A/N: Hello, my lovely readers! Welcome to the second portion of Alice's trial. What will happen?

To one of my reviewers that requested that I release my chapters faster (since I do agree that once in a fortnight is a while), I usually finish a new chapter between the two weeks I put out a chapter online. It's to pace myself so I don't go on a long hiatus. However, would a good compromise be to release a preview of the next chapter online a week after the most recent chapter? Then, I release the full chapter a week after the preview. Let me know how everyone feels about this. I wouldn't mind at all.

I hope you will enjoy the chapter!

*Obligatory disclaimer about this story idea being mine and Pokemon being owned by Nintendo here.*


You pity the fool because you don't want to beat up a fool! You know, pity is between sorry and mercy. See, if you pity him, you know, you won't have to beat him up. So that's why I say fools, you gotta give another chance because they don't know no better. That's why I pity them! -Mr. T


Chapter 11: Fleet-Footed Folly

As Serena continued to traverse the cave, she was beginning to learn the layout much better than before. She had no idea how much time she had left, but she knew she couldn't get complacent. For all she knew, she could find the next crystal several hours from now. Though that frightened her, Serena decided not to focus on the worst possible scenario. She wondered how the other two guardians were like and decided to ask Wasabi since she seemed to have a lot of experience in everything. Wasabi smiled at the initiative from the young psychic guardian.

"Alice's Lycanroc is the Alolan midday version and is the fastest of the three. Lupa's signature move is Accelrock… which is a Rock type version of Quick Attack. Aurora's Lycanroc is the dawn version." Wasabi started.

"Dawn version?" Serena said with confusion. She knew that Lycanrocs were from Alola, but she never heard of a dawn one before. Wasabi nodded her head to confirm.

"In Alola, there are known three forms of Lycanroc: midnight, midday and dusk. The fourth form happens when a Lycanroc's previous form, a Rockruff with Oblivious, evolves early in the morning. It is identical to the dusk version in terms of abilities and stats. The main difference is fur and eye color." Wasabi continued.

"What's Lucy's main strategy?" Serena asked.

"Lucy combines the best aspects of Lupus's and Lupa's styles. She can use Accelrock and Mirror Coat instead of Counter. Out of the two of them, Lucy is the most likely one to give you trouble... if she took Alice's orders seriously." Wasabi explained.

"What makes you say that?" Serena was confused about the last part with Lucy.

"Lucy is terrifying when she's being serious. She's quite the effective hunter. I sincerely hope that she didn't take Alice's orders to heart… otherwise, I'm going to have a hard time defending you from her." Wasabi said with a hopeful voice. Serena was afraid to meet Lucy, so she decided to think about the other Lycanroc.

"What about Lupa?" Serena inquired.

"Lupa isn't nearly as strong as Lucy, but she's the most likely one to try to kill you as she is Alice's guardian partner. She feels her trainer's conviction so much more closely than any other partner she has by being her Aspect of Loyalty. Hopefully, we find can Lupa first so you can adapt to both styles with Lucy." Wasabi finished.

"Is there a way that you can find a specific one? Like… do you know their scent? I can't tell them apart." Serena inquired.

"I know Lucy's only." Wasabi said sadly. She wished she could help out more. Serena took a moment to think, then snapped her fingers.

"Hmm… how about I sense where the other crystals are? Then, based on my description and location, you can pinpoint which one is being guarded by which Lycanroc by sniffing for Lucy." Serena suggested.

"Sweet and smart… Ash really has found a good one." Wasabi chuckled with her tail wagging. Serena immediately blushed in response. Wasabi nodded and said, "I'll be happy to help!"

Serena closed her eyes and concentrated. They were in the upper reaches of the cave before they reached the apex of the tree. She sensed two crystals below them and a third one in the middle of the labyrinth. However, it was hard to explain where the two crystals below them were exactly because Serena didn't know the cave system well enough. However, Serena figured that whatever crystal wasn't near a life force was most likely a trap set by Alice.

The psychic guardian concentrated deeper. She tried to sense life near the lifeless crystals. After several minutes of concentrating, she found two. The first life force near a crystal was in the middle of the labyrinth. The second life force was very close to the faux crystal. Serena deduced the fake crystal was placed there to alert whatever Lycanroc near it to find out what caused an explosion. Serena told Wasabi her discovery.

Wasabi nodded and immediately began to sniff the ground. The mouse gestured Serena to follow her. The girl complied. Curious to see what would happen next, Mew followed them.

Wasabi decided the fastest way to go down would be to take Mew's circulatory system again. Creeped out, Serena refused at first… until Mew reminded her that it was late afternoon and that she needed to get a move on. Sighing, Serena swallowed her disgusted feeling and traveled the gelatinous blobs down the cave system.

They kept going down until they reached the floor one of the Lycanrocs were on. They got out of the weird elevator to the new floor in the cave. There, Serena asked, "This is the floor Lucy is on?"

"Yep. We're very close to the middle of the labyrinth, actually. Where are the other two crystals?"

"They're also on this floor, but they feel very far from here… like the furthest from the middle we can get. Wasabi, do you know the fastest way to a clearing that is the furthest from the middle, but on the same floor?" Serena asked. Wasabi took a moment to think about the layout of the cave. Then, she got an idea of what way was the fastest, but she wasn't sure if Serena could get there and back in time.

"With how this cave is, you might need to go down in order to go back up to what you're talking about. Since it's late afternoon, I'm going to increase my pace by quite a bit so you can finish on time. Can you keep up with me?" Wasabi requested.

"I'll try my best to." Serena responded. A lightbulb went off in Mew's head.

"Another crash course is a splendid idea, Wasabi!" Mew chirped. Wasabi blinked her eyes in surprise. She wasn't sure what Mew was getting at. Mew relayed, "Serena, you've seen how Ash can tap into his aura to become super speedy sometimes?"

"Yes…?" Serena was confused by the question. Surely, she didn't mean…?

"You can do the same, but to a lesser degree. Tap into your guardian side and speed yourself up!" Mew chirped.

"I don't know how to do that." Serena admitted.

"Hmm… perhaps you need a motivator? I can be of service, then." Mew said with a devious grin. Her body started to change shape. She got significantly taller and furrier. Serena noticed Mew gaining a lot of ear fur and she held a stick that was lit with yellowish-orange flames. She had a long fluffy yellow tail. Serena was now standing before a splitting image of Delphox. The grin Mew had made her almost not look like Delphox.

"M-Mew? Wh-what are you planning?" Serena stuttered anxiously.

"I'm forcing you to run for your life," Mew said plainly. Serena shivered at how much she sounded like Delphox, too. If she wasn't paying attention, she would have thought this was Delphox.

"What?!" Serena said with shock.

"When Ash had his survival trial with me, I transformed into Greninja and got him into a situation where he was forced to use his aura to escape me, otherwise he would get injured. Doing the same to you might yield a similar result…" Mew suggested.

"Uh… I'm not like him at all. I can't do-" Serena scrambled to convince Mew otherwise, but the legendary seemed too fixated on her idea. The primordial Pokémon interrupted her.

"'Can't' shouldn't be in your lexicon, dear. Ready to run? You don't have a choice in the matter." Mew said while barring out her fangs.

Serena gulped when Mew barely missed her Flamethrower. The girl knew it was a warning and decided to get a move on. Wasabi sighed and gestured Serena to try her best. The mouse started to speed through the cave. Serena scrambled to catch up. Meanwhile, Mew was following Serena's every step. Any sign of slowing down would result in a fiery "lesson".


Wasabi was a speedy Pokémon. Serena had no idea how slow they went before now that they were hurrying through the cave more briskly. Serena had a hard time keeping up with her. Part of the girl wished Wasabi was larger so she could just ride her in the cave like Ash could ride on his Charizard.

Serena was thankful that despite not knowing how to tap into her aura effectively, Raven helped her with her pacing over the last two weeks. Before, she had a hard time keeping up with anything that was too fast, but her pacing increased as Raven had her run through parts of the Tree. The girl was grateful that Raven was also willing to do it with her instead of telling her where she had to go to. In some ways, she imagined Raven as her mom away from home… and she felt grateful for her.

Still, Serena didn't want to get too distracted. She wasn't on good terms with her actual mother at the moment.

Mew was watching Serena and Wasabi carefully. The primordial knew Wasabi wasn't running nearly as fast as she could be because she was accommodating for Serena's novice status. As a result, Mew couldn't force Serena any faster than she was going because she would unnecessarily hit Wasabi. Mew was aware of how important it was that Wasabi had a decent amount of energy for Serena to finish this trial. She always liked messing around with her Ketchums to see how they reacted, so she was a bit disappointed. The primordial closed her eyes for a moment upon thinking that.

Mew could see this girl as one of her Ketchums one day.

Serena showed a willingness to improve and loyalty to her love interest that Mew looked for in a potential mate for a Ketchum. Most people would have left if they were in her shoes by now. Mew couldn't help but look at Serena with a significantly more approving look than earlier today. Despite appearing as Delphox to intimidate Serena into keeping up a decent pace, she decided not to follow through with her threat to attack her.

After about thirty minutes of running, Serena was beginning to get tired and her pace was slowing down. Wasabi took notice and began to slow down with her, but they were beginning to go back up to the middlemost floor again. Mew noticed this as well. Instead of attacking with Flamethrower like she would have, Mew decided to transform into a Pangoro to lift her up and carry her bridal style. Serena cried in surprise at first, wondering where this Pangoro came from… until she realized the Delphox behind her was gone.

"Mew?" Serena said her name like a question to make sure this was the same mischievous transforming psychic type that was accompanying her. When she heard telepathy, she got her answer.

"We're almost to where Lupa is. Rest up for your upcoming fight, alright?" Mew told her. Although the girl wondered where the sudden change in attitude came from, she appreciated it.

"Well, thank you for this. Does this mean Pancham will evolve at some point?" Serena said curiously. The transformed psychic type chuckled.

"You would only need a dark type near you, but Pancham himself has decent potential in his base form. It's really up to you, but the potential for it to happen is always there. Enjoy the ride for now." Mew said to Serena. Mew then called out to Wasabi, "Wasabi, don't hold yourself back as much! I'll be able to keep pace with you."

"Got it!" Wasabi looked back and noticed Mew holding Serena while running at her current pace. Upon seeing that, Wasabi moved significantly faster than before. Serena could barely see the mouse. Mew started to pick up her pace. Serena never imagined that she could move as fast as Mew was right then.

"Serena… I want you to experience the speed of a master psychic guardian partner. This will be your partner's maximum potential in this form." Mew's body began to glow an eerily similar color to Serena's aura.

Wordlessly, Mew guided the girl into using her aura to augment her transformed state. Serena noticed that she was breathing at the same rate as the Pangoro. One might even say that her heart was beating at the same rate as the Pangoro. At this point, Serena noticed that she was surrounded in aura herself, but she wasn't actively creating it. The feeling she had, though foreign, felt amazing.

The transformed Pokémon also began to have a more altered appearance that made her look a little more like Serena, despite appearing tall and brutish. The black flaps of fur that normally covered the Pangoro's eyes were gone and revealed bright wide black eyes resembling how they look as a Pancham. The Pangoro's fur also appeared to resemble Serena's blouse and shorts as well. Serena never imagined seeing the niceness in a Pangoro's eyes.

Serena remembered Ash mentioning having this feeling with a transformed Greninja in his coma trial where Mew called it Bond Phenomena. He later found out from Aurora that many people in the Hokori region called it Synchro Evolution. She began to wonder if she could do this with her other two Pokémon. Serena also wondered why Mew was showcasing this to her now of all times. Serena was excited for the future if she could replicate the feeling she was having with Mew with Pancham someday.

Every step Mew took, Serena also felt like she took it. Even down to her very breath. It felt weird to feel this way and Serena wasn't sure how long it would last. Her question was answered when she noticed Wasabi come to a stop.

Serena realized they had reached the clearing of the second crystal's guardian. Wasabi was scowling with electricity forming at her cheeks. Scowling back at her was a light brown quadruped canine Pokémon with sharp blue eyes. Unlike the first guardian, she had a long bushy white tail, greyish brown fur, and four rocks protruding from her neck. Serena noticed the pink crystal right behind her and concluded she wouldn't be able to retrieve it fast enough without battling. True to how Wasabi described her, Lupa appeared lithe and fast. Serena began to think about how she could counter her.

Mew suddenly transformed back into her pixie form after letting Serena down. Serena had an odd feeling of loss when Mew returned to her usual state. The girl felt disappointed, but couldn't figure out why. Mew floated high up to watch everything closely. Serena nodded to herself and knew not to expect any help from Mew from this point onward. Still, she was appreciative of the ride.

"I don't want to fight you, Wasabi, but I will do what I must for my Mistress. If she wants me to kill the psychic guardian, then so be it." Lupa said with a serious tone. She seemed very reluctant, but it was clear her loyalty for Alice was very high. Wasabi frowned and expected as much. The mouse wasn't moving from her spot, though. Lupa sighed and continued, "If you get in my way of my Mistress's order, I'll… have to knock you out."

"I don't care what Alice ordered you to do. My Mistress…" Wasabi snorted to herself and shook her head. The Raichu couldn't bring herself to call Aurora 'Mistress' seriously. She corrected herself with a slightly snide tone, "Well, my friend… told me and all her other friends not to attack Serena about a week ago. I'm going to assume she also meant not to let other Pokémon attack her, too. So… you're gonna have to disappoint Alice here."

"We'll see if your words hold weight." Lupa looked down with saddened eyes. When she brought back up her head, the Lycanroc glared at the Raichu and bared her fangs out. She suddenly was shrouded in a light blue aura. Her sky-blue eyes were glowing menacingly. She snarled at both Serena and Wasabi, "Brace yourselves. Hold nothing back!"

Within that same instant, Lupa disappeared from sight. Without warning, Serena was scratched on her cheek by the speedy Lycanroc from her Accelrock attack. Serena winced at the sudden sharp pain and hovered her hand on her cut. Serena had felt like a sharp rock sliced through her. She gasped in horror when she noticed she was beginning to bleed. Her heart began to pound hard within her chest.

Lupa once again lunged at Serena, causing minor cuts and scratches all over her body, Serena hissed in pain every time. Wasabi tried her hardest to intercept Lupa every time she lunged at Serena, but the wolf-like Pokémon was tricky in her movements. Every time Wasabi tried to intervene, Lupa used Double Team to make her movement more unpredictable and avoid her.

With Lupus, he seemed more focused on showing Wasabi up than killing Serena. Seeing a Pokémon gnarling at her with vicious eyes made her remember than her life was in danger because of Ash's grandmother. Wasabi hissed upon seeing that. Lupa didn't give either of them time to process that as she once again lunged at Serena. This time, the canine-like Pokémon aimed to bite Serena's leg to make it hard to walk.

Serena was terrified, but she didn't freeze. She felt her anger rising up thinking about the situation Ash's grandparents put her in. Serena forgot her fear and focused on her anger. Then, her eyes got cold. If this Lycanroc wanted to kill her, she wasn't going to stand around like a sitting Psyduck.

With her eyes glowing pink, Serena lifted Lupa up in her hybrid grip. The Lycanroc gasped at being trapped. Wasabi gasped in surprise when the girl knocked the Lycanroc hard into the wall. The mouse grew slightly unsettled at the harsh temperament in her eyes. They didn't resemble the girl she saw earlier. They resembled someone far more dangerous.

Wasabi lowered her ears slightly in sadness, then shook it off. She was determined to bring the girl she saw earlier back.

When Lupa got off the wall, she once again lunged toward Serena. Wasabi noticed Lupa was actively trying to avoid fighting her. The mouse frowned upon the realization and decided to be a bit more forceful. When Lupa when in to scratch Serena again, the mouse-like Pokémon jumped directly in front of Serena intercepted it herself. Wasabi winced in pain at being cut. Lupa seemed sad upon hitting Wasabi. Seeing that made Serena go back to normal and look at Wasabi in concern.

Wasabi was glad to see the kindness in Serena's eyes again. She shook off the hit and laughed lightly. She said in an apologetic tone, "Forgive me for my deviation of your command. I felt it necessary to protect you. Are you alright?"

"I'm okay." Serena said. She was annoyed that her clothes were ruined, but thankful the scratches weren't too severe. She could already feel herself healing them off. Wasabi sighed with relief and focused her attention on Lupa.

"Lupa, stop this…" Wasabi hissed.

"You are not my target, Wasabi. Stay out of something that doesn't involve you! It will be over quickly… and then we can move on from this madness." The Lycanroc responded. Wasabi shook her head.

"You know as well as I that this isn't right!" Wasabi retorted.

"Alice is protecting her grandson from someone that can someday hurt him. I would think you'd understand after seeing Delilah." Lupa argued. Wasabi could tell the Lycanroc didn't believe her own words. She sounded like she was reciting something Alice said to her. The electric type frowned.

"Delilah may be an unfortunate case, but Serena hasn't done anything wrong to be compared to her! She has been the sweetest thing. I don't know why Alice is so stubborn opening up to her if she hasn't acted like Delilah! The girl even offered to help heal Gordo after his brutality." Wasabi revealed to her.

"…" Lupa didn't know how to reply.

"This fight is pointless. I'm not going to let you touch Serena again and I'm willing to knock you out just as much as you with me if you touch her again." Wasabi started to form electricity on her cheeks in warning. Lupa sighed.

"I'm sorry, Wasabi. I acknowledge what you say to be valid. I don't want to kill the girl, but I feel the need to fulfil the order. I don't have a choice in this matter." Lupa said sadly. Wasabi wasn't surprised at the response. However, she wondered if there was such a thing as too much devotion. She tried to convince Lupa to change her mind.

"You have a choice, though. You can choose to disobey if you don't agree with it. You know Alice isn't a constricting trainer. She'd support anything you do." Wasabi reminded her. Lupa shook her head sadly.

"I cannot disobey my Mistress. It's against my character. I only wish you and Aurora will forgive me afterwards…" Lupa closed her eyes in sorrow temporarily before opening them with a sharp look. Serena immediately became wary of the sudden change. Upon the Lycanroc making a step towards her, she knew had to react.

This time, Lupa decided to go for Serena's throat. The psychic guardian reacted by surrounding the wolf in her aura. Serena didn't know how to feel about Lupa, but she felt sorry for her in an odd way. She didn't hold Lupa's actions against her, though she was still not fond of being someone's target. Tapping into that emotion allowed her to move Lupa without anger. Serena looked at Lupa firmly.

Lupa could feel Serena's emotions behind her aura grip. Lupa lowered her ears as she felt Serena's reluctance to fight her. It made her even more conflicted than before. Although the Lycanroc was conflicted, she would not rest until her duty was fulfilled. Upon feeling the Lycanroc's conviction, Serena decided now was the right time to detain her.

"Wasabi, use Electroweb!" Serena commanded.

The mouse nodded. Rubbing her paws together, Wasabi created a web of pure electrical energy and shot it at the Rock type. Lupa hissed as Wasabi aimed her attack to make Lupa trapped on the wall. Lupa tried furiously to escape, even trying to bite through the electric web, but it was for naught. Wasabi shook her head at the sight.

After several moments of trying, Lupa grew tired of trying and resigned to herself. Serena sighed in sadness. She decided to try to get through to the Lycanroc again.

"I don't want to have to knock you out, Lupa. If I let you go, will you leave us be?" Serena asked. Lupa immediately shook her head.

"I'll be honest with you, human. No. I wouldn't. I will try with every last muscle in my body to kill you. I am sorry things have to be this way. It truly is a shame you remind me much of Alison's daughter. Part of me feels like she sent me to kill her instead." Lupa said with melancholy.

"I remind you of Mrs. Aurora?" Serena blinked her eyes in surprise.

"Yes. The way your eyes change emotions reminds me of her, but you are more distinct in that you can channel your power through emotion or lack thereof. She also isn't quick to fight. The similarities are startling." Lupa admitted.

"Lupa, is there any way I can convince you to disobey Ms. Alice especially when you know in your heart that this isn't right?" Serena tried once again.

"Never. I will commit to anything she tells me… no matter how much I disagree with it. The only way I'd change my mind is if Alison herself gave the order." Lupa said with finality.

"I'm sorry it has to be like this, then. I don't have much time left. I'll try to get Ms. Alice to get you as soon as I can." Serena closed her eyes in thought and began to walk away from the trapped rock type. Before she walked away, she picked up the second crystal and put it in her bag. Wasabi quickly followed. Serena made sure that the Lycanroc wouldn't be able to see or hear them.

"What are you thinking?" Wasabi murmured.

"I… I don't want to leave Lupa there on the wall. I also don't want to knock her out. Neither option feels right. I feel like both of those options would give more fuel to Ms. Alice hating me." Serena said with a heavy voice.

"I am yours to command. Whatever you decide, I will support you." Wasabi said. Serena thought to herself for several moments. Then, she nodded to herself.

"Thank you, Wasabi, but I think I don't need your help for this." Serena suddenly approached the neutral floating Mew. Mew looked down at the girl, curious of her intent. Serena gestured the mythical legendary to float down. Mew obliged. Serena then requested, "Can you help me with my idea?"

"What is it that you have in mind, my dear?" Mew questioned the scheming psychic guardian.

"I've seen you do this before, so can you…?" Serena started to whisper her idea to Mew's stubby ears. Mew listened intently, but shook her head. She decided not to disillusion Serena.

"Your idea will not work with a Pokémon that has been an Aspect for decades," Mew warned.

"I would have asked you to teleport her back to Alice, but I'm afraid of Alice sending her back to attack me. I'm not sure Lupa would be with stealth, so I don't want to take that chance. Can you please try, though? If it does work, everyone will be happy. That's all I want, really." Serena said from the bottom of her heart. Mew looked at the girl with an indescribable expression. Her eyes seemed to shimmer momentarily before going back to normal. Mew then made a relenting sigh.

"I suppose I can humor the request, but I will warn you right now to keep on guard," Mew said with a serious tone.

"Okay." Serena nodded, happy that Mew was willing to go through her plan. Unbeknownst to the teen, Mew had plans of her own.

"Wasabi… be prepared to defend Serena the moment you release Lupa. Watch every little movement she does and knock her out swiftly. I want to teach Serena another truth of life through this interaction." Wasabi suddenly heard Mew's voice in her head. Although she was confused at the intrusion, she took the primordial Pokémon's words to heart and her guard rose to an all-time high. She knew she wasn't hallucinating.

Mew suddenly transformed into Alice's shape and made her aura nearly identical to Alice's. Mew could take up any form she wanted, but some of her original aura would always be present in her altered form. Mew then made another copy of herself hover near them. Wasabi seemed surprised at the sudden transformation, then understood what Serena was trying to do. The Raichu seemed a bit uneasy.

Serena, Mew and Wasabi walked back to where Lupa was trapped. Lupa has resigned herself to her fate of being stuck and seemed to be trapped within her own thoughts. She opened her eyes in surprise upon seeing her trainer with the very same girl she ordered to kill. The wolf was happy they came back for her, though. She truly thought that they wouldn't come back after what her tried to pull. She made a relieved smile.

"Alison!" Lupa said with a relieved tone.

"Hello, Lupa. I see the girl and Wasabi did a number on you." Mew said in Alice's voice.

"The girl was very merciful, just like your daughter. I'm actually surprised she didn't make me faint for what I tried to do. I'm sorry I failed you." Lupa said in a hung voice.

"You didn't fail me. All I could ask is for you to do your best and you did. Now, I request that you don't harm the girl. She's passed your part."

"Of course." Lupa nodded.

"Wasabi, can you release Lupa so I can heal her? Then, you and Serena will be on your way." Mew said to Wasabi. Wasabi nodded. Lupa narrowed her eyes for a spilt-second before appearing neutral again. Serena didn't notice the change, but Wasabi did. However, for the sake of playing along, she acted like she didn't notice.

Wasabi got into all fours and raised her tail up high. Lupa began to feel an odd sensation as the electricity from the web began to move toward her tail. Serena never saw anything like this before and wondered if Wasabi can change the type of electricity she uses. If she didn't know any better, that electricity was electricity made from aura instead of her own cheek pouch. Considering Wasabi's trainer is one of the best guardians in the world, the girl wouldn't be surprised if Aurora did teach Wasabi something like that.

Upon removing the electricity, Lupa fell on the cave floor with a thud. Serena noticed that Electroweb took a toll on Lupa. She seemed weakened from being shocked by it constantly. Serena hated to see her like this.

"I appreciate your kindness, human," Lupa said in a grateful tone.

"It's not a problem at all!" Serena said happily. Lupa kept looking down. The Lycanroc sighed, but wasn't budging. The wolf-like Pokémon seemed reluctant to move. Serena took notice and said, "What's the matter? You were lifted of your responsibility."

"I wish that was actually true. I appreciate what you tried doing, but you can't trick me with Mew." Lupa suddenly lunged at Serena. Serena screamed at the abrupt attack. Lupa would have been successful at the surprise attack if Wasabi's reaction wasn't swift and devastating.

The Raichu wasn't about to lose the one thing she strove to protect for today. With a glowing tail, she slammed it into the Lycanroc's neck as hard as she could. Wasabi aimed at a sensitive spot near her neck. Lupa was knocked out instantly, slightly buried into the ground. Serena looked at the Raichu in shock. Wasabi looked away from her in guilt. She curled her tail around herself timidly.

"…!" The interaction happened so quickly that Serena barely had time to comprehend what had happened.

Once the shock disappeared, Serena seemed sad. Although she wasn't surprised that Lupa attempted to carry out her order to the end, she really thought she could let Lupa go and continue onward. Serena only wanted the best for everyone in this situation, but hated how stubborn Lupa was. She thought of herself as foolish for trying to help out the Lycanroc, but she couldn't help but try anyway. Serena only wished things could have ended differently.

Mew transformed herself back into her pixie form and destroyed the copy she had made for Serena's plan. She slowly floated in front of Serena. The girl was dismayed, but she gave her undivided attention. Mew didn't know how to begin, but decided to be blunt.

"… Sometimes in life, you need to make harsh choices. Choices that you… don't like. Nature can be cruel enough to show you this truth…" Mew started.

"I…" Serena didn't know what to say to that.

"However, it is with the expectation that you adapt to the consequence of said choice. Be careful in being too trusting. It may come to bite you." Mew warned her. Serena shook her head in disagreement.

"Mrs. Aurora taught me that everything has some good in it. If you see in someone's eyes that they are suffering, you can try to help them. Lupa really seemed like she didn't want to hurt me when she thought you were Alice." Serena said. Mew shook her head.

"It was obvious Lupa was fully aware of your trick to get herself out of the Electroweb. Don't be surprised about someone going along with you to get some sort of benefit. The world can corrupt you in the most wicked of ways. I don't agree with that philosophy." Mew shook her head.

"If she didn't have that philosophy, Raven would be dead right now. Raven is one of the best people I've met so far. Mercy isn't that bad." Serena argued. Mew made a sad smile. Serena noticed it was just like the smile Mirabelle made to her when she didn't understand something.

"Mercy isn't always good either. Aurora happened to make the right choice sparing her friend back then, but not all people will change their life around. You'll come to understand in due time, child." Mew finished.

"I'm not sure if we'll ever see eye to eye on this subject, but at the very least, can you send Lupa back to Ms. Alice? I still don't want to leave her here." Serena requested.

"Interesting…" Mew closed her eyes in thought for a slight moment. Then she opened her eyes and said, "Very well. It should serve as a message to Alice as well."

With a snap of her fingers, Mew teleported the fainted Lupa back to Alice and Gordo. Serena thanked the primordial Pokémon, but Mew didn't respond verbally. She just shook her head and gestured Serena to continue the trial. Serena frowned slightly and sighed. She knew she had to keep going.

As they began to walk again, Wasabi gestured Mew to come down and talk to her. Noticing the Raichu, Mew floated down to ground level to listen to what she had to say.

"(I'm glad you warned me of Lupa beforehand, Mew. Thanks for that.)" Wasabi said, grateful. Wasabi noticed Mew wasn't enabling her to speak telepathy at the moment. Part of her was happy about this because telepathy was a foreign concept to her. She liked speaking naturally. Mew still seemed to be in her own thoughts.

"Hmm…" Mew said, seemingly disconnected from Wasabi.

"(Mew…? Is there something wrong?)" Wasabi asked upon noticing.

"Serena reminds me of how Ash often got into danger when he was smaller without realizing. I often had to step in to influence him not to get hurt. The girl has so much innocence still. To be willing to spare someone that wanted to kill you… can be both a good thing and a bad thing depending on who you spare. She's definitely a good one, but I do wonder if she will stay like she is. Even with my foresight, I cannot tell where her path will end." Mew admitted.

"(What makes you say that?)" Wasabi wondered.

"You noticed it, didn't you? How cold her eyes could get… there was a numbness present that could only get worse when refined. A partial guardian numb to the world is a dangerous one." Mew stated in a heavy voice.

"(Hmm… true.)" Wasabi agreed.

"We have to make sure she stays a good course. If she stays a good course, so will Ash. Let's keep it up, alright, Wasabi?" Mew confided in the electric type. Wasabi immediately nodded and made a confident grin. The two picked up their pace before Serena noticed.


A/N: Ah... mercy. Too much mercy can get you hurt or walked all over. Too little mercy makes you have little compassion. Where's a good middle line to it? It's often hard to figure that out... and yet we always seek to find the answer.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter! I'll see you all in two weeks (or a week depending on if people wants to see a preview or not...).

Next Chapter: A New Dawn, A New Leaf

~SPG123~