Pokemon Fan Fiction ❯ Rejected ❯ Dizzy Hot ( Chapter 23 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

OFF: Finally! After much time spent, the next chapter is finally done! I hope you will appreciate this new chapter.

Enjoy!

==========================================================
REJECTED
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CHAPTER 23: DIZZY HOT
==========================================================

Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I? Where am I going? Is there a point to it all?

Just a few days ago, I was convinced that I knew the answers to all those questions... yeah... a few days ago. Now? Nothing...

I can still remember it as if it was just yesterday... the day I learnt I was an Undead Pokemon. I was a young Minun back then. I had barely reached maturity. Indeed, I was one year old!

On that day, I can remember that I was proud of being a mature female. I would now be able not only to reproduce... but I also had the physical strength to finally do something else than remain with the pack! Sure... females are supposed just to mate, give birth, and take care of the children... but it didn't mattered ; the fact that I was now strong enough to take care of myself should all the males die was a fact that filled me with pride.

On that day, I wanted to celebrate. I and several other females went to a river, which had always been considered too dangerous for children to play near, and we decided to pass the day, swimming in the swift, strong currents. The problem is that well, the currents were too strong for any Pokemon, period. The others told me it was a bad idea but I was cocky back then... and I jumped in.

I could never climb out. I struggled and struggled and struggled... but the current was too strong and I felt it suck me into the depths. I struggled to survive but I knew it was the end... and when the water invaded my burning lungs and that I went soft, expecting to see the Grim Reaper... I then realized something. My heart was dead, I did not breathe, my blood was still... yet, I was alive.

On this day, I realized I was Undead.

What caused me to be an Undead?

Well... most Undead are actually "born" from living Pokemon and humans. Sometimes, Undead choose not to finish off their victim and through a twisted ritual, share their blood with their victim, binding the living soul to the dead body, trapping the soul forever on this plane of existence, turning it into an Undead.

Yet, I was not "created" by an Undead Pokemon. I was born this way... or rather, I was born dead this way.

Maybe this is why my mother had always lived quietly, away from the pack, only getting close to get food for us. She knew I was born dead. She told me, after I "drowned". When I was born, my heart was not beating, my lungs were not inhaling air, my nerves did not work. I was dead and yet... I was alive.

But what caused me to be born this way?

Until now, I never questioned my nature. I was born dead... or rather, Undead. End of story.

But now... the strange memories...

When my mother was still carrying me in her womb, Mewtwo came to my parents and then, infused the child that would someday be me with half of Mew's soul...

Did... this caused me to be born dead?... or was I destined to die and Mew's soul saved me?

I have no memories that go this far... absolutely none... and an awful doubt is gnawing at my heart...

... and what if... I, Cherlie, had never been alive to begin with? What if... I was to be born dead since I was one of those unborn children? What if... there never was a soul developing inside of the embryo to begin with? What if... I truly was Mew, reborn?

A shiver went down my spine and I felt my ears drop... and I felt my fur stand up slightly. Was it from the cold feeling?... or was it a cat-like reaction, one Minuns shouldn't have?

I... I do not know.

I cannot be Mew... because I am a Minun... and yet...

I have always acted strangely. I know that. I always thought that my Undead state was what truly separated me from the other females but now that I think about it... I was always more agile, feminine, and flexible than the others. While the others were not clumsy by any mean, I always moved my body in ways they couldn't... and that wasn't bone-breaking movements possible through my Undead state! No... those were movements... that a feline would do.

What kind of non-sense is that?!?... but then... thinking back to when I arrived back at the defect Center...

I still remember my love, Mewlt, and Derlank, that old Pikachu. He wasn't too bad... although he was a bit old for my tastes. I liked the curiosity of that cat and that strange mix of respect and animalistic desire that inhabited the old rat. I liked to move myself around, to pose randomly, to move my hips just to taunt and make them desire me more. It was all a game to me... but now that I think about it...

... did I EVER saw any other female Minun, Plusle, or Pikachu move in such a way? Did I ever saw them move their hips, get up on a bipedal position on purpose and to move their bodies in such a strange way?

... no. None of them did...

I had always ignored this before... but when I think about it... do any Plusle, Minun, or Pikachu ever giggle like I do whenever they are amused? Do... they make those strange poses, back flips, and show off in various other way? Do any Plusle, Minun, or Pikachu is so sensitive to feelings, always on the edge, always reacting so strongly to everything both in positive and negative ways, the mood constantly swinging between extremes?

I am such a childish, optimistic, naive Minun...

Yeah... so childish... too childish. I am an adult and yet... the cold wave of seriousness that washes over other adults never reached me. An eternal child... like Mew.

Mew... I remember now that there are rumors about her... legends long forgotten. Few are those who know of it... Reddy, the Vampire I met so many years ago, was one of the few souls who still knew of Mew's Teachings... of the Three Loves. Although he had no faith in Mew, preferring to taunt the Legendaries by faking out worshipping Mewtwo, he always knew of them... and told me about them.

Mew is the eternal child, the eternal mother, and the eternal lover. Three loves, forever unaltered...

I am... such a childish, easy to impress female... a real child... unaltered by time... like Mew, as if I was... an eternal child.

I remember Mewlt and his cursed, out of control powers. No matter what happened, I always comforted him. Never did my patience ever run out, my love always bringing him back to him, I always stood by his side, asking for nothing... like a mother...

... and there is that burning passion I feel toward him... that desire to be with him... the desire to save him, to love him, to make him happy. For us to be together and to love each others... a passion that forever dies and revives... an eternal lover...

Eternal child, eternal mother, eternal lover... like Mew.

I even have her powers, her attitude, her personality, her movements...

I was born out of half her soul... does this means... that I am Mew?

No, I am Cherlie and I am only half of what Mew is. Yet... I know I hold only half of her and yet... thinking back to the vision I saw...

When Mewtwo divided Mew's soul in two, the two parts weren't shining equally. While the one that was infused in me was shining in glorious pink light, the one he inserted back in his lover was dull, drained, lame. As if... he had placed all of what she truly is, of what her essence truly is made of, within me...

... as if, ironically, I, and not Mew, was the real Mew...

... what non-sense is that? I saw Mew, back at the Champion's mansion! I remember her clearly. I remember her kindness, her sadness, how she called for the child she could never have...

When I think about it... Mew didn't act quite like a child, a mother, or a lover. Yes, her love for her child was intact but... for some reason, I have the feeling that... she had no aura and no curiosity. This desire to move on, this radiant positive light which was supposed to be her trademark trait was missing... as if...

... I am thinking non-sense. No matter how much it looks like it I... I just can't be Mew.

I know I can't because...

"Are you alright?" his manly, low-pitched voice... Mewtwo's voice... why must my head spin so much when I hear it? I look at him and... I see nothing ugly about him.

They said he was a monstrous, misshaped figure. They said his eyes glowed with ferocious hatred and jealousy. They said that his very body was surrounded by shadows and evil intents... yet, when I look at him, I find him so... so... beautiful.

I am so troubled by how nice Mewtwo looks. His eyes, his ears, his face, his chest, his arms, his hands, his belly, his legs, his feet, his long tail... everything about him, I like it. I... I feel as if I had known him forever and when I touched him, I liked the touch so much...

When I hugged him, I felt so... so warm... so nice... and I also felt myself blushing. It was so right, so... pleasing... It was not meant to be at all and yet, every part of me was excited from the feeling of total opposition. There was something forbidden about him, a barrier which I loved piercing, a rule I loved to break. It was a love that was not meant to be and that I loved to feel. I felt like abandoning myself in his arms, meowing, and slowly letting myself be intoxicated by my hormones and drawn into the sad and ill-fated yet deeply romantic and eternal love that united Mew to Mewtwo...

As I hugged him, I was Mew and I loved him with all of my heart. I forgot my long ears, my electric powers, my tiny tail, my skinny frame, and my short legs. I was his female feline, back with a desire of total union once more...

... then... if I am Mew... if my love for Mewtwo is so total... why... did it happen?

Why did I feel as if I was betraying Mewlt if he is my son, not my lover? Why did hugging Mewtwo as Mew also bring back memories of hugging Mewlt as Cherlie? Why did, all of a sudden, I felt as if I was pushing it too far, acting like someone I was not, hurting him, myself, and Mewlt in the process?

I have Mew's personality, her powers, her manners, her attitude, her very soul... yet, I am not Mew. Why? How?

"I... understand... your suffering..." Mewtwo's voice echoed in my head and I was deeply touched. I felt like crying... I wanted so much to be sure of who I am... to no longer be betraying you or ou... your son. I... I want to be Mew or Cherlie, not both... Being both hurts me, both as Mew and as Cherlie, and only bring suffering to those I love... "Do not feel guilty. All we can do... is move forward. Mewlt is waiting for you..."

... but... is Mewlt waiting for me... or for Cherlie?

...

Finally... we found ourselves on dry land. After many days, the trip is over... well, sorta. Cinnabar Island is closer to our destination... but it's still not where we seek to go.

Cinnabar Island... the eternal tourist trap. The sun shine brightly on the beautiful beaches of the island. Even as the millenias passed, the tropical paradise remained ever perfect. The volcano, active yet tame, was seen over the horizon, its shadow all over the peaceful town. According to rumors, gigantic mechanical beasts built by humans tamed the volcano, keeping the flows of magma ever under control, preventing the annihilation of the humans' homes.

As I stood there, on the cement of the street alongside Mewtwo, Eliza, and Siryx, I realized several things. First...

OUCH OUCH OUCH!!!

HOT! HOT!!!

Oooow... cement sure can get hot under the sun!... and talking of the sun... I'm sweating so much I feel as if I had turned into a Grimer or something! Tropical this island is, most definitely... and Minuns aren't adapted to such a place!

I kept moving my feet, not letting them touch the overheating street for too long so that I may not burn myself again. It's so uncomfortable... but well, the view is pretty, at least, with all those palm trees and houses. The sky was so blue... the colors so bright and vivid... it was hard to believe that the world was collapsing, the Elements in chaos due to the Legendaries' powers being removed from the world. Not that I don't enjoy seeing a place that doesn't look gloomy and depressing, personally...

Eliza was taking the heat much better than I did. Humans and their lack of fur... All they have to do is wear less clothes and they're set while us, Pokemon, have to bear the stupid heat! Mewtwo, him, had fur... but it was so short that it looked like he had none. He didn't seem to be bothered by the heat, either. Only Siryx was seemingly as affected as I was... and well, it was an understatement. The little kid was sweating even more than I did, panting on top of Eliza's shoulder.

"Oh dear Mew... so... unbearable... heat..." he whined, while Mewtwo rolled his eyes, obviously not caring at all about the Pichu. Eliza, her, was overjoyed, as usual.

"So... how will we reach the mainland, now?" asked Mewtwo, turning to the Pokemon trainer. Eliza smiled to him. "Well... there's a boat departing for Fushia City tomorrow!"

... looks like we shall once again have a delay then...

I sighed loudly. Remaining in this inferno for even just one day was not my idea of fun. I hated this heat! I just did.

... now that I think about it... what of Lucario and Shadow Lugia? I did not see Lucario leave when we left the SS.Anne and Shadow Lugia was gone the second I turned my back. I turned to the tall humanoid cat Pokemon. I opened my mouth, about to ask a question... but then, I saw him...

A humanoid fox figure, standing behind a few bushes, looking for something. LUCARIO! I pointed at him and said: "Hey! Isn't that Lucario, over there!"

Lucario turned to us. I saw his red eyes lock into my own... and I felt... uneasy... At this moment I felt so very... strange. It was such a weird feeling... so familiar and yet, so alien... I felt like following him... as if he wanted me to follow him... and then, out of a sudden, he was gone.

"Lucario? What was he doing here?" asked Eliza as Mewtwo remained there, arms crossed, as if thinking. For a reason, I somehow knew that he had felt relatively strange as well too...

"I don't care what he was doing! I NEED WATER!!!" whined loudly the Pichu on Eliza's shoulder. Ugh... that was not pleasant. Still, as Eliza dropped her backpack off her shoulders and begun to search for her bottle of water, I think it became obvious it was the best moment to act...

I turned to the bushes where Lucario was and made a few steps forward... but then, I felt... a strange tingling feeling. Mewtwo... do you want to say something?

... as I looked into your eyes... I could feel as if you were saying that you understand. You nodded to me and I couldn't help but smile. There was nothing to say... He knew and so did I. I had to know who I truly am... to learn who is my soul and who is the illusion.

"I'll be back in no time at all!" I said as I turned back to the bushes and made my way toward them... I did not look back to him for an answer. There was no need for one and with the Pichu throwing a fit, Eliza never noticed I had walked away from her...

As I made it to the bushes, I let the bushes' shadow block the sunlight and allow some of the slightly colder darkness cool me off. Sure, it was not much... but it was enough for me to stop sweating madly and to appreciate it. I inhaled deeply... This was such a minor moment and yet... it is crazy how such simple moments can be pleasing. There are so many people that become sick and frustrated of life, seeking such vague and impossible happiness when true serenity and peace comes from such simple moments.

Was it me that appreciated such fleeting, simple pleasures?... or was it Mew? Many Pokemon envied the Legendary Pokemon for their immortality... many others pitied them for it, saying that life stop having meaning after a while. Yet... to Mew, I am convinced... no... as Mew, I know that this is what keeps me going. I cannot remember exactly... but all of the powers in the Universe are actually unneeded. There is no need for one to be tortured by the never-ending past and future. All that one has to do... is to accept, stop for a while, and feel the present. The present... people often look to the past and future... but so few ever stop to actually look at what they are, at what they have, at what they are doing... It is such a shame...

Lucario stares at me and I can feel his stare. He was still as serious as always... always so dedicated. He was battle-hardened according to the legends. He saw everything, participated in nearly every major conflict, lived and died many times among the humans... yet, never did his resolve falter. His loyalty toward Mew was undying... and until recently, his loyalty to his trainer was absolute as well.

As I looked to him, I could see the fruits of his intense mental training. He was completely still, his body not moving at all, his eyes not betraying his feelings, his mind and aura as expressionless as possible. For a moment, I felt great sadness for him... Such a poor soul, in a way... He suppressed his own feelings, he kept himself from living in order to serve his master... yet, what did he ever get in return? He has always been too noble to ask for rewards, the pride of making the world better in Mew's name being his only motive.

Yet... I saw a detail about him. His left leg... trembled. It was so small that no one could notice it... but in a way, I have been his master for an eternity. I knew him all too well... and I knew that he was faking out being adamant. Lucario was not the Regis. He had a soul and feelings. In a way, it pained me much to see him torturing himself like this... it really did...

"You are... confusing." Lucario's beautiful voice reached me. His voice was a bit similar to Mewtwo's in a way... yet so very different at the same time. For some reason, when I thought about it, every voice was more beautiful now... or maybe I had never noticed it before? I wonder...

I looked up to him. He did not sweat in the sun despite his higher part of his body not being protected by the shadows. He did not blink. I awaited an answer, curiosity tingling my senses mercilessly. I wanted him to speak freely and to reveal what he felt to me... yet, he remained silent.

Maybe... I will have to take the initiative. "What is confusing, Lucario?" I asked, surprised at my own tone. This tone... I... do I really speak like this usually? It was... confusing.

Lucario eyed me a bit. He looked me down and up. Although not a word left his throat, I knew he was curious... or maybe I imagined him to be. I am not sure... I am not psychic... or maybe I am. I did not know. Do I have Mew's powers? Probably not... but maybe... maybe so.

"You are not my master... yet... I sense... her soul." he simply stated. I can feel it too. It is the source of my confusion... yet strangely, I do not feel frustrated. To who you are is a very important question to most people... yet to me, right now, it was just a detail. All that I knew was that, whoever I might be, I stood before Lucario. "A Minun cannot imitate the soul of my former master... yet, I feel the same kindness, the same love, the same spirit within you." the fox Legendary Pokemon crossed his arms, his eternally serious gaze slightly breaking, slight hints of his confusion leaking through his beautiful, deep red eyes. "Yet... I KNOW you are not Mew... and in another way... the aura never lie. Tell me, Minun... who ARE you?"

In a way, I had hoped that he had the answer. I wanted to answer that I was Cherlie... no, that I was Mew... no... that I... humm... Well, there. I simply looked down, ears lowering... "If only I knew..."

A slight twitch in the fox's leg and I knew that my answer did NOT please him. "What? How dare you? This is a simple question. Do you believe I am stupid and gullible?" wha... what? I looked up to him, shaking my head. "N... NO! Of course not! It's just that... that..."

I sighed loudly. This is... so depressing. Lucario... he is my servant... well, Mew's servant... or maybe is it half my servant?... URG! Let's just say that Lucario... is Lucario! Anyway, he deserve an answer. It would be wrong not to give him one so I'll try... "Lucario... I am Mew, reborn..."

His leg stopped moving and his gaze became cold again... "... but in a way, I am not." Lucario did not move... but for a second, I think his right hand twitched... "I mean... I AM Mew! Well... half of Mew..."

The blue shorts-wearing Legendary Pokemon crossed his arms and his gaze was now straight into my eyes, piercing into my own. I felt so tiny suddenly and intimidated... yet, I knew there was no reason to be scared. My body and soul not agreeing... such confusion. "Half of Mew? Explain yourselves..."

... wait a minute! Since he did not get what I meant then it must mean that... THAT MEWTWO DID NOT TELL HIM?!? Oh my dear Legendary Pokemon! How am I going to tell him about what Mew and... well... about Mewtwo's plan?... and what of Mewlt? Do he knows anything?

"I am waiting." okay... I guess... I shall explain... Let's just hope that he take it well and that he doesn't think I am a monstrous liar...

"Lucario... years ago, back when the humans did not have any Legendary Pokemon under control, a plan was put in action. Mew was separated in two halves. The better part of her was put inside of me the day of my birth while the lesser half remained in the original body..." as I finished my brief explanation, I saw the fox staring intently into my eyes and although he was not psychic, I could feel his gaze penetrating me and reading through me like an open book. Such a gaze... it was so... so...

Huh? Why is he getting closer? What do you want? Why do you look at me like... THIIIIIS?!?

He grabbed me and lifted me to eye level! "What are you doing? Put me down!" I demanded... but he just stared into my eyes... and... and... I felt... so strange. What's happening to me? Why do I feel so... so... His eyes... I felt as if they were glowing... no... his entire body is glowing. A peaceful resonance... I felt at home... I felt...

"So... it IS you... I have felt it... it IS you..." I think I saw the hint of a smile on his face and it brought me a warm feeling to my heart. Slowly, he placed me back on the ground and I saw the fox get on his knees and bow before me. A part of myself was embarrassed by such a gesture... yet, was it appropriate?... or not? Although the gesture bothered me, I think I could feel what he was feeling... and this feeling pleased me. I was so glad... so glad at this calm feeling that washed over his confusion...

"So... it is you... It is you... it is you..." his gaze... calmed me. I felt so strangely calm... and I liked it... "Please do not torture yourself anymore. Do not doubt yourself anymore, please." the way he spoke to me... he... "Do you have any memories... of who you used to be?"

Who I used to be?... who Mew used to be... "Legendary Pokemon are the incarnations of this world's elements and traits. They are the very soul of this world in a holy vessel. Mew's true shape... is that of pure love, kindness, and compassion. I have felt you, Mew, within this confused shape... I know it is you and deep down, you know who you are. Do not doubt yourself anymore, please..."

... I... I... I turned my back to him. Mew's kindness... It is true. It is why the Legendary Pokemon are so powerful and... unique. It is because their very souls are the powers of this world. I knew it was true yet... I... I cannot deny who I became, this mortal identity that is my own.

Maybe I always were Mew... but... I refuse to give up on my mortal identity, on this soul that is my own. Mewlt... my beloved Mewlt... and all those memories... I cannot turn my back on all of this. If I did this... I would be cruel and insensitive...

I have Mew's kindness... Mew's raw essence... but I am not entirely Mew... although I am her true essence. I am Cherlie... and...

...

I... have realized it. Finally... I have realized it.

Without a doubt, without a single doubt... I am Cherlie. I am Mew's essence, I am kindness, a mortal rebirth of Mew.

I still feel confusion... I still know that my feelings as Mew conflict with that of my Minun self's... but although I am truly Mew and will someday return to her shape, right now, I am Cherlie and no one else.

"Lucario... I am Cherlie. I may have been Mew in the past... and will someday be Mew in the future... but right now, I want to live this life..." as I spoke, I saw him nod slowly...

A part of myself felt at peace. I was serene, knowing who I am... yet, I knew that it was far from over. I still have yet to clear the entire confusion... and in a way, this answer I came up with was maybe not the best as suddenly, my love for Mewlt... became so very conflicting. As Cherlie, my feelings were for Mewlt, Mewtwo being leftovers from my former and future life... but it is exactly the problem. This meant that...

Brr... a shiver went down my spine.

This meant that... I am in love with my own son!... well, my former and future life's son.

Still... it didn't make it any less creepy... and yet, it wasn't creepy at all. Maybe I didn't find an answer about who I am at all. I feel so... separate from Mew and yet, I am her. My head no longer hurts... but I know that this is not the end of my headaches.

"I understand... Master... please tell me... where is your other half?" the fact that he referred to me as if I was entirely and completely Mew did not help. I know I have her aura... but Mewtwo, him, understood my feelings. Lucario was either oblivious or didn't realize it... or maybe... he did but is bound by honor. Frankly, I did not know.

As for his question... My other half... "Lucario... my other half died."

I think that Lucario's fur stood up for a second, his frame recoiling a bit... but then, he seemed to be as calm as ever the next second. I think I am getting accustomed to how he suppress his feelings... I looked up to him as he bowed again before me... but this time, in a way to show compassion and understanding rather than as a sign of submission. "I am sorry, Master. I... didn't want to..."

I stopped him, shaking my head. "Don't. Please..." he looked at me... and slowly, he nodded. "You are right. Legendary Pokemon never die. When the peace of sleep will come to you, you will find your way to your other half... and you will be reborn, whole. There is no reason to be sad... for it is only a temporary separation." Maybe it is a temporary separation... but what of me? What of Cherlie? I know I will rebecome Mew someday... but what will happen to this life? What will happen to Cherlie? Will... will I disappear? "You seem troubled, master. I apologize if I said anything wrong..." he said, noticing my expression.

"No, Lucario. You didn't say anything wrong. It's just..." It is just that... that...

...

When I think about it... when I REALLY think about it...

... why? Why do I torture myself over this? I was Mew and will be Mew... but right now, I am Cherlie. Undead as I may be, my life will still end when I will choose for it to end. Mew, her, will forever live whenever she like it or not. As Cherlie, I have only one existence... so, shouldn't I take advantage of it? Shouldn't I be happy? Mewtwo... my feelings for you will live on... but Mewlt? He will only ever feel my love in such a way in this life.

I am happiness and kindness, not brooding and depression! Maybe I should take a lesson from my inner Mew and start living rather than surviving.

After all... the sun is shining, the colors are so beautiful, the sky is clear, Lucario looks so funny with his serious expression... and there's a pure-hearted human, an innocent child, and such a beautiful male nearby. There is no reason for me to be unhappy... so why being depressed?

"Forget it, actually." I could see surprise in his eyes as he saw my smile... but then, slowly, a grin came to his usually still face... "Maybe there is no thing in this world that is truly eternal... except your smile."

Smile... smiles are so pleasant... it is true...

But then, a desire called to me... and the doubt was stronger than ever.

I have inherited Mew's kindness... her essence... but does this make me into what I think I am?... but most of all... why didn't Lucario recognize the essence earlier?

Lucario... one of the two Legendary Pokemon serving under Mew. According to legends, his abilities to sense and manipulate spiritual energy is almost limitless, only Mew having more control than he. A permanent link between him and Mew is supposed to exist and legends say that no matter what form Mew would assume, he would always, always recognize her from miles away...

If I am truly Mew reborn... how come he didn't recognize me the first time we met?... and it's not as if he wasn't with me long enough! He was out of the Pokeball for a long while back on the boat... especially after being abandoned. How come he only sensed it NOW?

If I truly hold Mew's essence... shouldn't I have a radiant, overwhelming Light?... and besides, when I think about it... it doesn't make sense!

If I was Mew reborn, her soul would be clear to me as a former life. But here... it is not the case. A rebirth would be able to realize its place and become one with its original self... but I... this is not my case.

I shouldn't jump to conclusions. I do not know what I truly am yet... and besides, Mew's essence... I have none of her powers.

I cannot read thoughts. I can't use telekinesis. I cannot give form to mental energy. I have no aura. I cannot process emotions and feelings into Light. I have no control over Light. Dark Vortex... I can't see or even SENSE the currents of Light!

All I have is the ability to store electricity in my cheeks.

Well... back at Mt.Moon, I DID feel weird and I have the feeling that Jirachi was destroyed by something... but do I have any powers that belong to Mew? I have neither her mortal psychic powers or her holy immortal powers. Either her essence is broken, either I jumped to conclusions...

Still, Lucario has recognized Mew... and I know that my life, or my Undead life, was infused to me thanks to her so it means that I have definitely a fragment of her in me. But... how much of her and what?

I looked at Lucario... and I felt sorry for him. He was born to be a servant... to live for the sake of another being. He is bound, forever, to Mew... and although he does so willingly, the fact that he was created solely for this purpose is... rather sad. But what is more terrible... is that he lost his purpose.

Regardless of how much of Mew's spirit is within me, it doesn't change that her original personality and body still existed. However, now that she is gone, what will happen to Lucario and her other servant, Manafi?

I assume that Lucario, unable to cope with the fact that he was away from his master, took his trainer as a substitute master in hopes of finding purpose and fulfillment in it... but this fate isn't fit for him, to say the least. Under Mew, Lucario was a Legendary Pokemon, a creature which served as her messenger and avatar, using his powers to help Mew's cause and improve the lives of all creatures. Under his trainer, he was just another fighting Pokemon at his disposal to win Pokemon battles.

When I think about it... is it really fair for any Pokemon to be in such a situation? The love of humans for Pokemon... I thought that maybe trainers had been corrupted by some kind of force but when I think really carefully about it... if humans and Pokemon really coexist... then why the need for Pokeballs? In fact, it is a strange way to treat friends. You trap them in tiny balls and keep them inside all the time since it makes moving them and controlling them easier.

... that sounds more like a slavery tool than the symbol of friendship.

But then, I already knew that it was all a big joke. Ever since I left the Defect Center alongside Mewlt, I became delusioned about many things. Faith, Nature, trainers... I once believed in such things. My travels erased them.

Mewlt... tomorrow, we are to depart for Fushia City. There, we will be able to take the trail leading north, to Saffron City. I wonder...

"Master... is something wrong?"

HUH?!?

...

Oh... it was only Lucario. I was thinking about all of this and then, I forgot all about where I was... well, back to reality, I guess.

... frankly... until I have determined whenever I am truly what he claims me to be, I don't want him to assume things that he really don't know about. "Lucario... please don't call me that. There is no guarantee I may be who you claim I am..."

The fox stared at me, ever so serious. When I think about it... Lucario wasn't so hard to read. His body language was spot-on, it was impossible to read it... but his aura... it was so powerful that even a Magikarp would be able to decipher it. So it wasn't Mew's essence after all... but rather just Lucario who just doesn't know how to hide his feelings.

I peeked out of the bushes... the sun was still burning ever so brightly, setting ablaze that cursed tropical island. What a joke... Well, I'm glad I went to talk to that pants-wearing fox! The heat is less infernal in there... but well, sadly, I'll eventually have to get back under the metal melting rays. Oh well...

Eliza and the others are still there, in the middle of the road. Mewtwo was doing some kind of trick with his hands. Must be to keep them busy while I'm with Lucario and well, seeing as they didn't move from their location and don't seem that much bothered, it must have worked. Looks like they didn't take the heat well too... they all look so tired and sweaty, it's funny... but then, I'm not much better and I know that cursed sun will fry me to a crisp the second I leave the bushes.

I decided myself and ste... huh? What was that? That huge shadow... I turned to the sky to see the massive black shadow fly toward the north of the island. Must have been Shadow Lugia...

"Where are you going, mas... Cherlie?" Lucario had been about to call me master but corrected himself in the middle of his speech. A bit funny in a way... but maybe not. I am more interested in knowing where Shadow Lugia is going...

"Cherlie... I'm going to see where Shadow Lugia went. Stay with Eliza. I will be back..." said Mewtwo, turning to me, as he brought his hands together and made a few purple flames take the form of a small unknown hedgehog Pokemon. As Eliza and Siryx were busy looking at the incarnation, Mewtwo left quietly...

Personally, I'm curious. Where is Mewtwo going? Why is he going? Must be related to Shadow Lugia, most probably. Well, looks like I'll be doing some spying! Time to get out of those bushes, I guess...

"Mas... Cherlie?" I turned back to Lucario. It was obvious he hesitated to follow me. His neutral look just looked so fake it was pathetic... "Lucario... please remain with my friends and keep them busy, okay? I will be back soon." I told him as I finally decided myself and jumped out of the bushes after the big cat.

OW! HOT HOT HOT!

"Bu... BU BUT... MASTER! WHAT DO I DO TO KEEP THEM BUSY?"

Stu... stupid cement! HMPH! No wonder that Pokemon trainers on this island have a tradition of using fire-elemental Pokemon above all other types! This place is a real inferno... and I hate it! Oh well... if I run fast enough and keep the contact with the cement as minimal as possible, maybe I won't have aching limbs for the next two weeks.

...

Running... running...

That kitty sure went far! First, to the edge of town, then outside of it, then to a side of the dormant volcano people no longer lived on. I could tell with all the ruined houses and the long grass.

I finally slowed down... and well... I... I didn't realize I was so tired...

...

... oh do I love the feel of grass under my feet... grass that is not so UNBELIEVABLY HOT! Cement might offer a nice floor... but it sure isn't convenient in the blazing sun of tropical islands. Guess human technology got disadvantages...

Anyway... as I caught my breath, I noticed the ancient ruins in which I was now. Must be an old, abandoned part of the city. Judging from the vegetation that had grown on nearly every surface here, it was probably ancient. Humans usually can be found exploring really old places. Why no human thought of going here once in a while really puzzled me. Who knows? Maybe those ruins are boring and humans are not interested?... but then, why would Mewtwo go to a place like this?

Speaking of the legendary cat Pokemon... he's there, standing in front of the entrance of a huge mansion of sorts. What is he doing, standing like this? Did Shadow Lugia go inside? I slowly approached, using the vegetation as cover. He would probably sense me but well, I needed to know...

Well, a psychic blast later, the doors were opened and the humanoid Pokemon disappeared inside. Guess he must have not noticed me. In fact, considering he didn't even look back a second, either he is overconfident in his powers or he didn't expect anyone to follow him.

Still... this is strange. I only noticed it now but... not only are there no humans in there... but no Pokemon as well. The place is so strangely silent... so unnaturally quiet. Actually... BRRR! I can feel a shiver go down my spine. Quiet is good... but THIS quiet, on another hand, never is. Did Shadow Lugia or Mewtwo scare them off? I hoped it was the case. I would hate to find out Mewtwo hid something potent or dangerous in there...

I slowly approached the mansion and well... whoa. It didn't looked like it from afar... but the place is HUGE! I look at it now and Mew, it sure is tall! Also seems well-conserved. In fact, unlike all of the other buildings, it didn't seemed like it would crumble down under the weight of the plants growing on it. I wonder... what use did this building have, back when it wasn't abandoned? I heard that humans used mansions as their homes but still, I really doubt anyone would have an use for such a huge home... but then, the Pokemon Champion had that ridiculously oversized home and according to legends, the Legendary Pokemon used to have massive homes as well.

I slowly stepped through the door... and I once again sighed in relief as the sun rays could no longer reach me once more. In fact... I was a bit shocked at how dark it was inside compared to outside. With the sun blasting the whole island so hard, even the well-lit inside of this mansion seemed so dark.

Speaking of the inside... it sure is well-lit for an abandoned place! I remember that back at Mt.Moon, the light was scarce with only a few various holes in the ceiling lighting up the caves' highest levels. It was very dark in there, with my vision being nearly useless and in the lower levels, I had to rely strictly on my senses of smell and hearing. However, in this abandoned mansion, rays of light enter from the various windows keeping the place relatively well-lit. Unlike the caves, I can actually see in there, which is good personally. While many Pokemon don't care about vision and while, frankly, my vision is not nearly as good as my hearing and sense of smell, it still helps to have vision. Vision might require light, true... but vision make it much easier to orient myself in space. While most natural areas are bathed in smells which allow me to locate walls and other obstacles, unnatural and places devoid of life lack such smells.

Now... where did this cat go?

He's the Legendary Pokemon of Darkness... so his aura should be fairly easy to sense. Furthermore, if I can actually get some of the powers I'm supposed to have as Mew to work for once, I should be able to locate him instantly.

Okay... I'll try it out...

I'm now pink with an over-inflated belly. I'm disgustingly cute and adorable, I got a long tail, and my fur is almost invisibly short.

Mew mew... meowing... giggling... I'm childish and innocent, with all the love in the world in my veins.

Okay... I'm Mew... so now, do I have some powers to boot?

... hmm... concentrate...

... nothing.

I must maybe concentrate harder... maybe psychic powers or whatever works when you picture the target? I pictured Mewtwo's image in my mind...

...

... still nothing... and I feel perfectly ridiculous and silly. Maybe I must think and feel like Mew for it to work?

Okay... so teeheehee! Everything amuse me! Oh... and Mewtwo is so sexy and beautiful and nice and sooo lovely! Love him... purr...

Now, where are you, little kitty? Heeheehe...

...

... what the Dark Vortex am I doing?!? This is stupid! I'm getting nowhere!

I opened my eyes and sweat dropped. Okay... what did I do? Thankfully, no one saw me do all this stupidity... but well, when I thought about it, I would have only looked as if I was thinking really hard. Still... I'm really silly at times. What was I thinking? That picturing myself as a pink overweight milk and Mewtwo-loving cat would give me super powers? What a joke...

Oh well... I guess I'll have to find him the good old way. I'll look around and try to catch a glimpse of his aura. Hopefully, there shouldn't be too many interferences around here.

squeak squeak squeak

Okay... so the floor is noisy and doesn't take kindly the weight of living things. Annoying, indeed. If Mewtwo wants to remain out of range, he will be able to hear me miles from here. I sense that I will hate it...

squeak squeak squeak "Squeak." squeak

Wait a second! When I got close to the staircase, I heard a Pokemon actually squeaking! A mouse Pokemon, most probably! So this place isn't so abandoned after all...

I paused and, closing my eyes, smelt the air...

sniff... sniff...

Enough moisture to cover most smells yet not enough to be felt. How bothersome. Still, a male's smell is nearby. In fact, he's so close that my nose is telling me that I'm stupid for not noticing him earlier since he's probably right in front of me, right before my eyes. I opened my eyes and looked more carefully at the staircase that lies in pieces before me. The vegetation-covered steps must hide our little friend...

I turned around to try and look under the stairs and...

Ha HA! There you are!

"RATICATE!" squeaked loudly the big, ugly brown rat-thing before scampering off before I could say a word. I... didn't even have the opportunity to say a SINGLE word.

Oh well... that was pretty uneventful and useless. Well, at least, I know that there's some people in this place. Better be careful... they must be silent for a reason... and such reasons usually involve predator Pokemon, hazards, or both.

Coming back to the front of the staircase, I decided to look more carefully at it. I'm a mouse, not an expert in human buildings and their structure, so it's obvious that I can't tell if that thing is really solid or not. But well... the staircase doesn't seem so damaged despite some steps being, well, gone... guess it must be safe to walk on it.

CRACK!

Okay... guess it wasn't safe after all. Thankfully, I found out that the thing was made of completely rotten wood when I stepped on the first step. If that had happened on the last step, I'd be a zombie and trying to find that Raticate to bring myself back to life. Being dead is not fun, I can tell you this so I'm thankful that the thing was so completely rotten in a way.

But well... it was the sole staircase. I REALLY hope that he didn't went to the higher floors because, well, I don't think it would be good for my health and general physical status to try and scale those walls. Yes, they're covered with vegetation... but I doubt those plants can support my weight. I'm not a massive human, sure... but I'm still not a lightweight either.

"RATICATE!"

"EEEEK!!!"

"RATICATE!"

... man... I... I thought I would have a... a heart attack. My... my heart is pounding so fast.

"DON'T DO THAT AGAIN!" I yelled at that stupid male. What a jerk! Coming out of nowhere to startle females! He wanted to kill me or what?

"RATICATE!"

... okay? My left ear lowered as I felt the annoyance rise. Is he able to say anything else than his specie's name or what? That's the only thing he said to me... or rather, the only thing he yelled to me. Oh well, at least, he didn't run away this time.

Rattatas might be somewhat cute mice Pokemon... but I can't say the same for their evolution, Raticate. Easily a good head or so above me in height, with a large cylindrical frame and massive square fangs, they were pretty intimidating. They were also horribly ugly to boot with dirty, spiky brown fur and naked hands, feet, and tail in a brighter brown almost human skin-like white tone. Their eyes were midway between the stupid dullness of a Slowpoke and the insane killer gaze of a Tyranitar. Although, as a mouse myself, I am rather attracted to other mice... I always found those huge rat Pokemon to be hideous. To make matters worse, they were also surprisingly dangerous with a short temper as a general rule and they also knew the move Hyper Fang more often than not. That move is a true killer. I have seen Raticates kill absolutely massive targets with that attack. It's scary, I tell you. But that wasn't even the worst! Oh no... Raticates also carry rabies and other disgusting stuff due to their tendency to live in human city sewers and other disgusting places. So... even if they don't want to kill you, they might doom you indirectly because of all the diseases they carry with them.

Truly, as a whole, Raticates weren't my cup of tea when it comes to Pokemon.

... why is he staring at me like that? You want my picture, moron? That horrific smell... yuck! Definitely a male. But then, pretty much all wild Raticates stink worse than Muks. Blah! He tilted his head, blinking a few times... What is it? Do I have something on my face or something?

"Okay... what did I do?" I asked, placed my hands on my hips as I stood up, my face showing clearly how I felt about it all.

"Why on mine territory?" WOW! Such vocabulary! What a freak...

"Searching for a Pokemon... and no, I'm not leaving and I'm not following you either. I'm passing by." I explained quickly, hoping it would satisfy the ugly brown thing and send it on its way.

... but NO! It just kept staring. So annoying... "Big scary cat? Weird tall scary cat down there." he explained... well, if you can call that mess of words an explanation.

I rolled my eyes. DUH! Of course, moron!... well, maybe not. Now, I know which way he went. Maybe I should thank him... "I see... thank you." a shiver went down my spine. I... thanked such a horror. Ugh...

... more staring. Oh well...

I approached the elevator... well, what's left of the elevator... "RATICATE!"

!!! EEEEEK!!!

YOU JERK! I thought I would have a heart attack! What a complete... "What's your problem?!? Why do you keep doing that?" I asked the rat, feeling my left ear twitching and everything turning a bit red...

"Scary cat! Gonna eat you!" huh? What's the deal now? He's worried or something? Pah! I'm a stranger so it means that he must have some kind of interest in... ugh, great. What time of the year is it? Heat season? Don't think so... I always have those disgusting yet so strangely pleasing dreams when heat season comes up. Must be a lonely male or something...

"Look... I will be fine." I said as I approached the elevator's door. Hmmm... if I remember well, you must press that button on that panel to get the door to open. Well... it's pretty high for a Pokemon such as me. How will I reach it...

"Sure? Cat big! Cat aura powerful!" the worried act that this Raticate is pulling off start to REALLY get on my nerves. Do he think I cannot take care of myself? Well... probably not but still, that's not a justification for being extra annoying! Get lost!

"I'm not exactly weak. I can handle it." keep calm... he will eventually go away. Keep that static in your cheeks, girl!... HMPH! Those puppy eyes... will he keep bugging me all day?!?

... sigh... I should just concentrate on what I am doing and ignore him. He will eventually go away if I focus on my task at hand. Now... to get that door to open...

It's pretty high and I can't reach to it... sure, I could jump... but I doubt I can make such a high jump and have just the perfect momentum to press the button in mid-air. This place is full of debris... maybe I could build a ladder to it?

... that is a wonderful idea! Why didn't I think of it earli... "RATICATE!"

Okay... I had enough! "Zip it already!" I snapped, turning to that stupid rat. Do you think I care? Go play in a minefield and be done with it!

... oh great... he's upset now. "Errr... look, I didn't mean to be harsh. I'm a busy female. Could you let me be, please?"... nothing. He's still upset.

"Raticate been wrong... right? Raticate sorry..." the big teary eyes act now. While that rat does infuriate me to no end... I couldn't help but feel sorry. I mean... he only meant to help me and now, I diss him out so badly...

"No... you have done nothing wrong. I'm sorry about that. Look..." maybe he will calm down if I can give him a way of helping me without having him in the way?... hmm... HA! I got it! I assume he's been living there... so that means he probably know about the debris, which ones to use to build a ladder! "You want to help, don't you?"

Whoa! What a hyperactive male! He kind of went crazy, nodding and hopping like a Spoink! Well, I guess he want to help... "Well, could you get me materials to build a ladder to that button." I asked, pointing to the panel.

"CAN DO THAT! CAN DO THAT!" and with that, he's gone.

Well, finally, he's gone... for now. Well, that was unnerving... but well, he's gone now so no reason to be upset anymore...

This old, ruined place... wonder why Mewtwo would be interested in such a place. I know he is kind of a information sponge right now... but going into ruins to look at dusty broken things doesn't sound like him either. But then... this is MEWTWO we are talking about. I guess that he must have hid something in this place... something that... Oh! My heart is beating so fast from the possibility!... Something that could save Mewlt! His machines... they were probably as mythical as he is! I hope there is such a machine down there...

I can hear the constant sound of steps... and my ears twitch slightly from this. He is close... he should be back soon... maybe, maybe not.

... the steps... louder... yet slower. I can hear it... something heavy being dragged on the floor... he's moving by kicking his feet into the floor. The floor's composition and how close I was allowed me to track him down without even opening my eyes. Yes, good eyesight is nice and I do admit that I was gifted with eyesight that was majorly above average compared to other rodent Pokemon, able to see almost as well as a human could... but regardless, I had to admit it: good hearing IS mighty convenient...

I saw the Raticate arrive in the room, dragging along a plank of wood. Considering that he's a Raticate and that he's not the tallest and strongest Pokemon ever, I had to compliment him for such a feat. He dragged it all the way to me and then, stopped, panting quickly. "I... I... I brought it here!"

A smile came to me. Perfect... "Nice..." I placed my hands on the plank of wood and tried to raise it a lit... little... UUUUURGH!!!... AAAARG!... HMPH!

BAM!

"Ar... are you okay?" man... that thing is HEAVY! How did he managed to drag it all the way here?!? Oh well... better answer what he said... I turned back to him, trying not to show how I had tired myself out trying to lift up that piece of cement disguised as wood. "Thank you, now be on your way, okay?"

The rat looked at me for a few moments, its entire body twitching, its dull eyes staring at me in a rather uncomfortable way for a few moments... and then, finally, the rat scampered out of my line of sight. FINALLY!

I turned back to the switch, scratching the back of my head. Well, that was pointless. I got annoyed by a Raticate and that thing is too heavy for me to lift it up and use it as a ladder. Back to square one...

Looking around, I then figured out something... why should I actually have to press that button myself? Wouldn't just grabbing a long stick and doing that from the floor be much easier?

Man! I'm so stupid! I should have thought about that earlier, MUCH earlier! I approached the stairs again, grabbed one of the thousands of long sticks that were around, and then used it to press the button. In about ten seconds, the issue was fixed. Well, that was pointless... once again.

EEEEEK!

BZZZZT! BZZZT!

... that was only the door opening...

Breathe... breathe... calm down... relax...

I guess I didn't expect the old rusty elevator doors to make so much noise as they opened... but well, what was I expecting? Teeheehee... that was stupid... once more.

Opening... closing... opening... closing... that thing is obviously malfunctioning...

CLANG!

Ha! Finally! Stopped and got stuck!... and what luck, in the opened position! Guess it's safe to check the elevator now...

... whoa. There's no elevator and it REALLY seems to go deep underground. I can't see the bottom, I swear it!... and well, those hanging broken cables crackling with electricity does look quite nasty. Sure, I'm an electric mouse... but shocking experiences are not pleasing for any type of creature. Personally, I wouldn't want to feel the same way morons feel when I fry them with my attacks.

... what am I worrying about? A few cables dangling from the ceiling? What was I thinking? Hahaha... oh well. There IS a ladder on the wall over there... but well, it does seem rather rusty despite looking sturdy. I could always jump and grab into it... but if I slip, which is highly likely, I think that I'll make a long, long fall that will result in my body being totally and entirely wrecked...

Am I really going to risk getting myself stuck in a dark elevator shaft for a long, long time just to see where Mewtwo is going?

... most definitely! He is hiding something from us and considering who I'm dealing with, it must be something wicked! Still, it's not a reason for being careless.

Now, I'll just evaluate the distance between that door and the ladder...

...

... ugh... that shaft really goes deep. If I slip, I'll probably be impossible to recognize once I've finished tumbling down...

... well... there goes nothing...

I closed my eyes and then jumped...

...

CLANG!

clangclangclang!

I'm going to die I'm going to die I'm going to die I'm going to... to... huh?

... WHOO!

HA! NOW that is neat! The ladder is solidly attached to the wall it seems! Just shook a bit when I gripped it. Well... I'm on it now! Time to climb down...

One bar at a time... one by one... step down, use your hands, use your mouth for tricky spots since you're a small mouse...

... YUCK! Rust!

... anyway! Down and down and down goes the mousey...

...

... hummm... yeah... it's getting dark. How long have I been climbing down steps? I stopped counting about... well... after what felt to be a hour at least. The place is not as cold and humid, strangely enough. In fact... it's getting hotter. Getting closer to the center of the world?

...! OH! Almost fell down. Pitch-black dark now... and no more bars going down. No way to know if I'm going to touch the ground... or make a bone-breaking landing after a nice "little" fall. But well, fate has been kind to me. Let's see if it will be nice twice...

I let go of the bars and...

... err... the fact that I have the time to think those words before hitting something solid is not good.

BAM!

... I... I landed... and I think... that I broke half of the bones in my body...

I rolled over, completely paralyzed, feeling the dust-covered, dirty floor on my frame. Guess... this is a lesson...

... oowoowoowoooOOOOOoooow...

Man... this HURTS... Jirachi must be laughing from up there, no doubt about it. Alright... let's see what's broken...

... hand moving. Grabbing my fingers... Can feel my legs... Head placed correctly. Chest feel as usual...

... urgh! My back is aching but well, got up without problems. Much pain, no injuries... well, looks like it anyway.

Oh! Looks like there's a light over there!... and right ear twitching... hmmm... ha! Machinery!... and some faint sounds, like a keyboard! VICTORY!... well, actually, nope. Have to figure out what he's doing without having him noticing me.

The light... it's deforming, shaping a faint halo in the air... a door? I slowly stepped toward it.

crick crick

DAMN IT! Stupid dirty floor!

crick crick

... hope he wasn't listening... but since the silence is so dead, there's a chance he heard me. I'll stand there, in the shadows, just next to the door, leaning against the cold, hard wall. No sounds... he isn't moving.

Good! Now to peek a bit and see what's inside...

... kitty in front of a terminal. I can see his shape, the light of the computer screen revealing his location.

When I think about it... he does look pretty human, standing like this, typing on the keyboard. Yes, he's not human at all... but then, he really doesn't seem like your average Pokemon in this position. One can only wonder how humans can bear trying to enslave a creature that think and act basically in the same way as they do. But then... I think I'll never truly understand Pokemon trainers, frankly.

Too bad I can't see what he's typing or what he's looking at. I tried to see if there was anything else in that room... but then, why isn't Mewtwo activating some lights or something? Pitch-black in there and that screen doesn't reveal even the floor, walls, or ceiling! Truly...

I can see the terminal, yes, I can. Massive screens, four of them exactly, three damaged it seemed. The keyboard... well, it's huge. Absolutely huge. Can barely believe it. I mean... look at it! It's so huge I could use it as a bed at night!... or heck, even Mewlt and the big cat isn't small by any mean!

Wonder how Mewtwo can type on such a humongous thing... Haaaaa! Now I get it! I had not noticed the faint blue aura near his hands. Looks like he's typing with his psychic powers actually. Make sense... he IS a psychic Pokemon after all. Yes, he's the embodiment of Darkness and stuff... but well, since he has insanely powerful psychic powers, why not use them?

Now... is that faint light revealing anything else?

... hmmm... ha! I think I can see something...

Huh? What the...

...

...!!!

WHAT THE VORTEX IS THAT?!?

Okay, calm down Cherlie, you probably didn't see right...

Okay... relax... besides, I can't see clearly in this darkness. Well, what is that? Looks like a massive group of cylinders and spheres all mashed up in a weird... thingy... mess stuff thingy. Really, dunno what the Vortex that thing is. All I know is that one of the cylinders is transparent, as if it was a capsule... and within is...

... well... it looks like what Mewlt would be if he was a cub. Really, shockingly like it. Can't see the color clearly because of the weak light but it's somewhat pinkish, have Mewlt's appearance somewhat, and is incredibly small while being larger than what Mew is supposed to be.

Of course, since I know that the real Mewlt is out there... then what is THAT?

Huh? He stopped typing? He's reading something... Man! If only I could see what he's reading...

... well, he's done and I don't know anything more. How convenient. He's... OH NO! GOTTA HIDE GOTTA HIDE!

... leaning against the corner. Can't see... and can't hear...

... great. I can see his shadow deforming the halo of light. He's there! Hope he doesn't see me...

... ugh... GURRGLE! CAN'T! BREATHE! ACK!

ACK! ACK! EYES! ABOUT! TO! POP! OUT! OF! ORBITS! AIR! I! NEED! AIR!

tap tap

"Ch... CHERLIE?!?"

...

... GASP!!!

Phew... finally... he has let go of my neck. Those psychic powers of his are really brutal. For a moment, I thought my head would explode...

I could only look down, frowning, embarrassed... I was tempted to make up an excuse but... seeing his eyes, I knew I couldn't and anyway, that surprised look on his face... I didn't need psychic powers to tell that he was shocked. So... I just looked down and decided to... just... apologize... "I'm sorry..."

... this silence... is so awkward and for some reason, I just feel ashamed. I sneaked up on Mewtwo and I... "Stop that." huh? Why did he say that? What's the deal?

"What's the deal? The way your ears dropped... the way you placed your hands behind your back and begun to wiggle your right foot on the floor in that disgusting cute way, like a child that has been naughty... It's not like you... well... it IS like you... but it's... it's..."

... it's like what Mew used to do? Mew was supposedly childish. Would she... sneak on Mewtwo and make such poses when he caught her?... for some strange reason... I had the feeling that this is what she used to do. This scene... his reply... even my own words... it was so... so... familiar...

This brought up the question of "Who am I?"... a question I had wished to avoid for a while. I guess that it is meant to happen.

Considering he invaded the privacy of my thoughts several times already, I turned to him to see if he would reply... and well, he weakly nodded. In a way, I was slightly amused... in another way, I wanted to slap the Vortex out of that male for going into my mind, Legendary Pokemon of Darkness or not!... but strangely enough, the thought died so quickly. Deep down, I felt so... so... relaxed... so serene. For some reason, just staring at his face was enough to make me forgive him. I wonder... is he feeling the same? Is he angered at me for barging into what seems to be his laboratory... but stops in the middle of his tracks, familiar feelings, poses, words assaulting him?

In a way, we are in the same situation... but well, in another one, he is lucky. He knows who he is... but then, actually, no. I am maybe not sure about my true nature... but although Mewtwo knows of his nature, he had no memories, no base to his knowledge. He know that he is Mewtwo and that he is supposed to be the embodiment of Darkness... but does he have any proof? No... no, he doesn't. Just like I cannot determine who I am.

Maybe this is why it is so awkward... confused, contradicting memories and feelings... all directed toward both the right and wrong soul at the same time...

"Anyway... what are you doing here? Why did you left so suddenly?" I asked in a voice that was a bit slower and childish that I wanted it to be. Just felt like this... dunno why.

He promptly ignored me, turning to the side for some reason. But well... maybe he's thinking. I'll wait and see if he will answer...

...

"Well..." he begun, after a few good seconds. I awaited eagerly the explanation... "I remembered... something."

... that's it? He remembered something? Nothing else? Well, that was lame. You surely have more to say than this!

... well, looks like he isn't reading my thoughts anymore. It's weird how, within the pitch-black darkness, I cannot feel his mind intrude inside of mine. Usually, one notice or at least has a slight feeling when a psychic touch your soul... but not here. Mewtwo's mind was as silent as the darkness itself... well, minus the machinery. Maybe it was the fact that we were so deep down, inside of this laboratory, inside of such a deep darkness, that prevented me from sensing his powers...

"Remembered what?" I asked, wanting to have the full, proper answer. Didn't come down for nothing after all...

"Nothing... let us return to the surface." he walked past me without saying a word and I felt my body being lifted. Wha... WHAT?!? I... I...

... HMPH! Stubborn male! Oh well...

Looks like I'll have him carry me all the way back out there. I wonder what is happening to the others. Did they noticed we were gone... and what of Shadow Lugia and Lucario? I wonder... and I don't know. But I'll get to know once I'm out of this place.

Still... what was that thing back in the capsule? What did Mewtwo remembered? What did he read? Why did he come here so suddenly? I wonder...

TO BE CONTINUED