"Me? I don't know what my real name is. They all call me… Mewtwo."
That voice echoed directly inside Ash's mind, carried on waves of powerful psychic energy. The sudden intrusion made his heart jump.
No wonder! Ash thought, his expression tightening. It's the pre-movie Mewtwo—the real boss. No wonder his psychic power spreads so far.
According to the timeline, he should still be confined inside his incubation tank. That must be why he's able to unleash his mind so freely—without fear of the aftereffects.
The moment Ash heard the name "Mewtwo," his thoughts turned chaotic. He hadn't expected Mewtwo, at this point in time, to already be capable of extending his psychic presence across half of Kanto!
The power of a Legendary Pokémon was overwhelming, but expanding one's psychic field to this degree would normally cause severe weakness afterward.
After all, psychic energy wasn't just a defensive shield—it was also a devastating weapon. Fortunately, Mewtwo was still sealed within his tank, unable to act directly. That was the only reason Ash wasn't worried about an immediate attack.
"Mewtwo? You're really Mewtwo!" Ash's tone carried a rare excitement.
To him, Mewtwo was no ordinary Pokémon—it was a being born of science, a creation he had admired even in his previous life. Not only was its appearance imposing, but its combat abilities were razor sharp.
"Who are you? And why do you already know of my existence?" Mewtwo's mental voice sharpened. Even without physical speech, the clarity of his telepathic projection made his suspicion unmistakable. Such was the precision of a super-powered Psychic-type.
Ash wiped a bead of cold sweat from his temple. "How should I put this… yes, I know about you. But don't misunderstand—I don't mean you any harm. Can you tell me how you're doing right now?"
"I don't know. Since I first became aware, I've never left this tank. Recently, they've begun suppressing my strength… Humans really are despicable creatures who can't control their greed." Mewtwo's tone dripped with disdain.
Ash frowned. He hadn't expected Mewtwo, even at this stage, to already harbor such deep resentment toward humans. That bitterness was already taking root.
"I know what I am. A clone, created from Mew's genetic material. They want to use me as their weapon—to conquer the entire world." Mewtwo's voice was eerily calm, but the emotions beneath it were unmistakable.
"Oh? Your power is indeed extraordinary—enough to rival a Legendary Pokémon. But conquering the world? That's nothing but a fantasy," Ash replied.
Not just because of you. Ho-Oh, Lugia, and countless other Legendaries… even Mythical Pokémon—none of them are powers you could challenge at this point.
"Are you that confident in your strength? Or are you simply reckless? Even so, you wouldn't dare link your mind to mine unless you had some power of your own…"
Mewtwo's psychic tone grew heavier. For him, who had always considered himself supreme, Ash's calm defiance was unsettling.
Ash met his invisible gaze head-on. "In this world, great power doesn't belong to Pokémon alone. Some humans carry strength passed down through generations—strength enough to rival even you."
For a moment, silence hung in the telepathic void. Then Mewtwo spoke, his voice calm but filled with chilling intent: "I've learned much from meeting you today. Wait. After I defeat him… you'll be next."
With that, he cut off the psychic link. The sudden severing left Ash's head reeling, as though his mind had been torn apart.
"Damn… I've been marked by Mewtwo," Ash muttered, steadying his breath. "And the one he plans to fight first… must be Mew itself."
The realization stirred something inside him. If it really comes to that—if I truly cross blades with Mewtwo in this world—it won't be just a clash of power. It'll be life and death.
And strangely enough… that thought thrilled him.
"I'll be waiting," Ash said under his breath.
With a burst of speed, his body blurred.
Bang—shuu!
The sound of air splitting echoed as he vanished into the sky, his silhouette darting from point to point. His mastery of Moon Step and Shave had reached perfection—his movements were now little more than shadows in the air.
By the time he returned to the Laramie Ranch, preparations for the annual Pokémon race were already underway. The outcome of this event would decide much about the ranch's future.
Ash slipped into his room, only to find Cynthia already awake. She was in the bathroom, brushing her teeth with unusual intensity, as if trying to scrub away something unpleasant.
"Ash! Where did you disappear to so early in the morning? You had me worried sick!" she exclaimed, quickly rinsing the foam from her mouth before stepping toward him.
"Going out for some fresh air and to check on Arcanine isn't a bad idea. Meanwhile, you've been brushing your teeth forever!" Ash teased as he watched Cynthia finish up.
"You're one to talk!" Cynthia shot back, her cheeks slightly pink. "If it weren't for you yesterday, I wouldn't be in this state at all!" She gave his arm a light slap, though the embarrassment in her expression was unmistakable.
Ash grinned mischievously. "Hey, I didn't force you—you volunteered. And besides, that sort of thing… can even make you more beautiful."
Smack!
Flustered, Cynthia slapped his arm again, harder this time. Then, catching herself, she pursed her lips and looked away, her face burning.
After their playful banter, the others began gathering. Breakfast was served soon after—a spread of pure, natural foods prepared by the Laramie family. While undeniably healthy, the flavors were light and almost too plain for Ash's taste. Still, he ate, knowing the nutrition would help later.
"Master Ash, the registration is complete. The race begins at 1 p.m. sharp," Mr. Laramie announced respectfully as Ash finished his glass of milk.
"Perfect. Thanks," Ash replied with a smile. "I wonder what tricks the opposition will pull out today. Honestly, I'm looking forward to it." His eyes glinted with anticipation. The race wasn't just a competition—it was a chance to gauge the strengths and intentions of the challengers.
By early afternoon, the stands of the racetrack were packed. Nearly the entire Laramie community had gathered, along with travelers and spectators eager to watch the famed event.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the Laramie clan, honored guests, and visiting tourists—welcome! Today marks our annual Laramie Pokémon Obstacle Race!" the announcer's voice rang out across the venue.
"This year's course is the most difficult in our history. The challenges will push both trainers and Pokémon to their limits. As you can see, the number of participants is greater than ever!"
Excitement buzzed through the crowd.
"Among the contenders, two stand out as the favorites for the championship! First, our beloved princess of the Laramie family—Miss Lara! And second, the pride of Laramie—Mr. Dario!"
The stadium erupted into cheers, the names of the two favorites echoing across the racetrack as anticipation for the event reached its peak.
...
TN:
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