Chapter 218: My Name Is Gus
First, Kanto and Johto now had a powerful League Champion—this meant the two regions would unite and no longer be a tangled mess. Second, the news that the legendary three Regis had attacked the League headquarters at the Indigo Plateau was a blatant provocation against Team Rocket, a direct insult to their authority. To carry out such an operation without any prior notice—only finding out through an informant after the fact—was infuriating.
But then again, it made sense. An organization capable of commanding the Regis was undoubtedly powerful—they had the confidence to disregard Team Rocket.
"The only way to relieve this pressure now is to capture Mewtwo or find Beedrill’s Mega Stone. Otherwise, if a conflict breaks out with the group behind the Regis, relying on my own top-level strength alone will be difficult."
"It’s over—Elite Four Lance can’t hold Regirock any longer; he’s about to fall!"
Back at the Indigo Plateau, the League executives watched in alarm as Lance’s Dragonite and Aerodactyl were pushed back by Regirock. Their eyes also turned to Lorelei and Agatha’s side, where they were starting to lose ground against Registeel despite having healed their Pokémon with Revival Herbs.
"At least we have our new Champion Rio—he’s holding his own against Regice. He might even have a slight advantage. A Champion’s strength really is different from an Elite Four member’s."
They felt a wave of relief as they watched Rio fight Regice with Charizard and the Red Gyarados. Though he hadn’t achieved victory yet, he was at least showing a hint of dominance, unlike the other two fronts, which were being overwhelmed.
"But there’s only one Champion. If Regirock and Registeel can’t be stopped, Rio will be surrounded on three sides. If he falls, the League is done," someone else pointed out. Those who had relaxed immediately tensed up again.
"I’ve been stalling long enough—time to wrap this up," Rio thought from atop Charizard, having been putting on a show against Regice. He scanned the battlefields to his left and right. He was faking his fight, but the others weren’t. If Lance and the others fell and he ended up fighting all three Regis at once, he couldn’t exactly stage a dramatic comeback—that would look far too suspicious.
With that in mind, Rio pulled out the ancient Poké Ball and shook it. He and Gengar had agreed that whenever he took out the ball, it was time to reconnect.
"Old ghost—are you there?" Rio whispered.
"I’m here." Gengar’s voice came three seconds later.
Rio looked around. "I’m in Regice’s shadow," Gengar added. Rio turned and saw a pale purple, chubby face emerge from Regice’s shadow, grinning at him with a sinister chuckle.
"Remember the retreat plan we discussed? It’s time to execute it," Rio said.
"Got it."
Gengar vanished from Regice’s shadow. Soon, a masked figure appeared in the air above the battlefield, directly across from Rio, drawing everyone’s attention. The figure spoke:
"Regirock, Regice, Registeel—cease your attacks."
At his command, the three Regis stopped. Lance, Lorelei, and Agatha quickly regrouped with their Pokémon and moved to Rio’s side. They realized this masked figure was likely the mastermind behind the attack.
"Rio—long time no see. Are you happy to see me again?" The masked figure let out a piercing, sinister laugh.
Rio responded with a loud snort.
"Who are you? Why are you attacking the Kanto League headquarters?" Lance demanded.
"My name is Gus. I’m here today to congratulate an old friend on becoming the League Champion," the masked figure said. "As for ’attacking’—where did you get that idea? This is just how I say hello to an old friend."
Rio’s mouth twitched. He’d told Gengar to pick a cool, imposing name—something like "Dragon Soaring Above the Heavens"—but instead, the old ghost had just gone with its dead trainer’s name from a hundred years ago.
Beside him, Lance, Lorelei, and Agatha muttered the name "Gus," frantically searching their memories for any association.
"That’s quite a special way to say hello—using the three Regis to attack," Agatha said after a moment.
"Naturally—I wanted to see how capable my friend’s future subordinates are," the masked figure chuckled. "Would they be able to withstand ten minutes of the Regis’ assault? So far, the Kanto League hasn’t disappointed me too much. Otherwise, I would have killed all of you—along with Rio."
At the words "kill all of you," everyone present tensed. They could feel he truly meant it.
"Don’t worry—I said ’kill’ only if you couldn’t last ten minutes. Since you did, you get to live for now." The masked figure laughed again, the sound grating on everyone’s ears.
After the laughter faded, he continued: "However, I do hope the Kanto and Johto Leagues will work harder to strengthen their Pokémon. Because in the future, you’ll be hearing my name often in this region. If you’re not strong enough when we meet, you’ll only have regret before you die."
Lance and the others stared at the masked figure in fear. The figure then turned and floated away.
"Goodbye, Rio. I hope your strength continues to surprise me the next time we meet."
"Regirock, Regice, Registeel—let’s go."
"Charr~"
"Jee... jee..."
"Gah-chee—!"
The three Regis followed him away. No one dared to stop them. About ten seconds later, the masked figure turned back and shouted:
"Oh—and remember my name! My name is Gus! If you don’t want to die, don’t forget it."
"There will be a test later."