Chapter 5
"Lighting The Fire"
So now all of Pallet Town are my willing servants……That was too easy. All that's left is to move outward and this world will finally be saved…
There was only one thing I had forgotten about…
"Pidgeoo!"
'Ash!'
I glared at Pidgeotto.
How many times have I told you not to call me that?
"Pi, pidgeo! Pidgeootto…"
'Sorry, Ash, but I have important news!'
I sighed, knowing that trying to convince her to call me Ashura was pointless.
What is it?
"Pidgeoottoo…"
'Mewtwo has arrived…'
WHAT!? I cried, jumping out of my seat.
She nodded. "Pidgeo, pidgeot."
'…He wants to talk to you.'
I settled myself down and took a deep breath.
Fine. Bring him to me.
A sleek violet form materialized behind Pidgeotto.
I don't need an escort, Ash.
Pidgeotto flew up and landed behind me. I growled at the newcomer.
Why does everyone insist on calling me that?
It could be because that's your name, Mewtwo said idly.
I fumed, but didn't reply to that.
What do you want?
I came seeking peace, Mewtwo said, The actions that you have taken are extreme and unnecessary. We believe that you should stop now and return as much as possible to its original state before drastic offensive measures are taken against you.
……And that means…?
…It means either you quit on your own or we'll have to stop you ourselves.
……Who's "we"?
Everyone who hasn't already fallen prey to your mania…
I snickered. You think you're going to be able to stop me?
……including the remaining Mews.
I stopped laughing, but it still seemed ridiculous.
What are you going to do? I asked calmly.
……We're going to stop you.
How?
…By doing whatever it takes…
…Even if it means killing me?
He breathed in sharply. It seemed as though he was afraid of that question……
…Well? I asked.
His tail twitched forcefully, and he looked down instead of at me.
……If……If that's what it takes…… he whispered. I could hear the regret in his voice.
………Then kill me now and get it over with, I stated matter-of-factly.
He snapped up and stared at me with wide eyes.
"Pidgeo!?" Pidgeotto cried.
'What!?'
I nodded at Mewtwo. Trust me on this. It's the only way that you'll ever stop me.
He hung in the air limply, staring at me with his jaw loose. Even his tail stopped twitching and hung down, unmoving.
……What's the matter, Mewtwo? I asked, You're not afraid, are you?
Eh-!…N-no! I…No, I'm not……I'm not…I……
Then what's wrong? If you really want to stop me, then go and do it right now.
I……I……
He tore his gaze away from me and down to nothing.
……I can't…… he whispered.
And why is that? I asked, Because you don't want to hurt me?……Because we're friends?……If you were a real friend, you'd do what you think was right for me. If you think it's best for me to stop what I'm doing, then you would kill me right now.
Mewtwo flicked his tail slightly, but said nothing.
……If you were my enemy, then you would want to stop me no matter what, and you would kill me……So whether we're friends or enemies, it's your duty to destroy me.
…NO! he shouted.
He regained his composure somehow and looked down at me.
It's not like that! he insisted, There's no honor in being merciless……That's what I've learned from you, Ash……and I believe it……I'm not going to hurt you unless you prove to me that there's no other way!
He looked disturbed…It must have been something I said……
I think you're mistaken, Mewtwo……You see…I don't think you know who you're dealing with……My name is Ashura……I killed Ash……There's no place in the world for weaklings like him. I sighed, Unfortunately for you, it looks like he's made you soft……I, on the other hand, show no mercy. If you decide to get in my way, I will not hesitate to kill you……If I were you, I'd play by my rules…
…I don't think he understood a word I said…
……That's impossible……You have to be Ash!……Who else…?
One word. ASHURA. That's my name, don't forget it……And don't think for a second that Ash will be joining us from beyond the grave…
…Ash………You can't be dead……You're right here……
I…am…Ashura……Get used to it………Or don't. If you really want to stop me, then you'll have to kill me, and if you do, then you won't have to deal with it anymore.
I won't hurt……my friend……
………You're friend?…………Well, congratulations on making one. Too bad he's already dead.
What are you talking about, Ash!?
I'm saying that you don't have to worry about Ash anymore. Nothing can hurt him anymore.
You……
I leaned back and smiled at Mewtwo.
I think you're starting to get it……
…How could you-!!?
It was easy……You said you believe in fate, don't you?……Well, Ash was getting in the way…I took care of that……Now, if you're the "pure one" from the prophecy, then you shouldn't have any problem stopping me, so go ahead…I'm fine with letting destiny rule.
Mewtwo clenched his fists and didn't look me in the eye. I could see his body tensing as he fought himself over what to do…I waited patiently. Whatever he tried to do……None of it would matter in the end. If he did succeed in getting rid of me, then I had nothing to worry about anyway. If he didn't, then I would just continue on my way…
……Pidgeotto, get out of the way, Mewtwo said quietly.
"Geo!?" Pidgeotto squawked in surprise.
'What!?'
I smiled at Mewtwo. …Do as he says, Pidgeotto. I don't want you to get hurt either.
"Pidg, pidgeoootto…"
'Alright…but be careful, Ash…'
Pidgeotto flapped up to a safer spot higher on the tower. I kept smiling at Mewtwo.
…Go ahead now, I said.
I had barely finished saying that when an enormous psychic blast hit at point-blank range. I shut my eyes and held on to my seat until the pure intensity of the blow faded away. It wasn't until then that I realized that I had instinctively protected myself with a soft barrier of shadow.
…I was still completely intact.
…You can do better than that, I said honestly.
I hadn't even finished my sentence before Mewtwo hit me with another incredible blast. That time, my weak shielding didn't hold out. The blast hit me in full force. I gasped for breath and found none. The temperature surrounding me skyrocketed. I found myself forced to dispel the blast with a true barrier of protection. The attack faded quickly after I constructed my shield…Mewtwo still hovered in attack position, but fired nothing. His eyes widened when he saw me still unscathed.
…I guess you're not the one, I shrugged and gave him a small taste of his own medicine…It was enough to get him far out of my sight. ……Pidgeotto. Send for Billie…and Misty……Alert the Pokémon and all able humans to prepare for war…There's gonna be more where he came from…
* * *
I was right…That meeting with Mewtwo ignited the greatest war in over five centuries…