It wasn't easy, but within a couple of weeks Butch and Cassidy were able to find out more about the professor's daughters.
They told him how they were doing, confirming that the reports given are accurate and up to date, relieving him of some worry.
However, what the reports left out was what they did, and when reading how ruthless and cruel they are, the older sister especially, it made him feel ill.
Thanks to their digging, he learned that after they came of age after training, they became more hired hands than actual agents.
At some point they were arrested, but Giovanni bailed them out shortly after, exactly how it was done, he wasn't sure and didn't care to learn.
But due to that, now they're working full time for the Rocket leader, neither of the girls aware that they're being used to keep their father in check.
If things had been different, he probably would have been proud of their achievements, hearing how they captured several legendary Pokémon. While a few managed to escape, it hardly caused a dent in what they usually obtained to receive a severe lashing.
But now it simply made him depressed, unsure if he could bring himself to even talk to his daughters if given the chance.
Aside the difficulty it would bring between their ranks higher than his and the fact Giovanni would do everything to keep them apart, what could he say to them?
How could he convince them to leave this if they accept it as normal?
Would they trust his words if he told them their lives are on the line because of their relation to one another?
Would they turn him in if they learned of his eventual betrayal?
Would they even recognize him as their father?
The more negative thoughts entered his mind, the worse he felt, the clones and Joel having little effect on cheering him up. Not even Butch and Cassidy could help comfort him whenever they visited.
While he knew it was a huge risk to involve his daughters, not knowing if they could be saved, he simply couldn't abandon them.
Whether they're aware of the situation or not, if he left, Giovanni could do something to them and make sure he knew it. He wouldn't be able to ever forgive himself if they were hurt because of him…
So distracted in his thoughts, he nearly leapt out of his skin when a hand landed on his shoulder, spinning to see Joel standing there.
"You'll think of something, I'm sure of it," he reassured, knowing exactly what was going through his lover's mind.
He didn't blame nor hate him worrying so much, just as he got so close to reuniting with his daughters; more obstacles appeared, now having to work around them.
"I can't simply call them up, Giovanni may find out or worse, they tell that bastard and he does something to me or them, or any of you!"
"Maybe we could find a way where we need them for a job?"
"What?"
"I can't say I like this idea, but there are some museums that showcase very rare fossils of actual mega evolved Pokémon such as Aerodactyl. For those to remain even after death would have serious scientific value as well as monetary value."
"But something like that would heavily guarded though…"
"And based on their reports, they may be the best for the job or at least to survey and report back to us and whoever may be more able to handle it."
"Even if it's possible, Giovanni wouldn't risk them meeting me. He'd either send you in hopes you don't know who they are or threaten us not to speak with them about anything other than the job. Or simply use a third party to report between us, making it harder if not impossible to speak with them privately."
"We do have Butch and Cassidy on our side, so we could use them if that option was made available," he added, seeing the other still look unconvinced.
Before Sebastian knew it, Joel grabbed his arm, pulling him to his feet and hugging him close, letting him rest his head on his shoulder.
"We'll find a way, I promise you," he reassured, planting a soft kiss on his lips.
"We could try talking to them," Omega offered, both men snapping their heads in her and Beta's direction. "We could make it seem like a dream if we borrow Munna and his Dream Mist."
"That could work too…" Joel started before the other interrupted.
"It's too risky to try," Sebastian stated solemnly, knowing they'll wonder why. "Given their training and ranks, I doubt they'd think it was a dream, especially if both have it or the wrong things are said in the dreams. And even if they did, they're likely to report to Giovanni and he'd find out for sure."
Second he said that, the others felt the colors drain, realizing he was right, the clones looking sadder than before.
The older scientist gave the two a soft look, the younger clone especially before speaking, "I just wouldn't know what to do if he found out you could communicate telepathically. Who knows what he could use you two for, or…"
He stopped before he could say anything else that might scare the poor Pokémon, feeling his own hands shaking.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, hanging his head.
"Don't be sorry. You're trying to think for all of us," Beta reassured as she leaned into his chest, a low rumbling purr escaping. "But I think Omega's right. We don't have to see them in person, just know what they look like and try to connect with them elsewhere."
"Even if we did, how would you two be certain you synced with their minds?"
At that, the clones' tails drooped, the younger one's especially, clearly having not thought that far, not that the man could blame her. It isn't easy for her to enjoy reading as much as she used to. With Giovanni hovering over them, if he were to find out, it could cause serious problems for all of them.
A Pokémon that can read would be dangerous in his view, as that Pokémon would get ideas and plan. The talking Meowth is a good example, though unlike Omega, he's rather gullible, so isn't likely to betray Team Rocket any time soon.
If he knew or knew how well read she is, who knows what he'd do to them, do to her most of all.
Sebastian barely suppressed a shudder at the awful thoughts running in his mind, glancing at the clones, seeing how upset they were.
"Beta… Omega… I'm sorry for shooting that idea down. It really is a brilliant plan, but if we went ahead with it right now, the chance of being found out is just too high. We may use it, but we'd have to bide our time and find the right opportunity."
"Of course," the younger clone smiled, her voice sounding hurt, but as always, completely understanding.
For a while, they four sat and talked, managing to divert the conversation to something more pleasant.
Before long, they were in a better mood, more so for when they had to leave to get food, not needing to draw unnecessary attention.
Sitting at their familiar table, they gave a subtle wave towards Butch and Cassidy, needing to keep a bit of a low profile.
They managed to avoid too much issues, namely due to Attila and Hun still missing, the professor had no one to help with the mega evolution tests.
However, due to Cassidy having Sableye and a corresponding mega stone in storage to be either used or sold. All they missed was a key stone, which they somehow acquired, though neither told them where they found it.
The chance it was stolen is likely, but the way they acted didn't seem so, so maybe they simply got really lucky finding one or having it given to them.
Either way, whenever they came by, Cassidy mostly, it would be in a gym to help her practice controlling Sableye's increased power.
To say the least, it was difficult, the dark type often needing to be restrained or knocked unconscious with a strong Hypnosis shortly into training. But they were determined and slowly began to master it. And with it, it allowed the two scientists to study how they worked as well as study Sableye in its mega evolved form.
Taking their seats, they began to eat before the crackle of the loud speaker came, making them pause as did everyone else.
'Everyone is to report in the main hall in ten minutes,' the intercom echoed loudly, making several murmur.
"Wonder what that's all about?" Joel muttered as he cautiously ate as did the others, the eldest feeling his stomach twist, forcing him to stop. "You okay?"
"Not sure, I just get a bad feeling…"
The younger man gave a soft look, willing to take a risk as he clasped his hand over Sebastian's giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"Whatever it is, we won't let it tear us apart."
"Thank you."
Managing to resume eating, they got their fill before heading out with everyone else when it was time.
As they made their way, the clones kept close to them and each other, even grabbing their arms out of nervousness.
Stepping into the large room kept solely for holding large meetings, usually if it's relating to a mission that'd require a lot of bodies.
It sort of reminded Sebastian when so many were sent out to Unova and likely the same thing done back when they were hunting down Mewtwo.
Thinking about the Pokémon made him worry, what would happen if he got spotted by a Rocket? Even if a low rank doesn't recognize it, Giovanni would if he compared it to the clones. He'd wonder and likely become infuriated if he found out he and Joel knew all this time and never said a word.
The thought made him shudder, praying to all the gods that Mewtwo hasn't been found and never will be for everyone's sakes.
Glancing about the large room, he nearly broke down when seeing two young women, the very same from the info Butch and Cassidy gathered.
"A-Annie… Oakley…" he stuttered softly, thankfully the clones and Joel hearing him, the rest to immersed in their own conversations.
"What is it?" Joel asked, worried for him when seeing how distraught he looked.
"My…my daughters, over there, they're here…" he nearly whimpered, torn between joy and fear.
The younger man looked over, seeing where his lover looked as did the clones, looking at the young women.
"They look scary…" Beta softly whimpered in their minds.
Sebastian glanced between them, mostly Omega, the other already understanding, as she already aimed to sync into the women's minds without their or anyone's knowing.
Once done, she would later share what she learned so her sister could do the same, knowing she likely would have unknowingly made a scene if she tried now.
The professor, despite his shock seeing his daughters in the flesh, he couldn't help but admire how amazing the psychic twins are.
One would almost think the older one would grow jealous that her sister could do so much more far better than herself, yet she didn't.
He had to admire her, knowing if she wasn't so sweet and kindhearted, she likely would have become cynical and constantly jealous. The same can be said for Omega, for not flaunting her talents in front of her older sister, always modest, but in a way that any would admire.
Lost in his private thoughts, he nearly jumped when one of the numerous grunts bumped into him, muttering a quick apology.
Before he could think of saying something, the room went into a deafening silence, making his blood freeze where he instinctively grabbed Joel's hand.
A reassuring squeeze was all that took to keep him in check as the two and hundreds others looked up at Giovanni.
At one side was his assistant, Matori, and on the other was the man's Persian, though the scientist had to note it looked a little on the depressed side.
Before he could dwell on any thoughts regarding the cat's strange behavior, the Rocket leader grabbed everyone's attention.
"I'm sure you're wondering what I brought you here for," the man spoke, others silently agreeing, too nervous if not downright terrified to speak their minds.
He cast a glance at Matori who held a remote, having a screen drop down, the lights dimming, nearly shrouding all of them in darkness.
Sebastian felt himself shiver, getting a really bad feeling in the pit of his stomach just as the remote was clicked again.
Immediately, the image of the infamous trainer, Caitlin Panthera was shown, the scientist remembering it from one of the many articles he read about her.
She was smiling happily, a Weedle on her shoulder looking just as happy as her.
"I've just been informed that Panthera's been sighted at a rather unique and famous city, having been staying there for some time."
"She's been found?" Sebastian muttered under his breath, giving Joel and the clones a worried look as did they.
Another click and what looked like a floating island appeared from a distance, Giovanni explaining the city was known as The City of Legends.
It gained this name due to having a very extensive library on the history of not only Pokémon, but demons as well. It is also known as the Wandering City; thousands of Float Stones attached to make the city hover hundreds of feet in the air.
"We will surround the city in exactly three months where it will have reached this location," the leader explained as a map was shown of the city's pattern based on its previous travels. "It is isolated enough to avoid unnecessary interruptions."
He paused, clearly eager to tell more, like a child who just did well in school, wanting to show off and be rewarded.
Murmurs rang through the room, various members talking amongst each other, realizing their organization's top enemy will soon be eliminated.
Once it died down, the man continued, "However, we will not be alone as I've come to learn that Ms. Panthera is far from normal. She happens to not only be an enemy of Team Rocket, but an enemy to others as well, who wish her dead as much as we do. Not only that, but she has apparently called a secret meeting with nearly all the gym leaders and members of the League."
At this, Sebastian felt his eyes widen, wondering if that's how the woman was found, having not known the Rocket leader was also the gym leader.
"What sort of meeting you're wondering? To be honest I'm curious too, so I'll be attending, to scout out and report."
At this, the more devote members risked speaking up out of worry of their precious and insane leader.
"Giovanni, Sir, isn't that dangerous? What if Panthera finds out who you really are? Or any of the other gym leaders and elites?"
Giving almost a sympathetic smile, he instantly reassured the worried Rockets, "There won't be any worry. I have an acquaintance that will ensure I'm not found out. Hence the three months, it will be used to find out what she is planning in case it has any effect on ours. If it does, I'll report so we may make necessary changes. If it doesn't, then we proceed in destroying Panthera."
"And her Pokémon?"
"They're far too loyal; my acquaintance is actually planning a full scale assault on the locations where she keeps her unused Pokémon. So I would highly recommend that if any have Pokémon that may be there, have some special connection to you or to someone you know, I suggest you get them now before it's too late."
Sebastian felt his blood run cold, realizing Giovanni must be talking about this Eclipse if not Darkness.
Those women, those demons, are going to slaughter hundreds of innocent Pokémon! And worse, if what he's saying is true, then that means not just her Pokémon, but other trainers' too.
He knew he was talking places like Professor Oak's ranch being destroyed, likely no care if the man was inside or not.
A frightened mewl from Beta could be heard, feeling her press her head into him, placing his free hand around her, ignoring any odd stares sent his way.
He didn't care, he knew how the poor thing felt, forcing himself to remain strong for her, knowing he couldn't break, not even after this meeting ends. No, both of the clones are going to be distraught from this and need shoulders to cry on.
He wouldn't even be surprised if Butch and Cassidy came running in sometime later about this whole thing.
If the roles were reversed, he probably would do the same thing to them…
He barely focused on whatever else Giovanni said, his mind still reeling over the fact that what he's potentially suggesting might start a full scale war.
If they surround that city and attack it with Darkness' minions, hundreds of civilians are going to get killed. Those representing the gyms and leagues might end up killed or seriously wounded, their Pokémon especially.
When the meeting eventually ended, everyone allowed to return to whatever they were do prior.
In less than two weeks, all the Rockets would be packed and transferred, shown who their squad leaders are and given plans.
Sebastian wasn't sure what to expect, but knew something had to be done soon or else he'll end up losing everything he loves.
Unconsciously, he wrapped his hand around the hidden pendant, giving a silent prayer to Dialga or any deity that may listen.
He prayed he'll think of something to save himself and his family, that Panthera may save them from this hell.
Sorry if this chapter is rushed, had gotten nearly 16 chapters done ahead of time when I first started, then writer's block struck as per-usual.
Thankfully, due to writing ahead so much and posting once a week, it gave me time to try and work around out. Sure enough, did so, but then it struck again, so again, really sorry if its rushed. I didn't want to drag it on to long and end it where it'll lead to another fanfic I'm working on. Right now it's being edited, but hopefully I'll get enough done to start posting... Once I think of a good title for it that is...
But because of it, I'm open to any and all ideas to clean this chapter up and I sincerely hope you've enjoyed reading Project Beta and Omega.
Please read and review