Articuno
Ice/Flying

Zapdos
Electric/Flying

Moltres
Fire/Flying

A trinity of gods guarding the climate. Spirits of Mysticism, Instinct, and Valor.

Description
All three of these gods, even when they are unaware of a foe, exude enough power to put Pressure on anyone coming near them. Even standing can be tough against the waves of electrical force, frozen wind, or crushing heat.

Articuno, the bird of Mystic Ice. Larger than a human, it has a crest of dark blue feathers like a crown, its tail is seen as a waving trail of deep blue aurora. The down on its chest is like powder snow, while the rest of its feathers are blue and gleam like ice. When it starts paying attention, it generates a Snow Cloak to evade. If angered, it can lower its temperature far enough to induce Flash Freeze on contact.

Zapdos, driven by Instinct, is the smallest of these climate gods, barely being smaller than an adult human. Its beak is long and sharp, like ever last spiky yellow or black feather. It is difficult to observe for prolonged periods because of the dancing electric charge that keeps lighting it up. Static threatens to paralyze any foe on contact, and the charge directs incoming electricity into the feather shafts like Lightning Rods.

Moltres, the Valiant bird of Fire. The largest of the birds, it has orange feathers. The exact shape of its wings and tail are hard to determine because of the fire that keeps burning there. There is a crest of feathers along its brow, but they are covered by more fire. When its control is lax from focusing on interesting opponents, the Flame covers its Body. Though this courageous bird rarely flees, it can use Heat Warp to shroud the area in mirages.

Battle Characteristics
Articuno is the most resilient of these gods, showing the least response to any attack, but it is also slower.

Zapdos has the highest Speed and high Power, but visibly reacts to attacks.

Moltres is in the middle in Speed, and wields greater Strength and Power.

All three can shape the wind and augment it with their respective element.

Life Cycle
The birds come in trios. Should one die, the other two tend to perish soon after unless the slot is filled.

Diet
Articuno is seen hunting and preserving any food in ice. Zapdos is partial to fish. Moltres flushes prey from forests and grasslands.

Breeding
The nests are located in places like active volcanoes, mountains shrouded in blizzards, or guarded by relentless severe thunderstorms. And that is before the Pokémon loyal to the birds get involved. Do not approach.

Wild Behavior/Threat Level
They generally ignore humans. Should they take interest, bunkering down underground is considered the most sensible course of action.

With Followers
Articuno is sometimes claimed to be the smartest, as it patrons scholars of magic.

Soldiers and law enforcement are more likely to revere Moltres.

Zapdos has a following among adrenalin junkies.

Team Compatibility
In those early, chaotic days when the Pokéball was first leaving Johto and reaching Kanto, a trainer caught an Avatar of Moltres*. This incredible accomplishment led to him unifying the region and creating the Kanto League. His notes suggest a few details about Moltres.

Moltres did not like sharing team space with any other fire types. It seemed to see them as an insult, that a trainer would need more than its power. Likewise, it took several arguments between Moltres and Pidgeot to achieve a truce. Moltres embraced the competition and would give the Champion a cold shoulder any time he was forced to run.

*Remember, Avatars are little more than puppets, small fragments of the greater entity split away to gather new memories and adventures before returning to the origin. They are weaker than the true god, but still stand beyond most Pokémon.

Warning
They constantly surround themselves with hostile atmospheric conditions. Simply wearing the wrong clothing in their presence can be fatal.

Legends/Folklore
Articuno sometimes guides travelers out of mountains. However, its arrival frightens many and has led to deaths from stumbling off a ledge or fleeing into danger. The Statue Pass, a mountain pass with ice statues of an army, reminds us that while the Mystic bird may show some kindness, it also shows aggression when affronted.

Moltres, as the anchor of the first Indigo Champion's team, is revered in Kanto. The Plateau Hearth Fire has been kept alight for over a hundred years. Every five years there is a competition among a selected group of trainers to attempt to cook trail food using the Hearth Fire.

Generally, trios of the birds get along. If any bird is going to start a fight, it usually ends up starting because Zapdos did something.

The birds can show their displeasure with civilization by blighting the land with harsh weather.

Summary
Lords of fire, ice, and lightning, guardians of the weather.