Chapter #13:

  Sitting against the base of a tree, Aerithtwo watched the clouds roll by and reflected on the
events that had occurred since she'd first awoke. It had only been several weeks since she'd
been brought to this place and Aerithtwo could hardly believe how much her life had changed.

  She recalled how miserable it had been to sit endlessly in her old room, isolated from others and
only allowed to come out for training or testing, and do nothing more than sit and stare at her own
reflection. Now she was able to come and go as she pleased and honestly she enjoyed it. Being
allowed to make her own decisions was something she had come to relish, since she now had a
choice in the matter.

  Casting a casual glance around the area, she watched as both humans and other pokémon went
about their business. It amused her how much her perceptions had changed. Although none of
these humans were afraid of her, many didn’t leave much of an impression. Of those that did,
Aerith found none to be conceited.

  Although it still hurt to think about what had been done to her, Aerithtwo took a
small measure of comfort in the knowledge that the dreams she’d been having had
meaning. For the first time, it was hitting her just how different she really was.

Sighing to herself, Aerithtwo returned her gaze skyward.

  Another thing that baffled her was how humans managed to walk without tails. For the life
of her, Aerithtwo couldn’t remember how that worked, walking without a tail to balance you.
Perhaps that was why Cheryl fell down so often. Humans needed tails...

  At least she could take a small measure of comfort in the knowledge that she wasn't alone.
First of all, she was happy to know that Alice had decided to stay on at the facility, even though
Aerith didn't know exactly where the woman was. Next, there was Jovi. The cheerful little
creature had stayed close to her since they'd first met.

Aerith was rather grateful for the lessons her sister had given
and was starting to get the hang of generating Shadow Balls.

  Then there was someone whom she hadn't met named Hiroki that sounded nice. After that there were
the other three pokémon that Jaden had caught. Although she didn't really know them very well, Aerithtwo
was beginning to figure them out. First among that group was Taelia, a smallish black pokémon with wicked
claws and a very high jump.

Somewhere in her mind the term Sneasel suddenly sprang up but she didn't know why.

  From what Aerith could tell, Taelia was very strong, if what she'd seen the creature do the day they'd met was
an indication, but didn't speak much. She also had the habit of vanishing and appearing from out of nowhere.
Next, there were Miko and Arien. Both pokémon were sociable but they made her head hurt.

  Miko was a yellow mouse-like creature with unusual urges and a sick sense of humor. If his knack of filching things and
jokes were any indication, the guy was likeable, if not a bit juvenile. Aerith learned that his species was called Pikachu
and that he was in some way related to that brown thing she'd seen back in Agate Village that was called a Raichu.

  Arien on the other hand, was a weird little lizard-thing. Although friendly, he wasn't much of a fighter
and seemed to be crazy. Aerith also learned that his species was called Totodile. For the life of her,
Aerithtwo couldn’t help wondering why he'd always start into some sort of weird conspiracy without
warning during conversations. It was a very annoying habit.

  Finally, there was Jaden. Although they were still getting used to one another, Jaden always tried to make her smile.
She remembered how he'd looked after her when the robot went crazy at the Kaminko manor and how he'd listened
to her rant when she'd learned about her past. It meant something to her to know that the human would actually care
about how she felt.

  The realization startled her. When had Jaden come to stand for the same things the boy in her dreams had?
When had Jovi come to stand for the same things for that matter? Aerith sat staring thoughtfully into space.
That was what a big brother or sister was supposed to do, wasn’t it? Protect you, make you smile, scare the
hurts away.

  Even though she knew they weren't really related, Aerith couldn't help feeling a similar connection to the human
but didn't know why. She hadn't told a single person, except Jaden, about having those memories yet it felt as though
she were reliving them in a way as she interacted with the world around her. Maybe this life wouldn't be so bad after all.

  There was, she quickly learned, a pattern to living at the facility. Nighttime, and from there
into the mid morning, was for sleep. She would wake up while the sun was still rising higher
into the sky, and that time was for eating, as was the early evening. After eating, it was time
for learning.

  Both Lucario and the twin tailed feline she now knew as an Espeon, whose name was Rukia, were
demanding teachers, and there were times when their patience with her seemed to run thin, but gradually
she started to understand what she was supposed to be learning, and the instances of either of them
becoming snappish at her lessened.

  Aerithtwo shook her head to clear it and twitched her shoulders feeling the aching protest
from the muscles on her back; a reminder of the brutal training session she'd endured earlier
that afternoon. Learning what Lucario called martial arts was hard.

  After training, usually when evening had fallen, she would be free to do whatever she wanted. That was
always Aerith’s favorite part of the day, although there were times when training sessions went longer
then expected. However, whenever that happened she was always compensated for the lost free time.

Now was just such an occasion.

  Sighing softly, Aerith stretched. All this introspection was starting to get boring. Maybe she
should go back to her room and get a book to read. She was rather glad that Alice had leant
her some books to read. Just as she began to get up, a feminine voice called out to her.

“Hey, kid.”

Turning toward the sound Aerith blinked. Where had Taelia come from?

“I was just passing by and saw you sitting here. Got a moment?”

Nodding, Aerith shifted her tail as Taelia sat down beside her.

“So, you're the big secret I heard so much about when I worked for Cipher.” Taelia remarked after a pause.

Aerith cocked her head to the side and blinked at the Sneasel curiously.
The dark type meanwhile, rested her head against the tree.

“It's funny that humans, for the most part, try to exploit us by calculating our weaknesses
 to bolster their strengths, judging us by speed, power and stamina, but it won't accomplish
 anything since you can’t measure spirit.” Taelia muttered.

That made sense, Aerith thought wryly as she cast a casual glance around the area.

“Sometimes I think that’s the only thing I’ve got going
 for me. Although I'm not sure how all of this relates.” she replied.

“Well, it could be argued that a trainer is the same as an employer. You show up, do the job, then leave.
 I learned a lot of techniques that Sneasel normally wouldn't like that way. The human you saw in Agate
 Village, would've been my sixteenth trainer, one whom I'd been planning to leave for a while anyway.
 The fact that your friend managed to catch me instead kept me from just walking away.” Taelia explained.

“So, what do you think about Jaden?”

“I suppose he has potential but it’s too soon to tell. In my line of work, trust needs to be earned.”

“Line of work? I'm not sure I follow.”

Taelia looked her straight in the eye.

“You might say I'm a mercenary, which is how I came to be in Cipher's service when we met.
 Not that I plan to go anywhere in the near future, of course. I feel I should also point out that
 most of my abilities are used as killing weapons so I'm a little wary of using those, and teaching
 them to anyone else.”

Aerith responded with a polite but indistinct "Ah."

“If you don't mind me asking, what exactly did they
 teach you all of that time in the laboratory?” Taelia remarked after a pause.

“Um... control, mostly. I didn't stick around long enough to learn much else.”

Taelia merely nodded and murmured to herself in reply.

“Even though a lot of the people in the lab where I was created
 were cruel, humans in general aren't bad, are they?” Aerith remarked.

There was a soft snort beside her. It was a cold, humorless sound.

“You should be grateful for that naiveté. The humans in the Cipher organization did
 something to me during the time I worked for them. I barely feel 'normal' anymore.”

The clone blinked. That was not the response she'd been expecting. Looking on, there was
something in the Sneasel’s eyes that she couldn’t read, something that was a little scary.

“As for my strength and abilities, its taken lots of practice to perfect.” The dark type continued.

An uneasy silence fell between them until the Taelia spoke up once more.

“And do you always question the world around you?”

Aerith frowned, having to think about it for a few seconds.

“I... I guess I do. I have to. I don’t just 'understand' things the way others seem too.” she replied softly, turning away.

There was a soft sigh beside her.

“Don't lose that.”

  Aerith’s head snapped up. Taelia was continuing to stare at her, but it was with a quiet intensity
that scared her half out of her wits. Aerith also noted that there was something in the Sneasel's
tone of voice that was straightforward and honest. Part of her wanted to cringe.

“The part of you that wants to ask questions. Don't lose that, ever.” Taelia repeated.

Aerith nodded quickly, unable to think of any other reply as silence fell between
them once more. The heavy silence was broken when the Sneasel spoke up again.

“Do you know anything about type alignments?”

Aerith shook her head.

“I thought not.” Taelia smirked.

“Okay, kid. Here’s how it goes. Each species has a base element or 'type' that is strong against some
 pokémon and weak against others. I'll give you an example. Dark type's, such as myself, are immune
 to your psychic abilities. However, my particular species is what's known as a duel type which means
 I'm immune to you but vulnerable to fire. Do you follow me?”

Aerith nodded. Her curiosity getting the better of her.

“So, what you're saying is that there are some pokémon that
 I'm naturally strong against and others I'm weak against?” she asked.

Taelia nodded.

“Then what exactly am I strong against?”

“Well, I've heard that poison and fighting types are vulnerable to psychics.
 There are probably others but you also have to factor in experience.” Taelia replied.

Aerith cocked her head to the side.

“Personally, the whole idea that type alignments alone will give one individual an unbeatable advantage
 in battle is absurd. A combination of the two is more beneficial. I'll give you another example. As I
 mentioned before, fighting types are vulnerable to your abilities however, a high level fighting type
 would be more than a match for you in your current state.” the Sneasel continued.

That made a lot of sense, Aerith thought wryly as she absentmindedly began to rub her left shoulder.

“By the way, what was that thing you did to the Raichu?” she asked cocking her head.

“Oh, that... the technique is called the 'Seismic Launch' combo. It's a basic special attack
 that can be finished in a number of ways and requires lots of physical health.” Taelia replied.

“Oh... Can you teach me to do that?”

Taelia eyed her speculatively.

“Sorry kid but you’re not ready. Perhaps when you're older.”

Aerith blinked. That wasn’t the answer she'd expected.

“Why not?”

“I just told you already.“” Taelia replied amused.

Turning away, Aerith exhaled huffily and flicked her tail. This was so not fair.

“I could teach you how to use Ice Beam if you’re interested.” The dark type continued.

  Aerithtwo's head snapped around. This was something different. Perhaps
there might be an opportunity to actually work on acquiring another useful
skill in addition to getting to know Taelia better.

“Yes. I... I want to learn.”

  Nodding, Taelia got up and beckoned her to follow. Aerithtwo scrambled to
her feet and did her best to keep up with the dark type's quick pace. Before
she knew it, Aerithtwo found herself standing in a different part of the field.

  It was all the clone could do not to start laughing at the dark type's ramblings as
it reminded her of the lectures she usually received during her normal training. As it
was, learning ice type moves proved to be more difficult then she'd first thought.

  For the remainder of the afternoon, Aerithtwo tried repeatedly to follow along, in addition to
taking a few discreet peeks into the Sneasel's mind to figure out just what she was supposed
to be doing in the first place, before she managed to produce a thin stream of ice before the
technique gave out.

“Not bad for a first attempt. All you need to do now is practice and you'll get better.” Taelia commented.

Aerith nodded, pleased that things had worked out for her today.

Glancing toward the sky, Aerith was surprised by how much time had
passed. It was almost dusk by her estimate. Where had the day gone?

Aerith suddenly found herself struggling to stifle a yawn as she watched the setting sun.

“Well, it’s getting late. See you later.” Taelia said before wandering off.

“Oh, by the way...”

Aerith turned and saw the Sneasel staring at her thoughtfully over its shoulder.

“...don't grow up too quickly. You might regret it otherwise.” The dark type stated before disappearing again.

  Aerith blinked, unable to think of a proper reply or any reply for that matter, before
continuing to watch the setting sun until it was almost out of sight. Afterwards, she
turned away and headed for her room. Sleep sounded very nice right then.

***************

  As she watched the unusual training session, Alice reflected on what she'd just witnessed.
Over the past few weeks since the 'Great Escape', as she liked to refer to the day that she
and the rest of the group had left the Cipher Lab, Alice had noticed a considerable improvement
in the clone's development. It amazed her how quickly Aerithtwo seemed to blossom in her new
environment. It was a welcome change from the sullen, distant attitude the creature had displayed
in the beginning anyway.

  Although she hadn't gotten a chance to speak with the young fellow who had become
Aerith's trainer, Alice had a hunch that the kid was a major contributor to the clone's
success. She still remembered the heartache Aerithtwo had expressed upon learning
what had been done to her. The clone had not taken the news well at all.

  First, what the clone didn’t want to hear, she denied. Then she became angry, and yelled
at them for making up lies. And then finally she fell into a despondent silence and listened
to every bitter word. Now, Aerithtwo was happier then she'd ever seen before. Alice made
a mental note to talk with the boy when she got a chance because she was certain he'd had
something to do with Aerith's abrupt change in behavior.

  As for herself, Alice was tasked with the job of assisting the training staff in developing
useful methods of education for Aerithtwo, as well as other new recruits, in addition to
being a councilor/veterinarian assistant. It had become a job she'd come to enjoy and the
pay was similar to that which she'd received back at the Cipher Lab.

  If memory served, Dione had begun working in one of the compound's many labs while Gwen
had taken a dispatching position. Alice was rather glad that everyone in the group was able to
continue working together, considering what they'd been through. It made her work even more
enjoyable knowing that she didn't have to feel guilty about the work she did anymore.

  Casting a glance skyward, Alice noticed that it would be dark soon but found she couldn't
stop watching Aerithtwo. The clone was watching the sun set with a quiet intensity that
appeared so 'foreign' but somehow seemed to fit. Looking on, Alice suddenly felt conflicted.

  On one hand, the knowledge that Aerithtwo was coping so well meant that she didn't have to worry about
the clone's future. Yet, a part of her didn't want to lose the bond the pair had shared from their experiences.
Making her way to the parking lot, Alice firmly reminded herself that everything was going as it should.
In time, Aerithtwo would learn how to live again. And she would learn to let go.