EPISODE 70: Zap!***

The platform descends to whatever lies underneath the Power Plant. I assume that not even the employees or the managers of this vicinity are aware of such secrets the place where they work bears. The further we descend, the thicker the rocks become, nearly suffocating the three of us. Hard to breathe, but as long as there is a product of this action of ours, I'll be willing to tolerate it.

The platform stops descending upon a portion of a dark cave. A cave where darkness is abundant. I could hear what seems to be sparks of electricity jolting around. This cave is filled with a superfluity of thunderstones which used to evolve certain electric type Pokemon such as the famous and cute Pikachu.

Just like every cave, this one is no different. Our footsteps echo, bouncing back and forth through the walls of this blood-curdling cave. The further we walk the hotter it becomes due to this elastic outfit of ours. It starts to irritate my pale skin.

We are put to a sudden halt. I point the flashlight in front, and there I see the prize. The mirage of lightning. I can feel the sensation of success, going closer to the palm of my hands. Zapdos, sleeping inside a spherical chamber. Electricity runs through it, like a colony of ants squirming around a table, begging for scraps of meals.

"At last. With no one to interrupt, Team Rocket will acquire Zapdos." I say, moving closer to the Pokemon. It lulls me just like how Articuno lulled Charlotte. I extend my hand, touching the sphere of Zapdos. Just like in the previous cave, everything starts to shake as Zapdos awakens from its long slumber.

It shrieks like a lady, cracking its own chamber into fragments. It has freed itself, extending its wings before us in order to boast its power and glory. A mirage which represents the element of thunder, it will be ours. Virgo makes the first toss, throwing the Rocket Ball directly at the bird.

The countdown starts. The ball shakes once, shakes twice, oh no! Zapdos was able to escape. It shrieks again and spews out some of its electric power towards us. The three of us were nearly hit by a lightning bolt but we were able to dodge the attack. I fear that not even rubber outfits can stand the power Zapdos bears.

We take things the cautious way, attacking before throwing. Gardevoir uses Psychic, Flaaffy uses ThunderBolt, and Golbat uses Air Slash, dealing a few but worthy damage. A scar of two or three forms on the face of the mirage, giving us an opportunity to capture it once more. Charlotte throws her ball directly, and silence fills in for a moment.

The countdown starts. The ball shakes once, shakes twice, and yet again history repeats, the mirage escapes. We are left with only one Rocket Ball and that is mine. A life has been lost for the sake of this mission, I cannot make a blunder or else all these efforts would just be thrown into a garbage pit.

The attacking continues. We command, our Pokemons obey. Each shot increases the accuracy of us being able to catch Zapdos. Of course, Zapdos also attacks and how it knocked out Golbat in one move(Drill Peck) supports this statement of mine. Charlotte brings out her Dodrio and commands it to use Tri Attack.

The attack dealt damage but not it is not the most extreme. Somewhere about 54% of power. In front of such a mighty mirage, we prove our perseverance towards our goal. Every perspiration, blood, and sweat, they all count. Every determination spent is a chance for Team Rocket to claim the legends of Johto.

"Go! Toss it, Luna!" Charlotte gives the signal the moment she sees Zapdos all worn-out and tired from dodging and attacking. With the best I can, making things precise and cautious, I toss our final Rocket Ball and it slams directly into the mirage's face.

Zapdos becomes a red beam of light, being absorbed inside the ball. The ball lands on the ground, and the countdown begins to tick. Our hearts skip a beat for more than once. Our breathing is deep, and everything remained silent. We glare at the ball, hoping Zapdos would no longer struggle to escape and just give in.

The ball shakes once... The ball shakes twice... The ball shakes thrice... It stops shaking, and the green light on the button appears, signaling the capture. The moment the light flashed, is when the three of us beamed with bliss. We have acquired at least one mirage making this race even-steven!

I was about to grab the Rocket Ball when suddenly a grappling hook steals it away from behind. This was shocking and also infuriating. The bird was an inch away, and now it went further from me. The three of us look behind, seeing Ebony and Emily wearing their own specialized outfits for these kinds of terrains.

"We captured the bird first! Give it to us!" I demand, swearing a fight if they persist to steal it away from my grasps.

"And when was first come first serve part of the rules?" Ebony says sarcastically.

"This is the final draw. I had enough of your gibberish!" I shout immensely, letting my voice echo throughout the cave, badgering at the twins of the Rebirth Society.

"Phew, you're one hot-headed freak aren't you?" Ebony insults as a response to my words. Her mockery annoys and irks me at the same time and I plan to finish my vow today, at this very hour, without any delay. It's time to pluck the vibrating strings, for I will finish what must've been finished long ago.

"Sister, mother said not to get to any conflict anymore. Let's just leave." Emily convinces, pulling the hand of her sister Ebony. Ebony ignores her, shaking off her hand from her sister's grip. Charlotte and Virgo did the same. The three of them tried to quell the fiery argument however it was no use nor will it be.

"Honchkrow! You know what to do!"

"Gardevoir, let's finish this."

We toss out our Pokemons in full determination and wrath. The match begins and I make the first move. With Gardevoir I command her to use Psychic unto Ebony's big bird. The bird blasts back, hitting itself on the walls of the cave.

"I said stop, sister!" Emily commands, pulling her sister's hand once more.

"Luna! Control your temper." Charlotte grabs my hand, cooling me down.

"Quiet! I am older than you by three minutes so I make the decision!" Ebony shouts back.

"Zapdos is ours, they're robbers!" I shout back to Charlotte. The more they persist to stop us, the more heated this argument becomes.

"Psychic!" I command at the perfect moment when Ebony and Emily are fighting against each other. They weren't focus on the match anymore, thus the attack was able to hit them. Psychic, it throws them back, blasting them off and hitting their backs just like what has happened to Honchkrow. I then immediately take the Rocket Ball from the floor and escape as fast as I could alongside with my other friends while the twins cope up to what just happened to them.

"Come back here!" Ebony shouts, yelling in a feisty manner as she forces her body up from the ground. We step right unto the platform and flicked the lever just in a nick of time before Ebony and Emily reaches us. I even teased them by winking my eyes as the platform ascends...