CHAPTER 12

A festival was underway in the town of Folde, and humans and Pokémon of all shapes and sizes were in the square, dancing and enjoying the festivities. A band was playing lively music, and several shops were open to sell concessions.

Just above them, Mewtwo and Deoxys was watching, the former curious to see such an occasion for the very first time.

"This is how the people of this world have fun," he observed. "The cheerfulness everyone is radiating is palpable."

"If so, I don't feel it," said Deoxys. "Though it pleases me to see that the Pokémon are happy."

While most of the humans down below were dancing with each other, some were dancing with their Pokémon! Mewtwo smiled as he beheld this sight.

One of the townsfolk looked up, noticing Mewtwo gazing down with interest. She waved up at him. "Mewtwo!" she called out. "Would you like to dance?"

"Um…" Mewtwo looked quite stunned. "I'm afraid I know not how to dance."

"Here, I'll teach you!" said the woman. "Come down here!"

Mewtwo hesitantly floated down towards the woman. She gently took one of his hands in her own, then placed his other hand around her middle.

"Like this," she said. She carefully began to show Mewtwo the dance steps. To her delight, he took to it very quickly. Being a Pokémon based on Mew, it made sense that someone with a powerful mind like his would learn things abnormally fast. He smiled once more.

"Hmph," Deoxys scoffed. He noticed that nobody was inviting him, but he didn't care anyway.

Later, the dancing and music ceased, and the well-dressed man who had previously summoned Arceus some time ago walked up to a podium.

"Today," he said to the crowd of people and Pokémon, "we celebrate the prosperity of our humble village. Our harvest this year has been plentiful, our citizens are happy and healthy. And so, I wish on behalf of myself and everyone else here that good fortune continues to grace our home. To Folde!" he lifted a glass containing a beverage.

"To Folde!" the crowd replied, some people lifting their own drinks.

Mewtwo floated back up toward Deoxys, stopping at his side.

"This is wonderful," Mewtwo said, "I am starting to be glad that these humans created me. Seeing how they coexist with their Pokémon, it brings me such joy."

"Good for you," Deoxys replied. "I'm of the opinion that they shouldn't have made you, however."

"What makes you say that?" Mewtwo inquired.

"The higher power that brought myself and others into being," said Deoxys. "That is what should create life. Not the hands of imperfect beings such as humans."

"All of us are imperfect," said Mewtwo, "including you."

"Oh, I know," Deoxys replied, "which is why I'm sure you'll understand that I don't trust you, either."

"I understand," said Mewtwo. "If you wish for me to keep my distance, so be it."

Mewtwo left, returning to the crowd below so that he could interact with the Pokémon he was tasked with watching over. Deoxys decided to leave the town for a moment so he could clear his head. He flew over to a nearby river and settled himself down next to it.

Arceus is wrong, he thought to himself. And Mewtwo is wrong as well. Mewtwo was created by humans, so maybe he's just an obedient puppet, made to serve them. And Arceus is a blind fool. How could he not see that humans are a danger, both to Pokémon and to this world?

Just then, a scream caught his ears. He turned his head and noticed some commotion going on back in Folde. He quickly got up and flew back over to the town to see what happened.

Looking down, he noticed a little girl standing in front of a Yungoos, who was collapsed on the ground, appearing to be in some pain, with a sad look on his face.

"He tried to bite me!" she yelled.

"No, he wasn't trying to-" said an adult, trying to hold her back.

"Yes, he was!" yelled the girl.

Deoxys looked down as Yungoos, horrified. "Did she… Did she just…?"

"Don't kick him again," said a man. "You understand?"

"Hmph!" said the girl, storming off.

"You get back here, young lady!" said the man, chasing after her.

If Mewtwo had thought the cheerfulness from the festival was palpable, it would pale in comparison to the rage that had just found its way to Deoxys's face.