Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon. It belongs to Nintendo and Game Freak.

Hi all,

Here's the next chapter. Lucas explores the outside with a new companion and stumbles across a secret base.

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Chapter 8

The forest remained unchanged since Lucas' last visit, but his perception of it had shifted. The recent deaths of the gang members made it appear to have a darker and more foreboding atmosphere. He was hyper-aware of every single noise that the forest released. The sound of a branch snapping, the rustle of foliage, or the cry of a Pokemon in the distance now carried a more sinister undertone.

Lucas needed to stop allowing the events of that day to affect him so negatively. He came to terms with what happened and no longer carried the burden of guilt for killing the gang members. The simple truth of the matter was that they had been about to kill him for a terrible reason, and they paid with their lives. If they had survived, it is highly probable that they would have caused harm to even more innocent people. Maybe he had underestimated the extent of the devastation that the group of Pineco would cause, but it did not alter the fact that they were pursuing him with bad intentions.

Lucas took a moment to jot down a note on the piece of paper he held. The map he was sketching was rough, but it captured all the important landmarks and points of interest he came across while exploring the forest. Progress was slow, as he continued to add new details. He was amazed by how much the forest held within its depths when only he paid attention.

He also had to deal with any wild Pokemon that he encountered, but he wasn't going out of his way to find them. He wanted to spend as much time as he could in the forest without having to use up his Potions.

"Think we should find a place to have lunch?" He asked his companion.

"Pidgey," Icarus chirped in agreement. His head swivelled as he scanned his surroundings.

Lucas' shoulder was starting to hurt as Icarus had been perched there for a few hours now. He couldn't ignore how much Icarus had grown since they first met. Through a combination of a nutritious diet and rigorous training, Icarus had increased in size by a third. He was now standing at a height of one and a half feet and weighed approximately five pounds.

Usually, a Pidgey did not grow more than that before evolving into Pidgeotto. However, there were always exceptions to the rule. They were called Giant Pokemon. In the broadest sense, they are Pokémon that are much larger than is typical for their species. Professor Oak's Charizard was a perfect example. Lucas had mistakenly believed that all Charizards could reach that size.

To a certain extent, the size of a Pokemon prior to evolution would have an impact on the size they would be able to attain in their evolved form. There are a few exceptions to this rule, as some Pokemon shrink in size after evolving. Since he planned to ride Icarus once he evolved into a Pidgeot, it was crucial for him to maximise his size while he hadn't yet evolved. He was still uncertain about whether the level of the Pokemon contributed to their growth.

Lucas continued walking as the fallen leaves crunched under his feet. Autumn had arrived in Kanto as the calendar ticked over to October. It meant that the trees were bare and their leaves littered the ground. It made it easier for him to see Pokemon in the trees, and to prevent ambushes from above.

The forest was home to a range of Pokemon, although he had only come across a few thus far. These included Rattata, Pineco, Pidgey, Spearow, Sentret, and the Caterpie and Weedle evolutionary lines. Spearow were particularly elusive, as they seemed to inhabit their own territory deeper within the forest. They were known for being extremely territorial and aggressive, which made it difficult for them to peacefully coexist with other species. Lucas wanted to steer clear of them, so he did not venture deep inside the forest.

There were also two other Pokemon seen in the forest, Hoothoot and Spinarak. But since they were nocturnal, he hadn't encountered any of them yet. If he wanted to come across them, he would have to camp out in the forest.

The Pokemon levels in the forest did not surpass level ten, so Icarus had not had much trouble dealing with them so far. Due to his training, his speed had improved significantly, and there was no Pokemon that could match him. There was also the fact that wild Pokemon at lower levels were usually cannon fodder, with a lack of proper training. From his observation, wild Pokemon did not get the same amount of stat increases as a trainer's Pokemon. Although stats were not the sole determining factor of a Pokemon's strength, they usually provided a reliable measure of their current abilities.

Ten minutes later, Lucas stumbled upon an ideal location for lunch. It was a small mound of earth jutting out from the ground, gradually tapering to a peak, providing an excellent viewpoint of the surrounding area. Its elevated position ensured a clear sightline for any approaching Pokemon.

Lucas climbed to the top and dropped his rucksack on the ground. Icarus flew off his shoulder and onto the ground. Lucas made a note of the landmark on his map before pulling out a Pokeball from his inventory. He pressed the button and released his new partner.

Maximus appeared on the ground and checked out his surroundings curiously. Seeing no immediate threat, he relaxed. Although he was aware of what was happening from within his Pokeball, it didn't stop him from remaining extra vigilant.

Max leapt into Lucas' arms. "Kid!"

"Hey, Max," Lucas said, gently stroking his horns. Max went limp in his arms, grunting in pleasure. "It's time to have some lunch."

Lucas took out containers from his rucksack and fed his Pokemon. He relaxed on the grass, enjoying a delicious meal of leftover lasagne that Delia had cooked for dinner the night before. He observed his Pokemon while they ate their food, carefully noting their interactions. Until this point, it seemed that they were getting along fine.

Almost a week ago, Daisy made the offer to Lucas to take Max as his new partner. Max's stay at the lab was only supposed to be temporary until they rehabilitated him and found the right person to take care of him. Although she made the offer, it was not her decision to make. Lucas required approval from Professor Oak.

Lucas delayed his plans to explore the forest and had to spend a few days being observed by some of the lab's employees while he and Max interacted. This was to determine if their sudden bond was genuine or not. He passed the test with flying colours. The new skill he acquired was the key that unlocked Max's cooperation, and the Pokemon did not revert back to its usual cautious behaviour. While it would require continued effort to strengthen their relationship, he had successfully cleared the initial hurdle.

It was a blessing for Lucas, as he essentially got a free Pokemon. He did not have to pay for a Pokeball, or go through the effort of capturing it. Although he had to provide for Max, he was able to do so with the Pokedollars he earned from his job at the Pokemon Lab.

Lucas dedicated the next few days to building a stronger bond with Max, taking the time to get to know him better. They hadn't engaged in any intense training sessions or battled together yet. But soon that would have to change, as Max was already growing impatient. It appeared that he was eager for a battle. Max was no stranger to fighting, having been previously owned by a trainer.

His parameters reflected that, as he was only a couple of levels lower than Icarus.

Species: Elekid; Electric Pokemon

Gender: Male

Status: Owned

Favourability: Neutral: 300/1000

Favourite Food: Lightning Infused Bamboo;

Nutrition: Maximus Recipe X

Condition: Excellent

Level: 7

Next: [24/100%]

Exp Cache: [0]

Current Level Potential Met?: Yes

Special Ability: Static

Attack: 34

Special Attack: 30

Defence: 18

Special Defence: 17

Speed: 32

Luck: 4

Moves:

Quick Attack

Thundershock

Charge

Description: Maximus is an Elekid that has been traumatised due to its previous trainers' abuse. Although he is still cautious, he feels like he can trust his new trainer. He is inherently an optimistic and cheerful Pokemon, so it only took the right encouragement to open himself up to friendship once more.

Max's stats favoured offence over defence. He was similar to Icarus except that both his Attack and Special Attack were almost equal, and his move set favoured both damage types. If he was going to develop Max', then he needed to choose what kind of role he was going to play in his team's dynamics.

Max's special ability - Static, made him more inclined to build Max into a close-range fighter. The more Max engaged with his opponent, the greater the opportunity for him to paralyse them. If he increased Max's Luck stat, it would increase the likelihood of inflicting the status effect, even against stronger Pokémon.

Now that he had more than one Pokemon, he needed to think about the roles that his Pokemon would play in his team. Lucas's primary goal was not to create a team of Pokemon solely for the purpose of defeating other trainers but rather to ensure his survival. If he wanted to explore the world, his first priority was to ensure his own safety and well-being. His body was fragile, and if he wasn't careful, it would be easy for him to be killed by a wild Pokemon.

Although, he wasn't naive. He expected to encounter more people like the Fearow Gang, so he needed to be able to battle Pokemon that were trained. It might pay to start finding other trainers to battle.

Icarus was already on track to becoming an outright offensive Pokemon, and he had no intention of altering that course. On the other hand, he decided to build Max into a tank that favoured defence over offence and speed. He would stay by Lucas' side at all times, and focus on neutralising any Pokemon who attacked him. Teaching him moves that could disable Pokemon would also be beneficial, in case he was surrounded by multiple opponents.

"Kid," Max called.

The Pokemon's exclamation jolted Lucas from his thoughts. Max looked around with a perplexed expression as if something had caught his attention.

"What's the matter?" Lucas looked around, thinking that Max had spotted a Pokemon. Icarus, however, didn't seem concerned. Instead, he locked eyes with Max.

"Pidgey?"

"Kid." Max pointed in the direction that led further into the forest.

"Pidgey. Pidgey," Icarus chirped, nodding his head.

They engaged in a serious conversation with one another. Lucas watched them with amusement, patiently awaiting they were finished. He was always amused by the sight of two Pokemon communicating with each other; it never failed to make him smile.

Icarus turned to Lucas and gestured with his wing, pointing in the same direction Max had indicated. Both Pokemon showed urgent expressions as if they were telling their trainer, "Hurry up! There is something you need to see in that direction!"

"Alright, let's get going," Lucas said, putting everything away and placing the rucksack back on his shoulders.

The bag felt light since he stored most of his belongings in his inventory. However, the issue was that it only had thirty slots, many of which were occupied by ingredients he had gathered from the forest.

He trailed behind Icarus and Max as they guided him eastward through the dense forest. Although he harboured some fear about venturing too far and stumbling upon a flock of Spearow, his curiosity propelled him forward. He needed to keep an eye on the time, as he could not linger in the forest for too long. He had a long journey back to Pallet Town ahead of him.

When he set out today, he made the decision to explore further north, about halfway between Pallet Town and Viridian City. He managed to secure a ride from a passing carriage and then proceeded east from the main road. He wanted to steer clear of the forest to the south, where the incident with the Pineco occurred. There was a chance that the area was still being investigated by the police.

After twenty minutes of travelling, just as Lucas was considering turning back, Max called out in excitement and dashed forward through a dense row of bushes. Icarus followed him by flying above them.

"Guys, wait!" Lucas called.

He followed them, cursing as the branches and leaves slapped him while he pushed through the bushes. He emerged on the other side and almost stumbled off the ledge in front of him. Below him, there was a small clearing, a slight depression in the land encircled by several trees. The ground was blanketed with leaves, yet there was nothing else noteworthy to be seen. Max and Pidgey stood together in the centre, gazing down at something.

Lucas jumped off the ledge and joined them. "What the hell is wrong with you? Do you want me to be attacked while you go running off by yourselves?"

"Kid," Max pointed to the ground.

"What is it?"

Max rolled his eyes in exasperation before raising his leg and stomping firmly on the ground. To his surprise, his foot made contact with a solid object beneath the leaves, resulting in a muffled thud.

Was there something beneath the ground? Curious, Lucas crouched down and started brushing away the dense carpet of leaves. Max helped him by kicking them away with his feet, although he wasn't much help.

Lucas paused when he felt the wooden surface beneath his hands. What the hell? He increased his efforts to remove the remaining leaves until the wooden trapdoor was fully revealed. He sat back on his heels, looking at it with bemusement. Somebody had gone through the trouble to construct a trapdoor all the way out here. What was the purpose? Did he stumble across someone's secret base? He laughed at the thought.

Max reached down and tried to grasp hold of the edge to lift the trapdoor.

"Okay, settle down," Lucas said.

He firmly grasped the edge before pulling the trapdoor upward, unveiling a staircase adorned with wooden boards that descended below. From his bag, Lucas retrieved a torch and switched it on. The beam of light illuminated the bottom of the staircase, exposing an intersection branching off to the left and right.

"How big is this thing?"

Max descended the steps, pausing midway to signal for Lucas to follow him. It seemed that he was acquainted with the location, which was not surprising given that Max had brought him there. Had he come here with his previous trainer? Did it belong to him?

Icarus chirped, shaking his head, while slowly backing away.

"You're not a fan of the underground, huh?" Lucas asked and Icarus nodded.

Lucas returned Icarus to his Pokeball and descended down the stairs. When he reached the bottom, he shone the flashlight in each direction. The space was carved out of dirt, but it looked like it had been mixed with clay and other materials to shore it up and add some water resistance.

There were unlit lanterns mounted on the walls. Lucas took out some matches and lit the two lanterns placed in the corridor, instantly illuminating the area. To his left, there was a short tunnel that terminated in a hanging curtain, concealing whatever lay beyond it. On the right, the tunnel opened up into a spacious living area, complete with a bed, seating area, table, and a small kitchen equipped with a wood stove. Another entrance was located on the far wall, also concealed by a curtain.

The space was designed to create a homely atmosphere with additions such as a cosy rug, a well-stocked bookshelf, extra lighting, decor, and recesses in the wall that was being used as storage space. The room was also adorned with dried flowers hanging from the ceiling, which filled the place with a pleasant scent that effectively concealed the lingering earthy smell.

"Now, this is quite the find," Lucas smiled. "Hopefully, the owner doesn't come back."

Lucas checked out the area to the left with the hanging curtain first. There was a deep hole in the ground, with a terrible smell emanating from it. Looks like he had found the toilet.

Leaving the toilet behind, he stepped into the living area and proceeded to light the remaining lamps that adorned the walls. He looked around for Max, but he was nowhere to be seen.

"Max?"

"Kid!" Max popped his head out of the curtain.

"What is behind the curtain?" Lucas asked, moving closer to him.

Max disappeared once more, prompting Lucas to slide the curtain aside and peer into a small room. He whistled when he caught a glimpse of what was inside.

There was a small alchemy station setup. A table with all the required alchemy equipment, along with several boxes of empty vials. There were dozens of clear containers sitting in carved-out recesses on the wall. Looking closer, he could see some of them had some ingredients stored in them. Most of them had withered, so he didn't know how much of them he could salvage.

Lucas couldn't help but burst out laughing when Max turned around on the table to face him. The little guy wore a pair of goggles on his face, which was funny as hell. It seemed as though he was prepared to engage in a session of concocting potions.

"Did you make potions with your old trainer? Is this his hideout?" Lucas asked.

Max nodded, displaying a mixture of happiness and sadness. Lucas sensed that Max was grappling with conflicting emotions regarding the memories of his trainer. Considering that Max immediately headed to this room after first arriving at the hideout, he must take great joy in assisting his trainer in crafting Potions. However, it was the recollection of other memories with his trainer that made him sad.

"Do you think he will return here?"

"Kid," Max shrugged.

The trainer had his license revoked. Due to the nature of his offence, all his Pokemon would have also been confiscated as well. Daisy mentioned that Max had arrived at the laboratory two months ago. Based on the state of the ingredients here, it was clear that the trainer had not come back within that duration. Unless he enlisted the help of another person, it was unlikely that he would venture here without the protection of his Pokemon.

Did that mean he had just acquired a free Secret Base for himself? He would need to be prepared to leave at a moment's notice in case the trainer returned, but he intended to use it in the meantime. He thought about the identity of the trainer who had the resources to construct this place. Max may be at a lower level, but that doesn't mean his other Pokemon were the same.

"Kid," Max pointed at the alchemy equipment. He seemed to be saying, "I want to make some potions."

"Wait a moment, Max," Lucas said. "I have no idea how to make potions. I don't even know if I possess the necessary ingredients. Let me get settled before I figure it out."

Max pouted but refrained from further argument. He leapt off the table and ran from the room.

Lucas retrieved his cell phone from his pocket and glanced at the reception. Not a single bar was displayed. He needed to go topside to find a better signal before making a call.

Back outside, Lucas dialled Delia's number and waited for her to pick up.

"Hello? Ketchum residence."

"Delia, it's Lucas. I won't be returning home tonight."

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah," Lucas replied, rolling his eyes at her predictable concern. "Do you recall me telling you about Max's old trainer?"

"Yes. His punishment should have been harsher."

"I don't disagree," Lucas said. "Here's the situation: Max brought me to a hideout in the forest that belonged to his previous trainer. It's really secure, which is why I've decided to spend the night here."

"Are you sure it's safe?" Delia asked.

"Yeah. Even if a Pokemon manages to get in, I have two capable Pokemon that can handle them."

"Alright. Are you returning tomorrow?"

"Yeah. I don't have enough food on hand, and I need to hand in the ingredients for the guild missions I took on."

He had a few extra supplies in his inventory, but they would only last for a couple of days. However, he needed to return to complete the missions. On the bright side, he had gathered plenty of ingredients, so he had the ability to finish more at the same time. Although, he may keep them to experiment with potions if he could find some recipes.

"I should be home around lunchtime," Lucas said.

"I'll prepare lunch for you."

Lucas ended the call and pocketed his phone. As he made his way down the stairs, he closed the trapdoor behind him. Returning to the living area, he placed his rucksack on the sofa and took a moment to survey the room. Although discovering the Secret Base was a stroke of fortune, he didn't know what to do with himself. Should he continue exploring, or should he try his hand at Alchemy? Maybe he should wait until evening before venturing out again. That way, he would have the opportunity to encounter some new Pokemon.

He browsed through the books on the shelf. There were numerous titles pertaining to Potions, and he selected one titled 'An Introduction to Alchemy: Everything You Need to Know'.

Lucas inspected the sofa cover. Despite being located underground, it seemed to be in relatively good condition, apart from some dust. He brushed the worst of it before sitting down. He opened up the front page and started reading the introduction. Max jumped up onto the sofa and pressed against his side.

The Power of Alchemy

What inspires someone to become an Alchemist? Is it the desire for prestige? The allure of Pokedollars? Or is it the yearning to create entirely unique creations never seen before? Whatever your motivation may be, it is important to understand that Alchemy is not an easy undertaking. If you are anticipating immediate results, then you are sorely mistaken.

It requires significant practice, patience, and precision to produce a viable mixture. Even the slightest mistake can ruin your mixture and potentially cause an explosion that could harm or even be fatal to the Alchemist. It is important to be well-prepared in advance and maintain constant vigilance.

With that being said, let us now delve into the specifics. Alchemy has the ability to create three different mixtures, ranked in order of strength and utility: salves, Potions, and Pills.

Salves, the weakest form of Alchemy, are primarily used to heal minor wounds and treat debilitating status conditions, although they have a few other uses as well. Their effectiveness is limited, but they are the most affordable option compared to potions. You can make a small profit from producing salves, as many beginner trainers purchase them. However, you won't get rich from them.

Potions have a myriad of uses, extending far beyond their application to support Pokemon. There are unscrupulous individuals who concoct potions with more sinister intentions; such as causing explosions, creating poisons that harm humans, as well as inflicting other debilitating inflictions. Conventionally, they create a range of healing items that are more potent than salves. Additionally, there are Potions that temporarily enhance a Pokemon's parameters to aid them in battle.

Pills are considered the ultimate manifestation of Alchemy, boasting incredible effects on Pokemon. These effects include permanently enhancing a Pokemon's parameters, aiding in the development of their affinities, assisting with evolution, or bringing a Pokemon back from the brink of death.

There are rumours circulating about pills that can enhance a Pokemon's hidden parameters. The existence of hidden parameters is a highly debated topic, with some finding the mere notion absurd. This author cannot verify the validity of these claims.

But Alchemy doesn't just benefit Pokemon. There are a range of products that are suited for human consumption which have some amazing healing properties of their own. Some of these have replaced traditional medicine due to how effective they are in treating the patient.

Certainly, this is merely scratching the surface of what Alchemy can accomplish. The only way to discover new applications is through experimentation. Who can say where the boundaries truly lie...

Lucas continued reading, and the book went on to describe the steps to make each of the three different mixtures. He read until he had a good understanding of the steps needed to create them. He planned to start with the easiest option to gain some experience. He should be able to earn the Alchemy profession if he is lucky.

Lucas placed the book back on the bookshelf and discovered another book containing several common salve recipes. These recipes were widely available because they had little value, and there were also better recipes to be found, like the range of salves the Pokemart stocked. They guarded their secret recipes zealously, despite having them patented. What is the purpose of patents if anyone could produce their products covertly? How would you enforce that?

He discovered a recipe for a salve that could heal minor burns, using ingredients he had on him. It was a less potent version of the Burn Heal Potion, but if the salve is made properly, it has the potential to heal second-degree burns.

"Let's go make something," Lucas said to Max.

Max quickly jumped off the sofa and darted into the alchemy room, with Lucas close on his heels. Inside, Lucas gathered all the required ingredients, including a bottle of water from his inventory. Luckily, he had a large supply of bottled water occupying one of his inventory slots.

All the necessary equipment was readily available. He grabbed a cutting board and a knife from a recess on the wall and placed them on the table.

"I need two cups of water for the crucible, Max," Lucas said.

Max grabbed the bottle of water and measured out two cups, despite the challenge his stubby arms presented. His skill with the task indicated that he had done this plenty of times before. Lucas lit the burner under the crucible and started preparing the ingredients while he waited for the water to boil.

He placed the first ingredient, Burnished Root, onto the cutting board. He consulted the book on how to properly prepare the ingredient. The liquid inside the root was the most important part, and by crushing the root with the blade's flat side first, he could get more out of it. After crushing it, he finely chopped it and added it to a small bowl. He measured it using a scale to confirm that he had the correct quantity.

The remaining ingredients required that he used a pestle and mortar. He added each ingredient and ground the ingredients thoroughly. After measuring them as well, he set them to the side.

He retrieved a thermometer and measured the temperature of the water. Once it reached the desired level, he instructed Max to add the ingredients to the crucible. Lucas swiftly stirred the mixture with a stirring rod to ensure that the ingredients didn't stick to the bottom. The mixture transformed into a vibrant burnt orange hue, while the water started to evaporate quickly.

When Lucas determined it was the right moment, he moved the crucible away from the burner so it would stop boiling. Once it cooled down a little, he strained the mixture to get rid of any residue and poured the mixture into a glass container.

"This profession will consume a significant amount of my time," Lucas sighed. He wasn't even certain that his first salve had been a success.

The entire process took thirty minutes, and it was only for a basic recipe. He had to wait another half hour to see if the salve was set properly. After the allotted time had passed, he examined the mixture and frowned.

"Kid," Max leaned down and sniffed the mixture. He sadly shook his head.

When he compared it to the book, the salve was a disappointing sight. It was meant to be a vibrant orange colour with a consistency similar to paste. Unfortunately, the actual result was much less appealing - a bland orange and much harder substance that clung to the bowl like wet cement.

"Where did I go wrong?" Lucas mused.

"Kid." Max pointed to the burner.

"Did I leave it on the boil for too long?"

But that wasn't the only problem. There was too much residue left from the ingredients. They needed to combine better with the water.

Lucas had to repeat the recipe five more times before finally getting the salve just right. He was incredibly frustrated to the point of almost tearing his hair out. Despite making corrections with each attempt, it took him far too long to fully master it.

When he dipped his finger into the mixture, he noticed that it was easier to spread around. Max raised his hands and cheered, indicating that he had approved of the quality of the product.

Lucas, feeling sore after standing in the same position for a long time, stretched and decided it was time for a break. He put away his belongings and returned to the living room, taking a seat on the sofa.

He retrieved Icarus' Pokeball and contemplated whether or not to call him out. If he intended to spend time in this Secret Base, then Icarus needed to get over his fear. The cosy ambience of the room may distract Icarus, allowing him to overlook the fact that he is currently underground.

Lucas summoned Icarus, and he chirped as he flew onto the table. Looking around, he realised where he was and glared at his trainer.

"Hey, it's not so bad," Lucas said. "This is our very own home away from home."

"Pidgey." Icarus turned away from him.

Lucas shrugged. His partner didn't look too bothered by his surroundings.

Deciding to peruse his menu, he opened it and directed his gaze towards the bottom. A smile spread across his face as his eyes landed on the new entry.

So, what do you think? This chapter ended with a whimper, but I couldn't find a good stopping point.

Thanks for reading.