Pokémon: Raising Abandoned Pokémon into Legends

After receiving Lance’s confirmation, the elder’s mouth fell open in astonishment. Then he turned to the matter at hand. "So Lance—you’ll have to leave for the League right away?"

"Yes—according to protocol, I’m supposed to arrive at the Indigo Plateau ahead of time," Lance nodded.

"What about the selection process? Many of our clan’s top fighters are still on their way here," the elder said.

"Tell them to head directly to the Indigo Plateau instead." Lance sighed, exchanged a few more words with the elder, and then released his ace—Dragonite.

Is that kid really going to become the League Champion? Lance wondered as he flew toward the Indigo Plateau.

At the Kanto League headquarters, Rio—having cleared Champion’s Road—was housed at the Pokémon Center on the Indigo Plateau, awaiting his challenge against the Elite Four at the League’s main office the day after tomorrow. If he succeeded, he would become the League Champion of both Johto and Kanto.

"Rio—you’ve done remarkably well. You’ve exceeded my expectations yet again," Mr. Fuji said, visibly moved.

After the Indigo Conference, he hadn’t returned to Lavender Town because Rio had told him he’d be out of Champion’s Road soon—within two days at most—and hoped he’d witness his ascension to the long-vacant Champion’s throne. Mr. Fuji had been skeptical at first, but knowing Rio’s track record, he decided to stay at the Indigo Plateau.

He never expected that Rio would enter Champion’s Road one day and emerge the next. Such an unbelievable feat—and it was real. This made Mr. Fuji feel that Rio truly could become the League Champion, standing among the world’s top trainers and leading both Johto and Kanto.

"Grandpa Fuji—I owe so much of where I am today to your trust," Rio said with a smile.

He was also looking forward to the challenge in two days. Lance had tried to pressure him with his Elite Four status—but once Rio became Champion, Lance would have to stand at attention and obey. Go ahead, try to throw your weight around then. If I don’t use my Champion authority to put you in your place, it’ll only be because I’m feeling generous.

Mr. Fuji looked at Rio’s humble demeanor, his eyes glistening. His intuition told him that Rio could help resolve the regrets he’d carried for so long.

On the third morning, well-rested, Rio was roused by a Kanto League official who knocked on his door. The official led him toward the League’s headquarters. They walked down a long corridor lined with stone statues of Pokémon, eventually arriving at a towering gate.

"Mr. Rio—the four Elite Four members are waiting inside. Once you enter, you’ll face your first opponent," the official said, gesturing to the gate.

Rio thanked him and walked toward the gate. When he was about two meters away, the massive doors slowly opened, revealing pitch-black darkness inside. But the moment Rio stepped through, lights flickered on, illuminating a long corridor. Rio followed it; each tile he stepped on glowed with golden light.

He walked for about five minutes until he reached another door. Who designed this? Just let me fight—why make me walk this far? Rio grumbled inwardly.

He pushed the door open—and a wave of bone-chilling cold hit him. A vast, gleaming ice battlefield stretched before him. Standing on the other side was a striking red-haired woman wearing glasses, with a mature, alluring presence.

Lorelei? Rio raised an eyebrow. Of the two female Elite Four members—one was the Ghost-type specialist Agatha, Professor Oak’s old flame, now in her seventies. The other was the beautiful, icy (but inwardly girlish) Ice-type specialist Lorelei.

Lorelei was also sizing him up. "I’m Lorelei, of the Elite Four. You’re this year’s champion? You’re younger than I expected."

"And you’re even more beautiful than the rumors say," Rio replied with a smile.

"Smooth talker." Lorelei covered her mouth with a laugh, then pulled a Poké Ball from her belt. "I heard you cleared Champion’s Road in just one day. I hope your performance here proves that’s real—not a lie. Otherwise, I’ll use my authority as an Elite Four member to investigate and have you thrown in jail."

With a flash of light, she sent out a Level 64 Elite Four–talent Dewgong.

"New~"

"Come out, Greninja—let’s show the Ice-type Elite Four what you’ve got!" Rio tossed his Poké Ball with a smile.

"Gren~" A flash of light—and Greninja appeared, immediately engulfed in a towering pillar of water as it entered its Battle Bond form.

"What is this?" Lorelei frowned, having never seen Battle Bond before.

"Dewgong—Aqua Jet!" She struck first, not giving Greninja time to set up.

"New~" Dewgong slapped the ice and shot forward, wreathed in water, closing in on Greninja at blinding speed. But just as it was about to strike, Greninja’s Battle Bond evolution completed. Sharing a telepathic link with Rio, Greninja formed hand seals and used Double Team—splitting into eight copies in an instant, causing Dewgong’s Aqua Jet to miss entirely.

Lorelei’s pupils contracted. They can share consciousness? she guessed. Then she saw Greninja stand still, golden light flowing from the ground into its body.

"Dewgong—Ice Shard!" she called out.

"New~" Dewgong spat out ice shards like bullets, pelting Greninja. But Greninja stood its ground, enduring the attack. The sight made Lorelei uneasy—she knew she had to interrupt whatever it was doing.

"Dewgong—Giga Impact!"

"New~" Dewgong charged at Greninja with unstoppable force. But just before impact, Greninja vanished, and Dewgong plowed through empty air. Lorelei’s eyes widened—then, before she could process what had happened, Greninja appeared behind Dewgong and drove a Water Shuriken into its neck. Dewgong cried out—and two seconds later, it collapsed, completely incapacitated.

"How could this be?!"