Chapter 386: Anime Pokémon World (2) [Bonus]
~Azure S. POV~
[Kanto Region, Weeks Later, Mt. Moon]
Weeks passed in a blur of intense training and unexpected encounters. The Anime World was indeed… different. Battles here often defied logic, but the sheer emotional power behind the trainers and their Pokémon was undeniable.
I found myself adapting, pushing my Pokémon to think outside the box, to rely not just on technique, but on raw instinct and bond. I battled countless trainers, from Gym Leaders with surprisingly unique strategies to aspiring young challengers with boundless energy, to hone my skills.
Then I went to brawl with the Dragonites on Dragonite Island. Then scare the people with my Pokémon tag teaming the Giant Alakazam and Gengar. Then went to the Tree of Life and bullied the Regis as my personal training dummies.
Strangely didn't meet Mew, but better not to piss it off. My encounter with this world's Giovanni had been particularly satisfying.
His controlled Mewtwo, a force of immense power, had been a true test. But I had faced a similar, even more fearsome version in my own world, and the experience had given me the edge.
I left his Gym with the Earth Badge, and a smug grin graced my face. It wasn't just a badge; it was a statement. My presence here wasn't going unnoticed.
One particularly serene afternoon, I was relaxing in the quiet solitude of Mt. Moon, observing a family of Clefairy dance under the faint glow of the moon rocks. I managed to befriend them with my Viridian Force and took the chance to rest up.
Pikachu was napping on my lap, Eevee curled up beside him, and Gengar was levitating lazily nearby. But then I heard it…
*Fwp*
The tranquility was suddenly shattered by the powerful beat of distant wings. A familiar form, a Dragonite, descended gracefully, holding a scroll in its claw. It landed softly before me, its large, kind eyes looking expectantly.
I mused, taking the scroll. It felt almost archaic compared to the digital communications I was used to, "A letter, huh?"
As I unrolled it, a shimmering hologram materialized above the scroll. A mysterious woman, her face obscured by shadow, spoke with an almost regal tone, "… To the world's finest Pokémon Trainers! You are invited to the ultimate challenge... head to Old Shore Wharf to reach the island fortress known as New Island."
My smirk widened. Oh, I knew this one.
The Mewtwo Strikes Back movie plot.
It seemed my little excursion into the Anime World had indeed caught the attention I half-expected. My victory over Giovanni and his controlled Mewtwo must have been the ultimate bait.
Mewtwo, brilliant and arrogant, would naturally seek out the strongest. And I, apparently, was on that list.
Lucky me!
/////
[Kanto Region, Later, Old Shore Warf]
*RMBL*
The air at Old Shore Wharf was thick with a brewing storm, the salty spray already lashing against the wooden planks. The ferry to New Island, Officer Jenny informed the small cluster of anxious trainers, had been canceled.
I stood apart, observing the scene with a detached amusement, Pikachu and Eevee tucked securely within my coat from the growing wind. And then I saw them: Ash Ketchum, the protagonist of this world, alongside Misty and Brock.
Even they looked deflated by the storm. Miranda, the older woman running the pier, regaled the gathered crowd with the local legend of the storm and the miraculous tears of a Pokémon. It was all so dramatic, so unnecessary.
I watched as several idiot Trainers, convinced of their own invincibility, tried to brave the waves on Water-type Pokémon, clearly not up to the task. They were immediately swallowed by the colossal, churning waves.
I muttered, earning a curious glance from Ash's Pikachu, who was currently clinging to his trainer's shoulder, "Pathetic."
I stood up, the wind whipping my jacket around me, and pulled a Poké Ball from my belt. I spoke calmly, "Alright, Dragonite. We're skipping the queue."
*Pop*
The massive, Dragon Pokémon burst forth, its presence immediately imposing compared to the smaller, weaker Pokémon dotting the center. People's eyes widened as they whispered in disbelief, seeing my Dragonite.
I swung myself onto its back, Pikachu hopping onto my shoulder and Eevee securing herself snugly in the hood of my jacket. I didn't need to shout commands. Dragonite, one of my oldest and most experienced partners, understood as I stated, "Control the currents, not just your flight. We want a smooth trip, not a fight with the ocean."
*Fwp*
Dragonite roared, a sound that cut through the gale. Instead of trying to fly over the storm, it focused its immense power—honed through battling titans in the Adventures timeline—into manipulating the immediate weather pattern around us.
A path of relative calm, a distorted bubble of clear sky and smoother water, formed instantly beneath us. Dragonite didn't just brave the storm; she gently pushed it aside like a boss. We shot past the flailing trainers, including Ash and his group, who were left gaping at the sight of a Dragonite calmly soaring through the eye of the gale. A clear, almost calm passage opened before us, a direct route through the heart of the tempest.
*Zooom*
We zipped past the struggling trainers below, a silent, powerful testament to our bond and Dragonite's incredible might. New Island materialized before us, a dark, imposing silhouette against the bruised sky.
Dragonite landed gracefully on the shore, the only signs of its exertion being the slight condensation on its scales. We were here first. As expected.
/////
[Kanto Region, New Island]
The atmosphere on New Island was oppressive, the air thick with Psychic energy. As Dragonite touched down on the elegant stone landing, I recalled it just as the mysterious attendant—Nurse Joy, currently brainwashed—was waiting.
Her eyes were vacant, her service eerily flawless. Nurse Joy, her face now partially visible under a hooded cloak, greeted me as I dismounted. She said, her voice smooth and unnervingly calm, "Welcome to New Island, esteemed Trainer. Please, follow me. The other guests will be arriving shortly."
She led me through the imposing fortress, its corridors echoing with our footsteps, until we reached a grand dining hall. She instructed, gesturing to a long, polished table, "Please take your seat, and call out your Pokémon."
I stifled a yawn, ignoring her words. Pikachu was already on my shoulder, Eevee at my feet. That was enough.
I knew who was watching, a powerful presence that permeated the very stone of this castle. Mewtwo.
It didn't need to see my full team to gauge my strength. It was already observing and analyzing. I could feel its psychic tendrils brushing against my mind, testing, prodding. I simply let them pass, an impenetrable wall of calm thought.
The woman left, and I settled into a chair, letting my energy radiate subtly, a silent challenge to my unseen observer. Pikachu chittered softly, sensing my mood, and Eevee simply closed her eyes, trusting me implicitly.
Eventually, the grand doors opened again, revealing the first of the other trainers. Neesha, Fergus, and Corey. They entered, looking slightly disheveled but relieved to have arrived. Their eyes widened when they saw me, already seated and composed, giving off an aura of complete calm.
Neesha blurted out, surprised, "Oh! You're already here?"
I offered a polite, casual nod. My voice was even, betraying none of my internal thoughts, "Greetings. I'm Azure Sky. Good to meet you all."
A little later, the doors burst open again, and in stumbled Ash and his friends, looking soaked but triumphant. Ash, ever the optimist, was practically buzzing.
Ash shouted, pointing, "Hey, it's those guys!"
The other trainers, including myself, looked their way. Corey, a rugged-looking individual, was the first to speak, "You made it! I flew here on my Pidgeot. Pretty impressive you got through that storm too."
He then proudly showed off his Rhyhorn and other Pokémon. Fergus, a broad-shouldered man, then began to parade his collection of Water-type Pokémon.
Brock, predictably, was instantly drawn to Neesha, declaring his intention to amaze her with his culinary skills, only for Misty to yank him away by the ear, a familiar routine. I just yawned again, a small, subtle gesture.
My Pikachu and Eevee were still all I had out. I did not need to impress anyone here. My strength spoke for itself.
Ash chimed in again, noticing Pikachu on my shoulder, "Hey! You have a Pikachu too!"
My Pikachu, recognizing a fellow electric mouse, chirped in response. Ash's Pikachu, equally enthusiastic, bounded forward.
The two Pikachus met, noses touching, and then exchanged small, friendly sparks of electricity, a silent greeting between kin. Eevee, ever the placid one, merely twitched an ear and let out another soft yawn.
*SNAP*
Just as the conversation threatened to devolve into typical trainer banter, the lights in the grand hall suddenly dimmed. A hush fell over the room, an almost palpable tension. Then, in a theatrical flourish, a figure descended from the castle's double-helix staircase, floating effortlessly.
It was Mewtwo. Its powerful psychic aura immediately dominated the room, pressing down on everyone, a silent declaration of supremacy. The attendant, still under Mewtwo's mind control, spoke with a hollow, ethereal voice, "Behold! The world's greatest Trainer and Pokémon... Mewtwo!"
A ripple of outrage went through the room. Fergus, always quick to protest, was the first. He exclaimed, his face red with indignation, "A Pokémon cannot be a Trainer!"
Mewtwo's eyes, cold and intelligent, fixed on him. Through its attendant, it spoke using telepathy, its voice echoing in our minds, 'And why not? You claim to be Trainers, yet you are merely a means to an end for your Pokémon. I am both.'
*WOOOSH*
Fergus, undeterred, continued to protest. With a casual flick of its mental power, Mewtwo tossed him effortlessly into the nearby pool.
Undeterred even then, Fergus ordered his Gyarados to attack with Hyper Beam. The powerful beam surged towards Mewtwo, but the legendary Pokémon merely raised a hand, easily deflecting it back.
*BOOOM*
The attack was deflected, twisted back upon itself, and slammed into Gyarados, knocking it unconscious into the pool beside its trainer. Mewtwo then released its attendant from its psychic grip.
The woman blinked, confused, then looked around, her eyes widening in recognition. It confirmed Brock's earlier suspicions: she was Nurse Joy. Mewtwo's telepathic voice explained its actions, its need for her specialized Pokémon knowledge, assuring us she would remember nothing.
But then, its gaze, sharp as obsidian, turned to me. Its eyes narrowed, a flicker of something akin to recognition, perhaps even a hint of something deeper, passing through their depths. I knew. It remembered.
I was the only trainer to have ever truly defeated it, even when it was under Giovanni's control, driven by a perverse and twisted ambition.
I met its gaze calmly, a small, almost imperceptible smile playing on my lips. I greeted casually, my voice even, as if encountering a rival I hadn't seen in ages, "Mewtwo. Still causing trouble, I see."
The other trainers, even their Pokémon, were tense, some trembling slightly under Mewtwo's oppressive aura. But my Pikachu simply yawned, stretching on my shoulder, and Eevee blinked lazily at the powerful Psychic-type.
They had faced down legends before; Mewtwo, while formidable, was just another opponent in their long and storied journey. Their nonchalance was a statement, one Mewtwo undoubtedly picked up on.
In the foyer, Mewtwo elaborated on its philosophy, its telepathic voice resonating with cold, hard logic. It spoke of humans being inherently controlling, weak, and cruel, making Pokémon their slaves. And Pokémon, it added, were no better for choosing to associate with such beings.
Ash's Pikachu, unable to tolerate such comments, leaped off his shoulder, electricity sparking around his cheeks. He cried, a passionate refutation, "Pika-chu!"
Ash, ever the idealist, chimed in defiantly against Mewtwo's words, "Humans and Pokémon form friendships, Mewtwo!"
Mewtwo simply scoffed, disgusted by such 'weak' sentiments. With a precise burst of telekinetic power, it tossed Ash's Pikachu aside, but Ash was quick, breaking his fall. Corey, incensed, stepped forward.
He commanded, "Rhyhorn, attack!"
*Shiii*
His Rhyhorn charged, but Mewtwo effortlessly sent it flying across the banquet table with another flick of its psychic power. Mewtwo declared, its voice resonating with absolute conviction, 'I am the strongest Pokémon.'
I finally suggested, my voice cutting through the tense silence, "Prove it."
My eyes locked with Mewtwo's, a challenge unspoken but clear. Mewtwo's eyes narrowed further, a silent acknowledgment of my dare.
It conceded, a hint of something resembling anticipation in its tone, 'Very well. Then you shall witness true power.'
*FLASH*
It activated its waiting clones, and with a flash of light, three powerful Pokémon materialized: a Blastoise, a Venusaur, and a Charizard. The lights in the hall dimmed once more, building the suspense.
They revealed a colossal battle stadium within the fortress, a dark, rocky expanse designed for combat. Mewtwo led us into the arena. It announced, its voice now laced with a chilling intent, 'Clones versus originals. Let us see who is truly stronger.'
Corey immediately called out his partners. Neesha followed suit. Ash, ever eager to prove his bond, was about to shout his challenge when I spoke faster, my voice clear and confident, "I accept."
From my belt, I released a Poké Ball as I declared, "Charizard, let's show them what a true champion looks like!"
*Pop*
My Charizard emerged from its Poké Ball in a burst of red light, stretching its mighty wings. It let out a soft, almost lazy yawn, a small puff of smoke escaping its nostrils, "Char!! (Ahh… is it morning yet?)"
Even after weeks of intense training in this world, its power was undeniable, its presence commanding. Corey's Venusaur, Neesha's Blastoise, and my Charizard stood ready. The battles began. The clones, identical in appearance but imbued with a ruthless efficiency, moved with terrifying precision.
Corey's Venusaur, despite its strength, struggled against the clone's relentless assaults, eventually falling. Neesha's Blastoise, powerful, met a similar fate, outmaneuvered and overwhelmed. The clones were not just strong; they were perfectly engineered fighting machines, devoid of emotion, focused solely on victory.
I knew the trainers Mewtwo had brought here were talented, certainly. They had powerful Pokémon and a decent understanding of battle. But they were, ultimately, inexperienced when compared to me.
My understanding of Pokémon capabilities, strategic thinking, and the nuances of battle was far beyond theirs. My Charizard had been with me through much of that journey. It wasn't one of my absolute mains, the ones I'd built my entire strategy around, but it was a Pokémon I had personally trained, hoping to let it shine in the Battle Frontier.
And it was shining now. Then, it was my Charizard's turn.
Ash's Charizard, still in its Poké Ball, watched from the sidelines. My Charizard, who finally looked at the clone, showed a flicker of genuine interest in its eyes.
I said calmly, my voice calm and collected, a stark contrast to the previous trainers' excited shouts, "Alright, Charizard. Let's show them what real bond and training can do. No holding back."
Charizard roared, a deep, resonant sound that vibrated through the stadium. The clone Charizard, identical in every physical aspect, met its gaze with an unsettling blankness. Mewtwo commanded, its voice echoing, 'Clone Charizard, Flamethrower!'
*Ssssss*
The clone let loose a torrent of superheated flame, an inferno that washed over the arena. I countered, already anticipating the move, "Charizard, fly up and use Strong Style Dragon Claw!"
*Fwp*
Charizard, far from being surprised, burst into the air with incredible speed, a blur of orange and red. The Flamethrower missed its mark, searing the ground where it had stood moments before. Charizard, now above the clone, descended like a fiery meteor, its claws glowing with draconic energy.
*Wooosh*
The clone, though powerful, seemed to lack the adaptability of a truly experienced Pokémon. It was strong, but predictable. It tried to retaliate with a Fire Spin, but my Charizard was too fast, too fluid.
*SMASH*
Its Dragon Claw struck true, a powerful blow to the clone's head that sent it staggering. I followed up, "Now, follow up with Air Slash, quick succession!"
*SHINNG*
*SHINNG*
Charizard flapped its mighty wings, sending razor-sharp blades of air hurtling towards the reeling clone. Each Air Slash was precise, powerful, tearing through the clone's aura. The clone tried to counter with a Flare Blitz, but Charizard was already moving.
I shouted, my voice carrying clearly across the stadium, "Dragon Rush!"
*Zoooom*
Charizard glowed with an emerald aura, charging down at the clone with terrifying speed and force. It was a full-body assault, a concentrated burst of power. The clone, still recovering from the Air Slashes, couldn't react in time.
*THUD*
The Dragon Rush connected with a sickening thud, sending the clone Charizard tumbling to the ground, unconscious. The stadium fell silent.
Mewtwo's eyes, usually so impassive, widened slightly. The other trainers, including Ash, stared in disbelief. My Charizard landed gracefully, gave a triumphant roar, and then, as if to emphasize its complete lack of exertion, let out another yawn, "CHARRRrrr… (Are we done yet? I wanna nap…)"
It was like a professional boxer winning a match with a single, devastating punch, then shrugging. I asked boldly, a challenging glint in my eyes, "Is that enough proof, Mewtwo? Or would you like to see what my other Pokémon can do?"
Mewtwo remained silent for a long moment, its gaze fixed on Charizard. I saw a flash of something in its eyes – not anger, but a deeper curiosity. It was observing, analyzing, and no doubt processing the stark difference between my Charizard's effortless win and the struggles and defeats of the others.
Mewtwo finally boomed, its voice devoid of its previous arrogance, replaced by a chilling calm, 'Impressive, human… But the clones will still inherit the earth.'
*Shiii*
Suddenly, specialized Poké Balls, sleek and black, materialized around Mewtwo. These were the Mewtwo Balls, designed for forced capture.
*Wooosh*
They shot out like missiles, seizing Venusaur and Blastoise from their trainers, sucking them inside. Mewtwo declared, its eyes glinting with malicious satisfaction, 'These are my prizes. The rest will be taken to be cloned. And when my storms destroy this planet, my clones will remain, safe and free on New Island.'
The Mewtwo Balls swarmed, aiming for other Pokémon, including Ash's Pikachu. But I wasn't just going to stand by and watch.
*Sssss*
My Charizard, still in the arena, sensed my intent as it used Flamethrower, burning the balls coming our way. Pikachu and Eevee, ever attuned to me, were instantly on guard, a crackle of electricity around Pikachu, Eevee snarling low.
I interrupted, my voice cutting through the rising panic in the stadium, "Hold on a minute, Mewtwo!!"
I stepped forward, into the center of the arena, my posture radiating a calm defiance that belied the danger as I continued boldly, "If you truly are the strongest Pokémon in the world, and you claim to be the strongest Trainer, then I challenge you. To a battle. Right here, right now."
My words hung heavy in the air, audacious and provocative. Charizard let out a low growl, ready for anything.
Mewtwo's psychic balls, mid-flight, froze. Its head snapped towards me, its eyes narrowing to dangerous slits, radiating pure, unadulterated fury. Its voice thundered, echoing in my mind, 'You… dare?'
I smirked, knowing I'd hit a nerve. Mewtwo's current personality was steeped in a deep-seated confidence, an unwavering belief in its own unparalleled power. Having been defeated by my hands, even under Giovanni's control, was an unbearable insult to its very existence.
It had meticulously crafted this plan, this grand declaration of superiority, and my mere presence, my past victory, was a direct and personal affront. I continued, pressing the advantage, "After all, you lost to me just a few weeks ago, didn't you? So could you really say you're the strongest in the world if you've already been defeated?"
*CRACKLE*
The air crackled with psychic energy, a maelstrom of rage emanating from Mewtwo. The storm outside seemed to intensify, matching its internal tempest. The Mewtwo Balls remained suspended, forgotten.
Mewtwo slowly descended, its feet touching the ground barely ten feet from me. It hissed, its voice imbued with icy menace, 'Are you truly so eager to face me again, human? Unlike before, I am not under the control of that pathetic human. I can easily crush you without such a handicap.'
I grinned, a genuine, confident smile that reached my eyes. I replied confidently, letting the weight of the next words sink in, "Then prove it. If I win, your plans and goals end here and now. You call off the storm, you free the Pokémon, and you reconsider your war against humanity. If I lose, you control my life. Sounds fair enough?"
A collective gasp swept through the crowd. Ash looked horrified, Misty shocked, Brock utterly bewildered. Even the controlled Nurse Joy, now free, stared, her hand pressed to her mouth. This wasn't just a battle; it was a wager for the fate of the world and my own freedom on the line.
Mewtwo's eyes widened, a flicker of genuine surprise momentarily replacing its rage. It asked, its voice a low growl of disbelief, 'Are you that confident you'll win human?'
I challenged, my voice firm, unwavering, "Do you agree or not?"
Mewtwo's eyes hardened, its resolve returning. Mewtwo stated, its voice cold as ice, 'I agree. A foolish wager. You will have the courtesy of the first and last choice you shall ever make.'
I recalled my Charizard, giving him a quick, reassuring pat on his Poké Ball. I reached for my belt, not for a standard Poké Ball, but for a gleaming Ultra Ball. Good thing I came prepared and brought this one with me.
With a flourish, I hurled it into the air. I declared, my voice echoing with absolute certainty, "Nah, I'd win... Go, Deoxys!"
*Pop*
The Ultra Ball burst open, and from a flash of light, a form materialized, unlike anything anyone in the Anime World had ever seen. It was Deoxys, in its sleek, crystalline Normal Forme, its single, glowing eye locking onto Mewtwo.
*THUMP*
An invisible wave of energy radiated from it, a primal, ancient power. For the first time, Mewtwo took a step back, its psychic aura wavering slightly as it felt the immense pressure emitting from the alien Pokémon.
Ash exclaimed, his voice filled with awe and confusion, "What's that Pokémon?"
Brock, usually the fount of all Pokémon knowledge, could only stare, utterly speechless, as did Nurse Joy. They had no idea.
But to me, this was going to be fun. Let's see how Mewtwo of this world responds to the Pokémon Adventures Deoxys.
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 400 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!
Also, I didn't expect you guys to reach 300 PS! Well damn, I'm impressed and shocked by your dedication.