Want to read ahead. You know where to find it.
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Lapras Island
The ocean shimmered under the midday sun as Sam glided across the waves on a surfboard.
His feet were firmly planted, cutting through the sea with ease, water spraying gently at his sides.
Behind him, Lucario wobbled uncertainly on his board, trying to keep pace.
Sam glanced back over his shoulder.
"Luca, keep up!" he called with a grin, his voice nearly lost in the sea breeze.
Surfing wasn't new to him.
In his past life, he'd lived by the ocean; this was second nature.
"Luka~!" Lucario barked in response, trying his best to steady himself.
But just then, a small wave rolled in, tipping the board sharply.
With a surprised yelp, Lucario lost his footing and tumbled into the water with a splash.
He surfaced quickly, drenched and blinking the saltwater from his eyes, paws scrambling to grab the edge of the board again.
"Luka…"
Sam chuckled and paddled closer.
"You're getting there. Let me show you."
He slowed his board beside Lucario and crouched down slightly to demonstrate.
"You need to keep your weight on your back foot. Bend your knees, just a little. Don't fight the waves. Feel them. Move with the sea before you try to conquer it."
Lucario watched him intently, then gave a determined nod.
"Luka!"
"Alright," Sam said, gesturing forward.
"Now try again."
Lucario climbed back onto his board, tail dripping.
This time, he adjusted his stance just as Sam had shown. The next wave approached.
He rode it.
Wobbly at first, but he kept upright.
Clatter, splash!
Another wave hit, and Lucario toppled again, but he surfaced laughing, ears dripping, eyes bright with excitement.
"Luka~!"
Sam smiled.
"Not bad. You're picking it up fast."
Lucario hopped back on the board, eager to go again.
They continued gliding across the water, back and forth, wave after wave.
It was playful, but also purposeful. Sam had something specific in mind.
Surfing wasn't just fun, it was training.
Lucario had always been quick on his feet.
He excelled at high-speed moves like Quick Attack and Extreme Speed.
But speed in a straight line wasn't enough.
Sam wanted more from him; he needed him to learn how to maneuver, dodge, and react mid-charge.
In battle, flexibility could mean the difference between landing a blow and getting knocked out.
Surfing, with its constant shifts in balance and direction, was perfect for that.
Lucario started to improve with each run.
His body adapted, his stance steadied, and soon he could ride short distances with confidence, even turning slightly with the waves.
While they trained and played on the water, the shoreline remained calm.
But not for long.
A few hundred meters away, at the edge of the beach, a shadow stirred.
Darkrai, resting silently with its eyes half-closed, suddenly snapped to attention.
Its cyan-colored eyes locked onto a spot in the distant sea.
Something had entered its territory.
A chill swept through the air.
Hissss...
Black energy gathered like a storm cloud in Darkrai's hand.
It raised its arm and thrust it outward, dark aura pulsing in tight, controlled waves.
Above the ocean, a giant claw formed, rippling with ominous power.
From beneath the surface, a flash of silver broke through the water.
A majestic, bird-like Pokémon burst out of the sea, wings spread wide, water trailing from its sleek, metallic feathers.
Its deep blue eyes glinted in the light.
Lugia.
The creature tried to evade the dark energy, twisting midair, flipping to avoid the incoming strike.
But Darkrai's attack was too fast.
The black hand of energy lunged forward, unstoppable.
Whump!
It closed around the silver Pokémon.
"Liliiiiii!"
The captured Lugia screeched, its voice full of fear and confusion as it thrashed against the shadowy grip.
Its wings beat violently, trying to escape, but the pressure was too strong.
The sound echoed over the sea, sharp and haunting.
Sam heard it.
He turned instantly, instincts kicking in.
His eyes widened when he saw the silhouette caught in Darkrai's grasp.
Silver feathers. Long neck. Spined tail.
It was unmistakable.
He nearly dropped his board.
"Lugia!!!"
[Pokémon: Lugia]
[Gender: Male Type: Flying / Psychic
[Ability: Multiscale – When at full health, reduces damage taken.
[Level: 40 (Early gym Tier)]
[Potential: Lower Tier Level 2 Legendary]
[Known Moves: Gust, Weather Ball, Ancient Power, Safeguard, Mist, Extrasensory, Recover Exclusive ]
[Move: Aeroblast]
[Law Comprehension: 1.2%]
[Contest Condition: Good]
[Remarks:]
[Born to incredibly powerful parents with exceptional potential. Currently in a juvenile stage. Has been excessively protected, resulting in a timid personality.]
Sam stood with Lucario and Darkrai beside him, their attention focused on the young Pokémon trembling before them.
Just under two meters tall, the silver-white creature was unmistakable: Lugia.
Or more accurately… a baby Lugia.
Adult Lugia could grow up to eight meters in length, with a wingspan reaching nearly thirty.
But the one in front of them? Barely a fourth of that.
Its sleek body shimmered in the sunlight, pale silver scales glistening with seawater, feathers clinging to its sides.
Definitely still a child.
"Lili~…"
The little Lugia gave a low whimper, its body pressed against the sand, eyes flicking nervously toward Darkrai.
It shrank further, wings slightly raised in defensive posture.
Understandably so.
Psychic-types had an instinctive fear of Dark-types, and Darkrai's presence was overwhelming, his aura laced with shadow and power.
To Lugia, he was a walking nightmare.
Sam crouched beside the trembling Pokémon, his tone gentle and slow.
"Hey… It's alright."
"Darkrai won't hurt you," he said softly, reaching out with an open hand.
Darkrai, noticing the tension, floated a little farther back.
In an uncharacteristic show of awkwardness, he pulled his dark cloak-like arms up and tried, tried, to smile.
It was… not effective.
But the intent was there.
The young Lugia's wide, pearl-blue eyes darted between Sam and Darkrai.
Hesitation flickered in them.
And then, tiny, hesitant steps brought it closer to Sam's side.
As if instinctively sensing his aura, the baby nestled slightly against his leg.
Sam exhaled, relieved.
"Good boy…"
He reached into his bag and pulled out a cube-shaped snack.
Pale lavender in color, dense with nutrients, an energy cube, one specially crafted for Flying and Psychic-types.
He held it out.
"This is tasty. Try it?"
"Lili…" Lugia leaned forward slowly, nostrils flaring as he sniffed.
It smelled sweet, faintly fruity, very different from the sea salt and fish it was used to.
Still, it hesitated.
The little Lugia tilted its head, eyes narrowing curiously at Sam.
It wasn't just deciding whether or not to take the treat.
It was reading him.
Even as a juvenile, Lugia was a Legendary Pokémon.
It could sense the energy inside people, and what it sensed in Sam was… strange.
Human, but laced with something else. Something harmonious.
There was a trace of aura in him.
A familiarity with the psychic wavelength around his body. Gentle, but vast.
Like calm ocean waves in the distance.
It felt… safe.
"Lili~…" Lugia finally opened its mouth and took a cautious bite.
Then another.
And another.
Within seconds, the small Legendary was chirping happily, wings flapping, eyes closed in delight.
"Lili~! Lili~!"
Sam couldn't help but laugh.
"Still a little glutton, huh?"
The baby Lugia finished the cube in record time, then looked up expectantly, as if to ask, More?
Lucario watched with a slight chuckle of his own, folding his arms with a fond shake of the head.
"Luka~."
Darkrai merely floated in silence nearby, keeping his distance, but observing with calm, glowing eyes.
The moment had passed. The tension was gone.
Sam ruffled the feathers atop Lugia's head.
"You are something special…"
He could feel the latent power beneath the little Lugia's skin.
Even in its current state, undertrained, scared, and immature, the aura it radiated was leagues above most Gym-level Pokémon.
The report in his Pokédex confirmed it: Level 40, but with the raw potential of a lower-tier second-level Legendary.
And yet… it was just a kid.
Still clumsy. Still nervous.
Still craving warmth and security.
"Where did you even come from…" Sam murmured, more to himself than anyone else.
Lugia snuggled closer, as if answering with silence.
Sam's expression softened. He didn't need a reason.
Not now.
Whatever fate brought this baby Lugia to him, it didn't matter. He was here now.
And maybe, just maybe… this Legendary needed him more than anyone else did.