Ariana's scheme had collapsed, and she knew it.
"Since the plan is ruined, I won't waste any more time tangling with you two," she said with a coquettish wave.
Before anyone could stop her, her Arbok spewed a billowing cloud of black smoke that engulfed the cavern. When Kadabra pulled the haze into a tight ball with Psychic, Ariana was gone. All that remained were the scars of battle—silent proof to any future traveler that something fierce had taken place here.
"Red, if you hadn't helped today, Articuno's condition would have been..." Lorelei's anxious gaze drifted to the now-recovered Articuno. She patted her chest in relief.
"My medical fees aren't exactly cheap," Red answered, recalling his Gyarados, Snorlax, and Kadabra.
"Oh? Can't resist the charms of a mature big sister?" Lorelei teased, mimicking Ariana's earlier pose by resting a hand on her curves and tilting her head playfully.
"Put away that pointless flirting, Elite Lorelei." Red's frown deepened. Was he really that easy a target for seductive older women?
Lorelei laughed lightly. "Teasing a 'stoic prodigy' like you is just too fun."
"My price is simple: let Articuno battle one of my partners." Red unclipped the lone Ultra Ball at his waist. "I know a bit about the delicate arrangement between you two, so I'm challenging you—as Zapdos's trainer—to a duel, Miss Lorelei, guardian of Articuno."
Lorelei's eyes widened in genuine shock. "You've already gained Zapdos's trust at your age?"
"Luck played a part," Red said modestly, tugging the brim of his cap.
He grasped Lorelei's arm, a blue aura flashing in his eyes, and used Teleport to transport the three of them—Lorelei, Articuno, and himself—to the windy shoreline outside the cramped ice cave.
"A proud legend like Articuno deserves an open sky, not a cave's advantage," he explained with tactical wisdom.
Red hurled the Ultra Ball skyward. "Zapdos, to the field!"
A pillar of lightning tore open the heavens. Out swept Zapdos—yellow plumage bristling with black-tipped spikes, orange beak gleaming like a sword. Thunderbolts hammered the beach, and the oppressive aura of the legendary Thunder God made even Articuno tremble involuntarily.
"When skies darken and lightning rages, the legendary bird of thunder appears..." Lorelei whispered, genuinely awestruck by the magnificent sight.
Articuno shook itself, forcing down the instinctive fear. It turned to Lorelei, eyes burning with fierce resolve: Fight with me.
Lorelei's hesitation melted away like ice in sunlight. "Very well! Red, Articuno and I will meet your challenge!"
Red tossed a pebble skyward with casual confidence. "When this stone lands, the battle begins."
Three heartbeats later, stone met sand with a soft thud.
Zapdos unleashed Thunderbolt—serpents of pure electricity racing toward Articuno with devastating speed. Unable to outfly the attack, Articuno fired Ice Beam head-on. The two elemental forces collided, erupting in a blinding flash that lit up the entire shoreline. Both legendary birds beat their wings and dove into close combat.
"Zapdos, Steel Wing!"
"Articuno, match it!"
Silver light flared along razor-sharp feathers as the legendary birds clashed, wing against wing in a resounding clang of metal meeting frost.
"Articuno—Ice Shard, point-blank!" Lorelei commanded with tactical precision.
A jagged chunk of ice slammed into Zapdos's chest, but the thunderbirdshattered it with a burst of electrical current, fragments scattering like diamonds.
"Zapdos, Drill Peck!"
Its spinning beak speared forward like a lance, striking Articuno's flank and drawing a pained cry. Zapdos instantly pulled back—electricity flickering ominously once more—and hurled another devastating Thunderbolt.
"Quick, use Agility to evade!" Lorelei ordered, her nerves stretched taut. Only now did she truly grasp the overwhelming gulf between the two legends.
Both birds carried the Pressure ability, their intimidating auras canceling each other out. What Lorelei and Articuno never suspected was that Zapdos also possessed the superior Lightning Rod ability, naturally drawing and amplifying electrical power from the storm-charged atmosphere.
Even so, Articuno remained undaunted. High above Seafoam Islands' windswept shore, icy gale met roaring storm as two sacred guardians fought for pride—and for the unbreakable bond each shared with its chosen trainer.