Pokémon, Ash is going to become a perfect man from now on.

...

After the bizarre interlude, everyone learned of Xiao Mao's purpose in coming.

"I've already defeated my eighth gym, but I heard that Zapdos has been spotted around here, so I came to check it out," Gary explained. "And you guys, is that what you're here for too?"

“We came for Raikou,” Ash said, shaking his head. “However, this incident also involves Zapdos, which is now missing.”

"Disappeared...what exactly happened?" Xiao Mao frowned deeply.

“We’ll discuss the specifics on the way,” Xiao Zhi said. “We need to find a ranger involved in the incident to get more information. Since you’re here, I’ll trouble you to communicate with him.”

There's no way around it, everything's happening all at once. Ash is in Pikachu form now, so it's best not to frighten outsiders too much.

Anyway, Xiao Mao is from a prestigious family, and everyone in Daguan knows they are best buddies, so it's perfect to have him as their spokesperson.

So, after donating a space to the town's Pokémon Center, the group continued their journey...

They first went to a forest near the town and found the forest ranger in charge at the work station there—a young woman in overalls.

"May I ask who you are...?"

“My name is Xiao Gang! Beautiful lady, let’s have a cup of tea and chat slowly… Oops!” Uncle Gang had only been online for three seconds when Xiao Xia grabbed him by the ear and dragged him out of the group chat.

"I'm sorry, it was our companion who was being abrupt," Gary explained seriously. "I am Professor Oak's grandson, Gary Oak. I was asked by Ash to come and find the ranger here, Ms. Yuza."

"I am Yusha!" the young female ranger immediately identified herself. "Commander Xiaozhi contacted me before... but where is he now?"

"He has an important mission and can't come right now," Gary said discreetly. "Miss Yuza, we need you to lead the way to the place where Zapdos last disappeared!"

"Please follow me, everyone." Yu Sha hesitated for a moment, then led the group.

Soon, the group arrived at a large lake deep in the forest.

This should have been a beautiful place, but now it's lifeless. Many Electric-type Pokémon, such as Jolteon and Raichu, are listlessly slumped on the shore.

“Zetzart disappeared right here,” Yusha explained, her face full of worry. “It was nighttime, and I only saw a huge bolt of lightning from afar. By the time I got there, it was too late…”

"Here?" Xiaoxia asked, puzzled. "Why would Zapdos be here, and why are there all these Electric-type Pokémon?"

Generally speaking, the most habitable environment in this kind of setting should be a water system.

"This is because there was a special crystal at the bottom of the lake that could heal Electric-type Pokémon, and even Zapdos often came to rest there... But now, that crystal is gone..."

As she spoke, Yu Sha's voice grew increasingly somber, and her face showed obvious self-reproach.

In her view, it was all because she failed to report the situation that Zapdos remained missing until now…

Chapter 553 The Trial of Rebirth, The Legend of the Thunder God

Ranger Yusa not only saw Zapdos, but also had a good relationship with it, and kept the secret of the lake for Zapdos.

So when Zapdos went missing, her first reaction wasn't to report it immediately, but to try and solve the problem herself.

As for the final result...

Even if she found a useful clue, she wouldn't be able to track it down.

All she could do was worry in vain about the missing Zapdos and Crystal... It wasn't until Ash came to her that she reluctantly agreed to a meeting.

Of course, Xiaozhi wouldn't blame or make things difficult for her because of this.

Given that the matter involved legendary Pokémon, her reaction was perfectly normal, especially since her original intention was simply to protect Zapdos.

Even now, when faced with something like this, Xiao Zhi just wants to solve the problem quickly and is too lazy to argue with anyone about right and wrong.

...

"Can you... really save Zapdos?" Seeing that Gary remained silent, Yuza asked worriedly.

"Don't worry, my companions have already started investigating and will find clues soon," Xiao Mao said calmly.

Yu Sha then realized that their group had indeed started to split up.

Lila, carrying a Pikachu wearing a hat, went to find some Electric-type Pokémon by the lake. Although she didn't say a word the whole time, it was as if she could communicate with those Pokémon.

All the Electric-type Pokémon were dancing and gesturing wildly, with one of them, Lanturn, spinning around in the water and pointing its antennae in a certain direction in the air.

In addition, Xiaoxia had already changed into her swimsuit and, together with her Starmie and Goldeen, dived underwater to conduct a detailed investigation in Alakazam.

Before long, she floated back to the shore and opened her palm in front of Xiao Mao.

"I found this thing, it should be useful."

It was a golden feather, very hard in texture, and looked like a sharp spike. It also had a tiny arc of electricity on it, and it felt slightly tingly when you held it.

"It should be a feather from Zapdos..." Gary pondered, "I just don't know if I can use it to pinpoint Zapdos's location."

"Pikachu!" At that moment, Pikachu suddenly came over with Ash.

They rubbed their cheeks together, generating a burst of electricity that struck the Zapdos's feathers.

click!

A bolt of lightning erupted, and Zapdos' feathers suddenly released a ray of electricity into the air, precisely in the direction Lanternfish had pointed out to Lila!

"Really? Let's hurry and chase after them!"

Xiao Mao was overjoyed and quickly told his companions to get ready, and they began their pursuit following the direction indicated by the electric arc.

Meanwhile, ahead of them, a massive bolt of lightning was crashing down from the dark clouds!

Boom!

After a fierce battle, the legendary incarnation of thunder was covered in wounds. Its body was tightly bound by the enemy's capture device, and it was then forcibly dragged into the aircraft that was about to take off.

"Damn it... You can't take Lei Gong away!" The boy, slumped on the ground opposite the aircraft, roared in frustration.

But neither he nor his female companion could do anything but watch helplessly.

In the exchange just now, they had intended to rescue Lei Gong who had been attacked, but their hands were quickly knocked down by their opponent, leaving them no room to resist.

"Hmph, just two useless brats, daring to interfere in Team Rocket's affairs. Do you really think you're like the Red Devil?" A captain-like figure on the spacecraft sneered disdainfully.

"You're lucky today. We're in a hurry, otherwise we wouldn't have let you go so easily!"

A contemptuous laugh echoed as the engine roared away, leaving the resentful boy clenching his fists on the ground…

"Kenta..." The girl beside him wanted to comfort him worriedly, but for a moment she didn't know what to say.

Just then, an incredibly cool flight formation suddenly descended from the sky!

Led by the ferocious Aerodactyl, followed by Pidgeot, Charizard, Metagross, and Corviknight... Especially the last two, the boy and girl only vaguely knew that Metagross was a pseudo-legendary in Hoenn, and they had never even heard of the other one!

"You are..." Kenta stared blankly at the group of five who had suddenly appeared, and found that there were actually people he knew among them!

The guy in the lead who looks a bit arrogant is probably Professor Oak's grandson, Shigeru Oak, who's currently making waves in Johto.

The girl following closely behind appears to be one of Mr. Ash's rumored girlfriends...

Incidentally, Kenta also watched last year's Quartz Conference, and he knew that the Kanto Three Primary Colors were connected to the Three Legendary Birds.

As Kenta was sizing up Shigeru and the others, Ran also showed a surprised expression: "Aren't you Marina, the contestant from the Asagi Tournament?"

"Uh...you know me?" The girl next to Kenta was taken aback.

"We went to cheer for Miss Ami on the day of the Asagi Tournament, so we watched your match," Xiaolan explained with a smile. "It's a pity you ran into Hoenn. If you hadn't met that girl, you might have been able to meet Miss Ami in the finals."

"Thank you..." Marina blushed slightly. Being affirmed in this situation made her happy, but she also felt a little overwhelmed.

"Get to the point, what was that lightning strike just now?" Xiao Mao impatiently cut to the chase.

"It's Team Rocket, they kidnapped Raikou!" Kenta explained in a deep voice.

"They must have just left... We can definitely catch up now!" After a quick calculation, Xiao Mao immediately decided to give chase again.

Just as he was about to take off in his fossil pterosaur, Kenta suddenly stopped him with a serious expression.

"Please, take me with you! I also want to contribute to rescuing Lei Gong!"

"You?" Shigeru raised an eyebrow, glanced at Kenta's battered and bruised FireBeast, and shook his head almost imperceptibly.

"Don't worry, I definitely won't hold you back!" Kenta immediately patted his chest and assured him, seemingly noticing Xiao Mao's hesitation.

Seeing his expression, Xiao Mao's face darkened even further...

But before Xiao Mao could refuse, Xiao Lan quietly pressed down on his wrist, stopping him silently.

Xiao Lan could tell at a glance that Kenta was the type who wouldn't give up easily. Wasting time arguing or explaining to him here would only make it harder for them to continue pursuing the enemy.

"You can come with us if you want, but do you have a Pokémon that can carry people?" Gary asked patiently after being reminded.

"Ah..." Kenta blushed slightly, then pleaded softly, "Could you... spare one for me...?"

"Use this. If it can keep up, then keep up. If it can't, then let it come to me on its own!" A little impatient, Xiao Mao threw the ball and released a giant bird, then rode the fossil pterosaur away.

"We're leaving too, good luck to you guys~" Xiao Lan waved with a smile and followed closely behind with the rest of her companions.

"This... Big-beaked Sparrow, please, take the two of us with you..." Kenta hesitated for a moment, looking at Marina's expectant little eyes, but he could only bite the bullet and beg Big-beaked Sparrow.

"Gah..." Ho-Oh's degenerate form rolled its eyes dramatically, but still had no choice but to bend down.

Two people it is, I guess. After all, I'm just a tool pet, aren't I?

And so, Kenta and Marina finally set off, stumbling and struggling.

Meanwhile, Xiao Mao and the others, who had gone ahead, found a secret base in the mountains after searching for a while!