Chapter 328: Moltres Appears
2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
"According to reliable information, Moltres actually appears periodically near the Indigo Plateau. Its appearance each year coincides with the League Conference, and it seems to specifically descend to challenge trainers who have collected eight badges."
It was a bit like a periodically respawning wild boss.
Todd Snap even suspected that this Moltres was a Pokémon raised by the Pokémon League, deliberately sent out a few days early to build hype for the tournament.
"A domesticated Moltres?"
Ash mused to himself. With the Pokémon League's strength, catching a Moltres wouldn't be a big problem. After all, even he had managed to catch an Articuno.
Besides, Moltres was the God of Fire and represented the "faster, higher, stronger" competitive spirit embodied by the League Conference. It was perfectly logical to catch one to serve as a representative mascot.
In that case, this was perfect.
Seeing the fiery look on Ash's face, Todd Snap smiled smugly and continued.
"Don't worry, I've already figured out the map. Moltres is currently appearing randomly in the grassy areas of the Indigo Plateau. The encounter rate is about 1%, but in the southern part of the plateau, the rate is as high as 10%."
"But there's one thing to note: when you're searching for it, don't use teleportation methods like Fly based on the map, or Moltres will teleport away as well."
Ash: "?"
What kind of strange rule was that?
"Most importantly, Moltres has already been appearing for two days. According to the information, Moltres will only accept three waves of challenges each day. After the three waves, it will fly to a place no one can find to use Roost and recover its spirit and stamina, waiting for the new day to come."
"Waves?"
Ash blurted out, wondering what kind of unit of measurement that was.
"One wave means four people. Haven't you heard of the Max Raid Battles from the Galar Region?"
As a photographer who had traveled far and wide, Todd Snap had seen much more than Kanto natives like Ash, Brock, and Misty.
A Raid Battle is when four trainers join forces to fight a powerful wild boss. Only the Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon of the Galar Region have such high durability that they can face four attacks simultaneously.
This trend was now gradually becoming popular in other regions, but the opponent wasn't a Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon, as that form required the unique energies of the Galar Region to be maintained.
Instead, the target had been switched to Legendary Pokémon, which also possessed extremely high health and durability.
To put it nicely, it was a team effort. In reality, it was just ganging up.
"Ganging up? I'm usually a fan, but this time I want my Charmeleon to evolve. There's no way I'm cooperating with others for that."
Ash frowned deeply. Previously, when facing the ancient Aerodactyl, he had briefly cooperated with Gary. One used Gengar, the other Alakazam, and they successfully defeated it.
But this time, he was more willing to fight alone. He was so dedicated to this fight that throughout their journey on Victory Road, he refused to let Charmeleon battle, even when Wartortle and his other Pokémon ran out of PP for their moves.
Charmeleon's experience points were already high enough to evolve; Ash was just forcefully holding it back. Right now, the energy in its body was extremely unstable, and it could explode on the spot at any moment.
For a rampaging Fire-type, holding it back like this was much harder than for a Bug-type.
But then again, if Moltres could face three waves of challenges a day—meaning twelve trainers—this legendary bird must be incredibly strong.
"Now that's a worthy opponent for me!"
He had already caught Articuno; maybe he could catch Moltres while he was at it. The legendary birds of ice and fire—perfect!
Seeing Ash about to exit the Pokémon Center, turn right, and run straight onto the Indigo Plateau to encounter the wild boss, Todd Snap hurriedly grabbed him.
"Not so fast! Today's three waves of challenges are already over. We'll set out early tomorrow."
Only then did Ash stop his frantic rush, shadowboxing on the spot, itching with anticipation.
"However, I've heard that no trainer has successfully challenged and defeated this year's Moltres yet. You should be mentally prepared."
Todd Snap reminded him. He also needed to get ready tonight to get some good candid shots of Moltres tomorrow.
After following him for so many days, he had come to believe in Ash's luck. They would surely encounter Moltres tomorrow.
"If the opponents are all at the level of those on Victory Road, it'd be a miracle if any of them could win."
But Ash just waved his hand dismissively. After a month of training, he now had immense confidence in himself.
The next day, at dawn.
As the first rays of the morning sun fell upon the Indigo Plateau, in an unknown, secluded spot, a large yellow bird slowly raised its long neck and head, letting the sunlight shine upon its body.
*Fwoosh.*
Instantly, its golden-yellow skin, wings, hind legs, and the swaying feathers of its tail spontaneously burst into surging flames, dancing in the wind.
Then, the great bird raised its head high. A continuous flame also burned on its forehead as it opened its long beak and let out a high-pitched cry.
"Kreee!!!"
A divine aura descended upon the Indigo Plateau along with the morning sun. Its presence was incomparably noble, perfectly showcasing the majestic form of the legendary God of Fire.
It was none other than the great wild boss, Moltres.
This was its daily morning habit. Whenever the sun rose, it would also let out a loud cry, awakening all things from their dreams and reviving the life of the earth.
Or as it was commonly known...
A rooster's crow.
The Moltres hopped a few steps onto a nearby rocky high ground, twisted its head, and lifted its wings. Its proud eyes blinked, as if it were pondering something.
"Kree..."
Then, it sighed. Its previously noble face now showed a hint of weariness, like a pitiful person who had worked overtime all night and still had to clock in for work the next day.
"Sigh, another day of work. So tiring..."
If Meowth were here, he would surely be able to translate Moltres's corporate slave-like words.
Clearly, its intelligence was extremely high, even among Legendary Pokémon. It already possessed the complete mind of a human, aside from being unable to speak.
Todd Snap had guessed correctly; this Moltres was indeed a domesticated legendary bird.
However, it hadn't been caught by anyone. Rather, it had formed a partnership with the Pokémon League and was simply working for them.
In the week before every League Conference, Moltres would fly over the Indigo Plateau and randomly engage in battle with a few waves of trainers.
On one hand, this was to build hype for the Indigo League Conference, as Moltres was itself a symbol of the League Conference.
On the other hand, it was secretly scouting talent for the Pokémon League, selecting trainers with high aptitude to prevent all the top prospects from being snatched up by Team Rocket.
"Kree."
Moltres did a set of warm-up exercises, preparing to set off on its journey for the day.
But it had to be said, the level of trainers was getting higher and higher. A few years ago, it could handle five waves a day. Now, three waves were its limit.
For example, yesterday's final wave had nearly capsized it.
The opponents were four Lapras. They didn't use any other moves; they all wore a scarf and immediately started using Surf. Not only did they send waves of Surf right in its face, but the surging water would also crash into their own teammates.
All four Lapras had the Water Absorb ability. By attacking their teammates, they recovered their HP, creating a perpetual-motion machine.
"Kree..."
Moltres frowned. As a deity, it had some ability to foresee crises.
It had a faint premonition that it would be very unlucky today. At this thought, the flames on its body flickered.
Maybe it should just accept one wave of challenges today and then rest?
"Kree."
Whatever. After this year's tournament is over, I'm going to ask that old man for retirement. From now on, I'll just be a non-battling tournament mascot!
Moltres used Work Up, and its mood recovered.
It then spread its wings and soared into the sky, showering particles of golden flame energy like embers.
(end of chapter)