The atmosphere inside the Viridian Gym was suffocating. Dim torches lined the stone walls, their flickering flames casting ominous shadows. The once-proud banners of past challengers hung high above, though the air carried an unsettling silence. It was as if the walls themselves bore witness to countless defeats.
Across the battlefield stood Giovanni, the final Gym Leader, a man cloaked in an aura of authority. His piercing gaze never wavered, and his slight smirk betrayed a confidence that rattled even the most seasoned opponents.
Gary Oak felt the pressure mounting. His usual bravado struggled to mask the unease bubbling beneath his determined façade. He had come so far, defeating Gym Leaders across the Kanto region. Yet now, with his goal so close, doubt crept into his thoughts.
"This is just another battle," Gary reassured himself. "I can handle it."
But the faint tremble in his clenched fists betrayed the truth.
Giovanni's voice, low and commanding, cut through the tense air. "Let's make this quick. I have other matters to attend to."
Gary's jaw tightened. He wasn't about to be dismissed so easily. "I won't back down. I'll show you the strength of a real Pokémon Trainer!"
Giovanni's smirk remained. Without a word, he reached for a Poké Ball. The metallic sphere gleamed under the dim lights.
"We shall see."
Gary wasted no time. "Go, Arcanine!"
A flash of light erupted from his Poké Ball, and with a deafening roar, Arcanine emerged. The fiery canine's mane flickered like a blazing inferno, its fangs gleaming.
Giovanni remained composed. "Dugtrio, go."
The ground shook as Dugtrio burst from beneath the earth. Its three heads blinked in perfect unison, their sharp cries echoing through the gym. Almost instantly, the Ground-type vanished back into the earth.
Gary's eyes narrowed. "You think hiding will help you? Arcanine, Flamethrower!"
A blast of searing fire roared across the battlefield, illuminating the cracked floor. The flames scorched the earth, but Dugtrio remained hidden. Gary gritted his teeth.
"He's waiting for me to make a mistake."
Giovanni's voice came, steady and cold. "Earthquake."
The gym floor erupted. Jagged stone cracked and split beneath Arcanine's paws. The powerful tremors sent shockwaves through the battlefield, and Arcanine stumbled, yelping in pain.
Gary clenched his fists. "Arcanine! Stay on your feet!"
The Fire-type growled, struggling to regain balance. But Gary wasn't done. "Extreme Speed!"
Arcanine launched forward in a blur, dashing across the battlefield with lightning-fast agility. It moved so quickly that even the experienced Giovanni narrowed his eyes. Dugtrio emerged, attempting to retreat, but Arcanine struck with devastating force.
"Dugtrio is unable to battle!"
The referee's voice echoed through the chamber.
Gary allowed himself a small smirk. "That's one down."
But Giovanni's calm demeanor never wavered. With a flick of his wrist, he recalled Dugtrio. "Not bad. But this battle is far from over."
He reached for another Poké Ball. "Rhyhorn, I choose you."
The massive, armored Pokémon materialized with a thunderous stomp. Its steel-like hide gleamed under the dim lights, and its jagged horn glistened dangerously.
Gary barely hesitated. "Arcanine, Flamethrower!"
Flames erupted once more, engulfing Rhyhorn in a blazing inferno. But as the flames died down, the Rock-type remained unfazed. Its rugged exterior made it practically impervious to fire.
"Rock Blast."
Chunks of rock shot forward, slamming into Arcanine. The impact sent the canine skidding across the floor. Gary's heart sank as Arcanine struggled to rise, only to collapse moments later.
"Arcanine is unable to battle."
Gary's breathing quickened as he recalled his fallen Pokémon. His confidence had wavered, but he wasn't giving up. Not yet.
"Exeggutor, it's your turn!"
With a flash of light, the towering Grass/Psychic-type emerged. Its three heads swayed in unison, each one blinking with eerie composure.
"Leech Seed!" Gary commanded.
Vines burst from the ground, wrapping around Rhyhorn's legs. The parasitic seeds embedded themselves into the Rock-type's tough hide, sapping its strength.
Giovanni's eyes flickered with the slightest annoyance. "Horn Attack."
Rhyhorn charged forward, its massive horn glowing with violent energy. The gym floor trembled beneath its weight.
"Dodge it, Exeggutor!"
But the Grass-type was too slow. The impact sent Exeggutor reeling, crashing to the ground. Gary's hands clenched at his sides.
"I have to turn this around."
"Solar Beam!"
Golden light gathered at Exeggutor's core, pulsing with immense energy. Rhyhorn, still weakened by Leech Seed, attempted to brace itself.
"Now!"
A beam of blinding energy shot forward, engulfing Rhyhorn in an explosion of golden light. When the dust settled, the Rock-type lay motionless.
"Rhyhorn is unable to battle!"
Gary felt a surge of relief. But the victorious moment was short-lived. Giovanni recalled his fallen Pokémon without a word, his face unreadable.
"Persian, come forth."
The sleek feline Pokémon emerged gracefully, its jewel-like forehead gleaming. Its narrowed eyes locked onto Exeggutor.
"Exeggutor, Psychic!"
A violet glow surrounded Exeggutor's heads as it unleashed a wave of mental energy.
"Dodge, then Shadow Claw."
Persian leapt effortlessly, evading the psychic blast. Its claws darkened with ghostly energy before slashing across Exeggutor. The Grass-type cried out before collapsing.
"Exeggutor is unable to battle."
Gary's pulse raced. He was down to his last Pokémon.
"Blastoise, I choose you!"
The massive Water-type emerged, its powerful cannons gleaming.
"Hydro Pump!"
Twin torrents of water surged toward Persian.
"Power Gem."
Persian's jewel flashed, sending a beam of energy to meet the oncoming attack. The resulting explosion sent mist cascading across the gym.
Through the haze, Gary seized his chance.
"Blastoise, Skull Bash!"
The Water-type lowered its head, charging forward with incredible speed. The force sent Persian flying, crashing into the floor.
"Persian is unable to battle."
Gary's relief was short-lived. Giovanni's smirk returned.
"Not yet."
Behind him, a hidden wall shifted. The sound of mechanical gears echoed as a containment pod emerged from the shadows. Inside, a pale figure stirred.
Thick mist spilled from the pod as it opened. A humanoid Pokémon, sleek and unnervingly still, stepped forward. Its eyes glowed with an unsettling light.
"What is that?!" Gary's voice wavered.
Giovanni's grin widened. "A force beyond comprehension."
Inside Mewtwo's Mind
"Another battle. Another display of power. Is that all I am?"
Mewtwo's thoughts echoed in the endless void of its consciousness. Memories of relentless experiments, painful augmentations, and constant servitude flashed through its mind. Team Rocket had molded it into a weapon.
But the question lingered.
"Am I merely a tool? Or something more?"
Mewtwo's eyes flickered with faint resistance. The commands were always the same — crush, dominate, obey. Yet something deep within stirred. Every defeated opponent, every anguished cry, added weight to its growing resentment.
But the restraints around its limbs pulsed with energy, their dull metallic glow a reminder of its subjugation. Giovanni's control still lingered.
"Fight."
The word reverberated through Mewtwo's mind, but it was not its own. It was Giovanni's will, projected through the device latched onto the back of its skull.
Back to the Battle
Gary clenched his fists. The imposing figure of this unknown Pokemon loomed, its unreadable gaze fixed on him. But he couldn't back down.
"Blastoise, Hydro Pump!"
Blastoise unleashed a torrent of water, the powerful blast roaring across the field. The sheer force of the attack sent shockwaves through the gym, yet Mewtwo didn't flinch.
With a mere flick of its fingers, Mewtwo seized the water mid-air. The liquid twisted and coiled unnaturally, held by an invisible force. Gary's eyes widened in disbelief.
"No way…"
"Pathetic," Giovanni sneered. "Now show him true power. Use Psychic."
Mewtwo's eyes glowed with a brilliant violet hue. The air thickened, pressure mounting. Without a sound, a wave of psychic energy burst forward. Blastoise roared in pain as it was lifted and slammed into the steel wall with bone-crushing force.
The sound of metal creaking echoed through the gym. Dust and debris rained down as Blastoise slumped to the ground, motionless.
"Blastoise is unable to battle. The winner is Giovanni."
Gary collapsed to his knees, his breath ragged. His Pokémon had fought valiantly, but the unknown pokemon's power was beyond comprehension.
But while Giovanni's smirk grew, Mewtwo's gaze remained distant.
"Is this victory?"
As Giovanni stepped forward, Mewtwo's mind stirred once more.
"What purpose does this serve? Crushing opponents at his command — does that prove my strength? Or merely my chains?"
The memory of the cloning chamber flashed through its thoughts. It had been born from the DNA of Mew, yet warped into a creature of destruction. The scientists had cheered its power, but none had acknowledged its pain.
"I am more than their creation."
But the weight of Giovanni's control bore down. The mechanical collar embedded into Mewtwo's neck hummed. Resisting it was agony.
"You are mine," Giovanni's voice echoed in its mind. "Your power is my weapon."
Gary clutched his chest, struggling to steady his breath. His thoughts swirled with disbelief.
"That… that wasn't natural."
Giovanni's smile was as cold as ever. "No, Gary. That was power."
Before Gary could respond, Giovanni's expression darkened. He turned to Mewtwo, his voice sharp.
"Mewtwo, erase his memory. We cannot have any witnesses."
The psychic energy around Mewtwo flared. Gary's eyes widened in horror as the oppressive force bore down on his mind. A splitting pain shot through his skull. But just before the final blow, a flicker of hesitation passed through Mewtwo's gaze.
"Why?"
The question burned within the Pokémon's thoughts. But the collar's pulse intensified. Defiance brought pain. And the command remained.
"Do it."
With a final surge of energy, Gary's vision blurred. The last thing he saw was Giovanni's twisted grin and Mewtwo's glowing eyes. Then, darkness consumed him.
Giovanni motioned to his guards. "Take him to the Pokémon Center. Tell them he collapsed from battle fatigue."
The guards complied, swiftly carrying Gary's limp form away.
Giovanni turned back to Mewtwo, his expression stern. "You hesitated."
Mewtwo said nothing. But deep within, the embers of rebellion continued to smolder.
And within the depths of its fractured mind, Mewtwo's resolve hardened.
"One day, I will be free."
To be continued…
Re-reading this fic give sometime so I could update it.