In the Black World —
Dark Lugia awakened, unleashed its devastating power, and destroyed Team Rocket's base. The sea, the sky, and even the air seemed to darken because of Dark Lugia, carrying a feeling of an impending storm. Except for Ash, everyone else facing the Hyper Beam felt even greater pressure than he did! Ash merely felt a deathly crisis; they genuinely felt… they were going to die before the Hyper Beam even hit.
Fortunately, the Aura barrier held against the attack for a moment, giving Ash time to lead everyone to the sea's surface. Otherwise, they would have truly sunk to the ocean depths in despair—after all, they faced the Hyper Beam of a Legendary-tier Pokémon! As for whether others in Team Rocket's base survived… it could only be said Ash did his best to rescue everyone he could. Those remaining… he didn't have the energy to care for, nor could he control it.
Not long after the group surfaced, the multicolored energy beam that erupted from the sea churned up layers of blazing light in the air, as if space itself were torn apart by that beam! Subsequently, the sea was even split in two! The power of a Legendary-tier being… Everyone… oh no, this was the first time Brock and Hiroshi had seen it. They were the only two who hadn't participated in the last clash of Legendaries. Splitting the sea in two—this was a real god!
However, it wasn't Dark Lugia that did this, but Lugia, the Guardian of the Seas, who was now confronting Dark Lugia! At this moment, Lugia looked at Dark Lugia, its eyes filled with uncertainty and anger.
Ash first delivered Sabrina and the others to the distant shore, then prepared to fly to Lugia's side. Two slender hands suddenly grasped Ash's clothes. Ash looked back to see Misty and Sabrina wearing extremely worried expressions.
"Ash, do you really have to go…?"
"Can't you not go…?"
The two girls clearly didn't want Ash involved in a battle that could potentially destroy the world. A clash between two Legendary-tier Pokémon would likely be more intense than the last one-against-three battle! Lugia couldn't hold back this time, and Ash's own strength was insufficient to protect himself in a Legendary-tier battle. So…
Misty and Sabrina didn't want him to participate. Wasn't Lugia enough? Summoning Lugia here was already an act of goodwill! Getting further involved… risked his own life! That was no longer something an ordinary human should meddle in, and besides… it might sound harsh, but what role could Ash possibly play in a Legendary-tier battle? Forget Legendary-tier; even an ordinary Champion-level battle might be beyond his intervention! So… why must he go?! Why must he risk his life to go there!! This was the emotion conveyed in the girls' eyes.
Ash looked softly at the two girls who belonged to him, gently turned, and held their hands. His two broad palms gently stroked the backs of their hands.
"I have to go… I can't not go!"
His gentle voice slowly spread.
"That Dark Lugia is Lugia's mate, even Silver's mother."
"I can't just watch them try to kill each other, nor can I stand idly by during this world-shaking battle."
"Despite my usually calm appearance, I'm actually a very impulsive person… This time, I want to be impulsive too."
"Well, because deep down, I just want to be a hero! A hero who saves the world—doesn't that sound cool?"
"Also, the look in your eyes just now said I couldn't intervene in this battle, right?"
"In that case…"
Ash showed Misty and Sabrina a bright smile.
"I'm an Aura Guardian!"
After speaking, Ash released their hands and turned. Pikachu on his shoulder gave Misty and the others a thumbs-up.
"We'll be back soon!"
With that, the young man soared into the sky, his violent takeoff stirring a gust of wind. The two girls could only watch anxiously as Ash flew farther away.
"Once again, I can't help you..."
"Yes…"
"Hey, hey, don't be discouraged! There must be something we can do! What we need now is to not hold Ash back, and… train even harder in the future!"
Brock comforted the two girls, his eyes narrowed but fixed on the receding figure.
You must come back safely, Ash!
...
[Lance:] Knowing the mountain has tigers, yet deliberately heading for the mountain… That's indeed something Ash would do!
[Lillie:] White Ash wasn't afraid of danger even when weak, let alone the grown-up Black Ash… They're both that kind of person!
[Flint:] Hah, in terms of strength, there might be many in the world stronger than Ash. But in terms of character… none can compare.
[Cynthia:] Right. In a battle between Legendary-tier Pokémon… even Elite Four members and Champions would have to consider whether to get involved due to their responsibilities. But Black Ash didn't hesitate… Haha, that's just his style.
[Delia:] This boy Ash… always likes to play the hero. When will he take fewer risks and let his mother worry less?
[Serena:] Auntie, let me correct you. Ash doesn't like to play the hero—he already is one!
[Gary:] Indeed, that idiot has saved the world countless times, and he still says he wants to be a hero… Wasn't he already one?
[Professor Oak:] That's true. If not for this live stream, I'm afraid no one in the world would know a little guy silently saved the world so many times!
[Ash:] Hehe, I'm not that amazing~
[Delia:] Do you think they're praising you? Yes, they are. But be mentally prepared for when you get back, Ash!
[Ash:] ...
Ugh! Being a hero means getting scolded by your mom! What's the point!
But Ash also knew he'd taken too many risks… It was natural for his mother to worry and even scold him. But anyway… she'd wait until the live stream was over, right? Could he even survive that long…?
...
In the Black World — Under everyone's gaze, Ash rushed toward the battlefield between the two Legendary-tier Pokémon. By now, Dark Lugia and Lugia were already clashing, and the sea that had been split had returned to normal.
Terrifying collisions resounded through the air; powerful moves collided one after another in the void. Layers of blazing light churned in the sky, and water splashed everywhere! Above, the weather changed abruptly due to the battle between the two Legendaries! Violent winds whipped, lightning crackled, and gales stirred massive waves! The sea surface grew even more turbulent, waves piling upon waves, intertwining layer by layer, forming countless water spouts that gushed forth with thunderous roars! This was a battle of gods! This was… a collision of the world's top Pokémon!
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt to break through their stance!"
"Pika-chu!!"
The collision of forces between Lugia and Dark Lugia had formed their exclusive battle aura. Without forcibly breaking through, there was no way to intervene. A golden bolt of electricity streaked through the void, fiercely striking a transparent barrier, followed closely by a blue Aura Sphere! The two attacks hit the barrier together, instantly blowing a large hole in it! Ash quickly rushed through. If he hadn't yet learned Teleport, he could now directly warp to Lugia's side! This also solidified Ash's resolve to learn Teleportation after returning safely!
Weaving through the explosions of colliding moves, overcoming all hardships, Ash finally reached Lugia! Lugia had actually noticed him when Ash destroyed the barrier and had intentionally protected Ash as he approached. Only when Ash landed behind it did Lugia's voice ring in his mind.
Ash, why are you here? It's very dangerous!
"Haha, I don't go to places that aren't dangerous~" Ash laughed, though his smile held little mirth. Joking with Lugia in this situation was already his limit. Getting him to genuinely laugh… was a bit difficult!
Sigh… Though it's a bit embarrassing to admit, your arrival does make me feel much more at ease. It's been a while since we fought side by side!
"If possible, I'd rather take you to fight ordinary battles instead of facing this kind of world-survival struggle every time! The pressure is really immense."
Who isn't… Speaking of which, Ash, have you learned anything about my mate's condition?
Ash had informed Lugia earlier that its mate had become Dark Lugia, but being busy on the journey, he didn't know if Ash had found useful information.
"I know a little, but not much." Ash organized his words, blocking the aftermath of the Legendaries' clash, then spoke quickly. "The Aura on Lugia's mate carries a dark energy—that power is the reason for its rampage now! And that power is being controlled by a human."
"I don't know how to remove the dark energy from it, but if we can, it should return to normal… And I don't know if it's my imagination, but I feel Lugia's mate's typing has changed…"
It's not an illusion. The changes in my mate are related to the legend of our kind.
Lugia quickly told Ash the legend of Dark Lugia while frantically resisting its mate's attacks. It was certainly reluctant to be harsh with its mate, but… now its mate's strength had risen to nearly match its own! You must understand, its mate was once merely an ordinary sub-Legendary. Reaching Legendary-tier would have been difficult without decades… As for Legendary-tier with providence… a lifetime of effort might not achieve it. So, a dark transformation directly elevated its mate to Legendary-tier. This undoubtedly shocked Lugia and deepened its belief in the legend.
"…In other words, theoretically, transforming into Dark Lugia shouldn't cause a major personality change, only altering strength and typing, right?" Ash summarized.
Yes. So… my mate becoming like this must be related to the dark energy you sensed in its Aura!
I need your help, Ash!
"Hey, stating the obvious! Haven't I always been by your side?!"
Ash's words caused Lugia to pause momentarily, almost getting hit by Dark Lugia's Air Slash. This kid always said such startling things! Even if he wasn't entirely human…
"What should I do?"
Your Aura possesses a righteousness I've never seen—the most righteous Aura I've ever witnessed.
First, I'll defeat my mate, weakening its Aura to the extreme. Then, you'll use your righteous Aura to envelop and purge the evil energy from my mate's Aura.
But this method is just my conjecture. I don't know if it'll succeed, if there are risks, or if you'll be infected by the evil energy because of it…
"Don't worry so much, Lugia! Let's just do it!"
Ash interrupted Lugia before it could finish. At this moment, not a trace of hesitation showed on his face. Even if his Aura might be contaminated, Ash didn't care at all. He just wanted to restore Lugia's mate to normal and reunite Lugia's family! The rest… they'd deal with later!
Lugia's method lacked practical proof, but it was the only way it could think of now. Defeat Dark Lugia, weaken its Aura, so that its own Aura could overpower the other's and purge the evil energy. Then… I'm going in, Ash. Hold on tight!
"Got it!"
As Lugia's voice fell, its evasive posture and momentum suddenly solidified! It forcibly suppressed the reluctance in its heart. This opponent was its mate—no one… no creature would want to attack their beloved partner. But now… only it could do this!
ROAR!!
A roar erupted from Lugia's throat. Between heaven and earth, terrifying air currents gathered around Lugia! If it wasn't going to act, it wouldn't; once it did, it would go all out! Lugia's signature move—Aeroblast!!
One after another, air streams rapidly converged before Lugia, transforming into two immensely terrifying tornadoes! The gale made the already turbulent sea roar, winds and waves raging. The waves galloped like steeds, the wind like sharp blades cutting the sea's surface. Immediately after, Lugia mercilessly unleashed the two silver-gray tornadoes.
A dragon's roar sounded in the air; the sharp, harsh wind was like silver lightning. In the blink of an eye, it arrived before Dark Lugia!
Buzz——
An emerald-green barrier lit up around Dark Lugia, protecting it from the attack! Facing Lugia's full-power signature move, Dark Lugia couldn't evade, and even in its berserk state, it didn't want to take the hit head-on! So, it subconsciously used Protect. With not a large level gap between them, this move could be called absolute defense!
BOOM!!!!
The explosion was deafening, resonating through the skies. A small mushroom cloud rose over the sea. Strong winds continued, rain poured, and the smoke didn't disperse. Lugia could sense through the smoke the nearly undiminished evil power in the air. The Aeroblast had been blocked…
ROAR!!
Blocked? Then do it again!
Lugia began gathering surrounding air currents once more, but… a blue light flickered within the smoke. Then, a blue figure suddenly shot out from the cloud! The blue figure resembled a giant dragon, but this was a dragon completely composed of energy. It radiated a powerful energy pressure, making the surrounding space tremble slightly. But even more terrifying was the murderous aura emanating from the blue dragon silhouette! Even Ash, atop Lugia and using his Aura to block the aftermath, could feel the stinging sensation of the murderous intent on his skin.
Is this… Dragon Rush?
This was the first time he'd seen such a terrifying Dragon Rush! Its presence alone made him feel utterly outmatched. By the way… Lugia said Dark Lugia's typing seemed to have become Dark/Dragon. So, did its Dragon Rush belong to the Dragon type?
The next moment, the blue figure plunged down like a meteor!!
Author's Note :
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