The island where Mewtwo had been created wasn't all that large—smaller, even, than the one where Latios usually lived in the Hoenn region.
But what it lacked in size, it made up for in secrecy. Not only was it far removed from the mainland, but a thick sea fog shrouded the area year-round. No wonder the League hadn't caught wind of anything all these years.
That said, there was a downside.
If something ever went wrong—if the experiment spiraled out of control—there was no way Giovanni or any of the Team Rocket higher-ups could get there in time.
Choosing this location for the experiment clearly came with both benefits and risks.
Before long, the helicopter touched down in a designated landing zone on the island, blades slowly winding to a halt.
As Elias helped Gardevoir and Latias disembark, the first thing that greeted them was a patrol of uniformed Rocket security personnel.
It was clear Giovanni had gone to great lengths to ensure the island's protection.
Noticing Elias eyeing the defensive presence with interest, Giovanni took the opportunity to explain:
"From the beginning of the island's construction, we built in heavy artillery and other defense systems."
"In addition, the place is staffed entirely by elite Team Rocket operatives, equipped with a full surveillance and defense network."
"Put it all together, and not even a Champion could walk in and out unscathed."
A faint smirk tugged at the corners of Giovanni's mouth.
Clearly, he had immense confidence in the security measures he'd personally overseen.
Elias gave a nod—he respected Team Rocket's capabilities.
But unfortunately...
Even forces strong enough to fend off a Champion wouldn't be able to contain what was already on this island.
Against a truly powerful Pokémon, human technology meant very little.
"Garde~"
As if reading his thoughts, Gardevoir gave a disdainful little toss of her head after hearing Giovanni's explanation.
Champions? Please. She could handle a few of those with her eyes closed—just let her unleash Gengar and be done with it.
Seeing her expression, Giovanni felt a moment of silent frustration.
To the average trainer, the title of Champion was a distant dream, something out of reach. Even top Gym Leaders might never get close.
The fact that he'd managed to assemble a force capable of rivaling a Champion with just artillery and Rocket personnel was already impressive.
But apparently, only Elias's Pokémon could react with such unbothered arrogance.
Guided by Giovanni's commentary, the group soon reached the island's heart: a massive laboratory.
The structure resembled a flattened cylinder, curved at the center, with far more guards stationed around it than anywhere else.
Clearly, this was the island's core.
"We're here."
Giovanni pressed his hand against a biometric scanner by the entrance.
After a rapid scan of his palm print, iris, and other biological data, the massive door slid open with a heavy thud.
Inside, the lab was bustling with white-coated researchers moving briskly through sterile corridors.
Only when they caught sight of Giovanni did they pause briefly, bowing in greeting before resuming their work.
The group was still on the outer edge of the building. Even so, past layers of metal supports, a massive cylindrical glass tank was visible in the distance.
The tank was filled with some sort of greenish fluid, glowing faintly as it sustained a curled, fetal form suspended within.
"That's the artificial Pokémon you mentioned?" Elias asked.
Giovanni nodded, eyes shining with an intensity rarely seen from him.
"Yes. That is my masterpiece. I named it Mewtwo. With the potential it holds, I believe it will surpass even Mew, its genetic source."
"What do you think? Is it to your liking?" he asked, almost teasingly.
"We'll see soon enough."
Elias didn't jump to conclusions based on what he already knew of Mewtwo.
Oddly enough, the moment he laid eyes on it, a strange sense of familiarity tugged at him.
It was almost like the bond he'd formed with Gardevoir over years of shared psychic resonance.
Could it be because of Mew?
Elias frowned slightly, wondering.
But as he stepped closer, the feeling only intensified—until he realized:
It had nothing to do with Mew.
It was his own psychic energy.
The reason Mewtwo felt so familiar... was because his own psychic power was flowing through its body.
"You used my psychic ability to create Mewtwo?" he asked Giovanni, narrowing his eyes.
Gardevoir and Latias had already sensed it too. Their gazes sharpened in unison.
Elias's psychic signature showing up in some unknown Pokémon? It was beyond suspicious.
Both of them were already considering whether they should destroy the entire place.
The only one secretly delighted by the revelation was Mew, trailing quietly behind them.
"Mew~!"
Watching Gardevoir's expression darken made Mew happier than she'd been in ages.
She was already daydreaming about Mewtwo waking up.
Wouldn't that completely humiliate Gardevoir?
The thought made her gleefully rub her little paws together as she stared at the tank with hopeful eyes.
Hurry up and hatch, darling. Mama's position depends on you!
Meanwhile, Giovanni showed no intention of dodging the question. He simply nodded in acknowledgment.
Seeing that, Elias felt a headache coming on.
In the original timeline, Mewtwo had gone straight to fighting Mew after it was born.
And now that he was involved too, would he be added to Mewtwo's hit list?
"Gardevoir, if Mewtwo doesn't behave, I want you to knock it flat. Got it?"
"Garde~!"
Gardevoir gave a proud pat to her chest—leave it to me.
Honestly, she'd been itching for a reason to get rid of this weird science project. If it wanted to pick a fight, she'd gladly oblige.
Soon, Elias and Giovanni arrived directly in front of the containment tank.
Not far away, an elderly man with glasses was frowning deeply as he studied a screen filled with data.
A circle of researchers in white coats stood around him.
"Dr. Fuji, how's the progress?" Giovanni asked as he stepped forward.
"Hm?"
Dr. Fuji blinked in surprise at Giovanni's voice, but quickly shook his head and replied:
"We're at a critical point, but Mewtwo's biological readings have been extremely unstable lately."
"From what we can tell, it's due to an incomplete genetic profile. It's in constant pain—every second of every day."
"If this continues, we're likely to lose control of the experiment. I strongly recommend you find Mew's full genetic sequence as soon as possible. Otherwise, we won't be able to proceed safely."