Mewtwo's training over the course of the next two months led both he and Ki down a road that was, at times, long and difficult. There had been several more incidents of power overload in the days after the initial one. Each time, she selflessly sacrificed her own well-being to channel it through her.

When finally he learned to harness control over them, the bouts ceased entirely. He was able then to concentrate more on his other training. In such an astonishingly short amount of time, he progressed at a significant rate.

She found Mewtwo to be an exceptionally quick learner. He was smart, astute, and resourceful. He became everything she knew he could be, and even more. His capabilities far exceeded her expectations. He was eager to please her in any way he knew how.

Their journey was also rewarding in other ways. With each passing day, even through the worst of them, their bond had grown only stronger. So much so, one was rarely seen now without the other. They were nearly inseparable.

This fact was not lost on Giovanni. While the exact nature of their relationship eluded him, his suspicions were growing. Mewtwo seemed to follow Kikara around like a Growlithe puppy.

He listened to her more than he did to the Team Rocket leader. In fact, to take him out on missions again required bringing her along as well. The Pokémon also refused to wear the armor anymore, and the man knew she was responsible. Somehow, she had convinced him he no longer needed it, but now it meant Giovanni had even less control over him.

It was unacceptable. He was still infuriated she had undermined him. She essentially overstepped her boundaries, and yet... she had done remarkable work. Mewtwo was more powerful than he ever was, and that, he found, he could not complain much about.

However, Giovanni's patience was starting to wear thin. He would no longer be reduced to the background, playing second fiddle to her. It was time he reminded Mewtwo who the one in charge here was.

Separating the two long enough would involve careful consideration, but the Team Rocket leader was confident he could devise such a strategy. He needed to implement his plan quickly and precisely. If the Pokémon tried to defy him, he already had the perfect ace up his sleeve.

A sinister smile curled on his lips. Mewtwo's greatest power would ultimately become his greatest defeat.

It was a particularly warm early June night. The moon was fuller than usual and shone brilliantly in the starry sky above, illuminating the two figures who stood upon the sand in its blue-white glow. The sound of waves could be heard crashing along the shore. A cool, steady breeze blew off the water and ruffled through the young woman's hair.

Ki closed her eyes, breathing in deep the salt air. She had been looking forward to this since the spring season had begun to transition to summer. After a brief moment, she opened her eyes again and shifted her gaze then to the Pokémon at her side.

Though Mewtwo had been born on an island, his only experience with the ocean was not a pleasant one. It was her desire to give him another chance, to see it the way she did. She had been waiting for the right moment to bring him, and tonight could not have been any more perfect.

They weren't supposed to be here, however. Going outside of base was strictly forbidden, but for a couple of Psychics, sneaking out or in was not a problem. It was what would happen if they were discovered missing.

He stared out over the dark open waters, gleaming like molten silver as the moonlight bounced off it. He watched the waves as they crested and pushed up on the wet sand, white foam swirling inches away from his feet. Listening to them, he felt almost soothed by the noise.

Mewtwo's amethyst eyes caught hers at that instant, and he gave her a gentle smile.

It is beautiful, he confessed.

I have never been at night, she admitted, It's much different in daylight, and there's a lot more people. It's not as peaceful.

I prefer the night, he asserted.

I think I do too, she agreed.

Ki took off her shoes then and tentatively dipped her toes in the surf. She smiled as the water caressed her skin, lapping at her feet eagerly. The temperature was just right to go for a swim.

He stared in confusion as she began to remove her clothes. He was even more perplexed by the revelation of another set of clothing underneath. This singular blue piece, however, seemed to serve little purpose in his mind. There were portions of her body that still remain exposed.

What are you doing? he puzzled.

I thought we would go for a swim, she proposed.

Mewtwo hesitated at first, but the combination of her sweet smile and gentle eyes encouraging him instantly dissolved his uncertainty. She meant the world to him. He would do anything for her.

All right, he agreed.

Her smile grew wider and she reached out her hand to take his, leading him slowly into the water. He involuntarily shivered upon the initial touch of the cool, salty liquid on his skin, but eventually he adjusted to the temperature.

The sand shifted unpredictably beneath his feet, causing him to step precariously. It was even more challenging the deeper he waded. The waves forcibly pushed on his body as he went against the tide, and threatened him to even lose his balance at one point.

He was quickly becoming frustrated. This is what humans found fun? It was nothing short of torture. He was no Water Pokémon.

Ki, this is not working out for me, he groused.

She offered him an empathetic smile, but there was a hint of mirth in her eyes as he struggled to stay upright. She was still holding on to his hand, and if he went down, so would she. Although, she had a fleeting thought if they did, she would not have minded.

She gave his fingers in a soft, supportive squeeze.

Relax, she placated him, her voice gentle, Don't fight it.

Here, watch me, she added.

She released him and then relaxed her body to allow herself to float in the surf without touching the bottom. She glided through the water with ease on the next wave, but which carried her a little further away from him. Rising above her head, another swell suddenly crested over her and she vanished. It was as if the ocean had simply swallowed her.

He felt his heart nearly stop.

Ki! he exclaimed.

In a split second, Mewtwo blasted out of the water, taking to the air for a better view. He would find her quicker this way when she resurfaced. He was in time to catch a glimpse of a brief, bright light flashing under the surface.

Of course... She was using teleport to transport herself to safety. He felt rather foolish now for reacting as irrationally as he had. How is it in those moments he temporarily had lost all sense of reasoning?

He knew she was more than capable of taking care of herself, but lately, his desire to protect her had become so much stronger. He could not bear the thought of ever losing her. She filled his life with joy and light. She... completed him.

He became distracted by these thoughts running through his head. So much, that he failed to acknowledge the large, purple bubble floating above his head until it was too late. It burst open suddenly and a flood of salt water came cascading down on him.

He gasped with shock and cold as he was drenched from head to toe. Her silvery laughter rang out through the night sky like a sweet melody. She appeared then, hovering nearly nose to nose with him.

Tag, you're it, she giggled.

Ki! he bellowed, exasperated.

Mewtwo lunged for her, but she moved a little more quickly than he did, putting herself just slightly out of his reach. She smiled at him impishly and then abruptly sped off. He was close on her heels as he gave pursuit of her.

They darted through the air like two brightly colored odd shooting stars. As they flew down near the water, he suddenly sent up a spray of the liquid directly at her, effectively soaking her again. She squealed with gleeful laughter, his own echoing over the roar of the waves.

Now, you are 'it', he declared, amused.

She wiped the water from her eyes, chuckling softly. Then, abruptly, she was struck with a sense of melancholy. Why should she be feeling this way at that moment? It was strange, but... She never wanted the night to end.

Finally, they began to head back to shore, and sat on the sand to rest and dry off, gazing at the stars. Mewtwo, however, kept straying his eyes to focus more on her than he did the sky. Visually, he traced the gentle curve of her jawline and made a slow pan upwards to her flushed cheeks.

He traveled to her eyes then, and became instantly fixated. The way the moonlight was reflecting off them... He had never noticed before the sparkles in their infinite pools of green. It reminded him of...

Stardust, he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Why did he suddenly feel as though he could not breathe? There was a tightening in his chest, and his heart contracted powerfully with an emotion unlike anything he had ever experienced. It made him lightheaded and a little dizzy.

He even felt a physical ache in places he never knew of. He craved for her touch, her softness... He longed to wrap her in his arms and never let go. She was so close to him, and yet so far away...

She thought she heard him say something, but she couldn't quite make it out. She glanced in his direction and their eyes locked. His piercing amethyst ones glowed with the light of the full moon as he gazed at her adoringly.

She felt her heartbeat quicken suddenly, her breath catching in her throat. Why had she never realized before how beautiful his eyes were, or how handsome he was? He was really quite attractive.

More importantly, when had her feelings for him changed? She had come to love him as she did Mew and Sabrina, but this... This felt very, very different.

It was an all consuming, breathtaking, and unconditional kind of love. Her heart was so full, she thought it would burst.

She began to shiver then. She was not certain whether it was from being overwhelmed with emotion or how cold the night had grown now.

Come here, Mewtwo beckoned, softly.

Without hestitation, Ki crawled in the space between his legs, and into his waiting arms. She rested her head on his chest, hearing his heart beat against her ear. She felt a powerful sense of safety and security here.

He hugged her close to him, nuzzling his nose in her damp hair. She smelled of salt from the ocean water, with a hint of sweet flowers. Her scent ignited a fire deep within him of burning desire.

There was so many emotions bombarding him at once, he could not begin to process them all. Their intensity nearly frightened him. What... what was happening to him?

Stardust... Ki..., he faltered, What... what is this emotion? My heart... It is overflowing.

She could feel her eyes begin to fill with tears. No one had called her Stardust since she was very small. He used the name with such affection she wouldn't have minded if he never called her by anything else from now on.

It's love, she murmured, When you care so deeply for someone... When you can't bear the thought of ever being apart from them... When you sacrifice everything for them... This... this is love.

Love... This emotion... was love. He loved her. He loved her with every fiber of his being.

She reached to gently cup his face in her hands and his eyes closed of their own accord as he relished her touch. They flew open in shock the instant her mouth covered over his, sweetly capturing his lips with hers. She pulled back after a moment, smiling coyly at his stunned reaction.

What... what is that? Mewtwo finally managed to sputter.

A kiss, she uttered, softly, Kissing is one way to show or tell someone you love them.

He started in surprise at the confession. She... loved him? Was... was it even possible? Gazing into her emerald eyes, their depths revealed the truth in the way she regarded him with such fervor. She felt the same of him as he did for her.

She loved him.

Joy on a level he had never experienced in his life began to fill his heart. He was not sure how much more emotion it could contain. She completely and wholly loved him.

In much the same manner she had, he tenderly grasped her face in his hands and covered her mouth with his own. Their lips began to dance to a song only they knew the lyrics to. She gently pushed on his chest and he pulled her down with him to lay on the sand.

Her hands began to roam lightly over his body. His chest, shoulders, and upper back was covered in armor plating, hard and unyielding. It was nearly impossible to penetrate, protecting his most vital, and precious, organ... his heart.

She slowly trailed her fingers down over his torso and stomach. Where Mew had a very fine layer of fur, he did not. His skin was like velvet, soft and smooth.

He inexplicably began to tremble as she explored his body, suppressing a groan. Her feathery soft touches was sending waves of what felt like electricity up his spine. What was this uncontrollable urge suddenly overtaking him? He could barely contain himself.

Following her lead, his own hands began to wander over her body. She shivered as his fingers brushed lightly on the exposed skin of her neck. He trailed down her collarbone to her chest, eliciting a soft moan in her throat.

This fire... This passion... Something strong, something powerful, was awakening deep inside her.

It pooled in her womb and its warmth spread through her entire body. She ached with a desire that nearly consumed her. She desperately craved more of him; much, much more.

They were both breathless when they finally parted. He gently pressed his face to hers, their noses touching. He gazed into her eyes and was completely captivated by their emerald depths. His own soulful purple speared straight to the place in her heart as when she heard his small voice in child-like innocence call her an angel so many months before.

I love you, Stardust, he breathed, heavy with desire.

I love you too, she whispered, her own voice drunk with ardor.

Ki dropped her head then, nestling just slightly under his chest plate. She snuggled closer to him and felt his arms tighten around her as he nuzzled her neck. There was nothing in the world at this moment that was so right, so perfect, than being here with him, enveloped in his loving embrace.

After a time, she could feel her eyelids begin to grow heavy. The sound of his heart beat in her ear, the waves crashing ashore in the background, and his gentle caresses through her hair was lulling her. She struggled to keep her eyes open, but ultimately lost the battle as they finally closed and she drifted to sleep.

Mewtwo noticed the change in her breathing then, coming softer and more deeply, and decided it was best to return. He used telekinesis to lift them both off the sand, keeping her cradled close to him. She sighed softly in her slumber, subconsciously clinging more tightly to him. He smiled, brushing his lips on her forehead as he tenderly kissed it.

He started to fly towards the other side of the mountains. It was a short while before the compound finally came into view. As he approached, he circled the perimeter once as a precaution, steering clear of the security cameras.

When he was certain they were safe, he teleported inside to her room. Carefully, so as not to disturb her much, he placed her upon the bed. She stirred slightly, but did not awaken, instinctively drawing her legs up into a fetal position.

For a moment, Mewtwo remained at the bedside, watching her sleep. Everything else in his life was meaningless to him. All of his fears, all of his doubts, seemed to vanish when he was with her. She was his sanctuary.

He longed to stay the night with her, but he was uncertain if she would have permitted him. In the end, he wound up going to his own room. Even though there was only a wall between them, he felt so far away from her.

He laid down on the bed, but he soon found sleep would not come. His arms felt too empty suddenly as an aching loneliness slowly crept into his heart. He was already beginning to miss her terribly.

There was also a painful constriction in his groin and his body was flushed with heat. He had never felt anything like this before.

This intensity of a physical connection... This burning desire... The memory of her body pressed against his was all encompassing. He was completely consumed in his passion for her.

Abruptly, he sat up and stood to his feet. He could bear this torture no longer.

He went to her.

Ki felt herself being tugged out of a peaceful slumber as her subconscious alerted her to a noticeable change in the environment. She gave a slight moan as her eyes slowly began to slide open. Instantly, she discovered she was no longer at the beach, but back in her room at the Team Rocket base.

Though she already knew by sensing his lack of presence, she sat up a little to search the darkened, moonlit room for the Pokémon. She was despondent to find it empty. She felt her heart wrench in her chest then.

She didn't understand why he hadn't stayed. Maybe she had been too forward in her advances and potentially scared him away...

She hastily wiped her face of the tears that had unexpectedly begun to fall. The action only served to turn her cheeks into a runny, muddy mess as the particles of sand still stuck on her skin did not mix well with the salty liquid. She decided then to take a shower to clean up and wash off any of it that remained on her body or in her hair.

She found she was still dressed in her swim suit. She wondered suddenly if he had remembered to grab her clothes when they left or someone would surely discover their secret escape come morning. To her relief, she could faintly see them draped over a chair, her shoes lying on the floor nearby. She smiled slightly. He never ceased to amaze her with how smart he was.

Getting out of bed finally, she removed the article of clothing and headed for the bathroom. She let the warm water of the shower cascade over her hair and body, the salt and grit swirling away down the drain. It was also working to soothe her as her heart was still heavy.

She did love Mewtwo. No, it wasn't just love... She was in love with him. She loved him so much it physically hurt to be separated from him.

Her foolishness out there, however, may have ended things before they even began. He didn't understand the way humans would show love to each other. He seemed to have followed her lead without hesitation, but perhaps, in truth, he felt intimidated.

She gave a soul weary sigh and turned off the water after a few more moments. She grabbed a couple of towels, one she used to dry her hair and the other she wrapped around her body. The moment she stepped into the room, her heart leaped into her throat at what the moonlight revealed.

He sat straddling the other chair as he waited for her. His amethyst eyes met hers, a smile lighting up his face the instant he saw her. The sheer joy she was feeling was reflected on her own face.

He stood then and walked the short distance to her, sweeping her up into his arms. He pressed his mouth to hers and delivered a searing kiss. She moaned softly, reciprocating hungrily.

Somehow, they managed to make it to the bed. She pressed her body up against his as they lay side by side, but she still didn't feel close enough. She desired him... She craved him... All of him.

Ki's fingers trembled as she brushed them lightly along his side, running down to his hip and inner thigh. Mewtwo began to quiver beneath her hand, giving a soft groan. Her touches felt like fire to him this time, burning his flesh the further she explored.

The constriction in his nether regions was stronger, his urges growing more powerful. He wanted her... No, he needed her. He needed her like he needed oxygen to breathe.

He let his own hand travel up her leg and underneath the towel to her thigh. He mimicked her own actions, stroking the soft skin. She began to shiver violently as his fingers gently roamed over her body.

Emboldened by her pleasure, he continued to slowly slide his hand up towards her pelvis. She drew in a sharp breath of air as his fingers began brushing lightly, tentatively, on the lips of her vagina. She gave a soft cry and arched her back, nearly rising off the mattress.

In that moment, he was suddenly assaulted by a new scent. It was potent and intoxicating. All of his senses were screaming at once. He soon realized what he smelled was her.

He felt her hand gently rub between his legs near the base of his tail. He nearly cried out himself, instead giving a guttural groan. Barely able to form a coherent thought, his mouth sought out hers once again, kissing her long and hard.

These emotions... This love... His powers were nothing compared to it. She... she was his greatest power, and he was ready to show her.

The folds of skin at the base of his tail parted as his throbbing penis finally emerged from its tight confines. A moaning scream escaped him as her fingers lovingly began to run up and down his shaft. She was sending him into a state of ecstasy.

Through her passion filled haze, she was a little caught off guard by his size. He was bigger than she imagined, thick and long. She wasn't overly concerned, but they would need to take it gentle and slow at first.

Stardust... Mewtwo managed to rasp, I...

He didn't need to finish. She already knew.

Yes, she whispered, deliriously, I want you... all of you.

She loosened the towel, letting it fall away to reveal all of herself to him. He let his eyes roam over her nakedness, drinking in the sight of her. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.

He reached a hand to her chest then and lightly, curiously, began brushing his fingers over the soft flesh. She elicited a quiet moan, closing her eyes as she tilted her head back in pleasure. His touch was sending waves of euphoria through her body.

She placed her hand over his, encouraging him to continue along to her other breast. Her nipples hardened almost instantly with his gentle strokes. As he caressed down to her stomach, she started to quiver like a taut bow string.

She suddenly pushed herself up against his body in a desperate attempt to get closer to him. There was such an intense, rapid pulsing of her vaginal walls that it was almost maddening. She wanted, she needed, to feel him inside of her.

Mewtwo... please... she implored, her voice thick with longing.

He was more than willing to give her what she desired. With her gentle guidance, he penetrated deeply into her warm, wet folds. She gasped as he filled her completely, taking a few moments to adjust to the sudden stretching. She also felt a moderately painful, burning, and stinging sensation.

He paused a moment in uncertainty as he felt her tense slightly, sensing her discomfort. She urged him on, however, with a buck of her hips, burying his penis deeper inside her. He thought no more of it as once again he was overtaken in the throes of passion.

Hesitantly at first, he followed her lead, thrusting his own hips forward. Despite being a little awkward, he was incredibly gentle with her. As instinct began to set in, his senses heightened, and eventually he found a smooth rhythm. She synced with him in perfect harmony.

He steadily pumped his hips in a back and forth motion, gradually increasing in tempo. His climax was mounting at an alarming rate as she clenched her muscles tightly around his pulsating member. It was torture and pleasure all at once.

Ki lifted her face to his then, capturing his lips with hers in an electrifying kiss. He moaned softly and responded ravenously. They were both teetering on the edge now.

In one powerful thrust, a wave of intense sensations suddenly swept over him as he finally gave release. It felt as if though he had left his body behind as he ejaculated into her. He vaguely heard her cry out. Or was it him? There was an unexplainable ringing in his ears.

The moment he had pounded into her, she gave a moaning gasp and gripped his sides as the orgasm rocked through her body. It burst forth from her with an energy of that of a supernova. She felt flushed with a white hot heat.

They collapsed then and lay in each others' arms, both breathing heavily. There were tears in her eyes as she felt her heart fill to overflowing with love. Gazing into his amethyst eyes, it was clear he was feeling the same. Though exhausted, he gently pressed his nose to her cheek and nuzzled her affectionately.

So, is this another way humans show love? he queried.

She gave Mewtwo a tired smile, placing a soft kiss on his cheek. His naivety at times was endearing.

It is, she confirmed, It's usually part of how we form a lifelong bond between two people, but not always.

Why is that? he bemused.

Sometimes, a human, or Pokémon, is not looking for lifelong partners, she explained, Those only seek to fulfill their sexual desires and to feel pleasure. Nothing more.

He was quiet as he processed the information. While he had to admit he did find the experience unlike anything he ever felt, he did not simply desire her for this alone. His attraction to her was not based on physical, but rather her heart and soul.

Her gentleness... Her kindness... Her tenacious spirit... Even her ability to read him like a book that he still found unnerving at times... It was all of these reasons why he loved her so much. Yet, there was still one thing he must know.

Sensing his confliction, she reached to lovingly cup his face in her hands. She pressed her lips to his and kissed him softly. He sighed blissfully, returning the kiss in kind and began to deepen it.

There's your answer, she whispered, simply.

He wrapped his arms tighter around her then, gently pulling her body closer to his. She began to brush her labia over his once again fully erect penis, but it was a move she regretted almost instantly. There came a sharp, shooting pain deep within her vaginal canal.

Upon hearing a soft whimper, Mewtwo immediately snapped to his senses. She was clinging to him with her eyes shut tight in agony.

Stardust, what is wrong? he questioned, worriedly, What happened?

Then, he smelled it. It was a sickeningly dry, sweet metallic scent. Blood.

You... you are... bleeding, he faltered, I... I have hurt you.

He was distressed. In his zealous state, he had somehow injured her. His eyes were filled with deep remorse and guilt as she finally managed to meet his gaze. She tenderly touched his cheek.

No, she soothed him, No, it's not your fault.

In females, this is what happens when it's their first time, she continued, It's normal. It's nothing you did.

So... this will not happen all the time? he asked, warily.

He would not harm her again. He could not bear it.

No, it will not, she assured.

All right, he accepted, although a little hesitantly.

Ki gave him a consoling smile and kissed his nose. He enveloped her in his arms as she rested her head then beneath his heart. She sighed contentedly and closed her eyes, drifting off as she listened to its steady, gentle thumping.

Mewtwo lay his head on hers, curling his tail protectively around her as she slept. His promise to always keep her safe was stronger than ever. He loved her more than life itself.

He closed his own eyes finally, falling into a peaceful slumber.