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

Chapter 97: The Last Wings

Moltres carried me through the cold sky south of Freezington, while Alice rode Articuno and Elena held tight behind Zapdos. The Crown Tundra shrank behind us, and Galar opened ahead in roads, lakes, and wild grass.

Galarian Articuno flew beside us, pretending she was not interested in the chase. Every time Kanto Articuno glanced at her, she looked away with royal patience that fooled nobody.

"We are going to the Wild Area first," I called over the wind. "Galarian Zapdos went that way."

Zapdos gave a crackling laugh. "Good. A runner should be challenged where the ground is wide."

Elena leaned forward behind him. "Please remember we still need to land safely before challenging anyone."

"We will land safely," Zapdos said. "Dramatically, but safely."

Pikachu pressed himself against my shoulder, eyes bright from the height, "The storm bird is enjoying this more than he admits."

"I noticed that immediately," I said.

We reached Motostoke and landed outside the city gate, where the Wild Area stretched beyond the walls. East Lake Axewell waited past the gate, open and windy, with paths broad enough for a Pokémon that preferred running over flying.

Zapdos looked across the grass. "So this is the Wild Area of Galar."

"Past the gate is East Lake Axewell," I said. "If Galarian Zapdos wants space, this is the right place."

The city itself felt almost ordinary after temples, shrines, and speaking Legendary Pokémon. Smoke rose from Motostoke's towers, trains moved in the distance, and people crossed the streets with shopping bags as if the sky had not just carried six ancient birds over their roofs. That ordinary life made the Wild Area beyond the gate feel even larger.

Elena took one careful photograph of the open grass before putting her phone away. "If this chase turns into a report, I want proof that the route began calmly."

"It will stop being calm soon," Alice said.

Alice pointed before I finished. "There."

An orange bird stood ahead of us, back turned, long legs planted like it had been waiting. It did not look back, but its voice struck through the open air with sharp confidence.

"If you can chase me, I will grant you a battle."

"You want us to chase you?" I asked.

Zapdos answered with Thunderbolt before anyone could argue. Galarian Zapdos twisted aside so easily that the lightning only scorched the ground behind her. Then she sprinted.

She did not run like a Dodrio or a Rapidash. She ran like a thunderbolt had decided legs were faster than wings.

"Use the Rotom Bikes!" Elena shouted.

We recalled the Kanto birds for the chase and jumped onto our bikes. The motors hummed, tires caught the grass, and we shot after Galarian Zapdos across East Lake Axewell.

She was already far ahead.

I leaned low over the handlebars while Pikachu clung to the front basket, sparks snapping from his cheeks in excitement. Galarian Zapdos glanced back once and accelerated as if insulted that we had tried.

"This is ridiculous," Alice called from beside me. "She is outrunning bikes."

"That Zapdos is fast," I said, breathing hard despite the motor's help.

Elena's bike bumped over a rut behind us. "If she keeps sprinting, she may tire. Do not race only her speed. Race her stamina."

Galarian Zapdos cut across the grass, leapt over a low ridge, and landed without breaking stride. She turned around a lake edge, forcing us to slow before the tires slid. The chase became less about straight speed and more about reading her path.