"Houndoom, keep getting stronger! Use Dark Pulse!"
This was a move Houndoom had mastered during its evolution process.
A surge of wicked energy erupted toward Entei, who countered with a barrage of fireballs.
From the very start, this Entei hadn't been fighting seriously.
In truth, Entei's power was drawn from Molly's heart. As long as Molly believed her "papa" was invincible, Entei could never be defeated.
Because of that, he was the perfect sparring partner.
[Houndoom: 247/255]
Purple flames flickered and died against Houndoom's hide, but its eyes remained filled with a burning fighting spirit.
"Flamethrower!"
This time, Houndoom's flames seemed darker, almost laced with streaks of pitch black.
It was said that Houndoom could breathe flames mixed with toxins, causing wounds that would never stop stinging. The deep crimson Flamethrower collided once more with Entei's fireballs.
"Feint Attack!"
Taking advantage of the momentary screen provided by the exploding flames, Ash and Houndoom launched a surprise assault.
"Roar!"
With a thunderous howl, Houndoom lunged forward and sank its teeth into Entei's flank.
For the first time since the battle began, Ash and Houndoom had landed an effective blow on Entei.
"Awoo!"
The terrifying, long howl was the signature of a Houndoom.
[Houndoom: 249/255]
Thump-thump!
"Houndoom, become the strongest king!"
As soon as Ash spoke, black flames enveloped Houndoom.
The Bond Evolution had begun.
Entei was startled by the sudden transformation. As the black flames surged, he instinctively leaped in front of Molly to protect her.
"Papa, what's happening to Ash's Houndoom?"
Before Entei could answer, a pair of crimson, fiery eyes snapped open within the black fire. It was as if a demon had descended upon the world to wreak havoc.
"Fight! Feint Attack!"
Houndoom's Bond Evolution felt entirely different to Ash than Charizard's.
With Charizard, the Bond Evolution felt like being in a sauna warm and comfortable, carrying a heroic, passionate spirit.
However, despite Houndoom also being a Fire type, this bond made Ash feel as if his body were burning up while his spine was simultaneously turning to ice.
Was this the nature of a Dark and Fire type Bond Evolution?
It didn't feel bad at all.
[Houndoom: 250/255]
The last five points.
Houndoom suddenly materialized beside Entei, the black flames nearly frightening Molly.
Seeing this, Entei could no longer afford to hold back. He snapped his jaws toward the black flames with a Fire Fang.
However, the black flames erupted at point-blank range, and Entei was swallowed by a black Flamethrower.
"Roar!"
Light flashed from Entei's body as he dispelled the black flames. He stared at the fire-shrouded Houndoom. "Both its flames and its movements are completely different from before. What is going on?"
"Ash's Houndoom is so strong! But Papa is still the strongest!"
Molly's faith in Entei was the source of his power.
"Houndoom, Crunch!"
Wicked energy formed a massive, blood-red maw over the black flames. Even Entei was stunned by the sight as Houndoom clamped its jaws onto his neck.
"Papa!" Molly cried out in shock. She turned to Ash with a look of resentment. "Ash, I'm not happy anymore!"
As Molly's emotions shifted, the bright sunlight over the meadow suddenly dimmed. Even the ground beneath them began to tremble.
"Molly, it's alright. This is what a Pokémon battle is."
Surprisingly, it was Entei who comforted her. Once her emotions stabilized, Entei turned his gaze back to Ash. "Boy, what is this?"
"If you want to know, then keep fighting! Even against a Legendary, we will only get stronger!"
[Houndoom: 254/255]
"Awoo!"
That terrifying howl echoed once more from within the black flames.
"Then let me see just how strong you truly are!"
Entei took the initiative for the final strike. His massive, heavy body ignited as he charged toward Houndoom like a mountain of fire.
"Feint Attack!"
Entei collided with the black flames. At the moment of the explosion, the final Bond Point was added to the total.
Thump-thump!
Thump-thump!
The heartbeats of Ash and Houndoom synchronized, ringing out like a bell heralding the arrival of hell.
Just as it had been with Charizard, when the final point was reached, the black flames split apart to reveal the evolved Houndoom.
Houndoom had grown a full size larger. Its crimson claws were now wreathed in black hellfire.
Its long, curved demonic horns had turned blood-red and extended forward, while the bone-like structures on its back grew more jagged, stretching over its shoulders like protruding fangs.
Most terrifying of all was the sheep skull fixed to its chest, its empty eye sockets flickering with dark red flames.
"So cool!"
Ash had worried he might scare Molly, but the young girl was surprisingly brave. Then again, she was a girl who could accept a Legendary Pokémon like Entei as her father.
*Name:* Ash-Houndoom
*Type:* Dark + Fire
*Abilities:* Flash Fire (Absorbs fire moves to power up its own), Cursed Body (May disable an opponent's move upon contact)
*Moves:* Feint Attack, Foul Play, Flamethrower, Crunch, Fire Fang, Dark Pulse, Payback, Beat Up, Nasty Plot...
The Bond Evolved Houndoom actually possessed the Cursed Body ability.
This was Ash's second Bond Evolution, and he hadn't expected it to be the "Hound King" he had only recently captured.
This meant that if his Bayleef, Wartortle, or Slowpoke reached their final evolutions, they too would likely complete their bond growth quickly.
After the evolution stabilized, Houndoom retreated to Ash's side. This time, Ash only felt a brief moment of dizziness; at least he didn't pass out.
However, this was Ash's current limit. He could only maintain one Bond Evolution at a time.
Nevertheless, he felt his physical constitution improve once more. He believed that as more of his Pokémon achieved this state, he would soon break through that limit.
"Molly, do you still want to fight?"
Ash looked at her. He had originally intended to just play with the girl to ease her loneliness, but Entei had gotten competitive, turning it into a real battle.
Molly shook her head, her eyes wide with wonder. "No. Ash, why don't you come to my house?"
With those words, her taller phantom disappeared, replaced by the image of the small, innocent girl.
This was Molly's true form. "Ash!"
Even though it was still an illusion, it was clear she was happy. She took Ash by the hand and climbed onto Entei's back with him.
"Papa, please take us there!"
Entei didn't mind. "Whatever Molly wishes."
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