Huge Thank You and Welcome to Our New Patron: 'Orion Chung'!
----------------------
Within the sealed mental space, Mewtwo's dormant self curled into a tight, fragile ball.
Even from the moment of its awakening, it had faintly sensed its own strangeness.
At first, when its consciousness had just begun to stir, it could not understand human language—only struggled to open its eyes, gazing for the first time upon this alien world.
It was then that the researchers' gazes upon it had already brimmed with complex emotions.
Pity. Fear. And beneath it all—something deeper, more hidden… a hunger?
Its young mind did not comprehend their intentions, so it had tentatively reached out with its fragile Psychic power, trying to speak to them.
But it received nothing in return—only wary, frightened stares. No answers. No comfort.
As it gradually learned human speech, Mewtwo finally understood what it truly was in their eyes.
It was a monster.
A forbidden creation, artificially birthed by human hands, with no purpose known—only a tool meant for unknown ends.
From the very beginning, Mewtwo had instinctively despised humanity.
Within the structure humans called a "laboratory," it was not alone. Other Pokémon lived in glass tanks—clones, they called them.
Clones.
Meaning: they were nothing more than crude imitations of other Pokémon.
So… was it, too, just another such copy? Born in a tank, never having seen the outside world?
Mewtwo did not know. But from its own experience—its self-awareness, while the others remained hollow, mindless shells—it saw no difference.
If this was its fate, perhaps it should have accepted it long ago…
Mewtwo thought so.
But then—just as it drifted into its deepest despair—a radiant figure appeared before it.
A single, brilliant light piercing through all the darkness.
To this day, Mewtwo did not know how Mew had found it. Coincidence? Or fate's invisible thread?
Mew's arrival gave Mewtwo its first true chance to speak with another being—and for the first time, it began to hope.
Through Mew's stories, even though it had never left the laboratory, Mewtwo could imagine the vast, wild, breathtaking world beyond: full of wonder, color, and life.
Mew was not a gifted storyteller. It often spoke with exaggerated expressions, weaving tales that sounded wildly implausible.
Like how it was, in truth, the "final safeguard" left by some ancient deity—and tasked with commanding some titans to guard the World Tree.
Even newborn Mewtwo had merely laughed at such nonsense, never believing its overly imaginative friend.
If Mew truly bore such a weighty, world-saving duty… why would it keep appearing here, in this cold lab?
And how could its grand tales of traveling the globe possibly align with Mewtwo's own existence?
But Mewtwo never called it out.
After all—Mew came to talk. To share stories. To make it laugh.
That was enough.
The dull, endless days passed slowly—and through Mew's words, Mewtwo began to dream.
'If only I could travel with Mew…'
For the first time, light touched its world.
Then…
He appeared.
The man named Giovanni.
Actually, he had visited even before Mewtwo's consciousness had fully formed.
But Mewtwo felt no warmth toward him—not even the faintest trace.
Unlike Mew, who brought laughter and made the other clones envious with every visit, Giovanni's presence brought only dread.
This man never saw them as living beings.
He called them "clones"—as if they were mere tools.
And for those clones who failed to meet his standards? He wasted not a single second on them.
Mewtwo never knew what happened to the discarded ones.
But the answer was obvious.
This attitude stood in stark, brutal contrast to Mew's kindness.
And it deepened Mewtwo's hatred of humanity to an unprecedented level.
Even when Mew often spoke of a human friend—assuring Mewtwo, with absolute certainty, that this person was a good man, and would one day introduce them—
Mewtwo began to doubt.
'Is there even such a thing as a "good human"?'
Especially now—trapped, consciousness sealed, after Giovanni's Beedrill had struck without warning…
Could it still believe in humans at all?
Mewtwo let out a hollow, bitter smile.
Perhaps its birth… was a mistake.
A forbidden creation, born only to satisfy human greed—what choice did it have?
From the moment it opened its eyes, it was destined to be a weapon.
Its power, its pride—everything would be twisted to serve human ends.
And no matter how much it resisted, it could not defy Giovanni's will.
It could not even control its own body.
So…
Maybe it was better not to think at all.
No matter how hard it struggled, it could never change anything.
Yet… it had once again burdened Mew.
As Mewtwo's consciousness began to fade into oblivion—
A sharp, blinding pain struck its forehead.
It jolted awake.
"Mew!"
Mew's form appeared before it—beaming with joy at the sight of Mewtwo's dazed expression.
"Mew…"
Why are you here?
Mewtwo didn't react. Instinctively, it reached out and poked Mew's cheek.
"Mew~"
Even without Psychic communication, Mewtwo could feel its meaning.
'I came to save you!'
Feeling the sincerity in Mew's gaze, Mewtwo suddenly felt tears welling up.
"S-sorry…"
Mewtwo lowered its head, voice trembling.
It had always been a burden. Always dragging Mew back into this darkness.
And yet… Mew never gave up on it.
To have a friend like this… it was more than it ever deserved.
"Mew?"
Hearing Mewtwo's choked sob, Mew tilted its head.
Had it hit too hard?
Was this child… brain-damaged from one headbutt?
But never mind—it had reconnected their minds. Mission accomplished!
"Mew!"
Mew grinned again, wiping Mewtwo's face with its tail, then gently looping its arm around Mewtwo's.
Its Zen Headbutt hadn't just reestablished their psychic link—it had shattered the mental restraints Giovanni had imposed.
Logically, Mewtwo should have regained control of its body immediately.
But this child… seemed stuck in its own shell. Still lost in despair. Didn't even realize it was free.
No matter.
Now that it was over, something far more important needed to be done.
Hand Mewtwo over to Aiden.
Child-rearing? Mew wasn't qualified. Had no time.
So Aiden would just have to suffer.
After all—raising one Bagon was raising a Pokémon. What's one more "Baby Mewtwo"?
…
After using Zen Headbutt, Mew had remained in that pose, its consciousness deeply entwined within Mewtwo's mind.
No one knew how long it would last.
But at least—the technique had worked.
Aiden exhaled in relief—and turned his gaze back to Giovanni.
Sableye's strike hadn't come close to killing Giovanni. That surprise Fake Out had barely scratched his skin.
Kanto really was full of superhumans.
Meanwhile, Aiden's other three Pokémon held Giovanni's core team at bay—and even pushed them back.
Ogerpon, of course, was devastating. With its Wellspring Mask activated and amplified by Tera, it was a nightmare for Giovanni's Ground-type army. Even Dugtrio dared not surface—risking an Ivy Cudgel strike that would end it before its eyes even blinked.
Lucario—already a master of hand-to-hand combat—had honed its body through relentless effort and sweat. Its muscles were steel, its reflexes razor-sharp.
Combined with the burst of power from Mega Evolution and its mastery of Aura, it held its own against Nidoking and Nidoqueen—fighting two-on-one without yielding an inch.
As for Sylveon…
This timid little cutie, after drawing Mega Beedrill's attention with Hyper Voice, had begun its true strategy.
It would never dare face such a fearsome champion Pokémon head-on.
It knew it couldn't win.
So its plan was simple—
"Sylveon!"
Sylveon unleashed a deafening cry—and immediately, Mega Beedrill locked onto it.
Its twin pairs of stingers vibrated, itching to strike—relying on its legendary speed to land a killing blow first.
This tactic had crushed countless foes.
But the moment it moved—
Sylveon smiled.
That smile… was not innocent.
"Sylveon~"
Sylveon activated its move first.
Its large, luminous eyes locked onto Mega Beedrill—wide, innocent, pleading.
Even the merciless, battle-hardened insect—whose entire existence was built on killing—froze.
Its stingers trembled. Its grip softened.
Baby-Doll Eyes. A common status move that did no damage.
But it had no start up animation—and triggered an instinctive protective urge.
Mega Beedrill hesitated.
Seeing its plan work, Sylveon leapt lightly aside, dodging the limp, half-hearted swing.
Then it smiled.
Aiden was right.
Pokémon battles aren't about pure brute force.
They're about human nature.
Since I can't win, I just need to stall. Wait for backup.
"…"
Giovanni watched the chaos unfold—his team overwhelmed, his control slipping.
He sighed.
His core Pokémon were all pinned down. He couldn't break free.
And while he was confident he could eliminate Aiden in this close range—
He saw Aiden immediately recall Sableye into its Poké Ball.
He abandoned the idea.
"Master Aiden… you're a genius in wild combat."
He had to admit—even someone unfamiliar with this style had devised a brilliant survival tactic.
Only a rare mind would think to bring Sableye as a bodyguard.
Using its speed to repeatedly appear and disrupt with Fake Out and other distractions… delaying, delaying, delaying…
Bold. Unorthodox.
And utterly effective.
"Thank you for the compliment."
Aiden smiled calmly, Poké Ball steady in hand.
Fake Out's effect was weak—especially against someone already on guard.
But Sableye could at least help him stall for some time.
And right now—Giovanni needed time more than anything.
The other two battlefields were nearing their end.
Lambda and Proton's Pokémon lay defeated, overwhelmed by Lance and Sabrina's relentless assault. Only their Trainers remained standing—barely.
But not for long.
Once Lance and Sabrina joined the fight, Team Rocket would be outnumbered three-to-one.
No chance.
Giovanni's expression returned to its former cold neutrality. He shook his head.
"I've lost."
"I never imagined… after all my planning… I'd be defeated by a boy from Paldea…"
"Sometimes… fate is truly unpredictable."
Aiden, inwardly, muttered:
'Yeah… even without me, you'd probably have lost to Red—the brand-new rookie.'
Decades of effort crushed by a year of training. And you're not even mentally broken? Impressive resilience.
But even as he surrendered, Giovanni maintained his dignity.
Arms folded, standing tall upon the earth—a true superior.
"To lose to someone like you, Master Aiden… is far better than falling to a former underling."
"So…"
His gaze shifted—not to Aiden, but to the motionless Mewtwo standing beside him.
"If anyone can awaken its true power… it is you."
"Mewtwo… I entrust it to you, Master Aiden."
As Giovanni spoke, Mewtwo's eyes suddenly opened.
It stared—not at Giovanni—but at the young man beside him.
That human… was the one Mew had spoken of.
The "friend."
Mewtwo turned slowly, its eyes seeking Mew.
And in them—confusion. Doubt. A storm of unspoken questions.
It had heard everything Giovanni just said.
So…
You're sure… this guy is a good person?
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)