Damian could only be speechless, noting that this Mew's skin is getting thicker.
But still, with such a childlike heart, that's not a bad thing.
"You seem to be doing pretty well recently, so I'm relieved."
Damian had come mainly to check on Regigigas and Mew's recent situation.
"Mew, you should take more charge too, after all you're the owner of the Tree of Beginning, don't put everything on Regigigas."
"Mm-hmm I know, Meow I've got responsibility in mind."
Mew taps its chest in a show of assurance.
"?"
Damian's brow furrowed in doubt, but since Regigigas hadn't said anything, he let it be for now.
Then Damian asked Mew for a Time Flower from within the Tree of Beginning.
The Time Flower can record past scenes; once awakened again, you can view the recorded past.
According to the movie's content, Aryan's heartfelt words described at the time were also recorded by the Time Flower inside the Tree of Beginning.
Such a small matter isn't a big deal, so Mew cheerfully went in and brought back that Time Flower.
Damian took the Time Flower back to Ash and the others.
"Ash, release that Lucario."
"Oh, okay, Lucario."
Ash, though unsure why, still released the Lucario from Cameran Palace.
Unlike the original, the Lucario here seems much closer to Ash than in the movie, but Lucario's heartache remains Aryan's from hundreds of years ago.
When the Time Flower awakened and blossomed, Aryan's dying self manifested through the Tree of Beginning in a self-narration.
Lucario's eyes grew misty, and Ash, who has strong empathy, naturally was moved as well.
Afterward, Ash opened up to Lucario; Lucario unblocked its heart, and agreed to Ash's invitation to become his partner.
"Congratulations, Ash, on gaining another great comrade."
Damian clapped Ash on the shoulder, and this result was indeed quite good.
"Ha—now that I've got Lucario, I'll surely win the Indigo Plateau Conference Champion this year!"
Ash's fighting spirit ran high.
"Pika—Pikachu!"
Pikachu's voice chimed with confidence, making a cute fist pump.
"Heh heh heh ..."
Paul sneered twice.
"You, this guy! What do you mean by that?"
Ash's temper flared.
"If even a half-baked Trainer like you can win the championship, then your Indigo Plateau Conference is truly empty."
Paul spoke coolly.
"Huh?! You arrogant guy, you call me a half-baked Trainer?"
Who is this person? He's only won once, and he's this arrogant!
"Aren't you?" Paul hands in his pockets, still calm, even asking back.
"Lacks tactics, merely relies on a burning heart, in battle you can't even leverage the Pokémon's advantages."
"A third-rate Trainer, a fourth-rate Pokémon, you're wasting your talent."
Paul spoke bluntly.
Without question, Ash's Trainer talent is very good; after all, Paul could assert that Ash doesn't usually do special training.
But even so, Ash's strength remains strong. A clear sign.
"Damn you!! Who do you think is a third-rate Trainer and a fourth-rate Pokémon? I want a 1v1 with you!!"
Ash's face reddened; rolled up sleeves to duel with Paul in a real man's contest.
"Calm down, calm down, Ash!"
"Yeah, yeah, don't get angy, anger is the devil!"
Misty and Brock hurriedly pulled Ash back, afraid he'd really lose control.
"Don't stop me! Damn this deadpan face is just too much! I just beat me once!"
Ash wouldn't back down; this hate for the deadpan face, he'd accept losing to anyone else, but not to this guy!
"Emmm… Paul, don't you think you're going a bit too far? We're all colleagues here."
Dawn thought for a moment and spoke softly to Paul.
She also felt Paul's attitude toward Ash was odd; usually Paul is a reasonable person, so why this mockery of Ash?
"Why don't you apologize to Ash?"
Even Dawn felt Paul's words were too much.
"I reject it."
Paul turned away, silent for a moment, then spoke again.
"I can't stand people who waste their talent by only talking about bonds and friendship; shouting about these things, does that make you stronger?"
Dawn awkwardly smiled at Ash and the three of them; regardless, in terms of relationships she certainly gets along better with Paul.
And Dawn also knew that while Paul can be strict at times, his nature isn't bad.
"Sorry, Paul, it wasn't intentional; he's just got that personality, Ash, you don't take it to heart."
Dawn told Ash.
Ash panted, gripping his fists and staring at Paul.
"We're all colleagues; please don't cause a rift."
Damian finally spoke up, smiling to smooth things over.
"Trainer matters must be settled by strength; how about this: when year-end comes, Ash, Paul, you two fight again, how about it?"
"If by then Ash you can defeat Paul, then Paul, you owe Ash an apology for today's improper words."
"If Ash isn't Paul's match by then…"
Damian looked to Ash.
"I won't lose to him again! Absolutely not!"
Ash's tone was firm.
Losing to anyone else is fine, but not to this deadpan face again!
Paul glanced at Ash and said nothing.
"Fine, you handle your business yourselves."
Damian shrugged.
"By the way, I just got a message: how about you three go check Viridian City?"
Damian glanced at his phone and spoke to Ash.
"Huh?"
"In Viridian City there are traitors who betrayed the organization; they didn't say it, and they looted a family's money and a child's Pokémon on the outskirts of Viridian City. Tsk~"
Damian's smile stayed on his face, but anyone could tell it lacked warmth.
"What? That's too much!"
Ash's anger erupted.
"Traitors from Team Rocket?"
Brock frowned.
"Well, the organization has just reformed; many old-timers refuse to adapt to the new Team Rocket rules, so this kind of thing isn't avoidable."
Damian nodded; many former Team Rocket members have adapted to life without restraint, and now being asked not to do evil, their nature can only be restrained.
Some cannot bear this restraint and betray the organization; normal.
"Then they're Born Evil villains! Leave them to us, Damian; we'll capture those guys!"
Ash nodded without hesitation, promising Damian.
"Okay. I'll send Archer's contact info for you; you can contact Archer to get the data on those traitors, and once you catch them, have Archer send someone over to take over."
Damian smiled.
Archer, huh?
Ash, hearing that name, scratched his head; he does have an impression of Archer, a Team Rocket executive; on the S.S. Anne, Archer was Team Rocket's Admin.
He never expected he'd cooperate with Archer someday. The world is absurd.
But it seems Archer has turned good as well, which is a good thing.
"Alright."
Ash agreed.
"Now that Team Rocket has changed, for those who still damage Team Rocket's reputation, we must strike hard."
"Ash, this matter is in your hands; make sure you capture them, and also compensate the family that was harmed by these scum, since those bastards also ran from our organization."
Damian continued to Ash.
"As for the compensation amount, the organization will provide it."
"Great! Leave it to me, Damian! I will surely catch those traitors!"
Ash's blood boiled; he loves this kind of heroic act!
"By the way, for a Trainer like you joining the organization, the organization will reward you with an excellent Ultra Beast."
Damian patted Ash's shoulder, then pulled out his phone and scrolled to the Ultra Beast sequence.
"Huh? Not that one…"
Ash froze, then hurried to reject.
"Don't reject! This is an organization benefit, and part of the organization recognizing your potential; Dawn, Paul, they all have it too."
"Yes, Ash, Ultra Beasts are outstanding Pokémon; if you want to beat Paul later, an Ultra Beast will be a big help."
Dawn chimed in from the side.
"Exactly, Ash, take a look."
Misty agreed as well; Ultra Beasts sound incredibly powerful.
Brock felt speechless; he thought Misty had been "bought."
"Um… okay then."
Ash scratched his head; honestly, he's also very interested in Ultra Beasts. If memory serves, Paul used Buzzwole before, one of the Ultra Beasts, right?
"Come take a look."
Ash leaned in; Nihilego, Buzzwole, Pheromosa, Xurkitree …
"Wow! Pheromosa is so beautiful!"
Misty exclaimed in awe.
Judging by the Pokédex image alone, Pheromosa is truly stunning.
"Not only beautiful, but also strong," Dawn added with a sweet smile.
Yeah, she really loves her Pheromosa.
Misty's eyes sparkled with love; even though Pheromosa isn't Water-type and is Bug-type, this form is just too gorgeous!
"I don't have any special feeling for Pheromosa."
Ash's gaze toward Pheromosa wasn't as warm; he scratched his head, troubled.
"I actually quite like this one."
Ash pointed to Poipole and its evolution, Naganadel.
"Naganadel is the evolution of Poipole, right?"
Damian chuckled; indeed, Ash still chose Naganadel.
After all, Naganadel is one of Ash's Champion main roster in the Sun/Moon arc, showing Ash's affinity for Naganadel.
"Poipole, I'd rather train it myself."
Ash was a bit shy, touching his nose.
Choosing a talented Pokémon out of nowhere, he's still a bit shy.
"Fine, wait a moment."
Damian called Lusamine.
Ultra Beasts are mostly raised at the Aether Paradise.
"Ash, don't feel bad; if you feel guilty, then train Poipole to fight evil forces, and work with the organization for a brighter tomorrow."
Damian patted Ash's shoulder, smiling.
"I understand."
Ash took a deep breath and nodded solemnly.
No wonder Gym Leader Erika is with Damian; clearly Damian isn't a bad person!
Damian has changed Team Rocket at its root; his dream is to wipe out all other evil organizations. How could he be the bad guy?
Ash swore that he would fight evil forces with Damian! Team Rocket is justice's fangs!
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