As the petrification beam struck Mewtwo—
its body immediately began turning to stone.
Though much slower than with ordinary Pokémon—
the effect was undeniable.
Seeing this, Lance finally let out a breath of relief and turned to Red.
"Gym Leader Red… what is that device? It can actually restrain a Legendary Pokémon?"
Before Red could answer—
a middle-aged man in a suit appeared, leading a group of Team Rocket elites.
The moment Red saw him, his heart sank.
Giovanni, dressed in a brown suit, smiled.
"To think I'd run into Gym Leader Red here. What an honor."
Lance stared for a moment before reacting.
"You're… the Viridian Gym Leader—Giovanni?!"
"You're actually the leader of Team Rocket?!"
His expression was complicated.
They had met before—even exchanged battles.
Yet now—
they stood as enemies.
"Lance, as a Champion, you should understand how corrupt the League has become."
"The League may be a towering tree—but its roots are rotten."
"Why not join Team Rocket?"
"Together, we can create a perfect world."
Red's heart tightened.
In some versions of the story, Lance himself had extreme views.
This wasn't a situation he could take lightly.
But—
"Utter nonsense!"
Lance's voice thundered with anger.
"The League may be flawed—but it protects both humans and Pokémon!"
"And you? No matter how you dress it up, Team Rocket only brings destruction!"
Looking around—
he saw Team Rocket members robbing trainers and stealing Pokémon.
For the first time—
Red saw Lance truly furious.
"Dragon Legion—attack!"
At his command—
his flying-type army surged forward.
Dragonite led the charge, punching straight at Giovanni.
Yet—
Giovanni didn't even flinch.
A yellow-black blur flashed forward—
blocking Dragonite's punch with twin stingers.
Everyone froze.
It was—
a Beedrill.
Even Zheng Xiong's mind went blank.
"A Beedrill… blocking Dragonite?"
"Am I insane—or is the world insane?"
At the same time—
Giovanni released more Pokémon.
Rhyperior. Nidoking. Nidoqueen.
All Champion-level.
Ground-type army vs. Dragon Legion.
A clash of peak trainers erupted instantly.
Meanwhile—
Red couldn't spare attention.
Because—
Mewtwo's petrification was slowing.
Then—
stopping.
Worse—
it was reversing.
"The device alone isn't enough…!"
The petrification had only reached Mewtwo's mouth—
and could go no further.
"If it breaks free… we're finished!"
Red clenched his teeth.
"Protect me—I'm going to try something!"
He had no other choice.
He had to gamble—
and restore Mewtwo's sanity.
Closing his eyes—
he poured all his power into his Psychic Power, shielded by Viridian Power—
and forced his consciousness into Mewtwo's mind.
…
When he opened his eyes—
he wasn't in chaos.
But in a peaceful grassland.
In the sky—
a young Mewtwo played with a little girl and three starter Pokémon.
Red paused.
"…It's still just a child."
From birth until now—
only a few years had passed.
Then—
one by one—
Charmander, Bulbasaur, Squirtle disappeared.
Mewtwo panicked—
but could do nothing.
Finally—
the girl, Xiao Ai, smiled—
and vanished.
Mewtwo was left alone.
"…Don't go…"
"Don't leave me…"
"I'm… so lonely…"
"I have no friends… I'm neither Pokémon nor human…"
"Why do I exist?"
"This world… isn't what I want…"
A blood-red aura erupted—
blasting Red's consciousness out.
Before he was expelled—
he heard one last whisper:
"…I'm so lonely…"
Red gasped as he returned.
His psychic power was completely drained—
but his eyes lit up.
"I found a way."
He knew now—
how to reach Mewtwo.
Maybe even—
bring it to his side.
But—
the battlefield had already turned.
Team Rocket had taken control.
And not all of them cared about Musashi's connections.
A man in a white uniform stepped forward.
Green hair.
Apollo.
Team Rocket's second-in-command.
"A Gym Leader this weak… how rare."
"What do you think will happen if I kill you?"
Marshtomp and Ninetales stepped forward.
Behind Apollo—
a Level 70 Houndoom growled.
"…This is bad."
Red sighed.
Apollo smirked.
"You still think you can win?"
Red didn't answer.
Because—
he had already sensed two familiar psychic signatures approaching.
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