"Swampert~."
Swampert looked helplessly at his trainer, who was sitting on the ground, refusing to move and abandoning all decorum. After thinking it over, Swampert hoisted Lucas up by the waist and leisurely continued walking down the mountain.
Swampert's right arm was solidly muscled and steady, making the ride surprisingly comfortable. Even though they were going downhill, Lucas didn't feel the least bit of bumpiness.
Swampert's descent was much faster than Lucas carefully picking his way down. By around five in the afternoon, they had already reached the base of the mountain. After passing through the dense vegetation, they could see an endless coastline and another island shrouded in dark clouds.
For clarity, Lucas had given the three naless islands his own nas: the one he was on was Volcano Island, the one covered in thunderclouds was Thundercloud Island, and the other was Snowpeak Island.
Thundercloud Island, he assud, was ho to the legendary Electric/Flying-type Pokémon, Zapdos. On the opposite side, Snowpeak Island was ho to the legendary Ice/Flying-type Pokémon, Articuno.
Like Moltres, these birds probably weren't gods who could alter the world's climate by simply existing. Their actual power was probably on par with Moltres.
After all, when Moltres entered the magma earlier, it had that expression—like if it didn't have sothing else to do, it would have gone to give those two guys a piece of its mind.
"Swampert~?" (Are we crossing the sea?)
Once they reached solid ground, Swampert set Lucas down and looked at him, seemingly asking for direction.
With Dragonite absent, the only way to the next island was by sea. Luckily, Swampert was a fast swimr and it would only take about ten minutes to cross.
Lucas was about to say "Let's go," since he'd already left Ceruledge at the volcano's crater to keep watch, just in case Articuno decided to show up while he was dealing with Zapdos.
But as he looked over, he saw the dark clouds above Thundercloud Island turning pitch black, and the thunderclouds began drifting toward Volcano Island. Lucas realized he wouldn't have to go looking for Zapdos—the bird was coming to him.
And it was heading straight for the volcano. He'd have to intercept.
Lucas narrowed his eyes and said, "Swampert, suppress the power in your Hydro Pump to increase its range. Don't hurt Zapdos—just get its attention. Can you do that?"
Swampert nodded slightly. It would be tough, but not impossible.
Zapdos was hidden within the pitch-black thunderclouds. Every ti it flapped its jagged yellow wings, the clouds burst with explosive cracks of thunder, bringing a terrifying sense of pressure.
As Zapdos drew nearer to the volcano's crater, it was already plotting to drop a massive Thunder attack into the magma just to spook Moltres. Suddenly, its instincts scread danger. On pure reflex, Zapdos rolled to the side, changing its flight path.
The next instant, a Hydro Pump shot into the sky, punching straight through the black clouds.
Zapdos froze, then stared in disbelief.
Wait, wasn't Moltres only good at spitting fire? Since when could it shoot water?
Zapdos frowned. Or was that attack from the sea?
Either way, since soone was picking a fight, it could put off its duel with Moltres for now and warm up with this appetizer.
Let this foolish Pokémon learn what happens when you ss with destiny itself!
Zapdos split the thunderclouds apart, crackling with electricity. Its gaze was full of pride, just like Moltres before.
Violent thunder exploded under its command, black clouds blotting out the sky, casting a solemn and oppressive atmosphere.
"Skreeee!"
The next instant, Zapdos let out a piercing cry. Bolts of lightning crashed down from the clouds, striking Swampert with destructive force.
Thunder raged, turning the world into a sea of lightning. Water Pokémon in the nearby ocean ducked underwater, afraid they'd get caught in the crossfire.
Zapdos looked down at Swampert, cloaked in lightning, with utter contempt. It began to descend, eager to see the sorry state of this insolent opponent up close.
As Zapdos dropped lower, Lucas—who'd been hiding—gave a decisive order: "Ice Punch!"
Zapdos was caught off guard by the sudden shout. The next mont, a pair of fists radiating freezing cold appeared in its vision, getting closer—then BAM!
Zapdos was smashed straight into the ground by Swampert, who'd been waiting for this mont in the sea of lightning.
When Zapdos finally ca to, it was greeted by Swampert's mocking grin—a grin that would haunt it for a long ti.
Swampert's heavy fists rained down like hamrs, making the whole island tremble. On the ground, Zapdos was completely pinned, unable to get up.
The pumling lasted a full four minutes. Every blow was like a battering ram.
Utterly humiliated at being beaten down for several minutes by an ordinary Pokémon, Zapdos blacked out from a mix of rage and injury.
Once Swampert realized Zapdos had fainted, it stopped at once, the wind from its fists rustling the surrounding trees.
"That's it? Zapdos seems weaker than Moltres was."
After Swampert let go of the battered Zapdos, Lucas finally poked his head out, staring curiously at the bird lying in a huge crater.
So this is the real Zapdos? Its feathers looked stiff and bristly, almost sharp.
Lucas wanted to touch them, but Swampert quickly stopped him, demonstrating by pressing its own fist to Zapdos's feathers.
A flash of electricity sparked at the contact point. Without Zapdos's control, the static stored in its feathers discharged as soon as it was touched.
"Whew."
Lucas quickly retracted his hand, grateful for Swampert's warning.
…
In the magma sea, Moltres sensed the commotion dying down and smiled inwardly.
It knew Lucas could handle those guys easily.
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