"Aaaooo!!"
Sensing new wounds tearing across its body, Lugia threw its head back and let out a long, echoing cry.
At this moment, Harribel had already ridden her Mantine over to Latios and Latias.
Harribel looked heartbroken as she rested her hand on Latios's head, seeing the many injuries across his body.
"Latios, quickly use Recover! Latias, use Heal Pulse!"
"Yaaa!!"
Latias immediately nodded, letting out a soft cry as a rainbow-colored Heal Pulse began to radiate outward.
"Ouu!!"
But just as Latias released Heal Pulse, Latios extended a claw and gently placed it on Latias's head—stopping her.
"Lia??"
Feeling Latios' touch, Latias looked up at him, confused.
"Ouu!!"
While Latias and Harribel stared in bewilderment, Latios shook his head, slowly lifting himself into the air. The next moment, he gave a sharp cry and shot forward—rushing past Harribel and Latias like a jet—heading straight toward Lugia at full speed!
"What?! Latios! What are you doing?!"
"Yaa!!"
Both Harribel and Latias shouted in alarm. Latias immediately raced after him, crying anxiously as she tried to catch up.
"Aaaooo!!"
Lugia, who had stopped briefly to rest mid-air, suddenly noticed Latios charging at him alone. Its eyes narrowed slightly in confusion—clearly unable to grasp Latios' intentions. But Lugia didn't overthink it. Its mouth opened, firing a spiraling Hydro Pump straight at Latios!
"Ouu!"
But Latios had anticipated it. His streamlined body soared upward like a fighter jet, narrowly dodging the blast. The next instant, bright violet-blue light flickered in his mouth—Dragon Pulse shot downward toward Lugia!
"Aaaooo!!"
But Lugia didn't even bother to use Protect. With a simple shift of its massive body, it effortlessly avoided the attack. Then its mouth opened again—another massive Hydro Pump surged out!
"Hm!? What is Latios planning?! No, this is too dangerous! He absolutely cannot fight alone right now! We can't lose anyone! Moltres! Zapdos! Go help him!"
From a distance, Liam watched Latios engage Lugia one-on-one. Confusion flickered in his eyes—he couldn't understand Latios' intentions, but he knew one thing: Latios couldn't fight alone.
"Skreee!!"
"Kreeeaaah!!"
Upon hearing the command, Moltres and Zapdos spread their wings and shot forward! Flames and lightning streaked across the sky as they attacked Lugia with full force!
"Yaa!!"
But even before they reached the battlefield, Latias was the first to catch up to Latios, joining him in attacking Lugia. Only afterward did Moltres and Zapdos arrive. In an instant, a fierce battle erupted—Lugia against four legendary Pokemon—powerful attacks exploding across the sky like fireworks.
Meanwhile, Liam watched from Aerodactyl's back, his gaze narrowed. Even surrounded and attacked by four legendary Pokemon, Lugia still showed no signs of weakening. Liam's eyes finally fixed on the floating blue orb by Lugia's head—Great Sea Spirit Sapphire. A silent determination formed in his mind.
"Aaaooo!!"
Just then—Lugia let out a piercing cry! A pink wave of psychic power exploded outward like a shockwave, blasting the four Pokemon away!
Before Latias could regain her balance—
Lugia opened its maw and a Hydro Pump shot forth!
"Yaa!!"
Latias, still staggered from the Psychic-like blast, barely stabilized her flight. It was already too late to dodge. She could only watch helplessly as the roaring Hydro Pump closed in.
"Ouu!!"
At that critical moment—Latios suddenly appeared in front of her, letting out a high-pitched cry as he used his body as a shield!
The tremendous force pushed Latios backward through the air, but that wasn't all—
A faint dark aura began to shimmer around Latios' body.
With another cry, the black light surged outward, flowing along the water stream—racing straight into Lugia!
"Aaaoo?! (What!? This is—!)"
The sudden energy infiltration shocked Lugia mid-attack. Its eyes widened as the Hydro Pump abruptly weakened, then dissipated entirely into a misty spray.
"Ouu…"
After releasing the dark light, Latios—already battered and exhausted—let out a low cry and collapsed, falling toward the ground.
"Yaa—!!"
Only when Latios began to fall did Latias snap back to awareness. She dove down instantly, catching Latios on her back and crying out to him in panic and grief.
"…Parting Shot."
Watching what had happened, Liam's eyes widened slightly as realization dawned.
Latios had used Parting Shot: a move that sacrifices all remaining strength to severely reduce the opponent's Attack and Special Attack.
He hadn't expected Latios to have this level of resolve.
"Harribel! Take care of Latios! Leave the rest to me! I won't let his resolve go to waste!"
With deep respect in his heart, Liam turned toward the now obviously unsettled Lugia. His eyes sharpened, and he shouted:
"Moltres! Use Sky Attack! Zapdos! Use Thunder!"
"Skreee!!"
"Kreeeaaah!!"
They moved instantly.
Moltres shot upward, gathering golden light around its body… Zapdos spread its wings, summoning concentrated lightning, then unleashed a massive Thunder strike!
"Aaaooo!!"
Seeing the lightning descend, Lugia cried out and raised another dark blue Protect barrier!
"BOOOOOM!!"
Zapdos's Thunder struck the barrier, crackling violently—but Lugia held firm.
"Skreeea!!"
At that moment, Moltres dove from above, transformed into a golden divine bird, slamming into Lugia's shield!
This time—the previously immovable barrier shook violently.
BANG!!
Although the shield trembled, it didn't break. Moltres was repelled backward!
"Aaaooo!!"
The moment Moltres was knocked away, Lugia opened its maw again… pale-blue compressed air swirling inside—and as Protect faded—it fired a point-blank Aeroblast straight at Moltres!