Riolu was in the rain as well, huddled under a tree, trying to stay warm. It wanted its parent back. He missed the familiar warmth of his trainer's arms, the feeling of his fingers scratching his ears. Riolu buried his face in his knees, but looked up when he saw a blue light hovering in front of him.
In front of Riolu stood a tall, gray and purple Pokémon with a serious but slightly caring look on its face. It was dressed in a ragged brown cloak.
It spoke in Riolu's mind. Are you lost, little one?
Riolu nodded, still thinking of Hunter.
The Pokémon gently picked Riolu up using telekinesis, dropping it into his arms. Don't worry. You'll be safe with me.
There was a bright flash of light, and they teleported away.
The next morning, Hunter sat in the woods on top of a stump, meditating. Solana, standing at the edge of the clearing, watched him. "What are you doing?"
"Meditating." And also looking for Riolu, but you don't need to know about that.
He was letting his eyes travel farther than they had ever been. Across the ocean and over another region, which he recognized as Hoenn. He then passed over another ocean to the Johto region. There weren't any Lucarios in those areas, though in Hoenn he saw a very Aura-strong area centered around an enormous tree. Curious, he thought.
Finally, he saw something. In an isolated canyon he saw a large mountain. The valley was peaceful, and there wasn't any sign of encroaching urbanization at all. On top of the mountain there was a large lake, in the middle of which was an island. Riolu's Aura was coming from there.
He opened his eyes and jumped up. "Thank you for letting me stay with you, but I know where Riolu is."
Solana opened her mouth as Hunter sped by her, kicking up a large dust cloud as he tore down the road. She closed it, as the teenager was already out of sight.
A few days later, Hunter stood outside a large airport. He had already purchased a ticket and was walking in. Bypassing security due to the fact that he had no luggage, he boarded a flight to the Johto region.
He sat on the plane, fidgeting and sleeping alternately. His worry for Riolu was growing, and he sent a message to it, if it could hear him. I'm coming, Riolu. I'll be there soon.
Riolu woke on a rock bed inside a large cave. The Pokémon that had rescued him sat on a small stool, its long purple tail twitching as it watched him.
Riolu sat up and eyed his rescuer curiously. The Pokémon reached a paw out to one side and a small pile of berries and fruits floated over to arrange themselves in front of Riolu.
Riolu looked up again.
The strange Pokémon nodded. Go on, it said. Eat. You'll feel better.
Riolu tentatively picked up a Pecha berry and took a bite out of it, then squeaked in surprise as the unfamiliar flavor filled its mouth.
The other Pokémon's lips quirked in a smile.
Riolu looked up at it again, then, with juice staining the fur around its mouth, kept eating until the pile was gone.
His rescuer, satisfied, got up. What is your name, little one?
Riolu formed together a memory of his owner saying his name, then clumsily cast it at his rescuer.
Riolu. Interesting. My name is Mewtwo. And from what I've learned from you so far, you've got a lot to learn that I cannot teach you.
Riolu got up and jumped out of a rock slit, using its instincts to guide it safely down to the ground.
Mewtwo followed it, floating down to the forest that surrounded the island.
He found Riolu punching and kicking at air, its training being fueled by thoughts it had seen in Hunter's mind of what would be required of it.
Mewtwo raised an eyebrow. If its trainer can put as much care into a Pokémon as he has this one, then I have no right to stop him when he comes to claim it.
Yeah, Riolu's going to go between "it" and "he" a lot during this story...both of these chapters are pretty short, so I'm posting them together. R and R! I'll update soon!