Pokémon: Starting with a Bound Entry System

Chapter 178: Lucario's Legendary Potential

At the final Time Flower's location—

A familiar aura pulsed from within.

Hikaru wasn't sure why—

But he could sense a faint sadness radiating from it.

Mew's voice was uncharacteristically soft.

"Meow…" (This was the last time I ever saw Riley…)

Hikaru glanced at Mew.

Then, he leaped down from Latias and approached the Time Flower.

With a gentle touch—

The flower bloomed.

This time—

Riley, his Lucario, and Mew were all in the scene.

The center crystal of the World Tree looked exactly as Hikaru first saw it—

Its glow was no longer a pure green—

Instead, it was murky yellow.

From Riley's appearance, Hikaru could tell—

This vision was from his prime years.

At 25 years old,

The Lucario standing beside him had already reached Level 79!

[Pokémon: Lucario]

[Ability: Justified]

[Gender: Male]

[Potential: Legendary-Tier]

[Level: 79]

[Moves: Aura Sphere, Meteor Mash, Bullet Punch…]

Level 79.

And a Legendary-tier potential?!

Hikaru's eyes widened.

Aside from giant Dragonite and actual Mythical Pokémon,

This was the first time he had seen a Pokémon with a Legendary-tier potential.

So Riley's Lucario…

Was on the level of a Legendary Pokémon?!

"World Tree… World Tree…"

Riley's gentle voice echoed.

He placed his hand on the center crystal.

In the vision, Mew used Psychic to hold a Life-type artifact.

Judging from the energy concentration—

It was at least an S-rank relic.

Mew gazed at the vision of itself, eyes filled with nostalgia.

"Meow…" (That Pokémon riot wasn't just limited to Aura Town…)

"Meow…" (Nearby towns were also attacked… And Riley's mother… she was one of the casualties…)

Hikaru was stunned.

Beside him—

Latias suddenly transformed into her human form,

Softly resting against his shoulder.

Her clear blue eyes remained glued to the vision.

She was completely absorbed in the story.

"Begin, Mew."

Riley gently stroked the crystal.

His expression was determined.

In the vision—

Mew hesitated.

"Meow…" (These Life-type energies won't be enough… You'll lose your Aura, Riley…)

Riley smiled and shook his head.

"My Aura was given to me by the World Tree."

"And now that it's in trouble—"

"I'm just returning it."

He glanced at Mew,

His eyes warm with reassurance.

"If we need an SSS-rank Life artifact to completely heal the World Tree—"

"Mew, do you think… we have the time to find one?"

Mew fell silent.

A massive dimensional rift had appeared,

Attracting countless powerful Pokémon.

"Then let's do it."

Riley sighed and turned to Lucario.

"Lucario… I'm sorry."

"We won't get to stand atop the world together."

He removed his cape,

Nodded at Mew,

And stepped forward.

Mew reluctantly released the Life Energy.

Riley and Lucario began channeling their Aura.

Their expressions were resolute.

The riots had taken too many lives.

Including his mother's.

This had to end.

As the artifact's energy drained,

Riley and Lucario's Aura was rapidly absorbed into the World Tree.

But then—

Riley suddenly shoved Lucario away.

"Lucario."

"With your potential—"

"You shouldn't waste your power here."

The vision ended.

Hikaru and Latias remained frozen,

Still immersed in the tragedy of Riley's story.

Mew's voice was somber.

"Meow…" (Thanks to Riley's sacrifice, the World Tree slowly recovered… But…)

Mew didn't finish.

But they all knew what happened next.

Hikaru let out a long sigh.

Riley's story…

Was more heartbreaking than he had imagined.

But one question remained.

What happened to that Lucario?

Where did it go?

Hikaru was about to ask Mew—

But he forgot something important.

There was a crybaby beside him.

Latias suddenly grabbed his hand.

"Mm…"

Her eyes were red from crying.

Hikaru was helpless.

"…Alright, alright, Latias."

He gently patted her head.

She sniffled,

But didn't let go of his hand.

She stayed close, as if Hikaru's presence could soothe her emotions.

After a while—

Mew suddenly spoke up.

"Meow…" (That human is here again.)

Hikaru snapped out of his thoughts.

Had they been at the World Tree too long?

Lance must have come looking for him.

"Latias?"

Hikaru glanced at her.

Right now, she was in her human form.

Would asking her to change back be too much?

But Latias understood immediately.

She rubbed her eyes,

Then quietly shifted back into her original form.

Hikaru sighed in relief.

He leapt onto Latias's back.

Mew floated after them.

They soared out of the World Tree.

Outside—

Lance was locked in a standoff with the Regi trio.

The three giants refused to let him pass into the tunnels.

When Lance saw Hikaru alone,

He raised an eyebrow.

"…Where's the Serperior?"

Hikaru shrugged.

"I healed it. It left."

"Oh?"

Lance was visibly surprised.

"That was a Level 70 Serperior."

"You're not interested in catching it?"

Given his connection to Mew,

And the favor he had done for Serperior—

Wouldn't it willingly follow him?

Hikaru coughed.

Saying he wasn't tempted would be a lie.

But Serperior didn't want to leave.

And Hikaru wasn't going to force it.

Lance observed him for a moment—

Then sighed.

"…Fine."

"Let's go, kid."

"I'll make sure the information here is kept secret."

But before they left—

Hikaru stopped him.

"Wait."

Lance turned.

Hikaru hesitated for a moment—

Then seriously relayed the Ghost-type trainers' invasion.

Lance's expression darkened.

"…All of them used Ghost-types?"

Hikaru nodded.

"Yes. And Mew said… it erased their memories. But it's not sure if the wipe was complete."

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