dragon Ascent!