Chen Shi glanced uneasily at Rayquaza, a trace of frustration creeping into his thoughts.
'Are you agreeing or not? At least say something.'
'Why are you just staring at me?'
'There's nothing on my face.'
What he didn't know was that Rayquaza was currently considering how to get him to assist with Mega Evolution.
If Chen Shi had known, the majestic image of the Sky Sovereign in his mind would have shattered instantly.
Mew, meanwhile, decided to "help."
"Mew… Mew~"
(Big gr— ahem, Rayquaza. Isn't it your duty to keep those two idiots in check? What are you hesitating for?)
Rayquaza shot Mew a sharp glare.
"I have my own considerations. Do not interfere."
Mew pouted and said nothing more, drifting back to Chen Shi's shoulder and settling there comfortably.
For some reason, it enjoyed perching there.
Rayquaza turned back to Chen Shi.
"It is not that I refuse to intervene. But once those two fools obtain their Orbs, they can undergo Primal Reversion. Dealing with them will be troublesome."
Chen Shi widened his eyes in disbelief.
"They can undergo Primal Reversion—but you have Mega Evolution, don't you?"
In this world, only a handful of Pokémon could Mega Evolve independently.
Diancie was one.
Mewtwo was another, capable of achieving two distinct Mega forms.
And finally, Rayquaza.
By using the organ within its body capable of storing meteor energy, Rayquaza could Mega Evolve without a Key Stone or Mega Stone.
In Chen Shi's view, Rayquaza had no reason to fear Primal Reversion.
If Groudon and Kyogre dared bare their fangs, just hit them with Dragon Ascent and be done with it.
Rayquaza's expression shifted slightly.
'This human knows quite a bit. Hard to fool.'
Then it spoke calmly, "I can Mega Evolve. However, doing so requires a vast amount of meteor energy. At present, the energy stored within me is insufficient."
"I cannot complete Mega Evolution."
Mew cracked one eye open skeptically.
Was that really true?
Rayquaza hadn't exactly been busy over the past thousand years.
Sleep.
Eat.
Repeat.
How could it possibly be short on energy?
Chen Shi, however, was stunned.
He knew about Rayquaza's special organ and its reliance on meteor energy.
But Rayquaza was saying it didn't have enough energy?
What was he supposed to do with that?
Chen Shi stroked his chin, thinking hard.
He didn't doubt Rayquaza.
A legendary Pokémon of this stature wouldn't stoop to lying, right?
And what would it gain from deceiving him?
There was no reason.
So the only logical explanation was that Rayquaza truly lacked energy.
What Chen Shi didn't know was that Rayquaza was absolutely deceiving him.
Over the past thousand years, it had accumulated more than enough meteor energy.
If necessary, it would spend it.
But now that a human possessing psychic resonance stood before it…
Why waste hard-earned energy when you could get it for free?
A thousand years ago, another human with the same power had helped it Mega Evolve without expending meteor energy.
If that human could do it, surely this one could as well.
If you can freeload, why pay?
After a long silence, Chen Shi glanced around at the scattered meteor fragments covering the floating landmass.
He cleared his throat tentatively.
"Why don't you… eat a bit more over the next few days?"
"Build up more meteor energy."
Rayquaza: ...
There were meteorites everywhere.
Wasn't this the perfect buffet?
Rayquaza swallowed its irritation.
"The energy required for Mega Evolution is immense. Absorption and digestion take time. If you are willing to wait, I can proceed gradually."
That left Chen Shi in a bind.
Wait?
The secret realm would open soon.
According to Rayquaza, there wasn't enough time.
If they waited for it to recharge naturally, Hoenn might not survive the interim.
That outcome was unacceptable.
Left with no ideas, Chen Shi asked, "Do you have a better solution?"
"If there's anything I can do to help, I'll give it my all."
Rayquaza's eyes seemed to brighten slightly at those words.
"There is a way."
Chen Shi's gaze sharpened instantly.
"But it requires your assistance."
"Find a Key Stone. Use your psychic power to resonate with an organ within me through the Key Stone. That will allow me to Mega Evolve."
"In that way, meteor energy will not be consumed. Only your stamina will be expended."
Chen Shi: ...
He pointed at himself incredulously.
"You're saying I help you Mega Evolve?"
Rayquaza inclined its head.
That was exactly what it meant.
Mew looked at Rayquaza with a peculiar expression.
So that was the plan.
No energy? Please.
You just want to freeload.
Still, Mew said nothing.
There was no harm to Chen Shi in this.
It could let the big green worm save face.
Chen Shi scratched his head, conflicted.
Of all the solutions he had imagined, this was not one of them.
Helping Rayquaza Mega Evolve.
In theory, it made sense.
That was how Trainers and Pokémon functioned together.
But this wasn't just any Pokémon.
This was Rayquaza.
The ruler of the skies.
Leader of the Hoenn trio.
Chen Shi couldn't help but feel uncertain.
Mechanically, he understood the process.
Use the psychic power Mew had once called "mind force." Channel it through a Key Stone. Connect with Rayquaza's special organ.
Simple in theory.
But would it work?
His psychic ability was indeed special.
After all, Dragapult had developed the Bond Phenomenon because of it.
Yet Mega Evolution required intense bonds.
And he had only just met Rayquaza.
To Rayquaza, he was likely nothing more than a slightly unusual human.
Could something like this really succeed?
...
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