With Red around—
Ash directly shut down his own brain and chose to plug into External Brain: Red.
The principle was simple.
Just like when the two of them used to "share one brain" as kids.
If both Ash and Red tried to think at the same time—
This so-called plan would have a 99% chance of failing!
This was hard-earned wisdom Ash had gained from countless childhood conspiracies with Red to steal Blue's cake.
(Blue: Can you two at least try to be decent human beings?!)
The moment Ash disconnected from the "shared server," Red's mind began operating at high speed.
Plans rapidly formed, one after another.
Finally—
Under everyone's expectant gaze—
Red spoke.
"Ash, take this first."
He tossed over a circular patch-like device.
"This is something I found at Team Rocket's headquarters. It can resist the spacetime powers of Dialga and Palkia."
Ash's eyes sparkled as he stared at the device in his hand, full of hope.
"Can it turn Pikachu back from Pichu?"
Hearing that, Pichu nodded vigorously.
"Pichu-chu!"
That's my Trainer! Always thinking about me!
"Theoretically, no. It can only maintain a Pokémon's current state and prevent further de-evolution. Ash, I suggest you attach it to a Pokémon that can still fight."
Red's words instantly shattered both Ash and Pichu's expectations.
Ash's disappointment was visible to the naked eye.
Alternate-world Cynthia couldn't help but hug him.
"It's okay. Once we solve this, Pikachu will return."
She gently comforted him.
As for Cynthia—
She walked straight up to Red and extended her hand.
"Give it to me. I'll handle them."
Cynthia wasn't good with words.
But she was direct.
If you want to solve the problem—
You eliminate the source.
That way, Ash wouldn't have to remain dejected.
"Sorry. I only found two."
Red patted his Charizard beside him.
"Hmph."
Charizard exhaled white smoke, glancing sideways at Cynthia.
What? You want mine?
Cynthia froze slightly.
She couldn't possibly ask Ash to give up what Red had just handed him.
Besides—
She knew Ash would rather fight personally than rely on her to handle everything.
Fortunately, her usual icy expression betrayed nothing.
But alternate Cynthia wasn't about to miss the opportunity.
"Oh~ So proactive? Got some other motives there~?"
"..."
Staring at that glacier-like face, alternate Cynthia quickly lost interest.
Meanwhile—
Ash clenched the device in his hand.
Without hesitation, he threw a Poké Ball.
A flash of red light—
Charizard appeared on the field.
Before it could fully react—
Ash swiftly slapped the device onto its body.
"Charizard, I'm counting on you."
Charizard, who had been about to grumble, instantly fell silent.
"Roar."
"I know. You're the most reliable, Charizard."
One sentence—
And Ash's Charizard's nose practically pointed to the sky.
Only then did it notice Red—
And Red's Charizard.
Its body stiffened.
Oh no.
My showboating was seen by senior!
For Ash's Charizard, whose goal was to become the world's number one Charizard—
Red's Charizard was a mountain.
A destined rival.
A peak it must surpass.
But not today.
It might be reckless like its Trainer—
But it wasn't stupid.
"Since you're ready, let's go."
Red stepped toward the spacetime gate without hesitation.
Leaving only his back to the crowd—
He entered with his Charizard.
[Blue: As expected of the rival I acknowledge. Decisive as ever. Don't disappoint me this time.]
[Gary: Big Bro Blue, the only one who usually disappoints people is you, isn't it?]
[Blue: What are you talking about?! I'm extremely reliable! It's your bias!]
[Professor Oak: Well… from childhood until now, Red has indeed been more reliable. Of course, Blue has his moments too.]
[Leon: Truly brothers— even their Pokémon lineups are similar. Those two Charizard… "strong" doesn't even begin to describe them.]
[Raihan: A Charizard acknowledged by you, Leon? Now I'm curious.]
[Lorelei: Lance, why don't you go catch a Charizard too? Fire/Flying type, fits your Flying-type specialty. Stack enough buffs and maybe you'll finally become a true Dragon-type Elite Four.]
Lance: ???
Are we stacking buffs now?
Elsewhere — The World Tree, Kanto
At the summit of the World Tree—
Yellow stood facing Red.
Red's gaze lingered on Pikachu in front of her.
Yellow, meanwhile—
Was staring at Red's face.
Or more precisely—
His lips.
"Just kiss him already," Blue's words echoed in her mind.
Her face flushed red.
She desperately wanted to.
But she didn't dare.
"You've grown a lot, Yellow. Even your Pikachu has reached this level."
"Let's battle."
"I do!"
Lost in her fantasy, Yellow answered instinctively.
Then froze.
Red wasn't proposing!
Did that sound like she was agreeing to marriage?!
What if he accepted?!
What would she wear to the wedding?!
"Charizard, Flamethrower!"
Red clearly hadn't heard her slip.
Flustered, Yellow hurriedly commanded Pikachu to dodge.
In the distance, Blue felt like she had taken critical damage.
Can someone send a love expert? She desperately wanted to improve!
In frustration, she flicked Blue on the forehead.
It's all your fault!
If not for your bad luck rubbing off on me, I'd have succeeded already!
Back to the Main Scene
"Cynthia, Miss Cynthia, and… the other me—wait here. I'll be back."
Ash prepared to step into the spacetime gate—
But a pair of arms wrapped around him from behind.
Soft as jade.
Fragrant like bamboo.
"Do your best. If you succeed… big sister will give you a reward."
Alternate Cynthia leaned close and winked.
Just one sentence.
One gesture.
And Ash's heart pounded uncontrollably.
She's way too good at this!
Cynthia nearly exploded from rage—
Yet had no outlet.
In the end, she only sighed.
Maybe after returning to her own world, she'd sort out her feelings.
Perhaps…
It was time to break the chains in her heart.
Just as she gathered courage—
Alternate Cynthia winked at her.
All her emotions instantly dissipated.
"Ash… do your best. I'll be waiting."
"See you all. I'll be back."
Without turning back—
Ash stepped into the spacetime gate with his Charizard.
The Sky Beyond
The moment he entered—
The light curtain's image shifted.
The bright sky was swallowed by darkness.
Within that void—
Blue and magenta lights intertwined.
Two massive figures were bound high above—
Dialga and Palkia—
Wrapped in crimson chains.
After Ash entered—
Red had already been waiting.
This was their first true cooperation.
Fighting side by side.
"Ash. Any thoughts?"
"…I don't know."
Seeing the chained figures—
Ash's voice grew heavy.
The red chains reminded him of someone.
Cyrus.
A madman who claimed to save the world—
Yet sought its destruction.
These crimson chains—
Had to be his doing.
"I didn't expect you to actually dare enter. Seems we underestimated you."
The alternate Team Rocket trio reappeared.
But this time—
They weren't alone.
Behind them stood a dense army.
Elite Team Rocket members in black "R" uniforms.
Team Aqua in blue.
Team Magma in red.
Team Plasma.
Team Galactic.
All assembled.
With numbers on their side, the trio regained their arrogance—
Forgetting how they'd just been roasted by Red's Charizard.
They had gathered every villainous organization.
Lose?
More likely someone would lose Dou Dizhu with seventeen cards in hand!
"We are the successors of Boss Giovanni's 'Rainbow' will!"
"The vanguard of the new world!"
"The advantage is ours!"
"How could we lose?!"
"Surrender now. Maybe Boss Giovanni will spare you."
"He cherishes talent! Might even let you join the glorious 'Rainbow' Plan! Meow~"
Ash and Red exchanged a glance.
Caution filled their eyes.
"Big Bro Red. What are our odds?"
"Fifty-fifty. Stay sharp."
Musashi sneered.
"Did you hear that? He says fifty-fifty?"
"Everyone—show them what we've got!"
Five minutes? That's generous.
"Attack!"
Poké Balls flew open.
Mightyena.
Crobat.
Rhyperior.
A sea of villain-favorite Pokémon flooded the battlefield.
Chaotic.
Overwhelming.
Menacing.
Red turned to Ash.
"You know what to do."
"Same as when we were kids?"
"Of course. Half each."
Facing an army—
Neither showed tension.
Only blazing fighting spirit.
Their Charizard locked eyes.
"Roar!" Race you. First to clear their side wins.
"Roar!" You're on. Don't cry if you lose!
They bumped fists.
Flames surged from their nostrils.
Before an army of thousands—
They felt no fear.
Battle?
Awesome.
"Ash! Show them Charizard's true power! Mega Evolve!"
"Yes, Big Bro Red!"
"Don't give them a chance! All of you—attack!"
Fear surged into Musashi's heart.
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
She panicked.
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