Chapter 252: Groudon vs. Kyogre
Rio was drawn to the images on the big screen.
"Grandma—what are those two Pokémon?" Cynthia asked, walking over to a silver-haired woman in a lab coat who had been intently watching the battle of the two Hoenn legendaries.
The woman turned at the sound of Cynthia’s voice. "These are both legendary Pokémon from the Hoenn region. The one on the left, with red skin standing on the dried seafloor, is Groudon—though it has no wings and can’t fly, it has the power to expand the land. It’s known as the Incarnate of the Land. The one on the right, with blue skin causing the sea to surge and the sky to pour, is Kyogre—it has the power to expand the ocean and is known as the Incarnate of the Sea."
"Why are they fighting?" Cynthia asked. "The destruction they’re causing is enormous."
On the screen, Primal Groudon used Precipice Blades against Kyogre, while Primal Kyogre countered with Origin Pulse. Both were locked in a life-or-death struggle, each determined to destroy the other.
"Because they’ve been enemies since ancient times," answered a quiet, scholarly-looking woman in a lab coat, about thirty years old, before Cynthia’s grandmother, Professor Carolina, could respond.
"Groudon’s duty is to expand the land, and Kyogre’s is to expand the sea. Their duties conflict, so whenever they awaken from slumber, their first instinct is to find each other and fight."
Cynthia looked at the woman in confusion. Professor Carolina explained: "This is Professor Yanase from the Belari Family—she has deep expertise in Hoenn’s history. We’re able to watch this because of her access."
The Belari Family? That’s the one Rayquaza told me to destroy... Rio, standing not far away, immediately recalled the task Rayquaza had given him.
"Professor Yanase—what can be done? These two Pokémon are so powerful—if left unchecked, they’ll destroy the Hoenn region!" Cynthia said, her voice full of concern for Hoenn’s people, momentarily forgetting Rio was even there.
"Well..." Professor Yanase sighed deeply. "We anticipated this awakening and spent years preparing under the Pokémon Association’s leadership—specifically, to take control of Hoenn’s third ancient legendary Pokémon, Rayquaza, the Incarnate of the Sky. Unfortunately, in the final stages, a Salamence broke in and ruined the plan. Rayquaza escaped."
"Rayquaza," Cynthia murmured, committing the name to memory. "Was there any other preparation?"
"There were two more, though I wasn’t involved—they were Hoenn’s own initiatives. One was to prevent Groudon and Kyogre from awakening in the first place. The other was to awaken the three legendary giant Pokémon."
"But since Groudon and Kyogre are already awake, the first plan failed. And I just received word from Steven, the Hoenn League Champion, that the second plan has also failed."
"For some unknown reason, someone got to the three legendary giant Pokémon before they did. By the time Hoenn’s forces arrived, the ruins were already in shambles."
"This has hit Steven hard. He said that if they survive this crisis, he’s going to find out who got there first and took the three giants."
"It’s the first time I’ve ever seen him this angry."
Nearby, Rio subconsciously pinched the bridge of his nose to hide his awkwardness. When he’d taken Regirock, Regice, and Registeel, he’d imagined Steven’s reaction. Now that it was happening, he felt a little embarrassed.
Behind him, his four attendants exchanged glances, their eyes showing confusion. The three legendary giant Pokémon? Those were the ones that attacked the Kanto League during Rio’s Elite Four challenge, weren’t they?
"What can we do now?" Cynthia asked. "Is there no way to stop this disaster?" She was deeply worried about Hoenn.
"All we can do is pray for them," Professor Yanase said with another sigh. "I hope the people of Hoenn can get through this safely."
Professor Carolina nodded in agreement. Then her eyes widened as she looked at Cynthia in surprise. "What are you doing here? Weren’t you supposed to pick up Old Man Fuji’s protégé at the airport?"
"I already picked him up..." Cynthia said casually—then realized something was wrong. She and her grandmother both turned around at the same time.
"Hello, Professor Carolina," Rio said with a smile, greeting her proactively.
"Hello—so you’re the new League Champion. I’ve heard so much about you from Cynthia and old man Fuji. You’re every bit as impressive as they said. I’m so sorry—Cynthia should have told me you’d arrived." Professor Carolina awkwardly extended her left hand in greeting while discreetly pinching Cynthia’s side with her right.
Cynthia winced and pouted at her grandmother.
"It’s no problem, Professor Carolina—I was drawn in by the images on the screen as soon as I walked in," Rio said, smoothly changing the subject. "I hope the people of Hoenn can make it through this."
"Indeed." Professor Carolina nodded, then introduced the Belari Family researcher, Professor Yanase, to Rio. As the two shook hands, Cynthia suddenly exclaimed:
"Look—the extreme weather is gone!"
They all spun around to find that the blazing heat from Groudon and the torrential rain from Kyogre had both vanished, replaced by a calm, overcast sky.
"Kiiiruu—!"
A dragon’s roar echoed from the screen. A green, serpentine dragon burst from the clouds, its body glowing with golden light as it descended.
"Rayquaza!" Professor Yanase covered her mouth in relief. "With it here, this crisis should be resolved. The people of Hoenn are saved."
"Rayquaza—so that’s Rayquaza," Cynthia said, her eyes fixed on the descending legendary. "Can it really stop this crisis on its own?"
"Yes—it’s said to be born to stop Groudon and Kyogre from fighting. Throughout history, it has intervened in their battles many times," Professor Yanase explained.
As she spoke, Rayquaza entered the fray—and its appearance transformed. Its green skin began to shine like emerald, and a Δ-shaped symbol appeared on its forehead. Golden, ribbon-like extensions appeared on its horns, jaw, and tail.
Rayquaza’s grand entrance drew the immediate attention of Groudon and Kyogre. The two ancient Pokémon, who had been locked in a death match, exchanged a glance across the kilometer between them. Instantly, as if they’d found a common enemy, they stopped fighting each other and turned their attacks on Rayquaza.
Groudon’s mouth glowed with solar energy, charging a Solar Beam at Rayquaza. Kyogre simultaneously unleashed another Origin Pulse.