After successfully capturing the Thunder God, Zapdos, all three of Kanto's original Legendary Birds had officially become Aiden Flint's Pokémon.
With the Legendary Bird trio now complete, Aiden's next target naturally shifted toward the Sea God itself—
Lugia.
Because he was familiar with the events of The Power of One, Aiden already knew where Lugia was most likely to appear.
Shamouti Island.
The island that worshiped the Sea God.
This island served as the cultural center of the entire Orange Archipelago. Countless large-scale festivals were held here every year, attracting travelers and trainers from all over the world.
At the same time, just like Lightning Island, Fire Island, and Ice Island, it was one of the pillars maintaining the balance of nature itself.
A shrine dedicated to Lugia stood upon the island, and the residents absolutely forbade outsiders from damaging any part of it.
For generations, they had protected these sacred waters.
And the current shrine maiden who served the Sea God Lugia was—
Flora.
"Lorelei, our next destination is Shamouti Island."
Aiden looked toward her and smiled.
"Now that the three Legendary Birds have been gathered, the next target is naturally Lugia."
Hearing that, Lorelei nodded.
If Aiden successfully captured Lugia, then his journey through the Orange Archipelago would likely come to an end.
For some reason, the thought made her feel a little reluctant.
As for Lugia itself, it clearly wasn't a one-of-a-kind existence.
No—
Aside from Mewtwo, Aiden had discovered that nearly every Legendary Pokémon seemed to have a population of its own.
In the movie, Lugia appeared as the Sea God, suppressing the chaos of the Legendary Birds and restoring balance to nature.
Meanwhile, in the anime, Team Rocket's Dr. Namba had once captured a mother Lugia and her child.
From that fact alone, there had to be at least three Lugia in existence.
Kyogre was likely the same.
After all, hadn't there once been a baby Kyogre that got hooked by a fishing rod?
Therefore, Aiden saw no issue with capturing the Sea God Lugia.
At worst, after defeating it, he could simply allow Lugia to choose a successor.
As for Zapdos, it would also need to find its own successor eventually.
But unlike before, the Thunder God was now perfectly willing to follow Aiden and pursue an even greater path.
Aiden glanced at Zapdos.
"I actually preferred the arrogant version of you from before."
"Why don't you show me that attitude again?"
Zapdos immediately shook its head frantically.
"No, no, no!"
"I was wrong!"
...
After determining the destination, Kyogre immediately set course toward Shamouti Island.
The three Legendary Birds were naturally very familiar with the place.
After all, that was where their "boss," Lugia—the Tier-One Legendary they constantly rebelled against—resided.
Thus, a rather strange scene appeared across the ocean.
Articuno.
Moltres.
Zapdos.
The three Legendary Birds flew proudly at the front.
Behind them followed Kyogre, its massive blue body cutting through the sea.
The presence of four Legendary Pokémon swept across the ocean like divine beings.
As a result, not a single Pokémon dared approach them.
After traveling throughout the night, Aiden finally spotted Shamouti Island in the distance.
Recalling the three Legendary Birds, he lay comfortably atop Kyogre while extending his psychic power across the surrounding sea.
Unfortunately, his psychic senses found nothing.
Kyogre, however, made a different discovery.
"There is indeed an extremely powerful presence somewhere in these waters."
"It is most likely Lugia."
"But I can't pinpoint its exact location yet."
Hearing that, Aiden decided to visit Shamouti Island first.
If Lugia wasn't there, then he could simply have Kyogre and the three Legendary Birds search for it together.
After arriving at the island's harbor, Aiden recalled Kyogre.
Then he and Lorelei stepped onto this ancient yet mysterious island.
The moment they arrived, Aiden noticed how different it was from any modern city.
The people here preferred old traditions.
Whether it was their houses or transportation methods, everything looked as though it had come from centuries ago.
Meanwhile, the shrine dedicated to Lugia stood atop the highest mountain on the island.
The next moment, Aiden's eyes flashed.
His psychic power tore through space itself.
Instantly, he and Lorelei teleported to the summit of the island—
Directly in front of the shrine.
Sensing visitors outside, the shrine maiden known as the Messenger of the Gods stepped out from within.
Flora.
When she saw Aiden and Lorelei, she froze briefly before revealing a pleasantly surprised expression.
"Y-You're Miss Lorelei!"
Lorelei adjusted the silver glasses she was wearing today and smiled softly.
"That's right."
"Hello, Miss Flora."
After greeting Lorelei, Flora's gaze shifted toward Aiden.
"If you're traveling with Miss Lorelei..."
"Then you must also be a powerful trainer."
A strange look appeared in her eyes.
"From you..."
"I can sense the aura of a god."
Because transportation throughout the Orange Archipelago was inconvenient, and Shamouti Island strongly favored traditional ways of life, information from the outside world didn't spread here very quickly.
As a result, Flora had never heard of Aiden Flint despite his rapidly growing fame.
Yet, as the shrine maiden of Lugia's shrine, she had still managed to perceive his uniqueness.
"The aura of a god?"
Aiden smiled.
"You can sense something like that?"
"It seems the shrine maiden of Lugia's shrine truly is extraordinary."
The moment Lugia's name appeared in Aiden's words, Flora's expression changed slightly.
She suddenly felt as though she understood why Lorelei and this mysterious man had come here.
Most likely—
They had come for Lugia.
"You can't."
"You absolutely cannot harm Lugia."
"Even if you're Miss Lorelei's companion."
Seeing Flora's attitude suddenly shift, Aiden wasn't surprised.
The people of this island practically lived for their faith in the Sea God.
Their reverence for Lugia bordered on worship.
If he openly declared that he intended to capture Lugia, he would probably have to defeat the entire island before anyone allowed him to proceed.
"I am Aiden Flint, Champion of the Hoenn Pokémon League."
"I came here simply to research myths and ancient history."
"If you're willing to answer a few questions, I'd appreciate it."
"If not, I won't force the issue."
"As for the divine aura you sensed..."
He smiled faintly.
"You're not wrong."
"Because I am someone blessed by the gods."
...
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