Hello all! Thank you to those who reviewed, I really appreciate it!
In this chapter, the Birth of Mewtwo is present for the middle chunk. It's condensed and has been changed just a bit. Things are moving along quick as this is just a long introduction into the rest of the story and Serena's past. As you know this story's plot does spider out into Layla's and that story will be up soon as well. Anyways, reviews are much appreciated and enjoy!
Fuji regretted bringing up the 'balance' talk with Giovanni the moment the helicopter touched down on the helipad.
The day was bright on New Island, and the sea was calm for the most part. Wind from the blades beat at Fuji's face as he held the door open for the grunts to get by while running a wheelchair with a little girl in it. Giovanni said she'd be unconscious when she got there and to use that to his advantage.
That's what made him feel ill about the next few hours.
Images of Amber popped up in the back of his mind, telling him to be quick and efficient. His first goal was his daughter, his second for the day, was to make sure this girl lived and the experiment was a success.
It was going to be a long day.
OoOoOoO
Alena George was a renowned neurologist in her field. She had kids, but no husband. In her mid-thirties, Alena had a kind and round face. She treated her colleagues and patients with respect and care. The only reason she was with Team Rocket was by force and a little bit of choice. She wanted to work with the technology they had, but for this Giovanni was forcing her hand by threatening her family.
Performing this mind sync, a sort of mind meld, made her nervous. At first, it was just the mechanics of it, the brain waves, and the biology to go along with it. Now, it was the fact that the subject was a little girl. Something Fuji hadn't thought to tell her. She knew that he possessed that much knowledge.
She looked like a sweet little girl. Maybe eight years old with long, dark brown hair falling in cute waves to her shoulders. She donned a sparkly blue sun dress and sandals, and she wore a button alerting Alena to the fact that it was her birthday today.
Poor thing.
Shaking off that fact, Alena moved the gurney down towards the holding room where the clone was waiting. Several aids moved alongside her, applying a mask to the girl's face and taking out the IV that pumped in fluid to keep her fine for the next few hours. Once in the room, her dress would be exchanged for a body suit. It would monitor her all her vitals as well as brain activity throughout the process.
"Ah, Alena, good to see you," Dominic greeted the older woman with a sly smile.
The greeting was left in the air as she began shouting orders, though she nodded at him to acknowledge his presence. He left a cold spear in the pit of her stomach just by his presence. The way he spoke said that he thought he was better than you, that it was a fact everyone knew. He wanted everyone around him to feel small and inferior. He succeeded at it.
He was younger than her, maybe late twenties judging just by his face. His black hair was cut short, close to his head and spiked at the top. His eyes were a cold blue, always sharp just like his facial features. She supposes he's good looking in an intimidating, jerk-wad kind of way.
"I've filled the tube with a fluid that will make the meld easier. The spinal clamp is secure as well," Dominic began immediately, getting down to business.
The aids lowered the girl into the tube with her air mask secured. It started pumping as soon as her head was under the translucent orange liquid. In the tank beside hers floated a strange looking creature folded up in a fetal-like position. Arms crossed, straight back, eyes closed. It looked to be slumbering while wires were attached to its large forehead.
Both of their tanks were at the end of the medium sized room with four more tanks right across from them. Alena glanced at the other tanks, unsure whether or not they should perform this procedure with them in the room. The shining light of Fuji's daughter seemed to glow as if encouraging her to continue. She imagined that the little girl would be all right with this.
The aids cleared the room as soon as Fuji stepped in. He would be overseeing the procedure as well as taking notes to study later.
"Let's get this over with," Alena muttered under her breath while taking her seat at the monitors.
Dominic did the same, and, with reluctance on Alena and Fuji's part, the two began their experiment.
OoOoOoO
Where am I? Who am I? What am I?
Serena felt something in her mind stir, had she and someone else spoken at the same time? How could that be? Was this a dream?
"She's unconscious, like the clones..."
"Both their vitals are strong, I don't understand..."
There are others near me.
At this, Serena opened her eyes, someone else was here with her, and she wanted to find out who. Everything was black around her, endless and impossibly deep. The last thing she remembered was being with her mother and father at her birthday party. Then some strange men came by and attacked them all.
Floating in this endless space, Serena twisted around to see something small and purple watching her.
What are those strange noises? it tilted its head as if it couldn't see her.
Those are words, another voice entered along with another little girl.
Serena felt a sense of security knowing she was not the only human there, and managed to float over towards the little girl. She looked to be younger than her, but her smile was warm and inviting. Like her, she was wearing a dress with her hair down.
Once closer, the strange purple creature looked to Serena with wide eyes. The brown haired girl responded with a smile.
They're talking.
It regarded the two with curious eyes before circling around them. What are you?
The girls exchanged looks before Serena spoke again. What do you mean? We're girls. Humans.
Humans? Am I a human? it floated closer.
The two tilted their heads before shaking them. The mysterious girl spoke first. You look like a pokemon, but you speak like a person. I didn't know pokemon could speak!
Me neither. Serena agreed, staring at the pokemon-like creature with curious eyes.
Something in her mind told her that this creature was a part of her and that she should trust it.
Pokemon? Person? What are those? Which am I?
Maybe it makes a difference to you if you are a Pokemon or a person, but not to me! The young girl twirled around, opening her arms as if beckoning them to her. Three more lights appeared and formed three distinct shapes. If you are in this place, maybe you are the same as all of us are!
Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle appeared before them and let out a gleeful cry.
Why are you here? Serena tilted her head and stared at the girl.
Everybody here's a copy. That's why there's a "two" after all of our names.
A copy? Serena couldn't wrap her head around it. She was not a copy, she was an original. She was Serena Lockwood. Her parents would have told her if she were a copy, wouldn't they?
I don't understand, the creature continued, noting that it could hear Serena's despair and feel it. What's wrong?
They call me Ambertwo, but I'm still really Amber! The girl continued and stared at Serena.
I'm not a copy, she stated, feeling like she could cry at this point.
That's okay. Maybe you're here for another reason! Amber grinned, reaching out but not touching Serena.
Okay... the brown haired girl responded, not thoroughly convinced. She swiveled her head around to view the darkness. Where are we?
Amber beamed at them and spread her arms out once more. Suddenly, the darkness faded away and gave way to the light of day. Serena noticed that the city looked familiar, but she couldn't place where she'd seen it before. Above them the sunlight gleamed like a perfect spring day.
I call this my remember place. This is where I used to live.
What's that? the creature pointed up at the sun.
That's the sun, Serena answered.
What's it for? it responded.
It makes the whole world bright and keeps us warm all day! Amber explained, closing her eyes to bask in the warmth suddenly covering them all.
Ooh? The pokemon shivered as a warm breeze blew by. What was that?
Wind, the girls answered in unison and then smiled at each other.
Amber began to float away, the small group following her as they moved about the city. The wind helps us along. Sometimes it's soft and sometimes it's very strong. Suddenly the light began to change and an orange light casted itself over everything. In the distance, the sun had begun to set. And that's the sunset. That's when the sun says, "Goodnight! See you tomorrow."
The pokemon began to ask more questions after that, especially with the moon appearing before them. Serena and Amber took turns in answering its questions, they even made a game of who could surprise it with the weirdest thing. They spent what felt like months in that state. Playing games and explaining things to the pokemon. Eventually they heard its name. Mewtwo.
Sometimes they'd hear voices, and sometimes Serena would leave, but she never remembered waking up or the fact that they fed her and Alena washed her before sending her right back in. Outside the tank, she didn't seem to hold onto the bond as much until weeks later. Their minds had finally bonded as Serena was being fed, she showed signs of communicating with invisible people.
They scanned her for brain activity and it showed communication with the other clones. A breakthrough had been made.
Where do you go? Mewtwo asked Serena when she had returned.
She regarded him with an open mind and managed to show him the people outside taking care of her. Neither questioned how they were able to do this, they just assumed it was normal. That's where I go.
Why are they taking care of you? Are you cold?
I don't have a cold, I eat, and they clean me. I don't like it, and I want to go home.
Home?
Do you miss your mama and papa? Amber came into view then with her radiant smile still present.
I do... Serena fiddled with her hair. She didn't want to leave them, but she wanted to be home.
It'll be okay, Amber assured her. Are we going to play toda-huh?
Serena frowned at Amber's frown and turned to see Charmandertwo begin to fade into the darkness. Panic welled up in the dark haired girl as the pokemon completely disappeared and the other two began to follow.
What's happening? Serena reached out towards Squirtletwo only to watch as it disappeared between her fingertips.
Sadness gripped at her heart as the pokemon clones disappeared before them.
Ooh...
Her sadness deepened as she turned to see Ambertwo beginning to disappear. Around them her remember place began to dissipate just the way it came.
What's wrong, Amber? What's happening? Mewtwo floated closer to her. Serena could feel the panic welling up in both of them.
It feels... like it's time... to say goodbye... she responded in a much weaker voice, her smile faded.
Serena sniffled just as Mewtwo let a few tears go. Goodbye? What are these?
They're tears, we're crying, Serena explained.
Don't cry, Amber smiled, but she was almost completely gone.
I'm so sad, the pokemon responded, feeling hopeless and empty.
I have to go, Amber murmured, Serena's tears fell down her face as she shook her head.
Why?
I don't know... but it's all right. Thank you two for caring about me... and don't cry. You should be happy. You're alive, and life is wonderful.
With that, she disappeared right in front of them in a sparkle of light that faded back into the darkness. It was the same darkness they appeared in that first day, only now it seemed to be more deafening and empty. Serena's heartbeat pounded against her chest as she spun around looking for Amber. They had played hide and seek; maybe this was a joke?
These tears... what good are they?! Mewtwo suddenly spoke out in the darkness. Serena felt the jab of anger rise up in him, and she accepted it as her own. They turned to face each other.
Please, Amber! Come back! Don't go! Please! Amber!
OoO
"Doctor, their brainwaves are out of control!"
Alena ran to the monitor and saw the graphs skyrocket . She glanced back at Fuji for what to do next. She couldn't do anything to Serena that he wouldn't do to Mewtwo; they had to be careful.
"It's getting too upset! It mustn't remember this! Administer the serum! Do it immediately!" he shouted at his own scientist before glancing at Alena. "Do the same for her, but give her a lower dosage."
All was done as told, and within the half hour, the brainwaves returned to normal.
"Its brainwaves are going back to normal. Everything seems okay, doctor."
"Nothing is okay! My Amber is gone forever. Only Mewtwo survives..." he despaired for his little girl and stared at her empty tank. Her light, gone forever, right before his eyes. It was like losing her all over again. This time, he was alone and still had work to do. "How is the girl?"
"Serena is fine, she probably won't be able to recall this. The serum just covered up the incident," Alena replied as the aids worked to remove her. "But this has shocked her. They've bonded. We can't keep her here now that Mewtwo has most likely forgotten her. Once they're mature, they should be able to work together much better than they can now."
"Mewtwo will mature much faster than the girl. Giovanni has resolved to wait until she is older to reach her. However, she isn't needed, so she's done here. She'll leave tonight." Fuji stated before stomping out of the room.
Alena sighed in relief and removed Serena from the room on a gurney, back to the little room allotted for her. It was a nice little room, as nice as it could be in the lab, with a small unused bed, a TV, and a short dresser. A window allowed light to filter in and gave a view of the ocean waves crashing into the shores of the island.
Next to the room, in the bathroom, Alena set to washing Serena in the bathtub. The orange liquid stuck to the skin, making her smell like plastic, and turned the water a nasty shade of orange as well.
Once she was clean and in plain clothing, Alena laid her down on the bed and made a quick phone call to get her a full meal. The down time after floating in mind space for so long was tough on the body. Serena had done well so far; she passed each proficiency test, memory test, and ate all her food. She was surprisingly resilient.
"Mm..." the girl stirred, her eyes squeezing shut before she reached up to rub her face. "W-Wha-?"
"It's okay, little one," Alena cooed. She couldn't help it. Her children were at home waiting for her, and she couldn't wait to be home. They're all much older than Serena, but Alena loved kids. "How're you feeling?"
"Dizzy... Who are you?" Serena sniffled and glanced around the room in fear.
"You're safe with me. You'll be going home soon, okay?" Alena put on a smile, her heart reached out to this girl. Curse Giovanni, he took it too far in kidnapping her. This was his own niece for Christ's sake.
Serena let her tears fall as they went through the tests, asking her name, her age, and what she remembered last. The testing took at least twenty minutes to half an hour, enough time to get her food ready and brought down to her room. Alena watched the girl scarf down the food. She made sure Serena ate lots so that no weight was lost in her time here. It was the least she could do, letting her go was not an option.
"Alena!" Dominic's voice roared from down the hallway.
Serena flinched, nearly spilling her drink on herself. At her fearful look, the neurologist smiled. "Don't worry, he's looking for me. I'll be right back."
In the hallway, she met Dom at one end, his blue eyes piercing her brown ones. He must have heard the news.
"What's going on?" he snapped at her.
"Serena is too young for anything you have in store for her. Giovanni's orders were to bond them. Now that they're bonded, he has Fuji working on Mewtwo," she replied in a calm manner, his brash attitude reminded her of her middle son's teenage years. She survived it then, she would again.
"So she's going home, leaving my research incomplete?" he huffed, crossing his arms.
"Yes. She has been ordered to be brought home. You'll have to find something else to focus on," she spoke in a firm tone.
"But-"
"I'm sorry, but I can't change anything. You'll have to bring it up with Giovanni," she raised her hand to shake his. "It was a pleasure working with you."
"Pfft," he smacked her hand away before thinking better of it and taking it. "Actually, it was. You know a lot about the brain's other capabilities, even if you have no experience yourself. Good."
Alena raised a brow, perplexed by his words, and watched him disappear down the hallway. She shook her head and turned on her heel; there was no time to think about what he meant. Serena needed to be prepped for the flight home and whatever else Giovanni had in store for her.
It was a day full of goodbyes of different kinds. Serena had been put under to be transported, seeing as Giovanni had a plan for her. Alena wished her luck in her prayers before heading right back into work. No one on the island was sure what would happen to the girl or if they'd ever see her again.
Except Dominic. He knew he'd see her again. He'd keep track of her in his search for something more. To be on Giovanni's side, the side of power, he'd have to find ways to control a person and pokemon. He had the basics, but the application part was still needed.
On that day, many strings were tied, and likewise, many fates were sealed.
