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Chapter 159 - Approaching Mewtwo
🕑 Added 2025-02-19 09:18:52 +0000 UTCChapter 159 - Approaching Mewtwo
New Island Base
Inside Professor Sam’s room—
A researcher who had come to visit was just about to leave when a Gardevoir suddenly appeared in the room.
"What the—?"
Before the researcher could react, Gardevoir’s eyes flashed blue.
In an instant, the researcher lost consciousness and collapsed onto the floor.
Gardevoir nodded toward Asahi, who stepped out from the side room, before returning to its Poké Ball.
Looking at the unconscious researcher, Professor Blaine’s expression was complicated. He turned to Asahi and said, "Are you really going now? …I can sense Mewtwo’s power growing stronger."
He felt that Asahi’s previous plan was already solid enough, and this new move seemed riskier.
Asahi shook his head.
"It’s precisely because Mewtwo is about to awaken that I need to act now."
Hearing this, Professor Blaine knew Asahi had made up his mind.
"If that’s what you’ve decided, I won’t argue."
With that, he helped Asahi move the unconscious researcher into the bathroom.
Watching Asahi efficiently bind the researcher, tape his mouth shut, and dump him into the bathtub, Professor Blaine’s eyelid twitched.
Just how many times has he done this to be this skilled?
Unaware of Professor Blaine’s thoughts, Asahi clapped his hands.
"All set. Keep an eye on this guy. Gardevoir’s Hypnosis will keep him out for at least 24 hours, but just in case—if he wakes up, zap him with this."
As he spoke, Asahi handed Professor Blaine a taser.
Watching the electric arcs crackle as Asahi flipped the switch, Professor Blaine glanced at the frail researcher in the bathtub.
Would this guy even survive a shock like that?
Asahi shoved the taser into Professor Blaine’s hand.
Then, he changed into a lab coat Sabrina had prepared for him, adjusted his appearance to match the unconscious researcher using an illusion, and pushed up a pair of non-prescription glasses.
"How do I look?" he asked.
Professor Blaine, seeing how flawless the disguise was, was genuinely surprised.
Given Asahi’s usual demeanor, he had expected some discrepancies in his impersonation.
But there were none.
Seeing Professor Blaine’s shock, Asahi smirked.
"You might not know this, but I’m a certified Pokémon researcher."
Originally, he had obtained that title just to sell his energy cube recipes and cover for his real identity.
But regardless of the reason, he was officially certified.
Professor Blaine struggled to reconcile that image with the Asahi he knew.
Wasting no time, Asahi adjusted his attire, ensured every detail was perfect, and stepped out.
Mew, now invisible, followed behind him.
At the door, he briefly exchanged glances with Green and Sabrina, both pretending to be passing by.
Then, acting hurried and focused, he walked briskly toward Team Rocket’s core zone.
---
Perhaps because the Mewtwo project was nearing its climax, security at the New Island base had become extremely tight.
But that wasn’t a problem for Asahi—he hadn’t spent the whole day wandering around aimlessly.
Dressed as a researcher, ID badge displayed, and moving with purpose, he easily passed through several checkpoints.
However, when he reached the final gate to the core zone, he was stopped.
"Per Giovanni’s latest orders, everyone entering the core zone must undergo a security check to prevent intruders," said a Team Rocket squad leader, eyeing Asahi carefully.
"Tch, what a hassle. Hurry up, I’m on a tight schedule," Asahi snapped impatiently.
Though his tone was rude, the Team Rocket members knew the researchers were critical to the project.
Despite their annoyance, they carried out the inspection.
As expected, they found nothing.
Thanks to Sabrina’s inside information, Asahi had known about this security measure in advance and had already stashed all his Poké Balls with Gengar in his shadow.
Once the check was complete, the squad leader stepped aside.
"Apologies. Please proceed."
"I told you it was a waste of time," Asahi muttered irritably, swiping his access card to enter the core zone.
The guards were left fuming but couldn’t say anything.
---
Core Zone – Mewtwo Project Site
As soon as Asahi entered, he was enveloped by a strong research atmosphere.
Scientists in lab coats stood at experiment stations or monitored data on screens, all fully absorbed in their work.
Something stirred within Asahi—his inner researcher’s spirit awakening.
His gaze landed on a mural depicting Mew on the wall.
Using telepathy, he teased Mew.
[That’s supposed to be you, right? Gotta say, it’s a bit abstract, but it’s definitely recognizable.]
[I heard this mural was excavated along with one of your eyelashes~]
Mew, flustered, pounded his head with its tiny fists.
[Mew!!]
Clearly, this mural was a dark chapter in its history.
Suppressing laughter, Asahi refocused.
His true objective was right in the center of the lab.
Inside a massive cylindrical tank, Mewtwo lay curled up, its body covered in wires and tubes.
Even through the glass, its overwhelming presence was palpable.
Keeping his composure, Asahi seamlessly blended in, pretending to analyze data.
[Mew, can you sense Mewtwo’s current state? When will it awaken?]
Mew studied its larger counterpart before responding.
[Mew…]
Asahi raised an eyebrow.
[It’s missing something?]
Just then, an idea struck him.
[Mew, can you… provoke Mewtwo a little?]
A moment later, alarms blared throughout the lab.
It wasn’t that the research lab’s instruments detected Mew’s presence—Mewtwo itself had instinctively reacted to Mew’s aura.
On the monitoring screens, Mewtwo’s vital signs spiked rapidly, throwing the research team into a frenzy.
“Mewtwo’s psychic fluctuations are unstable!”
“Its heart rate is rising sharply! Genetic instability detected!”
“The final step isn’t complete yet! It’s not time for Mewtwo to wake up—inject the stabilizer, now!”
After a chaotic scramble, it took a full ten standard units of stabilizer before Mewtwo finally calmed down.
“What caused this?”
“Should we inform Giovanni and delay Mewtwo’s awakening?”
“You do it if you want—I’m not going.”
As the researchers debated, Dr. Fuji, the current lead of the Mewtwo Project, frowned.
“Quiet, all of you!”
They had come so far in their research—an unknown anomaly at this stage was the last thing he wanted to see.
He carefully examined Mewtwo’s data on the screen but found nothing out of the ordinary.
This sudden outburst had no apparent trigger, leaving him completely baffled.
While Dr. Fuji was deep in thought, Asahi seized the opportunity to speak.
“Dr. Fuji, if we’re dealing with an unknown factor, why not ask Professor Blaine?”
“When I visited him earlier, he mentioned that Mewtwo’s cells had invaded his arm. He has a subtle connection with Mewtwo now. If we bring him here, he might help us figure out the cause of Mewtwo’s reaction.”
The moment "Kusakawa" (Asahi’s alias) mentioned Professor Blaine, the lab fell silent.
That’s right—many of them had visited Professor Blaine before.
Why hadn’t they thought of this?
“Kusakawa, you’re quick-witted as always.”
“But there’s a problem—Professor Blaine left Team Rocket. Would he even be willing to help?”
Dr. Fuji also pondered this as he heard "Kusakawa" mention his old colleague.
Asahi simply smiled.
“Professor Blaine may have betrayed Team Rocket, but the Mewtwo cells in his arm are draining his life force.”
“Helping with the Mewtwo Project might give him a way to fix that—I doubt he’d refuse.”
Hearing this, Dr. Fuji finally made his decision.
He called Giovanni.
[Mewtwo just experienced an abnormal fluctuation, and I can’t determine the cause.]
[Professor Blaine was one of the original researchers on the project—he might provide insight.]
[Yes, that’s correct. I need Professor Blaine’s help.]
---
Five minutes later
Two Team Rocket grunts escorted Professor Sam into the core lab.
Upon entering, he glanced at Asahi from behind his sunglasses, almost imperceptibly.
Mew, following Asahi’s cue, connected them via telepathic communication.
[Crimson Island Riddle Master: What’s going on?]
He had barely arrived when he was suddenly dragged here.
He had a strong suspicion that Asahi was involved.
As expected—
[GardevoirIsNumberOne: Mewtwo acted up, so I suggested you come handle it… I was thinking of you, you know. With both Mewtwo and Mew here, this is the perfect chance to fix your arm.]
[I even took a risk by having Mew provoke Mewtwo just to create this opportunity. Moved yet?]
Professor Blaine was very moved—yeah, right!
He had his suspicions, but he hadn’t expected Asahi to actually be the one behind this.
And there was no way Asahi was being selfless—he clearly needed help with something.
Despite his internal complaints, Professor Sam kept a straight face, adjusted his sunglasses, and turned to Dr. Fuji.
“What happened?”
Dr. Fuji briefly explained the situation and displayed Mewtwo’s fluctuating vitals.
Since Professor Blaine already knew Mewtwo’s reaction had been caused by Asahi, he didn’t pay much attention to the data.
Instead, he asked Asahi telepathically:
[What exactly do you want?]
[I need to get close to Mewtwo.]
Professor Blaine sighed internally.
He was already on this crazy ride with Asahi—there was no turning back now.
After briefly examining the data, he spoke.
“The Mewtwo cells in my arm allow me to sense Mewtwo’s condition. I can try, but I need to observe it up close—and I’ll need two assistants.”
The Team Rocket grunts escorting him hesitated, exchanging glances.
They were only assigned to guard Professor Blaine—not to decide whether he could approach Mewtwo.
Dr. Fuji, however, solved the issue for them.
“Let him. If anything happens, I’ll take responsibility.”
From his perspective, Professor Blaine had no Pokémon and was inside the most secure lab in the base.
Nothing could possibly go wrong.
Solving Mewtwo’s instability was the priority.
With permission granted, Professor Blaine took a document in hand and scanned the lab.
Then he chose one of his former Team Rocket subordinates—and Asahi.
“You two, assist me.”
---
