Chapter 29 - chapter 29

Pallet Town - Oak Ranch - 0706 hours local time - Day 100 of Ash Ketchum's Journey

Fire burned the grounds outside the lab as Monferno attempted to beat the living crap out of Krokorok. There was no reason for this other than the former demanding to face his Unovan equal.

Samuel Oak shook his head as the equally typed Pokemon used fighting and ground-type attacks on one another, Monferno changing it up to fire once in a while.

"I am grateful that all of my Pokemon are happily fully-evolved." he said to the larger Seed Pokemon, Ivysaur nodding along. He was not a big shock to the old man. A shock to Ash, certainly.

Bulbasaur held off on evolution for four years: he was perfectly capable of evolving to Ivysaur at any time before now.

"The Ketchum boy is going to cause issues, husband." said an old, familiar voice as Oak turned around.

"Nice to see you, too, Agatha." he said, seeing his wife appear out of Ivysaur's shadow, making the flowered Pokemon jump. "Can't you just use an Abra or something if you want to visit?"

"Dear heart, how many times do I have to tell you that psychics and ghosts don't mix?" she retorted. "And don't start on Hoopa and Lunala: they do not count. Legendaries don't follow the usual rules."

Oak chuckled. "Brandon still wanting to have you redo the rules on using legendaries in conferences?" he asked, grinning at the Battle Frontier and everyone refusing to let them compete.

"We BANNED legendaries before the Cipher War: that is not going to change." Agatha spat. "I came here for a reason, husband."

He lost all humor, Ivysaur fleeing outside as the tension racketed. "What is it?" he asked.

"A week ago, my ghosts detected a massive psychic pulse coming from Viridian." Agatha said, her Gengar coming out of her shadow to hand her a paper report on the incident, which she handed to Samuel. "And guess where Ash was last week?"

"Viridian. He destroyed Giovanni's gym." he said. "The second time he's done that." Both were excusable: Blaine and Giovanni needed to renovate a LONG time ago and at that point, it was just cheaper to demo the buildings and be done with it, replacing them with newer, modern gyms.

"You're missing the point," his wife admonished. "He was there! Giovanni was hiding something at that gym and Ash has most likely UNLEASHED whatever the hell he was keeping there!"

"As if Ash would willingly do something like that." Samuel said, growing annoyed at the accusation, misplaced as it was.

"I never said he did it WILLINGLY. Only that he has," she said, annoyed at his misunderstanding. "Lance has requested we look into it. And Ash to help put this genie of his back in the bottle."

A knock at the front door got their attention, even as Dragonite returned for the by-now daily beatin-er, training sessions. "Oh, good." the old woman said before heading for the door, her husband snorting in amusement. "What?"

"Just that you hold the pretence of being an old woman when… well… Giratina DID grant you his blessings." Samuel said.

"I AM an old woman. Just because I don't NEED the cane doesn't mean I won't use it." she said. Both of them had gained the notice of the gods that ruled their universe: Agatha had Giratina's blessing, Samuel had Celebi's. It wasn't completely unheard of: Blaine gained the blessings of a Moltres.

They were not immune to age, but they could ignore some of its effects.

She reached the door, opening it and expecting to just grab Ash and leave.

"Uh… hi?" said the black-haired young man that had been seen hanging around Ash.

"Ah… hello," the old woman said. "And… you are?"

"Um… Kyoji Akamura, ma'am," He bowed. "I… I'm looking for a Professor Oak, is he here?"

"He is. Is there a reason you want to talk to my husband?" Agatha asked, making the young man look at her in confusion.

"I, uh… Ok, screw it." Kyoji said. "Yellow and Red keep dragging Ash away any time their mother tries to tell him about their dad. I want to know why they keep doing that."

Ah. That. Well, that was something no member of the Ketchum family wanted to tell their third-eldest.

"It is… complicated," Agatha said, turning around and walking back inside. Kyoji stayed at the door, confused. "Don't stand there like a fool. Come in," The young man jumped and rushed in, closing the door and following her into the lab.

"Has Ash said anything about his father?" she asked him, using her cane to help her go further into the building.

"Well, originally he thought his father was Geovanni." Kyoji said, as Agatha looked at him as if he had grown a second head. "Yeah, he only just recently learned that he's his uncle… it was awkward. Aside from that though, well... he told me about some nightmare. Fire, mostly."

"That first part was disgusting, but… yeah, should've seen that coming," She shrugged, "The rest… I'm not surprised. Yellow was only a baby when it happened, but Red and Belladonna remember all too well." Agatha led him to the rear of the building, where her husband was waiting.

"Ah, Ash's new friend." Samuel said before Monferno was plastered to the side of the building. "...As I was saying, it's good to see Ash make a friend of his own gender."

Kyoji chuckled in cruel amusement. "Yeah, he tends to make ladies fall for him." he said. "But seriously. I want to know who Ash's dad was. He doesn't seem to know and every time we ask Mrs. Ketchum, Red and Yellow keep preventing it. Even his older sister's getting in on it."

The protectiveness of the Ketchum siblings to their brother was legendary. Then again…

"I may as well tell you what happened." the professor said, opening a drawer and withdrawing a weathered, aging photo of a black haired man with hints of gray on his temples, his hair sticking out to the sides of his head, making it almost look like a bird. His outfit was… flamboyant, to say the least, reminding him of a nobleman.

"He never did learn to stop making bets," Agatha said, respecting the man in question. "Would that he lived longer to annoy us all."

"Who WAS he?" Kyoji asked, stressing the question, making the couple sigh.

"Grimsley Ketchum." Samuel answered. "Formerly of the Unovan Elite Four and only formally due to his passing. They still haven't replaced him out of respect."

"More like Alder's just a lazy womanizing bastard." Agatha said, voicing her opinion of the Unovan League Champion. "Too busy chasing tail to get his Elites back to parity."

"He's the son of TWO Elite Four members?" Kyoji yelled, starting to pace the lab. "That explains a lot."

"Not really. Ash's talent isn't the result of genetics. It doesn't work that way." the professor said. "But I suspect you're more interested in why Ash has nightmares of fire when his father is involved."

"No kidding." the young man muttered, even as the professor sighed. Retelling this story sucked.

"It was eight years ago…"

Pallet Town - Oak Ranch - 8 years prior

Samuel Oak awoke to the sounds of a crying bat in his window, making him nearly fall out of bed as he saw a blue eyeless bat continuously screaming at the window.

"I should never have given that girl that damn Zubat…" he muttered as he got out of bed, dressing himself as quickly as he could, otherwise Zubat would've broken the window. Again.

He left his bedroom, slipping on his comfortable shoes and barely getting his lab coat on before the door opened, revealing the black haired Belladonna Ketchum, her hair tied up in a sort of top-knot today. 'Always a different ponytail, every day.' Oak thought as she noticed him.

"Good morning, Professor!" she said, happy to be in the lab as always. "Sorry about Zubat: he's excited."

"He's ALWAYS excited." Oak deadpanned, even as the bat in question landed on her head. "I take it you know what's going to happen today."

"Yup. Dad's coming home!" she replied, before scowling. "Too bad he can't stay all the time. Stupid Unova."

"Belladonna, you know better," said her mother as she entered the lab, her eldest son rushing in after her, tackling Belladonna to the ground. "He should be here soon, so what's taking him?"

A roar answered her question as a Hydreigon flew past the Ranch, Delia almost reached for a weapon that wasn't there before sighing. "WHY did he get a Hydreigon… he KNOWS I hate Hydreigon…" Delia muttered as Belladonna and Ash ran out into the Ranch grounds, finding the Unovan Brutal Pokemon landing as her rider was tackled off his mount by the two children.

"Daddy!" said the children, making their father laugh as he sat up, smiling.

"Well… I should take my time all the time, shouldn't I?" Grimsley Ketchum said as he rubbed Ash's head.

"It was a happy day." Samuel said, a solemn smile on his face. "Grimsley was taking the off-season to stay with his family. He doted on Ash. That only made it more tragic when it arrived."

Husband and wife watched as Ash ran around with an oversized hat on his head, Belladonna petting Hydreigon and telling the dragon all that happened over the last six months.

"You know, I'm half-tempted to take Ash with me during the next Conference." Grimsley said, his wife giving him a look. "I'm serious, sweetheart: I figured I'd show him where I go every six months."

Delia shook her head. "He's only six. You haven't taken Belladonna." she said, reminding him that he hadn't taken their eldest.

"I know, but I think-" Grimsley said, only to be cut off by screaming as Ash and Belladonna ran away from something in the distance.

That something was a massive, glowing bird with red wigs and a merrygold tail, cawing insanely.

Ho-Oh, the Storm's End. Only this wasn't the local one. This one was a Shadow Pokemon.

The Great Failure of Wes had come. And it was after their children.

"Belladonna was safe. That damn thing wasn't after her." Samuel recalled. "It was only ever after Ash."

Ash kept running, even as his mother ran off to get her Pokemon.

It wanted to kill him. It wanted to strip his bones of their flesh, roast him until he was just a snack for the corrupted bird.

"GET THE HELL AWAY FROM MY SON!" A Dark Pulse slammed into the bird, staggering it and making it look at the source.

Grimsley and Hydreigon, along with Honchkrow, Bisharp, Krookodile and Houndoom, all stared down the bird, who roared at them.

"Hit the damn thing with Dark Pulse!" their trainer commanded, all five of them firing the beams of dark energy at the corrupt Rainbow Pokemon.

Agatha scoffed. "It wasn't enough."

"No. No, it wasn't," Samuel said. "Shadow Legendaries are worse."

CRACK went the back of Krookodile as Ho-Oh continued to peck it with its beak, taking delight in tormenting the Dark-types as life faded from his eyes.

"CAAAAAAW!" cried the bird, even as Houndoom jumped up and sank his fangs into the Ho-oh's neck, attempting to tear the bird's throat out.

There would be no mercy shown, no attempts to capture. Arceus willing, they would rip out the monster's corrupted heart.

Corrupted Sacred Fire radiated from the bird, Houndoom's skin boiling away, even as his teeth sank deep and his body boiled away. He would not give up. He would not give in.

The legacy of his end was a quickly-healing scar.

Hydreigon was batted away, alive but his hide burning from corrupted flame, out of the fight. Bisharp was gone: his metal body no match for the might of a legendary.

Honchkrow swooped in, talons gripping the Legendary's skull before pecking as hard as she could, trying to crack the Rainbow Pokemon's head open before Sacred Fire again erupted from the bird, scales and feathers burning as Honchkrow was shoved off the Shadow Legend's back, landing on the ground with a thud.

Honchkrow defiantly fired a Dark Pulse into its' face, intending to spite it, even as Ho-Oh cawed, gripping the smaller bird's neck in its jaws.

Grimsley fired at the bird with his pistol, trying to save his Pokemon from the Shadow Legendary, but the bullets did nothing but anger it before it broke Honchkrow's neck and looked around, finding Ash still trying to run away, only to fall. "Ash!" his father called before tossing his useless handgun away, rushing over to his son as Ho-Oh took to the air, cawing in victory.

Grimsley jumped on top of Ash just as Ho-Oh used Sacred Fire, his father screaming as he caught fire.

"...so… Ash's father died trying to save Ash?" Kyoji asked for clarification.

"He did. Disgustingly ironic that Grimsley was reduced to ash protecting him." Samuel said, uncorking a decanter filled with Orrean brandy, pouring himself a small glass. He never liked remembering this. Agatha disapproved...but she wasn't there. She didn't see the burns and how Ash screamed. "It took something worse than a Shadow Legendary to take down that abomination."

"What's worse than a Shadow Ho-Oh?" Kyoji asked incredulously.

"A very pissed off mother." the professor answered.

The great failure of Wes cawed as the father turned to ash and the son burned, screaming.

"You." said a cold, angry voice as a rock smashed into the bird's face, breaking the beak and forcing it to look at the source.

Delia Ketchum and her Pokemon glared at the bird, her Goodra and Xatu charging Psybeam and Draco Meteor while Mr. Mime put up barrier after barrier. "Now you die."

"...so wait…" Kyoji raised a finger. "Was… Ho-oh going specifically for Ash, or was Ash just another target for prey?"

"If that thing was after food, it would have gone for Belladonna. It was after Ash." Agatha stated. "This is not the first time a Legendary turned into a Shadow Pokemon attacked someone that turned out to be important."

"...Like?"

"Must I spell it out, child?" Agatha asked. "My husband and I were nearly killed by the same damn bird during the Cipher War!"

"...but why Ash though?" Kyoji mused, before he blinked. "...wait…" He glanced at them. "...this may sound very weird, but… did Ash ever tell you about his...umm… 'past situation'?"

Oak leaned back a bit, while Agatha looked perplexed. "He mentioned it," He informed, "I know that part of his mind is from an alternate future… but he never got into details… why?"

Kyoji sighed "Okay… from what he's told me, this other reality he's from was a hell lot more peaceful than here," He said, "Shadows never became a major issues, Team Rocket was more of a joke… but more importantly, he told me that during an incident at the Orange Isles, he learned that he's apparently this… Chosen One? At first, he thought it was just to help keep Lugia safe when some jackass was trying to steal Moltres, Zapdos and Articuno - bringing the whole area out of balance, but… he then told me about all the other crazy things like traveling through time, preventing Palkia and Dialga from killing each other once… that's lead him - and me - to believe that… he might be the Chosen One of Arceus herself."

Agatha sighed. "That explains Giratina being pissy." she said.

"Not to mention, according to Ash, he's literally died several times in that old timeline," Kyoji continued, "Death is Giratina's domain… He's nearly drowning once, an incident with the Unown, dealing with Jirachi, literally saving Arceus once, getting sent up to the stratosphere, this whole time-travel stunt with Celebi, and one time when he was literally turned to stone by something called Mewtwo."

"...Mewtwo?" Agatha perked up a bit. "What's that?"

"Oh, apparently he was Ash's first… 'big bad' I guess you could call him," Kyoji said, "From what he told me, he learned Mewtwo was a clone of the original Mew made by Team Rocket - only augmented with superior psychic abilities, making him arguably the strongest Psychic-type Pokemon to ever exist… according to Ash, at least."

"Arceus." the married old couple said.

"Yeah, Arceus doesn't count: Arceus is literally GOD." Kyoji said. "NOTHING is better then the literal creator of the universe! But the difference between Arceus and Mewtwo - is that Mewtwo isn't bound by whatever laws or physics that keep her from casually strolling into Earth and dealing with the Shadows herself. Mewtwo is a man-made Pokemon that can pretty much do whatever he wants… according to Ash, he tried to wipe out humanity in his original timeline… no idea if he's still around, but given Ash's track record so far, I'd be inclined to believe he is."

"And it was at Giovanni's gym. Which Ash destroyed." Samuel said, sighing. "Oh, hell."

"Maybe Mewtwo will feel thankful this time and not want to murder everything in the world?" Kyoji said as the door opened.

"Oh, Agatha." came the voice of Delia Ketchum as she entered the lab. "I wasn't aware you were here."

"I was just leaving." Agatha looked at her husband, rushed over to give him a kiss on the cheek and phased into her own shadow, leaving the lab.

"Ah, Mrs. Ketchum." Kyoji nodded, "I was just talking to them about…" He hesitated for a moment… but decided it was a terrible idea to lie to Delia. "…asking them about Ash's past and about his father,"

"Oh?" Delia said, tilting her head, even as she looked sorrowful for a moment. "I see… why didn't you ask me?"

"I… had assumed whatever happened might have brought you bad memories," Kyoji said, scratching his head sheepishly. "Also, your children, Red and Yellow at least, seem to always get Ash away whenever his father is brought up, so I figured asking someone else would be best… sorry if it looks like I'm trying to be underhanded, just…" he sighed, shrugged. "I'm trying to help this guy with his lady problems."

Delia sighed. "They have good hearts." she said, looking out at the town through a window. "I mean, who wants to remember getting third-degree burns? He nearly DIED that day."

"Wouldn't be the first time…" Kyoji muttered.

"Excuse me, what?" Delia asked, looking at him with far more curiosity now.

"…she didn't know did she?" Kyoji glanced at Oak, who gulped.

"…never got around to it…" he muttered.

"…around to what, Samuel?" Delia asked, slowly beginning to glare at the two.

"Long story short!" Kyoji exclaimed quickly. "You're son's a reincarnation of his past-self from a universe that was destroyed by a psychotic prick named Cyrus, and he's nearly died, and actually died multiple times in that universe!"

Delia blinked in surprise. "…I'm not sure if you're lying or not, because you seem to actually believe it." she said.

"Just ask Surge and Erika." the professor said.

"The incompetent flower girl and the old soldier that refuses to retire?" Ash's mother deadpanned.

"Also, remember how Ash has like… tons of Pokemon that just randomly show up to him?" Kyoji asked, "Despite being from totally different regions? They were all his pokemon at one point - having reincarnated with him. How else would you explain Pokemon from as far away as Alola traveling all this way to be with him? And Ash acting as if he's known them for years?"

"Actually, it's mental displacement, not reincarnation." All three of them looked to the second-floor stairwell, finding Sabrina walking down. "Morning, gramma."

"Morning, honey!" Delia smiled at the Psychic teen, while Kyoji tensed seeing Sabrina, immediately going to mental-block mode.

"H-Hey Sabrina!" He greeted - keeping his mind as blank and focused as possible. "I umm… a-assumed both were sorta the same thing,"

"In a way," Sabrina shrugged, "Though remember, none of them actually died in their timeline according to Ash - reincarnation would imply that they had died, to be brought back later as an entirely different person."

"Trust Sabrina to be the expert in mental gymnastics, as usual." Samuel said, finishing his drink. "I presume this is a 'gift' from that parasite?"

"Knowledge was left behind. I just had to mature to unlock it." the greenette said before looking at her pseudo-grandmother. "...That explains why you're not pissed off. You still have that thing's head."

"It took my husband and traumatized my son." Delia said, smiling. "I figure I deserved some revenge."

"…you still have the Ho-Oh's head?" Kyoji blinked, his jaw dropping a bit.

"In my private study - don't let the kids in there," she smirked.

"…that is both terrifying and awesome," Kyoji muttered.

"Thank you," Delia smiled "So… what's this about you helping my son with his… lady problem though? Assuming you are telling the truth, since you seem like such a good young man…"

Kyoji blushed slightly "Well… it's obvious that Misty, Anabel, Janine, Serena and potentially Iris… really like Ash, right?"

"Oh very much," Delia nodded with a giggle, "They don't exactly hide it… he's certainly picked up his father's charm, that's for certain..."

"…I was born in the wrong fucking family…" Kyoji muttered to himself, before speaking up. "A-Anyways, Ash is also aware of this… but he's got this weird celibacy thing going… at first, it was like what I said at the Gym - he didn't want to pass Giovanni's genes since he assumed… yeah you already know what. But now he's got it in his head that they can do better than him, that he's not worthy of it, he doesn't want them to be in danger… all of which are, to be frank, bullshit excuses."

"He has always had self-esteem issues." the mother said. "I honestly blame the Ho-Oh for it."

"So… I've made it my personal mission - with Arceus's blessings - that I be your son's wingman, whether he likes it or not." Kyoji stated, "I am gonna get him his harem, one way or another.".

"Well, you have my blessings to help him. But be warned…" Delia said, happy tone turning to something more akin to something spawned by Giratina's imagination. "If you screw this up and drive him insane, my Pokemon WILL end you. They killed a demigod. A human is nothing."

"…*gulp* I… do not doubt that for a second, ma'am." Kyoji nodded, sweating bullets. "That… is exactly why I am proceeding with extreme caution and getting as much information and help as I can… this man clearly deserves the love, I just need to find a way to help him accept it without emotionally breaking him…"

Delia's threatening aura vanished as quickly as it came. "Slow and steady wins the race." she said, suddenly sunshine and rainbows again.

A bellow got their attention as Samuel braced. "Dragonite enjoys this too much." he said, anticipating another aerial war between the flying-types Ash had and his second Pokemon.

Instead, it flew over the ranch. Heading for the Ketchum residence.

"…The fuck?" Kyoji asked.

Ash sighed as he was dragged outside again by Yellow. Every time he was one step closer to learning what happened and his younger siblings, bless them, dragged him away to do something else.

In this case, helping Red and Cyndaquil learn ember.

"Pika." 'Why not get Charizard for this?" Pikachu asked, but Ash just gave in.

"Red wants to be a Pokemon Trainer and I think Cyndaquil's going to be his starter." Ash said. "Might as well teach him what he needs to know, give him a head start."

Pikachu didn't have a chance to interject as a gust of wind blew over them, followed by a Dragonite slowly making his way down.

...There was no way. Not again. NOT AGAIN.

The dragonite landed, smiling before reaching into a bag on his side and handing him a card of some kind, then flying off.

It was the same thing as last time: a holographic projector with a prerecorded message. Ash only knew the basics thanks to that Mirage Pokemon nonsense (During the time Anabel was in recovery, Ash sent Garchomp, then-Gabite, to make sure Yung's equipment...vanished) but that didn't matter.

He flicked it on, displaying a young woman that Ash knew was a Nurse Joy. "Greetings, trainer. This message comes from my master, the greatest Pokemon Master in the world." it said. "You are cordially invited to a gathering at New Island. My Master awaits you this evening."

Ash scowled. Mewtwo. He didn't know when Giovanni lost control last time, but Gary wasn't at the gym this time, so he didn't have a basis.

It didn't matter: this was his problem. He would deal with it, just as Arceus decreed he would deal with ALL the problems. Sometimes he hated being the Creator's gofer.

"Ash! Ash!" Ash turned as he spotted Kyoji, Oak, Sabrina and his mom running towards him. "Hey, what's up with the Dragonite?"

"Dra!" The Dragonite waved at Sabrina, and Ash was surprised when he pulled out another note - handing it to her.

Sabrina blinked, as another letter was given to her as well - emitting the same message. "I… guess I'm invited to this… too?"

Ash didn't answer. He had to deal with Mewtwo.

"...I guess it makes sense for you," Kyoji shrugged, "You are a Gym Leader, and only like three rungs down from Giovanni's ranking."

"...you'd think I would have gotten a letter from this… greatest pokemon trainer before…" Sabrina began, before she blinked. "Wait, no, I wouldn't… almost no one was dumb enough to come to my Gym until recently…"

"Gee I wonder why-" Kyokji started, but Ash was already gone. "Oh, COME ON!"

Natu was napping. Natus did sleep, they just did it with their eyes open. Mostly to creep out humans.

"Natu, are you awake?" Natu made a 'natu' yawn before her eyes focused on her trainer, who picked her up and plopped her on his head.

"Natu?" 'What is it?' Natu asked.

"I need you, Krokorok, Charizard, Pidgeot and Riolu. We're going to Fushcia." Ash said as Pikachu ran off, getting the Pokemon in question.

"Natu…?" 'What about the others?' she asked, confused.

"This is an emergency: life-or-death, end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it." he said. "I don't want to risk them getting caught up in this."

Natu sighed. Her trainer wanted to protect them from himself, not realizing they would just go after him anyways. It was sweet. Stupid, but sweet.

"Natu." 'So, who are we saving the world from today?' the bird asked.

"Mewtwo. Basically some clone of Mew." Ash answered as the Pokemon he wanted were led back to the lab. "I don't know the details. I just know he wants to kill everything and replace them with 'superior' clones of Pokemon. He doesn't like people."

"...Na-tu." 'Genocidal madmen and 'mon seem to be a common thing with you,' said the bird as Charizard arrived.

"Char?" 'What is it, Ash?' ashed Ash's Kanto powerhouse, even as he avoided looking at Sceptile.

"Mewtwo." Ash answered. "And we're going to stop him before he starts."

Charizard blinked… as he remembers his battle with the Clone Charizard… how he was so defiant to his brother, and how he was curbstomped…

…Charizard grinned. "Zard." 'Rematch time!'

Kyoji and Sabrina got to the lab, only to find him teleporting off with Natu.

"Oh, Serena is going to kill me." the Ranseian bemoaned.

"No, she won't." Sabrina deadpanned. "Maim you, maybe. She's too scared of the idea that if she kills you, she'll drive Ash further away then he already is."

"...then we best find her and the others, and get moving to Viridian!" Kyoji said, as he summoned his Natu.

"Natu."

"Teleport us to Ash's Girlfriends - we need to get moving!"

"Natu." The bird nodded, before looking at the two… and eye-smiled as it landed on Sabrina's head. "Natu~!" 'You like him, don't you?' Sabrina could hear Natu ask.

Sabrina blushed slightly '...he's cute, nice and respects personal space…' She replied. 'C-can we get going please?'

"Natu." 'Gottcha - he needs a Girlfriend or two about as much as Ash does,' It said, as its eye began to glow - and the two teleported away.

It took a few minutes to gather everyone back to the Ketchum residence. More time then Sabrina would like.

"Okay, Serena?" Kyoji said cautiously, "I want you to assure me that when I tell you this - please keep in mind I am telling you this to help Ash, alright? I want to keep you and all the other girls in-the-loop for his sake, alright?"

Serena raised her brow, but nodded. "Proceed…" she said, as she slowly began pulling out a knife.

"Okay…" Kyoji took a deep breath. "So… a Dragonite showed up, and gave Ash this holographic message, telling him that he's been invited by the 'greatest pokemon trainer', and he suddenly got really really weird, and before we could stop him he went and ran off with a good number of his Pokemon."

Sabrina was ready for Serena's outrage. She was the most volatile due to her fractured psyche, after all.

Instead, the outburst came from Iris and Misty, who got up and grabbed the shinobi by the collar.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, HE JUST RAN OFF?!" Both girls yelled before they looked at each other in shock.

"HE TELEPORTED AWAY WITH HIS NATU!" Kyoji screamed as he was choked by the girls. "HE… WAS TOO… FAST…" His face started turning purple.

"Ladies," Sabrina said, deciding to save her… possible boyfriend? …from her eventual mothers-in-law. "Ash is attempting to protect you from something he considers his own fault. Team Rocket made a Pokemon called Mewtwo and I suspect during his battle with Giovanni, he unleashed it into the world. He's trying to protect you."

"Aw, that's sweet." Serena said. "I mean, I'm not happy he just left without saying anything and I'm going to make sure I… reward him for showing us that he cares but shouldn't leave us behind later, but it's sweet."

"…how are we supposed to get to him though?" Iris asked.

"Relax, he forgot Sabrina got a message too," Kyoji smirked glancing at Sabrina… who was standing a long distance away from Anabel. "…oh right. But anyways, we know where he's going… and he's forgotten that…" he pulled out a Pokeball.

"Natu."

"…he's not the only one with a green psychic bird." He grinned. "Gather around everyone - we're going back to New Island!"

Fuschia City - 0736 hours local time

Fuchsia's small port was close enough to New Island to mock everyone that got the invite, but far enough that the sudden freak storm kept them from getting there by boat, and it was bad enough that even Ash was taking shelter in the Pokemon Center.

Only briefly: he had an idea.

"Please, for the love of Arceus, calm down!" yelled a lady with blue hair, though she was unrelated to the Jenny that keeping a hand on her still holstered sidearm. "There is no way anyone's going to get to that island you're all clamouring to get to in this weather!"

"That's not going to stop us!" cried some guy in a muscle shirt Ash barely remembered being there. "We'll brave the storm!"

"You will DIE out there! It'll take a miracle just to stand your ground out there!" the Jenny cried. "We've been trying to use Sunny Day for almost an hour: NOTHING HAPPENS!"

"I'll get there by sea." said a girl with brown hair and a pokeball necklace hanging from her neck. "Dewgong can handle this and I deep-dive with her all the time."

"Well, I'm flying." said a somewhat older teen boy with green hair. "Pidgeot can handle this storm like it wasn't there!"

The harbormaster looked at Ash. "What about you?" she asked. "Does the Crown Prince of Rota have anything to say about this storm?"

Ash's eye twitched, even as he looked at Pikachu. "Ok, one: I never asked for that title. If I could get rid of it, I would." he said, reaching for Pidgeot's Pokeball and unclipping it. "Two...I'll see you on the island." With that, Ash exited the PMC and opened the ball, letting Pidgeot out.

"Are you fucking kidding me?!" the Jenny yelled over the wind, keeping the doors from automatically closing. "You won't make it!" Ash pulled out his Key Stone, sighing at the idea that he needed this stupid gimmick.

"I'll make it." he said before tapping it, Pidgeot starting to glow as Mega Evolution kicked in, her flume growing and changing along with her wings, before the glow vanished, revealing a Pidgeot with blue-tipped wing feathers and pink and blue tail feathers.

"Oh, come the hell on!" said the greenette - Corey, that was his name - as he looked at the Mega Pidgeot. "You have a Mega Stone AND a Key Stone?!"

"And I don't like using them!" Ash yelled back before climbing on Pidgeot's back. "Mega Evolution's a goddamn crutch! It's what Pokemon can do without it that matters!"

"Yeah, but it really helps when they're in a pinch, doesn't it?!" Corey shouted. Ash simply sighed as he nudged Pidgeot.

"Come on, let's go." He said, as Pidgeot nodded, taking to the skies… and as she flew forward, made a loud BOOM as she broke the sound barrier.

Moments after doing so, blinking into existence were seven women and a man - with a Natu that let out a loud yawn as it nestled on one of the girls heads.

"Awww… he's all tuckered out…" the green-haired girl muttered, petting the Natu that nestled into her hair like a nest.

"...I don't know if I want to recall him or leave him there…" the black-haired man muttered, "He looks so happy there…"

"Yes that's cute - but we have other things to worry about!" The blonde-haired girl exclaimed, before looking at the gathered people. "Did anyone see a black haired guy about our age pass by here?"

"Huh? You mean the prince?" Corey asked, pointing forward. "He just left! We were about to head out for New Island ourselves!"

"Okedokey, time to hoof it then!" The guy said, reaching for his Pokeballs. "Sorry buddy, you can cuddle with Sabrina later,"

"Naaa…" Natu pouted, but relented as he allowed himself to be returned. Kyoji glanced at Anabel. "Can your Natu track Ash's Natu to New Island? And if so, can he teleport us there?"

"Ash isn't not there yet, but once he gets there, Natu can lock on and teleport." Anabel said, barely getting heard over the storm. "Unless you would like to teleport over the ocean in the next hour or so…"

"...yeah, bad idea…" Kyoji nodded, "So, the question is… do you girls wanna wait, or try and use whatever flying and water types we've got to fly and/or swim there?"

Misty wordlessly let out Gyarados and hopped on before the sea serpent jumped into the ocean, much to Serena's displeasure.

"...FUCKING WHORE!" Serena screamed, having to be held back by Sabrina's psychic might. "I WILL FLAY THAT DAMN THING ALIVE, YOU-"

"What's her problem with Gyarados?" Iris asked over the storm, even as the other trainers departed for the island.

"Shadow Gyarados infestation off the Kalosian coast kept her from visiting Ash for over two years." Anabel answered, even as the Kalosian girl continued raging. "She...took it personally. And made that torque bow specifically to kill Gyarados."

That explained a lot.

Above the Sea of Kanto - 0840 hours local time

Ash did not mind the wet, the cold or the wind. Not even when they were combined.

Ash was a forgiving guy. He let Paul go until the Sinnoh League, he dealt with Trip being a complete asshole, he even let Team Rocket off more then he should have.

But he had a problem with DYING. And seeing as Mewtwo and his progenitor killed him...he was not adverse to paying back the favor. He would exhaust every option to end this without bloodshed, but if it was Mewtwo or the world, Mewtwo would die first.

"Geot!" 'Mach 3 is awesome!' Pidgeot called, looking back at Ash as she navigated around thunderclouds. "Pi?" 'You sure Mega Evolution is a gimmick, Ash? Because this is GREAT!'

Ash opened his mouth, only to lose the air in his lungs. Mach 3 was not a good thing to the human body, even with Pidgeot forcing the air around her to make a shield for her trainer to survive.

"Pidgeot!" 'Oh, damn it. You can't talk at these speeds,' said Pidgeot as she slowed down, New Island entering sight, allowing her to slow down. "Geot?" 'You were saying, though?'

Ash took a deep breath. "It's a gimmick!" he yelled over the storm. "I beat a bunch of Mega Evolved Pokemon back in Kalos in some clockwork kingdom! Believe me, unless it's something like THIS, it's not worth it!"

"Pidge!" 'I guess we'll have to agree to disagree, because I LOVE THIS SO DAMN MUCH!' Pidgeon exclaimed, with a brief boost of speed as she came in for the final landing.

New Island's sole building looked like it was carved from coral, which made some sense: the island looked like it was raised from the bottom of the sea, like the Temple. Mewtwo had one hell of an ego.

'Oh, look at me: I can raise an island from the sea with my psychic might!' Ash sarcastically thought as Pidgeot landed just outside the doors leading to the hall where the trainers would meet the overpowered-and-in-severe-need-of-humility being known as Mewtwo.

The doors opened just a crack, allowing the mind-controlled Nurse Joy to exit, her normally bright blue eyes a glossy purple. Even here, Mewtwo's ego knew no bounds: that was a sign he controlled her.

"My compliments to your arrival," the mind-controlled Nurse Joy said. "Present your invitation, if you would please."

Ash nodded, presenting the invitation for her. "Let's get this over with," He said.

The N.J didn't respond, simply turning away and asked for him to take a seat to await the other trainers.

As Ash sat down, he let out a sigh of relief. It was just him now - no Misty, no Brock… none of that 'harem' following him around… he could fight MewTwo and not have to-

*SLAM*

"ASH-FUCKING-KETCHUM!"

Well. He could say he didn't see that coming. (WHACK!)

Ash grabbed his nose, making sure it wasn't broken from the punch to the face he had received from Kyoji. How did he even get to the damn island, AND before him? Mach three was no mere number: Pidgeot crossed oceans at that speed within a matter of minutes.

"Natu." 'No one expects the psychic parrot,' said a male bird as Ash opened his eyes, seeing… everyone he left back in Pallet, sans Misty.

"If you're wondering about Misty, she's using her Gyarados to get over here." Kyoji said before hauling Ash to his feet. "You really are a selfish, selfless bastard."

"Did you have to punch me?" Ash asked, even as Kyoji scowled at him. "And why did you bring them here?! I left you guys back in Pallet because it's safer there!"

"Mewtwo is trying to flood the earth according to Sabrina," Kyoji deadpanned, "I don't exactly consider that to be 'safe'. Also, they would've come running with or without me… and I feel I was justified to punch you for trying to solo this bullshit - you know, the very thing WE WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER?!"

"I know that! But...I didn't want you guys to get hurt. The further you are from Mewtwo, the better." Ash said. "Can you blame me for wanting to make SURE you were all safe?"

"Sweet thought, really, I'm touched. But this is not happening again." Kyoji said. "You're stuck with us no matter what. You get me?"

"Do I have to say 'sir?'" Ash snarked, Kyoji smirking.

"No...but once this is over, you owe one of those girls a date. A REAL date." Ash could have wept. He had no idea how a date was supposed to go! And those soap operas were not good reference material.

…If Ash had to suffer…

"Fine, but I'm making it a double date." Ash said, grinning sadistically. "And your date's going to be Sabrina."

Kyoji blanched at that, as Sabrina coughed a bit. "You… do not get to make that choice for her,"

"And you can for me?"

"Because those girls love you, and I know the way you feel about them." Kyoji said, "If Sabrina doesn't want to go, she doesn't have to go."

"Then you ask her when this is all over." Ash retorted. "If we're still alive for it."

"Fine, she's gonna say no anyways!" Kyoji exclaimed, "She knows what goes on in my head!" He then pointed at Ash. "And you can't pull dad authority to tell her to say 'sure'!"

"I don't tell Sabrina to do anything she doesn't want to." Ash said before letting out all of his Pokemon, Pikachu leaping off and heading to Serena. "She still scares the shit out of me."

"...How does-"

"Let's say it involved dolls." Ash cut off.

Off the coast of New Island - 0845 Hours Local Time

Magikarp swam in the waters surrounding New Island. One was massive.

It was also not a real Magikarp.

"The only thing we're missing…" Jessie growled out as she pedalled along with her teammates towards the island Ash was on. "Is the damn theme for Das Boot!"

Ironically, we're listening to that as we write this scene.

"Cheating bastard!" Meowth snapped.

This is literally the only Team Rocket vehicle I legit would want to own - let us have this.

"And you dropped something." James said as he pedalled.

Like what?

"The fact WE WERE THERE when Ash's dad got torched?!" Jessie snapped at the authors.

We've been dropping hints of that since the fic started. If the readers couldn't figure it out before now…

"Very funny," the Trio deadpanned. "Shouldn't you kick off the flashback?"

Shouldn't you be watching out for the rocks?

"Rocks?" Jessie peaked through the periscope, and groaned. "…why do you do this to us?"

We can be very vengeful gods when we want to. Plus, the readers like watching you suffer.

"Son of a bitch…" Meowth said as the sub impacted an outcropping of coral.

Do try to salvage the sub later. You're going to need it, seeing as you don't have the bullshit mecha resources anymore.

"Why do you hate mechas?!" James cried as the inside began to fill with water.

Because the gimmick got very old, very fast. Plus, this is a story about hyper-intelligent, borderline magic animals - not Mobile Suit Gundam. We have stories for that.

"Cut the scene, CUT THE SCENE!" the Trio cried as they attempted to escape.

New Island 'cathedral' - 0920 Hours Local Time

Ash and Pikachu wished they could cover their ears as Serena glomped him, giving him a hug before loosening her embrace… then pressing her lips to his, kissing him.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Iris scowling at Serena. It had been less than a month: HOW had she gotten to the point she was at when they got to Mistralton in less time?!

Serena let him go, smiling happily. "THANK YOU!" she cried. "There are so many things I want to do, but…" she paused, collecting herself and keeping her 'voices' in the back of her head. "I want our first date to be special."

"Well, there are a lot of places we haven't been…" Ash said nervously. And a lot of places that he either didn't want to go to or simply didn't exist in this timeline. Neon Town? Not there in this timeline: that desert didn't even exist. That mountain where he spent a night with his Pokemon in subzero weather? FUCK that.

"Where do you want to go? As long as you make an effort, it'll be ok." Serena said, almost...normal by Ash's standards. As in 'past timeline'.

"Well… I need to-" Ash began to say, before the doors slammed open once more as Misty - now covered in water - finally barged in.

"…as I was going to say before you left," Kyoji said. "We only had to wait a little and ya could've avoided the hassle, Misty…"

"Wasn't… waiting…" Misty panted.

Saved by the morning mist. The look Kyoji sent him, however, meant he was not free and Serena was still holding onto him. A fact Misty did not like.

"What are you doing?" she asked hotly as she walked over to the pair, Serena holding on tight.

"Ash is going to take me out on a date after this." she said matter of factly, reminding him of that 'Mirror Serena' in Kalos. At least she wasn't wearing a short shirt and even shorter skirt.

"Excuse me?" she demanded. "He's not taking you out," Ash coughed, getting her attention.

"Uh… I have to." he said, shrugging. "Kinda the only thing keeping Kyoji over there from punching my face in for leaving you behind," Could they blame him? He was here last time and they nearly died. He DID die.

"Ash, while I know you're just trying to keep us safe, given, you know…" Misty said, twirling a finger in the air to represent her psychic fragment. "Leaving us behind was the wrong thing to do. Sweet, given you're trying to protect us, but wrong."

"That doesn't change that he's taking me out. We just need to figure out where," Serena said, her voice taking on a more… lustful tone.

Ash gulped as Serena's more… seductive persona worked its way out. "How… how about, ummm…" he racked his brain - thinking of a place. Alola would be ideal, but that was way too far… Ransei sounded nice, but he was afraid that might get Kyoji in trouble… but a lightbulb appeared over his head as he snapped his fingers. "How does Pewter City Museum sound?"

Serena blinked, processing this. "Pewter… That's near the Kanto/Rota border, isn't it?" she asked, getting a nod from Ash, who wanted to be as far from Rota as possible. Regi Golems, killer tree and all that. "Sure. Maybe Misty would like to join us?" Serena batted her eyes at Misty, making her blush and back away.

There was just something in her voice… 'NO, Ketchum,' he thought. 'Cyrus first, loins long after the son of a bitch's corpse is worm bait.'

"One minute, you want to kill me, the next, you want to...There is something WRONG with you." Misty said, backing away, blush on her face.

"Don't I know it." Ash muttered, knowing while he had problems, Serena was just as bad, if not worse. And part of her was a pervert as bad, if not worse then, Alder.

The doors opened once more, allowing the man in the muscle shirt to enter, who then noticed the people in the hall, his expression that of confusion and indignation that so many people beat him here before seeing Misty.

Who was wet, and her top not only clung to her form, it made it somewhat translucent, meaning he could see what she was wearing under it.

"Hehe. Nice." he muttered before getting glared at by Kyoji. Which was nothing compared to what Ash did.

He got out of Serena's far too welcoming embrace, the girl complaining before Ash balled his right hand into a fist, reared it back and aimed specifically for the face. He never saw it coming as his nose broke, falling on his ass as blood poured out of his nose.

"Ow!" he said, his hand turning red and slick with his own blood as he tried to stem the flow. "Da fuck was that for?!"

"Being a pervert, for one." Ash all but growled.

"So? She's not your girlfriend, Princy!" the guy spat as he cracked his nose back into place. "She's single as far as I'm aware, and you had that Kalosian hottie all over you!"

Misty walked over, the idiot's eyes all over her, Ash growling to make him learn to keep his eyes to himself. "And who are you?" she asked, muscle man getting up.

"Fergus Umio, water Pokemon expert at your service!" introduced the man, even as blood streamed from his nose once more.

"Well, Fergus…" Misty said before grabbing Ash's arm, dragging him over to him before putting her lips to his, much to his shock, making the water trainer gape at the girl kissing Ash.

'I so want to relax, to give in…' Ash thought, only to snap out of it. 'No!' He was not going to sink to that letch's level!

"Oh, COME ON!" Fergus yelled. "Fucking Rotan nobles and their polygamous bullshit…"

Misty let Ash go, sighing. "Ash deserves this more than you know…" she said, putting her head on his shoulder. "So much more than you know…"

'What, I die five times, almost die over a dozen other times, watch a universe die and suddenly I'm worthy of this?' Ash thought darkly. 'No. just… no.'

"He deserves it more than anyone else here, that's for sure…" Kyoji muttered, "So… how long are we waiting for tall, dark and gruesome to show up?"

"My Master will arrive when all who can make it past the storm are present." the brainwashed Joy answered.

"…Can you make that any more monotonically creepy?" the Ranseian asked.

She didn't answer. Ash was just waiting for Serena to explode, looking at his… unwitting bride-to-be.

To his surprise, Serena was impassive, reminding him far too much of Cyrus. Then her expression turned to a mix of anger and… arousal.

'If I had a choice in the matter, I'd put a restraining order out on her.' Ash thought sadly.

Kyoji moved next to Sabrina "Say uh… I'm no psychic, but… is that lady being mind-controlled?" He asked.

"Oh absolutely," Sabrina nodded, "It's actually painful to watch…"

"…you think you could do something about that without hurting her?" He asked.

"Mewtwo is the most powerful psychic on the planet." Sabrina answered. "Power without skill is pointless. A mindless fool is no match for someone with an adequate level of skill. Just ask dad: that's how he wins most of his battles."

Kyoji looked at her questioningly. "…Did you just insult him?" he asked.

"It's the truth. He uses skill over brute force. It's how Pokemon he caught in the same region could fight on near-equal terms with more powerful ones in his Conference matches." she answered, shrugging. "Charizard could have won him Kalos, Infernape and Sceptile could have won him Unova."

That made sense. Ash seemed to prefer battle dancing to boxing.

"Also… yes." she then added.

"So… should we?" Kyoji gestured towards the woman. "Because… just looking at her being controlled like that… its just sad…"

"No, the double date thing. Yes," she said, making him look at her. "You're a healthy young man: you're bound to have a few less then wholesome fantasies. You think Ash doesn't have the occasional dirty thought about the girls he loves?"

"…Considering the bullshit?" he replied questioningly.

"He wants to do well by them. That doesn't mean he doesn't imagine them in the most alluring outfits or situations you can think of on occasion." the adopted Ketchum replied. "Besides, he has a point: I'm a grown woman, not to mention a powerful psychic. I can take care of myself."

"Um… never said you weren't…" Kyoji muttered, gulping a bit. "Just, umm… f-figured you'd like someone who's more… ya know… strong-willed I guess? Or… I don't know I…" He sat down with a long sigh. "…I am not mentally prepared for this…"

"What? Never had a girlfriend before?" Sabrina chuckled, before she stopped - reading his surface thoughts. "…oh…"

Kyoji bit his lip a bit. "…being the child of a big mafia family isn't what it's cracked up to be…" he nodded, "And then betraying that family, thinking you might make those same people trust you more?" He let out a dry chuckle. "Yeah… turns out, it just makes you look like a back-stabbing prick to all the women in the country…"

"Look, I… made a promise to Arceus to help Ash," He sighed. "I made it clear I'd sacrifice my happiness to help him, because… he's clearly been through worse shit than I have…

"Ash likes to see others happy. Besides…" she said, chuckling nervously. "I've never had a boyfriend…"

The awkward moment got worse when the door opened, with the green-haired man and the brunette girl came in, then saw Sabrina.

"HOLY SHIT!" the greenette yelled, slowly backing away. "SABRINA?!"

"Anyone but her… ANYONE but her!" the brunette yelled before they turned around to run, but the doors slammed shut in their faces before they ran into them, putting them on their asses.

"…I have a terrifying reputation." Sabrina said, shrugging.

"I can imagine." Kyoji deadpanned as the pair got up, shaking their heads before seeing her again.

"We… will stay over here!" The brunette called out - as they sat on the table opposite to her. "Don't… w-we're sorry about last time!"

Sabrina blinked for a moment, looking at her… scanning her mind for a brief second. "Oh riiight." She snapped her fingers, "You tried to challenge my Gym, didn't you? Neesha, was it? "

"I won't go again - I'm sorry!" She pleaded, sinking in her chair in fear.

"Well, it's… closed right now," Sabrina shrugged, "But… yeah, once things get settled, I'm accepting challengers again soon, I just need to help my daddy first."

"I… what?" Neesha blinked, "You're… not gonna screw with my head again, right? Shellshocker's still doing therapy…"

"S-Sorry…" Sabrina bowed her head. "Look… I was a crazy bitch, alright? I am well aware of that, but… I'm getting better thanks to my dad and… other people…" she quickly glanced at Kyoji before focusing back on Neesha.

"Wait… DAD?" asked greeny - 'Corey Soaro.' supplied Sabrina telepathically - looking shocked and confused. "I thought your dad was dead!"

"Well, my actual dad is," Sabrina said before gesturing at Ash. "I adopted him."

Neesha and Corey stared at Ash, then Fergus looked at Sabrina. "HOW?! HOW DID YOU ADOPT THAT CRAZY, HOT GYM LEADER AS YOUR KID?! SHE'S OLDER THAN YOU!"

Sabrina glared at him, Kyoji feeling as though he would be suffering in a minute before a chime sounded.

Ash then let out all of his Pokemon: Charizard, Sceptile, Krokorok, Riolu and Natu joined Pidgeot and Pikachu, ready for war.

The lights in the room darkened - save for a single pillar of light stretching from the roof. "Thank you all." The NJ said. "I'd now like to introduce the world's greatest pokemon trainer - who will now join you."

Down from the light, emerged a form - one Ash was intimately familiar with, remembering those eyes all too well.

"As you can see, my master is not only the world's greatest pokemon trainer," She said as the Genetic Pokemon landed on the ground, his tail flicking on occasion. "He is also the world's greatest pokemon."

"A pokemon can't be a Pokemon trainer!" Fergus called out. "No way!"

"Technically, not true," Kyoji pointed out with a raised index finger. "There isn't a law that outlaws Pokemon from being trainers… it's more there hasn't been one with the capabilities to become one."

"Wait, really? Neesha asked, as Kyoji pulled out a rule book.

"I keep a copy of the rules with me," he shrugged. "You'd be surprised how easy it is to find loopholes in here."

"Indeed," radiated a psychic presence, making Ash scowl. "I am Mewtwo."

Mewtwo. Ash remembered all too well what happened last time he was here.

"My psychic might is equaled by none," Mewtwo said. Ash decided to be an asshole for once.

"Arceus." he stated plainly. The Genetic Pokemon gave him a look. "So you can lift an island out of the sea. Big deal. Arceus created the universe."

"I will deal with the Creator in my own time…" Mewtwo trailed off. "Interesting. I can only read your surface thoughts. Something in my mind won't let me peer deeper."

"Who cares?!" Corey yelled, sending out his Rhyhorn, just like last time. Ash just pinched the bridge of his nose and waited for Mewtwo to just smack it aside, same as before.

He did just as easily. Fergus was next to try with Gyarados and Hyper Beam. Ash wondered if he was the only sane one in the room as Mewtwo deflected the beam.

"Trivial." Both Mewtwo and NJ said, before Mewtwo waved his hand. "I have no more need of you." The Nurse gasped a bit as her eyes returned to normal and began to fall - Kyoji stepping up - sliding forward to catch her.

"Oi, you alright?" He asked.

"I… I think…?" She glanced around. "Where… what…?"

"Long story short - you've been abducted by a psychic pokemon with a stick up his ass," Kyoji said.

"He's a psychic-type, you morons," Ash finally said to Fergus. "A clone of Mew kinda spells it out."

Mewtwo lowered his hand, glancing at Ash. "Indeed. You seem to know what I am," he intoned before tilting his head. "You were there when I was freed… in fact, I dare say you did free me. Perhaps I owe you thanks."

Ash spread his arms, as if to show he wasn't a threat. "Is there any way we can solve this without someone getting hurt more than they already have been?" he asked, slowly approaching the clone of Mew. "I mean, I'd rather talk this over then let it end in violence."

"At one point, I thought I'd work alongside humans," Mewtwo spoke, "But I was disappointed. Humans are a dangerous species, inferior to Pokemon. If cruel, weak humans are allowed to govern this planet, the world is headed to ruin! You have already seen it with these Shadow abominations - abominations created by humans, for no reason other than to enslave us, and manipulate our power!"

"Oh really?" Kyoji deadpanned, helping Nurse Joy to her feet. "And who is ready to lead the world? Pokemon like you?"

"Pokemon are unfit as well," Mewtwo claimed, "After all, they allowed humans to rule in the first place. For some pokemon, the purpose of their lives is to serve humans."

"Pika!" 'It fucking isn't!' Pikachu shouted, jumping off Ash's shoulder. "Pikachu!" 'I'm Ash's partner - we're friends! Sure, there are shitty trainers out there, but don't ball them all up together to represent everyone!'

"You're as pathetic as the rest," Mewtwo rolled his eyes, "Though that's to be expected from an abomination of the shadows like you." He flicked one of his fingers, as Pikachu was sent flying back - though Ash was quick to jump up and catch Pikachu before he hit the ground. "Weak Pokemon nestle under a human's wing."

Ash looked at Mewtwo, glaring. "I was hoping I could get you to be reasonable." he said, voice cracking with anger. "Hoping you could find your own corner of the world to live in. But you know what? You're not getting off THAT lightly."

"Hold - one moment Ash." Kyoji held up a finger, looking at Mewtwo. "Okay, uh, Mewtwo, right? So… allow me to recap your plan… you want to flood the planet with this nasty storm of yours, kill all humans and weak Pokemon, and use your clones to repopulate the world with your ideal pokemon, right?"

"Yes." Mewtwo nodded. "That is my plan, and you can't stop it."

"Oh, I don't have to stop it because its fucking stupid and doomed to fail," Kyoji deadpanned.

Everyone - including Ash and Mewtwo - all recoiled a bit at his bluntness. "E-excuse me?" Mewtwo asked.

"Its stupid, dumb and its going to fail before it can even get off the ground." Kyoji stated, rubbing his forehead. "Let's start with this. Sure you have the ability to flood the world, - sure, great. Good for you, you might even get Kyogre on your side… but Groudon? Fuck, the moment he finds out what you're doing, he is gonna march over here and burn this place to the ground. Land is his domain! And if you flood his domain, he will retaliate! And that's just one Legendary! What about Xerneas? She loves life, she creates life! And you trying to destroy life will surely bring her out to kick your ass! Then the guardian deities of Alola might come in if you try to flood their homes, then their the Tao Trio, the swords of justice, legendary beasts and birds, I doubt any of them will like the idea of their homes being submerged by water!"

"And that's just the regulars!" He continued on with his rant, "Those are just the average legendaries in our world! You may be the strongest psychic-type Pokemon in the world Mewtwo, but you are still an ant compared to the likes of Arceus, Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina! Litteral gods who control creation, space, time and antimatter! They can literaly flick you out of existance - and I know for a fucking fact that they will do something if you decide to go full-on genocide on the world they call home just as much as any other pokemon!"

"You may succeed in killing a lot of humans, and a lot of Pokemon Mewtwo," Kyoji finished up, shaking his head. "But you will never succeed in killing them all - because whether you like it or not, humans and pokemon are connected to this world together, for better or worse," he then crossed his arms. "In fact… you're acting pretty damn human right now. You assume all of humanity is like Team Rocket, Galactic, Plasma, or whatever. But how the hell do you know that? Have you even bothered to explore the world? To look beyond what those criminals bothered to show you? And I don't mean though the eyes of cameras you set up - I mean for you to actually be there, to experience the good, the bad and the ugly in this world. Because if you don't… you're making the same mistake any human can make - to judge something they don't even bother to try and understand."

Mewtwo huffed out his nose, then lifted his arm towards Kyoji, who started glowing. "You talk too much." he spat before tossing him away.

"I REGRET NOTHI-" Kyoji began to shout, before he slammed into a wall, cracking it and knocking the Ranseian out.

Then raw psychic energy slammed into him, forcing him back into the back of the building, right where that field was last time, Ash looking to see Sabrina radiating raw power.

"You are going to regret that, child." Sabrina said, pouring her might into breaking Mewtwo's body.

Mewtwo actually seemed to falter, struggling against Sabrina's psychic abilities. "All power, no skill." she said, hitting at Mewtwo's weak points, bones cracking from psionic attacks getting past his telekinetic barriers. "You recreated the cloning technology from passively scanning those scientists, cloned a bunch of starters, but you needed HER help to give them life." Sabrina gestured at the Joy, who cradled her head. "You're pathetic, Mewtwo. And Arceus will strike you down with all his fury if you even try this stu-"

The Gym Leader was forced back, Mewtwo's raw power shoving Sabrina to the entrance to the gathering hall - but she was able to skid to a halt.

"I am so glad you joined this event, Sabrina…" Mewtwo stated - his power flaring up as the pillars bent around him. "Of all the weak humans… you're the only one who I view as a threat… and I will show you that my power far exceeds your own."

"Power is nothing if you swing it around like a club." Sabrina said, Mewtwo's left eye twitching. He covered his face, grimacing in pain like he was nursing a headache. The reddening of his eye showed otherwise. "Psionics are a scalpel. And if you don't know how to use a scalpel, you're going to hurt yourself more then anyone else."

Ash did not want to get between the war of psychics. The last time he did, he was turned into a rock.

Mewtwo ceased his psychic assault. "It appears we are at an impasse," he 'voiced'. "I have the power to crush you like a lowly insect, but by the time I do, you will have done the same in a more… precise manner. I believe the term is called 'mutually assured destruction'." He healed himself, using Recover if Ash could place a guess.

"So what now?" he asked, Pikachu climbing back up to his shoulder. "We're not just going to let you kill everything out of spite." He had FAR too much experience with that. He was out to stop Cyrus from doing just that. Even if Mewtwo did his job for him, that was one man and his organization amongst billions of innocents.

That was just unacceptable.

Mewtwo forced the back wall to part, revealing what Ash already knew was behind the church-like building: a regulation Pokemon battleground, complete with stands. Ash didn't know why he bothered making it last time. Ego? Seriously, why would he bother?

"An arena?" Iris asked, confused. "Why would you make an arena? You hate everything about us."

"Despite my enhanced mind and power, there is one thing the ones that made me did not remove," Mewtwo said, using telekinesis to fly over the field, landing in the center of the battlefield. "An instinctive desire for combat. It is in our nature: part of our very genetic code. I suspect even the Creator has a sort of lust for battle and destruction. I will soon learn."

As he finished 'speaking', three Pokemon were teleported in front of the genetic Pokemon. "As with all trainers, I began with Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle, but in my case, they were created and engineered to be the perfect examples of their species," Mewtwo boasted, Ash and Charizard glaring at the spotted 'perfected' Flame Pokemon.

Charizard had to wait for Ash to give the word. He wanted to tear Mewtwo's head off for what happened last time. Sceptile and Krokorok also got ready to fight, though Krokorok was more interested in ripping Mewtwo in half with his jaws. Psychics: the natural prey of dark-types.

"You wish to see the nature of my superiority? Face my clones in battle," Mewtwo stated. "These battles will decide the fate of your world. Should you be victorious, I will surrender. But if you lose… this world will belong to me."

"Not all of us have special starters!" Fergus yelled. "I had a Psyduck!"

Misty looked at him oddly. "…I actually pity you." she said. Ash almost laughed in agreement.

"Gold!" 'Oh what the fuck?!' The Golduck exclaimed, before noticing Misty's own Psyduck. "...Duck." '...Okay, that I understand.'

"But three of you do. A Blastoise, Venusaur and Charizard," Mewtwo said. "One stands before me."

Neesha chuckled nervously. "…Uh… Shellshocker's in recovery thanks to Sabrina being crazy." she said. "Two months worth of broken bones and a wounded pride…"

"Sorry!" Sabrina apologized again.

"Rectified," Mewtwo stated, much to the girl's surprise as a Blastoise was suddenly teleported in front of him, then surrounded by psychic energy, like a more powerful version of Heal Pulse.

"…Thank you?" she asked hesitantly.

"Blast?" 'Where the hell am… I…" Shellshocker asked, glancing around… before spotting Sabrina and his eyes went wide, "Blast! BLAST!" 'NOT HER! ANYONE BUT HER!'

"I know, I know!" Sabrina waved her hands, "I'm really, really sorry about that! But… your trainer needs your help right now…" she gestured over to the clone-Blastoise and Mewtwo.

Shellshocker looked at Sabrina very cautiously, before looking at Neeshe - who sighed. "…look, the fact she's not doing the creepy voice thing is a plus, isn't it?" She shrugged. "Just… ignore her if it makes you feel better, big guy…"

The Blastoise took a deep breath before nodding. "Blast…" 'Well, she's not being a threat…' he muttered, before punching his fists for a moment. "Toise!" 'Ready to go!'

"That's the spirit, big guy." Neesha smiled.

"Do not mistake this for an act of kindness," the Genetic Pokemon said as Shellshocker's eyes focused on him. "I simply wish to prove the superior nature of my kind. I cannot do that if there is no Pokemon to face my Blastoise."

Kyoji groaned out something that sounded like 'smug fuck,' only to have his head smacked into the wall again by psychic powers.

"Stop doing that," Sabrina growled, Ash feeling a strange feeling of pride in his adopted…

'…One kiss and I'm starting to think like a dad. DAMN IT!' Ash thought. 'Stupid hormonal bullshit!'

"When he learns to shut his mouth, I will," Mewtwo said, smug as hell. "Who is first to show the superiority of the engineered over the mindlessly bred?"

Kyoji pulled himself out of the hole again "My Gible…" he muttered, sounding a bit haggard. "…could kick your fu-GAH!" Mewtwo slammed him back into his hole. "...I swear to ass, I'm gonna kick your god…"

"…he's not gonna get brain damage, right?" Neesha asked, glancing at the hole.

"He has a surprisingly thick skull," Sabrina shrugged with a little giggle, "He'll be fine."

"Enough," Mewtwo demanded, annoyance showing in his eyes. "Choose who goes first. The fate of this world hinges on this battle."

Corey gestured at the cloned Seed Pokemon. "Take that thing down, Bruteroot!" he said, the Venusaur marching forward into the battlefield.

The cloned Blastoise and Charizard gave their Venusaur 'sibling' space to battle, waiting for their turn as they moved to the sides of the arena. The Charizard clone shot Ash's a very superior, dirty look.

"Sludge Bomb!" Corey ordered. Bruteroot's flower filled with toxic sludge, launching he launched it with a combination of hydraulic and air pressure at the clone, who generated a bubble-like shield to stop it, reacting faster to spit out a stream of poison.

"Dodge the Venoshock, then use Sunny Day!" the trainer commanded, Bruteroot jumping to one side with a thud, avoiding the steam of poison, with a ball of plasma forming in his flower.

"You intend to use Solar Beam?" Mewtwo asked, disappointed. "Pointless."

"You're not reading my mind or you'd know!" Corey said, smirking as the clouds momentarily parted, lighting up the eye of the storm. "Weather Ball! Keep firing until it sticks!"

Bruteroot laughed as he fired off a small ball of fire from his flower, the clone using Protect to stop the first shot, flames dotting the field. The next two were no better, but the fourth shot struck, the conifer-like plant on the clone's back catching fire briefly. In response the clone used Venoshock and Sludge Bomb at the same time, the bomb turning into smaller bomblets in midair.

There would be no escape. Bruteroot only realized this as he fired off another Weather Ball, the fireball hitting the Venoshock, aerolyzing the poison, turning it into toxic gas, which hit the porous grass-type, instantly poisoning him. The bomblets fell, sealing his fate. Bruteroot collapsed, poison dripping from his form.

"Bruteroot!" Corey yelled in concern before the clone laughed, which could be understood by anyone. To Ash, who understood everything, it was just hollow.

"The first to fall, like chaff from the wheat." Mewtwo said smugly. "Your chances are not good."

Neesha pointed at Mewtwo, anger radiating from her form in waves. "We'll see about that!" she declared. "Go, Shellshocker! Kick that Blastoise's ass!"

"Blast!" 'Let's do this!' cried the Shellfish Pokemon as he stomped onto the field, water cannons at the ready. The clone Venusaur left the field as his master swept the poison off the arena floor with a wave of his hand.

If anything, at least he was letting this be a fair fight.

"Body Slam!" Neesha commanded. Shellshocker charged at the clone, who simply brought his arms to his chest, a faint steel glow over his form, using Iron Defense before Shellshocker slammed into the clone, doing almost nothing.

"Weak." Mewtwo spat.

"Shut the fuck up!" Neesha snapped at Mewtwo before returning to the fight. "Zen Headbutt and Bulldoze, then Focus Blast!"

Shellshocker reared his head back, purple energy forming on his forehead before slamming into the clone's, making the clone stagger backward before being slammed into by the naturally born Blastoise.

The clone formed a ball of fighting-type energy in his left hand, throwing it at Shellshocker. Ash scowled, suddenly wanting to find Paul and beat him upside the skull a few times until he realized how he was treating his Pokemon was wrong as the Focus Blast hit Shellshocker, knocking him back.

"Shellshocker!" Neesha tried before the clone leaned forward, icy energy spitting forth and striking her Blastoise in the stomach, freezing him from the chest down. As he tried to break free, the clone used Hydro Pump, shooting Shellshocker with overpressurized water, enough to make even his bones break.

"NO!" Neesha yelled before the cloned Shellfish Pokemon slammed an Aura Sphere into Shellshocker's chest, knocking him out as his shell began to crack.

"A poor performance, indee-" Mewtwo started before the Crown Prince of Rota interrupted him.

"You need to learn to shut the fuck up."

Mewtwo looked at Ash, who looked… pissed. "I have had enough of your fucking ego." he spat. Mewtwo was worse in this timeline. The last time, it was just being lonely and misunderstanding the world. Now? THIS was unacceptable.

"My ego?" Mewtwo said, smiling. "Well, then. Knock it down."

Ash looked at Charizard, who popped a few joints in his neck. "Do what you gotta do." he said. "Just kick his ass." Ash calmly stepped forward… and Mewtwo was oddly… disturbed by the smile that appeared on his face. "My friend has been waiting for this… for a VERY long time." He said, as he gestured forward. "Let's go, Charizard!"

Charizard took to the air for but a moment, slamming into the field before green dragonic energy covered his claws. "CHARIZARD!" 'TIME TO DIE, ASSHOLE! THIS IS FOR LAST TIME!' Charizard roared.

The Clone-zard blinked, before gulping a bit. "…Char." 'Oh shit.' He tried forming his own Dragon Claws to combat Charizard's, but Charizard had an edge the clone didn't.

Well, a lot of edges, really.

One, he knew what the clone could do. Two… he had a LOT of experience fighting stronger opponents. Especially stronger Charizard, given he had to WIN Charla's heart in combat.

The clone charged, but instead of meeting claw to claw, Charizard tucked his wings in, ducked and swiped at the clone's legs, cutting deep into the muscle tissue. The clone cried out in pain, but Charizard was not done.

"Char." 'Your pain's just beginning, asshole!' he said as the clone passed over him, but he bit hard on the cloned Flame Pokemon's tail, bones cracking in the appendage before Charizard used Metal Claw, the hardened claws not cutting the flesh, but that wasn't the point: he didn't make them sharp. He made them blunt.

Instead of knives, he made clubs, which slammed hard into the left thigh of the clone, enough to break the femur, forcing him to land on the ground with a thud.

"What? How?!" Mewtwo said as Charizard took the lead. "You aren't even commanding him! How is he doing that?!"

"I trust Charizard completely. I don't need to tell him to do anything." Ash said, turning the bill of his hat around to the back, Mewtwo seeing the rage in his eyes, enough to make the psychic recoil somewhat. "You want to murder trillions of people and Pokemon. That's enough to let me take Charizard off what little leash I do give him. Reap what you sow."

The Clone was visibly panicking as he skirted away "Char… CHAR!" 'Fuck… THIS!' It cried out as it begun flapping its wings as hard as it could to fly away.

Charizard got back to his feet, unfurling his wings. Just like last time, this would be settled in the air. Unlike last time… the clone would be broken.

Like many of the Pokemon that were there, Charizard was not fond of seeing Ash die. The only reason Ash didn't bring Ivysaur or Squirtle was to keep them from doing something stupid. Charizard wanted revenge. He would get it.

They were a tad bit bitter over last time. Who could blame them?

Charizard spat out dragonfire, clipping the clone's wing, forcing it to turn right in an attempt to get away from the vengeful dragon, but the pain was distracting it, making the clone continue to turn right, making a u-turn straight into Charizard. The clone yelped as he tried to turn away, but that turn only made it easier for Charizard to grab him from behind, his claws digging into the clone's wings before he snapped the bones, making it impossible for the clone to fly.

But the humiliation was not over as Charizard fell to catch his counterpart, smirking evilly, waiting for the command. He could have just done it, but he so enjoyed it when Ash ordered him to do his third favorite move.

"Seismic Toss!" Ash yelled, his voice barely reaching his Kanto powerhouse. But it was enough as Charizard flew upwards, then started rolling towards the field below, cackling as they built up speed, the clone panicking as the ground neared.

"CHAR!" 'THIS IS FOR MURDERING MY FUCKING BROTHER!" Charizard said before dropping the clone to the field, making a large crater that the clone was not getting out of.

The twitching form could barely move his arm: Charizard had broken almost every bone in his body.

Kyoji poked his head out of his crater, chuckling "Hehehe… fuck you ya-GRK!" Once more, he was thrusted into the hole - a bit more forcefully this time… though Mewtwo didn't exactly seem… happy at the moment.

"This is not over," Mewtwo snapped, lifting the clone out with his telekinetic powers.

"What, you want Charizard to beat the crap out of the other two?" Serena cried, hands on her hips. "Go ahead! You're going to lose, you overgrown cat! My-"

Serena then was shoved into the table head first, knocking her unconscious as Mewtwo seethed.

"Mentally broken child, shut up," Mewtwo snapped. "I am tired of you all bantering-" Mewtwo then felt something hit his jaw, hard enough to distract him as his head twisted left.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ash Ketchum, radiating pure rage.

"Never. Touch. Her. Again." he ground out, Mewtwo staring at him in shock.

"You… you hit me," he said, as if unable to process this. Ash supposed he couldn't. The most powerful Pokemon on the planet, hit by a human teenager?

"And I'll hit you again if you touch her with your psychic powers or with your hands," Ash snapped, now no longer thinking clearly enough to care if Mewtwo killed him. "If Charizard beats the other two, you give up. I don't want this to end with someone getting killed, but if it's you or the world, the world is more important then your pathetic fucking life."

That outburst scared Ash: that wasn't him. He never got that mad. Was this what it was like, having Giovanni's temper? Serena got hurt, yes, but… he punched Mewtwo. The last time he tried something that stupid was during the last time on New Island, over six years ago. Mewtwo eventually flung him into a tower, only for Mew to save him.

Mewtwo scowled, but didn't retaliate, likely due to Sabrina: if he snapped Ash's neck, Sabrina would end him soon after, giving her own life to do just that.

"Your Charizard is an anomaly," he finally stated. "But an anomaly that will be dealt with. Blastoisethree, Venusaurthree! Destroy him!"

'Three?' Ash thought. 'I know they're clones, but… Oh.' It might have taken two timelines, but never say Ash was stupid. Not having all the information makes anyone look like an idiot.

Mewtwo must've been part of a batch. One that included a one of each of the Kanto starters. Team Plasma couldn't've been involved with Team Rocket's Mewtwo: that was almost four years before the debacle in Unova!

The Blastoise and Venusaur rushed into the arena - roaring as they charged at Charizard, who looked at them and grinned. "Char…" 'Oh fuck yes,' He laughed.

The clones glanced at Mewtwo, as if to ask for orders.

"Char!" 'Oh, go ahead.' the battle-happy fire flyer said, all but smirking. "Zard!" 'One by one, both at the same time; either way, YOUR ASSES ARE MINE!'

Venusaurthree then spat out poison, as if hoping Venoshock would hurt him.

Charizard simply took to the air, avoiding the attack with ease, even if it was faster then he expected. But then, he trained dodging with Pikachu. Dodging a stream of poison was easy compared to dodging lightning.

"Char…" 'Do I take my time or just get this over with?' Charizard asked aloud, even as Venusaurthree began zig-zagging around the arena, trying to avoid whatever Charizard had planned, the Blastoise clone taking aim with his two cannons before firing a Hydro Pump stream at him, making Charizard have to barrel roll to avoid the water.

"Char." 'Right, thanks for making my choice!' he called before channeling fire energy into his maw.

"I know every move. Every attack, every boosting and disabling ability there is." Mewtwo said, worry in his voice. "I don't know what that is. WHAT IS THAT?!"

"Something only starters can learn," Sabrina replied. "You are not Charizard, Typhlosion, Blaziken or Infernape. You will never learn what this is."

Charizard rolled to avoid another stream of water before the ball of plasma reached critical mass. It was the end as he fired, the superheated lance of plasma slamming into Venusaurthree, making his flower catch fire and his skin dry to the point where it began flaking off.

"Charizard, stop!" Ash called, his fire-type rearing his head up and away from Venusaurthree, melting the walls and some of the seats, turning into molten rock as he directed the Blast Burn into the storm, parting the clouds briefly, then panting before seeing what he did.

"Char?" 'Holy shit, he got burned,' Charizard said, horror in his voice as he saw that the clone was on the cusp of death, Blastoisethree desperately dousing the flames with Water Gun. "Zard!" 'Sorry!'

"I somehow doubt it." Mewtwo spat.

"Charizard wasn't trying to kill Venusaur." Ash said, anger boiling as he defended his friend. "He likes a good, clean fight as much as I do. Fight until they can't, not until one of them is dead."

"And yet, you would take my life to save this world," Mewtwo said. "Your hypocrisy is telling."

Ash glared at Mewtwo, the rage in his eyes at flashpoint. "I would prefer you to find a place in the world." he ground out. "Somewhere to live where no one would bother you. Where no human would want to go. I don't want you dead, Mewtwo, but if it's your death or the world's, the world is more important than you."

The look on Mewtwo's face showed that he saw that Ash was being sincere, if rightfully angry. All he wanted was to keep Mewtwo from killing everyone.

"Perhaps. Your Charizard will not be victorious over Blastoisethree." Mewtwo said. "Not only is he a water-type, he is also genetically engineered to be stronger, faster and more resilient then any normal Pokemon of his line."

"We'll see about that." Ash declared, looking at Charizard. "Kick his ass!"

Chiarizard beat his wings, going into a lazy hover. "Char!" 'With pleasure!' the dragon said.

"Show the inferior fire-type your true might." Mewtwo ordered Blastoisethree, tired of these failures. "We are the future!"

Blastoisethree cried out before his shoulder cannons lined up on target, Charizard examining his claws as if he was bored.

He was.

Massive orbs of water shot out of the cannons, Charizard dropping a few feet to pick up speed, then dodged each Water Pulse Blastoisethree fired at him.

"Char." 'Come on, I'm getting BORED! Stop trying to hit me and hit me!' Charizard declared, a Water Pulse skimming his left wingtip. But only because he was tired of this easy nonsense.

These clones were powerful, but Neesha and Corey were not exactly...inventive. They were very much by-the-book battlers. Ash, on the other hand, encouraged creativity, handicapping himself just to increase his flexibility.

Even Charizard showed this: power without skill was almost as bad as being completely and totally powerless. Ash made up for this with skill first, power later.

And after reverting back, they retained their skills… now they had gotten back to where they used to be and beyond.

Blastoisethree panicked, firing more and more water pulses before Charizard got too close, claws glowing green with draconic energy before the flame Pokemon swiped at Blastoisethree's head, knocking him back before Charizard landed, fighting-type energy replacing dragon as he shoved a Focus Punch into his chest, the shell cracking with how hard he was hit.

Pun unintended, Charizard was not pulling punches. The fate of the world WAS at stake.

Blastoisethree screamed in pain before Charizard torched his face with dragonfire and Focus Punched his chest again, cracking shell and bone before Blastoisethree staggered back, skidding before leveling his cannons, firing Ice Beams from them both, hoping to hit Charizard's wings.

Instead, Charizard tucked his wings to his sides once more, his right fist glowing white, his left sparking.

"When could Charizard learn Thunder Punch?!" Ash asked, shocked that this was a thing before the Focus Punch slammed into Blastoisethree's head, cracking the skull.

"Char!" 'I was shocked when I learned how to do it!' Charizard said before slamming his Thunder fist into Blastoisethree's face, the blow making him step back while the electrical shock made him twitch involuntarily before Charizard jumped back, dragon energy covering his tail before smacking Blastoisethree in the chest with Dragon Tail, knocking him down.

Blastoisethree groaned from both the shock and blunt force trauma inflicted to his head, Charizard briefly making his claws turn metallic… then he reverted them to normal. He was beaten. Killing him was too far.

"Char." 'Stay down,' Charizard ordered before beginning to walk back to Ash. "Zard." 'I'm bored and very sore. Don't force me to do anything we'll both regret.'

Mewtwo stared in shock at his defeated clones, unable to process how they lost.

"Trust, care and friendship, Mewtwo." Ash said, smiling. "I care for the Pokemon under me, I consider them friends and I trust them completely. That's why we won."

"No," Mewtwo said, making Ash turn his head towards Mewtwo. "There is an element I missed. I will not accept this."

"Oh, com' on." Kyoji slurred as he got out of his crater. "As' kick yur ass. Why you keep bein' stupid?"

"Emotions do not equal power," Mewtwo said as he began floating up. "And I have a long time to experiment." With that declaration, the Pokeballs that were used last time teleported in.

"Your Pokemon will be taken, studied and cloned," Mewtwo declared. "And if any of you attempt to interfere…" Mewtwo directed his gaze at Sabrina. "I know Self-Destruct. You will not survive the force of a nuclear detonation."

"That'll kill you, too!" Neesha said, horrified. "You can't teleport and use it at the same time!"

"Then it is best you do not interfere," Mewtwo said as the balls went forth.

"Destroy them!" Ash yelled before he was psychically flung towards a wall.

"You have annoyed me for the last time. Goodbye, Crown Prince of Rota," Mewtwo sneered as the balls went forth and Ash was flung into the ventilation system and the balls began their relentless pursuit.

New Island - sub-basement levels - 1015 hours local time

"I get the feeling they just make these times up for no reason." Meowth said as he looked at the time. "10:15 in da morning? That huge paragraph can'ta taken more then 30 minutes!"

It took an hour and a half for the others to get there. There is a near-literal hurricane out there, you stupid cat. You try flying in 150 kph winds without getting yourselves killed.

"He's got a point, Meowth." James said as they came up to a ladder, Jessie climbing up it and lifting a floor panel, revealing what looked like a laboratory filled with weird machines.

"Oh, not dis place again. I don't wanna get cloned." Meowth said, bringing his tail around to prevent ant machines from plucking any hairs.

Mewtwo's Pokeballs then started flying in, Meowth ducking behind Jessie to avoid getting caught as they flew into the larger machine, which then started replicating the DNA of every Pokemon in the pseudo-Master Balls.

"We're gonna have an army of clones soon!" James cried before they heard very angry yelling from the chute. Angry, familiar yelling.

"It can't be the-" Jessie started before Ash Ketchum fell out of the chute, meeting their gaze.

"I do NOT have time for you three!" Ash growled as Ash dove into the cloning machine.

"You and about three other people." James said in mild depression.

We find you annoying. The only reason we haven't had you axed is popularity and the simple fact we have a use for you. Good thing you're the only ones that can hear us.

James bit back a retort as the massive cloning machine started to smoke, spark and explode, the balls falling out of the machine and exploding, releasing Pokemon of all kinds, including Ash's infamous Pikachu.

Said Pikachu looked at them and growled before Ash crawled out of the machine, in sheering pain.

"No more mister nice guy," he all but snarled. "I offered peace. NOW I give war."