Inside a Weather Institute near Fortree City, several white-haired elderly men crowded around a computer while a young man explained something to them.
"According to our readings, the abnormal thunderstorms are only occurring near Mauville City. The rain between Lilycove City and Mossdeep City is natural, and everywhere else shows normal conditions!"
An old man with a white beard studied the readings carefully and asked,
"Can you determine the approximate area?"
"We have no precise information, but it's roughly along the coast southeast of Mauville City!"
Another elderly man, this one with black hair, nodded and asked an old man beside him who wore a Pokémon League uniform,
"Do we have Archie's current coordinates?"
The League official shook his head.
"They've been hiding in a Seafloor Cavern for a long time. They haven't made any other moves lately, so it probably isn't them!"
Just then, someone suddenly suggested,
"Could there be a problem with the power plant in New Mauville?"
Everyone fell silent for a moment before the white-bearded man who had spoken first said firmly,
"That place has been dormant for years. There's nothing wrong with it!"
After another long silence, he continued,
"Mauville City's development is now complete. Wattson has done a good job. New Mauville can no longer affect all of Hoenn!"
The black-haired old man thought for a moment, then finally said,
"Have Wattson investigate. If it's just a normal change in the weather, leave it alone. If there's a problem, report it to the Pokémon League!"
The young man immediately replied,
"Yes, understood!"
With that, he hurried away, leaving the elderly men to continue studying the readings.
South of Mossdeep City lay an endless sea, with countless connecting waterways, scattered islands and reefs, and even mysterious caves all over the seabed that led to unknown destinations. As a result, many divers and deep-sea explorers gathered there.
Rain shrouded these waters year-round, and mist rose from the sea.
Inside a cave somewhere beneath the sea, a group of mysterious people in blue, sailor-like uniforms moved back and forth, seemingly searching for something.
On an isolated island, a tower stretching into the sky loomed faintly into view. Legend had it that the mysterious space on its highest floor connected to outer space!
Meanwhile, the Kanto Region, Johto Region, and Sinnoh Region surrounding the Hoenn Region all experienced unusual changes in weather, with even extreme climatic conditions appearing.
Soon afterward, strange phenomena appeared in various places.
Rainbows streaked across the sky and lingered for a long time.
Towering waves swept across the sea, then vanished into the ocean currents.
In the forests, iron trees blossomed, and withered trees sprang back to life.
In unknown places, space warped and time stood still!
All these events
aroused curiosity and panic among the people.
The Pokémon League could only dispatch each region's Elite Four to investigate, but strangely, they found nothing!
In the end, a mysterious ancient tradition offered an answer.
The legends were awakening!
The Pokémon League was in an uproar!
Of course, none of this had much to do with Yong and Chengjie. By then, they had returned to Mauville City, and at Chengjie's invitation, Yong went to visit his home.
Still thinking about the mysterious voice from earlier, Yong gladly accepted the invitation.
Chengjie's mother ran a Pokémon beauty salon in the southern district of Mauville City, specializing in beauty treatments for cute, lovely Pokémon. It was very popular among the local ladies.
Since it was already evening, there were few customers in the salon. Chengjie led Yong straight through the back door and into his home, a three-story house with a courtyard. Its décor was stylish without being extravagant.
Chengjie's father was a Pokémon observer, so he frequently traveled for work. In recent years, he had been stationed in Hoenn for extended periods, so the whole family had simply moved there. Since Chengjie's mother was from Mauville City anyway, it was convenient.
When they entered the living room, a beautiful woman in casual clothes was tending to a Bellossom's petals. Beside her, Machop watched with keen interest. Machop was the first to notice the two boys entering, eagerly alerted Chengjie's mother, then ran over to greet them.
"Machop!!"
"Hello, Machop! Looks like you've recovered nicely!"
"Machop!"
Clearly remembering Yong, Machop happily greeted him too.
Meanwhile, Chengjie brought his mother over and introduced them.
"Mom, this is Yong, the lifesaver I told you about! He's the one who got me out of Rusturf Tunnel!"
"Yong, this is my mom!"
"Hello, ma'am!"
Yong hurriedly greeted her respectfully, then gave an embarrassed smile.
"I'm Yong from Dewford Town. I'm hardly the lifesaver Chengjie makes me out to be. He's exaggerating!"
Chengjie's mother smiled gently and nodded.
"Hello! Welcome to our home. I'm glad Chengjie has made a friend like you. Make yourself comfortable! I'll get you boys something to eat!"
"Thank you, ma'am!"
"You're welcome! Chengjie, take good care of Yong! Bellossom, let's go prepare some food!"
"Bellossom~~"
After reminding her son, Chengjie's mother turned and headed toward the kitchen.
Bellossom answered happily and followed her with graceful steps.
Bellossom
"Don't worry, Mom!"
Grinning cheekily at his mother, Chengjie motioned for Yong to follow, then picked up Machop and headed toward the stairs.
Yong followed him upstairs, and the two entered a very large room.
It was filled with all kinds of photographs. Some showed Chengjie and his family, while others depicted various Pokémon. Judging by the angles, those had clearly been taken by an observer from concealed positions.
"Yong! Come here! Look at this!"
Walking over to a cabinet, Chengjie picked up a photograph with a secretive air and urged him over in a low voice.
Curious, Yong walked over and leaned in for a look, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Is this...?"
"Hehe! My dad took this in some ruins. Do you know what it's called?"
He gazed at the photograph proudly and boasted to his friend,
"This is a Legendary Pokémon, and it's a Rock-type, too. I bet you've never seen-"
"This is... Regirock, right?"
Before Chengjie could finish boasting, Yong interrupted him.
"You... know it!!!"
The photograph showed a peculiar Pokémon sleeping amid underground ruins.
Its entire body consisted of gray and orange rocks, with seven orange dots forming an H-shaped pattern on the front of its head.
It had two thick rock arms, with two enormous gray rocks for hands. Its shoulders consisted of huge, towering orange spikes, connected to its hands by several smaller rocks. Its torso was a pillar of rock with an uneven surface, with two orange patches on its left chest and above its right leg. Its legs were short. Three spikes made of orange rock ran vertically down its back. It had a relatively inconspicuous gray rock tail.
It was none other than Regirock, the rock titan among Hoenn's Legendary Titans!
Regirock
But as a guardian of Regigigas and one of the protectors of the Tree of Beginning, Regirock should have been sleeping alongside Regice and Registeel in a mysterious underground stone cavern, only awakening when Hoenn's three legendary Pokémon battled.
How had Chengjie's dad photographed Regirock? Had he broken the seal?
Looking at the astonished Chengjie, Yong offered a casual excuse.
"As a Pokémon Master specializing in Rock-types and Ground-types, it's hardly strange for me to recognize a Rock-type Pokémon, right?"
"Well, when you put it that way..."
Rubbing his chin, Chengjie eyed Yong suspiciously.
"But something still feels a little strange. I just can't put my finger on it..."
"There's nothing strange about it. First, tell me where this photo was taken."
Chengjie shrugged and spread his hands helplessly.
"Fine! I thought I could surprise you!"
Outside the window, lightning flashed and thunder rumbled as a torrential downpour arrived!