"For my sake, just make a small sacrifice!"
A smile appeared at the corner of Ash's mouth.
Time seemed to freeze at that very moment.
For the first time, Pichu truly felt the flow of time—
why was it so slow?!
Damn it!
Once it recovered, it was definitely going to let Ash taste a Thunderbolt!
No—
Thunderbolt was way too lenient!
This time it would be Ten Million Volt Thunderbolt!
Fortunately, the alternate-world Ash didn't linger too long.
After a while, he returned Pichu to Ash.
"Please… help me save Pikachu."
"Of course! I'll definitely save everyone!"
Placing Pichu back into his pocket, Ash said firmly.
At this moment—
Even though the surroundings were so dark,
the alternate-world Ash could clearly feel the other him glowing.
That feeling filled him with longing.
Meanwhile, the two Cynthias leaning against the car watched this scene with great interest.
"Ash is really cute."
"I advise you not to set your sights on him. Ash is destined to be in a different world from you—and he belongs to me."
"That's not necessarily true~ You can come to my world, so of course I can go to yours."
Hearing this—
The smile on Cynthia's face immediately vanished.
So that's what you're thinking?!
In Cynthia's mind, the danger rating of the alternate Cynthia skyrocketed—
It even faintly surpassed Diantha!
This woman cannot be allowed to live!
Cynthia decided that once she returned, she would immediately establish a research institute for a Spatial Lock Project.
She had to completely cut off the possibility of her other self coming to their world!
All for the sake of world peace (Ash)!
Only after Ash finished comforting the other Ash did Cynthia walk over to them.
She took out the Adamant Orb and the Lustrous Orb from her pocket and spread them out in front of Ash.
"Ash, do you know how to use these two orbs?"
"Hey! Why didn't you ask me?! I was the one who gave you the idea in the first place!"
Seeing Cynthia bypass her and go straight to Ash,
alternate-world Cynthia was indignant.
Damn it! That's really too much!
Secretly playing mind games—what a nasty woman!
Ash paid no attention to the quarrel between the two Cynthias.
Instead, he reached out and took the two orbs from Cynthia's hand.
The Adamant Orb, symbolizing time, shimmered with a pale blue glow like diamonds.
The Lustrous Orb, symbolizing space, gleamed with a pearlescent magenta light.
The two orbs intertwined with each other.
Their radiance grew stronger and stronger.
Even the chaotic space-time energy around them gradually calmed down.
This scene was truly unbelievable.
After all—
When the orbs were in Cynthia's hands, they hadn't shone like this at all.
They were just two ordinary-looking orbs.
But in Ash's hands, it was as if they had been reborn.
Good grief—talk about blatant favoritism!
Or could it be that Ash really was Arceus's illegitimate child?!
[Flint]: I seriously suspect Ash isn't human! Or at least not a human's child!
[Elesa]: Wasn't that already confirmed long ago? Ash is basically a humanoid Pokémon!
I mean, have you ever seen a human use Aura Sphere?
[Wallace]: I don't think that's what Flint means. He's probably questioning Ash's true identity.
For example—maybe Delia picked him up somewhere, and he's actually Arceus's child left in the human world.
[Raihan]: Good grief—"My dad is Arceus," huh?
[Professor Juniper]: When you put it that way, it really is possible.
Being so loved by all Pokémon isn't something humans can normally do.
Even gods favor him—this hypothesis is scientifically sound.
[Delia]: While the idea that Ash is the Creation God's child makes me very happy,
Ash is my biological son. I carried him for ten months and gave birth to him.
Those theories are just theories—my eldest son can prove that.
[Red]: The situation you're talking about does not exist.
Ah… this.
Based on the audience's limited understanding of Red,
he wasn't the type to lie.
But then how were they supposed to explain all the absurd things happening around Ash?
Could it be that Ash was Arceus's reincarnation?
A fragment of the Creation God wandering the world?
Hiss—
That explanation actually sounded more convincing!
No wonder both the irritable twin gods of time and space, and even the mysterious Ho-Oh, valued Ash so highly.
Turns out… he was their boss!
No—wait!
That still didn't explain Ash's relationship with Zacian.
That didn't look like a superior–subordinate relationship at all.
It looked more like partners—
Or something even closer!
[Mewtwo]: There's no need for such speculation. Ash is not what you think he is. He is unique.
Unique?
[Ho-Oh]: Please do not blaspheme Arceus.
If Arceus's wrath were provoked, this world would not be able to bear it.
Ho-Oh?!
Even it came out?!
Now the audience's curiosity about Ash's identity skyrocketed.
But with two gods issuing warnings, no one dared to continue the discussion.
When "Arceus's wrath" was brought up,
who would still dare to poke that hornet's nest?!
Ash… just what secrets are you hiding?!
Back on Screen —
Two streams of light continuously burst forth from Ash's hands.
Under the influence of this light, the chaotic space-time energy gradually stabilized.
Once freed from the interference of space-time forces, everyone realized—
This was no longer the original Mount Coronet!
It was practically a gateway connecting unknown worlds!
The energies of time and space intertwined through the Adamant Orb and the Lustrous Orb in Ash's hands.
In front of him, they constructed a gigantic space-time passage!
Even without entering the world beyond the passage,
Ash immediately grasped the key issue at a glance!
Wasn't this the very place he had accidentally entered at the very beginning?!
It all matched up!
Everything finally made sense!
At this moment, Ash clearly realized—
What he had seen back then was a distress call from Dialga and Palkia!
This had to end—
As soon as possible!
"Who would've thought you'd actually find this place. You really deserve some praise~"
"But this is as far as you go!"
"Team Rocket is conducting business ahead! Unauthorized personnel forbidden! Meow~"
From the gigantic space-time gate, three figures slowly walked out.
Flashy armor, coupled with arrogant words—
"Team Rocket!"
Ash ground his teeth.
The Team Rocket of this world was nothing like the goofy trio he knew.
These people caused disasters the moment they acted!
The sudden appearance of Team Rocket instantly made the atmosphere even more tense.
"You're bad guys!"
Ash, Cynthia, and alternate-world Cynthia all turned around at the same time.
Under the gaze of the three, the alternate-world Ash shrank back slightly.
Ash was speechless.
That line was way too cute.
Zero intimidation value!
"Hahahaha! We're not bad guys!"
"We're Team Rocket! We're devils!"
"Meowth! Take them down! We absolutely can't let them interfere with Boss Giovanni's plan!"
The next moment—
Alternate-world Meowth bared its fangs and launched an attack on Ash and the others!
Right out of the gate—Dark Pulse!
Faced with such an attack, Ash and the others couldn't fight back at all—
They could only dodge Meowth's assaults!
With Pokémon banned, what could Trainers even do?!
Seeing this, the audience panicked!
Ash, what are you doing?!
Use your body to tank it!
You're a humanoid Pokémon!
Where's your Aura Sphere?!
As if responding to the audience's cries,
Ash tucked the two orbs into his chest, raised his hand—and hurled an Aura Sphere at alternate-world Meowth!
"Oh? A human using Pokémon moves? How interesting~"
Alternate-world Jessie's eyes lit up,
the look of someone who'd just found a rare specimen.
She immediately whispered to James beside her.
"This kid seems to have something special. Should we recommend him to the boss?
I think this ability would be perfect for conquering that 'Pal' world."
"What nonsense are you spouting?! If the boss takes a liking to this brat,
our promotion and raise plan will go straight down the drain!"
"You're right! Then this kid absolutely can't be left alive!"
"Meowth, stop playing around. Finish them."
After a brief discussion, alternate-world Jessie and James ultimately abandoned the idea of recruiting Ash.
Instead, they ordered Meowth to go all out!
Ash was still human after all.
Even though he could use Aura Sphere and possessed strength beyond ordinary Pokémon—
Alternate-world Meowth kept kiting him relentlessly.
When the enemy advances, retreat. When the enemy retreats, strike.
It gave Ash absolutely no chance!
Seeing how troublesome Ash was, alternate-world Jessie even summoned her second Pokémon.
The Fruit God—
Wobbuffet!
Counter, Mirror Coat, Counterattack.
A perfect hard counter to Ash.
Once Wobbuffet joined the battle, the situation instantly fell into a stalemate.
In the rear—
Alternate-world Ash trembled in fear, while Cynthia lowered her eyes in deep thought.
"How long does it take for Pokémon outside to devolve?"
"No idea. Could be ten minutes… could be a day."
Hearing this, Cynthia immediately prepared to summon her Garchomp.
However—
Before she could step forward to help, alternate-world Cynthia spoke up.
"Don't bother. If you summon Garchomp here, it'll turn into an egg in the next second."
"?"
Cynthia turned back in surprise.
Didn't this woman just say it would take at least ten minutes to devolve?!
"Hehe~ You believed whatever I said?
You're really frighteningly pure, my other self~"
Anger—so much anger!
Cynthia decided right then and there—
She was ranking this woman even above Diantha!
Truly vile!
"I don't need your concern. I won't just stand by and let them hurt Ash like this."
Ignoring her other self's warning, Cynthia insisted on stepping forward to help.
Alternate-world Cynthia's words couldn't shake her resolve.
She clenched her Poké Ball and walked toward Ash.
Seeing this—
Alternate-world Cynthia scratched her golden hair in frustration.
Maybe she had teased a bit too far.
Wasn't the other world's Cynthia way too easy to provoke?
If Garchomp really devolved, that would be troublesome.
Left with no choice, alternate-world Cynthia stepped forward and grabbed Cynthia's hand.
Facing her stubborn gaze, she could only speak in a soothing tone.
"Don't worry. Before coming here, I already called for backup. He'll be here soon."
As she said this, alternate-world Cynthia looked toward the distant sky.
Drawn by her gaze, Cynthia followed it as well.
Under the blazing sun in the distance—
A black silhouette was approaching, growing larger and larger.
Just by its outline alone, Cynthia already knew who it was.
That hero about to make his entrance—
Who else could it be?
[Lance]: It's Red! I'll never forget that silhouette—it's definitely Red!
[Leon]: Whoa, Champion Lance, that reaction's intense.
Did Red give you psychological trauma back in the day?
[Lorelei]: Is that even a question? When I fought Red, Lance lost miserably.
Not just beaten—he was stylishly beaten.
[Bruno]: Exactly. Back then, Lance was still insisting it wasn't a skill issue,
just that he was off his game. Then Red steamrolled him again. I laughed so hard.
[Lance]: You two shut up! Like you did any better!
You both got steamrolled just as hard—if I remember right, you lost even faster!
[Blue]: Hahaha, you guys are something else.
Whoever ends up as your boss—I don't even dare imagine how miserable their life would be.
[Chairman Damaraji]: Please don't misunderstand. Lance and the others don't have bad blood—
they're just close, that's all.
[Steven]: Close, yet constantly exposing each other's embarrassing history.
[Wallace]: Still better than you. You dropped the Champion title and just ran off.
[Alder]: I really envy you all. So many talented people—it's quite something.
[Mustard]: Tell me about it. Our places are practically suffering a talent drought.
If not for Leon holding things together, Galar might've fallen apart already.
Watching the two old men start lamenting again,
the audience collectively shook their heads.
You're talking as if you've got it so rough.
One of you has the strongest Champion, Leon.
The other is Unova, the so-called Dragon's homeland.
What exactly are you two complaining about?
Does Alola mean nothing?!
[Professor Kukui]: Alright, enough. You all have it better than me.
At least you're established Leagues. Alola just applied to join.
[Lusamine]: And? How did it go?
[Professor Kukui]:Bitter smile.jpg What else could it be?
At my current strength, I can't even pass Lance's trial.
Chairman Damaraji told me to go home and rest, regroup.
Looks like forming a League still depends on Ash.
[Ash]: Want me to talk to Professor Oak?
[Professor Oak]: Ahem—this isn't how you do favors!
You say it so openly, how am I supposed to pull strings?!
[Wallace]: Not a problem. We'll just pretend we didn't see anything.
[Flint]: Exactly. Whether it's the Trainer world or the research world,
no one wouldn't give you some face.
Back on Screen —
That blazing tail flame, that crimson figure like a blazing sun—
Who else could it be besides Ash's big brother, Red?!
Riding atop Charizard, Red descended like a meteor, landing in front of Ash and blocking the Ice Beam that was about to hit him.
Charizard waved its arm casually, utterly unfazed by alternate-world Meowth's attack.
"Damn it… who the hell are you supposed to be, meow~?"
Alternate-world Meowth was furious.
What was wrong with this human?
Why did he dare release his Pokémon?
Didn't he fear the chaotic space-time energy?
Facing Meowth's question, Red jumped down from Charizard's back.
He adjusted the cap that had been blown crooked by the wind.
Then, in a near-zero-degree tone, he said:
"I'm just a passing Trainer."
Before alternate-world Meowth could react—
Red extended his hand and pointed straight at the Team Rocket trio.
"Charizard. Use Flamethrower."
In the next instant—
Volcanic flames erupted from Charizard's mouth.
As one of Red's signature Pokémon, Charizard possessed power beyond imagination.
It held a near-unique record among all Pokémon—
A true mortal who had defeated Mewtwo, a first-tier legendary, with sheer strength.
Such power—
Even across the entire Trainer world, there was no equal.
Facing the overwhelming inferno—
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