Pokémon: I have no choice but to do this old thing?

As the exploration team ventured deeper into this fragment of time and space, a primitive, isolated atmosphere enveloped them.

There is no peaceful coexistence here, only naked competition for survival. Although the air is filled with rich natural energy, there is an even stronger, lingering atmosphere of fierce struggle for survival.

The Pokémon that inhabit this place, regardless of their form, all have a wild and untamed glint in their eyes.

Not far away, several budding deer, who are usually very gentle in the outside world, were wrestling over a few tree fruits, the sound of their collisions being dull and powerful.

In its Green form, Growlithe growls menacingly, baring its fangs at anyone who approaches, and its mouth smolders with terrifying flames to scare away other Pokémon that try to get close to its territory.

Even the seemingly elegant Miss Xicuiqun, with her waving leaves, makes a sharp, piercing sound as she swings them. Every movement is to drive away intruders and defend the small piece of land she depends on for survival.

"Survival of the fittest. The laws here are far more brutal and direct than the world we know, and are closer to the natural state of Pokémon in their ancient times."

As Dr. Yamanashi rapidly recorded and analyzed the observation data, his gaze swept over the scenes of conflict as if he were reading a living history of evolution.

Brock carefully observed the surrounding rock formations and, drawing on his experience as a Rock-type Gym Leader, added, "The soil here is very ancient, rich in minerals that are now rare. In this resource-limited, closed, and highly competitive ecosystem, it's almost inevitable that Pokémon will become more aggressive and rely more on strength to define their territories."

The group arrived before a strange crystal scattered in an ancient rock crevice. The crystal emitted a soft glow, and liquid energy seemed to flow slowly within it, emanating a pure and ancient energy that created a peculiar contrast with the surrounding violent atmosphere.

Xiao Guang, holding Bojiaman, curiously squatted down and carefully touched a vibrant green crystal with his fingertips. "What a peculiar feeling, so warm and cozy."

"It's not just a feeling!"

Professor Oak's voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement. He and Professor Yamanashi had already used their portable analyzer to quickly scan several crystals.

"Yamanashi, look at this energy reading! The structure is incredibly stable, but the evolutionary factors and other energies contained within far surpass any known evolutionary stone in modern times!"

Dr. Yamanashi adjusted his glasses, the lenses reflecting the shimmering light from the analyzer screen. He spoke rapidly, with the certainty of an authority in the field: "That's right! These crystals are not simply energy-rich aggregates."

As Professor Yamanashi recorded the data, he said, "Based on the comparative analysis of the energy maps... they are very likely to contain energy that could cause local Pokémon to evolve into specific forms or enhance their ancient characteristics."

Professor Oak's eyes lit up: "This means that if we can analyze these crystals, we can not only glimpse the environmental secrets of ancient Sinnoh, but may even open up entirely new theoretical directions for the study of modern Pokémon evolution, especially the causes of regional forms! These samples are priceless!"

They immediately directed researchers to carefully collect crystalline samples of different types and colors using specially designed space storage equipment.

As Zhang Jianying watched the notifications for "[Washing Jade Form XX]" pop up in his data view, a wave of speechless frustration washed over him at the system.

[Target area identified: Parallel world (decayed), fragments of Ancient Sinnoh (Greenland region).]

[Cause Analysis: During the intense conflict between Dialga and Palkia's spacetime authority, it was affected by the destructive energy wave and forcibly separated from the past timeline of a parallel world, ultimately splashing out and anchoring at the current coordinates of the main world.]

[Ecological Characteristics: Retains parts of the Greenland ecosystem; Pokémon are generally more aggressive due to fierce competition for survival.]

"A fragment of the Xicui region from another dimension? Could your system be any slower?"

Zhang Jianying once again felt that his own cheat system was really useless, and helplessly led the little guys to continue exploring this unknown land.

Ash was filled with boundless curiosity about everything in front of him, looking around and occasionally exclaiming in amazement, but he was also shocked by the undisguised fighting scenes.

With his extensive knowledge and keen observation skills, Xiao Gang carefully identified various peculiar minerals and landform features, and exchanged his discoveries with the two doctors.

Xiao Guang used her sketchbook to quickly record the unique postures of the ancient Pokémon blending with their natural environment, as well as the moments when they fought for survival.

However, this urgent exploration did not last long.

Dr. Yamanashi's portable detector on his wrist suddenly sounded an alarm!

"This is bad!"

Dr. Yamanashi's expression was serious, his gaze fixed on the rapidly scrolling data on the screen. "The stability of the spatial anchor point is rapidly declining! Due to the strong repulsion from the main world's spacetime rules and the tendency of the fragments to return to their original coordinates, the portal we opened... will probably only last for a day or two at most!"

"Afterwards, this spacetime fragment will either annihilate itself due to structural collapse, or it will be flung back to where it originally belonged by the spacetime turbulence! We must seize every minute and every second!"

This news instilled a sense of urgency in everyone. Time became the most precious resource.

At the edge of this fragment of spacetime, Mewtwo floats silently in the void.

It was indifferent to the doctors' discoveries and the imminent countdown.

At this moment, all its energy is being used in an almost violent manner to forcibly invade and dismantle the remaining authority marks belonging to the Twin Dragons of Time and Space in this space.

It's no longer a gentle exploration, but a domineering analysis and simulation.

Several invisible yet incredibly powerful spiritual tentacles, like the most precise surgical scalpels, brutally pierced the vulnerable areas of the spatial structure.

Mewtwo is attempting to replicate, and even reverse-engineer, the fundamental laws that constitute time and space.

It wants to understand how time and space are stretched and folded at will, like clay.

The essence of this behavior is the usurpation and blasphemy of divine authority, which brings unimaginable mental and physical exhaustion, but also makes it ignite a rare kind of fanaticism.

That is the intense desire to challenge and conquer that arises when facing supreme power.

"So this is... a power that transcends ordinary rules..."

This wasn't Mewtwo's first encounter with the concept of "transcendence." During its journey away from the Dark Star Base, it had quietly ventured into the Kalos region and witnessed the miracle known as Mega Evolution, which allows a brief crossing of the barriers between life levels.

However, in its philosophy, the kind of evolution that requires emotional resonance and bond with human trainers to be stimulated is nothing more than a shortcut for the weak to seek external forces, an unstable variable that entrusts the possibility of their own breakthrough to others.

Mewtwo, born different, has been hailed as the strongest since its birth. How could it possibly entrust the opportunity to become stronger to the illusory "bond"?

What Mewtwo needs is a breakthrough driven by its own will!

It is by relying on its own ability to violently break through that invisible limit barrier and achieve or even surpass the so-called "Mega evolution" form!

The twin dragon scepters remaining in this fragment of time and space are an excellent "sharpening stone".

Analyze them, simulate them, and perhaps in the end... we can find a unique path to transcendence for it, a path that transcends its own dreams without relying on any external objects or forces!

This lofty ambition and boiling fighting spirit caused it to constantly reassess the power of those two legendary dragon gods.

It wanted to see just how far its own limits could be expanded when it collided with that existence at full power!

……

To maximize exploration efficiency, the team decided to split up temporarily.

Zhang Jianying, along with his baby dragon and forest turtle, joined forces with Ash, Brock, Dawn, and their group to explore an area filled with jagged rocks.

Gardevoir and the others stayed a little further away, protecting the two doctors as they carried out more detailed and time-consuming environmental energy sampling.

The observant Xiao Guang noticed some pebbles scattered at her feet with strange charred marks. Their texture was clearly different from the surrounding rocks: "The rocks here seem a bit special. They look like Poké Balls?"

Before she could finish speaking, the reliable Xiao Gang's expression suddenly changed: "Wait! Don't move! These scorch marks... look like they were left after a violent explosion! This place is very likely..."

However, his warning came too late.

Ash, whose curiosity is always boundless, tripped over a vine while trying to see a pair of eyes that were accidentally peeking out from a crack in the rocks ahead. He stumbled and kicked a "rock" half-buried in the ground, covered with mottled spiral patterns.

In that instant, it was as if a fatal switch had been flipped!

The "stone" that was kicked, along with a dozen or so other seemingly lifeless "stones" around it, suddenly began to vibrate violently, and the patterns on their surfaces burst forth with a blinding, pale white light!

A mischievous Thunderbolt in its Emerald form! And it's a huge group!

They were completely enraged by the sudden disturbance, and without even a moment's warning, they collectively entered a frenzied state of mutual destruction!

"Oh no! It's a mass explosion! Quick, find sturdy cover!"

Xiao Gang roared at the top of his lungs, instinctively pulling Xiao Guang, who was closest to him, behind a giant rock.

Everything happened in the blink of an eye!

The devastating energy surge was like a flood bursting its banks, converging and erupting wildly from all directions!

Ash and Pikachu were the first to be hit, unable to react effectively.

"Gardevoir! Quick! Teleport!"

Zhang Jianying hurriedly called out to Gardevoir, whose Aura power was screaming wildly. The sense of crisis was like being doused with ice water. He tried his best to open the Aura Barrier to protect Ash and the others, but in the face of this explosive energy, it was as futile as a mantis trying to stop a chariot!

"Waaaaah—!!"

At this critical moment, the usually silent forest tortoise let out a roar full of resolute will!

Turtle saw the small back of Baby Dragon bravely standing in front of the trainer, and saw the surprise that flashed in Ash and Pikachu's eyes.

The desire for power and the belief in protection merged perfectly at this moment, breaking through the final barrier of its life level!

A dazzling, evolutionary white light erupted from its body, as if a profound resonance had been created between it and the ancient earth beneath its feet, causing the life energy within the earth to be frantically stirred!

Its body rapidly expanded and deformed in the light!

The bushes on my back grew wildly, becoming thicker and denser, their layers of branches and leaves forming a canopy of life!

The already thick tortoise shell expanded and thickened further, with hard and rough ridges emerging at the edges!

The light of evolution vanished in an instant, and the Earth-Mountain Tortoise, as imposing as a moving mountain, stood majestically on the earth! Its body, even larger and more majestic than its kind, stood firmly at the forefront of the destructive energy torrent!

Long before the trainer's command was given, Gardevoir, in the distance, "saw" this devastating crisis through its vague premonition of future vision!

Its crimson eyes suddenly lit up, and a flash of light swept across its body. Its first reaction was to use Teleport to teleport the trainers.

However, the violent energy turbulence caused by the [Big Bang] severely disrupted the stability of space, and [Instant Teleportation] was forcibly interrupted!

Without the slightest hesitation, Gardevoir immediately changed its strategy.

It swiftly waved its hands, and a massive [reflective barrier] instantly formed on the open ground in front of the earthen platform turtle, attempting to weaken the most violent impact of the first wave!

At the same time, the immense superpowers transformed into a substantial light blue shield, layer upon layer reinforcing the front of the Earth-Based Turtle.

A beam of light from the [Prayer] skill, imbued with warm and healing power, precisely crossed the distance and enveloped the Earth-Turtle, beginning to restore its potentially depleted stamina!

"BOOM—ROARROARROAR—!!!"

The destructive energy generated by the simultaneous self-destruction of more than a dozen Jadeite Thunderbolts bombarded Torterra's newly grown massive carapace and Gardevoir's multiple defenses built with all its might!

The Tortoise roared, and the brilliance of [Wide Area Defense] unfolded before it. The [Protect] barrier also flickered for a moment at the most critical moment, forming a complex defense line together with [Reflect] and Psychic Shield!

The stone pillars of [Sharp Stone Attack] in front of it rose from the ground, attempting to deflect and disperse some of the impact!

The core temperature of the explosion was high enough to melt rocks, and the violent shockwave, carrying pulverized rock fragments, created a devastating storm!

The newly grown, lush trees on the earthen platform's carapace were the first to be affected. Under the terrifying energy tearing and high temperature burning, a large number of branches and leaves and several smaller trunks instantly carbonized and shattered, producing a heartbreaking crackling sound!

Zhang Jianying desperately squeezed out the waveguide power within his body, trying to form a barrier to relieve even the slightest pressure on the Earth Platform Turtle, while continuously transmitting waveguide power to the Earth Platform Turtle in an attempt to stabilize its state.

"roar--!!!"

The earth-shaking tortoise roared in pain, but its pillar-like limbs were firmly driven into the earth, diverting most of the destructive impact to its feet. It did not retreat an inch!

With its own flesh and blood and newly acquired power, the Earth Tortoise built an insurmountable line of defense for all its cherished companions!

……

As the deafening roar finally subsided and the billowing dust gradually dissipated, the massive figure of the Earth Platform Turtle, covered with crisscrossing, charred cracks, was revealed, yet it still stood majestically.

In front of it was a ground littered with mischievous lightning bolts spinning in circles.

Behind it were its companions, still shaken but unharmed.

"Turtle!"

Zhang Jianying was the first to rush forward, followed by his other companions who also rushed over at top speed.

Gardevoir arrived at almost the same time as Zhang Jianying.

It landed lightly beside the earth turtle, its white skirt covered in dust, but it didn't care at all.

Her crimson eyes were filled with worry. Her superpower gently swept over the wounds of the Earth-type Tortoise, maintaining the glow of [Prayer] while casting [Life Drop] to help it recover its strength.

Gastly picked up Shuttle and Penguin and flew over from a distance, anxiously circling Torterra's massive body.

The purple creature, who usually loved to tease turtles, now had a look of lingering fear on its face.

It stretched out its paws and shook the jug back and forth, trying to pour out the juice that would help it regain its strength.

"Sizzle sizzle sizzle!"

Huhu Doudou's eyes were full of anxiety.

It poured out its treasured, highly concentrated tree sap with the best restorative effects from the storage space in its shell, gesturing for the earth turtle to drink it.

The moment the explosion subsided, Professor Yamanashi and Professor Oak immediately switched from research mode to emergency response mode.

"Quick! Bring the portable medical scanner over here!"

Dr. Yamanashi spoke very quickly, and at the same time, he took out his equipment and strode forward.

"The energy fluctuations are stable... First, assess the injuries!"

Dr. Oak reacted just as quickly, activating the vital signs scanner.

The two doctors, with focused and serious expressions, used high-tech equipment to conduct a quick and comprehensive examination of the Taiwan tortoise.

"The outer shell is severely damaged, but the energy conduction channels are basically intact, demonstrating astonishing defensive capabilities and resilience!"

"My physical strength is recovering rapidly... There was no fundamental damage, but I need plenty of rest and energy replenishment."

Hearing the PhDs' professional assessment, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhang Jianying suppressed his turbulent emotions, expanded his data perspective, and scanned carefully:

[Platyclad tortoise (Status: Moderate injury, vital signs stable, strength continuing to recover...)]

[Injury Analysis: Severe burns and fragmentation of the outer shell and the newly formed plant structure on the back; no major damage or life-threatening injury.]

Confirming that the earthworm, though looking battered, was not in any real danger, Zhang Jianying finally breathed a sigh of relief. He gently stroked the earthworm's hot shell, his voice hoarse, "You've worked hard... turtle."

The earth turtle slowly lowered its head, gently nuzzled Zhang Jianying, and let out a soft call.

Ash wiped his reddened eyes hard and shouted, "Torterra! Thank you! Thank you so much! I'm sorry..."

Pikachu jumped onto Torterra's drooping nose and gently touched it with its little paws, calling out, "Pika pika!"

Bogaman carefully sprayed a small water gun onto the charred areas on the turtle's carapace to help cool them down.

Xiao Gang and Xiao Guang also took out the wound medicine they carried with them and sprayed it on the cracked shell of the earth turtle.

Relieved, Zhang Jianying looked at the chaotic scene before him, feeling both gratified and amused. He seemed to see the words "HP+10...+10" continuously rising on the turtle's forehead.

He gently patted the tortoise's shell: "Don't worry, turtle. I'll give you a thorough treatment when we get out, and I guarantee your shell will look brand new."

Upon hearing this, the Earth Tortoise narrowed its eyes and happily nodded its enormous head.