Team Rocket's Second-in-Command!

In the sky above, meteors trailing long, fiery tails descended rapidly.

This Draco Meteor was unlike any ordinary version of the move.

Typically, Draco Meteor consisted of Dragon-type energy launched into the sky, which would then explode and rain down as energy-based meteors.

But as Luo Yuan observed, the Draco Meteor unleashed by Rayquaza was filled with real meteors—actual chunks of rock pulled from outer space.

To deal with Luo Yuan, Rayquaza had drawn these meteors straight from the atmosphere.

The difference between energy constructs and tangible meteors was vast; the destructive power of the latter was leagues ahead.

There was little time for contemplation. The meteors, blazing as they tore through the atmosphere, fell at terrifying speeds, blanketing the entire Sky Pillar in moments.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Explosions echoed relentlessly.

The Sky Pillar, once a proud and ancient structure, crumbled like a sandcastle under torrential rain.

Each meteor struck with devastating force, ripping away massive chunks of the tower's structure.

Debris plummeted into the ocean below, sending towering waves crashing outward.

In less than ten seconds, nearly a third of the Sky Pillar's fifty floors had collapsed, leaving the rest in ruins, precariously teetering on the edge of total destruction.

Rayquaza's attack hadn't just struck its enemies—it had obliterated its own home.

Efficient destruction worthy of a demolition expert.

But to Rayquaza, the cost was acceptable.

The home could always be rebuilt. What mattered was eliminating the intruders.

"Huff!"

Hovering above the ruins, Rayquaza exhaled deeply, scattering the smoke and debris. It eagerly awaited the sight of its defeated foes.

Yet, as the dust cleared, the expected scene of devastation did not appear.

Instead, a black triangular prism stood amidst the rubble.

Through its translucent surface, Rayquaza could clearly see the human Trainer it loathed, safe and sound, shielded by Deoxys.

Swoosh!

The black prism faded.

Luo Yuan glanced around at the wreckage caused by Draco Meteor, clicking his tongue in astonishment.

"Good thing I acted fast."

As soon as Luo Yuan had recognized Rayquaza preparing Draco Meteor, he'd recalled both Dragonite and Dragapult to their Poké Balls.

Teleporting with Gengar and Mimikyu, he had hidden within the absolute defense of Deoxys's protective field. Using Deoxys's abilities to repeatedly teleport, they managed to evade the meteors unscathed.

It was the right call.

Judging by the sheer force of Draco Meteor, trying to withstand it head-on would have been disastrous—even if they survived, they'd have been in rough shape.

"Well, what's your plan now?"

Luo Yuan looked up at Rayquaza.

The legendary Pokémon had not only failed to deal any damage but had also wrecked its own home. On top of that, the recoil effect of Draco Meteor had significantly lowered its Special Attack.

If the battle continued, Rayquaza was clearly at a disadvantage.

"Why not become my Pokémon?" Luo Yuan extended a hand toward Rayquaza.

His goal was to capture Rayquaza, and if it could be accomplished peacefully, there was no need for further fighting.

Rayquaza's response came in the form of a roaring Dragon Pulse aimed straight at Luo Yuan.

Dodging the attack effortlessly, Luo Yuan remained unfazed by its hostility.

If Rayquaza were so easy to capture, the Pokémon Research Association wouldn't have gone through such trouble creating the Jade Orb to control it years ago—only for Rayquaza to eventually escape.

High in the sky, Rayquaza felt the fatigue creeping into its body. The aftereffects of Draco Meteor were taking their toll.

Attempting to regain momentum, Rayquaza began to execute Dragon Dance once more to boost its strength.

But Luo Yuan, who had been keeping a close eye on it, wasn't about to let that happen.

Using telepathy, he synchronized with Deoxys, fully immersing himself in its consciousness.

This wasn't the same as issuing commands through psychic communication.

In this state, Luo Yuan entered a first-person perspective, becoming one with Deoxys during the battle.

He handled the strategy while Deoxys focused on execution.

Deoxys blurred into motion, reappearing beside Rayquaza. In its Attack Form, its four tentacles coiled together, creating a charged Shadow Ball, which it hurled at Rayquaza's head.

Sensing the danger, Rayquaza twisted away, swinging its tail in retaliation. A Dragon Tail lashed toward Deoxys.

Rather than dodging, Deoxys's glowing eyes flared blue. Psychic energy enveloped its tentacles as it countered with Psycho Cut.

Clang!

Despite being a clash of flesh and psychic force, the impact rang out like colliding steel.

Due to its smaller size, Deoxys was pushed back from the exchange.

But under Luo Yuan's control, Deoxys quickly shifted into Speed Form.

In an instant, it became a red-and-blue blur, darting around Rayquaza at speeds too fast for the eye to follow.

Deoxys launched a series of swift strikes, harassing Rayquaza from all angles.

Rayquaza fought back fiercely, retaliating with wide, sweeping attacks. Though it lacked the speed to keep up with Deoxys, its large size and wide attack range gave it an edge.

While Deoxys's four tentacles outmatched Rayquaza's two claws, the legendary Pokémon's thick scales absorbed most of the blows, preventing critical damage.

If this continued, the battle would devolve into a war of attrition. Rayquaza could rely on the meteoric energy stored in its body during its long periods of slumber to outlast Deoxys's Speed Form.

But Luo Yuan wasn't going to let it come to that.

Although Dragonite and Dragapult were safely out of the fight for now, Gengar and Mimikyu were still by his side.

Momentarily withdrawing his consciousness from Deoxys, Luo Yuan shot a glance at Gengar.

Understanding instantly, Gengar's eyes glowed red.

A wisp of dark energy emerged from Gengar's body, snaking toward Rayquaza. Taking advantage of Rayquaza's focus on Deoxys, the dark energy coiled around the legendary Pokémon.

Curse!

This move was tailor-made for attrition battles.

Rayquaza shuddered as a chilling sensation spread through its body. Its once-abundant stamina now steadily drained away.

At this rate, Rayquaza would be exhausted before Deoxys even came close to its limits.

"Roar!"

Rayquaza wasn't about to stick around any longer.

For a Pokémon that had lived for millennia, retreating from an unwinnable fight wasn't shameful—it was a calculated decision.

After all, with multiple Pokémon ganging up on it, this wasn't defeat.

It was merely a "strategic retreat."