"Is this... Fire Island?" Ash asked, his voice echoing against the rocky shoreline as he leapt onto the land.
Unlike the soft, sandy beaches he was accustomed to, this coastline was composed entirely of jagged, rugged rocks. The terrain felt harsh and unwelcoming.
As Ash and Pikachu ventured further inland, they noticed a small forest ahead, intersected by a paved road that wound its way toward the volcano at the island's center.
Looking up at the towering volcano, Ash observed faint yet deliberate markings near its peak, suggesting human activity on what otherwise seemed like a wild, untouched landscape.
"Come back, Blastoise. Thanks for all your hard work," Ash said, recalling the Water-type Pokémon to its Poké Ball.
A powerful gust of wind whipped through the area, almost blowing his hat off, but he caught it just in time.
"Pika..." Pikachu hopped down from Ash's shoulder, sniffing the air with a wary expression.
The powerful aura it had sensed earlier had vanished, replaced by an unsettling stillness that blanketed the island.
It felt as though the land itself had gone silent, leaving behind an eerie sense of foreboding.
Feeling Pikachu's unease, Ash followed as it dashed down the road.Their path soon led to a stone staircase carved into the mountainside.
Ascending the stairs, Ash found himself at an expansive platform near the volcano's summit, though not quite at its peak.
At the platform's center stood a small, intricately constructed rock temple.Pikachu tugged at Ash's pant leg, its instincts urging it toward the temple.
Inside, Ash's eyes fell on a magnificent bird-shaped statue. Its design resembled Moltres, every feather carved with exquisite detail. The craftsmanship was mesmerizing.
However, what truly captured his attention was the vibrant red orb nestled in the statue's beak.
Smooth, round, and slightly translucent, the orb contained a flickering flame that seemed alive, its dance mesmerizing.
"This thing..." Ash murmured, reaching out to touch it. The orb was surprisingly warm, radiating gentle heat without being uncomfortably hot. "Is this the treasure?"
He realized the orb was one of the keys required to activate the altar on Shamouti Island. With this orb in hand, he now needed to collect two more from the other islands, along with the Song of Lugia, to complete the activation.
Carefully, Ash placed the orb in his backpack, securing it for the journey ahead. As he prepared to leave, the persistent wind suddenly died down.
Pikachu's ears twitched, and it gazed skyward, sensing a powerful presence drawing near. Ash felt it too—a subtle stirring in the air, like the calm before a storm.
His instincts sharpened, and he turned to face the northern sky. A crackle of electricity filled the atmosphere as a surge of golden lightning erupted from the mountainside.
From the skies descended a massive bird Pokémon, its majestic form striking fear and awe into those who beheld it.
Zapdos—the legendary God of Thunder—had arrived!
Its body was adorned with vibrant yellow feathers, accented by sharp black patterns around its piercing eyes.
Its long, pointed orange beak and jagged wings radiated an intimidating presence, while golden lightning arced around it, illuminating the darkening sky.
Zapdos's gaze locked onto Ash and Pikachu, its expression fierce. Without warning, a bolt of lightning shot from the legendary Pokémon, hurtling toward them with alarming speed.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Ash commanded, adrenaline surging through him as he reacted to the sudden attack.
"Pika!" Pikachu cried, channeling its Electric-type energy to launch a counterattack.
The two forces collided midair in a blinding flash of light, creating a brief stalemate before both energies dissipated into the sky.
Zapdos seemed surprised, momentarily taken aback by Pikachu's ability to withstand its power. But its shock quickly gave way to fury as realization dawned upon it.
"No wonder you were able to capture Moltres..." Zapdos hissed, its voice resonating with an unearthly echo.
"Regardless, Moltres must be freed!"
Summoning a massive surge of electricity, Zapdos activated Electric Terrain across the volcano's mouth.
The air vibrated with energy as it unleashed a far stronger attack, a bolt of lightning more ferocious than Thunderbolt or Thunder Shock.
"Pikachu, use Thunder!" Ash yelled, knowing they needed their most powerful attack to stand a chance.
"Pika—CHUUU!" Pikachu cried, summoning its strength to unleash a powerful Thunder attack. The two electric assaults collided once more, the clash illuminating the entire mountainside.
Pikachu struggled against the overwhelming force, its small body trembling with exertion. Seeing Pikachu nearing its limit, Ash reached for two Poké Balls on his belt.
He intended to summon Charizard and Snorlax to help calm Zapdos and explain the misunderstanding. But before he could act, an extraordinary phenomenon unfolded.
The two opposing Thunder attacks were suddenly pulled upward, drawn toward the swirling clouds above.
"What is that?!" Ash exclaimed, his eyes widening in shock as he looked up.
A massive hole had formed in the dark clouds, its edges crackling with energy. From the void emerged a colossal spaceship, its design unlike anything Ash had ever seen.
The vessel was nearly castle-like in appearance, floating ominously in the sky. As the ship descended, it began absorbing the surrounding lightning.
Even Pikachu's energy was being siphoned, forcing it to stop its attack in exhaustion. Zapdos, however, was livid.
Realizing that the true threat lay within the alien ship, it redirected its fury toward the intruder. With a deafening cry, the God of Thunder summoned all its remaining power, fusing it into a single, colossal bolt.
The attack, infused with its rage and strength, surged toward the spaceship with blinding intensity.
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