Maen and Launce exchanged glances before sprinting down the passage toward the source of the explosion without hesitation.
As they ran, they noticed that the electric Pokémon, which had been hostile earlier, were now frantically fleeing from inside the power station as if they were being pursued by something terrifying.
Maen and Launce knew that whatever was happening inside was far more serious than they had initially thought.
Just as they reached the periphery of the explosion site, a deafening cry echoed through the air:
"Screeeeeech!"
The sheer intensity of the sound sent a shiver down Maen's spine. It wasn't just loud—it carried an unmistakable sense of rage.
The two rushed into the core of the power station, where they saw a group of people standing with their Pokémon. These individuals were dressed in black uniforms, each emblazoned with a bold red "R" on their chests.
Team Rocket.
However, what truly caught Maen and Launce's attention wasn't Team Rocket—it was the massive, thunderous Pokémon hovering above them beneath the storm-filled sky.
Zapdos.
The legendary bird of thunder.
Legends in the Kanto region described Zapdos as a being that appeared when dark clouds gathered, unleashing lightning as it soared through the sky. Now, witnessing it firsthand, Maen finally understood the sheer power of a legendary Pokémon.
Its sharp orange-yellow beak, lightning-colored feathers, and black-ringed eyes exuded an overwhelming presence. The jagged feathers of its wings and tail resembled bolts of electricity, and as lightning flashed through the storm clouds above, Zapdos looked like the living embodiment of thunder itself.
From Cerulean City, even the distant residents could see the storm raging above the power station. The sky was thick with dark clouds, and the entire area appeared to be at the center of a cataclysm.
While the citizens felt a sense of distant dread, Maen—who was standing at the heart of the chaos—felt the full force of Zapdos's presence. The electricity in the air made his skin tingle, his hair standing on end. Even with the power of darkness flowing through him, he could feel his body slowly numbing from the sheer concentration of electricity in the environment.
Maen had no idea how Team Rocket had managed to summon Zapdos, but one thing was certain—they had enraged it.
At the center of the commotion stood a tall man in a black cloak and a mask, his identity concealed.
When he noticed Maen and Launce's arrival, he spoke in a mechanical voice, ordering the surrounding Team Rocket members to deal with them. His primary focus, however, remained on Zapdos.
After issuing his orders, the cloaked man released six Pokémon:
Electrode, Electabuzz, Jolteon, Luxray, Raichu, and Weavile.
Upon seeing this lineup, Maen immediately suspected the man's true identity—Lt. Surge.
As a high-ranking executive of Team Rocket, Surge specialized in Electric-type Pokémon, and Zapdos was undoubtedly a prize he coveted. However, since he hadn't officially revealed his identity, he was clearly trying to remain anonymous for this operation.
Maen turned to Launce and asked, "Launce, didn't your investigators receive any information about Team Rocket gathering here?"
Launce's face darkened. "No. If Team Rocket mobilized this many members without us knowing, that means someone high up in the Alliance is covering for them."
Maen sighed. "We have no choice. We need to stop them and find a way to disrupt their plan."
Before they could formulate a proper strategy, they were suddenly surrounded by Team Rocket members.
"Charizard, Flamethrower!" Launce commanded.
"Haunter, Shadow Ball!" Maen followed suit.
Their Pokémon launched powerful attacks, but they were up against sheer numbers. Although Maen and Launce were stronger individually, the swarm of Team Rocket grunts slowly began to overpower them.
Meanwhile, Surge continued his battle with Zapdos. He took out a remote control and pressed a button. Instantly, several large machines positioned around the power station activated.
Zapdos, enraged, unleashed a powerful Thunderbolt attack, but surprisingly, its electricity was absorbed by the devices, rendering its attack far less effective.
Maen's eyes widened in realization.
He recalled how, in an alternate storyline, Surge had actually managed to capture Zapdos. At the time, Maen had dismissed it as an exaggeration—it was difficult to believe that an Electric-type specialist could take down a legendary Electric/Flying Pokémon.
However, seeing the preparations Surge had made, Maen now understood how it was possible.
First, Surge had brought five high-level Electric-type Pokémon to resist Zapdos's attacks.
Second, the machines positioned around the area absorbed Zapdos's electricity, neutralizing one of its greatest weapons.
And third, Surge's Weavile—an Ice/Dark-type Pokémon—was the key attacker in this operation.
With its speed and Ice-type moves, Weavile had a natural advantage against Zapdos, whose Electric/Flying typing made it particularly vulnerable.
To make matters worse, every Team Rocket grunt was equipped with rubber-insulated suits, minimizing the risk of electrical shock. They had also brought Ground-type Pokémon for added protection, and even their machinery was coated with anti-electric shielding.
If this battle continued, Surge might actually succeed in capturing Zapdos.
Maen and Launce needed to act fast.
Maen glanced at Launce and subtly signaled a plan. Launce gave a slight nod in response.
"Haunter, Haze!" Maen ordered.
At the same time, Launce commanded, "Charizard, Smokescreen!"
Dark mist and thick smoke immediately enveloped the battlefield, obscuring everyone's vision.
"Now!" Maen shouted.
Taking advantage of the cover, Maen and Launce moved swiftly. Instead of directly attacking Team Rocket, they aimed to disrupt the machines neutralizing Zapdos's power.
Maen quickly sent out his Gengar, who used Dark Pulse to short-circuit one of the energy-absorbing devices.
Sparks flew as the machine malfunctioned, and suddenly, Zapdos's next Thunderbolt attack surged through the area unchecked.
Lightning crackled violently, striking the battlefield and sending several Team Rocket grunts flying backward.
Launce's Dragonair emerged from the shadows, using Dragon Pulse to destroy another machine.
The tides were turning.
With each machine destroyed, Zapdos regained more of its power, and its fury grew more intense.
Realizing that their plan was failing, Surge gritted his teeth. "You pests…!"
He quickly recalled his Weavile and turned to his remaining forces. "Retreat! We'll get Zapdos another day!"
Hearing their leader's command, the Team Rocket grunts scrambled to escape, recalling their Pokémon and retreating into the stormy night.
Zapdos, now fully unleashed, let out another deafening cry before soaring into the sky. With one final flash of lightning, it vanished into the storm clouds.
As the thunderstorm began to dissipate, Maen and Launce stood amidst the wreckage, catching their breath.
"That was… way too close," Launce admitted.
Maen nodded. "But at least we stopped them from capturing Zapdos."
As the storm cleared and the city lights of Cerulean became visible in the distance, one thing was certain—Team Rocket would not give up so easily.
And neither would they.
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