Ash slowly climbed the spiral staircase formed from crystal and finally reached the top of the crystal tower.
The sight before him was stunning. Dozens of Unown, perhaps nearly a hundred, were slowly circling through the air. Each had a different shape, together forming a complete alphabet system.
These ancient symbol Pokémon gave off a faint blue glow, slowly rotating within their shared energy field, as if chanting some kind of ancient spell.
Through his Aura perception, Ash understood the nature of these Pokémon. A single Unown possessed only negligible power, but when they gathered together, they could produce astonishing energy capable of distorting reality.
The swarm of Unown now surrounding the top of the tower was the source of this entire crisis.
Fortunately, because Molly's emotions had begun to stabilize, the spread of the crystal had already slowed. This created a precious opportunity for Ash to act.
"Slowpoke, Ralts, I choose you!" Ash softly called out his two partners.
Ralts still sat quietly on his shoulder, but fighting spirit had already ignited in its eyes.
"Slowpoke, use Zen Headbutt! Ralts, support it with Shadow Ball!"
Psychic light gathered at Slowpoke's forehead as it charged fiercely toward the swarm of Unown.
At the same time, Ralts moved its hands quickly, firing three Shadow Balls in rapid succession with perfect precision at the Unown in the air.
Under Ash's special training, Ralts's attack speed far exceeded that of others of its kind. At this moment, it displayed an astonishing battle rhythm.
Under the dual assault, Unown began falling like raindrops.
Ash swiftly threw the Poké Balls he had prepared in advance, capturing every unconscious Unown in time.
When the thirtieth Poké Ball stopped shaking, the swarm of Unown at the top of the tower had been successfully brought under control.
After recalling his two exhausted partners, Ash returned inside the tower.
Although Charizard was still locked in combat with Entei, the situation had clearly eased.
"Entei, if you truly care about Molly, then you should understand that imprisonment will never bring real happiness." Ash's voice echoed through the tower.
He gently hugged Molly and said softly, "Don't be afraid. From now on, you're no longer alone. You have me, My Mom Delia, and many friends who are willing to stay by your side. I think your father would also want to see you living happily in the real world."
At the word "father," Molly's eyes flickered slightly.
She broke free from Ash's embrace and called out to Entei, "Please stop!"
Then she turned to Ash, a relieved smile blooming across her face. "I want to leave this place and see the real world. You'll take me there, right?"
Ash gently stroked her hair. "Of course."
Entei slowly walked closer, a trace of relief in its voice. "I was born from your wish for happiness. If leaving can bring you true joy, then I..."
Before it could finish speaking, a sudden change occurred.
The crystals inside the tower abruptly began growing out of control, and sharp ice like crystal spikes burst up from the floor.
Ash keenly sensed the danger. He lifted Molly onto Entei's back in one motion, then quickly evacuated with the others.
"Everyone, hold on tight!" Ash leaped onto Charizard's back, his expression grave. "The Unown's power has gone out of control. The crystals are accelerating their erosion of the real world!"
His communicator rang at just the right moment, and Professor Oak's anxious voice confirmed Ash's guess. The crystal expansion had already endangered the entire Greenfield.
After placing Misty and Brock in a relatively safe location, Ash rode Charizard back to the top of the tower alone.
The sight before him was chilling. The remaining Unown seemed to have fallen into madness. The energy barrier they had formed was indestructible, and not even Charizard's flames or Pikachu's lightning could pierce through it.
Just as Ash was trapped in a bitter struggle, Entei arrived at the top of the tower as well, carrying Molly and Delia.
"Ash, release the Unown you captured!" Entei suggested urgently. "Perhaps they can help!"
Ash immediately threw out the thirty Poké Balls.
The released Unown did not join their rampaging companions. Instead, they circled around Ash as if waiting for his command.
Under everyone's astonished gazes, these Unown began to resonate with Ash's Aura power.
Amid dazzling white light, a magnificent set of silver white armor gradually covered Ash's upper body.
A bright red "V" shaped crest was embedded in the chest plate, and the streamlined design of the shoulder armor was both elegant and full of power.
Most astonishing of all were the wings of light spreading from his back. The pair of wings, formed from pure energy, gently flapped and scattered specks of starlight. Together with the Ultimate Sword on Ash's right wrist, the cold gleam of the blade formed a striking contrast with the starlight behind him.
"This is..." Delia covered her mouth in disbelief.
Ash lowered his head and examined this sudden armament, unable to help a wry smile. This armor, combining the sanctity of Noah's Wings and the majesty of Ultimate Zero, had indeed exceeded his expectations.
"Big Brother Ash looks so cool!" Molly clapped excitedly.
Entei's deep voice rang out. "Young man, accept my gift."
A scorching surge of energy flowed out from Entei's body and merged into the armor.
Flame like red patterns instantly spread across the silver white armor, as if life had been infused into it.
Feeling the surging power inside him, Ash took a deep breath. "Everyone, this is the final strike!"
He moved his thoughts, and the armor around him instantly reorganized and transformed into a massive silver and red divine bow.
When Ash pulled the bowstring to its limit, Charizard's Dragon Rage, Pikachu's Thunder, and Slowpoke's Water Pulse were actually drawn toward the arrow, merging into a gorgeous tricolored arrow of light.
"Now!"
The arrow of light left the string, spinning rapidly through the air. Everywhere it passed, space itself twisted.
The barrier constructed by the Unown began cracking the instant it touched the arrow of light, before finally shattering completely.
As the barrier collapsed, the rampaging Unown fell one after another, and the crystals outside the tower also began melting rapidly, revealing Greenfield's original appearance once more.
The surviving Unown regained their senses. They traced a spatial rift through the air and disappeared into the void one after another.
Only the thirty Unown who had formed a bond with Ash remained by his side, while the silver and red armor shone brilliantly beneath the sunlight.
Misty and Brock, looking up at this scene from below the tower, could not help feeling heartfelt pride at how much Ash had grown.
Having completed its mission, Entei cast one final gentle look at Molly, then slowly faded into the air.
With its departure, the crystal tower completely collapsed as well, turning into countless points of light that filled the sky.
After recapturing the Unown willing to follow him, Ash received Professor Oak's praise.
"You did extremely well, Ash," Professor Oak's voice came through the communicator. "I've already sent people to the ruins where Professor Hale was last seen."
Sure enough, good news arrived soon after. Professor Hale had been safely found inside the ruins. Although he was weak, he was not seriously harmed.
At the time of parting, Molly hugged Ash tightly. "When the Silver Conference comes, I'll definitely cheer for Big Brother Ash!"
"Then it's a promise." Ash smiled and rubbed her hair. "When the time comes, I'll definitely win the championship."
Delia gazed at her son gently. "Go without worry. Leave Molly to me."
Standing upon the reborn Greenfield, Ash looked into the distance.
The crisis of the crystal tower had been resolved, but new adventures were waiting ahead.
A/N: The first arc of the Johto chapter has officially been cleared. This time, the cheat ability has even more style than the previous ones!
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