Chapter 332: This time, Todd Snap is in the stratosphere.
2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander
"Screech!!"
Although its body was plagued by several status conditions, Moltres still beat its wings and rose, facing Ash and the others in the guise of a divine bird of flame. Flames surged from its body, and for a moment, the sky seemed once again to be covered by a crimson glow.
Their eyes had met. It could no longer escape.
Fortunately, the previous battle had only consumed half of its stamina. It should be able to hold on, right?
Moltres secretly cheered itself on.
"Brock, Misty, Todd Snap, you three just need to cheer for me from the sidelines. I'm taking on this battle by myself!"
Ash stepped directly in front of the three. To him, Brock and the others were merely the tools he needed to meet the entry requirements for a team battle.
The three of them had no complaints; after all, they really were just here to watch.
But even if they were just spectating, how could they not support their brother in a situation like this?
The three immediately took several steps back, their expressions stern. They simultaneously tossed out their Poké Balls, and in the next second, three Pokémon of different shapes appeared before them.
"Grawrrr!"
In front of Brock was an incredibly tall Onix. Although it wasn't flying, by simply raising its towering rock head, it was still half a head taller than Moltres, which was hovering in mid-air.
A Ground- and Rock-type, it could be said that Onix countered Moltres completely, putting the latter on high alert as if facing a formidable enemy.
"Quack?"
In front of Misty was a stout, ochre-colored duck. It looked silly, clutching its head and bending over where it stood.
Completely harmless.
But as a Legendary Pokémon, Moltres's perception was sharp. It could faintly sense the terrifying power contained within this duck, as if it could knock it out of the sky with a single blow. This once again put Moltres on high alert, facing another formidable enemy.
"Woof!"
In front of Todd Snap was an artsy little dog, holding its paintbrush-like tail. This one didn't seem to be a problem, which finally allowed Moltres to breathe a sigh of relief.
But then the Smeargle suddenly flicked its tail, making a gesture towards Moltres. In the next second, a cluster of deep red flame had already appeared on its tail.
Sketch: Benevolent Fire.
It had stolen Moltres's signature move right at the start.
"Haha, you guys go ahead and fight. We'll just be the background. We absolutely won't interfere."
Brock waved his hand, pulling the other two back to a position where they could drink tea and watch the show. He gave Moltres a look of goodwill and fair play.
Moltres: "..."
But as it looked at the three eager Pokémon in the background, its brow twitched, and its momentum immediately plummeted.
"Screech..."
Hiss, the status conditions were flaring up again...
Soon, Moltres's gaze sharpened. So, the only challenger was this human youth before it? His courage was commendable, but it remained to be seen if his strength matched his guts.
Ash first took out his Pokédex and scanned with its infrared beam.
"Beep. Moltres, the Flame Pokémon, the Deity of Mascots, the former Deity of the Volcano. Proficient in Leer. Proud and resolute, its flames hold a miraculous power. It is the mascot for human competitions."
The Pokédex prompted.
Hearing this, Ash nodded and put the Pokédex away. Seeing the pile of status conditions on Moltres, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and he immediately tossed out a Poké Ball.
"I choose you!"
A red light flashed. To everyone's surprise, this time it was a massive, brownish-yellow hawk that appeared in the arena. With a beat of its wings, it flew directly to the same altitude as Moltres. The two birds faced each other from a distance, and the aura instantly fell into a tense stalemate.
"Pidgeot?"
"Huh? Not Charmeleon?"
Misty and Todd Snap were a bit baffled. They hadn't expected the utility bird to show up and steal the spotlight.
But Brock, standing to the side, had a smile tugging at his lips. He looked at Ash's back and nodded in approval, then threw something he had prepared forward.
"Smack."
Ash didn't turn his head, and the two hadn't communicated beforehand, but he extended his hand as if he had expected it, catching the object firmly. Upon seeing what was in his hand, they both exchanged a knowing smile.
The bond between good brothers was radiating a dazzling light.
Misty and Todd Snap: "?"
Riddles.
Ignoring the two third wheels behind him, Ash thrust his thumb forward and commanded:
"Pidgeot, use Heal Bell!!"
Pidgeot, who was about to lunge forward with its signature Quick Attack, froze. Its brow twitched; this was a move it hadn't expected. Nevertheless, it beat its wings forward, clapping them together in the air. A clear and pleasant bell-like sound rang out from nowhere.
"Chime~~ Chime~~ Chime~~"
Then, a green light symbolizing healing appeared on Moltres. The ringing continued for some time before all the status conditions on its body were completely eliminated.
Moltres: "?"
Unburdened by ailments, it opened its slender beak and let out a long sigh of relief, though its expression was once again baffled.
"Click!"
Todd Snap successfully captured his second top-ten shot. Although he was impressed without fully understanding, it still made him happy enough to throw a celebratory punch into the void.
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!"
Taking advantage of Moltres's gaping beak, a glint flashed in Ash's eyes. He stepped forward with his left leg, his body leaning forward like he was pitching a baseball, and violently flung the object in his hand. His aim was precise, and his speed was so great that it created a series of sonic booms as it cut through the air.
"Clack!"
The object shot directly into Moltres's mouth. The bird's eyes instantly widened several sizes.
"Scree-cough cough cough."
It happened so fast that Moltres didn't react. By the time it did, the object was already at its throat. It could only cough repeatedly, forcing itself to swallow it.
"Click!"
Todd Snap got his third top-ten shot—a picture of the Legendary Bird with wide eyes while choking.
Moltres thought this human had fed it something dangerous, but as the item settled in its stomach, a warm sensation spread from its abdomen. The green healing light appeared on its body once more.
HP +10, +10, +10
"Click!"
Todd Snap successfully got his fourth top-ten shot—Green Moltres.
"Moltres, your condition should be pretty much restored, right?"
Seeing this, Ash raised his hand again and recalled Pidgeot, who was preparing for a second Quick Attack. Today, it truly was just a tool.
He wanted to challenge Moltres at its peak. What was the point of fighting a Legendary Bird that was riddled with ailments and at half stamina?
What he had thrown was the Big Berry that Brock had prepared earlier. He had guessed that Ash would use a healing method on Moltres first to ensure a fair fight.
Ash had also guessed that Brock had guessed his intentions.
And Brock had guessed that Ash had guessed that he had guessed Ash's intentions. Thus, he threw the Big Berry, and the latter caught it seamlessly.
At this moment, although Moltres's stamina hadn't returned to its peak and its willpower had been somewhat depleted, it wasn't a major problem. Its level was very high, making its strength just right for a challenge.
The thought of battling Moltres right away sent a flush to Ash's face, and his breathing became ragged. Forcing himself to calm down, he finally took out another Poké Ball. It was trembling violently in his hand, clearly unable to contain its thirst for battle.
"Screech!!"
High in the sky, the restored Moltres cried out, beating its wings and displaying the majestic air of a Legendary Bird.
It then nodded at Ash, expressing its goodwill. With a flex of its wings, which were wreathed in roaring flame, it twisted around, intending to fly off into the distance.
Although this challenger was a nice guy, it was time to escape.
Since you've recalled your Pidgeot, that proves the battle is over. Please wait until tomorrow to trigger the instance, and then I'll randomly respawn on this map.
As a consolation, I'll go back and praise you highly to the Pokémon League's upper echelons. Ash from Pallet Town, I have remembered your name.
"Screech..."
Today is not a good day for a battle.
Moltres's speed was immense. In the blink of an eye, it had soared high into the sky and was about to leave the battlefield for good.
"Kaka..."
But before it had flown a hundred meters, Moltres felt as if it were bound by something, unable to escape another half-meter. It could only turn its head back to look below, completely bewildered.
"What's wrong?"
Its gaze fell past Ash at the forefront, not on the giant Onix, nor on the strange yellow duck.
Instead, it was on a human holding a DSLR camera, and the little gray dog in front of him.
"Woof!"
At this moment, Smeargle was tightly gripping its paintbrush tail, and in front of it, the spectral image of a black eye had materialized out of thin air.
Mean Look!
In an instant, the will of the world descended, making it impossible for Moltres to escape. It could only fly back reluctantly to face Ash.
This time, Todd Snap was in the stratosphere.
He couldn't guess Ash and Brock's brotherly thoughts, nor could he predict Moltres's behavior. He had only one thought in his mind.
There's no way the model I worked so hard to find is getting away today!!
No matter what kind of flashy stuff you plan on doing next, I'm locking you down with this Mean Look buff first.
"Ash, go all out! My Smeargle also knows Dark Void and False Swipe!" Todd Snap shouted encouragement to Ash from behind.
(end of chapter)