Just as everyone in the livestream was wondering what Pokémon it was, the screen suddenly froze.
A moment later, several lines of text appeared on the red light screen.
[Ding!]
[Entering the Prize Quiz segment!]
[Question: What was the last Pokémon seen flying across the screen?]
A: Fearow
B: Pidgeot
C: Swellow
D: Zapdos
E: Ho-Oh
[Everyone has 10 seconds to think.]
[The first three participants to give the correct answer will receive rewards.]
[10…]
[9…]
The first three options were at least reasonable—but what on earth were the last two?
Did they seriously think Legendary Pokémon were just something you bumped into on the street?
[Clemont]: Let me give a rational analysis. Fearow was defeated, so its father probably came to get revenge. The answer is obviously A!
[Alder]: You call that rational? A dad coming out to avenge his kid—are you reading a cultivation novel?
[Lt. Surge]: Zapdos, obviously! That Thunder just now was way too strong—it had to be Zapdos. Answer D!
[Sabrina]: The only thing strong here is your mouth.
Everyone could clearly see the Thunder came from Pikachu.
Only someone like Lt. Surge—who worshiped Raichu's raw power—would stubbornly refuse to accept reality.
Still, looking at the options, even Sabrina felt that Zapdos was the most plausible choice.
[Leon]: I disagree. Everyone knows Zapdos can't fly, so option D is eliminated.
[…]
The chat room instantly went dead silent.
[Leon]: Why is everyone so quiet? Didn't you expect that, besides battling, I also study Pokémon? I just know a little, haha.
[Sonia]: Sorry, everyone. Leon grew up in Galar and lacks common sense. Please don't mind him.
[Leon]: What do you mean "don't mind me"?! I've seen Zapdos with my own eyes—it's a ground-running chicken!
[Sonia]: Just shut up already.
Sonia felt a splitting headache.
You're the Champion of Galar—the face of the region—and you're embarrassing yourself like this?!
The Zapdos native to Galar is a Fighting/Flying type that cannot fly, an utter disgrace among Legendary Flying-types.
But the Zapdos of Kanto is completely different—it has wings and soars through the sky.
At this moment, above the endless seas of Hoenn, someone watching Leon's "ground chicken Zapdos" speech couldn't help but grin maliciously.
If a Flying-type can't fly, then isn't it perfectly reasonable for a Ground-type not to fly either?
After countless ages, a Legendary Pokémon even more embarrassing than itself had finally appeared.
It immediately wanted to prove a point in the chat.
[Awoo—Awoo—Awoo! Woooo!]
[Bruno]: Has this guy devolved into a primitive lifeform? Can you speak properly?
[Cilan]: Probably a monkey that escaped from somewhere.
"ROAR!!!"
Groudon exploded in fury.
How dare ants disrespect a god?!
If its power weren't sealed, it would've drowned them in Precipice Blades already.
After venting, the powerless Groudon grew tired and plopped down on the head of a certain fat blue fish.
Meanwhile, Kyogre, its power also suppressed, had long since stopped resisting and quietly focused on the livestream.
Thus, the two ancient rivals—locked in eternal conflict since time immemorial—were now peacefully stacked together watching the broadcast.
The scene was… oddly surreal.
[Tracey]: If you ask me, we should listen to Professor Oak. He's the authority on Pokémon.
[Professor Oak]: The Pokémon just now possessed a divine aura—something Fearow lacks. It must be a Legendary Pokémon. However, Ho-Oh has not appeared before humans for over a thousand years, so I rule that out. I'm leaning toward Zapdos.
[Gary]: I'll trust Grandpa. Zapdos.
[Professor Birch]: +1.
[Leon]: I still trust my eyes. Zapdos can't fly. I choose Ho-Oh.
[…]
This man is truly beyond saving.
[1…]
[0…]
The countdown ended, and the frozen screen resumed.
As the great bird drew closer, its silhouette became clear.
A Pokémon bathed in rainbow light danced gracefully above a radiant arc of colors.
That sacred presence filled everyone watching with instinctive awe.
[Ding! Correct answer: the Legendary Pokémon Ho-Oh.]
[Correct respondents: Leon and Ash.]
[Participant Leon receives: Charizard Mega Stone and Mega Ring.]
[Participant Ash receives: Light Ball.]
Light Ball: A Pikachu-exclusive item. When held, it doubles Pikachu's Attack and Special Attack.
Everyone in the livestream now wore the exact same expression—
the old man staring at his phone on the subway.
A Light Ball… doubles both offensive stats?!
Is this thing a cheat code?! How is anyone supposed to fight that?!
[Raihan]: Damn it… Leon guessing right feels worse than dying.
[Misty]: Ash, didn't you go to Viridian Forest? And how did you know the answer was Ho-Oh?
Everyone knew Leon's answer was pure dumb luck.
[Ash]: Yeah! I already found Pidgeot. And as for Ho-Oh—I saw it on the very first day of my journey. I'll never forget it.
[Everyone: ?!!]
He saw a Legendary Pokémon that hadn't appeared in a thousand years… right after starting his journey?!
[Professor Oak]: What?! So it was true when you said you encountered Ho-Oh back then?!
[Ash]: Yeah. I doubted myself after you dismissed it, but now I'm sure—it really was Ho-Oh.
[Goh]: Ash, as your friend, since you knew the answer, why didn't you tell me through the communicator? There was still one reward slot! That's selfish!
[Giovanni]: Young man, you're quite skilled at moral blackmail. I like you—join Team Rocket.
[Professor Oak]: What's that Light Ball? I've never seen such an item. Ash, bring it back immediately so I can study it!
An item that directly boosts combat power—
if its principles could be understood, it might trigger a whole new scientific revolution!
[Dr. Nagi]: Professor Oak is unparalleled in Pokémon research, but I'm more experienced with special items like this. My assistant just left, so Ash—let's research it together.
[Brock]: Alone with Dr. Nagi… hehehehehe~
[Misty]: Hey! Stop acting like you're in heat through the screen! She invited Ash, not you!
[Brock]: Damn it, Ash! You're stealing my love!
[Ash]: …
[Professor Cerise]: Ash, you're my research fellow! Come back immediately—don't let them lure you away!
[Giovanni]: I also have plenty of top scientists. Why not study it with me? Science knows no borders—I'd be delighted to help.
[Lance]: I have never seen someone so shameless!
[Giovanni]: Aren't you looking at one right now?
[…]
To be continued…