[New Fanfic Event Start Tomorrow!!]
[Use Your PowerStones On Your Favorite For It To Be Picked UP!!]
[Power Stones+Reviews Are Counted!!]
[Thanks For Your Support!!]
Faced with the pressure from Walking Wake, Zoroark had no choice but to give it everything it had. Eager for recognition, it activated its Illusion ability and transformed into an exact copy of Walking Wake!
In the movie Zoroark: Master of Illusions, the Zoroark that appeared in Crown City could conjure illusions so powerful that even the shiny trio of the Legendary Beasts were immobilized. And this Zoroark, carefully trained by N himself, was by no means inferior to that one!
"Raargh?" Walking Wake curiously examined Zoroark, unimpressed that the other had mimicked its appearance. It snorted in disdain and muttered:
"A knockoff is still a knockoff. The king is fake, the hero is fake, and even his Pokémon behave like impersonators and imitators. This so-called kingdom… not a shred of authenticity in sight!"
"In that case, the Trainer I chose is clearly the better one!"
Those words made Zoroark freeze in shame for a moment, before flaring up in anger.
"I won't allow you to speak about Lord N that way! Legendary Dragon, I have held back long enough."
"If you truly believe Lord N is inferior to the one who built this workshop, then please—listen carefully to N's ideals… and decide again."
Zoroark's voice wavered slightly. After all, the last time it encountered Walking Wake, it had been yanked around by the mane so hard that it nearly turned into "Baldark."
But Walking Wake's words had deeply provoked it. And as for the workshop's creator, Zoroark had only heard about the human through the Swords of Justice—it had never seen him in person.
Still, for a human to bring together so many Pokémon—even Legendary ones—and let them live peacefully in harmony, even if it was only in the Dream World, was impressive enough to surprise Zoroark.
This human was no ordinary person. Zoroark couldn't help but wonder if he was also from Unova. If so, he might become a serious rival to Lord N.
And more importantly, the Legendary Dragon had already acknowledged this human! That made Zoroark feel an intense urgency.
"Lord N seeks to liberate all Pokémon! He wants to turn this world into one for Pokémon. He wants to see what no one else can—the ideals buried within the Poké Balls, the truth about Trainers, and the future where Pokémon become complete beings. For that, he must gain power—the kind that everyone can accept. He wants to unravel the equation that can change the world!"
"Many Pokémon already consider Lord N their friend. I don't want you to insult him!"
"If you think he's being insulted, then perhaps deep down, you already had doubts about his ideals," said Cobalion coolly. "You just chose to ignore it out of loyalty."
His words struck directly at Zoroark's heart. Furious and flustered, it fell silent. Meanwhile, Walking Wake gave Cobalion a new look of approval.
Hey! Horn-head goat! You're not so bad after all! Didn't expect you to back me up!
"A fake hero is still a hero. As long as Lord N's vision of the future becomes reality, then he deserves to be called a true hero," Zoroark said with resolve.
But Terrakion chuckled.
"In some ways, you might be more of a hero than your Trainer. Does he have that same unwavering conviction? Or will he waver after a few defeats?"
"He won't! Lord N's beliefs are even more steadfast than mine," Zoroark responded without hesitation. It tried its best to restore N's image and continued preaching to the other Pokémon, though each time, the Swords of Justice shot back with comments that pierced its weak points, leaving it overwhelmed.
Meanwhile, in the fields nearby, the Light Stone buried at the bottom of the curry pot, and the Dark Stone charging inside the workshop cabin, both quietly released their energies, silently listening to every word and movement on the floating island.
Hm? Someone seeking power? A successor hoping to follow the legend of the founding heroes?
The Light and Dark Stones hadn't expected anyone to seek them out proactively. From Zoroark's "sermon," they could tell its Trainer had grand ideals. That intrigued the Dark Stone. The Light Stone, however, remained unimpressed.
Ideals exist only in the distant future. If one wants to make them real, then they must possess power. That is truth.
From a strategic standpoint, there was nothing wrong with N's plan. But Cobalion's words were sharp and accurate.
If a Pokémon acting on behalf of its Trainer can't even fully believe in its master's ideals, how can it hope to convince a Legendary Dragon?
It wasn't that N's ideals were too mild to provoke interest. In fact, the truth was the opposite: Reshiram and Zekrom both knew very well that the more extreme and unwavering a person was in their ideals or truths, the more qualified they were to be called a Hero. Only such people remained unshaken in their beliefs, holding to their original vision.
Dark Stone:
"There can be many Hero candidates, but a Trainer who earns such unwavering loyalty from their Pokémon is certainly worth observing. Still, like Cobalion and Terrakion said—it depends on whether he has the capacity to become a true Hero."
Light Stone:
"If things have reached this point, then he's stepping into the realm of truth. Once he understands the vast gap between the real world and his ideal world, he may abandon his ideals entirely. And if that happens, would you still support him? If so, you better decide quickly!"
Dark Stone:
"I know you're trying to provoke me, but I never said I was giving up on the previous candidate. At the very least, this new one's way down the list for now."
The Light Stone was clearly displeased.
Tch! This black dragon still won't give up. There are plenty of idealists in the world—you can just go help any of them! Hurry up and leave this workshop already!
Hoo—
From the Meditation Labyrinth, Mewtwo floated out. As a powerful Psychic-type, it too had been listening to everything happening around the island.
Calyrex had already recruited many Pokémon, who had started farming under its guidance. Mewtwo originally planned to finish the planting and sowing all at once with its psychic powers, but seeing how energetic and passionate the Pokémon were, it shook its head with a smile.
Plants grown by the Pokémon's own hands had a deeper meaning to them. Sometimes, even immense power needed to be used in moderation.
Calyrex waved from afar, and Mewtwo returned the gesture, signaling that it would join them soon. At the same time, Mewtwo noticed many Psychic-type Pokémon secretly observing it.
Being such a powerful Psychic-type, it naturally drew admiration from its peers. So, Mewtwo invited them to enter the Meditation Labyrinth for training and offered to teach them advanced techniques for mastering their powers.
"Power isn't something I must hoard. If you wish to become stronger, then come train with me."
With a warm smile, the once-burdened Mewtwo radiated a newfound friendliness. The surrounding Psychic Pokémon murmured in excitement, faces full of anticipation.
Among them was Gothorita, who had listened to Calyrex's speech earlier.
Wow, all the strong Psychic-types are gathering! How lucky!
Her Trainer was on the verge of becoming an Elite Four member—she couldn't afford to be left behind! This was her chance to grow in secret and wow everyone!
Elsewhere in the labyrinth, the battle between Walking Wake and Zoroark had come to a predictable conclusion—Walking Wake won. The ancient dragon shook its head and delivered its usual mocking sneer.
But then, Mewtwo gently floated down beside Zoroark.
"Zoroark, your heart is in turmoil."
Seeing the Pokémon dejected and downcast, Mewtwo looked into its eyes. Under the questioning gazes of the Swords of Justice, Mewtwo smiled.
"Whether human or Pokémon, we are all living beings in this world. No one has the right to strip that away. And to make the world richer, both you and your Trainer must learn to accept other perspectives."
"I sensed your Trainer's beliefs buried deep within your heart. But humans are not all the same. Narrow thinking only traps one in a pitch-dark room. Your Trainer must open the window to truly see the world."
"I once took a wrong path—destruction, madness, confusion, and self-doubt. Now, I pass this wisdom to you. If your Trainer truly listens to your heart, then these words will reach him too."
Zoroark looked confused, but Mewtwo said no more. Some truths couldn't be taught—they had to be realized. Just like Mewtwo once had to unlearn what Giovanni force-fed him—war, conquest, domination—and believed those were his only purpose.
Only external intervention could guide someone off such a path. And maybe, just maybe, according to Unova's legends, the tale of the two heroes would soon be reborn in that distant land.
Light Stone:
"See? If we're talking ideals, doesn't Mewtwo's vision shine even brighter? The bonds between people and Pokémon are so vividly alive within him!"
Dark Stone:
"Yeah, in theory, Mewtwo—being a Pokémon created by humans—qualifies as a Hero too. In all those human tales, characters with mysterious origins and complicated pasts are always the ones destined for great roles. Honestly, Mewtwo might just be the real Hero."
If that's the case, then the list of Hero candidates just keeps growing!
The two stones once again acknowledged Mewtwo's philosophy. Meanwhile, Zoroark sadly left the Dream World, its body fading into a blur. In the next moment, the sound of hooves echoed across the rainbow bridge.
"Heave-ho!"
A ponytailed young Keldeo trotted onto the floating island.
"Masters! I've arrived! Where's the 'partner' you said would help me learn Sacred Sword?"
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum]
[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[Thank You For Your Support!]