Chapter 150: Zapdos Captured

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After successfully inflicting Burn on the Staraptor, Lian felt considerably relieved. However, it wasn't as easy for his other Pokémon. Even with Kalia and Julian teaming up against the Staraptor, Grovyle was swiftly defeated upon initial contact.

Only Ninetales and Charmeleon struggled to hold their own, while Teddiursa seemed ineffective, unsure of what to do due to lacking long-range moves and unable to reach the flying Staraptor.

Zzzt!

Suddenly, Zapdos unleashed a surge of powerful electric energy from the sky, casting its Discharge move. A torrent of electricity spread in all directions, striking most airborne Pokémon with terrifying force, causing massive damage.

This Discharge move severely wounded numerous flying-type Pokémon, as the relentless current continued unabated.

Ah!

Several mysterious figures, along with some Trainers, plummeted into the ocean due to their heavily injured Pokémon. The Discharge move did not discriminate between friend or foe.

Zapdos's Discharge had transcended the typical scope of the move, creating a sea of lightning that filled the sky with horrifying electrical flashes.

Lian's attention was drawn to the spectacle above, and he was utterly astonished. This move seemed beyond just Discharge; Zapdos, with its exceptional mastery of electric energy, had significantly amplified the power of Discharge. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been so terrifying.

Even during the thunderstorm earlier, the lightning hadn't displayed such intensity. This wasn't merely Discharge anymore; calling it a Sea of Lightning would be more accurate.

As the electrical storm subsided, only a few mysterious figures remained airborne, their Pokémon barely holding on, appearing unstable and vulnerable.

After unleashing such a powerful electric move, Zapdos couldn't immediately launch another attack. However, alongside Zapdos stood Moltres, which promptly flew towards the remaining adversaries.

Intense flames rapidly gathered in Moltres' mouth, forming a Flamethrower. Unlike conventional Flamethrowers, Moltres maintained a continuous stream, akin to a flamethrower nozzle, allowing the direction of the emitted fire to change with Moltres' movements.

The vast reserve of Fire-type energy combined with exceptional control enabled Moltres' Flamethrower to sustain for extended periods, making it virtually impossible to evade.

Even if you managed to dodge initially, the flames could still target and pursue you like a continuous flamethrower, adjusting direction effortlessly. No matter how swift your movements, escape would be impossible.

During his own battle, Lian observed Moltres unleashing Flamethrower with a wry smile. The sheer magnitude of fire energy at Moltres's disposal allowed it to maintain such sustained Flamethrower attacks.

However, he couldn't replicate this feat; Lian's Flamethrower lasted only a few seconds before dissipating due to insufficient energy.

His low level was the limiting factor. If Lian evolved into a Charizard, his body's energy reserves would exponentially increase, enabling him to sustain Flamethrower for at least ten seconds or more.

The essence of Flamethrower lies in its continuous stream, propelling intense flames while requiring exceptional control. With high mastery, one can effortlessly direct the emitted flames as desired.

Moltres maintained Flamethrower for an extended period, pushing the already injured Pokemon beyond their limits. Even the mysterious figures' team suffered greatly, some getting severely burned and losing their clothing to the flames.

"You pesky kids! You're really quite troublesome!"

The mysterious figures on the ground, realizing the aerial battle's outcome, grew increasingly furious and anxious. Zapdos had clearly gained victory, as its dominance in the sky gave it a significant advantage. Electric-type moves effectively countered flying types, rendering most Staraptors and Honchcrows vulnerable to Zapdos' electric attacks.

"Darn it! Move quickly!" The mysterious figure disregarded caution and charged directly at Julian, intent on forcefully seizing the Zapdos youngling.

Securing the Zapdos chick would justify their mission; otherwise, with such heavy losses and task failure, they faced severe consequences upon return.

"What do you think you're doing?!" Julian was startled but reacted swiftly due to his constant vigilance, immediately darting away. However, the mysterious figures were incredibly fast runners, and being still underage, Julian found them rapidly closing in.

One of the assailants, driven mad by impending failure, threw all caution aside and lunged directly at Julian.

Overpowering a teenager came effortlessly for an adult, and Julian was swiftly tackled to the ground.

With a sharp cry, the Zapdos nestled in Julian's arms unleashed a Thunder Shock, striking the attacker. Simultaneously, it wriggled free from Julian's grasp, aiming its beak sharply towards the mysterious figure.

Zapdos is not known for its docility; they are highly impulsive and quick to anger, much like lightning itself.

Caught off guard by Zapdos' sudden attack, the mysterious figure felt a jolt through his arm upon being struck by electricity. Immediately after, Zapdos' sharp beak pecked him on the cheek.

Despite the painful peck, the mysterious figure swiftly swung his arm, grabbing hold of the Zapdos youngling without concern for the continuous electric sparks emanating from it.

"Objective secured! Let's move!" The mysterious figure seemed utterly indifferent to the wound on his face and disregarded the struggling Zapdos as he yelled and prepared to flee.

"Zapdos!"

Julian shouted, attempting to rush forward and reclaim the Zapdos, only to be kicked away instantly by the mysterious figure.

"Oh no!"

Kalia realized the gravity of the situation as she saw the Zapdos youngling captured. They couldn't let their opponent escape; they had to retrieve Zapdos at all costs.

Lian also witnessed the theft of the Zapdos youngling, knowing he couldn't allow it. However, with Staraptor continuously engaged in battle, he was unable to immediately intervene.

"Haha!"

The mysterious figure laughed triumphantly as one of the Staraptors voluntarily disengaged from combat, allowing him to quickly leap onto its back.

"Let's go!"

Seeing their objective secured, another mysterious figure also commanded his Staraptor to disengage from battle and prepared to flee on its back.

"Trying to escape?" Lian noticed their attempt to leave and swiftly unleashed a scorching Flamethrower, targeting the Staraptor carrying the mysterious figure with the lightning bird youngling.

As the Flamethrower approached the Staraptor, it split into four streams of flames, resembling chains that instantly bound the Pokémon, including its wings. The constraining power of the Flame Cage was formidable; unable to spread its wings, the Staraptor could no longer fly and plummeted directly from the sky.

"Well done, Charmeleon!"

Kalia initially feared they would lose the mysterious figures, but at the crucial moment, Charmeleon intervened. Although she wasn't sure what move Charmeleon had used, there was no time to ponder it now.

She rushed forward, looking up towards the sky and shouting, "Zapdos! Your little Zapdos is right here!"

At that moment, Zapdos descended towards the ship, drawn by Kalia's cries. Without her distraction, it would have been nearly impossible for them to retrieve the baby Zapdos from the grasp of the mysterious figure using their own strength alone.

Just then,

"Hand it over!"

The mysterious individual who had previously battled Sean arrived on his Staraptor, reaching out to snatch the little Zapdos from another person's grasp.

Being newly hatched and unable to resist effectively, the little Zapdos was swiftly seized. Then, with the mysterious figure mounted on the Staraptor, they took flight into the sky.

Feeling helpless, Lian knew he couldn't release another Flame Cage immediately; now it all depended on Zapdos.

Zapdos let out an enraged cry and instantly soared towards the Staraptor, unleashing a bolt of lightning at both the Pokémon and its rider.

Unexpectedly, the mysterious figure produced a metallic tool, which absorbed the entire electric discharge from Zapdos like a Lightning Rod. The captured electrical energy seemed to be channeled directly into the Poké Balls attached to his belt.

Clearly, the mysterious figure anticipated facing Zapdos and came prepared.

At that moment, Sean emerged, witnessing the mysterious figure flying away with the little Zapdos.

"Darn it." Sean felt infuriated, realizing that his opponent was no weakling. With just Houndoom and Staraptor, they managed to hold their own against him, showcasing considerable strength. As the adversary attempted to escape, Sean had no means to stop them.

"Zapdos has been taken!" Julian exclaimed anxiously, feeling self-blame for not protecting the youngling adequately, allowing the mysterious figure to seize it.

At that moment, another mysterious figure prepared to mount their Staraptor and escape. Suddenly, Julian rushed forward, leaping up and tightly grasping onto the Staraptor's claws.

"Julian, what are you doing?!" Kalia exclaimed anxiously. This was incredibly dangerous; falling from such heights could be fatal.

"Don't worry about me! I must retrieve Zapdos at any cost!" Julian shouted, having already recalled his Pokémon beforehand.

"If you're seeking death, then so be it." The mysterious individual sneered at Julian's actions and swiftly took off with the Staraptor into the sky.

Lian felt torn between intervening and conserving energy. With Julian holding onto the Staraptor's claws, releasing the Flame Cage might endanger him as well. If he didn't fall to his death, there was a risk of being prematurely burned alive instead.

"Fool!" Sean cursed under his breath. No matter how important the little Zapdos was, nothing surpasses one's own life. Julian's recklessness not only jeopardized the rescue mission but also put his own life at stake.

Both Zapdos and Moltres pursued the mysterious figures, leaving behind the captor trapped by Lian's Flame Cage, now lying barely conscious due to severe burns on the ground.

Gradually, normalcy returned to the ship as passengers emerged from hiding. Unfortunately, despite their efforts, the little Zapdos was still captured.