Masaki Oak sighed deeply. "This situation can't be solved just by defeating Team Rocket.
According to Ash, that Pokémon—Mewtwo—has power comparable to a Legendary Pokémon, and its psychic abilities are on an entirely different level."
"This matter must be explained to the public," said Mugino firmly. "Otherwise, the misunderstanding will only worsen, and it'll unfairly tarnish Ash's reputation. Besides, he did nothing wrong."
Having finished speaking, Mugino's expression softened slightly. Ever since Ash became engaged to his daughter, he naturally took the young man's side. There was no reason to stand idly by when Ash was being condemned unjustly.
Samuel Oak nodded gravely.
"He's right. The public's reaction is spiraling out of control. We need to set the record straight before things get worse."
Skye Draconis leaned forward, his tone calm but decisive.
"I agree with both Samuel and Mugino. Clearing this up won't just explain the truth—it'll also restore Ash's image."
Kona, one of the Elite Four, looked at Ash with clear worry in her eyes.
"Ash… are you really planning to go in three days? Alone?" Though they had only met briefly, she'd developed a good impression of him—especially after he'd helped her younger brother during the Indigo Tournament.
Ash took a slow drag of his cigarette before exhaling. "Yeah. I have to go. And I'll go alone."
"No way. I don't agree with this," Shiro interjected heatedly. His concern wasn't just as a Champion, but as Ash's cousin.
"You saw Mewtwo's strength—it's no joke. You can't possibly face something like that by yourself. It's suicide!"
"Shiro's right," Skye added with a stern expression.
"Even with your power, going against a Legendary-class Psychic Pokémon alone is reckless. I can't allow it."
The room fell silent for a moment. Everyone present—Skye, Samuel, Mugino, Kona, and the others—shared the same sentiment: letting Ash go alone was madness.
Ash, however, remained unmoved. "You all don't understand Mewtwo like I do," he said quietly.
"Even after meeting it three or four times, I still can't fully read its heart. But I know this much—if I don't go, innocent people will be the first to suffer."
He looked around the room, his voice heavy but resolute.
"You know how Team Rocket operates. They'll do anything for profit—no matter the cost. Mewtwo may have turned against them, but in that sense, he's no different. He'll act on what he believes, regardless of who gets hurt."
Seeing their worried faces, Ash felt a flicker of warmth—but he shook his head. He couldn't waver. Mewtwo wasn't just an opponent. In a way, he was Ash's reflection—a version of himself who had lost everything, twisted by pain and betrayal until all that remained was rage.
That was why he had to face him. Alone.
Despite everyone's protests, Ash's decision remained firm. Three days later, he set out for the agreed meeting place.
Meanwhile, the Pokémon League issued an official statement, explaining the true cause of the conflict and publicly exonerating Ash. A press conference was held, clarifying Mewtwo's creation by Team Rocket and the subsequent fallout.
The revelation drastically changed public perception. Many began to see Ash as a compassionate figure—someone who sought not to destroy Mewtwo, but to reach out to him and change his view of humanity.
As for Mewtwo, public opinion was divided. Some sympathized with his suffering at Team Rocket's hands, but most still viewed him as a threat to humanity. Ironically, the greatest backlash now fell upon Giovanni's organization, which was condemned globally for its crimes.
"Why must you go alone, Ash?" Cynthia demanded, clutching his arm tightly. "You still have Dragonite and Suicune. And I'm a Champion too—I can fight beside you! We can handle this together!"
Ash smiled faintly but shook his head. "It's not that I don't trust you, Cynthia. But this is something I have to do myself."
"Dragonite and Suicune are both strong—second-tier Legendaries in their own right—but Suicune only recently evolved to that level, and Dragonite's lightning-based attacks are at a disadvantage against Psychic types."
He exhaled slowly, his tone thoughtful.
"If I fought Mewtwo with them, I could probably win… I'd say seventy percent chance of victory. But that's not the point."
He looked up, his eyes steady.
"If I bring them, Mewtwo will see it as humanity hiding behind Pokémon again. That's not what I want. If he's ever going to believe in people, then I have to face him as one."
Cynthia's eyes trembled, but she could see that there was no changing his mind.
Ash Ketchum had made his decision.
Mewtwo was a Psychic-type Pokémon—if it chose to flee, even Ash wouldn't be able to stop it. Instantaneous teleportation was no joke. And Mewtwo wasn't just any Pokémon—it was a Legendary-class being.
A fight against it would never be fair—it would be a clash of sheer, overwhelming force.
Although Ash possessed the Floating Gem, its power was limited. The gem allowed him to manipulate psychic energy to simulate telekinetic movement, but not to teleport himself across space. Against a being like Mewtwo, that difference was vast.
The incident involving Mewtwo had thrown the world into chaos. People were so shaken that the upcoming World Championship Finals, only a month away, were all but forgotten.
After all, Mewtwo's declaration had terrified everyone. The power of a Legendary Pokémon—a force most trainers would never even witness—had been unleashed for all to see.
Team Rocket Headquarters
"Get me that brat's map card—immediately!"
Giovanni's furious voice echoed through the Rocket base, his desk littered with shattered glass and scattered papers. "That damned Mewtwo… you won't slip through my fingers again!"
A trembling Rocket grunt spoke up, voice cautious. "B-but, boss, who should we send? The kid is… incredibly strong. Even our elite captains can't handle him."
Giovanni's glare could've frozen lava.
"Then send Apollo and Lance. Make sure they keep things quiet. The League is watching us closely now—too closely. Before, we could ignore public opinion, but after this Mewtwo fiasco, everyone sees Team Rocket as a parasite to be eradicated."
He leaned back in his chair, cold fury simmering beneath his calm expression.
"One mistake—just one—and the League will crush us the moment we're exposed."
As the grunt rushed out, Giovanni's eyes darkened further.
Mewtwo… Ash Ketchum… both had humiliated him, made a fool of his ambitions.
He clenched his fists, his voice a low growl.
"You've toyed with me long enough. Neither of you will walk away from this."
...
TN:
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