With Professor Oak's explanation, the world finally grasped the "riddle" dialogue between Mewtwo and Meowth.
It wasn't just Bruno; many people struggled to understand Meowth's words.
After all, the conversation was quite philosophical—not something an average person catches on the first try! So this time... we can't blame Bruno!
In the Footage—
After Mewtwo and the "Philosopher Meowth" finished their talk, the scene cut back to Ash. They were currently in the same vicinity—Mewtwo on the cliff island and Ash at the base of the mountain.
Normally, their paths wouldn't cross, but since this is the story of Ash and Mewtwo, a "coincidence" was bound to happen!
While the trio was stargazing, two people arrived at Luna's lodge: a middle-aged man and a young woman.
The man was Dr. Cullen Calix, a world-renowned medical doctor, and the woman was Domino, a member of the National Pokémon Institute. Their goal wasn't just to see Mount Quena, but to sample the legendary "pure water" from the lake at the summit.
As Luna warned them about the dangers of the climb, a series of firecrackers popped, drawing everyone's attention.
"I heard someone say this cliff is impossible to climb!""To protect the world from devastation!""To unite all peoples within our nation..."
The classic intro and BGM hit—Team Rocket's trio had arrived! These three always claimed to be villains, but they rarely succeeded in doing anything truly evil. In fact, their "villainy" almost always inadvertently helped Ash. They were the embodiment of "mean words, kind actions."
After the trio finished their motto, Domino narrowed her eyes and whispered: "I don't remember Team Rocket having these three clowns..."
The Region Chat
Lance: !!! Did I hear that right? That woman, Domino—she said she doesn't remember them being in Team Rocket?
Lorelei: Unless our ears are playing tricks on us... it seems a Team Rocket spy has infiltrated the National Pokémon Institute!
Charles Goodshow: We just received word—Domino has vanished from the Institute and cannot be contacted... She moves fast!
Bruno: Tsk. Even with a heads-up, it's hard to catch these Rocket members. They're like eels in a mud pit.
Leon: That's the woman who was next to Giovanni earlier, right? If she's with Ash's group now... I have a bad feeling.
Because the previous footage focused mainly on Giovanni, people hadn't noticed Domino's face until now.
If she were following Ash, it meant she would inevitably lead Team Rocket straight to Mewtwo. No wonder the subtitle was "The Storm Rises!"
In the Footage—
Team Rocket brought out one of their weird inventions and successfully snagged Pikachu. Say what you will about their incompetence, but their "Anti-Pikachu" gear was always top-tier.
They immediately took off in their upgraded Meowth Balloon with rocket boosters, soaring toward the top of Mount Quena!
"Dammit... Pidgeot is guarding his friends in the forest, and Charizard is training in the Charific Valley... I don't have any Flying-types!" Ash lamented.
The audience realized Ash's current lineup was lacking. Without a flyer, how was he going to save Pikachu?
Ash watched the balloon drift away and impulsively started running toward the cliffside. "Wait! What are you doing?" Misty grabbed his arm.
"Isn't it obvious?! I'm getting my Pikachu back!" "That's a vertical cliff! You're going to climb that with your bare hands?!" "Leave it to me!" Luna appeared, already geared up in climbing equipment.
Whether by water or by land, Luna seemed to have the tools for everything. With her help, the group began the arduous climb.
In a way, Team Rocket had provided the "assist" once again—without them, Ash might never have reached the summit to meet Mewtwo.
During the climb, a mudslide triggered by the weather sent a massive boulder tumbling toward them! Dr. Cullen Calix narrowly dodged it and looked back, worried about the "delicate" Domino.
To his shock, she was already standing safely on a nearby ledge, smiling. "Oh my, that was so dangerous! I guess I'm just lucky."
"Wow! What a green tea (manipulator)!""She's totally hiding her skills!""As expected of a Rocket elite, she's as agile as a Ninja."
The audience saw through her act instantly. It wasn't luck; it was professional training.
The Confrontation at the Lake
After a grueling effort, the group of six managed to catch a rope and hang onto the Meowth Balloon! Between the trio and Ash's group, there were now nine people on the balloon—severely overloaded.
Inside the cave on the island in the center of the lake, Mewtwo sensed them. 'Meeting them again... is this fate?' Even with memories wiped and time reversed, they were drawn back to that specific boy.
Domino, having confirmed Mewtwo's presence, climbed onto the top of the balloon and sent out a signal to the Team Rocket army! She then looked at the bumbling trio with disdain. "Fools like you don't deserve to be in Team Rocket.
You'll only get in the way. So... go back to where you came from!" She popped the balloon with a specialized "Black Tulip" staff and took off on a hang glider, leaving everyone to fall!
In the Footage—
Ash fell into the lake, but the trio crashed right onto the central island—Mewtwo's sanctuary. Pikachu managed to break free from his restraints. "Pikachu escaped, meow!" "No... he's more than just escaped... he's angry!!" "PIKA—CHUU!!"
A massive blast of golden electricity erupted, but before it hit the trio, a second bolt of lightning intercepted it! A Pikachu with notched ear patterns stood there—the Clone Pikachu.
"What's going on, meow?" "I don't know, but we're saved!" "Wait, there's another Pikachu?!"
The Clone Pikachu barked angrily at Ash's Pikachu, his face contorted with rage. "Meowth, translate!" "The Pikachu over there says... 'We meet again!'" "What? Are they friends?" "No... they don't look like friends at all... more like enemies, meow..."
Ash's Pikachu tilted his head in confusion. Even though he was being yelled at, he couldn't bring himself to be angry.
He felt a strange sense of kinship with this clone. The Clone Pikachu screamed again, accusing them of bringing humans to destroy their peace.
Why do the "originals" get to live in the sun while we hide in the shadows?
Just as the Clone Pikachu was about to attack, a silver-white figure appeared behind him. "Stop. Do not engage in a meaningless battle." Mewtwo had appeared.
The Chat Group
Elesa: Wow! Even the clone Pikachu is so cute! Just like Ash's!
Volkner: Sigh, I'm just realizing how great Pikachu are. Why can't Raichu devolve?
Caitlin: You all see the Pikachu, but I only see how cool Mewtwo is! How can a Pokémon be this stylish?
Sabrina: It's no use flattering him, Caitlin. If he chooses a trainer, it will be Ash—the one who helped him out of his identity crisis.
Caitlin: ...Hmph. I've been seen through! But I still want a Mewtwo! A High-Tier Legendary Psychic-type... who wouldn't want to snuggle that?!
In the Footage—
Mewtwo's sharp gaze fell upon the Team Rocket trio, who huddled together in terror. 'It would have been better if we stayed forgotten... yet you found us anyway.''Even if we wish to live in peace, we cannot escape human desire...'
Mewtwo turned his gaze toward the horizon, where a red glow was approaching—the Team Rocket army.
"Wait... have we met before? You sound like you know us," James stammered. Mewtwo didn't answer. He had erased their memories himself, explaining it would change nothing.
The Clone Pikachu turned to Mewtwo, his voice filled with a fighting spirit. "It's come to this. We have to fight. This isn't just a battle... It's a war, meow! This feels terrifying..." Meowth translated.
A "war." Not a Pokémon match, but a conflict where lives were on the line. The trio didn't understand the history, but they could feel the weight of the coming storm.
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