Chapter 4

"I see now that humans and Pokémon can exist together even more now than before." He said to Ash and Pikachu once he got close.

"Yeah," Ash said as he stood up with Pikachu hopping onto his shoulder. "But you are right you know. Some humans don't view it as a friendship like my friends and I do but I think all we can do is do our best to show the world what we mean to each other."

Mewtwo looked at Ash as he smiled gently. "I do wish to ask your forgiveness though." He said looking towards the Pokémon and other trainers. "I set up this tournament to find someone worthy of my trust and to test them to all limits."

Ash looked at Mewtwo but before he could ask anything, the whole place turned white and once it returned to normal, all the other trainers, with the exception of Misty and Brock, and their Pokémon were gone and only Ash's, Brock's, and Misty's Pokémon remained. Ash looked around confused. "Where did everyone else go?" He asked as Brock and Misty returned their Pokémon then joined him in the middle of the stadium making him pull out his own Pokéballs and returning his Pokémon.

"I returned them with no memory of this place or the events of what happened here." Mewtwo said as he touched down onto the stadium floor.

"But why did you do all this just to find someone to trust?" Misty asked softly looking at Mewtwo with a frown.

Mewtwo looked over at Mew and sighed as she came over and hovered over the heads of the three humans. "If you would like to know, go up the spiral stairs and wait for me in the office at the top." He turned and started to walk over to the cloned Pokémon who were gathered by the long table. "I need to feed the Pokémon here and then I will be up to join you."

"How do we know this isn't another trick?" Brock asked with genuine curiosity and a slight suspicion making Mewtwo pause in his steps towards the clones.

"If it assures you," he said turning his head slightly to look at Brock. "Mew will be joining the meeting. And she can tell you if I am being truthful." He then turned his head away and continued the walk to the clones. "My friends, I will be busy for quite a while." He waved his paw and food appeared on the table. "Enjoy this food and feel free to relax while I sort some matters out. If you need something just send up Pikachu and I will answer."

The other clones nodded and Mewtwo walked away and towards the stairs. He decided to walk up the stairs slowly in order to prepare himself for the upcoming meeting. As he walked, his thoughts turned to the Pokémon known as Mew and wondered what she could be considered to him right now. He was young, he knew that he was just over 10 years old but in all honesty he felt older and as on edge as any grown being would but he also wondered if he was even worth parental love.

Before he could ponder any more, he arrived at the office at the top of the stairs and watched as Ash sat in the chair behind the desk looking a bit put off with Pikachu on the desk itself, Misty looked at the shelves that held books, and Brock looked at the other shelves that held the scientists video records. Mewtwo took a quick look around but did not see Mew anywhere immediately until he noticed the hat Ash usually wore was hovering near the ceiling. "I do apologize for keeping you waiting." He said gaining the three humans attention and making Mew reappear from her invisibility. "Now, I suppose you are wondering why I have brought you here?" He watched each of the expressions change from confusion to unsure to slight worry to sadness.

"Yeah," Ash said rubbing the back of his head. "Before we get to that, may I ask why the storm is still going on around the island?"

"My storm poses no danger to anyone that is not on the island." Mewtwo said. "I have changed the concentration of the storm only to a radius that would effect the direct vicinity of the island. It won't effect any of the regions beyond the radius."

"Are all these books yours?" Misty asked.

"Yes." Mewtwo said. "Most were thrown away by uncaring humans that didn't want to take time to restore them to proper reading conditions." He walked over to the desk where Ash and Pikachu were sitting. "If I may?" He asked gesturing to waiting to sit.

"Oh yeah!" Ash immediately jumped up but immediately fell over the side of the chair landing on his head on the floor making everyone, other than Mewtwo, sweat drop at his antics.

"Are you alright?" Mewtwo asked in slight worry and confusion as he looked down at Ash as he laid on the floor with swirls in his eyes.

"Yeah," he gave the thumbs up before sitting up.

Mewtwo nodded and sat in his chair creating three more chairs from material in the floor and put them in front of the bookcase that held the video records before reaching into a drawer and removing a remote. "Please," Mewtwo said gesturing to the chairs. "Take a seat."

The three kids did what Mewtwo asked followed by Mew and Pikachu as he pressed a button on the remote. The bookshelves moved aside and Mewtwo got up to pick out the video that meant the most to him. "In order for you to understand me," he said as he put the video in the reader pausing it before it could start playing. "This video is the start of where it all happened. Who I was before and who I became." He looked at each of the kids and the two Pokémon. "You might want to remove your Togepi for your bag and put him where he can not hear this." He said to Misty making her freeze as she hugged her bag to her chest.

"How d..." Misty started to say before pausing. "He doesn't have a Pokéball. I didn't have the heart to put him in one." She opened her bag revealing the cute egg Pokémon Mewtwo noticed from earlier.

Mew suddenly popped up into the air from her place on the floor by Pikachu and created a bubble before telepathically saying to everyone, "This bubble is sound proof, breathable, and cozy enough for your Togepi to feel right at home in!" She bounced it a bit not taking in the incredulous stares they all gave her. "He can go right back in the bag after he is in the bubble so that you can still have him in your lap too!" She then noticed all the stares. "What?"

"You're talking." Mewtwo said. "Out loud."

Mew gave a little chuckle. "I guess I am." Before handing over the bubble to Misty and watched as Togepi was gently guided into the bubble with plenty of Poké Food to satisfy his hunger for a few hours before being gently set back into the red bag. "I've always had the ability but it tires me a bit more than my siblings because I sadly am the runt of the litter. They live across the world so to communicate with beings like humans without them to help me boost my powers a bit is almost impossible so I don't do it very often." She explained before sitting back down next to Pikachu.

Mewtwo nodded before looking over at Brock to was in his chair in a thinking position. "You have something on your mind." He said.

Brock looked up startled at being addressed by Mewtwo directly before leaning back with his arms crossed. "Yes but I would like to hold judgements and opinions until after you show us what you would like us to see." He said.

Mewtwo nodded before standing back away from the television. "When I press play, the first video will play followed by a collaboration of others that are deeply personal but will help you to understand me a bit more. These videos are hours long so if you get hungry, thirsty, tired, or needing to use the facilities for more than normal means please pause the video first. I am not saying that you cannot leave the room for a breather or even to sit out the rest of the video but I need one of you to sit through all of it. I need to see that you care as deeply as you say you do."

Ash, Brock, Misty, Mew, and Pikachu all looked at Mewtwo and noticed how scared his eyes seemed, how he clenched his paws nervously, and how he fidgeted his tail back and fourth. He wasn't doing this without a ton of self doubt on his part. "We'll do it Mewtwo." Ash said. "I know we will probably need breaks every now and then but we will watch these videos to help understand you."

"Pikachu!" The mouse Pokémon agreed.

Mewtwo visibly relaxed before handing Ash the remote. "I leave this in your control then Ash." He walked over to the desk and sat down before opening the desk and taking out a book. "I will be reading over here."

"You won't be watching?" Misty asked cautiously making Mewtwo look up at her.

"I have seen them before." He said opening up the book and holding it using his psychic powers. "I have no need to again."

Ash looked back at the television and with one push of the button, the video started and immediately the three kids and two Pokémon knew that this would change everything they ever knew.

Albus, who was dressed in right purple robes with silver moons and stars all over it, looked at the letter that was in his hands in pure confusion for the second or third time that day as he sat at his desk after returning from the dinner course set for the staff. The letter indeed said 'Harry Potter' on it but the thing was that the name was crossed out and another name saying 'Mewtwo' was next to it. The address was of a place he had never heard of and nothing he had done could even find it. He sighed heavily, stood up from his desk, and went to the fireplace to call McGonagall about the letter. "Yes Headmaster Dumbledore?" She asked tersely once she had answered. Albus winced at her tone and idly wondered if he would ever gain back her full trust back.

"I have the location of Harry Potter," he said and immediately McGonagall came through though this time she was dressed in emerald green robes, her hair in a tight bun with a feathered green hat over it, and half moon glasses sat on her nose.

"You found him?" She asked in a relieved tone. "What are you sitting here for? Go and get him!"

He looked at McGonagall's expression of pure relief before handing her the letter he had. "I would but this is all I can find out about where he is." He said as she accepted the letter and looked carefully at it.

"Mewtwo?" she said in pure confusion. "What kind of name is that? And where is this New Island Science Lab in the Region of Kanto?" She looked up at him with questioning eyes as he sat down.

"I do not know." Albus admitted. "I have tried location spells, looked through books, I even went to the muggle world just to ask historians about it but even then, nothing turned up. It's like he isn't on this planet anymore."

McGonagall immediately looked alarmed at the prospect of the young boy that she had she failed being on another planet. "What about the goblins?" She asked.

"They may be knowledgeable but something of this caliber might be bordering on secrets of their own kept tight and I do not want to be the cause of another goblin war by demanding if they know how to get to other worlds." Albus said leaning back in his chair and rubbing his forehead in a show of stress.

McGonagall sighed before perking up a bit as an idea came to her. "What about Fawkes?" She asked. "Can't he take you places with only a name and place?"

Albus put down the hand that was rubbing his forehead and looked up at her smiling before immediately frowning and looked over to an empty perch that usually held the wondrous companion he had. "That is a wonderful idea but he unfortunately just had a burning day and it will take him at least a month to recover the strength enough for a trip this big." He said. "And even then I am not sure if he would burn again once we got there or if young Harry would even come with me willingly."

McGonagall seemed to deflate turning a way a little bit before looking at him again. "You will try though?" She asked.

Albus nodded. "Once Fawkes recovers enough of his energy to wake up for more than an hour or two I will ask him if he would be willing but I will not force him. He hates burning day and to potentially have to do it multiple times would make him weak enough to be out of energy for quite a while."

McGonagall nodded. "Will you need help getting things in order in case you are gone for a great deal of time?" She asked.

Albus shook his head. "No." He said. "I have some vacation days I haven't used so the ministry won't get too suspicious if I am gone for a few months. I'll probably put you in charge with Filius as the temporary deputy headmaster and I'll get one of my old colleagues to help with transfiguration while you take up my position."

McGonagall nodded. "You do have a lot of vacation days." She said. "How long do you think would be appropriate to put in for?"

Albus furrowed his brows in concentration. "I will put in for four months once Fawkes is recovered. That way it is just starting at the graduation feast this year and stops at the beginning of Harry's school year. Hopefully I will have him with me."

The two adults looked at each other in peaceful silence before McGonagall turned and walked to the door that led into the main hall. "I will be walking back to my classroom to hopefully clear my mind a bit." She said. "But Albus," she turned once more to him. "Thank you for not giving up."

"I owe a lot to that young boy." Albus said gently. "I don't think I'll ever forgive myself for the one mistake that tore Harry away from us."

McGonagall nodded then exited the office leaving Albus alone in his thoughts once more.

He looked over at the calendar that hung by the past headmaster portraits and noted that Fawkes should be alert enough in about a week. If he agreed to the transport, he would be ready to flame away just after the graduation feast this year. Things were getting slightly better now but to see and explain things to Harry who potentially is already integrated into this world he went to would be most likely harder than if he stayed in this world. "Hopefully," he said to himself. "He will forgive an old man for his blunder."

Mewtwo watched the three kids and two Pokémon over the next two hours as the sun began to set in between pages of his book as they were transfixed on the television and he idly wondered if he should get something for them to eat but before he could decide he noticed the Pikachu clone on the top of the stairs. He stood gaining Ash's attention and the boy paused the video at the scene where scientists were injecting serums into the incubation chamber that held Mewtwo's current human body. "Is everything alright?" Ash asked with stormy eyes showing that he was being deeply affected by the video.

"Yes Ash." He answered as Misty and Brock looked at him as well as he walked to the door. "My Pikachu just needs to speak with me real quick." He turned and looked at the group before activating the lights before it got too dark. "You may continue the video without me. Do you need refreshments of any sort?"

Ash, Misty, and Brock looked at each other in silent communication before Ash looked at Mewtwo and said, "Maybe some food for Pikachu and Mew but the rest of us just would like something cool to drink."

Mewtwo nodded. "I will bring some up once I return." He then went out the door to the pikachu clone as Ash resumed the video. "What is the matter Pikachu?" He asked and immediately Pikachu said that some intruders were caught and tied up downstairs. "Intruders?" Mewtwo asked mostly to himself before Pikachu started to describe the intruders but one thing caught his immediate attention. "They were wearing red R's? Are you completely certain?" He wanted the Pikachu to desperately shake its head no but when it did the exact opposite, Mewtwo started to breathe heavily. Pikachu continued talking to him about what the intruders wore and were saying and when it said that they were following the kids coming here, he immediately put up a hand. "Go back down and make sure the intruders stay where they are." He turned and walked back through the door and cleared his throat, gaining the attention of the kids and the video once more paused. "I need Ash to come with me for just a moment." He said.

Ash nodded and got up with Pikachu trying to follow. "No bud," he said gently as he kneeled down to his Pikachu. "Mewtwo asked for just me which means its private alright?" Pikachu frowned but nodded. "I'll be right back. I need you to stay with these guys for now." He stood back up and followed Mewtwo as he walked back out the door. Once Ash caught up Mewtwo started down the spiral stairs and he quickly went after him. "What is happening?" He asked.

Mewtwo sighed and looked at Ash through the the corner of his eye. "Intruders were found in the stadium." He said. "The clone Pikachu described them and said they were shouting about following the kids that came here. Since the other trainers are not here to verify their identity, I chose you to be the one to do that."

"Intruders?" Ash said quietly before stopping dead on the stairs as realization came to him making Mewtwo turn once he realized Ash wasn't following anymore.

"Is something the matter?" Mewtwo inquired as he noticed Ash's eyes darken and his lips formed a frown.

"When I rescued the Pokémon from your lab," he started to say looking at Mewtwo before quickly turning away. "I ran into a group of criminals that always seem to follow me to get Pikachu. Say it's because he is powerful enough for the boss to appreciate him and that they would be on the top again." He sighed. "They aren't the brightest group from the organization and there are times where they help in certain situations but I honestly forgot about them being here in the first place."

Mewtwo took in Ash's answer and slowly digested the information he was given. "I understand." He said making Ash look at him in confusion. "They are always after you then?"

"Yeah." He said frowning a bit more in concentration. "Almost since the beginning of my journey now that I think of it."

Mewtwo nodded and continued down the stairs making Ash clamber down after him. "So these three are not an immediate danger?" He inquired as they reached the bottom of the stairs.

"Not hugely."

Mewtwo nodded and his gaze hardened upon seeing the two adults and a feline Pokémon that had cream colored fur, three claws on each of his paws, the back paws were tipped with brown fur along with the tip of the curled tail, there was a golden cartouche on its forehead, two whiskers on either side of the face and jewel, pointed ears that had black fur on the inner parts of the ear, two fangs peaking out from its upper lip, and dark blue eyes tied up with vines and gagged with string shot in the center of the cloned Pokémon. The woman had long red hair that was styled back in a shape similar to a whip, pale skin, blue eyes that seemed almost indigo colored, her lips that were covered by the string shot but still noticeable had red lipstick on them, green pearl earrings, she had a black cropped shirt on that was connected to her arm length black gloves and there was a white shirt with a red R on the front, a short white skirt on, and she had black boots on that reached up to her hips. The male had shoulder length blue hair that hung loosely, pale skin, emerald green eyes, he had a black shirt under a long sleeved white one with a red R on the front that was also tucked into white pants that were being held by a white belt, his hands had black elbow length gloves on, and he had black boots on that reached just below the knee.

When they saw Ash they tried yelling through the string shot that was wrapped around their mouths but when Mewtwo lifted a glowing paw, they immediately quieted and the string shot was removed though they were still bound. "Explain your reason for being here." Mewtwo said impatiently putting down his paw.

When they didn't answer Ash spoke up. "You guys better try and explain." He said. "Mewtwo isn't exactly in the best of moods right now."

It was the red head who spoke first. "We wanted to find out what you twerps were up to!" She said. "We snuck in through the sewers and found ourselves in that creepy lab!"

"We couldn't help but wonder what all was going on when the video down there started talking about clones!" The man with blue hair said.

"Yea!" The Meowth agreed making Mewtwo blink in slight surprise at the talking feline. "Youse kids always get the good adventures!"

"You don't need to always follow me!" Ash shouted in indignation. "Not my fault you can't leave me and my Pikachu alone."

"Enough." Mewtwo said before turning his attention solely on the group that was tied up. "You work for the organization Team Rocket, is that correct?"

"That's right!" The red head said happily. "I'm Jessie!"

"James!" The blue haired man said with a smirk.

"And I'm Meowth!" The feline said proudly.

"And you are happy working with these people?" Mewtwo asked tilting his head slightly.

"Well," Jessie said. "They are the top criminal organization in the world!"

"Best at Pokémon capturing!" Meowth added.

Mewtwo glanced at Ash. "You said that these guys do help sometimes correct?" He asked quietly.

Ash rubbed the back of his head. "Well yeah but I've only seen it from these three, not the organization as a whole." He answered just as quietly.

Mewtwo nodded. "How would you think they would react to watching what the organization can really do?"

Ash looked at the three Rocket members in consideration. "I think they would try to deny it if you just outright told them but if they saw video evidence then they might either quit and be on the run or they would stay out of fear." He said.

The group blinked in confusion as the two in front of them conversed quietly. "We are right here you know!" Jessie said.

Mewtwo Turned his attention on the three. "I have made up my mind." He said lifting a glowing paw once more making the three Rocket members' eyes glow. "Let's see how you react to seeing everything that Team Rocket truly does behind closed doors."