Chapter 266 – Capturing Rayquaza & Zinnia's Broken Dream
Gary had been keeping an eye on Asahi, and the moment he saw him move, his excitement soared.
Was it finally time for the climax?
But…
Gary glanced at Rayquaza, still putting up a fierce fight despite being at a disadvantage. This didn't seem like the best time to capture it…
Theoretically, the Master Ball could catch any Pokémon, regardless of its state.
But that was only a theory.
Would it really work on Rayquaza right now?
If Gary could see this issue, then Asahi definitely understood it as well.
And of course, he was already prepared.
There was one final step before capturing Rayquaza.
Asahi handed the Master Ball to Gardevoir, then summoned Gengar and retrieved a small box from its belly.
Opening the box, a soft green light radiated from within—
It was the jade-colored orb Asahi had obtained earlier.
The moment its energy leaked out, Rayquaza—locked in battle with Mewtwo—shuddered violently.
It involuntarily turned toward Asahi.
Mewtwo seized this opening. A surge of psychic power condensed into a shockwave—
Boom!
The attack struck Rayquaza directly.
Pain flashed across Rayquaza's face, but it remained silent, its gaze locked onto the orb in Asahi's hand.
Within Rayquaza's golden eyes, Asahi saw something complex—
Confusion, surprise… and a hint of irritation.
Now this was unexpected.
Did the jade orb really have such a strong effect? He hadn't even activated its true power yet…
Curious, Asahi channeled his Aura into the jade orb.
Immediately, he felt his consciousness connect with an immense presence.
[ROOOAARR!]
Rayquaza's voice roared in his mind. Its meaning could be summed up in one simple sentence—
[If you had this, why didn't you take it out sooner!?]
…Huh?
Asahi blinked at the orb, then at Rayquaza.
So this thing wasn't meant to weaken Rayquaza?
Mewtwo, sensing the shift in the situation, stopped attacking and observed cautiously.
Then—Rayquaza began to descend.
Slowly, it landed atop the platform.
Raising its head, it adopted an imposing stance, looking down at Asahi and Mewtwo.
"ROOOAARR! (Human, you have passed my test!)"
Asahi: "….."
Why hadn't he noticed before?
This Rayquaza… was kind of a tsundere.
Still, it was good news.
Rayquaza had voluntarily ended the fight.
And Asahi wasn't about to forget his original goal.
Seizing the opportunity, he made his offer.
"Rayquaza, become my Pokémon!"
---
Zinnia had witnessed everything.
She was shocked beyond words.
This so-called League lackey had first sent out his strange Pokémon to beat down the Dragon God.
Then, he had pulled out an unknown orb that somehow made the Dragon God willingly stop fighting.
Everything she had been taught—the belief that Rayquaza was the strongest Pokémon in the world—was shattered.
Could Rayquaza… actually lose?
As soon as this thought surfaced, Zinnia shook her head vigorously.
No! Rayquaza lost because it hadn't shown its true power!
If Rayquaza had Mega Evolved, there was no way this League lackey could have won!
Yes, that had to be it!
Feeling a little better, Zinnia looked up—only to see Asahi approaching Rayquaza.
That vile League agent… he was trying to manipulate Rayquaza's goodwill to get close to it!
Wait… why was he taking out a Master Ball!?
What are you doing?!
Rayquaza, don't let him—
Why… did you lower your head?
STOP! DON'T DO THIS!
In her despair, Zinnia watched as the invincible Dragon God succumbed to Asahi—vanishing into the Master Ball.
Her entire world crumbled.
Her once-bright eyes lost all light.
Meanwhile, Gary glanced at her, confused by her utterly broken state. Shrugging, he saved the recording on his phone.
This was an invaluable video—the Hoenn branch of Interpol capturing Rayquaza.
As one of the key participants, he had to keep this as a trophy… and, of course, to show off to Ash!
"Mew~!"
With Rayquaza now caught, Mew floated to Asahi's side, nuzzling him affectionately.
Then, it turned to Mewtwo with a look of concern.
Although Mewtwo had dominated the battle, it had still taken several unavoidable hits from Rayquaza.
Seeing its mother's worried gaze, Mewtwo quickly reassured her that it had already used Recover.
Just as it finished speaking, Asahi placed a hand on its shoulder.
Viridian Power activated.
Mewtwo felt a comforting warmth spread through its body.
---
Sky Pillar was now a battlefield of destruction, the aftermath of Rayquaza's Hurricane and Draco Meteor.
But thanks to ancient technology, the tower remained standing.
Asahi released Rayquaza from the Master Ball.
Rayquaza lifted its head, maintaining a proud demeanor.
Then—its gaze landed on another Rayquaza.
Startled, it recoiled—only to watch as the second Rayquaza warped and transformed…
Into Mew, giggling behind its paw.
Rayquaza: "....."
As a Pokémon that had existed since ancient times, Rayquaza naturally recognized Mew, the guardian of the World Tree. Among the Mythical Pokémon, aside from Hoopa, who had a habit of stealing things, Mew was the one most fond of pulling pranks like this.
Moreover…
Rayquaza's gaze lingered on both Mewtwo and Mew before finally settling on Mewtwo.
No wonder it had found this one's aura oddly familiar…
"Hiss—!" Rayquaza growled at Mew.
"Mew~!" Mew quickly hid behind Mewtwo, then stuck out its tongue at Rayquaza playfully.
Rayquaza snorted but chose to ignore Mew's antics—until Asahi interrupted them.
"We made quite a scene just now. Let's leave."
He had already troubled Steven enough.
Now that Rayquaza was captured, there was no reason to stay at Sky Pillar. It wasn't exactly a comfortable place to hang around, especially with the harsh winds.
Asahi turned to Gary, who was leading the prisoner forward.
"Let's go back."
Then, he looked at Rayquaza.
Gary froze for a second before his excitement surged.
Recalling Mewtwo, Asahi climbed onto Rayquaza's back along with Gardevoir, Mew, and Gary.
Of course, he didn't forget about Zinnia.
"Ahhhhhh—!"
Clutched in Rayquaza's claws, Zinnia screamed as she soared through the sky.
She had always dreamed of getting close to the Dragon God, but she had never imagined it would be in this way!
Somebody save her!
---
Team Rocket's Hoenn Base #2
At the training grounds, Athena watched Giovanni intently.
The Rocket boss was commanding his Beedrill to pierce through a steel humanoid target.
It had been years since she had seen him so focused.
Sensing her presence, Giovanni gestured for Beedrill to stop, then turned to Athena.
"What is it?"
Athena straightened her posture. "Boss, we've intercepted critical intel from the Pokémon League."
She handed a report to Giovanni.
Glancing at it, his brow furrowed.
"Abnormal weather patterns at Sky Pillar… possible attempt to capture Rayquaza?"
For some reason, the moment he read this, an irritating face popped into his mind—Asahi.
But as Team Rocket's leader, Giovanni was methodical.
"Has the intel been verified?"
Athena nodded. "We cross-referenced the Sky Pillar coordinates with satellite imagery. The severe weather fluctuations strongly suggest Rayquaza is involved."
That alone didn't confirm Asahi's involvement.
Running through a mental list of Hoenn trainers capable of facing Rayquaza, Giovanni asked, "Where is Steven Stone?"
"Our contact within the Pokémon League confirmed that Steven appeared at League headquarters shortly after the incident."
Not Steven, then. The timing didn't match.
Could it really be…?
If Asahi was the one battling Rayquaza…
With his strength—and Mewtwo—Giovanni had no doubt that Rayquaza wouldn't stand a chance.
And if Asahi had captured Rayquaza…
Giovanni shot to his feet.
Originally, he had planned to let Team Magma and Team Aqua make their move first, then swoop in at the right moment.
Now, that plan was out the window.
"We're moving immediately. Head to Mossdeep Space Center!"
Athena was caught off guard. "But… the Space Center just increased security."
Going there now would mean an outright confrontation with the Hoenn Pokémon League.
Giovanni waved her concerns aside. "This is the perfect time."
To him, the reinforced security was a distraction.
Asahi was likely still dealing with Rayquaza.
Steven was preoccupied at League HQ.
Without them, no one could stop him from seizing Deoxys.
If he missed this opportunity, things would get far more complicated once Asahi returned.
As for the League's response afterward…
Hoenn still had its hands full with Team Magma and Team Aqua.
And even in the worst-case scenario—what could the Hoenn League do? Travel all the way to Kanto just to retaliate?
Seeing Giovanni's determination, Athena didn't argue further. She nodded and hurried off to prepare their forces.
Alone in the training ground, Giovanni looked at his Beedrill, feeling an unusual sense of urgency.
---
Steel Valley
As usual, the Steel-type Pokémon were engaged in their daily sparring matches.
A group of Magnemite had just forced a pack of Aron to retreat when—
A distant green speck appeared in the sky.
As it grew larger, more Steel Pokémon took notice, lifting their heads.
And then…
When Rayquaza descended upon Steel Valley, the sheer force of its presence alone made even the most territorial Aggron bow their heads in submission.
Rayquaza swept its gaze over them indifferently.
Unbothered, it followed Asahi's command and landed on the open hangar platform, entering the base.
---
Inside the Base
Sabrina and Green had already received word of Asahi's return and were waiting.
But when they actually saw Rayquaza, they were still shocked.
Unlike the humanoid Mewtwo or the avian Lugia, Rayquaza's draconic form exuded raw, violent power.
However, their awe only lasted a moment.
Rayquaza was powerful, yes—but it was now Asahi's Pokémon.
Their attention quickly shifted to the unfamiliar girl clutched in Rayquaza's grasp.
Asahi had gone to capture Rayquaza.
So… why had he brought back a girl?
"Who's she?" Green asked.
Asahi, just stepping off Rayquaza's back, glanced at Zinnia—who looked like she was about to fall apart after being carried by Rayquaza the whole way.
"She's a prisoner."
A prisoner…?
The word immediately triggered Sabrina's instincts. She eyed Zinnia warily.
Since when did capturing Rayquaza involve taking a prisoner?
"She's Zinnia, a Draconid who worships Rayquaza," Gary explained. Then, after a brief pause, he added, "That's what Asahi told me."
Green & Sabrina: "?"
Both girls stiffened.
How did Asahi already know her name?
Asahi: "....."
He shot Gary a glare.
If you don't know what to say, just don't say anything!
Realizing he had spoken too much again, Gary immediately shut his mouth.
Sabrina still had doubts, but Green seemed to trust Asahi's judgment.
Noticing how dazed Zinnia looked, Blue quickly released Chansey.
"Chansey, take her to the medical room."
Prisoner or not, Asahi had been too rough on her…
"Chansey~!"
With surprising efficiency, Chansey summoned a stretcher, placed Zinnia on it, and, with Clefable's help, wheeled her away.
Asahi gave Green an innocent look.
Zinnia's condition wasn't his fault.
If anyone was to blame, it was Rayquaza!
Rayquaza: "?"
---