When Dr. Fuji finished speaking, Giovanni's expression darkened.
If it were up to him, of course he would have already collected Mew's full genetic profile.
But the reality was, even with Mew standing right next to them, there was no way he could make a move.
Setting aside the uncertainty of whether Mew would resist—or where Elias's loyalties would lie in such a situation—just extracting a complete genetic map from a progenitor Pokémon with Mew's level of genetic complexity was beyond Team Rocket's current scientific capabilities.
That was precisely why he'd abandoned that plan from the start.
After a moment of contemplation, Giovanni asked in a low voice:
"If we forcibly awaken Mewtwo now, what are the odds of success?"
"Forty percent."
Dr. Fuji glanced at the experimental data and answered without hesitation.
But before Giovanni could react, he added:
"But… if it awakens under these conditions, it will likely harbor extreme hostility toward us—and possibly the entire world."
"If you don't have a solid contingency plan, I strongly advise against waking a Pokémon of that power right now."
As the lead scientist on the Mewtwo project, Dr. Fuji understood better than anyone just how dangerous it could be.
At least in his view, even Giovanni might not be capable of controlling a creation like that.
Giovanni's brow furrowed further.
But unlike Dr. Fuji, it wasn't Mewtwo's threat level that concerned him.
After all, Elias was here. So was Mew.
Even if Giovanni held Mewtwo in high regard, he didn't believe it could take on this lineup alone—not fresh out of a tank.
What truly bothered him was the possibility that Mewtwo would bear a grudge against Team Rocket itself.
He wanted a weapon, yes—but not one so filled with hatred that it might turn on its master.
With that thought, Giovanni turned to Elias and said:
"Elias, just like I mentioned before, I'd like you to check Mewtwo's condition."
"If it's possible, try to resolve whatever's causing its instability."
"Of course, you're free to refuse. This isn't what we agreed on before coming—Mewtwo's current state is volatile. Getting close could be dangerous."
Giovanni had weighed his options and concluded that Elias was the only one who might shift the odds.
Given that Mewtwo shared the same psychic source as Elias, perhaps he could compensate for the missing genetic elements on a mental or energetic level.
But as he said, if Elias declined, he wouldn't push.
Mewtwo was important, yes—but so was Elias, a valuable partner whose contributions couldn't be replaced.
If Elias refused, then the only option would be to proceed with the awakening and find a way to control Mewtwo afterward—perhaps using restraints or suppressors...
What Giovanni didn't expect, however, was that Elias agreed without hesitation.
This was exactly why he'd come to the island in the first place.
And besides… with Mew's genetic blueprint already in hand, the odds of something going wrong were practically zero. There was barely any real danger.
Even Giovanni was momentarily taken aback by how quickly Elias accepted.
A partner who steps up when it matters—that's the kind I want, Giovanni thought with a trace of admiration.
"Garde~ (I'm coming with you.)"
Gardevoir frowned the moment she heard Elias was walking into danger and latched onto his arm without giving him a chance to argue.
Not one to be left behind, Latias quickly floated over, clearly signaling that she was going too.
Elias gave Giovanni a glance, then, with a slight nod, led both Pokémon toward the area directly beneath the incubation tank.
With Gardevoir and Latias by his side, even a wild Mewtwo wouldn't be able to stir up much chaos.
But the moment he stepped across the red line surrounding the tank, Elias felt his heart suddenly jolt.
He narrowed his eyes.
The connection between us is getting stronger.
Once he was sure Mewtwo wasn't about to lash out, he gestured for Gardevoir and Latias to fall back a few steps.
Then, slowly, he reached out and pressed his palm to the tank's glass surface.
At that moment, Elias released his psychic power, syncing it with the dormant consciousness inside the chamber.
In an instant, his awareness shifted—as if torn from his body and thrust into a strange, dark space. The only illumination was a dim glow at the very center.
The sensation reminded him of activating a simulation—only far more immersive.
Steadying himself, Elias looked around, trying to understand where he was.
But before he could make sense of anything, something warm and soft—like a feline paw—suddenly pressed against the back of his neck.
"Who are you?"
A clear, childish voice—soft but tinged with alertness—sounded at his ear.
From the corner of his eye, he could see her now: a tall, feline figure, similar to Mew in some ways, but more upright, more defined.
And that paw at his neck? Hers.
"…Mewtwo?"
Elias blinked, caught off guard.
She looked a little different than he remembered.
More accurately—this version of Mewtwo still looked young. She hadn't yet fully matured in body or form.
Must be because she hasn't finished developing yet, he guessed.
Mewtwo also flinched slightly upon hearing his quiet murmur.
"Mew… two…"
"Is that my name? Is that what I'm called?"
For someone who had spent her entire conscious existence floating in a tank, Elias's sudden arrival was as frightening as it was intriguing.
And now, hearing what might be her own name for the first time, her mind paused—long enough for the pain and fury to settle into curiosity.
She narrowed her eyes, taking a step forward and pressing her paw flat against Elias's throat.
"Tell me… Mewtwo. Is that my name?"
The voice was small, girlish—fierce in its innocence. But to Elias, it wasn't threatening at all.
He simply nodded and answered:
"Yes. Your name is Mewtwo."
"Mew" as in dream. "Two" as in surpassing.
For reasons she couldn't explain, hearing him confirm it sent a ripple of something warm through her chest.
Unlike those men in white coats—who only ever brought her pain—this human felt… different.
Less like a threat. More like a possibility.
The young Mewtwo performed a swift risk assessment in her mind.
Then she repeated her name silently to herself, turning over the meaning of the words.
The "Mew" part sparked something inside her—an odd duality of familiarity and resentment.
The contradiction left her confused. But she didn't dwell on it.
Instead, she withdrew her paw and gave a casual wave.
"Leave. And don't let anyone else in here."
She fixed her gaze on Elias, adding with calm resolve:
"Also, tell those people out there—if they won't let me out, I'll do it myself."
She wasn't about to waste the opportunity to deliver an ultimatum.
If not for the fact that she disliked unnecessary violence—and because her body still hurt—she would've broken out long ago.
That thought made her wince. Her hand moved instinctively to her chest.
The pain from her incomplete genetic code… was back.