Ash and his friends first saw Lugia as a silhouette in Around the Whirlpool. After another mishap involving Team Rocket, Ash's group fell overboard and were slowly being sucked into a whirlpool. The whirlpool suddenly disappeared, after which Lugia passed by, all the while calling out. Ash and his friends recounted their mysterious tale in Mantine Overboard! and Hi Ho Silver... Away!.
While on Ogi Isle, Ash and his friends reunited with Luka and Ritchie in The Mystery is History. They also met Oliver and his friend, a child Lugia nicknamedSilver. Silver's parent later appeared in a rage, which caused Luka's heritage Silver Wing to glow red. Ash and the others reassured Lugia of their good intentions and this managed to calm it down. Silver and its parent spent some quality time underwater, but this was soon interrupted by Butch and Cassidy after they kidnapped Silver.
In A Parent Trapped!, Lugia became frustrated and summoned a destructive storm after learning that its child was taken captive by Team Rocket. Ash, Luka and Ritchie eventually reached Lugia and reassured it that they'll help save Silver. When Lugia found Silver was captive, it went for the cage. Despite the group warning Lugia not to get closer, it was also caught alongside its child.
In A Promise is a Promise, Lugia was held captive in Dr. Namba's base. Jessie, James, and Meowth attempted to free it, but were interrupted by Butch and Cassidy. The two Team Rocket groups battled each other and accidentally freed Lugia. Lugia went on a rampage until it was reunited with Silver, and Team Rocket's base began to fall apart. Lugia managed to protect Silver and the group from the debris with Safeguard. After escaping from Team Rocket's base, Silver stayed with the adult Lugia with Oliver saying goodbye to them both.
Personality and characteristics
Lugia is very protective and cares deeply for its child. It will respond to trauma in a destructive rage and can be incredibly difficult to reason with. Lugia prefers to live in peace and away from people, though it is willing to assist people stranded at sea.
