Most of Mewtwo's resentment came from a lack of a sense of belonging. He didn't consider himself a Pokémon, nor did he consider himself human. He lacked an identity.
He could be called a prodigy who was born knowledgeable — understanding many things the moment he came into existence — yet, having received no education or guidance, he couldn't comprehend the world. Deep inside, he felt lost… or perhaps fearful of this strange world.
He had no mother, no family, no friends. Everything around him was unfamiliar.
That's why Mewtwo, during this period, was extremely sensitive.
Even a small provocation could set him off.
Even after the events of Mewtwo Strikes Back, he was still confused. He believed that he and the other clones weren't meant to exist in this world — that they were beings unaccepted by it.
In the end, Mewtwo was just a newborn — barely a few minutes old. No matter how mature he appeared, he was still a child. A precocious, sensitive, lost child — one who lacked a sense of belonging.
Being born with knowledge is one thing; understanding it is something else entirely.
Although Yamcha twisted a few concepts in his explanation, in a sense, he wasn't wrong — and as long as it helped, it was enough.
What Mewtwo lacked was a sense of belonging.
So Yamcha gave him that!
"Then… who is my mother? And who is my father?"
"Your mother is Mew. Your father is humanity. You are a fusion of human and Pokémon. You are Mewtwo! You are a new lifeform! A being just like me, existing in this world! You are one of a kind!"
"You've already been born — that's a fact. So why not enjoy life?"
"Searching for the meaning behind your birth is meaningless. You're already here. What you should do is give your existence meaning."
"I…"
To be honest, Mewtwo was already starting to believe Yamcha's heartfelt speech.
Newborn Mewtwo was highly impressionable.
"You make a good point... but it's not complete!"
A rich, magnetic voice suddenly interrupted their conversation — a voice that carried an uncanny charisma, drawing trust almost involuntarily.
A figure walked out from the firelight. Hands in his pockets, chin held high — as if nothing in the world could faze him.
It was the middle-aged man from the helicopter. At his feet was his Persian, which began to tremble instinctively upon seeing Mewtwo.
"Human… who are you?" Mewtwo tilted his head, looking at the man.
The man casually returned Persian to its Pokéball and introduced himself to Yamcha and Mewtwo:
"You may call me Giovanni."
Mewtwo nodded. Thanks to Yamcha's prior conversation, his emotions had calmed. He was no longer as aggressive as when he destroyed the laboratory.
"Then Giovanni… what did you mean just now?"
The moment Mewtwo addressed him by name, it showed he had accepted what Yamcha said — and, in a way, accepted himself.
"There's still something missing. Something very important."
"What is it?!"
Mewtwo asked curiously.
"Desire."
As Giovanni spoke that word, he looked at Yamcha. Seeing Yamcha remain silent, he continued.
"Whether Pokémon or human — as long as it's a living being, it has desires!"
"So, Mewtwo… what do you desire? What is your dream? What kind of future do you envision?"
"Future? Dreams? Desires?"
"I… don't know."
Mewtwo looked down at his hands. He didn't know how to respond to Giovanni's question.
How could a newborn child know what they want from life? Even many adults struggle to answer such a question.
Suddenly, a little girl's image flashed through Mewtwo's mind… followed by the vision of a lake. He saw himself underwater, with a pink Pokémon gliding past him.
What were those? Mewtwo couldn't remember. They felt familiar — and yet, deeply foreign.
Maybe that… was his dream?
Hearing Mewtwo's answer, Giovanni's lips curled into a satisfied smile.
"Then… would you two be interested in joining my organization?"
"You may already be strong. You may even be stronger than Mew. You might be standing at the very pinnacle of this world — but you're not truly invincible."
"This world still hides monsters far more terrifying, buried deeper in the shadows…"
"But you — you're different. You can cooperate with humans."
Giovanni stood there like a skilled orator, his voice rising and falling with passion. He extended his right hand toward Mewtwo. Mewtwo didn't understand the gesture, but vaguely remembered the researchers doing something similar. He looked down at his hands, confused.
But Giovanni remained undeterred. Rather than awkwardly withdrawing, he used his left hand to hold his right — and continued with even more conviction:
"The union of humans and Pokémon is an eternal truth of this world!"
"With your power, and my intellect, together we'll be the strongest force in existence!"
"No matter what your dream is, if we unite — we can make it happen."
"I have a dream!"
He spoke with no shame in his ambition — his naked desire so blatant that even Mewtwo, a newborn, could sense it.
Yet his words were strangely compelling. Simple phrases, but from his mouth, they stirred hope.
"Come! Join me! Join Team Rocket!"
"Together, let's become kings of the world!"
Giovanni extended his offer.
Not just to Mewtwo — but to Yamcha as well.
He didn't know who Yamcha was or where he came from, but the fact he stood there unharmed in front of Mewtwo was proof enough that he was worth recruiting.
Join Team Rocket? Yamcha thought. Didn't I just join the Red Ribbon Army? Now Team Rocket's boss is inviting me? Do I have some kind of magnet for villain organizations? What's next — joining Frieza's army?
But what are the benefits of joining Team Rocket?
With their influence over Kanto and Johto, he could quickly gain access to massive resources. Their technology was second only to the Pokémon League, and many top scientists worked for them. It would be incredibly convenient for any research he wanted to do.
From any angle, it seemed like a win-win.
So…
"Sorry. I refuse."
"It's not about what you learn or how random it all seems. Everything in each world serves a purpose. The truth will be revealed soon."
(End of Chapter)