Is This Aura?

5 bonus chapter's coming out at 11 AM EST. So I ask that you withhold you're powerstones until then.

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Perched on a branch near the treetop of the towering Tree of Beginning, Johan was surrounded by a sea of white clouds.

Looking down, he saw the dizzying drop beneath him. The sheer height made his head spin, while the crisp air carried a faint, refreshing scent that sharpened his senses.

Though he was keenly aware of his surroundings, most of Johan's attention remained on the small pink figure nestled among its toys, its tail sticking up in the air.

If Mewtwo realized its template was this playful little thing, the self-perception we've been working so hard to build would probably shatter, Johan thought, his internal monologue brimming with amusement.

Still, there were more pressing matters at hand.

"Mew," Johan called softly.

"Mew-mew?"

The little creature paused, pulling its head out of the pile of toys and looking around.

The toys scattered around Mew had clearly been collected over countless trips outside. Some were aged relics, showing the passage of time.

It was a testament to Mew's playful nature. Even after existing for thousands, maybe millions of years, it still retained the mischievous spirit of a child.

While some beings are born philosophers, others—like Mew—remain whimsical tricksters no matter how long they live.

Perhaps this fundamental difference was what truly separated Mew from Mewtwo.

Peeking cautiously from behind its toys, Mew's eyes lit up as it spotted Johan.

"Mew~"

Despite its happiness, Johan could tell that Mew wasn't feeling well. Its ears and tail drooped low, and its usual lively energy was missing.

Johan released his Pokémon from their Poké Balls. Vulpix, Tinkatuff, Dratini, and Gengar emerged one by one.

The sight of Vulpix seemed to perk Mew up.

Floating over to Vulpix, Mew pulled it to its toy pile and began digging through its treasures.

It found a tiny horn and tooted it gleefully, then spun a spinning top that whirled on its own.

"Mew!" it exclaimed, showing off its collection with pride.

"Driii~~" Vulpix's gentle response was tinged with awkwardness.

Mew's toys might have once been impressive, but they were clearly outdated and worn out.

"Mew?"

Noticing Vulpix's hesitation, Mew tilted its head and blinked in confusion, clearly wondering what it could offer that Vulpix might like.

After some thought, it settled on smiling warmly at Vulpix.

"Mew~"

Johan sighed.

Mew's innocent, carefree nature wasn't without reason.

If it were like Mewtwo, constantly questioning its purpose and existence, its millions of years of life would have been unbearable.

Its unchanging purity and playful demeanor were what allowed it to live so freely.

But even Mew longed for companionship, though its playmates had long since vanished, leaving behind only these tattered toys.

Kneeling beside Mew and Vulpix, Johan asked gently, "Mew, are you alright?"

In response, Mew transformed into a Vulpix, leaping into Johan's arms and snuggling against him.

"Mew…" it purred contentedly, its soft fur brushing against Johan.

"Driii?"

The real Vulpix blinked in surprise, its cheeks puffing in mock indignation as it realized the ruse.

Johan reached out to pet Mew.

Touching the mythical Pokémon was a rare and almost legendary achievement—something to add to his list of firsts.

However, as soon as his hand rested on Mew's small body, Johan frowned.

Mew felt unusually warm.

"You're running a fever?" Johan muttered, quickly consulting his Pokédex for confirmation.

[Mew]

Type: Psychic

Ability: Synchronize

Moves Known: Pound, Reflect Type, Amnesia, Baton Pass, Ancient Power, Life Dew, Nasty Plot...

[Mood:] Happy, but fearful (due to sensing a terrifying Aura).

[Status:] Feverish (its temperature is elevated due to being frightened).

[Friendship:] 50 (You smell nice.)

This little rascal… Johan thought, his eyebrow twitching at the last comment.

Though distracted momentarily by the extensive list of Mew's moves, he quickly refocused on its condition.

Just as he suspected, Mew's fever was a result of being startled, which had disrupted the balance of its connection with the Tree of Beginning.

"Mew…"

Hearing Johan's concern, Mew's ears drooped even further, its expression turning pitiful.

Johan chuckled.

This little one is just like a child, he thought. The moment someone shows concern, it acts even more sickly to get attention.

He held Mew closer, sensing its loneliness.

Pulling out a handful of energy cubes, he offered them to Mew.

"Mew?"

Sniffing curiously, Mew grabbed one and took a small bite.

Its face lit up with delight.

"Mew~ Mew!"

"Eat up," Johan said. "You'll feel better once you're full."

Carrying Mew in his arms, Johan hurried toward the Tree's core, with Lucario, Gengar, and the others following close behind.

Vulpix, noticing Mew's condition, abandoned its earlier irritation, its gaze now filled with concern.

The core of the Tree of Beginning was a breathtaking sight.

Towering crystals filled the chamber, their centers glowing faintly.

However, the main crystal—tied directly to Mew—was tinged with red streaks, a clear sign of its distress.

Lucario was the first to spot the items left behind by Sir Aaron: a pair of gloves and a crystal bouquet.

The bouquet was a Time Flower, capable of recording and playing back past events.

Through it, Lucario witnessed the moment Sir Aaron had sacrificed his Aura to save Mew and the kingdom.

The vision mirrored what Johan had shown Lucario in its dreams.

"Lucca…"

Lucario's expression hardened, a renewed resolve burning in its eyes.

Sir Aaron left me here for this moment.

{I know how to help Mew,} Lucario said, turning to Johan and the others.

Vulpix and the others glanced at Lucario with worry.

It stood firm, its resolve unwavering.

Gengar floated beside Lucario, its expression skeptical.

"Ka-kah…"

Little guy, you're taking this a bit too far…

But Lucario was unfazed, ready to sacrifice its own Aura for Mew's sake.

"Mew's fever isn't that serious," Johan noted quietly.

Still, he didn't stop Lucario.

This moment was important for it—to let it honor its bond with Sir Aaron and find closure.

Standing beside Lucario, Johan smiled reassuringly.

"Don't worry, I'll help you."

"Mew~"

Mew, still weak, smiled back at Lucario and nodded.

Lucario extended its arms.

"Aura… is with me!"

A brilliant blue light surrounded Mew, its warmth enveloping the mythical Pokémon.

Aura is a force to help others… Lucario thought, tears welling in its eyes. When you dedicate yourself to it, Aura responds in kind. This is…

The true essence of Aura!

Yet just as Lucario prepared to give everything, it froze.

The red streaks on the crystal had faded, and Mew was already glowing brightly.

The little Pokémon stretched happily, its fever completely gone.

"Mew~"

Lucario stared in disbelief.

Wait… did Mew recover on its own?

Johan held back a laugh, his expression wry.

Mew, you little faker…

"Mew~"

Realizing it had been caught, Mew stuck out its tongue playfully.

Before Lucario could fully process the situation, its Aura flared again.

It turned sharply, its gaze landing on Johan.

"Mew?"

Mew, too, studied Johan intently.

Johan froze, closing his eyes as a strange sensation washed over him.

{You… have the potential to become an Aura Guardian,} Lucario said solemnly.

Mew floated up, its long tail swishing gracefully.

Its gaze flitted between Johan and his Pokémon before landing back on Johan.

With a playful smile, it tapped Johan's chest with its tail.

Buzz!

Johan's senses shifted.

As Lucario withdrew its Aura, Johan found he could sense the positions of everyone in the room without opening his eyes.

"This… is Aura?"

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