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Everyone was curiously examining Riolu, their anxious hearts already settled, but Ash, as the one directly involved, had no smile on his face.
He had indeed saved Riolu's life, but Riolu's current condition was still not optimistic.
Currently, Riolu's data in Ash's eyes was as follows:
[Species: Riolu]
[Gender: Male]
[Attribute: Fighting]
[Level: Beginner Junior]
[Ability: Prankster]
[Skills: Bite, Detect, Bullet Punch, Feint, Vacuum Wave, Quick Attack.]
[Six-Dimensional Stats: Physical Attack E (E-S) Special Attack E (E-S) Defense E (E-A) Special Defense E (E-A) Stamina E (E-A) Speed E (E-S)]
This was Riolu's current condition as detected by Ash.
Pikachu's ability values had fluctuated before, usually by about two levels. Ash had asked the experts in the group, and they said that if it were any other Pokémon, it might indicate some issues with its state.
Things like injuries, hidden internal injuries, or poor mental state could cause ability values to fluctuate.
But if it was Pikachu... then it was normal.
Only Breeder Ash possessed the Insight Eye skill, but the other experts were also top Trainers. While they couldn't visualize a Pokémon's ability values in their minds, they could discern a Pokémon's general state and aptitude.
Just like a Gym Leader, their rich experience allowed them to determine a Pokémon's level with the naked eye.
And the more experienced experts in the group could naturally perceive a Pokémon's deeper state.
Among them, Pikachu's ability fluctuations appeared in various worlds. The fluctuating ability values were related to Pikachu's various states, such as mood, intimacy, the importance of the current battle, and so on... This was a common problem for Pikachu in all worlds: when weak, it would be beaten by higher-level opponents; when powerful, it would burst forth and easily defeat higher-level opponents.
However, after its level increased to a certain point, Pikachu's ability values would gradually stabilize, and while still fluctuating, they wouldn't be as drastic.
However, the Riolu in Ash's hands wasn't experiencing ability value fluctuations, but rather aptitude fluctuations!
This was the first time Ash had encountered such significant aptitude fluctuations. What did it mean to fluctuate from E to S?
Combined with Riolu's slightly poor internal condition, Ash could basically confirm that Riolu's final aptitude would likely be related to its recovery.
While everyone was curiously observing Riolu, Ash quietly closed his eyes and entered the chat group...
[Newbie Ash: Help, everyone!]
[Champion Ash: What? Attacked by a Divine Realm Grade Pokémon?]
[Aura Hero Ash: Haha, even if attacked by a Divine Realm Grade Pokémon, with the power of a newcomer now, dealing with one is not a problem. But if there are more than two, you should just run away with your Pokémon.]
[Newbie Ash: No, no, it's about a Pokémon. Today I came to Professor Cerise's research lab, and then...]
Ash recounted everything in the group: his arrival at the research lab, encountering the Riolu Pokémon egg, helping Riolu hatch from the egg, and Riolu's aptitude issue.
He could guess the reason for Riolu's aptitude fluctuation through its internal condition and the observation of his Insight Eye, but he didn't know how to solve it.
When in doubt, it's always right to ask experienced experts.
[Breeder Ash: That Riolu's origin must have been damaged. Although you pulled him from the abyss of death, the depleted origin within him hasn't been resolved.]
[Breeder Ash: From the aptitude you observed, if that Riolu had been born normally, then his aptitude would be the upper limit of the fluctuating aptitude you saw. That is to say, this was originally a Triple S aptitude Riolu.]
Speaking of this, Breeder Ash also felt a bit emotional. The Ashs who joined this group were all destiny's darlings in their respective worlds... except for the fishing guy.
But the Triple S aptitude Pokémon they had seen were very few. How could they compare to this newly joined Ash, who had been traveling for a month and had already encountered three Pokémon with Triple S or higher aptitude?
Although the latest Pokémon he encountered was on the verge of becoming useless.
[Newbie Ash: Is there any way to restore Riolu to its original state?]
[Breeder Ash: Yes, but my method requires various auxiliary tools, which with your current strength... you probably can't get. However, another person in the group should have already thought of a way. Isn't that right, Aura Hero?]
[Aura Hero Ash: Hey, if it were another Pokémon, it would be quite troublesome, but if it's Riolu, then things are quite simple. I don't know if you've heard, the standard Pokémon for a Aura Hero is called Lucario.]
[Newbie Ash: Lucario is Riolu's evolved form, right? I've learned about this Pokémon. At the time, I felt that its way of using Aura was very similar to the Aura Hero expert. Why do you say it's the Aura Hero's standard Pokémon?]
[Aura Hero Ash: This relates to two aspects. One aspect is related to legends in the Pokémon world, and the other aspect... a Aura Hero fighting with Lucario can achieve a 1+1 > 2 effect.]
[Aura Hero Ash: This species of Pokémon, Riolu, is far more receptive to Aura than other Pokémon. In fact, if you had met another Pokémon today, you would have had no choice but to watch him die, or try using a rainbow wing. But this Pokémon is Riolu, so you can save him with your Aura.]
[Aura Hero Ash: Similarly, because this Pokémon is Riolu, you can also use your Aura to reactivate Riolu's lost origin. You just need to use your Aura to replace the vitality Riolu lost.]
[Newbie Ash: What should I do? Infuse all my Aura into Riolu?]
[Aura Hero Ash: Idiot! Riolu would explode, and you'd die too! Use your brain, alright?]
[Newbie Ash: ...]
[Aura Hero Ash: You just need to infuse a certain amount of Aura into Riolu every day. You should see results in less than a week. With the quality of your Aura, restoring Riolu to its peak aptitude is definitely not a problem, and there might even be unexpected surprises.]
[Newbie Ash: I see... Thank you for your guidance, expert. I'll be leaving now.]
[Aura Hero Ash: Remember to train Riolu well! You are the one who inherited my mantle. Don't come to see me until you've trained Lucario to Divine Realm Grade.]
[Newbie Ash: Divine Realm Grade...]
Ash's virtual image twitched at the corner of its mouth, then silently exited the group chat.
Aura Hero Ash made it sound as simple as having meat for lunch today. That was Divine Realm Grade, what a joke... But if Riolu could truly recover to top-tier aptitude, Divine Realm Grade might not be impossible...
In reality, Ash opened his eyes and found Misty and the others staring at him with wide eyes. This startled Ash. Had his entry into the group been discovered?
Probably not. They didn't have the ability to observe his mind. At most, they just found his actions a bit strange.
"Ash, is there something else wrong with Riolu? Were you using Aura to check Riolu's physical condition just now?" Misty spoke first.
At her words, Ash's raised heart immediately relaxed. It had to be you, Misty, the best teammate without a doubt!
"Yes, I was just checking Riolu's condition. Although Riolu has hatched, his condition is still not very good. Let's put him in a Poké Ball first and then take him to the Pokémon Center for a check-up," Ash said, following Misty's lead.
The experts in the group had already provided a solution for Riolu's current situation, but Ash still chose to send Riolu to the Pokémon Center first. Even if he didn't, Professor Cerise would.
Even if Ash said Riolu was fine, Professor Cerise would still choose to take Riolu for a check-up, as nothing was more reassuring than a check-up at the Pokémon Center.
Since that was the case, they would send Riolu to the Pokémon Center for a check-up first, and also see if the Pokémon Center had any better methods to help Riolu recover.
Professor Cerise nodded in agreement, then took out a red and white Poké Ball from his pocket, intending to tap it on Riolu. But he paused, then put the Poké Ball back.
"Ash, you should catch Riolu. You gave him a second life. I'm sure when he wakes up and realizes what you've done for him, he'll want to follow no one but you," Professor Cerise said to Ash seriously.
Ash was silent for a moment, then nodded.
He didn't refuse, or rather, he had originally intended to propose this to Professor Cerise, but Professor Cerise had brought it up first.
Because Riolu could practically only go with him. Unless the Pokémon Center came up with some solution, Riolu had no other choice but to go with him, otherwise Riolu would be completely useless.
A Pokémon with all E-grade aptitudes is basically equivalent to having the worst stats. Just look at the Raichu that Lt Surge trained.
He couldn't even fight Pokémon of the same level, let alone a Pikachu whose stats had all reached A, which beat him like a dead mouse, even if Pikachu was one major tier weaker.
If the ability values aren't cultivated, there's no future, and the aptitude of the ability values will also indirectly affect the speed of the Pokémon's level increase.
Therefore, if the Pokémon Center couldn't heal Riolu, then Riolu would have to stay by his side until he recovered.
Which was pretty much the same as becoming his Pokémon.
Ash took a Poké Ball from his body and gently tapped it on the unconscious Riolu in his arms. Riolu transformed into a ray of light and entered the Poké Ball.
Without any shaking, the Poké Ball emitted a crisp sound.
Ash then took out his Pokédex and canceled the automatic transfer of the Poké Ball.
Generally, when a Trainer has more than six Pokémon, they are automatically transferred back to the designated support location.
However, this transfer can be canceled via the Pokédex, allowing a Trainer to temporarily carry more than six Pokémon.
But this cancellation is temporary; if the time exceeds one day, the Pokémon will still be transferred back.
To permanently carry more than six Pokémon, one method is to remove the authentication limit on the Poké Ball itself. This way, the Poké Ball won't transfer back automatically, but then the Poké Ball will also lack Trainer authentication, which can be a bit troublesome for Trainers.
The other method, and the best one, is to apply to the League to expand your Pokémon carrying slots.
Ash was also thinking about whether to talk to Professor Oak about expanding his Pokémon carrying slots to seven.
If he carried Riolu with him, he would have one less Pokémon to use and train. Riolu's recovery time was unknown, so adding a Pokémon carrying slot seemed quite necessary.
But that was something to discuss with Professor Oak later. For now, the most urgent matter was to send Riolu to the Pokémon Center...
Ten minutes later, Ash and the others arrived at the Pokémon Center and handed Riolu's Poké Ball to Joy. It was already nearing evening, and the examination and recovery results would not be available until tomorrow at the earliest.
So, everyone returned to the Cerise Research Lab first. They decided not to continue their journey today but to stay at the Cerise Research Lab for the night.
As everyone returned to the Cerise Research Lab, Ash was about to ask Professor Cerise about Riolu when he encountered a familiar yet unfamiliar girl at the entrance of the lab.
She was a young girl in the prime of her youth.
Her flawless white face, with reddish-brown hair like a yew tree tied into a braid with a petal hair tie, cascaded down. Her eyes sparkled like emeralds, and she wore a sailor uniform with a small backpack on her back, looking like a student.
The girl seemed to be waiting at the door for someone to open it for her. Upon hearing the commotion behind her, she turned around and met Ash's gaze.
The next second, a slightly surprised expression appeared on the girl's face: "Ash? Why are you here?!"
"You are... Chloe? Long time no see, Chloe!" Ash was a bit uncertain at first, but after seeing several familiar features on the other party, he confirmed her identity.
Professor Cerise's daughter, Chloe, who was currently in school.
"Why did you come to Vermilion City? Oh, right, it seems it's already your age to travel this year. I was just thinking about it a while ago... So you've already traveled to Vermilion City?"
Although they hadn't seen each other for several years, Chloe's way of speaking to Ash showed no unfamiliarity, as if they had never lost contact and were still the companions who used to play together.
"Yes, are you just getting out of school?"
"Yes, I came here to call Dad home for dinner. Who are these two?" Chloe blinked, looking curiously at Brock and the somewhat unusually-faced Misty as she asked...