Although this incident was caused by a human—
Arceus, for Ash's sake, chose to restore everything to its original state.
It slowly ascended into the sky.
A brilliant light flashed.
The distorted world gradually returned to normal.
Pokémon that had reverted into Eggs returned to their original forms and were sent back to their Trainers.
Pikachu was restored from Pichu back to itself.
"Pika!"
It happily leapt back onto its exclusive shoulder.
The fractured space-time rifts were repaired.
Order was restored.
In Another World — Spear Pillar
As the Gate of Space-Time slowly closed—
Cynthia of that world grew anxious.
What happened?
Why was the gate closing now?
Had Ash and the others died inside?
Had Giovanni's plan succeeded?
Question after question flooded her mind.
She regretted hesitating earlier.
Even if she couldn't help, it would have been better than knowing nothing.
Just then—
The Poké Balls at her waist began to shake.
Red light flashed.
Her Pokémon, which had regressed to their earliest forms, returned to normal.
Garchomp.
Gastrodon.
Spiritomb.
Seeing them restored, her heart finally settled.
"I knew Ash would succeed! When you come back, I'll reward you with a big kiss!"
She smiled brightly.
Unfortunately—
That wish was destined to fail.
Between Dimensions
After restoring everything, Arceus withdrew its Plates.
With a final nod to Ash, it opened the Gate of Heaven and returned to its domain.
Below—
Cyrus had long since been driven half-mad by torment.
An ordinary person would have mentally collapsed.
But don't forget—
The Master of Psychic Power was present.
Mewtwo continuously repaired Cyrus's damaged nerves, forcing his mind to remain stable.
When it came to hatred for humanity—
Mewtwo felt no less than Arceus.
If not for Ash, it might have become a world-destroying demon.
But Ash had healed it.
Gave it purpose.
To protect Pokémon.
And now—
Someone had tried to harm Ash.
Tried to overturn the world.
Treated Pokémon as tools.
Unforgivable.
"Just kill me!"
Cyrus roared during yet another forced resurrection.
Only death could free him.
The gods stared down coldly.
There would be no mercy.
Ash Steps Forward
Ash emerged from behind the gods.
The oppressive auras softened immediately.
"Can you tell me where Giovanni went? There are still Pokémon in Team Rocket's hands. I need to save them."
Cyrus stared at him.
He really… did all this just to save Pokémon?
"Heh. Give up. The last connection between worlds was severed. Even Dialga and Palkia working together can't find that world's coordinates. It wasn't created by Arceus."
Silence fell.
He wasn't wrong.
Even Dialga and Palkia could not refute that.
"Then leave him to us," child-sized Cynthia said seriously.
"If there's a clue, my grandmother and I can calculate that world's coordinates."
She looked about five years old.
Not very convincing.
But Ash trusted her.
The gods offered no objection.
After all—
They owed Ash.
Again.
Thankfully Ash wasn't some greedy tyrant charging interest on divine favors.
Packaging Service
Mewtwo kindly provided "transport service."
In Cyrus's despairing gaze—
His senses were sealed.
His body immobilized.
Utter humiliation.
But what use was anger?
The cry of the weak.
Livestream Commentary
Steven: "Giovanni escaped before Arceus got angry. He even closed the rift from the other side. Steady as ever."
Alder: "Impressive."
Diantha: "Not a knight, but undeniably a formidable overlord."
Lance: "That's the price of opposing Ash!"
Giovanni: "Relax. I'm just a lawful businessman now. President of Rocket Logistics. Viridian Gym Leader."
The League fell silent.
He wasn't wrong.
Rocket Logistics employed too many civilians.
That was Giovanni's shield.
Farewells
Shiny Rayquaza returned to its ancient Poké Ball.
Mewtwo hugged Ash before teleporting away.
Giratina spared Dialga and Palkia—for Ash's sake—before slipping back into the Reverse World through Ash's shadow.
Zacian required returning to its own world first.
Most of these Legendary Pokémon had left "anchors" on Ash:
Zacian — the Rusted Sword
Mewtwo — his psychic link
Giratina — his shadow
Rainbow Wing and Silver Wing could summon Ho-Oh and Lugia
With Hoopa nearby… nearly every Legendary could be called
Ash was practically a Legendary magnet.
Cyrus really had lost his mind to challenge him in a god battle.
That was like playing soccer where the association, referees, and players were all on your side.
How do you lose?
Divine Gratitude
Only Ash, Red, Cynthia, Zacian, Dialga, and Palkia remained.
'Thank you, Ash,' Palkia bowed sincerely.
'…Thanks,' Dialga added stiffly.
Zacian's massive blade slowly gathered energy.
Dialga felt a chill.
Ahem.
'We are deeply grateful. Should you ever require assistance, we shall not refuse.'
See? It could speak properly.
Zacian dispersed Behemoth Blade.
Dialga and Palkia returned Ash and the others to the real world—
Completely forgetting that Maxie and Archie were still trapped inside.
(As for Kyogre and Groudon, Arceus had already sent them home.)
Maxie & Archie: Hello? Anyone?
Perhaps one day the Time and Space gods might remember them.
Or perhaps they would spend eternity mining rocks.
Back in the Main World
After returning—
Cynthia remained sullen.
Being a child was inconvenient.
She couldn't pat Ash's head anymore.
Now he patted hers.
She didn't dislike it.
It just felt… strange.
Ash immediately contacted Dawn.
Once he confirmed she was safe, he relaxed.
Then—
He turned to Red.
"Big Bro Red. Let's battle."
"Pika!"
Pikachu raised its paw enthusiastically.
It had been suffocating the entire time.
But Red shook his head.
"Ash. You rely too much on external power."
His tone was serious.
Yes, Legendary Pokémon had appeared.
Even Arceus.
But during their earlier battle—
Ash leaned heavily on Aura and Mega Evolution.
He seemed to have forgotten—
Pokémon are the core.
Everything else is support.
Trainer and Pokémon.
That bond is what matters.
"…I rely too much on outside power?"
Ash fell silent.
When was his last pure, exhilarating battle?
Infernape in the valley?
It had been a while.
"Come. Call out Charizard."
Red removed a Poké Ball.
Ash did the same.
Two equally imposing Charizard appeared.
The moment Ash's Charizard landed—
Its eyes locked onto Red's.
Old rivals.
Every time Red returned to Pallet Town—
Ash's Charizard challenged his.
Often losing.
Yet always returning with unyielding determination.
This time—
Was no different.
The air grew tense.
But Red stopped them.
"Charizard. For a while, you'll train with mine."
Then he looked at Ash.
"And you'll train with me."
There was more than one "Super Pallet Native."
Red was one too.
Evening sunlight bathed them.
Brimming with life.
Then—
The livestream cut off.
A line of text appeared across the screen…
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