Pokémon: Raising Abandoned Pokémon into Legends

Chapter 280: Hoenn-Kanto Exchange (Part 1)

"You can Teleport within the black mist?" Rio asked, eyes wide.

Seeing Rio’s expression, Gengar was thrilled. "This black mist is my Dark Pulse. Because of Roar of Time, the move has been enhanced—it can spread the energy as mist. As long as you’re within the mist, I can control the flow of time. You saw me gather all those Pokémon in an instant, but what actually happened was that I accelerated the flow of time inside the mist," Gengar explained.

Rio only half-understood, but the takeaway was clear: Gengar was incredibly powerful now.

"I feel like I’m the strongest Pokémon in the world right now—no one can stand against me," Gengar declared, hands on its hips, radiating pure arrogance.

"That might not be true—let me fight you."

The moment Gengar finished speaking, Mewtwo couldn’t hold back. What do you mean, you’re the strongest? Then what am I? Are you saying you’re stronger than me?

"Fine—if you want a fight, you’ll get one, Little Mew! Old Ghost is no longer the Gengar you used to know. A hundred years ago, I might have called you ’Big Mew,’ but times have changed. After a century of experience and this recent power boost, I’m terrifyingly strong now. It’s time for you to call me ’Ghost Boss,’" Gengar said, looking at Mewtwo with undisguised contempt.

Mewtwo wasn’t about to take that lying down. Without a word, it hurled a Shadow Ball at Gengar’s head, which was peeking out of the mist. The next second, Gengar’s form dissipated and reformed a few meters away.

"Can’t hit me! Can’t hit me!" Gengar taunted.

Mewtwo was furious. It charged into the mist with a Psystrike ready.

Rio: "..."

These two are completely ignoring me as their trainer, aren’t they? Fighting without even asking.

Still, he was curious about the outcome. If Mewtwo won, his earlier assumptions—that Gengar might rival regional guardians or be the strongest under them—would be wrong. But if Gengar won, those assumptions would hold true.

A few minutes later, a winner emerged.

"I... surrender." Mewtwo flew out of the mist, looking humiliated. The moment it emerged, it used Recover, its wounds healing rapidly.

"Hehehe..." On the other side, Gengar laughed triumphantly from within the mist. "Little Mew, call me Ghost Boss!"

Mewtwo’s expression darkened. It couldn’t understand or accept being dominated by Gengar. Inside the mist, it felt like moving through quicksand. Its attacks seemed slowed down, while Gengar’s moved at eight times speed. Even its Psychic power was overpowered. It was humiliating.

This is absurd! I’m Mewtwo—a being that surpasses the mythical Mew! I was Rio’s strongest fighter! How did Gengar surpass me so quickly?!

"Old Ghost, don’t get too cocky," Rio said, stepping in before Mewtwo snapped. "Things change. If Mewtwo surpasses you in the future, you’ll regret this arrogance."

He patted Mewtwo’s shoulder. "Don’t be too discouraged. If you trust me, you’ll surpass Gengar again soon enough."

Mewtwo looked at him skeptically, unsure where Rio’s confidence came from.

"You’ll see when the time comes," Rio said calmly.

After all, Mewtwo hasn’t unlocked its first-tier friendship reward yet. Its friendship is currently at 10 points—just 10 away from unlocking the first tier. Considering its potential, that reward should be monumental. Once unlocked, Gengar’s current position at the top might not last long.

But before that, Gengar’s newfound strength gave Rio an idea: revenge against Lugia—for what happened at Mt. Ember. He wanted to pay Lugia back and, if possible, add it to his roster as his first true regional guardian-level Pokémon.

Unfortunately, that would have to wait. Today was his last day of vacation. Tomorrow, he’d be back at the League headquarters, working like a Champion workhorse.

Just then, his communicator buzzed. He picked it up—it was the beautiful secretary assigned to him by the League.

"What is it, Serīna?"

His secretary’s name was Serīna—just one character off from Ash’s companion Serena.

A pleasant voice came through the speaker: "Mr. Rio, we just received word that Hoenn’s League Champion, Steven, would like to visit us to congratulate you on becoming Champion. He’s proposing a Hoenn-Kanto exchange event."

"Huh?" Rio’s eyes widened. What—Steven wants to visit to congratulate me on becoming Champion? And he wants to hold a trainer exchange?

That was a nice gesture—but Steven, isn’t your timing a bit off? He’d been Champion for quite a while now. Why the belated congratulations?

And what was this "trainer exchange" all about?

"What do the League elders think?" Rio asked, wanting their take before giving his own. Though his Pokémon battle skills were top-notch, he was still green when it came to League politics and diplomacy. The veterans’ opinions would be more accurate—otherwise, all those decades of experience would have been wasted.