"Flamethrower!"
Scorching flames burst from Charizard's mouth, and a blazing pillar of fire instantly shot toward Zapdos.
Seeing this, Zapdos immediately flapped its wings to dodge. After glancing in surprise at the iron plate that had been melted by the flames, it was astonished by Charizard's strength.
'If you stay that careless, you'll lose miserably!' Charizard sneered, its body wrapped in violet-gold dragon killing intent as it flapped its massive wings and rushed toward Zapdos.
Dragon Rush!
Zapdos's entire body was swallowed by Charizard's dragon killing intent and was forced to fall from the sky toward the ground. Struggling, Zapdos released a high-voltage current, using it to regain control of its movements.
To prevent its scales from shrinking, Charizard proactively widened the distance between itself and Zapdos, avoiding the lightly damaging current.
"That Charizard has become stronger again..." Thousand-Year Gengar muttered.
'This is my home field. Don't get too arrogant just because you're a mere Charizard!'
Zapdos controlled the surrounding currents, forming a sky filled with thunderclouds above. Countless bolts of lightning poured out from the storm clouds—this was the natural ability that earned Zapdos the title of the Thunder God.
Charizard turned its head and let out a cry toward Red, indicating that it didn't need Red's commands and could defeat Zapdos on its own. It then turned back and unleashed Flamethrower once again.
Zapdos countered with Thunderbolt. Flames and electricity collided, producing an explosion, and the black smoke that followed was quickly blown away by the wings of Charizard and Zapdos.
Realizing that long-range moves couldn't deal any real damage to Charizard, Zapdos decided to change its strategy and move in closer.
Zapdos's sharp beak spun rapidly as it aimed straight at Charizard's vital point, unleashing Drill Peck.
Charizard also saw through Zapdos's intention. Its claws were covered in emerald energy as it used Dragon Claw.
"Bang—"
Unlike ordinary Charizard whose upper limbs are somewhat shrunken and degenerated, this Charizard—whose dragon bloodline had awakened—still had upper limbs just like during its Charmeleon stage, exceptionally muscular.
Zapdos's pupils instantly widened in shock. It couldn't believe Charizard had blocked its attack with just its right claw.
'This stupid bird is in danger now~' Thousand-Year Gengar joked while watching the battle.
Taking advantage of the stalemate with Zapdos, Charizard's free left claw struck Zapdos's body without hesitation, knocking it backward and nearly causing it to lose its ability to fly and crash to the ground.
'So this is all a legendary Pokémon amounts to!'
Charizard roared. Its intimidating dragon roar made Cassidy and Butch tremble involuntarily.
The proud Zapdos was also enraged by Charizard's "arrogant boasting." Its body was enveloped in blue flames as it charged toward Charizard with Brave Bird.
'Perfect!'
Charizard once again used Dragon Rush. Without any intention of dodging, it collided head-on with Zapdos. Blue flames and violet-gold dragon breath devoured each other continuously.
In the end, Charizard seized the opportunity to use Dragon Tail, knocking Zapdos down to the ground. The spike at the end of its tail nearly cut Zapdos's skin.
"Shh—shh—shh..."
The dragon scales on Charizard's body gradually shrank, and the effect of its Multiscale ability had already disappeared.
However, compared to Zapdos's exhaustion, Charizard was still in a state full of stamina.
Because Charizard's Flying-type had already been replaced by Dragon-type, Electric-type attacks could no longer deal double damage to Charizard. Instead, they could only inflict half their normal power.
On top of that, the Multiscale ability could reduce half the damage Charizard received. After a simple calculation, Zapdos's previous attacks were practically just scratching Charizard.
"Zapdos, let me show you Charizard's true power!"
After saying that, Red pressed the Key Stone in his hand. Both Red and Charizard emitted dazzling light at the same time. The light of evolution formed a bond connecting the hearts of Red and Charizard.
"Break the shackles and return to your origin! Answer my call—Charizard, Mega Evolve!"
Charizard, covered in the light of evolution, underwent a clear transformation. The first things that appeared in Zapdos's sight were crimson eyes and ghostly blue flames. Immediately after, the full form of Mega Charizard X appeared before everyone.
"Gulp!" ×2
Cassidy and Butch looked at Charizard's transformation in terror, unable to understand how Charizard could evolve once again.
"Don't overthink it. Mega Evolution isn't knowledge that small fries like you can touch." Thousand-Year Gengar said leisurely, though when it first encountered Mega Evolution its reaction had been almost the same as theirs.
Confusion—Shock—Irritation.
This was the progression of emotions in Zapdos's heart. At this moment, Zapdos clearly realized that its strength could no longer threaten Charizard. Only now did it understand that it had been the clown from the very beginning.
(But... but I!)
'I also have the dignity of a legendary Pokémon!'
Zapdos screeched as it forcibly absorbed the magnetic force spreading through the surroundings.
Electromagnetic energy formed a cross-shaped sphere in front of Zapdos. This was Zapdos's final trump card—Zap Cannon.
Zap Cannon had a 100% chance of leaving the target paralyzed.
Realizing that Zapdos wanted to settle the battle in one decisive clash, Charizard indulged its wish. The flame at the tip of Charizard's tail burned fiercely.
"Boss, there's something I don't understand. Charizard could just ignore Zapdos and defeat it directly. Why bother with all this extra effort?"
Thousand-Year Gengar didn't understand. If it were in its place, it would just beat the opponent immediately—why bother caring about anything else?
"That kid Charizard not only loves fighting, but also respects his opponent's beliefs. You'll understand someday." Red said calmly.
"Hehehe... then I'm really looking forward to my own Mega Evolution." Thousand-Year Gengar said excitedly.
Burn Up VS Zap Cannon
Charizard gathered most of the flames in its body, forming a pillar of fire capable of melting everything.
Seeing this, Zapdos released the Zap Cannon in front of it.
The pillar of fire and the Zap Cannon continuously devoured each other's energy. Zapdos nervously stared at the result that was about to decide the battle.
What made Zapdos despair was that its proudest move still ended in failure. The remaining flames of the fire pillar surged toward Zapdos.
Depressed, Zapdos was too weak to dodge and simply closed its eyes, waiting for the flames to arrive.
A brief moment passed.
Not feeling any burning heat, Zapdos opened its eyes in confusion. It discovered that Charizard had already appeared in front of it, drawing the incoming flames back into its own body to prevent Zapdos from suffering further damage.
'You really love meddling in other people's business...'
As soon as it finished speaking, Zapdos collapsed weakly onto the ground. Its eyes couldn't help glancing toward Charizard, filled with admiration and longing for Charizard's strength.
"Do you want to become as strong as Charizard? I'm very interested in your potential."
Red walked up to Zapdos and extended his right hand.
"Become my partner. I'll train you to become stronger, and together we'll defeat Moltres and Articuno!"
After hearing this, Zapdos raised its head excitedly to look at Red. As Zapdos, it had always wanted to defeat the other two Pokémon who were also known as the Three Sacred Birds.
However, Zapdos did not immediately believe Red's words. It looked at Red with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Don't believe me? Moltres and Articuno often appear around the Seafoam Islands!"
Red took out his Pokédex and showed Zapdos the images of Moltres and Articuno.
After seeing the images of the two Pokémon, Zapdos's eyes revealed fighting spirit. It wanted to defeat Moltres and Articuno and become the strongest among the Three Sacred Birds.
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
+100 chapters and support me on Patreon(.)com/Jixo