Rayquaza appeared.
For Qingyu, this was actually quite normal.
Black Rayquaza rarely made its presence known, but judging by how perfectly timed its appearances had been lately, he could at least be certain that it kept a close eye on him.
Still, its reason for appearing this time seemed a little frivolous.
You're supposed to be a respectable Legendary Pokémon. Why are you stealing Sableye's job as the resident mother hen...?
"Vee?"
Rayquaza's one and only fangirl, Sylveon, soon noticed its arrival too, and delight immediately spread across its face.
There it is! My painting reference!
Without hesitation, Sylveon extended a ribbon and poked Qingyu in the back. Its eyes held nothing but the desire to paint on the spot.
Sylveon, at least, had been very satisfied with its last painting. It was nearly complete, but it lacked a pair of vivid, expressive eyes.
If I can paint those majestic golden eyes this time, my masterpiece will be finished!
Once I finish this painting, Master Smeargle will definitely acknowledge my skill!
That was what Sylveon thought.
Qingyu soon noticed its little gesture. Resigned, he patted its head, reached behind his back, and retrieved the Special Drawing Paper from System Space.
Although that lousy system had become less and less relevant lately, it was still handy as a storage space for little tools he might need at any moment.
Once it received the paper, Sylveon immediately settled down. It crossed two ribbons to form a support for the paper and began studying Rayquaza's every movement.
"Ying?"
Bagon had instinctively shut its eyes while falling from a great height, but the sensation of falling never came, so it opened them again.
Only then did it realize that it was already up in the sky, circling through the air at an astonishing speed.