"Sheba! Come here." Sycamore called.
Sheba rolled her eyes, but obeyed. Mewtwo watched from his corner.
"Good girl. Here, eat this." Sycamore put the fruit in her hand. She examined it suspiciously.
"I haven't done anything to it." He assured her.
Sheba smelled it and took a little nibble, watching the professor the whole time. Nothing happened, and it tasted rather good. She shoved the rest of it into her mouth.
Sycamore smiled. "Was it any good?"
Sheba shrugged her shoulders.
"How about some more?"
$$$$$$$$$$$$$
The next morning I awoke with a pounding headache.
Knock! Knock!
"Who's there?"
"It's your father. May I come in?"
"Yeah sure."
The door opened and Giovanni casually walked inside shutting the door behind him. "What is going on Mark? I saw what you did to that man. Strangled him. but there weren't any marks on his neck and it was broken. How the heck did you do it?"
Crap. I'm in big trouble this time.. I guess I'll just have to tell him.
"I get the feeling you are hiding something important from me. What is it?" The look on his face definitely said, "tell me or else."
I sighed, then realized I was still in bed and barely presentable. oh well, obviously he didn't care.
He raised his eyebrows. "Well?"
I looked off to the side. "I'm a psychic." I said quietly.
"What? Did you say you are a psychic?"
"Yes."
He just stared at me. It was very nerve-wracking.
"Why didn't you tell me this before?" He said, sounding frustrated.
"I haven't known for very long. It was Sabrina who showed me how to use them." I said, trying to defend myself somewhat.
He put a hand to his forehead and paced a little. "Get dressed and meet me in my office."
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Sheba returned to her corner. That scientist had just given her a bunch of fruit. Something was suspicious about this, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. She seemed fine, but I guess whatever was supposed to happen hadn't taken effect, yet. So I watched her.
What are you staring at? She asked. She didn't say it in a rude way.
I'm watching you. Something is going to happen, I know it. That man wouldn't give you fruit if there were not a reason. I know how this place is run.
She seemed a bit alarmed. What do you think is going to happen?
I don't know.
She was silent. I continued to watch.
After a while she laid down, probably going to sleep. Perhaps that fruit was supposed to make her tired, so the scientist could do something to her. I waited, but no one came. I decided I would check on her just incase. Getting up, I stumbled a little. My knee was stiff. Apparently they couldn't remove all of the pain and damage.
I went to her as quietly as I could, and then knelt by her side. She made a small noise, like a cat's meow mixed with a purr and rolled over onto my feet. I jumped back and stared down at her.
Hello! She said rather perky-like; she smiled and fluttered her eyelashes.
I continued to stare. Something told me I was supposed to be doing something, but I had no idea what. I sat down a few feet away from her to think about all this. All of it had to be connected somehow. this had to be the effect of those berries.
Just a few seconds after I had sat down, she was pawing at my tail like a kitten.
What is the matter with you? I asked, trying to pull my tail free of her paws. She only blinked at me and very strange smile formed on her lips. I stood up and took a few steps backward, away from her. She laid on her stomach, tucking her legs and arms underneath her, and then she raised her rear just a little.
I raised an eyebrow. Now I get it.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
I got dressed as slowly as I could. I had a feeling this "meeting" was not going to be a good one. As I finished combing my hair, I opened the small medicine cabinet behind the mirror and rummaged around for any painkiller I could find. This blasted headache was extremely annoying.
Now I lumbered down the hallway, not even bothering to stand up straight. I probably wouldn't even have a back when my father gets done with me. Finally making it to the office, I just stood outside and silently prayed I wouldn't die and hoped I'd at least make it out in one piece. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door.
"Sit."
I obeyed, but didn't really sit just slumped.
"How long have you known?"
"Since that first day we went to Saffron."
He nodded and sat back in his chair. He looked out the window for a few minutes. I played with a string come loose from my jacket.
"Who else knows?"
I thought for a moment. "Just Sabrina." I lied. The Mewtwos knew and those two scientists knew, but the scientists would keep their mouths shut. I'd threatened their lives if they told.
/Giovanni, sir!/ Came the phone intercom.
"What is it? I'm busy!"
/Sycamore says it's urgent!
"Well? What does he want?"
/He's having a bit of a problem with the Mewtwos. says he needs your assistance./
"Alright. Tell him I'll be there." He looked at me. "You're coming with me."
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
"What's the problem Sycamore?"
"Look! She's all over him! Head over heels! And just look at him! He' doesn't seem to get it."
I went to the window. Mewtwo?
Get her away! This is DISGUSTING! Mewtwo stared in the direction of the window. I will not submit. I will not be used!
"Mark! What is he saying? I know you're talking to them."
I hesitated. "Well. let's just say he doesn't quite agree with your methods."
Giovanni growled and stomped over to the door. He flung it open and went inside the observation room. He pulled a whip out of his dress coat.
Whoa! What all does he keep in there? I thought.
"YOU WILL DO AS I INTEND MEWTWO!" Both the Mewtwos looked rather startled. Mewtwo recovered and stood up. Sheba cowered behind him.
I knew you were evil, Giovanni, but this. THIS is gone too far. This is sick, twisted, and only a pervert would do something this hideous. YOU are a disgrace even to the drunks and druggies who wander the streets at night! I'd much rather be beaten with that whip you hold in your hand than bend to your will! The Mewtwo seemed to be on the verge of tears. Sheba was shaking with fright.
Giovanni roared and lunged at Mewtwo. Sheba screamed. The two scientists seemed petrified, and could not take their eyes off of what was going on in the next room. I turned around, covered my face, and tried to block out the sound of the whip hitting and ripping flesh.
One of the scientists passed out. The other busied himself with his out- cold colleague. They left, leaving me alone with a raving lunatic in the next room. I waited until the noise stopped, flinching whenever Mewtwo let out a shriek. Giovanni came back into the room. Dark red flecks of blood covered his suit and face. The sweat seeping from his pores began to drip down his face mixing with Mewtwo's blood. I felt my bottom lip begin to quiver. I swallowed hard.
Giovanni laid the whip on the small table in the room and left as if nothing had happened. I watched the doors as they slowly closed behind him. I couldn't move for several minutes. I couldn't even imagine how poor Mewtwo would look if my father's clothes were so bloodstained. I forced myself to go into the observation room.
Horrible. No, it was beyond that. Mewtwo lay on the floor in a decent sized puddle. His back no longer had a shape- just a mass of bleeding muscle tissue and his backbone was clearly visible. I had to put a hand over my mouth to keep from puking my guts out. Sheba sat in the corner staring stupidly, every once in a while she would twitch. I took the risk of taking my hand away from my mouth to speak.
"Mewtwo?" I squeaked.
The mangled thing twitched. I went closer and knelt by his side. I heard a small noise, but wasn't sure if it was him or Sheba. I crawled up by his head and reluctantly reached out to it, but I was afraid to touch it. I closed my eyes and swallowed, and then opened my eyes again. I gently touched the side of his head just below his ear. The ear turned toward me and his bloody three-fingered hand laid over mine. There was a long shaky breath as his head rolled away from me. His hand tightened around mine. I looked at his face, now facing me, so contorted with pain. His eyes pleaded with me. He drew in another long, shaky, labored breath.
Help. me. Came his now weak and very hoarse psychic voice.
I only stared. What could I possibly do?
Sheba slowly made her way around Mewtwo and sat down next to me. She stared at Mewtwo angrily, but determined.
I watched her; something was going on inside her head.
I have an idea. She said. She went around to the other side of Mewtwo and started licking his back. Mewtwo flinched and began to grind his teeth. He hadn't let go of my hand and now squeezed it harder. He shut his eyes.
All right, now, when I say so all three of us will focus a recover on Mewtwo's back. Do you know how to do that Mark? She glanced up at me without breaking the rhythm she had going while licking Mewtwo.
Yes, but how will you do it? You've got that restraining collar and so does Mewtwo.
She didn't look up. It only keeps us from doing dangerous psychic attacks. That's why we can talk still and use recover.
Mewtwo opened one eye and looked in Sheba's direction.
Are you ready? She asked.
Yes. I replied.
Mewtwo made a grunt.
Okay.NOW!
Psychic light filled the room and lingered for a few moments flickering once in a while, then died away.
Mewtwo coughed and made a choking noise then groaned.
I looked down at him. His eyes were half closed, but his breathing seemed a bit better. It didn't look as painful as it had been. I turned my gaze over to his back. It wasn't as raw as it was, and his backbone was barely visible now. He let go my hand and tried to get up, but fell taking in a sharp breath of pain.
"Let's get him out of this blood, Sheba."
She nodded and helped me pick him up. He tried to fight us at first but gave up. We moved him into a corner and laid him down on his stomach. Sheba began to groom him again. Mewtwo looked at me gratefully. I half smiled and turned to leave. There wasn't much I could do now and Sheba seemed to know what she was doing. The two scientists came back with another man, who had a mop and a bucket in his hands. Sycamore caught my eye and nodded. I wasn't quite sure why.
I'll come back later, Sheba. I said without looking back and left.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
A week later.
"Oh Mark! I was getting worried, you know?" Sabrina scolded. She was about ready to spring of the couch and smack me, but gave it a second thought since she'd just recently got out of the hospital. I sat on the coffee table in front of the couch. She studied my expression.
"What happened? You look stressed."
I sighed. "What do you want to hear about first? Kenneth or Mewtwo?"
She looked worried. "Ken."
"Good choice. I killed him. I didn't want to, really, but that's what happened."
"You killed him? As in he's no longer living?"
"Right. The plan was that I was just gonna give him a warning, but. he got me mad. Which reminds me. My dad knows I'm psychic now."
She sighed and looked around. "Well, I'm glad he won't be hurting anyone any more. How did he take the news?"
"Gio?"
"Yeah."
"Not too good. He was going to give me a beating or at least an earful I can tell you that, but that didn't happen. Poor Mewtwo got the beating instead of me and he got it real bad."
"Is he okay?" She asked looking very concerned.
"Well, he's alive if that's what you mean. I did as much as I could. It's all up to Sheba now."
"How bad was he?"
I shook my head. "Ripped him up enough that you could see his spine."
She bared her teeth and sucked in some air. "Ihh."
"Haven't talked to my dad since. Too scared."
"I think I would be too. Yuck!"
I rubbed my left palm with my right thumb. "I don't know how long those two are going to last. If Two gets it like that again. for sure he'll kick the bucket. I don't know how I'm going to get them out of there. My dad's probably got people watching me now."
Sabrina got up and made for the door that led to the gym. "I better open up now or people will start banging on the doors. I don't need them to get broken again. What a piece of hell that was. so how is Two now? I mean when did this happen?"
"Oh, it's been a couple of days. Sheba's been helping him out. He's a lot better than he was. Scientists have been doing all they can, which isn't much. Gio's got them on real short leashes, real short."
Sabrina flicked on the gym lights. They buzzed and crackled as they blinked on. "Is he still thinking about taking over Silph?"
"Yeah, but he's been a little more secretive since he found about my powers. Doesn't slap me around too much anymore. I think he's just as scared of me as I am of him."
A few minutes after Sabrina opened the doors two men came in. One was unusually very tall and muscular; the leather jacket he wore was threatening to burst. He had long, wavy blonde hair and a goatee. The other man was average height and had good muscle tone, but not as impressive as the other man. His hair was a darker blonde and short. His bangs almost made a heart shape on his forehead. He wore sunglasses and baggy pants which sported a decorative silver chain. The two of them looked around.
"Hello!" The shorter man hollered. He smiled while listening to his voice echo around the nearly empty gym. The tall man scowled down at him. The shorter man heeded the warning and grinned apologetically.
"I don't want you fooling around this time, Mikial." The tall man said in a calm but authoritive voice. His deep voice could make anyone pay attention even if they tried not to.
The smaller man nodded and took of his glasses. "I got it."
Sabrina approached the two men. "Welcome to my gym. Are you two trainers?"
The tall man smiled. He had a very pleasing warm smile. He opened his mouth but the small man spoke.
"You bet we are. We'll knock the-
The tall man put a huge gloved hand over the little guy's mouth. "You must be Sabrina. I am Vynan, and this little twerp is Mikial. OW!" The man looked down at his hand that was now removed from Mikial's mouth. Apparently the little guy bit him.
"KIAL!" He roared. "What the heck is the matter with you?"
Mikial stood with his hands behind his back and whistled innocently. Vynan squinted at him and he shrieked. Vynan snorted and tossed his head.
"We challenge you to a match." Vynan said flatly.
Sabrina raised her eyebrows. "Looks like you got your hands full, huh?"
Vynan rolled his eyes. "Ain't nothing I can do about it. The little rat is my brother."
Mikial stood directly next to his brother and mimicked his scowl exactly.
Sabrina laughed. "I see the resemblance."
Vynan rolled his eyes again. "How about we quit beating around the bush and get this over with already?"
Sabrina became serious. "Fine then." She went to her side of the floor. "Let's see what you got."
I went to the spectators box as the two men took their positions.
"I choose Kadabra!" Sabrina bellowed as a Kadabra materialized on the floor.
The men on the opposite side both smirked exactly the same way and spoke with one voice. "We choose Jolteon!"
A Jolteon formed on the floor and let out its battle cry. It took a very confident battle stance.
Sabrina! Do you see the level on that thing?
Heck I do. Level 57, that means it has pin missle. Great.
"Kadabra! Psybeam! Right away!"
"Saw that coming." The two men said. It was freaky how they spoke in synch.
These guys must have had a lot of practice. They say the exact same thing at the same time. Creepy.
Yeah, now be quiet you're making me loose focus.
The men ordered the Jolteon to use agility. The Jolteon dodged the psybeam.
"Kadabra, confusion!"
"Jolteon, pin missle!"
Jolteon took the hit and fired the pin missle. Kadabra went down.
"Go Mr. Mime!"
"Mime!"
"Mr. Mime, substitute!"
"Jolteon, thunder!"
The substitute took the hit.
"Alright, now meditate!"
Mr. Mime sat in the usual meditating position and mumbled.
"Jolteon, pin missle it!"
Jolteon aimed it's attack and fired. Mr. Mime survived the hit.
"Hang on Mime! Confusion!"
Jolteon took the hit once more, but was now confused.
"Yes!" Sabrina cheered.
"It isn't over yet." The two men said.
"Mime! Confusion again!"
Mr. Mime focused for and extra strong attack in spite of how much damage he'd taken. The confused Jolteon finally went down. Sabrina called back her Mr. Mime and sent out Slowbro.
Vynan and Mikial sent out Gengar.
"Gengar! Hypnosis!"
Slowbro went to sleep.
"No! Slowbro wake up!"
The men laughed. "Gengar, nightshade!"
Slowbro was out.
Sabrina growled. "Venomoth!"
"Gengar, confuse ray!"
It didn't work.
"Ha! Venomoth, psybeam!"
The Gengar was taken out.
"Go Rapidash! Fire blast!"
There went Venomoth.
Sabrina stamped her foot. "My last one. Alakazam! Go!"
"Rapidash, fire spin."
"No! Psychic now!"
Rapidash struck first, trapping Alakazam.
"AH HA HA HA!!!!" The two men laughed.
Geeze those two are psycho. I thought. They're getting kind of carried away.
"Alright! Rapidash! Finish it!"
"NO!" Sabrina yelled as Alakazam hit the ground.
The two men seemed to break their "battle bond." Mikial began to do a little victory dance. Vynan watched looking very annoyed. Mikial ended his little performance with a disturbing laugh. He coughed before he could finish his laugh and dramatically collapsed on the ground.
"Too. much. coffee. this morning. " He said, very hoarsely. He rolled onto his back and breathed loud and raspy like, purposely making his chest heave up and down.
Vynan sighed and shook his head. "Sorry about him. He's got serious problems."
Sabrina watched him disgustedly. "Can't believe I lost to a bunch of bozos." She slapped a Marsh badge into the huge hand. I joined her as Vynan casually walked over to his partner and kicked him in the ribs.
"Come on now, Kial! Or I'll wring your skinny neck!"
Mikial shot to his feet and stood at attention. "Private Mikial reporting for duty sir!"
Vynan punched him in the stomach. "I've had it up to here with you!" He bellowed holding his hand up as high as it would stretch.
Mikial crumpled onto the ground and started crying. "I was only havin fun!"
"Get your pathetic ass off this floor and out that door before Sabrina and I get mad!" Vynan yelled, spiting a little.
Mikial obeyed immediately, running out the door. Vynan came back over to us.
"Terribly sorry about him." He apologized again. He turned around and went for the door. Mikial had his face pressed up against the glass. Vynan stopped and looked back at us.
"Want me to make him clean the windows?"
Sabrina couldn't help but giggle. "No, it's okay."
Vynan finally made it to the door and went outside. Mikial made a "move out of the way" gesture. Vynan moved off to the side. Mikial bowed and waved, then blew a kiss to Sabrina. Vynan popped him over the head.
Then, suddenly, Mikial tackled Vynan. Surprisingly, he hit him hard enough that they fell over.
Sabrina and I looked at each other then ran to the door. Mikial was whacking Vynan furiously, until Vynan threw him off. He sat up and messed with his jaw and blinked a few times.
"Thanks a bunch Mikial! I'm gonna have two black eyes!" Vynan got up and helped Mikial up.
"You started it!"
"That's right, I always start it."
"You do!"
"Okay! Now we better shut up before get fighting again."
Sabrina opened the door. "Why don't you guys come back in and get cleaned up. You're starting to bleed a little there, Vynan."
The two looked at each other. "All right."
Mikial eyed Vynan as they walked behind us across the gym floor and through the door that lead to Sabrina's home. Vynan had to duck to go through the door and couldn't stand up straight on the other side without hitting his head. I showed him to the bathroom and got him a towel.
"Exactly how tall are you?" I asked, watching him with fascination. I couldn't help myself.
"Eight foot eleven. Gets to be a real pain sometimes." He looked at the towel. "Hmmm. he got me pretty good that time."
"Why did he do that so suddenly?"
"Oh, that's just how he is. Gets fed up with me pushing him around. Wish he were serious like that more of the time. Hey, we're classic siblings."
"Yeah, which reminds me. How the heck did you guys do that saying exactly the same thing at the exact same time thing?"
He laid the towel on the edge of the sink and smiled. I noticed his teeth were straight; not the least bit crooked. He wiped his hands on his pants. "Psychics. That's what we are. But, Mikial got most of it." He chuckled. "He's always sayin, 'Vynan got the good looks and the brain, and I got the psychic powers.'"
He followed me out to the living room. "I can't do nothin special with mine. Just talk, move stuff around, and mind barriers."
Mikial was slumped in the couch playing with his hands and staring at nothing in particular. Vynan sat down next to him, making the couch sag. Mikial woke up from his trance, because suddenly he was lying on his brother. Vynan didn't seem to notice he had his eyes closed and was stretching his neck.
I sat on the couch on the other side of the coffee table and Sabrina came back with some tea for all of us.
"So, where are you guys from?" Sabrina asked sitting down next to me.
Vynan studied the two of us sitting there for a moment. "We're from Fuchsia City."
"How long have you been trainers?" Sabrina took a sip of her tea.
Vynan sat back in his seat and watched Mikial out of the corner of his eye. "Since we were kids."
"So you've always been together? Battling and stuff?"
"Yeah."
"You make a pretty good team." Then she leaned forward and whispered. "But you look like you could do without him." She jerked her head in Mikial's direction.
Vynan studied Mikial. He wasn't paying any attention to what they were doing. "You could be right, but it's nice having someone to talk to and share your life with. He ain't so bad when we're alone. He just likes the attention."
Mikial picked up his tea and looked at it for a while, and then started lapping it up like a dog.
"What do you think of Team Rocket?" I asked.
Both Vynan and Mikial glared at me, and then looked at each other. Mikial looked a little uncomfortable and put his sunglasses on.
"Well, I can definitely tell you we don't like them the least bit."
I nodded. "Doesn't everybody?"
"Them rockets. they treat their pokemon like shit. Really ticks me off. I've seen them be just as heartless to innocent people too. Isn't that right Mikial?"
Mikial whimpered.
Vynan put a hand up to his mouth and whispered. "He tries to be tough, but when he sees a lot of blood he goes ballistic. Some of them loonies come after me with a whip. I never saw him panic more in this life."
I raised an eyebrow. "Why the heck did they go after you with a whip?"
Vynan snorted. "Beats me. I guess the guy needed to blow off some steam."
"He picked the wrong guy to mess with. Didn't he Vyn?" Mikial said. "I think you killed that guy."
Sabrina caught my eye. I nodded.
"Well, have you ever heard of Mewtwo?" I asked.
Vynan thought for a moment. Mikial took his glasses off.
"That's that mew they cloned, isn't it? They say it's the strongest pokemon ever so far."
Vynan looked at him. "Yeah, that's right. What about him?"
"Team Rocket has two of them." I couldn't finish what I wanted to say. The horror scene of Mewtwo being beaten replayed in my mind. I felt Sabrina's hand on my shoulder.
"We are trying to get the Mewtwos away from them. We don't know how we're going to do it, though."
Vynan eyed me, looking concerned. Mikial mimicked his expression.
"What's the matter with him?" Mikial asked.
I showed them what happened psychically. Vynan was quiet for a while. Mikial looked deeply disturbed.
"You're asking us to help you then?"
Sabrina and I nodded.
"Count us in." Vynan extended his huge hand out to me and we shook hands.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Are you awake? You've been sleeping for quite a while now.
A hand stroked me behind the ear. It was comforting in the midst of all this suffering, but another part of me forced me to push away. I opened my eyes and looked at the red Mewtwo.
Do you feel any better? She asked.
I slowly sat up. That seemed to answer her question. She smiled a little.
I would have saved you some food, but the Rattatas took it last night.
That's all right. They were probably hoping it would work out that way. I shut my eyes again. I sensed her watching me.
Why didn't you just do what he asked? It would have saved you all this pain.
I sighed. If I did what he wanted me to do he would think that he's getting through my thick skull and then he'd start making me do other things. I won't let him have what he wants if he won't let me have what I want. I won't let him have a sense of power over me, because he is not more powerful than I.
She looked away. I was being really silly, wasn't I? You could have just said that was too much for you.
I stared at her. What are you getting at?
You don't like me, do you?
I never said that.
Then why do you stare at me like I'm a repulsive blob stuck on your ass? She said in a sassy tone.
Excuse me?
You heard me. She said stalking away to her corner.
I lowered my head and looked elsewhere. It's not you that makes me gag. I admitted. She seemed interested enough to turn around.
Then what? She flicked her tail at me.
Looking at you. it reminds me of something I dreamt about.
Her ears perked. Oh really?
I had a dream that Giovanni made his scientists create another. not quite like us, though. He. he was evil. I remember that he was. stronger, much stronger. Giovanni called him Lucy.
Sheba stuck her tongue out. Must be his pet name for Lucifer. So, what happened?
I took a deep breath. This is making my back ache.
Sheba played with her tail. She looked like she was trying to decide what to do. She threw her tail and wandered over. Why do I remind you of your dream?
The dream replayed in my mind as I began to tell her:
I was sitting in the sun enjoying the day with another Mewtwo. She was a light green color. I'm not sure, but I think she is my mate. As we are sitting there, the sky becomes dark. It starts to rain and there is thunder and lightening. I tell the green Mewtwo to go inside. She leaves, but minutes later I hear her scream. I run to where the scream came from and there he is. A tall, black Mewtwo with red glaring eyes. Four enormous fangs hang over his bottom lip, which is dripping with blood. The green Mewtwo hung limply from his giant clawed hand. He threw her aside and glared at me. Then threw his head back, letting out a roar. Giovanni emerges from the shadows and stands beside the beast. It lowers its head for him to pet it. "I see you have met Lucy, Mewtwo." Giovanni says with a sneer. "I no longer need you, so we have come to destroy you." Giovanni simply nods and the monster lunges at me. We begin to battle, but eventually I lose.
I shuddered. There was no way I'd ever be able to explain the horror of all that went on. And the strange thing about it was that I was watching it the whole time. I was not actually living the dream, I was watching. I'd left out a part, too. I didn't want to scare Sheba, but the monster of a Mewtwo had raped that green Mewtwo.
I put my hands over my face. That green Mewtwo looked exactly like you only green.
I felt her touch my arm. It was only a dream.
I uncovered my face and gazed into her eyes. Her fear was obvious, and I could smell it.
Yes, only a dream. I said and before I could stop myself, I found myself holding her. She looked up at me and studied my face. She couldn't believe I was doing this either. I stared back at her, and for a moment I actually felt. content. Then I realized what was going on and shoved her away.
No, I will not give in to these strange feelings. I will resist. I told myself.
Sheba looked hurt and crept over to her corner. She would look back every once in a while, wondering if I felt guilty.
What is happening to me? I thought. Suddenly I find myself so hard to control. I looked over at Sheba. What has Giovanni done? Why do I feel this way? I know that I have longed to be with my own kind. Someone who knows what it's like to be enslaved, manipulated. And now I am, but. I never expected this. I remembered what Giovanni said, "She is your mate, Mewtwo." My mate. it seemed so simple a word until now. I remembered letting my clones free on that island. They had found mates, and they were happy with them. ?But, they were able to choose. I have no choice, because even though they were clones there were others that were similar. but wait. I was cloned from mew.Mew. there was only one other mew besides me and Sheba, and we were more than just mews. Unlike my clones, we were made stronger through the DNA from various other pokemon and. humans. I didn't have all of the research the humans had gathered. I developed my own way. Those clones were not like me after all.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
"Did you hear that?" Mikial jumped from his seat on the couch. He went to the window and pushed the curtain aside. The rest of us followed him.
"Something is happening at the Silph building." He said, looking alarmed.
"Oh no! It's my father! It must be." I said.
Vynan studied me. "Your father?"
I hung my head in despair. "My father is the leader of Team Rocket."
Vynan took a step back. "Team Rocket? I've been talking to a Rocket kid? Is this some sort of trap?" Vynan looked around nervously.
"No, Vynan." Sabrina said. "Mark hates team Rocket just as much as you do. He's been warning me about Silph for a while now. We just didn't do anything about it, because Mark let it slip that he didn't like what his dad does."
Vynan calmed down. "I see. A double agent."
Mikial turned from the window. "I'm not just gonna stand here and watch. I'm gonna do something." He teleported away.
Vynan looked devastated. "Oh no! He's gonna get himself killed!" He ran out the door and down the street toward Silph. Sabrina started after him.
"Come on Mark! We have to help him!"
We started down the street after him. Already we could her guns going off and people screaming.
"I can't. believe. they would. do this. in broad daylight." Sabrina said as we ran. By the time we got to Silph Vynan was already inside. The guards at the front were knocked out. We stepped over them and went inside. The first floor was littered with knocked out men, no signs of much struggle. It almost seemed as if Vynan had done this before.
Gunshots rang out from above.
"There's no time!" Sabrina yelled, grabbing my hand and teleporting.
We reappeared a few floors up, right in the middle of the action. I was quick enough to put up a barrier before we fully materialized. Sabrina spotted Vynan right off the bat. He was in a struggle with a rocket, who had a knife. We raced over as bullets whizzed by and soon discovered that Mikial was also on this floor.
There were rockets surrounding Mikial and they were all shooting, but Mikial had a barrier up too. The rockets only ended up shooting each other, but then we heard Vynan let out a yelp of pain. Mikial spun around and his barrier dropped.
"Vynan!" He yelled.
BANG!
Mikial hit the ground.
"NOOOOOOOOO!!!!" Vynan screamed. The man on top of him with the knife went flying and hit the guy that shot Mikial. Vynan got up and ran to his brother's side.
"Everyone stop shooting!" I yelled. The rockets stopped. I didn't think they would actually listen to me. One of them held up a hand telling the others to hold their fire.
"That is Giovanni's son, and he better have a good reason for this." The man said.
I turned to the man. "I don't have a good reason for this. Mikial got carried away and we came after him."
"Giovanni will hear about this. Hilton, finish those two off."
"What? No!" I stood in front of Vynan. "You will not touch these two, unless you want to see what I am capable of. I will deal with them."
The man called off Hilton.
"Vynan, come with me."
Vynan picked up Mikial. The man in charge stood in my way.
"Where are you going? I want to make sure you're dealing with these two correctly."
I had to think of something quick. These men didn't know that I was against them.
"I know what I am doing. What is your name and rank?" I asked trying to sound aggravated.
"I am Marshall Rand, chief executive." His voice faded as he said that. He must have realized that he was talking back to a superior authority (or his boss' son.). Even though my father had said I must earn my way to the top, he gave me a hard-to-earn rank. I think it was just because he wanted to impress me.
Marshall looked around sub-consciously. "All right fine. now what am I going to do about this?" He added.
I motioned for Vynan to follow me. No one gave us any trouble on the way out. Maybe being a rocket is useful for something.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
After taking Vynan and Mikial to the hospital, Sabrina and I went back to her house.
"Do you think I should close the gym?" Sabrina asked looking out the window.
"Might be a good idea. I wonder. why would my dad be taking over Silph again?" I paced back and forth for a while. Sabrina watched.
Then it hit me.
"What was I thinking?! Mewtwos! He wants more Mewtwos! And he knows that Silph has some of the information he needs to clone them."
"Silph has some of the info?" Sabrina crossed her legs and folded her hands around her knee.
"Of course! Silph has info for everything! I remember someone talking about how Silph recovered some of the files from that lab on the island in the middle of the ocean. Why didn't I think of this before?"
Sabrina thought for a moment. "But, how did he clone Sheba then?"
"Sheba is a little bit different. All Gio had was the broken Mew DNA. He used other pokemon DNA to fill in the gaps and somehow she didn't turn out quite the same way."
Sabrina was silent. Then she rolled her eyes and sighed. "Mark, you of all people should know that picking on Team Rocket is a death wish. We can't break them up by ourselves. You saw what happened to Vynan and Mikial."
"Strategy, Sabrina. Vynan and Mikial are psychics. They'll heal quickly. All we need is a few more psychics to help us. Then I can free the Mewtwos. Mewtwo will know of a place for us to hide out. Then, we'll have two strong pokemon to help us take Team Rocket down and possibly out. Of course, this is going to be easier said than done, but it's a good plan. Don't you think so?"
Sabrina rocked back and forth. "Okay. I think I know of a few people who'll help us."
Sheba rolled her eyes, but obeyed. Mewtwo watched from his corner.
"Good girl. Here, eat this." Sycamore put the fruit in her hand. She examined it suspiciously.
"I haven't done anything to it." He assured her.
Sheba smelled it and took a little nibble, watching the professor the whole time. Nothing happened, and it tasted rather good. She shoved the rest of it into her mouth.
Sycamore smiled. "Was it any good?"
Sheba shrugged her shoulders.
"How about some more?"
$$$$$$$$$$$$$
The next morning I awoke with a pounding headache.
Knock! Knock!
"Who's there?"
"It's your father. May I come in?"
"Yeah sure."
The door opened and Giovanni casually walked inside shutting the door behind him. "What is going on Mark? I saw what you did to that man. Strangled him. but there weren't any marks on his neck and it was broken. How the heck did you do it?"
Crap. I'm in big trouble this time.. I guess I'll just have to tell him.
"I get the feeling you are hiding something important from me. What is it?" The look on his face definitely said, "tell me or else."
I sighed, then realized I was still in bed and barely presentable. oh well, obviously he didn't care.
He raised his eyebrows. "Well?"
I looked off to the side. "I'm a psychic." I said quietly.
"What? Did you say you are a psychic?"
"Yes."
He just stared at me. It was very nerve-wracking.
"Why didn't you tell me this before?" He said, sounding frustrated.
"I haven't known for very long. It was Sabrina who showed me how to use them." I said, trying to defend myself somewhat.
He put a hand to his forehead and paced a little. "Get dressed and meet me in my office."
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Sheba returned to her corner. That scientist had just given her a bunch of fruit. Something was suspicious about this, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. She seemed fine, but I guess whatever was supposed to happen hadn't taken effect, yet. So I watched her.
What are you staring at? She asked. She didn't say it in a rude way.
I'm watching you. Something is going to happen, I know it. That man wouldn't give you fruit if there were not a reason. I know how this place is run.
She seemed a bit alarmed. What do you think is going to happen?
I don't know.
She was silent. I continued to watch.
After a while she laid down, probably going to sleep. Perhaps that fruit was supposed to make her tired, so the scientist could do something to her. I waited, but no one came. I decided I would check on her just incase. Getting up, I stumbled a little. My knee was stiff. Apparently they couldn't remove all of the pain and damage.
I went to her as quietly as I could, and then knelt by her side. She made a small noise, like a cat's meow mixed with a purr and rolled over onto my feet. I jumped back and stared down at her.
Hello! She said rather perky-like; she smiled and fluttered her eyelashes.
I continued to stare. Something told me I was supposed to be doing something, but I had no idea what. I sat down a few feet away from her to think about all this. All of it had to be connected somehow. this had to be the effect of those berries.
Just a few seconds after I had sat down, she was pawing at my tail like a kitten.
What is the matter with you? I asked, trying to pull my tail free of her paws. She only blinked at me and very strange smile formed on her lips. I stood up and took a few steps backward, away from her. She laid on her stomach, tucking her legs and arms underneath her, and then she raised her rear just a little.
I raised an eyebrow. Now I get it.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
I got dressed as slowly as I could. I had a feeling this "meeting" was not going to be a good one. As I finished combing my hair, I opened the small medicine cabinet behind the mirror and rummaged around for any painkiller I could find. This blasted headache was extremely annoying.
Now I lumbered down the hallway, not even bothering to stand up straight. I probably wouldn't even have a back when my father gets done with me. Finally making it to the office, I just stood outside and silently prayed I wouldn't die and hoped I'd at least make it out in one piece. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door.
"Sit."
I obeyed, but didn't really sit just slumped.
"How long have you known?"
"Since that first day we went to Saffron."
He nodded and sat back in his chair. He looked out the window for a few minutes. I played with a string come loose from my jacket.
"Who else knows?"
I thought for a moment. "Just Sabrina." I lied. The Mewtwos knew and those two scientists knew, but the scientists would keep their mouths shut. I'd threatened their lives if they told.
/Giovanni, sir!/ Came the phone intercom.
"What is it? I'm busy!"
/Sycamore says it's urgent!
"Well? What does he want?"
/He's having a bit of a problem with the Mewtwos. says he needs your assistance./
"Alright. Tell him I'll be there." He looked at me. "You're coming with me."
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
"What's the problem Sycamore?"
"Look! She's all over him! Head over heels! And just look at him! He' doesn't seem to get it."
I went to the window. Mewtwo?
Get her away! This is DISGUSTING! Mewtwo stared in the direction of the window. I will not submit. I will not be used!
"Mark! What is he saying? I know you're talking to them."
I hesitated. "Well. let's just say he doesn't quite agree with your methods."
Giovanni growled and stomped over to the door. He flung it open and went inside the observation room. He pulled a whip out of his dress coat.
Whoa! What all does he keep in there? I thought.
"YOU WILL DO AS I INTEND MEWTWO!" Both the Mewtwos looked rather startled. Mewtwo recovered and stood up. Sheba cowered behind him.
I knew you were evil, Giovanni, but this. THIS is gone too far. This is sick, twisted, and only a pervert would do something this hideous. YOU are a disgrace even to the drunks and druggies who wander the streets at night! I'd much rather be beaten with that whip you hold in your hand than bend to your will! The Mewtwo seemed to be on the verge of tears. Sheba was shaking with fright.
Giovanni roared and lunged at Mewtwo. Sheba screamed. The two scientists seemed petrified, and could not take their eyes off of what was going on in the next room. I turned around, covered my face, and tried to block out the sound of the whip hitting and ripping flesh.
One of the scientists passed out. The other busied himself with his out- cold colleague. They left, leaving me alone with a raving lunatic in the next room. I waited until the noise stopped, flinching whenever Mewtwo let out a shriek. Giovanni came back into the room. Dark red flecks of blood covered his suit and face. The sweat seeping from his pores began to drip down his face mixing with Mewtwo's blood. I felt my bottom lip begin to quiver. I swallowed hard.
Giovanni laid the whip on the small table in the room and left as if nothing had happened. I watched the doors as they slowly closed behind him. I couldn't move for several minutes. I couldn't even imagine how poor Mewtwo would look if my father's clothes were so bloodstained. I forced myself to go into the observation room.
Horrible. No, it was beyond that. Mewtwo lay on the floor in a decent sized puddle. His back no longer had a shape- just a mass of bleeding muscle tissue and his backbone was clearly visible. I had to put a hand over my mouth to keep from puking my guts out. Sheba sat in the corner staring stupidly, every once in a while she would twitch. I took the risk of taking my hand away from my mouth to speak.
"Mewtwo?" I squeaked.
The mangled thing twitched. I went closer and knelt by his side. I heard a small noise, but wasn't sure if it was him or Sheba. I crawled up by his head and reluctantly reached out to it, but I was afraid to touch it. I closed my eyes and swallowed, and then opened my eyes again. I gently touched the side of his head just below his ear. The ear turned toward me and his bloody three-fingered hand laid over mine. There was a long shaky breath as his head rolled away from me. His hand tightened around mine. I looked at his face, now facing me, so contorted with pain. His eyes pleaded with me. He drew in another long, shaky, labored breath.
Help. me. Came his now weak and very hoarse psychic voice.
I only stared. What could I possibly do?
Sheba slowly made her way around Mewtwo and sat down next to me. She stared at Mewtwo angrily, but determined.
I watched her; something was going on inside her head.
I have an idea. She said. She went around to the other side of Mewtwo and started licking his back. Mewtwo flinched and began to grind his teeth. He hadn't let go of my hand and now squeezed it harder. He shut his eyes.
All right, now, when I say so all three of us will focus a recover on Mewtwo's back. Do you know how to do that Mark? She glanced up at me without breaking the rhythm she had going while licking Mewtwo.
Yes, but how will you do it? You've got that restraining collar and so does Mewtwo.
She didn't look up. It only keeps us from doing dangerous psychic attacks. That's why we can talk still and use recover.
Mewtwo opened one eye and looked in Sheba's direction.
Are you ready? She asked.
Yes. I replied.
Mewtwo made a grunt.
Okay.NOW!
Psychic light filled the room and lingered for a few moments flickering once in a while, then died away.
Mewtwo coughed and made a choking noise then groaned.
I looked down at him. His eyes were half closed, but his breathing seemed a bit better. It didn't look as painful as it had been. I turned my gaze over to his back. It wasn't as raw as it was, and his backbone was barely visible now. He let go my hand and tried to get up, but fell taking in a sharp breath of pain.
"Let's get him out of this blood, Sheba."
She nodded and helped me pick him up. He tried to fight us at first but gave up. We moved him into a corner and laid him down on his stomach. Sheba began to groom him again. Mewtwo looked at me gratefully. I half smiled and turned to leave. There wasn't much I could do now and Sheba seemed to know what she was doing. The two scientists came back with another man, who had a mop and a bucket in his hands. Sycamore caught my eye and nodded. I wasn't quite sure why.
I'll come back later, Sheba. I said without looking back and left.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
A week later.
"Oh Mark! I was getting worried, you know?" Sabrina scolded. She was about ready to spring of the couch and smack me, but gave it a second thought since she'd just recently got out of the hospital. I sat on the coffee table in front of the couch. She studied my expression.
"What happened? You look stressed."
I sighed. "What do you want to hear about first? Kenneth or Mewtwo?"
She looked worried. "Ken."
"Good choice. I killed him. I didn't want to, really, but that's what happened."
"You killed him? As in he's no longer living?"
"Right. The plan was that I was just gonna give him a warning, but. he got me mad. Which reminds me. My dad knows I'm psychic now."
She sighed and looked around. "Well, I'm glad he won't be hurting anyone any more. How did he take the news?"
"Gio?"
"Yeah."
"Not too good. He was going to give me a beating or at least an earful I can tell you that, but that didn't happen. Poor Mewtwo got the beating instead of me and he got it real bad."
"Is he okay?" She asked looking very concerned.
"Well, he's alive if that's what you mean. I did as much as I could. It's all up to Sheba now."
"How bad was he?"
I shook my head. "Ripped him up enough that you could see his spine."
She bared her teeth and sucked in some air. "Ihh."
"Haven't talked to my dad since. Too scared."
"I think I would be too. Yuck!"
I rubbed my left palm with my right thumb. "I don't know how long those two are going to last. If Two gets it like that again. for sure he'll kick the bucket. I don't know how I'm going to get them out of there. My dad's probably got people watching me now."
Sabrina got up and made for the door that led to the gym. "I better open up now or people will start banging on the doors. I don't need them to get broken again. What a piece of hell that was. so how is Two now? I mean when did this happen?"
"Oh, it's been a couple of days. Sheba's been helping him out. He's a lot better than he was. Scientists have been doing all they can, which isn't much. Gio's got them on real short leashes, real short."
Sabrina flicked on the gym lights. They buzzed and crackled as they blinked on. "Is he still thinking about taking over Silph?"
"Yeah, but he's been a little more secretive since he found about my powers. Doesn't slap me around too much anymore. I think he's just as scared of me as I am of him."
A few minutes after Sabrina opened the doors two men came in. One was unusually very tall and muscular; the leather jacket he wore was threatening to burst. He had long, wavy blonde hair and a goatee. The other man was average height and had good muscle tone, but not as impressive as the other man. His hair was a darker blonde and short. His bangs almost made a heart shape on his forehead. He wore sunglasses and baggy pants which sported a decorative silver chain. The two of them looked around.
"Hello!" The shorter man hollered. He smiled while listening to his voice echo around the nearly empty gym. The tall man scowled down at him. The shorter man heeded the warning and grinned apologetically.
"I don't want you fooling around this time, Mikial." The tall man said in a calm but authoritive voice. His deep voice could make anyone pay attention even if they tried not to.
The smaller man nodded and took of his glasses. "I got it."
Sabrina approached the two men. "Welcome to my gym. Are you two trainers?"
The tall man smiled. He had a very pleasing warm smile. He opened his mouth but the small man spoke.
"You bet we are. We'll knock the-
The tall man put a huge gloved hand over the little guy's mouth. "You must be Sabrina. I am Vynan, and this little twerp is Mikial. OW!" The man looked down at his hand that was now removed from Mikial's mouth. Apparently the little guy bit him.
"KIAL!" He roared. "What the heck is the matter with you?"
Mikial stood with his hands behind his back and whistled innocently. Vynan squinted at him and he shrieked. Vynan snorted and tossed his head.
"We challenge you to a match." Vynan said flatly.
Sabrina raised her eyebrows. "Looks like you got your hands full, huh?"
Vynan rolled his eyes. "Ain't nothing I can do about it. The little rat is my brother."
Mikial stood directly next to his brother and mimicked his scowl exactly.
Sabrina laughed. "I see the resemblance."
Vynan rolled his eyes again. "How about we quit beating around the bush and get this over with already?"
Sabrina became serious. "Fine then." She went to her side of the floor. "Let's see what you got."
I went to the spectators box as the two men took their positions.
"I choose Kadabra!" Sabrina bellowed as a Kadabra materialized on the floor.
The men on the opposite side both smirked exactly the same way and spoke with one voice. "We choose Jolteon!"
A Jolteon formed on the floor and let out its battle cry. It took a very confident battle stance.
Sabrina! Do you see the level on that thing?
Heck I do. Level 57, that means it has pin missle. Great.
"Kadabra! Psybeam! Right away!"
"Saw that coming." The two men said. It was freaky how they spoke in synch.
These guys must have had a lot of practice. They say the exact same thing at the same time. Creepy.
Yeah, now be quiet you're making me loose focus.
The men ordered the Jolteon to use agility. The Jolteon dodged the psybeam.
"Kadabra, confusion!"
"Jolteon, pin missle!"
Jolteon took the hit and fired the pin missle. Kadabra went down.
"Go Mr. Mime!"
"Mime!"
"Mr. Mime, substitute!"
"Jolteon, thunder!"
The substitute took the hit.
"Alright, now meditate!"
Mr. Mime sat in the usual meditating position and mumbled.
"Jolteon, pin missle it!"
Jolteon aimed it's attack and fired. Mr. Mime survived the hit.
"Hang on Mime! Confusion!"
Jolteon took the hit once more, but was now confused.
"Yes!" Sabrina cheered.
"It isn't over yet." The two men said.
"Mime! Confusion again!"
Mr. Mime focused for and extra strong attack in spite of how much damage he'd taken. The confused Jolteon finally went down. Sabrina called back her Mr. Mime and sent out Slowbro.
Vynan and Mikial sent out Gengar.
"Gengar! Hypnosis!"
Slowbro went to sleep.
"No! Slowbro wake up!"
The men laughed. "Gengar, nightshade!"
Slowbro was out.
Sabrina growled. "Venomoth!"
"Gengar, confuse ray!"
It didn't work.
"Ha! Venomoth, psybeam!"
The Gengar was taken out.
"Go Rapidash! Fire blast!"
There went Venomoth.
Sabrina stamped her foot. "My last one. Alakazam! Go!"
"Rapidash, fire spin."
"No! Psychic now!"
Rapidash struck first, trapping Alakazam.
"AH HA HA HA!!!!" The two men laughed.
Geeze those two are psycho. I thought. They're getting kind of carried away.
"Alright! Rapidash! Finish it!"
"NO!" Sabrina yelled as Alakazam hit the ground.
The two men seemed to break their "battle bond." Mikial began to do a little victory dance. Vynan watched looking very annoyed. Mikial ended his little performance with a disturbing laugh. He coughed before he could finish his laugh and dramatically collapsed on the ground.
"Too. much. coffee. this morning. " He said, very hoarsely. He rolled onto his back and breathed loud and raspy like, purposely making his chest heave up and down.
Vynan sighed and shook his head. "Sorry about him. He's got serious problems."
Sabrina watched him disgustedly. "Can't believe I lost to a bunch of bozos." She slapped a Marsh badge into the huge hand. I joined her as Vynan casually walked over to his partner and kicked him in the ribs.
"Come on now, Kial! Or I'll wring your skinny neck!"
Mikial shot to his feet and stood at attention. "Private Mikial reporting for duty sir!"
Vynan punched him in the stomach. "I've had it up to here with you!" He bellowed holding his hand up as high as it would stretch.
Mikial crumpled onto the ground and started crying. "I was only havin fun!"
"Get your pathetic ass off this floor and out that door before Sabrina and I get mad!" Vynan yelled, spiting a little.
Mikial obeyed immediately, running out the door. Vynan came back over to us.
"Terribly sorry about him." He apologized again. He turned around and went for the door. Mikial had his face pressed up against the glass. Vynan stopped and looked back at us.
"Want me to make him clean the windows?"
Sabrina couldn't help but giggle. "No, it's okay."
Vynan finally made it to the door and went outside. Mikial made a "move out of the way" gesture. Vynan moved off to the side. Mikial bowed and waved, then blew a kiss to Sabrina. Vynan popped him over the head.
Then, suddenly, Mikial tackled Vynan. Surprisingly, he hit him hard enough that they fell over.
Sabrina and I looked at each other then ran to the door. Mikial was whacking Vynan furiously, until Vynan threw him off. He sat up and messed with his jaw and blinked a few times.
"Thanks a bunch Mikial! I'm gonna have two black eyes!" Vynan got up and helped Mikial up.
"You started it!"
"That's right, I always start it."
"You do!"
"Okay! Now we better shut up before get fighting again."
Sabrina opened the door. "Why don't you guys come back in and get cleaned up. You're starting to bleed a little there, Vynan."
The two looked at each other. "All right."
Mikial eyed Vynan as they walked behind us across the gym floor and through the door that lead to Sabrina's home. Vynan had to duck to go through the door and couldn't stand up straight on the other side without hitting his head. I showed him to the bathroom and got him a towel.
"Exactly how tall are you?" I asked, watching him with fascination. I couldn't help myself.
"Eight foot eleven. Gets to be a real pain sometimes." He looked at the towel. "Hmmm. he got me pretty good that time."
"Why did he do that so suddenly?"
"Oh, that's just how he is. Gets fed up with me pushing him around. Wish he were serious like that more of the time. Hey, we're classic siblings."
"Yeah, which reminds me. How the heck did you guys do that saying exactly the same thing at the exact same time thing?"
He laid the towel on the edge of the sink and smiled. I noticed his teeth were straight; not the least bit crooked. He wiped his hands on his pants. "Psychics. That's what we are. But, Mikial got most of it." He chuckled. "He's always sayin, 'Vynan got the good looks and the brain, and I got the psychic powers.'"
He followed me out to the living room. "I can't do nothin special with mine. Just talk, move stuff around, and mind barriers."
Mikial was slumped in the couch playing with his hands and staring at nothing in particular. Vynan sat down next to him, making the couch sag. Mikial woke up from his trance, because suddenly he was lying on his brother. Vynan didn't seem to notice he had his eyes closed and was stretching his neck.
I sat on the couch on the other side of the coffee table and Sabrina came back with some tea for all of us.
"So, where are you guys from?" Sabrina asked sitting down next to me.
Vynan studied the two of us sitting there for a moment. "We're from Fuchsia City."
"How long have you been trainers?" Sabrina took a sip of her tea.
Vynan sat back in his seat and watched Mikial out of the corner of his eye. "Since we were kids."
"So you've always been together? Battling and stuff?"
"Yeah."
"You make a pretty good team." Then she leaned forward and whispered. "But you look like you could do without him." She jerked her head in Mikial's direction.
Vynan studied Mikial. He wasn't paying any attention to what they were doing. "You could be right, but it's nice having someone to talk to and share your life with. He ain't so bad when we're alone. He just likes the attention."
Mikial picked up his tea and looked at it for a while, and then started lapping it up like a dog.
"What do you think of Team Rocket?" I asked.
Both Vynan and Mikial glared at me, and then looked at each other. Mikial looked a little uncomfortable and put his sunglasses on.
"Well, I can definitely tell you we don't like them the least bit."
I nodded. "Doesn't everybody?"
"Them rockets. they treat their pokemon like shit. Really ticks me off. I've seen them be just as heartless to innocent people too. Isn't that right Mikial?"
Mikial whimpered.
Vynan put a hand up to his mouth and whispered. "He tries to be tough, but when he sees a lot of blood he goes ballistic. Some of them loonies come after me with a whip. I never saw him panic more in this life."
I raised an eyebrow. "Why the heck did they go after you with a whip?"
Vynan snorted. "Beats me. I guess the guy needed to blow off some steam."
"He picked the wrong guy to mess with. Didn't he Vyn?" Mikial said. "I think you killed that guy."
Sabrina caught my eye. I nodded.
"Well, have you ever heard of Mewtwo?" I asked.
Vynan thought for a moment. Mikial took his glasses off.
"That's that mew they cloned, isn't it? They say it's the strongest pokemon ever so far."
Vynan looked at him. "Yeah, that's right. What about him?"
"Team Rocket has two of them." I couldn't finish what I wanted to say. The horror scene of Mewtwo being beaten replayed in my mind. I felt Sabrina's hand on my shoulder.
"We are trying to get the Mewtwos away from them. We don't know how we're going to do it, though."
Vynan eyed me, looking concerned. Mikial mimicked his expression.
"What's the matter with him?" Mikial asked.
I showed them what happened psychically. Vynan was quiet for a while. Mikial looked deeply disturbed.
"You're asking us to help you then?"
Sabrina and I nodded.
"Count us in." Vynan extended his huge hand out to me and we shook hands.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Are you awake? You've been sleeping for quite a while now.
A hand stroked me behind the ear. It was comforting in the midst of all this suffering, but another part of me forced me to push away. I opened my eyes and looked at the red Mewtwo.
Do you feel any better? She asked.
I slowly sat up. That seemed to answer her question. She smiled a little.
I would have saved you some food, but the Rattatas took it last night.
That's all right. They were probably hoping it would work out that way. I shut my eyes again. I sensed her watching me.
Why didn't you just do what he asked? It would have saved you all this pain.
I sighed. If I did what he wanted me to do he would think that he's getting through my thick skull and then he'd start making me do other things. I won't let him have what he wants if he won't let me have what I want. I won't let him have a sense of power over me, because he is not more powerful than I.
She looked away. I was being really silly, wasn't I? You could have just said that was too much for you.
I stared at her. What are you getting at?
You don't like me, do you?
I never said that.
Then why do you stare at me like I'm a repulsive blob stuck on your ass? She said in a sassy tone.
Excuse me?
You heard me. She said stalking away to her corner.
I lowered my head and looked elsewhere. It's not you that makes me gag. I admitted. She seemed interested enough to turn around.
Then what? She flicked her tail at me.
Looking at you. it reminds me of something I dreamt about.
Her ears perked. Oh really?
I had a dream that Giovanni made his scientists create another. not quite like us, though. He. he was evil. I remember that he was. stronger, much stronger. Giovanni called him Lucy.
Sheba stuck her tongue out. Must be his pet name for Lucifer. So, what happened?
I took a deep breath. This is making my back ache.
Sheba played with her tail. She looked like she was trying to decide what to do. She threw her tail and wandered over. Why do I remind you of your dream?
The dream replayed in my mind as I began to tell her:
I was sitting in the sun enjoying the day with another Mewtwo. She was a light green color. I'm not sure, but I think she is my mate. As we are sitting there, the sky becomes dark. It starts to rain and there is thunder and lightening. I tell the green Mewtwo to go inside. She leaves, but minutes later I hear her scream. I run to where the scream came from and there he is. A tall, black Mewtwo with red glaring eyes. Four enormous fangs hang over his bottom lip, which is dripping with blood. The green Mewtwo hung limply from his giant clawed hand. He threw her aside and glared at me. Then threw his head back, letting out a roar. Giovanni emerges from the shadows and stands beside the beast. It lowers its head for him to pet it. "I see you have met Lucy, Mewtwo." Giovanni says with a sneer. "I no longer need you, so we have come to destroy you." Giovanni simply nods and the monster lunges at me. We begin to battle, but eventually I lose.
I shuddered. There was no way I'd ever be able to explain the horror of all that went on. And the strange thing about it was that I was watching it the whole time. I was not actually living the dream, I was watching. I'd left out a part, too. I didn't want to scare Sheba, but the monster of a Mewtwo had raped that green Mewtwo.
I put my hands over my face. That green Mewtwo looked exactly like you only green.
I felt her touch my arm. It was only a dream.
I uncovered my face and gazed into her eyes. Her fear was obvious, and I could smell it.
Yes, only a dream. I said and before I could stop myself, I found myself holding her. She looked up at me and studied my face. She couldn't believe I was doing this either. I stared back at her, and for a moment I actually felt. content. Then I realized what was going on and shoved her away.
No, I will not give in to these strange feelings. I will resist. I told myself.
Sheba looked hurt and crept over to her corner. She would look back every once in a while, wondering if I felt guilty.
What is happening to me? I thought. Suddenly I find myself so hard to control. I looked over at Sheba. What has Giovanni done? Why do I feel this way? I know that I have longed to be with my own kind. Someone who knows what it's like to be enslaved, manipulated. And now I am, but. I never expected this. I remembered what Giovanni said, "She is your mate, Mewtwo." My mate. it seemed so simple a word until now. I remembered letting my clones free on that island. They had found mates, and they were happy with them. ?But, they were able to choose. I have no choice, because even though they were clones there were others that were similar. but wait. I was cloned from mew.Mew. there was only one other mew besides me and Sheba, and we were more than just mews. Unlike my clones, we were made stronger through the DNA from various other pokemon and. humans. I didn't have all of the research the humans had gathered. I developed my own way. Those clones were not like me after all.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
"Did you hear that?" Mikial jumped from his seat on the couch. He went to the window and pushed the curtain aside. The rest of us followed him.
"Something is happening at the Silph building." He said, looking alarmed.
"Oh no! It's my father! It must be." I said.
Vynan studied me. "Your father?"
I hung my head in despair. "My father is the leader of Team Rocket."
Vynan took a step back. "Team Rocket? I've been talking to a Rocket kid? Is this some sort of trap?" Vynan looked around nervously.
"No, Vynan." Sabrina said. "Mark hates team Rocket just as much as you do. He's been warning me about Silph for a while now. We just didn't do anything about it, because Mark let it slip that he didn't like what his dad does."
Vynan calmed down. "I see. A double agent."
Mikial turned from the window. "I'm not just gonna stand here and watch. I'm gonna do something." He teleported away.
Vynan looked devastated. "Oh no! He's gonna get himself killed!" He ran out the door and down the street toward Silph. Sabrina started after him.
"Come on Mark! We have to help him!"
We started down the street after him. Already we could her guns going off and people screaming.
"I can't. believe. they would. do this. in broad daylight." Sabrina said as we ran. By the time we got to Silph Vynan was already inside. The guards at the front were knocked out. We stepped over them and went inside. The first floor was littered with knocked out men, no signs of much struggle. It almost seemed as if Vynan had done this before.
Gunshots rang out from above.
"There's no time!" Sabrina yelled, grabbing my hand and teleporting.
We reappeared a few floors up, right in the middle of the action. I was quick enough to put up a barrier before we fully materialized. Sabrina spotted Vynan right off the bat. He was in a struggle with a rocket, who had a knife. We raced over as bullets whizzed by and soon discovered that Mikial was also on this floor.
There were rockets surrounding Mikial and they were all shooting, but Mikial had a barrier up too. The rockets only ended up shooting each other, but then we heard Vynan let out a yelp of pain. Mikial spun around and his barrier dropped.
"Vynan!" He yelled.
BANG!
Mikial hit the ground.
"NOOOOOOOOO!!!!" Vynan screamed. The man on top of him with the knife went flying and hit the guy that shot Mikial. Vynan got up and ran to his brother's side.
"Everyone stop shooting!" I yelled. The rockets stopped. I didn't think they would actually listen to me. One of them held up a hand telling the others to hold their fire.
"That is Giovanni's son, and he better have a good reason for this." The man said.
I turned to the man. "I don't have a good reason for this. Mikial got carried away and we came after him."
"Giovanni will hear about this. Hilton, finish those two off."
"What? No!" I stood in front of Vynan. "You will not touch these two, unless you want to see what I am capable of. I will deal with them."
The man called off Hilton.
"Vynan, come with me."
Vynan picked up Mikial. The man in charge stood in my way.
"Where are you going? I want to make sure you're dealing with these two correctly."
I had to think of something quick. These men didn't know that I was against them.
"I know what I am doing. What is your name and rank?" I asked trying to sound aggravated.
"I am Marshall Rand, chief executive." His voice faded as he said that. He must have realized that he was talking back to a superior authority (or his boss' son.). Even though my father had said I must earn my way to the top, he gave me a hard-to-earn rank. I think it was just because he wanted to impress me.
Marshall looked around sub-consciously. "All right fine. now what am I going to do about this?" He added.
I motioned for Vynan to follow me. No one gave us any trouble on the way out. Maybe being a rocket is useful for something.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
After taking Vynan and Mikial to the hospital, Sabrina and I went back to her house.
"Do you think I should close the gym?" Sabrina asked looking out the window.
"Might be a good idea. I wonder. why would my dad be taking over Silph again?" I paced back and forth for a while. Sabrina watched.
Then it hit me.
"What was I thinking?! Mewtwos! He wants more Mewtwos! And he knows that Silph has some of the information he needs to clone them."
"Silph has some of the info?" Sabrina crossed her legs and folded her hands around her knee.
"Of course! Silph has info for everything! I remember someone talking about how Silph recovered some of the files from that lab on the island in the middle of the ocean. Why didn't I think of this before?"
Sabrina thought for a moment. "But, how did he clone Sheba then?"
"Sheba is a little bit different. All Gio had was the broken Mew DNA. He used other pokemon DNA to fill in the gaps and somehow she didn't turn out quite the same way."
Sabrina was silent. Then she rolled her eyes and sighed. "Mark, you of all people should know that picking on Team Rocket is a death wish. We can't break them up by ourselves. You saw what happened to Vynan and Mikial."
"Strategy, Sabrina. Vynan and Mikial are psychics. They'll heal quickly. All we need is a few more psychics to help us. Then I can free the Mewtwos. Mewtwo will know of a place for us to hide out. Then, we'll have two strong pokemon to help us take Team Rocket down and possibly out. Of course, this is going to be easier said than done, but it's a good plan. Don't you think so?"
Sabrina rocked back and forth. "Okay. I think I know of a few people who'll help us."