Golden sunlight filtered through the glass windows of Professor Oak's Laboratory, casting mottled patterns of light and shadow across the floor.
Ash and his companions pushed open the laboratory doors, looking road-weary but energized. Pikachu leaped nimbly from Ash's shoulder, heading straight for his food bowl in the corner with practiced ease.
"Professor, we're back!" Ash's voice echoed through the spacious facility.
Professor Oak was standing before a massive holographic projection screen, which displayed a series of complex energy fluctuation charts. Hearing the voice, he turned around, a gratified smile immediately spreading across his face.
"Ah, Ash! You've arrived just in time." The Professor adjusted his glasses. "Gary got here not long ago himself."
Following the Professor's gaze, Ash saw Gary leaning against an experimental table, idly tossing a Poké Ball in his hand. Seeing Ash, he gave a slight nod, his lips curling into his usual confident smirk.
Misty moved closer to the holographic screen, her curiosity piqued. "Professor, what are you researching?"
"These are abnormal energy fluctuations recently detected at the Indigo Plateau," Professor Oak replied, his expression turning serious. "But now is not the time for that. I assume you're here to learn about the specific arrangements for the Pokémon League Conference?"
The Professor led the group into a briefing room. An electronic map on the wall lit up instantly, displaying a detailed topographical view of the Kanto Region. A red marker pulsed steadily at the location of the Indigo Plateau.
"The Pokémon League Conference at the Indigo Plateau will officially open in two weeks," Professor Oak explained, pointing with a laser pen. "It's worth noting that only two trainers from Pallet Town qualified to participate this year"
Gary elegantly straightened his collar. "That goes without saying."
"And those two are you," the Professor finished, smiling at Ash and Gary. "As the representatives of Pallet Town, I hope you both achieve great results."
Brock examined the markers on the map closely. "Professor, have there been any changes to the tournament format this year?"
"A new grouping system was adopted this time," Oak said as he pulled up the format details. "128 contestants will compete in the preliminary rounds to determine the Top 64, followed by a formal single-elimination tournament."
Just then, an emergency notification popped up in the corner of the screen. Professor Oak browsed it quickly; his expression grew momentarily heavy, but he soon regained his smile.
"Speaking of which, Ash has an identity besides being a trainer that some of you might not be aware of." The Professor's words caused everyone to prick up their ears. "He is my special research assistant. He has provided vital data support for several of my studies."
"What?" Gary's face betrayed a look of unmasked surprise for the first time. "You're the Professor's special assistant?"
Ash scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "I'm just helping record some ecological data on Pokémon, that's all."
"Don't be too humble," the Professor said, pulling up several research reports. "The ecological data you provided on Fossil Pokémon, as well as your observation reports on new attributes and Eevee's new evolutions, have caused quite a stir in the academic world. My old friend just sent me a message confirming the findings. This is a revolutionary subject."
Misty leaned in toward the screen, staring at the complex charts. "Ash did all of this?"
"Of course. These data points require professional observation and recording skills," Professor Oak said, patting Ash on the shoulder. "To be honest, I was surprised when you first volunteered to assist with the research. I didn't expect you to stick with it for so long, let alone perform so excellently."
Gary's expression became complicated. He realized for the first time that this boy, whom he had always viewed as a rival, seemed to be much deeper than he had imagined.
At that moment, the Professor suggested they compare their capture results. Gary immediately regained his confidence, pulling up his Pokédex data. "I've already captured over two hundred Pokémon! That number alone is proof of my strength."
However, when Ash's Pokédex data was displayed on the large screen, the briefing room erupted in gasps of amazement.
Though the total count was only around eightyless than half of Gary'sthe variety was staggering. There was a Shiny Ponyta, a group of Fossil Pokémon, the legendary Dratini, and various other special individuals. Every single one had its ecological data recorded with meticulous detail.
"Quantity is important, certainly," Ash said calmly, "but I feel it's more important to establish a deep Bond with each Pokémon. I believe in focusing on elites. If you have too many, you can't look after them all properly. After all, true strength isn't about how many you own, but how much of their potential you can bring out."
Gary fell into deep thought. He recalled his crushing defeat at the Viridian Gym, and then thought back to Ash's track record throughout his journey. For the first time, he began to seriously consider the meaning behind those words.
Professor Oak nodded in approval. "Well said. The Bond between a trainer and their Pokémon is indeed a topic worth our in-depth study."
While the atmosphere in the laboratory was harmonious, quite a different scene was unfolding outside the Team Rocket headquarters on the outskirts of Viridian City.
Jessie, James, and Meowth were pacing back and forth outside the main gates, their faces written with anxiety.
"What are we gonna do, meow... The Viridian Gym was wrecked so bad. Is the Boss gonna throw us to the Gyarados?" Meowth clutched his head, his tail twitching nervously.
Jessie kicked a stone at her feet irritably. "It's all that brat's fault! If it weren't for his Charizard and Pikachu..."
James looked toward the base gates with worry. "I heard Boss Giovanni is in a very bad mood today. It might not be the best time to report in..."
Suddenly, a deafening explosion erupted from within the base, followed by the continuous sound of structures collapsing. The ground began to shake violently, and the base's alarm system let out a shrill, piercing beep.
"What's happening?" James stared in horror at the thick smoke and flames billowing from the interior.
A brilliant purple light burst through the alloy roof of the base as the figure of Mewtwo rose slowly within the radiance. It had completely torn through the armor that had bound it, revealing its true form. Powerful waves of telekinetic energy rippled outward from it; wherever they passed, reinforced concrete crumbled like paper.
"Itit's that Pokémon!" Jessie cried out, instinctively backing away. It was even more powerful than it had been at the Gym!
Mewtwo hovered in mid-air, its eyes flashing with a cold, piercing light. It slowly raised its hand, and a blast of Psychic energy instantly demolished the base's command tower. Team Rocket members within the base scattered in chaos, yet none could even get close to Mewtwo.
In the midst of the confusion, they saw Giovanni, escorted by a group of executives, hurriedly board a VTOL helicopter. The black shell of the helicopter bore a prominent red 'R' logo.
As he passed the Team Rocket trio, Giovanni's pace slowed slightly, his cold gaze sweeping over the three of them.
"Carry on as you were before."
Leaving behind those meaningful words, Giovanni quickly boarded and departed. The helicopter roared as it took to the sky, speeding off in the direction Mewtwo had disappeared, soon becoming nothing more than a black dot on the horizon.
The Team Rocket trio looked at each other, then back at the base that had been reduced to ruins.
"So... we're fine? The Boss isn't going to hold us responsible?" James asked uncertainly, wiping cold sweat from his forehead.
Jessie put her hands on her hips, quickly regaining her usual arrogance. "Since the Boss said to carry on, then we'll just go back to catching Pikachu and rare Pokémon! We have to come up with a perfect plan this time!"
"That's right, meow!" Meowth cheered up, waving his claws. "Team Rocket is invincible, meow! We'll let that Twerp enjoy himself for just a little longer!"
The three of them high-fived, their confidence restored, and left the smoking ruins of the base behind.
None of them noticed that in the distant sky, a streak of purple light was flying toward the southern seas. There, an island named New Island was waiting for its master.
The next arc is Mewtwo Strikes Back. Does anyone have any good suggestions?
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