"Ding! [Congratulations, Host! Moltres has successfully defeated Zapdos. The Tenfold Experience Multiplier Card has been activated, granting 1,200,000 battle experience points!]"
Finally, Moltres began to break through levels.
Level 90!
Level 91!
Level 92!
Level 93!
Level 94!
Five levels in one go!
Moltres let out a triumphant cry, flames burning even brighter.
Now it finally understood what those other Legendary seniors meant when they talked about "rocketing through levels."
The feeling was exhilarating!
Thud!
The Ultra Ball that had captured Zapdos wobbled hard.
But within moments—crack!—the ball burst open again.
Zapdos had forced its way out!
"Skreeee!!!"
That little thud just now didn't mean Ash had truly captured it.
"Pikachu."
"Pika!"
Ash called out, and Pikachu stepped forward.
Up above, Moltres panted heavily.
Zapdos's twin Discharge attacks had left it badly injured.
"Skreeee!"
Moltres called out to Zapdos, speaking in its own tongue.
But in the end, Zapdos still looked unconvinced.
"Pika—CHUUU!!!"
Pikachu suddenly unleashed a mighty Thunder, so powerful that even Zapdos froze in shock.
That Thunder… was even stronger than its own!
"Pika pika, Pikachu!"
"Skreeee…"
Between Pikachu's overwhelming display and Moltres's fiery insistence, Zapdos finally gave a reluctant nod.
[Pokémon]: Zapdos
[Category]: Electric Pokémon
[Type]: Electric, Flying
[Ability]: Pressure
[Hidden Ability]: Static
[Potential]: Purple
[Level]: 89
[Moves]: Peck, Thunder Shock, Thunder Wave, Detect, Pluck, Ancient Power, Charge, Agility, Discharge, Rain Dance, Light Screen, Drill Peck, Thunder, Thunderbolt, Roost, Magnetic Flux, Zap Cannon…
"Zapdos, I'll be counting on you from now on. You've seen Moltres already—its level is much higher than yours now, but you'll have your chance too."
"Pika pika!" Pikachu chirped in support.
Zapdos nodded again.
And just like that, Ash officially captured Zapdos!
But the Zapdos Festival in the town still had to continue.
"Ash, since you've caught Zapdos, I think it's best if we introduce it to the villagers. After all, they've always revered Zapdos, believing it brings them good harvests," Clemont suggested.
Ash agreed with a nod.
So he and his friends brought Zapdos into the heart of the festival.
When the villagers learned that Ash had actually captured the mighty Zapdos, their eyes widened in awe.
To tame such a powerful Legendary… Ash was truly an extraordinary Trainer!
The villagers warmly welcomed them, offering food and rest. The group spent the night in celebration before setting off the next morning.
Their destination: Gloire City.
This time, they wasted no time and arrived swiftly.
No sooner had they reached the city than Serena dashed into the Pokémon Center to sign up.
"Today… will I really be performing on the same stage as Miss Aria?"
Serena whispered to herself. Saying she wasn't nervous would've been a lie.
Ash, Clemont, and Bonnie accompanied her to the grand venue where the Master Class High-Rank Showcase was about to begin.
"Serena! I knew you'd come!"
It was Miette, the blue-haired girl, smiling brightly.
"Serena, don't forget about me!"
Shauna appeared too.
"And me, Nini! I worked so hard to collect three Princess Keys. Bet I gave you all a surprise, huh?"
By coincidence, right after Serena arrived, all three—Miette, Shauna, and Nini—showed up as well.
Nini carried her Smoochum, which had an odd obsession with Serena's Pancham.
Every time it saw Pancham, it would plant a big kiss on him!
Pancham could only stand there in embarrassed silence…
Rookie Class Showcases were held across multiple cities within a month, which was how all of them had earned their Keys separately.
The same rule applied to the Master Class Showcases.
"You three have all collected three Princess Keys too? Then we'll be competing on the same stage once again. I won't lose!"
Serena clenched her fists with determination.
Soon, the doors of the Gloire Hall opened, welcoming all the competitors who had earned their place in the Master Class High-Rank Showcase.
And beyond the stage, an ocean of eager spectators had gathered!
"Ladies and gentlemen in the audience, and everyone watching on television! Today we are proud to present the Gloire Hall's Master Class Pokémon Showcase—the Grand Gloire Competition!"
Pierre made his grand entrance!
On stage stood a line of sealed doors.
Each performer, holding three Princess Keys, unlocked her respective door.
And one by one, they would step out onto the dazzling stage!
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