Master Craftsman of the Pokémon World
Chapter 183 183

"Humans in the Pokémon world really are something else. Even though the Unown possess infinite power, there's a question…"

Hikaru stood in the crystalline plains and muttered, "That little girl is sealed away in the Crystal Tower and doesn't allow anyone near her. All the items around are crystallized—except for flowing water. So what does she eat?"

This whole place wasn't reality, but some kind of alternate dimension. It all felt strangely familiar to him—like being home.

Such was the power of the Unown. They could manifest a person's heart into a real-world-like space. And the one controlling the Unown could, in theory, do anything here.

"I remember Team Rocket shows up in this movie too, and they somehow found the Unown's central chamber instantly… Did I go the wrong way?"

"Wait a sec… Isn't this field the one where Ash and Entei battle?"

Hikaru enthusiastically observed his surroundings and knocked lightly on a "transparent stair."

How was this thing floating mid-air?

It looked ordinary, but the fact it hovered was already an unbelievable feat. Another manifestation of a human heart through the Unown's power? This movie really was a grab bag of special items.

[Artifact (?): Sky Stair]

[Description: A construct formed from Molly's mind and the Unown's power. Permanently suspended in air without movement or wobble. Such things are impossible in reality. When the Unown's power fades, the Sky Stair vanishes. However, with certain special techniques, these stairs might be preserved or even recreated.]

Then, two different voices rang out simultaneously—one from above and one from below.

The underground voices, naturally, belonged to Ash and his team climbing the tower!

Wearing his iconic blue outfit, with Pikachu on his shoulder, the hot-headed boy raced up the stairs, burning with determination to save his mother from the cold, crystal tower. Seeing the familiar sight of Ash made Hikaru feel an intense wave of nostalgia.

Ash…

Still so innocent, yet to become the Pokémon Master you dream of—so earnest, brave, and reckless.

But when Hikaru saw Ash's companions, his eyes widened in surprise.

It was the classic duo—Brock and Misty—but something was off!

Brock looked even more rugged than in the anime, and Misty's hairstyle had completely changed! It was her short-haired version from the HeartGold/SoulSilver special!

Wait… does this mean… Misty and Ash's relationship might be different here?

They rushed up, and from above came another voice—descending via the sky stairs—Molly and Entei!

"Entei!"

"You are Pokémon Trainers… eh?"

Originally, Molly had appeared in her adult form atop Entei's back, looking down with eager anticipation for battle. But then she spotted someone tampering with the floating stairs?!

She froze on the spot, and Ash and the others were equally stunned—there was someone else here?

"Uh, excuse me—are you…" Ash began to ask Hikaru's name but quickly realized now wasn't the time for introductions.

"How'd you get in here? You weren't on the news." Molly smiled, intrigued. But then she noticed Entei trembling beneath her. It was trying to suppress something… something primal.

"Daddy, what's wrong?"

"That person…"

The false Entei locked eyes on Hikaru. At that instant, the howling voice in its mind surged louder and more violent!

"Why… why is the voice in my head getting louder? What is it about you that's calling to me?"

"Fight me! Battle me!"

Without warning, the fake Entei, carrying Molly, dove toward the ground. Its mane flared and its eyes widened with fury!

"You took my mom! Where is she?!" Ash shouted, completely enraged, only to be met by a sudden burst of flames from Entei.

"Protect."

Before anyone could react, Hikaru had already released Doublade. A faint green barrier formed and blocked the strange violet-red flames. Ash stared dumbfounded at the unfamiliar Pokémon.

"A Pokémon…?"

"Yoo~"

Doublade turned and gently tapped Ash's cap with its ribbon.

Kid, that was close! You can't just take a flamethrower head-on! What are you, a superhero?

…And that was a Fire-type move just now!

If I hadn't blocked it, I'd be getting reforged into a sword-slab sandwich!

"Pika?"

Pikachu tilted its head, curiously eyeing the strange, dual-bladed Pokémon.

"What kind of Pokémon is that?" Molly asked with intrigue. But beside her, Entei remained visibly agitated, making her anxious again.

"I'm okay, Molly," Entei said, trying to suppress the turmoil inside. Yet it couldn't stop staring at Hikaru.

Is the source of that call… right in front of me?

"My Unown is here, isn't it?" Hikaru cut straight to the point. His question made adult Molly freeze.

"W-what…?" she muttered. She thought about the 'friends' in the hall. "They're… they're my friends who play with me…"

"At least mine isn't willing," Hikaru said calmly. "It even sent out a distress signal. I know your name, and I know roughly what happened to your real dad. So, please take me to the Unown chamber."

"That's impossible," Entei interjected with narrowed eyes. "I am Molly's father."

"No, you're not," Hikaru replied. "And you're not even the real Entei."

He was polite, but blunt. In the movie, Ash had said it outright—"You're just a shadow!"—which sent the fake Entei into a breakdown.

This one probably suspected the truth but refused to acknowledge it. Even now, it resisted…

"You say I'm not real? That's impossible!"

Its expression twisted. "I am 'Daddy'—I came here to make Molly happy! Her happiness is my purpose!"

"No, it's not!" Ash suddenly shouted, breaking the tension. He unleashed the classic triple whammy:

"You're just a shadow! A fantasy created by Molly's heart! A fake Entei!"

As expected, Entei roared in fury:

"I'm not a shadow! I'm… I'm this child's father!"

It stomped hard, sending shockwaves across the crystal plains!

"So tell me—when do your memories begin?" Hikaru said softly, raising his hands to disperse the swirling energy.

Ash blinked. "What was that…?"

Hikaru replied, "Spiritual energy. You've met Morty from Ecruteak Gym, haven't you? I have the same spiritual powers."

"Entei, what do you know about yourself? Ash, didn't Professor Oak tell you the story of Entei?"

"Huh?! How do you know my name?"

Ash pointed to himself, stunned.

But when he looked into Hikaru's eyes… there was something deeply familiar. Like he was looking at an old friend.

"Have we met before?"

"Long ago. Just call me Hikaru."

"…Okay?" Ash scratched his head. "Can't remember though."

"It's alright. Your memory's always been bad."

That made Misty and Brock chuckle. It was true—even in the anime, Ash often forgot people he'd met only days ago. Fans always joked about Ash having 'soft resets' when entering new regions.

"Anyway, let's talk Entei." Brock cleared his throat. "I'm Brock, Pewter City Gym Leader. Though this isn't the time for introductions."

"I'm Misty, from Cerulean City."

"Professor Oak told us that Molly's father was researching Entei and the Unown. He found traces of Entei in ancient ruins—statues, carvings, murals…"

"But," Hikaru interrupted, "Entei shouldn't be in those ruins. Those depictions are likely other Pokémon mistaken for Entei over time."

"That ties into my next question. Entei, do you remember your origin?"

"Ash, you've been to Ecruteak. You know the legend of Suicune, right?"

Ash nodded, "Yeah, I met Suicune!"

Of course—during his Johto travels, Suicune was iconic. It hadn't yet become the kind of legendary you catch with a fishing net.

"Suicune, Entei, Raikou—they were born 150 years ago in the Burned Tower, resurrected by Ho-Oh. Their current forms are completely different from their past selves. They serve as Ho-Oh's messengers—called the Guardian Beasts."

"But the ruins Dr. Shuley studied far predate Entei's birth. Even if Entei time-traveled, it's illogical for so many depictions to exist."

"Entei—were you revived by Ho-Oh?"

That question struck the false Entei like a thunderbolt.

Ho-Oh?

That name wasn't in its memory. Yet… it was supposed to be Entei. It was born from Molly's wish. It was her father… wasn't it?

But that would mean…

"I am real!" the fake Entei roared, voice trembling with fury.

"If you don't remember being revived by Ho-Oh, then you can't be the real Entei."

"Ash, he came from above. Your mother is likely still up there—don't waste time here."

Hikaru beat Brock to the punch and pointed to the sky stairs.

"I'm here to find my partner too, so don't worry about me. Just head up."

He touched the warm spot on his chest and drew out the Dragon Plate.

It responded to something—and under Molly and Entei's stunned gaze, Hikaru retrieved the Symbol Plates.

There was a faint growl—getting clearer.

He could hear it… a roar. Just like that time when he first met Walking Wake in the Dream World.

Coupled with his prior guesses about the Entei relics—could it be…

"This world was created by Molly using the Unown. The Unown respond to the heart—they can create anything, become anyone, even Pokémon."

"But this power wasn't meant for that. It was divine—a power to create all things. The more she believes in you, the stronger you become. In theory, there's no limit—because you're just a projection."

"Well then, how about we test that?" Hikaru grinned. "Didn't you want a battle?"

Entei glanced at Molly. She had only wanted a friendly Trainer match with Ash and the others. And in this world born of her heart, she was unbeatable.

Her crystal Pokémon had infinite stamina. Even while confused, they could use 'Dodge it!'—a move beyond logic. Brock once said her imagined Pokémon were far stronger than real ones.

Even a Donphan's Rollout could send an Onix flying—physics be damned.

"I…"

Entei saw Ash and the others climbing the stairs. Normally, he wouldn't care. Molly had more avatars to block them.

But now… that roar inside his head wouldn't stop.

This needed to end—quickly.

"Of course. I came here to fight alongside Molly!"

Unlike the original film where Entei only watched, this time it stepped forward. Molly conjured a Crystal Poké Ball.

"Molly can't lose. Even if you're strong."

"I'm no Trainer." Hikaru waved and mimicked her.

A strange light gathered in his palm—forming his own Crystal Poké Ball!

"How did you—"

Molly stared in disbelief.

This was her world!

"I'm just experimenting," Hikaru shrugged. "Think of it as powerful psychic ability."

"The real deal comes now."

"I'm not here for battle glory. Beat you, and you take me to my Unown. No backing out."

"As she believes in your strength, I believe in this Pokémon."

He raised the Symbol Plates—letting them float by spiritual force. They rearranged themselves into a word.

Entei.

"Grrr!"

The fake Entei howled again—its headache worsening. The roar was louder—angrier—like something was tearing through from a distant dream.

"It's you… Why does your heart affect me?!"

Hikaru didn't answer.

He rearranged the plates—then added the Dragon Plate.

Unown + Plates + Genesis Power + Psychic Amplification!

Gouging Fire — Flame that Pierces the Sky!

"ROOOAR!"

A blinding light and violent flame exploded into existence!

The Symbol Plates and ancient tablets merged, and the Unown responded to Hikaru's will.

Crystals rapidly solidified into form—and amid the chaos, a massive four-legged Pokémon surged forth from a dream of ancient times!

It resembled Entei, with similar colors and facial armor—but its limbs were thicker, ending in razor dragon claws. Silver blades lined its body. White smoke trailed from its back. Golden crest armor shimmered above its face—and in its fierce eyes burned only savagery and wrath.

"Who dares call themselves Entei?"

"I will end them."

(End of Chapter)

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