Chapter 58: Holy Moltres
~Third POV~
[Kanto Region, Later, Cinnabar Island]
At the Pokémon Mansion, members of Team Rocket pore through the building and its collection of research materials. Al furiously declares the team's determination to hunt down the traitor, Blaine.
As Red approaches Cinnabar Island on Gyara's back, he exclaimed excitedly, "There it is! That must be Cinnabar Island!"
*Swooosh*
As he spotted Cinnabar Island, a figure overshadowed him from above. Gazing up, Red smirked, calling out loud, "Oh! Hey, Azure, it's been a while. How are you doing up there!"
The figure revealed to be Azure riding his Dragonair, he smiled, giving Red a finger salute with Pikachu perched over his shoulder, and Eevee clinging to his head. He responded in a friendly tone, "Sup Red! I didn't notice you there, and your Gyarados! It's always a pleasant surprise!"
Red grinned, agreeing, but before they could continue speaking…
*Hoosh*
They spotted a large blaze along the coastline, and both proceeded to investigate the cause of the fire. Red recalled Gyara and hopped onto Azure's Dragonair to see what was happening to the closest cliff face.
Just peeking their head above the grass, they catch sight of Team Rocket Grunts engaged in battle. Their eyes narrowed as they thought, 'Yeesh! Team Rocket!!'
Observing the battle was with an Arcanine and Rapidash, which Team Rocket identifies as belonging to Blaine, charging in. As Al's Gengar clashes with Rapidash, Red wonders where their Trainer could be in a curious tone, 'So that's what that flame was…!! But where's their trainer…?!'
*Hwooo*
Moving away from the flames, Azure's eyes narrowed, clenching his Poke Balls. Red followed suit as he asked with a knowing grin, "Ready to rain on their parade?"
Azure grinned widely with a light nod, holding his Arcanine Poke Ball, "Ya know it. Time to party."
*Pop*
Tossing their Poke Balls at the ready, several Team Rocket Grunts notice too late that Red and Azure brought their Pokémon out. The first is Red bringing his Gyarados onto the water, startling them.
Second was Azure, bringing his Arcanine on land, growling disdainfully at them. Both roared angrily, startling the Team Rocket Grunts, "BARK!! GYARAAAA!!!"
Immediately, they launched their attacks respectively as Al's Gengar, "Gyara Hydro Pump! Arcanine Flamethrower!"
*RAAA*
*BRRR*
Torrents of water and fire clashed as Al's Gengar fainted immediately, along with any of the Team Rocket Grunts' nearby Pokémon. Struggling to get on their feet with Blaine appeared as he said quickly, riding his Rapidash down the cliff face, "Come on! Get close to me quickly, children!"
Both nodded, seeing the situation as Azure rode his Arcanine, recalling Dragonair and Eevee. And Red, his Gyara, that rode on land by levitating above, running away from Team Rocket, much to their bitter frustration at the situation.
While riding away, Blaine asked as they ran from Team Rocket in a curious tone, "You risked your life for me… my name is Blaine. And you are…?"
Red rubbed his as he sheepishly replied, answering Blaine's Question, "I guess so. And the names Fire Red."
Azure introduced himself riding on top of his Arcanine with Pikachu perched over his shoulder, "Azure Sky. On a serious note, how come those Team Rocket Grunts are after you? And why did they call you a traitor?"
Blaine looked down guiltily as he responded as they continued to run away from Team Rocket in a depressed tone, "Well… I was once a scientist for Team Rocket. But – Shh! It seems our pursuers haven't given up quite yet…!"
*Ffsh*
*Sshh*
*Shhooo*
*SHOOO*
Just as Blaine begins to explain, saying he used to be a scientist for Team Rocket, but before he can continue elaborating, a giant fireball begins approaching them from behind. Azure narrowed his eyes, already knowing the figure was feeling the heat as he thought, 'I get to meet the other Legendary Birds. The Flame Pokémon.'
Red says they need to fight back instead of just focusing on fleeing and calls on Poli to use the Water Gun, "Poliwrath water gun!"
*PLOOSH*
Red eyes widened in surprise as he exclaimed, "It… it isn't working?!"
The attack is ineffective, and the fireball suddenly picks up speed and hangs directly in front of them. Through the thick flames, talons are visible, and the fireball is revealed to be the Legendary Pokémon Moltres.
Al overlooks the confrontation back from the cliff edge, and laughs, promising to make Blaine regret becoming a traitor. He elaborates that the Moltres they captured at the Indigo Plateau is relentless, refusing to stop its attacks until its enemy is dispatched.
Back in the fight, Blaine tries to command a Fire Spin, which Moltres gracefully kicks apart into thin wisps. Red tries a Hydro Pump with Gyara, which is also effortlessly avoided, Moltres not even opening its eyes.
Finally retaliating, Moltres sends out volleys of fire, striking the earth, but Azure smirked, getting off Arcanine, summoning Dragonair as his mount responded, "Arcanine! Eat those flames!"
*BRRR*
The volley of fire attacked Arcanine as Red eyes widened, alarmed, exclaiming, "Azure! Why did – "
But he stopped talking, revealing Arcanine to be completely fine. Blaine's eyes narrowed, understanding what happened as he explained calmly, "I see. Your Arcanine is born with the ability Flash Fire, absorbing Moltres' attack. Not only that…"
*BRRR*
Fire erupted around Azure's Arcanine body, grinning at the challenge as Azure finished off calmly, "… my Arcanine gets a massive boost in his fire attacks. I'm guessing your Rapidash has Run Away and your Arcanine Intimidate?"
Blaine helplessly chuckles, being guessed at his Team's abilities in a shameless tone, "Ho! Yup! I usually use Rapidash as transportation and Arcanine battle-ready meta. After all, not everyone has a Fire Type majority in the Kanto Region!"
Azure opened his mouth but closed it up, recalling they're a minimum Fire Type in the Kanto Region, numbering only 10 in Kanto. And those only have their evolution line added and 1 Fire Legendary as he shrugged his shoulders, admitting out loud, "… Fair enough. But Red, do you have any Flying Type Pokémon?"
Hearing this, Red shook his head as Blaine added in an understanding tone of what Azure meant, "It's hard to fight a flying opponent without a way to get up in the air with it… what can we – ?"
*FLASH*
*BABAM*
Another powerful attack from Moltres sends Red's Old Amber flying loose, Blaine immediately picking up on its value as a Fossil. Azure eyes grew colder, staring at Moltres as he commanded his Arcanine and Dragonair, "Alright, fried chicken, no one harms my friend and gets away with it. Arcanine Extreme Speed! Dragonair Bubblebeam! Pikachu Thunderbolt!"
*Bzzzz*
*SWOOOSH*
*SPLASH*
As Azure battles Moltres from above, Blaine checks the Old Amber as he explains to him in a serious tone, "Old Amber! Red, we must go ahead where my secret laboratory! With your Fossil Pokémon, you can assist your friend in the battle against Moltres!"
Red looked reluctant to listen, as it would mean abandoning a friend to fight Moltres. But Azure cuts in as he said in a calm tone, "Red, no worries, I'll handle myself for as long as possible. The sooner you get your Fossil Pokémon revived, the faster you can join the battle!"
*Swooosh*
*BAM*
In a blur, Arcanine was already near Moltres to slam its wing. Moltres glared at Arcanine as it avoided Pikachu and Dragonair's attacks. Azure could see the two leave for the secret lab deeper in Cinnabar Island.
He grinned as he frowned, focusing his full attention on the Moltres. Moltres is a large, avian Pokémon with a light yellow plumage. It has a long, flowing head crest and a billowing tail, both made of reddish flames.
Additionally, its wings are also shrouded in fiery plumage. It has a long, thin neck, a pointed, brown beak, and small, triangular eyes. Its thin, brown legs have anisodactyl feet, with three forward-facing digits and one facing backward.
*BRRR*
Unleashing another volley of flames at Azure from the sky, he commanded, "Use Surf, both of you!"
*SPLASH*
Both Pikachu and Dragonair summoned a wave of water to block the volley of fireballs from Moltres. Managing to block Moltres' attack, it grew annoyed but quickly felt a shiver down its spine.
*Swooosh*
In an orange blur, Moltres saw Arcanine's maw was wide open, having used Agility, as Azure commanded, "Use Mimic! Copy the move Surf Arcanine!"
*SPLASH*
Unleashing a Surf of its own using Mimic, Moltres was stunned getting dropped by Arcanine using Mimic to copy the move Surf to douse it in water. Getting wet, Moltres flared up with fire, attacking anyone within the area.
Unfortunately, Moltres' main fire attacks were being absorbed by Arcanine's Flash Fire. It grinned as it lunged forward at Moltres as Azure commanded, "Time to hunt! Extreme Speed Arcanine!"
*Swooosh*
Vanishing in a blur Moltres were momentarily alarmed eyes narrowed cocking its head around to see where the Arcanine was. In a blur, it was on top of Moltres, attempting to pin down the Flame Pokémon.
*THUD*
Crashing down to the ground, Arcanine used Moltres as its cushion for the fall. Placing one paw, claws drawn at the neck, Arcanine glared disdainfully at Flame Pokémon as it roared victoriously, "ARF!! ROAAARRR!!!"
Moltres glared at the Arcanine, pinning it down as it roared out defiantly, "SCWAK!!!!"
*RMBL*
Purple energy imbued the ground, lifting rocks, alerting Arcanine as it pressed its paw down on Moltres' neck, growling. Azure commanded swiftly, "Arcanine use Agility on Moltres Ancient Power as stepping stones!"
*Swooosh*
Jumping up to avoid the incoming rocks aimed at it, using Agility, Arcanine climbed the rocks using them as stepping stones away from Moltres. This gave the Flame Pokémon enough time to fly in the air.
However, Azure didn't allow it the luxury to recover. He commanded, "Arcanine, use Helping Hand! Pikachu! Dragonair! Thunderbolt!"
Arcanine grinned as it landed on the ground using Helping Hand. A golden aura appears around Arcanine, and it transfers the aura to the target, being Dragonair and Pikachu, powering up their moves.
Both were charged with electricity as they cackled their power. Moltres' eyes widened as it was struck by their combined Thunderbolt.
*KABOOOOM*
A large pillar of a Thunderbolt landed on Moltres from the combined power of the Mouse and Dragon Pokémon. Moltres cried out in pain, being struck, "MOLLLL…!!"
*Fwp*
But despite receiving a large amount of damage, Moltres rises back up again. Azure narrowed his eyes as he muttered in an impressed tone, "Damn… even with the combined might of you three that oversized fried chicken is still kicking. I suppose being a Legendary Pokémon is powerful."
Dragonair and Pikachu nodded, having serious expressions. Arcanine merely snorted but reluctantly nodded, seeing that Moltres wasn't knocked out.
Moltres rises again, glaring hatefully at them as Azure tossed another Poke Ball, "Oh right, I almost forgot one more thing. Gengar come out."
*Pop*
Gengar pops out just as Moltres prepares for another attack. But Azure saw a glint in the sky, smirking as he commanded, "Gengar, hide in Moltres' shadow and retrieve its Poke Ball from that Al guy from Team Rocket, would you?"
Gengar saluted and vanished quickly into Moltres' shadow. Moltres looked offended as it began to attack, but then heard a swift noise, alerting it.
*Hyuuuumm*
*VOOOOOM*
A new Pokémon arrived carrying Red as he said excitedly, "Sorry I'm late!"
The Pokémon revealed itself to be Aerodactyl. Aerodactyl is a reptilian, bipedal prehistoric Pokémon that resembles a pterosaur with several draconic features. It has small, sharply pointed ears, narrow, dark green eyes, a ridged snout, a gaping mouth, and a strong lower jaw full of serrated fangs. Its body is covered in light blue-gray skin, and it has large, violet, membranous wings.
The clawed hands at the end of each wing allow it to grasp objects. There is a hump-like ridge with a spike on its back, and it has a strong tail with an arrow-shaped tip. Its talon-like feet have two toes in front and one in the back and can scoop up and tightly clutch its prey in flight.
Red and his revived Pokémon come, startling Moltres long enough for Blaine to arrive with his Pokémon. Wasting no time, Red orders Aerodactyl to attack, crippling Moltres's right wing as it struggled to stay up, "MOLLLL!! Squak!!!"
*Fwoooo*
Al pales seeing Moltres crippled as he quickly recalled Moltres in a hurried tone, "Shit! Retreat!! Moltres – Return!!"
*BOM*
Moltres returned to its Poke Ball form as it was going to Al. But suddenly…
*Shiii*
A purple hand came out of Moltres' shadow as Al paled. Azure's Gengar comes out from Moltres' Shadow, stealing Moltres's Poke Ball, using Psychic, "Gen! Gengar! Keke!!!"
Gengar floats over to the Azure side, sticking her tongue out at the Team Rocket Grunts and Al in the process. He bitterly bit his lips as they escaped, as Red mocks them, "Hmph… cowards!"
Grabbing hold of Moltres' Poke Ball, Blaine warned the two hot-headed boys in a pleading tone, "Red! Azure! Don't pursue them any further! Nngh…"
Taking a knee down Red helped Blaine up, concerned. Azure recalled his team, except for Pikachu perched over his shoulder as he tossed Moltres out of Al's Poke Ball, releasing it in the process.
*Pop*
Moltres looked exhausted as it tried to attack, "Sqauk – Ack!"
*BAM*
Slamming on the head, interrupting Moltres' retaliation, Azure shamelessly tossed a Luxury Ball at it, interrupting its attack. In the next second it was caught in a red beam of light and having been too exhausted along having its wing crippled…
*BON*
Capturing Moltres was a success as Azure checked his Arc Phone. The two looked stunned seeing how he captured Moltres in his hands.
|Name: Moltres (Flame Pokémon)
|Type: Fire/Flying
|Level: 50
|Held Item: None
|Gender: Genderless
|Ability: Pressure
|Nature: Brave
|Moves: Gust, Leer, Ember, Wing Attack, Safeguard, Fire Spin, Agility, Ancient Power, Sunny Day, Incinerate, Air Slash, Endure, Roost, Flamethrower, Heat Wave, Fly (HM), Overheat (IM), Dual Wingbeat (EM) (15 Moves to learn)
[Moltres the Flame Pokémon. Moltres sheds embers with every flap of its wings, creating a brilliant flash of flames. This display is said to have inspired the legend of the phoenix. Its fire is said to have combined with Articuno's ice to create the ocean's cradle, and it has some connection to the weather of the Orange Islands.
By dipping itself into the magma of an active volcano, this Pokémon can heal itself. Rarely seen, it migrates from the south with the coming of spring and is said to bring an early springtime to cold lands. There have been stories of Moltres using its wings to assist those lost in the mountains.]
Azure smirked, seeing Moltres on his belt, as he saw the stunned expressions on Red and Blaine's faces. Scratching his face, he looked around and asked confused, "What? Is there something I'm missing here?"