"Mewtwo, MEGA evolve!"
With Ash's command, the azure light burst forth from the Pokeball into the sky.
In the next moment, the MEGA evolved Mewtwo appeared before everyone.
Its form became more petite than before, yet the originally unfathomable psychic pressure now climbed to an entirely new height.
To know, Mewtwo's current strength had already reached the limits of Divine Realm Advanced.
And by relying on this MEGA evolution, it barely stepped into the threshold of Divine Domain Peak.
Even though it merely touched the edge, this was already enough.
Ash's gaze fell on the two Space-Time Gods on the opposite that had hollow, vacant eyes.
Dialga and Palkia, though they were indeed Divine Domain Peak.
But now they were in a controlled, irrational state, their strength greatly compromised.
A Legendary Beast that lost total reason can only mechanically execute orders; its combat power pales compared to a beast that can adapt.
By this calculation, this battle isn't without a chance of victory!
Moreover…
Ash's sight subtly shifted away from the Space-Time Gods and focused on Cyrus, standing at the far back.
His true aim was never to defeat those two Legendary Beasts.
Those two were innocent. If they could somehow take Cyrus down, they'd win this battle!
Though it's somewhat dishonorable to attack the Trainer while beasts are under control.
But facing a madman like Cyrus, who wants to destroy the whole world, Ash won't adhere to any code of honor.
However, Cyrus's attention wasn't on Ash at all.
His eyes were fixed firmly on Giratina beside Ash.
In his gaze, there was a hint of irrepressible fervor, like a hunter who finally sees his long-desired prey.
Slowly, he crouched down, gently placing the Lustrous Globe and Adamant Orb at his feet.
Then, from his embrace, he took out a third orb.
It was a completely white orb, coursing with a faint dark glow across its surface.
Giratina's pupils shrank sharply.
That orb, it was all too familiar — the Griseous Orb!
It was its own exclusive item!
"Return to me," Cyrus spoke coldly, clutching the Griseous Orb, "Giratina."
The words fell, and a peculiar power surged out from the orb, enveloping Giratina's body.
It was the method Team Galactic used back then to subdue Giratina.
Misty and the others felt their hearts leap to their throats.
If even Giratina got controlled, they were truly done for.
However.
The bizarre power shattered like crashing into an invisible barrier upon touching Giratina's body!
Giratina's gaze remained clear, showing no signs of manipulation.
Cyrus's brow furrowed sharply.
"What's going on?"
At this very moment, Mewtwo, having completed its MEGA evolution, snorted coldly before telepathically delivering its voice into Cyrus's mind.
'Did you think we'd be unprepared against you?' Mewtwo's tone was full of mockery, 'Your Griseous Orb can indeed locate Giratina's position; we can't prevent that.'
'However, I have long isolated Giratina's core with my power; as long as the isolation remains, He will never be controlled by any external force again.'
Ash's lips curled into a subtle smile.
This move was their long-planned countermeasure.
Since realizing Cyrus had been targeting him, Ash and his companions had continuously prepared for this moment.
Not only Cyrus can hide unexpected cards.
To guard against Cyrus's control over Giratina via the Griseous Orb, Mewtwo specially infused Giratina's core with a layer of his psychic power.
As long as Cyrus couldn't break through the core's shield from Mewtwo, he wouldn't control Giratina with the Griseous Orb.
Of course, this came at a price.
Giratina lost some power due to Mewtwo's infusion into his core.
But compared to being controlled by Cyrus, becoming an accomplice to world destruction, losing some strength was trivial.
Cyrus squinted, reassessing Ash with a trace of wariness.
"You young boy, really, there's more to you than meets the eye, covering even this."
Ash remained silent, gazing calmly at him.
"Enough then."
Cyrus stood slowly, reclaiming the ineffective Griseous Orb.
"In that case, let's see the true strength through battle."
He abruptly swung his hand.
"Dialga, Palkia, attack!"
The Space-Time Gods rumbled in response to the command, their massive forms charging toward Ash.
Dialga's chest diamond flared brightly, releasing a beam of energy twisting time flow.
Palkia spread its arms, with space-tearing currents forming in its palms.
The two gods simultaneously struck, the fearsome pressure causing the entire Chaos Space to tremble.
"Mewtwo, Giratina, block them!"
Ash immediately commanded.
MEGA Mewtwo floated up, enveloped in a heavy psychic shield, intercepting Dialga's time beam.
Giratina spread its wings, becoming a shadow as it faced Palkia.
"Pikachu, Lucario, Gardevoir, assist and be ready to support!"
"Pika!"
"Raar!"
"Shana!"
The three Pokemon responded in chorus, closely watching the battle unfold.
Ash's eyes, while directing the battle, kept glancing toward Cyrus at the rear.
His goal stayed the same — take down Cyrus.
Once Cyrus fell, the control over the Space-Time Gods would naturally be lifted, resolving the crisis.
But a lingering anxiety kept gnawing at Ash's heart.
Would a cunning man like Cyrus expose his back without any defenses?
Could that man truly be foolish enough to leave no means of self-preservation?
Perhaps… it wasn't that simple.
In the boundless and dimensionless void, four Legendary Beasts collided fiercely, the mere ripples felt like they could blow Misty and the others away.
Ash casually waved a hand, a blue barrier emerging, covering Misty and the others.
Gardevoir's eyes gleamed with blue, layering additional protection on the barrier.
Now at Champion Advanced Level, while direct Divine Domain attacks were beyond her defense.
Yet shielding against Divine Domain's residual force was manageable with her aura.
Combined with Ash's Aura Barrier, the duo of powers should keep Misty and friends safe in this space.
With Misty and the others secured, Ash flashed into action; a blue Aura Sphere coalesced in his hand, confronting Cyrus head-on!
The Aura Sphere emanated a terrifying pressure, formidable even to Divine Domain Advanced!
However, facing the sudden arrival of Ash, Cyrus displayed only slight surprise without a hint of panic.
Ash unerringly pressed the Aura Sphere downwards.
"Boom!!!"
A deafening explosion sounded, shrouding the two figures in smoke.
Misty clutched Togepi tightly, "Did it succeed?"
As the smoke slowly dispersed, everyone's focus converged, witnessing Ash behind Cyrus, his formidable attack ineffective!
"H-How could this be?" Serena gasped, covering her lips, eyes full of disbelief.
Ash turned slowly, eyes filled with gloom, staring at Cyrus.
This man… indeed had hidden cards.