Speaking of which, they really had Team Rocket to thank for this one.
If the trio hadn't handed out those fake St. Anne tickets, Ash never would have gone to the police station, and the whole plot might have gone off without a hitch.
As Brock joked later, "Those three think about doing bad things every single day… and somehow, every single time, they manage to turn bad things into good ones."
He wasn't wrong.
This time, if Team Rocket hadn't tried to lure them onto the ship, the entire organization's ambush would have played out perfectly. Who would've guessed that a world-famous luxury liner was crawling with Rockets?
If the St. Anne had really sailed, the Trainers onboard would've been like Magikarp in a barrel, trapped, surrounded, nowhere to run. Just as Team Rocket's members were now, cornered by the police.
So once again, the Team Rocket Trio had done a good deed by accident. Their intentions were rotten, but the outcome had turned out good.
Not that Ash was about to thank them for it. They were still criminals, after all, and their string of "accidental good deeds" was getting a little too convenient to be funny.
By the time the St. Anne cleanup operation ended, the sun was high overhead.
Everyone returned to Professor Cerise's house, and together, Brock, Ash, and Talia prepared a delicious lunch, also making sure all the Pokémon were fed.
An hour later, with bellies full and laughter echoing through the dining room, afternoon crept in.
Ash checked the time. "It's still early," he said. "We should probably get going. We've stayed in Vermilion City for two days already. Riolu's safe, everything's taken care of, time to hit the road."
But Professor Cerise smiled and raised a hand. "Stay one more day. Tomorrow, Chloe's school is closed, we can all go to the new Resort just outside Vermilion City."
He explained that it had just opened, a seaside paradise perfect for summer, complete with white beaches, amusement parks, and fresh seafood.
Ash hesitated. "A resort, huh…?"
His mind immediately jumped to the Gym Challenge. He still needed to earn his badges quickly, he'd started in June, and only had half a year left to qualify for the Indigo Plateau Conference. If he didn't collect all the badges in time, he'd have to wait until next year.
But before he could voice his objection, Misty's eyes were already sparkling. "A beach resort?! I'm in!"
Brock clasped his hands dreamily. "Sun, sand, and swimsuit-clad beauties… destiny calls!"
Between Misty's excitement, Brock's enthusiasm, and Chloe's bright smile, Ash realized he'd already lost the vote, three to one.
He sighed. "Fine, fine… we'll stay another day."
Anyway, two days wouldn't make much difference. Celadon City, their next destination, wasn't far from Vermilion, and a little downtime would help him clear his thoughts, and, more importantly, figure out how to earn some money.
Celadon was the commercial hub of Kanto: massive, vibrant, and packed with shops that sold everything under the sun.
Of course, you could buy anything there, if you had the cash.
And if Ash wanted his Pokémon to grow stronger, he'd need better gear, supplies, and food, all of which cost money.
His next priority was clear: find a way to make money.
That evening, after dinner, Ash, Misty, Brock, and Chloe went out for a walk through Vermilion City's lamplit streets.
Meanwhile, back home, Professor Cerise made a call to Rota Kingdom.
He needed to report Riolu's hatching, and explain what had happened to the Pokémon Egg entrusted to him five years ago.
When the call connected, the operator on the other end quickly informed Queen Ilene of the matter.
A few moments later, Ilene herself appeared on the screen.
She was a graceful woman, her fair complexion glowing softly in the light. Her emerald-green eyes held warmth and wisdom, framed by long, golden hair that flowed beneath a delicate crown. A deep green gemstone shimmered on her chest, and her rose-colored dress gave her both regal dignity and gentle charm.
"Professor Cerise," she said. "You're saying the Pokémon Egg… has hatched?"
"Yes," he replied. "The Pokémon that emerged is Riolu, but his condition is… complicated."
Having spoken with Ilene before, Cerise wasn't overly formal. He calmly explained everything: the Egg's state, Ash's rescue, and Riolu's current recovery under Ash's care.
As she listened, Ilene's expression shifted, from surprise, to relief, to quiet contemplation.
"I didn't expect that after Aaron, another person capable of using Aura would appear," she murmured. "And that he would be the one to save Riolu… perhaps this is destiny."
Cerise tilted his head. "Aaron?"
"Nothing," Ilene said softly, shaking her head. "Just an old legend of Rota Kindgdom."
Then her tone became decisive. "Since the boy named Ash rescued Riolu, and Riolu still requires his Aura to recover, let him stay with Ash. As I said before, whoever can hatch the Egg shall be the rightful Trainer of the Pokémon within. Ash has earned that right."
Cerise blinked, slightly stunned. He had thought that statement had only been ceremonial, a polite way to motivate researchers to save the Egg. He had never imagined Aurant Town would truly give away such an important Pokémon.
Doubt swirled in Professor Cerise's mind. Even if he asked, Queen Ilene probably wouldn't answer, and pressing the matter would be rude, so he stayed silent.
After chatting for a while longer, Ilene requested that he send her a copy of Ash's personal information. Cerise agreed, and after a few more polite words, the call ended.
Meanwhile, in Rota Kingdom
After hanging up, Queen Ilene rose from her desk and walked through the marble corridors of her castle. Her heels clicked softly against the floor as she entered a grand hall illuminated by sunlight pouring through tall stained-glass windows.
There, on the far wall, hung a massive oil painting.
It depicted a man holding a slender staff, and beside him stood a dog-like Pokémon gazing up at him with unwavering devotion.
This was the legend of the Rota kingdom, the Hero of Aura, Aaron, and his faithful partner Lucario.
Generations ago, Aaron and Lucario had quelled a great war, saving countless lives. Their bravery had long since become legend, their portraits displayed in every corner of the city. Every citizen of the kingdom grew up knowing their names.
Years later, something mysterious had happened. A Pokémon Egg had appeared in the city, an Egg that, after careful study, was confirmed to belong to a Riolu.
But not just any Riolu.
After extensive investigation, the scholars of the kingdom concluded that this Egg was very likely the descendant of Aaron's own Lucario.
If that were true, its birth would have been a monumental event for the entire city, a symbol that the Hero's legacy still lived on.
However, months passed, and the Egg never hatched.
Its life signs began to weaken, and in desperation, the people sought outside help. Their search eventually led them to the esteemed Professor Cerise.
Then tragedy struck. During a summer camp, an accident caused cracks to form in the Egg. Its life force nearly vanished.
The castle erupted in outrage. Some cursed the foolish boy responsible; others blamed Cerise for his lack of caution. But anger couldn't fix what was already broken. No matter what methods they tried, the Egg could not be restored.
They had planned to bring it home, to keep it under watch and pray for a miracle.
Perhaps, if the legendary progenitor Pokémon Mew appeared, it might be able to heal the Egg.
But before the Egg could even be retrieved, Mew did appear.
It materialized above the shrine, shimmering with rainbow light, and communicated through telepathy, showing everyone a series of four images before vanishing into the air.
In the first image, a blurry figure stood before the cracked Egg. In the second, blue light radiated from that figure, and the Egg began to resonate.
In the third, the Egg hatched, a small Riolu nestled in the person's arms. And in the fourth, that same figure fought side by side with a Pokémon resembling Lucario.
It wasn't exactly the same, its form was more majestic, its Aura even stronger.
Most believed this was Riolu's future evolution, a unique form of Lucario unlike any seen before. Perhaps the bloodline of Aaron's Lucario had changed subtly through the generations.
Following Mew's guidance, they chose to leave the Egg in the damaged place.
Five long years passed.
And finally, the good news arrived.
The Riolu had hatched.
Though his current state was far from ideal, the prophecy had come true: the Egg had found its destined savior. From the images Mew showed, they knew Riolu would recover, evolve into that extraordinary Lucario, and reach heights even greater than Aaron's partner had.
Ilene's expression softened as she gazed at the painting.
The descendant of the Hero's Lucario had survived, and that alone was worth rejoicing over.
As for the boy who saved him… Ilene had a quiet intuition. Something about this "Ash Ketchum" connected him to the Hero's legend.
When their paths crossed, she would know for certain.
But for now, she would wait. The boy still had his own journey to complete.
The Next Morning
By the following day, the Cerise household was lively again.
The night before, they'd also called Professor Oak to inform him of Riolu's situation, and Ash had taken the opportunity to ask about expanding his Pokémon carrying limit.
Professor Oak had readily agreed. With his influence, no official paperwork was even necessary.
By morning, Ash's carrying capacity had officially increased from six to seven Pokémon.
And, as fate would have it, Oak mentioned that he and Delia were also heading to the resort for a short vacation.
Ash hadn't expected such a coincidence, but it made the upcoming trip even better, they'd arranged to meet there.
So early that morning, Ash, Misty, Brock, Professor Cerise, and Chloe set off together for the resort.
Sunshine. Beaches. Seaside breeze. Swimsuits.
Together, they painted a vivid summer scene along the sparkling coast.
Ash reclined on a beach chair beneath a wide umbrella, sipping chilled coconut water and wearing sleek sunglasses. The corners of his lips curved in satisfaction, he hadn't felt this relaxed in ages.
Beside him, Pikachu mirrored his every pose, tiny sunglasses perched askew on his face.
Meanwhile, Ralts sprawled across Ash's chest, limbs splayed without a hint of grace. She looked anything but ladylike, but she was comfortable, and that was all that mattered.
Besides Pikachu and Ralts, Ash had released all his other Pokémon as well. After all, this was a vacation, and what kind of vacation would it be if everyone didn't get to play together?
Charmander and Bulbasaur were happily building sandcastles. Squirtle had dashed off to the sea, splashing around with unrestrained joy. Up above, Pidgeotto soared freely through the warm sky, its wings cutting against the sunlight like silver blades.
And standing beside Ash was Riolu, gazing curiously at everything around him with those bright, round eyes.
That's right, Riolu could now control his body again. Although he still couldn't train, and his physique remained fragile, ordinary movement was no longer a problem.
After struggling for so long just to survive, Riolu could finally see the world with his own eyes again.
Before this, his world had been nothing but colorless Auras, a silent, gray fog dotted with faint lights of life. But now…
Now, the world burst with color. The golden sands, the turquoise sea, the bright sun, everything dazzled him.
He was seeing it all for the very first time.
Ash smiled as he watched Riolu's small form exploring the world. His other Pokémon were also laughing and playing, and for once, he felt himself relax completely.
Since beginning his journey, Ash had barely taken a break. Every single day had been spent either battling, traveling, or training.
And while his Pokémon trained hard, his own training was even harsher.
Though he possessed the powerful Aura, his personal Aura was still developing. Under the guidance of the aura he'd inherited, it had slowly begun to merge, strengthen, and evolve.
The stronger he became, the stronger his connection to his Pokémon, and the more naturally he could guide them. His Aura wasn't just power; it was understanding, empathy, instinct.
So he never slacked off. If his Pokémon rolled ten times, he rolled twenty.
But today, for the first time in a long time, he allowed himself to loosen every muscle, let the sun warm his skin, and simply breathe.
Just this once, he could rest.
"Ash! Come play! Don't just lie there sunbathing!"
Misty's voice rang out over the surf.
Ash turned his head, and froze for half a second.
Misty was standing by the water in a bright orange-red bikini. Her fair skin shimmered under the sunlight, and the sea breeze lifted her crimson hair in soft waves. Though she wasn't as maturely built as her older sisters, her figure was healthy and athletic.
For a moment, Ash's heartbeat quickened. He wasn't quite sure why, or rather, he didn't want to think about why.
He turned away hastily, muttering, "N-no thanks. It's way more comfortable to just lie here and enjoy the sea breeze… plus, I've got shade. I'm not gonna burn like you will."
He barely got the last word out before...
"Ssshhh!"
A cold jet of seawater splashed straight across his face!