"Bring it on!"
Mewtwo smiled calmly, then unleashed astonishing psychic power. With a wave of both hands, it materialized a mysterious psychic wave, striking the incoming Charizard head-on and dealing physical damage to the fire-breathing Pokémon.
"Psystrike?" Red asked curiously.
(Psystrike is a Psychic-type move introduced in Generation V and is also Mewtwo's signature move. It is similar to Psyshock, but even more powerful.)
While Charizard was stalling Mewtwo, Beedrill once again turned into an afterimage, silently approaching from behind and immediately unleashing Twin Cross.
Fortunately, Mewtwo had already anticipated this. While using Psychic to resist Charizard, it didn't forget to turn around and launch Psyblade toward Beedrill.
Red and the four Pokémon all stared in shock at what was happening before them. It was hard to imagine that under the combined assault of Beedrill and Charizard, Mewtwo still had the spare strength to defend itself—and hadn't even taken any obvious damage.
At Red's signal, Beedrill and Charizard pulled back, trying to observe Mewtwo's weaknesses.
"Beedrill, use Swords Dance!"
"Charizard, use Dragon Dance!"
Beedrill performed an intense battle dance, greatly boosting its attack.
Charizard also performed a powerful and mysterious dance, raising both its attack and speed.
"Is it coming?" Mewtwo murmured.
"Charizard, use Dragon Rush into Dragon Claw!"
"Beedrill, use Pin Missile to support Charizard's attack!"
Beedrill rapidly flapped its wings to reach the sky, crossing its twin stingers to release countless sharp needles that shot toward Mewtwo like missiles.
Forced by Beedrill's terrifying attack power, Mewtwo had to use Psychic to control the incoming Pin Missiles, but this gave Charizard the opportunity to strike.
Covered in a deep blue dragon aura, Charizard flapped its massive wings and, in an instant, appeared before Mewtwo. Its claws glowed with emerald energy as it followed up with a powerful Dragon Claw.
"Bang—"
Mewtwo was sent flying, but it quickly used psychic power to shield itself, avoiding crashing into the wall.
"Impressive damage. You're quite capable. Unfortunately, my setup isn't as simple as it appears," Mewtwo said calmly.
Sensing something, Red immediately shouted for Charizard to retreat—but it was too late.
A beam suddenly descended from above Charizard. This condensed psychic beam struck its body directly, and the immense power made Charizard grimace in pain. Yet, for the sake of a warrior's pride, it didn't let out a single cry.
"Future Sight…" Red murmured.
Seeing Charizard's stamina fading, Red reluctantly withdrew the power supporting it and instructed Charizard to leave the battlefield and rest.
At first, Charizard stubbornly shook its head, indicating it could still fight. But after taking just one step, its body froze in place, a painful expression appearing on its face.
Fortunately, the other four Pokémon watching persuaded it to stand down. As they put it, they had been watching for so long without complaining—why was it still being stubborn?
Having no argument, Charizard finally relaxed, deactivating its Mega Evolution. With an unwilling look toward Mewtwo, it ultimately sighed and shook its head.
"So it's just Beedrill left…" Red murmured. The fighting spirit in his eyes didn't fade—instead, it burned even stronger.
"Beedrill… such a familiar yet detestable Pokémon…" Mewtwo said indifferently, raising its hand to unleash Psystrike, sending a tangible wave of psychic energy toward Beedrill.
"Use Cross Scissor!" Red ordered.
Beedrill showed no intention of dodging. Crossing its twin stingers, it struck forward and shattered the incoming psychic wave.
(An outstanding one…)
Mewtwo nodded in approval as it looked at Beedrill.
After Charizard's withdrawal, Red, whose stamina had recovered, poured all his remaining strength into Beedrill, further boosting its power.
Red's trust, along with the hopes of five companions behind it, became Beedrill's resolve to never fall here.
At that moment, a commotion suddenly arose outside Viridian Gym. The intense battle aura that had filled the space began to dissipate.
Mewtwo glanced outside with slight displeasure. It had been looking forward to the next clash with Beedrill, but now it had no choice but to end things hastily.
"Mewtwo, let's finish this with a final move we won't regret—one worthy of being etched into our memories!" Red declared.
"I was thinking the same!" Mewtwo replied.
"Beedrill, use Swords Dance again!"
Beedrill once again performed its battle dance, greatly boosting its attack.
"Beedrill, finish it with a final Cross Scissor!"
Under the watchful eyes of Red and the Pokémon, Beedrill's stingers burst with dazzling green light as it flapped its wings and rushed toward Mewtwo.
"Nice!" Mewtwo exclaimed.
Purple psychic blades formed along Mewtwo's arms. Instead of immediately slashing, they attached themselves to its arms like extensions.
Mewtwo rushed forward at the same time, crossing its arms to deliver a close-range Psyblade.
(My limits aren't here yet—I can become even stronger!)
In the moment before clashing with Mewtwo, Beedrill recalled the past three years with Red, as well as the grueling training with the mischievous Mew.
(I won't let down my master's expectations, nor the trust of others!)
A crimson aura suddenly burst from Beedrill's body. Under Mewtwo's astonished gaze, Beedrill was enveloped in a red battle aura, its form beginning to change once more.
However, this transformation was incomplete—it hadn't reached its full state. Within the crimson aura, only a vague silhouette could be seen.
"You—!"
Mewtwo stared in shock at the changing Beedrill, unable to believe it was undergoing another stage of evolution.
Fortunately, the transformation was unfinished. To avoid failing due to distraction, Mewtwo dismissed such thoughts and swung down its arms with full force.
"Bang—"
The clash of the two powerful moves triggered a violent explosion. The aftershock shattered nearby stone pillars, causing the entire Viridian Gym to tremble. The ceiling above began to collapse, raining down debris.
As the smoke cleared, Beedrill staggered and reverted from its Mega Evolution. The crimson aura covering its body vanished completely, as if it had never existed.
Beedrill swayed weakly, yet refused to collapse. It didn't want to betray Red and its companions' trust.
"For a Beedrill, you are already exceptional!"
Mewtwo showed a rare approving smile and nodded in praise.
"Let this battle end in a draw between us. I look forward to seeing the power you'll achieve once that new form is perfected.
I can sense that this form embodies the deep bond between you and Red—it will undoubtedly surpass your previous Mega Evolution!"
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