Articuno

Unfortunately, Ash match was postponed, as Blaine Pokemon were taking rest due to previous battle.

Vidal found an opportunity to talk to Brock.

"So, what do you want to talk about?"

"I need recipes for Pokemon food and of best quality."

Brock instantly accepted to help Vidal with Pokemon recipes.

A whole day to write down different recipes for different type Pokemons, Brock even helped to improve different recipes according to the taste of Pokemon.

The harvest was going to be very helpful for future.

Next morning, Ash and his part left to battle with Blaine and Vidal entered the forest on the west of the Inn.

After spreading newly made food; his first tasters were Zapdos and Moltres.

After five minutes, Vidal was being stared by two legendary Pokemon for more food.

But the thing was there was no food, "I… I… can make that food anytime I want… But…"

A lightning bolt and a fire ball struck on the left and right side of the ground near Vidal.

"Threatening won't work," Vidal felt his throat dry.

"But if you can help me with one thing, I can double the amount every day," Vidal said showing two finger in the air.

Zapdos and Moltres glanced at each other, turned to Vidal nodded.

Vidal finally took a deep breath of relief.

"Help me search for Articuno."

…

South of the Cinnabar Island,

It was all water, but at a certain point of the sea there was an underwater cave.

Covered in Ice, it doesn't look like it was generated naturally.

A human voice echoed in cave time to time.

"I will be direct, why don't you follow me."

"You don't have to spend your time here alone."

"Look, Moltres and Zapdos are happy to visit new place and eat new food and meet new Pokemon."

Zapdos and Moltres by his side nodded.

Vidal repeated his words again, but he was showing three fingers in the air.

Zapdos and Moltres started to nod more vigorously.

'Who would have thought the legendary Pokemon would have such character?' Vidal sighed.

"Ahkkkk..." "Ahkkkk…"

Articuno let out a roar and moved some meters back and looked directly in the eyes of Vidal.

"I understand," Articuno wasn't going to come till he proves his own strength.

But he was in a pinch here, Articuno being an ice type Pokemon, Gengar and Arcanine couldn't be used.

Starmie could be good choice with its superior speed, but it couldn't show its full potential in the closed area like a cave and also type disadvantage was another factor.

Alakazam could have been a good choice, but in front of brute strength of legendary Pokemon, its psychic power would be little of use.

Then there was only one remaining, Dragonair.

"Dragonair, I have high hopes for you."

Articuno flapped its wings; a cold wind filled with snow covered the whole cave.

The wind and snow continuously revolved around the cave, decreasing the visibility and increasing the cold.

A perfect stage for ice type Pokemon has been created.

"Dragonair, use rain dance, and get rid of this cold."

Dragonair screamed facing up in the cave, and rain started to fall out of nowhere sweeping the snow away.

Articuno opened its mouth and a white cold light released towards Dragonair. (Articuno was using the move called Ice beam.)

"Dragonair, hit it with your dragon pulse."

A white color ball of light formed in front of Dragonair and collided with the incoming light.

Dragon pulse was destroyed, the ice beam didn't stop.

"Now dodge it." Vidal immediately found out direct head on battle was fruitless.

Although ice beam was dodged, Articuno was already preparing for its next move.

Articuno again flipped its two wings; an icy storm was created just with the momentum of wings flapping.

Dragonair who has just dodged a move; didn't get chance to even know what hit it, Dragonair was instantly frozen in mid-air and fell down.

"Blizzard," Vidal instantly recognized the move, it was considered strongest ice type move which was known till now.

"Stop," Vidal screamed and ran towards Dragonair. Vidal felt this battle didn't go as he has guessed. He might have overestimated Dragonair.

But….

The frozen body of Dragonair started releasing blinding light, the ice around its body was broken apart and a flapping of wings was heard.

Vidal looked at the scene and his worry was replaced with happiness.

With a thump, the Pokemon landed on the floor and looked at Vidal.

"Yes, it isn't over yet."

" Dragonite, Hyper beam. Let's go."

Just by opening the mouth, energy started to gather and it was released towards Articuno.

Articuno released another Ice beam.

Boom!

After the collision smoke spread through the cave, "Dragonite, get closer, give him a good Mega Punch."

Through the smoke, a glowing punch got closer and closer to Articuno.

But the temperature started to drop, it was instant. Even the air seems to have frozen. (Move: Sheer cold)

Dragonite felt its speed decrease due to sheer cold, and power of the punch was also dropping.

Again flapping of wings sounded in the cave, and a figure was shot out of the smoke towards the wall of the cave.

Bang!

At this moment as if the time itself has slowed, chunks of ice in the shape of spears passed through the vision of Vidal and hit the exact place on the wall where the Pokemon was crashed. (Move: Ice Shard)

After a moment, Dragonite appeared from the crash site with a feeble body and staggering.

Dragonite looked at Articuno one more time and snorted and moved towards it again.

"Let's stop the match here," Vidal said coming in front of Dragonite.

Dragonite sat down tiredly, and glanced at Articuno one more time before finally returning to ball.

"You did good job. I look forward to the strength that you can reach," Vidal put aside the ball with a satisfied look.

"So what is your decision?" Vidal turned towards Articuno.

Articuno nodded to show its acknowledgement.

…

Vidal exited from the Pokecenter after healing Dragonite, and on the way he met Ash.

"So you have won the match?"

"Yes. Look at this," Ash showed his badge with pride.

"Why don't we have a battle too?" Ash said.

"Battle. It is a good idea but not now. After we collect all the badges, we can test each other Pokemons."

Ash nodded.

"So where are you headed now?" Vidal asked.

"Misty wanted to visit her sisters and also get some exercise for her Horsea. So, we are going to Cerulean city." Ash answered.

"Why don't you come with us? We can discuss some more about Pokemon food recipes in the way." Brook added.

"Cerulean city…." Vidal always had bad feelings when thinking about Cerulean city and specially the gym.

But the food recipes were tempting too.

After giving a moment of thought, "Ok I will travel with you guys this time."

…

"So, which Pokemons do you have, different Pokemon have different taste. We can work on recipes according to the Pokemon likings," on the way to Cerulean city, they stopped to have food and Brock asked the question.

"Why don't you take your Pokemon out as well? Everyone can enjoy the food together." Misty said.

Thinking it wasn't a bad idea, he let the Pokemon out except for four.

Starmie, Alakazam, Arcanine and Gengar came out and looked around to find two new people and many other Pokemon.

After a brief introduction, everyone started eating.

"Your Pokemon look quite strong. I am also a gym leader, why don't we exchange some moves," Brock said.

Vidal shook his head, "It is a good idea, but my Pokemon don't like fighting during Vacations." Vidal brushed off Brock.

After that nobody talked about battles.

When they finally arrived at Cerulean gym, a long line of people was encountered in front of the gym.

Most importantly, this line wasn't going inside the gym, but behind the gym.

"Are my sisters doing some show?" Misty said.

Brock asked one of the guys staying on line, "What is going on here?"

"We are waiting for our turn to challenge the gym leader."

At this moment, a trainer came running from the back of the gym carrying a passed out Weepinbell and ran towards Pokecenter.

"Another one lost. It's already 25th Pokemon today. Looks like this really is the hardest gym in Kanto region." The boy said.