The closer they drove toward the Tree of Beginning, the thicker the surrounding mist beca.
The light-blue-haired man kept his hands steady on the wheel, explaining, "They say this mist exists to deter travelers from accidentally wandering into the Tree of Beginning's territory."
Even the high beams couldn't pierce through the dense fog.
They had to rely on the low beams, illuminating only Lucario running ahead of the vehicle.
Guided by its aura senses, Lucario led the way with closed eyes, unwavering in its path.
"No wonder the ancient queen insisted Lucario co with us," Ash murmured, his expression darkening as thoughts of Pikachu resurfaced.
Seated in the passenger seat, Natsu offered reassurance. "Maybe… w is just playing with Pikachu and owth."
"I hope so," Ash nodded.
Jessie clenched her fists in frustration. "If owth is actually slacking off while we're worrying like this… I'll make sure it regrets it!"
"Keep it down, Jessie. You'll disturb everyone," Jas chided.
Jessie huffed and slumped back into her seat. After a long pause, she muttered, "I just hope owth's okay…"
As the sun rose, its rays pierced through the mist.
The sound of birdsong filled the air, accompanied by the faint scent of flowers.
"Seems we've entered the Tree of Beginning's domain," Steven observed, glancing out the window with a smile. "Let's take a short break, everyone."
Ash hadn't eaten a thing all night.
The mont Steven suggested stopping, his stomach growled loudly.
"There's a portable cooking set and a foldable table in the trunk…"
Steven pulled the handbrake, glancing aningfully at Natsu.
"...So in the end, we still need the chef after all?"
Natsu shook his head, leaning out the window. "Lucario! Take a break—I'll make you sothing good!"
"I'll help too," Jas offered.
The al was simple—sandwiches.
With Jas assisting, the work went quickly.
"Nom!" The group bit into Natsu's sandwiches.
Instantly, the exhaustion from the long night seed to lt away.
Seeing their dazed expressions, Natsu grinned. "I added wild Leppa Berries. They're great for stamina."
Steven sighed in admiration. "This might be the part I look forward to most when traveling with Natsu-sensei…"
"Sa here!" Jessie and Jas chid in cheerfully.
"I'll go check on him."
Ash grabbed a sandwich wrapped in a napkin and approached Lucario, who sat alone on a boulder, chewing on a berry.
He held out the sandwich.
Lucario frowned but eventually took it, muttering, "Thanks."
Ash bead. "Don't be so down! Maybe… maybe Sir Aaron had no choice but to seal you away!"
Lucario, mid-chew, suddenly froze. Its expression darkened.
With a scoff, it leapt away, sandwich still in its mouth.
Ash, having unknowingly stepped on a landmine, scratched his head. "Did I… say sothing wrong again?"
Nearby.
Natsu and Steven stood at the base of a cliff, gazing up at a crystalline flower blooming on the steep rockface.
"That's a Ti Flower, right?" Natsu mused, recalling the legends.
"What's that?" Steven, more interested in ores than plants, looked puzzled.
"A legendary flower that allows aura wielders to glimpse into the past," Natsu explained, crossing his arms. "Might even be connected to Celebi."
Steven nodded slowly. "Seeing the past… can be a cruel thing sotis."
Natsu paused.
mories of the tragic scenes before ti was reversed in Erald flashed through his mind.
"Yeah," he agreed quietly.
"Let's go." Steven turned with a smile. "We should reach the Tree of Beginning in half a day!"
For the rest of the journey,
Natsu and Jas took turns relieving Steven at the wheel.
Team Rocket's trio were all driving specialists.
But even Jas was impressed. "Natsu-sensei, you handle the car pretty well."
"Of course," Natsu said. "I drive smoothly."
During another break,
Ash and Lucario clashed again.
"I'd never abandon Pikachu!" Ash shouted.
"Before life and death," Lucario retorted coldly, "you might act just like Sir Aaron."
"Don't screw with ! I'd die before giving up on Pikachu!"
"All talk, brat—"
"What did you say?!" Ash lunged, tackling Lucario into a nearby stream.
Splashing wildly, Ash sohow gained the upper hand.
Even the usually unflappable Steven was stunned.
"Natsu-sensei, this is…"
"Standard procedure," Natsu said calmly. "Ash might even start firing Aura Spheres next."
Steven: "???"
Natsu sighed inwardly.
Only by witnessing the past through the Ti Flower's vision
would Lucario ever truly understand Sir Aaron.
And Sir Aaron, just like Ash,
had been willing to sacrifice his life for his Pokémon.
In I Choose You!, Ash had literally died without ever letting go of Pikachu.
So his words weren't empty…
But what about ? Natsu frowned.
Do I have that sa resolve?
"Gengar?" Noticing his expression, Gengar playfully stuck out its tongue.
"Sylveon~!" The ribbons around Sylveon's arms pulsed warmly against his skin.
Each of his six Poké Balls carried its own unique warmth—sothing Natsu knew by heart.
He smiled.
No need to doubt myself.
All I have to do is live without regrets.
Glancing at Lucario's retreating back,
Natsu made up his mind.
...
January 3rd, Sunday. Overcast.
A full day and night had passed since leaving Caran Palace.
Curled up in the jeep's back seat, Ash mumbled in his sleep, "Pikachu…"
Lucario sprinted ahead, bathed in the vehicle's headlights, its thoughts in turmoil.
That human… just like Sir Aaron, he spouts nonsense.
Claims he'd never abandon his Pokémon.
But why… does his aura feel so sincere?
Lucario suddenly skidded to a halt.
Before it lood the colossal Tree of Beginning—a towering monolith stretching into the clouds.
Swablu, Natu, and other rare birds circled the misty heights.
The air humd with the auras of Pokémon unseen in the outside world, all curiously observing the newcors without fear.
The gentle, welcoming energy made Lucario's lips twitch into a faint smile.
Then—
The ground quaked.
A jagged fissure split open beneath them, crimson light erupting from the depths.
"What's happening?!" Jessie and Jas jolted awake.
"Out of the car. Now." Steven shoved the door open.
Before them stood a legendary titan Steven knew all too well.
A body of rugged earth and stone, its H-shaped face glowing ominously red.
One of the Tree of Beginning's ancient guardians—
Regirock.
Its re presence radiated crushing pressure.
Ash gulped.
"STEVEN! USE YOUR INVINCRIBLE TAGROSS AND THINK OF SOTHING!"
"Did Brandon not restrict your movents after all?"
Steven closed his eyes, smiling faintly.
"Indeed… that's for the best."
The breeze stirred his light-blue hair as he adjusted his cuffs, flexing his fingers.
The rainbow-hued pin on his lapel glead.
Steven's gaze sharpened.
"Natsu-sensei—it's our turn!"
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