Skarmory's twin wings, like sharp silver blades, lightly sliced through the last thin layer of clouds.
The scenery below changed at a visible pace. The rolling hills gradually faded away, replaced by an urban skyline woven from reinforced concrete and brilliant colors.
As Skarmory steadily descended, Mauville City's distinctive features spread out ever more clearly before them.
The entire city seemed to be gently embraced by a massive square-shaped complex. At its center lay a lush park, like an emerald carefully set into the city's veins.
Several boldly designed skyscrapers stood scattered throughout, their glass curtain walls reflecting the daylight. Yet the most eye-catching of them all was the Lightning Rod tower piercing straight into the clouds.
Built on a heavy alloy-steel foundation, its body narrowed tier by tier, while the Lightning Rod at its peak gleamed with a cold metallic sheen.
Even from several hundred meters in the air, they could vaguely sense the faint electric field circulating around the tower, as if the lightning power of the whole city had been firmly drawn to this colossal structure, waiting to be unleashed.
"We're almost there."
Steven raised a hand and patted Skarmory's neck, his fingertips tapping lightly against its metal-like feather armor. Skarmory let out a clear cry.
The frequency of its wingbeats gradually slowed. Its massive body showed no clumsiness as it descended slowly toward an open stretch of grass at the edge of the city, as light as a cloud.
The breeze stirred by its landing swept up several blades of grass. Lin Mo jumped down from Skarmory's back, his feet sinking into the soft turf as he instinctively lowered his gaze to the wooden signpost beside him.
The writing on the sign was clear and neat:
"Route 110—5 kilometers from Mauville City."
Below it was a