Before the current Ash had crossed over into this world, his predecessor had met Mewtwo once before. Back then, Mewtwo had just been born—like a newborn child whose values hadn't yet been formed—and was led astray by that fool Giovanni.
But Mewtwo broke free from Giovanni's shackles and returned to New Island, the place of its birth. It rebuilt the laboratory, lured Ash and other trainers there, and used the technology that created it to clone their Pokémon. Ash's Pikachu had a clone too, though their personalities were completely different. At that time, in order to stop the meaningless battle between Mewtwo and Mew, Ash nearly paid with his life.
Because of that, Mewtwo's feelings toward Ash were unique.
With Charizard, Ash didn't need to take the river below. Riding on Charizard's back, they soared into the sky, easily clearing the steep cliffs of Mount Purity. The mountain where Mount Purity sat was quite interesting: a lake within the mountain, an island within the lake, and a spring within the island. The lake water alone provided a sense of infinite comfort, as if one's soul was being washed clean. The surrounding forests, nourished by this lake, sustained countless wild Pokémon.
And the spring water on the island had even more miraculous effects. Mewtwo lived in seclusion on that island with the Pokémon it had cloned.
"Pika?"
Pikachu, perched on Ash's shoulder, seemed to sense something and suddenly gave a warning. A bolt of surging electricity shot up from the island, heading straight for Charizard and Ash. However, Charizard's claw suddenly crackled with current.
A Thunder Punch! It shattered the Thunderbolt with a single blow. "Old Char" was getting more dominant by the day.
After landing safely, Charizard stood firmly in front of Ash. It could sense that terrifying aura it had encountered before—a powerful existence that it had been completely unable to resist back then.
Ash patted its back. "Charizard, it's okay. You take a rest for now."
Recalling Charizard, Ash looked at the Pikachu that had suddenly attacked. This must be the clone of his own Pikachu. Well, he'd call it "Pikachu Two."
"Little guy, you hold quite a grudge!" Ash walked forward, completely unguarded.
Pikachu Two remained on high alert, but Ash simply scooped it up. Another Thunderbolt immediately engulfed Ash. Wincing through the current, Ash gently stroked its tail. Suddenly, Pikachu Two went stiff, and the electricity stopped. Ash's bond with his own Pikachu had reached a very high level; after spending so much time together, winning over a Pikachu—even a clone—wasn't that hard.
"Human, you have come," Mewtwo said, emerging from the depths of a cave on the island, seemingly prepared for Ash's arrival.
Ash's current appearance was quite amusing, with a Pikachu on his shoulder and another in his arms. Even Mewtwo was surprised to see the clone Pikachu—who usually spent its time resenting humans and Mewtwo alike—lying so obediently in Ash's embrace.
"Mewtwo, I had a feeling we'd meet again!" Ash looked at Mewtwo. Before crossing over, this had always been his favorite Pokémon—a Super Legendary!
"You have changed a lot. You even awakened psychic powers, though they are very weak." Mewtwo could feel Ash's psychokinesis. Compared to its own... there was no comparison. They weren't even in the same league.
"It awakened by accident. I don't need it to be strong; it's enough for what I need," Ash replied. It felt strange to be chatting so calmly with Mewtwo. "By the way, you don't have to call me 'Human.' My name is Ash."
"Ash... so that is your name," Mewtwo nodded, committing it to memory. It looked up at the full moon. A swarm of Butterfree was flying over the mountain, having completed their evolution and heading out into the wider world.
Watching them, Mewtwo felt a pang of emotion. "That is life. Those are Pokémon. But we are different. How exactly are we supposed to live? Ash, can you answer me?"
Looking at the melancholic Mewtwo, Ash suddenly had a thought: Is this the part where I have to use "Talk-no-Jutsu"? But Mewtwo was stubborn. Could mere words really establish a correct moral compass and turn it into a pioneer for a peaceful Pokémon world?
Ash gave a wry smile, and while holding Pikachu Two, he suddenly asked: "Mewtwo, look at these two Pikachus. What is the difference between them?"
Mewtwo looked at the two mice. One was on Ash's shoulder, and the other was in his arms, its tail being pinched until it felt completely limp and content. Before Mewtwo could answer, Ash let go of the clone.
Pikachu Two sat up straight but didn't jump out of Ash's arms. It looked at Mewtwo and let out a series of "Pika pika!"
"Are you saying that living hidden here is the same as living in a prison cell?" Mewtwo translated.
"But we are cloned Pokémon, manufactured. We are not real Pokémon," Mewtwo insisted, its identity as a clone remaining a heavy burden on its mind.
"Mewtwo, look closely. These are lives made of flesh and blood. From the moment they were born, they became independent individuals. This Pikachu has its own thoughts—it thinks living here is like being in jail!"
"That isn't my Pikachu's thought; it's a thought generated by this one's own heart! They are real lives. Real Pokémon!" Ash declared.
Unknown to Ash and Mewtwo, a new guest had arrived at the bus station where Misty and Brock were staying—a lovely but somewhat clumsy young woman. Not only that, but the Team Rocket trio, who had been following them, had constructed a hot air balloon to cross Mount Purity.
Brock and Misty were still worried about Ash. He had taken his strongest roster with him; nobody would believe there wasn't any danger! They boarded Team Rocket's balloon along with Mei and the clumsy blonde woman.
"Misty, is Ash going to be okay?" Mei was the one who had insisted on coming; she couldn't sleep a wink out of worry for him.
Misty held her gently. "Don't worry, Mei. Ash contacted us just now and said he's on the island in the middle of the lake. We're going to find them now, okay?"
"Mhm!"
However, crossing Mount Purity wasn't that easy. As the balloon rose, it hit strong winds, tossing it around uncontrollably. While everyone was busy holding on for dear life, they didn't notice the clumsy blonde woman using a high-tech telescope to scan the island.
Using thermal imaging, she located Mewtwo—and Ash right beside it!
"Mewtwo confirmed."
"Elite Team Rocket units on standby—move out!"