Chapter 44: An Unexpected Turn

Chapter 44: Sudden Change

The Ancient Moon Bird stood dumbly by the lakeside, its sharp, slender beak clamped around a brown little fish that seemed stuck in its throat, struggling desperately.

“What kind of Pokémon is that? Why haven’t I seen it before?”

Little Bamboo stared intently at the Ancient Moon Bird not far ahead, his eyes glittering like twin stars, brimming with curiosity that was almost overflowing.

“I don’t know… I haven’t seen it either,” Azhe answered in a low voice from beside him.

“Maybe it’s from the Galar region?”

The Galar region had only recently started contact with the League—a new territory teeming with fresh species of Pokémon. As “Dark Star,” a shadowy organization aspiring to rule the underground world, naturally sought to seize this opportunity, dispatching agents to Galar to establish a branch. But details, such as local power distribution and information on new Pokémon species, remained undisclosed. The duo’s current clearance didn’t grant them access to the organization’s key ongoing projects.

“Whatever—it’s best to catch it first and ask questions later.” Little Bamboo eagerly gripped his Poké Ball and strode forward.

Whether in the games of his previous life or in today’s Pokémon world, the allure of an unseen, new species was irresistible to trainers.

“Be careful!” Watching Little Bamboo’s enthusiastic approach, Azhe couldn’t help but warn him.

“Relax, this bird looks pretty dumb—surely not dangerous.” Little Bamboo waved his hand without turning back.

Indeed, the Ancient Moon Bird’s eyes were vacant, standing rigidly in place like a post—almost comical, especially with the lively fish stuck in its beak, lacking any hint of the aura typical of powerful Pokémon.

“Come out, Mega Yanma!”

“Yan!”

A shrill bug cry echoed through the air. Mega Yanma’s massive body appeared overhead, stirring up a whirlwind of dust with its powerful airflow.

“Air Slash! Let’s show it what we’ve got!”

Clearly, as a trainer, the wisest approach to capturing a wild Pokémon was to weaken it first.

“Yan!”

Mega Yanma’s translucent wings vibrated furiously, rippling the air. Blurred, crescent-shaped blades of wind were hurled toward the Ancient Moon Bird, the sound of slicing air whistling along the lakeside.

“Gaa?”

The Ancient Moon Bird tilted its head slightly, its lifeless emerald eyes staring blankly at the approaching Air Slash.

“Oh no—this bird really seems out of it. Why isn’t it dodging?”

“Hope it doesn’t get killed in one hit… Should’ve told Mega Yanma to hold back.”

Regret stirred in Little Bamboo’s heart as he watched the Ancient Moon Bird stand foolishly in place.

“Bang!”

A loud crash resounded from the ground, dust billowing as the Air Slash left deep gouges in the earth.

Beside them, the Ancient Moon Bird remained standing, its deep blue, satin-like feathers untouched, as if the Air Slash had never happened.

“Interesting…”

By the campfire, Azhe folded his arms, murmuring in a low voice.

He had seen it clearly: that seemingly dazed Ancient Moon Bird had, just as the Air Slash was about to hit, suddenly burst forth with astonishing speed—almost as if it teleported out of harm’s way.

His gaze lingered on the bird’s sleek feathers and streamlined form; Azhe thoughtfully stroked his chin.

“Ha! Just as I thought!” Little Bamboo let out a triumphant laugh, his excitement over the battle’s intensity nearly overwhelming.

“Mega Yanma, use ‘Detect’!”

As an experienced trainer, Little Bamboo had noticed the Ancient Moon Bird’s mysterious burst of speed.

Against a speed-type Pokémon, “Detect”—which increased accuracy—was certainly effective.

“Yan!”

Mega Yanma let out a low cry, its red compound eyes shooting beams toward the Ancient Moon Bird.

“Buzz!”

The Ancient Moon Bird showed no reaction, letting the crimson beams of Detect shine upon its body.

“Bug Buzz!”

Little Bamboo’s command echoed across the lakeside.

“Yan!”

Mega Yanma’s compound eyes flashed crimson, its gaze locked onto the Ancient Moon Bird. It shrieked, sending dense, translucent ripples through the air, sweeping toward the bird.

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

This time, Detect worked: the Ancient Moon Bird couldn’t evade Mega Yanma’s Bug Buzz. The powerful sound waves battered its body relentlessly.

Its deep blue, satin-like feathers were torn and disheveled, and even its emotionless emerald eyes flickered with pain.

“Now!”

With his rich experience, Little Bamboo keenly sensed this was the perfect moment to capture the unfamiliar bird Pokémon.

He drew a red-and-white Poké Ball from his belt and hurled it forcefully at the Ancient Moon Bird.

“Bang! Splash!”

The Poké Ball spun through the air, striking the stunned, pain-ridden Ancient Moon Bird with precision. A crisp sound echoed by the lake, and with a surge of red light, the bird was enveloped and drawn inside.

“Buzz…”

The red-and-white Poké Ball shook on the ground, glowing faintly with an uncertain red light.

“This should do it…”

Little Bamboo breathed out in relief, murmuring with quiet confidence.

Suddenly, just as he stepped forward to retrieve the Poké Ball, it jolted violently—almost as if the Ancient Moon Bird inside had just realized what was happening.

“Don’t tell me…”

Little Bamboo halted, his expression sour.

“Bang!”

Sure enough, the Poké Ball split apart, bursting with a flood of red light that scattered in glittering motes. The Ancient Moon Bird emerged, wings flapping.

It landed lightly on the ground, its hollow, calm eyes now flashing rare anger.

The constriction had made it deeply uncomfortable, filling its mind with a dreadful premonition of what would happen if it was captured.

Once the master of Mirror Lake, it had only been curious about these strange outsiders; but their indiscriminate attacks had worn its patience thin. Now, it resolved to teach these strange creatures a harsh lesson.

The Ancient Moon Bird opened its slender yellow beak, the brown fish trapped inside sensing its fate and ceasing to struggle.

“Buzz…”

Pale blue energy swirled rapidly, gathering in a vortex with remarkable efficiency.

By the lakeside, powerful energy waves surged, whipping the water into rolling waves like a storm.

Azhe’s expression changed dramatically. He snatched a Poké Ball from his belt and shouted urgently toward Little Bamboo:

“Watch out!”