Chapter 330: It's Fine, I've Ridden Moltres Before
2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
"Biii!!"
A high-pitched, frantic cry echoed across the Indigo Plateau. Moltres flapped its wings; restricted from flying by the Iron Ball, its claws scrambled rapidly across the ground, kicking up countless motes of dust.
From a distance, it looked like a land-bound ostrich, its presence terrifying.
This sight stunned the few people before it, and seizing this opening, as it neared its target, Moltres raised both its wings. At this moment, its wings were already covered in a layer of white light that glinted with a metallic sheen. It then unleashed a great windmill-like sweep at the three Pokémon in front of it.
Steel Wing!
"Clang!" "Clang!" "Clang!!"
Three massive impact sounds rang out in succession. Haunter, Weezing, and Vileplume were all sent flying several meters by the immense force. They struggled for a good while amidst the smoke and debris, their expressions languid, clearly in a state like a candle in the wind.
Even with its attack weakened by the burn status, the power of Steel Wing was still formidable.
Ash had guessed correctly. Moltres had only been momentarily dazed. Once it recovered, it wouldn't be a problem.
"Ah, that's it?"
Abin stared dumbfoundedly at his three teammates. "You guys went down way too fast, didn't you?"
"Brother A, doesn't your Haunter know a move like Destiny Bond or something?" he couldn't help but ask.
Tossing out a Destiny Bond before fainting, even if it couldn't drag Moltres down with it, could at least annoy it.
"Ah, it doesn't. My Haunter is just for show."
Trainer A looked innocent. Feeling deeply ashamed that Abin was the only one dealing damage, he remembered his Haunter seemed to have one more move. Steeling himself, he tried to issue a command:
"Haunter, use Parting Shot."
The Haunter, like a candle in the wind, nodded. Its two ghostly claws popped out in front of it, making a polite finger gesture, then it opened its cavernous mouth, flicked its tongue, and began its Parting Shot.
Haunter: "@%*%￥#@￥!"
Moltres: "?"
Moltres's attack was lowered.
Feeling its body inexplicably weakened by that tiny amount enraged Moltres once again. It opened its beak and unleashed a scorching blast of flame.
The flames spread out in a rotating ball of fire, a terrifying and immense attack that completely enveloped the three Pokémon before transforming into a tornado that shot skyward. Its power was even greater than the previous Flamethrower.
Its Flamethrower was sealed, but it could still use Fire Spin.
Although in the textbooks of other regions, Fire Spin and Whirlpool are considered moves with little power, in a real battle, their power is actually quite significant.
Whoosh—
The flames swept past, leaving the three Pokémon completely scorched black. They collapsed in the ruins, unable to battle.
"A one-hit KO... this Moltres's strength is a bit much."
"How come I feel like it's those three trainers who are too pathetic? Just like Ash when he first started out."
Ash: "?"
Ash and the other three continued to creep closer to the battlefield, observing from the shadows.
The situation had completely reversed. A moment ago, Moltres was taking continuous hits, but now, the trainer's side had lost three members in an instant.
Abin: "..."
He had maxed out his damage output, but he was stuck with three useless teammates!
Abin stopped looking at the three trainers beside him and turned to face the fiery Legendary Bird. The crimson light illuminated his face, making it flush red, and he couldn't help but gulp hard.
The creature's body was still bound by the Iron Ball, forcing it into a "ground-running chicken" stance on the ground. Even so, it stood several heads taller than him. It spread its wide, flaming wings, its aura looking immensely powerful.
During a battle, you cannot switch a held item. This is a rule of Pokémon battles.
As a bird of its word working for the Pokémon League, Moltres had no choice but to keep clutching this Iron Ball in its talons.
"Biii!!"
At this moment, it wished it could swallow this eccentric trainer whole!
Immediately, Moltres opened its beak again, spewing out all of its ferocious flame energy. As it traveled forward, the energy gradually coalesced into the shape of the character for "Great" (大), rushing straight for its target. The temperature was so high that even the ambient temperature of the plateau began to rise.
Fire Blast!!
Kadabra: "!"
Abin quickly commanded in a low voice, "Don't panic, use Teleport!"
Although Fire Blast has immense power, it has a crucial flaw—its accuracy sucks. With Kadabra's speed, it should definitely be able to dodge.
However, the latter remained frozen on the spot, unable to use the Teleport it was usually so adept at.
*Kadabra was unable to use Teleport because Moltres's expression was too fierce.*
"BOOM BOOM BOOM!!"
The next second, the Fire Blast struck Kadabra head-on. Terrifying, high-temperature flames shot into the sky, and the entire mountaintop was suffused with a vicious red glow, like a scene from an inferno.
Clang—
But amidst the sea of flames, a green barrier suddenly appeared, like a lone boat on a raging sea.
Kadabra had managed to use Protect at the critical moment and was holding firm within the flames.
"Clank... crack..."
However, the Protect barrier lasted for less than a second before shattering with a loud crash. The Fire Blast hit Kadabra squarely, the terrifying fire-type energy and the force of the fiery blast sending it flying several meters.
The Fire Blast dissipated.
Whoosh...
Kadabra weakly propped up its scorched body. Its spoon was broken. This one hit had clearly sent it straight into the yellow HP stage.
Abin was an eccentric trainer. Unlike others, even with a high-speed glass cannon like Kadabra, he did the opposite and maxed out its effort values in defense. Combined with the small opening created by Protect earlier, this was why it hadn't fainted on the spot.
"Hmph!"
His gaze hardened as he looked at the great fiery bird before him. His expression turned solemn, and he abruptly raised his hand.
He raised his hand high above his head in a standard gesture of surrender.
"I'm not fighting anymore! I surrender!!"
Abin roared.
Moltres: "!"
It had already gathered another ball of flame in its slender beak, ready to strike, and now he was telling it the fight was off?
Annoy the hell out of it, then just pull the plug and leave?
In your dreams!
I, Moltres, have never been outdone by anyone in my life!
"Biii!!"
Without a second thought, Moltres let the rampaging flames erupt from its beak, placing both Kadabra and Abin in a direct line on the attack's trajectory.
It had promised the Pokémon League not to intentionally harm human lives.
But how could it accept a surrender now? At the very least, it had to make sure his Pokémon was thoroughly knocked out!
But if you recall your Pokémon now, you'll have to take this hit with your own body. In that case, it would be accidental injury, not intentional.
For a moment, watching the two before it struggle with their decision, Moltres's mood brightened.
"..."
The terrifying sea of fire rushed before him in the blink of an eye. The hand Abin held his Poké Ball in trembled. He hesitated.
He was a knowledgeable guy; he knew that if he let Kadabra take this flame attack head-on, it wouldn't just be a simple case of being unable to battle—its body might suffer unimaginable, grievous injuries.
But if he recalled Kadabra now, he would be the one to take the flame hit...
Abin made his decision instantly. A large bead of sweat dripped from his forehead, and his face flashed with a ruthless expression as he muttered, "Heh, I should just use the Pokémon to block it. It probably won't die. If a human body takes the hit, they'd probably die instantly."
*In the end, a Pokémon is just a tool for humans!*
"Swoosh!"
But his hand moved subconsciously, suddenly recalling the Kadabra from in front of him, which was already like a candle in the wind, and leaving himself completely exposed to the endless flames...
His three useless teammates, A, C, and D, were completely terrified. Wasn't this just a trial? How could someone actually die?
"This guy... Pikachu, go—"
Ash, who had been lying prone nearby the whole time, had seen all of Abin's actions. He praised him silently in his heart and was about to send out his ace to block the blow.
"Wait."
The voice that suddenly came from his soul made Ash choke on his words. Pikachu, who had just leaped up, stopped mid-air due to the interrupted command and face-planted on the ground.
"It's fine. I've ridden Moltres before. It won't be a problem."
Red said slowly, as if he had already seen through everything.
(end of chapter)