Chapter 4: Encountering Mewtwo
(Cerulean Caves)
Ash, Shantae, Pikachu, Misty, Gladion, and Lillie were riding on the back of Misty's Gyarados as it swam deeper into the caverns.
Lillie- It's getting a little dark in here.
Ash- Hang on, Pikachu, use flash!
Pikachu- Pikachu!
Then a flash of light shined from Pikachu's body and it lit up most of the cave.
Shantae- I didn't know Pikachu could do that.
Ash- There are actually moves that can be used in the environment to help Poke'mon Trainers travel across the regions. Like how Misty's Gyarados is using surf to travel around the water. Flash is used to brighten up darkened areas so we can see in the darkest tunnels.
Shantae- Ok, but remember, we're looking for Risky's ship. That is our priority and why we're exploring these darkened caves.
Suddenly, Gyarados began to shake in fear like how Pikachu was earlier.
Misty- Huh…what's wrong, Gyarados?
Lillie- Gyarados is looking like Pikachu did before we entered Cerulean Caves.
Gladion- And I think I have a hunch as to why. It's obvious that a powerful Poke'mon is residing here. Pikachu and Gyarados must've felt its presence.
Ash- Think this could be why Risky Boots was smuggling contraband or why she sailed her ship into Cerulean Caves?
Shantae- Risky Boots is a pirate, not a Poke'mon Trainer. I don't think catching Poke'mon would interest her.
Misty- No, but it would interest Giovanni. Who's to say Team Rocket didn't hire Risky to assist with their schemes?
Shantae- That would make more sense. Risky has done other people's dirty work if they paid her well enough.
Pikachu- Pika Pi!
Then Ash saw Pikachu pointing at some ground that wasn't water for them to walk on close by.
Lillie- There's some land over there.
Gladion- But no pirate ship anywhere in sight.
Shantae- Hang on…Misty, could you bring us over to that landing?
Misty- Sure, Shantae. Gyarados, would you be so kind?
Gyarados- (Roar)
Then Gyarados swam towards the dry landing and Ash, Shantae, Pikachu, Misty, Lillie, and Gladion jumped off of Gyarados' back. Then Shantae looked at the ground and saw what looked like large footprints in the ground and leading deeper into the caverns.
Shantae- There! Those look like the Tinkertub's footprints.
Lillie- Tinkertub?
Shantae- Even though I've destroyed it…at least three times…Risky had this machine called the Tinkertub which functioned as a pirate ship on water, but could turn into a large machine that could walk on land.
Ash- Well, Sonic has told us he's destroyed this machine called the Death Egg numerous times. Guess Risky Boots likes to rebuild favorite toys too.
Gladion- If that's true, then we'll have to go deeper into Cerulean Caves if we want to find her.
Misty- I don't know if that's wise. As I said before, the wild Poke'mon in Cerulean Caves have proven to be just as strong as the gym leaders'.
Ash- Don't forget that I'm the current world champion! I'm sure I can handle any wild Poke'mon that comes our way!
Pikachu- Pikachu!
Shantae- Just don't get too cocky, Ash. You might the world champion of Poke'mon battles, but even you aren't unbeatable. You did say you've only been champion for about a month and I know that overconfidence can bring someone to their downfall. Like how Tabuu's overconfidence was part of the reason why he's lost against us so many times.
Ash- I'll keep that in mind, Shantae.
As Ash, Shantae, Pikachu, Misty, Lillie, and Gladion began to venture deeper into Cerulean Caves, little did they know, they were being followed.
(BF2 floor of Cerulean Caves)
Ash and the others had managed to travel down to the deepest level of caverns, but still no sign of Risky Boots, her ship, or her crew. Pikachu was being carried in Ash's arms instead of usually sitting on his shoulder and was also looking pretty exhausted.
Pikachu- Pi…Pi…
Ash- Hold on, Pikachu! Damn, I can't believe those wild Muk and Golbat managed to tire Pikachu out this much!
Misty- Don't tell me that the champion is getting tired out all ready!
Ash- Very funny, Misty!
Shantae- I don't understand why they were attacking us when we weren't doing anything to them.
Lillie- It's similar to wild animals that aren't Poke'mon. They've made this place their home and they consider us trespassing on their territory and home. And technically…they're not wrong…
Gladion- That's part of the reason why trainers need to there Poke'mon in caves, forests, and tall grass areas inhabited by wild Poke'mon.
Suddenly, the Eye of Merlin on Shantae's tiara began to lit up.
Shantae- Huh…?
Lillie- Shantae, why is that stone glowing?
Shantae- I think the Eye of Merlin is detecting a strong presence nearby.
Then Pikachu's eyes stood up and Pikachu looked up at Ash.
Pikachu- Pika Pi!
Ash- Guys, Pikachu hears something approaching us!
Gladion- Any idea what it is?
Ash- Not sure, but it's making Pikachu nervous.
Lillie- Might be best if we take cover. Don't want any more unnecessary fights with a wild Poke'mon that thinks we're invading there home.
Misty- Good idea!
Then Ash, Shantae, Misty, Gladion, and Lillie moved behind a large stalagmite for cover. Eventually, they saw what appeared to be a Poke'mon appear. At first, it was just looking around. But then Ash began to realize this Poke'mon seemed…familiar.
Ash- Hang on…I know this Poke'mon. Could it be…
Then Ash got a look at its face and instantly recognized this Poke'mon.
Ash- Oh my gosh! That's Mewtwo!
Gladion- Wait…you mean "THE" Mewtwo?!
Shantae- Forgive me for asking, but who is Mewtwo?
Ash- He's a legendary Poke'mon.
Gladion- Not just a legendary Poke'mon…but the strongest Poke'mon known to exist!
Shantae- Even stronger than Prince Calmly's Ho-Oh?
Ash- Unfortunately, yes. Mewtwo's power actually surpasses Ho-Oh's. And I know, because I've encountered Mewtwo before. He really is as strong as the rumors say he is. Not as strong as Tabuu though, but still…
Misty- This must be the real reason why Risky came to Cerulean Caves! She's after Mewtwo!
Shantae- Uh…I believe Risky if familiar with Poke'mon as much as I am. I don't think she'd be interested or even know anything about legendary Poke'mon.
Misty- But Giovanni would. He'd be willing to pay a king's ransom for Mewtwo.
Ash- She's right. Giovanni has been hunting Mewtwo for as long as I can remember.
Gladion- The strongest Poke'mon in the world…I am so tempted to…
Lillie- Gladion, NO! We're trying to find Risky Boots in Cerulean Caves! And we don't want to start a fight, especially not with a Poke'mon as strong him!
Then Mewtwo looks towards their direction and they quickly moved behind the stalagmite. After a moment or two, Mewtwo turned around and began moving away.
Ash- I don't think Mewtwo noticed us.
Lillie- That's a relief…
But then Lillie accidently kicked a rock on the ground and made some noise. Mewtwo then turned towards the stalagmite again.
Mewtwo- Who is there?!
Lillie- Ooops!
Mewtwo- I'm in no mood for hide-and-seek. Best to come out of hiding while I'm still being generous.
Ash and the others remained silent and continued to hide from Mewtwo.
Mewtwo- Very well…
Then Mewtwo pointed his arm towards the stalagmite and used psystrike to shatter it to pieces.
Mewtwo- There you are. You've got some nerve stalking me like that!
As Mewtwo saw them, he noticed and recognized Ash among them.
Mewtwo- Wait a minute…I've seen you before…you're that Poke'mon Trainer…Ash if I remember correctly.
Gladion- So Mewtwo really does know you, Ash!
Ash- I did mention I've encounter him before.
Mewtwo- And you better explain why you were stalking me just now! I don't appreciate being spied on like that!
Ash- We weren't stalking you, Mewtwo!
Shantae- We're actually looking for someone what recently entered this cave.
Mewtwo- The commotions from outside those other Poke'mon mentions…the told me that Team Rocket was spotted in the area looking for me…but how do I know do I know you didn't come down into these caves to lead them to me?!
Ash- We're not with Team Rocket! We're looking for some pirate lady that…
Mewtwo- I've seen no pirate within these caves. I would know if a human was trying to hide out in here. That story sounds too farfetched to me.
Then Mewtwo began to glare at them while a glowing aura surrounded his body.
Gladion- Looks like we have no choice but to fight…Umbreon!
Then Gladion called out his Umbreon.
Gladion- Umbreon, dark pulse!
Umbreon- Umbreon!
Umbreon launched dark pulse at Mewtwo, but Mewtwo moved one hand in front of the attack and swatted the dark pulse away. Then with his other hand, Mewtwo launched aura sphere and knocked Umbreon to the ground.
Gladion- How did…
Mewtwo- You think you're the only one who's tried using a dark type against me? I'll admit, dark types have a type advantage over a psychic type like me and my psychic attacks wouldn't be able to harm them at all…but that doesn't mean I don't have methods around that. Like how I used the fighting type move, aura sphere.
Then Mewtwo shot another aura sphere at Umbreon. However, when the smoke cleared, Ash's Gengar was standing between Umbreon and Mewtwo.
Ash- Nice work, Gengar!
Gladion- Ash…
Ash- Gengar, shadow sneak!
Then Gengar seemingly melted into the shadows of the caverns and disappeared. Mewtwo used calm mind to clear his thoughts. Once he did, Mewtwo immediately felt Gengar's presence with his psychic powers. Mewtwo reached over behind and to his right and used psychic to pull Gengar out of Mewtwo's shadow and threw Gengar against the wall of the cave. Then Umbreon tried to strike with faint attack while Mewtwo was distracted with Gengar. Mewtwo jumped out of the way and used swift to knock Umbreon back a few feet. But then, an ice beam was launched at Mewtwo's feet and was freezing him to the ground.
Mewtwo- Huh…?
Then Gladion looked to his left and saw that Lillie had called out her Alolan Vulpix, Snowy.
Lillie- Snowy, use ice beam to freeze the rest of Mewtwo's body!
Snowy- VULLLL!
Then Snowy moved its ice beam up higher and incased Mewtwo in ice from head to toe. While Mewtwo was frozen, Lillie pulled out her Z-Ring and began to use a Z-Move.
Lillie- Alright Snowy, ice type Z-Move, Sub-zero Slammer!
Snowy- VULLLLL!
Then more ice struck Mewtwo until it appeared that Mewtwo was frozen in a glacier of ice. Gengar, Umbreon, and Snowy moved closer to see if Mewtwo really was trapped in that ice and frozen over. However, Mewtwo's eyes opened up while he was incased in that ice and before they knew it, Mewtwo had shattered the ice surrounding him and knocked Gengar, Umbreon, and Snowy to the ground and knocked them out.
Shantae- He was still able to fight back and break free, even after being thoroughly frozen like that? Ash wasn't kidding about how strong Mewtwo is. He's proven to be stronger than any other Poke'mon I've seen throughout the adventures I've had with Ash.
Misty- Actually, Mewtwo appears to have gotten stronger since the last time Ash and I encountered him.
Ash, Gladion, and Lillie returned Gengar, Umbreon, and Snowy to their poke'balls.
Ash- Ok Pikachu, it's your turn!
Pikachu- Pika!
Pikachu jumped off of Ash's shoulders and ready to fight Mewtwo.
Gladion- Silvally!
Then Gladion called out his Silvally.
Silvally- (Roar)
Lillie- I'm not done yet! Magearna!
Then Lillie called out a Poke'mon that looked like it was mechanical.
Ash- Isn't that the mechanical Poke'mon your father left you, Lillie?
Lillie- Yes, it is. And I've been working on battling with Magearna since you left Alola, Ash.
Misty- I think I've sitting on the sidelines for long enough! Gyarados!
Then Misty called out her Gyarados and Mega Evolved it into Mega Gyarados.
Mega Gyarados- (ROAR)
Mewtwo- You know I've defeated an army of Poke'mon all by myself. What makes you can do any better?
Ash- Won't know unless we try!
Misty- Gyarados, crunch!
Mega Gyarados rushed in to bite Mewtwo with its fangs, but Mewtwo caught the fangs with one hand. Then Mewtwo pointed at Mega Gyarados with his other hand and used thunderbolt to shock Mega Gyarados. But then Pikachu managed to move in and ram into Mewtwo's chest with quick attack and knocked Mewtwo away from Mega Gyarados. However, Mewtwo pulled himself together, swung his tail, and smacked Pikachu into the air with it.
Pikachu- Pika…
Then Mewtwo looked over and saw Silvally and Magearna directly in front of him.
Gladion- Silvally, air slash!
Lillie- Magearna, flash cannon!
Both the attacks were launched at Mewtwo, but they saw Mewtwo had used light screen to reduce half the damage. Then Mewtwo used psystrike to knock Silvally and Magearna back a few feet away from him.
Gladion- (Grunt)…this still isn't working!
Lillie- Hang on! I think I have one idea that could help us. Magearna, helping hand!
Then Magearna was surrounded by a bright blue aura and then Pikachu, Silvally, and Mega Gyarados had that same blue aura around them too.
Lillie- Magearna's helping hand should give all allied Poke'mon a boost in power.
Gladion- Thanks, Lillie! Silvally, crush claw!
Silvally- (Roar)
Silvally rushed at Mewtwo and swiped its claw at Mewtwo. Mewtwo held both of his hand in front of his body and blocked Silvally's attack. Then Mewtwo pushed Silvally away and countered with psystrike which knocked Silvally back a few feet. Mega Gyarados attempted to use aqua tail from behind, but Mewtwo used teleport to dodge the attack and disappear from Mega Gyarados' sight. While Mega Gyarados was looking for Mewtwo, Mewtwo reappeared above Mega Gyarados struck with thunderbolt. Mega Gyarados nearly fainted from that attack and saw close to fainting. But before Mewtwo could attack again, a web made of electricity suddenly wrapped itself around Mewtwo from behind.
Ash- Alright! Pikachu has got Mewtwo stuck in electroweb!
Mewtwo attempted to break free from the strange web restraining his body, but he was immediately shocked while attempting to struggle.
Mewtwo- How did I…(shock)…
Lillie- Magearna, while we got Mewtwo immobilized, fleur cannon!
Then Mageana launched a pink beam from its body and it blasted Mewtwo against the wall. But then Mewtwo got back up and Pikachu's electroweb was no longer restraining Mewtwo. Mewtwo launched psystrike at Magearna and this sent Magearna flying backwards. However, Magearna crashed into Lillie and they were both knocked into a nearby stalagmite. Magearna was lying on the ground but struggling to get up, but Lillie somehow got her leg impaled by one of the sharp ends of the stalagmite.
Gladion- LILLIE!
Ash- Hey! That was uncalled for!
Mewtwo- I'm…I'm sorry! That was an accident!
Ash- Now I'm mad!
Then Ash pulled out his Z-Ring and a bright light began to shine from it.
Ash- Pikachu, electric type Z-Move! 10,000,000-Volt Thunderbolt!
Pikachu- Pika…CHUUUUUUUUUU!
Then Pikachu launched the Z-Move at Mewtwo. Mewtwo held his hand out and attempted to use his psychic powers to hold off the attack. Mewtwo caught the Z-Move, but it was pushing him backwards as he tried to hold it back. When the 10,000,000-Volt Thunderbolt faded, Mewtwo's right hand was all charred.
Mewtwo- I'll admit…that attack had a strong kick to it. My hand almost went numb trying to block it.
Mewtwo quickly licked his hand before using recover to heal his hand.
Ash- That was…Pikachu's strongest attack…and even that didn't do much to Mewtwo…
Pikachu- Pika?!
Ash- Where's Ho-Oh when you need him?!
Mewtwo- Hang on a minute…did you say Ho-Oh? Where have I heard that name before…
While Mewtwo was in thought, a bolt of lightning struck Mewtwo and knocked him to the ground. However, it was not Pikachu to launched that bold of lightning. Ash looked over his right and saw that Shantae has cast that lightning spell.
Ash- Shantae?
Mewtwo- How could a human use lightning like that?
Shantae- Because I'm not really human. Ok, half human. But I'm also half genie. As a Guardian Genie, I fight with my magic rather than Poke'mon. At first, I let Ash and his friends battle since this is technically a Poke'mon battle, but you hurt one of our friends!
Mewtwo- It was an accident! I would never intentionally harm a human like that. But Poke'mon or genie, I will not let those Team Rocket retards capture me!
Mewtwo used psystrike while Shantae cast a fireball to block the attack. Then Mewtwo tried shadow ball and Shantae created a magic barrier around his body to deflect the attack. However, the shadow ball was knocked upward and hit a stalactite hanging just above where Shantae was standing. This caused the stalactite to drop, but before it could drop on Shantae, Ash pushed Shantae out of the way and got his right arm like how Lillie's leg for stabbed into.
Shantae- ASH!
Pikachu- Pika Pi!
But then several more stalactites hanging from the ceiling of the cave got loose and began falling towards Ash. Mewtwo quickly used psystrike to destroy most of them before they could hit Ash, but he missed a few. But all of a sudden, a large red wing appeared directly above Ash and blocked the other stalactites from impaling Ash. Then Ash looked up and saw a very familiar looking phoenix Poke'mon standing above him.
Ash- Ho-Oh…
Pikachu- Pika…
Ho-Oh- It looks like I've arrived just in time, Master Ash.
Mewtwo- Another Poke'mon? Hmmm…there's something different about you…
Ho-Oh looked down and saw the injuries on Ash before removed his wing from shielding him. Then Ho-Oh took a few steps forward, putting him between Ash and Mewtwo.
Ash- Ho-Oh, what are you…?
Ho-Oh- I'll take it from here, Master Ash.
Mewtwo- You're either brave or foolish to willingly take me on.
Ho-Oh- It is my sworn duty to serve and protect my master! And I will fight anyone who endangers him! (Ho-Oh's battle cry)
Mewtwo- (Mewtwo's battle cry)