[Lance:] Good grief! If that destructive force hit the city, a third of Alto Mare would be wiped out!
[Lugia:] That's probably when my counterpart isn't using its full strength. If it went all out… there should be no problem wiping out most of the city.
[Flint:] Is this the power of a Legendary-tier Pokémon… It's so enviable!
Flint sighed with emotion, growing ever more eager for the Legendary-tier. It wasn't that he was boasting. Among all the Champions, he should be the one closest to that realm. Even after Charizard Gigantamaxed, his Charizard could briefly touch that tier with a triple-powered super attack! But to truly reach the Legendary-tier… there was still a gap.
[Cynthia:] A Legendary-tier… I'm still far off. Even if my Garchomp Mega Evolves, I'm afraid it wouldn't reach that level.
[Caitlin:] Hey, hey, hey! Stop discussing these unrealistic things! At least I never thought about reaching Legendary-tier in my lifetime. I'd be thankful just to make Champion.
[Caitlin:] Compared to that, have you seen Rian's expression? She looks scared out of her mind! It's hilarious—this piece of trash finally has a day like this!
Over in the White World, although Rian and Sanna had received their just punishment, everyone felt that just going to jail was too light for them. If the laws of that world weren't so lenient, the crime of nearly drowning Alto Mare would have been enough to have them guillotined! This had led to widespread resentment toward the pair. Even an Elite Four member used curses like "scumbags" when talking about them. Now, seeing the two women in the Black World frightened out of their wits by Black Ash, everyone felt a profound sense of catharsis.
[Flint:] I saw it! Good, good, good! So terrified! This is the first time I've seen someone's face change colors without a mask—from white to black, from black to green! Incredible!
[Volkner:] When it comes to changing faces, I'm convinced. Sanna outside probably doesn't know what's going on. When Ash arrives with Dark Lugia, I'm waiting to see her scared senseless!
[Volkner:] Reasonable, correct, you thief!!
...
In the Black World
— after Rian witnessed Dark Lugia's might, she completely regretted provoking Ash. But regret was useless now; she had already provoked him, and running away was impossible. That huge bird-like creature wouldn't give them any time to escape! Now they had only one choice: use all the power at their disposal to snipe the opponent down!
"Maximum power… it has to work!"
Rian manipulated the complicated controls, murmuring to herself.
Outside, Sanna didn't know what was happening. She was just a little puzzled.
Why had Rian, who was shouting just moments ago, fallen silent now?
Just as Rian adjusted the power to maximum, Latios's continuous cries of pain grew even louder! At the same time, the pure and beautiful Heart Dew atop the machine had now transformed into a filthy state. To describe it in one phrase… iridescent black! As Rian turned up the power, the blackening of the Heart Dew accelerated exponentially! Even hairline cracks began to appear on the outer crystal…
On the other side, after Ash and the others, riding Dark Lugia, defeated the Aerodactyl, the dazzling light and massive explosion woke many citizens. Those awakened tried to go see what was happening, only to find themselves locked in! All exits were blocked by iron bars, with no way out at all! Panic began to spread through the water city… What on earth was happening?!
After crushing the Aerodactyl, Dark Lugia led everyone forward again. But within seconds, another obstacle appeared. This time it wasn't a Pokémon, but water—a massive body of water! The entire water source in front of Dark Lugia coalesced into a colossal wave. The terrifying swell seemed to swallow the starry sky as it crashed toward Dark Lugia.
A trace of disdain flashed in Dark Lugia's eyes.
An attack of this level… who did it think it was fooling?
ROAR!!!!
A mighty roar erupted. Lugia beat its wings violently, stirring up a gale, and a storm gathered instantly. An unparalleled hurricane force blasted directly into the massive wave. A silver tornado pierced into the swell, sucking all the water into it. The silver tornado became a waterspout, hurtling skyward before finally exploding in the air, turning into a sky-full of rain.
Just as Dark Lugia prepared to press on, the falling rain suddenly surrounded them. In the blink of an eye, all the water transformed into a gigantic aquatic prison, rapidly closing in to crush them!
"Don't bother with it, Lugia! Just charge through!"
Ash looked at these seemingly conscious flowing waters, a bad feeling growing in his heart. It wasn't that these waters posed a threat to him, but… that the other side was suddenly using such a vast amount of energy. What would happen to Latios and the Heart Dew, the core energy suppliers?
He recalled the legend Kanon mentioned—one he never wanted to see come true. If the Heart Dew fell into the hands of someone with a filthy mind, it would become turbid and might even shatter! If the legend was true… then the trouble was serious!
Hearing this, Dark Lugia stopped playing games with the water. It beat its wings, and its body shot forward. Ash used his Aura power to shield Sabrina and the others so they wouldn't be thrown off or crushed by the terrifying wind pressure. In less than three seconds, Dark Lugia crossed a distance of several kilometers, arriving right in front of the Grand Cathedral!
When it stopped, the resulting gust of wind made the cathedral's pendulum chime violently. Kanon, tied up inside the Grand Cathedral, heard the sound and thought of Ash inexplicably.
"Is it Ash…?"
"No way… Although Latias ran to Ash for help, in this situation, with the thieves using the Heart Dew and Latios to control the city, even Ash couldn't get here so quickly, right?"
Earlier, she had heard Rian's furious voice, but then Rian fell silent. She naturally assumed Rian was using all her strength to stop Ash, and perhaps even Ash had been halted or attacked by the other side! But now the commotion outside… Could Ash really be here?
In the cockpit, Rian was nearly frightened out of her wits by the noise outside.
How… how is this possible? That distance… it's only been… three seconds?
How could it get here so fast!!
Why? Why can't all our efforts stop them?!
Why is that kid so strong!
After all our hardship, even the power obtained by sacrificing a gem and a Pokémon is useless against that brat?!
Why is this happening?!
Rian screamed at the top of her lungs in her heart, but no sound escaped. She didn't dare make a sound. Sweat beaded all over her body; she was drenched, feeling the entire cockpit was unbearably hot, yet she didn't dare step outside—as if going out would mean certain death!
"Hand over Latios!!"
A roaring voice echoed through the hall. Sanna's face, still confused by the earlier vibrations, instantly changed. This voice… unmistakably, it was that kid!
"What's going on, Rian? Shouldn't you be stopping him?"
Rian hadn't made a sound for a long time, so Sanna thought she was resisting Ash with all her might and hadn't wanted to disturb her. But what was happening now? Why had the brat reached their doorstep without Rian saying a word?
"Rian? Rian!! What's wrong with you, Rian?!"
Hearing no reply from Rian, Sanna finally realized something was wrong. She shouted and ran toward the cockpit.
At that moment, Ash and the other four burst in. Latias had already reverted to her true form, while Dark Lugia remained outside controlling the situation, just in case. Upon entering, Latios's pitiful state, Kanon and Ben tied to the wall, and the machine emitting a pitch-black light from the Heart Dew—all were reflected in Ash's eyes. Endless rage surged in Ash's heart… those two bastards!!
"Tch! They're really here… Ariados, Espeon, use—"
"Quick Attack!!"
Before Sanna could finish her command, Pikachu shot forward with lightning speed. A collision sent Ariados smashing into the wall with a violent crash, leaving dense cracks across the Grand Cathedral's stone. Not stopping for a moment, the lightning-bolt-shaped tail behind it lit up with a metallic gleam and, with a sound of tearing air, struck hard at Espeon's waist! In an instant, Espeon felt as if it were about to be sliced in two! Of course, that was just a sensation. No matter how angry, Pikachu still knew to control its strength. The next second, Espeon followed in Ariados's footsteps, firmly embedded in the wall.
Ash, meanwhile, used his bare hands to tear down the String Shot binding Ben and Kanon. Once freed, Kanon felt weak all over and couldn't help but fall into Ash's arms. Misty and Sabrina didn't mind this given the circumstances. What kind of time was this for jealousy…?
"Kanon, are you okay?"
"No… I'm fine… just feel a bit weak. But more importantly… Ash, save Latios! He's dying!"
Kanon clutched Ash's clothes tightly, pleading with him…
In the Black World —
Kanon clutched Ash's clothes tightly, pleading with him. Ash looked at Latios, who now had strange current lines crawling across his body, his frame twitching. If his eyes weren't slightly open, outsiders might think he was dead. Latios's power was almost completely drained now; he didn't even have the strength left to cry.
However, upon seeing Ash arrive, he finally felt a sense of relief. He wasn't grateful for his own potential escape or safety, but that his sister had found Ash. Although their contact had been brief, Ash gave him a profoundly reliable feeling.
Ash gently set Kanon down and then strode quickly to Latios. Latias was beside her brother, looking at him worriedly and humming softly to Ash.
Ash, Ash, please save my brother! He's in so much pain!
"Alright, don't worry. I'll save him. Just step back for now."
Hearing this, Latias slowly retreated. Ash took a deep breath, clenched his right fist, concentrated his Aura power into it, and then threw a punch!
A sonic boom cracked through the air. The solid fist, brimming with energy, slammed hard into the device entrapping Latios.
BOOM!!
CRACK-CRACK-CRACK——
With one punch, the energy surrounding the device had a stress reaction, trying to repel Ash, but the force was nothing to him. After he exerted his power a second time, the device imprisoning Latios made a crisp sound. The ring surrounding him began to crack inch by inch, and the protective energy field around it diminished drastically! The next second, his fist struck the surrounding ring squarely.
Instantly, the cracks on the ring reached their limit, and then it exploded!
The electric currents surrounding Latios vanished instantly. Finally free from the agony, he collapsed weakly to the ground. Seeing this, Latias quickly moved to help her brother up, her light-filled eyes full of heartache. Originally, she was supposed to bear this pain, but her brother had done it for her…
"It's alright, Latias. Although Latios is weak, he'll be fine after recovering. His foundation isn't damaged."
As he spoke, Ash slowly transferred the Aura power within his body to help Latios recover. The method of boosting life force was very effective for healing. Although Latios's injuries were still quite severe, his spirit had obviously improved significantly.
After helping stabilize Latios's condition, Ash finally had a moment to look at the massive device. By now, Sabrina and the others had already subdued Sanna. As for the other thief… judging by the shouts coming from the rampaging device, her location was obvious. Yes, the device was rampaging. The huge machine in the Grand Cathedral was now completely different from what Ash had seen before—like a Ferris wheel suffering from mad cow disease, spinning wildly!
"Kanon, what's going on? How do we stop this thing?" Ash shouted to Kanon, who was resting nearby. He could stop it by force, but the result would definitely be the machine exploding! So, using brute force… naturally couldn't be the first resort. Now he had to ask Kanon if there was another way.
"I… I don't know either..." Kanon shook her head innocently. She didn't know much about the legends. What she knew were the previous legends about the Heart Dew, Latios, and Latias. She hadn't even known this device could extract energy from Latios and the Heart Dew.
"Ash, go and remove the Heart Dew! As long as the Heart Dew is gone, the device should return to normal!"
Ben, next to Kanon, spoke up. He seemed to know a bit more about the legends than Kanon did.
Hearing this, Ash responded.
"Okay…"
BOOM!!
The moment Ash agreed, the utterly blackened Heart Dew atop the device exploded!
After the Heart Dew exploded, the device not only didn't stop but began spinning even faster!
Ash: ...
"So… the Heart Dew exploded. How do we stop it now?"
Ben: …
What in the world is this?!
The Heart Dew exploded?
Right… People with evil intentions will corrupt the Heart Dew when they use it.
Now it seems the Heart Dew must have been polluted to its extreme, so it exploded directly.
If it exploded… could it be that…!
Just as a terrible premonition arose in Ben's heart, the entire Grand Cathedral began to shake violently.
Ash, come outside! Something's wrong!
"What?!!"
Ash heard Dark Lugia's telepathic call and hurriedly ran outside. After exchanging glances, Sabrina and the others also ran out after Ash. Before leaving, Sabrina used her psychic power to transform the subdued Sanna into a doll and tossed her into a corner of the cathedral to prevent her from escaping. Even if Rian emerged from the device, she'd have no way to restore Sanna.
Once outside, Ash's pupils constricted.
He saw the entire water source beginning to flow backwards, as if Alto Mare was about to be submerged! A white line rose on the distant horizon—that was… a monstrous tsunami! This wasn't an adjective, but a real tsunami, one that seemed capable of swallowing heaven and earth! Compared to the wave Rian had controlled earlier, it was simply the difference between an ant and an elephant!
If this tsunami were allowed to sweep over Alto Mare, the entire city would likely disintegrate in an instant, sinking beneath the sea to become a new legend in the Pokémon world.
"Lugia, is there any way to stop it?" Ash asked Dark Lugia with a grave expression. Even if he converted all his power into psychic energy, he might not be able to control a natural attack of this scale. This wasn't something a mere sub-Legendary's power could block!
I can use corresponding force to counteract the wave, but… I am not my other self. I can only use brute force to block it. If I do, the Pokémon in the water and the city itself may not remain intact.
In other words, Dark Lugia could use equal power to resist the tsunami's attack, but the aftermath of the collision between the two forces might kill all the sea Pokémon and even cause significant damage to Alto Mare itself—howling gales, crashing residual waves… it would all be inevitable. Even if the tsunami were stopped, Alto Mare would be severely damaged… and there might even be casualties!
"Those two bastards… They are truly among the most savage people I've ever seen in my life!" If he hadn't met Vicious before, then these two women were the most beastly people Ash had ever encountered, bar none!
Now the question was, how to solve this tsunami… If nothing else worked, the only choice would be Dark Lugia's solution. After all, compared to the total destruction of Alto Mare, having the sea Pokémon wiped out by the tsunami's aftermath while Dark Lugia blocked it and minimized damage was the better option, right?
Ash, it seems you're in trouble!
Ash: !!!
Good timing!
The moment the telepathic voice sounded in Ash's mind, he also sensed a massive Aura presence arriving. He looked up and saw a silver-purple figure slowly descending.
Still loves to make an entrance…
"Mewtwo?!"
Sabrina and the others followed Ash's gaze and saw Mewtwo descending slowly. The three of them couldn't help but exclaim. What Ash had told them yesterday hadn't mentioned Mewtwo's plan to come teach Latios and Latias, so everyone was surprised by Mewtwo's arrival.
Hearing Mewtwo's name, a flash of surprise crossed Kanon's eyes.
This is the Pokémon Ash said… could teach Latios and Latias?
It looks… a bit slender…
The first impression Mewtwo gave Kanon was one of slenderness and small stature, which made him seem fragile, as if he might topple over with a touch. Could he really teach Latias and Latios?
...
[Professor Oak:] Numbly smiling. Mewtwo is slender? Mewtwo could punch a huge hole through Alto Mare with one slap. You call that slender!
[Caitlin:] Don't say it, really, don't say it! After reaching Legendary-tier, Mewtwo's physique shouldn't be too weak. It's no problem for it to smash a small area with a slap.
[Kanon:] Um… This isn't the first time I've seen Mewtwo… But logically, a Legendary should radiate a powerful aura, right? Why do I think Mewtwo looks slender in the image?
[Mewtwo:] That's because I've reached the Legendary-tier and have mastered my power. As long as I don't radiate my energy, ordinary people won't be able to detect my strength.
[Lance:] This is what ordinary people call the ultimate state, where all sharp edges are sheathed, right?
[Mewtwo:] Well… you could say that. But I didn't expect… that in the Black World, I could control power so skillfully right after breaking through to the Legendary-tier.
Black Ash had asked Mewtwo to come teach Latias partly so that Black Mewtwo could master its Legendary-tier power during this period. However, even Black Ash hadn't expected that Mewtwo would not only emerge from seclusion but also have complete control over its power!
If Mewtwo (White World) was only slightly envious of his other self before, he was very envious now!
What kind of opportunities are these?!
As soon as he stepped into Legendary-tier, he basically gained control over Legendary-tier power. It's like winning the lottery!
Look at me… still wandering outside the gates of Legendary-tier… just…
PS: I've been releasing chapters daily . Honestly, it hurts seeing almost no support on Patreon after all that work.If you're enjoying the fic, even a little, supporting me would mean a lot. It helps a student stay independent .
complete fic (all chapters ) are already up on Patreon → patreon.com/Sagamaster789
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/Sagamaster789