53
The tension in the Ever Grande City stadium reached a fever pitch as the crystalline god loomed overhead. With my stamina reserves flagging once again, the Stamina Band pulsed a warning rhythm.
The Light Sharing
I held the Obsidian Key aloft, the metal growing warm as it acted as a conduit. May stepped up behind me, her hands overlapping mine on the Key. Her "Vigor" acted as a stabilizer, a warm current of energy that prevented the Key from draining me completely.
Together, we began to "bleed" a soft, controlled glow of Infinity Energy into the air. Necrozma's jagged edges seemed to soften as it began to drink the light, its frantic, digital screeching subsiding into a low, harmonic hum. It wasn't fixed, but it was satiated enough to follow.
The Dragon's Flight to Meteor Falls
"You're going to need a faster ride than a shuttle if you want to cross Hoenn before that thing gets hungry again," a gravelly voice barked. Drake stepped forward, his cape billowing in the artificial wind. He whistled sharply, and a massive, battle-scarred Salamence landed with a heavy thud on the podium.
Convenient Travel: We quickly recalled the larger Titans—Kage, Blaze, and Genji—into their Poké Balls to lighten the load. Tammy and Jerry hitched a ride in my tactical pouches, while Eli and Raven took point on their own flying supports.
The Pace: We climbed onto Salamence's back, May gripping my waist as Drake's ace took to the skies. With Necrozma trailing behind us like a dark, glittering kite drawn to the Key's light, we streaked across the Hoenn skyline.
Our destination was Meteor Falls, a site of immense cosmic significance located deep within the mountains between Fallarbor and Rustboro.
Meteor Falls
This ancient cave system is the ideal location for this delicate operation, away from the dense population centers of the east.
Cosmic Resonance: The falls are famous for being a crash site for meteorites, meaning the area is naturally saturated with the kind of extraterrestrial energy Necrozma recognizes as "home."
Natural Containment: The deep, cavernous interior and the roar of the underground waterfalls will help dampen any energy flares or sonic screams during the stabilization process.
Tactical Safety: By bringing the creature here, we ensure that if the "Light Sharing" goes volatile, the only things at risk are ancient stones and the occasional wild Solrock.
[Chat Log: THE LONG TREK]
GymBro_Chuck: Drake's Salamence is hitting Mach speeds! Look at the trail they're leaving!
IceCreamQueen_C: Meteor Falls is the smartest play. The background radiation there should keep Necrozma calm while they wait for the Alolans.
Master_Oak: Jake is pushing that Stamina Band to the limit. May's support is the only thing keeping him conscious.
As the jagged peaks of the mountain range came into view, the Obsidian Key flared one last time. We were almost there.