Chapter 3
Jou had been staying with the Amanos for some time now, about two weeks or so. He still observed intently, though now his subject was Makato. Some thing wasn't quite right about him. He had his arm back, certainly, yet it looked far too ... too real. As if it weren't grown in the lab, or a synthetic replacement. This aroused Jou's suspicion. Even though he was having problems hiding his illness (coughing some blood here and there, and parasites, and other strange things), he found a way to search Makato's room after a while. The Boss was out, with his wife, to a meeting out some where beyond Kanto. Perhaps even beyond Johto. Mason was asleep, as it was early in the morning. Jou slunk through the darkness of the quiet building, until he found the boss's dorm.
"Hm. He's using our father's old room. Interesting. Inheritance, perhaps?" Jou snickered to himself. Had he stayed, had he not left Team Rocket behind him twenty-eight years ago, he would have been boss. Even though he was younger than Makato by eight years, and a rank below him, the will had not been changed. Jou shrugged. Giovanni must have been lazy about that. Since Makato never bothered to look for Ryan (he knew full well that the latter was an immortal), he decided to let live the rumours that Ryan was dead, and took the throne. Only the doctor Ishihara Ichiro would know better, but he was in no position to say any thing contrary. And, it wasn't like him to question the boss. So, Jou, better known to others as young Hoshiko Ryan Sakaki, was roaming around. Looking for answers. He carefully searched Makato's room, being very careful not to move or touch any thing with his hands. He also made sure he took the form of some low life grunt, in case the security cameras were on. No one would contest the possibility that the strange grunt would be spying on the boss. Jou/Ryan would go free. He reached the bath, and glanced at the medicine cabinet.
"Hm... I was once offered a chemical to keep me in human form... I wonder, Makato, what you've been up to. You would wish that I find only the usual items for any middle aged human." Jou waved his hand, motioning the door to open. Inside, were mostly all the usual assortment of medicines, supplies, and so on, except for a large orange container. Jou levitated the cylindrical container to him, and examined the label. Jou's face darkened, and twisted into an angry scowl.
"So... he's decided he wants to match me... But, he's choosing to hide what he's turned himself into..." Jou snatched the container from the air, and pocketed it. "Coward..." Jou snarled, then teleported from the room. He arrived in his and Mason's room, and immediately changed back to his Jou form. He coughed, wiped the blood from his mouth. At least the parasites were subsiding in their attacks, as he was able to bathe now. He also had stolen some of the medicine from the infirmary. Jou glanced around for a place to hide the medicine, then decided to keep it with him at all times, so no one could search the room and find it. And, so no one would see him put it anywhere. He was sure that there were cameras in every room. Jou glanced at Mason, who was asleep in his bed. Jou sighed, and went to his cot near by. He needed to get some more sleep, even if only for the next few hours. He wondered when Makato would notice his pills were gone. How long would it take for his true form to show? Any way, Makato and Mariana would be back the coming afternoon. Jou tried to calm himself, as he was nervous, and also excited to find what would happen. It just occurred to him that Makato would just get another prescription filled, when he saw that his present one was missing. Jou grumbled, changed form, and teleported for the pharmacy. The pharmacy was near the laboratory, and since it was always swamped in projects, it would take weeks or months before they could fill a request from the pharmacy. Jou smirked.
"All I need to do is swipe the supply from the pharmacy. Then, the back up supply in the laboratory. Easy." Jou slunk through the pharmacy and destroyed the supply. He simply willed the pills to evaporate. Then he headed for the lab. He took the form for his clothing of the lab personnel, so no one would look at him too much. Just a new technician, they would think.
Ishihara Ichiro was working until the early morning hours as usual, this time trying to over see some of the work of the other nurses. He had made it to head doctor rank now, and didn't have to do so much running around and dealing with ungrateful officers or grunts. Now, he just had to deal with nervous, tired, angry and disgruntled nurses, or other doctors. At least they could see that their boss was working just as hard as them, since he still received patients in addition to working with them. He was stalking down the hall in the drug supply area of the lab, making sure that there were enough back-up supplies for the pharmacy and other areas of the building. He spied a young man who he didn't recognize searching through the different shelves, looking intently for some thing. Ichiro quirked an eyebrow and stalked up to the young man. He looked like a young grunt that had been hired a week ago, though he was wearing the lab uniform instead of the usual white or black of the grunt's uniform.
Jou was so intent on finding the medicine that he didn't notice the presence in the room, the presence that was hovering behind him. A very familiar presence.
"Young man... what are you doing in here? I know all of the personnel in the laboratory and all of the medical offices. And, I do not recall you being hired for any of these departments. I do know that you were hired for the pokemon capture department. Like many. What do you think you are doing here?" Ichiro smiled as the boy started, and stared at him wide eyed. His eyes flickered black to purple, then back to the grunt's eye colour again. Ichiro raised an eyebrow. "... Who are you??"
Jou almost did not recognize Ichiro when he saw him. The man whom he had once loved had aged considerably since he had last seen him. Ichiro had been thirty-nine, and Ryan thirty-seven. Ichiro had never been able to retain a healthy and rested state, since he was constantly around the sick, or the injured, and often with out any sleep what with the lack of nurses and caretakers in the Team Rocket infirmary. As ever, Ichiro's eyes were darkened, ringed with exhaustion. His skin was as sallow and pale as ever, and his hair just as unkempt and greasy as before, though with some streaks of grey and silver. However, his face was lined and looked even more tired and sorrowful than he had. Jou just came to recognize the strong, yet thin face that was smirking at him. His guard fell, and Jou smiled in relief. He forgot that he was in disguise.
"I-I-Ichiro! I haven't seen you in such a long time! Don't you recog... oh... right..." Jou suddenly realized that he was in disguise, and quickly changed into his true human form to let Ichiro see who he was. Ichiro turned greyish, then composed himself slightly.
"What has happened to you, Ryan?? Why haven't you come to the infirmary?" Ichiro sputtered as he saw how Ryan looked, how he had fared in the past ten years since he had seen him. Ryan stood before Ichiro, his once proud red uniform torn, filthy, and otherwise in ruins. His hair was long, tangled and filthy as the rest of him, his body was covered in sores, scars and wounds. And filth. He looked as if his skin was barely slung on him, as his bones could clearly be seen poking through his sallow skin. His tail was ragged, mangy and too weak to be held up any more. His eyes were dulled, and looked more like clouded lavender disks, flat and death like. Ryan coughed, and held a skeletal arm up to catch the blood. Ichiro could feel his face had contorted into an expression of horror and disgust. Ryan looked away in shame.
"I'm sorry... I really have tried to keep my self up... and I still do ... it just won't go away... I can't clean my hair, or my self... I'm too ashamed from this though... I'm too weak from trying to uphold a false form, that I haven't the strength or energy any more to ...." Ryan shuffled towards Ichiro, swaying some. Ichiro backed some from Ryan. Ryan saw the fear and disgust in Ichiro's eyes, and stopped. "You asked why I was here... I found that Makato has altered his blood. He made himself a hybrid, like me. I cannot accept his decision to do that. He has made himself into a creature that cannot be accepted by any one or thing in existence. He is a creature with no place in this world. On top of that, he hides his new, true form with medicine. He is a coward. He changed himself into a monster to vanquish me if I came back, and he hides his monstrosity from others with a chemical. I was born a hybrid. I had no choice. I didn't choose to mutate. I didn't choose to live as an obvious freak. I didn't choose my fate. That had been chosen for me. I decided to live as I was. I embraced what I was, even though with much difficulty. I didn't choose to hide my tail, or my hair, or my hands, or my feet. I let others see what I was, and I let them choose how they would react. I know I tried to kill my self for what I was several times, and I am ashamed. I have come to terms with my self now, and I have also come to claim what is mine. I also wish for Makato to show himself and to accept himself. His family loves him enough that they would accept him. He has nothing to fear." Ryan swayed somewhere he stood. He still stared at the floor, then took up his disguise again. Some strength of being in the form of a healthy human came to him, and let him continue his search. Ichiro watched Jou for a while, then sighed.
"Ryan... if you need any help, I will be here for you. Also, the medicine you are looking for is in bin DN-567. I'll take care of the rest. Ryan... do you intend to fight Makato, as he will wish to do when he finds you out?" Ichiro looked worried. Jou looked up, and shrugged. "Ryan, you aren't strong enough. He'll destroy you! You need to recover!" Jou shook his head.
"He may have a pokemon form now, but he is not a practiced fighter. I have been observing him. He does not practice his moves, he barely realizes what he can and cannot do. He is too absorbed with his position as boss. I have had years of practice. I have had use of my psychic powers since I was a toddler. I have fought since I was young. Also, I have found my true form. I can also feel that I can evolve again soon. Ichiro... don't worry too much about me." Jou smiled, and went back to his work. He found the bin, and quickly willed the pills to vaporize. "Now. I must return to bed before I am missed. Good-bye, Ichiro. I must confess... I have missed you so much... and I still love you. Though, I am sure that by now you have found your mate." Jou smiled warmly. Ichiro shook his head.
"Ryan... I still live alone. I have not forgotten you... Ryan... I also... feel the same." Ichiro blushed, and turned away. Jou smiled, and then teleported. Ichiro sighed, and set off to complete the task. Soon, Ichiro could have his Ryan back with him again. If he could win against Makato.
Makato was nervous. He was growing angry and scared. His medicine was gone. He called the pharmacy, and found that they had run out of the pills. The lab had no back up supply. All of the pills seemed to have disappeared. The formula was missing. The chemicals that normally would be mixed were destroyed. Makato slumped against his desk, furious and frightened. He knew that if he went even 2 hours with out taking his medicine, he would quickly begin to mutate. He then became aware of some voices outside. Mason and his friend Jou. Mason and Ryan in his sickening disguise. He waved his hand for the door to open. It creaked weakly, and then opened with some effort. He scowled. Even when Ryan was only a child he could have done this so easily. Mason and Jou were surprised.
"Tousan? Did you need us for something?" Mason looked at his father with much surprise and question. Jou remained silent. Makato scowled.
"I wish to speak with Jou. Mason, wait for him in your room, or in the gym or out side or so. I won't keep him long." Makato forced a smile. His son looked uneasy, but he consented and scurried off to his room.
"I'll be in our room, okay Jou? Seeyah!" And thus Mason left. Makato waved for the door to shut, and it creaked lazily on its hinges before Jou rolled his eyes and slammed it with a slight twitch of his fingers. Makato turned red in embarrassment. His little brother was showing him that he was no match in psychic prowess.
"Ryan. I know it's you. You can't hide from me. And, I see you wish to expose me, don't you? Why are you doing this Ryan? Or are you just as insane as you have always been? Only seeking to hurt others to bring your self joy and satisfaction of revenge for those who hurt you? Still the childish brat you've always been, aren't you? You are forty-seven years old, Ryan. You are far too old for these games. We both are. WHY DON'T YOU DIE??? To the world, the rest of the world, to any one who KNEW you, you DIED!! You've been dead for years! Why don't you crawl back where you came from Ryan?? Back to those damned mountains you were supposed to have died in! LEAVE ME!!" Makato was shrieking at this point, yet Jou's face remained passive.
"Makato. You have changed. Why? You used to be a very kind, thoughtful and caring man. Now, you are a revenge bent mad man. Why? I am sorry for everything I ever said in ill to you, and I beg your forgiveness for the loss of your arm." Ryan bowed low enough that he was prostrated to Makato. Makato snorted. To him, Ryan's sincere apology meant nothing. He didn't trust Ryan at all. "Makato. You are my elder brother, and I seek you for council. I also ask why you have destroyed your self for hatred of me."
"You were always looking for an excuse to kill as a child. What's to say that you would change? I needed to stand a chance against you if you ever came looking for a fight." Jou frowned.
"I don't believe you. Makato. Why can't you admit you did this for revenge for something that could have easily been replaced with the advanced medical technology of our day. No, you chose to make your self into a monster. Makato, you haven't even trained! You are at a low level, even I, as sick and infested as I am now, as weakened as I have become, you can't hope to stand a chance against me! My level is far superior to yours! Makato, I don't want to fight you any way! You are my brother!" Makato, who was already beginning to mutate, snarled.
"LIAR! My being your brother never stopped you before! You always wanted me dead!"
"I didn't know that we were related!"
"You did when you ripped off my arm and left me for dead in the forest!!" Makato smirked, though his face was changing, stretching. Wincing, trying not to show the incredible pain he was in, Makato leaned over on his desk, trying to defy the horrible pain he was in as his body was deforming its self to become something else. Jou watched calmly as Makato whimpered and wailed, as his clothing tore, as fur sprouted all over him, as his nails turned to claws, and then as Makato screamed in pain, collapsing onto the desk, shaking horribly. Jou watched on, then ran to the doors, and cried for help. That something was wrong with the boss. That he was screaming. In pain. Mason and Mariana came running, flanked by some grunts who had also heard all of the screams. Jou had his face contorted in fear, crying, terror, confusion. He wailed, and clung to Mariana.
"TOUSAN!!! What's going on?? What's wrong?? TOUSAN!!!" Mason screamed in horror as he saw his father helpless, changing into a monstrosity. His body was covered in reddish brown fur, his face was like that of an alakazam, with some horn like things on his forehead, all three horns a light brown in colour. His limbs and body were long, and thin. He also had no tail. He had some red stripes on his body, but they were few. Gasping, Makato settled himself in his chair. He looked up, his eyes bloodshot. He saw Ryan in his Jou form clinging to Mariana like a frightened child. Looking for sympathy and protection. Mason ran to his father, and tried to ask him what happened, when Makato let a surge of psychic power fly, hitting Jou.
"AHH! Jou! Are you ok? Makato! Why did you do that???" Mariana screamed and tried to help Jou. Makato levitated Jou into the air, and threw him against the wall. Jou began to whimper in fear and pain. Makato knew that it was all show, though.
"Now, now you have me revealed! SHOW YOUR SELF, COWARD!!! Or do wish to hide your self in this false form?? RYAN! Show us your disgraceful face once more! Let us see the wretch that should have died eight-teen years ago!!" Makato leapt over his desk and stood over Jou's cowering form.
"Tousan, leave him alone! You have to be making a big mistake! He's just a kid, he, he's my friend, he's not this other guy you're talking about! Tousan! Stop!" Makato turned to his son.
"Don't interfere. I don't want you to be hurt! This ... MONSTER who is cowering here is no boy, he's no pure human, either! He's a hybrid, a dangerous, insane man who only wants to destroy us! SHOW YOUR SELF!!!" Makato leered at Jou, growing angrier as Jou only sobbed and curled away.
"Please, sir, you, you, you must listen to Mason. I'm not the man you think I am! I'm just a kid... please!" Jou's eyes, dead as they were, had a hint of emotion in them. Makato felt him use his telepathy to tell him to not force him to show his true form in front of Mason. Ryan had no wish to hurt his nephew. The boy would be mortified to find that the supposedly insane uncle of his that he had researched so much on was indeed the boy who had befriended him, was indeed deceiving him, using him, and here to destroy his father.
"Makato! Please, the boy is frightened! You must be mistaken! Ryan died, he is dead! You know that! You are only angry for what he did to you nearly thirty years ago! You can't keep hanging on to hatred like that! Makato, please! Stop this!" Jou could feel himself weakening. He wanted to end this. He wanted to just get on with it all.
"SILENCE!!! Both of you have been blinded by this demon! I cannot stand to see either of you risk being hurt by him! He has already shown his treachery! It could only be he that destroyed all of my medicine, to force me to change into this form! He means to kill us, destroy us all! He means to take over! He's a monster!" Makato hoisted Jou up by his shirt, and slammed him into the wall behind him. "Damn it, Ryan! You can't keep up hiding forever!" Mason and Mariana started trying to drag and pry Makato from Jou, when Jou relented. Mason was sobbing and pleading with Makato to leave his friend be, when Jou snapped.
"ENOUGH!!! I can't take their pain any more! You have me, Makato! Put me down, put me down, don't make them any more miserable watching this! As much as I hate what I have to do... I must... Mason... Mariana... please, forgive me... Forgive Makato, he knew who I was from the first time he saw me. And I knew he knew. I'm sorry I ever came back... But I couldn't take how Makato defiled, destroyed himself. I couldn't bear his blind hatred any more... He doesn't understand what it really means to be a hybrid..." Jou sobbed, then changed back into his true form. All three were shocked. Even Makato was at a loss for words. He expected to see Ryan as he had always remembered him, the small and powerful hybrid son of Sakaki Giovanni. The proud and brash whelp who ran from home and life so many times. Instead, all they saw before them was the emaciated, diseased and infested man that Ryan had become. His breathing was coming in ragged breaths. He couldn't hold his human form for too long. He would have to revert to his ultimately pure form of his pokemon form. And then, he was soon to evolve. Ryan, ashamed, looked up at Mariana and Mason. He saw the shock and horror that registered on their faces, the disgust and terror not unlike what Ichiro had first expressed to him when they met again.
"Ryan... what has happened to you??" Makato was still in disbelief, staring at the pathetic creature before him. Ryan stared at him with his dead eyes.
"First... I must digress into my true form... I am too weak to remain in this one..." Ryan shuddered, then transformed into his pokemon form. In Ryan's place stood a sombre, mewtwoish creature that had a shock of red hair on its head. The creature snarled at Makato, then shone again. Makato's eyes went wide, as well did Mason's and Marianna's. The creature was evolving. It grew taller, from five eight to seven two. It became a pale, grey colour. Its head became long and oblong, like a sweet pickle. Horns, black and pronged, rose from its head, just above its eyes. Black markings as a pidgeys were below its eyes, and stubby long horns were on its shoulders as guards. Its thin body became wider at the hips for its large legs that were like mewtwo's, with the same feet and build, but a bit bonier and knobbier. His tail swished behind him, lavender and strong, albeit a bit bony. Wings were upon his back, large, hook thumbed wings, as a charizard's wings. Horns protruded from the elbows, and its arms were proportionate and thin, bony. Lavender eyes glared back at Makato. Makato understood now, what Ryan had meant. He could feel the power of the creature wavering, but still extremely powerful.
"RYAN! I see that you have evolved, again. You must now be fully evolved. You could possibly be at a very high level. I still see fit that I fend you off from here, that I fight you to protect my family!"
"Makato, you only wish to fight to get revenge. If you have concern for your family, it certainly doesn't come before your revenge. You showed no consideration for them earlier. You used their misery and fear to push me to give in to you. This most likely proves that I care more for them than you. Shameful. Aren't I supposed to be the monster? Aren't I supposed to be the scapegoat?" Makato's hackles rose, growling low.
"You would say any thing to take the blame off your self. You are no better than your friend Ishihara Ichiro. Both of you are sneaky and untrustworthy. I'll wager that he helped you, didn't he? Only he would know the lab well enough to do what you did."
"He has no reason to betray you, and I know this building, its workings and the system it runs by better than you think. Better than you. I grew up here. And, I have spent plenty of my time and life in the laboratory and the areas surrounding." Makato went silent. Ryan continued. "Makato. Our father told you about my creation. Told us both. We also figured out that I was immortal, along with that my twin sister must still be alive somewhere. Our Tousan's will, I found, had not been changed since the birth of my sister and me. The first in line for the leadership of Team Rocket was Hokoriko Rina. Then, me. Last of all, if worst came to worst, you. You never bothered to search for either me or my sister, knowing full well that we were both still alive, as we cannot die by most means. You let live the rumours that Hokoriko and I were dead. So, you inherited every thing." Ryan narrowed his eyes. He could see that Makato was going to attack him soon. "The rightful leader of Team Rocket is my sister. Except that she works for the police now, am I correct? But all may be convinced... So. Because of your fear, because of your jealousy, Team Rocket is suffering under the lead of a coward. If you wish, to satiate your hunger for revenge, attack me if you wish. Fight me. Pretend that you are only just protecting your family when you know you are only fighting to save your self and to gain vengeance. Fight your opponent, who is sick and not at his full potential. Fight me in my weakened state. It doesn't matter. You cannot win. It is a sheer difference of experience and levels. If it helps you, let's get this over with. Away, though, from Mason-kun and Mariana-chan. I do not wish for them to be hurt." Makato was boiling with fury, and couldn't contain it any more. Ryan bowed to him, though did not lower his head. Makato stiffly did the same, as it was custom. Mariana did all she could to hold Mason back, and to comfort him at the same time. They both stared at the two creatures that were about to fight. Makato glared at Ryan.
"You do remember where the gym is, ne?" Ryan nodded. "Then, let us battle there. It is only fitting." Makato sneered, then teleported away. Ryan did the same, with out the scowl. He looked as dead and passive as ever. Mariana felt sick, as she knew what the out come would probably be. Ryan had never before let an opponent or victim live, save Makato the day he tore off his arm. Any grunts that remained in the area ran off to watch the fight. Mason fought with his mother to let him go to the gym to see if he could help his father in any way.
In the gym, Makato and Ryan had already started. Ryan's movement was sluggish and stuttering, while Makato was swift and alert. However, Makato's hits meant nothing to Ryan, as he couldn't hit Ryan very hard. For a pokemon of Makato's level, he was incredibly powerful. However, so was Ryan for his level, and his level far dwarfed Makato's. Whenever Ryan actually got Makato in his energy blasts, or the path of his tail, Makato felt as if he had been by the magnet train, or at least about twenty of them. Makato could feel that he was running out of energy quickly, as he had used so many recovers, so many attacks, and he knew that if Ryan hit him just once more, he would have no way to recover. No way to escape. And Ryan could kill him and win, like that. Ryan was looking extremely tired and worn out from the battle, however.
"Perhaps I have a chance... if he makes a mistake... I could get him to charge me, and then teleport out of the way, so he crashes, hurting himself..." Makato's mind raced as Ryan lumbered towards him. Makato stood stock still, waiting. Ryan muttered darkly about stupidity, then teleported to the air above Makato. Makato was surprised, and knocked to the ground with Ryan's huge form. Pinned, Makato could not move. He was completely at Ryan's mercy.
"So. I could kill you now, you know." Ryan stared down at his brother with dead eyes. Makato tried to free himself, futilely trying to bite and scratch Ryan. Makato tried struggling, he tried to push Ryan off, all to no avail. Ryan's only response was that of digging his toe claws into Makato's chest.
"If you are going to kill me, get it over with! Bastard!" Ryan blinked.
"I have no desire to kill you. And, may I remind you that it is you who is the bastard? You never wanted to acknowledge Sakaki as your father. You call your self an Amano. You have rejected the Sakaki family as your own. So, in respect, I will not recognize you as my brother. But, with the respect I have for you now, since you are ... were a human, and you were my brother, I will not kill you." Ryan lightly leapt off of Makato. Taking him by his neck, Ryan dragged Makato to the door. The night sky was dark, clouded. So much time had passed since Makato had arrived home that day in the late afternoon. Makato quietly licked some blood from the corner of his mouth. Ryan tossed Makato out onto the ground and coughed for a while, before he spoke.
"Makato. You have no place here, any more. You've shamed both families. Makato, you are no longer who you were before. You aren't Makato; you are something, someone else. I think you need time to find who or what you are, really. You need the time to think. Please, for your own and others sake, leave here and wander, travel, build your own new home, and contemplate everything. Train your self. Hell, train your self to fight better, or to use your psy abilities better, or something! I will stay here to serve as boss until Hokoriko can be located and offered the position. I promise to watch over Mason and Mariana. I won't hurt them, right? They are safe with me." Ryan bowed to Makato again, then beckoned him to leave. Ryan watched Makato leave, then went back to his human form. Ryan looked up at the balcony over looking the gym, and saw Mason standing there, his face angry. Ryan stared back at the boy, then felt rather light-headed. He knew he should sit, but the grizzled blackness crept upon the edges, then the entirety of Ryan's vision, and he blacked out. Mason had only just gotten to the gym, and was wondering what had happened in the battle. From the looks of it, it could very well be a draw. A grunt that had sneaked into the gym past the guards asked Mason about what had been going on.
"I don't really know. I just got here, and from what it looks like, my Tousan is probably no more. Hopefully, oji-san will die from the fight. He just passed out." The door behind them opened, and Mariana came running in, followed by Ichiro and some EMT.
"Kaasan! What are you here for?" Mason ran to his mother. Mariana looked around, and over the balcony before she responded. Ichiro shooed the EMT to the lower gym area.
"Where's Makato? Mason, where's your Otousan?"
"I don't know... when I got here, he was gone... and Jou-- I mean oji-san, had turned back into a ...human-like thing, looked at me, then passed out. I don't know what happened. I'm sorry, Kaasan..." Mason hung his head, somehow feeling it was his fault that he didn't arrive in time to see what happened to his father. Mariana looked over the balcony again, and saw the EMT putting Ryan carefully on a stretcher. Ichiro had slunk up behind them, and was watching quietly.
"Will either of you be expected to ever visit him? He could very well go into suspended animation, and I do not know how long it takes to get out, if one goes into it." His question was greeted with silence. Ichiro growled, then stalked out.
Jou had been staying with the Amanos for some time now, about two weeks or so. He still observed intently, though now his subject was Makato. Some thing wasn't quite right about him. He had his arm back, certainly, yet it looked far too ... too real. As if it weren't grown in the lab, or a synthetic replacement. This aroused Jou's suspicion. Even though he was having problems hiding his illness (coughing some blood here and there, and parasites, and other strange things), he found a way to search Makato's room after a while. The Boss was out, with his wife, to a meeting out some where beyond Kanto. Perhaps even beyond Johto. Mason was asleep, as it was early in the morning. Jou slunk through the darkness of the quiet building, until he found the boss's dorm.
"Hm. He's using our father's old room. Interesting. Inheritance, perhaps?" Jou snickered to himself. Had he stayed, had he not left Team Rocket behind him twenty-eight years ago, he would have been boss. Even though he was younger than Makato by eight years, and a rank below him, the will had not been changed. Jou shrugged. Giovanni must have been lazy about that. Since Makato never bothered to look for Ryan (he knew full well that the latter was an immortal), he decided to let live the rumours that Ryan was dead, and took the throne. Only the doctor Ishihara Ichiro would know better, but he was in no position to say any thing contrary. And, it wasn't like him to question the boss. So, Jou, better known to others as young Hoshiko Ryan Sakaki, was roaming around. Looking for answers. He carefully searched Makato's room, being very careful not to move or touch any thing with his hands. He also made sure he took the form of some low life grunt, in case the security cameras were on. No one would contest the possibility that the strange grunt would be spying on the boss. Jou/Ryan would go free. He reached the bath, and glanced at the medicine cabinet.
"Hm... I was once offered a chemical to keep me in human form... I wonder, Makato, what you've been up to. You would wish that I find only the usual items for any middle aged human." Jou waved his hand, motioning the door to open. Inside, were mostly all the usual assortment of medicines, supplies, and so on, except for a large orange container. Jou levitated the cylindrical container to him, and examined the label. Jou's face darkened, and twisted into an angry scowl.
"So... he's decided he wants to match me... But, he's choosing to hide what he's turned himself into..." Jou snatched the container from the air, and pocketed it. "Coward..." Jou snarled, then teleported from the room. He arrived in his and Mason's room, and immediately changed back to his Jou form. He coughed, wiped the blood from his mouth. At least the parasites were subsiding in their attacks, as he was able to bathe now. He also had stolen some of the medicine from the infirmary. Jou glanced around for a place to hide the medicine, then decided to keep it with him at all times, so no one could search the room and find it. And, so no one would see him put it anywhere. He was sure that there were cameras in every room. Jou glanced at Mason, who was asleep in his bed. Jou sighed, and went to his cot near by. He needed to get some more sleep, even if only for the next few hours. He wondered when Makato would notice his pills were gone. How long would it take for his true form to show? Any way, Makato and Mariana would be back the coming afternoon. Jou tried to calm himself, as he was nervous, and also excited to find what would happen. It just occurred to him that Makato would just get another prescription filled, when he saw that his present one was missing. Jou grumbled, changed form, and teleported for the pharmacy. The pharmacy was near the laboratory, and since it was always swamped in projects, it would take weeks or months before they could fill a request from the pharmacy. Jou smirked.
"All I need to do is swipe the supply from the pharmacy. Then, the back up supply in the laboratory. Easy." Jou slunk through the pharmacy and destroyed the supply. He simply willed the pills to evaporate. Then he headed for the lab. He took the form for his clothing of the lab personnel, so no one would look at him too much. Just a new technician, they would think.
Ishihara Ichiro was working until the early morning hours as usual, this time trying to over see some of the work of the other nurses. He had made it to head doctor rank now, and didn't have to do so much running around and dealing with ungrateful officers or grunts. Now, he just had to deal with nervous, tired, angry and disgruntled nurses, or other doctors. At least they could see that their boss was working just as hard as them, since he still received patients in addition to working with them. He was stalking down the hall in the drug supply area of the lab, making sure that there were enough back-up supplies for the pharmacy and other areas of the building. He spied a young man who he didn't recognize searching through the different shelves, looking intently for some thing. Ichiro quirked an eyebrow and stalked up to the young man. He looked like a young grunt that had been hired a week ago, though he was wearing the lab uniform instead of the usual white or black of the grunt's uniform.
Jou was so intent on finding the medicine that he didn't notice the presence in the room, the presence that was hovering behind him. A very familiar presence.
"Young man... what are you doing in here? I know all of the personnel in the laboratory and all of the medical offices. And, I do not recall you being hired for any of these departments. I do know that you were hired for the pokemon capture department. Like many. What do you think you are doing here?" Ichiro smiled as the boy started, and stared at him wide eyed. His eyes flickered black to purple, then back to the grunt's eye colour again. Ichiro raised an eyebrow. "... Who are you??"
Jou almost did not recognize Ichiro when he saw him. The man whom he had once loved had aged considerably since he had last seen him. Ichiro had been thirty-nine, and Ryan thirty-seven. Ichiro had never been able to retain a healthy and rested state, since he was constantly around the sick, or the injured, and often with out any sleep what with the lack of nurses and caretakers in the Team Rocket infirmary. As ever, Ichiro's eyes were darkened, ringed with exhaustion. His skin was as sallow and pale as ever, and his hair just as unkempt and greasy as before, though with some streaks of grey and silver. However, his face was lined and looked even more tired and sorrowful than he had. Jou just came to recognize the strong, yet thin face that was smirking at him. His guard fell, and Jou smiled in relief. He forgot that he was in disguise.
"I-I-Ichiro! I haven't seen you in such a long time! Don't you recog... oh... right..." Jou suddenly realized that he was in disguise, and quickly changed into his true human form to let Ichiro see who he was. Ichiro turned greyish, then composed himself slightly.
"What has happened to you, Ryan?? Why haven't you come to the infirmary?" Ichiro sputtered as he saw how Ryan looked, how he had fared in the past ten years since he had seen him. Ryan stood before Ichiro, his once proud red uniform torn, filthy, and otherwise in ruins. His hair was long, tangled and filthy as the rest of him, his body was covered in sores, scars and wounds. And filth. He looked as if his skin was barely slung on him, as his bones could clearly be seen poking through his sallow skin. His tail was ragged, mangy and too weak to be held up any more. His eyes were dulled, and looked more like clouded lavender disks, flat and death like. Ryan coughed, and held a skeletal arm up to catch the blood. Ichiro could feel his face had contorted into an expression of horror and disgust. Ryan looked away in shame.
"I'm sorry... I really have tried to keep my self up... and I still do ... it just won't go away... I can't clean my hair, or my self... I'm too ashamed from this though... I'm too weak from trying to uphold a false form, that I haven't the strength or energy any more to ...." Ryan shuffled towards Ichiro, swaying some. Ichiro backed some from Ryan. Ryan saw the fear and disgust in Ichiro's eyes, and stopped. "You asked why I was here... I found that Makato has altered his blood. He made himself a hybrid, like me. I cannot accept his decision to do that. He has made himself into a creature that cannot be accepted by any one or thing in existence. He is a creature with no place in this world. On top of that, he hides his new, true form with medicine. He is a coward. He changed himself into a monster to vanquish me if I came back, and he hides his monstrosity from others with a chemical. I was born a hybrid. I had no choice. I didn't choose to mutate. I didn't choose to live as an obvious freak. I didn't choose my fate. That had been chosen for me. I decided to live as I was. I embraced what I was, even though with much difficulty. I didn't choose to hide my tail, or my hair, or my hands, or my feet. I let others see what I was, and I let them choose how they would react. I know I tried to kill my self for what I was several times, and I am ashamed. I have come to terms with my self now, and I have also come to claim what is mine. I also wish for Makato to show himself and to accept himself. His family loves him enough that they would accept him. He has nothing to fear." Ryan swayed somewhere he stood. He still stared at the floor, then took up his disguise again. Some strength of being in the form of a healthy human came to him, and let him continue his search. Ichiro watched Jou for a while, then sighed.
"Ryan... if you need any help, I will be here for you. Also, the medicine you are looking for is in bin DN-567. I'll take care of the rest. Ryan... do you intend to fight Makato, as he will wish to do when he finds you out?" Ichiro looked worried. Jou looked up, and shrugged. "Ryan, you aren't strong enough. He'll destroy you! You need to recover!" Jou shook his head.
"He may have a pokemon form now, but he is not a practiced fighter. I have been observing him. He does not practice his moves, he barely realizes what he can and cannot do. He is too absorbed with his position as boss. I have had years of practice. I have had use of my psychic powers since I was a toddler. I have fought since I was young. Also, I have found my true form. I can also feel that I can evolve again soon. Ichiro... don't worry too much about me." Jou smiled, and went back to his work. He found the bin, and quickly willed the pills to vaporize. "Now. I must return to bed before I am missed. Good-bye, Ichiro. I must confess... I have missed you so much... and I still love you. Though, I am sure that by now you have found your mate." Jou smiled warmly. Ichiro shook his head.
"Ryan... I still live alone. I have not forgotten you... Ryan... I also... feel the same." Ichiro blushed, and turned away. Jou smiled, and then teleported. Ichiro sighed, and set off to complete the task. Soon, Ichiro could have his Ryan back with him again. If he could win against Makato.
Makato was nervous. He was growing angry and scared. His medicine was gone. He called the pharmacy, and found that they had run out of the pills. The lab had no back up supply. All of the pills seemed to have disappeared. The formula was missing. The chemicals that normally would be mixed were destroyed. Makato slumped against his desk, furious and frightened. He knew that if he went even 2 hours with out taking his medicine, he would quickly begin to mutate. He then became aware of some voices outside. Mason and his friend Jou. Mason and Ryan in his sickening disguise. He waved his hand for the door to open. It creaked weakly, and then opened with some effort. He scowled. Even when Ryan was only a child he could have done this so easily. Mason and Jou were surprised.
"Tousan? Did you need us for something?" Mason looked at his father with much surprise and question. Jou remained silent. Makato scowled.
"I wish to speak with Jou. Mason, wait for him in your room, or in the gym or out side or so. I won't keep him long." Makato forced a smile. His son looked uneasy, but he consented and scurried off to his room.
"I'll be in our room, okay Jou? Seeyah!" And thus Mason left. Makato waved for the door to shut, and it creaked lazily on its hinges before Jou rolled his eyes and slammed it with a slight twitch of his fingers. Makato turned red in embarrassment. His little brother was showing him that he was no match in psychic prowess.
"Ryan. I know it's you. You can't hide from me. And, I see you wish to expose me, don't you? Why are you doing this Ryan? Or are you just as insane as you have always been? Only seeking to hurt others to bring your self joy and satisfaction of revenge for those who hurt you? Still the childish brat you've always been, aren't you? You are forty-seven years old, Ryan. You are far too old for these games. We both are. WHY DON'T YOU DIE??? To the world, the rest of the world, to any one who KNEW you, you DIED!! You've been dead for years! Why don't you crawl back where you came from Ryan?? Back to those damned mountains you were supposed to have died in! LEAVE ME!!" Makato was shrieking at this point, yet Jou's face remained passive.
"Makato. You have changed. Why? You used to be a very kind, thoughtful and caring man. Now, you are a revenge bent mad man. Why? I am sorry for everything I ever said in ill to you, and I beg your forgiveness for the loss of your arm." Ryan bowed low enough that he was prostrated to Makato. Makato snorted. To him, Ryan's sincere apology meant nothing. He didn't trust Ryan at all. "Makato. You are my elder brother, and I seek you for council. I also ask why you have destroyed your self for hatred of me."
"You were always looking for an excuse to kill as a child. What's to say that you would change? I needed to stand a chance against you if you ever came looking for a fight." Jou frowned.
"I don't believe you. Makato. Why can't you admit you did this for revenge for something that could have easily been replaced with the advanced medical technology of our day. No, you chose to make your self into a monster. Makato, you haven't even trained! You are at a low level, even I, as sick and infested as I am now, as weakened as I have become, you can't hope to stand a chance against me! My level is far superior to yours! Makato, I don't want to fight you any way! You are my brother!" Makato, who was already beginning to mutate, snarled.
"LIAR! My being your brother never stopped you before! You always wanted me dead!"
"I didn't know that we were related!"
"You did when you ripped off my arm and left me for dead in the forest!!" Makato smirked, though his face was changing, stretching. Wincing, trying not to show the incredible pain he was in, Makato leaned over on his desk, trying to defy the horrible pain he was in as his body was deforming its self to become something else. Jou watched calmly as Makato whimpered and wailed, as his clothing tore, as fur sprouted all over him, as his nails turned to claws, and then as Makato screamed in pain, collapsing onto the desk, shaking horribly. Jou watched on, then ran to the doors, and cried for help. That something was wrong with the boss. That he was screaming. In pain. Mason and Mariana came running, flanked by some grunts who had also heard all of the screams. Jou had his face contorted in fear, crying, terror, confusion. He wailed, and clung to Mariana.
"TOUSAN!!! What's going on?? What's wrong?? TOUSAN!!!" Mason screamed in horror as he saw his father helpless, changing into a monstrosity. His body was covered in reddish brown fur, his face was like that of an alakazam, with some horn like things on his forehead, all three horns a light brown in colour. His limbs and body were long, and thin. He also had no tail. He had some red stripes on his body, but they were few. Gasping, Makato settled himself in his chair. He looked up, his eyes bloodshot. He saw Ryan in his Jou form clinging to Mariana like a frightened child. Looking for sympathy and protection. Mason ran to his father, and tried to ask him what happened, when Makato let a surge of psychic power fly, hitting Jou.
"AHH! Jou! Are you ok? Makato! Why did you do that???" Mariana screamed and tried to help Jou. Makato levitated Jou into the air, and threw him against the wall. Jou began to whimper in fear and pain. Makato knew that it was all show, though.
"Now, now you have me revealed! SHOW YOUR SELF, COWARD!!! Or do wish to hide your self in this false form?? RYAN! Show us your disgraceful face once more! Let us see the wretch that should have died eight-teen years ago!!" Makato leapt over his desk and stood over Jou's cowering form.
"Tousan, leave him alone! You have to be making a big mistake! He's just a kid, he, he's my friend, he's not this other guy you're talking about! Tousan! Stop!" Makato turned to his son.
"Don't interfere. I don't want you to be hurt! This ... MONSTER who is cowering here is no boy, he's no pure human, either! He's a hybrid, a dangerous, insane man who only wants to destroy us! SHOW YOUR SELF!!!" Makato leered at Jou, growing angrier as Jou only sobbed and curled away.
"Please, sir, you, you, you must listen to Mason. I'm not the man you think I am! I'm just a kid... please!" Jou's eyes, dead as they were, had a hint of emotion in them. Makato felt him use his telepathy to tell him to not force him to show his true form in front of Mason. Ryan had no wish to hurt his nephew. The boy would be mortified to find that the supposedly insane uncle of his that he had researched so much on was indeed the boy who had befriended him, was indeed deceiving him, using him, and here to destroy his father.
"Makato! Please, the boy is frightened! You must be mistaken! Ryan died, he is dead! You know that! You are only angry for what he did to you nearly thirty years ago! You can't keep hanging on to hatred like that! Makato, please! Stop this!" Jou could feel himself weakening. He wanted to end this. He wanted to just get on with it all.
"SILENCE!!! Both of you have been blinded by this demon! I cannot stand to see either of you risk being hurt by him! He has already shown his treachery! It could only be he that destroyed all of my medicine, to force me to change into this form! He means to kill us, destroy us all! He means to take over! He's a monster!" Makato hoisted Jou up by his shirt, and slammed him into the wall behind him. "Damn it, Ryan! You can't keep up hiding forever!" Mason and Mariana started trying to drag and pry Makato from Jou, when Jou relented. Mason was sobbing and pleading with Makato to leave his friend be, when Jou snapped.
"ENOUGH!!! I can't take their pain any more! You have me, Makato! Put me down, put me down, don't make them any more miserable watching this! As much as I hate what I have to do... I must... Mason... Mariana... please, forgive me... Forgive Makato, he knew who I was from the first time he saw me. And I knew he knew. I'm sorry I ever came back... But I couldn't take how Makato defiled, destroyed himself. I couldn't bear his blind hatred any more... He doesn't understand what it really means to be a hybrid..." Jou sobbed, then changed back into his true form. All three were shocked. Even Makato was at a loss for words. He expected to see Ryan as he had always remembered him, the small and powerful hybrid son of Sakaki Giovanni. The proud and brash whelp who ran from home and life so many times. Instead, all they saw before them was the emaciated, diseased and infested man that Ryan had become. His breathing was coming in ragged breaths. He couldn't hold his human form for too long. He would have to revert to his ultimately pure form of his pokemon form. And then, he was soon to evolve. Ryan, ashamed, looked up at Mariana and Mason. He saw the shock and horror that registered on their faces, the disgust and terror not unlike what Ichiro had first expressed to him when they met again.
"Ryan... what has happened to you??" Makato was still in disbelief, staring at the pathetic creature before him. Ryan stared at him with his dead eyes.
"First... I must digress into my true form... I am too weak to remain in this one..." Ryan shuddered, then transformed into his pokemon form. In Ryan's place stood a sombre, mewtwoish creature that had a shock of red hair on its head. The creature snarled at Makato, then shone again. Makato's eyes went wide, as well did Mason's and Marianna's. The creature was evolving. It grew taller, from five eight to seven two. It became a pale, grey colour. Its head became long and oblong, like a sweet pickle. Horns, black and pronged, rose from its head, just above its eyes. Black markings as a pidgeys were below its eyes, and stubby long horns were on its shoulders as guards. Its thin body became wider at the hips for its large legs that were like mewtwo's, with the same feet and build, but a bit bonier and knobbier. His tail swished behind him, lavender and strong, albeit a bit bony. Wings were upon his back, large, hook thumbed wings, as a charizard's wings. Horns protruded from the elbows, and its arms were proportionate and thin, bony. Lavender eyes glared back at Makato. Makato understood now, what Ryan had meant. He could feel the power of the creature wavering, but still extremely powerful.
"RYAN! I see that you have evolved, again. You must now be fully evolved. You could possibly be at a very high level. I still see fit that I fend you off from here, that I fight you to protect my family!"
"Makato, you only wish to fight to get revenge. If you have concern for your family, it certainly doesn't come before your revenge. You showed no consideration for them earlier. You used their misery and fear to push me to give in to you. This most likely proves that I care more for them than you. Shameful. Aren't I supposed to be the monster? Aren't I supposed to be the scapegoat?" Makato's hackles rose, growling low.
"You would say any thing to take the blame off your self. You are no better than your friend Ishihara Ichiro. Both of you are sneaky and untrustworthy. I'll wager that he helped you, didn't he? Only he would know the lab well enough to do what you did."
"He has no reason to betray you, and I know this building, its workings and the system it runs by better than you think. Better than you. I grew up here. And, I have spent plenty of my time and life in the laboratory and the areas surrounding." Makato went silent. Ryan continued. "Makato. Our father told you about my creation. Told us both. We also figured out that I was immortal, along with that my twin sister must still be alive somewhere. Our Tousan's will, I found, had not been changed since the birth of my sister and me. The first in line for the leadership of Team Rocket was Hokoriko Rina. Then, me. Last of all, if worst came to worst, you. You never bothered to search for either me or my sister, knowing full well that we were both still alive, as we cannot die by most means. You let live the rumours that Hokoriko and I were dead. So, you inherited every thing." Ryan narrowed his eyes. He could see that Makato was going to attack him soon. "The rightful leader of Team Rocket is my sister. Except that she works for the police now, am I correct? But all may be convinced... So. Because of your fear, because of your jealousy, Team Rocket is suffering under the lead of a coward. If you wish, to satiate your hunger for revenge, attack me if you wish. Fight me. Pretend that you are only just protecting your family when you know you are only fighting to save your self and to gain vengeance. Fight your opponent, who is sick and not at his full potential. Fight me in my weakened state. It doesn't matter. You cannot win. It is a sheer difference of experience and levels. If it helps you, let's get this over with. Away, though, from Mason-kun and Mariana-chan. I do not wish for them to be hurt." Makato was boiling with fury, and couldn't contain it any more. Ryan bowed to him, though did not lower his head. Makato stiffly did the same, as it was custom. Mariana did all she could to hold Mason back, and to comfort him at the same time. They both stared at the two creatures that were about to fight. Makato glared at Ryan.
"You do remember where the gym is, ne?" Ryan nodded. "Then, let us battle there. It is only fitting." Makato sneered, then teleported away. Ryan did the same, with out the scowl. He looked as dead and passive as ever. Mariana felt sick, as she knew what the out come would probably be. Ryan had never before let an opponent or victim live, save Makato the day he tore off his arm. Any grunts that remained in the area ran off to watch the fight. Mason fought with his mother to let him go to the gym to see if he could help his father in any way.
In the gym, Makato and Ryan had already started. Ryan's movement was sluggish and stuttering, while Makato was swift and alert. However, Makato's hits meant nothing to Ryan, as he couldn't hit Ryan very hard. For a pokemon of Makato's level, he was incredibly powerful. However, so was Ryan for his level, and his level far dwarfed Makato's. Whenever Ryan actually got Makato in his energy blasts, or the path of his tail, Makato felt as if he had been by the magnet train, or at least about twenty of them. Makato could feel that he was running out of energy quickly, as he had used so many recovers, so many attacks, and he knew that if Ryan hit him just once more, he would have no way to recover. No way to escape. And Ryan could kill him and win, like that. Ryan was looking extremely tired and worn out from the battle, however.
"Perhaps I have a chance... if he makes a mistake... I could get him to charge me, and then teleport out of the way, so he crashes, hurting himself..." Makato's mind raced as Ryan lumbered towards him. Makato stood stock still, waiting. Ryan muttered darkly about stupidity, then teleported to the air above Makato. Makato was surprised, and knocked to the ground with Ryan's huge form. Pinned, Makato could not move. He was completely at Ryan's mercy.
"So. I could kill you now, you know." Ryan stared down at his brother with dead eyes. Makato tried to free himself, futilely trying to bite and scratch Ryan. Makato tried struggling, he tried to push Ryan off, all to no avail. Ryan's only response was that of digging his toe claws into Makato's chest.
"If you are going to kill me, get it over with! Bastard!" Ryan blinked.
"I have no desire to kill you. And, may I remind you that it is you who is the bastard? You never wanted to acknowledge Sakaki as your father. You call your self an Amano. You have rejected the Sakaki family as your own. So, in respect, I will not recognize you as my brother. But, with the respect I have for you now, since you are ... were a human, and you were my brother, I will not kill you." Ryan lightly leapt off of Makato. Taking him by his neck, Ryan dragged Makato to the door. The night sky was dark, clouded. So much time had passed since Makato had arrived home that day in the late afternoon. Makato quietly licked some blood from the corner of his mouth. Ryan tossed Makato out onto the ground and coughed for a while, before he spoke.
"Makato. You have no place here, any more. You've shamed both families. Makato, you are no longer who you were before. You aren't Makato; you are something, someone else. I think you need time to find who or what you are, really. You need the time to think. Please, for your own and others sake, leave here and wander, travel, build your own new home, and contemplate everything. Train your self. Hell, train your self to fight better, or to use your psy abilities better, or something! I will stay here to serve as boss until Hokoriko can be located and offered the position. I promise to watch over Mason and Mariana. I won't hurt them, right? They are safe with me." Ryan bowed to Makato again, then beckoned him to leave. Ryan watched Makato leave, then went back to his human form. Ryan looked up at the balcony over looking the gym, and saw Mason standing there, his face angry. Ryan stared back at the boy, then felt rather light-headed. He knew he should sit, but the grizzled blackness crept upon the edges, then the entirety of Ryan's vision, and he blacked out. Mason had only just gotten to the gym, and was wondering what had happened in the battle. From the looks of it, it could very well be a draw. A grunt that had sneaked into the gym past the guards asked Mason about what had been going on.
"I don't really know. I just got here, and from what it looks like, my Tousan is probably no more. Hopefully, oji-san will die from the fight. He just passed out." The door behind them opened, and Mariana came running in, followed by Ichiro and some EMT.
"Kaasan! What are you here for?" Mason ran to his mother. Mariana looked around, and over the balcony before she responded. Ichiro shooed the EMT to the lower gym area.
"Where's Makato? Mason, where's your Otousan?"
"I don't know... when I got here, he was gone... and Jou-- I mean oji-san, had turned back into a ...human-like thing, looked at me, then passed out. I don't know what happened. I'm sorry, Kaasan..." Mason hung his head, somehow feeling it was his fault that he didn't arrive in time to see what happened to his father. Mariana looked over the balcony again, and saw the EMT putting Ryan carefully on a stretcher. Ichiro had slunk up behind them, and was watching quietly.
"Will either of you be expected to ever visit him? He could very well go into suspended animation, and I do not know how long it takes to get out, if one goes into it." His question was greeted with silence. Ichiro growled, then stalked out.
