The island where wtwo 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 sothing ever went wrong—if the experint spiraled out of control—there was no way Giovanni or any of the Team Rocket higher-ups could get there in ti.
Choosing this location for the experint clearly ca 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 uniford 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 imnse confidence in the security asures 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 ant 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 mont of silent frustration.
To the average trainer, the title of Champion was a distant dream, sothing 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 comntary, 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 biotric 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 tal supports, a massive cylindrical glass tank was visible in the distance.
The tank was filled with so sort of greenish fluid, glowing faintly as it sustained a curled, fetal form suspended within.
"That's the artificial Pokémon you ntioned?" Elias asked.
Giovanni nodded, eyes shining with an intensity rarely seen from him.
"Yes. That is my masterpiece. I nad it wtwo. With the potential it holds, I believe it will surpass even w, 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 wtwo.
Oddly enough, the mont he laid eyes on it, a strange sense of familiarity tugged at him.
It was almost like the bond he'd ford with Gardevoir over years of shared psychic resonance.
Could it be because of w?
Elias frowned slightly, wondering.
But as he stepped closer, the feeling only intensified—until he realized:
It had nothing to do with w.
It was his own psychic energy.
The reason wtwo felt so familiar... was because his own psychic power was flowing through its body.
"You used my psychic ability to create wtwo?" 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 so 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 w, trailing quietly behind them.
"w~!"
Watching Gardevoir's expression darken made w happier than she'd been in ages.
She was already daydreaming about wtwo 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!
anwhile, Giovanni showed no intention of dodging the question. He simply nodded in acknowledgnt.
Seeing that, Elias felt a headache coming on.
In the original tiline, wtwo had gone straight to fighting w after it was born.
And now that he was involved too, would he be added to wtwo's hit list?
"Gardevoir, if wtwo doesn't behave, I want you to knock it flat. Got it?"
"Garde~!"
Gardevoir gave a proud pat to her chest—leave it to .
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 containnt 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 wtwo's biological readings have been extrely 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 experint. I strongly recomnd you find w's full genetic sequence as soon as possible. Otherwise, we won't be able to proceed safely."
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