Last time, Sarah and her family crossed paths with Lazuli again as she boarded the Dragon Craft. But, they weren't the only ones with an unexpected passenger as Liko and the Rising Volt Tacklers met Roy again as he searched for Fuecoco. After Arcia was called to help with the Brave Olivine's repairs, Sarah, Liko, Friede, Race, and Roy went to the boy's village to check on the Pokémon but the excitement was cut short when the Explorers (who had been following them via their only tracker fixed o the Brave Olivine's hull) ambushed the group, their eyes trained on Liko's pendant and the Terapagos Three once more. In the chaos that followed, Amethio's Corviknight stirred up a Hurricane before swooping down the young girl and the royal couple and if they don't do something fast, Liko, Sarah, and Race will be in real pika-peril!
"AH! Liko, Sarah, Race! Where are you?!" Roy panicked as he shielded himself and Fuecoco.
"Roy?!" Liko shouted.
Sarah and Race, on the other hand, weren't bothered by the wind and sand thanks to their being able to see through the elements with Wind Vision and Sand Vision, allowing them to apparate to Liko and Sprigatito to protect them.
"Liko, it's too dangerous for you and Sprigatito to stay here!"
"Get back to the Brave Olivine as fast as you can!" they told them urgently.
"No! We can help!" Liko protested.
"Don't argue with us, damn it!"
"Hurry before we end up getting captured together!"
"TOO LATE!" screamed a horrified Sprigatito as she directed the trio to Amethio and Corviknight coming at them, bracing herself while Liko screamed and the royal couple placed themselves in front of the duo with no choice but to fight their way out and save Liko themselves.
(Theme Song - Anywhere My Pokémon Go)
I love watching how my Pokémon grow
I'm sharing everything my Pokémon know
(We open with Sarah and her family with the Viking Teens as they find themselves in Paldea as part of Sarah's vacation plan before the little princess and Race are shown finding Miraidon and Koraidon on the beach before meeting Nemona, Penny, and Arven from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet)
Nighttime, daytime, there are shining more so
I'll go anywhere my Pokémon go
(We see Sarah and Hootie joining forces with Liko and her partner, Sprigatito, as they all perform Leafage before we meet a boy named Roy and his Pokémon, Fuecoco, battling Sarah as she summoned her Primarina, Aqua, and they begin to have a battle. Then, we cut to one of the villains belonging to a new team of foes named Amethio using a Ceruledge to square off against Sarah as she fights with Kaji and Keldeo before a new Pokémon Professor, Friede, and his crew: the Rising Volt Tacklers are shown with their Pokémon)
Anything you wanna see, (Ooh!) anything you wanna do
Promise you can be with me, be with me, (Yeah!) I can be with you
(We soon find our heroes joined by Edgar, Henna, Stoick, Gobber, their Pokémon and dragons, Nemona, Penny, and Arven as they find themselves in Area Zero where Sarah's Walking Wake and Iron Leaves, Link and Zelda, are facing an army of Paradox Pokémon in front of them. Then, Sarah and Race's necklaces glow with the former accessing the power of Terastallization for her Pokemon as she Terastallizes and Mega Evolves them before the royal couple, the Viking Teens, Miraidon, Koraidon, Liko, Roy, Nemona, Arven, and Penny are shown together as they stare out into the heavens)
I wanna go around and around and around the world with you
I'll go anywhere my Pokémon go
Trials of Sarah: Pokémon Horizons
(End Theme Song)
It seemed as though all was lost for the heroes as Corviknight drew closer and closer to the trio but at that moment, Liko's pendant shimmered for a third time and soon, the same shield that protected them and Sprigatito days prior reappeared around them.
Noticing the glow as he put on his goggles and after hearing Corviknight stop in his tracks with a stunted screech, Friede quickly cried out, "Liko, Sarah, Race!"
Even Roy was surprised by this as he puzzled, "What's happening with that glow?"
Amethio snarled in disgust at this, eyeing Liko and her pendant as he realized it had awakened its inner power again to protect its owner and her friends, prompting the young girl to ask it, "Huh, did you save us again?"
But, before she could think about it more, Liko then turned to Roy and even Sarah and Race were shocked by what they were seeing. Liko's pendant was reacting to the young treasure hunter's Ancient Pokeball as it shimmered brightly in a golden glow (the young boy having seen it glowing from his shoulder pack and pulled it out, sharing the trio's shock as none of them knew what to make of it).
Before Amethio and his Corviknight could make another move, however, they were suddenly attacked by Miraidon and Koraidon as the two friendly Paradox Pokémon charged from the Dragon Craft and knocked them down with a hard double punch (with one punch from both Pokémon), allowing Silvally and Tou-Tou to use Air Slash to disperse the Hurricane the Raven Pokémon stirred up before the pendant's shield vanished and its glow died down.
"Liko, Sarah, Roy, Race!" Friede shouted as he and Charizard tried to reach the quartet only for Zirc and Onia to appear on their Skarmory, ditching their previous battles and with their eyes now trained on the pair to keep them from helping their targets.
"I don't think so!" Zirc spat.
"Use Whirlwind!" they then barked, having their Armor Bird Pokémon stir up more wind and sand that the pair stood against, leaving Sarah, Roy, Race, Liko, Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Miraidon, and Koraidon to defend themselves against Amethio as he returned his Corviknight.
"As I stated before, you three, that pendant, and your three Pokémon are coming with me," he spoke darkly, no longer in the mood for games.
"Sure, they'll come with you. NOT!" spat Koraidon as he blew a raspberry at Amethio while he walked closer to them.
"They're not afraid of you and neither are we!" Miraidon added as he got into a battle stance.
Liko was hesitant and continued to wonder if she should comply with his demands but this time, Roy stood up to him on her behalf as he said, "But, that pendant and the Pokémon he's talking about are your treasure as well as Sarah and Race's, right, Liko? You can't have them!"
"Roy's right, Amethio. You and the Explorers never gave us a reason as to why we should join you creeps; you and your posse ambushed us to force us to comply with your so-called demands, you threatened our friends and my family, you attacked them as well as kidnapped me with no honor whatsoever, and got innocent Pokémon nearby caught in the crossfire of this battle!" Sarah seethed in response to the man's order.
"Even if we do have the Pokémon you want, there's no way we're going to just hand them over to you! We don't know what you're planning to do with them and Liko's pendant but you've proven yourselves time and time again since you first came to us at Indigo Academy to be nothing but monsters! You don't deserve to have our three Pokémon and Liko's pendant, Amethio. You haven't earned them nor our trust," Race concurred.
"Roy, Sarah, Race..." Liko breathed in awe.
Amethio gritted his teeth before he calmed himself down and pulled out Ceruledge's Pokeball, summoning his partner for his latest battle, "Ok, then. If you don't want to comply, we'll battle for them. Ceruledge?"
"Ready, Master, what are your orders?" replied the Fire Blade Pokémon, readying himself for battle.
"Attack them all."
Liko became worried again as she saw Silvally, Tou-Tou, Koraidon, and Miraidon snarling at Ceruledge while they all readied themselves for a fight and she thought, "This doesn't look good for us even with Silvally, Tou-Tou, Koraidon, and Miraidon's help, but still..."
She then steeled herself as she then stated, "...We have to try! Sprigatito, use Leafage!"
Roy, getting the idea, agreed as he joined in on the attack, "Yeah! Fuecoco, use Ember!"
This left Sarah shocked and worried as she called out in vain to them, "Hold on! You two, Sprigatito, and Fuecoco can't go up against a fully evolved Pokémon like Ceruledge with only your basic attacks!"
Sharing Liko and Roy's sentiments as they ignored Sarah's calls, Sprigatito and Fuecoco fired their attacks at Ceruledge only for Amethio to call out, "Block them both!", and allow Ceruledge to block the basic attacks with ease (shocking the young trainers and their Partner Pokémon and causing Sarah and Race to grit their teeth worriedly for the two pair teams).
"Oh, no!"
"Are you kidding me!?"
But, despite this, Liko and Roy were determined to not give up if it meant safeguarding the pendant and the three Pokémon belonging to the royal couple as they tried a different tactic to get a hit in on the Fire Blades Pokémon.
With a knowing nod shared between them, they called out to their partners, "Let's go, Sprigatito!"
"Fuecoco, let's do it!"
"Right/Yeah!"
With Sprigatito and Fuecoco by their sides, Liko and Roy ran from either the left or right to attack Ceruledge from two different angles, thinking he wouldn't be able to defend himself from an assault from both ends.
"Use Leafage/Ember!"
"Use Psycho Cut," snorted an unimpressed Amethio, having his partner cut through both Ember and Leafage with Psycho Cut and striking both Paldea Starters down easily, much to Liko and Roy's shock and horror.
"Sprigatito/No!"
"Liko, Roy, pull back! You're outmatched by that monster and his Ceruledge, leave him to us and run!" Race ordered, seeing how hopeless things were getting for the young trainers and the two Paldea Starters.
"Hmph, you'd be wise to heed your friends' warnings. It's pointless to keep attacking," Amethio scoffed mockingly as Sprigatito and Fuecoco picked themselves up.
"Ngh, shut up..!"
"Yeah, urgh! We're not finished yet...!" the Fire Croc and Grass Cat Pokémon snapped at Amethio as they groaned, both of them refusing to surrender and let the cold-hearted Explorer have his way with the royal couple's Pokémon he alluded to and Liko's pendant before they were covered in their respective green and red auras.
"Come on!"
"Let's have some fun!"
"Fuecoco/Sprigatito..." Liko and Roy breathed in awe over their Overgrow and Blaze abilities.
Amethio was intrigued by this as he thought, "Did those two pipsqueaks raise their power because Ceruledge and I had them cornered?"
"Of course, they used Overgrow and Blaze!" Sarah gasped.
"Blaze and Overgrow?"
"What are they?" the young trainers asked the little princess.
"They're special abilities that allow Grass Type and Fire Type Pokémon such as Sprigatito and Fuecoco to gather all of the energy they have left on them for one final burst of power when things get desperate just in case they become exhausted during battle."
"But, how come they activated just when we were about to lose?" Roy pondered in awe.
"Well, Island Girl and I think Sprigatito and Fuecoco needed to find the strength to never give up through your bonds with them and protect Liko's pendant and the three Pokémon we have as well as not wanting to let our family and the Rising Volt Tacklers, especially Charizard, down by taking the fight to Ceruledge despite him having backed them into a corner they can't get out of. Because of that, Sprigatito and Fuecoco were able to muster up the last bit of their strength to use Overgrow and Blaze," Race informed.
Now, having a greater understanding of Fuecoco and Sprigatito's Blaze and Overgrow abilities, Liko nodded as she turned to Roy, "Roy, I think Blaze and Overgrow gave us a second chance. Let's combine our strengths this time, ok? If we fight him together, we might have a chance!"
"Yeah, you got it!" Roy nodded.
"We'll go first! Sprigatito, use Leafage!"
Taking her chance, Sprigatito made the first move of her and Fuecoco's latest round against Ceruledge as she fired a fully powered Leafage attack.
"The same thing will happen every time! Now, Ceruledge, blow it way!" Amethio barked, his Fire Blades Pokémon swatting the Leafage attack away amid a torrent of sand and wind he also stirred only for Fuecoco to follow up on it as he got close.
"Now, use Ember!" Roy signaled, having Fuecoco run forward and unleash an Ember attack similar to the first Ember he used on Rhydon, finally connecting it with Ceruledge.
"Alright, we got him!"
"Yeah, that was an awesome combo!"
"Nice work, Fuecoco!"
"You, too!" Sprigatito and Fuecoco smiled, congratulating each other for their success.
Amethio was impressed but not by much as he continued to scoff, "I see, you've come up with an ingenious strategy but it won't do you much good if you can't follow up on it nor will it change anything. Use Phantom Force!"
Sharing his trainer's sentiments after holding his ground, Ceruledge brushed himself off and tapped into his Ghost Type energy before he vanished for a brief moment through the use of Phantom Force. Fuecoco and Sprigatito were taken by surprise until he reappeared and struck them from behind, first clobbering the Paldea Fire Starter in one hit and doing the same to Sprigatito, leaving them helpless and beaten (with Liko and Roy finding themselves and their Partner Pokémon in their biggest pinch yet).
"Finish them!"
"FUECOCO!"
"Roy, wait!" Roy and Liko screamed, the boy racing to Fuecoco while Liko chased after him as Ceruledge prepared to kill their partners.
"Koraidon!"
"Miraidon!" Sarah and Race shouted as their two Paradox Pokémon darted past the young trainers and stood in front of the Fire Blades Pokémon as they countered with Shadow Claw.
The three Pokémon pushed against each other in a deadlock before Miraidon forced him off, allowing Koraidon to hit him, thus activating his Weak Armor ability again.
Joining Miraidon and Koraidon, Race and Sarah faced Amethio and his partner, the two of them now preparing to fight them for a second time but not without a few preparations at hand as the former readied his Wrist Com and Sarah brought out her Panthera Morpher and a Panthera Charger (which caused Liko and Roy to stop and watch in surprise).
"You're not going to be shedding any innocent blood today, you creep!"
"What you want with Liko's pendant and our Pokémon, we don't know but we're not gonna stand by and let you maul Sprigatito and Fuecoco!"
"It's Morphin' Time!" they roared with Race activating his Ultra Rescue Morpher and taking out his Poke-X Key and Sarah opening her Panthera Morpher before inserting her charger in it, preparing to morph into her Dino Charge alter-ego.
Panthera Charger, engage!
"Link to Morphin Grid!"
"Energize, unleash the power!"
"What's this?!" Amethio gasped in shock, seeing what they were about to do.
Without warning, Race and Sarah activated their morphers and transformed into their respective Power Ranger alter egos, the former Battle Frontier Champion donning his old ranger self as the Pyroar Ranger and the little princess becoming the Yellow Panthera Ranger once more. The sight of them in their ranger alter-egos left Liko and Roy along with Onia, Friede, and Zirc completely flabbergasted, seeing the royal couple transforming into superheroes before their eyes as they all gasped in shocked bewilderment and awe.
"Pyroar Ranger, Race!"
"Mega Lion! Power Ranger, Yellow! Sarah!"
"Rangers Forever, Defenders Together! Power Rangers Ultra Rescue!"
Roy and Liko were dumbfounded and stunned as they voiced their opinions out loud or in their minds, "Whoa, no way! This is awesome! Sarah and Race are superheroes!"
"Race, Sarah, Power Rangers?! How-? I've never seen anything like this before!"
"Now, you'll face the wrath of two Power Rangers who are not only these kids' friends!"
"But, also, their family in all but blood!"
Then, as they, Koraidon, and Miraidon got into their battle stances, the four of them roared together, "We stand united/We stand united!"
Even Pantherra, Galaxagus, and Lazuli (who had finished putting her cloak back on while covering her mouth and mouth with a face mask that came with its hood as she pulled it over her head (leaving only her eyes exposed) and holding her sword) couldn't help but be impressed as they watched from their bedroom window in the Dragon Craft.
"Well, what do you know? One surprise after another..."
"Those young whippersnappers never cease to amaze us," Galaxagus and Pantherra commented, impressed.
"I'll say, even our former team had no idea they were playing with fire in the form of a few Power Rangers. I'd see Amethio and his team and everyone else aligned with them have met their match. Now, what do you say we get in on the action?" chuckled Lazuli in agreement as the three of them made their way to the battlefield with the former Explorer now battle-ready.
"Korai and I will go first, Race. Koraidon, use your Agility!" Sarah bellowed, allowing Koraidon to run towards Ceruledge at blinding speed before he circled him to try and throw him off.
"Your parlor tricks won't change a thing no matter what you do to delay the inevitable. Ceruledge, use Phantom Force! Don't let that beast get to you!" Amethio snarled, having Ceruledge use Phantom Force to take Koraidon and Miradon down only for them to strike back with their tails before they each punched him back again.
"Miraidon, Dragon Breath!" Race boomed, his futuristic reptilian Pokémon firing the Dragon Type attack at his and Koraidon's adversary with no signs of tiring.
"Use Psycho Cut!"
Of course, Ceruledge wouldn't go down without a fight as usual as he fired Psycho Cut, his blades of Psychic Type energy slicing through Dragon Breath and reaching Koraidon and Miraidon which they dodged with swift reaction time and expert jumping which further amazed Roy and Liko.
"Wow, look at them go!"
"Amazing, Miraidon and Koraidon, their power and their fighting styles! Just what are these Paradox Pokémon?"
Of course, Ceruledge tried to get back in on the fight but without warning, Galaxagus charged at him and bucked him back. Amethio gasped and snarled as he turned to the one responsible for sending the Night Pegasus Pokémon out to attack him and his partner only to gasp as he saw the cloaked Lazuli pointing her sword at him with Pantherra by her side. The sight of the trio shocked Sarah, her family, and Race as they turned to them, wondering why they were joining the battle.
Zorua was also stunned by this as she transformed into a Pidgey and flew over to the cloaked former Explorer, quietly chastising her, "Hey, what are you doing?! You're supposed to be on house arrest because of your ties to those creeps! Have you lost your marbles?"
"And, miss out on all the fun? Fat chance," Lazuli replied, her playful smirk then morphing into a frown under her face mask as he glared daggers at Amethio, Onia, and Zirc along with their Pokémon. "Besides, I want payback for what those creeps made me do and Lavender Eyes is my main punching bag. Boys?"
Nodding to their master and partner, Galaxagus and Pantherra readied themselves with the former making the first move against Ceruledge as he neighed proudly.
"Ceruledge, stop it now! Bitter Blade!" Amethio barked, having his partner charge at Galaxagus with his Bitter Blade attack which was halted by Galaxagus' back hooves as he bucked him again, allowing Pantherra to jump in and clamp his jaws on the Fire Blades Pokémon's right leg and make him yell in pain before he threw him into some nearby rocks.
"Whoa!"
"Yikes," gulped Roy and Liko, startled by Pantherra and Galaxagus' power and fighting style (which also shocked Sarah and Race as they saw how powerful the two Pokémon under Lazuli's wing were).
"Okay, Galaxagus! Dark Pulse!"
"You won't best me and Ceruledge again! Phantom Force!"
"Not so fast!" Miraidon shouted as he grabbed Ceruledge by one of his arms and held him, allowing Galaxagus to fire Dark Pulse before he threw it towards the powerful Dark Type move (resulting in him being hit and thrown back).
However, there was going to be another twist in the battle at hand; without warning, Sarah and Doug's Cosmic Grace appeared, its Rayquaza Pokemon Gem now glowing at its brightest which triggered a response from Roy's Ancient Pokémon and Liko's pendant as they shimmered at their brightest as well. Roy was especially surprised by this as his Ancient Pokémon shook in his right hand as if there was something inside it wanting to be let out and it was not empty as he had heard and had been told.
"My Pokeball!" he gasped as he, Liko, Race, and Sarah were wondering what was going on as the glows overtook them.
The three intersecting glows caught everyone's attention as they stopped fighting and looked over to where Liko, Roy, Sarah, Race, Lazuli, and Amethio were. Friede gasped in surprise and even Amethio was left baffled by what he saw as it was not another shield from the pendant like before.
"Another barrier?! No, wait! What is happening?" Amethio questioned just as Roy's Ancient Pokeball opened, the old yet sophisticated lock on it now fully released thanks to whatever power it had gotten from the Rayquaza Pokemon Gem and Liko's pendant. And, then, from out of the Ancient Pokeball in a beam of gold light that shot into the clouds (breaking them and showing the clear blue sky from behind it) was a Legendary Pokémon. The Pokémon in question turned out to be a Shiny Rayquaza as it was black all over save for its yellow and red lining and details as well as its golden yellow eyes but it looked to be crystalized through the power of Terastallization, making it without a shadow of a doubt: a Terastal Shiny Rayquaza.
As everyone watched in shocked awe, the beast roared with ferocity and a power that only the original Rayquaza could match.
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"
"Ah! I-I thought that this old Pokeball was empty but that Pokémon was in it?!" Roy said, completely flabbergasted as he looked between the Shiny Rayquaza and his Ancient Pokeball.
"Sicko!" Cap commented, astonished as he looked at the Shiny Rayquaza from the Brave Olivine.
"Is that... A black, Rayquaza?" Friede gasped in total shock.
"Not just a black Rayquaza, you goombah! A Shiny Rayquaza, like my girl's Shinies with us including Houndy, Star, and her Eon Babies!" Zorua chastized the unconventional professor.
"It IS a Shiny Rayquaza!"
"But, its body! It looks like it has been Terastallized but the transformation seems permanent!" Sarah and Race spluttered in astonishment, the former holding her Cosmic Grace as the Rayquaza Gem continued to shimmer brightly.
Holy crap! Is this for real?"
"Look at that!"
"So big and shiny...!"
"Incredible, it's exactly like the original Rayquaza but everything Little Zorua, the princess, and her husband said!"
"Now, that is one beautiful dragon!" Seth, Star, Nebula, Raikou, and Amber blinked as they and the other Shiny Pokémon in Sarah's hands looked in total awe and fascination over the regular Rayquaza's Shiny and Terastallized counterpart.
Lazuli was also stunned as her jaw dropped from her face mask but she soon smirked as she gave an impressed chuckle while looking between Sarah, Roy, and Liko, "Well, blow me down to Tokyo and back. Those meddling kids are full of surprises, aren't they?"
"Whoever thought such a magnificent creature was locked in such a sophisticated yet ingenious human contraption for so long by the looks of it?"
"I'm impressed, those kids ain't half bad with that dragon. They're gonna go places with fantastic beasts such as that," added Galaxagus and Pantherra as they regrouped with their human partner and shared their shock, amazement, awe, disbelief, and surprise at the Terastal Shiny Rayquaza before them.
"What is that one? I've never seen it before!"
"That makes two of us," Onia and Zirc bantered, realizing that they don't have anything on the Terastal Shiny Rayquaza before them, Amethio, and the heroes.
The Terastal Shiny Rayquaza continued to roar but it sounded as though it was mad, angry at someone or something for disturbing what is its prolonged slumber inside Roy's Ancient Pokeball. Even Roy's grandfather and the villagers with him were also astounded by the sight of the Terastal Shiny Rayquaza since they also believed it to be empty and had nothing in it since it was found. Turns out, with the reveal of the Shiny and Terastallized Sky High Pokémon, they and Roy were completely off the mark on what's inside it.
"WHO DARES TO DISTURB MY SLEEP?!"
"And, the surprises keep coming..." Amethio mused.
"Uh, Rotom, what is that?" Liko gulped, her Rotom Phone coming out to scan the angry Shiny Rayquaza before it pulled out its data entry.
"Rayquaza, the Sky High Pokémon. A Dragon and Flying Type, it has lived for hundreds and millions of years in the ozone layer. When it flies at night, it resembles a shooting star."
The young girl was still astonished as she could only peep, "...Rayquaza, are you feeling angry...?"
"Let's move!" Charizard roared to Friede, having his partner jump on his back before they darted past Onia and Zirc (essentially using Amethio's cheep trick from before against them to reach Liko, Roy, Sarah, and Race).
"Romeo, Juliet!"
"Stop them!" Johnathan and Diane bellowed, having their Emotion and Blade Pokémon block them and their Skarmory from following Friede and Charizard while keeping their attention on them.
"Liko, Roy, Sarah, Race!" Friede shouted, getting the quartet's attention (along with Fuecoco and Sprigatito's as they finally woke up and they also became shocked at the Terastal Shiny Rayquaza moments earlier).
"Hey, Friede!" Race called as he and his Charizard arrived.
"You guys want to tell me what just happened?"
"I-I, I don't know! It just suddenly came out of this Pokeball!" Roy stammered, showing Friede his Ancient Pokeball.
"SO, YOU WERE THE ONES WHO BROUGHT ME HERE! I'LL SHOW YOU, DRACO METEOR!"
The heroes suddenly gasped as Rayquaza roared and eyed them with fury, gathering its Dragon Type energy and opening its mouth as a glowing magenta orb shone from it. Then, with no mercy whatsoever, the Terastal Shiny Sky High Pokémon fired one of the strongest moves ever performed by a Dragon Type Pokémon as it shot into the air and then split into tiny meteors that were just as powerful and damaging: Draco Meteor.
While most of the heroes braced and shielded themselves along with Amethio and his Ceruledge and Lazuli, Galaxagus, and Pantherra, some of Sarah and Race's Pokémon were scrambling to avoid the mini meteors as they landed in several places along the beach. Even Mollie, Murdock, Orla, Arcia, and the wild Pokémon in the Brave Olivine along with the dragons in the Dragon Craft were rocked about. Thankfully, though, the meteors didn't the airship and the aircraft so none of them sustained any major damage.
"Amethio, Sir! Please forget about them and that woman who just attacked you!"
"It's not safe here! We'll have to deal with the princess, her husband, and Liko another time!" Zirc and Onia called as they and their Skarmory approached Amethio, avoiding being hit by the Terastal Shiny Rayquaza's Draco Meteor.
Amethio gritted his teeth but he knew his cohorts were right given the situation at hand, and so, with no other options, he issued his only order in their current situation, "Retreat, now!"
He returned Ceruledge and summoned his Corviknight back into the fray, and getting back on him, Amethio led Onia and Zirc away back to their submarine until they were out of sight, leaving the heroes to deal with the Terastal Shiny Rayquaza.
"Rayquaza, go back into the Pokeball!" Roy pleaded, showing the Terastal Shiny Rayquaza the Ancient Pokeball on him.
"YOU DARE TO TELL ME I SHOULD GO BACK INTO THAT BALL? A PUNY KID WHO THINKS HE IS MY MASTER WHEN HE'S NOTHING MORE THAN FODDER COMPARED TO MY ONE TRUE FRIEND AND MY TEAM? I THINK NOT!"
That was what was going through Terastal Shiny Rayquaza's mind as it angrily roared those thoughts at the heroes, the shockwaves from its intimidating bellows stirring up wind and sand all over them before it prepared to take off to parts unknown. But, before it left, it quickly glanced at Sarah, Race, and Liko as if it felt some sort of powerful presence from them (the exotic Sky High Pokémon having also noticed the Rayquaza Pokémon Gem that still shimmered on the blade of Sarah's sword).
None of them knew what the Terastal Shiny Rayquaza was thinking when it looked at them but they couldn't about it at all as it finally took off into the skies before it vanished out of sight, its powerful roars and the glistening sparkles from its permanent Terastallized form disappearing in its wake. Everyone didn't know what to think after the powerful Rayquaza made its exit but one thing they did know was that they were relieved to be out of danger with Sarah and Race breathing out sighs of relief as they took off their helmets.
"That was close..."
"Yeah, that was definitely no ordinary Rayquaza. It may be a Shiny but a Terastallized Shiny outside of a battle, that's a first," the royal couple admitted as they watched Liko tending to Sprigatito before they turned to the thunderstruck Roy as he tried to wrap his head around the entire event and the sight of the Terastal Shiny Rayquaza.
"Roy, you okay?" Liko asked before they and everyone else saw him fall on his back, the sight of the Terastal Shiny Rayquaza leaving him with a second wind.
"That was amazing!" he grinned excitedly.
Sarah and Race smiled but they remembered Lazuli and turned to her as she and her Pokémon approached them, "Are you guys crazy jumping in like that?!"
"You know we're still on the fence with you, right?"
Lazuli just shrugged.
With the Explorers out of their hair, everyone could finally rest in peace and carry on with life as normal. While Friede, Liko, and Roy went back to the latter's home to inform his grandfather about the Ancient Pokeball and the Terastal Shiny Rayquaza and have lunch, Orla and Arcia were finishing up the final touches on the Brave Olivine's repairs while making sure the airship was ready for flight since it and the Dragon Craft thankfully suffered no damage from the powerful Legendary's Draco Meteor.
Even the wild Pokémon nearby were happy to go about their peaceful lives again while Rockruff scanned the beach curiously until he came across a Shellder, poking about it and receiving an annoyed bite to his tail which made him yelp in pain.
"Rockruff, don't tell me you're trying to become a Slowbro, are ya?" Murdock quipped in amusement as he went over to his partner and removed the Shelder from his tail.
"Don't think that's gonna happen anytime soon," Orla joked, feeling more cheerful than ever.
"You and Arcia finished the inspection?"
"Yep, I gotta admit, Sarah was right; Arcia's got a license to build and repair just like me. She really does know her way with the majority of the she put into the repairs. I thought that was the end of the ship but I'm so happy I was wrong. Thanks for the help, Arcia," Orla quipped before she thanked the pup mechanic.
"No problem, Orla, glad I could help," smiled Arcia before she activated her Pup Tag and called Sarah. "Well, Sarah, that's it for the airship, she's decked out and ready to fly again."
"Thanks a lot, Arcia! You were a big help, you can go home now; we'll stay with the Rising Volt Tacklers and the others a little longer in the meantime," Sarah called from her Pup Pad.
"Okay, Sarah! Hope to see you when you come home!"
"Stay in touch!"
"Well, that's my cue to skidoo. See ya around, guys!"
"Bye, Arcia!"
"Take care!" Orla and Murdock smiled as Arcia apparated back to Dragonstone.
With Quaxly, he found the tracker the Explorers had placed on the Brave Olivine and called Ludlow over to have him check it out, wondering what he should do with the device that got everyone on their side into trouble earlier.
"Those Explorers, they put this on us? Hmm, here you go," Ludlow chuckled as he examined the tracker and gave it to Quaxly, allowing him to peck at and destroy it so Amethio and his team couldn't use it anymore to follow their every movement.
With Sarah, her family, and Race, they confronted Lazuli, Galaxagus, and Pantherra in their bedroom, all of them now peeved over the fact they had flouted the conditions the heroes had set in place for them following her arrival and their second confrontation with her (even if it was to save their new acquaintances from the swordswoman's former colleagues).
"I thought I made it very clear the first time that you were 'under house arrest' earlier today," Sarah grumbled.
"Come on, kid, you want me to miss out on the fun while you were all dancing with Amethio and his stooges?" Lazuli retorted playfully.
"You voluntarily put yourself in danger of exposing yourself to him, Onia, and Zirc while we were fighting him. Any one of them could've easily recognized you and your Pokémon had they seen your sword and your uniform underneath your cloak," Race scolded in disgruntlement.
"Which means we're going to have to get you new clothes and make you ditch that stupid get-up from those Explorers creeps so you don't stick out among us," Blitz added in agreement, looking at Lazuli in her Explorers uniform.
"Exactly what I was going to say. And, it seems like our best course of action when we finally return to Paldea; I doubt anybody who's heard about your former team there would even let you go through a door to any place there such as a restaurant, tapas bar, flamenco dance studio, or Naranja, Uva, or Blueberry Academies looking like that," put in Ghost (Dragapult), glaring knowingly at the swordswoman.
Lazuli just scoffed as she continued (giving them a harsh but hefty dose of the honest truth as she made her sentiments about the Explorers known), "Pfft! Puh-lease, as if they would give a damn about me and my Pokémon. I'm nothing but dead weight to them after I fulfilled my purpose; after they got everything they wanted from me, they threw me out without a care in the world. It's obvious those jerks and those knuckleheads back at HQ didn't care about treating others fairly and loyalty so why would I want to be associated with them let alone Amethio and his monkeys?"
She then turned to Sarah as she added, "Besides, you also got more to worry about; like those kids who tried to put up a fight with Flame Swords earlier. None of them, not even their partners, could match him and Amethio; as they are now, they're way out of their league. At least, do me a favor and show them the ropes on how to pwn them and their cohorts. You owe me that much just as I do with the info I have on that bastard team during my tenure with them."
"I'm afraid she is right, Princess."
"The swordswoman speaks the truth and you'd be wise to heed her words; in their current state, Young Liko and Roy along with Sprigatito and Fuecoco couldn't hold a candle to Amethio's Ceruledge. They clearly lack the training and discipline required to stand their ground and they must be ready," Cobalt and Xena sighed.
"One move punishing two baby boomers which caused their Overgrow and Blaze abilities to kick into overdrive immediately? That doesn't bode well," Johnathan agreed.
"We know you, Race, Koraidon, Miraidon, Sprigatito, and Fuecoco made it out alive today, Sarah, but Ceruledge is a tough foe."
"Also, that strange Rayquaza that came out of Roy's Ancient Pokeball was a real menace with its Draco Meteor. Hard to counter, and if it had hit the Dragon Craft and the Brave Olivine... They might not be their match again the next time we see them," put in Talon and Chien with great concern.
"Well, on that note, for our contribution to your survival, you're welcome," Lazuli smirked as she lounged about on her bed.
"Just know that you're still in hot water with us despite that, young lady," Diane warned, glaring at her.
"I wouldn't dream of backstabbing you because if I did, I would've been long gone by now. Besides, your grandkids spilled the beans about their ranger powers out of their own free will when they and their Koraidon and Miraidon jumped in to protect the little rascals before Amethio and his partner could kill them."
Sarah and Race sighed; the royal couple knew they were forced to break the most important rule of the Power Rangers to protect Liko, Roy, and their partners and they also knew they owed them, Friede, and their friends an explanation.
Their chance came when they went to the village to meet up with the trio in question and Roy's grandfather as he brought the quintet some tea, the young treasure hunter grinning brightly as he saw them coming (as he and Liko had just finished watching a Nidothing video that touched upon the subject of Legendary Pokémon which confirmed that the Terastal Shiny Rayquaza was indeed a Legendary Pokémon).
"Hey, Sarah! Race! What you did earlier was awesome! I mean, I never imagined that besides being the Hoenn Battle Frontier Champion and the Princess of Alola, you're also superheroes, too! Like the adventurers of old that have Legendary Pokémon and more!" he gushed, his eyes twinkling in admiration.
"Thanks, Roy. But, the truth is nobody was supposed to know about the Power Rangers; we were forced to morph you saw before you earlier because you two, Sprigatito, and Fuecoco were about to be killed," Sarah replied, surprising Roy and Liko.
Race nodded, "One of the golden rules to being a Power Ranger is to keep your identity secret; no one is supposed to know who they are. And, if they did, they mustn't tell anybody. But, now that the cat's out of the bag, the Explorers will be after our heads."
Liko was stunned by what she had heard and she began to feel incredibly guilty for how reckless she and Roy and their Partner Pokémon had been, knowing that it was their fault her best friends had to reveal their identities to save them, "So, Race and Sarah... They became Power Rangers to protect everyone they love and this world. But, because Roy and I got careless while battling Amethio and Ceruledge, they were forced to reveal themselves to save us. And, now, the Explorers know about this, too... Oh, if only we had been more careful..."
"...I see. So, that puts you two in a precarious predicament. The others and I knew that the Power Rangers don't have it easy given the stories we've heard about them but I never thought you would have a huge burden placed on your shoulders when it comes to saving the world. I'm sorry," Friede admitted as the royal couple sat across from them on the table they occupied.
Sarah nodded, "Which is why you three and the others should never tell anybody, not even your own families and friends of old, about our identities. If any of you do that, your lives will be in danger as well and there's only so much we can do to protect you. And, don't worry about it, we're used to it by now."
With a heavy sigh that followed, Race stretched his right hand and placed it on the table (with Sarah joining her hand with his) as he told the trio,"...Liko, Roy, Friede, now that you know about us being Power Rangers, you must promise us to take a solemn vow that you and the rest of the Rising Volt Tacklers should never tell anybody the secret of the Power Rangers' identities. Can we count on you guys, on behalf of the forces of goodness, to maintain the secret of the true identities of the Power Rangers?"
The unconventional professor and the two kids looked at each other as they considered everything they had been told before they looked back at Sarah and Race, eventually giving them both trusting smiles as they placed their hands with their own.
"We're in."
"We promise."
"Count us in," the trio vowed, getting thankful smiles from the royal couple with Roy's grandfather smiling in agreement, understanding the severity of their plight as Power Rangers (knowing not to say a word about their identities).
"Now, that that's over with, you all ran into some real trouble today, huh?" the elder mentioned.
"It was really scary but exciting, too!"
"So, Roy, you said you're sure that black Rayquaza from earlier came out of the Pokeball you had with you?" Friede puzzled Roy, mentioning the Ancient Pokeball and its former inhabitant.
"Yeah, it came right out of my hand after it glowed a second time when we least expected it and that was when Sarah and Race's mysterious guest came in and saved us before things could get bad. I saw it happen!"
"Right, I believe you about that."
"Hmm, A black Rayquaza, eh? If I remember correctly, legends were told that 100 years ago, that very same Rayquaza you saw had partnered with a person known as the Ancient Adventurer," the village elder informed thoughtfully.
"An Ancient Adventurer?" Liko echoed.
"Elder, if it's not too much to ask, how did that Shiny Rayquaza with the ability to maintain its Terastallized form belonging to this Ancient Adventurer come out of that Pokeball belonging to Roy?" Race asked.
"To tell you the truth," the elder began as he pondered, the five humans waiting in anticipation for his answer until... "...I ain't got a clue!"
Friede, Liko, Roy, Sarah, and Race groaned in exasperation as they comically fell over or off the table until Sarah picked herself up and gave her thoughts on the matter regarding the Terastal Shiny Rayquaza, "I'm guessing, on another point, that the Pokeball Roy had on him must've belonged to that adventurer. And, for the record, if you're still planning on calling it a Black Rayquaza, don't; there's a reason why it's back, it's a Shiny Pokémon. It might be the only one of its kind as well with its strange Terastallized form."
"Hmm, you may have a point, Princess. But, getting back to the subject of the Pokeball it came from that your man mentioned, I found that Pokeball on the beach back when I was just a little kid. And, when Roy asked me if he could have it, I gave it to him. I never actually considered there might be an actual living Pokémon inside it."
This revelation left Roy in total awe and excitement as he deducted and asked his grandfather, "If the Shiny Rayquaza came out of this Pokeball... Whoa! Does that mean that this is the old hero's Ancient Pokeball?"
"I always thought of it as nothing more but an old myth."
Sarah shook her head in amusement at Roy's grandfather as she told him, "Well, you can notch that one up on the 'Confirmed' category; just as my family and I were the real deal as the last royal family of the Alolan Royal Hierarchy, that Terastal Shiny Rayquaza is no myth but a living, breathing creature."
Race nodded in agreement as he took out one of the modern Pokeballs and placed it next to Roy's Ancient Pokeball, immediately seeing the differences and similarities between them in terms of their overall designs and function, "Hmm, the Ancient Pokeball looks more sophisticated given the elegant and somewhat Victorian look but it seemed to be incredibly advanced for its time even though today's Pokeballs are simpler and accessible. While the modern Pokeballs can be used to catch any Pokémon depending on which ball is used, the Ancient Pokeballs must be created each for a certain Pokémon which meant that Rayquaza belonging to this Ancient Adventurer is one of them."
"Sweet!" Roy grinned, his excitement growing as he eyed the Ancient Pokeball. "SWEET!"
"Even the handle in place of the button lock is a mechanism some scientists would struggle to crack open. I might be going off on a limb but Rayquaza seemed mad when it was released. That means something must've triggered its appearance when the seal on it unlocked," Sarah theorized, looking at Roy's Pokeball.
Then, Liko remembered the moment when her pendant and Roy's Ancient Pokeball glowed at the same time which signaled the arrival of the Ancient Hero's Terastal Shiny Rayquaza, "When my pendant glowed the moment when Sarah and Race's unexpected guest rescued us, Roy's Pokeball glowed as well. Could they be connected?"
She then went to the elder to show him her pendant, hoping he would have answers about it, "Um, excuse me, do you know anything about this pendant here?"
The elder was impressed by her pendant when he looked it over but he sheepishly admitted to her, "Oh, fine little trinket you have there but I'm afraid I don't know much about fashion, at all."
Oh, well, thanks, anyway..."
"Well, we do know one other thing, though. Right before it left, that Terastal Shiny Rayquaza eyed Liko's pendant along with the Rayquaza Pokémon Gem on my dad's sword," Sarah admitted, making Liko blink in surprise at her.
"Which meant that the two of them and that Rayquaza could be connected, in more ways than one," Race added thoughtfully as Friede got to his feet, looking excited at the prospect of a mystery he had yet to unravel.
"A Terastal Shiny Rayquaza... Fascinating, that Pokémon and everything you two are saying have definitely got this professor all worked up! I got to know more, all of it!" he grinned, determined to unravel the secrets the strange Shiny Rayquaza had to offer.
Of course, Roy frowned sadly as he noted, "But, the Shiny Rayquaza we just saw flew off into who knows where..."
Just as the group was about to figure out their next move and what they should do about the Terastal Shiny Rayquaza, Friede got a call from Mollie and answered her as the traveling nurse happily informed them, "'Sup? Sprigatito and Fuecoco are all better now."
"Yes!" Roy cheered excitedly, brazenly running off to the Brave Olivine and the Dragon Craft to see his little friend.
"Hey, wait!" Friede called after him before he turned back to the elder, "Thank you for your time."
"Yes, thank you so much for your help!" Liko agreed with a smile before she joined Friede in running after Roy.
The elder smiled as he turned to the royal couple, "So, I guess that means you'll be leaving shortly, Your Majesties?"
"That's right. We also better make sure they don't get into trouble but for that feast and your people and the Pokémon's hospitality, thank you, Elder."
"We'll never be able to thank you enough for showing us what my wife is hoping to accomplish as well," they replied warmly before they went after their friends, leaving the elder to wonder about his grandson and the path he had chosen given that he had changed so much in such a short time.
Returning to the Brave Olivine, after he and Sprigatito had been given a clean bill of health by Mollie, the Fire Croc Pokémon returned to the kitchen and curiously looked at the berries Roy left behind for him hours ago. He was touched by the act of kindness the young boy did for him and he was wondering what to do to repay him. Fuecoco didn't have to worry, however, as Charizard came over and handed him an empty Pokeball, seemingly knowing that his future was set the moment he and Roy first met.
"Hey, little buddy," he growled warmly.
"Huh?" Fuecoco squeaked cutely, looking at the Pokeball before he turned to his idol in surprise, "You mean...?"
Sure enough, Roy had managed to make it to the Brave Olivine, deciding that the time to say what he wanted to say to him was now as he screamed (while getting the attention of the wild Pokémon nearby as they curiously looked at him and Friede, Liko, Sarah, and Race finally caught up with him), "FUECOCO! I've got something I want to say to you, pal! I don't want us to say goodbye; I want us to stay together, forever! I want to keep singing songs with you and battling with you! You're the only partner who's ever made me feel this happy!"
Everyone gathered including Sarah's family and Race's team (who had heard everything and went outside to see what was happening) stood and waited with bated breath, wondering what Fuecoco would have to say about that. Then, they all heard a soft "Hey, Liko!", and sure enough, the Grass Cat Pokémon and the Paldea Fire Starter himself appeared, the former excitedly returning to her partner while Fuecoco casually waddled to his human friend.
"Sprigatito! Hey, you," Liko laughed as she caught her partner. "I'm so glad you're doing better!"
"Fuecoco, if you don't mind, will you please be my Partner Pokémon?" Roy asked the Fire Croc Pokémon only to see him twitch for a moment and spit out the Pokeball Charizard had given him, surprising Roy as it rolled in front of him while everybody realized what was happening.
"Huh? He, he...brought over a Pokeball?" Liko blinked.
"...Roy, I think Fuecoco wants to go with you. You've convinced him somehow that you two were meant for each other "
"Mmm, go ahead, Roy. You go ahead and catch Fuecoco, he will be a great partner for you," Sarah and Race smiled, leaving Roy amazed as he took the Pokeball and looked Fuecoco in the eye.
"Are you saying, you want me to use this Pokeball to catch you?"
"Yeah, pal!" Fuecoco nodded eagerly.
"...D-D-Does that mean, you wanna be my partner, as well?"
"Yeah! Partner, partner! Friends for life who will sing together forever, that's us!"
Friede had to smirk over Fuecoco's choice as he remarked, "That settles that. I mean, it was pretty obvious."
Unable to hold back his excitement, with everybody else watching the pair proudly, Roy got himself into position and readied the empty Pokeball, taking a deep breath and doing his best to control himself as he grinned excitedly.
"I've been practicing this for a long time and the moment's finally here! Hey, Fuecoco, I choose you! You ready, here we go!" Roy called, throwing the Pokeball like a baseball pitcher.
The ball managed to hit Fuecoco but it didn't open the first time, leaving him to help Roy as he jumped towards the Pokeball and hit it harder, allowing it to finally catch him on the second try. The ball shook three times as it registered him as his human friend's partner and the lock clicked in place, showing that he was now Roy's Pokémon, signifying that from this day forward, Fuecoco and Roy are now partners for life. Wanting to be sure as he sweated in anticipation, Roy took the Pokeball and immediately released him, the Fire Croc Pokémon letting out a happy "Hey, Partner!" as he took him in his arms and they laughed together.
To reaffirm their time as friends for life and the beginning of their journey together, the two of them sang happily again, leaving everyone else to wince in embarrassment, smile awkwardly, or cringe at how poorly they were doing so despite their happiness for them.
"My heart's full of joy; Roy and Fuecoco have found each other," thought Liko, feeling just as happy for Roy and Fuecoco before she winced and voiced her opinion about their off-key singing out loud, "But, their singing could still use a lot of work..."
Friede continued to smirk as he proudly told the young treasure hunter, "Congratulations, Roy. From now on, you are an official Pokémon Trainer."
"A real Pokemon Trainer?" gasped Roy in realization.
"You and Fuecoco aren't just friends now, you guys are a team. That means you'll have to take care of each other from this point onward, okay? If that's alright, we're gonna have to depart for the Paldea Region in a few."
This surprised Fuecoco and Roy as they realized what their friendship and their days as a team could potentially mean, leaving Roy to proclaim sadly, "That means... We have to say goodbye to them, buddy..."
Fuecoco was devastated as he beggingly pleaded, "NO! NO, NO, NO! I don't wanna say goodbye! No way, it bites! Where I go, you come with me and us! You come with us! No two ways about it, OK?!"
"What are you saying, pal?" Roy asked, not fully understanding Fuecoco's pleas.
"Roy, it seems as though Fuecoco doesn't want to say goodbye; besides, from what Liko told us during lunch before the Explorers crashed the party, didn't you say you wanted to become a Pokémon Trainer and have adventures while traveling around the world? Since you took the first step with Fuecoco, why not jump at the opportunity right now? And, if you're scared about going alone, you don't have to do it alone; Fuecoco's also saying you can come with us, my family, and the Rising Volt Tackers. His presence along with ours can make all the difference for you during our adventures together," Sarah translated.
"Sarah's right, Roy; you have Fuecoco now. The Pokémon by your side will be fine and you'll be able to take that first step into adventure. I know you can just like Sprigatito taught me, didn't you?" Liko concurred reassuringly, turning to her partner.
"That's right!" Sprigatito meowed happily with a proud smile.
"Right! That's what I was trying to say!" Fuecoco nodded, thankful for Liko and Sarah understanding his greatest wish for himself and Roy.
That was all Roy needed to hear as he then declared after a moment to get his bearings, "Yeah! Alright, let's do it!"
"We knew you could do it," Race chuckled.
"Alright, just get the green light from your gramps and we'll be ready to go," Friede concurred, smirking at Roy.
"Great! I'm gonna go look for it right now!"
"I keep hearing 'Gramps' so here I am," called a familiar voice as Roy's grandfather arrived, having seen and heard everything much to the group's surprise including Roy's.
"Oh, uh..." the young boy began, unsure of what to say until he came over to his grandfather with Fuecoco by his side and made his wish known. "Okay, here goes; Gramps, I just became a real Pokémon Trainer!"
"Yeah!" Fuecoco agreed.
The elder had to smirk as he looked between Roy and Fuecoco, "So, you decided to choose this one, eh?"
"Yeah! So, um... Now, I wanna... I want to go on adventures and travel with the Rising Volt Tacklers and Sarah and Race's family, can I?"
The elder was intrigued but he hid it through an intimidating display, making Roy wince a little as he questioned, "What did you say?"
"I have a Pokémon in Fuecoco now, I'll be alright. I've always believed your stories about the Ancient Adventurer were true, and to add to that, I've always dreamed of traveling around and meeting all kinds of Pokémon that I haven't seen yet! When I saw that Shiny Rayquaza, I knew right then and there that I wanted to find it and catch it. Gramps, I've got to take this journey!"
Continuing to look a his grandson with intrigue hidden under intimidation, the elder continued to inquire, "Tell me, Roy. Is that your biggest dream, one that you could tell me here and now?"
"It's not just mine, it's also Fuecoco's dream. After seeing them battle today, Fuecoco wants to become big and strong just like Friede and Sarah's three Charizards; he wants to be the best that he can be. As his new trainer, I'm going to help him make his dream come true! And, I speak for both of us when I'm going to accomplish both of our dreams with his help, together!"
"Pokémon's Honor!" Fuecoco concurred with an eager salute.
The elder thought over everything he had heard from Roy and after a short while, he gave him his approval, "Yeah, sure, why not?"
Roy blinked in surprise as he asked, "Huh, you mean it?"
The elder nodded proudly as he continued, "Up until yesterday, the only thing you've ever talked about was fulfilling your own dream. You sounded as though you were in something for yourself and nobody else and that's why you didn't bother leaving. But, ever since you met Fuecoco and became good friends with him, that all changed; you talked about your Pokémon's dream, too. Pokémon and trainer must share one heart; combine your strength with Fuecoco's for his sake as well and the both of you can do great things."
Realizing and understanding this, Roy nodded with a happy smile as he turned to his partner, "Uh-huh! Isn't it great, Fuecoco?"
"More than great, it's AWESOME!" Fuecoco cheered excitedly.
Roy's grandfather continued to smile at his grandson as he presented him with his shoulder pack that had all of his things on it and said, "Ever since you told me about what happened last night, I even went through the trouble of packing all of your things. I knew it was only a matter of time until this day would come right from the start and words cannot describe how proud I am of you as the grandson you are now. And, don't worry about little old me, I'll be fine. Now, get going, and don't stop until you fulfill your and Fuecoco's dreams while reaching for that Rayquaza and the stars!"
"Thanks, Gramps, you're the best!" Roy thanked happily as he took up his shoulder pack.
Friede smirked as he welcomed Roy to his and Cap's crew along with Sarah's family and promised his grandfather, "Welcome to the team and the family, Roy. We'll try to keep him out of trouble while on the move."
The elder nodded, making sure to remind the unconventional professor as firmly as he could, "I'll hold you and your friends along with the princess and her family to it, Professor."
Friede nodded before he looked at Roy and Liko, telling the young boy, "And, when you do come home again, Roy, it'll be on that Shiny Rayquaza's back."
Liko and Roy giggled happily while Sarah and Race smiled proudly for Roy; from that day forward, the young boy became a Pokémon Trainer and part of the Rising Volt Tacklers through Fuecoco just as the Fire Croc Pokémon became his friend for life and his destined partner through song. It had only been a few days but the royal couple and their family's time and adventures with the exotic airship crew along with Johnathan and Diane had truly begun with the arrival and acceptance of Roy coupled with the appearance of the Terastal Shiny Rayquaza.
Meanwhile, with the Explorers, Amethio was present along with a few other members including four top agents sitting a short distance apart from him by his left or right and a butler close to him by the name of Hamber in the briefing room of the new syndicate's headquarters. They were all standing at attention to his superior only known as Master Gibeon (whom Hamber served with great dedication to his duty and loyalty to the cause of the Explorers as Gibeon's second-in-command).
While Amethio (who was using holographic technology to project himself into the space he occupied in the HQ's briefing room with the other members including one of his fellow top agents named Spindel) gave his report about the events that went down since he first met the royal couple and Liko, Gibeon couldn't help but feel intrigued by what he was hearing and even the others listened with great intent.
"That's my official report, and from what my team discovered, things had gotten more complicated compared to before," Amethio finished once he had told everything.
"Why did you, out of everyone here, feel compelled to act alone like a lone wolf?" Gibeon asked as he spoke through a holographic monolith, wantings answers as to how Amethio went about his mission as he did.
"It was my decision to do what I must in order to ensure that the mission involving the Pokémon and the pendant we're after was a success. I take full responsibility for its failure on my part given how compromised we are on that front."
Spindel couldn't help but laugh at this as he smirked and mocked Amethio, "I can't say I'm surprised, Amethio. I mean, how are you supposed to serve Master Gibeon by failing so miserably and suffering such a defeat in a Pokémon battle against the likes of the Sun Princess and her husband?"
"I wouldn't have lost that battle had they not revealed themselves to be Power Rangers let alone the pegasus and cat that got in the way along with that Black Rayquaza!" Amethio spat back in annoyance.
The undeterred Spindel continued to smirk, taunting Amethio as he went on, "Ah, yes, of course; the, uh, Rayquaza you said you saw... Not to mention, the princess and her hubby have quite the army of Pokémon on them, over 270 Pokémon comprised of well-known combatants, new species that had never been discovered and recorded by anybody including the world's top Pokémon Professors including the world-famous Professor Oak, and exotic faces that nobody knows anything about like their Koraidon and Miraidon you and Ceruledge fought against earlier. That also includes the deluge of Mythical and Legendary Pokémon, am I correct?"
He chuckled again as he kept up the taunts, "Also, I've never known you to fall against any type of opponent while in battle but I seemed to have sensed a change in you when you talked about them being Power Rangers, correct? I've heard about those legendary heroes in spandex from stories but not once did I ever think they were real. Apparently, you've stumbled into a roadblock with them but I'm sure they and the Rayquaza you saw along with the pegasus and cat that snuck up on you and your partner and struck you two out of nowhere are no match for you, agreed?"
By now, Amethio lost patience with Spindel as he snapped at him, "Do you doubt my word?!"
"That's enough, you two! I will not tolerate such arrogance such as this in Master Gibeon's presence! Don't forget where you are standing now," Hamber interjected firmly, not wanting the two to break out into a fight before Amethio recomposed himself and allowed Master Gibeon to speak.
"Spindel, I shall grant you the task of following our three targets now. Keep a watchful eye on them as they go about their journey, and remember, do not underestimate the princess. The fact that she and her husband, Race Konami, are Power Rangers is worrying in and on itself and they are both truly frightening adversaries," Master Gibeon ordered, making his decision for the group as he directed his words to Spindel.
Spindel was pleased by this as he bowed to Master Gibeon and gave his word, "I shall personally place the pendant and the three Pokémon you require in your hands soon, my liege."
Master Gibeon gave a hum of approval to him (hoping that his newfound trust in Spindel isn't misplaced should he keep his word) before he directed his next words (ones filled with disappointment) towards Amethio, "Amethio, as of now, you are relieved of duty until further notice. You've been a good and faithful agent of ours but it's time for you to step aside."
Amethio gasped in shock at this but Spindel took great delight in this as he laughed and mocked him for a final time, "Your work is done, Amethio. Why don't you go and rest up while I go and finish what you started?"
Amethio just seethed but there was nothing he could do now that Spindel was put in charge of his mission and given his old post and he was powerless to stop it given how he had fallen from grace so early on. With nothing else to say or do for the time being, he begrudgingly made his way out before Spindel and the other agents left (since all of them had used holographic technology to report to the briefing room as well) to continue any other missions they had on them before they were called to the briefing.
Now, Hamber and Master Gibeon were all alone as he approached his superior's monolith and said, "Master Gibeon?"
Master Gibeon hissed as he replied, "Yes, they had been found..."
"NO!"
The brooding Amethio slammed his right fist into the wall on his right, furious by what went down in the briefing room and his fall from grace with Spindel being given his mission and his old position. He walked off, wondering how he could pay Spindel out for his mockery and prove his worth to Master Gibeon again to get back in his good graces until a worried Onia and Zirc came in after him.
"Amethio, Sir, we heard that someone just stole your command!"
"Are you really supposed to just take it and do nothing?" they said.
Amethio breathed and recomposed himself until he told them (much to their shock as they followed him now that they had their new mission behind Master Gibeon, Hamber, Spindel, and the top agents' backs), "No. Right now, we have a new target with the pendant and the three Pokémon we're looking for out of our reach for now: the Black Rayquaza. It is the key we need to finally understand that resonance!"
With Sarah and the others, as dusk fell and Roy was introduced to the rest of the Rising Volt Tacklers (while also returning the flag he had recovered to them), over on the Dragon Craft, Sarah and Race met up with Lazuli and her Partner Pokémon again and being joined by Diane, Romeo, Juliet, Johnathan, the Ralts Twins, and Petunia (who was currently babbling happily near the former Explorer who, in turn, appreciated the company of her first real friend outside of Galaxagus and Pantherra).
"I see... So, I was right when I saw you thrashing Amethio's Fire Sword Captain and laying him the smackdown with your Paradox Brothers earlier before we jumped in," snorted Lazuli, feeling pleased with what she was told.
Diane sighed curmudgeonly as she replied, "As much as we hate to admit it, young lady, you were correct about that tracker."
"Now that Ludlow found out about it and Quaxly destroyed it, we are safe from the Explorers since they won't use it to track us all down for some time," Johnathan added begrudgingly with Romeo and Juliet nodding in agreement, remembering Sarah's connection to Equestria, the Miraculous, the Palismens, and so on.
He then turned to Sarah and Race as he said to his adopted granddaughter, "Honey, are you sure to have a person as crafty as her this close to you? She may not look like it but if she's truly a swordswoman and her Pokémon were powerful enough to match or surpass Amethio's Ceruledge, who knows what she's capable of? She could double-cross us at any given moment and swipe your Terapagos Three away from you and Race under our noses."
"Pass up the thought! My time with those hooligans is no more, I'm a free spirit now. And, I promise; no dark tricks or doom treats from me, Galaxagus, or Pantherra, you have my word. I know every single one of my former colleagues from head to two along with their Pokémon including their greatest strengths and their most fatal flaws; strengths and weaknesses you could exploit easily to demonstrate your true power to them. I don't want any money or what you got, just the sight of seeing the Explorers crumble and their egos shattered completely," Lazuli replied dramatically yet playfully.
No one said a word, completely unsure of what to make regarding Lazuli despite her giving her word to them. Of course, there was nothing they could do to deny that she had been a big help against Amethio, Onia, and Zirc hours ago; if she hadn't told them about the tracker they placed on the Brave Olivine and she and her Pokémon hadn't jumped in before Ceruledge could barge through Koraidon and Miraidon to kill Sprigatito and Fuecoco, they would've been dead and the Terapagos Three would've been found and captured and Liko's pendant would be in Amethio's hands by now.
Sighing heavily again and hoping she wouldn't make another mistake in judgment, Sarah proposed, "...Alright, new deal: you and your Pokémon can stay. But, I warn you; you will be under heavy watch and escort at the hands of my family since your former allegiance with the Explorers gives us reason to not trust you fully as things stand. We're still on the fence with you, and as long as you don't pull the wool over our eyes and keep your word to help us deal with them, you'll be allowed to roam freely without question or we'll let you and your Pokémon go if you feel like leaving and doing your own thing. You got it?"
"...Deal. Thanks for the help earlier, by the way," Lazuli nodded with a chuckle as she lounged on her bed again. "Good to know I have a full stomach and we have a roof over our heads and a friend here."
Petunia babbled again, feeling happy for her new friend.
Seeing this, Sarah sighed before she turned to MK-1 (who had joined her and her family and watched everything unfold before him) as she told the robot pup, "Alright, MK-1, if you see Friede and Cap giving the all-clear for the Brave Olivine from the bridge, let's go. Set course for Paldea, on the double!"
Barking in response to his owner's orders, MK-1 left Lazuli's room and went to the bridge to man the controls again so he could drive his family alongside the Brave Olivine to the Paldea Region.
Speaking of the Brave Olivine, with Roy and Liko, as the airship took off alongside the Dragon Craft, Roy heard a rousing and heartfelt farewell from down below before he saw his fellow villagers and his grandfather saying goodbye to them and offering him their support for his and Fuecoco's dreams and his journey to become a true Pokémon Trainer in the process.
"Roy, look," Liko peeped, directing Roy towards the sunset on the horizon as it made the ocean glisten in the distance and decorate its surface layer in a mix of orange, red, and yellow. "So pretty...!"
Roy was amazed as he breathed, "The sea is that huge, huh? I've seen it every day before now but nothing like this..."
"It's finally starting, our greatest adventure together..."
"Yeah, off to the Paldea Region! And, my, I mean, our adventures together are all waiting out there. Just wait, Rayquaza, I'm coming after you! And, one day, I'll find and catch you!"
"Yeah!"
The pair laughed happily as Liko gathered her thoughts while the Brave Olivine and the Dragon Craft flew off into the horizon, "And, that's how we got our new crewmate, Roy, who stumbled into our lives and became part of the Rising Volt Tacklers. The pendant I got from my grandmother brought me here and it's connected all of us; this Ancient Adventurer, a Shiny Rayquaza, Sarah and her family... There are still tons of mysteries to uncover, how far can we go?"
To Be Continued...