Chapter 56 - Revival

As the tempest intensified, Julian found himself drawing closer to Old Shore Wharf. Gyarados battled valiantly, surging through colossal waves, while Julian clung to his companion with unwavering determination. Mew, in contrast, reveled in the exhilarating ride.

Julian's brow furrowed as he noted the storm's unyielding force. It exceeded even the most formidable tempests depicted in the anime, and the waves grew to towering heights, far beyond his initial expectations.

Julian muttered to himself, his voice barely audible above the roaring storm, "Looks like Mewtwo has honed its mastery over its powers to conjure such a colossal tempest."

Rainwater cascaded down Julian's drenched form as Gyarados valiantly pushed onward through the tumultuous sea. As they approached their destination, Julian's weary eyes caught sight of an abandoned harbor. Two figures stood resolute upon its desolate pier, while a handful of hesitant individuals lingered behind them, contemplating their uncertain plunge into the turbulent waters.

Julian's voice was nearly drowned out by the relentless storm as he murmured, "From what I know, those figures must be Officer Jenny and the harbor lady featured in the movie. It seems I've arrived late, yet I don't spot Ash anywhere."

His thoughts turned somber as he contemplated the situation. "I should conceal my face," he decided, a trace of concern etching his features. "I can't afford another media frenzy with my face splashed across the internet. I don't know if it's going to happen, but it's best to be prepared for any eventuality rather than dealing with the consequences later."

Julian's gaze shifted downward, settling on his unique Gyarados.

Julian pondered aloud, "Another issue I face is Gyarados. He's unlike any other of his kind, and anyone who's seen him could potentially identify him and discover my true identity. What should I do?"

His mind raced as he contemplated a solution. "Perhaps I should have him Mega Evolve," he mused. "Only Professor Oak has witnessed Gyarados in his Mega Evolved form, and that way, people won't easily recognize him."

Julian deliberated for a moment, his brow furrowing with uncertainty.

Julian thought aloud, "Should I truly opt for Mega Evolution? While it might be a solution, initiating it in front of witnesses carries its own risks. If Gyarados were to appear already Mega Evolved, people might assume he's a rare Pokémon. Well, this might be my only chance to evade the media."

Turning his attention to Gyarados, Julian instructed, "Gyarados, slow down for a moment. It's time for you to Mega Evolve."

With nimble hands, Julian retrieved a black, hooded coat reminiscent of those seen in Assassin's Creed Syndicate and donned it. He followed up by pulling a black mask over the lower half of his face.

Julian's voice pierced through the tumultuous storm, commanding with determination, "Gyarados, MEGA EVOLVE!"

Mew, hanging upside down with its tail wrapped around Julian's neck, couldn't help but become curious as Julian retrieved the Keystone locket from his vest. Its curiosity turned into startled amazement as it witnessed the locket begin to radiate with an ethereal glow. Simultaneously, the Mega Stone embedded in Gyarados's head also illuminated, casting an eerie radiance upon the surroundings.

In a spectacular transformation, Gyarados ascended to a towering height of twelve meters. His horns grew more formidable, and his fangs lengthened, marking a remarkable evolution.

This marked Mew's first encounter with Mega Evolution, as it had not always been by Julian's side to witness Gyarados's previous transformations. Overwhelmed by excitement, Mew darted ahead to closely examine the awe-inspiring Mega Gyarados.

Julian couldn't help but smile at Mew's enthusiasm. "Impressed, are you?"

Mew responded with a delighted nod, expressing its approval.

With a grateful expression, Julian addressed Mew, "Mew, could you do me a favor?"

Mew turned its attention back to Julian, meeting his gaze, and eagerly nodded in agreement, a clear sign that it was more than willing to assist him.

Julian's face brightened with a plan as he continued, "Excellent. Here's what I need you to do: make all the Pokédex devices of those trainers malfunction when they attempt to scan Gyarados. Can you manage that?"

Mew responded with a confident nod, indicating that this task was well within its capabilities.

As Julian and Mega Gyarados neared the harbor, it became increasingly evident that their conspicuous presence, with the enormous red and black Pokémon and Julian perched atop, drew the attention of onlookers like a magnet.

As Julian and Mega Gyarados approached the harbor, a buzz of curiosity and excitement rippled through the gathering trainers. Some couldn't contain their amazement.

Trainer 1: "Hey, take a look at that! What kind of Pokémon is that?"

Trainer 2: "That Pokémon is massive! What in the world is it?"

Trainer 3: "Wait, someone's standing on top of it!"

Trainer 4: "Strange, my Pokédex isn't working."

Trainer 5: "Mine neither! What's going on?"

A wave of confusion swept through the trainers as their Pokédex devices inexplicably malfunctioned. Soon, a hushed but fervent discussion spread among them, all focused on the enigmatic duo of Julian and Mega Gyarados. Unbeknownst to them, Mew had seamlessly vanished from sight, remaining unseen.

Meanwhile, Officer Jenny, a cautious and vigilant figure, grew increasingly tense as she observed the approaching presence of Julian. Her senses were on high alert, ready to respond to any potential threat.

Officer Jenny's stern voice cut through the commotion, demanding answers. "Who are you, and what is your purpose here?"

Julian, anxious to confirm if Ash had already arrived, replied, "Before I explain myself, can you tell me if all the trainers who were supposed to gather here are still present?"

Jenny shook her head, her expression grave. "No, unfortunately, some trainers disregarded my warnings and have already set out for the island with their Pokémon."

Upon hearing this news, Julian's shoulders slumped with a sense of defeat. He thought to himself, Looks like I'm late to the party. Well, I can't entirely blame myself; I did come all the way from Pallet Town.

Taking a deep breath, he addressed Officer Jenny, determination in his voice. "Listen closely. You must not allow anyone else to venture to that island. It's perilous. I will go there to retrieve those who've left."

Officer Jenny, still wary, inquired further, "Who exactly are you?"

Julian remained silent, focusing on directing Gyarados toward the island. Seeing his reluctance to answer, Officer Jenny decided to fulfill her duty. She immediately swung into action, using her authority to prevent trainers from further embarking on the dangerous journey. Although she harbored doubts about the mysterious man's warnings, she chose to err on the side of caution, not willing to take any risks.

Julian let out a resigned sigh as he and Mega Gyarados slowly distanced themselves from the bustling harbor.

Julian thought to himself, As I expected, my sudden appearance caused quite a stir. Even though Mega Evolution may have added to the chaos, the sight of a massive red Gyarados would have had the same effect. On the bright side, my true identity remains concealed; only Professor Oak knows the secret.

As Julian drew closer to New Island, a cacophony of booming sounds and anguished cries from Pokémon reached his ears. Mew, perched once again on his shoulder, had also noticed the commotion emanating from the island.

Upon his arrival at the island, a staggering sight unfolded before Julian's eyes. A colossal battlefield sprawled out, with Pokémon of all kinds locked in fierce combat. Among the turmoil, he spotted Ash and his friends, along with the notorious Team Rocket trio, and a host of other onlookers who watched the brutal spectacle unfold.

His gaze lifted upward to witness a breathtaking clash of titans. Mew and Mewtwo engaged in an intense battle, neither yielding an inch as their powers clashed, resulting in an equilibrium of strength.

Mew, perched attentively on Julian's shoulder, had been poised to intervene in the epic struggle between Mew and Mewtwo. However, Julian halted its impulse by shaking his head, effectively conveying his message.

Julian's voice carried a solemn tone as he addressed Mew, "I understand your sentiment, Mew. You may believe that Mewtwo shouldn't exist, but it is already a living being. It deserves the right to exist, and we shouldn't take that away from it. Let it engage in this battle and come to terms with its own actions. If things take a dire turn, I promise to step in."

Mew regarded Julian for a brief moment, absorbing his words and the wisdom they held. With a subtle nod of acknowledgment, it retreated back to its perch on Julian's shoulder, fixing its gaze on the ongoing battle between Mew and Mewtwo.

The clash between the two Mews and Mewtwos intensified, their ferocious attacks causing destruction in all directions. Projectiles flew wildly, striking structures and sending them crumbling to the ground.

Julian's gaze shifted downward to the battlefield, where he witnessed the original Pokémon engaged in battle with their clones. As the exhaustion took its toll, one by one, the combatants began to descend from the sky, their energy waning.

With the aerial duel having momentarily subsided, both Mew and Mewtwo returned to the earth's surface, resuming their confrontation with relentless determination.

Ash, overwhelmed by the senseless and brutal battle unfolding before him, could no longer bear the suffering. His emotions surged, and he impulsively charged into the midst of the ferocious exchange between the two Mews and Mewtwos.

Brock, alarmed and concerned, cried out, "ASHHHH!"

With unyielding determination, Ash shouted, "Just stop already! STOP!"

His impassioned plea cut through the chaos, echoing through the battlefield, as he desperately called for an end to the senseless conflict.

In his brave attempt to halt the devastating psychic attacks, Ash placed himself between the two powerful forces. However, in doing so, he became frozen in place, unable to move. He toppled to the ground, transforming into a lifeless stone statue.

Pikachu, frantic and desperate, rushed to Ash's side, trying to shake him awake. Despite his best efforts, Pikachu's attempts proved futile. In a last-ditch effort, he unleashed a series of electrical jolts, but they too had no effect on Ash's petrified form. Pikachu's cries of distress filled the air, tears streaming down his cheeks as he continued to futilely plead for Ash's return.

The heart-wrenching scene brought forth a collective wave of sorrow from the Pokémon on the battlefield, their mournful cries echoing through the chaotic battleground.

Julian stood there, utterly mesmerized by the heart-wrenching scene unfolding before him. He recognized that what he was witnessing mirrored a moment from the anime, but experiencing it in real life was an entirely different and more profound experience.

Despite knowing that he had the power to intervene and stop this crisis, Julian chose not to interfere. He understood that Ash's courageous sacrifice was a pivotal moment, one that could potentially lead Mewtwo to recognize its own existence as a living being rather than merely a human experiment. It was a poignant lesson in empathy and self-awareness that transcended the boundaries of the Pokémon world.

As the Pokémon's collective sorrow manifested in the form of glowing tears, a remarkable phenomenon unfolded. The tears, imbued with the heartfelt emotions of the creatures, began to flow towards Ash's petrified form. Over time, the accumulation of these radiant tears worked a miraculous revival, gradually breathing life back into Ash.

Julian, deeply astonished by this extraordinary turn of events, couldn't help but voice his amazement. "Revival... Who would have thought that the sorrow of Pokémon and their tears could bring someone back to life, provided they truly desire it?"

Mew, perched on Julian's shoulder, shared in the astonishment, nodding in agreement as it watched with eager anticipation, witnessing the triumphant revival of Ash.

The heavens above began to brighten as the oppressive dark clouds dispersed, revealing the azure sky once more.

In the wake of this awe-inspiring event, Mewtwo and Mew, who had been locked in an unrelenting battle, suddenly ceased their combat. Something profound had occurred that caused a moment of revelation for Mewtwo. The two Legendary Pokémon turned their gaze toward each other, finally sensing a foreign presence in their midst.

Despite being engrossed in their fierce battle until now, they had failed to notice this mysterious presence earlier. With newfound clarity and awareness, they turned their attention toward the enigmatic figure that had quietly observed their struggle.

As Mewtwo and Mew turned to face the source of the foreign presence, their eyes widened in astonishment. Before them stood a colossal Pokémon, its striking red and black coloring dominating the landscape. A mysterious figure perched atop this imposing creature, donning a mask concealing his identity.

On his shoulder sat a contented Mew, a mischievous smile gracing its tiny face as it regarded the two Legendary Pokémon. The sight of another Mew caught both Mewtwo and Mew by surprise, a development they had never anticipated.

The Mew that had been embroiled in battle with Mewtwo couldn't contain its curiosity as it approached the Mew perched on Julian's shoulder. With a friendly gesture, they exchanged greetings, their tiny forms buzzing with excitement.

Mewtwo, meanwhile, experienced a surge of recognition. A sense of familiarity washed over it, and it soon connected the dots. The presence it now felt emanating from this Mew was the same overwhelming pressure it had encountered back at the Viridian Gym when it regained consciousness. This Mew had been there, a force to be reckoned with.

With newfound caution, Mewtwo regarded this Mew as something beyond its comprehension and capability. Its focus then shifted to Julian, recognizing the enigmatic figure that had entered the scene.

Mewtwo's telepathic voice resonated within Julian's mind, unmistakable in its origin. [I remember you. You're the one whose Pokémon I battled.]

Julian responded calmly, "Indeed, it seems you have come a long way in mastering your powers."

As Mewtwo engaged in conversation with this mysterious man, all eyes on the battlefield turned toward the scene. Whispers of curiosity rippled through the crowd as the spectators tried to discern the identity of the enigmatic figure hidden beneath his distinctive attire.

Brock's voice carried a hint of intrigue as he questioned, "Who could that be?"

Misty echoed his sentiment, admitting, "I have no idea."

The presence of the masked man atop the colossal Pokémon sparked a wave of fascination and intrigue among those who had witnessed the awe-inspiring events unfolding before them.

As the trio of Team Rocket members observed the imposing Pokémon and the mysterious figure riding atop it, curiosity ignited within them.

Jessie couldn't help but voice her amazement. "Hey, take a gander at that Pokémon! What on earth is it?"

James, equally intrigued, added, "I haven't a clue, but it certainly appears incredibly powerful."

Jessie, always driven by grand schemes, couldn't resist the temptation. "Maybe we should capture it and bring it back to the boss. We'd be rolling in riches!"

However, Meowth, ever the voice of reason, shot down their ambitious plans. "Are you two out of your minds? Just look at that thing! Even in our monster robot, we'd be like ants compared to it. There's no way we can capture it, so keep your grand ideas to yourselves and listen!"

James, after a moment of reflection, concurred with Meowth. "You know what? Meowth's right. I'm not interested in getting tangled up with that thing."

Mewtwo regarded Julian with a cautious curiosity, its psychic communication piercing the air. [What do you want?]

Julian shrugged nonchalantly. "I didn't want anything in particular. I just wanted to see if you were going to cause trouble or not. Now that I see you've realized your true nature, my work here is done. I'll be on my way."

Mewtwo, seized by an urge to understand, inquired further. [Wait, why did you free me that day? What was your purpose?]

Julian's response was delivered with a tone of sincerity. "When I first encountered you, you were nothing more than a pawn, a weapon capable of catastrophic destruction. Having you in the hands of that man would have inevitably led to a world-ending disaster. I freed you not out of any specific purpose, but simply because I saw you as a Pokémon, albeit a powerful one. Even though you possess great strength, you are not invincible, and that man's single-mindedness could have led to your misuse."

He continued, "Additionally, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pity for you. To be born solely as a weapon, with no other purpose, seemed like a cruel fate. So, I chose to free you. That's all there is to it."

Julian's curiosity then prompted him to ask, "By the way, what became of your creators? I'm just curious, you know."

Mewtwo's response was direct. [I destroyed the facility where I was created, and they were inside. I don't know their fate.]

Julian nodded, his expression showing no particular concern. "They are either deceased or incapacitated. Either way, it's not my concern. Now that you are free, I hope you'll choose to live a normal life without causing any trouble. But remember, if you do become a threat, I won't hesitate to intervene and bring you down."

Without warning, Mewtwo unleashed a potent Psychic Beam directed toward Julian. Julian, however, met the attack with unwavering composure, his gaze fixed firmly on the approaching energy.

In a swift and coordinated response, Gyarados sprang into action. It parted its colossal jaws and expelled a Hyper Beam of immense power, effectively intercepting the Psychic Beam. The collision of these mighty forces sent shockwaves through the battlefield, pushing the Psychic Beam back with incredible force. Mewtwo managed to evade the redirected attack just in time, narrowly escaping harm.

As the Hyper Beam pierced through the island and struck the water, the very sea itself seemed to split in two, only to swiftly rejoin. The display of raw power left witnesses in awe.

Julian's voice, laced with a hint of confidence, broke the silence. "You still lack the strength to challenge me. While your psychic abilities are formidable, they prove futile in our encounters."

Julian departed from the scene, leaving Mewtwo to survey the aftermath of the powerful Hyper Beam. Half of the island lay divided by the devastating force of the attack, a stark reminder of the immense power on display.

Mewtwo and the others, including Ash and his companions, watched in silent contemplation as Julian and Mew retreated into the distance. Mewtwo raised a hand, offering a final farewell to its newfound friend, Mew.

Amidst the awe-inspiring spectacle, Ash's determination shone through as he voiced his aspiration. "Someday, I'll be as strong as him."

Misty, however, responded with playful skepticism. "Yeah, right. In your dreams."

Ash, a touch indignant, sought clarification. "What did you say?"

Brock, ever the voice of reason, intervened to defuse the brewing tension. "Calm down, you two. This isn't the time for a fight."

The trio from Team Rocket remained visibly stunned, their jaws metaphorically hitting the ground.

Meowth, breaking the silence with a hint of relief, remarked, "Look at that, hehe... I told you not to mess with it. Otherwise, we'd be toast by now."

James and Jessie nodded in solemn agreement. "You're absolutely right."

Amidst the aftermath of the powerful encounter, Mewtwo directed its attention to Mew, engaging in silent communication with its fellow Legendary Pokémon.

Mewtwo, acknowledging the words of Julian and the events that had transpired, conveyed its thoughts to Mew. [Indeed, it's true. You and I are Pokémon, just as they are.]

Mew responded with a knowing nod, and together, they looked down at the Pokémon scattered across the battlefield.

Mewtwo continued, its voice carrying a sense of finality. [Perhaps it would be for the best if no one remembers this incident. It might be wise to let it fade away.]

Mew let out a soft "Meeewww," indicating its agreement.

Without warning, the cloned Pokémon began to rise into the air, levitating gracefully. They followed Mew and Mewtwo, ascending higher into the sky.

Ash, perplexed, called out, "Where are you all going?"

Mewtwo responded, its voice carrying a sense of resolution. [We were born, and we are alive. We will continue to exist in this world... somewhere.]

As Mew, Mewtwo, and the other cloned Pokémon ascended into the sky and vanished from view, an intense white light enveloped Ash, the people on the island, and the entire scene. In an instant, their memories of the recent events were wiped clean, and they found themselves transported back to Old Shore Harbor.

Julian, who had been observing the entire spectacle from a distance, couldn't help but smile at the outcome. He made his way back to the harbor, taking care to change his attire and return Gyarados to its Poké Ball. Maintaining a low profile, he discreetly watched the crowd as they reassembled in the harbor, their memories of the extraordinary events now erased.

Julian contemplated the scene unfolding before him. "It seems that everyone has forgotten about the incident and the purpose of their visit to this place. However, they still remember me and continue to chatter."

With a resigned sigh, he decided to make a discreet exit, fully aware that he didn't want the young Ash to catch sight of him. Julian slipped away from the crowd, making a hasty departure to maintain his anonymity.