"Galarian Moltres!"
In an instant, Ryuu Shiro recognized this sinister avian Pokémon.
With such a striking appearance and overwhelming aura, it was impossible to mistake.
"There really is a Moltres here?!"
Marnie, upon seeing the Galarian Moltres, froze in place, her delicate face stiffening as her eyelids twitched uncontrollably.
Earlier, she had mocked the idea, saying that rumors were for the foolish and that the tales of Legendary Pokémon in the Crown Tundra were likely spread by those with ulterior motives.
And now…
Slap! The truth hit her right in the face.
But this wasn't the time to dwell on that. Ryuu Shiro and Marnie stood up as the Galarian Moltres soared through the sky, its wings wreathed in eerie black-and-red flames that burned with a mesmerizing, otherworldly glow.
The real problem was…
"It's coming straight for us."
Ryuu Shiro's eyes flickered as the Galarian Moltres flew directly toward them—no, more accurately, toward the massive tree they stood beneath.
"But what luck, Marnie. Want to try catching it?"
A wider grin spread across Ryuu Shiro's face, his excitement palpable as he turned to Marnie.
Just yesterday, he had captured Eternatus. And now, today, he had stumbled upon a Galarian Moltres.
This was… absolutely perfect.
Sure, Moltres was only a mid-tier Legendary, far from the pinnacle of power among the world's most revered Pokémon. But a Legendary was still a Legendary—a being of supreme rarity, a creature most Trainers would never even glimpse in their lifetime.
"...I'll pass."
Marnie's heart raced as she gazed at the black-and-red Moltres, her clear, beautiful eyes shimmering with longing.
But sensing the overwhelming pressure radiating from the Galarian Moltres, she reluctantly shook her head.
She knew Ryuu Shiro wasn't just being polite—his true passion lay with Dragon-types. And compared to Eternatus, Galarian Moltres was little more than a bonus.
But still…
Sorry, not sorry. I don't think I can take this wild Moltres in a fight.
A faint melancholy settled in Marnie's heart. This fiery bird didn't look like it would go down easily.
Meeting the right Pokémon at the wrong time…
For a brief moment, Marnie felt an odd sense of enlightenment.
"You go ahead and catch it, Shiro."
She exhaled softly, her expression smoothing back into its usual calm.
It's just some overgrown bird that's on fire. Like I'd be desperate for that.
Pfft. My dream Legendary is Yveltal! This cheap knockoff Moltres can't compare!
"Marnie? You okay? It's just a Moltres—there'll be other chances."
Ryuu Shiro blinked, noticing the rare hint of frustration on Marnie's usually composed face. After a moment's thought, he offered some consolation.
"..."
Any lingering regret Marnie had instantly evaporated.
"Scree~!"
While the two were talking, the Galarian Moltres had already landed on one of the tree's massive branches, preening its feathers with an air of regal indifference.
It either hadn't noticed the humans below… or simply didn't care.
After all, to a Legendary Pokémon, humans were nothing special.
This wasn't its first encounter with them. Stay calm, stay unbothered.
"What an arrogant little thing. I like it."
Watching the Moltres rest so casually, as if it owned the place, Ryuu Shiro's grin widened.
Its prideful attitude suited him just fine.
"Dragonair, Dragon Pulse!"
Without hesitation, Ryuu Shiro hurled Dragonair's Poké Ball into the air.
A flash of light, and the elegant serpentine Dragonair materialized midair, its maw glowing as it unleashed a devastating Dragon Pulse, the energy tearing through the air toward the unsuspecting Moltres.
The attack struck before the Legendary bird could react.
"Scree—!"
Caught off guard, the Galarian Moltres let out a pained shriek as the blast sent it tumbling from the branch, crashing heavily onto the grass below.
But in seconds, it was back on its feet, wings flared wide as it glared furiously at Dragonair, its piercing cry ringing through the air.
How dare this lowly creature ambush the great Moltres?! UNFORGIVABLE!
Dark flames erupted around the enraged Legendary, swirling into towering black-and-red pillars of fire that encircled it—a spectacle both breathtaking and terrifying.
"They say Galarian Moltres possesses power vast enough to topple mountains, its aura manifesting as these sinister flames. Anyone who touches them will have their soul withered away, burned to nothing but white ash."
Marnie's eyes gleamed with fascination as she recited the legend, watching the inferno rage around the Moltres.
"Mm. Just in terms of special effects, Galarian Moltres blows Kanto's fried-chicken Moltres out of the water."
Ryuu Shiro nodded in agreement. Forget strength—just the sheer intimidation factor of those evil flames put Galarian Moltres leagues above its Kanto counterpart.
"...?"
Marnie's eyelid twitched.
Special effects?!
These are REAL flames, you idiot!
And as if it had heard Ryuu Shiro's remark, the Galarian Moltres' blazing eyes snapped toward him.
Death Glare. Full Power.
What… did this human just call it?!
A/n - 50 Powerstones for one extra chapter :)