Lucario suddenly ran toward the large crystal. He sensed Sir Aaron's Aura…
"Sir Aaron…"
Bang!
The three legendary golems emerged from the cave entrance, and orange white blood cells began surging out as well.
Metagross quickly unleashed its full Psychic power, forming a protective barrier to block the approaching white blood cells.
Wallace, meanwhile, directed Milotic to hold back the three legendary golems.
Seeing this, Steven immediately rolled up his sleeves, revealing his Key Stone.
Time to Mega Evolve with Metagross!
After Mega Evolution, Metagross had no trouble blocking them.
"Go ahead, Lucario!" Steven shouted.
"Right!"
Lucario nodded, walked over to the Time Flower, and leaned down to infuse his Aura into it.
Whoosh—
The Time Flower began to glow, and a sphere of light emerged from within the flower.
It projected scenes from the past.
"Come out, Mew!"
Sir Aaron walked around the area, searching for Mew.
A large bird with colorful feathers hovered above, gradually transforming into Mew under Sir Aaron's gaze.
"Mew, I know you are one with the World Tree. So, use your power!"
Sir Aaron extended his hand toward Mew, and a blue Aura materialized in his palm.
"Aura, reside within my heart!"
"Accept my Aura!"
Sir Aaron released all his Aura, bathing Mew in its light.
Mew, infused with Aura, radiated a dazzling green light and used the World Tree's power to stop the war.
"This is… the truth," Steven said calmly as he watched the scene.
Sir Aaron was indeed a true Aura Guardian, just as the legend claimed.
"Sir Aaron…"
Lucario knelt on the ground, tears streaming from his eyes.
"Mew, are you alright?"
The events in the World Tree reminded Steven of the final outcome from his memory.
Lucario had sacrificed his Aura to restore the World Tree's vitality.
"Mew?"
Mew seemed confused by what Steven meant.
Mew appeared to be in good condition, which meant the World Tree was also healthy.
So Lucario didn't need to give up his Aura.
Besides, Lucario alone wouldn't be enough anyway.
Even with Riolu's help, it was uncertain whether it would work.
Steven and Wallace couldn't use Aura like Sir Aaron or Ash could.
"Are you done yet, Steven!"
Wallace was commanding Milotic, Ludicolo, and Pelipper to battle the three legendary golems.
With the World Tree's power, the three golems seemed to have endless energy.
It was exhausting Wallace considerably.
"Mew, please take us out of the World Tree!" Steven requested.
"Mew!"
"Steven, I'm not leaving," Lucario suddenly said.
"What's wrong, Lucario…"
Steven looked at Lucario, and when he saw the serious expression in his eyes, he understood.
Lucario wanted to stay here to be with Sir Aaron.
"I understand, Lucario. I will inform Queen Ilene."
"Thank you," Lucario smiled and nodded to Steven.
"At least now Mew has a companion here," Steven said, looking at Mew.
Mew looked at Lucario and spun happily in the air a few times.
"Until we meet again, Lucario!" Steven bid farewell to Lucario.
Wallace, beside him, was still struggling with the battle.
"Yes, until we meet again," Lucario nodded with a soft chuckle.
"Mew!"
Mew used Teleport, and everyone except Lucario—including Steven, Wallace, and all their Pokémon—vanished from the spot.
Seeing the "intruders" disappear, the three legendary golems stopped their actions and turned to leave.
Clusters of orange white blood cells also merged into the ground, quietly disappearing.
Lucario leaned against the crystal formed by Sir Aaron and whispered, "Sir Aaron…"
…
Outside the World Tree, Mew brought Steven and Wallace to an open area.
"Thank you, Mew," Steven said softly to Mew.
"Mew!"
Mew smiled and perched on Piplup's head, as if saying, "You're welcome."
"Piplup~"
Little Mew, I'll come play with you again next time!
"Mew~"
Piplup drew his sword and pointed it toward the distant World Tree.
Go on, little Mew!
"Mew~"
Mew glanced back at Piplup reluctantly a few times before turning and flying toward the World Tree.
"Piplup~"
Waaah~
I'll miss you, little Mew~
"You'll have a chance to see Mew again next time, Piplup," Steven said as he crouched down and rubbed Piplup's round head.
"Piplup!"
"You worked hard too, Wallace!"
Steven chuckled as he watched Wallace return his Pokémon one by one.
"Consider it me repaying the favor I owed you," Wallace said calmly as he let out a breath.
"Uh…"
Steven's expression stiffened.
He had completely forgotten about that…
It's fine. I'll still find a way to deflect when the time comes. At worst, I'll owe Wallace another favor!
The dangers they encountered this time were mainly just the attacks from the three legendary golems and the white blood cells.
If it were Cynthia, Steven wouldn't have trusted her to handle it alone.
He trusted Wallace more for this kind of situation.
"Let's go back and explain everything to Queen Ilene."
Steven canceled Metagross's Mega Evolution and said to Wallace.
"Hmm—I'm exhausted. I need a good rest when we get back."
Wallace stretched his body, letting out a sound that was somewhat… dramatic.
"Piplup…"
It's a bit of a shame. I haven't introduced my best friend Aggron to Mew yet…
"Let's go, Piplup," Steven said as he jumped onto Metagross and called out to Piplup.
"Piplup!"
Piplup put his small sword back into its sheath and came hopping over.
Wait for me!
On the way back, Steven still felt somewhat regretful.
He had wanted Lucario to train his Riolu.
However, since Lucario chose to stay there, Steven couldn't leave Riolu behind to learn either.
That would mean asking Mew to bring Riolu out later.
He had already troubled Mew enough as it was.
Mew's willingness to help him was probably partly due to Mew's playful, childlike nature.
And the other reason…
Steven looked down at the Piplup in his arms and chuckled softly.
It was probably because of his little Piplup, wasn't it?
"Piplup?"
What are you laughing at?
Piplup looked up, finding Steven's smile strange.
Strange, very strange, extremely strange!
"I want to praise you, but I don't know where to begin."
"Piplup!"
That's easy!
Just say, "Thank you, Hero Piplup!"
Wouldn't that work perfectly!