Chapter 78: Afterwards
Life energy surged from the altar, radiating outward in waves of emerald light. The turbulent seas calmed, and the once-chaotic balance of nature began to stabilize.
Lugia, using its immense psychic powers, gently placed the Three Legendary Birds on the altar. The life energy flowing from the sacred site surrounded them, bathing their depleted forms in a healing radiance.
The battles had drained their life force to dangerous levels; without this rejuvenation, their ability to protect the world would have been compromised.
As the Guardian of the Sea, Lugia held dominion over the flow of life energy. Through its powers, it channeled vitality back into the legendary birds, gradually restoring their strength.
At Lugia's silent signal, Ash released his Pokémon—Pikachu, Charizard, Snorlax, Venusaur, and Blastoise—to receive the same restorative energy. Though their exhaustion wasn't as severe as the legendary birds', the battles had still taken a toll on them.
The life energy quickly reinvigorated Ash's team, and they stood strong once more, their vitality fully replenished.
---
As the ceremony progressed, Lugia cast a thoughtful gaze toward Pikachu, Charizard, and Snorlax.
A faint glimmer of recognition sparked in Lugia's eyes as it sensed something extraordinary from them—an energy tied to the primal forces of nature itself.
"These three… They bear the essence of the laws," Lugia murmured, more to itself than to Ash.
Ash tilted his head in curiosity but chose not to interrupt. He had learned that Lugia would only reveal what it deemed necessary.
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Elsewhere, on Ice Island, Marshadow lay recuperating. Though distant from the altar, the life energy emanating from it reached even there, accelerating Marshadow's recovery.
Unlike the legendary birds, Marshadow's injuries were relatively minor, and it soon regained its full strength.
Despite not being one of Lugia's direct subordinates, Marshadow acknowledged the Sea God's authority, offering the same respect it reserved for its own master, Ho-Oh.
---
Gradually, the Three Legendary Birds stirred. Their wings stretched, their radiant forms shimmering as the last remnants of exhaustion faded away.
One by one, they returned to the altar platform, their movements steady and graceful.
"Thank you, Master Lugia, and the Master Controller," said Articuno, its voice soft and tranquil, like a gentle breeze.
"We deeply apologize for our negligence," added Moltres, its fiery head lowered in shame. "The chaos we caused was unintentional, but we accept responsibility for our actions."
"I share in this blame," Zapdos followed, its tone solemn. "Had I not acted so recklessly, perhaps the turmoil could have been avoided."
---
"This was not your fault," Lugia interjected, its voice calm but firm. The Sea God shook its head, the wisdom of ages reflected in its eyes.
"Even without human interference, what was destined to occur would have come to pass. The circumstances were beyond your control."
Lugia's words carried a deeper meaning, one it chose not to elaborate on. Ash, however, felt a nagging suspicion. He recalled the purple-red aurora that had enveloped the sky during the chaos. It seemed to be the root cause of everything.
The Three Legendary Birds hadn't lost their minds initially. Their actions had been deliberate, driven by a desire to destroy Lawrence's spaceship and restore control over the disrupted ocean currents.
But the mysterious aurora had arrived at a pivotal moment, exploiting their weakened state and seizing control of their minds, amplifying their aggression.
---
"What was that aurora?" Ash asked, stepping forward to stand beside Lugia. For a moment, Lugia hesitated, its gaze distant.
"You are not yet ready for that knowledge," Lugia said finally. "But when the time comes, you will understand." Ash clenched his fists, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.
"But I can tell you this much," Lugia continued, its tone grave. "The aurora came to this world tens of thousands of years ago, alongside a Pokémon not of this place."
—
Ash's eyes widened. A Pokémon from beyond planet?
His thoughts immediately turned to Deoxys or perhaps Eternatus. Of the two, Eternatus seemed the more likely culprit.
The purple-red energy bore an unsettling resemblance to the Dynamax phenomenon Ash had witnessed in the Galar series in the anime. Though the Legendary Birds hadn't Dynamaxed, the eerie similarity was hard to dismiss.
---
With the altar's work complete, Lugia rose into the sky, its majestic form glowing in the sunlight.
"Return to your islands and protect the balance," it commanded the Three Legendary Birds. The trio nodded solemnly before taking flight, each heading toward its respective domain.
As they departed, the flow of life energy ceased, and the world around them returned to normal.
---
However, the events of the past days had left a profound impact. Footage captured by helicopters had spread like wildfire, drawing global attention to the Orange Islands.
The Kanto League was the first to respond, dispatching teams to investigate. They were soon followed by representatives from Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, and even the advanced Galar Region.
Though Alola had no official League, Professor Kukui was sent as its representative.
---
While the Leagues respected the presence of the legendary Pokémon, their primary interest lay in the wreckage of Lawrence's spacecraft.
The advanced technology aboard the ship was far beyond anything of the current era. Even a fragment of it could revolutionize their understanding of science and technology.
Inevitably, shadowy organizations also descended on the islands, seeking to steal what they could before the alliances secured it.
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Meanwhile, Ash's reputation skyrocketed. Images of the lightning dragon, the flaming pterodactyl, and the colossal titan battling the legendary birds flooded the internet.
The world marveled at Ash's power, catapulting him to new heights of fame.
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But fame came at a cost. Trainers from across the globe, inspired by his strength, began challenging Ash relentlessly.
Unable to cope with the overwhelming attention, Ash chose to embark on a new journey, seeking solace and growth far from the public eye.
—
The Kanto League, intrigued by the incredible moves Ash's Pokémon had used during the battle, sought answers from Lorelei.
When she questioned Ash, he revealed that these techniques were exclusive to his team, tied to their deep bond and unique connection to the laws of nature.
Lorelei, after witnessing the moves firsthand, confirmed that they were unlike anything she had ever seen—abilities beyond ordinary teaching, born from something far greater.
---
As the event, now known as the Wrath of the Gods, passed into history, the world slowly began to heal.
Though challenges remained, the collaboration between humans, Pokémon, and legends had set the stage for a brighter future.
For Ash, his journey was far from over.
With his team by his side and the wisdom of the legends guiding him, he was ready to face whatever lay ahead.
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