Steven Stone's digging spot was quiet, both of them idly waiting while Dragapult carried out his stealth mission.
Steven Stone nudged Chen Shi.
"You really sent Dragapult in alone? Aren't you worried something might go wrong?"
Chen Shi stroked his chin.
"He'll be fine. Dragapult's concealment is top-tier. Unless someone has a Ghost-type or Psychic-type guarding the base, they won't detect him."
As if proving his point, a familiar cry echoed beside them.
"Chiaaa~!"
Dragapult reappeared, hugging a stuffed space backpack, nearly vibrating with pride. Whatever tension Chen Shi held instantly loosened.
"Great job."
"Chia~!"
Dragapult thumped his chest. Of course—when Dragapult did something, how could there be mistakes?
He launched into rapid chirps and whistles. Steven Stone blinked, utterly lost. But Chen Shi understood.
"You're saying that cadre had three Poké Balls with extremely strong auras… and three others around your own level?"
Dragapult nodded vigorously.
"And he said he got five Bagons and planned to sell four?"
"Chia!"
Exactly that. I heard it myself!
Chen Shi's brows furrowed. That was unsettling. Earlier, the grunt Yoshino had said the same thing. Now Dragapult confirmed it.
Five stolen Bagon hatchlings…
Unless—
Before he could dive deeper into that thought, Steven Stone tugged his sleeve, impatient.
"Stop thinking for a moment—check the stones! With so many Magma members digging here, the pile should be huge."
Chen Shi sighed, opened the space backpack, and poured everything out.
The two froze.
Inside the heap were three Mega Stones, their evolution energy unmistakable:
Garchompite
Venusaurite
Glalitite
Chen Shi immediately scooped those three out. These came from Dragapult's effort—of course he'd claim them.
Steven Stone didn't care. Instead, he dove into the remaining pile like a starving Linoone.
Chen Shi peeked.
Yep—an entire pile of beautiful but worthless shiny rocks.
Perfect Steven Stone-bait.
The man was practically glowing.
"You're not taking the rest? You really don't want any of these?"
Chen Shi gave a thumbs-up.
"They're all yours. I only want the Mega Stones."
"But in exchange, help me revive a fossil later."
At the word fossil, Dragapult perked up sharply, hovering forward.
Steven Stone nodded immediately.
"Deal. But the new conversion unit still isn't finished. The first prototype exploded. You're not in a rush, right?"
Chen Shi wasn't. The fossil was for Furong anyway. He wasn't going to rush.
Dragapult wasn't rushing either. Knowing his fallen kin could be revived was enough.
Steven Stone happily swept the remaining rocks into his bag.
"Then I'm taking everything! Don't regret it!"
"Go ahead. Quickly. If that cadre notices something missing, we're still too close."
That snapped Steven Stone back to reality. He packed up at once, and the two prepared to leave.
As they hiked out, Dragapult suddenly stiffened—eyes locked onto a massive boulder.
Chen Shi's instincts spiked. He released Swampert, Florges, Togetic, and the others.
"Who's there? Come out!"
Steven Stone summoned his Pokémon as well, forming a defensive ring.
A tense silence followed.
No movement.
Chen Shi narrowed his eyes.
"Still not coming out? Dragapult—Dragon Pulse."
"Chiaaa—!"
Just as Dragapult began gathering energy—
"Wait! Don't attack! I mean no harm!"
A young man stepped out from behind the boulder—skin sun-darkened, robes ancient in style, waist tied with braided hemp.
"Friends, truly, I have no hostile intentions!"
Chen Shi studied him. The clothing… the aura…
A guess formed instantly.
"Are you… one of the Meteor People?"
The young man stiffened—then nodded.
The Meteor tribe had not been entirely hidden for decades; they occasionally interacted with certain League officials. But for a random outsider to identify him instantly? That was unexpected.
Steven Stone blinked, startled. He'd only heard his father speak of them—descendants of ancient dragon tamers who worshipped a legendary celestial dragon.
Chen Shi asked plainly:
"Did your people lose five Bagon hatchlings?"
The young man jolted as if hit by Thunderbolt.
"Friend… do you know where they are? If you tell me, we will reward you with anything within our means!"
His voice trembled—relief, desperation, hope.
The Meteor tribe had been in turmoil ever since those hatchlings vanished. Many had been sent out to search. This man—Aida—was one of them.
Aida explained he had followed Chen Shi and Steven Stone from afar, hoping to observe them discreetly for clues. He never expected Dragapult to expose him instantly.
When Chen Shi mentioned the lost Bagons, Aida almost cried.
Chen Shi said calmly:
"We know where they are—and we can take you there."
"But…"
His tone sharpened.
"The man holding them is strong. Three Elite-level Pokémon. Can you handle him?"
Aida straightened, pride flashing.
"Friend, worry not. I am an Elite-tier dragon tamer. I will defeat the man you speak of."
"So please—take me to him."
Chen Shi glanced at Steven Stone.
"What do you think? Bring him?"
Steven Stone nodded.
"Why not? Helping him costs us nothing—and we'll owe the Meteor Tribe a favor. That's valuable."
Chen Shi agreed.
He turned to Aida.
"Alright. You handle the Elite. We'll take care of the rest."
"Understood!" Aida replied firmly.
And so, the three set off toward the Team Magma hideout—ready for the confrontation ahead.
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