"Hello, Manager."
Wallace's voice came from the other end of the phone.
"Is there something you need? Wallace, don't tell me your Wallace Cup is about to start?"
Lucas was currently walking in the forest. Today, he was patrolling the forest with Cynthia, Gengar, and the others. After winter began, Lucas originally patrolled the forest once a week, but since the Rhyperior incident, he had changed the frequency to twice a week.
Gengar floated at the front of the group, clearing away all the obstacles in their path to make it easier for everyone to walk.
At the same time, under Lucas's direction, it, Gothitelle, and Garchomp were also cutting down trees that posed safety hazards or clearing the paths.
"It's not that. The Wallace Cup will likely take a while longer. I'm looking for you today for something else."
"Gothitelle, there's too much snow piled up there. Please clear it away."
Gothitelle nodded and then used her psychic power to clear it onto the ground.
"What did you just say? Wallace, I didn't catch that."
Lucas hadn't heard what Wallace said clearly and asked again.
Wallace's voice came through, "Are you outside?"
"Yes, I'm patrolling the forest to prevent any accidents."
"I see."
Wallace's voice sounded again, "The Wallace Cup should be in a few days, but what I wanted to tell you is something else."
"Go ahead."
"Do you remember Steven?"
The image of that handsome and wealthy man, whose ace was a Shinny Metagross, appeared in Lucas's mind.
"I remember. Why? Is he coming to the Breeding House?"
Lucas gestured to the precarious branches overhead to Gengar, who understood and cleared them all away.
The other side fell silent; clearly, Lucas had guessed correctly.
"How did you know?"
Lucas was stunned. So it really was true?
"He's actually planning to come over?"
Lucas asked.
"Yes, he contacted me yesterday and said he wanted to find a quiet place to clean the stones he excavated. So, I recommended the Breeding House to him. I expect he'll arrive at the Breeding House in the next day or two. Is that alright, Manager?"
Wallace paused for a moment and continued, "I told him that he would have to pay the fees when the time comes."
At this point, Wallace laughed. "Manager, don't be afraid to overcharge him. He might not have much else, but he definitely has plenty of money. I overcharge him all the time."
Seeing Lucas actually contemplating how to fleece Steven for money, Cynthia rolled her eyes helplessly.
"Understood. The Breeding House welcomes him."
Lucas said.
"Alright, then I won't disturb you. The Wallace Cup will be in a few days as well. I'll notify you in advance when the time comes, Manager."
"OK, just let me know then."
After hanging up, Cynthia asked, "Are you going to watch the Wallace Cup?"
Lucas shook his head. "You could say that, but mainly I promised Wallace I'd go to the Wallace Cup as a Guest Performer once."
Cynthia looked Lucas over carefully for a while before asking, "You know how to perform in a Pokémon Contest?"
Lucas grinned. "A little bit."
Cynthia nodded silently and continued to follow Lucas as they patrolled the entire forest.
Lucas looked at the familiar figure ahead and called out.
"Luxray."
Luxray was drinking water by the lake. Hearing the voice, he looked back and saw it was Lucas, so he walked over.
Lucas reached out and rubbed his head.
Who could refuse a big cat with a star tail in the middle of winter? Certainly not Lucas.
"How have you been lately? I haven't seen you in a while."
Lucas crouched beside Luxray, checking his body as he spoke.
"I feel great, it's just that I suddenly feel like I've become much stronger."
"Of course. It would be strange if you didn't get stronger after receiving Raikou's gift."
He checked Luxray's body and found that he seemed to have become much sturdier, especially his bones, which had undergone a second growth spurt.
"Your body is in great shape. Are you coming back to the Breeding House in the spring?"
Lucas stood up and looked at Luxray.
Luxray nodded coolly.
"The forest paths have been cleared. I'll return to the Breeding House in a while. Having Seviper and the others in the forest is enough."
Lucas nodded at the news. "Alright, if anything happens in the forest, remember to come to the Breeding House and get me."
After saying that, Lucas continued walking towards the depths of the forest.
After Luxray finished drinking, he also joined the group.
Lucas was incredibly fond of this Luxray.
Back then, after it became friends with the Breeding House and the forest, it had brought its pride from elsewhere to the forest and then to the Breeding House. During its time at the Breeding House, it had always protected the place. Many times when Lucas went out, it would also protect him along the way.
Mainly, he was very handsome and cool, especially that gaze.
He was simply Lucas's dream cat.
Lucas stumbled and looked back to find Ninetales walking along as if nothing had happened.
Her tails were swishing back and forth.
He had forgotten there was still a Jealous One following him.
He praised Ninetales until her eyes narrowed slightly. Lucas breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a sudden lightness on his head.
Lucas looked up and saw that Celebi had already taken flight.
Lucas felt a bit reluctant to let go, but he still smiled and said to Celebi, "Is it time to leave again, Celebi?"
Hearing Lucas's voice, Gengar and the others all looked at Celebi, their faces also filled with reluctance.
Celebi nodded gently. "Sha."
Lucas opened his arms.
Cynthia also opened her arms.
This time, Celebi didn't hesitate and dove straight into Lucas's embrace.
It still liked Lucas the most.
Only then did it fly from Lucas's arms into Cynthia's.
Finally, after saying goodbye to Gengar and the others, it flew high into the sky.
"Celebi, make sure to eat well. Come back and visit whenever you're free. If you need help with anything, you can always come back to us."
Celebi looked down and saw Lucas waving and shouting to it.
Celebi nodded happily, then circled the forest again and again. As it passed by Lucas's side once more, it shot towards the sky and crashed directly into a suddenly appearing Light Hole.
"Goodbye, Celebi. Thank you."
Lucas said softly as he watched the Light Hole vanish.
"It has its own responsibilities too."
Hearing Cynthia's comfort, Lucas laughed and then patted his cheeks. "That's true. Then I should cheer up too."
With that, he flipped onto Ninetales' back and pointed forward.
"Everyone, full speed ahead!"
Ninetales bolted out instantly, Gengar followed grinning behind, and Luxray followed closely like a bolt of lightning.
Gothitelle sighed, covering her forehead, then her body slowly floated up as she followed closely behind.
Cynthia glanced at Garchomp, and Garchomp nodded.
Then, a domineering aura in the sky followed closely behind Lucas.
After finishing the patrol, Lucas brought them back to the Breeding House.
He found a man sitting in the rest area.
Lucas recognized him at a glance.
That man who was shining all over.