Well, time to head to the Sky Pillar!

Along the way I run across a finneon.

The line running down its side can store sunlight. It shines vividly at night.

So they’re supposed to be glow in the dark? I hope this is reflected in all official merchandise.

Okay, now Sky Pillar and still no sign of Zinnia, just the other girl.

Only those who have been recognized as worthy can go beyond this point…

But I beat all the people! What sort of worthiness metric are you using if beat all the people isn’t good enough?

Look, if you don’t let me in my only other options are to go hang out with Hitler Jr, and I really don’t think that’s going to make me worthier.

…

Well, back to Hitler Jr.

Lucki! I have been expecting you!

And…

And she runs over, gesturing as the scene fades to black and oh jesus christ Lucki are you telling him everything?! I…….okay, I guess I can’t really say I’m surprised, but I am disappointed.

Ah… says thinky-pose Steven. That’s it. That woman… That “Zinnia”… She mentioned the Sky Pillar. Few can enter it–only the successors of the ancient world, who know of what has been…

So once again the game seems to be saying Zinnia has more info on what’s going on than anybody else.

The Lorekeepers who are tasked with passing on that knowledge to those who come after… Do you remember Wallace, whom you met in Sootopolis?

Eh…not as much as fandom, I’d say, but I do have some dim recollection.

Is that right? That is a relief.

…nice to know you think so highly of me.

The Gym Leader of Sootopolis, Wallace, should know how to undo the seal on the Sky Pillar’s entrance.

I’d ask why, but I’ve decided I’d rather just assume he beat someone up and stole the secret.

He is also one of the few humans to have inherited such ancient lore.

Still going with my assumption. If he actually knew what was going on, he should have had something to say during this whole affair.

I will remain here and work with the professor and his team to devise a plan for what to do next.

See? Steven may be saying the guy knows, but he clearly doesn’t believe Wallace knows anything useful.

That woman…Zinnia… I cannot put my faith in her.

Yeah if only there was someone else who also inherited this knowledge you could use to get a second opinion, but apparently Wallace murdered that person after only getting the shutdown code for the Sky Pillar’s defenses.

We will think of a new way to stop the meteoroid on our own.

Why?

We know why Zinnia doesn’t trust you guys – you’re a bunch of mass murders whose plan uses yet another genocide to power it and works by destroying an alternate planet. Your counterargument is just “I don’t trust her..”

Zinnia…and the Sky Pillar… I will leave them in your hands.

So I keep expecting this section to reach the part where I work with Zinnia but we’re still on Zinnia being terrible and needing to be stopped despite each chunk giving more reasons why I shouldn’t do that. Now I have a sinking feeling it doesn’t stop and the resolution is I have to stop Zinnia for vague untrustworthiness reasons and after she’s denounced for that I do the thing with Rayquaza that’s her plan.

I will send a message to Wallace for you, so he knows to help. You will probably find him in the CAVE OF ORIGIN in SOOTOPOLIS.

Is it just a coincidence that this plotline getting worse and worse means a return to the unnecessary bluetext? I’ll assume correlation anyway.

I head to Sootopolis.

What a…glorious turn of events… says Wallace to an old guy.

IS ANY MEMBER OF THE POKEMON LEAGUE NOT EVIL?????

Is it really? Ohohohoho! Is it really? cackles the old guy back.

To think that this tree… I never knew we had received it from that huge man who visited from the Kalos region…

So that has something to do with how the tree started flowering all of a sudden? Also, why didn’t he do anything about how you were continuing that sin he supposedly cares about? Is the moral he’s secretly evil too?

Goodness me, old master. This has been a learning experience. I thank you for this.

Ohoho! You’re too kind, Master Wallace! replies the old guy. Ohohohoho!

No, no, you’re too modest. Hah hah hah…

Has everyone gone mad?

Now then… And Wallace finally turns to Lucki. Welcome again to Sootopolis, our new Champion, Lucki. Steven has told me everything. Do you wish to go to the Sky Pillar?

Urgh…. That’s a hard question.

Obviously I want to meet up with Zinnia again – she’s awesome, she’s the only moral person here, and also she’s the only one who has actual explanations and plans and reasons.

On the other hand, every time I meet up with her, Lucki insists we’re there to stop her evil plan of not destroying any planets.

Is it true the cave that leads to the Sky Pillar can only be opened by the hand of someone descended from the ancient people of Sootopolis…as, indeed, am I.

I can’t read that as anything but an incredibly awkward lie. He’s asking whether or not his super-secret supposed birthright is even a thing before quickly adding that no really, tots one of those guys yup.

Or by one of the Draconids, who have also lived in Hoenn since ancient times…

“Cuz I only managed to hack the hand off of a Sootopolis person, so if it needs the hand of a Draconid we’re out of luck…”

The Sky Pillar is in fact an alter built for the ascension of Rayquaza–that Legendary Pokemon long said to be the protector of the Hoenn region. Only the ancient Draconid people know how to summon Rayquaza to the Sky Pillar.

“But let’s keep ignoring Zinnia’s plan anyway, I’m sure it’s a terrible idea.”

Steven has told me of the woman Zinnia. She must be trying to revive Rayquaza for some purpose.

She told us! Just because you assholes lie about everything doesn’t mean everyone does!!!!

I shall go first to the Sky Pillar. When your preparations are complete, come join me. The Sky Pillar towers over everything upon one of ROUTE 131’s SMALL ISLANDS.

Yes I know.

And he wanders off.

Old guy, do you have anything to say about this stupid, stupid idea?

Young Master Wallace headed to the Sky Pillar a short while ago. The Sky Pillar lies on A SMALL ISLAND floating along ROUTE 131.

…………………

I find Wallace standing at the entrance of the Sky Pillar, with no sign of the girl who was here before. I shall take this as confirmation he’s a serial killer.

… he says in his defense. Then he turns to me. So, you’ve come, Lucki.

Not sure I should’ve, but, you know, videogame, you have to do what you’re told or nothing happens.

As you can see, I have undone the seal on the entrance to the Sky Pillar.

Conveniently done while I wasn’t here to see, despite the fact you were standing right next to me when the decision to do this was made and could’ve just let me come with you.

Follow the path within, and you will reach the pillar in time.

In time for what? Stopping Zinnia from not killing everything? And why can’t you enter? Is it because she knows you’re a murderer, so she’d just kill you, but you’re banking on her not being willing to kill someone as apparently innocent as Lucki?

However… To go beyond this point… There is one more trial you must overcome. This is my duty as one of the ancient Sootopolitans, a duty passed down to me by my former master.

I was just thinking how the only thing dumber than him refusing to go in would be to make me fight him first…

You must battle me. Here and now.

Seriously considering telling Zinnia that fuck it, rocks fall everybody dies.

Prove to me that your power is great enough to face what lies ahead!

You know, SOME PEOPLE might think that if I’m the only one left to save the world from Zinnia’s apparently very evil plan, that means you should just get the fuck out of my way already.

Now tell me… Are you prepared?

You know what? Fuck you choke on a meteor and die.

I see. I will wait. Prepare yourself.

YEAH I’LL WAIT TOO LET’S SEE WHAT HAPPENS YOU ASSHOLE.