"Are you sure you want to join my family?"
Zapdos, who had been hesitant, immediately nodded in agreement after hearing Red's word 'Family'.
"You won't regret today's choice!" Red said with a smile, happy that he was able to capture Zapdos. Although the Zapdos in front of him was not the God of Thunder in charge of the Orange Archipelago, judging by its ability to use Zap Cannon, this Zapdos's talent was also extraordinary, it just didn't have the deep qualifications of the true Thunder God.
After Zapdos joined, Charizard and the Millennium Gengar also extended a warm welcome, as from today onwards, they were all one family.
"Don't move, I'll help you improve your strength."
Red stopped the puzzled Zapdos and placed his hand on Zapdos's body.
Ding! Changed the Static ability to Pressure ability!
Ding! Successfully stacked Lightning Rod ability for Zapdos!
Pokémon: Zapdos
Type: Electric/Flying
First Ability: Pressure (Greatly reduces the PP of moves used by opposing Pokémon.)
Second Ability: Lightning Rod (A Pokémon with this ability is unaffected by Electric-type moves. When hit by an Electric-type move, its Special Attack increases by 1 stage.)
Known Moves: Drill Peck, Discharge, Thunderbolt, Thunder, Brave Bird, Zap Cannon…
Personality: Loves to wander near power plants to absorb electricity.
Experience Introduction: A regular Zapdos with the bloodline of a legendary Pokémon, it can easily control lightning to change the environment. It has sworn to defeat all Moltres and Articuno to defend the Zapdos Family's reputation as the strongest among the Three Legendary Birds.
"It learned too few moves…" This was Red's first reaction after checking Zapdos's data. Zapdos was also excited to have mastered the new dual abilities, wishing it could challenge Charizard right now, but after hearing that Mega Charizard had triple abilities, Zapdos chose to back down.
"Um? Can we leave now?" Butch asked awkwardly.
"We promise not to tell anyone what happened tonight!" Cassidy said.
"I almost forgot about you two." Red looked at the Millennium Gengar. "Gengar, use Hypnosis to make these two forget what happened after they met us tonight."
"No!" Cassidy and Butch screamed, then their eyes became hazy and they spun around, controlled by the Hypnosis used by the Millennium Gengar, gradually forgetting what had happened that night.
"You should first return to Professor Oak's Laboratory to improve your strength; my first partner will train you there." Red took out an Ultra Ball from his backpack and captured Zapdos inside. The Ultra Ball did not shake even slightly, perfectly capturing Zapdos. "When I arrive at Seafoam Islands, I will let you defeat Moltres and Articuno."
Upon hearing Red's assurance, the Ultra Ball in Red's hand also shook slightly, indicating that Zapdos had remembered.
"How 'Unfortunate'~ Just got captured by the boss and was sent back to Professor Oak's Lab." The Millennium Gengar, fearing nothing, teased Red with a playful tone.
"Oh? Or would you like to keep Zapdos company?" Red smiled and took out the Millennium Gengar's Poké Ball, shaking it a few times, which gave the Gengar a fright.
"No, boss! I was wrong!" The Millennium Gengar quickly admitted its mistake; it didn't want its brain tormented by Professor Oak's poetry.
After the power plant crisis was resolved, Red also called Officer Jenny, sending the unconscious Team Rocket duo to jail, continuing to squeeze Giovanni's liquid funds, although this amount of money was negligible in Giovanni's eyes.
On his way to Fuchsia City, Red unexpectedly received a letter requesting skilled trainers nearby to help eradicate Diglett and Dugtrio that were hindering the progress of dam construction.
"Yo! Isn't that Red!" A familiar voice came from behind. Red turned his head and saw Gary in a red sports car appearing before him. "What? You also received that letter? As expected of my rival!" Gary said.
Red glanced at the envelope in his hand and casually tossed it into the trash can. "It was just forced upon me."
"It seems the matter mentioned in this letter is not as simple as it appears," Gary muttered. If Pokémon were indeed intentionally attacking humans, Red would definitely not be reacting this way. In Gary's speculation, Diglett and Dugtrio might be the victims in this incident.
"Why don't you ride in my sports car together?" Gary invited.
"Forget it, I see there's no room in your car. Do you expect me to squeeze in with your female friends?" Red glanced at the red sports car, and under the enthusiastic waving of many young ladies, he slowly turned and left, not even sparing a glance.
"Uh… well…" Gary said awkwardly, instinctively being polite. If Red had actually agreed, Gary would have had no choice but to let Red get in the car.
"Don't worry, Red, I'll go ahead and find out the truth about this letter!" With that, Gary drove away in his sports car, waving goodbye to Red.
(Since Red reacted this way, there must be a reason why Diglett and Dugtrio are obstructing the construction of the dam, perhaps because…)
Ahead on the road, some mountain paths had already been forcibly converted into roads, severely hindering the movement of Diglett and indirectly leading to soil erosion, causing the wild Pokémon living in the forest to lose their habitats.
A moment later, Red and many trainers passing by gathered in an open space, and coincidentally, Ash's trio also unexpectedly appeared there.
"Brother, did you also happen to come here?" Ash asked excitedly. Because he hadn't received the letter earlier, Ash had been thoroughly mocked by Gary all the way, making him extremely angry.
"Pretty much, just here to help out with some things," Red said leisurely. (But it's to help Pokémon…)
"What do you mean? Red must have received the letter, but as a brother, he's just trying to save his younger brother's face, which is why he didn't take it out," Misty said sarcastically, telling Ash not to humiliate himself further.
"…" Ash was silent for a moment, then quietly squatted down with his head bowed, saying nothing.
"Greetings, excellent Pokémon Trainers in training, welcome to gather here, thank you very much!" The contractor of the dam construction, who issued the letter, shouted into a loudspeaker. "This is the biggest pest Pokémon of this century—Diglett!"
The contractor pointed at a drawing of Diglett behind him and cursed, disparaging Diglett as useless and only hindering human progress.
"Wait a moment!" Gary stopped the rambling contractor and corrected him, "Diglett is not a Bug Pokémon. I think it would be more appropriate to call it a Mole Pokémon."
"It's twenty centimeters tall and weighs 0.8 kilograms, making it the largest, yet very miniature, small Pokémon of this century!"
"Before dealing with Diglett, I'd like to understand what trouble Diglett has caused?"
"Good question. The Diglett have been obstructing the construction of the largest dam in the mountains. They are our natural enemies!" the contractor said shamelessly, accusing Diglett of wrongdoing.
"Hmph! Just as I thought!" Gary sneered, then turned to look at the trainers gathered there, "Everyone can go home; this is not Diglett's fault at all!"
[Chapter Complete]
***
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