The sky over the Floating Island was a tapestry of chaos. Zapdos hovered in the center, its yellow plumage bristling. Black, jagged feathers lined its wings and tail like conductive spikes, and its crown of sharp quills pulsed with electrical build-up.
"Dammit! Who did the scouting for this mission?" a Poacher captain screamed into his radio, ducking as a stray bolt of lightning vaporized a nearby tree. "No one mentioned the Three Legendary Birds were nesting here!"
Zapdos let out a shrill cry, releasing a web of discharge that snaked through the air. Several poachers were struck mid-flight, their bodies charring instantly before they tumbled into the forest below.
"It seems the poachers' reckless capture of local Pokémon finally pushed the guardians too far," Feng Che observed from a distance.
He noted that while these birds were found in many regions, the Hoenn variants—legendary in their own right—had chosen this secluded Floating Island as their sanctuary.
The Flying General's Ambition
Jekai, the "Flying General," sat cross-legged atop a floating Jumpluff, his eyes burning with greed. To him, the birds weren't a threat; they were a promotion.
"Deploy the heavy ordnance," Jekai commanded through his headset. "Use the elemental dampeners. Aim for the wings."
"Copy that, General," the pilot replied. The massive airship groaned as a heavy artillery turret extended from its underbelly. "Loading Incendiary, Cryo, and Shock shells."
"Bastard," Winona hissed, her knuckles white as she gripped her Altaria's neck. "Does Jekai think the League is invisible? To capture the guardians so openly..."
"Relax, Winona," Zinnia said, placing a steadying hand on her shoulder. "I've already contacted Drake (源治). He was patrolling the nearby waters. He's already en route."
"Drake? The Dragon Elite?" Winona looked surprised. "How do you know him so well?"
"The Draconid people and Drake have... history," Zinnia said vaguely. "Let's just say his Salamence has roots in our clan."
A United Front
The airship fired a high-voltage Shock Shell at Moltres. In a blur of yellow, Zapdos intercepted the projectile. The explosion bathed Zapdos in a golden sea of electricity, but the bird seemed to revel in the charge, its feathers glowing brighter as it absorbed the energy.
Moments later, the turret pivoted toward Articuno, launching a white-hot Incendiary Shell. This time, Moltres flapped its wings, meeting the shell with a concentrated Flamethrower. The collision triggered a massive mid-air explosion, turning the sky into a temporary sea of fire.
"They're working together," Feng Che remarked. "Jekai expected them to be territorial, but they're fighting as a single unit."
Zapdos retaliated, firing a concentrated Thunder bolt that struck the airship's bridge.
BOOM!
"Auxiliary thrusters are offline! Fire in Sector D!" the pilot shouted over the alarms. "General, if we take another hit like that, the ship will go down!"
"General Jekai! Our satellites have picked up a signature," another officer reported frantically. "It's Drake! He's approaching at Mach speed on his Salamence. Estimated arrival: ten minutes."
Jekai bit his lip, casting one last lingering look at the legendary birds. Against the birds alone, he had a chance. Against a Dragon-type Elite Four member? He was outclassed.
"All units! Emergency retreat! We're leaving!"
The Dragon's Arrival
As the poacher airship fled into the clouds, a powerful roar split the air. A Salamence tore through the mist, carrying a stern, white-bearded man in a brown sea-captain's cloak.
Drake surveyed the scene. The poachers were gone, leaving only the three legendary birds circling warily. Sensing the overwhelming aura of the Elite Four's Pokémon, the birds hesitated, then chose to retreat to their hidden nests deep within the island's peaks.
Drake landed near Winona and the others. "The rats have scurried off, I take it?"
"Scared off by your reputation, more likely," Zinnia joked.
Drake didn't smile. "The world is getting darker. I've received word that Team Magma and Team Aqua are hunting for the Red and Blue Orbs. They're closing in on Mt. Pyre. Since the island is safe, I must head to the mainland."
With a nod, the Dragon Master soared back into the horizon.
Epilogue: Return to Viridian
Feng Che emerged from the treeline as the dust settled.
"Feng Che! You made it out of the ruins?" Zinnia asked.
"I did. Though the place is a pile of rubble now," he said, patting his storage bag. "I've got what I came for. It's time I headed back to Viridian. My Gym's grand opening won't wait."
Three days later, back in the Viridian Forest, Feng Che looked over his spoils. He had a fleet of newly captured Corviknight, Sigilyph, and the legendary-awakened Noctowl. His goal was clear: train them to become the backbone of the world's most formidable Gym.
Meanwhile, in the Johto region, within the shadowy cathedral of the Jingten Cult...
High Priest Shaka sat on his throne, looking down at the kneeling Maki. The air was thick with the scent of incense and old malice.