Chapter 202: Champion’s Road
To confirm, Lance picked up the pen and wrote again: "Will they strike when you challenge us Elite Four? It’s possible they’re aiming to take out all four of us at once."
"Them?" Rio nearly laughed when he read the note. I never said anyone would attack during the Elite Four challenge—that’s all you, Lance.
A moment later, Lance received his reply: a row of six dots—an ellipsis.
"What does that mean?" A flood of questions surged through Lance’s mind. Did that mean he was right, or wrong?
"Wait—six dots is an ellipsis. It doesn’t mean ’wrong’—it means something is being left unsaid, for me to fill in. So my guess is correct... or maybe even worse than I imagined?"
Lance suddenly felt incredibly relieved he had sought Rio out after the conference. If not for this conversation, he’d never have known that those criminal organizations might be targeting not just Rio, but possibly him too.
After writing his final response—"I understand"—Lance handed the note to Gengar and left without another word.
Rio watched him go, raising an eyebrow. What exactly does he think he understands now?
No matter. His next plan was to meet up with the Lavender Town crew and James for a victory celebration. So his slogan for tonight was simple: Let’s party!
Two days later, Rio rode Charizard to the entrance of Kanto’s Champion’s Road, led by a League guide. To challenge the Elite Four, one had to first traverse this tunnel. It was filled with past conference champions and trainers who had earned eight badges from both Johto and Kanto—a true training ground for elite trainers.
"Is that Mt. Silver over there?" Rio asked, looking west at a towering mountain.
Before coming, he’d read that Mt. Silver—where Red had trained after becoming Champion—lay just west of Champion’s Road.
"Yes, Mr. Rio. That’s Mt. Silver. Only the most exceptional trainers are allowed entry—those with all sixteen badges from both Johto and Kanto. Trainers with just eight badges from one region or conference champions aren’t permitted. The legendary Moltres is said to appear deep within Mt. Silver," the young guide explained politely.
At the mention of Moltres, Rio frowned slightly. Then he sensed something off in the guide’s tone—as if to say, Don’t even dream about it, you’re not good enough yet.
"But if I become the League Champion, would I qualify?" Rio asked, raising an eyebrow.
"If you become the League Champion, of course you would." The guide’s words were polite, but his eyes were full of doubt.
"I see." Rio shrugged.
"Oh, and Mr. Rio—have you brought at least half a month’s worth of supplies?" The guide noticed Rio’s rather flat backpack and frowned.
Champion’s Road was notoriously treacherous—not only were there powerful trainers lying in wait, but also many fierce wild Pokémon. That’s why everyone who entered brought at least half a month’s worth of food. Otherwise, you either had to rely on your reputation to beg from other trainers inside, or you’d have to use the satellite phone to call the League for rescue—and become a laughingstock. Five years ago, a conference champion had thought he was invincible and brought only three days’ worth of supplies. On the seventh day, starving, he had no choice but to call for help—and became a joke.
"No—I only brought one day’s worth," Rio said calmly.
The guide’s eyes bulged. This guy is even worse than the one five years ago—he brought one day’s worth! He knew Rio had performed well in the conference, but this level of overconfidence was absurd. Was he planning to treat the wild Pokémon and trainers of Champion’s Road like mere Caterpie?
"Mr. Rio—don’t say I didn’t warn you. Champion’s Road is extremely dangerous, and there are no supply points inside. Running out of food is a terrible experience," the guide warned.
"Trust me—I’ll manage. If I really run out, I’ll borrow some and pay them back when I’m out," Rio said seriously.
The guide’s eyes widened even further. This champion must have been a bandit in a past life. What kind of conference champion talks about stealing supplies?
A few minutes later, the guide left, thoroughly impressed. Rio, now alone at the entrance, tossed out a Poké Ball. Munchlax appeared.
"Munchlax—this place should have plenty of good stuff. Your job today is to find and collect things. Got it?"
"Ka~" Munchlax nodded, pulling its paw out of its mouth.
Rio patted its head and stepped into the so-called Champion’s Road with Munchlax and Charizard.
At the same time, on the fourth island of the Sevii Islands—Frozen Island—a Lapras was freezing a twenty-meter-tall waterfall with Ice Beam. The entire waterfall froze over in seconds at a visible rate.
Standing beyond the waterfall was a red-haired woman with a bewitching face and a fully matured figure.
"Excellent, Lapras! You did wonderfully!"
"Lap~"
After praising Lapras, the woman felt her communicator vibrate. She picked it up—a message from the League. It said that a new Indigo Conference champion had been chosen, had already entered Champion’s Road, and would challenge the Elite Four upon emerging. She, as the Ice-type Elite Four member, was to prepare to head to the Indigo Plateau to receive the challenge.
The woman smiled seductively and replied with a brief acknowledgment. Then she put her phone away and continued focusing on Lapras’s training. He just entered Champion’s Road—that means he won’t be out for at least half a month. Plenty of time. No rush.