Ice Island was an eternal expanse of ice and snow, its harsh, frozen landscape unyielding to the passage of time. At its center stood a towering mountain, much like the one on Fire Island, where Articuno, the majestic God of Ice, resided in peaceful slumber.
However, this peace had been short-lived. The delicate balance of the Orange Islands' ocean currents had been disrupted, forcing Articuno to awaken prematurely.
Emerging from its icy cavern, Articuno immediately sensed the disturbance. Its sharp eyes scanned the skies, and its expression grew grim.
The absence of Moltres on Fire Island and Zapdos on Lightning Island was apparent, as the natural balance of the region had fallen into chaos.
The winds were erratic, and the sea churned unnaturally. Articuno felt a powerful compulsion to investigate Fire Island to uncover the source of this imbalance.
As it soared into the skies, the frosty deity noticed something unusual above—an enormous hole had opened in the thick clouds, revealing a mechanical presence that radiated menace.
"Is this the God of Ice?"
Lawrence observed from his control room, a pleased smile spreading across his face.
"He truly is the most magnificent of the three sacred birds," he murmured, captivated by Articuno's beauty and power.
Though his ultimate goal remained the capture of the God of the Sea, Lugia, he couldn't deny the allure of Articuno's elegance.
"Commence operation," Lawrence ordered, his voice steady and confident.
"Understood, Master," the artificial intelligence replied. Its cold, mechanical tone reverberated through the chamber as the base of the spacecraft began to unfold.
Enormous weaponry emerged, their menacing forms locking onto Articuno. The AI efficiently calculated the most effective strategies, directing the ship's arsenal with precision.
Articuno's sharp gaze fell upon the spaceship, its astonishment clear. It had never seen a human creation of such magnitude—let alone one that could defy gravity and soar like a bird.
"If you wish to challenge ice, there is no better weapon than fire," Lawrence said nonchalantly, his tone almost conversational as he leaned back to watch the spectacle unfold.
The weapons were primed with Searing Shots, projectiles designed to burn with an intensity rivaling the sun. As they fired, the glowing orbs streaked through the air like meteors raining from the Skys.
Articuno's demeanor shifted immediately. Realizing the threat, it took flight, its wings slicing through the air with grace. But the AI had anticipated this, recalculating trajectories to fire upon its escape route.
Cornered, Articuno gathered its strength. Icy energy swirled around its body as it unleashed a devastating Ice Beam, meeting the Searing Shots head-on.
"Boom!"
The collision produced a massive explosion, sending a cloud of thick, icy smoke into the air. Articuno used the momentary cover to reposition itself, but the relentless Searing Shots penetrated the smoke, forcing it to dodge again.
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"What's happening outside?"
Ash asked, alarmed by the deafening noise reverberating through the Forbidden God Cage. It was clear that Lawrence had begun his assault on Articuno.
"Damn it! How can we break through this cage?!"
Ash slammed his fist against the barrier, frustration evident in his voice. The cage held firm, impervious to his physical efforts.
On his shoulder, Pikachu, exhausted from its earlier struggles, panted heavily, mirroring Ash's growing despair.
"Come on, Moltres… Zapdos…" Ash muttered, his gaze shifting to the legendary Pokémon slumbering beside him. Despite the chaos, they remained still, as if completely unaware of the battle raging outside.
"Wait!"
An idea struck Ash as his eyes fell upon his Z-Ring.
"Could a Z-Move break the cage?"
He hesitated, knowing that using such a powerful attack at close range could harm himself, Pikachu, and even Moltres and Zapdos. Moreover, Lawrence had boasted that the Forbidden God Cage was impervious even to divine powers.
"There's got to be another way…" Ash murmured, his mind racing for alternatives.
Then, he remembered someone—hidden within his shadow.
"Marshadow, can you help me?"
At Ash's words, his shadow began to stir. From its depths emerged the small, ghostly figure of Marshadow, its ethereal form glowing faintly as it gazed at Ash with calm determination.
"I'm sorry for troubling you again," Ash said, a trace of guilt in his voice.
"Marsha——!" Marshadow shook its head slightly, as if to say it was more than willing to assist.
At that moment, Moltres and Zapdos stirred. Their eyes opened, and they immediately noticed Marshadow's presence. They had been unaware of its existence within Ash's shadow until now.
Realizing what Marshadow's presence meant—that Ash was chosen by Ho-Oh—both Moltres and Zapdos regarded him with newfound respect.
"Excuse us, Marshadow," Moltres communicated telepathically, its tone regal yet weary.
"If we were at full strength, no so-called Forbidden God Cage could hold us," Zapdos added, its frustration evident.
Marshadow remained silent, its hands glowing with condensed Fighting-type energy. The energy formed into a powerful Aura Sphere, which it hurled at the cage.
"Boom!"
The sphere struck the cage, creating a deafening explosion. Smoke filled the chamber, and two figures were thrown clear of the cage, skidding across the ground.
"Ugh…" Ash groaned, picking himself up. Despite the ache in his body, a wide grin spread across his face.
"Thank you, Marshadow!" Ash exclaimed, rubbing his sore arm. "I didn't expect you to actually break the cage!"
The smoke cleared, revealing the damaged remnants of the once-impenetrable cage.
"It seems Lawrence underestimated the true power of Pokémon," Ash observed, glancing at Marshadow. Despite Lawrence's claims of invulnerability, the Forbidden God Cage had proven to be far from indestructible.
Marshadow nodded silently, its focus shifting back to Moltres and Zapdos. Its hands glowed once more as it prepared another Aura Sphere, ready to free the legendary birds.
Ash stood tall, his determination rekindled. Together with Marshadow, Moltres, and Zapdos, he would face Lawrence and stop the chaos threatening the Orange Islands.
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