[The Promise of The Legendary Birds: You have made a promise with The Legendary Birds. You will notify them the next time you encounter Team Galactic. The Legendary Birds are grateful and you have received a gift from them: Random Mega Evolution Stone.]
[Random Mega Evolution Stone: Gengar]
[Gengarite: When held by Gengar, it can establish a connection with a key stone, enabling Mega Evolution through the bond between the Pokémon and its Trainer.]
"An evolution stone for Gengar?"
Lucas was greatly shocked.
While eating, he suddenly saw the text pop up and let out a startled cry.
Everyone was startled by him.
"What happened?"
Elite Four Flint asked hurriedly.
Lucas quickly regained his composure. "Nothing, I just burnt my tongue."
Gothitelle handed him a glass of ice water and told him to be careful.
The group went back to their meal.
While eating, Lucas glanced at Gengar sitting beside him.
Gengar was eating unusually slowly today.
It was chewing and swallowing carefully.
Realizing Lucas was watching it, Gengar chewed a piece of meat, then picked up its plate and offered it to Lucas.
"gengar gengen—"
Do you want to eat? I'll share with you.
Lucas shook his head and pushed the plate back.
He planned to give it the Mega Stone once they got back.
Gengar shook its head regretfully.
The food at home is still the best; the food here isn't great.
Gengar thought silently to itself.
However, out of respect for Lucas's teachings about not wasting food, it still slowly finished everything in front of it.
"I know it's not to your taste. I'll make you something delicious when we get back."
Just as Gengar was chewing its last mouthful, Lucas suddenly leaned close to its ear and whispered.
Gengar's eyes suddenly widened.
Then it gave a secret nod.
Delicious food~
9(0—0
Brock, who was nearby, saw the interaction between Lucas and Gengar and remarked, "Lucas is a very excellent Breeder."
Lucas turned to look at the bronze-skinned Brock and asked, "What makes you say that?"
Brock put down his chopsticks and said, "Because Gengar and Lilligant rely on Lucas so much, and Lucas trusts them deeply too. You've raised them very well."
He continued, "All of this can be seen in the Pokémon's eyes and movements."
Lucas smiled. "As far as I know, Brock, you are also a very impressive Breeder."
Brock's eyes widened. "I wouldn't dare claim that, I wouldn't dare."
Lucas and Brock flattered each other for a while, then began exchanging insights on breeding.
This led Brock to praise him repeatedly.
Ash, Dawn, and the others listened quietly from the side.
Once Brock and Lucas finished talking, Dawn, who was holding Piplup in her arms, asked, "Lucas, are you also a very amazing Coordinator?"
Lucas was taken aback. "Why would you think I'm a Coordinator?"
The girl in the white hat blinked and said, "Because Lilligant's fighting style earlier was so elegant and magnificent, and I can feel a unique charm coming from both her and Gothitelle."
Lucas thought about it and then shook his head. "I'm not a Coordinator. It might just be that I have some insights into raising Pokémon."
Dawn nodded. "Then can I ask you a question?"
Lucas took a sip of water and motioned for Dawn to ask.
"How can one become an excellent Coordinator?"
Lucas: ————
Looking at Dawn's face, which was full of anticipation for an answer, Lucas thought for a moment before saying, "I don't know how to become an excellent Coordinator. You might need to find that answer yourself. If you can take this question and discover the unique charm inherent to every single Pokémon, and then combine that with your direction, I believe you will become even more excellent than you are now, and perhaps even find the answer."
Hearing Lucas's words, Dawn nodded thoughtfully.
"That's so hard————"
Hearing Dawn's comment, Lucas didn't say anything more but looked toward Ash instead.
I finally meet you, Ash.
Lucas thought to himself, then reached out both hands.
"Pikachu."
Pikachu, having finished eating, felt the aura from Lucas that made Pokémon feel dependent, and jumped into Lucas's arms without hesitation.
He feels so good to touch————
Lucas marveled inwardly, though it felt a bit tingly.
After playing with Pikachu for a bit and setting him down, Lucas scooped up the Vulpix next to him.
Pikachu is very comfortable, but Vulpix is more my style.
So cute and warm.
"Lucas, can I ask you for a battle?"
Sure enough, as soon as Ash spoke, it was about a battle.
"Because I feel your Pokémon are very strong. Pikachu and I have a dream of becoming Pokémon Masters, and we're currently working toward that goal. So, could you please have a battle with me?"
Gary and the others nearby had expressions that said 'I knew it' as they held their foreheads.
Lucas was stunned for a moment; this was indeed the Ash he knew.
However, Lucas didn't accept Ash's challenge. Instead, he smiled and asked, "Have you seen Gary since you arrived in the Sinnoh region?"
Ash didn't understand why Lucas was asking this; shouldn't he be accepting the battle request?
Nevertheless, he shook his head.
"In that case, why doesn't Gary battle in my place?"
Lucas stroked the Vulpix in his arms and continued, "After all, Gary is my student. Don't you want to see how much his strength has improved?"
Hearing Lucas's words, Ash looked at Gary, his childhood friend, and a strong fighting spirit surged in his eyes.
Lucas's student?
"In that case, Gary, let's have a battle!"
A strong fighting spirit also appeared in Gary's eyes.
"Are you prepared to be defeated by me again?"
Lucas silently watched the drama unfold from the sidelines.
It was a pity Paul wasn't here.
Otherwise, he'd really love to see Gary versus Paul.
That would probably be quite entertaining.
Snatching a golden berry stick from Gengar, Lucas fed one to Vulpix and then started eating one himself.
The group went to the outdoor battleground. Lance and Flint were quickly recognized, and since this was Oreburgh City, Roark, the Oreburgh Gym Leader, was naturally recognized as well.
"Is that Champion Lance?"
"It really is! And Elite Four Flint. And Leader Roark."
The battleground was soon surrounded by spectators.
Brock acted as the referee.
"Is it really okay to battle right after eating?"
Dawn said worriedly, holding Piplup.
Lucas smiled and patted Piplup's little head, saying, "It's fine, just think of it as post-meal exercise."
"Gary, go on. Let me see how much you've improved during this time."
Gary nodded heavily.
Don't worry, Master.
The battle was about to begin.
Although Ash's battle instincts in the Diamond & Pearl era were very high, when facing Gary, whose battle instincts were not much inferior, that slight advantage was quickly overwhelmed by the difference in the Pokémon's strength.
His newly trained team was directly torn through by Gary's veteran team.
Ash's Staravia and Chimchar had not yet evolved.
To Lucas's surprise, Chimchar had already joined Ash's team, and Gary seemed to have caught new Pokémon and was starting to train them anew.
"You're still really strong, Gary. But don't worry, next time, I'll definitely defeat you again."
Ash adjusted his hat.
He said.
Gary recalled Electivire and put his hands in his pockets.
"I'll be waiting for your next challenge, but don't accidentally lose so badly you can't win your pride back."
Hearing Gary's words, Ash picked up Pikachu.
"Alright, it's decided! We're going for extra training tonight, Pikachu!"
"Pika!"
"You need to fully utilize your Pokémon's roles."
Lucas suddenly spoke up. Ash looked at him, confused.
Holding Vulpix, Lucas looked at the Turtwig by Ash's feet and said, "You need to learn to think about how to coordinate with your Pokémon to create tactics that suit them better."
Just don't go playing Torterra like an assassin anymore.
Ash didn't quite understand, but he still nodded and said he understood.
Then he began chatting with Gary.
Lucas looked toward a nearby bush. A single glance scared two people and a cat back into hiding.
"Why is the Lucas here?"
Jessie asked her two partners.
"I don't know either."
James shook his head. "Since the Lucas is here, we'll have to wait until he leaves before we try to catch Pikachu."
"That's right, meow."
"gen gengar?"
What do you want to catch Pikachu for?
"Ah!!"
The voice ringing out beside them startled them, making them scream.
"What was that sound?"
Lance suddenly became alert.
Lucas looked at Gengar, who was sticking its large behind out as it leaned into the bushes, and gestured for Lance to look.
"Is Gengar playing pranks again?"
Lance shook his head and moved his hand away from his Poké Ball.
"Oh, it's just you, Gengar."
Once Lance's attention was diverted, Jessie let go of her mouth, patted her chest, breathed a sigh of relief, and spoke.
"gengar gargar"
You guys still haven't said why you want to catch that Pikachu.
Gengar shared some Stir-fried cashews with them and continued questioning.
Jessie and the others looked at each other, unsure if they should answer.
Lucas called out from a distance.
"Gengar, it's time to go."
"gengar gar—"
Coming~
Then it looked at James and the others, thought for a moment, pulled out a few cans of snacks, and placed them in front of them.
"gengar gen—"
"Eat this, meow. You have to tell me the answer next time we meet, meow. I'm leaving first, meow."
Watching Gengar's departing back, Meowth translated its words.
Looking at the snacks in their arms, they were moved to tears.
"What a cute Gengar————"
"It reminds me of my Cacnea————"
"I'm so touched, meow————"
"Wobbuffet~"
"Did you see them?"
Lucas asked Gengar as it came back to his side.
Gengar nodded.
"gengar gen"
I even shared snacks with them.
Lucas pinched the corner of its mouth. "Let's go. I'll make you something delicious when we get back."
Slurp.
Gothitelle skillfully took out a Cheri Berry and stuffed it into Lucas's mouth.
It was a common sight.
Gothitelle~
....
Power Stones PLZZZZZ
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