----
The final phase of the capture operation was nearly complete.
As the last few stubborn Team Rocket grunts were subdued, the beach quieted. Bound together and stripped of their Poké Balls, the captured agents were escorted to the waiting helicopters by International Police operatives.
While the arrests continued, Kai, Ash, Misty, Brock, Erika, and Ritchie met up with Anabel to share their next move.
"You're planning to raid the Rocket base?" she repeated, brows furrowed.
Kai nodded.
Anabel glanced at the beach full of prisoners. "We're stretched thin. Escorting these guys back to headquarters safely is our top priority. We can't commit to an assault just yet. I can't authorize a full task force for the next stage."
She wasn't like Looker who often threw himself headfirst into risk. Anabel was cautious, methodical. For her, safety came before ambition.
"That's fine," Kai said, unfazed. "We'll handle the infiltration ourselves. We'll just need you to sweep up afterward."
Anabel sighed, clearly uncomfortable with the idea. "The Rocket base won't be undefended. It'll be crawling with grunts and possibly worse. Are you sure you want to walk into that without backup?"
Kai glanced at his companions every one of them standing with quiet confidence. "We're not trying to wage war. We scout, sabotage, and retreat if we have to. They struck first. This is our response."
Anabel finally relented. "I'll arrange a few boats to be ready off the coast. Once you make your move, signal us."
The choppers took off soon after, ferrying the prisoners away. Their rotors faded into the horizon, and silence returned to the island.
With no outsiders around, Shu slipped into the water and soon resurfaced with Silver, the baby Lugia, swimming gently beside him.
The group gathered on the beach, relaxing for the first time in hours. They laughed, chatted, and shared stories of the battle. Even Shu, usually reserved, had opened up.
This fight had bonded them.
Even Ritchie and Erika, previously more guarded, now treated the group like old friends. But it was Shu who once trembled in front of strangers who surprised everyone the most. Sitting close to Silver, he grinned as he recounted every moment of their battle.
---
As they waited for Poliwhirl to return with information on the Rocket sub's destination, Ash glanced toward the pockmarked shoreline.
Scorched sand, shattered stone, and bubbling water marked the aftermath.
"I can't believe we made it through that…" he muttered.
A few feet away, Ritchie stood silently, eyes narrowed, reflecting. He'd seen tournaments, training camps, even high-stakes battles but never anything like this. This was war.
And Kai? He handled it like routine.
No wonder he's not interested in badges anymore, Ritchie thought.
---
Eventually, all eyes drifted to Silver again.
Even among Legendaries, Lugia was a rarity.
The Pokémon circled gently among the group, nuzzling Pikachu, sniffing Bayleef, playfully dodging Totodile's splashes. It was a surreal sight one none of them would ever forget.
Then Shu suddenly slapped his forehead. "Wait! I almost forgot Silver's mother is supposed to be arriving soon!"
Misty sat up straight. "Wait—THE Lugia?"
Shu nodded rapidly. "Yeah. The real deal. An adult. And… she hates humans."
That changed everything.
Kai stood. "All right, everyone. Give them space. We don't want to provoke her."
Even Ash, normally the first to push his luck with wild Pokémon, got to his feet, albeit reluctantly. "She's really that scary?"
Shu didn't answer with words he simply gestured to the ocean.
---
The sea exploded.
A towering silver figure burst from beneath the surface, rising like a leviathan. Its wings unfurled with a gale-force wind. Its form was majestic, unmistakable, and terrifying:
Lugia. The Sea Guardian.
A deep silence fell across the group.
Where Silver was playful and gentle, the mother radiated sheer, commanding power.
Hovering over the shallows, Lugia stared down at the humans, eyes glowing, wings tensed, body arched protectively over her child.
Her gaze screamed one message: Stay back.
Shu quickly stepped forward, shielding his friends. "Please! Don't be angry they helped protect Silver!"
Silver chimed in with a soft coo, nudging his mother's side.
Still, the mother did not move.
She didn't speak, but her emotions were unmistakable distrust. Caution. Warning.
Kai slowly raised his hand, signaling everyone to fall back. Wordlessly, the group began retreating up the sand, giving the mother her space.
Only then did Lugia begin to relax. Her wings lowered slightly. The rage in her gaze softened just a little.
Kai exhaled. 'Good. She's not attacking… yet.'
----
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