Mew and the Legend Awakened
SAVING MEW Part III
[Author's Message]
As promised, allow me to foremost respond to some of reviewers:
thor94 – Thanks for the review! Yes, Ash has already tapped on some of his Aura abilities. However, he has still yet to figure his full potential. Though technically, this story occurred prior to the 8th Pokémon movie (Lucario and the Mystery of Mew), ideologically I guess it would be nice to grant Ash more potential for his use of Aura. As for the bloody murder of Giovanni, uhmm… I would not make any promises. Peace!
Julie Togepi – Thank you for the review! It is indeed heartwarming to imagine and write about how Mew and Mewtwo's relationship blossom gradually. After the sequel of the first movie, a lot of possibilities could have happened for the two, knowing especially that they had some sort of unique connection. There'll be more Misty moments in the next few parts. Not sure if there would be any on this chapter though!
CruztAce – Thanks for the review! Yeah, Ash better work on his timing. He's been doing this for a couple times already. Tsk tsk. Hahaha! Anyways, enjoy this long chapter of the story!
Keep in touch, guys! Let me know if you have further suggestions for the story or in general!
Putting that aside, here is the final episode of the "Saving Mew" arc. Coming up soon would be what we've all been waiting for – the climax. This is going to be a long chapter, so please keep on reading and never let go!
Giving the two psychic Legendary Pokémon a break from his tight embrace, Ash bent over on one knee to Mew's level as she was still too weak to levitate. "Mew, I'm so glad you're safe," he told her sincerely. "For a minute, Mewtwo, Pikachu and I were beginning to get really worried." Placing a warm gloved hand over her head, the youngster gave her a comforting pet to which she meekly yet cheerfully reacted to. Pikachu hopped down from his Trainer's shoulder and walked his way to the pale Pokémon. "Pika pi Pikachu. Pika pi pika Pikachu (It's great we found you Mew. We were all getting really worried)," said the yellow electric Pokémon. He then glanced over to her purple taller clone and made a teasing face. "Especially this guy over here! Boy, if he hadn't found you today the whole world could have exploded!" chortled Pikachu in Pokémon speech. Mewtwo simply sent the little electric mouse a scowl and folded his paws over his chest. "Now that we have Mew, let's make haste for the Tree of Beginning," he said nonchalantly, his casual tone returning.
Ash offered to carry Mew out, to which she gratefully obliged. Scooping her up on his arms, the teenaged Trainer gestured with his head towards the exit door.
As they all made their way through the hall, Ash explained how he had found them. "I followed a Team Rocket security agent who managed to escape," he huffed his words through his breath. "Then I saw a slightly opened door that lead to some really dark room. I felt an exhausted presence inside, so I went in." Mew looked up to face the Trainer. "You… felt an exhausted presence?" she clarified. Ash tilted his head to return her stare and gave her a comforting smile. "Yeah. That must've been you, Mew."
The trembling rosy-pink Pokémon closed her eyes to rest. Mewtwo overlooked Ash's shoulder to watch as his female counterpart slept out of tiredness. Rapid images from his memory of how he was trapped flashed through his mind. Contrary to the fragile and fatigue state of Mew, he woke from his artificial slumber bursting with power and energy. Was this brought about by only a biological influence? Or was there more?
Mewtwo shook the thoughts off. "This is not the time to brood," he lectured himself. Trying to find a distraction, he remembered the young Trainer's story earlier. "Ash, where did the Team Rocket agent escape to? Wherever it is, it might be important." Ash halted in his tracks and remembered that he was following her. "Right! She went that way," Ash said motioning towards to a passageway by his far left, the large steel automatic doors serving as cues for his recognition memory.
Upon entering the brightly lit room – which caused Mew to suddenly wake up from her rest – Ash, Pikachu and Mewtwo hurried to investigate around. It was not that difficult to locate that one escapee whom they were all looking for, as Pikachu was immediately able to spot her. "Pika!" he yelled out to girl, frightening her.
"W-What?! How'd you get in here?!" Startled, she lost her balance and stumbled. Just as she stood to get up, Ash with Mew, and Mewtwo showed up.
"W-What? How?! What do you want from me?!" came the series of nervous questions. It was evident in her quaking hazel irises that she was frightened and doomed.
Ash stood boldly in front of her. "What is this place? And what have you done with Mew?!"
"I have done nothing. I am not one of those annoying conceited lab scientists! I'm just a security agent!" she retorted. Her eyes narrowed to glare furiously at the Pokémon Trainer. "I was just doing my job."
The Team Rocket grunt's manner annoyed Ash all the more. He gritted his teeth, feeling the tightening pressure on the muscles of his lower jaws. Mewtwo saw through the wrath of the boy. Extending an arm to his front, the Legendary Pokémon took a step forward to mediate.
"What is this place?" he calmly asked.
Knowing she had no other choice but to answer truthfully, the Team Rocket grunt plainly replied, "the center control system."
"Why did you come here?"
"He told me…"
"Who told you?"
"Giovanni."
Just as those words left the female grunt's lips, the ceiling of the facility opened. A helicopter flying overhead opened a door to which other Team Rocket grunts let down a ladder.
"Climb up now!" they yelled out to their fellow team member.
"Not so fast!" Ash leaped out from behind Mewtwo in attempt to stop them. "PIKA!" Pikachu added as he jumped on to his Trainer's shoulder.
"Don't even try, Boy," came a most familiar sinister voice. "I would not think you would want to try and hurt someone who has been just doing her job the entire time, or would you?"
Ash stopped in his tracks. The grunt did seem afraid and innocent of what had happened to Mew. It was not all her fault, and maybe she did not really deserve to be punished.
"It's good for you to remember your morals," the voice added.
Mewtwo felt an incredible sense of infuriation and annoyance. He dashed off to the sky and attacked the flying vehicle with a Shadow Ball. However, a sturdy protective invisible force field seemed to have absorbed the attack. The psychic Pokémon gave off a deadly scowl.
"You thought I would not come by unprepared now, would you?" Giovanni said with a grin.
"What do you want now? You should be grateful that I have spared your life," Mewtwo smugly stated.
"I should be asking you that," the man said. "After all, you are the ones who have invaded one of my top secret laboratory facilities."
"We came to rescue Mew, if that was not at all obvious enough," the purple psychic Pokémon responded grimly with hints of annoyance. "You really thought you could hide her away from me."
"I did not consider that at all, my friend. However, I am quite sure that you would find her." Giovanni then held placed a thumb under his chin. "I did not just think you would have found her so soon."
The tall man then diverted his attention towards fatigue Pokémon Ash held.
"So it seems that Mew is too weak to fight," he murmured.
Mewtwo glared at the man. "Don't you even dare…"
Giovanni held a hand up. "I have no intention of hurting her now. For the present moment." He returned his hand into his pockets. "Not with you in the way I suppose."
Out of the blue, a large canon from the helicopter Giovanni stood from had emerged. It blasted a large orange bubble that enveloped Mewtwo. Automatically responding to the trap, Mewtwo sent out a series of attacks to the walls of the bubble. However just as he had attacked, Mew let out a loud cry of pain.
Mewtwo's eyes widened and so rapidly halted his attacks. He glanced his thwarted expression from Mew to the grinning maleficent man. "What now have you done?"
"Mewtwo," Giovanni began. "I assumed that you and Mew had some special connection – a bond, rather. I also saw how special Mew was to you. So I thought… I could have brought you two even closer." He brought out a hand from one of his pockets to pet his Persian.
"Let one of my scientists explain," he then took a step aside, revealing the familiar female grunt dressed in a lab gown. "The liquid substance Mew was encapsulated with in the tube is actually the same chemical you are in now. However, some of the atoms from the liquid have attached to her cells. Every time you try to attack and escape, you trigger her pain receptors," she informed.
Mewtwo relaxed his arms as each of his paws lay lifeless by his sides. He slowly and pitiful glimpsed at the Mew. The rose-pink Pokémon breathed heavily after feeling such internal pain. She opened her eyes, revealing the vivid sapphires that returned her counterpart's gaze. "I'm sorry Mewtwo…" she told him through her thoughts.
Mewtwo simply shook his head before turning about. "Do not feel sorry Mew. It's not your fault… It never was." Mew slowly furrowed her eyebrows. "Could you please stop saying it is not my fault? It is! I could have fought back… But now all that lingers is the thought of what I could have done – what I should have done," her stern tone transfiguring to a meek whisper. "Help me find the willpower to live and fight, Mewtwo."
Giovanni then descended from his helicopter. Walking calmly towards the young boy, he offered a bribe. "All right, Young Trainer. Let me give you a deal." Ash took a nervous step back and held Mew closer. "If you think that I'd ever give up on Mew and the Tree of Beginning, think again!" he spat. The man tightened his fist in his pockets. "I was referring a deal to your life." Team Rocket agents sprang down from the helicopter and spread across the room surrounding Ash. "Give me Mew and I shall spare you, your Pikachu, your friends, and Mewtwo's life." He gave a smug grin. "As we speak, several Team Rocket combat agents are back at the Tree of Beginning and ready for battle. Please, we don't have to go through this the hard way." With a press of a small button on his wristwatch, electrical shocks jolted Mewtwo in several parts of his body. "To convince you even more," added the female grunt. "The bubble weakens Mewtwo's immune system the longer he stays in there. Moreover, he is now more susceptible to physical or special attacks."
Sweat dripped from the young Pokémon Trainer's forehead. With nowhere else to turn to, Ash glanced at Pikachu. "Pika…" was all Pikachu could say, awaiting for what his friend would do. "Pikachu," Ash called quietly. "Thundershock." With not another word nor minute to waste, Pikachu let out a Thundershock, jolting everyone but Ash and Mew in the room. Throwing his Pokémon into the air, Pikachu used a Thunderbolt attack in hopes that it could destroy the bubble that kept Mewtwo imprisoned.
"No, wait! Stop!" exclaimed Mewtwo. "We should not take the risk that your attacks could further harm Mew," he said in a disappointed tone.
Mew slowly opened her eyes and felt anything but guilt. Mewtwo could not fight back because all he knew was that it would cause her pain and harm. She felt so much as a burden that any option or decisions she had in mind is something that would surely wreck her deep inside. What she knew she was about to do next was not good, yet was the lesser evil and was the only choice she had. "I-I need to t-think… Please be well. I'm sorry," she spoke through her thoughts. Gathering what was left of her power, she teleported herself, Ash and Pikachu away.
Appearing in a tiny distant island, far from the eyes of human witnesses were Ash, Pikachu and Mew. Breathless of what she had done, Mew floated down to sit on the rocky surface. The young Trainer looked sympathetically over the tired rosy Pokémon yet could not help verbally question her motive.
"Mew… why? Why did you let us leave?" he asked, kneeing beside her.
"I am sorry – I do not know why," Mew replied with quite a frantic tone. "I should never had done that! But I was afraid… and it was as if Mewtwo had told me himself to do so."
"But you left him there with Team Rocket!" rebutted Ash. "You know he could die there, Mew!"
The little Psychic was near to tears. Not because Ash had raised his voice, but because she deeply thought of the peril Mewtwo could be in as of the moment. Moreover, she blamed herself for all of it.
"I don't know what else to do!" Mew sobbed. "And… I thought – I believed… I always knew what to do or how to get out of such a mess." She then brought her tiny paws to cover her face. "I was wrong. I could hide away, but never escape…"
Pikachu went over to his weeping friend and gave her a comforting pat on the back. "Pika…" he attempted to help ease her pain. Ash softened his expression and gave his apologies. "I'm sorry I sounded really harsh Mew. I was just as worried as you were." He then leaned in closer to give her a warm embrace. "Mew, you'd do anything for the ones you really care about. I understand you felt that you needed to hide… but shouldn't we also do something to fix this mess?"
Mew levitated from her seated position. "I do think so. We have to help Mewtwo… We have to stand firm and find a solution to this predicament." She then glanced over at Pikachu. "But how?"
Ash then stood steadfastly beside her. "If it's a battle Team Rocket wants, then it's a battle they'll get." Closing his fists tightly once again, he gave the two Pokémon a quick yet determined look. "We'll need all the help we can get if we're going to have to save Mewtwo." Ash then turned over to face Mew. "Do you know anyone else could lend us a hand?"
The little rose-pink Psychic gave a small smile, recalling the special friends she had met throughout her journey across the ages. "I believe I have quite a few…"
Back at the Tree of Beginning, the sky was once again dimmed as thick gray clouds gathered together as if calling for a storm. The two young Pokémon Trainers looked up at the gloomy dark sky, tiny cold droplets kissing their faces. In just a few, they heard a familiar sound… not the sound from the winds, yet the sound of airborne mechanical vehicles.
"TEAM ROCKET!" yelled out Brock as to warn the others. Misty ran out from the caverns to stand alongside her friend and get a glimpse of the view herself.
Out from one of the helicopters emerged Jessie with a megaphone. "All right everyone, listen up! Surrender now so we wouldn't have to do this the hard and painful way," her voice echoed. "And that especially means you two," she added, particularly sneering at the two Trainers.
"Why can't you just leave us and this place alone?! You've done enough!" yelled Misty. "We're doing our best to save this land so just go away and never come back!"
Some of the Pokémon bellowed in agreement to Misty's defense.
"Have you no heart?!" added Brock. "What has this place and all the Pokémon who live here ever done to you?"
The redhead agent gracefully leaped from the helicopter down to the grounds where the two stood. Following her were James and Meowth, and a few grunts from the Team Rocket Combat Unit.
"The Tree of Beginning and the Pokémon have done nothing. But that's not the point now – the point is… they're valuable. Valuable as something worth some heavy sacrifices," James said.
"Right, and you all better give it up or things are gonna get really, really… ugly," said Meowth, his tone gradually growing grimmer.
Misty looked pitifully at Brock. They both were drenched wet from the rain. "Brock," she whispered. "What do we do?" The rock-type Pokémon Trainer did not even attempt to return her gaze. "I-I don't know Misty, all we could for now is hope for the best…"
Several agents from the combat unit then commanded the two to hold their hands in the air and surrender just before threatening to shoot them. Whilst they both were taken in, several Pokémon were entrapped in steel cages and locked behind bars. All of them shared the same worried, frightened, teary expressions and heavy hearts.
"Sir Giovanni," Jessie initiated a call through a walkie-talkie. "I would like to report that we have seized the two comrades of the Trainer and several Pokémon within the first vicinity. Up next, we'll be taking both the upper and lower areas of this mountain."
"Noted. Well done. I know I would not have lost any hope because of you three," responded Giovanni. "Keep this up and you'll all have your deserving rewards and recognition."
Jessie's eyes glimmered at the sound of the Boss' proposed good news. "Of course! We won't let you down Sir!" she replied gleefully and yet determinedly before ending the brief report.
Just after Jessie's news, the Team Rocket boss looked over to the Pokémon he had apprehended and brought along with him. Mewtwo felt broken, both physically and mentally. "Why did I let her leave…? No, it is for her safety… It is for the best…" His conflicting thoughts pained his mind.
Slowly, Giovanni walked over to the Legendary Psychic, hands held behind his back. "I would not like to see you such in a state, my friend. All of this could have been prevented… The pain could still be stopped." The man then knelt on level to the Pokémon. "I know you want to find her just as much as I want to, and I know you think I mean her harm…"
"You do mean her harm," Mewtwo responded. "You mean her home harm, you mean her friends harm…"
"I most definitely would mean her harm if I harm you," added Giovanni. "How are you so special to Mew? Or rather, why is she so special to you? It interest me to see how such a powerful being such as yourself would like to make amends with someone… inferior."
Mewtwo glared menacingly at the man. "Inferior? There is nothing inferior about Mew. What I am to her and she is to me – that is none of your business."
Giovanni chuckled, placing his hands inside the pockets of his suit once more. "Hmmm… is this something controversial? Is this some special secret?" he teased. "Anyways, I would just like for you to know that I already taken custody of the Tree of Beginning. Now Mew would have to make a choice – either to save the Tree of to save you… Either way, I am prepared. If she and that Pokémon Trainer friend of hers lets their guard down, even just for an instant, I will not hesitate to make an opportune attack."
"What are you planning? With clouded eyes such as yours, you may not even be aware that you are proposing for war," warned Mewtwo. "And just so you know, I can foretell seeing you begging for mercy like a tramp for a home."
Giovanni's eyes raged with infuriation. "What makes you say so you fool? Know that you are at the disadvantage in this circumstance!" A small smile crept on Mewtwo's face. "I do not know… It is not my fault that by nature I am a Psychic-type."
Breathing heavily with anger and annoyance, Giovanni ordered the guards to secure and lock away Mewtwo in the dark chamber behind a steel vault. "Take him away and make sure he stays there! We shall really see who has the last laugh."
Back at the remote Island where Mew teleported herself, Ash and Pikachu, everything seemed too quiet. "Mew, I thought you were going to call for help?" Ash inquired quite edgily. "Pika-pi…" remarked Pikachu as if telling his trainer to be more patient. "I already have, Ash. I talked to them telepathically inquiring for their aid. I hope they come by soon…"
"They'll help Mew. I just know it," smiled Ash. "Who are those friends anyways?"
Just after Ash asked his question, three large silhouettes glided over them. The ocean waves then crashed about and seemed to have become unsteady. The winds also then started blowing harshly. Despite these changes in the environment, everything remained to be silent.
"They are here," Mew whispered with a cheery smile.
Out of the blue, a large waterspout appeared from the ocean and in a few moments dispersed into tiny diamond droplets revealing the Legendary Pokémon, Lugia. From the skies descended the three silhouette figures whom appeared to be the three Legendary Birds, Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres. From behind the Trainer and Pikachu, appeared two speedy Pokémon that must have caused the winds. Just as they had come to a pause, the two Legendary Eon Pokémon, Latias and Latios, came into focus.
Ash's eyes grew wide with bewilderment at the sight of all the Legendary Pokémon before him. "You all came!" greeted Mew. "Thank you so much!" The Pokémon gave their screeches and nods in acknowledgement of their fellow Legendary's salutation.
"We were worried about you too, Mew! How are you?" Latias said as she flew over to give her friend a small hug. "I am all right Latias… Thanks to Mewtwo and Ash. Oh, everyone this is Ash," Mew said gesturing a paw over to Ash as to introduce him.
"H-Hi…" was all that could leave his lips. "It's good to see you again, Chosen One," greeted Lugia. "Lugia! You remembered!" grinned Ash. "Pika!" added Pikachu. "After what you have done, how could one forget?" replied the silver Legendary Pokémon.
Latias then held on tight to Mew's paws. "Mew, you just said something about Mewtwo… Have you met again?" Mew blushed a slight pink, causing her pale color to revive a more vivid hue. "Yes, Latias. I met him again, and he saved me from a group of sinister people." Latios floated over beside his female counterpart. "Where is he Mew?" he asked politely. Mew looked down, her grip from Latias loosening. "I-I do not know… And that is why I came to ask for your help – to rescue him!"
Suddenly, a rustling noise came from behind the bushes, startling the group. With courage, Ash and Pikachu walked over to find out whatever was there. Just as the two were only a few meters away, a green blur popped out, revealing an out-of-breath Celebi.
"Mew! Mew!" called out the little green Pokémon. "It's bad – very bad!"
"Calm down Celebi! How did you find me?" Mew asked softly, trying her best to comfort the panicking Guardian of the Forest. "I saw Lugia and the others fly off somewhere and thought that if I follow them, they may lead me to you… and I was right. But the real reason why I'm here is to warn you of what's becoming of the Tree of Beginning!"
"What do you mean, Celebi? What is happening?" Mew inquired trying her best to remain calm. Celebi held on to her arms. "They're destroying everything Mew! EVERYTHING! They captured your Trainer friends, the Pokémon, and they're destroying all that remains of the land!"
Mew felt her pulse quicken. Why has she not sensed this sooner? Was it because she was locked away? The trembling little rose Pokémon levitated over to the young Trainer. "Ash… I do not know what else to do… What do I do?" Her bright blue eyes then filled with silent tears.
Ash held on to the Psychic Pokémon's quaking arms. "Mew, calm down. We're going to fix this all together! We're never gonna give up, and so should you!" "PIKACHU!" agreed Pikachu.
Placing her down on the ground and gathering the other Legendary Pokémon closer, the young Pokémon Trainer then explained the plan he had in mind. "Pikachu and I could go back to the Tree of Beginning to help Brock and Misty escape, and fight off Team Rocket. Mew, you have to go find Mewtwo. I know that if you listen closely to your heart, it'll say that he's your priority right now," Ash gave a smile on his last sentence.
"We'll go with you Ash," said Lugia. "Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres and I." Ash nodded in acknowledgement of the volunteer. "Thanks Lugia." Celebi then floated over to face Ash. "I'll go with you guys too!" he beamed. Pretending he understood Celebi's verbal lexicon, Ash grinned. "Sure thing Celebi, you can come with us too!"
Latias and Latios hovered over beside Mew. "Then it's decided, we'll go with Mew," said Latios. Mew gave her Eon friends a meek and genuine smile, reflecting her gratitude. "Thank you Latios. Thank you Latias."
Ash then stretched and carried Pikachu over on to his shoulder. "All right guys! Let's do this. We'll be waiting for you back at the Tree of Beginning, Mew." He then hopped on to Lugia's back for the journey. "We know you'll find Mewtwo, Mew. We just know it." With that, the Trainer and six Pokémon went on their way.
Looking over her shoulder, Mew gave Latias a pitiful smile. The red Eon dragon gave her friend a warm embrace before whispering, "Let's go. He needs you."
With that, the three Legendary Pokémon flew off to find Mewtwo.
"Is there something bothering you, Mew?" Latias asked her friend as they flew swiftly across the misty sky. "You don't seem like you're cheery self at all."
"I'm all right, Latias. Thank you for the concern. I am just worried about Mewtwo…" Mew responded reservedly. Latios tilted his head towards the two, joining in the conversation. "Why worry about Mewtwo? He is more than capable of handling those humans," said Latios. "I know, but they are dangerous beings, Latios! They have weapons designed to kill and destroy!" rebutted Mew.
Latias leaned in closer to Latios, but remained affixed on Mew. "Please tell us who exactly are we facing Mew?"
"Have you ever encountered… Team Rocket?" Mew asked, facing the two Eon Pokémon.
"I have heard about them, yes," replied Latios. "And I have heard about their ploys to make use of Pokémon for their own selfish desires." Latias clinged on to her male counterpart. "Is this… the group who captures rare Pokémon and makes use of their powers until they die?" she questioned.
"Unfortunately, I think they are the ones…" answered Mew.
"We're going up against them?!" cried out Latias.
Latios held on close to the red Eon Dragon. "Now Latias, we're doing this for Mew. She's our friend and she needs our help." Latias attempted to cool down. "I know, I know… It just quite frightens me to think about fighting Team Rocket."
"I am so sorry for having to put you both through this… I know it may endanger us all, but I just did not know who else to turn to…" Her cerulean eyes started to water with tears once again. "I am so sorry for being selfish."
"Oh, Mew," comforted Latias as she gently took hold on one of Mew's paws. "You're not selfish at all. What you're doing, what you've done, you did out of love." Latios nodded in agreement. "Now don't cry Mew. We have to find your friend, and also have one grand battle to win."
Seeing the state of the Tree of Beginning over the horizon, Ash felt as if something hit him hard on the chest. It was much worse than before. The small shrubs and flowers that once had the hope of living and reviving the flora of the land was crushed and burned to ash. There were no trees in sight. From afar, the once blue-green lush of the Tree of Beginning turned into a rusty grayish-red and orange tone due from the fire and the ash that spread prevalent across many areas.
"What have they done…" Ash muttered silently to himself. "This is terrible," remarked the Legendary Beast of the Sea. "How could this have happened?" Ash panned his head to view the scene just as soon as Lugia paused in flight. All that the young Trainer could ever think of now was where to find his friends, free the Pokémon, and stop Team Rocket.
"What should we do now?" Articuno asked Lugia, facing towards him. "Shall they see any of us, we will all be in grave danger."
Lugia turned to eye his rider. "What do you think should we do, Ash?"
Ash looked over the distance as he formulated his plan. "We have to help my friends and all the other Pokémon first, before we drive away Team Rocket. That way, we'll have all the help that we could get."
"Do you have any particular plan in rescuing your friends and the other Pokémon?" asked Lugia. "If so, how could we help you?"
Ash gestured for the others to come by closer. "Here's what we'll do…"
Upon arriving at the steel laboratories in New Island and giving it one more gaze, Mew felt a familiar cold shiver breeze through her body. "It gives me to chills to be back here," she muttered.
Slowly flying towards the back doors, the three Legendary Pokémon tried to come up with their rescue mission plan.
"All right, Mew," Latias said softly. "What should we do? That place is crawling with Team Rocket grunts and their Pokémon and their weapons!" Latios hushed the nervous red Eon Pokémon.
"We need to locate Mewtwo first. We could then stealthily get to him, and get him out," Mew said. "But we were to be spotted, we have no other choice but to defend ourselves," added Latios. The two females agreed with a nod.
"Mew, how will we find Mewtwo?" Latias inquired.
The little rose-pink Pokémon smiled. "Oh, I think I know how."
Closing her eyes and tilting her head down, the mythical Psychic tried to reach out and call to her clone. "Mewtwo… please tell me, where you are… I am here to help you get out. Please… say something." Everything was dark, with nothing to see.
"Mew?" came a deep voice from the darkness.
"Mewtwo? Is that… you?" Mew softly asked. She then perceived soft and slow pulses from across the darkness. "Where are you?"
"It is too dark… I cannot describe my surroundings," responded the voice, weakly.
"You must be able to perceive something – anything… Please, help me find you," pleaded Mew.
Suddenly, the little rosy Pokémon heard his heavy breaths. She then felt an abrupt rush of alertness and anxiety. "Mewtwo! Mewtwo, what is going on?"
"Y-You do not have to come here… He is here, if he sees you, he will do everything he can to come and get you!" Mewtwo panted, much like the aftermath of a painful event.
Mew grew tenser. "He is hurting you, is he not?! I am going there. I believe I now know where you are."
"Don't Mew! He will only harm you! He'll harm us both…"
Mew ignored Mewtwo's warning. "I will be careful. Do not think I will this pass." She then cut off her telepathic ties to her clone.
"Do you know where he is?" asked Latios.
"Yes, but it is a perilous place. He is at the mercy of the Team Rocket leader. If he sees me, or anyone of us, we will surely be in danger," spoke Mew. "But I can never let him have Mewtwo suffer."
"What do you plan to do? Negotiate?" Latios asked quite sternly. "We need to plan this properly or any of us could get in serious trouble."
"NO. I will fight. I will fight him, if I have to. Go find Mewtwo and help him escape while I deal with Giovanni," Mew said in a low and angered voice. "I am tired of running and hiding away. Mewtwo is too. It should not have come to this, but we cannot also have such evil continue to threaten us." With that, Mew teleported them all inside the building.
"We have to distract the other grunts, while I find Brock and Misty," explained Ash. He then spotted the large tanks and fighter jets that Team Rocket had. An idea popped into his brain. "I know the perfect distraction!"
Out from their hiding place, Lugia majestically made his presence known. With Aeroblast, he destroyed the tanks and fighter jets that Team Rocket brought along, lowering their enemy's means of attacking.
The three Legendary Birds then also flew by. Zapdos, with Thunder, summoned enormous lightning bolts upon the other large mechanical artillery. With Thunderbolt, he countered the missiles from the helicopters. Moltres used Fire Spin to also counter the attacks from Team Rocket. Articuno used Ice Blast and Blizzard to lower the defenses of the enemy whilst enhancing theirs.
"Legendary Pokémon!" cried out the Team Rocket grunts.
The teamwork from the Legendary Pokémon inspired the other hiding Pokémon to come out and help out. Even the smallest attacks, made incredible differences.
Ash, along with Pikachu and Celebi, looked around for their friends and the imprisoned Pokémon. They walked through one of the caverns that lead to another area of the Tree of Beginning. "Pikachu, where could they be?" Ash asked one of his companions.
Just then, Pikachu's ears twitched as if he had heard something. "Pika!" cried out the yellow Electric mouse as he jumped off Ash's shoulder. Running forward the deep, dark, and hollow cavern, the Pokémon Trainer and Celebi found the light of the opening.
Sheltering their eyes from the incredible bright light, they found a small glimmering lake. Though the trees and flora surrounding the lake may look dull and covered in dirt, the lake still shone crystal clear with a vivid turquoise blue hue. By the end of the lake was a blue Pokémon with a long majestic purple mane, and a large crystal-like formation on its head.
Celebi cheered and went over to the mysterious blue Pokémon. The blue Pokémon nodded and returned Celebi with its own salutations. Looking over to the Trainer and his Pikachu, the mystical blue Pokémon walked over to them on the water. It then gestured Ash to come follow it. Something that Ash could also be known for would be to follow the strangest Pokémon to wherever they led him.
The mysterious blue Pokémon led Ash to a large white battleship which was assumed to be Team Rocket property. "W-What is this? Why did you bring me here?" Ash asked the Pokémon. However, just as he looked back, the Pokémon could not be found anywhere. Pikachu's ears then twitched again. This time, he believed the voices to sound familiar.
"Someone, please help us!" came a female voice.
"Pika!" Pikachu yelled out. It was Misty's voice! She sounded to be in trouble. Pikachu run off to help his friend, with Ash and Celebi following behind. "Pikachu! Wait up!" his Trainer called out.
Just as the trio had entered the enormous Team Rocket battle ship, they were greeted with a hefty number of grunts. Some released their Pokémon, whilst the others readied their weapons. They all looked ready to beat up a poor young Trainer and his Poké-companions.
"Houndour! Flamethrower now!" yelled one of the grunts. With no second to waste, the Houndour rushed to the front and unleashed a red-hot flamethrower. "Pikachu, counter with your thunderbolt!" Ash hurriedly motioned. "Pika-CHUUU!" cried out Pikachu as he blocked the direct hit of the flamethrower attack; the impact from both special attacks caused an explosion.
Back in their cells, Misty and Brock heard Ash and Pikachu's battle cries. "Brock, I hear Ash! We've got to do something!" Misty told Brock who frustratingly held on to the bars of the cell. "I know, Misty. But we've got to get out of here first!" replied Brock.
Misty and Brock's Pokémon were in separate electrical cages across them. Brock then had an idea. "Crobat, use Super Sonic to lure Pikachu here! Pikachu could guide Ash all the way here!" Following its master's instruction, Crobat sent a wide-spread Super Sonic.
Misty looked at Brock worriedly. "But Brock, wouldn't Team Rocket Pokémon hear Crobat's Super Sonic too?" Brock looked back at Misty. "Perhaps…" He then looked over the room's heavy metal door that kept them even more locked up. "Let's just hope they find us before they do."
Pikachu's ears tweaked. "Pika... (I hear…)" he muttered to himself. "PIKA! (CROBAT!)" The yellow electric mouse then ran over to Ash and gestured him to follow. "Pika! Pikachu! (Ash, I found them!)"
Ash as if understanding what his best friend had told him, nodded. But before rushing off to follow Pikachu, he had to take care of Team Rocket. Turning to his other companion, he asked for some help. "Celebi, I need your help…" The green floating Legendary looked, smiled, and nodded before stepping up to the front of the young Pokémon Trainer.
"All right Celebi! Hold them all down!" Ash instructed.
Suddenly, sturdy vines crawled up from beneath the ground and wrapped around Team Rocket and their Pokémon's legs, holding them all in place. The Pokémon and their masters cried out in shock.
"Now use Leaf Storm!"
Holding its tiny paws out front, Celebi sent a whirl of sharp green leaves. Worn out from the painful attack, the grunts and their Pokémon fell back on their faces, totally unable to further battle.
"Great job, Celebi!" praised Ash. "Now let's go follow Pikachu!" The green Forest Guardian nodded in agreement and floated by Ash's shoulder towards where the yellow electric Pokémon went.