Chapter 40:
Bluestone Trail
The rice fields stretched out on either side of the trail, where many farmers were already at work—pulling weeds or scattering Pokémon repellents to drive off pests.
It was July, the season when rice began to bear grain. The heavy, green ears swayed gently in the breeze, a lush and satisfying sight.
Morning light poured from the horizon, slowly sweeping from the Wilderness Area toward the Bluestone Trail.
Hayashi Kaede walked quietly along the trail, Mewtwo following silently behind.
It said nothing, simply keeping pace with Hayashi Kaede as they made their way toward the Wilderness Area.
Along the way, Hayashi Kaede cheerfully greeted the farmers working in the fields.
"Hey, Kaede kid you're up early! I heard you competed in a tournament recently and brought a bunch of new customers to the training shop. That's amazing—just like your father!"
"And who's that kid behind you? He's kind of cute."
…
Hayashi Kaede didn't stop until he reached a branch of the river.
A slightly hunched figure was working in the riverbed, shoveling mud to redirect the water. The cold morning current splashed against his legs.
Even in July, river water was chilly at dawn.
Above him stood a Sandshrew, fidgeting nervously at the edge of the bank.
"Takagi-ojii-san? What are you doing?" Hayashi Kaede called out, surprised.
The old man looked up, wiped sweat from his brow, and smiled kindly. "Oh, it's you, Kaede."
He chuckled as he spoke. "I heard Megumi's working at your breeding shop now, and you're paying her a really generous salary?"
He frowned and shook his head. "That won't do. Your shop's just getting started—you need that money. She's just a girl; there's no need to pay her so much. Just give her a little."
Hayashi Kaede nodded. "I'll think about it. If she doesn't perform well, her pay will be cut. You're…"
He didn't bring up his income or savings. With people like Takagi-ojii-san, sometimes it was better to just go along with their good intentions.
The old man sighed. "Well… look, it hasn't rained in days, and the water level's dropped quite a bit. The rice is doing fine for now, but some of the vegetables we planted still need watering…"
"Sandshrew!"
The Sandshrew twitched nervously, clearly itching to jump in and help. But the river's fast current and the Pokémon's short frame made it risky.
"Go on, do your thing," Takagi-ojii-san said, waving him off. "I'll be done soon."
Hayashi Kaede glanced at the water level. It had definitely dropped since last week.
Not a good sign…
This little river didn't just irrigate the fields—it also supplied drinking water to the Pokémon in the Wilderness Area. If it dried up, things could get troublesome.
He found himself thinking of Milotic.
I wonder if its Rain Dance could cover an area this wide… Might be worth a try later.
Takagi-ojii-san climbed out of the riverbed a couple minutes later, trudging slowly back with his Sandshrew in tow.
On the side, Mewtwo—who had watched the whole exchange in silence—finally spoke.
"Is this what you call the bond between humans and Pokémon?"
Hayashi Kaede glanced at it. "Yes. Sandshrew is a good kid. He really love and cares for Takagi-ojii-san, and the feeling is mutual. They look out for each other."
Mewtwo fell silent, visibly shaken.
For the first time, it felt a strange sort of confusion.
Had it… ever even heard the word "love" before?
"…Love?" it muttered.
"Yes." Hayashi Kaede gave a thoughtful smile. "Don't you ever think about your own Pokémon?"
Mewtwo replied instinctively, "What Pokémon do I even…"
It cut itself off mid-sentence, suddenly aware of its current identity.
The silence returned.
After a long pause, Mewtwo spoke again. "Those trainers who command their Pokémon in battle… do they love them too?"
"Command them?" Hayashi Kaede raised an eyebrow but didn't explain right away. "Come with me."
He led Mewtwo toward the Breeding House. As they walked, they passed the tall pine tree outside the plantation. Hayashi Kaede looked up at the Pidgeotto perched in the branches above.
"I caught this Pidgeotto yesterday in the plantation. It told me a Spearow evolved into a Fearow and drove them out of their territory."
He paused, eyes steady. "I promised I'd help it grow stronger and one day reclaim its home. Do you think that's what it means to 'control' a Pokémon?"
At that moment, the sunlight had grown stronger. The Pidgeotto noticed Hayashi Kaede looking at it, spread its wings, and glided down slowly.
It landed on his shoulder. The sharp look in its eyes softened.
Clearly, yesterday's "delicious meal" had won it over.
Mewtwo stared, speechless.
Before it could respond, a nearby commotion drew their attention.
A Pokémon battle was taking place in front of a training shop, and a small crowd had gathered to watch.
Mewtwo pointed toward it. "And what about those battles? Isn't that just making Pokémon fight for human entertainment?"
Hayashi Kaede chuckled. "Then what about the Pokémon's own strength?"
He turned to Mewtwo. "Most Pokémon have a natural instinct to grow stronger. They're simple in nature—but that simplicity comes with power. What happens to that power if it isn't guided?"
He paused. "If you had psychic powers, could you honestly go your entire life without using them?"
Before the field of Pokémon studies matured, conflict between species was common.
Even today, tensions still existed between certain groups.
Just like the Pidgeotto on Hayashi Kaede's shoulder and the Fearow clan it once clashed with.
Mewtwo was silent again.
It had never thought of things this way.
Hayashi Kaede walked toward the battle. "Guiding that power, giving it structure—that's the key."
Two trainers were battling: one boy, one girl. The crowd had cleared plenty of space for them.
In the League, matches between rookie trainers could happen anywhere, as long as they didn't disrupt daily life.
The boy's Pokémon was a Chespin while the girl's Pokémon was Fletchinder.
With a clear type advantage and higher level, the girl's Fletchinder won decisively.
After the match, Hayashi Kaede turned to Mewtwo and said quietly:
"This is my Viridian Power—an ability that lets me sense the emotions of living beings. You can use it now. Try it."
A soft green energy flowed from Hayashi Kaede's body to Mewtwo, wrapping around it gently.
Mewtwo felt its perception shift.
Suddenly, it could sense the presence and feelings of every human and Pokémon nearby.