"Hmm."
Wade frowned slightly—then nodded in secret.
He roughly knew what stage the plot had reached.
Team Galactic's scientist, Pluto—had recently deciphered a crucial piece of information from the murals.
Unlike the legend told by the old lady in Snowpoint City—Uxie and its counterparts were not in Sinnoh's three lakes.
They lived in a different dimension—connected by the lakes.
Under normal circumstances—those three Legendary Pokémon would probably never appear. Unless a special method was used to open the alternate dimension.
Team Galactic must have found a solution now. But it required immense electricity for laboratory experiments.
That was why an executive was dispatched to the Valley Power Plant—to steal electricity.
Beside him—having spilled all the information she knew—the alluring red-haired woman looked up—cautiously gazing at Wade.
For Mars at this moment—the vast disparity in strength—had extinguished any thought of resistance.
She was now more worried—that the black-haired youth would go back on his word.
"Alright. I understand everything. You can take your subordinates and leave now."
Seeming to sense her thoughts—Wade—regaining composure—couldn't help but pat her head—chuckling lightly.
At this rate—he inexplicably felt like he was training a female villain.
"Mars-daren!"
A woman in a white lab coat—ran out from the core power generation area nearby—looking flustered.
Judging by her attire—she was likely the researcher Mars had sent in—to collect electricity for remote transmission.
She looked at the scattered Team Galactic members—unconscious on the ground—then saw Mars collapsed in front of an unfamiliar black-haired youth.
Her previously panicked expression—immediately froze.
The hardened glass on the power plant roof—shattered with a crash.
"Roar-chu~"
Apparently disturbed by Team Galactic while absorbing electricity—a bird Pokémon covered in golden-yellow feathers—suddenly opened its crimson eyes—flew out.
Waves of sound bursting from its beak—directly rippled the surrounding air.
Like silver snakes breaking free from shackles—countless electric arcs danced and surged—continuously striking downwards.
"Gardevoir—use Psychic to block."
"Gar~"
With a clear, cool hum—the dancing silver snake currents were completely blocked by a pinkish-purple light wave—successfully stopping the Pokémon's attempt to destroy the power plant.
"This is?!"
Irida and Mars exclaimed at the same time—their expressions differing.
Irida had never seen this golden-yellow, electricity-wreathed bird.
Mars recognized it—but never expected to encounter it here.
Wade frowned—immediately recognized its name.
[Name: Zapdos]
[Type: Electric / Flying]
[Level: 65]
[Ability: Pressure] – Gives opponents more pressure—causing them to consume more stamina.
[Moves]: Agility, Charge, Roost, Discharge, Rain Dance, Thunder, Magnetic Flux, Hurricane, Heat Wave, Volt Switch
[Equipped Traits]: None
Known as one of the Three Legendary Birds—along with Articuno and Moltres. A Legendary Bird Pokémon that could freely manipulate lightning.
Its whereabouts—usually mysterious.
Besides appearing in dark thunderclouds—Trainers occasionally spotted them in large power plants.
They never expected to actually encounter one today.
"Prepare for battle—Articuno."
With the idea of catching it—to generate electricity for the farm—Wade unhesitatingly sent out Articuno—a fellow member of the Three Legendary Birds.
Sensing the sudden temperature drop—Zapdos let out a high-pitched cry toward the sky.
Its golden-yellow feathers—crackling with electricity—stood on end.
Combined with its Pressure ability—it unleashed an unprecedented aura of intimidation.
As a Legendary Bird Pokémon—she immediately accepted the challenge.
"Roar-chu~"
Zapdos sharply retracted its wings. Intense electric sparks—coursing and swirling around feathers standing erect like sharp blades.
The instant Thunder attack—pierced through stagnant air—in mere moments.
"Articuno—Ice Beam."
Wade—watching the surging electric current almost striking his face—didn't dare be negligent. Directly commanded Articuno to counter with its most familiar Ice-type move.
"BOOM——!!"
Ice and electric attacks collided mid-air.
A violent explosion—accompanied by splattering frost and electric sparks—stirred up a wave-like, surging air current—sweeping through the surroundings.
If Wade hadn't instructed Gardevoir to use Psychic to shield the area—just the clash between these two Legendary birds—would have completely reduced the valley power plant to ruins—under energy bombardment.
"Whew That power—terrifying"
Irida sniffed the scorched, ozone-like smell in the air—exclaimed in awe.
Mars—slumped on the ground—also watched with burning intensity.
Her ample, plump snow mounds—trembled slightly—vividly reflecting the turmoil within her heart.
Though both belonged to the Legendary bird trio—similar levels—with a Trainer's command—and after being equipped with the 'Pokémon Lexicon'—Articuno gained the upper hand after just a few exchanges.
Still resplendent ice-blue body—compared to disheveled opponent—further highlighted its stunning figure.
Unlike gentle, graceful Articuno—Zapdos—being Electric-type—was clearly much more aloof and irritable.
Though it had acknowledged the strength of the Trainer and opponent before it—its noble pride—would not allow it to be easily defeated and captured here.
"Roar-chirp~"
Amidst the sky full of Thunder—Zapdos threw its head back—let out a long cry.
It truly resembled a deity controlling lightning. Its entire body—bathed in leaping electric light. A web-like Thunderbolt—shot toward Articuno.
Wade knew—the decisive moment had arrived.
For such a proud Pokémon—the best way to win its allegiance—was to defeat it squarely and overwhelmingly.
Only then—could one imprint it as their own.
"Articuno—use Brave Bird."
[Brave Bird] : Tucks wings—charges by flying low. After hitting—user takes considerable recoil damage.
"?"
Mars instantly widened her crimson, beautiful eyes.
Not continuing the long-range move exchange—but choosing to use Flying-type Brave Bird—to attack within the Thunderbolt web?
Wrong decision—no matter how you looked at it.
But Wade—and Articuno darting through electric currents—unconditionally trusted each other.
The power of their bond—and immense confidence radiating from within—made this red-haired beauty momentarily lose her composure.
"Chirp~"
Swiftly dodging dozens of lightning bolts—shot like cannonballs—Articuno's body—coated in blue-red flames—suddenly accelerated.
The biting cold wind behind it—howled and raged—desperately trying to catch up.
It could only watch helplessly—as Articuno reached the opponent first.
[Wind Rider (Red) ]: Speed of all attribute moves—increases by 30%!
"Roar-chirp~"
Locked on by surging cold current—a strong sense of crisis—forced Zapdos to frantically flap its wings—preparing to temporarily retreat.
The raging frozen snow—completely suppressed its high-pitched cry.
Using Brave Bird to accelerate and close in—Articuno's eyes turned sharp.
It directly—forcibly interrupted the move's progression.
Crystal-blue wings—spread across the sky.
Sharp, biting wind—unique to Blizzard—crashed down—completely enveloping the fleeing opponent.
Countless diamond-shaped ice crystals—pierced through air currents.
Ice pellets carried by howling wind—formed a massive silver-white tornado—shattering the entire sky into fragmented ice-blue prisms.
[Ice Blade (Color) ]: Power of all Ice-type moves—increases by 50%!
"Roar-chirp~"
At the moment before losing ability to battle—the wailing Zapdos—was struck by a red-and-white Poké Ball.
Click.
"Master—is it really okay to let them go?"
After Wade successfully captured Zapdos—Irida looked at the retreating Team Galactic members—blinked—asked softly.
"It's fine. Our objective is pretty much accomplished."
Wade rubbed Irida's silky hair—chuckled.
Before leaving—he'd deliberately left a means of contact.
If Mars sincerely wanted to switch sides—he would have planted a mole within Team Galactic—able to monitor their movements in real-time.
If it failed—not a big loss either. He'd gathered quite a bit of information—could more or less determine their future plans.
Besides—this trip was immensely fruitful.
Capturing Legendary Zapdos—far stronger than any Magnemite or Galvantula.
Forget a year's electricity—the farm probably wouldn't use it up in a lifetime.
Hmm... if he captured Moltres too—he could have all three birds flying together.
Wade nodded—unable to stop his imagination from running wild.
"Lady Mars—how should we... report this operation to Leader Cyrus?"
"Just report the truth."
Walking back to Team Galactic headquarters—Mars turned to the female subordinate cautiously inquiring beside her—replied indifferently.
Everyone else present—knocked out when she was threatened—told about Team Galactic's plans.
She wasn't worried about the risk of a leak.
Reporting the truth—simply meant their electricity theft operation—was stopped by Zapdos—and two Trainers.
However—
Mars let out a long sigh—recalling the scene.
The black-haired youth—looking down at her after defeating Purugly—as if he could easily take her life at any moment.
Later—shielding her in front of him—decisively defeating Legendary Zapdos—successfully capturing it.
The combined impact—simply too strong.
Making her heart tremble inexplicably.
Hmm... seems like I'm a bit... fond of it.
It would be even better—if he could be a bit rougher.
Not knowing when she had entered a strange state—Mars patted her flushed cheeks—trying hard to regain composure.
She didn't understand why that black-haired youth deliberately let her go.
Given her current situation—not having strong belonging to Team Galactic—plus having leaked quite a few plans—continuing to aid their villainy—didn't seem to hold much meaning.
Might as well—
Mars stroked her uniform collar—still retaining some warmth—jade-like cheeks flushed.
After a long while—she looked at the new contact information on her communicator—hesitated for a moment—then made up her mind.
Patreon Seasay