Chapter 842: Just a Bootleg
The scene fell into a dead silence for a moment.
This made Colress somewhat confused: "Why aren't you speaking?"
Logically speaking, having dropped such a massive piece of intelligence, these Pokémon should be asking all sorts of questions in shock.
But why were they all silent, merely exchanging silent glances?
Only Kazuya and his group knew the reason.
None of them could have ever imagined that all of this would trace back to Kazuya and Meowscarada from three hundred years ago.
Furthermore, they never anticipated that the ones who annihilated Team Snagem and ushered in the New Magical Beast Era were actually bootleg versions of Kazuya and Meowscarada.
Based on Mewtwo's experience, "cloned" Pokémon might inherit a portion of their genetic source's memories. If the Dark Hero of the Leaves and the Dark God of Falling Cherry Blossoms inherited a portion of Kazuya and Meowscarada's memories, then many things suddenly made sense.
For example, why Shadow knew Kazuya "would return."
Or even why He could guess certain places Kazuya would inevitably visit and set ambushes there.
Just like that time in Lumiose City. Shadow was so confident in placing two of the most powerful Supreme Demon Gods there.
Thinking of this, a slight shadow of gloom couldn't help but fall over the hearts of the six Pokémon.
After all, the Dark Hero of the Leaves and the Dark God of Falling Cherry Blossoms were indeed powerful enemies, ruthless characters no less formidable than the other Demon Gods.
But for Kazuya and Scizor, there were other emotions besides gloom.
Scizor's emotion was very pure.
Pure anger.
Anger that there were actually knock-off versions of his Master and the big cat in this world. Right now, he wished he could drag those two bootlegs out and snip them to death with his pincers.
Meanwhile, Kazuya felt a tremendous sense of relief.
Knowing who the enemy was actually relaxed his mind quite a bit.
First of all.
The Hero of the Leaves and the God of Falling Cherry Blossoms were, in the end, not true gods.
They couldn't fuse with the power of the Plates. So it was certain that at the very least, those two Dark Gods wouldn't be holding a Plate, and there was no need to worry about them possessing overpowered abilities.
Secondly.
That Dark Hero of the Leaves was ultimately just an incomplete cloned product.
At most, he would only have certain memory fragments from Kazuya's first three lives, perhaps even just the memory fragments of Kazuya's third life alone.
And the Kazuya of that time was still very weak.
At least, truly weak in the eyes of the current Kazuya.
In his fourth life, he broke through to the Master level and fought many Legendary Pokémon.
In his fifth life, he cultivated Aura to perfection and forged the most sincere bonds.
In his sixth life, he learned to utilize natural energy and how to lead the masses.
In his seventh life, he mastered psychic powers to perfection.
In this eighth life, he had become a true "god" and fused with the Dread Plate.
The Dark Hero of the Leaves possessed none of these crucial memories and experiences.
How could he possibly compare to the real Kazuya?
There was another very key point...
The Egg Moves and held items Kazuya had accumulated over his lifetimes were also a force absolutely not to be underestimated. The Dark Hero of the Leaves lacked those as well.
Lastly.
A bootleg is ultimately just a bootleg.
At the same level, Kazuya was confident he could beat those two knock-offs to a pulp.
"So, Shadow is either the Dark Hero of the Leaves or the Dark God of Falling Cherry Blossoms?" Kazuya asked Colress.
"Not necessarily." Colress on the electronic screen shook his head.
The scene changed again.
The story reached its final conclusion.
[The annihilation of Team Snagem caused a huge commotion, immediately drawing the attention of the Orre League.]
[It was discovered in time, but the Orre League lacked the capability to handle the situation.]
[Although they immediately requested reinforcements from the surrounding three major Leagues, it was still a step too late.]
[Within just a short week after Team Snagem's annihilation, the entire Orre region was plunged into misery and suffering, completely degenerating into a nest of magical beasts.]
[The Great Darkness erupted, and the Orre region became a forbidden zone for life. Since then, no one has ever come out of there.]
[The people, Pokémon, and even gods who went there never made it out alive; they all became part of 'Them'.]
"So, when you ask me who the current 'Shadow' is, I truly cannot give you that answer." Colress crossed his arms, resting his chin on his hands. "After all, so much time has passed, anything could have happened. Maybe 'Shadow' has already changed hands who knows how many times."
As soon as Colress finished speaking, Scizor's confident voice rang out: "Impossible."
He shook his head with utmost seriousness. Seeming to have seen through everything.
"Why?" Lucario asked in confusion with a glance.
Wasn't it a good thing if Shadow wasn't a bootleg Lord Kazuya? That way, their pressure might be a bit lighter.
After all... Lord Kazuya as the Hero of the Leaves. Just standing in front of them, the oppressive feeling would probably be maxed out. Facing that kind of Lord Kazuya, probably only the real Lord Kazuya on their side could maintain a calm state of mind to fight.
"Nonsense, even if it's a bootleg, my Master's bootleg is absolutely the strongest. What do those other minor gods have to compete with him for the boss's position?"
"When it comes to the ability to destroy the world, if my Master claims second, no one dares to claim first."
"So the only one capable of turning the world into this state, besides that knock-off of my Master, there can't be a second one! Absolutely impossible! He is definitely Shadow!"
"Thinking about it now, it's normal for the world to turn out like this, after all, the other gods can't even beat my Master's bootleg."
"Bwahahaha!!" Scizor couldn't help but hold his belly and roar with laughter, then raised an arm and waved it.
It wasn't an apology.
It meant 'say no more'.
He had already seen the answer.
"..."
Kazuya slapped his forehead, completely speechless.
Why did he have to associate him with destroying the world?
How could he possibly destroy the world?
Wait.
His other extreme path to saving the world.
Did seem to involve destroying the world first, then creating a new one...
It seemed Scizor actually guessed right.
"Master? Could your master be..." Colress narrowed his eyes, staring at Scizor and guessing.
"My Master is the Hero of the Leaves," Scizor proudly lifted his chin.
"Is your master still alive? Can he come out and deal with that clone?"
"He's already dealing with it."
"Really?"
"Really, it won't be long before this world is saved, rest assured." Scizor patted his chest.
Clang clang!
His chest emitted the sound of colliding steel.
He had always been so confident in Kazuya, ten thousand times more confident than Kazuya himself.
Especially after guessing Shadow's true identity.
Scizor became even more confident.
Master beating Shadow, wouldn't that be just like a father beating his son?
Not going to lie.
Seeing Scizor look so confident.
The other Pokémon also grew significantly more optimistic.
"Tell your master for me, he absolutely must not underestimate the enemy! A cloned construct is not necessarily weaker than its genetic source. You already have an example right beside you." Colress raised his hand, pointing faintly at Mewtwo beside them.
Everyone glanced at Mewtwo.
They couldn't help but fall silent for a moment.
They truly couldn't find a flaw in that statement.
Is Mewtwo stronger than Mew?
If it were a newborn Mewtwo.
It would definitely get beaten by its 'father', Mew. In the first movie, Mewtwo was toyed with by Mew like a plaything. But the Mewtwo at that time was just born, its stats definitely couldn't compare to Mew, who had lived for a long time.
But.
The potential of the artificial Pokémon Mewtwo.
Undoubtedly surpassed Mew.
Mew itself wasn't a combat god. Not to mention its mind was entirely focused on playing happily.
It wouldn't take long before it was caught up to and even surpassed by Mewtwo.
It was a very easy thing.
Never mind the first generation Mewtwo.
Even this second generation Mewtwo beside Kazuya.
Could currently suppress and beat the little Mew of the World Tree.
Therefore.
For Colress to use Mew and Mewtwo as an example.
Truly had no flaws. It was indeed a very striking example.
However...
"My Master is different." Scizor waved his hand, still confident, "Anyway, you don't need to worry about this. There's no need for Master to act personally; I will deal with that guy in the future and make him understand that his very existence is a mistake."
When he said this.
Scizor was quite serious.
In his view.
Allowing that Dark Hero of the Leaves to live.
Was an insult to his Master, simply a massive stain on his Master's glorious and righteous image. As his Master's disciple, it was necessary for him to wash away this stain for his Master.
And what was rare was...
Lucario actually nodded in agreement.
On this matter, he reached a consensus with Scizor.
At this time.
Kazuya spoke up: "Colress, no matter who Shadow really is, we will try our best to kill Him."
"It's useless for you to consider these things now. If you have the chance, you might as well research how to make your consciousness last longer."
"Then you can see with your own eyes whether we can achieve it or not."
His companions were all full of confidence.
How could he possibly suppress their confidence now?
Suppressive education.
Kazuya had never really encouraged it. Appropriately suppressing arrogance and hubris was fine, but suppressing confidence and optimism was inadvisable. He still hoped the kids could live a happier and more positive life.
"Since you've all said so, then I'll look forward to it. Anyway, in my view, your team..."
"If you stay calm, play it safe, and develop for a few more decades, the success rate of killing Shadow is indeed not small."
"Oh right."
"Didn't you want to use my technology to get stronger?"
"Although many machines have already been refreshed, I still have some old treasures on hand that can be put to use, though they might not be effective for every one of you."
After Colress said this, he reached out and patted Porygon-Z's head.
Porygon-Z lagged again.
Dropping frames.
Dropping frames.
Then it disappeared directly from the screen.
The next moment.
A device resembling a hibernation pod in the corner of the laboratory opened its hatch.
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