The Creator and the Creation
Emily peered from under her covers finally having worked up the courage to face the natural light coming through the window. She did see that Red was gone remembering he left just a few hours ago.
"Well, he could at least have brought me breakfast," she said disappointed. "Or some lunch." The clock was already past noon.
She rubbed her head feeling a headache come up. She slipped out of bed and went straight to the bathroom. The large mirror in the bathroom brought her appearance to her attention.
"Did I look this…terrible last night?"
Her hair was all ruffed up, bags under her eyes, dirt smears across her face and arms as well as unsightly scuffs. Her clothes were slightly tattered and smudged with dirt. Her eyes grew in horror.
"This is not acceptable." She placed a hand on the mirror hoping all of the filthy features will disappear. "How did this happen?" she whimpered.
All of her memories rushed into her at once. Emily grabbed the counter feeling like she about to fall. She looked at herself again. She didn't look directly at herself but into her own eyes.
I remember now…the small adventure I had with Red nearly killed us, she felt guilt for it was her idea. I feel like I'm being a hindrance to him by dragging him into so much danger.
"And I'll probably have to get stronger to be able to be his side but for now…I think I'll do that. It's the only thing I can do so I won't be holding him back…"
Red coughed and hacked. His pounded his chest to help clear it of stray dust. He approached the odd pair of stairs. He peered into the corridor that was completely dark.
-"I'll lead if you can't see,"- Pikachu said jumping onto the first few steps.
"Wait, Pikachu!" Red stopped him. A whirring noise resonated from the bottom of the stairs. Without warning, the light bulbs on the side of the hallway turned on. The stairway now led to single metallic door at the end.
Red had to solve this mystery. He descended down the stairs being careful for it may have been years since people have been in this area. His Pokemon's steps kicked up dust from step to step. The door they arrived had no window to look through but light leaked from under the door meaning the room still works.
Grabbing the cold metal door knob, Red turned the rather stiff handle. He pushed but it stuck fast. He applied more pressure with his shoulder. One quick thrust and the door came lose. The door swung open clanking against the wall creating a bang loud enough to wake the dead.
-"Please try to make more noise to alert people who are here,"- Pikachu grumbled rubbing his sensitive ears. He took in the room along his partner.
Like an evil scientist's laboratory taken out of a movie the underground level was mostly kept clean. Glass cabinets full of all sorts of vials marked with permanent markers, metal shelves stacked on the wall empty, tables set up with test tubes, sinks, energy outlets, and some shattered glass.
At the far end of all this madness were large empty glass containers that extended to the ceiling. Thick cables and tubes sprouted from the base of the containers and extended to a table with a dozen computers and monitors stacked upon one another. Some of the containers weren't complete with broken and cracked sides. Large glass shards layered the ground as well as stains of some strange fluid covered the grimy, dirty tiled floor.
The lights flickered. Red rubbed his eyes regaining his senses. "Alright, let's figure out what happened here for I don't know how much power we have left to investigate."
-"Sure…what are we looking for again?"- Pikachu asked sheepishly.
Eevee began to sniff the ground for her search as Red rummaged through the cabinets of the strange chemicals. Pikachu shrugged and leaped onto the table full of test tubes careful to not step on the broken glass.
"These are all chemicals that I have never heard about," Red murmured reading the ridiculously long names on the vials. Some items seemed to be missing as in there were noticeable large gaps in between the alphabetically arranged items. "Did someone take some of this stuff?"
Red moved onto the desk were Pikachu resided.
-"Hey, Red. I found..uhmm…these papers,"- Pikachu handed him a few pages of evidence.
Red skimmed through the papers. These are like journal entries! Red took note of the dates at the top.
"July 5, July 6, July 10…a few are missing," Red said. "Let's scavenge for the rest of these papers. I think this might give us a clue to finding out what happened here."
Pikachu nodded jumping off to look for the rest.
Red walked up to the destroyed glass containers. Maybe, something was kept in these and one day it decided to escape, Red thought seeing the glass shards spread away from its origin. He bent down where his Eevee was taking his time to smell.
"What is it, Eevee?" Red asked. He touched the stain tiled ground feeling quite dry. Moss has already sprung up in some of the tainted areas.
Eevee continued to walk around in a circle as she followed the strange smell. –"This smell…I think I know this smell! I just don't remember from where."-
-"Hey Red, I found the rest of the pages!"-
Red saw his Pikachu waving his arms around from the computer center with more old looking pages. He gladly took the several pieces of paper. He combined it with his stash and laid them on the open desk.
He sorted the pages in chronological order as marked on the pages. He found a few without a date and placed those on the side for now.
"First one is July 4." Red began to read out loud to not exclude his Pokemon.
"We have finally got lucky for we have caught sight of Faraway Island today. I managed to draw a sketchy map to the island that I will keep for future use. We must first set up a base before going exploring for this illusive Pokemon we are after."
Faraway Island…that's what was written in that book written with strange scripture, Red remembered. So, it is a real place after all. He moved on to the next one to find out more.
"July 5,
After much searching for this tropical island we have finally caught sight of it. The rare Pokemon that we have decided to call Mew flew before our own eyes. We saw it enter the temple that was written about in the myths from our ancestors. The temple was covered in more of the ancient scripture that my subordinates wanted to decipher. I refused for I didn't want to scare the specimen away. Having found its nest was enough for today. The next day we will try to come back and hopefully capture it. Till then, rest easy Pokemon of Mirages."
Mew..Mew..
"Mew!" Red exclaimed.
-"What! What's wrong?"- Eevee joined the scene.
-"Nothing, I think he just realized the Pokemon these guys were hunting down was the same one that he saw at Viridian Forest,"- Pikachu replied.
Red flipped to next entry to find out more about Mew.
"Alright, July 7,
We have run some analyzes on the vegetation of the island trying to find out how this mysterious creature feeds. There doesn't seem to be any other creatures on this deserted island to prey on that it could only get vital nutrition from the plant. We were impressed by the wide variety of vegetation there was here most of it quite exotic. The large biodiversity wasn't enough to soothe the pain of missing our chance.
When we returned to the place where our Mew rested, it was nowhere to be found. The temple was found completely empty with no clues to where it went. My team searched the entire island yet it seem as if Mew has vanished overnight. Could it have sensed us? We have determined it to be a psychic type by what we have seen so far. Whatever the reason for its departure, we have missed our chance to capture this rare specimen needed for our experiments.
Accepting our bitter failure, we decided to leave. I didn't want our efforts to go to waste so I collected DNA samples from the temple. This will suffice for now but I really wanted to have Mew. We leave the next morning but I do wish to someday and meet with Mew once more. Even for one minute would be fine."
Red didn't stop to reflect and continued.
"November 6,
After the many failed specimens that I have written before, we have finally succeeded. The small samples of DNA from Mew were more than enough for us to work with in the end. Today, we have reached our goal with creating the modified clone of Mew. It's still in its embryo stage so we are going to have to maintain it for the next few months in its container. The poor thing will have to survive through our machines for while.
If you think that I'm feeling some feelings for the experiment then you're right. Unlike the other scientists who are rejoicing in celebration, I'm regretting it deep inside. This just does not seem right anymore.
I have had these feelings of doubts ever since failed specimen number twelve. He grew extremely fast to the point it was in its mature state a in a few hours. It was able to speak our language as we programmed it but its only words still haunt my dreams till this day.
"Please, Kill Me."
I won't dwell on it but I know I'm not the only one feeling regret. Blaine confessed it to me as well that what we are doing is morally wrong. We both agreed and wanted to escape this mistake we have committed but we can't. As a scientist, I must stick with my creation to the bitter end.
February 17,
The clone, who we named as Mewtwo, is growing at its normal rate. Its bodily organs are growing in its rightful place as well as its conscience has begun to spark lately. None of that concerns me. What I'm worried about right now is how fast its powers are growing. They are exceeding our predictions by a mile which I perceive as dangerous. The other scientists pushed aside my worries and say its better that way. Those fools don't know what is coming at them.
Blaine, however, did saw it coming. He left the group saying he didn't want to be part of it anymore. I wanted to go with him but I couldn't bring myself to do it for I had a new goal. When Mewtwo awakens, I wanted to be there. Not to see my creation come to life but condolence the poor soul. It will awaken and feel fear as it sees itself surrounded by strangers. Its instinct would be to protect itself no matter how intelligent we make it. Every living thing has the basic instinct of protecting its life. I will be there to try to comfort it or it might do some serious damage."
The last page with a clear date fell from Red's hand. He stood there trying to take in what he read.
They used Mew to create clones! They were conducting some sick experiments on life, Red thought in horror.
-"Those sick bastards!"- Pikachu cursed under his breath.
-"What did they do so bad?"- Eevee asked not understanding the situation.
Pikachu just shook her head at her. –"Just know that they were doing something that hurt another Pokemon's life."-
Red picked up the paper he dropped and placed it with the rest of the pile. All was left to read the two pages with no dates. He grab took the first on the top. It had wrinkles from being crumbled up and what seem as red blood stains on it.
Red cleared his throat before reading. "Mewtwo was too much for us to handle. It didn't see us as its creator who blessed it life but the demon who cursed it with such a fate. Its psychic powers were more than a match for us. It broke out of its glass container and proceeded to kill of the scientists. I managed to escape to write this last entry. Let my research be a warning to all who try to attempt the same mistake that we committed. As for Mewtwo, I'm deeply sorry. Sincerely, Dr. Fuji."
Red gently put down the warning note.
"I can't help and believe that these people deserved that, but at the same time feel bad for them," Red said getting the final page. "Let's finish this."
-"Aww, story time is almost over,"- Eevee frowned.
"They have come by to check on our research. Mewtwo stirred with their presence making them feel quite content. I don't think they know what's going n in that creature's mind. Our investors just see it as a tool, a tool of war. I can't let that happen. I won't let Mewtwo fall into the wrong hands once he comes to. I will try and take him to someplace away from civilization. Give him a place that he can call home and sty far away from those who want to use him for their own selfish needs. Team Rocket won't be able to lay a hand on this powerful being." Red's voice trailed off at the end.
-"Hmm…Dr. Fuji, doesn't that name sound familiar, Red?"- He pointed to the name written at the bottom.
"Now that you mention it, that name does ring a bell," Red said. "Do you remember from where?"
Pikachu shrugged. –"I forgot so I thought you'll no."-
"I guess this is where our search comes to an end," Red admitted. "We are only left with more questions. Like what is Team Rocket doing with all of this?"
-"We can look for more clues,"- Pikachu said as he jumped down to investigate.
"We can't right now because we don't know how much energy the generator has left to power the room," Red said as the lights flickered again. He packed the entries into his backpack for future reference. "Let's head back, guys. I promised to check on Emily."
-"Alright, that was fun!"- Eevee barked.
-"Yeah, a bit of exploring does get my blood running. Let's do this more some other time,"- Pikachu suggested before leaving the area with Red.
Red handed all six of his Pokeballs to the nurse who took them in with her into the back. Red saw a large group of trainers have gathered around the plasma TV hung on the wall in the lobby like a group of Venomoths to a lamp. A bit curious, Red approached the group pushing his way through the crowd.
On screen there was the news broadcast throughout Kanto. A brunette for a news anchor woman stood at her glass desk with a picture if an old man right next to her face. Her eyes lit up as she talked.
"The cause is still unknown for his death. However, it has been confirmed that the legendary man Aaron Stark, the former Pokemon Champion of Kanto, was murdered. The reasons for such thing is still being investigated and the possible suspects are still trying to be decided by the police but so far have no clue. However the situation goes, our thoughts go to those families have been affected by this tragedy. Back with Tom on an update with an event."
The news jumped to picture of the burned down casino from Celadon City. Red's view was blocked when a man decided to step forward in his way.
"Um, excuse me, sir." Red tapped the man's shoulder. He turned around his cane nearly hitting Red if he didn't jump back. "Wait a minute, I know you as the stranger from the gym!"
It was the same old man that Red met before from the Gym. Only he was dressed more stylish. His white and red hat covered his bald head as well as to match white vest with a red shirt underneath. He held his balance on a newer polished wooden cane in the shape of a question mark.
His glassed glinted in the light. "I don't know what you mean, child," he said stroking his mustache. He leaned in closer to Red and whispered. "Meet me up outside of the Pokemon Center, trainer." Acting as if nothing strange happened between them, Blaine took his leave from the vicinity.
Despite the sketchy old man request seemed…peculiar, Red followed through but got his Pokemon first. Standing outside was the odd man mumbling to himself. He stopped in Red's presence.
"Just who are you?" Red asked straight forward.
"An excellent question," he widely smiled. "I am known by many names. Such as the Quizzer, Fire Technician, Hot Headed Quiz Master, Dr. Mind Puzzler-"
"I mean your real name!" Red stopped him from revealing more absurd names that no one probably ever calls him.
"Straight to the point, I like that kid," the man said with a smile. "Okay, then I will tell you if you still haven't put the pieces together. I am Dr. Blaine, the Cinnabar Island Gym Leader!" He tipped his hat to read who was surprised by the sudden turn of events.
"You're the same crazy man who sent me on the wild chase to find some key!" Red exclaimed throwing his hands in the air.
"It's not crazy but a genius scheme I thought of to have only the really determined trainers step up and challenge me," he gloated with a chuckle only a crazed old man could pull off.
"Yeah, well next time don't hide the key in place so obvious if you don't people to skip your riddles," Red said tossing him the envelope with the key. "A hardly burnt painting in a room that looked like it was rented by an arsonist."
"Hehe, I'll keep that in mind for the next time," Blaine laughed. "But for now, let's go to my gym for that battle you have earned."
"Sure Blaine…Blaine."
"Hmm..What is it boy?" Blaine felt as if Red had something in his mind.
"Wait! Are you the Blaine that used t work as a scientist in the mansion?" Red dropped his question on like a bomb.
"Gahh! What do you mean, trainer? Me-scientist? Hah!" his tone was confident but he did jump back in shock as well as held his cane as a defensive weapon.
"Yeah, I remember reading some journal entries from that ruined mansion and it mentioned your name several times!" Red pulled out the pages as to show his proof. "You were a scientist that worked there and then after the accident you probably wanted to conserve the building so you used it as your hiding place for your key. Am I right?"
Sweat poured from Blaine's forehead. "Er..umm..hehe…hehehahaha!" He suddenly began to laugh hysterically.
This man has lost his marbles! Red thought.
"That's a good one kid, now follow me or I'll reconsider our battle," he wiped away a tear his voice turning to a dead serious one.
Red could feel the death stare through those eyes but he couldn't give up. "Don't play me off as a dumb ki-"
"I'll tell you along the way but not now with all these people," he hissed under his glorious mustache. Red looked around seeing people give them concerned looks. Having him calm down, Blaine led him away from the crowded area. He took him to a route that he knew was almost vacant most of the time.
"The only thing I've been wondering is how you even entered the secret area," Blaine said after hearing Red's investigation. "There is only one way entered that room and it's to press the button hidden behind a panel installed into the wall."
"Well, I think we pushed that button when Eevee tackled that Dodrio into the wall. He did go through the wall before the whole building shook like it was going to fall," Red said.
"I see…still it surprises me that the place still had some juice to power it for awhile. I thought the generator was out of gas," he remarked his mustache quivered. "No matter, so you want to know some things right, like my work with that…particular project." Red nodded.
"Well, you did managed to get some good information on it and those experiments are long over so, its time I get this off my chest," he sighed sounding relieved. "I was a scientist who worked in that mansion. We were a funded by Team Rocket to conduct these experiments-"
"So, you worked for Team Rocket?" Red interjected.
"Yes, and don't interrupt me again!" Blaine said.
"Sorry," Red replied like a child apologizing for misbehavior at school.
"Where was I…oh yes, experiments! As you know, Dr. Fuji collected DNA from the illusive Mew, and we used that same DNA to create a powerful clone."
Red raised his hand.
"Err, what is it boy?"
"Why do you specifically need Mew's DNA?" Red asked eyes wide with curiosity.
"Well, for its natural ability to transform into other Pokemon," Blaine stated in a matter of fact manner.
"Can't the Pokemon Ditto do the same thing? Transform into whatever Pokemon it wants," Red made a good point. "Oh and name is Red."
"Listen good 'Red', we were not just creating a simple clone of Mew but a superior one! Mew's genetics allows a lot of room for evolution, making it simpler to play around with its structure," Blaine explained. "But I won't go into too much detail for it's beyond of your understanding.
Red didn't know to take that as an insult or a good reason to not further discuss. "Fine then! Why did you join them?"
The aging scientist stopped in his steps, looking down as in shame. "I did so because I wanted to advance humanity. At least that was my personal reasoning for I came up with when I entered, but I knew that wasn't it…I wanted to do it just to because I wanted to be part of history. I wanted the glory and power after we finished the project."
"When you say it like that, I see you as an…actual evil scientists," Red said.
Blaine looked up to the trainer. "Red, don't judge me on my past failures. It's something that I've tried long and hard to bury in the past."
Red smiled. "Don't worry. I'm not here to judge you by your role with all this mess."
Blaine weakly smiled. "I'm…glad to hear about that." His mustache barely hid his sudden frown. "However, I think my past will come back to haunt me again."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Red acted confused.
Blaine looked around before grabbing Red's arm to continue briskly walking. "I don't know if you have heard about what happened but there has been an explosion at the casino in Celadon City owned by Team Rocket."
"I was there when that happened." Red pulled his hat over his eyes. "What does that have to do with anything?"
"You were there when it happened," Blaine said sounded unsure. "Let me ask one thing. Did you see anything out of the ordinary when that happened?"
Red fixed the straps on his bag as he thought about it. "Weird…there was this one thing…"
"Tell me!" Blaine exclaimed getting anxious.
"Chill. I do remember seeing a bright beam of blue light shoot straight into the clouds that evening," Red answered looking up to the island sky.
"Beam of blue light you say," the scientist mumbled. "Then my theory could be true…"
"What theory?"
Blaine snapped out of deep thought. Hesitating a bit he spoke up. "I had this theory that Team Rocket didn't totally abandon the cloning project but has continued it in their personal labs."
Red dwelled on that theory. "Wouldn't you need Mew's DNA, which was destroyed in the fire?"
Blaine nodded. "Of course you do, unless they collected our creation, Mewtwo."
"If you guys couldn't keep him under controlled then how could those bumbling idiots managed to capture him?" Red laughed knowing how they acted from firsthand experience with Team Rocket.
"They could have some other means of coaxing him with emotional factors. That's what I have been thinking over the years that Mewtwo has disappeared," Blaine said stroking his mustache.
Red saw in the distant the gym building. Built close to the ocean, Red would have thought the man was an expert in water types but he knew there was already a Gym that specializes in water types.
"This has been an excellent talk with you young man," Blaine said looking quite please. "It's something I always wanted to talk about with someone. A heavy load of my chest."
"Yeah but aren't you forgetting about something?"
Blaine raised an eyebrow. "No, I don't think so."
"Don't you wonder where Mewtwo is now?" Red asked.
Blaine deeply sighed. "That is something I ask myself every day of my life. He still tries to keep out of the world's spotlight, so I would say he is hiding. Hiding from the world that he was brought in against his will. I just tell myself that he will find peace within himself, someday."
Red simply nodded with the profound answer. Even though he never met this Mewtwo, he also hoped that he will found some meaning in his life. As for Team Rocket, he will try to find their hiding place. They are a group always up to malice; hence they should be captured as soon as possible.
"Let set this matter aside for now," Blaine said opening the glass doors to his Gym with the key Red gave him. Pushing the doors aside, he led Red inside lifting up his cane.
The lights turned on in the building to reveal the official Pokemon Gym Battle arena. The bright red walls gave the field a similar hue looking almost like clay.
Blaine pushed his glasses onto his nose. "You know too much, Red." He said.
Red jumped as the doors slammed shut right behind. "What do you mean?"
Blaine spun around. With a hard, swift push from his cane, he knocked Red onto the ground. "You know my darkest secrets boy. Do you think I'll let you go after all of this?"
"What's going on, Blaine?" Red raised his voice to try to not sound frightened.
Blaine dug the end of his cane into Red's chest keeping him down. "Don't you get it? A naïve trainer like yourself should at least have gotten some clue why I'm doing this." Red looked up with a confused look.
"I brought you here for the sole reason of killing you, Red!"
