The Reign of Mewtwo
Chapter II
Scorched Earth
Disclaimer – Pokémon is not mine. The story and characters of 'The reign of Mewtwo' are the property of Butchs Fan Fiction Forum . Before use of these characters or elements of the story please get permission from Butch Cassidy at butchsvideostop@Tiscali.co.uk
WARNING – This Fan Fiction is not a typical Pokémon FanFic; it covers darker themes, which could be considered unsuitable for younger readers. You have been warned.
- Visit the Home of 'The Reign of Mewtwo' at www.butchsforum.co.uk
………
In times of great wars, those commanding the field have been unable to grasp the inevitable truth that each soldier, each pawn in their war is an individual, with their own life, hopes and dreams. Even one life lost is one too many, causing much pain and the blinking out of another candle of life. It is in great wars that people forget, and the war beginning in 2000 was no different.
"The death of one is a tragedy… the death of a million is not but a statistic"
Joseph Stalin
………
"Welcome to all our viewers across the free world! We are broadcasting specially today from Germany, where the new XG-weapon is going through the final stages of its prototype testing" The unnaturally happy tone of the news reporters voice came across the small monitor. Within the large, high tech hall dozens of monitors where playing the same news report but people where still clambering over each other in order to catch a sight of it.
"This is a live report?" One of them asked,
"Yeah, and being broadcast over the old analogue signals too" Her friend answered, motioning to the monitor "See, LIVE. It's been months since we had a free media report" Her friend nodded agreeing,
"This war sucks"
Pushing one of the many doors at the back of the hall open Ash and Misty leisurely made their way into the room. Ash froze for a moment looking across the room. The large rectangular room was built up with large workstations running along the walls. Hundreds of computers and more advanced do da's covered these workstations. Even more people where around these, although they all appeared to be watching the same handful of monitors at the moment. The centre itself was empty in comparison to the rest of the room with only a hand full of computers though these where the biggest. The technology in the room was all-new in look but the room itself was far from it. It looked like the inside of an old Cathedral with architecture and stain glass windows to match. A large coat of arms displaying a skeleton sitting on a rock held precedence.
"Oh Ash" One of the young ladies greeted him, "Captain Gill wants to see you in his office. It appeared urgent… and he didn't look happy" She pulled him back to reality. After a moment what he had just been told registered, and breaking into a run he bolted through the hall.
"Thanks Neesha!" He thanked her before disappearing from sight. She shook her head and turned to Misty.
"I don't know how you put up with him" She asked, Misty just shrugged,
"Neither do I" She answered before the two lady made their way to a couple of the computers in the centre of the hall. Sitting, Misty pushed a few buttons and the computer burst into life with an electronic buzz. Neesha did the same, but lent over to Misty,
"What have you heard of this weapons test in Germany?" She asked anxiously.
"No more than the news service said why is there something special about it?" She asked. Neesha seemed shocked.
"You mean to tell me you haven't heard any of the rumours?" She asked, but Misty just shook her head.
"According to my sources the government has put a lot of money and time into this test, a lot to lose. Some are even saying that this weapon could mean the end of the war"
Lifting a small headset from the side of the computer Misty placed it over her ears,
"Come on Neesha, you know what your sources are like. I would have more faith and Ash being on time"
"Believe what you will Misty but this is the big one, and I'm sure this time" Neesha told. Misty raised an eyebrow,
"Ok, I believe you, now can I get on with some work?" She asked; Neesha smiled,
"Be my guest"
………
Within minutes Ash was keeled over panting outside an oak door down a long over expensive looking corridor. Rising his fist he knocked twice and waited for the occupant to respond.
"Come in" Came the voice from inside, and so Ash pulled the door open granting himself entry to the room. The room was small but none the less impressive. An unnatural orangey light filled the room, as there were no windows allowing natural light to enter. The room's walls seemed to be built out of wood, carved into shapes and patterns, again the coat of arms with the skeleton sat behind the desk that centred the room. Behind the desk a man sat. His hair black but showing some white here and there. He smiled as Ash entered the room.
"Good of you to finally join me Mr. Katchem" He offered, "Please, take a seat". Ash gulped and took the solemn chair that sat in front of his desk.
The man leaned back, observing Ash's fearful face. Lifting a small ball from its coaster on the desk he threw it from one hand to the other menacingly.
"Tell me Ash do you know why you have been asked to come here?" The man asked never taking his eyes off Ash.
"No Captain Gill" Ash lied. He involuntarily looked away from his piercing gaze. Gill stopped juggling the ball, instead holding it stationary in his hand.
"You were late again this morning where you not?" He asked. Ash slowly nodded,
"Yes"
The captain sighed sadly,
"Alright Ash have I ever told you the story of that fellow" Gill asked indicating to the sitting skeleton in the coat of arms behind him. Ash shook his head slowly, not really sure what he had gotten himself into.
"This city is steeped in history. At one time there were two brothers each with right to control the city. Before any fighting started his brother locked him in the tower and told him he would be released when the power struggle had ended. And so his brother waited…"
"And what happened?" Ash asked wanting the end of the story.
"Well he returned to find his brothers skeleton sitting, still waiting, for the help his brother had promised. Waiting for his brother who never came. Do you understand what I am trying to say Ash?" Gill asked completing the story. Ash thought for a moment before answering with a snide remark
"That you want to lock me in the tower?"
"NO!" The captain told him angrily. Ash froze.
"Every day we fight. You have lived here long enough to know this. Every day comes another empty promise of help from the mainland… but nothing. Sometimes I feel as we are the brother waiting" Gill told him angrily, beginning to juggle the ball again "If we are to avoid ending up the same way we need people to work together. We can't have you doing this!" Ash sulked his head,
"It wont happen again Sir" Ash told him. Gill smiled, placing the ball back in its coaster,
"Make sure it doesn't, or I might just lock you in the tower"
A small electronic device activated on the desk, a small crackling sound mixed with a voice filled the air,
"Captain, an unidentified aircraft has come into airspace over the Antrim rowans. We request instructions" Gill thought nothing of the voice but Ash knew it, it was Misty's. The captain thought for a moment before hitting a red button and answering,
"Attempt contacting the craft on normal European frequencies. I'm on my way"
"Yes Sir" The voice returned before the device crackled out entirely. Gill pulled himself to his feet and motioned to the door,
"Time to return to work" Ash nodded.
………
Misty sighed angrily as she flicked her microphone off. Neesha caught the dis-contempt in her voice,
"What's wrong?"
"I don't know. Just something has been getting to me for the past few weeks"
"Your not the only one" Neesha reminded her, "Have you looked around? Many people have that same look on their faces"
"And what look is that?" Misty asked.
"Fear"
Misty looked to her feet,
"I guess your right, we haven't exactly had much to celebrate around here"
"No, we haven't" Neesha agreed. Misty raised her head and smiled,
"Well there is no point in getting down" Misty called out in mock happiness, and Neesha agreed with a nod.
"Why are we assuming the Europeans?" Neesha asked, "Could it not be the Americans?" Misty agreed,
"It could be, but what are the chances. Manhattan has enough trouble defending itself without worrying about us over here" Flicking the microphone back on again Misty attempted to make contact with the aircraft. Several minutes later she flicked the microphone off again and threw off her headset.
"Its useless! They won't answer!"
The hall, which had been rather noisy and talkative until then suddenly, went quiet. Looking up, Neesha and Misty caught sight of Captain Gill and Ash entering. Everyone had gone quiet like a classroom when a teacher comes in. Slowly they made there way down to the front of the hall each step echoing in the now soundless hall. He stopped behind Misty,
"Have they answered?" He asked, as Ash slipped into the chair to the other side of Misty. Misty shook her head,
"No, none of the European signals have been replied too" Gill straightened,
"Alright if they want to play it that way," Back stepping a little he took a seat in front of an average looking computer, though it was on its own. The seat was defiantly bigger than the rest, and looked a lot more comfortable too. He placed a headset over his ears and typed onto the keyboard. Flipping a small microphone from the side he spoke into it,
"There is a jet coming in from a South-Easternly direction, can you see it?" The voice replied into his ear,
"We see it sir"
"Target the SAM's. When I give the order blow it out of the sky" The captain told him uncaringly.
"I hope you don't do that" Came another voice; Gill checked his headphones but found it was coming from Misty's system. He jumped bounding to Misty,
"Where is that coming from?"
"It appears to be from the jet," Misty answered. Lifting her microphone Gill spoke directly to the pilot,
"Who are you and why have you ignored our attempts to contact you?" After a moment of cracking background noise the voice returned,
"Sergeant Namarari, German Air Force" The disembodied voice answered, "My radio has been going through black spots. I only got it working now"
"Send us your clearance code" Gill ordered.
"Sending" He informed them. Gill looked to Misty.
"Got it," She told him, "Checking…" Gill covered the microphone obviously impatient,
"And?" He asked. Misty ignored him for a moment before nodding at her screen,
"He checks out, the code is correct. Sergeant Namarari, transporting specialist equipment from Berlin"
Lifting his hand off the Microphone Gill returned to the pilot,
"Alright Sergeant you have clearance to land, but you will be met by one of my officers"
"I look forward to talking to you in person" The voice answered before returning to the wordless static. Gill turned off the Microphone.
"Ash you fancy a walk?" Gill asked,
"No really" He answered. Gill smiled meanly,
"Tough" He told Ash, "I want you to met the pilot and keep him busy for at least another hour"
"Why" Ash asked pulling himself from his chair lazily.
"Why is unimportant, just go" Gill told him, "And hurry!" Ash jumped to it and made his way from the hall though he wasn't exactly hurrying. When he was gone Gill leaned in next too Misty so he could speak into her ear.
"I want you to find out more about what this 'specialist equipment' is" Gill ordered her, "I don't like it when such things are brought in without my personal permission" Misty nodded sadly,
"You know I can't do that legally?" Misty asked,
"That's why I'm whispering. Now find that out for me" He ordered again,
"Yes Sir"
………
Ash was breathing so hard he felt like his lungs where going to explode. As ordered he had run straight through the city, and across Memorial bridge before he came to the cities small but active airfield. Finding the land to build such a complex in the centre of a built up city was difficult but now the airfield covered what used to be an old army barracks and park. This was the only real way to enter or exit the city, with the use of either a plane or a helicopter, land routes deemed too dangerous to travel.
Crossing the bridge he watched the jet skidding onto the runway ahead of him. No matter how many times he heard it happen it never failed to amaze him how loud an airplane could be. Within minutes he was stood beside the now stationary jet. Although it only had its one passenger it looked like there was enough room to fit a half dozen inside. With an echoing clank the pilot stepped down the temporary ladder leading into the cockpit of the aircraft. Looking up at the man Ash felt like a shrimp, the pilot looming nearly what appeared to be 7-foot form the ground. Taking his helmet off Ash for the first time caught sight of the face that matched the voice. The mans dark skin colour and striking brown hair made him even more distinctive, on top of the height.
Placing his helmet under his shoulder the man greeted Ash with a smile,
"Morning, you here to welcome me?" Ash nodded,
"I have been order to show you around some of the city before bringing you to the Captain sir" Ash told him, he nodded,
"All right, but I want my plane taken care of, I have some sensitive equipment inside" He told Ash forcefully.
"Already taken care of" Ash informed him, "Your plane will be very safe here, so don't worry"
"Alright lead the way," He said to Ash convinced.
As they waked out of the airfield Ash gave him a basic overview,
"As you know this is the city of Londonderry, presently under the control and protection of the United Kingdom with support from the Republic of Irelands military to the south. The city itself was one of the first to be walled as the war heated up and was also the first in the UK to come under fire. Population about thirty thousand, city about thirteen square miles within the walls"
"All textbook stuff… do you have anything you couldn't look up in a book?" Namarari asked, Ash raised an eyebrow.
"Sure, there is a great sense of community in the city" Ash answered.
"Why is that?" He asked Ash
"Sir, You must remember the people of this city and the country have fought in a civil war for the best part of 40 years. When they united, they really united. That and we have great pubs here," Ash continued. Namarari laughed heartily,
"You have a sense of humour, I like that. Maybe we should go out for a drink sometime?"
"I'm up for it" Ash said joining in with a laugh.
Stepping onto the metallic walls Ash turned to more serious matters,
"These walls may be old but they are strong. Daily attacks by the enemy has proven that. Have you ever been in a war zone before?" Ash asked,
"I've seen a few" Namarari answered.
"That's good, it is never pretty to see it for the first time" Ash said. Looking over the walls of the city Ash couldn't hold back the sadness. Looking out as far as the horizon there was nothing but rubble, the remains of homes, businesses, cars… a whole city levelled. Turning he looked into the walled city, what was left couldn't be called a city in the traditional sense of the word. Big square building covering any pieces of land they could, trying to keep as many people in as small a place as possible. It looked like it had been taken straight out an old sci-fi movie.
"What's that?" Namarari asked pointing out into the abandoned city.
"What's what?" Ash asked turning back to the rowans.
"That grey that appears to surround us" Namarari repeated, "What is it?"
"That is the old wall," Ash answered,
"The what?" Namarari asked again,
"The old wall. When the city was first walled, there were three layers. The first layer fell in the first attack on the city. A massive attack and we didn't have the people to protect such a large area, this wall is the second, while the third surrounds HQ" Ash answered with a little more detail this time. Namarari nodded,
"Interesting"
Turning his back on the rowans again Ash said,
"Anyway next…" He was cut off as two large explosions echoed through the air causing them both to duck down,
"What was that?!" Namarari yelled. Rising to look into the city Ash noticed he wasn't the only one doing so. From the far side of the city spotted smoke billowing, blacking the sky itself.
"Whatever it was they are going to need our help, lets go!" Ash told him, jumping onto the stairs throwing himself into the city, not sure what to expect or what had happened with Namarari on his heels.
.........
Once Ash had left, Misty carried out her orders searching for the information on what special equipment Sergeant Namarari was carrying into the city. Hacking was a slow job but the more skilled an operator was the faster they could pull it off. Before not too long she had checked everywhere she could think off. The military kept no details; the Germen government had nothing… where could they be? Throughout, the voices of those around her beat into her mind distracting her and none worse than voice of the live report from Berlin.
It wasn't too long before she had given up for a moment and joined the rest of them watching the news broadcast on their
"Salvation". With a sigh she made her way to one of the screens showing the report, and watched with Neesha beside her.
"So you decided to join us then?" Neesha asked snidely, Misty stuck her tongue out at her,
"I needed a break that's all"
"Well the test is due to start any minute now. The XG-Weapon which is being tested is one of only two prototypes of the weapon that are in existence. It is said that there is no more important development for Mankind, but we have yet to see" The cheery news reporter continued, in the background a scientist in a long white coat came out of a small room holding a large very futuristic, almost sci-fi weapon. Turning to watch the news reporter continued,
"And here is the weapon… And the test is about to beg." The news reporter was cut off as the screen snowed over. One of those watching hit the side of the screen,
"Come on, not now!"
Neesha turned to Misty to complain but found she had fazed out,
"Misty what's wrong" She asked,
"I've gotta look up something" Misty told her, a look of horror in her eyes. Jumping over the desk Misty ran to her computer, Neesha in pursuit. Throwing herself into her chair, she pulled her headset on, and started to type into the keyboard at top speed, her figures moving so fast Neesha couldn't even see what she was typing.
"What's going on" Neesha asked, Misty just ignored her. A cry from the monitor they where watching caught Neesha's attention.
"We apologize for the disruption in transmission, we will return you to our broadcast as soon as possible"
"Come on Misty don't be gloomy, it will be back soon" Neesha told Misty,
"It won't" Misty replied her figures still moving at top speed.
"What do you mean?" Neesha asked,
"Oh God…" Misty exclaimed ignoring Neesha again, jumping to her feet she yelled across the room.
"CAPTAIN!" She yelled, "WE HAVE A PROBLEM!" Climbing out of his chair he made his way to her, with no hurry.
"What is it?" He asked,
"I know what cargo they are carrying and it is a problem" She answered, "For us anyway"
"What is it then?" He told her.
"We have just received an XG Prototype weapon," Misty told him. Both Neesha and the captain nearly fell over.
"What! Are you sure!" He asked,
"I am. I just checked their main system. They only made two of these weapons, and they sent the second to somewhere nobody would think to look" Misty answered,
"Just another city on the front line" Gill nodded, "But whys this a problem?"
"Was I the only one who noticed?" She asked, Gill shuck his head,
"Notice what?"
Misty turned to her computer, and pressed a few keys. The happy news report popped onto her screen,
"And here is the weapon… And the test is about to be…." She spoke. At the last moment Misty hit another key freezing the picture.
"Watch this" Misty told them; clicking her key she made the picture move frame by frame. Just before the picture went blank it went red.
"Does that mean what I think it means?" Gill asked, and Misty nodded slowly.
"We didn't just lose the signal, there was an explosion and anyone who had access enough to bomb that site would know the other was coming here"
"Oh God…" Gill said, "That means…" A loud echoing explosion tore into the room, an eerie red glow filling the hall, the computer screen frizzled but stayed active.
"Report!" Gill asked her anxiously. The noise of the explosion had been replaced by the yelling and screaming. The captain made himself known,
"REMAIN CALM!" He yelled across the hall, his voice booming. All noise in the room silenced, each pair of eyes turning to them, "GET TO WORK!" The silence again was replaced by the noise of people working, running from side to side.
"Well?" He asked Misty again angrily.
"It appears two separate explosive devices have been set off, one in the bog-side wall and the second in the inner wall" Misty told him,
"Damage?" He asked,
"Both have been breached," She continued
"Which means we're wide open… to them"
End of Chapter II
……
Butch Cassidy
10.04.04
Author Message:
Well there you have it, Reign of Mewtwo chapter II. First I would like to thank those who reviewed and mailed me about continuing the series, for it is because of you I have continued it. I hope people liked this, and yes I know this is very different from the traditional Fan Fic but that is the way this series is going to be.
Now you should know that SAM, which is a term used earlier (Page4) is a 'Surface to Air Missile' system used for anti air defence. The city that has been described in this chapter, Londonderry is a real place if you feel like looking it up. The different places are real places within the city (Of course not including the rowans or big wall, etc). I hope to have Diagrams, and maps on my website of the city and other elements of this story soon so check it out at [www.butchsforum.co.uk].
Anyway I hope to have Chapter III released near the start of May for anyone who wants to read on. I also love reviews and questions, even if they are negative. Hope to see you again and read as much as you can until next time!
Butch Cassidy