Chapter 176: Plotting for the Three Regis
"Because the evil organizations in Hoenn—Team Aqua and Team Magma—are plotting to revive the ancient legendary Pokémon Groudon and Kyogre. We needed a powerful legendary Pokémon to help us. Unfortunately, the mission failed, and the Emerald Orb we’d worked so hard to create was destroyed as well," President Devon explained with his eyes closed.
Rio nodded—that made sense.
President Devon continued: "To counter the ambitions of Team Magma and Team Aqua, my son Steven and I developed two backup plans over the years."
At the mention of his son, even under hypnosis, a smile crossed President Devon’s face.
"What are they?" Rio asked.
"The first plan was to collaborate with Captain Stern of Slateport City to build the submarine Sea Mauville, and use it to seal off the underwater cavern."
"The underwater cavern? Where Kyogre sleeps?" Rio raised an eyebrow—the name sounded familiar.
"Yes."
"And the second plan?"
"To study ancient tablets left behind by the past, and use the power of the legendary giants to counter Groudon and Kyogre."
You’re dreaming if you think the three Regis can stand up to Groudon and Kyogre, Rio thought.
"Where do these legendary giants sleep? Do you know?"
"After deciphering the tablets, my son and I determined that the legendary giants are sealed in three locations: the desert on Route 111, a hidden cave in the waters of Route 105, and an ancient burial site on Route 120. These places are sealed and require solving the riddles in a chamber filled with ancient script located in a cave on Route 134 to open the seals."
"I’ve already deciphered the Sealed Chamber. Once my son receives the letter I sent, he will be able to awaken the three legendary giants."
Listening to President Devon’s explanation, Rio nodded with satisfaction. Now I understand everything—my plans for Hoenn are complete. First priority: catch the three Regis. Before Steven gets that letter, I’ll solve the Sealed Chamber’s riddles, awaken the Regis, and catch them myself.
The next day.
At the Devon Corporation, Rio shook hands with Secretary Kuroda. "Mr. Kuroda, I’ll be traveling around Hoenn for a few days. Contact me when the fossil is revived."
"Mr. Rio, have a good time! I recommend trying the Lavaridge Town rice crackers—they’re delicious," Kuroda said with a smile.
With a flash of light, Munchlax burst out of its Luxury Ball before Rio could even respond.
"Ka~" It looked at Rio, pulling its paw out of its mouth, clearly eager for the promised treats. The sight made both Rio and Kuroda laugh.
"Don’t worry, Munchlax—you’ll get some today," Rio said, patting its head.
A short while later, Rio left the Devon Corporation on Charizard. His original plan had been to catch the key Pokémon needed to unlock the Sealed Chamber—Relicanth and Wailord—but since Munchlax wanted to eat, food came first.
Two hours later, Rio arrived in Lavaridge Town on Charizard. He bought up the entire town’s stock of Lavaridge rice crackers, feeding them to Munchlax and his other Pokémon before leaving. The trip wasn’t wasted—each of his Pokémon gained one to two friendship points.
After another two hours, Rio flew from Lavaridge Town out over the ocean. He changed into his diving gear and released the Red Gyarados.
"Let’s go, Gyarados! We’re counting on you. Catch a Relicanth and a Wailord, and I’ll have Annihilape give you an extra hour of ’massage’ today!"
"ROAR!!!" At the promise of an extra hour, the Red Gyarados’s eyes sparkled as it dove into the sea with Rio on its back.
"Gyarados—go deep!"
Wailord, the largest Pokémon in the world, spent most of its time in the deep sea, occasionally surfacing. Relicanth, an ancient Pokémon that had lived for a hundred million years, also stayed deep underwater. So diving deep was the way to go.
It took nearly two hours for the Red Gyarados to reach the deep-sea zone. Along the way, they encountered many Water-types—most fled in terror at the sight of the fierce Gyarados. A few came looking for trouble but were quickly sent packing by a casual Hyper Beam.
The deep sea was vast. Rio had the Gyarados wander aimlessly. After about two hours of searching, a massive silhouette appeared in the distance—its mouth wide open, chasing a school of Wishiwashi.
"There! Go, Gyarados—hit it!" Rio excitedly slapped the Gyarados’s head.
Finally—after all that waiting!
"ROAR!!!" The Red Gyarados charged and fired a Hyper Beam. The Wailord, caught mid-meal, let out a pained cry. Enraged, it turned and used Heavy Slam, charging straight at the Gyarados.
Three or four minutes later, a Poké Ball was thrown—and the Level 47 Wailord was caught.
"Perfect! Now I just need Relicanth!" Rio said excitedly.
"Gyarados—search for another hour. If we don’t find Relicanth, we’ll surface, and I’ll have Annihilape give you a good ’massage.’"
"ROAR!!!" The Gyarados roared with enthusiasm.
An hour later, with no Relicanth in sight, Rio and the Red Gyarados regretfully surfaced. By the time they reached land, night had fallen. On a small island, Rio roasted Wishiwashi over a fire lit by Charizard, while the Red Gyarados enjoyed Annihilape’s "massage" about ten meters away—roaring in contentment.
"ROAR~" — Yes—right there, keep going!
"ROAR~" — That’s it—give my head a few more hits. My skull doesn’t feel right without a good pounding.
After spending the night on the island, Rio and the fully refreshed Red Gyarados dove again at dawn in search of Relicanth. But the small, ancient fish was much harder to spot than the massive Wailord. A full day passed without success. The same happened on the third and fourth days.
Finally, on the fifth day, around noon, Rio spotted a Relicanth hiding among some seaweed. He nearly cried with joy. After five days of eating nothing but Wishiwashi, even Munchlax had grown tired of it.
With Relicanth caught, Rio wasted no time—he hopped on Charizard and flew straight toward the Sealed Chamber on Route 134.