Ash's Story (Part 5: Modern Sinnoh)

Chapter 38: Route of Scars

Route 214 looked peaceful for about five minutes.

The road curved away from Veilstone through grass, broken stone, and rough paths leading toward Valor Lakefront. After the weight of the Gym and Team Galactic's meteorite trouble, I wanted one normal stretch of walking.

Absol stopped before the rest of us heard anything.

His horn tilted toward the trees, and his fur rose along his back. Lillie stiffened beside me at the same time, one hand going to her chest.

"Something is hurt nearby," Lillie whispered. "Aura. Small, sharp, and scared."

A Riolu stumbled out from the brush and collapsed on the road, clutching a wooden carving against its chest. Its blue fur was scraped, and its breathing came too quickly.

Tox was already kneeling. "Nobody crowd it. Panic and injury together can make it strike without choosing."

Riolu's meaning brushed against me in broken flashes. "Home. Guardian. Taken. Do not lose carving."

Before I could answer, men in dark gear crashed through the trees with capture nets. A Ranger leapt between them and Riolu, spinning his Capture Styler in a bright loop.

"Back away from Riolu," he ordered.

Bug Pokémon burst from the grass, summoned by the Styler's light, and tangled the hunters' feet with String Shot. Absol moved before I gave a command. A dark blade of energy flashed from his horn, cutting a net before it closed around Lillie and Riolu.

Move Dex Updated — Ash and Lillie's Shared Sinnoh Record

Night Slash — Dark type. The user slashes with a sharp blade of darkness, striking with precise cutting force that often finds a critical opening.

The Ranger looked at Absol with quick respect. "Good timing. I'm Kellyn, Top Ranger. This Riolu is from the Paradise Kingdom. Its Aura protects that kingdom, and Hunter J wants to sell it."

Lillie touched the carving gently. "This came from someone who raised it."

Kellyn nodded. "An old man from Riolu's home made it. Solana and Officer Jenny are setting up the recovery route, but J's people found us first."

Kellyn did not waste the small opening. He sprayed a healing foam over Riolu's scraped leg while keeping his other hand near the Styler, ready for the next wave.

"Paradise Kingdom is isolated," he explained quickly. "Riolu's Aura is used for protection and warning there, not battle tournaments. Hunter J's client wants that power as property."

"People keep saying rare Pokémon like that," Lillie said, anger trembling under her voice. "Power, property, target. Not person."

Riolu looked at her, and the carving shook in its paws.

Kellyn's expression softened. "That is why the carving matters. Riolu's caretaker made it so Riolu would remember home even if it was moved far away."

Daniel knelt far enough not to crowd Riolu. "I believe the Aura image Lillie sensed, but the carving gives us physical confirmation. Emotional evidence and material evidence are pointing to the same story."

"Daniel," Tox said, not looking away from Riolu's breathing, "warmer."

Daniel winced. "Right. Sorry. I mean Riolu is not only scared. It has proof it belongs somewhere."

Riolu stared at him for a second, then tucked the carving closer.

Kellyn's communicator crackled with Solana's voice, warning that Officer Jenny's route was blocked by Hunter J's vehicles. The recovery team could not reach the river until we cleared the pursuit path.