CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO:

WE MEET AGAIN

-Udon-

As Hassel and I flew above the ocean, all of the bad things I felt had gone. I was at peace for what felt like the first time since Ruffles died.

I was just high enough above the water that I could see it ripple below me, creating waves. I reached my paw down and felt the cool, crisp sea. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced.

However, the feeling only lasted a short time as we landed on the shores of Cinnabar.

"You've never done that deliberately?" Hassel asked as he got off of my back.

"Yeah…" I said, trailing off.

After the rush of flying, I couldn't get out much of anything. I took a few deep breaths to regain my composure.

"Well, you're a natural," Hassel said.

"Thanks," I said back. "We should probably get to the museum. Before it closes."

"Good idea," he said.

We began to make our way from the small beach we landed on to our destination. While we walked, I looked around at our surroundings.

The whole island seemed very lush, with tropical plant life all over. Nothing seemed overgrown, however, and all the buildings were somewhat modern. There was also a giant volcano off to the side of Cinnabar that seemed to be a neat tourist spot.

When we eventually made it to the museum, we entered the large doors and there was a small line of Pokémon waiting to buy tickets. The line didn't take too long, and we soon made it to the front.

"Two tickets for the tour, please," I said.

The Pokémon working the desk was one of the weirdest I'd seen yet. He was a large creature that resembled a coconut tree, with leaves sticking out of the top of him. He also had no arms, which was a little concerning, and, weirdest of all, three coconut-like heads that stuck out each side, except for the back.

"Okay, that'll be 2,000 Pokédollars," the Pokémon said.

I slid the money across the counter, but the Pokémon didn't take it.

"You have to put it in the slot, sir," he said.

I looked down and noticed that, below the counter, there was a small slot, sort-of like something you'd see on an ATM, to insert the cash into.

"Oh, sorry," I said, slightly embarrassed.

I put the Pokédollars in and waited a second. Then, out of a separate slot, two tickets slid out.

"Enjoy the tour," the Pokémon said as we walked away.

In the waiting area, we sat in the back of the room so we could talk over our plans.

"This museum isn't the actual birthplace of Mewtwo," Hassel whispered. "It's a replica. The real one is hidden below this building. So, our plan is to sneak off from the tour and find a way down to the lab."

I nodded. This seemed quite dangerous, also illegal, but we needed to do this.

"Everyone on the 2:00 tour please make your way to the front," a voice said from the speakers.

"This is it," Hassel said. "Are you ready?"

"I think I am," I answered. "Are you?"

"Born ready," he replied.

We walked up to the front of the room with the rest of the group. The tour guide stood at the door. She was an indigo color with small arms and legs, as well as a massive red flower on its head.

"I will warn you all before we start that this tour deals with some heavy subject matter," the tour guide said. "While we will not be going in the actual laboratory, there will be some graphic depictions of violence. Now, let's begin."

She opened the door and we all began to walk in together.

-Aura-

We went through the front doors of the museum. The most recent tour group was just beginning to make their way in.

"Wait, is that him?" Amp asked, pointing his arm to the group.

I could make out what looked like a Dragonite with a bandana around its neck. Around its shoulder was a mail bag.

It had to be Udon.

"Oh my Arceus. It is," I said. "Come on, we have to catch him."

We ran towards Udon and the tour group. I could hear a voice behind us telling us to stop, but we couldn't now. We were so close.

"Udon!" I called out.

He turned around and looked completely shocked.

"Guys? What are you doing here?" he asked.

Surprisingly, Udon didn't seem to be as excited as I thought he would be. He looked defeated. Ruffles' death obviously did a number to him.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Amp exclaimed. "How could you just leave us?"

"Dude!" Loom said. "Come on, we just reunited."

"No, no, he's right," Udon said. "I feel terrible for leaving you. I don't know what came over me. I'm sorry."

Just then, a security guard came up behind us.

"Where do you three think you're going without a ticket?" he asked.

"No, wait," I said. "We were just trying to catch up with an old friend."

The guard looked at us and then at Udon.

"It's true. Don't throw them out," Udon said.

"Okay, sure," the guard said back. "But no funny business."

The guard then walked away, leaving us to reconnect.

"So, are you coming back with us?" I asked.

"We're… kinda in the middle of something," he said.

Wait, we? Who was he talking about?

That's when I noticed he wasn't alone. Next to him was the Pokémon that tried to kill us back on the mountain. One of the members of the Elite Four.

Hassel.

"What the…?" I stammered. "What are you… I mean… How did you…?"

"We met in Bliburn," Udon said. "We needed each other's help."

Something seemed off about Hassel. While he stood there, he kept his head down, looking a lot more sympathetic.

"I'm sorry," Hassel said. "About everything. I know the truth now. I know now what that monster did to me."

He didn't say the monster's name, most likely because there was now a crowd of Pokémon around us. But I knew what he meant.

"There's just something we have to do," Udon said. "I can't go with you guys right now. Sorry."

"Wait, that's it?" Amp asked, crossly. "We traveled all this way for you. You can't just leave us again."

"You don't understand," Udon responded. "I have to do this."

As he turned to leave, my heart sunk inside of my chest. We couldn't lose him again.

"Wait, please," I said.

But it was too late, Udon and Hassel had walked into the door, followed by the rest of the group, leaving the three of us there not quite believing what just happened