1. Ash's Story (Part 10: Galar)

Chapter 72

Riding atop Articuno and the Kantonian Zapdos, Alice, Elena, and I finally arrive at Motostoke City. Zapdos, looking around, remarks, "So this is the Wild Area of the Galar Region?"

"Past the gate is East Lake Axewell," I inform them as we head outside the city's gate. "But where could Galarian Zapdos be?"

"There it is," Alice points out, spotting the Galarian Zapdos ahead of us. The Pokémon is facing away when it challenges us, "If you can chase me, I'll give you a chance to battle me."

"Chase you?" I question, slightly baffled.

Zapdos tries to strike with a Thunderbolt, but to our astonishment, Galarian Zapdos dodges effortlessly and starts sprinting away. "What the... how fast is that Zapdos?" I exclaim, amazed by its speed.

"Ash, Alice. The Rotom Bikes! We need to use them," Elena suggests urgently.

We quickly hop onto our Rotom Bikes, pedaling furiously in an attempt to catch up to the swift Galarian Zapdos. Despite our best efforts, it's clear that our speed is not enough to match the fleet-footed Pokémon.

"This is getting a little crazy... That Zapdos sure is fast," I remark, panting slightly from the exertion of the chase.

"If it keeps running, it might tire out, and that might be our chance to catch it," Alice suggests, her eyes locked on the rapidly moving Zapdos.

As we finally notice the Galarian Zapdos starting to slow down, I call out, "Zapdos, now's your chance!"

Zapdos wastes no time, charging towards its Galarian cousin with incredible speed. It hits the Galarian Zapdos with a powerful Pluck attack, sending it reeling backward. "Damn it... I was careless... but if it's my cousin, I accept the challenge," the Galarian Zapdos concedes, recovering from the hit.

"You're not going to beat me," our Zapdos declares confidently.

The two Zapdos then engage in an intense stare-down. Our Zapdos makes the first move, striking its Galarian counterpart with another Pluck, eliciting a squawk of pain from it.

"Does that mean Galarian Zapdos is a Fighting Type? That move is going to hurt," Elena observes, watching the battle closely.

True to her words, the Galarian Zapdos responds with a Counter Attack, dealing significant damage to our Zapdos. "Or maybe the Counter is going to be useful as well," I note, impressed by the strategy.

Alice chimes in, "But still, Fighting and Flying Type isn't going to be great against the others."

In response, our Zapdos summons Rain Dance, creating a downpour. However, Galarian Zapdos counters this by using Bulk Up, boosting its Attack and Defense. "Wow... they really do have different moves," I say, amazed by their contrasting battle styles.

Zapdos attempts a Discharge, but Galarian Zapdos quickly uses Detect, shielding itself from the attack. Then, in a swift and powerful move, it leaps high into the air and lands a solid kick on Zapdos, causing it to wince in pain.

"What the... Is that High Jump Kick?" I ask, astonished by the Galarian Zapdos's move.

"No, that is Thunderous Kick," Zapdos clarifies. "The user moves like lightning before delivering a kick. It also lowers the target's Defense stat."

Alice adds, "And since Zapdos is a Physical Attacker, that's not good for us."

Zapdos then unleashes Zap Cannon at its Galarian counterpart, inflicting heavy damage. I notice the Galarian Zapdos is now paralyzed. "I almost forgot that Galarian Zapdos is Fighting and Flying... of course, it would get paralyzed," I realize aloud.