"As you wish."
Requesting a full-powered battle was essentially asking to get beaten to a pulp. Mewtwo didn't quite understand such a strange demand but he accepted it anyway.
"For the next two days, you and Torterra will focus on using moves that accelerate Electivire's recovery. After that, we'll head for the fabled forbidden forest rumored to enhance healing. Once that's done, I'll have Garchomp and Electivire escort you to find Mew."
Paul's tone was calm and direct as he laid out their plan.
"...Understood."
Mewtwo paused for two seconds, then nodded.
Even though he was eager to search for Mew immediately, he knew this made sense. He and Electivire were teammates now, and Electivire's injury was partly his fault. Waiting until the Electric-type recovered felt right.
"Your understanding of this world is still extremely limited. Take this time to get familiar with it—its logic, customs, and most importantly, yourself."
"A lot of the questions you've been pondering might become clearer through that process."
"The world common sense... myself. Understood."
Mewtwo looked toward Paul, his gaze shimmering.
Technically, if you didn't count the time spent inside the test tube, Mewtwo was barely three days old.
A newborn, essentially.
Just like Paul had said, Mewtwo had almost no real-world experience.
If he had known better, Giovanni wouldn't have been able to manipulate him so easily with mere words.
If he had understood the basics of battle mechanics, he wouldn't have made so many mistakes during his match against Paul—misjudging type matchups and attack properties.
If he had known himself more thoroughly, he could've tapped into far more of his own potential.
Perhaps, once he fully understood himself and the world, he could finally stop dwelling on those persistent gnawing questions: Who am I? Why do I exist?
Still, Mewtwo hadn't expected Paul to be so bold. To lay out a path for him so decisively, even though they barely knew each other, had no deep emotional bond, and hadn't even formed a true trainer–Pokémon connection yet.
Maybe that was what confidence looked like.
Or maybe... it was recognition.
"That's all. If you need information, just sync up with Rotom via telepathy."
As the saying goes: Trust those you choose, or don't choose them at all.
Once Paul accepted a Pokémon as part of his team, he spared no effort in helping them grow.
And as for whether he should slow things down and build up emotional bonds first?
That wasn't Paul's style.
Mewtwo wasn't some clueless child, either. Mutual respect was the basis of any healthy relationship.
If Mewtwo truly wanted to leave one day, it would happen regardless. No point worrying like a coward.
Do what you need to do. And others will see your worth.
—
The next day came in the blink of an eye.
While Electivire obediently remained at the Pokémon Center for recovery, Mewtwo aided its healing with stat-enhancing buffs, all while continuing his own learning—studying common knowledge and honing his psychic abilities alongside Rotom.
Paul left Celadon City with his other Pokémon, heading for the nearby Battle Pike.
He'd already defeated the anime-world version of Palmer but that didn't mean he had no interest in the one from this world.
With most of the Frontier Brains already down, Paul decided to pick up the pace, defeat the remaining ones, challenge Palmer, and maybe even conquer the entire Battle Frontier.
Besides, there was still Drake in the Orange Archipelago waiting for their match.
—
Soon, Paul reached the Battle Pike. A group of colorful, energetic attendants led him inside, where he was brought before the venue's boss—a tall, fierce-looking woman dressed in a Seviper-inspired outfit: Lucy.
"Boss, challenger's here."
The attendants greeted her respectfully.
"I'm Lucy. So you're the challenger?"
With an elegant but commanding air, the so-called Pike Queen eyed Paul's unwavering gaze.
"I'm Paul from Veilstone City. Please battle with me."
He met her gaze coolly.
"Very well. Then come on."
Without another word, Lucy turned and led the way to the battlefield.
They arrived at a specialized arena—half land, half water. Lucy stood on the far side while her attendants took their seats. One blue-haired assistant stepped into the center to serve as the referee.
"We now begin the Battle Frontier challenge between Paul of Veilstone and the Pike Queen Lucy. Each trainer will use two Pokémon. A trainer loses when both of their Pokémon can no longer battle."
"Seviper—go!"
As soon as the rules were announced, Lucy flung her Poké Ball forward.
Out came a Seviper whose color matched her attire. It slithered to the center of the field, tongue flicking as it stared coldly at Paul.
In battle, Lucy was a fierce offensive tactician. Her Pokémon were stacked with attack moves—zero support or status moves whatsoever. A true oddball.
But that kind of opponent was actually the easiest for Paul. Far easier than someone like Ash, who relied on spontaneity and unpredictable strategies.
Without a word, Paul tossed out his own Poké Ball.
With Electivire still recovering, he was eager to finish this match quickly and move on.
His first choice:
"Ursaluna, get ready to battle!"
"Ursaah!"
With a mighty roar, Ursaluna emerged onto the field.
Unlike before, it didn't drop to all fours—instead, it stood tall on two legs, calmly eyeing its opponent.
Since its evolution, Ursaluna had fully mastered both quadrupedal and bipedal movement. That duality, forged through past battles, now allowed it to radiate sheer intimidation simply by standing still.
Even Seviper aggressive as it was, instinctively felt a chill.
"Use Earthquake."
Paul spoke calmly. Ursaluna didn't move a muscle but the attack had already begun.
The ground started to rumble, wave after wave of violent tremors shaking the arena and even the building itself.
Instinctively, Seviper leapt into the air to avoid the first wave.
But no matter how high it jumped, Seviper couldn't fly. It landed hard, taking another full-force quake and suffering significant damage.
"Poison Tail!"
Seeing the unrelenting tremors, Lucy gave her command without hesitation.
"Cha-na!"
Seviper launched forward like an arrow, twisting midair to lash out with its crimson tail sharp and venomous as a blade aimed directly at Ursaluna.
"Headlong Rush!"
Ursaluna's eyes lit up. Flames of grit and determination flared across its body as the Guts ability activated. Bracing itself, it lunged forward.
Its colossal form crashed into Seviper like a runaway mountain. The snake was sent flying, reeling from the impact, and stunned.
"Dodge and use Flamethrower!"
As it landed, Seviper twisted to barely dodge Ursaluna's follow-up and countered with a point-blank blast of fire.
The flames engulfed Ursaluna.
But even as it burned, the bear's face showed no pain—only growing excitement.
Seviper realized too late: the flames weren't weakening Ursaluna, they were fueling it.
Its body flared with blazing power, as if ready to burn the battlefield itself.
"Earthquake."
Ursaluna stomped once more. The ground shattered beneath them.
Seviper tried to leap back, its tail smacking the ground to launch itself away. But it had walked straight into Paul's trap.
"Endure."
Ursaluna, already primed for battle, grinned savagely the moment Seviper leapt into the air. With the ground cracking beneath its paws, the beast charged forward like a flaming war agent.
"Ice Fang!"
Realizing there was no way to evade, Seviper steeled itself and lunged at Ursaluna with its icy fangs bared.
BOOM!
Before Seviper could complete the attack, Ursaluna shattered the move with brute force and slammed into it. The serpent was hurled across the field, crashing through massive boulders before finally landing in a crumpled heap.
Seviper had lost the ability to battle.
"Ursah~"
Ursaluna stood over its fallen opponent, the flames engulfing its body fueled by Burn, Guts, Fire Punch, and its own latent elemental power, burning fiercer than ever.
According to Paul, any state capable of awakening latent potential and sustaining the surge of bloodline power could be classified as a "Bloodline Mode."
Ursaluna's version had been developed through the synergy of Burn, the Guts Ability, Fire Punch, and Hidden Power. In training, it often paired this mode with Swords Dance to push its strength even further.
"Seviper is unable to battle. Ursaluna wins!"
The referee declared the result, glancing with concern at Lucy.
Ursaluna had become somewhat of a sensation at the very least, Paul's version of it was unique across all regions and was regarded as his signature Pokémon.
"Return, Seviper."
Lucy showed no sign of distress. Calmly, she pulled out another Poké Ball and threw it.
"Go, Milotic!"
"Mii~"
With an ethereal cry, a long and elegant Milotic appeared in the arena's central pool.
Hailed as the most beautiful Pokémon in the world, Milotic's appeal went beyond appearance, it had a pure heart and the rare ability to calm others' rage.
Its very presence softened the flames of fury burning inside Ursaluna.
"Earthquake."
At Paul's command, Ursaluna's eyes narrowed. The ground shook once more as powerful seismic waves surged across the battlefield.
"Levitate."
Lucy remained composed. In reality, strong Milotic could hover some even fly freely.
While her Milotic wasn't expert at flight, levitating to evade Earthquake was not an issue.
As soon as she spoke, Milotic rose gently from the water's surface and hovered, eyes locked onto Ursaluna.
"Hydro Pump!"
WHOOSH!
Milotic opened its mouth to unleash its attack, but just as it began to charge the move, a crystalline blue pillar burst up from the shallow pool and struck it squarely.
The blow disrupted the Hydro Pump and nearly sent Milotic plunging back into the water, into Earthquake's reach.
Stealth Rock!
"Belly Drum. Endure."
Paul gave the mental command.
With the surprise attack landing successfully, Ursaluna charged again on all fours.
As it ran, its face twisted in pain. A blinding white light erupted from its body, the final phase of Belly Drum and its aura surged to terrifying new heights.
"Hydro Pump. Twister!"
Unaware that Ursaluna had used Belly Drum, Lucy calmly closed her eyes.
Milotic's tail whipped through the water, summoning a fierce cyclone. Its Hydro Pump mixed with the water and swirling winds, forming a mighty water tornado that barreled toward Ursaluna.
For most Pokémon of equal level, this would've been an impossible obstacle.
But not for Ursaluna.
Even under Guts alone, Ursaluna was hard to stop. Now, with its attack maxed out by Belly Drum?
"URRSAHHH!!!"
A roar of rage shook the stadium as Ursaluna dove headfirst into the Water Twister. Neither wind nor current could halt its charge. The heat from its body vaporized any water that touched it.
In a cloud of steam, Ursaluna leapt toward Milotic, releasing all its explosive force in a single strike.
Milotic tried to dodge, but in midair without the support of water, it had no chance.
All it could do was lash out with Aqua Tail—
BOOM!
The impact sent Milotic hurtling like a cannonball into the base of Lucy's viewing platform, nearly toppling her into the battlefield.
"Milotic is unable to battle. Ursaluna wins. Challenger Paul is the winner!"
The referee blinked in disbelief at Lucy.
"I lost? That easily?"
Lucy stared blankly at her defeated Milotic.
Since her debut, she'd never suffered such a crushing defeat when the power levels were fairly matched.
Seviper managed to stall for two moves. But Milotic went down in one hit.
That outcome… that disparity…
"Return, Milotic."
After a long pause, Lucy finally recalled her Pokémon.
"Well done. Your progress is faster than I expected."
Paul praised quietly.
Perhaps Ursaluna's strength had been lying dormant, waiting to erupt. Paul was deeply satisfied.
No—for Ursaluna, calling it Bloodline Mode felt off. "Awakening Mode" was more accurate.
"Ursaah~"
Ursaluna let out a goofy chuckle and curled up beside Paul, the flames on its body extinguishing in seconds. Once again, it looked like the clumsy, honest bear everyone knew.
"This is the Luck Symbol. You've earned it."
Lucy approached with a badge in hand and passed it to Paul.
"The Luck Symbol… Luck… It makes sense. To come this far using only offensive moves, you clearly have the mindset best suited to wield it."
Paul accepted it with a sigh.
Unlike the games or anime where Pokémon can learn a vast array of moves, this world had limitations.
Powerful Pokémon mastering many moves wasn't rare—
But a Trainer like Lucy, who insisted on teaching only attacking moves?
Rarer than pandas.
Ash might be reckless, but he wasn't stupid. Lucy's obsession with pure offense? Paul respected it.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Lucy narrowed her eyes at his words. A trace of killing intent brewed.
"Heh… When was the last time you beat a stronger opponent?"
Paul smirked, unfazed. He patted Ursaluna and walked off toward the exit tunnel, leaving Lucy to reflect.
In single battles without Dynamax or double strategies, if your team knows only attack moves, you're fine against weaker foes.
But against equals or stronger opponents? Your win rate speaks for itself.
And even with the home-field advantage, she barely held her ground.
On a neutral field? The result would be even clearer.
(End of Chapter)
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