[Species: Caterpie (Rayquaza · Juvenile Form)]
[Type: Bug (Dragon/Flying)]
[Ability: Shield Dust (Air Lock)]
[Moves: Tackle, String Shot, Bug Bite, Electroweb, Dragon Ascent]
[Evaluation: Even as a frail and typically limited Caterpie, its talent and potential are nothing to scoff at. It can even master Rayquaza's signature move, Dragon Ascent, with proper training. A rising star with a bright future... that is, if it can overcome its habit of slacking off. If it evolves into Butterfree, it could still become a powerhouse—assuming it stops lazing around.]
Yep. Ai Xia's Caterpie had Dragon Ascent—the signature move of the Legendary Rayquaza. Its very biology was slowly shifting away from a normal Caterpie, leaning more toward the 'Sky High Sovereign' of the Hoenn region.
All thanks to the system.
Honestly, Ai Xia had gotten pretty lucky.
According to the system's evaluation, his starter Pokémon was basically the chosen one of the Caterpie species, blessed with enough potential to become a powerhouse—if it actually trained seriously, that is.
Not only that, but as a transmigrator, he'd also been gifted the ultimate protagonist cheat—a System. Talk about a golden future.
'My future is already ruined thanks to this damn system. Unless it hands me a Miraidon to ride like a motorcycle, I'm doomed!'
Slamming his desk in frustration, Ai Xia wore an expression of utter despair, his heart full of grievances as he cursed the system for all the trouble it had brought him. He looked about as miserable as a certain Pokémon streamer who'd gotten hit with three consecutive Hydro Pump misses from a Ludicolo mid-battle.
His eyes drifted to the system's mission panel, where the top task glared back at him like a personal insult.
[System Mission: Defeat the revived Groudon and Kyogre while riding a Rayquaza evolved from Caterpie.]
[Reward: Permanently unlock Caterpie's evolution path into Rayquaza.]
[System Assistance: During the mission, Caterpie temporarily gains the ability to evolve into Rayquaza. Officially begins learning 'Dragon Ascent.' The higher the move's proficiency, the closer Caterpie's combat power aligns with Rayquaza's.]
What the hell— That was the only thought in Ai Xia's mind.
This mission had popped up right after his college entrance exams, during what was supposed to be a relaxing vacation in Hoenn's Lilycove City. Then, out of nowhere—bam—Groudon and Kyogre started wreaking havoc.
And of course, that was also when Ai Xia, sitting in his hotel room, had jokingly said, 'Eh, whatever. I'll handle it.'
Now, Groudon and Kyogre needed no introduction.
The real problem was—even if they'd been revived by Team Magma and Aqua wielding the Red and Blue Orbs, awakening to wage war and wreck the world—why the hell was it his job to clean up the mess?!
Shouldn't that fall to Hoenn's Champion, Elite Four, Gym Leaders—or, y'know, the actual Rayquaza?
But no. The system, mistaking his offhand comment for serious intent, had activated its 'assistance' function without his consent.
And then—
'What the—'
One moment, his dopey Caterpie was happily munching on Poké Puffs. The next, under Ai Xia's horrified gaze, it transformed into Rayquaza.
Just like that, man and Pokémon found themselves thrown into the battlefield between two ancient titans, becoming an uninvited third party.
Standing atop Rayquaza's head, staring down at the enraged, primal forms of Groudon and Kyogre, Ai Xia's first thought was: 'Run. Run now. Maybe I can still ditch this suicide mission.'
But then—
[Warning: Groudon and Kyogre have locked onto you and Rayquaza. Fleeing now may result in them pursuing you all the way to the Kanto region.]
Oh, crap. I'm screwed.
Thankfully, Team Magma and Aqua had somehow messed up and grabbed the wrong orbs, so Groudon and Kyogre hadn't achieved their Primal Reversions.
With no other choice, Ai Xia and his Caterpie-turned-Rayquaza had barged into the battlefield, using Rayquaza's 'Sky High Sovereign' authority to intimidate the other two into a stalemate.
After a tense standoff, Groudon and Kyogre seemed to decide that neither could win today, retreating into their respective domains—Volcano and Ocean—disappearing without a trace.
But Ai Xia knew—this wasn't over.
He and his Caterpie were now enemies of two Legendaries. Once they recovered, Hoenn would face an even more catastrophic three-way battle.
And next time, he wouldn't have a choice but to fight.
'What kind of twisted logic makes a first-year Pokémon Care student take on two Legendaries head-on?!'
Recalling that day, Ai Xia—now safely back home—glared at the system panel, demanding answers it would never give.
After the battle, he'd booked it back to Kanto, locking himself indoors to train Caterpie's Dragon Ascent under the system's guidance.
This is insane.
He never expected a throwaway comment to backfire this badly.
'Sigh...'
Thinking about his 'bright future,' Ai Xia rubbed his temples, his handsome face twisted in frustration.
What was he supposed to do?
Relying on his not-exactly-brilliant Caterpie to master Rayquaza's power and defeat two Legendaries before they returned was delusional.
He wanted to run.
But if he did, Groudon and Kyogre might just chase him to the ends of the earth.
'There's still a way...'
As a transmigrator, Ai Xia knew the story.
The most logical solution? Follow the games' plot—wait for Groudon and Kyogre to resurface, then climb Sky Pillar with the Draconid people's help to summon the real Rayquaza and end the conflict.
This world did have 'Canon Characters'—Red, Blue, Steven Stone... Their (admittedly less handsome) faces were all over the news.
'If I play the 'Rayquaza's Trainer' card, maybe I can rope them into helping...'
Thinking of the news clip where Hoenn's Champion, Wallace, had dramatically vowed to resolve the crisis—or quit and become a contest star—Ai Xia decided:
Team battle. No solo runs.
Rayquaza was a lifeline, but so were strong Trainers. He needed all the help he could get.
'Gah.'
Scratching his dark hair, Ai Xia—too stressed to think straight—finally noticed his growling stomach. Pulling out his phone, he ordered a Tauros steak rice bowl.
'Ugh, so expensive...'
His wallet was bleeding. The financial pressure was worse than the Legendary crisis.
Putting his phone down, he reminded Caterpie to not overexert itself while practicing Dragon Ascent, then booted up his PC.
'Might as well start today's stream.'
Yep. In this world where humans and Pokémon coexisted, Ai Xia was a moderately popular content creator.
Pokémon battles were the biggest entertainment, and while his skills (barely scraping Master Ball Tier in Sword & Shield) weren't enough to make him a battle strategist, streaming casual matches for pocket money worked just fine.
With his meme-filled commentary and decent looks, he'd amassed a small following—enough to support himself and Caterpie.
Not that it was nearly enough to fund a Trainer's journey. Stingy system...
'Alright.'
Grumbling internally, Ai Xia opened his streaming software, greeted his chat, and grinned.
"Today, we're running Focus Sash Butterfree with Sleep Powder—a classic cheese strat! Let's honor my future Rayquaza... I mean, Caterpie!"
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