As the gang finally reached Pewter City—Brock's hometown—the familiar rocky cliffs and quiet streets brought a wave of nostalgia over him. Just as they passed through the city's main gate, Ash's system suddenly chimed:
[Ding! Time-Limited Quest: Legendary Encounter!]
Objective: Catch the Moltres currently resting near Pewter Cave.
Restrictions: Only Pikachu may be used in battle.
Reward: Z-Bracelet & Pikachu-exclusive Z-Crystal –Pikashunium Z used to unleash pikachu exclusive z move 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt.
Ash's eyes widened. "A Moltres… here? And just Pikachu?" he muttered under his breath, a mix of excitement creeping over his heart.
Ash immediately summoned Charizard and leapt onto its back with Pikachu and Eevee in tow. Without a word, he called out to Misty and Sabrina. Both of them jumped up without hesitation—after all, as Ash's wives, they recognized the tone in his voice. When Ash got serious, it always meant something big.
Misty and Sabrina floated down gracefully. The moment Ash had moved, they had leapt without question— as ash's wives it had taught them to recognize when he was serious. No time for doubts, no time for delay.
Brock, as usual, was left blinking in confusion, still trying to process what was going on.
"Wait—what's happening? Where are we going?!"
Before he could protest further, Sabrina's eyes glowed faintly. With a small flick of her fingers, her psychic powers latched onto Brock and yanked him into the air after them.
"Waaaaah! I'm not ready to diiiiiie!" Brock wailed, flailing like a cartoon character as he clung to his own limbs for dear life, drawing a groan from Misty and a chuckle from Ash.
As Ash gave the command, Charizard roared and blasted forward with incredible speed, cutting through the sky like a meteor. Within minutes, they neared the location—an ominous, rocky clearing near the mouth of Pewter Cave.
As the group finally touched down near the mouth of the scorched cave, Sabrina let Brock go with a little thump. He hit the ground, scrambled up, and immediately dropped to his knees, planting a dramatic kiss on the earth.
"Oh thank Arceus, ground. Sweet, solid ground," he muttered, hugging the dirt.
Misty watched him with arms crossed and an amused smirk. "And he calls himself a rock-type specialist."
Suddenly, the temperature began to rise. The air shimmered with heat, and a wave of warmth washed over them.
Then, with a piercing, majestic cry, Moltres burst into view, its flaming wings slicing through the sky like burning banners. It hovered in front of them, radiating power, each flap of its wings igniting embers in the air.
Charizard narrowed its eyes, unimpressed. It scoffed with a low rumble, casting a sideways glance at the fiery legend.
"Tch. Flaming turkey," Charizard thought with a puff of smoke, refusing to be awed.
Ash leapt down from Charizard's back, landing gracefully atop a rocky outcrop as Pikachu and Eevee flanked him. He gave a firm nod.
"Charizard, return," he said, recalling the Fire-type into its Pokéball in a flash of red light. The battlefield was now set—with Ash and Pikachu standing tall, the blazing figure of Moltres before them, wings crackling like a living wildfire.
Ash reached into his inventory, pulling out a glowing item—the Rainbow Wing. Its iridescent shimmer caught the light, scattering colors into the heated air.
"I challenge you, Moltres!" Ash called out boldly. "If I lose, you can go free—but if I win, you'll come with me. And in return, I'll offer this: the Rainbow Wing."
The legendary bird tilted its head, intrigued. It let out a low, resonant cry as if acknowledging the sacredness of the item—and the trainer bold enough to wager it.
Far across the ocean, in the dense, mystical lands of Alola, a shadow stirred.
In a quiet shrine, Marshadow's eyes flared open. It had been meditating, cloaked from sight—but now, it sensed something impossible. A surge of ancient energy pulsing from the Rainbow Wing… from Kanto.
Without hesitation, Marshadow vanished into the shadows, its form blurring into mist as it began its journey—racing toward Kanto, toward Ash… and the spark of destiny that had been reignited.
As Moltres emerged from the heat haze, its fiery wings lit the canyon like a second sun. Each flap sent gusts of superheated wind roaring through the rocks, setting distant trees ablaze with its mere presence. The Legendary bird hovered above them, its eyes glowing like molten embers.
Ash stood tall, face serious, Pikachu at his side.
Sabrina gracefully floated down beside him, hair billowing as her psychic aura flared. Misty landed hard next, bending her knees to absorb the impact.
Eevee trotted beside Pikachu, eyes locked on Moltres with a mix of awe and concern. Togepi, sitting on Misty's shoulder, waved her arms. "Toooogeeepiii!"
"Pikachu," Ash said calmly, "it's just you and me this time."
Pikachu stepped forward, sparks hissing from his cheeks. Moltres shrieked, flames trailing from its beak.
Sabrina gave Ash a silent nod. "The psychic pressure this creature exudes… it's unreal."
Misty's eyes widened. "Dear… are you sure Pikachu can take this alone?"
Ash smirked. "He's not just a Pikachu. He's my partner."
Moltres opened with a blinding Flamethrower, fire gushing in a sweeping arc.
"Dodge and use Agility!" Ash ordered.
Pikachu zipped left, flames licking his tail. He vanished in a blur of speed, reappearing on a cliff ledge.
"Thunderbolt!"
Lightning surged from his cheeks, a crackling bolt arcing through the sky. It slammed into Moltres's wing midair, causing a stutter in its flight pattern.
But the bird recovered instantly, blasting a scorching Air Slash. The blade of wind clipped Pikachu mid-leap and knocked him to the dirt.
Eevee gasped. "Ebueee!"
Misty bit her lip. "That thing's not pulling punches."
Pikachu shook off the hit and growled, cheeks flaring brighter.
"Double Team!" Ash shouted.
Multiple Pikachus blinked into existence, surrounding Moltres. The real one darted among them as the copies scattered in all directions.
Moltres responded with a wide Heat Wave, evaporating all but the real Pikachu, who leaped above the blast with perfect timing.
"Iron Tail, now!"
Pikachu twisted midair and slammed his glowing tail down onto Moltres's beak.
Moltres shrieked and retaliated with Burn Up, its entire body becoming engulfed in living fire.
"Evade it!" Ash called.
But the sheer blast radius of Burn Up sent shockwaves across the canyon. Rocks crumbled. Pikachu was launched backward, bouncing across the ground before slamming into a boulder.
He stood slowly, fur singed, panting heavily.
Eevee and Togepi rushed to the ledge. "You can do it, Uncle Pikachu!" Togepi squeaked, throwing her stubby arms in the air.
Pikachu looked up. His eyes locked on Eevee and Togepi… then on Ash. Determination flared in him like lightning storm clouds.
Moltres charged again, this time using Sky Attack, its whole body becoming a missile of flame and wind.
Ash raised his fist. "Pikachu, use Thunder… full power!!"
Lightning surged in the sky above.
Pikachu screamed, "PIKAAAAAAAAAA… CHUUUUUUUUUUU!!!"
A colossal Thunder bolt struck from the heavens, slamming into Moltres just before its Sky Attack landed. The Legendary screeched in agony as it was engulfed in white-hot voltage, grounded by sheer force.
The entire canyon lit up like a miniature sun.
Moltres crashed to the ground, smoldering, wings flickering weakly.
Ash didn't speak. He stepped forward silently and pulled an Ultra Ball from his belt.
With quiet reverence, he whispered, "You were incredible. Rest now."
He threw the ball.
It struck Moltres.
Wobble...
Wobble...
Wobble...
Click.
[Legendary Pokémon Moltres has been caught!]
Silence.
Then cheers erupted.
"YES!" Misty shouted, pumping her fist.
Sabrina gave a rare smile. "A victory well earned."
Pikachu stumbled to Ash and collapsed in his arms, exhausted but proud.
Ash hugged him. "You did it, partner. Just like always."
Suddenly, a warm glow surrounded Ash's backpack.
[Ding! Quest Completed: Capture Moltres with only Pikachu.]
Reward Unlocked: Z-Bracelet + Pikachu-exclusive Z-Crystal [1,000,000 Volt].
A small box appeared in Ash's system inventory. He tapped it and watched as the Z-Bracelet materialized in his hand, golden with black accents. Beside it, a crystal humming with untamed electric energy.
Ash stared in awe. "Guess this is only the beginning…"
Ash then check moltres stats via his system.
[Pokémon: Moltres ♂️
Ability: Flame Body
Level: 70
Potential: Legendary
Skills: Flamethrower, Heat Wave, Air Slash, Solar Beam, Sky Attack, Agility, Roost, Sunny Day
Intimacy: 225 (Full value: 255)
Items Carried: Flame Crown — boosts Fire-type move power 2×, grants resistance to Water-type attacks in sunlight]
Ash nodded thoughtfully as he reviewed the screen. "Not bad… and that Flame Crown will make him a monster under the sun."
Misty smiled and said "Looks like you've got another powerhouse in your team."
Sabrina added calmly, "But that bond still needs to be forged."
Pikachu stood proud, chest puffed out, while Eevee ran circles around him in celebration. Togepi clapped, giggling, "Uncle Pikachu strong!"
Ash chuckled, tucking the Ultra Ball into his belt. "Let's get back to Pewter City. But first... some rest for our champ."