"Zapdos, use Icy Wind," Lorelei ordered.
Zapdos flapped its beautiful blue-feathered wings, sending a freezing gust toward Articuno.
"Articuno, use Agility."
Articuno's figure turned into an afterimage, instantly dodging Zapdos's Icy Wind.
Under Articuno's astonished gaze, Zapdos's silver-glowing wings struck and hit Articuno's body.
Articuno quickly reacted, releasing fine, icy snow toward Zapdos's wings. Due to the sudden chill, ice gradually formed over Zapdos's wings.
Articuno stared with slight delight at Zapdos's right wing being frozen. Just as it was about to launch the next attack, a surge of high-voltage electricity burst from Zapdos's body, instantly shattering the ice on its wing.
"Miss Lorelei, sorry about this, but in the next turn, you and Articuno won't be able to withstand the assault from me and Zapdos!"
As his voice fell, Red slowly lowered the brim of his hat. His exposed left eye gradually turned crimson. A powerful Aura Resonance spread instantly, and the originally freezing environment began to boil. Even the falling snowflakes in the sky melted under the intensity of Red's overwhelming battle intent.
(Aura Resonance!)
Lorelei turned her head in disbelief toward Red. She couldn't imagine that a rookie Trainer who had just begun his journey could master such an extraordinary pinnacle state.
(This pure state is definitely not something attained by chance!)
The eruption of Red's Aura Resonance also instantly affected Zapdos and Articuno battling in the sky.
Zapdos was the first to change. The electricity covering its body surged further. The thunderclouds that once filled the sky transformed into a tornado, surrounding Zapdos completely. The lightning from the clouds poured into Zapdos's body, successfully allowing it to use Charge.
A Pokémon in a Charged state will have its next Electric-type move doubled in power, and its Special Defense increases by one stage.
But Zapdos's enhancement did not end there, because it also possessed a second Ability—Lightning Rod.
Through Lightning Rod, after absorbing the electricity, Zapdos's Special Attack rose by another stage.
Trembling, fear, terror…
All kinds of negative emotions flooded deep into Articuno's mind. At this moment, Articuno had already lost the courage to confront Zapdos. No matter how Lorelei called out from below, she could not awaken Articuno from its fearful state.
"Zapdos, use your final Thunderbolt!" Red said calmly, no longer issuing further commands, because he was certain that Articuno in the sky would never be able to withstand Zapdos's next fierce attack.
The high-voltage current condensed into a massive pillar of lightning, instantly striking toward Articuno. The space it passed through crackled with residual electricity that lingered for a long time.
"Articuno, quickly use Blizzard!" Lorelei urged anxiously.
With thunderclouds everywhere, Articuno couldn't use Agility to dodge. Even if it tried to evade forcefully, it would still be struck by the scattered currents.
Under Lorelei's call, Articuno's eyes finally brightened, briefly regaining clarity.
For its pride as one of the Three Sacred Birds, Articuno would never allow itself to be defeated so easily.
(At the very least… I must defend my dignity!)
Articuno flapped its beautiful blue wings, sending a raging Blizzard to clash head-on with the incoming lightning pillar.
But under the confident gazes of Red and Zapdos, the high-voltage lightning pillar instantly devoured the Blizzard and pierced through Articuno's body.
"Articuno!" Lorelei cried out in worry.
In the sky, Articuno's body, pierced by lightning, was completely charred. Its once beautiful appearance was gone—no one would even recognize the scorched Pokémon before them as the legendary Articuno.
(Next will be Moltres!)
After defeating Articuno, Zapdos revealed a joyful smile, looking excitedly at Red below, who nodded in approval.
Zapdos flapped its wings and slowly descended beside Red, lowering its head and rubbing against Red's cheek, sharing its joy after victory.
"Alright, alright, don't forget your pride as one of the Three Sacred Birds. Why are you acting like a child~"
Red smiled as he stroked Zapdos's head. He also noticed that Zapdos had grown taller, now reaching about 1.9 meters.
Clearly, the conditions at Professor Oak's Laboratory were excellent—not only was the terrain vast and suitable for training, but the meals were carefully researched by Professor Oak and tailored to provide high-quality nutrition for each Pokémon.
"Red, the strength of you and Zapdos has earned my respect. I suppose that's why Lance values you so highly."
Lorelei looked at Red solemnly, already treating him as an equal opponent.
Although Lorelei had not used her main team, Red also hadn't used his original lineup. Both sides had used the Three Sacred Birds they were working with for the first time.
While Red had the advantage of being a Trainer, Lorelei's experience far surpassed his. Logically speaking, she should have held the greater advantage.
"I'm also glad to have battled you here, Miss Lorelei."
After speaking, Red politely extended his right hand.
Seeing this, Lorelei smiled faintly and extended her right hand as well, completing the post-battle gesture of reconciliation.
Fortunately, Zapdos hadn't used its true power. Otherwise, Articuno's injuries would not have been so simple.
If Zapdos had used its strongest move—Zap Cannon—then Articuno would likely have needed one or two weeks of rest in Seafoam Islands to recover.
"Power of Viridian," Red murmured softly, as a gentle green aura spread from his body, healing the heavily injured Articuno.
The emergence of the Power of Viridian also captivated Lorelei. This affinity with nature made her increasingly interested in Red, entranced by the beauty before her.
She couldn't help but wonder—were all rookie Trainers from Pallet Town as outstanding as Red?
...
Cinnabar Island is the twin island on the left side of Seafoam Islands. On the island stands a massive volcano, rumored to be the dwelling place of one of the Three Sacred Birds—Moltres.
According to several Pokémon researchers who specialize in the Three Sacred Birds, the legendary fire-controlling Pokémon Moltres is said to enter the magma of a volcano when injured, burning its entire body to heal itself.
In the Kanto Region, Moltres's fame far surpasses that of Zapdos and Articuno. The fundamental reason lies in the sacred flame of the Pokémon League. Unlike the Johto Region, which uses the flame left behind by Ho-Oh, the Kanto Region relies more on Moltres's fire.
Thus, in the Pokémon League, Moltres serves as a sacred symbol of the competition, representing the honor of challengers who arrive at the Indigo Plateau to pursue their dreams.
"Roar~"
A low growl sounded. Red snapped back to his senses and saw Crimson Gyarados turning its head to nudge him, signaling that they had arrived at Cinnabar Island.
"Thanks for your hard work, Gyarados. I haven't really let you show your strength yet," Red said apologetically, gently stroking Crimson Gyarados's body.
Crimson Gyarados shook its head vigorously. Although it hadn't been able to shine in battle, simply traveling alone with Red was already a source of great joy for it.
After all, most of its companions from the same period were still training at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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