Chapter Nineteen: Tim
Tim's chance against the four Team Rocket agents was about a Caterpie's against a Dragonite. He had put up as much of a fight as he could, but after a punch to his gut and a kick on his knee, he'd known he had to give up before he got really hurt. He allowed one of them to hold his hands behind his back—telling himself that he was lettingthis happen, despite the fact that this agent was burly and tough and could squeeze him like an Happiny—while the other three peered at him suspiciously.
"This boy just showed up," the agent with the briefcase said. "He attacked Agent Domino and tried to take the cells. Mewtwo appeared right after him."
"That'san interesting coincidence," the only female agent said, a girl with dyed purple hair and lipstick to match it. She put her hands on her hips and leaned closer to Tim. "Know anything about Mewtwo, twerp?"
"Not a thing," Tim said calmly. He may be captured, but he had to keep it cool. Mewtwo was behind them, and Mewtwo's cells were here. The wrathful legendary Pokémon would be on them in seconds, and tear this ship out of the sky.
The agent who was holding his hands back shuffled through his pockets. Tim struggled, but couldn't escape the hold. "He doesn't have any Pokéballs!" the burly agent said, clearly frustrated. Tim grimaced as the thug tightened his grip on him.
The final agent, a Raticate-like man with beady eyes and a goatee beard that didn't suit him, stepped forward. "You just haven't found them—keep looking."
"He doesn't have any!" the big one insisted.
Come on, Mewtwo, Tim tried to speak across their bond. It shouldn't take you so long to defeat those two Pokémon.
But there was no response. Tim wasn't sure if he was out of range, doing it wrong, or Mewtwo was too distracted to hear him.
The agent with the briefcase crossed his arms thoughtfully. "That city we just visited doesn't allow Pokéballs. They want Pokémon to be free,and be friends, and live in harmony."
All the agents scoffed at once.
"That's ridiculous," the girl said derisively. She sneered at Tim. "You said he attacked Agent Double-Oh-Nine by himself?Even if he doesn't have Pokéballs, where ishis Pokémon?"
"I don't have one," Tim said, still trying to keep his voice calm and neutral.
"Don't lie to me," the girl snapped.
"I'm not," Tim shot back.
"You're a terrible fibber," the girl said sharply. "You'd be a horrible Team Rocket agent, because you can't lie."
"Good, because I don't want to be one."
Tim tried to hold the girl's glare, but she was a professional. Her harsh grey eyes bore into him, and he found his gaze sliding away. He was infuriated with himself for doing so, and was confounded as to why. He wasn't lying—he didn'thave a partner. Right?
…Mewtwo would not be happy with him for hesitating to affirm that.
"Ah-ah-ah, I see," the girl sang, and she took his chin in her hand, forcing him to look up. "Bad liar, like I said. You've got a Pokémon, don't you? Where is it?"
Tim swallowed, and this time was sureto hold eye contact. "Not on me," he said, because that was easier than continuing to tell the truth and it seeming like a lie.
The girl narrowed her own eyes skeptically. A few tense moments passed.
"Is he lying?" the goatee man asked finally, losing patience.
"Hard to say…" she muttered slowly. "He might be trying too hard."
The agent with the briefcase sighed deeply and turned to the one holding Tim's arms. "You're sure there are no Pokéballs on him?"
"Yeah, I'm sure, I checked!" he said offendedly, clearly angered at being questioned so much.
"Then we'll just have to keep an eye on him," the briefcase agent decided. "We can't risk it. We'll lock him up when we return to base." With that, he turned away. The other three agents shoved Tim in a corner and firmly surrounded him.
"Don't even thinkabout trying anything," the girl warned.
Tim actually didn't, but instead took the opportunity to look at his surroundings. The inside of the ship was dark, with only a few dim lights that only just provided enough illumination to see. Several boxes and carts were stuffed into the area, but there was a door with sunlight coming through right across from the ramp. Despite the fact that Tim knew two huge propellers were just outside, their noise was well-muffled.
The burly agent tilted his head at Tim. "This kid tried to take on Black Tulip?"
Tim took in a deep breath, preventing himself from pointing out that he was twenty-one. It would sound weak here anyway, but he was tired of everyone treating him like a child.
No one responded to the big agent, but he gave a toothy grin and shook his head. "He had no ideawhat he was getting into."
Tim fought down his annoyance; he'd never even heard of this 'Black Tulip' lady but these thugs knew her, and it seemed like Mewtwo knew her, too. How was Tim supposed to know he was taking on an indomitable crime boss?
"Must've wanted whatever's in that briefcase pretty bad," the girl said, hopping up on a box and crossing her legs.
"What do you want with our loot, twerp?" the goatee agent demanded.
Tim took a note from Mewtwo and allowed the quiet to be his only response. The three agents stared at him expectantly, but he did not take the bait.
The goatee agent 'hmphed.' "No fun," he muttered.
Silence took reign, and Tim continued to try to call for Mewtwo telepathically. Mewtwo! I'm a little captured here. Lend a hand? Hellooooooo?
Something must have delayed Mewtwo. Could he not respond because they were already out of range, or because he was fighting those Pokémon in the airport still? Either way, it seemed he wouldn't be coming to the rescue. But Tim had gone most of his life without a Pokémon and could figure this out on his own. He just needed a distraction, an opportunity, before he could make a move.
Eventually, the agent who had been holding the briefcase came back through the door. He no longer held it, and Tim silently cursed. He would have to find the cells, wherever they were. Mewtwo was taking his sweet time with this rescue.
"Pilots say we're in the clear; nobody's in pursuit," the agent said, walking over and leaning against a wall. "It'll be a couple hours before we make it back to Kanto."
Kanto? Tim thought. The Kanto Region. Home of Team Rocket for ages. These people came all the way from there?
The girl spoke again. "So we left Agent Double-Oh-Nine? What's she going to do?"
"She'll work it out," the lead agent responded. "She ordered me to go ahead with the cells. Whatever happens, I'm sure she'll handle it."
"Will the Boss be mad we left her behind?" the burly agent asked nervously.
Tim narrowed his eyes. Boss? Not Black Tulip, clearly. The leader of Team Rocket? People had been throwing around ideas of who that could be for years. Some claimed a red-haired kid named Steel or something like that, or a lady who went only by 'Madame' and cared about nothing but lucrative business, or a gym leader who had retired years ago. Mewtwo might know—but he hadn't said anything.
"He would've been mad if we hadn't gotten that case," the lead agent said firmly. "Agent Double-Oh-Nine knew that. That's why she wanted us to leave her. We just have to take the case back, and she'll handle herself."
The goatee agent leaned back. "So we get to relax."
The girl agent sighed sullenly and slumped forward. "Another long trip, right after we landed from the last. I was hoping to explore the city a bit, maybe pick a few pockets, or—"
THUMP!
The entire ship jerked like it had been hit by an Onix, tossing the crates and everyone else up into the air, landing with uncomfortable crashes. Tim went flying but landed on his back, quickly scrambling to his feet. He had one panicked moment where he wondered what was happening, before he realized that it hadto be Mewtwo.
They're in trouble now,Tim thought smugly, unable to hold back his smile. He looked side to side; the agents were sprawled about the room, groaning. A crate had landed on the burly agent, and the girl was trying to shove the goatee agent off her. Thiswas the perfect distraction.
Tim took the opportunity to bolt through the door. If Mewtwo was tearing the ship apart, it'd be a lot easier if Tim knew where the cells were. Through the opening there was a much brighter and more comfortable-looking room, filled with windows and monitors. Everything was either glass or screens or bright metal, the windows looking out on the endless open blue sky and puffy white clouds.
The ship lurched again, and Tim almost fell back through the door. He stumbled over to one of the seats and grabbed on to it tightly, turning his head side to side. He froze when he saw that the windows were cracked now, white streaks jagging through them in Spinarak-web patterns.
And there—therewas Mewtwo, soaring next to the ship, his long tail flowing behind him and his eyes glowing blue with anger. As Tim watched, Mewtwo charged Shadow Ball in his hands and swung it at the ship, but this time the ship leaned to the side, practically horizontal to dodge. Tim clung to the chair for dear life, silently thanking that it was attached to the floor of the ship as his legs dangled across the air.
The craft righted itself with another lurch, and Tim took a solid second to firmly plant his feet on the floor. He looked up to the nose of the ship, and saw two seats at the front facing the large frontal windows. He could see black-capped heads poking out over the seats, facing away from him. Near them was a little Castform who was struggling to orient itself in the air as the ship swung side to side. It was in its Sunny Day form, its bulbous head was red and glasslike as it drifted unhappily about the compartment.
But Tim's eyes were soon drawn to the familiar black briefcase tucked securely against one of the pilot chairs. Trying not to draw the attention of the pilots or the Castform, Tim crept forward. But then there was another shot from Mewtwo that the ship swung to dodge. Tim was thrown off his feet and crashed against a monitor, cracking it in half, gasping in pain—that would leave a bruise in the morning.
One of the pilots turned his head and yelled over his shoulder, but his eyes were pinned to the viewing ahead. "WHAT ARE YOU LAZY SLAKOTHS DOING BACK THERE? AREN'T YOU GOING TO FIGHT BACK?"
Tim gulped, knowing he was running out of time. He ran forward and snatched up the briefcase, now determined not to let it go until he handed it over to Mewtwo.
One of the pilots noticed him. "Hey!" he tried to kick at Tim, but Tim scuttled back out of the way. He tried to make his way back toward the door, but the ship was rocking side to side like a confused Spinda. "Castform, get him!" the pilot cried.
"Cast-a!" the Pokémon agreed, rushing after Tim like a gust of wind. Tim ran for it, and nearly crashed into the four other Team Rocket agents who came barreling through the door. The goatee one swiped a hand at him but Tim ducked, dodging just in time as Castform used Hail and sent a blast of icy wind at them. The leader jumped forward to grab Tim but got hit full-force with the Hail. He cried out, and the other three quickly stepped forward to help him.
"Not me, you fools!" the leader howled, clutching his face as he wiped off the snow. "You two!" he spat at the girl and goatee-man, "Arm the cannons and blastthat dumb clone out of the sky! You!" he pointed at the largest agent, "Get that boy under control!"
The two agents turned and quickly manned the chairs before the monitors, while the burly agent turned to face Tim. Tim scurried to avoid the big agent's grasp as he made a break for the exit, ducking under the Castform's Weather Ball. He ran back into the first room, almost tripping over upturned crates, before he reached the ramp. This ship was a limited area, and he didn't have much space to run. He had to get out, and without thinking, he pressed the button to open the ramp.
With the first cool gust of air, Tim realized how hopeless that thought process had been. The fresh, cold, thin air reached in and grabbed at him, pulling at his clothes and roaring in his ears. The sky stretched out in front of him in a colossal expanse, and the ocean loomed far, farbelow.
Mewtwo crossed the blue sky, and Tim could see him flying below. The clone looked up at him, and they made eye contact. Tim could seeMewtwo's expressive eyes thinking quickly, trying to figure out a way to rescue Tim from the ship. Tim was a bit stumped. Could Mewtwo carry him all the way back to land? How far out were they? Was there any way for them to catch the ship, just the two of them? Or was their only hope to escape? Should Tim just throw Mewtwo the briefcase now?
"GOTCHA!"
The lead agent suddenly appeared behind Tim and snatched the briefcase. But Tim held onto it, and then tried to tug it back to him. The two of them wrestled, fighting for the case, struggling next to the precipice. Tim wasn't letting the case go—they had come so far and finally reached their goal.
An explosion burst forth just overhead as Mewtwo shot another Shadow Ball, trying to scare off the lead agent. It worked—but too well. The agent let go in alarm—
And Tim overbalanced.
And his foot slipped from the ramp.
And he began to fall.
His scream was torn away by the wind as he spun around wildly in freefall, clutching the case like a lifeline. This was it, this was how he was going to die. He had spent so many years being realistic, getting an adult job before he even finished high school and pushing away his Dad in an attempt to be independent. And yet, he had realized that it was his family, and his dreams, that gave him true happiness, and that was worth the world. How foolish he'd been, to not have seen that until just a few weeks ago, when a Pikachu had crashed into his life and drawn that hope out of him. That Pikachu that had been his father all along, sent to search for him by—
Human!
Tim shook his head. How long had he been falling, suspended in fear and feeling his life and regrets flash before his eyes? A mere second? An entire year? He looked up, his eyes watering from the stinging, cold air and filled with black spots of creeping unconsciousness, and saw the ship overhead, getting further and further away with each second. But closer, and trying to reach him, was Mewtwo, his three-fingered hand outstretched towards Tim.
Tim had curled himself into a tight ball, the briefcase pressed against his chest. He could see Mewtwo's wide, panicked eyes staring at his own, and Mewtwo was trying to get closer but they were falling at a rapid speed. Those purple eyes flickered blue as if they were trying to use his power but couldn't.
Tim wasn't dead yet, he realized. That thought cleared his head for a moment, and pushed away the black spots in his vision. He had help, and a friend, almost within reach. Tim lifted his own hand, stretching towards Mewtwo's. They were only a few feet apart, as Mewtwo sped forward even more, trying to get to him.
But Tim could feel himself starting to black out again. His hand faltered, going limp, while his other was still hooked in a death grip on the case. Mewtwo seemed to be getting further away now, instead of closer…
TIM!
Mewtwo's shout was filled with such sharp panic that Tim snapped awake again. He looked up at Mewtwo, who was now only a hair's breadth away from him.
Tim reached up and grabbed him.
At once Mewtwo's other hand joined the grip, and then jerked Tim up. Tim felt like his arm might be pulled out of its socket, but Mewtwo quickly shifted his hand to better support him, wrapping Tim's arm around his own shoulder. Mewtwo's long tail, surprisingly strong, wrapped around Tim's legs to bear some of his weight.
Then Mewtwo got very still, staring at him intently. Tim gasped for air, feeling his heart pounding like a Yanma's wings in his chest. He sucked in air, still light-headed. Mewtwo was quiet, waiting for him, suspending Tim firmly above the ocean, until Tim finally recovered enough to speak.
"Thank you," he said hoarsely.
Mewtwo's response was soft and quiet. I am just glad you are all right.
Tim tried to manage a smile, and halfheartedly lifted the briefcase. "Got your cells."
Mewtwo stared at the cells for a long moment with an inscrutable expression. It was almost as if he had never seen the briefcase, or any briefcase, in his life. Finally his gaze flicked back to Tim. You almost died.
Tim was grateful he hadn't eaten yet today, or else he might have thrown up just then. "Did I? I hadn't noticed," he said, trying to sound cheerful, but he was a bit too exhausted to make it work.
A long, slow breath came out from Mewtwo's nostrils. Your facetious attitude is not appropriate.
"Facetious," Tim repeated curiously. He was way too panicked right now, and the only way he could think of to calm himself down was to distract himself. "What does that mean?"
Mewtwo began to move, flying in a direction Tim didn't bother to look at. It is when one treats a serious situation with deliberate humor, Mewtwo answered dryly.
"Yep, that's me right now," Tim agreed. He glanced over his shoulder at the ship that he had just fallen from. It seemed impossibly high now, and was getting further and further away, just a little speck in the sky. He looked back at Mewtwo. "You're letting them get away."
Mewtwo glanced at him, before turning his gaze back to look forward. I consider myself lucky to retrieve what I have.
Tim almost wanted to argue; yes, they had the cells, but they didn't have all the culprits responsible. That was the entire point of them waiting for the ship to arrive, instead of just taking them from Dr. Drew the moment he came to the airport. But he was too exhausted, and reallydidn't want to get back on that ship ever again.
Tim was silent for a minute or so, letting himself calm down from his incredible fall. He didn't dare look down. But as his mind cleared, something occurred to him.
Mewtwo was holdinghim. The Pokémon who tensed if someone even got close to him, much less touchedhim, was supporting Tim and carrying him back to land.
"Why aren't you using your psychic powers to hold me?" Tim asked curiously.
Mewtwo's mouth thinned. When he spoke, his telepathic tone was spiteful. Agent Domino came prepared. She shot me with a weapon that has temporary disabled my psychic-type moves and abilities.
Tim raised his eyebrows in alarm. "That's crazy! How did she do that?"
Mewtwo growled low in his throat. Giovanni can be quite prudent in regard to me. Over the years, he has constructed many weapons designed specifically to subdue me.
Tim was lost. "Giovanni? Who's he?"
Mewtwo sighed deeply. The leader of Team Rocket, and the one who orchestrated my creation.
"What?!"Here was something he'd wished Mewtwo had told him sooner. Mewtwo's past was like an impossible puzzle, a timeline that Tim was struggling to put together. People had rumors about what Mewtwo was and where he'd come from, but little more than that. The first time he had ever been spotted was in the Kanto region, and most people believed he had been created by humans, possibly by one of the many crime organizations throughout the world. It seemed that team was none other than one of the most persistent of crime gangs, Team Rocket, and Mewtwo was more familiar with their inner ranks than he cared to admit.
Enough to know, without a doubt, that their elusive leader was called Giovanni.
"Team Rocket created you," Tim said slowly. "And Giovanni's after you?"
Was, Mewtwo corrected. Several years ago, I wiped his memory, and that of his agents.Tim still didn't like Mewtwo's memory-wiping power, but in this case, Mewtwo got a solid pass for doing it. But it appears that my involuntary presence in human media has led him to investigate the matter.
"That's how you know Agent Domino," Tim realized aloud.
Barely, Mewtwo admitted. I only encountered her once, when she threatened youngling Pokémon to keep me compliant.
Tim stared at Mewtwo in shock, but the clone was deadly serious. "Charming," Tim muttered.
But odd to think that Mewtwo wouldbecome compliant, to save those baby Pokémon. Tim was starting to see that Mewtwo's indifferent attitude towards others really wasjust a farce, and slowly, Mewtwo was letting Tim see the truth. Tim didn't think Mewtwo would have admitted that when they first met.
Tim tried to imagine the creator of Mewtwo, someone so power-hungry that they would make such a powerful Pokémon and then unleash it on the world. Giovanni must have treated Mewtwo horribly for the clone to be as jaded and untrusting as he was now.
Then Tim felt them getting lower, and he realized there was ground underneath them now instead of water. Mewtwo was landing them on the concrete runway of the airport, and waiting for them—
Tim gasped at he saw at least three dozen trainers gathered around in a half-circle, waiting for him and Mewtwo. And right in the center of them, with an expression of concern that quickly morphed into relief, was Harry.
Tim's heart stuttered at the sight of his Dad, a horde of conflicting emotions rising up in his throat that made him sick all over again. Relief to see him again, guilt at the worry he had caused, nervousness at the situation, happiness that they were both all right. But would Harry be angry with him? How would Tim explain all this?
Tim decided that he wouldn't face that problem until the exact moment he had to, so he instead turned his thoughts to the trainers. "Mewtwo, all these trainers are seeing you—"
They helped me,Mewtwo interrupted. There was something odd in his tone, an underline of wonder or amazement that was hard to differentiate, but certainly there. Once my powers were neutralized, they stepped forward to defend me. Mewtwo turned his gaze to meet Tim's eyes. It seems you were right about trainers.
Tim remembered trying to tell Mewtwo that trainers wanted to helpPokémon. Even then, he hadn't been sure Mewtwo had really believed him.
Tim found a smile crawling onto his face. Well, it seemed Mewtwo believed him now.
They landed, and Tim tried to work his shaky legs. Mewtwo held him steady, until Harry ran up to grab Tim in a fierce hug.
"Tim!" his Dad shouted, holding Tim tighter than a Bewear would. "Don't scareme like that!"
"Pi, Pika-pi!" Pikachu agreed, trying to squeeze his way between them.
"Sorry, Dad," Tim mumbled. "I…I really am."
Tim felt his Dad give a heavy sigh, and then draw back and cup Tim's face in his hand. "I'm just glad you're all right."
Tim nodded mutely, and then turned back to Mewtwo, who was watching them closely. The Pokémon didn't seem revolted to see the human who had captured him, but instead curious.
Tim held out the briefcase with his still-numb fingers. "Your cells."
Mewtwo's eyes dropped from Tim's to the case, and he slowly lifted a three-fingered hand. The orb tips glowed with psychic energy, and the case flicked blue as well. Tim could see that it was taking Mewtwo some effort, but the weight of the case soon left Tim's hands and levitated over to Mewtwo.
Mewtwo clenched his hand into a fist, and the case crumbled into a little ball. It spurted out a few puffs of smoke, like a little Koffing, and then the compact ball disintegrated into dust that blew away on the wind.
There was a sense of finality to it. The job was finally done.
Not quite yet, Mewtwo's soft voice echoed in the back of Tim's mind, and Tim realized Mewtwo was speaking through their bond. Tim was the only one who could hear him now. We're not finished yet, human.
The cells back home, Tim realized. The ones his Dad had retrieved, and Tim had convinced Mewtwo not to take. Tim had promised that, eventually, the cells would be returned to their owner.
Silently, Tim nodded in understanding.
Breaking through the silence, one of the trainers stepped forward eagerly. "Can we battle you, Mewtwo?"
Tim looked back at them. All the kids were younger than him, as young as ten, or as old as seventeen or so. They all looked aspiringly at Mewtwo, hopeful for a battle with the most powerful Pokémon in the world.
But Tim saw Mewtwo's signs, slight as they were; his shoulders went stiff with tension, and his tail curled in just a little. Any slim trace of exhaustion vanished from his body language as he drew himself up to his usual imposing regality.
Before Mewtwo could rudely respond or flee, Tim stepped forward. "Listen, kids, Mewtwo's not interested in joining any teams, ok?" He was sure to lift his voice so they all could hear. "He's very grateful for your help, but he doesn't really want to battle. He just wants to be left alone. Can you all do that?"
Many of the kids looked disappointed, but they nodded in acceptance. A few smiled, still happy that they were seeing Mewtwo, being near Mewtwo.
Tim turned back to the clone, who was now looking at Tim like he had created a whole school of Wishiwashi from just one. Tim smiled friendlily, and Mewtwo's subtle expressions of fear vanished.
"We're sorry those bad guys attacked you," one of the younger trainers spoke up. She was so small, half Mewtwo's own height, and the clone looked down at her. His eyes flickered to the others, clearly untrusting, expecting a lie or a trap.
Tim found himself sad at the sight. Can't you sense their genuineness, Mewtwo?
Those eyes glanced to him for a brief moment. But then Mewtwo turned his attention to Harry.
The agents? Are they contained?
Harry pointed to the edge of the airport, where several other police officers were sternly containing the knocked-out Tyranitar and Dusknoir, a miserable-looking Dr. Drew, the other scowling agent, and an absolutely furious Agent Domino who glared daggers at Mewtwo. They all were being handcuffed and led off.
"We'll be sure little miss Sunflora over there gets her weed killer," Harry said dryly. Tim chuckled at the nickname, and even the edge of Mewtwo's mouth twitched upwards.
Then it is time for me to bid you farewell, Mewtwo said with a small bow. He looked at Tim for a moment, and then his gaze slid over to all the other trainers. After a second's hesitation, he addressed them. Your help was invaluable. You have my thanks.
The trainers cheered, a conflicting chorus of 'You're welcomes!' and 'You're so cool!' They gasped in awe as Mewtwo shot up into the air, giving a quick loop as if to say goodbye, and then flew off, quickly vanishing as he sped high into the sky.
The trainers began to talk amongst themselves the moment Mewtwo was completely out of sight, chattering about how amazing he was and the battle they'd just won. Tim, however, was distracted when his Dad put a hand on his shoulder.
"Tim," Harry said, leaning in. His tone was light, but his eyes were terrifyingly serious. "You have a lot of explaining to do."
OOO
"So Mewtwo didn't let you tell me all this?" Harry asked again.
They were back at the apartment, sitting at the dinner table, surrounded by all the junk food they had, which Harry insisted they deserved after such a day. Tim's Dad was currently munching on cheese-cracker Golden Goldeen. He'd already eaten his way through the Slurpuff cakes and Spinda cookies.
"Mewtwo refused to work with you," Tim admitted reluctantly. "He thought you weren't trustworthy, after…"
"After I caught him," Harry said simply. Tim hesitantly nodded, and Harry sighed. "I can't say I blame him for that, but this whole situation might have gone a lot easier if I'd been there."
"I tried to tell him that," Tim said regretfully.
Pikachu, who had been watching each Goldeen cracker enter Harry's mouth, began to murmur softly to draw attention to himself. Harry frowned at him. "Ok, but this is the last one!" Harry warned, and threw Pikachu a cracker.
"Cha!" Pikachu squealed, nibbling it up.
"So the Grass-Type Labs didhave a tie with R, but it was just Dr. Drew," Harry said thoughtfully, redirecting his attention back to the topic. "But if Dr. Alexis and Dr. Richard were there when you saw Dr. Drew escape, why didn't they call the police?"
Tim grimaced. "Mewtwo apparently hypnotized them so that they wouldn't. He only told me about that later." Tim was cleverly avoiding the part of the story where the car had tumbled down a mountain, and then Mewtwo had torn it apart for kicks.
Harry took another handful of crackers and popped them into his mouth. "Dat's fee-py."
Tim nodded. "Yeah, it is."
Swallowing, Harry leaned back and looked at Tim seriously. "I'm not happy you didn't tell me about all this, Tim."
Tim sighed. "I wanted to, Dad, really I did—"
"I get why you didn't," Harry waved off. "But I was really worried about you. So look, just promise me that this was a one-time thing? If Mewtwo shows up at our doorstep again, you'll give me a heads up?"
Tim nodded immediately. "I promise."
Harry sighed in relief, melting into his chair. Pikachu crept forward and nudged Harry's hand on the table. Harry opened an eye. "I saidthat was the last one."
"Pika, pi…" Pikachu blinked his wide brown eyes imploringly, like a stray, starving Pichu.
Harry groaned in defeat and lifted another cracker. "Ok, but this time I mean it."
"Pika!" Pikachu jumped up to catch the cracker as Harry tossed it at him, and quickly gobbled it up.
Harry sat back up in his chair, and smiled at Tim. "Still, it's really cool you got to hang out with Mewtwo. Did he warm up to you?"
Tim thought of how Mewtwo had been at the beginning, insulting him, accusing Tim of trying to control him, refusing almost any offer of help… And then, promising to protect Tim at the laboratories, confiding to Tim about his nightmare, the insults becoming more humorous, and calling his name out as Tim fell.
Tim didn't think Mewtwo really didnames with humans, maybe not even for Pokémon, but he'd take that one time for what it was worth.
"Yeah," Tim said softly. "He did."
Harry tilted his head sympathetically. "Sorry, kiddo. Even if Mewtwo likes you, I don't think he's partner material."
Tim knew where his Dad was coming from, knew he was probably right, but he couldn't help but entertain the thought. "No, I suppose not."
Harry reached over and took Tim's empty plate, starting to clean up. "We've had a rough day. Why don't you go get some rest, I'll clean up, and then tomorrow we'll head down to the station and start investigating that flower girl?"
"Sounds good," Tim said, stifling a yawn.
He got up and headed to his room, hearing his Dad shout, "No! You've had too much already! No more!" Tim smiled and shook his head.
He couldn't say he was too surprised when he opened his door and found Mewtwo waiting in his room. The clone was sitting on the beanbag Tim hadn't put away yet, and despite the bag's gracelessness, Mewtwo still managed to look as majestic as Regigigas upon its throne.
Tim realized he had completely forgotten that Mewtwo had promised to return. That was probably something he should have mentioned to his Dad. Still, Tim stepped inside and softly closed the door behind him—he'd tell Harry later, after Mewtwo had left.
Human, Mewtwo acknowledged with an inclination of his head, rising from his seat. I trust you have recovered from this morning's events?
"Getting there," Tim said, trying to squash down another yawn. He still had the bruises from when he'd been thrown about the cabin, but they would heal with time. "How about you? Has Domino's attack worn off yet?"
Mewtwo dipped his head in a nod. The effects had completely faded within an hour.
"Good," Tim said firmly. He went over to his desk and sat down, the wheeled seat twisting at his weight. "At least it seems Team Rocket can't keep you down for long." Tim took a pen off his desk and began to fiddle with it. "It's bad that they could cripple you like that, though."
Mewtwo's voice was dark and quiet. Regrettable indeed. I count myself fortunate to have walked away free from that encounter, and to have been able to rescue you.
"And get your cells," Tim reminded him. He hadleapt from an aircraft mid-flight without a parachute to get those cells, after all. And Mewtwo had been after them this whole time, too. They were fairlyimportant.
But wait…if Mewtwo wasn't mentioning them, then did that mean…? Tim set down the pen and tilted his head at the clone. "You cared more about rescuing me than getting your cells back, didn't you?"
Mewtwo's eyes lowered. Yes. When you were gone, and I was weakened, I feared I would not be able to free you. I know how brutal and indifferent Team Rocket can be.
Tim smiled. "Thank you, Mewtwo." He leaned back, more than a little flattered. "Luckily I grabbed the cells anyway. Team Rocket didn't get them."
I have you, and those trainers who stepped in, to thank for that. Mewtwo nodded, and Tim beamed at him.I sense no more of my DNA across the city. All the other cells that Dr. Laurent stole from me have been destroyed.
Tim's shoulders slumped a little. "Your cells are finally out of the wrong hands. So I just have to return the ones that my Dad found to you." Tim was trying to think of a way to sneak into his Dad's room and take them without Harry noticing, but then Mewtwo lifted the purple vial in his hands. Tim had no idea where the clone had been keeping it, but he didn't question the mysterious Pokémon.
I took the liberty of retrieving it myself, Mewtwo said simply.
Tim's mouth quirked in a smile. "Of course you did."
Tim watched as Mewtwo crushed the vial within his fist, its contents dissipating into the air, completely obliterated. He sighed, relieved. "You're free now." He deflated a little. "You don't have a reason to stay in Ryme City. I guess you're moving on then?"
Mewtwo's violet eyes, which had been watching his hand that had held the vial, flicked up to Tim's. There was a thoughtful pause, and then he spoke. I have explored this world for years, traversed across countless regions and terrains, and yet learned so little from my journeys.
Mewtwo dropped his hand to his side and looked away, and Tim surprised to see the…pain on Mewtwo's face. I must admit that I am…frustrated, with my lack of results. But here, Mewtwo turned his gaze to Tim's window. It didn't provide much of a view, but the close, brick walls and Pokémon that freely navigated the narrow paths summed up Ryme City pretty well. Here, in just a few weeks, I have learned so much more without even intending to.
Tim blinked several times, scarcely believing it. "What do you mean?"
I mean…I would like to stay here. At least for a little while longer. Mewtwo's mouth twitched up in a small smile. Try out a temporary purpose, as you suggested.
"Here?" Tim repeated. "Here, as in, in the city? Or here, as in…in myhome?" Tim tapped one foot on the ground to be clear.
Mewtwo's tail curled inwards. Here. Your home. If you will tolerate me.He shifted a foot.I would hate to encroach on your residence.
Tim felt a wide grin crawl over his face, and he waved a hand. "Encroach away." But then he became serious, wanting to make sure Mewtwo understood. "You would be welcome, Mewtwo."
Mewtwo didn't smile much, and when he did, they were small. But the one he gave Tim at that moment was the widest and most genuine Tim had ever seen on the Pokémon.
Mewtwo dipped in head. Thank you.
Tim raised one eyebrow. "But we have to tell my Dad this time, understand?"
Very well.
OOO
"Hey, Dad?"
Tim poked his head out of the hallway. His Dad was still cleaning up in the kitchen, while still nibbling Goldeen crackers and trying to resist Pikachu's begging.
"Tim?" Harry looked up from the plate. "What's wrong? Can't sleep? It's not even been half an hour."
"There's one more thing I wanted to tell you," Tim admitted.
Harry set the plate aside and wiped his hands on a nearby towel. But the towel was small and didn't do a great job, so Harry leaned over and instead pet Pikachu to dry them. Pikachu huffed, but seemed to be used to it.
"What's up?" Harry said, leaning forward against the counter.
Tim, who wanted to be sure he did this right, went and sat at the table again. "Sit down," he told his Dad.
Harry narrowed his eyes suspiciously, and did as Tim asked. Tim could see his Dad was trying to read him, but Tim leaned back comfortably, as if he had all the time in the world.
His Dad sat, and waited expectantly. "Soooooo?"
"Well…" Tim paused, mulling over exactly how to break to his Dad that they were about to have a new roommate. "So, you know how you told me I needed to get a Pokémon partner?"
Harry cocked his head to the side. "Yeah? Do you have a new idea?"
"I've already found one," Tim said.
Pikachu's ears shot up with interest, and his eyes widened. Clearly, the little Pokémon was eager for a new friend, and curious about what they would be.
Harry looked excited as well. "Really?" He leaned forward. "Do tell."
"It'd be better if I showed," Tim said slyly, and then turned in his chair and called down the hallway. "Mewtwo, you can come in now!"
Harry's face was pricelessas Mewtwo swept into the room like the wind, sliding over to Tim's side. Mewtwo looked down upon Harry as if the clone were one of the legendary Creation Trio descended from his realm. Harry gaped openly in utter shock; Tim was sure that if his Dad had been standing, he would have fallen to the floor. As it was, Harry got a little lopsided on the chair. Pikachu, too, sat back on his back legs and gaped in confused bewilderment.
"Dad," Tim said teasingly. "It's really not thatbig of a deal. We just saw Mewtwo this morning, after all."
Harry was breathing so heavily it was almost a wheeze. "Hah…ugh….Ti….Tim,"Harry managed to get out. "You're saying…that M—…Me—…Mewtwo—"Harry finally coughed out the word "—is staying with us?"
Tim felt Mewtwo shift his tail behind him, wanting to say something, but the clone remained quiet, letting Tim handle this. Tim grinned. "Yeah. If that's okay?"
Harry didn't even seem to have heard him. He lifted both of his hands to his forehead. "Explain this to me, Tim," Harry said, voice muffled through his hands. "Mewtwo—the most powerful Pokémon in the world, the manmade miracle of science, the genetically engineered clone created by some of the greatest minds to ever walk the earth, built to be a weapon for a nefarious criminal gang, who has superior intelligence by the standards of both people and Pokémon, who detests human beings almost to the point of loathingthem…has agreed to be your Pokémon partner?"
Tim looked back at Mewtwo, who seemed to be contemplating all the titles he had just been given. At least he wasn't insulted by any of them.
Tim looked back at his Dad. "Is there another Mewtwo?"
"Is there?!"Harry shouted back seriously. "Because I honest-to-Goodra cannot understand how in the Distortion Worldthis could be happening. Is this reallythe same Mewtwo?"
I assure you, detective, Mewtwo said dryly, a hint of mockery in his voice. It is I.
At that moment Pikachu recovered enough to take a half-step forward. "Pi, Pika? Pikachu?"
Mewtwo's attention shifted to the Mouse Pokémon, and he inclined his head. Indeed, you are correct. Not all humans are bad. Some are even…trustworthy.
Pikachu gave a tentative smile.
"Are we surethis is Mewtwo?!" demanded Harry. "How!?"
"I told you the story, Dad," Tim sighed. "Mewtwo and I have been working together. And while at first, we barely trusted each other, we've learned to. We've been through so much together…" Tim trailed off, for a moment doubting that Mewtwo agreed with everything he was saying. But the clone was watching him, his sharp purple eyes pinned on him raptly. Tim realized that though Mewtwo probably wouldn't say such things aloud…but he might not deny them. Tim swallowed. "Mewtwo likes the city, liked chasing bad guys, and likes me. He wants to stay here in the city, here with us. At least for a little while. And…" Tim cleared his throat. "I want him to. So…?"
Harry stared at Tim blankly, and Tim wondered if any of his words were getting through. Pikachu shuffled nervously.
Eventually Harry's eyes trailed up to Mewtwo. Mewtwo stared down at him, appearing indifferent. But his clenched fists suggested otherwise.
When Harry eventually spoke, it was slowly, as if he feared Mewtwo was an Electrode that might use Self-Destruct at any moment. "Tim…" he began. "This Pokémon…he's powerful, no doubt, and intelligent, obviously, but he's also…dangerous."
Mewtwo narrowed his eyes but did not dispute that fact. So Harry went on. "Even without all the stories Howard Clifford told me, there are plenty of reports of Mewtwo's—err—aggressivenature. Are you sure this is the right place for him? A city full of humans, which he hates? Livingwith humans?"
Tim opened his mouth, but Mewtwo cut him off. You forget, detective, that this is mydecision as well.The clone stepped around Tim's chair to better face Harry, getting closer. To Harry's credit, he didn't flinch or cower, but he did straighten up as if prepared to move. I am dangerous. I will never deny that truth, in fact, I will likely remind of it. But I assure you, that I am not as sanguinary as I once was. My seclusion from others is a testament to that. Most of the people and Pokémon I have harmed in recent years either attacked me first, or trulydeserved it. Otherwise I let them be. Do you not recall, when we first met?
Harry became a little pale. "When I captured you."
Before that,Mewtwo said, his voice getting softer. When you first tracked me in the mountains. I could haveattacked you. Icould haveharmed you. It would have been easy, hardly have taken me any effort. But I did not.
It was at that point Tim realized two pieces of separate stories that didn't match up. Mewtwo had told him that when he encountered a human, he wiped that human's memory of him. But his Dad had said that when he'd met Mewtwo, Mewtwo had only watched him. The clone hadn't attacked or broken into his mind; and when Mewtwo hadbeen attacked by Harry, he had only tried to flee.
"Why didn't you?" Harry whispered.
Mewtwo was still, but his eyes briefly flickered to Pikachu on the table. The yellow Pokémon was watching the exchange fearfully. Tim didn't understand it; what had Pikachu done, that made Mewtwo hold back? Surely there had been other trainers he had met with Pokémon? Had Pikachu convinced him, somehow?
Mewtwo's eyes went back to Harry's, and then, to both Harry and Tim's astonishment, true remorsecame onto his face.
Because I want to grow,Mewtwo said. Because I am tired of being alone, of fighting for my life and my right to live, of being separate from the world. I want to learn, to have a purpose, a direction. When we met, I wanted to do something different. His voice became hushed. And then you caught me, and sent me back to the laboratories that I abhor. So I regretted trying to change, trying to be better. He leaned in a little closer. Was I right to do so?
The silence was immense, and impossible, as they were in a city of endless noise. But still, somehow Tim could hear nothing but what Mewtwo and Harry were currently speaking, and in this pause that went on for an eternity, Tim wondered if he had gone deaf.
"Mewtwo," Harry said finally. "I am so sorryfor what I did to you. I should have looked more into it before handing you over to Howard Clifford. What you went through…was my fault."
Mewtwo's face did not even twitch at Harry's apology. It remained as hard and as still as a Zen Darmanitan. You will never do such an action again? Mewtwo inquired, sounding impassive.
Harry shook his head firmly.
Mewtwo straightened back up, standing tall, his eyes finally losing some of their harsh coldness. Then it seems we both wish to improve ourselves. His gaze slid over to Tim. And it also appears that your son wishes to assist us both as well. He looked back at Harry. I am willing to forgive the mistakes of the past, and let you better yourself. Will you let me?
Tim sucked in a breath. Throughout the whole time he'd known Mewtwo, Mewtwo had firmly drilled into his that no one 'let'him do anything. No one controlled Mewtwo, no one ordered him around, and no one could stop him if he wanted to do something. But right now…
"You'll leave if my Dad says so?" Tim whispered, hardly believing it. If Harry didn't want Mewtwo to stay…then Mewtwo would honor that?
Now Tim found himself on Harry's side. Wasthere another Mewtwo?
The clone—one of a kind, truly—shifted his gaze to Tim. After a moment of consideration, he spoke.I have come to recognize the bond between you and your father,the legendary said. I have no wish to be a divide between you.
His eyes shifted back to Harry. Your decision?
Harry and Mewtwo had a small stare down. Mewtwo crossed his arms and regarded the detective, whose face scrounged up in hard thought.
Finally, Harry turned to look at Tim. "This Pokémon should be a lawyer."
The tension broke like shattered glass.
Mewtwo raised one eyebrow ridge. A laugh, built up from his anxiousness, burst out of Tim's mouth, and he hastily slapped his hand over his face to hold in the remaining nervous giggles.
"I mean it," his Dad insisted, though his lopsided smile clearly said he was teasing. "That was impressive. You could move a champion with an appeal like that."
Mewtwo huffed. I suppose I have picked up a thing or two from your son's many arguments.
The thought that Mewtwo had learned anythingfrom Tim was a little heady.
"Really," Harry drawled, still with that smile. "Well then, since you two have gotten so close…I guessyou have to stay, then."
"Pi, Pika-chu!" Pikachu cried cheerfully, running a lap around the table with glee. Mewtwo's tense shoulders eased a little, and Tim beamed.
"Thank you, Dad," he said earnestly.
Harry's smile became a little more strained, and he reached out and nestled his hand between Pikachu's ears. "I'm glad you two are so excited," Harry offered. "But there's still something that worries me."
Tim tilted his head inquiringly, and his Dad sighed. "I'm amazed you managed to keep Mewtwo secret from me for so long…but do you really think you can keep doing so from everyone else?"
Tim's smile slipped a little. His Dad was right; Mewtwo adamantly wanted to remain secret, keeping apart from most humans. Even if Mewtwo still only went out at night, he would undoubtedly still be spotted, and thus pursued.
And yet…
"I know this city," Tim said steadily. "I may have only been here for a few weeks, but I know it. Here, Pokémon aren't caught; they walk free, make their own choices, and partner with humans only if they chose to do so. I know that Mewtwo will struggle to live anywhere near humans, but…" Tim mustered a smile. "I believe that this is the best possible city he could be in. Here, most people won't try to catch him." He shrugged. "People will be shocked for a bit, but he'll just become everyone's new neighbor."
"Our friendly neighborhood Mewtwo," Harry tried out dryly. "Sounds like a kids movie about an Ariados-teenager, or maybe a Snorlax. All right." He leaned back. "I suppose you did give those trainers a speech about leaving him alone. And we aredetectives." A wicked grin crossed Harry's face. "If anyone bothers Mewtwo, we can just arrest them!"
"Pikachu!" Pikachu leapt eagerly in agreement.
Mewtwo tilted his head at Tim. In that case, perhaps this city isthe best place for me.
Harry's beam grew wider, getting reallyexcited now. "We should get Mewtwo a restraining order on all humans! With us as exceptions, of course."
Tim looked at him flatly. "Dad."
"Right, right," Harry nodded. He turned to Mewtwo, who seemed to be debating on whether or not he wanted to ask about restraining orders. "So, just to be clear…you're Tim's partner now?"
Mewtwo's eyes narrowed a small fraction. They flickered over to Tim briefly. Emphasis on partner, he ground out slowly. We stand as equals. Mewtwo's voice then darkened to a deadly degree, and Tim could have sworn that a wave of electricity came into the air. Correct?
"Of course!" Tim hurried agreed, putting up his hands pacifyingly. He wasn't exactly sure what the background information was, but he knew that if Mewtwo thought he was being treated unfairly, he would leave. "I promise you, Mewtwo."
At that, Mewtwo relaxed considerably.
"Soooooo," Harry interjected into the awkward tension, redirecting the subject. "You want to be a detective,then?"
A sense of dread entered Tim's stomach. Harry was quite proud of his profession, and did it hisway. When Tim had decided to try it out…
Mewtwo, casting off Harry's strange probing as the human's usual behavior, answered seriously. Catching immoral humans seems to be a fair and useful pastime. A pause, and then he admitted, And it is also quite satisfying.
Harry's smile was starting to reach standards of deranged."Well, if you're going to be living here, anddetectiving with us—"
"Detectiving's not a word, Dad—"
"—DE-TEC-TIV-INGWITH US," Harry continued louder, "Then we better start the initiation process!"
Tim groaned and put his head in his hands mournfully. He couldn't believehis Dad wanted to put Mewtwothrough this, just as he had put Timthrough this.
Initiation? Mewtwo repeated, confused.
Harry slapped his hands down on the table, and Pikachu wagged his thunderbolt tail with joy. "We're going to binge detective movies all night!" He lifted and waved a finger in the air, declaring his 'initiation' with tremendous enthusiasm. "And I'll quiz you on the law, and we're gonna chug coffee, and possibly electrocute something by the end of the night!"
Mewtwo raised one eyebrow. Your behavior is…superfluous.
"It issuper, Mewtwo, exactly!" Harry nodded eagerly.
"Dad," Tim said pleadingly.
"Come on, Tim, this'll be fun," Harry waved him off. "You know, I think Mewtwo living here may turn out all right after all…I can feel it in my jellies."