Unwillingness!
This was the strongest emotion Guo Yi sensed from Beedrill.
Indeed.
Earlier, against the overwhelmingly stronger Tapu Koko, Beedrill had lost decisively.
Now, facing Zapdos, whose strength was nearly equal to its own, it still seemed destined to lose.
Beedrill was beginning to doubt itself.
Could it be… that a Legendary Pokémon really cannot be defeated?
"Beedrill, there is no Pokémon in this world that's truly unbeatable!"
"So what if your species' stats are low? So what if your type is disadvantaged? So what if your background is humble?"
"Today, we'll create a miracle that the world has never seen!"
Guo Yi spoke without hiding his voice, loud enough for everyone watching to hear clearly.
"So bold!"
"So that's why he was able to raise such a powerful Beedrill!"
"It's true—if we trust our Pokémon, they'll repay our trust in kind."
"That's it! After today, I'm officially a Beedrill fan!"
"Me too! When I get back home, no matter what, I'll raise a Beedrill!"
At once, the crowd was stirred by Guo Yi's passionate declaration.
Shu Xinni, who stood among them, felt her heart stir differently from the others. Indeed, it wasn't just Shu Xinni—all the women present felt an intense desire to see the face beneath that mask.
"Bzzzzt!"
In response to Guo Yi's powerful words, Beedrill buzzed confidently.
Exactly!
If its trainer had such unwavering faith, what right did it have to doubt itself?
[Come fight me, Zapdos!]
Beedrill declared its challenge directly at Zapdos.
At that moment, Guo Yi suddenly felt movement from his pocket.
"This is… the [Z-Ring]!"
At this moment, the [Z-Ring] was glowing faintly, as if answering their call to battle.
Guo Yi exchanged a glance with Beedrill and immediately put the [Z-Ring] on his wrist.
"Beedrill, go! [X-Scissor]!"
Healed by Guo Yi's [Power of Viridian], Beedrill had recovered enough strength to continue fighting, though it wasn't yet in peak condition.
Even so, Beedrill felt as if a powerful force inside it was about to burst forth.
Almost there!
Just a bit more!
"Kreee!"
Zapdos, once more spreading its wings, fearlessly charged straight toward the attacking Beedrill.
Once again, the two Pokémon collided ferociously. This battle's intensity surpassed even the most thrilling Elite Four-level match.
All around, passengers hurriedly took out their phones to record this unprecedented battle.
Throughout Dragon Country's history of Pokémon battles, documented confrontations with Legendary Pokémon were exceedingly rare—and battles featuring Beedrill were unheard of. They absolutely couldn't miss this once-in-a-lifetime spectacle.
As the fight between Beedrill and Zapdos reached a fever pitch, the [Z-Ring] on Guo Yi's wrist burst forth with a dazzling radiance.
Guo Yi felt as if his spirit had merged completely with Beedrill, experiencing the Pokémon's burning determination and defiant spirit firsthand.
The instant Beedrill and Zapdos separated after their latest clash, the Z-Ring's glow peaked to blinding brilliance!
At this moment, Guo Yi's and Beedrill's hearts resonated perfectly.
"Beedrill, today, let's accomplish something unprecedented!"
"With a mortal body, we defy heaven and slay a god!"
"Unleash every ounce of our strength!"
His Z-Ring erupted with boundless Bug-type energy.
"[Z-Move—Savage Spin-Out]!"
Before the eyes of everyone present, the world's very first [Z-Move] was unleashed.
Beedrill's Bug-type energy surged explosively.
Azure-colored energy engulfed the sky, swiftly condensing into Beedrill's twin stingers.
Zapdos, sensing the immense power behind this move, also went all-out without hesitation.
Summoning thunderclouds above, countless lightning bolts rained down upon it, forming a blazing armor of lightning.
[Wild Charge]
Facing Beedrill's ultimate strike, Zapdos chose to clash head-on.
This was no longer an ordinary Pokémon battle.
This had become a battle between mortal and deity—between pride and supremacy.
Would a mortal defy and overcome divinity, or would a god's majesty remain untouchable?
Everything hinged upon this final clash.
WHOOSH!
Beedrill's wings vibrated fiercely as it launched itself forward like a desperate knight charging to certain death, unstoppable and resolute.
Zapdos, similarly wrapped in divine fury, charged fearlessly.
Their collision shook heaven and earth!
An immense shockwave erupted, obliterating everything within a hundred meters of their impact. Onlookers clenched their fists anxiously, witnessing this epic showdown.
"Bzzzzt—!"
First came the faint gleam of a stinger, followed by a strike like a dragon's roar!
A dazzling azure light filled the heavens. Beedrill and Zapdos stood back-to-back for an instant, and time itself seemed to freeze.
Seconds passed in tense silence…
Finally, Zapdos released a mournful cry and helplessly plummeted from the sky.
In this battle—Beedrill had triumphed!
Amid Zapdos's cries, Beedrill emerged victorious at last.
"Bzzzzt!"
Beedrill raised its stingers to the sky as its aura shifted dramatically.
Master Tier.
It had finally reached it.
Through this hard-fought battle, Beedrill had shattered the chains holding back its potential and ascended to Master Tier.
Is the bond between trainer and Pokémon the key to surpassing ordinary limits and reaching Master Tier?
Looking thoughtfully at the [Z-Ring] on his wrist, Guo Yi finally understood what Tapu Koko had once told him.
"This feeling isn't bad at all."
With a faint smile, Guo Yi retrieved a Poké Ball from his pocket and threw it toward Zapdos.
He'd already used his trump card—the Master Ball—in this fight. Naturally, he wouldn't let a Champion-Tier Zapdos go free.
Only an idiot would pass up such a chance!
After Zapdos was absorbed into the Poké Ball, it shook violently, its indicator flashing repeatedly.
Finally, with a definitive click, the Poké Ball fell still.
Guo Yi had successfully captured Zapdos.
"Bzzzzt!"
Beedrill swooped down, picked up the Poké Ball, and returned it to Guo Yi's side.
"You've worked hard, Beedrill," Guo Yi praised gently, placing the Poké Ball securely on his belt.
"Bzzzzt."
Having reached Master Tier, Beedrill's attitude became calmer and humbler, almost zen-like. Facing its trainer's praise, its demeanor remained serene, exuding the confidence of a true master.
"Now that we've finished our business here, it's time for us to go," Guo Yi said, glancing at the passengers saved by Mega Mewtwo X. He had no intention of stepping forward to speak with them.
He wore a mask precisely to keep his identity secret.
Since he had no intention of revealing himself, speaking with these people was unnecessary.
"Thank you, Pidgeot," Guo Yi said gently, stroking the Pokémon's head before signaling Mega Mewtwo X with a meaningful glance.
Mega Mewtwo X nodded in understanding.
An immense psychic force enveloped Guo Yi and Beedrill.
With a single [Teleport], one human and two Pokémon vanished instantly.
Pidgeot sensed Guo Yi's disappearance, feeling a slight sense of loss. Although it hadn't directly fought Zapdos, being part of such a legendary battle was an immense honor.
"Pideooot!" It chirped softly, flapping its wings and returning to the captain's side.
"Pidgeot! I'm so glad you're okay!" the captain cried, overcome with emotion, gently stroking Pidgeot's feathers. He had thought they'd parted forever, never dreaming they'd reunite again. Tears welled in his eyes, finally spilling over.
Pidgeot affectionately nuzzled the captain, expressing its own deep feelings.
---
"Did he really leave?"
Watching the spot where Guo Yi had vanished, Shu Xinni felt an unexpected sense of loss. Just moments ago, she'd been contemplating how to properly express her gratitude once Guo Yi came down.
Yet he hadn't even given her that opportunity.
The surrounding passengers felt similarly regretful.
"Aww! Why did that mysterious hero have to leave so quickly?"
"I wanted to get a commemorative photo with him!"
"Such a shame! I really wanted to see his true face."
"I wonder if we'll ever meet him again."
Whether due to his extraordinary strength or his role as their savior, everyone wished to befriend this mysterious trainer. Unfortunately, it seemed they weren't so lucky.
"All right, everyone!" the captain announced, regaining composure. "I'll report everything we saw to the company truthfully. Hopefully, they'll have a way to locate him later."
"For now, let's prioritize getting out of this secret realm. If a Legendary Pokémon like Zapdos lives here, other wild Pokémon probably aren't weak either."
Now that the mysterious trainer had left, another dangerous encounter might not end so well.
"That's right!"
"The captain's right—we need to get out first!"
"But this secret realm is huge! Which way should we go?"
"How about retracing our path?"
"Are you kidding me? We came here by plane. You want to walk back?"
"It'd take us days!"
"So what's your idea, then?"
"Well, I think…"
Truthfully, even the captain had no answer.
They'd accidentally entered the secret realm without any markers or directions. Finding an exit now would be extremely difficult.
However, as they debated their next move, the scenery around them suddenly rippled, becoming hazy.
Suddenly, everyone's phones began ringing simultaneously.
Calls flooded in, meaning they'd successfully exited the secret realm.
"It seems this secret realm appeared because of Zapdos," someone theorized aloud. "Now that Zapdos has been captured, the realm itself vanished."
Scientists from various countries had long speculated about what caused temporary secret realms to appear but had yet to reach a definitive answer.
Rumble!
As passengers hurriedly called their families to assure them of their safety, the roar of engines sounded overhead.
The rescue teams from Dragon Country's Pokémon Alliance had arrived.
---
After leaving the secret realm, Guo Yi didn't return directly to Shanghai.
Instead, he appeared within a secluded forest just outside the city limits.
The reason was simple:
Major cities like Shanghai maintained extremely strict monitoring against teleportation or ghostly stealth to prevent infiltration by wild Pokémon.
A wild Pokémon suddenly teleporting inside city boundaries would likely be detected immediately. If trainers entered secretly without prior authorization, they might find themselves swiftly arrested.
Although Mega Mewtwo X's strength reduced the likelihood of discovery, Guo Yi saw no need to risk it. Moreover, electronic surveillance cameras dotted every corner of Shanghai; if he happened to be captured by one, his secret identity would be compromised.
He also needed time to handle Zapdos properly, so he had Mega Mewtwo X teleport them to this nearby forest instead.
"Come out, Beedrill!"
He released Beedrill first, then used medicines from his system store to treat its injuries.
Even though Beedrill had broken through to Master Tier, its severe injuries wouldn't miraculously heal on their own. Caring for one's Pokémon's injuries was fundamental for every responsible trainer.
After treatment with medicine and his [Power of Viridian], Beedrill's injuries improved considerably. A few days of rest would fully restore its health.
Once Beedrill was cared for, Guo Yi released Zapdos next.
"Kreee!"
Zapdos had regained consciousness by now. Although it had been captured by Guo Yi's Poké Ball, Zapdos still regarded him with hostility.
However, it refrained from aggressive behavior, seemingly accepting Guo Yi's treatment of its wounds.
In fact, Zapdos's injuries were far less severe than Beedrill's. Beedrill had fought Zapdos without fully recovering from previous injuries, resulting in new wounds piling atop old ones.
Even though it had won, Beedrill was now far more seriously injured. Moreover, as a Legendary Pokémon, Zapdos possessed a naturally superior recovery ability.
Following Guo Yi's careful treatment, Zapdos quickly regained most of its strength.
"Zapdos, let's talk," Guo Yi began calmly after finishing treatment. His next step would be fully earning the Legendary Pokémon's trust and loyalty. Merely capturing Zapdos in a Poké Ball wouldn't suffice for a proud Legendary.
"Wooh-oh!"
Hearing Guo Yi's invitation to talk, Zapdos let out a disgruntled cry.
[You cheated!]
[I defeated that damn bug earlier! It was your strange power that healed him so he could fight again!]
Zapdos stubbornly protested.
"Bzzzzt!"
[You still haven't accepted your loss? Then let's fight again!]
Beedrill responded defiantly. Having reached Master Tier, it was now fully confident it could suppress Zapdos even without Guo Yi's help.
[Fine! Bring it! Who's afraid of you?!]
[But let's make this clear—I'm also this trainer's Pokémon now. You're not allowed to let him help you again!]
Zapdos knew it had no chance against Beedrill with Guo Yi's assistance. Thus, it openly acknowledged its status as Guo Yi's Pokémon.
As far as Zapdos was concerned, losing a little dignity by accepting a trainer was far better than losing face again in front of an annoying bug.