Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon. It belongs to Nintendo and Game Freak.

Hi all,

Here's the next chapter. Lucas and Sabrina travel to the Kalos region but don't get the warmest of welcomes.

Chapter 53

Lucas tossed the Mega Stone, which Icarus caught with his beak and swallowed. A visible shiver ran through Icarus as the stone passed down his throat and into his body. Icarus pecked nervously at the ground, his feathers ruffling with agitation.

"Are you okay, Icarus?" Lucas asked.

"It feels uncomfortable. Give me a moment to adjust to it."

"What does it feel like?"

Lucas could hear Icarus' snarky tone through the bond. "It feels like a stone in my gut that's electrified and sending currents throughout my entire body. How do you think it feels?"

"Even thinking about it makes my stomach hurt," Lucas replied sympathetically. He looked at Daisy. "I will leave my Pokemon to your capable hands. No funny business while Sabrina and I are away."

Daisy made a face. "What a letdown. I was planning to have a wild orgy while you were away."

Brock peered out from behind the camera, his face filled with excitement

"I was joking, you pervert," Daisy sighed, returning her gaze to Icarus. "I can't believe you got your hands on a Mega Stone. There are only a handful of people in the entire United Kanto region who possess one."

"Does that include your grandfather?" Sabrina asked.

Daisy nodded. "Luckily, one of the Kalos region's Mega Stones is for Charizard. Scarlett is enjoying her new transformation."

Lucas shuddered. Scarlett was intimidating enough as it is, but with the potential of Mega Evolution, she would be truly terrifying.

"I'm ready."

Lucas reached for the mega bracelet around his wrist. "Are you ready to record it, Brock?"

"Wait," Brock interjected, poking his head out once more. "Are you seriously considering having Icarus transform here? If Icarus takes flight in his mega form within the city, it will cause chaos."

Lucas paused. Brock raised a valid point. Even though he planned to use Icarus to travel to the Kalos region, he didn't want to reveal who owned the Mega Pidgeot by taking flight from his backyard.

One of the drawbacks of Mega Evolutions was the inability to switch between forms at will. Once activated, you had to use it until it was depleted. Even if you cancel it immediately after activating it, the Pokemon will have to wait a day before using it again, and their stats will be reduced by half during that time.

"We'll depart from Viridian Forest," Lucas decided. "We can capture Icarus' transformation on camera another time."

"Before you go, I have something for you over at my house," Brock said, and he ran off.

Brock returned a few minutes later with his two older siblings, struggling to drag a massive leather saddle behind them. They dropped it at Icarus' feet, who examined it with interest.

"What's this?" Lucas asked.

"This is a saddle for Icarus," Brock explained. "It won't be easy to ride him compared to Saphira. She can keep you comfortable on her back with her weather-controlling abilities, but Icarus can't do the same. Who knows what speeds Icarus will reach in his Mega Evolution form?"

"That's very considerate," Sabrina said. "But will it fit him?"

Brock crouched down to show them the long straps attached to the saddle. "I estimated what size Icarus would be after evolving, and I was almost spot on. With the adjustable straps, it should also fit his Mega Evolution form. It's made from Pokemon materials, which means it will transfer into the pokeball with Icarus."

"This is amazing," Lucas said. "I didn't know you were so good with your hands."

Salvadore cleared his throat, drawing their attention.

Brock grinned. "Salvadore did the majority of the work. He wants to pursue a career in making Pokemon gear."

Impressed, Lucas turned to Salvadore. "Judging by this saddle's quality, you'll excel at it. But I can't accept this without offering something in return. How much do you want for it?"

"I don't want anything. It's a token of gratitude for everything you've done for us," Salvadore replied. "But if you need any other gear made, that's a different story."

"Well, I might take you up on that offer someday."

In a clearing deep within Viridian Forest, Lucas activated the Mega Stone. With Sabrina by his side, they gazed in wonder as Icarus began to undergo a breathtaking transformation.

Icarus' form expanded dramatically, his body growing to a size at least one-third larger than his previous stature. His wings stretched out, revealing wingtips and tail feathers now adorned with a captivating cyan hue that beautifully contrasted against his newly transformed white plumage.

The metamorphosis didn't stop there. Icarus's eyes changed, shifting to a captivating magenta colour. Atop his head, the crown of feathers became even more regal, now embellished with a flowing magenta plume that elegantly extended from a mane of gleaming golden feathers.

Icarus flapped his wings once, creating a powerful gust of wind that uprooted a tree and sent it crashing into another. His beak clacked in satisfaction.

"We understand," Lucas said dryly. "You're undoubtedly powerful now. But please show some restraint and spare the trees, not to mention the local Pokémon population."

Icarus, however, seemed to disregard his plea, turning his head away in a regal manner.

"Let us get the saddle on quickly," Sabrina urged. "We have no idea how long this transformation will last, so time is of the essence."

They wrestled with the saddle for several minutes and secured it around Icarus's massive form. Lucas couldn't help but wonder about the practicality of riding Icarus regularly, considering the cumbersome process of saddling and unsaddling him. It was a stark contrast to riding Saphira, which had always been a seamless experience.

After finally securing the saddle, they loaded their gear onto Icarus' back and mounted him. Icarus rose into the sky with a single powerful flap of his wings. As they headed west towards the Western Kanto region, Icarus wasted no time testing out his newfound abilities, pushing the limits of his speed.

The rush of wind enveloped them as they soared through the sky, making it hard for Lucas to catch his breath. While he couldn't gauge their exact velocity, the swift passing of Route 22 beneath them hinted at a breakneck pace, possibly reaching hundreds of miles per hour.

With his feet firmly in the stirrups and his grip tight on the straps, Lucas braced himself against the forceful gusts generated by Icarus's wings. Sabrina wrapped her arms around his waist, and pressed her head against his back, seeking shelter from the wind. What had begun as an exciting journey to the Kalos region on the back of a Mega Pidgeot soon lost its charm.

"Ease up on the speed!" Lucas shouted over the rushing wind.

"I was just stretching my wings." Icarus' innocent tone rang through his mind.

Icarus reduced his speed, though they still weren't completely comfortable. But the adjustment allowed the passengers a moment to sit up and take in the passing scenery with greater clarity.

"This is exhilarating!" Lucas exclaimed, a surge of adrenaline prompting him to release the saddle strap and raise his arms skyward in a display of daring freedom.

Icarus quickly adapted to his new form, resulting in a much smoother flight for the two passengers.

Before long, Lucas noticed Route 22 veering north, leading towards Victory Road and the Indigo Plateau. In the distance, the imposing silhouette of Mt. Silver loomed ahead. Lucas steered Icarus slightly southward to circumvent the mountain. When planning the route, he chose a direct path over the mountains that separated the east and west regions. While a coastal route would have avoided the mountains and passed through New Bark Town, it would have added significant time to their journey.

Lucas occasionally spotted flying Pokemon in the distance, but none approached Icarus. After a few hours, they left the mountainous terrain and entered what was once the Johto region, with a tapestry of diverse landscapes unfolding beneath them. He tried to identify familiar landmarks below and recognised a few of them.

Three hours later, Icarus flew close to Violet City, and Lucas noticed the towering Sprout Tower dominating the skyline. To the south, the Ruins of Alph came into view, piquing Lucas's curiosity about the possibility of encountering Unown within. He assumed he would have heard or read about it if there had been any significant discoveries.

After another two hours of flying, Lucas directed Icarus to land in a remote forest patch to rest. Lucas and Sabrina summoned their Pokemon, gathering for a quick lunch before continuing their journey to the Kalos region. They estimated it would take twelve hours to travel to Couriway, the town closest to the Kalos mountain range. Even though they left early, they wouldn't arrive until late evening. They didn't want to spend too much time travelling in the dark.

Lucas had purchased a tent kit just in case they were forced to camp outdoors. As long as there were no wild Pokemon over level sixty, they wouldn't be disturbed.

Sabrina shared more insights about Mega Evolutions during their meal. She explained that Pokemon could maintain their transformations longer if they avoided battles. Engaging in combat placed significant stress on the Mega Stone, hastening the depletion of its energy and shortening the transformation duration, depending on the intensity of the battle. Therefore, if Icarus avoided battles, he would maintain his Mega Evolution until they arrived in Kalos. Furthermore, the Pokemon's level and energy reserves affected the transformation's duration.

"Banette," Salem's spectral face materialised from above, startling Lucas and nearly causing him to choke on his food.

Lucas shot a stern look at the mischievous Pokemon. "Are you trying to kill me?"

Salem tilted his head, as if considering the question.

"I shouldn't be surprised that he tagged along," Lucas remarked. "I wonder if Bree can maintain her psychic connection with Salem from Viridian City."

Sabrina glanced at their belongings, a sheepish expression crossing her face. "Possibly?"

Lucas's eyes narrowed. "Did you bring Bree along with us?"

"She doesn't want to be so far from me," Sabrina told him. "Which leads me to believe that she cannot maintain the connection with Salem from such a long distance."

"As long as she doesn't get up to any mischief."

"She will be staying in our hotel room for the duration of our stay," Sabrina assured him. "Nothing will go wrong."

"Famous last words," Lucas said. "I feel sorry for the other hotel guests. Imagine encountering her in the hallway late at night."

Salem let out a creepy laugh.

A few hours later, Icarus soared over the rugged terrain of the Kalos mountain range, his wings slicing through the crisp mountain air as the sky darkened, signalling the approach of nightfall. The chill in the air prompted them to layer up, but it didn't protect them completely. They were eager to reach their destination, where they could have a shower and a hot meal to warm their chilled insides.

Since Sabrina's secret was already out, she had taken Bree out of their packs and allowed her to ride with them, and she appeared to be enjoying herself. It was difficult to tell with her because she could be smiling while also plotting your murder.

A small silhouette emerged in the distance, swiftly growing in size to reveal a Pokemon heading their way.

"What Pokemon is that?" Sabrina shielded her eyes, squinting to get a better look. "It's a Garchomp. They're known to be fiercely territorial and aggressive. I doubt it will let us pass without a confrontation."

"Is this Kalos' way of welcoming us to the region?" Lucas quipped.

"Do you want me to handle it?" Sabrina offered.

Icarus turned his head to reveal a dangerous glint in his eyes. "He's mine!"

Garchomp was now close enough for Lucas to see the text above its head, which indicated that it was level fifty-five. Not an easy opponent, considering the level gap.

"So you want to put your abilities to the test?" Lucas asked. "Garchomp is a high-level Pokemon, and you are new to your mega form."

"This puny dragon dares to think it can match my might in the sky." Icarus clacked his beak. "I will show him the error of his ways."

Lucas took out a pokeball and summoned Saphira into the sky, who looked around with a sleepy expression.

"I was enjoying a peaceful nap. Your interruption has displeased me greatly," Saphira's voice resonated in his mind, mirroring her regal demeanour.

Saphira had gained the ability to communicate telepathically a few days ago. She sounded exactly like how she behaved: a spoiled princess.

"Not the time, Saphira," Lucas said. "Do you mind giving us a ride?"

Seeing the approaching Garchomp, Saphira wasted no time in whisking Lucas and Sabrina onto her back, and breaking away from Icarus to allow him space for battle without interference.

Lucas quickly reviewed the information he had about Icarus' opponent. Garchomp was too far away to use Insight on it, but he had some general knowledge about the Pokemon. It was a dragon-ground type with a high attack stat. Any physical attacks would deal significant damage to Icarus, even with his boosted stats from his Mega Evolution.

Lucas had to consider Icarus' new special ability: No Guard. It increased the amount of damage Icarus dealt and received, which meant the fight would be over quickly, regardless of the winner.

Icarus flew forward to confront Garchomp, while Lucas fed him instructions over the bond.

Icarus initiated the battle with an Air Slash, unleashing razor-sharp wind blades that sliced through the air with deadly precision. The sheer force behind the blades gave them an otherworldly quality, as if they could tear a hole into a different dimension

Garchomp roared in defiance, banking to avoid the oncoming wind blades. Garchomp countered by unleashing a scorching Dragon Breath that surged towards its opponent. However, Icarus executed a Quick Attack to dive beneath the flames.

Icarus seamlessly transitioned from Quick Attack to Air Cutter, unleashing a flurry of razor-sharp wind blades on the surprised Garchomp. The blades closed in on their target because the two Pokemon were so close, and it wasn't able to react.

In a desperate attempt to evade the incoming attack, Garchomp turned its head but couldn't avoid a wind blade that sheared through one of its horns, eliciting a furious roar of pain and rage. Garchomp, fueled by fury, lunged forward with glowing claws and aimed a vicious slash at Icarus' breast.

With a powerful flap of his wings, Icarus generated a powerful gust of wind that propelled him and Garchomp backwards, disrupting Garchomp's claw attack that swiped at empty air.

Seizing the moment, Icarus swiftly executed a move that unleashed a cascade of feathers from above. The feathers landed on his opponent's head, causing its attack to plummet by two stages. Garchomp growled in displeasure as it felt the effects of the crippling reduction.

Icarus retreated and unleashed another Feather Dance. Garchomp blurred forward, trailing draconic energy, and slammed into the larger flying Pokemon. Icarus screeched, clutching Garchomp with his claws and grappling with his opponent despite taking damage from Dragon Rush. They fell through the air in a tangle of body parts, each attempting to assert dominance over the other.

Garchomp opened its mouth, intending to bite Icarus, but Icarus swiftly countered by striking Garchomp's head with a powerful wing slap, disorienting it. Capitalising on the opening, Icarus lunged forward, pecking at Garchomp's right eye, causing a gush of blood to spray forth. Garchomp, engulfed in excruciating pain, roared in agony and stumbled back, writhing as it covered its injured eye in distress.

Bree clapped her hands in delight. "Such beautiful savagery."

Lucas and Sabrina winced as they witnessed such a brutal scene. He hadn't told Icarus to do that, but his partner needed to do whatever it took to win.

With a snap of his wings, Icarus unleashed another devastating Air Cutter, catching the distracted Garchomp off guard. The razor-sharp blades sliced into Garchomp's body, inflicting deep wounds that caused the dragon to stagger. Its condition rapidly deteriorated to a critical state, yet it let out a defiant roar, displaying unwavering determination and resilience.

Garchomp released another Dragon Breath, but Icarus swiftly countered with Double Team, dividing into multiple copies that surrounded the confused Garchomp from all angles. Blinded in one eye, Garchomp struggled to identify the real Icarus amidst the illusions, allowing him to dart forward with another Quick Attack. The decisive strike landed on Garchomp's body, sending the formidable dragon spiralling through the air.

"Saphira, catch it quickly," Lucas commanded.

Saphira soared towards the falling Garchomp. As she closed in, she manipulated the wind to cradle and catch the fallen Pokémon, ensuring its safe descent to the ground.

Lucas sighed softly as he examined the wounds from the battle. He took some potions from his pocket and applied them to Garchomp's wounds. After finishing the treatment, they left Garchomp to recover before returning to the sky.

Icarus had reverted to his original form, the strain of maintaining his Mega Evolution during the battle taking its toll on the Mega Stone.

"That was an amazing fight, Icarus. Take a good rest."

"I went a little overboard."

Lucas returned Icarus to his pokeball, and they continued flying towards the town.

"Should we set up camp somewhere?" Sabrina asked. "Saphira won't be able to travel as fast as Icarus. Maybe we should have avoided the fight."

Lucas shook his head. "That Garchomp would have chased us and its speed matched Icarus's. It would have taken ages to shake it off."

Before Sabrina could respond, Saphira sent a message, alerting him to approaching Pokemon. Had Icarus' fight attracted their attention? Lucas relayed the information to Sabrina, who tensed and rested her hands on her belt in preparation for another confrontation.

They soon spotted several flying Pokemon rising from a valley, and rapidly approaching their position. There was a mixture of several different species, and they were being led by a massive Gyarados that undulated as it moved, giving it the appearance of swimming through the air. When they were close enough, Lucas saw that all the Pokemon had people riding on their backs.

"You don't have to be concerned about them," Bree said, looking up at him. "They aren't hostile."

Lucas breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good to hear. I should hide you, though, before they notice you."

"No need. I can ensure they won't notice me."

"Can you turn invisible?"

"No. But my method produces the same result."

The group of flying Pokemon came to a stop, leaving the Gyaryados to approach on its own. It paused several feet away, its intimidating gaze fixed on Saphira.

"My name is Siebold, and I am a member of the Kalos Elite Four and KAST," he said, standing on his Gyarados and staring down at them. "What are you doing out here?"

Lucas raised an eyebrow. What were the chances that the first Kalos resident they met was a member of the Elite Four?

"We're heading to the nearest town," Lucas said. "What business is it of yours?"

Lucas disliked him on sight. Siebold had a tall, slender figure, with flowing blonde hair that exuded elegance and arrogance in equal measures. He wore a regal white and blue uniform that blended elements of royalty, chef's garb, and sailor attire.

"What are your names?" Siebold asked, ignoring his question. "Have you got identification?"

Sabrina exchanged a puzzled look with Lucas. "Since when do Elite Four members question visitors entering their region? Is it even legal?"

"Due to the recent announcement," Siebold said. "Kalos had to strengthen its security. We have already seen a significant increase in tourists coming to Kalos in search of Mega Stones, and some of them have been unruly."

"Guilty as charged," Lucas replied, raising his hand. "We came to the Kalos region in the hopes of finding some Mega Stones as well. But I promise not to be unruly."

Siebold's gaze was immediately drawn to the Mega Bracelet on his wrist. "Where did you get that?"

Sabrina had had enough of the man's questions and stood up on Saphira, resting her hands on Lucas' shoulders to keep herself steady. "My name is Sabrina Kuroi. My family owns shares in the Silph Company, which affords us certain privileges. I gave Lucas the bracelet as a gift."

Siebold nodded, his expression softening. "My apologies. I should have recognised you sooner, Miss Kuroi. The Silph Company has collaborated with the Kalos government to develop the Mega Stone technology."

Lucas gave a friendly wave. "My name is Lucas Walker, in case you are interested."

"I'm not interested," Siebold replied bluntly.

Lucas mentally gave him the finger.

Siebold continued. "We have been patrolling this area because of its proximity to the ruins. We have set up a security station there, but Team Flare has been causing problems by attempting to take the ruins for themselves."

"Will you allow the public to enter the ruins?" Sabrina asked.

"No. The Kalos government has reserved it for themselves, but Mega Stones have been discovered in the area surrounding the ruins. An excavation permit is needed to get permission to dig there, but any Mega Stones you find are yours to keep."

"What does KAST stand for?"

"The Kalos Archaeological Security Team. I have taken a break from my duties as a member of the Elite Four to train a team to defend the ruins." Siebold gestured to the people behind him. "They are some of my team members."

"As fascinating as this is," Lucas interjected. "It's cold, and it's almost completely dark. Can we get going?"

"You shouldn't be travelling through the mountains so late in the first place," Siebold retorted. "Where exactly are you headed?"

"Couriway Town," Sabrina answered.

Siebold nodded. "I will escort you there. The mountains are a lot more dangerous at night."

When he turned away from them, Bree raised her hand and performed a gesture. Siebold's pants and underwear slid down around his ankles, baring his pale buttocks to the chilly night air.

Lucas chuckled. "It's a full moon tonight. Sure is bright."

Sabrina burst out laughing as Siebold desperately pulled up his trousers. It didn't take long for Siebold's teammates to join in the laughter and tease him with crude remarks. They had seen Siebold from the front, after all, and were exposed to something much different than his pale radiance.

Siebold spun around and locked his gaze on Lucas. "Do you think that was amusing? How did you do it?"

Lucas raised his hands defensively. "How could I have pulled down your pants from over here? It's not like I'm a psychic with telekinetic powers."

Siebold didn't bother to respond, turning around and telling Gyarados to get moving.

Lucas patted Bree's head and whispered. "Thanks for putting that arrogant person in his place. If there is anything you need, you just need to ask."

Bree smiled.

When Lucas and Sabrina arrived in Couriway Town, they didn't bother to explore and made a beeline for the Hotel Couriway. They had booked reservations for several days to stay there. After checking in, they went up to their room and took a shower together. The hot water revived them, and they headed to the dining room and ordered some dinner.

The hotel had an attached restaurant that catered to Pokemon. After attending to their Pokemon's needs, they sat down to eat their meal.

Sabrina pulled out her phone and read the information on the website dedicated to informing visitors about the Kalos dig site.

"We can acquire a permit at the town hall," Sabrina said. "It's priced at twenty thousand pokedollars per person and takes a day to process."

"That will give us time to explore the town. The permit sure is expensive. They are already making pokedollars off everyone desperate for a Mega Stone."

"That's only the first cost. To avoid fighting, the government mandated that you have to rent a plot of land to dig up Mega Stones. The plots vary in price, but they become more expensive as you get closer to the ruins."

"Well, it's not like we have to worry about the cost," Lucas said. "It looks like finding Mega Stones will be nothing more than a gamble. It's a sound business strategy because the government earns money regardless of whether someone finds a stone. How are the stones excavated?"

"They are buried deep in the sandy areas outside the ruins, so finding them will be difficult."

He wondered if Itemfinder would assist him in locating them. But even if it did, there was no guarantee they would choose a plot of land with Mega Stones buried there. "Can they be found anywhere else in the region?"

Sabrina shrugged. "If there are, either the government hasn't discovered it yet, or they don't want to share the information with the public."

"How are we going to dig them up? Do we need a ground-type Pokemon that is good at digging?"

"Way ahead of you." Sabrina smiled. "You can rent Diggersby from a store in town, and they are ideal for our requirements, as someone must have realised. They prepared for the Mega Stone announcement by capturing every Bunnelby they could find. Then evolved them so they could rent them out at exorbitant prices."

Lucas sighed. "Even more fees. I wouldn't be surprised if the store is owned by the government."

"Either that or the owner has some connection to them."

They headed straight to bed after dinner, drained from the journey to get here. Before he went to sleep, Meowth mentioned that he had explored the hotel and picked up some hidden items while Lucas was having dinner.

Lucas checked his inventory and discovered that Meowth had found quite a few items, including two rare candies. But the item that caught his attention was another special ability capsule. He consulted his guidebook to find out more about it.

Special Ability: Shadow Veil

Description: The Pokemon with the Shadow Veil ability can envelop itself in a veil of shadows, rendering it nearly invisible and undetectable to humans and Pokemon below a certain level (twice the user's level). However, if the Pokemon is exposed, the Shadow Veil ability is cancelled, and it cannot be reactivated until the Pokemon successfully shakes off its pursuers. Warning: The ability may not work on certain Pokémon.

Lucas shared the information with Meowth, whose eyes gleamed with excitement.

"Give it to me, partner," he said eagerly. "This will make it easier for me to get around and grab all the loot."

He eyed Meowth with suspicion. "You're talking about the hidden items, right?"

Meowth looked away. "Of course."

Lucas flicked Meowth on the forehead, eliciting a glare from him as he rubbed the sore spot. "If I find that you are using the ability to steal from others, I'm going to lock you in a room with Bree for an entire month."

"Now you're just playing dirty, Meowth."

Stepping outside, Lucas and Sabrina were greeted by the picturesque sight of Couriway Town bathed in daylight. The town's unique layout resembled an island town, with half of its buildings perched on islands within a small lake, linked by several bridges. The remaining structures were strategically placed, with some nestled into the cliffs that surrounded the lake to the west and others standing on the land where the railway station was located.

Before the war, the railway station was an important part of Couriway Town, connecting the Kalos Region to Johto and Sinnoh. After the war, the station fell into disuse and remained dormant until the recent introduction of new electric trains, which were set to revive regional connections.

Lucas speculated that the resurgence of activity was likely attributed to the Mega Stones. Couriway Town would grow in the future because it was the closest town to the ruins and the railway station would be the gateway for many visitors to the country. Already, construction was underway near the station, the only place where the town could expand.

"Let's head to the town hall," Sabrina said, consulting a map. "It's located on the central island."

They crossed two bridges to the central island and entered the town hall. The receptionist led them into a room with a burly man seated behind a desk and a large map of the mountainous region on the wall behind him. He motioned for them to sit and rummaged through his drawer for paperwork.

"I'm Jeffery," the man introduced himself, handing them each a stack of papers. "For an excavation permit, you must read and sign the agreement. Once done, you can choose a plot of land. Are the two of you working together?"

"Yes, we are," Lucas confirmed.

"In that case, I can arrange two adjacent plots for you," Jeffery offered.

They read and signed the agreement before approaching the map, which depicted the ruins and surrounding lands for miles in all directions. It was overlaid with a grid which divided it into thousands of plots of land.

Jeffery pointed to the map and explained, "Excavating the outskirts costs five thousand per day, while the areas closer to the ruins are priced at forty thousand."

"Are there more Mega Stones to be found as you get closer to the ruins?" Lucas asked.

"Yes, but the chances of finding one remain slim, no matter where you dig," Jeffery admitted.

Before they could choose a plot, Salem appeared beside them and directed their attention to a specific square a few miles from the outskirts. Lucas and Sabrina exchanged knowing glances; it appeared Bree preferred that plot.

"We will take that plot chosen and the adjacent one," Lucas told Jeffery.

"Very well. Return tomorrow to receive your permits and pay your fees. If you need transportation to the ruins, carriages are available on the outskirts of town."

Lucas and Sabrina left the building. He ran into someone just as he stepped outside and apologised to the man.

"It's my fault. I wasn't looking where I was going," the man said. He was a tall man with a thick mane of red hair, sideburns, and a beard. "Hello, I'm Lysandre. Have you come to Couriway Town to look for Mega Stones?"

Lucas nodded.

Lysandre smiled, revealing a sharp set of teeth. "Then I hope to see you there. The days ahead promise to be quite exciting."

So, what do you think? In the next chapter, Lucas gets a new team member.

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Thanks for reading.