Chapter 380: Finally Found It (Two-in-One)
Rio received news of the attack on the Kanto region by Rayquaza, Kyogre, Dialga, and Reshiram. But the news didn’t come from Zoroark—he saw it on Kalos television while eating breakfast at the Ocean Snow Hotel. Kalos news media had broadcast the battle: Hoenn’s Rayquaza and Kyogre, Sinnoh’s Time God Dialga, and Unova’s Reshiram ganging up on Kanto’s two legends, Ho-Oh and Lugia. The Kanto Champion, Rio, was also shown commanding his Pokémon to help Ho-Oh and Lugia, making a big impression.
"As expected of the Kanto Champion—when his region is in danger, he leads the charge and protects his people with his Pokémon." Other trainers in the hotel were watching too.
"Exactly—that’s what a Champion should do. No wonder he’s the one who took down the Hunter Organization. When Sinnoh, Hoenn, and Unova were attacked by legendaries, none of their Champions showed up in time. But Kanto’s Rio did." The trainers were impressed.
"Of course—he’s the strongest Champion Kanto has ever had, and the world’s number one regional Champion. With him around, the people of both Kanto regions don’t have to worry about disasters." A trainer from Kanto chimed in.
Rio was pleased to hear that—especially coming from his own region’s citizens. But the claim of "world’s number one regional Champion" drew some dissent.
"Don’t be so arrogant. Who says Rio is the world’s number one? Galar’s Champion Leon is undefeated since his debut. Your Rio might not even be a match for him." A trainer from Galar argued.
The Kanto trainer scoffed: "Undefeated since his debut? Sorry, but our Rio has never lost either—and he’s beaten Hoenn’s Champion Steven, crushed Sinnoh’s four Elite Four, and single-handedly destroyed the Hunter Organization. Can your Leon do that?"
The trainers from Hoenn and Sinnoh in the hotel shifted uncomfortably. They wanted to argue, but couldn’t find the words—it was all true.
The Galar trainer remained confident: "Of course he can! Beating Steven, crushing Sinnoh’s Elite Four, destroying the Hunter Organization—if Leon faced them, he’d do it too. Rio just likes to show off, while Leon doesn’t bother with such things."
The Kanto trainer shot back: "Bullshit! Leon couldn’t do any of that! You’re just talking out of your ass. If they ever fought, Leon would get destroyed—even Steven might not stand a chance."
The two trainers glared at each other.
"Alright, alright—enough. Save it for the Pokémon World Championships. I heard Rio has already signed up. He’ll easily make the Eight Masters, and then we’ll see who’s stronger when he faces Leon." Another trainer intervened.
That reminder settled the argument.
"Fine. When the World Championships happen, we’ll see who’s stronger. I guarantee Leon will beat your Rio, and his Charizard will take down Rio’s Charizard too." The Galar trainer declared.
"Deal. I bet Rio will crush Leon, and his Charizard will prove who’s the world’s strongest Charizard trainer." The Kanto trainer shot back.
"Sounds like you two should settle this with a battle." Someone suggested.
"Fine!" "Deal!" Both agreed immediately, storming off to battle, with other trainers following to watch.
Only seven people remained in the dining area, including Rio. He smiled at the trainers who had left because of him. "Young people are always so energetic." He turned back to the TV.
The news report was wrapping up, stating that under Champion Rio’s help, Ho-Oh and Lugia had driven off Rayquaza, Kyogre, Reshiram, and Dialga. But Rio wondered—he had only arranged for Rayquaza, Kyogre, and Reshiram. He never arranged for Dialga. Had it gone on its own, or was it an illusion created by Zoroark?
After finishing breakfast, Rio returned to his room and called Zoroark.
"Rio, you should thank me! I did you a huge favor!" Zoroark’s proud voice came through. "Now the Unova, Kalos, Sinnoh, and Hoenn Leagues have all come to Kanto. Your reputation has soared even higher among Kanto’s citizens."
"I really should thank our Phantom’s Overlord. You’ve been a huge help—without you, I’d be in real trouble." Rio flattered Zoroark.
"Right, right? Without me, you wouldn’t be so free." Zoroark nodded proudly, and its friendship rose by two points.
"By the way, what about Dialga? Was it an illusion, or did it really show up?" Rio asked after more flattery.
"Of course it was my illusion! Pretty convincing, huh? Even fooled you?" Zoroark was delighted.
"Yes, it fooled me. But be careful next time—try to only create one illusion at a time. Too many increases the risk of exposure." Rio warned.
"Relax—I’m the Phantom’s Overlord. No one can see through my illusions." Zoroark waved it off.
Rio didn’t press further. After confirming Dialga was an illusion and the situation in Kanto was under control, he hung up and continued his search for Gengar’s Mega Stone.
Outside the hotel, the Kanto and Galar trainers’ battle was just ending. The Kanto trainer’s Ninetales defeated the Galar trainer’s Boltund with Flamethrower.
"Say it! Say Kanto is the strongest region and Rio is the strongest trainer!" The Kanto trainer cheered. "Don’t be a sore loser—that would only make Galar look worse."
The Galar trainer glared at him, but with onlookers jeering, he gritted his teeth and shouted: "Kanto is the strongest region! Champion Rio is the strongest trainer!"
He then recalled his Boltund and ran off, leaving the Kanto trainer and his friends cheering.
Rio smiled at the scene and headed toward the ruins outside Geosenge Town to search for Gengar’s Mega Stone. The night before, the two men and one woman had knocked on his door and told him about a ruin that might contain one.
About half an hour later, Rio reached the ruin. It was guarded by two Ghost/Grass-type Trevenant, levels 56 and 53—stronger than the two Gengar. The trio had tried to challenge it, hoping to trade the Gengar Mega Stone with Rio, but they had lost and gave him the location instead.
With no competition, Rio simply released Charizard, who took out both Trevenant with a single Flamethrower. He strode deeper into the ruin, reaching the core chamber in about ten minutes. There, floating in the center, was a dark green Mega Stone.
"That’s not Old Ghost’s, is it?" Rio frowned, releasing Gengar. As he expected, Old Ghost showed no reaction.
"It’s not mine." Old Ghost’s voice echoed in his mind.
"Let’s go ask the Trevenant what Pokémon this belongs to." Rio sighed.
He took the dark green Mega Stone back to the two Trevenant and fed them Energy Roots. "Tell me—which Pokémon’s Mega Stone is this?" He asked as they regained consciousness.
The Trevenant looked nervously at Charizard behind Rio, then let out a cry.
"They say it’s a Tyranitar Mega Stone." Old Ghost translated.
"Tyranitar’s." Rio raised an eyebrow, pocketed the stone, recalled Charizard and Gengar, and left the ruin.
Outside, he found the two men and one woman waiting again. "Sir, was it Gengar’s Mega Stone inside? Did you get it?" The tall young man asked.
Rio glanced at him and showed the dark green stone. "No—it’s Tyranitar’s."
He walked off with the stone, leaving the trio exchanging glances. Back at the hotel, Rio waited for the trio or the two Gengar to bring news of a Gengar Mega Stone. After another day of waiting, the two Gengar appeared in his room and told him what they’d found: about twenty kilometers from Geosenge Town, there was a ruin guarded by Alakazam. They couldn’t get past, but they could sense something inside that strongly resonated with them.
Rio laughed at the irony—Gengar guarded Alakazam’s Mega Stone to prevent them from evolving, and Alakazam guarded Gengar’s Mega Stone to prevent Gengar from evolving. These two species were a perfect match.
He set off immediately for the twenty-kilometer location. When he arrived, he saw the Kanto trainer from yesterday, commanding a level 52 Banette against a level 54 Alakazam, with a level 58 Alakazam watching nearby. The battle was fierce, but the Kanto trainer ultimately lost to Alakazam’s Psycho Cut.
When he noticed the masked Rio standing behind him, he snorted and left without a word.
Rio smiled and shook his head, releasing Old Ghost. The moment Old Ghost appeared, its overwhelming aura terrified the two Alakazam. A single Shadow Ball sent them both down. Rio and Old Ghost stepped over them and entered the ruin, reaching the core chamber shortly after.
There, floating at the center, was a pitch-black Mega Stone, radiating an aura of darkness.