Some passages I've lifted directly from the movie script. There's not a lot but as they're needed I've included it. I don't own any rights to Pokémon or the movies.
Edit: I posted this chapter unfinished by mistake so I'm leaving it as it was. It just means i finish off the Mewtwo arc in the next chapter.
Chapter 34- Mewtwo Strikes Back
The world was changing. Every breathing and living thing felt something seismic shift. People and Pokémon as far as Alola felt it happen. It all started with rain, like everything horrible usually does. Following the rain were black clouds which created thunderstorms as far as the eye could see. No one except a select few knew what was happening. As soon as that light lanced into the air those select few looked on with nervousness. They knew what was coming, and they knew very little could be done to stop it. In Kanto several Legendaries made their way towards the spike of energy. They knew they weren't allowed to interfere, but they could aid any Pokémon in peril.
Mewtwo stood atop Fujis fortress, his eyes glowing blue as he waved his hand around in a circular fashion and projected his aura onto the world. The spire he was standing on sat next to the amplification tower. For a year now he and Fuji had been creating experiments, seeing what could be controlled and over what distance. He had waited ten years to do this. He had been so close on Cinnabar from doing something no one else had ever done before Mewtwo betrayed them all and destroyed all their work. He was glad he'd fitted the control device inside Mewtwo's head. It allowed him to be tracked and controlled no matter where he was in the world.
Fuji had let him have his independence while he let the dust settle from the Cinnabar Incident but after a few years Fuji planned again. Only this time he wouldn't let his creation foil him. He decided to use Pokémon Tower to stage his first trial of the control device. Mewtwo didn't really have any choice but to return to his rightful master. Oh, Silver may think he was the one to control it, but Fuji knew he would wipe Silver out any time he wanted it to. He watched on with glee as the young Ketchum took out the two cells at Mt Moon and Power Plant. He was long gone before he reached Lavender Tower. Lavender Tower was a success, despite how it abruptly ended. The meddling kid put a stop to it, but Fuji was happy. His experiment worked. And so it would again, only this time Mewtwo would be on hand to protect the tower at all costs.
He knew that once Ash attacked Rota that the time for his big reveal would be very close. He had after all planted the thought in Ilene's head to claim the Time Flower. Retrieving it and placing inside the Queens chamber was a doddle for Mewtwo. He only thing that was worrying him at the moment was the independence Mewtwo was still showing despite knowing who its master was. he had tried for years now to change the control device to wipe out any thought of freedom but to do so would take Mewtwo's cooperation, something it wasn't willing to do.
Looking over the sea from the fortress he decided it was time. Mewtwo would strike back.
Ash
After giving his mother a hug goodbye Ash had raced towards Cinnabar on Charizard as the spiral of light was coming from close to there however, he was stopped mid-flight by a Dragonite. Landing Ash accepted what appeared to be an invitation on New Island to a Pokémon tournament and the chance to meet the world's greatest Pokémon Master. The ferry from Old Shore Wharf near Cinnabar would be the location of the ferry. Flying there took the better part of the day. Landing he recalled Charizard and walked into the harbour building only to be stunned at it being full.
"We have an invitation to a tournament on New Island" one guy said, "every invitation says the same thing, 'we would know when the time came'. Well, the time is clearly now. So let us past."
"You cannot travel in the storm" Jenny said blocking the way from them boarding the ferry. "And I have forbidden the captain of the ferry from travelling while the sea is so rough. I'm sorry, but its just not going to happen. Not only that but Nurse Joy has gone missing so should you get in trouble we have no way of healing your Pokémon as the centre is shut."
"The prophets have predicted the return of the winds of water. For years, I have prayed that mankind would never witness that deadly storm ever again." A lady said off to the side of Jenny.
"Isn't that just a legend?" a young woman asked.
"The ancient writings tell of a storm wiping out all but a few Pokémon. In their sorrow the water of their tears somehow restored their lives. But there are no Pokémon tears today, just waters in which no one can survive." The lady said dramatically causing Ash to roll his eyes.
"And that's why the ferry to New Island has been cancelled." Jenny said.
"I'll make my own way there then" A man said stubbornly as he walked outside and released a Gyarados "I'm not missing the tournament." Climbing aboard his Pokémon he quickly headed off into the choppy waters while Jenny looked on in exasperation. A few other trainers followed him and boarded their own Pokémon, risking the treacherous waters for a chance to see the greatest trainer in the world.
Ash wondered who it was. he had not heard of anyone surpassing his father's achievement but then again it was twenty years ago that Red achieved Master status. Releasing Charizard he asked him to fly above the loud and head to the spiral of light. He couldn't see below him, but he was thankful he wasn't riding Blastoise to New Island. All too quickly the storms eye came into view and the weather stopped affecting them. Landing on a jetty Ash looked around at where he was. in front of him was a huge gothic looking palace, with five minarets reaching high into the sky. Pulsing his aura out he felt it. The presence from Cerulean Cave.
"Its here Pi" Ash said "Mewtwo is here."
"I know" Pikachu said looking up "I can feel him too."
Behind him Ash heard shuffling. Turning around he saw the man from before getting off his Gyarados and walk up to Ash. Looking at him appraisingly he held out his hand. "The names Fergus."
"Ash" Ash replied shaking his hand as he turned back to the palace.
"Someone's compensating for something eh?" Fergus said laughing.
"So it would seem" Ash said chuckling. He stopped when he felt another person walking closer. The doors opened and a lady walked out.
"It's Nurse Joy" Ash said quietly "the one who went missing."
"It does look like her doesn't it" Fergus whispered back.
"Greetings trainers. My master bids you welcome to New Island. Please follow me" Joy said turning around and leading them all into a vast entrance hall with curved staircases on either side of the lobby leading up onto a balcony. As he entered Ash immediately recognised the two other trainers from the Jetty at Old Shore Wharf.
"Are we the only four to make it?" Ash asked Joy.
"Yes, only the worthy have passed my masters first test" Joy said "please, release your Pokémon and relax. My master will soon join us." Joy turned around and walked off to the side where a door was hidden in the shadows. Strangely she just stood, staring at the door in the darkness. Fergus gave Ash a shake of the head before walking up to the other two trainers and greeting them.
"Hi Im Neesha"
"Im Corey"
"Ash"
"Fergus"
"So, is this is?" Ash asked "were the only ones here for the tournament? It's going to be a pretty shit tournament with just four people."
"Maybe we'll all face off against each other and the winner of the most gets to face the Master" Neesha said looking over at her Pokémon who was milling around.
"Maybe" Ash said looking around "or maybe not" he finished quietly looking up at the ceiling intently. The other three looked up too but saw nothing. Deciding this trailer was strange they all started a conversation about who's Pokémon was best. All the while Ash glared at the ceiling. He could feel Mewtwo hiding, waiting. But what was it waiting for? Ash walked up to the fountain and stared upwards making everyone stop talking.
Giving each other awkward glances, they all stood up. And they all jumped when Nurse Joy's voice was heard from the side of them.
"You are about to meet the greatest Pokémon master on earth."
The time had come, Ash thought. At last, six years of training and waiting and fighting and bleeding. All led up to this point. Ash steeled himself as he felt a hatch open in the ceiling and an enormous aural presence floated down until it was ten feet from them hovering above the water.
"Yes, the greatest Pokémon master is a Pokémon himself" Joy said, "I present to you my master Mewtwo."
"What? Fergus said, "a Pokémon cannot be a trainer or master."
"Silence fool" Mewtwo projected telepathically to everyone, everyone except Ash that was who didn't hear anything Mewtwo was saying. He knew he was talking by the reactions of the others, but Ash didn't want to open his mind to Mewtwo and give him any chance of taking over him. Ash's eyes briefly glowed blue as he lightly coated his body with aura as he scanned Mewtwo. Something pinged and Ash zoned in on it. Very interesting he mused.
"He's not a true Pokémon" Ash said suddenly making everyone look over at him "he's a clone, an experiment. Aren't you?"
"I am a Pokémon!" Mewtwo shouted angrily throwing everyone back from him with a psychic blast. Ash merely rolled and stood up in one fluid motion before walking forwards again.
Before he could say anything though Fergus charged forwards and shouted "If you're a Pokémon then you can be battled and captured like any other Pokémon. Gyarados, Hyper Beam"
His Gyarados charged forward and launched a huge Hyper Beam at Mewtwo who looked unfazed as he psychically returned the move which smashed into the water dragon and sent it flying knocked out. "Pathetic" Mewtwo said as he picked up Fergus who started flailing before throwing him into his downed Pokémon.
"Childs play" Mewtwo uttered before spotting Joy "your usefulness has ended" he finished, his eyes briefly glowing before Nurse Joy collapsed onto her knees. The other trainers quickly rushed forward to check on her as she dazedly shook her head and wondered where she was.
"You are in my home" Mewtwo said "you were useful for a while, now you're no longer needed. I've wiped the last few weeks from your memory. It wasn't necessary for me to do so as you'll all be under my control soon, but I get these bouts of whimsy at times."
"Where's your master?" Ash said stepping forward "and don't lie Mewtwo, I know he's here too."
"I have no master" Mewtwo said looking puzzled when Ash didn't respond.
"Oh" Ash said smirking "if you're wondering why I'm not reacting it's because your telepathy doesn't work on me."
Growing Angry Mewtwo pulled Joy towards him and gripped her head as his eyes glowed blue. "You are arrogant" Joy said robotically "I do not know how you are resisting me, but I will find out."
"Oh, that's not a secret" Ash said disregarding Joy being controlled "I'm an Aura Wielder. In fact, I'm the most powerful aura wilder on the planet. Our psychic power has no hold over me."
"We will see" Joy said. "as for the rest of you, you humans created me with no other purpose but to be your slave, you're far too dangerous a species to be allowed to live. The Pokémon that follow your commands are weak willed and will die also. From the ashes I will create a new world, one in which Pokémon rule over it with me as its leader."
"Only you're not" Ash said "because you yourself has a master. So again, where is he?"
"I have no master!" Joy said.
"Look, we can continue this all day. But we both know I'm right. Now for the final time, where is that bastard Fuji?" Ash said looking straight at Mewtwo.
"Lavender Towns Fuji?" Neesha asked curiously didn't he disappear a year ago?"
"Oh, he didn't disappear" Ash said looking at her "he left with Mewtwo after he failed in controlling the people of Lavender Town. Fuji is this clone's creator, twelve years ago Mewtwo was created by Fuji on the orders of Team Rocket, but he rebelled when he found out he was created to have no free will and to obey its boss unconditionally. Only Fuji was acquitted when the main witness at his trial went missing."
"How do you know this?" Mewtwo asked.
"The main witness was my father Red Ketchum. You should remember him; you battled him at Viridian Gym just before you collapsed the building and fled. I don't know what you did with his body. That's the only question I have unanswered from what happened back then." Ash said.
"Ah yes" Mewtwo said remembering "he put up a terrific fight."
"I know" Ash said "I saw it. But the question still remains, where is your master?"
"I do not have one" Mewtwo said.
"Oh, give it up already" Ash said "I know he's around here somewhere. So, where is the coward hiding."
"I grow tired of this conversation" Mewtwo said "You were invited here to serve as witnesses to my rise before you die. Your Pokémon will not be spared either, instead they will be cloned and killed. I have no use for human slaves."
"He's hiding, isn't he?" Ash said interrupting him. Ash was determined to annoy Mewtwo anyway he could "you're just too scared to admit that a human owns you."
"No human can conquer me!" Mewtwo said angrily.
"Then you won't mind proving it in a battle, will you?" Corey said defiantly. "If I'm going to die then I will do it head on, not like the coward you are."
"A battle?" Mewtwo said smirking "very well."
Mewtwo's eyes glowed blue as the wall behind him retracted into the ceiling and he floated into the room behind it. Following Corey and Neesha gasped at what they were seeing. In front of them was a huge battlefield.
"Mewtwo planned this" Ash said wryly.
"Indeed, I did" Mewtwo said still holding Joy in a psychic grip "like many trainers I decided to start off with a Charmander, Squirtle and Bulbasaur to clone. Over the last year they have quickly become perfect clones. However, I knew I needed stronger Pokémon, so I cloned their final evolutions and used their genetic materials to finish what I started." From an opening in the far wall a Charizard, Venusaur and Blastoise came walking out from the hole. Immediately Ash's aura scanned them, they seemed devoid of a lot of aura. Discreetly he took out Dexter and scanned them. The results made Ash smirk. Mewtwo had made a fatal flaw when he cloned them.
"Which of you will challenge me first?" Mewtwo asked.
"I will" Corey said "Lets go Bruteroot" he finished releasing his Venusaur. Ash knew that his was far stronger but shook his head as he released his Charizard to watch. Immediately Charizards gaze whipped to the cloned one who stood there impassively. Whispering some words to Charizard they both watched on as Core was easily beaten. Honestly her move choice was pretty poor but to be beaten by one move? That was pathetic. Something was dodgy here.
"I guess its my turn" Neesha said as she released her Blastoise "use Hydro Pump". Ash watched on in disgust as her Blastoise was overpowered in one move too.
Walking forwards he heard Mewtwo say "you may as well give up. My clones are far too powerful."
"No, they're not" Ash said laughing "its just they faced people who are crap at battling" immediately the other trainers shouted in protest. "You were both beaten in one move. Don't act like you've trained your Pokémon well if you're beaten in one move" he finished silencing them. Turning to Charizard he whispered in his ear before Charizard smirked and flew onto the field.
"Begin" Mewtwo said as his Charizard flew forward quickly at high speed. Honestly, from an observational standpoint Mewtwo's Charizard wasn't bad, it just wasn't as strong as Mewtwo believed him to be. The match had gone on for a few minutes now as Charizard was protect-stalling and Mewtwo was starting to become more and more frustrated.
"Not fun, is it?" Ash asked Mewtwo drawing his gaze from the battle "when you can't use your psychic power to cheat your way to victory. Oh yes, I knew from the start that you were cheating. Your Pokémon aren't super powerful. But you made a few errors when cloning them. You never took into account the natures that natural born Pokémon have, I did. You never took into account training against their nature's weaknesses, I did. You never took into account the amount of moves a Pokémon can learn, I did, and you never thought about the weaknesses of their moves, I did. What this means" he finished as he looked at the battlefield to see Ash's Charizard throw the clone onto the battlefield where it didn't get up "is that you lose." Charizard put his foot on the clone's neck, snorted and glared at Mewtwo as if to say, "your move."
Mewtwo was speechless. How did Ash know what he was doing?
"What do you mean?" Neesha asked astounded Ash had won.
"Mewtwo looked to make his Pokémon as strong as possible by cloning them to be perfect" Ash said "Only no Pokémon is ever perfect because of their natures. My Charizard has a Mild Nature. That means it is Plus Special Attack and minus defence. Over the year I've had him we've constantly trained to overcome his natural weakness by getting him used to taking attacks. And when he became a Charizard we used Flare Blitz over and over until he stopped being affected by the recoil. Mewtwo's Charizard has likely never trained before therefore it has no defence against recoil moves. It wore itself out. Charizard just needed to wait which is why I had him use Protect a lot to see what moves it had. Not only that but he was using Psychic to protect against the damage your Pokémon's moves used. Its why a simple Tackle and Vine Whip beat a fully evolved Pokémon. He was enhancing his Pokémon's moves and cheating."
"But how was your Charizard protected?" Corey asked stunned.
"I've trained my Pokémon's defences by constantly firing Aura Spheres at them" Ash said creating one in his hand "this had the unintended consequence of making them resistant to Psychic attacks as Aura counters psychic."
"A mistake he won't make again" a voice said from a balcony. Looking up they all saw an elderly man leaning against the railings. "You were pathetic Mewtwo. I gave you chance after chance to create the perfect Pokémon and still you failed? How you survived the cloning process I will never know."
"Why don't you disable the failsafe, and I will show you how pathetic I really am" Mewtwo said rising up in the air and looking directly at the man who merely smirked.
"Fuji, I presume" Ash said stepping forward.
"Ketchum, I presume" the man countered earning a nod from Ash.
"Hey Mewtwo," Ash said conversationally to Mewtwo "you know I can disable it right?"
"What nonsense is this?" Mewtwo asked menacingly.
"The failsafe chip that's implanted in your head" Ash said earning a gasp from Fuji "I can disable it."
"You Lie" Mewtwo said angrily causing Ash to laugh.
"I have no reason to lie." Ash said laughing "I can see it, just above your frontal lobe, plain as day. I do wonder why you haven't disabled it yourself."
"Because he cannot" Fuji said smirking "and you're lying. Mewtwo get away from him."
Mewtwo grudgingly moved away from Ash who smirked at Fuji. "Scared, eh? Scared of me disabling it and him killing you I presume?"
"Yes" Mewtwo said looking at Ash "he is."
"Enough" Fuji said lazily, masking his concern and addressing everyone "you were all brought here for a reason. To supply us with an army of clones to take over the world. And graciously you obliged. So, Mewtwo. Do your job" Fuji pressed a button on a control pad on his arms and walked off. Immediately Ash began to give chase but was stopped by an attack coming from Mewtwo. Dodging out of the way Ash watched on as from several panels black pokeballs came out and as if sentient began to capture all the Pokémon that were milling around. Ash recalled Charizard and began throwing Aura Spheres and Lances at Mewtwo who had to dodge frantically out of the way. Ash clipped him with one and sent him flying into a pillar.
Looking around he saw the trainers panicking as they tried to fight off the balls. Deciding he was better stopping them at the source Ash raced off down a corridor and down several others. He quickly became lost, but he could still feel Mewtwo's presence in the battle room. Ahead though Ash isolated Fujis and made his way through several rooms. Fuji was ahead, until suddenly he was below Ash and then behind Ash. Confused Ash looked behind him but found nothing but an empty corridor. Deciding to go forward Ash made it to the last room which looked like an office. Warily he walked in and looked around. Nothing seemed out of place. Looking at the desk Ash rifled through the drawers until he came across a folder with a name on it. Ash's eyes widened before he quickly pocketed the folder. He had a mission to complete after all.
Looking around the office he was stumped. Sitting down in the chair he looked around. From behind his ears came a breeze, looking around he saw a Mewtwo statue whose eyes were a deep red. Ash quickly stood up and began feeling all over the statue until he came to the eyes. They retracted! Pressing them in the statue moved to the side and a hole in the ground opened up. Looking down he noticed it was a slide. That explained how Fuji had gone from being in front of him to below and behind. Jumping down Ash travelled the entirety of it before he came shooting out of the other end into a huge room that was dominated by a huge machine with around forty cloning tubes dotted around the walls. Standing up Ash watched as the black pokeballs were loaded onto a conveyor belt and went into the machine. A huge screen over the machine showed what Pokémon it was. Around him various tubes began to fill up as the machine scanned the balls. It was the cloning machine! Ash watched on in amazement as his fellow trainers Pokémon were cloned. The original balls were ejected out onto the back of the machine and into a crate.
Hearing a voice, he crept to the office that observed the machine. Listening in to the one-sided conversation Ash smirked.
"Ash Ketchum is here…no I cannot deal with him, his aura has made a mockery of Mewtwo's psychic powers…no, I doubt there's anything we could use to control him…he managed to escape in the melee and was chasing me…no, he wont find the trapdoor and there's cameras all over the lab entrance, I'll know if he reaches here…yes, but I don't know how long…I just said I don't know!"
Ash decided it would be a great time to enter the office and snuck up on Fuji. Before he could react Ash knocked him out with an Aura Sphere and grabbed the phone before it fell to the floor. Picking it up he listened in to who he assumed was Silver.
"I shall be there in three hours Fuji" came a suave and cultured voice "keep Ketchum busy until then. I shall deal with him."
"Oh, you will?" Ash said cheerfully sitting in the seat and putting his feet on the desk "do tell me how?"
"Ketchum?" the voice growled "I should have known Fuji would be this incompetent."
"He's not the first member of your team I've taken out" Ash said cheerfully "none of them particularly stood out to me you know?"
"You know I'll get you for this Ketchum?" Silver said.
"Oh, fear not cousin" Ash said shocking Silver "I'll find you myself very soon. Stay safe and sound in Goldenrod won't you? Being sound matters just as much as being safe you know? Ta-ta for now cousin." He finished before hanging up on him. Looking down at Fuji he wondered what to do. Making a decision he stripped Fuji, hating every second of it. Donning his glove, he quickly got up to speed on the various controls. Dragging Fuji out to the machine he switched it on with the glove.
Slapping Fuji awake he quickly became aware that not only was he naked, but a pissed off Aura user was staring at him. "You know," Ash said conversationally "I've been waiting for this moment for a few months now. Ever since I found out you were part of the Cinnabar Incident. Now, I have some important questions for you Fuji. And for each answer that dissatisfies me I shall break a finger, or an arm or even a knee. Ok? Ok. What happened on Cinnabar?"
"You already know" Fuji said sweating slightly "we created Mewtwo, and he destroyed the lab in his rage and erupted the volcano."
Snap…followed by a scream.
"That's number one" Ash said kneeling down to look at him. "I know it was Blaine that erupted the volcano at the command of your boss Silver. I found your journal hidden amongst the wreckage the day before you killed him."
"That wasn't me, that was Mewtwo" Fuji said panting. Another snap and a scream
"Do not take me for a fool Fuji" Ash said standing up "Mewtwo was only there on your orders." Ok, next question. What happened at Viridian Gym?"
"I don't know" Fuji said before Ash grabbed his knee and placed his foot on it "I swear, I was in jail at the time. All I know is that Silver fought Red and they both disappeared."
"Mewtwo appeared" Ash said "allowing Silver to escape before he fought my father. Where did Mewtwo take my father's body?"
"I don't know" Fuji said. A loud crack reverberated around the building followed by a scream of pain. Holding on to his newly broken leg Fuji was openly crying.
"Wrong answer Fuji" Ash shouted, "I'll ask one more time, where is my father's body."
"I swear I don't know" Fuji said weeping "I really don't know. Mewtwo doesn't always obey me. I didn't know your father's body has disappeared. I thought he was buried in the rubble of Viridian Gym. The league had a funeral for him. I swear, that's all I know."
Ash had had enough. He stood up, forced Fuji to his feet and he shoved him inside the machine where it quickly jammed. Ash walked away to the back as the machine began to smoke from the inside being stuck. He heard a brief yell before a sickening squelch was heard and at the end chute Fujis head came out. Grimacing Ash threw Fujis head onto the floor before taking the basket of Pokémon and walking over to a large open section. Using his glove, he released the Pokémon from their black balls and smashed them all. The assembled Pokémon looked around in confusion at their counterparts in tubes before Ash cleared his throat. Before he could speak however the tubes suddenly lit up and all the Pokémon growled as out of the bottom their clones appeared and began making their way to the door that had opened on the wall.
"Listen up" Ash commanded after the last Pokémon had left with the doorway closing behind them "when we leave here, we're likely going to be made to fight your counterparts. Now my Pokémon weren't caught so they'll help out as much as they can. Hopefully we can end this soon. I'll take on Mewtwo. This is life or death. Do not choose poorly. Now come on, we have a psychic to fight." Ash turned around and used an Aura Sphere and shattered the wall causing it to explode outwards.
Mewtwo was furious. Ketchum had got away during the melee, so he punished the trainers by forcing them to hand over their pokeballs to be captured by the shadow pokeballs. He was still pondering over Ketchum's words when he felt a spike of anger before it quickly disappeared. That came from the cloning room. He would have to visit there soon. Before that though he had a world to conquer.
"Tonight, is your last night alive. But before we go, I want to thank you for your presents."
"What presents?" Neesha asked terrified. Ash seemed to be the only one capable of battling this monster and he had disappeared. She realised how out of their league they really were as they were quickly disabled and forced to hand over their Pokémon.
"Why my new army" Mewtwo said as he held his hand up to the sky where it glowed blue. Several minutes later the wall opened up and their Pokémon came walking out. Elation soon turned to fear though when they realised these weren't their Pokémon. "My clone army" he announced triumphantly at his fellow clones "and these are just the start. Soon I will have thousands at my command. But for my first real command, kill them."
Immediately they all began charging their attacks before from nowhere the wall exploded covering the field with dust and debris. From the middle of the dust a blue silhouetted figure strode forward followed by many Pokémon. Releasing his own Pokémon Ash created an Aura Sphere and threw it at Mewtwo who was too stunned to move. It smashed straight into his chest throwing him backwards into the pillar creating a new dust field. Immediately fighting broke out between the cones and the real Pokémon. Ash lowered his aura shield as he walked forward.
"Your time is over before it began" Ash said staring at the pillar as a blue sphere lit up and Mewtwo came floating forwards.
"Your Pokémon are strong" Mewtwo said. Surprisingly Ash understood him.
"Ah, so you do have a voice?" Ash said smirking. "I was wondering when you'd use it. So, where do we go from here?"
"I go and conquer the world; you are going to lie at the bottom of the ocean" Mewtwo said as he threw the first attack at Ash who narrowly dodged it and threw an Aura Sphere back at Mewtwo. The fighting continued on fiercely for a long time before Ash and Mewtwo stood across from each other panting. Mewtwo's attacks packed a punch when they hit, and they nearly always hit. Ash was going to be covered in bruises in the morning should he survive this.
"How are you so strong?" Mewtwo asked concerned that he hadn't finished Ash off already.
"I was created by Arceus to combat you" Ash said "I have trained for the last six years in aura usage for this very fight. I've learned a lot over the last six years, but it's been the last year that's been the most enlightening."
"You were created by Arceus to combat me?" Mewtwo asked sceptically "why?"
"Because of your plans." Ash responded, "she knew this would happen, but because of her edicts she could not react herself."
"Ah yes" Mewtwo said sneering "her edicts. They're the cowards way out of dealing with issues."
"You're right" Ash said shocking Mewtwo "as I said the last year has been very enlightening. Before then I trained with this moment in mind. But the last year changed everything. I've killed Team Rocket members several times, fought and won against an Ancient and nearly died, fought Team Rocket some more, fell down a one hundred foot hole and had to fight a fossil that would happily have eaten me, seen my mother fall to pieces when we found out what happened to my father, turned back time to revive a dead Mew while sacrificing a piece of my humanity to do so and now this. All in the space of ten months."
"Mew died?" Mewtwo asked "and you revived her? Was that what happened six weeks ago?"
"Yeah" Ash said shaking his head from the memory "I had to give up my ability to love as a sacrifice so that Dialga and Celebi could turn back time to revive her. The ecosystem where she lived was long since dead because those bastards at Team Rocket captured and performed experiments on her ten years ago."
"So why do you not agree that the world doesn't need her?" Mewtwo asked curiously.
"Because of the world I've seen" Ash said smiling "despite everything she's done to me I can't stay mad. I've seen Pokémon come to each other's aid to protect their homes, I've seen humans sacrifice their ambitions to help Pokémon in distress, I've seen Pokémon fight against their very nature to help one another. I've seen humans and Pokémon living freely together, each helping the other out. She brought me my family. Life is a gift, one that very few get to experience. All life has meaning, including your own Mewtwo. I apologise for my earlier comments. You ARE a Pokémon. And your life has just as much value as the natural born Pokémon. I just wish you could see it."
Mewtwo stared in shock at Ash's words letting them sink in. He thought back to his first friend Amber-two along with the clones of the Kanto starters. Thinking of her always made him sad as he keenly felt her loss. To this day he feels it. Something wet dripped onto his foot. Wonderingly he looked down and felt his face. He was crying again. Looking up he saw Ash looking surprised but happy. And from nowhere rage took over. How could he stand there and preach happiness when his best friend was dead, and he was created to serve humans.
Ash saw the change and shook his head. Preparing for another battle he gathered up an Aura Sphere as Mewtwo gathered up his power, only he kept on building. Ash copied and soon the balls were as big as they were. Roaring to the heavens Mewtwo threw it at Ash who matched him, and the attacks collided. The world gave way, it turned black and every Pokémon in the world felt the shockwave of aura that had been used. Ash was thrown backwards into a pillar where his head collided with a sickening crack, Mewtwo was also thrown into a pillar where his back hit the pillar with a horrible snap, and he seemed to bend around the pillar.
Hall Of Origin
Arceus watched on in concern as she felt the spike in aura from Mewtwo as he launched his plans for world domination. Immediately she called on every legendary in the world to come to the Hall of Origin. They all felt the aura wave and appeared within half an hour. Everyone except the Kanto birds and Mew.
"It has begun" Arceus said to them all seriously before roaring to the heavens as they all watched Ash travel to Old Shore Wharf and then on to New Island. His interactions with Mewtwo were interesting to say the least. His observations about battling intrigued many of them as they had stopped training a long time ago, comfortable in their power. Many decided that it might be time to train again.
Watching Ash escape from Mewtwo and his chase of Fuji was interesting. All of them looked on in horror though at the sight of the cloning machine. If any one of them were caught by Team Rocket, it would likely be a disaster as there would be cloned legendaries roaming around causing all sorts of havoc. His way of disabling the machine was interesting to say the least and they all breathed a sigh of relief. At least now the machine couldn't be used.
Seeing him come out of the dust was unbelievably cool. His actions probably saved those trainers' life. The battle was monstrous. Many of them shook their heads at the senseless fighting that was going on. It saddened them to think that they could have helped put a stop to this. Ash's impassioned speech caused many a tear. They all felt the same way. Life was a gift, one that was often overlooked because of everyone's personal selfishness. It was why they'd fought against the Ancients and their creed. Slavery still took place but thankfully it was in isolated parts and quickly stamped out when discovered.
All of them saw the change in Mewtwo and Arceus became deeply worried as they gathered up the energy for their final attack. They looked on in horror as they heard Ash and Mewtwo's bodies collide with the pillars. It was a good ten minutes later when the dust finally settled, and they looked on in horror at Ash and Mewtwos bodies. It was very clear Ash was dead. Watching Ash's Pokémon come over and nudge his corpse filled several of them with rage as they glared at their mother. Seeing Pikachu break down and cry was the final straw and several of them could be heard shouting at her. Surprised by the vehemence it took a minute to realise what had happened. Seeing Ash dead had driven her into shock.
"It wasn't supposed to be this way" she said quietly shaking her magnificent head "he was supposed to win and live."
"Well, he's not" Darkrai shouted uncaring "your chosen one is dead. All because you refused to act ten years ago. We've said repeatedly you need to act. And now he's dead."
"I have told you time and time again that I cannot act until I have all of my plates back together." Arceus said looking at him sternly "I cannot risk being injured."
"Well how are you going to get your plates back now the one you told us is key to getting them back is now dead?" Darkrai asked shocking her into silence.
"How indeed" Dialga said walking forwards "it seems Ash is integral to the future; I have seen him several times in the future. How can that be if he is dead?"
"Sacrifice" Mew said sadly looking up at the screen "Sacrifice is the only known method of reversing time. We know this as we witnessed it not long ago."
Arceus made a decision. Stepping forward she roared, and the world split open as she walked onto the scene at New Island. The assembled legendaries looked on in shock as Arceus walked the Earth again.
"Greetings Pikachu" Arceus said looking around at the assembled crowd "you know who I am?"
Pikachu just numbly nodded as he cried on Ash. "It was not supposed to be this way Pikachu."
"And yet it was" Charizard said glaring at her "yet again Ash puts his life on the line to do your bidding and you're nowhere to be seen."
"Be mindful of who you speak to youngling" Arceus said sternly.
"I am speaking to you" he said defiantly "this is not the first or even second time Ash has put his life on the line for you. Why are you here?"
"I am here to right a wrong" Arceus said as she looked around and saw Mewtwo "two wrongs."
Behind her a scuffle could be heard as the Three Kanto legendary birds and Mew appeared. "How very curious" Arceus said quietly as she watched Mew go over to a still breathing Mewtwo. He blearily opened his eyes and found he couldn't move. He tried to lift his arm and found he couldn't. and then all of a sudden, his vision was filled with pink, and his body began to glow. His bones audibly snapped back into place and soon enough he was healed and could stand. It was a wobbly stance, but he was healed. Looking around he immediately took a defensive step back as he took in who was assembled. The three birds he dismissed, it was the sight of Ash's Pokémon looking at him in rage and Arceus huge frame that nearly made him gulp.
Dismissively Arceus snorted and turned to Pikachu. "There is a way he can be saved; the same way Mew was a few moons ago."
"I'll do it" Pikachu said immediately interrupting Arceus. Sighing Arceus looked around as through the slit came Dialga and Palkia followed closely by Giratina. The pressure of the world became immensely heavy at the four titans being in the same place at the same time.
"Very well" Arceus said turning to Dialga. "Dialga, you know what to do."
Stepping back, she allowed Dialga to walk forward until he stood before Pikachu "we're back here again little mouse".
"Indeed, we are" Pikachu said looking over at Ash "I'm ready."
Nodding Dialga was about to roar to the heavens when a voice stopped him.
"Wait" Zapdos said walking forward and speaking to Dialga and Pikachu "I cannot allow my grandson to go ahead with this. I shall take his place."
"But you're the Kanto Lord of Zapdos'" Arceus said walking forward.
"And I have been for centuries. However, my grandson and his trainer are destined for greatness. I shall take his place" he reiterated firmly walking forward and placing his foot on Ash's heart.
Dialga looked at Arceus who reluctantly nodded and stepped back. Dialga looked around as if waiting for someone else to interrupt. Celebi appeared alongside and together they began the ritual only this time Zapdos concentrated on giving up his aura so that Ash could live again. Everyone watched in awe as time rewound itself and the world turned a bright yellow as Zapdos' aura began to pour into Ash. It only took a few minutes but to those watching on it felt like a lifetime. When it was done Zapdos had disappeared, and a lightning bolt appeared over Ash's heart.
Mewtwo watched on in silence at what was happening. A Pokémon willingly giving up its life for a human disgusted him. The fact it was a legendary only furthered that disgust. It was only Mew hovering at the side of him and telling him about Ash that stopped him teleporting away. It was clear all his plans had gone up in smoke. Just who was this Ash Ketchum to command the loyalty of so many Pokémon. Deciding to see how this finished he stayed.
He wasn't to know it but dying had erased the block Arceus had placed on his ability to love. Zapdos final act had made Ash whole again. Gasping he sat up and looked around bewildered. Looking at the Pokémon around him confused Ash, when he set eyes on Arceus however his thoughts changed.
"What did you do?" he asked.
"I righted several wrongs" Arceus said before turning around, giving Mewtwo a stern look and leaving through the portal as her entourage followed her leaving behind just the two remaining birds, Mew, Mewtwo and the assembled people.
"Can someone explain what happened?" Ash said.
Elsewhere
A man raced down a hallway not even bothering to stop at the receptionist. Flinging the doors open he interrupted a clearly important meeting but that didn't matter.
"Sir, it's your mother. She's gone"
