Pokémon: Raising Abandoned Pokémon into Legends

Chapter 311: Revenge Against Arceus (Two-in-One)

After listening to Zoroark’s story, Rio raised an eyebrow.

The story could be summed up briefly: back when the Sinnoh region was still called Hisui, Arceus had grown dissatisfied with the current ecological balance. It used its power to drastically alter the environment of the entire Hisui region. Many Pokémon were affected by the upheaval, including Zoroark’s species. They were originally Ghost/Normal-type, but became Dark-type. Zoroark was the only surviving member from the Hisui era, and it couldn’t get along with the current Zoroark population.

"That’s right—because of its abuse of power, my clan was reduced to just me. I miss my original kin, so I hate it." Zoroark, still pinned by Mewtwo’s psychic pressure, spoke angrily.

Seeing it like that, Rio thought of Gyarados. In ancient times, Gyarados had been incredibly powerful and numerous, but something had caused a dramatic shift. They had lost their ancient ability to fly, and only retained their numbers. It was as if a genetic lock had been placed on them.

So... Rio glanced at Mewtwo.

"Let it go. It’s a pitiful Pokémon. If I were in its place, I think I’d be broken too."

"Waking from a long slumber to find everything changed—no familiar companions, no familiar environment, and the Pokémon that used to be its kin now look completely different, making it impossible to fit in."

He decided to play the emotional card. To win over an angry person, you first have to understand their anger.

Mewtwo didn’t argue—it simply released the psychic pressure. Zoroark, touched by Rio’s words, didn’t attack him. This was the first time in five years anyone had acknowledged its suffering.

"Right? Isn’t it infuriating? Why can Arceus do whatever it wants? Just because it’s the almighty creator god?" Zoroark continued venting its pent-up anger.

"Yes, it’s absolutely infuriating and despairing. All because of a single thought, so many Pokémon died, and you lost your home. If I were you, I’d want to tear it apart." Rio chimed in with equal indignation.

Meanwhile, he kept an eye on Zoroark’s friendship level—it had risen from 30 to 32. He knew his approach was working.

But he couldn’t just keep sympathizing forever—that would lead to a dead end. So after Zoroark had poured out its painful past and sorrow, Rio suddenly asked a soul-searching question:

"Do you really believe you can succeed in taking revenge on Arceus?"

Zoroark fell silent. Deep down, it probably didn’t believe it could—it was just talk.

"But I think you can." Rio added unexpectedly.

Zoroark looked at him in shock. This was the first time anyone had believed in it. It had even met Uxie here, the being of knowledge, who had mocked it for being delusional—telling it to give up the idea, since it couldn’t even get an audience with Arceus, let alone take revenge.

"Why would you think that?" Zoroark asked, puzzled.

"Because I’m here." Rio replied seriously.

Zoroark’s expression shifted from confusion to one of having swallowed something unpleasant.

"If not for the conversation we just had, which made me a little fond of you, I’d definitely beat you up right now." Zoroark replied just as seriously.

"Why would you beat me up? Do you think it’s not strong enough?" Rio pointed at Mewtwo.

Zoroark looked at him. "It’s strong—but if you’re saying it’ll help me take revenge, I hate to admit it, but that would be very difficult to succeed."

"What if I told you that one day, you could become just as strong—even stronger than it is now?" Rio smiled.

"What do you mean? You can make me as strong as it one day?" Zoroark was surprised.

Mewtwo, meanwhile, frowned at Rio—it didn’t want to be surpassed.

"That’s right—as long as you trust me, support me, and follow me, it can be done." Rio repeated his three conditions.

"How can you prove that?" Zoroark demanded.

"Time will tell." Rio shrugged. "If you need proof, I’ll soon add the legendary giant Regigigas to my team. Just watch and see if I have the ability."

"Regigigas? The great giant?" Zoroark was surprised to hear Rio mention Regigigas.

"The great giant?" Rio raised an eyebrow—he hadn’t expected Zoroark to call Regigigas "great."

"That’s right—it is a great giant. It once led its followers in a battle against Arceus. Though it lost, I think it’s truly magnificent." Zoroark’s eyes filled with admiration when it spoke of Regigigas.

Seeing that, Rio recalled something—in the original lore, there were subtle hints that Regigigas and Arceus had once opposed each other and fought. Many speculated that Regigigas’s crippling Slow Start ability was a result of Arceus’s attack, a deliberate seal placed on it to keep its power in check. Otherwise, Regigigas wouldn’t have such an awkward status among the top-tier legendaries. Now, hearing Zoroark confirm it, it seemed true.

"Are you really going to capture it? If you can make it your partner, I’ll trust you." Zoroark said.

"Deal. Then we’ll wait and see." Rio smiled. He was quite confident about capturing Regigigas. He didn’t think the Hunter Organization could compete with him for it—more likely, they’d just do all the work for him.

"Fine. I’ll stay by your side and see if you can do it. If not, I’ll find a way to leave you." Zoroark was straightforward.

"Of course." Rio shrugged.

He then asked about Lake Acuity—specifically, whether Uxie was truly there.

"Uxie doesn’t live here. It lives in another, hidden world. This lake is just the entrance to that world. I’ve been here for two years and only met it three times." Zoroark replied.

Rio understood—meeting Uxie here was purely a matter of chance. But he didn’t leave right away. Instead, he walked deeper into the cavern. Before long, he reached the bottom and found a stone tablet—one he could actually decipher with his knowledge.

The tablet’s content described how Arceus, after shaping the physical world’s legendary Pokémon, created the Lake Guardians of the spirit world: Uxie, the being of knowledge; Mesprit, the being of emotion; and Azelf, the being of willpower.

After hatching from their eggs, the three Pokémon traveled the world, bestowing knowledge, emotion, and willpower upon all living beings.

Among them, Uxie had the power to erase the memories of anyone who made eye contact with it; Mesprit could erase all emotions from those it touched; and Azelf could paralyze anyone who harmed it.

This lake was Uxie’s passageway between the two worlds.

After reading the tablet, Rio stared at the still waters at the cavern’s depths. He stared for a long while.

Well... there was nothing to see. Even though he knew this was the passageway, the tablet didn’t say how to enter. Only the Lake Guardians themselves would know.

"Alright, let’s head back to Snowpoint Temple. Time to figure out how to add Regigigas to our team."

Rio led his Pokémon back. Walking beside Mewtwo, he said quietly:

"Don’t worry. When Zoroark gets stronger, you’ll get stronger too. It will only ever be as strong as your previous self."

He had noticed Mewtwo’s displeasure when he mentioned Zoroark surpassing it. Better to clear that up before it festered.

Hearing that Zoroark’s growth would also bring its own growth, Mewtwo felt much better—though it still turned its head away with a huff.

[Mewtwo’s friendship has increased]

[Friendship: 24 (-40 → 24) ]

Hearing that, Rio smiled and said no more, only silently laughing at Mewtwo’s tsundere nature.

An hour later, Rio returned to the forest outside Snowpoint Temple. He sat with Zoroark in front of the screen, watching Old Ghost’s live footage. The five researchers were still racking their brains over the ancient tablet. Seeing their drenched brows, Rio could tell it would take them a long time to decipher it. He had Gengar come out to eat the takeout he’d brought from Snowpoint City.

When Old Ghost arrived and saw another flashy newcomer beside Rio, it immediately wore a mocking expression.

"You sure know how to have fun—just went out to get food and you’ve already tricked another poor soul into being your worker."

Rio ignored it and simply explained to Zoroark that Old Ghost had a sharp tongue—it should brace itself.

Zoroark looked at the rough-and-tumble Gengar, then at the aloof Mewtwo, and asked a soul-searching question:

"Which one of them is stronger?"

The moment the question left its mouth, Mewtwo and Gengar both replied simultaneously:

"I am!"

"I am!"

Then they glared at each other.

Mewtwo said: "Old Ghost, if you’ve got the guts, fight me right now."

Gengar shot back: "Fine—if you’ve got the guts, fight me without your fancy evolution."

Mewtwo: "Evolution is part of my strength."

Gengar: "Bullshit! Evolution is part of your strength? We’ve known each other long enough—don’t you dare say you got that evolution without Rio’s help!"

Mewtwo: "And don’t you dare say your time power didn’t come from Rio either!"

The two went back and forth, trading verbal jabs but neither actually stepping outside to fight. Rio was speechless—until he noticed the instigator, Zoroark, wearing a sly, satisfied expression.

Seeing that look, Rio realized his team had just gained a cunning old fox. But he didn’t mind—wasn’t his team already full of characters? He was used to it.

Just then, his phone buzzed. He picked it up—it was Fuji.

As soon as he answered, Fuji’s excited voice came through:

"Rio, I’ve deciphered the entire tablet! The translation reads: ’To those who seek to awaken Regigigas and wish to open the second stone door, touch the five slates in the order of Ice—Rock—Steel—Rock—Ice. The door will open, and another giant will be waiting for you.’"

"Got it. Thank you, Fuji." Rio expressed his gratitude and noted down the sequence.

"Alright, stop fighting—we’ve got work to do."

After hanging up, Rio called out to Mewtwo and Gengar.

"Just wait—once we’re done, we’ll settle this once and for all." Gengar shot at Mewtwo, then turned to Rio.

"Whoever chickens out apologizes." Mewtwo shot back.

Rio shook his head in resignation and relayed Fuji’s translation to Gengar, telling it to return to Snowpoint Temple and find an opportunity to open the second door.

Gengar stuffed the rest of its food into its mouth, dusted off its hands, and left.

Before long, the screen before Rio showed footage again—Gengar was back on its livestreaming duty.

The five researchers were still straining to decipher the tablet. Hunter Organization members were stationed all around. There didn’t seem to be any good opportunity to touch the door.

Rio told Gengar to wait until late at night, just like the day before.

Time passed slowly. Eventually, the five researchers and many hunter lieutenants had retreated to their tents, leaving only low-ranking hunters on guard.

Gengar saw its chance. It floated up to the stone door and pressed the slates in the order Rio had given: first the Ice slate, then Rock, then Steel, then Rock again, and finally Ice.

After all five slates were pressed in sequence, the stone door rumbled violently.

The sleeping hunters were jolted awake. When they stumbled out of their tents, they saw the door already open.

The five researchers stared at the open door with their mouths practically splitting into grins. This really was divine intervention—another door had opened for them!