Chapter 387: Anime Pokémon World (3)
~Azure S. POV~
[Kanto Region, New Island]
Mewtwo was stunned, just for a second. And that was all Deoxys needed.
*ZOOOOM*
In a blur of motion, Deoxys shifted. Its form elongated, streamlined, its body becoming a conduit of pure speed – Speed Forme. It blitzed past Mewtwo, moving faster than the eye could follow, a streak of purple and orange vanishing and reappearing.
*WOM*
Mewtwo barely registered the movement before Deoxys was directly in front of its face, its form snapping back into Normal Forme. A colossal fist, glowing with raw power, connected with Mewtwo's face in a devastating Mega Punch.
*BOOOOM*
The impact was thunderous. Mewtwo cried out, a sound of shock and pain, as it was sent hurtling backward, a comet of psychic energy soaring high into the sky, vanishing into the storm clouds above.
Everyone in the stadium, including me, was stunned into silence. They couldn't even process what had just happened.
*WOM*
Deoxys, having delivered the decisive blow, shifted back to Speed Forme, a shimmering afterimage in the air, before vanishing from sight, awaiting my next command. The silence was deafening, save for the distant rumble of thunder. And Mewtwo was gone.
My smirk widened, a silent testament to the satisfaction bubbling within me. I muttered, though the words were lost in the whoosh of wind as Mewtwo's form, a blur against the stormy sky, arced downwards before correcting itself, "Told you I'd win."
A flicker of something I hadn't expected – surprise, perhaps even a hint of genuine agitation – crossed its face. Its aura, which had been radiating untouchable power, now pulsed with a new intensity, a frustrated energy.
The other trainers below were a tableau of stunned disbelief. Ash, his mouth agape, looked like he was trying to form words but failing. Brock and Nurse Joy, typically repositories of Pokémon knowledge, simply stared, their faces blank.
Ash finally managed to stammer, his voice a barely audible squeak, "What… what was that thing?"
Mewtwo, having righted itself, hung in the air, its psychic energy flaring, attempting to pinpoint Deoxys. I could almost feel its mental probes bouncing off the alien Pokémon's unique biology. The Pressure ability was doing its job, subtly draining Mewtwo's mental reserves even as it tried to focus.
I commanded, my voice cutting through the stunned silence of the arena, "Deoxys, don't give it a moment to think! Speed Forme, Extreme Speed again! Pinpoint that psychic signature and hit it with a close-range Psycho Boost!"
*ZOOOOM*
Deoxys, still a phantom to mortal eyes, vanished. There was no 'whoosh' or 'thud,' just a sudden absence where it had been.
Mewtwo's eyes, however, snapped to a point directly behind it, its psychic perception far exceeding that of regular sight. It spun, a shimmering shield of psychic energy manifesting around itself just as Deoxys reappeared, cloaked in the crimson-orange glow of Speed Forme, its spear-like arm already charged with crackling psychic energy.
*Ksssh*
Deoxys's Psycho Boost slammed into Mewtwo's nascent barrier. The air shrieked, a visible ripple distorting the space between them.
*BOOM*
Mewtwo grunted, a guttural furious sound that reverberated through the very structure of the fortress. The barrier held, but it buckled, sending shockwaves that rattled the other trainers to their core.
Mewtwo was pushed back several feet, its powerful form scraping against the air. Corey whispered, his eyes wide, "Incredible…"
Neesha and Fergus could only nod, equally mesmerized. Mewtwo, clearly annoyed, retaliated instantly.
*PEW*
Its eyes glowed, and a torrent of emerald energy, shaped like a vicious dragon's head, erupted from its hand – Dragon Pulse. It was fast, powerful, and aimed directly at Deoxys direction.
I called out, my voice calm amidst the chaos, "Defense Forme, now!"
*WOM*
Deoxys, with a blur of alien biological reconfiguration, shifted. Its body broadened, its arms and legs thickening, the once-sleek form now a bastion of defensive power. The Dragon Pulse struck, exploding in a shower of green light and smoke.
*BOOOOM*
For a moment, Deoxys was obscured. I heard Ash cry out, "Deoxys!"
I smirked at his yell. Same old Ash.
But when the smoke cleared, Deoxys stood firm, scuff marks visible on its now-more-resilient form, but otherwise unharmed. The Defense Forme had mitigated the damage significantly. I knew Mewtwo was immensely powerful, but it wasn't omniscient.
It didn't know Deoxys's capabilities.
Returning to the battle, I commanded, "Now, strike back! Shadow Ball!"
*CRACKLE*
Deoxys's right arm extended, focusing a swirling orb of black energy. The sphere rapidly grew in size, pulsing with raw ghost-type power…
*PEW*
It launched with staggering speed. Mewtwo, recovering from its initial attack and visibly surprised that Deoxys had shrugged off the Dragon Pulse, met the Shadow Ball with a concentrated Psychic.
*BOOOOM*
The two attacks collided midway, creating a blinding flash and an ear-splitting boom that sent vibrations through the entire island. Nurse Joy murmured, clutching Brock's arm, "This… this isn't just a battle… This is a clash of titans."
Brock added, his usual calm replaced by genuine awe, "Mewtwo's never been pushed like this. I didn't think it was possible…"
My own Pikachu and Eevee were on edge, their eyes tracking every move, tails twitching. Even my Gengar, hiding in my shadow, emitted a low, excited chuckle I could faintly pick up, "Gengar!! (Go get'em, newbie!!)"
I murmured to myself, my gaze unwavering from the legendary Pokémon, "You're strong, Mewtwo. But strength alone isn't enough. Adaptability, strategy, and understanding your opponent's limits… that's where the true victory lies."
*SHIIII*
Mewtwo snarled, a low, guttural sound that promised retribution. Its anger was palpable, radiating outward in waves of psychic energy that caused the stones of the arena to crack under its power.
It had never been challenged like this, never been forced to consider that another Pokémon, or its trainer, could match its might. Mewtwo telepathically boomed, its voice echoing in my mind, a furious rumble, 'You believe you are the strongest? Then face my true power!'
*RMBL*
Its entire body began to glow with an intense, violet aura. The storm outside the fortress, which had momentarily calmed, raged anew, as if mirroring Mewtwo's wrath.
Chunks of rock from the arena floor began to levitate around it. Mewtwo roared outward, unleashing its psychic power, "GRAOOOO!!!!! (Psystrike!)"
*PEW*
A barrage of concentrated psychic projectiles, sharper and faster than anything before, erupted from Mewtwo, aimed to engulf Deoxys. Each projectile hummed with destructive power.
This was Mewtwo going all out.
I commanded, "Deoxys, use Detect!"
*SHINNG*
Deoxys shimmered, a faint, almost invisible shield briefly pulsating around it. The Psystrike barrage passed through Deoxys as if it were a ghost, completely missing its mark as Deoxys vanished from sight.
*Wooosh*
Mewtwo's eyes widened, a flicker of genuine bewilderment replacing its fury. It was momentary, but I saw it.
I knew I had to press the advantage, to capitalize on that crack in its composure. I yelled, "Now! Speed Forme! Extreme Speed! Get in close, then switch to Normal Forme and unleash a Zap Cannon!"
*WOM*
Deoxys vanished again, reappearing directly in front of a stunned Mewtwo with such suddenness that it seemed to materialize out of thin air. Before Mewtwo could react with a defensive psychic barrier, Deoxys's form shifted, its body condensing into the Normal Forme, and its hands glowed with crackling yellow electricity.
*ZAP*
The Zap Cannon, a blast of raw electric power, was fired at point-blank range. Mewtwo screamed, an uncharacteristic cry of pain, "RRROOAR!"
*BOOOOM*
The electric blast tore through its psychic defenses, slamming into its chest. Static electricity coursed through its body, causing it to seize up, momentarily paralyzed. It staggered back, its glowing aura flickering precariously.
*RMBL*
The storm outside began to lose cohesion, indicating Mewtwo's focus was thoroughly broken. The other trainers gasped, Ash nearly falling over in his shock. Never had they seen Mewtwo so utterly overwhelmed.
Brock whispered, utterly flabbergasted, "It's being… paralyzed?"
Controlling a battle of this magnitude, against a legendary like Mewtwo with another legendary, took a toll. I shouted, my voice hoarse with exertion, "Now, Deoxys! Speed Forme! Get above it and finish this with a full-power Psycho Boost!"
*WOM*
Deoxys, still shrouded in the crimson Speed Forme, shot upwards, circling Mewtwo rapidly. The movements were so fast that they created multiple afterimages, like a whirlwind of red and orange light.
*ZOOOOM*
Mewtwo, still partially paralyzed, could only watch, its eyes wide with incredulity and dawning realization. Deoxys then paused directly above Mewtwo, its body rapidly shifting back to Normal Forme, concentrating all its extraterrestrial energy into a single, devastating attack.
*PEW*
A massive, swirling orb of purple psychic energy pulsed between its hands, growing larger and larger and more volatile by the second. The air around it crackled with raw power, distorting the very light.
*KSSSHHH*
The Psycho Boost descended like a meteor, slamming into Mewtwo with a force that shook the entire island fortress. A blinding explosion of purple light and energy erupted, engulfing Mewtwo completely…
*KA-BOOOOOM*
*TRML*
The ground beneath us trembled violently, and cracks spread across the arena floor. The storm outside vanished as if it had never been, leaving only a calm, clear sky. When the light dissipated, Mewtwo was revealed, struggling to stay upright.
Its body coursed with residual psychic energy, but it was visibly exhausted, panting, its defenses shattered, its aura gone. It was beaten...
*Thud*
It collapsed to one knee, its head bowed, defeated.
Silence. Utter, complete silence descended upon New Island.
Ash, Brock, Nurse Joy, Neesha, Fergus, Corey, and even my own Pokémon were utterly speechless. They had just witnessed a legendary Pokémon, arguably the most powerful in the world, brought to its knees.
Deoxys, still in Normal Forme, pulsed once, then dissolved into red light, returning to its Ultra Ball as I said calmly, extending the Ultra Ball, "Deoxys, return."
I clipped it back onto my belt, a sense of immense pride swelling in my chest. I took a deep breath, letting the thrill of victory sink in, but not forgetting the purpose of this battle. I walked forward, my steps firm and even, until I stood directly in front of the kneeling Mewtwo.
Pikachu and Eevee padded by my sides, their expressions a mix of triumph and wary readiness. My Gengar phased out of my shadow, floating beside me, its grin wider than ever.
Mewtwo slowly raised its head, its eyes locking onto mine. There was no longer anger or arrogance there, but a profound mixture of disbelief, respect, and a hint of something akin to self-reflection.
I began, my voice clear and resonating in the sudden quiet silence, "See? Experience and partnership aren't just for humans, Mewtwo. Even the strongest Pokémon in the world can learn from a strong trainer. I'm not here to control you. I'm here to show you a different path."
My gaze swept over the other trainers, then back to Mewtwo as I bluntly stated, "You believe humans are weak and cruel because you were created by one. But that's only one perspective. There are billions of humans, Mewtwo. Just as there are billions of Pokémon. You only tasted the bitterness of one. My Gengar here…"
I gestured to the mischievous ghost as I explained, "… was once just a Gastly that I journeyed with through a dark and dangerous tower. My Pikachu, my Eevee…"
I gently stroked their heads, smiling happily as I stated, "They've been with me since the very beginning, through every challenge, every triumph. Our bond… that's our strength. Not just brute power."
Mewtwo looked from me to Pikachu, then to Eevee, who nudged my leg affectionately. It saw the loyalty, the camaraderie, the shared history that radiated from us. Its eyes lingered on the original Pokémon present, then on the few clones it had managed to create before my interruption.
I continued, my voice softening slightly at Mewtwo, "You wanted to prove that clones were superior. That a Pokémon's inherent strength was all that mattered. But my Charizard, one of yours, couldn't beat it. Why? Because my Charizard carried the weight of experience. Of battles fought alongside me, of bonds forged, of lessons learned. Your clone only had raw power. It lacked the struggle, the growth, the connection."
Mewtwo remained silent, processing my words. The psychic storm had not only vanished, but the sun was now breaking through the clouds, casting a golden light over the arena. It was as if the very world was waiting for its decision.
Smiling, looking at Mewtwo, I went on lecturing him, "You sought to destroy this world, to cleanse it of what you perceived as weakness. But what if, instead of destroying, you chose to understand? What if you chose to see the potential for good, for partnership, for growth, that exists in both humans and Pokémon?"
Mewtwo finally spoke, its telepathic voice no longer booming, but soft, contemplative, 'You… you truly believe this? That a human and a Pokémon can achieve such synergy… such strength…?'
I said proudly, meeting its gaze squarely with a knowing grin, "I don't just believe it, Mewtwo. I live it. And you just experienced it."
Mewtwo looked down at its hands, then at the scattered original Pokémon and the few clones. The anger that had fueled its existence seemed to drain from its form, replaced by a profound weariness, but also a nascent curiosity.
Mewtwo seemed to reflect its choices as it mused, 'Perhaps… perhaps there is more to this world… more to humanity… than I perceived. You have shown me a power beyond my own… a power born not of creation or anger, but of unity.'
It slowly got to its feet, its eyes now scanning the other trainers, then settling on Nurse Joy, who looked up at it with a mix of fear and compassion. Mewtwo extended a hand as it turned to the Mewtwo Balls it had deployed.
*Pop*
With another, more careful and controlled psychic surge, it began to release the Pokémon that had been captured by its clones, returning them to their trainers. It also dissipated the remaining Mewtwo Balls, causing them to harmlessly vanish.
Mewtwo declared, its voice now firm, but devoid of hostility, 'My purpose… my understanding… it must be re-evaluated. I will not destroy this world. I will seek my own path… a path of understanding, not vengeance.'
It looked at the few clones it had made, then turned to me as Mewtwo stated, 'You have earned your victory. My plans end here. My goals… they change.'
With that, Mewtwo rose into the air, the clones following closely behind it. It cast one last look at me, a silent acknowledgment passing between us, before it vanished into the now truly clear sky, heading towards its own destiny.
The silence that followed was different now – not one of shock, but of immense relief and wonder. Ash, Brock, and Nurse Joy rushed over to me, a cacophony of questions and exclamations erupting.
Ash yelled, eyes practically sparkling, "Azure, that was… that was incredible! What kind of Pokémon was that? Where did you get it? How did you beat Mewtwo?!"
Brock added, still looking a little dazed, "Seriously, I've never seen anything like it. That Forme-changing… the power… It's truly legendary."
I smiled, a genuine, tired smile. I said tiredly, patting Deoxys's Ultra Ball, "He's a special partner. And Mewtwo… well, Mewtwo just needed a different perspective than his previous trainer gave it."
I chose not to delve into the details of Deoxys's origin or my world. This wasn't the time or place. Nurse Joy asked, a puzzled frown on her face, "Wait, you defeated Mewtwo before? Who's the trainer who owns it?"
I chuckled, waving my hand dismissively, "Long story. Not for now."
I looked at my Pikachu and Eevee. I smirked as I stated, "Ready to head back, guys? We've got training to continue."
Pikachu chirped excitedly, while Eevee rubbed against my leg. My Gengar phased back into my shadow.
I'd given Ash and his friends a story to tell for the rest of their lives, and perhaps, influenced the course of the anime world's history in a significant way. Mewtwo would forge a new path, and the world would be better for it.
I pulled out the Poke Ball hanging around my belt. Arcanine pulsed with a soft red light, understanding my unspoken request. I said calmly to Ash and the others, "Well, guys, it's been… eventful. Good luck on your journeys. I have things to do."
Before they could ask more questions or process what was happening, Arcanine's red light enveloped me, Pikachu, and Eevee, which was docked discreetly nearby. In a flash, we were gone, leaving behind a bewildered group of trainers and an island fortress no longer under the shadow of a legendary Pokémon's rage, but bathed in the bright light of a new dawn.
My mind already drifted to the Battle Frontier. Dealing with Mewtwo was a good warm-up, but the challenges ahead would be just as intense, perhaps even more nuanced. The Anime World was fun, but my own journey awaited.
Hmm… I wonder if Green would love a Shiny Metagross. It would be a good gift for her and a way to show off to any of her friends.
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 100 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!