When you thought about it, Mewtwo really was a tragic existence.
Strictly speaking, it wasn't a naturally born Pokémon. It was an artificial creation, something akin to a puppet. Although it had broken free from human control, it still couldn't find its place in this world.
The last time Ash had stopped Mewtwo and Mew from fighting, he had tried to offer some guidance. But Mewtwo had little experience with the world. Some things couldn't be understood through words alone.
What it needed now was someone to truly help it understand.
"Ash."
Just as Ash was thinking about how to phrase his words, Mewtwo interrupted his thoughts.
"What is it, Mewtwo?"
"Tell me... do we really have the right to exist?"
"Of course you do. Aren't you sitting right beside me now? The fact that you're here means you're already living in this world."
"But look."
Mewtwo pointed toward the Butterfree and Pidgey flying overhead.
"They're Pokémon. They're living beings."
"But what about us? Me... and the Pokémon I created. We're not real life in the true sense of the word. How are we supposed to live on? Ash... can you answer that?"
Only then did Ash realize that Mewtwo still couldn't let go of its identity as a clone.
After all, it had been created using Mew's genetic material as a template. Mewtwo had always rejected that identity, which was why it had fought Mew so fiercely. Had Ash not stepped in to mediate, the situation might have ended far worse.
Instead of answering directly, Ash looked at the two Pikachu beside him.
"Mewtwo, do you see any difference between these two Pikachu?"
Mewtwo examined them.
One Pikachu sat calmly on its shoulder, while the other was happily lying in Ash's lap, contentedly eating Pokémon food made specifically for Electric types.
Without waiting for Mewtwo to respond, Ash gestured for the cloned Pikachu to step forward, hoping it would express its own feelings.
Receiving Ash's nod, the cloned Pikachu walked over to Mewtwo and cried out softly.
"Pika... Pika..."
"You're saying... that living there felt like being trapped in a prison?"
The cloned Pikachu nodded.
"But we're all artificially created cloned Pokémon," Mewtwo said quietly. "We're not real Pokémon."
"You're wrong, Mewtwo," Ash replied calmly.
"They aren't copies created to be tools. They're living beings with hearts and souls. Whether they were born naturally or created artificially doesn't matter. From the moment they came into existence, they became independent individuals."
"The thoughts Pikachu just expressed were its own genuine feelings. I didn't influence them in any way."
"So they're real Pokémon. They're alive. And because they're alive, they have every right to live in this world."
"Pikapi!"
Ash's own Pikachu immediately cried out in agreement.
Just as Ash continued helping Mewtwo sort through its feelings, another person arrived at the nearby bus stop.
She was a beautiful young woman, though she seemed a little clumsy.
At the same time, Team Rocket's trio also showed up from behind, intending to use their hot air balloon to cross the Mount Quena.
Brock and Misty had been worried about Ash the entire time, so they took the opportunity to hitch a ride on Team Rocket's balloon, along with the young woman who had arrived earlier.
However, the moment the five people and one Meowth lifted off, the violent winds around Mount Quena buffeted the balloon from every direction, causing it to sway dangerously.
Everyone struggled to keep their balance.
No one noticed that the young woman quietly took out an infrared telescope while everyone else was distracted and observed the island in the middle of the lake.
Soon, she spotted both Mewtwo... and Ash.
"Mewtwo confirmed."
"I am Domino, an elite member of Team Rocket currently on standby. Commencing the mission."
...
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