Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon. It belongs to Nintendo and Game Freak.
Hi all,
Here's the next chapter. Lucas and Sabrina infiltrate Lysandre's Lab.
Chapter 59
Lumiose City slumbered beneath a low-hanging moon, its pale face peeking between towering skyscrapers. In an alley opposite Lysandre Café, three figures melted into the darkness.
Lucas tugged at his black turtleneck, nose wrinkling at the pungent stench wafting from a nearby dumpster.
"Why exactly are we cosplaying as cat burglars?" he asked.
"Because, partner," Meowth said, his tail swishing, "that's precisely what we are tonight."
Sabrina crouched beside Lucas. "No more talking. You'll get us caught before we even enter the building."
Lucas nodded. They slipped from the alley and approached the cafe. He peered through the window to make sure there was no one still inside the cafe.
Meowth extended his claw and inserted it into the lock. After a moment, a soft click pierced the silence. The door inched open, and they slipped inside.
The lingering aroma of coffee mingled with harsh cleaning agents, assaulting Lucas's nostrils. His eyes adjusted slowly, transforming familiar shapes into alien silhouettes.
Lucas closed his eyes, reaching out with his senses. "The Core presence is stronger now. Definitely below us."
They crept to the rear, locating the hidden door Meowth had previously scouted. A keypad was mounted on the wall beside it.
"Salem, we need you," Sabrina called out.
The Banette materialised, his zipper-mouth contorting into a wicked grin.
"Phase through the door," Sabrina instructed. "See if you can trigger the mechanism from inside."
Salem nodded, his form shimmering as he approached the door. A sudden crackle of energy repelled him, eliciting a surprised hiss.
Sabrina's brow furrowed. "Some kind of barrier. Salem, push through. I know you can do it."
Salem's eyes narrowed. He pressed against the invisible force, his form distorting grotesquely. For a heart-stopping moment, it seemed futile. Then, with a muted pop, he slipped through.
Seconds crawled by. Lucas held his breath, straining to catch any sound beyond the door. At last, the panel swung open. Salem hovered on the threshold, radiating smug satisfaction. Behind him, a steep staircase plunged into darkness.
Lucas turned to Meowth. "You're up. Scout ahead, but tread lightly."
"I don't need a reminder, Meowth."
Meowth activated his Shadow Veil ability, cloaking him in near-invisibility. He crept down the stairs, and Lucas and Sabrina followed at a distance. At the bottom, a long corridor stretched before them.
They followed Meowth's barely perceptible form until they reached an intersection. The hallway split into three paths, each leading further into the hidden facility.
Suddenly, Meowth froze. His Shadow Veil dropped as he whirled to face them, eyes wide with alarm. Before he could speak, a menacing growl reverberated through the corridor.
Two massive Houndooms rounded the corner, their eyes blazing crimson in the dim light.
Salem drifted forward, positioning himself between the group and the advancing Houndoom. His zipper mouth stretched in a defiant grin as the dark-type Pokemon stalked closer, flames licking between their bared fangs.
Sabrina's fingers found her Mega Bracelet. Energy surged between them, enveloping Salem in a cocoon of brilliant light. His form twisted and stretched within the radiance, cloth tearing and re-stitching itself in new, more sinister patterns. Zippers multiplied across his frame, some yawning open to reveal glimpses of the void within.
When the transformation completed, Mega Banette hovered before them, his body elongated and contorted.
The Houndoom pack hesitated, their advance faltering as they registered the transformation. Their burning eyes narrowed, evaluating this new threat. The moment of uncertainty passed quickly, replaced by synchronised snarls as they charged, flames erupting from their maws.
Salem's eyes flashed. A wave of ghost-type energy pulsed outward, catching the lead Houndoom mid-leap. The dark Pokemon yelped, its momentum abruptly ceasing. It hung suspended for a heartbeat before crashing to the floor with a pained whine.
The remaining Houndoom adjusted their approach, splitting to flank Salem from opposite sides. Fire gathered in their throats..
The Houndoom unleashed twin Flamethrowers, the jets of fire converging on Salem from different angles. The ghost-type contorted impossibly, his body folding in ways that defied physics as he slipped between the flames.
Salem retaliated with a Shadow Ball twice its usual size, the orb of condensed ghost energy sizzling through the air. It struck the rightmost Houndoom square in the chest, detonating with enough force to send the beast skidding across the corridor.
The second Houndoom lunged for Salem's unprotected back, jaws agape in a Dark Fang attack. Before Lucas could shout a warning, Salem's cloth form split along hidden seams, allowing the Houndoom's attack to pass harmlessly through space before re-forming behind his attacker.
Ghost-type energy gathered on Salem's extended claws, solidifying into vicious shadow talons. He struck with Shadow Claw, the attack raking across the Houndoom's flank. The dark Pokemon flinched, its triumphant growl transforming into a pained yelp.
The first Houndoom recovered, shaking off the impact of Salem's Shadow Ball. It crouched, muscles tensing before it launched upward. Flame wreathed its entire body as it executed a Flare Blitz, becoming a missile of living fire.
Salem met the charge head-on, his form shifting into a Phantom Force attack. The two Pokemon collided in a cataclysmic explosion of opposing energies. Fire and spectral power erupted outward in concentric waves.
Lucas snapped his aura barrier into place, shielding Sabrina and himself from the blast.
When the air cleared, Salem hovered in the centre of the corridor, unchanged despite the direct hit. The Houndoom lay sprawled several metres away, its flanks heaving with exhausted breaths. Wisps of ghost-type energy clung to its fur, spectral parasites sapping its remaining strength.
The lone standing Houndoom glanced between its fallen packmate and the floating nightmare before it. Survival instinct warred with trained aggression in its burning gaze.
Salem's zipper mouth stretched wider, revealing rows of shadowy teeth. The zippers along his body yawned open simultaneously, disgorging tendrils of pure darkness that writhed with malevolent purpose. A supercharged Hex attack radiated outward, shadowy fingers reaching for both Houndoom.
The tendrils wrapped around the dark Pokemon, seeping into existing wounds and amplifying pain beyond endurance. The standing Houndoom collapsed, its defiance crumbling under the assault. Both dark Pokemon whimpered, their aggressive flames reduced to guttering embers.
With both opponents subdued, Salem gathered ghost energy for a final attack. A massive Shadow Ball formed between his clawed hands, the orb pulsing with restrained power. As he released it, the sphere split in two, each half striking a Houndoom with pinpoint accuracy.
Twin explosions of shadow energy rocked the corridor. When the darkness cleared, both Houndoom lay motionless, their forms occasionally twitching as residual ghost energy dissipated.
Salem floated back to Sabrina's side, his cloth body gradually returning to its pre-Mega form.
"That was quick," Lucas muttered. "Salem's not messing about."
"We need to move," Sabrina whispered, her eyes darting along the corridor. "Someone might have heard the racket."
They pressed on, stepping around the unconscious Pokemon. The Zygarde Core's presence tugged at Lucas's consciousness—a persistent pressure that grew stronger with each step forward.
They rounded another bend and faced a set of reinforced double doors. No guards stood watch, but security cameras swivelled above the entrance, their red lights blinking in rhythmic warning.
"Salem," Sabrina whispered.
The Banette drifted forward, his form blurring as he phased through the nearest wall. Seconds ticked by. The camera above the door suddenly sparked, its lens cracking before the red light died.
"Sorted," Sabrina said with the faintest hint of a smile.
Lucas took a breath. The double doors separated them from Team Flare's inner operations. They didn't know what they would find on the other side. Lucas glanced at Sabrina before pushing the doors open.
The room beyond held several computers; their screens displayed data streams he couldn't decipher. Fortunately, no one was present in the room. An entrance on the far wall led to another corridor.
Lucas closed his eyes, filtering out the distractions. The Core's presence pulsed through his awareness like a beacon.
They moved quickly, following the branching corridor eastwards, hugging the walls and ducking behind equipment when footsteps approached.
A scientist rounded the corner, reading notes on a clipboard. Before the man could look up, Salem's eyes flashed. The scientist dropped without a sound, clipboard clattering against the tiled floor.
"Quick, get him out of sight," Lucas hissed, grabbing the man's ankles while Sabrina took his shoulders.
They dragged him into a supply cupboard and searched him. Lucas found a keycard and pocketed it. With the facility's security, he figured he would need it at some point.
Meowth materialised beside them, a gleam in his eyes. "I'm going to do some exploring, see what I can find," he said.
"Don't get caught," Lucas warned.
"Never do." Meowth's Shadow Veil activated, and he vanished into the darkness.
They pressed on, with Salem neutralising two more guards. The Banette seemed to enjoy his work, each successful ambush widening his zippered grin. They tucked the unconscious bodies into empty rooms, careful to leave no evidence of their passage.
At last, they reached a heavily reinforced door marked "CORE CONTAINMENT - AUTHORISED PERSONNEL ONLY".
"This is it," Lucas said, pressing his palm against the cool metal. The Core's energy thrummed just beyond, reaching for him even through the barrier.
Sabrina nodded, positioning herself to cover their flank. "Ready when you are."
Lucas inserted the keycard into the slot, praying it would work. The light flashed green, and the door slid open with a pneumatic hiss.
Inside, a circular chamber housed a glowing containment unit. Machines surrounded it, their displays showing energy readings that spiked and fell in erratic patterns. Standing at the main control panel was a woman with hair as red as blood, her fingers flying across keyboards.
"No, no, no," she muttered, her voice tight with panic. "This can't be happening."
She hadn't noticed them yet, too absorbed in whatever crisis demanded her attention. Lucas glanced at Sabrina, who raised three fingers, counting down silently.
Three. Two. One.
Lucas and Sabrina inched forward. Something crunched beneath his foot. The woman whirled around.
"Who the bloody hell are you?" She backed toward the console. "This area is restricted!"
Lucas stepped forward. "Move away from the capsule. Now."
Her eyes darted between them and the damaged unit. Her hand crept toward a device clipped to her belt.
"I don't know how you got in here," she said, "but I can't let you interfere. This project is too important."
"You don't have a choice," Sabrina replied.
Salem materialised beside her, zipper-mouth stretched in what might have been a smile on anything else.
"I won't risk damaging the Core." The woman straightened, squaring her shoulders. "But that doesn't mean I'm defenceless. I am Aliana of Team Flare, and you've made a terrible mistake coming here."
Aliana yanked the device from her belt and jabbed a button. With a mechanical hiss, vents in the ceiling slid open. Green gas poured into the room, thick and noxious. She snatched a gas mask from the nearby desk and secured it over her face.
"Cover your mouth!" Sabrina pressed her sleeve against her nose, already coughing.
Lucas reacted without thinking. He thrust his palms outward, aura surging from his fingertips. A dome of blue energy encased them both, solidifying into an opaque barrier. The gas swirled around them but couldn't penetrate the shield.
Aliana's smirk disappeared as her trap failed. Before she could react, Salem glided through Lucas's barrier—the ghost-type unaffected by gas and shield. His eyes flashed red, and Aliana crumpled to the floor like a puppet with cut strings. Her gas mask clattered across the tiles.
For three heartbeats, the only sounds were the soft hum of machinery and the persistent hiss of the vents. Then alarms screamed to life, their wail bouncing off the metal walls. Red emergency lights strobed through the laboratory.
"We need to get out!" Lucas shouted over the noise. "The barrier won't last much longer. Grab a mask from that desk!"
He dropped the shield. They dashed to the workstation, fumbling past scattered documents to find the gas masks. Lucas strapped one on, the rubber seal cold against his skin. With the mask secure, he rushed to the containment unit.
Raw power radiated from within, growing stronger as the crack widened. The unit felt alive beneath his fingers, vibrating with barely contained energy. He lifted it from its housing, surprised by its weight. The Core pulsed inside, sending waves of electricity up his arms.
The moment the Core left its base, the alarms doubled in volume.
"What now?" Lucas called, clutching the container against his chest.
As if summoned by the question, Meowth burst through the doorway, whiskers twitching with excitement.
"Found the power room!" He jerked his head toward the corridor. "This way!"
They sprinted after the feline, entering hallways transformed by the emergency systems. Twice, they pressed themselves into service alcoves as squads of Team Flare members thundered past, shouting orders into radios.
The capsule grew warmer in Lucas's grip. The crack widened a fraction more, spilling blue-white light between his fingers. Whatever waited inside wanted out—and it wouldn't wait much longer.
Meowth scampered ahead, tail held high as he led them through the narrow service corridor. The passage opened into a room filled with hulking generators and electrical panels. Cables thick as a man's arm snaked across the ceiling, connecting to transformers that hummed with power.
"Knock out these circuits and their security goes down," Meowth said. "Might even stop whatever's blocking the teleport."
Lucas surveyed the room, weighing their options. "Do it."
Meowth didn't need telling twice. With a manic grin, he sprang at the nearest control panel, claws extended. Metal shrieked as he tore into the delicate circuitry, and sparks showered around him. The acrid stench of burnt plastic and ozone filled the air.
The effect came instantly. Mid-wail, the alarms died. Darkness swallowed the room for three heartbeats before emergency lights sputtered to life, washing everything in a sickly red glow.
"Dante," Lucas called, releasing the Gardevoir. "Try teleporting now."
The Pokemon's eyes glowed as he tested his abilities. He vanished and reappeared a metre away, nodding in confirmation. Whatever had dampened his psychic powers was gone.
"Sabrina, you go first," Lucas said.
She opened her mouth, clearly ready to argue, but footsteps echoed from the corridor beyond.
"Fine," she said, jaw tight. "But you'd better be right behind me."
Dante placed his hand on Sabrina's shoulder, and they disappeared in a ripple of distorted space.
Lucas glanced around. "Meowth?"
No answer. The feline Pokemon had vanished during the chaos.
"Where did he go? He better not be looking for more treasure—"
The double doors crashed open, the sound reverberating through the chamber. Lucas spun around as a tall figure strode in, silhouetted against the emergency lights.
Lysandre's gaze swept the room, taking in the destroyed equipment before settling on the hooded figure clutching the containment unit. His eyes narrowed to slits.
"You," he growled. "How dare you interfere."
Lucas retreated a step. "It's finished," he said, deepening his voice. "Whatever you were planning stops here."
"You understand nothing." Lysandre's voice was cold and precise. "The world rots from within. Only I can cleanse it. I won't let some thief derail everything."
In one fluid motion, Lysandre thrust his palm forward. Flames erupted from his hand – not a Pokemon attack, but something else entirely. The fire roared across the space between them, a wall of scorching heat aimed directly at Lucas.
Lucas's barrier flickered into existence a split-second before impact. The flames crashed against it, splitting around the edges. Heat slammed into him through the protective field, driving sweat from every pore. His hood smouldered at the edges, fabric blackening.
Another wave followed the first, then another. Each assault strained Lucas's control further. Cracks appeared in the barrier, tiny at first, then widening like fractures in ice. His arms shook with the effort of maintaining protection while holding the Core.
The chamber transformed into a furnace. Metal panels warped and buckled. Plastic components melted, dripping to the floor in hissing puddles. Lucas's lungs burned with each breath of superheated air.
Where was Dante? Panic tightened Lucas's chest as his barrier continued deteriorating.
Just as the shield threatened to collapse, Dante materialised beside him. The Gardevoir's eyes widened, fixed not on Lucas but on Lysandre. Something like recognition flashed across his face, followed by unmistakable fear.
"Dante, now!" Lucas gasped.
Flames licked through the cracks in his barrier. Any second now, the entire protection would fail.
Dante jerked from his trance, eyes wide with sudden focus. His hand clamped onto Lucas's shoulder as the barrier collapsed with a brittle crack.
The world twisted and compressed. Lucas's skin blistered as Lysandre's flames licked across his arms and face in that final second. The stench of singed hair and flesh filled his lungs.
Then, reality snapped back into place. He found himself sprawled across the hotel room carpet, gasping. The containment unit clattered against a nearby chair, the crack along its surface now spider-webbing outward.
Lucas stayed motionless for several seconds, each breath sending fresh waves of pain across his burns. The cool air of the room stung the raw patches of skin.
He pushed himself up, gritting his teeth against the pain. Sabrina rushed to his side and helped him remove what remained of his singed hood.
"Christ," she muttered, examining the angry red marks. "How bad is it?"
"I'll live," Lucas replied, his attention drawn to the containment unit.
Energy leaked from the widening cracks, pulsing with an eerie green light. The Core inside throbbed visibly, as if sensing its imminent freedom.
"We got it," he whispered, hardly believing it himself. "We actually pulled it off."
Sabrina's expression darkened. "For now. Lysandre won't stop. And we've just put ourselves on his radar."
"Not ideal," Lucas admitted. He gestured toward the increasingly unstable container. "But we've got bigger problems at the moment."
The Core pulsed brighter, as if responding to his words. Dante hovered nearby, his crimson eyes still wide and unfocused. Lucas made a mental note to question him later about his reaction to Lysandre.
"Bloody hell—Meowth," Lucas suddenly remembered. "He didn't make it out with us."
"He's smart," Sabrina said, squeezing his shoulder. "He'll find his way back."
Lucas nodded, hoping she was right. He turned his attention back to the containment unit.
"We should call Looker," Sabrina said, reaching for her mobile. "He needs to know about this."
While Sabrina made the call, Lucas stared at the container. The failing capsule must have been what blocked his ability to sense the Core earlier. Now, its energy signature was unmistakable.
The effects of the confrontation with Lysandre hit him, and his adrenaline crashed. The burns across his arms and face throbbed in earnest, and exhaustion weighed his limbs. He shuffled toward the bathroom, wincing as he peeled off his ruined top. Some of the fabric had melted into his skin.
Sabrina joined him. Without a word, she helped him clean the burns, gently washing away the charred bits. She reached for a burn salve and applied it with careful fingers. The cooling sensation brought immediate relief.
"You know," Lucas said as she wrapped his arms in bandages, "all this excitement's got me randy."
She glanced up, eyebrows raised. "You're mental. Why did I fall for you again?"
"My charming personality?"
"That can't be it," she said, fighting a smile. "Must've banged my head and scrambled my brains."
"I'll take it. I still got the girl."
Sabrina rolled her eyes. "You're impossible."
The moment broke as a sharp crack echoed from the other room. They hurried back to find the containment unit completely shattered. The gelatinous Core hovered above the fragments, its single eye scanning the room.
It spotted Lucas and darted toward him, pressing against his chest like an eager puppy. He cupped the peculiar creature in his hands, still uncertain whether to classify it as a Pokemon.
"What now?" Sabrina asked. "Return it to Zygarde or keep it?"
"Might as well hang onto it until I've collected the others," Lucas replied. "It could help locate the remaining Cores and Cells."
The Core bobbed in apparent agreement, pressing more insistently against his chest. A strange warmth spread beneath his skin, and a hexagonal green cube emerged from his chest.
"What the—?" Lucas sputtered.
Before he could react further, the Core merged with the cube. The object flashed once before dissolving into his chest.
"Well, that was odd," Sabrina remarked. "A gift from Zygarde, I suppose?"
Lucas frowned. "The mutt could've warned me."
At least he had a safe storage method for the Cores. Finding the others would be simpler without worrying about containment.
They moved to the living area. Lucas's eyelids drooped, his body desperate for rest. Even the pain from his burns couldn't override his exhaustion.
Sabrina yawned. "We need sleep. It's been a long night."
"You go ahead," Lucas said, rubbing his eyes. "I'll wait a bit for Meowth."
After Sabrina kissed him goodnight, Lucas stepped onto the balcony. He sank into a chair, gazing at the city lights. By now, police would have descended on Lysandre's cafe following Sabrina's tip to Looker. Somehow, he doubted they'd find Lysandre waiting for them.
As his mind replayed the confrontation, Lucas kept returning to one shocking revelation: Lysandre was an Aura Guardian who could use fire manipulation. He hadn't known aura could be wielded that way. Would similar abilities await him as he progressed as an Aura Guardian?
How had Lysandre hidden his aura abilities from the church? Their presence was just as prevalent in Kalos as in the United Kanto region. Were there others out there keeping their aura abilities secret? He supposed there were only two choices upon awakening to aura abilities. Either move to the Rota Kingdom or keep their abilities hidden.
He needed to be more cautious about revealing his abilities. Meowth's suggestion about concealing his identity had been a good one. Otherwise, he could be in much deeper trouble right now.
A sharp jab to his cheek yanked Lucas from unconsciousness. He cracked open one eye, squinting at the pre-dawn light washing over Lumiose's skyline. His neck screamed in protest as he lifted his head from where he'd fallen asleep slumped over the balcony table.
"Wakey wakey," Meowth said, poking him again with his paw. "You look bloody awful."
Lucas rubbed his neck, grimacing. "Meowth? Where the hell have you been?"
The feline Pokemon sat on his haunches, whiskers twitching. "Bit of a story, that. Got myself into a spot of bother."
As Meowth launched into his tale, Lucas struggled to focus through his groggy haze. The cat had sniffed out another hidden item deep within the Team Flare base and couldn't resist investigating.
"There I was, paw nearly on the prize, when who walks in but Lysandre himself," Meowth said, tail flicking back and forth. "Thought it best to scarper before he spotted me."
"Scarper? Since when do you run from anything valuable?"
Meowth's fur bristled. "I've a healthy sense of self-preservation, thank you very much. Anyway, I had to cram myself into this tiny vent while Team Flare goons ran about like headless Torchic."
His eyes brightened. "Then the police burst in! Proper chaos. I spotted Looker in the crowd and figured he'd be my ticket out. Made sure he saw me, and now, here I am."
Lucas straightened. "Looker's here? Now?"
"Downstairs. Sabrina's playing nice, pouring tea and whatnot."
With a groan, Lucas pushed himself up. The previous night's events crashed back into his memory alongside the stinging reminder of his burns.
The living room came into view as he descended the stairs. Detective Looker perched on the edge of an armchair, clutching a steaming mug. Sabrina, looking far fresher than Lucas felt, sat opposite.
"Morning," Looker said, eyes scanning Lucas's rumpled appearance. "Just catching your partner up on last night's outcome."
Lucas collapsed onto the sofa beside Sabrina. "What happened after we left?"
Looker's expression darkened. "Raided the base, but Team Flare had wiped their systems clean. Still nabbed plenty of their operatives and gathered decent intelligence on their network."
He paused, leaning forward. "One casualty. Female, found in the burnt-out power room."
Lucas and Sabrina exchanged glances. Looker's eyes narrowed at the silent exchange.
"You encountered her?" he asked.
Sabrina cleared her throat. "We did. Called herself Aliana."
Lucas nodded, carefully avoiding mention of his aura abilities as he described their confrontation. "She released some gas. We managed to incapacitate her, but during our escape..."
"I see," Looker said, stroking his chin. "And Lysandre was present, you say?"
"Yes," Lucas confirmed, a chill crawling up his spine at the memory. "He started the fire in the power room. Used some kind of fire ability—like an Aura Guardian."
Looker's eyes lit up. "Aura abilities? That changes things. The church would be eager to assist if an Aura Guardian's gone rogue. They're relentless about tracking down their strays."
Lucas' eyes widened. He'd been so focused on getting away that he hadn't considered the implications of revealing Lysandre's abilities. Still, it was a good outcome for him. The Church would keep Lysandre occupied, making it less likely for him to look for his intruder.
"What's next?" Sabrina asked, redirecting the conversation.
"Team Flare's wounded, but Lysandre and his top lieutenants escaped. We'll keep digging, but..." Looker fixed them with a hard stare. "You two should leave Kalos until this blows over."
Lucas felt conflicted. Part of him wanted to finish what they'd started, but he knew Looker was right—they'd already taken massive risks.
"We were planning to head back soon anyway," Sabrina said.
Looker drained his tea and stood. "Best be off. I have mountains of paperwork waiting. Watch yourselves. Lysandre's dangerous and likely Team Flare's leader, based on what we've uncovered."
After the detective left, silence filled the apartment.
Lucas slumped back against the cushions. "What a bloody mess."
Sabrina leaned into him. "We did what we came for. We got the Core."
As if responding to its mention, Lucas felt a strange vibration in his chest where the cube had merged with him. A physical reminder of his new responsibility.
"True," he sighed. "So we just leave?"
Meowth, who'd been uncharacteristically quiet, piped up from his perch on the coffee table.
"A tactical retreat seems sensible to me. Besides," he added with a toothy grin, "think of all the shiny treasures waiting in other regions."
Despite everything, Lucas snorted. "Always thinking with your greedy paws."
Sabrina stood and stretched. "I've had enough of Kalos. We accomplished what we came for. Don't you have a new Pokemon to attend to back home?"
"You're right," Lucas replied. "My Eevee's hatched. Perhaps focusing on the breeding business for a while is exactly what we need."
So, what do you think? In the next chapter, Lucas and Sabrina return to Kanto.
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Thanks for reading.