Chapter Twenty-Two: The Collision of Ocean and Earth

In the days that followed, Cheng Cheng and his companions passed several small islands, their journey dull and uneventful, to the point that Cheng Cheng felt drowsy. If it weren’t for Pikachu’s constant company, he might have returned to the Breeding House alone. During this period, Cheng Cheng relied on his fishing rod to catch quite a few Water-type Pokémon. He even managed to catch a Psychic-type Pokémon—Starmie. Staryu was a Rock and Water-type without Psychic abilities, but Starmie possessed them.

While traveling at sea, the group unfortunately encountered a storm, which scattered everyone in different directions. When Cheng Cheng awoke, he found himself washed up on a tiny island—little more than a reef. He looked around and saw no one else. By rights, the plot should be about to begin, and with the protagonist’s aura, he and the others were unlikely to perish. Cheng Cheng searched for a way to leave, but he had no Water- or Flying-type Pokémon, making escape difficult.

He decided to stay put for a while, waiting to see if any ships passed by. If none came, he would have to send a distress signal. Sitting on the reef, letting the sun dry his clothes, he noticed a sticky discomfort on his skin. To ease his boredom, he released Chimecho to keep him company, which made him feel a bit better.

Suddenly, a vessel appeared before him—not a ship, but a submarine. It was entirely red and rather large. Cheng Cheng guessed it must be Team Magma’s submarine, especially since he spotted Ash and his friends, along with Pikachu, on its surface.

He wanted to call out to Ash and the others, but remembering what lay ahead, he kept silent. To ensure the story unfolded smoothly, he decided to follow them. But how to keep up? Cheng Cheng released a Pokémon.

“Come out, Lunatone.”

Yes, it was Lunatone—encountered previously in Valley Town. As for why Lunatone was here, Cheng Cheng had no intention of explaining. He simply had Lunatone use Psychic to levitate him into the air, quietly tailing the submarine.

Lunatone’s speed was no match for the submarine, and soon Cheng Cheng was left far behind. Still, he could sense the direction the submarine was heading and followed carefully. Suddenly, he noticed many Water-type Pokémon swimming from ahead, confirming that he was on the right track—the events were already unfolding.

After a while, the sky darkened as clouds blotted out the sun. When Cheng Cheng caught up again, the submarine had transformed into a massive red cruise ship, now engulfed in flames—an accident had occurred. He saw Brock, May, and Max had fallen into the sea, while Ash remained on the burning ship. As Cheng Cheng drew near, Ash was taken away by Team Magma, while the others were rescued by a red Gyarados.

“Brock, Max, May, are you all right?”

Cheng Cheng hovered in midair, Lunatone at his side, surprising his friends.

“We’re fine, but Ash is still up there,” Brock replied.

“There’s nothing we can do—the smoke’s too thick. Let’s get out of here first!”

Cheng Cheng jumped onto Gyarados. Lunatone had carried him for a long way and needed to rest. Brock eyed Lunatone curiously. “Cheng Cheng, what’s with this Lunatone? Isn’t it the one we met in Valley Town?”

“We’ll talk about it later. Let’s focus on rescuing Ash.”

“Gyarados, head in the direction I indicate.”

Cheng Cheng placed his hand on Gyarados, using psychic power to convey his instructions. Gyarados set off in the direction Team Magma had gone.

Soon, they spotted a solitary island rising from the sea, thick with trees—a natural refuge. This was likely Team Aqua’s base. “Gyarados, speed up,” Cheng Cheng urged.

Gyarados quickened its pace, soon reaching the shore. The group landed as the sky grew even darker, a fine drizzle beginning to fall. Clearly, Kyogre’s fury had reached its peak; calming it would not be easy.

Upon reaching the island, they saw Team Magma’s red flying machine. Through a crack in its hull, they spotted Ash trapped inside.

“Ash, are you okay?”

“I’m fine, but Pikachu just escaped,” Ash replied.

The four decided to rescue Ash at once. “Come out, Mr. Mime. Ash, step back a little.”

Ash retreated as Mr. Mime used Psychic to force open the gap, but the material was too tough; even Mr. Mime’s power couldn’t open it. Cheng Cheng was about to call on Lunatone for help when a man with red hair approached.

“Wataru, it’s you!” Cheng Cheng recognized him—a master of Dragon-types, acclaimed as the Dragon King.

“Ash is inside?” Wataru asked.

“Yes, he’s trapped. Mr. Mime’s Psychic had no effect.”

“Let me handle it. Come out, Dragonite.”

A Dragonite appeared, making Cheng Cheng envious. “Dragonite, use Dragon Claw.”

Dragonite attacked the deck, quickly tearing a large hole. “Ash, you can come out now.”

Ash crawled out and looked over the sea. The sky was now thick with clouds, drizzle falling, and tornadoes forming above the ocean. Waves battered the island, setting off a massive tsunami. Water surged toward the island, threatening to engulf it.

“I’ll find Archie; you go after Pikachu!” Wataru commanded.

“Okay,” everyone responded, splitting up. Cheng Cheng followed Ash.

Meanwhile, Team Rocket tried to move Groudon but was discovered by Pikachu. Pikachu used Thunderbolt, blasting them away.

“Pikachu!” Cheng Cheng and the others, watching from the hillside, saw Pikachu suffering as it discharged Thunderbolt again and again, clearly in pain.

“Damn it! How dare they do this to Pikachu? I won’t forgive them!” Cheng Cheng was furious at Pikachu’s torment.

Pikachu’s Thunderbolt summoned lightning, which struck the storage capsule, awakening Groudon. Groudon rose and fired a beam into the sky; the clouds scattered, revealing a blazing sun.

“Drought,” Cheng Cheng murmured, recognizing Groudon’s signature move. He then checked the data on the two Pokémon.

Pokémon: Groudon
Type: Ground
Level: 94
Rank: Purple
Rarity: Legendary
Ability: Drought
HP: 94/100
Attack: 140/150
Defense: 135/140
Sp. Attack: 97/100
Sp. Defense: 88/90
Speed: 85/90
Total: 639/670
Moves: Mud Shot, Scary Face, Slash, Earthquake, Fire Blast, Drought, Ancient Power, Rest, Flamethrower, Bulk Up, Solar Beam, Earth Power, Fissure, Solar Blade, Hammer Arm, Fire Blast.

Pokémon: Kyogre
Type: Water
Level: 94
Rank: Purple
Rarity: Legendary
Ability: Drizzle
HP: 97/100
Attack: 95/100
Defense: 85/90
Sp. Attack: 138/150
Sp. Defense: 130/140
Speed: 87/90
Total: 632/670
Moves: Water Pulse, Scary Face, Body Slam, Ice Beam, Ancient Power, Origin Pulse, Rest, Calm Mind, Muddy Water, Double-Edge, Aqua Tail, Sheer Cold, Hydro Pump, Double-Edge, Water Spout.

Cheng Cheng swallowed nervously after reading their stats—they were overwhelmingly powerful. He realized, however, that Groudon and Kyogre didn’t actually know Drought and Drizzle as moves; their weather influence was due to their abilities and divine roles.

Groudon’s appearance brought bright sunlight and caused the island to rise, with the volcano beginning to erupt. Groudon and Kyogre now stood opposed.

On Groudon’s head was a yellow Pokémon—Pikachu, now inscribed with red markings. “Pikachu! Are you all right?” Ash shouted, hoping Pikachu could hear.

At this moment, Kyogre raised its fins, sending a massive tsunami toward the island. If it struck, the island would be submerged. Groudon gathered energy and used Solar Beam, dispersing the tidal wave.

Kyogre, seeing its power neutralized, grew even angrier. It used Ice Beam, while Groudon countered with Mud Shot. The two attacks collided and canceled each other out. The titans clashed fiercely.

“Ash, Groudon is trying to stop Kyogre’s rampage. That’s why it used Pikachu to help, and now they’re fighting. Now, we need Archie to hand over the Red Orb,” Cheng Cheng said.

“Right, I’ll go too.”

“We’ll all help!” everyone agreed.

“Here’s the plan: Ash and I will ride Dragonite. The rest of you take Gyarados!”

Ash mounted Wataru’s Dragonite, while Cheng Cheng, Brock, May, and Max rode Gyarados, heading toward Archie.

Archie stood atop a flying machine. The group’s task was to defeat him.

“Go, Mudkip—use Water Gun on that machine!”

“Go, Beautifly—use Silver Wind!”

Their combined attacks disrupted Archie but failed to injure him.

“Kyogre, deal with them,” Archie commanded as Kyogre attacked. Cheng Cheng intervened.

“Lunatone, use Hypnosis on that flying machine!”

Lunatone’s attack landed, sending Archie tumbling down. The impact knocked the Red Orb from his body. Simultaneously, the Blue Orb emerged from Pikachu and the two orbs fused, then shattered together.

With that, Kyogre and Groudon calmed. Cheng Cheng and the others, struck by Kyogre’s attack, fell into the water but were rescued by Gyarados.

In the end, Groudon returned to the volcano, and Kyogre to the depths of the sea. The sky cleared, the sun shone once more, and a beautiful rainbow arced overhead.

“When Kyogre and Groudon are at peace, the world will change anew,” Wataru mused.

“Change?” Ash asked, puzzled.

“It’s only a legend.”

“I wonder where Kyogre and Groudon will go next,” someone murmured.

“Perhaps they’ll travel the world,” Cheng Cheng replied.

Relieved, Cheng Cheng reflected on having witnessed the awe-inspiring clash between two legendary Pokémon. He realized his own insignificance and understood that this world was protected by such Pokémon, the legendary guardians with their divine roles. He wondered whether he would ever encounter others like them and looked forward to that possibility with anticipation.

“Ding! Congratulations, host, you’ve collected fragments of the Red Orb and Blue Orb.”

How could that be? He hadn’t done anything. No matter how he questioned the system, it played dumb, and he had no choice but to let it go.

Thus, the war between Groudon and Kyogre ended. Cheng Cheng, Ash, and their friends set off for Verdanturf Town, the location of their next gym challenge.