Zapdos was truly stubborn. Despite being repeatedly defeated by Jiang Chen for an entire day, it had managed to hold on with sheer grit.
"We'll continue tomorrow."
Jiang Chen wasn't one to give up easily. He was fully prepared to play the long game with the bird; he knew taking down a Legendary Pokémon in a single day was a near-impossible task. After this latest victory, he deliberately chose not to treat Zapdos's injuries.
"Just lie here and think it over. If you're willing to follow me, you won't have to suffer like this anymore," Jiang Chen said to the fallen bird.
He then left with Ling Wanqiu and the others to grab a meal, leaving Zapdos lying in a pathetic heap on the beach.
"Aren't you afraid Zapdos will run away?" Xiao Luoxue asked, glancing back at the sand.
"It's fine. It can't get far. Its current injuries won't allow it to escape, and even if it tries, my Aura will alert me."
Under his very nose, where could Zapdos possibly run?
On the second day, the "game" began anew. Jiang Chen didn't find the process tedious; in fact, he found it quite entertaining to use Zapdos as a target to practice his commands. Throughout the day, several Legendary Pokémon took turns ruthlessly beating Zapdos from every possible angle.
"It looks like Zapdos is finally starting to waver."
Jiang Chen's plan of "aggressive recruitment" was proving effective. Zapdos's resolve was clearly weakening; when he questioned it again, the bird hesitated visibly.
Finally, the third day arrived, and Zapdos could no longer hold out. Its life had become a literal hell getting injured, being healed just enough to recover, and then immediately being beaten down again. Hovering constantly between injury and recovery, Zapdos felt as if it were on the verge of death.
"Gwaa! Gwaa!"
Dejectedly, Zapdos let out a few cries toward Jiang Chen. Finally, it had softened its stance and submitted.
Seeing Zapdos yield, Articuno felt a hint of disappointment. It hadn't expected its rival to give in so soon; Articuno had secretly hoped Zapdos would hold out for a few more days. It knew Zapdos would break eventually, but it was surprised that it took less than three days.
"Congratulations, Zapdos. You've made the right choice. My methods might have angered you perhaps you even hate me now but I believe you will never regret following me."
Jiang Chen stood before Zapdos and spoke with conviction. He wasn't boasting; following him offered a much brighter future than life on its own. He might even obtain an Electric Type Plate one day. When that time came, even if Zapdos couldn't reach the level of a Tier 2 Legendary, it could at least become a peak Tier 3 Legendary, far stronger than its current self.
Hearing Jiang Chen's words, Zapdos remained silent, its expression unreadable. If it could have defeated this human, it never would have submitted.
Jiang Chen then recalled Zapdos into its Master Ball. He had placed it inside a ball before, but it hadn't truly been "captured" until this moment. With this, the system's task to own three Legendary Pokémon was finally complete. Having finished the mission, Jiang Chen wasn't in a rush to claim the rewards just yet.
"The goal is achieved. Let's head back," Jiang Chen told Ling Wanqiu and Xiao Luoxue.
He helped them pack their tents and the rest of their camping gear.
"Even though Zapdos submitted, you should still be careful," Ling Wanqiu reminded him.
Jiang Chen's methods had been so intense that it was possible Zapdos might choose to betray him the moment it saw an opening for an ambush. While Jiang Chen was formidable among ordinary people, he was still fragile compared to a Legendary Pokémon.
"Gardoir."
Gardevoir signaled to Jiang Chen that she would protect him with everything she had.
"Don't worry, I won't let my guard down."
Jiang Chen was no fool. He possessed Aura Power and could sense that Zapdos's hostility had not entirely vanished. If Zapdos found an opportunity, it might try to flee or even seek revenge. While Jiang Chen had originally thought he might let Zapdos go once the task was done, he had changed his mind. Since it was a Legendary Pokémon and he had the chance to keep it, he wasn't going to let it walk away.
From now on, Jiang Chen would have the little guy keep an eye on Zapdos and monitor its thoughts. As a Psychic Type Pokémon, eavesdropping on its mind was simple, especially since the little guy was so much more powerful than Zapdos. Though the little guy loved to play and pull pranks, it always followed Jiang Chen's instructions to the letter.
"It's good that you're prepared. I was just worried you'd be overconfident," Ling Wanqiu said. She believed that as long as Jiang Chen remained vigilant, Zapdos wouldn't pose a threat.
After packing up, the group left the nameless island and returned to Tianhai City.
"Young Master, you're finally back!"
Ning Ya beamed with joy when she saw Jiang Chen. Having not seen him for nearly half a month, she had truly missed him.
"I'm back. I don't plan on leaving again for a while. It really is better at home," Jiang Chen said with a sigh of relief. Life in the wild was never as comfortable as life at home.
The first thing Jiang Chen did upon his return was take a long, relaxing soak in the bath, feeling the exhaustion of the trip melt away.
"I haven't had a meal this good in a long time," Jiang Chen remarked as he ate the lunch Ning Ya had prepared. However, as soon as he spoke, he felt two pairs of eyes fixated on him. Ling Wanqiu and Xiao Luoxue were staring at him with deep resentment.
"Are you saying the food we cooked wasn't good?"
"Ahem, that's not what I meant. Don't misunderstand."
Jiang Chen suddenly remembered that Ling Wanqiu and Xiao Luoxue had taken turns cooking during their time in the wild.
"No need to say more. I admit my culinary skills can't compare to Sister Ning Ya's." Comparing anyone's cooking to Ning Ya's was an exercise in futility; few could ever match her.
Xiao Luoxue remained silent, but she was already plotting to serve Jiang Chen some "dark cuisine" for him to sample in the future. Jiang Chen suddenly shuddered, feeling as though he were being stalked by something dangerous. When he saw the mischievous glint in Xiao Luoxue's eyes, he immediately became alert.
Is she trying to prank me? I definitely need to keep an eye on her, he thought, maintaining a calm exterior while his internal alarms blared.
After lunch, Jiang Chen released Zapdos, deciding it was time to try and mend their relationship. It wasn't going to be easy; Zapdos was still very unfriendly. It was only natural being beaten into submission through violence wasn't exactly a foundation for goodwill.
"Is this Zapdos, one of the three Legendary Birds?"
Ning Ya stared at Zapdos with curiosity before turning a surprised gaze toward Jiang Chen. When did the Young Master capture a Zapdos? Her admiration for him grew once again. Most people wouldn't even dare to approach a Legendary Pokémon, yet Jiang Chen had already captured two.
"This guy is a rival of Articuno. I ran into it in Heihe City, and after Articuno got its revenge in a fight, I forcibly captured it," Jiang Chen explained.
"Then you must be careful, Young Master," Ning Ya warned, echoing Ling Wanqiu's sentiment. No wonder Zapdos looked at him with such animosity; it had been forced into service.
"I'll be careful."
Jiang Chen had already instructed his Pokémon to watch Zapdos at all times. Any move against him would be stopped instantly.
"I'll prepare some food for Zapdos. You should try to communicate with it, Young Master. I believe that with your ability, Zapdos will eventually become your Pokémon in spirit as well," Ning Ya said.
"I believe so too," Jiang Chen said, glancing at Zapdos. Sooner or later, he would make the bird serve him with genuine sincerity.
While resting that evening, Jiang Chen claimed his mission rewards. Two more Plates appeared in his hand: the Flying-type Sky Plate and the Fighting-type Fist Plate. In addition to these, he received a Red Orb and 30 million points.
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