Chapter 43
: The Relationship Between Pokémon and Trainers is One of Mutual Selection
[Pokémon capture activity detected. The capture threshold is being determined based on the Pokémon. Current threshold threshold remaining: 62%]
After Xia Ming acquired the two late-blooming Pokémon, a mechanical notification sounded in his ear, and a notification popped up on his left.
It is possible to capture and catch local Pokémon in the Hyperdimension Nether, but this is not without limitations.
According to a statement released by Hyperdimension Derwent, Pokémon in the Hyperdimension world consume the energy within the Genesis Crystal to transition from virtual to real when they return to reality. This phenomenon is even more peculiar than Ho-Oh's resurrection, and it is speculated that it is likely caused by the "creative power" left behind by Arceus.
The capture threshold is a prediction of this "creativity," and the "creativity" within each Creation Crystal is limited.
In other words, Hyperdimension Derwent merely materialized this threshold; it remains a limitation left by Arceus.
Bang!
Instead of staying obediently inside the ball, the Aluminum Steel Dragon, like Eurydice, popped out again to eat ore.
Xia Ming had no intention of letting them go hungry, and immediately took out the young Gilas's rations.
Fortunately, he brought in enough supplies for three days; otherwise, he might not have been able to secure the evacuation point and would have had to leave hastily.
Young Gilas's training has just begun, and it can't be stopped so easily; nothing is more important than this.
Xia Ming and Zi Yu were taking care of their respective Pokémon, while Vina and Sophia were doing their best to rescue the Pokémon that still had a chance.
Several trainers who heard the commotion from the periphery rushed over, but they left after seeing that others had already arrived first.
This can be considered an unspoken rule in the Hyperdimension Netherworld; most trainers would not engage in battles or wild fights under such circumstances.
Unless you want to be wanted by the Officer Jenny in the real world.
Yes, the internet is not a lawless zone. The Hyperdimensional World has only relaxed some restrictions on behavior, but some prohibitions are still clearly stipulated in the laws announced by the Officer Jenny Family.
One of them is attacking someone while they are rescuing a large group of Pokémon; such an act is tantamount to a heinous crime.
………………
The rescue didn't take long; about ten minutes later, all the Pokémon that could be saved had stood up, but more than a dozen Pokémon were still buried forever in the crater.
When Sophia brought the rock dog to Xia Ming's side, he could clearly sense the sadness emanating from her.
"Woof~"
"What kind of Riolu is this?"
When the tender bark rang out, Xia Ming looked in the direction of the sound and found a small, thin Riolu following behind Sophia. Judging from its obviously recovered figure, it was most likely the lucky one who had been rescued.
While puzzled, Xia Ming also recalled some information about Riolu from his memory.
Riolu is a righteous and loyal Pokémon, but most of Riolu's sense of justice is actually the trainer's sense of justice. Unless they intentionally mistreat other Pokémon, the things their trainers do are considered righteous in their minds.
Only Riolu with the "Heart of Justice" trait will be exceptionally strict in the realm of justice.
Wild Riolus will actively protect weak Pokémon and punish evil. They are mostly gentle and will never abandon a trainer once they have chosen one. Even if the trainer has fallen, they will try their best to bring them back. If there is no hope for them, they will carry out their righteous act and then follow them in death.
This Riolu must have stood up when Team True was rampaging, but unfortunately it was too weak and was kicked to the brink of death by Reddra, who treated it like a roadside animal.
"After he got up, this kid kept helping to pull other dying Pokémon over. He found many Pokémon that were hard to find in the grass."
"Hmm, so you want to subdue him?"
Xia Ming reached out and wiped away the tears from Sophia's eyes. She was smiling, but the tears just wouldn't stop falling.
Asking Sophia for her wishes, he took an ordinary ball out of his backpack and gave Riolu an encouraging look at his feet.
"I...I wanted to win him over. This child has a strong sense of justice and is very cute."
As mentioned before, Sofia loves dog-type Pokémon, and Riolu is undoubtedly on her list of favorites, but:
"But I can't even take care of the Pokémon on the farm right now. If he comes with me, he might never have a chance to battle. I can see he's very brave, and I don't want to hold him back..."
What could Xia Ming say? That was all he could offer. He couldn't help Sophia for the time being. He was just getting started, and he still needed to find research papers and materials to learn how to cultivate an aluminum-steel dragon.
But should we just give up like this?
"Then why don't you ask Riolu what he thinks? The choice between Pokémon and their trainers is mutual! How do you know he's willing to give up something for you?"
As Xia Ming spoke, he crouched down in front of Riolu and placed the Poké Ball in his hand into Riolu's arms:
"Riolus, what are your thoughts? Do you intend to stay with Sofia, knowing you might never battle again, or will you continue to stay here and fight for justice?"
"Woof...woof! Woof!"
She saved me, she saved everyone! That's enough for me to follow her!
Riolu showed no affectation whatsoever. He picked up the Poké Ball, came to Sofia, and held it high, the meaning of which was self-evident.
"Thank you, Riolu. I will take good care of you, I promise."
Sofia didn't hesitate any longer. Since Riolu didn't mind, how could she let Riolu down?
She picked up the Poké Ball and placed it face-up towards Riolu.
Riolu then gently tapped the switch with its fist.
A flash of red light appeared, and without any hindrance, Sofia successfully captured the Riolu!
"Pikachu! Pikachu!"
"Pa~"
"Coo coo~"
"Mimi, mi!"
"Dane dane~"
In a short time, hordes of Pokémon swarmed over, carrying gifts as a token of their gratitude. They surrounded Xia Ming, Zi Yu, and the other three, expressing their thanks and placing the gifts in front of them.
Xia Ming was only slightly moved by this, after all, who doesn't like to be rewarded for doing good deeds?
Sophia, on the other hand, seemed deeply moved by the scene. Her tear ducts, which had been somewhat dry, broke down again, and tears began to fall uncontrollably.
Startled by this scene, Xia Ming quickly took out the bottled water he carried with him and held it to Sophia's lips.
"Have some water, Sophia. After we go out, let's go see Dr. Harvey together, okay?"
"Ugh... okay, I... I haven't seen Dr. Harvey for many days... ugh... to get my medicine."
Sophia drank water while crying, nodding in agreement to Xia Ming's request.
When Dr. Harvey was mentioned, she was somewhat surprised to realize that she hadn't gone to Dr. Harvey's to get her medication for more than a week!