A Pokémon Master.

That's what he wants to be.

To bond with every Pokémon in existence. Train them to be their best. Learn everything about them.

It is the dream of Ash Ketchum. He aspires to become a Pokémon Master. His hardships, his troubles, rivals, people who doubt or go against him, it won't matter, as long as he believe in himself.

He came from Pallet Town in the Kanto Region. The place was hometown to the famous Professor Oak, who gave Ash his first Pokémon. It wasn't a normal starter though. Ash, having slept in and missed out on all the starter Pokémon, was gifted with one of his best friends now: Pikachu. They didn't exactly get along at first but after saving him from a horde of angry Spearow, the Mouse Pokémon had a new shine towards Ash and all people. Over the course of their journey together, they meet and made many friends, including Misty, a trainer who wishes to become the best Water type trainer in the world, and Brock, the Pewter City Gym Leader who wants to be a Pokémon Breeder. Ash caught a few Pokémon here and there: a Butterfree, his first capture and first released; Pidgeotto, his faithful Flying type; Bulbasaur, the former defender of the Hidden Village; Charizard, Ash's most disobedient Pokémon; Squirtle, the former leader of the Squirtle Squad; Krabby, his second Water type Pokémon; Muk, his hugging Poison type; and his THIRTY Tauros, a herd he accidentally caught. They made adventures they would never forget.

But this all changed soon.

Two months before the Indigo League started, the traveling group stopped for a break at a beach, which was interrupted when a Dragonite came barreling through. Ash, Misty, and Brock all then received a holographic message regarding the strongest trainer. Ash, naturally, accepted the idea, wanting to challenge this trainer. But first as they arrived to the harbor where they could ferry at the island the trainer lived on.

There was a problem though: a vicious storm prevented the invited trainers to visit the island. That didn't stop the traveling trio and three other trainers. They braved the storm with the aid of their water types and arrived on the island luckily.

They were greeted with a mystery woman who guided them to a large dining area. The other three trainers had arrived first and introduced themselves as Neesha, Fergus, and Corey. Each one of them had their Pokémon out. Ash, Misty, and Brock also brought out their Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Misty's Psyduck, and Brock's Vulpix. Then the strongest trainer appeared...

Only it wasn't a trainer.

The 'trainer' was none other than a Pokémon. It has light shade of purple and white fur with a humanoid body and a purple tail. It called itself Mewtwo with a masculine tone through its telepathy. Mewtwo then released his control on the mystery woman, revealing her to a missing Nurse Joy. Mewtwo then explained his creation, seeing humans as evil and claim that since their Pokémon side with them, they are weak and worthless without them.

Mewtwo then reveals a stadium and his own Pokémon. A Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise but they had different markings along their skin. Mewtwo then challenged the three trainers with their corresponding final evolved forms. Corey went first, sending out Bruteroot the Venusaur to battle. The battle lasted for a second as the clone slammed Bruteroot into a wall. Neesha went second, her Blastoise named Shellshocker losing from a Rapid Spin from the clone. And finally Ash sent out his Charizard. Now normally he would disobey Ash, but this opponent seemed strong and the Flame Pokemon does enjoy a challenge. The challenge went poorly as Charizard was only able to get off one hit before a Seismic Toss rendered him unable to battle.

Then Mewtwo did a horrible action: capturing everyone's Pokémon.

The trainers reacted in fear as purple Pokeballs with a yellow "eye" started to capture each and everyone of the Pokémon sent out. They even captured the ones in their Pokeballs. After every Pokémon was caught, there was one who remained.

Pikachu fired out Thunder Shocks to prevent any Clone Balls from capturing him and it was effective but he was tiring out. And eventually caught.

Ash watched as his starter's prison head for a pipe. Being reckless, Ash ran over and chased the ball down the pipe. He came across a machine that was sending out the cloned Pokémon and the TRio, who had somehow gotten to the island. Ignoring them, Ash reached the prison and pried it out of the machine's claws. He struggled and struggled, until he eventually freed the Clone Ball and caused the machine to malfunction. The machine's destruction caused the other Pokémon to be free, much to their relief and shock. Ash cradled his free Pokémon (except Charizard) before getting to his feet and marching out with the original Pokémon in tow.

Back at the stadium, Mewtwo was gathered alongside his clones, ready to dominate the Earth. But Ash came out with the originals, saying he wasn't going to let Mewtwo do such a thing. So with anger, Ash made in attempt to punch the created Pokémon...

Who retaliated with a use of some Psychic barrier. Ash charged again and was flung to another part of the stadium.

He thought he would collide with the wall, but was meant with a pink bubble. The pink bubble revealed itself to be the Mythical Pokémon, Mew. It flew around with joy before being interrupted with a ghostly ball of energy fired from Mewtwo. Mewtwo seemed to be angered and attacked Mew as it flew around. The clones and originals soon all started to rush each other, attack with no sense of mercy. It was a horrible sight to witness. Even the trainers saw this as chaos. Pikachu met his clone and tried to talk him down as he was getting beaten. Team Rocket had arrived to the scene and Meowth was about to battle his clone before realizing this was all pointless, even the clone ceased his claws.

Ash made his way to the coliseum and saw the Pokémon still attacking each other, regardless of their well being. Mew and Mewtwo both eventually landed on opposite sides of the battlefield, looking a bit exhausted.

'It's time to finish this.' Mewtwo declared charging up a Psychic attack. Mew nodded, charging its own attack as well.

Ash saw the attacks and realized that the Pokémon within the stadium would be obliterated from it. He couldn't take it, he wouldn't allow innocent Pokémon to die all for a cause. Whether they were clones or not, they were still Pokémon. And with that Ash ran in.

"YOU NEED TO STOOOPPPPPP!"

The psychic attacks were sent and Ash was in the center of them. All Pokémon ceased their fighting, trainers watched in horror, and the two Legendaries watched as the blast consumed the boy. The explosion subsided and revealed Ash...

To be turned to stone.

Pikachu ran over, attempting to wake up his friend. He even fired Thunder Shocks, full power, intend on shock him back to life. The Mouse Pokémon realized his friend was dead...

And began to cry. Misty and Brock shared the electric types pain, and looked with horror in their eyes. Their friend had turned to stone and it seems impossible to get him back.

Meanwhile the two psychic types looked at the scene. 'He is a fool,' Mewtwo said. But then the created Pokémon saw the other Pokémon begin to cry. 'But at the same time...He... he... he... took the blast to save the Pokémon.' Mewtwo then began to look at himself and the trainers in a new perspective.

'Perhaps it does not matter if you are an original or clone. Both have value. It is what you do in life is how it matters,' Mewtwo concluded. Mew nodded along before noticing a bright glow in the sky. Mewtwo also noticed the bright glow and looked up to see a magnificent Pokémon.

It seemed to be a white quadruped with a crest, yellow crossed rings around its torso, yellow hooves, and green eyes with red pupils. 'Exactly,' the Pokémon said with a masculine tone. 'Who... who are you?' Mewtwo questioned. 'Fear not my child. I have been observing you since your creation.' The Pokémon said, 'I am Arceus, the Alpha Pokémon and the God of Pokémon.'

Mewtwo began startled with the fact that he was on the presence of the Alpha Pokémon,. 'I can sense your hostility, but fret not. You are correct about your opinions about humans. Some are wicked but others are kind and loving towards Pokémon. Such as that boy right there,' Arceus said before glowing. Arceus began to send energy down to the boy and revive him.

"Oh my head," Ash groaned before coming to and being tackled by Pikachu, still crying. All the Pokémon stopped crying and the trainers among them smiled at the miraculous event.

'I... sense... greatness in this boy,' Mewtwo noticed. ' He is destined for great things. Perhaps you should be there to witness him make those achievements,' Arceus suggested. 'Are you saying...' Mewtwo started.

Ash was enveloped with his three loving Pokémon, Charizard partially giving the stink eye to the clone. Mewtwo slowly then hovered near the trainer, Ash slightly tensing up.

'... I am sorry for my actions.' Mewtwo admitted, 'I thought all humans were evil and the Pokémon that follow them were nothing but slaves, but you have taught me there is more than meets the eye about humans.'

Ash was surprised but shook the expression away, "It's alright. Take it from me, I have seen trainers treated their Pokémon harshly before so I can see your perspective."

'Perhaps you can teach me more,' Mewtwo said, which confused the trainer. "What do you mean?"

'Capture me,' Mewtwo informed. "A-a-are you sure?" Ash questioned before correcting himself, "no offense Mewtwo, but out of all the trainers in the world why me?"

'I sense greatness in your future,' Mewtwo said, not referring to what he had learned with Arceus, 'and also, I sort of enjoy the idea of battling.'

Ash nodded before smiling, "You got it! I promise that will become friends." And Mewtwo cracked a small smile at that declaration. "But what about your clones?" Ash questioned. 'They are meant to serve me, but now that I will be with you, it is possible that they could wonder the world. But I doubt that.' Mewtwo thought aloud.

"Maybe..., nah that's not right," Ash said. 'No. It can work,' Mewtwo agreed. "What can work?" Misty asked as she and Brock walked over to their recently revived friend. "Well," Ash sheepishly said, "I was proposing to catch them all."

His friends jaws dropped at that statement. "Woah, woah, woah!" Brock said, "capturing all these Pokémon? Even if they are clones of some of yours? How would you even train them all?" "Yeah, I know it's a bit much," Ash admitted, "but I want to be a Pokémon Master. How am I supposed to rise to the challenge if I don't try?"

"Oh boy," Misty let out, "this will be interesting to see..." she muttered. Mewtwo saw Mew staring at them, before it hovered closer to Ash and chirped in PokeSpeech. 'Oh and Ash,' Mewtwo said, 'Mew has decided to be captured by you as well.'

"Wait, what?!" Ash, Misty, and Brock said before Mew just giggled at their expressions. "I mean, don't get me wrong, it would be an honor to catch a rare Pokémon such as Mew, but do you think I'm qualified?" Ash admitted.

'It was entirely up to her,' Mewtwo admitted. The trio shook of their stupor and Ash nodded. "Alright then welcome to the team, Mew, clones and Mewtwo!" Ash cheered as Pikachu added his two cents. The clones let out roars of agreement.

"... So how do we get to the mainland?" Ash questioned. 'Leave it to me,' Mewtwo said before Teleporting everyone off the island.

A glow died down and revealed the many Pokémon and three dazed humans. Fergus, Neesha, and Corey had been teleported to their hometowns with their Pokémon while the missing Nurse Joy returned to her station with their minds wiped, Mewtwo not wanting to risk the chance of them spreading information about him.

"Okay, that will be something I have to get use to..." Ash said before collapsing from the Teleport. 'Apologies,' Mewtwo said as Mew giggled.

This was the beginning Ash would never forget.