In a Black World —
[Caitlin: …This is getting more and more unreal.]
[Lorelei: Even Dark Lugia has appeared. Does anyone actually know what Dark Lugia is? Does Lugia himself know?]
[Lugia: Dark Lugia… Ancient legends do mention such a form. But I never imagined that my mate would end up like this.]
[Lugia: According to legend, the light aspect governs the priesthood, while the dark aspect governs pure power. This is the duality of the Lugia lineage.]
[Lugia: Only one Lugia exists at a time—either the bearer of priesthood or the embodiment of power.]
[Lugia: You've already seen my strength as the guardian of ocean currents. Dark Lugia, which controls raw power, can rival me in direct combat… but it cannot command the sea itself.]
[Lugia: I was born as the Sea Guardian and have never encountered Dark Lugia in my lifetime. I always believed it to be nothing more than a myth.]
Light governs authority.
Darkness governs power.
This was the ancient Lugia legend.
The reason Legendary-tier Pokémon with priesthood surpassed ordinary Legendary-tier beings was simple—their authority itself was power.
Lugia could command wind, tides, and ocean currents, turning natural laws into weapons.
Dark Lugia, however, was different.
It possessed no priesthood.
Instead, it reinforced its own power until it became one with nature itself.
If priesthood meant commanding nature, then Dark Lugia meant becoming it.
In terms of raw combat power, Dark Lugia might be even more terrifying.
Yet—even Lugia had never witnessed such a being.
Which was why, in every world he had known, Dark Lugia remained nothing more than a legend.
But now…
In the Black World, Ash felt it clearly.
The Aura radiating from Dark Lugia was not merely stronger—it was malicious.
If Lugia did not arrive soon, catastrophe was inevitable.
[Cynthia: Is darkness… inherently evil?]
[Lugia: According to legend, Dark Lugia's power is composed of evil and dragon elements. But power alone does not dictate corruption.]
[Lance: So theoretically, Dark Lugia is simply Lugia with altered attributes and amplified strength—still kind, still peace-loving?]
[Lugia: …In theory.]
Yes—in theory.
But reality had already diverged.
In the Black World —
Ash approached the unconscious Dr. Nanba, checking his breathing.
After confirming the man was alive, Ash sprayed wound medicine onto him.
Even with Ash's kind nature, hearing Lugia's agonized cries had nearly driven him to kill the man outright.
But Ash only clenched his fists.
He was the type who restrained his impulses.
Whether that was a strength or a flaw… even Ash didn't know.
With the machine destroyed, the only remaining structures were the four pillars that had once restrained Lugia.
No further information could be found here.
Then—
Ring. Ring.
A landline phone rang sharply in the silence.
Ash followed the sound and picked it up.
"Dr. Nanba. Report."
A rough, confident voice came through.
Ash subtly altered his voice, imitating Nanba.
"Everything is proceeding smoothly. Dark Lugia's transformation is nearly complete."
Team Rocket froze.
Ash made a quick shushing gesture. They clamped their mouths shut instantly.
"Hahaha—excellent! Once Dark Lugia is fully awakened, I'll reward you handsomely!"
"I'll personally take Dark Lugia to capture other Legendary Pokémon and use them as test subjects!"
Ash's fists clenched so tightly they cracked.
His expression twisted with fury.
So this is Team Universe's plan…
"Sir," Ash continued calmly,
"what level do you believe Dark Lugia will reach?"
"Hah! The pinnacle of Pokémon—Legendary-tier!"
"Though even Legendary-tier isn't the true ceiling… but make no mistake. No ordinary Legendary Pokémon will stand against Dark Lugia."
Ash memorized every word.
Then Pikachu discharged electricity nearby.
"Tsk—what was that?"
"The machine failed. Dark Lugia's power surge destroyed it," Ash replied smoothly.
"But the transformation seems complete. What should I do next?"
"Of course it did. An awakened Dark Lugia can't be contained by such crude equipment."
"Didn't I give you a complete Dark Ball?"
"Use it. Capture Dark Lugia first. You won't control him for long—but it'll hold until I arrive."
Complete Dark Ball…
So the ones used on Hiro's Pokémon were defective versions.
Even the complete version couldn't truly dominate Dark Lugia—only delay him.
"Sir… are you certain you can control this monster?"
"Hahaha! I am Vicious."
"No one but me can command the dark power within Dark Lugia."
"Do it quickly. If Dark Lugia goes berserk, not even gods will stop him."
Click.
The call ended.
Ash crushed the phone in his hand.
The Team Rocket trio shivered.
They had never seen Ash this furious.
Ash's thoughts raced.
Three conclusions were certain:
Vicious was the leader of Team Universe.
He was operating across multiple worlds.
He alone could control the dark power inside Dark Lugia.
Which meant—
Dark Lugia had to be purified before Vicious arrived.
Ash located the complete Dark Ball buried in the ruins.
Just holding it filled him with revulsion.
He sealed it away immediately—for Professor Oak to analyze later.
Moments later, Sabrina and the others returned.
The six Pokémon collapsed—their Dark Balls destroyed.
Hiro rushed to his Pokémon.
They were badly injured—but alive.
Jessie had treated them.
"I used to be a nurse," she muttered.
"Don't overthink it."
Ash nodded gratefully.
"I've summoned Lugia," Ash said.
"He should arrive soon."
Then—
Ash's expression changed.
Dark Lugia's wings twitched.
Its eyes snapped open—blood-red, pupil-less, filled with pure rage.
"Everyone—MOVE!"
Ash switched instantly from Aura to psychic power, dragging everyone away as he retreated at full speed.
ROOOOAAARR!!
Dark Lugia unleashed a deafening roar.
Golden light gathered in its maw—
A beam erupted skyward.
The sea split in two.
Storm clouds formed instantly.
Waves rose like mountains.
The world screamed.
"That attack…" Ash whispered.
"Legendary-tier."
Then—
BOOM!!
The ocean parted once more.
Between the divided seas—
A white figure and a black figure stood facing each other.
Lugia had arrived.
Author's Note :
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