[Leon]: Hiss~ That sounded like breaking bones, right? Is Black Ash that ruthless?
[Cynthia]: It's only human. For example, Mr. Leon, if someone said in front of you that they wanted to strip your girlfriend of all her powers, capture her for a villainous organization, brainwash her, and turn her into a wicked person who commits all sorts of crimes... what would you think, Mr. Leon?
Leon thought for a moment. If that happened to Sonia… Fist clenches! The fist is hard! If it were really him, tearing that person to pieces wouldn't be enough to vent his anger! Being decent doesn't mean you can't get angry or lose your temper! If a situation like what Cynthia described really occurred, he couldn't guarantee he wouldn't send out his Charizard and hit the opponent with a Hyper Beam.
[Leon]: I understand that feeling. All I can say is… Black Ash did great!
[Sonia]: I'm curious, Leon, whose perspective are you putting yourself in?
[Leon]: Uh… this...
[Bruno]: Hey, that's not important. What's important is how satisfying it is to see Black Ash do this! When I watched White Ash, I wanted to push that woman Domino to the ground and pummel her!
It could be said this woman named Domino deserved eighty percent of the credit for the Clear Cliff Incident! Finding Mewtwo's location, locating the clone Pokémon, leading Team Rocket to Clear Cliff, even capturing the clones to threaten Mewtwo, etc… If not for the Rockets trio's steady efforts in the end, Team Rocket might have really succeeded because of this woman!
[Misty]: It's a pity our Ash lacks that kind of nerve!
[Brock]: Rather than lacking it, it's better to say the Ash in our world is too kind...
Too kind, so he can't do such things. Ash didn't refute this point. Even if he had Black Ash's abilities, he wouldn't be able to act like Black Ash. After all, their ways of thinking were different. Of course, as Cynthia said, Black Ash's approach wasn't wrong. When it comes to the safety of those close to you, smiling at the enemy is completely harmful to your loved ones! There's nothing wrong with kindness, but being too kind can sometimes backfire… This is… another flaw of mine! Ash sighed inwardly, resolving to change along with his other bad habits.
In a Black World —
Realizing he'd slightly crushed the bones in Domino's hand, Ash also pulled himself back from his rage. He relaxed his grip slightly and looked down at the woman who'd fainted beneath him, speechless for a moment. Seems… a bit excessive? No, compared to what this person wanted to do, his actions were child's play at worst. Moreover… this woman spoke such cruel words so smoothly, yet was so easily intimidated in the end? He'd leave her to Officer Jenny…
"Now it's your turn, Giovanni. Do you want me to escort you to the police station, or do you want Pikachu to escort you?"
Giovanni: …Damn! Is there any difference between those two choices?
"Ahem… Ash, how about we make a deal?"
"I have no interest in making deals with the leader of a villainous organization."
As he spoke, Ash gave Domino an extra chop to the neck, hitting a nerve. This would ensure… she wouldn't wake up for a while. Then he let go of Domino and looked indifferently at Giovanni, with no thoughts besides wanting him behind bars.
"Haha, shouldn't you hear my terms before drawing conclusions? Hear me out first… even if you send me to the police station, it will be useless. Because aside from the Kanto Elite Four, no one in the combined regions of Johto and Kanto can stop a full-scale assault by Team Rocket. When that time comes, I'll be broken out eventually."
Hearing this, Ash frowned. He analyzed it… and found Giovanni wasn't lying. Team Rocket was a massive criminal organization spanning the region. If not for the Kanto Elite Four—who were practically Champion-level Trainers guarding him in shifts—the League might not be able to hold Giovanni. But…
"Even if Team Rocket wants to rescue you, they'll have to pay a huge price, right? Like losing over fifty percent of their forces in Kanto or Johto?"
"You're right. Given my status, at least one Elite Four member would guard me, plus many mid- to low-level Trainers. So even if the Rockets go all out, rescuing me will cost them dearly." That included assets, Pokémon, cash, rare items, etc…
"That's why I'm proposing this deal to you… a one-on-one, formal duel between you and me. You win, I surrender willingly and announce the dissolution of Team Rocket! You lose… you join Team Rocket and obey my orders for at least a year. How about it?"
Ash: …
Hearing these terms, Ash fell silent. A one-on-one formal duel meant the Trainer couldn't intervene directly. If he won, Giovanni would disband Team Rocket. If Giovanni won, Ash would join Team Rocket… There was no doubt this was a huge gamble by Giovanni! Ash didn't know what state of mind Giovanni was in to make this bet. The terms were clearly unfair—trading the entire Team Rocket for one year of his service. But considering Giovanni was currently at his mercy, unfairness was normal. But…
"It sounds tempting. But why should I believe you, the leader of a villainous organization, would dutifully disband Team Rocket? Even if you choose to disband, can Team Rocket really be dissolved just by your words?" Ash wasn't seduced by the pie Giovanni drew; he analyzed it rationally.
"Hahaha, what a cautious kid! You can rest assured. But now, you hold the knife, and I'm the fish on the chopping block. What chance do I have to go back on my word? You can record what I'm saying now on video… I, Giovanni, swear that if I lose the subsequent battle, I will definitely disband Team Rocket and ensure over fifty percent of Team Rocket members are dismissed! Additionally, if you still don't trust me, I can first give you a map of Team Rocket's bases in Kanto. If I break my promise, you can contact the Kanto Elite Four and launch raids. Of course, there's a chance the maps are fake. But I, Giovanni, am not capable of such dishonesty… Alright, alright, I know you don't trust me. In that case… I'll give you this as collateral."
Seeing Ash's suspicious eyes, Giovanni shook his head helplessly and pressed a button on the airship. At this point, Giovanni no longer cared about Pikachu's threat. After proposing such a deal, what threat was there to mind? The worst outcome was arrest, but… Ash already knew the seriousness of that—one misstep, and the entire Kanto-Johto branch of Team Rocket would be up in arms! Not that Giovanni was boasting; he felt his charisma was considerable. Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many people, even Elite Four–level members, working for him…
With Giovanni's actions, a pedestal with a glass cover rose not far from Ash. Inside lay a brilliant gem shimmering with multicolored light. Ash glanced over casually, and the muscles on his face instantly twitched, though he suppressed it. The shock in his eyes was quickly concealed.
Giovanni didn't notice Ash's expression and began introducing the colorful orb. "This stone was found near Clear Cliff, which is why I believe the legends about Clear Cliff might be true. Because this colorful gem contains immense vitality! Although Team Rocket hasn't found a way to extract it yet, it's only a matter of time… This immense vitality can accomplish many things. Calling it priceless is no exaggeration. How about giving it to you as collateral now? You know, if I'm arrested, all Team Rocket assets will be confiscated, and you might not get this stone. But I'm giving it to you now, so it's yours."
Ash fell silent. If it were anything else, he would have refused without hesitation. Team Rocket's possessions were surely obtained through burning, killing, and looting. He didn't want them. They were tainted! But this colorful gem… its appearance and interior aura were identical to the Charizardite he'd encountered before! Only the color and size were slightly different. And Giovanni said he found it at Clear Cliff… so taking it should be fine, right? The ten-year-old boy thought a little greedily… Just scanning it with his Aura power revealed how much vitality this gem contained. This vitality's effect… was probably related to Charizard's Mega Evolution! Ash remembered when Charizard evolved before, it used a vast amount of Aura power as energy, finally evolving through willpower combined with the stone. The vitality in this gem… must be the power his Aura had substituted for! This was also why Ash coveted it so much, but he couldn't let Giovanni see. Otherwise, who knew what conditions he'd propose or if he'd change his mind…
"So… do you accept this bet?"
In the silence, Ash walked to the glass case and took out the colorful gem through the opening.
"I'll take it! If I win, you disband Team Rocket. If I lose, I join Team Rocket! Although I don't think I'll lose, let's be clear… I won't do evil deeds for you."
"Haha, your terms are really unfair! Joining Team Rocket and not even doing bad things?"
"So, do we have a bet?"
"Bet!!"
Giovanni said with a serious face, then began issuing orders to halt the operation and have the flagship land anywhere on Clear Cliff.
Was Giovanni crazy for accepting these unequal terms? No, he wasn't crazy. The value Ash himself possessed… was no less than that of the entire Team Rocket! Even if he didn't do evil for Team Rocket, just his mythical beast–comparable special abilities and his connection with Mewtwo were enough for Giovanni to make this huge gamble with him! Trading Team Rocket's future for one year of Ash's service!
[Lance]: Black Ash might have a misunderstanding about his own value.jpg!
[Cynthia]: That's right. Actually… even betting the entire Team Rocket against Ash himself is no comparison at all.
[Giovanni]: …That's true.
[Lance]: Oh? Would a shameless old thing like you ever admit the truth?
[Giovanni]: ???? I think you, the 'Flying King,' haven't been beaten in a while!
[Lance]: That's hilarious! If you have the guts, don't hide. Challenge me to a duel! Let's see who beats whom!
[Professor Sycamore]: Ahem… interrupting… Champion Cynthia, was the stone Giovanni just gave Ash a Key Stone?
[Cynthia]: Yes. It's the same as the Key Stone awarded to me in the live broadcast room. I think, based on Black Ash's gains… obtaining this Key Stone brings him greater benefit than disbanding Team Rocket.
[Professor Oak]: Correct. Having Team Rocket disband is for the greater good of the people and wild Pokémon. That Key Stone is a tangible item Black Ash can use.
One was a good thing for the public and even wild Pokémon; the other was a good thing for Black Ash himself! Don't think that just because Black Ash can now use Aura power with a Mega Stone to force evolution, it doesn't come at a great cost! It's known that the Key Stone contains immense vitality. For a Pokémon to Mega Evolve, it needs this immense vitality to stimulate its genes. Therefore… Black Ash using his own Aura power as the Key Stone's vitality to Mega Evolve a Pokémon is no different from burning his own life force! Moreover… Black Ash's Mega Evolution seems different from ordinary Mega Evolution. His Mega Evolution is based on Aura Fusion–level Mega Evolution! Therefore, post-Mega, their power isn't just at its peak—the stronger the opponent, the stronger they become! But this is also a huge flaw. The most obvious one is… because the fusion is deeper, there's no doubt that once the Pokémon loses its fighting power, Ash will likely fall into a coma. Therefore, the Key Stone is a tremendous help to Black Ash! This way, Mega Evolution doesn't require burning his life force or risking unconsciousness. The trade-off is… orthodox Mega Evolution will be weaker than Aura Fusion Mega Evolution.
[Lance]: Key Stone… wait? Giovanni said he found the Key Stone near Clear Cliff?! Doesn't that mean...
[Steven]: Thanks for the invitation. We're on a plane, heading to Clear Cliff!
[Wallace]: Don't leave me behind!!
While everyone was pondering, Steven had already quietly started moving!
[Mewtwo]: …I have deployed a protective layer over Clear Cliff. Even a Champion shouldn't be able to find my hidden lake.
[Steven]: That's fine! You said it can only be found in the lake? If we search the surroundings… we might still find something!
Besides Steven, other thoughtful individuals also noticed this and began rushing to Clear Cliff without delay! Suddenly, the deserted Clear Cliff might become lively…
In a Black World —
Team Rocket's flagship had departed, and the remaining fleet was ordered by Giovanni to wait elsewhere. On a plain on Clear Cliff, with no flowers, grass, or trees around—just barren land—this spacious plain was just right for a battle between two Champion-level Pokémon! The flagship was piloted far away, and Domino was tied up inside. Ash still had some conscience and sprayed a wound-healing spray on her hand, so she wouldn't suffer lifelong consequences from improper healing.
The preparations were complete. Ash and Giovanni stood opposite each other. The heavy rain had stopped at some point, leaving only dense dark clouds. The weather was still gloomy but much better than before. The strong wind howling across the cliff made their clothes flutter.
"…Planning to use your Pikachu this time?"
"Still your Beedrill?"
The two exchanged a meaningless exchange. Then, Pikachu removed its weights and jumped before Ash. Giovanni also threw a simple Poké Ball—an ordinary Beedrill appeared before Giovanni!
"I want to ask before the battle… aren't you afraid I won't honor the agreement?" Ash asked the question he'd been wanting to ask. Giovanni knew he'd worry, so he had him record the video and gave him an irresistible reward in advance. But… wasn't Giovanni worried he might not comply? Even if he lost then, with his abilities, he could just default, beat Giovanni's Beedrill into the ground, turn his back, and deny everything!
Hearing this, an inexplicable smile appeared on Giovanni's face.
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