"Hmph! Two fools!"
"You actually submitted to a mere human!"
"You've completely disgraced the dignity of Legendary Pokémon!"
"And the likes of you still dare call yourselves my equals?"
"The Three Legendary Birds?"
At this moment, after learning that Articuno the Ice God and Moltres the Fire God had both been captured by the human before him, the anger in Zapdos's heart stemmed less from Aiden Flint and more from disappointment toward his two fellow divine birds.
Back then, although they had benefited from favorable timing, terrain, and cooperation—
And although Lugia, the Sea God, had never truly fought them with its full strength and had merely tried to stop their conflict—
The fact remained that the three Legendary Birds had focused their attacks together and defeated Lugia.
As for the cause of that battle, the process, or whether Lugia had been holding back—
None of that mattered.
Only the result mattered.
Wasn't it true that among all the Pokémon in the world, only the Three Legendary Birds possessed a record of defeating a Tier-One Legendary like Lugia?
What other Tier-Two Legendary had ever dared challenge a Tier-One Legendary?
Just look at Ho-Oh, Lugia's equal.
Did any of the Legendary Beasts under Ho-Oh have the courage to challenge their master?
Although Zapdos had always been dissatisfied with Moltres and Articuno, his pride in his own strength was genuine.
In his eyes, the Three Legendary Birds were the strongest Tier-Two Legendaries in existence.
Without question.
Therefore, after discovering that Articuno and Moltres had become Aiden's Pokémon, the rage within Zapdos nearly exploded.
The next moment, Zapdos spread its wings.
Terrifying lightning instantly flooded every corner of Lightning Island.
Countless bolts struck simultaneously toward Moltres and Articuno!
Feeling the Thunder God's full-power assault, both Articuno and Moltres immediately unleashed their own attacks, blocking the incoming electrical onslaught.
"Hmph."
"You foolish bird."
"You only know how to take pride in your status."
"How could someone like you ever become stronger?"
As Moltres spoke, overwhelming flames erupted from its body.
Scorching fire capable of devouring everything surged directly toward Zapdos.
At the same time, Articuno spoke as well.
"There is always someone stronger."
"There is always a higher peak."
"Just because we once defeated Lugia doesn't mean we're invincible."
"The man standing before you..."
"Is proof of that."
As its voice fell, extreme cold erupted into existence.
A torrent of icy power rushed straight toward Zapdos.
Seeing both Articuno and Moltres seemingly brainwashed by Aiden, Zapdos roared furiously.
"Then I'll beat both of you down with my full strength!"
"I'll make you wake up!"
Thus, as the three divine powers collided, terrifying weather phenomena once again descended upon Lightning Island.
Snowstorms.
Thunderstorms.
Hurricanes.
Torrential rain.
Flowing magma.
Floodwaters.
All erupted simultaneously.
Every battle between the Three Legendary Birds had the potential to plunge the world into chaos.
Seeing this scene, Aiden finally understood.
These three were essentially ticking time bombs capable of destroying the world.
As long as one of them became upset and started fighting the others, extreme weather would appear and threaten global catastrophe.
Perhaps it was best to make them calm down.
Just then, Articuno's Ice Beam struck Zapdos and froze one of the sharp protrusions on its wings.
Immediately afterward, Moltres followed up with Fire Spin, continuously inflicting burn damage upon the Thunder God.
Facing two opponents at once, even Zapdos couldn't gain the upper hand.
At that moment, a Master Ball appeared in Aiden's hand.
Then—
A flash of white light burst forth.
The Renegade Pokémon, Giratina, appeared.
The instant the overwhelming pressure of a Tier-One Legendary descended upon the battlefield, all three Legendary Birds stopped fighting simultaneously.
Their gazes locked onto Giratina.
For Moltres and Articuno, Giratina's appearance was reassuring.
After all, it was on their side.
There was nothing to worry about.
For Zapdos, however, confusion appeared on its face.
"Wait."
"What is going on?"
"Why didn't Lugia show up during a fight like this?"
"And why is the one appearing instead the ruler of the Reverse World..."
"Giratina?"
"Since when does a Legendary known for destruction come out to save the world?"
However, during the chaos of battle, Zapdos hadn't noticed that Giratina had actually been summoned by Aiden.
"Giratina."
"End this conflict."
"Use Dragon Claw."
Following Aiden's command, Giratina's enormous body instantly crossed the distance between them.
In the blink of an eye, it appeared directly before Zapdos.
Then—
A terrifying force carrying unimaginable power smashed into the Thunder God.
The immense might of a Dragon-type attack sent Zapdos flying through the air.
However, perhaps because Zapdos truly was far stronger than ordinary Tier-Two Legendaries, that attack failed to completely knock it out.
At this moment, Zapdos was embedded deeply within the side of a mountain.
Looking at Moltres and Articuno flying alongside Giratina in the distance, realization finally dawned upon it.
So that was it.
The suddenly appearing Giratina—
Was also that man's Pokémon.
If even a Tier-One Legendary had been captured by this human, then Articuno's and Moltres's submission suddenly seemed perfectly reasonable.
In truth, Zapdos had sensed something unusual about Aiden the moment he stepped onto Lightning Island.
Ordinary trainers simply couldn't reach the islands of the Three Legendary Birds.
Much less possess strange abilities capable of completely neutralizing its lightning attacks.
Now everything finally made sense.
"No wonder..."
"No wonder both of you were captured by him."
"So it's because of a Tier-One Legendary."
"But I am also a Legendary Pokémon."
"If I submit merely because of the power gap between Tier-One and Tier-Two Legendaries..."
"Then what right do I have to be called the Thunder God?"
Hearing those words, Aiden's interest was immediately piqued.
Regardless of anything else, that statement alone made Zapdos seem different from ordinary Pokémon.
"What a rare fighting spirit."
"But, Thunder God..."
"Your capture is inevitable."
"Giratina."
"Attack with full power."
"Use Shadow Claw!"
As Aiden's command rang out, Giratina moved once more.
Powerful Ghost-type energy rapidly gathered around its massive claws.
The attack emitted a shrill tearing sound as though it were ripping apart space itself.
It slashed directly toward Zapdos.
Facing Giratina's attack, Zapdos unleashed its full strength.
Wild Charge!
Crackling electricity exploded outward in every direction.
To Aiden's eyes, the scene resembled a miniature sun charging headlong into endless darkness.
...
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