Giovanni's actions were so outrageous that even Champion Ash felt it was over the top. What kind of person uses a Champion-level Pokémon against a newbie, and then straight up sends out Mewtwo? Where's the shame in that?
Although Mewtwo's level is at the Champion Peak, its strength has definitely touched the Divine Domain Level. It hasn't formally entered that level yet, but its physical prowess is undeniable. Calling it a Pseudo-Legendary Domain wouldn't be an exaggeration.
Sending a newbie Trainer who's only been around for a bit over three months to face a Pseudo-Legendary Domain... Haha, even if Newbie Ash was cheating, Champion Ash still finds it extremely absurd.
[Ash the Aura Guardian: Seriously, Giovanni from your place is utterly shameless. What good does it do him to bully newbies?]
[Newbie Ash: Actually, it's like this...]
Ash tried to explain as briefly as possible the events at the Viridian Gym. After learning that Giovanni had used the Arceus Contract, the members in the group began to stir.
This thing has appeared in other parallel worlds too, but it is exceedingly rare. Once it's used, it cannot be broken by anything less than Divine Domain-level power.
Even with Divine Domain-level power, it depends on the specific specs... Overall, it's an exceptionally overpowering coercive tool.
Giovanni used this coercive tool to set up a wager to force Ash to work for Team Rocket.
Now, the Champions and those with Aura powers finally understood why Giovanni would be so shameless. Compared to getting Ash, what did reputation matter? What he wanted was to absolutely ensure victory in this battle!
If Ash didn't have the 'Top-tier booster' ability, he would probably have been taken down by Giovanni. Under the ban imposed on Ash, he had no Pokémon to counter a Pseudo-Legendary Domain. What was he thinking, dreaming?
[Ash the Aura Guardian: Alright, I've got the situation. Let me handle this one. Has your Riolu evolved yet?]
[Newbie Ash: Not yet, but it's on the verge of evolving.]
[Ash the Aura Guardian: Ok, leave it to me. Give me ten minutes and I'll return you a perfectly evolved Lucario!]
...
In the real world, about three minutes passed before Ash slowly opened his eyes. During this time, Giovanni did not rush Ash but quietly observed as Ash closed his eyes and collected himself.
In his view, Ash might just be mentally preparing himself to join Team Rocket. The situation was indeed dire now.
Other than accepting his fate, Ash had no other choices.
Closing his eyes, building up his mental preparedness, delaying the inevitable defeat by a few minutes, that's all it was.
Seeing Ash open his eyes, Giovanni displayed a slightly sinister smile at the corner of his mouth: "So, ready to join Team Rocket? Don't entertain any wild ideas; the Arceus Contract is absolute. Even the gods must follow its rules. For mere humans to try breaking it is pure fantasy. Soon, I will uncover the secret of that further evolution!"
"You're a little noisy." Ash's eyes glowed faintly blue, his slightly cold voice resonating in his speech.
Under Giovanni's frozen smile, Ash tossed a Pokeball, softly saying, "It's decided. Riolu, it's you."
In a flash of light, Riolu appeared on the battlefield. Ash's second Pokémon being Riolu was a surprise to everyone present, even the two Elite trainers watching through the live feed.
"How could it be Riolu? Has Ash lost his mind?!" Gary exclaimed outright upon seeing Riolu.
Back when Gary learned about Ash's special ability, Aura Power, he specifically searched online. While no humans with Aura Power were found, there were Pokémon with Aura Power, and Riolu was among them.
Not to mention that Mewtwo looks like it is of the Psychic Type. How could an unevolved Riolu contend with a Pokémon of Mewtwo's caliber? Has Ash given up on winning?!
"What's Ash thinking? Although Riolu isn't what it used to be, sending it into a battle of this level is too much…" Even Brock, who's been traveling with Ash, couldn't help but voice his inner doubts.
In such a critical situation, sending out a Pokémon that hasn't even reached its final evolution is essentially handing victory to the opponent!
"Wait Brock, do you remember Ash said today while talking to Lorelei that God of Victory might lend a hand in this battle too?" Misty didn't join the others in expressing doubt or confusion, recalling something Ash mentioned to Lorelei.
Perhaps in the battle against Giovanni, there would be a favor from the God of Victory?
They both took Ash's words as a joke, after all, can Victini be summoned just like that? Is Victini akin to a household pet?
But from Ash's current action of sending out Riolu for this battle, his words were perhaps not without basis, and he was well-prepared all along.
Think about it, the last time Ash dispatched such a basic form Pokémon, who were they up against?
A negative attribute battle against Elite Koga!
Back then, when Venusaur was still a Bulbasaur, Ash sent it forth to battle Koga's Crobat, and it even won. In other words, Ash has a precedent for this!