Pokemon Fan Fiction ❯ Rejected ❯ Road of Souls Lost ( Chapter 27 )

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

OFF: Well, the next chapter is done! A bit shorter than the others but fortunately, it should still prove interesting.

Enjoy!

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REJECTED
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CHAPTER 27: Road of Souls Lost
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I know it's incredible and all but... I can't help but wonder. I and Mewlt have managed to beat up and even kill Jirachi, the living source of all fate and wishes and yet, I can't imagine being anything other than luck and fate allowing us to progress this far.

I mean... we got the champion and half of the continent after us! I'm amazed that Selven didn't shove all of us into tiny, cramped spheres and kicked Eliza all the way back to his mansion yet!

On another hand, Mewtwo is truly smart. I mean... most people would have panicked when Selven was so close and he managed to think of this trick almost on the spot and pulled it off perfectly. Talking about a resourceful cat!

Still, the odds aren't in our favor at all. I know I shouldn't think negatively but well, in many ways, it's a miracle we could make it this far... not that I complain.

I wish to complete this journey, to reach Saffron City and bring Mewlt back to reason. Regardless of how I truly see him, considering who and what I am, I love him and wish for him to return to normal more than anything else...

Huh?

Why did Mewtwo step forward and made that weird gesture? Why does he wants us to stop? What now?

He stepped forward and... huh? E... wha...?

Okay. Just what happened here? What was the deal with that? Why did his hand disappear like that? Why were there those weird... ripple... things in the air? Was that some kind of weird technique?

"Just as I thought..." Just as you thought what? "The fabric of time and space is damaged up ahead. I fear... that we cannot continue on this route."

Ha! He wasn't done! Now I get it.

...

...wait a minute here. Fabric... of time and space... damaged up ahead?

"What's the deal with that? What was up with the hand disappearing act?" I asked quite bluntly. If I'm not blunt and frank, who knows what kind of nonsensical and brain-hurting explanation he'll give.

"What is that, Mewtwo? Is that bad?" Eliza added.

A long, loud sigh from Mewtwo. What did we do to upset him, now? My question was called for, I think. After all, it's not as if everyone knew about what he just spoke.

"I will try to keep it simple. The world is made of many elements, am I right?" Hmm... try to keep it simple? I got a bad feeling but hopefully, it will truly be simple. World made of elements. So far, he's stating the obvious.

"Yes, sure." I said, nodding.

"Ele... ments?" said Eliza while Siryx blinked a few times. I turned to face those two, raising an eyebrow, my right ear rising. Really, are you two SERIOUS? You do NOT know about this?

This time, I understand why Mewtwo sigh so loudly. This will take a while...

"This will take a long time..." Actually Mewtwo, you whispered that one too loud but oh well.

He turned toward the two... "Look, you do know that the Legendary Pokemon generate power constantly, right?"

It would be soooo fun if, for once, those two didn't have a blank look whenever Mewtwo told them something. You know... because what he might be explaining, although brain-damaging, might be actually important. Okay, so I don't follow him half of the time either but still, there's a difference between being confused whenever he goes on with his weird science and whatever theories and being left clueless when he states the obvious. Okay, so they're less annoying and ignorant than Chirp. That guy gives a new meaning to the expression "bird brain" and not in a good way, I tell you! I bet his brain is worse at processing information than a peanut!

"They... do?"

Hey. I didn't know about this and I didn't have the stupid look nor the stupid question. Actually, I think I am in no mood for all this so I'll interrupt everyone here and now.

"Okay! The world is made of many elements. You know, water, fire, the likes. The elements making up the world up ahead are messed up. The. End!" I then turned to Mewtwo. "That's what you were trying to say, isn't it?"

...what's with the weird expression? Did I say something funny?

"Hmmm... yes. This is... somewhat correct. The world is made of such elements as "water" and "fire" and the world ahead is "messed up" as you have said..."

I see. Good!

Heh! I think I fixed that issue! Quick and simple for once!

...

...hmmm... yeah. That's all good and all but I'm beginning to wonder. If the world is messed up ahead, how will it affect our journey? We have to go through that path through the eastern docks to reach Lavender Town.

"So... now that this is said, what happens? We can go through, right?"

"It is possible... in theory." His answer and how long it took are just bad news. I can feel it now. His expression might be the same but his pause and overall answer hide seriously bad news.

"Everyone... maybe we should turn back and seek another route."

Okay. Now that's a bit surprising. "What's up with you, Mewtwo? It's not your style to give up like that! I mean... we made it this far! I don't think that there's any other path that would lead to Saffron City faster and well, who knows what could happen to Mewlt in the meantime!"

He remained silent for a moment...

"Cherlie. This is not a normal obstacle. This is a paranormal phenomenon, a serious anomaly in the continuum. This is a direct effect of the capture and containment of the Legendary Pokemon. With their flow of power contained by Pokeballs, the world is no longer fed with pure elemental materials and the very fabric of the world fall apart. The world, ahead on this path, doesn't even EXIST at all. All that hold it together are mere perceptions and memories. This is an Exception Zone, Cherlie. If we enter it... we might never come out."

"That is... awful. Can we get through it?" asked Eliza, worried.

He nodded weakly. "Yes. I am a Legendary Pokemon, a source of a type of material used to hold the world together. I can sense such anomalies and create a path through it. You will have to follow my instructions closely however. Else, there is no guarantee you may escape once inside."

"If it's required to reach Mewlt in time... then I'm on." I said. I then turned to Siryx and Chirp, smiling. "You're with me?"

"It sounds scary... but if we need to..." the Pichu shook the hesitation out of his face and nodded, finding confidence. "I'll do my best."

"If my trainer orders me to do so, I'll do so. I'm a good Pokemon." was Chirp's answer.

Now for Eliza... "Will it be okay?" she asked, fear in her voice.

The Legendary Pokemon nodded. "Yes. There is no need to worry if you follow my instructions."

The fear slowly vanished and her expression became akin to her Pokemon. "Then I'll try."

I smiled. Well, seems like we'll go through! It sounds scary but well, with Mewtwo leading the way, what could go wrong?

"Fine then, big kitty! Show the way!"

------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------

"There are a few rules within those parts. First of all, time holds no meaning. This means that time may flow in reverse or even in totally different ways. Sometimes, time might even be compressed."

I listened carefully as Mewtwo began to explain...

"We have arrived. Now, listen carefully."

.llaw elbisivni ekil-elppir driew taht ssroc ot srehto eht naht emit erom tib a koot azilE !yllaniF !aH

"We have arrived. Now, listen carefully."

"annoying ? is it This ! fix Mewtwo," Can you

"Space-time continuum, messed-up, messed-up, messed-up, messed-up""""""

I listened carefully as Mewtwo begun to explain...

I listened carefully as Mewtwo begun to explain...

I listened carefully as Mewtwo begun to explain...

I listened carefully as Mewtwo begun to explain...

I listened carefully as Mewtwo begun to explain...

"This is annoying! Fix MewMewMewMewMew I listened carefully as Mewtwo begun to explain..."

Two!!!

Is that some kind of joooOOOOOOKE ? ? ?

"There are a few rules within those parts. First of all, time hold no meaning. This means that time may flow in reverse or even in totally different ways. Sometimes, time might even be compressed."

EEEEK! What was that?

Oh great.

Oh. I feel funny.

Huh?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!huH

Where am I? Nowhere.

Never figured out that time flowing abnormally would be so inconvenient, personally...yllanosrep ,tneinevnocni os eb dluow yllamronba gniwolf emit taht tuo derugif reveN

"This is annoying! Can you fix it, Mewtwo?"

"Wait a momentmomentmomentmomentmoment"momentmomentmomentmoment.

Hmmm... finally made it through. I seem to be in one piece... I didn't feel any...

Hmmm... finally made it through. I seem to be in one piece... I didn't feel any...

Hmmm... finally made it through. I seem to be in one piece... I didn't feel anything. Mewtwo is already there.

"There are a few rules within those parts. First of all, time hold no meaning. This means that time may flow in reverse or even in totally different ways. Sometimes, time might even be compressed."

... didn't I hear that already?

Ha! Now I get it!

... hmmm... he's about to talk...

What do Eliza wants?

Chirp! SHUT UP!

"Hmm... my powers are not working. Maybe if I concentrate..."

FLASH!

Err... what was that?

"Well, this feels better. It seems I am not at full power yet... so I needed to expend my field of power manually. Now, I just have to make sure that none of you got stuck in a time loop before I shrouded this area with my power."

FLASH!

"... hmm... this doesn't seem to be working...ginkroworoweogwhtgramraeoatf8?¸¸reo¨¨ä`f dwiuçjr9q.."

...

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...

Meeeewrrrr... purrrr...

... hmmm... so comfortable... don't want to wake up...

ding ding.

Hm? Morning's already?

Oooommrrrrr... purrrr...

Just... one more minute...

Meeeew...

Warm but so bright. Too bright. So tired...

ding ding.

Fine fine... I'll get up.

... yaaaaawn!

Okay then, mister I ring a bell. I'm sitting and I'm looking. Now, what's the deal with the weird light? Shouldn't rays of light go straight down rather than zigzag through the air as if there were mirrors all over the place?

But then, as I look around, things do seem a bit... eerie.

This is the road to the east of the continent, the docks leading to Lavender Town, right? I think I can remember this place. So many regrets here, so much sadness. Death and Darkness haunt this place like ghosts. They're so powerful, I almost feel as if my entire fur was being tainted just sitting here. This is so... sad. Who is sad? Why is that person sad?... or maybe I'm imagining things?

Maybe I am... but strangely enough, outside of the rays of light, the place seems dark... too dark. It's as if it was at night. The wind blows...

...okay, that's messed up. Behind the clouds, there's the night sky with the moon... yet next to it, there's the sun.

Hmm... might explain this place, considering.

Let's see... pokey pokey?

blorborborborb...

Oh! Funny!... but also creepy, too. The air rippled as I poked it, just between the rays of light and the night stuff. That gentle tickling that went on my finger, like someone passing their paws on my hand... and that strange feeling, of dust, of wind, of warmth and cold all at once.

Mewtwo mentioned this place was messed up when it came to the space-time continuum. Was that what he was talking about? This entire place seems to be made of bubbles or fragments of time flowing incorrectly. Sounds cool! I like bubbles!... but not that kind of bubble.

...and why am I acting like this? That is silly! It's scary and messed up, not funny! What about Mewtwo, Eliza, Siryx, Chirp? Surely, that time ripple thing can't be good for any of them!... or for myself, considering.

Still, touching my paw, it's in a perfect state. My fingers don't feel funny and my fur is as nice as ever. Maybe a bit too nice, considering. Was I that clean beforehand? Hmmm... another mystery I'll probably solve someday or not. Dunno.

"Meeeeewtwo! Wheeeeeere are you?" Come on, kitty! Can you hear me? Walking toward you, walking on my four, tail raised. Too bad it always give me away in games of hide and seek! Curse my inherent happiness! Teeheehee! Purrrr...

Hmmm? Oh? What's thaaaaat?

Ripples ripples... what's beyond the apparent nothingness! Ripples ripples, begone, here I come!

blorborborborb...

... !!!

MEEEWAAAAAAR!

blorborborb...

WHAT WAS THAT?!?

Come on Cherlie! Breathe... breathe... keep ahold of yourself.

...Cherlie? I'm not Cherlie!

...

Darn it. Why am I that Minun female and Mew at the same time again? What's my name again? Oh yes... Memoria.

...why did I think I was fat as Cherlie? Hmmm... I have such sexy curves! Mewtwo's nice but I wonder how many times Mewlt will squeal and yelp like a cute kitten playing with yarn when I...

...I'm not in heat!... and why my dear... err... myself am I thinking of this? I'm stuck in a weird place, my travelling partners are probably lost, and what I saw and heard was HORRIBLE!

My whole body is still shaking from that scare. I mean... I thought I heard a moan, like a zombie moaning. Since Cherlie is a zombie and that I know that zombie Pokemon will moan in such a tone when sad or something, I got closer to the edge and looked down into the water, just beyond the deck.

I still remember what happened when I bent down and stared down into the depths...

Thousands and thousands of human children and Pokemon cubs, all staring at me wide-eyed, screaming at the top of their lungs, water filling said lungs as they died endlessly, struggling, like an endless loop of horror. They were all gripping each others, trying to swim yet all bringing themselves down. Such a sight... was so horrible. I still remember that horrible Cleaning Day thing and it wasn't that horrible.

People died here through the ages... so creepy. Drowning doesn't sound like a very good way to go. Cherlie experiencing drowning and frankly, it's something NO ONE should experience. So... painful, terrifying, dizzying...

This place... it's not a road... it's a graveyard. Or a torture chamber. I don't know but I don't like it. This stupid form is supposed to have psychic powers, right? Why don't you give me strength, Mew? You're supposed to be me!... well, half of me at least!

Okay... let's do this!

Close the eyes, empty... mind... breathe... relax...

...

...

...

...frustration. Can't sense five feet in front of me. Temporal barriers blocking psychic powers harder than a freakin' Dark-type force field.

Okay, what's up with this place? I know that the world is broken down here but why is it that bad?

...yes, it's that bad. I feel it and I know it. Any being who enters here will know it. This place feels... empty. No, it doesn't feel empty. It doesn't feel at all. It was as if there was no air, no ground, nothing. You just feel... as if you were in the vacuum. Whatever this place here, it's no longer the world. The elements, the traits of the world, the very laws of physics no longer apply here. This is... a hole, a bunch of shattered pieces no longer related to anything at all.

This is why I feel so... alone suddenly. I remember last time I became Memoria. I felt feelings, I felt so warm... but now, I feel lonely. There is nothing linking me to anything. I feel as if I was the very world, the only thing that existed... and that's NOT a good feeling.

...is... is... no... or maybe...

...i-i-is that what will happen to the world? Will everything fall apart if the flows of each element isn't restored? If the Legendaries are not freed? W-will everything shatter like this and the world will just... break up like a funny human machine which had its screws and gears removed?

Ha... haa... breathe... keep ahold of yourself... sniff... d-d-don't cry... why am I crying? Why am I... so scared?

No, Mew is scared. Worry... she is worried sick therefore so am I. Just... relax. Everything will be okay. We'll find Mewlt and save him.

...and then what? I guess the flows will have to be restored.

...

...does it means... I will have to die? I... I am half of Mew. I have half of her power. I... I don't want to die. I know Cherlie isn't afraid but she has reasons to live. Mewlt... he'll be heartbroken. And Eliza and the others... okay, we just met but they're so young, they won't understand and they will be so sad. And... I... I don't want to either.

I... I...

Mewtwo... where are you? Eliza? Please be alright? I'm alone, this place is creepy, I'm scared. This sucks! Why? Someone help me here!

"Is... anyone here?"

Why do I bother? My psychic powers can't get through those barriers! Nothing can... well, not true. I can but how will I be able to find them if I can't track them? Oh dear... oh dear oh dear oh dear...

...o-okay. I can't panic. If I stay here, nothing good can happen.

Besides... what's the deal with me? Mew is supposed to be a ball of pure happiness and other positive stuff! I guess courage MUST be a part of the deal, right? So why am I scared stiff? Couldn't be Cherlie, she stared in freakin' DEATH's face and wasn't scared.

...but then, I guess it's the real first time everything is so... direct.

I'm... helpless. I guess that's the difference. Even when we faced that freaky Jirachi, I could always shock him and Mewlt... well, I'm going to rescue him. Everything will be okay... but here? How am I gonna find the others? Can I be killed since the laws of physics don't apply?... what's the laws of physics anyway?

...no matter. I need to move on. I need to get ahold of myself. I mean... I got the sexy curves of Mew herself as well as her powers! I'm probably the scariest thing in the whole Universe right now... except maybe Mewtwo but he can't remember how to use his powers.

Hmmm... a Legendary Pokemon not remembering how to use its powers.

...Teeheehee! Mewffurrurrurr!

Well, that IS funny! Really. I got to see his face! He'll probably have a funny face when I tell him that he's outclassed by me too! I mean... he has such a huge ego and I bet he must look funny when he's being humbled.

Hehehe! Now let's walk through that little barrier, shall we, Cherlie and Mew?... what am I doing? They're me!... well, halves of me. How silly! There we go!

Blorborborborb...

Oh! Brrrr... funny! That feels so funny whenever I get through! It feels as if I was going through some kind of liquid without getting wet, all of the ripples caressing my entire body, touching me everywhere. Sooo weird... and that's somewhat pleasant, considering.

Hmmm... that's weird. No docks nearby... in fact, on what am I standing?

...oh?

Really, Mew is both so underwhelming and overwhelming at once. I don't feel THAT strong and I'm sure I'm not that strong either and yet, I had not even noticing I was floating. I didn't even notice I didn't have any ground under my feet until I looked down. I mean... surely must carrying my own body require some concentration!... yet, it feels as natural as breathing to me. I guess that's nice...

Still, I think I begin to understand some things. Messed up time does mean compressed time but I guess there's still a relative order. For example, I think it's mostly the past here, which is why there is nothing under my feet. The humans hadn't built the docks yet. I still see bodies deep down. Frankly, I'm not getting closer and I'm glad there's no screams.

...if only I could help them.

But then, it's the past and time is messed up. They might be long dead actually... or not born yet at all. It doesn't make it any less sad or freaky but well, if I remind myself of that, I might not go insane and panic again.

Yeah... I have... to move forward. Eliza is ahead, not there...

Where is Mewtwo? And is Mew protecting me?... or does a world like this one ignore my new nature?

...hmmm... I think I'm protected from twisted time. All that wind and dust when I got through... how much time passed? Many sunrises, that's for sure. Maybe I'm protected... I'm not sure. Maybe. Err... better not scare myself. So I'll just smile and keep walking... well... floating.

blorborborb...

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Beautiful ripples. Twisted time, scrambled space. The very world, decayed as it is, caresses my every curve with loving care. The deadly ripples that go through me like water on a Psyduck's feathers, not leaving any marks, like so many raindrops falling on the rock and only doing a dent after so many centuries of rain...

...I didn't know Mew was subject to such poetic spurs. I just thought of it on the fly, as I floated through, letting the emotion carry me. In a way, Mewtwo and Mew are so similar. Yes, he seems cold... yet, he is sensitive, just as I am... well, as Mew is. We both feel, we both think, we both make up long sentences with huge words. It's just that I am driven with the passion of warm happiness, him with the melancholy of freezing regret.

What is that?

Such a grim, unfortunate sight.

I always wondered why there were such trainers as "Bird Catchers". You know... clipping the wings of Flying Pokemon by binding them to Pokeballs and then releasing them inside of cages so they can proudly show them to the world, claiming to be masters of bird Pokemon, lovers of nature. If they were honest, they wouldn't lock their "prized" bird Pokemon inside of little cramped cells of metal. What are they thinking, really? They think anyone like to be trapped in a small space like that and then swung around silly, slammed into the metallic walls like a ragdoll?

Those docks... I can see so many images, so many trainers. Through the ages, this path was walked so many times and as many people died, so many captures and battles took place. In the wake of time shattered, the path that humans took look more like a desolate path of souls lost than a golden road to glory testing the bonds of human and Pokemon. I see more despair than hope here... and I am half of Mew. I can't even imagine just how much sadness goes through Mewtwo as he walk this forsaken, cursed road. That must be horrible...

"Help me! Squack! Help me!"

Huh?

Not only did that sound so very real but it also sounded so very close by...

"BLURRRB! H-HELP ME! HELP HELP HELP HELP HERRRRBLBLBL!"

...!!!

What's that thing?!?

It's some kind of bird? Dark blue head, blue body, red wings, yellow belly, white "collar" of sorts, dark blue tail... and well, I can't see the weird feathers so well because it's drowning but well...

I don't know if it's another memory or a future event but I won't take chances. If I have the opportunity to save a life, I'll do it.

SPLASH!

"SQUAAAAAAK!"

SLAM!

"Squaaaaooow..."

Well, it was definitely a real being. It wasn't really the largest bird around, only a third of my size or twice at most. Not sure really. What I knew was that it was some kind of bird and that I have never seen this type before...

...and now that I think about it, was that human speech?

Well, I was in time. Although it's a bit dazed, it managed to get up. Purrrr... purrr... well, managed to save someone at least! Wonder how the others will react when they will see it...

"Squak! Sir Kibble wants a cracker! Sir Kibble wants a cracker! Squaaaaak!"

...okay... what was that?

"Squaaaaaak! Hello! Hello! Pretty bird pretty bird!"

My... poor... ears!

"Geez! I'm not deaf! You can stop yelling!"

"You idiot! In case you wondered, I was trying to ask you, in perfectly good human language, where the Dark Vortex I am, you dumb cat!... and don't you dare trying to swipe at me, you freaky feline!"... Man, for such a small bird, it sure got a bit of anger! And aren't small birds supposed to have high-pitched, melodious voices rather than that off-sounding, loud voice? Geez!

"Perfectly good human language? You were talking about wanting a cracker and about a pretty bird, whatever that meant!" Why did it puff up like that? It's the truth, you know.

KNOCK!

"MEW!" MY HEAD! DARN IT! That hurts... Meeweeeweeeew... now I'm seeing double...

"Stupid cat! Squaak! Stupid cat! I'm a Chatot, a parrot Pokemon! We have the amazing skill of being able to do like humans and speak!... ignorant fool! So, show respect, stupid cat!"

...geez! Hmmm... looking at my cute 'lil paws, I still look like Mew. Isn't about every Pokemon worshipping Mew like a goddess? Why is that stupid bird so annoying?

"Err... you DO realize that I am..."

"A Mew? Yes, I do you pea-brained mammal! In case you wondered, it takes great intelligence to remember human words and repeat them so perfectly. It is also common sense in the amazing and wonderful continent of Sinnoh that YOU are a FAKE goddess! Hail Arceus, the One True God!"

"Err... Arceus who? Who's that?" Okay... what is that Arceus guy? Never heard of such a Pokemon before.

KNOCK!

"MEEEEAAARG! QUIT IT! That hurts!" Great. I'll have a headache for days! How can such a small bird Pokemon move so fast, have such a hard beak, and hurt so much when it smacks me? I mean... I got my insides torn inside out, I got slammed into a fan, I got hit by huge lasers and yet, rarely did it hurt like this. What gives?

"Arceus is the Creator of the Pokemon World, ignorant fool! Using his thousands arms, he created all of the world! You never heard the legends? Pah! I'd figure as much from an ignorant fool like you!"

I'm growing fed up of this bird thing. Really.

"Look. I don't know who taught you about that but first of all, stop bashing my head. Second, we have to get out of here. Third, I have no time but you'll see later."

"Pah!" That bird said, puffing up. "I need no dirty kitty's help! I shall leave this place on my own! I arrived here on my own, I'll leave on my own! Sir Jacko is the smartest, most magnificent of all birds!"

...you know what? I know Mew would probably help this guy but I think Mewtwo and Eliza are worth more than this idiot. Screw you. I'm walking away.

"Where do you think you are going, stupid cat?"

"Where you are not," I replied, bluntly. I have no time to lose with rude feathered balls of hatred like you.

Okay, why is he flying up to me and following me? "Got a problem? I thought you were sooo much better than me."

"You shall refer to me as SIR Jacko, stupid mammal! Anyway, I've come here to help a few... accountances. Did you ever hear of a certain Shaymin?"

Shaymin?

...why did I feel a shiver go through my spine?

"Sounds familiar..."

"Good! So I won't have to explain. Anyway, I... sort of got stuck here BUT NOT TO WORRY! I know where to go! Follow me if you don't want to get stuck, pea-brained kitty!" and with that said, he walked in front of me. How annoying.

"Where do you think you are going? Do you know that time is messed up here?... and is that how you show me gratitude? I mean... geez! I saved your life!"

"Pft! Excuses excuses! Keep up or else, fatty! See you later, looooooser! Squaaaaaak!"

blorborborborb...

"WAIT!"

...too late.

Oh DEAR! What a pain! What possessed me to help that guy?... or girl? I dunno and I don't care. And Sinnoh? Is that some kind of messed up continent? And why did the name of "Shaymin" made her shiver like that?

Brr... it happened again! What's the deal with that?

This cannot be good...

blorborborb...

--------------------------------------------------------

Such beautiful waves. As I float through time, never looking back, forever and wherever, I can see the shadows dance.

I see many things. Nightmares haunted me in the waters... but dreams inhabit this road as well.

Heroic actions were taken and not all bodies were brought down into the depths. Likewise, predators killed and were foiled alike on the shores. Fish Pokemon, the inhabitants of the waves, swim through the sea of bodies as if they didn't exist, sometimes catching a glimpse of an empty shell.

A pair of lovebirds on the shores, watch the setting sunset before getting... naughty. Two humans swore a lasting friendship on those docks. In the far past, fear was overcome by an ambitious Pokemon.

Sadness haunts this place... but no location is made of only darkness. Wherever there is Darkness, a Light must be present to cast those shadows in the first place. The balance of all things through reality...

Those visions calm me and remind me that as twisted as time might be, I am not yet trapped in my nightmares, separated from the world entirely. This is still a part of the Universe, a fragment of the world, as weak as the links might have grown. As long as a single bridge exists, I will pass through unharmed.

Those docks... in ancient times, before humans, I saw that only the fish lived here. Humans, drawn here by the necessity to feed themselves, built docks and ships to hunt the Pokemon. For aeons, a small fishing town was here.

A peaceful community, devoid of ambitions, living in harmony with the sea and its inhabitants, never taking excessively from it. It's crazy how peaceful humans can be sometimes. Hard to believe when we see such violent souls as Eliza's father. I'm not sure if I can say I hate him but I can say I don't like him. His attitude and the way he acts... his daughter is gone and yet, he still have that aura of... arrogance.

But the humans I saw through the veils are different. Even as the ships began to transform, becoming larger and of steel, they never became like that huge ship back at the southern docks on the other side of the continent. Likewise, apart from a few strangers, I saw very few trainers and their respect for this place is great.

Such a lovely sight. Humans can be so peaceful... I sometimes wonder why things go so wrong. Why did so many humans lose faith? Why do Pokemon let themselves be turned into tools? Since when has humanity gone so mad?

ffffff...

...huh? What is that? Why has everything turned darker...

FFFFFFFFFF!

...!!! Wha-wha-WHAT?!? A... wall of water!

FWOOOOOOOOSH!

No! NO! This is unfair! This is... I won't drown! So heavy... so much water... rising to the sky... why...

...can't... hold... breath... thrown about... tired...

...

...wait a minute. This is the past. I'm not really drowning.

Calm down, breathe, relax, think...

Phew. For a second, I thought things would get ugly. Still, I'm a bit dizzy. What was that? Is that what humans call a tidal wave? Why did it happened?

...oooooh... no... that's...

The docks... and the town... so much... death... so... sniff... so... overwhelming... c-c-can't... sniff... can't keep... from... crying...

They were all innocent souls... why did this happen? This place isn't meant to have tidal waves... so many lives, so many homes, so many families... and in the blink of an eye.

I know mortal life is fragile. Both Mew and Cherlie know this grim reality but still... why? Did Articuno, Water herself, forsake them? Did Lugia, ruler of Creation and guardians of the eternal waters, smite them? Was Kyogre, Titan of the oceans, awakened?

So much death... so much destruction... so much regret...

This tower... a monument to lives lost. A reminder of the past. They wished to bury them, to heal their scars... but I see it. That tower... it stands so tall and it is so... so... so sinful... so vile... so unholy.

It's a tower of death... a graveyard, an asylum that rise to the Silver Valley. I can see the tears, the cries, the pain that fill this tower.

Temen-ni-gru... a sin embodied.

I now understand.

This is Lavender Town, the City of Death, the sacred grounds of Death and Destruction. The town picked by the Grim Reaper as its sanctuary. A town plunged in sadness, reshaped by tears, haunted with regret. From peace destroyed came Darkness. This is a cursed town... one filled with vengeful, embittered spirits that cannot find peace.

I can see you, Grim Reaper. I can see my past self, crying. The tidal wave was maybe not your fault... but that unholy creation is yours.

Why erect a tower to the glory of Death? Yes, it is your element... but was causing much pain necessary?... and why do you torture them so? Your power pierces through this land and twists it. I thought that you were the one who purified the land, the one who brought an end to the agony of the suffering, not the one who tortured the living.

This tower... the humans wanted to heal the past. They gave form to a sin instead. A gate... a direct entrance to Dark Vortex. I can see the regret swirling around the tower, driven into the sky like a spear. This tower is demonic and deeply evil...

...why didn't Mew or any of the Legendary Pokemon take care of this? In fact... what did we do? This is clearly not the work of humans, we should have intervened. This is a terrible and vile act that reflects on a twisted wish. The humans were unwilling here. They never wished to build THAT!

...huh?

"Meeeeeew..."

Sometimes... I see strange figures. Although there is supposed to be only one Mew, the world somehow has many. Is that the work of humans, Mewtwo, Legendary Pokemon?... or something else?

I have visions of her... pink, beautiful, serene... Mew, the one who is now one with me. But I also see another vision. White with some pink. An usurper destroyed by Mewtwo's and Mew's combined powers.

But there is a third vision. I have been seeing it for a while now but I can never decide whenever it is real or not. It's such a strange vision... filled with such overwhelming love like Mew and yet, the power not radiating. I can see her and Mewtwo kissing... true love. She is Mew, too... but Mew is all-pink.

Who is she truly? Did Mewtwo cheat on... me? Well, half of me? I feel sadness at the thought... I feel dirty, betrayed...

...but he didn't, right? Doubt...

...yet trust. I trust him. This figure... is not different from me. It is me yet it is not.

Did... did I existed as Memoria in the past?

No. Cherlie was born recently and the colors are wrong.

Who is she?... why do I feel Mewlt's warmth feel me up when I think of her? I feel... nostalgia.

Such mysteries...

The town plunged into sadness is ahead. The Grim Reaper too. I can see the torn, ripped cloak with glowing eyes floating so far away. Despite the incredible distance, despite the barriers of twisted time, I can feel its reality and I can feel its calling.

A challenge... it knows that the Temen-ni-gru offends me. It remains atop the tower of ruin, in the eye of the storm of regret. It taunts me, challenging me to face it.

I am not afraid.

...but should we, really?

Mewlt... we have so little time and I fear that such a fight would require so much power out of me and Mewtwo, more than we can muster at the moment. But the Grim Reaper calls to us right here and right now.

The last barrier is before me. I can sense the others. The time has come...

--------------------------------------------------------

Hmmm... my head...

...huh?

Strange, I feel so... weird. As if awakening from a weird dream... or was it a nightmare? So many weird things... and those horrible things.

The "Chatot" thing, whatever its name was, seemed more real than all the others... and was very out of place. Still, all that talk about "Shaymin", whatever it is, sounds like trouble.

Which reminds me... where am I?

Nightsky, the moon, docks... seems peaceful.

...!!!

"MEWTWO!"

"... GUH?!?"

SLAM!

"PuuuUUUURRRRR!" I-I was so worried sick! Oh my dear 'lil kitty! I didn't know what I would have done if...

...oh and Eliza! and Siryx! and Chirp! GROUP HUG!

...

"Guuuh..."

"... can't... breathe..."

"Help... me..."

"Teeheehee! I'm so happy you're all unharmed!"

"Me... moria... Let go of us... can't breathe..."

Huh? What is it Mewtwo?

...

...OOPS! Sorry... there you go. It's all better when your faces aren't blue, isn't it?

"Sorry... I kinda got carried away..." I apologized, barely able to keep that blush from appearing. I mean, I almost choked them with my psychic powers. Talking about embarrassing!

"Memoria... you REALLY should control yourself."

"Yeah... I'll try to control myself..."

Hmmm... why is everyone staring at me? Do I have something on my face?

Oh yeah! I get it! I look like Mew, isn't it? I guess they're only used to Cherlie and don't know about this form. Let's see... if I can revert to my normal form.

Hmmm...

...

...

...

...? I opened my eyes. Did Mewtwo become taller? Oh. It's me who is now standing on the ground.

Well, I'm back to normal now... and man! I'm so ashamed! He's right! I allowed Mew, or at least her powers and feelings, to possess me so completely. What did I do? What about that weird...

Huh? Is that... a tower in the distance? This shadow... I remember...

"...this place..." For a moment, I had the feeling he would say something but then, he shook his head and said something else. How... strange. "Leaving the maze of twisted time, arriving at our destination." I don't need to be in the form of Memoria to know you didn't say something, big cat...

But well, it's true. This is the last stop before Saffron City. I can see it in the distance. Lavender Town is close by. I wonder how much time really passed since we entered that weird place. It was so messed up... and then, there was this... Chatot, whatever that Pokemon was. And I'm not mentioning that vision about the tower and the Grim Reaper and what not.

Everyone begun to walk but I just stood there, looking down. That "Shaymin"... I don't even know to whom that name belong and yet, just hearing it strike terror into my heart. And well... considering my last meetings with the Grim Reaper and that weird vision with the tower, it just sounds so bad. I must warn the others.

"Mewtwo? I..." I begun but he rose his right hand, making a gesture to indicate that he wanted me to stay silent, not even turning to face me.

"I can feel your worry but whatever happened in there, there is no proof it was real. We must concentrate on making it to Saffron City as fast as humanly possible."

"You're right but..."

"Do not concern yourself." he interrupted again, now looking at me directly. "No matter how real it seemed to be, it's highly probable it was a part of your imagination... or Mew's. Do not let illusions created by twisted time make you forget why we are on the road. After all, the conventions of reality did not apply back in this maze. Anything could have happened. So... chase away your worries. Worrying will not help us come any closer to our destination."

...in a way, he is right. Regardless of it was real or not, all we can do is keep moving forward.

Darn it! I feel so worried! I feel as if we were walking right into a trap or something!... but what can we do? He is right. All we can do is keep moving and keep our eyes wide open. Just standing there afraid will not help us do anything. So, although I was still worried, I nodded. We have to keep moving.

Mewtwo stared for a moment and then faced the road ahead once more and finally, after a good moment of silence, he spoke again.

"Good. Then let us resume our journey. We are nearing the end of our journey. Saffron City is just beyond this town."

For one supposed to be cold, he can inspire someone at times. Maybe that's because I know I can trust him. Mewlt is his son. He wants to see him saved just as much as I do. My powers... and now this place.

Was this weird bird Pokemon and the creature it spoke about real? Was my vision about the tower and Death just a fruit of my imagination?

...I sure hope it was all my imagination. I have a feeling that if it isn't the case, we might run into more problems and things are already complicated as is.

Sigh...

...why must things be so complicated? Why must it be so hard just to make it from point A to point B? I'm sure even Ash Ketchum didn't have so many obstacles on his path...

Oh well...

It is now time to move on. Lavender Town... here we go!

=TO BE CONTINUED