Chapter 8: And Fall

"Two, are you awake?" a soft voice came, gently rousing the Pokemon from sleep.

Sabrina? Mewtwo asked, his thoughts still muddled.

"No, not Sabrina, she went to grab some breakfast. I would have gone with her but I could tell she wanted some time to herself." Bill sat down on the bed, closest to the the hammock they had set up for Mewtwo. "You had me a little worried, I didn't hear you come in last night."

Last night? Mewtwo barely could remember coming into the hotel room himself. His enounter with Jesse and the upsetting new that she had delivered. He shivered a little despite the heat.

"Is everything alright? Were you attacked?"

Huh? No. Mewtwo knew that if he told Bill about Jesse, that would be the end of their stay at the Finals. Once Team Rocket, always Team Rocket. Instead he decided to keep that news to himself until they had more information. No, I...had a bit of a fanclub following me around last night. They wanted pictures and autographs. I'm hoping I didn't frighten anyone.

"Oh..." Bill smiled. His eyes got that now familiar dreamy look. "That is good news." He sat cross-legged on the bed. Feet barefoot, a light shirt and a pair of casual jeans. He didn't look anywhere near his true age. Come to think of it, he never had.

Mewtwo looked out the window. The sun wasn't too high, and the shadows were still long, it was probably still early morning. He remembered the plan that he and Jesse had made the night before. She would come to pick him up while in disguise and together they would visit her contact. He needed a good cover story to keep Sabrina and Bill safe. It hurt him to lie to his friends, but if he was going to lie to anyone, it would be Bill, Sabrina would scan his mind and know immediately. Finally he said. I also met someone last night.

"Oh? Who?" Bill started fluffing a pillow. "Another Pokemon?"

No, a Pokemon trainer. We were planning on meeting up tonight after the matches for a gathering in the park. No battles, just a bunch of trainers and Pokemon.

"That sounds pleasant," Bill thought for a moment. "About what time?"

I was...kind of hoping I could go alone. Mewtwo said sheepishly.

"Sabrina isn't going to like that."

I know, but she also knows that I am my own Pokemon. Mewtwo looked back to the sky. Besides, it will give you both an opportunity to spend an evening together. Go out and get dinner, see a movie, have fun and don't worry about me.

Bill put the pillow under his chin and laid out on the bed. "Sounds tempting. Are you going to be able to fight today? You seem upset."

Perhaps I just need more sleep. Mewtwo yawned. So far Bill seemed to buy his story.

"I can leave you alone for another hour or so to let you catch up on some rest." Bill offered.

Mewtwo thought briefly that if Bill was a Pokemon, he'd be a Mew. That sounds like a good idea. He reclined back in his hammock and pulled his blanket up over his body. He pretended to rest, but his mind was alert and active. He opened his thoughts and awareness as wide as he dared, searching through the myriad of Pokemon and people, looking for any clue that there was truth in Jesse's words.

So many, so little time. His head began to ache, and he reluctantly withdrew back into his own mind. Night couldn't fall soon enough.


Mewtwo stepped onto the grass field for the second match of the day. He had managed to get some sleep before Sabrina arrived back at the hotel room. His and mind was still uneasy as he tried to loose himself in the days battles.

"Go Magniton!" the trainer opposite called out, obviously excited and ready to show some of his skill.

Sabrina and Bill took turns navigating Mewtwo through the battle. The Magniton fought well yet finally went down, and Mewtwo used his Recover ability to be rid of the paralysis. The trainer called out his next Pokemon. A Weepin bell. Two hits, and it was down. Very grudgingly, the trainer brought out his last.

"Ultima Tackle!" Sabrina called out.

"Sqiurtle! Head butt!"

Mewtwo started hopping and closed the distance between himself and the Sqiurtle. His shoulder connected with the tiny head, stopping both of them dead in their tracks.

Owww... Mewtwo rubbed his shoulder.

"That is not like him, Mega kick!" Sabrina bellowed form her perch. Bill had to hold her back to keep her from going over the side on her passion. Mewtwo reached out with his foot and slammed the Squirtle on his stomach. It went sliding back over the grass, then slammed into a wall out of bounds.

"And the win goes to the Red corner! Mewtwo wins again!"

Mewtwo did a victory lap around the field even though his thoughts were far away. He searched the crowds, paying attention to individual faces and smells. Where? Which one? Out of the corner of his eye he saw the boy John from the night before being held back by his mother. He raised an arm and waved, then returned to Sabrina and Bills side.

"Good Job Two!" Sabrina shouted when he came in and slid to a stop. "We've got a few hours until your next match."

Why so many in one day?

"I think it's because there are so many people here," Bill said looking around. "I've been listening to the gossip. Come, I'll tell you over lunch."

They left the stadium. Bill slipped his arm around Sabrina's waist, and they walked with the easy matching stride of two people in love. The three of them stepped from the stadium onto a pedestrian bridge over a large receiving dock for the stadium. Mewtwo paused when he felt a strange presence. What is that? He stood by the railing, and looked over the side at a pair of large trucks that were unloading various pieces of equipment and a few large Pokemon.

A girl with shoulder-length brown hair jumped out of the cab of one of the truck. Even from this distance she had an aura of hostility. The mature and commanding way she carried herself sent shivers down Mewtwo's spine. "Be very careful!" She barked orders at men as they began to unload more cargo. "This is a very dangerous Pokemon! Only I can control it!"

"Yes miss!"

Bill noticed that Mewtwo had stopped, then watched silently alongside him. "Some people treat their Pokemon in this way. The League has rules, but in the end, unless someone files a formal complaint, there is little we can do about it. And even then the investigation can stall."

Mewtwo leaned forward a little more, then reached up to activate his headset. "I want to get closer."

"Two, you might as well get back here." Sabrina said as he began to hover. "We may be invited guests, but even we can't interfere with another Trainers Pokemon."

The girl below them, suddenly turned and looked upward, fixing harsh green eyes on him. She smiled bitterly, an expression that belonged on much older features than hers. She chuckled once then said, "I look forward to seeing you in the ring Mewtwo."

Mewtwo felt her cold gaze. It felt familiar. It pulled on some deep part of him. He stepped back from the rail, but not before taking one look out of the corner of his eye at the open hatch in back of the truck. A Ryhorn had been unloaded and he thought he could see something else, something pink, but then it was gone.

"Get lost," the girl snapped. "Or I'll report all three of you."

Sabrina peeked over the edge, bit back a remark, then reached out and took Bills hand and Mewtwo's paw. As they walked away, Mewtwo glanced over his shoulder once more, hoping to get a glimpse of the other Pokemon in the truck.

"Two," Bill said softly. "Let it go, there is nothing we can do."


The rest of the day passed uneventfully. The afternoon battles weren't so much actual matches, but displays of different kinds of Pokemon and their abilities. They never saw the brown-haired girl, or her pokemon, but they had heard stories about a young trainer and her powerhouse of ground types. It was late afternoon when the three of them retreated to their hotel room, and early evening when a knock sounded at the door.

Sabrina glanced up from her place next to Bill, a little surprised by the light knocking. "Just a moment!" She called, then stretched and yawned. The crossed the room in a few strides then opened the the door to their room. "Oh...hello," a woman with short purple hair and a white coat stood on the other side. "Um...may I help you?" Sabrina asked, hiding behind the door.

"Wow, Gym Leader Sabrina! Sorry to interrupt anything, is Mewtwo here?" she asked softly, almost timidly.

Sabrina tilted her head a little, trying to digest the presence of the visitor. "Whom may I ask is calling?"

"I'm Jesan, a Trainer from Celadon. I had met Mewtwo in the park last night, while he was signing autographs." she gave a little curtsey, even though she was wearing shorts.

"Hold on just a minute." Sabrina shifted a suitcase and opened the door wider. "Come on in."

"Thank you," Jesan stepped into the room. Bill was spread out on the bed with a pillow and watching the evening news. She couldn't help but feel some tension spread with her arrival. A hammock was set up on a pipe frame with a single pillow and a thin blanket. "Two's spot I take it. He mentioned that he liked hammocks."

"Yes, but he's usually not that messy." Bill spoke up.

"But why a hammock?" Jesan could feel Sabrina sizeing her up, attempting to peek into her mind.

"He doesn't like normal beds, and refuses to sleep on the ground." Bill fluffed the pillow and grabbed the remote to change the channel.

Jesan smiled. "Just like my Mewoth...but where is Two, I don't see him."

"Getting a shower." Bill tore his gaze away from the television and watched Sabrina as she circled the poor Trainer like a predator. "He should be out any moment."

"Oh." Jesan remained near the door.

"Why did you come for Two?" Sabrina folded her arms.

"We had made plans to attend a dance in the park tonight. Lots of people and Pokemon will be there. Oh! I'm sorry, do you want to come?" she said excitedly. "Oh it would be so awesome to have a Gym Leader there!"

Bill rose from the bed and put an arm around Sabrina's shoulders. "Actually, Sabrina and I were looking forward to a nice night to ourselves."

"We were?"

"Yes Love. Two had already talked to me about it this morning while you were out. He spoke very highly of Jesan. I don't see anything wrong with it. And besides, if anything were to happen, he is still wearing that bracelet."

Sabrina conceded and calmed down a little. "Okay, but I'm giving him a curfew."

"Love, honestly?" Bill rubbed her shoulder.

The bathroom door opened. Mewtwo stepped out, his newly dried fur caught the light as he stepped into the room. He saw Jesan, and a moment of understanding went between them that wasn't lost on Sabrina. She knew there was something else going on, and was determined to get to the bottom of it.

Sabrina. Mewtwo said before she could get a word out. Please, trust me.

This isn't like you, you have been distracted all day, you won't speak to me as much, what is going on? She shot back. Are you looking for a new trainer?

No, I am not. Please just trust me. I promise that I will be back soon, and I will tell you everything in the morning.

Two, but-

In the morning Sabrina. Mewtwo said more firmly.

"Ready to get going?" Jesan said just as cheerfully. Mewtwo picked up his backpack, but left his headset behind to charge. "You two love birds have fun tonight!"

Sabrina sat down on the bed as Mewtwo closed the door behind them. "Bill."

"Yes Love?"

"Do you think we've lost him?"

Bill held his wife close and kissed her cheek. "I don't think so at all. I think a night out with a new friend is just what he needs."


"Sabrina really is very nice. I can see why you like her." Jesse took a drag off a cigarette and then gave it to Mewtwo. She had taken off her disguise and stored it in a large bag at her side. Mewtwo took a slow draw and felt his headache fade. If last night was a celebration, they hadn't seen anything yet. A few partiers were out and running around with their Pokemon trying to get a few last minutes of fun in before the matches tomorrow.

"She has been under a lot of pressure lately," he exhaled the bittersweet smoke, then passed it back to Jesse.

"How long have you two been friends?"

"About three years."

"Must be wonderful." They walked in a comfortable silence. Jesse then spoke up. "I've often wondered what it would be like to be married to James."

"I'm surprised that you fell out of touch."

"I don't know where he is. Its like he dropped off the face of the planet, and he wouldn't take me back after what I did to him. Ah, here we are." Jesse stopped in front of a building. Mewtwo fixed his backpack and stood next to her.

"A bar?"

"Its where he wanted to meet me. Guess he could have chosen a worse place," Jesse shrugged. "Oh, before we go in, put this on," she pulled a long coat and hat from her oversized purse.

"This disguise won't fool anyone," Mewtwo pulled the coat on, and closed the front as Jesse pulled the hat down on his head to hide his ears.

"It doesn't need to be fool proof, just enough to get us inside and to a booth safely," she looked him over. "Take small steps and keep your tail tucked in." As a final touch, she flipped the collar up to hide his necks. Satisfied that he could at least pass in a room full of drunks, she opened the door and stepped in.

Mewtwo reluctantly followed her inside a large dimly lit room. He had seen these places on TV, and for the most it was what he had come to expect. A few people were sitting along the bar and the rest were huddled in small booths and tables. Oddly, he saw a few other Pokemon in the mix, but they were smaller more common types.

Jesse picked her way through the room and Mewtwo kept close. She eventually found a booth in a back corner away from the majority of prying eyes. Mewtwo sat closest to the wall, peeking at the room around the brim of his hat, and trying to hide his large knobby paws.

"What can I get you sugar?" a waitress came over to take their orders. Jesse said something he couldn't quite catch through the loud music and shouting in the bar. "Alright, and you?" the waitress now turned to Mewtwo. Before he could think it through, Jesse answered for him.

"He'll have the same," Jesse said with a casual smile. Mewtwo sank a little further back into his seat, feeling awkward and out of place. "Don't worry about it. What Sabrina doesn't know won't hurt us."

Mewtwo felt a smile tug at his lips. As strange as he felt, it was also liberating to get out and away from Bill and Sabrina for a while. And he supposed that having a drink was just naughty enough to justify his silence.
.

The waitress returned with their drinks in two short glasses filled with eyes and some faint green liquid. Mewtwo picked his up and lifted it to his lips, smelling the bitter bite of alcohol accompanied by citrus. "What is this?"

"Its called a whiskey sour. Refreshing enough for hot nights, but packing enough of a punch to make it worth it," Jesse sipped hers, then set the glass down. Mewtwo tasted his and was greeted by the sour tang of lime and lemon. He took an experimental sip, then set his glass down as well. Already he could feel a heat spread through his chest and stomach, and the tenseness from the days battles began to fade.

Jesse stood and moved to Mewtwo's side of the booth as a man joined them. Like Mewtwo he was wearing a large coat and hat. "Good to see you again Doc," Jesse said gently.

"As always you're a sight for sore eyes Jess. I was hoping to beat you here, but the traffic is terrible," he thanked the waitress as she left a drink and returned to her rounds of the bar. "Is this him?" Doc gestured to Mewtwo.

"He is. The First Mewtwo." Jesse nodded. "You said that you had news for me."

Doc studied Mewtwo for a moment. "Let me see your eyes. I've got to know."

Mewtwo lifted the hat from his head just a little, revealing his features to the man. "Are you sure its safe to speak here? Its very public."

Doc began to chuckle. "They were not kidding. There is a scary intelligence there. Those Woodland Lab idiots have no idea what they have let loose on this world. Yeah, we're alright here. May not look like it, but I got ten of my boys keeping an eye out for us."

"Doc, please." Jesse reached out and took the mans hand as Mewtwo returned the hat to its former position.

Doc took off his hat and dropped it on the table. He was an older man, with a resemblance to Professor Oak. "Holliday is still undercover. She has been feeding me information. They've began culling."

"Oh no." Jesse covered her mouth.

"Not much time left now. In the past three months, they've had four escapes. A total loss of six. Two shot in the attempt."

"Jesse, what is he talking about?"

Doc leaned over the table. "I thought you said that you had brought him up to speed."

"A bit, but not all the way." Jesse let go of Docs hand.

Doc fixed hard eyes on Mewtwo. "Better listen, because I'm only going to say it once. Woodland Labs is a horrible place. East of Celedon in the foothills of Mount Moon. Stay far away from there. Its a place where your kind have been bred to die. Some make it out, others, not so lucky."

Mewtwo felt like he had been kicked in the gut. All this time, right under his nose.

"If you're going to act Jess, I suggest you do it soon before they blow that place and move all the Pokemon there to the other labs." Doc picked up his drink.

"Other Pokemon?" Mewtwo looked to Jesse.

Jesse nodded. "When Gio would have his harvests, the Pokemon would be stored there. I was planning to sneak in and attempt to free them before they could be moved or destroyed. But I need help. That would be where you come in."

As Mew had been telling him all along, Mewtwo had no choice in this fight. It would be do or die.

"In other news," Doc continued. "Theres one here, at the Finals."

"You confirmed it then?"

"Yeah. I had figured it would be with one of the Rocket's implanted teams, but so far I've come up with nothing," Doc reached for a bowl of peanuts that had been left on the table. "They might have even traded it off already."

"No." Mewtwo said with sudden conviction. "Is there a young Rocket agent with brown hair and a nasty attitude?"

"Young? How young?" Jesse asked. To her knowledge most field agents were in their late teens.

Mewtwo was a horrible judge of human ages, so instead he gently placed his paw on Jesse's hand, and formed a brief mental image of the girl he had seen earlier. Jesse gasped as the image filled her mind, as clear as if she were standing on the overpass herself. "Sarah!" she shouted.

Doc looked around the bar to see if anyone else had noticed her outburst. His men were at their various posts, still playing the part of bar patrons. He then turned his attention back to Jesse and Mewtwo. "Giovanni's brat is here?"

Jesse nodded. Like Doc, she had been looking for much older trainers, the thought never occurred to her to check the junior camps. "We certainly can't get near her. She's bound to have intense security, and neither of us are equipped to steal a Pokemon of that caliber."

"And she hasn't used it in a battle yet. Which means she's waiting for a good enough challenger to bring it out."

Mewtwo growled under his breath, bringing Jesse and Doc to a stop mid-conversation. "Please. If for nothing more than a courtesy, this other of my species is not an 'it'. Male or female? If you don't know which one, then either say 'they' or 'him'."

Jesse felt ashamed for a moment. "If Sarah is here, then the other mewtwo is a female. That I'm sure of."

Doc was now more wary than before, but he still continued. "We're never going to have another chance to move in though. Its either during these finals, or never. So we need to flush her out somehow."

They fell into a silence, each of them lost in their thoughts. Jesse knew that Sarah wanted to show off. She would want to make her father proud, although Jesse had doubts that Giovanni was even paying attention to the outcome of the Finals this year. While the mewtwo was under lock and key, none of them could get to her. But if they could tempt Sarah to bring her out, preferably in a public place, they stood a chance. Even if it meant showing their hand and involving the authorities.

"We need good enough, powerful bait," Doc mused. "Sarah won't be able to turn down a match that promises her prestige."

Both Jesse and Doc looked up at Mewtwo simultaneously.

Mewtwo raised his paws. ""I would if I could. For one, Bill and Sabrina would never go for it. Secondly, my battles are decided by a lottery. I've been a side-show this whole event."

Doc folded his arms. "If we had known, we could have rigged the lottery in advance. And unless she breaks league protocol and challenges you in the street, we're not gaining any ground in that direction either."

Jesse drank the last of her drink, then set it aside. "Unless...Mewtwo challenges her."

"How does that work?"

Jesse's mind began working quickly. "Well, she has been doing very well in the junior division. Maybe he wants to see what the next generation is made of?"

"Thats so dumb, it could work." Doc glanced at Mewtwo. "I could make that happen. But you have to issue the challenge first. It would of course have no bearing on the outcome of the finals, but it just might be enough to bring the other out of hiding."

Both excitement and fear twisted with the liqueur in Mewtwo's gut. He was angry and upset that the experiments and the cloning had continued behind his back for so long, and now he felt responsible for the lives that had come after his. This would stop, and it would stop now. He loved Sabrina and Bill, but now this was so much bigger than just the three of them.

Mewtwo nodded, then finished the rest of his drink, his mind and body no longer relaxed. "I'll do it. Even if I must brainwash Bill into filling out the forms."

Jesse covered his paw with her hand. "Remember, you won't be going into this alone. I'll be there every step of the way," she smiled reassuringly. For a moment, Mewtwo found himself lost in her blue eyes and fiery presence. He shook the thought away, and decided against ordering another drink.


Mewtwo returned to the hotel room late that night, well after the festivities in the streets had died down. Jesse had walked him back to the hotel and took the coat and hat from him to use another time. His steps were slow and sluggish, and his tail swayed erratically from side to side as he stumbled into the hotel room. He had intended to be quiet, but two steps in, he tripped over a suitcase and landed flat on his face.

The light in the room came on, and Bill followed by Sabrina peeked over the edge of the bed. Mewtwo groaned, trying to remember how his arms worked long enough to stop the room from spinning and his head from aching.

"Two, are you alright?" Bill asked.

"I'm...fhine," Mewtwo tried to focus enough to speak. Telepathy was out of the question. "Had suh' a great time...at...at the party."

"I would say you did," Bill responded with a smile in his voice. "Answer me one question, truthfully. I won't get angry."

"Knock yerself out."

"Are you drunk?"

Mewtwo grew quiet, then answered. "No."

Sabrina, Bill, Kadabra and Haunter all began laughing. Mewtwo remained on the floor, feeling a blush spread under his fur. He couldn't be mad at them. He had expected Sabrina to blow her top and Bill to warn him about the dangers to his health. Instead they were laughing, and that was the best response he could hope for.

Sabrina finally calmed enough to say, "So, you come in here, trip over a suitcase, land on the floor, reeking of cigarette smoke, and then tell us you haven't been drinking?"

"That's about right."

That set them off again, and Mewtwo managed to pull himself up to a sitting position. He waited until they calmed down again. "Bill, I need your help. There's a trainer I want to challenge."

Bill settled from his giggles. "A trainer challenge? Are you sure you're up for that?"

"Yes. I need to challenge her."

"Seems like you already challenged half the bar to a drinking contest," Sabrina joked.

"No. I'm serious. Shes a trainer in the Junior Divison. And doing very well. I want to challenge her." Mewtwo insisted. "Her name is Sarah."

Bill sobered. "You want to challenge that brat from earlier today. Two, she isn't going to insist on a friendly battle. You saw the way she treated her Pokemon, what makes you think that she will treat an opponent any better?"

"I have my reasons Bill. Please. Let me issue a challenge."

Bill and Sabrina exchanged glances. They weren't sure how much was Mewtwo speaking, and how much was whatever drink he had earlier. Finally Bill shrugged. "Alright. We can discuss details in the morning."


The next morning, Mewtwo had awoken in his hammock to one heck of a headache and fuzzy memories of the night before. Bill and Sabrina were both out of the room for the time, and Mewtwo was grateful to have it to himself. He picked up his backpack, searching for his headset before remembering that he had left it to charge the night before. His hands closed around a small box in his backpack, and he lifted it out. It was a box of cigarettes, with a note tucked under the cellophane.

Two,

For when you need them,

Jesse.

Mewtwo smiled, then pulled one of the sweet smelling sticks from the box and searched the room for matches. One strike later he inhaled the bitter sweet smoke and felt his headache fade. One night stumbling in drunk Sabrina and Bill could probably forgive, but he wasn't sure how they react knowing that he had taken up smoking. He took two more breaths, then snubbed it out and replaced the rest in the box, then tucked that back into his backpack.

He showered, and when he came back out, Bill was sitting on the bed with a program spread across his lap.

"Two?" Bill looked up. "There you are."

"Morning. Where's Sabrina?"

"She's speaking on a panel about raising psychic Pokemon. I just got back from filing that challenge you had wanted last night. That's if you still want it," Bill set the program down.

"I do."

Bill nodded. "I had thought so. I had never seen you so dead set on a decision before, drunk or not. Sabrina wanted to wait on it, but I managed to convince her to let you go through with it. After all, we're here for your enjoyment right?"

"Thank you Bill." Mewtwo sat down on his hammock. "When is my first match?"

"You already slept through it. I told the organizers that you weren't feeling well just yet. But they went ahead and let you have the challenge. That's in an hour in the main arena. Sarah has already accepted the challenge. Once again, I want to know why you want to fight her."

Mewtwo sighed, and picked up his headset. Bill had to know. In case anything went wrong, he had to know. "Rumor has it that she has another mewtwo with her. And one way or another, I intend to find out." With that one small admission, Mewtwo began to tell Bill everything.


"Welcome Trainers and Pokefans of all ages! This is the first time these two Trainers have been in the same ring! Both are well matched in both speed and skill. In the red corner, is Mewtwo and his Trainer, Pokemon expert Bill!" The announcer warmed up the crowd as Mewtwo took the field. Mewtwo was wearing his headset as he took his customary lap around the perimeter. He felt nervous, excited and afraid. Bill had convinced Sabrina to take a spa day. Mewtwo didn't argue. He didn't want her near in case anything went wrong. "And in the green we have Sarah! An up and coming champ in the Junior Division!"

As Mewtwo finished his lap, he saw Jesse and Doc waiting on the sidelines. Their plan was simple. As soon as the other mewtwo was called, they would swipe her with a Masterball. Once the mewtwo was secured, then they could deal with the authorities over the matter. All Two had to do was remain calm to coax Sarah into showing her hand.

Bill had been filled in on the plan on the way over, and he was willing to work with them. He leaned over the side of that rail as Mewtwo slid to a stop before him. "Will you be alright?"

Yes, I don't have a choice in the matter. If she does have another mewtwo here, then I must try to do something. Even if its a stupid plan like this one.

Bill pulled himself upright. Pokemon ownership was still a grey area, and it made taking Pokemon from an abusive environment difficult. By the time legalities had been satisfied, the Pokemon in question was usually dead or have been moved elsewhere. He watched as Mewtwo took his place on the field.

The green podium on the opposite side rose above the ground. Sarah, in all of her sinister child-like demeanor stood upon it like a princess in waiting. She tossed a Pokeball into the air casually, catching it, then tossing it again. All the while never taking her eyes off Mewtwo.

Bill could see Mewtwo begin to visibly shake. "Calm down."

I'm trying...

"Remember, we are all here for you." Bill said softly as he gave a quick glance at Jesse. He hadn't wanted to trust the woman, but what other choice did he have?

Mewtwo stood ready. Just fight until Sarah showed her hand. That was the plan. Simple enough, yet why did he feel so anxious? A buzzer sounded, indicating the beginign of the match,

"Go Persian." Sarah said softly, catching the ball for the last time, and throwing it onto the field.

A Persian came from the ball and started stalking Mewtwo on the field.

"We've delt with Persians before!" Bill called. "You know what to do!"

Mewtwo started hopping around, both to confuse his enemy, and to burn off the adrenaline going through him. The Persian swiped at his feet, Mewtwo came in close and spun, landing his attack across the cat's face. It came at a price. The Persian raked his claws along Mewtwo's leg.

I've been cut!

"Will you be alright?"

Yes, I can still do this!

"Then use your psychic powers! All or nothing!" Bill hoped that Sabrina could forgive him for being reckless.

Mewtwo formed a black energy ball between his palms, then fired it at the Persian. The crowd began cheering at the psychic display.

"Two..." Bill saw the blood seep from Mewtwo's nose. "Dammit, don't overdo it."

Mewtwo jumped and stomped as the Persian went rolling from the blast. He readied another and fired. The ball hit and the Persian went rolling again, only to reach up and swipe at Mewtwo's leg. He's working on my leg... If I can just... He shot another ball. The Persian slid back, but didn't get back up.

"What an amazing display of endurance on Mewtwo's part! Seems like the fans are going wild for another psychic display!"

"Persian. Return." Sarah held the ball out, then put it away. She stood still for a moment, listening to the crowd chant Mewtwo's name. "Well, if that's what they want, Sarah calls..." she looked directly in Mewtwo's eyes. "Mewtwo."

The air at the end of the field seemed to gather, little specks of light began to condense into a shape. Mewtwo felt his heart all but stop as an armored being teleported onto the field. A smell came to him on the wind, the energy in the air somehow familiar, somehow not. Its true...everything Jesse said is true.

The other mewtwo stood tall and strong in deep purple armor that was far more advanced than anything Two had even worn. He could make out areas where the locking mechanisms had been refined, likewise the psychic focal units. Between the gaps in the armor he saw light pink, almost white fur. His muscles became weak, both in awe and anger at the sight on the field before him. He thought that he had been ready to see this, he thought that he had reasoned with his fears. How wrong he had been.

"Two! Calm down!" Bill shouted. He glanced over to see that Jesse and Doc had left their seats. "Just calm down.." Bill found himself gripping the rail. I need to calm down first.

Sarah smiled. It was disturbing on her doll-like face. "Mewtwo. Psybeam."

Shit. Jesse, Doc, you two had better hurry! Mewtwo could feel the others power. It was immense, possibly even beyond what Mewtwo's had once been. Even with the headset, he didn't stand a chance. Mewtwo readied a Barrier, knowing that it was the only defense he had.

Bill watched as the other mewtwo fired a beam of pure blue light. The bolt slammed into, then broke through Mewtwo's barrier, literally shattering it and into the grey Pokemon. "Oh no..." Mewtwo felt his body leave the ground, repelled backward and onto the grass. He rolled a few times, then came to a rest. His chest burned, as did the wound on his leg.

"Hmmph," Sarah smirked. "You are damaged Mewtwo. You no longer have any value." She laughed under her breath.

Mewtwo pulled himself to his feet, trying to read the eyes or thoughts of the other mewtwo. Did he even want to be free? Did he have any idea what it was doing or where he was?

"Did you want more?" Sarah smiled when she saw Mewtwo stand again. "One of these days you will learn to stay down. Mewtwo. Finish him. I want to go home."

The other did nothing for a moment, then slowly raised an arm.

Mewtwo found the strength to use agility to dodge the blast. Jesse! What is keeping you? But he answered his own question. They couldn't use the Masterball while the other was still in armor. The armor created a defensive field around it. He's a prisoner, like I was...If I can break the armor.. Mewtwo created a volley of black energy balls and threw them. One managed to break through the other mewtwo's barrier and crash into an arm cuff, cracking it enough to blow it off. Please work,

Then came what Mewtwo had been waiting for, a voice, a cry. Nothing as refined as words, just an emotion shouted to the heavens. HELP ME!

I hear you! Fight! Fight the armor! Mewtwo used every bit of power he had to get his voice across. He shot another ball, this time aiming for a leg cuff. The other lifted he free arm and clawed at the armor, trying to get the helmet off. Mewtwo ran up the field to assist. The crowd had gone silent, unsure if this was part of the show or for real.

Fight it! Fight it! Mewtwo encouraged. The mewtwo lifted its other hand and returned with another psybeam. The bolt shot out and slammed into Mewtwo's side. Sudden burning pain engulfed his leg, making it numb. He was thrown backward again, father this time, vaguely feeling his body slam into the podium on the opposite end.

"Two!" Bill leaned over.

Mewtwo struggled to his feet once more. Fight...Fight! He started running again even though it was difficult with his leg completely numb.

The other managed to pull the helmet off, little wires snapped and fizzled around it's head. Mewtwo felt sudden emotion overcome him that ignited all his senses. It's a female...it...

"Now!" Doc shouted, throwing the Masterball.

The other left her side of the field, the armor clanging on her pretty pink fur. She started running, as the Masterball arched overhead. Over her shoulder Mewtwo watched in horror as Sarah pulled a gun from her vest. She wouldn't. Not here, not in front of all of these people! Mewtwo kept running, but seemingly not fast enough. The Masterball descended,

Sarah lowered the gun.

Please! Hurry!

All sound ceased to exist, save for one loud crack.

Mewtwo watched in horror as the pink head tilted sharply forward, her feet left the ground and her body sharply twisted. Her shoulder hit the grass, her momentum pushing her further along, her legs and body hit the ground. No. The Masterball fell to the ground a breath too late.

A whisp of smoke left Sarah's gun.

Mewtwo closed the five foot gap by sliding in next to the unmoving pink body.

No...Please be all right... She was laying on her side. I can't move her...If I do...I can't... He rested his hand on her cheek, feeling he curve of her cheek beneath his palm. Her large magenta eyes closed, seemingly savoring his touch.

We...we all...Thank you... Her eye half opened, and with one last breath, she was gone.

Mewtwo pulled his hand back as if he had touched something hot. No.. He shook her. No... The grass was rapidly becoming red. No! Mewtwo carefully picked her up and rested her head on his shoulder. Shock was settling in. It wasn't supposed to happen this way, their plan had been perfect.

"Two!" Bill jumped off the platform and started running to the field.

Mewtwo looked at the blood covering one arm and his hand, then into the others lifeless eyes. He began ripping the armor off her body, his mind blank, even unaware of the tears running down his own cheeks. She's gone. The loneliness came back in an overwhelming rush. The last piece of armor went rolling over the grass. He was unaware of slowly rocking back and forth cradling her, the rest of the world was heartless, cruel.
Why couldn't I save her?

He slowly laid the other mewtwo out to rest on the grass. Mewtwo looked up setting his hard gaze on Sarah. She fired again. This time Mewtwo was ready. Months spent in meditation had prepared him for this moment, to prevent this injury from every happening again. The bullet stopped six inches away from his face, caught by his sheer will and determination alone. A slow yet steady trickle started from his nose and ears. "Damaged you say? I will what it means to be damaged."

"Mewtwo!" Bill shouted. I can't believe he stopped the bullet like that!

Blue light swirled around Mewtwo's feet, forming a barrier, then eventually a shock wave. With a whip-like crack, it shot out around the Pokemon, repealing anything that came near. Bill felt his feet leave the ground and his body become airborne, riding the psychic shock wave. It tossed Bill, several referees, and a few officers that had come to restore peace, away like children's toys. The crowd was in a panic. Bill shouted Mewtwo's name once more before he flew back into the platform. His head hit the concrete wall with a sickening thud and his body slid down, leaving a long bloody smear.

The crowd was screaming and pushing to the exits. Officers tried to calm the crowd but were caught up in the stampede. From her place near Doc, Jesse saw Sarah's body lifted into the air. A blue glow surrounded her as Mewtwo raised both hands and unleashed one attack. Psyburn.

Jesse covered her ears to try to block the girls screams. She knew it would be suicidal to try to stop Mewtwo until he calmed down. She turned toward Doc. "Get Bill out of here!"

"Ahead of ya Jess!" He vaulted over a concrete barrier, a few of his men ran after him. They formed a guard of sorts as he collected Bill's body.

"Two...Need to help...Two..." Bill said softly. He didn't seem to be aware of his situation.

"Wish we could, but no one is getting near that Pokemon until he calms down!"

Sarah's body fell to the field. Mewtwo turned and looked over his shoulder. He took deep breaths, still trying to keep a grip on his temper. At his feet was the body of the slain mewtwo fem.

What?...Bill...I hurt him? The red smear on the platform burned into his mind. No... Mewtwo observed the chaos around him as several Masterballs flew his way. No...I will not be controlled! I will not be contained! He swatted away the Masterballs, holding his bleeding head. Bill...I..I'm sorry... He began to rise up into the air, only one thought on his mind.

The Tomb Under the Mountain. East of Celedon.

Jesse ran out of the stadium along with the crowds when she saw Mewtwo take flight. "Why doesn't he stay in one place?!"

Mewtwo cleared the top of the arena. His nose and ears bleeding freely. He shot for the sky, and took off in the direction of Woodland Labs. He only needed to do one thing to set the world right.


"Bill?" Sabrina ran into the Emergency Room. She had heard on the news that there had been an accident at the Pokemon Finals, and ran here as fast as she could. "Bill? Where are you?" The room was crowded with people, some were hurt, others in a state of shock. A man sat on a stretcher with his arm in a sling. He was shouting something that made her blood run cold.

"That beast needs to be put down! If nobody can control it! It doesn't deserve to live!"

Sabrina turned up a hall filled with more injured. A few nurses were wheeling a stretcher up the hall, Bill was on it. She ran until she caught up to him. "Are you okay? What happened? Where's Two?" He had a bandage wrapped around his head, a little bit of blood seeped through.

"It wasn't Two's fault...It wasn't his fault..." he took her hand, babbling. "Find him...He's hurt bad." The nurses took him away before he could say anything else.

Sabrina turned around to find a room occupied by a Officer Jenny and a girl. Her eyes were wide and blank. The lights were on but nobody was home, and it was all to easy to recognize Mewtwo's psychic signature.

"Sabrina!" Professor Oak came running up the hall. "Did you hear what happened?"

"No! Tell me!" She was both angry and scared. "What's going on? Where's Two?"

"Come on, we'll go to my van outside, I'll explain there," he took her gently by the arm and led her through the crowded emergency room out to the parking lot. She wanted to be at Bills side, but right now the hospital was crowded with confused people. She trusted that Bill was in good hands. Oaks van was a place of quiet and order.

"What happened?" Sabrina sat down on the passenger's side.

"The other trainer brought a Mewtwo of her own."

Sabrina gasped and covered her mouth. "Oh no..."

"The League didn't know about it. We suspect ties to Team Rocket. Two worked on breaking its armor and freed it. The trainer then pulled out a gun and shot it. Mewtwo lost control." Professor Oak gave her a handkerchief. "He took off, flying to the south but we'll be able to find him. He's still wearing his tracking bracelet. Right now we need to stay calm. This might be a little disturbing, but I need to get this body to a Center and in a lab."

"Body?"

"Yes. I confiscated the other Mewtwo's body. It's in the back." Oak sighed, hanging his head.

"You what?" She turned and saw a sheet covering something huge. "Even so, its not like Two to just lose it like that."

"I think Two lost it because that one is female. And...I'm not positive, but she might still be alive."

Sabrina suddenly felt very ill.


Jesse freed her binoculars from the bag at her side. "There you are..." She put the kickstand on the motorcycle up. She had confiscated one of the Jenny's bikes outside the arena. She had tracked Mewtwo in the air outside the city limits and into the wilderness beyond.

He had flown a good way, but was now descending rapidly. "Either the headset's finally given out or he has. Either way it's not good." She drove down an overgrown trail. The forest suddenly erupted with noise. Jesse looked up as the huge Pokemon came crashing down though the trees. "Great...Hold on Two!" The fresh smell of pine drifted to her. The branches broke and Mewtwo hit the ground with a heavy thud. "Two?" Jesse laid the bike on it's side. "Please be alive..."

Mewtwo had landed on his side, seemingly bleeding from every part of his body. The Persian had cut his leg badly, and the rest of his body had been scratched and gouged by the fall.

Jesse pulled off the headset. "Breathe for me," she tried for a pulse, then felt complete relief when she found one. "Good. I can still save you. First..." She pulled the mall tracking bracelet from his arm. "Forgive me Sabrina, but where we're going, its best if you don't follow." She threw the tracker into a bush, then put the headset in a bag. After a few more minutes of grunt work she had Mewtwo on the motorcycle. She sat down in front of him and started the engine again.

"Damaged." Mewtwo whispered.

"You're not damaged. When did you become conscious anyway?"

"Not sure, where are we going?"

"I've got a safe house nearby. We can regroup and rest up there," she smiled as his hands went around her waist and he rested his head on her shoulder. "And then we finish this once and for all."


Sabrina looked up from Bills bedside. Professor Oak came in the door. He read her hopeful expression, then shook his head.

"We only found the tracking device, a lot of blood, and a few tire treads," he shook his head. "I'm sorry."

Sabrina looked at Bill who was still sleeping. His head injury was looking worse. "So what now?"

"All we can do is wait."