"Mark! Get your butt out of bed! Your father is going to be here in one
hour! Do you hear me? One hour!"
I grumbled and rolled out of bed. I purposely let myself fall onto the ground making a loud thump.
"Mark?"
"Hurry up! Your breakfast is getting cold!"
I grumbled, picking myself up off the floor.
"Wear something nice, your father is very picky about that sort of thing."
"Yes nana."
I lumbered over to the closet, which was half open, dirty and clean clothes all lay in a heap just inside. The only ones actually hanging up were church clothes, or "nice" clothes in nana's opinion. I picked out the one that was most appealing to me, even though I hated all two of them. Ripping the pants and coat off the hangar, I dug in the pile of clothes for a white shirt. I found three, but only one of them was decently clean and smelled a bit better than the other two.
"Mark!"
"I'm coming!"
Digging around in the pile some more, I found some socks that matched well enough. I quickly yanked them over my feet and ran to the bathroom. I wetted my hair and combed back, but didn't try too hard to make it look nice, nana would complain anyway. I ran back to my room and grabbed my "nice" shoes, shoved them on feet without tying them and went downstairs.
"It's about time!" She looked me up and down. "Tuck in your shirt, tie your shoes, and I'll fix your hair and get you a tie when you're done eating."
I rolled my eyes. "Yes, nana." I sat down and began to shovel the oatmeal into my mouth.
"Mark! Where are your manners?"
"They're still sleeping."
She sighed. "Well they better wake up before your father gets here."
I continued to eat. She made my father seem like a tyrant. "Your father this. Your father that." Who would ever be that uptight about anything?
I finished my oatmeal and nana immediately took away the bowl.
"Go in the bathroom."
I obediently got up and went to the bathroom. Let the torture begin. Nana was there in a few minutes with a tie and a comb.
She combed my hair back and sprayed it with hairspray (I hate that stuff). Then she practically strangled me with the tie, and tied my shoes some "special way." The way I did things was never good enough.
Now I was sitting on the couch, waiting. I had never actually met my father. Just heard things about him. All I knew was that he was the leader of Viridian Gym.
The doorbell rang. Nana answered the door.
"Mark!"
I got up and went into the living room. At least five men were all gathered at the door.
"All of you wait outside." Came an authoritive voice from the center of the group. The men filed out of the room, leaving one man. His hair was carefully greased back and he wore a finely pressed suit. He smiled.
"My son! I have not seen you since you were an infant." He extended his hand for me to shake it.
I took his hand and gripped it firmly. "Hello, father." I let go.
"Very firm hand shake. You will do well in life, I can tell." He turned to nana. "I don't mean to be rude Beatrice, but we must leave immediately. There is so much we have to do." He said, staring at me.
"Understood." She said simply. She almost seemed afraid of him.
"Well then! Let's go!"
I followed him outside. A limousine was parked on the side of the road. A man opened the door for us to get in. I got in and looked around the interior. Various expensive wines and liquor sat in a rack, along with a few glasses. There were three televisions and a window on the front wall. Apparently there was another section ahead of us where for the bodyguards.
"All set, sir?" Came an intercom voice.
My father leaned to his left and pushed down a button. "Whenever you're ready."
We began to move. He chuckled.
"I'd imagine this is the first time you've ever been in one of these?"
I nodded.
He sat back in his seat and sighed. "This is the life, huh?"
I looked around. "Yeah."
Now he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Tell me, boy. Have you ever heard of Team Rocket?"
I nodded. "Yes, sir. Seems like a horrible little gang, if you ask me."
He cackled. "Horrible, yes. Little, no. Do you know who I am, boy?"
I puzzled. "You're Giovanni, leader of Viridian Gym. At least you were the last I heard."
"And right you are, but that is only a mere side job."
I stared at him curiously.
"My son, I am also the head of Team Rocket."
I blinked. My father is the most wanted criminal in the whole entire pokemon world?
I felt my jaw drop.
"And you would be my only heir."
I only stared.
"Speechless?"
I looked away. Those eyes suddenly seemed so evil.
"I am going to show you the entirety of Team Rocket and teach you all I know. Together we'll conquer the world. Then you will carry on."
The limo stopped. I wanted to get out of here, away from him.
"Ah! It seems we have arrived already."
The door opened and we got out. We were at the Viridian Gym.
"Come along, boy."
I followed him inside. We walked onto the gym floor. I stopped shortly to look around.
"Keep up!"
I followed him up some stairs onto a balcony overlooking the gym floor. He continued on to a door off to the side. Inside was his office. He went straight to the bookcase in the back.
"Are you paying attention?"
"Yes."
He pulled a red book halfway out of its place and let go. The book slid back in and the bookshelf moved aside, reveling a door. He opened this door.
"After you."
I stepped inside and found myself in a long corridor lit by red lights.
"The fun begins."
That day he showed me the first two floors. They were devoted to the people who were always out stirring things up. He explained to me all that they do, and I didn't like any of it.
$$$$$$$$$$$$
The next morning a girl came and got me up. I had to stay in the "Member's quarters," which was basically just a bedroom. I went to the closet to find a whole bunch of suits. I guess I'll have to get used to wearing them.
I went to the door after I was dressed; the girl was waiting.
"Boss is waiting for you in the kitchen. Need me to take you there?" She asked blowing a bubble with her gum and popping it in my face.
"Yes, please."
"Alright, come on."
I followed her down several hallways, then through a door. She stopped.
"Just go straight and then turn right. I got work to do." And she was gone. I followed her directions, but still managed to get a little lost. I found my way in the end though.
"Mark! My boy! There you are! Here, have a doughnut, they're fresh."
I sat down at the table with him and selected a glazed strawberry doughnut. He watched me eat.
"We're going to the labs today. You're going to love it!" He sipped his coffee.
As soon as I was done chewing the last bit of the doughnut he got up.
"Ready?" He didn't wait for me to answer.
I jumped up and scurried after him.
This place must be huge! We went down at least 20 hallways and five flights of stairs before stopping at huge, steel double doors.
Giovanni typed in a code on a keypad next to the doors and the doors slowly rolled away into the wall.
Inside, scientist all wearing white coats scurried about. Computers and tables with odd objects on them dotted the room. They all seemed to focus around a pillar of glass filled with a greenish-amber liquid in the far right corner.
A bearded man approached us. Giovanni greeted him and they began to talk. I wandered away, curious about the glass pillar in the back. On my way, I studied the computers and anything else that looked interesting.
Finally getting to the glass pillar, I discovered that there was some sort of creature floating in that strange liquid. A pokemon, one I had never seen before. I stared up at it. It seemed to be sleeping. It had a cat-like face, but no whiskers. It had long eyelashes though, possibly suggesting it was female. There was a bony plate over its chest, which turned out at two places near the bottom. Okay, so it was female. Her hips were very large compared to the rest of her. She had a red stomach and tail. But the rest of her was white.
I felt a hand on my shoulder.
"Beautiful, isn't she?" It was my father.
I looked at him, then back at the pokemon. "What is she?"
"She's a Mewtwo."
"Mew.two?"
Her eyes suddenly snapped open, glowing a bright orange. The computers began to go nuts.
My father reached inside his coat and pulled out a gun, just as the glass pillar shattered. I dove behind a table. I peered over the top of it and watched.
The Mewtwo sank to the bottom of the pillar, resting on the bottom. Giovanni put the nose of the gun right in between her red eyes.
"I am Giovanni, your master. Do not attempt to defy me. You are a Mewtwo. Your purpose is to do what I command without question. Is that understood?"
Yes, sir. Said a dark, airy, female voice. It seemed to come from everywhere all at once.
He put the gun away. "Good." He turned around. "What are you waiting for? Get her armor fitted!"
I watched everything from behind the table. That Mewtwo was staring at me now. It made me shiver.
My father watched as they took the Mewtwo away. I got up from my "hiding" place and joined my father.
"What are they going to do with her?"
"Get her some armor. This one will not escape from me."
"Was there another one?"
He turned and looked at me. "Yes, but he has become too powerful to recapture. The last time I met with him he erased his very existence from my memory. Fortunately, these scientists found a way to reverse the effect."
"It was a he?"
"Yes."
"Where you thinking of using the female to lure him back?"
He smiled. "Very good, Mark." He put his arm on my shoulders and we began to walk. "Let me show you the rest of the labs."
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
The following day I was allowed to explore at my leisure. I discovered that there were two above ground levels and twelve sub-levels. The deepest two were unused, however.
After finding all 14 floors, I decided to start with the top-most, even though I had already seen most of it, there was still plenty to investigate.
Most of the rooms I looked in were empty, how exciting.
The next one I looked in proved to be very interesting, though. It led to a balcony, but all I could see from here were cables, hanging from the ceiling. I went right up to the railing and looked down. All the cables were hooked up to a robot standing on a platform. I was about to leave when the robot's head moved and seemed to be staring in my direction. I stared back at it.
"Hello?"
You ask "hello," tell me what this means. Said that dark airy voice. That wasn't a robot. That was the Mewtwo.
"Well.uh. 'hello' is generally a greeting."
Then why did you say it as if you were asking a question?
"Because. I. um. didn't think you could hear me with that armor on." I said.
She was silent.
I spotted a staircase going down to the floor below. I went down it and stood in front of the platform. I looked up at her.
You. are not like that other man. Death does not follow you like a faithful pet.
I looked away. "You must be talking about my father."
He is your father? Truly that must not be so.
"But he is."
Are you ashamed of him?
I hesitated. "No, I think I'm more disappointed or even scared."
I don't blame you.
I looked up at the door.
You're not supposed to be here, are you?
"I'm not entirely sure, but I have a feeling."
Then you should go.
I stared at her. "Okay then." I started for the stairs. "I'll come back sometime." I saw her smile underneath the helmet she wore.
I continued on my way.
$$$$$$$$$$$$
After a week and a half of touring The Rocket HQ, Giovanni took me to a house he had in uptown Saffron.
I was surprised that he was pretty much done with teaching for now. I was guessing it was just a break. That couldn't be all of what he wanted me to know, unless he was catching on to the fact that I didn't like this Team Rocket business.
Of course, being a teen, the first thing I did was go into town to check out the local ladies. I found some but, of course, I was invisible to them.
So, the next thing I did was check out the gym. I loved pokemon, even though I didn't have any of my own.
It was really weird; the moment I entered the gym, the leader froze and stared at me. I stared back. This was the best looking girl I'd seen all day. There was a strange sound and she flew toward me.
I mentally smacked myself. Duh! That's Sabrina you idiot!
She landed only a foot in front of me and squinted at me. "I can't read your mind, nor did I anticipate your coming. Who are you? I sense strong psychic powers within you."
I stared at her and blinked. "I'm Mark, but there must be something wrong with you. I don't have psychic powers." I chuckled.
"Oh you have them, you just don't know how to use them.yet."
"Yet? Are you saying you're going to teach me?" I felt my eyes grow wide.
She giggled. Something I hardly expected her to do. She seemed so serious. "Why not? It's been very slow around here lately. I need something to do." She started walking away. "Are you coming?"
I shook myself then followed her. We came into some sort of kitchen.
"Sit down."
I sat at the small round table. She sat across from me. A spoon appeared on the table in front of me.
"Pick it up."
I picked up the spoon.
"Concentrate on the spoon. Picture it bending in your mind. Close your eyes if it helps."
I concentrated on the spoon first with my eyes open, but nothing happened.
"Try again, but close your eyes this time. Concentrate on the spoon, nothing else."
I tried again, with my eyes closed. There's the spoon. it's bending. I think.
"Okay, open your eyes."
I opened my eyes and looked at the spoon. It wasn't bent.
"Like this." She took the spoon from me and stared at it. It bent at the neck. "Your problem is you don't really think you can do it. Try again."
Another spoon appeared. I picked it up and concentrated, hard.
"Open your eyes!"
I opened them. The spoon was bent the slightest bit.
"See! I told you."
I smirked. "Okay, now what?"
A pile of spoons appeared in front of me. "Practice."
I stared at the pile. "I have to bend ALL of those?"
"If you want to master your hidden power." She got up and squeezed my shoulder. "I'll be back in a while. Good luck." She winked at me on her way out. I stared at the pile again.
Okay. I came in here just to mosey around, maybe find a cool girl that doesn't hate my guts, and I end up sitting in Sabrina's kitchen trying to bend spoons. You go Mark!
I heard that! Came a voice suspiciously like Sabrina's.
"What the heck?" I said looking around.
I didn't think you could project your thoughts yet. We'll have to work on your control over that. I seriously don't want to hear what you think of me.
I looked around nervously. Okay. that was Sabrina. Anyway! Back to the spoons.
I picked up a spoon and stared at it. "This is really boring." I thought out loud. "I know! Let's see if I can teleport anything." I took a spoon out of the pile and set it on the table. I folded my arms in front of me and stared at it. "Come on. you will disappear and then reappear three inches away. please?"
The spoon started to shake. Then it suddenly shot up and whacked me in the face.
"OW! Dumb spoon!" I yelled, putting my face in my hands. Okay then. maybe we should stick with bending them. It seems to be less painful.
Picking up the "menace spoon" I threw it back into the pile and took out a new one. I concentrated on it, nothing.
"Come on! I did it before!"
After a half an hour Sabrina came back.
"What time do you need to be home?"
I looked at my watch. It was 2:46. "Before dark. Today is Wednesday, right?"
"Yes."
"Yeah, I get Wednesdays off."
"Oh, you have a job?"
"Well. not really a job yet. Guess you could say I'm learning the trade."
"Really? What is the 'trade'?"
"My dad is the Leader of Viridian Gym."
She looked a bit frightened all of a sudden. "You. your father is Giovanni?"
I nodded. "You're probably thinking, 'oh no! I'm teaching telekinesis to the most dangerous man in the world's kid,' right? I'm nothing like him. As soon as I found out he was head of Team Rocket I was devastated. The police can't touch him though, and he knows it. I've just been playing along. If he finds out I'm not for real he'll probably kill me." I looked her in the eyes. "I don't know what to do."
She stared at me. "Come here as often as you can so I can teach you. I can tell you speak truth. I don't need to search your mind for that."
I gave her a solemn nod. "Okay."
"Now back to practicing."
$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Three weeks later.
"Mark, where have you been going every Wednesday?" Asked my father, taking a sip of wine. He always had some type of drink in his hand.
"Oh, nowhere."
"Don't lie to me boy."
"Okay fine, I met a girl."
"Oh really? What is her name?"
I hesitated. Should I tell him or not? "Sabrina."
"Saffron's Gym leader?"
"Yes."
A grin formed on his lips. "Excellent choice."
Uh oh that can't be good.
"And what, may I ask, have you been doing every Wednesday?"
Oh crap.
"Just hanging out. What else would we do?"
He was silent. I didn't like the look on his face. I could pretty much tell what he was thinking. and it wasn't good.
He sighed and shook his head. "I remember the days."
"I'm going to bed." I said suddenly. I got up and headed for the staircase, the very long staircase.
"It's only 8:30, you know!"
"Tomorrow's Wednesday!" I yelled running upstairs.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$
"Hey Sabrina! Guess what?"
"What?"
"My dad got a little suspicious of my hurrying out the door every Wednesday."
She looked serious. "What did you tell him?"
"I told him we just hang out. but I think that he thinks we're lovers or something." I concentrated really hard and played back the conversation between my dad and I. Sabrina looked impressed.
"You're really getting the hang of it now, aren't you?"
I felt my face turn red with a blush. "Yeah."
She stifled a giggle. "It seems as though he hasn't discovered your power yet. That's good."
"So what are we going to do today?"
"Let's go into the gym and work on your levitation. Do you think you need the pads today?" She started for the doors.
"I'll try it." I went to the center of the gym, standing on the white dot in the middle of the ring. I concentrated, and soon my body began to glow green. I slowly rose off the floor. I felt the air become thicker as Sabrina lifted off the ground and joined me, just incase.
"Ha! At least I'm not flying all over the place." I said, looking down. I moved to the right a little.
"Don't get cocky now."
I looked up. Let's see if I can get to the ceiling. I took off, a little too fast, and hit my head on the ceiling.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, fine. You'd think I'd be able to do this right by now." I noticed the doors were open to the gym. I stared at them and they shut.
"Don't do too many things at once!" Sabrina warned.
"I think I've got this down." I said, flying to her. We hovered about three feet apart.
"Are you sure?"
I nodded, looking at the ground again.
"Okay, then let's work on teleporting. Teleport to the park." A vision of the place she wanted me to go to appeared in my mind.
"Won't there be a lot of people there?"
"So what, they all know me I'm sure."
"Yeah, but what if there are rocket agents around? They might tell my dad."
"Quit your belly aching, just do it."
"Okay fine." I pictured the park and soon felt my body begin to tingle as I began to dematerialize. That part always gave me the willies for some reason. Next thing I knew I was in the park.
"Piece of cake." I said. Sabrina appeared.
"Not bad! You're here in one piece."
"I've been practicing in the lower levels, nobody ever goes down there."
"Good!"
The rest of the day we continued to train. me (ha ha that sounds funny). Then as it began to get dark we went for a walk in the quieting city. We were just going pass Silph Co. and the other really tall buildings when I heard a noise. It was a whoosh type of noise, but not an ordinary whoosh. It was a psychic whoosh. Like when someone or something was using telekinesis to fly. I stopped walking.
"Did you hear that?"
"What?"
I concentrated, letting my mind wander, looking for other psychic creatures.
"There's something psychic up there." I said taking off into the air. Sabrina followed. We landed on the top of the Silph building. Sabrina was tugging on my shirt.
"Mark. Mark what is that?" She said, pointing.
I turned around and looked in the direction she was pointing. Two purple eyes were staring at us.
"It's Mewtwo." I whispered.
"Mewtwo?"
How do you know who I am?
"My father is Giovanni." I said. "Though I am not proud of it." I added.
The eyes came closer. Impossible. I erased his memory and his. How is this so?
"My father told me that your mind trick didn't work on his men back in Viridian, so they found a way to reverse it."
The eyes suddenly looked angry. Then he must be looking for me as we speak.
"No, he isn't. He's created another Mewtwo. A female. I don't know exactly how he's going to do it, but he wants to use her to lure you back to him."
Why do you tell me these things?
I looked at Sabrina. She only stared at Mewtwo.
"I hate what my father does. and I'm supposed to be his heir, but when he passes I'll probably run Team Rocket into the ground and run the gym."
The purple eyes looked us both over. Thank you for the information. Both of you are psychics, am I correct?
We both nodded. I noticed the pokemon clutched a small brown bag. I believe I can trust you. We shall meet again, but at the moment I must decide what I shall do about this.
He got ready to take off.
"Wait! What's in the bag?"
He looked down at the bag he was holding; he seemed embarrassed. Nothing of your concern. He was gone.
Sabrina stood beside me. "That pokemon was very strong."
"No kidding. And there's only one other."
"How is that possible?"
"It's a clone."
"I've heard about a mew being cloned. Was that it?"
"Yeah, they kinda spruced it up a little though. My dad wanted the most powerful pokemon in the world, but he got away and he wants him back."
She shuddered. "I hate to think of what might have happened if he still had that thing."
"Yeah, I know. how about we get down from here. It's getting cold."
"Right."
We flew down and continued to talk about Mewtwo as we made our way back to Saffron Gym.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
"Hey! You over there!" I yelled to a random rocket. He stopped and gave me a questioning look.
"You talkin' ta me?" He yelled back.
"Yeah! Do you know where boss is?" I had to call my dad "boss" or they would start treating me like royalty. It was very annoying.
The man came up to me so he didn't have to yell down the corridor. When he got to me he looked disappointed. "Oh, I thought you were somebody important. Get lost kid, he doesn't have time for you."
I rolled my eyes at him. "Just tell me where my dad is, okay?"
"How am I supposed to know where your dad is? I don't even know your dad!" He started walking away.
"My dad is Giovanni! I'll have him kill you if you don't tell me where he is NOW!" I screamed at him. This was always fun, threatening their lives and all. The man practically fell on his face and began to kiss my shoes.
"I heard he was training today. Pokemon of course."
"Thank you. Now go do something useful."
"Right away, sir."
I headed down the hallway to the gym. Sure enough there were numerous curses being yelled from the gym and plenty of pounding sounds along with the shattering of expensive wine glasses. I opened the door to have a terrified Persian trample me. I went inside to the balcony where my dad was raving at a petrified rocket. The Mewtwo, clad in her armor, stood patiently waiting for an order on the floor below. I ignored my father and went down the stairs to the gym floor. Going toward the Mewtwo, she didn't turn her head. She only twisted an ear in my direction.
Hello. I said telepathically. She jumped, not expecting a mental voice, especially from a human.
Was that you? Human over to my left?
Yes. Isn't it great? We can talk without anyone hearing no matter where we are.
Yes, it is. I could hear the smile in her dark voice. How did you manage this?
My father and I went to Saffron City for a while. I met someone there who also has these powers. She told me I had them and helped me take control of them. Can I ask you something?
Go ahead.
Have they given you a name yet?
My master calls me Sheba. What are you called?
My name is Mark.
"What are you doing down there, boy!" Called Giovanni. I looked up at him.
He can't hear us. I better go. I said. "Coming father!" I went up the stairs. "She's very interesting." I said when I got to him.
"I like your curiosity, boy." He said, patting my head. I hate it when he does that. "Now watch what she can do."
A door opened at the side of the gym and a Rhyhorn came charging out. Sheba simply lifted her hand and the Rhyhorn stopped in its tracks. It lifted off the ground and was thrown into the nearest wall.
I could do that. I wanted to say. I only said it to Sheba.
Could you? You can do more than speak with your mind?
Yes. It's so fun! I said. She laughed in my mind. Her laugh was wild, almost like she wasn't quite sure how to laugh. I wasn't surprised.
"Did she kill it?" I asked Giovanni.
"Most likely. Why don't you go see?"
"Isn't that dangerous?"
"You're a rocket, boy, and rockets do risky things."
"Alright. if you say so. but I can't see why you don't send one of your worthless agents to check."
He chuckled, he never actually laughed. Just chuckled or sneered. I made my way back down the stairs and over to the motionless Rhyhorn, which was lying among pieces of the wall. I didn't know what else to do, so I kicked its side. It groaned.
Uh oh.
It started to get up.
You've read about these things. whatever you do don't move.
It faced my direction and began to paw at the ground with one foot.
It's going to charge!
With a mighty roar it ran straight for me. Without thinking, I flew into the air and hovered. The Rhyhorn kept going and ran into the other wall, knocking itself out. I floated back down to the ground, and then realized what I had just done.
Oh no! I'm done for.
Giovanni ran down the stairs and was soon at my side. He stared at me with unbelieving eyes.
Oh Sabrina. I'm dead.
Giovanni looked over at the Mewtwo. "The Mewtwo saved you. I don't believe this!"
What? Mewtwo? Oh! Thank you God! I sighed with relief. He thinks Sheba saved me.
My father walked over to Sheba and stared at her. She shifted her weight to her left side. She looked nervous.
Are you afraid of him, Sheba?
I'd be a fool not to.
"Hmmmm. she seems to like you, Mark." Giovanni said, scratching his chin. He turned to me.
Sheba shuddered. My father looked at her from the corner of his eyes.
"Did you see her shudder, boy?"
"Yes, why do you want her to be frightened of you?"
He stood up straight. "Fear will make anyone obey." He spotted one of the pokemon handlers. It looked like he was going after the Rhyhorn.
"Scott! Never mind that wretched creature. Put Sheba away."
The man startled. "But sir! She is perfectly fine! Why should I de-
"No! Put her back in her room! I wasn't ordering you to destroy her!"
"Oh, of course, right away sir!" He scurried away and began to tend to Sheba.
Giovanni watched him take her away.
"Dad, what makes them afraid of you?" I asked.
He smirked. "You'll learn soon enough." He pulled back his coat, purposely most likely, to reveal a gun. He began to walk away. I went with him.
"Are there any psychics in the rocket business?" I asked.
"Why do you ask?"
"Wouldn't they be useful? You know, with recruiting loyal people or finding out if someone is a traitor."
He stopped walking. "What an excellent idea! You are most definitely my son. Mason!"
An important looking man, who also wore a suit, came in our direction.
"Yes, boss?"
"I have a new mission for your men."
"Wonderful! I believe they were getting bored."
"Take your men to Saffron City and recruit us some psychics."
"Psychics? But sir! They are so hard to read, and. well. their weird."
Giovanni glared at him.
"But, I suppose their skills could be useful." He turned around and went into a room and began to bark orders.
We started walking again.
"Mark, you can go. I have work to do."
"Oh, alright." I watched him go into his office, and then took off down the hall. I went straight to that hangar they kept Sheba in.
Sheba?
Mark! I was waiting for you.
Sheba, I have something to tell you.
Oh?
There's another.
Another? Another what?
Mewtwo.
Really?
Yes, and Giovanni is planning to use you to lure him back.
Him?
Yes, him. I've met him and if my father knew he'd probably kill me. I began to pace. You have to warn him!
I did. He said he'd meet with me again. I think he has a plan to free you.
She was silent.
What's wrong, Sheba?
She sniffed. This sounds dangerous, Mark. Gio.
I know, but this isn't right. You're a pokemon, not a slave. Don't you want to be free?
Yes, but. not if you have to put your life on the line. You're my only friend. Sheba, Gio is only a man. You and me can do things he can't. Mewtwo will help me and I'm sure Sabrina will too.
Sabrina?
Do you remember when I left for a while?
Yes.
I went to Saffron City. I met her there.
Oh yes! I remember you told me.
She helped me learn my powers. She's my best friend besides you.
But isn't Saffron City a long ways away from here?
I heard someone talking not far away. Sheba heard it too.
You better go.
I teleported to my room.
I wonder when we'll be going back to Saffron.
I rolled off the bed and went to the mirror. I fixed my shirt and tie, and then ran out the door. I dodged a couple of rockets and found Gio's office. I knocked on the door.
"Dad? If you're not too busy I'd like to ask you a question." I said through the door.
There was a heavy sigh. "Come in come in."
"When are we going to go back to Saffron?"
"Son, I really don't have time for this. I honestly don't care what you do as long as you don't kill yourself." He said, taking a big gulp of wine then squinting hard at the computer.
I blinked at him. "Really? Cool!" I left before he could say anything else.
Sheba?
I hear you.
I'm going to Saffron.
Now?
Yes.
I grumbled and rolled out of bed. I purposely let myself fall onto the ground making a loud thump.
"Mark?"
"Hurry up! Your breakfast is getting cold!"
I grumbled, picking myself up off the floor.
"Wear something nice, your father is very picky about that sort of thing."
"Yes nana."
I lumbered over to the closet, which was half open, dirty and clean clothes all lay in a heap just inside. The only ones actually hanging up were church clothes, or "nice" clothes in nana's opinion. I picked out the one that was most appealing to me, even though I hated all two of them. Ripping the pants and coat off the hangar, I dug in the pile of clothes for a white shirt. I found three, but only one of them was decently clean and smelled a bit better than the other two.
"Mark!"
"I'm coming!"
Digging around in the pile some more, I found some socks that matched well enough. I quickly yanked them over my feet and ran to the bathroom. I wetted my hair and combed back, but didn't try too hard to make it look nice, nana would complain anyway. I ran back to my room and grabbed my "nice" shoes, shoved them on feet without tying them and went downstairs.
"It's about time!" She looked me up and down. "Tuck in your shirt, tie your shoes, and I'll fix your hair and get you a tie when you're done eating."
I rolled my eyes. "Yes, nana." I sat down and began to shovel the oatmeal into my mouth.
"Mark! Where are your manners?"
"They're still sleeping."
She sighed. "Well they better wake up before your father gets here."
I continued to eat. She made my father seem like a tyrant. "Your father this. Your father that." Who would ever be that uptight about anything?
I finished my oatmeal and nana immediately took away the bowl.
"Go in the bathroom."
I obediently got up and went to the bathroom. Let the torture begin. Nana was there in a few minutes with a tie and a comb.
She combed my hair back and sprayed it with hairspray (I hate that stuff). Then she practically strangled me with the tie, and tied my shoes some "special way." The way I did things was never good enough.
Now I was sitting on the couch, waiting. I had never actually met my father. Just heard things about him. All I knew was that he was the leader of Viridian Gym.
The doorbell rang. Nana answered the door.
"Mark!"
I got up and went into the living room. At least five men were all gathered at the door.
"All of you wait outside." Came an authoritive voice from the center of the group. The men filed out of the room, leaving one man. His hair was carefully greased back and he wore a finely pressed suit. He smiled.
"My son! I have not seen you since you were an infant." He extended his hand for me to shake it.
I took his hand and gripped it firmly. "Hello, father." I let go.
"Very firm hand shake. You will do well in life, I can tell." He turned to nana. "I don't mean to be rude Beatrice, but we must leave immediately. There is so much we have to do." He said, staring at me.
"Understood." She said simply. She almost seemed afraid of him.
"Well then! Let's go!"
I followed him outside. A limousine was parked on the side of the road. A man opened the door for us to get in. I got in and looked around the interior. Various expensive wines and liquor sat in a rack, along with a few glasses. There were three televisions and a window on the front wall. Apparently there was another section ahead of us where for the bodyguards.
"All set, sir?" Came an intercom voice.
My father leaned to his left and pushed down a button. "Whenever you're ready."
We began to move. He chuckled.
"I'd imagine this is the first time you've ever been in one of these?"
I nodded.
He sat back in his seat and sighed. "This is the life, huh?"
I looked around. "Yeah."
Now he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Tell me, boy. Have you ever heard of Team Rocket?"
I nodded. "Yes, sir. Seems like a horrible little gang, if you ask me."
He cackled. "Horrible, yes. Little, no. Do you know who I am, boy?"
I puzzled. "You're Giovanni, leader of Viridian Gym. At least you were the last I heard."
"And right you are, but that is only a mere side job."
I stared at him curiously.
"My son, I am also the head of Team Rocket."
I blinked. My father is the most wanted criminal in the whole entire pokemon world?
I felt my jaw drop.
"And you would be my only heir."
I only stared.
"Speechless?"
I looked away. Those eyes suddenly seemed so evil.
"I am going to show you the entirety of Team Rocket and teach you all I know. Together we'll conquer the world. Then you will carry on."
The limo stopped. I wanted to get out of here, away from him.
"Ah! It seems we have arrived already."
The door opened and we got out. We were at the Viridian Gym.
"Come along, boy."
I followed him inside. We walked onto the gym floor. I stopped shortly to look around.
"Keep up!"
I followed him up some stairs onto a balcony overlooking the gym floor. He continued on to a door off to the side. Inside was his office. He went straight to the bookcase in the back.
"Are you paying attention?"
"Yes."
He pulled a red book halfway out of its place and let go. The book slid back in and the bookshelf moved aside, reveling a door. He opened this door.
"After you."
I stepped inside and found myself in a long corridor lit by red lights.
"The fun begins."
That day he showed me the first two floors. They were devoted to the people who were always out stirring things up. He explained to me all that they do, and I didn't like any of it.
$$$$$$$$$$$$
The next morning a girl came and got me up. I had to stay in the "Member's quarters," which was basically just a bedroom. I went to the closet to find a whole bunch of suits. I guess I'll have to get used to wearing them.
I went to the door after I was dressed; the girl was waiting.
"Boss is waiting for you in the kitchen. Need me to take you there?" She asked blowing a bubble with her gum and popping it in my face.
"Yes, please."
"Alright, come on."
I followed her down several hallways, then through a door. She stopped.
"Just go straight and then turn right. I got work to do." And she was gone. I followed her directions, but still managed to get a little lost. I found my way in the end though.
"Mark! My boy! There you are! Here, have a doughnut, they're fresh."
I sat down at the table with him and selected a glazed strawberry doughnut. He watched me eat.
"We're going to the labs today. You're going to love it!" He sipped his coffee.
As soon as I was done chewing the last bit of the doughnut he got up.
"Ready?" He didn't wait for me to answer.
I jumped up and scurried after him.
This place must be huge! We went down at least 20 hallways and five flights of stairs before stopping at huge, steel double doors.
Giovanni typed in a code on a keypad next to the doors and the doors slowly rolled away into the wall.
Inside, scientist all wearing white coats scurried about. Computers and tables with odd objects on them dotted the room. They all seemed to focus around a pillar of glass filled with a greenish-amber liquid in the far right corner.
A bearded man approached us. Giovanni greeted him and they began to talk. I wandered away, curious about the glass pillar in the back. On my way, I studied the computers and anything else that looked interesting.
Finally getting to the glass pillar, I discovered that there was some sort of creature floating in that strange liquid. A pokemon, one I had never seen before. I stared up at it. It seemed to be sleeping. It had a cat-like face, but no whiskers. It had long eyelashes though, possibly suggesting it was female. There was a bony plate over its chest, which turned out at two places near the bottom. Okay, so it was female. Her hips were very large compared to the rest of her. She had a red stomach and tail. But the rest of her was white.
I felt a hand on my shoulder.
"Beautiful, isn't she?" It was my father.
I looked at him, then back at the pokemon. "What is she?"
"She's a Mewtwo."
"Mew.two?"
Her eyes suddenly snapped open, glowing a bright orange. The computers began to go nuts.
My father reached inside his coat and pulled out a gun, just as the glass pillar shattered. I dove behind a table. I peered over the top of it and watched.
The Mewtwo sank to the bottom of the pillar, resting on the bottom. Giovanni put the nose of the gun right in between her red eyes.
"I am Giovanni, your master. Do not attempt to defy me. You are a Mewtwo. Your purpose is to do what I command without question. Is that understood?"
Yes, sir. Said a dark, airy, female voice. It seemed to come from everywhere all at once.
He put the gun away. "Good." He turned around. "What are you waiting for? Get her armor fitted!"
I watched everything from behind the table. That Mewtwo was staring at me now. It made me shiver.
My father watched as they took the Mewtwo away. I got up from my "hiding" place and joined my father.
"What are they going to do with her?"
"Get her some armor. This one will not escape from me."
"Was there another one?"
He turned and looked at me. "Yes, but he has become too powerful to recapture. The last time I met with him he erased his very existence from my memory. Fortunately, these scientists found a way to reverse the effect."
"It was a he?"
"Yes."
"Where you thinking of using the female to lure him back?"
He smiled. "Very good, Mark." He put his arm on my shoulders and we began to walk. "Let me show you the rest of the labs."
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
The following day I was allowed to explore at my leisure. I discovered that there were two above ground levels and twelve sub-levels. The deepest two were unused, however.
After finding all 14 floors, I decided to start with the top-most, even though I had already seen most of it, there was still plenty to investigate.
Most of the rooms I looked in were empty, how exciting.
The next one I looked in proved to be very interesting, though. It led to a balcony, but all I could see from here were cables, hanging from the ceiling. I went right up to the railing and looked down. All the cables were hooked up to a robot standing on a platform. I was about to leave when the robot's head moved and seemed to be staring in my direction. I stared back at it.
"Hello?"
You ask "hello," tell me what this means. Said that dark airy voice. That wasn't a robot. That was the Mewtwo.
"Well.uh. 'hello' is generally a greeting."
Then why did you say it as if you were asking a question?
"Because. I. um. didn't think you could hear me with that armor on." I said.
She was silent.
I spotted a staircase going down to the floor below. I went down it and stood in front of the platform. I looked up at her.
You. are not like that other man. Death does not follow you like a faithful pet.
I looked away. "You must be talking about my father."
He is your father? Truly that must not be so.
"But he is."
Are you ashamed of him?
I hesitated. "No, I think I'm more disappointed or even scared."
I don't blame you.
I looked up at the door.
You're not supposed to be here, are you?
"I'm not entirely sure, but I have a feeling."
Then you should go.
I stared at her. "Okay then." I started for the stairs. "I'll come back sometime." I saw her smile underneath the helmet she wore.
I continued on my way.
$$$$$$$$$$$$
After a week and a half of touring The Rocket HQ, Giovanni took me to a house he had in uptown Saffron.
I was surprised that he was pretty much done with teaching for now. I was guessing it was just a break. That couldn't be all of what he wanted me to know, unless he was catching on to the fact that I didn't like this Team Rocket business.
Of course, being a teen, the first thing I did was go into town to check out the local ladies. I found some but, of course, I was invisible to them.
So, the next thing I did was check out the gym. I loved pokemon, even though I didn't have any of my own.
It was really weird; the moment I entered the gym, the leader froze and stared at me. I stared back. This was the best looking girl I'd seen all day. There was a strange sound and she flew toward me.
I mentally smacked myself. Duh! That's Sabrina you idiot!
She landed only a foot in front of me and squinted at me. "I can't read your mind, nor did I anticipate your coming. Who are you? I sense strong psychic powers within you."
I stared at her and blinked. "I'm Mark, but there must be something wrong with you. I don't have psychic powers." I chuckled.
"Oh you have them, you just don't know how to use them.yet."
"Yet? Are you saying you're going to teach me?" I felt my eyes grow wide.
She giggled. Something I hardly expected her to do. She seemed so serious. "Why not? It's been very slow around here lately. I need something to do." She started walking away. "Are you coming?"
I shook myself then followed her. We came into some sort of kitchen.
"Sit down."
I sat at the small round table. She sat across from me. A spoon appeared on the table in front of me.
"Pick it up."
I picked up the spoon.
"Concentrate on the spoon. Picture it bending in your mind. Close your eyes if it helps."
I concentrated on the spoon first with my eyes open, but nothing happened.
"Try again, but close your eyes this time. Concentrate on the spoon, nothing else."
I tried again, with my eyes closed. There's the spoon. it's bending. I think.
"Okay, open your eyes."
I opened my eyes and looked at the spoon. It wasn't bent.
"Like this." She took the spoon from me and stared at it. It bent at the neck. "Your problem is you don't really think you can do it. Try again."
Another spoon appeared. I picked it up and concentrated, hard.
"Open your eyes!"
I opened them. The spoon was bent the slightest bit.
"See! I told you."
I smirked. "Okay, now what?"
A pile of spoons appeared in front of me. "Practice."
I stared at the pile. "I have to bend ALL of those?"
"If you want to master your hidden power." She got up and squeezed my shoulder. "I'll be back in a while. Good luck." She winked at me on her way out. I stared at the pile again.
Okay. I came in here just to mosey around, maybe find a cool girl that doesn't hate my guts, and I end up sitting in Sabrina's kitchen trying to bend spoons. You go Mark!
I heard that! Came a voice suspiciously like Sabrina's.
"What the heck?" I said looking around.
I didn't think you could project your thoughts yet. We'll have to work on your control over that. I seriously don't want to hear what you think of me.
I looked around nervously. Okay. that was Sabrina. Anyway! Back to the spoons.
I picked up a spoon and stared at it. "This is really boring." I thought out loud. "I know! Let's see if I can teleport anything." I took a spoon out of the pile and set it on the table. I folded my arms in front of me and stared at it. "Come on. you will disappear and then reappear three inches away. please?"
The spoon started to shake. Then it suddenly shot up and whacked me in the face.
"OW! Dumb spoon!" I yelled, putting my face in my hands. Okay then. maybe we should stick with bending them. It seems to be less painful.
Picking up the "menace spoon" I threw it back into the pile and took out a new one. I concentrated on it, nothing.
"Come on! I did it before!"
After a half an hour Sabrina came back.
"What time do you need to be home?"
I looked at my watch. It was 2:46. "Before dark. Today is Wednesday, right?"
"Yes."
"Yeah, I get Wednesdays off."
"Oh, you have a job?"
"Well. not really a job yet. Guess you could say I'm learning the trade."
"Really? What is the 'trade'?"
"My dad is the Leader of Viridian Gym."
She looked a bit frightened all of a sudden. "You. your father is Giovanni?"
I nodded. "You're probably thinking, 'oh no! I'm teaching telekinesis to the most dangerous man in the world's kid,' right? I'm nothing like him. As soon as I found out he was head of Team Rocket I was devastated. The police can't touch him though, and he knows it. I've just been playing along. If he finds out I'm not for real he'll probably kill me." I looked her in the eyes. "I don't know what to do."
She stared at me. "Come here as often as you can so I can teach you. I can tell you speak truth. I don't need to search your mind for that."
I gave her a solemn nod. "Okay."
"Now back to practicing."
$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Three weeks later.
"Mark, where have you been going every Wednesday?" Asked my father, taking a sip of wine. He always had some type of drink in his hand.
"Oh, nowhere."
"Don't lie to me boy."
"Okay fine, I met a girl."
"Oh really? What is her name?"
I hesitated. Should I tell him or not? "Sabrina."
"Saffron's Gym leader?"
"Yes."
A grin formed on his lips. "Excellent choice."
Uh oh that can't be good.
"And what, may I ask, have you been doing every Wednesday?"
Oh crap.
"Just hanging out. What else would we do?"
He was silent. I didn't like the look on his face. I could pretty much tell what he was thinking. and it wasn't good.
He sighed and shook his head. "I remember the days."
"I'm going to bed." I said suddenly. I got up and headed for the staircase, the very long staircase.
"It's only 8:30, you know!"
"Tomorrow's Wednesday!" I yelled running upstairs.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$
"Hey Sabrina! Guess what?"
"What?"
"My dad got a little suspicious of my hurrying out the door every Wednesday."
She looked serious. "What did you tell him?"
"I told him we just hang out. but I think that he thinks we're lovers or something." I concentrated really hard and played back the conversation between my dad and I. Sabrina looked impressed.
"You're really getting the hang of it now, aren't you?"
I felt my face turn red with a blush. "Yeah."
She stifled a giggle. "It seems as though he hasn't discovered your power yet. That's good."
"So what are we going to do today?"
"Let's go into the gym and work on your levitation. Do you think you need the pads today?" She started for the doors.
"I'll try it." I went to the center of the gym, standing on the white dot in the middle of the ring. I concentrated, and soon my body began to glow green. I slowly rose off the floor. I felt the air become thicker as Sabrina lifted off the ground and joined me, just incase.
"Ha! At least I'm not flying all over the place." I said, looking down. I moved to the right a little.
"Don't get cocky now."
I looked up. Let's see if I can get to the ceiling. I took off, a little too fast, and hit my head on the ceiling.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, fine. You'd think I'd be able to do this right by now." I noticed the doors were open to the gym. I stared at them and they shut.
"Don't do too many things at once!" Sabrina warned.
"I think I've got this down." I said, flying to her. We hovered about three feet apart.
"Are you sure?"
I nodded, looking at the ground again.
"Okay, then let's work on teleporting. Teleport to the park." A vision of the place she wanted me to go to appeared in my mind.
"Won't there be a lot of people there?"
"So what, they all know me I'm sure."
"Yeah, but what if there are rocket agents around? They might tell my dad."
"Quit your belly aching, just do it."
"Okay fine." I pictured the park and soon felt my body begin to tingle as I began to dematerialize. That part always gave me the willies for some reason. Next thing I knew I was in the park.
"Piece of cake." I said. Sabrina appeared.
"Not bad! You're here in one piece."
"I've been practicing in the lower levels, nobody ever goes down there."
"Good!"
The rest of the day we continued to train. me (ha ha that sounds funny). Then as it began to get dark we went for a walk in the quieting city. We were just going pass Silph Co. and the other really tall buildings when I heard a noise. It was a whoosh type of noise, but not an ordinary whoosh. It was a psychic whoosh. Like when someone or something was using telekinesis to fly. I stopped walking.
"Did you hear that?"
"What?"
I concentrated, letting my mind wander, looking for other psychic creatures.
"There's something psychic up there." I said taking off into the air. Sabrina followed. We landed on the top of the Silph building. Sabrina was tugging on my shirt.
"Mark. Mark what is that?" She said, pointing.
I turned around and looked in the direction she was pointing. Two purple eyes were staring at us.
"It's Mewtwo." I whispered.
"Mewtwo?"
How do you know who I am?
"My father is Giovanni." I said. "Though I am not proud of it." I added.
The eyes came closer. Impossible. I erased his memory and his. How is this so?
"My father told me that your mind trick didn't work on his men back in Viridian, so they found a way to reverse it."
The eyes suddenly looked angry. Then he must be looking for me as we speak.
"No, he isn't. He's created another Mewtwo. A female. I don't know exactly how he's going to do it, but he wants to use her to lure you back to him."
Why do you tell me these things?
I looked at Sabrina. She only stared at Mewtwo.
"I hate what my father does. and I'm supposed to be his heir, but when he passes I'll probably run Team Rocket into the ground and run the gym."
The purple eyes looked us both over. Thank you for the information. Both of you are psychics, am I correct?
We both nodded. I noticed the pokemon clutched a small brown bag. I believe I can trust you. We shall meet again, but at the moment I must decide what I shall do about this.
He got ready to take off.
"Wait! What's in the bag?"
He looked down at the bag he was holding; he seemed embarrassed. Nothing of your concern. He was gone.
Sabrina stood beside me. "That pokemon was very strong."
"No kidding. And there's only one other."
"How is that possible?"
"It's a clone."
"I've heard about a mew being cloned. Was that it?"
"Yeah, they kinda spruced it up a little though. My dad wanted the most powerful pokemon in the world, but he got away and he wants him back."
She shuddered. "I hate to think of what might have happened if he still had that thing."
"Yeah, I know. how about we get down from here. It's getting cold."
"Right."
We flew down and continued to talk about Mewtwo as we made our way back to Saffron Gym.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
"Hey! You over there!" I yelled to a random rocket. He stopped and gave me a questioning look.
"You talkin' ta me?" He yelled back.
"Yeah! Do you know where boss is?" I had to call my dad "boss" or they would start treating me like royalty. It was very annoying.
The man came up to me so he didn't have to yell down the corridor. When he got to me he looked disappointed. "Oh, I thought you were somebody important. Get lost kid, he doesn't have time for you."
I rolled my eyes at him. "Just tell me where my dad is, okay?"
"How am I supposed to know where your dad is? I don't even know your dad!" He started walking away.
"My dad is Giovanni! I'll have him kill you if you don't tell me where he is NOW!" I screamed at him. This was always fun, threatening their lives and all. The man practically fell on his face and began to kiss my shoes.
"I heard he was training today. Pokemon of course."
"Thank you. Now go do something useful."
"Right away, sir."
I headed down the hallway to the gym. Sure enough there were numerous curses being yelled from the gym and plenty of pounding sounds along with the shattering of expensive wine glasses. I opened the door to have a terrified Persian trample me. I went inside to the balcony where my dad was raving at a petrified rocket. The Mewtwo, clad in her armor, stood patiently waiting for an order on the floor below. I ignored my father and went down the stairs to the gym floor. Going toward the Mewtwo, she didn't turn her head. She only twisted an ear in my direction.
Hello. I said telepathically. She jumped, not expecting a mental voice, especially from a human.
Was that you? Human over to my left?
Yes. Isn't it great? We can talk without anyone hearing no matter where we are.
Yes, it is. I could hear the smile in her dark voice. How did you manage this?
My father and I went to Saffron City for a while. I met someone there who also has these powers. She told me I had them and helped me take control of them. Can I ask you something?
Go ahead.
Have they given you a name yet?
My master calls me Sheba. What are you called?
My name is Mark.
"What are you doing down there, boy!" Called Giovanni. I looked up at him.
He can't hear us. I better go. I said. "Coming father!" I went up the stairs. "She's very interesting." I said when I got to him.
"I like your curiosity, boy." He said, patting my head. I hate it when he does that. "Now watch what she can do."
A door opened at the side of the gym and a Rhyhorn came charging out. Sheba simply lifted her hand and the Rhyhorn stopped in its tracks. It lifted off the ground and was thrown into the nearest wall.
I could do that. I wanted to say. I only said it to Sheba.
Could you? You can do more than speak with your mind?
Yes. It's so fun! I said. She laughed in my mind. Her laugh was wild, almost like she wasn't quite sure how to laugh. I wasn't surprised.
"Did she kill it?" I asked Giovanni.
"Most likely. Why don't you go see?"
"Isn't that dangerous?"
"You're a rocket, boy, and rockets do risky things."
"Alright. if you say so. but I can't see why you don't send one of your worthless agents to check."
He chuckled, he never actually laughed. Just chuckled or sneered. I made my way back down the stairs and over to the motionless Rhyhorn, which was lying among pieces of the wall. I didn't know what else to do, so I kicked its side. It groaned.
Uh oh.
It started to get up.
You've read about these things. whatever you do don't move.
It faced my direction and began to paw at the ground with one foot.
It's going to charge!
With a mighty roar it ran straight for me. Without thinking, I flew into the air and hovered. The Rhyhorn kept going and ran into the other wall, knocking itself out. I floated back down to the ground, and then realized what I had just done.
Oh no! I'm done for.
Giovanni ran down the stairs and was soon at my side. He stared at me with unbelieving eyes.
Oh Sabrina. I'm dead.
Giovanni looked over at the Mewtwo. "The Mewtwo saved you. I don't believe this!"
What? Mewtwo? Oh! Thank you God! I sighed with relief. He thinks Sheba saved me.
My father walked over to Sheba and stared at her. She shifted her weight to her left side. She looked nervous.
Are you afraid of him, Sheba?
I'd be a fool not to.
"Hmmmm. she seems to like you, Mark." Giovanni said, scratching his chin. He turned to me.
Sheba shuddered. My father looked at her from the corner of his eyes.
"Did you see her shudder, boy?"
"Yes, why do you want her to be frightened of you?"
He stood up straight. "Fear will make anyone obey." He spotted one of the pokemon handlers. It looked like he was going after the Rhyhorn.
"Scott! Never mind that wretched creature. Put Sheba away."
The man startled. "But sir! She is perfectly fine! Why should I de-
"No! Put her back in her room! I wasn't ordering you to destroy her!"
"Oh, of course, right away sir!" He scurried away and began to tend to Sheba.
Giovanni watched him take her away.
"Dad, what makes them afraid of you?" I asked.
He smirked. "You'll learn soon enough." He pulled back his coat, purposely most likely, to reveal a gun. He began to walk away. I went with him.
"Are there any psychics in the rocket business?" I asked.
"Why do you ask?"
"Wouldn't they be useful? You know, with recruiting loyal people or finding out if someone is a traitor."
He stopped walking. "What an excellent idea! You are most definitely my son. Mason!"
An important looking man, who also wore a suit, came in our direction.
"Yes, boss?"
"I have a new mission for your men."
"Wonderful! I believe they were getting bored."
"Take your men to Saffron City and recruit us some psychics."
"Psychics? But sir! They are so hard to read, and. well. their weird."
Giovanni glared at him.
"But, I suppose their skills could be useful." He turned around and went into a room and began to bark orders.
We started walking again.
"Mark, you can go. I have work to do."
"Oh, alright." I watched him go into his office, and then took off down the hall. I went straight to that hangar they kept Sheba in.
Sheba?
Mark! I was waiting for you.
Sheba, I have something to tell you.
Oh?
There's another.
Another? Another what?
Mewtwo.
Really?
Yes, and Giovanni is planning to use you to lure him back.
Him?
Yes, him. I've met him and if my father knew he'd probably kill me. I began to pace. You have to warn him!
I did. He said he'd meet with me again. I think he has a plan to free you.
She was silent.
What's wrong, Sheba?
She sniffed. This sounds dangerous, Mark. Gio.
I know, but this isn't right. You're a pokemon, not a slave. Don't you want to be free?
Yes, but. not if you have to put your life on the line. You're my only friend. Sheba, Gio is only a man. You and me can do things he can't. Mewtwo will help me and I'm sure Sabrina will too.
Sabrina?
Do you remember when I left for a while?
Yes.
I went to Saffron City. I met her there.
Oh yes! I remember you told me.
She helped me learn my powers. She's my best friend besides you.
But isn't Saffron City a long ways away from here?
I heard someone talking not far away. Sheba heard it too.
You better go.
I teleported to my room.
I wonder when we'll be going back to Saffron.
I rolled off the bed and went to the mirror. I fixed my shirt and tie, and then ran out the door. I dodged a couple of rockets and found Gio's office. I knocked on the door.
"Dad? If you're not too busy I'd like to ask you a question." I said through the door.
There was a heavy sigh. "Come in come in."
"When are we going to go back to Saffron?"
"Son, I really don't have time for this. I honestly don't care what you do as long as you don't kill yourself." He said, taking a big gulp of wine then squinting hard at the computer.
I blinked at him. "Really? Cool!" I left before he could say anything else.
Sheba?
I hear you.
I'm going to Saffron.
Now?
Yes.