"Try some of this!"
By the side of the pure spring on the island, Ash sat casually on the ground holding both Pikachus. He took out some high-quality Pokémon food from the system mall and fed it to Pikachu Two. The taste of the system-provided food needed no description; Pikachu Two was completely entranced. It had never tasted anything so delicious in its life.
The spring water here had miraculous properties. Ash drank his fill and even placed his Pokémon Egg in the water to soak.
"Mewtwo, you try this too!"
Ash knew he wasn't Naruto; "Talk-no-Jutsu" likely wouldn't be enough to win the day. But a gourmet offensive? That was a different story. Even if it didn't solve everything, it would close the distance between him and Mewtwo and raise their bond level, right?
He handed Mewtwo a Psychic-type energy cube from the system. It was quite expensive. If Ash hadn't challenged the Ninja School and saved up some credits intended for a new psychic ability, he wouldn't have been able to afford it.
Mewtwo, showing little guardedness toward Ash, took it and had a small bite. After a soft "Delicious," it popped the rest into its mouth. Mewtwo had only been born for about a year; no matter how intelligent, it was still like a child when it came to the lure of good food.
However, the harmony was soon disturbed. In the forest of Mount Purity, many red lights suddenly appeared—human airships.
"Ash, perhaps this is fate," Mewtwo said. It swallowed the last of the energy cube, its gaze turning cold as it watched the approaching fleet.
"It seems that fool Giovanni has noticed you again," Ash said. He felt no fear toward the man now. He acknowledged Giovanni as a formidable leader, but because he was a villain, he was destined to fail. This was the world of Pokémon!
"Pika! Pikachu pika!"
Pikachu Two watched the airships and suddenly jumped out of Ash's arms, shouting toward Mewtwo.
"You say we have no choice but to fight? To protect the place where we live? This is no longer a skirmish, but a war," Mewtwo translated.
Hearing this, Ash picked Pikachu Two up again. "I didn't realize you were so fierce. You're much more aggressive than my Pikachu!"
"Pikachu!" Ash's Pikachu chimed in from his shoulder.
"Huh?"
While Ash was focused on the airships, he noticed a hot air balloon flickering like a candle in the wind. Aside from the Team Rocket trio, Brock, Misty, and Mei were all on board! The blonde Team Rocket agent had already departed using a paraglider.
"Why can't they just listen?" Ash shook his head with a wry smile. "Mewtwo, can you bring that balloon over? Having them here means extra hands."
Mewtwo remembered Brock and Misty, and even had some recollection of the Team Rocket trio. "Very well."
With a flash of blue light in its eyes, the balloon—which was being tossed by strong winds—was guided safely down. Within moments, Mei and the others appeared before Ash.
"Ash!" Mei was the first to pounce, wrapping her arms around his neck with tears in her eyes.
"Be good, Mei. Say hello. This is Mewtwo, and this is Pikachu," Ash introduced Mewtwo and handed Pikachu Two to her to hold.
"Mewtwo?!"
Brock and Misty were terrified. How could they forget Mewtwo's terrifying power? But seeing Ash safe and having a picnic with it finally put their hearts at ease.
"Twerp?" The Team Rocket trio scrambled up, dizzy from the landing. Seeing Mewtwo, their old trauma resurfaced, and they shrank back into a corner, trembling.
Ash stood up. "Brock, Misty, you came at the right time!"
"What's happening?"
"We're going to war."
Ash gestured toward the approaching ships and briefly explained the situation. "I need you to help hold this island. I'm leaving Slowking, Houndoom, Snorlax, and Meganium here with you."
"Only if this island and the Pokémon here are protected can Mewtwo and I fight without worries!"
Ash released Slowking. The tall, wise Pokémon appeared before him. "Ash, the situation looks urgent."
"Slowking, I'm counting on you. Lead everyone to defend this island. Mewtwo has many powerful Pokémon under its command as well!" Ash knew Slowking was the best choice for this responsibility.
Among Mewtwo's followers were the clones of the Kanto starters—Charizard, Blastoise, and Venusaur with their unique patterns. Ash knew their combat power firsthand.
Mewtwo looked at Slowking. "This one seems reliable." Then, it looked at Ash with a troubled expression. "A battle?"
"I cannot do it, Human. They are the creators who gave me life. Ash, even as we seek a land of peace, must we still walk a path of endless conflict?"
Hearing this, Ash finally understood Mewtwo's true confusion. Having come into this world out of nowhere, Mewtwo had no sense of belonging. It lacked a home—a place that offered a sense of security.
Ash traveled too, but his journey had a finish line—the Silver Conference—and a starting point—Pallet Town. Like a monk on a pilgrimage, he knew where he came from and where he was going. Mewtwo had nothing.
Unknown origins, unknown destinations.
Its greatest wish was simply to find a hidden place to live in peace. Mount Purity was treacherous and rarely visited, a perfect sanctuary, yet it had still been discovered by Team Rocket and Ash.
"Mewtwo!" Ash patted its shoulder. Its body was hard and slightly cold. "We've eaten together and we're going to fight together. We're partners now, aren't we?"
"Ash?" Mewtwo looked at him thoughtfully and then nodded. It had accepted Ash's friendship.
"Pikachu Two might be a bit fierce and full of killing intent, but I don't think it's wrong. You've met that fool Giovanni before. To protect your companions, you must fight him!"
"Team Rocket!" Having settled things with Mewtwo, Ash stood before the trio.
"Twerp? No... Ash?"
"I have a mission for you. That Team Rocket member you met earlier—the one called 'The Black Tulip'—take her down!"
Hearing this, the trio—who already hated the agent named Domino—happily accepted the task! Everything was being prepared according to Ash's plan. Both he and Giovanni knew that dawn would be the start of the war!