Chapter Fourteen: Mewtwo

"That was AMAZING!" the human trainer shouted, looking like he might actually cry tears of joy. "You're so fast—and that was you holding back?" Mewtwo waited impatiently for the human to calm down. He hadcertainlybeen holding back for that battle, staying mostly on the defensive and evasive so that the trainer's Chesnaught could shine on the attack.

Mewtwo's plan for the battle had been to drag it on until the Chesnaught got tired, and then end it swiftly. But when he had heard the boy's thoughts and observations of the duel, he had decided to give them a try. For years, Mewtwo had been desultory towards the standard battle humans orchestrated. He normally did not bother with tactics when it came to combat, despite his intelligence. His strength allowed him to easily triumph over any foe, so there was little need. But the boy's strategy had made it easier, even a little interesting. Despite not having a Pokémon, the child was no neophyte to battling. Mewtwo had finished it up quite immaculately. Now all he was waiting for was the information he had rightfully earned.

Of course, he was going to get it. Mewtwo had placed himself between the trainer and the exit, though, judging from what he sensed of his ebullient mind, the human didn't even notice.

The human trainer turned to the boy. "Where did you find him?"

Mewtwo resisted the urge to snap at the human; he still needed it for information, and so had to tolerate such comments. But he did not belongto the boy like other Pokémon belonged to their trainers. He was no servant. He had already told this human as much but it seemed that he couldn't understand in his elation.

The boy shot a slightly fearful glance at Mewtwo. "Mewtwo found me. He's not myPokémon."

The trainer returned to his annoying habit of staring at Mewtwo laudatorily. Mewtwo despised it; yes, he was the most powerful Pokémon to ever live, but he was not some exhibit or science experiment. He wondered if every legendary Pokémon encountered this.

The information? Mewtwo pressed. What do you know of my cells?

The trainer blinked a few times before his face twisted in confusion. "Your cells? I thought it was R you guys wanted to know about."

Mewtwo glanced back at the boy, who watched him worriedly. It made sense that these trainers would not be told what the R chemical really was. In fact, their ignorance was probably for the best. If news got out that the powerful chemical was in fact Mewtwo's very cells, it would attract moreattention. It would be best if this secret were kept.

My cells are the primary ingredient to the chemical,Mewtwo explained, crossing his arms. That is why it is so urgent that we retrieve it all.

The trainer gaped. His mouth formed words but no sound came out. Finally, he managed to strangle out in a hoarse voice. "Those are your cells?All this time, we've been using Mewtwo's cells?"

The boy nodded and Mewtwo didn't move, besides taking a deep, silent breath for patience. He could just reach into this human's mind and take the information he desired, but…the human was about to tell them anyway. Mewtwo preferred not to meddle with minds anymore unless necessary.

The trainer slowly lowered himself to the ground beside his knocked-out Chesnaught. He stared off into space wide-eyed for a moment before shaking his head and waving a hand vaguely. "So your cells are what cause Pokémon to get more powerful, but also go crazy?"

Mewtwo flicked his tail. My DNA was designed and constructed by a group of some of the most advanced scientists in the world. They could hold a plethora of stimulating properties that may affect both the physical body and the system of the mind. I have no idea what the creators of the R chemical did with my cells, what they may have added or removed, but yes, that is the effect it has on other Pokémon.

The boy shot Mewtwo a concerned look. "I think it says something about your emotional state that your very cellsmake other Pokémon go on a rampage."

Mewtwo narrowed his eyes at the child. He certainly had a great deal of anger, but he wasn't the only one culpable for that. It was humanswho had brought him into this world, contrived his body and powers, only to treat him so egregiously. He had no idea what Berserk Genewas inside of him. Although, he had to admit, the boy had a point. His own blood was filled with rage and madness…

Mewtwo shook off those thoughts, packing them away. So where did you obtain my cells?

"After Ms. Norman, that is," the boy added for clarification.

The human trainer paused for a moment, then eased himself back up into standing. After a moment of staring at Mewtwo again, although this time he was considering instead of admiring, his jaw firmed up. "Yeah, it'd probably be best if your—" he cleared his throat, "—cells, were off the streets." He lifted a hand to scratch the back of his head. "We got the R from this scientist who showed up a little over a week ago. He probably would've waited longer to approach us after what happened at the parade, but I think he wanted to get in on the big business caused by all the visiting trainers."

"What did he look like?" the boy interrupted. Mewtwo was certain this human trading off his cells was the one they had failed to catch yesterday, but he supposed it was a fair idea to make certain.

"Tall guy, blonde hair. Always wore a hoodie, but it was clear from how he talked and held himself that he was sophisticated and proud. He claimed he was just 'well-practiced in science,' but it was obvious from what he knew that he had somekind of degree." The human shrugged. "He only came two or three times, and there wasn't much to see. Sebastian was the one who dealt with him; I came along as backup."

Mewtwo had no desire to track down some other human and battle himas well. Yet this trainer seemed to be saying that he didn't know much; that was unacceptable. Give us all the information you have,Mewtwo commanded.

The human ducked his head at Mewtwo's intimidation and nodded hurriedly. "I d-don't think the seller knew that the R was your cells, either. He said he had a limited supply, and he didn't know how to make it."

The boy's thoughts spiked and echoed across to Mewtwo's mind. Mewtwo tuned in, interested in what the boy had realized from the trifling information. So he must have gotten it from Dr. Laurent somehow, but didn't know where it originally came from. When he found out she died, he held onto it, planning to sell it later.

Interesting theory, Mewtwo commented into his mind. He sensed the child's surprise as he glanced at him, but the trainer before them didn't hear Mewtwo's words or notice the boy's reaction. Mewtwo knew he would have to more fully explain this link to the boy later, but now he was focused on finding a way to track down his cells.

What else?Mewtwo asked. Surely the trainer had something they could use now.It was helpful to figure out what had passed; but they needed a way to find out where the doctor would head now.

The trainer swallowed, but a nervous smile twitched on his lips, still amazed at Mewtwo's presence. He ignored it. "Once Sebastian heard there was only so much of the chemical, he demanded to buy all of it. But the doctor refused. He said he already had another big order for all of it, 'at a price we could never match.' He sold us a handful of vials through our meetings with him—for a lot of money, by the way—asked what we else we knew about it, and then vanished."

"What else you knew?" the boy repeated. "Heasked youfor information on the chemical? What did you tell him?"

The trainer shrugged. "We knew it made Pokémon a lot more powerful, but also rabid. But sometimes, it seemed like the doctor didn't even know what he was selling." He glanced at Mewtwo. "Now, I think that even more." His gaze dropped to the floor. "That makes me really worried about his 'big order.'"

Another large order for the chemical of his cells? For all of it? Mewtwo wasn't sure if this was better or worse. On one hand, all of his remaining cells would be at one place. But on the other, this buyer sounded…determined. They had enough resources and knowledge to be a possible threat. Whatever they wanted his cells for, they had plans for it other than winning a few Pokémon battles.

"Where did you meet him?" the boy asked, sounding as uneasy as Mewtwo was.

The trainer gave an apologetic look. "He found us. He came to our arenas, wherever we happened to be at the time. I have no idea where he came from."

Mewtwo growled audibly; so there was no place they could go, no place that the human scientist might hide.

The human trainer hurriedly tried to pacify him. "I think he said the other buyer was from out of town," he blurted. "Something about how they were 'coming in.'"

Mewtwo went still. From outside of Ryme City? That wasn't good news; that was horriblenews. If the doctor sold Mewtwo's cells to someone outside the city or maybe even outside the region, it would become infinitely harder for Mewtwo to track them down.

This could have already happened.

When would this deal take place? Mewtwo boomed.

The human flinched in fear. "I don't know. He said a week and we last saw him just five days ago."

Mewtwo snarled and whirled around, beginning to pace to burn off energy. The human boy was watching him warily, but he did not seem afraid, unlike the trainer. Mewtwo's eyes fell on the unconscious Chesnaught and he wished the Pokémon was awake—now he was in the mood for a battle.

He knew that his rage wasn't helping him. It was scaring his informant and wasting time. He stopped and closed his eyes, trying to calm down.

If the trainer was right, then they still had time, even if it was only a few days. They might still be able to catch the doctor before the cells left the city. In fact, this was a guarantee that what the boy said was right; the doctor neededto return to the city in order to get his cells to the preplanned buyer.

The boy turned back to the trainer. "Do you have any more R?"

The trainer shook his head. "No. Sebastian had already used all but two vials when you showed up a few days ago, and you managed to take both of them from my Aipom." The trainer didn't seem the least bit resentful or angry about that.

Is that all you can tell us?Mewtwo said icily.

The human pursed his lips. "I'm sorry. That's it."

Then that is all we need from you.

With that, Mewtwo reached into the trainer's mind and grasped his memories, his vision turning blue as he peered deeper than the physical realm. At once, the trainer's body went still and his expression became blank. As Mewtwo burrowed through, the trainer's emotions brushed past his senses—elation and amazement, threaded with concern for the Chesnaught and guilt over his lack of useful information. But Mewtwo didn't dive too far, not wanting to meddle in the delicate ways of the mind any more than necessary. He swiftly sorted through the trainer's psyche and plucked away the most recent events from his consciousness. The human swayed and fell over, but the boy jumped forward to catch him.

"Mewtwo!" the boy cried in shock. "What did you just do?"

They cannot be allowed to remember me, Mewtwo said unperturbed, before he turned to the unconscious Chesnaught and did the same. So I am erasing their memories.

The boy's face twisted in confused anger, and he set the trainer gently to the ground before standing up to Mewtwo. "Just like that? You just wipedhis memories? No explanation, no warning?"

Briefly, Mewtwo remembered the time he had abducted a Nurse Joy to help for his cloning procedures. One night, he had summoned her to him across the sea. He had programmed memories of an entirely different life into her mind, bent her consciousness into absolute loyalty, made her help him with his own goals—the very destruction of her own kind—and then cast her aside when he no longer wanted her. He had even erased what had happened from her mind, so she awoke ignorant of her situation. The only mercy he had granted her was when he explained what happened, if in only a few sentences. But even that, in truth, had been a taunt.A bit of his rage taken out on humanity, using one of them as they had used him.

He was disgusted with himself just by thinking about it. She had had nothing to do with Team Rocket or his creators, in fact she had dedicated her life to helpingboth people and Pokémon. Mewtwo had done a lot of miserable things, but that one he truly believed he would never recover from. In the end, he and Mew had wiped her memory again and then returned her to her Pokémon Center. She was returned to her own life, completely unharmed and ignorant of the trauma. But still…that particular mistake showed him how horribly wrong manipulation of the mind could be.

It is only a few minutes taken from his mind,Mewtwo said tonelessly, not allowing any sign of his memories to leak through his expression. He will awaken soon and have no idea what has passed. So we must be on our way.He turned and strode towards the door, psychically flipping it open with a flick of his hand. But the human was right on his heels.

"Wait, we need to talk about this, Mewtwo," the boy began angrily, hurriedly stalking at his side. "You can't just invade people's heads and wipe their memories." Normally Mewtwo would become angry at the command, but at the moment, he just wanted to get out of this human cluster. So he ignored the child and continued to storm his way down the hall. "Stop!"

And then the boy reached out and grabbed Mewtwo's arm.

Mewtwo went still. He was very aware of the contact of human skin against his own, gripping him tightly. For some inexplicable reason, it felt just like the mechanical hands his creators had tried to use to subdue him. He slowly turned his head to look back at the child, eyes alight with anger. You dare attempt to restrain me, human?

The boy's grip on his arm slackened, but his eyes held no fear. The human failed to comprehend his current state of impotence, and how close he was to being blown down the hallway. "Mewtwo," the boy said deliberately. "I'm not alright with you doing this. I won't help you if you treat people this way, controlling them and taking their free will. We need to talk about it."

You think that I take pleasure in behaving exactly like my vile enemies have? Mewtwo said in a cold voice. Once, he had. But not anymore.

Recognition came into the boy's eyes as he realized what that meant, and Mewtwo took the opportunity to swipe his arm back. You are very wrong. If we must discus it, we shall not do it here. I will meet you back at the vehicle.

With that, he turned away and left the child behind. Part of him fumed at being held accountable, at being called out by a human when they were the ones who should be put on trial. Another part of him dreaded it, for he knew the boy was right.

Even through his anger, he carefully avoided the other humans he sensed in the building. He slipped out of the window he had come through and left, flying out onto the rooftops. The roads below were crowded with trainers, who would no doubt jump on him if they saw him, so he took his time making his way back to the boy's car.

Before he leapt down into the alley, however, he stopped and forced himself to take a deep, calming breath. He had promised himself he wouldn't lash out at the boy. It wasn't even the boy's commands that angered him—that was a first—it was that Mewtwoagreedwith the child. No one should be forced into submission as he had been, several times. But the fact that the boy accused himof doing so tore open the wound that had never healed and already hurt so much.

Mewtwo would explain himself. But he could not do it dominated by rage. He had to stay pragmatic.

Clinging to that thought, Mewtwo leapt off his perch and down to the alleyway, the human already waiting for him, pacing around the vehicle.

Despite obviously anticipating him, the human jumped when Mewtwo landed. "Mewtwo." The boy stared at him as if he had not seen him in years.

Human,Mewtwo said curtly as he straightened. I–

"Wait, I need to say this first," the boy interrupted.

Mewtwo paused, partly annoyed that he had been interrupted and partly glad of it as he had not been sure what to say. He tilted his head slightly to the side as the human began to ramble.

"I wasn't trying to give you an order—I know you hate that, and I would never make you do something you something you wouldn't want to do. I wouldn't makeyou do anything, really." The boy paced side to side, looking everywhere in the alley except at Mewtwo. "You're your own person—well, sort of—and you make your own choices, but that doesn't mean you can just do whatever you want and not face any consequences. Like erasing people's memories—that's a level of control that's simply unfair. I mean, not only is it a total invasion of their lives, but it also means that you could get away with anything."The boy stopped, staring down the alley, fists clenched. "I mean, you said you've done all kinds of nasty things in your past, and I get that you regret them now and want to move on, but if you can just erase people's memories that means you can escape punishment. And—and to be honest, it…it makes me feel that I'm not safe." The boy looked down at the road, and Mewtwo tilted his head to the other side, trying to follow the complex line of thought the boy was spewing out. "How can I trust you if I can't trust my own memories? If my mind is at the mercy of your whim and I wouldn't even know it?" Now, in an abrupt motion that caught Mewtwo by surprise, the boy's head shot up to meet his gaze. "Tell me now, honestly. Have you ever changed my memories?"

Mewtwo, still a bit stunned by the hurtin the boy's eyes, answered honestly. No. I have not.

How could he have hurt the boy this much already and not even doneanything? Humans could be such fragile creatures, but right now, Mewtwo couldn't bring himself to be annoyed at the child's senseless rambles. Then again, it dawned on him that boy was worried that he was being used and betrayed…and thatMewtwo understood all too well.

The boy's shoulders sagged in relief and he looked back at the ground. Mewtwo curled his tail in uncertainly, not sure how to comfort or encourage the child. A solution eluded him.

"I believe you," the boy said. Then he drew his shoulders up again. "But even so, I can't just ignore this. Iwouldn't want it done to me so I can't just stand by and let it happen to other people. If you're going to be erasing people's memories like that, as if you can just control them, usethem, and cast them off, then I can't help you." He began pacing again. "And I know you said you would hate to be like your enemies, but Diplo back there—he had just had the battle of his life, he helped us with our case, and invading his mind and taking those memories from him seems like a pretty poor way to repay him. It wasn't fair of you. And if you're going to keep doing things this way, then maybe you should find your cells on your own."

Having thus said his piece, the boy stopped and took a deep breath.

Mewtwo stared at him. That was more depth than he would have expected from the boy. A sense of right and wrong that many humans seemed to lack, at least in the ones Mewtwo had interacted with. He found himself admiring the child's candor.

Perhaps I should have consulted you before I erased the trainer's memories,Mewtwo admitted slowly. But try to understand my choice from what I have seen.Mewtwo took a deep breath. I am hunted by many, and there are very few in this world I can trust. His clones, Ash, Ash's friends to at least a small degree, Mew, he supposed…and the boy was on that short list now as well. Thus I must be very thorough in covering my tracks. Danger always lurks a step behind me. What happened with Howard Clifford proves that, along with the way I am chased by ambitious trainers, and even my own creation is a testament to it. So I decided even before I showed myself to that trainer that I would erase his memory at the end of our encounter.

"He admired you," the boy said firmly. "He was amazed by you, he respected you, and you…it's like you betrayed him."

Mewtwo refused to see it as a betrayal to the trainer, as he had never promised anything to that human in the first place, but he understood what the boy was trying to say. If I could guarantee that the trainer would tell no one else about me, then I would have let him be. But I could not. He was too great a risk.

"It's easy to say that when you're not the one suffering," the boy muttered.

That was true, and Mewtwo inclined his head to agree. But I could be, if he even made the slightest mistake. If he had slipped and allowed anyone else to know that he encountered me, he would be hounded, and I would be tracked. As it is, he merely will not be able to recollect less than an hour of his life. His suffering is little to none, when it could have been catastrophic.

Mewtwo paused a moment, wondering if this was the right thing to say for his argument. Maybe not, but it was the truth. I also could have done worse,he said lowly. Once I knew which human had the information, I could have taken the memories from him, without any conflict. He saw the boy tense up again. But I didn't,Mewtwo reminded. I made a deal with him, I battled him, I gave him what he wanted so that he would give us the information of his own free will.

"Would you have taken the memories that way, if he had refused to talk at all?"

At that, Mewtwo was silent. Retrieving his cells was the greatest priority. No human was more important than that, not their safety nor their happiness. And yet, hadn't he already lost his cells in order to save the boy last night? Mewtwo knew that if he didn't get his cells back soon, though, morelives, of both people and Pokémon, would be in danger. He had already invaded the Joltik's minds to track them. He had already molded so many other psyches. What was one more?

Yet Mewtwo didn't wantto invade anyone's mind. If he did…he would be just like Howard Clifford.

I will not apologize for erasing his memory,Mewtwo said firmly. But had he refused to part with the information, I am sure we could have found another way.

The boy shook his head. "That's better, but not enough," he said miserably. The child's mind had slowed from its erratic thought process, and now trudged along like a laden Mudsdale. "Going forward, you're going to do this to other people. I see your reasons, but…I don't like thinking that."

How odd that the child had been following Mewtwo through this with the fidelity of a Lillipup, making himself useful so that Mewtwo would grudgingly let him come along, and now, now he was willing to leave. Yet Mewtwo found that he wanted the child to stay. The boy had been useful, and…supportive.

When it came to the matter of defending himself, Mewtwo was intransigent. But he could compromise, some, at least. In the future, I will tell you when I plan to change someone's memories.

At this, the boy smiled, apparently satisfied. "Thank you."

Mewtwo gave a small nod in acknowledgement. He then hesitated a moment, before he said what he now had to. I suppose I should tell you, then, that I hypnotized those two scientists at the laboratory to not to call the authorities.

"What?!" the boy barked. "I—I thought you had been tearing apart my car! When did you even do that?"

Mewtwo flicked his tail to his other side. I can multitask. He wasn't going to risk exposing himself and the boy for some ignorant human scientists.

The boy pinched the bridge of his nose for a moment. "I suppose you could have taken their memories from the get-go, too." True—Mewtwo could have leveled that entire laboratory and seized any information he had wanted. But the boy had proposed another way, and Mewtwo had followed. The child sighed at the sky and mumbled, "Well, thanks for telling me now, at least."

Despite the boy's apparent beliefs, Mewtwo wasn't completely unscrupulous. Messing with minds was a dirty job, but one Mewtwo had resigned himself to doing long ago. He usually tampered only a little, yet he did what he had to do. But now, with the boy's insistence, Mewtwo was beginning to think that another path—a more equitable one—might actually be possible. Mewtwo was willing to give it a chance.

Mewtwo brought his mind back to the here and now. That unpleasant business aside, he returned to their goal. They had new information to use, thanks to that trainer. Do you have any ideas as to where the human with my cells could be selling them?

"Yeah, actually," the boy nodded. He lifted his fingers and began counting off. "We know that the buyer is someone big, as they're willing and able to pay a lot of money for R. And as they've taken about a week to get here, we can also assume that they're from far away. Another region, perhaps." Mewtwo was uncomfortably reminded that if his cells left the region, they may slip through his fingers for good. "I doubt anyone would want to take such a dangerous and newly-illegal chemical on the Ryme City trains, or just drive it out, even if the buyer was close enough. Plus, Ryme City has the only airport for miles. So I'm certain that, one way or another, those cells will pass through the airport. Security's fairly tight there, but with all the new trainers coming in, it'll be easy for the buyer to hide in the fray, with the cells."

Mewtwo blinked, following the reasoning and finding it fair. The buyer would want to get in and out of the city as quickly and seamlessly as possible, so it made sense that they would come and leave by plane. Even if there was security at the airport, most humans were unfamiliar with his cells and would not recognize their danger.

But still; You are suggesting we merely wait at the airport for the cells to come to us?

The boy shrugged. "Not exactly. We can narrow it down. I'm sure I can look through some police department files to see if they have records of incoming flights, or just any suspicious activities. That could help us figure out exactly what we're looking for."

Where would these files be? inquired Mewtwo.

"There's a database," the boy went on. "I just need to get home to my Dad's laptop to access it. Or, if he took it with him, head to the station."

Although Mewtwo had freely dwelled in the boy's apartment last night and this morning, he knew better than to push it. The father had said he would return in the evening; they had started late, and now that time was near.

Still, Mewtwo felt that their plan had too many holes, places where the thief could slip through. They had only vague information as to where and when this deal was taking place. The trainer's information hadn't been concrete. For all they knew, it could be happening now.

Perhaps it would be best if we split up, Mewtwo suggested, that thought unsettling him more than he cared to admit. I will investigate around the airport, while you look into your files.

The boy didn't look too sure. "What if you're seen?" Mewtwo narrowed his eyes and the boy backed down. "Right, you'll be careful." He cleared his throat. "So we'll meet up at the airport, then?"

Precisely.He flicked his tail. Then he allowed a small smile. Be 'careful' as well, human.

He took flight up the narrow walls of the alley while the boy shouted after him, "Oh, HA-HA, very funny."

OOO

Despite the boy's doubts that Mewtwo could covertly navigate the city during the day, an offending aggrievance, Mewtwo did take his advice and proceeded with extra caution. He moved slowly and stayed in more shadowed areas as much as possible. The city had limitless eyes everywhere; windows where anyone could look out and watch, security cameras that watched like bird-Pokémon of prey, and humans simply walking below. It was times like this Mewtwo wished he could use Teleport or Transform like his original. But his creators had worked with only an eyelash of Mew's DNA, and had apparently been unable to fit those abilities in.

Mewtwo already knew where the airport was—planes were landing in it all the time, obviously—but it still took him some time to get there. When he finally arrived, he was disgruntled to see how much security was there. It would be difficult to watch the place if hewere in danger of being watched.

Still, Mewtwo did not sense his cells here. So he perched himself on the tallest tower, allowing himself the best possible view of the landing planes, and waited.

After an hour or two ticked by, Mewtwo began to feel frustrated. Normally he was quite patient, especially when alone and he could meditate, but now he was restless. Perhaps because he was surrounded by the nonstop activity of humans. Maybe because he wanted to know for sure his cells were here. Or maybe because he knewhe could be doing more.

From his view from above, he was able to see the people and Pokémon wandering about the runways to tend to the planes and transport luggage. Following the Ryme City trend, almost everyone was a pair, a person and a Pokémon walking side by side as…equals.

Mewtwo narrowed his eyes at the Pokémon, never understanding how they could live like that. Yes, he knew people and Pokémon caredabout one another, but it was a society in which they were kept in balls, commanded by masters, and treated like pets.

Yet, even if Mewtwo saw them as slaves…they were more free than him, at the moment. At leasttheydidn't have to slink around like outlaws. They could walk around this airport freely—

Mewtwo's tail twitched and he straightened up at that thought. Theycould investigate this airport all they wanted. If anything strange had happened here, they would know. Mewtwo could easily retrieve it from their memories…if it weren't for his recent pact with the boy. The child's words came to his mind, about how it was 'invading their privacy'and 'taking their freewill.' Mewtwo had made a promise, and he would honor it. He would have to find a different way to learn about this place of human transportation.

On the far side of the airport, where all the planes were being loaded and unloaded, Mewtwo spotted a Noctowl assisting the workers. She flew back and forth between humans, carrying them baggage. Mewtwo watched her for a moment, before lifting his hand and summoning the Noctowl's current delivery to him. The small navy backpack flew out of Noctowl's talons and zipped across the air. The Noctowl turned in alarm to see what had happened, staring in confusion at her runaway bag. The bag was too tiny for its incongruous flight to be noticed by anyone else as it darted to him. But even if someone was paying attention, only sharp eyes, like a Noctowl's, would be able to differentiate. Mewtwo saw the precise moment realization entered the Noctowl's eyes when he clutched the bag in his grip.

Lowering his hand and staring down at the far Pokémon, he waited patiently for her to near. After some reluctance, she began to fly to him.

When she finally reached him, she did not land, but hovered in front of him. She was obviously nervous—her feathers were ruffled, and her talons were clenched. She looked ready to bolt at any moment, though Mewtwo knew he would be able to catch her instantly if he desired.

"You're…Mewtwo,"she said, clearly looking uncomfortable.

Wild Pokémon almost never knew who or what he was—city Pokémon all seemed to. Or at least they did after what Howard Clifford had done three weeks ago. But the city Pokémon behaved…differently. Though wild Pokémon tended to be hostile or alarmed when they encountered Mewtwo—some instinctual part of them knowingthat Mewtwo wasn't natural, wasn't right, wasn't one of them—city Pokémon, or at least Pokémon in thiscity, were only cautious. This Noctowl was nervous, but willing to listen. "What do you want from me?"

I'm here for information, Mewtwo said, dropping the bag down. Have you seen anything strange in this airport of late?

"It's an airport," she said plainly. "Strange how?"

Suspicious,Mewtwo expanded. I am looking for the chemical known as R.

"R?"she repeated, ruffling the feathers around her neck. "Hasn't that just been made illegal?"

Yes,Mewtwo said, although in truth he paid no attention to human laws. Which is why I must find it. So has there been anyone who behaved oddly here in the last day or so?

The Noctowl clacked her beak nervously. "There are thousands of people here every day, especially since you've shown up."

Mewtwo narrowed his eyes in frustration. He hadn't expected much, but he had expected something.This Noctowl was no help at all.

"Why do you want to find this illegal material?" the Noctowl asked suddenly.

Mewtwo narrowed his eyes, considering her. Pokémon could not speak to humans, so there was little point in hiding information from her. It would be an issue, however, if she decided that he was a threat, and rounded up other Pokémon in the airport to chase him out, as wild Pokémon sometimes did. So he might as well tell the truth, rather than let her reach her own conclusions. It is a highly dangerous material. It is what Howard Clifford used to cause such harm three weeks ago. I must find it and destroy it before any humans can wreak more havoc.

To his surprise, before he could dismiss the Noctowl and send her away, she flapped over and landed next to him. "If information on illegal activity can help you, then might I offer some advice?"

Mewtwo tilted his head, wondering what this gentle-looking Pokémon would know about crime. You may.He didn't have to take it, after all.

"There's a Mr. Mime in this city," she began to explain, still sounding apprehensive, but now a hint of determination was laced through her aura. "He hears everything, and knows what happens in the shadows. I'm sure he could tell you something."

Mewtwo mulled that over for a moment. Where can I find him?

"He lives near the docks," the Noctowl answered.

Mewtwo glanced in their direction, perfectly able to see the warehouses and water from his current perch. Very well. Thank you for your advice.

He lifted a hand to levitate the bag back before her, and she reached out and grasped it with her talons. After a small nod of thanks, she swooped back down and returned to her job of delivering baggage.

Mewtwo turned to look back at the docks. In a less crowded area like that, he was sure he would be able to find the Mr. Mime fairly easily. The Noctowl was confident in the Pokemon's knowledge of crime. It could have valuable information on his cells. The theory that the cells would end up at this airport was an assumption at this point…and Mewtwo wanted confirmation. Locating this Pokémon would take him less than an hour, certainly.

So Mewtwo sprung off the tower and flew towards the docks.