The once-weak companion had now become the legendary sword capable of challenging the gods. Mew's eyes sparkled as it floated around Aegislash, recounting the loneliness and solitude it had endured over the past thousand years.
It had come from the Tree of Beginning.
Back when the war started a thousand years ago, many friends had vanished, embarking on endless paths of conflict alongside humans. At that time, a human approached the Tree of Beginning, sent out a plea through their Aura, and fused their power with that of the tree.
Thus, the war ceased, hatred and anger calmed, and the Pokémon returned to their homes.
Peace returned to the land.
But after that, Aegislash was never seen again. Back then, Aegislash was just a small, short sword.
"This guy didn't join the war; he got left behind in a warehouse."
"Yeah... it's pretty lucky he slept through all of that."
But even if he had gone to the battlefield, it wouldn't have made a difference. Back then, he barely knew any Sacred Sword techniques. If he'd fought, he would've just fed the enemy one more headshot with Light Slash and nothing else.
"Mew~"
Mew was happy that Aegislash hadn't gone to the battlefield. Thanks to being too weak, he avoided disaster. That's how he could achieve what he had today!
As a friend, I'm really proud of you!
And... you have Aura power too? That's surprising!
Aegislash was a bit embarrassed by the praise, and his gaze toward Mew became a little shy. His blade glowed faintly red, like someone feeling bashful when a childhood friend witnesses their success.
It was the feeling of being acknowledged after achieving great things.
Also... your true form is really pretty!
I... I have a not-so-mature thought!
"Snap out of it," Hikaru's voice drifted into Aegislash's mind. "Mew has no gender."
Aegislash: "..."
Hikaru: "And you're not even in the same egg group. Besides, your dream hasn't been realized yet, so what's with all the talk of success?"
The trainer's harsh reality check snapped Aegislash out of his smugness. Mew, on the other hand, happily perched on Aegislash's head, kicking its little feet with joy.
"The Tree of Beginning's Mew... so that's it. That giant tree isn't far from here, but the birth of the Aura Guardian hasn't happened yet. The Tree of Beginning is still fated to experience a catastrophe."
"Mew?"
Mew tilted its head, staring at Hikaru.
This human... a challenger of the gods.
He seemed different from other humans, with a mysterious past. The two who had just left were the same, but the biggest difference between Hikaru and them was—
He wasn't blonde!
"Mew? (Why isn't your hair yellow?)"
Hikaru was taken aback.
He hadn't expected Mew to completely ignore his "prophecy of crisis" and focus on his hair color instead.
"Well... it's probably because of mixed heritage. My bloodline isn't pure. In fact, many descendants of the Divine Gate scattered across the world don't have blonde hair."
Mii from Sinnoh had black hair, Lenora from Unova had brown hair, Mars from Team Galactic had red hair, and the explorer/journalist Solana had blue and rainbow-colored hair.
"By the way, that blue-clothed hero you met before might also be a descendant of the Divine Gate."
"Mew?!"
Mew's eyes widened as it recalled the human it had met a thousand years ago—the one who sacrificed his life and used all his Aura to quell the war on the land. That hero had indeed worn blue clothes and a cape, with dark blue-black hair.
Was he also from this land?
"Just speculation... but since our lands are so close, isn't it possible that after the people here dispersed long ago, some might have settled near the Tree of Beginning?"
The Aura Guardian, Sir Aaron—his descendants included Riley from Iron Island in Sinnoh, and possibly another branch that moved to Kanto. It's even possible that Ash is part of this lineage.
In the backstory of the Aura Guardian, it's mentioned that Aaron arrived at the Tree of Beginning through his travels. Back then, Lucario, who was also known as an Aura Guardian, had just started following Aaron and was still a young trainee.
In fact, that land's name was also "Orudoran."
Thousands of years ago, Sinnoh, Johto, and Hoenn all faced disasters, forcing people to leave their homelands and migrate elsewhere. The migration, fusion, and scattering of peoples were common events.
"Mew, this place is both close and distant for you, isn't it? You can't leave the Tree of Beginning, so you're confined to the surrounding land. The Shinto Ruins are likely the furthest you can go."
"You share life with that giant tree—you depend on each other. When it grows weak, it draws on your life. That's where the crisis lies. That giant tree is too fragile. It may look like a tree, but in reality, it's a mineral lifeform created by nature that's been alive for tens of thousands of years."
"It's too old."
"I'd love to give you something just in case... but I really don't have anything related to Aura on hand."
"Mew?" Mew tilted its head in confusion. It seemed like Hikaru was talking about something far into the future?
Eh? Even I can't predict such a distant future! Can we really know what will happen so far ahead?
"All I can give you... is this golden apple."
"Mew!"
Mew excitedly hugged the golden apple, turning it over and over in its paws, eager to take a bite, but Hikaru stopped it.
"Not yet! It's not ready to eat yet! Wait at least a few months."
"Don't worry, it won't rot in such a short time!"
"Mew?" Mew glanced at the golden apple, then at Hikaru, balancing the apple on its head, happily playing around. Just then, it heard a familiar call, a psychic wave that resonated with its own power.
[Mew... but you're not the Mew I once knew.]
Mewtwo had once met a Mew on New Island—that encounter had been the catalyst for its change. "The real one will never lose to a fake"—that was the original Mew's motto. But in the end, after Ash's death, Mew and Mewtwo had reconciled, setting off on new and different journeys.
"Mew? (Who are you?)"
[I am... a Pokémon named Mewtwo. You are my origin—perhaps even my family.]
Mew curiously asked this new friend about its background, warmly inviting Mewtwo to visit the Tree of Beginning.
If you're family, isn't that even better?
Even if I don't know you, it's fine as long as you know me! It's been so long since I've had someone to play with. If we're family... that's even better!
We could be together forever! After all, your lifespan is long too!
Mewtwo was taken aback by Mew's enthusiasm, but in Mew's words, it sensed a hidden loneliness.
[I see... you're lonely too. You're different from the Mew I once met. You must have been very lonely.]
[Thank you for the invitation, but I must embark on my own journey. Not long ago, I found what I need to do. Someone is waiting for me. Once my journey ends and my dream is fulfilled, I'll come visit.]
Mew was a bit dejected.
It used to have many, many friends, but they all eventually left. Though many Pokémon lived in the Tree of Beginning, most couldn't play with it, and their lifespans were too short.
And now, even a stranger calling itself "family" was saying this.
Why does everyone want to travel? Is traveling really that fun?
Traveling... really is fun!
I really want to travel too!
I've always been alone, always...
But I can't just leave the Tree of Beginning unattended. I promised it I'd always take care of it, never letting it fall!
So even though I can leave, I can't go far. I can only leave for a short while, and in the end, I must return to the Tree of Beginning.
"Important people and things... no matter how much time passes, they never change. Friends are the same."
Hikaru gently petted Mew's little head. The psychic power made Mew feel so warm and cozy that it nuzzled into his hand, like a pink, flying kitten.
"Living a long life brings painful farewells, but also new encounters. In the graves and memories, friends have their place—even if just for a moment, even if an entire lifetime passes, they'll never be forgotten."
"Humans and Pokémon alike."
Mew lifted its head, gazing quietly at the human before it. It could feel the strong psychic energy emanating from him, energizing its body and aura, even causing the Tree of Beginning to sense the power.
A psychic amplification ability... an inexplicable creative force... and a spiritual strength that touched the soul.
It wasn't related to Aura, but it was warm.
The pain, sorrow, and loneliness in its heart seemed to vanish completely.
Listening to this human's murmurs felt like hearing an ancient story. All those sad memories... forget them. Just remember that there's a new tomorrow waiting for you!
Though memories of the past surfaced, the intense sadness was quickly dispelled.
"Mew~! (Please don't go!)"
Mew suddenly pleaded with Hikaru and Aegislash.
"Mew! (Let's live together at the Tree of Beginning!)"
"Mew! (I have so many toys, I'll let you play with them all!)"
"That's not possible. We're going on a journey. But we've left behind the Pokémon Heritage Garden in Shinto, where many Pokémon have gathered. In the future, this place will connect with dreams... with more worlds. When that day comes, I'll link the Tree of Beginning too."
"Spirit of the World Tree, one day your world will meet others, and your story will intertwine with theirs. If you want friends, that day will come soon."
Soon, within a few years, the Rotom Phone will become widespread in every region. And Rotom... is the perfect companion for Mew. It can chat, surf the internet, play with ancient toys Mew has collected, and even combine into a giant robot.
Plus, there's always a chance a little potted plant will show up in the movies and visit the Tree of Beginning. Mew's future won't be lonely.
"Also... here, take this. It may not be much, but give it a try."
Hikaru handed Mew a Lunar Wing.
Mew curiously played with the new trinket.
"The Lunar Wing... it's a replica, but it has a similar effect to the real one. It's a feather from the Legendary Pokémon Cresselia. It can let you enter beautiful dreams and forget nightmares. If you long to see something—someone, a Pokémon—perhaps you'll meet them in your dreams."
"Maybe... it might even let you enter the Dream World. Have you ever been there?"
"Mew?" Mew shook its head like a little bobblehead. It had never heard of the Dream World.
[It's a paradise for Pokémon. In Unova, many Pokémon can naturally enter the Dream World, though for Pokémon from other regions, it's a rare occurrence.]
[If you can enter the Dream World, you'll never be lonely again.]
Mewtwo's voice echoed in Mew's mind, filling it with excitement and longing for the Dream World. Clutching the Lunar Wing tightly, Mew levitated the golden apple with its psychic powers, making sure it didn't fall.
"Farewell, spirit of the World Tree."
"Yeah! (Next time, I'll come visit you!)"
Aegislash had wanted to say, "If you're in danger, just call for me," but then remembered Mew had no way to contact them. That's when Aegislash thought of Hikaru's invention—a convenient mailbox. Besides the Spirit World mailbox, there was also a Trainer Mailbox, which looked like an ordinary red mailbox but could deliver letters over long distances. The catch? The recipient also needed a Trainer Mailbox—kind of useless, honestly.
But if they gave it to Mew, wouldn't it be useful? Though... Mew probably couldn't read anyway. Back then, Mew had just been playing and had never thought to learn!
At that moment, Mewtwo chimed in with a guarantee.
[It's okay. I'll help it get a Pokégear. Hacking such devices is easy for me. I don't know what the Tree of Beginning is like, but if Mew can travel here, that giant tree at least doesn't reject psychic powers.]
[The network can transmit psychic energy, aura, and other forms of power. Even if the signal is weak, communication is possible. But... psychic power has its limits across distances, whereas aura is much more versatile.]
Mewtwo's technological skills were top-notch. After all, it had once modified all the advanced equipment on New Island. Hacking a Pokégear was a piece of cake. As for registration? That wasn't even a problem.
"Mew! (I don't understand everything you're saying, but thank you!)"
[No need to thank me. We're family. We're Pokémon living in this world. I was once very lonely, too... so I want to help you.]
[Mew... we'll meet again.]
With Mewtwo's teleportation, Hikaru and Aegislash waved goodbye to Mew.
"With a Pokégear, you'll be able to learn about the outside world anytime. You can see faraway places through our eyes. Mewtwo is your window too."
"Mew! (Goodbye, my friend!)"
As Mew bid them farewell, Hikaru and Aegislash returned to the workshop, where the three Regi Pokémon and many other Pokémon greeted them in the ruins plaza.
Arceus's awakening, the trials of the ruins, and the "Royal Blessing" on Aegislash made the three Regi Pokémon understand everything.
From now on, Aegislash could command them as a king commands his guardians.
"Huh?" Aegislash felt a bit embarrassed. After all, they used to be friends—now suddenly becoming their superior felt awkward. Wasn't this a bit... predetermined?
I'm just an ordinary Pokémon—how can I have Legendary Pokémon as subordinates?
But the three Regi Pokémon were created to assist and protect humans, even to accomplish specific tasks. After the people of Shinto scattered, they had lost their purpose. Now, they had a new one.
"Everyone, we'll be leaving for a while. This is now a separate dimension, so no need to worry about being discovered."
Hikaru entrusted Regirock with taking care of the Pokémon's lives and reproduction in the area.
Then, it was time to leave their homeland and embark on a new journey.
There would be many invitations to accept and many places to go. If they could find materials to make a dimensional ring, they could return anytime. If not, they might be gone for a long while.
"Re...gi..." Regirock's "H" pattern flashed as it spoke an ancient prophecy of Shinto.
A god descends, and a new world is born.
Perhaps Aegislash was the true king, and Hikaru was not the king they had envisioned. Regirock's rare statement seemed to suggest so. While it had often discussed similar topics with Aegislash, it had always been in a "this is interesting" kind of way.
So, if Hikaru wasn't the king, what was he?
A messenger of the gods.
After all, where have you seen a messenger of the gods become a king? And now, it was Aegislash who had received the royal blessing—just a king of Pokémon, not the king of all life, nor a ruler of a nation.
Hikaru knew that this prophecy originally referred to the "HeartGold and SoulSilver Creation Event," but now it seemed to point to the alternate space he had created.
But... that was fine.
There was no need to stick to a grand, specific form for a new world's birth. Grand or small, they were both places where life could flourish.
Hikaru packed up, took three Poké Balls, and left Unown E behind in the workshop.
"That's fine too. I'll leave the workshop to you."
"Annon~" Unown E responded, though it definitely didn't want to get dragged into any more weird stuff.
Hopefully, that won't happen again, right?
With Mewtwo's psychic guidance, Hikaru and Aegislash vanished from Shinto. The ancient workshop basked in the sunlight, where Pokémon continued to thrive in their forgotten, ancient home, living as they always had, under the sun.
As the scenery shifted...
Hikaru rode on Aegislash, emerging over the vast, deep-blue ocean!
Mewtwo, wrapped in blue psychic energy, flew alongside them, soaring across the skies, cutting through storms, waves, and clouds, advancing toward the wide world beyond!
[Ready? I'm going to speed up!]
[You'll be heading to Unova, and I... to Oblivia. My friend, I wish you safe travels and a bright future.]
At the far end of the sea, a vast land appeared. Skyscrapers and gleaming cruise ships dotted the coastline—Unova, Mistralton City!
Meanwhile, in the Distortion World, Giratina returned and found that the Grubbin and Scizor had completely changed their attitudes toward it. The Grubbin's eyes sparkled with admiration, and the Scizor had become far more humble.
After witnessing the true nature of this world and hearing the teachings of the Creator God, the Pokémon let go of the past and embraced the future. A new world was born from themselves.
"Graaah!" Giratina tried to say something grand, but its clumsy mouth fumbled the words, so it just muttered a few lines. Still, the Grubbin below cheered and danced as if Giratina were the sun of the Distortion World!
Ah, this dance is a bit too intense. It's making the old dragon uncomfortable!
After the sparring session with Father Arceus, even though Giratina had recovered its strength, it was still mentally exhausted. Its Contracted One had left Shinto for now. While it could still see distant scenes through Aegislash's shield, it could no longer interfere with events there.
Unova... a land with its own myths, so far away.
For now, it was time to rest... and make the Distortion World a better place, right?
That's what Giratina thought as it settled onto an empty floating island to sleep. Though it wanted to nap under the
apple trees, the Grubbin would probably start chirping and gnawing, making it hard to rest.
Ah... what a satisfying day.
Giratina descended onto a large, empty sky island... when suddenly, the space rippled.
Eh?!
This was Palkia's aura?!
Each of the Creator Gods had their own world. Entering another's domain uninvited would be considered an invasion. Especially Dialga and Palkia—Giratina had to admit that Father Arceus was right about one thing: it had more emotion than those two.
Those two went berserk like beasts, without a shred of reason.
Fortunately, Giratina was born as a manifestation of violence, so if it went berserk from the start, it wouldn't lose its mind to madness.
Giratina traced the spatial fluctuations—Palkia's aura wasn't far away. That guy must've been peeking into the Distortion World. So that means... Oh! It definitely saw the scene where I challenged Arceus!
Haha... that's... kind of embarrassing! Aiya, I'm not being humble or anything, but... how did I win?
Stay low-key!
Giratina's mind spun up a little fantasy scene. When it reached the source of the spatial fluctuation, it found a patch of toppled apple trees. The spatial waves were radiating from these trees. Giratina blinked.
And then... it was furious!
That guy had been spying, and it had damaged its precious apple trees! Oh... wait, these look like the new saplings tossed in, not the ones I planted. That's fine then.
Giratina tilted its head slightly. Amidst the fallen apple trees was a particularly eye-catching green mask.
Whose mask was that?
And then... Giratina saw a small green Pokémon, trembling as it gripped a spiked vine club, staring at it nervously.
It looked kind of like a human child.
Fear, loneliness, confusion, panic, and despair radiated from her.
"Graaah..." Giratina growled lowly, moving its terrifying head closer. It wanted to ask, "Is this mask yours?"
But the movement seemed to trigger the Pokémon!
"Bonniewo!"
With a Rage Fist, the strange Pokémon swung its spiked club and smashed it right into Giratina's forehead!
(End of Chapter)
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