Route 22 quickly gave way to Route 23, a long road stretching north. It was lined with impressive statues, and along the way, Axel encountered eight guards, each asking to see a specific Gym Badge. In each case, Axel was able to proudly display the badge, and was allowed to continue. This was really it, he realized- he was going to the Pokémon League.
At long last, Axel came to a large mountain, and saw that there was a cave going through it- Victory Road, he knew this to be called. The final test before the Pokémon League. A place teeming with tough Trainers.
A little paranoid about the local wild Pokémon, Axel had used a Max Repel before entering the cave. And so far, it seemed to be working. Of course, he had numerous Trainers to contend with, but his team was always able to handle them. And then, as Axel rounded a corner, he saw something that made his jaw drop. A humongous bird with wings of fire, standing proudly and majestically in the cave.
"...Moltres," Axel breathed. One of the three legendary bird Pokémon spoken of in myths. He had to catch this, he knew. As he made eye contact with Moltres, the bird gave a single nod, then assumed a fighting stance, as though confirming that it accepted his challenge. Not one to pass up such an opportunity, Axel threw a Poké Ball. "Kraken! Ice Beam!" he ordered the Gyarados, who roared loudly as he blasted the legendary with icy energy. And to Axel's amazement, the Moltres was frozen solid. Even its fiery wings weren't melting the ice. Wasting no time, Axel threw an Ultra Ball, but Moltres somehow broke free. When Axel threw a second Ultra Ball, however...
"Yes! I just caught the legendary Moltres!" Axel cheered, as Hotwings the Moltres was sent to the PC. Kraken roared his approval as well.
The rest of the trip through Victory Road... it was easier than Axel thought it would be. Much easier. There were numerous Trainers, oh, yes, and very tough ones, too, but Axel's Pokémon came out on top each and every time. And then, as Axel ascended a ladder, he saw daylight before him- he was almost out! He raced out the exit, and as he made his way north, past a small maze of statues, found himself facing an impressive building- the Pokémon League Headquarters. He had made it to Indigo Plateau. Now, naught but four of the best Trainers in the land stood between him and eternal glory.
