Reshiram had thrown himself in front of Yveltal's attack.
Yveltal was in a frenzy, lashing out at any Trainer it saw.
If blocking the hit bought the others time or an opening, then it felt… normal.
Necessary.
But for Reshiram, locked in battle and burning with righteous fury, Yveltal's attack on Sam was more than reckless violence.
It was an insult.
Sam had become a symbol on this battlefield, the one Reshiram had chosen to support.
To harm him so casually was like trampling on the truth Reshiram existed to uphold.
If Sam had stayed down… If he had died from that strike…
What "truth" would remain for the Dragon of Truth to protect?
A deep, furious roar ripped out of Reshiram's throat.
"ROAR!!!"
Heat shimmered around its body as the very air ignited.
Holy white feathers took on streaks of burning red, as if Reshiram itself had stepped out of a living inferno.
In one explosive burst, Reshiram launched forward.
BOOM!
The impact smashed into Yveltal, driving the Destruction Pokémon into the earth with enough force to shake the surrounding forest.
Dust and shattered stone erupted from the crater.
Reshiram didn't let up.
Its tail spun like a jet engine, gathering fire until its open jaws shone with blazing heat.
A scorching Fusion Flare detonated in the pit.
Blast after blast hammered Yveltal, each explosion lighting up the night sky.
Yveltal curled its dark wings around itself, forming a cocoon of shadow to endure the flames, but the relentless heat ate through it.
Feathers burned away.
The legendary Pokémon that once inspired dread now looked stripped bare, trembling, nothing like the God of Destruction it was feared to be.
At last, the battered Yveltal burst from the crater, desperately trying to take the sky again.
Reshiram lowered its stance, prepared to strike if needed.
But instead of continuing the assault, Reshiram let the flames around it fade.
It simply fixed Yveltal with a cold, piercing stare, anger held back, but nowhere close to gone.
Yveltal hesitated, confused.
Then the sky itself rumbled.
A powerful draconic aura descended like a falling mountain.
"ROOOOOAR!!!"
The roar echoed across the entire sky, vibrating through the ground beneath everyone's feet.
Diantha stared upward, eyes wide.
"That roar… That's Rayquaza!"
"But Rayquaza lives in the Hoenn Region," she added, voice trembling.
"Why would he be here?"
Cynthia instinctively looked at Sam. The idea that he had summoned Rayquaza flickered through her mind.
He had done extraordinary things before; Reshiram answering him alone proved that much.
But the thought quickly broke apart.
"No," Cynthia murmured, shaking her head.
"Reshiram already had the upper hand. Yveltal was moments away from defeat. Sam wouldn't call for more help unless he needed it."
Her gaze flicked to the scorch marks on Sam's clothes where Yveltal's attack had struck.
"…Did Rayquaza come because Yveltal targeted him?"
Diantha didn't have an answer. She exchanged a troubled look with Cynthia, both of them unable to make sense of it.
Rayquaza descended through the clouds, emerald scales catching flashes of lightning. Its presence alone made even Yveltal shrink back.
On the other side of the battlefield, Olympia watched the sky quietly, her expression unreadable.
The distant reflection of Rayquaza shimmered in her eyes as if she were seeing something beyond what others could.
And Sam could only stare in shock.
He had no idea why Rayquaza had appeared.
Sam stared at the sky, stunned.
He obviously hadn't called Rayquaza. He wasn't even sure he could.
Did Rayquaza just… happen to pass by?
The idea sounded insane, but what else could explain this?
He didn't have time to think further.
Rayquaza moved.
The Lord of the Skies let out a piercing roar, this time aimed directly at Reshiram.
The sound vibrated like judgment rolling across the clouds.
Reshiram stiffened. Even in its fury, the Dragon of Truth bowed its head slightly, accepting the rebuke.
Rayquaza wasn't just another Legendary; it stood a tier above, guardian of the heavens themselves. Its authority was absolute.
Then Rayquaza turned.
The emerald serpent's massive body coiled through the storm clouds, and its glowing Dragon Orb pulsed with power.
Lightning cracked around it as Rayquaza set its sights on Yveltal, the same Yveltal that now resembled a half-burned wild bird struggling to stay airborne.
The sky darkened. Turbulence rolled like ocean waves.
The Delta energy around Rayquaza flared, forming a brilliant symbol across the clouds.
Dragon might flooded the battlefield.
It was the unmistakable sign that Rayquaza was preparing Dragon Ascent.
A hush washed over the world.
Then Rayquaza struck.
In a single sweeping motion, the colossal emerald dragon twisted its 100-meter-long body, lightning gathering around it like a mantle.
Thunder rolled as if the heavens themselves were collapsing.
And then,
BOOOOOOM!!!
The impact shook the mountains.
Dust and shattered rock exploded outward as Rayquaza plowed through Yveltal, dragging the Destruction Pokémon with it before hurling the broken creature into the ground.
Yveltal tried to rise, but Rayquaza didn't even acknowledge it.
One victory cry, high and piercing, rolled through the sky.
"ROAR!!!"
The roar vibrated through the ground beneath everyone's feet, echoing for miles.
Yveltal, already badly damaged from Reshiram's attacks, couldn't withstand a full-power Dragon Ascent from Rayquaza.
Its form flickered, then collapsed inward, returning to its cocoon state.
It had been completely defeated.
Rayquaza cast a long, unreadable look toward Reshiram.
A silent message passed between them, warning, recognition, something only ancient dragons could understand.
Then Rayquaza turned away.
Its massive body rose through the clouds, vanishing into the higher layers of the sky.
Just before the last of Rayquaza's glow disappeared from sight, Sam heard a voice echo gently in his mind.
Sam…
Protect yourself.
If you ever need me… call.
Rayquaza was using telepathy.
Sam blinked, a startled breath leaving him. Rayquaza wasn't angry at him… it was worried.
It had come here because Yveltal attacked him.
A warm, almost disbelieving smile touched Sam's lips.
"Rayquaza, you really are something," he whispered.
"I'll remember that."
While Sam absorbed the moment, Reshiram simmered beside him.
First, Rayquaza had scolded him.
Then Rayquaza swooped in and stole the entire spotlight with one attack.
Of course, Reshiram was furious.
All that pent-up anger needed somewhere to go, and unfortunately for Yveltal, who lay helpless in cocoon form, Reshiram had chosen its target.
The Dragon of Truth unleashed a wave of sacred flames, burning with divine heat. Reshiram wasn't attacking to defeat Yveltal anymore.
It was venting.
Flames roared and rolled, lighting the battlefield with holy white fire as Reshiram roasted the helpless cocoon without hesitation, trying to burn away its frustration along with the remnants of Yveltal's power.
Sam let out a long breath.
Yeah… Reshiram definitely needed to calm down.
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