Cianwood City Docks.
A burly man in a Team Rocket uniform stood beside a small speedboat, puffing on a cigar and staring fiercely at the distant horizon. Dark clouds churned in the sky, black as ink, while streaks of silver lightning crawled across the heavens. Great waves crashed against the shore, sending spray over two meters high, a rhythmic shuo-shuo echoing through the gale.
Fine mist clung to the man's beard, dripping one by one onto the wooden planks of the pier.
"Boss Shizukawa, who are we actually waiting for? The Head of the Shadow Division sent us here in this weather just to pick up one person," a chubby Rocket member named Hanabi grumbled.
The white foam swirled around the dock. In the distance, torrential rain had turned the sky into a white void, slowly drifting toward them.
"Hanabi, the person coming is a Rocket Elite," Shizukawa said solemnly.
"Just an Elite? We've hosted plenty of Elites before. Do we really need this level of hospitality? We even repainted the speedboat and replaced half the parts!" Hanabi muttered under his breath.
"This Elite is highly favored by Leader Giovanni himself. Keep your mouth shut," Shizukawa glared. "It wouldn't be good if someone heard you."
"Got it, Boss," Hanabi smirked sheepishly.
"Someone's coming." Shizukawa heard footsteps. "Wait... the briefing said one person. Why are there three?"
Shizukawa frowned, scratching his head. He looked up to see a cloaked figure wearing a smiling-face mask. Behind him followed two other cloaked figures in black-and-white masks, walking in a bizarre, jerky fashion—like marionettes swaying on strings.
"Captain Shizukawa? Sorry for the trouble. I've apprehended two high-value fugitives wanted by the organization," the smiling mask emitted an electronically synthesized voice. "Since I've brought two extra, is the boat large enough?"
"No trouble at all, Elite Feng Che! Please, come aboard," Shizukawa said with a fawning smile. "But the weather is treacherous. If we set out now, there's a high risk of capsizing."
"True," Feng Che looked at the surging waves. "However, I'm in a hurry to return to Kanto. How about this: I'll find my own way back, and you deliver these two to Headquarters. I've already briefed the executives; they'll be under tight surveillance once they arrive."
"If Elite Feng Che doesn't mind," Shizukawa interjected quickly, "I have a small submarine in the hull. It's compact enough to be stored in a large-capacity storage device."
"Oh? Let's have a look."
Shizukawa pressed a switch on the speedboat. With a mechanical clank, a shark-shaped submarine—modeled after a Sharpedo—floated to the surface. It gleamed with a black, metallic luster, looking fierce and high-tech.
"This is a custom model from Hoenn's largest shipyard," Shizukawa explained eagerly. "It can navigate complex river systems and the open sea, withstanding pressure up to 100 atmospheres. It hits speeds of 225 km/h and features a built-in sonar and stun gun for underwater hunting. It's perfect for reaching Vermilion City."
"I checked the specs; three years ago, these went for three million. Given inflation, I'll give you five million," Feng Che said, handing Shizukawa an anonymous card. "Use the extra to treat the boys. And make sure those two reach HQ safely; Dr. Fuji is waiting for them."
"Don't worry, Elite! I'll see it done!"
Feng Che stepped into the Sharpedo sub and sealed the hatch. The propellers whirred, and the sleek machine dove beneath the waves.
Underwater.
Feng Che switched to auto-pilot. Five million was a steal for this. I'll make up the difference to Shizukawa next time I see him. Deep below, the ocean was calm, a stark contrast to the storm above. The sonar hummed, carving a path toward Kanto.
Team Rocket Laboratory.
Dr. Fuji looked frantically at the monitors. The infant Mewtwo (Subject 13) was looking incredibly frail.
"Doctor, all vitals are technically within range, but 13 is fading. Is it the nutrient solution?" an assistant asked.
"I've summoned Elite Feng Che back. He'll have a way," Fuji said, though his hands shook.
A guard ran in and whispered to Fuji. The doctor's face suddenly lit up. "Is it true? He caught the assassins who targeted my family?"
"Yes, Elite Feng Che caught them in Johto. They're being transported to HQ now."
Fuji felt a massive weight lift from his heart. Feng Che... he went to Johto for a mission and still took the time to hunt those monsters for me.
Giovanni's Office.
Giovanni was in a video conference with Sabrina, Lt. Surge, and Koga.
"Subject 13 is unstable. Whether Mewtwo can grow to completion is uncertain. Therefore, we must accelerate the Triple-Bird Project," Giovanni commanded.
"Moltres has been spotted at the Indigo Plateau, Articuno at the Seafoam Islands, and Zapdos at the Power Plant. Sabrina, you take Moltres. Koga, Articuno. Surge, Zapdos. Capture and tame them. They are our second path to a god."
"Yes, Leader!"
The Lab.
Feng Che burst through the doors, still in his travel gear. "Dr. Fuji, what happened?"
He used his psychic perception and saw a horrifying sight: the infant Mewtwo was emaciated, as if its own body were devouring itself.
"It started shortly after you left," Fuji explained breathlessly. "I suspect Mew's genetic data is insufficient, causing a 'cellular autophagy' effect. We've received reports of Mew appearing near Celadon City; I've already sent a task force to track it."
Feng Che reached out with his psychic energy to probe Mewtwo's condition. But the moment his energy touched the creature, he felt a terrifying sensation—it was like throwing a pebble into a bottomless abyss. Mewtwo's body was hungrily absorbing his psychic power.