Topic: RPM POKEMON ADVENTURE THING

[White-Jet]

"They said tomorrow," Ryuta said, "When, I haven't heard much."

[Quickman]

Mewtwo nodded slowly. "The sooner I can be there to protect my friends, the better.  So help those humans if they hurt any of them..."

[White-Jet]

"That's assuming they'll even let you view them from a protective plexiglas...." Ryuta mutters, "I can't shake the feeling that there's something going on in that institute that could jeopardize the case if no one's there to investigate....  And I'm worried they might do something that's only going to worsen any chance of keeping you away from Team Rocket."

[Quickman]

"If that is the case, then I shall escape," Mewtwo nodded, "unless you feel that I should do something else.  If this trial is merely a matter of whether or not I listen to Team Rocket, then I will simply refuse to obey."


Domino and Joe arrived at the Pokemon Institute and met with Dr. Yeung. "Sorry we're late, stopped for a bite."  She held up a bag of food.

"Not a problem," Yeung smiled. "We've got a holding pen set up, so we could transfer Mewtwo at any time."

"Police say the earliest would be tomorrow morning," Domino shook her head, "they want to question it further."

"I see," Yeung nodded. "Well, when it arrives, we can get the examination out of the way, then get started.  Cipher's team has already arrived, and they're anxious to start working on Mewtwo."

Domino cringed at the thought, but kept herself from showing any emotion. "Giovanni wants us to question it, first.  Then, we can begin."

"Fine.  Just avoid delaying the procedure any more than need be."

[Dr. Wily II]

Joe got out of the vehicle, still slurping on his soda. He looked at the scientist Domino was speaking to, and did a small bow. He too cringed at the idea of the procedure, not hiding it from anyone to see.

[Quickman]

Domino started for the door. "Did you get the other clones?"

Yeung nodded, following. "Yes, along with a talking Meowth.  I'd like to find out how it can speak, as it's really quite fascinating."

Domino swallowed and cringed again. "Yeah, Meowth is actually one of our agents.  I'd prefer to keep him out of this.  He and his teammates tend to just... stumble into things like this.  I'll talk to him and arrange boarding."

Yeung nodded again. "It's with the other clones, currently.  I'll take you to them."  He stepped in front of Domino and Joe and led them down the hall.

[Dr. Wily II]

Joe's eyes widened as he heard that the famous talking Meowth of Team Rocket was in the Institute. Unable to hold back his enthusiasm, he blurted out.

"Do you think I can get an autograph from THE Meowth?"

[Quickman]

"If you really want one," Domino shrugged.  She looked to Yeung. "Meowth is not a part of this project and he should stay out of it.  Examine him if you think he needs it, but don't do anything else.  I will not have you making agents into test subjects."

"Understood," Yeung nodded as he led them into the secure wing. "It does seem attached to those clones, though.  Acts like it knows them."

[Dr. Wily II]

"He knows them?" Joe asked. "Wouldn't that help us in the long run? Getting the clones to listen to Meowth?"

[Quickman]

"It would keep them cooperative," Domino nodded.

"So, where did these clones come from?" Yeung asked as he led them down the hall. "I don't recall any of our labs working on any other cloning projects.  As far as I know, the projects were scrapped after Mewtwo, because other clones didn't survive."

"These aren't our clones," Domino nodded. "Mewtwo made them."

Yeung stopped and turned around, staring at Domino, dumbfounded.

Domino nodded again. "You heard me.  Mewtwo made those clones."

"But how?!"  Yeung was flabbergasted. "How did it create them?  How long ago did it create them?  How?  HOW?!"

"That's what Giovanni wants us to find out," Domino folded her arms, "which is why we need to delay the procedure.  We need that information out of Mewtwo, first."  She put her arms to her side. "Look, I want Mewtwo back in our control as much as anyone, but I'm not sure how articulate it would be after becoming a Shadow Pokemon.  I'd like to get any information out of it, first.  Just in case."

"Understood," Yeung nodded. "We haven't tried this procedure on a talking Pokemon, like Mewtwo.  It can be questioned while we run tests."

[Dr. Wily II]

"You know... After Meowth gets them to cooperate... We could try the procedure out on Meowth first... Like a pre-test for talking Pokemon..." Joe jokingly said.

[Quickman]

"That is an excellent idea!"  Yeung seemed pleased.  He turned around and continued down the hallway, gesturing excitedly. "We'll get started on the testing right away, prep it for the procedure, and the sooner we can begin, the sooner we'll have results as to what to expect with Mewtwo..."

Domino gave Joe a glare before looking back to Yeung. "What did I just say about not using our agents as test subjects?"

[Dr. Wily II]

Joe meeped at Domino's glare. "It was a joke! Really!" He was comically flailing his arms, splashing a bit of his soda onto the floor. Seeing the spill, Joe stopped and looked down at the floor in shame.

[Quickman]

Yeung seemed to be crestfallen.  He stopped in front of a door and pointed inside. "The clones and your Meowth are in here."

Domino peered into the window, seeing Meowth pace nervously from Poke Ball to Poke Ball, pausing to offer some words to the clones inside.  She backed away from the window and looked to Yeung.  "Have Meowth taken to my office.  I'd like to speak with him."  She looked to Joe. "You can get your autograph, then.  I have plenty of pens and paper."  She turned and headed down the hall, en route to her office to call Giovanni, finish paperwork, and give this project some serious thought.

[Dr. Wily II]

Joe nodded slowly. He too took a peek through the window, and finally saw Meowth in the fur. With eyes twinkling anew, he turned and followed behind Domino, with a slight skip in each step.

[White-Jet]

Meowth thought he saw some people walking into the room, but by the time he looked towards the door, they were already gone.  Scratching his head in confusion, he assumes it was probably just the scientists and continues pacing around the Pokeballs, trying to figure out what else to do about their safety.

"If that is the case, then I shall escape," Mewtwo nodded, "unless you feel that I should do something else.  If this trial is merely a matter of whether or not I listen to Team Rocket, then I will simply refuse to obey."

Ryuta tenses a bit.  He feels that his pep talk was slowly starting to backfire the more he had time to think about what's going down with Team Rocket and their involvement in the trial.

"They seem to be aware of this...at least their boss is anyway...." he mutters, "And he seems prepared to make sure you obey him without question or resistance....  I can't figure out what it is, but it seems to involve someone who specializes in making Pokemon cold and obedient....  Like a Shadow Pokemon...."

He starts to flop down to his usual sitting position while stroking his Shiny Eevee in a seemingly vain attempt to keep himself from betraying Mewtwo's confidence, "I've seen how they behave.  They have no soul, no emotion, and no restraints.  All they care about is fighting the threat that's in front of them, regardless if it's trainer or Pokemon."

He then places his other hand on his bandanna-worn forehead, "If that's the case...I have a feeling we're about to deal with more than just figuring out who rightfully owns you...."

The Shiny Eevee's eyebrows furrow in concern as he stretches his head over and licks Ryuta's cheek to try and calm him down.

[Quickman]

"He cannot do this," Mewtwo shook his head, "I will not allow it!  If they want for me to be obedient while here, I will do that for the sake of my freedom.  I refuse to allow myself to be that man's puppet."


After a few minutes, one of Dr. Yeung's assistants came to the room, opening the door. "Meowth?   Follow me, please.  Your presence is requested."

[White-Jet]

Meowth compresses his lips as he begins to follow after the assistant, hoping it won't take long.


Ryuta takes a moment to think about this, "If there's any other contribution, the sight of you as a Shadow Pokemon attacking more than just the Pokemon will more than outweigh their chances of getting you back.  But that's only if the investigation on the Institute doesn't prove their intentions first."

After a moment, the kinder Officer Jenny walks into the room, having returned Misty to Quickie's room to see if she can help her clear up a few things.

"I apologize for my sister's behavior," she began almost immediately, "She's been more than a little overworked and this case isn't helping her temper any better."

She walks towards Mewtwo, staying just far from where Ryuta was sitting to prove her trust in his ability to calm Pokemon, "Perhaps I can be of better help.  I have just as much control over the station as the other Jennys in my family and I should be able to figure out some way of making sure the trial goes fairly.  I'm already aware that your actions weren't out of pure instinct, and I believe in the fact that the tarot cards have been used to impersonate you.  We would have them tested out, but unfortunately, we're having a bit of a problem collecting them from one of a thief that was masquerading around as one of our officers."

She pauses a moment while scratching her chin, "Though...I think I saw that young priest follow some of the officers taking care of my sisters with two of the remaining cards in tow, so once they have her administered, they can begin testing those out to see which one of them gave our culprit the ability to imitate your form."

[Quickman]

Mewtwo nodded and was silent for a moment before finally speaking. "I suspect... that some... questionable things may happen to me at the Pokemon Institute.  The other officer particularly, she claimed that whatever they do to me there would be punishment enough.  Would that not be tampering with evidence?  Am I not evidence?"


The assistant led Meowth down the hall and to an office, opening the door, letting him pass by, then closing the door.

In the office, Domino sat behind a desk, looking at something on her computer.  The office was casually untidy, with papers strewn about and an overall used look, as opposed to Giovanni's opulent office.  After a moment, Domino looked to Meowth, then nodded to the only chair that did not have books or a coat stacked on it. "Have a seat.  And, the door's shut, right?  I don't want any of this getting out."

[White-Jet]

"You're not just evidence, you're also a suspect, I'm afraid," Jenny said, "But you are right.  She has no right to preach something that hasn't been set in stone just yet."

She looks towards the door, seeming just as worried as Ryuta, "I am, however, concerned about the state of the Pokemon Institute.  I've overheard my cousin mention them being somewhat uncooperative as of let and I'm currently pushing for an investigation to see if they truly are worthy of handling you and your clones' examination.  We've already uncovered the possibility of Digletts possibly from Team Rocket tunneling around the facility, using every means that one get them expelled to ensure you return to them unconditionally.  And when I heard Mr. Ippongi mention Shadow Pokemon, I couldn't help but think they've more than likely stuck to that as their last resort."

"Wouldn't that be enough to finalize the investigation into the Institute and delay Mewtwo's transfer a little longer?" Ryuta asked, "Or for that matter have him examined by a different specialist that's more favorable of Pokemon feelings."

"It may be difficult, given we've only gotten word of mouth," Jenny said, "But if the investigation turns up any evidence that shows Shadow Pokemon being made, we can at least try to delay Mewtwo's transfer until those materials are confiscated and Team Rocket is forced to play by the rules."


Meowth nervously looks towards the door, seeing no bulge or slant in its appearance, "Not that I can see...."

He then leaps onto only unoccupied chair and flops down on it like a human child, "Look, I know you want to get Mewtwo back badly, but you don't have to get his clones involved.  Sure he made them to cause trouble in the past, but now they just want to live like normal Pokemon and he respects that decision!  They honestly didn't want to get involved in that incident, but that Raticate, Carr forced them to by altering their memory to make them recognize his Shiny Mewtwo transformation and go along with his original intentions of taking over Team Rocket by force."

[Quickman]

Domino nodded slowly.  "Right now, its clones are not my concern.  We have no plans for them, we never expected them to show up, so really, I don't know what we're doing with them, aside from using them as bait to get Mewtwo to cooperate."  She sighed, stood, checked the door, then returned to her desk.  After a moment, she fixed Meowth in a stare, her expression that of a concern he had never seen.

"Giovanni wasn't straight with me concerning his plans.  He's been in talks with Cipher concerning this Shadow Pokemon project.  Basically, he wants to submit Mewtwo to that process, to ensure its loyalty.  The problem is," she dropped her voice, "Mewtwo would be battling at full capacity.  Honestly, I don't think we'll be able to control it then.  It's held back before.  I don't want to see what happens when it doesn't hold back.  It would be like trying to leash a nuclear blast."

Domino sat back. "And while I've told Dr. Yeung not to use our agents as test subjects... he's taken a... liking to you.  Wants to know how you learned to talk.  Possibly perform the Shadow Pokemon procedure on you, first, to see how it would affect a talking Pokemon."  She sighed again.  "So, keep on your toes."

She looked to her computer again. "I hate that I was kept in the dark about this..."

[White-Jet]

Meowth irks at the mention of Shadow Pokemon.  He's never heard of such a species, but considering how secret Giovanni was keeping it, and the possibility of Mewtwo becoming even worse than when he first escaped made even his whiskers stand on end.

"I'll keep an open mind if that's the only other reason I'm not kicked out by this point...." he mutters nervously.

[Quickman]

Domino nodded. "Let's just say that you guys have been upping your game since the first time we met.  Not quite elite agent material, but not as dismal, either."  She looked back to Meowth. "Giovanni wants to know how Mewtwo made those clones, and I'm hoping to use that to delay the procedure."

She pushed her chair back as she stood and began to walk around the office. "Look, I want Mewtwo back in our custody as much as the next guy.  It's our property, simple as that.  But, Giovanni's taken a gamble on its life once before and we almost lost it on Mount Quena.  If this is another one of his gambles, I'm not sure how to feel about that.  On one hand, we'd have an out-of-control Pokemon that refuses to obey, and uses its destructive powers against us and everyone else, leaving Giovanni's world domination a smoking ruin.  On the other hand... the procedure could kill it."

Domino paused and crouched beside the chair to look Meowth in the eye. "Mewtwo is very valuable and a lot of money and time went into its creation.  We lack the resources to make another, and using its genetic material would result in an unstable clone of a clone.  It could take years, and the end result might be plagued with so many abnormalities that it wouldn't survive, let alone be as powerful.  It would be a waste to kill Mewtwo.  A waste of time, a waste of money, and a waste of a very powerful creature."

She paused again, dropping her gaze for a moment. "I want you to help me.  However you can, whatever you can think of, we need to delay this project for as long as possible, preferrably until the start of the trial.  Once Mewtwo begins the trial, we can't touch it.  Problem is, this could take a while to even get to that point.  So, as a fellow agent of Team Rocket," she fixed Meowth in her gaze again, "are you willing to do what's right for your team?"

[White-Jet]

Meowth seemed a mixture of unsurety; he still didn't appreciate how Team Rocket assumed Mewtwo was a brainwashing threat, but at the same time he's still fighting to regain his status as top cat of the organization in a less hostile manner than what Carr was going for.

"My memories been hazy since our very first encounter with Mewtwo," he mutters, "But I seem to remember being napped by a machine full of elastic tubes where it pulled two strands of fur on my tail.  I can't remember anything else, whether I was pulled through the machine or was pulled out before I went any further in.  But I have a feeling that machine may have been responsible for the mass cloning and production of the clones that Mewtwo had originally released after the events on Mt. Quena."

He then slumps a bit, "If you're really intending to clone another one of him, you should know he isn't going to be any less merciful with it than he was with Carr.  In fact, I don't think he'll even get past the concept of cloning another one of him before he starts going on a rampage to find where you're performing it and destroying it so his clones don't suffer another repeat."

[Dr. Wily II]

Joe was out of the office to grab a snack. He had been fantasizing about his first physical encounter with Meowth, and was literally quivering with excitement. Finally back at the office entrance, he was about to enter when he saw Meowth was inside, and Domino had started her interrogation. Missing out on the action, and not wanting to interrupt, Joe slumped. He found a seat just outside the office, and sat down, waiting for the interrogation to finish