Guest Review Replies:

Emerald Moon: No Looker has not revealed himself to Delia yet– only to Barlow. Ash and Delia reuniting has been one of my favorite scenes to write in this story so far, glad you like it! :)

We'll see, there's more pressing things happening at the moment though. And the number of those who believe Ash are rising!

They're gone in mere seconds... And yes, Charizard is always willing to kill Rockets.

You'll see...

Get use to the cliffhangers! I have many planned out in the upcoming chapters! Hehe...

Thank you!

Guest(1): I'm afraid the Champions' and Elites' Pokemon are dead as well. :'(

Guest(2/3): Ash finally got the reunion he deserved. :)

Interesting scenarios. :) You'll just have to see where the story goes.

Yes, Giovanni is indeed a monster.

–––

Thank you everyone for the reviews! :D


I'm back from my break guys! It feels nice to be working on The Final Battle again! And here we are with a fresh new arc...

Not counting the epilogue and closing chapters we have just over ten more chapters left in this story... We're so close! Thank you for sticking with me to the end!

Enjoy Arc 10 everyone!


Arc 10 – The Final Battle

Chapter Fifty-One

'Latias, I believe we should turn back now.'

Latias glanced back at her companion, who was looking about the desert with uncertainty in his eyes. Tingles ran down Latias' back as their gaze met, and she quickly faced forward once more

'...This is the largest source of psychic energy we've sensed...' She whispered. 'We just can't leave.'

Latios' ear tuffs went back unhappily, but he said nothing. They were steadily approaching two weeks since they had left Kanto, and their journey had been far from easy. They of course were able to cover ground with ease– on full stomach a Lati could easily stay in the air for a full day. Thanks to spending times with humans, Latias knew that man had often recorded Latis going speeds so fast that they could outpace jets. Obviously this took a great deal of psychic energy and could not be maintained for long stretches of time– but they could travel much faster than a human.

From the time since they had left Ash behind at the Indigo Plateau, she had Latios had managed to scout the western half Kanto, all of Johto, fly across the ocean, and begin their search of Hoenn.

Of course searching was easier since they didn't have to go through every section of land. They were searching for a powerful psychic being, so they simply had to send out psychic pulses. It was actually quite a fun skill– one that Latios had taught while they had searched. He had compared it to how Zubats natigated caves– sending out sound waves and listening for the return echo.

Instead they sent out psychic pulses– and they could sense a 'return pulse' if it came in contact with another psychic being. The stronger the psychic, the stronger the return. These psychic pulses could cover nearly two miles in all directions, and combined with their speed, it made their search for the 'Mewtwo' much quicker.

Not that they had made much progress– they had simply found places where he wasn't hiding.

Both Latios and Latias had agreed not to search Sinnoh quite yet– since it was the known home of several psychic legendaries, and they didn't want to throw off their search with a false lead.

But they had sensed a surge of psychic energy coming from the desert in Hoenn a day ago– there was something powerful hiding out here– and Latias was determined to find it!

But Latios wanted to leave.

'Why?' Latias asked him, a slight whimper in her voice. They were close– so close. The psychic energy they had sensed from this desert was much stronger than either of them, this had to be the being Ash was searching for.

He darted in front of her, blocking her progression. The two legendaries hovered in front of each other, the stars shining down on them. They had both agreed to travel at night– it was cooler and there were less humans out to spot them. Latias tried to hold her ground, but Latios was both larger, stronger, and much more intimidating than her. Combined with the aura he radiated due to breaking a Soul Dew, Latias couldn't help by draw back as he towered over her.

'Latias, that surge we sensed– it was huge,' He hissed. 'I don't think we're dealing with this "Mewtwo".'

'Ash said that it was stronger than both of us–' Latias began, and he hissed, making her recoiled. He paused as she turned invisible, and he looked away.

'...Sorry, I don't mean to be harsh, but... I still don't think we're dealing with that being. Your trainer said it was stronger than both of us– but the wave we sensed was... it was like twenty, or thirty times stronger! Do you honestly think that this being is that much stronger than us?!' Latios asked.

Latias flickered back into sight, clutching her brother's Soul Dew. '...What else would it be though?'

'...I think we sensed a herd of Latis...' Latios muttered, looking down.

Latias brightened. 'Perfect! Maybe they've sensed Mewtwo before and they can tell us–"

Latios whipped his head back to face her, baring his teeth, hissing again. 'Latias, do you know what will happen if more Latis find me? They. Will. Kill me!' He snarled, claws tensed. 'And they might kill you as well for simply being near me! I will not risk you!'

Latias pulled back, but managed not to slip into her invisibility this time. Gulping, she nervously glanced out at the desert.

'But... but what if it is the Pokemon Ash needs?' Latias whimpered. 'I can't let Ash down!'

'So you'd risk your own life for your trainer?'

Latias lowered her head down, claws curling inward. '...Yes... because I'd know he'd do the same for me,' She hesitated, looking up at him. 'B-but I don't want you to get hurt either! Why don't I keep searching the desert, and you can start searching elsewhere? We could meet up at the sand arch we saw a while back in like– um– two days!'

Latios' eyes were cold. 'No. I will not leave you alone. If you want to search the desert, then I'll search with you.'

'What if it is a Lati herd–!'

He cut her off by bumping against her. 'Why would Latis be in the desert? Let's just search.'

Latias whimpered, but was glad that he wasn't leaving. They tucked their arms in close to their body, setting off across the cool desert night. They took turns sending out pulses of psychic energy– waiting to see if they could get anything to return. Some sign of the powerful psychic wave they had sensed.

But they sensed nothing but empty desert.

'...Whatever we sensed is no longer here,' Latios said after a long pause. 'Because I can't imagine how that much energy could be masked.'

Latias lowered her head, but she knew that Tobias's Latios was right. They were sensing nothing– she didn't know what it would take to hide that much energy, but it would certainly be more than she'd consider possible. Whatever they had sensed must have moved on... but so quickly? Had it teleported? But teleportation could be traced...

And Latis didn't teleport.

'One more search,' Latias whispered. 'I know we've covered this desert like twice now, but maybe we can pick up on some remains of psychic energy. Something a psychic pulse wouldn't pick up on.'

Latios hesitated. '...Fine– but I'm going to be the one to do it, and we're not scanning the whole desert again.'

Latias did a happy flip in the air. 'Thank you!'

He turned away from her, feathers ruffling. Latias let out a coo, brushing up against him, but he simply closed his eyes, focusing his psychic energy. Latias knew that this would be more consuming than a psychic pulse, but if they could get some hint on what had been here, it would be worth it.

Even with his eyes closed, Latias could see a faint glow under his eyelids as he gathered the psychic energy. She brushed up against him again, making him tense, but he set a clawed arm against her wing. She glided forward, guiding him through the desert night.

No words passed between them as they flew over the desert, slowly accelerating. Minutes blurred away into hours, and Latias occasionally sent out a psychic pulse, but sensed nothing.

'...Nothing...' Latios at long last broke the silence, opening his eyes. He was trembling, having used so much psychic energy that he was clearly straining himself to stay in the air. 'There's nothing here Latias, if I hadn't sensed it myself I'd think you were insane to say that there were psychics in the desert.'

Latias wrapped her claws around the Soul Dew. Their first lead... and it was nothing.

'An occasional Baltoy... but nothing else,' Latios sighed.

They were in the heart of the desert at the moment, and Latias saw how exhausted Latios was. They needed to rest, she had let him push himself too far– but at the same time they couldn't linger. As soon as the sun rose this desert would become an oven, which would drain them of energy even more.

'...Let's rest for a few minutes,' Latias muttered, feigning a yawn. She knew that as long as she acted tired he'd stop– otherwise he'd keep pushing himself. 'Then we can move on to another part of Hoenn...'

'You've been here before, haven't you?' Latios asked as they slowly drifted down towards the sand.

'...Rocket has no influence here Hoenn, Ash liked to train here in peace. I wasn't out all too often, but we were mostly in the forest,' Latias stretched her neck. 'It was a lovely little place. What about you?'

'...Tobias came here before, but we quickly left,' Latios said briefly, not saying anything else. They touched down on the cool sand, settling in. The sand was gritty against their feathers– but it was resting.

They pressed up against one another, Latios carefully making sure he wasn't touching the Soul Dew on her neck– she had never allowed anyone to touch it but her. Not that she thought that he'd hurt it, she was actually sure that he could protect better than she could, but it was the last thing she had of her brother. Latias touched it with one claw, sighing as she pressed up against Latios. It was hard to believe that a desert could be so cold, but she appreciated his warmth.

She closed her eyes, letting out a happy rumble. Latios looked over her briefly, smiling, before settling in as well.

And that's when the tower appeared.

One moment empty desert– the next a massive sandstone tower flickered into view. It was as if an illusion of a dozen Zoroarks had suddenly vanished. The two Latis leapt up into the air in surprise, only to crumble back down to the sand as a wave of powerful psychic energy crashed down onto them. Latias let out a cry of pain, grabbing her head with her claws.

It seems they found where the psychic energy had been coming from.

"La..." She whimpered, her body slowly adjusting to the sudden surge of energy, and she opened her eyes. Latios was back into the air, having recovered much quicker than her. He had his fangs bared, glaring up at the tower.

'Stay... down...' Latios whispered to her, and that's when Latias noticed the shapes coming from the tower. Swift shapes slipping in and out of invisibility, diving down towards them. Latias quickly recognized the outline of the creatures rushing at them.

Latis.

There was a least a dozen of the dragons, and Latias found herself stunned at the sight. She had never seen more than a few of her kind at once, so the sight of an entire herd swooping across the night took her breath away. Latios on the other claw was as stiff as a statue, draconic energy flickering across his claws.

Three Dragon Pulses were fired down at Latios as he tried to hold his ground, and he fired a Luster Purge in retaliation. The beam of pure psychic energy was able to deter two of the Dragon Pulses from landing– while the third one hit him right in the wing.

'Latios!' Latias cried as he was knocked out of the air, crashing into the sand. But as a Pokemon that was trained for battle, he quickly rose with no sign of any lasting damage, claws glowing with a Dragon Claw, racing up towards the attacking psychic types.

'You!' One of the foreign Latis snarled as he swooped past Latios, eyes widening with recognition. Tobias' Latios replied by swiping with his Dragon Claw.

Latias studied the strange Latios as it pulled back from the attack, whose feathers were gleaming in the moonlight. They weren't a dark blue like one would expect, but rather a soft teal. Perhaps it was just because it was night...? Latias frowned further, rising a bit higher into the air to get a better look at him as he sped away. He soon banked back around, targeting Latios once more, and Latias was able to get a good look at him.

It was no trick of the moonlight, it was a shiny.

Latios ran his claws down the shiny's side, only for several more Latis of the herd to swoop in and retaliate. A Charge Beam, Dragon Pulse, and a Twister all hit Tobias' Latios, the multiple blows able to force a cry of pain from him. The shiny raced forward, claws digging into Latios' throat as he recovered, making Latias stiffen.

'It is you...' The shiny growled as he got a good look at Latios, claws digging deeper. 'No Nightmare King to protect you this time, Soul-Shatterer,' Shiny spat.

Latios struggled as his airway was temporarily cut off. The two Latios were glaring at each other, struggling. The shiny was struggling to keep a thrashing Latios in his grip, while Latios was trying to form an attack without being able to breathe. The shiny's claws started to glow green– only to get a Luster Purge to the face. This made the shiny cry out in pain, and Latios broke free.

'Go. To. Hell,' Latios rasped, now able to breathe once more.

Everything was happening so quickly, Latias barely realizing what was happening as a second Luster Purge was fired at the shiny. Latios turned as the beam of psychic energy knocked the shiny out of the air, causing several of the other Latis to race after him. Latios dove down towards her, hovering right above Latias, a golden Light Screen surrounding them. Latias pulled back uncertainly– mind still trying to process the attacking Lati herd.

They had found more of their kind. Not Mewtwo. They were being attacked. Latios was hurt.

'There's another one with the Soul-Shatterer,' Some of the Latis muttered, and Latias looked up. Latios shifted, attempting to keep her in his shadow. Shivers ran through her– he had been right. It had been a Lati herd they had sensed.

She had lead Latios right into danger.

'You dare pass into our territory again?' The shiny asked, feathers slightly charred from Latios' barrage of attacks. Clearly it hadn't been enough, since he was back in the air, this time flanked by two other Latis. Latias scanned them, absolutely fascinated and frightened. The shiny was clearly the leader among this Latis, the rest of the herd quickly surrounding them. Latios was shifting side to side, as if trying to find some way to flee.

'...I wasn't aware your herd had moved to a desert,' Latios growled. 'Did the humans push you off your island?'

Latias tilted her head down in a submissive gesture– both to try to hide the Soul Dew from view and not to appear as a threat.

'...Is she a Soul-Shatterer too?' The shiny asked with narrowed eyes, and Latios snarled. 'No other Lati would be stupid enough travel with you.'

Latias stiffened as she felt the tingling of psychic energy around her– they were scanning her! She quickly drifted back, claws clutching the Soul Dew resting on the leather band. But she knew there was no more hiding it– because a Lati would easily sense the soul of a departed.

The herd fell silent, and Latias drifted up to Latios' side. They wouldn't harm a Soul Dew, she knew that, that's why they were attacking Latios in the first place. And since there was no hiding her brother's soul, so she could only hope that they wouldn't attack Latios as long as he was near the Soul Dew. Latios reached out with a clawed hand as she drifted up, touching her shoulder, making the herd tense.

'Get your claws off of that Lati!' A foreign Latias snarled to their left.

The shiny drifted forward, eyes resting on the Soul Dew around her neck, causing Latias to tense nervously. He was the enemy... he was looking at her brother...

'...Your a Guardian,' He said after a moment, looking Latias in the eyes. She hated his cold orange gaze– but at least he was no longer focused on attacking Latios.

Latias racked her brains, trying to remember what those Latis she met a few years back had told her. They had tried to teach her of Lati culture, and had tried to convince her to come with them. She had denied their offer, but had listened to their words. She knew what a Guardian was, the humans used the same term in their language. She was a Guardian since she watched over a Soul Dew.

'I am,' Latias said, her voice sounding much stronger than what she actually felt.

She wasn't a good Guardian, she was too timid for the role, but she did her best. But there was no need for this herd to know about that though. She ruffled her feathers to look larger, and drifted up higher into the air– but making sure Latios was still in contact with her. 'And would you like to explain why you are attacking my companion?'

The herd tensed at her words.

Latios stared at her, impressed. So far all she had done hide behind him whenever a threat came near– but this time he was the one that was threatened. She couldn't hide, or else he'd die, and she knew that Latis would never harm a Guardian– she was the only one that could protect them right now.

'Companion...' The shiny said slowly. 'You call this monster a companion...?'

Latias tensed out of fear, but she allowed herself to look angry. 'Don't call him that!'

The anger in her voice was real, but it wavered, and she knew that they heard it. The herd looked at each other suspiciously. She gulped, knowing she couldn't keep up this charade for long. The shiny Latios came closer, making Tobias' tensed.

'...My name is Merald, and I am the alpha of this herd, and the Guardian of the Soul we protect,' He held out a claw. 'I am sorry for my rash attack, though I must express concern for the Soul you carry.'

She drew back at his claw. 'D-don't touch me...'

Merald scanned her, and she hated the look in his eyes. She hated how the rest of the herd was pressing closer, and she hated how they were surrounded. But they weren't attacking... they weren't attacking... anymore...

'You're very young, I can see it in your eyes,' Merald said, his teal feathers shining in the moonlight. 'Perhaps you do not realize what the creature is beside you, but he is not a friend. Don't you sense his energy, young one? He is a monster, no... far worse, he is a–'

'I am w-well aware of what he's done!' Latias blurted out, voice wavering once more, but it carried through the herd. 'I... I appreciate the warning, but...' She gulped. 'But I will judge someone by how they've treated me. He's done nothing but help me, while you... while you have attacked my friend!'

Merald's claws clenched. 'You claim you know of his past– yet you let him near the Soul you guard?'

Latias gulped, knowing this stall wouldn't last forever. 'Yes. He told me himself,' She looked out at the other Latis. 'I... I know he would never harm my brother's Soul, and I know... I know that you would never dare to do so either...' She gulped again. 'S-so let us pass!'

Merald's eyes narrowed. 'You may pass, Guardian. The murderer however may not.'

Latios tensed at the word, and Latias pressed closer to him. His back pressed against her chest feathers. She quickly scanned the herd– Merald was in front of them, two Latis flanking him. Three were above them, and seven others were spread out around their sides and backs. Most had attacks half formed, eyes locked on Latios.

'...Go Latias...' Latios muttered. 'I knew the risks coming out here.'

Latias shook– she wasn't about to let him get slaughtered!

'No!' Latias snarled, both at Merald and Latios. She glared at the shiny, darting forward, making the herd tense once again. 'Attacking a Guardian holds the same weight as attacking a Soul Dew– does it not?'

'It seems you are at least educated in that field,' The shiny legendary replied, pulling back as she darted forward. They weren't going to hurt her– she had to use that to her advantage.

'Well, Latios is helping me guard this Soul Dew– making him a Guardian too!' Latias snapped, making both the herd and Latios stiffen up. What she was saying was of course made up on the spot– but she knew that Latios would help her with anything if she asked. 'And attacking him I will take as an attack on my brother's Soul!'

Merald clenched his teeth. '...But the fact that has shattered a Soul Dew means he deserves death.'

Latias knew what he was saying– throwing Latios the title of "Guardian" did not save him– it did nothing but neutralize his stance here.

'...He is harming no one,' Latias whispered, her courage slowly fading away as she realized talking wasn't going to get them out of this. 'Y-you don't know him... please, just let us pass...'

Merald regarded her, and his gaze shifted to the rest of the herd. Several of them shook their heads, others formed attacks. Latios was unmoving, simply staring at Latias in shock, even though his life was on the line. Shivers ran through her, the aura around him made her so fearful, but... but Latios himself...

He made her feel so safe.

'Why are you in our desert?' Merald asked.

Latias' heart thumped hopefully, maybe they could get through this.

'...We're looking for someone,' Latias said. Perhaps she could earn their favor with being honest. 'We sensed a psychic surge, and we were hoping he was here. It seems... we were wrong though.'

Merald frowned. 'And just who would a Guardian and a Soul-Shatterer be searching for?'

Latias hesitated for a moment, should she say his name? What was the worst that could happen? Either they had no idea who it was, which would be of no issue. And if they did know, perhaps they could point them in the right direction... if they let them ago at all. But he was asking– and Latias knew they couldn't win a fight. Being honest was her best hope right now.

'...His name is Mewtwo.'

They reacted to her words the same way they had reacted to the Soul Dew– stunned silence.

Merald's orange eyes widened with fear and surprise as the name slipped between her lips. Latias sense a psychic wave rush through the herd, the herd communicating their sense of panic between themselves, and the Latis drew back. Latias frowned, carefully studying their reactions. They weren't confused, like one would expect them to be if they had never heard of Mewtwo before. So that meant...

'Kill them,' Merald snarled. 'Now.'

'Wha-what–?' Latias cried, jumping back. Another ripple of uncertainty rushed through the herd.

'Even the dragoness–?' Another Latias asked uncertainly.

'Kill them now!' Merald snarled, eyes gleaming with anger and... fear?

The herd only hesitated for a moment– before closing in on Latias and Latios.

Latias froze up, her courage evaporating as a rush of attacks bore down on them, eyes wide. Latios however, sprang straight into action, slamming his whole body down onto one of Latias' wings. She let out a yelp as she was knocked out of her levitation, crashing into the sand– several attacks flying by where she had just been hovering.

Golden energy surrounded Latios, and he raced straight at Merald with a powerful Giga Impact. Latios rammed his whole body into the chest of the shiny, sending the alpha of the herd across the desert. Merald painfully crashed into the sand, the breath knocked out of him.

A Mist Ball made contact with Latios as he recovered from the attack he had just used, and Latias watched in a panic as he raced back into battle. A gleaming Light Screen surrounded her and him once more, and his claws became draped in a Dragon Claw, diving around a Twister attack and slashing a Latias across the snout.

Latias was surprised as he stuck to physical attacks, instead of taking advantage of any ranged move. But as she watched him weave between the herd of Latis, she was starting to see his plan. Light Screen halved the damage of any special attacks that managed to land as he darted between them– and he was clearly catching them off guard by swooping in so close to strike with Dragon Claw.

But there was only one of him, and thirteen of them.

A powerful Surf attack washed over Latios, knocking off course from his weaving game. Several elemental attacks– Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, and a Energy Ball– struck him as he tried to recover, keeping him down. Two bulky Latios dove towards him, slashing at Latios with Dragon Claws of their own. A desperate cry escaped Latias as she watched them attack him.

'No!' She cried, rushing into the air, a Shadow Claw covering her claws. 'Leave him alone!'

That's when she remembered they were trying to kill as well– and several Latis turned to face her as she raced towards Latios.

The Dragon Pulse across her back ached as it struck, knocking her down to a lower level as she tried to rush towards Latios' assistance. She let her Shadow Claw fade away, attempting to form a Dragon Breath instead as a Latias came at her with a Mist Ball. Latias urged herself higher into the air– she knew how to fight!

Ash had taught her to battle– she had hated it– but she had done it for him. As she released a crackling Dragon Breath she was grateful for Ash's training– it was the only thing that was keeping her going as a Twister surrounded her. The draconic energy rushed around her, burning as she forced herself to break free, Shadow Clawing the nearest Lati she saw.

She turned, trying to spot Latios in the mass of attacking Latis. She quickly spotted Merald– who was back in the fight– who was repeatedly slashing at Latios with his claws. Latios was struggling to break free of several Psychics that were holding him in place, a half formed Luster Purge in front of him.

Latias released an Ice Beam at Merald, before preparing a Dragon Breath at her own attackers. While not as strong as many other dragon attacks, Dragon Breath was proving to be useful. Not only could it hit a wider range of targets, but the crackling energy could overwhelm one on contact, paralyzing them.

She flew away from a pair of paralyzed Latis, and while not defeated, there was no way they could keep pace with her now.

They needed to focus on escaping. They needed to find Mewtwo, for Ash.

Latias gritted her teeth, a foreign Latios rising up to block her path. Unlike the others he didn't seem as hesitate to attack her– ramming against her with a Zen Headbutt. She grunted, trying to think of Ash and Latios, trying to keep fighting as they'd want her to. Ash needed her! He was finally looking for help, and she was the only one that could get it to him!

Latios was a good soul, one that had given up his own freedom and acceptance so his sister wouldn't be trapped in a tormented state! She had to keep fighting– even as a Dragon Pulse was launched directly at her chest, searing her skin.

The attacking Latios seized her, his claws digging against her. She struggled, but her male counterpart was much larger than she was. Panicked, she struggled, wishing that Ash was here, wishing she had his command in battles. He'd know what to do... Ash always knew what to do...

"Laaaa!" Latias let out a scream of pure pain as the claws ripped through feathers and skin, slashing against her wing.

'Latias!' Latios cried somewhere above, but she couldn't see him. All she could see was the drake above her, lashing out once more. Warm blood coated her wings, and she writhed. It couldn't end like this... Latios needed her... Ash needed her...

Enough.

The telepathic voice rang out across the Latis' minds, overpowering any other thoughts. The fighting came to a halt at once, the pure force behind the voice having a commanding edge. The desert night became quiet once more, and Latias found herself quivering in the grasp of her attacker.

It hurt... her wing hurt...

Call off your attack, Merald. The voice said, and all eyes turned towards the sandstone tower. Latias weakly turned her head, discovering that there were several more Latis besides the one attacking them. The ones lingering around the tower looked like young teens, bodies much smaller than the attacking adults. Several full grown dragons hovered among them, small bundles in their arms...

Latias' heart thumped– hatchlings. There were hatchlings!

But all eyes were focused on the being that clearly wasn't a Lati– the towering figure that hovered above them all, glaring down at the drakes. It was vaguely humanoid, the being covered in a short lavender coat, a long tail flicking impatiently.

And it radiated much more psychic energy than any Lati here.

'But– sir–' Merald began, breathing heavily from the blows he had taken from Latios. 'They knew your name, and you said–!'

I am aware of what I said. The being snapped back. Protection for protection, that was our deal. Now I am asking you to stop attacking them, for now.

'Yes sir...' Merald replied, and Latias felt the claws around her loosen.

She and Latios fell to the ground, both weakened and bleeding from the volley of attacks. Latias craned her neck up in time to see the being that had ordered them to stop glaring down at her. His purple eyes burned as he glared at her, and he held out a three fingered hand, psychic energy pulsing around it.

Latias was lifted up into the air, the dragon writhing as she was brought up against her will. Latios shrugged to reach her, but he had received the worse of the attacks. The psychic grip surrounded her neck, pulling her farther into the air until she was at eye level with the being.

Your thoughts are what saved you. He told her, his telepathy echoing through her mind. And what you tell me next will decide if you live or die. Now– how do you know Ash?

Latias' eyes widened for a moment.

'Are... you... Mewtwo...?' She croaked, and the psychic grip around her neck tightened.

I am. Mewtwo replied in a cold tone. Now, how do you know Ash?

A happy feeling bloomed in Latias' chest– she had been right! Mewtwo was in this desert! She had done it, they had done it! They had found Mewtwo!

The psychic energy around her throat tightened even more, and she remembered that she wasn't out of the woods yet.

'H-he's–' Latias croaked. 'A-ash is m-my trainer–!'

The psychic grasp loosened right away, and Mewtwo raised an eye ridge. Latias shivered, gulping in fresh air. Mewtwo still hadn't released her, and she felt his vast psychic powers prodding at her head.

And then suddenly, he was in her mind.

Pure psychic energy digging through her, her own forces doing nothing to stop him as he dove into her memories. She could feel him shuffling through them with ease, focusing on none except for what caught his attention. Memories of Ash were pulled up from her mind, Mewtwo quickly scanning each one, looking at only a few moments of each one.

Ash saving her from Team Rocket, her brother trapped in the DMA, Latias kissing Ash– She flushed in embarrassment, though Mewtwo didn't seem to care. He jumped ahead to more recent memories– Latias pulling Ash from Lake Valor, Ash capturing Latias in a luxury ball he had Charizard steal, their many training sessions, Ash sending her out to battle Tobias' Latios–

Then just as suddenly as he dove into her mind, he pulled away. Latias twisted as she freed from his psychic powers, and she had to quickly had to use her own psychic energy to stay floating in the air. Mewtwo regarded her for a moment, before placing a paw on his chest, lowering his head.

Forgive me. Mewtwo said. For not stopping the herd sooner. I provide them with shelter and shield their psychic energy from outsiders, and in return they defend my name. But a Pokemon of Ash's is always welcome in my presence.

Latias let out a sigh of relief.

Is the Latios with you friend or foe? Mewtwo asked, scanning the wounded dragon below. If he lived with Latis, then Latias could only presume that he knew what the energy around Latios meant.

'He's a friend of A-ash's,' Latias whispered, and Mewtwo nodded.

No harm is to come to these two. Mewtwo said, pointing at her and Latios. You shall treat them in the same manner as you treat my human guests. Mewtwo turned back to Latias. You said earlier you were looking for me– why is that?

So many thoughts were running through Latias' mind– the fact that they were now safe, that they had finally found Mewtwo– it took her a minute to collect herself. She looked up at Mewtwo, surprised at how much respect he clearly held for Ash. Would that mean he'd follow through on Ash's request? And he had "human guests"? Ash had said that Mewtwo had avoided humans!

'Ash sent us to find you,' Latias whispered. 'Ash needs your help– he said that you'd help him.'

I owe Ash my life. Mewtwo said simply. I would do anything for him.

Latias gulped. 'Ash wanted me to tell you that it's about Team Rocket.'

Mewtwo froze up at her words, his emotionless eyes temporarily flashing with pure rage. Latias drew back, wondering if this had been a mistake, and Mewtwo turned away from her. His tail was flicking, body shaking, psychic energy running down his whole body. All of the Latis of the herd quickly rushed away, recognizing the anger pouring from Mewtwo.

Finally Mewtwo took a long breath, his voice barely controlled as he spoke. Diama– heal up Latias and her companion right away. Merald, I want you to find the human girl and her boy– then send them, Latias, and Latios to my lair. I will speak with them there.

And with that Mewtwo teleported away.


Boom!

Looker gripped the fur on his Noivern's back as a second explosion rang out across the league. The blast of energy was powerful, the wave rushing by them with it's sheer power. Looker nervously glanced at the building Ash had flown into, watching as the wall started to crumble in further. Fortunately the building remained standing– but he knew that wouldn't be true for long.

Noivern soared up, instinctively wanting to have the high ground for whatever was coming. All she knew of what was happening was the code Looker had given her– basically telling her that they were dealing with a large scale attack on innocents. Looker watched as people scattered below, all trying to flee. Looker cast his eyes about, and he froze up when he saw a figure flying up above the building Ash was in.

The being landed on top of the smoking building, a pair of emotionless eyes looking out over the league. Looker could only stare– the creature looked unearthly. It was vaguely humanoid in shape, a long tail lashing out behind it. It was covered in a layer of short charcoal-colored fur, eyes a burning magenta. Looker could almost see the pure power flowing around the being, tendrils of shadowy energy pouring from him as it stood there.

The most defining feature of the being though, was the lava-like glow coming from him. The tip of his thick tail gleamed a golden orange, glimmering in the sunlight. Looker watched as it raised one arm, a rock-like structure jutting out from its shoulder. Like his tail, the stone glowed a magma-orange, looking like it had been stabbed into his body. The being showed no sign that this pained him however, and a psychic glow covered its three-fingered hand.

The psychic blast was released from the creature, rushing down the building. Looker's eyes widened as the pink wave washed down the sides of the smoking building– the walls crumbling to dust as the energy touched it. Noivern let out a nervous chitter, while Looker tightened his grip on her, watching as a plume of smoke engulfed the ruined building.

"Ash..." Looker muttered, knowing that he was still inside. While he couldn't see through the smoke, he could hear the debris of the building hitting the ground, sending a wave of dust out from it.

He urged Noivern to go closer– to try to find some sign that Ash was getting out of there. The dragon hesitated, before veering towards the collapsing building, both of them choking as the dust cloud started to reach them. The agent's heart was racing– Ash couldn't still be in there!

Looker found himself relaxing though as an orange beast burst out of the smoke and dust– Charizard's wings beating furiously.

Ash was riding on the lizard's back, coughing as they rose up into the air. Clutched in Charizard's claws was a young woman, who was shaking in his grip. A Metang was hovering by their side, looking back at where the building had stood. The smoke was starting to clear, and Looker's stomach twisted as he found that nothing remained of the tower– nothing except for a the scattered rubble at the foundation.

Hovering above the destruction was the creature, using its psychic powers to levitate in the air. It stared down at the ruins of the buildings with empty eyes, before darting forward, pink energy pulsing around its hands.

The woman in Charizard's claws let out a pained scream– though it was drowned out in the cries of the people below– but Looker could see her clutching her head and writhing. The crowds below were all running as far as they could from the building, and from the creature that was flying above. Ash's eyes were going from the girl, to the building, and finally to the creature.

"...I've seen that creature before..." Looker muttered, and Noivern's large ears flicked back towards him. "...It looks like the Mew clone. The one in Team Rocket's labs..."

He had only spent a limited amount of time in those labs before his memories had been wiped, but now that he had his memories back he clearly remembered what had been done to him. The experiments of psychic effects on the human mind– the pain that he, the other agents, and that the Mew had all been put through. The limits that had all been pushed before the memories had been torn from him.

But he also remembered the clone– the curled up lavender creature fast asleep in the test tube. It had looked like a child, twitching as if nightmares were plaguing its sleep.

But the clone in his memories had been purple– while this being was an ashy black– it couldn't be the same one.

"What has Team Rocket created...?" Looker muttered.

Ash nudged Charizard in the side, and the lizard dove down. The Metang went after them, and Looker was about to follow himself, when he noticed the black Mew clone zipping off towards the east, more pink energy around it's fingers. The east– where Looker had just come from. Looker felt his heart tightening– it was heading in the direction of Delia.

He was an International Police agent– he was suppose to protect the people. Their cries and screams could be heard from way up here– he couldn't be selfish.

But after two decades of being selfless, sometimes one just had to think of themselves. Gritting his teeth, Looker wheeled Noivern around, banking back towards where he had left Delilah and Barlow. He kept his eyes glued to the being, the pink energy still pulsing around its hands. The sight of the light made Looker's head ache slightly, specks of white flickering across his vision. He gritted his teeth.

"Land," Looker grunted, and his Noivern tucked in her wings. His stomach twisted as they plunged, the pavilions below them. As soon as Noivern landed Looker leapt off of her, his head starting to ache. "Delilah!"

His call was lost in the cries of the league, just a mere scream among many. He glanced up, spotting the Mew clone zipping around another building, gathering more psychic energy. Looker frowned– how could something have that much power?

But he didn't have time to think on it, and he rushed back towards pavillion number four.

Noivern took to the air, flying several feet above him. Looker knew that she must be confused, wanting to do more– but he had to find Delilah and Barlow, he had to make sure they were safe. His eyes locked on the pavilion, and a sigh escaped him as he found them right where he had left them.

"Where's Ash?" Delia cried as soon as she saw Looker, eyes wide with panic. Barlow and Ash's Zoroark were protectively standing around her, Ivysaur and Professor Oak standing near by. They all looked petrified except for Barlow, who flared his wings open as soon as he saw Shawn. Looker raced towards them, panting.

"Ash is safe," Looker panted. "Charizard has him, I don't know where he is right now."

"What's going on?" Professor Oak asked urgently. "There were people trying to run from the league, but then there were these people that came from the woods," He glanced at Delia. "They just ran out of the forest, gray uniforms, chasing people back with Pokemon–"

"Did they have an 'R' on their shirts?" Looker asked quietly.

"M-maybe–?" The professor began.

Looker closed his eyes. "The league is under attack. We're dealing both with Rocket forces and a very dangerous psychic Pokemon," Looker glanced at them, watching as Professor Oak's hands tightened and Delia inched back. "You all need to get out of here– do not be afraid to attack any humans in Rocket uniform, because they will attack you."

"Bah!" Barlow snarled, the Dragonite stepping forward.

Looker scanned his former Pokemon, old scars running down his scales, a fire burning in his eyes. His current team was strong, but Barlow would be far stronger. "You want to fight?"

"Bah!" Barlow roared, claws gleaming.

Looker opened his mouth to reply– only for another explosion to fill the air– much louder than the others. He quickly turned, eyes widening as a nearby building began to collapse. Glass and metal fractured, the structure tumbling towards the earth.

"Boomburst!" Looker screamed above the noise, and his Noivern leapt up onto the roof of the pavilion. Looker grabbed Delia by the wrist, shoving her towards Barlow, who wrapped her up in his scaly arms. Barlow turned away, cradling Delia to his chest as the wave of debris came rushing towards them.

Noivern prepared a pressurized blast of sound– releasing the Boomburst at the wave of dust and debris coming right towards the pavilion. The attack rushed out, parting the shrapnel and smoke with a powerful blast, before rushing down to join them under the pavilion. Looker felt large wings wrapping around them, a wave of smoke washing over them.

His vision became cloaked in darkness, the smoke choking him.

"Bah-roo!" Looker's ears were ringing as the roar of the collapsing building ended. Looker was hacking into his hands, the smoke burning his throat. He dared to open his eyes, his vision a mass of grayness.

"B-barlow!" He coughed, and he felt Noivern pressing up against him. "C-clear the smoke–"

Both Noivern and Barlow took up his orders– both flying types whipping up a small whirlwind in an attempt to clear the smoke. Looker stumbled forward, desperately trying to find Delia as the dust was blown away from them.

She had managed to get free from Barlow, making her way towards Professor Oak. The older man was lying on the ground, groaning in pain. Looker paled as he noticed the twisted leg under him, and quickly hurried forward, coughing as dust lingered in the air.

Noivern's Boomburst had luckily kept the debris from hitting them, but still the force of the collapsing building had knocked the old professor to the ground. Ivysaur was by his side, desperately nudging the older man. His arms were scraped up, leg bent unnaturally below him.

"Heh..." Professor Oak coughed. "As soon as I get out of my cast..."

"Professor!" Delia cried, dust clinging to her skin and clothes. There were tears in her eyes, and she quickly knelt down next to the professor, hands on his side. "Oh no!"

Professor Oak gave her a half smile. "Just my leg, nothing to worry about..." He winced. "Might have bumped my head too..."

"Barlow, carry him," Looker snapped– they needed to get out of here.

"N-no you don't," Professor Oak muttered with a scowl. "He's a fighter– he'd be of more use if he weren't dragging me about," The older man glanced around at them, then out towards the rest of the league. Smoke in the air, bird Pokemon taking to the sky, people rushing to get away from the destruction taking hold. "Delia g-get as far away from here as you can, okay? I'm not going to be walking anytime soon."

"Not without Ash! Not without you!" She cried, shaking her head fiercely.

"Ivysaur here will watch me, won't you bud?" Professor Oak asked the grass type, who was leaning up against him. Professor Oak shifted his gaze to Looker. "Get her out of here."

Looker hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"Come on Delia," Looker muttered. "Ash would kill me if you got hurt," Looker hesitantly glanced skyward, but so no sign of the clone or of Ash.

"No!" Delia snarled. "I'm leaving you here wounded, Samuel!"

"Saur," Ivysaur laid a vine on Professor Oak's side, looking up at Delia. Looker found himself feeling torn– part of him telling him to run out and help everyone that was caught up in this attack– the other half telling him to stay by Delilah's side. Looker hesitated, eyes glancing about.

"Zoroark," Looker said as his gaze landed on the dark type. "You would you be willing to stay with the professor as well?" Looker didn't think the Pokemon would go against Ash's orders to watch Delia, but if someone else was here with the professor perhaps she'd be willing to leave... Hopefully the Zoroark would realize that by staying here he'd be helping Delia stay safe.

"Zor..." The Zoroark hesitated, glancing between Professor Oak and Delia. His whole image flickered, and an illusion covered him, Ivysaur, and the Professor– making it look like no one was there.

Looker grabbed her shoulder. "They'll be hidden and safe here, we're at the edge of the league. Come with me and we can make sure Ash gets to safety, okay?"

This was a lie– there was no way he'd let her go anywhere near any danger– which was where Ash would most definitely be.

Delia was shaking, tears in her eyes, wide and panicked. She gulped, looking at the illusion of where the professor was hidden, then nodded. "I'll– I'll be back soon, Professor."

Looker let out a sigh of relief, grabbed Delia's hand without much thought, and tugged her away from the pavilion. She struggled against him for a moment, before following him out into the streets. Barlow and Noivern quickly took to the air– while the two humans were left to navigate the mess of a road. Shattered glass lined the road, with chunks of metal torn apart by the sheer force of the blasts.

"Is T-team Rocket really behind this?" Delia whispered, and Looker tensed at the name.

"...They're behind everything..." Looker said, no point of lying when the truth was in front of them. "We just need to keep moving, everything would be fine."

Professor Oak said that Rockets had been in the forest– it couldn't be safe to send Delia there– but the heart of the league would be no better. Looker was torn, he had two flying types with him, but who should take her to safety? Barlow would be the strongest for protecting her, and the most loyal to her– but Barlow would also be the most effective for fighting against Team Rocket here and stopping them.

Noivern would have no loyalty to her besides Looker's orders, and while strong, her power was nowhere near Barlow's. But Noivern would also be much faster than Barlow... but she lacked Extreme Speed that could be used as an emergency get away if they ran into trouble.

He felt Delia trembling.

"Ash," She whispered. "I can't let them hurt Ash."

"Ash will be fine," Looker promised– even though he had no idea where the teen had flown off too.

"You don't understand!" Delia cried, pulling away from him. "My baby is out here in– in this!"

She pointed out at the ruined streets around them– fortunately mostly empty due to everyone rushing away from the recently collapsed buildings. They weren't far– Looker could hear their cries and screams through the streets. He could hear the sounds of attacks being fired, and he was sure it wouldn't be long until he heard another building collapsing. He needed to get into the heart of the action, he couldn't sit on the sidelines for much longer.

But he needed to get her to safety.

"T-team Rocket took everything from me!" Delia screamed at Looker, fear and frustration building up in her. "I won't let them take Ash! I can't lose another baby, you don't understand– I can't lose another baby!"

"Roo..." Barlow circled above, clearly wanting to go to Delia's side, but instead he glared at the one he knew as Shawn. Looker gulped under the glare of the dragon– they didn't have time for this!

But he didn't want to see Delia like this.

He stepped around some shattered glass, and grabbed her by the shoulders.

"Listen– I swear– I won't let them hurt Ash," Looker promised, hesitating for a moment. "I messed up before, I failed to act when I should have. I won't Giovanni hurt you or any of your children again, I will make sure Dean pays for what he's done to us," Looker stiffened as he said 'us', the word slipping out without much thought. She paused, before looking up at him.

Looker was saved by a ringing coming from his pocket.

Looker swiftly turned away, pulling out his cellphone. All he needed to see was the name 'Speaker' before hastily answering the device.

"Speaker!" Looker cried.

"Looker, what in Arceus' name is going on!" Speaker's voice crackled through the phone. "Where are you?"

"I'm at the league– east side," Looker replied. "You?"

"I was bringing that data you gave to the main Kanto HQ to see what Turner and the others thought of it, when we all get an emergency signal from you!"

Oh yeah, he had done that.

"Are the other agents with you?" Looker asked, but didn't wait for a response. "Listen to me carefully– the league is under attack by Team Rocket. At least two buildings have already collapsed– I don't know how many people were in them," Looker gulped. "I have reason to believe that Champions and Elites were in one of these buildings– I need as many agents over here as fast as possible."

Speaker was silent as she took this in, only her breathing heard over the phone. She took in a sharp breath, but couldn't seem to find any words.

"Do not take any orders from the Chief," Looker hastily added. "Do you understand– he is a traitor to the agency and is behind these attacks! The Chief is a Rocket agent by the name of Dean, and he is not to be trusted! His Hydreigon is combat trained, and he probably had more with him! No not fight him– he is more than capable of killing!"

"L-looker– do you understand what you're saying–" Speaker stuttered.

"Yes," He hesitated again. Looker, the code name that the Chief had given him. Meaning it was the name Rocket had given him. "And it's not Looker– my name... my name is Shawn."

Looker gulped as he said this– for the first time embracing his past self.

"They took that from us Speaker– they took our names, our memories, everything," Looker said, shaking slightly. "Trust no one but the other agents– and get a team over here as fast as possible– backup as well."

"And what are you going to do?" Speaker asked.

Looker hesitated for a moment. "...Try to stop Rocket, I suppose."

"Looker– Shawn– whatever you want to be called– don't act rashly! Wait for us to get there, we're only fifteen minutes out if we fly there, wait for–"

"Sorry, gotta run," Looker said, and he ended the call before she could say anything else– he had no time to wait. He took in a deep breath. "Barlow, Noivern– stick to the air. Engage anyone in Team Rocket uniform and stay in calling distance– clear?"

"Noi!"

"Bah!"

Looker turned around, hesitantly looking at Delia. Oh, he could be a coward at times, not being able to say the truth to her face. He had only said his name over the phone so Delia could hear him– he wanted her to know who he was, but yet he couldn't even tell her himself.

The woman had gone still, staring at Looker as if he had fallen from sky. Delia blinked once, then twice, and a scowl formed over her face. She looked angry– fearful– and she glared at Looker in clear disbelief. She didn't believe what he had said, and she took a step back.

Barlow landed next to Looker, glancing at at Delia. The Dragonite let out a small rumbled, and then nuzzled Looker. Delia's eyes flickered between the dragon type, to Looker, eyes wide and uncertain. Looker watched as she took him in, her eyes scanning the worn down agent in front of her, trying to see the young man he once was.

"N-no..." She whispered. "Th-they had you... they killed you..."

Looker shook his head. "Death would have been mercy– and they give none."

"They killed you..." She whimpered, as if afraid to accept that he was alive.

Looker closed his eyes. "I'm sorry."

He was sorry. Sorry for not helping her the moment Team Rocket had taken her. For not freeing her when she was pregnant. For giving her that pressure again. For not being able to remember until now.

"Roo..." Barlow rumbled.

Looker reached out, carefully stroking the Dragonite. Barlow pressed close, almost desperate for the affection he had been lacking for so long. Delia watched them for a moment, taking in a shaking breath.

"Sh-shawn," She whispered.

Her voice was different as she said his name, almost an awe and a fear. Her eyes were locked on his, watching as he gently interacted with Barlow. The coldness and wariness in her gaze seemed to melt away, acceptance taking their place. She just stared at him, trying to understand what she was seeing.

Looker just nodded. "Yes."

Tears stung her eyes. "All this time... you were...?"

He closed his eyes. "I... I was an experimented on..." Looker said uncertainly, not sure how much he wanted to say. He didn't want to lie to her, but he didn't want to pain her either. "Those resulted in me... forgetting. A lot."

His heart was racing– she knew. She knew who he was. He threw memories of them to the back of his mind though– telling himself that was the past. Nearly eighteen years had gone by since they had last known each other, so much had changed since then. He just had to make sure she and Ash were safe, that was all that mattered–

These thoughts vanished as Delia raced towards him.

He froze up as she threw her arms around him, the woman locking him in her embrace. He blinked for a moment, but his recently recovered memories took hold, and he found himself doing the same. Her gentle form carefully wrapped in a protective embrace. It was foreign and familiar at the same time. For a moment he didn't know if it was Shawn and Delilah, or Looker and Delia that were hugging, but it felt like a fire was racing through him.

"It is you," Delia whispered, voice small. His lips tingled, bringing her in closer and–

Boom!

The ringing of yet another explosion snapped him away from his past self, the happiness and fire dying down as a ringing filled his ears.

The league was in danger. Delia was in danger. Ash was in danger. Innocents were in danger– they did not have time for this.

He pulled back from Delia, her hands on his arms, and he looked at the Pokemon near them. Noivern looked startled and confused, though she remained composed. Barlow had a happy grin on his face, though it was fading as he looked out towards where the explosion had come from– the other side of the league this time.

That's meant people would be fleeing towards them.

"Sh-shawn–" Delia began, and Looker pulled her towards Noivern.

"Down," He quickly snapped at the dragon, who lowered herself right away. Without giving Delia a moment to process what was happening he scooped her up, setting her on Noivern's back. The woman yelped, hands tightening around his arms.

"What are you–" Delia began as he pulled free of her, quickly fumbling for Noivern's harness, strapping her in.

"It's too dangerous here," Looker said simply, making sure she was in securely. "Noivern, I want you to take her to agency's base at Mt. Moon. It's small enough and out of the way that it should be safe for now– do not remain there for more than a night though."

"What– No!" Delia cried as she realized what he was doing. "Ash– the professor! I'm not leaving!"

Shawn ignored her protests, pulling off two Pokeballs. "You are to protect her with your life, make sure you get her to safety– fly as fast and as far as you can," Looker pressed the two Pokeballs into Delia's hand. "There's a Milotic and Audino in here– Noivern will fill them in on what's happening. Both are decent battlers, and Audino can heal you if something happens."

"I'm not leaving!" Delia repeated, quickly searching for how to unhook the harness– which she couldn't do with the Pokeballs in her hand.

"I'll make sure to get Ash to safety," Looker promised, though he doubted Ash would leave any fight. "Leave now Noivern."

The dragon type hesitated for only a moment, but then opened her large wings. Delia tried to say something else, but her words were lost as Noivern sprang up into the air, wings flapping wildly. Looker watched as the swift dragon type banked towards the north-east, quickly becoming a blur in the sky.

"Bah?" Barlow asked, nudging Looker.

"Come on old bud," Looker muttered, looking towards where smoke was rising in the distance. "We got some Rocket's to take care of."


"Sabrina! Sabrina, are you alright!?"

Pain– it shot through Sabrina's head, a burning, blinding pain. Her vision was black, hearing echoing, and she was barely aware of anything else outside of the searing pain. She writhed on the ground, the prods at her side nothing to her aching self.

It hurt– it hurt so much! She had been hurting before, but the moment that being called on its powers...

"Agh!" Sabrina screamed, arms clamped around her head.

"Sabrina!" The voice called again, and this time Sabrina was able to recognize her name. She shifted, but couldn't force her body to say anything. It was almost as painful– being able to register the noises around her, but the crippling pain preventing her from doing anything.

She heard the sound of a Pokeball opening. "Do something! You're a dark type– can't you block out the psychic energy or something?"

"Nin!" A voice called back, uncertain and confused.

Sabrina gritted her teeth, suppressing another scream. She shifted, the ground below her warm and rough– pavement of some kind. The psychic energy bearing down on her wasn't quite as intense now, but it still felt like volts of electricity being channeled through her. Too much psychic energy around her, too much being bored into her.

It wasn't any energy– it was Mew's. Raw, powerful bursts of Mew's psychic power being blasted across the league. It was drawn to her, using her bond to dig into her mind.

A blast rang out across the league– so loud that even her pain didn't drown out any of it. She could hear the sound of someone jumping– fearful or startled– as the explosion reached their ears. Sabrina took in a shaky breath, another wave of pain bearing down on her.

And then it lessened.

Sabrina let out a gasp at the sensation, the burning pain dying down to a powerful headache. Not comfortable, but tolerable. Sabrina cracked opened her eyes, breathing heavily, sweat sliding down her skin. She could feel her whole body shaking, trying to understand what had just happened.

"Ash," Sabrina rasped, recognizing him right off.

Ash swiftly turned to face her; Charizard, Greninja, and her Metang near him. He quickly knelt down at her side, hands on her arms. Sabrina's stomach twisted at the action, and her eyes snapped shut.

"Sabrina, are you alright?" Ash asked, concern in his tone.

"Since... when... did you worry... about me..." Her voice was strained from her screaming.

"Shut up," He snapped. "Are you alright? What's happening to you, is it targeting other psychics or–"

"It's... using Mew's energy," Sabrina whispered, forcing herself to sit up. She looked around– they were in the ruins of the building the champions had been in. A proud building now nothing but splintered wood and metal, shattered glass littering the ground. "It hurts so much..."

"That Mewtwo is?" Ash asked. "The energy is like Mew's?"

"No," Sabrina hissed, closing her eyes as the headache acted up again. "Mew had nearly no energy last time I reached out to her... it drained her psychic reserves..." Sabrina opened one eye, her cobalt gaze currently a sky blue. "Ash, that black Mew clone hasn't even used it's own energy yet– it's been using Mew's."

She saw Ash's jaw tightened. "That means we haven't even seen the surface of what it can do."

Sabrina forced both eyes opened, pushing herself to her knees. "Th-that's why it was able to..." She flinched. "That's how it was able to kill the champions and Elites off at once Ash– such a feat would have taken so much of its psychic energy– but instead it used Mew's. Getting rid of it's threats without even using it's own power..."

Ash closed his eyes, trying to take this all in. "Is that why you were in so much pain? Do you know how much of Mew's power it has left?"

Sabrina nodded. "Yes, her energy hurts when used so... recklessly," That wasn't the word she wanted, but she couldn't think of anything better through her headache and panic. This wasn't 'recklessly'– this creature knew what it was doing– but such high blasts of Mew's energy reached her fragile human mind. But it wasn't hurting as much now... "It must be using the last of it now... that's why it doesn't hurt as much..."

"Can you stand? This isn't a safe place to be," Ash said. Sabrina didn't want to move– but she shoved herself to her feet. The headache flared up once more, but she bit back any cry of pain.

"...This being is the Mewtwo from your memories?" Sabrina asked uncertainly.

Ash shook his head. "No, it is a different one..." He looked at the foundation of the building. "This is what Azelf told me about– the third of the First. They made another one– a clone they can control," He gritted his teeth. "The League was nothing but bait Sabrina– a way to drawn in the most powerful trainers to one spot. They've been getting rid of threats for years, and now they're finishing what they've started..."

"Clearing the path for a takeover," Sabrina muttered. "Kidnapped Mew, both so she wouldn't stop them, and to make this clone..."

Ash looked at Sabrina. "We're going to have to fight them."

He didn't sound worried or fearful, his tone had almost been causal if it wasn't for the severity of the situation. Charizard growled, stomping his feet impatiently– Sabrina knew that he wanted to fight– to have the liberty to tear apart the ones that had placed his trainer in suffering. Sabrina's eyes locked on the pouch that held the Charizardite, and she closed her eyes.

"I'm going to find Mew," Sabrina said. "If the clone is this close, I am guessing she's not far."

Ash hesitated. "Is... Is she still alive?"

"Yes," Sabrina replied– she could still sense her bond with Mew. "Barely, going off of how much energy that... being has of hers. I'll have to be quick," She looked at Ash.

She wanted to tell him to get to safety. He had done enough– had gone through enough– she didn't want to watch him place himself at risk. But she her words would be wasted, because she knew Ash would not turn away from this fight.

She glanced up at the sky, but saw no sign of the black Mew clone. Was it still collapsing buildings? Attacking those in the streets? How many innocents would fall? And she knew it wouldn't be alone– there was those in Team Rocket that would most certainly be fighting as well.

"Metang, return," Sabrina said, fumbling for it's Pokeball. She looked at Ash, hesitating. "Don't... don't do anything stupid."

He grunted. "We'll see," He looked up at Charizard. "Are you ready to fight?"

Charizard let out a roar in response, head held high as he did so. He then lowered himself to the ground, glancing at his back. Ash strolled forward, hopping onto the lizard's back without hesitation. A pair of scarred wings flared open, sharp blue eyes turning towards where smoke was rising on the other side of the League.

"I'll meet up with you soon," Sabrina said, pulling Alakazam's Pokeball into her hand.

"See you," Ash muttered, and then without another word Charizard sprang into the air, wings flapping to gain height as he took off.

Sabrina briefly glanced at the Greninja that had been left behind. The water type seemed unconcerned, and simply sprang after Charizard. The Greninja turned into a mass of shadowy energy, sinking into the earth with a Shadow Sneak. The dark form took off across the ground, vanishing into the shadows on the streets.

Sabrina closed her eyes, focusing. This clone had come out of nowhere– suddenly pulsing into exist as it felt like on a psychic level. That meant they must have been masking its energy– just like Mew had said they had been doing to her own energy. Sabrina also knew that Mew had been close to the clone as it had been created– meaning that if the clone had come from near here, Mew couldn't be far behind.

She released Alakazam– her closest and longest companion. They made eye contact as he came out of his Pokeball, and no words needed to be said between them. They were one– their minds merging with ease.

Alakazam held out his hands, teleporting them away with a flash of white light.


I just want to mention that the rest of what happens to Latias and Tobias' Latios away from the league will be covered more in the side story A Final Chance, and not this story.

Also, Shadow Mewtwo's design comes from the Shadow Mewtwo in Pokken Tournament, but how that state was gained will be following the Pokemon Colosseum canon, like the rest of the shadow Pokemon in this story.