Mewtwo sternly rejected Ash's reckless proposal. Capable of wielding Aura himself, the Genetic Pokémon understood its true nature better than anyone.
Aura was fundamentally a human's life energy.
Accessing a small amount was harmless, but overextending it would severely drain a person's vitality, even directly threatening their life.
Furthermore, while Mewtwo currently held Eternatus in check with a single hand, the dragon's latent power was unfathomable.
It was only because Eternatus was profoundly weakened that it could be restrained so effortlessly. Had it been at its absolute prime, even Mewtwo couldn't guarantee an easy victory.
Yet here was Ash, casually offering up his own life force to fuel the dragon's recovery! Even if his Aura could restore Eternatus, the sheer volume required would completely drain Ash dry.
Your Aura? That is the exact power you use to speak with me, correct? The restrained Eternatus spoke up, its piercing gaze locked onto Ash.
I can sense the raw vitality woven into that energy. If you give too much of it away, you will die. Do you truly not understand that you are offering up your very life force?
Eternatus assumed that once the boy realized the lethal cost, he would instantly back down, shut his mouth, and choose to lock the capsule away forever. After all, what rational being would willingly sacrifice their own life just to restore the strength of a potential enemy?
"Yeah, I know," Ash replied, his signature, bright smile breaking across his face. "But as long as I can provide you with Aura, you won't ever need to drain Galar's energy spots! If that's what it takes, you can have my power!"
Ash pumped his fist, his eyes burning with determination. "Besides, I'm not going to die that easily! I promise you, I will never fall until I become the world's number one Pokémon Master!"
Eternatus fell completely silent, caught entirely off guard. This human... knows perfectly well that this energy is his own life force, yet he's still willing to give it to me?
Is he completely insane? Weren't humans supposed to be inherently selfish, greedy creatures? How could someone like him exist?
Ash, listen to reason! Mewtwo interjected, its telepathic voice sharp with worry.
A minor loss of Aura can be recovered with rest, but once you willingly open a channel to an entity like Eternatus, you won't be the one in control of the flow! It could easily drain you to a husk in a matter of seconds. The risk is astronomical.
Ash simply grinned, looking directly at the colossal dragon. "Eternatus would never do something like that! I believe in him!"
You foolish child... why on earth would you trust me? Eternatus hissed, genuinely baffled. I am the literal catalyst behind Galar's Darkest Day! Just as this hairless creature said, I could destroy you in an instant!
Mewtwo's brow twitched violently. ...Did you just call me hairless?
A dangerous gleam flickered in Mewtwo's eyes. No human or Pokémon had ever dared to insult its appearance so blatantly! If any Pokémon deserved to be called hairless, shouldn't it be Squirtle?!
...
[Caitlin: Hahaha! Oh my goodness, I can't breathe! 'Hairless creature'?! Hahaha!]
[Alder: Now, now, Caitlin, let's not tease him too much. We don't want to get on his bad side~]
[Mewtwo: ...That dragon better pray it never crosses paths with me in real life, or I will personally show it the true meaning of pain.]
What an absolute humiliation! For a Legendary of his stature to be given such a ridiculous nickname by a giant skeleton dragon was utterly unacceptable. Even with his modern, stoic mindset, it was testing his patience.
...
In the footage—
Ignoring the massive dragon's hostile questioning, Ash kept his hands resting casually behind his head, meeting Eternatus's gaze with absolute sincerity. "You wouldn't actually do it, right?"
Eternatus went completely still.
Watching from the sidelines, Chloe couldn't help but marvel at the situation. Ash might be completely oblivious when it came to human romance, but his emotional intuition regarding Pokémon was practically flawless.
The moment Eternatus chose to patiently argue with Ash rather than lashing out, Ash had already read its true nature. It wasn't an inherently evil entity.
There had to be a deeper reason behind the historical catastrophe it caused.
If it were truly a mindless monster, it would have blasted Ash the second it broke free from the Ultra Ball instead of attempting to fly away after their negotiations failed! Its restraint was proof enough of its character.
Furthermore, upon learning that Ash's Aura was tied to his life force, Eternatus had openly warned him about the danger.
Even if Mewtwo was going to say it anyway, the fact that the dragon spoke up showed a surprising level of directness and care.
So the legendary bringer of the Darkest Day... is actually just like a stubborn child who doesn't understand the world? Chloe thought, feeling a wave of self-reproach.
Was that suffocating pressure she felt earlier just the natural aura of a god-tier Pokémon rather than malice? She felt deeply ashamed for letting ancient legends prejudice her judgment.
Eternatus remained silent under Ash's trusting gaze. Ash was right—it truly had no intention of killing the boy.
The historical catastrophe thousands of years ago had its own complex reasons, and this recent crisis was purely driven by Chairman Rose's obsession with turning it into a perpetual energy engine. It had simply been defending itself and retaliating against humanity's greed.
Yet now, this human was offering absolute, unvarnished trust.
I am the Darkest Day, Eternatus murmured telepathically. I brought ruin to an entire region. I nearly tore the world apart.
"That wasn't your fault," Ash said gently. "If your energy causes things to run wild, then it just means you need to learn to control it to become even stronger. Energy itself isn't good or evil—it all depends on how the one wielding it chooses to use it!"
Eternatus stared at him. What is wrong with this kid... how is he so incredibly good at talking? It couldn't even maintain its intimidating facade anymore.
Hmph! Fine. Tell this hairless creature to unhand me!
My name is MEWTWO!!! The Genetic Pokémon roared in its mind, though it ultimately chose to release its telekinetic grip, letting Eternatus float freely. From the dragon's shift in tone, Mewtwo could tell it had already accepted Ash.
Listen well, boy. You will use your Aura to sustain me a little bit every day. Once my true strength is fully restored, I will leave this place and never interfere with humanity again. Do we have a deal?
"Hehe, absolutely! Thank you!" Ash cheered, beaming. "Don't worry, I promise to feed you every single day!"
Hmph!