Just as Arceus created the world, Groudon shaped the primordial land, Kyogre formed the primordial seas, Ho-Oh governs life and blessing, and Lugia commands weather and ocean currents—
So too might Mewtwo, born from Mew's genes and brought into existence by human hands, carry a special responsibility and mission within the Pokémon world.
After glimpsing a fragment of Mewtwo's future fate, the will of the world chose not to interfere.
It chose acceptance.
It chose to let Mewtwo be born.
In any case, Mewtwo had been successfully brought into existence.
Although it was still nothing more than a fertilized cell, Ash firmly believed that in the not-too-distant future, this tiny spark of life would grow and develop into the legendary being recorded in history.
"I just hope that when Mewtwo eventually turns against Team Rocket, it doesn't come looking for revenge against me," Ash thought as he accepted the tissue Giovanni handed him and wiped the sweat from his brow.
"Ash, you really worked hard today," Giovanni said sincerely.
"You're too kind, Mr. Giovanni," Ash replied with a wave of his hand.
"Since I accepted your payment, this is simply what I should do."
"Your special Pokémon should be fine for now," Ash continued.
"If you need my help again later, feel free to contact me."
"This place isn't suitable for me to stay long. Please have someone escort me out."
"Of course, of course." Giovanni nodded.
"No matter what, I'll remember this favor."
"Matori, see Ash out."
"Yes."
"Ash, this way please."
Just like earlier, Matori walked ahead, guiding Ash out.
"Pikachu, Charizard—let's go."
With the agreement fulfilled and the matter settled, Ash called to his Pokémon and followed Matori out of the underground base.
Team Rocket didn't make things difficult for him.
Aside from Giovanni, no one else could really touch him—and besides, the two sides were still maintaining a relatively amicable relationship.
Under Matori's guidance, Ash left the Team Rocket underground base safely, and then exited Viridian Gym without incident.
"Pidge—!"
"Cheep—!"
Seeing Ash emerge from the Gym, Pidgeotto and Spearow swooped down from the sky.
"It's fine, I'm okay."
Ash reached out and gently stroked the feathers on the backs of their necks. After recalling Charizard into its Poké Ball, he cradled Pikachu and headed toward the city center.
As he looked up at the clear blue sky, a trace of worry lingered in his heart.
If Mewtwo were to learn that Ash had played a role in its creation…
Would it seek revenge?
If that happened, even Charizard might not be able to protect him.
"…Wait."
Lost in thought, Ash suddenly glanced at the back of his right hand—and his eyes lit up.
"Hold on—what am I even afraid of?"
"I'm a Channeler of Mew. I bear the Dream Law Imprint. If Mewtwo ever wants revenge, I can just summon Mew!"
As he felt the power of the Dream Law Imprint pulse on the back of his hand, the dark cloud hanging over his heart instantly dispersed.
A bright smile returned to his face.
Yes—Mewtwo's name meant 'to surpass Mew'.
Yes—Mew's base stats followed the 6×100 Mythical template, while Mewtwo's total reached an astonishing 680.
But Mew was the origin Pokémon, the source containing the genes of all Pokémon, a being that had existed for an unimaginable span of time.
Its true strength was beyond ordinary comprehension.
Mewtwo, on the other hand, had only just been born.
Even if its potential theoretically surpassed Mew's, its short existence meant its actual strength could not yet exceed Mew's.
In the original movie Mewtwo Strikes Back, Mewtwo fought with everything it had and still only managed to draw with Mew—and that was likely because Mew treated the fight like a game, holding back considerably.
In short, no matter how one looked at it—
With Mew as his ultimate safeguard, Ash had nothing to fear from Mewtwo.
"Still… I haven't been able to contact Mew lately," Ash muttered.
"If Mew were by my side, not only would I not need to worry about Mewtwo's revenge in the future, I wouldn't have had to worry about Team Rocket recently either."
That said, Ash shook his head and smiled bitterly.
"Whether it's Professor Oak's Champion Charizard or Mew, they're ultimately not my power."
"They're not something I can truly control."
"In the end, everything still has to rely on myself."
"Looks like over the next four years, whether it's training my psychic powers or raising my Pokémon, I'll have to push myself even harder."
After a brief pause, Ash relaxed again.
"Mewtwo is still just a fertilized cell. As a super-legendary on par with Rayquaza, Palkia, and others, its full birth will take a very long time."
"I don't need to pressure myself too much. I'll just stick to the plan and take things step by step."
With that thought, Ash carried Pikachu to the nearby subway station and boarded a train heading toward the City Arena.
"Hey—Ash! Over here!"
Upon arriving at the arena and stepping into the competitor registration hall, a brown-haired boy about Ash's age stood up from the lounge seating, set down his drink, and waved enthusiastically.
"Whoa! It's Ash!"
"That's Ash, right?"
"Which Ash—the Ash? The Light of Kanto, the future Indigo League Champion?"
"Yeah, that's him! He's even cuter and cooler in person than in his social media posts!"
"Cute? Don't be fooled—he's insanely strong. If you run into him in a match, he'll flatten you."
"Heh, I wish! Forget flattening me—I want him to overwhelm me, outplay me, completely dominate me—"
"Ew! Can you not be so gross? Get lost and stop competing with me!"
Gary's loud shout instantly drew a flood of attention toward Ash.
All around the registration hall, Trainers turned their heads, whispering excitedly.
"Gary, could you be any louder?" Ash said helplessly.
"Sorry! Sorry!"
Realizing the entire hall was staring at them, Gary hurriedly apologized.
"Oh, right—did you finish your business at the Viridian Gym?" Gary asked.
"Yeah, it's all taken care of," Ash nodded.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's sign up already!"
"I've been waiting forever. If you don't carry me through a few matches today, you're seriously letting me down."
"Alright~"
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T/N:
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