Hollow Demon 26

  What… What is going on? Why…do I feel this inexplicable pain in my chest? My heart hurts. It hurts so much… Why… Why am I feeling like something is being ripped off me…?

  "Professor, the radar is going haywire on the experiment's nerve sense!"

  Why… Why can't I breathe? Why do I feel as if my throat has been obliterated by some unknown force? What… Why is thing happening to me…? Make it stop…

  "He is reaching a critically unstable position! Reset the power levels and reboot the program quick!"

  Voices… I hear voices… They're all hurting my ears… Emery… Emery where are you? I can… I can feel you slipping away. I can feel you slowly fading from my presence. What is…going on…? Emery help me…! Please don't a-abandon me…!

  "It's not going down sir!"

  "Prepare the electrocution!"

  Make it stop. Make this painful agony stop. Please…! Emery…! Please help me…!

  "On the count of three!"

  Make.

  "One."

  It.

  "Two."

  Stop.

  "Three!"

  ZZZAAAAPPP!!!!

  Blinding jolts pierced his skin yet again. Another high-pitched shriek echoed. As the physical torture was savagely being commenced, a deep boil of rage gurgled inside him, snapping the sanity within. The shock pressed through his body, electrocuting his every nerve; shattering his every will. A bawl of pain became a roar of animosity. His mouth that was gaping wide formed a ruthless snarl. The screaming Pokémon opened his eyes, revealing as purple light creepily engulfed his irises and pupils; baring nothing but entrancing nothingness.

  With multiples zapping occurring his every whim, Mewtwo clenched his fists together.  

  In a blink of an eye, the indestructible vessel shattered into a million pieces.

  People and Pokémon were thrown about. Machines crashed and malfunctioned. A scientist fell a few feet back, until finally his back forcefully slammed against a hard wall. A horrible swell raised up his spine. A terrible headache knocked his entire brain cells. With a loud groan, the man opened his eyes.

  And the first thing he saw: was a dark looming shadow floating above the raging inferno.

  Violet violent electricity expelled from the Pokémon's body. It swirled around him like a human magnet, ferociously twitching and flailing on his arms and legs. Light was gone from the lab. Darkness claimed its every area. All that was present were the flames and purple lightning, frightfully flashing before the eyes of the afraid.

  The scientist plucked up all the courage he had left and looked up the Pokémon's face.

   Bright, iris-less purple eyes glowed maliciously. White, sharp fangs bore devilishly.

   He wasn't looking at a Pokémon.

   He was looking at a hollow demon.

   As dark aura circled around Mewtwo, he aimed his arm towards the shivering and petrified scientist. A black orb swiftly formed before his palm, ready to plunge right between the fragile man's eyes. With dead eyes going wide and manic as they could be, Mewtwo manically bellowed a wicked, "MRRRAAAWWWGGGHHH!!"

---

  "Yay a boat ride!" Silver cheered happily as he danced on the pier. Xander skipped along with him, the two enjoying the sun's rays as it warmly caressed their skins.

   But compared to the childish human and Pokémon, another pair was feeling the exact opposite.

   Emery stood quietly, eyes on her delightful son while hand painfully crushing the ticket. Her sundress was a gentle shade of brown, its edges taking a much darker tone with small stitches of three yellow stars sewn on the front and back. Her attire swayed as the wind blew, creating an unnerving chill for her bare arms and legs.

  "Emery…"

   His voice called her again, breaking what's left of her heart and soul. The woman didn't respond, neither did she shot a glance. She stood in silence, her other hand gripping the black travel bag.

  Giovanni remained motionless by her side, feeling guilty as ever. He opened his mouth, wanting to plead her name once again. But all was at naught. As if something had caught his throat and was replaced with rocks, no words were out, instead leaving empty air of desperation and sorrow.

  She took one breath, and finally gave a short glare. "Take care of yourself while we're gone."

  His breathing clogged in his chest as those words sounded so empty and in complete disdain.

  "Emery, I-"

  "Mama! Papa! Come on! I can't wait to see Grandma and Grandpa!" Cutting the chance Giovanni would never ever retrieve, Silver playfully skipped and tugged both his parent's sleeves; left hand on Emery's and right on Giovanni's.

  A small – broken – smile curved her beautiful pink lips. "Okay sweetie. Now say goodbye to Papa."

  His constant tugging reached a halt. Silver looked at his mother, silver innocent eyes flashing his immature confusion. "Papa isn't coming?"

  Her head shook slowly while Giovanni froze in contempt. Body stooping to face the light of their lives, Emery softly patted Silver's short crimson hair. "No, baby. Papa has work to do back in his…" Heartache bit her mouth as she unwarily thought of the laboratory that held her dear friend hostage. Emery didn't give a clear reaction, but the vague frown of her lips was proof enough of her bleeding misery. "Papa has work in his office, okay? Now go hug Papa so we can be on our way."

  How painful her words were to his ears. How horrifying it was to know that the comforting words she gave to their son were merely knives of karma deeply slicing his every flesh of skin.

  Seconds ticked by as Silver contemplated. Finally he nodded without hesitation, a smile beaming back on his shining face. "Alrighty then!" Skipping towards his father, Silver gave a little jump and hugged the man's leg. "Bye bye Papa! I love you!"

  Eyes were on his son, so forlorn and empty. His hand reached for Silver's head, fingers ruffling on his soft red hair. "Take care of your mama for me, alright?"

  Round silvers happily glistening in his father's hazy gaze, Silver happily replied, "I promise!"

---

  He watched. He watched the boat disappear. He watched his family disappear. He watched a part of his life disappear.

  "Damn it." A low curse spat through gritted teeth. Clenches of his fists were tighter than ever. Giovanni felt infuriated at the fact that he was feeling so weak as each moment passed.

  Before he could punch a random someone or even kick a random something, his Pokégear rang in his pocket. With a harsh growl, Giovanni hastily snatched the device and answered, "What?!"

  Seven seconds later, his stern expression was replaced with one of stunning shock.

---

  She watched. She watched the island disappear. She watched her husband disappear. She watched a part of her life disappear.

  "Mama, where are we going?"

   Emery looked at his son. The child tugged the sleeve of her blouse. Pursing a small smile, she answered, "Don't you remember, sweetie? We're going to Almia to see Grandma and Grandpa. Isn't that fun?"

  The boy bit the insides of his cheeks. He gazed out front. The wonderful island of Cinnabar was slowly fading away from his gaze. He then focused his attention back at his mother. "But Mama, isn't Papa coming with us? Usually Papa always comes with us when we see Grandma and Grandpa. So why isn't he following as well?"

  He saw her mother's smile slowly fading away. Emery averted her gaze, her finger softly tapping her cheek. "Well darling, Papa has lots of work to do back home. Sometimes Papa has to sacrifice himself just so he can make us happy."

  His head tilted to the left, confused with his mother's explanation. "Sacrifice…?"

  The elegant redhead ruffled her son's hair. "Sacrifice means one has to give up something in order to obtain something or someone that they want. So Papa is now working very hard so he can see Silver happy."

  Silver blinked quietly, pondering on the new word. "Sacrifice…" he muttered faintly, "But Mama, I'm already happy. I love Mama and Papa together. Why can't Papa join us? Maybe this ship can turn around to get Papa."

  The child's innocent words shattered her fragile heart. Emery let out a faint sigh. Xander murmured quietly, as if giving his ranger some motivation. She looked into her son's eyes. Silver irises gleamed beautifully. It was so innocent. So pure. So filled with life and happiness. It harboured no hatred, nor deceit. It was just a sight if a curious child, who was happy enough with the simple things life had given him.

  The more she looked at Silver, the more she wanted to cry. Emery held her son's hands, gripping it tightly but softly. "Don't worry baby. I promise, once Papa is finished with his work, we will be one happy family again. Just you, Mama, Papa, and Xander." She flashed an honest smile as she made her – uncertain – promise.

  Silver quickly returned her smile with a wider version of his. "Yayy!"

  BOOM!

  Suddenly, a faint yet loud explosion reached their eardrums. Sounds of crowds going frantic boomed around the ship. Curiously, Emery stood up and looked at Cinnabar Island.

  Her whole skin prickled once her brown eyes saw black thick smoke whirling from a distance.

  "Mama, why is Cinnabar Island smoking?" Silver stood beside his mother, right hand tugging the side of Emery's dress. A few seconds later and no response were given, the boy looked up. "Mama?"

  Her face showed nothing but fear and immense terror. Her thoughts were blank as paper. The smoke became thicker, darker. She squinted her eyes, hoping hard in her heart that the fog was coming from the – decades-old inactive – volcano.

  It wasn't.

  It came from the area where her mansion lay.

  Unaware of her child calling out for her, Emery ran around the deck. Quickly her head moved around, searching for the nearest sailor or even a captain. Finally, her eyes spotted a sailor. Heart racing rapidly in her chest, she dashed for the young man and unwarily tugged his arm to a halt. "Excuse me!" Emery exclaimed, voice panting and stirred with shock. "Please turn back this ship! My husband is in danger where that smoke is rising!"

  Unfortunately, a silent gawk was given; a shake of the head next. "I'm sorry ma'am. Unless we get clear orders from the captain, this boat is flowing straight to Almia. Besides, whatever's happening in Cinnabar right now, we wouldn't wanna risk the passengers." He easily shrugged her off, for her whole body had gone limp from the explanation. Emery stood in aghast, wide eyes clouded with fearful bafflement. Feeling guilty to see such a crestfallen reaction, the sailor gave a light bow and apologized, "I am really sorry."

  Minutes it had been since the sailor left. It was minutes as well since Emery stood in one place. 'Emery?' Xander softly mewled for her, climbing up her shoulder and waking her from her dread.

  Her eyes shot back to the island. The smoke was getting worse. Hell, she swore she could she faint traces of – purple – lightning. "Darn it!" Head looking up the sky, Emery frantically rummaged through her purse for some empty Pokéballs. As one was taken out, a few more – all in their smaller modes – were accidentally plopped out and dropped to the floor.

  With no attention of the mess or the chaos around her, Emery spotted a wild Pidgeotto. Sharp determined eyes on Silver and Xander, she confidently ordered, "Stay here on his ship."

---

  He couldn't believe his eyes.

  The whole mansion was under fire. Flames enraptured its every part, flashing the brightest most demonic 'show' before him. Everyone – his staffs, his workers, his grunts, even his personal chefs – was seen running away from the deadly inferno. All were in a state of havoc. Screams and shrills of fear banged his disbelieving ears.

  "Boss!" A voice snatched brought him back to reality. Giovanni looked forward, only to see his four loyal executives rushing toward him. "Oh thank Arceus you are back-"

  "What happened?!" Giovanni snapped, voice shrieking as he cut off Archer's words. "What the devil fucking hell has happened to my mansion?!"

  All four were stunned shut. Their bodies were poised in a straight form, arms tight near their sides. "Boss," Archer broke the intense silence, "Mewtwo has gone berserk. Before we could take action, he suddenly expelled powerful jolts of aura energy."

  "He is now completely trashing and demolishing the entire area – including the laboratory – as we speak," Ariana continued, a small frown of worry curving her lips.

  "The people and Pokémon in the lab are pretty much burned to toast and dead meat," Petrel blankly yet professionally stated.

  "The ground floors of the house are now giant craters of red and rubble." The young 14-year old Proton spoke with such formality.

  Giovanni was quiet as each status report shot his mind. Black eyes widened. Clenched teeth tightened. He glanced at the roaring fire. Bright orange sparks flicked up to the beautiful blue sky. "How… That monster!"

  "The only monster in this house is YOU!"

  A silent gasp wheezed through his mouth. He felt his pulse freeze on each wrist, preventing his fingers from any sudden movements. The words of his wife rang in his ears, making his heart drop right to his empty stomach. Giovanni spat a faint curse. Bringing his right hand to his forehead, the Rocket leader shook his head and sighed, "Well, the important thing now is Emery and Silver are far away from his horrendous-"

  "Papa!"

  All five froze at once to hear such a squeaking tone. Quickly they looked up.

  What they saw next startled them to the bone.

  "What the- OOF!" Petrel gasped as Silver landed his bum on the man's face. Taking no care of using Petrel as a cushion, the child jumped on the general's shoulders and hopped into Giovanni's baffled arms. "Hi Papa!" Silver cheered happily, little hands clutching the collar of his father's shirt.

  Although Silver looked like he was having the time of his life, Giovanni felt the exact opposite. "W-what are you doing here?!" He held the boy in front of his face, his hands eloquently shaking. "Where's your mama?"

  Silver stared at Giovanni with such innocent confusion. "Um… I followed Mama back home." Soon, a wide smile followed after, his boyish arms waving in excitement. "Papa, Papa you should see Mama and me! Mama caught a pretty Pidgeotto and rode back to Cinnabar and there were some Pokéballs lying around so I copied Mama's movements and guess what Papa I caught a Pidgeotto myself! It was awesome! I caught my first Pokémon, Papa! Even though Mama said to stay put but I don't wanna be alone so me and Xander followed Mama from behind and she didn't notice." A little chuckle breathed in between – completely oblivious to the fact that all colour had drained from Giovanni's face.

  "Emery… Emery went back to the mansion…?" Giovanni stammered, mouth gasping and throat feeling very dry. "She…went…back…?"

  "Yep!" Silver answered. As he focused his attention on Giovanni, Silver soon realized the odd expression his father was giving. "Papa, you okay?" The little redhead asked gently, his little hand gently reaching out to touch his cold face. "Papa?"

  Wasting no moment to answer his child's questions, Giovanni frantically shoved Silver into Archer's arms. "B-boss?"

  "All of you head to the pier now! Bring Silver along!" Giovanni exclaimed, eyes not even casting a peek at the bluenette. All his focus and attention were drawn toward the violent inferno – toward Emery.

  "What?" Archer gaped, blue eyes round to hear such a startling order. "B-but sir! We are not leaving without you-"

  "JUST GO!" His leader screamed, forcing Archer to not sound a peep. Cursing a loud hiss, Giovanni spun his heel and ran inside the mansion.

  "Papa!" Silver screamed in terror, arms reaching out as he disappeared from his vision. "Hey let me go!" The boy began to struggle, his feet kicking and punching at air as a sign of release. Unfortunately, Archer tightened his grip on Silver's waist, careful to not get kicked or smacked on the face.

  "Come on, Silver. We have to make a move on-"

  "I said let me go you big dumb dumb!"

  "Hey!" Unfortunately for Archer, the boy was his boss' son.

  "Wait a minute," Ariana spoke, breaking the feud between boy and man, "I just remembered. Where's Xander?"

  "Sneaaaa!" Right in the nick of time, another sound brought their attention to look up.

  And just like before, Xander perfectly landed on Petrel's face.

  "FUCK FUCK FUCKIN' OW MY FACE!" The purple-haired man sprawled on the floor, hands cupping his bruised face. Proton merely watched in boredom, showing not a glint of care for the poor human.

  Seeing the opportunity given, Silver took one sharp breathed and commanded, "Xander! Night Slash!"

  "What the-" Before Archer could finish, the Sneasel obediently obliged and slashed his sharp claws on the man's arms. "OW!" Three deep lines of blood trickled on each arm. With pain shooting right to his brain, Archer unwarily released Silver, enabling the child to land on the ground and made a run for it.

  "Come on, Xander!" Silver ushered, legs moving as fast as he could toward the burning mansion.

  "Why you little…" Archer growled, body shaking as he cupped both his injured arms. "Come back here you little prick!"

  Just before the man contemplated on risking his life and entering the deadly flames to catch Silver, he felt a harsh tug on his arm. Archer looked over his shoulder, only to see Ariana with a huge frown. "We have no time! We need to move!"

  He pulled his arm away, only to regret as the wound stabbed him once again. "But our boss' son-"

  "Giovanni and probably Emery is in that mansion! If they're there, obviously Silver will be safe. Now come on!" Proton shouted, getting quite impatient with the frustrating situation.

  Archer remained quiet, then turned to face the mansion. It was still burning. It was still being devoured. Teeth grinding in his pursed mouth, he released a hesitant scoff and followed his comrades. Sir, please be careful.

---

  Red skies.

  Black gust.

  That was all Emery could see the second she stepped inside. Everything was black and red. Everything she ever owned were now dust and soot. The lower ground had lost most of its tiles, revealing giant holes of soil and flames.  She forced a heavy gulp. Her feet slowly scooted around the area, careful not to step on any floor that could cause her to fall.

  Well, she was half-right.

  Crack! "Aaah!!" she let out a scream as the tiles above plummeted down – inches before it could crush the living human's body. Emery gasped loudly, hands clutching her frantically pounding heart. "Oh Arceus…" She looked around, hoping to find a way to get deeper into the once beautiful house. But the amount of thick smoke tampered with her vision, making everything foggy and precisely unclear. A cough escaped her throat, feeling the foul fog sipping into her lungs. Cupping her mouth and nose with her hand, Emery prayed in her heart and saw what she was looking for: Purple static.

  Eyes spotting an opening, Emery mentally counted to three and dashed forward. A cracked statue blocked her way, a line of orange fire burning on its edges. Brown eyes squinting with tenacity, Emery plucked up all her strength and jumped for her life.

  Thankfully, she was able to get over it.

  Unthankfully, her landing was a huge hole.

  Emery tumbled like a barrel, body rolling down helplessly below. Finally, her body stopped on something hard and cold. She sat up slowly, hand holding her throbbing temple. "Ooh…" Her vision was from one image to three. Emery quickly shook her head, regretting afterward as another headache pounded her head. "My head…"

  "Mrrr…"

  A voice made her freeze. Instantly her head tilted up.

  There, floating a few feet away and surrounded with flames by his sides, were none other than Mewtwo.

  "Mewtwo…" Emery whimpered, soon forgetting the agonizing pain in her head. Hopping back to her feet and with mind solely focusing on the enraged legendary, Emery ran toward him. "Mewtwo- AAH!"

  Her voice became a muffled scream as violet lightning zapped a foot before her, causing Emery to crash on her bum again. A gasp of numb pain shot her back, causing her teeth to grit tightly. She watched upward, seeing Mewtwo shooting a sharp glare at her. "Mewtwo…"

  "Mrrrr…!" Mewtwo growled acidly, teeth clenching to a point where his jaw could strain. The genetic Pokémon raised his arm again, ready to launch a grim Shadow Ball at his startled victim. The form became vivid. His blank dead eyes glared acidly at her. A ruthless snarl was pulled, baring before the eyes of the shaken.

  "Mewtwo, please…It's me…"

  That voice. Her voice. A faint glint in his dead eyes was shown. His growl still present, yet the orb slowly vanished into thin air. Sensing that she had dodged her doom – for the time being – Emery slowly propped back to her feet. She saw the tension in his jaw as he looked at her. She saw the strain on his iris-less eyes as it drilled into her gentle hazels.

  "Mewtwo," She called softly, one foot scooting forward, "I know you're still in there. I know you're fighting back. I'm sorry I ever left you…" A hint of guilt slipped off her tongue. "But now I'm here. It's okay, Mewtwo. I'm here. I'm your friend, remember? And I won't ever leave you behind…"

  Fr…iend…? A thought entered her mind, voice deep and familiar. Though unintentional, a relieved smile curved her chapped lips. "Yes, it's me. Emery, your friend."

  Em…e…ry… Another thought invaded. His mouth lowered to a confused frown. Mewtwo kept his vision on her, blind wrath steadily replaced with blank puzzlement. Though vague, a spot of tiny dots – irises – twinkled in his empty gaze. He saw her smile. He heard her voice. Memories of unclear images tapped in his mind, waking him from his brutal monstrosity.

  "Mewtwo…It's okay. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere…" Her voice shook his brain again, until finally, his arms remained limp by his sides.

  Her smile widened. Her white teeth flashed. As her head looked up at the floating, blank Pokémon, Emery inhaled one sharp breath and murmured, "Mewtwo, you're going to be fine."

  "STAY AWAY FROM MY WIFE YOU MONSTER!!"

---

  His heart stopped.

  His pulse froze.

  The moment Giovanni saw his beloved standing dangerously close to the destructive monster, his will to think rationally snapped out of his brain. His whole body started to tremble. Masks of pride and ego were quickly torn off his face, revealing the true fear of about to lose the person he loved.

  In all his 33 years of living, he was actually scared to the bone.

  Shaking hands aiming the cold metal gun at the airborne Pokémon, Giovanni manically yelled at the top of his lungs. "STAY AWAY FROM MY WIFE YOU MONSTER!!" She saw him turn, her eyes widening in baffling shock.

  "GIOVANNI NO-" Her words were instantly cut off as the gun triggered its bullet.

---

  He saw bright orange flames, snarling and clawing before the eyes of the innocent.

  He felt hot, the burning air licking his every flesh and sucking all his oxygen away.

  "STAY AWAY FROM MY WIFE YOU MONSTER!!" He heard his father.

  "GIOVANNI NO-" He heard his mother.

  BANG! He heard a gunshot.

  He saw the bullet rocket toward a shadow. It hit the dark mysterious being, making it fall limp on the ground. He saw his mother rushing to it, voice screaming something unknown for him to hear. He felt the Sneasel jumping off his shoulder, dashing for the panicking lady. He felt his whole body shock in absolute terror. He felt his eyes wet with frightful tears.

  Engulfed by fear and legs quickly dashing for his mother, he madly cried, "MAMA!"

---

  "Silver?!" Giovanni's heart stopped a beat to see his child, in the flesh and unfortunately in the line of danger. Breathing was even unbearable as he soon realized the child was about to run toward his mother – and toward the heinous creature. "Silver no!" He screamed, hands quickly reaching out for the little boy's body. Luckily, Giovanni caught Silver by the waist, pulling his son close to his chest.

  "Mama, Mama, Mama!!" Silver cried and shouted. He flailed and struggled, arms and legs punching and kicking crazily. All his eyes could see was his mother. All he ever wanted was to be safe in her arms.

  All he ever wished was this was all just a terrible nightmare. "MAMA!!"

---

  Emery felt like ice as she heard such a familiar voice. "No…" Mumbling and hoping that it was her mind playing tricks on her, she turned around.

  She was dreadfully wrong.

  There, flailing a few distances away from her, was none other than her beloved child. "Silver?!" Emery gasped in horror, breathing hitched to see Silver and Xander. "Why are they-"

  "Mrrr…"

  Mewtwo's voice snatched her attention once again. She felt an odd warmth on her palm as it was placed on Mewtwo's bloody arm. She heard a sound – wheezing and getting louder in seconds. "Mewtwo?" Emery turned to face the fallen Pokémon. Her mouth gaped to see his body, slowly enwrapped by a coat of purple light. His eyes were shut. His lips were pulled to a low growl. "Mewtwo! What's going on?! Mewtwo!"Quickly she shook his body, all while screaming for her friend's name. "Mewtwo wake up! Mewtwo!"

  Suddenly, Mewtwo snapped his eyes open, revealing nothing but blank, empty, dark eyes.

  Her eyes met his. The world seemed to freeze for all of them. Time moved in eternal speed, recording the day that could never be changed.

  Tick.

  "Mew…"

  Tock.

  "Two…"

  Tick.

  "MRRRRRRAAAAAWWWWGGGGHHH!!!!!"

---

  A man, hugging their son close to his chest, quickly jumped and hid behind a fallen statue in the nick of time.

  A loyal Pokémon, reaching for the one he called 'Ranger', wasn't so lucky as he was immediately devoured by the sudden wave of unbearable light.

  A dangerous Pokémon, one who was forever created to be lost, burst a powerful, hazardous aura energy.

  A stunned woman, the only human who cared for the helpless Pokémon, was stripped off all flesh and bone in a matter of seconds.

---

  Everything was quiet. Everything was still. Fire still coated the area. Night soon consumed the once sunny day. A man and a boy lay still on the dirty ground. The boy woke up first, a low stifling groan escaping his torn lip. He held his throbbing temple, fingers feeling a slight swell on the left side. His other hand waved around at nothing in particular, still dizzy and spinning from the impact.

  Suddenly, he felt something beating.

  Quickly Silver opened his eyes and looked to his side. Shock stirred up to his brain to see Giovanni, lying unconsciously and unmoving. "Papa?!" he shouted, voice splitting a sob to see his father. "Papa? Papa!" Wasting no time, Silver began shaking his father's body, hoping deep in his heart that Giovanni would wake up.

  Five shakes later, another realization hit him.

  "Mama," Silver spoke blankly. His head moved around the burning room. Left and right his eyes went, scanning for the sight of his beloved mother. "Mama!" he screamed again, tears rolling down his cheeks. "Mama! Mam-"

  Silver froze as he saw a grim shadow floating under the biggest pile of fire.

  Its body remained shrouded in darkness. Only its eyes were seen, colours were a violet blanks. It stared deep into Silver's wide, terror-stricken eyes. The shadow spoke nothing. He muttered nothing. Time moved slowly as the two met their gaze, one in fear and one in murderous emptiness.

  Without a peep, the shadow looked up in the dark sky and flew away.

  Silver remained motionless beside his father. His body felt cold as ice, compared to the situation they were in. He felt like he couldn't breathe. He felt as if everything around him was just a sick game of his mind. The boy slowly looked forward, silver eyes straight to the most gigantic wall of fire present.

  He wished his eyes were wrong, for Silver could see a torn brown cloth in the orange fire. "Ma…ma…?"

  Once upon a time, there was a happy family.

---

  Kotone gasped as loud as she could.

  Her heart raced rapidly in her chest, like a hammer banging against a thin wall. She clutched her chest, mouth wheezing and gasping frantically.

  She saw everything; all of Mewtwo's memories, the woman's memories, the man's memories, her man's memories. All entered her mind like they were her owns. She gawked at the standing legendary, expression showing nothing but guilt and sorrow.

  Now you know, Mewtwo broke the heavy silence, Now you know the pain of my past; what I've done. When I found solitude in Cerulean Cave, my mind was still a jumbled mess. I couldn't remember much nor could I think. But as few years passed by, all of them came to me bit by bit. Until finally, I learned my roots. I remembered that I was created, not born. I remembered being a savage brute. He shook his head in disdain, fingers clenching together. And what's worse, I remembered what I've done…

  His whole body began to tremble, tail twitching and curled between his legs. I killed my friend. I killed the person who actually saw the good in me when even I doubted myself. You may say I had lost control back then, but even that is proven to be such a futile excuse. You saw what happen to you. I controlled you. I knew what I was doing. I treated you like a puppet. Only I had no power of controlling my own mind and body. I became a helpless spectator, watching as both you and I destroy everything in sight. His teeth clenched harder in his mouth, growling a silent growl. Just as I was watching myself kill the only person who believed in me…

  Mewtwo slammed his face into his palms. A single tear rolled down his cheek. I am the sole reason why the boy is like this. I am the very reason why Silver has been suffering all this while. His mind whimpered and sobbed. For the very first time, Mewtwo bared his vulnerability. For years he perfectly masked his sorrow, in hopes that no one – not even Kotone – would see the grief in him. But now, in the quiet halls of the hospital, Mewtwo had had enough. He couldn't bear the torture. He couldn't bear the guilt. He had felt both the ladies' heartbreaks. And it murdered him to realize the broken emotions they had were all because of him.

  I should have never existed… Mewtwo cried pathetically, shoulders shaking and falling.

  Suddenly, he felt a tug on his neck.

  Quickly the genetic Pokémon withdrew his hands away, only to realize that he couldn't move much. His body froze as Kotone pulled Mewtwo into a tight hug, tiptoeing even to meet his tall height.

  "Don't say that…" He heard her mutter, her chin lying on his shoulder.  "Don't ever say that you shouldn't exist. Just… don't…" Kotone slowly shook her head, mouth breathing heavily as a wave of emotions hit her heart. "Mewtwo, I… I didn't know how much you suffered all this time. I'm… I'm very sorry…"

  Shock was the correct statement on Mewtwo's face. He expected disgust, anger, loathe, even hatred from the woman. Mewtwo had shown her his worse. He had literally given her his memories. So for Kotone to still accept him – let alone apologize – it made the Pokémon speechless beyond wits. Seconds rolled by and finally Mewtwo shook his head. Kotone I-

  "I know." She cut him off, knowing very well he wanted to deny. "I know it's weird for me to say sorry. I know what I saw. I know what you gave me. But I do feel bad. I'm your friend, Mewtwo. I should be there for you when you're feeling down. And Mewtwo," Breaking her hug, Kotone held his shoulders. She flashed a friendly smile, hazel eyes wet with tears. "You will always – always – be my friend. No matter what. Humans and Pokémon can't run away what they're destined to do. When everything is written, all we have to do is face the music."

 She pursed her lips tightly, holding back another sob as she saw decades of regret consuming his eyes. "I don't care if you're created. I don't care if you've done bad in the past. No matter what you say, you're still a good Pokémon to me. Her death was unintentional. Silver's-" Her breathing became uneven as Kotone mouthed his name. "-Silver's life is never your fault. So stop blaming yourself."

  Mewtwo merely listened as Kotone advised him. He stared at her in bewilderment, still unable to believe the fact that she was still consoling him.

  "And Mewtwo…" Kotone murmured softly – sounding almost motherly in his ears. "In life, we are given second chances. So even though you can't fix your past, you can always fix your future…"

  And just like that, Mewtwo saw Emery in her.

  His growl lowered to a sad, shaken frown. His eyes were narrowed, tears streaming down to his chin.

  "A friend is someone who loves you for just who you are."

  This time, it was Kotone's turn to freeze as Mewtwo tugged her in a tight embrace. Thank you… Mewtwo muttered woefully, arms wrapping around the petite woman's head. Thank you…so much…

  She blinked in stupor, then flashed a tiny smile. Kotone returned the hug, hands patting the beating legendary's chest. Finally, a single giggle burst from her lips, sounding like little bells in Mewtwo's ears. "Anything for a friend, Mewtwo."

  "Urghh…"

  They froze.

  Both eyes met; both having the same baffled, disbelieving expressions. "Did you…"

  "Arghh… My h-head…"

  They weren't fooled. Kotone wasn't deaf. It wasn't from Mewtwo. Heck, even he himself was glancing at the room. Quickly she spun around, facing the closed door. "Was it…" She stuttered foolishly, unable to finish her sentence. Her heart raced like it was about to detonate. Breathing seemed impossible each second. Another groan echoed from the other side, only increasing her anticipation.

  Without wasting much time, Kotone barged toward the room and slammed the door open.