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<< Shapes looming, speaking, talking.. it comes in waves, loud then soft. Undiscernable yet I know they're there. I crack my eyes open and can only see a liquid, as if I'm back in my tanks.. where am I.. >>

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Movement, I'm being taken somewhere. But by who? Where am I going? Why? I only hope that the movement will ends soon, I feel as if I'm going to be sick. I hear a soft voice.

"This is totally nuts you know this? Have I mentioned how crazy this is?" Brian! That is his voice. I try to lift my head, but I'm still very drugged. I realize I am in a vehicle.I try to speak to Brian, but my collar is turned up all the way. I close my eyes and listen to the conversation.

I hear that familiar exasperated sigh of Emilys. "Not with in the past few minutes no, Brian. Tell me again how nuts this is."

"Emily c'mon we just kidnapped Giovannis pet project!! I mean we are so going to prison!! That's only IF he doesn't have us shot on sight! I can't believe I'm helping you. Where are we gonna hide Mewtwo? Cause G'man isn't just going to let this go! He's gonna hunt us down and have us fed to Gyrados if he gets ahold of us."

"Brian, when he finds out what Usher and Krandle did to Mewtwo, he's gonna have a coranary blow out. He'll probably thank us for doing what we're doing. After he's pressed charges of course.. but, I know that getting M2 out of the lab is a very wise choice. There's no way in hell I"m going to let Usher or Krandle beat Mewtwo nearly to death again. Damn Brian, you saw what they did to him!" Her voice is harsh with tears of anger and I just want to reach up to her, to tell her it is okay and make her feel better. But I hurt too much, I'm too tired and naseaus. She continues.

"A long time ago, my grandparents had a farm, there's no one out there but a keeper and some cows. The grounds keepers name is William, I call him Willy for short. Willy knows to keep his mouth shut and let me stay there without question. I don't dare take him to my parents mansion, simply because they hold way too many parties and Giovannis bound to show up to one of them, and mom and dad would freak if I brought something as big as Mewtwo in. The largest pokemon we ever owned was a Riachu; and even then mom hated the thing cause it shocked her everytime she tried to pet it." I hear her laugh at the memory. " Rai hated mom, cause she kept trying to make a pet out of it. It was loyal only to me."

I feel the van turn several times, it speeds up, then slows as well. I sigh softly, my body protesting the movement. I hope this ends soon, I just want to sleep.

Brians voice breaks the temporary silence. "I never owned any pokemon until I was ten, the typical age to leave for the summer and become a trainer. Mom and dad both worked to keep food on the table so, any time I got money, I would send it to them.I didn't mind it. My first pokemon was a bulbasaur. I nick named him FizzGig. We were best buddies almost from the start. Anyways, I worked my way up to a certified trainer. After that I became an assitant to a master and helped make sure that his pokemon were fit for battle. Then I got offered a job at Giovannis lab; of course Ijumped on it, I mean who wouldn't? Work for Giovanni? Hell ya I said.. and well the rest you know.. " He clears his throat and becomes quiet once more.

Its silent for a long time, and I find myself drifting in and out of sleep. Sometimes I dream, disturbing frightening dreams that leave me sweating, other dreams are almost forgotten as I snap awake, like a piece of my past I'm trying to desperately remember. Just out of reach, my fingertips touching it, but it slips away.

I remain like that for what feels like days. I know that the sun has set and risen at least twice during our drive to wherever our destination lies. Emily and Brian both take turns giving me water and small amounts of food on the way. I am usually only awake long enough to eat and listen to snatches of conversation, or to listen to the radio. I like the radio,sometimes it plays soothing music that makes me feel sleepy and peaceful.Other times it's talk or comercials and I find myself getting agitated over them.

Emily and Brian pass the time by talking about their lives, or by playing games. The one I find particularly amusing is the one Emily calls "slug bug". She explained it to me during one of my more lucid moments. Apparently it is a type of vehicle which is easily spotted on the road. When one sees this they call out the world "slug bug" and then proceed to pummle the persons arm next to them. I often hear Brian yelping in my sleep.

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We are at our destination. After almost a week of travel in the van we have arrived at Emilys farm. In this time I have slowly recuperated and have even been well enough to watch the passing scenery.I never realized what lay beyond the lab! I never once imagined so many sites and sounds. Large cities to tiny little villages. Emily and Brian explained it all to me; I wouldn't leave them alone until they did. I knew they grew frustrated and irritable at my questioning, but I had to know. They didn't dare take the collar off of me so I could just simply take from the minds of those around me. So I asked, and asked and asked.

Sometimes I never asked questions. I just simply watched from the window, staying careful to not let myself be seen. Mostly at Emily's and Brians urging.

The farm itself is odd and yet wonderful. Emily led me out of the van, letting me stretch my cramped legs and sore body. I looked around as I stood by the van per Emily's orders,and sniffed the air. So many scents! I could smell grass and hay, the rotting wood of a poorly kept building, the scent of burning wood from the fireplace. I even scented some animals in a nearby pasture. My head swiveled back and forth trying to take it all in.

There were several buildings spread out through the area. Emily explained what each building used to do and where we would sleep. She and Brian lead me to the farm house and to a large room.

"You'll pretty much stay here Mewtwo until we figure out what we're gong to do." Brian dropped the sleeping bag and other thihngs on the hard wood floor. I look around the room. It's old and smells funny, but there is a window that lets bright sunlight in. I notice Brian is continuing. " You'll stay here mostly and sleep. Emily or I will take you outside to exercise and continue your training.. no sense in quitting your routine because we've basically kidnapped you.. "

I look at him and frown. << You mean that you took me from the lab without permission? Won't Giovanni and usher be angry? >>

"Oh yeah, I'm sure they will be, especially Usher since he's going to be in some serious poo-doo for doing what he did to you." Brian gives me a sad smile. "Mewtwo.. I just want you to know not all humans are like him, or Krandle. Emily is risking her job and possibly her life to make sure you stay safe. Don't think that all humans are like them, cause we're not."

I look at Brian while he speaks, wondering if he speaks the truth or he feels the need to defend his kind. He looks at me waiting for me to respond.

<< How am I to be sure Brian? Only you and Emily have shown me that you two are kind. No one else has. You have brought me here to this place, claiming that you will keep me safe... but for how long? How long can I remain here, hidden. Brian.. how long will I be here before Giovanni comes for you and Emily? How long before I go back into the lab, where I will be beaten, possibly killed for this? I know that it is only a matter of time.. before my life is over >>

He looks at me while I speak to him. I can see that he thinks over what I say, weighing the words carefully. When he does speak, it's with a little sadness. "We'll find a way Mewtwo, I promise. Maybe we can take you to someplace where no one lives. Who knows Mewtwo? We'll figure something out."

<< So, that will be that; set me free to wander alone on some secluded island and hope for the best.>> I looks around the room that is to be my new home and shake my head. I am still a prisoner, still unable to do as I please, even if I could do as I please, I'd still have no idea what to do. I look outside the window and watch the wind blow the trees. << you don't understand Brian, Giovanni won't stop hunting me. As much as I'd like to be free and able to do as I please; I can't. You and I both know this. >>

Brian sighs and rubs his eyes, pulling off his glasses to rub his face as well. "Mewtwo, we'll work something out okay? We just spent a week driving on the road, nursing you back to health and we just got here. I don't know what we're going to do. Okay? I'm tired and I desperately want something to eat and to go to bed. Why don't you just lie down and get some rest while I hunt up some food for us."

Brian stands and looks at me expectantly, waiting for me to obey. I sigh and comply, rolling out my sleeping mat and lay down. I look up through the window and watch the sun set. I'm asleep before I know it.

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I’ve never seen the sun rise before. It’s quite a beautiful sight, I had never realized that the outside world could hold so much. I woke up before Emily and Brian did, I know they were exhausted and desperately needed sleep. I explored my room a little ;looking into things and snooping about a little. I have never been in a house before and I find it quite interesting. There are pictures of people long dead, and pieces of furniture I know I am too big to fit on. I move over to a doorway and look inside cautiously. It seems to be some sort of eating area, like I’ve seen in the lab; only much nicer. The lab “break room” as Emil called it was messy and smelled of stale food and garbage. In this room a table and four chairs sit in the middle of the room and a large hanging light is above it, it looks as if it hasn’t been used in years. As I recall Emily said something about her grandparents dieing and her using this place only when she needed to.

Closing the door to that room I move on to the next. Inside this room are many books lined on the wall. A library of some sort ; again I have seen a room like this at the lab. With differences of course. I move inside the room and look at a shelf of books; I know how to read it was something I picked up at my stay in the lab. I had often asked Emily to bring me books to read.

I look at sevral different titles, most are ones I do not recognize. << Gone with the Wind.. >> I tilt my head to read another title. << Anne Of Green Gables ... War and Peace... Pokemon training made easy?? Hmm.. Moby Dick.. >> I frown reading these titles. They all sound ridiculous and boring.

Moving to another shelf I come upon books I am slightly more familiar with. Most are training and pokemon physiology books. As I look around more I realize that Emily’s grandparents were scientists themselves. They specialized in breeding and raising pokemon; or at least that is what I gather from the various books on breeding and keeping of various species of pokemon.

By now I am hungry and neither Emily nor Brian is awake. Moving back to my room I sit down on my sleeping mat and pull the bag that my few belongings are in. I know that Emily usually stores Energy bars in there when we go out on field exercises. I’m in luck; there are four or five energy bars in there from our last excursion. Pulling off the wrapper I chew on the berry flavored bar and watch the outide world. Not that there is much of it to see.

I watch some Pidgey’s peck at the ground nearby looking for food. In a large open field I also watch some Spearows and a couple of Ratata’s foraging as well. A couple of Ponyta’s wander in and start to graze.

I find myself wondering what it must be like to have others of your own kind around you. Sharing and speaking to eachother, living together and doing things without a human around to order you. I also find myself eating another Energy bar.

I watch the Pidgey’s fly off, wondering what it would be like to soar through the air like they do. I remember trying to fly once; but Emily got so mad at me for it that I never again attempted it. I t felt good though, to be in the air. I felt so superior... like I could do anything and no one could stop me. The air against my body the rush of twirling and falling was exhilerating.

I break out of my memory and notice that I’ve finished the second bar. I feel less hungry now; al though I still wish for more. Pancakes sound good... maybe Emily if she feels up to it will make me pancakes. I strain my telepathy to see if Brian or Emily have any intention of waking soon. Brian has left my collar on and the level on it is still turned up high enough to the point to where I have to strain to use my abilities. I think he forgot to turn it down when we arrived. I will remind him when he awakens.

Finally I hear Brian stirring in his room upstairs. I move to the end of the banister and wait for him to come out. After waiting for him to do his daily ritual he finally comes down the stairs, looking blury eyed and not really looking ready to face the day.

He looks at me and groans. "Oh man, I was seriously hoping it was a really bad nightmare."

I look at him with a cold expression. << Terribly sorry to disappoint you. You think I wish to be here any more than you do? >>

He pats my shoulder and rubs his eyes. "I'm sorry Mewtwo, it's just that I am exhausted and I really wish things could have been done differently. Have you gone to the bathroom yet or eaten?

<< I have eaten but not the other. I found some energy bars in my pack and had a couple while waiting for you two to awaken. >>

Brian nods and leads me to the door. "There you go. When nature calls, where else do you go than nature?" He laughs and opens the door.

I look at him increduously. << You want me to go... ... out there? Where? There's no facilities! >>

Brian laughs softly and shakes his head. "You my friend have been spoiled. You simply go outside.. and go. Not that hard to find a place to squat." With that, he pushes me out the door and I"m on my own.

I stood outside staring at the door. Brian had just shut the door in my face,leaving me alone. Completely alone. By myself. No one to follow me around to make sure I did as told. Either this man had complete faith in me, was more tired than I thought.; or this trip had forced him to completely take leave of his senses. Either way, I was free to do as I pleased.

Grinning to myself I looked around the open area. I didn’t have to go the bathroom that bad. I had time to wander around by myself. Alone. I think if I could have burst out laughing from the giddiness, I would have. I looked up at the sky then over towards the field where I saw the wild ponytas and pidgeys eating. Deciding finally I head over in that direction.

Levitating is so much easier than walking. Walking takes up too much time and energy that can be used doing other things. I used what little power I am allowed and levitated over towards the big field. Maybe there would be other pokemon to talk to. I had not seen another one since the incident with the Scyther. I actually wanted to talk to the Scyther more.

I land in the field and look around. It appeared to be deserted. Sighing I crouch in the tall grass to sit and think of what I want to do next. Being outside isn’t as fun as I thought it would be. Ah, a lake! Maybe there would be something interesting over by the water.

Moving over to the lake I creep slowly towards it as soon as I spot the human asleep by a fishing pole. He appears to be a human much much older than Emily or Brian combined; and with both of them in their late thirty’s that’s pretty ancient. He has many wrinkles on his face and arms, looking kind of like a human version of a ryhorn. I approach him cautiously knowing that most humans don’t like to be snuck up on; recalling the time I snuck up on Dr.Krandle.It was purely on accident, but extremely funny the way he clutched his chest and turned a funny blue color. I smile to myself at the memory.

Back to the human sleeping. He wears simple clothes, nothing like I’ve seen the scientists wear at the lab. His feet are bare and his pants are much too short for his legs. He wears a checked shirt with the sleeves rolled up. A baseball cap covers his eyes and his dirty hands rest over his slightly bulging stomach. I wrinkle my nose as I catch the scent of some animal feces and the smell of something else on him.

I catch movement over by the lake. Swimming in a basket are several magikarp, several sick looking magikarp. They look rather pathetic and ill for their species... and if anyone ever seen a magikarp, they’re pretty pathetic to begin with. They had a few in the lab in a tank in one of the rooms and I always thought they were the most idiotic looking things I had ever seen and being around humans all the time, that’s a pretty hard thing to beat. Low in intelligence too. The magikarp I mean.

I’m jerked from my thoughts as I hear the human awaken and yawn. I quickly look for someplace to hide myself remembering Emily telling me to not be seen by anyone but herself, Brian and the groundskeeper Willy. I’m desperately looking for cover when I hear his voice.

“So ye must be the big pokemon tha Em’ly has got hiding aboot here. Well don’t ye just stand there looking like one of me fish. Say something.” His green eyes size me up and hold absolutely no fear. Which kind of rather disappoints me.

<< Who are you? And aren’t you afraid of me? >> I cock my head to the side and stare at the ancient man.

He chuckles as he sits up and scratches various parts of his body. “Ach, ye think I’d be afeared of a little ol’ pokemon? And a psychic at that? Ye be thinking too much of yerself. Em’ly told me she was a’comin with a new species and that I’d be more’n likely see’in ye soon enough. I be the keeper here, me names William but evr’yone just calls me Willy. Ye may as well too. Now ye gonna be proper and give me yer name or do I gotta play twenty questions?”

I find myself not too sure about his humans speech or attitude. He seems to have no fear of me, and seems to blatantly disregard my powers. But at the same time, he is talking to me and not treating me like a pet. << I am Mewtwo, that was the name I was given. Emily told me that you were the one who took care of the grounds around here. >> I look around and show my disdain. << Not that your doing a good job. >>

His eyes narrow and when he speaks he sounds insulted. “Now ye be list’nin here! I take care o’these grounds the best I can! No one but me has lived on these grounds for nearly twenty years!! I dunno what they taught ye in that lab o’ yers, but it’s obvious that they didnea teach ye any manners! “ He snorts and takes a drink from a water pouch by his side. “With bein the only one with pokemon medical knowledge within seventy five miles o’here, I be a bit too busy to be layin out the red carpet for ye ,yer majesty.”

<< Your sarcasm is wasted on me human. I just figured if you’ve been here as long as you claim, that the upkeep of this place would be much nicer. >> I smirk as I can see that I am angering this human.

He stands and splutters some rather impressive explitatives and gesticulates rather impressively. I’m about to give him more of my thoughts when I hear someone speak up.

”Well Mewtwo, it’s so nice to see that you’ve already managed to make yet, another friend.” Emilys voice sounds amused yet a little angry. Turning I see her expression is one that matches her tone. She is leaning against a tree watching Willy and I. I did not sense her approach and that again reminds me that the collar is still on high.

Willy glares at Emily but ceases with his cursing. “Ah, hullo Miss Stranton. Ye’ve got one helluva mouthy pokemon on ye’re hands there missy. I say shoot it, stuff it and have it mounted in the living room. Tha’s all the blasted thing will ever be good fer. That and maybe frightnin’ children off the property.” He huffs and turns back to his fishing line without waiting for Emily to answer.

I on the other hand stand there smirking for all I’m worth. I know Emily will be mad at me but I can’t help it. I chuckle mentally but stop as Emily smack my back with the flat of her palm. I yelp telepathically and give her a “What did I do” look.

“DON’T even give me that look Mewtwo!! You darn well know what you were up to! Now why did you have to go and make Willy mad? That was totally uncalled for! “ Wow, she IS angry. She continues. “We’re not in the lab anymore Mewtwo! We’re in a place where you don’t have to constantly try and piss people off. Now get your purple ass back to the house.” She points towards the farmhouse. “NOW mister!”

I crane my neck to try and look at my butt , but my head won’t turn that far. << I have a purple butt? >> I cease my questioning as I turn to see the livid look on Em’s face. I duck my head to hide my grin as I promptly beat a path towards the house. I can hear Emily apologizing to Willy and him responding.

I will admit, I did not intend to make Willy mad, but once I got started I could not help it. Besides, I was only pointing out that he needed to take better care of the place.She is right though, I had no reason to make him mad. Now I feel bad., but then I remember Usher and Krandle.. and the sorry feeling quickly goes away.Willy will be just like them. I know it, how long before Brian and Emily treat me the same way? How long before Giovanni comes and takes me away.

I shake my head as if dispelling the thoughts. No, Emily has never treated me cruelly or harshly. Neither has Brian, I have no reason to start thinking this way now. I wish I only knew what my future held, then perhaps I could stop thinking like this.

Brian opens the door as I enter, he looks me up and down with and with a chuckle asks, “ Did you have fun? And did you go to the bathroom?”

I sigh and nod, to both questions I did have fun. It was quite nice being outside feeling the sun and wind, the dirt and to listen to sounds other than the droning hum of the lab or bored voices spouting boring scientific babble. << Yes, and now I’m hungry.But I suppose Emily will be too mad to give me anything other than the standard rations of food.>> I wrinkle my nose at the thought. I hate those bland little pellets of food.

Brian raises a brow and crosses his arms. “What did you do this time? You weren’t seen were you? “ His tone becomes urgent and serious.

<< No, no.. I met the grounds keeper WIlly.. He got angry cause I pointed out the fact that this place could use a little touching up. Anyways Emily got mad because she thinks I have a bad habit of making people mad. Can you lower the level on the collar? You forgot to when we arrived. >> I point to the annoying device on my neck and tug at it a little.

He shakes his head and frowns. “Sorry, no can do. If Giovannis looking for you, he’s more than likely looking for you by your Psi signature. That and if anyone is psi sensitive around here they’re going to be rather curious. We can’t risk turning off the collar. I’m sorry buddy.”

I sigh and nod my head miserably. Maybe I was better off in the lab, at least there I could do things with my abilities instead of having them hindered. Maybe I can talk to Emily, after she’s done being mad at me that is. Speaking of I can hear her coming up the gravel walk way now. I quickly move to my room and sit. I may as well be comfortable when she comes to lecture me.

I sit on my sleeping mat with my tail curled around my feet, my most harmless and innocent stance I can use to disarm an angry pokemon trainer. I hear her call for me as she walks in.

“Mewtwo! Front and center now! “ She walks into the living room, hands on hips, legs splayed a bit as if waiting for me to tackle her. For a human, she is quite beautiful. I find myself staring at her intently as if lost; that is until she starts speaking again. “ Who said you could go outside unsupervised? What in the hell did you think you were doing wandering around?!! You could have been seen or even worse yet caught!! What if you--”

Brian rushes to my rescue. “ Emily.. I let him out. It was my fault, I let him out to stretch a bit, heed natures call... that sort of thing. I figured we were in the middle of nowhere that the guy could at least have a little freedom. I didn’t mean any harm Em.” He gives his lop-sided grin he usually gives Emily when he knows he’s done wrong, it usually works ; and like a charm it does again this time.

Emily shakes her head giving in. “Alright, fine, but that still doesn’t excuse the fact that he was alone. What if instead of running into Willy, he ran into someone else? Just because we’re in a pretty secluded area doesn’t mean we don’t get travelers. I was talking to Willy and he said that several travelers have come by looking for a place to sleep. We can’t risk Mewtwo being seen. Anyways, it’s over now.” Turning she looks at me. “Mewtwo, you have to be more careful. I know your curious about outside, and people, but for the moment I think limited time outside and supervised would be best. Okay?”

<< Yes Emily.. of course. I didn’t mean to cause any problems.>> I have no idea why I’m apologizing, I don’t feel sorry at all, if anything I want to be outside more. I think if I could I would prefer sleeping out there than in this room. Perhaps if I behave better she’ll let me out more. Worked before,so who knows?

Emily nods satisfied. “Now, you said you were hungry. There isn’t much to eat, not until I can get to the market and buy a few things. I looked in the cupboards and saw that there are some canned vegetables and some fruits. I also found some pancake mix.” She smiles at me as she says this.

I blink in surprise. << How did you know what I wanted? >>

”You were kind of sending subliminal messages Mewtwo,” She chuckles and pats my cheek. “Kind of hard to not pick up on something like that when your exhausted and you have the recurring dream where a box of pancakes keep popping up in the oddest places in your dreams. I dunno about you Mewtwo, but I don’t have dreams where I’m in a hot tub with a guy named Valintino and all of a sudden he’s washing my back with pancake mix.”

<< Valintino? Hot tub? >> I blink a little in confusion. << Why would he be washing your back? >> I follow her into the kitchen asking questions, meanwhile Brian is sitting on the couch stifling giggles. Emily never did answer me.

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<< So long.. since I’ve been conscious.. at least I think I’m awake.. so hard to tell when you hang inside a limbo of nothingness yet at the same time everything surrounds you...if that makes sense.Those voices again.. where do I keep hearing them? Are they in my mind?! Or are they from somewhere else.. why... why can’t I remember.. I thought I did.. but that seems like a dream.. from another time.

Images, flood my mind, only to be forgotten.. memories come unbidden.. only to slip from my grasp like oil in water... I strain to remember.. to remember.. remember what?? If I knew what I was trying to remember.. then perhaps I could awaken.. >>

================================================================== Chapter 6 next...

Disclaimer: If I owned the pokemon name I'd be rolling in bills.. but I dont.. so don't bother suing me. Cuase all you'll get is some toys I got a burger king. *L*

I really wanted to end the story here at 5 but for some reason Angelfire is crappy and won't let me put that much on a page.. *grumbles* So, I may end up with as many as 8 parts. *blahs* I do appreciate those who have stuck with the story so far.. I would like more feed back tho. Please tell me what you think and why..

kala_jl524@hotmail.com

I'd like to thank Lyn and James among several others for reading my story as i post it. *grins* They've been good support.