The duel between Mewtwo and Mew grew more intense by the second. Mewtwo's eyes burned with a persistent battle intent, every move it unleashed surging with destructive power.
Shadow Balls shot toward Mew like a downpour, tracing eerie purple trails through the air.
"Why do you keep dodging?" Mewtwo's voice crackled with rage. "Face me head on!"
Mew maintained its innocent smile, light as a feather as it wove through the narrow gaps between the Shadow Balls. It truly seemed to treat this as nothing more than a game, letting out cheerful cries from time to time.
But this playful attitude only served to infuriate Mewtwo further.
Suddenly, Mewtwo shifted its tactics. Dozens of Shadow Balls were fired simultaneously, sealing off every possible escape route for Mew. Finally, one of the Shadow Balls connected. Mew was sent flying, tumbling several times through the air before it managed to stabilize its flight.
In that moment, Mew's expression finally turned serious.
A brilliant pink light began to radiate from its body, and the energy in the air started to churn violently.
The radiance of Dazzling Gleam collided fiercely with Psychic in midair, sending out shockwaves that caused the entire castle to tremble.
While the two Legendary Pokémon were locked in their heated struggle, the Clones began to behave strangely. The light on their bodies became unstable, and their eyes gradually reflected a burgeoning consciousness of their own.
In particular, the Pikachu clone looked toward Ash and, of its own volition, unleashed a Thunderbolt.
Even more shocking, all the Cloned Pokémon turned toward Mewtwo as one, their gazes filled with doubt and defiance. Without warning, one of them struck firsta Hydro Pump blasted toward Mewtwo's position.
Immediately after, a barrage of moves rained down upon Mewtwo like a torrential storm.
"No!" Ash cried out. "Stop it, everyone!"
But it was already too late.
Seeing their Clones launch an attack, the original Pokémon joined the fray as well. In an instant, the entire arena descended into chaos. Charizard tangled with its clone in the air, Blastoise clashed with Cloned Blastoise in the pool, and the Pikachus attacked one another with electrical surges.
"This can't go on!" Misty shouted anxiously. "They're going to destroy each other!"
Ash clenched his fists, his thoughts spinning rapidly. He could feel the pain and confusion of every Pokémon present. Whether they were originals or Clones, they were all fighting for the meaning of their own existence.
The only way to end this strife was to make Mewtwo and Mew stop!
Under the shocked gazes of the crowd, Ash resolutely charged toward the center of the battlefield between Mewtwo and Mew. At that moment, the two Legendary Pokémon were condensing their strongest movesMewtwo's Psystrike and Mew's Dazzling Gleam were both primed and ready to fire.
"Stop it!" Ash threw his arms wide, standing directly in the center of the two destructive torrents of energy.
Both Mewtwo and Mew froze, but the moves had already been unleashed and could not be retracted. Two terrifying floods of energy slammed into Ash simultaneously.
"Ash!" Misty and Brock screamed in horror.
In that split second of life and death, the Aura Power within Ash underwent an unprecedented metamorphosis.
A brilliant golden light erupted from within him, absorbing the two attacks entirely. Within the radiance, Ash's form began to changegolden markings covered his skin, his eyes flashed with a wise blue light, and Aura Power condensed in his hand into a physical blade of light.
"Is this... a new realm of Aura Power?" Ash felt the surging strength coursing through him.
He gave a gentle wave of his hand, and the blade of light traced an elegant arc through the air, separating the Pokémon that were still locked in combat. A gentle yet irresistible force compelled every Pokémon to cease their fighting.
"Mewtwo, Mew, please listen to me." Ash's voice carried a strange resonance. "The meaning of life does not lie in strength or weakness, nor does it lie in one's origin. Every life possesses a unique value from the moment it is born."
He walked over to a wounded Pikachu clone and gently picked it up. "Look at this Pikachu. Even though it was created, it still has the ability to feel joy and pain. It still fights for the things it cares about."
Mewtwo watched Ash in silence, the battle intent in its eyes gradually fading away.
"Existence itself is the greatest meaning," Ash continued. "We don't need to prove our value to anyone because being alive is the greatest miracle of all."
He set the Pikachu down and extended his hand toward Mewtwo. "Let's end this meaningless battle. Whether they are the originals or the Clones, they should all have the right to choose their own paths."
Mewtwo stared at Ash for a long time. Finally, it slowly lowered its hand, which had been raised to attack. Although it did not speak, it voluntarily withdrew all its energy, bringing the conflict to an end.
Mew circled around Mewtwo happily and then called out to all the Cloned Pokémon. The Clones gathered around Mewtwo and Mew one after another.
Mewtwo gave Ash one last look, its eyes filled with complex emotionsgratitude, understanding, and a faint, almost imperceptible trace of apology. Then, together with Mew, it led all the Cloned Pokémon as they slowly ascended, flying toward the distant horizon.
The moment they vanished into the sky, a soft light enveloped the entire castle. Ash felt his memories being slowly erased, but he used the last of his strength to seal a portion of his most important memories deep within his Aura Power.
He had a premonition that he would meet Mewtwo again in the future. By then, he would have enough strength to truly earn the other's respect and have it join his team.
When the light faded, Ash and the others found themselves standing at Old Shore Wharf, as if they had only just arrived. The storm had ceased, and the sea had returned to its usual tranquility.
"Why... why are we here?" Misty looked around in confusion.
Brock also wore a puzzled expression. "I remember we were supposed to go to a banquet..."
Only Ash, though he couldn't remember exactly what had happened, felt a strange sense of enlightenment in his heart. He vaguely recalled a golden light and an important promise...
The first arc had been completed. It was time to return to the main storyline of the Indigo Plateau Conference. The protagonist's first championship was almost within reach!
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