After speaking with Professor Oak, Ash had a much clearer understanding of the recent developments.
First, the Ponyta he had sent to Professor Oak had been discovered to possess a never-before-seen type. If everything went as expected, the Fairy type would likely be officially announced before long.
Second, the Slowpoke he had previously caught had evolved into Slowking, adding yet another powerful member to his growing roster.
As for this trip to Mount Quena, Ash asked Professor Oak to send over Alakazam and Snorlax, while sending Noctowl, the three Murkrow, and Yanma back to the laboratory.
Since they were heading to Mount Quena, the events there might change drastically from what he remembered. There was no telling what might happen, so after speaking with Professor Oak, he also contacted Charla and had Charizard sent back, just in case.
Ash's current team now consisted of Pikachu, Charizard, Bayleef, Alakazam, Kirlia, Houndour, and Snorlax.
With one extra party slot available, Kirlia happily settled onto Ash's other shoulder.
"Misty, Brock, I'm going to meet an old friend. Stay here and wait for me."
"Ash, you're really going to Mount Quena?" Misty asked worriedly.
"I am. Don't worry, I'll be back before long."
"Then... be careful."
"If you're heading to Mount Quena," the young woman who ran the inn explained, "follow the river downstream. Cross the Clear River, and you'll eventually reach Clear Lake."
Ash nodded before setting out.
Meanwhile, riding on Charizard's back, Ash flew across the towering cliffs until he arrived at his destination.
Despite its name, Mount Quena was far more than a simple cliff.
The area was a natural wonder. Mountains surrounded a crystal-clear lake, an island rested in the center of that lake, and on the island flowed a miraculous spring.
The lake, known as Clear Lake, possessed exceptionally pure water with remarkable restorative properties. The surrounding forests flourished under its nourishment.
The spring on the island, called Clear Spring, drew its water directly from the lake. Its waters were said to have many extraordinary effects, especially healing injuries and calming the hearts of Pokémon.
This was where Mewtwo and the cloned Pokémon it had brought with it had chosen to live in seclusion.
When Mewtwo had first been created, Giovanni had manipulated it into becoming a weapon.
After eventually breaking free from Giovanni's control, Mewtwo returned to New Island, the place of its birth. There, it rebuilt the laboratory, lured Ash and many other Trainers there, and cloned both them and their Pokémon.
Back on New Island, Ash had challenged Mewtwo's psychic powers with nothing but his own Aura and determination. Although he had ultimately lost, the encounter had left an unforgettable impression on Mewtwo.
During the clone battle Mewtwo had orchestrated, Ash's Charizard had been the only Pokémon to emerge victorious.
Unfortunately, Mewtwo himself had simply been too powerful. Ash had fought him for dozens of exchanges, and if Mew hadn't stepped in when it did, he probably wouldn't have made it out alive.
Still, misfortune had brought an unexpected blessing.
In order to stop the meaningless battle between Mewtwo and Mew, the Aura within Ash's body had absorbed traces of both of their original powers.
Now, as he prepared to meet Mewtwo again, he couldn't help but wonder what kind of reunion awaited them.
With that anticipation in mind, Ash arrived at the shore of Clear Lake.
"Pika!"
Pikachu cried out in warning.
Ash immediately sensed a surge of electricity racing toward him.
Charizard merely snorted in disdain. It casually extended a claw and effortlessly blocked the attack.
Charizard was no longer the Pokémon it had once been.
It could clearly sense that terrifying aura. Back then, it had felt utterly powerless before Mewtwo, as though a single thought from the legendary Pokémon would have been enough to defeat it.
But Ash wasn't worried in the slightest.
He patted Charizard's neck.
"It's okay, Charizard. Go ahead and get some rest."
After recalling Charizard, Ash finally saw the Pokémon that had attacked them.
It was another Pikachu.
However, unlike his own Pikachu, this one was filled with caution and hostility.
Ash slowly approached.
The clone Pikachu immediately fired a Thunderbolt, but Ash easily neutralized it. He then crouched down and smiled.
"Don't worry. I'm not going to hurt you."
As he spoke, he took out some Pokémon food from his pocket.
It was specially made for Electric-type Pokémon. The System Shop sold it for next to nothing, and Ash often bought it for Pikachu.
The clone Pikachu sniffed it curiously before picking up a piece and taking a bite.
Its eyes immediately lit up.
The next moment, it snatched the entire bag from Ash's hands and began stuffing the food into its mouth.
Seeing that, Ash chuckled and gently stroked its head.
"Slow down. There's plenty more if you want it."
"Pikachu, pika!" Ash's Pikachu chimed in happily.
"Human... you've come."
Mewtwo emerged from the cave on the island and looked calmly at Ash.
Ash stood up with a smile.
"Mewtwo. Since we parted on New Island, you look much better."
His tone was as natural as though he were greeting an old friend he hadn't seen in years.
"Indeed," Mewtwo replied. "Since we last met on New Island, you've changed tremendously. Your psychic abilities have grown considerably stronger, and I can also sense a unique power connecting you with your Pokémon."
"It's just a special ability that's unique to me," Ash answered casually.
The unique power Mewtwo sensed was the power of Pokémon Bond. Although the system had once said that this power could evolve further, it had never explained how.
"Oh, and you don't have to keep calling me 'human.' I have a name too."
"My name is Ash."
Mewtwo nodded thoughtfully.
"Ash... So that is your name?"
Ash smiled, then sat down on the grass with the two Pikachu beside him.
After sharing the Pokémon food, the clone Pikachu was no longer wary of Ash. Instead, it had become surprisingly affectionate toward him.
By now, night had fallen.
A full moon hung high in the sky as a swarm of Butterfree, each having reached its final evolution, flew over Clear Mountain on their migration to distant lands.
Mewtwo silently watched them disappear into the night.
No one knew what was on its mind.
But Ash could clearly sense Mewtwo's emotions.
It was... lost.
...
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