The overweight trainer recalled his battered Gyarados, his hands trembling as he clutched the Poké Ball. His eyes betrayed the terror churning in his heart.
Hovering before him was a Salamence, its gaze blazing with raw malice, the urge to destroy practically dripping from its very being. That killing intent alone was enough to crush the man's courage.
His fingers quivered as he fumbled for another Poké Ball. With a fearful cry, he released his second Pokémon.
"Go, Golduck!"
But the moment the blue duck Pokémon appeared, Salamence roared in fury. Without hesitation, its jaws glowed and a beam of destructive light burst forth.
Hyper Beam.
The searing column of energy engulfed Golduck completely. When the blast faded, the poor Pokémon lay sprawled on the ground, its body charred yellow, not a trace of strength left.
"Golduck!" the trainer cried out, veins standing out on his forehead as disbelief consumed him.
He wanted to rush to his partner's side, but Mewtwo's psychic power bound him like chains. He couldn't even take a single step. He had no choice but to withdraw Golduck back into its ball, clutching it desperately against his chest, praying that the Poké Ball's healing systems would stabilize its injuries.
Yet Salamence's glare never left him, demanding a third opponent.
The trainer's breath quickened. He realized now that Salamence carried a deep, poisonous hatred toward humans. No matter which Pokémon he sent out, Salamence would tear it apart.
If even his strongest partners couldn't withstand a single blow, how could his weaker Pokémon possibly survive?
Sending them out now would be the same as sending them to their deaths.
Above him, Mewtwo floated calmly, its cold, alien eyes watching the scene unfold. The contempt in that gaze was chilling, as if it saw nothing more than insects writhing before it.
The trainer's throat tightened. He understood. If all his Pokémon fell, he himself would die.
But he also knew his remaining Pokémon stood no chance.
All he had wanted was to compete for the title of the strongest trainer. How had it come to this nightmare?
Before he could sort through his despair, Mewtwo's voice echoed in his mind, calm yet merciless.
"Where is your next Pokémon? Or have you already given up?"
The man collapsed to his knees, his spirit broken. His lips trembled as he muttered, "It's impossible… I can't win… no one can win against this…"
He raised his head toward Mewtwo, his eyes hollow. "I surrender. Please… just let my Pokémon go."
Mewtwo's brow lifted faintly, a flicker of curiosity in its expression. "Is that your choice? Very well. Then I will claim your life instead."
The man's silence sealed his fate. Mewtwo extended a hand, and his body was lifted into the air by psychic force. Energy gathered at Mewtwo's palm, swallowing him in blinding light.
When it faded, nothing remained of the trainer only six Poké Balls clattered to the ground, rolling lifelessly across the arena floor.
The other trainers froze in horror. Their blood turned to ice as the reality of death sank in.
Mewtwo's gaze swept across them like a blade. "Next. Who will step forward?"
No one moved. Their eyes flicked between Mewtwo and the looming Salamence. None dared breathe too loudly, let alone volunteer.
Mewtwo wasn't surprised. Fear of death was the most basic instinct of any living creature.
Its eyes fell upon a girl clutching a small Togepi to her chest. Misty's body shivered violently under that stare.
"No one speaks? Then I will choose. You."
Misty's heart plummeted. Her knees buckled, and she nearly collapsed. But before she could fall, a steady hand caught her.
"Don't worry," a determined voice said behind her.
Ash stepped forward, his eyes burning with courage. He stood tall, his hand clenched at his side, Pikachu at his heels sparking with readiness.
"That Salamence is strong, but I won't run. I'll fight it."
He looked up at Mewtwo, his voice firm. "If I defeat Salamence, you'll let everyone go. That was your promise, wasn't it?"
"Of course," Mewtwo replied coldly.
"Then it's decided!"
"Ash, wait !" Brock and Misty both cried out, but Ash ignored them. He walked into the battlefield, his gaze settling on a fiery silhouette in the distance.
Charizard.
He called out with genuine sincerity, "Charizard, I need you."
The great orange dragon snapped its wings, roaring defiantly. Though it had only recently evolved and often disobeyed Ash, this time was different. Its eyes locked on Salamence, and there was no hesitation, no trace of fear.
"Char!" (Bring it on!)
"Go, Salamence," Mewtwo commanded casually. It didn't bother to give further orders. Salamence's battle instincts alone were enough.
The dragon's fangs bared into a savage grin as it lunged forward.
"Charizard, Flamethrower! Full power!" Ash shouted.
A blazing inferno erupted from Charizard's jaws, forming a massive fire blast in the shape of a kanji. The flames seared across the battlefield, a wall of molten heat.
But Salamence didn't flinch. It barreled straight through the firestorm, scales blackened yet unfazed. Its tail glowed and whipped out in a vicious arc.
The Dragon Tail slammed into Charizard's body, hurling it across the arena like a ragdoll. The dragon crashed into the wall, shaking the ground, rubble tumbling from the impact.
Ash's heart lurched. "Charizard, hang in there!"
For a moment, silence fell. Dust swirled in the air. Then, with a thunderous flap, Charizard burst forth, wings blazing as it roared defiantly at Salamence.
Charizard knew full well its opponent was stronger. But it also understood the stakes. If it lost, Ash would die.
And it could not allow that.
Memories surged through its mind the rain-soaked night when Ash carried it desperately to the Pokémon Center, refusing to abandon it even when it disobeyed. The countless times Ash soothed its anger, or stood against impossible odds, never backing down.
For the first time, Charizard's rebellious heart aligned with its trainer's will.
The flame on its tail flared to life, brighter and fiercer than ever before.
With a roar, Charizard charged head-on, refusing to dodge. Salamence's jaws lunged for a Bite, but Charizard's claws blazed with draconic energy, striking with Dragon Claw.
The two attacks collided, shockwaves ripping through the battlefield.
Again and again, their attacks clashed wing against wing, claw against fang. Charizard was thrown back, slammed, scarred, but it always rose again. Every wound only stoked its determination.
Ash's fists clenched at the edge of the battlefield. "I believe in you, Charizard! You can do this!"
And Charizard roared in answer, wings beating furiously as it soared back into the fray.
The battle was far from over, but for the first time, Salamence's grin faltered.
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