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Inside the Crystal Tower, Entei was rapidly ascending the staircase, its heavy paws pounding against the crystal steps with powerful momentum. Close behind, Kai and his trio of Pokémon Gardevoir, Gengar, and Charizard pursued relentlessly.
Fireballs and psychic blasts occasionally shot toward the majestic beast, but Entei easily evaded them with fluid, effortless agility.
The chase continued always separated by roughly ten meters. Entei couldn't shake Kai, and Kai couldn't quite catch up.
Even in the heat of pursuit, Kai found himself observing Entei's movements. Its strides were long and full of power, and with each leap, it cleared five to six meters like it was nothing. Its flowing mane billowed in the wind, giving it a noble, almost regal appearance less like a mastiff and more like a lion.
And then it struck him something about this Entei felt different.
It resembled the Entei he'd seen before, but… not exactly. Was it just a trick of the light? Or was there something more to it?
More puzzling was the fact that even now, with the Unown far behind them, Entei continued to run instead of fighting back. Why? What was it planning? Was it leading him somewhere?
Kai's instincts screamed that something wasn't right.
"Charizard cut it off!"
At Kai's command, Charizard surged ahead, wings flaring as it swooped around and landed in front of Entei, blocking its path on the narrow stairway. Now Entei was cornered, with Kai and his Pokémon closing in from behind.
"Gardevoir, use Psychic!"
Gardevoir raised her arms, psychic energy crackling at her fingertips. But before she could unleash it, Entei turned its head and roared, launching a searing burst of flame straight at her.
She narrowly dodged just in time. The fire scorched the air beside her, missing by inches.
So… it was finally fighting back.
Kai didn't waste another second.
"All of you—attack together!"
With synchronized precision, his three Pokémon launched a combined assault. Shadow Balls, fire blasts, and psychic waves flew through the narrow corridor, creating shockwaves that shattered nearby crystal structures.
The tower shook.
And yet, Entei held its ground.
Even surrounded and outnumbered, it fought like a true legendary unrelenting and unfazed. The power behind its movements, its ferocity, its grace it was clear this was no illusion.
After several direct hits, Entei let out a roar of frustration and crashed through a nearby crystal wall, escaping into the open air.
Kai gave chase.
Outside, the sky was beginning to dim. Sunset bathed the horizon in golden light as the cool evening wind swept through the open space. After being trapped in the tower's claustrophobic depths, the fresh air was a welcome relief.
Kai looked up.
Entei was bounding along the outer surface of the tower, leaping from ledge to ledge, pushing upward toward the summit.
With no walls to constrain it, Entei seemed even more formidable graceful, fluid, wild.
But Charizard's flight gave Kai's team the edge. Once again, the three Pokémon circled in, cutting off Entei's escape routes. This time, there was nowhere to run.
Entei stopped, turned, and let out a deep, rumbling growl its eyes locked on Kai.
Kai glanced at Gengar. "What's it saying?"
Gengar shrugged. "Nothing in particular. Just trying to intimidate you."
But Kai was no longer intimidated.
He was certain now.
This was no projection. This Entei was real.
The subtle differences in behavior, the power behind its attacks, the presence it all added up. Somehow, the real Entei had arrived.
"But… that doesn't make sense," Kai muttered. "The movie didn't mention another Entei showing up."
There had to be a reason. Maybe the strange energy patterns or the illusionary Entei had drawn the real one to investigate.
Either way, Kai knew what he had to do now.
Capture it.
But before he could issue the next command, a sudden torrent of water slammed into Charizard from the side.
"Charizard!"
Kai turned just in time to see his partner sent flying, crashing through a dozen crystal spires before skidding to a stop. The single hit had nearly taken him out.
Water-type. Strong. Precise.
Kai's eyes locked onto the source.
Standing nearby was a sleek, blue quadruped its mane rippling like flowing silk, its eyes sharp and calm.
Suicune.
Kai's heart skipped a beat.
"First Entei… now Suicune?"
It was unbelievable. The crystal phenomena had clearly disrupted more than just the human world. It had caught the attention of Johto's very own Legendary Pokemon.
And judging by Suicune's strike, it wasn't here by accident. It had come to protect Entei.
Kai couldn't help but smirk.
Of course, both Pokémon were said to be guardians of nature and loyal retainers of Ho-Oh. It made sense that one would come to aid the other.
"Things just got even more interesting…"
He glanced at Gengar. "Think there's a chance Raikou's nearby too?"
Gengar's eyes lit up with mischief. "If he is, this party's about to get wild."
Kai shook his head, chuckling.
"Forget the Unown for now," he said. "Change of plans. This just became a capture mission."
Gengar's eyes sparkled. "You sure?"
"We'll leave the Unown to Ash and the others. With both Entei and Suicune in front of me, there's no way I'm letting this opportunity pass."
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