Chapter 203: One Day to Clear (Part 1)
A bare-chested man wearing a black belt and white pants, with iron rings on both his wrists and ankles, was soaking in a hot spring with a Machamp.
"This is the good life—the meaning of life is a soak in a hot spring after hard training, eating Mahogany Town’s specialty, Rage Candy Bars," the man said, taking a bite. "Don’t you agree, Machamp?"
"Mach~" Beside him, Machamp was also munching on a candy bar.
A moment later, the man’s communicator buzzed. He picked it up, read the message, and said: "Machamp—this year’s Indigo Conference champion has been chosen. He says he wants to challenge us Elite Four. Our training break might have to end early."
"Mach~" Machamp looked displeased.
The man smiled: "No rush—it’ll take him at least half a month, maybe even a month, to get through Champion’s Road. We still have time to train. I just hope he can get past Lorelei’s guard and reach our second checkpoint. Otherwise, it’ll be a wasted trip."
"Mach~"
Inside an old castle, a Pidgeot flew up to the castle gates, its face full of terror. It wanted to enter but dared not. A moment later, a Gengar drifted out through the castle wall. It chuckled at the Pidgeot, which immediately froze and began to fall—but was caught by the Gengar just before hitting the ground.
Soon, the Pidgeot was brought before an elderly woman with white hair, leaning on a cane.
"Don’t be afraid, child—I won’t hurt you," the old woman said soothingly, removing a piece of paper from the Pidgeot’s leg. After reading it, she let out a cackling laugh.
"So this year’s conference champion has been chosen. The description says he’s quite strong—I hope he makes it to my checkpoint. It’s been far too long since I’ve fought a conference champion. If he doesn’t make it this year, I’ll have to swap challenge order with Lorelei next year."
"Gengar—remind me in half a month, so I don’t forget to head to the Indigo Plateau."
"Gengar~" The Gengar floated over to a calendar and began marking the date half a month away.
At the Dragon’s Den in Blackthorn City, Lance looked at the League notification and said to the clan elders: "The new champion has entered Champion’s Road. Based on his strength, I’d estimate he’ll be out in about eight or nine days. So I’d like the elders to deploy our people to the Pokémon League ahead of time."
"Eight or nine days? The new champion is that strong? That would put him on par with you, Lance," an elder said in surprise.
"Yes—I estimate his strength is very close to mine," Lance nodded. "He has a Charizard that can use Sacred Fire. I’ve fought it before—it’s very powerful."
"Sacred Fire? A Charizard that can use Sacred Fire?" The elder was even more astonished.
After further discussion, the elder agreed to lead the clan’s elites to the League and stand by in case of an attack—just in case some evil organization tried to take out all four Elite Four members during a challenge.
Meanwhile, in Champion’s Road:
"Greninja—Shadow Sneak into Water Shuriken!"
"Gren~"
Greninja, wreathed in a pale golden glow, vanished from its spot. Across from it stood a Venusaur. Two seconds later, the Venusaur collapsed, revealing a middle-aged man standing behind it. He stared at Rio and Greninja in awe.
Only one thought filled his mind: Strong. Incredibly strong. I’ve never felt power like this—not even from the Elite Four.
"Who are you? Can you tell me your name? Why haven’t I seen you in Champion’s Road before?" the man asked.
"Rio—I’m this year’s Indigo Conference champion. I only entered today," Rio said with a shrug, recalling Greninja.
"Impossible—how could you have entered just today?!" The man was even more stunned. They were already halfway through the tunnel—normally, only those who’d been in Champion’s Road for seven or eight days reached this point. A first-day entrant could only be here if they’d encountered zero resistance.
Then his mind flashed back to the Greninja that had sliced through his Pokémon like butter. If that was the pace it had been setting all along, then it was entirely possible.
He wanted to get to know this trainer better—but when he looked up, Rio was already gone.
A hundred meters ahead, Rio rode Charizard at low altitude, with Munchlax beside him, when a new obstacle appeared—a Level 50 wild Onix blocked their path and immediately used Take Down, charging straight at them.
With a flash of light, Rio released Annihilape.
"Annihilape—you’ll clear the way from here."
"Annih~"
As always, Annihilape—without the Red Gyarados in sight—punched itself first to build rage, then charged. Two seconds later, with a deafening crash, the charging Onix was sent flying by a single punch. Annihilape didn’t even look back as it pressed forward.
"Charizard—follow!" Rio commanded.
Soon, they encountered a Level 49 Rhydon. Annihilape rushed in, let out a fierce cry, and took it down with one clean blow before continuing forward. Rio was about to have Charizard follow when Munchlax suddenly jumped off. Rio understood—it had spotted treasure. Half a minute later, a Leaf Stone appeared.
"Nice one, Munchlax," Rio praised, then had Charizard catch up.
After passing a fallen Level 48 Machamp, a Level 52 Golem, and a Level 49 Crobat lying on the side of the tunnel, they finally caught up to Annihilape. It was in the middle of a battle with a girl—having just defeated her Level 56 Tauros. The girl stared at Annihilape in terror; already lying around her were a Level 51 Gyarados and a Level 50 Arcanine.
"Annih~" Annihilape roared at her after taking down Tauros—as if saying, Send out your next Pokémon, or I’ll come for you.
"I don’t have any more—I only brought three Pokémon for training," the girl stammered in fear. Annihilape let out a dissatisfied growl and continued forward. Rio followed on Charizard.
"Was that your Pokémon?" the girl called out in shock.
Rio shrugged: "You guess."
With that, he patted Charizard’s back, and they sped off, vanishing from her sight in an instant. The girl stared in the direction they’d gone, knowing she’d never forget this battle for the rest of her life.