At this moment, Groudon roared, the volcanic peaks on its back glowing with dazzling red light, launching countless massive lava chunks burning with fierce flames like falling meteors!
Each collision between the blue energy torrents and orange-red lava erupted with apocalyptic shockwaves!
Seawater instantly evaporated, forming vast expanses of white mist, only to be torn apart by subsequent energy blasts.
The sky was illuminated half deep blue, half fiery red. Thunder and rain intertwined, like the chaotic scene when the world first began!
Sootopolis City's defenses had long since shattered. The island trembled under the aftershocks of the two legendary Pokémon's clash.
New cracks constantly appeared on the island's surface, massive rocks sliding from the mountainside and plunging into the boiling sea.
This was no longer a battle. This was the manifestation of natural disaster, the collision of natural laws themselves!
Cynthia stared blankly at this combat scene that far exceeded imagination.
Even through the screen, she could feel that power sufficient to drive any living being to despair.
She finally completely understood the endpoint of "Emerald's" main storyline.
This was no longer a trainer's adventure of gym challenges and league tournaments. This was truly... saving the world!
But now... what should she do?
Watching the apocalyptic scene on screen, Cynthia's heart sank bit by bit.
The tsunami raised by Kyogre nearly submerged all of Sootopolis City, while the high temperature radiated by Groudon continuously evaporated seawater, creating pervasive, scalding steam.
Each collision of the two legendary Pokémon's attacks triggered earth-shaking tremors and violent energy explosions.
Just observing was enough to feel that terrifying power capable of tearing apart everything.
"This can't continue. At this rate, forget Sootopolis City... the entire Hoenn region might be destroyed!"
Steven's voice carried unprecedented urgency as he stared intently at the battlefield's center.
"We have to do something to stop them!"
Before he finished speaking, he'd already acted decisively. He swung his arm and threw a Poké Ball: "I'm counting on you, Gyarados! Stop them!"
Light flashed. The massive Gyarados appeared on the ruined shore.
Facing those two behemoths like gods, it released an earth-shattering roar without the slightest fear.
Immediately after, Steven revealed the Key Stone on his wrist, resonating with the Mega Stone carried by Gyarados!
"Gyarados, Mega Evolve!"
Dazzling light enveloped Gyarados. Its form underwent drastic changes within the light, becoming even more ferocious and oppressive!
Mega Gyarados roared, surrounded by violent energy currents like an arrow released from a bow, charging fearlessly toward the core area where Groudon and Kyogre clashed!
Cynthia held her breath.
This Mega Gyarados radiated extremely powerful energy waves, absolutely reaching above Champion level, that legendary realm, because even she felt immense pressure.
However, its opponents were Groudon and Kyogre!
Mega Gyarados couldn't even truly approach them.
Just as it rushed into the edge zone where the two ancient Pokémon's powers clashed, an invisible, terrifying residual energy combining extreme water pressure and earth tremors suddenly spread like a tsunami!
"ROAR!"
Mega Gyarados released a painful cry.
That massive body capable of destroying mountains was like a small boat capsized by a gale before this pure natural force, swept away without any resistance and heavily thrown into distant ruins.
It exited its Mega Evolution state and lost the ability to battle.
Steven hurriedly recalled it to its Poké Ball, his face filled with shock and helplessness.
Watching this scene, Cynthia's heart sank completely.
Even such a powerful Mega Gyarados couldn't even get close, directly knocked out of battle by just the residual waves of their power! Just how terrifyingly powerful were these two legendary Pokémon?
Could trainers truly contend with this?
Just as she pondered countermeasures with a heavy heart, Steven beside her suddenly patted her character's shoulder, speaking urgently: "Strawberry Ice Cream! Leave this to me to handle for now!
There's someone who wants to see you.
He might have a way to resolve this crisis! Go quickly to the Cave of Origin at the top of Sootopolis City and find him in the depths! Hurry, there's not much time!"
Cave of Origin?
Cynthia's character looked up. At the highest point of Sootopolis City's island, she could faintly see a cave entrance shrouded in strange light.
That seemed to be the Cave of Origin's entrance.
Though her mind was full of doubts, she couldn't pass up any sliver of hope right now.
She immediately nodded and controlled her character to leave the battlefield, sprinting toward the temple at the mountaintop.
The so-called Cave of Origin was actually more like a massive naturally formed cavern.
Unlike the earth-shattering chaos outside, the moment she stepped into the cave entrance, the surroundings instantly quieted.
Faint white mist permeated the cavern. The air was fresh and moist, as if isolated from the world.
Cynthia carefully moved her character forward. The cavern walls were embedded with stones that emitted soft white light, illuminating the path ahead.
She noticed that floating in the mist were many strangely shaped Pokémon she'd never seen before.
Their bodies seemed composed of symbols, quietly suspended in the air, flickering with faint light.
"What kind of Pokémon are these?" Cynthia examined the screen carefully. These Pokémon gave her a very ancient and mysterious feeling.
On the cavern floor, she occasionally saw scattered gems radiating pure red or blue light.
These gems seemed to contain some special energy within.
She didn't linger long, following the cavern's only path deeper inside.
The deeper she went, the thicker the mist seemed, and the more of those symbol-shaped Pokémon appeared.
Finally, in the cavern's deepest reaches, a figure in gorgeous formal wear with his back to her appeared in her view.
When that figure slowly turned around, Cynthia couldn't help but pause slightly.
This was a "familiar acquaintance" she recognized: Wallace.
But this Wallace before her eyes had a subtly different temperament from the Champion she knew in reality.
This in-game Wallace had deeper eyes, carrying a worldly-wise sense of vicissitudes.
"You've come, chosen one," the in-game Wallace spoke, his voice gentle and steady.
"I am Wallace, formerly the Gym Leader of this Sootopolis City.
However, for certain other reasons, I didn't continue in that role and gave the Gym Leader position to my teacher, Juan."
He paused, not saying more idle talk, and cut straight to the point.
He extended his hand, pointing toward the tremors and energy fluctuations that could be felt even here: "Those two Pokémon creating havoc outside are called Groudon and Kyogre.
They're both super-ancient legendary Pokémon representing the primal forces of land and sea.
Their conflict began in ancient times. With ordinary power, there's absolutely no way to stop them."
Cynthia listened quietly. She knew the key point was still coming.
Wallace's gaze became distant as he continued: "However, those two aren't the only super-ancient legendary Pokémon. In ancient legend, there exists an even more powerful being.
It resides high in the sky, the absolute ruler of the Skies, praised as the strongest dragon.
In the distant past, it was the one who once calmed the dispute between Groudon and Kyogre, restoring peace to the world."
The ruler of the skies... the strongest dragon...
Wallace slowly uttered that name: "Its name is Rayquaza."
Rayquaza!
Hearing those three syllables, Cynthia's heart suddenly trembled violently, as if struck by lightning!
Her fingers on the keyboard unconsciously tightened.
Here it comes!
How could she forget this name? The green figure she witnessed in her childhood in that small village, tearing across the sky to shatter a meteor.
The figure that inspired her longing and ultimately set her on the path of becoming a trainer... and her reason for playing this game.
She'd been pursuing traces of Rayquaza, yearning to see it again.
She never imagined that now, she'd have the chance to see it again in this way.
In an instant, Cynthia finally understood why this game called Emerald had Rayquaza's majestic form printed on the cover!
Because it was the key to resolving this ultimate crisis in the main storyline! Rayquaza was that one and only key!
Then, what she needed to do next was to find and awaken Rayquaza!
Wallace looked at Cynthia's character, seeming to read something from her silent reaction.
He extended his hand, cradling an orb radiating soft green light in his palm: "Take this and go to the sky above Pacifidlog Town.
There's an ancient ruin there called Sky Pillar. Rayquaza slumbers there. Use this Jade Orb to awaken it.
Only the Sky High Pokémon's power can quell the dispute between land and sea and restore peace to the world."
Cynthia's character received the green orb containing mysterious power.
She still had doubts and couldn't help asking through dialogue: "Why should I go? Wouldn't you or Mr. Steven have a better chance?"
Wallace gently shook his head, a complex smile appearing on his face: "Because of an ancient prophecy passed down among the people of Sootopolis.
The prophecy says that when Groudon and Kyogre awaken again and the world faces the crisis of submersion and expansion, a chosen one will appear.
They may still be a child but will possess extraordinary courage, powerful strength, and unwavering determination."
"Initially, I didn't completely believe this prophecy... but today, when I witnessed that destructive battle with my own eyes, I understood that what the prophecy spoke of was all true."
His gaze fell on Cynthia's character, his tone full of trust: "And you appeared before me at this critical moment, demonstrating your power and responsibility.
Perhaps only you can truly accomplish this. I'm counting on you, chosen one."
Hearing this, Cynthia hesitated no more. She turned and left this mist-filled area.
Stepping out of the cave entrance, outside was still the chaotic scene of scorching sun and rainstorm interwoven with lightning and thunder.
Cynthia immediately had her character open the map, found Pacifidlog Town's location, and used Fly to rush swiftly toward her destination!
Crossing the chaotic sky, the scene on screen switched rapidly.
Pacifidlog Town was a small town built on water, appearing quite tranquil.
It formed a stark contrast with Sootopolis City's apocalyptic scene, as if that chaotic force hadn't reached here.
Cynthia didn't stop in the town. She flew directly toward the seemingly empty sky above.
Sure enough, a massive, towering ruined stone pillar appeared abruptly before her eyes!
This was Sky Pillar!
Unlike the Cave of Origin's mysterious serenity, Sky Pillar gave an incredibly ancient and desolate feeling.
The pillar itself was constructed from massive rocks, but many places had already collapsed, covered with cracks and moss. The path leading to the top was dilapidated.
In some places, she even had to carefully jump over broken gaps.
Cynthia moved her character into Sky Pillar's interior. It was very quiet here, only the sound of wind whistling through stone crevices. Inside was a narrow passage spiraling upward.
The walls were carved with some blurry ancient murals seemingly depicting a figure soaring through the sky.
Unexpectedly, Cynthia's journey was remarkably smooth. She didn't encounter any wild Pokémon blocking her path, as if this ancient ruin had long been forgotten and cleared out.
Cynthia carefully controlled her character, continuously jumping and climbing upward along the ruined passage.
As the altitude continuously increased, the surrounding air seemed to thin.
The view became increasingly expansive. Through the pillar's windows, she could see the still-chaotic sky outside.
Finally, after a long climb, she successfully reached Sky Pillar's very top.
This was an extremely open platform with massive stone slabs covering the ground.
The surroundings were completely unobstructed sky. Wild winds howled.
And in the platform's center, a slender yet massive green figure quietly coiled there, as if merged with the entire pillar.
Its entire body was covered in streamlined green scales. Its abdomen had red structures.
Its body was elongated with yellow ring-shaped patterns adorning it, radiating an ancient and majestic aura.
Its eyes were closed, seemingly in slumber. But even motionless, that massive presence seemingly merged with the sky itself would inspire awe in any creature that saw it!
Rayquaza!
Cynthia looked at the slumbering dragon on screen, her heart surging violently, her heartbeat involuntarily quickening.
It was it! Identical to the figure in her memory that saved her hometown!
The legendary Pokémon she'd pursued for so many years, yearning to see again, now appeared before her in such a clear way. Though in a virtual game world, that shock and excitement transmitted incredibly realistically.
Her entire body and even soul trembled slightly from this excitement.
Just as her emotions surged, nearly immersing herself in this wonderful fate, the "Jade Orb" in her character's bag suddenly flew out uncontrollably!
Hummm!!!
The orb hovered in midair, radiating increasingly intense green light. This light seemed alive, flying toward the slumbering Rayquaza.
Under this light's illumination, Rayquaza's massive body moved slightly.
Immediately after...
It slowly opened its eyes!
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~ Push the story forward with your Power Stones