CHAPTER 2: THE OTHER

As the crimson sun, the giver of life, fell into the horizon to shed its bloody light onto the mountains, shadows undulated within the forests, swimming across the waters that held a tiny island within its center. From its heart, laying on cold grey stone, a silent, solemn creature watched the death of the day without thought. Sunsets here were always gorgeous, and the various colors and tints were marvelous to him. Never was one dusk precisely the same as the next, and this was a curious thing to him. Yet as the moon rose, he gazed on the familiar scene wearily, feeling strangely old, even though his feline body had barely passed a half a decade in age. Solitude does that to one, and he now regretted the loss of his fellow clones keenly. They had never truly comprehended the workings of his mind, but they had been comforting in their physical presence - that they had all left him to pursue their own destinies had been a bitter blow to him. Not unexpected, as he had sensed their discontent long before the first word of rebellion and independence had been mouthed. Still, their mass exodus over a year ago had hurt terribly. That those who swore to remain had all drifted away as well, in time, had only furthered the injury. But he had never allowed his feelings of being betrayed to show. Like a parent watching his children fly from the sanctuary of his wings, from the nest he had created for them, he respected and admired them for their resolve in facing the cruelties of the world alone.

Yet that did not mean he missed them any less.

Perhaps it was better this way. After all, he had been born into this world alone? Naturally, the others would seek members of their own race to dwell amongst…but he? No…he had no such fortune. Yet at the very least, he had his projects to distract him from their abandonment. While his hard heart suffered from the lack of true company, his mind, at least, was occupied. And if his mind was occupied, his heart would not have the chance to play havoc with his emotions, gripping him fully and making him do something rash. Yes, contemplating various worst-case-scenario events due to human folly and how they might scramble to correct them did amuse him. Especially when he knew that if things grew too rough, there would be higher forces at work to stop them from going too far….

Musing on this, he drifted towards the large screen against his west-facing wall. It flashed on with the flick of his wrist, and he settled down on the stool in front of it, pleased to find a message from a fellow philosopher within the human's cyber world. It had been some time since she (or he, the clone supposed) had contacted him.

To: Lunar4Frankenstein

From: Musing(Chi)Watcher

Topic: Re: Merits of Flight

You perpetual insistence that you are not human is quite amusing. I am currently rendering a drawing from the tiny hints you have given me of your description. Please tell me, just how long is your tail?

You speak of flight as though it is no great wonder, but understand, it is the concept of soaring, of lacking physical weight and general boundaries which delights the mind. I have read perfectly well on how aerodynamics work, and how much effort must be put into such natural and unnatural designs to allow flight. Still, it remains a thrilling prospect for those who may feel. If I had wings, I would go to Cairo and-.

"ALERT! Flight vehicles have entered the 112.63 kilometer radius. ALERT-"

"There is no need to shout, AI. Is it civilian aircraft?" he asked, irked by the interruption. His heart pounded in his chest with the shock of its yelling, causing him to growl out the words. If possible, the computer program seemed miffed at his tone.

"No, If it were, I would not have contacted you so swiftly. They look to be of military make, but they do not bear any identifying insignia. At their current heading and speed, they should arrive in this area in little over an hour."

Mewtwo's interest was perked. He turned his attention to the voice, "Do you have any visuals?"

"Yes." With that, the screen flickered to the image of a small fleet of black operations aircraft, the design of them a hybridization of that of a helicopter and a miniature jumbo jet. Mewtwo stiffened at the whirling mechanical eyes at the anterior ends of them, at the weaponry extended beneath the hulls, capable of swiveling around to shoot at nearly any angle before or behind. He recognized the type of vehicle well…he had once been transported within one to Viridian City, and once had led a squadron of them on a hunt in the Safari Zone. That had been back in Kanto, back when he was under the sway of the Team Rocket leader Giovanni. These vehicles, he was certain, were one of the crime lord's forces. He wondered at his own expression of surprise: the telepathic may have erased the trainer's minds of him, and all those he later encountered of humanity…but he had not been forgotten by the man who had ordered his creation. Ambition and frustration when concerning the clone had likely driven Giovanni to this. He wondered how long it had taken the human to track him down.

But perhaps Mewtwo was getting ahead of himself. There was no way to know with full certainty that this was a Team Rocket force, not from this distance. What he saw upon the screen could always be an undisclosed military operation. There was, after all, an unofficial base near here. Certainly the group was disconcerting, and the exact make of the vehicles an almost unbelievable coincidence. Yet the idea was a possibility, and with it in mind, he asked AI to hack into the military site for information,. The program got around the firewalls with ease, plucking up the information and throwing it onto the screen. The base was currently under the authority of a foreign Gym Leader. There didn't seem to be any mission underway, but any operation by them had always been shady.

At any rate, he had no choice but to wait. It was not as if he could simply teleport away from Purity Canyon for a short while if an invasion occurred. He had to defend this place: it was his home, and represented to him the culmination of his freedom - he had at last found a place for himself, and in his mind, loosing his haven was as wretched as having restraints placed back upon his body. No matter what he was, he was resolved to never surrender to another's will again...he would not be told where he belonged by anyone other than himself! Besides, the force would most likely turn away: this was illegal airspace, a protected natural preserve. They could not lawfully fly their planes above it and risk disturbing the wild pokémon. Yet if they did penetrate the range…well, he had defenses set in place for that situation.

So he watched the vehicles approach, pondering on what they could be. Team Rocket or military? Coincidence or threat? And if they were coming here, what did they want? This Garden of Eden…or him?

"They don't seem to be changing course, onii-san. What should we do?"

How strange for it to ask a question…but he felt a moment of pride. At least AI could not be taken, no matter what else, "We will wait. That is all we can do. If it becomes necessary, we will leave this place, you and I. I will not have either of us fall into human hands."

"Understood. They have breached the second radius. They will arrive in approximately 45 minutes."

The clone sighed and looked up at the gibbous moon. His philosophy about it and its light remained unchanging. Deciding he would face the threat if it came, he drifted to the top of the stony island, watching the blinking lights of the approaching vehicles eat away the miles. He would not hide like a kitten beneath its mother's belly. He would not stand beyond stone, but here, not flinching as they came.

Let them come, he thought solemnly, They will leave like all the rest…whether they are forced to go or not.

Agent 009, otherwise known as the Black Tulip for her trademark 'gift' flew over the site on her hang-glider, circling like a bird of prey over the tiny island of the sprawling lake. Her binoculars were set on heat-sensing, and immediately she had spied her quarry. The clone pokémon stood on the plateau, watching her movements, an observation that made her stomach flip before she realized it had raised no paw to harm her. It merely glared, waiting for her to act - to leave. She did so, casting another glance back to the island, the scan cutting through stone. Unlike the last time the area had been viewed, there appeared to be no other life forms with clone biology, only a few wild animals mostly of the insect class. There were strange heat patterns wired throughout the island however, and underneath…it glowed faintly. Machines? Electricity, here? She supposed there was plenty of hydro-electrical opportunity here to support it. Wary of what it might mean, she headed back to Giovanni's helicopter, reporting back her finding over her radio.

Afterwards, she asked about the captive. It was still deeply sedated, but otherwise, well.

It was up to Mewtwo to see that it stayed that way.

Once he'd seen the teenager with the red 'R' insignia across the front of her uniform, he had know who he was dealing with. Somehow, Giovanni had tracked him down and had come for him. The instinct to flee or fight arose sharply in his being, but he knew neither of them to be an option any more than bowing down to his once-commander's will. To flee would mean abandoning this place, leaving this wonderful paradise to a devil. To add to that, AI was, for the most part, bound here. Moving its 'body' could be done, but that risked the integrity of its core, and leaving it behind was not an option. The world's first artificial intelligent unit could not fall into Giovanni's grasp. Even if it didn't obey the human, its programs could be copied and used in that manner. Mewtwo could not allow such a thing to occur. As for fighting…it risked this area in the damage zone, another unthinkable thing. Plus, while taking Giovanni down would end many of his problems, it would invite attention he did not want or need. Investigation, public ones after the military was through, would ravage this place…and AI and he would be discovered. Himself, persecuted.

But he had to do something! He could not stand by as Giovanni invaded his home!

As the vehicles flew over the mountain crest, soaring over the valley, his anger, always a dangerous thing, mounted. It bubbled like ammonia in his stomach, and he rose into the air, heading towards them. The distance between them melted, and they paused, facing each other over the water. A small scar on Mewtwo's wrist throbbed as he sent out orders to AI before the Team Rocket force made its purpose clear, trusting his "child" enough that he was certain the demands would be followed.

With only a groan of metal to give him warning, the bellies of the vehicles dropped out, the missiles they carried screeching towards him, exploding several feet before him into heavy, sticky nets of liquid plastic with electric wiring which sought to surround him in inescapable cocoons. He dodged them easily, almost disappointed. If a few capture devices were all he had to worry about, surely Giovanni must have gone mad and senile. Seven mechanical eyes swiveled, following his movements. Abruptly a sphere of pure electrical force shot out at him, which burst around the shield he raised, a single arm outstretched. As the explosion died, intended to stun him, he gazed at the vehicles soundlessly. Pitiful. And stupid. They were over water after all. What did they intend to do? Capture and paralyze him, and then let him drown when he fell? He doubted it.

They surrounded him then, firing off rounds one after another, and then at random intervals. He outstretched his arms, paws curling like talons which reached to grasp and kill their prey. Spheres of psychic-electrical energy formed in the path of the bolts shot at him, absorbing and neutralizing his enemies' attacks. The gunners seemed to surrender then, perhaps having been ordered to cease wasting their energy - it was futile against this creature. A pair of heavy hands gave their applause, and his amethyst eyes turned towards the roof of one particular vehicle, a railed balcony slowly rising to it from within. Evil embodied, there stood his once-master…the sight of him infuriating the clone. Hatred consumed him at the recollection of Giovanni's past betrayal, but the clone forced himself to quiet such emotions before they clouded his judgment.

Giovanni spoke first, "Well, that was a most impressive display. Bravo, old friend."

Mewtwo glared at the human, his voice low and cold with threat, "Leave this place, Giovanni. You do not belong here, nor do your followers. If I must, I will force you out."

Giovanni clicked his tongue, disapproval evident in his expression, "Come now, is that how you greet your creator, your God? With threats?"

"Manners are not something you instilled in my education or found desirable. Learning how to battle and kill for you was. I warn you now: I have grown far stronger than I once was. Tearing you and your force down from the sky would be a simple enough task."

"I am certain it would be. But in turn, allow me to warn you that your increased strength has long since been predicted by my technicians, and understand me Mewtwo, I have machines that can deal with you if things go that far."

Mewtwo looked ready to challenge that statement, but the Gym Leader went on, "But I am not here to fight, my friend. I am here to make you an offer."

"Nothing you might offer is of interest to me."

There was a pause at that declaration, "…I wouldn't be so certain of that."

But Mewtwo ignored his words, "Again, I order you: leave me in peace."

Giovanni shook his head once, "No matter what you might desire to think, you belong to me, Mewtwo. I have great plans for you…and for your services, I do offer compensation. Shelter, food, drink, material desire…they could all be yours if you return to me."

"If I have need for any of those things, I can obtain them by myself. Now if you refuse to go, send out your machines so I may defeat them and force you to retreat."

An eyebrow quirked, "Cocky, now aren't we? Very well. If you want a fight, you'll have one. Agent 009, send out the capture drones."

The command was followed by the release of six squat robots, spiked and possessing single probing eyes. They floated in a circle about him, and simultaneously they released a barrage of invisible waves of pressure which mimicking gravitational force to an extent where the air around him seemed to solidify to suffocating weights. Sluggishly, defying them, he raised his arms, releasing psychic pulses, countering two of them. Crushed, they fell into the water, sinking to the bottom of the lake. Through the narrow path their failure resulted in, he darted to uncompressed air, and began to fly towards his island. The full force followed swiftly, falling into a trap they were unaware of. But he would not set it off just yet…not until he knew what Giovanni was holding back. Something was amiss here, something hidden…he could not end this before he knew what it was.

On the sandy shore he landed, turning to face the approaching drones. Electric bolts lashed out at him, which he struck away with his own. The four darted about him, one swiftly smashed by Mewtwo powerful whipping tail, a paw reaching into its insides and pulling out some of integral parts of its workings. It spun, squealed, and exploded, the debris from it flying and bouncing off the heavy forms of its fellows. Another soon followed it into "death," Mewtwo telekinetic grip squashing it like an overripe fruit, causing it to implode. Seeing that only two of his precious drones were left, the commands to shoot were given by the crime lord. Lasers and bullets rained down onto the shore, pelting off the psychic's shield. As he prepared to decimate the final couple of machines, everything paused. Giovanni's voice came over the loudspeaker:

"Before you do something you'll regret, I have something to show you, Mewtwo. Look carefully before you act."

Giovanni's helicopter swooped and hovered in front of him, that blades raising a mist of tan dust. It blinded the clone for a moment, not allowing him to view what the Team Rocket leader so obviously wished him to view. He vaguely spied the flanking door of the vehicle sliding open…and then….

There, hanging by its wrists within a sphere of light made by two more drones, its feet and tail bound together, its head bowed…was another of his species. Of his kind.

His eyes widened, and time seemed to freeze, though his heart sped and his breathing rasped in shock. Something inside of him howled in fury and horror that another like him had been created, and was helpless in the hands of Giovanni. Yet beyond that was an immediate sensation of bondage. He needed to free that creature, he needed to help it...he needed it. He could vaguely sense its mind, fuzzy and bewildered…and in pain. His body clenched, his teeth grinding,…he would not stand for this!

"How dare you…what possessed you to do this? Release that creature at once!" he roared, trembling with rage and the unquenchable desire to go to it, to destroy what bound it, and make its pain cease.

Giovanni appeared behind the being, "Certainly, Mewtwo…I shall release her to you immediately, if you vow to serve me, and only me."

Again, Mewtwo mind froze. A female? That frail, unconscious being...was female?

He forgot how to breathe. Uncertainty weighed on him. Inexplicably he found himself stepped towards the pair. Thought was like molasses, trickling sluggishly and dimly colored with emotion.

But a sexless shout cut through the fog in his mind, reminding him not to be tempted.

"Onii-san, don't! Do I have your permission to execute Program 119?"

He shook his thoughts clear, still staring at the female, "Yes. Do it now!"

Before Giovanni had a chance to ponder what was going on, the ground beneath them shuddered, and for one moment, there was utter silence. The buzzing of all electrical machines died, the blades of the chopper ceasing to turn. Then, chaos and flame engulfed the shore - the EMP shut down all machinery in the area, killing the human crafts. They fell towards land and sea out of the sky, and as they did, Mewtwo darted forward, taking the freed pokémon, the female, into his arms, flying away as the force that had held her crashed about the island.

Within those few moments AI had rebooted, its programs restored. Missiles flew at the falling vehicles, metamorphosing them into twisted explosions of metal and fire. He felt the dozens onboard die. Just before one hit Giovanni's and Agent 009's vehicle, almost intact, he felt them vanish. He scanned the nearby miles for them. They had used a Alakazam to teleport them to safety, along with the pesky Persian. Trusting that AI would care for the other, he brought the girl to his quarters, resting her upon his bed. He stared at her for a moment, not comprehending what he should think or should feel. He had never expected this.

Shaking it off, he ordered AI to watch over her, and sped away towards the military base…he would finish this now…!

Giovanni and Agent 009 knew that they both had very little time. Mewtwo had defeated their drones; the main hub of their force; and had taken their trump card, their ace. He would undoubtedly be here within minutes to make certain they would no longer present a problem to him as well. Everything had gone wrong….after all, how were they to have know that the monster had built an armada in Mt. Quena's geological defenses? Had they not been activated remotely, the plan would have likely worked! Both of them had viewed the dazed look that had come over Mewtwo's face when their ace had been revealed to him. He had been drawn to them, helpless to stop himself. It would have worked!

But the plan had failed all the same. Despite their efforts, they had been one-upped. Yet Giovanni refused to let the creature defeat him utterly. He turned to the Black Tulip, who was preparing for the worst. She seemed to be on the same track of mind as he, for she pulled out a heavy iron crate stashed under the desk of their office. After typing in the code, it flipped open, revealing dozens of tiny, steel spheres within, their eyes closed and their limbs tucked away. They had already been installed with a search-and-infect program. The agent looked to him for his approval to activate them. He gave her a curt nod, confirming he'd had the same intentions.

As soon as they were activated, they extended their legs and scuttled away through open windows, doors, and vents. Many would be destroyed before they reached their target, and more would be destroyed when trying to complete their purpose. Yet if even one succeeded, Giovanni's will was done, his revenge taken. The first explosions and peters of gunfire reached him then from the outskirts of the base. He stood by the windows of the office, watching as Mewtwo triumphed over them all. His special operations soldiers fell; his weaponry reduced to flames, oil, and scraps of metal. Very suddenly, he felt exhausted. Vaguely, the crime lord saw others begin to sway drowsily. Before he fell into unconscious, he comprehended Mewtwo actions: he was forcing them into a submissive sleep. For what though, he could not begin to guess….

Mewtwo sensed all of their minds fall into dark unawareness. Lifting his eyes to the smoky sky, he churned the firmament with his powers, creating pregnant storm clouds that groaned under the burden of the rain and lightning they ached to birth. He allowed them to have their way, quenching the fires all around him, the wind swirling about with the force of a tsunami. Such harsh weather was not uncommon here. Then, glowing with psychic energy, he proceeded to destroy the security records, the tapes and disks in the monitors within the buildings melting and shattering. He took the human's minds in his hands, wondering at what he should do with them. They too, could be destroyed. Yet that would have dire repercussions, ones which he did not need. No…he would only wipe their memories of him, and those associated with him, just as he had done with those children years ago. How convenient of Giovanni too to have only disclosed his existence to the people present here. His existence had always been a carefully guarded secret, even in the organization that had funded his creation. That all of them had been gathered in one place pleased him deeply. That he would leave this secret operation bewildered and floundering also appeased some of his lingering anger. Yes…he would not kill the leaders of Team Rocket: it was better to have an enemy one knows than a new, unpredictable one, as the saying went.

He cast the curse of amnesia over them and left them there in the storm and in sleep, and returned to his home…to AI, and to the creature that shook his world...