When the light faded, a new form of Eevee appeared before Xia You-a yellow-bodied Pokémon covered in lightning-like spikes: Jolteon!
Jolteon had slender legs and small paws, with a collar of white fur around its neck. The spikes covering its body were as sharp as lightning rods. Just looking at it, he could almost feel the boundless vitality and electricity within.
Pushing past the other Pokémon gathered around in curiosity, Xia You hurriedly took out his Pokédex to look up Jolteon.
Pokédex: "Beep. Jolteon, the Lightning Pokémon. Electric-type. It evolves through the use of a Thunder Stone. When startled, the fur all over its body stands up like needles to intimidate enemies. It excels at Electric-type moves and can absorb negative ions from the air, sometimes releasing high-voltage electricity of around 10,000 volts. Its considerable speed means that, in some places, it is even tasked with guarding other Pokémon."
"This is wonderful." Stroking Jolteon's sharp quills, Xia You nodded in satisfaction and praised it. "Jolteon, your new look is great. It really suits you."
Early morning.
Xia You left Cerise Laboratory and followed the winding mountain road uphill, slowly making his way into the mountains bordering Vermilion City.
After he had walked for quite some time, the terrain grew higher and the buildings on either side became fewer, replaced by increasingly thick, lush trees and rows of wind turbines standing on the slopes, their blades turning intermittently.
Among the mountains stood an old power plant built from red brick and concrete.
From the outside, moss had long since covered the cracks in its walls, and even the glass in several windows had cracked. Yet the occasional flashes of current along the wires and the hum of machinery inside suggested that it had not been completely decommissioned. Workers still came by from time to time to carry out the bare minimum of maintenance.
He looked around. Aside from the rustling stirred up by the breeze, everything was quiet, with no strange disturbances or signs of wild Pokémon.
Only when Xia You approached the power plant did he discover that its front doors were shut, secured tightly by a large, half-rusted padlock.
A nearby window was half-open, however, with broken glass scattered across the ground. He glanced left and right, and after confirming that no one else was around, climbed through it.
The power plant's interior was built like a maze.
Just like outside, it was unusually quiet, and the orange emergency lights left it dimly lit.
Taking out his flashlight, Xia You tore off the tape. Only after switching it on and sweeping its beam around could he properly make out the plant's interior layout.
Uneven footsteps echoed softly through the corridors as Xia You searched carefully, but even after opening the doors to several rooms, he found nothing unusual.
"Have any of you noticed anything strange?"
At Xia You's question, Kirlia and the other Pokémon all shook their heads gently.
Nothing?
Could this really just be aging equipment?!
Puzzled, Xia You rubbed his chin and instructed them, "Still, since we're already here, let's split up and look around. We might find something."
Yet no sooner had he finished speaking than he suddenly heard what sounded like a cry from deep within the power plant.
The sound was short and clear. Though it lasted only an instant, his keen ears still caught it.
That sound...
Xia You tilted his head to listen. When no second cry followed, he turned to his Pokémon.
The Pokémon nodded one after another. Clearly, they had heard it too.
"It sounded like it came from over there. Let's go!"
With his Pokémon in tow, Xia You hurried along, turning left and right until they finally reached a door standing ajar.
Through the gap, he could see sunlight streaming down through the glass roof, illuminating the entire room. The humming of several generators told Xia You at a glance that this was the power plant's most important section-the main power room.
What surprised Xia You even more, however, was the enormous, golden-yellow bird Pokémon perched on a machine inside, steadily drawing electricity from the generators!
Seeing that familiar shape and striking figure, Xia You felt a jolt of awe despite having already encountered so many Pokémon.
It really was the Legendary Pokémon-Zapdos!!
Zapdos was an extremely rare Legendary Pokémon. Its body was primarily golden yellow, with numerous spike-like feathers growing from its wings and tail. Beneath its sharp eyes was a long, pointed orange beak. Because it could control lightning and change the weather, people often called it the god of thunder!
What should I do now?
Xia You glanced back at his Pokémon. Seeing them all watching him, waiting for his orders, he clenched his fists.
This is a heaven-sent opportunity. Since I've run into it, I have to catch it, no matter what!
But catching Zapdos with his current Pokémon would be no easy task.
Zapdos was an Electric- and Flying-type, and none of Xia You's current Pokémon had a type advantage over it. Conversely, Zapdos could deal double damage to his Squirtle.
Still, no matter how difficult it might be, Xia You did not want to let this opportunity slip away.
"Kirlia, Ivysaur, Jolteon, Squirtle, and Charmander, I'm counting on you now. Our opponent this time is incredibly powerful. None of you could beat it one-on-one, so don't hold back. Attack together and defeat it!"
The Pokémon all cried out in unison. Then the power room's door burst open, and Jolteon charged in first. The others streamed in behind it, surrounding Zapdos.
Inside the room, Zapdos had been replenishing its strength. Having its meal interrupted infuriated it, and discovering that the nuisances were merely a group of low-level, unevolved Pokémon made it even more impatient!
It let out an angry cry and beat its wings. In an instant, a searing wave of electricity swept outward.
It was trying to use its overwhelming presence to drive these Pokémon out of its territory!
Xia You stepped into the power room and shouted at Zapdos, "Zapdos, put your freedom on the line and give us everything you've got in battle!"
Zapdos gazed down at Xia You arrogantly, seemingly paying him no mind at all.
"In that case, I'll take that as agreement." Xia You took out a Poké Ball and tossed it in his hand. "Kirlia, use Magical Leaf! Ivysaur, use Razor Leaf! Charmander, use Ember! Squirtle, use Water Gun! Everyone, attack together!"
At Xia You's command, all manner of moves came hurtling toward Zapdos from every direction, and the great battle to capture it began!
Before you continue