He just didn't know whether the legendaries that Mew transformed into could actually use their signature moves. If they could… then Mew was just way too overpowered.
"Yeah, the losses were quite severe, but it's not like we came away empty-handed. We managed to recover a fossilized eyelash from Mew afterward."
Giovanni nodded, confirming it. There was nothing to hide here. It was precisely because of Mew's overwhelming power that he had become even more determined to pursue it.
"But just a single fossilized eyelash is far from enough to fully decode Mew's genetic structure. So, I gathered the most elite geneticists and cloning specialists to extract the DNA of many Pokémon to complement Mew's genetic code."
"I named it... Project Mewtwo."
Giovanni's voice deepened. Yes, this was the core of his genetic experiment plan. Everything they had done so far was just preparation—a foundation to ensure the eventual success of the Mew Gene Project.
If they couldn't capture Mew, then they would use its DNA to clone one!
"So how did it go? Was it a success?"
Lucas looked at Giovanni. Mew was the mythical Pokémon said to possess the genes of all Pokémon. A single eyelash fossil was obviously incomplete.
That's why Team Rocket had extracted the DNA of countless Pokémon and conducted a series of cruel genetic experiments to compensate for and enhance Mew's genes!
And in the original story, they had indeed succeeded!
Team Rocket had created an artificial legendary Pokémon—Mewtwo—whose combat capabilities in many ways surpassed even Mew's!
But the birth of Mewtwo came at the cost of immense suffering for countless Pokémon.
"You could say it was a partial success. But not long ago, just as the project was entering its final adjustment phase, the lead scientist in charge of the Mewtwo Project backed out and ran away."
Giovanni's tone turned icy. Project Mewtwo was the initiative he valued most—it carried the weight of his deepest ambition and was his ultimate trump card to overthrow the League.
As long as Mewtwo could be completed, Giovanni had full confidence he could defeat Lance!
But now, just when everything was nearly complete, the lead researcher ran off! It was infuriating!
"So, you want me to step in personally and retrieve this runaway researcher?" Lucas raised a brow, already understanding Giovanni's true intent.
"Exactly. One of them is Blaine from Cinnabar Island. But that guy doesn't have the guts to leak anything. The other… is Fuji. He took all of the Mewtwo Project's research data with him when he left. He must not be allowed to get away."
Giovanni's eyes glinted coldly. The Mewtwo Project was the culmination of Team Rocket's blood, sweat, and tears. If Fuji had fled alone, Giovanni wouldn't have cared too much. After all, Mewtwo was nearly complete.
But Fuji had taken all of the project's research data with him.
And while Mewtwo's creation required Mew's genes, a wide range of Pokémon DNA, the right timing, coincidence, and even fate itself… there was no telling whether Fuji might be able to recreate another Mewtwo with that data!
Giovanni would never allow such a possibility. Absolutely not.
"I see."
Lucas paused, finally understanding why Giovanni insisted he handle the matter personally. The entirety of Mewtwo's research data…
His eyes flickered slightly. He felt a stir of temptation within himself.
He wasn't particularly interested in recreating another Mewtwo.
But what if… he could create a stronger one?
For example, a Mewtwo variant hinted at in some of the original side stories… Shadow Mewtwo!
----------------------------------------------------
The world of Pokémon operated on a multiverse theory. This was already clearly established in the original series.
Take Mewtwo, for example. There were already four distinct versions:The wild Mewtwo living in Cerulean Cave in the games, later defeated and captured by Red using Mega Charizard X in the anime "Origins."
The Mewtwo that coexisted with Blaine in the Pokémon Adventures manga.
The Mewtwo, created with Dr. Fuji's heart and soul in the first movie.
And the female version of Mewtwo from the alternate universe in another movie, who could Mega Evolve.
Technically, there were five versions, but since "Origins" was based on the game's storyline, it could be considered the same universe.
Among these, excluding the in-game version, all others were products of Team Rocket's experimentation.
Yet Lucas didn't know which version of Mewtwo this world's Team Rocket had created. After all, Giovanni had said both Blaine and Fuji were involved.
But that wasn't important.
What mattered was that Lucas had his own thoughts about Mewtwo. No matter what, Mewtwo's combat power was undeniably top-tier.
Although Lucas was devoted to Dragon-type Pokémon, he wasn't so obsessed that he refused to train anything else…
Honestly, there just weren't that many Dragon-types that satisfied him. And Dragon-type legendaries?
Yeah, not exactly easy to get your hands on.
Compared to those distant, almost unreachable Dragon legendaries, wasn't Mewtwo a much more realistic option?
Judging by Giovanni's attitude, Mewtwo was clearly something he valued immensely. And while it was likely the research base was on New Island… who the heck knew where New Island even was?
Besides, it wasn't worth falling out with Giovanni right now over just one Mewtwo. That didn't align with Lucas's plans.
Mewtwo's personality wouldn't make it easy for Giovanni to control anyway. So, Lucas wasn't in a rush.
In fact, he was more interested in Fuji—the one who had fled with all the research data.
"So, is there any clue as to the traitor's whereabouts?"
Lucas's mind raced, though his face remained calm. A faint, intrigued smile spread across his lips.
"We've got some leads. Based on our intel, he might return to Lavender Town."
"Of course, there's also a chance he might be heading to Cinnabar Island."
Giovanni nodded, his usually stoic face darkening with cold malice.
He had immense patience, but Fuji had crossed the line.
Mewtwo was his final trump card. He would never allow its data to be leaked.
"Boss, Lavender Town and Cinnabar Island are in completely opposite directions."
Lucas blinked. This was what he called having a 'lead'?
Cinnabar Island was a famous hot spring resort in the southwestern Kanto region.
Lavender Town, on the other hand, lay to the east of Kanto—a quiet town known for its Pokémon cemetery.
Completely opposite directions—classic case of looking north while heading south.
"The last time we tracked him, he was in Vermilion City. You know it has ships that go to Cinnabar Island."
Even Giovanni looked slightly embarrassed. Lavender Town had been Fuji's longtime residence.
And Cinnabar Island? That was Blaine's territory. Fuji and Blaine were close friends, and both had defected from Team Rocket. It wasn't far-fetched to think they might team up.
After all, Blaine was an old Fire-type Elite Four member, and publicly still served as the Gym Leader of Cinnabar Island. He had some connections within the League.
"Well, this might get a little tricky."
Lucas rested his chin on his hand and thought for a moment.
Kanto was quite a big place. Finding Fuji wouldn't be easy.
But even without Giovanni's request, Lucas had no intention of letting Fuji go.
The complete research data on Mewtwo!
That was just too tempting.
One fossilized Mew DNA, enhanced with high-quality genetic material from many Pokémon, had produced Mewtwo—arguably stronger than Mew itself.
Sure, it was a miracle of coincidence.
But who said miracles only happened once?
Now that the Mewtwo Project had a successful precedent, with enough experience and resources, what if Lucas could create a version even stronger than the original?
Mewtwo 2.0?
There was even a canonical variation in one of the spin-off games—Shadow Mewtwo!
From Pokkén Tournament, it was a form of Mewtwo corrupted and transformed by the Shadow Synergy Stone.
"If I could fuse Mew's genes with those of more legendaries, what kind of overwhelmingly powerful Pokémon would be born?"
Lucas licked his lips subtly, even startled by the madness of his own idea.
His heartbeat quickened.
But the thought refused to fade—Mew's DNA plus exceptional Pokémon DNA had already created Mewtwo.
What if he got a full strand of Mew's genes?
And then added fragments from Eternatus, Dialga, Yveltal, Hoopa…?
What kind of monster would be born from that?
Lucas's throat went dry at the thought.
But he quickly suppressed his excitement. It was still just a wild hypothesis. Getting legendary genes was a whole different level of difficulty.
And even if he had them, could he really make another Mewtwo?
Let alone his ideal, perfect 2.0 version...
Still, he'd already marked Fuji as a target. He had to try.
Even if it didn't result in Mewtwo 2.0, even a version 1.5 would be more than worth it!
"Yeah, it's a bit troublesome. That's why I want to ask you to handle it personally. Just treat it like an all-expenses-paid vacation."
Giovanni smiled calmly and raised his wine glass.
If he knew what Lucas was planning—a Mewtwo 2.0—he'd probably lose it on the spot.
Seriously? A 2.0?
You think Mewtwos grow on trees? It took all of Team Rocket's effort just to make one, and here you are already plotting the upgraded version!
"You really know how to phrase things, Boss." Lucas rolled his eyes. He made it sound like a pleasure trip when it was clearly a high-stakes mission.
Still, it was clear Giovanni trusted him deeply.
"Haha~ This is a serious matter. Once Mewtwo is fully developed, I'll let you see it yourself."
Giovanni took a sip of wine. Though Fuji's betrayal had left him furious, the thought of Mewtwo nearing completion cheered him up.
Mewtwo—meant to surpass Mew.
It showed just how high Giovanni's hopes were. After all, this was an artificial legend born from science!
He had created a miracle.
Creating a legendary Pokémon by human hands—that was the power of science!
Sure, newly created Mewtwo might not rival those ancient legendaries who'd lived for millennia…
But its potential was undeniable. A Mewtwo that could Mega Evolve was absolutely top-tier.
"Then I really do want to see this Mewtwo you hold in such high regard."
Lucas raised an eyebrow with a meaningful smile.
This world was unique. Genetics and cloning were at the cutting edge.
Mewtwo's birth was indeed a miracle—but one built on scientific foundations.
And Team Rocket wasn't the only one to pull this off.
In the distant Unova region, Team Plasma's Colress had also revived and upgraded Genesect using his unmatched intellect and technology.
While reviving an ancient Pokémon was easier than Team Rocket's full genetic cloning, it still showcased Colress's brilliance.
The red Genesect leader in the movie could even go toe-to-toe with Mega Mewtwo Y for a while!
Of course, Lucas had no interest in studying such things himself. In his eyes, true power came from within and from top-tier legendary Pokémon.
He wouldn't chase shadows. Let Giovanni obsess over building Mewtwo.
He? He already had Eternatus!
And besides, Giovanni's Mewtwo might not even obey him. Meanwhile, his precious Toxic Dragon was loyal, easy to feed, and packed a punch!
If anything, Lucas would rather take a trip to Unova's Dragonspiral Tower. Who knows? He might be chosen by Reshiram or Zekrom!
He didn't think he was inferior to N, who was basically brainwashed by Ghetsis.
And now that he had Eternatus following him, there was no place he didn't have the courage to go!
Ultra Megalopolis's Necrozma, the Giant Chasm's Kyurem, the Sky Pillar's Rayquaza…
Aren't those far more exciting than Mewtwo?
(End of Chapter)