Chapter 24

It was midday, but the forest in this area was rather quiet. Pokemon in this area were far more cautious than in most other places. The sun shining on the white, untouched snow, glittering off the tree branches, the sky above, clear and blue, and not even the slightest trace of wind. One would almost mistake it as serene.

But for Mewtwo, it was ominous.

I can't believe I'm doing this, Mewtwo thought to herself as she walked along the hidden trail to Team Rocket's hidden base, the sound of snow crunching under her shoes breaking the deafening silence. 'She' had disguised herself as Vesta; a mirror image, save for the eyes. She was wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants, ones that Vesta had recently worn before in order to mask Mewtwo's scent with hers; that was an awkward conversation, I can't believe this was the best plan I could come up with.

'Gripe, gripe, gripe,' Darkrai teased, Mewtwo looked to her shadow and saw a blue eye open on the face of it, and a mouth, smiling wickedly at her, the whole form rippling on the ground as it drifts across the uneven ground, 'I knew you were broody, but honestly, is that all you ever do?'

'And I can't believe I agreed to bringing you along!' Mewtwo finished, scowling.

After pitching his idea to Mewtwo to go with him [at the time] on this rescue mission, Darkrai went back to Arceus to 'receive his blessing' about interfering in another region's issues. Arceus could have dealt with this himself and have the boys rescued in a matter of seconds, however if he made a habit of involving himself in the world's troubles so whimsically, he could very well make a repeat of the events from 500 years ago; learn from the past and move on, don't live in it, don't forget it, otherwise you'll repeat it. An event would have to be apocalyptic in order to draw Arceus into the fray, otherwise he'll send who he trusts can handle the situation.

'Hey, before I came along, your plan was to storm Team Rocket HQ, get the boys and get out. It didn't sound very well thought out'

'That's because I gave you the short version,' Mewtwo said as she looked back up the trail, 'Team Rocket has sensors now, to detect and disable psychic activity. Giovanni may not be expecting me, but he has prepared; why do humans bother with insurance if they don't expect their homes to be destroyed? I planned to hack into their systems and shut the sensors down for starters.'

'And you think they wouldn't have noticed?' Darkrai retorts, 'The rest of your plan would've been rushed, and on top of that, you're going there for more than just rescuing the boys.'

'That's correct,' Mewtwo admitted reluctantly, 'It needs to end. Team Rocket will have nothing left to work with by the time I'm through with them.'

'Great plan,' Darkrai praised, Mewtwo could almost imagine him giving a thumbs up, but she wasn't about to turn her head just to check if her shadow was actually doing it, 'bring the fight to them for a change. At least I can get you past the sensors and close to the boys.'

'By lazing about in my shadow!' Mewtwo said, struggling not to growl, 'Now would you shut up and hide yourself, I need to focus.'

Mewtwo had just approached the edge of the forest and stepped out into the clearing, dirt all over her scared face and twigs in her dishevelled hair to complete the ensemble of a girl who'd spent two days of hell evading Team Rocket. Within seconds, Team Rocket members armed with pokeballs and guns alike surrounded her.

"P-please," Mewtwo sobbed, making her voice and body tremble in fear. She held her hands up in surrender "Please…stop hurting them."

'Wow Mewtwo, I didn't realize you had it in you,' Darkrai commends, Mewtwo could hear his mocking tone.

Mewtwo ignored him, right now her main focus was on the Rocket in front of her, while two others brought her hands behind her back and cuffed her with the same cuffs that inhibited Vesta's fire. Mewtwo didn't feel any different when the cuffs were applied so luckily that meant her psychic abilities were still an option when needed.

Mewtwo was then grabbed roughly by the arms, lead to the entrance of the Rocket hideout—only one floor was above ground, the rest was under—and practically shoved through the doors.

"Well, well, well, look who came crawling back," a voice said smugly, Mewtwo looked up to see one of the Team Rocket higher-ups, probably the captain of the surrounding group, and her stomach sank. Usually the faces of the majority of Team Rocket all melded together, but in Mewtwo's days in Team Rocket, some actually managed to become a part of the memorable minority.

The man was just a few inches short of six feet, he had short, red, spiky hair, stubble on his face, and a thin scar across his left cheek. She couldn't recall this man's name, but he used to be one of the elite members. However, due to one too many complaints from female grunts against him, he was demoted. Knowing this guy's history, and inability to control his urges, Mewtwo really didn't like the position she was in right now.

"Let's go," the lead Rocket said, turning around and leading the way to the elevator.

It was uncomfortable enough inside the elevator with everyone pressed together, Mewtwo avoided the captain's gaze, knowing exactly what she was going to see in his eyes. She could feel his hand gripping her arm tightly, his thumb tracing along her skin subtly, and suggestively. Mewtwo almost breathed a sigh of relief when the elevator doors opened and they began walking again, the captain grabbed Mewtwo by the arm and pulled her at a hurried pace down towards the cells.

As they passed by Jack's cell, Mewtwo tried to catch a glimpse of Vesta's brother, but couldn't see him, if he was in there, Mewtwo was at the wrong angle to spot him. Thor, on the other hand, heard the Rocket's coming, and approached the door from his side to see what was going on, when he saw 'Vesta's' face, his eyes widened in despair, "No!" he shouted.

The captain grinned wickedly and pulled her back up against his chest facing Thor. Rage shown in Thor's eyes and he began fighting the door, trying desperately to get it open and protect 'Vesta'.

"He's obviously missed you," the captain whispers in Mewtwo's ear, he began reaching around to her front, "shall we give him a little show?"

HELL NO! Mewtwo leaned forward then threw her head back fast and heard a very satisfying crunch as a result. The next move didn't really take much thought, so while the Rocket was distracted by the pain in his now broken and bleeding nose, Mewtwo whirled around, and brought her knee up, perfectly aimed at his groin. At the point of contact, Mewtwo had to admit—officially identifying as a male 'himself'—she inwardly cringed at what she just did. As the captain fell to his knees in pain though, Mewtwo felt no sympathy for the man. Two other members of the group rushed forward and held Mewtwo back, preventing further attacks, all 'Vesta' could do was lean forward and scowl at the captain "Filth like you shouldn't be allowed to breed."

That snapped the captain out of his daze pretty quickly; he glared vehemently at Mewtwo, "You bitch," he hissed. Fighting through the pain, he stood up, opened the door to Vesta's cell, grabbed Mewtwo by the arm and threw her to the floor of the cell before slamming the door shut loudly.

Hands still cuffed behind her back, Mewtwo had fallen to the floor. She took a second to regain her bearings before standing and approaching the door, she could hear the muffled voices of the Rockets outside.

"The boss told you not to touch her," one said.

"Shut up!" the captain ordered before limping down the hall, the rest of the group following.

Mewtwo sighed in relief, then looked through the window and across the hall to Thor's cell, he was standing there, looking gobsmacked about what he just saw. Meeting Mewtwo's gaze he mouthed something, 'Ouch' and 'Nice Moves'.

'As exciting as that was, I suggest you get back to your helpless little girl act' Darkrai piped up.

Right. Dammit she could blow her cover if she didn't get back to how 'Vesta' was supposed to be feeling. Keeping eye contact with Thor, Mewtwo began to tremble again and forced tears to fall. Thor's expression changed from one of shock to one of helplessness, for him, he was out of tricks, and with his one successful one seeming to be in vain he was truly losing hope. He kept focus on Mewtwo, kept focus on 'Vesta', wanting to comfort her. Then Thor seemed to notice something, and his face began to show confusion.

Mewtwo quickly looked away, leaned against the door and sat on the floor. Lowering her head to keep up the act for the security cameras, Mewtwo began to think, He noticed the eyes, best case scenario, he'll just think it a trick of the light, he's a smart one though, so worst case is he's just going to have to pretend he didn't see and keep up his own act. As far as injuries go, Thor didn't seem to be in too bad shape, he was standing at the door, and his face showed no sign of pain, but what about the other one? Jack? Is he even

'Yes he's still alive,' Darkrai said, eavesdropping on Mewtwo's thoughts, 'Unfortunately, he's far worse off than Lucas. I'm not able to sense much without leaving your shadow and risking setting off the psychic sensors, but from what I could tell, the kid's exhausted, but in too much pain to sleep. Not much movement either without more pain.'

Is it aura that you're sensing? Mewtwo thought the question, not risking telepathy.

'Of a sort. I am a descendant of Giratina, what I'm sensing is Jack slowly moving from one realm to another; from the land of the living, to one of the dead.'

How much time do I have to get to him? Mewtwo asked.

'Honestly, he wouldn't make it to the next day,' Darkrai answered, Mewtwo's heart sank at hearing that, 'Lucky for you though, it doesn't seem like you have to wait that long.'

What do you mean by— Suddenly the door opened and Mewtwo backed away from it, surprised.

"On your knees!" the captain ordered. He didn't even wait for Mewtwo to comply before grabbing her shoulder and shoving her to the ground. He then stood beside her and turned, facing the door.

Mewtwo kept her face lowered as more footsteps entered the room, she didn't have to look up to know who was standing before her. That wretched captain had other ideas though, he grabbed her by the hair and revealed her tear streaked face to Giovanni, standing next to him were his two favourite pets, Persian and Domino.

"You must've known how stupid of an idea it was to come back, girl," Giovanni began smugly, "You've just made the boys' sacrifice in vain, I really doubt they'd have wasted their only chance on you if they knew you were just going to come back."

"I couldn't l-leave them," Mewtwo stuttered, "I couldn't let them die, b-because I got away."

"It seems like I'm not going to have a choice in that matter," Giovanni said, "I can give you one though," he turned to the guards, "Bring them in."

Domino stepped back against the wall while the guards went to Thor and Jack's room, there was lots of shouting and struggle before Thor, fighting his cuffs, was led into the room to stand a few feet to Giovanni's left.

"You bastard! Let her go!" Thor shouted at Giovanni. In response he was met with the barrel of a gun, inches from his nose, and Thor went quiet immediately.

The silence was only broken by the sound of dragging. Mewtwo watched as Jack was pulled into the room by his underarms. Thor was shoved to his knees, and Jack was deposited to the floor on Giovanni's other side.

Jack looked awful, the young man was barely aware of his surroundings, the only sign of him being aware was when his unfocused gaze turned in Mewtwo's direction, and tears began to fall. Jack's face contorted in pain, most likely a combination of physical and emotional, especially with the belief that his sister was once again in Team Rocket's hands.

"Oh Jack…" Mewtwo said quietly.

"As you can see, one is going to be dead in a matter of hours," Giovanni said, nodding to Jack, as he kept the gun trained on Thor, "I could either put your brother out of his misery now, or I could make it so you're the only one left to suffer the consequences of the headache you've become."

"No, please Giovannni," Mewtwo sobbed, "Have mercy! You need all of us to—"

"I don't need any of you brats for anything," Giovanni cuts her off, "I have all the data I need to know that this works. All I need to do is round up a few volunteers to take your place, I'm sure they'd be far less troublesome."

'Why are you trying to reason with him?' Darkrai asked, 'He's gone too far to want to change courses now.'

I wanted to give him one last chance, Mewtwo thought, because I hate the alternative.

'You've given him too many chances, and he has taken advantage of every single one.'

"Well?" Giovanni says, growing impatient, "Make your choice."

It was obvious, Giovanni never had any intention of changing course, Mewtwo was only fooling herself. "Drop the gun, NOW!" Mewtwo ordered.

All the grunts, were stunned by how bold 'Vesta' was suddenly acting; the crying, helpless girl act swiftly dropped. Giovanni was at a pause, scowling at Lucas, while Domino was looking very smug.

Giovanni's face relaxed into a smirk, "Well," he said, "It seems I owe Domino a drink."

A loud screeching suddenly began in Mewtwo's head and she cried out in pain. What!? She looked back at Domino, who was holding up a small remote, smiling sadistically at Mewtwo.

The guards grabbed Lucas while Giovanni lowered the gun, "Welcome back, old friend."