"Alright, we'll start having you practice basic attacks," Sebastian explained.
The two clones watched him as he walked over to some logs Joel's Kadabra had set up, gently patting them.
"For now, I want you two to attack these with whatever comes to mind. Don't focus trying to break them or destroy them even, just attack. We can work on controlling the power or how much is needed before we go further."
Both were still unsure, the man turning to Joel, who gave a curt nod as he gave an order to his Kadabra.
"Use Ice Punch!"
"Ka!" the Pokémon cried out. "Dabra!"
Charging at one of the logs, its paw curled into a fist, a chunk of ice forming as it made contact with the log. Cracks formed along the surface of the wood, a small crater created with ice and frost reaching around.
"Impressive," Sebastian smiled, the other practically beaming as was his Pokémon from the compliment.
After a few minutes, the two studying what they had to attack, watching as the ice began to drip from the bright sun.
Just as Sebastian was about to ask them if they were okay, that they understood, he nearly jumped when Beta made the first move.
Her paw began glowing before it was enveloped in swirling, green like energy, slamming it into a log.
"That was Drain Punch," Joel muttered, obviously impressed.
Before long, Beta attacked with what seemed to come to her instinctively.
The others watched her go into a series of attacks, unsure if there was a repressed memory of her battling in her former life.
Either way, when she was finally done, they counted what she could use, those being Heal Pulse, Drain Punch, Psycho Cut, and Aura Sphere.
"She prefers a more direct assault than attacking from afar, rather unusual for a psychic type," Davin mused as Beta rested, eating some snacks Cassie set up.
"They aren't perfect, but she has potential as she practices controlling them," Sebastian added, recalling a few times the Aura Sphere had went off to soon. "Omega, it's your turn now whenever you're ready."
Nodding, seemingly having a better idea, she studied the logs once everyone was out of the way.
It was obvious she was trying to determine how to use her unknown powers, everyone watching in anticipation.
Before long, she raised her tiny paws in the air, starting to form a light blue ball, crackling with energy.
The sight alone scared the professor, making him jump to action, "Omega, no! Don't use that move!"
Stopping, she gave him a concerned look, the other shaking, "Mew?"
"It's okay, just don't use that move okay? It's far too unpredictable. We don't want anyone getting hurt, right?"
"Mew!"
"That was to close for comfort," he sighed, falling back into a sitting position, feeling the older clone climb into his lap.
"Nice save there, Shiranui. We may need to teach her something else that isn't Future Sight. As you said, it's far too unpredictable, especially at her age," Joel half joked, relieved as well as he plopped down.
"Maybe, for now we'll see what else she can do."
Just as with her sister, she attacked the logs, revealing to know Psychic, what was going to be Future Sight, Signal Beam, and Heal Pulse as well.
"Both seem to have very unique moves, sharing only one together," Davin muttered as he looked at the damage the logs took.
"Makes you think if they really are sisters," Cassie laughed as she helped pass snacks to the tired clone.
"That would be rather ironic if they actually were," her fiancé laughed.
After a while, the clones began to get restless, wanting to play with their newfound abilities some more.
Understanding, they had them practice more, particularly those they had trouble with, though Omega was still forbidden to use Future Sight.
After a few weeks passed, their control grew, the younger twin eventually allowed to use the unpredictable attack.
The first time was somewhat disastrous, managing to strike down the log perfectly, but the shockwave sent everyone flying.
Thankfully no one had been seriously hurt, but better understanding; they found a more remote location, one with boulders.
They had her focus on those, everyone hiding behind the rest until the shockwaves were better controlled as was the attack itself.
Whenever she wasn't practicing Future Sight, she'd work on other moves, her sister then joining her side to work on her own attacks.
Eventually they moved onto actual battles, Joel using his Kadabra and a Zebstrika to battle them.
He kept the Pokémon from using too much strength, letting the twins adjust to the style of battle, Sebastian guiding them with orders.
It was like this for a while, the sparring going on, the twins coordinating their attacks to work with each other.
And after each spar, they'd both use Heal Pulse to heal not only each other, but the other Pokémon they battled against.
"That's enough for today," Sebastian called, the twins panting, obvious they were having fun, but grateful to stop for now. "You two did wonderful."
"Mew!" both purred, nuzzling against him as he and the others returned to the lab.
Seeing how tired they were, he picked them up, carrying them back than making them walk or asking the others.
Arriving at the lab, he decided to relax in the kitchen everyone ate in; knowing dinner would be made and served soon.
Both clones were asleep, clinging to the front of his coat, their small faces dirty from the day's events.
Deciding that a bath was in order, he gently woke them up, the pair following him to the washroom to clean up.
When they were clean, the smell of food prepared getting stronger, they were eager to fill their stomachs.
Yet they found themselves stopping, Giovanni once more making another unannounced visit to the lab.
"So sorry to show up during dinner," he taunted, hearing the clones softly growl as they hid behind their creator. "Any progress?"
"They have begun training, but they still have a ways to go," Sebastian found himself growling, glaring at the man.
"That is to be expected, but how strong are they?"
"I can't be for certain. They're still learning how to control their attacks," he half lied, hoping it won't be seen through, or worse, they had been spied on.
"What can they use?"
Casting his gaze down, he begrudgingly told the man, not having to see the near gleeful look in those eyes.
These were powerful attacks and possessed by beings cloned from a legendary Pokémon, which in turn would be powerful too.
"Excellent work, Professor Sebastian. You've done a marvelous job preparing them," Giovanni congratulated, making the other's stomach twist. "If what they learned is true, then I want to see it for myself."
"I'm afraid you missed today's battle, they're both exhausted and need rest," Sebastian spat, his parental instinct kicking in.
"I don't need some pathetic battle between them and some Bellsprout or Caterpie. No, I want you to bring them to Kanto instead by tomorrow afternoon. I'd like to see exactly what they're capable of against a real challenge."
Overhearing this, Cassie couldn't help but open her mouth, anger visible on her pretty face as she stormed over.
"You can't battle them with fully trained Pokémon. You'll end up destroying them! Even we have to hold back with ours until they got stronger."
The scientist wanted to stop her, seeing others appearing, hearing her shouting, several grunts by their side.
"How do you know they're not ready?"
"We've been raising them since they were nothing but cells. We know their limitations better than some selfish pig like you ever would! You see them as tools, but they aren't! They're alive and have feelings and that has to be taken into consideration above everything else."
The insult got the man's attention, narrowing his eyes dangerously, watching as Davin came up, shoving her behind him protectively.
Without saying a word, he gestured for his bodyguards and secretary to follow him, leaving the lab.
Sebastian didn't like how the whole thing ended, having a horrid feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Dinner was silent, everyone unsure, knowing things were going to be rough, that their head scientist was going to have to return, whether he wants to or not.
Some have tried to convince him to simply run away, but he shook his head, telling them that it won't be like last time when Mewtwo escaped.
He knew what he was doing, the twins don't. They aren't developed enough to wipe memories as he had, however he had done it.
Even if he did try running away, they would only put themselves and others in serious danger. They would easily be found and captured, the professor killed, possibly the twins too if they retaliated.
Then of course, there was the fact that Giovanni still has his daughters, could make a simple phone call and have them killed.
Sebastian didn't think he could live with that kind of guilt, he carries enough already, has had enough people ripped from his life. He didn't want any more taken from him, not if he can somehow prevent it.
Climbing into bed, the professor felt hot tears forming, his body shaking, not for himself, nor his daughters, but for the clones.
Their days of play, their days of innocence is going to be over and there was nothing he could do. It felt like the day he failed to protect Amber's cloned body from being destroyed, the helplessness he felt watching Beta suffering in agony.
So wrapped up in his own thoughts, he barely took notice of the clones curling up in bed with him. Their innocent mewling was enough to draw him back, only to wrap his arms around them, hugging them close, tears finally falling.
How many times has he cried now?
How many times is he going to continue to cry?
When can he cry out of joy than sorrow?
When morning came, his belongings packed as were the two blank Mega Stones, knowing he would have to continue studying them.
He was planning to go to the train station, but knew if he did, he wouldn't arrive there until much later in the day.
He knew he was running late already, his body feeling sluggish with ever step he took, the clones clinging happily to his arms.
They were so innocent and peaceful, it broke his heart that he may inadvertently betray them, that they'll grow to hate him.
He didn't want to lose them, lose their love, he had to think of something to keep their bond, keep some fragment of their innocence.
When he arrived at the airport, the clones kept close to his side, he looked for his team, knowing they were due to arrive.
But none showed up, making his stomach twist once more, his anxiety growing worse until one face finally showed.
"Joel!" he called, seeing how miserable the man looked as he caught up. "What's wrong? Where are Davin and the others?"
"You haven't seen the news?"
"What?"
Making sure no one would listen, having his Kadabra out to keep the clones busy, he pulled the other away to talk.
"There was an explosion at the lab… Cassie, Davin, nearly everyone was there packing things up. It's been covered up as a gas leak."
"No…"
"I have no idea how much longer I'll live, you live…"
"He won't kill me, not as long as they need me, if there is a chance he wants more made if there are extra samples leftover or more are found. That and he still has my daughters…" Sebastian whispered softly.
"Right…"
"And he won't kill you either."
"How are you certain?"
"Beta and Omega love you as much as they love me. They're going to be in enough shock already once they learn the others are gone. And you know a lot more about Mega Evolution than I do, and he's going to want that looked into still."
"Put it that way, guess I do have a chance," the man joked dryly. "But I honestly don't want to work for a man who'll throw away innocent lives as if they were nothing."
"Neither do I, not anymore, but I'm far to cowardly to try running away or to take my own life. Even if I did, what would happen to my daughters? To Beta and Omega? To you even?"
Giving him a pitiful look, he wrapped an arm around the other, the contact somehow easing the other, reminding him of Fuji.
"I'll stay then, seems you need someone more than the girls do."
"I wish there was a way you could leave, not be trapped here."
"I may be trapped, but Dialga will forgive me in the end, and it'll forgive you as well, I'm sure of it."
"Thank you."
Hearing their plane, the two gathered the Pokémon, climbing aboard, ensuring they kept together.
For the first time, Sebastian didn't hate being on a plane, drowning out all the noises around him.
He had at least one friend by his side, two energetic clones, seeing how excited they looked as they flew.
"Mew!"
Beta had let out an excited squeal as she ate a slice of apple that had been delivered to them by the stewardess.
She sat on Joel's lap; having a better handle keeping her from squirming all over the place and accidentally taking off down the aisles.
Omega was calmer, curled up in Sebastian's lap, staring out the window, obviously amazed at the height they were in.
She gently pawed at the glass, the professor gently scolding her that it's against the rules to open the window. Not that she could, but didn't want her to get ideas either way. Thankfully she listened, perfectly content to staring.
When they finally landed, gathering their bags, the clones staying close, both were surprised when a young girl ran up to them.
"Your Pokémon are really adorable," she laughed, kneeling down to their eye level. "Is it okay if I pet them?"
"Of course," the scientist spoke before he could stop himself, his sadness pushed back by how excited the clones were.
It was the first time someone came up to them, someone who looked so different height wise, age even.
"Mew!" Beta chirped happily, the two shaking hands, giggling away as was the girl, a bright smile on her face.
"Mew?" Omega chirped softly, taking notice of her bandana, obviously curious about it, the girl taking notice.
"Cute, isn't it?" she laughed as she let the clone touch it. "My dad sent it to me a little while ago. To bring me good luck while I'm in Johto."
"You're a Pokémon trainer?" Joel asked as he patted the clones as they nuzzled the girl, purring excitedly at the attention.
"I'm a coordinator actually. I'm going there to try the contests."
"I heard they just started opening them up, it should be a lot of fun," he laughed, seeing how much she beamed.
"I'm May by the way," she introduced, holding her hand out to the men, having them shake hands with her.
"I'm Dr. Joel Grittson."
"Professor Shiranui Sebastian."
"Oh wow, that's really cool. Are you visiting Professor Oak or something?"
"I'm afraid not, it's a different business we're heading to."
"And what are your Pokémon's names?"
"This is Beta and this is Omega, Beta's the older one," the professor spoke as he gestured to who was who.
"You know, I swear I saw a Pokémon like them before," May spoke as she looked at the twins harder. "But it was a hologram; I didn't think it was real. You two must be really lucky to have them, getting to raise such cute Pokémon."
Both shared a worried glance, the girl missing it as she played with the two Pokémon some more.
Whether a blessing or not, they heard an announcement about the plane for Johto boarding, the girl almost jumping out of her skin.
"I'm sorry, I have to get going," she yelped as she gathered up her bags quickly.
"Yes, that's fine; you don't want to miss your flight," the professor spoke as he helped her get one of them over her shoulders.
"I hope to see you again, Professor Sebastian, Dr. Grittson!" she called as she started to hurry off before pausing once more. "Bye Beta, bye Omega, take care!"
Once she was out of sight, they made their way for the exit, taking various taxies and buses to get where they needed too.
When they arrived near the base, they were met by a van, various Rockets waiting for them.
Once there and inside, Sebastian felt his protective nature beginning to take over, he wrapped his arms around the twins.
He shot any dirty looks to anyone who knew what they were, the power they hold.
Joel stayed near, a demand the professor made, the two brought to an empty room with separate beds.
Looking around as things were set up, he turned to one of the lower ranked grunts, a scowl on his face.
"Where are Beta and Omega going to be?"
"In the basement with the rest of the boss' Pokémon," she answered flatly.
"I'm afraid that isn't acceptable. For their sake, they'll both be staying with Dr. Grittson and I."
"Whatever."
Once they were left alone, Sebastian looked around, finding there wasn't a window, meaning he couldn't enjoy watching the outdoors. And knowing Giovanni, neither he nor Joel will be allowed outside, not even the clones for a very long time.
Sitting on the bed, he buried his face into his hands, wondering what he ever did, how he never foresaw that he'd end up like this.
A hand patting his shoulder, he relaxed somewhat, knowing he at least has someone by his side.
He felt the clones climb into the bed, curling up, staring at him innocently, likely sensing his depression.
A bitter smile grew on his face as he looked at what he had left in his life, determined not to lose them.
Coming up with different attacks wasn't easy, especially the healing ones, wasn't sure about giving them both Heal Pulse, but figured it could act as a symbol to act as another example of the two being sisters. The other attacks were chosen again to suit and represent how they are.
Regarding May, I threw her in to give the idea of what the timeline is likely at, your choice to decide if this is when she first goes to Johto or her return trip after the Wallace Cup.
As for Joel, originally he wasn't, but ever since Gen 6 came out and Mega Evolution appeared... Yeah, gave Joel that role as a study, and he somehow avoids getting killed the first time round.
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