Ash had still underestimated the depth of Pikachu Two's resentment.
While Ash and the others were busy on the island organizing the refuge for the Pokémon, Pikachu Two had managed to gather several clones together, intending to leave the mountain. Little did it know that Ash and Mewtwo were watching from the slope directly above!
"Slowking, help me translate what that little fellow is saying!" Ash said. Standing beside him, Slowking was the most reliable choice for a translator.
"If we stay here, we'll eventually be caught by those people and turned into experimental materials!"
"We have to take this chance and run!"
"Our goal is the vast world outside!"
Most of the Pokémon here were Water types, including that cloned Blastoise with the unique patterns on its shell. Perhaps it was a primal longing for the vast ocean flowing through their blood that made them willing to answer Pikachu Two's call to escape.
Mewtwo did not stop them as they began to cross the lake.
"Some leave, some stay," Mewtwo remarked. "If they are here, I can use my power to protect them. But even if I created them, forcing them to stay when they want to live freely would just be my own selfishness."
"Mewtwo, you understand now, don't you? They are independent lives. They are real Pokémon!" Ash seized the opportunity to try and change Mewtwo's obsession over the clones' origins.
Hearing Ash's words, Mewtwo looked over. "Ash, regarding their freedom... what do you think I should do?"
"No one has the right to restrict another's freedom!" Ash replied firmly. "They are real Pokémon. Once they leave this place, they will become wild Pokémon and embark on their own journeys. They might meet trainers like me, or find mates and raise the next generation, just like your Rhyhorn. That is what life is about!"
Mewtwo stared at Ash. "Just like when I met you..."
Since Pikachu Two and the others had made their move, Ash and Mewtwo followed from a distance to escort them safely. However, just as they reached the shore of the lake, Giovanni's airship suddenly emerged from behind the hill.
Red light cannons, crackling with eerie energy, fired without warning. The Pokémon hit by the beams were instantly paralyzed, falling motionless to the ground. Poké Balls dropped from the airship, suctioning the helpless Pokémon inside. Soon, only the agile Pikachu Two was left, struggling to hold out.
But it was quickly backed into a corner, with nowhere left to run.
As the red light cannon fired a final, merciless shot, a black Aura Sphere streaked through the air and neutralized it. Mewtwo had finally been unable to hold back from intervening.
Looking up at Mewtwo, tears shimmered in Pikachu Two's eyes.
After saving Pikachu Two, Mewtwo's psychic power erupted in a violent surge, forcing all the Poké Balls open and releasing the captured Pokémon. It was clear that these Team Rocket balls were like Park Ballsmeant only for temporary containment and transport.
Seeing Mewtwo reveal himself, the Team Rocket airship ceased its attack and hovered low, descending until it landed in front of the psychic Pokémon. Then, Giovanni finally stepped out.
"It really is you, Giovanni!"
"We meet again, Mewtwo!" Giovanni's eyes were filled with an intense, possessive greed.
However, with Ash backing him up, Mewtwo faced Giovanni with total composure. "My power is far greater now than when I was with you! Do you really think you can still control me as you please?"
"You have indeed grown stronger," Giovanni conceded. He wouldn't have brought a massive army without preparation. "But human technology can create machines capable of sealing your power!"
As he spoke, two robots with large, glowing eyesone blue and one redappeared on either side of Mewtwo. At a glance, the robots looked almost cute with their oversized eyes and ears. Judging by the color scheme, they likely operated on electromagnetic principles.
Sure enough, the robots' large ears released electromagnetic waves. The opposing forces of attraction and repulsion generated a massive surge of energy, slamming Mewtwo into the ground.
However, thanks to his status as a Legendary Pokémon, Mewtwo was virtually unharmed.
"Do you really think a heartless machine can defeat me?" Mewtwo's true power was far more than just telekinesis.
"It is precisely because they have no hearts that they can act solely for the purpose of capturing you!" Giovanni replied. He trusted machines far more than Pokémon. To him, Pokémon were nothing more than tools.
The output power of the two robots was increased, but this time, Mewtwo gritted his teeth and withstood the force. With a sudden explosion of psychic energy, he blasted the two robots back, sending them smashing into the cliffside.
Giovanni wasn't the least bit surprised. "As expected of Mewtwo. Heartless things may never be truly powerful, but because you have a heart, you also have weaknesses! I know I have no chance of winning in a direct confrontation, but the stage for this battle is that island! You have more companions than just the ones here, don't you?"
Giovanni pointed toward Lake Island.
A fleet of helicopters and airships was closing in on the island. Behind Giovanni, Domino strapped on a flight pack and took to the sky.
"This is Domino, beginning the operation!"
The woman was a master of disguise. Currently sharp and swift, she had previously acted like a clumsy, airheaded girl. It truly seemed like all women were born actors.
However, as Domino sped toward Lake Island, the tension Mewtwo should have felt was nowhere to be seen. Instead, he gave Giovanni a mocking look.
"Giovanni, you might not believe me, but I have companions of my own!"
Giovanni's expression shifted. He quickly turned back toward the island, only to see a plume of fire suddenly erupting from its center!
Immediately afterward, an airship exploded into a ball of smoke and debris!
"What is that?"
Giovanni watched in shock as a Charizard with flaming dragon wings began a savage slaughter of his fleet! Beneath the Charizard's claws, the Team Rocket airships were as fragile as toys.
It was a form he had never seen before, possessing terrifying destructive power!
"Charizard, Flare Blitz!" Ash shouted, riding on Charizard's back, his entire body glowing with a blue light.
Reaching the peak of their bond offered far more than just Bond Phenomenon! Even though Charizard was engulfed in the flames of Flare Blitz, Ash remained completely unharmed by the heat.
Charizard folded its flaming wings, and the golden-red dragon fire transformed into a ghostly blue light as he slammed into the next airship like a meteor!
On Lake Island, the Pokémon had already finished evacuating. Only a few powerful fighters remained, standing alongside Ash's strongest Pokémon, including Houndoom.
Slowking acted as the supreme commander. With his hands behind his back, he sat calmly like a grandmaster, having already arranged ambushes at every entrance to the island.
The moment Team Rocket moved, Ash had already triggered the Bond Phenomenon with Charizard. He carried Pikachu into the sky to intercept the fleet.
He didn't stop until he came face-to-face with the Team Rocket agent known as the Black Tulip, Domino!
"Hey there, lady. Where are you going in such a hurry?" Ash asked, blocking her path.
Without her command, the airships were nothing more than a swarm of oversized, headless flies.
"Who are you?" Domino asked. Her communicator was open, allowing Giovanni to hear Ash's voice as well.
"I am Ash, from Pallet Town!"
Pallet Towna place even Team Rocket dared not provoke lightly.
"Ash, do you intend to make an enemy of Team Rocket?" Domino threatened.
However, the answer she received didn't come from Ash. Instead, it was a thunderous roar!
"ROAR!"
The cry of a dragon.
🚨 Note: Consider supporting this story on Patreon.com/kleinmoretti to access 100+ advance chapters and 2 new chapters daily! (Full story bundles also available without a subscription).