Electricity crackled around Pikachu, while shadows flickered as Gengar phased in and out of sight. Ash worked swiftly, unlocking the cages one by one. A loud clang echoed through the hideout as the final lock clicked open. The Pokémon were free.
Weakened and battered, the Pokémon stumbled out. A wounded Growlithe let out a weak whine, a Pidgeotto flapped its wings but barely got off the ground, and a group of trembling magnemite huddled together.
Ash didn't hesitate. He dropped to his knees, yanking his bag open and pulling out potions, revives, and berries.
"Hang in there, guys," he called, moving quickly.
Pikachu scurried beside him, nudging Pokémon encouragingly, while Gengar—normally mischievous—hovered silently, concern visible in its glowing red eyes. Ash moved from one Pokémon to another, the air filling with the soft chime of healing effects and the faint hissing of spray bottles.
Then he turned his attention to the massive figure lying weakly before him.
Zapdos.
The Legendary Bird of Thunder lay on the cold ground, its brilliant golden feathers dulled, sparks barely flickering across its body. Its sharp, piercing eyes locked onto Ash, filled with defiance. Even now, injured and weak, Zapdos tried to summon electricity—but nothing came.
A crackling hum escaped its throat, filled with frustration.
Ash took a slow, careful step forward, raising his hands in a non-threatening gesture. "Easy… I'm not here to hurt you."
Zapdos' feathers bristled, beak parting just enough to let out a strained noise. It was still wary.
Ash exhaled slowly and let his Aura flow outward in soft, calming waves. The tension in Zapdos' body didn't disappear, but the sharp hostility dulled—just slightly.
Another step. Then another. The static in the air grew warmer, less aggressive.
Zapdos was watching him. Studying him.
"You've been through a lot," Ash murmured. "But I'm here to help."
Cautiously, he reached out. His fingers brushed against the coarse, storm-charged feathers. Zapdos tensed—but didn't pull away.
"There we go," Ash said softly. He pulled out a Full Potion, activating it with a quiet click. A soft glow spread over Zapdos' body, slowly mending its injuries. The dull gold of its feathers brightened, and the flickering sparks steadied.
Zapdos blinked. Its wings flexed experimentally, electricity rippling through them—not wild and erratic, but stable.
Then, a deep, resonant cry escaped Zapdos' throat. Not one of pain. Not of anger. But something else entirely.
Gratitude.
Ash met its gaze, smiling. "See? That's better, isn't it?"
Zapdos let out a thoughtful chirp, tilting its head slightly. It studied Ash for a long moment before, slowly, deliberately, lowering its head—just enough for Ash to reach it again.
Ash chuckled and rested a hand against its beak. "You're not as scary as you act, are you?"
Zapdos ruffled its feathers, sending a harmless static jolt through Ash's arm—nothing painful, just a teasing spark.
Ash grinned. "I'll take that as a 'thank you.'"
Pikachu, who had been watching in awe, let out an excited, "Pika-pi!" and hopped onto Ash's shoulder.
Gengar smirked. "Gen, gen-gar," its ghostly voice laced with amusement.
Zapdos stretched its wings wide, electricity crackling stronger now. Strength was returning. And for the first time, the Legendary Bird of Thunder looked at Ash not as a threat, but as an ally
Even after using the Full Heal, Zapdos still struggled. Its golden feathers shimmered faintly, but the usual powerful crackle of electricity was missing. The Legendary Bird of Thunder let out a weak cry, trying to summon energy—only for another flickering spark to fizzle into nothing.
Ash clenched his fists. Why isn't it working?
Before he could come up with a solution, his Arc Dex shot out of his pocket, hovering in the air.
"Zapdos needs to recharge its electricity supply."
Ash blinked, then snatched the device mid-air and shoved it back into his pocket. "Yeah, I know, Arc Dex."
He turned to Pikachu, who was already watching him with unwavering determination.
"You ready, buddy?"
Pikachu nodded firmly. "Pika!"
With a sharp cry, Pikachu's cheeks sparked to life, and a powerful Thunderbolt shot toward Zapdos. Electricity surged through the air, crackling as it made contact with the Legendary's body.
But it wasn't enough.
Zapdos shuddered, trying to absorb the energy, but the intensity wasn't strong enough to fully recharge it. Pikachu gritted his teeth, pushing harder, sending out another Thunderbolt—refusing to give up. Sparks danced wildly, illuminating the darkened hideout in bursts of light.
Ash's mind raced. It's still not enough—what else can we do?
Before he could think of another plan—
A pink blur popped up right in front of his face.
"Mew!"
Ash yelled in shock, instinctively stumbling back. "What the—?! Fuck!"
Mew giggled mischievously, twirling in the air with glee at his reaction.
Ash narrowed his eyes. Big mistake.
With a swift motion, he grabbed Mew by the tail and yanked her down. She let out a startled squeak.
"Mew!" she yelped, flailing in protest.
Ash smirked. "You scared me, so now we're even." He released her tail, and Mew huffed, rubbing the spot dramatically.
"Mewww…" she grumbled.
Ash ignored her sulking and crossed his arms. "If you're gonna mess around, at least make yourself useful. You can use Thunderbolt too, right?"
Mew blinked. Then grinned.
With a playful twirl, she clapped her tiny paws together—her body crackling with electric energy.
Ash barely had time to brace himself before Mew unleashed a massive Thunderbolt, merging with Pikachu's attack.
Golden lightning flooded the room. Sparks snapped and surged, dancing wildly as the Legendary Bird absorbed the overwhelming energy.
Zapdos' eyes snapped open, glowing with raw power. The weak flickers were gone—true, untamed electricity crackled around its wings.
A deep, resonating boom filled the air as Zapdos let out a mighty cry of thunder.
Ash shielded his eyes as a final surge of lightning erupted, sending a shockwave tearing through the hideout. The sheer force of the discharge rattled the metal framework, and with a loud creak, part of the rooftop was blown open.
Through the newly exposed gap, Ash's gaze immediately locked onto a helicopter hovering above. Its dark silhouette cut sharply against the night sky, the spinning blades creating an ominous hum.
Not good.
Ash didn't need to guess who it belonged to. His instincts screamed danger. They had to get out—now.
He turned sharply to Mew, who had flipped upright, sensing the urgency in his expression.
"Mew, take all the Pokémon—including Zapdos—and teleport them somewhere safe!" His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.
For once, Mew didn't play around. She gave a quick nod, her usual mischief gone. In an instant, a glowing pink aura enveloped the freed Pokémon.
Zapdos, now standing tall, locked eyes with Ash. The great bird hesitated for a moment before giving a single, powerful nod—an unspoken understanding.
Ash exhaled, offering a small smirk. "Stay safe. We'll meet again."
With a brilliant flash of psychic energy, Mew and the Pokémon vanished.
Ash stood alone now. The once chaotic power station had fallen into an eerie silence.
No time to relax.
Without hesitation, he focused his energy. In the blink of an eye, the world around him blurred—then shifted.
When the dust finally settled, Ash found himself in a safe location, Pikachu still perched on his shoulder.
He smirked, exhaling as the tension eased. "Now that's more like it."
Pikachu, exhausted but victorious, let out a proud, "Pika-pi!"
Ash sighed, shaking his head with a tired chuckle. He glanced up at the sky, knowing this wasn't the last time he'd see Zapdos.
Today had been a close call… but they had won.
Ash sighed, shaking his head with a tired chuckle. He glanced up at the night sky, knowing this wasn't the last time he'd see Zapdos.
Tonight had been a close call… but they had won.
As he turned to leave for the Pokémon Center, his Arc Dex beeped, signaling the completion of his quest. He barely paid it any mind, too exhausted to check. Unbeknownst to him, something far bigger was unfolding elsewhere in Kanto.
Meanwhile…
On the other side of town, Chloe and Goh strolled down the quiet streets after a long day.
Goh turned to Chloe, eyes practically sparkling with curiosity. "Wait, so you actually went to Dragonite Island?"
Chloe sighed, exasperated. "Yes, Goh. For the fifth time—yes."
Goh groaned dramatically. "Aw man, I wish I was there…"
As they reached Chloe's house, they stepped inside, greeted by the warm glow of the living room lights. Professor Cerise sat on the couch, adjusting his glasses as he turned to them.
"Ah, you're back," he said with a smile. "Chloe, were you able to complete your assignment?"
Chloe nodded, setting her bag down. "Yeah. I got everything I needed."
Before she could elaborate, Goh practically bounced on his feet. "Professor, you won't believe it! Chloe finished her Dragonite research on Dragonite Island!"
Professor Cerise's eyebrows shot up. "Dragonite Island? Chloe, that's not exactly an easy place to reach… especially with the storms surrounding it!"
He leaned forward, clearly about to pepper her with questions—until his wife, Talia, placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Dear, she just got home. Let her rest first."
Professor Cerise blinked, then chuckled sheepishly. "Right, right. My apologies."
Just as the atmosphere began to settle, the television flickered.
The program they had been watching cut off, replaced by an urgent emergency broadcast.
A serious-looking news reporter appeared on the screen, her voice tense.
"We interrupt this broadcast with breaking news. About thirty minutes ago, Vermilion Police received an anonymous tip regarding suspicious activity at the abandoned power station near the city. According to early reports, the site was being used by Team Rocket for an unknown operation. Authorities are now engaging with Team Rocket operatives, and we have a live aerial feed from our news helicopter."
The camera switched to a sweeping overhead shot of the power station, where flashing lights and bursts of energy signaled an ongoing battle. Several police officers and their Pokémon were locked in combat against Team Rocket grunts.
Talia let out a relieved breath. "Thank goodness you two made it home safely."
Chloe and Goh nodded, but neither of them could tear their eyes away from the screen.
Goh frowned. "Why would Team Rocket even be interested in an old power station?"
Before anyone could speculate—
BOOM!
A massive explosion rocked the scene, sending a shockwave outward. Smoke billowed into the air as debris rained down.
The reporter flinched but kept her grip on the microphone, her voice rising in urgency. "An explosion has just occurred inside the power station! We're moving in for a closer look—"
The helicopter veered toward the wreckage. As the camera zoomed in, the reporter suddenly sucked in a sharp breath.
"Wait… is that…?"
The image on the screen sharpened, revealing a figure standing amidst the destruction.
A person.
But not just any person.
Beside them stood Zapdos, its wings crackling with residual electricity.
And hovering just above them—
Was Mew.
The entire Cerise household fell into stunned silence.
The reporter's voice wavered. "This is—unbelievable. A Zapdos has been sighted… along with what appears to be the Mythical Pokémon, Mew."
Professor Cerise shot to his feet, eyes wide behind his glasses. Chloe and Goh barely breathed.
The broadcast's audio picked up the mysterious figure's voice.
"Mew, take them somewhere safe."
Before their eyes, Mew's psychic energy flared—enveloping Zapdos and the other Pokémon.
In a flash, they disappeared.
And then—
The figure vanished as well.
A heavy silence hung in the room.
Goh was the first to break the silence, practically shouting.
"Chloe, did you see that?! That was Mew! I knew it was real! One day, I'm gonna catch it for sure!"
But Chloe barely heard him.
Her eyes remained fixed on the screen, her mind racing. She wasn't thinking about Mew. Or even Zapdos.
She was thinking about him.
The mysterious figure who had just vanished.
The same person who had helped her.
Everything clicked into place.
Back when they had returned from Dragonite Island, he had left so suddenly—disappearing before she could even ask his name.
Now, she finally understood why.
As the last seconds of the broadcast played, a new wave of questions filled her mind.