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"Alright, we can move on now. Garchomp, how's your stamina? Need a quick rest?"
Liam stepped forward and recalled Elekid into its PokeBall, then turned to check on Garchomp's condition. He knew there was still another tough battle ahead.
"Roarr!"
Garchomp replied energetically, showing no signs of fatigue — in fact, its cry carried a hint of excitement.
"Haha, that's good. Even though we've got the type advantage this time, don't get careless. Stay sharp."
"Roarr!"
"Good. Let's keep moving!"
The rest of the journey went smoothly. The wild Pokémon inhabiting the abandoned power plant scattered and hid the moment they saw Liam and Garchomp approach — none dared to block their path anymore.
"Kreeeaaah!!"
A loud screech of Zapdos echoed through the air. This time, it was crystal clear — it was close.
"There it is! Come out, Zapdos! We've come to capture you!!"
"Roarr!!"
Liam and Garchomp dashed out of the passageway, and their view suddenly opened up into a massive circular chamber — the power plant's core.
The circular structure spiraled downward with layers of metal staircases surrounding it. In the center stood a colossal generator humming with raw energy. Though the plant had long been abandoned, the machinery still pulsed with terrifying electrical power.
"Zapdos! Come out and battle us! I need your help with something, so I have to capture you! But don't worry — once it's over, I'll set you free! Do you hear me, Zapdos?!"
"Roarr!!"
Their shouts echoed through the entire chamber, but the only response was the crackle of electricity — nothing else stirred.
"Damn… don't tell me it's already gone? That's bad..."
Seeing no sign of movement, Liam frowned and slammed his fist against the railing in frustration.
bzzz... bzzz...
"Huh? What's that?"
Suddenly, a faint vibration came from his belt. Liam reached down and found the source — the Flame Ball that held Moltres. Confused, he quickly released the Legendary bird.
"Screee! Screech!!"
The moment Moltres appeared, it circled the airspace, crying loudly as it swooped around the central generator — as if sending out a message.
Liam watched silently, uncertain what Moltres was trying to say, but didn't interfere.
Then—
bzzzz! bzzzzzzz!
"Kreeeaaah!!"
A crackling surge of electricity burst from below! From the depths of the darkness, a blinding light erupted — and a majestic Zapdos, its entire body wrapped in lightning, shot upward into the chamber! It hovered before Moltres, facing it directly, and the two Legendary birds exchanged sharp cries, communicating in their own way.
[Ding!]
[Emergency Mission Issued!]
[The Spirit of Lightning that Splits the Skies!]
[Objective: In the depths of the steel-filled, abandoned power plant, a being brimming with primal lightning has awakened! Discover its true nature. Obtain a reference from the Spirit of Lightning — blood, feather, or scale will suffice.]
[Reward: 1,000 exchange points + 1 Mystery Gift Pack.]
[Note: No penalty for ignoring this mission.]
"It's here!"
Even without the system's voice, Liam immediately recognized the thunder-clad creature before him — the last of the Legendary Bird trio, the mythic Zapdos!
"Kreeeaaah!!"
"Skreee!!"
"Kreeeaaah!!"
"Skreee!!"
The two Legendary Pokémon faced each other in midair, their cries echoing through the metal walls. Moltres, already aware of Liam's intentions, was trying to persuade Zapdos to join them.
"Kreeeaaah!!"
After a brief exchange, Zapdos seemed to understand — but rather than agreeing, it turned toward Liam with a fierce gleam in its eyes and let out a battle cry filled with challenge.
"Oh? So you want to test us first, huh? Fine by me! We'll show you our strength through battle! Moltres, you just watch from the side. This time, Garchomp will handle it!"
"Roarr!!"
"Screech!!"
Moltres looked displeased at being benched, but didn't argue. It landed beside Liam, grooming its blazing feathers with a disgruntled squawk.
Meanwhile, Garchomp roared excitedly, smashed through the railing in front of it, and took to the skies — facing Zapdos head-on.
"Zapdos! Let's begin! Show me your full power!"
Liam looked up at the two Pokémon in the air, a thrill coursing through him. He shouted the signal — the battle was on!
"Kreeeaaah!!"
Zapdos attacked instantly. A massive bolt of lightning exploded from its body, striking Garchomp directly and slamming it into the massive generator behind with a thunderous crash!
"Roarr!"
Electricity surged over Garchomp's scales as it growled in pain. Normally, Ground types were immune to Electric attacks — but only when touching the ground. Since Garchomp was airborne, its immunity didn't apply; while its Dragon typing reduced some damage, it couldn't negate it entirely.
Still, Zapdos's lightning wasn't enough to take it down.
"Garchomp! Use Dragon Rush!"
"Roarr!!"
Despite the shock, Garchomp opened its eyes wide, braced its legs against the generator behind it, and burst forward! Dragon-type energy flared around its body as it charged through the storm, diving down at Zapdos like a meteor!
"Kreeeaaah!!"
Zapdos didn't dodge — not immediately. Just as Garchomp was about to collide, a sharp gleam flashed in Zapdos's eyes. Its movements blurred, shifting in an uncanny pattern. With a subtle twist midair, it narrowly evaded the attack, and Garchomp slammed headfirst into the steel wall, leaving a massive dent.
"That was Detect, huh? Tricky move… Garchomp! Whip up a Sandstorm!"
Liam recognized the skill immediately. Zapdos was strong enough already — with Detect, the battle just got harder. He needed to change the battlefield.
"Roarr!!"
Garchomp shook off the impact, growled deeply, and raised its head. Instantly, sand and grit surged from every direction, swirling violently around the chamber. In seconds, the area was engulfed in a howling Sandstorm!
This was Garchomp's domain — the terrain where it reigned supreme.
The hunt for Zapdos had truly begun.