Speaking of which, we have to thank Team Rocket's trio. If they hadn't given out the Saint Annun's ship tickets, Ash wouldn't have gone to report to the police.
Just as Brock said, those three always think about doing bad things, but they somehow manage to turn bad things into good outcomes.
This time, if it weren't for Team Rocket's trio trying to lure them aboard, Team Rocket's plan would have surely proceeded smoothly.
Who would have thought that the famous luxury cruise ship would have such a large Team Rocket ambush on board.
If the ship had reached the sea and Team Rocket's ambush appeared, it would have been like catching fish in a barrel for the Trainers on board. There'd be nowhere to run, just like how the police surrounded Team Rocket now.
So once again, Team Rocket did a good thing with bad intentions. Their intention was bad, but the result was good.
However, Ash wouldn't thank them for this. After all, no matter what, they were still trying to do bad things, just happened to stumble into messing this one up. Though, they do have quite a few coincidences.
After the Saint Annun cleanup operation, it was already noon. Everyone returned to Professor Cerise's house, where Brock, Ash, and Talia prepared a delicious lunch and also prepared food for the Pokémon.
Over lunch, they spent another hour, and in the blink of an eye, it was the afternoon.
Ash looked at the time and thought it wasn't too late to set off on their journey again. After all, they had stayed in Vermilion City for two days, caught up with each other, rescued Riolu, achieving quite a few things. So it felt about time to move on.
However, Professor Cerise suggested Ash stay one more day. With Chloe's school on holiday tomorrow, they could visit the Lample Hugo Resort, a newly built resort near Vermilion City.
Now it's July, peak summer, and what could be better than a resort visit? Beaches, seaside, a variety of amusement facilities, and luxurious seafood.
Ash had no special feelings about it. He actually wanted to head to the next city soon and collect all the badges.
Since he started in June, there are only six months left to collect badges. If he doesn't collect them all within this six-month period, he'll have to wait until the next year to participate in the Quartz Conference.
However, Misty and Brock were quite enthusiastic about going to the resort. Beach, seaside, who wouldn't be drawn to that? For Brock, there's also the allure of beautiful women!!
How many beautiful big sisters in bikinis might there be on that hot beach? With good luck, he might even get to apply sunscreen for one. So Brock and Misty unanimously decided to visit the resort!
And with Chloe being on holiday tomorrow, three votes outweighed one, and the plan was approved.
Thus, Ash could only agree and decide to rest for two more days in Vermilion City. After all, a two-day delay wouldn't matter much. Their next destination was Celadon City, which wasn't far, and resting for these two days allowed him to sort out some thoughts left in his mind.
Meanwhile, he also had to figure out how to make money.
Celadon City is the core city of Kanto, not just the largest in area, but its commercial district is also the most prosperous. In the Celadon City's department store, you can find almost anything you want, as long as you have the money.
To quickly improve his Pokémon, external expenses are necessary!
Hence, Ash's foremost task is—making money!
...
By evening, after dinner, Ash went out for a stroll in Vermilion City with Misty, Brock, and Chloe, while Professor Cerise dialed a call to Orodelon City from home.
He needed to report on the hatching of Riolu and its current situation to Orodelon City.
Upon the call connecting, it was Orodelon City's operator on the other end. After learning that Professor Cerise wanted to report, they quickly informed Erin, the Queen of Orodelon City.
Erin was a beautiful mature lady, with a fair face, a delicate nose, full red lips with defined contours, and a pair of gentle emerald eyes.
She wore a crown symbolizing her status as queen, with a deep green gemstone on her chest, and was dressed in a pink gown, appearing both dignified and slightly tender.
"Professor Cerise, you said the Poke Egg has hatched?"
"Yes, the Pokémon that hatched is Riolu, but Riolu now..." Professor Cerise had met Erin many times, so he wasn't overly formal in conversation with her.
He tried to describe the situation regarding Riolu and how Ash initially rescued Riolu in as much detail as possible.
After hearing the full story, Erin's fair face showed some surprise, yet there was some relief too.
"I didn't expect there to be someone capable of using Aura Power after Aaron, and he even saved Riolu. Is this destiny?"
"Hmm? Who's Aaron?"
"Oh, it's nothing, just a legend from Orodelon City..." Erin shook her head, seemingly unwilling to dwell on the legend.
"Since that boy named Ash rescued Riolu from the Poke Egg, and since Riolu needs him to recover, let Riolu follow him. I also said, whoever manages to hatch the Poke Egg, the Pokémon inside becomes theirs. So it stands that Ash is naturally Riolu's Trainer."