Pokémon: The Hoenn Gods as Starters Chapter 2: Choosing Rayquaza — The System Space

"System, I choose the Green Orb. Rayquaza. Option One."

Once Aiden Flint had made up his mind, there was no hesitation left.

His choice was clear—

Rayquaza, the Sky God.

With a Legendary of the skies as his starting Pokémon, this journey as a Trainer would be nothing short of an unstoppable path.

That was a true Legendary Pokémon.

Even Champions or Elite Four mbers would stand no chance against Rayquaza.

Not to ntion, among the three options, this choice was also the most generous in terms of funds and Poké Balls. One million Poké Dollars was more than enough to purchase a massive amount of training resources.

In the Pokémon world, there was a clear distinction between Trainers.

Those recognized by the Pokémon League—Trainers who received starter Pokémon and a Pokédex from regional Professors—were considered League-affiliated Trainers.

During their travels, they could stay at Pokémon Centers for free, enjoy complintary als, and have their Pokémon treated at no cost.

But those without a Pokédex or an official starter Pokémon?

They were classified as independent Trainers, sotis even called "wild Trainers."

Everything cost money.

At a Pokémon Center, lodging, als, and Pokémon treatnt combined cost around 1,000 Poké Dollars per night.

A standard Poké Ball cost 200 Poké Dollars.

Individually, these prices weren't outrageous—but when paid daily, especially after frequent battles, the expenses added up quickly.

That was the harsh reality.

For ordinary people to change their fate and walk the path of a professional Trainer was incredibly difficult. Only families with solid financial foundations could truly support their children in pursuing this dream wholeheartedly.

Just as Aiden finished choosing Rayquaza, the system's voice sounded once more.

"Ding! Congratulations to the host for selecting Option One."

"You have obtained the Green Orb."

"You have obtained the Legendary Pokémon Rayquaza."

"Rewards issued: 1,000,000 Poké Dollars, 1 Master Ball, 5 Luxury Balls."

"Ding! System Space unlocked."

"The host may store all items, tools, and Pokémon inside the System Space."

"The System Space can simulate optimal living environnts for Pokémon, accelerating their growth."

"Simulated battles may also be conducted within the System Space."

"Rayquaza has been placed inside the System Space."

"The host may enter the System Space at any ti."

"Ding! Current status panel displayed."

Host: Aiden Flint

Age: 18

Funds: 1,000,000 Poké Dollars

Pokémon: Rayquaza (attributes viewable)

Items: Luxury Ball ×5

Additional: System Space

Hearing all this, Aiden felt an overwhelming surge of joy.

The God-Tier Selection System even ca with a System Space.

That ant every Pokémon he captured in the future could stay by his side at all tis—summoned with nothing more than a thought.

Even Rayquaza wouldn't need to remain inside a Poké Ball.

With Rayquaza protecting him, Aiden could confidently say that his personal safety was guaranteed in the Pokémon world.

Even if he ran into villainous organizations—Team Rocket, Team Aqua, or Team Magma—he wouldn't need to fear them in the slightest.

Under normal circumstances, a single Luxury Ball cost 20,000 Poké Dollars at League-affiliated shops—one hundred tis the price of a regular Poké Ball.

Now Aiden had received five for free.

They were more than enough to help him build his initial team.

Luxury Balls weren't just expensive—they significantly boosted a Pokémon's friendship growth and provided far better living conditions inside the ball.

Of course, with the System Space available, only the friendship bonus really mattered.

After all, how could the interior of a Poké Ball compare to an entire personalized world?

Maybe that's why Ash's Pikachu hates staying in its Poké Ball, Aiden mused.

Holding the Master Ball ant for Rayquaza, Aiden opened Rayquaza's status panel.

"Ding! Rayquaza's current attributes are as follows:"

Pokémon: Rayquaza

Divine Authority: Sky God

Level: 100

Ability: Air Lock

Type: Dragon / Flying

Potential: Rainbow

(Potential ranks from lowest to highest: White, Green, Blue, Purple, Gold, Red, Rainbow)

Bond Evolution: Locked

ga Evolution: ga Rayquaza

Moves: Dragon Ascent, Hyper Beam, Dragon Pulse, Dragon Breath, Outrage…

Friendship: 255

Background: The Sky Dragon who once protected the world. Now, guided by a mysterious power, it chooses to protect only its Trainer.

Preference: Enjoys battle

Aiden was completely absorbed as he stared at the absurdly luxurious status panel.

Seeing "Divine Authority: Sky God" made his excitent spike even further.

In the Pokémon world, the difference between a Legendary Pokémon with divine authority and one without was enormous.

Take Articuno as an example.

An Articuno that possessed divine authority could, at certain monts, even suppress Lugia.

The Three Legendary Birds with divine authority together were more than enough to overwhelm Lugia completely.

But a weaker Articuno?

That one could lose to Ash's Charizard.

That was the gap.

A divine-authority Legendary Pokémon could only truly be defeated by another Legendary of equal or greater authority—and even then, the outco was usually a stalemate, just like Kyogre and Groudon.

Aiden's Rayquaza was already at Level 100, the absolute peak. No additional training was needed—it was already fully developed.

Its potential rank was Rainbow, the highest possible tier.

In this world, Pokémon potential was divided into seven ranks:

White → Green → Blue → Purple → Gold → Red → Rainbow.

As a first-tier Legendary with divine authority, Rayquaza naturally stood at the very top.

Its friendship value of 255 was already maxed out, aning Aiden didn't need to worry about Rayquaza disobeying his commands.

Rayquaza also possessed the unique physiology required to ga Evolve, allowing it to transform directly into ga Rayquaza.

The only thing that puzzled Aiden was the Bond Evolution, which was still locked.

"Bond Evolution… isn't that sothing only Ash and Greninja have?"

Could it be that Rayquaza had its own Bond Evolution form?

Unable to hold back his curiosity, Aiden asked:

"System, what does 'Bond Evolution: Locked' an?"

The system responded imdiately.

"Answering the host."

"Any Pokémon belonging to the host may unlock Bond Evolution once maximum friendship is achieved and the Trainer and Pokémon are truly in sync."

"Due to the host and Rayquaza not yet reaching perfect mutual understanding, Bond Evolution remains locked."

"Once both hearts are aligned, it will naturally unlock."

"Additionally, all Pokémon possess the potential for ga Evolution."

"Due to incomplete human research, only a limited number of ga Evolutions are currently known."

"If the host acquires the appropriate ga Stone, ga Evolution may be triggered regardless."

Aiden finally understood.

All Pokémon could ga Evolve.

But Bond Evolution was unique—sothing only achievable through the system.

As for which was stronger, that depended entirely on the situation.

This also ant that no matter what Pokémon Aiden captured in the future, as long as he obtained their ga Stones or raised their friendship to the maximum, both ga Evolution and Bond Evolution were possibilities.

As for Rayquaza's love of battle?

Aiden smiled.

When a worthy opponent appeared, he'd absolutely let Rayquaza fight to its heart's content.

With everything clear, Aiden spoke again:

"System, I want to enter the System Space."

Rayquaza was already inside, and since the system said their bond wasn't fully synchronized yet, this was the perfect chance to deepen their connection.

More importantly—

Aiden couldn't wait to see the real Rayquaza with his own eyes.

Watching ani and playing gas was one thing.

Seeing it in person?

That was on an entirely different level.

The next mont, his vision blurred.

When Aiden opened his eyes again, he found himself inside the System Space.

Grasslands, oceans, lakes, mountains, volcanoes, forests—everything existed, stretching endlessly into the distance.

It felt like an entirely new world.

For now, however, this vast world was still eerily empty.

Just as Aiden was taking it all in—

A dragon's roar echoed across space and ti.

He turned toward the sound.

High above the sky, a massive three-clawed dragon, erald green with golden markings, was gliding freely through the heavens.

Rayquaza.

Author's Note:

Potential ranks (low → high): White, Green, Blue, Purple, Gold, Red, Rainbow

Ordinary Pokémon (base forms): White → PurpleFully evolved Pokémon: Green → GoldLegendary Pokémon: Red → RainbowOnly first-tier divine Legendaries can reach Rainbow

Pokémon may increase their potential through evolution.

Read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon -> patreon/SorenSwiftTL