Steven and Wallace arrived directly beneath the World Tree, where lush greenery surrounded them.
The environment could only be described as breathtaking.
Various ancient Pokémon also lived here.
Cradily, Aerodactyl, Omanyte, and others made their home in this place.
In addition, there were some common Pokémon as well.
For example, the Nidoran family, Swablu, and similar species.
"So this is the World Tree..." Wallace gazed at the scene, completely entranced.
"I really want to collect some samples..."
Steven looked at the blue crystals scattered everywhere, suppressing his urge to take a couple.
However, his rational mind told him he couldn't do that.
The World Tree was already warning them. If they tried to take those blue crystals, it might trigger the World Tree's emergency defense system.
If Regirock was here, then Registeel and Regice would certainly be present as well.
Moreover, many Pokémon lived in this place.
If they all attacked at once, it would be impossible to fight them all off.
"Let's go!" Steven said in a firm voice.
Mew was inside the World Tree, and Piplup was probably there too.
Steven continued flying upward on Metagross.
Whoosh—
A beam of ice-blue light suddenly shot out. Metagross performed an emergency stop to avoid being hit by the Ice Beam.
Steven looked down and spotted a Pokémon below with a body made of ice. Its face was adorned with seven yellow dots forming a "+" shape.
The Ice Golem Pokémon—Regice!
"Regice—"
The dots on Regice's face flashed, and a powerful Ice Beam shot out fiercely.
Metagross quickly countered with Flash Cannon.
Boom!
Seeing this, Lucario followed up with an Aura Sphere, detonating Regice's Ice Beam!
"Steven, let's not get caught up fighting them!" Wallace reminded him.
"Right!" Steven nodded in agreement.
If they were being controlled by the World Tree, then their power was probably endless.
Fighting them like this would only waste their energy.
"Metagross, let's go!"
"Metagross!"
Metagross nodded and quickly flew upward.
Wallace and Pelipper followed closely behind.
"Hydro Pump!"
Wallace suddenly sensed something was wrong and immediately commanded Pelipper to use Hydro Pump!
Metagross glanced to its side.
A Pokémon with a gray, spherical upper body marked with black stripes and seven red dots forming a hexagonal pattern on its face suddenly leaped out from the side!
The Steel Golem Pokémon—Registeel!
However, it was struck directly by Pelipper's Hydro Pump and knocked away!
"Thanks, Wallace!"
"Don't mention it!"
Steven and Wallace cooperated successfully, entering the interior of the World Tree.
However, besides the three legendary golems, Steven encountered a new challenge.
In the narrow passage, an Aerodactyl made of orange viscous liquid rushed toward Steven and the others.
"Lucario!"
Lucario used Aura Sphere, shattering the "Aerodactyl."
"This thing looks like a white blood cell..." Wallace said with a frown.
"This is proof that the World Tree is alive..." Steven agreed.
"Let's keep moving!"
Lucario looked at Steven and Wallace, who were still examining what that creature was, and quickly urged them forward.
"Right!"
Fortunately, the passage width was barely enough for Metagross to pass through. Otherwise, Steven would have had to run on foot.
...
Mew at the top of the World Tree seemed to sense something and woke up Piplup, who had fallen asleep at some point.
"Mew~"
"Piplup?"
Is it morning already?
Time for training again...
Only when the small pink Mew appeared in his sight did Piplup suddenly wake up with a start.
Oh no! He had accidentally fallen asleep.
Having been gone all night, his trainer would surely scold him severely!
In reality, he had been gone for an entire day.
Piplup picked up his sword from the ground and said to Mew, "Piplup!"
Thank you for your hospitality! I had a wonderful time!
But I need to go back now!
"Mew?"
Mew tilted its head, looking at Piplup curiously.
"Piplup?!"
You mean my trainer is already here?!
Oh no, oh no! Hero Piplup is in big trouble now!
Piplup paced back and forth anxiously, wondering what to do.
Mew seemed unable to understand what Piplup was thinking, but the next moment, Mew instantly vanished.
Just as Piplup was about to wonder why Mew had left him, Mew reappeared.
This time, it brought Steven, Wallace, and Lucario along.
"Piplup?"
Piplup stared at Mew intently.
Are you trying to get Hero Piplup in even more trouble?
Steven looked bewildered. He had just been dealing with the three legendary golems and those white blood cell-like creatures.
In the blink of an eye, he found himself looking at a Piplup wearing a red cape with a small sword at its waist.
And a small pink cat-like Pokémon.
"Mew? Piplup?"
Steven quickly stepped forward and picked up Piplup.
"Next time you want to go out and play, remember to tell me first!"
"Piplup..."
I know!
Steven felt relieved knowing that Piplup had been staying with Mew.
"Mew, we have something we'd like to ask of you..." Steven turned to look at Mew floating in the air.
"Mew?"
The little Mew tilted its head, looked down at Piplup, whom Steven had set down, then looked at Lucario nearby, and finally nodded.
With a Teleport, it brought Steven, the others, and their Pokémon to the exit at the bottom of the World Tree.
It was unfortunate that Metagross couldn't learn Teleport. Otherwise, such a move would be incredibly convenient.
"Metagross, please keep watch over the surroundings."
Steven was concerned that the three legendary golems and those white blood cells might disturb them, so he had Metagross stay alert.
Then he exchanged glances with Wallace, who understood and released his Milotic.
"Milotic~"
"Mew, can you help me check if there's anything unusual with the Aura inside my body?" Steven asked Mew.
"Mew?"
Mew tilted its head, approached Steven, and placed its small, cute paw on Steven's head.
A green glow gradually emanated from its body.
After a while, Mew began speaking at length.
However, Steven couldn't understand a single word. Even Wallace, who was discreetly listening nearby, looked completely puzzled.
It didn't make sense!
Mew, who had lived for countless years, couldn't speak human language? And couldn't use telepathy?
That seemed impossible!
Wait, this had nothing to do with logic or science.
"Mew says that the Aura in your body has a similar quality to its own—likely the Aura of a Psychic-type Pokémon..."
Since Metagross was standing guard nearby, Lucario voluntarily took on the role of translator.
"Although this Aura is in your body, it hasn't merged with your own Aura."
"In other words, this Aura is only temporarily stored in your body and won't have any negative effects on you."
Lucario explained as he translated.
"It's controlled by a single consciousness and can be concealed, which is why I didn't notice it clearly before."
"Mew also said that it has always stayed here and doesn't know much about the outside world."
"Perhaps you can ask its kind if you encounter them in the future."
Mew isn't the only one of its species!
Steven then understood—there was a consciousness inside his body?
He was somewhat puzzled by this.
Although he had reincarnated into this world, it was a rebirth from infancy, meaning that the original Steven's thoughts had influenced him.
However, that didn't mean the original Steven's consciousness was still present, did it?
And it was a single consciousness controlling three streams of Aura?
Moreover, Mew said it might be the Aura of a Psychic-type Pokémon?
A Psychic-type Pokémon skilled at hiding?
The mystery wasn't completely solved, but at least Steven knew it wasn't harmful to his body.
It was just temporarily residing in Steven's body like a guest.
He wondered if he could charge rent.
"Then why could Riolu sense it so clearly?" Steven asked another question.
"Perhaps Riolu has some kind of connection with them?" Lucario translated.
"That's what Mew said."
"I see..."
All in all, these three Auras had no negative effect on Steven.
This put Steven's mind at ease.
"My problem is solved. Now we need to address your situation, Lucario."
"Me?"
Lucario pointed to himself, somewhat confused.
"Mew, can you tell us the truth about why that war stopped hundreds of years ago?" Steven looked up and asked Mew.
Mew circled in the air a few times before leading Steven, the others, and their Pokémon through the passage to another small chamber.
Here stood a massive blue crystal, radiating immense energy.
Near the crystal...
A Time Flower was growing!