Chapter 3: Raspberry Slushies

Sabrina yawned as she walked up the long white hallway in the rear of the Poké Center. Misty had finally convinced her to leave Mewtwo's side and bail Bill out. Sabrina had disliked the idea, but it was the least she could do for a man who had taken care of her best friend for the past few months, and had put his own good name on the line to reunite them. Nurse Joy had stabilized Mewtwo's condition, and Sabrina wanted to get back soon in case he woke up. On her way toward the front door Nurse Joy waved her over.

"I thought you would never come out of there." Joy smiles as she held out a package. "A Haunter showed up this morning with this, I thought it was odd."

"A Haunter? Is he still here?" Sabrina looked around.

"Haunt!" The Haunter in question pulled itself from a nearby wall and flew toward Sabrina.

Sabrina held her arms out and hugged the Pokemon, or whatever counted as a hug with a ghost. "I missed you!" Her sour mood began to lift already. Haunter's familiar presence was setting her more at ease, lifting a tenseness she didn't know had set in.

"Haunt haunt!"

"And you brought my clothes? Thank you!" She accepted the package from Nurse Joy and ripped open the paper. One of her favorite dresses unfolded and a Poké Ball that had been tucked into the folds fell out and rolled across the floor. With another cry of recognition, Sabrina picked it up and activated it. Kadabra appeared on the floor, turned and hugged Sabrina's leg. "Kadabra! Thanks for bringing him, Haunter."

"You can go change in the room back there." Nurse Joy leaned over the counter, obviously touched by this happy reunion. "Although you do look quite cute in the nurse's uniform."

"Why do you have an extra one around anyway?" Sabrina pulled out a pair of her boots and a small bag of other necessities from the package, making sure to shake those out in case Haunter had included any other surprises.

"It's good to keep a spare in case we get any others in as bad of condition as Two that night." Joy shrugged. "As much as we try to keep them healthy, sometimes Pokémon don't arrive in the best of shape, and no one wants to see a medical professional with stains on their uniform."

"Oh yeah, I didn't think about that." Sabrina pulled Kadabra off her leg and went into a back room. "Be out in a minute, hold on. Haunter, stay."

Haunter crossed his "arms" and stuck his tongue out, a little put out at being denied a show. Joy went about her daily duties until Sabrina stepped out, dressed in her usual outfit, a red long-sleeved shirt and miniskirt with knee-high black leather boots. "I must admit that you do look best in your own clothes," Joy commented when Sabrina returned the uniform neatly folded.

"Thanks." Sabrina checked one long sleeve, then pulled the skirt down a bit. "The police station is a few blocks down, right?"

"Yes." Joy picked up the phone. "I'll call ahead and tell Jenny you're coming."

"Please keep an eye on Two." Sabrina held out two Poké Balls, summoning both Haunter and Kadabra back into them, then placed them in her pocket.

"Oh I will, you have nothing to worry about."


Jenny looked up from the phone and watched Sabrina walk through the door. "I'll talk to you later, Joy, Sabrina's here." She hung up the phone gently. "I know who you're here for, so I'll go get him. After that I need to talk to both of you."

"Why did you keep Bill all night?" Sabrina never had much dealings with the police, and being in a station even when she wasn't in trouble still made her nervous.

"I'll explain that in a minute." Jenny went into the back and came back with Bill in tow. He looked like he hadn't slept all night. His green hair was a mess and his clothes were wrinkled. "Okay, now both of you in my office." She gestured toward a short hallway with several rooms leading from it.

"Are you okay?" Sabrina whispered, suddenly feeling more concerned.

"I'm fine. How's Mewtwo? Is he alright?" Bill asked, his voice sounded strained.

"He hasn't woken up yet, but yeah, he's fine."

"Good," Bill sighed. "I've been awake all night worried about him." They followed Jenny into her office, and the officer shut the door behind them, and took a seat behind a desk.

"Now both of you should know by now that taking a Pokémon into a hospital is a serious crime. However, given the circumstances, I'm letting you go with a slap on the wrist. I know it won't happen again, and since both of you are dedicated Pokémon experts, I can trust that you'll take this as a lesson." Jenny began to sort through a pile of papers. "Just fill these out, and you can go."

Bill looked at the stack of papers that seemed to be enough to create a phone book. "Maybe I should have tried to get some sleep after all."


"Where are we going? I thought we were heading to the Center?"

"We will in a minute." Sabrina led the way across the street and toward a diner. "I haven't had anything except Jell-O for the past few months. I am starving. Besides, we need to talk."

"What about Two? I want to make sure he's alright," Bill insisted, though he had to admit to himself that he was hungry as well.

"Be patient. How did you two ever get along?" Sabrina chuckled.

Bill fell behind her and watched her graceful form jog up the sidewalk. "How am I ever going to maintain a friendship with Two when he has such a strong woman with him?" he mumbled to himself.

Sabrina turned and put her hands on her hips. "Are you coming or not?"

Bill only smiled and followed, then opened the door for her. Sabrina blinked at the unexpected display of chivalry. Maybe she was being a little hard on him. After all, this guy hadn't gotten any sleep last night, and all that worry must have done something to him.

They took a seat at a booth. Bill immediately ordered coffee along with Sabrina. "Sorry I've been a drag. I've been very worried about Two."

"You're not alone." Sabrina sighed. "I've known Two for about a year now. He lives with me. It took a long time to earn his trust, but it feels like we've always known each other." Sabrina sipped her coffee when it arrived. "Things have been hard for me lately. I've only been really awake for one day and already I have so much work to catch up on."

Bill dumped some sugar and cream in his coffee. "How did you know Two had kicked me in the hospital? You were out cold."

"My body was out, but my mind was aware. Non-psychics often think it takes a lot of power to maintain awareness, but it's easy if you just relax and let it come to you. I sensed you the moment you walked in the door, and when Two attacked you…how are your ribs, by the way?"

"I'll survive. It's not the first time he's hit me."

"When did he hit you before?" She looked up at him and narrowed her eyes.

"It was for stupid things. Frankly I can understand why. Even though he tries his best, he's still very scared and alone. I don't know what to do, so I just roll with it and try to alleviate his fears."

"He's never been outright violent with me, but I've never put it past him. He's been on his own for so long and has a lot to learn about basic social skills." Sabrina found herself staring at Bill. You know, this poor guy has given up the past few months of his life just for Two, he really loves Pokémon. Not to mention he has some of the nicest hair I've ever seen… Bill glanced up at her, then smiled shyly. She averted her gaze quickly. That was unexpected…I better not start to get attached..

Bill took a sip of his coffee. "Enough about Two, tell me about you."

At first Sabrina didn't know what to say. She had never been the type to just open up to someone else. It was always easier to defer to another topic, find safer mutual ground before letting her defenses down. That had been one reason why she and Two had clicked as well as they had. As a pair of psychics, they performed their preliminary scans of each other, knew automatically where the other's trouble zones were and went right for the middle ground together all in a matter of moments. Going through this tedious exercise of trial and error with this man was going to be like explaining to a toddler how to navigate a dark room blindfolded. No wonder she didn't have much human contact anymore.

The coffee mug was warm in her hands, and it would still be a moment before their food arrived. Her companion's smile was earnest but not critical. "Well, I've had psychic powers ever since I was a little girl, and despite all the hell I put them through, I had the most loving parents anyone could ask for." She sipped her coffee, and before she set her mug back down, it was as if some inner floodgate had been opened. Her troubles interacting with other humans, most Pokémon even, save for the psychic types. How her inability to communicate lead her to be lonely and bitter, even to the point of learning how to trap someone's very soul inside a handmade doll just for the sake of having company that wouldn't run away. She told him of Ash, and Haunter. And of how she spent wonderful years as both a gym leader and daughter of grateful parents, only to lose both of them to a plane crash.

After this event she temporarily closed her Gym, and went on a journey of self-discovery, meeting people and studying Pokémon she had only read about. It was in the deepest jungles to the south that she had first encountered Mewtwo. It had taken both of them some time to warm up to the other, but they found shared concerns in the lack of Pokémon the world over. Powerful Pokémon were in hiding, and even weather patterns were getting disrupted from the lack of legendaries that helped to influence them. So together Sabrina and Mewtwo had made a pact to get to the bottom of it.
"Sounds like you and Two had your work cut out for you," Bill said when Sabrina had paused to take a bite.

"It was a time when I thought I might revert back to how I used to be. I was so focused on my training that I had become totally numb to everything. I loved my parents, and it hurt when they died. Then I met Two. We faced our problems together, and we've been together ever since – and don't think any sick stuff either." Sabrina pointed a fork at Bill.

"I wasn't. You two are as close as a Master and Pokemon are supposed to be." Bill absently finished off the rest of his lunch, then put his hand down on the table.

"Um...Bill..."

"Yes?"

"You're holding my hand."

Bill looked down. "Oh, sorry." He blushed and yanked it back.

Sabrina smiled, then covered his hand with her own. "I didn't say I minded."


Sabrina sighed, then stood up and stretched. After a wonderful lunch, they had returned to the Pokemon Center, full of new questions and conversation from the diner. That had been a few hours ago. Joy had her duties, and Bill was currently leaning against Mewtwo's tank, falling asleep, but pulling himself out of it every time he drifted off. "Hey, Bill."

"Yes?" He looked at her, his eyes bloodshot and strained.

"I'm going to go get some coffee, want some?"

"Please." He watched her leave the room, and then put his head back on the cold surface of the tank. She's beautiful. I hope that once Two wakes up we can still be friends. I don't want to lose either one of them. After all this time of being alone, I don't want to leave, I don't want to go back to the lighthouse by myself. I know how Two feels. Being alone with no one to talk to or understand you. Ever since I was a boy. So what if I thought Pokémon were more interesting than my schoolwork? I am now one of the most respected names in the field. But it's a lonely field.

In the nurse's break room, Sabrina poured her coffee, then mixed the sugar and creamer. Face it Sabrina, you like him. She groaned inwardly, then started on Bill's cup. "Okay, yeah, sure, I like him, but it's not going anywhere. He's so far ahead of me in everything. Why would he want to even have the friendship of a lowly Gym leader?" Sabrina rubbed her temples. "Must be something about Pokémon centers, they always make me start talking to myself."

"Haunt haunt…" Haunter elbowed her side, then gave her one of his all-knowing perverted grins.

"Now don't you get started," She picked up the mugs, then carried them into the room. Bill was asleep at the tank. "Oh man..." Sabrina put the mugs down, then folded her arms and watched. "He's so cute when he's asleep."

"Haunt." Haunter carried in a blanket and set it down on the side table.

"Thanks." Sabrina picked it up then draped it around Bill's shoulders. "Now all I need is Two."


Flying, oceans sweeping underneath him, forests, plains, even the tallest mountains. Everywhere was the beauty of the planet, all the life and energy it had to offer. But no Pokémon.

Where are all the Pokémon? Mewtwo asked the clouds. They gave no reply. Where are all the Pokémon? Where are all the creatures that make up part of the planet's life? He flew faster and faster, revisiting old haunts. Searching for some clue. There was a sudden flare of pain in his heart, an ache that tore through him and brought tears of sorrow to his eyes. What is this?

A voice came to him, like a soft breeze. The tomb under the mountain.

Mewtwo searched his memories. Under what mountain? What tomb?

He felt water all around his body, warm and oddly comforting. The dream faded, leaving only that ache in his chest, like something was missing, like someone close to him was calling out for help. Mewtwo forced his eyes open to find that he was back inside the tank at the Pokemon Center. This is really beginning to become a common occurrence. His attention was diverted to Sabrina as she ran up to the glass. Oh don't cry…you'll start making me sad too.

"Mewtwo!" Sabrina pressed her face against the glass. "How are you? Are you okay?"

I can barely hear her.

"Sabrina. Has he awoken yet?" Bill ran into the room carrying a small bag. His face changed from worry to joy when he saw Mewtwo moving in the water.

"He just did. Go get Nurse Joy!"

Bill walked up to the tank. "Good to see you awake again!"

Mewtwo held his head. As grateful as he was to see his friends again, the ache in his heart hadn't faded. Someone, or many someones, were crying out for help.


Mewtwo moaned and stared through the skylights above his hammock. He and Sabrina had returned home to Saffron City two days ago, and had spent that time cleaning up the house and tending to her Pokémon. The Gym was still closed, but then again Trainers seemed to be scarce of late.

Sleep, I remember what that was like. Why won't this headache go away? I've tried everything from aspirin to Poké-nip. New age therapy to…whatever the hell that weird exercise was. And if Sabrina and Bill think I don't notice them and the way they look at each other...Mewtwo looked around his "room". It was actually Sabrina's greenhouse, with his hammock suspended from the ceiling, and a spiral staircase leading up to it. It was a pleasant spot. Usually on lazy days like this he would be content to just watch the clouds roll across the sky. But this headache had stolen even that small joy from him. Joy had said that it was all part of the healing process. If that was the case, Mewtwo just wanted it over and done with.

"Mewtwo?"

What fine hell awaits me now?

Sabrina climbed up the steps and stopped at the small platform next to Two's hammock. She smiled when she saw a huge purple eye roll her way. "Come on, fair, today, you wanted to go?"

"Fair?"

"Remember? Bill wanted to take his niece and nephew?" She climbed up in to the hammock with him and rested her head on his shoulder.

Mewtwo sighed contently and scooted over a bit to make room for her. He wasn't looking forward to the bright hot sun, loud noises and watching after a pair of screaming kids all day."I'm not sure I feel up to going."

"Is your headache getting to ya?" She reached up and scratched behind his ear.

She always knows all the right spots…

"Like that don't ya?" She continued to scratch the rest of his head, then giggled when a low almost dull purr started.

"Stop it," he teased. The headache had faded some, but it was still present toward the corners of his mind. "It is good to be home."

"I missed you, and your purr. Does Bill know you purr?" Sabrina asked.

"No, and it's going to stay that way."

Sabrina slid off the hammock and stood on the staircase. "How have you been feeling?"

"I haven't slept a wink since coming home from the Pokemon Center."

Sabrina nodded, she had suspected as much.

"I've tried everything. The aspirin is tearing up my stomach, I can't take anymore, and I don't think Joy will give me a prescription for anything harder." He sighed. Joy still couldn't make sense of most of his blood work, so she was reluctant to prescribe much.

"Do you still want to go out then?"

"I suppose. Getting out and about can't hurt anything, right?" Mewtwo rolled over and faced her. Even though he had lived with Bill for a time, he was still more relaxed around Sabrina. "Besides, maybe the fair will have slushies."

Sabrina giggled. "I tried so long to get you to eat healthy, and Bill ruins it all."

"I like slushies." Mewtwo thought for a minute. "Speaking of Bill, when are you two tying the knot?"

"Two!" She playfully slapped his shoulder, then blushed.

"Don't think I haven't noticed the way you look at each other." He smirked when her blush intensified followed by a nervous giggle. "What got you interested in him in the first place?" Mewtwo smiled when she looked up at him. Then they both said at once, "The accent."

Sabrina giggled again. "I don't think even Haunter managed to embarrass me this much."

"I have my talents."

"You don't mind Bill being around do you?"

Mewtwo shrugged. "I can't compete. He has a career, a nice home, is good with Pokémon and kids. I'm just a washed up ex-villain."

Sabrina laughed. "Don't sell yourself short!" Mewtwo waited patiently until she regained her composure. "Seriously, Two."

Mewtwo pulled her back up on the hammock with him. "I couldn't pick a better match. I think the two of you could learn a lot from each other." He felt her head rest on his chest. They had always been close, some part of them craving the affirmation of another's touch. Her presence relaxed him.

"Thanks, Two, you always cheer me up!" She kissed his nose. Mewtwo felt a fire start in his cheeks. Sabrina giggled. "You're cute when you blush." She slid out of the hammock and started down the stairs.

Mewtwo sat up and groaned. He would do anything for her, as long as she was happy.


As Mewtwo had predicted, the day was abnormally hot, dry enough to make his fur itch, every flowering bush in the city was spitting out enough pollen to choke an onyx, and the sun seemed to have moved a couple of miles closer to the earth. Every reflective surface pinged back shards of light into Mewtwo's already sensitive retinas. The short tram ride to the fairgrounds had been pleasant enough with a fresh wind coming off the ocean and over the lowlands, but once they had stepped through the brightly-colored steel gates of the main parade, Mewtwo's sinuses were assaulted with the full bouquet of flora the city had to offer combined with the dust kicked up by many happy feet. Bales of straw had been placed to soak up rain water from the night before, adding to the increasingly uncomfortable barrage on his senses. Loud music blared from a calliope somewhere, and all of the rides were a riot of color and motion. Mewtwo was a night creature, and without his psychic abilities to help him filter out the noise from the genuine threats, he felt lost and confused.

Almost as soon as they were in the gate, Sabrina took Bill's niece and nephew by the hand and disappeared into the crowd. Mewtwo remembered them saying something on the way over about taking turns with the kids, so one would have a chance to rest while the other kept them occupied. Sabrina must have gotten the first shift. Mewtwo wasn't about to wander off on his own either. In his condition it was better to stick with his friends.

"Two, hold on." Bill ducked into a stall off to the side, then emerged a moment later. "These should help." Mewtwo forced a smile when Bill handed him a pair of sunglasses. "I noticed you were squinting a lot."

As if my dignity couldn't take any more hits. Mewtwo examined the sunglasses, then slipped them on. The side pieces fit behind his ears on the top of his head. They seemed to be novelty glasses made to fit Pokemon, but at least they help to cut back on the glare.

"Do they help a bit?"

"Yes, they do, surprisingly."

"You didn't think humans wore them for the hell of it, did you?" Bill smiled, satisfied.

"You do with everything else."

"Well, most things have a purpose."

"I will never understand the point of clothes. I guess it might just be that I'm a Pokémon, but how can you put up with it?"

"I guess it's just more habit than anything." Bill started walking and Mewtwo took that cue to walk alongside him. Normally he would have felt out of place, but so many other Pokémon were already out and walking around with their trainers.

"I had a hard time putting up with the armor Giovanni had me in." Mewtwo looked around. "Why didn't you say this was a Pokémon fair?"

"You never asked." Bill watched a few kids run with their pet Eevee.

"Did Sabrina say where she went off to?"

"She took the kids to the carousel. I wanted to spend some time with you, and ask you a few questions."

"Oh give it a rest for one day." Mewtwo was tired of all the questioning. Joy was constantly asking questions, Sabrina was constantly asking questions, Bill had never ceased asking questions since they had first met.

"I suppose I should…but I just wanted to know..." Bill looked to the ground.

I wonder which variation of "yes my head still hurts" I will need to feed him this time.

"Do you think Sabrina likes me?" Bill suddenly blurted out.

Mewtwo blinked. "I was expecting a stupid question, but not that one."

"I haven't been able to focus on anything except her! I can't stand it!" Bill began waving his hands in frustration. "I've tried everything – throwing myself back into my work, doing things around the lighthouse, getting back in touch with old colleagues, nothing has been working!"

"Of course she likes you!" Mewtwo practically rolled his eyes. "You're all she talks about."

"Really?" Bill looked up, his eyes full of hope.

Mewtwo almost fell over when Bill hugged him. "Oh not you too!"

"Thank you, Two!"

"Please! It's embarrassing!" Mewtwo looked around to see if anyone was paying attention.

"Sorry." Bill let go. "I don't know what came over me. Let's see if we can have some fun before it's my turn with the kids." He scanned the rides and stalls. "I know, they're supposed to have battles over that way, want to check them out?"

"Sure, but can we find a slushie stand first?"

"Done!"


Mewtwo made a very comical sight with a pair of round sunglasses and a blue raspberry slushie in hand. He stood calmly watching the battles on a crudely chalked out ring in the middle of a large field. Quite a crowd had built up around it, sometimes closing in as the battles grew more intense, and at times drawing away when there wasn't a good one going on. Right now two amateur trainers were pitting a Squirtle against Bulbasaur. Mewtwo tried his best not to intervene, although Bill was obviously getting into it.

"Bulbasaur! Vine Whip!"

"No," Bill groaned under his breath.

That Bulbasaur is going to win even though the Squirtle has the advantage in experience. Bill knows it, I know it. But its trainer doesn't.

"Squirtle! Tackle!"

Bill slapped his head. Mewtwo shook his. The Bulbasaur had deflected the tackle and thrown its opponent. Mewtwo took a sip of his slushie and walked through the crowd so he was standing behind the trainer of the Squirtle. "Use Water Gun," he whispered.

"Are you sure it will work? Bulbasaur is a grass type." The trainer didn't turn around to see who was talking.

"Yes, but your Squirtle is more powerful." Mewtwo took another sip. "Besides, the trainer has a pattern, he'll use Tackle next."

"If you say so, can't hurt at the rate I'm losing. Squirtle! Water Gun!"

Just as Mewtwo had predicted, the trainer called for a Tackle. The Tackle failed, then the Bulbasaur went rolling out of the ring from one hit.

"Squirtle wins!" came a shout from the volunteer referee.

"Thanks mister." The trainer turned and gasped. "You're a Pokémon?"

Mewtwo smirked, then sipped his slushie and walked back to Bill. "Let's watch a few more."

Over the course of the next few battles, Bill spent less time watching the fights and more time watching Mewtwo. The Pokémon's general stance had changed and his pulse seemed to quicken. His ears were up and alert and his breath seemed to alter with the progress of the battles. "You enjoy battle, I take it?" Bill said when Mewtwo punched the air after a good win on the field.

Mewtwo didn't quite know how to answer that question. He did enjoy the exercise, that freedom that only came when he was able to fully let go and test himself. But at the same time he felt like a monster by doing so. His ability to fight had been the only reason Giovanni had created him, and so by not fighting he was taking control of his own destiny in a way. "I do enjoy a friendly battle sometimes," he answered finally.

Bill looked at the field. "Why don't we then?"

"Nurse Joy said-"

"What Nurse Joy doesn't know won't hurt us. Besides, she said no psychic attacks. If you want to battle, let's do it."

"I'm all for it," Sabrina suddenly chirped.

"Finally found us?" Bill smiled, his expression more relaxed and easy-going now.

"Been watching you two for the past ten minutes." She held up a small bag. "Two, I bought some painkillers if you want to use them."

"Yes, thank you." He dug around in the bag until he found a small bottle of aspirin, shook a few out into his hand and swallowed them down with his nearly empty slushie.

"I wonder if it's possible to overdose on aspirin." Sabrina tied the bag up again and gave it to Bill to hold on to.

"So when can we battle?" Mewtwo smirked.

After registering and signing a few papers, Sabrina and Mewtwo stood ready in the trainer's box at the end of the field. At the other end was another kid, with about five Poké Balls. He raised one on the air and threw it. "Jake calls Kangaskhan!" A tan-colored massive Pokémon appeared on the field, ready for battle. That had not been what Mewtwo was expecting. So far there had been nothing bigger than the odd Oddish or starter Pokémon. One Trainer had had a Gyarados, but they hadn't been in the ring.

"This'll be a cinch." Sabrina smirked.

This is a side of her I've never seen before…I wonder if I should be worried.

"Sabrina calls..." She winked. "Mewtwo!"

Mewtwo stepped on the field. Immediately the air rang with the sound of half a dozen Pokédexes going off. A moment passed, the trainers looked up, then took a step back.

Don't I feel loved…

Jake looked up from his Pokédex. "You can do it Khanie!"

"Mewtwo, Tail Slam," Sabrina snapped.

"That's not going to work on that thing!" Mewtwo countered.

"Don't question me! Just do it!" she barked.

I'm going to die…Mewtwo jumped forward and spun, landing the attack. The Kangaskhan stepped back a few paces. Mewtwo landed on all fours and inwardly winced. Slamming that mountain of muscle and meat with the bulk of his tail had hurt both of them. The right side of his tail stung.

"So Two does know other attacks," Sabrina said thoughtfully.

"Khanie! Tackle!" The trainer was quick to react.

"Tack-" Mewtwo froze when the Pokémon charged. He had fought many Pokémon larger than himself before, but never at this severe of a disadvantage.

"Two! Agility!" Sabrina called out.

She's got to be kidding! Agility with these thighs?

Sabrina felt her temper rise when Mewtwo jumped to the side and Kangaskhan's head slammed square into Mewtwo's leg, knocking him down and sending him skidding across the dirt. He came to a halt in front of Sabrina.

"Ouch." Bill winced.

There was a fire in Sabrina's eyes that Mewtwo had hoped he would never be the focus of. "You're supposed to do what I tell you! Now get back out there and fight!"

Yes mistress. Mewtwo pulled himself to his feet. The crowd was silent, expecting some sort of Psychic attack to follow up such a punishing hit.

"Let me try, Sabrina," Bill said behind her.

"If you think he can do it."

"I know he can." Bill swapped out with her in the trainer's box. A couple of spectators immediately called foul, but the ref allowed it once the other trainer had agreed.

"Khanie!" the trainer shouted suddenly. "Power Punch!"

"Two! Dodge," Bill said firmly.

Okay, I can do that.Mewtwo moved his head a bare second before the heavy fist could slam into it.

"Mega Kick followed by Takedown!"

"Mega Kick? Takedown?" Sabrina looked at Bill.

Mewtwo's body reacted without thinking. He sat back on his tail and kicked both legs out. The hit landed on the Kangaskhan's side and knocked the beast over.

"That's a powerful kick," Sabrina whispered thoughtfully.

"Come on Khanie! Get up!"

Mewtwo started a running hop to build up speed, then pounced at his opponent. First his elbow then his shoulder connected with the Kangaskhan's stomach as the Pokémon rose to stand.

"Now push!"

Mewtwo braced himself and used all the power in his legs to push the Kangaskhan backward. The Pokemon resisted for the first few feet, then fell over in a faint.

There was a moment of painful silence, then the crowd erupted. The volunteer referee raised a flag and shouted, "Mewtwo wins!"

Sabrina put her hand to her chin, thinking. Two hits, it took only two hits to bring that thing down. How powerful is Mewtwo? What level is he fighting on?

"How do you feel?" Bill asked when Mewtwo returned to the sidelines.

"This is the only time it really felt satisfying to win," Mewtwo panted.

"Feel up for a few more?"

"Oh yes."


An hour later Bill leaned over Mewtwo on the sideline where the Pokémon had collapsed after getting slammed across the field. "Don't want to fight anymore?"

"I think I'll sit this one out. That Blastoise really did a number on me with the Water Cannon." Mewtwo laughed.

"You lost that match." Bill helped Mewtwo to his feet and they went to a grassy spot to sit down.

"You don't understand." Mewtwo accepted the bottle of water Bill held out. "I've never lost a match. It feels good."

"Even to lose?"

"I wish this headache would go away." Mewtwo took a sip of the water, then reclined on the grass.

"I'm going to go and find Sabrina and the kids. Think you'll be alright for a bit?"

"I'll be fine."

"Right." Bill stood and walked away.

Bill…I have no idea what to think about him. He really could have been a master trainer, he just has that commanding and trustworthy feel about him. Not to mention the fact that all I've done today was with his help. He can command any Pokémon he wishes, even ones he doesn't own. I can't pick a better match for Sabrina. Mewtwo watched the battle that was commencing on the field. Blastoise on Blastoise. The crowd was getting soaked and loving every minute of it. The day was getting hotter by the minute, and the fight really wasn't a fight now, it was just an excuse to cool off.

Bill and Sabrina arrived a few moments later, smiling and walking side by side like they had been friends their entire lives. Bill's niece and nephew were exhausted after a day full of rides and greedily devoured their funnel cakes and corn dogs. The sun was beginning to set as the battles became less intense and the crowds went to find optimal viewing places for the fireworks show later that evening. Mewtwo even felt content enough to curl up on the grass like the other Pokémon around him and rest from the excitement of the afternoon's battles. Little by little, the warmth of the sun and caress of the breeze enticed him to sleep.

"Well somebody appears to have had a good time today," Sabrina said as she woke Mewtwo by smoothing his ears back while she pet him. The sky overhead was now dark and dotted in stars. "You were out for a few hours there." Around them people and Pokémon had gathered on blankets and folding chairs to watch the show. The crowd ooh-ed and aah-ed at the huge fireworks exploding in the sky. "Ready to go home?"

"I fell asleep?" He sat up and smiled when she passed him a blue raspberry slushie. The flavor seemed to complement the explosions of color in the sky. How had he managed to sleep through this?

"Two." Sabrina sounded like she was about to ask or say something big, but didn't know how to put it. "You've been acting strange lately. Are you okay? I know you keep a lot of things to yourself, but you know you can trust me."

Mewtwo took a sip as a bright pink firework exploded. "I think I'm about as okay as I'm going to be for the time. It's been a learning experience."

Sabrina was silent, then said softly, "I miss hearing you in my mind. I miss that connection we used to have."

"I miss it too. Talking is so stressful. No wonder misunderstandings happen between humans so often."

"How did you learn to speak?" Sabrina asked.

"I taught myself. I didn't like being able to only say 'Mewtwo' all the time, so I fought against it, and learned how to talk."

"You've never ceased to amaze me." Sabrina looked up at him. He was sipping on the slushie again. She reached over and tugged on his arm a bit. Mewtwo met her eyes. "I missed you." She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and gave him a sisterly hug.

"I missed you too." He returned the embrace, then looked up after they parted. "Where's Bill?"

"He's on the Ferris wheel with the kids. He paid the guy to stop them at the top so they could watch the fireworks from there." Sabrina settled back on the grass.

Mewtwo held out his slushie. "Sip?"

"Thank you." She took the slushie from him and took a sip. "I haven't seen this many people or Pokémon in one place in a long time. There just haven't been any new trainers, or wild Pokémon for that matter. What is Giovanni up to?"

"I don't know. But we will find out." Mewtwo took his slushie back. "But on a light note, I can't believe how perfect you and Bill are for each other."

Sabrina blushed just a little. "I guess it's that obvious. Yeah, this one came totally out of left field."

"Now I have two best friends."

Sabrina smiled. "What about Mew?"

"Mew's more of a mentor. A very perverted self-centered mentor."

"Worse than Haunter? Ouch." Sabrina and Mewtwo spent a moment in now-comfortable silence. A shower of gold broke in the sky above them. "Tomorrow I have Pokémon Breeder Brock coming over to see if he can make a better food for you."

"Damn determined to get me to eat pellets aren't you?"

"Can't hurt to try." Sabrina took his paw-like hand and made him look her in the eyes. "Just promise me you'll be polite."

Mewtwo smiled at her pleading expression. "I'll try." He turned his head at the sound of a roar. Sabrina could see his eyes become suddenly alert and his nostrils flared a bit. The battles were starting back up with a whole new set of Pokémon. "Just one more battle..."

Sabrina knew that it would never stop at just one battle, and even as she watched she could feel her own excitement rise. She enjoyed a good match as much as her Pokémon did. "I guess one more couldn't hurt."


"Just drop it down over there." Sabrina pointed to a corner. Bill put down a few boxes jammed full of papers.

"Thank you so much Sabrina. I know I can get a lot more work done in Saffron City. Are you sure you don't mind giving up one of your spare rooms?"

"Not at all. The pleasure is mine." Sabrina cleared a few things off the shelves so Bill would have a place to put his books. "It will be easier for both of us to monitor Two's recovery this way."

"Speaking of which, where did Two go?"

"He's sleeping. Those battles yesterday really wore him out." Sabrina started helping Bill unpack.

"I don't know how he manages to exist with a constant headache."

"That's why we keep plenty of aspirin around, honey."

Bill paused. "Did you just call me 'honey'?"

Sabrina could feel a blush spread through her cheeks. That had slipped out entirely by accident. "Yes...I suppose I did."

Bill knelt next to her on the floor, and pulled the box away from her. "Well then, I certainly hope you don't mind me calling you love then."

"Not at all." Sabrina smiled.

"Alright then, love."

Sabrina felt a fire in her belly as Bill's hand gently took her chin, then his lips softly touched hers. He pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her waist. And I do believe this one is a keeper. Sabrina giggled and surrendered to his embrace.


Authors Note: Once again, a very big thank you to StarWriterWG for beta reading! You're Awesome! ^^