Ryn stared at the small Moon Stones scattered around the giant Moon Stone below. His heart pounded with excitement, but he kept his voice steady. He turned to Meowscarada and said, "Meowscarada, take me down. Help me gather those small Moon Stones around the big one."
Ryn had plenty of Pokédollars, but he liked to save when he could. * Why buy what I can get for free? * he thought.
"Meow."
Meowscarada nodded. She stepped to the cave's edge, scooped Ryn into her arms, and leaped down. Her legs bent slightly to land softly. Ryn slid from her hold and rushed to the small Moon Stones.
He ignored the massive Moon Stone. His goal was clear: collect the smaller ones. * The big Moon Stone stays for the Clefairy to evolve into Clefable, like in the story, * he thought.
* Big haul, big haul! * Ryn thought, grabbing the small Moon Stones.
While Ryn worked, Meowscarada spoke with the Clefairy. She explained that her Trainer wouldn't touch the giant Moon Stone, only wanting the small ones. The Clefairy, friendly and trusting, agreed. They didn't mind as long as the big Moon Stone stayed safe.
Ryn spent some time collecting. Soon, he had 50 Moon Stones packed in his backpack. * Perfect, * he thought.
"Meowscarada, I'm done. Let's go. Oh, and thanks, Clefairy!"
Ryn waved goodbye to the Clefairy. They smiled and waved back, calling out, "Clefairy! Clefairy!"
The Clefairy could tell Ryn was kind to Pokémon. If he were cruel, he'd have tried to steal the giant Moon Stone. Its power could tempt anyone, but Ryn's eyes showed no greed.
Just as Ryn prepared to leave with Meowscarada, something stirred. Marshadow, hiding in Ryn's shadow, acted fast. She unleashed a strange power, tapping into the giant Moon Stone's energy. A flash of colorful light burst forth, and the Moon Stone glowed brightly.
Ryn reacted quickly. He grabbed Meowscarada's Poké Ball and recalled her in a flash of red light. The white glow swallowed his vision. His body felt weightless, like sinking in water. He tried to open his eyes, but his eyelids wouldn't move.
The sinking feeling faded. Ryn's eyes opened. He stood in a strange forest. * This isn't Mt. Moon, * he thought. Mt. Moon's peaks were tall, and these trees, barely six feet high, couldn't hide them.
* Why am I here? Wait, Meowscarada! *
Ryn checked his belt. Meowscarada's Poké Ball and his backpack were still there, but he had no other Pokémon. * My other Pokémon are at the camp back in my world, * he thought, a mix of relief and unease. * At least Meowscarada's here. Losing her would crush me. *
Calming down, Ryn scanned the forest. It was unfamiliar. * I've crossed worlds again, * he thought. One moment he was by the Moon Stone, the next he was here. * No way a time-traveling Pokémon like Celebi dragged me here for nothing, right? *
Ryn sighed and scratched his head. He released Meowscarada from her Poké Ball. She scanned the strange surroundings, but seeing Ryn steadied her. * At least I've got you, * Ryn thought.
"Meowscarada, help me find a way out. We need a path through this forest."
Ryn's voice sounded tired. Another crossing meant starting over, and without his other Pokémon, he felt a deep sorrow, like losing loved ones. Meowscarada sensed his grief and hurried to find a way out to cheer him up. She darted ahead, her strides swift, searching for a path.
Alone, Ryn sat on the grass and groaned. * What's happening? Another crossing? Was my time in the Pokémon world just a warm-up? Is this the real world I'm meant for? No novel would dare pull this twist. *
A voice echoed in his mind. * Finish the trial to return. Your original world's time is frozen. *
* Who's there? * Ryn jumped up, eyes darting around. No one was there. * A system? * he asked.
* I'm not a system. Prove you're worthy of this role. *
* Huh? *
The voice vanished. Ryn scratched his head, annoyed. * Great, a cryptic riddle. I hate riddles. * Still, one thing was clear: his original world's time was stopped until he proved himself. * Who could freeze time? Dialga rules time in Sinnoh, and it's strict. Whoever did this must be as strong as Dialga. *
Before Ryn could think more, Meowscarada's urgent meow snapped him back. "Meow!"
She ran toward him, meowing sharply. "Something's up?" Ryn asked. "What's wrong, Meowscarada?"
She pointed to the direction she came from. * Something's over there? *
"Meow!" Meowscarada nodded firmly.
"Alright, let's check it out." Ryn stood, following her through the forest. They reached a clearing with a rocky cave ahead, just tall enough for an adult to walk through without crouching.
"Meowscarada, is it in there?"
"Meow!" She nodded and led the way inside.
Inside the cave, Ryn spotted a small lake. Floating on its surface was a white figure. His eyes widened. * Mewtwo? *
Memories of *Mewtwo Strikes Back* flashed in his mind, a ruthless Mewtwo. But he dismissed it. * I've crossed worlds. *
The figure looked familiar, but Ryn couldn't place it. His memories of Pokémon movies were fuzzy, over a decade old. * No use guessing, * he thought. * I'll save this Mewtwo. Maybe it'll help with this trial, whatever it is. *
As Ryn approached the lake, Mewtwo sensed him. Though injured, she wasn't helpless. If Ryn meant harm, she could still fight. But his eyes showed no malice, so she stayed still, floating on the water.
Another reason she didn't act: Ryn's gaze told her he knew who she was. * I'm the only Mewtwo, created by Team Plasma. Only they know me. How does this boy recognize me? * she thought.
Curiosity stirred. * Maybe he holds the answers I seek, * she thought.
As Ryn got closer, Mewtwo grew cautious. She used her psychic power to lift herself into the air. Her strength had returned enough for telekinesis after resting overnight.
Ryn froze when she rose. * She's on guard. One wrong move, and she'll hit me with Psystrike. I'm not Ash Ketchum. My body can't take that. *
He relied on words. "Wait, Mewtwo! I saw you're hurt. I just want to help heal you. You look strong, so I'll leave the medicine here. Use it if you want. I'll go."
Ryn placed a spray bottle of Potion on the ground and stepped back. Mewtwo's eyes followed him, sharp and unblinking.
Her voice, a mature, feminine tone, spoke in his mind. "Stop. You can't leave. I have questions, human."
Ryn paused, relieved. * That voice, it's her! The Mewtwo from *Genesect and the Legend Awakened*! * This Mewtwo was gentler than the one from *Strikes Back*. She had a caring side and wouldn't attack without reason. Her voice was female, and she could Mega Evolve into Mega Mewtwo Y, though she was weaker than the original.
* Good, she won't kill me, * Ryn thought. * But those wounds need help. *
"Alright, but first, use the Potion. Your injuries are bad." Ryn picked up the bottle and sprayed it on himself to prove it was safe. "See? No tricks."
To ease her doubts, he sprayed Meowscarada too. Mewtwo watched, then floated down to Ryn. The Potion bottle tugged at his hand with her psychic power. Ryn let go, and it drifted to her.
Mewtwo copied Ryn, spraying the Potion on her wounds. The cuts and bruises hurt, making her flinch. Ryn frowned. * Forgot to warn her. *
"Sorry, I should've given you an Oran Berry first. It reduces the pain." He rubbed his head, embarrassed.
Mewtwo shook her head. "It's fine. This pain is nothing compared to what I've endured. Remember, I have questions."
Her eyes lingered on Meowscarada, noting her strength. She sensed the Pokémon's deep bond with Ryn. * She's loyal, not forced. This human is different, * Mewtwo thought.
Ryn nodded, seeing her wounds healing. "Sure, ask away."
Before Mewtwo could speak, three Pokémon entered the crevice: a Stoutland, an Espeon, and an Eevee. Mewtwo noticed a pendant on Stoutland's neck, a sign they were here to help, likely with medicine. But her wounds were nearly gone, and she was still on the run. Contact could endanger them.
Using telepathy, she told them, "Stay away. Don't get involved with me."
Stoutland glanced at Mewtwo's healed body and Ryn, then nodded. The trio had come to deliver medicine, but it wasn't needed. Stoutland barked a thank-you, Mewtwo had saved him, his Trainer, and the Trainer's granddaughter before, then left with Espeon and Eevee, leaving their medicine behind.
Ryn picked up the bottle. "Drink this. It'll heal you faster."
"I'm fine," Mewtwo said.
"More never hurts," Ryn teased, grinning. "Drink, and I'll answer your questions properly."
Mewtwo's eyes narrowed, but she took the bottle and drank. Her wounds vanished completely. "Now, can we talk?"
She stopped, sensing something outside. Her voice turned sharp. "They won't leave me alone. Stay here, human. I'll be back."