"Hmph, the reason we didn't participate in the Rookie Showcase at Fleurrh City was so we could avoid running into that little brat and her group. And just as I predicted, I, Jessilee, successfully obtained the Princess Key!"
Inside a small town—Joule Town.
Jessie was beaming with pride.
Even James and Meowth couldn't help but look smug.
"And then, nya, while we were in high spirits passing through this Joule Town, we heard about a Zapdos Festival. So we decided to stay and build a machine capable of capturing Zapdos, nya!"
Meowth quickly continued Jessie's words.
"That's right! We've already spotted Zapdos's trail. It won't be long before we capture the Legendary Zapdos and then report our great success to Boss Giovanni!"
The contraption they built was a robot designed to ambush Zapdos.
It could even fly.
But when they actually encountered Zapdos, they realized the truth—Zapdos was indeed worthy of being one of the Legendary Birds. It was far too powerful, and their machine was practically useless.
Instead, they ended up angering Zapdos!
Bolts of lightning roared down, and the skies around the town erupted with thunder and gales!
Ash and his friends happened to be traveling through a cave nearby at that exact moment.
The cave led straight to the town where the Zapdos Festival was being held.
Just as they reached the cave entrance, they saw Team Rocket shivering in fear.
"You three are up to no good again, aren't you? Hmph!"
Bonnie glared angrily at Team Rocket.
Jessie, James, and Meowth hurriedly explained, and only then did Bonnie and the others understand the situation.
But Ash still drove the trio away without hesitation.
Then he pulled out a Poké Ball.
Inside was Moltres.
To face Zapdos, of course he had to bring out Moltres for the battle.
"Serena, Clemont, Bonnie, let's move. Pikachu, stay alert for Zapdos's lightning."
"Pika!"
Pikachu leapt down from Ash's shoulder, nodding firmly.
"Skreee!!!"
Sure enough, the moment they stepped out of the cave, they found themselves on a steep cliffside full of jagged stone spires.
Zapdos perched on one of the towering rocks directly ahead.
The instant it saw people emerge, it assumed it was Team Rocket again.
With a flash, it unleashed a Thunderbolt!
"Pikachu!"
Without Ash even giving the order, Pikachu stepped forward to shield Serena and the others, firing a Thunderbolt of his own.
The two attacks collided midair, canceling each other out.
"Zapdos, battle me! If you lose, you'll come with me. Here's your opponent!"
Whoosh!
Moltres emerged in a blaze of fire!
"Skreee!!!"
The cries of the two Legendary Birds echoed, their sharp gazes locking onto each other.
"This is our very first battle together, Moltres. Flamethrower!"
Moltres vanished in a flash, soaring skyward at incredible speed!
It rose above Zapdos, unleashing flames so scorching they seemed capable of consuming the entire sky.
"Skreee!"
Zapdos flapped its wings fiercely, surprised that this "companion" would attack so fiercely from the very first move.
Its level was identical to Moltres's—both stood at Level 89.
Electric energy crackled violently as Zapdos flapped its wings again. The sky rumbled with thunder—Thunder!
The lightning strike clashed with the Flamethrower, overwhelming the flames!
After all, Thunder's power was immense!
"Agility!"
Moltres blurred into motion, streaking like a red comet. In an instant, it was at Zapdos's side!
"Fire Blast!"
"Skreeee!!!"
A massive, fiery kanji-shaped blast erupted, slamming directly in front of Zapdos!
Golden feathers scattered into the air. At such close range, Fire Blast's destructive force was no joke…
But Zapdos retaliated with another Thunderbolt aimed straight at Moltres!
Being a Flying type, Moltres took double damage from Electric attacks…
"Agility again!"
Ash called for another Agility, but this time Zapdos had learned its lesson.
As Moltres zipped around, Zapdos shifted from Thunderbolt to a radial Discharge!
The attack struck Moltres dead-on!
"Skreeee!!!"
Moltres cried out in pain, its body scorched. But rather than weakening, the attack only fueled its fighting spirit.
This was its first true battle alongside Ash—it had to win!
Moreover, Moltres knew Ash already commanded Kyurem, Regigigas, and the powerful Mewtwo.
Latias too!
And even a Darkrai that surpassed Level 100!
Moltres felt that compared to these titans, its place as one of the Legendary Birds seemed diminished.
So it desperately needed a victory to prove its worth!
"That's right. Don't give in! Unleash your full power—Fusion Flare!"
Ash's lips curled into a smile. This Moltres was unusually cooperative. Perhaps it had spoken with the other Legendary Pokémon and realized that to grow stronger quickly, it needed Ash's guidance.
"Skreeee!!!"
Moltres's body glowed fiercely, channeling both blazing flames and high-speed movement at once.
Zapdos responded with another Discharge!
Moltres was struck again, but it pressed forward, wings ignited.
With a furious screech, it crashed into Zapdos with Fusion Flare, talons gripping tightly onto Zapdos's wings!
The thunderbird was forced downward, spiraling out of the sky.
"Go! Ultra Ball!"
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