Chapter 236: Articuno!
2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
In the deepest part of the Seafoam Islands Cave.
"Screee!!"
With a high-pitched cry, a large, ice-blue bird spread its wings and rose, revealing its complete form to everyone.
"So this is Articuno..."
Ash, Misty, and Brock stared blankly at the great, icy bird circling above, all of them mesmerized by its beautiful form.
Its feathers were an ice-blue, like glazed glass. Atop its head was a crown formed by three diamond-shaped feathers resembling icicles. Its red eyes were elegant and mysterious, and its grayish-brown beak was somewhat short, unlike that of an ordinary bird. A tuft of white fluff grew on its chest.
Most unique was Articuno's tail. It draped behind it, fluttering without wind like a vibrant banner, and seemed even longer than its entire body. It glittered with shimmering ice crystals, a truly beautiful sight.
An ice-blue mist of ice crystals spread out from Articuno's body, and a chilling intent enveloped the entire deep Cave.
"Pokedex Beep. Articuno, a Legendary Pokémon. The God of the Snowy Mountain, the God of Misfortune. It can create powerful Blizzard weather. Its appearance is stunning, but it's not particularly useful. You can catch it or not."
The Pokedex prompted.
The moment Ash's group entered this deep Cave, the dozing Articuno had sensed their presence. It unfurled its wings and took flight, maintaining the image and dignity befitting a Legendary Pokémon.
Noble, elegant, beautiful, mysterious...
Watching the legendary ice bird fly near the Cave's ceiling, Ash and his friends felt that no matter how many of these words were used to describe it, they would all be fitting.
"Screee!!"
Articuno cried out again, and a terrifying Pressure and Aura instantly enveloped the area. The moisture in the air seemed to freeze, making it difficult to breathe. Even the surrounding rock walls trembled slightly, and the three of them couldn't help but take half a step back.
What a powerful Aura!
"I've decided!"
Among the three, Ash suddenly bit his tongue to clear his head. He pressed down on his hat, took a large stride forward, and then sharply lifted his head, his eyes becoming incomparably clear and firm as he stared directly at the Articuno in mid-air.
Although his Aura was vastly inferior, he showed no signs of backing down.
"Hey, I'm going to defeat you and catch you, Articuno!!" he shouted, making no effort to hide his intentions.
He had fallen in love with a Legendary Pokemon of such magnificence at first sight.
Leaving aside its Aura, which was a cut above the Zapdos he encountered at the Power Plant, its appearance alone was on a completely different level.
He, Ash, had always been a fan of all things flashy.
"Scree~~"
Articuno gave a soft cry and landed on a High Platform of ice, looking down on Ash.
It hadn't expected that even while it secluded itself in the deepest part of the Seafoam Islands Cave—a cave with a complex, labyrinthine layout and even a giant boulder blocking its only entrance—a Trainer would still find their way in.
Articuno sensed the Feathers in Ash's sleeve. One of them, judging by its scent, belonged to that scraggly bird hiding out in the Power Plant to the north—hardly worth mentioning.
But the other one...
It sensed the Aura of a lofty Superior. Even as the God of the Snowy Mountain, it dared not be careless.
"Screee!!"
Articuno spread its wings. With a single flap of its ice-blue wings, a chilling intent surged forth through its feathers and landed on the Rocky Area.
*K-K-Klang...*
A wall of solid ice abruptly rose from the ground closest to it. The cold air continued to spread, creating a straight Path of ice that broke through the ground, extending for a certain distance before making a sharp 90-degree turn.
*K-K-Klang!*
Countless walls of solid ice erupted from the Rocky Area!
In a matter of seconds, an area roughly the size of a Training Ground around Ash and Articuno was encircled by a massive ring of icy stone. An entire Battle Arena had been created out of thin air, trapping the two of them inside.
Instantly, a frigid air filled the interior of the ice walls. White Mist drifted before Ash's and Articuno's faces as the Aura of the human and the bird began to rise.
Brock and Misty, however, were now blocked outside the Ice Arena.
Legendary Pokémon, to varying degrees, all bear the obligation of accepting challenges, serving as a Trial for Humans or Wild Pokémon. Although they could choose to refuse, the special Feather in Ash's possession had prompted Articuno to accept.
It seemed he had an in.
"Nice move!"
Ash, breathing heavily, was stunned by this Skill of creating a field of piercing ice. His eyes then lit up, and his gaze toward Articuno grew even more fervent.
Casually creating such a flashy Icy Field was far more impressive than the Electric Terrain created at the Power Plant.
Ash stood at one end of the Icy Field, his eyes fixed on the large bird. He then thrust his thumb out, sending out his Ace without a second thought.
"Alright, Pikachu, I choose you!"
The Electric Type has an advantage over the Flying Type. Even if there was a billion-point difference in Level and Imposing Might, he believed that the current Pikachu could accomplish anything!
On the High Platform.
Articuno: "?"
This Human had shouted at the top of his lungs, but after waiting for a long time, what was next?
Ash felt a bit awkward. He looked left and right but found that Pikachu was nowhere to be seen. He could clearly see the surrounding Lights, but he had no idea where the light source was.
"..."
Hidden somewhere, Pikachu had already entered a state of hibernation. Never mind that the Electric Type has a Type Advantage against the Flying Type; an Electric Mouse Pokémon is naturally quite fearful of a massive bird of prey like Articuno.
Besides, today it was just a light bulb, a neutral NPC not to be involved in worldly affairs.
It had already pushed the move Flash to its Ultimate State, making it impossible for people to see where the light source was.
But it was right there, not an inch more, not an inch less.
"Pikachu..."
Ash frowned, silently cursing Pikachu for messing up again.
MVP and godlike in every training match, but guaranteed to choke in an official Battle. You could always trust Pikachu; it never disappoints when it comes to being disappointing.
"Tsk..."
Ash had no choice but to give up on the Electric Mouse, his hand moving to the Poké Ball on his waist.
Based on Type, sending out Charmeleon would undoubtedly be the best choice now. But Brother Red had told him before that after being tempered by the Magma of the Fire Lotus Volcano, Charmeleon was likely on the verge of Evolution. What it needed now was to accumulate Strength, not detonate that Strength on the spot.
"I've already found the perfect opponent for it."
He had even chosen the Catalyst for its Evolution. It could be said that on the current Team, apart from Pikachu, the one Brother Red was most optimistic about was this Charmeleon.
Even the honored Bulbasaur, blessed by the Mysterious Garden, didn't receive this kind of treatment.
As for the next choices... Gengar was not in good Condition. It had snuck off to explore Cinnabar Town last night and was now worn out and unfit for Battle.
The two Bug Pokémon would just be cannon fodder...
The esteemed Bulbasaur couldn't do a sliding tackle on a flying bird...
Wartortle was in hibernation...
"Pidgeo-Pidgeo!!"
An urgent cry from behind suddenly interrupted Ash's thoughts. He felt something slap the back of his head.
"That's right, there's still you, Pidgeotto!"
Ash quickly turned his gaze to his Utility Bird. A battle between birds wasn't a bad choice either.
"I choose you, Utility Bird!!"
Ash subtly positioned himself behind Pidgeotto, putting himself back in the Trainer's spot. He had a faint feeling that this Pidgeotto had been intentionally or unintentionally trying to switch roles with him.
Treacherous ambitions?
He stole a glance, but seeing Pidgeotto's serious, harmless-looking face, he didn't dwell on it.
(end of chapter)