Chapter 13: A Battle Trained Aura

The next day, Ash and May were out searching for new Pokemon. The early morning sun cast a beautiful glow on the region.

"Alright!" Ash cheered. "A new day, another chance to catch more Pokemon!"

"Pika!"

May chuckled, and rolled her eyes.

"Just remember it's not just about catching Pokemon. We're here to stop disaster."

"I know, and we'll need all the help we can get. Besides, it's a good chance for Goomy to get some practice."

May shrugged, she couldn't argue with that. Just then, they heard a scream off in the distance.

"What was that?"

"Sounded like a Pokemon. Let's go!"

"Right!"

Racing towards the sound, they found a Riolu battling a Luxray, although calling it a battle would be generous. While Luxray had barely sustained a scratch, Riolu could barely stand. Despite this, Riolu refused to give up, firing a Vacuum Wave right into Luxrays face. Even this did little to faze his opponent, however, and he fell over in exhaustion. The Luxray, unimpressed by the display, snorted and turned on his heel.

"The poor thing," May whispered. After a minute of silence, Ash walked over and picked Riolu up, the Fighting type feebly trying to resist before settling.

"Come on, we need to get him back to the camp."

Before May could respond, Ash was already running back to camp.


Despite the protests of the guards, Ash set up Riolu in the tent and got to work dressing Riolu's wounds, no matter how much Riolu struggled.

"Come on Riolu, I'm just trying to help you! Stop struggling so much!"

"Olu!"

At that point, Akari and Kenny joined them.

"What's going on? Beauregard is looking pissed off, more than usual."

"Is that a Riolu?"

"Yeah, Ash and I found it injured out in the wild so he brought it back to help it heal. As you can see, that's easier said than done."

"I'm not surprised," Kenny said. "Riolu and Lucario are very prideful Pokemon. Even if it would kill them, they'd rather die than accept help. Although, I'm surprised to see one all the way out here."

"Why's that?"

"They're usually found in the Alabaster Icelands, and that's nowhere near here. I've heard rumors of them showing up in the Cobalt Coastlands, but never around here."

"How'd it wind up here, then?" Akari pondered.

"Maybe his egg got dropped here?" May offered, but no one had a concrete answer.


After a while, Riolu passed out again, allowing Ash to properly dress his wounds. For now, he was sleeping, with As watching over him to make sure he didn't jump up and try to run away. After a while, it seemed like he wouldn't try to escape again, and Ash let him be.

Later that night, everyone was fast asleep. Suddenly, a noise stirred Ash from his slumber, sitting upright just in time to see Riolu sneaking out.

"Where's he going?"
"Ash?" May questioned, having been stirred awake by all of the movement."

"Something is up with Riolu," Her husband said, gently gesturing for her to lie back down. "I'll be right back."

May nodded, and went back to sleep. After making sure she was comfortable, Ash silently followed RIolu out into the wilderness.

Riolu limped all the way back to where Ash and May had found him, panting heavily. Once he had caught his breath, he began pounding away at a nearby tree, his arms aching after every punch but he refused to stop. At last, he fell over in exhaustion. Ash, who had been quietly observing this, stepped over to help him up, no matter how much he resisted.

"Come on buddy, you need to rest. Your body will heal a lot faster if you do."

Riolu swatted Ash's arm away and tried to stand up once more, only to fall to his knees.

"Come on, look at what you're doing to yourself!"

"Olu!"

Ash paused for a minute, thinking back to what Kenny had said that morning.

"You're scared, aren't you?"

Riolu shook his head, but Ash persisted.

"When you hatched, you were all alone, weren't you? No parents, just a baby Riolu all alone in an unfamiliar place, am I right?"

Riolus silence was all the answer Ash needed, and he nodded in understanding.

"Yeah, I was in a position like that not too long ago myself."

"Olu?"

"See, I'm not from around here, or from Hoenn even. And when I came here, I was in a strange new world. Strange new Pokemon, and no familiar faces. I was scared too."

His face then turned into a smile.

"Until I met May, and she helped me adjust to everything. And years later, she's the love of my life."

He extended his hand to Riolu.

"I get it, your pride won't let you accept help. I won't force you to come back with me, but I promise you don't have to be afraid. I want to help, if you'll let me."

Riolu sat in silence, staring at Ashs outstretched hand for a moment, before accepting it. Ash smiled, and gestured back towards their camp.

"Come on, let's get you patched up."

Riolu smiled, and nodded. Somehow, he had a feeling that everything would work out.


Riolu didn't try to run away again after that, allowing Ash to help him heal. He didn't stop training, but Ash made sure he didn't overexert himself.

After a few days, Riolu's injuries had fully healed, Ash was leading him back to where they found him. Up ahead was the Luxray he had been fighting, drinking from a stream as it eyed them. Ash turned to Riolu.

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Olu!"

"Alright then, just remember what I taught you."

Riolu nodded, before approaching Luxray. The electric type snorted, and was about to leave, before Riolu hit him with a Vacuum Wave, drawing his ire. With a snarl, Luxray went for a Wild Charge, hoping to smash right into Riolu and knock him out…

Only to hit a decoy, confusing him. Darting his eyes around, he found himself surrounded by copies of Riolu, who all fired Vacuum Waves right into his face. Once he recovered, he went in for a Thunder Fang, only for Riolu to duck underneath him, dealing a powerful Force Palm right into his legs, knocking him to the ground. Luxray, not willing to accept this tactic, tried to get up once more to continue, only for one last Force Palm to the face to knock him out. With a smug smirk, Riolu left his former oppressor behind and strolled over to Ash, who gave him a thumbs up.

"Way to go, Riolu!"

Riolu smiled, then bowed to Ash. Ash was about to turn around, but paused.

"You know, as strong as you are now, there could always be stronger opponents. I've found it helps to have a partner to help train. It's up to you, but if you want…"

Riolu said nothing. He just jumped up, tapped an empty Pokeball with his paw, and allowed himself to be captured. Ash chuckled, and held the Pokeball high.

"Alright, I just caught a Riolu!"

"Pika Pika!"

No sooner had he said that, though, did Riolu let himself out, and take off running towards the camp. Ash just chuckled, and shook his head.

"He's got spirit, you have to give him that."

"Pi," Pikachu nodded in bemusement.

"Come on, we can't let him win!"

"Pika!"

And so they took off running after him, excited for what adventure would strike them next.