Chapter Text
No image conjured by Darkrai could compare to the nightmare Mew saw around them.
This was it; the peak of destruction. Humans and Pokémon alike – Mew's own descendants – fought, scrambled, clawed to be the last side to draw blood. Waves of soldiers in green and red armour crashed on battlefields that soon grew slick underfoot. Cities were torn down brick by brick and civilians were slaughtered in droves in the hopes of one army gaining a sliver of an advantage over the other. And at the heart of it was him.
Rivers of smoke choked out the stars the night Mew met Celebi in the Tree of Beginning.
Dialga wasn't keen about this, but they've given me their blessing, Celebi said.
The other Legendaries can't ignore the state of the world much longer, Mew replied. If only more of them cared for humans. So much bloodshed could have been prevented.
I'll never get your obsession with humans. A light chuckle escaped Celebi's throat, only to be cut short by the sombre situation. Despite all the destruction they cause, you're willing to give them a chance?
"This isn't about second chances." The two Legendaries' eyes fell on the broken body that lay before them.
Sir Aaron winced as he sat up, clothes shredded and sodden with his own blood. "This is about righting wrongs. We've planted a seed of great destruction that will harm all life, both human and Pokémon, if we allow it to grow."
Mew took Celebi's hand. To Aaron, they said: Your soul will be delivered to the future, though I'm afraid your body won't be.
"I will be reborn, then." Aaron's otherwise firm voice wavered for a second. "I imagine I won't survive the journey."
I'm sorry.
Sir Aaron gave a sad smile. "I have many regrets. I assure you, this will not be one of them."
Mew wanted to find the words to reassure him. To tell him that he really would save the world. But hopeful as they were, they couldn't smother their lingering doubts as Aaron hauled himself to his unsteady feet.
They looked over to their legendary companion, desperate to banish those thoughts. Celebi, the portal.
Celebi reached into the time stream with their mind. The flow of time rushed behind their eyes. The rock and claws of the past. The fire and bloodshed of the present. The dark unknown of the future.
The air before Celebi shimmered. A pinprick of pale blue light opened like an eye, then grew, swirling into a large vortex as Celebi tore a hole in the stream of time.
They gave a hesitant look to the human ready to sacrifice everything. It's time.
Sir Aaron stepped toward the portal and then paused. "I don't mean to offend, but I must ask. How will sending me to the future resolve the present?"
Mew gave a friendly smile. The present will resolve itself in time, they said. But the consequences of today threaten to destroy tomorrow. It is not just your powers that are needed, but your compassion.
"Something that's exceedingly rare nowadays," Aaron noted sadly.
He held back a moment to reflect one final time on all he was about to leave behind. Then he stepped forth into the portal, and Celebi and Mew watched as Sir Aaron's body dissolved into the blue light.
A wide grin lifted Mew's face as they shot a glance behind them. How did you get in here, undetected?
The intruder stepped out of the shadows. My master lied.
Lucario, the aura Pokémon. Mew mused. Your powers are truly great. Sir Aaron would be proud of his student.
The compliment only seemed to infuriate Lucario. He chose me as his partner; we were to defeat the darkness as one. You've sent him to the future without me.
He has accepted his calling.
I am his disciple.
You have nothing to answer for.
Lucario shook his head. I don't expect a Legendary like you to understand. Powerful as you are, you will never truly know the bond between trainer and Pokémon.
Trainer and Pokémon. Mew echoed with a sigh. This bond brings forth a power I can only dream of.
The thought of severing such a tie tugged at Celebi's heart. Nonetheless, they loosened their psychic grip on the stream of time and the portal began to close.
But no matter the strength of your devotion, a trainer has other Pokémon. Perhaps it was ignorance. Perhaps it was envy. Whatever it was, Mew couldn't stifle the cutting words. And a Pokémon will always be more replaceable than its trainer.
Lucario's blue form flashed in the corner of Celebi's eye. They barely had a chance to react as his final words rang through the stone room.
I will not abandon my master.
The portal snapped shut around Aaron's steadfast companion.
Celebi recoiled, wide eyes fixed on the space where the swirling portal was just moments ago. He's gone!
Mew couldn't suppress the giggle that bubbled from their throat. Well, this will be interesting.
Their nonchalance did nothing to soothe Celebi's racing pulse. Please- Mew, please take this seriously!
What's done is done, panicking won't do us any good. Mew turned their gaze to the very heart of the Tree of Beginning. Besides, fate never follows the road you hope it will take. Whatever happens, we can only trust the future is in good hands.
The world was cold and very, very far away.
That was the clone's first thought as consciousness washed over its mind like a…
Like a…
A voice. Then two. Or maybe even more. A cacophonous echo. An object placed on a surface came with a deafening boom.
The clone shuddered, but curious wonder held back its urge to retreat into safe unconsciousness. It knew these voices from somewhere. Perhaps they were from creatures who cared for it before it had awoken.
One voice drew the clone's attention. Deep and paternal. So familiar. Was this its…
Its…
Father?
The clone didn't know what that word meant, but something about it fit.
As the clone listened to the father's rumbling voice, it picked up on a second identical voice. Quiet at first, it grew louder the more the clone focused on it.
This voice was fragmented. The pieces jagged around the edges. It was a voice that only the clone could hear. Father's closely-guarded thoughts.
The clone gave a tentative prod and shuddered as wisps of emotions it couldn't name brushed through its body. It prodded further and light exploded across its vision.
A mansion with Pokémon running through the halls.
The clone recoiled, stunned momentarily. But it couldn't stop itself from reaching into Father's thoughts once more.
A cluttered laboratory.
An empty hospital corridor.
A little girl drawing, fist tight around her crayon.
A little girl crying in a sterile white bed.
A little girl growing in a test tube.
Amber
Amber
AMBER
Shouts and heavy footsteps
Cracking glass
Screams
And then
nothing.