Chapter 77: Clash of Titans
Lugia's expression hardened, its piercing eyes narrowing as it assessed the looming threat.
Without hesitation, it opened its mouth, drawing in energy as if the very air itself were feeding its growing power.
"Hyper Beam!"
The attack's name resounded across the island, carrying the same inexplicable force that had announced Aeroblast moments earlier.
A blinding white beam erupted from Lugia's mouth, so dazzling that Ash and Melody instinctively shielded their eyes.
The Hyper Beam tore through the air, obliterating the triangular rings with such ease that they seemed as fragile as glass. But Lugia didn't stop there.
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The beam continued on its path of destruction, slicing effortlessly through the atmosphere until it struck Lawrence's hovering spacecraft.
The vessel, despite its advanced alien technology, stood no chance against the sheer, unrelenting power of Lugia's assault. The beam cleaved the ship in two, igniting a chain reaction of catastrophic explosions.
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Inside the rapidly disintegrating craft, alarms blared incessantly as system after system failed. Lawrence, caught completely off-guard by the overwhelming force of Lugia's attack, leaned back in his command chair, a wry smile forming on his lips.
"So this is the true might of the Sea God," he murmured, his tone filled with a strange mix of awe and regret.
He made no move to escape as the ship's structure collapsed around him.
"I truly underestimated the power of legends," he admitted quietly, his eyes fixed on the distant Shamouti Island.
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As a massive section of the hull plummeted toward him, Lawrence closed his eyes. A faint smile lingered on his face, even as the debris crashed down, burying him beneath the wreckage of his ambitions.
"Perhaps… this is fitting," were his final words, drowned out by the cacophony of destruction.
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Back on the cliff, Ash and Melody stood in stunned silence, watching the alien spacecraft disintegrate in the distance. Shards of debris rained down into the ocean, casting ripples across the now-calm waters.
The sheer power of Lugia's attack was beyond anything they had ever witnessed.
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Lugia turned its attention back to the three legendary birds.
With a gentle yet commanding gesture, it used its psychic abilities to lift the unconscious birds, lowering them safely onto the shores of Shamouti Island.
As Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres touched the ground, the unnatural purple-red glow faded completely from their eyes. Their bodies, once tense with aggression, now rested peacefully as they began to recover.
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"The balance has been restored," Lugia's voice resonated in the minds of everyone present.
"But our task is not yet complete."
Ash stepped forward, his heart pounding as he met Lugia's gaze. Though the immediate crisis had been averted, he could sense that their mission was far from over.
"What do we need to do next?" Ash asked, his voice steady despite the enormity of the events unfolding around him.
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Lugia regarded Ash with a mix of ancient wisdom and newfound respect.
"The damage done to the world's ecosystem is extensive," it explained.
"The climate has been thrown into chaos, and the natural balance remains fragile.
To heal what has been broken, humans and Pokémon must work together—only through harmony can we restore what was lost."
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Melody, still clutching her flute tightly, stepped forward. Her voice wavered as she asked, "But how can we possibly fix something so… massive?"
A gentle warmth emanated from Lugia, washing over them like a comforting embrace.
"The same way all great tasks are accomplished—one step at a time," Lugia replied.
"The ceremony you began has already set the process in motion.
The sacred waters flowing from this altar will continue to spread, carrying life and balance to even the farthest reaches of the ocean."
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Ash clenched his fists, determination blazing in his eyes.
"Then let's get started. Tell us what to do, Lugia."
The Sea God nodded, sensing Ash's resolve.
"First, ensure the safety of the legendary birds. They are critical to maintaining the elemental balance, and their recovery is paramount. Next, you must guide humanity in understanding the importance of coexistence with nature.
This incident must serve as a lesson, not a prelude to further destruction."
---
As Lugia outlined its plan, the sun broke fully through the dissipating storm clouds, casting golden rays across Shamouti Island.
The light illuminated the altar, causing the emerald waters flowing from it to shimmer with newfound brilliance.
Around them, flowers bloomed in vibrant colors, and the gentle sound of waves lapping against the shore replaced the chaos of the storm.
---
Despite the challenges that lay ahead, a profound sense of hope filled the air. Ash and Melody exchanged a glance, their shared determination unspoken but clear.
They had witnessed the immense power of the legendary Pokémon and felt the weight of the responsibility placed upon them.
With the combined strength of humans, Pokémon, and legends working together in harmony, Ash knew there was no obstacle they couldn't overcome.
The journey to heal the world was just beginning, but for the first time in days, the future felt bright.
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