"I won't let you down," Ash said quietly, holding the Master Ball that now contained Mewtwo. Then, without hesitation, he swallowed a Full Restore Capsule.
In that instant, a wave of vitality surged through him. His strength and stamina returned in seconds, the exhaustion that had ravaged his body vanishing like mist. Even the blindness in his left eye healed completely—proving his theory right. The capsule truly could mend any injury.
"Shhh!"
Ash's aura flared. With a single explosive burst, he propelled himself into the air, using his mastery of motion like a blur of wind. The acceleration rivaled Teleport itself. Only the tattered remains of his clothes betrayed the brutal battle he'd just endured—he looked almost exactly as he had when this began.
He began to form a seal, summoning the familiar, swirling power of Susanoo—
"Don't move, Ash!" Giovanni's voice sliced through the air, halting the technique before it could form completely.
Ash's crimson eyes narrowed, his Sharingan spinning ominously. "What are you talking about?"
When their gazes met, Giovanni felt his spine freeze. For a moment, it was as though death itself stared at him—those blood-red eyes glimmering with the power of a god. He almost forgot how to breathe.
"I've already sent my men to the Quartz Conference Arena," Giovanni said hoarsely, his composure cracking under pressure. "They've planted dozens of high-yield explosives there. If you dare make a move—thirty million people die with me."
He pulled a small detonator from his jacket pocket, his thumb hovering over the trigger.
Quartz Conference Arena
"What?! There's a bomb here?!"
"Run! Everyone, get out now!"
"Help! Please—help us!"
Panic tore through the stadium like wildfire. The crowd of millions erupted into chaos. Despite the numerous exits, the sheer number of people made escape nearly impossible. Fear drowned the arena as the broadcast screens continued to display Giovanni's threat.
"Giovanni, you despicable man!" Lt. Surge roared, slamming his fist onto the table in the League control room. "Everyone—begin evacuations immediately! Move the crowd out as fast as possible!"
Back on the battlefield, Ash clenched his fists, his killing intent boiling over. "You're ruthless, Giovanni," he said coldly. "If not for the people in that arena… Cynthia, my friends, my family—I'd end you right here."
He turned away, his rage contained only by duty. "But I'll say this—after today, your days are numbered."
With that, Ash's form blurred, disappearing with a single step. The ground cracked beneath where he'd stood as he launched himself toward the Quartz Conference Arena, his Aura flaring bright enough to pierce the clouds.
Giovanni exhaled shakily, lowering the detonator. His gamble had worked. He knew if Ash had attacked, he'd have pulled the trigger—dragging them all into hell together. But now that he'd survived, Giovanni's instincts screamed that his reprieve would not last.
If Ash had truly unleashed his wrath, even Team Rocket's vast resources couldn't have saved him. And if Giovanni ever carried out his threat, every regional League in the world would unite to hunt him down.
It was over—for now.
Giovanni raised a hand, signaling his subordinates. The great Team Rocket airship slowly lifted off, disappearing into the clouds, heading toward an unknown horizon. Perhaps, by the next time they met, Team Rocket itself would no longer exist.
Quartz Conference Arena
By the time Ash arrived, the League's emergency teams had already begun evacuating civilians. Thanks to the quick intervention of Lance and Lambda, the explosive devices had been disarmed before detonation.
The crowd, once terrified, erupted into cheers the moment Ash appeared on the screen. His name echoed through the entire region.
Within hours, the world learned what had transpired.
Ash Ketchum—the boy who tamed Mewtwo and prevented a disaster that could have destroyed millions—became known across Kanto as its savior.
He didn't even need to fight for the Champion's title anymore. His power, his will, and his heart had already proven everything.
From that day onward, one name became synonymous with heroism throughout Kanto—
Ash Ketchum, the Champion of Champions.
To honor Ash's heroism in preventing the disaster at the Quartz Conference, the Pokémon League announced a special reward.
They would grant him ownership of a small island off the Kanto coast — the very same island where his battle with Mewtwo had taken place.
Although called a "small island," its size was far from modest. It was large enough to house tens of thousands of people comfortably, and its natural environment was pristine, rich in forests and freshwater streams — a perfect sanctuary for both humans and Pokémon.
With this gift, Ash now technically owned two islands: the League's reward, and another that he planned to exchange for a Full Restore Capsule — a deal not yet completed due to the conditions he'd placed on the trade.
Back in Pallet Town.
Ash found himself in a different kind of struggle.
"Mom, it's alright, see? I'm fine," Ash said with a strained smile, trying to calm Delia, who clung to him tightly, refusing to let go.
Ever since she saw the broadcast — when Ash was struck by Mewtwo's Dark Pulse and swallowed by the explosion — she'd been terrified.
"You could have died, Ash! How could you do something so reckless?" Delia's voice trembled, tears streaming down her face. "You always say you'll be careful, and then you do this!"
Ash rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "I told you, Mom, I'm fine now. Really. I even used a Full Restore Capsule — it fixed everything."
Behind him, Mewtwo stood silently, his telepathic tone humble.
"I owe you an apology, Delia Ketchum. My actions caused you distress. Though I did not intend harm, the battle endangered your son. For that, I am truly sorry."
Delia blinked, looking up at the tall, imposing Pokémon. For a moment, she didn't know how to respond — but seeing Mewtwo's sincerity, her anger softened.
"I… see," she said quietly. "Well, if you're part of Ash's team now, take care of him. Please."
Her tone was gentle, but her eyes were sharp — the kind of quiet strength only a mother possessed. Mewtwo inclined his head respectfully.
Ash smiled. "See, Mom? Everything's fine. Mewtwo's on our side now."
Delia sighed, still holding his shoulders. "You're just like your father… always throwing yourself into danger for others."
Ash laughed. "Guess it runs in the family."
Later that day, Ash visited Professor Oak's Laboratory.
He found the old man busy examining Suicune's residual aura traces from a recent research project, but when he noticed Ash, his face lit up with a smile.
"Ah, Ash! Come in, come in!" Professor Oak said warmly.
"Grandpa, do I still need to compete in the Champion League?" Ash asked, sitting down across from him. "With everything that's happened… it feels kind of pointless."
Oak looked at him thoughtfully, adjusting his glasses as he read through a stack of data reports.
"To be honest, Ash, your fame right now surpasses anyone in Kanto," he said with a smile. "You've saved millions of lives, tamed Mewtwo, and earned the respect of every Trainer and Pokémon alike. Many within the League believe you don't need to compete in the Champion Tournament anymore."
He set down the report and looked Ash in the eye.
"Your strength has already been acknowledged by all of Kanto."
Ash leaned back slightly, his eyes thoughtful. "Even so… I don't want to stop growing. Titles don't matter — what matters is getting stronger, together with my Pokémon."
Professor Oak chuckled. "That's the spirit I like to hear. Still, you might want to rest before chasing your next dream. You've earned it, Ash."
Ash grinned. "Rest sounds good. But not for too long — I've got an island to rebuild."
...
TN:
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