It had to be said Charizard's strength was changing day by day. Truly, he was a living example of the saying, "If you don't see a man for three days, you must look at him with new eyes!" From the past until now, Charizard had remained Ash's most powerful combat asset.
Perhaps it was because Molly's emotions had stabilized, or perhaps the Unown had shifted part of their attention toward supporting Entei in his duel against Ash and Charizard. Regardless, the riot within the Crystal Tower had calmed significantly, and even the expansion of the crystals across Greenfield had slowed down.
Once Ash had finished comforting Molly, he shouldered his backpack. Keeping one eye on the aerial battle between Charizard and Entei, he rushed toward the upper chamber where the Unown had taken up residence.
He climbed past the original roof. Up here, the crystals were as gnarled and interconnected as a neural hub. Fortunately, Ash's physical body had been repeatedly strengthened through multiple Bond Evolutions and Ability Awakenings, so scaling the terrain was not a difficult feat.
Soon, he arrived at the very core of the Crystal Tower.
Countless Unown were here, spinning in their magic circles. As Psychic type Pokémon, a single Unown was practically useless; even a Rattata could bully one. But when two or more gathered, they could unleash a mysterious and formidable power.
Now, sensing Molly's loneliness and helplessness, a massive swarm of Unown had congregated here to manifest this terrifying Crystal Tower.
Ash's goal was simple: he was going to catch them.
"Houndoom, I choose you!"
While Charizard was busy pummeling Entei outside, Ash had to settle things here as quickly as possible. Having just recently evolved, Houndoom appeared brimming with momentum.
"Houndoom, use Feint Attack!"
Being a Dark type, Houndoom's strike instantly shattered the energy ring formed by the spinning and leaping Unown.
Clang! Clatter!
Several Unown fell from the formation, looking like building blocks that had been knocked loose by Houndoom's impact.
Ash acted decisively. He opened his backpack and activated his telekinesis, controlling the Poké Balls and hurling them forward. These Unown had lost their connection to the swarm and were effectively powerless. Combined with the damage taken from the Dark type Houndoom, the Poké Balls didn't even flicker before the captures were successful.
"Again!"
Perhaps it was because Molly was still calm, or because the fight between Charizard and Entei was reaching its climax, but the other Unown didn't seem to care that their companions were being picked off. They quickly filled the gaps in the formation and continued their rhythmic, spinning dance.
Ash repeated the process until he had exhausted all twenty-eight of his Poké Balls, successfully capturing twenty-eight Unown. However, his party was now at maximum capacity. Every button on the Poké Balls at his waist glowed with a steady red light, indicating they could not be summoned.
"Time to go!" Mission accomplished and Poké Balls spent, Ash turned to retreat.
Recalling Houndoom, Ash hurried back downstairs.
"Entei, it's time to end this!"
As Ash turned his full attention back to the battle, Charizard let out a roar that seemed to set the sky ablaze. His exaggeratively large dragon claws slammed into Entei, who had been standing atop a crystal spike, and sent him crashing down.
The force was so heavy and sudden that even Entei couldn't maintain his footing. He plummeted through several crystal spikes, snapping three of them clean off before finally managing to stand steady.
"How can he be this strong?"
"Roar!"
"Entei, if you let Molly stay in this Crystal Tower, she will be alone forever. If you truly care about her happiness, let her leave with me!" Ash shouted at Entei, standing before Molly under the protection of Charizard.
In truth, these words were meant for Molly to hear.
Sure enough, the words reached her. Just as Entei and Charizard were about to collide once more, Molly spoke up.
"Stop! Ash, Daddy!" Molly rushed forward and stood between them. Seeing that Entei had ceased his movements, she suddenly turned around and looked at Ash with a smile. "Ash, can I go on a journey with you?"
Molly wanted to go out into the world at such a young age?
"Of course you can. I'll show you how vast this world is and help you make real friends!" Ash agreed without a second thought.
Entei landed in front of Ash. "If this is what Molly desires, then I entrust her to you."
Molly's loneliness and helplessness had finally vanished completely.
However, the Crystal Tower did not disappear. Instead of fading away, the crystals began to fluctuate wildly. Even more terrifying crystal spikes erupted without warning from beneath everyone's feet.
Ash reacted the fastest. Blue light flickered in his eyes as he used his power to place Delia and Molly onto Entei's back.
"Ash, what's happening?" Delia cried out in shock, clutching Molly and staring at Ash, whose body was covered in a blue aura.
Ash leaped onto Charizard's back. "The Unown have lost control and are rampaging!"
"Entei, I'm counting on you to protect Molly and my mom!" With that command, Ash guided Charizard back toward the upper levels.
Even though the Unown were out of control, Entei still maintained some level of influence over the Crystal Tower. His immense power would be enough to protect Molly and Delia.
"Entei, please, go help Ash!" Delia pleaded.
Sensing that Molly felt the same way, Entei nodded. "Molly, I was born to ensure your happiness. Since this is what you wish..."
Entei carried Molly and Delia up toward the top of the tower.
"Houndoom!" Ash summoned Houndoom again and had Charizard revert to his original form; Ash himself was reaching his limit.
"Houndoom, Dark Pulse!"
"Charizard, Flamethrower!"
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
Fusion!
The special attack skills of the Electric, Dark, and Fire types merged in mid-air. This was the omnipresent miracle that occurred when Bond values reached their peak. This single attack was undoubtedly at the level of a Legendary Pokémon.
However, the Unown square formation, which had been easily shaken by Houndoom's Feint Attack earlier, now seemed indestructible. Although the fusion blast broke through their outer defense, the Unown didn't fall. After a moment of chaotic movement, they instantly snapped back into formation.
They continued their spinning, leaping dance. Not only that, but they released a powerful energy wave that surged toward the three Pokémon.
"Use Crunch!"
Houndoom, being a Dark type, stood at the front to intercept the Psychic impact. He opened his wicked maw and crunched down hard, shattering the energy wave.
Ring, ring, ring! Professor Oak was calling. "Ash! The Crystal Tower is spreading like crazy! It's about to swallow the Pokémon Center!"
"The Unown are rampaging. I'll settle this right now!"
But before Ash could finish his sentence, another shockwave from the Unown sent Pikachu and Charizard flying back.
Ash gritted his teeth. He was about to force Houndoom into another Bond Evolution.
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