"If we fight again, Dad definitely won't lose!" Max insisted stubbornly to his sister, still hung up on the previous battle.
Norman shook his head helplessly. "Max, Sam is very strong. Even if we fought again, I'm not confident I could beat him."
"Dad?!" Max stared in shock.
Norman had always been a confident Trainer. Even when facing Hoenn's Elite Four, he had never shown hesitation.
"Sam's Charizard… probably isn't even his strongest Pokémon," Norman added with a faint smile.
"Exploud isn't your ace either, Mr. Norman," Sam replied calmly.
---
After leaving the Battle Tower, the air suddenly felt fresher.
For the past few days, Sam had practically lived inside the tower. It had been a while since he'd breathed real outdoor air.
A light breeze passed by, refreshing him completely.
He had originally planned to say goodbye to Norman and Ash's group before heading back to the hotel—but that familiar sensation returned.
Someone was watching him.
Sam, who was walking at the front, stopped abruptly.
The others followed and stopped as well. Ash was about to speak, but Misty quickly silenced him with a finger to her lips.
Sam closed his eyes.
He focused, extending his perception outward. With the help of his mental awareness, he quickly locked onto the presence.
To his right—behind him.
He turned sharply this time, not allowing the mysterious watcher to escape.
"…Absol."
Everyone followed his gaze.
There, standing in the distance, was a young Absol.
Its body was covered in soft white fur, small and delicate—almost inviting one to reach out and touch it.
This time, Absol didn't run.
It simply stood there, looking at Sam… with clear worry in its eyes.
At the same moment, the crystal in Sam's backpack began to glow intensely.
Absol's expression. The crystal's reaction.
Everything clicked.
If he still couldn't understand what was coming, he'd be a fool.
A cold system prompt appeared in his mind:
---
Main Mission: Rayquaza's Assault
A super-ancient Pokémon that fiercely guards its territory has detected the presence of Deoxys. Rayquaza will respond to intruders with only one outcome—destruction. No matter where it escapes, Deoxys will be hunted.
Options:
Hand over Deoxys
Fight alongside Deoxys
Reward: Based on performance. No fixed rating.
---
Sam took a slow breath and walked toward Absol with a calm smile.
Absol trembled slightly—but didn't move.
Kneeling down, Sam gently stroked its fur.
"Don't worry," he said softly. "I'll be fine."
Absol's body trembled more intensely. It could feel it—the approaching disaster. Far more clearly than any other Pokémon.
Sam picked it up and walked back.
He handed Absol to Ash.
"Take care of it for me."
Without waiting for a response, he turned to Norman.
"Mr. Norman, please go to the mayor of Larus City. Tell him to activate the city's full defense system."
Norman's expression changed instantly.
Larus City did have a defense system—but it was only activated during disasters.
Combined with Sam's behavior, a terrible realization began to form.
"What's happening, Sam?"
Sam's heart was pounding.
He was about to face the strongest force in Hoenn.
Even he felt fear.
This wasn't like facing Mewtwo back on New Island. Back then, he knew Mewtwo wouldn't harm humans.
Rayquaza was different.
To Rayquaza, humans were no different from ants. If necessary, it wouldn't hesitate to wipe out the entire city.
One mistake—and this could end in death.
But there was no point running.
As long as he held Deoxys, this confrontation was inevitable.
Better now than later.
Sam took another deep breath and smiled lightly.
"It's nothing… Rayquaza is coming. And if I'm right—it's coming for me."
"WHAT?!"
Even Norman, known for his composure, couldn't stay calm anymore.
"Dad? What's wrong?" Max asked, confused.
Clearly, the others still didn't grasp the severity of the situation.
"Sam, stay in the city. Wait for reinforcements. I'll contact Steven and the Elite Four immediately," Norman urged.
In his eyes, facing Rayquaza alone was no different from suicide.
But Sam shook his head.
If he stayed in the city, Rayquaza might go berserk.
And if that happened, Larus City's defense system wouldn't last long.
Rayquaza was here for him.
Running wasn't an option.
It never had been.
In both his past life and this one, he had lived by a simple rule—don't become someone who pushes danger onto others.
This time would be no different.
Without another word, Sam summoned Charizard.
He gently patted its head.
"Sorry… I'm dragging you into something like this."
Charizard didn't respond.
It simply raised its head and stared into the sky.
Dark clouds had already gathered above Larus City.
Thunder rumbled within them.
The sky had turned so heavy and dark it felt like it could collapse at any moment.
All across the city, people began to panic. Pokémon ran in fear, sensing the approaching catastrophe.
Sam turned one last time.
"Please, Mr. Norman."
Then—
Without hesitation—
He jumped onto Charizard's back—
And shot straight into the darkened sky.