In the Black World—
Ash is amazed by the power of Aeroblast, an exclusive technique used by Lugia, which his Pidgeot has now employed.
This move was developed after challenging the Cianwood Gym, through deep exchange and training between Ash and Pidgeot. The development method was the same as Blastoise mastering advanced Water-type moves—by using Aura Fusion. Through fusion, Ash could perceive the power within the feathers in greater detail, allowing Pidgeot to learn Aeroblast step by step.
However, since Ash didn't always have Pidgeot with him, he only used Aura Fusion to give it a foundational understanding. Afterwards, Pidgeot continued its research in Professor Oak's backyard. Ash truly hadn't expected… Pidgeot to have mastered Aeroblast to this extent! Even if not fully perfected, it couldn't be far off!
But…
Looking at the exhausted Pidgeot falling from the sky, Ash feels this move really shouldn't be used except in critical moments. Its wide-area AOE could destroy the battlefield! Combined with the weakness of draining all stamina after use, it's practically a one-shot gamble!
Thinking this, Ash catches Pidgeot—the large bird is light as a feather in his hands. He takes out its Poké Ball, says "Good work," and recalls it.
...
[Lugia: It really is Aeroblast… That's just too outrageous.]
For Lugia to call something outrageous shows how unbelievable Pidgeot's feat is.
[Lance: Strange… Is Ash's talent really that formidable? In this world, his Pidgeot isn't even as large as mine.]
[Chuck: An Pokémon's strength can't be judged by size alone. Otherwise, what's the point of battles? We'd just compare sizes to decide the winner.]
[Chuck: But still, Black Ash's Pidgeot is indeed a bit outrageous… It shouldn't be that easy to learn a Legendary's signature move, right? Look at Charizard—it can only convert a tiny bit of Sacred Fire so far!]
Both are Legendary-exclusive techniques, yet Pidgeot has nearly mastered Aeroblast, while Charizard, who held the Rainbow Wing far longer than Pidgeot held the Silver Wing, could only convert about five percent of its flames at best in Charizard Valley.
[Ho-Oh: My exclusive technique is different from Lugia's.]
[Ho-Oh: What's called Lugia's 'exclusive move' is still essentially a technique. Pidgeot comprehended the power to control wind, touching a fragment of Lugia's mastery over ocean currents, hence its rapid learning.]
[Ho-Oh: However, my flame isn't a 'move'—it's the application of Sacred Fire itself! In human terms, I use an 'exclusive technique: Sacred Fire,' but it's actually just a Flamethrower infused with Sacred Fire. This isn't a technique; it's a transformation of the flame's very nature!]
Ho-Oh explains: Sacred Fire fundamentally changes the flame itself, not a technique. For example, Aeroblast is like wielding a pistol—once learned, one can manipulate bullets or fire multiple rounds. Sacred Fire, however, upgrades the pistol to a submachine gun or even a heavy machine gun—a radical enhancement of the weapon (the user). This doesn't mean Aeroblast is inferior; each has pros and cons. But fundamentally altering the flame's origin is naturally harder to learn.
[Flint: So that's it… Does that mean once Black Ash's Charizard fully learns Sacred Fire, it could apply it to moves like Flame Wheel, Flamethrower, or even Blast Burn?]
[Ho-Oh: Theoretically, yes.]
Hearing Ho-Oh's confirmation, even Flint couldn't help but think that's utterly broken! Those already powerful moves, combined with Sacred Fire, would become monstrously strong! No wonder Charizard's firepower increased so drastically in Charizard Valley—it had already begun converting Sacred Fire, a fundamental change!
[Lugia: Although Aeroblast is much easier to learn than Sacred Fire… it's still not that easy! So yes, that's still outrageous!!]
Lugia never expected its signature move to be "stolen" so quickly! If not for Pidgeot lacking a psychic system, it might have pilfered Lugia's mastery over ocean currents too! But Lugia vaguely guessed the reason for Pidgeot's rapid growth: it was inextricably linked to Ash. Not just Aura Fusion, but something deeper—the bond! This ethereal power, often dismissed, is very real. Lugia, and all Legendaries, know this power well. Only such a bond could allow an ordinary Pokémon to keep pace with a Legendary, to embark on the path toward Legendary-tier strength! Of course, the Pokémon can't be too ordinary… but which of Ash's Pokémon lacks exceptional talent? Not a single one!
...
In the Black World—
Ash now looks back at Molly, who has finally snapped out of her stunned state.
"That… That was amazing, Brother Ash!"
"Brother Ash, your Pidgeot is incredible! It blew up the whole room!"
"Can Pokémon really use such powerful moves?! It's unbelievable!"
Ash watches the Crystal Tower repairing itself bit by bit and can't help but think: The truly unbelievable one is that Entei beside you, right? In moments, the entire tower was restored—the shattered floor and ceiling now intact as ever.
Ash then speaks slowly, "Molly, the first match goes to me. Your Mareep is completely gone."
That's right—the Mareep vanished. Even with the arena repaired, it didn't return. Ash dared to launch such a devastating attack precisely because the Mareep wasn't a real Pokémon. If it were real, he'd never have used such force. Of course, Ash hadn't expected Pidgeot's Aeroblast to be so complete. Lugia can draw air currents from dozens or even hundreds of miles; Pidgeot's range is likely hundreds of meters. Yet even that was enough to harness terrifying natural force, damaging the Crystal Tower and obliterating the illusory Mareep. That Mareep isn't getting up again, is it?
Hearing this, Molly snaps from her excitement. The Mareep is gone from the field—clearly unable to battle. So this match… she lost!
"Y-yes… I lost. But… but it's not over! Matches are best of three—that's common sense!"
Where did that common sense come from? Ash inwardly sighs but humors her.
The Pokémon Ash sends out this time is—Pikachu! Seeing the cute yellow rodent, Molly happily sends out an equally cute Teddiursa. Both are cute—this battle should be much fairer than before! Molly thinks.
However, the battle lasts only two minutes. The smile vanishes from Molly's face for one reason: from start to finish, Pikachu used only one move—Quick Attack! This single move knocked Teddiursa airborne, beginning an infinite juggle combo. The entire time, Teddiursa couldn't retaliate or fall. Molly tried to command counterattacks, but each time Teddiursa tried to muster a move, it was struck hard, dissipating the energy. After five straight minutes of this, Molly finally raises her hand in surrender.
After her concession, Pikachu returns to Ash's side, looking utterly relaxed. Using Quick Attack, which consumes minimal stamina, it could have kept this up for another twenty minutes without tiring. Ash had instructed Pikachu via Aura from the start: Don't use force—just prevent any counterattack. And so Pikachu used barely any strength, simply keeping the opponent airborne and interrupting its moves. It seems simple, but among Ash's team, only Pikachu could execute this precisely. Against an overpowered illusion, besides obliterating it with a Thunderbolt, this "slow boil" method—rendering the opponent helpless so the trainer sees the gap and concedes—works too. Though Molly likely conceded out of boredom… watching Teddiursa float helplessly isn't exactly thrilling!
After waving her hand to dismiss Teddiursa, Molly's cheeks puff up like a squirrel's.
"Brother Ash, you're so mean!"
"Hehe, you're the one who's mean~"
Ash says this while slowly approaching Molly with Pikachu. Behind her, Entei's eyes grow wary, its body tense, ready to attack if Ash makes a move toward Molly.
"Now, Molly, we agreed, right? Best of three—I've won, so you'll listen to me, okay?"
"...Mhm…" After a long hesitation, Molly nods. Her father taught her: promises must be kept!
Ash walks to Molly's side, ignoring Entei's vigilant gaze, and sits down.
"Molly, you can sit too—standing must be tiring."
"Mhm." As she speaks, a small stool appears behind her, and she sits.
"It's amazing, this power to make anything you imagine real."
"Imag…ine anything?"
"Molly, do you think everything here is real? Is He really your father?" Ash points at Entei behind her.
"He is my dad! Dad disappeared, and then Entei came! Dad must have become Entei! Dad said so himself!" Molly shouts, as if volume adds credibility.
"Unfortunately, He isn't your father, and nothing around you now is real. This place was created by Unown, fulfilling your wishes through their power. To be honest, this Crystal Tower has caused great trouble for Greenfield and all of Johto. Molly is a good girl, right?"
"I'm not a good girl!!" Molly jumps up, the stool toppling. Sparkles glint in her blue eyes before large tears roll down her cheeks.
"Good girls don't have moms! Good girls don't have dads either! Dad always says I'm a good girl! Good girls have to stay home alone, waiting for Dad to come back! I don't want to be a good girl! I just want Mom and Dad!!"
...
[Dr. Felina: Molly…]
In White Ash's world, Molly didn't react this strongly. But in Black Ash's world, she shouts the truth hidden in her heart. The reason likely is: White Ash's Molly was gently coaxed by Delia, while Black Ash's Molly, shaken by battle and Ash's keyword "good girl," awakens abruptly, making reality hard to accept.
[Delia: It's all in the past now, Dr. Felina… Research is important, but don't forget to spend time with your child~]
[Professor Oak: Hehe, indeed. No matter how busy I am with research, I make time for Gary every day.]
[Gary Oak: W-who needs you to spend time with me! I can play by myself!]
Classic Gary tsundere. However, persuaded by everyone, Dr. Felina sets aside the Crystal Tower incident, promising to give Molly a proper childhood with her mother.
...
In the Black World—
Watching Molly's sudden outburst, Ash doesn't refute her loudly. Instead, he pats Pikachu's head and quietly waits for her to calm. Soon, Molly's anguish subsides. Hugging her knees, she crouches beside Ash and mutters, "Why… don't Mom and Dad play with me… I don't need much time, just… just want them to stay with me a little! Waaah—"
As Molly sobs again, Ash's broad hand rests on her head, gently ruffling her hair.
"Mom and Dad are adults. Dr. Felina especially has very important research."
"But… that's no excuse not to be with you."
"Actually, when I was little, I only had my mom too. My father didn't come home for years. Mom raised me—oh, and Professor Oak! Even though he's a researcher, he seems to know cloning! He managed to study, take care of Gary, and look after our family! So, you see…" Ash meets Molly's eyes, speaking seriously.
"Being busy is never an excuse. Not spending time with you is their fault!"
"After this, I'll help you find your parents. You have to tell them exactly what you just told me, so they understand how you feel. Then they'll make more time for you!"
"Of course, you should understand your parents too. It's good to be a good girl, but being a 'bad' girl sometimes isn't so bad, right?"
With that, Ash flashes Molly a bright smile. Seeing it, Molly's expression crumples, and tears burst forth like a broken dam. Ash simply hugs her, gently patting her back in comfort.
Entei, standing behind Molly, gives Ash a deep look, then slowly turns to leave. Molly is清醒 now; it no longer needs to exist as a father substitute. And… that human is truly someone she can rely on. With that, it can depart in peace.
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