High above the ocean, Lugia and a Pikachu hovered in midair, facing each other down.
Moments later, Dapple the Farfetch'd, carrying Lala the Jigglypuff on her back, flapped quickly toward the scene, having finally caught up after Ray Chu had chased after Lugia.
They arrived just in time to witness this peculiar standoff.
"Puffli!" the group's newest member, Lala, exclaimed in astonishment. So Ray is actually this strong? He's really challenging the Legendary Pokémon?
Dapple, already accustomed to Ray Chu's battle-crazy antics, calmly landed on a nearby island, casually grooming her feathers as she prepared to enjoy the show.
In the sky above, Lugia seemed to understand something. It abruptly beat its wings, conjuring fierce gusts that blasted toward Ray Chu.
Facing the gale, Ray Chu crossed his arms calmly, unmoving in midair. A spherical barrier appeared around his body, diverting the raging winds harmlessly around him.
Lugia felt a little annoyed. Are youngsters nowadays all this disrespectful to their elders? You're standing there motionless, making me look bad here!
"Lugia, my turn!" Ray Chu declared boldly.
Electric sparks surged from his cheeks as he activated Agility midair, charging toward Lugia. A dazzling current crackled into a blinding lightning bolt—
[THUNDERBOLT]
The searing electricity slammed into Lugia's resilient hide, scattering into a burst of electric sparks. Lugia's skin, tempered by the crushing pressures of the deep sea, resisted most of the damage.
Yet even Lugia had to acknowledge that this Pikachu was no ordinary Electric-type. The astonishing intensity of its attack far exceeded that of typical Pokémon, reigniting Lugia's excitement for battle. It gracefully danced through the air, opened its mouth, and launched a brilliant cyan sphere of energy.
The sphere raced forward like lightning. Ray Chu answered by unleashing a Hyper Beam from his mouth. The two forces collided violently midair, triggering a deafening explosion.
As turbulent winds whipped fiercely around them, Lugia's enormous body suddenly pierced through the air currents, plunging downward at breakneck speed, unleashing a devastating Dragon Rush.
The sheer brute force shattered Ray Chu's psychic Light Screen like glass. Their disproportionate bodies collided fiercely, sending Ray Chu hurtling into the sea below, splashing up a massive spray of seawater.
Watching from afar, Lala cried out in surprise. Noticing Dapple calmly sipping tea from a teacup that appeared from who knows where, Lala couldn't help but ask worriedly, "Is this really okay?"
Dapple reassured her calmly. Ray wasn't so easily defeated. Having sparred with Ray Chu before, Dapple knew firsthand how stubbornly resilient this electric mouse could be.
Lugia gave a triumphant cry, soaring back into the sky, keen eyes locked onto the ocean surface below.
It knew that last attack hadn't inflicted much damage. The impact from Dragon Rush had been mostly neutralized by Ray Chu's powerful psychic outburst at the moment of collision.
Suddenly, dark clouds billowed overhead, winds howled, and the seawater surged violently. A towering stairway of water rose rapidly into the sky, and atop that cascading wave, a bright-yellow Pikachu surfed straight toward Lugia.
With Ray Chu's control, the Surf technique had become indistinguishable from Agility itself.
Lugia let out a joyful cry, extending its wings as a rocky armor formed across its body. Empowered by Ancient Power, all its attributes surged dramatically.
Ray Chu leaped high at the final moment, his tail directing countless bolts of lightning from the storm clouds, channeling their furious power straight at Lugia—
[THUNDER]
A blinding flash engulfed Lugia completely, forcing Dapple and Lala to close their eyes from the sheer brilliance.
As the clouds scattered, Lugia's face twisted in pain. The rocky armor on its body crumbled away, revealing charred skin beneath. The Thunder had broken through its defenses, causing Lugia genuine harm for the first time.
Yet Ray Chu didn't emerge unscathed either. At the final instant, two powerful air currents conjured by Lugia had blasted him backward, leaving him similarly injured.
But Lugia spread its wings again, its body suddenly bathed in brilliant white light. The wounds it had suffered rapidly healed, restoring it completely to peak condition.
It was the advanced restorative move—Recover.
Indeed, compared to ordinary Pokémon, a Legendary Pokémon's formidable vitality was their greatest advantage. Lugia, known as the Guardian of the Sea, was particularly famous for its toughness and boundless resilience.
Seeing this, Ray Chu decided against further attacks, calmly adjusting the Ki circulating within his body. Unlike Lugia, he lacked any moves that could swiftly heal his injuries.
Continuing the battle was meaningless anyway. Aside from using Current Drive, Ray Chu had already exhausted his arsenal, yet still couldn't defeat Lugia. Moreover, Ray Chu suspected Lugia hadn't revealed its true strength—it probably still had plenty left in reserve.
After all, the title "Guardian of the Sea" wasn't earned for nothing; the ocean was its true domain.
Both seemed to sense the other's lack of desire to keep fighting, and the tense atmosphere quickly dissipated.
[BATTLE WITH THE LEGENDARY POKéMON LUGIA HAS GRANTED SIGNIFICANT EXP]
[+1 LEVEL]
[CURRENT LEVEL: 31]
A warm light enveloped Ray Chu. He raised his head, catching sight of Lugia giving him a slight, respectful nod. Then, with a gentle call, Lugia spread its wings and gracefully landed on a nearby island.
Shortly afterward, Ray Chu also landed there, only to find Lugia happily playing with Lala. Ray Chu couldn't help but sigh inwardly—truly deserving of her title as the Pink Diva. Even Legendary Pokémon fell prey to her charm.
After playing briefly, Lugia turned toward Ray Chu and the others, inviting them onto its back. Its smooth, milky-white skin was broad enough to easily accommodate three Pokémon.
"You two, come on out!" Ray Chu called, releasing Ivysaur and Squirtle from their Poké Balls. Having watched the earlier battle from within, the two young Pokémon gazed at Ray Chu with pure admiration. Sitting atop a Legendary Pokémon only intensified their excitement.
Beneath them, Lugia smiled faintly, spread its wings wide, and soared straight upward into the clouds. Its blue fins moved rhythmically like paddles, stabilizing their flight through the high skies.
Diving effortlessly through the clouds, Lugia seemed to stand atop the vast blue heavens. Attracted by the Guardian of the Seas majestic form, two lines of Fearow soon joined them, flanking Lugia in a precise triangular formation, gliding swiftly together.
"Fetch'd!"
"Puffli!"
Dapple and Lala shouted in delight, thrilled at being so high in the sky for the very first time. Hearing Lugia's high-pitched call, they held tight as it suddenly plunged toward the sea below.
Nearing the ocean surface, Lugia opened its mouth wide, releasing a brilliant blue Water Pulse. The sea parted, forming a spectacular underwater tunnel. Countless bubbles floated gently around them, and a rainbow shimmered beautifully between sea and sky, once again drawing gasps of wonder from Lala and the others.
Smiling faintly, Lugia dove directly into the flowing waters. Instinctively, Ray Chu formed a psychic barrier around everyone, keeping the ocean comfortably at bay.
Guided by Lugia, they were treated to a breathtaking underwater panorama. Countless marine Pokémon danced gracefully around Lugia. Species rarely seen on the surface swam in peaceful abundance.
A curious family of Horsea poked inquisitively at the psychic barrier, playfully squirting ink that rebounded onto their own faces. Shellder, Dewgong, Staryu, Cloyster, and Tentacool floated lazily nearby, intrigued by the visitors.
Finally, Lugia rose once more from beneath the waves, flying gently to a vast field blooming with vibrant flowers. Here, Rapidash galloped freely, Tauros grazed contentedly, and the Eevee family thrived—painting a scene of tranquil harmony.
As their journey ended, Lugia softly beat its wings, gently setting the Pokémon back onto solid ground. With a final, melodious call bidding them farewell, the Guardian of the Sea soared gracefully into the distance.
"Pika! Fetch'd! Puffli! (Goodbye, Lugia!)"
Standing on the lush, green grass, Ray Chu and his companions waved goodbye to Lugia's departing form, bringing their wondrous journey to a perfect close.