Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon!

Summary: A divergence starting from the end of "Lucario and the Mystery of Mew". What if Satoshi withstood Lucario's push and gave his Aura to Mew as well? Desperate times call for desperate measures. This is what Mew did to save a dying boy with a heart of gold. / AU! Time Travel!

A/N:

Hi guys and gals!

This is my first Pokemon fanfic ever. I'm actually really bad at remembering names and attacks of pokemon, so I was unsure if I should write one (especially since I'm still at the beginning with my other stories as well).

But I really love the Pokemon Movie "Lucario and the Mystery of Mew" - it's my second favourite right after "The Power of One / 2000". I also totally love the music from the Advanced Generation "Smile" and "Soko ni Sora ga Aru Kara" by Toshiko Ezaki. I listened to them both and they inspired me to write this fanfic.

I would really appreciate if anyone would be willing to help me out.

Anyway, enjoy reading and please review!

P.S. This story is also beta'ed by my usual beta reader – thank you!

´´(O^Q)``

Chapter 1

Blue sparks danced across Satoshi's body, faster and faster in shorter intervals they travelled across his skin and clothes.

But the lives of his friends and the whole land – the town of Rota and the Cameran Palace, not to mention the countless pokemon living in the fields and forests outside of the Tree of Beginning – all were in danger if Mew could not be healed. Mew, who had selflessly returned his friends and became ill because of it.

Satoshi just had to hold on at all cost. This pain was nothing compared to the idea of losing someone important to him. This pain he could ignore, but the past day had been truly awful. There had been a constant ache in his chest and every time he was reminded of Pikachu's absence, the hurting would worsen and sting horribly. It just felt so very wrong.

Since day one they had always been together, after their encounter with the spearows, something just fell into place. They were always in synch, always sharing, always growing unitedly. His bond with Pikachu was something special, no other person or pokemon could ever compete with it. Not even his own mother Delia, whom Satoshi earnestly loved.

It had been and always will be Pikachu that Satoshi would travel with, battle against so many opponents, meet friends, and they jointly had said countless goodbyes – through tears and smiles, through anticipation and disappointments: no matter what had come their way, they got through it together.

Without his best friend, his partner, his soulmate pokemon… Satoshi couldn't imagine how to continue his journey. Travelling without Pikachu was unthinkable. So he inevitably set out to find the yellow mouse pokemon. To reunite with the part of his soul that had followed Pikachu to the majestic and mysterious Tree of Beginning.

Unfortunately, the happiness of befriending Lucario and finally having Pikachu at his side again had been abruptly cut short. Satoshi hadn't known the Tree would see humans as threats, hadn't known it would lead them here – this moment.

They had seen the time flower in the heart of the Tree where Sir Aaron had long ago sacrificed his life to save his home, his kingdom and the queen he served. Bittersweet was this revelation to Lucario who had thought himself abandoned and betrayed by his master and friend. Seeing the determination of Lucario and remembering what the aura pokemon had said, Satoshi naturally would see that he helped. His aura – for some unknown reason – resembled Sir Aaron's so much that Lucario had mistaken him for the legendary aura guardian and hero of Rota.

Thus, sparks of blue light burned his nerves while he willingly pushed his aura – practically his life force – out from the inside of his body and transferred it with the help of Sir Aaron's gloves to Mew. Another agonizing minute passed when finally a sheen of green light appeared and enveloped Mew's body, signalling to everyone in the room that the healing had begun and at the same time that the death of both aura users now was imminent.

From the corner of his eyes, Satoshi caught Lucario's movement towards him. He had barely enough time to brace himself by steadying his stance. Lucario slammed into him just a moment later. Although Satoshi nearly fell down, he gritted his teeth and regained his balance. Satoshi could see Lucario's surprised expression and guilt. The sight vaporized any anger he might have had towards the pokemon, who obviously had wanted to push Satoshi out of the way and carry all the burden by himself. He was touched, but Satoshi wasn't someone who let others spare him, he had already decided and was determined to see this to the very end.

His only regret was leaving Pikachu behind. His other travelling companions could live without him, he knew.

Brock was capable. Just as Brock had shouldered the responsibility for his many siblings with no parents in sight, Brock would overcome his death in time. May and Max were his dear friends, but they had travelled together less than a year. His death might leave them traumatised, seeing someone they knew die in front of them, but they too would eventually be alright.

Both of them had grown just like Satoshi had. The adventures and the dangers they had experienced had toughened them up – May and Max no longer were the naive and inexperienced people they once had been at the beginning of their journey. Now, they carried themselves with a more confident step. Being scared and unsure was natural, but they had learnt how to deal with that insecurity and how to overcome anything standing in their way. As long as they kept in mind to never give up, they would be fine.

As both Satoshi and Lucario glowed brighter and brighter, as particles that resembled fireflies gently rose up from their forms, the intense pain slowly receded. Exhausted, Satoshi slid down the wondrous crystal sprouting from the middle of this room. Lucario followed suit a second later. Happiness bubbled inside Satoshi as he watched Mew regain its usual energetic self and saw the Tree of Beginning repair itself at the melodious beckoning of the pink pokemon floating in the air.

Unconsciously, one of Lucario's paw slid further away from his side and touched a time flower located just beside him. The grey veil expanded from the blossom and unintentionally showed the last moments of Sir Aaron. No one was left dry-eyed when Lucario, voice thick with emotion, replied back to the recording of his long deceased friend.

A piercing cry of "Pika!" resounded in the heart chamber of the Tree of Beginning. In the blink of an eye Pikachu had sprinted into Satoshi's arms that automatically closed around the warmth of his first pokemon's body. The dying boy bend forward and curled himself around Pikachu. Satoshi knew it would hurt more if he left this world hugging Pikachu, because it would leave his beloved Pikachu surrounded by cold empty air afterwards. Only his body acted against him since deep down, Satoshi knew he wanted the comfort that Pikachu provided.

During the process, Pikachu could only watch helplessly as everything unfolded before his eyes. He had been unable to stop Pikapi (Satoshi) from being so reckless. Although Pikachu wasn't sure if he really would have had the heart to detain Pikapi from acting given the chance. It was no secret that the Masara town duo thought very similarly. Human and pokemon alike, Pikachu would also do the same if he were in Pikapi's shoes… But every what-ifs were for naught, completely useless! Unless they could somehow turn back time. Why hadn't he just escaped sooner? If Pikachu had run, Pikapi wouldn't have stepped into the Tree of Beginning. The electric pokemon thought morosely, if only…

The distressed and desperate cries of Pikachu echoed not only inside the room. They rebounded from each of their companions and reached the heart of Mew. Seeing the so very young human boy silently crying and clinging to his pokemon, the Pikachu firmly clawing itself into the boy's clothes – as if to prevent the boy from vanishing – and shaking its head repeatedly while wailing in torturous grief. The soulful sound emanated from the electric pokemon and the sight before her tucked mightily at Mew's heart strings.

It triggered the resurfacing of a hazy memory. Sometime ago, another Mew had told the story of a brave little human boy who ran between Mewtwo – a clone of Mew created from human hand – and that Mew who had been fighting each other. The attack of both Legendaries had collided in the middle of the arena and turned the boy into stone. Tears – beginning and ending with those of the boy's Pikachu – had cured the drastic effects of that fatal attack. It had been a miracle.

Later, they realized it was the same little human that Lugia became so fond of. In fact, Lugia told the other Legendaries he was sure the little boy was the new Chosen One after the near catastrophe on Shamouti Island in the Orange Archipelago.

Mew's eyes widened. No! I can't let this Little One die. This boy already proved himself to be selfless and of a pure heart. Little One has helped me, so of course I will help him in return.

Redirecting her thoughts toward another realm, Mew asked for permission. Arceus, surely, you have no objection?

After a pause, Mew felt something akin to a hum. Reaffirmed by Arceus himself, Mew visibly perked up and excitedly flew around the chamber. Had it been anyone else, Satoshi's friends would have taken offence at the clear disregard of the tragic situation. Instead hope had unwillingly filled their hearts. If anyone could save Satoshi, it would be the legendary Mew.

Lucario begged without hesitation, "Please! Mew, can you help Satoshi? Do not waste your energy on me, for I have lived a fulfilled life alongside my master and true friend Sir Aaron. I would be glad to depart to where he is now. But Satoshi is still so young! I loath myself for my inability to spare himthis fate. It tears at my heart to see Pikachu in a situation like my own… I implore you! Let them not suffer the same fate that struck Sir Aaron and me!"

"Be at ease, Lucario of Rota. I remember the Sir Aaron you speak of – an honourable and courageous man he was. Do not fear for the fate of them both. The Little One and his pikachu will not be separated by death. I can reassure you that I will help. And when you open your eyes the next time, you will meet your friend, who has missed you as well, again. Now rest." Mew lowered herself, so she could speak to Lucario at eye level. Then, she gently touched the head of Lucario with her final words in a farewell gesture before the jackal-like pokemon was completely engulfed by light.

Lucario's final act was turning his head toward the boy he had grown so fond of and smiling contently at the black-haired human and Pikachu, hoping it would ease some of the sadness their gazes held. Lucario felt no truer peace than now. He was glad the way he would depart from this world: in the same place and act just like Sir Aaron had gone through, able to look back towards the friends he had made in the short time after his reawakening and to look forward to the reunion with his master Sir Aaron (and only recently taught by Satoshi, Lucario tentatively thought) whom he also liked to call his best friend.

Satoshi felt new tears streaming down his face as he was forced to watch Lucario vanish silently. He couldn't move anymore and Pikachu was reluctant to let go of him, although Satoshi knew how both of them would have wanted to throw themselves onto Lucario had the situation been different. Lucario left with a smile. A genuinely blissful, warm and soft smile. Though it eased some of their pain, they knew the goodbye in Lucario's case was final – nothing in the world could have completely taken the hurt away.

The duo watched until every particle of the softly glimmering light had risen upward and fading out even before it had reached the ceiling. A high-pitched "mew mew" distracted them. Suddenly, Mew was directly in front of Satoshi's face. Due to the sudden closeness of a Legendary via the move Teleportation, Pikachu startled so violently that he momentarily forgot their situation. The surprised exclamations of the others were lost to him.

"Do not be sad any more, for not all is lost," Mew spoke telepathically, though only Satoshi and Pikachu were able to hear Mew's voice. To Satoshi, the voice had a childish ring to it, but the warmth from it actually reminded him entirely that of a caring mother. Mew might possibly have the most impressive arsenal of moves, however only a select few possessed the ability to project their voice into the outside world instead of sending their thoughts straight towards a recipient.

"We do not have much time, so please forgive me. I'll come visit and explain then. Promise." Confused, Satoshi was about to ask what Mew meant just as the eyes of the legendary pokemon began to glow a pure white. Since Mew still floated directly in front of Satoshi, he had to shut his eyes or else he feared he might go blind. The boy unconsciously tightened his hold on Pikachu, yet he also trusted Mew with his (now relatively short) life. Thus, whatever awaited him, Satoshi found no fear, only anticipation and hope stirring in his chest. The heaviness of his guilt and regret was lifted from his shoulders. Although Satoshi didn't know how, he understood that Mew wanted to save him. Thus, she also gave him the chance to continue their adventure – Pikachu and him, together like always.

No one apart from Mew herself saw the twin smiles of the young boy and his pikachu before the white light engulfed them whole – whisking them away to an unknown place and an unknown time.

"Good luck, Little One, and save landing." Mew wasn't sure if her well-wishing had still reached her little fledglings. Her fledglings sounded nice. Mew supposed the moment she had decided to help the Little One - the human boy and his pikachu were in fact very young compared to her or any of the original Legendaries – they did become her responsibility, one she gladly took upon herself…

On the other hand, all the explaining she would have to do was a rather boring and tedious chore. It can't be helped, Mew mentally sighed, having resigned herself to her fate. The Little One's friends and his mother have a right to know what happened.

Then, a gleeful expression hushed over Mew's face as she giggled to herself. "Oooh, oh! What fun it will be when I tell the other Legendaries that I acted responsibly for a change. I can't wait to see their dumbfounded expressions!"

Suddenly, pandemonium broke out among those who where left behind in the present. Panic shouts of "Satoshi!" and "Pikachu!" were heard – it seemed like the others finally unfroze from their previously shocked daze.

´´(O^Q)``

_–_ 1,000 years in the past _–_

In a blinding light, two forms suddenly appeared from thin air and dropped down the single yard separating them from the earth's surface. Two dull thuds were heard in the forest, then it was near silent again. Only the braver pokemon curiously peered into the clearing where the two forms lay still on the soft grass, yet at a safe distance away from behind the cover of berry bushes. They couldn't prevent making some rustling noises, but they didn't have to fear detection, because the forms were both unconscious.

Slowly, the pokemon came nearer and hesitatingly stepped into the clearing, which was partially illuminated by the streams of sunlight peaking through the treetops. Now they saw plainly what had mysteriously appeared in their forest: a little human boy with messy jet-black hair dressed in brown shorts, a white long-sleeved shirt and no shoes. Only a few feet away lay a small yellow-black pokemon with large ears. Seeing that the intruders seemed to be harmless, more and more pokemon dared to approach, but neither the unknown human nor the pokemon lying next to the human boy stirred at all in the presence of so many pokemon surrounding them. This concerned them.

What had happened? How did they appear in the fashion that they did? Who had sent them? Who was the little human? What relation did the yellow-black pokemon have to the little human?

The most urgent question was however what they should do with their unconscious guests. No one thought of them as intruders anymore. How could they be? As young as their guests were and arriving in such a defenseless state – it would be heartless to leave them here, exposed to the unpredictable elements of nature.

´´(O^Q)``

P.S. Satoshi is the Japanese name of Ash (same as Masara Town for Pallet Town). There is no particular reason why I chose it other than that I like it better.