High in the sky, Hayato Sora tapped Miraidon and asked,
"Why did you suddenly attack it?"
"Grao!"
Miraidon twisted its neck, turning its head toward Hayato Sora and blinking in confusion.
It seemed to be saying: Weren't we here to fight?
Rubbing his forehead helplessly, Hayato Sora said, "Let's go down first. In a moment I'll have Chatot help invite Zapdos out. We'll talk it over properly—hopefully we can settle things peacefully."
"Caw caw~"
Chatot cried twice, agreeing to Hayato Sora's request.
Miraidon, however, was clearly dissatisfied, puffing out its cheeks.
Why make things so complicated? Earlier, even when it had only recovered a bit of its strength, it had already beaten Zapdos until its head was bald.
Now that it was at full power, how could a mere Zapdos possibly last even one exchange against it?
Even though it felt the whole thing was unnecessary, Miraidon still obediently followed Hayato Sora's instructions. The human and the two Pokémon landed outside the Sea God Cavern.
Crackling electricity echoed wildly within the pit, and a few golden-black feathers drifted down.
Although Zapdos had extremely high resistance to Electric-type moves, the sudden Thunder from Miraidon earlier had still dealt considerable damage.
Hayato Sora instructed Chatot to go into the cavern and talk with Zapdos, asking whether it would be willing to come out and have a proper conversation.
At the same time, Hayato Sora warned Chatot:
If anything seemed wrong, it should immediately call for help. Miraidon would rush in at lightning speed.
"Caaaw—"
Chatot flapped its wings and flew into the cavern.
Meanwhile, Hayato Sora picked up the few fallen Zapdos feathers. A system panel appeared before his eyes.
[Zapdos Feather: An ordinary feather shed by Zapdos, containing a trace of lightning power.]
Good stuff!
Hayato Sora's eyes lit up as he stuffed them all into the pouch at his waist.
As expected, Legendary Pokémon were treasures from head to toe.
He couldn't help but think to himself—if he plucked all the feathers off Zapdos, how many would he get?
Of course, it was only a passing thought.
Compared to turning Zapdos into a featherless chicken, Hayato Sora would much rather become friends with it.
That way, he could obtain an endless supply of Zapdos feathers.
Heh heh heh.
While Hayato Sora waited patiently outside, Chatot encountered Zapdos deep within the cavern.
Zapdos looked utterly miserable.
Its feathers stood straight up from being electrocuted, its body covered in soot, and a faint burnt smell hung in the air.
For the mighty king of birds, the being that commanded lightning, to actually be injured by another Pokémon's electricity…
Even if it was only a minor wound—something Zapdos could recover from at any time—
The loss of face was enormous.
If those other two annoying birds found out, who knew how much they'd mock it.
This was truly humiliating.
Its lifelong reputation was ruined.
Zapdos buried its head deep in the dirt, looking like it had lost the will to live.
Chatot, who had just flown in, looked around before turning toward the nearby flock of birds. After asking them about the situation, it flew over to Zapdos.
It gently patted Zapdos with its wings in consolation.
Unfortunately, what it said next dealt another critical hit.
"Caw caw~"
Zapdos, it's normal that you can't beat Miraidon. Last time you lost too—it's nothing to be embarrassed about.
"Zaaap!"
Zapdos shot up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, hurriedly shouting in protest.
But as it spoke, its voice gradually grew quieter and less confident.
It suddenly realized that… it might actually not be able to beat that opponent.
And now it was even being blocked inside its own home.
"Zaaap…"
(Chatot, whose side are you on? Why are you speaking for them?)
Zapdos decided to pick on the weaker target and threw a little tantrum at Chatot.
When it came to comforting bird Pokémon, Chatot had plenty of experience.
Before long, Zapdos had calmed down.
Then Chatot patiently suggested something.
"Caw caw~"
(That trainer is here too. This time they came to make peace. Why not go out and talk?)
"Caw!"
(Besides, this whole thing started because of you. You insisted on taking me away. I still have a whole flock to take care of!)
"Zzzrt~"
Miraidon shifted into its Battle Form, its electronic eyes locked onto the cavern while its tail wrapped protectively around Hayato Sora behind it.
A flash of gold appeared at the cave entrance.
Then came Zapdos itself—its posture tense and cautious.
Two battles.
Two defeats.
Originally, the agreement between Zapdos and Chatot had been that if Chatot won, Zapdos would join Chatot's flock and follow its instructions.
Zapdos hypnotized itself internally.
It wasn't doing this willingly.
It was only honoring its agreement with Chatot.
It absolutely wasn't afraid of Miraidon.
That's right.
Exactly like that!!!
After reassuring Miraidon, Hayato Sora approached while taking out the Premium Sable Cookies he had prepared from his pouch.
At the same time, he had Miraidon apologize to Zapdos.
"Zapdos, Miraidon was wrong to attack you earlier. I hope you can forgive it. Please accept this Sable Cookie as an apology."
"Zap—"
Zapdos lifted its chin, wearing a proud and arrogant expression.
But after Chatot pecked it twice, Zapdos reluctantly accepted Hayato Sora's apology.
It extended its long yellow beak and pecked at the cookie, biting off a piece.
The aroma of white truffle spread through Zapdos's mouth.
It blinked in surprise before slowly closing its eyes in enjoyment.
Then, with lightning speed, it devoured the rest of the cookie—leaving not even a crumb.
Delicious!
Zapdos loved it.
After eating Hayato Sora's cooking, Zapdos's guard dropped significantly.
Hayato Sora handed over another Ordinary Sable Cookie with one hand while reaching out to gently pet Zapdos with the other.
Zapdos looked at the food in front of it.
Then at the human.
For delicious Sable Cookies… I'll endure!
Enduring and enduring…
Zapdos completely gave in.
It lazily lay on the ground with its mouth open, waiting to be fed.
There was none of the fierce aura it had when they first met.
Hmm.
If it weren't bald, Zapdos would actually look pretty good right now.
But at the moment…
With that shiny bald head, it looked like a clown.
The Premium Sable Cookie Hayato Sora fed earlier had the effect of increasing friendship and restoring Zapdos's condition.
The scorched black feathers caused by the lightning gradually returned to their normal color, and the injuries on its body healed completely.
Soon, Hayato Sora sat cross-legged outside the Sea God Cavern.
On his left stood Cyclizar, and on his right Kangaskhan, like two guardians protecting him.
In front of him were Chatot and Zapdos, beginning what looked like a formal hearing.
Through their conversation, Hayato Sora learned the entire story.
Zapdos had followed Lugia to Shalour City.
There it encountered Chatot and abducted it, intending to take it away.
The reason?
Chatot's unusually high affinity with bird Pokémon.
This sparked Zapdos's possessiveness.
Naturally, Chatot refused—it had its own flock to care for.
So they made a bet:
If Chatot could defeat Zapdos, it wouldn't be forced to leave.
That was how everything that followed came about.
A rich and domineering young lady falling in love with a poor country boy?
Something about that analogy felt a bit off.
Whatever.
Since things had already reached this point…
Might as well make dumplings.
Glancing at Zapdos's bald crown, Hayato Sora suddenly asked:
"Zapdos… will your head crest grow back?"
"Zaaap—!"
Zapdos immediately buried its head in the dirt.
Don't mention that, you jerk!
"How about coming back to my ranch for a while?" Hayato Sora suggested. "You know humans—we have all kinds of strange inventions. Maybe something could help you grow your feathers back quickly."
"Zap!"
In the next instant, Zapdos appeared beside Hayato Sora with Teleport, signaling for him to climb on.
Let's go. Now!
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