Chapter 29: Fight Me, Rayquaza!

From various details and characteristics, Luo Mu was certain this large bird was the legendary Pokémon of the Guandong region—Rayquaza.

But why would Rayquaza appear in the Paldea region, and how had Leiqinmao and the others forcibly brought it back using a posture that should have been deeply humiliating to Rayquaza?

Before Luo Mu could voice any of his questions, he saw Leiqinmao drawing nearer, while Bai Pengpeng and the others had already nervously hidden behind Junzhu She. Luo Mu glanced behind him at the lush green fields, his expression changed, and he shouted: “Don’t come any closer!!”

Fortunately, Junzhu She was still reliable. At this critical moment, two tree trunks, thick enough for two people to embrace, erupted from the ground under its control and surged toward the direction Leiqinmao was charging.

After so much time together, Leiqinmao and Junzhu She needed no words—they Moqi ly tossed the neck of Rayquaza upward, and its body, propelled by inertia, shot into the air.

At that instant, Junzhu She’s wild vines, as if guided by eyes, shot upward, wrapping Rayquaza tightly before the snake hurled it far away toward the still-barren lake region.

Luo Mu instantly understood Junzhu She’s plan: Leiqinmao and the others had brought Rayquaza back this way, so it must be seething with rage—only a fight would calm it down enough for conversation.

In that case, why not use this opportunity to dig the large pit needed for the lake region?

BOOM—!

A thunderous crash echoed from the lake region. Luo Mu flinched, muttering under his breath: “That fall must’ve hurt like hell.”

Leiqinmao skidded to a stop right in front of Luo Mu; Cangyan Rengui followed closely, leaping gracefully to stand beside him.

Mimikyu slowly crawled out from its shadow and jumped into Luo Mu’s arms, nuzzling for praise.

Luo Mu gently rubbed Mimikyu’s head, making it purr with closed eyes, then turned to Cangyan Rengui and Leiqinmao and spoke quickly: “You’ve worked hard—tell me what’s going on.”

Leiqinmao and Cangyan Rengui exchanged a glance, then opened their mouths and began gesturing wildly.

After this exchange, Luo Mu pieced together the situation through guesswork and inference.

After leaving the farm, Leiqinmao and the others had been roaming Paldea’s wilds, finding several Pokémon with Flame Body—but none were particularly strong, not even matching the former Gym Leaders they’d fought.

After days of searching, they finally encountered this Rayquaza at a volcano. But its temper was volatile; upon seeing Leiqinmao and the others approach to negotiate, it launched an unprovoked attack.

Leiqinmao and the others didn’t hold back—they immediately beat Rayquaza senseless.

But Rayquaza seemed able to rapidly draw strength from the volcano’s magma to recover, and its own stamina was terrifyingly immense. Leiqinmao and Cangyan Rengui decided to forcibly abduct it from the volcano and bring it back to the farm for Luo Mu to handle.

After all, even if they were significantly stronger, prolonging the battle wasn’t a viable option.

After quickly processing the information, Luo Mu paused, his expression darkening—he realized something was wrong.

Legendary Pokémon are famously known for their bottomless HP bars. Until now, Leiqinmao had been paralyzing Rayquaza with electricity, Cangyan Rengui had been absorbing its fire via its Flame Body ability, and Mimikyu had been draining its energy with Ghost-type power from within the shadows.

Only then had Rayquaza been subdued enough to be brought back.

Now that it’s had time to recover...

“Kiiiiiiii—!!”

With furious rage, Rayquaza’s piercing, shrill cry echoed across the heavens. Its wings blazed with golden-orange flames, sparks glittering with every beat. A crown-like fire blazed atop its head, and its magnificent, blazing tail feathers stirred awe in all who saw them.

As Rayquaza soared through the sky, a searing column of fire—hot enough to warp the surrounding air—spewed from its beak, slamming into the barren land of the lake region and burning out a massive crater.

Rayquaza was now consumed by rage!

“Bo mo!” “Zhao ao!”

Sensing the commotion, Dragonite and Swampert—who had been off gallivanting—returned at once, their gazes serious as they stared at Rayquaza unleashing its fury over the lake region.

All six Pokémon were now assembled. Luo Mu paused, thinking: how should he resolve this situation with Rayquaza?

There were two options.

One: all of them attack together and instantly overpower Rayquaza—but the risk was Rayquaza would never submit.

Two: a one-on-one battle. Even a proud legendary Pokémon, if defeated in direct combat, would accept capture without too much resistance.

Based on Leiqinmao’s description and Rayquaza’s current behavior, its level was probably only around fifty to sixty—not particularly strong.

Luo Mu had no interest in capturing Rayquaza; if word got out that a divine Pokémon was on the farm, trouble would come flooding in—every kind of monster and schemer would show up.

Better to break its spirit completely, then negotiate.

Making his decision quickly, Luo Mu looked at the six Pokémon and said: “Dragonite can fly—that’ll make the fight easier. The rest of you, hold position nearby. Watch out—don’t let the backlash damage other parts of the farm.”

“Bo mo!”

Dragonite clenched its claws. Its usually dull gaze sharpened instantly, and a powerful battle aura surged forth.

The other Pokémon, though disappointed they weren’t chosen, obediently took up defensive positions—both to prevent collateral damage and to intercept Rayquaza if it tried to flee.

As for the possibility of Dragonite losing?

They never even considered it.

Rayquaza unleashed its fury endlessly upon the surroundings. Since gaining consciousness, every detail of its existence had told it: it was nobler than ordinary Pokémon, its power far greater, and all other beings mere insects.

Rayquaza never rejected this belief—it had lived in such pride ever since.

But not long ago, that pride was shattered by the thunder-wreathed beast it had dismissed as an insect, and its sacred flame had been effortlessly absorbed by the human-shaped shadow-swordsman.

Worse still, it had been dragged by its weak points across the land for an entire day.

Destroy everything around it, then make those insects pay—these were the only two thoughts left in Rayquaza’s mind.

Rayquaza poured forth flames from its seemingly endless energy, when suddenly, a human voice rang out: “Fight me, Rayquaza!”

Rayquaza’s bloodshot, crimson eyes instantly locked onto the human male walking calmly toward it.

Rayquaza flapped its wings—and heavenly fire descended from the sky!