[Present Day: Kanto: Saffron City - 2:31 P.M.]

Knock knock.

"Come in," A low voice called. Misty took a deep breath, then opened the door. The investigator's office was generally organized and clean, with the exception of his desk, which was covered with dishes and papers. The investigator himself looked up as Misty enter room. He had dark eyes and light hair, he nodded towards a chair in front of his desk, and Misty sat.

"I have an appointment," Misty said. He nodded once more, glancing over Misty. Her long hair was down and unkept. Her teal eyes were dull, red, and puffy; as if she had been crying. But the most noticeable thing about Misty was her stomach, which was bulging.

"Are far along are you?" He asked curiously, nodding towards her belly.

"Six months," Misty replied, setting a hand on her stomach, "They're due in three months."

"Ah," He replied, "Congratulations, ms..." He glanced down at a clipboard, "Ms. Ketchum," He finished. He looked back at Misty, "My name is Dawson, Caleb Dawson, and I have written down here that you are here to report about a missing person. Is that correct?"

Misty looked down, tears filling her eyes, "Yes," She whispered.

"Very well then, Ms. Ketchum, what is this person's name?" Dawson asked, pulling out a form from his desk drawer.

"Ash," Misty's voice was even quieter, "Ash Ketchum, my husband."

Dawson frowned a bit, glancing at Misty once more, "How long has he been missing?"

"Over a month," Misty said, and he raised an eyebrow in surprise, "At first I wasn't worried, he said he was going to visit his mother for a little while, but then he never called me," She explained, lowered her head, "After a week I finally called Delia, his mother, and she said he never showed up. She thought he had decided to stay home with me, since I'm pregnant. We tried to contact him in every way we knew, but we couldn't find him or contact him. No one he knew had seen him. He didn't leave any clue of where he could be. Then... then after about two weeks we found Pikachu."

"A Pikachu?" Dawson repeated, writing something on his form.

"His first Pokemon," Misty explained, "They are always with each other. That's when we got really worried, since we know he wouldn't try to go anywhere without Pikachu. Pikachu seemed very... disoriented when we found him. He also didn't have any idea of where his trainer could be. We contacted Officer Jenny once we knew that he could be in serious trouble, and she spend time working with us, but she couldn't find anything. So she sent me to you, and I scheduled an appointment as soon as possible, and... here we are now," Misty finished.

Dawson didn't reply at first, but just wrote a few more things on his form. Then he sighed, "How long have you and Ash known each other?"

Misty smiled slightly, "Since we were ten."

"Mmhmm," He said, "And what are your ages?"

"I'm twenty-one, and he's twenty-two," Misty replied, "We've been married for nearly four years."

"Four years," Dawson repeated, "If it's not too personal, why did you guys decide to have a child now?"

Misty frowned, "What does this have to do with Ash being missing?"

Dawson sighed, "I simply need to fully understand your relationship and his lifestyle. If you do not wish to answer these questions, then that is fine. But any information you can offer would help me immensely."

"It's fine," Misty said, "Ash was actually quite excited at the thought of raising a family, but... but I wasn't ready at first. We decided to wait a few years, until we both felt ready. He was so excited when we found out we were having a baby, and I was as well. It wasn't until I was four months along that I found out that we're having twins, and I- I- I didn't know how to take the news. I knew he would be excited, but I held back that information from him. I was going to tell him that it was twins, then- then-" Misty sniffed, "Now he's gone."

Dawson closed his eyes, "Ms. Ketchum, I believe I know what happened to your husband," Misty jerked her head up in surprise.

"That quickly?" She muttered.

"Misty, I have... worked on very similar cases, and it wasn't that hard to draw a conclusion," He gave her a gentle smile, "Misty... men are... strange creatures, I suppose," He began, "And often times we may seem very happy about something, but on the inside, we are... well, scared."

Misty's eyes narrowed.

"And eventually, we are faced with something we can't handle, and we do the natural thing: We run away from our problems," He looked Misty in the eye, "Fatherhood is a big responsibility, and well, sometimes people find that they are not mentally prepared for such things and-"

"No," Misty said, "He wouldn't-"

"And if that person finds out their spouse was keeping information back... Well, what would you do Misty?" Dawson asked.

Misty hands curled into fists, "I wouldn't run. I would talk it out," Her voice was tight.

He sighed, "Misty, the circumstances you described are just like many cases I have worked with. Take the news how you want, but I believe your has husband left you."

"No!" Misty stood up, "Ash wouldn't do that! He wouldn't do that to me, to our children!"

"Now I know this is hard for you to accept-"

"You don't know him! Ash is brave! He- he doesn't run away from problems, he doesn't run away at all!" Misty shouted.

"- But I have seen this happen many times before, and the responses you are giving are just like the many reactions I have gotten in the past-"

"What about his Pokemon? Pokemon is his life, he wouldn't leave them! He wouldn't just leave Pikachu!" Misty's voice rose to a scream.

"-And I am afraid you do not have any evidence of foul play. I have no more reason to continue this case Ms. Ketchum. I have another appointment at three, so I must ask you to leave. For your own sake, do not continue looking for your husband and delaying the inevitable. Accept the truth now and it will much easier to bare," Dawson finished.

Misty trembled, "You don't know him," She hissed, "Something happened to him, and you- you won't do anything!"

"Please shut the door behind you, Ms. Ketchum."

Misty couldn't take it anymore, she turned and storm out of the office, slamming the door so hard on the way out that it rattled on its hinges. She paused, panting heavily, "Why that little-"

"Pikachupi?" A small voice asked, and Misty's anger drained away. She turned to see a small yellow mouse looking up at her with big coppery eyes. Misty looked away.

"I'm... I'm sorry Pikachu," She whispered, "He... he didn't take the case. He said that- that Ash-" She sniffed, "That he left me. That- that Ash didn't want to be a father, so he left! That's what that little half-son of Giratina said!" She screamed, "He won't listen to me!" Suddenly Misty let out a sob, sinking to her knees, crying. Tears fell, "He won't listen to me! Ash is in trouble- and- and he won't do anything!" Misty's words became lost in a sea of tears.

Pikachu ran to Misty, giving her a huge hug. Misty embraced the electric type, shaking.

"Pikapi," Pikachu muttered softly, wondering where on earth his trainer could be.

[Two years earlier: Uninhabited part of Orre: North of Phenac City - 6:23 P.M.]

"Faster Charizard!" Ash yelled, and fire lizard dove, picking up speed. The scorching Orre sun beat down on them, but being a fire type, Charizard could handle the heat. They flew far above the desert landscape below. Up ahead Charizard could see a very strange mirage, a giant dome of purple and blue panels that glowed brightly in the sun. Charizard frowned though when the mirage didn't change as he came closer. It took him a minute to realize that it was no mirage, and he got sudden desire to turn around and flee.

Charizard paused mid flight, preparing to leave. This place was dangerous, he needed to get out of here. A sharp kick in his side jerked him out of his thoughts, "I know bud," Ash said, "I feel it too, but we need to keep going."

Charizard snorted, shaking his head. He couldn't stay here, he had to leave. The force was baring down on him, telling him to flee.

"Huh," Ash said, though his voice sounded forced, "I wonder what Charla will think when I tell her that her mate, who defeated Lance's Raikou, was too scared to fly towards some light," Ash taunted. Charizard's eyes widened, and he swallowed the strange feeling he was having, and he sped towards the dome.

Charizard and Ash were shaking by the time they reached the dome. The energy radiating from the dome screamed at them to turn back. Charizard was surprised once they reached it though, he didn't know what he was expecting the dome to be made of, but he didn't think of psychic energy. But all the panels of the dome looked like a Light Screen or a Reflect attack, but much stronger.

"We need to get inside," Ash said, and Charizard looked at his trainer like he was crazy, but he brought down his Dragon Claw attack down on the panels, but with a ping it bounced off, and the whole dome glowed brighter, "Let me try," Ash said.

Charizard turned himself, so Ash could reach the dome, but so he could still hover in the air. Ash's hands began to glow blue with his aura, and he gently pressed on the dome. He was able to slowly push his hand through, like the panels were made of jelly.

"Land Charizard," Ash ordered, taking his hands out, "But stay near the dome."

Charizard dove once more, but this time heading towards the sandy desert below. He opened his wings as they approached the ground, and he landed softly on the sand. Ash jumped off Charizard, kicking up some sand. They were about ten feet from psychic dome, and Ash jogged towards it. Charizard followed his trainer, not enjoying the feeling of the gritty sand catching between his scales.

Ash studied the dome, "Okay," He said, "If I use my aura, I can get in, but I won't be able to get you in too. So I want you to go back to Phenac City, wait there with Misty and Pikachu. I'll be back as soon as possible."

"Rah!?" Charizard cried, it had taken them nearly twenty minutes to fly here, the trip back would take Ash nearly a whole day walking.

Ash smiled, "Don't worry, if this works out I'll have a ride back. Don't wait for me- go!"

Charizard glared at the former Kanto Champion, then opened his wings, and leapt into the air. His flapping kicked up a good amount of sand, and he turned, heading back towards the desert city. Charizard flew faster than ever, like the energy from the dome was encouraging him to leave.

Ash took a deep breath, and his whole body became outlined in his blue aura. He stepped towards the dome, and he slide through the panels like a knife through butter.

Ash let out a gasp as he stumbled inside, falling to one knee. Using his aura drained him. He pushed himself back to his feet, looking around. Everything was still. No wind, no noise. The air seemed thick, and was hard to breath. Ash look a deep breath.

"Mewtwo!" He called, "I know you're in here!"

Silence.

"Mewtwo!" Ash yelled louder, "Answer me!"

You should not be here... Ash. A powerful voice echoed in his mind. Despite the force behind the voice, it sounded... weak.

Ash began hiking towards the center of the dome, "Well I don't freaking care," Ash replied, "You're my friend and I'm just not going to sit back and let you die!"

Death is something all must face one day. It is foolish to fear it.

Ash crested a sand dune, and he could see a pale purple shape lying in the sand below, "Mewtwo!" Ash cried, running towards the Pokemon.

I created this place far from Pokemon and human life so when I die no one would be hurt. But here you are, the human I most trust, in danger of me. You need to leave.

Ash approached the psychic type, laying a hand on Mewtwo. All the veins in his body were glowing, giving the Pokemon an eerie look in the dimness of the dome. "I'm not leaving until I help you," Ash replied, Mewtwo's skin was feverish, "There has to be something we can do!"

Ash... you have a good heart. You have always tried to help me, even when the end seemed near. But you must understand, I cannot survive what will happen next. My psychic energy is too strong, and my mortal body can no longer sustain that energy. I do not know when it will happen, but my body will be destroyed very soon.

"No! The scientists that made you wanted you to be a battler!" Ash yelled, "They wouldn't give you a weak body!"

Mewtwo chuckled. They thought in short term Ash. They wanted a powerful clone of Mew, but you know what Mew does best? Her talent is transforming, something no other Pokemon can do, except for evolution, which is still different. Her DNA- my DNA- is very unstable, which allows her change so easily. Many of the failed clones before me are a Pokemon you now know as Ditto, nothing but a blob that can shape shift.

"So?" Ash snapped, "That doesn't mean-"

Ash, listen to me. They increased Mew's psychic powers to make me the strongest psychic, but my DNA is still from Mew. I am made of unstable DNA Ash, DNA that Team Rocket attempted to strengthen it by adding DNA from other Pokemon, like Alakazam or Machamp, which explains why I look so different from Mew. Thanks to this change my body was able to support my powers for this long, but... But I am unnatural Ash. Nature wasn't meant to have powers such as mine, and now that same power is eating away at my body. I am going to die Ash. You cannot stop it, and neither can I.

"But-"

Once I die my psychic energy will be released, destroying everything in the area. That's why I made this dome- to keep other living things out so they won't be caught up in this psychic blast. I do not know how you were able to get through, or why your aura is able to line up with my powers, but that doesn't matter Ash. You need to get out of here.

Ash listened to Mewtwo's words, then he collapsed, "Then... then there is nothing I can do..." Ash muttered. Mewtwo hated hearing the broken tone in his voice, "I- I want to help you!"

Ash, thank you for everything. Mewtwo said, You've been an amazing- fr- friend- Agh!

"Mewtwo!" The genetic Pokemon's skin began to glow.

A-ash, get out of here! Mewtwo's voice sounded desperate. This dome will be able to contain the blast once I die, but I cannot protect anything within it! I don't have much lon-longer! Mewtwo let out a long and painful cry.

"N-no! I'm not leaving you Mewtwo," Ash said, "You can get through this!"

A-ash you kn-know I cannot. Mewtwo began to shake. But o-once more, T-thank yo-ou for sh-showing what thi-is world c-can off-offer me. Tha-thank you for letting m-me enjoy my l-life. Mewtwo writhed in pain, but he managed to raise one hand.

Ash gripped the three-fingered hand, "No, thank you Mewtwo."

Mewtwo's eyes began to glow, and Ash was surrounded in psychic energy. G-good bye Ash.

Ash then realized what Mewtwo was doing, "Mewtwo-!" But the energy collapsed in on Ash, teleporting him away.

Once Ash finished teleporting, he found himself in the middle of a small desert city, "-don't!" He screamed. Several people in the small city looked up at him in surprise at his sudden appearance, and gave him a strange look.

"No..." Ash whispered.

Suddenly a large boom! Echoed through the air. Ash went stiff as he turned towards the north- where Mewtwo was. The townspeople began to scream, and someone yelled, "Bomb!" Ash didn't move for a moment, then-

"Mewtwo!" He cried, shaking, "No... He's gone," Ash whispered, "He's gone."

[Twenty-four hours after Mewtwo's death, two years ago: Unknown location: East of Viridian City- 6:47 P.M.]

"Doctor Blaine," A deep voice, "It's been far too long."

The former fire gym leader nodded to the image on the screen, "Yes, it has been some time, Giovanni."

The screen flickered as the leader of Team Rocket smiled, "We need to talk Blaine."

"The answer is no, I have not located Mewtwo," Blaine said, "You know I no longer work in the science field."

Giovanni scowled, "That's not what I am asking for Blaine. Besides, we have found him, Blaine. But he's dead now."

Blaine frowned at the screen, "So you managed to destroy my perfect Pokemon. Do you know how long it took to properly clone the Mew fossil?"

"I was not the cause of his death Blaine. You were."

Blaine jerked his head up in surprise, "Me? I have not had any interaction with the creature since it destroyed the laboratory! That was over two decades ago! You are the one that's been trying to track it down since. Some of your attempts to capture it have done more harm than good," Blaine snorted, recalling the times Giovanni had contacted him when he was trying to recapture the mutant.

Giovanni folded his arms, "You did not properly stabilize the DNA of the Mew. The creature died because it's own psychic powers destroyed it's body. It's potential was halted by it's own body."

Blaine leaned back, "It's own powers, eh? Never thought of that... It's own powers rejecting its body," He shook his head, "Such a death would have detrimental effects. The release of so much psychic energy at once would be enough to... Well..."

"Leave a giant crater?" Giovanni asked, "Yes, we know. If you turn on the news right now you will be hearing about a potential bombing in Orre, just north of Phenac City. That is the remains of Project M2, Blaine."

Blaine blinked, then he chuckled a bit, "It's amazing. Sometimes you never see mistakes in projects until years later."

"But we have a problem Blaine," Giovanni continued, "I no longer have a powerful Pokemon to pursue. And I believe you've seen first hand what I am willing to do to get one," Giovanni focused his stare on Blaine, "I want to reboot Project M2 once more."

Blaine stared at Giovanni, "Again? After all the deaths last time? Besides, you don't have the resources! No more Mew fossil, the Pokemon Mansion Laboratory was destroyed along with the rest of Cinnabar Island after the volcanic eruption years back! And most importantly, you don't have me."

"Labs can be rebuilt," Giovanni said, "Scientists can be rehired. But you are correct, we don't have a fossil or your assistance, but I am sure that I can... convince you to rejoin efforts with us."

Blaine thought for a moment, "I suppose that I could be convinced, but the project cannot go forward without Mew's DNA. How do you plan on getting another fossil Giovanni?"

A cruel smile crossed his face, "Who said anything about a fossil, Blaine? Why a fossil when you could have Mew itself."

Blaine blinked once as he took this in, "But... But how would you do that Giovanni...? Mew never reveals itself to humans. It would be impossible to find!"

Giovanni stood up, "Mew doesn't reveal herself to most humans is correct, but 'never'? Not so much Blaine. If you read through history carefully, you'll see that there are some exceptions. Legendary Pokemon are powerful, but typically stay distanced from humans. But still they must have some form of contact with us. If we could find this form of contact..."

"... Then we could find Mew," Blaine finished, muttering, "But- but how to you locate this 'contact'? Where is it?"

"'Where' is a good question, but 'who' is a better one."

Blaine stared at his former boss, "You mean, that it is a person?!"

"Correct. One per generation, one person is selected by Mew to be her root to the human world. Typically this person will be down-to-earth, someone Mew can trust. Someone powerful and selfless, someone that can help Mew if she needs it, and someone she will be willing to help herself. If we can get this person, then we can get Mew. Then we can begin creating another clone, one with no errors. What do you say Blaine?" Giovanni looked at him.

Blaine looked at the screen for a moment, "Very well, Giovanni, I will join your team once more, assuming you provide the resources to complete this."

"Welcome aboard Blaine," Giovanni said.

"Sir... how will we locate this human though? This one chosen by Mew?" Blaine asked.

"'Chosen One'? What a very interesting choice of words Blaine. Very interesting indeed."