Chapter 8: Unexpected Kind of Searching

In the historical town of Rota, people were getting ready for the Hero of the Year Festival. Little did they know, four legendary Pokemon were teleporting near the outskirts of the town.

A few seconds after Ash and his Pokemon finished teleporting, Mewtwo said, 'I'll see if Mew knows where those two balls are.'

'I'll go with you,' Latios said. 'I still need to…with Mew…her…' Mewtwo nodded before they left.

'We better get going, too,' Kenshin stated.

"Right," Ash said as Latias changed to her human form.

After fifteen minutes of walking, they reach one of the bridges that led to Cameron Palace.

'Why are all these people dressed up like the people from my time?' the Aura Pokemon questioned.

"It seems the Hero of the Year Festival is going on right, now," Pikachu said.

'What are they celebrating for?' the Lucario asked.

"Sir Aaron stopped two armies from fighting each other and destroying Rota by sacrificing himself at the Tree of Beginning," Ash answered.

'It seems my and my master's student did what was necessary to save lives.'

"Yeah," Ash said, remembering Sir Aaron's Lucario.

'You seem distracted.'

"I was remembering a friend."

"Lucario?" Ash's starter asked.

"Yeah."

'Who was this Lucario?' Kenshin asked.

"He was Sir Aaron's student. Sir Aaron trapped Lucario in his staff to prevent him from dying with Sir Aaron, hoping Lucario would be released during a more peaceful time. Ash released him from the staff three years ago, but he sacrificed himself to save the Tree of Beginning two days later," Pikachu explained, remembering the sad memory.

'I'm sorry for bringing it up,' the jackal-like Pokemon said.

"It's Okay," Ash said.

"Yeah. We shouldn't dwell in the past. We should focus on asking Lady Ilene about the two GS balls," the Mouse Pokemon stated.

'I hope we fine them," Kenshin said.

"We will," the trainer encouraged.

Upon entering the castle, Ash's starter notice one Lady Ilene's servants, Jenny, and jumped off his trainer's shoulder. Pikachu startled the elderly lady before Ash notice, who it was.

"Jenny," Ash called.

"Ah, Hello Ash. Are you here from the festival?" Jenny said.

'Actually, we're here to speak with Lady Ilene,' Kenshin said.

"I'm sorry to tell you, but she will be too busy with the festival to speak with anyone until it is over," the Ilene's servant informed.

'I want to know if some of my master's possessions are here,' the Aura Pokemon said.

"Who was your master?"

'Sir Gilbert Solomon.'

Jenny was caught off guard by the statement before stating, "But, that is preposterous. He died over a millennium ago."

'My master put me and four others in balls that he engraved his initials in to protect us from the war.'

"I wish I could help you, but I have to get Lady Ilene ready for the tournament. If you want to speak to Lady Ilene, I suggest going tournament to pass the time," Jenny said as she left.

"Where should go, now?" the raven-haired trainer asked.

'We'll wait,' Kenshin flatly stated.

'Ash, what about you enter the tournament while we wait?' the male Eon asked.

"Okay. Let's find where to sign up," Ash said.

Later that day, the first round of the tournament was happening and it was Ash's turn while Pikachu, Meloetta, who was invisible, Latias, who still in her illusion, and Kenshin. He ran into the arena in an aura guardian custom, but he had Sir Aaron's gloves on. Ash's opponent sent out a Sandslash. "Come on out, Latias," Ash said before the Eon dispelled her illusion and flew to Ash's side of the battlefield.

The ref, chocking in surprise, signaled the match to start. "Latias use dragon breath," Ash commanded.

As Latias started the attack, the other trainer said, "Dodge it with dig." Sandslash did what it was told and barely avoided Latias's attack.

"Latias use Dragonbreath into the hole," the raven-haired trainer said. As Latias rushed to the hole, Ash's opponent was thrown off guard and said, "Sandslash get out of there." But, was too late because sent a dragonbreath into the hole.

Ten seconds after Latias stopped her attack, there was still no sign of ground-type. Latias used her psychic abilities and pulled an unconscious Sandslash out of the hole.

"Sandslash is unable to battle. Latias and Ash are the winners," the ref announced.

After Ash had lunch five more matches, Ash was in finals of the tournament and surprised of who his final opponent was. Latias, Ash, and his opponent entered arena.

"It's been awhile, Ash," Ash's opponent said.

"Yeah. I can finally give you that battle I promised you," Ash said.

"Gardevoir, I choose you," the trainer said.

"Was Gardevoir the Ralts you helped?" Ash asked and received a nod from Gardevoir.

"If the battlers are ready, let's the match begin," the referee said.

"You first, Max," Ash said to his opponent and former traveling companion, who wearing musketeer outfit on.

"I'll make you regret it. Gardevoir start it off with shadow ball," Max said.

"Latias dodge it," Ash told the red Eon as the Embrace Pokemon fired the ghost-type move.

As Latias dodge the ball, Max ordered, "Continue firing shadow balls."

While Latias was dodging, she projected, 'Watch this.' She turned herself invisible, surprising everyone, except Pikachu, Meloetta, and Ash. Max's Gardevoir was too surprised to continue firing shadow balls and gave Latias an opening.

"Now, Latias use dragon pulse." Ash said, taking the opportunity. Latias dispelled her illusion and appeared behind Gardevoir before she fired her attack. The humanoid Pokemon was sent flying at Ash. Kenshin reacted faster than both Ash and Latias as he jump down to the field and produced a shield in front of a foot away Ash. Lady Ilene was more surprised about how skillful the Lucario was with aura than Latias's disappearing trick because she knew that creating a shield with aura was difficult for a Pokemon without some training in aura.

"Gardevoir," Max cried as the Embrace Pokemon hit the shield of aura.

As the Aura Pokemon allowed the shield dissolve, Latias flew to Ash and said, 'Ash, I'm so sorry. I didn't…'

Ash stopped her by saying, "It's okay. You didn't know."

'But, you…' she started as the ref started announcing that Gardevoir was unable to battle, but it was slowly getting up.

'Latias, he's right it was a mistake and it does matter what could happen. Besides, I don't believe your match is over,' Kenshin said.

Latias looked at the injured psychic/fairy-type, who was struggling to stand showing that it was able to continue.

"Gardevoir, you don't have to continue," Max told his Pokemon. The Embrace Pokemon took a few moments before letting its legs give in. Latias caught Gardevoir as the ref declared Ash the winner.

Kenshin and Ash took Gardevoir from Latias as Max rushed over. "Gardevoir are you, okay?"

"I just need to rest," she said.

"Okay, re…" Max started, but Gardevoir shook her head.

"No, I would like to stay out," she said.

'When my brother comes back…" she started.

'What about me, Latias,' the said Pokemon asked.

Latias looked up and asked, 'How long have you been there?'

'Since the start of the battle and you might have over did that single attack,' Latios said. 'Kenshin, Ash, hold her still for me.' The two hold the Embrace Pokemon a still as they could as Latios used his heal pulse twice. 'Now, you should rest a bit and you should be fine.'

"Thank you, Latios" the Embrace Pokemon said as she stood up while Pikachu and Meloetta headed down to the field.

"Yeah, thanks, Latios," Max said before something kicked in in his mind. "Wait. How am I able understand you?" Max asked his Pokemon.

Ash explained translator, why he got it, and why he was in Rota after they left the arena. When they got out of the tunnel, they saw Jenny coming toward them.

"Come with me. Lady Ilene has requested to see you and your friends in private," she said.

'Thank you,' the over a millennium old Pokemon said.

"She very curious about you. Kenshin was it?" Jenny said.

'Did you tell her about my request?' he asked.

She shook her head and said, "I didn't believe it was important at the time." Kenshin was a bit annoyed by what Jenny said, but didn't show it. "Here we are." She opened let Ash's group enter a room that Lady Ilene was waiting in.

"Hello Ash, Kenshin, Max." Lady Ilene said. Lucario greeted with a bow while the rest greeted normally. "Ash, if you mind me asking, when and where did you meet Kenshin?"

"Yesterday in Professor Oak's lab in Pallet Town," Ash answered.

"Kenshin, who taught you how to use aura very well?" Ilene asked.

'My master, Sir Gilbert Solomon,' Kenshin stated.

"Sir Aaron's teacher?" Kenshin nodded. "But, he died before Sir Aaron and he didn't have a staff like Sir Aaron."

'My master made six balls, similar to what you call Pokeballs, made of two feathers, one from Lugia and one from Ho-Oh, but one was lost weeks before he put myself and four others into them to protect us from the war,' the Aura Pokemon explained. 'We came here to ask if you know where two of them are.'

"Can you describe the balls?"

"I have one with me," Ash said before he pulled one GS ball out of his backpack and handed it to the royal resident of the Cameron Palace.

As she examine the balls, she said, "I'll see to it is checked if they are here. I'll have you informed if it is castle. Until then, enjoy the festival."

Ilene gave Ash the GS ball back as she asked Kenshin, "Who are supposed to be in those two balls?"

'My mate, an old friend of mine, and my unlaid egg,' the Lucario said.

"I hope we can help reunite you to them."

'Thank you.'

"My lady, excuse me, but I have to fetch Sir Aaron's staff for the banquet," Jenny said before exiting the room.

"Speaking of the banquet, shouldn't we be going, too?" Max asked.

'Yes, we should,' the jackal-like Pokemon said. They rest of the group agreed and Lady Ilene led them to the ballroom.

After people filled the ballroom and Eons were invisible, Lady Ilene waited for the room to quiet down. When they did, she took the staff from the matches referee and turned to Ash. "This is the staff of the guardian that once belong to the great Sir Aaron. According to our tradition, the winner of the Pokemon contest is named the aura guardian of the year and is presented this staff. On the behalf of my kingdom, Ash, it's yours," she said as she handed the staff to Ash for the second time.

Ash took the staff and thanked her before she turned the crowd and announced, "Now, we'll begin the grand ball in honor of Sir Aaron and our new guardian. Please enjoy yourselves, everyone." Ash took a seat in the hair next to where Jenny was standing as most of the crowd started dancing.

"Kenshin, Ash, I found these next to Sir Aaron's staff," Jenny whispered to Ash as she handed him the last two GS balls. "I suggest opening them after the fireworks show is over." Both of them nodded in understanding.

As the night went on, the crowd stopped dancing before Lady Ilene said, "We will now pay one last tribute to Sir Aaron. Our new guardian will give the signal to start the fireworks." Ash place the GS balls on the floor and took the pose that Sir Aaron was in a portrait near Ash's seat.

As the fireworks went off, a small pink creature appeared in front of Ash and took both of the balls before anyone could stop it. "Let the game begin," the creature said before teleporting away with the two balls.

"Mew?" Jenny said in surprise.

"Why did Mew take the GS balls?" Ash asked.

'It is her conditions. You…whatever Pokemon you brought with you have…find two things she chooses…the Tree of Beginning before having…find Mew herself in one day's time. She said she won't be appearing to be another Pokemon,' Latios explained.

'But, why before I could let my mate and friend out of them?' the Lucario asked.

'Mew told us that your mate…about to lay her egg before she was…into her ball and she believes Ash is too young…experience it,' Latios explained. 'Mewtwo…waiting at the arena for us.'

'Tamiya, Sora, I will find and have you released,' Kenshin swore.

'Excuse us, but we have to leave,' Latias said to Jenny before Ash and his Pokemon hurried out of the room almost unnoticed.

As they arrived at the arena and Meloetta, Latias, and Latios dissolved their illusions, Ash's group looked around the arena, but the clone was nowhere in sight.

'Where is he?' the red Eon asked as the said Pokemon teleported behind them.

'Behind you,' the Genetic Pokemon said, making Latias jump.

'Don't do that,' she told the clone.

"Wow. What kind of Pokemon is that?" they heard someone say behind Mewtwo and Meloetta turned invisible in fear. The group looked behind the Genetic Pokemon and spotted Max and his Gardevoir standing in one of the entryways to field.

"Max…" Ash started.

"No way am I going to stay here while you guys go to find those two Pokeballs and Mew," the young Maple said.

'Ash, do you trust this human?' the bipedal psychic-type asked.

"He is one of my friends I use to travel with," Ash said. Mewtwo nodded in understanding.

"What kind of Pokemon are you?" Max asked Mewtwo.

'I am Mewtwo,' he simply stated.

"I never heard of you," Max said.

'Very few know of my existence and I prefer it that way,' the clone said.

Before Max could say anything, the Embrace Pokemon put her hand on his shoulder and said, "Leave him alone."

"Sorry," Max said.

'Let them come. We could use the help,' Latios said.

'Let's hurry, then,' the soon to be father said. Max, Ash, and their Pokemon were teleported out of the Palace and to the heart of the Tree of Beginning.

'Where are we?' Latias said.

"The heart of the Tree of Beginning, where Sir Aaron and his Lucario sacrificed themselves," her trainer sadly said.

'Sir Aaron was a good man and I like to believe his student was a good Pokemon,' Kenshin said in respect of the ones who died in the room. 'But, now isn't a time for mourning.'

"Right," the trainers agreed in unison.

'We should split up. We…cover ground,' Latios said.

'Agreed,' Latias said.

"Max what Pokemon do you have with you?" Ash asked.

Latios spoke up before Max could answer. 'Ash, the reason I wanted to have Max with us is to have a…meeting point because Mew's conditions doesn't say can Max and his Pokemon to help…the search,' the blue Eon said.

"I don't mind if he and his Pokemon helps you in finding them," they heard. "Have fun."

'Never mind, then. So, who do you have with you?' Latios said.

"Besides Gardevoir, I have a Sceptile, Poliwrath, Mightyena, Clefairy, and Altaria on me," the blue haired trainer stated and pulled out five Pokeballs. "Come on out guys." The rest of Max's Pokemon appeared after a flash of light.

'We should get something to eat and some sleep before we start searching,' Latios said. Kenshin was about to argue, but decided against because he remember Max's Gardevoir needed the rest.

"You two might want to change," Pikachu said and the two boys realized they still had their costumes on.

Both of their faces redden in embarrassment and they both went to other side of the room where they could change with some privacy and cover.

Later that night, Ash was talking with Max with Latias listening to them while Pikachu, Meloetta, who Ash inducted to Max earlier, and Max's Pokemon were asleep and Mewtwo, Latios, and Kenshin were keeping watch. An unknown, at the time, spectator had another idea in mind and sent them asleep one by one until all of them were unconscious.

Ash woke up the next morning in the first open area of the Tree of Beginning he was in when he came to the tree to find Pikachu with only Pikachu, Meloetta, and Max's Gardevoir nearby.

"Where are we?" he asked himself, waking the three Pokemon.

The Gardevoir awoke in awe of the view before realizing Max wasn't with them. "Max, where are you?" she said.

Meanwhile, Sceptile, Poliwrath, Mightyena, Max, Kenshin, and Clefairy were lost in a different part of the tree and wondering where others were.

"Should we find the others?" Max asked Kenshin.

'Not yet. We should try to find the two balls Mew took. If Mewtwo and Latios are with the others, they can find us faster than we can find them,' the Aura Pokemon said.

"I hope you're right," Max said.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the case because Mewtwo, the siblings, and Altaria all woke with a magnificent view from the top of the Tree of Beginning. Latias was frantically looking around for Ash while the other three were calmly figuring out what to do.

'We should look for the others to get an idea where they are at while we search,' Mewtwo said.

'We should split into two groups to find the other. Mewtwo, you go with my sister and check the lower half of the tree while Altaria and I will look the higher half,' Latios said.

'Shouldn't you be searching with your sister?' the Genetic Pokemon asked.

'Latias and I can use an ability called sight sharing to show each other what the other is seeing through their eyes. We can use that to communicate to each other,' Latias explained.

'What should be the meeting point be after both balls are found?' the clone asked.

'The heart of the tree is ideal spot to meet,' the blue psychic-type said.

"Taria," the only non-psychic in the group said.

'Latias,' Latios said to get his sister's attention, but failed.

'Shall I?' Mewtwo asked.

'No. I'll do it,' Latios said before his sister was stopped by a psychic hold that he made.

'Hey,' she complained before it was hold was lifted.

'Now that I have your attention, you're going with Mewtwo to find the others in the lower half of the tree.'

She glanced at the Genetic Pokemon. The other two dragon-types flew off before she complain, again.

'Let's go,' thebipedal Pokemon said.

Latias groaned, but still went with him.

Meanwhile, Ash's group were already searching for the others, hoping they will hear them. Obvious to them, a Pokemon that been a resident of the tree for a little over a week heard them and decided to follow their voice out of curiosity.

The group was getting more attention as they continued their search. After a half hour of searching, they were in one of the many tunnels of the living tree-shaped rock started to hear heavy footsteps from both front and behind them. Pikachu cover the front and Gardevoir took the back as the sound of footsteps grow louder and louder. As a Pokemon came into Pikachu's, they recognized it as Regirock, who was doing its normal patrol through and around the tree.

A few seconds later, the second figure came into view, which was the one that was following them, a Tyranitar. The Tyranitar was not aggressive toward both Ash's group and Regirock, but was curious of Pikachu and Ash.

"You look familiar," the male Armor Pokemon said to Ash. "You look like the human that reunited me to the mom after I hatched. Mew said he would be coming here."

"Ash, you know this Tyranitar?" Gardevoir asked.

"It is you," Tyranitar said and gave Ash a bone crushing hug.

"Can't…breathe," Ash said as he struggled to say anything.

The rock/dark let him go and said, "Sorry. It's just I haven't seen you in four years."

Something clicked in trainer's head that made him remember after Altomare he was given an egg that hatched into a Larvitar and he, with Pikachu, Misty, and Brock, got the Larvitar to a Pokemon preserve to reunite the Larvitar with its mother four years ago. "Larvitar, is that you?" Ash asked and the Tyranitar nodded.

As the Tyranitar, Pikachu, and Ash were getting reacquainted, Latios and Altaria were entering an opening in the tree with what seemed the veins of the living rock formation. They were weaving through the 'veins' before Altaria heard something ahead of them in the distance an she bolted toward the origin of it.

Latios followed her, but golden beam of light from below him caught his attention. The Latios flew down to the origin of the beam and found two Pokeballs with golden tops next to each other, one was one of the balls they were looking for and the other had no markings on it. Latios grabbed both of them and flew about the same altitude he was when he noticed the beam.

Meanwhile, Altaria was still flying to the origin of the sound until she finally found a large opening and in it was Max's group.

"Find anything?" the blue hair trainer asked, but none of them did.

Altaria noticed she lost Latios and turned back knowing he shouldn't be too far behind her.

Within thirty seconds, she found him with the two balls in his claws, but didn't notice them. "Taria," she said before she led Latios to the opening Max's group was in. Only Kenshin was in it was there when they arrived and he was exiting the opening.

Both dragon-types rushed to get to Kenshin, but they stop when he turned around with two aura sphere ready. 'My apologizes,' he said as he let the two spheres dispel, 'because of what time I'm from, it became a habit for me to do that when I know two people are coming at me from behind.'

'I understand,' Latios said before Kenshin noticed the two balls in the Eon's claws.

'You found them,' the jackal-like Pokemon said, but Latios shook his head.

'One of them. One doesn't… have GS engraved…it,' the psychic dragon explained.

'Oh,' the Aura Pokemon said before Max reenter the opening.

"Kenshin…" Max started, but stopped when he saw Latios and his dragon-type. The flying/dragon-type rush her trainer and nuzzled him. "Good to see you, too," he said before she stopped. "Do you know anyone else is at?"

'My sister is…Mewtwo searching the…half of the tree, but besides them, no,' the Eon answered.

"So, Pikachu, Meloetta, Gardevoir, and Ash are still unaccounted for," Max said.

'I'll inform Mewtwo and Latias,' the blue Eon said before his eye turn fully white.

In the bottom half of the tree, Ash's group was following Tyranitar through the tree's tunnel system.

"Are you sure you saw Mew put a Pokeball with a golden top last night?" Gardevoir asked.

"I'm sure of it. It's just up ahead," the rock/dark-type said. Within seconds, the tunnel took them to out of the cave and tunnel system of tree and to one of the outer areas of it. As soon as the Armor Pokemon took a few steps out of the tunnel, he turned around and pointed to a gap above the tunnel. "She put it up there."

Ash quickly climbed up to the gap like a Primape, looked into it, and saw the ball he was hoping to find. The trainer grabbed the GS Ball and put it in one of his pockets before started climbing back down.

Unbeknownst to them, Mewtwo and Latias finished sight-sharing with Latios and returned to searching the lower half of rock formation. Within seconds, Mewtwo sensed two psychic-type presence nearby and looked in the direct of it. He saw Ash's group on the side of the tree, but he wasn't the first one to notice. Latias was already speeding toward them, more specifically, Ash and Mewtwo did realize it until she was already half-way there.

Ash was oblivious of them until Latias tackled him and started madly nuzzling him. Pikachu sighed at the dragon's behavior because he knew this was going to be a regular thing like Brock attempts of almost every human female he sees. Latias did stop, but not by choice when Mewtwo pull her off Ash with a telekinetic force on the red psychic-type.

'Hey,' Latias said in annoyance of Mewtwo's actions.

'Inform the others,' he told her before he let her go. She groaned before she started sight-sharing to her brother.

"You found the others?" Ash asked.

'Latios is with Max, the rest his Pokemon, and Kenshin and they have one of the GS balls,' Mewtwo said.

"We have the last one," Ash said as he pulled it out of his pocket.

'Then, it is time to meet with the others at the heart of the tree.'

"I'm going with you," Tyranitar stated as Latias's eyes regain their color.

Mewtwo just nodded before he teleported the group to the tree's heart. He didn't stay long as he teleported out of the cave and returned with the rest of the search party.

Gardevoir gladly rejoined Max and his Pokemon while Latios and Kenshin rejoined Ash and Latias. Mewtwo waited a bit before he said, 'Mew, I already know your there, so come on out.'

"You're no fun,"they heard before Mew revealed herself from behind one of the many crystals on the ceiling of the cave and flew down to Ash. "Even though it wasn't as fun as I thought it would've been, you can still catch me, but we should allow Kenshin to be reunited with his mate and friend, first."

'Thank you, Mew,' the Lucario said.

"Here," Ash said as he handed Kenshin the GS Ball and Ho-Oh's feather.

'Latios would mind coming with me?' Kenshin asked.

'Not at all,' the blue Eon Pokemon replied before both of them left the heart of tree.

"Ash, I think Tyranitar has something to ask you," the New Specie Pokemon said.

"Ash, may I join you?" the largest Pokemon in the cavern asked.

"Of course," the raven-haired trainer said before he dug in his bag and pull out a Friend Ball. Tyranitar tapped the ball with his claw, sucking him in, and the ball dinged upon capture. Ash let the Armor Pokemon out.

A few moment later, Latios return with Kenshin, who was holding a Pokemon egg in his arms, another Lucario, who was holding two more eggs, a Gallade, and pink creature, who was hiding behind the two Aura Pokemon.

Mew recognized it quickly. "Meru?" she said.

The pink creature poked its head out from behind Kenshin and revealed it was another Mew. "Mew," the male Mew said.

"It is you," Mew said as she zoomed over to who she called Meru and hugged the Mew. "Where have you been all these years?"

'Trapped in this Pokeball,' Latios said as he showed her the unmarked golden Pokeball.

"Why were you in it for over three hundred years?" she asked the second Mew.

"I was going to show it to you, sis, but, when I tried to pick it up, it imprisoned me," the male Mew said.

"I just glad you're okay over all these years. I wish our reunion would last longer, but I am leaving with one of the humans."

"Why?"

"We had a meeting in the Hall of Origins a few weeks ago and Arceus did a vote on if Ash, the one with black hair, should be allowed to catch one of each kind legendary he has or will meet in the next few months. Thirty-four were for, nine were neutral, and three were against. Both Arceus and I voted for it. Most of us had at least one condition before he could be allowed to capture us. Mine was a game that we finished a few moments ago."

"Why do you trust him so much?"

"You remember Sir Aaron?" Meru nodded. "He had a student, a Lucario that was trapped in his staff. The Lucario and Ash saved my life and the tree in this room, but the Lucario died in the process." Pikachu, Mew, Max, and Ash sadden in remembrance of Sir Aaron's Lucario.

"Then, I'm going with you."

Mew looked at Ash, who replied, "Are you sure?"

"Yes. My sister is the only one in my family I know is alive and I will do anything to protect her."

"Brother," Mew said.

"We've lost our parents over many millenniums ago," the male New Specie Pokemon said as both Mew saddened in memory of their parents, "and I will not lose her, too."

Ash didn't comment before he dug out two Love Balls from his bag. Latias noticed what type of balls they were and asked, 'Ash, are you sure? You only have three of those.'

"I am," her trainer said. He walked to the two pink Pokemon and Meru blocked Ash when he saw the balls.

"It's okay, Meru. Ash will let us out after he catches us with those two Pokeballs," Mew assured her brother as she went around him and tap the button on one of the balls. A second after the ball dinged Ash left her out. "Your turn."

Meru was hesitant about the Pokeball, so Mew turned to Mewtwo and said, "Mewtwo will you please get Registeel, Regirock, and Regice for me."

Mewtwo nodded and teleported away as Meru gather the courage to tap the button of the second ball. Even though it took more than twice as long for Meru ball's to stop wobbling, the ball dinged in the end and Ash released Meru from the confines of the Love Ball.

"Never put me in one of those ever, again," he told his, now, trainer.

"Pikachu hates being in his, too," Ash commented.

A moments later, Mewtwo teleported back into the heart with the three Regis that guard the tree.

'Ash…already did their condition,' Latios projected.

"What was that?" the Pallet Town native asked.

'Catch Mew,' the blue Eon stated.

"Wait, who will protect the tree?" Meru asked.

"Well, Ash and I need to return some customs to Cameron Palace, so we could ask Lady Ilene to have the tree protected while we're there," Max said.

"I was going to suggest that," Mew pouted.

"You haven't changed in the last three hundred years, Mew," Meru commented on her actions, who ignored the comment.

Ash already had three Heavy Balls out and was walking toward the three Regis when Meru commented on Mew. He tossed the three balls at the Regis and caught them after a few seconds of waiting for the ball to stop shaking. Two of them were sent to Oak's lab, so Ash pick the last one, which contained Regice and used his Pokedex to send the Regi to Oak's lab to rejoin with its fellow Regis.

"Where did you send them?" Meru demanded.

"Professor Oak's lab. He researches Pokemon at his ranch," Pikachu answered. "Ash is allowed to have ten Pokemon when travels at a time."

"Maybe we should head to Cameron Palace, then," Max suggested.

"Yeah, but there are too many of us to teleport at one time and have two different teleport a large group at once is very risky," Mew said.

"I can fix that," Max said and returned all of his Pokemon, but Gardevoir.

Without warning, Mewtwo teleported the group to the battle arena of the castle. They returned the costums and asked Lady Ilene about having the Tree of Beginning protected while the three golems and two Mew were gone, which she humbly accepted.