Chapter 37: The Legend of the People of the Falling Stars

The young girl named Yiyi, holding a Skitty in her arms, said, “I’m the one entering the Grand Festival! Saori is just here to keep me company!”

The Grand Festival…

Images of the top Coordinator, Wallace, surfaced in Hu Yang’s mind. He had never seen a real-life Grand Festival before. After some thought, he nodded. “Alright.”

And so, Hu Yang temporarily joined this little team of two girls. With three days left before the Grand Festival was held, Hu Yang had originally planned to continue seeking battles with others. But Saori mentioned they also needed to conduct special move training in preparation for the upcoming Festival, and he could join them.

However, before that, they needed to pay a visit to Professor Coelans, who lived in the town. Hu Yang simply followed the two girls to a grand residence.

The door soon opened, and out came a middle-aged man with glasses and an unremarkable appearance. This must be Professor Coelans, who in the games had cooperated with Team Magma and Team Aqua to excavate meteorites at Meteor Falls.

“It’s you, little Saori!” Professor Coelans adjusted the glasses on his nose and said with nostalgia, “It’s been a year since we last met, hasn’t it?”

Saori nodded, pulling a gift from her backpack. “Yes, Uncle Coelans. This is a present from my mother.”

Professor Coelans chuckled. “You really didn’t have to bring anything—come in, come in!”

With that, he welcomed the three into the living room.

The living room was spacious but cluttered, strewn with a chaotic array of tools and rocks. Professor Coelans went to the kitchen to brew tea, while Saori quietly explained to the other two, “Don’t mind the mess. Uncle Coelans’ work is to study meteorites.”

Hu Yang certainly didn’t mind; in fact, he was quite interested and began using Appraise to check the information on the meteorites scattered about.

[Fragment of a meteorite from outer space. Apparently, it’s pretty much useless.]

[Fossilized ancient human skull. Holds some research value.]

[Fossilized dung of an ancient Pokémon, dried and preserved in this form.]

At that moment, Professor Coelans returned with three cups of tea and sat down on the sofa to chat with Saori about family matters.

Hu Yang continued his observations.

[Fire Stone ore fragment, formed by condensed natural energy, commonly found in areas with volcanic activity. Can trigger evolution in certain Pokémon.]

[Fossil of an ancient Onix, can be revived at Devon Corporation.]

[Galladite, allows Gallade to Mega Evolve during battle when held.]

[Unknown meteorite from outer space, containing immense energy, possesses the mysterious ability to alter Deoxys’s form.]

“Ahem…” Hu Yang couldn’t help it and choked on his tea.

“What’s wrong?” The two who were chatting looked over at him.

Hu Yang waved his hand awkwardly. “It’s nothing, I just swallowed wrong.”

Professor Coelans was easygoing and laughed, “No need to rush. Take your time with your tea.”

Hu Yang was in no hurry. He simply hadn’t expected to find so many treasures in someone’s home.

“Professor, did you dig up all these stones at Meteor Falls?” Before Hu Yang could ask, Yiyi pointed to a particularly oddly shaped stone and posed the question.

Professor Coelans smiled and nodded. “That’s right. There was a meteor crash at Meteor Falls, and the huge cave was formed as a result.”

Hu Yang listened with growing eagerness. No wonder that world saw a gold rush in the Beautiful Country back then. This sort of thing really was enticing!

He had to go to Meteor Falls and see if he could find any rare stones to sell. That way, he’d have money to raise a second Pokémon!

Digging for stones, making money, catching new Pokémon!

Hu Yang could barely sit still. In this moment, he finally understood Steven’s passion for rocks. However, Steven was driven purely by interest, while Hu Yang was motivated by money!

Professor Coelans began telling the legend of Meteor Falls.

“A long, long time ago, meteor showers streaked across the night sky. Groudon and Kyogre fought tirelessly, their battle shaking the earth and overturning the seas.

The Hoenn region was nearly destroyed, but luckily, the ancient Pokémon Rayquaza intervened to stop them.

A thousand years later, a meteor fell on what is now Sootopolis City, and the energy from the meteorite awakened Groudon and Kyogre.

Back then, the inheritors stood atop the Rainbow Stone and prayed for Rayquaza’s return. It’s said that through the power of their prayers, Rayquaza took on a new form.

Rayquaza’s appearance once again ended the battle between the God of the Land and the God of the Sea. After the fierce conflict, Groudon and Kyogre returned to the depths of the earth and sea, while Rayquaza ascended to the skies.

The Draconid people built the Sky Pillar to honor their deity, and foretold that another meteor would strike the world a thousand years hence.

When that time comes, the Draconid people will once more summon Rayquaza to protect the planet.”

“Wow, that’s incredible!” Yiyi exclaimed, her face alight with excitement. “Are all those legendary stories really true?”

“Does Rayquaza, Groudon, and Kyogre really exist in this world?” Saori asked.

After all, the legend took place a thousand years ago, and no one had seen Groudon or Kyogre in the last millennium.

“Of course they exist!” A fanatic gleam flashed in Professor Coelans’ eyes. “My research into meteorites is all about uncovering the truth of the Draconid people. When Groudon and Kyogre awaken, I’ll summon Rayquaza to save the world!”

Saori grimaced. “Uncle, you’re over forty now. Maybe saving the world should be left to the younger generation!”

Professor Coelans laughed sheepishly.

Hu Yang, however, focused on another detail. “Professor, did you just say that the power of prayer changed Rayquaza’s form?”

Hearing this, Professor Coelans gave a mysterious smile. “Exactly! We call that form Mega Evolution—the evolution that surpasses evolution! And let me tell you, there’s a good chance this phenomenon can occur in other Pokémon as well!”

He looked at Saori. “For example, your Combusken.”

“What?” Saori was startled. “That’s impossible!”

Coelans replied, “I have a friend in the Kalos region who is researching this. I believe that within ten years, we’ll uncover the truth behind Rayquaza’s new form!”

Hu Yang: “…”

That friend in Kalos—could he mean Sycamore?

And ten years? That’s far too long!

Would his Gardevoirite really have to gather dust for a decade?