"As for my earlier words, I'll send the three Legendary Birds to your Fantasy Island. Their locations have already been exposed, so letting them stay with you is safer. It'll also help me evaluate the defenses of Fantasy Island."
After receiving the Phoenix King's feather, Lugia's voice echoed as well. Ash couldn't hide his excitement. Having three Legendary Pokémon residing on the island would skyrocket Fantasy Island's influence and prestige.
And as for others trying to capture them? Impossible. Everything was being broadcast live. After the events that unfolded today, no one would dare provoke a conflict between humans and Legendary Pokémon—at least not for a long while.
In the future, Ash knew he needed enough power to repel any intruders. He was confident he would reach that point.
"Then I'll also send Raikou and Entei to you. Their purpose was to help me find a trustworthy trainer. Since they've acknowledged you, their mission has come to an end."
Ash's heart was already soaring, but now the Phoenix King had sent two more Legendary Pokémon. Happiness overwhelmed him. Even Mewtwo, standing nearby, was delighted—Fantasy Island would now have multiple guardian deities. With such recognition, more trainers and Pokémon would surely gather there.
"Everything is settled. Someone is approaching. We'll take our leave. And don't forget the promise you made. This is the last time I trust Lugia—don't disappoint me."
Sensing a human presence, the Phoenix King spoke its final words before vanishing into golden flames. Lugia, far less subtle, folded its massive fins and plunged straight into the sea.
"Ash!"
The voice belonged to Lance Draconis. After the fierce battle earlier, Lance had rushed over with Lorelei and the others to find him, worried the damage had been severe.
"I'm here! I'm fine." Ash called back, standing and brushing dirt from his clothes.
"Leave the remaining Full Restore Capsule with you. You might need it. I'll continue traveling through Johto. While I'm away, Fantasy Island is in your hands."
Ash spoke to Mewtwo, recalling the fury in Silver Rowan's eyes before he departed. Ash wasn't afraid—travelling across Johto would give him a chance to settle matters properly.
"I never planned to give it back. Good things like this are rare," Mewtwo smirked, gripping the capsule tightly. "Don't worry about Fantasy Island. I'll take those guys back first."
"You're impossible… but I'm counting on you," Ash sighed. Ever since Mewtwo began managing Fantasy Island, he'd grown more expressive—something Ash counted as progress.
With that, Mewtwo teleported away, taking Raikou, Entei, and the three Legendary Birds. Even with his strength, he couldn't warp straight to Fantasy Island in one jump—he had to make several stops to rest and continue teleporting.
Shortly after Mewtwo left, Lance and the others reached Ash's location. Seeing Mewtwo gone, they weren't surprised; that psychic being always acted on his own terms.
"Ash, are you hurt?" Lorelei asked anxiously, her hands running lightly along his arms and shoulders, checking for injuries.
"I'm fine—really, stop touching—I'm fine!"
Feeling Lorelei's soft hands lingering on him, Ash nearly reacted on instinct and quickly backed away, flustered.
Lorelei only smiled.
"Uh-huh!"
Shiba and Lance Draconis exchanged knowing looks when they noticed the subtle interaction between Ash and Lorelei. Their expressions said everything, which only made Ash want to kick them both. Understand all you want, but can you stop thinking nonsense? he grumbled internally.
Taking back the Poké Ball Lorelei handed him, Ash exhaled and spoke sharply:
"Everything is settled—but this can't ever happen again. Lugia and the Phoenix King were already at their limit this time. If something like this happens again… even I might lose my patience. And if that happens, I won't hesitate to wipe out more than half of humanity and leave only the people worth keeping."
The cold weight behind his words silenced everyone. Lance, Shiba, and the others knew Ash wasn't exaggerating. With his current strength, he absolutely could do it. And right now, because of his existence, all families in Kanto were cooperating with a harmony never seen before.
This balance was held together by Ash, by Fantasy Island, and by the countless pharmaceutical and logistical benefits he shared with every clan. In return, each family only needed to offer convenience—nothing more.
They were more than happy with this arrangement.
Fantasy Island stood as the central pillar of all factions, and for the elders of every major family, this was an ideal outcome. Ash didn't seize any land; he didn't force fealty; he wasn't interested in ruling the world. His island remained at sea, neutral and stable, a power none dared provoke.
As long as the next generations of heirs weren't foolish, the Eight Major Families of Kanto would remain stable for as long as Ash lived.
Of course, only the old generation fully understood this structure—the younger heirs still didn't grasp the currents moving behind the scenes.
"Don't worry," Lance said firmly. "I'll petition the Alliance to completely eradicate the remaining criminal groups—no leniency, no survivors. Once the Kanto Alliance truly understands how serious this situation was, they'll move."
He wasn't saying it out of duty; he was saying it out of fear of what would happen if they didn't.
If Ash disappeared, or if he withdrew his influence, the entire power balance of Kanto, Johto, and even the Orange Islands would collapse instantly. Lance knew it. Everyone here knew it.
And so, the resolve in Lance Draconis' voice carried the weight of the entire region.