Chapter 23: Taming the Lightning Bird

Zapdos let out a sharp cry, its wings unfurling as electricity crackled around its body. With a single Thunderbolt, it nullified all incoming attacks.

Xia You couldn't help but marvel, "As expected of a Legendary Pokémon—to remain so composed even when outnumbered!"

Perhaps annoyed by his chatter, a bolt of electricity suddenly surged toward him. Xia You scrambled behind the doorway just in time to avoid being scorched.

Peering out again, Xia You shouted, "Kirlia, find a way to restrict its movement!"

Kirlia raised its hands, surrounding Zapdos with invisible psychic power. However, due to the vast disparity in level, strength, and base stats, Zapdos struggled for a moment before breaking free.

After gliding in a circle beneath the skylight, Zapdos began to spin, its long beak glowing with intensity as it dived straight toward Bulbasaur.

"No, it's Drill Peck! Charmander, use Smokescreen!"

Drill Peck, a Flying-type move, was not only super-effective against Grass-types, but given Zapdos's level, a direct hit would be enough to knock Bulbasaur out instantly.

Responding to the command, Charmander opened its mouth, releasing a cloud of black smoke that shrouded the room and masked their positions.

Zapdos lost its target. A second later, its attack went wide, slamming into the ground with such force that it left a massive crater and caused the entire power room to shudder.

Finding no target, Zapdos soared back up. However, its electrified body glowed like a bright lightbulb within the thick smoke, making it a glaringly obvious target.

Suddenly, a stream of water and a blast of fire tore through the smoke, striking Zapdos simultaneously from both sides.

Zapdos cried out in pain and beat its wings, dispersing the smoke entirely. But at that moment, two vines lashed out, soaring upward to bind the bird's wings.

"Bulbasaur! Great job!" Xia You’s eyes lit up. "Pull it down!"

Bulbasaur strained with all its might to drag Zapdos to the ground, but the Legendary bird beat its wings, holding its position in the air in a stalemate.

"Jolteon, use Quick Attack!"

Jolteon’s speed surged. It kicked off the wall and launched itself into the air, slamming hard into Zapdos.

Although the name "Quick Attack" suggests an Electric-type move, it is actually a Normal-type attack. The impact disrupted Zapdos's balance, and it was dragged down by Bulbasaur's vines.

"Now!" Xia You shouted. "All-out attack!"

His Pokémon unleashed a barrage of moves, striking Zapdos simultaneously.

Taking the full force of the assault, Zapdos let out a pained cry. Yet, being a Legendary Pokémon, it refused to fall. Instead, electricity surged across its entire body as it unleashed another Thunderbolt!

Violent, raging bolts of electricity tore through the power room, striking everything indiscriminately. Xia You’s Pokémon scattered to dodge, while the facility's equipment was shredded by the discharge.

When Xia You finally peeked out from behind the door, the room was a chaotic scene of explosions, thick smoke, sparks, and mangled machinery.

His gaze swept quickly over his team. Aside from Jolteon, all his Pokémon had sustained varying degrees of damage. They looked battered, but thankfully, none had fainted—even Squirtle had managed to use Withdraw at the last second.

Zapdos rose into the air, glaring at the Pokémon it deemed so weak, its eyes burning with fury. Having been humiliated, it was now thoroughly enraged.

With a thunderous screech, dark clouds suddenly gathered above the power plant, visible through the shattered skylight. In mere seconds, the sky was completely choked by thick clouds, plunging the area into darkness.

Lightning crackled within the clouds; a terrifying thunderstorm was brewing.

Swallowing hard, Xia You prepared to give an order, but his phone rang—it was Professor Sakuragi.

Without hesitation, Xia You answered and put it on speaker, hearing the Professor’s urgent voice.

"Xia You, are you alright? I heard an explosion, and the entire area, including the laboratory, has lost power. What is happening?"

Xia You looked up at the gathering storm and smiled bitterly. "Sorry, Professor, there’s a bit of a situation here. But I think, regardless of the outcome, it will all be over soon."

As he spoke, a massive bolt of lightning tore down from the heavens, piercing the skylight and engulfing the entire power room.

Thunder, an Electric-type move with immense power and range, could sweep up all opponents. Even if the damage wasn't enough to finish them off, it carried a high chance of causing paralysis.

The Pokémon were trapped in the room with nowhere to hide. Yet, at that critical moment, a small figure leaped into the air, intercepting the lightning.

It was Jolteon!!

Before anyone could shout, a deafening thunderclap echoed as the bolt struck Jolteon. A blinding light erupted, nearly searing Xia You's eyes.

When the dust settled, Xia You rushed to check on Jolteon. To his astonishment, Jolteon stood there panting, but the lightning hadn't harmed it in the slightest!

A moment later, he realized his Jolteon's ability.

Volt Absorb: The Pokémon is unaffected by Electric-type moves; it absorbs the damage and recovers a small amount of HP.

"That's amazing, Jolteon!"

In mid-air, Zapdos was stunned by the result. As it gasped for air, Kirlia unleashed its Psychic, and Bulbasaur lashed out with its vines, binding the bird once more.

"Don't give it a chance to recover!" Xia You commanded. "Everyone, attack together! Finish it!"

A dazzling array of skills struck Zapdos simultaneously. This time, it could take no more, and it plummeted from the sky!

Perfect!

Xia You seized the chance and threw a Poké Ball.

The ball traced a perfect arc through the air and struck Zapdos. Red light flashed as the bird was pulled inside, but a second later, it burst free!

It still had energy left!?

"Everyone, give it everything you've got! Keep attacking!"

More moves hammered into Zapdos. It let out a final, mournful cry, but drawing on its last reserves of strength, it unleashed one more Thunderbolt!

*Zzzzt!*

After the blinding light faded, Xia You’s Pokémon had finally reached their limit and collapsed, one by one. Only Jolteon remained standing!

"Damn it!" Knowing this was the critical moment, he could not give up. Xia You gritted his teeth and shouted, "Jolteon, Quick Attack!"

Jolteon accelerated, moving like a shooting star as it slammed into Zapdos.

Zapdos, now unable to put up any further resistance, let out one last soft cry and collapsed to the floor!

Xia You’s heart was hammering against his ribs.

He grabbed another Poké Ball and tossed it at the fallen Zapdos.

The red light swirled, and as Zapdos was sucked inside, the ball began to shake violently—wobbling again and again. After a few agonizing seconds, it clicked and fell silent.

He picked it up slowly, staring at the red-and-white ball in his hand, feeling a sense of surreal disbelief.

I actually... I really caught Zapdos!?