Bruno was in high spirits after the battle and had no intention of continuing.
He slung Hitmonchan over his shoulder and began descending Mount Miacha.
Before disappearing down the rocky path, he turned back with a grin.
"I'll be waiting for you at the Indigo Plateau. Next time—we'll have a real battle!"
The Indigo Plateau…
What an enticing stage.
Defeating the Elite Four one by one and ascending to the Champion's throne—it would be exhilarating.
Sam would go.
But not yet.
Not until he was confident enough to defeat Lance.
The storm above Mount Miacha intensified. Dark clouds pressed low, heavy and suffocating.
Sam prepared to leave as well.
Just as he stepped forward—
An orange figure pierced through the clouds.
It descended slowly.
"Dragonite?"
Sam narrowed his eyes.
The Dragonite was clearly approaching him. Yet he had never seen it before.
Scyther instantly moved to Sam's side, blades poised defensively.
But the Dragonite showed no hostility.
It flapped its small wings and landed gently in front of him.
There was something… familiar.
A scent.
Not literal—but an aura.
Mewtwo's aura.
At that same moment, Deoxys' core burst from Sam's backpack, glowing with dazzling purple light.
It trembled with excitement.
Then—
A system notification echoed in Sam's mind.
[Side Mission Triggered: Mewtwo's Counterattack]
Mewtwo has sent invitations to Trainers it acknowledges. You are one of them.
This is both opportunity and challenge.
Mission Difficulty: ISSS.
The Dragonite handed over an invitation.
After confirming Sam had received it, Dragonite immediately took off again—its task clearly far from over.
Sam didn't open the letter.
He was thinking.
Should he go?
"I want to go."
A voice echoed in his mind.
Sam frowned and looked around.
"I want to go. Mewtwo."
He focused on the glowing core.
"Deoxys… that was you?"
"Yes."
The mental voice was calm—but resolute.
"I will go to the New Island."
Sam smiled softly and held the amethyst core in his hand.
"I know."
---
The New Island
A remote, desolate island.
Mewtwo's birthplace.
After escaping Giovanni, Mewtwo returned there and established a new base.
It had sent invitations in the name of the strongest Trainer.
On this island, it would declare itself the world's mightiest.
At the highest tower of its castle, Mewtwo extended its hand.
Endless Psychic power surged outward.
The calm sea turned violent.
Thunderclouds gathered at its command.
Clear skies transformed into roaring chaos within dozens of kilometers.
Heavy rain lashed the ocean.
Lightning split the sky.
Through the thunder, Mewtwo saw a familiar image in its mind—
A young Trainer holding a purple gem.
"Deoxys… Sam…"
"I'll be waiting."
---
Old Coast Pier
By the time Sam arrived at the waiting area, it was already packed.
Trainers from across Kanto had gathered, invitations in hand.
Mewtwo understood human psychology well.
It had chosen young Trainers.
None could resist the title: Strongest Trainer.
Outside the glass windows, the sea raged violently.
"No boats are sailing in this," Sam murmured.
No sailor would risk such a storm. This wasn't bravery—it was suicide.
Sam wasn't in a hurry.
If his guess was correct—
Ash and the others would come.
Soon enough, three soaked figures rushed into the waiting hall.
Ash.
Misty.
Brock.
They were drenched from head to toe.
Pikachu shook its body vigorously, spraying water everywhere.
"Long time no see," Sam greeted calmly.
Ash's eyes lit up.
"Sam! Did you get the invitation from the strongest Trainer too?"
Sam opened his mouth to answer—
But Misty cut in first.
"Well, if even Ash got one, of course Sam would."
Ash glared at her.
"Hey! I've won eight Badges! And I've been training like crazy lately! I'm not the same as before! Even Sam won't beat me that easily now!"
He puffed out his chest confidently.
"Pikachu!"
Sam sighed with a faint smile.
Ash's confidence was endless.
And honestly—
That was one of his greatest strengths.
After everything he had been through, if he didn't have that optimism, he would have broken long ago.
The storm outside raged louder.
The real battle was about to begin.
---------------Author---------------
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