23. Volt Absorb

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"Kraaaak-kaaaawwwwwe!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The Zapdos let out a shrill cry, its piercing tone echoing through the power station.

It spread its majestic wings, and arcs of electricity danced wildly across its body, illuminating the dimly lit space.

The air grew heavy with static, making Kai's hair stand on end. With a single, devastating Thunderbolt, Zapdos effortlessly neutralized the incoming attacks from the Pokémon.

Sparks erupted from the nearby equipment, casting flickering shadows on the walls.

Kai couldn't suppress his admiration. "As expected of a Legendary Pokémon!" he exclaimed, eyes wide with awe. "Even when outnumbered, it handles everything so calmly!"

His words carried across the room, perhaps louder than he intended. Zapdos's gaze snapped toward him, its sharp, predatory eyes narrowing.

Without warning, a bolt of lightning crackled through the air, aimed directly at him.

"Whoa!" Kai yelped, diving behind the nearest doorway. The searing heat of the lightning passed just inches away, leaving a scorch mark on the wall.

His heart pounded in his chest as he pressed himself flat against the doorframe.

Peeking out cautiously, Kai shouted, "Kirlia, quickly find a way to restrict its movements!"

Kirlia stepped forward, her delicate form glowing with psychic energy. Her hands extended as an aura surrounded Zapdos, attempting to lock it in place.

For a moment, it seemed like she might succeed. But Zapdos, with its overwhelming power, let out a defiant screech and thrashed its wings.

The psychic hold shattered like glass, sending shockwaves rippling through the room.

Kai gritted his teeth. "The level gap is too big… We're barely keeping up," he muttered under his breath.

Zapdos swooped under the shattered skylight, its sleek body spinning in a controlled dive.

The sunlight streaming through the broken glass gave its feathers a golden sheen.

As it descended, its long, sharp beak began to glow menacingly. It had locked onto Ivysaur.

"No, it's Drill Peck!" Kai shouted. "Charmander, use Smokescreen!"

The small Fire-type acted without hesitation. A thick, black smoke billowed from Charmander's mouth, quickly enveloping the battlefield.

The acrid scent of the smoke stung Kai's nose, but it provided much-needed cover.

Zapdos's glowing beak cut through the smoke, missing its intended target and striking the ground instead.

The sheer force of the attack left a massive crater on the floor, and the entire building shook from the impact.

Loose wires dangled from the ceiling, sparking dangerously.

Kai shielded his face from the debris. "That was too close," he murmured. "Ivysaur, are you okay?"

From the smoke, a low growl of determination answered him.

As the smog thickened, Zapdos rose above it, its glowing body visible like a beacon.

The electrical currents coursing through its feathers made it impossible to lose sight of.

Kai's mind raced. "It's strong, but it's not invincible," he thought. "We just need to find the right opening…"

Suddenly, two streams of elemental energy, water and fire, pierced through the smoke, converging on Zapdos.

The attacks collided with its body, eliciting a pained screech. Kai grinned. "Great work, team!"

"Zzzraaaawwwkkkk!!!!!"

Zapdos flapped its wings with fury, dispersing the smokescreen in one powerful gust.

It glared down at the Pokémon below, its body crackling with renewed energy. At that moment, two vines shot upward, wrapping tightly around its wings.

Kai's eyes lit up. "Ivysaur, that was amazing! Pull it down!"

Ivysaur strained, its vines trembling under the weight of the powerful Legendary.

The ground beneath it cracked as it dug its claws in for leverage. Zapdos, however, was far from helpless.

It flapped its wings fiercely, creating a stalemate in midair.

"Jolteon, it's your turn! Use Quick Attack!"

The sleek Electric-type Pokémon dashed forward, its speed blurring its form as it ran up the walls and leapt into the air.

Jolteon slammed into Zapdos with precision, disrupting its balance. The Legendary faltered, giving Ivysaur the chance to yank it down.

"Now!" Kai commanded. "Everyone, attack together!"

His team launched a flurry of moves flames, water, and psychic energy converged on Zapdos in a dazzling display.

"Screeaaawkkk!!!!"

The Legendary Pokémon let out a cry of pain, struggling to stay airborne.

But Zapdos was not easily defeated. With a defiant shriek, it unleashed another Thunderbolt.

The attack tore through the room, its erratic energy destroying everything in its path.

Sparks flew as machinery exploded, filling the air with the acrid smell of burnt metal.

Kai ducked behind the door again, his heart pounding. When the lightning ceased, he peeked out cautiously.

The power station was in ruins broken machinery, shattered glass, and plumes of smoke dominated the scene.

He scanned the battlefield, his stomach tightening as he saw his Pokémon. Jolteon stood firm, but the others were visibly injured.

Ivysaur's vines were singed, Charmander panted heavily, and Kirlia clutched her side. Even Squirtle, though safe in its shell, was rattled.

Zapdos hovered above, its sharp gaze scanning the weakened team. Its eyes burned with fury.

It had been humiliated, and it was ready to unleash its full power.

"Krrrraaaaakkk!!!!"

With an enraged cry, it summoned dark storm clouds through the shattered skylight.

Thunder rumbled ominously, and flashes of lightning illuminated the growing tempest.

The once-clear sky was now a swirling mass of black and grey.

Kai swallowed hard, sweat trickling down his forehead. He opened his mouth to issue a command, but his Pokégear buzzed suddenly.

Startled, he fumbled to answer. Professor Cerise's voice came through the speaker, filled with concern.

"Kai! Are you alright? I heard explosions, and the entire area, including the lab, had lost power! What's going on?"

Kai glanced up at the storm clouds, the tension in his chest tightening. "Sorry, Professor. There's… a bit of trouble here. But no matter what happens, this will be over soon."

As he spoke, a massive bolt of lightning shot down from the storm, piercing through the skylight.

The room was bathed in blinding light as the attack targeted everything indiscriminately.

Zapdos's ultimate move, Thunder, was a devastating Electric-type attack. Its sheer power and range made it almost impossible to avoid.

Kai's Pokémon braced themselves, but there was no escape in the enclosed space.

In that critical moment, Jolteon leapt into the air, meeting the thunderstorm head-on.

"Jolteon, no!" Kai cried, reaching out instinctively.

The lightning struck Jolteon, and the room was filled with an intense flash. Kai shielded his eyes, his heart sinking.

When the light faded, he opened his eyes cautiously. What he saw left him speechless.

Jolteon stood tall, completely unharmed. Its fur bristled with absorbed energy and a fierce determination burned in its eyes.

For a moment, Kai was stunned. Then he remembered. "Volt Absorb…" he murmured. "Of course! Jolteon's ability makes it immune to Electric-type moves. It even healed from the attack!"

A wide grin spread across his face. "Amazing, Jolteon! You're incredible!"

Zapdos, visibly shaken, hesitated midair. It had not expected such resilience.

Kirlia took the opportunity to restrain it with psychic energy, while Ivysaur's vines wrapped tightly around its wings.

"Don't let it recover!" Kai shouted. "Everyone, attack together and finish this!"

With renewed determination, the team unleashed a final barrage of moves. Flames, water, psychic energy, and vines all struck Zapdos in unison.

"Chrrt-chzzzt!"

This time, the Legendary Pokémon could no longer fight back. With a final screech, it crashed to the ground, its wings splayed out in defeat.

Kai didn't waste a moment. He grabbed an empty Poké Ball and threw it with all his might.

The ball struck Zapdos, enveloping it in a red light. It shook violently once, twice, three times before finally clicking shut with a soft ding.

Kai approached the ball cautiously, his hands trembling as he picked it up.

Staring at the red-and-white sphere in his palm, he struggled to process what had just happened.

"I… I actually caught Zapdos," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

For a moment, the world around him faded away, and all he could feel was the weight of the Poké Ball in his hand.

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