Chapter 12: Growing Up

The normally quiet home erupted in one long wail seemingly without breath. Immediately, all of Sabrina and Bills Pokemon were on the move. The Abras, Kadabras and Alakazams busied themselves with making sure the newborn was warm and safe. Haunter vanished, disappearing from his patrol of the front hall and Gym floor, only to reappear in Jamies room and try to assist in soothing the infant. A small strained cry started in the crib next to Jamies.

"Haunt..." Haunter and the others had to admit defeat with both babies crying, the ghost grudgingly floated into Bill and Sabrina's room to summon more experienced help.

"I'm coming Haunter," Sabrina rose out of the bed, feeling like the walking dead herself. She cast an evil eye at Bill, who seemed to sleep through anything. Including his own daughter's crying. Sabrina pulled on a robe, then tied it. "When will I get a decent night's sleep again?"

"Haunt Haunt,"

"I never said it was your fault, everyone is doing their best," she opened the door and ran face-to-chest into Mewtwo.

They nodded in unison and went into the nursery.

"Jamie," Sabrina sighed as she picked the little girl up, Jamie resting her head on her mother's shoulder.

"Little Two," Mewtwo picked up what he had come to call his son, wincing a little at the pain from his healing collarbone. "Little Two" rested his head on his daddy's shoulder. "Heh heh...I got a quiet one Sabrina..." he joked, even though it hurt to hear Little Two's attempts at crying. All the little body could muster was a feeble sounding "Meh...meh..." followed by heavy breathing, as if he were straining. "I wonder why he cries like that?" Mewtwo asked aloud and not for the first time.

"Does it matter?" Sabrina moaned. "They cry...they eat, they poop. Sometimes all three at once...I had no idea Jamie would have lungs this healthy."

"He hasn't even opened his eyes yet. Do you think that maybe his vocal cords aren't fully developed?" Mewtwo was always analyzing, always trying to find more information about his kitten. He didn't remember much about his own kittenhood, or even if he had one. This was all new territory for him.

Mewtwo stood quietly for a moment. Little Two had stopped crying after being satisfied that his caretaker was there. Mewtwo sighed contently as Little Two put his arms on his shoulders and looked as if he was going back to sleep again. "It's a good thing I made that appointment with Joy."

"Yeah," Sabrina led the way to the kitchen, then filled a glass with water. "How are you feeling?"

"The pain occasionally flares up, nothing I can't handle, but for the most part its gone," He followed her to the living room, then sat down on the couch beside her.

"Good," Sabrina yawned, then rested her head sleepily on his chest while holding Jamie close "We were worried about you."

"I know. I didn't mean to make you worry," he smoothed her hair against her head and back. "Oh please don't fall asleep on me again."

"I'm ...not..." her breathing slowed, then deepened and soon her body relaxed against him. Jamie in her arms still fussing and the glass of water threatening to spill.

Mewtwo smiled. For all those times I've wanted to hold you in my arms like this, it would take a husband and two kids to bring us together. "Wake up," he gently shook her.

"I can't help it. Your chest is comfy..." she yawned then began to feed Jamie, who latched on to her breast and began to suckle. "She's gonna be a rock star with lungs like that," Sabrina had been nervous about feeding Jamie in front of Mewtwo when the newborn first came home from the hospital, but a few sleepless nights and witnessing his own difficulties with Little Two had dulled her modesty. Like most new mothers, if all she had to do was flash some unsuspecting stranger to make the screaming stop, then it was worth it. "You have no idea how many times I've wanted to just leave Bill the whole bed for the night and curl up with you."

"Now why would you do that?"

"You haven't pissed me off," she glared at the bedroom door and at her husband presumably still sleeping soundly within. Jamie suckled loudly while Mewtwo levitated a bottle of warm formula to his hand and began to feed Little Two "How are your powers coming?"

"I haven't checked much outside of the basics. Professor Oak was pretty angry that I modified the headset, and more than a little upset at all of the Pokéballs that had appeared on his back porch overnight," he looked down at Little Two. The small white Pokemon yawned and continued sucking on his bottle.

"At least he was nice enough to make you a new one."

"And I'll still modify it, now that I've seen the schematics."

"I guess that's what I've always liked about you." Sabrina kissed Jamies head and stood from the couch. "Not afraid to be an asshole. See you in the morning."

"Goodnight," he watched her walk up the hallway. He noted that her hips had gotten slightly larger, but she was otherwise the same. All the weight had dropped off easily. "Come on Little Two."

"Meh.."

He walked quietly back to the enclosed garden, and took the staircase to his hammock. He laid back and rested Little Two in the crook of his arm. "Goodnight Little Two."

His answer was one crystal-clear. "Mew."


"I envy him," Sabrina mumbled, a comment that Mewtwo seconded around his morning coffee and bowl of fruit. They watched with disgust as Bill cheerfully stepped out of the bathroom freshly showered and well rested. The Pokémon expert and new father whistled as he went to the front window, giving a appraising glance over the front lawn and its blanket of leaves covered by an early frost. Mewtwo and Sabrina sat sipping coffee and enjoying a few moments of peace while Bill had a full night's sleep behind him.

Bill opened the front door and took the paper off the porch, grabbing the day's mail on the way back inside. "Oh Love, you seem to have a few trainers waiting at the Gym for you."

"Already? Damn Ice types love it when it starts to get cold...I'll be out in a minute. Can you let them in?" Sabrina groaned, then pondered if she should add an extra "pick me up" to her coffee.

"Sure Love," he kissed her forehead and sifted through the mail. "Sabrina, Sabrina, me, me, me, me...me," he sorted them into two piles. "Sabrina...and Two," he pulled a small brown package out of the pile of papers. "I wonder what it is?"

Mewtwo took the package and read the return address. James Kojiro. He tore into it and took out a small wooden box, then opened it. "It's an invitation," he carefully removed a delicate card edged in lace. "Well it's about time. Jesse and James are getting married. We're all invited."

"That's wonderful! When?" Sabrina leaned over to read the invitation herself. "The twenty-fourth of June, so romantic, a perfect summer wedding...is their phone number on there?"

"Do you want their FAX, phone for the east wing, west wing, or their e-mail?" he put the invitation down. "I'll call later and accept. Right now I need to attend to Little Two."

"Hey, can you do me a favor and watch Jamie for a bit while I handle these trainers?" Sabrina finished off her coffee.

"Sure." Mewtwo collected the mugs then looked at the invitation again. Jess...What did you go and do that for?


Mewtwo had responded to the wedding invitation with a phone call, and received a high-pitched squeal of delight in his ear for his trouble. Jesse couldn't wait until spring to see him, and invited him over to stay for the weekend along with Little Two. Mewtwo looked forward to catching up with someone he now considered a friend, along with acquiring some much needed information. Bill offered to drop him off and take Jamie for a nice long car ride at the same time, which allowed Sabrina a chance to rest. At first they passed the mansion several times, still unsure what was the front gate, or side entrance or even random street. Finally after a little debate, they picked one, and drove along a cobblestone road through snow-dusted gardens and lawns. Even though it was still mid-fall, winter was coming early and heavy.

Bill brought the van to a halt before what they took to be the front door. Mewtwo collected a few bags with Little Two's things in it from the rear of the van, then picked the little kitten up and placed him in a large backpack padded with a blanket to both protect the kitten from the chill and to carry him with ease. The Pokémon mounted the steps, his luggage distributed between his hands before he set the bags down and knocked on the massive door. Bill waited in the driveway to ensure that Mewtwo made it safely inside. Both were a little surprised when a slightly smaller section of the door he had taken to be decorative paneling opened.

"Master Mewtwo I take it?" a small aging man in a neat suit leaned out.

"Erm...yes," Mewtwo awkwardly answered.

"This way please," the man who Mewtwo assumed was a butler stepped back and opened the door a little wider to allow the Pokémon to enter. Mewtwo turned and waved Bill on while the butler gathered his bags, then stepped inside.

"Master James, Lady Jesse, You have a guest," the butler announced.

Mewtwo stepped inside and looked around. Niiiiiice...I wonder why she didn't marry him in the first place?

"Two?"

Mewtwo looked up and saw Jesse standing at the top of a staircase that wouldn't have been out of place in a hotel. He shifted his backpack with Little Two inside and waved.

Jesse laughed and came running down the stairs. "I'm so glad you made it, was the drive difficult?" she hugged him.

Mewtwo embraced her in return, wincing as her enthusiastic hug hit a sore spot. "Ow, still a bit a tender there."

Jesse backed away. "I'm sorry."

"Its okay," Mewtwo rubbed his shoulder. "You didn't know."

"I forgot about your collarbone. How has your recovery going?" She looped her arm through his and escorted him to a side parlor where a fire was going and a full tea service had been set. Mewtwo glanced down at the numerous spoons plates and forks, then sighed, knowing that he would embarrass himself if Jesse weren't here.

"Mew!"

"What was that?" Jesse looked Mewtwo over. "I know that wasn't you."

"Little Two, I thought he was sleeping," he took off his backpack and unzipped it. Little Two's head poked out and he began to sniff curiously.

For a moment Jesse's jaw dropped as Mewtwo pulled the small white bundle from the bag. "You...found him at Woodland Labs?"

"Yes. In a tank about to be destroyed by some rake named Blackwell."

"And you keep him in a backpack?"

"It's more comfortable for him. Although the last growth spurt is making him a bit too big for this one." Mewtwo tried to keep up the small talk even though Jesse's sudden change in expression was unsettling.

"Mew!" Little Two chirped.

"He's so cute! Do you mind if I hold him?" She held her hands out expectantly.

"No, go ahead," he carefully extracted Little Two from the backpack.

"What a long tail..." Jesse's good humor faded, as if a suspicion of hers had been confirmed. But then her smile returned with a giggle as Little Two was placed in her arms.

"Mew?" Little Two tilted his head to the side.

"Awww..." Jesse kissed his cheek. "Your Daddy went through hell for you, yes he did!" she cooed. Mewtwo noted her sudden change in demeanor, then the equally rapid shift back. He curled his tail around his feet and sat down. The butler poured him a cup of tea while Jesse danced around the room excitedly.

"Mew!"

She kissed the kittens white cheek. Another set of doors opened and James entered, dressed casually with a pair of fuzzy slippers complementing the whole ensemble. Jesse introduced them, "James has been very eager to meet you,"

"Ah! Mewtwo." James cross the parlor in a few long strides. "Its been a very long time. Good to see that you are doing well."

"It was a lifetime ago. It pleases me to see you haven't changed," Mewtwo extended his paw that James accepted and shook.

"Likewise," James smiled, then sat down.

Mewtwo sipped his tea and looked around the parlor. Expensive curtains, antique furniture, real silver settings, a crystal chandelier. "You have a...lovely home."

"Yeah..well...Jesse and I are working on redecorating. We don't like all those god-awful flowers nodding and bowing on us in every room we go into. There isn't one room here not decorated with floral prints of some make," James moaned offhandedly as if he were bored with the discussion already.

"The Rose Room stays," Jesse flopped down on the antique sofa. Little Two bounced a little and Mewtwo felt his heart jump. She lay back with her head resting against James' shoulder and began to tickle Little Two's feet. "He is so cute..."

"I never said anything about the Rose Room. I like that one, it's the only tastefully done one in here," he sipped his tea and watched Jesse play with Little Two. "Everything in there is red and tarnished silver. All of it covered in roses..." his gaze settled on Little Two, and that same slack-jawed expression of shock that Jesse had worn earlier ghosted across his features as well.

This can't be the infamous Team Rocket! Mewtwo thought. The whiny, bratty, vane, and incredibly gorgeous Team Rocket. James is way to mellow...Jesse is...Jesse has calmed down-a lot. Maybe this was the best for her.

Little Two began to fidget and fuss, Jesse held the kitten out before her like she was suddenly in charge of a live bomb. "Uh, Mewtwo?"

"Its his feeding time, don't worry, I've got him," Mewtwo took him back from Jesse and had a small bottle ready. Little Two immediately latched on and grew quiet.

"So, so cute!" James said suddenly, as if trying to change a subject that wasn't being discussed. "Jesse, when can we have one?"

"What? A Mewtwo? We have plenty of Pokémon running around already."

"No Jess, a...a...baby!" James stammered, followed by a loud thump that caused Mewtwo to look up. Jesse had fainted and fallen off the couch. James looked up at Mewtwo with a confused expression. "Was it something I said?"


Mewtwo had gotten settled in while James and the butler worked to revive Jesse. He had been given a room on the third floor, equipped with a crib and other essentials for caring for a baby, along with a maid who fell in love with Little Two at first sight. That freed Mewtwo up to enjoy the rest of his day with Jesse and James, while still checking in on his son. After a day filled with the simple pleasures of the Kojiro estate, walking gardens decorated for fall, caring for the various Pokémon, and of course watching films in their personal theater, they ended up in the basement den, surrounded by an extensive wine and liquor collection left by James' parents.

Mewtwo had happily raided the walk-in cigar humidor, and gleefully spent a good portion of the evening literally burning through a fortune in expensive cigars. In the center of the basement were several large leather couches surrounding a massive coffee table. Various brass plates with different Pokemon on them decorated the walls. Jesse was leaning on one side of her couch, James was on the other side, a big dopey smile on his face and barely visible between the massive cushions save for his blue hair. Mewtwo was seated in a huge leather chair across from them. They were playing a more interesting version of "Spin the Bottle" Whoever the bottle stopped closest to or pointed at had to take a sip of their drink of choice. So far Jesse was winning.

"Rond an' round it goesh...Where it shtops, no one...knows," Jesse slurred, an empty wine bottle in the center of the table spun freely, its contents long since consumed. Once the bottle got going, she leaned back on the arm of a huge leather couch beside James.

The bottle spun on the coffee table and slowed, then stopped, pointing directly at Mewtwo. Mewtwo leaned forward, took a sip of his drink, then set the wine bottle in motion again.

"Jesse?" James poked his head up. For some reason he didn't slur when he was drunk, and obviously had a low tolerance. He was a happy drunk, one of the kinds that would make friends with anyone with an ill-advised hug or kiss on the cheek. "Are you happy here?" he asked in a moment of lucidity.

"Of coursh I am." Jesse watched the bottle spin.

"Good. You're so much prettier when you smile." James laughed to himself, the sunk back into the couch.

Mewtwo watched the bottle stop at Jesse. I've been drinking way too much...Oh my head is going to hurt tomorrow kill me in the morning, his blurry gaze rested on James. He is a great guy, takes some getting used to, but otherwise he's okay, he looked at Jesse. She is beautiful. James is so lucky-heh heh "Lucky Lucky nice to Myutsuu.." he smirked. Tooo Drunk...

Jesse laughed as Mewtwo yawned. "Wow! I didn't think your mouth could get so big."

Mewtwo stretched and somehow extracted himself from the folds of the couch. "I hate to end our fun but I need to get to bed. It's three in the morning."

"Oh yeah...guess we should go too," she turned to James. "Jamesh...Jamesh..." Jesse tried to shake him awake. "Hey Jamesh, wake-up."

"But I want to ride the pony..." he mumbled in his sleep.

"I'll get him," Mewtwo took a step forward, then was forced to lean on a bookshelf for support. "Maybe I don't."

"We'll do it together." Jesse pulled James up then helped to put him on Mewtwo's back.

"I feel like a pack-Ponyta."

"Ya!" Jesse playfully slapped the side of his tail. "Git-along there!"

Mewtwo smiled and followed her up the stairs, being careful not to let James slip off, and also enjoying the general fun-house feel of the world spinning under his feet. He stumbled a few times on his way to the third floor, drawing laughs from Jesse as she helped him to his feet. James was out for the count. They finally made it to Jesse and James' room and the Pokémon flopped James down on the bed, then went up the hall to his own room.

"Two," Jesse came out into the hall carrying a small box. "Before I forget...I wanted to say thank you. For saving my life that night."

For a moment he sobered, the memories of the flames had never really faded. "It was a dark moment for both of us. I couldn't leave you there," he opened the door to his room and saw Little Two sound asleep in the crib.

"James went back to the lab," Jesse confessed. "As former Team Rocket Elites, both of us were summoned to deal with the clean-up. I don't think they know that I was there with you, but James went and found this" she then gave Mewtwo the box. Mewtwo turned it over in his hands. It was beaten and charred yet familiar to him, but he couldn't quite place it. Jesse noted his confusion and explained. "Its an external micro hard drive, from the underground research centers of Woodland Labs. Most of the data is corrupted, but if anyone can extract it, I know you can."

"What does it contain?" he felt adrenaline push away the last of the drunken haze that remained.

"It contains a record of all the...units...that Woodland Labs had. All of the Mewtwos that you had freed, all the ones that never made it out, all of the ones that died or might still live, their data is recorded in that drive."

Mewtwo looked back into his room at Little Two. "Even?"

"Possibly. But as I said, the data is corrupted," Jesse sighed. "But...your 'Little Two' is something different entirely. He's very special. Please, please raise him well. That's why me and James have been acting so strangely tonight. Your secret is safe with us."

Mewtwo held the drive in shaking hands. "Thank you Jesse, from the bottom of my heart, thank you."


"Meeeeww!" Little Two howled. He was starting to get louder, which both comforted and aggravated Mewtwo. It had been a week since his visit with Jesse and James, and winter had settled over the region in full force.

"Quiet down a bit, Jamie's sleeping," Mewtwo tried to settle his kitten.

"Meeeww!" Little Two squealed again. This time loud enough for Mewtwo to fold his ears back against his head.

Mewtwo lifted a large cup and carefully poured warm water over Little Two's head, holding his hand over the still shut-eyes to make sure no soap could harm them. "Why, oh why, did you have to go bother Sabrina while she was cooking?" he refilled the cup and dumped a bit more water on Little Two.

James had offered Sabrina and Bill a lot of money just to fix up up their home and make it a bit bigger to accommodate the growing family. After much fussing, Sabrina accepted it on the terms as a late wedding present. So far they had yet to find a bathtub big enough to hold Mewtwo and his tail, but Bill was looking. Little Two on the other hand was just fine sitting in three-inch deep water and splashing like mad.

"Mew!" Little Two slapped the water and swished his tail, sending water all over the wall and on his father.

"You do that any more and I'll have to get in with you," he gently scrubbed Little Two's arms and legs. Being careful with his four fingers and three instead of two toes.

"Meeeww! Mew mew mew!" he splashed a bit more, enjoying the warmth and company. "Mew mew Mewtwo!"

Mewtwo paused and picked his kitten up out of the tub, his long tail dripping water. "You...you finally said it...You finally said 'Mewtwo'!"

"Mew! Two!" Little Two giggled. "Mewtwo! Mewtwo! Mewtwo! Mewtwo!"

Mewtwo tenderly hugged his kitten. "Wait till Sabrina and Bill hear..."

"Mewtwo!"


"He's been getting big," Sabrina said as she set Jamie on a playmat on the floor. "I guess Pokémon do grow faster than people."

"Jamie's been getting big too," Mewtwo set Little Two next to his "sister" to let them play. "Crawling already?"

"She's a mover alright. They've been growing up so fast," Sabrina sighed. "I wonder when Little Two's going to open his eyes."

"When he's good and ready to,"

"Come spring, Jamie will be a year old."

"Yeah, feels like yesterday when we brought them home," Mewtwo smiled as Little Two hopped over to him. Little Two got the hang of walking faster than expected. He hopped everywhere, although the occasional stumble and fall made Mewtwo's heart race every time. He came to dread the sound of "thump-thump-smack" on the kitchen floor, mainly because it preceded a series of ear-shattering high pitched mews that were only soothed by much cuddling and kisses.

"It's getting to be that they're not babies anymore," Sabrina reached for the diaper bag that Kadabra had gone to fetch.

"Yeah. Babies," Mewtwo smirked as he sipped his coffee. At first he couldn't eat around the kids with all the diaper changing and saliva soggy toys and cereal bits left around the house, but like all things, it was amazing what he could get used to. Bill became suspiciously absent when changing time came around though, or feeding time, or any time where the babies were being gross. He was currently out at a local contractors putting the finishing touches on the renovation plans for the house.

Baby.

"Did you say something Sabrina?" Mewtwo looked up.

"No." Sabrina finished with Jamies diaper and shot it basket-ball style at a nearby trash can. Mewtwo dreaded the day she missed.

Baby.

Mewtwo looked around at Kadabra and the rest of the pokemon, then down at Little Two. Little Two smiled around his closed eyes then emitted a high pitched squeal that echoed in the living room.
"Baaaaaabbbyyyy MeewTwoo!"

Sabrina paused in her attentions to Jamie and looked down at Little Two. "Did he just..."

"I..think.."

"Baaaabyyy Mewtwo!"

"Just full of surprises ain't ya?" Sabrina smiled, then tickled Jamie's stomach. "You gonna let him out perform ya like that?" Jamie giggled.

"Mewtwo! Mewtwo!" Little Two squealed when Mewtwo picked him up. "Mewtwo Mew-"
Mewtwo suddenly gasped.

"Two?" Sabrina finished putting a new diaper on Jamie and flipped her over so she could crawl away. "What is it?"

Mewtwo carefully turned Little Two around. Instead of the squinty, Abra-like features she had come to know, his eyes had opened, wide and deep blue. Little Two blinked and giggled. "Mewtwo!" then reached out for Sabrina to hold him.

"Oh my goodness. I wonder if they'll stay that color?" she accepted him and tickled his tummy, then set him on the play rug with Jamie, where he promptly crawled over to his father.

"Two," Little Two put a hand on his father's nose. "Mew!"

"Think we should tell Bill?" Sabrina asked while she began looking through the living room for a camera.

"Nah, lets see how long it takes him to notice," Mewtwo touched noses to his kitten, and gave him a loving nudge when the room lit up in a bright flash as Sabrina took a picture.

"That one is going on the wall," she said cheerfully.

Mewtwo tried to ignore the bright spot that had appeared in his eyes. "Go play with Jamie."

"Mewtwo!"


"Mewtwo! Mewtwo! Mewtwo! Mewtwo!" Little Two hopped around the house, eyes closed and shouting his namesake. "Mewtwo! Mewtwo!"

"Little Two! That's enough!" Sabrina picked Jamie up then sat her down in a large playpen. Between her crawling and Little Twos hopping, it became essential to confine them to a more controlled area.

"Little Two," Mewtwo entered the room. "Sometimes I wish you never learned to walk..." he stooped over and picked up Little Two. About a month had passed since Little Two opened his eyes and he and Jamie had graduated to toddler. The two were the best of friends. Winter had come on in full force, bringing a never-ending run of Ice and Fire types to the Gym, which left Mewtwo to take care of the kids most of the time with the aid of Sabrinas other Pokémon. "Listen, its Ell-Two, come on Ell-Two."

"Mewtwo!"

"No, Ell-Two."

"Mewtwo?"

Sabrina giggled and sat down on a couch, then picked up Jamie and started brushing her daughters thin teal hair. "You sure that you want to call him El-Two? You got stuck with the name 'Mewtwo' but your son is different. Don't you think he deserves a better name?"

Mewtwo hadn't thought about that. In his mind, his kitten had always been some variation of "junior" and while Little Two seemed to suit him for the moment, Sabrina was right. Little Two wouldn't be a kitten forever, he would be talking, and have the same questions as he once did. As much as he hated to think of it now, Little Two would eventually be a Big Two, and he needed an adult name. "I'll need to think on it, find a name that would suit him. There is so much I don't know about myself. I don't know if others of my kind would have elemental leanings, or if we are affected by day or night training. For now, its Little Two, and later when I have a better grasp on things, I'll give him a real name."

Sabrina bounced Jamie on her knee. She had been a bit worried about offending her friend, but he seemed to take it well. "Besides, I think I noticed Little Two getting some coloring?"

"Yeah, a little on his tail and he's getting bigger," Mewtwo studied Little Two. The kitten was still bright white, but was starting to get a pale blue on his stomach and tail where Mewtwo had purple on his. "Can you say 'Daddy?'"

"Meeew..." Little Two actually looked as if he was concentrating. "Two...Two...Two..."

"It's okay," Mewtwo hugged him. "Some sounds are harder than others," he was looking forward to their outing that night. Every year Saffron held a Pokémon race in early December. The race started about an hour after sunset and Pokémon trainers of all types would carry a lit torch to be the first to light a bonfire in the middle of town. It was a free-for-all, and trainers on uncommon mounts was a frequent sight. City hall was lined with pictures of trainers in costume riding on everything from a Snorlax to Weepinbells. Bill planned on hopping on Mewtwos back, and for once Mewtwo was biting back his pride for the sake of getting out of the house and doing something else for a change. He still had concerns though. "Sabrina, are you sure that the babysitter will be okay?"

"Lily's the best around," Sabrina assured him. "We need a night out anyway, especially you Two," she finished brushing Jamie's hair and put her back in the playpen along with Little Two. "You've let that absolutely adorable son of yours rule your life for the past few months. We go out tonight, and tomorrow-if we're not too hungover-we'll go to the winter village and do some holiday shopping," she sighed wistfully. "I love my daughter, but we all really need a night out."

"I just want Little Two to be safe."

"He will be, and Bill better hurry up getting ready."

Mewtwo perked an ear as the door bell rang. "So soon?"

"I got it!" Sabrina jumped to her feet and ran into the hall, then pulled open the huge front door. "Hi Lily."

"Hi Mrs. Sabrina!" a teen girl with big green eyes and blond hair that bordered on white stood cheerfully on her stoop.

"Come on in," Sabrina let the girl in. "We're happy we could schedule you for tonight."

"It's really an honor to sit for you Gym Leader," Lily stepped inside and looked around the home. "I'm very excited to meet everyone."

Sabrina led Lily on a tour of the house while she explained a few house rules. "Help yourself to anything in the fridge, but don't touch the salads," she led her to the hallway. "This is the kids room, diapers and stuff are in here. Please don't go into Bills study, it's a mess and he won't even let me touch it," she led her further up the hall and into a small den. "TV in here with the usual child locks on content, and over here is the greenhouse," she pushed open a set of french doors.

"Wow...It's so pretty," Lily looked around in amazement.

"The Pokémon stay in here for the most part, although they have free run of the house. I have an Abra, a Kadabra, an Alakazam, a Bulbasaur, and you might see Haunter. He's a prankster but harmless. There's a staircase at the back of the greenhouse that leads to a viewing deck on top. That's someone else's room, so please don't go up there," Sabrina pointed to a huge platform that had once just been Two's hammock. Now it was like its own little greenhouse room on top of the main greenhouse. She liked to spend time up there. It gave a commanding view of the countryside and city.

"Okay, no problem," Lily looked around the garden in wonder. "Roses in winter?"

"Yeah, Two has quite a green thumb," Sabrina smiled as her Bulbasaur came around with a watering can.

"Oh wow! He's so healthy!" Lily knelt and held her hand out for Bulbasaur to sniff. The Pokemon extended a vine and the girl giggled as she shook it. "Nice to meet you too! Will I need to feed any of the Pokémon?"

"Nah, they're good. The one I do need you look after though is still a baby. And I hope you're up for the challenge."

"I can do it!" Lily said cheerfully.

"Okay then," Sabrina lead her from the green house and into the den where Mewtwo waited with the playpen and the kids.

"You'll like Two," Sabrina smiled.

"Can't wait to meet him," Lilly looked up as Mewtwo stood from the couch. "Oh."

Mewtwo scrutinized the girl. In his past experiences, people this cheerful and helpful were never up to any good. Slowly he lifted his kitten from the playpen. "This is Little Two. The Pokemon you'll be sitting," he approached her. "He shouldn't be too much trouble."

"Wow, you talk! Ohhh..!" Lily's eyes grew wider-if that was possible. "He's so cute..."

"Before I give him to you, when you feed him, NO meat products, and limited dairy. He's my only son and-"

"I understand!" Lily chirped. "I'll take good care of him," Mewtwo held his kitten for a moment longer. Sabrina rolled her eyes when she caught him doing a surface mind-read of the poor girl. Once he was satisfied he handed Little Two over, earning himself a squeal from Lily. "Oh he's so cute!"

"Mewtwo?" Little Two seemed to inquire about the new human in his presence.

Sabrina picked her head up at the sound of a car horn. "And that would be Jesse and James, ready Two?" she then turned her head and shouted up the stairs. "BILL!"

Mewtwo tried to think of any last minute instructions, but Lily seemed to settle in with the kids easily. Sabrina shouted again to her husband. "Hurry up!"

"A moment Love!" Bill finished fixing the cuffs on his shirt then ran downstairs. Mewtwo and Sabrina were already waiting by the front door.

"Jamie's been fed, so she shouldn't be a problem but if you do need to there are ready made bottles in the fridge-" Sabrina gave a few last minute instructions to Lily.

"Ah, Love you look wonderful," Bill said as he reached the bottom of the stairs.

Sabrina paused mid-sentence. She was wearing her usual red long-sleeved mini-skirted dress, along with her favorite boots. Bill was in his usual, and Mewtwo was Mewtwo.

There was another impatient horn blast from outside. Mewtwo opened the door and all three of them piled out as if they were escaping a burning building.

"Bye! Have fun!" Lily waved, then closed the door then went to care for Jamie and Little Two.


"Go! Go! Go!" Sabrina shouted from the sidelines.

"Come on Two!" Bill seconded her.

"Two!" Jesse screamed between sips of hot coco in her hand.

Mewtwo heard their cries of encouragement and poured on the speed. Although he had been training for a while for the race, he still felt that his performance was off, partly due to the sudden change in riders for the night. "You okay up there James?"

"You just keep going, I'm fine," James carefully balanced on Mewtwo's back, one hand resting lightly on the Pokemon's shoulder, the other holding their torch high. At first Mewtwo had protested James climbing onto his back, but he had to agree with the decision now. James had been trained to ride Pokémon from an early age, and had the perfect balance and form that allowed Mewtwo to move to his fullest without feeling hampered. James was also a good thirty pounds lighter than Bill, and that made a world of difference.

"And it looks like Rapidash is still in the lead with Mewtwo close behind!" the announcer shouted through a bull horn. "Who will be the first to light the bonfire? Rapidash has the advantage, but Mewtwo has the determination!"

"Two," James shouted over the wind. "You're not going to let a Rapidash beat you are you?"

"Not if I can help it," Mewtwo focused on the flaming tail, letting go of all doubts and just getting lost in the moment.

James responded by loosening up a bit, allowing Mewtwo to do as he needed. He looked down at the ground and saw blue light was sparking off Mewtwo's feet, that eventually became one steady stream of of glowing blue. He glanced up to see that they were advancing on Rapidash, and picking up more speed.

"Where did that sudden burst come from? Mewtwo has pulled ahead of Rapidash! Wow! The woodpile is in sight, can he keep it up?"

"Two!" Sabrina cheered.

"I hope he doesn't injure himself," Bill sipped his coco.

Need to...Can't lose... Mewtwo was almost there, but then felt a strange presence in the crowds around him, that caused him to slow. What?

I search the continent for you, and this is how I find you, with a Human on your back. Pathetic. And they call you the First.

Mewtwo slowed more as he scanned the crowds, searching for the source of the voice. Who are you? Show yourself!

I cannot reveal my identity yet, as for who I am...I'm just a copy of a copy, the voice and presence faded. The Rapidash along with two other Pokémon blew past him before Mewtwo returned to the race, his mind no longer on the finish line, and with a chill that had nothing to do with the cold in the air, he reached the bonfire, where James tossed in his torch to the cheers of the crowd.

Mewtwo finally managed to skid to a halt and felt James slide off his back. More riders came rushing past, each one adding their torches to the fire as the crowds came closer to enjoy the warmth. He smiled weakly when Sabrina and the gang came running over.

"Two!" the force of her embrace almost knocked him over backward. "That was a great race! What happened at the end? Trip on a rock? "

"Yeah," Mewtwo still wasn't sure what had happened himself. Was that another of his kind out there? Were they looking for him? He felt Jesse's arm around his shoulder as Sabrina took out her camera again. He would have time to think more on it in the morning. But one thing was clear, he needed to find out what was on that drive that Jesse had given him and for that he needed better equipment.

Around him people cheered as the last of riders came into the town square. Jesse then shouted, "The night is still young! Let's go!"


Lily opened one eye as the door gently swung open. She yawned then carefully sat up, leaving Little Two sleeping on the arm of the couch with a sleeping Jamie next to him. "You're back."

"You really did a good job Lily," Sabrina bent over and picked up Jamie, only to find that Little Two's arms were wrapped around her waist. "Oh Two."

Mewtwo pulled himself through the door. "What?" he smiled, then carefully took Little Two's hands and pulled them away. "Come on little guy," along with Sabrina he took Little Two to the nursery, and set him down in his crib. Sabrina kissed Jamie's head and left the room.

"Goodnight Little Two," he kissed his son's head. "You are my pride and joy," he turned off the light and went to leave the room.

" 'Night Daddy," came a small voice.

Mewtwo turned to find Little Two peeking over the rim of the crib, his big blue eyes fixed on him.

Mewtwo walked back and kissed his head again, scooping him up and holding him close. "Daddy...Goodnight Little Two."

"Mewtwo."


"Don't hog it all," Sabrina whined the next morning at the breakfast table. "It's shake-shake-pass."

"I need more than you do," Mewtwo insisted.

"Two. You're gonna OD on aspirin if you don't stop. Look, you've got about twenty of 'em there," Sabrina snatched the bottle away.

"I hope Jesse and James made it home okay," Bill said around his coffee mug. If he was hungover from all the drinking they had done the night before he wasn't showing it.

"We finally managed to find a sober driver...I can't believe that James just gave his car away. He must really be in the money-how did a couple of bad guys get that rich anyhow?"

"James was born rich," Mewtwo swallowed his aspirin with his coffee. "He ran away when his parents tried to force him to marry. His parents wouldn't give him his inheritance unless he did, so he wore down on them. They decided to give him his inheritance just as long as he got married, didn't matter to who."

"Some people have it so easy. The rest of us mortals have to scrape for every cent," Sabrina sipped her coffee. She grumbled bitterly, her mood not improved by her headache.

"Two, I had wanted to ask you something," Bill stood from the table when his toast popped out.

"Shoot," Mewtwo groaned, then rested his head on table.

Bill smiled and set the toast down. "I want to write a book about you and Little Two, using my collected research on both of you and Mew. It would be more of reference book, but I feel that this information would also be of great value to the rest of the world. Especially if there are more of your kind out there."

Mewtwo lifted his head. "That's one hell-of-a question to pop this early in the morning," but he started thinking. His eyes took the dark purple tint they had when he was concentrating.

"Well?" Bill raised a questioning eyebrow.

"A book? I said I didn't want to be a research project but," he looked over at Little Two in the playpen with Jamie. "I do want people to understand us, and you know us better than any other researcher."

"I'm gonna go get dressed," Sabrina scooted away from the table, taking her coffee with her.

"Is that a yes?" Bill asked again.

"Only if I can supervise it all."

"Of course!" Bill was beaming. "I wouldn't have it any other way. Trust me Two, You'll love it!"

Mewtwo nibbled his toast. Maybe it would not only enable the humans to get to know them, but also the others that had escaped Woodland Labs might find it useful too. He looked outside as the snow fell, and hoped that those he freed would survive the cold winter.


Every time Sabrina, Bill, and Mewtwo left the house with their kids, it was an event. Strollers had to be packed, diaper bags stocked, spare change of clothes in case of emergencies, towels to absorb messes, blankets to keep the mess-makers warm, toys for amusement and bottles of food to keep them nourished. Sabrina hadn't wanted a mini-van. She wanted a vehicle with more attitude, but they had bought a mini-van anyway out of sheer necessity. So with the kids and their accessories loaded up into the rear of the van, along with Mewtwo and his tail, they pulled out onto the road to join the rest of the families that were determined to make this a day of happy memories for their brood.

"MeeewwwTwooo! Baaaaaby Meeewtwooo!" Little Two practically screamed in Mewtwo's ear most of the ride over, which of course only encouraged Jamie to start in with her own joyful screams in the small space. They were all grateful once they reached the holiday village and found parking. With the coordination that would make a drill-sergeant proud, they all filed out of the car, tasks were distributed, luggage dispersed, strollers activated, and finally the adults to could commence to having "fun."

"Calm down Little Two," Mewtwo followed Bill and Sabrina around the village. It was set up in a clearing outside town. Numerous sheds and tents had been erected, selling baubles, food, or other holiday gifts to the tune of local choirs or bands pumping out seasonal music. Once the kids settled in and started taking in all the colors, sounds, and pretty lights, it did become an enjoyable experience. Other trainers with their Pokémon were walking around, taking in the sights and Mewtwo was hoping he would avoid any battles.

"Baaaaaaby!" Little Two was trying to pull himself from the backpack and blankets. Finally Mewtwo gave up trying to keep him still.

"You want to walk around?"

"Two!"

Mewtwo pulled Little Two out and set him on the ground. "Don't go far."

"Mew!" Little Two started hopping around, but stayed close to the group. He enjoyed himself as he hopped around the village, wearing a coat and talking to other Pokémon or receiving pats and scratches from other Trainers. Mewtwo kept a close eye on him, and occasionally turned to examine a few things for purchase. In one stall something particularly shiny caught his eye.

Oh, Sabrina would like these. He examined a pair of earrings, picturing how they would look on Sabrina, and wondering if they were worth the price for a holiday gift. There was a sudden loud crash behind him.

"Mewtwo!" Little Two shouted.

"What now?" Mewtwo turned around to find Little Two buried in an overturned display of stuffed toys. "Little Two..."

"Mew?"

"Let's clean it up."

"Two," he pulled himself out of the pile of toys, then raised his hands. The stuffed toys and various objects lifted off the floor and arranged themselves back on the display. The stall owner thanked them and Little Two turned back to his father proudly.

"Good job..." Mewtwo felt a little shock settle in him. He didn't know that his kitten already had such a grasp of his Psychic powers already. He was growing so fast, and Mewtwo would need to speed his own recovery to train his son.

"Two..." Little Two giggled, then started floating, demonstrating that could fly for brief periods. "Baaaaby Mewtwo!"

Mewtwo sighed. "I think I know how you keep getting out of the playpen now. Come on," he waved his hand and the kitten followed, floating after his father at shoulder height. He went in search of Sabrina and Bill, and found them sitting on a few hay bales near a display of lights.

"Oh it's been a long day!" Sabrina moaned, but the smile on her face showed that she was enjoying herself at least. "And look at Little Two flying already."

"That puts some pressure on me," Mewtwo watched Little Two landed and curled up at Sabrina's side. The short flight has taken the energy from him and now he wanted to sleep. "He's up to full power. I still haven't even recovered enough to use the headset."

"That just means both of us will have to work together." Sabrina taken Jamie from the stroller and now rested her on her shoulder.

Mewtwo pulled a Masterball from his back pack, then activated it and put sleeping Little Two inside it. He then held it up with a grin. "Don't you wish you could do this with your kid?"

"Occasionally." Sabrina giggled, but it was tinged with envy.

He lovingly put the ball in the backpack. "Let's go home. I'm tired, you're tired. Bill's practically dead over there."

"Uh-huh," Bill nodded.

"Okay then, let's get moving," Sabrina stood up, moving Jamie to her other shoulder. The small girl wasn't far from dreamland herself. "Come on Bill."

"Yes madam, your wish is my command," Bill picked up all the bags and followed Sabrina.

Mewtwo picked up his backpack and put it on. On his way to the parking lot a whole herd of giggling excited children came running through, knocking over a few people on their way past. Mewtwo's attention was momentarily diverted to a stall nearby that was selling Pokémon sweaters. He stumbled when a boy ran full smack into him.

"Oh geez, I'm sorry Pokémon," he picked up a backpack he dropped.

Mewtwo felt his backpack being tugged. "That's mine, yours is over there."

"Oh..." he seemed completely shocked at hearing Mewtwo speak.

Mewtwo shouldered his bag and followed Sabrina and Bill to the van. Bill was already buckling Jamie into her seat, and moved over so Mewtwo could do the same for Little Two. Mewtwo opened his backpack and started search inside. Don't tell me...

"What's wrong?" Sabrina asked as she saw panic spread across his face.

Mewtwo upended the bag, pouring out out all the contents. Where is? "Sabrina, this isn't funny."

"What isn't?"

"I can't find the Masterball!"

"What?" she peeked over the back of the seat.

"It's not in here!" Mewtwo's eyes grew suddenly wide and purple. "That kid..."

"What kid?"

"He ran into..." Mewtwo threw open the door and started hopping full running-speed back to the holiday village. "Little Two!"

Sabrina jumped out of the van. "Stay in the car with Jamie!"

"But-"

"Sit, stay," she kissed Bills forehead. "Good boy," before he could protest she was running after Mewtwo.

"Little Two!" Mewtwo searched for the kids, weaving between people, his feet almost slid on the piles of snow as he ran full speed past the stalls. "Little Two!" trainers and other visitors stumbled to get out of his way. "Little Two!"

A Kangaskhan that was at her trainers side turned and pointed. "Khan?"

Mewtwo saw a kid raise a Masterball up. There! He ran and tackled the trainer to the floor, then ripped the Masterball out of his grip.

"Little Two?" he threw it. Please...

An Arcanine appeared.

"No!" he threw the ball and returned the Arcanine to its ball. He gained his feet again, this time reaching out with his mind to find his kitten.

"Khan!" the Kangaskhan left it's trainer and ran over to Mewtwo. "Khan khan khan Kangaskhan!"

"What?"

"Khan khan!"

"Team Rocket?" his heart sank. "Where?"

"Khan!" the Pokémon pointed to another parking area to the east of the village. Sabrina was on his trail when she slid and fell flat on her backside when she saw Mewtwo head toward another parking lot. "Wait up!"

Mewtwos eyes began to glow, a blue aura formed around him as he prepared to fight for his son. The Kangaskhan was at his side, roaring loud enough to cause everyone to make way. Sabrina gained her feet and shot after them. Mewtwo reaching the parking area, and looked around at the parked vehicles. "Where did they go?"

"Khan, Kangaskhan!"

Mewtwo circled to the rear of the village, then saw the kid that had ran into him earlier standing next to what seemed to be a large utility van where a girl with blue hair was giving him an envelope. She looked up and saw Mewtwo, then climbed into the passenger side. The kid ran for the woods.

Before Mewtwo could react, the Kangaskahn was already charging. "Kangaskhan!" the Pokemon made contact with the vehicle, knocking it over. Mewtwo jumped onto the side of the van and ripped off the door. The inside was a jumbled mess of Masterballs. There had to be at least fifty of them that had fallen out of boxes and between the seats. With a cry he reached in and began pulling them out of the pile. "Little Two! Where are you?" he had a sudden idea. "Kangaskhan! Pick up the van and dump those balls out!"

"Khan!" the larger Pokemon lifted the van into the air and Mewtwo used a brief Psychic spark to open the rear doors. Masterballs rolled and spilled onto the snow where Mewtwo stated picking up and throwing them at random. Almost all were empty. He felt tears and panic as he grabbed handfuls of dirt and snow.

"Mewtwo! You are surrounded!"

Mewtwo looked up and around. Men and women in black uniforms surrounded him on all sides, armed with every kind of gun imaginable. Team Rocket had infiltrated this event in an attempt to gain back their collection of Pokemon that Mewtwo had liberated months before. But they couldn't resist the chance to recapture him and his son. Mewtwo's head began to ache, and his vision started to gray. He would fight to the death to defend his kitten. His outward appearance showed nothing of his inner struggle. All Team Rocket saw was Mewtwo standing still, his tail held low and eyes glowing.

There was a sudden familiar psychic burst, like the one he had felt the night before and one of the Masterballs started shaking.

"Surrender now!"

The Masterball shook a few times, then with another burst, opened. Little Two popped out and ran over to Mewtwo.

"Khan!"

"There's another unit here! Everyone be on your guard!" one of the Team Rocket agents shouted.

"Two..." Little looked around curiously. Mewtwo knelt and scooped up his kitten. There was another Psychic here, although he couldn't be sure if it was the same one from last night. Little Two gratefully jumped into Mewtwo's arms, burying his head against his fathers neck.

It was a standoff. Anything could happen now. Mewtwo knew nothing about the other Psychic, but its presence had divided Team Rockets attention. Just when things couldn't get any worse, Little Two's eyes began to glow blue. "Little Two, please don't."

"Two!" Little Two opened his mouth. Mewtwo held his head as a single word rang in his mind.

Echo!

Little Two emitted a high-pitched screech. Team Rocket fell to their knees and covered their ears but it didn't help, the noise was inside their minds. A Psychic assault so powerful that it scrambled the thoughts of all who heard it. Little Two continued until all of the Team Rocket agents were rolling in pain or had fled.

Mewtwo stood in amazement when Little Two stopped. The baby Mewtwo turned around, his big blue eyes full of tears. He buried his face once more in Mewtwo's neck.

"Little Two," Mewtwo cradled him, painfully aware of all that had just happened and what it could mean for the future of their species. "Thank you."

"Mewtwo..." Little Two's eyes grew liddy as he grew sleepy. "Love daddy."

"I love you Little Two," Mewtwo turned and walked to Sabrina and an Officer Jenny that had arrived. The other Psychic presence had once again vanished.

"Goodnight Daddy."

"Goodnight."


Bill leaned back with his sketch pad. Winter had finally ended, and they had taken a trip to the lighthouse to enjoy the spring air and flowering orchards near the beach. Mewtwo and Little Two played together in the sand. Even though it was only play, Mewtwo was teaching his son the valuable Tackle attack. After the events at the holiday village, Mewtwo had jumped into training Little Two, teaching him new techniques and control of his abilities. Bill smiled as Little Two jumped and tackled Mewtwo in the leg. Mewtwo wrapped his arms around his son and fell to the sand melodramatically.

Sabrina laid on a blanket next to Bill, getting some sun to warm her bones after the cold winter. Bill happily sketched Little Two mid-jump, taking note of the kittens longer tail and extra toes before Mewtwo hit the ground again in a flurry of sand.

"Hey hey!" Mewtwo laughed when his kitten used a sneak tickle attack. Little Two was the only one who could make him smile on whim. The kittens tail had turned a deep dark blue to match his eyes, but the rest of him remained solid white. "Okay, pay attention, now jump like this..."

"Okay Dad!" Little Two jumped as he mimicked his father.

"Good, now follow it with a kick, like this."

Bill watched as Little Two copied the movement.

"Dad?"

"Jamie," Bill put the sketch pad aside and picked his daughter up, setting her in his lap. "Tired?"

Jamie nodded.

"You can stay here for a while," he swept her teal hair back and kissed her forehead. "Got a little sunshine didn't we? Have fun?"

She nodded again.

"Little Two," Mewtwo got his son's attention. "Now you go like this."

"I like to do this!" Little Two tackled him again.

Mewtwo fell in the sand again. Bill sketched Mewtwo laughing as Little Two climbed on his chest and started tickling. "I call it the Tickle Tackle!"

A few hours later, Sabrina helped Bill pack up to head back to the lighthouse. Mewtwo and Little Two were on the sand, asleep. Little Two curled up in his fathers arms, a smile on his face and Mewtwo obviously exhausted from the days lesson.

"Hey Bill, I wonder if he knows that he's got his tail wrapped around Little Two," Sabrina smiled

"It's beautiful seeing him this happy," Bill said softly. "Remember, I told you, he's going to have more kids than he can count."

Sabrina chuckled when she heard a low thrumming purr.

"What is that?" Bill looked around. "It...Two?" he crawled in the sand over to Mewtwo. "He PURRS?"

Sabrina started laughing.

"You mean I've known him for this long and I didn't know that he purred?" Bill hung his head.

Mewtwo listened to them with a half-hearted laugh, his secret was out. He kissed his son's head, then looked at the setting sun. He had a task before him now, to find the rest of his kind that had gotten free that night. He owed that much to them at least. "Night Little Two. I love you."