It had to be said—Charizard's strength grew by leaps and bounds every single day. If you didn't see him for three days, you had to look at him in a completely new light! From the beginning until now, Charizard remained Ash's strongest combat asset.
Perhaps it was because Molly's emotions had stabilized, or perhaps it was because the Unown had shifted part of their attention to supporting Entei against Ash's Charizard; either way, the violent tremors within the crystal tower had subsided significantly. Even the expansion of the crystals across the Greenfield plains had slowed to a crawl.
After calming Molly down, Ash shouldered his backpack. Keeping one eye on the aerial battle between Charizard and Entei, he hurried toward the upper chamber where the Unown were gathered.
Ascending past the original roof, the crystals here were gnarled and tangled like a complex nervous system. Fortunately, Ash's physique had been repeatedly strengthened through multiple Bond Evolutions and the awakening of his abilities, making the climb relatively easy.
Soon, he reached the very heart of the crystal tower. Countless Unown were spinning here in a hypnotic, rhythmic circle.
As Psychic-type Pokémon, a single Unown was practically useless—even a Rattata could bully one. But when two or more gathered, they generated a mysterious, reality-warping power. Right now, responding to Molly's loneliness and helplessness, this massive swarm of Unown had manifested this terrifying crystal fortress.
Ash's goal was simple: capture the Unown.
"Houndoom, I choose you!"
While Charizard was busy battering Entei outside, Ash had to settle things here quickly. The newly evolved Houndoom emerged, radiating an aggressive aura.
"Houndoom, use Faint Attack!"
As a Dark-type, Houndoom's strike immediately shattered the energy ring formed by the spinning Unown.
Clatter! Clatter!
Several Unown fell from the air like broken building blocks, knocked loose from the swarm by Houndoom's impact. Ash acted instantly, opening his bag and using his telekinesis to launch a barrage of Poké Balls.
Disconnected from the swarm, the individual Unown were weak. Having been injured by the Dark-type Houndoom, they were captured instantly without the Poké Balls even wobbling.
"Again!"
Perhaps because Molly was calm, or because the Unown were distracted by the legendary battle outside, the swarm didn't seem to notice their falling comrades. They simply filled the gaps in their formation and continued to spin.
Ash repeated the process until all 28 of his empty Poké Balls were filled. He had successfully captured 28 Unown. However, his team was now at full capacity, and the buttons on the Poké Balls glowed red, meaning they couldn't be summoned yet.
"Time to go!" With the task complete and his balls used up, Ash withdrew Houndoom and hurried back downstairs.
"Entei, it's time to end this!"
As Ash returned his full focus to the battle, Charizard unleashed a sky-rending roar. A massive, exaggerated Dragon Claw swiped Entei from its crystal perch. The sheer weight of the blow sent the legendary beast plummeting. It crashed through three crystal spikes before finally managing to stabilize itself.
"How can he be this strong?" Entei gasped in shock.
"Entei, if Molly stays in this tower, she will be alone forever. If you truly care for her, let her come with me!" Ash shouted from behind Charizard's protection.
In truth, these words were meant for Molly. They hit their mark. Just as Entei and Charizard were about to collide again, Molly cried out.
"Stop it! Big Brother Ash, Papa!" Molly rushed between them. Seeing Entei halt, she turned to Ash with a smile. "Big Brother Ash, can I go on a journey with you?"
Molly had decided to leave. Even at such a young age?
"Of course! I'll show you how vast this world is and help you make real friends!" Ash promised without hesitation.
Entei landed before Ash. "If this is what Molly wishes, then I entrust her to you."
Molly's loneliness finally vanished completely. However, the crystal tower did not disappear with it. Instead, as the structure began to dissolve, terrifyingly sharp crystal spikes suddenly erupted from the floor beneath them without warning.
Ash reacted first, his eyes flashing blue as he used his telekinesis to move Delia and Molly onto Entei's back.
"Ash, what's happening?" Delia cried out, clutching Molly as she watched Ash glow with blue energy.
Ash leaped onto Charizard's back. "The Unown have lost control and gone berserk!"
"Entei, I'm leaving Molly and my mom to you!" Ash shouted as he commanded Charizard to fly back toward the top floor.
Even with the Unown raging, Entei still maintained some level of control over the tower and possessed the strength to protect them.
"Entei, please... go help Ash!" Delia pleaded. Sensing Molly's identical desire, Entei nodded. "Molly, I was born for your happiness. Since this is what you wish...!"
Entei carried the two of them toward the peak of the tower.
"Houndoom!" Ash summoned his partner again, though he allowed Charizard to return to its original form—he was reaching his physical limit.
"Houndoom, Dark Pulse!"
"Charizard, Flamethrower!"
"Pikachu, 100,000 Volts!"
Fusion!
The Electric, Dark, and Fire attacks merged in mid-air—a miracle made possible by their peaked synchronization. The resulting blast was easily at the level of a legendary Pokémon's signature move.
However, the Unown formation, which had been easily shaken by a single Faint Attack earlier, was now an impenetrable fortress. Although the fusion blast broke their outer shield, the Unown didn't fall. After a momentary scramble, they snapped back into formation and continued their hypnotic spinning.
Not only that, they unleashed a massive wave of energy toward Ash's three Pokémon.
"Use Crunch!"
Houndoom leaped to the front, its Dark energy acting as a shield against the Psychic shockwave. It bared its spectral fangs and bit down, shattering the energy wave.
Ring! Ring! Ring! Professor Oak's voice came through the communicator. "Ash! The crystals are spreading wildly! Even the Pokémon Center is about to be swallowed!"
"The Unown are out of control. I'm settling it now!"
But before Ash could finish, another Unown shockwave blasted Pikachu and Charizard backward. Ash gritted his teeth, his hand hovering over Houndoom. He was going to have to risk another Bond Evolution.