Chapter Eight: Mewtwo

The human began blathering at once, before Mewtwo could reveal his own information.

"Right, my Dad and I took a tour of the place," the boy began. "We saw what they were studying, what they were making, and the Pokémon that live there. There are three researchers who work there, none of whom seem too suspicious. They didn't know Dr. Laurent that well. They told us that they sell a lot of medicine and things to Ryme City, so it's possible that the vial was bought with some of their product in it, only to be reused by the criminals to carry R."

That is all irrelevant,Mewtwo cast off. He didn't even bother to land as he spoke. Because I sense my cells within the building.

Mewtwo could feelthe shock coming off the human in psychic energy. The boy blinked in astonishment and glanced back in the direction of the laboratory, but it could not be seen through the trees. "Really? You're sure?"

Unquestioningly.He had come to the lab late last night and sensed them almost immediately. Even now, Mewtwo debated with himself whether he should have taken them right then and there, yet the promise he had made to the human had echoed within his mind.

It was ridiculous that he let such a thing withhold him. Why was Mewtwo obligated to keep his word to a human? But every time he took the slightest step closer to the lab, planning on wrecking the place to retrieve his cells, his pernicious promise reverberated in his mind.

All night, he had lurked in the forest, yearning to storm the laboratory yet unable to. Perhaps it was because he remembered how the boy said this place could lead him to more of his cells. Or maybe Mewtwo was more reluctant than he thought to attack humans, even if they were scientists.

He had been unwilling to sleep, fearing that his cells might slip from his grasp, so there was little else for him to do but fume and contemplate the last day or so. What had led him to work with a human? Surely it was only a matter of time before the human revealed that Mewtwo was only a tool to him, an item, a primitive creature who should follow commands of a supposedly superior being. Any human who actually treated Mewtwo with respect was just being sycophantic, like Giovanni had been, at first. But Mewtwo wasn't like other servile Pokémon.

And yet…the boy did not have an unctuous Pokémon partner. He forced none to follow him, to serve him, to stay by him as if it were on a strangling leash. Instead, the boy did things on his own. If he refused to use Pokémon as tools, could he respect Mewtwo enough not to see him as one?

A preposterous idea. But it made Mewtwo curious. Perhaps that was why he had held to his promise and delayed his attack on the laboratory for the boy.

Still, now the boy was here. He had looked around the laboratory, Mewtwo had told him he had sensed his cells, so now the child would release Mewtwo from his promise and let him reclaim what was his.

Mewtwo flicked his tail and watched the boy impatiently as the human opened and closed his mouth. It didn't take long for Mewtwo's patience to run out. Why are you so surprised? Youwere the one who thought this place was holding my cells.

"I know, but…" the boy looked at the ground, deep in thought. "The people there are doing a lot of good work. I think, and my Dad agrees with me, that ifR is being hidden there, at least one of the scientists might be innocent."

Mewtwo waved a hand dismissively as he lowered himself to the ground, realizing this might take a while. That is also irrelevant. I have located my cells, which means—

"You still can't destroy the place," the boy said firmly.

It took Mewtwo a moment to comprehend that the boy had just tried to command him again.Even after Mewtwo's unmistakable threat only yesterday.

Anger engulfed him in a thick, solid grip, like acid was in his veins, and he sprang back up into the air before looming down to the boy's face, hovering above the human. A strong wind picked up in response to his psychic rage, tearing its way through the trees, like a miniature hurricane had been summoned by Mewtwo's very emotions. He knew his eyes were shining blue with power.

When he spoke, it was with the voice that an ancient legendary might use to declare a perennial law of nature for the entire planet.

You, human,cannot tell mewhat I can or cannot do.

Mewtwo could sense the human's fear in the air, see the boy shake and cower before him. Good. Despite the boy refusing a Pokémon partner, despite his choice to do things on his own rather than rely on Pokémon, he was stilltrying to give Mewtwo orders. He was like all the rest of them. It seemed all humans were naturally arrogant, having been born into a world where they ruled everything. Pretentious, conceited, egotistical things. Without even intending to do so, they assumed they had all the control and power. But Mewtwo was not one of their obsequious slaves.

"I—I didn't mean it that way," the child stammered, cowering in fear.

Mewtwo's forehead furrowed; what? His burning anger slowed from its riptide current, cautious and skeptical. How could the human's command be anything other than what it was—a command? An attempt to force Mewtwo into obedience, into servitude? Like Team Rocket, like Giovanni, like Howard Clifford, like Dr. Laurent.

Yet this human was not like the rapacious and vain humans Mewtwo had met in the past. He was naïve, he had no desires for power, and had never enslaved a Pokémon or even hadone. In each of his encounters with Mewtwo, the boy did not try to force him or manipulate him into anything, but used reason and logic to convince him into a course of action that was beneficial to them both. What Mewtwo knew of the boy's character and what he believed of it was…discrepant.

Mewtwo's indecision let the boy recover from his terror and say more. "We—we both want to get the R, allthe R, catch whoever's involved with it, and not hurt those who are innocent." Mewtwo mulled the words over and decided he agreed with all those priorities, but less so with the last one. He didn't wantto hurt innocuous Pokémon or humans, but sometimes it couldn't be helped. He'd do it if it was necessary. "Destroying the laboratory would go against all of that."

Mewtwo paused, drawing back a few inches from the human's personal space, his anger slowly draining away as his more logical side pushed through it. He considered the words with circumspection. The human was right, if he destroyed the laboratory now, he may inadvertently lose leads to more of his cells. But if he didn't move fast enough, he feared they would slip through his grasp.

What do you suggest? Mewtwo asked, lowering himself back to the ground and crossing his arms. He could hear the human out, at least. Perhaps the boy had some kind of compromise.

Mewtwo waited as the human took a few deep breaths, a hand over where his heart would be. Mewtwo wondered if he may have subconsciously pressed into the human's mind in his attempt to intimidate the boy. He could still sense the child's fear, and he began to speculate if perhaps he had taken it a little too far. This human hadled Mewtwo to this lab in the first place, and Mewtwo slowly realized the boy's command had been more of an attempt to protect the laboratory's innocents than to harness Mewtwo's will.

Perhaps he had…overreacted. It was easy to do, as he was used to deception and abuse from humans. Mewtwo was intuitively recalcitrant, but that was no reason to take it out on those who didn't deserve it.

Fine. Mewtwo would show more restraint with the boy, and not be so…hostile.

The boy was still hesitating, and Mewtwo could see him trembling. With an air of indifference that was entirely fake, Mewtwo said, My apologies for jumping to conclusions. That was…improper of me. I will attempt not to do so again.

It was an olive branch, disguised as a careless bone tossed from the dinner table to a starving Herdier. Mewtwo couldn't remember the last time he had apologized, for anything. He didn't like doing it, so he made it seem as insignificant as he could. But the boy, this strange human, seemed to see the concession for what it was. He began to relax.

When the child finally caught his breath, he spoke. "Thanks. Apology accepted." Mewtwo flicked his tail and didn't comment. "So, we know the R is in there. We need to figure out exactly where it is, and who's involved with it." He paused and seemed to want to say more, but was reluctant to share it with Mewtwo.

Spit it out,Mewtwo huffed. I will hear you what you have to say, at least.

"My Dad might be able to figure out the best way to do this," the boy said in a rush.

Mewtwo froze briefly, and then narrowed his eyes. If youcannot be of use to me, I fail to see how any other could.

The boy flinched. "My Dad is a realdetective. He has a lot more experience with this than I do."

Mewtwo remained still. And how do you plan to involve him?

"I need to tell him that the cells are definitelythere." The boy's hands became fists of determination. "And that means telling him about my involvement with you."

No.

The boy's shoulders slumped and his hands flew up in exasperation. "Come on, he's a professional detective!"

He is also a professional kidnapper,Mewtwo shot back tonelessly.

At that, the boy flinched. His eyes dropped away from Mewtwo's. "…My Dad told me he did that under false pretenses. He didn't know what Dr. Laurent and Howard Clifford would do to you."

And yet he caged me like a feral Hydreigon and then handed me over to them.

"He rescued you once he knew what they were doing!"

Mewtwo nodded. And I rescued him in return. But I want nothing more to do with him.

The human sighed in defeat. "Without your psychic senses to vouch, we have no evidence that the Grass-Type Laboratory has R. So I can't get my Dad to help."

Mewtwo watched guilt cross over the child's face, and felt the emotion flicker off the boy like little driblets of water. He looked so miserable, and for reasons that were completely beyond him, Mewtwo decided to bend a little.

Your father's input in the search for my cells would be…tolerable, Mewtwo said slowly. But I do not want him to be aware of my presence. Now that you knowmy cells are there, is there another way you can provide him with your evidence? Perhaps the boy could find a way to work around Mewtwo's requirements.

The human looked up at Mewtwo, confused. "Not really. I would need something that would suggest that the cells are there. From what the two of us just saw inside, everything seemed innocent."

Then perhaps I should inspect it myself,Mewtwo said, flexing his fingers. If he could get into the lab, he could find his cells easily. It was the humans inside that were the problem. The human—or humans—harboring his cells might escape, or otherwise elude justice. But if Mewtwo stole his cells back, preferably without the thieves knowing, and then lent them to the boy as 'evidence,' then the human officers could catch the culprits themselves. Mewtwo wouldn't have to worry about the criminals pursuing his power further; other humans could handle that job for him, meaning he wouldn't have to interact with more humans either. He could go back to his misanthropic ways.

But emphasis on lendhis was disgusted at the thought of handing over his cells to any humans, but he had already been forced to let the detective keep some. More would not be harmful, he supposed, as long as they were destroyed eventually.

But first he needed to get the cells, and that meant getting into the lab.

The boy swallowed. "I don't think that's a good idea."

Mewtwo huffed and flicked his tail. I wouldn't harm any of them—

"But Mewtwo, you're not exactly stealthy, are you?"

The words gave Mewtwo a pause. Excuse me?

The boy shook his head. "You've been seen dozens of times by people in Ryme City. I found you in the warehouse almost the moment I walked in. I don't think you can sneak into the laboratory without getting caught."

Mewtwo stared at the human incredulously. This boy was doubting Mewtwo's capabilities?Him, the most powerful Pokémon to ever live? Mewtwo might have gotten angry again if it weren't for the fact that the boy had actual examples.

The human went on, as if it were perfectly normal to insult the strongest Pokémon in the world. "Let me look into the lab. If I find the R, I can show it to my Dad."

You already had your chance to search the place, Mewtwo growled, still somewhat insulted.

"That was just a look around. This time I'll knowthat it's there."

Mewtwo deliberated this for a long time. As much as it galled him, he had to admit he had little experience with remaining unseen. His power was so great that he tended to toss aside or plow through anything that got in his way. That was why he often chose to hide in the wilderness, far away from humans, but even then he was occasionally seen. Anyone who persistently came after him, he wiped the memory of. But that couldn't be the case here, as he needed the researchers' minds to be intact so he could learn where his other cells were.

I will remain here and watch the laboratory, Mewtwo stated finally. If I sense any movement of my cells, I will take action, with or without you, human. But you may have your second search.

"Thank you!" the boy lit up and Mewtwo felt the relief and gratitude shining from him. "I'll return tonight—" the boy spoke the words as he thought them, constructing a plan, "—I'll say I forgot something. I'll need to find a way past the Lurantis…"

Again, I will sense it if you require any help, Mewtwo reminded him. He took a step forward. I am trusting you, human. Do not fail.

"Thank you," the boy said sincerely. He glanced behind him. "I need to get going, before my Dad comes looking for me."

Mewtwo nodded and began to turn away himself, but the boy spoke again. "Wait a moment," the boy said, and Mewtwo paused. "Why do you call me 'human'?"

Mewtwo turned back around, unsure of what the boy meant. What?

"You always just refer to me as 'human,'" the boy said. He shrugged questioningly. "Why?"

The directness of what he was asking caused Mewtwo malaise, but he didn't show it. That is what you are.

"My name is Tim."

Mewtwo felt a little frustration that his human was correctinghim. I will call you what I wish.

The boy frowned. "Right." He looked like he was going to say more, but then his cellular device began to screech, causing him to jump in alarm. Mewtwo raised an eyebrow as the boy practically danced to wiggle the phone out. One glance at it and he began to back up, heading to the road. "That's him. I'll be back tonight, Mewtwo—don't let anyone see you!"

Mewtwo was once again unpleasantly nonplussed at the human's blatant disrespect. The boy missed his disapproving look as he scurried away, leaving Mewtwo irritated and alone. He sighed, and then turned and flew deeper into the woods to wait even longer.

OOO

Mewtwo positioned himself in the branches of a tree and prepared for a long wait. He could see the laboratory from here, its white walls and flimsy pens, but was a safe distance away from it. This area, though it appeared as wilds, was littered with the controlling touch of humans. There were cameras, food dispensers, small shelters, collars…it was no wonder that weak little Pokémon felt at home here. They acted free, when really it was all an illusion as strong as a Zoroark's. Everything was cradled by the humans, dominated just as much as the compliant Pokémon in Pokéballs.

Mewtwo was careful, then, as he navigated this area. It was easy to fall into the deceptions of this place, to believe that he was in the wilderness. But there were motion-sensing cameras camouflaged into the trees like little Zygarde cells, and rods that monitored the ecosystem as diligently as the full Zygarde. That was one annoying weakness of his powers; Mewtwo could not sense machines. He was able to sense living creatures that came close to him, but he was as blind to machines as any other Pokémon here.

The Pokémon in this area avoided him fairly well, though. This place, where their survival and lives were practically handed to them, made them docile and peaceful. In the deep wilderness that Mewtwo often hid in, he often encountered untamed, ferocious Pokémon like Salamence, Gyarados, or Braviary. Those Pokémon had barely ever seen a human in their lifetime, and had earned their strength by unrestrained battles. They guarded their territory as fiercely as a legendary. Here, though, Mewtwo would be surprised to find a secondary evolution. The Pokémon were protected, and had no threats to face.

At least they recognized that Mewtwo was strong and inimical, and so they kept their distance. They also probably realized that he wasn't one of them—wasn't a true, natural Pokémon, despite what he may look like. So they steered clear. Mewtwo didn't mind; he had long gotten used to it, and it made things easier. There had been a few wild Pokémon over the years who had tried to reach out to him, uncertain of him but embedded with a friendly attitude that made them try, yet they all quickly found that Mewtwo was just beyond their understanding. Mewtwo had accepted that he belonged alone.

The closest exception had been the nest of Bulbasuar Mewtwo had encountered only a short time ago. Mewtwo didn't think there was a single species of Pokémon that was more amiable. After his escape from Dr. Laurent's laboratory, he had fled into the mountains and ended up in their den. Without a word, they had understood that he was injured, and cautiously allowed him to settle in their nest while he recovered from the experiments. When he had explained to them that he was waiting for a human, the boy, so that he could heal the detective, they had diligently kept an eye out, determined to help the detective. They had even managed to convince other Pokémon in the area to tolerate him, at least for a time. But even they kept their distance, not getting close to him unless truly necessary.

Real Pokémon disliked Mewtwo's origins, but it was not only that which ostracized him from his kind. He was solitary himself, his enhanced intelligence making him feel eternally misplaced among fellow Pokémon. And with humans…well, obviously that didn't work either.

The boy was proving himself acceptable, though. Mewtwo had barely been working with him for a day, and the child had pointed him right towards his cells. Mewtwo would never say it, but that earned some of his respect. As had the boy's reasonable attitude and independence. This was the longest Mewtwo had willingly engaged with a human in years…and, if he was reading the minute details of psychic energy correctly, it was forming a mental link between them.

Mewtwo would have to be cautious. But for now, the boy was proving vital.

"You passing through, psychic?"

Mewtwo looked up at a higher branch, where a Scyther was poised above him. Its bladelike arms were hooked on the wood, and its wings twitched in that common way of bug-types. Its dialect was one Mewtwo did not know, nor did he care about it.

Mewtwo considered for a moment, evaluating this wild Pokémon who was bold enough to confront him. It did not look strong enough to have such confidence, or young enough to be ignorant. Perhaps this was the rare breed of a friendly wild Pokémon, but one overview glance with his psychic powers made Mewtwo dismiss that idea. This Scyther was clearly radiating animosity, but also an almost-correct dose of fear that it was resolutely trying not to show. No use, when it came to Mewtwo.

Mewtwo could tell from what he was sensing of the Scyther's mind that if it thought he would only be here for a short time, it wouldn't bother him much more. But Mewtwo's pride wouldn't let him roll over like a Lillipup to this insect. He would be honest; if the Scyther decided to challenge him, it deserved what it got.

I am observing,Mewtwo said calmly. I doubt I will be here for long.

The Scyther jerked its snout. "You causing a lotta trouble by being here. It'd be best you move on now."

Mewtwo grasped for patience. He was already annoyed with the day's events, but he would not displace his anger onto another.

I am doing nothing,Mewtwo responded, voice still even. Any trouble is not my fault. I have no intention of harming anyone. If Pokémon are offended by my mere presence, that is not my concern.

Here, the Scyther bared its teeth. "I don't know what 'cha are, but you don't belong here. Off with you."

No,Mewtwo said simply. I have business here. I shall not leave until it is done.

The Scyther tugged its arms out of the branch and straightened, crossing them over one another like braced swords. "This yer last warning."

You shouldn't have bothered with a warning,Mewtwo said coldly.

His eyes glowed blue, and the Scyther froze, its own eyes wide with panic. It jerked, struggling against Mewtwo's hold, but it was caught in an inescapable grip. With one thought, Mewtwo sent the Pokémon soaring back into the woods.

It didn't return.

Mewtwo continued to watch, and no other Pokémon disturbed him.