Everything went exactly as Chloe had predicted. Ash and Riolu coordinated with seamless intuition to defeat the Onix, earning Riolu's complete trust.
Of course, what Chloe didn't realize was that the moment Ash stood protectively in front of Riolu, the little pup had already regained its senses and acknowledged him as its master.
'I have to say, when Ash stood before Riolu like a one-man army... he was actually pretty cool,' Chloe thought to herself as she watched Ash laughing with Pikachu.
[Lance: Yeah, I have to agree, he looked quite cool.]
[Diantha: Hehe, this young lady... something's definitely up~]
[Lorelei: She should be around fifteen now, right? Not exactly a "little girl" anymore~]
[Professor Cerise: Indeed! My Chloe is at that age where her heart is beginning to stir. It's perfectly normal!]
[Chloe: Dad! You definitely won't be seeing your research equipment when you get home! And I'm telling Mom not to cook for you tonight!!]
[Professor Cerise: Don't do that! My dear daughter! I was wrong! I'll stop talking!!]
At school, Chloe's face was beet red—not just because of the teasing from the Champions, but because the Ranking had actually broadcast her private thoughts! It wasn't just the "footage" version of her; the real-world Chloe had also felt a flutter in her heart when Ash stood his ground for Riolu.
But thinking it is one thing—having the "Heavens" broadcast it to the entire world is another! What's wrong with this Ranking? It can spy on inner monologues?! How is she supposed to face her classmates now?!
In the Footage—
After the happy resolution, everyone returned to the Cerise Lab. Suddenly, the screen went dark. The global audience suffered a collective heart palpitation.
No way... they're not doing it again, are they? Last time, right after the Leon battle, the screen cut to a tribute show. If it happened again, people were going to riot. It's only the third video!
Fortunately, the screen darkness was just a transition. The scene shifted to a place blooming with flowers—the interior of the Tree of Beginning.
In the Footage—
The previously collapsing Tree of Beginning was now running healthily. Mew was floating lazily around the core. Suddenly, a blue light flew in and entered the core of the Tree. Slowly, a blue-and-white Pokémon Egg began to form...
"Mew~" Mew chirped softly at the egg as if greeting it. The egg wobbled slightly in response. Then, the screen dimmed, and a subtitle appeared: "Time passes... One thousand years later—"
It was still the Tree of Beginning, but a millennium had gone by. Mew flew in, communicating with the egg. After a few seconds, Mew closed its eyes, emitting blue ripples. In the blink of an eye, the egg vanished!
The scene shifted to an ancient ruin in the Sinnoh region. The egg was discovered by researchers and brought back for hatching.
However, no matter the nutrients or technology used, it wouldn't hatch. Eventually, it passed through many hands until it reached—the Vermilion City Pokémon Center.
Even the slowest viewer understood now. Same pattern, same origin, nurtured by the Tree... that was Lucario's reincarnation!
[Professor Oak: I've got it! Here's the sequence of events...]
[Professor Oak: After saving the Tree, the Tree allowed Lucario and Sir Aaron to be reborn. Perhaps a contract was made; they returned to the past, which is why only the paintings changed without altering history. When their lives ended, Aaron reincarnated as Ash, and Lucario reincarnated as an egg inside the Tree, waiting until recently to emerge. Because it waited for a thousand years, it was in a state of frenzy upon hatching, leading it to attack Ash. But Ash's powerful Aura snapped it out of it. This is the complete story of their reunion.]
For Ash, Riolu had slept for a thousand years. Even after emerging, it waited months in its shell, refusing to hatch for anyone else.
The bond between Sir Aaron and his Lucario had been legendary, but the bond between Ash and Riolu would clearly be no less profound.
In the Footage—
The story of the past was settled, and a new journey was beginning. One morning, Ash was running with Riolu and Pikachu. They met Chloe, who had also woken up for exercise, and they ran together. But within thirty minutes, Chloe couldn't keep up. Ash stopped and turned back.
"Are you okay, Chloe?" "Hah... hah... I'm fine... just... running a bit fast..." Chloe looked like she was about to collapse. Ash chuckled. "If you can't keep up, just go at your own pace. Why are you trying to match me, Pikachu, and Riolu?"
Chloe had pushed herself because she wanted to stay by their side. Ash's stamina was superhuman, and Riolu, despite being a newborn, was naturally built for mountain climbing.
Chloe stood no chance. Chloe caught her breath and said shyly, "Because I'll be traveling with you to various places later.
I want to keep up with your footsteps... so even for morning training, I don't want to fall too far behind." Her cheeks were flushed—perhaps from exhaustion, or perhaps something else.
Ash blinked, feeling a bit guilty. "I'm sorry for making you work so hard. Actually, if we're traveling together, I can just wait for you!" He realized his own frantic pace was putting pressure on her.
"Don't worry! I'll pay attention to you from now on. If you're tired, I'll slow down and wait. You don't have to force yourself to match us." "Okay..." Chloe whispered.
[Lance: No way, no way... is this an "inside track" overtake?]
[Lorelei: Lance, what are you saying? Don't corrupt the kids! But also... did she really just take the lead?]
[Anabel: It doesn't look like it! Ash clearly just feels bad for making her tired. Why are you all thinking about romance?]
[Brandon: Anabel, why are you so worked up?][Professor Cerise: This is a genuine 'warm man' response from Ash!]
The "Waifu Wars" had reached the parents' generation. In Sinnoh, Dawn was desperately holding her mother, Johanna, back from the keyboard.
"Mom, don't! I'll die of embarrassment!!" "Let go, Dawn! If we lose now, you'll never get him back!"
In Alola, Professor Kukui watched Lillie's flustered reaction. "Lillie, do you like Ash?" "I do NOT!! Even if he's brave, selfless, and cool... I definitely don't like him! Definitely!!" Kukui just pushed his hat down, already planning how he, as her teacher/guardian, would "represent" her in the rankings when the time was right.
In Cerulean City, the Sensational Sisters decided to let Misty handle her own battles. Meanwhile, in the Oak Lab's backyard, Misty was seething. Ash is a blockhead! If he ever notices a girl, it better be the one who was with him from the start!
Misty poked Ash. "Hey, Ash. What are Professor Cerise and Sir Norman talking about?" Cynthia smiled and asked the "Question of Death":
"They're arguing over who you like, Ash. Tell me, of all the girls that appeared in the Ranking, which one do you like best?"
Misty's ears perked up. Everyone waited. Ash tilted his head in pure confusion. "Huh? I think... I like Pikachu the best!"
Misty: "..."
Cynthia: "..."
Gary: "..."
Pikachu: "!!!" (Friendship +100%)
Ash's answer stunned everyone. Gary sighed; he should have known. Facing the ultimate question, Ash chose the "Pokémon Route." Pikachu rubbed against Ash's cheek happily—true love had won.
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