Roberta's Zapdos

**Roberta's Zapdos** (Japanese: **ロバータのサンダー** *Robata's Thunder*) is the last of the Legendary birds to appear. It was initially used by Lt. Surge and later captured by Roberta.

## **History**

### **Kanto**

When Zapdos first appeared, it was revealed to have been captured by Lt. Surge in the Power Plant. Zapdos appeared again, where it was used in Lt. Surge's fight against Edge at the Silph Co. in Saffron City. Zapdos was used to charge Lt. Surge's energy supplies, which Lt. Surge himself was immune to thanks to his electric-proof undersuit. Using its electric energy, Zapdos was used to provide the rest of Lt. Surge's Pokémon with an infinite amount of energy to attack with. After wearing down Edge's Pikachu, Zapdos was used against Edge's Ivysaur, attacking with a powerful Thunderbolt, causing major damage. After evading multiple Razor Leafs, Lt. Surge had Zapdos charge itself up to its max energy, planning to attack the entire battlefield with a devastating Thunder. Right before the move was executed, Edge had Venusaur uses the remaining leafs to cut Lt. Surge's undersuit, causing the Thunder attack to hit Lt. Surge instead of Edge, knocking him out and ending the battle.

Zapdos was called upon by Sabrina's Kadabra and was soon after fused with Articuno and Moltres due to Roberta's use of the Badge Energy Amplifier, using Edge's Gym Badges as a power source. The three birds were soon separated by a combined attack from Edge's Venusaur, Robyn's Charizard and Roberta's Blastoise. After being separated, Zapdos was released back into the wild.

### **Johto**

Prior to the final battle agains the Masked Man at Ilex Forest, Roberta captured Zapdos to help her overcome her fear of birds. She called it out alongside Articuno and Moltres to battle the Masked Man's Lugia and Ho-Oh. Roberta got on Moltres's back, while she has Edge command Articuno and Robyn command Zapdos. The three birds fired off a combination attack against Ho-Oh, who countered with Sacred Fire. Before Ho-Oh could be overwhelmed by the Legendary birds, Lugia dispersed them with its own attack.

While the Kanto Pokédex holders were trying to think of a way to attack the Tower duo, a large group of Pokémon exited the Azalea Pokémon Center and begun grouping around Ho-Oh and Lugia, each sharing the thoughts of stopping evil with their Trainers. The combined efforts of the Pokémon allow Ho-Oh and Lugia to be freed from the Masked Man's control. With Ho-Oh and Lugia gone, Roberta returned Zapdos to its Poké Ball.

## **New Era**

A few years after the incident with the Masked Man, Roberta released all three Legendary birds back into the wild, as Roberta realized they were far happier being free rather than being with her.

## **Personality and Characteristics**

Zapdos is a very powerful Pokémon, easily supplying Lt. Surge's Electric-type Pokémon with an infinite amount of energy and was able to stand its ground against both Lugia and Ho-Oh.

Zapdos was shown to have little regard for its original Trainer, attacking Lt. Surge with Thunder despite knowing that it would hurt him. Zapdos holds its current Trainer in high regards, easily listening to her commands and having no problem following her orders to be commanded by another Trainer.

## **Moves used**

 A **†** shows that the move was used recently, unless all moves fit this case or there are fewer than five known moves.