Chapter 74: Marshadow Takes Action
"This is our only option now!" Ash said through gritted teeth, his resolve hardening.
He had no choice but to risk crossing the turbulent sea to return to Shamouti Island. The fate of the world depended on it.
"Let's go!" Ash grabbed Melody's hand and raced down the mountainside.
As they ran, he noticed that Snorlax's colossal shadow had disappeared from the base of the mountain. It had reached its limit, leaving Ash without one of his strongest allies.
"They're coming back!" Melody cried, her voice trembling with fear as she spotted the Three Legendary Birds approaching from the horizon.
Once worshipped as divine protectors of Shamouti Island, the birds now resembled harbingers of destruction, their glowing red eyes filled with malice.
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Ash didn't slow down. Stopping now would mean certain death. If they could reach the sea, there was still a slim chance they could escape.
"Pika…" Pikachu, nestled weakly inside Ash's jacket, stirred and let out a faint cry. It struggled to free itself, clearly wanting to help.
"Don't even think about it!" Ash scolded, patting Pikachu's head firmly.
In its current state, Pikachu couldn't even manage a Thunderbolt, let alone face the combined might of the legendary birds. Hearing Ash's words, Pikachu stopped struggling, its small body slumping in exhaustion.
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The legendary birds arrived above Lightning Island, their powerful forms casting ominous shadows. Ignoring Snorlax's motionless figure at the mountain's base, the birds turned their focus on Ash and Melody, their prey.
In unison, they unleashed devastating attacks—Zapdos's Thunder, Moltres's Fire Blast, and Articuno's Ice Beam.
"It's over! We're done for!" Melody cried, her legs giving out beneath her. If not for Ash's steady grip on her arm, she would have fallen.
Ash's eyes narrowed as the attacks grew closer. There was no time to dodge, no place to hide. Just as the combined attacks were about to strike, three dark Energy Balls streaked through the air in a Z-shaped pattern.
"Boom!"
The Energy Balls intercepted the attacks mid-air, resulting in a massive explosion that shook the mountainside.
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The shockwave sent Ash and Melody tumbling down the slope. Melody screamed, her hands flailing for something to hold onto. Ash instinctively reached for his Poké Ball, ready to release Venusaur and use its Vine Whip to save them.
Before he could act, a blur of shadow streaked toward them from the sea. The figure bounced off the rocky surface of Lightning Island and leaped toward Ash and Melody with incredible speed.
"Marshadow!" Ash exclaimed, recognizing their savior as the mythical Pokémon caught them mid-air and landed gracefully.
"Masha!" Marshadow nodded, ensuring they were unhurt before gesturing for them to leave quickly.
Its gaze shifted to the sky, where the legendary birds circled ominously.
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Marshadow's small frame belied its immense power, but even it understood the difficulty of this fight.
The legendary birds, though weakened by their dormant state, were emboldened by the lingering effects of the purple-red aurora. Facing them was a monumental challenge, even for a mythical Pokémon like Marshadow.
"Can't we defeat them?" Ash asked, hope flickering in his voice.
"Masha!" Marshadow shook its head firmly.
Defeating the legendary birds outright was impossible without plunging the world into further chaos. The balance they maintained, even in their corrupted state, was vital to the world's survival.
"Then it's up to you to hold them off!" Ash said, his voice resolute. He pulled Melody toward the beach, his mind racing to figure out their next steps.
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At the shoreline, Ash recalled Snorlax to its Poké Ball and released Blastoise, the sturdy Pokémon ready to traverse the violent waters.
"Let's go!" Ash urged, helping Melody climb onto Blastoise's shell.
Before departing, he turned back to look at Marshadow, who had already leaped into the air to intercept the approaching birds.
Marshadow launched a barrage of Shadow Balls, each one crackling with dark energy as it targeted the birds. The attacks collided with the birds' retaliatory strikes, creating bursts of energy that lit up the stormy sky.
Another shockwave rippled across the island, causing Melody to lose her balance. Ash caught her just in time, holding her steady on Blastoise's back.
Melody blushed at the sudden closeness but said nothing, her attention returning to the battle above.
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As they sailed away from Lightning Island, Ash's thoughts remained focused on Marshadow.
The mythical Pokémon was powerful, but even it couldn't sustain a prolonged battle against the seemingly tireless legendary birds.
High above, Marshadow began to falter. Its once-precise movements grew sluggish, and its attacks lacked their earlier force. The legendary birds, despite their chaotic state, started coordinating their attacks with unnerving precision.
Articuno unleashed another devastating Blizzard, forcing Marshadow to dodge. As it evaded, Marshadow glanced at Ash's retreating form.
They were nearing Shamouti Island. If Marshadow could hold out just a little longer, the ritual could begin, and Lugia would awaken.
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With renewed determination, Marshadow activated its full-power form, its body glowing with a dark, fiery aura. It summoned three massive Shadow Balls, each aimed at one of the legendary birds.
But to Marshadow's surprise, the birds moved with unexpected agility, dodging the attacks effortlessly. Their movements were sharper and more coordinated than before, signaling that their condition had changed.
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From Blastoise's back, Ash watched the escalating battle with growing concern. The once-small mythical Pokémon now fought like a titan against three gods, but the outcome was far from certain.
"We're almost there…" Ash muttered, his hands tightening around Pikachu and Melody.
In the distance, Shamouti Island's altar came into view, a beacon of hope amidst the chaos. The ceremony to summon Lugia was their last chance to restore balance.
All they had to do now was survive long enough to begin it.
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