The Heart
After the group consisting of young Pokemon and two human boys finished their lunch, the young Pokemon went off, to sleep off the food or to find their respective group mates. Mew flew around the two boys however as he watched them clean up after the Pokemon's messes and the uneaten food. Mew watched as Ash took some of the burnt charcoal from the fire and collected it in one of the plates.
Gary observed his friend curiously, "What's that for Ash?"
Ash smiled, "Now that the wood is burned completely, this is carbon. I read in our mystery book, it is one of the best cleaning agent."
Gary blinked before he understood, "Ah! Of course! Charcoal is carbon that too active carbon and carbon helps in absorbing impurities. I read it in a science book. It was in that book too."
Ash nodded, "I guess it kinda makes sense, you know? How the people in the past made due during their journeys when it comes to cleaning up."
Gary's eyes were sparkling, "Yeah! Hey, we could do the same thing if our soaps ever get over and we need to clean up."
Ash giggled, "If and I mean if we ever travel with a group and they see us doing that. Imagine their reactions."
Gary snorted, "In Green's words, 'Remember to carry a camera. That's a very precious moment!'"
The two of them burst out laughing and the Pokemon around them ended up giggling as well the happiness coming from the two being very contagious. Mew announced he was going to do some rounds around the Tree of Beginning and he flew off, while Omanyte and a young Kabuto stayed close to the two boys. The Kabuto had taken to following Gary around the same way Omanyte was following Ash. She had been shy at first but after Gary had coaxed her to join them, she decided to follow them to sate her curiosity. Mew on the other hand had flown towards the heart of the Tree and made some adjustments to it's defense. He was tired by the time he was done and flew back to Ash and Gary.
Ash noticed the exhaustion, "Mew? Are you okay?"
Gary looked concerned too, "You don't look so good bud! Why don't you come here?"
Ash and Gary pat in between them and waited patiently for the cat like legendary to be comfortable. Mew settled between them and felt the two smooth out his fur gently yet firmly. He started to purr after a while enjoying the sensation of being groomed by another. His older siblings had last groomed him a month ago before leaving to keep an eye on the humans that were busy trying to clone them.
Ash asked, "Hey Mew... What did you do that you are this exhausted?"
Mew looked at the worried eyes, -I was talking to the Tree.-
Gary blinked confused, "Tree?"
Mew nodded, -The Tree of Beginning is alive and has very powerful defensive functions. I went to convince them you are not a danger to them or the Pokemon. It was a little exhausting, I'll admit, but worth it.-
Gary grinned, "Did you tell them we are friends?"
Mew giggled despite the exhaustion, -Yes, yes I did.-
Ash looked at Gary and motioned for him to hold his hand, "Mew I... We want to try something to help you feel better. Will you let us?"
Mew looked at the two boys, -Oh? I must say, I'm curious now. How do you plan to help me?-
Gary smiled, "Trust us?"
Mew looked at them and nodded, -Okay!-
Ash and Gary closed their eyes and felt for their cores inside them, which welcomed them warmly. Ash focused on bringing out the healing part of his core, the same way Gary focused on his calming. The two them combined both of the energies that were being emitted and covered Mew in it. Mew's eyes widened at the feeling of being healed and relaxed. He observed the two human cubs, because that's what they were mere cubs as they healed his exhaustion.
Ash opened his eyes once they were done, "How do you feel?"
Mew looked at himself and gave a laugh, -Great! I feel great. This is amazing!-
Gary laughed, "Yup! He's definitely okay now."
Regice who had been observing them walked over, -Young Lord! A word please?-
Mew looked at the Guardian then back at the two boys who simply smiled and motioned for him to go with the bigger Pokemon. Mew flew with the Guardian to a place a little further than the two and looked back at them. They had made themselves comfortable under the shade of one of the trees and were ready to take a nap.
Regice observed the young Mew, -You have become attached, haven't you little Lord?-
Mew sighed, -Yes, I suppose I have. It doesn't help they truly and genuinely want to be friends with me and all other Pokemon. I poked in their beings when they were healing me without them noticing.-
Regice, -I see, so they meet your approval.-
Mew nodded, -But, I don't think they are interested in catching me or any of the legendaries.-
Regirock was dumbfounded, -A human... No two humans who are not interested in catching and owning legendaries? Is the world coming to an end?-
Registeel snorted, -No it is not, you are still here... Those two are just one of the few like our dear Queen of Rota, who truly wish for harmony and peace.-
Mew nodded in agreement, -It's rare but not out of the world... Oh and I felt it.-
Regirock, -Felt what?-
Mew looked up, -The being you were talking about earlier.... I felt their presence... It was something else to feel their presence.-
Registeel, -I see... I wonder what it means for this world.-
Mew shrugged, -Who knows.. I'm going to nap with them.-
The Regi trio looked at Mew as he flew over to the two sleeping boys and made himself comfortable in between them. They looked at each other and shrugged before moving to do their usual routine. If the Mother Tree accepted them then they had no problem with their presence either and will protect them as well. The two boys and Mew slept for an hour or so before waking up again.
Mew, -Ash, Gary! Come with me! I want to show you something!-
Ash blinked his sleepiness away, "Ah? Okay sure."
Gary yawned, "Whatcha want to shooow us?"
Mew flew towards a tunnel excited, -Come, come! Follow me!-
Ash rubbed his eyes to get rid of the last vestiges of sleep before getting up with Gary and walking towards Mew with curiosity. Regirock who was positioned in that area watched them as they left musing to himself how happy the young Mew looked. He communicated with his siblings that the three of them had left the area and will probably come across one of them next. The two answered back in affirmative and promised to watch over them while they were here.
Mew led them through the tunnel filed with different types of plants and mushroom. Ash pouted as he did not have any bottles to collect samples on him. Gary poked his pouting cheek and smiled before grabbing Ash's hand and pulling him along to catch up with Mew. They came across a terrain that had a natural formation of steps and the two went up those steps. As they looked around they noticed the small crystals seemed to look bigger and bigger.
Ash placed his hand on one of the crystals before gasping, "Gary look look!"
Gary went over to Ash, "Look at what Ash?"
Ash giggled, "Place your palm over the crystal and poke it with your core's energy."
Gary raised an eyebrow but humoured his best friend and did just that, only to gasp in surprise, "What? Oh sweet pokepuffs."
Ash laughed, "It's alive. This whole mountain is alive."
Gary nodded laughing in delight, "This is so cool."
Mew giggled with them, -They say 'Hello!'-
Ash grinned and poked back with his magic saying 'hello', as well, Gary did the same using his own magic. Even though it was a small amount of magic coming from two young boys it was more than enough for the Tree to understand them. They could feel the mark of not only the three Mew but also the two Fire Lords. The Tree finally accepted them as one of it's own and any reluctance they had disappeared about them disappeared.
Mew breathed a sigh, -This way!-
Ash and Gary let go of the crystal and followed Mew deeper into the crystal cavern. Unknown to them they were observed by Regice who looked on with wonder. The Guardian could feel the slight change in the Mother Tree it was only a small change but she had been living as a Guardian for too long to not notice it. The Tree had accepted new members and they would protect them from now onwards.
Registeel received the information from his younger sister and watched as the group of three entered his area giggling and laughing. The two boys were touching the crystal formation closest to them and sending waves of energy, calming, strengthening, healing, energy to the Tree. And the Mother Tree was accepting it and looked brighter than before. It was a very fascinating sight to observe, considering even most aura users could not do this.
Registeel, -Curious children. Very curious.-
Mew who had heard him simply smiled at him and moved to the tunnel that lead them to the heart of the Tree. Usually, he would have tried to stop them but something told him that this must be done. He let them pass by him but before they did the two kids walked up to him.
Ash smiled holding out a bouquet of flowers, "Hi. Mew says you are always protecting this place. This is for you. Thank you for keeping this wonderful place safe ~"
Gary grinned holding a basket of berries, "That's right big guy. I want to thank you too and to tell you we appreciate it."
Registeel rumbled in amusement and gently pat their heads saying something else more seriously, Mew translated what he said, -Thank you little lights. You should be careful when you leave this place however. I fear for your safety outside as we cannot protect you there.-
Ash nodded, "We will."
Gary smiled, "Don't worry about us big guy. If we ever feel unsafe we'll come here to hide."
Registeel rumbled in amusement again and the two of them figured he was laughing or maybe just satisfied about their answer. They followed Mew to the tunnel that seemed to be more alive than any other tunnels and went inside to what looked like a chamber made out of beautiful crystals. Registeel stopped outside of the chamber and motioned for the two to enter. The two of them entered after Mew looking around in amazement at the crystal walls and the large crystal in the middle that seem to be alive.
Ash looked around, "Do you hear that?"
Gary looked around as well, "Sounds like a heartbeat!"
Ash moved in further, "Errrrrrrrr... Gary, there is a person in here?"
Gary was quite before, "What? What do you mean?"
He rushed over to where Ash was standing and looked at where he was pointing. There in the crystal frozen in time was a man dressed in old fashioned Aura Guardian clothes. He looked like was was still sleeping and the two of them could do nothing but stare at him flabbergasted. Mew saw the questions in their eyes and sighed before motioning for them to take a seat. Then he started to tell them the tale of how he met Sir Aaron long time ago, gaining wide eyes from the two listeners. Mew giggled at their looks but continued to explain how the Aura Guardian had come to ask his help to stop a horrible war that was plaguing the world at least a thousand years ago and how Sir Aaron risked and lost his life saving this world.