CHAPTER 30: BEAUTIFUL NIGHT

Meanwhile, Neva was playing with the youngsters of the two armored clones. She had to admit, she had been quite surprised to find that the Nidoqueen's mate, was a Rhyhorn. And yet, it somewhat made sense. The rhino type pokémon was as kind as his mate, and encouraged her to play with his children, not fearing her in the least. It was a nice change, from the scared gazes she constantly received only weeks previous. And Neva had to admit…she was enjoying herself.

The childish game, Hide-and-Seek took on a whole new challenge when trying to find seven little pokémon, in a huge jungle. At one point, she even had to use her powers to find them. In a way, such a thing was cheating, as her companions had pointed out after she'd told them. So, she was no longer doing such a thing. But at that moment, she was looking for Nirany. It was funny, how good at hiding that little girl was.

Turning to the sister's siblings, Neva pleaded, (Will you guys help me find Nirany? I promised not to use my powers anymore so…help, please?)

To her relief, the tiny pokémon cried that they would, and quickly began to help look for their sister. Nirany, however, chuckled at their searching. They would NEVER find her, even if they searched for the next week. She had always been the champion at this game, and there were times when even her parents couldn't find her. Finally, the female Mewtwo had to give up. Without the use of her powers, she couldn't hope to find the little Nidoqueen.

(All right, you win Nirany. I forfeit!)

The young one quickly crawled out of her hiding place, laughing with triumph. Neva, hearing the high-pitched giggle, spun around and chuckled. How very unfair! She had hidden in an entanglement of tree roots, the shadows cast by them dark enough, that even her sharp ruby eyes had difficulty penetrating them. Neva floated to the baby Nidoqueen, followed by the other pokémon. Kneeling down, the pale female clone spoke to Nirany in a genuinely amused voice.

(Good hiding place! Now, if only I could fit in there.) She joked, grinning.

"Ni, nido! Nidoqueen?" Nirany laughed, "There aren't many places to hide someone as big as you! What do you want to play now?" She questioned quickly, seeing Neva blanch at the comment of her size, even though she was far from fat.

Neva sighed at this, knowing she couldn't stay, as much as she desired to, (Actually, I think I'd better be going. It's almost nightfall.)

"Ni…nido, Nidoqueen?" Nirany pawed at the ground with a small foot, disappointed, "Oh…I suppose you need to go back to Mewtwo now, don't you?"

The female Mewtwo pondered at that thought. In a way, the child's thought was true, but it wasn't as though Mewtwo possessed her, like an item he was obsessed with watching over. It was not as though she wasn't an adult, incapable of taking care of herself, even though it would be a bit difficult, with her lack of experience in that area. The food…Morgan, and she had once shared, was always supplied for them. Still, it was not as though she were parented by Mewtwo, as Nirany's parents did her and her siblings.

She shook her head at the tiny pokémon, (Ummm…not necessarily. It's just that, I need some sleep too you know.)

"Nidoqueen ni. Ni. Nido?" She said, "Mewtwo sleeps in the daytime. He likes the night. Why do you sleep at night?"

Neva sighed, rubbing her eyes, (I'm just used to it. Besides, I don't really need to do everything the same as Mewtwo, do I?)

"Nidoqueen. Nido! Ni, ni!" Nirany told, "The night sky is really pretty though. You should stay up tonight at least! Come on, stay!"

That didn't seem the best idea to the pale Mewtwo, but seeing the child's pleading gaze, she found herself giving in, (…Oh, all right. I think I can stand staying up one night. But what about you? Don't your parents make you go to bed?) She questioned.

"Nido…nidoqueen." She told meekly, "Sometimes…it's more like we go to sleep when we're tired."

(I see.) Neva commented, understanding, (Well, I'll go to the beach then I suppose… Let's go ask if you guys can come as well. Your parents would want to know where you are, at all times, I'm sure.)

The children, followed by Neva, went back to the clearing in which could be considered their home. There, Neva at least was a bit surprised to find their parents talking in hushed voices. As she stepped out of the brush, for some reason unknown to her, they immediately ceased. As an odd feeling of unease and nervousness swirled in her stomach, Neva felt she knew what they had been speaking of. Her…

Allowing the little ones to do the talking, she vaguely heard the parents agree, and volunteer to come with them. Slowly, the group made their way down to the beach, the light of the day, Neva saw, fading, melting gray into the evening. As they exited the thick, lush forest, Neva could see the moon beginning to rise, and sat down in the soft sand, a bit away from where the family sat. She suddenly felt shy of them, distant…perhaps because the parents had been undoubtedly speaking of her previously. And from their hushed voices, the way they had stopped when she came into sight, she had the wonder if what they were saying was good…

As she watched the sky darken into blue, and then black, she lay down in the cool sand. Her thoughts began to drift as her muscles uncoiled, relaxing into the soft bed the fine stone particles.

She could hear the small children playing in the background, their parents talking in quiet voices. The sound of the waves, lapping the shore of the lake, was soothing to her. She could feel the air around her drop steadily in temperature, and closed her eyes. As she shivered somewhat, she sensed a new arrival in the back of her mind. The sand beside her shifted as the creature sat down next to her.

Neva smiled then. So…Mewtwo had decided to join them at last. Opening her eyes, she spied Mewtwo looking up at the night sky. There, glowing with a gentle silver light, was the luminous moon. It was a little more than half-full, but still very beautiful to any whom gazed up upon it.

She heard Mewtwo sigh beside her.

(It's very beautiful.) She commented, curling her arms under her head for a "pillow".

(I agree.) Mewtwo told quietly, his gaze then drifting to the family not far from them, (…I heard you played with the little ones a majority of the day.)

She nodded minutely, (Yes... At that age, that's all they want to do.)

(Very true.)

This conversation, while comfortable and quiet, quickly ended, as they couldn't think of anything more to say. For what were they to speak of? After all, they'd only known each other for about a day. Neva silently gazed at her companion, seeing his eyes shine with starlight. It was a…pleasant image… Turning over on her side to face Mewtwo fully, she tried once again to make conversation.

(Mewtwo…what's it like to live in a city?) She asked quietly.

Mewtwo thought on this, not looking at her, (…It depends. I have always wished to avoid the prying eyes of humans, remaining something of a secret, a mystery to them. To not be spied by them, in their own environment, is always a challenge to me. There is a shocking surplus of them in a city…some good, others bad. You were among some of the most heinous ones yourself. But there are many things, which you can acquire in a city, that you can go to, that you cannot, out here, in the wilderness. There are concerts, stadiums in which pokémon trainers can battle at, parks…) He trailed off as he listed such places.

Neva's eyes flashed with confusion, (What's a concert?)

(A concert is…an event where a group of skilled humans, play or sing music. Many other humans go and listen to them, in the hundreds, as well as some of the wild city pokémon. I go to them on occasion as well… If you were ever to listen to one, I'd suggest avoiding the bands who sing. Usually, those are very…loud and ear splitting, to put it mildly. Though some are well at they're jobs, I'll admit.) He explained, somewhat in disbelief that his female companion did not know such a thing already. She had lived a very sheltered life…

Neva slowly absorbed that information, and looked up at him, (…May I ask you a question?)

Mewtwo nodded, gazing down at her, (Of course. You can speak freely.)

(…Where exactly do you prefer to live, in a city or the wilderness?) She questioned, curious.

It was a question he had no answer to, (…I am not certain. But I have…something of a responsibility, in the city where I live normally.)

Neva cocked her head at this, (Really? What is it?)

Mewtwo did not reply, remaining silent. He turned his gaze from her at the inquiry, gazing up at the moon again, his amethyst eyes sparkling with sliver light. He did not truly wish for Neva to know, that he fought against others each night. For even though they were criminals, it was still a violence on his part, in which he didn't desire for Neva to be aware of. While noble, he supposed, it was also dangerous.

Neva sighed, closing her eyes, (I understand. Someday though, I do hope you tell me.)

He nodded, even though he knew Neva could not see the gesture. Crossing his legs, he leaned back easily on his paws, feeling the sand shift underneath his weight. He watched a few tiny, dark grey clouds, pass over the moon, leaning the area in shadow, save the light from the bright starlight. As they passed, he couldn't help but think that for a place usually so stormy and violent in weather, that it had gifted Neva with a perfect night. If only she opened her eyes, she could see the many clusters of stars, the constellations clearer here than perhaps anywhere else on the planet…

A whisper reached him from the creature lying beside him, to get his attention, (…Mewtwo?)

He turned his head to see that she had opened her eyes, them being glazed over though with thought. Their cloudy blood red color contrasted the sky above greatly. (Yes?)

(…Do you plan to go to the city soon?) She asked, almost hesitantly.

(…Yes.) He answered truthfully.

She closed her eyes, (…Then I'll come with you, if that's all right.)

(It's fine, Neva. Your company is perfectly welcome…)

With that matter confirmed, the two sat in silence, watching the moon cross over the sky as the hours calmly flew by. The Rhyhorn, Nidoqueen, and their children, they had long since departed to their dreamlands. But for Mewtwo and Neva, sleep had yet to claim them. But as the minutes passed, Neva felt her eyelids grow heavy, closing them after a time… Before she knew it, she too, had drifted off. Looking at her, Mewtwo decided to do the same, feeling the previous tiredness that had taken him in the caves, settle over him. However, he made sure he was about five feet away from the other Mewtwo before he did. He didn't want awake, to find himself in an inappropriate position with her, in the morning…