Please, father, Ash pleaded. Something from deep within compelled him to add, I...love you.
"Ash..." Giovanni whispered, staring into the black Mew's eyes.
It was in that instant that something happened.
Perhaps one might call it fate, or even the tricky thing known as luck.
A miracle would be the best word to describe it, for the shadow that was covering Giovanni's dark eyes had faded, and a clearness was left behind, of a kind he hadn't known in years.
The air the Team Rocket leader breathed smelled fresher, the stadium looked lighter, life seemed to hold more for him.
Ash's eyes twinkled with unshed tears as he realized the change that had come over his father, and despite having only recently discovered their relationship, he embraced the man in as tight of a hug as his stubby Pokéarms allowed.
The poor fool forgives too easily, Mewtwo observed of Ash, speaking Psychically to Lugia.
That is not necessarily a bad quality, the Titan of the Sea replied.
I wouldn't have thought Giovanni would break so quickly.
A life without love is worthless.
Mewtwo turned his head to the large, primarily white bird, slightly humored. Are you calling my life worthless?
You said it. Not me.
Mewtwo started to angrily shoot something back, but Lugia held up a silencing wing. I said that merely to point out your insecurities.
Mewtwo slitted his purple eyes, and growled, I have no insecurities!
A kinetic ball suddenly materialized in front of Mewtwo, and shot towards Lugia, who disappeared with Teleport, and came up behind the cloned cat. I do not wish to fight you.
Then your ultimate Destiny will come sooner than you think, Mewtwo hissed, intending to ram his Barrier into Lugia, who again materialized in another spot.
Mewtwo. You must let go of your hate, or everything will be lost!
It is already too late, the Psychic feline spat as it threw another attack that was again dodged.
It is never too late.
I'm not interested in hearing your philosophies and pointless advice, old bird.
Advice is something that no one wants to hear, but everyone needs.
[Give it up, Lugia,] Zapdos snarled, appearing by the two Psychic-types' sides. [He doesn't feel like giving in to reason.]
What would you know about reason?
[For one thing, the odds are against you. No matter how powerful you are, you won't be able to defeat all of the Pokémon that are against you. You might as well at least call a truce.]
And what purpose would that serve? It would give valuable time to my enemies to rally against me, Mewtwo pointed out.
[When are you going to realize that the world really isn't out to get you?] Zapdos snorted.
Perhaps it takes a mean one to know a mean one, for Mewtwo appeared to truly think that over, having true doubts. Am I really that paranoid?
[Are you kidding me? You've got the biggest case of paranoia I've ever seen, and coming from me, that's something.]
[Trust him,] Articuno whispered from Zapdos' side.
[You can at least go with the little pipsqueak, and see what you think...]
Mewtwo sighed. He was tired of fighting.
It was an endless struggle that he never seemed to win or lose. Perhaps it was time for him to give in at last, to finally allow them a victory.
Despite his misgivings, he gave them the Psychic message, I will go with you.
Ash and his friends watched through wide eyes as Mewtwo and Devon disappeared into the sky. They might never meet again, but Ash had a feeling that the former Psychic cat had more tricks up his figurative sleeve.
No matter.
The main trouble to him at the moment was how to turn back into human form.
"It's simple," Cat told him. He gave her a sharp look, and she shrugged sheepishly. "I read your mind."
Quickly, she entered his mind and gave him mental instructions, and soon she was back out.
He concentrated hard, and finally a weird feeling came over him, and he found himself on the ground, albeit a little dizzy.
After the spell passed, he shouted, "I did it!"
"Pi...ka..." Pikachu giggled, pointing behind Ash.
"Huh?" Ash tried to crane his head, and saw a long black tail sticking out from the back of his pants. "Oh," he reddened, and transformed slightly, finally back to his original self.
"Ash!" Misty embraced him tightly, sounding concerned, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm okay," the trainer reassured her.
"Pi," Pikachu hugged his leg.
"Mew," Lelia and Mewsie chimed in. Cat just grinned.
"I'm proud of you son, for standing up for yourself, and bringing me back from what I once thought was a black hole of no return," Giovanni said to his son, quietly.
Ash turned and looked at him. "Will you come see mom?"
"I don't see that I have any other choice. I have many things to atone for."
And we have to go, Lugia informed them. If ever you need us again, don't look for us; we shall find you.
Most of the Legendaries disappeared into the sudden mist that had formed, enveloping the group, then it was gone as quickly as it had come.
Brock, Misty, Ash, and their Pokémon, as well as the Mews, gazed at Giovanni, Jessie, James, and their Pokémon (including Meowth), and everyone burst into laughter, relieving the tension.
When Giovanni and Ash finally entered Mrs. Ketchum's house, nothing needed to be said. Ash's mother burst into tears, and was soon in Giovanni's arms, a hand clutching his chest.
Sensing that they needed to be alone, the Pokémon trainer went back outside where his friends (minus Jessie and James, who were waiting for Giovanni to return to Rocket HQ) were waiting. "I think they needed some privacy."
Misty grinned evilly as she pulled him to her, "They're not the only ones." Ash soon found himself in a kiss that drowned out all of his senses, and when he was finally released from her vice-like grip he found himself gasping for air amidst cat-calls and Brock's cheering, "Go Ash! Go Ash!"
He blushed, and the Water Lover looked pleased with herself.
Giovanni exited the house with the red-eyed mother. "I have been graciously forgiven, and allowed to return to Team Rocket to reverse its goals. No longer will we be a band of thieves...We will be a group with the sole intent to help."
Ash broke into a grin, "Wayta go, Dad!"
Giovanni couldn't help but smile. Dad...His son had called him dad.
Author's Note: Next chapter is the epilogue. I have four chapters of the sequel written, and, if people are interested, I will try to set up a sort of voting system away from FFN for any following chapters.