Chapter 5

Ash was a bit confused at Mewtwo's actions as they walked away from the Rocket members that still had glowing eyes and started up the stairs. "Uh Mewtwo," he said.

"Yes?" He answered not looking back at the boy as he walked in front of him.

"I thought my friends and I were the only ones you allowed to watch what happened to you?" Ash asked.

Mewtwo did not answer right away while they climbed the stairs but once on the top landing he turned to face Ash. "That is correct but what you do not realize is that I am also going to allow you to keep your memories of what I went through. With those three downstairs is regardless if they repent or not, I will not allow them to keep those memories. I will either set them to continue being meager Rocket members or use a bit of psychic to convince them to change their ways and appearance to start a new life."

Ash looked down. "So my friends and I are being allowed to keep our memories because I alone showed that I am trustworthy of that information?"

"Essentially." Mewtwo said. He went into the room with Ash heading back to the others and with a wave of his paw, some bottles of water appeared along with some fruit and Poké food. He went and sat back down at his desk as Ash briefly told the others what was going on and soon the video started to play once more. He looked at his book, picking it up once more but he didn't feel the need to ignore the videos as much as before and so watched with the others subtlety for the next hour as he put the open book in front of his face slightly lower than his eyes so he could see the screen.

It was currently showing himself in the liquid that started of the changes to his old human body and, as much as he hated to look at the scene, he couldn't tear his gaze away. His body back then had been so small and fragile yet it was starting to grow out a tail and his ears were starting to turn into the ones he currently had. He could tell that he was starting to turn the signature purple fur in the scene but nothing much else was happening. The voices in the video were mainly of the scientists but then the scene changed to the room being empty and only Doctor Fuji stood in front of the incubation chamber this time with his special helmet on and Mewtwo realized it was on a new video.

"Mewtwo," Doctor Fuji said gently. "You started to forget things recently."

"Forget?" The voice of the younger Mewtwo asked. "What did I forget?"

"Your life before coming to us."

"I had a life?"

"Yes Mewtwo. Though it was not a good one."

"I'm glad to be here then."

"I'm happy to hear that."

"Why am I in pain though?"

The figure of Doctor Fuji seemed to hesitate before answering. "You were brought here to complete a project Mewtwo. I just ask that you be strong just a while longer."

"I am so tired."

"Rest then Mewtwo. You need your strength."

The video then turned to another one of Doctor Fuji conversing with his younger self and Mewtwo realized it was basically just on the private tapes of Doctor Fuji and himself. Mewtwo wondered if he accidentally put the video disks in wrong but seeing as they weren't prohibiting his life story, he turned his chair to face the window, not wanting to watch anymore of his time in the lab.

He closed his eyes and slowly drifted off into the land of rest but before he knew it, he was being awoken gently by a shake to the shoulder. He looked over and noticed that Mew floating next to him with tears in her eyes and so he turned his chair and saw that the video had ended and that the group has all walked over to the desk, their expressions almost mirroring Mew's. He glanced out the window and noticed that it was just after sunrise giving the office a burnt orange sheen across everything. "I apologize for sleeping." He said to the group once he assessed the time.

"You went through so much…" Ash said sadly as Pikachu sat on his shoulder.

"And those scientists just didn't care…" Misty said.

"You were just a kid…" Brock said.

Mewtwo nodded. "Do you understand now why I had to test you the way I did?" He asked them. "I had to make sure that you weren't like them."

Ash looked at Mewtwo and nodded. "I understand. I just wish things were made differently so that you didn't have to resort to harsh tactics."

"The scientists in the video never mentioned who this 'superior' of theirs was." Brock said.

Mewtwo sighed. "I know who he is. He had said we would be partners though I knew he would not keep to his word as Doctor Fuji had warned me about him. His name is Giavonni and he is the leader of Team Rocket."

"Team Rocket?" Misty said in confusion.

"So that's what you meant when you told the three downstairs about how they would think of their organization after they view what all happened to you." Ash said.

"Correct." Mewtwo nodded. "But the ones downstairs don't seem to be part of the higher known members otherwise I would have recognized them beyond their clothes."

"I've heard the name Giavonni before but I cannot remember exactly where." Brock said.

Mew then started bawling her eyes out making everyone jump back in surprise as she let loose her sobs. "I can't believe that those humans would do this!" She cried telepathically to everyone. "They are monsters!"

Mewtwo looked hugely uncomfortable as Mew floated slowly down to the desk continuing to sob as she put her face in her little paws. "I am unsure of why you are sad about this." He said as he shifted his chair away slightly from the crying Pokémon. "This is in the past."

Mew looked up at Mewtwo and lunged to him before he could move. "It doesn't matter!" She said. "They shouldn't have done this to a child!"

Mewtwo sat there, frozen as Mew clung onto his neck and continued to cry loudly.

"I do have to ask," Brock spoke up remembering something from the video. "While you were in the lab, that doctor seemed to think you were from another world but if that's true, how did you get here?"

"My fath…" Mewtwo started to say before stopping and clearing his throat. "Doctor Fuji had suspicions but other than they way I just appeared, there has been no other evidence of this other world."

"You can still call him that you know." Misty said as Mewtwo peeled Mew off him with his psychic power. "He was the first person to connect with you after all."

Mewtwo looked at Misty while keeping Mew away from his body as she struggled to get to him knowing that she could break free anytime she would like. "I am aware of the sentiment but unfortunately he has died and isn't here to tell me that I am his son so therefore I have no more reason to call him that." He said.

Ash frowned. "He may not be here but he will always have a place in your heart and memories. Just give it a try Mewtwo." He said.

Mewtwo stayed silent for a while just looking at them before sighing. "I do not see the need but I will try to do as you ask."

Ash nodded and Pikachu hopped onto the desk. "Pika pikachu. Pi pi kachu kapi pika." He said gently.

Mewtwo blinked at the Pikachu and abruptly let go of Mew, who then landed a bit hard on the desk. "Not that I am aware of…" he said.

"What aren't you aware of?" Ash asked in confusion.

"Your Pikachu asked if there was a way for me to go back to that world. To see if there would be anyone who could tell me of my past." Mewtwo stood. "In regards to that though," he said walking to the doorway gesturing for the group to follow him. "If I found a way to return, I would go just to observe and determine if staying would be wise."

The group stayed silent while they walked down the spiral stairs to the bottom floor. Once there, they saw all three familiar faces of Jessie, James, and Meowth heavily crying and untied as they sat at the table with the food and were surrounded by the cloned Pokémon. As the group approached, Jessie immediately noticed them and stood gaining her two teammates attention. "We…" she started to say, her body shivering with anxiety. "We didn't know…"

"We thought that we just stole Pokémon…" James said looking down at the table, not willing to see the twerps faces.

"We shoulda' guessed dey were more than just stealin' Pokémon." Meowth said looking at Mewtwo. "We didn't know that dey would do dat to kids."

Mewtwo looked at the three in front of him silently as he regarded their expressions of guilt and sadness. "I have a proposition for you three." He said.

"A proposition?" Jessie asked.

"Yes."

"What proposition are you proposing?" James asked looking up at Mewtwo as well.

"A new start." Mewtwo said. "I will erase all knowledge others have of you along with what you witnessed here today and send you someplace that will help you start. You can have that or just have me erase what you know happened here and send you to the mainland to continue with your silly chase of Ash and Pikachu."

Jessie, James, and Meowth looked at each other for a minute before they looked back at Mewtwo. "After seeing what we had we just cannot stay with Team Rocket." Jessie said.

"If they even got a hint that we knew anything we are dead anyway." James said while Meowth just nodded.

"Very well." Mewtwo raised a glowing paw. "You are now Jamie, Jonah, and Michael. Jamie, you are a fashion designer, Jonah you are a beautician, and Michael, you are a Pokémon therapist for trainers who need to work out their problems with their Pokémon. Jamie and Jonah, you have been married for 5 years and dressed up like Rocket members for a costume party a friend held and found Michael lost a year into your marriage. You will get a complete makeover and settle down in a small town to continue doing your jobs that you love. I wish you luck." Soon, the three former members of Team Rocket were gone and Mewtwo sighed heavily.

"Where did you send them?" Misty asked.

"A city called Vermillion." Mewtwo said turning to face them. "Plenty of places for them to get a different look and have them search for towns to settle down in."

"That was nice of you to do for them." Ash said.

"Nice?" He asked tilting his head a bit. "I suppose it was but I did it to have Giavonni lose three of his members."

Ash nodded. "So what will you do now?"

Mewtwo thought for a moment as he turned and walked to the food on the table, picking up an apple before taking a bite. "I am not sure." He admitted. "I never had a set plan after the last."

"Except the world domination one." Brock said.

"That was if you had failed in gaining my trust." Mewtwo countered glaring at him slightly as they all sat at the table to eat.

Mew thought carefully as she nibbled on a strawberry. "Maybe you can join Ash on his journey?" She said gaining confused looks from everyone.

"His journey?" Mewtwo asked looking at Ash.

"I'm trying to become a Pokémon Master." Ash said rubbing the back of his head. "I go from city to city and town to town for gym badges to get into the Championship Leagues."

"I knew you were a trainer that went to plenty of tournaments but was unaware that you had other goals other than being a trainer."

"You know about my tournaments?" Ash asked as he ate a watermelon.

"Yes." Mewtwo finished his apple. "They were caught on film after all."

"Oh right."

"I will say the way you battle is abysmal." Mewtwo watched as Pikachu, Brock, and Misty snickered when Ash started to slightly choke on his bite of watermelon at what he just stated.

"What do you mean by that?!" Ash barked out in offense.

"While you treat your Pokémon fair, the way you battle with them is nothing short of rash and irresponsible." Mewtwo stated calmly.

"Hey!" Ash yelled standing up and pointing at Mewtwo. "I worked hard to get to those tournaments!"

"I am not saying that you didn't work hard Ash." Mewtwo picked up an orange. "I am simply saying that you need to learn to strategize your battles in order to win the tournaments."

Pikachu murmured in agreement with what Mewtwo said as he munched on a pineapple. "Pi pichupika pika pi pi chu cha." He said to Ash.

"What do you mean I need to listen?" Ash asked Pikachu while scowling. "I do just fine on my own!"

"Pika pi cha pi chu kachu." Pikachu said in a tone that seemed teasing.

Ash frowned more before sitting down with his arms crossed, pouting and glaring at the table. "I still don't like it."

"Well Ash," Misty began. "It wouldn't hurt to at least try."

"You might become better than the Masters given time Ash." Brock said.

Ash looked up and sighed at the looks everyone was giving him. "Fine." He mumbled as he grabbed more watermelon.

Mewtwo nodded. "At least you are willing to try to improve." He said. "Some will never change their ways."

Ash glanced over to the form of Mewtwo. "If you do decide to come with me on this journey," he started to say before hesitating a tiny bit. "If you do…where will your cloned Pokémon go?" He looked at the clones that were wandering around the stadium happily playing and challenging each other.

"To you of course." Mewtwo said. "You should have plenty of Pokéballs to capture them all."

"And you?" Ash asked. "All my new Pokémon go to Professor Oak in my hometown. I don't know if you want to appear someplace so unknown."

"I will be fine. After you capture my clone Pokémon, I will teleport us close to where you live and you will capture me there."

"I will also allow to be captured by you!" Mew said in determination.

Everyone looked at Mew in confusion. "Why do you want to be captured by me?" Ash asked.

Mew looked over at Mewtwo in slight sadness and Mewtwo grew a bit uncomfortable from her crystal blue gaze. "Because…" she said not once looking away from Mewtwo. "While I am not the original Mew that made him who he is today. I have a suspicion of who was and if my suspicion is true, then he technically is family."

Mewtwo looked away from Mew as slight pain erupted in his chest. "Who do you think was the original Mew then?" He asked softly.

Mew looked around and noticed everyone was looking at her so she created a bubble before sitting on top of it while it settled on the table. "You have to understand that we Mew's can live a very long time." She said. "My memma was one of the first Mew's created by Arceus. There were three more created but only one lived in Kanto. As a rule, Legendaries like myself usually cannot breed but Memma wanted kits she asked Arceus to give her the ability to breed. Unfortunately Arceus could not make that happen but he was able to give her the kits she wanted by implanting two Mew embryos in her womb." She paused to take a bite of a berry that she picked off a bowl with her psychic power. "I was one of those Mew along with my brother but the consequence was that Memma grew weaker over time until one day she passed away silently in her sleep. My brother was not as attached to memma as I was but helped my build a temple to let her memory live on. No other Mew's have passed on and I watched humans dig through her tomb but I had no idea they stole her body for horrendous means." She started to pant from her use of telepathy.

"I thought you had more siblings and that you were the runt?" Brock stated.

"I consider all the Mew my siblings but I am smaller than the others and a bit less powerful so I am mainly known as the runt." Mew explained while straining to keep up her telepathy. "My brother always called me runt so its more like a name of endearment than anything else."

"Rest now Mew." Ordered Mewtwo. "You need to."

"Yeah Mew." Ash said. "While you may not be the strongest Mew, you still hold strength to evenly match Mewtwo. Doing so much in so little time is probably wearing on you."

Mew nodded and laid back on her bubble, closing her eyes before gently falling asleep.

Mewtwo looked around and saw that everyone was slightly struggling to stay awake so he waved a glowing paw and three beds appeared by the table. "Everyone get some rest." He said getting up. "We will need it for tomorrow. In the meantime I will be in my office settling things with the island and the storm that protects it." He then walked away and flew to the office using his psychic ability.

Mewtwo immediately collapsed in his chair from the sheer exhaustion and disbelief he felt. He didn't know how he was going to travel with Mew after the revelation she revealed. He put his head in his paws and let loose an unwilling whimper as he closed his eyes. "Family…" he whispered. "What does being part of a family truly mean?"

He kept wondering that all through the night.

When the next morning came, Mewtwo immediately ate a berry from a pouch in his desk to rid himself of the exhaustion he felt from not sleeping much. He sighed before getting up from his chair and walking over to look out the window at the surrounding storm and slowly lifted a glowing paw, waving it in a swirling motion. He watched as the storm tightened around the island and just as the edges of the storm were close to the island he released his power an monitored it just in case it reverted back to the size it was. After watching it with a careful eye he nodded at his work and walked to the door. He hovered slowly down to the bottom level and was slightly surprised to see all the clone Pokémon resting peacefully to the side of the stadium patiently as Ash, Brock, Misty, Pikachu, and Mew all ate something from the table.

"Good morning Mewtwo." Ash said once he noticed him.

"Ash." He said nodding. "Are you ready to start to capture my cloned Pokémon?" Ash nodded and got up with his bag. Everyone watched as one by one, the cloned Pokémon were captured in Pokéballs and sent to the professor Ash told him about. Mewtwo noticed that the Pikachu clone was hesitant about the Pokéball and hid a bit behind the other clones until he was the last one to get captured. "You have to get in the ball Pikachu." Mewtwo said. "I assure you that you'll only be in the ball for a short amount of time."

The Pikachu glared at Mewtwo before quickly grabbing Ash's Pokéball and capturing himself the ball teleporting to the professor immediately after. Ash blinked in surprise at how the Pikachu captured itself but shrugged it off after a moment and went over to Mewtwo. "We had better get the show on the road shouldn't we?" He asked with a smile.

Mewtwo nodded. "Where is this professor of yours located?" He asked.

"It's in Pallet Town." Ash said. Brock brought out a map and Mewtwo glanced at it before locating the town.

"Very well." Mewtwo nodded. "Stand near me." As the group did as they were told, a white light surrounded them and instantly, they were all teleported a little ways off the trail to Pallet Town.

"Whoa…" Ash said as he along with Brock, Misty, and Pikachu fell down slightly dizzy from the trip while Mew and Mewtwo floated beside the kids as they tried to recover. "Phew!" Ash got up quickly after he recovered. "Alright! Let's get you two in some Pokéballs." He grabbed his pack and quickly pulled out a blue and white ball that had red stripes on it and a yellow and white ball with black designs on it. "Mew, the great ball is for you." Ash held out the first ball to her to which she quickly tapped it and disappeared in a red light. The ball dinged quickly before teleporting to the professor. "And the ultra ball is for you Mewtwo." Ash held out the ball to him and he glanced at it in apprehension before tapping it. Mewtwo quickly disappeared and Ash started to run quickly to the professors home.

On the top of a hill that had lots of stairs was a yellow oval looking home with a red roof, a small square house add on, a windmill was attached to the back of the house, and beyond the home were acres of green fields for Pokémon. This was the home of an elderly man with grey hair, pale skin, soft brown eyes that were silhouetted by bushy brown eyebrows, slight wrinkles by his mouth that showed he smiled a lot in his life, a purple button up shirt on, long brown pants on, and a long white lab coat over his outfit. His name was Professor Oak and he was watching one of the screens in front of him intently as Pokémon after Pokémon showed up on one of his trainers registry. There were a mound of Pokéballs next to him in a bin and he kept careful placement of each one before he was to let them out into the reserve. "Gosh Ash," the man mumbled as he grabbed the next Pokéball and put it in the bin. Just as he thought the transport was done another two came through and Professor Oak gasped at the registry of the Pokémon. "What in the world?!" He looked closer at the registry information and rubbed his forehead as he put the last two Pokéballs in the bin. "A Mew? And what Pokémon is a that?" He looked at the screen closely as he looked at the image that was on the screen of the last Pokémon.

He decided to put a file lock on the last two Pokémon that Ash had until he could get in touch with Ash and get the tale of how he was able to capture a Mew and an unknown specimen of Pokémon. He then picked up the bin and walked to the back door, opening it up to go out to the reserve. He sat on a lawn chair and put aside the great ball and ultra ball to release them last and slowly released the regular Pokéballs one by one onto the reserve so that they could acclimate to the new terrain. Soon all the Pokéballs were released and all that was left were the ultra and great balls. "Maybe I should wait until I call Ash to release you two. Don't want anything to happen to you guys." He said taking the two balls back inside.

As he set them down on a couple of Pokéball stands and walked to his computer, the front door opened and Ash with Brock and Misty came strolling in. "Hey Professor!" Ash greeted and all Professor Oak could do was blink at him in complete confusion.