Happy Halloween, everybody! Two chapters in one week! Don't expect
this kind of treatment all the time; I just happened to have forgotten
entirely to post that last one for a while, even though it was all typed.
Oops! So, here's your next chapter!
Ch. 3: Unexpected allies.
The forest pokémon were all in training, and the tension in the air was palpable. Every pokémon had a part to play in defending their home. They understood the dangers they were facing, and none of them had turned away. I could hear the machines that the Rockets had brought in wherever I went, even up to the entrance of Mewtwo's cave. Smog was beginning to damage the trees; and the logging had hardly begun!
Mewtwo spent most of his time in planning sessions with Mew, occasionally consulting Natheon. Already, I could tell this would be a lesson Team Rocket would never, ever forget. As for myself, the very idea of what the Rockets were doing to the innocent pokémon of *my* forest made my blood boil with a bitter hatred I had never felt before. In order to avoid thinking about it, I helped the refugees find places to live, oversaw the training, and generally kept as busy as possible.
Days passed this way, with the forest growing ever more watchful. As the time of the attack approached, even the more sensitive Rockets could tell something was up. Of these, there were very few indeed; two humans and a Meowth. I took a particular interest in them, when I was on watch. I wanted to see what they would do, as the logging advanced. They seemed all increasingly uneasy, but it was the Meowth that spoke up first.
"I've got a bad feeling about all this," he informed the others.
"What do you mean?" asked the woman, Jessie, pushing her long red hair out of her face. Her expression was nonchalant, but her voice betrayed her nervousness.
"Just what I said. This whole place is tensed up, just waiting for...something. The Pidgey and Spearow aren't talking about the normal gossip. They're sending messages instead, talking about training and stuff. None of the other pokémon are going about their ordinary business, either. *And* I feel like we're being watched!"
"Now that you mention it, this place does make me nervous," said the man, whose name was James. "I used to love to come out into the forest when I was little, because it was so peaceful...but ever since we've arrived, it seems to be preparing for battle."
"Do you suppose we should tell the Boss?" asked Jessie, no longer bothering to hide her nervousness.
"And get our heads bitten off by that Persian? Count me out!" replied Meowth.
"We'd get sent to a mental institution!" agreed James.
"I suppose you're right," conceded Jessie, "Besides...I don't think it would be right to betray these forest pokémon. I feel more for them than I do for the Boss anyway."
"Yeah, whatever happens, he brought it on himself. As for Me-owth, I think we oughta high-tail it...while we still can!"
As I watched, they made preparations for living in the woods until they could reach civilization. I quickly left and went to talk to Natheon. When I reached the cavern, I told him what was going on.
"Three Rockets - two humans and a Meowth - are quitting because they disagree with their boss. I doubt they'll actually make it to the city in any sort of decent condition, and they might have valuable information. I think we ought to recruit them."
"Good idea. I'm sure Mewtwo will agree; we're better prepared than we were before, but we still need all the help we can get. As soon as it's safe, you should approach them and bring them here."
"Ok. I'll wait for them to leave. It won't be long, I think," I said, before dashing off again with a hasty goodbye.
I got there just as they were sneaking out. They walked a little distance into the forest, trying to look normal, until they couldn't see the logging camp. Then, as if on a prearranged signal, they bolted off into the woods. They ran as fast as they could, until their legs wouldn't carry them any further, and then they collapsed on the ground in a heap, utterly lost and exhausted.
"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea," Jessie groaned. "Does anyone have a clue where we are?"
"No," James said wearily. Meowth didn't answer; he was already fast asleep. I decided it was time to make my entrance.
"I do," I told them, dropping out of a tree onto the ground in front of them.
Meowth woke up suddenly, as Jessie and James clung to each other in fear. "Wh-who are you?" James stammered.
"My name is Torellossom, and I am working as guardian here. My friends and I are responsible for the disturbance in the forest that you have been feeling."
"Are you a pokémon?" Meowth asked, coming closer, "You smell like one...sorta."
"I am a half-breed, created in a laboratory. There were many of us made by a group of scientists working to create super-clones for your boss," I informed them.
"Are they all half-breeds like you?" Jessie wanted to know.
"Most of us are, though of different species. There is one who is a separate matter entirely, I won't explain how at the moment. He'll tell you later on."
"So, what do you want with us?" Meowth asked.
"Information, mostly. Where the loggers are headed, how many there are, and personality quirks that we could exploit. In return, I'll help you out of the forest. Do we have a deal?"
They huddled together for a moment, then announced in one voice, "Nothing would please us more!"
"I thought so," I said with a smile, "Let's get down to business. I'll take you back to headquarters, you can meet our mastermind, and write down the information."
********
I made my way quickly to Mewtwo's cave, after leaving the Rocket trio safe in a nearby clearing with a guard of Spearow. When I reached the mouth, an image of Natheon appeared before me.
"Hi, Natheon!" I said.
"Hi, Torellossom. You wanna see the Mysterious One?"
"Right in one! Can you get me there fast?"
"Hang on just a second, and let me get to where you are first," the image said. It disappeared, to be replaced after a moment with the real Natheon. "Ok, let's go!"
We materialized in Mewtwo's study. I pulled out a map that the Rocket trio had drawn for me to give Mewtwo.
"Here's some inside information I got from three particular Rockets in exchange for their own safety, meaning we show them out of the forest and promise not to tell their boss where they are," I told him.
((Let me see,)) Mewtwo said, gently taking the papers from my hand. They levitated across the room to where he sat. ((This is indeed useful. Who are these repentant Rockets?))
"Two humans and a talking Meowth. The human are called Jessie and James."
((Oh, yes. Them. I knew when I first met them that they weren't cut out to be Rockets. They're too sympathetic. So what did you do with them?))
"Well, I didn't exactly know how you'd react to my bringing Rockets here, so I left them in a nearby clearing with some Spearow under orders to protect them," I explained, "It seemed prudent."
((Indeed. I will bring them here.)) He concentrated a little, and they appeared in front of us. They had apparently been in the middle of an argument, and their expressions went from angry to confused to frightened in about two seconds.
"Wh-wh-wh," James stuttered.
((I am Mewtwo,)) Mewtwo said, ((A genetically altered clone of -))
"Mew?" Mew popped in, looking cute for the visitors.
((Oh, hello Mew. I was just explaining things to these former Rockets.))
((I've been summoning the other half-breeds, they should be here shortly,)) Mew informed us all. He floated over to Jessie, James, and Meowth. ((Hello. I am Mew, a very rare Psychic-type pokémon. As a matter of fact, I'm the only one within a thousand miles. Nice to meet you.))
"Oh, how cute!" Jessie squealed. Mew preened a little, and chased his tail.
"Show-off," I giggled.
Mewtwo "cleared his throat" mentally. ((Anyway, as I was saying, I was created in a laboratory by scientists working for Giovanni. I was intended to be more powerful than Mew, a prize psychic made to fight for Giovanni.)) His tone was bitter. ((I escaped though, and tried to destroy humanity. Not one of my better moments, but I had a right to be angry, you must admit. That 'twerp' whom you have so long pursued changed my mind, and I came here in order to continue my scientific studies in peace. The half-breeds found jobs, most of them providing support for the world's guardians.))
Jessie seemed to be trying to remember something. "A...a party? And a machine...clones...why can't I remember? It's important, I'm sure it is." She gave up, frustrated.
((Yes, you were there. You seem to have been remarkably tenacious in your pursuit of the Chosen One and his friends. Here, let me help you remember.)) He made a small gesture with one hand, and they stiffened in surprise.
"Ohh...now I remember! I was so scared...If I had remembered earlier, I would have quit Team Rocket immediately afterward!" James said.
"Me too," replied Jessie.
"Me-owth!" finished Meowth.
((I know,)) Mewtwo said, ((and I wanted to leave your memories intact, but I could not take the risk of your boss finding out where I was. You understand, I'm sure.))
"Yes, of course. But now that we do remember, we'll do whatever we can to pay him back for what he's done!" Jessie replied going into battle mode.
((You have already done much simply by leaving. When your disappearance is noticed, others will be more willing to leave as well. And I will not have you put yourselves in further danger if I can help it. What you can do, however, is provide information as the situation develops. You can stay here, if that is your choice. Otherwise, Torellossom will show you a safe way out of the forest, and you may continue your lives as normal. It is your decision entirely.)) He looked at them steadily. ((Remember, though: The information you provide will be used to deal as much damage possible to any who ally themselves with Team Rocket. Even if there are some whom you call friends, they will not be spared. When Giovanni and Team Rocket began cutting down trees, they forfeited the option of negotiation of any sort, and declared war. We are prepared to do whatever it takes, to defend our home.))
The trio looked at each other for a moment, then nodded, and said, "We're staying!"
Mewtwo smiled. ((I had hoped that that would be your decision. Very well, then. Natheon, could you get some paper and pens? We have a lot of discussion and planning to do.)) The smile became dangerous. ((This will be a defeat which Team Rocket will never, ever forget.))
************************************************************************ So, whatcha think? I told you it'd be longer! Please R+R, no lurkers allowed! Just let me know you are reading it; you don't have to say anything more than "Cool" if you don't want to. Oh, and once more: Happy Halloween! I had a blast trick-or-treating with my boyfriend Nathan, so I'm really happy and sugar-high.
Ch. 3: Unexpected allies.
The forest pokémon were all in training, and the tension in the air was palpable. Every pokémon had a part to play in defending their home. They understood the dangers they were facing, and none of them had turned away. I could hear the machines that the Rockets had brought in wherever I went, even up to the entrance of Mewtwo's cave. Smog was beginning to damage the trees; and the logging had hardly begun!
Mewtwo spent most of his time in planning sessions with Mew, occasionally consulting Natheon. Already, I could tell this would be a lesson Team Rocket would never, ever forget. As for myself, the very idea of what the Rockets were doing to the innocent pokémon of *my* forest made my blood boil with a bitter hatred I had never felt before. In order to avoid thinking about it, I helped the refugees find places to live, oversaw the training, and generally kept as busy as possible.
Days passed this way, with the forest growing ever more watchful. As the time of the attack approached, even the more sensitive Rockets could tell something was up. Of these, there were very few indeed; two humans and a Meowth. I took a particular interest in them, when I was on watch. I wanted to see what they would do, as the logging advanced. They seemed all increasingly uneasy, but it was the Meowth that spoke up first.
"I've got a bad feeling about all this," he informed the others.
"What do you mean?" asked the woman, Jessie, pushing her long red hair out of her face. Her expression was nonchalant, but her voice betrayed her nervousness.
"Just what I said. This whole place is tensed up, just waiting for...something. The Pidgey and Spearow aren't talking about the normal gossip. They're sending messages instead, talking about training and stuff. None of the other pokémon are going about their ordinary business, either. *And* I feel like we're being watched!"
"Now that you mention it, this place does make me nervous," said the man, whose name was James. "I used to love to come out into the forest when I was little, because it was so peaceful...but ever since we've arrived, it seems to be preparing for battle."
"Do you suppose we should tell the Boss?" asked Jessie, no longer bothering to hide her nervousness.
"And get our heads bitten off by that Persian? Count me out!" replied Meowth.
"We'd get sent to a mental institution!" agreed James.
"I suppose you're right," conceded Jessie, "Besides...I don't think it would be right to betray these forest pokémon. I feel more for them than I do for the Boss anyway."
"Yeah, whatever happens, he brought it on himself. As for Me-owth, I think we oughta high-tail it...while we still can!"
As I watched, they made preparations for living in the woods until they could reach civilization. I quickly left and went to talk to Natheon. When I reached the cavern, I told him what was going on.
"Three Rockets - two humans and a Meowth - are quitting because they disagree with their boss. I doubt they'll actually make it to the city in any sort of decent condition, and they might have valuable information. I think we ought to recruit them."
"Good idea. I'm sure Mewtwo will agree; we're better prepared than we were before, but we still need all the help we can get. As soon as it's safe, you should approach them and bring them here."
"Ok. I'll wait for them to leave. It won't be long, I think," I said, before dashing off again with a hasty goodbye.
I got there just as they were sneaking out. They walked a little distance into the forest, trying to look normal, until they couldn't see the logging camp. Then, as if on a prearranged signal, they bolted off into the woods. They ran as fast as they could, until their legs wouldn't carry them any further, and then they collapsed on the ground in a heap, utterly lost and exhausted.
"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea," Jessie groaned. "Does anyone have a clue where we are?"
"No," James said wearily. Meowth didn't answer; he was already fast asleep. I decided it was time to make my entrance.
"I do," I told them, dropping out of a tree onto the ground in front of them.
Meowth woke up suddenly, as Jessie and James clung to each other in fear. "Wh-who are you?" James stammered.
"My name is Torellossom, and I am working as guardian here. My friends and I are responsible for the disturbance in the forest that you have been feeling."
"Are you a pokémon?" Meowth asked, coming closer, "You smell like one...sorta."
"I am a half-breed, created in a laboratory. There were many of us made by a group of scientists working to create super-clones for your boss," I informed them.
"Are they all half-breeds like you?" Jessie wanted to know.
"Most of us are, though of different species. There is one who is a separate matter entirely, I won't explain how at the moment. He'll tell you later on."
"So, what do you want with us?" Meowth asked.
"Information, mostly. Where the loggers are headed, how many there are, and personality quirks that we could exploit. In return, I'll help you out of the forest. Do we have a deal?"
They huddled together for a moment, then announced in one voice, "Nothing would please us more!"
"I thought so," I said with a smile, "Let's get down to business. I'll take you back to headquarters, you can meet our mastermind, and write down the information."
********
I made my way quickly to Mewtwo's cave, after leaving the Rocket trio safe in a nearby clearing with a guard of Spearow. When I reached the mouth, an image of Natheon appeared before me.
"Hi, Natheon!" I said.
"Hi, Torellossom. You wanna see the Mysterious One?"
"Right in one! Can you get me there fast?"
"Hang on just a second, and let me get to where you are first," the image said. It disappeared, to be replaced after a moment with the real Natheon. "Ok, let's go!"
We materialized in Mewtwo's study. I pulled out a map that the Rocket trio had drawn for me to give Mewtwo.
"Here's some inside information I got from three particular Rockets in exchange for their own safety, meaning we show them out of the forest and promise not to tell their boss where they are," I told him.
((Let me see,)) Mewtwo said, gently taking the papers from my hand. They levitated across the room to where he sat. ((This is indeed useful. Who are these repentant Rockets?))
"Two humans and a talking Meowth. The human are called Jessie and James."
((Oh, yes. Them. I knew when I first met them that they weren't cut out to be Rockets. They're too sympathetic. So what did you do with them?))
"Well, I didn't exactly know how you'd react to my bringing Rockets here, so I left them in a nearby clearing with some Spearow under orders to protect them," I explained, "It seemed prudent."
((Indeed. I will bring them here.)) He concentrated a little, and they appeared in front of us. They had apparently been in the middle of an argument, and their expressions went from angry to confused to frightened in about two seconds.
"Wh-wh-wh," James stuttered.
((I am Mewtwo,)) Mewtwo said, ((A genetically altered clone of -))
"Mew?" Mew popped in, looking cute for the visitors.
((Oh, hello Mew. I was just explaining things to these former Rockets.))
((I've been summoning the other half-breeds, they should be here shortly,)) Mew informed us all. He floated over to Jessie, James, and Meowth. ((Hello. I am Mew, a very rare Psychic-type pokémon. As a matter of fact, I'm the only one within a thousand miles. Nice to meet you.))
"Oh, how cute!" Jessie squealed. Mew preened a little, and chased his tail.
"Show-off," I giggled.
Mewtwo "cleared his throat" mentally. ((Anyway, as I was saying, I was created in a laboratory by scientists working for Giovanni. I was intended to be more powerful than Mew, a prize psychic made to fight for Giovanni.)) His tone was bitter. ((I escaped though, and tried to destroy humanity. Not one of my better moments, but I had a right to be angry, you must admit. That 'twerp' whom you have so long pursued changed my mind, and I came here in order to continue my scientific studies in peace. The half-breeds found jobs, most of them providing support for the world's guardians.))
Jessie seemed to be trying to remember something. "A...a party? And a machine...clones...why can't I remember? It's important, I'm sure it is." She gave up, frustrated.
((Yes, you were there. You seem to have been remarkably tenacious in your pursuit of the Chosen One and his friends. Here, let me help you remember.)) He made a small gesture with one hand, and they stiffened in surprise.
"Ohh...now I remember! I was so scared...If I had remembered earlier, I would have quit Team Rocket immediately afterward!" James said.
"Me too," replied Jessie.
"Me-owth!" finished Meowth.
((I know,)) Mewtwo said, ((and I wanted to leave your memories intact, but I could not take the risk of your boss finding out where I was. You understand, I'm sure.))
"Yes, of course. But now that we do remember, we'll do whatever we can to pay him back for what he's done!" Jessie replied going into battle mode.
((You have already done much simply by leaving. When your disappearance is noticed, others will be more willing to leave as well. And I will not have you put yourselves in further danger if I can help it. What you can do, however, is provide information as the situation develops. You can stay here, if that is your choice. Otherwise, Torellossom will show you a safe way out of the forest, and you may continue your lives as normal. It is your decision entirely.)) He looked at them steadily. ((Remember, though: The information you provide will be used to deal as much damage possible to any who ally themselves with Team Rocket. Even if there are some whom you call friends, they will not be spared. When Giovanni and Team Rocket began cutting down trees, they forfeited the option of negotiation of any sort, and declared war. We are prepared to do whatever it takes, to defend our home.))
The trio looked at each other for a moment, then nodded, and said, "We're staying!"
Mewtwo smiled. ((I had hoped that that would be your decision. Very well, then. Natheon, could you get some paper and pens? We have a lot of discussion and planning to do.)) The smile became dangerous. ((This will be a defeat which Team Rocket will never, ever forget.))
************************************************************************ So, whatcha think? I told you it'd be longer! Please R+R, no lurkers allowed! Just let me know you are reading it; you don't have to say anything more than "Cool" if you don't want to. Oh, and once more: Happy Halloween! I had a blast trick-or-treating with my boyfriend Nathan, so I'm really happy and sugar-high.