----
Raikou's arrival was like a thunderclap itself.
Its massive, muscular body was covered in golden fur. Powerful limbs rippled with strength, each paw tipped with razor-sharp claws. A flowing, lightning-shaped blue tail crackled faintly with static.
But what truly captured the eye was the black iron-like plate across its forehead, and beneath it a fierce, X-shaped mustache framing its mouth, emphasizing its wild, feral appearance.
Compared to Entei's regal majesty and Suicune's composed grace, Raikou radiated pure, untamed ferocity.
One look at its flashing eyes and bared fangs told you everything you needed to know: this beast was a storm barely contained by flesh and blood.
Kai couldn't help himself he whipped out his Pokédex and scanned it.
> Pokédex Entry:
Raikou—the Thunder Pokémon. Electric-type. One of Johto's Legendary Beasts and a member of Ho-Oh's guardian trio. It is said Raikou descended to earth alongside lightning, its body charged with thunderous energy. Carrying storm clouds on its back, it can unleash bolts of electricity at will, shaking the air and rattling the earth with its roar.
Kai nodded slightly. No doubt about it. Raikou was every bit the legendary monster the stories described.
But honestly, in a battle this intense, Kai was surprised Raikou had stayed hidden for as long as it had.
With power spilling everywhere and the environment itself shifting and trembling, it was only a matter of time before Raikou was forced into the open.
And when it finally showed itself, it didn't hesitate for a second.
It charged straight into battle aiming directly for Zapdos.
Clearly, it had been watching from the shadows for some time, gauging the battlefield. Maybe it recognized the Three Legendary Birds as direct threats or maybe, sensing the intense electric power of Zapdos, it was drawn by a primal instinct to dominate.
Either way, there was no turning back now.
Three against three.
The numbers were even and the battlefield exploded into new levels of chaos.
The Legendary Beasts fought shoulder to shoulder now, their initial hesitation replaced by pure survival instinct. Entei, Suicune, and Raikou worked together against the united force of Moltres, Articuno, and Zapdos.
High above, the storm that had been brewing finally broke loose.
Sheets of freezing rain pounded the ground. Thunder cracked. Shards of ice swirled through the air.
And in the midst of it all, the six Legendary Pokémon clashed lightning against flame, ice against water, thunder against wind.
Chunks of crystal tore free from the tower with every shockwave. The very foundation of the Crystal Tower groaned under the strain, teetering on the verge of collapse.
Night had fallen. Visibility dropped.
Rain turned into a whiteout blizzard.
The battlefield became a shadowy maelstrom where even the combatants could barely see each other's forms.
Gardevoir acted quickly, conjuring a shimmering psychic shield over Kai to shield him from the elements.
Still, he pulled his jacket tighter against the creeping cold.
It was impossible to see clearly now.
Even the Legendary Pokémon had to fight half-blind, reacting to movement and instinct rather than sight.
Another lightning bolt flashed across the heavens briefly illuminating the entire battlefield in a wash of silver light.
Kai seized the moment to scan the chaos.
His Birds, despite their proud, clashing personalities, had fought together under his training long enough to form a rough understanding.
Even now, they instinctively synchronized some of their attacks, weaving together fierce combos: Zapdos' lightning strikes timed perfectly with Moltres' firestorms, Articuno's icy gusts freezing enemies just before they were hit by heavy blows.
By contrast, the Beasts fought fiercely but individually.
Their teamwork was clumsy. Every now and then, Kai caught glimpses of Entei or Suicune flinching away from Raikou's stray thunderbolts or each other's wild attacks.
It was still a brutal fight.
Even with the Birds' slight advantage in teamwork, the Beasts' raw power and resilience kept them in the game.
Kai's heart pounded.
Originally, with a three-on-two advantage, he had been confident. Victory seemed within reach.
But now, with Raikou's sudden appearance, even he wasn't sure anymore.
If the Legendary Beasts realized the danger and tried to flee, there was no guarantee the Birds could stop them all. At best, they might catch one… maybe two.
But all three?
Doubt gnawed at him.
"C'mon…" he muttered under his breath. "Don't run. Fight it out."
The storm shifted again.
The rain abruptly stopped, replaced by swirling snow.
And through the swirling white, burning meteors spawned by Moltres' flames rained down from the heavens.
BOOM!
The explosion of power shook the earth so violently that even those far away noticed.
---
Far off at the Pokémon Center, Professor Oak, John, Nurse Joy, Officer Jenny, and others, including Erika, stood on a hilltop, gazing in awe at the distant battle.
Even from here, they could make out the shadowy outlines of three colossal birds weaving through the clouds, raining elemental fury down onto the earth.
On the ground, three powerful beasts returned fire flashes of fire, ice, and lightning lighting up the night sky.
Reporters were frantically trying to capture the event, though even with maximum zoom, all they could catch were blurry silhouettes.
The female reporter, barely containing her excitement, thrust a microphone toward Professor Oak.
"Professor, can you explain what's happening? Why are Kanto's Legendary Birds battling Johto's Legendary Beasts!?"
The world had never witnessed anything like this.
Six Legendary Pokémon, gathered in one place, clashing with the fury of gods.
A live broadcast of this event, even blurred, would make history.
Oak hesitated, choosing his words carefully.
"My guess," he said, adjusting his glasses thoughtfully, "is that since Entei was born from Molly's dreams, the Unown who shape reality based on human thoughts likely pulled images of other Legendary Pokémon from Ash and the others' memories. Perhaps… the Three Birds were summoned to challenge the Beasts Molly idolized."
The reporter's eyes widened.
Even without clear footage, even without details, this was the story of a lifetime.
And above them all, somewhere in the raging skies, Kai fought alongside his Legendary Pokémon in a battle that would become legend itself.
----
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