He just grew hair, otherwise that looks exactly like Rayquaza. I played Emerald as a kid, and I can confirm that this guy has every quality of Raquaza, and also has a wig. Yeah, the back leg is extra, but I'll allow it. This is dope, it beats Mega Starmie to death; honestly this design would be a better Mega Raquaza than the one we got.
You can't hold yourself responsible for their response. Do you blame them for sharing their problems with you? Obviously you don't, so don't assume worse of them. They ought to be grateful to see that you can go through adversity and still show up for them.