Rory didn't know what was in his legs as he practically flew on his legs. He didn't even realize that he had arrived at Pallet town until he found himself bursting through the front door of Professor Cedar's lab as if fired from a cannon, cradling the unconscious Mew in his arms. His heart pounded with urgency and worry as he ran into the main research area where Professor Cedar was engrossed in his studies while drinking from a mug of tea.
"Professor Cedar!" Rory shouted, his voice echoing through the quiet lab.
Startled, Professor Cedar practically dropped the tea onto his desk flooding it with tea destroying all the papers on it. His eyes widened in shock and disbelief as he saw what Rory was carrying. For a moment, his breath caught in his throat, and his eyes flickered with a mix of astonishment and disbelief. "Is that…Is that…can…what…could…it…can this…possibly be…Mew?" he stammered, standing up so quickly he knocked his chair over.
Rory nodded frantically, approaching the table. "Yes, it's Mew! Aoki and I found it. It's hurt and needs help."
Overcome with emotion, Professor Cedar reached out a trembling hand to touch the mythical Pokémon, his lifelong dream of encountering such a creature suddenly realized. The weight of the moment overwhelmed him, and he momentarily passed out, slumping against the table.
"Professor!" Rory cried out in alarm, juggling the Pokémon and his attempt to steady the professor.
A few seconds later, Professor Cedar blinked his eyes open, shaking his head as if to clear it. "I'm sorry," he murmured, quickly regaining his composure. "Let's…let's focus on Mew." His voice was now steady, the initial shock giving way to a professional resolve.
Carefully, Rory laid Mew down on a padded examination table equipped with various medical instruments and monitors. Professor Cedar, now back to a fully composed scientist, began a meticulous examination of Mew's injuries as he applied a scanning device to assess internal damage, and administered a mild pain relief formula via a small syringe.
As he worked, his hands were steady, but his voice betrayed his awe. "To think, the real Mew…the real-life Mew…The alleged first Pokémon Arceus himself made…is here in my lab. It's extraordinary. We must do everything we can to save it."
Rory watched anxiously, hovering at the edge of the table, ready to assist. "What happened to it?" he asked.
"It's difficult to say without more tests, but it appears Mew has suffered from both physical trauma and exhaustion," Professor Cedar explained, his eyes never leaving Mew. "It's likely been fleeing from something—or someone."
Rory felt a surge of protectiveness. "We found it in the forest, being chased by a Nidoqueen."
"That explains the injuries then," Professor Cedar nodded, continuing his treatment. "Mew is a powerful Pokémon, but even the strongest can be overwhelmed when tired or outnumbered. But a Nidoqueen doing this is quite simply preposterous."
He administered another round of treatments, focusing on healing the more severe wounds. As he worked, the lab's monitors beeped softly, providing real-time data on Mew's condition. Gradually, the mythical Pokémon's breathing steadied, and a gentle glow began to emanate from its body—a sign of its innate healing abilities kicking in.
After a tense half an hour, Professor Cedar stepped back, a sigh of relief escaping his lips. "Mew should recover, thanks to your quick actions, Rory."
Rory let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "Thank you, Professor."
Professor Cedar smiled warmly, patting Rory on the shoulder. "You did well today, not just as a trainer, but as a guardian of Pokémon. Mew chose to reveal itself to you and Aoki for a reason. Stay with it, Rory. Its journey—and yours—may teach us both about the mysteries of these incredible creatures."