Platinum and Serena were both truly interested in this Galarian Zapdos.
First of all, this was a Legendary Pokémon. The value of a Legendary Pokémon went without saying.
In this real world, Legendary Pokémon were special. Their natural talent was simply outstanding.
Even the weakest Legendary Pokémon was no weaker than a pseudo-legendary, and their potential was often even higher.
Well, there was one unfortunate exception, but that was the only one.
Furthermore, in their current teams, Platinum did not have a Flying type, and Serena did not have a Fighting type.
A Fighting- and Flying-type like Galarian Zapdos could perfectly fill the gaps in their respective lineups.
"How about we play Rock-Paper-Scissors?" Platinum suggested.
Since they both wanted this Galarian Zapdos, there was no need to overthink it.
"Fine! One round to decide it all," Serena said, her expression turning serious.
This was the fairest method.
The two girls stared at each other. They kept their right hands behind their backs, and the atmosphere became tense.
"One, two, three!"
As they counted to three, the two girls moved at the same time. Serena showed scissors, while Platinum happened to show paper.
"Eh? What a shame."
Seeing this, Platinum pouted helplessly.
Her luck was a bit bad, but there was nothing she could do about it.
"Then you should be the one to catch this Zapdos. But be careful, it isn't weak at all."
Platinum wasn't too depressed. After all, compared to a Galarian Zapdos, she valued her friendship with Serena more.
Besides, Damian had already mentioned that there were special giants further ahead, so she didn't need to take this too much to heart.
"Mm-hmm~ I know."
Serena nodded. She took out a Poké Ball and looked at the Galarian Zapdos, which had a violent and powerful aura.
She slowly walked toward it.
At that moment, Galarian Zapdos also noticed Serena getting closer. The bird's eyes became even sharper, and a fierce light flashed within them.
"Screech!!"
Galarian Zapdos let out a fierce, high-pitched cry at Serena, warning this human.
Because they had to migrate every year, the three Galarian Legendary Birds returned to the Crown Tundra annually.
During its migrations, Galarian Zapdos had encountered humans many times.
However, the humans who wanted to challenge and catch it had all been defeated without mercy. They were pitifully weak.
As time passed, Galarian Zapdos gradually lost its patience with these humans.
Its attitude became increasingly violent.
"Zapdos, I really like you! Let's battle. If you lose to me, become my partner!"
The Poké Ball in Serena's hand gradually enlarged. Her eyes grew eager as she looked at this Galarian Zapdos.
Up until now, she didn't have a single Legendary Pokémon in her main team.
Although she didn't say it out loud, how could Serena not want one?
Her peers in Team Rocket who were the same age and gender, Platinum, Rosa, and Hilda, all already had Legendary Pokémon.
However, Serena's points still were not enough to exchange for one. Serena really cared about this in her heart.
She knew very well that if this continued, the gap in strength between her and people like Platinum would only get wider and wider.
But the competitive Serena didn't want that to happen!
"Screech!" Galarian Zapdos let out another violent cry.
Its powerful talons kept tearing at the ground, ripping deep claw marks into the earth.
This Galarian-form Zapdos's aura was getting stronger and stronger. It made Serena feel real pressure.
This Galarian Zapdos was Champion-level!
"Blacephalon!"
Serena's face turned serious as she threw the Poké Ball in her hand.
The Ultra Beast, Blacephalon, landed in front of Serena. Its body twisted and wiggled in a strange way.
It looked funny, yet it also made people feel uneasy.
Blacephalon was a Fire- and Ghost-type. This was the Ultra Beast Serena had received from Damian when she joined Team Rocket.
It had to be said that the strength of Ultra Beasts was very high.
Because Damian had specifically given her an Elite Four-level Blacephalon back then, Serena had saved a lot of training time.
With her later careful nurturing, this Blacephalon was now a core member of her team.
Because its base strength was truly high, its combat power was even comparable to her ace, Greninja.
Serena really felt what raw strength and high stats meant!
"As long as I can catch you, my strength can take another step forward! I won't be worse than anyone else!"
Serena's gaze grew even stronger as she watched Galarian Zapdos. After joining Team Rocket, Serena's horizons had indeed broadened.
But the pressure followed her like a shadow.
She used to be a genius in the eyes of everyone in Kalos. Every Gym Leader and even the Kalos Champion, Diantha, had praised her like that.
However, now that her view had expanded to the whole world, a genius like her really wasn't that special.
She became even more certain of this after seeing Akari.
Compared to a monster like Akari, her own talent was only enough to let her chase the top.
If she wanted to prove herself, she had to become stronger!
A few days ago, Serena had just contacted Diantha. Champion Diantha was indeed very good to her.
She said she had received news of a Steel-type Mythical Pokémon.
Diantha would personally go to investigate and confirm it. Once it was confirmed, Diantha would contact her again.
Serena was truly grateful to Diantha.
From their first meeting, Diantha had always looked after her.
Even though she knew Serena had joined Team Rocket, Diantha still looked after her with the same sincerity and gentleness.
She was even willing to tell her news about a Mythical Pokémon.
All Diantha asked for in return was the hope that Serena would eventually come to the Kalos League to challenge her and become the new Champion!
What a great senior she was!
"Come on!"
Serena's eyes became firm. She would definitely not fail Damian's or Diantha's expectations.
She would not be worse than the others!
She had the confidence to defeat this Galarian Zapdos.
Blacephalon was a Ghost type Ultra Beast, so it was immune to Galarian Zapdos's Fighting-type moves.
With such a huge natural type advantage, she could win!
Galarian Zapdos let out a violent cry. It moved its legs and charged toward Blacephalon at high speed.
-------
"You are very elegant. I am satisfied."
The hem of Caitlin's fitted pink dress fluttered in the breeze. Her golden hair fell naturally down her back.
The elegant Psychic-type lady slightly raised her head. She looked at the elegant and cold Galarian Articuno in the sky and spoke with a soft smile.
The more she looked at Galarian Articuno, the more satisfied she became.
This Legendary Bird was very elegant. An elegant Pokémon was a perfect match for an elegant person like her, wasn't it?
Galarian Articuno tilted its head slightly. Its arrogant eyes looked down at Caitlin.
"So, could I ask you not to resist too much? Otherwise... it will hurt."
A Poké Ball flew out under the control of psychic power, and Metagross appeared in front of Caitlin.
Caitlin slowly reached out her hand. Her long, white hand opened, perfectly catching the Poké Ball as it bounced back.
Her tone was still slow and steady, filled with relaxed confidence.
Galarian Articuno's eyes flashed with a cold light. This human was a bit arrogant.
And on Damian's side.
"Chirp~"
Galarian Moltres spread its wings and cried out loudly. Its evil blue eyes looked down at Damian, who was slowly approaching from below.
Beside Damian, Diancie followed along, hopping and jumping.
"The Galarian form of Moltres is indeed very cool."
Damian stopped walking. He sized up this Galarian Moltres and its evil aura, then nodded in satisfaction.
Compared to the other Legendary Birds, Galarian Moltres's combination of black and red, along with the flames surrounding it, was truly breathtaking.
Moreover, it was a Dark type. This was very nice. Damian had never forgotten his goal of building a Dark-type team.
"How about you come work for me? It's definitely better than your current aimless migration."
Damian issued an invitation to Galarian Moltres.
"Chirp~"
But clearly, Galarian Moltres wasn't interested. With its proud and arrogant personality, a black-and-red aura began to spread around its body.
Of course, this wasn't Yveltal's Dark Aura, but Galarian Moltres's own power.
Because the energy inside Galarian Moltres was like a crashing wave, it could be released as an aura that looked like a pillar of fire.
That was why it was called Moltres.
This aura had no real effect on powerful Pokémon. You could think of it as a visual effect.
However, that visual effect really did have a strong impact. One look was enough to tell that this Pokémon was very powerful.
Damian liked it even more now.
This was the kind of entrance effect a powerful Pokémon should have!
"Since you aren't very willing, and I'm not some kind of monster, I'll let you feel my power first."
Damian smiled slightly and didn't say anything more.
For most wild Pokémon, it was quite difficult to convince them just with words. But it wasn't a big problem.
Just beat them first.
"Diancie, why don't you welcome our new companion?"
"Okay~"
Diancie blinked. She hopped forward twice, and the colorful light of Mega Evolution lit up around her body.
Since receiving the gift of life energy from Xerneas, Diancie was overflowing with life energy. She could now Mega Evolve freely.
Otherwise, she would have needed Damian, her trainer, to use a Key Stone to cooperate.
The light of Mega Evolution flashed by. In the next moment, the slimmer and taller Mega Diancie appeared.
Her whole body shimmered with a faint light. The diamond on her head had become heart-shaped.
Two white ribbons hung down from her crown, and the lower half of her body was replaced by large diamond crystals.
She was noble, beautiful, and dazzling enough to make people stare.
This was Mega Diancie in her most radiant form.
After Mega Evolving, the weakness and gentleness on Mega Diancie's face completely disappeared.
It was replaced by nobility and cold elegance.
Her aura was completely different!
"Screech~!"
Seeming to sense the threat from Mega Diancie, Galarian Moltres cried out loudly. Black energy condensed in front of it.
Dark Pulse!
A massive black wave tore through the air, rushing toward them at extreme speed.
However, Mega Diancie didn't dodge or retreat. She reached out her right hand and made a gripping motion.
Pink light continuously gathered, turning into a slender butterfly-like longsword.
As Mega Diancie elegantly swung the longsword in a diagonal slash, a pink blade of light flashed and vanished.
The incoming Dark Pulse was sliced apart and dissipated instantly.
It was effortless.
"???"
Galarian Moltres's eyes widened. A very human look of disbelief appeared on its bird face.
How was this possible?
"Diamond Storm."
Mega Diancie pointed her light blade directly at Galarian Moltres. Pink points of light filled the sky.
Pink diamond crystals surged like a rain of petals, sweeping toward Galarian Moltres in midair.
It was Mega Diancie's signature move, Diamond Storm!
It was beautiful, but it was also deadly.
Galarian Moltres immediately flapped its wings and retreated, wanting to dodge.
However, the range of this Diamond Storm was massive, and its speed was incredibly fast.
Galarian Moltres had no time to dodge at all. By the time it wanted to use an attack to counter, it was already too late.
Boom!
The pink storm instantly swallowed Galarian Moltres whole. Sharp diamonds and violent winds crazily slashed and slammed into Galarian Moltres's body.
That made Galarian Moltres let out a howl of pain. The Rock-type Diamond Storm dealt huge damage to Galarian Moltres.
"So beautiful~"
Platinum, who happened to glance over, looked at the Diamond Storm with dazed eyes.
Then she looked at the shining Mega Diancie. It was so beautiful!
One second, two seconds, three seconds... the pink storm finally began to fade.
Thud~
Like a kite with a broken string, Galarian Moltres fell from the sky and crashed onto the ground.
At the same time, a layer of white light glowed on Mega Diancie's body.
This was the effect of Diamond Storm. It had a high chance of sharply raising the user's Defense.
Though at this moment, it wasn't needed at all.
"Diancie, you were a bit too heavy-handed."
Damian looked at Galarian Moltres. It couldn't even get up anymore. It seemed it hadn't been able to endure that Diamond Storm.
It was probably hanging on by a thread.
"Sorry, Damian. I didn't expect it to be this weak either."
Mega Diancie tilted her head, looking a bit troubled. Or was it that she was too strong now?
Ever since receiving the gift of life energy from Xerneas, Diancie indeed felt that her power had grown significantly.
"Emmm..." Damian couldn't help but fall silent.
"Chirp chirp chirp!!!"
Feeling that it was being mocked by this pink lady, the barely conscious Galarian Moltres suddenly raised its head.
It began to chirp and squawk at Mega Diancie, seemingly cursing at her.
No one knew what it was saying, but it was probably not polite.
The frown on Mega Diancie's forehead became visible to the naked eye. She swung the butterfly-like longsword in her hand, the tip of the blade pointing directly at the black bird.
!!!
Galarian Moltres's cries stopped instantly. It swallowed hard.
Looking at the tip of the sword that was only a tiny distance from its eye, it sensibly shut its mouth.
Damn it! You ugly pink diamond girl, just you wait!
I'll remember this grudge!