Chapter 39
"Dark Mew"
"Sir! A report from the border!"
A report from the border……It's not going to be good news…
I scowled at her. There was a wounded fire dragon standing with her this time…
What is it? I snapped.
"Chrrrrr…" the dragon growled, "Chrrr, zard…"
'The rebels are stirring…They have something big planned…'
Then stomp on them. We can't have them weakening us. Send in the smaller slaves. Infiltrate them. Spy on them. Destroy their plans. We can't give them any edge whatsoever.
Charizard took a deep breath.
"Charzard……Charizard…"
'That's going to be easier said than done……If you recall, the rebels are mostly-'
How dare you-!
My vision hazed over into blackness. I surrounded Charizard with the blackness and reveled in its pain.
I know what they are!
"Ch-!…Arr!" it gasped, choking on its reply.
'I-!'
When I deemed it had had enough, I carefully released my grip. It bent over with fatigue, panting for breath.
"Char…Izard…"
'I did not mean to insult you……Ash…'
I gave it one quick jolt of darkness. It was enough to make it drop to the floor in pain.
…You know better than to address me as that… I said icily.
"Charizard…" it wheezed, "Izzard…"
'But that's your name…It always has been…'
……I would kill you now if you weren't so valuable……Remember this and be grateful.
Charizard smirked at me from the floor.
"Rrrr, izardd…"
'Of course…You'd never kill your most loyal subject…'
Don't remind me…
…You've been weakened, I said, Rest in the infimary until you're healed.
"…Zard…"
'Of course…'
I Teleported him to the infirmary, then heard a slight shuffling. I glanced back and saw her still standing there…Her head was carefully lowered.
…What do you want? I asked dryly.
"N-nothing……I……need to know…who you want to send out to infiltrate the rebel base."
…Psychics.
"But…we have so few of them! If they get caught, then-"
Then I'll know…Don't question me…
She nodded, then turned around and left to perform her duty.
* * *
I have no reason to be here again. They can't make me do anything!
…Ash, are you okay? Nekiro asked.
I turned on him angrily.
Am I okay? I asked, Am I okay!? Do I look okay to you? Do I sound okay!? No. No, I don't. You know why? Because I'm not! And…I…just…can't……stand it!!
Ash, what are you-?
Nekiro floated over to me.
No! Stay away from me!
In pure reflex, I blasted him away before he could get close. He shot straight out and smacked into a tree trunk, then fell to the ground in a heap.
Mewtwo instantly went into alert mode. It glanced from me to Nekiro and back again. Its eyes were wide with surprise and fear…even confusion.
Ash! Why did you do that!? it demanded.
Why? I asked dangerously, To tell you the truth I'm not even sure myself, but that doesn't really matter, now does it?
Ash… Mewtwo said in a hushed voice.
I can't…No…I can't do this…
I narrowed my eyes.
I have to.
Mewtwo, I said quietly, I still owe you a battle…don't I?
Mewtwo's expression changed to one of shock.
Ash… it started.
……Let's begin… I said, then added, Don't you want to find out which one of us is greater?
I could tell immediately that he recognized that.
My dream… he said in awe.
Right, I answered, You wanted to know about my dreams, right? Welll…here we go.
I charged up a sphere of negative energy and fired it at Mewtwo. It tried to protect itself with a barrier of light. My attack hit its shield with a blinding flash. I added more strength to my attack and then simply watched as a screaming crack pierced shattered through the air. Mewtwo was engulfed in my power and fell to the ground. I knew one more attack would finish it. I floated to Mewtwo and hovered over it. Mewtwo stared up at me with pain in its eyes, but sadness as well.
I looked down at it and tried to figure out where my emotions had run off to…I could feel nothing…
* * *
I awoke with a jolt. It was night…Dark…I shivered and glanced around me. Everyone else was sleeping soundly…
Those dreams…They seem so real……
I hugged myself tightly.
These ones were different though……I don't feel sick anymore……If anything I feel………stronger…
I stared at the ceiling with wide eyes.
…Could the dream have made me stronger…?
I shut my eyes and tried not to believe it.
…Coud it have made me strong enough to defeat Mewtwo…?
* * *
I saw him at the last second. It was already too late. He ran and tried to stop us…
His name was Ash…