As Pikachu returned to its normal form, Robert slowly withdrew his right hand from Pikachu's body. At that very moment, a clear system voice echoed in his ears:
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for upgrading your Evergreen Power to Level 3. You've unlocked a new achievement task, upgraded your special abilities to Level 3, and gained 100 experience points for each ability."
Robert raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Oh? I wasn't expecting this. System, open my status panel."
"Affirmative," the system responded.
---
[Trainer Status Panel]
Name: Robert
Age: 12
Special Abilities:
Evergreen Power Lv3 (100/500)
Psychic Power Lv2 (80/200)
Aura Power Lv2 (20/100)
Points: 8,550
Pokémon:
Charizard (Gym-Advanced)
Pidgeot (Gym-Advanced)
Shiny Beedrill (Gym-Intermediate Peak)
Pikachu (Elite-Peak)
Squirtle (Elite-Advanced)
Haunter (Gym-Intermediate)
Missions:
Main Mission 1: Defeat Gyms and collect Badges (5/8)
Main Mission 2: Enter and challenge the Indigo League Conference
Trainer Assessment: Gym-Advanced
Inventory:
Keystone Bracelet
Deluxe Balls ×2
Variety of Poké Balls ×20
Evolution Stones: Charizard, Beedrill, Pidgeot
Mystic Items: Fire Coal, Mystic Water Drop
Evolution Stones ×5
Mega Evolution Stone (Gengar)
Energy Cubes (Fire, Flying, Normal, Rock, Ground, Poison, Water, Bug, Psychic, Grass)
Tennis Ball ×1
Other items
---
Robert looked at the glowing panel with satisfaction. "Evergreen Power at Level 3, and both Psychic and Aura Powers at Level 2… Not bad at all. Even if I don't find Zapdos, I have no regrets."
Now that the Evergreen Power had reached Level 3, its healing effects had become even more potent. Not only could Robert heal Pokémon faster, but the energy consumption was also reduced. Previously, he could only heal two Pokémon before tiring out. Now, he could heal three—maybe even four—without draining himself.
The Psychic Power at Level 2 enabled basic usage of Confusion. The power wasn't extraordinary, but it was a considerable improvement compared to before.
As for Aura Power, this granted Robert heightened perception—able to sense within a five-meter radius. It also allowed for rudimentary communication with Pokémon and the formation of small Aura projectiles—roughly the size of a ping-pong ball. They weren't particularly strong, but it was a start.
Turning to Pikachu, Robert smiled. "Your strength is back. Let's finish exploring this place. If the last room doesn't work for Tiffany to join us, we'll move on to the next adventure."
"Pika~!" Pikachu chirped in agreement.
Guided by Robert, the pair walked for ten minutes down a dim hallway, their footsteps echoing faintly through the ruins of the unmanned power plant. Eventually, they reached a massive metal door—the last unexplored room. According to the map, this was the terminal control room, where all the power of the plant once converged.
"Creak…"
Robert slowly pushed open the rusted door. The moment the gap widened, a surge of electricity burst out from within. Yellow lightning crackled violently, filling the entire room in an instant.
"Huh… What is this power?" Robert muttered.
Thanks to his Aura Power, which now allowed for refined perception, Robert's senses screamed danger. The moment his foot crossed the threshold, he instinctively yanked it back and jumped several steps backward.
BOOM!
A tremendous bolt of lightning slammed down on the spot he had nearly stepped on. Dust and debris flew into the air, and the metallic floor was instantly scorched black.
Robert exhaled slowly, calming his rapidly beating heart. "That was close… but that kind of power… there's no mistaking it." He turned to Pikachu with a knowing look. "We found it."
With renewed determination, Robert stepped into the room.
The sight that greeted him was both eerie and awe-inspiring. The room was massive, resembling a warehouse or factory. Its once-strong walls were now corroded, with half of the ceiling completely gone. The other half looked as though it could collapse at any moment.
Below the ruined structure sat a power generator—broken, twisted, and long since abandoned. However, it still pulsed with electricity, as if something deep inside refused to die.
Zzzt!
Yellow lightning danced around the generator. And in the middle of the electric storm, perched atop the wreckage, was a majestic bird Pokémon.
It was unlike anything Robert had ever seen. Its entire body was cloaked in jagged yellow feathers that stood on end. Sharp eyes—narrowed with irritation—locked onto the intruders. It radiated raw power, and its presence alone caused the air to hum.
Without question, it was a legendary Pokémon—Zapdos.
---
[Pokédex Entry - Zapdos (Juvenile)]
Category: Electric Pokémon
Type: Electric/Flying
Height: 1.60 meters
Weight: 52.60 kg
Gender: Unknown
Ability: Pressure (opponents expend more energy using moves)
Hidden Ability: Static (may paralyze opponents on contact)
Stats:
HP: 31
Attack: 31
Defense: 31
Special Attack: 31
Special Defense: 31
Speed: 31
Known Moves: Peck, Volt Wave, Thunder Shock, Thunderbolt, Agility, Ancient Power, Charge, Thunder, Protect, Swift
Held Item: None
Current Strength: Gym Leader Peak Level
---
A grin spread across Robert's face. "It's really Zapdos… and still in its juvenile stage. No priesthood, no responsibilities yet. This might be my chance. Destiny must be smiling on me."
Zapdos, however, didn't seem as thrilled about their meeting.
"Chiuuu!!" it screeched in anger.
It had been awakened abruptly, and now it was being stared at like a rare prize. To Zapdos, Robert's heated gaze wasn't admiration—it was greed.
Anger boiled over. The yellow lightning surrounding it surged, crackling louder and brighter. Its wings flared, and with a screech, Zapdos shot into the air. Hovering above, it looked down at Robert and Pikachu with pure fury.
From its point of view, these two were not guests—they were intruders. And now they were about to suffer the wrath of a mythical beast.
Robert clenched his fists, excitement rising in his chest. "This is it. The real battle begins."
---
To be continued…