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Liam had traded Aerodactyl from Professor Oak just a day earlier. Originally, he had planned to have Aerodactyl fly him directly to the Seafoam Islands. However, when he spotted a familiar cargo ship while setting out to sea, an idea struck him—to travel by boat instead. That was why Aerodactyl hadn't been released until now.
As part of the exchange, Scizor was currently being "well taken care of" at Professor Oak's lab.
"ROAR!!"
It had been a long time since Aerodactyl had experienced such an exhilarating flight. Clearly overexcited, it beat its wings and tore through the freezing headwind without the slightest hesitation, soaring proudly into the sky!
Seeing his partner in such high spirits, Liam didn't interrupt. He simply pulled his goggles down over his eyes, tightened his insulated jacket, and smiled faintly despite the biting cold that seeped through.
"Raaah…"
Liam's movement caught Aerodactyl's attention. With a low growl, it gradually lowered both its altitude and speed, gliding over the frost-covered sea before diving into a field of white icebergs ahead.
Indeed—icebergs. The Seafoam Islands were an extraordinary location: two adjacent islands with drastically different climates. One was dominated by fiery volcanoes, while the other was a frozen land of glaciers—two worlds in perfect contrast.
Liam's destination this time was, of course, the legendary Articuno.
"ROOAAAR!!"
As soon as Aerodactyl carried Liam deep into the icy region, it let out a thunderous, challenging roar. The soundwave cut through the frigid air, reverberating across the frozen landscape. The sheer force of its cry caused several nearby glaciers to collapse, triggering avalanches that sent sheets of snow and ice crashing down the cliffs, scattering glittering shards of frost everywhere.
But aside from that—no response.
Because of the extreme weather, the Ice Island was rarely visited by humans, and few Pokémon could survive here. This isolation made it the perfect resting ground for a legendary being like Articuno.
"Heh, looks like we'll have to use the old method again. Come out—Moltres, Zapdos! Go find Articuno!"
After searching half the island without finding a trace of the legendary bird, Liam realized that looking on his own was too inefficient. With a swift motion, he hurled two PokeBalls—one flaming red and one crackling with electricity—into the air. Moltres and Zapdos emerged in bursts of light, spreading their wings majestically as they awaited orders.
"Skreee!"
"Kreeeaaah!!"
Hearing Liam's command, Moltres and Zapdos split off in opposite directions, braving the blizzards that raged naturally across the island. They called out loudly among the mountains of ice, their cries echoing through the frozen air.
"Cryaaah!!"
It wasn't long before a sharp, angry cry pierced through the snowstorm. Liam and Aerodactyl looked up—and there it was.
A magnificent bird, its entire body shimmering like carved ice, flickered in and out of view amid the swirling snow. With crystalline wings that glittered in the storm's light, Articuno descended from the heavens—then immediately opened its beak and unleashed a blinding Ice Beam!
"Dodge it, Aerodactyl!"
"ROAR!!"
Confronted with an attack before even exchanging words, Liam's first instinct was to evade. Aerodactyl twisted sharply, the beam missing by inches. Standing tall on its back, Liam removed his goggles and smiled coolly, intending to break the tension with a few words.
"Hey! Long time no see, Articuno! You still sore from the last time you got blasted away?"
The moment he said it, Articuno's chest throbbed painfully, remembering that humiliating defeat. Rage flared anew—stronger than ever.
"Cryaaah!!"
Without hesitation, Articuno spread its wings and summoned a roaring Blizzard! A storm of freezing wind radiated outward from the bird as its core, merging with the island's natural blizzard. The combination intensified into a superstorm that engulfed everything in sight!
"Tch tch tch… still got that bad temper, huh? Looks like we can't talk this out. Well then, I have no choice. Aerodactyl—use Tailwind! Full power!"
Knowing just how destructive Articuno's Blizzard could be, Liam's face grew serious as he issued his command.
"ROAR!!"
Aerodactyl roared in defiance. With powerful wingbeats, it stirred up fierce counterwinds, forming a turbulent storm behind it. The two air currents collided—its Tailwind barely holding back Articuno's raging Blizzard.
"Cryaaah!!"
Hidden within the storm, Articuno grew even angrier. The fact that Aerodactyl could now resist its attacks—a Pokémon that once fled helplessly from its wrath—wounded its pride deeply.
"Cryaaa!!"
With another furious cry, the blizzard intensified. Chunks of jagged ice mixed into the storm, flying from all directions toward Aerodactyl. The icy barrage battered against its winds, slowly overpowering the Tailwind and pushing closer!
"Ice Shards, huh? Quite the number of them too. Aerodactyl—use Sunny Day!"
Seeing the Blizzard advance again, Liam smirked coldly. There was not a hint of fear in his eyes as he gave the next order.
"ROAR!!"
Aerodactyl threw its head back and roared. A brilliant sphere of light shot from its jaws, piercing the storm clouds above and exploding in the upper sky. The heavy snow clouds that had loomed over the island for ages instantly dissipated—blown away by the force of the light.
Sunlight flooded through, glaring and intense. The strengthened rays beat down on the island, melting the storm bit by bit. Articuno's Blizzard weakened rapidly, dissolving into the sunlight like mist.
"Cryaaah!!"
But the sight of its ice melting only enraged Articuno further. It flapped its wings furiously, summoning another blizzard that blanketed the sky in darkness once more!
Then, after sealing off the sunlight again, Articuno locked its icy gaze on Liam and Aerodactyl below. With a sharp cry, it dove—its translucent blue body trailing freezing air as it hurtled straight toward them!
"Dodge it, Aerodactyl! Don't let it hit you!"
"ROAR!!"
Although Articuno was a legendary Pokémon, it wasn't known for speed. Aerodactyl skillfully twisted through the air, evading each strike while taunting its opponent with shrill screeches. The enraged Articuno gave chase, its calls echoing across the glacier.
"Alright, Aerodactyl—just running won't help us capture Articuno. Time to fight back. Since you're finally home again… let me give you a little gift. One that'll make you stronger."
Liam glanced at the furious Articuno behind them and smiled faintly. The battle had reached its turning point. Reaching into his pocket, he drew out a gem that shimmered with seven radiant colors and pressed it against Aerodactyl's back.
With his other hand, he pulled out a pendant from his chest. Two fingers rested gently on the stone embedded within it as he spoke softly but firmly—
"Key Stone—answer our call. Aerodactyl—Mega Evolve!!"
"ROOOOOAR!!"