Mewtwo regained consciousness a minute later.
Unlike many frail Psychic-types, Mewtwo's immense spirit had honed its body—it was tough, even as an artificial Pokémon.
Now, it lay in a crater on the shore, still aching, far from full strength.
It stared at the sky, the storms clearing, sunlight breaking through.
But as the loser, it felt unworthy of enjoying the sunlight.
Having failed, it lost its sense of purpose.
Mewtwo's eyes grew vacant. Without the title of strongest, it didn't know what to do.
Until Lucas flicked its forehead.
"What are you sulking for? Don't tell me you're depressed just because you lost one fight."
Mewtwo's changing expression didn't escape Lucas' notice. He could tell the philosopher in Mewtwo was spiraling again.
"Depressed? What does that mean?"
After a moment, Mewtwo spoke telepathically.
Lucas didn't mind the scorched ground and beckoned Luxray, Dragonite, and Delibird to sit. He sighed and spoke more gently: "Just ignore my nonsense. Now that you're calm, can we talk?"
"…Okay."
Mewtwo was silent for a while, then grunted.
In its mind, Lucas and Luxray were the strongest. Having lost, it had no room to argue.
Seeing this, Lucas frowned—this was tricky.
In the anime, no one could defeat Mewtwo. Even at Cerulean Cave, the enlightened Mewtwo was only restrained by Team Rocket's tech. So it had never shown weakness or defeat.
Now, freshly created and desperately seeking meaning, Mewtwo had suffered a crushing defeat; a breakdown was easy to understand.
But how to talk Mewtwo out of its funk? That was the eternal challenge for all transmigrators.
Even Lucas wasn't sure he could answer better than the original story.
Finally, Mewtwo began to speak: "I was created by humans."
"Once, I thought my purpose was to obey my creators, to fight endlessly. That was my entire reason for existing.
"But I soon realized that was wrong. I never asked to be created. I never asked to be born. I resented every human equally—including my creators. If they said I was the strongest, why should I obey those weaker than myself?"
Lucas straightened up—was Mewtwo baring its soul?
"Once, I thought being the strongest was my purpose, but I lost to you. My only goal is now meaningless. There's no place for me in this world.
"I'm neither human nor Pokémon. So, who am I? Where do I belong? What is the meaning of my existence?"
Mewtwo was lost—losing to Lucas and Luxray had shattered its only motivation.
Luxray, Dragonite, and Delibird were dizzy from all the philosophy. They'd thought Mewtwo was just a powerful villain, not this complex inside.
Lucas pondered, then said seriously: "In short, because you're a human creation, you feel you won't be accepted as a true Pokémon or person—so you're searching for meaning?"
Mewtwo replied gruffly: "Yes."
For some reason, it felt compelled to confide in the human who had bested it.
"First, you are definitely a Pokémon. No doubt about it." Lucas stroked his chin, shaking his head at Mewtwo's skeptical look. "Anyone who exists in this world has already been accepted by it. Race doesn't matter—just being alive is incredible."
Mewtwo hesitated: "But I—"
Lucas interrupted: "Hang on. You're not the first artificial Pokémon. Your siblings aren't agonizing over philosophy—they've found a place in the world, too.
"If you get the chance, seek them out. I'm sure they were just as lost when they were born. But that's normal—you're all still very young. There's no need to find answers right away. Your life has just begun. Take your time."
Mewtwo's eyes widened—there were others like it?
"Finding purpose doesn't have to happen immediately. Just like the path to the strongest is still far off, take it one step at a time. Someday, you'll find your answer."
Lucas offered his hand.
Mewtwo looked at him in confusion. Lucas added, "You thought you were the strongest, and now you think I am, right?"
Mewtwo nodded.
"But this amazing world has many beings far stronger than us. Your perspective is too narrow—blinded by obsession.
"You can read memories, right? There's a memory I want to share."
Lucas' smile overlapped with the sunlight above—so much like the family photo in Mewtwo's memory, Mewtwo couldn't help but take his hand. Psychic power flowed.
Mewtwo saw the black-and-gold Rayquaza from Lucas' memory—the awe and helplessness he felt.
Mewtwo whispered, "That's…?"
Lucas replied, "That's Rayquaza, living beyond the ozone layer. Even now, you couldn't reach it, right?"
Mewtwo nodded, reluctantly.
"Don't forget, those clone Pokémon are your companions. Even if you're not the strongest, you helped give them life in this world.
"Your future is long—don't let anyone else's definitions bind you. Tell me: what do you truly want, deep down?"