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With the culprit missing, accountability was naturally out of the question. Besides, what responsibility could such a person even bear? Were they supposed to find the spring water from Clear Lake?
After Aurant Town learned of the Pokémon Egg's condition, they immediately reported it to the Alliance. The Alliance then sent people to collect spring water, which was eventually transported to Vermilion City. The Pokémon Egg was placed in the spring water and temporarily housed at Professor Cerise's home.
Originally, with the Pokémon Egg shattered to such an extent, and Professor Cerise indirectly responsible, Aurant Town should have taken the Pokémon Egg back immediately.
However, they instead requested Professor Cerise to keep the Pokémon Egg until its life force completely dissipated.
During this time, they would search for a method to repair the Pokémon Egg, but if they couldn't find one, there was nothing to be done... Although Professor Cerise was puzzled, he diligently cared for the Pokémon Egg, carefully changing the lake water every so often, which allowed the Pokémon Egg to persist in this state for five years.
Although the Pokémon Egg's life force had been gradually draining for five years, it ultimately did not completely dissipate.
Until today, the Pokémon Egg had always been stored in Professor Cerise's home. With the research lab opening today, Professor Cerise thought about moving the Pokémon Egg to the lab's backyard to see if the environment there could awaken the Pokémon Egg's will to live, thus creating a miracle.
In fact, a miracle did occur. Although it wasn't a miracle created by the Pokémon Egg itself, it finally waited for the person who could create it: Ash.
The Pokémon Egg's five years of persistence seemed to be in anticipation of Ash's arrival. Ash's appearance saved its life and also allowed Professor Cerise to account for it to Queen Irene.
"...Speaking of which, I caught Riolu. What about Aurant Town? Isn't he a very important Pokémon to them? "Ash suddenly remembered something: Riolu's ownership.
Originally, Ash thought this Pokémon Egg belonged to Professor Cerise, and it was a damaged Pokémon Egg on the verge of death. Given his relationship with Professor Oak and Professor Cerise, plus having saved the Pokémon Egg, it seemed only right for him to become Riolu's Trainer.
But the origin of this Pokémon Egg was extraordinary, and its significance to Queen Irene seemed very important. Capturing him so rashly didn't seem right.
"Don't worry about that. It's strange, but Aurant Town was very angry when they first learned the Pokémon Egg was broken. Besides Goh, I was also indirectly responsible, but Goh later went missing, and I wasn't punished. Instead, they asked me to carefully guard this damaged Pokémon Egg."
"Their only request was to protect this Pokémon Egg until it completely lost its life. If someone could save this Pokémon Egg, then as long as the Pokémon inside was willing, that Pokémon would belong to that person."
As Professor Cerise spoke, he recalled those past scenes.
Aurant Town's subsequent reaction indeed puzzled him. Normally, if a Pokémon Egg was damaged in his care, how could they possibly entrust it to him for safekeeping?
Moreover, the other party even said that whoever saved this Pokémon Egg could become its Trainer.
He knew how important this Pokémon Egg was to Aurant Town; they probably wouldn't trade it even for ten Pseudo-legendary Pokémon.
Even if the Pokémon Egg was saved, they should offer other rewards, not give away the Pokémon Egg itself... It just felt a bit off, didn't it?
However, since they said so, Professor Cerise could only comply. After all, it wasn't his Pokémon Egg, and he was the one at fault.
Ash and the others also found it a bit strange, but if there were no disputes, that was for the best.
Although it sounded a bit like wanting to claim Riolu for himself, Riolu really seemed to only be able to stay with Ash for a short time, unless the Pokémon Center had a solution.
"If there's nothing else tonight, just sleep here. Tomorrow, we'll all go to the Pokémon Center to see Riolu." Professor Cerise checked the time, then said to Ash and the others.
Ash nodded, then followed Chloe to the guest room to put down their luggage.
Professor Cerise's house was quite large, but there were many of them: a family of four, the couple in one room, Chloe in one, Soten in one, leaving only one guest room.
That guest room only had one bed, so Ash and Brock had to share a bed, and Misty went to sleep with Chloe.
Chloe had no objections to this; she was quite curious about Misty, the Gym Leader of Cerulean Gym.
More importantly, she always felt Misty's gaze on her was a bit strange, unable to pinpoint the reason. Had they met somewhere before? She could ask tonight when they slept...
The next day, Ash woke up early. On one hand, Ash was already used to his biological clock of waking up early for training; on the other hand, he was a bit worried about Riolu's condition.
Yesterday, he chatted with Aura Hero Ash in the group again. The other party said that besides him, only Divine Realm Grade Pokémon could save Riolu; the Pokémon Center would not have a way to treat him.
And Riolu now needed to receive his Aura transmission at least once a day, otherwise, the situation would definitely worsen. Therefore, Ash had been worrying about Riolu's condition all night.
However, waking up early in the morning was useless. They had agreed to go to the Pokémon Center together last night. He couldn't just go ahead by himself now, could he?
As for training... this wasn't the wilderness, so he couldn't just train anywhere. Plus, Pokémon training also involved a balance of work and rest, so Ash didn't plan to train his Pokémon this morning.
Having nothing to do after waking up early, he opened the refrigerator and saw some bread, eggs, tomatoes, and other items inside. So he rolled up his sleeves and started making breakfast.
Pikachu and Ralts also woke up with Ash, so they both helped Ash out.
But in this aspect, Ralts was much handier than Pikachu because she could use Confusion. Pikachu could only rely on his small arms and legs to pass ingredients to Ash. After helping for a while, Pikachu realized that running around for half a day was not as efficient as Ralts moving things with a thought, so he simply gave up and watched Ash make breakfast.
Soon, steaming hot sandwiches were prepared and placed on the dining table.
Perhaps it was the aroma of breakfast, or perhaps Ash was a bit loud while making it, but Professor Cerise's family members in the house also woke up one after another.
Chloe was the first to come out, wearing pajamas, rubbing her sleepy eyes, and muttering things like 'Why is Mom so early?'
But when she saw Ash, she instantly sobered up, then ran back into her room with a flushed face. Ash scratched his head, a little confused, not understanding why Chloe reacted as if she had seen a ghost.
Later, after Professor Cerise and the others came out, Chloe finally emerged from her room with Misty, though her face was still a bit red.
"Ash, you can even cook now? It seems you've made a lot of preparations for your journey these past few years."
"Ahaha~ Yes, yes." Ash scratched his head awkwardly in response.
Made a lot of preparations these past few years? Haha, his growth was purely from this past month. Before he started his journey, he truly knew nothing, completely clueless.
To grow to this extent in just over a month was entirely due to the guidance of the big shots in the group, the various abilities he drew in between, and his own talent—none of which could be missing.
After a delicious breakfast, Professor Cerise's family praised Ash profusely. Even Brock said that Ash's cooking had improved again, a world of difference compared to a month ago. Perhaps Ash had a strong talent for becoming a Breeder.
To this, Ash still just chuckled and didn't reply. Let alone the potential to become a Breeder, he could actually become anything. The various Ashs in the chat group were just how he developed in other directions in each parallel timeline.
So, theoretically, he had very strong potential in all professions, it just hadn't been developed yet.
After breakfast, the group headed to the Pokémon Center. Originally, Chloe had school today, but because she was also involved with Riolu, she wanted to see Riolu's condition and took a day off.
Upon arriving at the Pokémon Center, they found Joy and inquired about Riolu's condition. The results were not good.
"...Although Riolu's life has returned to normal, his talent has been damaged, and his consciousness is still in a coma. It's unknown when he will wake up, and even if he does, he might never be able to advance in level or even evolve."
Joy's face showed difficulty, and her words caused everyone's expressions to change drastically.
They had originally thought that Riolu, having successfully hatched from the Pokémon Egg, could slowly recover at the Pokémon Center. But now, after examination, the fact that Riolu was crippled was revealed.
Immediately, everyone's gaze turned to Ash. If before, Ash catching Riolu was considered a lucky find, now, Riolu was just a burden and a drag for Ash.
If Ash continued to be Riolu's Trainer, he would not only have to bear Riolu's living expenses, take care of Riolu's mental state, and not allow Riolu to battle, but also treat him like a child to be raised at home.
No Trainer would do such a thankless thing. If their own Pokémon became like this, unless their bond was extremely deep and they had experienced a lot together, they would likely secretly abandon him.
And for Ash, what kind of bond could he have with Riolu? It was normal for Riolu to have feelings for him, but Ash should have no feelings for Riolu. He gave Riolu new life, but Riolu brought him multiple burdens like living expenses and costs.
In this situation, would Ash still choose to be Riolu's Trainer?
"Ash, how about... I take Riolu back to Aurant Town. This doesn't really count as you catching Riolu, more like an emergency..."
"No need, Professor Cerise. Riolu is my Pokémon. Since I caught him, I will take full responsibility for him." Ash interrupted Professor Cerise, saying firmly.
Let alone that he had a way to restore Riolu, even if he couldn't, he would keep Riolu by his side. The moment he threw the Poké Ball and caught Riolu, he was already Riolu's Trainer!
Since he became Riolu's Trainer, he had to take responsibility for him!
No matter what Riolu's condition, he would treat Riolu with care and kindness. Ash simply couldn't do something like releasing him or using other excuses to make Riolu leave him.
Hearing this, Professor Cerise stared fixedly at Ash, his eyes revealing an extremely complex look: relief, admiration, regret, remorse... Compared to that inhumane guy, Ash's character was far superior. No, it should be said that comparing him to that guy was an insult to Ash's character.
Ash could remain loyal to such a Pokémon, something ninety-nine percent of Trainers in the world couldn't do.
The regret and remorse in Professor Cerise's eyes were directed at his decision to let Ash catch Riolu in the first place.
At that time, he thought that since Ash saved Riolu's life, he should let Ash catch this rare and powerful Pokémon, who could also become Ash's capable assistant in the future.
However, now, Riolu had become a burden to Ash...
"And Riolu might not be without a way to recover. Joy, where is Riolu now?" Ash said, looking at Joy, whose pretty face showed a hint of surprise.
Ash's phrase 'might not be without a way to recover' made her a bit curious, but she still led Ash to where Riolu was.
Riolu was currently lying on a recovery bed. The recovery bed continuously supplied Riolu's body with a power similar to the Heal Pulse used by Chansey, maintaining Riolu's vitality.
At this moment, Riolu still hadn't opened his eyes and lay motionless on the bed.
But after Ash and the others arrived, his stiff arm seemed to tremble slightly. Ash also felt a Aura being transmitted in his mind.
'Thank... you... for... Helping Hand...' The voice was intermittent, but Ash still received the complete message.
Riolu had regained consciousness? It seemed so, but due to his weak body, newly recovered consciousness, and having just hatched from the Pokémon Egg, he couldn't express his meaning very well with Aura.
As Ash thought, he approached Riolu, his palm passing through the recovery bed's cover and resting on Riolu's head. A pale blue light emanated from Ash.
As the halo flowed, an unusual light also shone on Riolu's body.
Under the infusion of Ash's Aura, Riolu's weak Aura slowly grew stronger. The instrument recording Riolu's physical condition also began to fluctuate, with all his indicators starting to rise towards normal.
Joy, seeing this scene for the first time, couldn't help but cover her red lips with her delicate hand. She didn't understand what this boy had done, why Riolu's vital signs began to rise sharply just by him gently placing his hand on Riolu?
Was this a healing skill even more powerful than Heal Pulse? But how could he, a human, do it?!!