Chapter 50: Gold Coins Always Smell So Good

In the world of Pokémon, is there such a thing as a 'god'?

Ilene didn't really think so. She was an atheist and had no particular beliefs.

But she somewhat understood what the term 'god' represented.

For example, in Kanto, there are only two beings considered to be 'gods': the legendary large bird Pokémon Lugia and Ho-Oh!

Ho-Oh is revered as the 'Rainbow God' by its believers, while Lugia is called the 'Sea God.'

However, from Ilene's perspective, who did not believe in these beings, both Lugia and Ho-Oh were merely legendary Pokémon.

Of course, Lugia and Ho-Oh were far from ordinary legends because their powers far exceeded those of typical legendary Pokémon.

And the 'artificial gods' mentioned by Dr. Fuji, in other words, were artificial legends! But can legendary Pokémon really be artificially created?

"Grandpa Fuji, can you be more specific?" Dylan asked, trying to grasp the situation.

"Team Rocket somehow obtained Mew's genetic material and invited me to participate in the research. I… didn't refuse."

Dr. Fuji hesitated but eventually began to explain slowly.

Why not refuse? Team Rocket is a notorious evil organization!

Ilene was puzzled but guessed there must have been some special reason.

"We studied Mew's genetic material daily, attempting to recombine it and use cloning technology to merge it with other Pokémon."

"This gene technology didn't go smoothly at first, but later I tried adding genes from other excellent Pokémon to stabilize the recombined Mew genes, and then…"

Dr. Fuji's lips tightened, and his voice quivered slightly.

"The so-called 'miracle' was born. Team Rocket named it 'Mewtwo.'"

Recombinant Mew genes, combined with genes from other excellent Pokémon to fix the defects in the recombinant Mew genes, gave birth to a new legend!

Ilene was stunned! They really created an artificial legend? And it was made using Mew's genetic material.

"Incredible," Dylan remarked.

The so-called legendary Pokémon, according to official explanations, are key Pokémon in the legends of the Pokémon world.

Why are they legendary Pokémon? What is a legend?

Legends passed down through oral tradition, historical legends depicted in ancient ruins and murals, and mythical tales from ancient temples!

Legendary Pokémon often possess extremely powerful abilities and are very rare. Some are revered as gods or messengers in legends, some are considered creators or rulers of certain things in the world, and some have even caused great disasters in the past.

However, some legendary Pokémon were created by humans for specific purposes!

Mewtwo clearly falls into this category.

"But after Mewtwo was born, Team Rocket stopped hiding their ambitions. They injected a large amount of combat and war knowledge into the newly born Mewtwo."

Dr. Fuji's expression was pained. He had indeed joined Team Rocket's cloning experiment for some reason, but Mewtwo was his creation, his 'child,' so to speak.

He had put so much effort into creating Mewtwo, and it should have been perfect! Its creation shouldn't have been solely for Team Rocket's ambitions and desires.

"Mewtwo, born from recombined Mew genes, already had an incomplete soul. I gave it a new 'heart,' but Team Rocket is corrupting it!"

Listening to Dr. Fuji's words filled with hatred, Dylan remembered some things vaguely.

'Born from recombined Mew genes, it is said to have the most brutal heart among all Pokémon.'

'A Pokémon created from Mew's genes possesses unparalleled power and a violent soul.'

'A Pokémon created through genetic manipulation, although its body can be made by human scientific power, cannot have a gentle heart.'

These were the descriptions of Mewtwo in various Pokédexes across generations, highlighting Mewtwo's uniqueness.

"I tried to stop them, but I couldn't do anything. With the help of friends, I escaped from Team Rocket and took all the research materials on Mewtwo with me."

Dr. Fuji's tone was extremely weary. Mewtwo had already been born, and the next step was to adjust its bodily data while waiting for Mewtwo's self-awareness to fully awaken.

Team Rocket no longer allowed Dr. Fuji to have contact with Mewtwo, fully demonstrating their ruthless nature.

Understanding that staying with Team Rocket would only become more dangerous, Dr. Fuji left the research base with a fellow researcher.

"Do you remember where the lab that researched Mewtwo was located?"

Dylan pondered and asked Dr. Fuji.

"After I escaped with my friend, Team Rocket relocated Mewtwo," Dr. Fuji shook his head.

Dylan felt a bit regretful. If only they could steal Mewtwo before it fully awakened…

Perhaps they could deceive it, considering Mewtwo would still be quite confused and 'innocent' when it first woke up?

"Please don't blame yourself too much. This is not your fault," Dylan comforted Dr. Fuji.

In fact, Dr. Fuji was truly a kind-hearted person. Even in the movie "Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back," Dr. Fuji was not entirely motivated by personal desires.

He created Mewtwo for his prematurely deceased daughter, Amber.

Dr. Fuji smiled wryly and shook his head, but he felt much better after revealing this deeply hidden secret.

"Dylan, this matter…"

"Don't worry, Grandpa Fuji. We won't tell anyone else."

"Thank you," Dr. Fuji expressed his gratitude.

"Actually, I secretly left many memories in Mewtwo. I believe even Team Rocket can't completely turn it into a war machine."

Dr. Fuji said, hesitated for a moment, then took out two exquisite small beads from his pocket and handed them to Dylan.

"This is the power Mewtwo hasn't fully absorbed yet. Dylan, you are a very outstanding child. If you have the chance…"

After a final conversation with Dr. Fuji, the old man left. He wished to return to Lavender Town for a peaceful life.

Although he was unsure if Team Rocket would let him go so easily, Dr. Fuji was truly exhausted.

Watching Dr. Fuji's figure gradually disappear from view, Dylan looked at the two translucent beads in his hand, his eyes slightly glinting.

He recognized what they were!

"Meow~"

Dylan sighed, carefully storing the two beads.

"Meow~"

Suddenly, a melodious little meow sounded as a sleepy Clefairy poked its head out from Dylan's backpack.

"Are you hungry?"

"Meow~"

"Eat, play, sleep, and eat again. You'll get fat if you keep this up."

Dylan laughed while scolding, pulling the now slightly chubby Clefairy into his arms.

"Meow~ Meow~" Clefairy tilted its head as if it didn't understand, with a pure and innocent expression, trying to play innocent.

"Alright, alright, eat more. We'll head back to Rota soon."

Dylan had no choice but to give Clefairy some snacks and energy cubes. The little guy woke up just in time.

I wonder what expression it would have when it finds out it has a 'distant relative'?

Clefairy squinted its eyes, skillfully opening a can with its short hands, and then happily enjoyed the food. Its eating habits were very cute.

Though small, Clefairy's appetite was huge. To exaggerate, it could eat three pigs in one meal!

This led to Clefairy visibly growing in just over a week.

Dylan seriously suspected that if this continued, the little cat might one day be unable to move.

"Clefairy is really cute. Dylan, you seem to especially like it?"

Ilene curiously glanced at Dylan. She could sense Dylan's deep affection for Clefairy.

"I can't help it. I wanted to lure this kid in," Dylan said with a light smile. Clefairy in his arms was now eating with its mouth full, not sure if it heard their conversation.

Ilene blinked, feeling a bit mystified.

"Let's go back. Although this kid can go out, it shouldn't stay away for too long."

Mew isn't completely unable to leave the Tree of Beginning, but the time it can stay away is limited since Rota is also outside the Tree of Beginning.

This little guy has to return to the Tree of Beginning regularly as it's bound to it.

Speaking of which… there should be more than one Mew, right?

Dylan pondered. Based on the original story, it seems there isn't just one, but it's not absolute. Mew is also known for wandering around.

"?" Ilene looked puzzled. What does that mean?

"By the way, Dylan, you'll have your first apprentice tomorrow, right?"

"Yes, I asked Selene to come to the Gym tomorrow."

Speaking of this, Dylan thought for a moment and took out his phone to start editing a text message.

Who to send it to? Of course, to his dear old father, since his father happened to be in Alola.

Old Man's gold coins always smell so good!

(End of Chapter)