Into the bowl went roasted black sesame powder.
Then crushed walnuts.
Next came pumpkin seed powder, matcha powder, and a small amount of turmeric.
Anything that could promote hair growth without altering the original flavor of the Sable cookies was added by Hayato Sora.
Finally, he didn't forget the most important ingredient—powder ground from Zapdos feathers.
With a ding, a notification sounded. Hayato Sora took the freshly baked batch of cookies out of the oven.
At the same time, a description panel appeared before his eyes.
[Zapdos Sable Cookie (A+)]
A dish made using legendary ingredients, possessing extraordinary effects and especially effective on Zapdos.
Cooking Effect:
Lightning Affinity (Zapdos Only) — Feeding this to Zapdos grants a large amount of Friendship Points.
Trait Effect:
Hair Growth Lv.3 — Because special ingredients were added, after consumption a Pokémon's feathers or fur will grow at 150% speed, making it a savior for the bald and balding.
"Success!" Hayato Sora exclaimed happily. "Good thing I added all the Zapdos feathers."
He carefully stored the cookies away, planning to give them to Zapdos.
These past few days Zapdos had been endlessly pestering him—asking every day, urging him constantly.
Now he had finally perfected the Zapdos Sable Cookie.
Even the last bit of white truffle had been used up.
"Chii chii!"
Suddenly, a cry came from outside the kitchen.
Moments later, Cinccino came running toward him.
Hayato Sora bent down and scooped the little Pokémon into his arms.
"What's wrong, little guy?"
"Chii—"
Tired from playing. Missed Hayato Sora. Hungry tummy.
Smiling, Hayato Sora rubbed Cinccino's small head and took out a snack from the side.
Cinccino held the cookie with both paws, nibbling it in tiny bites.
Its gaze soon drifted toward the special cookie Hayato Sora had just made, and it curiously asked about it.
"This one's a hair-growth dish I made for Zapdos," Hayato Sora said. "Want to try it?"
Upon hearing that, Cinccino immediately shook its head.
"Chii!"
(No way. I don't want to turn into a fluffy hairball. You should give it to Zapdos. Hayato Sora, Hayato Sora—I'll take you to find it!)
"Alright then. Let's go find Zapdos."
After scratching under Cinccino's chin—making the little Pokémon purr comfortably—Hayato Sora picked up the still-warm cookies and set off toward Zapdos.
He headed toward the forest near the lake at the edge of the ranch.
Even before he got close, the calls of countless bird Pokémon filled the air.
Zapdos hadn't come alone.
It had brought an entire flock with it.
The ranch had been incredibly lively these past few days.
At any moment you could see bird Pokémon flying overhead.
At the same time, however, the food consumption had skyrocketed.
The rations that had come as a bonus when Hayato Sora bought Cyclizar and the others had already been completely eaten.
After returning from another trip leading the flock to search for food, Chatot let the birds disperse before flying over to find Zapdos.
"Caw caw."
(Let's leave.)
Zapdos, its head wrapped in cloth to hide its bald spot, looked up with dull eyes.
"Zap—"
(Isn't this your home? Why would you leave?)
Chatot explained patiently.
"Caw caw~"
(Precisely because this is my home, I have to leave. The flock has grown too large. Hayato Sora can't afford to feed us all.)
Chatot had seen the ranch's food supplies being depleted.
That was why it had been frequently leading the flock out to find food over the past few days—to reduce Hayato Sora's burden.
Unfortunately, things hadn't gone as hoped.
There were only so many resources around the ranch.
If they stayed any longer, food shortages would soon appear.
And they themselves would become a heavy burden on Hayato Sora.
"Zap zap!"
Zapdos lowered its head.
In its current condition, it didn't want to leave—especially if it might run into those other two annoying birds.
"Zapdos! So you're hiding here. Come try the new dish I made!"
Hayato Sora's voice came from outside the forest.
"Oh, Chatot—you're here too!"
"Zap—!"
Zapdos jumped to its feet excitedly, looking toward Hayato Sora with hopeful eyes.
"Want to try it?"
Zapdos
It could hardly wait.
If this could cure its baldness, it would do anything.
"Alright then, let's go outside."
Watching Hayato Sora take out the golden cookie, an irresistible aroma filled the air.
Zapdos swallowed it in a single bite.
At first, there was no obvious reaction.
The flavor was indeed excellent.
But after a moment—
BOOM!
A thunderclap suddenly echoed across the sky.
Without anyone noticing when it arrived, a dark cloud had drifted overhead.
Lightning flickered within the clouds, and a bolt struck down directly onto Zapdos.
Zapdos blinked.
It felt like being bitten by a mosquito.
But in the next moment—
Lightning began striking again.
And again.
And again.
The bolts came one after another without pause.
After being struck so many times, Zapdos gradually sensed something unusual.
Its expression became excited.
It could clearly feel the electric power inside its body increasing.
Each lightning strike added a tiny bit more strength.
One strike alone might be negligible.
But the lightning kept coming endlessly.
"Zee~!"
Zapdos leapt into the air, letting out a clear cry as it soared into the thunderclouds and actively bathed in the lightning.
The thrill of growing stronger was intoxicating.
After about ten minutes, the thundercloud finally dispersed, as if it had completely discharged its energy.
Zapdos slowly descended back to the ground, looking majestic and invigorated.
"Congratulations, Zapdos," Hayato Sora said.
It was obvious Zapdos had gained quite a lot.
And most importantly—
Its bald spot had been cured.
Its once-bare forehead was now covered by a brand-new golden crest of feathers, making Zapdos look even more extraordinary.
Hayato Sora wondered—
Among the Zapdos of the world, where would this strengthened one rank now?
After all, there were many Zapdos in the world.
But the strongest among them was undoubtedly the one on Shamouti Island, known as the God of Thunder.
Together with the God of Fire and the God of Ice, it could rival Lugia in power.
Their combat strength was astonishing.
Looking at its reflection in the lake like a mirror, Zapdos saw the crest feathers that had grown back on its head.
It cried out again and again in excitement.
It wasn't a bald bird anymore!
Then it suddenly pounced forward and knocked Hayato Sora to the ground, rubbing against him affectionately.
In Zapdos's heart, its friendship toward Hayato Sora skyrocketed.
"How is it? I didn't lie to you, right?"
Chuckling, Hayato Sora pushed away the overly excited Zapdos.
At that moment, he knew he had gained the friendship of a Legendary Pokémon.
Zapdos stood proudly and nodded vigorously at Hayato Sora.
"Zee zee~!"
(Hayato Sora, if you ever need anything, just call me! Your business is my business.)
As it spoke, Zapdos reluctantly plucked one of the crest feathers from its head.
The feather crackled with lightning energy.
Even across mountains and oceans, Zapdos would be able to sense Hayato Sora's call through it.
Taking the special feather, Hayato Sora pondered for a moment before asking:
"Are you leaving?"
"Zap—"
(Now that I've recovered, I must continue following Lugia's footsteps.)
PS: I've been releasing chapters daily . Honestly, it hurts seeing almost no support on Patreon after all that work.If you're enjoying the fic, even a little, supporting me would mean a lot. It helps a student stay independent .
complete fic (all chapters ) are already up on Patreon → patreon.com/Chakraflow789
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/Chakraflow789