Pokémon: Reborn as Lucario

Chapter 160: Rest and a Strange Dream

Just then, a vine tugged at Fengling's clothes.

Fengling, who was worrying along with Míng Rìzhào, didn't notice.

The vine tugged again, forcefully.

Fengling still didn't notice.

Finally, the vine couldn't take it anymore and "smacked" Fengling from behind—uh, on, you know—a certain part.

"Aah!"

The young girl cried out, then covered her rear, her face flushing red as she looked angrily at her Snivy.

"Xiao Teng, what are you doing?"

Snivy pursed its lips. Another vine extended, pointing to a certain place not far away.

Fengling squinted and saw that behind several tall rocks, a red-and-white building was faintly visible. At the very top of the building, there was even a pattern that looked like a Poké Ball.

"A Pokémon Center!"

Pleasantly surprised to discover a Pokémon Center at the border between Yuanqi City and Fuquan Town, Míng Rìzhào's group (and Pokémon) rushed over without stopping.

This Pokémon Center was probably located in the wild and wasn't as crowded as some of the ones located in towns. At a glance, only Nurse Joy, standing behind the counter, and the Joy family's good assistant, Chansey, were busy.

Nurse Joy took the Poké Ball from the panting Míng Rìzhào.

"Hmm, it seems the little one inside here can't be healed so easily."

The conventional treatment for a Pokémon was to recall it into its Poké Ball, then place it on the Pokémon healing machine, which could cure all sorts of injuries and restore the Pokémon's energy. However, that unknown Poké Ball, even after being treated by the healing machine, still had its light flashing, and the Pokémon inside still couldn't be released.

"I'll need to use some special instruments to treat it. You all wait here for a moment."

Nurse Joy gave an instruction to the Chansey beside her, then took the Poké Ball and walked towards the emergency room in the back of the Pokémon Center.

"Alright, everyone, let's have a good rest."

Míng Rìzhào also knew that being anxious was useless. At a time like this, all they could do was trust the most professional medical staff.

And so, the group began to rest in this not-so-large Pokémon Center.

If one were to ask the most frequented place by all Pokémon trainers in the world, it would undoubtedly be the Pokémon Center. Besides healing their own Pokémon, resting from their training and taking a break from their journey were all inseparable from these freely open Pokémon Centers scattered all over the world.

Míng Rìzhào and Fengling bought some onigiri and sandwiches, as well as a few drinks, from the center's vending machine and went to the Pokémon Center's rest area.

Rio originally wanted to pick up a chocolate sandwich, but was told by Míng Rìzhào that dogs can't eat chocolate. She then, with a grand and righteous air, snatched the chocolate sandwich away.

"…"

Rio rolled his eyes furiously and picked up another strawberry onigiri to chew on.

Wait, how does something as dark as a strawberry onigiri even exist???

After eating and drinking their fill, the girls and their few Pokémon lay lazily on the rest area sofa.

"Phew..."

Lying on the soft sofa made Rio hum contentedly. Before long, a heavy wave of sleepiness washed over him.

…

He opened his eyes.

This was a black room. There were no lights, and at the same time, it was so quiet there wasn't the slightest sound. Only "my" faint breathing could be heard.

"I" wanted to move but found that "my" limbs seemed to be bound by something, making a loud clattering sound.

Where is this? Who am "I"?

The "patta, patta" sound of footsteps came from afar and drew near.

Something like a door opened, and several dark figures appeared in the light.

"@#￥#￥#@..."

The dark figures were communicating in a mysterious language.

Suddenly, a dark figure walked over and opened the gate in front of "me."

By the light from the corridor outside the door, "I" finally realized that "I" was imprisoned in a cage.

Soon, "I" was dragged onto a research table.

Sharp syringes were continuously drawing something from "my" body.

It hurt a lot. "I" wanted to scream but couldn't make a sound.

It seemed very short, and yet it seemed very long.

Those dark figures would argue from time to time. Finally, they dragged "me" back to that cage.

"Clack." Darkness fell before "my" eyes.

…

In a daze, Rio seemed to feel something shaking him forcefully.

"Rio, Rio, wake up..."

The voice was very distant.

"Wake up!"

But suddenly it was very loud.

"Whoa!"

Rio woke up with a start.

This, in turn, gave the happily shaking Míng Rìzhào a big scare.

"What's wrong with you?"

Míng Rìzhào asked worriedly, reaching out to smooth the fur on Rio's forehead, which was drenched in a cold sweat.

I feel like I just dreamt about something?

His mood was inexplicably heavy. Rio propped up his chin, trying to recall the dream from just now, but could only find blurry, residual images in his mind.

"Forget it, I won't think about it..." Rio shook his head, shaking the uncomfortable feeling out of his mind. "By the way, what happened? Why are you so excited?"

"Nurse Joy has already healed that Pokémon! Let's go and see our new partner together!"

Fengling, on the side, was holding Snivy. Kirlia Ruru stood by Míng Rìzhào's feet. Everyone's face was filled with excitement and anticipation.

A new partner, huh? I hope it's a big brother or a little brother...

Such a thought passed through Rio's mind.

After waiting for Rio to wake up, the group (and Pokémon), at Chansey's beckoning, eagerly came to the door of the emergency room.

Nurse Joy came out pushing a small trolley and said with a smile, "Your Pokémon has fully recovered. You can try summoning it out now."

Míng Rìzhào gently picked up the Poké Ball on the small trolley.

"Come out, little fellow."

The Poké Ball no longer just flashed its light but opened with a "pop."

A white light flashed, and the mysterious fellow that had been staying in the Poké Ball appeared.

"Ah, this is???"

The group (and Pokémon) all cried out in surprise.

…

Outside the Pokémon Center.

A little boy stood at the entrance, his eyes closed, as if sensing something.

The occasional passing tourist felt it was a little strange but didn't say much, probably thinking he was the child of some trainer who had entered the Pokémon Center. Besides, the Pokémon Center was an absolutely safe area. Whether a child or a pedestrian, their safety could still be guaranteed.

However, the faint aura of resentment that emanated from the boy's body made the tourists unconsciously avoid him.

After another while.

The boy seemed to have confirmed something. He opened his eyes, revealing light blue pupils within.

He turned his head and took one last deep look at the Pokémon Center.

Then, his pupils turned light orange, and the skin of his body inexplicably turned grayish-white.

Finally, in a trance for the tourists, he vanished on the spot.

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