Legendary Pokémon were treasures from head to toe.
Zekrom alone was proof of that. Even the scales it shed possessed mysterious effects, enough to repeatedly attract an Ultra Beast like Poipole.
As for the Zapdos before them, while its strength was certainly nowhere near Zekrom's level, the body it left behind after death would undoubtedly still be immensely valuable.
At the very least, if used correctly, it might allow Pikachu—also an Electric-type Pokémon—to advance to an even higher level.
But...
Chen Mo had never expected to hear something like this from a Zapdos.
Offering up its own body in exchange for the safety of a group of wild Electric-type Pokémon.
While it wasn't uncommon in the Pokémon world for different species to live together, help one another, and form bonds stronger than kinship, Zapdos was different.
Not to mention its identity as a Legendary Pokémon.
Just judging from Zapdos's temperament alone, it lived up perfectly to its name—hot-tempered and irritable.
That much had been obvious during its battle with Chen Mo.
When Chen Mo had deliberately tried to provoke it with words, it had taken almost no effort at all to anger Zapdos. By the end, Zapdos had practically wanted to drag Chen Mo down with it.
"..."
Chen Mo's feelings were complicated.
He could see it.
The sharpness in Zapdos's eyes had faded.
Perhaps because it sensed death approaching.
Or perhaps because it genuinely wanted to protect these little Electric-type Pokémon.
But in its gaze now was something he never expected to see from a Legendary Pokémon.
A plea.
"Zapdos."
"At a time like this, I don't want to lie to you."
"I don't know whether you understand how important power stations are to humanity, but regardless, the actions of these wild Pokémon in attacking a power station today caused tremendous losses for us."
"On top of that, you injured our Pokémon."
"So from a principled standpoint, we can't simply let them go."
The majority of the wild Pokémon couldn't understand Chen Mo's words.
But they could sense that he was saying something unfavorable.
Immediately, hateful looks were directed toward him.
The light in Zapdos's eyes dimmed as well.
But then Chen Mo continued.
"I haven't finished speaking."
"The Growlithe and Houndour packs, along with the two Rhydon—while their injuries are severe, Pokémon physiques are tough. Their wounds aren't fatal."
"So Zapdos, don't worry. We have no intention of harming them."
"However, the losses suffered by humanity still need to be repaid."
"As Electric-type Pokémon, they should be capable of performing a great deal of work."
"Chirp..."
Zapdos stared at Chen Mo for a long time.
As though trying to determine whether he was lying again.
But soon, it realized something.
Whether Chen Mo was telling the truth or not no longer mattered.
There was nothing Zapdos could do anymore.
The only thing left was to trust the human who had defeated it.
With that thought, Zapdos slowly swept its gaze over the Electric-type Pokémon around it.
This is as far as I can protect you...
Chen Mo didn't know how these wild Electric-types had become involved with a Legendary Pokémon.
Nor did he know what they had experienced together.
But the sorrowful atmosphere washed away the last traces of anger in his heart.
"Ra..."
Raichu lowered its head.
Its forked ears drooped limply.
Its long tail, usually held proudly aloft, now dragged weakly across the ground.
It couldn't accept this outcome.
It couldn't even bear to look at Zapdos, whose aura had weakened to the point where nothing about it resembled a Legendary Pokémon anymore.
It's all our fault...
If it weren't for us...
Every Pokémon involved in the power station attack knew the reason behind Zapdos's injuries.
Raichu was no exception.
Back then, they had all lived together on a northern plain.
None of them knew one another.
Until one day—
A never-before-seen Electric-type Pokémon appeared.
With overwhelming power, it effortlessly drove away the original ruler of the plains.
And then the nightmare began.
The new ruler enslaved every Electric-type Pokémon there without reason.
Its sole demand:
Provide it with electricity.
Raichu and all the Electric-types involved in today's attack had been captured during that period.
Electricity drained.
Again and again.
And again.
The plains were remote, far from human settlements.
Most Electric-types had to rely on naturally accumulating electricity within their bodies.
There were few opportunities to replenish it.
But their tyrannical overlord didn't care.
It only knew how to take.
Endlessly.
Without mercy.
It was, without question, the darkest period of their lives.
Just when all hope had vanished—
Zapdos descended.
Raichu would never forget that figure.
Commanding lightning.
Descending from the heavens.
Like a god.
Because of Zapdos, every enslaved Electric-type Pokémon had been freed.
But Zapdos itself had suffered grievous injuries in the process.
Raichu didn't blame humanity.
If they hadn't acted on their own and attacked a human power station in an attempt to gather electricity for Zapdos...
Humans...
Healing...
Suddenly, Raichu's eyes widened.
It looked toward the Chansey family still treating the injured Growlithe and Houndour.
"Ra..."
It can't die...
Almost unconsciously, Raichu started walking toward them.
"Give up."
"Chansey can heal injured Pokémon, but it can't save one that's destined to die."
Having monitored the surroundings through Aura the entire time, Chen Mo naturally noticed Raichu's actions.
A single glance was enough for him to understand its intentions.
"Ra..."
Raichu slowly turned its gaze toward him.
Chen Mo saw tears streaming continuously from its eyes.
Step by step, it approached him.
Its tiny brown paws gently grabbed his pant leg.
Its expression was filled with despair and pleading.
"Ra..."
Please...
Please save it...
Since coming into this world, this was probably Pikachu's first time meeting another member of its evolutionary line.
It was also the first time it had seen a Pokémon cry with such overwhelming sorrow.
Pikachu turned toward its trainer.
It couldn't imagine what it would become if Chen Mo were the one dying.
If there were even the slightest chance of saving him—
No matter how dangerous.
No matter how unlikely.
Pikachu knew it would try.
Without hesitation.
After a moment of silence, Pikachu softly called out.
"Pika..."
Perhaps influenced by the atmosphere, even Gengar wasn't making jokes.
Together with Pidgeotto and Absol, it waited quietly.
At that moment, viewers across the country suddenly discovered that the livestream had been cut off.
Question marks instantly flooded the chat.
The culprit, Chen Mo, merely let out a quiet sigh.
Then he asked softly:
"Marshadow."
"You know more about Legendary Pokémon than I do."
"I have a question."
"Can a Max Revive save Zapdos?"
"No."
Marshadow's answer came immediately.
"Although I have no idea where you keep pulling all those strange items from, the collapse of Source Power is what humans would call a terminal illness."
"The kind where death is inevitable."
"That thing called a Max Revive won't help."
"As expected..."
Chen Mo wasn't surprised.
In the games, Max Revives were practically miracle medicines.
They could even revive fainted Pokémon and restore them to battle.
But reality wasn't a game.
He had learned that lesson many times already.
Legendary Pokémon existed on an entirely different level.
The moment terms like Source Power entered the picture, it became obvious that Max Revives wouldn't be enough.
However...
Marshadow, hidden within Chen Mo's shadow, had already sensed his thoughts.
Calmly, it said:
"Lord Ho-Oh's Sacred Ash could heal Zapdos."
"But Sacred Ash is an incredibly precious treasure."
"And I don't have any."
"So stop daydreaming."
"..."
The idea had barely formed before being mercilessly crushed.
Indeed, Chen Mo had thought of Sacred Ash.
After all, Ho-Oh was the creator of the Legendary Beasts.
It had reversed death itself.
With Ho-Oh's status and power, healing a Zapdos should be effortless.
Looks like that path was closed.
Chen Mo was out of options.
Although he genuinely wanted to help, there was simply nothing he could do.
"Sorry, Raichu, I—"
Before he could finish—
Marshadow spoke again.
"If you absolutely insist on saving Zapdos..."
"The thing hanging around your neck might be able to help."
"My neck?"
Chen Mo froze.
"You mean..."
"Zekrom's Power Crystal?"
"As ridiculous as that name sounds..."
Marshadow sighed.
"Forget it."
"Listen carefully."
"The thing hanging around your neck contains a fragment of Lord Zekrom's Source Power."
"I still don't understand why any Pokémon would risk its life to extract part of its own Source Power."
"But as the Hero of Ideals, you should understand that being's abilities better than I do."
"..."
Chen Mo fell silent.
Of course he understood.
Like Zapdos, Zekrom was often said to hide itself within thunderclouds.
Beyond representing ideals, it could unleash violent lightning capable of reducing disappointing worlds to ashes.
As another master of lightning, Zekrom existed on a completely different level from Zapdos.
If it truly was Zekrom's Source Power...
Then healing Zapdos might actually be possible.
But...
Risking its life to extract Source Power...
Chen Mo thought back to the murals inside the Arthas Ruins.
He imagined himself as Zekrom.
Receiving Arthas's request.
Risking his life to extract his own Source Power.
Remaining vigilant against backlash from his own body.
Only to be betrayed in the end.
Senior Arthas...
You really were a complete bastard back then.
His fingers gently brushed the crystal hanging from his neck.
"Marshadow."
"Thank you for the reminder."
"But I have another question."
"Back in Mount Cangqing, I survived Giratina's attack thanks to Zekrom's Source Power."
"But honestly, that happened automatically."
"I don't actually know how to use this power myself."
"So Marshadow..."
"Can you teach me?"
"..."
"Please."
"Zapdos doesn't have much time left."
Marshadow felt like it had never been this speechless before.
If you hadn't beaten the poor thing half to death, it might've survived another week...
Yet Chen Mo kept talking about saving it now.
Marshadow couldn't help rolling its eyes.
But under Chen Mo's urging, it answered anyway.
"What's the rush?"
"It won't die immediately."
"As for how to use that power..."
"Are you the Hero of Ideals, or am I?"
After a pause, it sighed.
"Fine."
"I'll give you a hint."
"In the past, if a Rainbow Hero wanted to call upon Lord Ho-Oh, two things were required."
"First: a Rainbow Wing."
"Second: a pure heart."
"If it's truly your heartfelt wish..."
"Then even if you're a completely unqualified Hero of Ideals..."
"It will still answer you."
"That's all."
"Stop bothering me."
"And add another ten boxes of those red-packaged Pokéblocks."
After throwing out one final demand, Marshadow fell silent.
Chen Mo lowered his head and pondered Marshadow's words.
Then his eyes met Raichu's tear-filled gaze.
With a soft sigh, he finally spoke.
"I may have found a way to save Zapdos."
"But before that..."
"I need to speak with Zapdos first."
"There are some conditions it has to agree to."
"Ra!"
Raichu's eyes lit up instantly.
It hurriedly wiped away its tears and nodded repeatedly.
Its expression clearly said:
As long as you can save it, we'll help convince it.
Meanwhile—
Inside the Shadow World.
Marshadow slowly took out the Rainbow Wing from within its body.
"Lord Ho-Oh."
"I've already told him the method."
The seven-colored feather trembled lightly.
As though a certain existence had acknowledged its words.
Marshadow hesitated.
At last, it clenched its teeth and voiced the question buried deep within its heart.
"Lord Ho-Oh..."
"Do you intend for this human to become the next Rainbow Hero?"
The Rainbow Wing did not answer.
Disappointment flickered across Marshadow's face.
"Lord Ho-Oh..."
"Marshadow truly doesn't understand your intentions..."
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