One month later, the underground research laboratory funded by Steven was officially operational.
The research equipment Steven had prepared was also gradually moved in during this period.
The laboratory entrance was beneath the stairs. Just by pressing a button, the hidden door leading below would open.
Following the stairs all the way down would lead to the interior of the laboratory.
The laboratory walls used high-tech lightweight metal walls, with automatic sensor doors inside that would open automatically when someone approached.
The laboratory was neither too big nor too small, divided into three areas: the database, observation area, and research area.
Very impressive.
The database contained genetic data of all currently discovered Pokémon, convenient for Carver's comparisons.
The observation area was used to observe Pokémon reactions and such.
The research area was equipped with various devices and scanning instruments—some used to detect components in stones, others to examine Pokémon's bodies and energy reactions.
Besides this, there was also a high-speed computer network that could be used to calculate various data.
However, the only regrettable thing was that at this time point, Poké Ball transfer technology hadn't been developed yet.
On the day the laboratory became operational, Steven stood before this large computer and asked: "Do you need me to arrange some assistants to help with research?"
Carver thought briefly, then shook his head and declined Steven's suggestion.
Steven wasn't surprised by this. He just smiled and said: "I knew that would be your answer, so I had them store usage methods for all instruments in this computer. Besides that, there's also some professional research knowledge for you to browse."
Carver was slightly stunned, showing a helpless smile on his face.
Steven really was... reliable!
"Alright, let's leave it here. Metagross and I should continue our journey," Steven said softly.
Carver nodded and hummed: "If you encounter any problems with Mega Evolution later, you can contact me anytime."
"Of course." Steven nodded slightly.
There were only four months left until the Ever Grande Conference began. Fortunately, he had already collected seven gym badges—only one left, so time was still ample.
After a brief stay, Steven bid farewell to Carver and left the breeding house.
Meanwhile, Carver temporarily suspended business. He brought Bewear and several Pokémon curious about this place to the laboratory.
Those twenty Mega Stones were placed by Carver on the experimental table.
With his special ability, he didn't need to use machines to match each Mega Stone to its corresponding Pokémon.
The only thing that interested Carver was this high-speed large computer.
At this timeline, internet development wasn't as advanced as in Carver's previous life.
People were still using email exchanges to communicate.
Some more remote places were even still using the primitive method of sending letters.
Simply logging into the network, Carver found that besides a few office software programs, video communication, and forums, there were no other functions.
Carver logged into the forum. This world's forum-related content was still in very early stages—you could even browse and post as a guest without registering an account.
Thinking about some plot points and related content, Carver sat before the computer and rapidly typed on the keyboard.
Search [Team Rocket].
Soon, related content appeared on screen.
[Team Rocket: A criminal organization active in the Kanto and Johto regions. Its members attack passersby and steal others' Pokémon. Citizens and tourists must be careful when passing through. If encountered, contact the local Officer Jenny immediately.]
Search [Giovanni].
[Giovanni: Viridian Gym Leader, specializes in Ground-type Pokémon. A powerful Pokémon trainer and excellent entrepreneur. His publicly traded company provided employment for many unemployed people. Named one of the "Ten Outstanding Youth."]
Carver: "..."
In the Kanto region, joining Team Rocket was indeed a good choice for unemployed people.
After all, even he as a transmigrator knew that Giovanni's treatment of subordinates was unquestionable—not only providing money and Pokémon, but even using connections to bail people out after being caught by the Pokémon League.
However, looking at the webpage descriptions like "excellent gym leader," "outstanding youth," "excellent entrepreneur," Carver still couldn't help feeling like he had complaints but nowhere to voice them.
Then...
There was one more thing that concerned Carver.
Thinking this, he pressed the keyboard and typed two words in the search bar.
Search [Mewtwo].
The screen flickered twice, then quickly displayed a line of text.
[No related information found. Please confirm your text is correct.]
Nothing there...
This result didn't surprise Carver too much.
Counting the time, there were still five years before Mewtwo's birth.
So the question was: had Team Rocket started the "New Island Project" now?
Had Giovanni obtained Mew's eyelash fossil?
If he had already obtained it, Giovanni had probably already sent people to New Island to secretly use genetic cloning technology to create Mewtwo.
Mewtwo—surpassing Mew, using its power to conquer the world. You could see Giovanni's ambition just from this name.
At the same time, in the Kanto region, on the endless ocean sat an inconspicuous small island covered with vegetation.
Under the effect of warm monsoons and abundant water sources, the vegetation on the island grew very luxuriantly.
Dense vegetation concealed the hidden evil aura. In the jungle, a research facility was secretly located there.
"Who am I?"
"Where is this?"
"Where did I come from?"
Deep in the research facility, in a container full of nutrient devices, a small creature was slowly contemplating in the darkness.
Just then, it heard what seemed to be people talking outside.
Beside the container stood a group of researchers in white coats.
They looked at the sleeping creature inside and quickly exchanged words with each other.
"Why hasn't Mewtwo awakened yet?"
"Could the genetic technology have problems again?"
"That shouldn't be—this is the most perfect specimen among all test subjects."
"No, it's already awake. Its brain waves are very active—it seems to be thinking?"
"Who is Mewtwo?" The creature in the container was extremely confused.
Was the Mewtwo they mentioned... it?
"That's right. Mewtwo is the name they gave you," a young girl along with a Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle slowly appeared in the dark world.
Mewtwo raised its head and looked at them.
"Ai..."
"Are you still troubled by those questions today?" the girl named Ai asked.
Mewtwo remained silent.
But Ai actively stepped forward and took Mewtwo's hand.
"Come! Mewtwo, let me show you the scenery of my hometown!"