"It's over? That was so quick, it seems you've been recognized without any issues."
She mumbled softly, pondering the summoning mistake, utterly puzzled, then thought he might be on his way back and proactively called Baimu.
Five seconds later.
"Huff huff huff huff—help—huff huff huff huff—"
The strong wind mixed with indistinct sounds surged into her ears.
Xijana couldn't help but say, "Why is it so windy there? Find a place without wind!"
On the other end: "It's not... huff huff huff huff... it's not... huff huff huff... do you hear me..."
What on earth—
Hmm?
In the end, not being a fool, Xijana was startled and tentatively asked, "Where are you now?"
She was answered by a mechanical synthesized voice.
'He is currently being held by the Alternate-colored Rayquaza in its mouth, destination unknown.'
"Alternate-colored Rayquaza... Wait! Who are you?"
'I am his Pokémon Porygon II. We met before in Meteor Village, but you probably forgot.'
"Porygon..."
Upon hearing the name, Xijana's mind instantly recalled a peculiar building block duck, "It's you! You can talk now—wait!"
She realized she was getting sidetracked, "What do you mean by Alternate-colored Rayquaza? Why would Baimu be taken by it?"
'I would like to know that too. Honestly, it's not the first time! How are these Legendary Pokémon any different from rogue bandits?!'
Porygon II's voice grew impatient, then suddenly mellowed, 'Apologies, once we arrive at the location, Baimu will naturally contact you again. For now, please wait a bit longer, bye.'
"Wait! Hey? Hey!"
Xijana looked at her phone, which was once again hung up on unilaterally, almost smashing it in anger.
It was supposed to be a simple test, how did it become so complicated!
"Goo~"
The nearby Whismur didn't understand what happened, but habitually began to comfort Xijana softly, easing her mood.
Though young, situations that almost give her high blood pressure haven't happened in a long time.
Can't help but feel a bit agitated.
After calming down, she began to consider other serious questions.
Alternate-colored Rayquaza.
The affair over in Desert City was big news, Xijana naturally heard, but due to the lack of related imagery, she only had basic knowledge.
For instance, it also possesses the ability of Super Evolution, not inferior in any aspect to the Rayquaza worshipped by the Meteor People, or that it dwells under another part of the night sky on this planet...
Could Baimu's ancestors at the time have ventured to the Ore Region to pursue the Alternate-colored Rayquaza?
Thinking this way makes it feel thoroughly plausible, and the fact that Baimu was taken by the Alternate-colored Rayquaza might just be evidence of his ancestors successfully establishing communication with it!
Xijana guessed wildly, making herself laugh.
No other way.
It seems unlikely that Baimu would attract the Alternate-colored Rayquaza himself, leading it to fly over and take him away. Such a possibility exists but is certainly low.
——
Baimu was almost frozen.
He initially thought Rayquaza didn't feel cold because of the ozone layer's protection, but it turns out he guessed entirely wrong.
This creature purely relies on resisting the cold winds of high altitude.
Luckily, the Molten Rock Armor not only resists magma but is also effective against cold, so his face was only numbed... or blown numb by high-altitude airflow.
Where will the Alternate-colored Rayquaza take him?
Given its speed, it can't be anywhere close by.
Do Legendary Pokémon like taking people's clothes? It seems possible, otherwise why would it and Lugia use the same method to abduct people? Speaking of which, the last time he went to find Lugia was two days ago, wondering how they are doing and if the darkness transformation was successfully suppressed.
Baimu was really looking forward to Ore Lugia going to find the Lugia mother and child!
An inexplicable sense of matchmaker vibes.
Even though he knew Ore Lugia was seeking help from the Lugia mother and child to completely eliminate the effects of the Dark Transformation Surgery on its body.
Squinting slightly to endure the winds, his slightly stiff body tried to relax, letting his limbs naturally droop, thinking at this rate he'd soon adapt to high-altitude environments.
Hoopa hasn't been in contact yet, hoping the Alternate-colored Rayquaza isn't taking him back to its nest to feast.
Hydreigon must be catching up, Dragonair is smarter for sure, and its foolishness is only based on human perspectives and notions.
In a daze.
Baimu felt the Alternate-colored Rayquaza descending.
The smoke-like cloud layer drawing closer below confirmed he guessed right, the Alternate-colored Rayquaza was indeed landing.
How far did it fly?
Shouldn't be too far, it's preparing to land so soon...
He first rubbed his hands to warm up, then rubbed his eyes, the scene beneath the clouds suddenly came into view.
He saw the boundless night, a sprawling brightly lit land appeared before him, the various cities like candles in the night, faintly illuminated the outer contours of the continent.
Judging by the positions of the cities, below should be the Johto Region.
Why come to Johto at night?
Hmm?
Could it be...
As the Alternate-colored Rayquaza descended upon the giant island of Azure City, the small guess in Baimu's heart was confirmed.
——[Burial Tower].
It is said to be a tall tower built by people from Hoenn, similar to the Pillar of the Sky, claiming a height that reaches the sky, although in the game much of the Burial Tower is embedded within a cliff.
Also, part of it is submerged below the sea surface.
The special structure connects the tower simultaneously with [Earth], [Ocean], and [Sky].
In HeartGold and SoulSilver, the Hoenn trio was captured here, unexpectedly it still exists as an animated background, presumably built for Rayquaza by the Meteor People?
Oh, dear.
Old Lie! Your overseas villa will be occupied too!
Baimu secretly mocked, and after a series of spirals, the Alternate-colored Rayquaza found the Burial Tower, almost merged with the mountains, adjacent to the strait.
It let out a long howl, akin to shouting "I'm back", and dashed through the hollow segment in the middle of the tower.
"Ao——"
Baimu's vision darkened then brightened, immediately seeing at the base inside the tower a massive platform emitting green light painted with mysterious circular patterns.
The Alternate-colored Rayquaza landed on the platform, and gently lowered its head, allowing him to stand with his feet firmly on the ground.
"Finally..."
Baimu, with weak knees, had barely sighed in relief when he heard the calls of Hydreigon and the Dreepy siblings.
"Sasha!"
"Xiya!" "Mishiyaa!"
He turned his head, directly knocked to the ground by Hydreigon, and the Dreepy siblings pounced on his face, wriggling about.
"Alright, alright, it's okay... temporarily okay."
He rubbed around with his hand, then looked at the embarrassed Dragapult, softly patting its head, "Thank you for your hard work."
"Waddles~"
Dragapult shyly nodded.
While Baimu was comforting his Pokémon, he certainly didn't forget the big guy who brought him to Johto, and after calming himself, he looked up at the Alternate-colored Rayquaza and asked, "Why did you bring me here?"
"Siiis——"
The Alternate-colored Rayquaza finally spoke, giving him a series of hoarse low howls.
What a loud voice!
"Wow!"
Baimu was nearly knocked down by its voice, thinking no wonder this guy seldom talks, standing close and blowing a breath can blow people away, how is there a desire to communicate?
At the same time, Porygon II's translated voice reached his ears as well.
"Rayquaza says... Rayquaza says it's very curious about you."
"Curious? Curious about what?"
Baimu was slightly startled, trying to meet those golden dragon eyes, "Which part of me are you curious about? Hmm... curious... Transcendence? Divine Heart?"
Thinking it over, that's the only unusual skill on him that's worth the Alternate-colored Rayquaza's curiosity.
——It can't be the Simulator.
He recalled last time meeting the Alternate-colored Rayquaza, seemingly while trying to use "Dragon's Heart", it had specifically come over to watch.
Scaring him and the Dreepy siblings quite a bit.