Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon. It belongs to Nintendo and Game Freak.
Hi all,
Here's the next chapter. Lucas explores his new abilities and stumbles upon a mystery while doing a task for Professor Oak.
Chapter 15
After watching the news, Lucas went back to his room. He was disappointed that there were no additional details about the current situation in Pallet Town. His primary concern was Sabrina, but she appeared to be safe for the time being. Nonetheless, Lucas couldn't help but be disappointed that she had not contacted him to let him know she was okay.
There was nothing he could do about it, though, and he didn't want to distract her. When it came to the conflict in Pallet Town, he was completely out of his depth. It was best to stay focused on training his Pokemon and improving himself.
Lucas sat down on his bed. He was eager to discover what rewards awaited him for reaching level twenty. He wasn't disappointed. Instead, he got much more than he expected.
Lucas Walker
Level 20
Next: [1/100%]
Exp Cache: [0]
Skill Points: 16
Profession:
Pokemon Trainer Lv.4
Pokemon Breeder Lv.2
Alchemist Lv.3
Skills:
Insight [Active/Passive] (Level 3/5)
Coach [Passive] (Level 4/5)
Bountiful Gains [Passive] (Level 1/3)
Pokemon Friendship [Passive] (Level 1/5)
Salve Mastery [Active] (Level 1/3)
Green Thumb [Passive] (Level 1/3)
Functions:
Inventory (Capacity: 30 slots) [Unlock 10 slots: 10,000 Pokedollars]
Itemfinder: (Range: 5-metre radius) [Increase radius by five metres: 10,000 Pokedollars]
Pokemon Search: (Number of searches per week: 1) [Increase efficiency: 10,000 Pokedollars]
Pokemon Habitat [Further Customisation: 50,000 Pokedollars]
Lucas immediately noticed a discrepancy with his skill points. He received eleven skill points instead of the usual one. Could this be a perk for reaching level twenty? In any case, it gave him a lot more options for levelling up his skills.
His top priority was his Insight skill, which he could level up immediately if he wanted.
Depending on the cost of the next level, he may be able to max out the skill right away. He was curious about what new information the skill would provide him. Before proceeding, he took out his guidebook to learn about the new function he had acquired.
Pokemon Habitat was an amazing feature. It created a separate dimension for each of his Pokemon, complete with a small habitat tailored to their requirements. When he returned his Pokemon to their pokeballs, they were automatically transported to their habitats. In addition to allowing them to keep their physical form while inside their pokeball, it also allowed them to gradually recover their condition over time. While a Pokemon Centre was still faster, it was more convenient for him when he was travelling in remote areas. He could save pokedollars on supplies while also keeping his Pokemon in top condition.
They could actively engage in activities such as relaxation, play, and training. Their habitats were ideal for training their primary affinities because the environment was filled with type energy.
Icarus' habitat was a towering tree that reached high into the sky. The winds blowing around the tree varied in intensity, creating ideal conditions for him to hone his flying-type affinity. Max's habitat, on the other hand, was a rock shelf that was regularly struck by lightning. The skies above him were constantly obscured by dark thunderclouds. Dratini also had a habitat, although it was unclear whether she would become his Pokemon. Her natural habitat was a serene pond in the middle of a forest. He had no idea how it would help her dragon-type affinity, but he didn't care as long as it worked.
It would be nice if the function was expanded in the future to allow him to move his Pokemon between habitats, as this would increase training efficiency and allow them to interact with one another. Unfortunately, he didn't have enough Pokedollars to find out right now. At the very least, he could access their habitats from his menu and look inside at any time to see how his Pokemon were doing.
Although his Pokemon would undoubtedly be confused by the change, it would be preferable to remain as formless energy in their pokeball. Furthermore, he did not have to worry about them informing others about his ability. Lucas frowned as a thought occurred to him. His Pokemon could tell other Pokemon. He would have to talk to them first so they could keep it a secret.
Lucas turned his attention to his Insight skill. He spent seven skill points to level it up to four. He smiled as he realised he had just enough to max out the skill. Without hesitation, he spent the rest of his skill points and raised the skill to level five. He immediately consulted the guidebook to read the skill description. It had changed significantly.
Skill: Insight Level: Max Next: - Type: Active/Passive Charges: 50/50
Description: Provides information on a Pokemon's parameters within twenty metres of the player, but requires a line of sight. This skill can be used actively or passively. The latter allows the player to automatically view information about the Pokemon, such as its species, level, condition, and threat to the player. The active component provides additional information based on skill level, but it requires a charge to use. Information displayed:
Status tab
Hidden stats/move/affinities tab
Traits tab
Evolution conditions tab
Breeding conditions tab
There was a wealth of new information, which piqued his interest. He wasted no time in using Insight on Icarus, who was perched on its stand near the window.
Traits
Inherent (Can be passed onto offspring)
Flying-type Aptitude (Expert) - Increases flying-affinity training by thirty per cent.
Speed Aptitude (Novice) - Increases speed stat training efficiency.
Learned
Bird of Prey - Increases Attack and Speed stats by twenty per cent when attacking from above.
Evolution/Breeding Conditions
Pidgeotto
Level 18
Condition: Perfect
Experience in Cache: 10000
Flying-type Affinity: 30%
Evolution Bonuses
Max Experience in Cache = 20000: + 5 to All Stats
Flying type affinity = 30%: Feather Dance learned upon evolving.
Speed = 50: Paralysis Resistance Trait.
Icarus: Breeding Type: C
Breeding Conditions
Same Species: +25%
Egg Group - Flying: -25%
Egg Group - Other: -50%
Same Level: +10%
Base Compatibility:
Type A - 10%
Type B - 4%
Type C - 81%
Type D - 15%
Type E - 34%
There was a significant amount of information to process. He hadn't expected Pokemon to have traits, as none of the information he had seen so far mentioned them. Did this new information not exist previously, or was it simply misinterpreted? In this world, Pokemon had pedigrees. This could explain how breeders were able to pass traits down to eggs while remaining unaware of them, as they were retained over multiple generations.
Icarus possessed ordinary traits that merely enhanced his training effectiveness. However, there was potential for him to acquire additional traits if he met the necessary evolutionary conditions.
The requirements weren't that difficult to meet. One of these requirements was that his Pokémon accumulate enough experience in their cache to fuel the evolution process. If Icarus had the necessary experience points when he reached level eighteen, he would immediately evolve.
He was grateful that there were learned traits. They provided an opportunity to compensate for any flaws in a Pokemon's natural traits through hard work. If only he had access to a list of these traits, it would make it easier to acquire them. He needed to experiment to see what he could discover.
The information about breeding was very informative. To find a Pokemon that was compatible with Icarus, the breeding type had to be the same. The greater the compatibility, the more likely a pair of Pokemon will produce an egg. It wasn't surprising that Pokemon could breed outside of their species, as he had previously learned this, but it did complicate his plans for Icarus. Did he look for a Pokemon of a different species to produce an egg?
Wild Pokemon didn't typically breed outside of their own species. Humans only recently discovered the ability to do so, which opens up a slew of new possibilities for Pokemon with vastly different combinations of abilities. However, it was difficult to achieve because compatibility suffered significantly, which is likely why most breeders continued to breed the same species.
Breeding Pokemon was more complicated than he had anticipated. When traits were added to the mix, it only increased the possibility of creating a completely overpowered Pokemon. So far, he has only fought wild Pokemon, so he hasn't encountered a real challenge. If he started battling other trainers, would he discover Pokemon with more powerful and diverse abilities?
After examining Icarus' parameters, Lucas used Insight on Max. He wasn't interested in his breeding information, but the other information was useful to him.
Traits
Inherent (Can be passed onto offspring)
Electric-type Aptitude (Novice) - Increases flying-affinity training by twenty per cent.
Attack Aptitude (Novice) - Increases attack stat training efficiency.
Evolution Conditions
Electabuzz
Level 30
Condition: Perfect
Experience in Cache: 30000
Electric-type Affinity: 50%
Evolution Bonuses.
Max Experience in Cache = 40000: + 5 to all Stats
Fighting-type affinity = 40%: Low Kick learned upon evolving.
Defence = 70: Static Trigger Chance +10%
Lucas took out his notebook and started writing down the specific areas he needed to focus on. During the first week, he decided not to go out so that he could concentrate on improving his Pokemon's moves, affinity, and battle abilities in preparation for his match with Dratini. Thankfully, with the new function he had acquired, the latter task would be much easier. In the second week, he would go into the Viridian Forest to explore and gain experience. He planned to work on getting Icarus' evolution bonuses in preparation for him to evolve.
"Come here, guys," Lucas said, and his Pokemon joined him on the bed.
"I am sure you have already noticed a few quirks about me," Lucas said. "Things just seem to appear out of thin air, and I have a knack for finding things on the ground."
"Kid!"
"Pidgey!"
Both of them nodded in agreement. Lucas leaned forward and lowered his voice, prompting them to unconsciously lean in closer.
"Before I tell you what it is, I want you to make me a promise," Lucas said. "You cannot tell any other Pokemon about what I am about to reveal. That includes Dratini until she officially becomes a part of the team."
Icarus and Max exchanged glances before engaging in a brief conversation. They gave him suspicious looks as they spoke, as if they were doubting his words. He wasn't sure if they were serious or just trolling him. Finally, they concluded their discussion and indicated that they would keep his secret.
"The truth is that Arceus gave me a special ability that allows me to do some truly amazing things," Lucas told them. "Like store items in a pocket dimension."
He pulled out a pokeball from his inventory, and to their eyes, it appeared out of nowhere.
"Kid!" Max gestured with his hands as if to say, "Do it again."
He obliged and proceeded to entertain them for a few minutes before the novelty wore off.
Lucas took out their pokeballs. "I just received another ability that will be extremely beneficial to you guys."
He proceeded to explain the Pokemon Habitat function as best he could, but he could tell they did not fully grasp the implications. So he decided to show them instead. He returned them to their pokeballs before navigating to the Pokemon Habitat function via his menu. First, he decided to look inside Icarus' habitat to see how he was getting on.
Icarus had landed on one of the branches, high enough in the sky that the wind was gently buffeting him. He didn't appear alarmed and looked around with a thoughtful expression. Knowing Icarus' personality, Lucas expected his companion to remain calm.
When he looked into Max's habitat, he discovered a completely different scenario. Max was crouched on the ground, arms over his head and calling out in distress. Lucas immediately summoned him back into the room, and Max jumped into his arms.
"Sorry, buddy," Lucas said softly, stroking Max's back, who was trembling in his arms. "I didn't intend to scare you. It looks like I need to explain it better first."
Lucas spent the next week training his Pokemon and keeping an eye on the situation in Pallet Town. Following the raid on the Fearow Gang's hideout, soldiers from the Kano Army arrived in town. Meanwhile, the mayor sought refuge in his mansion, while reporters stood outside, waiting for word from the official. Aside from that, there was a lot of speculation, but nothing significant. He saw Sabrina on television twice, and she appeared as composed as ever.
Lucas placed a strong emphasis on Icarus' flying-type affinity training. Not only was it necessary for Icarus' evolution, but increasing it to forty percent would allow him to unlock his egg move, Air Cutter. As a result, Icarus spent a significant amount of time in his habitat, fighting the powerful winds infused with flying-type energy.
He took Max to the Fighting Dojo every day to hone his fighting skills. After refusing to stay at home, he was assigned a personal police officer who allowed him to move freely throughout the city. Lucas didn't think he had much to worry about with Team Rocket. Their plan to capture him and force Sabrina's cooperation was most likely a half-hearted attempt that wasn't taken seriously. However, it was still wise to exercise caution.
Max's dedication and hard work resulted in the acquisition of a new trait. Known as Free-Form Fighting (Novice), this trait increased Max's Attack slightly when he fought without using his energy. He believed that with more training, Max would unlock a more advanced version of the trait. This came after using Insight on some fighting-type Pokemon in the dojo and discovering that they all possessed an advanced version of the same trait.
After Max learned Thunderwave from Dratini and overcame his fear of its habitat, Lucas directed him to focus on developing his electric-type affinity. Lucas considered asking Dratini to teach Icarus Twister next, a move that was inherent to his move pool but ultimately decided against it. He realised that training Icarus in dragon-type energy would take his focus away from his primary objective.
In addition, he participated in mock battles with Delia and Misty to hone his tactical and situational awareness. Beginner trainers had to issue their commands aloud, whereas more advanced trainers could communicate with their Pokemon telepathically. He suspected this had something to do with the bond, but he hadn't done much research into it. .
In addition to training, Lucas studied for his Pokemon Breeder exam and practised his alchemy. Halfway through the week, he was pleasantly surprised when he levelled up his Pokemon Breeder profession and learned a new skill. He had no idea that studying would give him experience for his profession.
Skill: Egg Insight Level 1/3 Next: 3SP Type: Active Charges: 10/10
Description: Provides information about a Pokemon Egg's parameters. To use this skill, the host must be within one metre of the egg. A variety of information can be obtained, including the estimated hatching time, any special hatching conditions, and the initial parameters. Increase this skill to obtain additional information.
Lucas also advanced his Alchemy profession to level four. It did not include a new skill, but it did reduce the skill points required for the next level of Salve Mastery. He would have preferred that the benefit be applied to his Green Thumb skill, but beggars can't be choosers. He had already made five different types of healing gels. One that improved a Pokemon's condition, and four that removed different status effects.
He had already read a lot about Pokemon breeding, and he was confident that if he took the Breeder's licence exam right now, he would have a good chance of passing. But he wasn't going to take any chances. The most difficult aspect was memorising all of the information, so he went over the same books several times to ensure he retained it all. To be honest, he had no idea how important studying was for the exam. Depending on how the exam was administered, he could use his abilities to cheat. However, because the contents of the exam were confidential, he couldn't expect a free pass.
"Dratini!"
"That is a good pose," Lucas said, giving her a thumbs up and continuing to draw her portrait.
Dratini was swimming in the pool, while Lucas sat on the edge, his feet dipping into the water. He decided to draw some portraits of Dratini not only to keep his artistic skills sharp but also because she enjoyed the attention. It led to some easy favorability gains with her.
Over the last week, it became clear that she held herself in high regard, almost as a princess. She thrived on compliments about her beauty and enjoyed being pampered. There was still some tension between her and his other Pokemon, as she appeared to consider them inferior. Although he was concerned about her behaviour, he hoped it would change once Icarus or Max defeated her next week. He could not bear the thought of missing out on such an amazing Pokémon, so winning was the only option.
Lucas hadn't taken the time to examine her parameters further, only focusing on her main attributes, as he believed he needed to earn that privilege first. This mindset also extended to choosing a name for her; he would do so only after she was officially a member of the team. Despite not yet having her as a Pokemon, he continued his research into her preferred food. This proved difficult due to her picky eating habits. If he wasn't careful, his supply of mushrooms would run out, leaving him with nothing to feed her. Obtaining some more will need to be prioritised soon.
His phone rang as he was putting the finishing touches on the portrait. He put his sketchpad aside and answered the phone.
"Hello, Lucas. This is Sabrina speaking."
"Sabrina?" Lucas exclaimed, almost dropping the phone into the water in surprise. "How are things going? Are you alright?"
"I am fine," Sabrina replied.
Lucas breathed a sigh of relief. "Why didn't you call earlier? I was really worried about you."
"I didn't think our familiarity required me to inform you about my well-being."
"Sabrina, if we are going to date in the future, that kind of attitude is not going to work," Lucas joked.
Sabrina remained silent.
"Seriously, how is everything going? Have you captured the leader of the Fearow Gang yet?" Lucas asked.
"It is taking us longer to resolve this situation than we anticipated," Sabrina sighed. "The leader escaped to the mayor's house and is currently holding him and his family hostage." "
"Wait a minute. I thought the mayor was in cahoots with them."
"Turns out he was being blackmailed by Team Rocket. They were a lot more involved than we expected. However, the mayor is not completely innocent. He had some skeletons in the closet, which led to him being blackmailed in the first place."
"Hmm," Lucas frowned as he kicked his legs in the water. "So, how are you going to rescue the family?"
"Unfortunately, it's not feasible for us to break down the door and storm the mansion because that could endanger the family," Sabrina said. "Our sole recourse lies in executing a stealthy strategy, although the leader possesses Pokemon with remarkably keen perception. This predicament poses a considerable challenge."
"How about Salem?" Lucas blurted out, thinking about what happened last week. "Has he returned to you yet?"
"No," Sabrina said, inhaling deeply. "I sent him to look after you and the Ketchums. Where has he gone?"
"So, you don't know what happened last week?"
"What happened?!" Her voice was sharp.
Lucas wished he had kept his mouth shut. Sabrina didn't need the distraction at the moment, so hearing about Salem wasn't going to do her any good. What if something happened to her because she was not paying attention to the task at hand? He considered lying to her and waiting until she was finished with Pallet Town but decided against it. He didn't want to jeopardise their potential relationship, and he was confident she could handle the news.
"There was an incident last week involving a couple of Team Rocket members," Lucas explained..
He began recounting the entire incident to her. As he spoke, he noticed her breathing had quickened, as if she was having difficulty breathing. After finishing the story, he paused, concerned about her mental state.
"Are you okay?" Lucas said, but he didn't receive an answer.
"Listen," Lucas asserted, his tone firm. "Although I don't fully support Salem's actions, it's undeniable that he saved Delia and the children from certain harm. His intentions for Delia were horrific, and he had previously assaulted other women. I don't feel any sympathy for what happened to him."
Lucas waited with bated breath, expecting her to terminate the call.
"Salem should still be nearby," Sabrina finally said. "He wouldn't abandon his duty, even if he had eliminated the immediate threat."
"Okay," Lucas replied, thinking about his next words. "I'm curious about Salem. He appears to obey your commands, but you don't own him. So, why does he follow you around?"
"It is complicated," Sabrina explained, her tone indicating that he should steer the conversation elsewhere. "Besides, he rarely obeys my commands. "I am surprised he followed them this time."
"Don't worry," Lucas assured her. "When she spoke with the police, Delia made no mention of who Salem belonged to. He should be able to avoid trouble as long as he stays under the radar. Although I wouldn't be surprised if a mission for his capture has appeared in the Adventurer's Guild."
"Let me worry about that," Sabrina replied. "I need to go. We are hoping to have the situation resolved within the next week or so."
"Okay. If you need anything, please feel free to call me anytime. I'm here to lend an ear if you want to talk as well."
Sabrina abruptly terminated the call, leaving Lucas with a bemused expression. Sighing, he put his phone away.
"Sabrina is a complicated woman," Lucas confided to Dratini. "I'm sure she has a lot of secrets. Should I give up on pursuing such a woman, even though she makes my heart race?"
Dratini cocked her head and thought about it for a moment. She then smashed her tail into the water, leaving him completely soaked. The only thing he could conclude from such behaviour was that she thought he was an idiot.
Lucas wiped his face as he glared at the Pokemon. "Why am I even asking for relationship advice from you? It's not like you have any experience or understanding in these matters."
Dratini lifted her tail once more, and Lucas scrambled to his feet to avoid getting soaked again. He returned to the house because he needed to complete a task for Professor Oak. It also allowed him to put his new skill to the test.
Lucas checked the sign outside the building to ensure that he had arrived at the correct location: Viridian City Pokemon Daycare. It was given a generic name because it was the only one of its kind in the city. If he ever had his own daycare, he would choose a more creative and appealing name.
The creche took up nearly an entire block and was situated on the outskirts of the main business district, near the residential district. It was made up of several buildings, but the store that sold eggs was prominently displayed, facing the street. Most of the space was dedicated to the enclosures for the various Pokemon that were producing eggs.
There were two guards stationed at the entrance, and they watched him closely as he entered the store. The interior wasn't what he was expecting from what was essentially a pet store. It was more like a jewellery store, with a feeling of sophistication and luxury. Shimmering glass display cases were meticulously organised, with Pokemon Eggs nestled in carefully arranged nests. The soft, atmospheric lighting cast a warm glow throughout the space, accentuating the elegant colour palette of serene tones and subtle accents, creating an incredible atmosphere.
Without a doubt, the Pokemon Breeder profession was extremely lucrative, but he did not think the aesthetic was appropriate for a Pokemon daycare.
Lucas wanted to go around and inspect some of the eggs to practise his new skill, but he was interrupted.
"May I help you?" A man dressed in uniform approached him.
Lucas noticed the man's subtle sneer as he examined Lucas' clothes. So he was a snob. Given the amount of Pokedollars that even the most common Pokemon Eggs sell for, he shouldn't be surprised to meet such people.
"I am Lucas Walker," he said, showing him his identification. "I am picking up a Pokemon Egg for Professor Oak. Is it ready?"
The man examined his Adventurer's Guild card closely, as if he suspected it was forged. ."Do you have the paperwork?"
Lucas handed it over, and the man examined it closely as well.
"Very well," the man replied. "My name is Byron. I will take you to where the egg is being stored."
Lucas followed the man past the counter and through the back entrance. They exited the building and followed a path that led them to another building. In stark contrast to the storefront, this one appeared much more functional and smaller in size.
Two additional guards stood at the front of the building. Lucas entered and surveyed his surroundings. The interior served as a storage facility for Pokemon Eggs, which were neatly housed in their own designated shelving built into the walls. The room was appropriately heated to ensure that the eggs remained warm.
"Do you have some thick gloves to handle the egg?" Byron asked.
Lucas nodded. You had to be careful when handling the eggs bare-handed because the Pokemon inside could bond with you. He removed some gloves from his pocket and put them on. Byron copied him before picking up the egg and handing it over to him. A tag was attached to the egg, which contained information about the Pokémon.
"Here is the Pokemon Egg that Professor Oak ordered," Byron said. "This Pichu has an impressive pedigree and would fetch between fifty and sixty thousand Pokedollars if it were for sale in the store. It has been examined by an expert and found to be of high quality."
Byron's expression seemed to suggest he thought the price was something beyond his means. Lucas desperately wanted to get away from the irritating man.
Two factors were considered when determining egg quality. First, it considered the parents' own parameters, such as their level, stats, and available moves. Second, quality was influenced by the amount of potential inherited from its parents. These two factors were combined to assess the egg's overall quality. While the first factor was easier to determine, it was unclear how the second factor was measured.
Egg quality is classified into five categories: low, moderate, high, superior, and transcendent. However, the latter category is extremely rare because it represents an egg that is considered perfect in terms of inheriting the full potential of its parents.
Lucas wondered why Pokemon Oak had brought the egg. Was he planning to conduct some kind of research on this Pokemon? Lucas' task was to retrieve the egg and deliver it to Professor Oak. Despite knowing he wouldn't be returning to Pallet Town for at least another week, he decided to pick it up now.
"Does the colour of the egg indicate which species of Pokemon is inside?" Lucas asked.
"It is not a reliable method for identifying the species," Byron explained. "As cross-species breeding becomes more common, the egg colour may be inherited from one parent while containing a species that matches the other parent. Some experts are trained to tell the difference, but it's a specialised skill."
Lucas nodded. It was time to put his newly acquired skill to the test. He used Egg Insight and examined the egg.
Pokemon Egg: Rattata
Gender: Male
Parents: Pikachu (female), Rattata (male).
Potential Inherited: 15%
Quality: Low
Initial Level: 3
Time until hatching: 22 days
Any special requirements? No
Bonded: No
Condition: Perfect
The first level of the skill didn't reveal much information, but what it did show was undoubtedly useful. It was also clear that there was a problem with the egg. The Pokemon wasn't a Pichu, and the quality wasn't as good as Byron had claimed. He checked the tag to ensure that there was no error on Byron's part, and there was none. The tag identified the Pokémon as a Pichu.
"I want this egg examined," Lucas said. "I don't believe this egg is a Pichu."
Byron's mouth fell open in astonishment.
So, what do you think? In the next chapter, Lucas meets the Sensational Sisters.
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Thanks for reading.