Rayquaza was completely dumbfounded. It just wanted to take a nap—why did it, an innocent flying green caterpillar, have to fight one of big bro's own species?
Rayquaza: Ahem, maybe you should take this one, second bro?
Rayquaza voiced its thoughts tactfully. After all, it was just a little Rayquaza, only two or three thousand years old. Even if it had just learned Dragon Ascent, going up against Necrozma… that was still asking a bit much.
Rayquaza felt like this wasn't fair at all.
Kyurem: Don't embarrass us dragons, Rayquaza. That Necrozma doesn't even look strong. Don't be scared. (Kill it.jpg)
Rayquaza: But the problem is…
Rayquaza hesitated. Kyurem wasn't wrong. This Necrozma had been sealed away and hadn't even absorbed Lunala. Forget Ultra form—it couldn't even reach its Dawn Wings form.
If it mega evolved, it should be able to defeat this Necrozma easily.
But the issue was—what if this Necrozma was the vengeful type?
They were going to be living together from now on, constantly crossing paths. If it left a bad impression and Necrozma kept looking to settle scores, that would be a real headache.
Wait a second—was that why that little punk Terapagos and the current second bro, the Ice Dragon, weren't stepping up?
After all, Mewtwo wasn't around, and the White Dragon crew wasn't strong enough. The only ones who could handle Necrozma right now were the four of them.
Shiny Necrozma didn't want to fight its own. Terapagos was pretending not to notice. Kyurem refused to budge. That just left Rayquaza.
Damn it!
Rayquaza cursed to itself. Picking on the youngest, huh? Well, it had backers too!
Kyurem: We dragons are the strongest! Unbreakable! Resilient! Invincible!! (Invincible.jpg)
Reshiram: Go get 'em, fourth bro! (Charge.jpg)
Lunala: Fourth bro, you're so strong and cool!
Koraidon: Fourth bro is unbeatable! Our dragon-type is invincible!
Terapagos: Rayquaza's so handsome! You got this—good luck~!
Shiny Necrozma: Good luck.
Rayquaza: (Forced smile.jpg)
Seriously, did any of you even ask how I feel?
"Then it's settled. Rayquaza, it's you."
Seeing the decision was made, Dylan flipped his hand and tossed a Poké Ball.
A flash of white light, and a dark red Rayquaza slowly lowered its head from the sky, its majestic, indifferent dragon eyes surveying the ground below.
A massive, powerful draconic aura surged through the top floor of the Ultra Megalopolis Tower, making the very air feel heavy.
"The legendary sky dragon, Rayquaza!" Lusamine was stunned. Dylan had even captured Rayquaza?
She had heard of the legendary Rayquaza from Hoenn—but she never imagined she'd see it with her own eyes.
And it was truly awe-inspiring. That dark red dragon body, like dried blood, was terrifying in its unnatural beauty.
Phione also stared in awe. What a powerful Pokémon.
"Rayquaza doesn't look too happy though?"
Lillie tilted her head in confusion. Normally, when Rayquaza appeared, it would roar—like the Ice Dragon always did. But this time, nothing.
"Rayquaza, Dragon Pulse." Dylan looked at the crystal sealing Necrozma and snapped his fingers with a grin.
"Roar~!"
Rayquaza gathered itself. It wasn't exactly thrilled about this task, but since it was already here...
Rayquaza opened its mouth and fired a fierce, draconic energy wave straight at Necrozma's position.
Boom!
A massive shockwave tore into the sky, violent winds swirling as dust filled the air.
Rayquaza flicked its tail, whipping up a gust that blew away the smoke, revealing the condition of the crystal to Dylan and the others.
Deep cracks had formed across the crystal's surface, and as if reacting to the change, Necrozma's previously lifeless head inside the crystal began to glow with a shimmering iridescence.
"Li-no~" A low growl echoed in everyone's ears.
"Li-NO!!"
The growl turned fierce the next second.
Bang~!
The crystal shattered. The black prism Pokémon unfurled its massive claws and began to float.
Necrozma had broken free!
"The Radiant God…"
Staring at the pitch-black Pokémon, Phione wore a complex expression. A storm of emotions stirred inside her.
Everyone in Ultra Megalopolis knew the truth. They felt deep guilt toward Necrozma, the 'Radiant God.'
After all, what their ancestors had done was a disgrace. Their current suffering was the consequence of that sin.
Rayquaza's dragon eyes locked onto the ferocious-looking Necrozma. Yep, this was its future second bro.
"Congratulations on regaining your freedom, Necrozma," Dylan said with a gentle smile.
Necrozma slowly lowered its head, its shimmering parts flickering. Even with a chaotic mind and writhing pain from the absence of light, it still sensed something strange about this human.
That aura—so familiar yet unfamiliar… and so much light!
"Li-no!"
Necrozma let out a low roar and charged toward Dylan like a cannonball.
It needed light! Light was its energy, its source of life. Without it, it suffered every moment.
Seeing Necrozma charging, Dylan raised an eyebrow. Yep, its mind really wasn't stable.
"Roar~!"
Rayquaza roared, slamming down with its glowing green tail.
Dragon-type move: Dragon Ascent!
Boom!
The devastating attack slammed into Necrozma mid-air, bursting with brilliant green light and knocking it back.
"Sigh… Guess we really do have to fight first." Dylan chuckled softly, then turned to Rayquaza.
Rayquaza reared back and let out a mighty roar. Its body lit up with a rainbow glow, growing longer and thicker, elegant streams of light trailing behind.
Mega Rayquaza!
Mega Rayquaza locked its eyes on Necrozma. Its overwhelming presence dominated the air, its dark red body exuding a terrifying pressure.
"Li-no!!"
Even in its confused pain, Necrozma sensed this immense threat and growled furiously.
Mega Rayquaza's face didn't change. Why are you shouting at me? I didn't want to fight either.
Necrozma hesitated, agitated. It didn't want to fight Mega Rayquaza—but that dragon was blocking its path to the human. If it wanted that light, it had to get past Rayquaza.
Golden energy surged—Photon Geyser!
A golden beam shot toward Mega Rayquaza. The majestic dragon twisted its body, easily dodging it.
"Dragon Ascent," Dylan commanded.
Mega Rayquaza streaked across the sky, green light bursting from its body.
Several sparkling gems formed around Necrozma—Rock-type Power Gems. Laser-like beams shot out.
But Mega Rayquaza surged forward at high speed.
Boom~!
The green light blade of Dragon Ascent sliced through the sky, cutting through all the beams in its path.
The momentum didn't stop—it slammed into Necrozma, carving across its body.
Necrozma howled in pain. Dragon Ascent had landed hard.
"Dragon Ascent again."
After the clean hit, Mega Rayquaza raised its tail, wrapped in green light, and slammed it down hard on Necrozma's back.
Boom!
The impact exploded. Dragon-type energy erupted, smashing Necrozma straight into the ground.
"Dragon Pulse!"
Mega Rayquaza opened its mouth again and blasted another fierce draconic beam at the fallen Necrozma.
Boom!
The Dragon Pulse exploded, shaking the air. Necrozma shrieked in pain. After taking three straight hits, it was clearly badly hurt.
When the dust cleared, Necrozma struggled to lift its claws and tried to stand again.
"Stop fighting. You can't beat Mega Rayquaza in your current state," Dylan advised gently.
Having just broken free, Necrozma was deeply weakened by lack of light. Against Solgaleo or Lunala, it might've had a chance—but not Mega Rayquaza.
This fight was too one-sided. Dylan had no intention of dragging it out. This wasn't a gym battle.
"Li-no!"
Necrozma roared again, its mind a bit clearer after all those hits. But its strength had dropped even more.
It had been sealed for so long without absorbing any light. Breaking out had only made things worse.
"I understand how you feel. But holding on to hatred won't change anything."
Dylan opened another Poké Ball, and a shiny Necrozma appeared.
"Necrozma… there's two of them?" Phione was stunned, eyes darting between the two Necrozmas.
Two 'Radiant Gods'?
"???"
Even Necrozma was dazed, its shimmering body flickering wildly as it stared blankly at the shiny version.
Wait—there were others like it? Why didn't it know?
No wonder the human had that strange familiar aura… it came from its kin.
"Necrozma."
Shiny Necrozma understood Dylan's intention. It floated in front of Necrozma, extending a giant claw. Light particles drifted into its weakened counterpart.
Shiny Necrozma was sharing some of its light to ease its kin's pain.
"Li-no…"
The shimmering parts of Necrozma glowed brighter. Absorbing that light significantly improved its state.
Its aura shifted from fury and confusion to a clearer calm.
It still wasn't at its peak, but at least the pain was gone. That alone was a huge relief.
"This world has been dark for too long. Whether or not you seek revenge, this place isn't where you belong anymore."
Dylan spoke calmly to Necrozma.
"And besides, it's been a long time. The humans who hurt you… they're long dead."
Humans were different from Pokémon. Unless they were special, most barely lived a century—how could they compare to Necrozma?
Necrozma's shimmering head dimmed, lost in thought.
Its aura still carried resentment.
"Come with us. I can take you somewhere with more light," Dylan finally said.
Necrozma looked at him, then turned to its kin. Shiny Necrozma gave it a gentle nod.
Seeing this, Necrozma hesitated. The human might be trustworthy—but that dragon had just hit it so damn hard!
Damn it. If it weren't for the light shortage, it wouldn't have lost!
That dragon humiliated it in front of its own kind!!
This grudge won't be forgotten!
But Necrozma quickly pushed the thought aside, turning to look at Shiny Necrozma.
That blue body so different from its own—it smelled so good.
So beautiful. So stunning!!
(End of Chapter)