Pokemon: Skybound

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Seeing Articuno struggling against the airship's attacks, Melody clenched her fists.

"No! We can't delay any longer! We have to free Moltres and Zapdos before Articuno gets captured!"

Everyone knew time was running out, so they quickly left the window and returned to the cages.

This time, in addition to Pikachu, Misty and Tracey released their Pokémon to help attack the cage holding Moltres.

Even Jessie and James, for once, weren't causing trouble. Instead, they sent out Weezing and Arbok to assist.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

A barrage of attacks landed on the cages, but despite the impact, they remained completely intact.

Thick smoke filled the room, but when it cleared—

The energy barrier surrounding the cages was still standing.

"What the heck is this thing made of!?" Tracey frowned. "It's completely unbreakable!"

Kai shook his head.

"No wonder the collector was so confident leaving us here. He knew we couldn't break these cages."

But despite this—

Ash refused to give up.

"I don't care what it's made of! If we keep attacking, it has to break eventually!"

Determined, he released Charizard, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur, increasing the attack power.

Kai's eyes scanned the room.

He wasn't focused on the cages themselves.

Instead—

His gaze landed on the floor beneath them.

Misty noticed his expression.

"Kai? What are you thinking?"

Without answering, Kai turned to Haunter.

"Destroy the floor."

Haunter nodded and fired a Shadow Ball at the ground beneath the cages.

BOOM!

The reinforced floor shattered, exposing the structure beneath.

Kai peered into the hole in the floor—

And there it was.

A thick black power cable, humming with energy.

"This is it."

"Haunter, break that cable!"

Haunter fired another Shadow Ball.

BOOM!

The attack struck the power source directly, causing a burst of electricity.

Sparks flew everywhere.

Then—

The once-indestructible cage flickered…

And collapsed.

"Yes!!" Misty cheered.

With a mighty cry, Moltres spread its wings, finally free once more.

Without hesitation, it unleashed a powerful Flamethrower—

Destroying Zapdos' cage instantly.

But Instead of escaping…

The two Legendary Birds immediately turned on each other.

BOOM!

Moltres unleashed a fiery blast.

Zapdos countered with a massive Thunderbolt.

Their attacks collided midair, causing the entire airship to tremble.

Everyone ducked for cover.

Melody's face paled.

"Wait! They're still fighting!? Even now!?"

Kai sighed.

"Even though we call them 'Legendary Pokémon'… they're still just Pokémon. They don't think like humans. For them, fighting each other is more important than whatever's happening around them."

Melody's heart sank.

"But their islands are being destroyed!"

Tracey adjusted his hat.

"For them, territory isn't important."

He pointed at Zapdos.

"It can create a new habitat anywhere by changing the magnetic field. It doesn't care about keeping its old home."

Melody bit her lip.

"So that means…"

"We can't stop them."

Just then—

BOOM!

Moltres and Zapdos' attacks blew a hole in the airship's hull.

The two birds flew out, continuing their fight outside.

The others rushed to the window, watching in horror as they chased and attacked each other in midair.

Zapdos turned its rage toward the ship.

It unleashed a devastating Thunder attack, striking the ship directly.

Suddenly—

The entire airship trembled.

Sparks and smoke erupted everywhere.

The ship began to tilt.

It started to fall.

"WE'RE GOING DOWN!!" Misty screamed.

The floor lurched beneath them as the ship plummeted toward Thunder Island.

Kai's eyes widened.

"Sabrina!"

Sabrina instantly understood.

With a wave of her hand, her psychic energy surrounded the entire group, shielding them from the impact.

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