The Poké Ball touched lightly against Zapdos's forehead.
In the next instant, Zapdos dissolved into white light and was drawn inside.
This time, unlike before, the Poké Ball did not shatter into four pieces.
Instead, after shaking a few times, it gradually came to rest.
And that meant—!
The moment the Poké Ball stopped moving, the entire world fell silent.
They had seen Trainers capture Legendary Pokémon before, but watching someone do it live, in front of everyone, was something else entirely.
And unlike those who relied on persuasion or emotional appeals to earn a god's acknowledgement—
Ash and Pikachu had truly conquered Zapdos with their own strength.
And they did so in Zapdos's strongest domain.
The thunder god… defeated by thunder.
It sounded ironic, yet at the same time—was it not a form of glory?
To fall to Pikachu's power… Zapdos should feel honored.
[Lorelei: Wow. This is too dramatic. The so-called thunder god Zapdos getting beaten by Pikachu's Ten Million Volt Thunderbolt… that's rough.]
[Denji: I declare Zapdos stripped of the title of thunder god. From now on, Ash's Pikachu is the real thunder god!]
[Professor Kukui: Let's be fair—Zapdos still deserves the title. Ten Million Volt Thunderbolt is the move that defeated Tapu Koko, who actually holds divine authority!]
[Lance: When you put it that way… yeah, this Zapdos didn't even have divine authority. Losing to Ten Million Volts isn't unreasonable.]
[Lillie: Don't talk like beating Zapdos is easy! Why don't you guys try it yourselves?]
[Wattson: Let me correct something—Ash didn't simply defeat Zapdos. He gained its recognition using the strongest Electric-type move there is. That's not something just anyone can do.]
[Tobias: No wonder Darkrai didn't resist when I caught it… turns out Darkrai couldn't even give me nightmares!]
[Palmer: You're a real talent. If Darkrai can't give you nightmares, you should get your brain checked—your wiring's probably different from ours.]
[Cynthia: Congratulations, Ash. You've subdued Zapdos, and earned its acknowledgment. You could now be called a "Proxy of the Gods."]
[Bruno: Master Ash's list of titles is about to grow again!]
After the Rainbow Hero and the Sea Hero—
Ash now obtained a third title: The God-Proxy.
…
On screen—
When the Poké Ball stilled, Ash stepped forward and picked it up.
He glanced toward Pikachu.
Starlight shimmered in both their eyes.
"I caught Zapdos!"
"Pikaaa!"
Ash and Pikachu bumped hands, Pikachu hopping up with excitement.
Their mutual understanding needed no words.
This battle had been the most satisfying fight Ash and Pikachu had had in a long time.
In the World Coronation Series, none of their opponents managed to draw out Pikachu's full strength.
It frustrated Pikachu—
And it frustrated Ash just as much.
But this time, their opponent was strong enough.
Strong enough to force out even Ten Million Volt Thunderbolt.
Zapdos simply could not withstand that attack in full.
As for Pikachu—
It had finally taught that annoying feather-duster, who dared show off electricity in front of it, a proper lesson.
Of course, that was before Zapdos was captured.
Now that Zapdos had joined the team, Pikachu couldn't go around inciting division.
They were both Electric-types. Making Zapdos its underling wasn't a big deal.
Holding the Poké Ball, Ash took the still-shaken Chloe and left the rooftop of the Power Plant.
Their destination was naturally the Pokémon Center. Pikachu needed a quick checkup after that brutal fight.
After taking Zapdos's Thunder head-on for so long, even Pikachu needed inspection.
As for Zapdos—it needed serious treatment.
Struck by Pikachu's Thunder, then Ten Million Volt Thunderbolt…
On top of the recoil from its own Volt Tackle…
The fact it remained conscious long enough for capture was already impressive.
At the Pokémon Center, Ash placed Pikachu and Zapdos's Poké Ball before Nurse Joy.
This Joy knew Ash well—the Riolu Egg he received had come from this very Center.
Recognizing him, she greeted Ash warmly, then took Pikachu and the Poké Ball to the recovery room.
After a while, Nurse Joy returned with Pikachu and the Poké Ball.
But…
Her expression was full of hesitation.
Obviously, she had discovered Zapdos's true identity during treatment.
Zapdos—
One of the three legendary birds.
A Pokémon everyone in Kanto knew.
Yet it was now sitting inside a Poké Ball… brought in by a fifteen-year-old boy.
Had Ash really caught it?
It shook the foundations of her worldview.
Professional as always, Nurse Joy did not ask.
Instead, she quietly sent her thoughts into the Nurse Joy family group chat.
The Joy family and the Officer Jenny family were enormous clans—
one managing the world's Pokémon Centers, the other managing law enforcement.
They shared another trait:
Every member looked nearly identical except for regional features.
Only Joys could perfectly identify other Joys.
In the Joy group—
The moment Vermilion City's Joy shared her news, the lively chat fell silent.
Then exploded with even wilder discussion.
Most of it was normal—
But one message made her blush.
A Joy from another region suggested she should "claim Ash as her boyfriend,"
thus bringing Ash's extraordinary talent into the Joy family.
Vermilion Joy instantly refused—
But after remembering Ash's face, her resolve wavered for half a second.
In the end, reason defeated temptation.
She buried the thought deep in her heart.
Sorry, Ash-kun… I cannot interfere with someone else's feelings.
[Brock: As expected of Nurse Joy. Even now she thinks of others first—truly an angel.]
[Professor Cerise: Good thing Chloe was with Ash. Otherwise Nurse Joy might've stolen him away.]
[Norman: You're acting strange. Weren't you just saying Ash was a pig trying to steal your cabbage? Why are you defending him now?]
Compared to a pig, Cerise feared his daughter being taken by some blond pretty boy even more.
…
On screen—
After leaving the Pokémon Center, Ash and Chloe returned to the Cerise Laboratory.
Professor Cerise had been waiting at the entrance for ages.
He had only sent them out to investigate the thundercloud phenomenon…
But they had been gone for nearly half a day.
Seeing them safe, he finally relaxed.
Chloe rushed to his side and clung to his arm, excitedly recounting everything.
"Dad, listen! The thunderclouds really were because of Zapdos! We found Zapdos at the abandoned Power Plant—and Ash even defeated and caught Zapdos!"
Cerise blinked, stunned by the torrent of words.
His daughter… what nonsense was she talking about?
He had already deduced the thunderclouds were caused by excess electrical energy.
He had also guessed Zapdos might be responsible.
But—
My dear daughter… do you understand what you're saying?
Zapdos is one of the legendary birds.
Not something an ordinary human can capture!
Seeing her father's disbelief, Chloe puffed her cheeks angrily.
Ash stepped forward, pulling out the Poké Ball.
He tossed it lightly.
A burst of white—
And Zapdos, restored to its glorious form, appeared in the air above the lab!
Professor Cerise froze.
"Ah—Ash… this… this… th-this…"
He stammered half a day without managing a full sentence.
In his worldview, humans simply could not capture gods.
Even the legendary birds.
But this impossible thing was happening right before him.
Thunder crackled as Zapdos appeared; the sky automatically summoned storm clouds.
Cerise hurriedly urged Ash to return Zapdos to the ball.
But Ash shook his head.
"Professor, Zapdos must have had a reason for appearing in Vermilion City. I want to know why."
Above them, Zapdos heard him.
It simply stared down quietly.
This human boy truly was different from the rest.
That pure, warm power—
Zapdos would never forget it.
But—
Zapdos did indeed have something to deal with first.
"Zeeuu—"
'I must return to the Power Plant. I have unfinished matters.'
Not caring whether Ash understood, Zapdos turned and flew toward the Power Plant.
Pikachu clenched its fists angrily.
That damn bird! Leaving without even greeting it!
So disrespectful to the thunder god Pikachu!
Ash apologized to Chloe and Cerise, then hurried after Zapdos.
He had understood Zapdos's message.
That was his Aura.
Chloe tried to chase after him, but Cerise grabbed her arm.
She looked up puzzled.
Cerise shook his head.
"Don't go. With your current strength, you can't help—
You would only become a burden to Ash if something happens."
After saying this, he returned to the lab.
Chloe stood frozen.
Memories of Ash being struck by Zapdos's Thunder flooded her mind.
She bit her lip hard, but tears still rolled down.
For the first time, she hated her own weakness.
Weakness wasn't terrifying—
the terrifying thing was not understanding it.
Chloe swore silently—
Next time, she would not hide behind Ash.
[Professor Cerise: Ah, my Chloe… If possible, I only wish you could grow happily without worries. But if you choose your own path, Dad will never hold you back.]
[Norman: Exactly. Like my daughter May—when she decided to become a Coordinator, I supported her completely. That's all a father can do.]
[Diantha: Recognizing your own weakness means you still have time to grow. Avoid the trap of self-doubt, and Chloe absolutely can become one of the greatest female Trainers.]
Her words weren't empty comfort.
Chloe's displayed strength might not be outstanding—
But her ability to learn quickly would make her grow faster than most.
One day, she might even stand among Champions.
…
On screen—
All the way, Ash and Pikachu kept their eyes on the flying Zapdos.
This time, Zapdos did not hide itself.
Everyone in Vermilion City saw the golden giant bird soaring overhead.
People raised their phones to record—
But arcs of lightning burst from Zapdos's body.
Unless their phones housed Rotom, every device instantly died.
Professional behavior.
Zapdos reached the Power Plant.
After the earlier battle, the building was battered and broken.
Zapdos didn't mind.
It perched at the highest point, overlooking the entire facility.
Ash and Pikachu arrived shortly after.
Leaning on the railing, catching his breath, Ash finally looked up.
'Boy, do you know why I came here?'
Zapdos's tone was calm—nothing like the furious god from before.
Ash scratched his head.
How could he know why Zapdos came?
"You… uh… if you don't tell me, how am I supposed to know?"
Zapdos: …
…Fair point.
'Because I sensed my companions were suffering.'
Before Ash could respond, Zapdos took flight again.
Countless sparks of golden electricity burst from its body—
Falling like shooting stars around the Power Plant.
Ash and Pikachu tensed—
But soon realized they were mistaken.
Every bolt had a target—none fell near Ash.
Confused, Ash and Pikachu walked toward the nearest landing point.
And froze.
Zapdos wasn't attacking.
It was sharing its electricity with the Electric-type Pokémon around the Power Plant.
Magnemite, Magneton, and other Electric Pokémon revived energetically as they absorbed Zapdos's power.
'Humans built this Power Plant, but it disrupted the local magnetic field. The Electric Pokémon here couldn't replenish their energy.'
Zapdos descended weakly.
Landing before Ash, its feathers dimmed.
"I'm sorry. We were too selfish… I shouldn't have tried to stop you without knowing the reason."
'No… it isn't your fault.'
Seeing how weak Zapdos was, Ash immediately sent Aura into it.
"Catching you was my selfish decision. I'll release you."
Ash regretted capturing Zapdos without understanding the situation.
But hearing that—
The exhausted Zapdos snapped its eyes open in outrage!
How did the topic shift to this?!
Release?
Absolutely not!
Capturing me was your idea—
Now releasing me is also your idea?!
Wouldn't that make me look ridiculous?!
To read 30+ future chapters, head over to patreon:
patreon.com/ToastWizard