From the details and features, Lucas was sure this was the legendary Pokémon from Kanto—Moltres.
But why was Moltres in Paldea? And how had Luxray and the others managed to drag it back in such a humiliating way?
Lucas had no time to ask; Luxray was almost upon them, and Eldegoss and the others were already hiding anxiously behind Serperior. Lucas looked at the lush fields behind him, turned pale, and shouted, "Don't come over here!!"
Luckily, Serperior was reliable. At the critical moment, two tree trunks as thick as two people hugging each other burst from the ground, sweeping toward Luxray.
After so long together, Luxray and Serperior worked in perfect sync, Luxray tossing Moltres into the air, Serperior's Frenzy Plant vines wrapping Moltres tightly and hurling it toward the still-unfinished lake area.
Lucas instantly understood Serperior's plan: bringing Moltres back like this would surely enrage it, and they'd have to fight before they could talk. Since they needed a big pit for the lake, might as well let Moltres make it now.
Boom—!
A huge crash came from the lake area, and Lucas shivered. "That must've hurt."
Luxray screeched to a halt in front of Lucas, Ceruledge leaping to his side with flair.
Mimikyu crawled slowly from Luxray's shadow and leaped into Lucas's arms, begging for praise.
Lucas gently rubbed Mimikyu's head, making it squint happily, then turned to Ceruledge and Luxray, quickly asking, "Good job, guys. So, what exactly happened?"
Luxray and Ceruledge exchanged glances, then started explaining, both talking and gesturing animatedly.
After some discussion, Lucas pieced together what had happened.
After leaving the farm, Luxray and the others had roamed the wilds of Paldea, searching for Pokémon with fiery bodies, but none were very strong—none as tough as the Gym Leaders they'd faced before.
After days of searching, they finally found Moltres at a volcano. But Moltres was aggressive and attacked them without hesitation.
Luxray and Ceruledge didn't hold back—they beat Moltres up. But Moltres could quickly recover by absorbing energy from the volcano's magma, and its stamina was terrifying. Luxray and Ceruledge decided to forcibly drag Moltres off the volcano and bring it back, letting Lucas handle it.
After all, even if they were stronger, fighting Moltres indefinitely was pointless.
Digesting this, Lucas's face changed as he realized the problem.
Legendary Pokémon are famous for their incredible stamina. Luxray had paralyzed Moltres with electricity, Ceruledge had absorbed its flames, and Mimikyu had weakened it with ghost energy from the shadows.
That's the only reason Luxray and the others could bring Moltres back.
But now that Moltres had had time to recover...
"Screeech—!!"
With a cry full of rage, Moltres's high, piercing screech echoed through the sky. Golden-orange flames burned on its wings sparks flying with every beat, a crown-like blaze roaring atop its head, its fiery tail beautiful and awe-inspiring.
Moltres spread its wings in the sky, spitting a pillar of fire so hot that the air itself warped. The blast hit the lake area, burning a huge crater.
Moltres was furious!
"Drago!" "Swamp!"
Sensing the commotion, Dragonite and Swampert returned, staring grimly at the raging Moltres.
All six Pokémon were now present. Lucas quickly considered how to handle Moltres.
There were two options.
First, everyone could attack together and instantly subdue Moltres—but then Moltres would never submit.
Second, a one-on-one fight. Even proud legendary Pokémon, if defeated in single combat, would accept it—even if captured.
Based on descriptions, Moltres was only about level 50–60—not too strong.
Lucas had no interest in catching Moltres.
So, he'd have to humble Moltres with a fight, then negotiate.
Having decided, Lucas looked at his six Pokémon and said, "Dragonite can fly, so it'll have an easier time. The rest of you, guard the perimeter and make sure the battle doesn't damage the farm."
"Drago!"
Dragonite clenched its claws, its honest eyes suddenly sharp, battle spirit rising.
The others, though disappointed not to be chosen, obediently took up defensive positions, both to guard the farm and to intercept Moltres if it tried to flee.
As for the chance Dragonite might lose?
They never even considered it!
Moltres, furious, rained its wrath down on the land. From the moment it became self-aware, every instinct had told it: it was nobler and more powerful than ordinary Pokémon; all others were beneath it.
Moltres didn't mind this mindset—it had lived proudly all its life.
But recently, its pride had been shattered by that thunder-beast and the shadowy swordsman, who easily absorbed its sacred flames.
Worse still, they'd dragged it by its weak points for a whole day.
Destroy everything around it and make those ants pay—that was all Moltres cared about now.
With seemingly endless energy, Moltres rained fire onto the ground, when suddenly, a human voice called out: "Battle me, Moltres!"
Moltres's bloodshot gaze instantly locked onto the calm, strolling human below.
With a beat of its wings, heavenly fire rained down from the sky!