"Roooar…"
Nidoking, his wounds gradually healing under Ash's touch, finally stirred and opened his eyes. Looking up at the black-haired boy with that kind, handsome face and strangely familiar aura, the massive Pokémon gave a grateful growl.
"It's alright."
Ash gently patted Nidoking's thick arm, feeling the surging warmth of his Viridian Power inside.
Over the past days at camp, he'd come to understand something important: cultivating the Viridian Power didn't mean simply blasting Pokémon with healing energy. Whether he was healing them or generously sharing the Source Cleansing power, both counted as growth.
What mattered most… was the intent.
Just like how he'd received the Viridian Blessing by selflessly protecting the forest, Ash realized that the real way to strengthen this power was through genuine kindness—no expectations, no agenda, no strings attached.
Whenever he gave freely—whether to Pokémon or people—the power inside him responded.
As if the very laws of nature had marked this down, an invisible reward system etched into the gift of Viridian Power: do good, get stronger.
Almost like getting little "gold stars" from the universe.
Of course, he could use this power selfishly if he wanted. It just wouldn't reward him for it.
After all, the Viridian Power was just that—a power. A tool. How he used it was up to him.
"System, scan Nidoking's stats."
Ash placed his hand on the beast's shoulder again and quietly triggered the scan in his mind.
[Pokémon: Nidoking]
Level: 23
Type: Poison / Ground
Nature: Rash
Ability: Poison Point
Potential: [Green]
Copyable Skills:
[Skilled]: Megahorn, Leer, Poison Sting, Peck, Focus Energy, Fury Attack, Toxic Spikes, Double Kick, Horn Attack, Toxic, Poison Jab, Earth Power, Fire Blast
[Novice]: Flatter, Helping Hand
Ash noted the differences immediately.
Unlike the backyard Nidoking at Professor Oak's lab, this one was wild. Aside from powerful techniques like [Megahorn], [Earth Power], and [Fire Blast], the rest were fairly basic. Not worthless, but nothing groundbreaking either.
But to Ash, that didn't matter.
Even if a Pokémon was Level 5 and knew only [Growl], he'd still copy its moves without hesitation. Turning up his nose at free moves? That'd be ridiculous.
"System, copy the skills."
As Ash gave the command, he channeled his Viridian Power into the Source Cleansing energy and sent it into Nidoking again.
5%...
10%...
He also spoke to Nidoking through Aura:
"This place is part of the Pokémon Summer Camp. High-level Pokémon aren't allowed to wander around the valley. You should stay here in the meadow."
"I'll let the camp staff know and have them escort you out safely. Who knows—maybe outside the valley, you'll find your very own Nidoqueen~"
"Roooaaar…"
Nidoking growled softly in response. Hearing Ash's voice inside its mind, it nodded, stole a quick glance at the terrifying Mew hovering nearby, and slowly trudged off into the grass.
…
"Mii~ Hey kid..."
Just as Ash was turning back, Mew—who had been silently watching him—finally spoke.
Its tone was… boyish. Young. Slightly tsundere.
"You're an Aura wielder and your power's fully awakened, right? That means you should be able to hear me."
"Wait, what?"
Ash blinked in confusion. The voice had echoed inside his mind, but what shocked him wasn't that Mew was speaking telepathically.
Mew was a Psychic-type Mythical Pokémon with Aura. Of course it could do that.
No, what stunned Ash… was the voice.
A bratty little boy's voice?!
Mew, with its cute pink cat-like appearance and sparkly energy… was a boy?
"Mii~ I'm this adorable, so obviously I'm a boy," Mew huffed, rolling its eyes with dramatic flair.
"…Sure."
Ash didn't know how to argue with that logic, so he didn't.
Honestly, it didn't matter to him whether Mew was male, female, or neither. What he did care about… was how to get close enough to make physical contact.
Because once he did… he could copy Mew's move set.
And that was no ordinary move set.
Mew, with the genes of all Pokémon, could learn any move.
If Ash managed to copy even a portion of that...
His future shop inventory? Permanently stacked.
Mew, of course, had no clue about the plans brewing in Ash's head. It circled him a few more times, occasionally nodding as if pleased, and sometimes frowning as if in doubt.
Finally, it stopped.
With a very serious expression on its adorably squishy face, Mew floated in front of Ash and looked him dead in the eye.
"Kid, you look a lot like someone I once knew. A good friend. I still owe him a major favor. But… he's long gone from this world."
"And because you resemble him so much, I've decided…"
Mew's eyes sparkled.
"I'm going to offer you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. A great fortune. Do you dare accept it?"
Its tone was childlike, but its presence radiated the gravity of a mythical being.
"You look like my old friend. You wield Aura just like him. In fact…" Mew narrowed its eyes. "Your Aura is exactly the same as his."
Exactly the same?
Ash's heart skipped.
Could Mew be talking about… Sir Aaron?
Of course!
In the movie Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, Sir Aaron had sacrificed his life to save Mew and the world. It made perfect sense.
And Ash's Aura was identical to Aaron's.
Could it be that Mew thought Ash was Sir Aaron's reincarnation?
Or—was it possible that this body's original soul… was Aaron reborn as Ash?
Ash mulled this over, silent.
Seeing him deep in thought, Mew floated closer, curiously scanning his face.
"Hey, human kid. Aren't you even curious what kind of opportunity I'm offering you?"
"You know I'm Mew, right? To you humans, I'm the 'Mythical Pokémon of Genesis.' My power is beyond your wildest dreams!"
"When I say it's a great opportunity, don't you want to know what it is?"
Mew crossed its tiny arms and gave Ash a slightly pouty look.
"Oh! Uh, right… What kind of opportunity is it, Mew?"
Ash finally snapped back to attention, curious at last.
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