Pokémon: Mewtwo and the Mysteries of Life
Chapter Four: Silence and Solace
'Mewtwo. Mewtwo! Can't you hear me?' I called to him, again and again. Silence was all I felt from him, almost as if he was in a different place than I was. Still, I could feel him listening, hearing my voice somehow. The connection he shared with Amber was innocent and pure, but he had also shared it with me. I had to know if he was alright. "Mewtwo," I heard myself sigh, suddenly taking a small gasp as I realized I was overheard.
"I'm afraid you won't be able to hear it anymore, even if you thought you did. I knew something was going on with you," I heard Gina say, snapping around to see her standing there in the doorway with two other grunts, standing at full attention, as she closed the door in front of them for them to guard it. "Your father has already given the order to subdue it. It is currently in a state of deep hibernation and will most likely stay that way until it awakens at full maturity. I don't know what you think you experienced, and I doubt you would tell me even if I cared to ask," She said, no doubt reading my expression, as I stood to my feet. "Your side of the deal is already accomplished, and since Giovanni put me in charge of you and you're back to full strength, I say you'll stay in this room and forget about Mewtwo. In fact, you're never seeing him, again."
"I have never physically seen him at all," I reminded her, knowing that I was only alluding to a half-truth. Internally, I did, but I knew she already suspected that. "And, what do you mean he's in a state of deep hibernation?"
"It's exactly how it sounds," Gina said, tantalizing the news right in front of my face as she saw the change in my eyes as they teared up. "It was so devastated after your sister faded away that it was almost too much for it to bear. Surprisingly enough, it invoked such a strong emotional psychic pulse that the others were afraid that it was going to break, including your father, who gave the order to sedate Mewtwo with a special kind of synthetic serum that would suppress its memories and bring it back under control."
"That's horrible!" I said, backing up from her, right as Nari growled and jumped in front of me.
"Maybe so, but it's like I said, Mewtwo is not your concern," She said, starting to walk away. "Remember that."
"And, you remember this. Leave her alone, Gina," Erwin suddenly spoke up, flicking up a poke ball to unleash a Ninetales right in front of Nari, who slightly back up behind my feet in amazement. "Flasho, Confuse Ray!"
'Tails-nine!' It trilled, vocalizing a bit as with a shake of its head, it's salmon red eyes suddenly glowing as three spheres of pure spite were unleashed and encircled Gina, knocking her out just enough to where she looked up, a little dizzy.
"Nari, what are you doing?" I asked her as she slid past Flasho's attempt to halt her with a paw as she tackled straight into Gina with a sense of revenge and a hard enough hit that sent her towards the door.
'Ee-Eevee!' (She had it coming for a long time!) She surprised me enough to say, right as I reached down and scooped her up, Flasho's gaze on me all the same as I came back over to its side. With a nod, he returned his gaze towards Gina who was shakily getting to her knees in an attempt to clear her head, gripping her front in a slight pain.
"Are you alright?" Erwin asked me immediately as he saw me nod in thanks. "Good."
Knocking on the door, Erwin stepped to the side as the two grunts came in, they froze when they saw Flasho's intense gaze stare them down, to which they barely moved their heads to the side, seeing their fearless leader on the ground in mild embarrassment. "If you would be so kind gentleman, please take her from the room and give her some aid. I have some things I need to discuss with Akira's father while he's here in private," Erwin said, seeing someone come up right behind them alone that they didn't see.
"Oh yeah, like we haven't heard that one before," one of them started to retort as they heard then a sharp grunt that made them almost drop Gina back down as she cried out, "Ouch! Careful you two. Ahh … Dr. Fuji! How much of this did you hear?"
"Enough to say that I no longer trust you around my daughter. Get out," Father said, watching them leave. "You can leave on the next ferry out this afternoon. Tell Giovanni he'll hear from me soon, but your services are no needed. Get out!" Looking up to see Erwin come forward to greet him at the door, Father then said, "I meant to thank you before for caring for my daughter. You are Doctor Matsui? I've heard of your work in Fuchsia City."
"Yes sir, I am humbly honored," Mr. Matsui only said, allowing him to pass as he shut the door for privacy. "Firstly, please allow me to say that you have a very sweet little girl. So much like my own," he said, passing him the new tablet that showed my latest scans. "These are her latest results. I am proud to say that she will make a full recovery. The serum you validated, although risky, did have some strong medicinal yet psychic properties that definitely seemed to counter the paralysis. I don't know much about genetics, but it did seem to … help." Clearing his throat nervously, he looked at me as I couldn't help but think about Mewtwo, again.
Noticing his silence, my Father lowered the tablet to his arm as he thoughtfully looked up at me, reading my expression as internal. Looking at Mr. Matsui, he asked, "I thought about you've said before. Could you give us a few minutes alone, please?"
Only nodding honorably, Mr. Matsui stepped out of the room with his Ninetales. 'Nine-tales,' Flasho trilled towards me, looking me right in the eye for a moment before it turned about the corner. It had said simply with that elongated thrill, 'Be truthful but careful.' I knew this new ability was special, and it was also no doubt something I needed to protect. Even with my Father, who was, at the moment, working with the team that wanted to control Mewtwo.
"Akira, how much do you know? Be honest with me," my Father said immediately, surprising me a bit as he waited for me to answer. "I have to listen to some of the facts I was told. You knew about the clones, didn't you?"
Watching me nod, I only said, "Not … at first."
"You met the originals, even comforted them even before they were taken into the lab. That's what I was told by one of the assistants before I brought you into the lab myself," he said, remembering. "I wanted you to see how your sister was faring, thinking it would give you comfort. I apologize that the injection was a bit of a surprise, but it did end up helping you in the end. One thing I noticed when I came up to truthfully check on you that night, you were muttering something in your sleep. When I heard you that second time say your sister's name, I admit it, I walked out of the room in shock. Then, the other clones started telepathically connecting with Amber and Mewtwo. I didn't think there was any connection to you, not until Gina came and told me you were distressed about Mewtwo when it was your sister and the others that didn't make it."
Telepathy. There was that word, again. Was that really the connection that made Mewtwo able to communicate with my sister and myself? If it was, that was pretty incredible. "Gina told me right before you came in that you sedated Mewtwo. Did you? Why?"
"You were told too much," Father said, sighing into his hand as he held it to his forehead. "It was a necessary precaution. It was getting too upset when Amber … When she … We had to bring it under control." He couldn't bring himself to say that my sister was gone, although a part of me knew she would always be there in our hearts. However, Mewtwo's pain was real, too, and they didn't see it for what it was.
"By making him forget?" I asked, a part of me hurting with the news he gave me about Mewtwo. "What will that teach him?"
My question made him right look right at me in shock, only realizing what I had just said. "Teach him? So, you did talk to Mewtwo?"
"It doesn't matter even if I did," I said, defending myself as Nari looked at Dad with a questionable look, too. "You just got done saying that he was the only one that lived through this entire process. What do you want him to gain if all you do is make him forget his grief for the sake of control?"
'An emotional response, of course you would think that,' I heard him think aloud, not surprised as he shook his head. "The others were right, you got too close to this," Father said, holding his hand now to his temple. "I'm not surprised, though. Even when you and your sister were young, you could always tell what the other was thinking, somehow. You always looked at things with your heart, while all the while both of you were so full of life."
Touching his hand, I wanted to comfort him, but waiting for him to speak I said nothing. Turning away from me, he only shut his eyes in resolution, a choice I didn't know he was being forced to make because of me. I knew there was something he wasn't saying. "Father? What is it?"
"With you stronger now, this decision is easier to make," he said, looking only up to make me understand. "With Mewtwo now stable and your sister gone, I believe this next course of action is for the best, my girl. I have my job I have to finish here. It's not fair to keep you here because of me, and I think it would be best if you try to forget your time here on New Island and go on to live your life."
"Father?" I asked, knowing that he was hiding something else. Handing me something out of his pocket that was carefully covered in a handkerchief, I only looked up as he nodded for me to open it. Recognizing it as Mom's, I saw the case that had held Mom's most special possession, a simple wooden ocarina that she had been given by Father after their first anniversary. "Mom's ocarina flute. But I thought she …"
"She told me to give it to you before she left," He said, watching me hold it gently in memory. "She knew how much you always admired it, even when you wanted to secretly learn to play. Keep it with you, think of us from time to time if you want, even if we're apart." Seeing me look up in silence, he patted my hands and turned away simply. To hide a tear? I didn't see it, nor did I know exactly why he was doing this. "I have to go find Mr. Matsui. He'll be taking care of you now," he said, looking straight at me with a tear. "I love you, don't forget that."
"I won't, Father. I love you, too," I said, feeling his hand touch a cheek with a slight sadness as he then got up and patted Nari on the head in parting, as well. Not looking back, he left the room for only Flasho to come in, looking at me with a pause as he watched me hold my ocarina closer to my heart while I stroked Nari with the other.
For a few moments, all I could wonder was why? How did he expect me to just forget everything that's happened? Thinking of what happened with Mewtwo, I instantly had the answer to my questions that my Father refused to answer. He was being forced to make a decision, one I knew that he didn't want to make or betray. I was a threat, the only remaining piece that kept Father's attention away and fully from the organization's influence. To them, Mewtwo was only being made as a thing to control, a weapon of immense power. I didn't know that until much later.
What I saw in him was a curiosity to want to know. He had a heart that yearned to know why he was being created, a will that saw the simple pleasures of life through only the beginnings of a dream. With Amber, he learned of the most innocent virtues and joys of life, but it also led to him learning pain, a pain that led him to face an evermore harder struggle ahead. Why am I summing all of this up? It's because it was the start of an even greater story.
That night after Mr. Matsui came in to explain what my Father's arrangements were, it was revealed that I would be leaving with him in the morning to live with his family in Fuchsia City for some time in recovery and possibly for good. I knew where this request was coming from, and no doubt I somehow knew I would have more experiences with them in the future. At this moment, though, I only had one more night on New Island, and also a wish for a very special friend.
"Flasho, did you see Mewtwo?" I asked him, to which the Ninetales only nodded his head with a single acknowledgment. "So, it is true. I just want him to know that he's not in this alone. What he experienced was real, a connection of life. His tears were real, and so was he."
'You really care about him, don't you?' Flasho said to me, vocalizing a bit to emphasize his question, to which I only looked at him with no surprise and smiled, this time nodding a bit to show him that I did understand. Although the interpretation came from inside, I was still in awe of this gift. 'I know what you mean. Not everyone is bad; I know that for sure. We may remember pain, sadness, or anger, but underneath we just want to be accepted and loved. If you have a connection with your friend, then he's never going to truly forget.'
"I'd do anything to help him remember," I said, meaning every word. Allowed to stay at my side to make sure no else bothered me until morning, Ninetales settled himself down at my bedside to rest while also keeping a wary eye on the door.
Closing my eyes for a moment, I tried to call out to Mewtwo one more time, knowing he knew I was in my heart. Even in the deepest recesses of his heart, I felt his mind clear enough to smile, just enough to where I knew he was listening. Inspired, I sent him a message as I said, 'Mewtwo, I don't fully know what they did to you, but … You aren't alone. Life is wonderful, please remember that.'
Pulling out the ocarina, I blew into it slowly and closed my eyes, a part of me already knowing what to play and how to do it. Trusting my fingers, I blew into the small wind instrument as the song in my heart echoed past my thoughts and towards the place where Mewtwo was listening, although he was still sedated.
'When the light is running low,
And the shadows start to grow,
And the places that you know
Seem like fantasy'
Inside the darkness I saw my innermost self in, I gazed out to where I felt his heart hearing the song. Remembering everything that Amber had shared with me, I played those memories into my wish for him, a wish that seemed to evaporate from the stream of notes that came out and turned into tears of light, making our link sparkle in connection once again.
'Akira,' I heard him say, only once though as I tearfully nodded and continued the song.
'There's a light inside your soul,
That's still shining in the cold
With the truth
The promise in our hearts'
'Mewtwo,' I said, holding the link for one more moment as I sung the last words, "'Don't forget, I'm with you in the dark.'"
"Akira, you better get some rest," Mr. Matsui said, opening the door enough to check on me as he paused, seeing that I was already asleep. Smiling, he closed the door softly as I settled into my dream, a dream I hoped that Mewtwo could see. I didn't know if our brief connection was enough to help him remember or if the connection lasted at all, but all I knew was that I accomplished something truly miraculous. All I knew was that it left me drained and tired, but with it came a hopeful wish that somehow Mewtwo would remember everything, even … us.
When morning came, I felt a nudge at my side as Nari stretched herself energetically, shaking herself awake. Looking at her, I saw that she had something in her mouth as I found a note on it. Not getting to read it, though, until later, the door opened before I could do anything else. Getting to my feet, I realized that I really was better, and it was apparent as I walked on past the wheelchair, never to be used again. Getting dressed in my closet, I came out to only look outside my window at the vast ocean that had separated me away from my home in Kanto.
I was fully aware that I was going to a whole different part of Kanto, but I was strangely excited, too. It was the beginning of a whole new start, a secret wish that I knew would one day come true although it already had. Looking at it, I was technically a Pokémon Trainer, thanks to the situation that happened at hand when Giovanni revealed that he had caught and encased Nari simply in one of the poke balls Dad left for me in my bag. Leaving her in my care, Nari was technically mine already, but I knew I wanted to give her that chance to choose to be my partner when the time truly came.
'What do you mean by when you turn 10?' Nari asked, me not surprised in the slightest she could read my expression. 'Nothing's changed and never will,' She said, also saying my name in affirmative joy as she said, 'Ee-vey! Eve-eve, Eevee!'
Waiting till after all my belongings were packed into the boat, Mr. Matsui looked for me by the shore as I held Nari in my arms, standing between the waves and the laboratory for one final time. Waving me over, I paused for only a moment to say, 'I'll be back, Mewtwo. I don't know when, but we'll see each other again. I promise.' Feeling the breeze at my back, I joined Mr. Matsui on the boat as I saw my Father watch me leave at the door, his gaze protected as he turned back into the lab a moment later.
"Are you alright?" He asked, once I was buckled in and he started the rental boat. "You don't seem surprised about your Father just walking away."
Looking at him, I saw a sincerity I only saw in one other person in my life. Actually, two people, and that made me smile. "I know he's only doing it to protect me. He's been different ever since the accident, but he's always loved science. I can't say anything against that."
"Even so, you do have a right to your feelings, too," Mr. Matsui said, tickling Nari under her chin to her pleasure. "In the meantime, just enjoy the ride. I know your Father asked you to forget your time here, but if you did take anything away or if you're guarding a secret, keep that wish in your heart close. One thing I definitely see in you is a change, and if you did manage to touch Mewtwo's heart, there's no doubt you may him again someday."
"Thanks, Mr. Matsui," I said, formally calling him by his name, to which he only smiled.
"Call me that if you like, or if it's easier, you can just call me Irwin," he said, putting the boat into high gear as we sped against the water. "You've earned that right. We're going west past your island, that small speck in the distance. From past there, we'll aim for Stone City just off the pier, to where we can take a car the rest of the way to Fuchsia City. Hang on tight!"
Looking around, I noticed one face missing. "Where's Flasho?" I asked, curious.
Flicking his head to the side behind him, I looked behind me and started to laugh, seeing Flasho trying to stay in his basket. However, as the sea spray hit straight in the face, even the stoic yet gentle Ninetales couldn't let the water keep him down as we sped away from New Island. Sensing my laughter, even from barely away, Mewtwo even briefly smiled but didn't know why, a sight that none of the researchers picked up on as they continued their work with no distractions.
Song credit: "Don't Forget" by Toby Fox / Deltarune. Hearing the small song just kind of inspired this end scene that would connect and symbolize their connection, and I give credit to that as a good song. Just writing to say that the next few chapters be probably be a small waiting period, so I can have time to plan and get them written. Thanks for following this story and I hope you enjoy this chapter. Until next time!
Next chapter will introduce a new character that Akira will meet in Fuchsia City, and credit for that one will go to my best friend. More info coming soon. Characters of mine to mention - Akira Fuji, Nari/Eevee, Flasho/Ninetails, Irwin Matsui, and Gina (whose name is only mentioned as a character of the last few chapters that somewhat took care of Akira).
