The Origin of Mew

by Ambrlyn

Ever wonder how the elusive Mew come to life? Ever wondered how such an innocent creature could survive in such a harsh world? Behold, now, the answers shall reveal themselves!

6. Glimpses of the Past

(two weeks later)

Asha and Mewtwo had developed such a close bond, that when Asha suddenly became distant, it was like a Arcanine among a herd of Taurus. At first, he thought it was only because of the constant blizzard that had been going on, but than, he discovered something very heart wrenching. Among the many things that Asha kept in her immense cave, she had kept a journal of sorts. He'd found it when she slept by the entrance, and when he finally gained the courage to open it and begin to read the contents, he suddenly seen her in a whole new light. This was one such day. She'd gone to the front to watch for a break in the storm so that she could gather fresh snow to throw into the small pond and stream in the middle of the cave. Mewtwo went to the book's secret hiding place and began to read its contents.

Day 6 after our escape

Another day has passed, and still, I have not managed to catch myself any game for the day. The Mews are very hungry, the small bit I have caught has been for the Mews. I dare not risk to eat myself, lest one of them starve. I can last another day if I must, but the most important thing is that they must eat.

Day 12 A.O.E

I have not managed to find any game for three days. My body is tired, I fear I will not make it back if I go in search again. The storms now are fierce, so I've only been able to gather fruits and vegetables for the Mews and myself. I can not live off of this, but the Mews seem to be doing fine. I hope these storms break soon, for I do not know how much longer I can withstand this.

Day 21 A.O.E

I have managed to make friends with a small Dratini in the river not far from this cave, it tells me that winter is coming soon, and told me of what I might do in order to survive. It has helped me to gather enough fish and underwater plant life, and told me of other Pokemon to speak to in order to learn to hunt more successfully. I have been in search of this . . . Ninetails and Flareon that it spoke of. But so far, my search has come up empty. My body has lost much weight from my lack of meat and sustenance. But the Mews are doing very well. They have seemed to gain much weight, the eldest, which I've named Tulia, has grown a whole three and a half inches in the past month! The others are still very small, I still have to help them eat. They are all so sweet and innocent. I just can't leave them as a Cubone and Marowak suggested I do. They're too young to survive without me. Both seemed to understand when they saw how little the Mews were.

Day 22 A.O.E

Today I have found the two Fire Pokemon that I have been in search of. Ninetails and Flareon. They have helped me achieve the hunting skills I am in need of so badly, they have also given me the knowledge of the coming winter. I am so grateful that they took the time to assist me in building a nest that would keep us all warm and safe with the winter. But they weren't so sure it would be so great, they have urged me to keep adding warm, insulating blankets of feathers and soft grasses. Dratini has helped me by gathering the soft seaweed, when dried, it's soft as down from a Pidgey. Now that I have learned to hunt, I've put more meat on my bones, I'm not nearly so skinny, but the Mews refuse to eat the meat, other than small fish and muscles from the sea or river. They've become so accustomed to plants, I suppose that's natural. Me, I must have more meat. I can't live on just vegetation like they do. It just isn't possible. Well, Flareon warned me about the sharp winter winds, so I placed the nest farther back in the cave, I've thought about burrowing deeper, but I think this will be far enough.

Day 31 A.O.E

The winds have picked up and changed direction, storms have prevented me from furthering my storage supplies, I have only a couple hundred pounds of meat from some young and old Taurus and countless amounts of plants, both for eating and bedding. Dratini had encouraged me to keep the sea salts and use them on the meat, now I'm glad, the fish and meat seem to keep for longer when I place the salts within their skins. In the cave there is a tiny pond with a little droplet of water seeping from a wall farther back, the water in another one on the opposite side is almost hot, I wonder what's caused that.

Mewtwo shut the book, he knew by heart what was coming next, Mew had told him the stories that were passed down through the Mews. The winter had nearly killed them, having so little food stored and the winter having been so long, Asha had been forced to leave the warmth of the den and salvage for other sources of food. After returning with only a handful of food, she sacrificed her half for the Mews' health. She'd been so small that following spring, that the Mews, who had grown much, searched out and begged for help to bring her back. The Ninetails and Flareon had done much, they nursed her back to health and taught her more.

Mewtwo shook his head. I don't know how she did it. I honestly don't know it I'd sacrifice that much so another weaker may live. I would now, but. . .when I was younger, I would not have. . .The thought sent a pang of shame through Mewtwo. He lowered his head and replaced the book and did something he'd not done, went up front of comfort Asha. He had decided it was time she stopped mourning the loss of those babies she'd raised. It was time to get her to think of the future. Not the past.

Asha was staring out at the raging snow and listening to the wailing of the wind when Mewtwo suddenly popped up beside her. She tried to suppress her joy and surprise at his unexpected approach. *Mew. . .Mewtwo! I. . .ah. . .I didn't expect to see you here. I. . .um. . .was just about to go back into the warmth of the back caves.* She said as she began to get up, he once more noted the pain in her movements.

*You've been distant from me in the past few weeks, what's troubling you? Is it your past? Or is it your future?* He asked, looking into her eyes.

Asha's surprise and instant pain were unmistakable. *Well, actually, I think it's a mix of both.* Mewtwo was a little surprised that she told him the truth. He was expecting to have to nearly drag it out of her, but she was still talking. *I've lived all this time alone, except for the past few decades with Mew, but other than her, there has been no one like me to speak with. All of the other Pokemon I've made friends with are either dead, captured or mothering with own children and have little time to speak with me. . .with you here, it's been hard to know what to do. I'm usually alone, and have to work hard to keep myself warm and my thoughts to brood over. Or Mew to keep me company when the weather permits, but this year, I have you.

*You bring up feelings and sensations within me that I did not know existed. I am not sure if I know what to make of them, or if I should even try to place them. My heart hurts when I am not around you, my mind focuses on you without stopping and I don't know why. I am lost in a world that I am unfamiliar with.* She stopped speaking, flushing as she realized just how much she'd said. But Mewtwo didn't let the silence go to waste.

*There is nothing to be ashamed of. I have been feeling the same things since I've been around you. While I do not have your many years of pain, I do have a few, and I can understand that. And I do know what sensations you are feeling, in those, we share them the same. I understand, I feel what and how you feel. I understand more than you can imagine.* Mewtwo told her softly, walking close to her, until he was close enough to gather her into his arms and hold her close. Than, squeezing his eyes shut tight, he risked everything he'd gained by adding the next into his speech. *I know that you are so sad because you are still not a mother, but. . .eventually, if it is meant to be, all that will change. With time and lots of love, perhaps we will both have our wish for a family.* Asha pulled away and Mewtwo feared he would be faced with vicious unforgiving eyes and have her run from him, but he was pleasantly surprised.

Her eyes were not filled with anger or sorrow, but held contentment, her face lightened into a smile and she wrapped her arms around him to give him a hug. *I'm just so happy to no longer be alone. You have no idea how hard it has been for me all these years, sometimes I thought I would simply die of a broken heart, and other times I feared my heart would burst within me every time I seen a younger Mew showing me her two new little ones and her new mate. It has been very hard, but this year, it wasn't as hard, since I knew you were with me, and I had proof that I was to be alone no longer.* She laughed a little to herself and shook her head, looking up at Mewtwo with an ironic smile. *I always knew that Humans would prove themselves more useful alive to me than dead, I'd never dared to hope of them trying to recreate their first nearly fatal mistake.* Mewtwo laughed at that and hugged her back harder.

*Well, here I am.* And with that, the bridge that had formed between them had vanished. He could feel it vanish that night when the wind howled and she brought him their nightly ration. He could see it in her eyes as she watched him, but he knew that he was far from being more than friends with her. She was still very much a young child, and he knew that he'd have to treat her as such until her knowledge of such things increased to that of this own. It just wouldn't be right of him to take advantage of her innocence.

* * * * * * *

(One week later)

The winter storms had kicked back in earnest, for whatever they'd been holding back, they released full force now. The cold gales reached even into the darkest depths of Asha's cave. Bringing with it, the cold memory of how close she'd came to dying that first winter, with the memories, came the pain and Mewtwo found himself waking many nights to the sound of her crying just under the sound of the wind through the cave's many small vents. He'd comforted her the best he could, but she'd always push him away, there really was little he could do to help her. Who was he to fight her demons of the past. He had his own, and she could not help him. It seemed only fair that he couldn't help her with her own dark past.

Than Asha's worst fears were realized, during a particularly bad storm, her cave was invaded by a Rattata, it stole most of their rations for the winter, which meant that she'd have to go back out into the winter's rage and hunt. The same as she'd done in that first winter. She still hadn't told Mewtwo of the complete seriousness of the situation, she was almost afraid too, fearing he would try to be brave and go in search for food. Only she knew where and how to hunt for it in the winter, prey was twice as difficult to capture and kill in these cold months. This winter would last for at least six months, the winter had been back-building for quite a while, she was very afraid, they were only in their third month.

Mewtwo walked silently behind Asha and wrapped an arm around her waist, holding her close as she stood in front of the cave's entrance. *What's wrong? I know something is the matter, I can sense it within you. A dark thing that crouches, waiting as if to attack.* The last part made her laugh, she could sense his joke.

*Oh, it's nothing, really. I'm just a little worried.* She bit the inside of her mouth until it bled to keep from letting her voice get quivery in his presence.

*Oh? And what are you worried about? Something I should know?* He asked her, noticing the changes in her body as he held her tighter, he was going to have to drag it out of her.

She shook her head and smiled up at him weakly. *No, not really, it's ok, really. I'm just having doubts that I'll ever get to see the sun again, this winter is going to last forever.* Mewtwo smiled at the bad joke and sighed, he hated pressuring her, but he had discovered in his time with her that it was necessary, she would give it away any other way.

*I see. Is it about the stolen food? Is that what you're worried about? You shouldn't be, there's enough to the rest of the winter if we're careful, we just can't make ourselves completely full. There's no harm in being a little hungry. We may lose a couple of pounds, but we can gain all that nourishment back when the snows end and spring comes again.* Mewtwo told her, watching her eyes as they widened in surprise at his knowledge on their predicament.

Perhaps he knows more than I've given him credit for. She thought momentarily as she watched him closely, than smiled in relief. He's definitely adapting well to the circumstance, perhaps I judged him a little to harshly. She thought to herself, than too him, she stated. *Yes, that's true. I'm just worried that. . .well. . .something bad may happen. . .and if it does, there's so little game outside now and I'd have to go and hunt for it. I just don't want to have to do that.* She blurted out before she could stop it.

Mewtwo smiled and gave her a hug. I knew that was what the problem was! He thought in triumph but stayed silent for a moment longer as he held her in his arms. He still relished in the sensations that warmed his body at her closeness, but was careful not to let it go too far, lest she realize his longing and be frightened by it. Some day, perhaps, I can show her what it is to be an adult, but not this day. He told himself as he calmed his blood and gained control on last time.

*Mewtwo? Why are you still here? I've been so mean to you and so distant, how can you stand it here. It's boring in this cave and I'm not good entertainment. What makes you want to stay?* She asked him, looking into his eyes deeply, searching for the truth.

He cupped his fingers under her chin and locked his eyes firmly on hers. *Because I care. Because I want to be here.* He told her, she smiled and broke away, going towards the nest to sleep. Mewtwo held back a moan, he ached for her so badly that he felt it'd go mad it he didn't have her soon. He closed his eyes and let the daydream he loved to have wash over him. He felt his body flush with excitement and let a small sigh escape his mouth before he let it go and walked back towards the nests with Asha. Suddenly glad they hadn't yet been forced to sleep in the same one.

Asha watched him silently with her eyes nearly closed. He looks at me with such power and heat in his eyes, could he be thinking of me in such a way? Is it possible that I am. . .desirable? I've never considered myself pretty or appealing to any one, I wonder if it's possible that he thinks I'm attractive. She was thinking when Mewtwo suddenly stood up and began walking towards the front of the cave, fear etched her gut and she sat up quickly. *Mewtwo? Where are you going?* He looked back at her in surprise, but quickly suppressed it.

*Just to watch the snow, it's still a wonder to me, I want to remember this first winter with you forever, and this is my first snow, I want to watch it while you sleep so I will not disturb you.* Mewtwo told her softly, waiting for her permission or acknowledgment of his going.

She smiled in both relief and inwardly disappointed. *Ok, I suppose.* But I'd rather you stayed with me. . .I need you. . . She thought, but dared not say it out loud. Mewtwo gave her a small smile and went on, leaving her by herself once more to fight away her thoughts.

On his way out, Mewtwo stopped, checked back with Asha than picked up the journal, settling down in a place beside the heat hearth not far from small opening in the cave to outside. He glanced up once before opening it to his former page and continued to read the entries. The next one was dated a little later than the rest of them, having been dated when the winter was about over.

Day 129 A.O.E

Winter's nearly over and I'm very glad. The storms have blown over enough to allow Ninetails and Flareon to come and help me out with the Mews. I could see it in there eyes that they don't think I'll make it through the winter. I've given up my rations to the Mews, I have only a few bits of grasses and some small tidbits of meat to eat for myself and I can only afford to eat that once every other day. Flareon has been bringing more food in for the Mews and I, but their eating almost all of my share. I don't really mind, in fact, the hunger pains have stopped all together now. I no longer feel the need to eat and this worries Ninetails. She's been forcing me to eat more, she says that it looks like I've lost nearly ninety pounds from the winter, and the next hard blow is going to hit any time now. Dratini has evolved into a Dragonair and has been bringing me more fish and foods from the oceans and rivers. The Ninetails has a Vulpix litter of three. Which she proudly shows off, I can't wait until I can have my own family, I just love babies. The Mews are a handful, but I love to take care of them. Anyway, the winter is just about over, I can survive this last spurt with little problem, I'm sure.

Day 158 A.O.E

Well, Winter is finally over, I never thought it would. I'm so tired now, and weak, but the Mews are all big, or well, as big as they'll get I suppose. I've grown too, but I'm really skinny. Ninetails and her cubs have been helping me get back my health, but it's taking a very long time. I hope I get better soon, I can't wait to have babies, I want to be a mother so badly. But I'll have to wait, I suppose.

Day 159 A.O.E

I take back what I said earlier, I hope I don't make it. I hope I die. Flareon explained to me that I need another like me to have babies, that it takes two of the same species. I don't want to be alone! I don't want to be the only one! I thought perhaps there would be others, but there aren't. I'm alone. The Mews have each other, and I have no one. Two of the Mews have already fallen in love and are talking about leaving for the lush valley below. The other two are going to with them. When they leave, I'll be all alone. I don't want that. So, I've decided that I'm not going to eat the food they gather for me, I'm going to stay weak and small, perhaps the spring storms will finish me off. I don't want to live on. I don't want to be alone.

Day 1 After Mews Left

Well, it's been at least three months since the Mews have decided to leave, today they left, promising that they'd visit often. I don't really mind being alone, as long as the Ninetails and her Vulpix cubs keep visiting me and Flareon keeps giving me daily lessons on hunting and other things I need to learn. But still, at night, I miss their mewing, and their playful chittering. I know it isn't right, but I hope that the Humans regain what they lost, I hope that they try once more to create something like me. I hope that it is a male. I want to have a family. I want to feel the love that the Mews feel for one another. I hope to be in love soon. It's this thought that has helped me cope with being alone. Dragonair told me that I won't be alone forever, that I will soon have someone else, I hope that he's right. I can't wait.

Mewtwo closed the journal and looked out through the small hole at the snow outside. So, she did wish for me. It was her, that I dreamed of all those nights in Giovanni's dark Gym. Mewtwo thought as he snuggled closer to the rock's side, where the strange red rocks gave off heat. He let his thoughts linger on the journal until he was pulled back into his own thoughts. I wish I could tell her how much I love her, but it's too soon. Humans have something called puppy love, and I'm just afraid that this is all it is, or that perhaps, she doesn't love me the same as I do her. I'd make a fool of myself, if I proclaimed my love, and she didn't feel the same. He reached out with his mind, to try and find out what Asha was doing, but found it absent of her. Clever barrier. He thought, having discovered that she was excellent at hiding herself. Completely.

He looked back out at the snow, and thought of how the Mews were, how playful, how young. But Mew, she was intelligent, she knew more than she pretended to know. She knew that Asha needed him to comfort her, and why. She remembered things longer than the Mews seemed to be able to. Mew was also the only Mew that didn't revere Asha as some sort of Goddess or deity. He still didn't understand how she could have survived for nearly a century with that kind of treatment. He liked it for the first half an hour but than it got tiring. In fact, after a while, the complete respect had gotten rather offending to Mewtwo. It insulted him that they talked to him like they were lesser than he and he was the greater one.

Mewtwo looked up in time to see lightning flash across the sky. Lightning? He thought, tucking the journal underneath of a small crevice where it would be kept hidden safe until he got back to reading it. Why would it be doing that? It's winter. He was thinking when suddenly Asha spoke softly beside him, not using her mind, but a different form of speech, something that made her look even more angelic.

"There can be lightning storms in the winter, it's only a matter of how fierce it is. The storms are the same as in the summer, only snow and ice instead of hail and heavy rain." She answered him, slumping tiredly down, Mewtwo looked at her with growing concern.

*Are you ok? Perhaps you'd like something to eat. . .* He asked, but she stopped him with a small shake of her head.

"No, I'm fine, I'm just a little tired. Training Mew took a lot out of me. It's. . .been a while since I've been so physically stressed." Mewtwo didn't trust her reasoning, but accepted it as the truth, not wanting to get on the bad side of her in the middle of winter.

*Alright.* He said, than stayed quiet, feeling the sudden urge to read more of that journal.

Asha sat in the utter silence for another five minutes. Come on, please! Say something! Anything! Just talk you fool! Please! She begged him silently, but he stayed silent, she pursed her lips together tightly and held back the sob and swallowed past the sudden lump. She'd come out here to be close to him, and he didn't want her around, she could see it in his stance, she was in his way at that moment, he wanted to be alone and she'd broken his solitude.

Sensing the tenseness in the air, Mewtwo spoke softly, making his point very clear to her. *I'm sorry about not having much to say, I'm still kinda. . .tired from not much sleep over the past few nights.* She nodded her understanding and than looked around herself nervously.

"Well, I suppose I'll leave you to your thoughts, I'd better catch up on my own sleep, sometimes it's hard to sleep in the winter, I've never figured out why. . ." Asha said as she got up carefully and walked back towards the back of her cave.

Mewtwo sighed, everything he said seemed to always make her feel worse and worse. He shook his head, it was harder being with another than he thought it would be. He'd figured that at least having another one would give him someone to talk to, but he'd been wrong. All it seemed to be giving him were restless nights and a lot of thinking about what he should or shouldn't say. There really wasn't much he could do about the situation now, but wait it out and hope he'd get the hang of it before spring when she'd be able to kick him out or flee for long periods of time. Oh well, I might as well get to know her better, perhaps I'll be able to identify her problem soon if I keep reading. . .He thought as he brought the book back out.

Opening the book, he stopped at a later journal page entry, it was marked not far from when the battle of the Trainers took place. Interested, he began to read more.

It's been a while since Mew has left to in search of the scientists that claimed a piece of my past, my hopes and dreams of another are swiftly going to be granted. I can sense it, just on the other side of that mountain, but I dare not hope too much, or else this one should be crushed as all of my other hopes have been. If Mew succeeds and getting past the natural rage that fills our genetic hearts, than it is possible that by fall I will have another with me. Or by the latest, winter.

Oh God, winter! I'd nearly forgotten about that! I suppose that it's time that I got moving towards preserving enough food for at least me, but this season's been so dry and hot, I just can't move around freely enough to hunt, but still, winter will come no matter how hot and sick I get, it would be best for me to stock up on what I can, especially if I intend to have another like me here.

Well, I've done a little gathering, but I don't feel like doing any more, my heart still aches, the Mews came last night, and showed off all of their newly mated parts and the mothers-to-be showed off their round bellies. I can't take anymore of this! My heart feels like it breaks every time I see it! I hope Mew comes back alone, so that I might die this winter, alone, and no one be the wiser. I don't want to hope any longer for such things to come to pass, it's not right. I'll never be a mother. Those scientists cursed me! They made me alone on purpose! Those cruel twisted humans! It just isn't far! I can't live on like this!

Mewtwo closed the journal and looked warily back at the back of the cave, he knew she was still awake, and waiting for him to return, but he just couldn't, his sorrow for her would shine in his eyes, and he didn't want her to know what he knew.

* * * * * *

Asha laid in her little nest with her mind spinning in blind circles, she had to make Mewtwo see her, she wanted him to look at her like the mated Mews looked at each other, she wanted to be desired, and needed. But she knew Mewtwo could live on without her, and the thought depressed her deeply. She sighed heavily. Fine, if he wants to go off and think of what he will, and imagine what he will, than I'm free to do the same. She thought as she gave a gentle soft snort in Mewtwo's direction. Than suppressed a sob as she realized that while Mewtwo could live on without her, she could no longer live alone. She looked up at her cave's ceiling, it was a thing of pure beauty, swirls and waves of a motionless ocean above her, where hundreds of years had formed the little droplets of water into wonders of art.

She gritted her teeth together and closed her eyes, imagining what life would be like if he just walked away from her after the winter had passed. Than, she pushed it from her mind, and let sleep claim her. . .

* * * * * *

(Three months later)

After the last snow storms had passed, and the weather started to warm, Mewtwo began to leave the cave in search of the fresh warm breezes and new sights around him. Asha, was torn. In those months, she'd confessed many things to him, but she feared they had fallen upon deaf ears, that he had paid her no mind, only tolerated her while the winter blasted on. Asha felt a growing despair as she felt her time of mothering come upon her once more, she knew that this one would pass without any baby also, but she still hoped somehow for a miracle. That perhaps Mewtwo would suddenly see her, and she could share in the timeless tradition that the Mews all went through when they were mated.

More than life, did she want to feel the pains of labor, to hear the seeming endless cries of kittens mewling in the night. She wanted the mood swings, the strange cravings, and the swollen stomach. To feel a little baby kick from within her belly, that was what she wanted. To be loved, and the only way she could reassure herself that she would ever be loved was to have a baby, one that would love her unconditionally.

Her fears of Mewtwo's leaving were growing as his journey's outside lengthened, and he began asking questions about the things he'd seen, eternally curious about what everything was out there. She answered each question with care and tenderness, hoping he'd hear it and realize what she was trying to tell him all along. But he only sat enwrapped in her explanations, only to race off the find other unknown things as soon as she was finished. He never brought anything back to the cave in the ways of meat or any sort of food. She still did all of the hunting, but she knew he'd caught something out there when he'd come back from being out all day and wasn't hungry for anything she hunted. She had even offered to actually cook it for him, but still, he usually denied her that also.

Asha stood at the entrance of the cave, basking in the warmth of the sun and the spring breezes. Most of the snow had vanished, and she was relishing in the freedom she now had. *Asha?* Came a timid call from the distance, she couldn't hide a smile as she recognized the voice instantly. But just before she could answer, a little white streak flashed across the sky above her and darted down towards her. *Asha!! Oh! I missed you so much!* She chirped out happily as she slowed down only enough to not knock the other over as she rushed into Asha's arms.

The bigger Mew hugged her tightly and smiled, forgetting momentarily that she was not her child. *Mew! Oh, dear little one! I missed you too! How have you been, child?* Asha asked, pulling away from her enough to look into her bright sky blue eyes.

The Mew chirped again happily. *Great, as always! This winter was a hard one! We even got some snow down in the valley, but I helped out so no one was hurt or even got sick! Isn't that great?!* She exclaimed as she suddenly looked around. *Where's Mewtwo? I was certain that you'd. . .* She stopped herself before she finished it, and picked up instantly from where she left off, hoping the other wouldn't notice. *That he'd be here with you.*

Asha took on an almost painful expression, and Mew's eyes hardened, had Asha been looking, she might have been concerned. It was never heard of that a Mew could feel anything but happiness and delight. They didn't have the capacity of it, at least the valley Mews didn't. The other clans farther north, and to the east did, but they had to be smart, that was one of the reasons they left, because they couldn't handle the same thing every day. *He's off exploring, he normally comes back after dark, to sleep and sometimes eat, but not very often anymore. . .Mew? MEW!* She called as the other suddenly took of like lightning, her aura a very angry color of deep blue, shimmering with dark red.

No, Mewtwo I've seen her sad way to many years to have you bring her down like this. I could have beaten you with ease in your stadium, but I didn't have the right, now I have that right, you've crossed the line! She was thinking as she sped off in search of the great Mewtwo.

* * * * * *

Meanwhile, Mewtwo was busy trying to defeat his own mental demons. His feelings for Asha had grown considerably over the winter, and that frightened him. He wasn't sure if it was love, or just the lust of his reaction to a female of his own kind. Since he'd never encountered one, he wasn't sure which one it could possibly be. Looking down at his own reflection, he saw what he had always seen, a hard face with determined lavender eyes. How could she love me? I am nothing more than a bitter pokemon that wants to take over and destroy the world as it is. How could she possibly see anything worth her time in me? He was thinking, his coat had gained a very glossy shine since he left his castle on New Island. His colors had brightened, making him certain that Asha's own colors were brought upon her age, and less likely than her evolution.

He sighed deeply, there was nothing he could do. He was going to have to leave her. He couldn't stay in her life, not with the possibility that his feelings were nothing more than lust, and the last thing he wanted to do was to make a mistake, leave and make her take care of the consequences all by herself. No matter how badly she wanted a family, he knew she couldn't care for them by herself. He thought he was ready for that commitment, but then the doubts of it being solely lust crept into his mind. Better that she lives on without someone like me. Surely if she's lived this long without me, she'll not really miss me too much. He was thinking when he was suddenly a glare of light shot through his vision, followed by excruciating pain.

*Mewtwo.* Came a voice, dark and sinister from the edges of his hearing. He struggled to see the speaker, but the pain still had him in its grips. *You've gone too far this time.*

This time he was almost certain that he knew who was speaking, but. . .it couldn't be. *Who. . .?* He started to ask, but another glaring light of deep blue struck him, he barely had time to put up a barrier before the full blunt of the force hit him. As the dust cleared and his vision with it, he sat stunned at the sight before him. *Mew?!*

She pulled her lips back in a snarl, it seemed impossible to imagine her little cute body all ridged and angry. But this was far from angry, this was rage. The sight sent a chill up his spine. She'd been a formidable opponent at New Island, but she had been only drawing him away from the humans, not really fighting, now she was doing open combat. Doubts swam through his head, had he underestimated the little pokemon? Could he actually fight this little feline and escape her long enough to get her to explain what he'd done wrong?

*Of all the kindness, of all the LOVE, what did you do in return?!* She demanded as she held her tiny paws together, a mass of energy building between them.

Mewtwo swallowed hard, his worst fears were actually being realized. This was about Asha. He knew that the two of them had an unusual bond together, but he didn't think that it stretched quite this far! *I just don't want to hurt her.* He replied back, strengthening his barrier for the attack she was holding.

*You don't want to hurt her? Well your constant dodging her at every turn is killing her! Haven't you noticed that she's weak?! She's not bringing down large prey anymore? She's lost all of her luster! She was dying when I left in search of you! She was dying when you met her! Without another, there is nothing to live for. When you stayed with her in the fall, she had regained a little piece of what she'd lost. Hope. But you had to go and avoid her! Her whole life has been spent in that cave! She's lonely, and she's dying because of it!* Mew told him coldly, her normally large innocent eyes narrowed in an icy glare.

Without any warning, the energy shot towards Mewtwo. He was ready this time. It slammed into his barrier with a force that pushed him back nearly six feet, even with his claws dug into the ground. *How could I have known?! Are you saying that it's my responsibility to take care of her? Well, before you go and lecture me on what I should and shouldn't do, let me tell you something!* He yelled over the sounds of blasts and the roar of both wind and fire.

*Oh, and what's that?!* She asked in response, beginning to build another blast for him.

*I do love her. I do want to spend my life with her, I want nothing more than to be with her for the rest of my life. What I don't know is if this is real emotion or simply the response to her scent now. I don't want to hurt her, I don't want to find that I don't love her and leave her to deal with the consequences.* He tried to explain to Mew, but she wasn't really listening, her anger was still in control of her actions. He swallowed hard against the lump in her throat.

Asha, meanwhile, was very concerned about what Mew was going to do. She knew that Mew was not like the others of her kind, she was far more intelligent and much more powerful than they could ever dream. Mew was from the Northern colony, she had been brought down by her parents due to a sudden appearance of humans when she was newly born, she didn't remember her high mountain life, but knew that she was very different from the others she was raised by. That was why she chose to visit Asha so often.

But the downside of intelligence is anger, the smarter the more dangerous one can be. Mew was very smart, and Asha suddenly feared she might go after Mewtwo in a rage that he was the cause of her pain. For the most part that was true, but her pain had begun long before Mew was even born. . .

She shook her head, she didn't want to think about it. She took a deep breath and did something she never dreamed she's ever do again in. She was going to have to fly. Well, I suppose my secret was going to be revealed sometime any way. Now is as good a time as never. She thought as she relaxed her body and stretched up to her full height.

As she stretched her arms out, a flickering of darkness shadowed behind her, unstable at first, but quicker and more substantial as it took place. Bits of deep blue and sliver started to show in the shadowy darkness, than, as she gave a cry of relief, her secret was revealed. Two massive wings hung behind her, they seemed unreal and ethereal as she stretched and flexed each of them as they glistened silver and gold in the afternoon light. She sighed and flexed them experimentally, she hadn't revealed them in nearly seven decades, it felt good to remove their shielding and feel the air against them. If you don't hate me now, Mewtwo, you will when you see me. She thought as she looked up toward the direction Mew left in. Mew, it's time you knew the truth about me, and it's time I showed you a little bit of calming and restraint. She thought to the little pokemon as she stepped out from under her cave's ledge and climbed the short distance to the top of her home.

Looking down, she saw what awaited her if she couldn't get her wings to fly her, it was a nearly thirty foot drop, the rocks that were strewn about her entrance would hurt if take off didn't work. She shook the doubts from her mind, let her wings spread to a graceful arch above her head, testing the wind one last time, she crouched to the ground and leap off. One second of free-fall, than she was air born, the swift air current sweeping her up and away from the nearest trees, she looked over at her left wing, still no fire. She sighed and slowly beat them to keep her in lift.

From this far up, it was difficult at first to see and recognize what was beneath her, but after a few circles, the memories of her last flight kicked in. Once she was certain she knew where she was going and that her wings would last, she banked hard to the south and was gone, her wings beating occasionally when she started to sink. Her face was a mask of both determination and immense relief, it had been so long since her last flight that she had to force her mind to remain on task and not become playful and absent from her goal. Which was no easy task.

As she cleared the forests and headed towards the mountains that protected them from everyday trainers, she noticed flocks of bird-type pokemon leaving one area, and puffs of smoke and dust flaring up high at uneven intervals. That has to be them, and hopefully, this is no worse than the battle at his castle. . . She was thinking as she spiraled down toward the ground, she didn't want to literally come down on them, rather, she wanted to visually see the conflict before thinking about interfering. The landing was harder than she wanted it to be, she'd come in nice and clear, but a sudden updraft knocked her to the side and causing her to have to navigate through a tree covered area at breakneck speed, as she finally made contact with land, it was hard on her side, forcing her wing to pull painfully back as she rolled twice before she could tuck it in like the other and stop.

Ouch. She thought as she spread her wings out beneath her and laid on the ground, pain seeping from her new bruises and fresh cuts. She closed her eyes and calmed her frantic heart. But, to her shock, she could hear Mew and Mewtwo very clearly, she had managed to land a little too close, just in the trees that made their arena.

*. . .you don't deserve her if you don't know for sure that you love her! How can you say you don't know?!* Mew's enraged voice called to Mewtwo, a blast resulting just after.

Than Mewtwo's intimidating voice broke through the roar of the blast. *I told you that I know I love her! Mew please LISTEN TO ME!* With the last, he suddenly threw down his barrier and looked at the little Mew with a hint of hear. Will she still attack, or will she finally listen to me. He was thinking as he quickly talked as she glared at him. *Listen, Mew, please! I do love her, but I have been alone and lost also, I can't trust anything, I felt that I could trust Giovanni, than realized he was using me, I thought I could trust my creators, but they only seen me as an experiment. I have tried to trust so many people, all that I have loved. . .I have lost, I can't lose her, and if what you're saying is true, than I'll lose her as well. . .I can't, I don't want to go through that again!* He told Mew, who stopped fighting, whether of exhaustion or plain lack of will to fight, Mewtwo wasn't sure, but he knew it wasn't his speech.

*Than listen to me, Mewtwo, I have been telling you that she's dying because there is no more reason for her to live. If you stay, she'll live, if you leave, she'll die. It's that simple, she needs you here! She's been alone for nearly a century up here with no one but me. I can not love her the way she longs, she has always wanted a child, I have been that for her, but not in the way she wants. She wants for feel her child kick from within, go through the pain of birth, the agony of hearing it wail, and the joy of nursing it to sleep and teaching it all it needs to know. That is what she craves, if you love her so much, why won't you tell her so? Do you not long for similar things?* Mew asked, the anger seeping out of her voice.

Mewtwo was quiet for a moment, Asha held her breath as she waited anxiously for his reply. She wanted to know so badly what he was going to say that she nearly began to cry. After what had to be an eternity later for her, he did reply, but he was soft and quiet, almost as if he knew she was listening and didn't want her to hear. *I do love her, I can feel it in my soul and heart, when I think of her, my insides become liquid, my heart pounds in my chest. And I do dream and wish for a family of my own, I won't say that I didn't envy the Mews when they came to show off their young and newly mated pairs, I wanted badly to show something off of my own, but I had nothing of that sort. Through all of the winter, I found it very hard not to make some physical contact with her, but I feared that she would cast me out on my own in that storm, so I dared not fulfill my wish. I almost asked her if she would consider me several times, but I thought that since she was so much older, that I would seem little more than a child to her.* He was saying, Asha didn't know whether the tears streaming from her eyes were from the pain his words caused or the relief that he didn't hate her and that he was in love with her.

She about stepped forward that moment, but realized that right now Mewtwo was vulnerable, that if she revealed she'd been listening in to their conversation, he would not likely trust to say anything truthful again. Her mind reeled with the possibilities of her and Mewtwo being mated, or what their offspring might look like, but stopped herself short as she decided that instant that she'd go no farther in this fairytale than Mewtwo allowed her. If she didn't fantasize, than it wouldn't cause her so much pain when it didn't come true. But still, his words rang inside her head, echoing. She couldn't help herself but to hope, after all, what harm could it do for a little hope? None, as far as she knew in her experience; in fact, hadn't it been hope that had pulled her through that first winter? Hadn't it been hope that had helped her survive all these years of isolation and solitude? Wasn't that what made her teach Mew and send her out to find Mewtwo? So, so what harm would it do now? None.

Mew stared at Mewtwo in shock. Sure, she'd been hoping to hear those words, but expecting to hear and actually hearing them were two different things! She struggled to find something to say, but could not. Her silence was making Mewtwo terribly uncomfortable. *She does consider you, Mewtwo. I know she does. I can see it in her eyes when she looks at you.* Asha felt herself blush as she realized how perceptive the little Mew really was. *I've seen it in the way she stands close to you, mostly like she wants your attention, but you always back off before she can say anything. That tells her that you don't want her. She doesn't care if you're younger than her, you're actually the same age, since years don't really matter, so long as you are both on the same level as the other. Which you are, both of you are of the same species, what else should matter. There is no one else for you or for her, there is no need, the two of you are perfect together.* Mew told him in a matter-of-fact way. He couldn't help but to smile. The little Mew was very persuasive.

*Than do you think if I ask her, she'll consider me? Do you think it'd be a wise move!?* Mewtwo asked, he felt strange with confiding in someone as little and as young as her, but she knew more about Asha than another living creature.

Asha couldn't help but to smile herself, he was talking about asking her! That was enough to make her have to hold back an involuntary chirp of joy, she had to cover her mouth with a paw in order to keep it in. Please! Oh please! Mew tell him what you already know! She begged the little Mew silently, praying that she'd give him the proper advise.

*Yes, I think you should tell her, it would be for the best, if you got this out in the open that the two of you could stop dancing around the subject like it would kill you. I know that I haven't been here for the winter, but if I had been, I already know what I would have seen. The two of you speaking occasionally and than staying clear the rest of the time, dancing around when one or the other wanted to tell the other how he felt. Am I right?* She asked, Mewtwo remained silently, but nodded his agreement to her accusation. Suddenly filled with guilt for the fifth time in a row. *That's what I thought, but you shouldn't let that bother you, I know that it has been, but it's not expected of you to be perfect all the time. Asha is only perfect all the time because she has had the time and experience to be so, besides, when she doesn't want to bother with anything, she just leaves or gets upset and makes everyone avoid her. That's her way, you already have a taste of that, when she gets so unapproachable that you just want to be either scared or mad and leave her be. That's exactly what you're suppose to feel when she does that. And she's really good at it sometimes.* Mew said with a little giggle, the sound was so pleasant on his ears that it made him smile along with her humor.

*Yes, she can be quite the charmer sometimes, can't she?* Mewtwo stated, than Mew added.

*As can you. I remember how upset and unreasonable you were when I first met you. You were so defensive about being a clone that it nearly killed us all. I certainly hope that time with Asha has cleared all of that up.* Mewtwo only nodded, than the silence fell over them.

Asha became aware of the silence and that the two of them were listening to each other's breathing and sounds, she also became painfully aware that the wind was changing course and that her scent would soon reach Mewtwo. When that moment came, he'd know that she was there. She held her breath, and began looking for a way to get out of this delicate situation. The only way was to leave the way she'd came, but that was equally risky, she'd be moving against the wind, and he'd definitely pick up her scent then. Either way, he'd find her out, but if she left now and landed about a few miles away, continued her hunting, perhaps she could use that as a cover for her scent.

The thought gave her enough hope to try for it. She spread her wings and stretched them carefully, than lifted herself off the ground when the next breeze of air came by, the others squinted against the harder breeze and Mew looked at Mewtwo with a small smile, he only nodded and looked back in the direction the breeze had come from. *I know. When do you think I should approach her?* He asked Mew, she smiled and floated closer to him.

Asha had been hunting for nearly ten minutes, but each time she tried to catch something, her distracting thoughts of Mewtwo interrupted her hunt and made her lose her target. She'd curse and set a new one, but it wasn't working. Ok girl, you need to clear you thoughts of him. It isn't going to do you any good to think of it anymore, he'll come when he's ready. Maybe the wind never did change it's course, maybe it was all in your imagination? She tried to tell herself, but she shook her head. Who was she kidding? She'd been alive and hunted long enough to be able to feel a wind shift long before it took place and to know how long before her scent would be in the air and her prey would know she was there. And the wind shift was definitely changing, Mewtwo would have caught her scent by know. He's probably aware that I heard at least part of what he said and is so embarrassed that he's never going to look at me again. I'll probably never hear his voice again. Asha was thinking as she spotted a young Taurus over by the riverbed, drinking deeply in the already warming temperatures.

She tried to clear her mind, to force the thoughts of Mewtwo away and to focus on her hunt. She crouched down on all fours, and for once, she became painfully aware of how meaningless this way of hunting really was. Why did she hunt like this? Did she not have the ability to kill with a thought? So why was she hunting in this fashion?

Once more, her hesitation cost another kill. The Taurus looked up and over into the trees where she was hidden, after seeing her eyes reflect the light, he bolted. Asha made a futile effort to catch it, but stopped after ten feet of running, she looked down at her reflection and sighed. *Nothing is ever easy. . .* She muttered softly, watching her image in the reflection, her wings were hidden once more for best movement through the dense forest and small narrows.

*You're right about that.* Mewtwo said softly from across the river, she jumped so violently that her wings unraveled and flared to her sides.

*You! What. . .what are you doing here?!* She demanded, than became aware of his expression and hid her wings in sudden shame.

*I. . .followed you here. . .* Mewtwo said brokenly as he stared at her.

She fidgeted under his scrutiny and swallowed hard against her sudden fear of rejection. With each movement of his eyes, she tried all the harder to fold her wings hard against her back and hide them, but that was more than impossible, the sheer size of them made them seem unreal.

Wings! Mewtwo thought with a surge of adrenalin, they made her seem a little over packed, but they were beautiful on her, although he didn't need to be told that they were probably just as lethal. *You. . .ah. . .have wings.* He muttered softly, barely realizing that he sounded almost disgusted.

She flinched back as though he'd hit her. *Yes. . .but I can't help it.* She whimpered to him, cowering down on the ground like he'd strike her for it.

Mewtwo blinked at her in confusion and shook his head. *I'm not going to hurt you. I think they're very beautiful. They make you seem more unique. . .* He realized his mistake the second it came out. His words of praise had made her raise back up, but the last caused her to cringe back.

*Unique. Different, unlike you.* She whispered so softly, that if it weren't for his exquisite hearing he'd not have caught it.

*That's not true. It may be something that only the female's have. It doesn't mean that you're the only one. Perhaps I will with time. . .* She looked at him and blinked back her tears.

But she still said nothing, instead, she just stood there like a frightened child. Mewtwo stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, she froze for a moment, unsure what to do. Than relaxed against his warm body, and snuggled closer. It felt good to be in another's arms, but his embrace was different this time, not like those times in the cave during the winter, this time it had genuine warmth and passion in it, his paw stroked her back softly, rubbing over the small spotted strips she had. She felt a purr arise involuntarily. He laughed and looked at her in the eyes with a compassion he'd never showed her before. *There's something I need to tell you. . .* He said softly to her, she felt her heart skip a beat and her mind lose control. Thoughts skimmed from nowhere trying to think of what he might say next. *I'm in love with you. I always have been, can you forgive me for being so arrogant and not to admit to it and to tell you any sooner?* She smiled slightly, than broader, until she felt her face muscles pull painfully and tears streaming down her face.

*Yes, I can forgive you!* Was all she could choke out as she clung to him tightly.

He smiled against her shoulder and rubbed her back affectionately, and sighed deeply, finally, he'd gotten the response from her that he'd always wanted to see. A smile. A real smile. *Thank you, my love. Thank you.* He whispered to her as she clung to him tighter.