BOOM!
A deafening explosion erupted across Lightning Island.
When the endless sea of lightning transformed into a boiling storm of fury and collided head-on with Giratina, even the Ghost-type energy gathered around the Renegade Pokémon's claws nearly dispersed from the impact.
But a Tier-One Legendary was still a Tier-One Legendary.
Giratina let out a cold snort.
The Ghost-type energy around its claws condensed once more.
As immense force surged through its massive body, the Thunder God was blasted away again.
Zapdos was hurled through the air before crashing violently into the ground.
The gigantic bird finally lost its ability to battle completely.
This time, however, Aiden did not throw the Insulated Ball he had already prepared.
Instead, he remained where he stood and quietly waited for the Thunder God to wake up.
The reason was simple.
Aiden genuinely admired this Zapdos.
And he was willing to give it a chance.
If, in the end, the Thunder God still refused to become his Pokémon, Aiden would not force the matter.
After all—
There wasn't only one Zapdos in this world.
Some time later, Zapdos slowly regained consciousness.
Looking at Aiden standing before him, along with Moltres and Articuno nearby, the Thunder God struggled to prop himself up with his wings and force himself back onto his feet.
"You..."
"Why didn't you capture me while I was unconscious?"
Hearing that question, Aiden smiled.
"It's been three years since I started my journey."
"I've captured over seventy Pokémon by now."
"But not a single one of them follows me unwillingly."
"So now I'm giving you a choice."
"Do you want to become my Pokémon?"
"If not, I won't force you."
As Aiden spoke, some of Zapdos's strength gradually returned.
The Thunder God finally managed to stand steadily.
After hearing those words, Zapdos fell silent for a moment.
Then it answered slowly.
"Compared to power..."
"I value freedom more."
"Even if those two idiots have already been captured by you..."
"Even if you possess powerful Tier-One Legendaries..."
"I still won't submit."
Upon hearing that, Moltres and Articuno felt somewhat annoyed.
After all, Zapdos was openly calling them idiots again.
But after a moment's thought, they realized why the Thunder God was still acting so stubborn.
It was because Zapdos had never entered Aiden's System Space.
That was why it could still stand there proudly with a backbone of steel.
If it had seen the countless Legendary Pokémon within that space...
If it had seen the two Plates carrying the aura of Arceus itself...
Then it would understand exactly what kind of terrifying existence this man truly was.
Thus, as the two Legendary Birds looked toward Zapdos, their eyes unconsciously filled with sympathy.
Pity.
And a strange sense of amusement.
Noticing their expressions, Zapdos immediately became furious.
"What are those looks for?!"
"You think I'll become like you two?"
"You think I'll surrender to power and become a human's Pokémon?"
The more determined Zapdos appeared, the more anticipation rose within Aiden's heart.
He was honestly curious.
Once Zapdos saw what existed inside his System Space...
Would it still be able to maintain this confidence?
"Very good."
"I hope you'll still have the courage to say that in a moment."
The next instant, Aiden opened a portal leading to his System Space.
Then he looked at Zapdos and said,
"Go inside."
"If, after seeing everything, you still want to remain on Lightning Island..."
"I promise I won't capture you."
Hearing those words, Zapdos became suspicious.
But after thinking about it carefully, Aiden had already chosen not to capture him while he was unconscious.
If Aiden truly wanted to force the issue, there was no need to use some mysterious space to trick him.
With that thought, Zapdos lifted its chest proudly and strode into the portal with its head held high.
A moment later, the scenery before its eyes changed.
The Thunder God arrived inside Aiden's System Space.
Feeling the completely different environment, Zapdos spread its wings and soared into the sky.
Then—
Its eyes widened instantly.
Far above the heavens stood two supreme rulers.
The Sky High Pokémon, Rayquaza.
And beside it—
A Shiny Black Rayquaza.
"Holy mother of Arceus..."
"What kind of place is this?"
"Why are there so many Legendary Pokémon?!"
Besides the two Rayquaza, volcanoes stretched across the landscape.
Groudon rested among them.
Around a stone tablet radiating an overwhelming aura gathered numerous powerful Fire-type Pokémon.
Meanwhile, in another region, an equally terrifying concentration of Legendary energy filled the air.
Many Pokémon that even Zapdos had never seen before surrounded a Psychic-type Plate.
Judging from the auras they emitted, every single one of them was stronger than itself.
"Damn..."
"How ridiculous is this guy?"
"Those two Plates..."
"Why do they feel like they carry the aura of the Creator itself?"
"This can't be real, right?"
Zapdos muttered to itself repeatedly, completely stunned.
Only now did it realize that Aiden possessed far more than Moltres, Articuno, and Giratina.
The most important thing was—
If Aiden already possessed the Fire Plate and the Psychic Plate...
Then was it possible he would someday obtain the Flying Plate and Electric Plate as well?
Or perhaps...
He was already searching for them.
Just as Zapdos was lost in thought, space itself suddenly shifted.
A powerful force expelled it from the System Space.
The next second, it found itself standing once again before Aiden.
Then Aiden calmly asked,
"So?"
"Do you still want to stay on Lightning Island?"
"Or do you want to follow me and become my Pokémon?"
The moment those words were spoken, the previously unyielding Thunder God immediately drooped both wings.
For a Flying-type Pokémon, this was practically the greatest display of surrender possible.
"Ahem..."
"Well..."
"About that..."
"I may have been a little blind earlier."
"Greetings, respected Trainer Aiden Flint."
"I, the Thunder God, am very willing to become your Pokémon."
"Ahem!"
"Actually, I'm much stronger than those two idiots."
"I'm an Electric-type!"
"I completely counter those Flying-type fools."
"So choosing me is definitely the correct decision!"
Seeing Zapdos change its attitude so quickly, Aiden couldn't help but laugh.
"Really?"
"Weren't you just saying that a mighty Thunder God would never submit because of power?"
Faced with Aiden's teasing, Zapdos looked thoroughly embarrassed.
Under the cold snorts of Moltres and Articuno, it awkwardly chuckled.
"Well..."
"That was before I understood your greatness."
"Now I understand."
Hearing that response, Aiden finally took out the Insulated Ball he had prepared earlier.
Without hesitation, Zapdos lowered its head and tapped the switch with its beak.
The next moment—
The Thunder God transformed into a beam of red light and was drawn directly into the Insulated Ball.
...
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