CHAPTER 31

Date: February 7th, 112 P.A. / 2116 C.E.

As far as Mewtwo's wound, it healed within hours. As far as the disaster he and his mate were facing, it only continued to coil and become more ensnared as the hours passed. People had a chance to talk, to spread rumors, to move about as they wished, and he could not stop them without giving addition "evidence" that he was under her enchantment.

But Mewtwo could not stay away from his wide, nor could her child be soothed by him completely. Jonah needed his mother, though the months of breastfeeding were over. Jonah needed Arei's warmth, her hold, her voice, her scent. And in those ways, so did Mewtwo…despite his doubts on what he could do to save her.

She was being held in the isolation cell of the Temple's prison, awaiting her so-called "trial" and judgement. With their son in his arms, the God walked there, ignoring the murmurs that followed his wake, ordering many to stand aside once he reached the prison itself. The cells were occupied by the captured heretics, but they and their curses and their lustful reaches for his child were not his main concern (though to the later offenses he merely clutched Jonah to his chest, his tail lashing out at their reaching arms). Finally, he came to the heavy steel doors that were guarded with constant vigilance. With a growl he commanded the humans to open the door…they hesitated, but his angry glare set them in motion. They undid the lock and opened the steel barrier, and shut the door behind him as he stepped into the room.

His wife…she looked exhausted, emotionally weary. There was a bird pecking about her window, which she was watching with scrutiny…and then looked over to him as he entered. She immediately stood from her cot, going over to them quickly as if to embrace them…then stopped herself, giving him a slightly nervous, reproachful, even angry look:

"Did you come here…just…just to taunt me with our son? Just to try to make me feel pain and guilt that I don't deserve?" she growled, not able to look at him. She was shivering slightly.

Mewtwo stepped closer to her and shook his head. "No…I am here because I wish to be here. As does Jonah."

She looked up at him, her teary eyes flickering with hope. "And why would that be? I apparently stabbed you and bewitched you, remember?"

He closed his eyes, her tone slicing at him. "I…am sorry, Arei. I made a mistake, and in the condition that I was in, I did not recognize it as such. I know you are innocent of the crimes they think you committed…I know."

She trembled…he believed her! Oh, thank god he believed her…!

He curled his tail around her, drawing her to him and their son…her arms, so frail it seemed to him right then wrapped around them both in a clinging, desperate sort of embrace. Her fright and confusion and relief and affection were all evident to him…he pressed his muzzle to her hair, sighing. Quietly, he told her about Marie, the later accusations Byron had said to him, before he left to go to her, that he was under her spells…that his opinion was biased and would bear no weight in what they knew was a rigged case. Arei absorbed it all without a word, the death of her best friend and the betrayal of her brother-figure. She heard of Mew's own speculated plans and stiffened, become ever-more fearful for her own life. She would not drink or eat the meal she had been left but for a similar concern.

She gazed up at him in despair after hearing his speculations of all those who were conspiring against them, the Holy Orders likely plan to appease the Common people through her demise. "Mewtwo…what can we do? Should we tell them our side of things?"

"I fear it is too late for that. The people are scared and upset, and they will not listen to reason. And those who feel no terror have us where they want us to be—helpless against them."

"So…is there no hope for us anymore?"

He pressed his muzzle to her face, his grip around her tightening. "I did not say that my Arei. With this knowledge, I may discover a way out of this for both you and Jonah. I cam handle them all myself, but not if harm comes to either of you. And I will not let that happen," he vowed, staring into her face. "No matter what they say, no matter what they do, I will save you from their persecution. If they wish to forsaken you, so be it. But Jonah needs his mothers. And I need my wife. I will protect you; I swear to you that. I have the powers near to God…and if I must, I shall prove it by defying them and keeping you safe."

She wanted to believe him…she longed to. And so, she sighed, curling up to them, savoring their sweet scents, their soft warmth. Her mate and son. Her dearest ones. Sighing, she murmured, "I trust you to, Mewtwo. I do not wish to leave either of you…."

Mewtwo clutched her closer. "That will not happen, I promise you."

Then, visiting time was over. Mewtwo would have defied this rule swiftly and without a thought, but Arei silently urged him to go and try to solve their dilemma and put Jonah to the warmth of his crib to sleep. And from that point on, he paced, running through the possible solutions to liberate his mate and transport her and Jonah to safety. With Mew against him, he could not be certain how many Legendaries were allies with her. Would Regiice still give his mate sanctuary in her land? He dared not disappear with Arei imprisoned and his son unsupervised by loyal people. It was a miracle he hadn't already been harmed with Marie murdered as she had been. He could not find out beforehand, and it would be a horrible shock indeed to find the Legendaries, from demi to meddler to seraph levels all their to face and possibly murder his beloved ones and himself.

The chimeras, perhaps? They had been known to harbor humans before, to dilute their blood, and so it was a possibility. Kaliesha after all, their heir to the throne, was taken to him and Arei, and would likely adore Jonah. Even though her father was reported to be a col, stern man, Abaddon could handle this. As long as no one, no army rode after them, sanctuary might be found with the hybrid race.

But surely, they would be hunted down? If not by humans, then by Mew? With a shiver he remembered the cold, savage mirth in her eyes as she slid the knife into his chest…yes, she might follow and lead others to them. Yet…for his family, he was willing to take the risk. He was willing to fight, to die, as long as his Arei and Jonah were safe…for while he longed to be with them, he also knew that if he had to make the choice, he would gladly perish for their continued existence. After all, what was he but a copy of a true being, derived from the dark? No…he would rather die than have them killed instead.

As the evening trial approached, he never once considered that they might win it, which would solve their issues for the most part. Simply put, it was a formality before a hanging, where Arei's testimony would be discarded by the biased humans around her, the hurt and the disloyal. As the psychic thought on it all, he longer to howl his anger and frustration. There had to be a way to stop this without making the humans pokémon hunt them down! There HAD to be a way to save his mate!

He searched for a way within his mind…and the simple option of fight, flee, or surrender lay before him. If he fought, the entire world would turn against him, and he might lose his loves. If he fled with them, they would doubtlessly be hunted down and destroyed when the opportunity arrived. And surrender? In this case, it was never the option.

Then, the trial began.

Mewtwo, regardless of what others would think, went to walk it at his mate's side as it began, leaving Jonah reluctantly with Doctor Zered, who was outside the Holy Order and would have no reason to harm an innocent child to stab at Arei. He was very disturbed, even resentful of her supposed attack, but he had always held his suspicions concerning their relationship, and was more willing to believe their side of the matter than he did with the Priests. He would watch over Jonah while the trial took place, and Mewtwo had faith that he would not harm the infant he'd brought into the world.

Byron, of course, was going to be part of the trial…against them. And even if he had not been, Mewtwo would not have left Jonah with him. The young man might do something as rash as child murder if he begrudged Arei. And Mewtwo could not take such a risk with his and Arei's child. Not with their little son, who was sleeping so unfettered and sounding in his crib, if only missing his mother's presence.

And do they arrived in the Priests rooms, the lower floor usually used for group debates, but not for court. Mewtwo could not sit with the persecuted Arei, having his own place, but made it quite clear whose side he was on. This unnerved some, but others who were fickle in nature and took the words for others as truth dismissed it as his yet being under a spell. In the pews were many of the highest officials, and the Priests sat in their chairs above the charged person's stand. In this court, there were no lawyers, no defense or persecution sides. There was only testimony of witnesses and the decision of then Priests, the Commander, and the Attendant. And usually, and most importantly, that of the God who could peer into the "criminals" soul to see the innocence of the individual if he or she had not committed the crime.

But in this case, his opinion did not matter. The fifteen voices were brought down to fourteen, and as the Attendant and Priests were in agreement, to win was hopeless. Even if the Commander chose their side, it would only delay the inevitable decision, not stop it. As Mewtwo looked at the man's grave face, he could not guess his intentions. His soul was in turmoil, torn in a way which surprised the God and gave him some hope. Perhaps they might find an ally in him. If then, then maybe the military could give them a chance to smuggle Arei and Jonah away. The psychic clung to the idea, and as everyone was seated, the trial—High Priestess Dovasary vs. Nocturne began.

Arei would be the last to give her testimony, a ploy to put her at the greatest disadvantage. This way she could not gather people to her cause, earn their sympathy, until after they had been fully swayed to the other side. For the people had their own votes to give, though they were counted as lesser opinions. Still, with enough in favor of Arei, there might be a chance to overturn the decision of the Priests. They could hardly afford to charge her unless they wished to alienate the people with an undesirable decision.

Yet at the witnesses gave their testimonies, more and more of his and Arei's wisps of hope were blown away. People Arei had considered friends, many of the fellow potters, took anything she had said to her god and twisted if to their angry views. For they believed that she had killed Marie. As the last one to see her alive, he could see where his mate was suspect…yet she had loved Marie. Evidently, they longed to place to blame on someone, and if it had to be the girl they had once supposedly cared for, so be it. They had seen the fake Arei stab Mewtwo…and so continued to condemn her. The Handmaidens, led by Delilah, who he now seemed to be slightly insane and certainly venomous, gave their own hurtful testimonies, though some were uncertain. Then, the representatives of the people rose…and with a start, Mewtwo knew they were Rebels, or at least had close ties with them. It was in the crisp way they spoke, the aura they gave off. The people were against them, and even if the Military supported them, it might not be enough to allow their escape from the charges.

Yet of all the testimonies, the most damaging were the reports given by the silver-tongued Craven and his supposedly "reliable and honest" sources; and Byron, who used his betrayed heart and hurt feelings to jab at Arei personally. She closed her eyes and went still at his accusations, and Mewtwo suspected she was holding her tears at bay. She and her Attendant had been close, like siblings…this was a betrayal, perhaps the only one, which seriously wounded her heart to hear.

And then, the Commander stepped up.

"First, I would like to speak for Royal Physician Doctor Zered, who is not present, but on a very important assignment. He would like to share his medical files from Marie Davidson's autopsy, and these are such: the head Handmaiden died from scorching and massive hemorrhaging in her brain tissues. My Partner, the Holy Child Gallele Chidori, has expressed to me that this is the work of a psychic. Now, many of you have accused Arei Dovasary of witchcraft, but in my wanderings, I have only come across a few individuals who display more than normal abilities. Ms. Dovasary, Chidori tells me, is NOT one of those individuals. From this, and from her own horror and her God's injuries, I conclude that she had nothing to do with the death of Marie Davidson of the attempted murder of God Abaddon.

"No. As you are aware, some pokémon have the ability to transform into whomever they wish. I believe a heretic's beast has done this to attempt to bring the Priestess down. Considering they have made moves against her to capture her child, this should surprise no one.

"Furthermore, I would like to point out that in saying that a mere human bewitched our god is an offense to him. I do not believe him to be so weak in mind, and I suggest you also recognize this and not listen to the foolish and biased opinions of those who do not care for Arei as a person, not as a Priestess.

"I will admit, there are many things that I do not know about her that make me slightly suspicious, her son being one of them. However, I believe this relates to a secret she and the God keep, not in any crime she had or has not committed. It is my sincere belief that she in innocent—and you all should be ashamed to think otherwise."

And with that, the man took his leave from the now hushed room. Arei's wide, even hopeful eyes met her mate's as the debating murmurs that swept through the room at his words…then, the Priests announced that secret ballots were to be taken, their votes a blue chip for innocence, a red chip for guilty. One by one, the people put in their chips as the pot was passed about, their other hand clutching the other vote. Arei bowed her head in a prayer, and Mewtwo tried to will them all to put in blue. But long ago he himself had designed the room against that type of assault. After all, he was not the only psychic on this planet…and in the past, he had never wished for the vote to be swayed by a telepath's desire.

But now he longed to control their minds and ensure his wife's freedom. And with that speech by the Commander, he began to feel an inkling of hope as the people honestly pondered their answer before dropping their chips into the darkness of the pot. Then, it was taken to the officials. They barely paused, save for Byron…before he too, dropped what appeared to be a red slot. It was only then that Mewtwo realized that they had skipped Arei's testimony.

Yet would it have made a difference, her words? Everyone knew what they would have been: she was innocent, with Marie and Jonah until she heard Mewtwo's scream. She had run to him, passing her look-alike, then had gotten dragged away before she could prove that innocence. It mattered to Mewtwo, but to everyone else it may have only hurt her in how they viewed her words as, reminding them of her "bastard" child and how she had, because of it, not been at her God's side in the crisis. No…it may not have done any good at all.

And then chips were spilled out, and he saw it did not matter at all. Because almost unanimously, the red chips spilled on the ballot table like a wash of blood, with maybe less than a dozen blue pieces contrasting against the red. Mewtwo felt his heart and stomach plummet, but it was nothing to the devastation that was written on Arei's face. Then, she gathered herself up with admirable dignity, staring into her accusers' faces. More than one glanced away, but all the Priests stared right on back.

"High Priestess Arei Dovasary, the court rules against you and charges you with these marks: 1.) You have freed and helped support the heretics' campaign, 2.) You sold your body to one less worthy and bore a bastard into this world through an illicit affair, and 3.) You have bewitched our High Lord to forgive these offenses, and then attempt to murder him and did murder Marie Davidson. All of this adds up to high treason—and the punishment of that is execution."

Mewtwo saw Arei shaking, but she said nothing, giving them no satisfaction from her fear. He hoped his own horror was not plain in his expression.

Then, it got worse.

"There are many options for the death penalty, but for the extent of your crimes, it had been deemed fit for your sentence to be thus: you, Arei Dovasary, are to be stripped of your title, and at noon tomorrow, you shall be tied to the obelisk in the courtyard before the Temple and will be stoned to death by any who wish to take vengeance against you for your traitorous acts.

"The court is adjourned!"

And numbly, Mewtwo gazed at his mate, who was swiftly being led back to her cell. When he saw her next, going to her with Jonah several hours later, her robes had been reduced to a plain, white shift…but she still possessed her ring and amulet. They had been given to her by the God, and so would not be removed unless by him. And Mewtwo would do not such thing. They were hers in his mind, and were symbols of his partnership with her. He would never deprive her of them.

He spotted a dead bird in her windowsill, saw her red eyes…she had been weeping. He went to her immediately, embracing her close, breathing in her scent. Jonah, now awoken, reached for her and cried. Arei took his swiftly, cradling their son to her, hugging and cuddling him, weeping as she kissed and pressed her face to Jonah's. Mewtwo's heart cracked at this show of despair and love, his throat growing coiled and tight with sorrow and pain. It was then he understood they had to go. He did not want Arei's tears to mean goodbye to their child. He could not stand the concept!

"Arei…I can teleport you both from here. You both need to be transported away from this place…they'll kill you unless I—"

She leaned up, kissing him fully on the mouth, the taste bittersweet with her tears…he held her grimly, not wishing to let go. This was his mate…the mother of his child. He could not let her face the death penalty. He could not!

"Mewtwo, we…we've lost. If Jonah and I disappear now, they won't stop hunting for us. We would have to hide away, never daring to walk away from isolation. And…what life would that be for our son? He's innocent, Mewtwo…no one will condemn him and treat him foully if you care for him after—"

"He NEEDS you, Arei! I need you! If we must be reclusive, so be it! What is more important to him, do you think? His freedom, or his mother?"

She trembled. "Mewtwo…I know…but you know I'm right."

"And what would you wish of me to do? Let you be murdered for a crime you did not commit? No, Arei…I am taking you from here, then—"

"Wait."

He drew back. "Wait? What do you mean, wait?"

And then her eyes focused, almost sparkling. "Mewtwo, maybe…maybe now would be the time to fake my death. Do you think we could…? That way, no one would come after us, and—"

"Dare we take such a risk? If I am too late, you will die. If I am too early in taking you, they will know anyhow."

She touched his face. "Mewtwo, we have to take that chance for our son. I…I can't see any other reasonable way out anymore. If you teleport me away, someone is found to find us…and Mew, she will not rest until one of us is dead. And I would rather it be me than you…because you can protect Jonah in ways I can't. Please…we need to try. If we don't…we're doomed."

But if it failed…the risk would be for nothing….

Yet…she had an undeniable point….

"…All right. But if something goes wrong, I will transport you from there with or without your consent. I cannot lose you…I will not!"

She nodded…and then, smiled sadly. "…Can you promise me something else, Mewtwo?"

"Anything."

She met his eyes. "…If we fail…will you promise me to raise Jonah and tell him all about me when he asks? Will you promise to tell him everything…so he doesn't forget me and knows…that I loved him?"

Both of their hearts twisted at her words, and how Jonah gurgled happily in Arei's hold, reaching out and tugging at her hair….

"I…I promise, Arei. You have my word, and my willingness."

She smiled, so sadly. "Thank you, my dear. Thank you…."

And so, they spent the rest of the night with her, defying the guards to cherish one another's company, perhaps for one last time. They cradled their child, made love, not caring about those who might watch or listen in. It was all they could do, savoring one another's affections, savoring one another's warmth and closeness…imprinting each moment in their minds, needing these moments in case there were no more….

And again, Arei forgot to tell her mate something that so needed to be spoken:

She loved him.