Prologue
Deep within the ozone layer, the Sky High Pokémon soared among the stars. She twisted and turned, banked and dived, ascended and descended—the entirety of her territory belonged to no one but her.
She let out a triumphant cry that echoed through the blue mist-like air. For generations, she’d been able to fend off any enemies who tried conquering her territory. Deoxys, especially, was a constant opponent she faced off every now and then. It was a potential threat to the ecosystem of earth and, as the protector of her planet, the Sky High Pokémon had to do all she could to stop such a thing.
Her twirl under the twinkling stars was interrupted by the blinding light that consumed her wiry, black body. She covered her squinting eyes with her little talons and let out an irritated growl.
“Who dares enter my territory?!” she roared defiantly. “I tell you, I’ve defended this place many times over. You’d have to stand over my dead body to claim this!”
“Calm down, Rayquaza,” muttered an echoey voice. “It is only I.” As the light began to fade, a familiar figure stood before the Sky High Pokémon. It had four long limbs, a golden-colored ring around its waist that had rods branching out in four directions, a dark gray face, and green eyes.
“A-Arceus,” Rayquaza stuttered. She looked down toward earth in shame. “I’m sorry for showing such disrespect...”
With a low-pitched chuckle, Arceus shook his great head. “Do not worry, Rayquaza,” he rumbled. “You are much like your predecessor. It amuses me how you all share the same fierce territorial behavior.”
Embarrassment flooded Rayquaza. “I suppose it’s a gene that’s passed down...” she mumbled; she avoided eye contact as best she could.
Arceus blinked his eyes in a friendly gesture. “Don’t be so self-conscious,” he continued. “It is good that you are ferocious—it will help you in the new task that I have brought forth to you. Both humanity and Pokémon are in danger.”
Rayquaza’s head snapped up. When she heard that humanity and Pokémon were in danger, it lay deep within her instincts to protect them. What could lie upon earth that was such a threat?
“There is a group of humans,” Arceus went on, “that live in the region of Spadia. It is an island surrounded by Unova, Kalos and Galar. These humans seek to rule the power of Mega Evolution and Primal Reversion; they want to go as far as combining the two to create an abomination of Pokémon power. It is your job, Rayquaza, to stop these humans and restore peace to Spadia before it affects the other regions of the world.”
“Y-Yes, of course, Arceus,” Rayquaza stammered. She bowed her head in a gesture of respect and was returned with a nod of acknowledgement. Then, in the blink of an eye, Arceus was gone and all was peaceful in Rayquaza’s territory—the ozone layer.
