A/N: This oneshot is a prize for Adam (adamarts_ on twitter) for participation in Blacklight on the Thousand Roads forums.

V for Vivify

Something about autumn made Mew love Liberty Garden Island. Crisp air rustled the dying leaves of countless trees, creating a fluttering shower that settled into a carpet of red and brown and gold. The sunset only enhanced the display of nature. At the center, the lighthouse stood as a lone sentinel, nearly black against the darkening sky. And as an added bonus, most of the humans were gone by this time of day, leaving it quiet and peaceful.

But that wasn't why she came. As beautiful as it was, she had business to attend to. So with one last look of longing, Mew turned and slipped into one of the lighthouse windows, making sure to stay invisible.

Her goal: the basement. Or rather, the pokemon that lived there.

"Victini?" Mew called as she reached the bottom of the stairs. Her gaze flitted across the old bedroom as she turned visible. "Are you there?"

There wasn't an immediate reply. But after a moment, Mew heard a quiet shuffling from deeper inside. A v-shaped set of ears poked up from under the bedsheets. Victini shuffled out, eyes glittering with wariness.

"There you are," Mew chirped, zipping forward to close the gap between them. "Are you doing okay?"

"F-fine," Victini mumbled. But as he tapped his fingers together, he refused to look Mew in the eye.

Mew's tail tip twitched. He certainly didn't sound fine. Perhaps that explained his behavior—and the reason for her visit.

"So," Mew began, idly running a forepaw along the baseboard, "I heard you were supposed to fight in Arceus' annual sparring matches, but failed to show up. What happened?"

Victini visibly flinched, pulling the sheet up till it covered his nose. "Right, that." He ducked completely under the sheet. "I'm sorry, I know I should have come. It's just… Everybody was going to be there. What if I messed up, and in front of all the other legends? It would have been so embarrassing. A-and I never would have been able to show my face and everyone would have been mad and—"

"H-hold on Victini, calm down!" Mew took a deep breath, focusing as she drew from the memories of long-unused skills. A sweet, soothing scent filled the air. "It's alright. No one's watching right now." She paused, letting her words hang before adding, "You're stronger than you realize, you know?"

Victini poked his head out of the covers again but he couldn't look Mew in the eye. "I'm not so sure about that…"

Mew tapped her chin as she thought. There had to be some way to prove to Victini how strong he was… Then an idea struck. She offered out a paw.

"Come outside with me."

Victini tilted his head, eyes glittering with worry.. But curiosity got the better of him, and he reached and took Mew's paw.

In a flash, they were outside, floating above the water as the first stars twinkled into view. Though land was still in sight, Mew had teleported them far enough away that human eyes wouldn't spot them. She backed off, putting a few body lengths between herself and Victini.

"Alright," Mew said, "hit me with your best attack. Don't hold back, I won't dodge. Let me be the judge of your strength."

"W-what?" Victini stammered, eyes bulging. "But what if I hurt you?"

"Do you think you're strong enough to hurt me?" Victini flinched, so Mew quickly added, "No, I don't mean it like that. I mean. Inside you were worried you weren't strong enough. Now you're worried you're too strong." She twitched her ears and gave him a slow, warm blink. "Don't worry, I'll be fine. Now are you going to attack me or not?"

"F-fine." Victini floated back a few more body lengths, taking a deep breath.

First there was a spark, then an ember. Then Victini's ears burst into flame. Licking tendrils of fire rose up and up, creating a vortex around him before settling into a white-hot glow on his ears.

"You're doing great!" Mew shouted in encouragement. "Now unleash your aura and come at me!"

There was a second of hesitation. The fire started to waver. Then Victini grit his teeth. Mew saw a physical manifestation of his aura burst from his body, enveloping him as he dashed forward in a lightning-fast streak.

She had only a second to hear the determined yell, then burning pain struck her in the abdomen.

Mew went sailing backwards, losing control of her levitation due to the sheer force of the blow. Water splashed around her as she was flung into the waves. She gasped, swallowing a mouthful of ocean as she tried to right herself, throwing a protective bubble up around her. She hacked for a moment before she was able to reorient. Then she flew back up to the surface.

Victini was panting, head whipping wildly as he scanned the waves, only to let out a gasp of relief when he saw Mew emerge. "Oh my cosmos and stars, are you alright?" he shouted between heavy breaths. The move had clearly taken a lot out of him.

"Fine," Mew replied, lowering the shield. Her tail lashed wildly as she buzzed with excitement. "That was amazing! See? You have what it takes!"

Now that the adrenaline was starting to wear off, Victini's shyness returned. He tapped his paws together and averted his eyes. "O-oh. I don't know about that…"

Mew approached, reaching out to take Victini's paws. "Victini," she began, making eye contact. "Look at what you did. You sent me flying! You're so much stronger than you realize, don't you know that? I'm so proud of you already. But don't you see? You have potential to be so much more."

Victini hesitated. "I mean, maybe, but…"

"No buts. You have incredible potential. But to unlock that, you have to be brave, and face your anxieties. I know you can do it." Mew waited for a moment to let her words sink in before continuing. "Now, what do you say we go see the other legends. It's a little late for a fight, but… I'm sure they'd still be happy to see you. What do you say?"

"Well…" Victini averted his gaze, took a deep breath, then looked at Mew. "Alright. I'll… I'll give it a shot."

"That's all I'm asking for," Mew replied with an affectionate blink. "Now come on, we're wasting time."

Still holding one of Victini's paws, Mew turned and made for the sky. And as they left to see the gods, she was glad she went to check on Victini. He may be shy and scared, but he had the potential to be incredible. He just needed a little help along the way. And she was happy to be that help, whenever he needed a little push.