Chapter 238: Ash's Decision, Hoopa vs Hoopa!

As they chatted to pass the time,

Soon it was evening,

After the full examination ended, Nurse Joy and Chansey pushed a cart out of the treatment room,

Hoopa sat on it,

Latias flew in the air, following behind.

Nurse Joy wiped the sweat from her forehead, smiled at everyone, and said:

"Sorry for keeping you all waiting, Hoopa's stats are all normal, no problem—it's getting late, I'll go make dinner for you now."

"No need, Nurse Joy!"

Serena walked over thoughtfully,

Supporting Nurse Joy, who had been standing for a long time and now felt a bit weak in the legs and fatigued.

"As for dinner, I've already made bold use of the kitchen to prepare it; I hope you don't mind—there's a portion set aside just for you in the pot. I'll first help you go rest, then come back to reheat it for you."

"It's not presumptuous; I should be the one to say thank you!"

Nurse Joy gratefully glanced at the tea‑haired beautiful girl before her,

Over the years, this is the first time she's seen a guest specially leave a meal for her—truly thoughtful and kind.

Latias, following behind,

Listening to the two girls' conversation, its big eyes rolled, and it immediately released a healing pulse,

As the healing pulse fell,

Everyone felt like they were basking in a spring breeze; Nurse Joy's sore muscles and expended energy received the best relaxation.

Emerging from the comfortable, half‑closed‑eye state,

Nurse Joy watched the red‑and‑white figure flying in the air, a flash of envy crossing her eyes.

Having a Latias is truly awesome!

"Thank you so much, Latias—then I'll just go heat it up myself in the kitchen."

As Nurse Joy left,

As soon as she saw Ash, Latias enthusiastically clung to him.

Glancing at Ash's side, the Shiny Gardevoir and Diancie, considering that Gardevoir's anatomy is almost identical to a human's,

It is lower level, but poses a greater threat.

Latias finally locked its target onto the Shiny Gardevoir.

It forcibly shoved the Shiny Gardevoir aside,

While the Shiny Gardevoir huffed, puffed its cheeks, and stomped its feet,

Under the envious gazes of everyone, Latias used a cheek‑rub on Ash.

"Yveltal, Diancie, Virizion, Shiny Snivy, Shiny Gardevoir, and Latias—Ash, your Pokémon are all quite extraordinary."

Barza's gaze swept over a single Pokémon, and he sincerely expressed envy.

At the same time,

May then lovingly picked up Hoopa,

"Hoopa, are you okay?"

When the matter was brought up, the fear in Hoopa's mind flared up instantly, and its body trembled.

"Hoopa… will disappear… Hoopa never wants to get stronger again."

Seeing Hoopa like this, May felt a bit uneasy in her heart.

"It's all my fault—I shouldn't have suggested that Hoopa regain its former power."

Barza, however, shook his head,

"Hoopa, you can't back down—Grandfather said when facing problems, one should meet them head‑on, not just keep fleeing."

"No! Hoopa will disappear..."

Hoopa shook its head wildly.

"Brother, you weren't blind to what happened before—why are you still forcing Hoopa?"

The two siblings began an endless argument over whether Hoopa should reclaim its sealed power.

Ignoring the squabbling siblings,

Ash brought Hoopa to the outside of the Pokémon Center.

"Can you tell me what Hoopa went through?"

Looking seriously at Ash, recalling Ash's release of Yveltal, Hoopa rare showed a hint of relief.

"Ash! Hoopa fell into a thick black mist, seeing only an evil giant Hoopa—Hoopa will disappear~"

"It must be that Hoopa's power contains the killing intent accumulated from past battles; over time, the power gave rise to evil thoughts."

As the Barza siblings approached, having stopped their argument, Ash revealed what he knew.

Barza looked troubled, "If that's the case..."

One is a never‑growing bear‑kid, the other a battle‑hardened evil shadow—anyone can tell who's stronger.

Moreover, in a mental battle, they have the will but not the strength.

It seems they can only give up that power.

Just when everyone looked dejected, Ash still held hope.

"Now is not the time to give up!"

Including Mew, everyone and their Pokémon stared up in shock, uncertainly looking at Ash.

"Does Ash have a solution?"

Ash shook his head, but he did have an idea.

"I want to ask, can you make sure Hoopa doesn't fuse with the evil shadow?"

Ash pointed to the Arceus pendants on Barza and May's chests.

"Earlier I saw your pendants seem to glow with the Punishment Vase; I don't know if we can let Hoopa absorb that power as much as possible while keeping the evil shadow out of its body. Even if some of that power and the evil shadow end up fully fused, if we can't both repel the shadow and absorb it, we might as well discard what we can't absorb, fight the shadow outside Hoopa's body, and utterly destroy it."

"Good idea, feels like we can try it."

Barza and May listened to Ash's full explanation, a gleam flashing in their eyes, full of anticipation.

Hoopa shivered, wanting to refuse.

But thinking of Ash, who had said he would protect it, Hoopa gained a bit more confidence and nodded.

"Hoopa will not lose to the evil shadow!"

"Before that, I need Hoopa to do me a favor."

……

Masara Town,

Ash's figure appeared in the professor's laboratory.

At this time, Masara Town was early morning; the professors, having stayed up all night, laughed as they persisted in studying the boulder.

A golden ring suddenly appeared,

Ash and two Pikachu, as well as a Yi Se Teng Teng She, jumped out from it.

Professor Oak saw Ash, yawning repeatedly, but still greeted him.

"Ash, ah~ you… you're back!"

Sensing Ash's aura appear,

In a cave somewhere in the backyard, Mewtwo's silhouette flashed briefly and appeared inside the research institute.

The blue-white Latios inhabiting the forest opened its eyes, and likewise teleported to the research institute.

"Long time no see, Latios!"

Ash patted Latios's head,

Then he looked toward the professor.

"Professor, the situation is urgent; I'll take the boulder, Mewtwo, and Latios first, and send them back later."

That said,

After all, this time there is a high probability it will develop into a battle of the gods.

This time, Ash also brought all the combat power he could carry.

Besides Mewtwo and Latios, Ash also summoned Charizard, Infernape, and Serperior to follow along.

During this, Serperior, seeing the Yi Se Teng Teng She perched on Ash's shoulder, couldn't help but show a surprised expression.

Soon after, a hint of resentment flashed across its creamy cheek.

……

Desert Oasis Pokemon Center.

Everyone gathered; they arranged Latias to protect Serena, and allowed Serena's sister to start her livestream again.

Ash also had Latios protect everyone.

The Team Rocket trio, holding binoculars in the sky, looked doubtful,

"What are those little brat executives doing?"

"Never mind, first grab that vase that can amplify Pokemon power, to deepen our irreconcilable stance, meow!"