"LU… GIAAA! " "HUMAN, GIVE IT BACK TO ME!"
Lugia roared furiously, but didn't dare to recklessly charge forward to snatch it; Zoroark and the others were still watching it intently, ready to pounce.
And with Sato at the center, the dense Dark-type energy surrounding him also made Lugia too wary to use Confusion to take the egg from a distance.
If that Dark energy interfered even slightly, and it slipped in the process, the egg really would be smashed.
So, impotent rage was the only thing Lugia could do right now.
"HUMAN, RETURN THE EGG TO ME!"
Lugia roared again, but Sato, holding the egg, remained unmoved, simply staring at it silently.
Lugia continued to roar, and Sato continued to stare!
Lugia roared again, and Sato still stared…
Lugia… ahem, lost its voice(?).
The corner of Sato's mouth twitched. He was starting to feel like this Legendary Pokémon wasn't all that smart.
He could only understand telepathy anyway, yet it insisted on pairing every attempt with a "sonic assault".
What, you think being loud makes you right?
"…Human, what will it take for you to return my child?"
Lugia finally stopped roaring and switched to telepathy.
"I want to know… how do you plan to atone for the disasters you caused in the Whirl Islands?"
It was still the same question, but now that the Pokémon egg was in Sato's hands, Lugia didn't dare act rashly again.
"I will guard the Whirl Islands for ten years. During this time, the islands will enjoy calm seas and favorable weather, no longer affected by Whirlpool Tides.
Also, if anyone falls into the nearby seas and calls for me from their heart, I will try my best to come to their aid."
"Mm… not enough!"
Lugia gritted its teeth at Sato, then hardened its heart and continued, "Fifteen years!"
"Not enough," Sato's voice remained firm and unyielding.
"Human, don't go too far. Don't forget you already received the blessing of our Guardian of the Seas' clan!"
Sato continued shaking his head, saying nothing, eyes locked fiercely on Lugia.
Finally, Lugia gave in again. The anger was already burning in its throat, but it had no way to release it.
"Twenty years. I won't go any higher..."
"Alright. I'll be watching!"
This time, Sato agreed without hesitation, so quickly that Lugia didn't even have time to react.
But after confirming that Sato wasn't joking, Lugia felt a flicker of gratitude rise in its heart… only to forcibly suppress it moments later.
Hrrk~ ptooey!
'You're just a villain… GRATEFUL MY LEGENDARY ASS!'
The next moment, Lugia lowered its body and moved towards Sato, carefully receiving the Pokémon egg.
After checking it over multiple times to confirm there were no cracks or damage, Lugia gently tucked it away, then quickly returned to its proud, lofty demeanor.
Lugia stood tall once more, looking down at Sato.
The two locked eyes again.
Neither spoke, but somehow it felt like they exchanged countless words…
Sato: 'I know you want to blow me away.'
Lugia: 'I know you know I want to blow you away.'
Sato: 'Ha! I know you know I know you want to blow me away.'
Lugia: 'I know… I know… KNOW WHAT, MY ASS!'
"My child is back with me now… Are you really not afraid I'll just blow you away?"
In the end, Lugia couldn't resist asking one last time.
Sato grinned and shook his head.
"Doesn't matter. I only know you're Lugia, a member of the legendary Guardian of the Seas clan. Even with selfish desires, you'd never act without restraint."
Hearing this, Lugia's expression softened, as if a long drought had finally met spring rain. Its gaze toward Sato noticeably gentled.
But in the next moment, Sato continued, "Oh! But don't forget your atonement duty. If anyone in the Whirl Islands drowns and dies..."
"GET LOST!"
"...Okay then."
Sato shrugged, not daring to provoke the beast again. After recalling all his partners into their Poké Balls, he turned and walked away.
"Wait a moment!"
"Hm? What is it?" Sato turned back, watching cautiously, afraid that Lugia was going to pull some stunt again.
Don't be fooled by how calm he seemed while facing off against Lugia just now, his heart had nearly exploded from the tension.
"Human, did you forget something?"
"Forget… something?"
Lugia's face darkened, but in the end, it held back from yelling. It continued speaking haughtily, "We of the Guardian of the Seas clan always keep our word. I said I would help you train your Pokémon, and I meant it.
Leave that Greninja that… ahem, I mean, the one that plans to train by my side."
"Uh… maybe next time."
After everything that had just happened, how could Sato dare leave Greninja behind?
"I am Lugia of the Guardian of the Seas. Do you really think I'd hold a grudge and retaliate?"
Sato nodded, "Mhm. Yes!"
"..."
Lugia wanted to roar, but remembering its hoarse throat, it had to hold it in.
Fortunately, Gardevoir jumped in just in time to interrupt their exchange, preventing a third round of conflict.
"Toto, I didn't sense any malice from Lugia."
"…Really?"
Sato raised an eyebrow, hesitating, then finally released Greninja again and asked for its own decision.
"Gre…"
Greninja's eyes flickered with hesitation, but in the end, it slowly walked toward Lugia.
Sato was filled with emotion. Among all his partners, Greninja's desire to grow stronger easily ranked in the top three!
"Then, Lugia, I'm counting on you!"
This time, Sato made a formal request to Lugia with complete sincerity.
He also hoped this could reduce Lugia's prejudice toward his Greninja.
However, Lugia was still very tsundere. Though most of its anger had dissipated, it still maintained a perfunctory expression.
Sato had no choice but to send Greninja a look of encouragement before turning to walk out of the cave.
---◓---
Now familiar with the terrain, Gardevoir could teleport a much greater distance.
In no time, one human and one Pokémon reappeared on the beach. It was already 3 a.m.
Fortunately, Sato often replaced sleep with meditation, and with the enhancement of Dark Energy, he didn't feel tired.
After returning to the hotel for a quick rest, Sato checked the match schedule, then yanked the still-soundly-sleeping Rei out of bed. Down in the hotel lobby, Dominic and Victor were already waiting for them.
The four quickly regrouped and headed together to the battlefield.
Today would be Sato vs. Victor, and Satoru Rei vs. Dominic.
Sato's battle against Victor began quickly. Perhaps out of gratitude toward Sato, Victor didn't show much enthusiasm; he even seemed like he was intentionally throwing the match.
Soon, Sato's Houndoom won easily without even needing Mega Evolution, defeating Victor's Jynx and Mamoswine.
Then, Sato sent out Cacturne, who knocked Victor's Walrein flat on the ground.
With that, Sato had completed both of his Whirl Islands matches.
Hmm… along the way he also wiped out a Whirlpool Tide, discovered that Lugia could lay eggs, and forced it to specify compensation.
Looking back, not a bad trip!