"That's impossible!"
After Liu Xiangjun's startled reaction, she waved her hand dismissively. "Mega Evolution boosts combat power by so much — if the Legendary-tier Pokémon could also Mega Evolve, wouldn't that make them invincible?"
"Not invincible, exactly."
Auron Vale shook his head.
Rayquaza was strong, but it wasn't invincible after Mega Evolution. For one thing, there was still that camel — sorry, Arceus — standing in the way as an insurmountable wall.
Beyond Arceus, there was also the Light Emperor, who was probably a cut above even a Mega-Evolved Rayquaza.
Sure, the Dragon Kingdom's black Rayquaza was clearly a cut above a normal Rayquaza by a wide margin. But whether it could actually take Ultra Necrozma in a fight? That was still hard to say.
The same went for Un处 and Z-Power full-form Zacian and Zamazenta — both were probably stronger than a standard Mega Rayquaza.
But that said, the Dragon Kingdom's black Rayquaza really was something else. Without actually fighting it, Auron couldn't say for certain whether a Mega-Evolved black Rayquaza could go fifty-fifty against those upper-tier Legendaries. (Arceus excluded, obviously.)
And Hoopa, with its ability to summon allies — that was outside the scope of consideration entirely.
As for Mega Mewtwo, it could probably hang with a regular Mega Rayquaza. But against a Mega-Evolved black Rayquaza? It might fall short.
But all of this was just Auron's own reasoning. He was extrapolating from battles in his past world, and the real world here wasn't guaranteed to match up.
After all, no one had actually fought those battles.
That said, a Rayquaza without Mega Evolution had already beaten Yveltal out of the sky. So after Mega Evolution, hammering Yveltal into the ground should be no problem.
But returning to the earlier point — among the Legendaries that could Mega Evolve, Rayquaza and Mewtwo became exceptionally powerful post-evolution. Latios and Latias, on the other hand, weren't particularly strong to begin with. Even after Mega Evolution, they were only barely worth watching.
So it wasn't as simple as "Legendary Mega Evolves = invincible."
Because no matter how much power anyone stacked on top, there was still Arceus — written into the setting itself as invincible — pressing down on everyone.
(Note: The latest official patch for Arceus states that Arceus has avatars in every timeline, so there's no possibility of a Legend from another timeline defeating it.)
(Patch note: Every timeline is under Arceus's gaze.)
"Then go on — who would still be stronger than Rayquaza after Mega Evolution?"
Liu Xiangjun glared at Auron with visible不满. You try to pull a fast one on me, kid. Just watch how I handle you.
"Uh… well…"
Auron opened his mouth to answer — and then promptly stalled.
It suddenly hit him. Un处, Ultra Necrozma, and full-form Z-Power Zacian/Zamazenta… they probably had no historical records at all.
Not just those three. Even Groudon and Kyogre only had a few images recorded alongside Rayquaza in the historical accounts.
The stone carvings in the ancient ruins described Rayquaza as possessing the power to pacify two Pokémon capable of causing massive destruction.
Even the trio that had always been together — the Frontier spirits of Hoenn — only had more detailed records of Rayquaza specifically. As for Un处, Ultra Necrozma, and Necrozma? Forget about it. No records at all.
Furthermore, Z-Power Zacian and Z-Power Zamazenta — the trio collectively known as Z-Power — didn't seem to have ever appeared. The three of them. Aside from Yveltal, who had an established Pact with the Dragon Kingdom and showed up more frequently, Xerneas — the Life Pokemon — had only appeared a handful of times, at most.
"Go on. Why'd you stop? Can't come up with anything?"
"Arceus."
Auron glared right back at his grandmother, whose face was practically glowing with smug satisfaction. He jutted his chin out and dropped the name.
"Tch. If you're gonna talk like that, then I've got nothing to say."
Liu Xiangjun spread her hands, then fixed Auron with a teasing stare.
Auron's face immediately flushed red. But try as he might, he couldn't argue back.
There simply were no records. So even if his grandmother believed him — how was he supposed to prove he knew these things?
Tch. Just wait. I'll find Zacian and Z-Power for sure and show you.*
Auron mentally snorted, making a private vow.
Compared to Un处 and Ultra Necrozma, Zacian and Z-Power at least had traces to follow.
Setting aside the X, Y, and Z forms of the trio, even the ancient stone carvings that documented Xerneas's battle with Yveltal contained a record: a mysterious Pokémon had intervened to stop the two Legendaries from fighting.
Unlike Rayquaza's case, where two mysterious Pokémon were pacified, here one mysterious Pokémon had stopped the battle between Xerneas and Yveltal.
"I'm going to go check on the Pokémon."
"Go ahead, go ahead."
Watching Auron's angry back as he stalked toward the backyard, Liu Xiangjun felt deeply satisfied.
Ahhh… it had been so long since she'd had this much fun. Indeed, pestering her own grandson was far more rewarding than anything else.
With that thought, Liu Xiangjun went out humming cheerfully.
She'd gotten under Auron's skin — she'd make him something nice for lunch to make it up to him~
When Auron arrived in the backyard, Sirfetch'd was already in training with Lucario.
The Pokémon had all scattered to the backyard the moment Auron entered the house.
So when Auron saw Sirfetch'd's steely gaze, he knew immediately that the Galarian Farfetch'd hadn't rested for a second since coming outside.
Watching the leek in Sirfetch'd's claw clash against the Aura-bone weapon in Lucario's hands, Auron couldn't help but think back to what had happened at the National Vault.
In the National Vault, there was a leek — once the weapon of a King Farfetch'd, wielded by Napoleon's own ace Farfetch'd.
It had also been part of the reparations France had paid when Rayquaza invaded — the very same leek Auron was looking at now.
Cyrus Zhuge had pointed at it and told Auron directly: that leek was a perfect fit for Sirfetch'd.
So Auron had called Sirfetch'd over and held up the ancient leek.
"Sirfetch'd — this leek belonged to a legendary King Farfetch'd. Do you want it?"
Sirfetch'd looked up at the leek in the display case. Its eyes showed a clear spark of desire.
But in the next moment, Sirfetch'd looked down at the leek it already carried, and firmly shook its head.
"Ya!"
(It will stay with me — all the way to the summit!)
Auron couldn't understand Sirfetch'd's words directly, but from that resolute gaze, he could read the Galarian Farfetch'd's self-belief and certainty perfectly.
"Sirfetch'd — since that's your answer, let me reward you with something good."
Auron smiled at the Pokémon that never stopped working, then took out one of the two stones he'd retrieved from the National Vault and held one piece out.
He tossed the stone in his palm. It pained him a little — but he made his decision quickly.
"Sirfetch'd, hold on — come here. I've got something great to show you."
(This chapter is complete.)
———
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