Lugia (Japanese: ルギア Lugia) is a dual-type Psychic/Flying Legendary Pokémon introduced in Generation II.
It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.
It is often considered to be part of the Tower duo with Ho-Oh, even sometimes as Ho-Oh’s polar opposite. Silver represents Lugia as “guardian of the seas”, and Gold represents Ho-Oh as “guardian of the skies.” Lugia is also the trio master of the Legendary birds.
Lugia is the game mascot of Pokémon Silver, its remake Pokémon SoulSilver, and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness (as Shadow Lugia), appearing on the boxart of them all.
In Pokémon XD, Shadow Lugia, codenamed XD001, is a main part of the storyline, and Cipher’s ultimate Shadow Pokémon.
Lugia is a large Pokémon that resembles a dragon, a plesiosaur, and a bird. It is primarily pale silver-white, but it has blue undersides with slightly varying tones. It has a ridged mouth similar to a beak, although it has pointed teeth on its lower jaw. Its head has a point to the back, and Lugia’s eyes have pointed blue or black spikes on them. Lugia has a long, slender neck and a smooth, streamlined body. Dark blue or black plate-like protrusions run down the length of its back, and there are two smaller, more pointed ones on the end of its tail. It can fold back these plates to increase its speed. It has large wings that resemble hands. Though it is genderless, a young Lugia has been observed, suggesting that there is a breeding population. Lugia has been shown to be fiercely protective of its young.
Lugia leads the legendary birds. When they fight over territory, Lugia is the only Pokémon that can quell their ceaseless fighting, as observed in the second Pokémon movie. Much like the birds, it possesses the ability to control the weather; most notably, it can calm and give rise to storms. It is said that a light flutter of its wings is capable of causing winds powerful enough to tear down cliffs. If it were to flap its wings, it could hypothetically spawn storms lasting as long as 40 days. It is highly intelligent, and because of the devastating power it could accidentally inflict, it isolates itself deep underwater and tends to sleep in solitude. Lugia is the only known Pokémon that learns Aeroblast. It is extremely rare and is hardly ever seen.
Ash and his friends are on their journey through the Orange Islands—but even this seemingly quiet chain of islands dotted throughout the waters far south of Kanto has its own mysteries, adventures, and Legendary Pokémon! Lawrence III certainly knows it, which is why he’s now traveling to the different islands and capturing the three Legendary birds—Moltres, Articuno, and Zapdos. But even with all their power, those three are merely a stepping stone to an even greater prize: Lugia, the guardian of the sea!
Of course, Ash is completely unaware of all this when he arrives at his latest destination. The islanders have big plans for him, too, but nothing so sinister—they want him to take part in a ceremony to gather three elemental balls from different islands. When the weather across the world goes out of control, this task takes on a new importance, as the capture of the Legendary birds has thrown the environment out of balance. With Lugia’s help, can Ash be the “chosen one” that everyone turns to?
Plot
Disturb not the harmony of fire, ice or lightning, lest these titans wreak destruction upon the world in which they clash. Though the water’s great guardian shall arise to quell the fighting, alone its song will fail, lest the earth shall turn to ash. O Chosen One, into thine hands bring together all three. Their treasures combined tame the Beast of the Sea.
–Shamouti Prophecy
Eldes first appears alongside Mr. Verich and Ardos when Ardos saves Michael’s sister Jovi from Zook, and is later encountered by Michael when he first visits Mt. Battle. However, he—like Mr. Verich—is shrouded in mystery until the end of the main storyline, where he first battles the player.
As well as being a Cipher Admin, Eldes serves as one of Greevil’s two bodyguards, the other being Ardos. At the end of the game, it is revealed that Eldes is one of Greevil’s two sons. Eldes eventually stops Greevil and Ardos from blowing up their base, as he realizes that countless people and Pokémon would be killed in the process and this would be immoral.
Michael first battles against him in Citadark Isle, where he uses a total of four Shadow Pokémon. After Greevil has been defeated, the player can challenge Eldes on the last round of the Orre Colosseum.
Eldes is not as evil as the other Cipher Admins. He questions Cipher’s motives throughout the game. He also shows regret that when he first battles Michael, he is battling him as an enemy and not in the traditional way, to decide who the better Trainer is.
Mt. Battle
“Well, well? Didn’t we meet at Gateon Port? Have you come to train?”
“This is an excellent place for people to train. I’ve trained here myself.”
“Back then, I only sought to be more powerful. I didn’t need any other reason. As a result, I attained this status. But now, I’ve taken to questioning my motive for gaining power. I wonder what I am fighting for. I ponder if I am putting my Pokémon under cruel stress… That’s why I urge you to look into yourself. Ask yourself why do you want to become stronger before you take that path.”
Citadark Isle
Before battle
“Sir!”
“You’ve finally managed to anger Master Greevil. I though I would end up battling you one day… But this isn’t how I had hoped to face you.”
“If we battle, it will only be unfulfilling and without meaning. Will you challenge me knowing that?”
Yes: “Fine. I understand. But once we begin, expect no mercy. That is my philosophy.”