Alice and I enter the Sky Pillar, and we find Zinnia and Aster inside already. "So you came for me. Thanks for that."

She claps and says, "That's really good, Ash, Alice. I really feel it, right here. Mm-hmm... Since you have been good children, I think I'll give you something I've been keeping."

Then she looks up and we notice the wall paintings. "The Wall Paintings?"

"Look... The paintings that cover the walls of this tower... See, these are the history of humanity, of Pokémon, and of nature itself. They're the tales that have been passed down by my ancestors, the Draconids, for thousands of years. And now...I will pass that history and lore on to you." Zinnia says as she starts the story.

"Thousands of years ago, in the primal age long lost, the world was overflowing with natural energy. Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre fought over that energy in endless, furious clashes. In the face of Primal Groudon and Kyogre's great power, people could do nothing. The only choice was to watch as disaster upon disaster swept over them. It was in such a time that a great many meteoroids poured from the darkness of space, from a place higher even than the heavens. And the meteoroids fell in their multitude upon a waterfall that had long been home to a tribe of Dragon-type-Pokémon users..."

Then she decides to stop and says, "...OK! That's it! That's the end of the first chapter of my tale. I'll tell you the next part of the story on the next floor. Look forward to it!"

So we climb up the stairs and try not to fall through the floor. Once we arrive at the second floor, Zinnia says, "Oh! Here you are! Let me continue. It's finally time for chapter two. Here we go!"

"I wonder how many chapters are there..." Alice mutters, and I also have the same question.

"At last, right? Hah! I know you're thrilled. The meteors shone with a rainbow brilliance as if some great life was held within. That was when, as if drawn by the brilliance, a Pokémon that shone in a blazing emerald hue descended from the heavens... That Pokémon was none other than Rayquaza. Rayquaza's power overwhelmed that of the two Primal Pokémon, and peace returned to the world. The people of Hoenn revered Rayquaza as a true savior. A thousand years after this time, the meteoroids once again fell. A huge meteoroid, far greater than any before, struck the planet, boring deep into the ocean and leaving behind it a crater larger than any other. The land born of this event later became known as Sootopolis."

I think I've heard about this from Wallace before, and Zinnia says, "And that is it! Chapter two is over! But we've only just left the starting line. There's a long way yet—don't fall behind now!"

"This is just the starting line?" Alice asks.

"I don't know." We continue to climb the stairs, and we are now on the third floor.

"Now, our tale reaches the best part. Sootopolis was born from a great meteoroid strike. The great meteoroid was the first of many disasters to befall humanity. When it punched into the planet, the land cracked beneath it, and a great welling of natural energy poured from beneath Hoenn. Thirsting for that energy, Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon once again woke. The people had a wish—a memory from a thousand years before... They wished that the Legendary Pokémon clad in emerald light would appear again. The huge Meteorite that lay at the heart of Sootopolis gave off a boundless brilliance. In its brilliance, it resembled a vast and powerful Key Stone. And once again, Rayquaza descended from whence it came in the heavens. The people fell to their knees before Rayquaza and made a wish for salvation. As they did, a great change came over the Legendary Pokémon. It was enveloped in blinding light. As the light receded, they beheld a Rayquaza beyond all knowledge— a sublime figure, incandescent with overwhelming life force."

She then turns back to us and says, "It was humanity's wish that brought about Rayquaza's transformation in the face of the rainbow stone... Yes... A wish... An intangible thing, invisible to the eye. Yet this wish bound people and Pokémon together, enabling the Legendary Pokémon to change its appearance... Doesn't it remind you of something? That's right... It sounds like Mega Evolution, doesn't it?"

"It does sound like Mega Evolution..." I say.

She continues to climb the stairs and we follow her. The path has become narrower and we have a hard time keeping track of her. "And how did the story end? After being transformed by the wish of the people, did Rayquaza save them from disaster?"

She is also a good narrator I have to admit. She continues, "Rayquaza once again confronted Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre. The golden filaments that sprang from its body covered the sky. An emerald brilliance illuminated the area. A terrible wind rose. The wind and emerald light visibly sapped the power from Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre. Drained of their primal powers, the two vanished into the depths of land and sea. Rayquaza watched them go, regaining their usual appearance. Then it soared back up into the heavens where it dwelled. A witness to this series of events, a tall visitor from a distant land, said, "It is the Δ (Delta), born of the great disturbances in this world. By the bonds born of mankind's wish and the power of the stones, it will calm the troubles that plague the world." That was when the Draconids constructed their great tower, to hold the rainbow stone that had granted Rayquaza its power, and to try to get a little bit closer to Rayquaza in the heavens above. To record the history of their trials and the great feats of mighty Rayquaza for all to know, they left behind the murals you see here."

She turns to us, "A giant tower... And paintings of the past... You know, I feel like I've seen something like that recently. Heh. But now, I suppose it's time for the last chapter in our tale."

We climb to the fifth floor, and she says, "At last we reach the final chapter... A thousand years of peace followed after that disastrous time. But the Draconid people, learning from their long history's cyclical nature, foretold that the meteoroids would fall on this land again. The meteoroid to come, they prophesized, would be far greater than those that had come before it. This meteoroid would be great enough to break the world forever... In order to prevent this great calamity, those who held the knowledge of the past arrived at a plan. Their plan was to invoke Rayquaza, the great savior, and summon it to this land before the meteoroid could strike."

"So that's the end of the Draconid's tale?" I ask.

"I spent a long time thinking about how I could protect the happiness of as many people as possible. What I must do, as one who holds both the knowledge and the power... One who bears the heavy wishes of those who could not...live up to that fate... Well, I had to be really creative, you know?"

She climbs the ladder again, and when we follow her, we find ourselves on top of the Sky Pillar. Zinnia looks at the night sky, "See that, Aster? You always wanted to watch them, right? The Litleonids. A million glittering stars falling from the sky... The show is about to start." She turns to Aster. "Aren't we happy now? Yes, what could be better, dear Aster? Ha ha..."

She then turns to Alice and me, "... Welcome to the Dragonhark altar. Ash, Alice. You know what I am trying to do here by now, don't you?"

"You're going to summon Rayquaza to this world to destroy the meteoroid headed for Hoenn, right?" I ask.

"That is my... It is our duty." Zinnia says as she closes her eyes, "Ever since I was a little girl, I have always turned my eyes up to the sky. When I was so full of uncertainty that I felt my heart might be crushed by it... When I was so grief-stricken and alone I thought my heart might break of it... I turned and looked up there... so that my tears would never, ever fall. What about you? Have you ever had to do something like that?"

"Well, we both have..." Alice says.

"Right...I used to watch the stars like this all the time... Together with Aster. We were always together. In good times and in bad. I loved her. I loved her with everything I had... But I still lost her."

We widen our eyes with shock, but then Zinnia starts to laugh, "Hahaha... ... I want to see her... I want to be with her again... My sweet Aster... I will, won't I? With this... Just a little longer..."

Then we decide to sleep on top of the Sky Pillar since it is getting too late. And then Zinnia also apologizes for stealing the Key Stones, together, we manage to chat a lot like we are friends.

The next day, Zinnia says, "Guess I should say good morning? You slept well, didn't you? You two look so adorable when you sleep."

Alice and I blush a little and Zinnia laughs, ".. Enough. I think it's time I gave it a shot. I'm sorry...for all the trouble I caused you. If something happens to me... Please... Take this little one..."

Just then, Zinnia places the scroll and the Key Stones on the altar and starts to pray, "With jewel bright and borrowed might from the spirits of the departed... Through sacred rite, in thy great sight, my life as well I offer..."

The Key Stones start to give off a blinding light, much to the surprise of Alice, me, and the Pokemon we have.

"...Ugh...ngh...gh... I summon thee...to aid...this fight... and save us...from disaster! Realize them...upon this world...! For this I do summon thee!" Zinnia yells, "Rayquazaaa!"

Just then, the clouds start to move fast and then a beam comes from the sky, then Rayquaza appears in front of them. But what shocks us the most is that instead of the normal colored Rayquaza that we know, the Rayquaza is black colored instead of green.

"Ray...quaza!" Alice says. "But it is a Shiny one..."

"I did it! I...I did it! Now the world...will be saved! Aster... Aster, I did it!" Zinnia is now jumping in joy.

"Who... calls...me..." Rayquaza asks loudly.

"Great Rayquaza! I was the one who called you. Hear my wish! Achieve your Mega Evolution! Take hold of your true power! Show me your true face! The Rayquaza that will save this planet!"

But then, nothing happens after Zinnia presses her own Key Stone, she is surprised and she says, "Huh?! H-how can this be?! I gathered all of the Key Stones that could withstand your great power... and summoned you here... You came... And yet... Why?! Come on! Do it! Mega Evolve! Why?! Why won't you..."

Rayquaza turns to us and he says, "Chosen ones..."

"Why didn't you mega evolve? The world is in danger and this Draconid Girl here wants you to join up with her to save us, but why?"

Rayquaza says, "I am sorry, Chosen one. But I don't have enough power... they were drained..."

"The Meteorites that should lie within Rayquaza's great body...aren't enough? Have these thousand years drained them of their power?" Zinnia gasps, "This...can't...be... I can't... I... I... Everything...I've done...till now..." Zinnia suddenly kneels down in sadness. "Aster... I can't... I can't take any...more..."

Then I realize the Meteorite inside my backpack. I say, '"Wait a second..." I open my backpack and take out a Meteorite, and then it is glowing.

"What? That Meteorite?!" Alice says. "It's just like...a Mega Stone?!"

I step forward and provide it to Rayquaza, and it starts to gobble down the whole thing and glow as well.

"Whoa! Swallowing meteorites allows it to store as much power as a Mega Stone. Your Meteorite summoned forth the power needed for Rayquaza to Mega Evolve!" Zinnia says.

"Amazing..." Alice says.

Then Rayquaza is building up his power, and Zinnia says, "It wants power for itself to take you on, Ash, Alice...I guess you should be the one to capture Rayquaza and stop the meteoroid!"

"Us?" Both of us are surprised at the turn of events.

"Use everything you've got and win over Rayquaza! You have to master it! This is the Legendary Pokémon that all Hoenn views as our great protector! And the only one who can direct it now... It's you! You have to do this!" Zinnia says.

Then we decide to take the challenge and we use Salamence and Metang to battle. After Metang evolves into a Metagross, I also have it Mega Evolve to deal more damage to him.

Metagross: The Iron Leg Pokemon: Steel and Psychic Type. Evolve from Metang at LV:45. Metagross is the result of two Metang achieving fusion. When hunting, this Pokémon pins the prey to the ground under its massive body. It then eats the helpless victim using the large mouth on its stomach.

And now Rayquaza is taking a lot of damage, and then he decides to give up and gives us the custom Pokeball.

Rayquaza: The Sky High Pokemon: Dragon and Flying Type. Rayquaza is said to have lived for hundreds of millions of years in the earth's ozone layer, above the clouds. Its existence had been completely unknown because it lived so high in the sky.

Once Rayquaza is sent back out, it roars at me and Alice, acknowledging our strength. Then Zinnia says, "Is it...over? ... Congratulations, Ash, Alice. And...thank you. History has chosen you... The truth remains that Rayquaza chose you and not me... But... While I don't know how to put it into words exactly... I think I understand why... ...You will be the successor to our long history now. And I pass to you the final key to Rayquaza's true power. The move that only it can learn: Dragon Ascent..."

As she gives Alice the scroll, she shines it on Rayquaza, then it glows as it learns the move.

"...That's it, then. I guess...it's time that I do my last task as Lorekeeper. You have obtained Rayquaza's power for your own... Now I will have you prove to me that you can master that power... in battle! That is my final... The final duty of the last Lorekeeper of the Draconid people! Show me that you can exceed it—the entirety of history that we have clung to until today!"

"You mean we are going to battle you, right?" I ask as she nods. "We accept."

Zinnia smiles, "...Phew. ... My pulse... I can feel it racing...Yes. I'm feeling...totally...pumped!"

She gives out a loud cry, "Haaahhh! This is it!"

Then she sends out Goodra, Noivern, Tyrantrum, Altaria, and then the Mega Salamence. Alice and I use Pikachu, Absol, Sceptile, and Salamence to defeat the first four.

"Rayquaza, let's try out our power. Mega Evolve!" I press the Key Stone and then Rayquaza starts to glow and changes its form.

"Cool..." Alice says. "Rayquaza, use Dragon Ascent!" Rayquaza gives out a loud roar and then it shoots into the sky then it strikes down onto Salamence and then it faints.

"Just like I'd expect of you." Zinnia says as she recalls her Pokemon. "I guess...it falls to you now...That settles it, then...Ash, Alice, you should even be able to beat that meteoroid that's approaching the planet. You and Rayquaza...together. I am leaving this task to you, our new Successor. Successor Ash and Successor Alice. You and Rayquaza must protect nature...Pokémon...the people..."

"We will." Ash and Alice say in union. Pikachu and Absol watch us wear the Magma and Aqua Suit respectively and then ride on Rayquaza, then we start to shoot into the sky like shooting stars and then rush towards the meteoroid.

We are getting higher and higher until we see the Meteoroid up ahead. Rayquaza, Alice, and I smash it into pieces until a delta-shaped object appears and it starts to grow tentacles. Then a Pokemon pops out of the object.

"No way... is that a Deoxys?" Alice asks.

Deoxys appear and he wants to battle us, so we decide to hop off Rayquaza and have the two Pokemon battle. Rayquaza fires Dragon Pulse on Deoxys, who counters with a Barrier. Then Deoxys uses Extreme Speed, which hurts Rayquaza. Rayquqaza then uses Hyper Beam while Deoxys uses Psycho Boost. But in the end, Rayquaza's Hyper Beam overpowers the Deoxys and immediately defeats him.

"Go Pokeball!" Alice tosses the Pokeball and captures Deoxys. "We did it."

We turn around and face the Earth. "Wow...this is so amazing..." Alice says to me.

"Yeah, I would never forget this experience..." I say with a smile, then we hold hands together as Rayquaza watches us with a roar.

Once we are back down, Pikachu and Absol rush towards us and give us a hug. I notice someone's missing and I ask, "Hey, where is Zinnia?"

As we look around, we see that Aster comes and it holds a paper. Alice reads the letter and says, "I was finally able to bring everything to an end. I thank you for that. I think I'll spend some time now trying to find out if it's also possible to forge a new beginning for something once lost. Until we meet again, Zinnia."

We look at each other, and then we smile. I say, "Her duty is finished."

"Yeah, and us as well..." Alice says. "Let's go back."

We get back to the Mossdeep Center, everyone has been waiting for us. Max says, "We saw through the camera. You are awesome!"

Steven says, "Indeed. Riding on Rayquaza to stop the Meteor isn't a small feat."

"Thanks guys." I say. "Speaking of which. I forgot to do this." I decide to scan the Pokeball of Deoxys with the Pokedex.

Deoxys: The DNA Pokemon: Psychic Type. The DNA of a space virus underwent a sudden mutation upon exposure to a laser beam and resulted in Deoxys. The crystalline organ on this Pokémon's chest appears to be its brain.

"Now that's done..." I say as we decide to talk some more. But before they leave, Alice and I decide to stop.

"Ash, what's wrong?" Reisa asks.

I say, "Well, you guys go home first. Alice and I have something we need to do here." When we show the tickets, they all gasp in surprise. But since there are only two tickets, they decide to let me and Alice enjoy our time. Although I don't like the evil smiles they're showing me before they leave.

The two of us watch the Litleonid Shower at the Mossdeep Center, and Alice leans her head on my shoulder.

"That was amazing... So those are the Litleonids!" Alice says.

"Yeah. I am glad that I can see this with you." I say.

"I've never felt this touched before..." Alice says. "I think I should thank you too, Ash. I'm so glad I got to see this with you."

Then we decide to continue watching until we hear the announcement. "Thank you for visiting the Mossdeep Space Center. The center will be closing shortly. Please make sure that you don't forget anything when you leave."

I say, "It's true what they say, though. Time really flies when you're having fun..."

Okay, the chapter which hasn't been in the anime is here. The Delta Episode. I kind of like Zinnia when I am playing Alpha Sapphire. The next chapters will be the Elite 4, Champion battle, and the Post Game Content.

Ash and Alice's Pokemon:

Butterfree x2 (One Pink), Pikachu x2, Lapras, Meganium, Espeon, Steelix (Crystal), Mantine, Sceptile, Blaziken, Swampert, Mightyena, Linoone, Beautifly, Dustox, Ludicolo, Shiftry, Swellow, Pelipper, Kirlia, Gardevoir (Shiny), Masquerain, Breloom, Slaking, Ninjask, Shedinja, Exploud, Hariyama, Nosepass, Delcatty, Sableye, Mawile, Aggron, Medicham, Manectric, Plusle, Minun, Volbeat, Illumise, Roselia, Swalot, Sharpedo, Wailmer, Camerupt, Torkoal, Grumpig, Spinda, Flygon, Cacturne, Altaria, Zangoose, Seviper, Lunatone, Solrock, Whiscash, Crawdaunt, Claydol, Cradily, Armaldo, Milotic, Castform, Kecleon, Banette, Dusclops, Tropius, Chimecho, Absol, Glalie, Walrein, Huntail, Gorebyss, Relicanth, Luvdisc, Salamence, Metagross, Latias, Latios, Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza (Shiny), Jirachi, Deoxys

May's Pokemon:

Venusaur, Blaziken, Beautifly, Skitty, Munchlax

Mark's Pokemon:

Blaziken, Swampert, Ludicolo, Pelipper, Surskit, Breloom, Hariyama, Medicham, Sharpedo, Wailmer, Camerupt, Torkoal, Whiscash, Crawdaunt, Milotic, Walrein, Huntail, Gorebyss, Relicanth

Minami's Pokemon:

Linoone, Swellow, Gardevoir, Slaking, Exploud, Delcatty, Mawile, Medicham, Grumpig, Spinda, Swablu, Zangoose, Lunatone, Solrock, Claydol, Castform, Kecleon, Chimecho