August 19, AL 47
7:28 AM
Who are these children? Why are they with you, Steven? They will only slow us down. Rayquaza's thoughts echoed in the trainers' minds.
"They are Kyle and Terra, friends of mine. They were very helpful getting here, and I think they could help again."
Helpful? If I had not saved you, you would be burning like marshmallows left in the fire too long. Steven, just let me carry them home so you can deal with Deoxys.
"NO," yelled Kyle, walking forward. Rayquaza just looked down; even curled up he still towered over any human. "I will help fight Deoxys. That monster nearly killed my friend, and I will make it pay. I will not be left behind."
"This is why they can and will help," whispered Steven as he came closer to Rayquaza, "They care about Alexander."
So Alexander was their friend? And where are the friends of the other trainers who Deoxys attacked? They are trying to fight the Elite Four and failing. It does not matter how much they care. They are not strong enough. Alexander was a champion. Kyle, you are not. What makes you think you can do any better than he did?
"Then why should Steven go? Won't he do just as badly? I have as much chance as he does!" Kyle slammed his hand down on one of the rocks.
Rayquaza floated into the air above Kyle. Why do you question my judgment? I have spent millennia guarding this world; no one has seen more than I. Steven has far more experience than most humans because he has been a Champion. You are not a champion, and I greatly doubt that you will ever be one. Rash actions from a child will not defeat the most powerful Pokémon that I have ever encountered. Deoxys has already shown that it does not care whether the enemy is a human or a Pokémon, they will be eliminated. You would not survive the encounter. It guards its island jealously and no one who enters leaves again. Even if you were much stronger, I would still refuse to have you go. Only a wise trainer will be able to anticipate its moves and gain victory.
"Rayquaza," answered Steven, "I will only help if these two come with me. They do not yet have the experience that I do, but I can teach them. They will help. Trust me."
Trust you? I know far more about this Pokémon, and I assure you that they cannot help.
"But who found a trainer for you to go into the Cave of Origin? You know Pokémon, but I know people. These two will help."
Rayquaza returned to the ground. Then I had no choice, and you seem to give me no choice once again. But I implore you, test them more than you have. Many trainers seem to have great potential, but there is really nothing there but a love of competition. Then if you decide that they will not just hurt themselves and your mission, they may accompany you.
"Wait," Terra spoke for the first time, "This isn't really helping us. We've already saved Alexander, but the real threat is that the Elite Four will find him again, and we will have failed at what really matters to us. Defeating this Deoxys could be a wild goose chase; it will only prevent from dealing with the Elite Four. I'm not going to leave Alexander to their mercy."
Steven sighed. He turned toward Terra and replied, "The Elite Four only have power because most people are too scared that they control Deoxys and could use it as a weapon. If we can defeat Deoxys, then far more people will join with Prism and together we can defeat the Elite Four. With the forces we have now, we cannot defeat them. I am not as fast as I once was, so now I cannot win."
"I have a better idea. Rayquaza, how far is it to Deoxys' island?"
I could fly there in a week, but it will take you much longer. If I joined you, Kyogre and Groudon might have come back out and their destruction would be far worse than anything these Elite Four can do.
"By the time we return, who knows what the Elite Four could do? It only took them a few days to take over the government completely. Wait... There is a way to make this work. Rayquaza, you could help us."
Rayquaza's eyes narrowed as he looked at Terra.
How?
Terra talked very quickly, "As you saw, we couldn't even defeat two of the Elite Four. Drake nearly killed us, but then you came and fought two dragons at the same time. If you help us attack them now, together we could defeat them. Think about it. The last thing Drake would expect after chasing us all the way here is an attack on his own sanctuary. He's just fought you once, so he can't do it again today. Sydney was beaten by Metagross, so he won't be ready to fight again either. The three of us can fight Phoebe and Glacia, and you can join in after Drake has nothing left to fight with." A grin spread across Terra's face as Rayquaza searched for an answer.
It would just be safer to follow my plan and deal with Deoxys first. Deoxys must be defeated, and I will not take any unnecessary risks of that not happening. You are creating too much danger that could be avoided by getting help from other trainers and not counting your own strength.
"But after you help us, we will not be rushed to return back from defeating Deoxys. 'Rash actions' will not happen if we have plenty of time. All of us will be rid of our problems."
"I think she makes a good point. Don't you, Rayquaza?" asked Steven.
"We can't lose. I won't let it happen," added Kyle.
Fine. The end of Ever Grande City draws near.
A/N: To quote Gandalf the Grey: "I was talking aloud to myself. A habit of the old: they choose the wisest person present to speak to; the long explanations needed by the young are wearying."
Please review!