Chapter 94: Zeraora VS Articuno
Chapter 94: Zeraora VS Articuno
Articuno is a large bird-like Pokémon with beautiful blue feathers, and its wings are said to be made of ice. It has a crest on its head formed by three dark blue rhombus-shaped feathers. Its eyes are red, and it has a short gray beak that matches its long, slender legs. Articuno also has a long, ribbon-like tail longer than its body, sharing the same color as its crest.
Ron looked at Articuno and sent out his Pokémon. A cat-like cry echoed as Zeraora swung its fists, bumping them together with a determined gaze fixed on Articuno.
"Let's have a battle. If I lose, we will leave on our own. If I win, I'll capture you. How about that?" Ron said.
Articuno let out a soft cry and shook its head. Ron was stunned. "You're not waiting for me? What do you mean?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Ron instantly understood. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Ho-Oh... Ash!"
Damn it, the gap is too huge. Ron was risking his life for a legendary Pokémon. Ash, on the other hand, had legendary Pokémon coming to him willingly.
"No matter what, let's battle. Consider it a good experience for my Pokémon," Ron said, suppressing his envy and jealousy. "If you don't answer, I'll take that as a yes. Zeraora! Plasma Fists!"
Zeraora let out a loud cry as electricity covered its fists. Its legs were also enveloped in electricity, creating a magnetic field that allowed it to float. At high speed, it charged toward Articuno.
Articuno moved swiftly, increasing its speed while dodging Zeraora's attack. Ron frowned. "Fling!"
A black iron ball appeared between Zeraora's hands and was hurled violently toward Articuno. Articuno suddenly sped up, dodging the black iron ball. But Zeraora appeared like a flash of lightning above Articuno, its right paw clenched, landing a powerful Plasma Fist on Articuno's back.
Articuno let out a mournful cry, crashing into the rocky wall. It was super effective. A faint blue static surrounded Articuno, causing all subsequent normal-type attacks to turn into electric-type moves.
Looking at the black iron ball that had fallen into the cliff below, Ron nodded. He hadn't expected it to be so effective. Although Zeraora didn't have the Light Metal ability, carrying a black iron ball greatly reduced its speed. When used with Fling, it could deal 130 damage.
Carrying a black iron ball also served as weighted training for his Pokémon. When the weight was suddenly gone, speed would significantly increase. That's why Ron equipped his speed attackers with black iron balls and Fling. The training over the past few days had yielded impressive results.
Articuno, now furious, fired an Ice Beam toward Zeraora. Ron's eyes lit up. "Quick Attack to dodge, then Close Combat!"
Zeraora instantly sped up, dodging the Ice Beam before charging at Articuno. Its electrified fists began pounding relentlessly. The sound of punches filled the air. Zeraora had learned martial arts from Mienshao. While not as skilled in close combat as Mienshao, it was far better than the wild, chaotic attacks it used previously.
Seeing Articuno overwhelmed by the Close Combat, Ron was secretly astonished. From Articuno's earlier Ice Beam, he hadn't detected any trace of primal power. No wonder Ho-Oh left this Articuno to Ash. Without mastering primal power, a legendary Pokémon was comparable to a pseudo-legendary.
A Champion or Elite Four-level trainer could likely defeat it with their main pseudo-legendary Pokémon. It was a perfect fit for Ash — powerful yet not invincible.
Articuno let out an angry cry, causing the snowstorm to intensify. It then unleashed a powerful Blizzard at Zeraora. The weather conditions amplified the move's power to an astonishing level.
"Protect!" Ron shouted.
Zeraora instantly formed a protective shield. The fierce Blizzard collided with the shield, and Ron exhaled in relief.
But suddenly, a cracking sound echoed. The protective shield shattered. Zeraora was blasted by the Blizzard, slamming into the rocky wall before sliding down. It struggled to stand, barely hanging on.
"The shield... broke." Ron was stunned. He had underestimated the power of nature. In these weather conditions, even without primal power, Articuno could achieve similar effects.
Articuno stood proudly before Zeraora, ready to finish it.
"Thunder Wave!" Ron shouted.
Articuno disdainfully glanced at the Thunder Wave that struck it. Although paralyzed, its wing still swung down, slamming into Zeraora.
It's over, Articuno thought. But suddenly, it felt resistance beneath its wing. Wasn't Zeraora already defeated? How could there still be strength left?
Ron chuckled. "That Plasma Fist wasn't for nothing! Zeraora, Thunderbolt!"
Zeraora slowly lifted Articuno's wing. The faint blue static covering Articuno's body rapidly flowed back to Zeraora, restoring its stamina and health. With a roar, Zeraora sent a powerful surge of electricity through Articuno, causing it to cry out in pain.
"Hyper Voice!" Ron shouted.
Zeraora crossed its arms in front. A purple energy sphere formed and expanded into a dome. It then launched the energy at Articuno, causing an explosion that sent Articuno flying.
"Chase it! Plasma Fists!" Ron wasn't going to let this opportunity slip.
Zeraora transformed into a flash of lightning, darting toward Articuno. As Articuno tried to dodge, the paralysis kicked in, leaving it unable to move. Zeraora showed no mercy, landing a devastating blow that sent Articuno crashing into the rocky wall. It fell weakly.
"Thunderbolt!" Ron could see Articuno still had some strength left.
Zeraora fired another powerful electric blast at the helpless Articuno. Its cries gradually weakened.
"Go, Ultra Ball!" Ron shouted, throwing the Ultra Ball at Articuno.
"Stop!" A familiar voice called out. "Dragonite, Dragon Rage!"
A pale green dragon-shaped energy beam struck the Ultra Ball mid-air, shattering it to pieces.
Ron's eye twitched as he looked at the person on the Dragonite. "What do you mean by this, Lance?!"
Dragonite landed beside Ron, and Lance dismounted. "Ron, you can't capture this Articuno."