CHAPTER 36: DEFENDER
Neva gazed up at the night sky above, feeling not the least bit tired. After about a week more of adjusting, she'd found herself becoming more and more alike to Mewtwo when concerning how she lived. Being a nocturnal creature was all right by her…she…got to see more of her companion that way. She smiled under the few stars that shown in the clear sky, the moonlight shinning upon her form. Yes, she was certainly coming to care for him…and despite how she denied it, her liking to him only seemed to be growing. But there was still so much that she didn't know about him…and she was all too intrigued…
Hearing the dry grass crinkle being her, she turned her head towards the sound, seeing Mewtwo standing behind her. She didn't get up from her relaxed seat on the ground though, instead patting on a spot in the grass near her, the signal that he was welcome to sit beside her. But Mewtwo didn't take the offer, instead gazing at the trees all around them, the pale birch, the yellowing willows…and the variously colored leaves underfoot. And while Neva shivered at the slight chill, Mewtwo did not. He took note of that though, storing the information away for later…
(Not tonight Neva…maybe in a few hours though. I'm going out for a while.) He stated, gazing down at her. How enjoyable it was to speak to her, the smells of various flowers (the ones that remained after the frost) in his nose, along with her milky scent…
Neva quickly got up, brushing a few stray leaves from herself, (May I come with you?)
Mewtwo hesitated. He was going to do his duty, to catch various criminals on the streets, an action that was becoming all too scarce under current circumstances. And it wasn't unheard of for them to have guns. More than once, had he narrowly escaped a fatal bullet. He didn't want to think of Neva hurt in any way…the image of her with bloody wounds, dreadfully pained, sometimes haunted his dreams, something odd and unwelcome in his mind. The thought of her injured…no, he couldn't allow her to come he concluded bluntly. He'd only just found her, kept her alive by a miracle…and Morgan's last words echoed clearly in his mind. He couldn't go against his promise to the blue goddess…and he certainly couldn't lose her sister.
(No. That wouldn't be a wise idea.) He told flatly.
She gave him a pleading look, genuinely wanting to go with him, (Come on…please?)
For reasons unknown to him, he found he couldn't resist her puppy-dog-eyes look. Her large, crimson rose irises, glittering with silver moonlight. She was truly astounding, with such reflected light shining upon her… He felt his barriers, his stubbornness breaks when confronting her tactics, melting like butter… Curse his weakness for her!
(…Very well…but if I say to teleport back here, you'll go, is that clear?) He questioned.
Neva nodded, grinning at her victory, (Sure!)
As they rose from the roof, watched by the curious Spearow hatchlings, Neva felt her spirit soar at the flight. The crisp autumn air, the neon lights making her skin glow various tints, the many interesting sights. These were all present as they passed the abandoned part of the city, coming into a world full of activity and life. It was too bad really; that Mewtwo insisted that they stay in the shadows…Neva would have loved to mingle with some of the city pokémon. But still, having Mewtwo allowing her to fly with him on his top-secret activities was enough for her, for now. Still, the desire to meet new creatures, see new sights…when would she get that chance?
Suddenly Mewtwo dived down, apparently having spotted something of his interest in the alleyway below. Following suit, she spied two dark figures running down the unlit street, carrying what seemed to be bulging bags filled with…poke'balls? As Mewtwo suddenly landed behind them, he privately ordered Neva to stay out of sight, to which she agreed. …What was he doing though?
(Give those to me.)
Neva blinked in confusion as he addressed the two masked men. Why did he want those containing spheres? And why would he take them from these two? And why, did she suddenly pick up on the distinct word 'Moonwalker' from their minds when they turned around to gaze at her companion?
(My name is not something I usually give out to my enemies Neva. 'Moonwalker' is simply the name that humans in this city have given me for lack of a better term.) Mewtwo explained to her privately.
(But why? And what's so bad about these humans?) She inquired form her hiding place.
(Can you not sense it? The lives? Those two are thieves Neva. They stole those pokémon from their trainers!)
Neva blinked in realization, noticing what he was speaking of, (So this is what you do whenever you go out? You pick a fight with robbers?)
(Or any other criminal for that matter. Which is exactly why I don't want to get you involved. It isn't safe!)
As though to confirm that statement, Neva watched wide-eyed, as the couple of men pulled out the pistols on their belts. Her cry for Mewtwo to watch out was drowned out by a gunshot, the banging noise ringing through the alleyway. For a moment, seeing Mewtwo stagger, she believed him to be hit. Like an idiot, despite Mewtwo's orders to stay hidden, she charged out of the dark corner she'd been in, to aid him. Only was it when she came into the dim light did she realize that her dear companion had shielded himself.
"Well the-! There's two of 'em?" one of the men, the shorter of the two cried in shock.
"I guess Moonwalker's got himself a wench. Pretty little devil though, isn't she?" commented the pencil formed one, the latter.
Neva didn't hear these comments though, feeling frozen by the situation. Mewtwo cold glare, a bit fearful for her sake, seemed to paralyze her. Oh god…this wasn't good, was it? Soon, despite their surprise, the criminals opened fire upon her as well, a bit regretfully since they could have raised a nice price on her in an auction. The pale feline did not zip away though, only watching in horror as the bullets crossed the distance between the barrel and her. It reminded her so much of when she'd tried to escape Team Terror. Of her injuries, her sister's death… Lost in her statue like state, she didn't even raise a barrier to defend herself. She closed her eyes tightly, bracing herself for impact. She was going to die…all because of a stupid mistake…
But the fiery pain that came from being shot never came. Only as sharp pinging sound, one in which she vaguely recognized. Opening an eye, she saw the Mewtwo had moved in front of her, raising a shield around both of them. She stood straight from her crouched position, opening her eyes fully. Mewtwo…had saved her…defended her…
(Mewtwo-) she managed to gasp out, before he interrupted her attempt to thank him. (Leave.)
Mewtwo voice was harsh, blunt, and above all, demanding. Neva winced at it, feeling like a child who'd disobeyed the sternest rule, a law. Mewtwo wouldn't even look at her, something that sent shockwaves through her. His feelings were above anger from her…more so tightly controlled fury. The idea made her despair.
She tried to argue. (But I can help! I-)
(I will not see you hurt!) He shouted, his piercing eyes turning to her, (Besides…you shall only get in the way if you stay. Wait for me, if you will. Just leave me to handle these two.)
Neva nodded, gulping back a sob. She teleported away, onto one of the building roofs above the scene. The way he had spoken to her…it made her feel completely useless. As though she were a burden…as though he despised her. It was a sharp jab in the otherwise nearly smooth time she had been with him, since they'd come to the city. Was that why he had told her not to come?
Was it…?
She watched as he quickly defeated the two curs as though it was a simple game to him, and he the game master. Without her near, in the middle of it, it was child's play to him to be triumphant. She suspected that he was wiping their minds of them at that very moment…why she was uncertain. He'd done the same to Cullen and his partner back at Mt. Quena…perhaps he just didn't want humans to know about them. It made some sense…somewhat. Seeing him carry the two unconscious humans in tow, the bags of poke'balls flung over his broad shoulders, he motioned for Neva to follow him. In silence, she did just that.
The humans were the first to be dropped off at the police station. Mewtwo quickly hurried them along after they saw the two be taken into custody, as though the cops were used to criminals appearing out of nowhere. The next stop, the Pokémon Center, was more drawn out. The two, on top of the roof, watched as various pokémon were freed by Nurse Joy from their confines, seeing the pokémon happily rejoin their trainers. The scene brought a small smile to the clones' faces.
(So this is what you do? Play the defender of good, be a crime fighter?) Neva asked.
(Yes…though I am not acting. I have the power to help others, to stop such people who'd see them harmed. Why not put it to good use?) He said, looking up at the gibbous moon above.
(You could get hurt…) Neva murmured almost soundlessly, not liking the idea at all.
Mewtwo heard this however, (Perhaps…but if I discontinued, I would be no better than the ones who'd be doing the damage.)
No…that isn't true, Neva thought. He would always be the same pure person, no matter how he spent his free time. Whether being a normal person, or a fighter, it did not matter. The only difference was the risk factor…what if he didn't come back one night? Back to…her?
However, as they returned to back to the warehouse sized home, the trees on the rooftop garden whishing in the caressing wind above, Neva found she couldn't dwell on the negative factors of what he was doing. He was saving pokémon and humans alike from future risks…it was a noble thing to do. And he had saved her…
(Mewtwo…?) She called his name to get his attention. He turned to her, (Yes?)
She leaned against him quickly, resting her arms on his chest, (Thanks for taking me with you…) she said quietly, giving him a peck on the cheek.
Neva then pulled away with that done, not noticing his astounded expression. She went through the door to the inside of the building at a normal pace, a small smile on her face as she looked back at him. Happily, she entered the apartment, feeling a flower of warm blossoming in her chest. The action made her surprisingly gleeful… She was glad really, that she had done it. The impulse had been a pleasant one to go through with…and she had fully meant the affection carried in it.
But then a thought struck her, which put a damper on her joy. Mewtwo had kept it from her that he'd been battling thieves, and others of the sort. It seemed that, when reflecting upon it, she hardly knew Mewtwo, despite how much she cared for him. What else was he keeping from her…? She would have to find out…and hopefully, it would be Mewtwo himself, which gave her the information. She had no desire, to intrude on his secrecy…
Meanwhile, while all these thoughts were flowing through Neva's head, Mewtwo continued to stand statue stiff, as though the innocent kiss had rooted him to the spot. Never before had anyone given him such a tender gesture, such a sweet one. He might have kissed Neva far more fully than what she'd just done, but that had been an act. There had been nothing there, save perhaps desire… But a peck on the cheek? He touched the spot, the corners of his lips curling upwards at the thought. He engraved the moment into his memory, labeling it as precious…
"Spear, spearow spear!" came a male's chuckle from the tree above him, "I think she likes you!"
Mewtwo gazed up at the father bird, a tiny grin on his face, (Oh, I don't know about that… But one may hope, can he not?)
With that question, which was more of a statement, carried gently in the wind, along with the leaves, Mewtwo turned away from the nesting parent. Silently, he then opened the door into his home, and following Neva's suit, going inside…