Pokémon: Raising Abandoned Pokémon into Legends

Chapter 266: Fighting for One Win

With the League’s promotion, the public had all seen the broadcast. Watching Rio dominate with overwhelming strength in Sinnoh, a surge of regional pride and superiority washed over them.

"Hahaha—Sinnoh’s not up to par! And they call themselves the oldest region with a glorious history?"

"A Fire-type Elite Four and a Psychic-type Elite Four—and neither could take down a single one of our Champion’s Pokémon! How pathetic! Hahahaha!"

"I’m calling my friend in Sinnoh right now—they were bragging that Sinnoh trainers were the strongest. Let’s see what they have to say now."

"I want to apologize for underestimating our Champion because of his youth. From now on, Champion Rio is my idol—I’ll support him forever! He’s brought so much pride to Kanto!"

Inside the Dragon Clan’s ancestral hall, Lance watched Lucian collapse to his knees on TV, feeling deeply satisfied. His confidence, which had taken a hit from Rio, was now restored. See? It’s not just us Kanto Elite Four—Elite Four from other regions end up the same way against Rio. We’re not weak—it’s just that this guy is genuinely too strong.

In an old castle, Agatha watched Lucian’s near-breakdown with a sense of relief. Her wrinkled face crinkled into a pleased smile. Well done, Rio—this is exactly what you should be doing. Show the world the might of Kanto and Johto.

On the second island of the Sevii Islands, Bruno, who had returned to his training, wasn’t training today—he was glued to the TV. Like Lance and Agatha, watching the Psychic-type Elite Four’s utter collapse soothed his wounded pride. It’s not that I’m weak—it’s that the opponent is just too strong. And this Sinnoh Psychic-type Elite Four is way weaker than me. It took Rio five minutes to beat me—he beat this guy in just two or three. Therefore, Kanto > Sinnoh.

On the first island of the Sevii Islands—Frozen Island—Lorelei sat in her home filled with Pokémon plushies, watching Lucian’s moment of defeat. Like the other three Elite Four, she felt a wave of satisfaction. From now on, if anyone asked why she couldn’t take down even one of her own League Champion’s Pokémon, she’d show them the video of Rio dismantling Lucian. She had lasted five minutes—Lucian only lasted two or three. She was clearly the stronger one.

In a secret Team Rocket base in Kanto, Giovanni was also watching the battle. But his focus wasn’t on Lucian’s defeat—it was on Mewtwo. Getting crushed by Mewtwo was normal in his eyes; not getting crushed would be the real surprise.

But... "Damn it—why didn’t I think of using alcohol to make Mewtwo obey me?" Giovanni was furious. Watching his most desired Pokémon being controlled by Rio was infuriating.

"No—I can’t dwell on this. I need to get stronger—much stronger." He steadied himself, his eyes narrowing. He recalled the Beedrill Mega Stone Rio had shown him during his prison visit. That was his only way to grow stronger now. But to get it from Rio, he’d have to trade a legendary Pokémon.

"Have we found any trace of Suicune, Entei, or Moltres yet?" Giovanni asked his secretary, Matori. That was the mission he’d given Team Rocket recently.

"We’re still searching, Boss," Matori replied. "However, General Athena says she’s heard that Celebi—the mythical Pokémon—might be about to appear. She’d like to try capturing it."

"Celebi?" Giovanni’s pupils contracted, then he nodded. "Approved."

Back in Sinnoh. After the match against Lucian, Rio seemed to have become Public Enemy Number One across the region. The entire Sinnoh internet was flooded with discussions about him—completely overshadowing the Lily of the Valley Conference itself. People weren’t talking about who might win the conference; they were all debating who could defeat even one of the Kanto Champion’s Pokémon.

Indeed, after Rio’s match against Lucian, most people no longer believed the matches were fixed. They’d come to accept that Rio was simply that strong. Now, their only hope for redemption was to take down just one of his Pokémon—not all of them. After all, the Psychic-type Elite Four’s six Pokémon had been wiped out in just over two minutes by a single opponent. Imagining a full victory was pure fantasy.

"You’ve really made a name for yourself—the whole Sinnoh region sees you as the ultimate rival to be defeated," Cynthia said at a restaurant in the Lily of the Valley venue, scrolling through the online discussions. Her voice carried a hint of jealousy. She had hoped to use this conference to gain recognition—but instead, all the public’s attention was on Rio. Yesterday it was about fixed matches; today it was about who could restore Sinnoh’s honor. Almost no one was discussing who the real contenders for the championship were. It was as if the Lily of the Valley Conference had become a stage for Rio to show off to Sinnoh.

"Nothing I can do—it’s the loneliness of being strong," Rio said with an unapologetic smirk. "Your Sinnoh executives just told me that tomorrow, I’ll be facing your other two Elite Four. They want me to save you some face."