Joined by Theo and his pokemon, Oscar continued his pursuit of Zapdos. The legendary bird was fast, but the damage it had sustained so far had greatly diminished its ability to fly swiftly. Meanwhile, Oscar's Dragapult was more than capable of closing the distance. As the storm keeper came within range, the Dragapult would unleash a volley of its own young upon its prey (Dragon Darts).

As the first few pierced through Zapdos, it would scream in enraged pain before turning toward its attackers. Zapdos flexed its limbs, unleashing a arcing array of Thunder Bolts toward its foes. The dragon darts that had yet to reach their destination were quickly incinerated by the bolts, but Oscar and his steed were able to nimbly maneuver around the lightning to avoid harm. Unfortunately, dodging lost them time as Zapdos quickly resumed its desperate flight toward the growing storm above.

Oscar yelled out to Theo, "I'm catching up, don't let it breach the clouds!"

Oscar was too busy to notice, but the perch had begun to collapse entirely. The majestic tower crumbled into a jumbled heap, smashing through the power plant below. Large chunks of debris spread destruction, only increasing as more and more of the building was felled. This proved to be both a blessing and a curse, as huge chunks of stone and steel would crush the Infinity Generator entirely, causing a grand explosion that would spell the end of Oscar's pride and joy.

Yet this was the best possible outcome. Mauville would face an unprecedented power outage sure, but the generator's destruction would prevent the meltdown that would have destroyed not only Route 110, but all of Mauville. Nevertheless, the New Mauville power plant had once again been turned into a ruin.

THEO BECKETT

The Hurricane disoriented Zapdos long enough for the vines of the Frenzy Plant to fully wrap around its body, rending it completely immobile. Zapdos screeched as the vines dug into its flesh and the harsh winds ripped at its beautiful feathers. For the first time in perhaps centuries, the great bird was starting to fear for its life. It had never imagined that it could be dragged into such a position but lesser beings--yet here it was on the brink of defeat.

...No...No no this was not how it ends.

It would rather tear the sky asunder then let such base creatures bring about its demise! Zapdos began to glow, Infinity Energy crackling across its restrained body. The air around it would begin to heat up, ionized by Zapdos gathering all of its remaining power. Oscar was still approaching their position, but even he could feel Zapdos's strength from more than twenty feet away. This was not good.

Oscar tapped his Dragapult's head, and it would speed up in an attempt to reach the battle sooner. Yet as the air around them grew thinner, Oscar began to panic. "Fire at will, don't let it finish whatever it's doing!" Dragapult fired off more Dragon Darts toward Zapdos, but the poor things evaporated before they could even get half way. Oscar suddenly felt the pressure mounting: To kill Zapdos--to keep Theo safe--to serve Rocket. Zapdos's body became enveloped by energy, ripping away its restraints by simply flexing its wings. Fueled by rage and hatred, the great bird cried out as it launched itself at a staggering speed toward its enemies, a majestic silhouette of power enlarging and extending its wings into an unavoidable size (Sky Attack).

There, as Oscar came up upon Theo, he made a snap decision. "Grab him and bolt!" Dragapult followed orders, wrapping itself around Theo and attempting to Phantom Force away to safety.

THEO BECKETT

Oscar's dragapult burst out of the dark space between realms, skidding to a stop on top of the cycling road. It let go of Theo and his Salamence, floating idly as its master sat rigidly upon its back. Oscar's body shook with barely contained fury, his adrenaline still spiking from the chase. He tried his best to keep his eyes down, to not witness the escape of his target. Yet he could not help himself. Oscar looked to the sky, his red eyes twitching as it watched Zapdos's flight.

Zapdos had discarded its shell of energy, leaving behind an aura of its relative shape hanging in the sky. It looked down only once, its keen eyesight resting upon its betrayers in the distance. This fight had brought Zapdos so very close to death, yet it shall never happen again. It looked forward, pushing these pitiful humans out of its mind as it flew into the storm clouds above. The storm welcomed its king with open arms, thunder roaring as Zapdos disappeared into its protective embrace.

Rain began to fall, and although Oscar would lose sight of Zapdos he could not help but continue staring upward. He slid off of his dragapult, slowly walking to the edge of the cycling road and placing his hands upon the road's railing. He did not flinch at the drops of water that fell upon his face, the chill of their touch was nothing compared to the fire that burned within him. He finally looked down, squeezing the railing as hard as he could. His body continued to shake, the sound of his breathing increasing as it became more difficult to restrain his anger.

He had failed.

THEO BECKETT

Oscar could not possibly notice Theo approach, but his dragapult easily spotted the underboss making a move on its master. It did not wish to intervene though, it had long learned that the quarrels between humans needed to be resolved by themselves. If Oscar's life came under threat it would step in, otherwise it simply sought to observe. It sent a leer toward Theo's Salamence, sending a very distinct message: I won't interfere if you don't.

The sudden pressure against his body shocked Oscar, gasping as his upper body was pushed over the rail. If he was not already grasping the railing with a vice grip, he would have surely fell over the edge. Oscar grit his teeth as he pushed back, attempting to free himself from Theo's body. However, Theo was a good deal stronger than Oscar and would not easily budge. Desperate to disengage, Oscar cried out as he whipped his head backward to deliver a reverse headbutt upon his assailant.

With distance created between them, Oscar swirled around. His hands remain latched onto the railing, ready to push him forward if Theo charged again. Oscar glared at his would-be murderer, his head ringing from the impact of his retaliation.

"Is this the gratitude of Theo Beckett?"

THEO BECKETT

Oscar's eyes flared, his upper body leaning forward as he began to shout at--of all people--THEO BECKETT. "I saved your life! You were going to die, and I saved you! I had to choose what was more valuable to Rocket--you, or revenge against a fuckin' bird! Be pissed if you want, but I chose you!"

Oscar paused to catch his breath, he had not yelled like that in a very long time. It felt cathartic in a way, unleashing the rage he had pent up from losing Zapdos. At least in part. Still, this left him with the problem of a very angry Beckett. If Oscar wanted to walk away alive, he needed to make his position clear.

As his body calmed, Oscar let go of the railing and stepped forward several steps. It was a show of faith, that even after the nonsense he just pulled Oscar still trusted his Underboss. At least enough to have an actual conversation. Oscar used a now free hand to push his wet bangs out of his eyes. "Do not mistake my choice for cowardice. I fully intend to track down Zapdos and finish what we started today. Though we should use the benefit of this down time to even the odds. Perhaps we can find something that will match its power."

Oscar thought for a moment, trying to think of anything he could suggest to fit this role. What his mind came up with was--unexpected, but from the look on his face it could be gathered that this sudden realization excited him. "Or--we can surpass it! Death incarnate once provided Rocket with its loyalty. I have an idea that might regain its favor, I'll just need a little time."

Oscar stepped forward again, staring into Theo's eyes with unwavering resolve. "We made a clear message today, that any legendary pokemon that thinks it can take advantage of Rocket will face dire consequences. It isn't enough though, Zapdos needs to die for what it's done to me. You were right all along Theo, let me help."

SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS

THEO BECKETT X OSCAR CLAYTON

ALTHOUGH ZAPDOS HAS FLED, the two Rockets will find the vacancy soon filled. The "zap" of electricity can be heard behind them, and should they swivel around, they would see a GALARIAN ZAPDOS strut forth. Its feathers rub together and another zap cracks into the air. Yet, there is no bolt. No blinding flash.

It does not run either. Calmly, it takes over the nest in which the original ZAPDOS had resided in. A Brood Parasite. A thief of effort. Smugly, the new bird roosts. Ruffles its feathers with a cacophonic crackle. By its black-masked stare, the Strong Legs Pokemon regards THEO BECKETT and oscar clayton with no aggression.

Instead its eyes convey the creation of a devilish new alliance.

The VS ZAPDOS mission has been archived. However, a new mission, VS GALARIAN ZAPDOS, has been created in its place.

THEO BECKETT oscar clayton