The Forgotten Clone
By Ael and Kat

Disclaimer: Pokémon not ours.

Setting: Prologue during Mewtwo Strikes Back, rest of story sometime in the future (waaaaaaay after Johto)
Category: Evil Plot Bunny...er, drama/action/adventure.
Summary: An idea Ael had while watching MTSB for the billionth time. A "what if?" story...sorta. Read to find out.


"Isn't it strange
Feels like I'm lookin' in the mirror
What would people say
If only they knew that I was...

...I think I'm a clone now
There's always two of me just a-hangin' around
I think I'm a clone now
'Cause every chromosome is a hand-me-down

Look at the way
We go out walking close together
I guess you could say
I'm really beside myself...

...I think I'm a clone now
There's always two of me just a-hangin' around
I think I'm a clone now
'Cause every chromosome is a hand-me-down

I think I'm a clone now
And I can stay at home while I'm out of town
I think I'm a clone now
'Cause every pair of genes is a hand-me-down

I think I'm a clone now
That's my genetic twin always hangin' around
I think I'm a clone now
'Cause every chromosome is a hand-me-down

I think I'm a clone now."

-"I Think I'm A Clone Now", by Weird Al Yankovic



Prologue

Ash didn't give his actions even a second thought.

He dove into the machine, and snatched up the black-and-silver Master Ball that held his Pikachu. A swarm of clawed pincers descended and tugged on the ball, latching themselves all over his body. He kicked furiously, feeling the sharp pinpricks as his skin was punctured in a million different places.

Desperate, he tore at the pincers and even went so far as to bite one, never letting go of the Master Ball. Cables snapped, sparks flew, and he eventually ripped all of them away. He landed with a thud outside of the machine, slamming the Master Ball on the conveyor belt. It opened, and Pikachu materialized.

Unnoticed by Ash, clones were pouring into the green tubes at an alarming rate. Pidgeot, Sandslash, Nidoqueen... all were immediately expelled from the liquid gray force field at the bottom of the tanks. As one, they headed towards Mewtwo's stadium.

But one clone didn't follow the others. As it tumbled out of the tank, it looked around in mild confusion. Spying the young boy on the conveyor belt, its eyes widened and it shrank back into the shadows, not wanting to be seen. Turning away, it fled into the labyrinth of Mewtwo's fortress, disappearing into the darkness.


Chapter One

Ash was humming a senseless tune as he walked down the road towards Pallet Town, Pikachu on his shoulder. Brock and Misty walked slightly behind him, having gotten sick of his humming several miles back.

With the Legend League (A/N: Made it up. So sue me.) done and over, Ash was heading back home to take a vacation from traveling. Being the Pokémon Master was an especially demanding position, but one that Ash loved. Even so, he needed a break.

Without warning, a Houndoom sprang into the road, snarling and baring her fangs. Ash's eyes lit up at the sight of the Dark Pokémon, and he reached for an empty Moon Ball.

"Pikapi!" Pikachu yelled. [That Pokémon's already caught!]

Sighing, Ash took his hand away from his backpack and faced the Houndoom. "Where's your trainer, girl?"

[My trainer is nearby, and he does not appreciate you trespassing on his domain,] the Houndoom growled, thrashing her tail. [Leave at once.]

Misty and Brock watched with detached curiosity. They had long since become used to Ash talking to any Pokémon he met. He could understand them all (after several years of traveling), and they couldn't.

"Why can't he come out and tell me that himself?" Ash asked the Houndoom. "Is he afraid of something?"

[Do not attempt to dishonor my trainer!] She barked angrily. [He has his reasons, human.]

A strangely familiar voice broke the tension. "Ease off, Darkflame. I think he of all people should know."

The figure of a young man stepped out of the woods. He was dressed in jeans and a dark gray jacket, with hiking boots and a black hat to top it off. Black leather fingerless gloves were on his hands, and a pair of sunglasses hid his eyes from view. His long black hair was tied back in a ponytail.

The Houndoom, who was named Darkflame, gracefully turned and sat down at his side. He scratched her head between her white curved horns, and she rumbled in pleasure.

"My name is Aido. At least, that's what I've called myself for the past few years." He reached up and carefully took the sunglasses off his face, revealing chocolate-brown eyes that seemed to bore a hole right into Ash's. "But you would know me better than that."

Ash's eyes widened. He actually recognized the young man.

Behind him, Brock and Misty made the same connection in an instant.

Aido nodded. "Yes, you understand now. My real name is Ashton Satoshi Ketchum II. Cloned at New Island, though not intentionally, I assure you." He pointed at Ash, who stood dumbstruck in front of him. "I am you."