Audience Seats
"That's incredible! To think he could beat Cynthia so easily… I wonder if it would've been the same without Mewtwo."
Dawn said, eyes wide with awe. Witnessing a trainer's journey from a rookie to a League Champion was nothing short of unbelievable.
"Paul is far stronger than he lets on." Lucas remarked calmly. "Whether it's Mewtwo or another Pokémon, the result would've been the same."
After pausing for a moment, a hint of regret crossed his face.
"What a shame… If not for Paul, I might've had a chance at beating Cynthia this year and claiming the title. Now, it seems… well, what can we do?"
He sighed, shoulders slumping.
Lucas wasn't arrogant. He knew that if he raised his Pokémon to Champion-level strength, defeating Cynthia wouldn't be impossible. The real problem was Paul, who always seemed one step ahead. Once Paul took the title, defeating Cynthia would prove his strength but not grant him the championship.
As for the Champion Challenge—defeating the Elite Four was one thing, but to defeat Paul...
"It's alright, I believe you'll become really strong." Dawn comforted him.
Dawn didn't say anything about defeating Paul. After all, Mewtwo might be a bit of an overpowered asset, but she felt confident that Lucas would easily become the second strongest trainer in Sinnoh, next to Paul.
"Yeah, I will... But Barry, why are you so quiet?"
Lucas steadied his emotions but suddenly realized how silent Barry had been.
"What's there to say? I've known from the start. The moment Paul entered the competition, he had already won."
Barry nodded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. His admiration for Paul wasn't blind praise. He wouldn't be so loyal if Paul didn't have something special.
.…
"..."
Elsewhere, on a remote island, a young boy with Pikachu also watched the match unfold.
This seemingly ordinary boy was, in fact, the current world's strongest trainer, and the most powerful Champion—Red.
After watching Paul's battle, Red paused the video and turned his phone to show the ever-shocked and silent Pokémon beside him.
"Another you."
Red spoke only a few words, yet his gaze fixed on the Pokémon with profound thought.
The Pokémon before him was humanoid, resembling a big cat, with silver fur, purple eyes, tail and belly, and a violet tail protruding from its back.
Compared to ordinary Pokémon, it exuded an aura of mystery, wisdom, and immense power.
It was none other than another Mewtwo!
The Mewtwo before him clenched its fists, excitement flickering in its eyes. Having always believed it to be the only "orphan" of its kind, encountering another like it filled it with uncontrollable excitement.
But after the match ended, Mewtwo quickly regained composure, and its mind became filled with confusion.
"It's impossible. Absolutely impossible."
"When Team Rocket created me, I was the only one. I destroyed New Island, and I've even checked Giovanni's memories. There shouldn't be another Mewtwo."
"Where did it come from?"
If that Mewtwo claimed it was created by another organization, it could accept that. But the fact that this one shared its own template was beyond comprehension.
There's no way...
"Another world."
Red added simply.
"Either way, I must meet it."
Mewtwo spoke, calm yet filled with unshakable determination.
Red said nothing more. He packed his belongings and prepared for action.
…
Battle Arena
The world seemed to stand still for Paul as he basked in the spotlight after his victory. But even after the Champion Trophy ceremony ended, he couldn't leave just yet.
As the new Champion of Sinnoh, Paul couldn't just walk away with a trophy. To truly be crowned Champion, he needed to visit the Champion Hall to enter his information, take a photograph, and complete several other formalities.
"Let's go, Paul. I'll take you to the Champion Hall to register."
Cynthia waved at him and began leading the way toward the nearby Champion Hall.
Although Cynthia felt a bit uncomfortable with Paul claiming the title, she wasn't overly bothered.
At this point, the "secondary career" of being a Champion revealed its true worth.
Can't be Champion anymore? No problem!
Mythologist, investigator, rock collector, actor, Coordinator… There's always something else for you to do.
For Cynthia, focusing on her research and returning to being an ordinary trainer seemed just fine. She would have more time to spend with her Pokémon.
"Alright, Miss Cynthia."
Paul nodded and followed her.
Soon, the two arrived at the Champion Hall beside the Sinnoh Arena.
As they entered, the first thing that caught Paul's eye was a stone sculpture of a Poké Ball, featuring photos of all the previous Champions and their Pokémon.
At the far edge of the hall, Paul saw a photo of Cynthia with her Pokémon, holding the Championship trophy and smiling happily.
But then...
"Excuse me, is it only the last six Pokémon who can appear in the photo?"
Paul asked. "Since these Pokémon have been with me through thick and thin, don't you think it's a bit selfish to only include the final six? At least all my Pokémon should be in the picture with me, right?"
"There isn't really a rule against it." Cynthia explained with a gentle smile. "The reason only six Pokémon appear is simple: a Trainer can only carry six Pokémon on them at once. And some Champions have dozens of Pokémon, it would be impractical to line them all up for one photo."
Back when Cynthia first became Champion, she hadn't thought much about it. She'd simply stood with her team, smiling happily and carefree. But now that she thought about it, the idea of taking a picture with all of her Pokémon didn't sound bad at all.
Paul asked directly:
"Can we make an exception?"
"Hmm… fine. I'll give you ten minutes. Use the Rotom Phone to call them over."
Cynthia thought about it, it would only take a short call to have the others send his Poké Balls through the PC transfer system.
"Much appreciated."
Within three minutes, Paul had retrieved every one of his Poké Balls from Reggie, then dialed a number as he and Cynthia walked to the photo site.
"All of you, come out."
With a sweep of his arm, Poké Balls burst open. In an instant, a vast group of towering Pokémon filled the area.
"Line up. Time for the photo."
Paul just gave a couple of sharp commands. His Pokémon immediately began moving into place.
"RAAAA…"
Torterra lumbered forward, the largest of the team, claiming the center ground with a heavy thud.
"Wooo!"
Ninetales darted to the left side, nestling beneath the giant tree that grew from Torterra's shell, clearly claiming her favorite spot.
Samurott and Mewtwo moved wordlessly, standing with icy composure at Torterra's front left and right, forming a proud vanguard.
"Vireeeee!"
Electivire eyed the layout, then strode to Torterra's right with Garchomp by its side. Drapion slithered up behind them, craning its head between the two giants.
Ursaluna and Aggron settled to Torterra's left alongside Samurott. Above them, Metagross floated steadily, casting a looming shadow.
With the massive Pokémon arranged, it was easy to fit in the smaller ones.
"WAAH-CHAA!"
Monferno bounded forward, plopping down cross-legged in front of Ursaluna as if mimicking its pose.
"Eeno…"
Froslass drifted to Ninetales' side, hovering gracefully by the great tree.
After some shuffling and murmurs, everyone found their place.
Paul vaulted smoothly onto Torterra's back, sitting tall as his partner. He released Rotom from the phone, letting it hover, then flipped the screen toward the camera and signaled that all was ready.
"Alright then—3… 2… 1… cheese!"
CLICK!
The shutter snapped, freezing the moment forever.
But the photographer, staring at the preview, suddenly froze, hands trembling.
"Is the shot no good? If so, take a few more." Cynthia asked curiously, stepping forward.
"No… it's too good."
The photographer stepped aside, still visibly shaken, motioning for Cynthia to look.
"At first glance, I didn't notice anything… but wait—?!"
Cynthia's sharp eyes widened in disbelief. Nestled casually on Mewtwo's shoulder, a tiny pink Pokémon sat cheerfully, smiling with eyes half-mooned in joy.
"Mew?!"
As a scholar of myths, Cynthia instantly recognized the so-called ancestor of all Pokémon. To see it here—of all places—was unthinkable.
But how? In the mere fraction of a second between the shutter's click and the flash, what had happened?
Before Cynthia could piece it together, something else caught her eye. Enlarging the image on Paul's Rotom screen, she noticed another anomaly: a Pokémon that resembled Dialga… and yet, not quite the same.
Her gaze shifted toward Paul, her expression hardening.
If Mew and a Dialga-like being both appeared in his photograph, then regardless of whether they were his Pokémon or not, Paul clearly shared some deep connection with them.
"Looks fine. This'll do."
Paul, seeing the astonishment on their faces, walked up, glanced at the image, and gave a satisfied nod.
"Then it's settled."
The photographer knew this would likely be the greatest photo he would ever take in his life. Naturally, he agreed without hesitation.
Later, Paul completed the data entry process with Cynthia, officially becoming the new Champion of the Sinnoh League.
That very evening, the Sinnoh League released the announcement—along with the photos and recordings.
And in an instant, the world trembled.
(End of Chapter)
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