The closer the vehicle drove toward the World Tree, the thicker the mist became all around.

A man with light blue hair had one hand on the steering wheel as he diligently explained,
“They say this fog exists to keep travelers who wander into the World Tree’s domain from going any further.”

Even the high-beam lights couldn’t pierce through the dense mist.

So, they had to switch to low beams to light the way for Lucario at the front of the car.

Lucario used Aura to scout the way, leading the vehicles behind with eyes closed, charging straight toward the World Tree.

“No wonder Queen Lynn asked Lucario to come with us,” Ash whispered, his gaze darkening as he thought about Pikachu.

Sitting in the front passenger seat, Lu Ye comforted him,
“Maybe… maybe Mew is just playing around with Pikachu and Meowth or something.”

“I hope so,” Ash nodded.

Jessie clenched her fists angrily, “If Meowth is really just goofing off and made us panic like this... I’ll make him pay!”

“Keep it down, Jessie, you’ll wake the others,” James said gently.

Jessie slumped back into her seat and, after a long while, muttered, “I just hope Meowth’s okay…”

As the sun rose, the golden light pierced through the thick mist.

Chirping birds sang in the air, and the scent of flowers drifted around them.

“Looks like we’ve arrived at the World Tree’s domain.”

Steven lifted his gaze, looked out the window, and smiled.

“Everyone, let’s take a short break.”

Ash hadn’t eaten a single bite all night.

Hearing Steven’s words, his stomach let out a loud growl.

“There’s a portable cooking station and folding table in the trunk…”

Steven pulled the handbrake and looked at Lu Ye, clearly implying something.

“…So it still comes down to the chef, huh?”

Lu Ye shook his head, placed a hand on the car door, and called out, “Lucario, take a break! I’ll make you something tasty!”

“I’ll help too,” James offered.

The food was simple sandwiches.

With James assisting, things moved a lot faster.

“Yum!” The group munched on the sandwiches made by Teacher Lu.

In an instant, the exhaustion of the entire night seemed to vanish.

Seeing everyone’s blissful expressions, Lu Ye grinned and said,

“I added some wild Applin Berries—they’re great for refreshing the mind.”

Steven sighed a little,
“This might just be the part I look forward to the most when traveling with you, Teacher Lu…”

“Same here!” Jessie and James said cheerfully.

“I’m going to check on something.”

Ash looked over to Lucario, who was sitting on a boulder chewing on berries alone. He picked up a sandwich with a handkerchief and walked over.

Standing in front of Lucario, Ash held out the sandwich.

Lucario frowned, but in the end took it and said quietly,
“…Thanks.”

Ash smiled brightly.

“Don’t be so down. Maybe… maybe Aaron had a reason he couldn’t tell you when he sealed you away!”

Lucario was mid-chew when his expression suddenly soured. Holding the sandwich in his mouth, he let out a cold snort and leapt away.

Ash scratched his head awkwardly,
“Did I… say something wrong again?”

Meanwhile—

Lu Ye and Steven stood at the base of a cliff, staring at a crystal flower blooming precariously on a ledge.

“That must be the Flower of Time, right?” Lu Ye murmured, recalling something from memory.

“What’s that?” Steven, always interested in minerals, wasn’t as familiar with plants.

“They say it’s a flower that allows Aura users to see visions from the past.”

Lu Ye crossed his arms, sighing softly,
“It might even be connected to Celebi.”

Steven nodded slightly, then said suddenly,
“Seeing the past… can be a cruel thing, sometimes.”

Lu Ye was taken aback.

He recalled the tragic scenes from the time-reversal arc in Pokémon: The Jewel Saga and nodded solemnly.

“Let’s go,” Steven said, turning with a smile.
“We’ve got another half day’s travel left—we should be able to reach the World Tree!”

<h34189" data-end="4218">The Journey Continues

Lu Ye and James took turns driving, giving Steven a break.

Every member of Team Rocket was a “driving expert” in their own right.

Still, when James sat in the passenger seat, he said with some surprise,
“Teacher Lu, your driving’s pretty good.”

“Of course,” Lu Ye said.
“I drive steady as a rock.”

Along the way, they took another short rest.

But Ash and Lucario ended up in a heated argument.

“I will never abandon Pikachu!” Ash yelled.

“When death comes knocking,” Lucario said coldly, “you might end up just like Aaron.”

“Don’t be ridiculous! I’d stake my life on it—I’d never give up on Pikachu!”

“Big words for a little kid…”

“What’d you say?!” Ash gritted his teeth and pounced on Lucario, and the two scuffled.

They tumbled into a creek, splashing water everywhere. Surprisingly, Ash seemed to have the upper hand.

Even someone as experienced as Steven couldn’t help but freeze in shock.

“Teacher Lu, is this…”

“Ah, just standard procedure,” Lu Ye said calmly.
“Wouldn’t be surprised if Ash busts out an Aura Sphere next.”

Steven: “???”

Lu Ye couldn’t help but reflect.

Only by using the Flower of Time to witness the truth for himself…

Could Lucario truly forgive Aaron.

Because Aaron and Ash were the same.

For their Pokémon, both of them were willing to risk their lives.

In It’s You and Me!, Ash really never abandoned Pikachu—even until death.

So what Ash said wasn’t just empty bravado...

“And what about me?” Lu Ye frowned slightly.

Do I really have that kind of resolve?

“Gengaaaar?” Noticing Lu Ye’s expression, Gengarrr stuck out his tongue with a grin.

“Bui~!” Sylveon’s ribbon, still wrapped around Lu Ye’s arm, radiated warmth.

The six Poké Balls, each with their own distinct feel—Lu Ye knew them all by heart.

He smiled gently.

There was no need to doubt himself.

All he had to do… was make sure he left behind no regrets.

Looking at Lucario’s back,

Lu Ye silently made up his mind.

He had found his answer.

<h36201" data-end="6239">January 3rd, Sunday – Overcast

It had been a full day and night since they left Orudoran Castle.

Ash, lying on his side in the jeep’s back seat, murmured in his sleep,
“…Pikachu…”

Lucario ran ahead of the jeep, lit by its headlights, heart in turmoil.

That human—he was just like Aaron.

Always making big promises about never abandoning their Pokémon.

But why… why didn’t his Aura feel like a lie?

Lucario suddenly stopped in his tracks.

He looked up.

In front of him stood the towering, cloud-piercing, mountain-top rooted behemoth—The Tree of Beginning, the origin of the world.

Its peak was hidden from sight. Swablu, Natu… rare birds flew among the mist.

Aura waves from all kinds of rare Pokémon filled the surroundings.

They seemed to have preserved their ancient behaviors, completely unguarded around humans—only watching curiously.

The gentle and kind Auras made Lucario smile unconsciously.

But in the next instant, the ground trembled violently beneath him.

A deep chasm cracked open with a roar.

Blinding red light burst out from within.

“What’s going on?!” James and Jessie bolted upright.

“Everyone out!” Steven threw open the door.

Before them stood a figure Steven knew all too well from ancient legends.

A towering figure of tan rock, made of gray and orange boulders. A face shaped like an H glowed ominously red.

One of the guardians of the Tree of Beginning, the Rock-type Regirock!

Even just standing there, it exuded an overwhelming, oppressive aura.

Ash swallowed hard and shouted,
“Steven-san, quick! Use your unbeatable Metagross to think of something!”

“Didn’t Shindai give you free rein?” Steven asked, closing his eyes with a small smile.

“Well then, that’s good news too.”

A breeze swept through. The light blue-haired man adjusted his cufflinks and flexed his fingers.

The brooch on his lapel shimmered with a rainbow-like radiance.

Steven’s eyes turned sharp as he smiled and said,

“Teacher Lu—looks like it’s our turn to move!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read