"Lugia~"
The long, resonant cry echoed through the seawater before quickly reaching both Silas and Slowking.
"It's...?"
Silas' eyes lit up.
Slowking let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"My lord has awakened."
The moment it finished speaking, Silas suddenly felt the weight on his body disappear. It was as if gravity itself had reversed, and he and Prinplup began plummeting toward the ocean floor as though they were in free fall.
Both Trainer and Pokémon instinctively tensed up and shut their eyes.
No one knew how much time passed.
Perhaps several seconds.
Perhaps only an instant.
When Silas finally relaxed and opened his eyes, a crystal-clear underwater world glowing with a gentle azure light appeared before him.
It was an incredibly strange sight.
Not far away, the surrounding seawater remained pitch-black, proving they were still deep beneath the ocean.
There was only one possible creator of such a miraculous scene.
Silas took a quiet breath before respectfully raising his head.
"Greetings... Guardian of the Sea."
"Greetings, human. Although, I am not the Guardian of the Sea. I am merely an ordinary Lugia."
A majestic yet gentle voice echoed throughout the illuminated waters.
The enormous Pokémon before Silas finally revealed its complete form.
Its body was almost entirely pure white, with a pale blue underside. The mask-like markings around its eyes, along with its dorsal fin and tail fin, were deep ocean blue. The scales covering its body resembled the feathers of a Flying-type Pokémon, while its enormous wings rested gracefully at its sides like folded arms.
Its dorsal fin gently swayed with the ocean currents.
It was Lugia, the legendary Guardian of the Sea.
Of course, as Lugia itself had stated, this was merely one member of the Lugia species rather than the singular Sea Guardian revered in legend.
That, however, did nothing to diminish its overwhelming divine presence or unimaginable power.
Slowking floated calmly beside Lugia.
"I can smell the scent of many old friends on you. It truly brings back memories."
Lugia slowly drifted forward, lowering its massive head beside Silas.
Neither Silas nor Prinplup dared to move.
This wasn't the first time Silas had encountered Legendary Pokémon whose mere presence carried tremendous pressure. But never before had he experienced anything like this.
The oppressive aura surrounding Lugia made it almost impossible to breathe, let alone move.
And judging by the situation this remarkably gentle Lugia was already holding back.
Otherwise Silas wasn't sure he'd still be conscious.
"Oh... My apologies. I only just awakened, and my control over my power isn't perfect yet."
Fortunately, Lugia quickly noticed the problem.
The surrounding seawater rippled violently.
"Hah... Hah..."
Silas and Prinplup gasped desperately for air.
The sensation was anything but pleasant.
Floating nearby, Slowking's eyes glowed with brilliant violet-blue psychic energy.
A soft white light surrounded Silas and Prinplup.
Under the effects of Heal Pulse, their bodies quickly recovered.
"Slowking has already explained your proposal. I believe it's worth trying."
Lugia slowly flapped its enormous wings.
Only in the deepest parts of the ocean could it freely use its power without worrying about affecting the surface world.
If it were above the sea, one careless movement could create storms that lasted for months.
And the true Sea Guardian of its species would certainly come looking for it afterward.
That was precisely why, despite being enormous winged Pokémon, Lugia preferred living deep beneath the sea.
"However, Alto Mare won't work."
Lugia hesitated.
"There are simply too many humans there.
Unlike Latias and Latios, my kind cannot conceal our appearance or transform into humans. My child would be discovered far too easily. As for the waters south of Cherrygrove City.
Suicune rarely remains there for long. It's constantly traveling to purify polluted waters, so it wouldn't have time to watch over my child.
That leaves only one option, the Whirl Islands."
At that point, Lugia sighed visibly.
"I assume you already know how the Whirl Islands came to exist. That incident truly was my doing."
"I understand completely."
Silas could only smile awkwardly.
There was no way he was going to criticize Lugia for losing its temper.
Besides, according to historical records, the fault had originally been humanity's.
Long ago, when the Whirl Islands had still been one enormous island, it sat directly between two neighboring nations. Both countries claimed ownership because everyone knew Lugia lived there.
Whichever nation controlled the island could claim Lugia's protection as political leverage.
Perhaps Lugia would even defend its homeland.
Naturally, neither side was willing to compromise. Eventually, arguments escalated into full-scale war near Lugia's home.
The outcome was obvious.
Instead of deciding ownership, they enraged Lugia.
In a fit of fury, Lugia split the massive island into four great islands, today's Navel Rock, Fire Island, Ice Island, and Lightning Island while countless smaller islands scattered outward, eventually forming the spiral archipelago now known as the Whirl Islands.
Ironically, the once-isolated region eventually became one of Johto's greatest tourist attractions.
Today, the Whirl Islands were thriving with towns and recreational facilities.
Every three years, they even hosted the Whirl Cup, drawing Water-type Trainers from across the world.
Originally, Silas had planned to visit after completing his current mission.
"Before meeting you," Lugia continued, "I had no intention of returning to the Whirl Islands. Not even for my child.
However, Since Lady Ho-Oh has already appeared and entrusted you with the Rainbow Wing, I am willing to try something different. If, during my child's growth, a human discovers it and chooses friendship instead of seeking to exploit its power.
Then I would gladly return to the Whirl Islands and live there once again."
"You won't be disappointed."
Silas smiled confidently.
After all, this world was filled with people who genuinely loved Pokémon.
Wasn't it?
"Perhaps."
Lugia neither agreed nor disagreed.
Having spent recent years asleep while recovering its strength, it hadn't paid much attention to humanity.
It only hoped history wouldn't repeat itself.
As for its child's safety, there were only a handful of Lugia left in the entire world. Even if this Lugia fell into a weakened slumber, the other Lugia would devote part of their attention to watching over its child, so there was nothing to worry about.
After all, the true Guardian of the Sea lived in nearby waters.
"Lugia~"
Under the watchful eyes of Silas and Prinplup, the enormous Lugia stretched its neck once more and let out a long, melodious cry.
"Lugia~"
A younger, much more immature cry answered from the pitch-black waters in the distance.
Soon, a tiny Lugia, roughly one-tenth the size of its parent returned to its side.
Silas stared blankly at the little Lugia.
It's even smaller than I imagined.
Prinplup suddenly broke free from Silas' arms and curiously swam over to the baby Lugia.
Stretching out one flipper to compare their heights, it realized the little Lugia wasn't even as tall as it was.
"Prin!"
Prinplup immediately puffed out its chest, planted its flippers on its hips, and proudly looked down at the little Lugia.
"Lugia?"
The baby Lugia tilted its head in confusion.
It had no idea what this Water-type Pokémon was trying to do.
"Prin! Prin!"
Prinplup boldly patted the little Lugia on the shoulder before pointing proudly at itself.
"Little guy, from now on, I've got your back!"
The baby Lugia looked up at its parent with innocent confusion.
"You called me back just to find me a big brother? That doesn't even look like one of our species."
Silas and Lugia both looked at their own children speechlessly.
Silas sighed.
"What is it with you? You've been spending too much time with Vulpix and picking up bad habits."
He grabbed Prinplup by both feet and pulled it behind him.
You idiot its parent is standing right there.
We can't beat them. If you're going to recruit a little brother, at least wait until the parent isn't watching.
"Prin!"
Prinplup immediately protested.
It had been jealous of Vulpix's little follower for ages.
Now that it had finally found someone even smaller than itself, wasn't it allowed to take it home and show it off?
"What about Gible? Didn't it just hatch? Why don't you recruit it instead?"
"Prin! Prin!"
Prinplup shook its head so hard it was almost a blur.
No.
Absolutely not.
For some reason, every time it looked at Gible, it got an inexplicable feeling of danger.
Besides it wasn't stupid.
Vulpix could pin its little brother to the ground if necessary.
Prinplup definitely couldn't.
What if its little brother evolved and eventually became stronger than the boss?
That would be embarrassing.
Silas was left completely speechless.
"But wouldn't little Lugia become even stronger?"
"Prin~!"
Prinplup proudly waved a flipper.
See? That's where you're wrong.
By the time that little guy grows to be as big as its dad. I'll probably have been dead for hundreds of years.
No chance it'll ever surpass me while I'm alive.
Thump!
Silas immediately flicked Prinplup on the head.
"So that's your brilliant plan."
Thanks to Prinplup's ridiculous logic, the tiny bit of interest he'd briefly felt toward raising little Lugia disappeared instantly.
Thinking about it.
According to his memories, even seven or eight years later, the anime's baby Lugia still hadn't grown very much.
At that growth rate it would probably take centuries before it reached the level of an adult Legendary Pokémon.
Rather than waiting that long.
He'd rather spend his time figuring out how to help his own partners reach the level of a minor Legendary.
In a way Arceus was fair.
Although first-tier Legendary Pokémon like Lugia possessed nearly limitless lifespans and overwhelming power.
They also paid the price through unbelievably long growth periods.
Meanwhile.
Lugia was giving its child a proper lecture.
Running around outside every day. Who knew what kind of Pokémon had taught it such nonsense?
How dare it talk about its own parent like that?
The little Lugia lowered its head obediently, not daring to argue.
Being grounded at the bottom of the sea would be an unbearable punishment.
Slowking looked left, then right. Suddenly, it felt like it had become completely unnecessary.
"Lugia~!"
After listening to Lugia's explanation, the little Lugia finally realized that it would soon be free to explore the outside world.
It cried out happily.
When it looked toward Silas again. Its eyes had become much friendlier.
This human is a really good person!
Even the way it looked at Prinplup changed.
Maybe being this guy's little brother wouldn't be so bad after all.
After all, its Trainer had actually convinced its parent to let it roam freely.
"Prin?"
Feeling the little Lugia staring at it, Prinplup scratched its head in confusion.
The lecture didn't last long.
Lugia soon brought its child back to Silas.
"Well then Let's go."
"...Go?"
Before Silas could even process Lugia's words. The feeling of weightlessness returned.
Countless afterimages flashed before his eyes.
An instant later...
Brilliant sunlight flooded his vision.
Silas instinctively raised a hand to shield his eyes.
"Lugia~!"
"Prin!"
Familiar cries rang out around him.
Feeling the long-lost wind brushing across his face.
Silas slowly opened his eyes.
Layer upon layer of white clouds surrounded him.
Beneath him a gigantic white Pokémon spread its wings as it soared through the sky.
Gulp.
Silas swallowed hard.
After confirming it several times.
He finally accepted reality.
He was riding on Lugia's back through the sky.
"Am I Ash now?"
That was somehow the first thought that entered his mind.
Then came the second.
"To be fair riding a Legendary really does feel different from riding Pidgeot."
"Way smoother."
Seeing the vacant expression on his Trainer's face, Prinplup flapped its wings in obvious disdain.
Then it turned toward the little Lugia beside it.
"Prin~"
"What's wrong? Feeling uncomfortable?"
Lugia asked gently.
"This is actually my first time carrying a human. Please bear with me."
Sensing the stiffness in Silas' body, Lugia even strengthened the protective barrier around him.
Humans really were fragile creatures.
"No, no."
Silas shook his head repeatedly.
"I'm not uncomfortable. I'm just too excited."
Maybe riding Lugia wasn't as flashy as riding that black Shiny Caterpie(Rayquaza).
But it was incredible in its own right.
As far as appearance went, Lugia ranked among the coolest of all Legendary Pokémon.
Click.
Click.
Click.
"What are you doing?"
Lugia asked curiously after hearing the strange noises behind it.
Silas quietly lowered the smartwatch he had been using to take selfies.
"Nothing. Just recording the moment.
You don't mind humans knowing you exist, do you?"
"It's fine. As long as my child isn't discovered. It's still far too weak."
Lugia remained as easygoing as ever.
Thinking about it if Lugia had a bad temper, it probably wouldn't have gone through so much effort to raise a child in the first place.
"That's good to hear."
Silas nodded knowingly before pulling a proper camera from his dimensional backpack.
A moment like this obviously deserved better than a selfie.
..
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