CHAPTER 2

"Riddle me this then. If you had two horns, wouldn't that mean you could do TWO Razor Winds at the same time?"

Kat stared at me for a minute before blushing and looking away.

"T-that's not how it works. It would just make my head heavier," she replied softly.

"I just don't get it. If Dugtrio evolves and gets three heads…and he gets Tri Attack, then surely you'd get a new move if you added another horn. Well, in theory. Besides, you still have yet to Mega Evolve."

We were currently running an errand for Mom. She needed us to grab some groceries from (port city). Some Magikarp Filets and some berries for a nice dinner. As we traveled through familiar territory, Kat and Lula had been going back and forth with me about different topics, from type effectiveness, to why there were so few Audino doctors in Unova region. And now we had decided to discuss moves and physiology. It was another warm day, with a forecast of rain in a couple hours. Something I didn't mind, when it came down to it. Primarina and I were huge fans of the rain, so we didn't care how bad it got. Kat on the other hand was worried about it messing with her fur. She had come along with the promises of grooming the morning and afternoon of Sunday. I was totally down to giving her some well-deserved attention after our trip.

"Master, I don't know if she's ready to try Mega-Evolution. I mean it requires a really intimate bond-"Lula spoke up.

"I-I'M READY!"

The outburst by our usually coy and quiet Absol made our heads almost snap off our necks as we stared at her. Her face grew beet red, turning her shiny. As I stared at her she hid her face into her neck. I couldn't help but giggle at her.

"Are you sure?" I asked, stopping mid walk and petting her fur.

"I-I-I-"

I glanced at Lula who shrugged and picked a nearby Oran Berry out of a bush. She popped into her mouth before letting out a high pitched squeal of delight.

"Kat."

No response.

"Kattttt."

No response

"KATHERINE!"

"Y-yes!" she cried out, pulling her face out of her fur. Concern filled me as I noticed that the blush had vanished and been replaced with tears. Fear was written all across her face. Her eyes opened and she looked at me trembling.

"What's wrong?"

I knelt down on the dirt next to her adjusting my tan cargo pants as I calmly waited an explanation.

"I-"

"I can't hear you, "I said, watching as she struggled to form something.

"Are y-you sure that I'd be right for your first time?"

Shaking my head, I couldn't help but sigh at how ridiculous she could be at times.

"Who else would I want my first Mega Evolution to be? You're family. I love you guys and want you to be happy is all." I said, glancing to Lula. I noticed that now my other team mate had turned away, sticking her nose up into the air.

"So you'd Mega evolve her, but won't bother with spending time to teach me a Z-Move?" Lula demanded.

I could tell from the inflection in her voice that I had upset some kind of balance but I didn't understand why or how.

"Lula. Come on now. Z-Moves are just as important, I just didn't know you were both wanting that."

"I'm ready, Master. I've been waiting for you to ask me."

These two are a handful.

"Let's get the groceries. It's getting dark out and we really need to get there before the bazaar closes for the day. Mom would be real disappointed in us if we didn't return with food. For now, I'll work on getting the items to train for what you both are asking for. Z-Crystals and Mega Stones don't just fall from the sky you know."

They sighed accepting my wishes and following me down the route.

As luck would have it, we arrived at our destination a good hour before the market closed so getting fresh fish wouldn't be that big of a deal. We bartered with several fishermen for the freshest catches until the leather satchel attached on Absol's back were filled. Turning back we made our way home with several pounds of fresh pecha and sitrus berries along with Magikarp meat. We started the surf home without much issue. Absol remained attached via poke ball to my hip. The weather permitted a decent Surf for the first half of the trip, until dark clouds filled the sky. The water grew tumultuous making swimming home nigh impossible.

"HEAD BACK TO LAND!" I called out to my teammate. If we didn't head to land now, there was a chance we would be swept too far away to swim back. We'd drown if that were the case and I wasn't ready to take that kind of risk now.

We made our way shore side, coming to a rest on the rocky yet sandy beach side. Taking a moment to compose ourselves I looked at Lula. Her tongue lolled with exhaustion even as she sat there. Letting Kat out of her ball, the three of us took a moment to compose ourselves amidst the raging storm.

"You okay?"

"Couldn't be better. Though I wish the forecast for the weather had been a little more apparent," she replied.

"Shall we continue on our way?" I asked grabbing her paw and sitting her up. A bubble materialized as we stood up and proceeded to return to a Route so we could figure out where exactly we were.

"KYLE!"

The sound Lula's shout, made me immediately fly into flight or fight mode. Within the instant the sound reached my ears, I instantly shoved Lula and Kat away as a massive blast of energy slammed into the sandy beach in front of me. Debris flew into the air as I was thrown several feet away from my standing position. My ears rung with sound as I tried to get up and get my bearings. My eyes focused in on our opponent, with adrenaline and epinephrine pumping coursing through my veins.

A single Mewtwo was surrounded by Aether Foundation, Team Plasma, Galactic and Rocket grunts that were watching us. A large boat was docked several feet away, and Pokémon were moving items onboard to the luxury like yacht. I stood up, and prepared myself to fight as I glanced to Lula and Absol. Shaken but not injured. I sighed a small breath of relief only to wince as pain set in. Hemorrhaging from an internal wound. I coughed up a little blood, as Mewtwo grabbed at my mind to speak to me. I let him, hoping to dissuade any attacks on us.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

Just a kid and his Pokémon trying to head home.

LEAVE NOW OR ELSE!

My eyes scanned the scene before us confused when I homed in on something. A silvery dew like orb was contained within a mechanical device. A glass shielding protected it from the rain, and wind. Even in the low lighting from the decks of the ship, I could make out the identity of the item. I had read the lore on several mythical Pokémon items in the library and coming face to face with the Wish Stone, was nigh impossible. It was rumored to have been lost to time. My mind connected dots quickly as time came to a standstill. If Team Rocket or Mewtwo were in possession of the Wish Stone, it wasn't going to be used for the benefit of others. It would be used for destruction, and carnage.

What do you want with the Wish Stone, Mewtwo?

FATAL MISTAKE, KYLE BREDESON.

My eyes widened as I was grabbed by Mewtwo, my body contorting as he pulled me forward. My mind immediately reacted, digging my heels into the sand to slow his grasp on me. I had only moved a foot forward when large blast of Ice and Shadow slammed into the Psychic type making him drop me and glare at my Pokémon.

"Kyle. We don't stand a chance. He's Level 100 and there are others here. We need to retreat," Kat stated, teeth bared in the rain.

I nodded in agreement.

"We can't just run though. Mewtwo will pincer us and it'll be game over. We have to fight while we run," I replied. We didn't have time to debate this. It looked like we would have to fight and hope we could get out alive.

"Damnit," I swore as we backed up slowly.

LEAVE THEM TO ME. I'LL KILL THEM. GET THE STONE ONBOARD.

"Lula. Hydro Pump. Absol, Razor Wind."

I rushed forward, watching as both attacks slammed into the legendary who smirked at the feeble attacks we had presented.

Time to shut up and fight. As if my life depended it on it.

I launched myself skyward, meeting Mewtwo who caught me mid jump with Psychic. Twisting in his grasp, I found myself at his very will, until a Shadow Claw from Absol tagged him from behind. He winced in pain, as the attack released me, allowing me to deliver a strong turn kick to his chest. I rolled as a Hydro Pump flew over my head and into the legendary Pokémon. He reeled from the force as I glanced to Kat.

"Night Slash!"

Mewtwo turned to protect itself, but I launched myself at its back. My hands snaked into a half –nelson, opening it up to a fully powered Dark Type Move from my Absol. The attack made it cry out in pain, only for myself to be psychically removed and launched into the dirt. I slid several feet, before recovering. Heaving air, I stood up and rushed forward only for Absol to fire several more Dark attacks at him. He winced as he took damage from both attackers, before a bright cocoon formed around him. Power radiated from the Mewtwo in waves before it emerged changed.

Mega evolution into X.

I trembled before its strength only for a bright light to fill the sky as Lula let out a cry which fired Dazzling Gleam which slammed into the Mewtwo. The super effective attack bruised and cut, making him winded.

RECOVER.

The damage faded from its body as it healed from the damage we had all dealt.

PITIFUL. WHY FIGHT WITH THE HUMANS? THEY DON'T DESERVE OUR PROTECTION.

"Master is different!"

"We won't l-leave his side." Kat cried out, her fur bristling and fangs bared.

NOT EVEN IN DEATH?

A large Aura sphere was formed in Mewtwo's palm, as he aimed it at me. I tensed myself fearful, only to be slammed by a blur of movement. As I hit the earth, it shook with a massive explosion. Dirt went flying as I stood up.

"AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"

The piercing sound reached my ears, filling me with adrenaline. As I got up, I watched Mewtwo rush towards Lula, only to be slammed by an ice beam which froze him solid. I got up quickly before rushing to Kat's side. Her moans of agony filled my ears as I stared at my best friend. Blood poured from her head obscuring her vision and cascading into the dirt. Her fur was stained with the viscous liquid as she trembled crying in my arms. My eyes searched for the wound, only for my stomach rolled at the sight. Her horn. It had been torn clean off. A single jagged bone was all that remained of the appendage and I felt my heart sink as I stared at it. She had been neutered of her strongest weapon. She had jumped in the way of the attack, sparing my life. Her existence now hung in the balance and I couldn't help but feel sorrow that it hadn't been me.

NOWHERE LEFT TO RUN.

The ice shattered and two giant psychic blades slashed into Lula, sending her rolling several meters into the dirt. As I arrived at her side, blood pooled underneath my Primarina. Her breathing was shallow and raspy, as I arrived. Yet despite her wounds, she continued to fight, ignoring the pain. Her white fur was opened wide exposing some of her musculature beneath.

"I won't let you… kill MY MASTER!" she screamed firing a massive Hydro Pump. The attack slammed into a psychic barrier which Mewtwo erected in response. I couldn't help but be in awe of my Pokémon. I unclicked her poke ball from my belt and lobbed it gently. The sphere tapped her sides and pulled her in with a red flash of light. The ball shook but I quickly secured it, turning to face Mewtwo. Her water attack faded as the owner vanished, leaving myself alone with our adversary. I clutched her ball tightly.

"Take my life, but let my team go. If you've got such a grudge against humanity, let them go. Please."

THEY FOLLOW YOU. THEREFORE THEY ARE GUILTY AND WILL BE PUNISHED ACCORDINGLY.

I watched in horror as he lifted my Absol off the ground, taking her higher into the sky.

"NO!" I screamed, flinging myself back forward into the fray. I crossed the beach in huge strides, before launching myself skywards, fist reared back to deliver a stunning punch. He intercepted my punch. I pushed harder, only to recoil as his grasp on my forearm became a vice which rubbed my two bones together, before shattering them. I wailed from the hot pain which cut into my left arm. I started to close my eyes, but noticed my Pokémon. My bloodied friend, who limply hung in his clutches. Grinding my teeth, I ignored the massive amounts of torment coming from my mutilated appendage. Turning midair, I unleashed a full on turn kick into the mouth of Mewtwo. The shockwave from my attack, shattered its jaw. As it let go of me, I noticed the shadow ball in its hand aimed directly at my chest. Before I could dodge or block, the dark energy ripped into me. The wind was driven out of my lungs as I thrown head over heels into the earth. The dirt around me cratered and slowed my movement to a painful halt. I tried to move anything, even a finger. Nothing. My eyes rested upon my team mate who was held by the damaged and angry Psychic type. I coughed up blood, and winced. Every part of me ached.

HOW DARE YOU!

I struggled to stand. To fight. To get up and protect her.

My breathing became shallower with each passing moment.

I reached out with my fingers, as I swallowed the blood in my mouth and my vision blurred with tears.

I couldn't lose here.

All my previous failures during training hit my mind like a truck. This was my fault. My will to fight faded further, as I started to follow suit. I just wasn't good enough. I ground my teeth in frustration at my apparent lack of strength.

I gave myself one final push to get up. I put everything in my being to get up. My entire body trembled with effort as I feebly tried to kneel. As I thought I might get up once more, my strength gave out entirely. I was done for. My eyes settled on my Poke watch, which blinked my HP in red.10…9….8…

I looked up to stare at her. My Absol was in his grasp, her eyes wide with concern for me.

"Please…don't…hurt…"

She never got to complete her sentence, as I let my heavy eyelids close.

My heartrate slowed exponentially.

Then it stopped entirely.