"Oss!"
Latios, about ten meters above the ground, had a flushed face. No matter how hard it tried, it was difficult to fly any higher.
Seeing this result, Natsuhiko wasn't surprised and waved at Latios.
Latios no longer persisted, letting out a long breath and hovering beside Natsuhiko.
Rayquaza has the trait "Airlock," which can disregard weather effects.
While Super Rayquaza's trait is "Delta Flow," which turns the weather into "Chaotic Flow," overpowering all weather like Sunny Day, Rainy Day, Sandstorm, etc., only Original Groudon's "Land of the End" and Primordial Kyogre's "Sea of Origin" can compete with it.
Rayquaza is a Divine Beast with very strong territory awareness.
The ozone layer outside the Pokémon Realm's planet is Rayquaza's territory.
Once a creature approaches or enters, it will suffer its fierce attacks.
Obviously.
Within Rayquaza's alternate space, its territorial awareness has become even stronger.
The seemingly calm sky actually contains a powerful convection.
Above five meters, Latios felt a considerable resistance, and when ascending to around ten meters, the powerful convection prevented Latios from continuing to rise.
In other words.
In this alternate space, flying high is a luxury.
That's Rayquaza's airspace.
Natsuhiko originally wanted to see if Latios could carry him straight across, saving effort and time, but now it seems impossible.
Although it can still fly, about seven to eight meters is likely the limit for Latios and him, and at this height, it's still within the attack range of some Wild Pokémon.
Besides.
In Rayquaza's alternate space, although flying high is restricted, there are certainly quite a few Flying-type Pokémon.
This leads to these Flying-type Pokémon mostly being concentrated at a certain height, making their numbers very dense, and territorial competition fiercer.
If he tries to fly across, he might be taken as an intruder and get beaten by a group of Flying-type Pokémon.
"So, I have no choice but to walk over?"
Looking at that cloud-enshrouded, mystical Celestial Pillar.
The distance seems not far, but who knows how long it'll take to walk.
But there's no choice.
This is Rayquaza's domain, and one must follow its rules.
Natsuhiko doesn't even know how to leave yet, and if he angers Rayquaza, he might not be able to return.
After thinking it over.
He tossed out two Pokeballs.
Summoning Monferno and Eevee.
Currently unsure of the power level of Wild Pokémon in this space, if suitable, it's a good chance for them to train a bit.
Latios and Monferno are both at Elite Level, and Eevee has reached Senior Level, with considerable combat effectiveness.
Like Beedrill and the other four main force Pokémon, they've settled down for a month; it's time to test their strength.
Actually, their progress has been swift.
This has to do with their efforts, as well as Natsuhiko's current strength and the resources he can provide.
As Natsuhiko's strength and abilities improve, the level of things he can access gets higher.
Back when Weedle was eating Intermediate Energy Blocks, every meal was calculated down to the block.
And now?
Ever since they followed Natsuhiko, they barely ate any Advanced Energy Blocks, jumping straight to Special Level Energy Blocks.
Is that energy and nutrition comparable to the Weedle days?
While it may not show in just a couple of meals or days.
But after a week or even a month, this gap slowly accumulates.
That's why many Trainers who reach Elite Candidate or Elite Trainer levels can train their second or third line Pokémon so quickly.
Back when Tom Rokicki and Natsuhiko faced off in the Divine Hall of Snow Peak, those few Electric-type Pokémon were also trained later on.
How much time had passed then?
Now Latios and the others are the same.
Of course.
As one reaches a certain level of strength, the speed of progress slows down.
Energy Blocks shift from being primary to auxiliary; more depends on each Pokémon's effort.
"Buyi~~Buyi~~"
Eevee stepped lightly, walking at the front.
Its gray-white tail swayed back and forth, seeming quite leisurely.
Latios hovered beside Natsuhiko, its curious eyes scanning all around.
But Monferno wore a serious expression, following closely behind Natsuhiko.
Of the three Pokémon, Monferno was the one feeling the pressure.
Along the way.
Many Pokémon were indeed seen, such as Tauros grazing, Iron Armor Rhinoceros running, and Oddish amidst the dense grass.
But they were all non-hostile Pokémon; as long as they weren't provoked, there were no problems.
Where there are peaceful Pokémon, there will naturally be some less peaceful ones.
For instance.
"Buyi!!"
Walking at the very front, Eevee suddenly called out to Natsuhiko.
Then they felt a tremor in the ground.
Several black and white-striped Pokémon charged towards their direction at high speed.
"Monferno," Natsuhiko called out.
"Got it!"
Monferno understood, deftly stepping forward.
Moving in front of Eevee.
With squinting eyes, it stared at the rapidly approaching figures not far away, a dark red Fighting Energy rising on its clenched fists.
Facing opponents that appeared extremely fierce, it showed no fear.
In fact.
It went straight for a head-on clash.
The speed bestowed by "Sonic Fist," coupled with the unhindered approach of the opponent, in no time at all, Monferno was upon the Pokémon at the forefront.
The opposing Pokémon, seeing someone daring to stand in its way, felt only more excited with its crimson eyes.
Boom!!
Punching against the head in a fierce collision.
Having learned Fighting techniques from Bewear for a while, Monferno wasn't foolish enough to do a frontal direct encounter.
Knowing the opponent was charging, even without using techniques, its sheer speed would likely cause significant impact.
Thus, just as it was about to collide with the opponent, it forcefully kicked the ground, precisely timing the opponent's approach and speed.
An upward punch.
Enhanced Fist!
The Pokémon charging energetically was abruptly interrupted by Monferno, its head smashed into the ground.
But Monferno's actions didn't stop there.
As the punch concluded the descent, it flipped and grabbed two long tails.
Its eyes narrowed, limbs exerting force, muscles bulging.
It forcibly stopped those two Pokémon in their tracks.
The impact from such speed was halted by Monferno.
To the Pokémon, such an outcome was unacceptable.
They turned and lunged at Monferno.
As Monferno dealt with the three Pokémon, Natsuhiko finally got a clear look at their appearance.
Showing surprise in his eyes.
"Linoone?"
More accurately, Linoone from the Galar region.
The black and white stripes, along with their somewhat cunning appearance, were their best identification.
In Rayquaza's alternate space, there are Pokémon from the Galar region?
"Woo!!"
While Natsuhiko was still feeling surprised, Monferno was already close to solving the three reckless Linoone.
Yet within them, a fallen Linoone, after taking a punch from Monferno, let out a heart-wrenching scream.
Hearing this sound.
The surrounding Pokémon, originally quietly grazing, started to move.
Either fleeing or hiding.
Seeing this scene.
Natsuhiko could somewhat understand.
He chuckled lightly.
"Seems we've provoked the bully of this grassland."