After Meganium evolved, Ash's group plunged back into the forest. They were told that crossing this mountain range would bring them to Ecruteak City, but the actual distance was still quite significant.
"Look, Ash!" Molly was currently perched on Meganium's head, her line of sight reaching over two meters high. Fortunately, Meganium used her vines like a safety rope around Molly's waist. Ash was perfectly fine letting the two girls play around like this.
A towering cliff appeared before them, stretching as far as the eye could see.
"That mountain is the legendary Mount Quena. It's a miracle of nature!" Brock noted, consulting his guidebook.
Mount Quena was known for its unstable weather due to the terrain and air currents. Rain frequently turned into torrential downpours causing mudslides. Winds could exceed forty meters per second, and tornadoes were common. Because of this, very few people ever visited.
It was not a place to linger!
"Ecruteak City is right on the other side of this mountain!"
This was both good and bad news. How were they supposed to cross such a wide mountain and such steep cliffs to get to the city?
"It says here there's a bus that circles the mountain once a week. The station is at the foot of the mountain," Brock said, reading from the book.
"What's the departure time?"
"Noon. And that's today at noon!"
Good heavens, they had to hurry! It was already close to midday. If they missed that bus, they'd have to wait a whole week.
"Meganium, take care of Molly! Everyone else, charge!" Ash shouted, taking the lead and sprinting toward the bus station.
From their position on the slope, they could already see the bus pulling into the station below!
"Go! Go!" Molly cheered from Meganium's back, delighted to watch her older brother and sister running with all their might.
The rain here truly came out of nowhere. Ash and the others hadn't run more than a few steps when the bright, sunny sky suddenly turned dark and poured rain.
Ash looked after Molly well, immediately putting a rain poncho on her, though Misty and Brock were left to fend for themselves. They were forced to slow down, watching helplessly as the bus pulled away from the station.
What a disappointment...
"What a shame, it just left!" a young woman working at the station said. She helped the carefree Molly down from Meganium.
Before she could even stand up straight, Brock had already darted over. "Excuse me, miss, would you like to share a two-person umbrella with me?"
"Now is not the time!" Misty barked, dragging him back to Ash by the ear. "Ash, what now? The bus is gone. Are we stuck here for a week?"
"If we run now, we might catch it!" The bus had only just left; if they were fast, they could make it.
"The bus is already full," the staff member explained. "Even if you caught up, you wouldn't be able to board. You can't stay out here either. The rain is heavy, and strong winds could kick up at any moment!"
As if to prove her point, the bus that had just departed was suddenly swept into the air by a tornado, spinning violently. Dozens of lives inside were in immediate peril!
"Oh no!" the girl cried out. The tornado was far too dangerous.
"Damn it!"
"Pika!"
Ash frowned and bolted out into the rain. Pikachu's cheeks sparkled with electricity, ready to support Ash at any moment.
Ash pushed his Aura Power to the limit. His speed increased continuously until he finally reached the bus suspended in mid-air!
A blue light flashed in his eyes as he activated his Psychic!
However, with Ash's rudimentary Psychic power, how could he possibly control a fully loaded bus?
"Pika?" Pikachu could sense that Ash was in a bad state.
Yet, Ash felt something strange. He clearly sensed an external spiritual force joining his own to stabilize the bus. Within moments, the vehicle was safe.
This spiritual force was incredibly powerful and dominant. More than that... it felt very familiar.
The bus landed smoothly on the ground. Ash and Pikachu had already hidden in a corner; he didn't want to get tangled up in the aftermath. Do a good deed and disappearthat was his style!
But that powerful spiritual force... it was hauntingly familiar.
Ash didn't know that on a small island surrounded by the lake of Mount Quena, a high-tech screen was currently displaying his image.
In front of the screen, a familiar lavender-colored figure smiled with nostalgia. "So it is him. I didn't expect him to change so much, even awakening psychic powers."
In front of the figure, a Pikachu turned around and let out a few cries.
"You ask why I saved the humans?"
"Pika!" Yes!
"If an accident occurred here, a massive rescue force would arrive. Our presence would be discovered."
"Pikapika-pi!" It's not just that!
"You say it's more than that? That I simply didn't want to harm humans? Is that what you wish to say? Do you truly believe I am the type of Pokémon that is friendly toward humanity? I am Mewtwo! How foolish!"
Ash returned to the bus station. Brock and Misty had already moved to the staff member's house to rest, where Molly was happily playing with Togepi. Since the bus only came once a week, the station also provided temporary lodging like a guesthouse. As mentioned before, not many people came to this place.
Ash had been contemplating that familiar spiritual force the entire way back. Just now, he had made a decision.
"Brock, Misty, please stay here for a bit and look after Molly."
"Ash, what are you doing?" Misty asked anxiously. In all their time traveling together, they had never been apart for more than two days.
"I'm going to see an old friend. I need to cross Mount Quena, and it's easier if I move alone. Don't worry, it's not dangerous!" Ash gave her a reassuring smile.
"Ash, are you going by yourself? Can't I come?" Molly asked, grabbing his leg.
Ash rubbed her head. "Be a good girl, Molly. I'll be back very soon. Besides, I have the mobile communication device Rin gave me. You can contact me anytime!"
"Okay! I'll be good!" Molly was a sweet child. Knowing that Ash wasn't even taking Misty or Brock, she understood it wasn't appropriate for her to follow.
"If you want to cross Mount Quena, follow the river downstream," the staff member advised. "Once you exit the Purity River, you should reach the other side."
"Understood." Ash nodded. "Can I use your phone for a moment?"
Ash contacted Professor Oak and Liza, having them transfer Charizard, Houndoom, and Slowking to him.
Combined with the newly evolved Meganium, plus Pikachu and Snorlax, he had assembled his strongest team yet. With them, he was ready to step onto Mount Quena!
The big show begins! Keep the flowers coming!
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