Once Qingyu reached out and accepted the Mega Evolution stone-"personally used by Rayquaza, 99% like new"-Rayquaza seemed to consider its mission complete. It flew straight back into the sky without so much as a backward glance, soon vanishing into the clouds.
"Gone without a trace" could not have described it more aptly.
The spectators still had not recovered from the shock of Rayquaza's appearance when Elite Four member Drake, who had appeared behind Qingyu at some point, suddenly spoke.
"Mr. Qingyu, this is an Evolution stone that, so far, has only been found in Kalos and the Hoenn Region."
"It seems your Bagon's conviction earned Rayquaza's recognition. That must be why it gave you this gift."
Drake finished speaking with a look of wonder.
Apparently, there really were a select few extraordinarily lucky humans who had the chance to earn the favor of Legendary Pokémon.
Examples included the "Hero of Ho-Oh," who appeared at the Indigo Plateau once every few decades, or the Draconids of Hoenn legend, who shared an inseparable bond with Rayquaza.
He had never imagined that a Shiny Rayquaza also lived in the Paldea Region, or that this young Gym Leader Qingyu had even received a gift from it.
Having witnessed a powerful Rayquaza with his own eyes, Drake already felt that his trip to Paldea had been worthwhile.
Turning the Salamence Evolution stone over in his hand, Qingyu noticed that it felt slick, and even a little sticky. He paused, then asked:
"But this Bagon was only born three days ago. Isn't it a little early to give me a Salamence Evolution stone...?"
As a Pokémon that came into its own late, Bagon would probably need a very long time to evolve.
I can't even use this thing yet!
"No, this Evolution stone from Rayquaza