Sam walked slowly toward the massive crater left by the meteor, his expression solemn.
He hadn't even made it halfway when the situation suddenly changed.
A mysterious energy burst outward from the center of the crater.
Q
Sam immediately recognized it.
He had felt this kind of power before—from Sabrina.
Psychic energy.
He forced himself to suppress the curiosity rising inside him. Instead of moving closer, he stopped where he was and watched carefully.
The energy fluctuations grew stronger.
And stronger.
If Clefable hadn't stepped in front of him to shield him from most of the pressure, the residual psychic waves alone would have been enough to make him lose consciousness.
At that moment, Sam didn't dare make the slightest reckless move.
He rested his hand on Tyranitar's Poké Ball at his waist.
If anything went wrong—
He would release Tyranitar immediately.
The energy in the crater reached its peak.
Then—
A red, humanoid figure slowly rose from within.
"…Deoxys."
Sam's heart sank.
Curiosity kills the cat.
He regretted coming.
"Detective Eye."
[Pokémon]: Deoxys (Severely Injured Condition)
[Type]: Psychic
[Strength]: ???
[Potential]: ???
[Evaluation]: A mysterious Pokémon from outer space, mutated from the DNA of a cosmic virus. It can freely alter its form using incredible cosmic power. It is best to keep your distance.
Keep your distance?
Sam wanted nothing more.
But it was too late.
Deoxys had already noticed him.
Its cold, emotionless gaze locked onto him.
In that instant, Sam felt as though he had been thrown into an icy abyss. A chill crawled up his spine.
His thumb hovered over Tyranitar's Poké Ball switch.
He was ready.
But—
Just as he braced himself for battle—
Deoxys looked away.
It fixed its gaze somewhere beyond Sam.
It was waiting.
Waiting for someone.
"…Rayquaza?"
In Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys, Rayquaza and Deoxys were mortal enemies. Rayquaza fiercely defended its territory in the ozone layer, attacking any intruder without mercy.
If Deoxys had fallen here—
It was very possible they had already fought.
The injuries on Deoxys' body confirmed it.
Another terrifying energy entered Sam's perception.
Was Rayquaza arriving?
No.
This energy felt similar to Deoxys'.
Psychic.
Psychic…
Psychic?!
There weren't many powerful Psychic-type Pokémon in Kanto.
Fewer still who would dare confront Deoxys.
A name flashed through Sam's mind.
"…Mewtwo."
He was right.
Descending from the sky was Mewtwo.
But this wasn't the Mewtwo he remembered from later years.
There was no iconic spoon.
Instead, its entire body was encased in heavy mechanical armor.
Team Rocket's control armor.
Built to restrain its overwhelming psychic power.
Deoxys.
Mewtwo.
Two of the most powerful Psychic-type beings in existence.
Though neither was in peak condition, this would undoubtedly be a battle that could shake history.
Sam didn't even think about running anymore.
A battle like this—
He might never witness again in his lifetime.
If he fled now, fear would haunt him forever.
"Everyone, come out."
He released all of his Pokémon.
He wanted them to witness this clash.
No—
Not just Pokémon.
These were beings worthy of being called gods.
A duel between Psychic gods.
"Detective Eye."
[Pokémon]: Mewtwo
[Type]: Psychic
[Strength]: ???
[Potential]: ???
[Evaluation]: A cloned Pokémon created using Mew's genes and advanced human technology. A natural-born battle machine created for combat. It harbors complex emotions toward humans. Keep your distance.
Neither Deoxys nor Mewtwo paid Sam any further attention.
In each other's eyes—
There was only a rival.
They stared.
Waiting.
Deoxys could not afford to wait long.
Its body was already at its limit after battling Rayquaza.
Pain weakened it with every passing second.
It had to strike first.
Whoosh—!
Deoxys moved.
The instant it did—
Its form shifted.
Its body grew slimmer, more streamlined.
Speed Forme.
Deoxys possessed four Formes: Normal, Attack, Defense, and Speed.
It could instantly alter its structure depending on the situation.
The evaluation called Mewtwo a natural battle machine.
Coincidentally—
Deoxys was a cosmic warrior built for combat as well.
"So fast…" Sam whispered.
Gengar floated beside him in stunned silence.
They had thought Koga's Crobat was fast.
But compared to Deoxys—
Crobat might as well have been standing still.
Against Crobat, Gengar could at least attempt to track it through energy fluctuations.
But Deoxys?
It gave Gengar a sense of absolute inevitability.
An overwhelming presence.
Gengar knew—
If it were the one standing on that battlefield right now—
It wouldn't survive even a single move.