The dream of becoming a Pokémon master

Once Articuno returned to normal, its cold eyes fixed on Kyosuke and the three other Fire and Flying-type Pokémon, Kyosuke knew that he could discard his unrealistic ideas.

Delicious food and a comfortable Poké Ball might be a powerful tool for catching ordinary Pokémon, but for legendary Pokémon, only strength will do.

"Flame," Kyosuke called out the name of the firebird.

Lieyan did not respond, but Kyosuke knew that he had understood what he meant.

In high-level battles, things can change in an instant, and Kyosuke focused all his attention on the two divine beasts.

Old Pen and Huang'er naturally took care of everything else. Kyosuke trusted them.

Keeping a close eye on Articuno, Kyosuke knew his advantage lay in defense and counter-attack. His quick reflexes and coordination with Blaze could evade most attacks, so he didn't rush to order Moltres to make a move.

In many situations, avoiding damage from attacks is already half the battle won.

Articuno didn't think that much; it opened its beak, and a cold breath rushed towards Moltres.

It's ice breath!

If it hits, it will definitely be a vital attack!

"Fly upwards!"

With a loud cry, Blazing Flame flapped its wings and immediately rose to a higher position, but Ice Breath did not stop either, sweeping upwards in response!

"That Articuno has amazing lung capacity." While mentally complaining, Kyosuke didn't forget to issue a new command: "Flame Vortex! One more time!"

Just as the Ice Breath was about to strike the Blazing Flame, the Flame Vortex was finally unleashed!

Moltres has once again escaped Articuno's sight!

"Flame Blast!"

Articuno stopped its Ice Breath and unleashed Blizzard!

In hailstorms, blizzards become an unavoidable skill!

But contrary to its expectations, the jet of flame came from the front!

"I won't use the same trick twice!" Along with the damage from the flames, Kyosuke's voice also came through.

Although Blaze also suffered damage from the blizzard, it was nothing compared to the devastating blow that Flamethrower inflicted on Articuno.

Articuno is absolutely furious!

It didn't come back here to be beaten up by humans!

Since hail has already formed, let's just keep using blizzard mode!

Endless wind and snow surged toward the raging flames and the fierce enemy.

The flames were manageable; they could be withstood without much effort.

But Lao Pen and Huang Er are already at full capacity!

Kyosuke knew that he didn't have much time left!

"Move at high speed!" This was a bold order, and Kyosuke didn't know if Reijin would listen.

Hearing Kyosuke's words, Retsu was also a little surprised, but he still disappeared instantly!

The blizzard continued to rage, inflicting damage on Kyosuke's three Pokémon every second.

The battle ends when one side can no longer hold on, or when one side falls!

Articuno was also guessing the direction Moltres would appear. It could be certain that even if this wasn't the final wave of attacks, it was time to use its ultimate move.

To ensure accuracy... then it will definitely appear behind you!

Articuno quickly turned around.

But we didn't see Moltres!

shit!

The Moltres actually appears in the upper left corner!

Articuno's habit of turning its head to the right also makes it prefer to turn to the right. Flying-type Pokémon are always used to looking down at other Pokémon, so appearing above is a relatively hidden position!

This is the disadvantage of wild Pokémon!

"overheat!"

When Articuno saw Moltres, it was too late to use its high speed to avoid it!

The damage from an overheated fireball was completely absorbed!

Moltres's overheating is far superior to Charizard's. Even if Articuno hasn't collapsed yet, it won't have much stamina left!

"Charge! Let's do another overheating!" Kyosuke's passionate voice echoed through the sky!

Even though the blizzard was still raging all around, he could feel his blood and his heart burning and boiling!

Moltres sprinted toward the smoke that had just been produced after the overheated Articuno hit it, but Kyosuke discovered that Articuno had once again moved to the left and behind Blaze!

"Hold on!"

Flame instinctively used Protect, but its body was still knocked away by Articuno's special move!

Kyosuke saw it clearly: that Absolute Zero at such close range—if he hadn't used Protect to block it immediately, thanks to the tacit understanding he and Reijin had recently developed, Reijin, even as a divine bird, would have been instantly killed!

But why didn't Articuno's speed decrease at all?

Despite suffering so much damage, it still maintained its top speed.

Is it the Snow Cloak ability? This hail weather not only makes Blizzard a slow and deadly attack, but also increases Articuno's evasion.

So, the previous overheating was probably just good luck.

Now, unless a move is guaranteed to hit, Articuno should avoid it!

However, Moltres doesn't have any moves that guarantee a hit!

Furthermore, having just used Overheat, Flame's Special Attack has been reduced, so its Fire-type damage might not be as powerful as expected.

The blizzard raged on and on, wearing down Lieyan's strength.

What should we do now?

"Chirp!"

Suddenly, Lieyan shouted at Kyosuke, waking him from his previous state of deep thought.

Looking at the blazing wings, which were covered in fine snow, and at the worried eyes of Huang'er and Lao Peng, Kyosuke realized that he had made a terrible mistake.

Hesitation during battles makes Pokémon worry, which shows how bad you are as a trainer!

"Ryūjin, do it if you want to!" Kyūsuke suddenly roared!

Blazing Flame responded excitedly and began to gather its power!

Articuno was so angry that it laughed when it saw Moltres ignoring it and charging up its power. It then used Absolute Zero directly on Moltres!

However, the fiery divine bird's fierce strike has already been completed!

After talking with Reijin, Kyosuke understood why Reijin liked the Divine Bird Strike, and then trained this skill every day.

Although we can't yet reach the point where we can release power without charging, we've already made the charging time extremely short!

His body transformed into a streak of white light, and the raging flames dodged absolute zero as they charged toward Articuno!

High-speed movement!

The distance gave Articuno enough time to react and quickly dodge the attack!

However, is it that easy?

"Blazing flames, now's the time!" Kyosuke shouted!

While charging up, Blaze had already anticipated that Articuno would use Agility to dodge, and its position...

Right to my left rear!

Controlling its body to turn, the divine bird struck Articuno with a powerful blow, much to Articuno's astonishment!

"The final burst of flame!"

Clinging tightly to Articuno, Blaze's body burst into flames!

"Go, Zero Ball!" Kyosuke threw the Poké Ball he had prepared beforehand, and it hit the target accurately!

Articuno's last thought before losing consciousness was: "This Poké Ball, just like that Moltres said, feels so good..."

Joey, bored in the poor town, sat at the front desk.

Poor Tu Town is just an outdated town.

Looking out the window, it's another blizzard today.

"This is the third time this year. He should have left the snow mountain by now," Joey thought. "He didn't even tell me."

At that moment, the doors to the Pokémon Center opened.

"Welcome... Kyosuke?"

"It's me," the boy opposite said with a smile.

"Did you just come down from the snow-capped mountain? Are you alright?"

"I'm standing right here, aren't I? Anyway, I've achieved my goal." The boy held up a zero-degree ball in his hand.

It looks just like a regular zero-degree ball.

"Then what's wrong with you?" Joey felt a strange sadness in her heart.

"Thank you for taking care of me. I'm leaving now," the boy said earnestly.

So he just came to say goodbye?

"No matter where you are, keep going!" Joey said with a smile.

"Of course! I will definitely become the Indigo League champion!" After saying that, the boy turned and walked out of the Pokémon Center.

It really was just a farewell. But, the Quartz Convention… I'll definitely watch it. Joey thought to herself.

As he walked out of the Pokémon Center, Kyosuke took one last look at Poor Earth Mountain.

The blizzard had stopped, and the sky was bright.

"It's time to head back to Pallet Town. The direction is... the Miacha Mountains?"