Chapter 2: A Test of Strength – Battle at Viridian Forest
The Viridian Forest was alive with sound—rustling leaves, distant chirps, and the low hum of Pokémon energy. Morning sunlight filtered through the trees, casting ethereal shadows across the dirt path.
Ash and Serena walked ahead, with Riolu trotting beside them. Behind them, Joshua strode quietly with Misty and Eevee. Mew floated lazily beside Ash, humming to herself, while Mewtwo glided silently next to Joshua, her expression unreadable.
"So…" Ash began, sneaking a glance at the girl floating beside him, "you're really the Mew?"
Mew flipped in the air, giggling. "Guilty! First Pokémon and all. But I've never felt someone like you before. Your Aura is… special. Hot. Fiery."
Ash rubbed the back of his neck. "Thanks, I guess? You're… um… really close."
Mew leaned in, eyes gleaming. "You don't like it?"
"I didn't say that," he muttered, face flushing.
Serena narrowed her eyes slightly. "She's bold."
Mew turned to her. "Oh don't worry, sweetie. There's room for two. Maybe three."
Ash nearly tripped.
---
A few feet back, Misty eyed Mewtwo carefully. "You don't talk much."
"I don't waste words," Mewtwo replied smoothly, walking with regal grace.
Joshua chuckled softly. "You've got the same energy."
Misty smirked. "So she's your type?"
Joshua raised an eyebrow. "She's… intriguing."
Mewtwo turned to him. "I don't 'belong' to anyone, but I chose to be here. With you."
Misty stepped between them, casually bumping her shoulder into Joshua's. "Well, you'll have to share."
Mewtwo's eyes flashed. "Competition is acceptable. It'll make him stronger."
Joshua just sighed. "This journey's gonna be wild."
---
Suddenly, the air snapped with tension.
A sharp blast of wind cut through the trees, sending leaves flying. From the branches dropped a group of cloaked figures—black robes with red chains etched along their sleeves.
Ash's instincts flared. "Aura users?"
"No," Joshua growled. "Something darker."
One of the figures stepped forward, pulling down their hood to reveal sharp eyes and a cruel smile. "We are the Shadow Chain—liberators of Pokémon. And you two are in the way of the new order."
Mew's playful attitude vanished, replaced with glowing seriousness. "They're using corrupted Aura."
The leader raised a hand. "Take the twins alive. Kill the others."
Ash's Aura flared gold. "Like hell."
---
Battle Erupts
Two grunts lunged at Ash—Pokémon bursting from their balls. A Houndoom and Weavile snarled.
Ash's hand crackled with golden Aura. "Riolu—Iron Palm combo!"
Riolu leapt forward, cloaked in bright light. Ash threw a sharp Aura punch forward in sync, and their energies merged—double impact, knocking both enemy Pokémon flying into trees.
Behind him, Serena threw a Poké Ball—Braixen emerged, casting a shield of fire around them.
Joshua stepped forward, Eevee at his side, eyes glowing with white light. Mewtwo stepped beside him, her aura like a storm.
Three more grunts approached.
"Ready?" Joshua asked, calmly.
Eevee responded with a burst of silver light, launching forward with Quickstep, weaving through attacks.
Mewtwo raised her hand, and time itself seemed to slow. She lifted her other hand, gathering an orb of spiraling energy.
"You dared threaten him," she said coldly.
The orb expanded—Pulse of Judgment—before erupting and blasting back all three grunts at once.
Ash stared, breath caught. "She's scary…"
Mew floated beside him, giggling again. "Scary can be sexy."
"Ash!" Serena barked.
"I didn't say anything!"
---
Moments Later
The attackers fled, groaning and limping through the woods. The clearing was scorched, filled with broken trees and twitching Pokémon.
Joshua lowered his stance, breathing steadily.
Ash sat down, wiping sweat. "That was… intense."
Mewtwo turned to Joshua. "You barely broke a sweat."
He looked at her, smirking faintly. "Neither did you."
Mew floated into Ash's lap without asking, curling into him. "You're strong. You'll need me close, you know. Closer than this eventually."
Ash blinked. "Like… how close?"
She tilted her head and kissed his cheek lightly, then vanished in a swirl of pink light.
Serena's eye twitched.
Mewtwo approached Joshua next, brushing a finger along his jaw. "You've awakened something inside me. I will not let you fall."
Misty watched the tension between them simmer. She moved up to Joshua and took his hand.
"I'm not going anywhere either."
Joshua looked between the two women. "…This really is going to be wild."
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End of Chapter 2