Upon hearing Entei's confirmation, Molly's face lit up with a brilliant smile. "I might be small now, but once I grow up, I can do it!"
She leaned gently against Delia, drifting into what seemed like a sweet, hopeful dream. Sensing her intent, Entei stood up and slowly sank through the floor, descending toward the lower levels of the tower where Ash was approaching.
"Papa, this is my first Pokémon battle!" A phantom image of Molly suddenly appeared on Entei's back.
Feeling her mix of excitement and nerves, Entei comforted her. "Molly, as long as you desire it, you can achieve anything."
Sure enough, the phantom of the young girl began to shimmer and change. In an instant, she grew into a beautiful teenager of fifteen or sixteen. She was tall, radiant, and wore a silver cape that fluttered in the phantom wind. Her clear eyes sparkled with newfound confidence.
"I can do this!"
As a manifestation of the crystals, Entei could phase through the tower freely, but Ash found the ascent much more difficult. Though he had arrived on Charizard, the only way into the heart of the tower was through the base. A forced entry from the top was impossible; that was where the Unown were concentrated.
Because of Molly's wishes, however, Ash encountered no resistance as he entered.
Ring! Ring! Ring!
His communicator chirped. "Ash, are you alright?" Misty's voice came through.
"Don't worry, Misty, I'm fine," Ash replied. "Pika!" Pikachu added.
"Ash, this is David. Do you see the Unown?" The voice of Dr. Hale's assistant joined the call.
"Not yet. They should be at the top of the tower," Ash said, looking upward. His goal wasn't just to rescue his mother and Molly; he had other plans.
"Ash, do you know something about them?" Professor Oak asked, sensing Ash's unusual focus.
"I know a bit, but not everything," Ash admitted.
"According to Dr. Hale's research, the Unown have the ability to read the consciousness of other beings. They perceive human hearts and manifest those thoughts into reality," Professor Oak explained.
"That explains it," Ash said softly. "The Unown felt Molly's loneliness and created this tower. These crystals are like a cold, empty heart. I think my mom sensed that, which is why she wanted to stay and care for her."
Professor Oak fell silent for a moment. "Ash, you have to bring your mother back."
"Of course," Ash smiled confidently.
After hanging up, his expression turned serious as he stepped into a room filled with lush grass and blooming flowers. A gentle breeze blew through the space—it was a perfect, peaceful meadow. Entei stood there, and beside it was the grown-up version of Molly.
"You're a Pokémon trainer, aren't you?" Molly looked down at Ash, her eyes burning with a competitive spirit.
Ash couldn't help but chuckle. "When you used to follow me around begging for candy, you called me 'Big Brother Ash.' Now that you've grown up, you don't recognize me?"
Entei leaped forward, and Molly flipped gracefully off its back, landing smoothly on the grass.
"Big Brother Ash, it's been a long time," Molly greeted him like an old friend.
"I became a trainer and started my journey," Ash began, describing the experiences the young Molly had always dreamed of. "These are my partners, Pikachu and Charizard. I've caught many others and made so many friends along the way. I'm sorry, Molly. I've been traveling, and I only just arrived here yesterday."
Perhaps that was the price of growing up. Ash had been away on his journey and hadn't known about the tragedy at the Hale manor.
Molly shook her head. "It's okay. Now my Papa and Mama are both back. Big Brother Ash, let's battle!"
"I'd be honored," Ash replied.
A standard battle court suddenly manifested on the grass. Entei lay down behind Molly, acting as her guardian and mentor. Ash gripped a Poké Ball, taking the lead. "I choose you, Bayleef!"
Facing a Grass-type, Molly smiled confidently. A crystal Poké Ball appeared in her hand out of thin air. "I'm counting on you, Vulpix! Let's go!"
The phantom Vulpix looked incredibly sharp. Despite her older appearance, Molly was still a young girl at heart, manifesting unevolved but adorable Pokémon.
The Fire-type Vulpix had a clear advantage over Bayleef. Ash couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed for his past self; when he first started, he barely understood type match-ups. Molly, however, had clearly been studying. Having a Pokémon researcher for a father meant she had a wealth of knowledge to draw from.
"Vulpix, use Flamethrower!"
Because Vulpix was a creation of Molly's mind, its power was limited only by her imagination. The pillar of fire it unleashed was devastatingly strong.
"Dodge it and use Sweet Scent!"
Ash remained calm. Bayleef leaped away from the searing heat, and the leaf on its head began to glow. A sweet, intoxicating aroma filled the arena, causing both Vulpix and the phantom Molly to look a bit dazed.
"Now! Use Vine Whip to slam Vulpix!"
Bayleef didn't hesitate. Its vines shot out, entangling the Vulpix before lifting it high and slamming it into the ground. The Vulpix was heavily damaged.
"We're not done! Body Slam!"
Seizing the momentum, Bayleef charged. Having gained significant weight since its evolution, its Body Slam was a crushing blow. It flattened the Vulpix just as it tried to stand.
Vulpix was unable to continue. There was no referee in this dream world, but the outcome was undeniable.
"Come back, Bayleef! Next up is you, Wartortle!"
The recently evolved Wartortle stepped onto the stage.
"A Water-type? Then I'll use this one!"
The defeated Vulpix dissolved into crystals, and a new crystal ball appeared in Molly's hand. She threw it, and a fluffy Flaaffy—the middle stage of the Ampharos line—appeared to face Ash.
Bayleef Sync: 202 / 216