Early the next morning, Steven walked out of the Battle Hotel in Fortree City looking utterly exhausted.
It had taken considerable effort to calm Cynthia down yesterday.
But then, during the night, she'd had a nightmare about being chased by a Garchomp attempting to split her head open, and she woke up startled.
Cynthia had originally intended to share some good news with him, but then she saw that tabloid report.
After Steven spent over an hour consoling her, Cynthia finally revealed the good news.
She mentioned there was a Riolu in the Unova Region that possessed incredible talent and impressive strength.
It had defeated every Trainer who attempted to capture it so far. Upon hearing this, Cynthia wanted Steven to investigate.
After all, Riolu was also a Steel-type Pokémon.
The most, most, most important point, however...
Cynthia herself had a Lucario.
How could Steven not understand Cynthia's unspoken intention?
Moreover, a Pokémon like Lucario was simply amazing.
It could use Swords Dance and Extreme Speed for offensive strategies, or Nasty Plot and Aura Sphere for special attacks!
It was incredibly versatile.
Not to mention it possessed a Mega Evolution form, and after Mega Evolving, it gained the Adaptability ability!
Its defensive stats were somewhat low, but its Steel-type resistances were exceptional!
Eight resistances and one immunity!
However, it seemed this Riolu also had specific requirements for choosing its Trainer.
If a Trainer didn't pass its initial test, it wouldn't even reveal itself.
This was quite reasonable, as it was natural for a Pokémon like Riolu, which could sense aura, to be selective about its Trainer.
Steven immediately headed to Fortree City's airport.
He flew directly to Opelucid City in the Unova Region!
Opelucid City was known as the "City Where the Past and Future Coexist."
As for why it earned that title...
It was probably because some areas featured modern asphalt roads while others were paved with traditional stone slabs, and there were numerous trees providing abundant greenery.
One side displayed a futuristic, technological aesthetic, while the other maintained a simple, ancient atmosphere.
Well, that was just Steven's personal observation.
After a full day of flying, Steven finally arrived in Opelucid City.
The Riolu's location was Mistralton Cave, which lay on Route 6, west of Opelucid City.
Steven immediately headed toward Route 6, and using a detailed map of the Unova Region he'd purchased from a street vendor in Opelucid City, he precisely located Mistralton Cave.
Steven looked down at the sunken depression at his feet. At the very bottom was a dark, black opening.
Many scattered rocks lay around the entrance.
They must have been moved aside by Trainers who came "seeking the legend."
That saved Steven a bit of effort.
Putting on his safety helmet and switching on his headlamp...
Steven sat on Metagross and began descending into the cave entrance.
Most of the Pokémon here were adapted to cave life or accustomed to living in darkness.
A Riolu with aura abilities wouldn't have trouble navigating.
After all, what it sensed with its eyes closed was clearer than what it saw with them open.
Steven searched through Mistralton Cave but couldn't find any sign of Riolu.
During this time, some Pokémon approached looking for a fight.
They appeared tough, but they quickly backed down when they saw Metagross.
Metagross had one response.
Battle!
In the end, they were all handled by little Piplup.
Steven explored the cave thoroughly and finally discovered the entrance to the cave's second level.
As soon as he entered, he noticed that the Pokémon on the second level were significantly stronger than those on the first.
However, none dared to challenge him directly with Metagross present.
They were all "intelligent" Pokémon.
He just couldn't locate Riolu.
This Pokémon seemed to be hiding exceptionally well.
"It appears Riolu hasn't acknowledged me, has it?" Steven wondered, somewhat puzzled.
His character should be acceptable!
Why wouldn't Riolu come out to face him!
Steven patted the Metagross beneath him, signaling it to stop.
Metagross obediently halted, its four limbs planted firmly on the ground, awaiting Steven's next command.
Where had things gone wrong?
Or perhaps Riolu had already been caught by another Trainer?!
Was this entire trip wasted?!
Damn it!
He should have flown here urgently last night!
In the shadows of Mistralton Cave's second level...
A small, blue, bipedal canine Pokémon stood frozen, too shocked to regain its composure.
Its legs and upper torso were black. It possessed a blue tail and wore a yellow collar-like marking.
On the back of its forepaws, there were white, rounded appendages.
Additionally, it had red eyes and black, mask-like markings across its face.
This was Riolu!
And the reason for its alarm was...
It sensed a human.
This human possessed four distinct auras within him!
This was the first time Riolu had witnessed such a phenomenon since its birth!
A creature, under normal circumstances—or rather, almost universally—only possessed one type of aura.
Each creature's aura was unique! (Reincarnation being a separate matter entirely)
Let alone a single creature possessing four different types of aura!
Furthermore, that creature was human!
Riolu didn't even know if this still qualified as human.
Riolu took several deep breaths, closed its eyes, and began carefully sensing.
The dark surroundings seemed to instantly become illuminated with clarity.
Riolu perceived the human's aura again through layers of rock walls.
This human's body radiated four colors of aura: red, blue, white, and silver-blue.
These were indeed four completely distinct auras!
Riolu felt its understanding of the world had been fundamentally flawed.
Could it be that a person could indeed possess four types of aura simultaneously?
And it appeared that person hadn't yet mastered the use of aura.
How strange. I really want to understand...
Riolu hesitated about whether to reveal itself.
Undeniably, the four auras within this young man were all pure.
Any single one of them would be sufficient grounds for it to appear and issue a challenge.
The problem was that he possessed four qualified auras!
To be honest, Riolu felt somewhat intimidated.
But...
If I cower now, I wouldn't be myself!
Riolu opened its eyes, revealing an unseen determination.
It had decided!
It would not retreat!
Its small body began lowering its center of gravity, and its arms stretched backward as it started running.
It looked exactly like the ninja run from a certain anime.
A faint pattering sound reached Steven's ears.
Metagross's red pupils rotated, looking toward the source of the sound.
When the running footsteps stopped, Riolu stood in a gap within the rock wall, illuminated by the bright beam of Steven's headlamp.
"Rio..."
Riolu calmly jumped down from the wall's gap, one arm extended forward, the other tucked close.
It assumed a battle stance.
"A battle, then..." Steven's face lit up with a smile.
"It's acknowledged me!"
Riolu possessed a mysterious power to sense emotions and would not approach dangerous opponents. Those with good hearts would be acknowledged, while those with malicious intentions would be rejected.
Its appearance and challenge meant it believed Steven was not someone with an evil heart!
From the aura emanating from Riolu, Steven roughly estimated its strength to be around the Alpha level.
It truly was talented and impressively strong.
"Go, Piplup!" Steven chose to send out Piplup.
Using his Overlord-level Aggron and Skarmory would be unfair.
This was an excellent opportunity for Piplup to gain more training.
"Piplup?! (゜ー゜)"
As soon as Piplup materialized, it sensed something was wrong.
It looked back at Steven.
Wait, hold on.
This opponent is clearly stronger than me!
Why do I have to battle it!
"Only you are suitable... If they fought, it would be bullying," Steven explained with a helpless smile to Piplup.
"Piplup! (._.)"
Piplup stared blankly at Steven, then looked down at its own round little belly.
Could it be that...
It fighting me isn't considered bullying?
This is discrimination!
I want to report you!
I want to file a complaint!
You heartless Trainer!
I'm going to expose you!