Kyogre

Lapras transformation did not last long. The people present were astonished to see the image of Kyogre emerging from Lapras's body. Jack couldn't help but ask, "Gym Leader Shimizu, what is going on?"

However, Yuga remained fixated on the transforming Lapras and did not respond to Jack's question. Firstly, he was too preoccupied to answer, and secondly, he felt it unnecessary, as any trainer would keep their Pokémon's information confidential.

Seeing that Yuga did not answer his question, Jack did not press further. At this point, Lapras's transformation was nearing its conclusion. Suddenly, vivid red patterns appeared on Lapras's fins, waist, and abdomen, crisscrossing each other before fading away as if they had never existed, disappearing back into its skin.

"Lapras!"

Lapras raised its long neck and let out a cry. Unlike its previously beautiful and melodious song, this time its roar was filled with authority.

The colossal creature hovering outside the Temple of the Sea involuntarily responded to this roar. Its penetrating voice resonated throughout the ocean, causing a stir among the sea Pokémon.

After calling out, the giant beast appeared momentarily confused: Why did I just call out? It lingered outside the Temple of the Sea but showed no intention of entering. The energy shield surrounding the temple trembled with its presence, as if welcoming its arrival.

Inside the Temple of the Sea, Yuga and the others also heard the roar that had just reached them. Shep commented, "What was that sound just now?"

Everyone exchanged glances, unable to identify it. Yuga, distracted by the roar, withdrew his attention from Lapras. He, too, was unsure what Pokémon's roar could reach the Temple of the Sea.

Just moments ago, Yuga had been worried about the broken blue orb on Lapras. This orb was of the same origin as those on Florges and both Lapras and Charizard. It had always been a significant aid in their training. He didn't expect Lapras's orb to break today, wondering if it would have any adverse effects.

"Manaphy, Manaphy!"

Manaphy had already finished its inheritance before Lapras, energetically jumping in the water before diving into May's arms.

Yuga unconsciously used his Insight skill to assess it.

...

[ Manaphy ]

Type: Water

Ability: Hydration

Gender: None

Potential: Unknown

Level: Unknown

Move: Firefly, Bubble, Splash, Bubble Beam, Melt, Water Pulse, Whirlpool, Water Ring, Dive, Rain Dance, Telepathy, Scald, Surf, Waterfall, Water Break.

...

Unlike the earlier Manaphy that knew almost nothing, the Manaphy that had received its inheritance immediately learned all the water-type skills it could learn. As for other skills, it would have to learn them step by step; shortcuts were not an option.

However, the most important thing Manaphy gained from the inheritance was not skills, but divinity! If previously Manaphy possessed only a faint trace of divinity, even less than Yuga's Florges, now it had become a genuine mythical Pokémon.

As Manaphy was acting cute with May, Lapras's transformation came to an end.

"Lapras?"

Lapras tilted its head, looking at its trainer, still a bit unclear about the current situation, but it sensed that it seemed to have become different.

Yuga walked over and patted its smooth neck, comforting it while assessing its condition.

..

[ Lapras (Variant) ]

Type: Water, Ice

Gender: Male

Ability: Hydration, Rain Dance

Potential: Purple

Level: 86

Move: Sing, Water Gun, Mist, Water Pulse, Rain Dance, Hail, Ice Beam, Misty Guard, Water Cannon, Absolute Zero, Blizzard, Refresh, Waterfall, Surf, Avalanche, Dragon Dance, Detect, Heavy Slam, Dragon Pulse, Icy Wind, Water Tail, Signal Beam, Origin Pulse.

...

Compared to before, Lapras had two noticeable changes: an increase in level and a change in skills.

In terms of level, Lapras had only improved by a couple of levels, but for a champion-level Pokémon, such an increase was not easy to achieve, so two or three levels of improvement could not be considered trivial.

In terms of skills, Lapras gained Kyogre's exclusive move, Origin Pulse.

Previously, when Chimecho inherited the exclusive skill, Psychic Boost, from Deoxys, Yuga felt regret that Lapras could not inherit Kyogre's exclusive Origin Pulse. He never expected that today, that regret would be alleviated.

Aside from the changes visible through Insight, Yuga inquired in detail about Lapras's transformation from the system.

According to the system, during this transformation, Lapras completely assimilated the benefits brought by Kyogre's bloodline. Although the changes in its skills and level were not significant, its more profound transformation occurred at the genetic level.

Lapras utilized Kyogre's bloodline and the power of the blue orb to alter its base stats, resulting in a substantial enhancement of its overall abilities.

This transformation took a completely different path compared to Florges.

Florges had been continuously cultivating the divinity within her. Once the accumulation of divinity reached a qualitative change, she would have the potential to ascend to a Legendary Pokemon, becoming a being similar to AZ's Floette.

In contrast, Lapras increased its racial value at the cost of its bloodline and divinity, allowing it to reach the limits of an ordinary Pokémon (a level 100 Pokémon).

Yuga couldn't definitively say which path was better.

Cultivating divinity was not easy; it was exceedingly difficult for an ordinary Pokémon to become a Legendary Pokemon. Currently, Yuga only knew of one Florges that had succeeded.

Even if Florges were to achieve success in the end, a typical Tier 2 Legendary Pokémon would not necessarily be stronger than a level 100 Pokémon. Yuga still vividly remembered the time Zapdos was beaten mercilessly by a giant Milotic.

However, Legendary Pokemons possess their own unique qualities. For example, Manaphy may appear timid in battle, but its significance is undeniable; without it, the oceans of this world might have turned into stagnant waters.

Though achieving level 100 Pokémon is also quite challenging, it is somewhat easier compared to an ordinary Pokémon's ascent to Legendary Pokemon status. After all, Yuga had encountered several level 100 Pokémon already.

Thus, it was truly difficult to judge which path was superior!

"Since Manaphy's inheritance has concluded, we should leave the Temple of the Sea," Jack reminded them.

"Yes, it's time to go." Everyone agreed.

However, just as they stepped out of the palace, they were stunned by the sight of a giant Pokemon battling a Whishiwashi outside!

"That... that is... is that Kyogre?" Shep stammered, almost collapsing in shock. If not for his granddaughter Lizabeth's quick reflexes, he would have certainly fallen down the stairs, sustaining serious injuries.

The palace where the Sea Crown was kept was located at the highest point of the Temple of the Sea, so as Yuga and the others exited the palace, they had a full view of the entire Temple of the Sea and naturally saw Kyogre outside in its entirety.

It was Yuga's first time seeing the real Kyogre, which was far larger than he had imagined—a true behemoth!

Kyogre seemed to have encountered the Whishiwashi that was chasing Yuga and the others earlier.

In fact, the situation arose from the low intelligence of the Whishiwashi. It had chased Manaphy before, and now it was provoking Kyogre in the same manner.

These Pokemon had grown accustomed to dominating this sea area, wanting to bite anyone they encountered. Yuga and his group couldn't defeat it while battling with Manaphy, so they would have to flee, but could Kyogre tolerate it?

Suddenly, two massive light spots appeared on either side of Kyogre's gigantic fins. Before Yuga and the others could react, four beams of light shot out from the spots. In an instant, the large group of Whishiwashi was pierced through and shattered into numerous small Whishiwashi, each no larger than a palm.

Although the school characteristic of Whishiwashi allowed them to merge into a cohesive unit, greatly enhancing their strength, it also had a drawback: once the health of the combined Remoraid dropped below 25%, the school would fall apart.

A single Whishiwashi was cowardly and timid. It wouldn't stand a chance against Kyogre; even the sight of a stranger could induce enough psychological pressure for it to flee in no time.

After dealing with the Whishiwashi, Kyogre turned its gaze toward Yuga and the others in the Temple of the Sea, creating significant psychological pressure for them.

"Grandpa, do you think Kyogre is here to pick up Manaphy?" Lizabeth speculated uncertainly.

Escorting Manaphy to the Temple of the Sea was a task that the People of the Water had only once every many years. This was the first time for Lizabeth and her companions to undertake such a mission, and they had not heard of Kyogre's appearance during the process beforehand.

"It's… quite possible," Shep replied, calming his emotions and taking a deep breath.

Manaphy did not seem surprised by Lizabeth's speculation; it appeared to have anticipated this moment, though its eyes were filled with tears as it looked at May.

"Manaphy, is Kyogre here to pick you up?" May asked tearfully, not wanting to part with Manaphy.

"Manaphy, Manaphy."

Manaphy tightly clutched the hem of May's clothing. Although it was reluctant, it nodded in agreement. Even though it had only just been born, it understood that it bore an irreplaceable responsibility.

With Manaphy's affirmative response, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Since Kyogre was here to pick up Manaphy, it likely wouldn't pose any threat to them.

Unlike Rayquaza, which stood on the side of the League, both Kyogre and Groudon were neutral Legendary Pokemons. While they harbored no hostility towards humans, they also held no fondness for them.

According to legend, Hoenn region was plagued by disasters largely because two of its three Tier 1 Legendary Pokémon were neutral Pokémon.

Although these two wouldn't intentionally harm humans, they often bore grudges against each other. When they argued, they rarely considered humans, and their reckless actions would lead to heavy casualties among people.

"Kyogre!"

Kyogre had no intention of entering the Temple of the Sea. It called out to Manaphy, seemingly urging it to come over quickly.

"Let's escort Manaphy over," Yuga suggested.

So, the group made their way down the stairs, arriving at the waters where the ghost ship was anchored.

May reluctantly placed Manaphy into the water and said, "Manaphy, go ahead."

Manaphy jumped back into May's arms, hugging her tightly as tears streamed down its face.

May steeled herself and placed it back into the water: "Manaphy, you have a mission to complete. Go, and we will definitely meet again in the future."

Upon hearing this, Manaphy reluctantly swam towards Kyogre, occasionally looking back to wave at May.

"Kyogre!"

At that moment, Kyogre called out again. While others might not have understood the meaning behind its call, Yuga clearly grasped it. Kyogre was summoning him, and he also had a guess as to why Kyogre wanted him to come over.

Yuga then sat on the back of his Lapras.

Seeing Yuga's actions, Max, who was nearby, asked curiously, "Brother Yuga, what are you doing?"

Yuga ruffled Max's hair and replied, "You all go wait on the boat for me. I'll be right back."

Although Jack and the others were also puzzled about what Yuga was planning to do, they couldn't voice their questions and could only nod at him, signaling him to hurry back.

Yuga, along with Manaphy, arrived at the boundary where the water and the energy shield met. Manaphy swam through the energy shield and approached Kyogre, playfully swimming around it. Yuga and Lapras, however, stopped at the edge.

After playing around for a while, Kyogre gestured for Manaphy to hop onto its back and then turned its gaze toward Yuga and Lapras, its eyes filled with a hint of confusion as it looked at Lapras.

Every time Kyogre saw Lapras, it felt an intangible connection between them, though it couldn't quite understand why.

"Kyogre!"

Kyogre called out to Yuga, who immediately understood its meaning. Thinking to himself, "Just as I suspected," he took out the indigo orb he had found on Archie.

This was the reason Kyogre had called him over.

Yuga felt that returning the indigo orb to Kyogre was a good deed, at least more appropriate than handing it over to the League. After all, Rayquaza had taken away its own Jade orb, right?

Yuga held the indigo gem out toward the edge of the energy shield. The gem then flew from his hand, passed through the energy shield, and was swallowed by Kyogre.

After receiving the indigo orb, Kyogre thanked Yuga, which caught him off guard.

However, what Kyogre did next left Yuga stunned—it actually tried to entice Lapras to join it!

After obtaining the indigo orb, Kyogre bypassed Yuga and directly asked Lapras if it wanted to go with it. Yuga was dumbfounded. This was indeed Kyogre, boldly trying to steal away his Pokémon.

Fortunately, Yuga's Lapras was not a "vain" Pokémon and outright refused Kyogre.

Kyogre, however, didn't seem angry at the rejection. More accurately, Yuga didn't perceive any change in its emotions. It opened its mouth and expelled a palm-sized crystal, presenting it to Lapras.

The crystal was a light blue, transparent, and prism-shaped, looking exceptionally beautiful—more stunning than any gemstone Yuga had ever seen. Importantly, it emitted a very pure wave of water-type energy.

The crystal floated in front of Lapras before suddenly disappearing into its body. Though Yuga didn't know what that crystal was, he instinctively felt it must be an extraordinary treasure.

Yuga also couldn't tell whether Kyogre gave such a treasure to Lapras as thanks for returning the indigo orb or simply because it liked Lapras.