Giovanni and Matori watch as Dr. Zager, Agent Basker, and their team rebuild their machine. Persian is sitting beside its master and watches the process while feeling bored. The leader of Team Rocket intently watches every little move his minions make to recreate the machine for Arceus itself.
Meanwhile, Jessie, James, Meowth, and Wobbuffet are forced to mop the floors of the machine as punishment for lying to Giovanni. Naturally, the four of them have no memory of claiming that they alone defeated Team Flare, Team Galactic, or Team Plasma, but Giovanni doesn't care whether or not they know about their lies. The trio and Wobbuffet moan childishly as they sadly do their petty chores, feeling like they've done nothing whatsoever to be punished by their boss.
But as Giovanni watches his scientists work, he hears the sound of several helicopters and a jet heading his way. His impatient face turns into an evil grin as the helicopters and jet fly toward him and land on the landing platforms next to Team Rocket headquarters. Giovanni, Persian, and Matori walk over to the helicopters with Dr. Zager and Agent Basker deciding to stop their work and follow behind. The leading helicopter opens, and Domino exits with a proud look upon her face.
"Agent 009, was your mission a success?" Giovanni asks right away.
"And then some," Domino answers while the other helicopters open. "But first, a couple of presents that I know you'll like."
Domino signals the Team Rocket members inside the helicopters and they bring out hundreds of members of the International Police wearing brainwashing headbands, including Dutch and Looker. Giovanni raises an eyebrow and smirks in amusement while Dr. Zager grins excitedly at the sight.
"The entire International Police brainwashed by your inventions and ready to assist you in rebuilding the machine signed, sealed, and delivered," Domino announces. "I trust they are to your liking doctor?"
The doctor walks over to one of the brainwashed policeman and ask, "You there, who do you serve?"
"Team... Rocket... sir," The policeman replies.
"And will you assist me in creating the ultimate machine that will secure Team Rocket's ultimate goal to take over the world through all of the Pokemon?" The doctor questions.
"Yes...sir," the brainwashed man says. "I will...serve Team Rocket... and do whatever you say... for the honor... and everlasting glory... of Giovanni... and all of Team Rocket."
"Hmmm," Matori says observantly. "So, I assume these brainwashed police will be enough to complete the machine before the Indigo League is over?"
Dr. Zager gives an evil, toothy grin while Giovanni chuckles with his mouth closed.
"Yes. These will do very nicely," Dr. Zager says. "We might even finish the machine ahead of schedule."
"Excellent," Giovanni says before turning to Domino. "And what of the Gieldanstone, 009?"
Domino grins and says, "Patience, boss. I think you'll want to see my next present before I give you your true prize."
Giovanni frowns, wanting his white jewel immediately. Domino snaps her fingers, and two Team Rocket grunts go back inside her helicopter and shortly come out dragging Mewtwo. Giovanni becomes amused as he sees the genetic Pokemon be brought to him while also wearing a headband on its head.
"Ah, so you brought the culprit who erased our memory," Giovanni says, smirking. "Well done, 009."
"Don't compliment me yet, sir," Domino says. "Capturing this devil is only half of the gift."
"Oh?" Giovanni queries.
"It turns out this Pokemon can bring back memories," Domino explains. "In fact, I ordered it to bring back all the memories its ever taken from me, and it just so happens that it had taken more than just the original mission for the Gieldanstone."
Giovanni raises his eyebrow curiously. Domino turns to Mewtwo with a commanding grin.
"In the name of the glory of Team Rocket, I order you to bring back all the memories of everyone here that you've taken away," she instructs.
"As...you...wish," Mewtwo says dully.
Mewtwo's eyes glow blue, and it waves its right hand. Everyone but Domino and her team let out a soft gasp as if they feel something like a spasm inside their brains. Some of the grunts become faint and plummet to the ground. Giovanni, however, stays standing and holds his head with his left hand before his eyes widen. As all of his memories come back, his look of shock melts away into a sinister grin as he looks at the psychic-type Pokemon.
"Mewtwo, my old friend," he says. "How good of you to come back. I must admit I didn't know you could wipe out memories with your psychic powers. Looks like that fool, Dr. Fuji made you more powerful than even I could possibly imagine."
Dr. Zager, Agent Basker, Matori, Persian, Jessie, James, Meowth, Wobbufet, and the rest of Team Rocket, excluding Domino and her team, look at Mewtwo in pure disbelief.
"I don't believe this!" Agent Basker growls. "Of all the things that would take away my moment of vengeance against Durbin, it was Team Rocket's own creation!"
Jessie, James, and Meowth squeal at the sight of the Pokemon.
"It's Mewtwo!" James exclaims.
"And da boss has it!" Meowth says.
"We haven't seen it since Mount Quena!" Jessie says. "And to think that twerp reformed it before it destroyed the world!"
"Wobbuffet," Wobbuffet says nervously.
Giovanni frowns and turns to the trio and Wobbuffet. Though he now remembers them being on Mount Quena where he last saw Mewtwo, he has no recollection of Mewtwo trying to destroy the world.
"What are you dolts rambling about?" He growls.
Jessie, James, Meowth, and Wobbuffet squeal again nervously before they quickly salute their leader.
"Sir, our encounters with Mewtwo at Mount Quena and the place where Gieldanstone was found were not the only times we've encountered it," Jessie says.
"Go on," Giovanni orders.
"Ya see, boss, we were tracking down a group of trainers - one of which possesses a very powerful Pikachu that we've been trying to capture and bring to you for years," Meowth explains. "But then this Dragonite approached them and gave them this invitation to go to New Island. Apparently, there was some sort of Pokemon Master who was inviting powerful trainer to come to the island and meet him."
"New Island," Giovanni says, thinking out loud before it clicks in his mind, and he turns to Matori. "We do have the deed to that island."
"That's right, sir," Matori says in realization. "That was where Dr. Fuji and his people created Mewtwo."
Giovanni turns to the trio and demands, "What happened next?"
Jessie steps in and says, "Well, we followed the twerps to New Island where Mewtwo apparently built some kind of castle in its image. We snuck inside and found a lab where we discovered a recording of some scientists explaining how Mewtwo was made."
Giovanni scratches his chin in thought and says, "So Mewtwo can also create buildings with its powers. Not only that, but he rebuilt the lab inside. Heh, I suppose that's how he made all of those Pokemon clones."
"Yes, sir, it is," James confirms. "While we were down there, Mewtwo somehow captured the Pokemon of all the trainers that came to its castle, including the twerps we've been following with some sort of Pokeballs of his own design."
"I see," Giovanni says. "What happened next?"
"When all da clones were made, they woke up and went back up to come to Mewtwo," Meowth says. "By the time we got up, the trainers were with their Pokemon while Mewtwo was with its clones. On top of that, Mew was there."
"Mew?!" Giovanni exclaims, surprised. "You saw Mew?"
"Yes, sir," Jessie says. "It was trying to explain to Mewtwo that real strength comes from the heart or something like that."
Giovanni chuckles in amusement.
"Strength from the heart. Even the rarest Pokemon believes all that nonsense," he says. "Continue."
"Yes, sir," Meowth says. "Mewtwo challenged Mew to a battle between the original Pokemon and their clones without using any of their moves. So the Pokemon, both original and clones alike, started beating each other while Mewtwo and Mew fought each other."
"But in the end, the twerp with the powerful Pikachu tried to stop the fight by running into Mewtwo and Mew's line of fire only to end up getting turned into stone," James says. "He was somehow revived by the Pokemon by something we can't quite explain, and Mewtwo was so touched that it decided not to destroy the world. So it took all of its clones and flew away with Mew, and then a bright light appeared from the ground and covered the entire castle."
"The next thing any of us knew, we were stuck in New Island, which turned into a field of grass and flowers," Jessie says. "We never saw Mewtwo again until we came to Mount Quena about the same time as you did."
"Interesting," Giovanni says. "This story does answer a few riddles like how Mewtwo made its clones and why it was caring about other people and Pokemon when we saw it again even though it only cared about itself before."
Agent Basker frowns and steps in, saying, "Hold on a minute, sir. These are the same losers who have lied to us before."
Jessie, James, Meowth, and Wobbuffet instantly become afraid of Agent Basker's accusation.
"He does have a point, sir," Matori says. "They did claim that they defeated Team Flare, Team Plasma, and Team Galactic when Agent Basker proved it not to be true."
Giovanni frowns seriously and glares daggers at Jesse's, James, Meowth, and Wobbuffet.
"How do I know you are telling the truth?" He demands. "If I find out you speak false on one single thing, so help me..."
The trio yelps and quickly gets down on their knees and bow their heads to the ground in front of Giovanni, like a group of acolytes worshipping an idol. Wobbuffet stands in place behind them, quivering in fear.
"We swear on our lives that it's da honest truth!" Meowth squeals. "We'll even confess that it was the twerp with da Pikachu and his friends that took down the other crime organizations!"
Agent Basker raises an eyebrow and steps forward to the trio bowing to their leader.
"This 'twerp' you speak of with this so-called powerful Pikachu," he begins. "What is his name?"
"His name is Ash Ketchum!" James quickly answers.
Agent Basker grows intrigued and asks, "And this Ash Ketchum, does he have black hair and usually wear a blue jacket and a red cap?"
Jessie, James, and Meowth look up and stare at Agent Basker curiously while still on their knees.
"Yes, he does," Jessie answers. "How did you know?"
Agent Basker returns to Giovanni and says, "I think their story adds up, sir. If you remember my report from a while back, the defeat of our enemies was usually done partly in the hands of a boy that meets that description. While I didn't look too much into his personal profile, some reports I found confirm that his name is Ash Ketchum. So by that connection, I'm beginning to think they actually are telling the truth this time."
Giovanni frowns skeptically and says, "That's not enough for me. I want solid evidence that they are not trying to deceive me again."
"How about we ask Mewtwo, sir?" Dr. Zager suggests. "It seems it did not see them during this event at New Island according to their story, but it can confirm that everything else is the truth."
"Good idea," Matori says.
Jessie, James, and Meowth's eyes light up with hope, and they quickly stand up.
"Yes! Yes! Ask Mewtwo!" Jessie exclaims.
"Yeah, it'll set da record straight! We promise!" Meowth begs.
Giovanni looks at them skeptically before he says, "Very well."
Jessie, James, and Meowth hug each other, mentally praying that they will get their proof. Wobbuffet shakes behind them, whimpering for its friends. Giovanni walks over to Mewtwo, takes it by the jaw, and forces it to look at him deep in the eye.
"Answer me honestly, Mewtwo," he commands. "Are these three telling the truth?"
"They...are," Mewtwo answers slowly. "I...did...try to...end the world...with my...clones...until...a boy named...Ash...stopped me. Everything...they've said...is the truth."
Jessie, James, and Meowth sigh in relief loudly. Giovanni lets go of Mewtwo's jaw and turns to the trio with a smirk.
"It seems despite your deceptive ways, you have been very useful," he compliments. "You are to be commended for giving me such valuable information regarding Mewtwo and its powers."
The trio smiles happily with stars in their eyes and start giggling like little children. Matori, Domino, and Agent Basker roll their eyes at the three of them before Giovanni turns to Domino.
"Right, now that our memories are back and Mewtwo belongs to me again, it's time for my real prize," he demands. "Give me my Gieldanstone now!"
"With pleasure," Domino says before she signals two grunts. The two men go back inside Domino's jet and come back with a chest. They give the chest to Domino, and she proudly presents it to Giovanni. The leader of Team Rocket doesn't hesitate to open the box and stare in awe.
"At last," he says with a grin. "The key to world domination. A stone in which half of the name means 'yield.' The white jewel that can control a Pokemon capable of turning to any Pokemon type. The stone that shines in 18 colors that all represent all the Pokemon types. What was once a myth that many have forgotten is finally mine."
He grabs the jewel and holds it close to him like a mother holding her baby before holding it up in the air for all to see.
"Behold!" He announces. "The Gieldanstone, at last, is mine! All mine!"
All the members of Team Rocket shake their fists in the air and cheer loudly. Jessie, James, and Meowth began to dance together, thinking the retrieval of the jewel will lead them to promotions and great wealth from their boss. Giovanni lowers the Gieldanstone until it's at face level and grins evilly.
"Now for the moment I've been waiting for," he says eagerly before he holds it up on the air again. "Arceus, I command you to come to me at once!"
At first, nothing happens. Jessie, James, and Meowth stop dancing, and the Team Rocket grunts that are still celebrating start to awkwardly stare at their leader. Giovanni's grin starts to melt away into an angry frown.
Suddenly, a giant, blue portal appears from the sky. Everyone stares had it in awe before Arceus comes out of the portal and flies toward them. As the portal disappears, Arceus lands on the ground and glares at Giovanni angrily.
"You humans dare remove the Gieldanstone from its hiding place?!" It roars angrily through telepathy. "I will bring judgment on all of you for your ineffable insolence!"
Many of the Team Rocket members quiver and back away. Even Matori, Dr. Zager, Domino, and Agent Basker are afraid of the alpha Pokemon's terrifying threat. Persian yelps in panic and hides behind its master's legs. But Giovanni is unfazed by the mythical Pokemon's threat.
"I am Giovanni, the future ruler of all Pokemon and the world!" He declares while still holding the jewel up high. "You are nothing compared to me! I command you to cease your threats against my organization and me at once!"
Arceus freezes in place, and its pupils shrink in fear. It tries to resist the urge to do as Giovanni has commanded, but the power of the stone is too great. Everyone else in Team Rocket becomes more comfortable in the presence of the giant Pokemon.
"Good," Giovanni says. "Now bow to me and swear your undying loyalty to me and me alone! I am your lord and master forever! You will never threaten me or all that I own ever again, and you will never try to resist any command I give you no matter what!"
With the last command made, Arceus almost instantly gets down on both of its front legs and lowers its head until it touches the ground.
"I, Arceus, the first of all Pokemon do solemnly and humbly swear on my life that I will be loyal to you and you alone," it says. "I will never try to resist your every will or bring harm to everything and everyone you control. I am yours forever, my lord."
Giovanni grins before he begins to maniacally laugh uncontrollably. It isn't long before everyone in Team Rocket laughs evilly except for Jessie, James, Meowth, and Wobbuffet who are secretly afraid of what has happened. Mewtwo, Looker, Dutch, and all the other members of the International Police just stand in place like zombies. Finally, the laughter dies down, and Giovanni turns to Arceus.
"Now, Arceus, we have a special place for you," he says. "But at the moment, it isn't finished yet, so you will stand in front of our headquarters where I will keep my eye on you from my office. There you will stay until I give you further instructions."
"As you command, my master," Arceus says almost instantly.
The alpha Pokemon turns around and walks over to the building until it stops when it's face is just inches away from the windows in Giovanni's office. The leader of Team Rocket's grin grows before he turns to Dr. Zager.
"Doctor, continue your work on the machine with your new slaves at once," he commands. "And make a strap for me to keep my Gieldanstone with me at all times."
"At once, sir," he says before turning to Mewtwo and the police. "You heard him. Get to work!"
"Yes...sir," they all say.
"Wait!" Giovanni says immediately. "On second thought, come with me, Mewtwo. I also want you close to me. We have much to discuss."
"As...you...command," Mewtwo replies.
With that, Giovanni, Persian, Matori, and Mewtwo go inside the Team Rocket headquarters. Dr. Zager and Agent Basker begin herding Looker and the other police to start working on the machine with the science team. But as they head to the machine, Jessie, James, and Meowth still quiver in fear.
"I thought I was prepared for trouble, but this is too much," Jessie says.
"I would make that trouble double at this point," James says.
"Wobbu," Wobbuffet says sadly.
Meowth hesitates before asking, "Does anyone else feel we should be scared about what is happening?"
Jessie and James nod simultaneously.
"I feel sorry for Arceus and Mewtwo," James says. "I remember us sort of befriending Mewtwo at Mount Quena. Don't you?"
"I do now thanks to it bringing back all of our memories," Jessie says. "And I felt so proud that we followed those two men and that Raichu all the way to the Gieldanstone, but after seeing the boss controlling it like that, I kind of feel sick."
"Me too," Meowth says. "But what can we do?"
"Hey, you four!" Dr. Zager barks, startling the trio. "Get back to mopping on the double!"
"Sir, yes, sir!" they shout while saluting.
When Dr. Zager turns away, the trio and Wobbuffet glumly walk to where they left their cleaning equipment and begin mopping. But as they mop the floor to the machine, they debate in their minds about what to do between following their boss to the end or doing something else.
Dun-dun-duuuuun!
Hey, everyone, it's HAKDurbin again. I just want to let you know that due to a technical difficulty on his side, my editor has been unable to send his edit suggestions for the next several chapters, so I'll have to wait to receive them so that I can start publishing them. Sorry for the inconvenience and I hope you guys are willing to wait until the chapters are ready.
As always, thank you for reading, The Lord be with you, and have a great day!