Pokemon: Blood Curse!
Chapter 8: Mewtwo's Answers.
It was a long staircase. Deep under the house and far beneath the top of the lake, the steps continued. Although it didn't take long as Marce followed the Legendary, despite how far down it was under the lake it actually took a lot less time than she expected. The entirety of the steep hall was lit up with faint lights under the steps of the stairs and once they came across a door, a simple movement of Mewtwo's hand made it gradually open.
To say she wasn't creeped out would be a lie. Her anxiety raced through her mind at the thick darkness that the stair lights barely brightened and if it weren't for the Legendary right in front of her, she would've run back to the main floor in a heartbeat. "Here, we can speak," straightforward, his deep voice so strict, Mewtwo turned to watch the brunette's eyes light up with awe at the sight.
Her mouth gaped at the surrounding thick glass, exposing all of the water pokemon from deep within the lake and the same Gyrados from earlier who swam along the Magikarp. "It's like... A giant aquarium!" her whispered words exclaimed as quietly as possible. Cautiously, her fingers softly touched the thick glass and felt its coldness, the color of the deep lake lit up a lot of the room they stood in.
A calming blue, gentle, soothing, aquatic, it all made sense as to why he'd want to speak with her in such a room. It's so beautiful... Wait- if this is a basement, wouldn't there be a water tank in her and a power box to keep the electricity going? In her mind, confusedly, she asked and glanced around the room in hopes of an answer. Much to her luck, there sat the very things she questioned and sighed in relief. Cause, otherwise, if there wasn't one it wouldn't make much sense to her; no chairs, only a simple, round rug in the center of the bare, circular basement.
Now it was time to be serious. Her hazel hues looked at the Legendary from the side, before completely facing him with the first question in mind. Although, before she even managed to speak, when her lips parted, Mewtwo beat her to it and gave her the first answer.
Yes, I can read your mind... A glint of amusement sparked faintly in his purple eyes as he watched the brunette's mouth close and her gaze light up with astonishment. Now... he began with a close of his own and paused for a moment. To answer the questions that you've had for years now. Again, another anticipated pause ensues, for he noticed how the woman's once bewildered face changed to a more nervous and strict one.
You have always wondered why you're able to speak to pokemon, as though their language was your own. You found yourself insecure around humans because you can use powers far beyond any Psychic trainer, despite you not being one. Has the thought ever occurred to you, that you may or may not even be human? Now that question was enough to make the woman take a step back in disbelief.
"What? How did you- Well, that's... Not even possible! I have two arms, two legs, human hair, I even have a friggin human nose! I can't be- not human!" Flabbergasted, taken aback, and bewildered, there are many words that can describe the amount of denial and disbelief she felt at that moment. The shaking of her head and the refusal in her eyes, were enough for Mewtwo to understand that she didn't like what she heard.
"How did you know about any of this, anyway?! My life was ruined because of who I am! I can't use my power around people, I can't stay around them for long either, and if word got out- someone would send the Government after me to dissect me or something! How did you-" Tears started to brim her emotional eyes while she backed up against the thick glass far across from him and tried her best to keep away. However, his words overran hers with a slight boom of his voice.
You've lived in fear! Pure anger radiated from the Legendary and it was enough to silence the brunette, which gave him enough time to speak again. I know about this, because of a certain other Legendary above all, informed me. I doubt they'd want me to tell you who they are, you're not ready. I brought you to this Mountain, so you can find sanctuary here whenever you wanted to stretch your power and train. I learned that you can be trusted recently, but, the certain Legendary told me to bring you here for that very reason... Because they knew you'll be safe here and would be able to train in peace. You are a pokemon with the blessing of a natural, human form, you are capable of using many powers and understanding the language of Mon. There is a lot of potential in you and I wanted to bring that out... As me- being your teacher. With all the details so far, he pretty much predicted that she'd be too shocked to say anything.
Silenced, awestruck, it was all too bazaar for her mind to wrap around and after a few minutes to ponder on his words, her feet made an attempt to flee. The disbelief she had before, remained, however, the moment her small hand tried to touch the knob of the door... Mewtwo's hand lifted, using his psychic power and pulling her back, sitting her right in front of him. I did not say I was finished speaking. His ball-pointed fingers kept her in place despite her feet touching the floor and soon enough released her, with a sigh escaping.
"How are you going to teach me?! I'm not a pokemon, I'm human! HUMAN! I can't shoot out a Flamethrower or use Shadow Ball!" The disbelief and denial soon fueled anger, and with her hand swatted to the side she was about to continue her outburst if it wasn't for his own hand.
Her hazel hues, confused now, blinked when she saw his hand gesture towards himself in a different direction. From the side, hovered over a bracelet with an odd, thin, purple plate dangling. Simple beads were decorated along the strong material that held the bracelet together, when it floated next to his head he gave it a quick glance. "What's-" Before the woman had a chance to speak, the bracelet was soon placed into her palms after she rose them to grasp it.
The Mind Plate... A smaller version of it. I have a spare, however, I was told to give it to you so it'll help you train and become stronger with your power. You're tasked to collect all of the other type-plates to strengthen yourself. Only then the certain Legendary will reveal themselves to you and tell you what you need to know. Until then- study and train after the pokemon here on this island. You may ask your friends for advice or assistance, but I will be your main teacher. You're free to come and go as you please, but be sure to visit every day. That is also why I gave you the Mind Plate, to ensure the mental strength that you can fly here of your own will. With that, his head turned to view the beautiful blue of the lake and watched the aquatic pokemon swim happily.
"F- Fine... Sure," Mumbled the young woman, for she couldn't really give him an answer. Uncertain about all that has transpired thus far, Marceline couldn't bring herself to believe that her own very existence as a human being was a lie; that she was a pokemon made to look human. It was hard to fight the tears that threatened to fall, although, as she stood there she pondered his words carefully. If I do this... I might be able to protect my friends too. I want to be seen as a human, not a pokemon. A human protecting pokemon from battles that don't have to fight. I wonder... If- I could be their hero someday. The brunette's thoughts were ignored, despite Mewtwo stating that he can read minds he still respected her privacy to think and avoided her mental space.
"Thank you... I'll do this. I don't want to be seen as a pokemon though, think of me as just an empowered human instead," Her denial remained but her heart throbbed eagerly at the new goal she set for herself. To protect her friends and pokemon alike.
Whatever makes you happy. Just be sure to inform your friends about something... Tell them, what you are. Tell them that you'll be coming and going to the mountain daily, to train your power. I doubt they'd be afraid of you since they've followed you, even after displaying a bit of your Psychic power. Answered the Legendary as he wandered to the staircase and peeked over his shoulder at her.
With a simple nod, the bracelet she received was slipped onto her wrist carefully, and stared at the plate for a long time. Soon, she followed after him, scaling the steps behind Mewtwo and making sure she wasn't going to bump into him.
On the main floor wandered Meigu and his pokemon, exploring the living room like some kids. That was until the buff man saw her approaching from the basement stairs in his peripherals, and whirled around to see her. "Marceline! Hey, what was the conversation about? Oh- and if it's too personal you don't have to tell me," at his last statement, his hands rose up in defense and awkwardly sweated beads of nervousness.
He watched those lovely hazel hues peek at him before averting from his gaze, he knew something was wrong. Knowing that made his frown worsen and piqued his pokemon's attention. "Um, I have... Something to tell you. It's, well- serious," Uneasy, she didn't know how she was going to tell them and felt Mewtwo pass her by to head towards the kitchen area.
Everyone aside from the Legendary all gathered around her, before she gestured towards the sofas and made her way over to them. The moment she sat down, they did too, with tensity in the air around them and their attention focused on her only. "I... Am apparently, a pokemon made to look human and I have come here to train every day," she was afraid to hear their response, her small hands clenched tightly onto each other and her hesitant breathes proved it all. Marce refused to look at them, for she expected the worst but yet none came.
"What?!" Flabbergasted, Meigu was, as were Torch and Prince who sat there hysterically bug-eyed at the woman.
I knew it! I knew they'd act like that! I'm such a freak of nature! I'm weird, I'm beyond anyone's understanding, I'm creepy! Tears threatened to fall at that moment, unaware that Prince heard her thoughts and softened his eyes at her own belittlement.
"No wonder you could fly and understand the pokemon language! And you're going to practice using your powers? That's so cool!" From Matsuo's outburst, after he rose from his seat in sheer excitement and pumped a fist, he didn't notice the dumbstruck look on her face.
I have to admit, it is pretty outstanding... Prince's poke' language reached her ears, followed by Torch who nodded and folded his arms.
Yeah- it's pretty cool. I wonder what kind of pokemon you are since you're made to look human. Heh- I bet she would be a ghost type, Prince's weakness.~ Amused, the Blaziken also spoke in his natural tongue and peeked at a surprisingly irritated shiny Gallade whose one eye twitched at his words.
She could be your weakness, too... Annoyed, Prince viewed Torch from his peripherals and watched as a comical irk mark throbbed on his feathery head.
What was that?! Again, much like before, the flames on his wrists spiked from his anger when he roared in his deep, rough, pokemon speech. Sharp, hysterical eyes made the Blaziken amusing to the brunette and they both heard her stifle a giggle.
"Thank you... Guys. I really thought I would've creeped you out," Marce used her finger to wipe away a stray tear that tried to fall, but the more she did, the more they fell. She couldn't stop, the tears kept falling and hicks from her throat escaped in her breaths. "I thought I was a freak to you all. I thought no one would like me, everyone thought I was weird so they avoided me all my life! But you guys stayed after seeing me use my power!" Now her hazel hues were so clogged with tears that she had to close them and make them leak out. Her face became drenched, everyone remained silent at her words and so had Mewtwo who now watched her cry on his sofa.
The brunette couldn't stop shaking as she curled up into a ball and hid her face, wrapping her arms around her knees. "No... You're really cool, you're interesting, you're so unique! You're different compared to the rest of those boring people!" Matsuo sat right next to her and gained her attention, especially when he cupped her cheeks to make her look at him.
Those serious, infuriated brown eyes, bore heavily into her watery ones before he continued to speak. "Torch, Prince, and I, we all agreed that you were worth our time getting to know. Besides, my pokemon and I, love mysteries; you have a very mysterious vibe and it drew us to you. Don't listen to those people, okay? If we didn't like you we would've stopped seeing you by now, right?" His bright, sunny smile and energy seemed to have made her dumbstruck.
Marceline's once surprised expression from a moment ago had become more noticeable when she saw how positive he was. Like the sun's rays beaming through stormy clouds, indicating that whatever pain the storm brought would come to an end. She was speechless, unaware that a few silent tears continued to fall from relief.
Mewtwo felt a small surge of anger in his heart. To know she was mistreated by other people, just because she was different, sort of reminded him of how he was treated during his escape from his creators. He recalled a memory of all of the cloned pokemon around him and their originals fighting each other, even a boy with a red hat who tried to punch him. Everything from that day, up to where he found sanctuary on his Mountain. To know that mankind would still be as harsh towards someone that looks human with a small bit of difference, irked him.
It is getting late, Marceline. I'll have Mew send everyone back to your region. You must come back tomorrow for your training. With that said to everyone, through telepathy, all heads turned to him and Marce used her sleeve to dry her tears. You are certainly no freak here, so don't be worried. He then fully faced them all and wandered past the group to the door, which they followed.
As a few minutes passed, so had their flight. Mew carried everyone through the sky before gradually lowering them to the ground and waving goodbye. They were at the same spot where the pink legendary picked them up earlier, near the tree where she met it and across the rocky river.
"I guess... We better head home. Want us to walk you to your house first?" Meigu questioned with concern, his knitted brows and frown proved how worried he was.
Just when her lips opened to speak, Torch shoved Prince away from him and stepped forward with a clawed fist patting his chest. Let me! I'll make sure she doesn't get hurt. All seriousness in his blue eyes made her own blink, although, they lit up with a bit of surprise when Prince used Psychic to shove Torch away.
No... I will. Simply said the Gallade as he stepped in the spot Blaziken was shot from and dusted his arms off.
"Guys... Really, I'll be fine on my own. Thanks, anyway. I'll- maybe, see you tomorrow?" Nervous, she felt so awkward at that moment. Her eyes averted to the side with pink dusting her cheeks, but the abrupt Blaze Kick from the Blaziken hit Prince from the side and sent him into another nearby tree. "Um..." The brunette tried to speak, however, Matsuo had other plans.
"Okay, you two, stop fighting like children; in you go- now break it up!" From the buff man's pocket came their homey pokeballs and he reeled them in after a stream of red light sucked them inside. "Sorry about that... Hey, do you have a phone?" Curious, a thought occurred and he had to ask. "I could give you my number, a- and if you want, we could call each other... I- I mean as friends, you know?!" His hands rose and waved defensively, the man was flustered at the idea but thought it'd be a good one nonetheless. His tan cheeks turned crimson when he offered but her shy smile nearly made him die inside, for he couldn't shake off how adorable she looked.
"I... Do. It's old though but- I do. My parents bought me one long ago when I was in high school. I wasn't ever able to get a new one, so I don't know if it works anymore. It's back at my house," With a nervous rub of her hand to her neck, she looked down shyly and couldn't stop smiling. Her long, brown bangs did her no justice when she tried to hide her blushing face.
"That's fine! I can buy you one tomorrow then, after your training. Hey- why don't your friends meet mine? Mel and... Hornet, meeting Prince and Torch? I also have a few others but they're usually back at my personal dojo," A jerk of his thumb was directed behind him after he chuckled and gave her a toothy grin.
Dojo?! He has his own dojo?! What is he, a Gym leader?! Eyes the size of dinner plates, Marcel couldn't bring herself to believe he'd be such a person and shook her head to be rid of those thoughts. "S- Sure... You really don't have to though, it's fine," She did her best to not look so surprised, but when he brought his jerked thumb towards her she failed.
"It's totally fine! I can easily pay for it. I'll see you tomorrow then, see ya!" With a quick wave of his hand and his bright smile still lingering, he started to jog in place before he ran the other way. "Might as well get some exercise in while I'm heading home, be safe!" This time a much quicker wave of his hand was given, for his back was to her and he was already some feet away.
"Why do I keep smiling? I look like an idiot... Sheesh," The brunette rubbed her cheeks then down her mouth to try and make it go away, but it wouldn't, no matter how many times she did.
Although, from the distance, in the sky, and among the tall trees, floated a mysterious dark silhouette's backside. It watched her the entire time when she, Matsuo, and the others, came back before going their separate ways. Not much longer did a pair of red eyes gleam in the shadows of the trees, sharp and focused on the woman. Its hand pressed against the tree base as its pokemon language echoed faintly, before gradually vanishing out of thin air.