Pokémon: Raising Abandoned Pokémon into Legends

Chapter 298: The Kingdom of Riolu

A moment later, they received a response.

"So, your friend at the hunter organization’s headquarters is preparing to raid a research institute in Veilstone City?" Rio raised an eyebrow after hearing the man’s words. "Pretty bold—raiding a research institute. Did something catch their attention?"

"My friend doesn’t know the details either. He’s just a subordinate under Hunter J, one of the senior executives at the headquarters." The Pokémon hunter replied.

"Hunter J?" Rio’s eyebrow rose even higher.

He knew that hunter. She was impressive—as long as you paid her enough, she would even go after legendary Pokémon. The Lake Guardians were among her targets. And her methods were ruthless—she wouldn’t hesitate to kill, including her own subordinates.

"Yes. Only Hunter J knows the specifics of what they’re doing at that research institute." The hunter said. "Champion, are you planning to stop them? I suggest you don’t go. That Hunter J is terrifying."

"Terrifying, is she?" Rio looked at the balding hunter.

The hunter nodded frantically: "She’s absolutely terrifying! Her mission success rate is nearly ninety percent. Anyone who gets in her way never ends up well—including her own subordinates."

Seeing his nervousness, Rio laughed: "Sorry, but I’m even more terrifying."

With that, Rio turned to Cynthia.

"Let’s go, Miss Cynthia. You said you drove here—so how about you, the Lily of the Valley Conference Champion, take us to Veilstone City?"

Cynthia rolled her eyes. She didn’t like being called the Lily of the Valley Conference Champion—it reminded her that all the glory from that conference had been stolen by this bastard. It made her feel like a champion in name only, unrecognized by anyone. She’d have to wait until she became the Sinnoh Champion to truly redeem herself.

Veilstone City.

Looking at a research institute shrouded in black smoke, Rio muttered: "So... are we too late?"

They had just arrived, only to see police sirens blaring everywhere. Many uniformed officers were being scolded by a man in a white coat. Rio couldn’t hear what was being said—he was too far away and had to use binoculars to even see clearly.

"Go ask your friend where he is now."

Rio said to the balding hunter sitting in the back of Cynthia’s jeep. Then he threw out a Poké Ball, releasing Gengar, and sent it to the research institute to grab someone he could interrogate.

In less than a minute, Gengar brought back a young man who looked to be in his early twenties. He was already in a hypnotic state, so he answered Rio’s questions without hesitation.

In just a few exchanges, Rio learned what had happened.

Half an hour earlier, the research institute had been attacked. A Riolu that had been under intensive study had been stolen. This Riolu was originally meant to be raised for the royal family of the Kingdom of Riolu. It possessed powerful Aura Power. The researchers had gone through great lengths to obtain it from a Pokémon nursery—only to have it snatched away.

"The Kingdom of Riolu?" Rio murmured.

"It’s a regional kingdom between Mt. Coronet and Veilstone City." Cynthia, thinking Rio didn’t know about it, explained: "There, Lucario is the spiritual symbol and the guardian of the people."

"So the Pokémon hunters stole the next guardian of the Kingdom of Riolu?" Rio raised an eyebrow.

If that was the case, it made perfect sense why Hunter J had broken into the lab. A Riolu meant to be offered to the royal family would certainly have exceptional talent—likely at least Elite Four or Champion level.

Just then, the balding hunter, who Rio had ordered to call his friend, hung up the phone.

"My friend is now heading to the drop-off point for this job." The balding hunter said. "All I know is it’s on the east side of Mt. Coronet—no exact location."

Hearing that, Rio recalled Gengar and sent out Mewtwo instead.

"Mewtwo, I need your speed right now." Rio said.

Hearing that, Mewtwo evolved into its Y Form—to the shock of both the balding hunter and Cynthia—and used Psychic to lift Rio, the hunter, Cynthia, and even Cynthia’s jeep into the air. Then it flew at terrifying speed.

In less than ten minutes, Rio arrived at the east side of Mt. Coronet.

"Mewtwo, use your psychic power to scan the area—see if a large aircraft is heading here." Rio commanded after arriving.

"Understood."

Mewtwo agreed, floated into the air, and spread its psychic senses outward.

After Mewtwo left, Cynthia looked at Rio as if she’d seen a ghost.

"How can Mewtwo evolve? I didn’t see that last time!" Cynthia asked in shock. She had wanted to ask during the flight, but the speed had been too fast for her to speak.

"Evolve? Besides this Y Form, Mewtwo also has another X Form—just like Charizard, it has two Mega Evolution forms." Rio explained with a smile.

There was no need to hide this from Cynthia.

Cynthia’s mouth formed a perfect "O" of surprise.

About an hour later.

Mewtwo Teleported back to Rio’s side.

"It’s here. A ship has arrived." Mewtwo’s voice echoed in his mind.

"Take me there." Rio said.

With a Teleport, Mewtwo whisked Rio, Cynthia, and the balding hunter away from their spot. They reappeared behind a cluster of trees. In the distance, a large aircraft was slowly descending.

Before long, a woman wearing sunglasses, a purple uniform, and high heels walked down from the ship. Behind her followed a young man carrying a glass case—inside was a Riolu. But the Riolu was in a petrified state.

Through his binoculars, Rio could see the Riolu’s information.

[Pokémon: Riolu]

[Level: 30 (2001 days until next level)

[Talent: Champion]

[Friendship: 0]

[Ability 1: Inner Focus]

[Gender: —]

[Moves: Quick Attack (34%), Endure (34%), Feint (34%), Metal Claw (34%), Counter (34%), Rock Smash (34%), Vacuum Wave (34%), Screech (34%), Aura Sphere (34%)...]

[Description: A Riolu from the Kingdom of Riolu. It has received the inheritance of Aura and possesses powerful Aura Power within. ]

Champion talent—as expected of a nation’s guardian. The person who hired Hunter J must have paid a fortune... Rio praised inwardly as he read the information.

"Is that a Riolu? Why is it petrified?" Cynthia, also watching through binoculars, asked in confusion.

Rio tossed his binoculars to the balding hunter behind him, letting him explain. It would be too strange if everything came out of his own mouth.