Chapter 19: Cause
"I'm so glad you came around Victor. I was worried about you," Cherry lifted the teapot from the center of the table and poured Victor a fresh cup.
"Thank you very much Ms. Cherry...I don't know what I would have done without you. You helped me so much." Victor accepted the cup and took a small sip. "I feel really bad about what I've done, and I want to apologize to the First, but I don't know how after everything that happened."
Cherry set the teapot back down and scooted a plate of sandwiches closer to her guest. "Don't worry about him right now. I'll talk to him and let him know you're sorry. You focus on getting yourself together, and figuring out what it is you need to do."
Victor set the cup down and sighed deeply. Cherry had found him half dead in the woods near the Lighthouse two weeks ago. She invited him into her home and nursed him back to health. Even though her home was warm and inviting he knew he couldn't stay for much longer. He had to keep moving. "I guess I could go north, to the mountains and find a place to hide there. I dunno, maybe set up in a cave or something."
"There are a few of our kind up there." Cherry picked out a sandwich for herself. "I'll tell you where so you don't accidentally intrude on someone's territory. But its also going to be colder soon, so wherever it is you decide to go you will need to take the full brunt of Winter into account."
Victor nodded. "I'm planning on heading out tonight, get a good start with a full moon. Find a place where I can get to know myself a bit more."
"If you ever need any help, we're here for you." Cherry smiled. "I've got a backpack for you filled with food and other supplies. Most of it is dehydrated but if you're planning on going north, fresh water won't be hard to find. I also asked Copycat to get a burner phone for you. That way we can contact you and you can contact us if you need help." She slid a small box across the table, then nodded to the corner where she'd prepared the rest of the supplies. "Are you sure you'll be okay Victor?"
"Yeah, and I'll keep in touch. Maybe I'll find more of our kind to hang around." Victor turned his gaze to the bag in the corner, noting what was draped over it. "And you made me a travel cloak too?"
Cherry shrugged. "It will keep you warm and at a distance the humans won't feel prompted to bother you. Especially with that mop of hair you have."
Victor chuckled nervously and ran his fingers through the now longer hair on his head. When he lived with the mercenaries, they found it to be unappealing and often shaved it short. Now that he had a chance to let it grow out he wondered if they cut it for a different reason. It made him look human. For all intents it was human hair. Brown and fine, located at the top of his head. Victor pulled his hand away. "Why do you think this is? That we have so many more human than Pokémon qualities?" he wondered aloud.
Cherry reached out and put a hand on Victors shoulder. "Because as much humans want to believe otherwise, Pokémon and humans are very similar. And its my personal belief that as mewtwos, we bridge that gap. We have all the intelligence of humans coupled with the ability to command incredible powers. And we need to be responsible about it. Humans still outnumber us, and if they become so motivated, they can crush us." she sighed deeply and looked around the kitchen. "I have learned to make things. I've learned to use tools and build what I need, I know how to harvest wool from my Mareep and Wooloo to make yarn and to dye it in any color I wish. I grow food, and tend to the berry orchards. I have learned to become independent, and do things that Pokémon normally don't do, but have been the building blocks for most of human civilization. And it's only a matter of time before the humans view us as a threat to their dominance." she poured herself another cup of tea. "I don't hate humans, I'd much rather work alongside them. But I can't say the same for other mewtwos out there."
Victor listened to Cherry speak and then lifted his cup for her to refill, she in turn leaned forward and filled his cup. "Thanks."
"This is the world you're involved in now. I'm not saying you have to pick a side, but there are sides forming." Cherry set the tea pot down. "Enough of that though. Here, I made you a scarf!"
About an hour after sunset, Cherry waved Victor goodbye as he began his journey to parts unknown. It was a good night for traveling, with the moon bright and the air fresh. When he had left her sight, she then began the process of cleaning up her home in preparation for her own departure. Earlier that week she had received a message from Copycat who was relaying a message from Mewtwo. After the incident at New Island involving Victor, he wanted to know how many other mewtwos were out there that hadn't come from Woodland labs or Team Rockets other subsidiaries. Victor had been an independent creation, and at the moment so many new faces were popping up it felt like mewtwos were just falling out of prize machines. Mewtwo understandably didn't want a repeat of what he went through with Victor, but there was an underlying concern as well.
If and how many others out there had a dislike for humans and were likely to cause trouble for the rest of them.
Copycat was already busy making his rounds to sniff out any others, and Cherry knew of only one that she wanted to make "first contact" with. When her home was tidied up and her Pokémon tended to, she gathered up her backpack and traveling cloak, along with a big blue blanket that she had recently finished, and walked out of her front door, closing and locking it behind her. She sniffed the wind and headed northwest humming a tune under the light of the moon.
The sun had barely peeked over the horizon when Esper gently rolled out of her hammock. She had a big day ahead of her. Carefully and quietly she picked up a bag from the dresser in her room and made her way to the kitchen, floating just inches from the floor to eliminate the risk of even a creaking board to awaken her caretakers. Ivy and Brock were still sleeping in their respective rooms for the time being and probably wouldn't be up for another hour or so. In the kitchen Esper silently packed a lunch and a few bottles of fresh water, then went through the side door to outside, shutting it slowly behind her so as not to disturb her sleeping caretakers. She could smell the earthy scent of soil wet from dew and flowers that were just beginning to greet the day. The breeze was fresh and sweet, and the sound of ocean waves put her in a relaxed state of mind. Morning sun warmed her short fur and for the barest moment anxiety almost overcame her.
She put the sun at her right and faced northeast. There was no hint of rain in the air, the sea was calm and the waves lapped at the sands in a steady and lazy pulse. She could almost feel the Firsts hands on her shoulders again as he pointed her toward the direction of his home. Esper walked until she felt the waves touch her toes, then extended her senses. It took a lot of energy to "see" this far, scanning the elements and their unique properties all the while seeking just one small sign. She had to get better at interacting and just being in the huge world around her. Valencia Island had been a nice training ground, but now that she knew there were others out there the possibilities were endless. Mewtwo's words came to her, giving her the courage she needed.
There is a whole world out there, I encourage you to discover as much of it as you can.
If she could locate the First and use his psychic signal as a beacon, then maybe she could find the other she was looking for. He had to be out there, she was sure of it. Esper then felt it, a familiar flicker of psychic energy, warm and strong just like the First's voice, yet gentle enough to have blended into the environment around him. There, she breathed, excitement already building in her chest.
Her feet left the sand and she began to fly. At first staying close to the waves, then rising higher with the sun as the psychic energy she had locked on became stronger. She had never felt so free, so liberated. Mewtwo was going to be so surprised.
The sun had been up for several hours, lighting up the tree tops and harsh slopes of the nearby mountains. Summer had given way to fall this far north, and the trees were showing their colors nicely. Evenings were cooler, and the sky just that much bluer. Cherry made steady progress along the thin, overgrown trail in the forest, being careful to not let her footsteps disturb any of the Pokémon nearby. She wore a thin green cloak to keep off the chill and protect her from various thorns in the undergrowth, and on her back was a rugged backpack almost the size she was. She trudged along, using her walking stick to both support her when needed and to gently nudge Pokémon or undergrowth from her path. The trail finally broke into a small clearing where at the center rose a high fire tower, surrounded by a chain-link fence that had fallen down in places. The tower had been abandoned years ago as funding for keeping watch in this area had slipped away. The tower itself was a sturdy structure and wouldn't give into the elements without a fight. Which made it an ideal spot for making into a homestead.
Cherry stepped through an open gap in the fence and approached the tower, pausing at the bottom of the stairwell. She then set her walking stick aside with a dejected sigh and began climbing the steps. The fire tower rose almost five stories from the ground, its lookout at the top seemingly floating above the trees. Peeking over the edge of the high roof she could see something narrow and white, perhaps a Pokémon, perhaps not. Cherry paused halfway up on a landing to catch her breath, then glanced up toward the lookout. She could hear music, soft yet identifiable in the still mountain air. It sounded fuzzy, like it was coming from a set of headphones left on a table. She adjusted the weight of the pack on her shoulders then began climbing again and mumbled to herself. "I know he's up there and if he hasn't heard me by now...I'm sure he would have at least felt the vibrations as I climb."
The music suddenly stopped, and the tower swayed just a little, as if something heavy had shifted position. Cherry, for the first time regretting leaving her walking stick and main source of protection at the base of the tower, steeled herself and continued upward. She risked another glance at the edge of the house-like structure at the top of the tower and saw that the white thing had moved, and in its place she caught the unmistakable curve and blunted ear-horns of a mewtwo. So he was up there. Emboldened, she continued her climb eager to finally meet him face to face.
After about ten minutes she reached the top of the steps, then promptly sat down to catch her breath. She thought she had been in shape, but those stairs had made a fool of her workout plans. She pulled the hood of her cloak back to reveal herself, then took a deep drink from her canteen. For a moment her eye was caught by the wide green sweep of forest with small patches of orange and red from turning trees, underneath a blue sky streaked with mares tails. "Wow what a view," she breathed. Her senses lit up when she realized that she was being watched. Not just watched but studied. She was glad for the cloak because hopefully he couldn't see how her short fur had started to stand on end. Her "target" was still a stranger after all. She remained still but said out loud in a voice that she was surprised wasn't shaking. "I'm not here to hurt you, or even intend to bother you. I just wanted to talk. If you are who I think you are, at least, you can be a bit hard to pin down." She slowly turned her head to look behind her.
He still hadn't stepped out fully, and was doing his best to hide behind the corner of the house-like structure. Cherry could see a bit of blue, one ear horn, and something white that she still wasn't sure what it was. He then spoke, his voice wavered just slightly, and it sounded much younger than she had expected. "Uh...hi?" he said, peeking out from behind the corner of the building. The bluest eyes she had ever seen on a mewtwo studied her in a mix of curiosity and caution.
Cherry grinned, attempting to smooth any tensions. She was horrible at first introductions. "Um...my name is Cherry, and you are?"
The mewtwo stepped out of hiding, if you could call it that, and onto the walkway that ran around the watchpost of the fire tower. Cherry's eyes became wider with astonishment as the other made himself known. He was young, that was her first thought. His large, seemingly innocent and wide blue eyes never left her. He had sky-blue fur, genuine fur that rippled as the wind ran through it, and a dark grey, almost black belly and tail. Wide lavender-grey stripes accented his shoulders, and limbs. But the most commanding feature on his person was a pair of large white wings. They didn't seem to be vestigial, and Cherry could only guess as to what could have gone into his genetic tinkering to create those. The winged blue mewtwo, probably in response to her own intense scrutiny, seemed to stand up a bit taller, puffing his chest out a little more and crossing his rather well-developed arms over his chest. He opened his mouth to speak, revealing just the slightest hint of fangs. "I'm Cad."
Cherry almost forgot everything she was supposed to say. She and Copycat had gone over the script for when approaching unknown mewtwos, but like her walking stick those thoughts had been left on the ground. "Uh...wow. I don't think any of us have wings." She focused a little and then started talking, her words almost tripping over themselves. "My name is Cherry, dammit I said that already. Um, I used to live around here...about twenty five miles southeast in an old ranger cabin. It got...uh...wiped out in an accident. I've seen you flying around before so that's kinda how I found you, its not like stalking or anything. I'm not here to make your life awkward and I'll be on my way as soon as I can and..." she caught herself rambling and stood up from the stairs. Cherry set her backpack down and stretched her back. "I'm on a mission from the First. He wanted to get a head count of all the other mewtwos that are out there. We know there are quite a bit and probably even more now that a few years have passed and I wouldn't be surprised if there are a few hidden litters of kittens here and there. I'd be happy to tell you more over cookies and coffee. Do you mind if we go inside? It's a bit colder up here than I had thought it would be."
Cad's tail, a bit shorter than most but still of decent size, flicked once, almost indecisively. "Sure...but don't expect much. I guess if anyone was going to find me it would be another mewtwo."
Cherry grinned again, already relaxing. She took her cloak off and left it at the top of the rail outside to air out. She then picked up her pack as Cad opened the door to the inside of the lookout. Cherry could see that Cad still wasn't quite convinced, but he was giving her a chance. The inside of the lookout was small yet cozy, with a corner that served as a kitchen and food storage area, another corner held a bed that was frankly too small for someone of Cads size, and the rest was taken up by a small human-sized seating area and desk that no doubt at one point held a phone and computer used for monitoring but now had a small yet powerful stereo system. Cherry immediately went to the small kitchen area and found a pot-bellied wood burning stove that had a small propane camp stove sitting on top of it. She smiled at the thoughts of spending cozy winters up here safe and warm sipping hot cocao while watching the snow fall. If she hadn't moved into the lighthouse, this would have been a great back-up plan.
Cad maneuvered his bulk through the doorway and took a seat on the bed and watched as Cherry lit the stove then began pulling things out of her backpack. The first was a camping kettle, followed by a package of cookies wrapped in brown paper. She put the kettle on, then found a plate and emptied the cookies on a plate. Cad watched in silence as the pink fem had come in and just made herself at home. After a moment he realized that she was talking and probably had been ever since she stepped foot into the lookout. "-You're a lot younger than I thought you would be, and you weren't easy to find either, coming all the way out here was a bit of a gamble and after today if you don't want to see me or anyone else I'll honor your wishes. Normally I wouldn't intrude like this, and wait until someone is willing to make themselves known on their own terms -Please forgive me for barging in -But as I said, I used to live in the area and wanted to check up on you and see if you were okay."
At the mention of being left alone, Cad's ears perked up and for the first time the reality of the past few moments began to really set in. He was here in his tower, where he had been alone for the past two years, with a pleasantly plump fem setting up a small meal and small talk like it was nothing. The smell of coffee brewing caused his nostrils to flare. Cherry turned away from the camp stove and looked at the blue two. His eyes were wide and he looked like he was about to cry. "Are you-"
"You said your name was Cherry?"
Cherry nodded, then took a seat on a stool. "You've been up here for a while haven't you?"
Cad took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Yeah, you're welcome to stay though. I haven't had any company...ever...its a long story."
"And I'm willing to hear it if you're willing to tell it," she set down a pair of metal cups then put the plate of cookies on the table. "I only have powdered cream and sugar, gotta travel light."
Cad grew quiet again as the small lookout began to fill with the smell of brewing coffee and autumn leaves. He relaxed by degrees, letting his wings down a bit, his tail gradually stilled and rested coiled on the bed next to him. He watched her as she hummed while she cooked and a sense of nostalgia filled him from his life before. After a few moments Cherry filled the coffee cups and set Cads down in front of him. Cad picked it up, the small metal cup looked like a thimble in his paws. He inhaled the aroma of the liquid and Cherry could see him visibly relax fully. "This...is all so familiar. Like hearing a song you had forgotten about," he took a small sip and a warm smile spread over his features. "I'm sorry, I haven't been very polite. I'm not used to having conversations with other mewtwos... To be honest, I haven't really had a conversation with anyone in a long while." He took another sip. "You really know how to make a cup of joe."
"Well thank you, and I'm also glad that you didn't chase me off or otherwise attack me." she picked up her own mug "Okay...where do I start here...Alright. Me and a couple of other mewtwos are going around and trying to take a census of sorts to see how many of us are out there. I don't know where you had come from, what I do know is that there was this big laboratory run by Team Rocket that created us called Woodland Labs. Then with the First we fought back and now most of us are free. Then the Woodland mewtwos started discovering that there were other mewtwos out there that didn't belong to Team Rocket at one point. We are trying to make sure everyone is safe and healthy." Cherry finally remembered the script Copycat had given her.
"I only know of a few mewtwos. There's the First, the fem that was shot, and the little one that can sing. Those are in the public eye. There's some others around here that I've sensed but don't know anything about them, they keep private. And you, I'm sure I've seen you before." He picked up a cookie and sipped his coffee, then smiled with nostalgia. "As for myself, I have no direct relation to Team Rocket. I was a freelance experiment from a scientist acting on his own. He's no longer around." Cad grew quiet again and Cherry refilled his coffee mug.
"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to or you aren't ready yet." Cherry picked up her own cookie. She then began catching him up on the news, about how the First was now a Pokemon Gym Leader, a few of the others that had wandered by her lighthouse, and about human allies like Sabrina and Bill. Cad listened and asked questions as needed, and by the time Cherry had finally run out of things to talk about, the sun had set and she had a pot of stew going on the pot-bellied stove. The camp stove served its purpose but was not good enough to keep the chill away. As Cherry stoked the flames, she noted Cad was sorting out small thin blankets on his bed. Is that what he had been using to keep warm at night? "Hold on a second, I brought something better for you."
Cad watched as Cherry pulled her hiking pack over and pulled out a massive handmade blanket in various shades of blue. The bag deflated and she tossed it over his shoulders and wings with a practiced flick of her wrists. Cad looked first at the blanket on his lap, then up at her, his big blue eyes showing sudden wonder and shock. "Did you...make this for me?"
"Told you I saw you flying around." she smoothed the blanket on his lap. "I was hoping I made it big enough. I like to make things for the mewtwos I encounter. We all have so little, so I try to help by at least making sure we can stay warm."
Cad pulled the blanket tighter around his shoulders and lowered his gaze. "I don't deserve this."
"Of course you do silly. You may live alone, but that doesn't mean you have be alone. There are others out there. We may take a bit to find and have our own issues going on, but we're there." Cherry went back to the stove and stirred the pot then took out a pair of bowls from her much smaller bag. "My lighthouse is always open to mewtwo travelers. I like to think of it as a safe space for our kind. You of course are always welcome to visit."
"I would very much like to meet everyone, but I'm not exactly the image of stealth. I tend to attract a crowd when I travel." Cad commented.
"You do indeed draw the eye," Cherry agreed. "If you like, we can head back to my lighthouse together in the morning. I live there mostly by myself with a few Pokémon that I guess you could say I've adopted, but its become an epicenter of sorts for mewtwos. I get all kinds of company and it would be a great chance for you to meet everyone on easy terms. Get some much needed socializing done and figure out what you want to do next."
"You would really let me come stay with you?" Cad slipped the blanket off his shoulders and let it pool in his lap. "Just like that?"
"Of course! You have a lovely little lookout here and it really suits you, but I can tell you're the type of person that needs to be around others, and I could use the help in my gardens and orchards. Think of it as a vacation."
Cad nodded, his white wings perking up a little in a further display of enthusiasm. "I'll help out where I can."
"Great!" Cherry gave him a bowl of stew. "We can head over in the morning."
Esper had never flown so far before. Back at Woodland Labs she had been nearly undefeated on the Gym Floor. Battles were fought in short bursts of adrenaline and once the winner was declared both combatants would be permitted a moment to rest. The Trainers were never really focused on long endurance runs, unless it was a punishment. That's what this flight had been. An endurance run. Yes she could have stopped at any of the many islands she passed over along the way, but her own stubbornness and inexperience kept her flying long past her moment of exhaustion. She could feel the island in the distance, a glowing beacon in her senses filled with energy of many different Pokémon, including loud psychic patches that she had taken to be the First as he conducted his Pokémon battles.
She reached deep into her own power reserves. If she passed out and fell into the ocean, she would surely drown. Even though she was as at home in the water as she was on land, she still couldn't breathe saltwater. In the end it was her pride that had saved her. Her refusal to be found either dead in the water or washed up on some beach surrounded by Ivy and Brock and the First, all of them fretting over her exhausted form and poo-poohing her over trying such a feat. That thought alone, and the desire to avoid it enabled her to press on.
Esper found the main balcony. It might as well have had glowing runes on it for all the psychic energy that the stone had absorbed from all the take-offs and landings the occupants and visitors of the palace had left. With one last breath that turned into a grunting cry of victory, she cleared the railing, and planted both feet back on terra firma once more. That was when her legs gave out and she dropped down to all fours. She refused to faint. She had been abusing her Endure ability the whole trip and it wasn't going to fail her now. If she fainted Ivy and Brock would never let her leave the island unaccompanied again.
"Wow, you must be exhausted," a familiar yet not familiar voice said.
Esper felt her ear horns subtly shift in the direction of the voice. Like most mewtwos they weren't fully movable, but they did have a little range. Nurse...Joy?
"Well yes, one of them," Nurse Joy approached her slowly. "You're Esper aren't you? We've never met, but I've heard Two talk about you and your unusual coloration. Here, drink this and it will help you gain some of your strength back."
Esper slowly sat up. She felt Joy gently touch her wrist then guide it to a cup that she held in her other hand. The mewtwo lifted it to her lips and instead of the expected potion she smelled a kind of fruit juice. She drank deeply and did indeed feel her energy return, at least enough to help her stand up properly again. "Thank you," Esper gave the cup back and now with her energy restored, she could use her psychic abilities to "see" where she had landed.
She couldn't quite make out colors, but the textures of the walls, floor and stone around her spoke volumes. She stepped into the main hall and was greeted by a sense of...balance. Yes, that was the word. There wasn't too much of one element present. Fire and water were represented in equal forms, air and stone, light and dark. It created a sense of peace and well-being in her even after such a long trip. It made her want to find a little spot of her own and rest up. At the other end of the hall she could sense a battle taking place. The energies being used flickered across her minds eye like a multi-colored dance. A flickering surge of electricity, countered by a deep purple-blue swell of psychic power. In this way she could almost see him, the First. That psychic energy was drawn from his body and along his nervous system, lighting up every part of his being before its final release.
"If you're here to see Two, he's in a battle right now, but should be done soon. I can show you a place to wait if you like," Nurse Joy offered.
"Thank you, but there's no need. His opponent has fallen," Esper stood up a little straighter. The call of battle was strong. Even after that long flight she felt an urge to join him on the Gym Floor to release years worth of pent up frustration in battle after battle.
"The doors are still closed, but I'll take your word for it and head back to the Center, I'm sure there will more than one fainted Pokémon I'll need to tend to."
Esper felt Joy leave her side, then slowly walked further into the main hall. She could hear fountains bubbling away, the flicker of torches on the walls. And Pokémon, so many Pokémon running around behind columns or up stairs. She felt the rumble in the floor first as the massive doors at the other end of the hall leading to the gym floor opened. A trainer came through the opening holding a nearly fainted Jolteon. She turned and thanked Mewtwo for the battle then headed for the small Pokémon center at the side of the main hall. Mewtwo himself was still on the gym floor. Perhaps he was getting ready for another battle?
Esper stepped through the doors and onto the gym floor. She could feel remnants of sand under her feet and smell the salty air of the ocean. Mewtwo turned from the conversation he had been having with another trainer. A new challenger appears? He sent to her playfully.
That remains to be seen. Esper responded. "I made it."
Mewtwo half flew, half walked across the length of the floor and met Esper on the other side. He didn't think twice about pulling her in for an embrace and gave her a light nudge on her cheek. Its good to see you again, did someone drop you off? Don't tell me you flew the whole way.
And if I did? Esper responded coyly.
Mewtwo took a step back. She did. She looked exhausted. But she was here and in one piece. I...am happy you're here. And safe. He turned and raised a hand to the waiting trainers. "Half-hour recess. Then we will continue."
Esper felt a bit put-out that she had only managed to steal a half hour of his time, but this was quite literally how he made his living. Already she hated how that selfish thought had intruded. I flew here, partly to see if I could. And...I think I have a name for Little Two. Two of them actually, he can pick the one he likes best.
"Little Two is upstairs in his room practicing. He's taking singing lessons online. He takes his love for music very seriously and I try to encourage him when I can." Mewtwo led her to a small sitting area off the side of the main hall. More Pokémon were gathered here, resting on pillows or soaking up sunbeams. The Venusaur that Mewtwo had cloned all that time ago was in a prime spot on the balcony snoozing away and enjoying the afternoon sun. "I know you have had a long trip, and I want to give you my full attention. I still have two more battles today, you are welcome to watch, or just rest. Do you plan to stay the night?"
Esper hadn't thought that far ahead. Frankly she hadn't done much thinking about this trip, only to see if it could be done. She sighed in resignation and answered truthfully. "I hadn't given it any thought. I'm unprepared outside of a small meal I haven't eaten yet and water I haven't touched. I..."
Mewtwo leaned in and gave her another nuzzle. "Rest. I'll call Brock and Ivy and let them know you're safe. If you need anything, talk to Nurse Joy. Later tonight after dinner, I'll show you around the Palace." Esper nodded, feeling a bit like an intruder on his daily routine. Mewtwo stopped those thoughts with his own. No, don't think of it that way. I said you were always welcome here and I meant it. He gave her hand a final squeeze and then returned to the Gym floor and the trainers.
When Esper felt that his presence had faded, she allowed herself to let go of the breath she had been holding. He was right, she should eat, and probably drink some of the water she had brought, and rest would be good. It felt awkward to arrive at someone else's home then take a nap, but she didn't feel like it was someone else's home. She felt relaxed here, like the walls themselves were familiar. The Pokémon were resting, and the sound of the ocean below beat a steady rhythm on the bedrock of the island. A small nap. She could do with one of those, then eat and be on her way.
There were hammocks here, set up for just this purpose. She did want to be rested when she met her son again. A short nap. Fifteen minutes, maybe an hour. Esper let her weight rest on the hammock, then removed her small pack and set it aside. She pulled her feet up and curled her tail around herself. Her cheek still tingled where Mewtwo had nuzzled her. Such a simple gesture, a comforting one. A stray sunbeam warmed her feet and before she realized it, she was snoozing in time with the ocean waves below.
When Esper awoke, the sunlight had been replaced by moonlight and there was the heady aroma of food in the air. Her stomach growled and for a moment she thought she was back on Valencia, but the sound of the ocean and presence of different Pokémon brought her back. She moved to swing her feet off the edge of the hammock and was surprised when she noticed that a blanket had been draped over her while she slept. Did the First do this or was it perhaps Nurse Joy...maybe even Little Two? Esper extracted herself from the hammock, easier said than done, somehow she had gotten her feet entangled in the webbing at the foot of the thing, then stood up and folded the blanket as best as she could and left it there.
She followed the smell of food to what she took to be a small dining area off the kitchen and here so many people had gathered. Esper could sense the First, and several trainers along with their Pokémon, Nurse Joy, and sitting at the First's side, surrounded by his own massive aura was Mewthree. She ducked back behind the wall suddenly. No, not Mewthree, not Big White. Little Two. She would have to stop associating her sons aura with that of his other parent. She breathed deeply and let that surge of anxiety fade. Mewthree was dead, she had felt him pass long ago.
"Hey Esper!" Little Two called out. "You woke up! I saved you a spot!"
Esper tried to put on a smile and went back into the dining area. With so many sounds and smells it was easy to navigate. Little Two, not Big White. When she drew close enough, Mewtwo pulled a chair out for her and she sat down. She had taken meals with Brock and Ivy before and knew her way around a table setting.
"Are you hungry?" Little Two asked.
"I'm famished." Esper added truthfully.
Through the meal both Mewtwo and Little Two helped her load up her plate until she got a feel for where everything was. She spoke with trainers and listened to their stories, she spoke with the Pokémon and listened to them too. Plates were eventually cleared and she helped with the dishes, all the while with the First on one side and Little Two on the other. Occasionally Mewtwo's tail would brush hers and she felt her heart speed up. This was a side of him that she hadn't expected. There had been stories that circulated around Woodland Labs, about his ruthless nature or enhanced intelligence. What had happened in his life to turn him into this almost humble doting father?
After dinner was cleaned up and put away, Mewtwo finally gave Esper a tour of the Palace. From the lower halls to the upper floors, the guest rooms and other amenities as well as his plans for future improvements. She listened and asked questions until their meandering path brought them back to the main hall and the front balcony that she had landed on hours ago. Mewtwo leaned on the rail and Little Two stood next to him, now getting too big to sit on the rail as he had in the past. Esper took a place at Mewtwos other side, putting the First between Little Two and herself. He was a little distant and tired from a long day of battles, and now this full tour of his expansive home. Part of her wanted to comfort him, and part of her wanted to let him have his space. The Woodland mewtwos were not accustomed to showing affection, their primary contact with each other had been in battles. This gave them a stand-offish temperament, one that Brock and Ivy had been slowly trying to pull her out of.
Esper decided to test the waters by lightly brushing his tail with hers. She had come all this way to visit him after all. Was she being too forward? Was it too soon to seek comfort in his touch? Her racing thoughts relaxed then when she felt his tail slowly coil around hers. She smiled and leaned in closer, letting her hip press against his as she leaned on the rail in a similar fashion. This felt right. Her heart beat faster and if she focused just enough, she could feel his heart pounding too.
For a long moment Mewtwo, Little Two and by proxy, Esper, watched the lights across the water in New Harbor flicker on. Colored lights on the boardwalk and larger white towers that marked parking lots or hotels. Esper listened to the waves, content and happy. She belonged here. There had been an emptiness inside her for so long that she couldn't quite place, but now it felt like that hollowness in her heart had faded. She had found her son and he was taken care of by a person that had overcome the darkness of their creation. Mewtwo had become a genuine good person and she felt almost unworthy to be so casual and flirtatious in his presence.
Little Two was the one to break the comfortable silence. "Dad says you thought of a new name for me."
"Only if you want it." Esper said and stood up fully from leaning on the rail. "I thought of two that might suit you, you can pick the one you like the best."
Mewtwo remained quiet, he knew how important this was to her. She had missed out on almost all of the things that make a parent a parent, and this was her way of taking back a small part of it.
Esper then stated the names aloud. "Zaine or Solian."
Little Two thought about it. He liked the sound of both of them and she had obviously put a lot of thought into them. He would always be Little Two on some level, like some variety of "Junior" for mewtwo-kind. He finally announced, "Zaine is good. But, Solian. I like that. Where did you get it?"
"Well, you always seemed so happy in the sun, so I knew you weren't a dark type. And you've become the brightest thing in my life. So...Sol. Solian." Esper answered with a blush.
Little Two came around Mewtwo's side and hugged Esper. "I like it. Keep the name Zaine, maybe someone else could use it."
Esper hugged him back, already noticing that he had grown a bit since the last time she had a chance to hold him. "Solian," she repeated.
"Solian." Mewtwo echoed. In that moment he knew that he had every intention to make Esper his mate. The idea was both exciting and terrifying. Before it had been just a passing fancy. But had she had come here, flown all this way. More than anything she just seemed to fit in the Palace. He couldn't get enough of her company, he could see spending his life with her, he could see…
… a large dark bruise spreading under her fur and across her back. Had it always been there? He had been looking in her eyes or at her smile so much today that he missed it completely. He still had work to do, it wasn't over yet. "Esper," he said softly. "Lets get you to the Center and have Nurse Joy take a look at you." Already he could feel parts of his mind shutting out any emotional responses. There was still this damn failsafe to be dealt with and as much as he hated himself for thinking it, Esper was the perfect specimen to study. All the others he had come in contact with were already dead or so gone in their mutations that any samples he pulled were useless.
Esper sensed his sudden change in demeanor and let go of Little Two...Solian. "I'm rested and fed, I don't think."
"Its spreading. You need to get to Joy for treatment. Maybe its best if you go back to Ivy and Brock since they already have a set up for you."
Esper shook her head. "I'm not going back in a tank. There's so much to do still."
Mewtwo placed a hand on the small of her back and used a Heal Pulse. The bruise faded a little, but it was still there. She winced at his touch, then resigned herself and nodded. "I'll go see Joy."
Solian switched his gaze between both of them, concern showing in his eyes. "Is everything okay?"
Mewtwo nodded. "Yeah, Esper just needs to rest and get some potions."
Solian gave her another hug. "Get better...Mom."
Mewtwo saw a change come over her. Her uncertainty was replaced with determination. That was the spark he remembered from the fem that sent the ocean after him. He didn't think he could ever truly fall head over heels in love with anyone but this thin courtship with Esper had snuck up on him. There was a hard strength in her that did more than draw his affection for her, it demanded his respect. They would fight this illness, this curse, together.
Cherry's eyes were not deceiving her. Cad had somehow gotten bigger overnight. The first week or so she had written it off as malnurishment. The winged blue two ate enough to feed an army and still had room for more. For the most she was happy to oblige him. She grew more than she needed anyway so it wasn't going to waste and he always helped with the dishes. He learned simple tasks around the gardens and orchards, and interacted well with the Pokémon she had adopted. He was a big blue help around the Lighthouse now the Victor was gone. A big blue help that seemed to be getting bigger each day. When she first met him she judged his height to be roughly six feet and some change without ears. A proper size for a mewtwo, and his wings made him look even bigger. Until one day she started noticing that he seemed to have hit a growth spurt. So the night before she had discreetly marked a place on the wall that he passed by to indicate his height. The following morning he had come out of his room for breakfast and Cherry noted that he had grown well past the mark.
So she made another one and measured it. Seven feet even. One more foot and he would be the same as Big White had been. He was huge, even by mewtwo standards.
Not only in height, but also in general size. His chest had gotten broader, the muscles in his arms and legs had gotten more defined even under that blue fur, and she was certain that he was the first mewtwo she had ever seen with a six-pack. Cad was a great help out in the gardens and she couldn't help but wonder if all the physical labor she had asked him do lately was part of the reason he was developing so quickly. All she could do was load up his plate one more time while he smiled that innocent smile, and refill his coffee mug. "When you're done eating, I could use your help outside. There's supposed to be a hurricane coming through this afternoon or evening so I need to get the last few things that I can harvested as well as putting the Wooloo and Mareep into the barn."
"Oh I could definitely do that." Cad quickly finished the last of his meal then downed the coffee in one gulp. Cherry met him by the front doors and grabbed a basket from a hook on the wall. Together they went outside to greet the day.
Most of Cherry's Pokémon were already in the process of getting things secured. They had seen the line of purple clouds on the horizon and instinctively knew that the weather was about to get very bad. The ocean waves at the base of the cliffs were already pounding the thin strand of beach and hitting the rocks creating huge bursts of ocean spray. The Pokémon were way ahead of her in harvesting the various berries that grew in the orchards and carried them to the storage baskets in the barn. The pink mewtwo thanked them and asked if the outdoor furniture had already been secured. They assured her it was and satisfied, she led the way past the gardens, setting her basket down and looked out over the large field that served as a pasture for her Mareep and Wooloo.
The pasture took up most of the space near the lighthouse, and featured two hills. The smaller hill had small tree and assortment of shrubs. Cad knew that the Mareep and Wooloo were some of Cherry's most prized and beloved Pokémon. She used their coats to make yarn that she then turned into scarves or hats, or in some cases as stuffing for pillows or dolls. Cherry spoiled the critters rotten and in turn they supported her favorite hobby. The Wooloo rolled along the larger hillside aided by the increasing wind. They played in the tall grass or ate huge clumps of the same. The Mareep on the other hand were mostly gathered near the top of the hill. With a storm incoming the only place they wanted to be was out in the elements adding their own electric current to the thunderstorm. Cherry didn't like to leave them in the rain because it messed up their coats and made washing the fluffy white fur all the more difficult when it came time to card the fluff. They couldn't stay out here anyway with the expected high winds. One time she made that mistake with the Wooloo and didn't find them until two days later, ten miles down the road and feeding on a neighbors flower bed.
"Help me round up the Mareep and Wooloo into the barn. If you grab them, they will shock you. Just use those wings of yours to scare them toward the barn...or I guess you could try picking them up telekinetically, I've never tried but it could get interesting if you do." Cherry left Cad on the edge of the pasture and headed toward the stone barn to open the corral.
Cad, always up for a new challenge, floated casually into the field while he assessed the situation. Most of the creatures were happily chewing away on whatever grasses they had found and disregarded his presence. He opened his wings and cast his shadow over the little poofs, and while that did indeed create a larger and more terrifying figure, this only caused the Mareep to scatter away in smaller clusters. Fine, if that was how it was going to be. He flapped his wings a few times, sending up gusts of wind. That at least got the Wooloo's attention and many of them rolled into little puffy balls and used the new breeze to roll themselves toward the barn. A few of the Mareep followed by not nearly enough, many wandered away and Cherry was able to shoo the closest ones into the corral.
"This is really annoying." Cad grumbled. His patience was growing thin. He focused on a small cluster of Mareep, and felt the sleeping beast of his powers and abilities slowly stir and awaken within him. He telekinetically lifted a group of four Mareep into the air and began to levitate them toward the barn. There were still more grazing, but he was having a hard enough time concentrating as is. The few Mareep he had managed to lift began to fidget, three of them began crying out their namesake when suddenly all four let loose with a collective Thundershock attack at the big blue 'two. Cad remained still and took the brunt of the collective shock attack. The sharp stab of pain was immediate, tensing up his muscles and freezing his body in place. His focus and attention narrowed into tunnel vision. He remained silent and weathered through the pain. White hot stabbing slowly dulled as he regained control over his body. Cad felt his anger rising from the attack. Forcefully, he moved one leg forwards, then another, until he hopped into a sprint, running right towards the last three that had attacked him. He collided into them in a tackle as they hovered in the air, grabbing them in his arms before his telekinesis dropped them. Cad literally carried them to the barn getting shocked the entire way. He then dropped them inside the corral and watched them scurry into the barn, their desire to attack replaced with rejoining their herd.
"Are you okay?" Cherry ran over.
Cad stood there breathing slowly, his muscles still tensed up, expression bearing a classic mewtwo scowl.
Cherry covered her mouth to hide a smile. Further away near the orchard, a group of Wooloo came rolling over the hill followed by a Torterra that was the largest Cad had ever seen. The back of the Torterra looked suspiciously like the second "hill" in the pasture. Cherry left Cad alone for a moment and held the gate open as the Wooloo came rolling past her. She counted them then closed the gate and thanked the Torterra. Cad grumbled and a small ladder of electricity ran up between his ear horns. "They gave you quite a shock!" Cherry said with a smile, trying to lighten the mood while Cad continued to scowl and simmer.
Her smile faded a little when she saw that her words weren't having the desired effect. If anything he seemed to get angrier. For the first time she was starting to become a bit wary of her new housemate. A faded silver light passed over her as she used Defense Curl. Cad was just shy of twice her height, and considerably stronger. She didn't know what would happen next if he didn't get his anger under control. "Uh...I'm still missing two, they're probably in the berry orchard. I can grab them, and I'll snag a couple of berries to help with the after shocks of that attack." For good measure she added another Defense Curl.
Cad noted the silver light and that seemed to break through to his more sensible side. "What are you doing?"
Cherry grinned nervously. "You seemed to have gotten a bit caught up in your anger. So I was...preparing, in case you...lost it."
Any rage at being Thundershocked faded away from Cad. "I'm sorry...I should have warned you about my temper. You were kind enough to open your home to me and I have to go and do something stupid like that."
Cherry started walking toward the berry orchards and Cad stepped in beside her. "Well you snapped out of it at least. You know, you kind of reminded me of a Salamence. They're known to be loyal and intelligent, but all of that goes out the window when they're enraged. They attack everything, friend or foe, and its impossible to calm them down once they get going. That look in your eye was kind of the same."
"I'm very sorry." Cad said again, his head hanging a little lower, even his wings dropped a bit.
Cherry picked a berry and gave it to Cad. "Here, this should help. And I know its easy to say and harder to do, but don't beat yourself up over it. You know your temper can slip. It wouldn't surprise me if those that created you did that on purpose. Anger is a great way to build a lot of destructive energy very quickly. Turning that anger on yourself gets you nowhere. Instead, learn to use it to your advantage, control your anger, don't let it control you."
Cad's head picked up. "Can you teach me?"
Cherry chuckled nervously. "I...I'm not a trainer. At least not one that is any good at handling situations like these. It would be best if you found someone that's been there already and already knows the signs and what to do about them. The extent of my knowledge is to run away and come back after the dust has settled."
Cad's head lowered again, but this time he was more thoughtful.
They turned a corner in the orchard and found the missing Pokémon. One Wooloo and a shiny Mareep were happily eating berries off a bush. "Get the Wooloo," Cherry stated. "I'll get the Electric type this time."
"Right." Cad approached the deceptively cute Pokémon, who looked up at Cad with button like brown/black eyes. Before Cad could grab it, it rolled itself up into a fluffy cotton ball and rolled away at alarming speed. Cherry watched the Pokémon zip past her and giggled.
"If you pick that one up telekinetically, I promise it won't shock you. Wiggle and maybe cry out, but not outright attack," she slipped a rope around the Mareeps ear horns and began to lead it back to the barn.
Cad turned his attention to the little cotton ball that had evaded him. The Pokémon had gone to another part of the orchard and was raiding another berry bush. Now he was determined. He began to sneak up on the Wooloo, cat-like on all fours and close to the ground. At the last moment he pounced, grabbing it firmly with both paws and lifted it from the ground. The Wooloo cried out, at first in fear but then with indignation. It wiggled with more ferocity than something that small and cute should. Cad finally wrangled it to the corral and dropped it back in the pen with the others. Cherry made a final head-count and finally closed the gate then the barn. More Pokémon had taken up places in the barn to wait out the storm.
Cherry went back to the house with her basket loaded down with various berries and veggies from her garden. The sky was now dark and the wind had picked up considerably. For a moment she stood with the large front door open while the Pokémon that didn't make it into the barn joined her in the house and took up spots in the main hall. By the time the thunder and lightning began, she and Cad were in the kitchen watching the storm roll in.
Cad turned his blue eyes toward the raging ocean, then said softly. "I wasn't always a Pokémon."
Cherry had taken out a knitting project and glanced up when he spoke. "Oh?"
"I had been born a human, and lived a normal human life, went to college and was about to graduate when I was kidnapped by this group. I don't know why they picked me, maybe because even then I was pretty healthy, athletic. They injected me with this stuff, and dropped me in a tank. My memory gets a bit fuzzy about that time. I do remember it was very painful though. When I came to eventually, I was like this. I cannot convey the rage that I felt at having my whole life ripped away, knowing that I was about to become a pawn in someone else's game. I do remember how good that anger felt though. I destroyed everything, I killed a lot of people. I know I'm supposed to feel bad about that but I don't. I feel like they asked for it." Cad risked a glance back at Cherry.
She had respectfully set her knitting aside and listened to his story intently. "Go on."
"I've come to accept and even like what I am now. It was one heck of a trade off. Give up my entire life in exchange for a new body and from what I can tell, intense powers. I still haven't explored the depths of what I'm capable of. Truth be told, I'm kind of scared to." Cad looked back out the window. Rain ran down the panes of glass and collected on the deck outside. "As far as I can tell, my thinking hasn't changed much. I'm still me. But yeah, the anger does get overwhelming at times, but good emotions get overwhelming too. Its like I have to learn a whole new middle ground again. That's why I hid away from everyone, both mewtwos and humans. I don't feel like I fit in either world...until you came along and made something as simple as a cup of coffee. It was a small thing, but you made me feel like a valued person again."
Cherry placed her hand over his. "That's because you are a valued person, and I'm glad you shared your story with me. Granted now I have a lot more questions, like where the lab was, or if there were any others that were created aside from you. I need to tell Bill. He's working alongside the League to track down these independent labs that keep trying to create more of us."
"There's nothing left of that lab, I made sure of it, and no one will ever find it." Cad said bitterly. "So now what will you do with me, knowing what you do?"
Cherry shrugged. "I think its time for some hurricane coffee."
Viridian City didn't have much of a nightlife. There were a few bars and shops that stayed open late, but mostly the sidewalks seemed to roll up about an hour after sunset. So the locals didn't pay any mind when construction trucks and work crews began to set up on a few streets around the Gym. Bright lights illuminated the side roads and in true construction worker fashion, they seemed to stand around doing a lot of nothing while their machines ran. A large eighteen wheeled truck navigated the streets, making its way toward Viridian Gym. It pulled a trailer loaded with a large cylindrical container that liquids were often transported in. The work crews suddenly sprang to life, moving aside barriers and allowing the truck to pass.
Cassidy had been up late that night going over the Gyms finances and other business when she saw the lights outside her office windows. Viridian had no scheduled road work for the evening, and if there was anything around the Gym she would have received word on it. She tapped a button on her desk phone. "Gayle."
"Here Boss."
From her position, Cassidy could see the construction signs and barriers blocking off all roads...all escapes. "I need you to get the girls ready. I think Butch is planning something. Go to red alert."
Gayle hesitated a moment, but then responded softly. "Yes Boss."
Cassidy tapped another button to activate the Gyms security systems. Metal panels slid from hidden slots in the walls to cover windows, the doors locked and all ground level entrances were covered in more walls of thick re-enforced concrete that rose from the concrete plaza that surrounded the Gym. External cameras began their live video feed to Cassidy's office. Through the compound, Gayle barked orders to the Team Rocket grunts they had left. Candy did likewise to the few mewtwos that remained. Hallways were closed off with vault-like doors and everywhere were Pokémon that had been trained to fight. Every Rocket grunt knew the plan by heart. It was one of the first things they had been taught and were drilled on relentlessly. Viridian Gym wasn't often under attack, but it had happened enough in the past to have made it necessary to practice.
Butch watched the Gym lock down from the safety of his limo. Cassidy should have just stayed dead, but no, she had to go flaunt whatever necromancy that Blackwell had pulled off and embarrass him in front of his new investors. This would not stand. He had an empire to claim, and tying up loose ends would serve as a fitting test run for his newest toy. The back of the limo had a few holo screens dedicated to different visual feeds. The truck and its cargo passed through one screen, then showed up on another from a different angle. It then pulled onto the plaza before the Gym before turning, maneuvering the rear of the tank until it faced the Gym doors. Butch couldn't help but feel a sneer creep over his lips as the light from the construction crews blazed along the silver cylinder, illuminating the letters and numbers there.
M68.
Butch already knew what Cassidy would be up to. They would be locking the compound down, grunts would be rushing to their posts, and it would be all in vain. Dr. Silverthorn had created the ultimate weapon. Cassidy was completely outnumbered and soon to be outgunned. Soon the attack would begin, and his own faithful Rocket Dan grunts had orders to kill anyone and anything trying to escape. He didn't even care about the few mewtwos that Cassidy had held on to. They had outlived their usefulness and would die as well.
The back of the tank was one large hatch. A pair of Rocket Dan grunts dressed as construction workers approached the back hatch and unfastened the locks then ran back to the front as viscous black fluid began to leak from around the edges of the hatch. The truck dropped its trailer and made a quick escape. The tank continued to leak black sludge that resembled untreated crude oil or tar, black as sin and twice as deadly. The smell was enough to deter most. The metal surface of the cylinder rippled, bending and pinching in places until the sludge poured out of the tank in a sudden rush, covering the concrete in a thick layer of tar.
The fluid began to take shape. It only spread so far before it stopped and then withdrew, like a sentient black pool. Ripples traced along its surface, creating bubbles that popped fiercely. A larger bubble formed near the edge of the concrete, then a skeletal arm broke through the surface tension. For the barest moment the arm waved as if searching for something, then the bony fingers closed in a fist. Sludge crept up the blackened bones, taking on the appearance of muscle then flesh. Another bony arm broke through, reaching past the edge of the black pool and grabbed at the naked concrete. Something seemed to have drowned in the darkness and was now pulling itself up as if from tar. A bony inhuman skull broke the surface, its open jaw forever emitting a soundless scream. The sludge washed over the skull, giving it structure and definition.
The creature pulled itself free of the steadily shrinking black pool. The tar collected from the ground, giving weight and shape to the horror. Even after its legs and torso had formed, the sludge formed a long tail. Six eyes peered from its melting forehead, each eye haphazardly placed with no thought given to symmetry. What passed for flesh continuously moved and melted away to expose its skeletal structure only to flow and shift again into new patterns and shapes.
M68 stood glistening in the light of the halogen lamps, the sludge that made up its body and clung to its bones began to harden and change shape. In some areas it took on the form of spikes, in others it hardened into plates or scales. Scattered throughout its body were white glowing chips of stone that resembled diamonds in the hard light. Butch had to hand it to Dr. Silverthorn, he had indeed created a beautiful monster.
During his travels, Butch encountered many scientists that had been rejected from their schools or places of employment because of their desire to know if they could and not if they should. Dr. Laurent had been one such find, her research into breaking down the Pokémon/human mind barrier had been funded and fruitful at least once. Butch just wished that her employer had contacted Team Rocket for advice on their test subject before acting, failing, and then pulling all her funding. Once Butch had broken out on his own, Dr. Laurent was one of the first people he called and offered a job. The other had been Dr. Silverthorn. Silverthorn had been expelled from the Galar region for attempting what amounted to desecration and defilement of an iconic and mythical ability in the Pokemon League there. His work had revolved around the use of an ability known as Dynamaxing that was present in all Pokémon. The ability could only be triggered at what had become known as Power Spots, a large number of which were in Galar. Dr. Silverthorns work involved getting a Pokémon to Dynamax anywhere, not just a Power Spot. As far as Butch could tell it involved a slurry of rare and expensive minerals mixed directly into the flesh and bone of the target Pokémon. M68 had been the perfect test subject, its body was already decomposing due to genetic mutations from the Failsafe. Between Dr. Silverthorn and Dr. Laurent, they were able to create an absolute horror that Butch was more than happy to add to his arsenal.
For a moment M68 stood to gain its bearings, one eyeball slipped from the side of its head and landed on its shoulder, then took root there. Cassidy watched with dread as the creature had formed up. It then took one step closer to the Gym and she felt her bones begin to tense. It started to grow. Red light formed a tight aura around the creature as it took another step and in turn it grew another few feet taller. With each step it increased in size, spikes and plates liquefied and shifted around to create new structures on its body. Sometimes it took aspects of other Pokémon, at other times it generated hundreds of hands or eyes. It was an ever-growing and ever-changing black mass pulled from her deepest nightmares. M68 had gone beyond Mewtant and had become something else entirely.
By the time it reached the steps leading up to the Gym it had grown twice the size of the building itself. Cassidy ordered the upper levels evacuated, then grabbed what few items she could from her office and ran for safety. M68 raised its massive arms, each one melting and shifting on itself before taking on the form of two large boulders, each one over thirty feet in diameter. It brought its arms down with a defiant roar, smashing through the concrete barriers and sending metal sheeting flying. The roof of the Gym arena itself collapsed, exposing the vulnerable areas of Team Rocket headquarters in one move. Cassidy had managed to slip into a side tunnel just as the roof collapsed, oddly enough the same one she had been shot in, and glanced upward at the vaguely mewtwo-shaped horror that now bore down on them.
M68's many eyes seemed to flicker for a moment then its mouth opened, revealing row after row of serrated teeth. Each row seemed to belong to its own individual set of jaws that opened or closed independently. Bright blue-white light tinted with gold began burning at the back of its throat, illuminating or burning through parts of its moving flesh. Cassidy ran deeper into the compound. Behind her the air seemed to rip open, like thunder at point blank range. M68 exhaled a Hyper Beam, sending that glowing mass of light into and through the Gym floor and into the lower decks underneath. With the Team Rocket compound now open and exposed, M68 roared, then exhaled again, this time sending a burning plume of fire into the lower halls. It slammed its hands down again, each one twisted and morphed into new shapes to further demolish the above ground compound. The Dynamaxed Mewtant advanced further, this time nearly vomiting more energy laden filth into the lower halls.
Butch watched as M68 leaned over the exposed guts of the compound like a drunk after a night out. He couldn't be more pleased. But the operation wasn't over yet. Soon came Cassidy's misguided Team Rocket grunts, creeping out of manhole covers or escape shafts like vermin fleeing a poisoned gas attack. And Butch's crews were ready with their Pokémon and weapons. It was a slaughter. M68 soon tired, then began to crawl back over the remains of the building, knocking more of it down to rubble. It shrank as it returned to the safety of its containment truck, taking on the more comfortable form of tar-like sludge to ooze back inside. Rocket Dan advanced on what was left of the compound once the Dynamaxed Pokémon had retreated and began executing survivors in the rubble.
Candy led a small group of mewtwos through an escape tunnel. Gayle had given her orders to help both the mewtwos and Rocket grunts escape, and even though she hated to leave her masters side, she obeyed. Imani, the most psychically attuned of the mewtwos in Team Rocket HQ, was on her back. For all of her intense psychic abilities, she was a frail as a dried leaf. The mewtwos mostly followed Candy through the tunnels, while the grunts broke away in groups of two or three. It was all part of the escape plan, they could regroup later.
Imani tapped Candy on her shoulder. There, she pointed down another tunnel. Go down this way, I can sense Pokémon and others ahead. Not friendly.
"Thanks," Candy breathed and called over her shoulder at the other mewtwos. "This way, try to stay quiet."
They fell into step behind her and soon they could make out starlight at the end of the tunnel. Imani grabbed a fistful of Candy's ear. Wait, they're out there! They're trying to hide themselves from us by using dark types. But I can feel them.
Candy slowed, then stopped and the others did likewise. She shifted Imani's weight on her back. Of course Butch would cover every exit, not just the ones near the central compound. It was too late to turn back and try another tunnel. Dammit, she couldn't trust the mewtwos with her either. They didn't have half the training she did and…
"M34...err, Roan," Candy turned to address them. "Here, take Imari. You're in charge now. Keep everyone safe. I'm going to go out there and draw their attention. When you feel its safe, leave. There should be a safehouse a few miles to the north, you can raid it for supplies but expect to find Rocket Dan there. Head to the lake. There's caves to hide in. I will be back for you. Got it?"
Roan, a robust male with rust-red coloring nodded. He was loyal enough to Team Rocket, but Candy hadn't been sure if that was because he felt genuine about their cause or if the thought of living in the outside world was too frightening. He took Imani from Candy and set the fragile fem up on his back so he could carry her easily. Candy took one last look at her charges, then ran to the mouth of the tunnel.
She erupted into the night air and used her Aura Burst to draw attention to herself. As Imani predicted, Rocket Dan was out there and they were ready to fight. Candy led them away from the escape tunnel and ran into the night.
