Pokémar Episode V, A Clone's Destiny

Lingering Doubts

In spite of Mewtwo's absence the show must go on. Project Mewtwo needs to be brought down. And our best chance at that is on that drive. 

As we look over the testing logs we are greeted by horrific sights. Malformed Mew clones populate the early tests. One or two of them look like something straight out of The Thing. I sincerely hope they weren't developed enough to feel pain, because the descriptions read out like a body horror story. 

Later clones were, mercifully, much more stable. Not that it matters since each one was "terminated" when they failed to meet the project's needs. They were tested in obedience and lethal potential, of course with a hand firmly above the button for the kill switch if they rebelled. Never once does the documentation refer to them as anything more than "subjects" or "assets." The further I go, the more I want to see this entire project burn to the ground.

It takes me a shamefully long time before I notice that Thunder is distracted.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I ask.

"Nothing." He replies quickly. "Nothing is wrong."

"No, I know that look. Something's bothering you."

He chuckles lightly, but there is no amusement behind it. "That's almost comforting, honestly. But yeah. It's about what happened at the apartment. I paralyzed you."

"I remember."

"I can't stop thinking about it. I didn't know you would be there at that moment. I screwed us all over so badly. It's a mistake that would've never happened before."

"Thunder-"

"I know, we're trying. But what if it happens again? What if I screw up again and get us all killed? What if... What if reconnecting is just not possible? What if we're too different now? I don't want it to be true but I'm starting to think it might be."

Silence sits between us for a moment. That incident held a lot more weight than I thought.

"When you and I arrived on Sinnoh Minor and you vanished in front of me, the month after was one of the hardest things I had to deal with. As far as I knew you were dead. I mourned. I mourned a lot. I had to move on in spite of it. The entire time it was like everything around me was a shade darker. I felt empty. We spent so much time together that losing you felt like I lost a part of myself." The dark memories come flooding back as I recount them. The depression, the constant reminder that I was alone. My vision blurs with tears. 

"...I'm sorry. it's not pleasant to think about. Regardless, I'm not going to regress back into that. I refuse. As far as I'm concerned, you are Thunder. Maybe not quite the Thunder I remember, but you're still him. It's difficult to explain."

"No, I get what you mean. I can feel that the Alex I remember is in there somewhere. But something has morphed and changed it. I can see... remnants? Echoes? Something along those lines. Enough that it almost feels like the same person. But I'm not sure it's enough."

"It is for me. I've thought a lot about it and, like I said, I believe you and the Thunder I remember are one and the same. There are differences, sure. But I believe that at your core you are my friend."

"Yeah, but it's easier for you. I'm still a Pikachu. I remember a Treeko, not a Snivy."

"I know. I get it. And maybe your right. Maybe it won't be the same. But you know what? I'm starting to think I'm okay with that. We'll adapt. Eventually those differences will become the norm and we'll continue on in spite of them. I'm not giving up on you. Not now, not ever. No matter what happens, we will stand side by side. As it should be." I rest a hand on his shoulder. "And besides all that, we still care about each other. Memories or not. I think that says more than we've given it credit for."

Thunder pauses before responding. "...You might be right. I'm sorry for giving up so easily."

"Don't be. It's a difficult situation. For both of us. But we'll come out the other side of it. I promise."

"...Thank you, Alex. I needed that."

"I kinda did too. Having to say it aloud helps." I turn my attention back to the computer. "I worry about sending this to the police. With the level of influence Rocket has within Hoenn I suspect that this would get 'lost' in paperwork."

"What about the news? If everyone knows about it Rocket can't silence it."

"We'd need to find a paper or station we could trust, but it might work. Get enough of a response from the public and put pressure on the police to act. But I'm not willing to leave this up to chance. We can get the word out, but I want to make certain this project burns." I start scanning over the financial records, cross-referencing between them in an attempt to find a target. 

I do get a general area, that being Rustburo's outskirts. And within that area I identify several points that have a decent likelihood of being owned and operated by Devon Corp. After we scout out the locations and pinpoint a way in we might actually be able to pull this off. 

It's funny. One would think that after facing off with a world-ending eldritch entity and barely defeating them with weaponized positivity that everything after would feel easier. But even as I plan our operation I feel the familiar knot in my gut. The apprehension, the fear, the doubt. Probably a good thing, honestly. Complacency leads to overconfidence. Overconfidence to mistakes. Mistakes to failure and/or death. Being worried means I'm still sane. That I still understand the risks.

A knock at the door halts my train of thought. "Hey Alex! You free?" Josh's voice calls from behind the door. "I was hoping to do some more battling with you."

"Probably not." I get up and open the door. "We just got back from a crazy misadventure. We could use some time to rest."

He smiles cockily. "So what you're saying is you're afraid I'll beat you."

"You're playing that card, huh?" I sigh. "Thunder, you up for a quick battle?"

"Well... I guess one quick fight won't hurt."

"Alright then, fine. One match."

"Yes! Awesome! Get ready to lose!" He rushes outside with Thunder and I close behind

I can't help but smile. "I'm hearing a lotta talk and not a lot backing it up. You'd better be able to put your money where your mouth is."