Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 486: Lugia, Successfully Captured!

Temple of the Sea—Samiya!

A sanctuary slumbering in the ocean's depths, known only in theory to those who've found Manaphy, as only Manaphy's return path could lead one to it.

It was built in ancient times by the People of the Water to worship the Sea Guardian.

"Temple of the Sea, Sea Crown," Cynthia murmured.

"Sea Crown?" Caitlin shot her a puzzled look.

"Legend says that whoever obtains the Sea Crown will possess the power to command the sea and become its sovereign..."

The power to command the sea?

Caitlin's confusion deepened.

Isn't that Kyogre's dominion?

"So... their goal is the Sea Crown?"

If one could obtain the Sea Crown and be acknowledged by the ocean, then as a hunter in these waters, they'd no longer need submarines or similar tools and could hunt freely among the sea Pokémon.

That... might make Ghost truly untouchable.

If the League tried to capture him, he could simply retreat into dangerous waters. And many Pokémon hidden in the depths would no longer be safe.

"Ka-kaah?"

Gengar's eyes lit up when it heard about the Sea Crown and its power.

That crown... sounds even cooler than Slowking's. Maybe he could "borrow" it for a while?

"Relax." Johan took off his monocle, wiped its lens with a cloth, and smiled. "He can't wear it."

"Hm?"

Cynthia and Caitlin looked puzzled, but Johan didn't explain.

Should he tell them the Sea Crown is so massive that "wearing" it isn't even an option?

Besides, even if one earns the ocean's recognition, it doesn't last forever.

In the movie, Ash got the Sea Crown and turned into a golden superhuman who could fly and dive unaided. But in the anime? Everything was reset.

Of course, it might just be Ash being Ash—Movie Ash is epic, TV Ash is... not.

Still, one thing's certain: Ghost doesn't know how to use the real Sea Crown.

Unless Hunter J told him.

But even if they're working together, it's unlikely she would've shared that knowledge.

"What worries me more is Lugia's condition," Johan said grimly.

What would keep Lugia from searching for its child? What's forcing it to stay here?

"We're almost there," Cynthia said.

Under the moonlight, the outline of a massive submarine was reflected off the barrier surrounding the Temple of the Sea.

Alongside it, a medium-sized sub was parked just outside the temple.

"Is that Hunter J's sub?"

"Cha-haha—The great me has arrived!"

Inside the massive sub, Ghost stood up.

Though imposing in manner, he was barely taller than a child—his swagger far outpaced his size.

Hunter J, wearing her sunglasses, said coldly:

"Did you find it?"

"Of course!"

Ghost held up a container inside which lay a light blue, transparent object shaped like an egg, with a ruby-like red core, surrounded by golden specks.

Manaphy's egg!

Seeing it, Hunter J's expression softened slightly—but she still sneered:

"At least you're not completely useless."

Referring, of course, to Ghost losing the baby Lugia.

That was a legendary Pokémon cub!

From a business standpoint, possibly even more valuable than an adult Lugia. Adults might appear now and then—but babies?

If they'd kept the baby, they wouldn't have had to wait around—they could've finished things already.

J had only entrusted Ghost with such a critical mission because he had an edge in underwater operations.

Still, the plan seemed close to success.

But Ghost, stung by J's jab, glared at her.

"J, you'd better remember where you are!"

This was the ocean.

His domain!

How much could her Pokémon really do down here?

As the two looked about to argue, Jupiter, completely unfazed, brushed back her hair and sighed:

"Enough, focus on the mission."

Saturn nodded:

"Move faster. Johan and his crew will be here any minute."

Johan!

At the mention of the name, a cold glint flashed behind Hunter J's shades. She dropped the argument immediately—it wasn't worth it.

"So that's Johan..." Ghost muttered, as if things clicked into place.

He lived most of his life at sea. While out of touch, he'd still heard whispers about Johan—tactical genius, champion contender, all that.

But lately he'd been too busy searching for Manaphy to follow current events—he hadn't heard the more "mythical" rumors about Johan.

So he seemed unconcerned, pointed behind him, and grinned:

"He's been tailing us for a while now."

What?

J, Saturn, and Jupiter all stared at him in disbelief.

"You led him here?" Saturn snapped.

Ghost laughed. "What's the big deal? When he gets here, we'll deal with him."

Just a trainer—what was there to fear?

Even if a member of the Elite Four showed up, their current setup, combined with planning and numbers, would be enough to win.

Let alone someone who wasn't even officially a trainer.

J and Saturn ignored his delusions and exchanged a glance.

"Enough talk—into the temple."

Ghost sneered inside.

Afraid of a teacher? Just a teacher?

Once he had the Sea Crown, he'd show these cowards what real power looked like.

He said nothing more, brought Manaphy's egg to the temple barrier—

Buzz—

Without Manaphy, it's technically possible to locate the Temple of the Sea with devices.

But without it, the barrier won't open. Ordinary people can't enter.

"Gaaaargh!!"

As soon as they crossed into the barrier, a furious roar echoed out, followed by a howling tempest.

"Salamence!"

Hunter J didn't hesitate—she threw out a Poké Ball, summoning her Salamence.

"Garrrr!!"

Against the hurricane winds, Salamence roared in defiance. Its blood-red wings flapped, countering the storm.

It wasn't a full match—

But it resisted some of it.

Though deep in the ocean, the temple's internal air barrier made the atmosphere feel like land.

J, Saturn, Jupiter, and their Pokémon moved freely.

Once inside, all eyes—except Ghost's—locked onto a silver figure circling in the air.

A legendary Pokémon—

Lugia!

But something was clearly wrong.

Its eyes glowed red. Breathing was heavy. Though airborne, its body trembled, as if in pain.

If Johan were there, he'd immediately see the cause.

A dark red chain wrapped around Lugia's body.

The Red Chain!

But this version differed from the one Johan had. Something was missing.

"You've hidden long enough," Hunter J said coldly.

From her belt, she drew a pitch-black Poké Ball.

A Dark Ball.

"Salamence!"

She leapt up—Salamence caught her midair and carried her skyward.

She raised her left hand.

Buzz—

A brownish petrification beam shot forth.

Lugia, though unstable, seemed semi-aware. It roared and tried to dodge.

But its reaction was slower than before. Its abilities were weakened. The beam clipped its wing.

"Gaaaaargh!!"

It screamed as the petrified wing threw off its flight.

At that instant, J hurled the Dark Ball.

Crackle...

Purple lightning sparked across it.

It hit Lugia—black mist billowed out, engulfing the Pokémon.

No time to resist.

Clink—

The ball sealed shut. No struggle.

Hunter J caught it as it dropped.

At last, she exhaled.

"Lugia—successfully captured!"

"They've entered the Temple of the Sea," Caitlin said. Her eyes glowed faintly with psychic light, seeming to pierce the ocean below.

But the temple's barrier distorted her vision—she couldn't clearly make out what lay within, only sensing a lurking darkness.

"Shall we go?"

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She looked at Cynthia and Johan.

"We've come this far. We have to see what's happening," Johan said calmly.

The Rotom navigator's overlapping coordinates confirmed it—Lugia was here.

But without a sub, they had to rely on Caitlin's psychic power to descend.

"Let's go," Cynthia said coolly.

No true trainer could stand idly by while Pokémon were treated like merchandise.

As she spoke, Cynthia released her Pokémon.

Milotic and Gastrodon appeared.

Though confident in their strength, they weren't about to charge in blindly. The enemy likely expected them—traps were possible.

To be safe, Cynthia had Milotic and Gastrodon scout ahead.

Meanwhile—

"Gothitelle."

Caitlin summoned her Pokémon.

"Goth~" Gothitelle nodded and activated its psychic power.

Buzz—

A field enveloped Johan, Cynthia, and Caitlin. They recalled their other Pokémon and floated downward.

The sea parted around them.

Soon, they were fully submerged, heading for the Temple of the Sea.

Back on the ship, the man was still at the comms.

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Powerstones?

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