Was that really something a villain leader would say?
"No. You're wrong!" Ash shot back instantly. "Order doesn't mean restraint! And having no rules doesn't mean there's no oppression!"
His eyes burned as he stared straight at Giovanni.
He was looking for hesitation.
Guilt.
A crack in the performance.
But Giovanni didn't look away.
If anything, his gaze intensified—almost as if he wanted to drag Ash into that so-called utopia.
His words were persuasive.
Dangerously persuasive.
A villain talking about equality between humans and Pokémon? About dismantling hierarchy?
Even Champions hesitated for a moment.
…Except Ash.
Not a single word convinced him.
For once—
Ash's brain was operating at full capacity.
"You talk about equality, about no oppression," Ash snapped, "but what are you doing right now? Forcing gods to obey you. Letting your subordinates capture Pokémon everywhere. Is that your 'peace'? Don't joke around!"
His eyes reddened with anger.
Pichu popped out of his pocket.
"Pichu-chu!"
Yeah! We're not idiots!
Giovanni shrugged calmly.
He hadn't expected to fool them with a few speeches.
But he had expected Cynthia or Red to challenge him first.
Not this boy.
Ash looked like a smaller version of Red—but his mind was sharp.
Uncomfortably sharp.
Giovanni's Past
Green light shimmered over Giovanni's palm.
Virdian power.
Viridian Forest's blessing.
Ash, Red, and Cynthia all froze.
They recognized that energy.
The power of the forest.
The power of healing.
The power granted only to those who loved Pokémon.
"…You're surprised," Giovanni said lightly. "But you shouldn't be."
He spoke of his childhood.
A Bug Catcher in Viridian Forest.
A dream of becoming a Trainer.
Of being told Bug-types were inferior.
That they could never compare.
That he should "know his place."
"So I wondered," Giovanni said quietly, "why are Pokémon ranked? Why are some considered low and others high? They are all life. The hierarchy exists because of humans. Because of battles."
His Beedrill.
His rise.
Team Rocket's formation.
His fall into darkness.
And then—
Red.
"A boy in red destroyed everything I built," Giovanni said, smiling faintly. "And reminded me of my original dream."
The chat exploded.
Team Rocket members were crying.
The main-world Giovanni was panicking.
Natsume roasted Lance.
The Champions were gossiping about Ash's hypothetical future children.
Ash, meanwhile, had no idea he'd just been scheduled for marriage and fatherhood by the entire League.
The Truth
"You speak beautifully," Ash said coldly. "But your actions don't match your words."
Giovanni exhaled slowly.
"Very well. I'll tell you the truth."
He revealed it.
Another world.
A world without Pokémon.
Only creatures called "Pal."
They were exploited.
Forced into labor.
Even eaten.
"I will use Dialga and Palkia's power to save that world. And remake it into a paradise for Pokémon."
Cynthia's eyes blazed.
"And to do that, you destroy this world?!"
Giovanni checked his watch.
Almost time.
"Sacrifice is inevitable," he said calmly. "For a greater dream."
That was it.
That was the line.
Ash clenched his fists.
Red adjusted his cap.
"Charizard. Dragon Claw."
"Beedrill."
Giovanni's Beedrill appeared—
And Mega Evolved mid-flight.
Its twin lances blocked Mega Charizard X's claw.
Impressive.
But not enough.
Giovanni knew it.
So he called backup.
From behind the mountain—
Figures emerged.
Familiar ones.
Cyrus.
Ghetsis.
Lysandre.
Archie.
Maxie.
Villain leaders from every region.
Cyrus stepped forward calmly.
"The gate has opened. Elite forces have crossed."
Giovanni smiled.
Perfect timing.
"Then let Dialga and Palkia serve one final purpose."
Crimson chains shot upward—
Binding the two gods tighter.
Time Roar.
Spacial Rend.
Simultaneously unleashed.
Their target—
Ash and the others.
Even though the gods recognized Ash—
They were powerless under control.
God-tier attacks.
No ordinary defense would suffice.
Red immediately ordered Protect.
Cynthia sent out Garchomp—bond transformation triggered instantly.
But—
Ash stepped forward.
Alone.
Light erupted from his hands.
In his right—
A rune-covered sword.
In his left—
Brilliant psychic energy.
"I need your help," Ash whispered in his heart.
"Mewtwo. Zacian."
In an instant—
A colossal psychic barrier expanded outward.
Mewtwo's presence flooded the battlefield.
The sovereign of psychic power.
And from the sky—
A blade of golden light descended.
Zacian.
The Hero of Many Battles.
Its sacred sword amplified the barrier's outer layer—
Turning it into an impregnable wall of blue and gold.
Time Roar and Spacial Rend crashed against it—
The mountain split.
The sky cracked.
But the barrier held.
Ash stood at the center—
Hair whipping violently in the shockwave.
Behind him—
Red.
Cynthia.
Unharmed.
The villains stared in disbelief.
Giovanni's eyes narrowed.
"…How many legendaries does this boy command?"
The answer?
More than you'd like.
Because at that very moment—
A familiar voice echoed in Ash's mind.
Playful.
Ancient.
Powerful.
"If you're forming a support club… don't forget me."
Golden rings shimmered in the air.
Space distorted.
Another god was about to arrive.
Ash's Legendary Backup Squad—
Was far from finished.
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