Before Ash had transmigrated into this world, his predecessor had met Mewtwo once.
Back then, Mewtwo had just been born. Like a newborn child, its outlook on the world hadn't yet been fixed, but it was led astray by that big idiot Giovanni.
However, Mewtwo eventually broke free from Giovanni's shackles and returned to the island where it was bornNew Island. It rebuilt the laboratory and used a scheme to lure Ash and other trainers, utilizing the same technology that created itself to clone their Pokémon.
Ash's Pikachu had a clone as well, though their personalities were entirely different.
During that time, Ash had nearly paid with his life to stop the meaningless battle between Mewtwo and Mew. Because of that, Mewtwo felt a connection to Ash that was different from any other human.
With Charizard, Ash no longer needed to travel along the river below. Riding on Charizard's back, they soared into the sky, easily leaping over the steep cliffs of Mount Quena.
The mountain where Mount Quena was located was quite interesting. Within the mountain was a lake, within the lake was an island, and within the island was a spring!
The water in this lake alone provided a sense of infinite comfort, as if one's very soul was being washed clean and refreshed. The mountain forests relied on this lake water to nourish countless Pokémon. The spring water on the island was even more miraculous in its effects.
Mewtwo lived in seclusion on that island in the heart of the lake, accompanied by the Pokémon it had cloned.
"Pika?"
Pikachu, perched on Ash's shoulder, seemed to sense something and suddenly gave an alarm.
A surging bolt of lightning suddenly shot up from the island, heading straight for Charizard and Ash. However, static suddenly flickered across Charizard's claws.
Thunder Punch! One strike completely shattered that Thunderbolt!
Charizard had been growing increasingly domineering lately!
After landing safely, Charizard remained standing in front of Ash. It could sense the terrifying aura it had encountered once beforean existence so powerful that Charizard hadn't even been able to put up a fight.
Ash patted its back. "It's okay, Charizard. You should get some rest for now."
Recalling Charizard, Ash looked toward the Pikachu that had suddenly attacked. This must be the clone of his own Pikachu. Well, he'd just call it Pikachutwo.
"Little fellow, you've got quite a deep grudge," Ash said, walking forward completely unguarded.
Pikachutwo remained on high alert, yet Ash simply picked it up. Another Thunderbolt swallowed Ash whole.
Ash endured the current and gently stroked its tail. Instantly, Pikachutwo went stiff, and the electricity died down.
Ash and Pikachu's bond level had accumulated to a very high point over their long time together. Given that experience, winning over another Pikachu was child's play.
"Human, you've come." Mewtwo walked out from the depths of a cave on the island, seemingly prepared for Ash's arrival.
Ash's current appearance was rather amusing, with one Pikachu on his shoulder and another in his arms.
Mewtwo was also quite surprised. That Pikachu, which had always defied it and was full of resentment toward both humans and itself, was now lying so obediently in Ash's embrace.
"Mewtwo, I always had a premonition that we would meet again!" Ash looked at Mewtwo. Before transmigrating, this had been his favorite Pokémon! A super legendary!
"You have changed a lot. You even awakened psychic powers, though they are still too weak." Mewtwo could sense Ash's telekinesis. Compared to its own... there was simply no comparison. They weren't even in the same order of magnitude.
"It was an accidental awakening. I don't need it to be that strong; as long as it's enough to use, it's fine." Ash felt strange. He was actually having such a calm conversation with Mewtwo. "By the way, you don't have to call me 'human.' My name is Ash."
"Ash... is that your name?" Mewtwo nodded, taking note of it.
It looked up at the full moon in the sky. A flock of Butterfree was flying past, having completed their evolution, preparing to fly from Mount Quena to the far-off world.
Looking at those Butterfree, Mewtwo felt a wave of melancholy. "That is life. Those are Pokémon. But we are different. How exactly are we supposed to live? Ash, can you answer me?"
Looking at the brooding Mewtwo, Ash suddenly felt a familiar vibe. Was it time for him to use Talk-no-jutsu?
But could someone as stubborn as Mewtwo really be swayed by words? Could Ash really establish a correct worldview for it and turn it into a pioneer for building a pacifist Pokémon world?
Ash gave a wry smile, and while holding Pikachutwo, he suddenly asked, "Mewtwo, look at these two Pikachus. Where are they different?"
Mewtwo looked at the two Pikachus on Ash. One was perched on his shoulder, and the other was in his arms, its tail being squeezed by Ash until the mouse was practically a pile of mush.
Without waiting for Mewtwo to answer, Ash released the Pikachu in his arms. Pikachutwo immediately stood up but didn't jump away. It looked at Mewtwo and cried out, "Pika-pika!"
"Are you saying that living in hiding here is the same as living in a prison?"
"But we are cloned Pokémon, created ones. We are not true Pokémon," Mewtwo insisted stubbornly, still haunted by its status as a clone.
"Mewtwo, look closely. This is a life of flesh and blood. From the moment they were born, they became independent individuals. This Pikachu has its own thoughts. It believes that living here is like being in prison!"
"This isn't a thought from my Pikachu, but an original thought from this one! They are true life, true Pokémon!" Ash declared.
...
Neither Ash nor Mewtwo knew that the bus stop where Misty and Brock were waiting had received a new guesta charming yet somewhat clumsy young lady.
Furthermore, the Team Rocket Trio, who had been following them, had constructed a hot air balloon to scale Mount Quena.
Brock and Misty were uneasy about Ash. He had taken his strongest team with him; no one would believe there wasn't any danger! They boarded the Team Rocket Trio's balloon along with Molly Hale and that clumsy, beautiful girl.
"Big sister Misty, will Ash be okay?" Molly was the one insisting on finding him. After leaving Ash, she was too worried to sleep.
Misty held her gently. "Don't worry, Molly. Ash contacted us just now and said he's on the island in the middle of the lake. We're going to find them now, okay?"
"Mhm!"
However, was Mount Quena really that easy to scale? As soon as the balloon rose, it hit a strong wind that sent it tilting wildly, making it impossible to control.
While everyone was focused on holding on for dear life, they didn't notice the clumsy blonde girl using a high-tech telescope to survey the island. Using the thermal detection on her telescope, she found Mewtwo's figureand Ash right beside it!
"Mewtwo confirmed!"
"Team Rocket Elite units on standby, move out!"
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