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

Hi all,

Here's the next chapter. Lucas arrives in Vermilion and travels to Saffron City.

Chapter 27

The ship returned to Vermilion City at a more leisurely pace compared to its departure. Lucas enjoyed spending time on the main deck with Sabrina and Brock, basking in the sun and admiring the breathtaking scenery. The ship glided gracefully through the vast sea inlet, passing beneath a magnificent bridge that connected two stretches of land between Routes 16 and 17. The bustling inlet was teeming with ships and smaller vessels, all gracefully gliding across its sparkling waters. Vermilion Harbour was a homeport for many ships, so there was always activity to see.

The trio spent the majority of their time relaxing. They needed time to mentally refresh themselves after their ordeal. Despite their efforts to largely avert the tragedy, twenty-four individuals perished. To be honest, Lucas wasn't as affected by the experience as he appeared. Now that he had time to think about it, he wondered why he had become so accustomed to death so quickly since arriving in this world.

He also dedicated time to perfecting a new potion recipe he stumbled upon during his search for provisions following the shipwreck. After reading the details, he felt confident that Areceus was looking out for him. This potion turned out to be precisely what he needed when he reached Saffron City.

Face-Changing Potion

Description: This recipe combines several ingredients to subtly modify facial characteristics, leading to a changed look for the individual. This change remains completely inperceptible to both human and Pokemon senses. Enhancing it with additional camouflage methods can boost its effectiveness. The elixir provides one unique appearance per user and remains effective for four to six hours.

He succeeded in creating the potion after multiple tries. To sell the growth potion at the auction, he had to be very careful. Since it was a valuable item, it was likely to attract dishonest people, so he had to hide his identity to prevent any issues.

Lucas stood on the deck, catching a glimpse of Vermilion City in the distance. At first glance, it was evident that the city was significantly larger than Viridian City. The city's massive harbour accounted for a large part of this disparity.

But it wasn't the city itself that drew his attention, but the massive sea wall that encircled it in a broad arc. Its sheer size left him speechless, and he wondered how long it would take to build. There was an opening in the centre that allowed ships to pass through, but he imagined it became congested when there was a lot of traffic.

"The sea wall was completed about a decade before the war," Brock explained from beside him. "The residents of Vermilion City discovered the hard way that building a city right next to the water wasn't a great idea."

"What happened?" Lucas couldn't remember reading about it while studying the region's history, but his primary focus had been on events following the war.

"A group of powerful sea Pokemon terrorised the city," Sabrina said from her other side. "They didn't know the exact number, but there was a sighting of a Wailord. The group frequently caused massive tidal waves that would flood much of the city. They were known as the "terror of the seas."

"Why would they attack the city?" Lucas asked,

"No one knows for sure," Sabrina answered. "But a major reason could be that the city established several fisheries along the coast, providing an easy source of food for Pokemon. Despite the forced relocation inland, the attacks persisted.

"Why didn't they get rid of the Pokemon?"

"It's not easy to find Pokemon in the depths of the sea," Brock said. "It is the most hostile place on the planet, which is why it remains largely unexplored to this day. They probably thought it would be easier to build the sea wall. There are not many incidents these days, so the wall is mostly unnecessary, but it's there in case the city requires it."

Lucas nodded. He wondered how Vermilion differed from Viridian City. The latter hadn't experienced a disaster like Vermilion City had, despite being located next to the sea and having a harbour. He knew Viridian City had made a significant effort to manage the high-level Pokemon population in the surrounding waters, so perhaps that was the difference.

They prepared to disembark as soon as the ship entered the harbour. As soon as Lucas stepped off the ship, he was overwhelmed by the bustling activity and deafening sounds of the harbour. Meowth appeared to feel the same as he clutched Lucas' head tightly. But that may just have been his excitement at seeing so many potential marks in one place.

Lucus looked around with interest as they walked down the dock. The main difference he noticed from his world was that people here used Pokemon a lot more for unloading and loading ships. Machamp was by far the most popular Pokemon, thanks to its four arms and immense strength. There were also some cranes for the heavier cargo, powered by electric Pokémon.

Sabrina called for a carriage once they were out on the streets.

"Is there something specific you'd like to see in the city?" Sabrina inquired. "If you want to stay and explore, I must leave you here. I have to return to Saffron City."

"Are you going to use the tower?" Lucas asked. He was curious about what it felt like for a Pokemon to teleport him to another location. When he returned to Viridian City, he planned to use the teleportation tower to save time.

"The scenery along Route 6 is truly breathtaking," Sabrina said. "I urge you to experience it firsthand."

"Then let's head straight to Saffron City. I can explore Vermilion later."

When he arrived at the harbour, he had to disable his Itemfinder function because it kept beeping. Despite there being fewer items per area compared to the cruise ship, it still beeped often enough to be annoying.

Sabrina glanced at Brock, who shrugged. He had no solid plans, so he was just going with the flow.

They directed the driver to take them to Saffron City. The carriage navigated through the city, heading for the northern entrance. Along the way, Lucas saw numerous specialist stores selling electronics, furniture, apparel, and carriages. A shop that piqued his interest specialised in trainer outfits, designed to protect against injury and harsh environments. Although he had seen similar items in Viridian City, they were beyond his budget at the time. The outfits were made from Pokemon materials, which provided extra protection as well as a range of additional benefits.

"What are the ethics of selling Pokemon materials?" Lucas asked. "Surely, we can't kill them just to harvest their bodies."

Meowth's slave collar had also been made of Pokémon materials, so he had always thought the act of harvesting them was unethical and illegal.

"It's illegal to kill a Pokemon for the sole purpose of harvesting their bodies," Sabrina said. "The owner can only harvest them after they have died due to natural causes or circumstances beyond their control."

"That seems like a difficult thing to police," Brock observed.

"That's correct," Sabrina said, nodding in agreement. "Typically, the Rangers deal with this issue, but the government has also established a dedicated department to address it."

"You don't want to piss off the legendaries," Lucas snorted.

Sabrina sighed. "Avoiding upsetting legendary Pokémon is a vital part of the government's responsibility. Since we cannot match their power, we must simply endure. That is why they have implemented policies to protect Pokémon from human abuse, preventing retaliation from the legendaries."

"I approve of what the legendaries did," Brock admitted. "The world seems more balanced, and there are no major conflicts that cost lives."

Lucas pointed his finger at him accusingly, half in jest. "Don't tell me, you belong to the Church of Arceus?"

"No way!" Brock scowled, folding his arms in protest.

"I don't think the world is at all balanced," Lucas said, turning serious. "If the government is so concerned about retribution from the legendaries, why is it allowing organisations like Team Rocket to exist?"

"I don't have a good answer for that," Sabrina said. "Team Rocket is an organisation with a presence throughout the United Kanto Region, and within the government. They are like cancer that keeps coming back, no matter how many times we remove them."

Security was significantly more stringent here. A checkpoint inside a gated building required them to show their identification, and security personnel searched the carriages for contraband. They also had to pay a toll, which Lucas considered unfair. Given how close and densely populated the five eastern cities were, the government must be making a lot of pokedollars just from the toll fees alone.

Lucas noticed a structure just outside the city with a set of stairs leading underground. "Is that the underground route?"

Sabrina followed his gaze. "The underground tunnels are extensive, linking all five major cities in the east. The tunnels have fallen into disrepair and are no longer in frequent use. Criminals use it as a place to hide from the authorities, so it's not a safe area to venture into."

Lucas frowned. "Doesn't the government care about apprehending them?"

"Cleaning up is more trouble than it is worth because they lack the resources to search the tunnels. The authorities' mindset is that you enter at your own risk."

Lucas could understand the government's reasoning. Given how extensive the tunnels were to connect all five cities, cleaning them up would be a massive undertaking.

The route between Vermilion and Saffron City was much more developed than other locations he had visited. This area of Kanto was the hub of both commerce and political power, and it demonstrated how easy people's lives were in comparison to other areas. However, he imagined there would be a lot more crime, which balanced it out.

The path resembled a watercolour painting with its scenic beauty. Lush pastures, charming cottages, gardens, and tranquil ponds lined either side of the road. Lucas often spotted Ranger's patrolling, but he felt their presence was mostly superfluous due to the scarcity of wild Pokemon.

After a few hours of travel, the carriage reached Saffron City. Lucas' initial view of the city was of the tall skyscrapers that filled the skyline. After crossing the checkpoint, he was able to observe the capital city of the United Regions of Kanto for the first time. Unlike Vermilion City's lively and vibrant feel with its oceanic vibes, Saffron City turned out to be underwhelming. Drab grey tones and limited colour diversity appeared to envelope the city in a sombre atmosphere.

The carriage made its way down the paved road, and traffic became more congested as it ventured further into the heart of the city.

Sabrina noticed his disappointment. "Saffron City is a product of the old world before the war. It's an ageing edifice that refuses to change, although there has been some progress in recent memory. You will see it as you explore the city more."

Lucas could confirm what she had said. The further they travelled, the more he noticed splashes of colour popping up here and there, adding some vibrancy to the city. Meowth poked his head out the window, looking excited. He was an urban dweller at heart.

Sabrina handed him a map. "I got this at the checkpoint. You will need it if you wish to avoid becoming lost. Where do you want to get off?"

Lucas looked at the map, which was extremely detailed and included all of the main services and important locations. The map also listed the Devon Corporation, whose building occupied nearly an entire city block. According to his recollection, the government purchased the company after the war and played an important role in producing the majority of Pokemon technology specifically for the Kanto region.

"Drop us off at the trainer's square," Lucas said. "Brock and I can check into a hotel first before we start exploring."

Sabrina thought for a moment before speaking. "I live in an apartment complex. I could find you an empty apartment in the building if you'd like."

Lucas shook his head. "I'm not sure how long I will stay here, but it will not be long. Viridian City will be my home for the foreseeable future."

Sabrina nodded, turning her head away to look out the window.

Lucas observed her, wondering if she was disappointed that he would not be staying in the city any longer. Her expression was difficult to decipher. Since their first meeting, Sabrina has made incredible progress and has become much more approachable. She used to speak in an extremely formal manner, as if raised by an ancient noble family. However, he had noticed a significant improvement in her social skills and took great pleasure in seeing her emerge from her shell.

"When will you finish your business in the city?" Lucas asked. "You are always welcome to come visit me when you return to finish your vacation."

"I will be busy for the next few weeks," Sabrina said, smiling in response to his suggestion. "My uncle needs me right now, but I will take you up on your offer when I am finished with my business."

The carriage arrived at Trainer's Square, where Brock and Lucas disembarked. Sabrina seemed to want to say something, so he handed Meowth over to Brock and shooed them away.

"This is my address," Sabrina said, passing him a piece of paper. "I don't have time today, but I would like to speak with you if you have the opportunity tomorrow. Shall we have dinner together around seven in the evening?"

"I'm looking forward to it," Lucas replied. "What do you want to speak about?"

Sabrina hesitated, biting her lip. "If we are to continue this relationship, I need to tell you about my past. You may change your mind about having a relationship once you know the truth."

"That is not going to happen," Lucas insisted, pulling her in closer and kissing her deeply. "I don't care about what happened in your past, but I am willing to listen."

Sabrina appeared a little disoriented. "Alright."

"By the way, do you happen to know a good auction house in the city?"

"There's the Payday Auction House. It has the best reputation out of the three in the city."

Lucas glanced at Meowth. "That sounds a little sketchy."

Meowth opened his mouth in protest, but Lucas quickly covered it with his hand.

Sabrine climbed back into the carriage and watched it pull away before approaching Brock. "Let's find a place to stay."

Brock pointed at a nearby building. "This hotel looks good enough, and it is within my budget."

Lucas checked his watch. It was already mid-afternoon. He needed to finish his main business today, so he couldn't waste time looking for a place to stay.

"Alright, let's go get checked in, and then I need to head to the alchemist guild."

A woman at the hotel distracted Brock, leading him to abandon Lucas in pursuit of her. Promising to meet up later, Lucas set out on his own and headed to the Alchemist Guild.

"When are you going to tell your friends that I can talk, Meowth? I find it difficult to keep quiet all of the time, especially if you plan on spending more time with them in the future."

The question took Lucas by surprise. "I didn't think you would want to reveal your secret. I have no objections to sharing your secret with Sabrina, but it is probably too soon with Brock. I have not known him long, and I am not sure how long he will be around."

"Dat sounds like a plan."

Situated on the western side of the city, the Alchemist Guild was a magnificent dome-shaped structure, primarily made of glass. The front entrance exuded extravagance, with a gold cauldron sculpture on display. Although modern alchemy rarely used cauldrons, some alchemists continued to use them for specific potions, but it was still unusual to display it in front of the guild. Lucas wondered if the statue was really made out of gold and if anyone tried to steal it. It looked like it weighed several tonnes, though, so it wouldn't be easy to steal.

Meowth's eyes glowed when he saw the cauldron. "Partner, I wonder if it's attached to the floor. "Maybe you can keep it in your inventory."

Lucas snorted. "I doubt it would be so easy. The guild must employ plenty of security. They would be able to afford it."

There were a few guards at the entrance, but he suspected there were more hidden out of sight. Lucas entered the building and approached the counter. He stood in line and looked around as he waited.

The first floor of the guild catered to the general public and featured three distinct sections. Similar to the adventurer's guild, there was a mission board where people could post requests for the guild members. The next section was a shopping area where you could buy potions, ingredients, and various alchemy equipment. The third section functioned similarly to a combined medical and Pokemon centre, serving both humans and Pokemon. In the event of an emergency, you could seek treatment here rather than at another medical facility.

The female attendant at the front desk welcomed him. "What can I do for you, sir?"

"I would like to register with the guild."

"To register with the guild, you must pass a test in which you create a potion using our facilities," the attendant replied. "We have an alchemy room available for you if you want to take the test right now. One of our guild's examiners will monitor you to ensure that no cheating occurs. A fee of five hundred pokedollars is required, and you need to use your own ingredients."

"Do you want to return to your pokeball?" Lucas asked.

Meowth shook his head and hopped onto the counter, surprising the woman.

Lucas rolled his eyes. "Do you mind if he stays here while I take my test? He hates it when I make potions because he is very particular about his fur."

Meowth rolled over, showing his belly, and the woman cooed. She rubbed Meowth's belly, assuring Lucas that he would be taken care of.

After paying the fee, the staff guided Lucas to the second floor, where guild members had access to over two dozen alchemy rooms. After meeting with his examiner, Lucas entered the room and saw a basic potion station setup. There was ventilation to keep the room free of fumes, which could be dangerous if inhaled.

"What potion are you planning to make?" The examiner inquired. Mr. Silva was a senior alchemist with a cheerful demeanour and a bulging belly that stretched his shirt to breaking point.

"A smoke grenade," Lucas answered. He wanted to use it because it wasn't that valuable compared to the growth potion, and he didn't know how to make any other potions except the face-changing potion. He wasn't going to reveal that potion to the world.

"I'm not familiar with that potion," Silva admitted.

Lucas grabbed one from his backpack and handed it to him. "It's a potion that emits a lot of smoke to obscure the surroundings. It's ideal for escaping dangerous situations."

"Alright, we can test it out once you have made the potion," Silva said. "Proceed."

Lucas took out the ingredients he needed and checked the equipment to ensure it was clean. As he observed this action, Silva nodded his approval. By this point, Lucas had had plenty of practice making the potion, so he didn't run into any issues. He was only concerned about its high viscosity, which meant it would harden quickly if not removed from the heat at the appropriate time.

He poured the mixture into a glass vial and handed it to the examiner. Silva examined the two side by side and concluded that they were identical. "Let's test it out. The ventilation system will remove the smoke."

They retreated to the doorway, and Silva tossed the potion against the far wall. It shattered, and smoke poured out, filling the room. MSilva quickly shut the door and turned to Lucas.

"What a marvellous potion!" Silva exclaimed. "Did you invent this potion?"

Lucas nodded.

"That's an incredible accomplishment for such a young man," Silva said, rubbing his hands together. "Do you intend to sell the recipe to the guild? I imagine it would be worth a fair bit of pokedollars, depending on the evaluation. You will also receive some guild points as well."

"I will think about it," Lucas replied.

Even though receiving guild points sounded appealing, he was aware that the guild wouldn't offer him that many pokedollars in comparison to what it was truly worth. He would get more recipes in the future, so sacrificing one wasn't the end of the world, but he needed to think about other options first.

Silva appeared disappointed, but he said nothing. He led Lucas back downstairs and guided him through the guild registration process. Before leaving, Silva gave him a business card and told him to call if he needed anything.

Lucas examined his new guild card, which looked similar to an adventurer's guild card.

Kanto Alchemist's Guild

Name: Lucas Walker

Sex: Male

Age: 18

Rank: Novice Alchemist

Next: [0/500]

Requests Completed: 0

Membership No. 76751

The Alchemist Guild had only five ranks, but it was increasingly difficult to advance to the next one because requests usually included specific quality requirements for the potions. If he failed to complete a request, he would receive a much harsher punishment compared to the adventurer's guild. He needed to make sure he accepted requests that were appropriate for his skill level, or he would be wasting his time.

Lucas considered looking at the request board but decided to come back another day when he had more free time. As they left the building, Meowth hopped back onto his shoulder.

"You didn't steal from the poor woman, did you?" Lucas asked.

"I find your insinuation offensive," Meowth said, waving his paw around.

Lucas raised an eyebrow.

Meowth sighed. "She had nothing of value. What a pauper!"

Lucas pulled out a map and looked for the Payday Auction House. It was several blocks away from here, but he needed to attend to some business first.

He went to the shops and sold all of the valuable hidden items he had found. He also got rid of some of the extra recovery items and pokeballs because he didn't think he would ever use them all, and he could always find more later. It created some much-needed space in his inventory.

Lucas headed to a public toilet and drank the face-changing potion. He experienced the painless but strange sensation of his face melting.

He was aware that the change was only superficial, as a potion could not perform reconstructive surgery on his face and then restore it to normal in a matter of hours. But when he looked in the mirror, he was astounded by the transformation. He looked completely different.

Lucas made his way to the auction house.

The Payday Auction House turned out to be even more extravagant than the alchemist guild. The towering statue of Meowth perched atop the roof made it abundantly clear that he served as the establishment's inspiration. Several pillars supported a grand arch at the entrance, welcoming visitors into the lavishly decorated foyer with a magnificent chandelier hanging overhead.

"Now, this is my kind of place!" Meowth exclaimed. "Do you think we will get a discount because of my presence?"

"Be quiet," Lucas said as they approached the front desk, where a sharply dressed attendant waited to serve them.

"How can I help you, sir?" The attendant's moustache twitched as he sneered, looking at his shabby clothes with disapproval.

Lucas didn't care what the man thought of him. He pulled a growth potion out of his pocket and showed it to the man. "I wish to sell this at the auction."

The man grabbed the potion and examined it carefully. "I don't recognise this potion. What are its effects?"

Lucas told him, and the man's eyes widened. He looked at Lucas with clear suspicion, and it appeared as if he was going to dismiss him without verifying the potion.

"If I go to another auction house and it turns out this potion is valuable, you will be in big trouble."

The attendant frowned, then motioned for Lucas to follow him. He led him down a corridor with several doorways, then stopped in front of one and knocked. The door was adorned with the words "Snorly, the potions' appraiser."

What an odd name.

The attendant opened the door, and Lucas followed him in. The scene before him stunned him. The room's only piece of furniture was a small desk in the corner, with several apparatuses placed on top of it. Behind the desk, an elderly man sat reading a paper in front of him. However, what caught his attention the most was the massive Pokemon lounging on the floor.

Species: Snorlax

Level: 61

Condition: Perfect

Threat Level: Zero

This couldn't be Snorly, right? The Snorlax was so huge that he didn't know how it would fit through the door. Huge piles of food surrounded Snorlax, which it was currently snacking on. When they entered, it didn't even look up.

"Excuse me, sir. I have an unidentified potion that requires evaluation," the attendant said with a bow, his attitude completely different from when he spoke to Lucas.

The elderly man looked up. "What are the effects?"

When the attendant told him, the elderly man stood up and rushed over to retrieve the potion vial from his hands. He examined it for more than a minute before turning to speak with Lucas.

"Kid, my name is Jasper," the elderly man said. He couldn't have been more than five feet tall, dressed in a brown tweed suit, and hunched over as if he were carrying a heavy weight on his back.

"Lucas."

"You better not be lying about the potion's effects," Jasper grunted. "Or I will feed you to Snorly. You will not even be considered a snack to him."

"Snorlax." The Pokemon chuckled and slapped his belly.

"I'm not lying. How are you going to verify the potion?" Lucas asked. "It usually takes a week to see the full effects of the potion."

Instead of answering him, Jasper walked over to Snorlax. He unstoppered the vial and grabbed a dropper from his pocket to take a small sample of the potion. Snorlax's mouth opened, and Jasper fed him the sample.

"How is it, Snorly?" Jasper asked. "Does the potion work?"

After a brief pause, Snorly raised his hand and gave Jasper the thumbs up. Lucas looked at the two, confused about what was going on.

Jasper smiled when he noticed his confusion. He seemed to be friendlier than just a moment ago. "Snorlax has a unique ability that mutated from the Gluttony special ability. He can taste something and determine its effects."

Lucas' jaw dropped. "That's an incredible ability."

To confirm the man's words, he used Insight to examine Snorlax. Sure enough, the ability existed, and it was called Gourmet.

Jasper clapped his hands. "Now that we've verified the potion, let's discuss business. Marcus, please bring some refreshments to my office."

Marcus bowed and departed. Jasper led Lucas out of the room and down the corridor to a set of stairs leading to the second floor. They arrived at a spacious office, where Jasper sat comfortably in a leather chair and provided some refreshments.

"I am the owner of Payday Auction House," Jasper explained, nodding to Meowth on Lucas' shoulder. "I approve of your taste in Pokemon. I used to have a Meowth, but he died more than twenty years ago. He was the inspiration behind building this company."

Lucas was about to respond when the man waved him off.

"Forget about it. I am here to conduct business, not reminisce. Since you came to this auction house, I assume you want to sell your potion. How would you like to go about it? I can offer you a price for it, or you can take your chances and sell it at the auction."

"How much are you offering me?" Lucas asked.

"Forty thousand pokedollars," Jasper stated. "I'm willing to buy all the growth potions you have."

Lucas didn't have to think about it for too long. "I'm going to sell it at auction, and I have five other growth potions as well. Will you keep my identity a secret?"

Jasper nodded. "I promise not to reveal your identity, and I'll provide you with a secret exit to prevent anyone from following you. However, I cannot guarantee complete confidentiality. There are a lot of people watching the auction houses with their own agendas."

Lucas appreciated the man's honesty.

Jasper pulled a pocket watch out of his pocket and checked the time. "There happens to be an auction happening tonight, and I can add your potions to the list to be auctioned. Are you interested?"

Lucas grinned. "Of course."

So, what do you think? Lucas will be rolling in the pokedollars soon, but is there anything at the auction that will catch his eye?

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Thanks for reading.