Chapter 3: A Battle of Fire and Ice
While riding on Noivern to Mt. Silver where the artifact location is, Soul made sure to use his psychic power to keep himself warm by creating a layer of heat on his skin.
Arriving at the top of Mt. Silver, Soul had a flashback when he played the gen 2 Pokemon game.
Looking around, he couldn't see anyone who wore a red jacket and cap. At least, 'he' wouldn't be here, even though it would be more challenging to fight against 'him'.
Walking there, Soul spotted a chest on top of the mountain, he couldn't see any form for traps around so he started walking there.
Suddenly Noivern picked up something was coming towards them, he quickly grabbed Soul before a ray of ice could hit him.
Soul: 'What? How come I didn't sense it?'
After he calmed down from shock, a loud screech could be heard as a bluebird dived down from the sky. It was Articuno!
It seemed to be guarding the artifact, Soul furrowed his eyes brown as he was thinking about the previous owner of these artifacts. How strong were they to able to have two of the legendary bird trio to guard two of his artifacts?
He shook his head as he took out a Pokeball and press the middle button as the ball became bigger than before. He then released his Charizard, who emitted a powerful flame from its body even in one of the coldest places in both regions.
Articuno looked at the human in front of him and understood that he won't back off. It then let out another screech as a battle between fire and ice was about to unfold.
Soul: Charizard use Fire Spin.
Charizard let out a roar as he took a deep breath before sending out a small version of Flamethrower that kept spinning.
Articuno dodged to the side as it used Ice Beam towards Charizard, who react quickly and flew up, dodging the attack, but Articuno didn't stop as it kept trying to hit Charizard.
Soul: Charizard use Flamethrower against it.
Charizard breathes in an amount of air, which he turned into fire and released it from his mouth towards the Ice Beam.
When the two moves collide, Charizard was the clear winner due to him having higher special attack stats and type-advantage.
The attack hit Articuno, who took it directly as it could feel pain from the attack. Even with its high special defense, the attack did a number on its body.
It changed its strategy and used Agility to boost its speed as it became even faster than before.
With Fire Spin, Articuno started losing its health point by ⅛ for 4-5 turns.
Soul: Charizard use Sunny Day.
Charizard gave out a roar as the surrounding around them got warmer and warmer until sunlight could be seen. Soul was amazed by the move as it could even warm up the highest mountain of Kanto and Johto Regions.
Articuno begins to feel nervous, with Sunny Day in play, that Charizard flame would become much stronger than before!
It then used Blizzard towards Charizard, who endured it. He shakes the pain away as he let out another roar.
Soul: Charizard use Fire Blast.
Charizard sent out a powerful fire that was formed as a kanji character.
What happened next shocked both Charizard and Soul as Articuno used Mirror Coat and reflected Fire Blast back at Charizard!
Soul: Charizard use Dragon Claw and try to block it!
Having no other choice to dodge, Soul quickly wanted Charizard to block and reduce the damage of the power-up Fire Blast. He hadn't expected Articuno to learn such a powerful move as Mirror Coat!
The attack arrived quickly as Charizard used Dragon Claw to try and block it. The clash was wild as the snow and ice below them begun to vaporate.
Tearing down his obstacle, Charizard managed to slash Fireblast into pieces as it became a bit exhausted.
Articuno seemed surprised before it was attacked by Charizard, who was mad that it almost lost if it wasn't for his master command. Although, he couldn't blame his master for that bluebird to have such moves, still, it made him pissed off, knowing that he almost lost to a bird, which attribute is ice!
Charizard did a chop with his claws as Articuno was hit badly, but that was not enough as both of his hands started glowing yellow and electrics came out of it.
Charizard used Thunder Punch on Articuno body with both claws as it was sent down and the ground it was hit on got blew up.
Soul hid behind Noivern when it happened, the display of power by his Charizard made him surprised. He never thought that Charizard could be this powerful, guess, he got motivated to not lose.
Soul went to heal Charizard as all of its previous wounds faded away, after that, he went to look at the badly injured fainted Articuno.
Just as he was about to heal it, he sensed some life beings close by, walking up to where he was. He was about to leave when he remembered Articuno.
Soul: 'Well… hopefully, it would understand.'
He thought as an Ultra Ball came out from his space inventory as the throws it at Articuno, who couldn't feel a thing. It was covered in a red aura as its whole body was turned into red energy and got sent into the Ultra Ball.
The ball didn't roll around and just made a *Ding* sound, meaning Articuno was captured. Soul went to return Noivern as he made his whole body turned invisible. He, of course, didn't forget to take the chest as he sent it to his inventory.
A little while later, he saw several peoples in black suits, walking up with fully equip gear for the snowy mountain. They looked suspicious, but Soul didn't judge them too quickly yet, maybe they just some travelers.
???: Boss, it should be here, but why can is it warmer up here than below?
Boss: Hmm… there seems to have been some sort of battle here, the marks here are fresh and the ice and snow on some spots have been melted by something, probably by a fire-type Pokemon or some Pokemon who knows a few fire-type moves.
??? 2: B-Boss! Its so warm, can we take off our winter suit?
Boss: No! It is unusual for the weather to be so warm up here on the highest mountain on Kanto and Johto, it must have been caused by a move that could alter the weather. Sunny Day, should it be. The effect could wear off anytime, so unless you want to freeze to death, don't take off your suit.
??? + ??? 2: Y-Yes Sir!
Boss: Now, where is the legendary Pokemon, Articuno that was supposed to be here?
???: I don't know, boss. According to our reports, many trainers and some of our own have seen Articuno flying around the top of the mountain. They even managed to take a picture with a cold-resistant camera.
Soul: 'So they're here for Articuno and not the artifact. That bulky guy who is their boss is pretty observant, I'm glad that I have these Gravitation Orbs to let me float around.'
Boss: Ugh… what should I say to my superior when we come back with nothing?
???: I-Its ok boss! We have something to report!
One of the minions said as he pointed at the previously destroyed battlefield left by Charizard and Articuno.
Boss: I guess so since we don't have anything else to report, let's just go with it. Take some pictures.
???: Hai!
??? 2: Hey boss! I have found some feathers on the ground!
Showing the feather, the boss became curious as he asked one of his subordinates to show him where he found it.
Arriving where Articuno fainted, the boss looked suspicious by seeing more feathers on the ground. He knew that the feather belongs to Articuno since they had once found one by an accident.
Boss: 'Was a trainer here? By the look of the battle, it either might have been a legendary, or some strong fire-type Pokemon that could have done this. Not to mention that the legendary Pokemon have disappeared after the fresh mark.'
Rubbing his heads, the boss got annoyed by all of the thoughts, whoever and whatever have done this must have already left so there isn't anything they could do about it.
After taking a few more samples and pictures, all three of them left the mountain, after a while Soul disable his invisibility as the effect of Sunny Day wore off.
He took out an Ultra Ball and called out Articuno, who managed to recover a little bit from the injuries.
Soul went to heal it without hesitation. Articuno was, of course, surprised that the human, who's Charizard has defeated it, has not only captured it, but also is healing it right now.
Finishing healing it, Soul and Articuno looked at each other before Articuno bowed down to Soul with respect.
Soul: You can leave now, I didn't have any form for intentions of capturing you from the start.
It looked confused but nodded as it told Soul that it would always come and help him, whenever he needed it.
It then flew off as it disappeared from the snowstorm, Soul also left with Noivern and Anubis, who was watching them the whole time from the shadow.