When all the visions ended, Ash fell into deep thought. Elesa, noticing his silence, asked with concern, "Are you okay, Ash?"
"I'm fine, but honestly, this whole situation is just hilarious! Hahaha, it's too funny!"
"Huh?" *N
Everyone was left stunned as Ash laughed uncontrollably. "Come on, do you really think I don't know what kind of person I am? If you're going to lie, at least make it believable! Me, a selfish guy who's always thinking about making money, sacrificing myself to save the world? That's a joke!"
As he spoke, Ash walked up to Gastly and patted it on the back. "Hey, Gastly, if you're going to trick someone, at least do it properly. You're making me doubt if I'm actually some kind of hero."
"...But I'm telling the truth. And that last part wasn't even from me—it was someone else," Gastly replied, looking at Ash with a mix of frustration and helplessness. How could the person in question react like this?
Just as Gastly was at a loss, a voice echoed through the air.
"To prove it, simply place your hand on the Maiden's Rock. You'll understand then." The voice was filled with authority, commanding respect and reverence. Ash quickly moved to shield Elesa, Misty, and Yellow, his protective instincts kicking in.
"Who's there? Show yourself!"
"You won't find me, but now is not the time for that. If you want proof, place your hand on the Maiden's Rock."
Hearing this, Ash responded with a serious tone, "Sorry, but the Maiden's Rock is a landmark of Maiden's Cape. I can't just touch it casually. That would cause unnecessary trouble for Officer Jenny and the others."
"..." *N
At that moment, the entire scene fell into silence, even the voice seemed speechless. Arceus, watching from the void, couldn't help but feel a headache at Ash's behavior.
"Damn it! Your bad habits are still the same as ever. Officer Jenny, do you agree to let Ash touch the Maiden's Rock? Didn't Ash call you here to help keep an eye on Gastly?"
"What?!" *3
James, Meowth, and Jessie were completely stunned. Officer Jenny was here too?
Suddenly, the entire area was illuminated by countless spotlights. It turned out that the staff of the Continental Hotel, along with Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy, had been hiding in the bushes, sipping coffee and eating buns while the Continental Hotel employees had set up equipment for numerous professors to observe the situation.
"Kid, what's going on?!" *3
Team Rocket was utterly baffled by the scene. Ash, as if remembering something, said, "Oh? I forgot to tell you. I called a bunch of people to help boost our courage. Elesa and the others know about it. Look, if it's a ghost, it's still a big discovery, right? Let's all gather around and watch it together."
"..." *3 Team Rocket felt like they had been thoroughly tricked. At that moment, Officer Jenny walked over and said, "Ash, since the voice said you'll get the truth by touching it, go ahead. We'll handle the communication here."
Professor Oak, on the computer screen, also nodded and said, "That's right, Ash. Go ahead and try. We'll all be here to witness it."
"Alright, Pidgeot, take me over."
"Pidgeot!"
As Pidgeot carried Ash closer to the Maiden's Rock, Ash hesitated for a moment before reaching out and touching it. At first, nothing happened.
"Ha! Nothing's happening... Wait, what?!" Just as Ash thought nothing would happen, the rocks on the Maiden's Rock began to crumble, revealing a girl inside. Ash quickly caught her to prevent her from falling.
"What's going on?!"
Ash was truly dumbfounded. How could something like this happen? The girl looked at Ash and smiled, saying, "So, your real name is Ash. Welcome back, Sir Aaron..." Then she fainted.
"No idea what's happening! First, save her! Nurse Joy, Chansey, we need help now! Someone, bring the first aid kit!"
"Yes, Boss!"
"Chansey, follow me." With Nurse Joy and Chansey's help, the girl was temporarily placed on a stretcher. Meanwhile, Professor Oak and the others began discussing.
"A miracle! She's been alive for a thousand years?!"
"No, no, Ash's identity is even more incredible! The Aura Guardian?!"
"By the way, who was that voice?"
"In Sinnoh, there's a legend. That should be the Creator God, Arceus." As the professors casually discussed, Ash turned to Elesa and the others, only to find Elesa, Misty, and Yellow in tears, saying, "Such a touching love story..."
"Hey, have some sense of urgency! The main character here is clearly me!" Ash pinched their cheeks one by one. "You're right, but it turns out Ash saved the world," Misty said, realizing something else. Elesa hugged Ash and said, "Oh no, Ash is going to be in high demand now."
"So, Ash is that great?"
"Wahhhhh!!!! It's you again, Ash!" Just as Ash and the others were enjoying the moment, Brock broke down. The girl who had waited for a thousand years was waiting for Ash!!!
Watching Brock run away in tears, Gastly said, "Poor kid."
"No, he just likes older sisters, so he deserves it," Misty explained, correcting Gastly's misunderstanding. After all, Brock would definitely relapse when he met another older sister.