Chapter 457:
Based on the known plot development, in the future, this Lucario would transform into Aura due to the World Tree.
But interestingly, the current Lucario still harbors misunderstandings towards its original "trainer," Sir Aaron.
It doesn't understand why Sir Aaron sealed it within the staff all those years ago.
It's only at the very end of the storyline, through the existence of the Time Flower, that it learns Sir Aaron's true reasons for the sealing, and the lingering resentment in its heart finally dissipates.
In other words, it's actually quite simple to resolve. One just needs to bring Lucario to the heart of the Tree of Beginning and have it touch the Time Flower with its Aura.
Shaking his head, Kaede ultimately chose not to get involved in this matter for now.
A year still felt like a fairly long time.
He could just remind Mew about it later.
With that thought, Kaede stopped following the crowd into the city and instead turned around, heading towards the colossal tree behind him that seemed to pierce the clouds.
...
As is widely known, although it is called the Tree of Beginning, it is actually a rocky lifeform.
Kaede and the others flew down to land on the arboreal region.
Various intersecting rock pillars spanned the tree-like structure. Looking past these pillars, one could see a complete ecosystem thriving upon the great tree, with all sorts of Pokémon living within it. Kaede could even spot some ancient fossil-type Pokémon.
Like an Aerodactyl...
Kaede saw one as well, but it was noticeably quite docile.
It showed no reaction whatsoever to the arrival of Kaede and his group.
On the ground, crystal-like stones were scattered randomly about.
The first thing Mew, transformed into an Eevee, did upon landing was leap from Kaede's arms. It flew over to one of the crystals, touched it to convey a message, and then declared quite casually to the group, "All good!"
*Such dense natural energy...*
This was Lugia's awed thought.
In this place, whether ordinary Pokémon or other plants, everything appeared more prominent and exceptional compared to elsewhere.
"Mew~" (*Of course! This is my home~*)
Mew whistled proudly.
It had already informed the Tree of Beginning—these were people it brought, not outsiders.
But in truth, even if it hadn't, the Tree of Beginning probably wouldn't have done anything to Kaede, because the Tree of Beginning recognized him.
Even though the two had never met before.
However, the easygoing Mew didn't ponder this too deeply.
Floating in the air, it urged Kaede somewhat impatiently, "Mew, mew!"
"Alright, alright, I'll release Serperior and the others now."
Kaede agreed.
He then took out the Poké Balls containing Serperior and the rest of his Pokémon and released them all.
"Serperior?"
"Bounsweet..."
"Ninetales, Ninetales..."
The unfamiliar environment immediately filled the group of Pokémon with a sense of novelty.
The clearest sensation upon emerging was a comfortable energy aura surrounding them, something intangible yet distinctly felt.
They could sense that staying here long-term would bring them significant benefits.
Just as Kaede, observing from the tree, could see that every Caterpie crawling on the bark he looked at had an Aptitude no lower than blue.
It was unbelievable!
"Ninetales?" (So comfortable...)
Alolan Ninetales let out a contented sigh, while Meowscarada watched with fascination the groups of Vivillon flitting among the flowers blooming on the World Tree.
Primarina and Milotic, seeing such a scene for the first time, had a brilliant gleam in their eyes.
The moment the three Eevee emerged, Leafeon's expression instantly became one of pure bliss.
As for Steenee and Tsareena, they looked around in astonishment. The natural energy here was far denser than in their native Alola.
Only Serperior, upon appearing, paused, looking somewhat bewildered.
This was the Tree of Beginning?
Why... did this aura of natural energy feel... both familiar and strange?
It couldn't pinpoint the source of this feeling, but it was undeniably peculiar.
And then, its gaze grew distant and unfocused.
Mew floated in the air, watching everyone with a happy grin.
If the Breeding House gave them the true feeling of home, then the Tree of Beginning offered another kind of intimate connection.
The Tree of Beginning was connected to the entire world. Its full name was Tree of World's Beginning, the very first lifeform of this world.
The existence of most life depended on it, allowing them to persist in this world.
And those who depended on it naturally felt an immense closeness towards it.
If the Tree of Beginning were to collapse one day, this world would face various severe problems in a very short time.
"Mew, mew~"
Mew introduced everyone to these concepts.
All the Pokémon listened, stunned, unable to believe that a single tree could be so connected to the fate of the world.
"Okay, okay, Mew," Kaede interrupted just as Mew, looking pleased with itself, was about to boast more about its symbiotic relationship with the Tree of Beginning. "Let's not talk about these things anymore."
The Tree of Beginning's importance was monumental. Although there were no outsiders here now, such matters were best known by as few as possible—or better yet, by no one at all.
Even he, Kaede, probably shouldn't know such details.
Mew reined in its expression, seeming to realize it had said too much.
It just wanted to share stories of what it had done over the years, to relieve the loneliness and boredom it had felt.
But since that topic was off-limits, it quickly found a new one, its face brightening again with a mischievous smile. "Mew...!" (Well... alright then, I'll take you all to see my toys!)
Over the years, it had collected so many things; surely there would be something Kaede and the others would like!
It flew ahead, intending to lead all the Pokémon and Kaede to follow.
The other Pokémon began to move. Kaede initially did too, but then he stopped mid-step.
Noticing Serperior still lingering in place, seemingly lost in thought, he was about to ask what was on its mind.
But then, a gentle breeze arose. It felt like the resonance of kindred spirits, like mountain streams meeting, or like the comforting murmurs of an elder to a younger generation. The entire World Tree began to glow with a soft light, like the first rays of dawn. The light swiftly gathered, concentrating upon the energy crystals scattered throughout the World Tree.
And the focal point of this deliberate radiance was none other than Serperior, who had, from the very beginning, been acknowledged by the World Tree.