The high-powered Zap Cannon streaked across the sky, tracing a deadly yet dazzling arc. No matter how Moltres twisted and maneuvered, it could not evade it.
With a thunderous boom, the attack exploded against Moltres' right wing, crackling with electricity. It let out a mournful cry as its body lost control and plummeted downward.
Moltres cast a resentful glance at the massive Pokémon beside the human.
If you had a Pokémon like that, why did you not send it out earlier?
If you had, would I have stubbornly refused to leave?
"Dragonite!"
What greeted Moltres next was Dragonite's continuous barrage of Scale Shot. Four volleys in a row, each dragon scale slicing through the air like a blade, tearing at its wings. Already paralyzed, Moltres' condition only worsened.
Silas arrived at the crash site, Dragonite returning to his side, its eyes still locked firmly on Moltres.
Dragonite had not forgotten that this featherless bird had called it a "fat dragon."
Before Silas arrived, Dragonite had been staring it down, ready to unleash Dragon Rage at the slightest movement.
Whether the damage was high or not did not matter. It was purely for venting its anger.
Because of that, when Silas approached to observe Moltres up close, it remained completely still, making him suspect it had already fainted.
Moltres, however, felt bitter inside. Of all things, why did fate make it run into such a petty dragon?
Silas's gaze moved back and forth between Dragonite and Moltres before he gave Dragonite a light smack as a warning.
Turning around, he met Blaine, who was walking over, with Magby, the hero of the moment, following at his feet.
"Gym Leader Blaine, what should we do with Moltres?"
Blaine replied, "I have already contacted the League. They have sent people to negotiate with Moltres."
"Today, we really have you to thank. Otherwise, Cinnabar Town would have been destroyed."
"It was nothing, just doing what I should. A place with such great hot springs should not be destroyed."
Silas waved it off casually.
The main reason was that this Moltres was already injured. Fighting it had been far too easy. Silas did not feel even a trace of accomplishment from defeating a legendary Pokémon.
Looking up at the thundercloud drawing closer to Cinnabar Island, the rumbling thunder shook the air, and the dark mass beneath the clouds looked oppressive.
A sharp cry rang out as Moltres suddenly flapped its wings, attempting to escape.
But before it could act further, Dragonite dashed forward at incredible speed and slammed it back down.
You think you can run after offending Dragonite? Not a chance.
After being thoroughly beaten again, Moltres finally behaved.
Yet its heart was restless. If that "good sister" saw it like this, it would be laughed at for a lifetime. Its dignity as a bird would be completely gone.
But it could not defeat that petty dragon.
Tch. This dragon really hit hard.
Moltres took several sharp breaths before finally making a decision. Between running and fighting, it chose to bury its head into the sand.
If it could not see anything, then it was not embarrassing.
"Huh? Does Moltres also have ostrich-like habits?"
Silas happened to glance at it and found the sight amusing. He decided he would call Professor Oak later to suggest adding this detail into the Pokédex entry.
As for now…
"Arboliva, Grassy Terrain. Registeel, prepare Flash Cannon."
Standing on either side of Silas, his two Pokémon acted immediately. Arboliva scattered several seeds onto the ground, and they sprouted at visible speed, forming a lush green field.
Registeel, like Red, was not one for words. The lights on its face flickered twice.
Its thick arms crossed before its chest as light gathered across its body. It began charging, waiting for Zapdos to approach.
However… when a brilliant bolt of lightning descended and an imposing Zapdos appeared, something unexpected happened.
The Cinccino on Silas's head suddenly grabbed his hair and started shouting excitedly, jumping up and down, even pulling out a few strands of his hair in the process.
"Hiss…"
Silas sucked in a breath and quickly pulled Cinccino down, restraining its flailing limbs.
There was already a bald patch forming on one side. He absolutely could not afford to go bald on top too.
"What is wrong with you? Why are you suddenly so excited?"
Pinching its round cheeks, Silas questioned it sternly.
If it did not give a good reason, he would spank it… at least that was what he said. In reality, he could not bring himself to do it.
Cinccino blinked innocently, pointing upward with its little paw, its voice filled with excitement.
"Cin Cin! Cin!" (Silas, Silas, that is big sister Zapdos. Do you not remember?)
"Zapdos?!"
Confusion turned into shock, then into joy. Silas shook Cinccino slightly. "You are not mistaken? That really is Zapdos?"
Cinccino pounded its chest confidently, indicating that even if Zapdos turned to ashes, it would still recognize it.
"Arboliva! Arboliva!"
Silas called out urgently. As Arboliva bent down, he said, "Take a look. Is that Zapdos the one we know?"
Having not thought in that direction before, Arboliva focused carefully. Memories from when it was still a Smoliv surfaced. Back then, there had indeed been a golden bird just like this at the ranch.
"Arbo…" (It does look similar…)
"Oh wow, we almost ended up fighting our own."
Silas could not hide his delight and quickly told Registeel to stand down.
Picking up Cinccino, who now stood proudly with its arms crossed, Silas mounted Dragonite and approached the thundercloud.
Stopping at the edge, Cinccino cupped its hands around its mouth and shouted, "Cin! Cin!" (Big sister Zapdos! Big brother Chatot!)
At the center of the thundercloud, atop Zapdos' crest, a faint projection of Chatot lifted its head.
"Chat?" (I think I heard Cinccino's voice?)
Zapdos let out a cry. I heard it too.
The two Pokémon exchanged glances and decided to go take a look.
Breaking through the thundercloud, they first saw a powerful Dragonite, then their attention was drawn to a human and a small Pokémon.
Cinccino waved energetically, calling out loudly like a spotlight magnet.
Chatot flew over in a flash, circling around Cinccino three times before pulling out a diamond-shaped gem from beneath its wing.
"Chat!"
"Cin!"
Cinccino happily accepted half of the gem, holding it high with sparkling eyes.
The white and pink gemstone was something it absolutely adored.
After giving Cinccino a gift, Chatot did not forget the big dragon. It must have been a Pokémon Silas had caught later, since this was their first meeting.
With a flourish, Chatot produced two more gems: a sky-blue Flying Gem and a blue-purple Dragon Gem.
"Dra?"
Dragonite looked up at Silas, asking for guidance.
"Go ahead and accept them."
This was Chatot, the master of social etiquette. It was not just for show.
After accepting the gifts, Silas extended his arm. Chatot landed naturally, rubbing its head against him affectionately, chirping happily.
Logically speaking, after Chatot had led its flock in pursuit of Lugia, the chances of them meeting again were almost zero.
And yet, against all odds, they met again.
If Silas had not brought Serena and Korrina to the summer camp, if he had not suddenly decided to revive a fossil Pokémon, if he had not coincidentally spotted Moltres…
He would not have come to Kanto, nor to Cinnabar Island, nor stayed here long enough for this reunion to happen.
Everything had aligned perfectly.
Everything had come together just right.
(End of Chapter)