Chapter 6 – Spark Before the Storm
The sunlight slipped through the curtains like a gentle whisper, touching bare skin and tangled sheets. A soft breath escaped Misty's lips as she stirred against Joshua's chest. Mewtwo's tail curled protectively around them, her violet eyes already open, silently observing the rising warmth of morning.
Joshua was still half-asleep, his hand resting on Misty's hip, his other arm holding Mewtwo close. The previous night played like a dream in his mind—pleasure, energy, raw emotion. But now, in the quiet, it was the peace that lingered most.
Mewtwo tilted her head slightly. "You are… content."
Joshua smiled sleepily. "Is that surprising?"
"It is… unfamiliar." She pressed a soft kiss to his collarbone, then sat up gracefully, lavender skin catching the light like satin. "But… welcome."
Misty yawned beside them, her body still flush from last night's closeness. "I could get used to this," she murmured, tracing a finger along Joshua's chest. "But only if you keep making breakfast."
---
Across the room, Ash stretched with a groan, Serena curled at his side, Mew resting on top of him like a lazy feline goddess. Her small pink body molded comfortably to him, tail swaying with satisfaction.
"You two sleep like you're trying to drain my Aura," Ash joked, running fingers through Mew's soft hair.
Mew giggled. "That's because we are."
Serena smiled, brushing a kiss along his jawline. "You seemed to enjoy it."
Ash flushed. "Yeah… well. Don't go telling Pikachu."
Mew blinked slowly. "Too late. He peeked."
They all burst into laughter—until a sudden pulse in the air shifted the mood.
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Outside Pewter City – Midday
The group had just set out on the path toward Cerulean City. The road curved gently around a cliffside, trees rustling in the wind, and the air felt alive with energy.
Too alive.
Joshua's Aura twitched first. A chill swept down his spine. Mewtwo tensed.
"Something's coming," she said flatly.
Ash narrowed his eyes. "Aura disturbance. I feel it too."
A crack echoed through the air as smoke bombs detonated on both sides of the road. Instinct kicked in. Joshua pulled Misty back, and Mewtwo's body shimmered with a psychic barrier. Ash lunged in front of Serena and Mew.
From the smoke emerged black-clad figures—Team Rocket.
But not ordinary grunts.
Their uniforms were sleek, reinforced, with glowing circuits down their arms—Aura tech armor. One of them held what looked like a Poké Ball fused with a black crystal.
"You've been busy," Ash muttered.
A woman stepped forward—tall, raven-haired, with crimson eyes and a jacket lined in white fur. Her voice was smooth and cold.
"Joshua. Ash. Sons of Red. We've been watching you."
Joshua's fists clenched. "Who the hell are you?"
"Commander Lysara," she said, flashing a badge with a dark "R" coiled around a serpent. "And this is just a taste of what's coming."
She tossed the crystal ball high.
It exploded in midair—releasing a darkened Zapdos, corrupted by shadow energy and mechanical restraints fused into its wings.
Ash's eyes widened. "They're trying to control Legendaries!"
Mew hissed, her body floating up, energy glowing pink-hot.
Serena stepped forward. "You're not hurting anyone."
Lysara smiled. "Let's see if your pretty Aura can handle this."
---
The Battle Begins
Joshua and Ash stood side-by-side, their palms glowing silver and gold.
"Misty, stay close. Mewtwo—ready?" Joshua said.
She stepped forward, eyes glowing, tail rising. "Let us show them true power."
Zapdos shrieked, sending a bolt of black lightning toward the group. Mewtwo raised her hand and deflected it mid-air, the shockwave splintering the ground. Mew danced through the air beside her, launching a Psywave that cut through Team Rocket's frontline.
Ash launched forward, fists glowing with compressed Aura. He leapt high, delivering a rising uppercut to a grunt, while Mew swept behind him, flicking a second out of the way with her tail.
"Nice!" Serena cheered, drawing her Pokéball. "Sylveon—let's go!"
Meanwhile, Misty held a defensive formation near Joshua. She called out, "Starmie, cover us!"
Zapdos dove—talons forward, dark electricity surging. Joshua caught it mid-air with a burst of raw Aura, pushing against its corrupted will.
"I can feel… pain inside it," Joshua muttered.
Mewtwo stepped beside him. "Its will is not gone. Only twisted. Let me reach it."
She closed her eyes, and the air around her vibrated with psychic energy. Her hand touched Zapdos' head. It thrashed, screeching—but slowly began to glow… the corruption receding.
Then, from behind the cliff—a new presence.
A figure dropped silently onto a rock, legs crossed, watching.
A girl. Roughly their age, tall and elegant, with long silver hair and skin that shimmered faintly like moonlight. A golden feather glinted on her belt.
Her eyes locked onto Ash.
"Interesting," she said calmly. "You fight like my father."
Ash blinked. "Who are you?"
She smiled faintly. "Name's Aira. Daughter of Ho-Oh."
Everyone froze.
Even Mewtwo turned.
"You're—one of them."
Aira nodded. "I've been sent to test you."
Before anyone could ask more, she vanished in a blaze of radiant flame.
---
Later that Night – Forest Clearing
The battle left them bruised but victorious. Team Rocket had retreated. Zapdos was gone, its mind partially freed. But the message had been clear—more was coming.
Joshua sat on a log, hands glowing faintly as he meditated. Mewtwo sat across from him, her legs folded under her, her gaze steady.
"You grow stronger," she said. "But your heart hesitates."
Joshua opened his eyes. "Because I'm afraid. Of what I'll have to become to stop them."
Mewtwo moved beside him, placing a hand on his chest. "Then let me help you become it."
Nearby, Misty cleaned her gear, but her eyes never left Joshua.
And in the tent across the fire, Serena sat with Mew in her lap, whispering.
"You saw Aira, didn't you?" Serena asked.
Mew nodded. "The children of gods walk among us now."
Ash walked up behind them, voice soft. "Then we'd better be ready."
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End of Chapter 6