The recovery process progressed much faster than anticipated, but still felt incredibly slow to Mewtwo, most likely due to the fact that he was confined to his bed around the clock for several days. Talking about the newfound plan with the others made it worse; every time it came up in conversation (which meant constantly), Mewtwo felt antsy and wanted to do something directly in response. But, on Nurse Joy's orders, he obeyed her strong recommendation to not get overly-excited. He still needed to get surgery done on his spinal cord to allow movement in his legs.
Within the hour after agreeing on the plan, actual preparation began to commence. Though Mewtwo couldn't do anything himself, he listened in on the conversations and offered his own input. The first thing they talked about?
"My suit," started Mewtwo disappointedly, "it's ruined. What happened?"
Tim and Bryce sat at Mewtwo's bedside. Tim had notebook in hand, flipping through pages upon pages of diagrams, notes, descriptions, and everything else that pertained to the suit in question. Bryce scratched his head embarrassedly, apparently ashamed at letting something he helped build fail to do its job.
"Erm…" he mumbled, "I'm not entirely sure. If I had to guess, I would say that, after Sandslash severed your helmet's connection to the rest of the suit and you took off your helmet, the shields couldn't do their job. Your armor is strong and very light, but it's brittle. In all honesty, we never planned for a bullet to test its strength. We expected you to take heat from Pokémon, not firearms."
"Can you get it fixed up?" asked Mewtwo.
"Yes," said Tim, "but it won't be easy. We'll have to replace all of the fried circuitry and fill the holes in the chestplate. I guess we should consider wires that don't overheat as easily, too."
Mewtwo's face fell and he hung his head.
"Sorry," Mewtwo said ashamedly, "I shouldn't have let Giovanni get in my head like that. That's my fault for losing my mind and making stupid moves."
"I don't blame you," said Tim quickly. "If Giovanni was making jabs at me like that, I would've lost it, too."
Tim and Bryce promised to get Mewtwo's suit repaired as soon as possible. That evening, they traveled to Cerulean University to start the trial of recovering Mewtwo's suit back to its full potential.
While they did that, the six Pokémon (Glaceon being present more for the purpose of getting accustomed to them) temporarily replaced their trainers around Mewtwo's bedside. Their human counterparts absent, the Pokémons' conversations took on a different kind of form and understanding amongst themselves.
"How do you guys really feel about all of this?" asked Mewtwo.
A fragile silence hovered around them for some time. Nobody seemed to know precisely how to respond, and so, fell into deep thought at the question.
"Well…" started off Tobuscus uncertainly after a while, "I know that I really want to help out in any way possible, and I'll see to that the best I can. But, I'm not sure if Bryce is as willing. I know he's not one to get directly involved in the action and get his hands dirty; he likes them clean, you see… He tends to take a step back and just—you know, kind of watch from afar. Unless," Tobuscus said, practically interrupting himself, "unless he's dealing with something he knows very well... like your suit, Mewtwo. He'll be running the charge with that project. Anyways, that was a bad tangent, I know. I want to help out in any possible way, and Bryce is already doing the best he can."
The atmosphere softened, and Gengar added on, "Me too. Tell me what I can help with, and I'll give it my all. Giovanni doesn't deserve his power, nor did he ever. I've always wanted to see that monster pay…"
"Too true," supplemented Sandslash solemnly. "Nearly all of us here know exactly what Giovanni's wrath is like. Nobody else should have to experience that. Too many people fell to his hand. And mine…"
Gengar clapped the speaker on his shoulder. They looked between each other, and sympathy seemed to radiate from Gengar.
"We're all in the same boat, Sandslash," said Gengar consolingly. "There's no need to bag on yourself."
Sandslash nodded rather unconfidently.
"Yeah, Sandslash," Squirtle piped up. "Don't get down on yourself. We can all beat Team Rocket if we work together as our own team, right?"
Sandslash nodded again, this time with marginally more vigor.
"You're right," said Sandslash strongly. "We need to keep in mind how important this is to keep us on track, yeah?"
Everyone nodded in agreeance.
If I may interrupt, came a voice that Mewtwo didn't immediately recognize, but a moment's thought reminded him that the voice belonged to Alakazam, this plan is undoubtedly going to be of utmost importance. I suggest formulating some sort of outline sooner than later, and sharing it with our trainers.
A pause stopped the group in its tracks. Alakazam brought up a good point; they needed an outline of some sorts to tell the others. The trouble was, they all got so excited over this plan that nobody really stopped to consider an actual approach.
"That's—that's—a really good point…" Mewtwo finished lamely. "I didn't even think—aww…"
No matter, Alakazam intervened, we can start right now. If we're going to take the fight to Giovanni, we'll need all the help we can get. In my opinion, that entails knowing Team Rocket's base like the back of your hands, gathering as much firepower as possible, and being prepared for anything Giovanni will throw at us.
"You're right," said Gengar. "In fact, you've given me an idea…"
"What?" asked Mewtwo, eager to get the ball rolling.
"Sandslash and I—regrettable as it is—spent the longest time in Team Rocket, right?" asked Gengar, glancing to Sandslash for confirmation. Sandslash gave it, and Gengar continued, "So why don't we try and draw up their base to show you guys what it looks like?"
Sandslash wore a puzzled expression.
"I hope you don't mean actually walking into the base?" asked Sandslash. "Because if we do, our welcome will be a little less than warm, don't you think?"
"I already thought of that," said Gengar confidently. "I do mean to walk into the base, but not like you're thinking. Instead of doing it in an obvious manner like that and surely get caught, we can do it discretely."
"Discretely?" Sandslash asked, "How do you walk in to a base so well-guarded like Team Rocket's without anyone noticing?"
Gengar smirked.
"Easy," he said. "I can blend into the shadows of the night and within the base's walls while giving you the same ability."
Sandslash raised his eyebrows, clearly impressed.
"That's cool," said Sandslash.
"Yeah," said Gengar, "I just found out about it last week. I tried it with Allen and it worked flawlessly."
"So we can spend as much time as we want there," said Sandslash, seemingly thinking to himself, "make up some maps and whatnot and…?"
"Precisely," said Gengar, nodding. "You like the idea?"
"Of course!" exclaimed Sandslash. "I think it's a brilliant idea!"
Everyone else affirmed with nods all around.
"Now, Alakazam," said Mewtwo after a slight pause, "I remember you mentioning gathering more people that will help our cause. Who would be likely to join us, in your opinion? Should we put out a call for help?"
He looked to Alakazam, but felt his heart sink the moment his eyes fell to the floor, downcast.
An unwise decision, I'd say, said Alakazam solemnly, Letting the public know your plans would be like walking up to Giovanni and telling him yourself. Your selection is limited in this situation.
Mewtwo bit his lip. He hated to hear the truth, but Alakazam was right. How could he get around this obstacle?
"Ahh…" he groaned disappointedly, "That sucks."
"Can we find a way around that?" asked Gengar.
Mewtwo's posture slouched as he fell into thought. He tapped his chin with a finger, thinking.
"I don't know…" Mewtwo mumbled slowly. "Who do we know outside of our group that would want to help?"
Everyone fell into thought like Mewtwo at the question. The gears worked hard in everyone's brains as thinking muted their sensitivity to sounds in the room. For a while, nobody spoke.
Suddenly, Gengar sat up a little straighter, lifting his eyes and looking around as if a fly buzzing about just caught his attention.
"What about those three Pokémon we met a long time ago?" Gengar asked, causing everyone else to look up as well, "The—uhh… the rogue Pokémon?"
"What about them?" asked Mewtwo's his eyes narrowing a bit.
"Well, didn't Nidoking give us his cell phone number?"
Mewtwo stared right at Gengar for several seconds, drawing a blank.
"Did he?" asked Mewtwo suspiciously, "I don't seem to recall…"
Mewtwo allowed his mind to travel back in time and replay their meeting with these rogues, trying to go through the events chronologically. The battle happened, followed by Gengar's disappearance with his mirage of Allen; he, Alder, and Alakazam took the unconscious to the Pokémon Center to rest—they did that while Mewtwo and them recovered Allen and Gengar; then, they fixed up the square and had lunch—that was the day Nidoking, Seviper, and Weezing got discharged…
He ran the farewell back again in his head, trying to imagine it while staring unseeingly at a spot on the floor. Evening arrived when they left the Pokémon Center, that much he could clearly remember. Mewtwo knew Nidoking mentioned they were travelers, he recalled that too. The last thing he remembered about their goodbye, however, was their wish that they'd all meet again. Why couldn't he remember Nidoking providing a phone number?
"He gave you a slip of paper, Mewtwo," Gengar spoke up after several moments of silence, "and you handed it to me. Something about the way you transferred it made me feel that you didn't really want it, but I hung on to it anyway."
With these words, the memory burst in as abruptly as a gate crasher at a party.
"Oh yeah!" Mewtwo exclaimed. "I remember now! Yeah, yeah, I'm with you now, Gengar."
"The problem is," Gengar added half-heartedly, "this happened so long ago that I can't remember where I put the paper that had his phone number."
The smile faded from Mewtwo's face rather quickly, but in contrast, Mewtwo noticed the beginnings of one curl upon Alakazam's lips.
I have just the solution, Alakazam said easily.
"You do?" asked Gengar eagerly. "What is it?"
I can aid your memory for just a moment, enough to help you remember where you misplaced Nidoking's telephone number, he said. If I may have one of your hands…?
Gengar stuck one out obediently. Alakazam grasped it with both of his own and said with the air of a therapist speaking to his patient, Relax your body. Don't be alarmed if you feel a warmth or chill; it's perfectly normal.
Gengar nodded and closed his eyes. Mewtwo could see his shoulders slouch slightly as Gengar expelled the tension in his muscles. Alakazam bowed forward, nearly allowing his forehead to touch their hands suspended in the air. A moment of silence blanketed the group.
Gengar took a sharp, deep breath. His back straightened, causing him to sit bolt-upright as his eyes flew open. The closest thing Mewtwo could equate to this action was cold water being dumped over his head. It seemed like Gengar just experienced some sort of revelation.
"I know where it is!" Gengar burst out excitedly. "I need to go see Allen, though!"
Gengar dashed out of the room in a heartbeat, leaving the others to do little more than look at each other bemusedly.
"I'm guessing it worked, then?" asked Sandslash. Alakazam nodded.
Incidentally, I'm able to receive a temporary flash of his memory, said Alakazam, and I saw precisely where he left the note with Nidoking's telephone number. I can also experience the emotion they felt in that particular time. With Gengar, he felt a shade of disappointment at their departure when he put away that number. So yes, it worked, he added with a smirk.
"That's really something…" Sandslash commented. "What else can you do like that, just by tapping into other people's brains?"
All sorts of stuff, said Alakazam. Retrieving memories is actually something relatively basic. Something more complex, like giving or transferring knowledge, can be difficult for other Psychic Pokémon; but, because I'm well-practiced, even some of the most challenging tasks are manageable.
"Wait a second," interrupted Mewtwo, "When you say, 'transfer knowledge,' what exactly do you mean by that?"
Anything that the provider chooses, really, mused Alakazam. A memory, information, the secrets to the universe…
"You've just given me an idea," said Mewtwo. "What if—and bear with me here—instead of physically sending Gengar and Sandslash into Team Rocket's base, they can give their knowings of the base to everyone in our group? With your help, of course."
Sandslash rubbed his chin in thought while Alakazam chewed on the inside of his cheek. Mewtwo saw Tobuscus raise an eyebrow as well, apparently in approval.
"Hmm…" issued the hum from Sandslash, "That's a really solid idea there, mate. It holds its merit, too, because we can let you guys know exactly what the base looks like. But there's only one thing wrong, however much I like your theory; we don't exactly know the traffic patterns of the people and Pokémon inside. I doubt much has changed, but we can't rely solely on old information. Things may have changed already, considering our—encounter. Y'know what I mean?"
A pause followed.
"You're right," conceded Mewtwo. "Although, it's not nearly as dangerous when you can draw up the maps right here. Everyone will know what you're talking about because we can envision the base in our own heads, right?"
Alakazam politely intervened with an affirmative nod.
Absolutely correct, he said. Would you like to try it now?
"Yes," said Mewtwo.
Okay. Because Gengar is away for now, I'll ask for both yours and Sandslash's hand.
Alakazam held out one hand to each of the addressed. Mewtwo's lanky arms allowed him to take hold of the proffered hand without moving at all. Sandslash scooched his chair closer to more comfortably grasp Alakazam's hand.
Just like I told Gengar before, relax yourself before I transfer the knowledge. It will probably feel like a low-voltage current or something is passing through you. Don't be alarmed when you feel this or the like, and keep hold so that the connection is not interrupted. Understand?
Mewtwo and Sandslash said "Yes" simultaneously.
Okay, Alakazam continued, Sandslash, you need to concentrate on Team Rocket's base and everything you know about it. Mewtwo, be ready for that current I told you about.
They obeyed. Alakazam bowed his head again and took a deep breath, the others mirroring his action. Mewtwo tried his hardest to untense his muscles and let calmness wash over instead.
An odd heat grew in the palm of his hand, right where Alakazam's skin contacted his own. It grew pleasantly warm, but the sensation was short-lived. Just like Alakazam said, Mewtwo felt his arm convulse as the electric current passed through the muscles in his arm and traveled straight into his brain. In the seconds that it lasted, strange visions filled his mind's eye, constituting of a building being constructed from the ground-up like being drawn by an artist's hand. Not only that occurred, but Mewtwo could see the passages, rooms, the employees, the Pokémon, and every little detail about this building and its occupants fill into this new space in his memory.
When the current slowed and finally stopped, Mewtwo could feel his heart pounding with renewed pace. Previously, only shady forms floated to his mind when he thought of Team Rocket's base, and he wouldn't be able to tell the front entrance from the back entrance. Now, the exact layout of the building replaced his previous memories, supplemented with details he didn't even think could be held by one individual. Not only did Mewtwo feel like he could draft a perfect blueprint of the base, but also draft a brief profile of most of the building's occupants.
"Holy smokes…" Mewtwo breathed, "This—this is unbelievable!"
"Quick!" Sandslash shot at Mewtwo while both let go of Alakazam's hand, "Why does Giovanni keep the armory locked at all times?"
"He doesn't," Mewtwo fired back almost as rapidly, "He just tells everyone it's locked and keeps the spare keys on him. The others don't bother to question him about it, and thus, can't be troubled to go down in the basement to check themselves."
Sandslash turned to Alakazam, wearing an exceedingly triumphant face.
"It worked," Sandslash announced happily.
Mewtwo's surgery for his spinal cord loomed nearer and nearer, filling him with the same dread he experienced so long ago when anticipating the Mega Ring's testing. This time, it felt multiplied by at least three-fold because he couldn't do anything besides lay in bed. Ever since being shot by Giovanni, he couldn't move his legs, no matter how hard he tried. Nurse Joy said the surgery will allow Mewtwo to regain use of his legs, but nobody knew how quickly.
The morning of the appointment arrived. Only one well-wisher resided at Mewtwo's side; Tobuscus remained behind while practically everyone else took an early train to Cerulean University. All the trainers picked back up on the work they already started to repair the suit, Tim simultaneously began a vigorous training regime for Squirtle, and Gengar and Sandslash began drawing up maps of Team Rocket's base with the assistance of Silver, Alder, and Alakazam. Because none would be able to see him all day, they all gave a "good luck" the night before. Mewtwo deeply appreciated this gesture.
"Five minutes…" Mewtwo heard Tobuscus mumble while the latter glanced up at the clock. Tobuscus, sitting on a drawn-up chair and leaning on his knees with hands clasped together, kept Mewtwo company after the others left. Thankfully, Tobuscus fully recovered from his brush with hypothermia; his body had since returned to its fiery red and yellow plumage.
"Thanks for staying behind," Mewtwo said as heart-felt as he could, "You don't know how much it means to me."
"Pleasure," said Tobuscus kindly as he wrung his hands. "It doesn't sit well with me knowing that you're about to go under an operation as important as this. Not knowing would kill me. Bryce wanted to stay as well, but fixing your armor is top priority right now. In fact, there's a lot of stuff that's important right now."
Mewtwo nodded gently, looking into Tobuscus's eyes that were as sharp as his talons. No matter how deceptive these eyes seemed, they didn't hide the concern and care now filtering through. The sight made Mewtwo twitch his lips into a small smile.
"All in due time," breathed Mewtwo.
They waited with bated breath, glancing so often at the clock that Mewtwo felt like his neck had a bad twitch. His thoughts drifted, and suddenly came to rest on Clefable and Pikachu more than fifteen years ago. Two Pokémon waiting… waiting for the unknown… waiting for something to happen… anything to happen…
Simply waiting.
The door knob rotated and permitted entrance to Nurse Joy, carrying a clipboard which obviously held details of Mewtwo's procedure.
"Good morning, gentlemen," Joy said with nearly the same air of quiet gentleness, as if she knew what they had just been talking about. "Mewtwo, your procedure is due to start in approximately three minutes. We'll be moving you to the operating room at this time and putting you under anesthetics. You're likely to not wake up for quite a while because this will be a lengthy procedure. Reviewing your blood samples from both on file and drawn shortly after your admittance to the Pokémon Center, we discovered that your body is extremely adept at healing rapidly. Your recovery shouldn't be nearly as long compared to a human's or another Pokémon's, but we still wish for you to go through the whole rehabilitation process."
Mewtwo nodded solemnly. He always felt like his body could handle injuries quite quickly, and he agreed with Nurse Joy's recommendations. He just wanted to be in shape again when they finally took the battle to Giovanni's front door.
Tobuscus stood up slowly and, glancing at Joy, said, "I'll see you soon, Mewtwo. Good luck, all of you."
He replaced his chair, walked to the door, and left with a wave.
Mewtwo hadn't seen Joy fiddling with one of his IV bags, and only noticed when some cool sensation began flowing through the veins in his arm. He looked up at Joy, who said, "What's your favorite place to be? A vacation spot? Reading in a quiet room? Somewhere else?"
Mewtwo took a second to think, and said, "Probably in the mountains around Ether, especially when the sun's out. It's so beautiful on the trails with the shade trees waving about, hearing the sounds of nature, feeling the wind and sun on your face…"
Joy smiled and said, "Well, you're going to be there in about ten seconds."
And then something very strange happened.
Mewtwo felt his eyes drooping and his strength drain away. He slumped against his pillows, but instead of the sinking into unconsciousness he felt several times before now, he felt like he was floating above the bed and rising into the air. A very strange experience compared to what he was used to.
But before Mewtwo could wrap his mind around this bizarre feeling, he felt nothing, and thought no more.
It took a while for Mewtwo to come about, but he did. Very little light, if any, managed to penetrate through his eyelids, ensuring him that it was night out. Strangely enough, Mewtwo could hear faint whisperings, as if a window permitted a gentle breeze ingress to the room. His head feeling far too groggy to think straight, he waited for himself to settle in a little before making any more observations. Snatches of these whisperings managed to seep through the grog, though, and Mewtwo listened in.
"One hundred percent success, yes sir. Joy told me last night."
"That's excellent, real excellent. Tha' timing though—I just opened th' door and Joy was on 'er way out to tell you. Saw her face when she saw mine, did yeh?"
"Yeah," the familiar voice responded with the unmistakable squawk buried deep in the tone, "I nearly died laughing."
The second visitor chuckled a gravelly laugh, one Mewtwo never heard before but still felt vaguely recognizable. He listened closer.
"Glad to be back, lad, real glad. Thanks for show'n me around town an' everythin' today."
Mewtwo thought that hearing this Pokémon's voice again would be an unlikely occurrence indeed. But alas, here he was at his bedside.
"Been some time since they finished up on him, hasn't it?" asked the Irish native. "Thought he'd be awake by now, eh…?"
"Joy said he'd be coming 'round any time now. Lucky thing, too; I was just about to go to sleep when she finally told us we could visit."
Mewtwo heard the creak of a chair as a heavy body shifted itself slightly.
"I always liked her, y'know?" the brute commented, "Even after I helped destroy the center o' town, she took us in and sent us on th' way in no time. She's so kind."
Tobuscus snorted at the comment.
"She's kind to everyone," he said dismissively, but Mewtwo could tell a smile negated the harshness of the words. "Hard not to be when you run something like a Pokémon Center. You never know what you're going to get. Mewtwo's proven that theory, along with you, Squirtle, myself… even Allen…"
Mewtwo opened his eyes blearily through a thick haze of tiredness.
The room's lights were turned off for Mewtwo's comfort while he slept. Only one or two dim auxiliary lights relieved total black. Mewtwo registered that he was in a new room different from his memory of the various ones he visited around the Center. This one clearly focused on post-surgery patients, though Mewtwo wondered why he hasn't seen this one yet; maybe it was because he spent so much time unconscious a week or two ago that he didn't need to reside here by the time he woke up. Mewtwo turned his head around without lifting it to take in his surroundings more fully.
A window with its curtains drawn had no daylight to spill into the room, for night was upon Ether Valley. Mewtwo was hooked up to all sorts of equipment again, so his movements were limited; not like he was in any fit state to test them, anyway. Shadows of furniture and various other unidentifiable objects loomed out of the velvety darkness the room offered. He blinked slowly, letting his eyes travel around a little more, but quickly forced them shut as an unexpectedly sharp, painful pinch grasped his lower back. He felt a muscle spasm in the same region accompany this strange feeling, which also ran all the way to his feet and involuntarily twitched his whole leg. This happened so quickly that he couldn't control it at all. The whispers by his bedside halted abruptly as their owners' attentions turned to Mewtwo, though the latter couldn't see them yet. A thought completely bypassed Mewtwo in the moment as well; he could move his legs again.
"Did yeh see tha'?" whispered the one in such a deep register that Mewtwo almost didn't hear it.
"Mhmm," returned the other. "You think he's…?"
Mewtwo rolled his head to lay eyes on the two Pokémon sitting side-by-side, peering intently at him. Though Mewtwo expected the sight, one hulking shadow still caught him in mild surprise. Something he wasn't used to, and something he hadn't seen the likes of since his days in the Diamond Squad. The tingle of anxiety trickled through his chest, but he tried to not let that bother him.
"Yes, I'm awake and refreshed," Mewtwo groaned with a hint of cheek.
He took his first good look at the two, now standing out more distinctly from the room's lack of light. Tobuscus on the left looked the same, just with slightly tired eyes; but the brute on the right…? Mewtwo couldn't quite think of why he looked a little different. Nevertheless, relief washed over him upon catching sight of this familiar face again.
"Good to see you back, Nidoking," Mewtwo mumbled.
Nidoking returned with a genuine smile; one that made Mewtwo's heard glow at the sight.
"Good t' be back," he said, delivering a small bow of respect with his head. "Honestly, I never thought I'd get th' call ter come back, y'know? Still, I'm so glad I got it. I always loved this place…"
He looked around the room before adding, "Well, not right here exclusively, but y'know what I mean."
"Must love it a lot to be willing to stay here by my side in the dead of night," said Mewtwo quietly. The pinch—slightly weaker this time—attacked his back again and sent another, less intense spasm through his back muscles. He tried to run a hand over the affected area, but couldn't feel it through the dressings wrapped around his midriff.
Nidoking chuckled through his hoarse vocal cords and said, "Eh, it's not that late… probably eleven or summat like that. Still, it's the least I can do on a long way to repay you, mate. I can' forget what yeh did for me buds—who, by the way, send their best wishes for you 'n the group."
"Appreciate it," said Mewtwo sincerely. "Who rang you up to come back to Ether Valley?"
"Gengar did, actually," said Nidoking. "He caught me jus' before I left Johoto, so when he asked for me help, I couldn't say no. I told me pals, Seviper an' Weezing, what you gents needed 'n they encouraged me t' take on th' challenge by meself. We're all grown Pokémon, but they felt I'd be most useful t' your cause 'cause I'm the oldest and got th' most experience amongst us."
Mewtwo saw a shadow of a smile as Nidoking proudly added, "Fifty years young, I'd like t' think meself. Might not be th' most powerful or book-smart, but Life's taught me a few things: met some incredible people in me travels; made some great friends, an' lost some, too; got to see a lot o' places others can on'y dream of ev'r seein'; and I got teh meet you three… some o' the kindest Pokémon I've ever had th' pleasure to know."
Tobuscus chuckled at the comment, though far from unkindly.
"There's a lot more to this group than us three, my friend," he said. An immensely surprised Nidoking twitched his neck to look at Tobuscus.
"Really?" he asked with an air of astonishment, "I thought it was jus' you three!"
"No, no!" Tobuscus said with a laugh, "There's, like, a dozen or so, right?" He glanced at Mewtwo for confirmation.
"Yes," Mewtwo said with a nod. "It's a little complicated. Do you mind if I explain, Nidoking? A lot has changed since you left."
"Please do," said the addressed invitingly.
Mewtwo adjusted himself to sit up a little straighter and more comfortably. After he ensured this, Mewtwo talked. He talked about every single member of their group, though did some skimming on those Nidoking was already familiar with. Mewtwo left no detail from his memory to the wayside, and did his best to tie in every group member so that Nidoking understood how they all met and related to each other. Mewtwo explained until he couldn't think of anything else important to say.
Nidoking sat with chin in hand, clearly thinking deeply.
"This Sandslash y' mentioned," he started uncertainly, "You say he was one of yer mates in this 'Diamond Squad'?"
"More like a teammate at the time," Mewtwo corrected quietly, "but in essence, yeah. He was one of my mates in the Squad."
"How can yeh… well… trust him?" asked Nidoking. "He spent a load of time around some shady people, y'know?"
Mewtwo's expression hardened slightly to help rebuke the point.
"You weren't there when I woke up after that encounter in the forest. He told me—told us all—how much he regretted his time in Team Rocket. Sandslash recognized the false mindset Giovanni forced upon him. He remembered what it actually meant to protect and defend the civilian population, not attack and kill just because his leader told him to do so. It took him eighteen years to realize his wrongs. Eighteen years hardened his character to steel, yet one moment undid his entire understanding of Giovanni and Team Rocket. It was a painful moment that almost killed me, but we got him back to the right side… back to where he belongs. And he's here to stay."
Nidoking looked on, totally stunned by Mewtwo's oration.
"I—I didn't—" he stuttered. "I mean— I didn't kno' that. That's—that's incredible…"
"I know," said Mewtwo sadly. "It makes me wonder what the others could have done if they weren't a part of the Diamond Squad, you know? I mean, I was probably the most hated Pokémon to a lot of people, and I'm sure there's still a good many of them that want to see me six feet under the ground… but I'm trying to right my wrongs, and so is Sandslash. I only hope we all can make our amends in time."
Mewtwo paused and looked away from Nidoking's eyes.
"Time… something that we don't have much of right now…"
"Why's tha'?" asked Nidoking.
Mewtwo briefly explained Giovanni's threat and how they only had until the New Year to execute their plan.
"Bloody hell…" Nidoking breathed in a low growl, "I didn' kno' it was tha' soon, lad…"
Mewtwo nodded darkly.
"We meant to try and collect as many people or Pokémon as possible, but so far, you're the only one we could wrangle up. I mean, I guess most, if not all of us, will put up a good fight, but extra hands are always great to have."
"Listen here, bud," Nidoking said, leaning closer to Mewtwo and raising a hand. "Yer friends are more than capable of handlin' themselves. I mean, just look a' Tobuscus; a level ninety Blaziken—one o' the strongest Pokémon across the pond—an' he's not ev'n age twenty-one! Gengar… well, I still can' believe yeh turned him aroun' like ye did… yet, he's the craftiest, mos' cunning bastard I've ever seen. I can only imagine what he's managed t' get up to since you took 'm under yer wing, Mewtwo. And let me tell yeh this, mate," he added, leaning in ever so slightly more and speaking barely above a whisper, "I'll do everything in me power t' help you, no matter what. If I can help out with anythin', just give a shout. I'll make absolutely sure t' be in top shape when we're ready t' go. I migh' actually train a wee bit with little Squirtle an' Tim, because Lord knows I need t' sharpen me skills again."
Nidoking's serious but enthusiastic words made Mewtwo's heart warm.
"That means so much," said Mewtwo with as much heart as possible. Another spasm hit his back, rather like someone flicked him while he wasn't expecting it. Nidoking noticed and gave a tired smile.
"Aye, I'm glad to be givin' you me best. Though, if yer goin' t' be doin' the same, yeh'll need as much rest as y' can, considering… well…"
"I know," Mewtwo returned softly, running his hand over the spasm once again. "It really does mean the world you're willing to help, though. It'll be enormously handy, I'm sure."
Nidoking gave a courteous nod.
"Here's hoping, lad."
Tobuscus, having sat silent for some time, interjected his own words.
"We'll need all hands on deck once everyone's back here, because Bryce told me they're likely to finish their preparations at the University by the weekend. They've nearly mended your suit from what he told me this morning; plus, all the drawings are ready for proper planning to begin."
"That's fantastic," Mewtwo winced as a new twitch shot up his spine. "This weekend, yeah?"
Tobuscus affirmed.
"Great," Mewtwo said, sliding downwards into the warmth of his bed and feeling the relief of shifting positions. "I'll make sure I'm fit and ready to help. But first, I need to… to…" he finished lamely, trying and failing to stifle a huge yawn. The two others copied Mewtwo's yawn, clearly demonstrating their exhaustion.
"By God, it's late," groaned Nidoking, "I haven't realized th' time…"
"Mmm…" grunted Tobuscus, suddenly out of energy like a deflated balloon, "Midnight… probably later."
"Right then," Nidoking yawned again, standing up with a creak of the chair, "looks like we'll be seeing you tomorrow, mate."
"All right," returned Mewtwo, flexing his extremely stiff legs. "Have a good night."
Nidoking and Tobuscus left the room with a wave apiece. Mewtwo let his head fall into his pillows as he sighted deeply. He hoped everything really would be ready in time for the first of January. A pang of fear, one quite detached from the spasms earlier, raced through his stomach. If their group wasn't fully prepared, the consequences would be worse than devastating.
They would be deadly.