Pokémon: Starting with a Bound Entry System

Chapter 177: Stories of the Past

The second and third Time Flowers were growing close to each other.

They were embedded in a rocky cliffside.

But this time—

Mew did not activate them immediately.

Instead, its usually playful expression darkened.

"Mm? What's wrong? These two Time Flowers?"

Hikaru frowned at Mew's change in demeanor.

Mew pouted.

"Meow!" (See for yourself.)

Hikaru gestured for Latias to bring him closer to the Time Flowers.

He reached out and touched the first one.

The veins of the petals pulsed, and once again—

A projection flickered to life.

But this time—

It wasn't Riley.

The figures in the vision were a group of human trainers—both men and women.

Their faces were filled with greed.

Their gazes locked onto the energy crystals embedded in the World Tree.

"This energy… there's no doubt about it."

"That kid, Riley, must have absorbed this tree's power—"

"That's why he got Aura abilities!"

"If we take some of this for ourselves—"

"We can gain Aura powers too!"

Their eyes glowed with hunger.

"What are you standing around for? Start digging!"

"Beedrill, use Pin Missile!"

"Leavanny, Leaf Blade!"

The vision showed them ruthlessly attacking the World Tree's crystals.

Mew's voice was low and somber.

"Meow…" (This happened over ten years ago…)

"Meow…" (I arrived too late to stop them at first…)

There was a hint of guilt in Mew's voice.

Back then—

Riley had left Mew with a good impression of humans.

When Riley first arrived in Qinling,

He had treated Pokémon with kindness.

Even giving his last bit of food to his Riolu.

This astonished Mew.

After all—

At the time, Riley was just a teenager.

And he was lost in the forest.

That food was his last supply.

But he had shared it anyway.

That act alone—

Had convinced Mew to guide him to the World Tree.

Otherwise—

There was no way a regular Riolu could have safely led Riley through the vast Qinling Mountains.

But afterward—

More and more humans came searching for the World Tree.

These people were just one of many.

In the final moments of the vision—

Mew's furious form appeared.

With a single Psychic blast,

It hurled the intruders out of the World Tree.

"Meow…" (I erased their memories. From then on, I made sure any humans who wandered here—)

"—got lost and couldn't find their way."

Hikaru sighed.

"No wonder the World Tree hates humans."

He wasn't surprised.

Humans… greed was natural.

It was part of being a sentient species.

Still—

It was disappointing.

"What about the next Time Flower?"

Hikaru activated the second one.

Mew crossed its arms.

"Meow…" (It's more of the same…)

Hikaru looked at the vision.

Unlike the previous one—

This scene took place at night.

The sky above the World Tree was peaceful, dotted with stars.

Hikaru wondered—

What happened here?

Then—

A shadow flashed across the screen.

And then—

A purple Pokémon floated into view.

It wore a witch's hat, its body radiating eerie energy.

"A Mismagius?"

Hikaru's expression hardened.

[Pokémon: Mismagius]

[Ability: Levitate]

[Gender: Female]

[Potential: Champion]

[Level: 61]

[Moves: Substitute, Thief, Rest, Double Team, Protect, Taunt, Will-O-Wisp, Trick Room…]

A tall figure stepped into the light beside it.

"The World Tree… looks like the legend in Huaxia is real."

The moonlight illuminated her form.

Hikaru could finally see her clearly.

She was dressed in black, a tight-fitting stealth suit.

Her golden curls were pulled back into a high ponytail.

The glow of the moon highlighted her curves.

…Wait.

Why was he noticing that?

More importantly—

She didn't look like she was from Huaxia at all.

Blonde hair. Blue eyes.

She spoke in a language Hikaru didn't recognize.

Only through Aura could he understand her words.

"So the World Tree is real…"

"And Aura abilities come from here?"

Behind her—

More trainers arrived.

Each accompanied by strong Ghost-type Pokémon.

A Chandelure at Level 70.

A Banette at Level 72.

And a dozen more high-level Ghost-types.

Like before—

They came to harvest the World Tree's crystals.

But this time—

As soon as they began—

The ground shook.

Regirock appeared first.

Followed by Registeel and Regice.

And then—

The battle erupted.

The Ghost-types held off the Regis,

While the trainers harvested the crystals.

The World Tree fought back.

Its energy turned from green to yellow.

Crystal Pokémon started forming, attacking the intruders.

The battle intensified.

And with every hit—

The World Tree's condition worsened.

Then—

Mew arrived.

The vision showed Mew's furious expression.

The air froze as if time itself had stopped.

Even the dust in the air was motionless.

But the damage had already been done.

The World Tree—

Had been seriously wounded.

The vision ended abruptly.

Mew sighed.

"Meow…" (I erased their memories… but by then, the World Tree was already suffering.)

"Meow…" (And I don't know if I completely erased everything…)

If any of them remembered,

They might come back.

Hikaru frowned.

This Time Flower held a lot of information.

From the Ghost-type Pokémon,

It was clear these trainers were part of some kind of organization.

Ghost Pokémon were rare.

No way did they all coincidentally have one.

If Mew failed to erase their memories…

With Aura powers on the line—

They might risk everything to return.

Should he report this to Lance?

That thought crossed Hikaru's mind.

Even though Mew was here,

With its wandering nature…

It wouldn't always be around to protect the tree.

Maybe it was better to tell Lance.

Mew floated beside him.

"Meow…" (There's still one more Time Flower left.)

"It shows the story of Riley…"

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