You know, this episode holds a very dear place in my heart, because it was the one story I was proudest with when I concluded my comic adaptation of it. See, a few years back, I wanted to see if the "Pokémon" plotline would work well in a daily comic strip, and I adapted a lot of the stories seen on the TV show. This one went through a few alterations, though.
It started off pretty much the same way as the first movie, with Mewtwo being cloned and realizing that he wasn't created with a purpose. So he breaks out of the lab and sets off to find a place where he can be respected and have a reason for being. He lands in the Viridian Forest, where Jessie and James con him into coming back to the Rocket base with them. Giovanni invites Mewtwo to work at the gym for him, and gives him the armor and everything. At this point, the POV of the story switches to Ash and the others. When Ash learns that Gary got beaten by the Viridian Gym Leader's mysterious Pokémon, Ash charges in and demands a battle. Here's the biggest change - he actually challenges Giovanni HIMSELF to the battle. Giovanni sends out Mewtwo, and when it becomes obvious that Pikachu can't take such abuse, Ash sends out Charizard. Naturally, the thing is asleep, but one attack from Mewtwo awakens him and gets him steaming mad. So Charizard hits Mewtwo with a Fire Spin that heats up his titanium armor to the point where Mewtwo passes out. Ash leaves with his Earth Badge, and Giovanni sends Mewtwo back to its training area - until Mewtwo learns that Giovanni is only manipulating him for gym battles and takes off again.
What do you think?