'He smells like fear,' Riolu thought. 'But also hope. Determination. He was broken, like me. But he hasn't given up. He's still trying.'
One small step forward.
Paul scoffed audibly. "This is ridiculous. Just take the Pokémon and—"
"Shut up," Silver said quietly, and the cold authority in his voice actually made Paul fall silent. "Watch."
Riolu took another step. Then another. Slowly crossing the distance between the back corner and the bars, never breaking eye contact with Ash.
He reached the barrier and scrutinized Ash's hand, searching for signs of deception or danger.
'Maybe...' Riolu's thought was fragile, tentative, colored by weeks of fear and pain. 'Maybe not all humans are like them. Maybe this one is different. Maybe he won't hurt me.'
His small paw touched Ash's palm.
"Rio..." The sound was softer now, less defensive. More hopeful.
'I'll try. But if you hurt me, if you break your promise, I'll never trust anyone again. This is my last chance.'
Tears gathered in Ash's eyes, and his hand trembled slightly as he maintained the gentle contact. "Thank you. I promise I'll never hurt you. Never. We're partners now. Equals. I won't make you do anything you don't want to do."
Oak moved forward, clearly moved by what he'd witnessed. Even his professional composure had cracked slightly. "I think you've made your choice, Ash."
He opened the cage door carefully, and Riolu stepped out on shaky legs. The Pokémon's muscles were still recovering from weeks of abuse and rehabilitation, movements uncertain and cautious.
But Riolu didn't run. He stayed close to Ash, maintaining the fragile connection they'd just established.
"Here's your Pokéball," Oak said, handing it over with unusual gentleness.
Ash looked at the red-and-white sphere, then at Riolu. Understanding crossed his face—understanding that to Riolu, the ball represented imprisonment and control.
"You don't have to go inside if you don't want to," Ash said immediately. "You can stay out with me all the time. The ball is just for League registration, but you'll never have to go in it unless you choose to. Okay?"
"Riolu?" The Pokémon looked at the ball with visible mistrust and fear.
'That's how they controlled me before. Kept me locked away in darkness unless they needed me to fight. I couldn't escape, couldn't refuse, or do anything but obey.'
"I won't use it like that," Ash promised, his voice steady despite his own fear. "Never. You're free to stay out. Free to choose. I need to register you with the League so we can travel together."
Riolu studied Ash's face for a long moment, searching for any hint of deception. Finding none, he cautiously tapped the ball with one paw.
The registration was completed with a soft chime. The ball attempted to pull Riolu inside, but Ash immediately pressed the release button, and Riolu materialized outside again.
"See? You're out. You're safe. And you can stay out as long as you want."
Relief flooded Riolu's expression, and the Pokémon moved closer to Ash. When the boy reached down carefully, slowly, Riolu allowed himself to be picked up.
First gentle human contact beyond medical treatment in weeks.
Riolu tensed initially, every muscle ready to fight or flee. But Ash just held him carefully, supporting his weight without restraining him, providing warmth without demanding anything in return.
Slowly, Riolu relaxed against Ash's chest.
'Warm. Different from before. Maybe... maybe this human really is different.'
"We're going to be great partners," Ash said quietly, voice thick with emotion. "I can feel it. We're going to help each other get stronger. And nobody's ever going to hurt either of us again."
"Rio..." Agreement, hope, and the first fragile threads of trust all wrapped into one slight sound.
I watched the scene, my emotions churning with complex feelings.
'Ash got the best starter. Two perfect IVs—Attack and Speed. Genetic plasticity that could lead to Prism Transformation. Incredible natural potential hidden beneath bandages and trauma.'
'If he can earn Riolu's complete trust, if they can form a genuine bond and trigger that transformation...'
'That partnership could become legendary.'
Gible pressed against my leg, and I felt his approval radiating through our mental connection.
'That Riolu is strong. Damaged, but strong. And the human has the right spirit. They will both grow from this partnership.'
"Yeah," I murmured quietly. "They're going to be something special."
Behind me, Cynthia's voice was soft but clear. "That boy has a remarkable gift, Samael. He sees what others dismiss, finds value where others see only weakness." Her hand found my shoulder, fingers pressing gently. "It reminds me of someone else I recently met."
Before I could respond, Oak clapped his hands together, drawing everyone's attention back to the front of the room.
"Congratulations to all ten of our new trainers! You've received your partners, and now we'll complete your official League registration." He gestured to the table where Elara had arranged ten Pokédexes. "Samael will provide each of you with a Pokédex and explain its functions."
The next twenty minutes passed in a blur of technical explanations and registrations. Each trainer received their Pokédex—a red rectangular device that would serve as their identification, Pokémon scanner, badge case, and communication tool.
I explained the basic functions to each one as they approached:
"Press this button to scan wild Pokémon and identify species, type, and approximate level. The Pokédex maintains a database of all four hundred ninety-three documented Pokémon species across the four regions."
"Your caught Pokémon are registered here. You can carry six active partners, and any beyond that are automatically transferred to the Pokémon Storage System accessible through any Pokémon Center."
"Gym badges are recorded digitally. When you defeat a Gym Leader, they'll scan your Pokédex to register the victory."
"The communication function allows you to contact other registered trainers and access the League emergency network."