Six days earlier.
Viridian Gym, Viridian City.
Few people knew that beneath the Viridian Gym—one of the most prestigious gyms in the Kanto region—there lay a hidden research facility of considerable size.
After all, unless you were an internal member of Team Rocket, knowing the gym leader's other identity would leave most people with only two choices:
Submit or disappear.
In the eyes of Viridian City residents, the Viridian Gym Leader, Giovanni, was their protector—a figure who repeatedly kept Team Rocket at bay. He had naturally become, in their eyes, a righteous hero akin to Lance, the Dragon Master.
Since he became the Viridian Gym Leader, Team Rocket's presence in Viridian City had vanished, and crime rates had plummeted to historic lows.
Thus, even today, the Viridian Gym remained the "sole savior" combating crime in the surrounding area.
—It must be said, sending the underground emperor of Kanto to deal with criminal organizations was itself a darkly humorous twist.
"How are today's body metrics?"
In the underground lab, a man dressed in a black suit, his face heavy with seriousness, glanced at the researcher beside him and spoke in a low voice.
At the moment he spoke, the temperature around them seemed to drop several degrees.
Under Giovanni's icy gaze, one of the white-coated researchers holding a clipboard began trembling uncontrollably. After nervously flipping through a few pages, they gave a brief report:
"After being cultivated in the incubator for a month, its body should now be in the growth phase. There won't be any further risks."
"But..."
The researcher instinctively wiped the cold sweat from their forehead and continued:
"Due to Mew's overwhelming genetic strength, its growth rate far exceeds our expectations. Experimental Subject No. 2 has already developed preliminary combat capabilities, and its bodily functions are rapidly maturing."
"Furthermore, with the awakening of psychic abilities, it seems to have developed self-awareness while still in the incubator..."
"In recent days of observation, Subject No. 2 has clearly shown subconscious behavior of learning human language by listening to conversations among the researchers."
"Self-awareness?"
Giovanni raised an eyebrow, seemingly intrigued. He turned his gaze toward the massive green incubator before him.
Aside from the high-concentration nutrient solution continuously pumping oxygen, inside lay a pink Pokémon curled up as if in deep sleep.
Its appearance resembled the legendary Mew but its body structure leaned closer to that of a human.
When Giovanni's gaze fell upon it, the Pokémon seemed to sense his stare and slowly opened its eyes.
Then, with a bewildered expression, it stared directly at him.
Seeing this, Giovanni's lips curved into a faint smile.
"From now on, stop calling it Experimental Subject No. 2."
"If it has gained self-awareness, then let's call it..."
After pondering for two seconds, Giovanni quickly decided on a name.
"Mewtwo."
Mewtwo—beyond Mew.
With the genetic power of Mew and a portion of my own genes...
Becoming a legend and possessing power surpassing all others, truly ascending to godhood is only a matter of time.
It will surely like this name.
Satisfied, Giovanni nodded and turned back to the researcher beside him, casually saying:
"Starting today, double the concentration of the solution in the incubator. First, completely suppress its cognitive abilities."
"Before the stage is set, physical growth alone is sufficient. Self-awareness is not something we desire."
"Yes!"
As the sound of their footsteps gradually faded away, the Mewtwo inside the incubator still wore a vacant gaze.
[Mewtwo...?]
[Is that my name?]
The newborn Mewtwo did not fully understand human language yet, but its developing brain subconsciously began analyzing the conversation between the two individuals.
[If that human just named me...]
[Then, should I consider him my father?]
With its limited vocabulary, Mewtwo could only think such simple thoughts. Meanwhile, the rapid operation of its brain soon made it feel fatigued.
[So tired...]
However, just as Mewtwo instinctively closed its eyes and its consciousness was about to fade into chaos—
"Mew?"
A crisp and unfamiliar cry rang in its ears, causing Mewtwo to open its eyes again.
Before it appeared a creature much smaller than any other beings it had seen.
But unlike the previous two humans, this one had a pink body and hovered without touching the ground.
Mewtwo didn't know how it had suddenly appeared here, but it was clear that this little pink creature seemed very interested in it.
[Hello...]
Though unable to speak, Mewtwo inexplicably felt a sense of familiarity and warmth toward it. It instinctively tried to reach out with its weak psychic abilities to communicate.
"Mew?"
Because Mewtwo's psychic powers were still too weak, humans couldn't feel it.
But Mew was different.
After a brief moment of shock, Mew quickly covered its mouth and laughed.
Meanwhile, the elongated and unfamiliar voice quickly entered Mewtwo's mind from within the incubator.
[Hello~]
Staring at its unmoving mouth, Mewtwo froze for a moment before realizing—
This creature seemed to be the first being to hear its voice and respond to it.
And strangely, Mewtwo sensed a familiar aura emanating from it...
[Who are you...]
Confused, Mewtwo asked.
[Hm?]
Seemingly stumped by the question, the little pink creature thoughtfully rested its hands on its chin before smiling and replying:
[I'm your friend~]
[Fri...end...?]
Mewtwo couldn't grasp the meaning of the word, but it didn't dislike the feeling it evoked.
[Hello, friend...]
Mewtwo struggled to smile, prompting another burst of laughter from Mew.
Just as it wanted to ask more about the meaning of the word, a series of approaching footsteps echoed.
Hearing the sound outside, Mew's smile instantly vanished. With no choice, it reached out to touch the incubator, as if wanting to caress the trapped Mewtwo.
[Mmmhmm, we're friends~]
[I'll come visit you again next time!]
Psychic waves carrying information entered Mewtwo's ears, and Mew's form disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Understanding Mew's message, Mewtwo's lips unknowingly curled upward.
[Goodbye, friend...]
...
Back at Sunlight Gym.
Isn't this Mewtwo???
Upon seeing Mew's new form after using its transformation ability, Aiden quickly realized.
Mew had somehow met Mewtwo early?
Mewtwo, the Genetic Pokémon, was also a forbidden existence that shouldn't exist in this world.
Because, no matter the timeline, Mewtwo was artificially created by Team Rocket using Mew's DNA, possessing immense power.
It could even be classified as a Legendary Pokémon, exhibiting formidable combat prowess in the anime.
But...
Also due to being born under Team Rocket, Mewtwo once felt confused about the meaning of its existence.
Under the influence of Giovanni, the leader of Team Rocket, Mewtwo believed that only by defeating Mew and proving its strength could it truly possess a self rather than remain a mere replica.
In short, Mewtwo was a problem child whose psyche had been warped early on.
However, judging from Red and Blue not yet becoming trainers, at this point in time, Mewtwo must have just been born recently, right?
Its current transformed size corroborated this.
So how did Mew find it? Did it really go on a rampage through Team Rocket?
Despite countless questions swirling in his mind, facing Mew transformed into Mewtwo, Aiden merely showed slight astonishment.
"Mew!"
From the "Mewtwo's" mouth came a cute tone completely at odds with its serious expression. Aiden quickly understood its intent—
"You want to ask if I know it?"
"Mew!"
"Mewtwo" nodded.
Though not expecting much, the only human Mew knew was Aiden.
It could only ask him.
"..."
"Can you tell me what you saw?"
Aiden carefully considered and decided to first understand what Mew had discovered.
"Mew!"
Mew trusted Aiden, so it didn't hold back, directly touching its hand to his forehead.
Soon, the sights and sounds Mew experienced in Viridian Forest appeared in Aiden's mind.
Indeed, these special abilities in the Pokémon world were incredibly powerful—they could achieve anything...
However, it seemed only Mew could use this technique. At least he'd never seen Caitlin do it.
Even Caitlin, a human-shaped Pokémon, couldn't pull it off. Most Pokémon likely couldn't either.
As the movie-like scenes played in his mind, Aiden silently muttered "Sh*t".
After quickly reviewing Mew's memories, Aiden suddenly understood.
Though he didn't know why it had gone to Viridian City, it seemed the timing was perfect!
Right when Mewtwo had just gained self-awareness, it had felt Mew's kindness.
This way, the likelihood of Mewtwo and Mew fighting in the movies was almost zero, right?
Whether for Mewtwo or Mew, this was a good thing.
After thinking it over, Aiden decided to share some of what he knew with Mew.
"The place you visited was the Viridian Gym in Viridian City, Kanto."
"Based on the insignias on the researchers' uniforms, they seem to be members of the notorious villainous organization 'Team Rocket' from Kanto."
"As for the relationship between Gym Leader Giovanni and them... it's probably not simple..."
Aiden paused briefly, lost in thought, before continuing.
"As for the being they called Mewtwo, it might be a Pokémon created using your genes?"
"In a way, it could even be considered your child..."
He mainly explained Mewtwo's origins and its connection to Team Rocket. As for future events, since they hadn't happened yet and he wasn't sure how things would unfold, he left those details out.
"Mew???!!!"
Shocked speechless by Aiden's explosive theory, Mew instantly abandoned maintaining its transformation, reverting to the familiar form Aiden knew.
Though it had some suspicions...
Hearing from Aiden that Mewtwo was a Pokémon cloned from its own genes still shocked Mew.
What? So I'm a mom now?
Why does everyone else know this except me?
And I even became "friends" with my own child?
The realization of "unexpected motherhood" hit Mew hard, and a barrage of questions caused its brain to crash. Finally, it made a decision—
Forget it!
Since things are already like this, the priority now is figuring out why humans used its genes...
You humans are too evil! (Except Aiden)
While Mew mulled this over, Aiden was pondering another issue—
If Mew had already made contact with Mewtwo, then maybe...
Could Mew correct Mewtwo's worldview before Giovanni's influence warped it?
Rescuing Mewtwo outright seemed too difficult for Mew at this point.
Though Mew was indeed strong, considering Team Rocket's current strength and their various black technologies, even Mew might not gain the upper hand in a direct confrontation.
To suppress Mewtwo's psychic abilities, Team Rocket had devised many methods. Perhaps those gadgets would work on Mew too?
Moreover, Team Rocket's original purpose was to search for the legendary Mew. This situation was practically walking straight into a trap...
So rushing this matter wouldn't help.
Perhaps letting Mew occasionally "babysit" Mewtwo until it grew stronger might allow Mewtwo to escape the Rocket base on its own?
Thinking this, Aiden suddenly paused—
Wait a minute?
This sounds kind of familiar!
So in this timeline, Mewtwo isn't the box office champion from the movies who pulled off ten reversals in a year but instead resembles the version from another timeline that could Mega Evolve into Mega Mewtwo Y?
The difference between the two Mewtwos mainly lies in whether they were influenced by Giovanni.
Oh, no—the biggest difference is that the reversed version's Mega Evolution is Mega Mewtwo X.
Though the same Pokémon, the two Mega forms clearly differ in strength.
Realizing this, Aiden instinctively looked at Mew.
But if this guy raises its kid, I feel like it'll end up just as mischievous as Mew!
"Mrs. Mew, you wouldn't want your child to go astray, right?"
Aiden suddenly grinned mischievously, addressing Mew.
"Mew???!!!"
Mew froze, slowly typing out a string of question marks.
...
After briefly explaining his thoughts to Mew, the human and Pokémon quickly agreed.
"Mew!"
Mew patted its chest, signaling Aiden to relax.
Though it had no experience raising children, showing Mewtwo the beauty of the world and preventing it from being brainwashed by Team Rocket would be easy!
"..."
Under Aiden's indescribable expression, Mew quickly covered its mouth and giggled, disappearing without a trace.
"I guess I can only trust it now."
Aiden sighed, hoping Mew would be slightly reliable at times like this.
If Mewtwo's assistance to Team Rocket were removed, this year, when Red and Blue debut, wiping out Team Rocket would be a breeze...
Wasn't this indirectly helping Kanto?
It also repaid the favor from Mr. Lance who gifted him the Bagon egg.
While Aiden thought about this, he prepared to call his Pokémon to eat.
Just then, someone knocked on the gym door.
Aiden instinctively looked toward the entrance.
During this period when students hadn't returned to school and the Sunlight Gym displayed a "closed for battle" sign, who would come knocking?
Soon, the answer revealed itself—
"Mr. Aiden, I am the principal of Naranja Academy, Harrington."
The visitor outside quickly introduced themselves.
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