Pokemon: Radical Redux

Entei furrowed his brow as he stomped on the ground and roared, "Don't get in my way!" The shockwave sent strong gusts of air everywhere, forcing everyone to grab onto something for support—but Ash and Pikachu didn't move.

"I won't let you. You can walk away, or I'll walk on your face," Ash said, glaring angrily at Entei, even though he knew it was a fake.

"Insolent! You won't stand in the way of what Molly wants," Entei growled as his eyes began glowing purple, preparing to hypnotize Delia.

Ash looked unimpressed as his own eyes glowed blue, activating his Aura. "Pikachu, take care of it, [Thunderbolt]!"

Pikachu jumped into the air, slapped his cheeks, and unleashed a bolt of electricity at Entei.

Entei didn't take it seriously, trying to use his psychic ability to dissipate the attack before hypnotizing Delia and leaving. That was his plan, anyway.

But as the bolt approached, Entei suddenly felt something restraining him. His psychic ability temporarily faltered, it was Ash, already using his Aura. Yet, Entei remained unconcerned. In his mind, Molly's belief that he couldn't fail made it so. A little Thunderbolt shouldn't hurt him.

Fake or not, Entei still qualified as a legendary, but Pikachu was the ultimate counter to all legendaries. As the bolt struck, Entei was engulfed in electricity that actually caused him pain.

"Gahh! What is this?!" Entei roared as the electricity pushed him back. He shook his head, feeling the electric current weaken him slightly.

"Burns, doesn't it? Want more? Then choke on it. Pikachu, double the voltage!" Ash commanded with a snap of his fingers.

Pikachu, still discharging a steady stream of electricity, tapped his cheek pouches and unleashed an even larger burst of power. Entei roared in pain. Despite being created only hours ago, this was his first experience of true pain.

Everyone around watched in shock. Entei, who had arrived so confidently, was now overwhelmed by Pikachu's relentless attack.

Eventually, Pikachu stopped, though he wasn't exhausted. He stood ready to strike again at Ash's command.

Smoke wafted off Entei's body as he glared at Ash and Pikachu. "Grr... Don't get in my way!" Entei growled, rushing forward with his teeth igniting in a fiery Fire Fang.

As Entei charged, a blast of water shot past Ash and struck him in the face. Ash turned to see Misty with Starmie and Yellow with Omny, both using [Hydro Pump] to soak the fire legendary.

At the same time, Brock sent out Golem, who launched a volley of [Rock Blast] attacks at Entei.

Entei absorbed all the hits and shrugged them off, continuing his charge. But Ash was ready.

"Pikachu, [Iron Tail] now!"

Pikachu leaped into the air, somersaulted, and slammed his glowing silver tail into Entei's head. Entei resisted, pushing back with brute strength.

As the clash continued, Ash touched his ear as if speaking into a radio. In reality, he was using his Aura to connect with a certain Pokémon he'd sent out earlier. His command was simple:

"Drop the tactical nuke."

—

[In the Sky]

Noctowl soared high above, clutching a Pokéball tightly in his talons. Earlier, Ash had instructed him to fly up with the Pokéball and wait for his command. Now, he had heard it.

With a decisive release, Noctowl let the Pokéball fall, its arc aimed directly at Entei below.

Ash glanced urgently at his friends. "Guys, put your Pokémon back and brace yourselves!"

"Wait, what? What are you going to do?" Yellow asked, holding tightly to Omny.

"We don't have time! You'll see, just do it! Put your Pokémon back now!" Ash shouted, his expression deadly serious.

Delia, alarmed but trusting her son, recognized his tone. If Ash was acting this way, he meant business. She grabbed Misty and Yellow, tugging at them insistently. "Come on!"

Misty, Yellow, and Brock exchanged uncertain glances, but they nodded. They recalled their Pokémon and ducked behind the table.

Meanwhile, Pikachu was still clashing fiercely with Entei.

Ash kept his eyes on the sky, watching... waiting... Then, just as a flash of red appeared in the clouds, he whistled sharply.

"Pikachu, now!"

Pikachu understood instantly. While his glowing [Iron Tail] clashed with Entei's head, he summoned an [Electro Ball], which detonated at point-blank range. The explosion sent Pikachu flipping backward in midair. He landed perfectly on Ash's shoulder.

Without wasting a second, Ash extended his arm. Pikachu sprinted down it to his hand.

"[Electroweb!]"

Pikachu charged a sphere of electricity in his tail, spun his body, and hurled it. The attack expanded into a net, ensnaring Entei and shocking him violently. More importantly, the net held Entei in place.

Ash grabbed Pikachu protectively, cradling him in his arm as he braced himself.

Above them, the falling Pokéball became visible to everyone.

It opened.

From the Pokéball emerged Snorlax was already prepared. Ash's earlier command echoed in the big Pokémon's mind.

Snorlax's arm drew back as it charged with glowing orange energy. Purple Aura surged around his massive fist.

With a roar of power and the promise of a delicious reward later, Snorlax unleashed a devastating [Giga Impact], slamming down with titanic force.

The force of Snorlax's punch sent a shockwave rippling through the air, bending it visibly around Entei. Held immobile by Pikachu's Electroweb, Entei could do nothing but endure the full brunt of the attack. The impact resembled an explosion, with Snorlax driving his fist downward like a hammer of destruction.

It was simple physics—momentum transfer. Snorlax had reached terminal velocity during his descent, and his massive punch delivered all that momentum into a single point of contact. Mass times velocity. The result was a catastrophic force, enough to crack the very ground beneath them.

The onlookers were stunned. Camera operators struggled to keep their equipment steady, while others clung to tables or buildings as the sheer air pressure rippled outward, shaking everything around them.

When the attack finally ended, Snorlax slumped forward, rolling into the center of the newly formed crater. A heavy silence followed, broken only by the unmistakable sound of snoring.

And Entei... was nowhere to be seen.

Ash exhaled slowly, releasing Pikachu, who climbed back onto his shoulder.

People began peeking out cautiously. As they approached the crater, Ash stood still, calculating. Even a real Entei wouldn't have walked away from that attack unscathed. This one, a crystal creation, should have been more vulnerable.

Delia reached Ash first, concern etched on her face. "Ash... what was that?"

Ash opened his mouth, catching his breath. "Well, you see, it wa—"

Before he could finish, Snorlax suddenly flew out of the crater, hurtling backward and slamming into Ash with full force. Ash was pinned flat beneath the sleeping Pokémon's enormous weight.

"What the heck?!" he wheezed, struggling.

"Ash!" Brock rushed over, pressing against Snorlax with all his might.

"What just happened?" Misty gasped, joining in as she pushed. Yellow hovered nearby, offering moral support.

From within the crater, heavy footsteps echoed.

Then, rising from the depths, Entei reappeared.

His face was half-shattered, revealing jagged crystal beneath the fractured surface. Cracks ran down his body, exposing his artificial core—he was made of the same material as the crystal castle itself.

To everyone's horror, the broken crystal began to regenerate before their eyes. Fragments reassembled, cracks sealed, and soon, Entei stood as though nothing had happened.

"Useless," Entei growled, his voice as cold and imperious as ever. "It is all in vain. Now, I offer you one final chance, relinquish her mother, and I will spare your lives."

Ash gritted his teeth. With a burst of Aura flowing through his legs, he strained against Snorlax's bulk, leg-pressing the sleeping giant just high enough to reach his Pokéball. With a sharp click, Snorlax was recalled.

He dropped to his knees for a moment, catching his breath, then rose to his feet with a glare of pure defiance. Pain radiated through his body, but his resolve was unshaken.

"Never."

Silence hung in the air as his words reverberated with finality.

No one could fault Ash's determination. Entei had come for Delia, his mother. What child wouldn't fight tooth and nail to protect a parent? His actions were…. Completely justified.

But Delia saw things differently. She felt her heart twist painfully as she watched her son stand, bruised and battered, refusing to back down. No mother could bear to see her child suffer, just as no child could bear to lose a parent.

Ash reached for another Pokéball on his belt, his Aura still pulsing, but a gentle hand caught his wrist, It was Delia.

She held his hand firmly, her expression calm yet filled with realization. Entei had referred to her as 'her' mother. Since Ash was obviously her son, that left only one person, Molly.

When Ash looked back to see Delia holding his head, he stopped using Aura and his eyes stopped glowing Blue, and for the first time someone saw Ash's eyes, which were red instead of their usual brown, Delia looked surprised, but she had a smile like it was familiar to her as she gently rubbed Ash's cheek. 

"Ash," she said quietly, her voice tender, "Entei is here for me, isn't he?"

Ash hesitated, then gave a reluctant nod.

"Then, please," she whispered, "Stop fighting. He isn't going to hurt me, is he?"

Ash's silence spoke volumes. He clenched his teeth but did not answer, but silence is its own answer,

Delia caressed his cheek one last time before stepping forward, her gaze never wavering as she walked toward Entei. Her movements were slow and deliberate,

She stopped just a few steps away from the towering beast and looked directly into his eyes.

"Did Molly send you?"

"Yes," Entei rumbled. "You are her mother. She wishes for you."

A ripple of shock passed through the gathered onlookers.

Delia's eyes softened with understanding. "And... Spencer? Is he with her too?"

"I am Spencer Hale," Entei replied without hesitation. His tone was matter-of-fact, as though it were the simplest truth in the world. "I am her father because that is what she wishes. If she wishes me to be Spencer Hale, then I am Spencer Hale."

Delia's gaze darkened slightly. "I see..."

Just then, the Pokémon Center doors burst open as Professor Oak and Schuyler rushed outside. The tremors from Snorlax's impact had drawn them to the scene, and they froze in alarm at the sight of Delia standing before Entei.

"Delia!" Oak shouted, yanking a Pokéball from his belt. "Get away from her, Entei!" He pulled his arm back, ready to throw out Alakazam

"Professor, no!" Delia's sharp command cut through the air, stopping him mid-throw.

Oak blinked, confused. He watched as Delia turned, her eyes calm but resolute.

"I'm going," she said simply, her voice firm. "I have to go and make sure Molly is safe."

"What?!" Oak's eyes widened in disbelief. "Delia, you can't be serious! It's too dangerous!" and like reasonable people with more than 3 brain cells, everyone else agreed telling Delia that she should go with Entei.

But Delia shook her head. "This is my choice. I'm doing this for Molly." She turned back to Ash, her smile soft but unwavering. "And Ash... I know you'll come for me. Don't keep us waiting too long, okay?"

Ash's chest tightened. He clenched his fists but remained silent as Delia gave him one last, loving look.

Entei, who had stood silently until now, turned as Delia approached. Without a word, he knelt slightly, gripping her gently in his jaws by her shirt before tossing her onto his back. In a fluid motion, he bounded away, his powerful legs propelling him toward the crystal castle.

The earth trembled beneath each step as he disappeared into the distance.

Ash watched him go, unmoving. Dust clung to his clothes, and the air was still thick with tension. He stood in silence, the wind tugging at his hair, the weight of the moment heavy on his shoulders.

Then, with unsettling calmness, he dusted his pants off and began to walk forward.

"Pikachu... let's go," he muttered, his voice low, quiet, and deadly serious.

Pikachu nodded and leaped onto Ash's shoulder, eyes narrowed and cheeks sparking. Delia was family to him too. And seeing Ash without his usual smile, even after everything they'd endured together, was unsettling. The Ash who grinned through injuries and impossible odds had gone silent, even when he got stabbed in the shoulder he had a smile.

"Ash, wait!" Oak called out, running after him. He grabbed Ash's shoulder, his grip firm. "You can't go! It's too dangerous!"

Ash remained silent as Oak tightened his hold. "My boy, I know you're upset, but think about this. You gave it everything you had, and it wasn't enough. You can't win like this—"

Ash turned his head just enough for Oak to see his eyes, deep red and burning with intensity.

"Then why don't you go?"

The sharp words hit Oak like a slap across the face. His grip faltered as guilt flickered in his expression. He sighed heavily. "That's... complicated," he muttered. "I have to stay here, to stop the crystals from spreading..."

Ash furrowed his brows, his voice calm but laced with steel. "Professor, in all the years we've known each other, I've never once disobeyed you. But now, I'm asking, don't make this the first time. Because right now, I'm mad."

He emphasized the word and a shiver passed through Brock and Misty as they exchanged uneasy glances. This was the moment they had once wondered about what Ash was like when he truly lost his temper. Now they wished they hadn't asked.

Oak sighed in defeat, the weight of Ash's words undeniable. No force could keep a child from fighting for his mother. He knew if he said no, Ash would go anyway, with or without his permission or support.

"Fine..." He reluctantly released Ash's shoulder. "But take this." Oak unclipped a Pokéball from his belt and handed it to Ash.

"Give it to your mother when you find her," Oak said gravely. "And whatever you do, don't open it."

Ash took the ball without a word and added it to his belt.

"Fine," he muttered, walking past Oak without another glance, his eyes fixed on the crystalline path ahead.

Misty and Brock exchanged worried looks as if silently debating whether to follow. But before they could act, Yellow sprinted forward, her determination clear.

"We're going with you!" she declared, falling into step beside Ash.

Misty and Brock blinked in surprise, but the way Yellow looked at them with a hopeful look, made them unable to say no.

"Yeah, I'm going too," Misty said quickly.

"You're not leaving me behind," Brock added, stepping forward.

Ash glanced back at them, his expression still grim, but a flicker of gratitude softened his tone. "Thanks..."

"So... any plan?" Misty asked, her voice hesitant.

Ash kept walking, his eyes fixed ahead. "I have one. It's just for me." His voice was calm but distant as his Aura stretched outward, sending a message to someone.

Before he could take another step, a voice called out behind him.

"Wait! Take this!"

Ash turned just in time to catch something small and metallic. He opened his hand to find a PokéGear. Looking up, he saw Lisa standing a few feet away, a confident smile on her face.

"If you're doing something this stupid," she said, her eyes sharp with both fondness and exasperation, "At least stay in touch. You can use that to contact the Pokémon Center."

Ash gave a small nod, strapping the device onto his wrist. "Thanks. I'll bring it back."

With nothing more to say, Ash and his friends began their journey, walking toward the ominous crystal fortress.

Oak watched them from the hilltop, his heart heavy with worry. He sighed, then unclipped another Pokéball from his belt. "Come on, old friend. We've got work to do."

With a flash of light, Alakazam appeared and nodded, the psychic Pokémon brought its spoons together, glowing with power.

The crystals around the edge of the hill shimmered as Alakazam exerted his energy, slowing the spread and clearing a narrow, and creating a small path that stretched toward the castle.

The battle wasn't over, not by a long shot.