The Entei that had suddenly appeared before Ash's group ignored everyone else, its piercing beastly eyes fixed solely on Delia.
"Mama!"
Entei spoke.
Ash's eyes flashed with a blue light as he threw a wave of Psychic energy toward the legendary beast. However, a deafening roar seemed to echo directly in his mind, shattering his focus and sending him stumbling back.
"Entei, don't you dare go too far!"
Entei ignored Ash entirely, its gaze never wavering from Delia. "You... are Mama."
This was a form of Hypnosis far more advanced than anything a Noctowl could produce. It was weaving a suggestion into Delia's mind. Ash tried to use his own telekinesis to break the spell, but the sheer power of the legendary Pokémon caused his psychic energy to backfire, sending a jolt of pain through his brain.
"Pikachu, use 100,000 Volts!"
Feeling Ash's fury, Pikachu's electricity exploded with terrifying intensity. Even at 200% of its normal power, the 100,000 Volts was easily evaded by Entei. With the hypnosis taking hold, Entei prepared to lunge forward and carry Delia away.
Suddenly, Wobbuffet leaped in front of Delia. Facing the legendary beast without a hint of fear, it timed its move perfectly. As Entei's massive frame collided with it, Wobbuffet activated Counter, successfully shoving the legendary Pokémon back.
"Wobbuffet, great job!"
Ash was reeling from the mental backlash, his vision blurring. Seeing Entei's advance halted, he gritted his teeth and threw a Poké Ball.
"Snorlax, I know you're awake! Use Block!"
Snorlax emerged, standing like an immovable wall of flesh between Delia and Entei.
"Entei, stop this madness!"
System, what item can break Entei's hypnosis? Ash roared in his mind. This wasn't a status that a simple Berry or Awakening potion could fix.
"Human, move aside!" Entei finally acknowledged Ash, its voice booming.
"Shut up!" Ash swung his arm, commanding his strongest active Pokémon. "Snorlax, use High Horsepower!"
High Horsepower was a Ground-type move Snorlax had recently mastered. Against a Fire-type like Entei, it was devastatingly effective. Only Pokémon with immense weight—like Snorlax or Mudsdale—could truly harness this power.
Snorlax's eyes snapped open, glowing with a fierce light as it wreathed itself in earthen energy and charged.
Snorlax Sync: 215 / 255
Combat with a legendary opponent was pushing their bond to new heights.
Recommendation: Exchange for Sacred Ash.
The system didn't disappoint. Sacred Ash was a legendary item tied to Ho-Oh, the very being that had resurrected the legendary beasts from the Great Fire. Ho-Oh's power could break any curse Entei might place.
It cost 500 points—nearly half of everything Ash had accumulated over the past two weeks. Without a second thought, Ash made the trade and blew the shimmering ash toward his mother.
"Ash!"
Delia blinked, her eyes clearing instantly. She looked at her son with deep concern. Seeing her recover, Ash felt the tension in his chest loosen slightly. "Snorlax, keep it back! Use Block!"
However, Entei's patience had run out. As a legendary beast of fire, its temper was naturally volatile.
"Roar!"
Entei used the move Roar, a powerful sonic wave that forced Snorlax back into its Poké Ball. In an instant, the path to Delia was clear again.
"Pikachu, 100,000 Volts!"
Ash's reflexes were pushed to the absolute limit. He didn't even have to think; the moment Snorlax vanished, he issued the command. But once again, the lightning missed its mark as Entei moved like a blur.
"Dammit!" Ash reached for another Poké Ball, his hand trembling.
Suddenly, a warm hand rested on Ash's. "Mom?"
When Ash turned, his friends gasped. Because of the psychic backlash and the sheer intensity of the fight, his eyes were bloodshot and crimson. Under the crushing pressure of a legendary Pokémon, his mind was on the verge of collapse.
"Ash!" Misty's heart ached seeing him in such a state.
Delia looked at her son with a gentle, loving smile, stroking his hair. "It's okay, Ash. I don't think Entei-chan means any harm."
She withdrew her heavily injured Wobbuffet and handed the ball to Brock, then stepped forward. "Entei-chan... did Molly send you to find me?"
Only Delia could look at a terrifying god of fire and call it "-chan." She had realized the truth the moment the hypnosis broke.
"Yes. You are Mama." This time, Entei spoke without using its powers.
"Mom, what are you doing?" Ash asked, his voice strained. Every part of his body screamed in pain from the mental strain.
Delia turned back and smiled. "Ash, I'm going to go take care of little Molly for a while. You'll come and save us, won't you?"
Ash nodded fervently. "Of course!"
Satisfied, Delia walked bravely to Entei's side. "Entei-chan, you don't need to hypnotize me. I will go and look after Molly."
Entei held its power in check, allowing Delia to climb onto its back. Before turning to gallop toward the crystal tower, it cast one final, lingering look at Ash.
Ash turned to Brock, his voice fading. "Brock... contact Liza at the Charific Valley. Tell her I need Charizard. I need its power."
"And the crystal... don't touch it..."
Before he could finish, Ash's world went black, and he collapsed into a deep unconsciousness.