The shiny Pokemon may have a different color, but the type is still the same, whereas the regional Pokemon, although it looks similar, is actually a completely different Pokemon. Now, Little Lugia gives Lorelei that kind of feeling, a form completely distinct from Lugia.
Though she has never seen a Lugia either.
On the other hand, Lorelei is surprised by Little Lugia's size.
"I remember the league saying that this Lugia was about one meter long? Looking at it now, it's at least over two meters, that's quite a difference! Ash, did you feed her steroids?" Lorelei joked with a light laugh.
Indeed, Lugia's size has now grown to nearly two meters. Although it's still not comparable to an adult Lugia, it's utterly different from its original one-meter juvenile form, as if it had entered a new stage.
Now, Little Lugia should be considered a young Lugia, though in terms of age, she is still a juvenile Lugia.
"It's all thanks to Lugia's own efforts. She's now at the Elite Level, and with the increase in level, her growth in size is faster, coupled with some minor culinary assistance, Little Lugia has become like this." Ash joined his two fingers together, showing a very tiny gap,
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At present, Lugia's level has reached Junior Elite Level. Though it seems like it took nearly a month to reach Junior Elite Level feels a bit slow, in truth, for a Legendary Beast, it's immensely challenging to increase in level.
They are inherently endowed with physical strength and ability values far exceeding regular Pokemon as well as an exceedingly long lifespan, so the difficulty to advance in level is exponentially higher.
Typically, following normal growth, it might take years for a Legendary Beast to increase a minor level, and for a level one such as Lugia, even more so.
But in Ash's hands, in just a month's time, Lugia has undergone a qualitative change. Besides Lugia's own effort and talent, the more significant reason is Ash.
You could say it's with Ash's help that Lugia has reached this level.
If Lugia had been training on her own, it would probably have taken one or two years to break through to the Elite Level.
Of course, we must also credit Team Galactic; if it weren't for them, Lugia would still be hovering around Gym Beginner Level.
But to thank Team Galactic is out of the question, as they didn't help Lugia enhance her strength out of goodwill, it was merely a coincidence.
"An Elite Level Lugia…" Lorelei murmured.
If it were merely at Elite Level, even if it's a so-called level one Legendary Beast, Lorelei would not feel any pressure. Her Slowbro, although one of the lowest-ranked in her team, holds an Intermediate Champion Level strength.
An entire rank gap, even a divine being cannot make up for with mere physique, but it's different with Ash.
Ash's magical power can instantly enhance a Pokemon by an entire rank; currently, Lorelei hasn't witnessed an upper limit to Ash's power elevation.
Whether it's elite, professional, gym, or elite, they're all elevated by one major stage equally. Such capability can only be described as absurd.
The only fortunate thing is, this power appears with Ash and not those villainous organizations, otherwise, if they could enhance Pokemon this way, what would happen to the league?
Now that Lugia is at Junior Elite Level, with Ash's power added, it can reach Junior Champion Level. Plus, its physique, distinct from ordinary Pokemon, can definitely withstand an Intermediate Champion Level Slowbro head-on.
"Seems like it's going to be a tough battle again." Lorelei takes a deep breath, her chest trembling slightly, her eyes shining sharply: "Slowbro, use Light Screen!"
Lorelei has become serious.
Though her Cloyster lost tragically earlier, Lorelei hadn't utilized many strategies and was unfamiliar with facing Charizard's MEGA Evolution, leading to a quick defeat.
Facing Lugia now is somewhat equal, the pitch-black Lugia likely has differences from the legendary Sea God, and Lorelei has little intel on the original Lugia, so in face of a modified Lugia, she knows little.
But that doesn't hinder her from making strategic preparations.
Light Screen can directly halve the power of special attacks, and combined with Slowbro's inherent defensive power, even the damage from a Legendary Beast will not be grievous.
"Go, Lugia! This is your debut battle; make it legendary!" Ash encourages, his heartbeats gradually synchronizing with Lugia's, seemingly merging with its Aura.
Aura resides within my heart!
"Woah!!" Lugia lets out a long howl, releasing its full aura — Champion Junior Level!
As Lorelei suspected, Ash's Aura Power uniformly enhances the Pokemon, once the bond is ample, it elevates by a significant level, the only requirement being the emotions between the Pokemon and Ash.
Little Lugia, though only in Ash's team for a month, was given meticulous care, open hearts, and transparent communication, making Little Lugia trust Ash wholeheartedly.
About ten days ago, Ash was already able to initially conduct Aura Fusion with Little Lugia, and now it's become quite proficient!
"Slowbro, Reflect." Confronting Lugia's unleashed presence, Lorelei remains unfazed, directing Slowbro to continue setting up the field.
Another transparent wall forms before Slowbro, then disappears instantly. Now, regardless of the attacks it faces, Slowbro can reduce them by half, and the situation on the field tilts towards Lorelei.
"Lugia, use Dark Pulse!" Lorelei's side has initiated double walls; cannot let them set up further, or Lugia would gain no advantage.
Dark energy gathered in front of Lugia, and in the next second, black waves surged out like a tide, rushing straight toward Slowbro with a sharp sound slicing through the air!
Even with the reflective walls layered, this Dark Pulse infused with Ash's Aura Power was still unstoppable, though a transparent barrier momentarily blocked it in front of Slowbro, the Dark Pulse pierced through the walls in the next second, its power merely halved.
The black energy hit Slowbro's belly with no suspense, its massive body shuddered violently, and its already dazed eyes grew more distracted, with it staggering back a couple of steps, some dark lines appeared on its pink body, showing the significant impact from this hit.
Dark Pulse works tremendously effective against Slowbro, providing a standard level of damage even with Light Screen blocking it. With Slowbro's speed, hoping to dodge Lugia's Dark Pulse was nothing but a dream.
Luckily though, Slowbro is tough and can withstand a direct hit without issue.
"Well done, Slowbro, now use Trick Room!"
Ash: !!!
"Lugia, stop him!!" Ash's voice echoed in the arena, but it was already too late. Slowbro's Trick Room wasn't just preparing; it had begun since it got hit by Dark Pulse!
Lorelei's command merely prompted Slowbro to unleash the prepared Trick Room!
Spatial ripples appeared around Slowbro, and in the next second, a visible block emerged over Slowbro, then instantly spread across the entire field!
The rules on the field had changed, and the offensive and defensive roles of Lugia and Slowbro were reversed!