Several years later I found myself standing in silence, listening to the words spoken to me and struggling to process them. My eyebrows furrowed and I cringed, head throbbing as I thought about what all this would mean. All this time I spent plotting, memorizing the layout of the base and the goons routines, taking into account everything that could go wrong, what would be the best chance to get out of here… was now ruined.
And why?
Because earlier this morning, after some very stressful training, I was told some crucial and game changing information.
"You heard me." Rich snapped when he saw my startled expression, stretching his arms out in front of him with a yawn. "We're being transferred to the base in Kanto. You, me, and that wench Velga. We leave in the morning."
"W… What? Why me?"
The words stumbled out before I could stop them, too shocked by my apparent failure of escape. What was with this new development; did they learn of my scheming? I never spoke of it to anyone. I wasn't even able to talk to anyone because they all avoided me. The only people I could speak to were those still in the nursery and all they do is babble. Not to mention that Mistress Augusta hated it when I spoke... she said she found my voice grating and unwanted. She claimed to sense something unbelonging to Team Rocket within it.
"Was it her? D-Did Mistress-"
"Pfft. She had nothin' to do with it." He rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest. "I merely spoke to the boss about your improvement in the field and when I happened to bring up your classroom scores… well, let's just say he was curious. So he wants me and Velga to bring you to Kanto with us, that way he can meet you in person. You should be grateful. He might even consider giving you a new pōkemon to replace that bratty Skitty you lost!"
I flinched when he placed a hand on my head, the adult grinning down at me.
"A little brat like you… getting the attention of the big bad boss! Ha! Who would've thunk it?"
Okay. Calm down. Deep breaths. Don't panic. If I move to Kanto I can still escape, but… I won't be able to save the others. Unless of course I do something ridiculous and near impossible at my current level of intelligence and/or strength. I had no pōkemon either. How am I going to pull it off? I don't know anything about the base in the Kanto region. I'm screwed.
We're all screwed.
I survived so long, put up with all the death threats and beatings, only to have this happen. A migraine began to form, something I found was a common occurrence during my time here in the base, and I ignored the awful throbbing and the ache in my crooked wrist in order to respond to him.
"N-No one, sir…" I forced out, facial expression growing blank as the defeat settled in. "Nobody… expected it…"
"Exactly!" He pat my head roughly, tousling my long hair and making it stick up in several directions. "No one! You're only thirteen, Grunt! How amazing is that? You should be excited!"
"...Yes, sir."
He laughed loudly, telling me then to hurry and start packing what little things I had. That in itself was a cruel joke as I owned nothing other than what was immediately on my person. This blue uniform and the dawn stone were all I had. Out of all the bathroom essentials I was forced to share with my roommates the only things that could really be considered mine was a single toothbrush and some deodorant. Merely nodding at his words, I waited for his permission to leave the room and took off down the hall.
I had nothing to gather except those two items still in the bathroom, but I had something I desired to do first. If I had the power, the intelligence, the ability to take all these wounded children with me- so that they would forever remain uncorrupted and good- I would do it. But I lacked that power, that strength… and the courage to do it. A child my age can only do so much.
I stepped over many bodies sleeping on the floor, careful not to hurt them, and stopped near the end of the room where I caught sight of the sleeping child I wanted to say farewell to. I knelt down, reaching out to shake the four-year-old and praying with all my might to whatever higher being was in existence that he was still breathing. "Adrien… hey. Wake up. Adrien."
"Mm… muh? Grunt…?" He blinked several times, big blue eyes confused. They contrasted greatly against his brown skin, exotic red hair a curly mess. "I'm sleepy…"
"I-I know. I'm sorry."
The little boy pushed himself up into a sitting position and yawned, wiping at the drool dripping down his chin. A black Team Rocket onesie adorned his body, a single red R printed across his chest. "Wuz… goin' on? You look sad…" He sniffled, mumbling quietly as he stared up at me with tired eyes. "It's not food time yet…"
I hesitated for a moment, reaching out and resting a hand gently against the top of his head. My thumb brushed his forehead, eyes catching sight of a small bruise beneath his bangs. There was a band-aid on his cheek from the one day Rich had watched over him and the others. I wanted to ask the adult what he did to them, but it wasn't my place. I would only get punished if I did. I knew he must have hurt him somehow.
Adrien probably said or did something that displeased him and Rich reacted cruelly in response.
"Lunch is… gonna happen soon, but…" I didn't want to say it. Why did I have to go? All I want is to be here where I can try to protect him. "I-I won't be here."
The child blinked, tilting his head in confusion. "W… What's that mean?"
"I'll come back." I made myself promise, a lump heavy in my throat. "I-I'm just… gonna be going away for a while."
"Why are you going away?"
"Because… I-I have to."
"But why?"
"I just… do."
He reached out, tiny fingers latching onto my sleeves. His big blue eyes were welling up with tears. "I-I don't want you to go! Stay!"
Some of the other sleeping children began to stir, rest disrupted by Adrien's loud voice. Though shaking and being very unused to showing such gestures, I leaned down and wrapped my arms around his shoulders as tight as I could without hurting him. I felt so scared, so anxious, so frustrated. Many emotions were welling up and twisting about inside of me, weighing my heart down.
"I… I want to stay." I choked, feeling him bury his face in the crook of my neck. "But they aren't letting me. I-I'll come back one day; I promise. It'll just… It'll will take a while."
"How long?"
"I-I dunno."
"A day?"
"Longer."
He frowned, pulling away and staring up at me. "Two days?"
Holy mother of all pōkemon; this boy is trying to make it more difficult. All I wanted was to bid farewell and let him know I was going to return to save him. I brushed the hair out of his face and shook my head, lips curling back as I struggled to give him my best smile. It was so hard nowadays; I always had to remain passive and submissive when with the other adults. All I wanted to do was cry and scream, to vent out my anger and frustration towards them.
But I can't.
And I won't.
"I don't know how long it will be. Just… Just know I'll come back. Okay?"
Adrien stubbornly lunged forward, wrapping his arms around my waist. "No! Stay!" A few of the kids woke up, the babies crankily wailing and demanding food, and toddlers throwing fits because they needed to use the bathroom now. "I won't let you go!"
Suddenly the door to the nursery opened and several goons walked in, irritated by all the noise. One of the men saw me and rage filled their features. The next thing I knew I was being yanked back by the hair and Adrien was forcibly pushed away from me. The boy cried out when he hit the floor, stubbing one of his toes and bumping his elbow, and I quickly clamped my mouth shut to muffle any sounds of pain.
"Fucking brat- how dare you wake them all up! Do you know how long it took for us to get them to sleep!? Rich is gonna kill us for this!"
"Maybe we should just kill you… save us the trouble…"
"Oi!" A woman strolled in, green eyes glaring acidicly at them. Velga's stare was harsh, her hot pink hair flowing behind her with each step. "Leave Grunt alone. Beat the other brats if you want, but the boss wants to meet with her. Touch her and I'll destroy you; got that?"
I stared at her stunned, alarmed by her behavior. Not only was she stopping me from being severely beaten, but she was also trying to direct their attention elsewhere. She was going to have them focus on hurting the little ones. If I stay quiet they'll get hurt, but if I speak up I'll be the one getting hurt. What should I do?
"What?" One of the goons were totally disbelieving. "The… The boss? The big bad boss?"
Velga rolled her eyes, folding her arms across her chest. "Uh, duh. Obviously. I don't see the appeal since she's literally our worst recruit, but Rich has been singing praises!" She waved a hand in the air, exasperated by her colleague. "Oh, so smart with this and look at how she pushed through all that pain to reach the goal! The pōkemon obey her for some reason, yada yada. Honestly, it's like he actually cares or something. Pfft. You think after that Skitty incident we would have just straight-up left her to rot or something."
Still being held by the hair, I turned my gaze away and turned my attention to the floor. My eyebrows knit together as I thought about all that had led up to this point. Those Mightyena who had given their lives to help me, turning against those who had abused them. The Skitty who I left out of his pōkeball because of how much pain I knew it put him in, only to be taken away and experimented on until his death. Kindness was a curse.
All it ever did was lead to others getting hurt.
Light begets darkness, yet there cannot be one without the other. It is an endless cycle of torture, brought on by the evil of humanity. I was so useless here, evil in my own sense, as I inadvertently led others to their demise. How much crueller can a person be?
My eyes slid shut and I forced myself to accept whatever outcome was about to appear. There was no winning. My transfer to the Kanto region was proof of it.
I can make promise after promise, plot and scheme, and burn with hidden fury.
But I doubted I would ever see Hoenn again.
The goon finally released my hair and I fell to my knees with a grunt, grimacing at the pain. The man scoffed and turned away, furrowing his brows. All the littles ones, those who were aware of their surroundings and were over two years of age, watched with scared expressions. Adrien looked the most horrified, but he was so afraid he couldn't even speak.
Velga grabbed my arm and hoisted me up onto my feet, and I found myself being dragged away by her to the room where I had once slept. She ordered me to grab my things and so I did- tucking the sad toothbrush, paste, and deodorant into the little black fanny pack strapped to my hip. She grinned and, while keeping a hand on my upper back the entire time, led me through the halls. We eventually arrived in a room where Rich was waiting for us. The ceiling above us began to open up and I hissed at the sudden invasion of bright light that threatened to blind me.
It's been years since I've seen the outside. The sun felt so warm and the air was so fresh- it was overwhelming. I coughed a few times and wheezed, blinking rapidly until my eyes adjusted. I was ordered to get into the helicopter Rich was standing beside, Velga following after. She climbed into the driver's seat, putting on a headset- presumably to contact their boss or whoever it was that we were going to be meeting with.
"Ohhhh, man!" Rich laughed. "I can't believe this happening! It's been so long since I've seen the boss! I can't wait!"
"Be silent."
The man scowled at Velga, unamused by her coldness. "Shove off, wench. I can do what I want. Hey, Grunt- think he'll let us get a glimpse of that pōkemon of his?" I wasn't paying much attention, too distracted by how the ground was disappearing before us as the vehicle took off into the sky. There weren't really any doors, so the only thing offering me protection and keeping me from falling to my death was the seatbelt I was wearing. It was terrifying. "Mewtwo must be incredible!"
That name… I recognize it. Where from though?
I turned to look at Rich, expression blank as I frowned. "Mew...two?"
"It's a legendary pōkemon." Velga explained, narrowing her eyes as she swerved up to avoid some trees and to get higher in the sky. "It was created by scientists on order of boss and, after it blew up the island where it was born, he found it again. Since then he's been using the beast to help us capture pōkemon and demolish all our enemies. As such I highly doubt either of you two would even get so much of a glimpse of that monster! Haha! If anyone should be allowed to see it, it should be me!"
"Why did… it blow up the island?"
"Because it's vicious," Rich grinned, leaning over with crazed eyes, "and it only knows how to destroy! That's why the boss has it in armor- to keep its strength on the down-low while simultaneously weaponizing it! It's incredible! Or, so I've heard. Not many people have actually seen the beast. But what we know of it means it's perfect for Team Rocket! We've gotten so many riches and pōkemon because of it!"
Oh.
I wondered if Mewtwo understood if it was being used or… if it even had a choice in the matter. There was no way it was solely bent on destruction, right? Otherwise it wouldn't obey the commands of others. The pōkemon from way back when I was a small child showed they had strong wills- turning against those that had harmed them. It had to be sentient.
A legendary pōkemon…
My eyes drifted to the outside again, brown orbs taking in the sight of the land. The earth was such a beautiful place, filled with incredible foliage and trees, and… even water. The oceans we passed by caused unease to grow within me, several bad dreams trying to rise back up to the surface. To get away from Team Rocket and return to Hoehn to free the others would mean I would have to cross such large bodies of water.
Could I really do it? Maybe if there was a way to free Mewtwo from Giovanni's grasp…
It was an incredibly powerful being, right?
That meant nobody could stop it from obtaining freedom if that was what it wished.
Velga said… that Rich was the reason I was meeting with the boss. Is that why he had me training alone for so long? To test me? If so, then… I can't let this opportunity go to waste. That poor pōkemon who was being used by Team Rocket for malevolent deeds- I have to free it.
Or at the very least try.
…
Hoenn and Johto were part of the same country as Kanto, so heading to that region only took around five to six hours by helicopter. As long as we didn't run into any interference it would go by even faster, as the vehicle moved with incredible speed. Velga was not a cautious driver either, charging straight ahead and dodging randomly flying pōkemon with great agility. When I asked why she didn't just slow down she said she didn't want to keep the boss waiting, and then she proceeded to curse all the creatures in the sky.
The only reason she didn't hit them was because she didn't want to have to be the one to clean the blood out of the spinning blades later.
I choked up at that, disturbed by the thought and recalling the horrifying sight of the lab Mistress Augusta had showed me. When we finally arrived in Kanto we flew over to a large white building, leaving me surprised as it was actually aboveground. The one back in Hoenn hid beneath fake grass, so to see it standing there so obviously was… strange. Were they so confident in their abilities that they didn't think to hide themselves from the world?
It's a wonder how the police hadn't found them yet.
The helicopter landed on the rooftop and several Team Rocket grunts took care of the vehicle, informing us about where the boss was and how there was little interference from the other towns due to the organization's infamous reputation. Before I could actually meet with the boss I was shown to a new room by Velga, who told me to get comfortable. It would be another two days before I could meet with Giovanni.
Giovanni… how scary was he? He must be a thousand times worse than that cursed woman that calls herself Mistress. He'd probably kill me if I showed the slightest reluctance of obedience. My trembling hands curled into fists and I squeezed my eyes shut tight, trying to curb my anger. There was so much I wanted to do and say, but I would never be able to. I hated it.
Yet… the thing I found most interesting was that there were no other children here. It was only me. I fiddled with my left wrist for a moment before reaching into my black fanny pack and grabbing the dawn stone I had kept all these years, trying to help calm myself down with it. After a few minutes I was able to destress a little and sat down, pondering if I was to remain in here or if I would be able to roam around.
Was Hoenn the only base that had little kids being raised into weapons? If I wandered around… would I encounter any other children? What am I meant to do? If I can't even save those trapped in Team Rocket's wretched grasp… what is my purpose? Do I even have one? I was just found one day and forced into this life. I had no choice in the matter. My life was not my own.
Did I even truly exist? Who was I aside from the person they called Grunt?
I want… to know who I am. What led to me waking up in Hoenn.
And I want to help the others.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door and a face peered in, a young boy with big red eyes and bright hair to match. He looked far healthier than any other child I've seen recently, including myself, and was dressed quite nicely. "Are you… the new recruit?"
"...Who are you?"
"Daddy said he was expecting you to show up today." He responded, not answering my question. My eyebrows furrowed together. "And mom was throwing a fit about it, so she's supposed to be picking me and my baby sister up later today because of it. Are you a strong trainer? Why does daddy think you can help him?"
"...I don't know."
Who on earth was this child? He looked like he was around Adrien's age. His speech was rather impressive.
"Who's your dad?"
He tilted his head, red hair falling into his face. The boy looked so innocent- as if he were unaware that he was in a villain hideout. Perhaps he was… or maybe he had grown used to it. "Your boss. Are you stupid? You don't look nearly as cool as I thought you would be… I'm Silver, by the way!"
"...Nice to meet you, Silver."
"Yeah. I just thought I'd see who you were. Bye!" He closed the door, disappearing and leaving me alone once again. That was definitely one of the strangest meetings I have ever had. I tilted my head and stared at the door, half-expecting the child to come back and speak more random nonsense I didn't quite understand, before I fell back onto the bed and let out a heavy sigh.
"What am I supposed to do…?"
I raised the dawn stone in the air above me, watching the blue light glint. It truly was so beautiful. Even the chipped parts of it were lovely. I adored it so much. I just wish that I could remember the name of the person who gave it to me… or even his face. He was probably so much older than me by now; an adult already. I still had a long way to go before I ever caught up to him, nonetheless find him.
If… I do end up being able to find him. I still have to survive and escape first.
I held the dawn stone to my chest, resting it against my heart.
"One day…"
I will return it to him. I have to.
Later that night I was being lectured by a bunch of grunts who yelled and argued with each other, finding it ridiculous that a small child such as myself was here in headquarters. They wanted to challenge me to a pōkemon battle to test my skill as trainee, but since I lacked any actual pōkemon I was grateful for the chance to refuse. They reluctantly showed me around the building, doing so only upon orders of their boss, and we finally arrived at the mess hall.
The food looked a lot better than what was served back in Hoenn.
Yet… it still tasted awful to me.
Everything seemed to taste the same; I was just so tired of it. I kept eating it, as I was hungry, but it just wasn't satisfying at all. My stomach stopped wanting to be filled and I quit, unable to keep going. Tea that was supposed to be sweet tasted like decaf and all this amazing food just tasted like… nothing. There was a distinct flavor there, but my tastebuds were no longer working as they used to. Even adding seasoning to the meal did little to help.
How bothersome…
All I want to do is lie down. My plan was a failure, so what was the point of going on save for locating the boy who gave me the stone? I might not even find him. I won't be able to save the children or free Mewtwo from the boss' grasp. It was all a hopeless effort. An unreachable aspiration.
I put the tray of food away and dragged my feet back to the room, lowering my gaze to the floor and counting each step it took to reach the next hall. Sleep did not come easily, not that it ever really did, and I found myself tossing and turning throughout most of the night as I tried to piece together a course of action now that I was here. I would have to go along with whatever they threw at me until I gained a better understanding of this place, that way I could make my way out, but first I would have to locate the mysterious pōkemon the boss has holed up here.
Assuming… it was actually in this building.
The poor thing… I can only imagine what sort of torture it must be going through. No one deserves such torment. I spent the next day fiddling with the dawn stone and flexing the fingers on my left hand, attempting to get any kind of feeling back in the limb. It was so numb. It also looked… wrong. The way it was bent was so unnatural.
Was anything about me natural? Unbroken…
What was considered normal?
I shoved the stone back into my fanny pack and stood when I heard a knock on the door. Richard and Velga. "Heeeey, kiddo!" The man grinned at me, baring his teeth, and wiggled his fingers in the air. "How's my favorite little grunt doin' today?"
I did not answer.
"Okaaay, don't answer. Anyway, it's time to see the boss, Grunt." My head nodded at his words, eyes half-lidded and expression devoid of emotion. What did he expect me to say? It was always the same. Nothing ever changed… until now. If I answered honestly I would most likely get beaten. I wanted to remain unharmed. "You're still a bit young to be a proper member of Team Rocket, but you've completed all the training necessary. All we need to do is get you to battle with force instead of… whatever it is you do. Pōkemon already seem to listen to you for whatever reason, so you just gotta learn to use that!"
He balled a hand up in a fist and waved it at me.
"You got that!? Pōkemon are to be used for our advantage! They exist to serve us! Embrace your destiny!"
If I am to have a fate… it will not be dictated by you. It will be decided by myself and no other.
I was forced to lean forward when one of his hands landed harshly on the top of my skull, ruffling my hair violently and shaking my head back-and-forth. My body moved along with each movement, as if I were nothing more than a ragdoll. "You'll figure it out! You're a smart kid, Grunt!"
"Ugh." Velga groaned. "You are so lame. Since when were you so doting on kids anyway? You hate the brats!"
"Eeeh, this one is okay." He snicked. I flinched when his fingers curled into my hair and he yanked me forward, causing me to stumble until I was beside him. "Look! Doesn't whine or complain, does exactly as told- she's perfect! She even took care of the nursery brats for me. She's great. Quite the tough one, too, dealing with all the shit the other trainees give her. I'm amazed she survived Mistress Augusta."
It hurts. Let go of me.
My jaw tightened as the door closed behind me, the man dragging me along with him and Velga down the hall. He spoke nonsense about how they should be getting a promotion fairly soon, heading from A rank to A+ and obtaining silver uniforms. If I truly did wind up impressing the boss then they were certain to rise up in power. His grip on my hair become more fierce as the result of his rambling, Rich threatening me to behave.
I had to remain calm. I can't fight back. I must obey.
Just long enough until… I can escape.
But when will that be? I can't take much more of this.
I feel so empty inside.
It's… lonely.
"She may have shown a little defiance here-and-there at the beginning, but we more or less got that out of her. All she does is follow orders now; have you seen how quickly she finishes the obstacle course? It's incredible!"
"She's a puppet! A grunt, Richard!"
"And Grunt is the best grunt we've got!" He retorted. "All the others are trash; they can't even beat us in a pōkemon battle! All Grunt needs is a little more polishing- which is what the boss is gonna do! He'll morph her into the best damn Team Rocket member in existence!"
"You're delusional."
The way up the next few staircases was certainly taxing on my mental state. These two arguing only made my migraine worse. We finally arrived at an elevator where I was proceeded to be told about what to expect from the boss and how I was expected to behave. Rich leaned down, golden eyes boring harshly into mine, the man twisting his fingers painfully into my hair. "Now don't screw this up. This is a chance of a lifetime, you got that? Just do whatever he says. Otherwise you'll be sent right back to Hoenn with Mistress Augusta."
No.
I won't go back to her. But… to rescue the others, I…
I don't know anymore. What I should do, how to do it, or if I am even capable of saving anyone. Would Mewtwo even let me help? A legendary pōkemon would surely have been able to break away by itself, right?
"Y-Yes, sir…"
Richard finally released my hair and pat my cheek, pleased by my response. "Good girl. Now… uh… oof. How to talk to the boss?" He scratched his chin, staring into nothing as the elevator doors opened. "We have to be poised. Classy. The boss only wants the best of the best! Right, Velga-"
The woman pushed himself and marched forwards, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Whatever. Just hurry it up." She knocked on the pair of double doors, expression hardening into something cold. "Boss, it's us! We've got the girl."
"Bring her in." A voice called out. It had a hint of an accent to it, gravelly and much older than anyone else I've spoken to during my time in Hoenn. "I wish to speak with the child alone. You two may wait outside."
"Y-Yes, boss." Velga stammered, stepping back and giving me room to walk. I blinked, startled by her change in personality. She seemed so intimidated by him. Richard as well- the man was standing on the other side of the door backed against the wall, arms folded over his chest. The pink-haired woman's green eyes narrowed at me and she hissed, "Well? Don't keep him waiting, brat!"
My heart was pounding so loud I could hear it. The doors closed behind me and I held my breath, nerves totally shot. I turned to face the stranger, taking in the boss' appearance fully and completely. He looked a lot different from the boy I had met the other day that called himself Silver- in comparison this person had slicked back, oiled brown hair and dark eyes. He must be somewhere in his thirties, judging by the age lines. Were they truly related?
I could only assume that Silver took after his mother.
Another interesting thing about this man was that he wore a bright orange suit and curled up on his lap was a large Persian- one that seemed quiet comfortable and pleased to be pet. The man grinned at me, scratching behind the pōkemon's ears. "Hello, child. I am Giovanni, the leader of Team Rocket. Do you understand what that means?"
Choosing to remain silent, I gave a small nod as an answer.
"As you are well aware we capture pōkemon from around the world; they're very important tools for keeping our criminal enterprise going. And I hear you have a special… talent for communicating with pōkemon. Is this true?"
When I gave no response he sat up straighter, scratching the Persian behind the ears.
"When you were first brought to the base so many years ago… the pōkemon my underlings used turned against them out of a sudden desire to help you. Because of this they have been taken away and removed from this world, and tested on to determine what had caused this. No results have ever shown reasoning, so the only logical explanation can be… that it was you. A mere child."
My gaze met his and I stood my ground, ignoring the shaking in my legs. The fingers on my left hand curled around the black fanny back, desperately wishing to cling onto the dawn stone for comfort. I didn't though. I couldn't. I had to remain still, no matter how terrifying the situation was.
"What is it about you that made the pōkemon turn away from their masters? I've heard you've performed exceptionally well compared to the other recruits. That blabbering fool Richard spoke highly about you, although you don't look like much... but appearances can be deceiving. What name do you go by?"
Head lowering, I didn't answer at first. "I don't… have a name, sir. The others call me Grunt."
"Oh? I see. No matter." He waved it off, unperturbed by my lack of an identity. This was the Team Rocket leader, the mastermind behind the criminal abduction of dozens of small children. The person who financed the research and experimentation upon many pōkemon, often leading to their deaths. Who governed others into taking parts of pōkemon and selling them for profit. It only made sense he cared little for my own being. "It is not what is important. What is important is that we could use someone like you here."
Giovanni smiled wickedly at me, expression cruel and eyes glimmering with dark ideas.
"You could use that apparent talent of yours and become famous- capturing any and all pōkemon with ease. To think a child would have such an ability… it is astonishing. Unfathomable. You would never have to bother with the likes of the weak ever again, growing only stronger as you get older! You would be unrivaled!"
Do not respond. Remain devoid of opinions.
He will not have control of me. All these terrible things he has done… will not be forgiven. How could a man have children and then treat other children like they were worth nothing? Does he feel no compassion at all? Any kindness? You think he would be reminded of his family and yet… he behaves like this.
"Well?" He asked, grinning. "So many riches will be yours… anything you desire… if only you do as I command. What is your wish, child? I guarantee I have the ability to grant it."
I want my freedom.
I want to save all those children you have locked up and the innocent pōkemon being tortured in those cursed labs. And more than anything… I want to find Mewtwo- so that it can live in peace and so that your pride gets taken down several notches. I want to destroy Team Rocket. Everything that it is… will be no more. All of us will be free.
And to do that… I am unable to speak up.
"Are you just going to stand there in silence?"
My head raised and I stared at Giovanni blankly, mind processing all the different scenarios that could occur if I spoke out of turn. I had to play this game- the dangerous gamble of life and death. I have to skirt around the rules if I want to make it out of this alive with everyone and everything else intact. "You said… I would be unrivaled, sir."
When I spoke my voice wavered and it took all the strength I had to hide how uncomfortable I was. My feet tried to shift in place. The Team Rocket leader narrowed his eyes at me, raising an eyebrow as he waited for me to finish speaking. "Indeed."
"But… that isn't true. I-Is it, sir?"
He was intrigued now. Giovanni stopped petting the Persian to lace his fingers together under his chin, elbows propped up against the desk. "Explain yourself."
I cleared my throat, rarely blinking as I tried to appear confident. I was uncertain as to what exactly I was expecting to happen from doing this. "The others… they said you have a legendary pōkemon. O-One that was an experiment? So, therefore, I… would be rivaled, sir. By you."
The man stared at me for a long moment, the grin on his lips broadening when he began to laugh. "That does not mean I can not train you to be powerful. Compared to me you are undoubtedly weak, but to others you will known as the greatest trainer to have ever lived! It is certainly a good thing that you are aware of this fact; it means that your arrogance will not rise. Do not dare to challenge me, girl."
"I… won't, sir."
How could I if I aim to gain your trust?
"I exist… only to serve Team Rocket." I raised my crooked hand up to my chest, speaking monotonously the motto that had been repeated to me so many times. Giovanni looked mildly impressed. "To infect the world with devastation, to blight all people in every nation. To denounce the goodness of truth and love, to extend our wrath to the stars above… we are Team Rocket, circling the earth day and night. Pōkemon are nothing more than tools that we must use."
"Yes… very good. Hmm." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, observing me for a moment. "Not many would ever suspect a small child of criminal behavior, either. You are undoubtedly perfect for this organization. With enough training you could even work as an assassin. What do you say to that, girl?"
"That would be…" I felt so dizzy. The lies spewing off my tongue felt like ash particles, making my throat swell up. "That would be wonderful, sir."
He grinned. Then Giovanni turned his gaze to the door, calling out for his henchman that were waiting outside. "Velga, Richard!" Not a moment was wasted as the doors burst open, the two adults standing there upright and saluting. "Fetch this girl some proper attire; she will no longer need that ridiculous blue trainee uniform."
"Y-Yes! Whatever you say, boss!"
"Right away!"
They hurried away, doors closing again, and I was left still standing inside the office with the leader of Team Rocket and his precious pōkemon. That Persian unnerved me greatly; its eyes seemed to bore into my soul. Why did it seem to love Giovanni so much? He was cruel man, wasn't he? Yet the expression it wears whenever it looks at him is so… adoring. It was mind boggling.
"As for your tasks…" Giovanni leaned back in his seat, running his fingers along the cat pōkemon's back. "Once you obtain your new uniform we will need to give you a proper pōkemon to use. Perhaps an Ekins or Coffing? They're easy enough to use, but with your talent…"
"...Whatever is best for you, sir. I exist… only to follow your orders."
Suddenly Giovanni sat up, something flickering in his eyes. "Tell me, child. Do you wish to meet the legendary pōkemon I have had created?"
I paused, wondering if I heard him correctly. My eyebrows furrowed and I blinked, staring at him with confusion as emotion finally leaked back into my face. He took that as an answer, gesturing with his hand for me to move closer. Giovanni was clever, realizing quickly that any interest I had was in the mysterious creature he had holed up in this building somewhere. Uncertain, I began to make my way over to the desk.
"Perhaps you can learn something about it that I do not know. That ability of yours… whatever it is it makes pōkemon take a liking to you. So what of a genetically engineered pōkemon, one taken from the belly of a pregnant ancient and scientifically enhanced? Its rage is something to be feared, but we have it under control…"
He stood, moving his arm and silently telling me to move around the desk. I did so, still at a loss as to what was happening, and was even more startled when he had me literally cling to the edge of the chair. Giovanni leaned back, flipping a switch underneath the armrest, and I yelped when the chair suddenly flew back and twisted around the wall behind us- leading us into a secret room.
I let go and stumbled when we stopped, sent sideways from the abrupt halt. He watched with great amusement as I struggled to regain my balance, arms flailing until I caught myself. "This way, girl. These pōkemon you see here," He pointed to the ones trapped in cages and glass tanks filled with water, "are merely the expendable ones I use for my more meaningless battles. The real power behind it all lies further down this hall. Incredible, is it not? What technology can do as long as you have the money to utilize it…"
I feel so sick. My stomach was twisting and churning, giving me the urge to to vomit. I had such a splitting headache.
"Mewtwo is nothing but an experiment and still is one. Humans have created it and therefore its very purpose is to work for those humans, and as I was the one who financed the operation it is I he must obey. That beast is the strongest pōkemon in the world."
This is so nerve-wracking. I was sweating so badly- my gloves were sticking to my skin. I despised it; I could never feel anything with them on normally, but this just made it worse. It was so gross. The collar on my blazer made it feel like I was choking. Why was Giovanni showing me this? Did he not have a sense of caution?
Or was it because I was merely a child… that he did not feel like I was a threat? He claimed he wanted me to try and understand Mewtwo, but… did he not realize the implications of me doing so? He was literally giving me an opportunity here. He was an evil mastermind, someone incredibly clever, so was my acting just that good?
Dang, girl. I'm proud of myself.
...Oh.
That's… weird. What is this feeling?
Being proud of myself… is such a strange sensation. My chest feels all weird and there's this bubbliness welling up in my throat- like my voice wanted to come out. The edges of my lips twitched and it took everything I had to keep myself as expressionless as possible, but the urge to just… let whatever was happening happen was so strong. I can't remember the last time I felt like this.
Did I ever even feel like this before?
"Here we are. Look."
I snapped out of my thoughts and raised my gaze up, staring down through a large glass window into a room below us. There was a balcony inside with a staircase, presumably for people to come-and-go from the room, and inside strapped to a bunch of wires and cables wearing a metallic suit of armor was…
"Mewtwo?" Oh gods. That poor thing. Something welled up inside of me, far more familiar than the last weird emotion, and I recognized it immediately as horror. I barely masked my expression in time for Giovanni to turn his head to look down at me. "That… is Mewtwo, sir?"
"Yes. A marvel, isn't it?" He reached out, resting a hand against a red lever. "If I ever need to use it… I simply pull this switch. It will release the wires from its armor and allow it to move about. That armor not only lessens the outage of Mewtwo's power, but also harnasses it and allows the creature to better focus its attacks. What do you think?"
I think… this pōkemon needs to be released.
"Can we… go inside, sir?"
"Hmph. If we must. You are fully capable of communicating with it from inside here. Mewtwo is a telepath; it speaks with its mind." Giovanni pressed a switch and the door opened, and I followed him to the balcony. He stood there while I made my way down the staircase, cautiously approaching the creature. "It can understand everything you say to it."
Mewtwo was so tall; the pōkemon had to be standing somewhere around six foot seven. I was so tiny compared to it. My measly four foot nine height didn't even have me reach its shoulders. Thinking about it it- did Mewtwo have a gender? Was it nobinary? I wanted to know.
I also wanted to take off that armor and free the poor thing. I doubted it was pleasant.
I cradled my crooked hand to my chest, frowning deep as I stared up at the creature. I found no need to hide my emotions now- it wasn't as if Giovanni could see my face. I only cared about this pōkemon.
"Who are you?"
Whoa. I jumped, chills running down my spine and the hairs on my neck sticking up upon hearing the sudden voice. It was so deep and alarming; I hadn't expected it. It sounded very much male. "I… I don't know." I stammered, startled. It was like the voice was speaking directly into my mind. "I… I don't… really have a name."
The helmet tilted and though I could not see it I was vaguely aware of the fact that this pōkemon was staring directly into my eyes. He was judging me, determining what I was worth. If I could be trusted. Something about this pōkemon seemed so lonely and upset… perhaps I was imagining it, but it felt like I could feel his emotions. Even the way Mewtwo was standing gave away so much. His posture was so tense, the pōkemon struggling not to move too much because of the wires.
"Mewtwo…" My voice was quiet, practically a whisper as I looked up at the pōkemon. I took a daring step forward, heart racing loudly in my chest as fear and anxiety clashed. I just met this pōkemon and there were already so many emotions rampaging around inside me. "Doesn't it hurt…? Why are you letting them use you like this?"
He gave no answer. From beneath the helmet I could almost make out what appeared to be a frown. Giovanni's expression darkened and he stepped forward, placing a hand on the railing. The Persian stood beside him, hissing loudly at me. "What are you saying to it, Grunt?" I blatantly ignored him, focusing on the legendary pōkemon before me.
"Don't you want to be free…?"
"We are partners." Mewtwo responded calmly, not an ounce of emotion in his voice. It reminded me all too much of myself when I had to speak to the other adults. Yet, as he continued, I could make out the hint of something else- a feeling of loss. Uncertainty. My heart dropped into my stomach at the sound and I could only listen as the pōkemon continued to speak. "My purpose of being… I have not yet found it. By remaining here I have become able to fully perceive my powers due to this armor… although it does restrict my body, it helps me."
"Does it?" I tentatively reached a hand out, resting it against the breastplate of the armor. "He claims all pōkemon exist for the glory of Team Rocket… that they are to be used and exploited for their purpose. Mewtwo, he…" My voice cracked. "...Giovanni doesn't care about you. About anyone. Team Rocket steals children and abuses them, and experiments on pōkemon like you. All he wants is the world a-and he'll… do anything to get it."
"You know nothing. I am… not like other pōkemon."
"So? You're still alive, aren't you?"
He paused at that. Giovanni looked positively outraged.
"Don't you… want to get out of this armor? To be yourself?" This poor creature was living, yet had no idea what life truly was. He's been trapped in here for so long, hasn't he? My expression softened and I teared up a little, biting my bottom lip. "You're right that I know nothing, Mewtwo. I-I don't even know who I am. One moment I'm awake in a city I don't recognize and the next… I'm being forced into Team Rocket. I don't even have a real name! But you… you're different. You don't have to stay here and do what they want."
"How dare you!" Giovanni growled, leaning over the balcony ledge. "Stop filling that thing's mind with ideas! It was created by humans to be used by us; its purpose is to obey me!"
Mewtwo suddenly raised his head, turning sharply to look at the man. My vision began to blur, eyes welling up with tears as the frustration finally leaked out. I whirled around, snapping at Giovanni as the hatred erupted from within me. "He isn't a thing! Mewtwo is… is a living creature and deserves to be treated as such, you… you jerk! Who goes and takes a baby that's inside of a womb and experiments on it? Mewtwo and his parent deserved better than that!"
"...What?" Oh, there was no mistaking the rage in that pōkemon's voice. His attention was focused solely on Giovanni. "You are the reason… I am like this? I was created… and subjected to those scientists… because of you!?"
The wires began to snap and I recoiled away, retracting my hand in fright as I stepped back to avoid getting hit. My eyes went wide and the leader of Team Rocket appeared greatly alarmed. "Stop this!" Giovanni demanded, tightening his grip on the railing. "You are meant to serve me!"
"You said that we were partners! That we stood as equals!"
"We could never be equals, you fool! You are an experiment!"
"So it's true…" Electricity began to crackle along the platform Metwo was standing on and I yelped, crashing hard onto my rear as I scrambled back to dodge the bolts. I had been electrocuted once many years ago and I was not keen on getting shocked again. "That girl spoke honestly. You, just like those scientists, do not care for me. You only wish to use me. Forcing me and this child to bend to your will… I will have none of it!"
"You're acting foolishly!" Giovanni shouted, leaping out of the way to avoid the large blast that Mewtwo sent towards him. I shrieked and dodged out of the way of some rubble that fell from the collapsing ceiling. "Gaah! Persian, run!"
"Humans may have created me… but they will never enslave me!"
A blue light erupted from Mewtwo's body, several large pieces of his armor coming apart. The room was falling to pieces from the destruction the pōkemon was causing. I yelped and cradled my hands over my head, fully aware of how futile it was and that I was most likely going to get buried along all the rest of those inside this building. I had calculated this as being one of the possible worst case scenarios and wanted to take measures to avoid it, but when the moment actually came I ended up improvising and now-
Now I was going to die.
Mewtwo flung a piece of metal off of his arm and stepped forward, pulling away from the remaining cables and wires. The electricity was crackling everywhere. "You, girl…"
I flinched and glanced up, screeching when a piece of rock crash landed a few feet away from me. This place was going to be utterly destroyed if this went on any longer! I know Team Rocket deserved to be taken down, but I hadn't wanted it to be in such a way. I didn't want to be forced down with it either. I was hoping to maybe get the police involved or something. This was… too much.
Mewtwo was absolutely terrifying. His violet eyes bore into mine own, the pōkemon floating in midair as it stared me down.
"Why did you come here? Do you honestly expect me to believe that you hold compassion for me? I was not born a regular pōkemon… I was created! And those creators have used and betrayed me!"
I had no doubt that he would destroy me if I said the wrong thing. The real question was if there was a right thing to say… and if there was then quite frankly I had no idea what that was. I was merely panicking now, frantically rolling out of the way of falling rocks and lab equipment.
"Exposing the truth like that… what did you intend to happen!?"
A piece of large rubble came hurtling down towards me at a speed far too fast for me to dodge and I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing myself for pain. When that pain never came I slowly opened my eyes and looked up, stunned to see it was now glowing purple. Mewtwo was holding one of his paws out, using psychic abilities to keep it from crushing me. This entire room was falling apart, but he was keeping me alive long enough to answer his question.
"Tell me before I have this building destroy you with the rest!"
"I…!" I choked up, shaking as the tears began to fall. All I could think of were the people I had left behind, the boy I would never see again, and little Adrien. I had told him I would come back; it was a futile promise, but I was intent on trying to see it through. That would be near impossible now. "I-I just wanted you to be freed! Th-They… They're always hurting others and… when they told me about you, I-I got scared! I wanted to help!"
"Help…?"
I sniffled and frantically nodded my head, trying my darndest not to break down sobbing completely. "I-I was originally gonna escape Team Rocket myself and then save the others once I-I was strong enough, b-but then they moved me here and I found out about you and… and I thought I could get you out of here too! I-I'm sorry!"
Mewtwo lowered his arm and I flinched, expecting him to crush me with the debris. Next thing I knew I was suddenly hurtling through the air and letting out a startled cry, unprepared for the sudden light surrounding me as he carried me into the air. The pōkemon was directly in front of me, keeping my body suspended with his psychic powers. It was so scary; I wondered why I was even still alive.
"You can not help me, human." He said, narrowing his eyes. His mouth never opened once, lips tilted down into a deep frown, his brows furrowed as he spoke with his mind. Seeing him up close like this was quite unnerving, especially since he so greatly resembled that of a humanoid sphinx cat. His large violet tail swished behind him, dangling in the air. "You do not know either of our destinies and, thanks to this final betrayal, I am aware of one thing; humanity… is evil. And so any who stand in my path will be destroyed."
Oh gods. He's gonna do it. Mewtwo is going to kill me.
I could feel the weird pressure holding my body tighten ever so slightly as he curled his paws into fists, the pōkemon stopping only when I cried out in pain. Something akin to remembrance flickered in his gaze then, the pōkemon watching as the tears fell. The light lowered its brightness and the grip around me loosened, causing me to wheeze and cough harshly into my shoulder.
Everything hurt so much.
"But you… did not lie to me. You respected me."
The light disappeared completely and his arm dropped to the side, my knees and hands hitting the ground hard. I winced, letting out a small whimper as I fell onto my side. I felt so exhausted. The pōkemon landed on the floor and walked over, observing me for a moment.
"Humanity is evil… I will always believe that. And yet, if you are to be an exception… then not all are bad."
My head was spinning so much. The room was barely being held together by this point; if it weren't for Mewtwo speaking directly into my mind I wouldn't even be able to hear him due to all the noise. Black spots were dancing in my vision. If I didn't get knocked out by the rubble or killed by this pōkemon, I would end up fainting soon enough. It was so hard to breathe. A fire was rising in the corners of the lab, sparked by the rampaging electricity.
"For showing me this… I will spare you, human."
Large beams of light exploded from Mewtwo's body, tearing apart the rest of the building mercilessly. He did not hold back as the room erupted into chaos and I found myself screaming, walls and machinery being blasted apart violently- pieces of metal and rock and glass flying everywhere. I felt some pieces slice into my skin, cutting away at me, and as I covered my face there was this big wave of heat. Just as I felt my right arm get scorched from the flames there was a strong weight slamming into my abdomen, the ground suddenly disappearing from below me. I was left winded from the movement and, though extremely dazed, I found myself watching from my spot high in the sky as Team Rocket's Kanto hideout crumbled into pieces.
Soooo I was watching the old Mewtwo movies and everytime I try to write Mewtwo I hear Dan Green's voice. XD
Going with the idea that Newtwo is FEMALE and Mewtwo is MALE, and that the Mewtwo from Detective Pikachu is Nonbinary... I'm writing this Mewtwo as a boy. Because Dan Green. Frick. Oops. Hope ya'll don't mind. :3 Read and review! The fun is just beginning!
