Goldenrod City.
Trainer Guild.
Lance leaned against the back of the chair, his clothes were somewhat disheveled, carrying some scars, but they had already been treated and didn't have much impact.
His eyes were empty and unfocused.
All his Pokémon had returned to normal with the help of Miss Joy at the Poke Center.
Watching the trainers and guild staff bustling in front of him, all were busy capturing or driving away the wild Pokémon that were running around in Goldenrod City, restoring order to chaotic areas, and reporting on the situation.
The incident with Zapdos was completely over, and the Alliance fugitive Tom Rokicki successfully captured Zapdos—something she had always pursued, a process somewhat bizarre and convoluted, but after listening to Azir's explanation, Lance generally understood the ins and outs of the matter.
According to Azir, the Zapdos that appeared was just one among many Zapdos in this world, possibly a powerful one, but not the so-called "Thunder God." The two Zapdos fundamentally differ, involving the concept of divine position in the Pokémon Realm.
Indeed, Zapdos also exists within a species; the Alliance has instances of capturing the Legendary Bird Trio, with rumors that a high-ranking member owns an Articuno.
Even if the Zapdos captured by Tom Rokicki wasn't the one with a divine position, it was still a Zapdos, and purely from a Pokémon standpoint, its limits surpass most common Pokémon, able to elevate a trainer to the pinnacle of this world.
Yet it was captured.
The key lay in the "Pure Gold Feather" eaten by Weedle.
The "Pure Gold Feather" belonged to the Zapdos with a divine position, it had the power to gather thunder and even summon Zapdos. How the Alliance obtained it is untraceable.
After Weedle ate the "Pure Gold Feather," the massive electric field sealing the entire slum gradually dissipated, and for some reason, the Zapdos that struck Natsuhiko and Weedle experienced a weakening of power.
Eventually, with Tom Rokicki's meticulous preparation, it fell to the perfect cooperation of her seven Pokémon and was captured in a specially-made Pokeball, disappearing from everyone's view.
Some say.
Zapdos felt anger seeing Weedle consume the "Pure Gold Feather" that even it needed, and while unleashing a Thunderous Strike in anger, it also weakened its strength.
Others say.
Though the enormous Electric Energy gathered by the "Pure Gold Feather" trapped Zapdos, it also provided Zapdos with endless power, and when the "Pure Gold Feather" was destroyed, Zapdos's power weakened accordingly.
Of course, there are other theories, each with its insights and views.
Lance doesn't know which speculation is correct.
The only thing he knows is that his good friend Natsuhiko and his Weedle disappeared under Zapdos's Thunder Strike, unsure whether they're dead or alive.
But considering Zapdos's attack, with Natsuhiko's physique and Weedle's state, they probably couldn't withstand it.
"Tom Rokicki, Sato Kenta..."
Thump, thump, thump, the sound of footsteps echoed in the corridor as a middle-aged man dressed in dark blue slowly approached Lance.
"Lance."
The warm, deep voice seemed to exude righteousness, the reverent gazes avoiding direct sight, indicating the complexity of the newcomer's identity.
Upon hearing the familiar voice, Lance slowly raised his head.
He saw a face with distinct features and light blue hair.
"Uncle..." Lance murmured, feeling his voice dry and rough.
The newcomer named Yuan, akin to Lance, belonged to the Dragon Taming Race, but from the previous generation, deeply connected with Lance's father.
He was also one of the top three investigators in the Alliance, who rushed to Goldenrod City as soon as he received the call for help.
Unfortunately, when he arrived, Tom Rokicki had already captured Zapdos and fled.
"Lance, your intuition is sharp. If we had listened to your advice sooner, perhaps the Tom Rokicki incident wouldn't have escalated this far. You're a natural investigator." Yuan sat beside Lance, patting his shoulder to encourage him.
"A natural investigator?" Lance muttered absently.
Suddenly, he stood up; within his light-colored eyes seemed to blaze a fire.
He looked at Uncle Dragon Master Gen, affirming:
"Uncle, I'm going to train in the third cavern of Dragon Cave!"
The Dragon Cave is the most important place for the Dragon Taming Race, and due to terrain and changes over the ages, it has many different caverns. The Dragon Taming Clan has labeled these caverns based on the wild Pokémon's strength and rarity.
As a talented descendant of the Dragon Taming Clan, Lance had ventured into the first cavern and brought out a Dratini, earning him a strong contender position for the next clan leader.
Skipping the second cavern to reach the third one demonstrates its peril.
"The third cavern?" Yuan saw Lance's determination, slightly surprised, then smiled and nodded, "Sure, upon your return you can enter, just say I approved."
"Alright!"
Lance's eyes turned cold, silently vowing.
Natsuhiko, I will avenge you!
...
...
Silver Company top floor.
Secret office.
Upon a brown leather chair sat a smiling middle-aged man, gently swirling a wine goblet, its gem-like red wine swaying lightly.
The person hidden within the shadows.
"Gym Leader, was it fun?"
On the sofa in front of him, a teenage girl clutched a cute plush bear, endlessly playing with it.
On the coffee table before the sofa, laid a document, titled "Evaluation and Implementation Control Simulation of Psychic-Type Pokémon's Psychic Ability Outbreak"...
Hearing the voice, the girl revealed a sweet smile.
"Fun!"
Meanwhile, standing in the office were many with identical uniforms, with straight postures and serious faces.
Visible on their clothes, emblazoned with a fiery "R".
Boom!
The office door was forcefully pushed open, and a burly man with short golden hair and an olive-green military uniform strode in.
The burly man, seeing the middle-aged man in the chair, promptly restrained his previously unbridled attitude.
Then he said, "The matter has ended, Tom Rokicki fled with Zapdos."
If a trainer with significant power from the Kanto Alliance were present, they would definitely recognize this burly man as the Withered Leaf Dojo Leader south of Goldenrod City, the Electric-type Pokémon specialists, Masashi!
And the little girl playing on the sofa was the Goldenrod Dojo Leader, Nancy!
As for who sat in the boss chair...
"Understood."
A faint voice replied.
"Since the Leader is in Goldenrod City, why not... That was Zapdos after all." Hearing the response, Masashi grumbled.
Evidently, as an Electric-type Pokémon specialist, even Masashi was eager for Zapdos, otherwise he wouldn't have hurried from Withered Leaf City.
The goblet still swirled.
"Zapdos, is it strong?"
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...Thank you to Lany Wei Naa, Qing Gu Wu Big Shot for the generous rewards, thank you to all the friends for the tips! Some truth: reading is fine, but as for tips... Save if you can, cough cough, uh, ease up on the monthly tickets!