"The facilities and manpower are all settled. Now all that remains is the Pokémon genes."
Dr. Fuji gave a silent nod, then turned his gaze to Lucas and spoke in a low, steady voice.
The meaning behind his words was obvious—what he wanted was for Lucas to hurry up and obtain the Mew DNA. Without that most fundamental genetic material, their entire core project simply could not proceed in any meaningful way.
"I'll find the Mew gene as quickly as possible," Lucas replied, shaking his head slightly, "but for the time being, I need the two of you to analyze these samples first. See whether they might be compatible with Mew's DNA and, perhaps, incorporated into it."
As he spoke, Lucas took out several carefully preserved objects and placed them into Dr. Fuji's hands one by one.
"A fragment of Eternatus's claw. Some of Reshiram's fur. Several strands from Zacian's mane. And a piece of Genesect's claw."
Dr. Fuji raised an eyebrow, his expression full of doubt, but Lucas patiently explained each item in order.
Yes—what he was presenting to them were genetic samples belonging to legendary Pokémon.
The fur from Zacian, for example, had been acquired during a moment of opportunity: when Lucas had been tending to Zacian's injuries and spraying healing potion, he had casually plucked out a few strands and kept them for himself.
Hearing this, Colress's eyes flashed brightly behind his glasses, excitement surging through him. These were legendary genes—priceless, invaluable, and unimaginably rare!
"You… you intend to supplement Mewtwo's genome with the DNA of these Pokémon?"
Dr. Fuji's voice was deep, his brows knitting tightly together. Of the four, he only recognized Reshiram and Zacian by reputation, but regardless, it was undeniable: each sample originated from a legendary being.
"Lucas," Fuji said bluntly, "permit me to speak honestly. The genetic material of legendary Pokémon is overwhelmingly dominant and inherently volatile. Not all genes can be fused harmoniously with Mew's DNA. In fact, forcing such integration would almost certainly cause the Mew DNA to collapse entirely."
His tone grew heavier, more severe, as he went on: "Collapse is actually putting it mildly. The far more likely outcome is violent rejection—the genes could literally detonate at the cellular level."
Mew's DNA was, without question, incredibly adaptable and tolerant, but that did not mean one could recklessly mix in any random sequence, especially not from legendary beings, whose genes often carried destructive, uncontrollable power.
Fuji could hardly believe Lucas was bold—or perhaps reckless—enough to even suggest such a course of action. Did the young man not fear that the sample of Mew's DNA would simply shatter into nothingness?
Lucas, however, only smiled faintly. "That's exactly why I need the two of you to carefully test them first. Examine them. See if there's any chance of compatibility before we go further."
He had no intention of recklessly demanding they be spliced immediately. He understood well enough that greed without restraint would only invite disaster.
In truth, his intention right now was simple: give Fuji and Colress meaningful work for the time being, let them experiment with these samples, and—most importantly—lay the groundwork for what was to come.
After all, the creation of Mewtwo 2.0 was one of his greatest ambitions. Since he planned to pursue it, he would not be satisfied with anything less than surpassing Giovanni's first version.
Legendary DNA had to be tested, one by one. Sooner or later, surely one of them would prove to be a match.
And when that day came, when the second generation of Mewtwo finally emerged… imagine it! Left hand, unleashing Behemoth Blade! Right hand, roaring with Roar of Time! And perhaps even in the middle of battle, spreading its wings to strike with Oblivion Wing!
A force truly invincible!
Ahem. Of course, Lucas did not genuinely indulge too far in such fantasies. He knew better than anyone how dangerous it was to get carried away with such thoughts.
Still—if one of these legendary samples could indeed be merged successfully, then perhaps the resulting Mewtwo really could inherit a signature move of that legendary. Who could say for certain?
"This… I suppose I can try," Dr. Fuji finally conceded. Though he still frowned deeply, he gave a reluctant nod.
The original Mewtwo that Team Rocket had created—yes, it was a success, but also, to him, a bitter failure. After all, the consciousness that had been born was not his beloved little Amber.
This time, as they began the project anew, they could not simply replicate Rocket's old process step for step. Perhaps, just perhaps, incorporating genes from other legendaries might bring about a change.
And if so—then perhaps it could even be for the better.
"Excellent," Lucas said with a faint smile tugging at his lips. With Fuji's vast collection of research data and experimental notes from the original project, their work this time was on far more solid footing.
He stayed a while longer to discuss some technical details with Fuji. Then, leaving Colress behind to collaborate closely with him, Lucas excused himself.
-----------------------
Once outside the secret base, Green couldn't suppress her curiosity any longer. She glanced at him with wide eyes. "That 'Mewtwo Project' you were talking about… what is it, exactly? Are you seriously trying to create a Pokémon of your own?"
She hadn't understood everything, but the words "genes," "fusion," and "project" were enough for her to piece together the general picture.
"Yes," Lucas answered directly, without hesitation. "Mewtwo is what you'd call a man-made legendary. Team Rocket already succeeded once in creating one. Now, I intend to attempt to make another."
"…A man-made legendary?" Green froze, utterly dumbfounded.
Lucas, however, paid her no further attention. His brow furrowed as he thought silently to himself. Mew… what a headache you are going to be.
Where could he possibly find it?
The world was vast, and Mew's nature was famously playful and capricious. Who could predict where it might appear at any given time?
If it could be avoided, he did not want to march straight into the World Tree. Even assuming Mew was there—which it might not be—the World Tree's own defensive mechanisms were notoriously troublesome, aggressively targeting humans without mercy.
Yet if there were truly no other option, then he would have to brave that sacred place.
"Eternatus, Reshiram… can either of you sense where Mew might be?" he asked at last.
"…Nope. Can't feel a thing."
"…Same here," Reshiram admitted calmly. Eternatus had been blunt as always, and in truth, it didn't even really know what Mew was supposed to be. Reshiram, though aware of Mew's existence, had spent so long slumbering as a Light Stone that it had never interacted much with the mythical Pokémon.
"Tch. Troublesome." Lucas clicked his tongue. He wasn't surprised. The last time Eternatus had managed to sense Mew, it had been because the creature had wandered uncomfortably close, triggering its natural psychic sensitivity.
"All right," he finally said, shaking his head. "Enough for now. Let's get some rest."
He put the matter aside for the moment, speaking lightly to the two girls beside him.
But in truth… events in the Unova region had only just begun to ferment.
-----------
Far away, in the Galar region.
In Wyndon, atop the lofty Rose Tower, Chairman Rose sat calmly in his office. A cup of steaming coffee rested lightly in his hand as his eyes focused on the video playing across his computer screen.
The recording was not perfectly clear—taken from too great a distance—but it was still possible to recognize the figures it showed.
The imposing, terrifying form of Black Kyurem. The noble, razor-sharp majesty of the Sword Hero, Zacian.
These two legendary Pokémon were locked in furious battle. And below them loomed the vast, coiled body of none other than Eternatus.
Reshiram was there as well, radiant and magnificent, and astride its back sat a man clad entirely in white.
"…Heh. Things are getting quite out of hand, aren't they?"
A faint, knowing smile played across Rose's mature features.
"Chairman—that's him!" cried Oleana, standing beside him in her sleek professional attire. Her brows were furrowed, her tone seething with certainty. "That man… that's the one who broke into the Energy Plant before! I would recognize him even if he turned to ash!"
Her eyes burned with fury as they locked on the white-clad figure riding Reshiram. The details were blurred, but that all-white attire was unmistakable.
And besides—Eternatus was there as well. She hadn't forgotten. Eternatus had been stolen by this very man!
"Of course, Oleana," Rose said softly, nodding. "Though… you still seem to be carrying a grudge?"
"…Yes," Oleana admitted after a pause, biting her lip. "Eternatus was the culmination of all your careful preparation for Galar's future. And yet he… he stole it away!"
Her voice trembled with frustration—not only at him, but at herself. She had failed to protect Eternatus, failed even to resist. She could only watch helplessly as he claimed it as his own.
And worse—if Zacian had not intervened to shield Stow-on-Side, that city might have been wiped off the map entirely, with nothing more than a single command from that man!
Rose shook his head gently. "Oleana. How many times have I taught you? Whatever happens, you must remain calm. Never let your emotions govern your reason. For that will only open holes in your judgment."
His voice carried disappointment, but also patience.
Shamefaced, Oleana bowed her head. "…Forgive me, Chairman. I will remember."
Rose chuckled faintly. "There's no need to blame yourself. The loss of Eternatus was not your fault. The one who took it was… extraordinary."
His eyes returned to the screen. Black Kyurem had overwhelmed Zacian, but then, as Zacian suddenly counterattacked, Eternatus had soared upward into the night sky, unleashing a cataclysmic Eternamax.
"And now," Rose murmured, "he has even managed to subdue Reshiram in so short a time. Truly… this boy's future knows no bounds."
The man named Lucas Blackthorn. He had seized Eternatus, gained Reshiram's recognition, and was still growing.
"…If only such a person were a trainer of Galar," Rose said regretfully. "If he were, no matter his past, no matter his allegiance—I would cleanse his record and raise him up without hesitation."
For Rose, questions of morality or loyalty meant nothing compared to the prosperity of his region. Anything, absolutely anything, was acceptable, so long as it served Galar.
Oleana remained silent, but in her heart, she understood well enough what her Chairman was thinking.
"What of Leon? How has he reacted?" Rose asked suddenly.
"…He seems… unsettled," Oleana replied carefully. "Unable to accept it, I think. He's gone off to train alone."
When Rose had returned from Kanto, he had met with Leon immediately, explaining everything about Eternatus. But Leon had not taken it well.
Leon's disappointment was plain—disappointment that the man he had always respected, his Chairman, had secretly conspired to 'raise' such a dangerous creature.
Even though Lucas had since taken Eternatus away, Leon could not forgive Rose for keeping such plans hidden.
"He will come to understand," Rose said calmly, smiling once more. "Eternatus is not uncontrollable. Lucas has proven that. And Leon… Leon has the breadth of spirit to realize this eventually."
His gaze turned sharp. "Let us hope Kanto proves competent. Otherwise… with Lucas's rise, Team Rocket may become an opponent too great to suppress."
----------------
Meanwhile, in Indigo Plateau.
"This is the footage sent from Unova. Please, take a look."
Chairman Logi's tone was heavy as he showed the video to the Kanto Elite Four.
Such a powerful and seemingly uncontrollable trainer of legendaries—of course he was concerned.
The four Elites watched in silence. But soon, both Lorelei and Lance frowned slightly.
"…Lance?" Lorelei asked softly.
Lance's lips curved into a cold, almost savage smile. "…Yes. It's him."
"You know this trainer?" Logi asked at once. It was clear Lorelei and Lance both recognized the white-clad man upon Reshiram.
"…Lucas," Lance said evenly. "He's my cousin."
The revelation drew sharp looks from Lorelei, Agatha, and Bruno. Logi himself was momentarily taken aback, then his face lit faintly with cautious hope. If this boy was Lance's cousin, perhaps… perhaps they could be persuaded, drawn to their side.
The Blackthorn family truly did produce monsters. It had given them Lance—and now it had birthed another, equally terrifying prodigy.
But then, before he could savor the thought—
"…But he's also joined Team Rocket," Lorelei said grimly. "You all remember the new Rocket executive who appeared aboard the S.S. Anne? That was him."
Her face darkened further. She could scarcely believe that man—the same pestilent rat who worked with Team Rocket—had grown into a trainer of legends.
Logi's expression immediately soured. He knew of the Rocket executive, the one even stronger than Lorelei herself. But he hadn't known the man was Lance's cousin.
"…Why did you not report this sooner?" he demanded, frowning.
But as he looked closer—at Lorelei's scowl, at Lance's cold indifference—he suddenly understood.
Yes. Lorelei had already been sharply criticized by members of the Council for failing to stop the Team Rocket retreat. If it became known that the Team Rocket executive was Lance's own cousin, those fools in the Council would only have more ammunition, more venom to spit.
"…Hah." Logi sighed inwardly. The rift between the Council and the Elite Four was only deepening, despite all his efforts to mediate. And if things continued this way…
"…Since he is my cousin," Lance said at last, his smile twisting into something feral, "I'll be the one to defeat him."
He stared at the video of Lucas and his shining white dragon. His lips curled further, full of savage confidence.
So, it's true—you've won the recognition of the Dragon of Truth. Impressive. Truly worthy of being my kin. But no matter what… I will crush you.
For Lance had absolute faith in his Dragon Legion.
His dragons could fell gods themselves. That was the invincible will of Dragon Master Lance!
And besides… he had recently claimed a new, formidable dragon for his team.
(End of Chapter)