The sun wasn't shining anymore. It was a cloudy day.

For days I trekked through the thick forests and grassy plains, passing numerous other Pokémon and dodging several eager trainers, but as time went on I continued to ask myself: why haven't I reached the shore yet?

Lake Valor was quite close to the shoreline, so it should have only taken two days. But now… it's been five days and I still haven't caught a glimpse of the sea yet. At first, I thought the young Azelf pointed me to the wrong way, but that's just bizarre. How could Merlot, who had lived in Lake Valor for more than thirty years, get the directions wrong?

Yet…

"Maybe I'm getting slower…" I mumbled to myself, thinking that I was perhaps weaker than normal. "Although, this entire walk should have -" I stopped myself. Over the trees, I saw something. The snowy peak of a mountain. There shouldn't be any mountains where I'm heading.

Trepidation slowly squeezed my chest, followed by disbelief and shock. "It can't be!" I screamed, running forwards. No, no, no, it must be a lie, I thought, because if it's true then that means…!

Pushing my strength, I finally arrived in a small field. My eyes noticed a dirt track on my side, and the track slowly stretched out towards huge mountains in front of me. For a moment, I thought I stopped breathing. When the moment passed, I felt my heart plummet a hundred feet below me. "I-It's… Mount Coronet…"

Mount Coronet was a part of the familiar mountain range that divided the Sinnoh region. If you didn't know Mount Coronet, then you obviously aren't very knowledgeable at all about Sinnoh. But the mountain range is located in the center of the region, and if I came from Lake Valor then… "I've been travelling west…" A sudden feeling engulfed me - the feeling of rage, betrayal, agony… "Merlot lied to me?" I didn't know why, but I didn't care; whatever his reason, Merlot lied to me, and that is the absolute truth.

I was just about to turn around and march back to Bleak Cove to yell at him when my ears twitched. The revving and humming of an engine surprised me. Looking backwards, I saw a rover drive down the dirt track that leads to the mountains. I squinted a bit, trying to see who's driving. There's an Azumarill, a blonde-haired boy, a Leafeon, an Espurr, and some other people wearing jackets. Hang on, that set sounded familiar…

"No." I uttered, realising who it was. Arthur, Sam, Vivico, and Xera. Those other three men must be troops from the Legend Hunters. My suspicion was confirmed when I saw the logo on the side of the car. "Th-this can't be…" I refused to believe it, but Merlot's misdirection must be for this reason. He wanted to reunite me with my 'family' again.

"Whoa man, stop, you're gonna run into that Vulpix over there." One of the soldiers said to the driver. The driver, who looked half-asleep, jerked the steering wheel a bit, then stopping the rover roughly. The soldier nearly got thrown off. "HEY! Careful, bro!"

"K-KEITH!" My heart nearly stopped when I heard Arthur's voice. I watched as the water rabbit jumped off the vehicle and ran towards me. "Oh Arceus, Keith, I'm so glad you're safe!"

As I stared at him blankly, in my head only one word repeated: no. No no no no no no no nononononono. This can't possibly be happening. I wanted to be away from him, and everyone else! Not back together again! But even so, my paw moved unconsciously ahead, as if I was reaching out to him. My mind wasn't working, it had gone empty, and yet something inside me was reacting.

I suddenly fell backwards onto the ground, feeling the prickly grass against my back. I blinked, regaining my awareness. Arthur was on top of me, arms around me, tears dripping down his face. In his eyes I saw such joy that seemed to go beyond a height I never thought possible. "Oh, Keith, Keith…" He could only stutter, he couldn't say his words properly. I felt rather guilty now for not feeling as happy as him.

"Arthur…" Despite how distant I feel from him, I somehow managed to transfer my thoughts to him. "I… I know how you feel, but… I can't be with you anymore. Not in that stupid manor. I… You know how Sam feels about me."

"Keith, that doesn't matter!" He burst out, picking me up and putting me back on my paws. From over his shoulder, I see that the soldiers and Sam look really confused. "I-I-I just want you back! I need you!"

Hearing his clingy voice… the desperation in it… I felt a weight pushing hard down on my stomach, making me despise myself. But I knew, deep down, that this is what's best, no matter what he says. "Arthur, why do you want me back?" I asked him softly, making sure the others don't hear me. "Why, why are you so… so in need of me!? How, why, and -"

"Because you are my friend!" Arthur yelled out, his hands waving upwards and downwards miserably. "Do you need a better reason than that!?"

I found his reason stupidly foolish, though I did not say it, because it would break his heart. Still… "I can't! I just simply can't! Can't you understand why!?" The scenario felt useless, it would be impossible to convince him to let me go, and here I am, trying to. "Just… leave. Me. Alone!"

I had said those words out with such force that it surprised everyone, including Sam. Arthur just stared at me, his face empty. Slowly, his face changed; from that wishful thinking to a deep despair. "I… I…" Arthur sobbed, wiping his tears. I looked away from him, unable to bear the sight in front of me. "I… I wish… I believe that you didn't kill Adam, and yes, it may be too late now, but I do believe you!"

"Arthur… Please…" Something was trying to emerge out of me, some strange thing, and I felt like I was gonna get possessed or the sort. It was as if my emotions were trying to take over me to scream out my truest feelings at Arthur. The feeling crept from my chest and began to spread over my body, which started to feel hot. "Being with you… I do want that… I do, from the bottom of my heart, I truly want that to happen, but thinking what might happen to you… because of my reputation…"

"It doesn't matter Keith." Arthur said, shaking his head. "W-we can get through it, right?"

"…"

"…Keith?"

"…"

Arthur started to get worried. "Keith, are you even listening to me?"

"IT JUST CAN'T BE THAT WAY!" The scream sounded almost beast-like, letting out an unforeseen amount of rage. Arthur's eyes shot wide open as if he witnessed a terrifying scene. "No matter how much I want to, I can't, I can't, I cannot be with you! Th-the entire source of my emotion comes from you! I care about you too much! I just want you to be safe. I want you to be happy! And it can be that way, without me!" Taking in my breath, I prepared yourself to deliver the final words. "SO JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!"

It was so sudden: a bright white light suddenly engulfed me. Through the blinding rays I saw Arthur and the rest step back, astonished. I was just as surprised as them. What's more, I felt my body change. It was like back in Bleak Cove, where I thought my ears turned to water then reformed. It was happening again, but this time my entire body was experiencing it. I felt my ears get shorter, my legs get longer, my tails combining into one and elongating, my fur shortening…

When the light faded, I saw something completely unexpected.

My fur suddenly turned light pink. I was floating in the air, weightless. My legs were longer though my arms are slightly shorter. A long, pink tail waved in front of me, coming from my own body. I touched my face in a panic. My fur was very short, but that didn't matter, my head's shape felt different. My ears felt different too as I tried to flick them. "This shape…" I muttered in disbelief. "This form… It is…"

"A… Mew?" I heard Sam speak out. "The Vulpix… no, my Vulpix… is a Mew!?" His hands quickly dove into his pockets, and he quickly took out a pokéball. "Vulpix, return!" He said. That regular laser shot at me, sending tingles down my body. I thought that I would be sucked in, but no, I remained outside. It didn't work. "Wh- huh?" Sam seemed surprised as well. "G-guys! Get him!"

The soldiers were a bit slow from staring in awe. "Y-yessir!" They took out their pokéballs from their pockets and sent out their Pokémon. I saw a Noivern, a Crobat, and a Wigglytuff. "Now, we will catch that Mew!" One of the soldiers cried with pride.

My brain wasn't functioning. What was happening? Arthur was on the grass, a look of bewilderment and amazement on his face. His mouth moved, but couldn't speak. "I… I'M SORRY!" I screamed, whipping around and zooming out of sight.

As I zipped through the forest, many thoughts entered my head. Why am I a Mew? How do I know how to fly? Why is this happening? But one, single thought remained clear, and I was completely focused on it. The fact that Merlot had tricked me. A rush soared through me, anger consumed what little consciousness I had left, and all I could think of was getting back to Bleak Cove to punch him and yell at him and punch him and-!

Before I knew it, a flash of light appeared in front of me and the entire scenery change. My surroundings were no longer that dense forest I was in earlier, but the top of an empty volcano. Through the large hole, I saw lush greenery in the cavity. 'Bleak Cove', I thought, recognising the place immediately. How did I get here so fast? But as soon as I saw a blue figure down below, the question vanished from my head. Using all my weight, I zipped down there as fast as I could.

I could hear the air rushing past me as I dove down, just above the ground, my feet grazing the grass below, and I thrusted both my arms forward. The young Azelf didn't even see what was coming until it was too late. The next second, he was in the air, his neck in my grasp as I choked him. His eyes widened at the sight of me, although he probably didn't realise I was the Mew. "Wh-what the heck…!?" He gasped, confusion and panic in his voice.

From my peripheral vision, I saw Canberra the Mesprit and Iwes the Uxie appear as well. Canberra seemed stunned, however Iwes was smiling. I hated that smug know-it-all grin, but I wanted to deal with Merlot first. "Y-you lied to me, Merlot!" I yelled at him. "This was all part of you guys' plans, wasn't it!?"

"Wait… K-Keith!?" He wheezed, trying to kick me, but I evaded it. "K-Keith… Let me go! I-I can explain!"

"What is there to explain!" I said, squeezing his neck tighter. His face became a bit of blue and purple. "You wanted to reunite me with Sam and Arthur!"

"I-It was Uxie's idea!"

I let my grip on him go. He fell to the ground, coughing and breathing hard. Afraid, he quickly spoke up again. "I… I was only following Uxie's orders…" He told me through bated breath. "Sh-she said… the emotional feelings or whatnot would… awaken y-your true power…"

I glared at Iwes, who did not seem to care. "It had to be done," She said calmly, completely unfazed. "We analysed your aura… it was so strikingly similar to the previous Mew - I instantly knew who you really were."

"Y-you can't possibly…" Just like Merlot, I sunk to the ground, holding my chest tightly. I could feel it rise and fall and the fast-paced heartbeat from within. "How… why would you do this to me… You betrayed me!"

Canberra decided to intervene. "Enough you guys. What matters is now we know that Keith is the new Mew. We're gonna have to set up and do a lot of things."

"What kinds of things?" I asked her.

"Proper training, some education, basic stuff like that." She replied. "You've just discovered this massive potential today of course. We need you to learn how to control it."

I suddenly got dizzy. They're gonna use me. Train me, teach me, control me… manipulate me? Why me? Why am I a Mew? I felt huge pressure weigh down on me, crushing my willpower. I don't want to, I don't wanna! How did this suddenly become so complicated?

"N-no…" I whispered softly. "I won't follow you." For some reason, the clouds above finally gave way to rain. It somehow matched the atmosphere in here.

"Keith, it's dangerous." Iwes consoled me, though there was no sympathy in her voice. "This power you have, it needs a proper wielder, and you are -"

"I've had enough!" I burst out, standing up and balling my fists. "Why must there be so much drama in my life!? Why must I go through this!? Why am I a fuckin' Mew!?" In just a few sentences I let out all the anger and resentment I had in me, and more kept pouring out. "Why!? Why!? WHY!?" The rain poured down harder and harder with every yell I cried.

"K-Keith, please, calm down!" Merlot told me, struggling to stand up. "This is for your-"

"My own good, huh!?" I cut him off, knowing what he was about to say. "You don't know what I want, you don't know what'll cure me of this pain! I'm sick of all this! SO ALL OF YOU, JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!"

Another blinding white light consumed me, and I disappeared from that place.

Instead, I was somewhere cold, very cold. Despite how I only teleported here seconds ago, my entire body became freezing cold. I shivered, rubbing my shoulders in an attempt to get warmer. "Brr… Wh-where am I…?" My body still felt slightly hot from letting out a tantrum back at the cove… it was real then… I'm not hallucinating or dreaming.

The area was snowy and quite high up from sea level. Visibility was a bit low though. I sighed, a puff of smoke coming out of my mouth. "What is this place?" I asked myself again. "Am I on top of a mountain?" That seemed to be the case. When I looked up, I saw the peak that stretched up on and on until the very tip. I squinted. I thought I saw something… or someone.

A shadow.

It was just for a moment, but I thought I saw the shadow of someone up there. I need to get up there.

I was still in this Mew body, so I wasn't too used to it. I'm normally quadruped. I tried levitating just now, but I can't. I haven't gotten control of my power yet. "Whatever." I groaned, grabbing onto firm snowy ground here and there. It was hard, but after a while, I made it.

There, I saw the true identity of the figure I saw. The body and shape of the figure made it clear what Pokémon it was.

"A Jirachi?" I murmured to myself.

The Jirachi was staring off into the distance, only clouds and endless sky ahead of him. His tags swayed around in the wind like flags. Beside him, I noticed something intriguing. It looked like some sort of grave; it was a roughly carved stone slab, as if an amateur had done it, with etches carved onto the surface. I was too far away too see the writing clearly. Maybe I should call him or her, I thought. "Hello?"

The Jirachi quickly spun around. The two of us made eye contact. The wish Pokémon had beautiful turquoise eyes, shining in the sunlight. He stared at me, confused. He chuckled a bit, and in a voice that clearly sounded male he said: "I must be hallucinating." He rubbed his eyes and looked up at me once more. He looked shocked to see that I was still here. "Huh?" He pinched himself, and even slapped himself. "Ow, ow! …Wait, what?"

The strange reality that I was still here seemed to pique his curiosity. He stepped forward, but cautiously. He stepped forward a few times. Thinking that this might be not a very good idea, I stepped back. He gave a small gasp when he saw that. In a quick, swift movement, he rushed forward and grabbed me by my right paw. "G-gah!" I yelled, surprised.

"U-uwah!" The Jirachi yelled as well, though he didn't let go as well. He stared at me, looking deep into my eyes, as though searching for confirmation that I was not a figment of his imagination. His thumb ran over my thin fur, feeling it. "I-It can't be…" He whispered. And then, the most surprising thing happened: He hugged me.

"Hey, what in the-"

"Oh, thank Arceus, thank Mew!" He said in a joyous, celebrating voice. "The new Mew has finally shown himself!"

There it was again, the new Mew business. But different from Merlot and the others, I felt something different from this Jirachi. Some sort of… warmth, was emanating from him. I was positive that it wasn't because he hugged me. This strange, calm warmth… it was like a feeling of being welcomed, an extending hand, enveloping me in a warm, fuzzy embrace. It reminded me… of being hugged by Arthur. But instead of despair, this time I felt a sensation of being cared for, like how it used to be. A happy, but mournful nostalgia.

For this vague reason, my arms slowly wrapped around the Jirachi's back, hugging him back. I could hear him hold tears in my embrace. He must be very happy that I'm here then.

"F-forgive me, I a-apologize," He finally sobbed, letting go of me and stepping back a little. He wiped tears off his face with that long sleeve that's actually part of his arm. "I couldn't control myself…" He added, apologizing again with a bow.

"It's fine." I said nonchalantly. I was rather surprised at myself for forgiving him so easily. Was it because I felt comfortable with him?

"Could you tell me your name?" He asked.

"It's… It's Keith." I replied, though hesitantly.

"Keith…" He repeated, thinking. "I like that name. Just call me Jirachi."

"You don't have a name?"

He winced a little. "I do, but…" His head turned slightly to look back at the gravestone planted in the snow. I nodded, understanding. I remembered Merlot telling me that Mew was the one who gave him and the two others names. It might have been the same for this Jirachi.

"Is that the previous Mew's grave?" I asked him.

His head turned back at me. "Y-yes…" He nodded. "How'd you know?" I told him what Merlot told me a week ago. "I see… so you've met the Lake Trio already. Hm, well I guess they are Sinnoh's guardians…"

He stood silently for a few moments, looking - no, observing - me. "You have her eyes, you know?" He suddenly said. "Delphi also had those sea blue eyes like yours."

"So her name was Delphi?" I asked, looking at the grave behind him. Looking closely, I could see that the etches do form the name 'Delphi'. I saw pain in his eyes as he said that. For some reason, I think he might be afraid that he would ask me what happened to her. Fortunately, I had known already. "You don't need to tell me how she died." I comforted him. "Merlot explained it to me back then."

The Jirachi's mouth crooked into a feeble smile. "Anyway… Mind I ask what you're doing here on Mount Coronet? I told him about the clever Uxie's plan, the meeting with my trainer and the others, my sudden teleportation to Bleak Cove, my rant, and how I magically appeared here. "So your rage and feelings accidentally teleported you, is that right?" I nodded. "Mew once told me that novice psychic-types can accidentally unleash their power when not in the proper mind. I guess that's what happened with you."

A thought came back to me: what do I do now? I have now become the Legend Hunters's ultimate goal, I left everyone utterly baffled or miserable, and I'm a Mew. What's going to happen to my life now? I suddenly felt alone, all alone. The air seemed to be getting colder as I clenched my chest, breathing heavily. Jirachi appeared rather worried.

"You've been through a lot." He said, putting a hand on my shoulder. "You need to relax for a few days." I looked at him, feeling reassured. Despite me and him are total strangers to one another, we somehow found a link that ties us together. "Come with me." He continued. "I know someplace where we'll be isolated for a while."

"Where exactly is this someplace?"

"Someplace you can rest and think things through." He spoke in a soft, comforting voice as he wrapped an arm around my neck.

"…Alright then. Take me there." And with that, he teleported the two of us away.