Today was a great day: it was their first mission together. In the middle of the morning, Mewtwo left his room, wearing his superb Rocket suit. Metal was already there, waiting for him.
« You look superb in that uniform, you know ?
_ Thanks. So, what’s the mission ?
_ A break-in. Some amateurs thought it was smart to steal in the Boss’ casino. Our mission is purely and simply to recover the money. The police had not been alerted, and we’ll have no back-up, to avoid suspicions.
_ Just you and me ?
_ Time to see if our team’s as good as we thought.
_ And what’s the plan ?
_ We have a ferry in half an hour. We’ll arrive in Pallet Town at midday.
_ Pallet Town ? Is this some kind of bad joke ?
_ It’s a tiny town, I agree, but it’s closer than Vermilion City. From Pallet, we will reach Celadon City faster than with Vermilion’s ferry. But no more time for questions. We have to go. »

	Two hours later, at midday, the Rocketmobile rolled off the boat to Pallet Main Street ( which was almost the only street of the town ).
« Hey, asked Mewtwo, are we on a hurry ?
_ No, why ?
_ Because it’s midday.
_ Then what ?
_ I’m hungry.
_ Okay, we’ll stop here for a while. But don’t chose something too expensive.
_ In that city, we have no real choice, anyway. »
As they left the car, someone was watching them. He was on top of a cliff, the perfect position to have an overall view on all the village. The man was a biker, completely dressed in black leather: boots, pants, jacket; gloves. He had a black helmet on his head, with black visor, so his face was invisible. He was sitting on a silvery Buell Lightning. He was watching them, but he was most interested in the one with a non-metallic head ( Mewtwo hadn’t put his helmet on ).
« So, that’s him, he said with a baryton voice. Don’t worry, Mewtwo, for now, the Shadow is only observing. He will appear to you when he’ll think you are ready. »
The mysterious biker who called himself the Shadow started his engine and took the road to the town.

	« Mewtwo ?
_ Yeah ?
_ Whatever happens, don’t do anything suspicious. We don’t wanna be spotted, and it’s already hard enough.
_ Of course. »
He didn’t worry about it: he had taken care of hiding the R of his suit behind his holsters.
They left the car and began wandering where they could go without being noticeable too much when they heard footsteps behind: it was a young woman, in her thirties, with red hair and a slender body. She had a baby in her arms. She was astonished by what she saw: two pokemons, weirdly dressed, just left a car they were certainly driving. She thought she was going nuts.
« Let me talk » Metal said to his brother.
He approached the young woman.
« Excuse us, Madam, but we are looking for a place where we could rest a few. We’ve made a long trip.
_ You… You’re not a pokemon, are you ? No, you look like… »
She was looking for the word, but she knew what it was, having seen a bunch of science-fiction movies.
« You look like a cyborg !
_ Not exactly, Madam. A cybernetic, it’s not the same. »
Not the same ? Let’s check. She remembered now: a cyborg, or android, is part organic, part machine. A cybernetic, or droid, is entirely mechanic, with an autonomy and a AI that distinguish him from basic robots. But this was only fiction ! She never guessed they would really exist.
« And you… you have no trainer ?
_ Madam, have you already been to Orre ?
_ You mean, that great desert behind the mountains ? Never.
_ I was born there. There, cybernetics have been for a long time, an they’re fully integrated in society. They may have a training, even driving licence.
_ And you made all the trip so far with your pokemon and… that superb car !
_ You like it ? It’s a Lamborghini. Please, let me introduce you to my pokemon, Mewtwo.
_ And how should I call you ?
_ Metal-Mewtwo. You know, his former trainer was an old scientist, and he really loved him. So, before he died, he wanted his dear pokemon to have the best trainer possible. He built me at his image. »
Mewtwo wanted to laugh. All of Metal’s says were lies, but they were partly true anyway.
« But I don’t think I’ve heard your name, Madam…
_ Oh, sorry. Miss Ketchum. And here’s my son, Ash. Maybe you’d like to go inside ? »

	Too easy, Mewtwo told himself, as they entered the house. She offered them the lunch, which they didn’t refuse, of course. Even if Metal can’t eat…
They looked at the sleeping baby.
« A future champ, commented Mewtwo.
_ I don’t think so. If he’s as lucky as his father, he won’t go very far… »
She suddenly choked. A tear rolled along her cheek.
« Sorry, I didn’t mean to…
_ Nevermind. You couldn’t know… Anyway, Little Ash is only two years old, he has all the time to think about this. So, why are you here, in Kanto ?
_ Business, Metal said. We wanted to leave that desert and open a shop in Celadon City. My bro and I would surely be excellent salesmen…
_ Your brother ? I thought you were his trainer ? »
Oops…
« Well… we look like each other so much that we consider ourselves like twins. Father considered us like his sons, you know. Plus, we’re both as intelligent as humans, and you noticed my bro is telepath.
_ Wait a second… Mewtwo… Hey, I remember: you won the CPT, last month ! That was one hell of a victory !
_ Thanks… »
Something suddenly froze him, without appearent reasons. He heard an engine noise. He looked at the window: on the street, a black-dressed man in an American sportsbike passed very slowly in front of the home, and looked at him. Mewtwo thrilled.
« What’s the matter ? »
Metal had guessed something was wrong, and was talking using a frequency that only Mewtwo could pick up. He answered, only to him ( the great advantage of Telepathy )
« That biker outside. He’s gone now, but it look as if he was spying us. I don’t know why, but he really scared me…
_ What did he look like ?
_ He had a helmet. I couldn’t see his face. He was riding a silvery sportsbike. 
_ OK. So we’d better go now, just in case. »
Miss Ketchum didn’t understand anything: the « twins » fell suddenly silent, and, as suddenly, thanked her for her kindness and left.
« Ash, I’ve got a feeling that I’ve missed an episode… »

	They got back to the car and drove fastly to Celadon.
« A silvery sportsbike, you said ? Did you see the brand ?
_ No.
_ What did it look like, exactly ?
_ It had straight handlebars, a short seat, high suspensions.
_ A dock ?
_ No.
_ A forkhead ? 
_ Neither.
_ How many lights ?
_ Two.
_ Buell Lightning. We’ll ask people from the casino. It’s maybe one of our breakers. We’ll be there in approximately two hours, if our speed is constant. »

	They effectively arrived two hours later. Something strange about Celadon City: Even if it was the capital city, it was awfully small, compared to Saffron City.
The casino looked normal: noisy, with people drinking and losing their money on the machines. They headed to the counter.
« May I help you ? » Asked the croupier.
Mewtwo showed him the R on his suit.
« In fact, we’re here to help you, he said.
_ Oh, you are the squad ! OK, come with me. »
He led them to the back shop. Here, they could see a massive armored door. It was open, the locker was burned. The room was empty.
« How did they do that ? Asked Mewtwo.
_ They had a Dratini with them.
_ How can you be so sure, Metal ?
_ Look at the burn. It’s circular, and neat. Only a dragon’s laser can do that. I think they plotted to make it stealth. Therefor, they needed a very small dragon, with enough power to open that door. Only a Dratini can do that. How much was in the room ?
_ Almost 200.000$, in five bags.
_ That’s all ?
_ The room is emptied once a week. It was stolen this night, and the room has been emptied two days ago. So, it was not full…
_ You’re lucky.
_ How much is there, when it’s full ? Asked Mewtwo, strangely interested.
_ We can reach five million dollars when it’s a full week. Full week, I mean vacations.
_ The weirdest, said a stranger voice behind them, is that the HQ is just here, under that building. It would mean two things: one, there’s a traitor. Two, they were very well trained. »
They turned back. It was Giovanni.
« Boss, said Mewtwo, you weren’t there when it happened ?
_ My office is there, but I’ve got a mansion in the forest, nearby. I don’t stay here by night.
_ OK. Is there any witness ?
_ No. Nobody downstairs have heard or seen anything. 
_ That’s what they say…
_ Suspicious ?
_ Boss, said Metal, we’ll need to talk to all the Rockets who own a Dratini and who were here when it happen.
_ I can do that.
_ Thanks. While you’re searching, we’ll investigate in the neighborhood. »
They turned back but Mewtwo added something:
« By the way, have you ever seen a biker in the neighborhood ? With a Lightyear ?
_ A Lightning, corrected Metal.
_ Nope, we haven’t seen that recently. You should ask in The Rockin’ Ride.
_ What’s this ?
_ A restaurant, not far from here, towards the city exit. Every bikers and truck drivers who pass by Celadon rest in that restaurant. You may have a clue there.
_ Thanks. We’ll be back in an hour. »

	The restaurant was pretty easy to find, being just near the freeway entrance and having a huge neon sign representing an electrical guitar. As the casino guy said, trucks and motorbikes were parked wherever they could, sometimes along the road. There were various bikes, on all brands and all types. But no Buell.
They entered the establishment. It was noisy and colorful, but stinked the cigarette. They suddenly felt as if they were in a western movie. On a side of the main room, there was a dais where a group of people were playing music. Mewtwo liked that sound, the one humans call « Rock’n Roll ». But he suddenly froze when he saw the singer: all black leather. From head to feet. Except that he had a coat instead of a jacket. He was in his twenties, with hair flatten back with grease.
« You noticed ? He asked his brother.
_ I did. Maybe just a coincidence, but we can’t miss any clue. Come. »
They approached the counter and called the barman.
« Who’s that guy ? Asked Metal, showing the singer.
_ He’s Eddy L. Lewis. A very good rocker. You know, his uncle was one of the Iron Maiden’s.
_ We’d like to talk to him. Could you send him to us when he’s finished ?
_ Of course. Take a table. What’ll you drink ?
_ Coffee. »
	Mewtwo had just finished his third cup when the rocker arrived.
« Hey, pals. ‘was told ya’re lookin’ for me.
_ You’re Eddy L. Lewis ?
_ Yeah, a.k.a The Yankee. What’d’ya want ? »
His knife-cutting American accent was a bit disturbing.
« Mister Yankee, asked Mewtwo, have you got a motorbike ?
_ A telepath pokemon, right ? In U.S., it’s gettin’ more’n more frequent. Like cyborgs.
_ Cybernetic.
_ Sorry. So, for ya’re question, I’ve a bike.
_ What’s it ?
_ A Varadero. Ya wanna see it, ‘t’s parked outside ?
_ I thought American rockers had American bikes ?
_ Oh yeah, ‘ve an Harley, but never use it.
_ Why ?
_ Does da word VLE rin’a bell ?
_ VLE ? What does it mean ?
_ It’s a bike, answered Metal. Harley-Davidson VLE, 1213cc V-Twin, lateral valves, three gears, max speed 105kph, released in 1933, one of the rarest bikes in the world.
_ Ya know ya’re classics, buddy. Impressive.
_ Thanks. I’ve been programmed to identify any types of machines. But we’re getting far from the plot: you have a one-century old bike, you must be proud, but we’re looking for someone with a Buell Lightning. Silver-plated.
_ That faceless freak ?
_ You know him ?
_ I dunno if it’s « him », but ‘ve met a guy with a Buell.
_ You said « faceless »…
_ Yeah, he didn’t take his helmet off. Yesterday, about 8:00 pm, we had to play, but the bassist was sick. That guy just came and played for us. Honestly, ‘ve never met such a good bassist before.
_ Did he tell his name ?
_ He was silent. Didn’t say a single word. Creepy, ain’t it ? Sorry, gotta go. See ya later, guys. »
He stood up and just added something before leaving.
« Oh, in fact, he said two words: quinte floch. »

	An hour later, Metal was back in the casino. He had a special room prepared for questioning suspects: a white, tiny room, with two chairs, a table, and soundproof walls. There were three suspects in the Team. Three Rockets who had left the base in the middle of the night, and who happened to own a Dratini. The first of them was sitting, staring at the cybernetic. He was pretty young and didn’t look confident. But in front of Metal-Mewtwo, no-one could look confident.
« So, it seems that you left the base silently in the middle of the night. You didn’t say a word to anyone, you train a Dratini, and, bad luck, at the morning we find the casino safe opened by a Dratini. How do you explain that ?
_ I… I didn’t steal the money.
_ Then what were you doing ?
_ I… can’t say that. »
Metal put gently an arm around the boy’s shoulders. 
« Listen, kid, I’m just doing my job. You’re a Rocket too, you can understand. So please make it easier, for both of us.
_ Sorry, but I don’t think you’ll understand…
_ That’s your choice. »
He grabbed the Rocket by the hair and smashed his nose on the table. The poor young man was bleeding.
« Will you speak, now ?
_ I… I… »
Metal grabbed the arm and tossed him over the room, to the door. Then, he opened the door and smashed it to the already broken nose.
« OK ! OK ! I’ll talk ! Just stop hitting, please !
_ Good boy ! Go on, I’m listening.
_ I was with my girlfriend.
_ Who is she ? Name, location ?
_ I can’t tell. NO ! Don’t hit ! I… have a good reason.
_ Which one ?
_ She has a brother… a frightening man. And he doesn’t like me much, so if he learns I’m with his sister, he will…
_ Okay, listen to me: you’re still suspect, but I’ll give you a rest. So if the two others give no result, I’ll come back for you. Understood ?
_ Yeah…
_ Okay, run off. »

Mewtwo was still in the restaurant. He was playing poker with five guys. They were all smoking, forming a choking cloud above the table.
« So, Mr. Speaking Pokemon, it’s your turn to bet.
_ Five tickets.
_ Six.
_ I’m off.
_ Eight.
_ Ten.
_ I follow. »
They’d all spoken. It was Mewtwo’s turn again.
« I bet fifteen tickets, to see. »
Two of them had a pair, one had a flush, one had a full, and the last one was already off.
« Quinte floch ! » said Mewtwo, in pride.
This made them a bit angry, but Mewtwo knew they weren’t the kind to fight just for that. He heard saying: « That again ! »
« What do you mean ? » he asked.
The man was a truck driver who had the sweet nickname of « Cobra ».
« Yesterday, night, there was a guy, a biker. He didn’t show his face. He didn’t speak either, unless it was necessary. Well, that guy played a little with us, and left on a victory. A quinte floch.
_ What did he say exactly ? I mean, instead of poker-related.
_ He didn’t say his name. He said he was searching for rare pokemon, with human intellect. Maybe he was after you.
_ Are you sure he didn’t say his name ?
_ Just said some people knew him as the Shadow… »

Metal’s second suspect was a Rockette. A pretty young girl, with curled blond hair, a slim body and green eyes. She looked frightened.
« So, Miss, you know why you’re here, right ?
_ It… it… wasn’t me.
_ Let’s summarize: you have a Dratini, and you disappeared in the middle of the night, alone, without telling anyone. This same night, someone broke the casino safe and got away with the money. Many coincidences, what do you think ?
_ I didn’t steal the money. »
Metal was losing patience. He smashed his fist on the table and roared.
« Then what the hell were you doing ? »
She immediately fold up like an oyster.
« NO ! Please no ! Don’t hit me !
_ I won’t, but I have to know the truth.
_ OK. I was with my boyfriend.
_ Sorry, it doesn’t work. The guy before already used this alibi.
_ Of course he did ! He IS my boyfriend ! We left together to go at a party at the beach, in Vermillion ! We knew that there, we could… well, you see…
_ And you both have a Dratini. »
She thought she wouldn’t need to explain if he saw that himself. So she took he poke ball and let her Dratini out.
It was a female Dratini. She was carrying a baby.
« OK, said Metal. I understand. Get away, now. »

« I bet twenty, said Cobra.
_ Twenty ? Answered Mewtwo. You must have a good hand. I follow.
_ I’m off.
_ I’m off.
_ I’m off.
_ I’m off.
_ Mr Mewtwo, it’s just you and me, now.
_ I have a double pair.
_ A full ! I win !
_ Okay, not bad.
_ But, tell me, why does the Shadow interest you so much ?
_ Have you heard something about a break-in last night ? In the casino ?
_ No.
_ They stole 200.000$, and we think the Shadow may be with them.
_ An investigation ? You’re a cop ?
_ Well… kind of… »
Cobra didn’t let him the time to explain: he grabbed his holster and discovered the red R.
« A Rocket ? How dare you come here, you stinky criminal ! »
In fear, Mewtwo could see the driver’s fist flying right to his face…

Metal’s last suspect was sitting on his chair, listening carefully.
« I think you already know the situation: you disappeared with a Dratini, and while you were away, the safe was broken. By a Dratini laser.
_ Wasn’t me.
_ Of course, they all say that. But I want a valuable alibi.
_ I wanted to go dancing.
_ Where ?
_ At the beach, of course ! Great party !
_ Have you seen any colleagues at that party ?
_ No.
_ Well, you should. Two of your colleagues were there. I don’t doubt that you were at that party, because many people saw you come back from there. But it’s weird that you didn’t see them. After all, you left almost at the same time…
_ Well… I…
_ Let me guess: maybe you left at the same time, but you, you attended the party later that night, when your comrades were already gone. But what could you do before ?
_ I… I had to pick up… some friends… you know… »
But Metal wasn’t listening. He was reading the informations appearing on his visual screen ( you know, like the Terminator ):

Unstable epidermic temperature
Involuntary pupil dilatation
Irregular pulse
Abnormal sweat
Jerky voice

Possible reasons:
Emotional stress
Viral infection
DECEPTIVE STATEMENTS

« I have another theory, said Metal: you went to break the safe, then you hid the money somewhere. To finish, you attended the party to avoid suspicions.
_ What !! But that’s not true at all !
_ I have the best lie detector in the world, young man. It’s useless to hide the truth. »
The guy could not control himself: he stood up, grabbed his gun, aimed and shot.

It was rumble in the bar: the four poker men were standing in front of Mewtwo. Cobra was sitting apart, nursing his broken arm. One of them tried an attack, but the clone just sent a body uppercut, and finished him with a flawless wheel kick. 
But this distracted him, and he didn’t see the three other men attacking. Two of them grabbed him tightly, and the third took a bottle to hit him.
A distortion appeared for a second, and the man with the bottle was sent against a wall: Mewtwo had created a rush of compressed air. Wow ! He didn’t know he could do that ! He then used Telekinesis to break free.
« I’ll get him ! Screamed the man with the bottle. Electrode, crush him ! »
He opened his poke ball and the metallic pokemon appeared. Mewtwo didn’t let him time to understand what was happening and sent him a jumping spinning kick. But the flying ball got up and threw a Thundershock. In fear, Mewtwo put his hands in front of him. When the attack was finished, he realized it didn’t hurt: he just felt his arms vibrating, as if they were full of pure energy. Then, a Thundershock twice more powerful rushed from his hands and hit the Electrode very hard. A knock-out hit.
Was it ? Was it the Bide ?
Another enemy appeared: a Nidoking. I don’t know if you’ve already seen a Nidoking inside a restaurant, but I can tell you it’s pretty impressive: the monster reduced a table into matches while appearing. And then, he tackled Mewtwo, who flew and landed behind the counter. Nidoking approached to finish the work, but the psy pokemon climbed on the counter like a hip-hop dancer and kicked him twice to repel him.
At this time, something weird happened: a man flew into the restaurant, breaking a window, and crashed on the Nidoking. Both were knocked down. Then Metal-Mewtwo entered from the broken window, with a Dratini in his left hand. The Nidoking got up slowly. Metal punched him hard right under the horn to finish him.
The men realized they were overtaken. They took their pokemons back and ran away.
« You OK, Mewtwo ? 
_ Yeah, thanks. What’s that ? »
Metal had a half-dozen of little white stains on his chest.
« Oh, nothing. Just gunshots. The bullets just attacked the polish. »
He looked at the man on the ground.
« Emptying a magazine on an invulnerable armor is already not very smart, but trying to defeat me with a mere Dratini is desperate. »
He put the Dratini he was holding on the counter. The tiny dragon was unconscious, but still alive.
« I suppose they are our suspects ?
_ Yes. When he realized he couldn’t kill me, he tried to run away. I caught him, but I may have hit a bit too hard…
_ Anyway, he’s still alive. »
Mewtwo grabbed the Rocket and slapped him.
« NO ! he screamed, frightened. You are two ! It’s a nightmare !
_ Just tell us where the money is, and we may be kind.
_ Okay ! It’s in an appartment, in Cerulean City. 404 Moon Street.
_ Thanks. »
And he gave him a Headbutt. Sweet dreams ! 

It took them fifteen minutes to reach Cerulean City. They parked in front of the building. It was a very old building, with cracks all over and  clotted paint.
« So that’s the hiding place ? Asked Mewtwo.
_ Yeah. Looks beautiful.
_ More looks like a squatt.
_ So, here we go. Put on your helmet.
_ Yes sir. »
Mewtwo felt strange with the helmet. The black visor was in fact a viewing screen, and it gave him a bunch of informations about what was happening in the area, from motion sensor to air quality analyzer.
« You take the main entrance, I take the rear door. »

Mewtwo rang the bell and waited. A man came to open. A man with dirty hair and worn out clothes. As soon as he saw him, he punched him hard and broke inside. It was as warm as outside, but with a strong scent of drugs. Junkies…
They were six in the room. Mewtwo used Telekinesis to lift the furniture: chairs, tables, sofa, cupboards, everything flew across the room. Those who were not knocked out tried to escape by the rear door… when it exploded. Metal rushed inside in Flamethrower mode. A few seconds later, it was over. All were out, and a part of the appartment was set on fire. They looked at the floor, where the sofa used to be. There was a trapdoor.
« So, here are our bags.
_ Yeah. Mission complete. »

The entire appartment was on fire now, as they were loading the bags in the car.
« Metal ?
_ Yeah ?
_ There’s something weird.
_ What ?
_ It was too easy.
_ What do you mean ?
_ They did the break-in like real professionals. But we found them too easily. As if…
_ As if someone did it on purpose ?
_ Yeah, that’s it. As if someone wanted us to find them. May have a link with the Shadow. The mysterious biker, I mean.
_ Possible. Whatever, we have the money. Let’s go back to the casino.
_ I drive, this time. »

The Shadow was walking in the appartment. He didn’t feel the flames. In fact, the flames didn’t attack him. And he didn’t care: he was using his cell phone.
« Has everything worked as planned ? Asked the man on the phone.
_ Yes, of course, answered the Shadow. I saw what I wanted to see. I think it’s gonna be interesting. Anyway, your men did their job perfectly.
_ Thank you. It was an honor serving you. Boss. »