Pokémon: Chronicles of Freedom-Chapter 596 - 595: Lucario’s Energy Orb

After an explanation from Altaria, with Cain's telepathic help, Lucario finally realized his mistake.

He had attacked Cain because he mistook him for the one responsible for damaging the Tree of Life. If Lucario had used his aura power, he could have sensed that Cain had no ill intentions.

Standing before him, Lucario bowed deeply, a full ninety-degree angle, trying to apologize. Cain, with an awkward smile, waved his hands to dismiss it.

It was undeniable that Pokémon living on Mythical Island, being so peaceful, often turned out to be rather naïve.

For example, this Lucario—when serious, he could seem terrifying, but when showing innocence, he made Cain feel a little guilty.

However, Cain wouldn't dare harbor any ill intentions toward Lucario, knowing his aura ability allowed him to perceive the emotions of living beings.

Lucario quickly accepted his mistake, largely thanks to his ability to sense Cain's emotions.

While Altaria and Lucario chatted on the side, Cain couldn't help but be surprised that these two Pokémon already knew each other.

In truth, Mythical Island wasn't very large, and powerful Pokémon inevitably knew one another. Especially for Altaria, a Flying-type Pokémon, traveling across the island was easy.

Lucario had an important duty: protecting the Tree of Life. His role on the island was highly respected. No Pokémon dared act recklessly in his presence.

Mythical Island was created by Mew, and the Tree of Life was one of Mew's dwelling places. Over generations, Lucarios had passed down the responsibility of protecting it, earning the respect of all the island's Pokémon.

However, even after resolving the misunderstanding with Lucario, Cain's expression didn't show relief.

Based on Lucario's description, the one who damaged the Tree of Life was a member of Team Rocket who had also arrived on the island. Additionally, the culprit had a quasi-elite-level Pokémon, representing a considerable threat.

It was clear that some members of the organization weren't satisfied with the current situation and wanted to get ahead to gain benefits.

After some time, Altaria and Lucario finished their conversation. Altaria, with a frustrated expression, looked at Lucario, but he maintained his obstinate stance. Cain, intrigued, contacted Altaria telepathically to find out what was going on, and the response left him speechless.

Altaria had told Lucario what Cain had explained earlier: that a group of powerful humans was about to arrive on the island with even stronger Pokémon, and the damage Lucario had seen on the Tree of Life was only the work of an advance group.

The worst was yet to come.

Altaria wanted Lucario to join her in facing the threat. With their combined abilities, they could protect each other outside the island. But Lucario, clinging to his ancestral duty to protect the Tree of Life to the end, flatly refused.

Altaria repeatedly tried to explain what death meant, but Lucario remained steadfast in his decision. In the end, Altaria, unable to change his mind, gave up.

She warned him that if he faced enemies too strong, he should flee. Given his position on the island, he would have no problem finding a strong Flying-type Pokémon to help him escape once the barrier disappeared.

But Lucario was determined to die alongside the Tree of Life if necessary. If someone tried to destroy it, they would have to defeat him first.

The Tree had suffered significant damage, but it wasn't completely destroyed. Over time, it could recover, and Lucario could sense this thanks to his aura power.

Cain felt it was time to demonstrate his skills. Under Lucario and Altaria's watchful eyes, he approached the Tree of Life and began working. With a blade, he removed the damaged areas, revealing the inner trunk, which still held some vitality.

Then, he took out several medicines from his storage space and asked Floette to use a variant of Grassy Terrain on the Tree of Life.

Before their eyes, the trunk of the Tree began to show signs of regeneration. The withered parts, once removed, allowed the Tree to activate its self-repair abilities. With the help of the medicines and Floette's skill, the Tree would heal faster.

While it wouldn't recover entirely right away, its regeneration would be much quicker.

Lucario watched everything, impressed by Cain's efforts, and his gaze was full of regret. However, instead of apologizing directly, Lucario gave something to Cain through Altaria.

It was a fragment of wood from the Tree of Life, about the size of a hand, which, according to Altaria, served as a key to a door in the ruins beneath the Tree of Life.

Cain, surprised, accepted the item, not expecting Lucario to have access to a key to the ruins. According to Altaria, this was Lucario's way of apologizing for the misunderstanding.

Without further words, Lucario returned to guarding the top of the Tree of Life, ensuring no one else would harm it.

"I hope he survives in the end," Cain thought as he stored the key, feeling it would be crucial later.

If Lucario had agreed to leave with Altaria, he wouldn't have been as respected by the other Pokémon on the island. His ancestral duty was something that inspired reverence, even though Mew hadn't lived on the island for a long time.

It was possible that Lucario had never seen Mew since his birth and didn't fully understand what he was protecting.

Lucario was a Pokémon worthy of admiration.

Cain felt a bit regretful. With his great power and potential, Lucario could have achieved incredible feats if not for the sudden invasion of Team Rocket.

"What a waste!" Cain thought sadly. This Pokémon couldn't be persuaded... because he could read minds!

After calming Slowking and Honchkrow and praising their efforts, Cain prepared to leave.

However, just as he was about to go, a blue energy orb shot down from the tree, heading toward Cain, who had let his guard down.

Cain's Pokémon reacted in alarm, ready to protect him, but Altaria stopped them.

They didn't know what the orb was, but Altaria did.

Seeing Altaria's reaction, Cain also relaxed, trusting his Pokémon completely. He knew she wouldn't let anything harm him.

(End of Chapter)