Pokemon: Skybound Chapter 207: 207. Reunion

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Kai stepped forward, inspecting the shrine and its peculiar design. At the centre of the bird-shaped carving, its beak clenched a brilliant red gem.

Even in the darkness, the gem radiated a warm, pulsating glow, casting a faint light over the shrine.

"This must be the treasure lody was talking about," Kai noted. He turned to Ash and nodded. "Go ahead and take it."

"Huh?" Ash blinked, montarily stunned. "Kai, you're not going to take it yourself?"

Kai shook his head, waving a hand dismissively. "I have no interest in being so Chosen One. Besides, you were the first to reach this shrine, so it's only fair that you do it."

"Well…"

Ash hesitated for a second.

To him, Kai was soone he greatly admired not just in terms of battle strength but also as a person.

Deep down, he believed that if anyone here truly fit the role of the "Chosen Trainer," it had to be Kai.

But seeing Kai's complete indifference, Ash took a deep breath and stepped forward.

He reached for the gem, but it was firmly lodged in place.

Gritting his teeth, he applied more force. With a final pull, the gem popped free.

At this mont, Kai leaned in closer, examining it properly.

Now that it was removed from the shrine, it was clear that the gem itself wasn't actually red.

Instead, it was a fist-sized glass sphere, with a swirling mass of flas burning inside. The fire within illuminated the orb, giving it that fiery glow.

Aside from the sudden storm earlier, everything so far had gone exactly as lody had described.

This was barely even a challenge it felt more like a sightseeing tour than a test.

"Alright, stash it away. We should start heading back."

Just as they turned to leave, a group of figures appeared on the stone staircase below them!

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Team Rocket.

They had been lurking in the shadows, spying on them for quite so ti. Now that Ash and Kai had what they wanted, they could no longer hold back.

However, because of the darkness, Ash couldn't see their faces clearly at first.

"Who's there!?"

Jessie smirked, flipping her hair. "Since you asked so sincerely…"

Jas crossed his arms confidently. "We'll be generous enough to tell you!"

"To protect the worl—"

"Okay, okay, that's enough," Kai cut them off mid-motto. He sighed, rubbing his temple. "I've heard your speech so many tis already. Let's just skip to the part where you tell us what you actually want."

"Yeah!" Ash crossed his arms. "The weather is terrible, and we're busy. Just get to the point!"

Team Rocket: ...

They froze, completely thrown off.

There was nothing more frustrating than being cut off mid-motto it was like having an unfinished sneeze!

Jessie coughed awkwardly, trying to regain composure. "Ahem. Well, since you're in such a hurry, we'll make this quick."

She pointed at Ash. "Hand over Pikachu!"

Jas smirked. "And while you're at it, that fancy little treasure you just picked up!"

Kai raised an eyebrow.

Their obsession with Pikachu had been going strong for years, and despite their constant failures, they never gave up.

Kai had to admit… their persistence was almost admirable.

Almost.

Ash tightened his grip on the gem. "Forget it! I'm not handing over Pikachu or this treasure!"

Jessie's grin widened. "Oh-ho! So you admit it's valuable! That makes things easier for us!"

Without hesitation, she and Jas grabbed their Poké Balls, ready for battle.

But before they could even release their Pokémon…

A thunderous noise echoed from the stone staircase below.

A massive black silhouette ca charging up the steps!

"What the—!?"

Jessie and Jas barely had ti to react before the dark figure leapt into the air and ca crashing down right on top of them!

BAM!

Panicking, they scrambled out of the way just in ti to avoid getting crushed.

The mystery object slid forward, skidding across the stone floor until it ca to a stop right in front of Kai.

Kai narrowed his eyes.

It was a small sailboat.

Wait. A boat!?

How did a boat end up on top of a mountain!?

Before he could process this absurdity, the cabin doors swung open.

Several familiar faces poked their heads out.

"Kai! Ash! We ca to pick you up!"

It was Misty's voice.

Kai shone his flashlight toward them, revealing lody, Tracey, Misty, and Sabrina aboard the small sailboat.

"You guys!?"

"Of course we're here!" Misty bead. "We were worried about you, so we ca to help!"

lody, arms crossed, scowled. "You two should have turned back imdiately when the storm hit! What were you thinking!?"

Ash scratched his head sheepishly. "Uh… yeah… sorry about that."

Kai waved a hand dismissively. "No point in arguing about it now. Anyway, how did you even get up here?"

The mountain's altitude was no joke it was hundreds of ters above sea level! How on earth did they manage to sail a boat all the way up a volcanic peak!?

Hearing this, Misty grinned. "Oh, that? That was all lody's doing. She's an expert sailor!"

She gave lody a thumbs-up.

"All she did was adjust the sails a little, and boom she rode the wind straight up the stone path!"

lody smirked, placing a hand on her hip. "For soone raised on Shamouti Island, handling a boat is as natural as breathing. This was nothing."

Kai nodded, 'That explained a lot'

Although…

Now that Misty and lody were interacting so casually, it was clear their rivalry from earlier had toned down significantly.

Had sothing happened between them while he was away?

While everyone was catching up, Team Rocket saw their opportunity to escape.

Carefully, they inched backwards…

Only to be interrupted by a blinding flash of light.

"SKREEEEEEEEWHHHHHH!!!"

A massive figure streaked across the night sky.

The air itself crackled with raw electricity.

One glance was enough for everyone to recognize it.

"Th-That's—!"

"Zapdos!?"

"The God of Thunder!?"

lody gasped, her usual confidence shaken.

This was Fire Island.

Moltres' territory.

Why was Zapdos, the God of Thunder, here instead!?

And at that mont—

Kai felt a tug at his belt.

The three Ultra Balls strapped to his waist began trembling violently.

It was as if sothing inside them had sensed a worthy opponent.

'Looks like a legendary battle is near' Kai thought with a creepy smile on him face

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