Chapter 175: The Origin of Rayquaza’s Hatred
President Devon lay in his hospital bed, gripping Rio’s hand gratefully: "Rio—I truly owe you today. The consequences would have been unthinkable without you."
"Don’t mention it, President Devon. Helping those in need is the duty of today’s young generation," Rio said with a hearty laugh.
"Don’t worry—your fossil will be fully revived. Our research institute’s fossil revival machine was developed with Dr. Fuji’s help. Since he reached out, we’ll make sure it’s done right."
President Devon turned to the man in the black suit behind Rio. "Kuroda—take good care of Rio. And make sure Mr. Iron handles this properly."
"I will, Mr. President," Secretary Kuroda nodded respectfully, looking at Rio with newfound admiration. He’d already heard from the president how Rio had appeared like a guardian angel to save him.
A few minutes later, Rio followed Kuroda out of the hospital room. As he left, he glanced at the security cameras in the room. Three cameras. I’ll need to keep those in mind tonight.
Once outside the hospital, Rio and Kuroda returned to the Devon Corporation building. But the moment Rio stepped inside, he drew a swarm of attention. Employees rushed over, asking for photos and autographs. Bewildered, Rio could only force a smile, pose for pictures, and sign his name. Even the front desk receptionist joined the crowd.
When he asked her what was going on, she pointed to a television in the lobby. "You’re on Hoenn news, didn’t you know? That scene where you saved our president was amazing! The whole Hoenn region knows who you are now!"
Rio followed her gaze—and was surprised to see himself and Charizard on the screen: the thunder punch that took down Ludicolo, and the double-slam that crushed Carvanha and Sharpedo.
"Well—I guess I became a celebrity in less than two days here," Rio said with a wry smile.
Meanwhile, in an underwater cavern off Lilycove City, Team Aqua leader Archie watched the same footage—a Charizard taking down a Ludicolo with a single thunder punch—and slammed his fist on the table in fury.
"Damn it—this Yukio Goh from Kanto ruined our entire plan! I’ll remember him. If I ever cross paths with him, he’ll regret what he did today."
In the mountains behind Mt. Pyre, northeast of Lilycove City, Team Magma leader Maxie watched the same broadcast and laughed heartily.
"Beautiful! The world needs people like him to stop Team Aqua’s schemes. If I ever meet him, I’ll thank him in person."
"Just leave that fossil with me. In a week, you’ll see the Pokémon inside revived," said a middle-aged man in a white lab coat at the Devon Corporation’s Fossil Research Lab, holding the amber fossil in one hand and patting his chest with the other.
"I’ll leave it in your hands, then," Rio said with a smile, leaving the lab shortly after.
"Now I’ll take you to the hotel we own," Secretary Kuroda said, leading Rio out.
Before long, they arrived at a luxurious presidential suite. "Meals for you and your Pokémon will be brought up shortly. If it’s not enough, just let the staff know. All your expenses here will be covered by the Devon Corporation," Kuroda said.
"Thank you so much."
Rio had lost count of how many times he’d said thanks. After Kuroda left, he sank into the sofa, released all his Pokémon, and waited for the food to arrive while mulling over his plans for the night.
He had decided: tonight, he’d break into the hospital where President Devon was staying, find out why Rayquaza held a grudge against Devon Corporation and the Pokémon Association—and also pinpoint the location of the three Regis.
Two hours later, in the security monitoring room of the Devon Corporation Hospital, a man was laughing at the television. As he laughed, a Gengar emerged from the ground with a chuckle. Four or five seconds later, the man was unconscious.
Soon after, Rio flew in through the window. He manipulated the monitors, turning off the display showing President Devon’s room. Then he slipped back outside and flew to the window of the president’s room.
Inside, President Devon was lying in bed, watching TV. Gengar rose from the floor—and two seconds later, President Devon was also asleep.
Rio floated in through the window via Psychic.
"President Devon—do you know about Rayquaza?" Rio asked without preamble.
"Yes," President Devon replied calmly, eyes still closed.
Rio continued: "Rayquaza holds a deep grudge against your company. Can you tell me what the Devon Corporation, the Belari Family, the Pokémon Association, and Greater Mauville Holdings did to Rayquaza?"
"Yes."
Without hesitation, President Devon answered instinctively:
"Five years ago, the Devon Corporation was invited by the Pokémon Association to participate in a project called the ’Rayquaza Capture Plan.’ The companies involved included the Belari Family and Greater Mauville Holdings. In that project, Devon Corporation and Greater Mauville Holdings provided the technology to build the ’Flower’ machinery, while the Belari Family—"
"Wait—what is ’the Flower’?" Rio interrupted.
"That’s a weapon—a replica created from the Eternal Flower," President Devon explained.
Hearing "Eternal Flower," Rio immediately understood. He knew about it from the Kalos region—a powerful weapon built 3,000 years ago by a king to revive his fallen Floette, activated only by the power of Xerneas or Yveltal.
"Please continue—what were the Belari Family and the Pokémon Association responsible for? And where is the Belari Family from?"
"The Belari Family is an ancient clan from the Sinnoh region with centuries of history. They provided funding for the plan and worked with the Pokémon Association to develop the Emerald Orb for controlling Rayquaza."
At the mention of the Emerald Orb, Rio’s pupils contracted. He pulled out the emerald fragment Rayquaza had given him.
President Devon continued: "After the preparation phase was complete, we led a team to the Burial Tower in Johto to capture Rayquaza. But during the operation, Rayquaza and a member of the People of the Meteor burst out from inside. We fought a hard battle using the Flower before finally capturing Rayquaza—but the Meteorite person died in the fight."
Rio nodded. He knew about the People of the Meteor—a group that revered Rayquaza as their dragon god.
"And then?"
"Soon after, another member of the People of the Meteor broke into the Pokémon Association building in Goldenrod City where Rayquaza was being held. She commanded a Salamence and fought the Association. The battle accidentally damaged the device restraining Rayquaza, allowing it to escape."
"I believe that’s why Rayquaza now harbors hatred toward the Devon Corporation, the Belari Family, the Pokémon Association, and Greater Mauville Holdings."
Rio nodded. That explained everything. They’d tried to capture Rayquaza—and in the process, one of its believers had died. Of course it would hate them.
"But—why did you want to control Rayquaza in the first place?"