The deepest level of the ice cave at Seafoam Islands, the ice-blue lake surface constantly emits bursts of milky white chill.
Two bird-type Pokemon levitate at each end of the lake, their gazes meeting in mid-air.
"Chirp!"
Zapdos fixes its sharp gaze on the Articuno in front of it, letting out a piercing cry.
Seeing Zapdos' malevolent gaze, Articuno's heart immediately sounds alarms.
It calmly retorts: "Chirp?" (What are you doing here?)
Zapdos: "Chirp!" (Leave here with me! I'll take you to a great place where you'll be reborn!)
Hearing this, Articuno pauses slightly, somewhat unable to comprehend what Zapdos meant.
Leave here? Be reborn?
Articuno squints its eyes, feeling Zapdos is somewhat strange.
It sizes up the bird-type Pokemon it hasn't seen for a while, then asks perplexed: "Chirp?" (What's wrong with you?)
Zapdos elaborates: "Chirp." (It's nothing, I just want to share some treasures with you and Moltres. Leave with me, there you'll gain more powerful strength.)
Articuno increasingly feels Zapdos is very odd, though somewhat interested in what Zapdos says.
But having existed in this world for hundreds of years, Articuno is very wise.
It doesn't immediately get lured by Zapdos' words but pretends to be uninterested:
"Chirp!" (I'm not interested in what you're saying, so please leave here!)
Zapdos thought Articuno would agree but seeing Articuno refuse, it frowned slightly.
But soon, Zapdos realizes something.
To make buns, the Pokemon themselves don't need to be present; their feathers are enough!
Realizing this, Zapdos immediately decides to use the simplest and most direct approach.
It lets out a sharp cry to the sky, and crackling electricity surges from its body, instantly illuminating the cold cave.
Vast Electric Type Energy gathers at one point, transforming into a beam abruptly blasting towards Articuno across from it.
Thunderbolt!
"Chirp!"
Articuno's expression is extremely serious, promptly shielding itself with its wings in defense.
The dense electric sparks in a blink envelop Articuno.
In a guarded position, Articuno keenly notices the mighty current with its peripheral vision, greatly shocked inside.
That power...
No, that's not right! When did Zapdos become this strong?!
Could it be that Zapdos wasn't lying just now? Was it telling the truth?
While Articuno is in a daze, Zapdos suddenly retracts its attack, flapping its wings as it fiercely rushes towards Articuno.
A white light emerges from Zapdos' beak, in a flash, Zapdos fiercely pecks at Articuno.
"Chirp!"
The sudden attack catches Articuno off guard, making it let out an astonished cry.
Immediately after, it notices its beautiful blue feathers being pecked away by Zapdos, slowly floating to the ground.
"Chirp!"
Articuno is enraged.
And with its fury, the entire ice cave begins to tremble violently.
Cracks rapidly spread along the ice-covered cave walls, a piercing coldness gushes from Articuno, like an avalanche, crashing towards Zapdos.
Recognizing the danger, Zapdos immediately retreats without hesitation, while Articuno reluctantly pursues.
The two bird-type Pokemon engage in an intense chase within the narrow cave.
But ultimately, Zapdos has the upper hand, as its speed far surpasses Articuno's!
Plus, the ice cave's passages crisscross, some places connect end-to-end, so Zapdos quickly thinks to leverage the terrain advantage to circle behind Articuno.
A full-force Thunderbolt attack is unleashed, and dazzling electric light instantly engulfs the Articuno ahead.
The sudden assault makes Articuno lose balance instantly, crashing into several ice pillars before it awkwardly comes to a stop.
Zapdos gently lands in front of Articuno, then picks up the few ice-blue feathers from the ground with its beak.
Those... are the feathers it just lost?
Witnessing this, Articuno pauses slightly, unable to believe the actions of Zapdos.
However, after collecting all of Articuno's feathers, Zapdos retrieves a bottle of Life Sheep Milk from a pouch with its beak, placed beside Articuno.
"Chirp!"
Articuno pauses slightly.
Its gaze shifts to Zapdos' pouch.
Articuno immediately recognizes it as a human creation.
"Chirp!" (You've been captured by humans!)
Could Zapdos' previous words mean that through human power, they could become stronger?!
Articuno's mind conjures this thought.
Zapdos glances at it, recalling Naoki's smile, shaking its head:
"Chirp." (He hasn't captured me. He's a good person, and I'm willing to be by his side.)
Unfortunately, Naoki has many strong Pokemon, so it can't help much.
However, in any case, everyone doesn't need to fight usually; they just live together on the ranch, so it doesn't matter.