"Summoned incorrectly? What do you mean summoned incorrectly? Hello? Hello!"
With a perplexed expression, Xijana kept calling Baimu on the other end of the communication.
But all that responded was the brief busy signal after the call was cut off, which caused her originally elegant eyebrows to furrow quickly, as she looked anxiously at the top of the Pillar of the Sky.
The celestial phenomena above were changing—what was once a glittering night sky was now filled with gray rolling clouds, making it hard to breathe.
It's the airlock...
Xijana knew very well the reason for the sudden appearance of gray clouds, and according to the Meteor People's records, when Rayquaza undergoes Super Evolution through its internal emperor organ, the celestial phenomena become even more terrifying, and the trait known as Delta Air Flow makes the whole sky seem ready to collapse.
If she weren't afraid of interrupting the sacred test and angering Dragon God Rayquaza, she would have rushed up long ago.
But right now, besides waiting for news, it seemed there was no other solution.
Xijana slowly sat by the rising campfire, hugging Whismur Xi Jiana in frustration, thinking she should have followed from the start.
Not far away, Salamence nestling its head under its wings glanced at the Dragon Tamer, noticed he had no intention of going up, then closed its eyes and continued to doze.
And at the top of the tower.
Baimu raised his hand to shield himself from the dust kicked up by the fierce wind; the stench, worse than before, rushed into his nose, nearly knocking him out.
Damn it, is high-concentration ozone really that smelly?
He resisted the burning sensation in his nose and eyes, looking at the Alternate-colored Rayquaza hovering before him, its body surface's mysterious rings emitting a dazzling golden light like a night lamp, while its golden dragon eyes, seemingly engraved within the pitch-black whites, contained many subtle lights he couldn't comprehend.
Up close, the gray-black skin and familiar aura proved it was the same one he had encountered on the plane.
But why summon it?
Could it be that his Meteor People lineage is also an alternate version?
No.
Where is the real Rayquaza?
Come back home, will you know the house is gone when you run out to play!
Baimu's heart was in turmoil, even though the Alternate-colored Rayquaza was stunningly handsome, it wasn't his Pokémon.
Moreover, the Pillar of the Sky was built by the Meteor People for Hoenn Rayquaza, and who knows which starry sky the Alternate-colored Rayquaza is from. These Super Ancient Pokémon have extremely strong territorial awareness, strong enough to pursue vengeance across thousands of miles, and if they collide, a catastrophic and terrifying battle is inevitable.
It's not impossible that they might destroy the Pillar of the Sky, and exaggerating more, it could affect the entire Hoenn Region...
No, no!
If something happens because of him, wouldn't his guilt be immense?
In his train of thought, three-headed Hydreigon and Dragapult sensed the terrifying aura of Alternate-colored Rayquaza and spontaneously shielded him.
From their tense bodies and the exposed half of their faces, it wasn't hard to see their tremendous dread of Alternate-colored Rayquaza, while the Dreepy Siblings were trembling with fear, just like on the plane last time... but they still didn't flee.
This brought Baimu a bit of warmth in the cold wind.
They haven't gone through this in vain.
That's what they call "true emotions revealed in adversity," right?
"Don't be agitated."
He walked between them gradually, reaching out to calm their heads, took a deep breath, and greeted the imposing and awe-inspiring Alternate-colored Rayquaza towering above him.
"Hello?"
Although unclear why it responded to the summon, it didn't attack immediately or stay hovering and observing in the sky, but instead chose to dive down for close contact, indicating the Alternate-colored Rayquaza probably had no hostility.
Just as he thought.
The Alternate-colored Rayquaza was unconcerned by Hydreigon and their faint hostile attitude, only gazing silently at Baimu without making any sound.
Baimu felt a bit awkward under its stare, so he spoke again: "Really sorry, actually... I wasn't looking for you."
The Alternate-colored Rayquaza likely didn't have the authority to choose the Inheritor, getting its approval was of little use; in another situation, he'd be glad to converse with such a handsome alternate-color Pokémon.
But right now, in this situation...
He truly feared Hoenn Rayquaza's return!
In response to his explanation, the Alternate-colored Rayquaza still didn't react, its golden dragon eyes reflecting the tiny figure before it, suddenly lowering its head almost human-sized in front of him.
The golden ring on its forehead grew increasingly bright, making it hard to keep his eyes open.
What's going on!
Just as Baimu was prepared to shield himself from the blinding light, he felt his back suddenly being lifted, and then a strong sense of weightlessness surged through his body.
"Eh? Eh—"
As the strong wind slapped his face, he was overwhelmed, crying out in panic; his voice carried far, "Again! You guys are at it again!?"
Dragapult stared blankly as Rayquaza flew into the sky with a human in its maw, when suddenly hearing Hydreigon's cry.
"Shasa!"
What are you doing standing there! Hurry and catch up!
At that moment, Hydreigon had already tightly gripped the tail of Alternate-colored Rayquaza, soaring high in one emphatic motion, it finally reacted, exerting all its strength desperately pursuing.
Speed Species Value of 142 reached its peak, alongside Lightning Flash and Hidden Spirit Strike, barely managing to touch Rayquaza's tail.
They turned into a stream of light.
At the base of the Pillar of the Sky.
With her neck sore from looking up, Xijana blinked, catching a glimpse of a golden ray streaking the sky, evading her sight, as the extraordinary celestial phenomena dissolved alongside.