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Ash frowned as he stared at the Elekid in front of him. Although Elekid was a rare Pokémon, it wasn't considered particularly powerful, was it?
The voice Ash had just heard seemed distinct, giving him a different impression entirely. Its owner felt much stronger than Elekid, even though there was a faint weakness in the sound. Yet, it still projected an energy surpassing that of the Electric Pokémon. Ash could sense Magnemite from such a distance, so it seemed plausible that Elekid might also have been drawn to this location.
"No, it probably has nothing to do with that. It was likely attracted by the commotion here," Ash remarked.
Sizzsssssssss!
Just as Ash finished speaking, arcs of electricity started crackling from the wires lining the passage and the corners of the ceiling. Bursts of sparks illuminated the entire corridor. Even without a flashlight, the intermittent flashes of electricity lit up the area.
Misty and the others jumped at the sudden outbursts of sparks, but it confirmed one thing: this situation wasn't related to the Elekid in front of them.
Elekid seemed just as startled by the surrounding activity. It glanced toward the passage behind it, its face twisting into a thoughtful frown.
"You know what's happening, don't you?" Ash asked, watching Elekid's reaction closely.
Elekid turned its gaze to Ash but didn't reply. Brock stepped forward and added urgently, "If you know what's going on, please tell us. It's really important! If this keeps up, it could become dangerous for everyone."
Kawa!
After a moment of silence, Elekid waved at the group, signaling them to follow before darting ahead. The group exchanged glances and hurriedly chased after it.
After rounding several corners, they emerged into a massive room, easily tens of meters tall. The chamber was cylindrical, resembling a multi-leveled industrial structure. Instead of floors, the walls had roads and fences running along their edges.
"What is this…?" Misty gasped.
"This used to be the power generation room, but it's been abandoned for years," Brock explained. Although the machinery appeared unused, it was surprisingly intact and still functional.
Sizzsssssssss!
Suddenly, electrical circuits throughout the room flared to life. Sparks flew wildly as if the entire place was on the verge of bursting apart.
"What's going on here?" Brock muttered, utterly baffled. "The equipment is supposed to be off. How can this even happen?"
Crackling!!!
"Huh? What… what's that sound?" The sudden burst of noise rang in everyone's ears, causing their expressions to change instantly. Misty's face turned pale with panic.
"That's the sound!!" she exclaimed.
Ash felt his skin prickle as a wave of static energy coursed through the air. It was clear that this time, Misty and the others had heard it too. Looking around quickly, his eyes locked onto something in the distance—a massive generator partially obscured in the dim room.
Electric currents were crackling and flowing visibly, making the generator glow ominously. Ash's eyes narrowed as he pointed. "Over there!!"
Without hesitation, Ash strode forward, heading toward the direction where the electricity was emanating. The rest of the group followed, their eyes drawn to a ball of golden energy forming near the generator. The surrounding electrical lines surged with power, currents gathering and converging on the generator.
"What on earth is that…?" Brock murmured, his voice tense.
The generator loomed high above them. From their position, they could see the streaks of electricity, but the source was obscured by the machine's size. Determined, Ash sprinted toward a staircase that led to the upper levels.
Climbing quickly, Ash noted the enormity of the structure. It was clear that to get a good view of the generator's top, they'd have to reach at least the third floor. The group didn't hesitate, following him as they climbed higher.
Reaching the third-floor guardrail, Ash was the first to peer over. His gaze locked onto a figure perched on the massive generator. His eyes widened in shock as recognition hit him. The others joined moments later, equally taken aback when they saw it.
"That is…!!!"
"Zapdos!" Ash exclaimed, clenching his fist as he gazed at the majestic figure before him.
In the heart of the lightning storm, a Pokémon cloaked in vivid yellow feathers stood out, its piercing eyes surrounded by black, ring-shaped markings. Its sharp beak added to its imposing presence. Large, spike-like feathers adorned its wings and tail, contrasting with the black feathers on the back of its wings and the inner tail.
Atop its head, a crown of sharp feathers jutted upward, giving it an even more regal appearance. Its legs, khaki-colored and featherless on the thighs, ended in feet with four powerful toes.
It was none other than Zapdos, one of the three legendary birds revered across the Pokémon world. Staring at the scene, Misty gasped in disbelief. "This… this Zapdos… isn't it also a fake?" she stammered, recalling their previous encounter with a counterfeit Zapdos after the shipwreck where they met Ariana. The possibility lingered in her mind, making it hard to believe what she was seeing.
"No!" Ash interjected, his voice firm. "This one is real. I can feel it." His instincts screamed that this was the genuine article.
"But why is Zapdos in a place like this?" Brock questioned, his surprise mirroring the others'. Legendary Pokémon were known for their elusiveness, avoiding humans and urban areas to evade harm. Their rarity often made them targets for those with sinister motives.
Ash's gaze swept the area, landing on a shattered glass window nearby. "It must have come in through there!" he deduced, the jagged edges of the glass providing evidence of its entry.
"So it caused the electrical disturbance," Officer Jenny observed, her brows furrowing with worry. "But why? What's it doing here?"
Brock, ever the astute Pokémon Breeder, leaned forward, studying Zapdos. "Something isn't right," he muttered. "It looks injured… it's absorbing electricity to heal itself."
Ash nodded, recalling the weak cry he'd heard earlier. "I felt it in its voice… it's hurt," he said grimly.
Misty's eyes widened. "But how? Isn't Zapdos supposed to be incredibly powerful?" The idea of such a formidable Pokémon sustaining injuries left her stunned.
Ash clenched his fists again. "Even the strongest Pokémon can be vulnerable sometimes," he said, determination flashing in his eyes.