Pokémon: The Cheating Life

Chapter 22: Charizard's Growth

Mewtwo used Teleport, taking Charizard to a secluded forest far from Flame Town.

Charizard nodded and let out a roar:

"Fight me."

"Are you sure about this, senior?" Mewtwo hesitated.

Charizard's response was immediate—a burst of Flamethrower shot toward Mewtwo.

Mewtwo sighed and casually waved a hand, redirecting the flames back at Charizard.

Charizard's eyes narrowed—this wasn't a move, just pure psychic manipulation.

"Don't think you're the only one improving. I've been pushing forward too."

Charizard ignited its fists—Fire Punch—but this time, the flames morphed into massive fire claws, doubling the range and power. With a single swing, it smashed apart the redirected Flamethrower.

Then, with a powerful wingbeat, it lunged toward Mewtwo, flames erupting all over its body—it was using Flare Blitz, concentrating all of its fire into a single claw.

With full force, it struck Mewtwo's protective barrier—Protect.

"Don't underestimate me!" Charizard roared, shattering the barrier and sending Mewtwo crashing into the distance.

---

Mewtwo's Counterattack

Mewtwo skidded backward in midair, stabilizing itself using psychic energy. A white glow briefly flashed over its body—Recover—healing its injuries.

Mewtwo let out a sigh.

"Senior, Dad always said training is fine, but fighting to the death isn't. You've hit a dead end."

With a flick of its wrist, a giant spoon materialized in its hand—a weapon formed entirely from psychic energy.

In a flash, Mewtwo closed the gap, clashing its spoon against Charizard's flaming claws.

Charizard flapped its wings, unleashing a blast of searing hot air—Heat Wave.

But Mewtwo's eyes glowed, and with a wave of its hand, Heat Wave was instantly dispersed using Psychic.

Meanwhile, their attacks collided over a dozen times in rapid succession—the battle was reaching its climax.

---

Ambush in the Forest

"Nidoking, Fearow, Crobat—Hyper Beam!"

A voice suddenly rang out.

Without warning, three powerful beams of destructive energy struck both Charizard and Mewtwo.

A massive explosion erupted, sending both Pokémon crashing to the ground, heavily injured.

Mewtwo glanced toward the approaching figure, its eyes narrowing at the masked man standing before them.

Something deep inside it stirred—a primal, violent urge to tear this man apart.

But it held back. Suppressing the dark impulse, it activated Recover while simultaneously communicating telepathically:

"Who are you? Why did you attack us?"

The masked man sneered, eyes full of arrogance.

"Well, well… Looks like that idiot boss of mine actually managed to create something useful. But since you've escaped, I'll be the one to claim you now. With these Dark Balls, I'll become the real boss!"

With that, he hurled two strange black Poké Balls at Mewtwo and Charizard.

---

Mewtwo's Wrath

Mewtwo swung its psychic spoon, sending both Dark Balls flying away.

A surge of psychic energy crackled around it, and with a flick of its fingers, the two black Poké Balls shattered into pieces.

The masked man's face contorted in rage.

"Damn it! You just signed your death warrant! Nidoking, Fearow, Crobat—DESTROY THEM!"

The three Pokémon launched an endless barrage of Hyper Beams, ruthlessly targeting both Mewtwo and Charizard.

Mewtwo teleported away with Charizard, avoiding the initial onslaught.

But its eyes widened in horror—

The enemy Pokémon weren't stopping.

They were burning their own life force to keep attacking without pause.

Mewtwo snapped.

"STOP! You're killing them!"

The masked man laughed cruelly.

"They're just worthless trash! I don't care if they die—just make sure you die first!"

Mewtwo stood frozen, its anger boiling over.

Until now, it had only seen the best of the world—kindness, warmth, and love.

But this…

This was pure evil.

A ruthless, twisted monster ordering Pokémon to their deaths without hesitation.

Something inside Mewtwo snapped.

It raised both hands, unleashing a storm of Psycho Cut.

In an instant, the enemy Pokémon were struck down, collapsing unconscious.

Then, with a single gesture, Mewtwo detonated the remaining Dark Balls strapped to the masked man's chest.

---

Mewtwo's Darkness Awakens

The masked man realized too late.

He turned to run—but Mewtwo extended a hand.

His legs twisted unnaturally, snapping as he collapsed, screaming in agony.

Still, he tried to crawl away.

Mewtwo watched in disgust, then snapped his arms next, leaving him completely crippled.

The masked man writhed in the dirt, wailing in pain.

Mewtwo raised a trembling hand, its fingers aimed at his skull.

One blast of Psychic… and this human would cease to exist.

It was the logical choice.

It was justice.

It was revenge.

Just one move…

"That's enough."

---

Charizard's Intervention

Before Mewtwo could strike, Charizard grabbed its wrist.

"Don't let hatred consume you. Master would be heartbroken."

Mewtwo froze.

For a moment, its rage wavered.

Then, it exhaled slowly.

The power faded from its hands.

Instead of finishing the man off, it used Psychic to bind him in thick vines, then sealed his mouth with a lump of dirt.

---

A Lesson in Strength

Charizard patted Mewtwo's head, offering a rare smile.

"You've already surpassed me in strength, but your heart still needs work."

Mewtwo nodded.

"No matter how strong I become, you will always be my senior. I will never forget how you all took care of me when I was just a newborn."

Hearing this, Charizard chuckled self-deprecatingly.

Maybe it had been overthinking things.

Maybe strength didn't define their worth.

Even if Mewtwo surpassed it completely, Charizard would always be Ron's first Pokémon.

And Ron would never abandon his Pokémon—no matter how weak or strong they became.

At that moment, Charizard's heart felt lighter than ever.

A wave of enlightenment washed over it, and it could feel its bond with Ron strengthening.

Even its understanding of moves and battle tactics had improved.

---

Returning to Ron

"Let's go back. Master is probably worried about us." Charizard said.

"And bring this guy with us—he needs to face justice."

Mewtwo nodded, teleporting everything back to the inn—including the three unconscious Pokémon and the shattered remains of the Dark Balls.

Ron felt the weight of two bodies landing behind him.

Turning to see Mewtwo and Charizard lying exhausted on the floor, he let out a sigh of relief.

They were safe.

Whatever had happened didn't matter anymore.

Letting go of his worries, fatigue finally overtook him.

Tomorrow… there would be a surprise waiting.