Sasha's Story: After the Ashes 2.0

(2.1)
Mewtwo paced back and forth, book in hand as Sasha watched him.

“What’re you reading?” she asked, shifting on her pillow.

“A guide to caring for Pokémon,” Mewtwo replied, turning the page. “I…got lucky when I first found you.” He felt her inquisitive gaze and he sighed. “Nothing you need to worry about.”

Sasha nodded, noticing his growing agitation and sank back into her cushion. She had seen something in the feline that intrigued her. He clearly wasn’t comfortable surrounded by civilization. When she asked about the apartment, he replied it had been turned into a habitat for wild Pokémon. In return for his protection, the Pokémon living in the floors below provided electricity, water and heat.

As for basic necessities, Mewtwo bluntly told her he stole them. A little here, a little there, nothing that would be missed during a cursory scan. There hadn’t been any reports of theft in the paper and Mewtwo had left it at that.

The eevee knew she wouldn’t get anything out of the prickly feline until they had time to get used to one another. He still paused whenever he walked in and saw her. Sometimes there was a flash of something in his eyes that unnerved her.

He had no problems taking care of her, bathing and brushing her without comment. He monitored her attempts to walk carefully and massaged her aches.

The first time he’d done that had startled her, since she’d been trying to get comfortable and kept experiencing flashes of discomfort. He explained he’d had rudimentary experience with living with Pokémon. His eyes had grown distant and his strokes had become tender as he lost himself in what were clearly pleasant memories.

Sasha didn’t push him on the issue and he’d become somewhat less frosty after that.

-
(2.2)
Sasha wasn’t sure what to think of Mewtwo’s girlfriend. Pokéfriend. Whatever the term was. The female Mewtwo – while not unbearable – was still an anomaly to the eevee. Sasha was rather bemused to feel the a stab of jealousy when Mewtwo mentioned he’d be staying with the female for a few days.

Sasha rubbed her head with her paws and focused on Mewtwo. The feline – once you managed to get past the cold indifferent exterior – was the kind of Pokémon who preferred to find a quiet place to relax and think rather than spend time with others. Probably as a result of his psychic nature. Yet around her, he was…she hesitated to call it affectionate, but he seemed to enjoy stroking her ears and fur when they spent time reading or watching movies.

She knew he cared for her as a friend. Well, that’s what she hoped, anyway. Hopefully he didn’t feel an obligation to look after her for keeping her alive. Sasha’s stomach churned uncomfortably at the thought and she let out a frustrated growl.

Sasha paced the length of the room she’d claimed as her own a few times before flopping onto her bed, burrowing into the blankets.

Nothing about the clone made sense.

And that scared her.

-
(2.3)
“So, what did you do before Mt. Silver?” Mewtwo asked Sasha one day.

The eevee shrugged. “Was born, wandered around, saw things, did things, did stupid things, ate, drank, made merry…that kind of thing.”

Mewtwo stared at her. “That was…the vaguest description of someone’s life I have ever heard.”

Sasha rolled her eyes. “You asked, I answered.”

The psychic pinched the eevee’s ear and she nipped at him. Tapping her on the nose, Mewtwo asked, “Could you be a little more specific, please? What led to you exploring Mt. Silver?”

Sasha flexed her paws, examining them idly as she sorted through her memories. “Shortly after my birth, Team Rocket captured me and my family. Eventually wound up at one of their warehouses where we were taken care of and eventually shipped out to be gambling prizes or given away to trainers through one of the Rocket fronts, such as a business that handed out alternate starter pokémon to trainers.”

“Interesting idea, that,” Mewtwo mused. “Something other than fire, water or grass. Pikachu, eevee, maybe other low-maintenance style pokémon…they’re a lot cleverer than I gave them credit for.”

Sasha nodded. “After that whole mess was sorted out, I snuck aboard a ship and soon found myself in Johto. Would you like me to elaborate on that as well?” she asked.

“Maybe some other time,” Mewtwo replied, stretching. “It’s time for bed.”

“My stories aren’t that boring!”

“Never said they were.”

(2.4)
With a thunderous crack, the power went out.

Mewtwo let out a hiss of pain as Sasha sank her claws into his leg. He glanced down at the fox curled in his lap. "Sasha?"

He could feel her fur standing on end, every muscle taut with tension and as his eyes swiftly adjusted to the darkness, he saw an expression he hadn't yet seen on her face.

Fear.

Mewtwo gently placed his hand on her back and she let out a shaky breath as shivers wracked her frame. Wordlessly, she buried her face against his chest and he felt her tears wet his fur. He continued to stroke over her, not saying anything as she slowly calmed down. Outside, the thunderstorm continued its assault.

After a while, she pulled away, pawing at her eyes. "Sorry about that," she mumbled. "I...that wasn't very cool of me, was it?"

"Sasha..."

"I mean, what kind of pokémon is scared of some noise and light, right?"

"Sasha."

She flinched at his serious tone and her ears drooped. She huffed and looked away from him. "It was raining the night I...was attacked by that Houndoom. Didn't really expect Archer's pokémon to carry a grudge like that."

"Archer?

"Some Team Rocket mook whom Red and later Gold thrashed. I was there when Gold beat him."

"Ah. So you don't like thunderstorms or fire."

"Obviously."

Mewtwo tilted his head as he stroked over her. "I'm surprised your sense of humor survived, to be honest."

Sasha scowled and shook her head. "I'm usually much more pessimistic. I blame the near-death experiences I keep running into for turning me into such a cynic."

"It suits you."

Sasha shot him a scathing look and Mewtwo stuck his tongue out at her.

(2.5)
Mewtwo and Sasha sat under a tree on the edge of a cliff by the seaside, enjoying the late fall afternoon.

Sasha pricked her ears from her position in Mewtwo's lap and bared her fangs.

Mewtwo got to his feet, Sasha nestled comfortably in his arms and turned to meet the newcomer. Both Pokémon stared in surprise at the man.

"Giovanni," Mewtwo greeted neutrally. The leader of Team Rocket stared at him for a moment before shaking his head.

"I'm not here for trouble. Came alone, in fact. Surely you know that."

Mewtwo eyed him warily as he reached out with his senses. There weren't any Dark or Psychic-type signatures nearby that usually meant Rocket operatives being hidden - poorly - and Mewtwo eventually agreed that Giovanni was in fact alone.

"I'm going to get to the point. Trying to capture either of you is a very expensive endeavor and you've actually made us lose profit from our legitimate businesses," Giovanni said. Mewtwo snorted in disbelief and Giovanni shrugged. "I don't care if you believe me or not. I'm a businessman and as such, I'm merely telling you we're going to pursue more...profitable ventures. Unless you've changed your mind about letting us study you and your friend?" he asked.

Mewtwo's silence was all the answer he needed and he nodded.

"Very well. I wish the both of you best of luck and hopefully I will never see either of you again."

With that, he turned and walked away.

Sasha was quiet for a moment before she chuckled. "Huh...that's the smartest thing I've ever seen him do. Does this mean we won't have to sleep with one eye open anymore?"

"He could always use a KillSat or something and wipe us out. If he can't have us, then he'll make sure no one can."

"...You must be real fun at parties."

"I've been known to tear up the dance floor from time to time."

"Literally, because you're awful at it and people mock you?"

"...No comment."