Chapter 2

Ash

The next morning when Karen woke she discovered Mewtwo lay sleeping beside her. She was surprised at this but since he wasn't awake it didn't matter. He's been up all night, she thought, getting up off the ground and brushing herself off. I can't get anywhere with him sleeping.

She decided against waking him. She knew from past experience with a neighbors Meowth that cat like Pokemon were very grouchy when rudely awakened. Instead she just sent him into the Master Ball and clipped it onto her belt.

She then turned and began her journey again, feeling less protected without him following her like he had the day before.

After about a half hour of walking she reached a town and entered the Market. The store was practically empty because it was so early. "Good morning," the clerk said setting down his news paper. "Welcome to Pewter City Department Store. What can I do for you today?"

"Good morning," Karen said, walking up to the counter. "How much are maps?"

"Maps are free," the man said, waving a hand at a basket of maps on the counter.

Karen took a map, looked at it, then put it in her shorts pocket. "How much are Poke Balls?" she asked next.

The clerk gave her a funny look. "Why do you need Poke Balls?" he asked pointing the Master Ball clipped to her belt. "Don't you mean Ultra Balls?"

Karen shook her head. "Believe it or not I'm just starting," she said. "My mother gave me the ball before I left home." She felt she didn't have to tell him the truth. It wasn't any of his business. "Besides I can only afford Poke Balls. I don't have enough money for even one Ultra Ball."

"Oh I see," the clerk said nodding. "Poke Balls are 20."

"Okay, I'll buy six," she said, handing the man some money.

The clerk handed her the balls and she left. Since she had no other reason to hang around, and since she had already been told that the gym leader was away anyway, she left. She didn't feel like battling anyone anyway. She could just imagine how they would act if they saw Mewtwo.

I wish I had caught something else. Mewtwo would probably kill any Pokemon I try to catch. Or scare them.

As she walked through the woodlands outside the city she stared at her map and didn't pay any attention to where she was going. "Now if I go this way I'll arrive in Cerulean City in about two da-" She never finished her sentence.

The next thing she knew she was sitting on her rear and staring at someone standing in front of her.

"Sorry," the person who bumped her, said, putting out their hand.

Karen took it and the boy helped her up. When she was back on her feet again she realized who she'd run into. "Aren't you Ash Katchem?" she asked.

The boy nodded. "Yes, how did you know?"

"I saw you on TV recently." the girl replied.

She pointed to his two companions who stood behind him. "And those two are the gym leaders Brock and Misty! Wow!"

The other two nodded.

"She's pretty," Brock said.

"Don't start," Misty scolded.

All of a sudden Ash was itching for a fight. "Let's battle."

A big sweat drop appeared on her forehead. I should have KNOWN this would happen. That kid loves to battle. I guess it's his way of showing off.

"Well?" he said.

"But I only have one Pokemon," she objected hoping her feeble excuse would work.

It didn't. Ash pointed at her Master Ball "By that Master Ball you're carrying it in it must be good." he went into his battle stance. "Come on."

Karen shrugged, realizing she couldn't make him change his mind.

Karen took out her Master Ball and threw it on the ground. Mewtwo popped out looking very unhappy that someone had disturbed him. (You'd better have a good reason for this, human.)

Ash was staring at him with his mouth hanging open. "That's your Pokemon?" he asked, pointing.

Karen nodded then gave a helpless gesture. "But he won't listen to me."

"Then this is going to be easy," the boy said grinning.

Karen looked worried.

(Don't worry Karen,) Mewtwo said reassuringly. (Just leave it to me.)

"All right," she said reluctantly.

Ash pulled out his first Poke Ball and threw it on the ground shouting. "Charizard, I choose you!"

The ball opened and the dragon popped out.

Charizard looked down at Mewtwo and instantly panicked, hiding behind Ash. "What's the matter with him?" Brock asked.

(He recognizes me,) Mewtwo said cockily.

Ash got angry. He threw out Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and Kingler but they too hid behind him, refusing to fight.

Ash glanced helplessly down at Pikachu. "Pikachu?" he said uncertainly.

Pikachu looked up at his trainer and shook his little yellow head. "Pika!" he squeaked.

Ash blushed. "This is totally embarressing." he said.

"Looks like I win by the fault," Karen said with a grin.

Ash didn't look happy about it. "You cheated!" he shouted angrily.

"What?" Karen exclaimed, startled by the accusation. "No, it didn't!"

"Yes, you did!" Ash accused. "You used him on purpose. I bet you have other Pokemon. You just don't want to use them."

"No, I don't," Karen objected, emptying her pockets to prove it. "I just started yesterday."

"Then how do you explain the Master Ball?"

"My mother's a Pokemon professor. She gave this to me to start with."

(That's true,) Mewtwo spoke up.(I am the first Pokemon she caught.)

"Shut up! Who asked you?!" Ash glared at the Pokemon. Mewtwo lifted him off the ground. "Ahh!" the boy screamed. "Tell your stupid Pokemon to put me down!"

(STUPID!?) the psycic Pokemon exclaimed.

"I can't," she said looking helpless. "He doesn't listen to me!"

"Well, do something!" Ash shouted his mouth growing in size.

"Hey, put him down, you idiot!" Brock yelled.

(Who are you calling idiot, bolder boy? What? Do you think just because someone caught me you don't have to fear me!)

Mewtwo threw Ash into the gym leader. Ash and Brock untangled themselves and rushed the Pokemon. Mewtwo calmly made them turn around and run into some trees.

"Leave him alone you guys," Misty finally spoke up. "You know better than to try to beat up that Pokemon."

Ash rubbed his face. "I thought he wouldn't be as powerful now that someone caught him."

"Well he is," Misty said. "So just knock it off."

"All right," Brock and Ash said at the same time.

(And don't try it again,) Mewtwo said.

Ash crossed his eyes at the Pokemon.

Karen giggled at the startled look that crossed her Pokemon's face.

(Hey, cut it out,) Mewtwo ordered.

"Naw!" Ash said.

(Ratatas gnaw,) the Pokemon growled, turning away from the trainer. (Stupid kid.)

"Don't worry about him," Karen said looking into her Pokemon's face.

He mumbled something but she couldn't understand it. She turned to the three trainers. "Look, I don't have time to bother with you anymore. I have to be going," she said apologetically. "I am sorry if Mewtwo scared your Pokemon, Ash."

She didn't wait for a reply. She turned and walked away, Mewtwo floating after her.

(It seems like you don't want to bother with him,) Mewtwo said after a moment. (Why?)

Karen looked up at her Pokemon. He could tell by her expression she didn't want to tell him anything. (You don't have to tell me if you don't want to,) he said quickly. (I don't really care. I'm just curious.)

"No, I'll tell you," she gave in. "Ash personally knows the famous Professor Oak. I don't want him telling Oak about you," she explained.

(How come?)

"Because Oak might make Ash and those two gym leaders come after me. He might tell Ash to pretend to try to get to know me so I would trust him. Then when I do, he'll make me send you to that stupid scientist. He'll say it's for yours and mine own good. But I know better. All Oak will want to do is study you like some sort of lab rat or something!"

Mewtwo thought that over and wasn't happy at that prospect. (I can see why you didn't even want to bother fighting him,) he commented.

Karen gave a guarded nod. "For all I know he could be calling right now and telling him all about you and who your trainer is," her face was full of rage. "I wish it wasn't me!"

So you may be acting a bit nicer to me but you still don't like me.

"Hey, Karen!" a voice called behind her.

The girl looked over her shoulder. She saw Ash, Misty, and Brock running up to her. "See what I mean," she addressed Mewtwo.

He nodded. She had been right. (You had better say something to them.)

She looked back at the three running trainers. "Yes?" she demanded icily.

They came to a stop in front of her. Ash panted to catch his breath before he spoke. "Look, I'm sorry for calling you a cheater," he said. "You didn't cheat. You just couldn't control him."

"Is that what Professor Oak told you to say when you called him?" she asked airily. "Or did you come up with that one yourself?"

"No," Ash said looking surprised at the question. "I just wanted to say sorry and ask if you wanted to join up with us."

I don't trust him, Mewtwo thought projected so that only Karen could hear him.

I don't either but let's just play along with him for now, she thought back.

She saw him nod and knew he understood.

"All right," she said, looking at the boy trainer. "I'll join up with you for a little while. But if we ever go to Pallet Town you can say good bye to me."

Ash's face showed surprise but he recovered quickly. "Make sure he promises not to scare my Pokemon anymore," he said pointing at Mewtwo.

A low growl rose from Mewtwo's throat as he glowered at the boy.

"Be nice," Karen whispered to him.

(All right,) he agreed reluctantly.

"He says he won't," Karen address Brock and Ash.

"Good," Ash said.

They then began to head into the forest. "So," Ash began not too casually. "Your mother gave you the Master Ball?"

Karen nodded. "Since she's a scientist. Silth Co gave it to her, but she isn't a trainer so she gave it to me," she explained. "I don't have any badges though since I'll have to earn them and Mom's won't work anyway. That's why Mewtwo won't obey me."

(I prefer it this way,) the Pokemon said. (I do not relish the idea of being told what to do by anyone. Especially humans.)

"Why not?" Ask asked. "Maybe it will do you some good."

Mewtwo floated up next to Karen and stared at Ash until the boy began to feel nervous. "Tell him to knock it off," Ash said.

"What?" Karen asked, not even aware Mewtwo was doing anything.

"He's staring at me and making me feel uncomfortable."

(Feeling guilty about something?) Mewtwo asked smirking.

Karen gave the Pokemon her full attention. She did not want to start another scene. "Better humor him," she said.

Mewtwo didn't look pleased but he did stop

After a few hours of walking and talking they reached the Cerulean City. Since it was dark they got a room in a hotel for the night.

While the humans talked, Mewtwo sat cat like on the floor with his purple eyes closed. He was thinking.

Karen wants to be nice to me I can tell but she still has something against me. It will take time for her to get over it. But how long I wonder? I hope it's soon.

"You mean Giovanni actually tried to kill you by having your house burned down? With you were still in it?" the Pokemon heard Misty ask.

"Yes," Karen said. "I was almost killed by the fire too."

"How did you get out?" Ash wanted to know.

"Mewtwo saved me," the girl answered, in a voice that clearly said she hadn't wanted to tell anyone.

"Really?" the boy prompted. "I thought he hated humans."

(Don't talk like I'm not here,) Mewtwo interrupted, keeping his eyes closed. (That's rude and I don't like it.)

"Sorry," Karen said.

(And I didn't save you because I had to, girl,) he went on. (I could have left you there but I had nothing better to do. I only saved you because I wanted to.)

"I figured that," the girl said sourly.

The Pokemon opened one eye half way. He saw Ash and Brock sitting on the beds near the door and Misty and Karen sitting on the two by the window. They were all staring at him.

(What?) he asked.

Stupid grins crossed Ash and Brocks faces. Then they fell over laughing. (What's so funny?) the Pokemon demanded.

A sweat drop appeared on Misty's head as she said, her eyes half closed. "Whatever it is it's only entertaining them."

(They are laughing at me), Mewtwo said angrily, his eyes turning blue. (I can tell.)

"Don't you dare!" Karen exclaimed.

Mewtwo used his powers to lift Brock up and smack him into Ash. Both boys crashed to the floor.

"Ow!" groaned Ash.

"I feel like I was knocked into a brick wall," Brock said.

"Huh," Ash said realizing Brock was on top of him. "Get off of me!"

Brock got to his feet. "Sorry about that Ash," he said a big sweat drop appearing on his head as he ran his hand through his hair. He laughed nervously grinning a toothy smile.

(Serves you right,) Mewtwo said. (Nobody laughs at me and gets away with it!)

Ash and Brock glared at the Pokemon. Misty stifled a giggle.

Karen glared at her Pokemon as well and thought projected to him. Cut that out or you're going back into your ball!

I don't like Poke balls.

Then cut it out!

All right!

Now apologize.

But, Karen...

No buts. Just do it.

Whatever.

Mewtwo looked at the two boys and muttered. (I'm sorry.)

"You'd better be," Ash said.

Mewtwo did not reply. He just lay down on his side on the floor making sure his back was turned to the four humans. He didn't want to look at any of them, especially Karen.

It was awhile before he could fall asleep though. Brock and Ash were being noisy.

Eventually Misty and Karen insisted it was time to go to sleep and the boys grudgedly agreed. A minute later the light went off and the room grew quite. Mewtwo could finally get some sleep. He sighed, closed his eyes, and dozed off.

A/N

I had to edit this chapter because everyone was telling me you have to earn the badges from the gym leaders. Well I got rid of that stuff and just put other stuff in it's place. Hope you like it anyway. :D Sorry if anyone is out of character! I'm trying my best!