Chapter 277: Information on Moltres
Author: Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
"The Ecruteak Ho-Oh Photography Contest?"
Ash couldn't help but ask, his curiosity piqued.
"Yes. It's a contest established in the Johto Region to commemorate their great local deity, the legendary Ho-Oh. The idea is to view all things in the world from the perspective of the great god Ho-Oh."
As Todd Snap spoke of this, a sacred light filled his eyes.
Although it seemed the great god Ho-Oh had lost some of its trust in humanity and hadn't appeared in human sight for a very long time, holding this kind of competition was, to some extent, an attempt to win it back.
*Come and see the photographs everyone has taken for you. They all showcase the bond between humans and Pokémon.*
*Once you've seen them, all misunderstandings will be cleared up, and we can all be good brothers again.*
"Ho-Oh, huh..."
Ash thought of the Rainbow Wing in his pocket, which had apparently come from the Pokémon named Ho-Oh.
Its status seemed rather high?
Yet, it had shed a feather, and Brother Red had described it as trash. Before this, its status in his mind was actually lower than that of the dime-a-dozen Fearow.
"The Johto Region, you say... When I have time, I could go check out this photography contest."
Beside them, Brock squinted his narrow eyes, a flicker of interest in their depths.
Ever since he had made that precious video of the man-vs-bird battle for Ash on Cinnabar Island, he'd had the urge to become an action movie director.
"Oh? Is this foreign friend also interested in photography?" Todd Snap couldn't help asking.
Observing Brock's physique and skin tone, he thought he'd be better suited to playing basketball in the Unova Region.
Brock: "..."
He wanted to use Todd Snap's head as a basketball.
"Hey, don't you look down on our Teacher Brock! He's a man with a rock-solid will!"
As Brock's best friend, Ash naturally stepped in to defend him at once.
"And the video he filmed for me is a viral sensation all over the internet right now! It has over a million views!"
Ash immediately took out his Pokédex and pulled up the precious video of the man-vs-bird battle. It made Todd Snap's eyes nearly pop out of their sockets. It was only when he saw the uploader's name below—Congo Black Uncle—that he understood.
"Damn, so you guys filmed this! Black Bro is a badass!"
Todd Snap's face flushed red again. His Sage Mode faded, replaced by a surge of excitement as he got worked up for a second time.
Brock, on the other hand, looked at the person beside him, feeling a little moved. He hadn't expected his status in Ash's heart to be so high.
"Good brother!"
"Of course we're good bros!"
While Todd Snap was still watching the video, Ash and Brock couldn't resist giving each other a big, brotherly hug, making Misty feel like a massive third wheel beside them.
Of course, Ash had a second layer of meaning to his actions.
Just as emperors of old had eunuchs to record their great lives, why couldn't he, Ash, have a Black Uncle by his side to record his own magnificent life?!
"Brother Black is truly a great talent! Although the filming technique is a bit unrefined, it manages to display the bond between a human and Articuno to its fullest extent. It's incredibly intense!"
Then, Todd Snap looked at Ash, his expression as if he were looking at some kind of monster.
"My apologies, my apologies. I didn't realize you were a humanoid weapon, brother, able to film a tokusatsu movie with Articuno."
Suddenly, he had a bold idea.
"Say, can I join your team?"
Seeing the three of them immediately fall into a state of hesitation, Todd Snap quickly added:
"I'll just join the team temporarily for a little while! Besides, you've already seen Articuno. Don't you want to see another one of the legendary birds? I have a source of information!"
Ash's eyes instantly lit up, his breathing growing heavier.
"Another legendary bird?"
"That's right! The legendary god of thunder and lightning, Zapdos! Awesome, right? Haha, let me tell you, I know that the target is currently in the Power Plant northeast of Lavender Town!" Todd Snap said, patting his chest with a spirited and proud expression.
Photographers more or less had their own sources of information. He had just gotten this tip from his work group chat and was dying to go take a full-body photo shoot of Zapdos right away.
Unfortunately, his own strength was average. He'd probably be knocked out before he even saw the bird.
This Ash, who could go toe-to-toe with Articuno, seemed like a good choice...
Wait.
Why are they looking at me like I'm an idiot?
"We've already taken on Zapdos, hehe."
Ash casually pulled out a feather from Zapdos, as if it were no effort at all, pulling a major flex on the sly.
As expected, this action left him completely stunned. For the third time, Todd Snap's eyes were filled with astonishment.
He had seen two of the three legendary birds...
His gaze immediately grew more fervent. This proved that as long as he followed Ash, he would definitely have the chance to photograph that final legendary bird!
"Good bro, I also have concrete information on the God of Fire, Moltres! Please, you must let me join the team until we find it!"
Hearing this, Ash's eyes lit up. The three of them looked at each other and immediately said in unison:
"Nice one! Welcome to the team!"
Moltres, the last of the Kanto Region's three legendary birds. This was also the opponent that Brother Red had mentioned he'd find for his Charmeleon.
His Charmeleon was currently on the verge of evolving. If it could battle the God of Fire at this juncture, it might experience a qualitative leap.
"But I only know its general location. The rest you'll have to figure out on your own."
That's what Red had told him.
In the Video Game World, Moltres just stays on the ground, always on Victory Road at the Indigo Plateau, so it didn't require much searching.
But in this world, it was different. Its specific location on the Indigo Plateau, the time it would appear, and whether it migrated south to hibernate were all question marks. Ash would have to investigate all of it himself.
"Nice one."
He hadn't expected that just as he was about to forget the task Brother Red had given him, the answer would deliver itself to his door.
"Ahem, according to my knowledge, there has always been a Moltres on our Indigo Plateau, but it only appears in March and September. It doesn't stay there at any other time."
Todd Snap glanced at the time on his phone and explained:
"I've estimated the time. The next appearance should be in... one month."
"Excellent!"
Upon hearing this, Ash's eyes lit up even more. Because in one month, he would be heading to the end of the Indigo Plateau, which was also the location for this year's Indigo League Conference. He hadn't expected it to be right on his path.
"This world doesn't revolve around me, does it? Don't creep me out..."
Of course, this thought was fleeting. He was just a country boy. How could he possibly be the center of the world?
With Todd Snap officially joining the team, the four-person squad decided to first head to Pallet Town, and then set off for the Indigo Plateau a few days early in a month's time to search for Moltres...
Meanwhile, at a certain Secret Base, the Team Rocket Trio was enjoying a leisurely afternoon tea.
"Say, is it really okay for us to be so relaxed on vacation, Meowth?"
"It's fine. We've already hired a Pokemon Hunter online at a high price to capture the twerp's Pikachu. They just sent a message saying the target is completely in their hands. The delivery is probably on its way right now."
"That's our James! A true pay-to-win player!"
Hearing this, James smiled smugly, secretly recalling the day he was using Surf when a risqué little website popped up. Naturally, James watched for three minutes before promptly reporting it.
Unexpectedly, another interface popped up that caught his attention.
The website claimed to undertake all sorts of Pokémon capture operations, sealing them within a tiny space.
James immediately paid for VIP 13. To avoid suspicion, he even disguised himself as an old grandmother desperate for a Pikachu. He only wanted Ash's Pikachu, and his own existence must not be revealed, attempting to fool everyone. The other party naturally agreed to everything, stating they would immediately set off to capture Pikachu.
"Hello, you have a delivery."
A knock came from the door. The three of them were overjoyed. Since when did delivery services handle live Pokémon?
Haha, that one-of-a-kind Pikachu is finally ours!!
The trio cheerfully accepted an envelope-shaped package, but their expressions slowly began to freeze...
(end of chapter)