Gary stared into the vast crater. According to Zinnia's grandmother, the meteorite buried at its core had once been capable of producing Mega Stones en masse—no wonder the Draconid tribe had guarded the site for centuries.
"Grandmother, are you sure you should be telling me something this important?" he asked, stunned.
Every region was now researching Mega Evolution. If word of this place ever got out, villainous teams—and even so-called righteous organizations—would descend on it in droves.
"The theory behind creating a Mega Stone is simple," the old woman replied calmly, "but executing it is not. Without a strong bond between Pokémon and Trainer, no stone will form. Besides, the meteorite's life-force is nearly exhausted; if another Mega Stone appears, it won't be for a long time."
Zinnia tugged at her cloak. "Grandmother, what about my Mega Stone?"
"It is waiting for you—once you complete the trial I have set," the elder said with a serene smile.
"A trial? What sort of trial?" Zinnia asked.
"Earn the blessing of the Dragon Lord, Rayquaza. Do that, and you shall become Meteor Village's next Lorekeeper."
Gary nearly choked. "That's your idea of a trial? How is anyone supposed to gain Rayquaza's approval? Your tribe hasn't seen it in a thousand years!"
He thought of Destiny Deoxys: when two Deoxys drifted into Rayquaza's stratospheric domain, the Sky High Pokémon had blasted one and hunted the other for years. Meeting Rayquaza in neutral territory might be safe—trespassing in its airspace was something else entirely.
"So how do I even approach Rayquaza?" Zinnia asked.
"Come with me," her grandmother said.
She led them to a small shrine. Instead of ancestral tablets, the chamber was lined with softly glowing emerald crystals.
"These look like the crystals Shelgon used to heal earlier," Gary observed.
The elder nodded. "We call them Dragon Crystals. They're saturated with draconic energy. Dragon-type Pokémon can draw upon them to mend wounds and restore strength."
Gary, who prided himself on encyclopedic Pokémon knowledge, had never heard of such a mineral. "Are they natural?"
"Not exactly," she said. "Long ago, Rayquaza absorbed the excess life energy of the Rainbow Meteorite. What it could not consume condensed and crystallized into these."
That explained why every Trapinch Gary had seen in the village displayed at least Gym-level potential.
From the altar at the shrine's center, the grandmother retrieved ten fist-sized meteorite shards. "Zinnia, present these to Lord Rayquaza. If Rayquaza accepts you, you will inherit both a Key Stone and your Mega Stone."
Zinnia's eyes widened. "Where can I find Rayquaza?"
"Climb Sky Pillar. The tower stands on a solitary isle near Sootopolis City. When you reach its summit, you will understand."
Then she turned to Gary. "Please accompany her."
"Me?" Gary blinked. "Respectfully, this is Zinnia's rite of passage. Why involve me?"
"My granddaughter has never set foot beyond Meteor Village. She has no identification, no currency, and no knowledge of the modern world. You, on the other hand, are an experienced traveler. I ask you to guide and protect her."
Gary hesitated. Escorting someone to Rayquaza's lair was no light task—but refusing might cost him access to the Latiosite the tribe had just bestowed.
Sensing his indecision, the elder added, "Guide her safely to Sky Pillar, and I will reward you with a Dragon-type Pokémon."
Gary perked up instantly. "In that case, I'd be honored to help. Er… which Pokémon did you have in mind?"
Zinnia rolled her eyes at how fast he changed his tune, but her grandmother merely chuckled and beckoned them outside.
She led them to a rocky paddock ringed with Dragon Crystals, where several young Dragon-type Pokémon romped under a caretaker's watchful eye.