We're almost at the end already? There are only two more chapters to go after this one and I didn't even realize it (mainly because I intended the last one to be split in two), but the story's almost over. My goal is to be done by the end of July, which isn't too unreasonable. The next one should be surfacing before this weekend's done, and the final part early into next weekend. I'm back in class so I'm writing whenever I have time ... which isn't often.
Chapter 09: My Decision
The deception was over, Mother.
To think that such an innocent looking Pokemon would be capable of such treachery would be beyond a human's comprehension. Humans are firm believers that it is impossible for a Pokemon to become 'wicked', but that is not entirely true. The vast majority of Pokemon humans encounter are incapable of having any wicked thoughts, is all. Those who hold intelligence on par or superior to humans are few and far in between. They are the thinkers that shape our world, but also the most corrupt. I should know it better than anyone since I too once traveled down that path. I did do things that I'm not too proud of, and to say that I didn't know any better is not entirely true.
The difference between me and Mew is that I learned to stop.
I doubt that she's willing to ever to the same.
You can't let the Tree die! Her voice was growing gradually weaker with each passing second. The air within the Tree was becoming harder to breath, thick with toxic fumes from the crystals that crumbled around us. If this Tree dies the whole thing will collapse! I'll die ... and all the Pokemon who live here will die too -
" There are no more Pokemon here! " I snapped, twisting my head around to glare into her softened eyes. " You took them all to be consumed in an attempt to extend your life a little longer. You killed creatures who never stood a chance against your power! "
Mew was beginning to lose her ability to hover, her body began drifting towards the ground to rest on one of the larger crystals that had not been destroyed yet. You're willing to let me die when you have the chance to save me. Does that make you any different? She hissed as she curled up in a protective position.
" I am nothing like you. " I would have saved many people and Pokemon heartache if I realized that sooner. There was no need to chase after the title of another when I can easily make one for myself. Even when Mew is long gone and dead I will still be ... Mewtwo. " I am not a cold blooded killer, nor will I ever be. You can easily reverse the damage by releasing the Pokemon you captured to relieve some of the stress on the Tree. "
The little Pokemon whimpered pitifully. It's too late ... Even so that alone can't save the Tree ... and my life ...
Though her words contradicted what I was made to believe I didn't feel any pity for her. There was the occasional tinge of guilt that came with seeing a Pokemon on it's final legs fighting for it's life, but Mew did not even do that. The little wench seemed content with sitting on that rock begging for another to throw their life down to extend that of a creature who lived a hundred lifetimes.
" ... Ru! " It was the primitive cry of a fighting type Pokemon shortly before it released a technique. The voice belonged to my fighter who'd been quietly gathering up enough energy in his body to free us from that block of ice, or so it seemed. A wave of heat started to melt the ice rapidly, but it was ultimately the Blaze Kick that formed that caused the ice to break apart into lukewarm droplets flying wildly.
My own legs were completely numb at this point; a combination of the burning sensations in the void, the chilling ice, and the rapid changes of Wave in my body turned my muscles into a substance that'll resemble a Ditto's body. I didn't realize I had fallen until I felt Lucario's arms coming under my own. He supported my weight just long enough to lower me to the ground safely, where I settled down in a kneel. " Thanks. " Soon after I realized that something was wrong. Normally he would correct me modestly when I thanked him for something, but this time he didn't respond ... at all.
I glanced up at his face and noticed that his expression had changed drastically from the last time I'd gotten a good look at him; earlier that afternoon. In my opinion he looked more exhausted than even I could have been, but hid it well behind a fighter's sturdy exterior. His red eyes lost what little shine they had left. They were hardened pebbles that could be associated with a creature who had seen, or experienced, something horrific.
His eyes were locked on Mew. After a moment of licking at her own fur she returned the stare, eyes widening, before they narrowed again in a fashion that made my fur stand on end. " Lucario, my dear ... " The tone of her voice made me cringe. " Are you willing to let an innocent suffer because of this little feud? You should extend my life, even a little, long enough to do what you know is the right thing. "
Mew might have been speaking the Lucario, but my need to defend him was slowly kicking in even when I found myself unable to stand. " The only 'right thing' that can come from this ... " I raised my hand in the fashion I did shortly before using my powers. " Is me sending you strait to Hell where you belong - "
" DON'T! " His voice pierced through the air.
Lucario placed himself between Mew and myself not even a second later. His eyes were closed, trying his damndest not to look at me while he broke down. " I don't care what happens to Mew at the end of this, but it's wrong to let our child suffer. " Not until I felt that foul toxic in the air against my tongue did I notice my mouth was agape at that. The shock forced the words to sink in deeper much later than they normally would. I did not know what about what he said or did made my chest burn from the anger. All I knew was that my rage was making him a potential target as well. " I ... " Felt betrayed is what I would have said if I could speak. I could only listen to his explanation now. " Mated with Mew to save you! I needed to buy a little time so she wouldn't kill you immediately! "
That was not a reasonable excuse in my mind regardless of how noble it may have been. " You told me that you loved me ... " My words came out slowly as it was becoming harder to project them with the thickening smoke, and my clouding mind. " ... yet you mate with someone else. Now she's going to bear you a child that was brought into this world to 'buy you some time'. "
He knew it was best not to touch me when irratated from our training. The fighter still reached over to take my raised hand by the wrist, lifting it up so our eyes could finally meet again. This time I could see the pain in his eyes clearly. He'd been troubled by his actions the whole time, and this wasn't making it any easier for him. " I may have mated someone else, but that doesn't mean that I don't care for you. I did it because I love you enough to do anything to ensure your safety ... " His voice was barely above a whisper. " ... and even if you never forgive me for my actions I'll still love you. If it makes you feel better I'll leave you be - "
" Don't bother ... " I sighed in my frustration, my eyes closing briefly so he couldn't see the pain when I stood.
Lucario took in a breath, hopeful. " Do you forgive me? "
" No. " I snapped at him as I opened my eyes again. First I looked down at him. " ... but knowing how weak my fickle heart I might, eventually. In the meantime we have other matters to attend to, like getting the Hell out of here before the place comes down on our heads. "
The fighter smiled subtly. " Finally ... "
It dawned upon me that Lucario had been talking about leaving a week prior to coming here. It alone made me smile as well. Lucario's bittersweet charm was one of the things that attracted me to him in the first place. Keep that up and it might be sooner rather than later that we would come to terms. " I suppose we can prolong her life long enough to lay the egg ... " We turned our attention to the panting Mew. " ... and if she releases all of the Pokemon she has we'll see what we can do about her poor condition. "
One thing's for certain; this place was beyond even my powers to save. The tunnel Mew had come in to block us off had collapsed, and the one opposite of it was not too far behind. In a matter of minutes what was left of the Tree could not be salvaged. The best Mew could hope for was somehow detaching herself from the tree she depended on for life in a bid to save her own, and her born child's.
I headed for the place where that little pink wench was resting, Lucario following behind with a bit of anxiety in his steps. When I reached down to scoop her up into my arms she did the last thing I'd expect a Pokemon pleading for help to do; she bit me! Little fangs and all! I snapped the wrist of the hand she bit so hard she bounced off the adjacent wall I threw her against, and the floor where she ultimately landed. She hissed at me then, and I hissed right back while examining the blood coming from the wound she foolishly inflicted.
Lucario's instinct told him to check up on his young, but he was hesitant about leaving my side until I gave approval out the corner of my eye. I silently told him to go with a gesture of the head, and if not for his steel typing to warn him about impending bites and scratches.
Mew backed towards the wall again, fur on end, as Lucario approached her. Stay away from me you traitorous dog! You'd rather stay with that ... thing than be with the family that you helped create. ... I'll chalk that one up to the 'mood swings' I heard about when reading over the breeder's notes.
Lucario seemed as confused as I was when she snapped at him. " I thought you wanted our help! "
Mother Mew glared at us as she attempted to hover again. This time she didn't get much more than three feet off the ground before speaking. I'd rather die than be saved by the likes of you ... a son who would strike down his own mother, and a mate who abandons his unborn child. That was hardly what this was about, I imagine, though the reason she gave Lucario might have been close. I hope you two have some happy moments together because it certainly won't last! Mew continued to float upwards towards the ceiling until her body just couldn't take it anymore. Her body fell after arching for one last hurrah, and vanished completely an instant before she was to hit the ground again. Teleportation.
The fighter's paw was still outstretched as if he wanted to help the little pink Pokemon. To see him in such a position filled me with an unpleasant bitterness, and though I knew that he was only concerned for the child she carried I couldn't help but feel some spite. Not enough to hurt him, or even hate him. Just enough to fill the air around us with a mixture of tension and toxic fumes that made staying here unbearable.
There was nothing we could do for the Pokemon in the Tree now that Mew made her escape. All we could do now was ensure that we had safe passage. " ... well come on. " I spoke just loud enough for Lucario to hear me, and with enough of a snap to my voice to remind him of my anger. The smaller Pokemon came to me without saying a word. It must have been shame that prevented him from speaking. When he came within range I concentrated on my task ...
... and failed.
Four times I tried to do what I knew how to do since birth at the blink of an eye, teleport. It was so simple I hardly thought about the chain of actions needed to complete it. A little pulse of psychic energy is supposed to ripple through the air and cause a small dimensional rip, giving the appearance of disappearing in the blink of an eye. When the connection is made my mind 'clicks' before sending me to whatever destination I think of. This time there wasn't a click at all. I sent out the pulse and it just ... stopped ... like nothing was there at all.
Lucario looked up at me and noticed that something was wrong. He opened his mouth as to speak, but stopped, possibly because he didn't want to offend me at a time like this. The fighter got some type of speech out eventually. " We have to run for it - "
" I won't make it. " As those words echoed through the bowels of our minds they sunk in, and I despaired. I knew that I did not have the energy to hover above the ground anymore given this new development, and I couldn't sprint even while healthy. My legs were burning even as I stood, and with the gravity of these events finally taking it's told I felt the need to sit ... but not without telling the fighter the obvious. " You'll have to go without me. "
He couldn't believe it, either, and I didn't expect him to at first. " I'm ... not leave you. " His voice may have wavered but he ended strong.
The fighter may have wanted to protest further, but I grabbed his shoulder roughly to force him to look up into my eyes. I could see my own in the reflection of his. They were as fiery as ever with just a hint of sadness, possibly regret. Here I was so damn near determined that I wouldn't die, too ... " Mew is still out there somewhere with your egg. You know what will happen to that child if you allow her to raise it ... " I found it gradually harder to breath in this space. " Lucario ... " I hardly ever used his proper name before. " ... Pokemon were never meant to be heroes or villains though we can play the part pretty damn well. You know that you can't save everyone, and even if that hurts a little you know that there is some good you can do. "
The Pokemon in the Tree, Thunder-Hawk, Master Aaron, the Lucario and Wave Guiders before him ... They were all lives sacrificed in such a needless battle. So many lives were extinguished in this angst, but there was potential to be made yet. I remain confident that Mew will find some way to save herself, and possibly the child, so she could continue this painful cycle. Through her I learned a powerful life lesson; The world will continue on even if you do not.
With that I tried to push the distraught Pokemon away from me. I should have known Lucario wouldn't let go that easily. He took hold of my wrist and reversed the push so he'd throw me over his shoulder. There was obvious strain this time that made me question what happened prior further. Before Lucario was able to support my weight without a problem, but now he could barely move while I leaned into him. I was almost tempted to try to wiggle off his back, but those powerful arms holding my sore legs in place made it difficult.
That stubborn will of his ... another charming point.
It may very well prove to be his downfall since we barely cleared the open tunnel before it's collapse. The air in the passageways had become so thick that breathing became an obligation. Filtering the air by burying my snout in the long fur on the fighter's collar helped a little, but I doubt that it'd last the entire trip as the dust accumulated. I noticed a considerable drop in Lucario's speed once be went through the core. From a stable gait to struggling steps into the tunnel, and barely being able to lift his legs about twenty feet in. I estimated we were still over a hundred feet from the nearest exit through the canyons.
At this pace we just wouldn't make it.
The temptation to force him to leave me to save himself was there.
The chances that it'll actually work were slim.
My fears were confirmed when Lucario stumbled just off the fork in the road, and fell entering the tunnel he choose. He landed direct center on the spike of his chest judging by the yelp. To help soften the blow I immediately flopped to the side, pushing him onto his just opposite with an outstretched paw. There was blood staining the yellow fur of his chest where the spike was driven in. If my feline reflexes didn't kick in when they did it would have been considerably worst. The air closer to the ground was cleaner than that above, thankfully, which meant we had a few moments to spare before the inevitable.
Once the pain subsided Lucario's eyes fluttered open. They searched for me before becoming fixated on some object that wasn't me as he did whenever he felt embarrassed or ashamed. That made me smile though in my state the muscles barely flexed. " ... can't blame you for trying. "
Lucario said nothing this time. I couldn't fault him for that, either. Instead I choose to just cherish what little time we had left. Reaching over I took his arms with my paws to drag him towards me, his head coming to rest on my chest as I held him. I made a vain attempt to get comfortable myself. In the end I curled against a crevice in the wall. " I'm sorry for bringing you here. " I spoke to him quietly as I stroked his fur, the world spinning around me as it did so many times before.
In his typical fashion he found it best to correct me. " It's not your fault ... "
His words brought me some comfort, even on our deathbed.