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

Hi all,

Here's the next chapter. Lucas gets another visit from Mew and learns about the potential benefits of Ho-Oh's gift.

Chapter 51

Lucas finished recounting all the details of his encounter with Ho-Oh to the operator.

"Understood, we will monitor Ho-Oh's movements," the operator assured him. "I will alert the team to be prepared to move out if necessary. Do you think Ho-Oh will stir up trouble?"

Lucas's attention remained fixed on the gift that Ho-oh had left him. "I think it's just passing through the area, but it's hard to say for sure."

"Thanks for the information," the operator said before ending the call.

Lucas put his phone away and crouched down. He was still unsure what he would do with the item. What possible purpose could a pile of ash serve? Getting an idea, he activated his Green Thumb skill and tried to read its properties but was disappointed. No information was found, so it wasn't an ingredient.

He waited for the ash to cool before scooping it into empty glass vials, careful not to miss any of it. For all he knew, the pile of ashes was worth a fortune.

"Let's press on with our exploration. We still have ingredients to gather for the Adventurers' Guild."

He could have simply turned in the ingredients he had bought from Arceus's Emporium, but he was already here, so he might as well harvest them. Furthermore, the store's inventory of ingredients was still limited, so he didn't want to rely on it too heavily. He could miss out on discovering new ingredients.

The map made it easy to revisit locations with renewable ingredients, especially after purchasing the most recent upgrade, which significantly improved navigation and safety. It provided detailed information on Pokemon territories, including levels, available types, group behaviour, Pokemon trails, watering holes and entrances to underground areas.

He still needed to explore the area to discover the details but was gradually compiling a detailed map of the southern Viridian Forest. Although it was so expansive, he expected it to take months to map out the entire forest, something he didn't have the time or inclination to do.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Lucas returned to Viridian City and visited the Adventurers' Guild. He headed straight for the counter and handed in the ingredients to complete the missions. The attendant congratulated him on his new rank and updated his guild card to reflect his new status. The attendant recognised Lucas and gushed over him for several minutes before he managed to get away.

The new rank gave him access to a wider range of missions, but he wasn't too concerned about taking on any more right now. He sat at a table and opened his menu to the Arceus's Emporium screen. Several new items were now available to him after he had advanced in rank. All of them were related to adventuring.

The first item was called "Lucas's Inventory Belt." It was a sturdy, adjustable belt with six clips to hold his pokeballs. However, it also had a secret compartment that gave him access to ten inventory slots for additional pokeballs. It would be easier to access than his main inventory and would offer more storage space. The belt also had several slots for potion vials.

"I'm definitely buying this."

The belt looked like an understated version of Batman's tool belt but it was made of leather. It cost him 50,000 pokedollars, and he didn't hesitate to purchase it. He would try it on when he got home.

The second item was a portable camping kit. It included essentials like a sturdy tent, sleeping bag, portable stove and cooking utensils. It had a hidden repellent effect that prevented Pokemon below level sixty from approaching the encampment. Although the equipment would last for a long time, the repellent effect was only effective for ten applications. It cost 50,000 pokedollars per kit, but it could come in handy if he ever wanted to sleep in territories with high-level Pokemon.

The third item was the most interesting of the bunch. It was called a secret base kit, and it could be used to build a hidden base in a variety of natural settings. It would terraform an area, creating a space for him to decorate and furnish as he saw fit. What was important was that no one could find the base unless he showed it to them, ensuring their complete security.

There were three sizes: small, medium and large, each costing 150,000, 300,000 and 500,000 pokedollars respectively. Each secret base would have several rooms that provided all the basic amenities, such as a living room, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. There was also an alchemy room with ventilation, which kept him from choking on fumes.

"Should I buy one?" Lucas deliberated for a moment before deciding against it. "Let's wait until I find a suitable location first."

Closing the menu, Lucas rose from his seat. On his way to the exit, a young man with short green hair and a business suit intercepted him.

"Hello, Mr Walker," the man said, flashing his pearly whites. He appeared somewhat predatory. "My name is Butch. It's an honour to meet you."

Lucas eyed him cautiously. "Hello. Can I help you with something?"

"It's not about how you can help me, but how I can help you," Butch explained, revealing a Lucas Walker fan club shirt beneath his jacket. "I am the president and founder of the Lucas Walker fan club. I have admired you since witnessing your skill in the battle arena."

"I've met many fans but don't recall meeting you."

Butch shook his head. "I've been occupied with other matters, I'm afraid. However, I have been closely following your achievements. It's remarkable to see how much you've accomplished in such a short time. May I shake your hand?"

"Sure." Lucas, bemused, shook his hand.

Although the man was overly enthusiastic, Lucas sensed no ill intentions from him. Yet, his narrowed eyes and knowing smirk hinted at a less-than-savoury character. "I appreciate the support, but was there a specific reason you wanted to talk to me?"

"Can we talk somewhere private?" Butch inquired, scanning his surroundings. Several people were watching them and weren't being coy about it.

"I'm on my way home," Lucas replied. "We can talk as we walk."

As they strolled, Butch appeared hesitant to speak at first, fidgeting with his collar.

"Out with it," Lucas finally prompted, his patience wearing thin.

"Do you know how much this suit costs?" Butch asked.

Lucas glanced at him. He thought the suit looked too flashy for his tastes but knew it had to be worth quite a bit. "A few thousand, I imagine. Although, it doesn't quite match the shirt."

Butch chuckled. "This suit set me back over eight thousand pokedollars. Just a few months ago, I struggled to afford three meals a day."

"What changed?"

"You changed my fortunes," Butch said. "After seeing you in the arena, I sensed good vibes. I took a risk, borrowed some money and bet on your matches."

"Isn't gambling prohibited in the battle arena?" Lucas questioned.

"Who said the gambling had to be in the arena?" Butch retorted. "There's a thriving underground gambling scene in Saffron City if you know where to look."

Lucas nodded. "I see. But why bet on me? I didn't win every match."

"You won most of them," Butch said, shrugging. "I bet big on your first day and made a good profit. I established the fan club as a token of appreciation for changing my fortunes."

"What's your usual line of work?"

"I'm a personal manager, handling affairs for the wealthy and famous," Butch explained. "Anything they don't want to bother with themselves. I was good at my job, and I used to get paid handsomely for it."

Lucas raised his eyebrow. "Something changed."

"Yes. I have been unemployed for quite some time. Ever since..."

"Since when?" Lucas prompted.

"Since news broke about my past involvement with Team Rocket," Butch confessed, meeting Lucas's shocked gaze. "It's the same reaction I receive from everyone who knows. My last client discovered my history and publicly fired me on national television. No one has wanted to hire me ever since."

Lucas winced. That must have been a difficult experience. Although he didn't approve of his previous association with Team Rocket, he admired the man's candour in disclosing his past.

"What made you join Team Rocket in the first place?"

Butch shrugged. "I was recruited at a young age, and poor children are particularly vulnerable to manipulation. I don't have any family, so I grew up in an orphanage. Many of the orphans were recruited by Team Rocket, just like me."

Lucas wasn't surprised by the tactic of targeting orphans; it echoed similar experiences in Pallet Town, where the Fearow Gang preyed on the vulnerable children at the orphanage in the lower district.

"How long were you involved with Team Rocket?" Lucas asked.

"Only a few years," Butch replied. "I quickly realised it wasn't for me. Hurting others didn't sit right with me. A policewoman I met helped me break away from that life, and I've never looked back."

"What about stealing?"

Butch adopted a shifty expression. "I sometimes resort to questionable means to get by."

It sounded like he and Meowth were kindred spirits.

Lucas ceased walking. "Okay, as interesting as that story is, there must be a reason you are telling me it. What do you want?"

Butch's grin turned sly, producing a business card from his pocket. "I believe you see where this is going. With the attention you're receiving, you'll need someone to manage your affairs. I've heard about your plans to start a breeding business. I could assist you with that."

Before Lucas could respond, Butch handed him the card. "Take your time to think it over. I'll be waiting for your decision."

With a wave, Butch departed, leaving Lucas to study the card before he tucked it away in his pocket. It couldn't hurt to hold onto it for now.

Later that evening, Lucas sat at his computer and used a search engine to look up some topics that needed research. The situation with Ho-Oh proved to be a false alarm, as the legendary bird only passed through the area and caused no problems. Ho-Oh was last spotted heading south out to sea.

He began by searching the internet for any information about Butch.

After consulting with Sabrina, they determined they needed a personal manager. Sabrina was in the same situation as him, dealing with the fame that resulted from their heroics with the legendary Pokemon. It was not just the crowds of people who were bothering them. There were also interview requests from news stations, talk shows and other media outlets.

They would prefer to hire someone who could handle both of their affairs. Because Butch had raised his hand first, Lucas would consider his offer. He was fine with the man being a little sketchy, as long as he did not go too far. His connections to the criminal world might even help him avoid trouble in the future.

He came across the video of Butch being fired and could not help but laugh at Butch's reaction when his client dropped the bombshell on him. He was certain that it had been devastating for Butch at the time, but people like him were resourceful and did not stay down long. He spent the next half-hour looking for more information on Butch, and there was plenty of it. Sabrina was going to have her uncle do a background check on him, but it never hurts to do an investigation of one's own.

Lucas started researching Ho-Oh next. He wanted to see if there was any mention of the ash anywhere. There was a wealth of information gathered about sightings of the legendary bird, with the majority of those sightings happening across several towers in the former Johto region. Out of all the legendaries, it was one of the most mysterious and rarely showed itself to others.

He leaned back in his seat. "There's no mention of Ho-Oh dropping presents from the sky."

"That's because that's the first time it's happened."

Lucas's heart leapt into his throat, and he spun the chair around to find Meowth sitting on the bed. He had not even heard the Pokemon enter the office. As soon as he recovered from his fear, he noticed Meowth was acting strangely, with the same blank expression as before…

"Is that you, Mew?"

"Dat's right."

Lucas snorted. Mew had a playful side. Since he was here, it was an excellent opportunity to pick his brain.

"Can you tell me what this ash is?"

"It's known as Sacred Ash, a residue of Ho-Oh's Sacred Flame," Mew explained. "A prized possession indeed. It's a really valuable item."

"What purpose does it serve? It's not an ingredient. I already checked."

"No, but it is related to alchemy. If you reignite the ash, it will burn with a strong flame lasting for several hours. Furthermore, the Sacred Ash will never disappear. It can help you improve your alchemy skills and create even better potions."

"How so?" Lucas pressed. "My methods rely on equipment; the flame does not touch the ingredients directly."

"I recommend that you do some research on ancient alchemy techniques to find your answer."

Lucas turned around and typed a query into the search engine. Mew was referring to an ancient alchemy technique which involved using an alchemy pot. He looked up the basic method of making potions using this method.

Basic Methodology of Alchemy Pots

To make potions with an alchemy pot and an open flame, fill the alchemy pot with water and place it over the flame to heat it. Once the water is simmering, carefully add the ingredients in the correct order, as directed in the potion recipe. The heat from the flame would help to combine the ingredients and extract their properties.

Then, slowly and steadily stir the mixture, allowing the potion to brew and achieve the desired consistency. As the potion begins to take shape, keep a close eye on the temperature and adjust the flame as needed to maintain the desired level of heat. Depending on whether you are creating a gel, potion, or pill, the time it takes will vary.

Finally, once the potion has been fully brewed and infused with magic, carefully remove it from the flame and allow it to cool before transferring it to a vial or bottle for storage or immediate use. With practice and skill, you can create potent concoctions with only an alchemy pot and an open flame.

Lucas stopped reading and turned to Mew. "Hold on a moment. The flame simply heats the pot. How is the Sacred Flame going to affect the outcome?"

"Why do you not try putting the flame inside the pot? I'm sure you will get some interesting results from doing so."

"How am I supposed to control this flame?"

Meowth pointed to the book on the coffee table. "You are learning about aura manipulation. Why not harness your aura to wield the flames?"

The suggestion sparked a surge of inspiration within Lucas. The idea of merging ancient alchemy techniques with aura manipulation was daunting and exhilarating. If he pursued this method, he would have to learn alchemy from the ground up. Instead of relying on equipment to do most of the work, he would take a more active role in creating the potions. If the flames directly touched the ingredients, it would fundamentally change their chemical reaction. Could he even reproduce something like the growth potion with it? Could he improve it?

"Before I depart," Meowth interrupted Lucas' thoughts. "I must issue a cautionary note. I suspect Ho-Oh has an underlying motive for gifting you the Sacred Ash."

"Even if that is true, the Sacred Ash is too valuable to give up. What motive do you believe it has?"

"I can only speculate," Meowth replied. "The most obvious answer is that Ho-Oh wants you to master alchemy so you can help it grow stronger."

"What do you mean?"

"We legendaries have a difficult time improving our strength due to our high level. Fighting other Pokemon is no longer an option, so we must find alternative ways to advance our level. One of those possibilities is through alchemy."

Lucas paused to think about his answer. "If that is the case, I'm not losing out. If it wants me to create pills for it in the future, it's in Ho-Oh's best interests to keep me around."

"Indeed, a valid point," Meowth acknowledged. "But you still need to exercise caution. If the other legendaries offer you their sacred items, I recommend that you think about it carefully."

"Sacred items?"

Meowth nodded. "We all have sacred items that we treasure. Consider Ho-Oh as an example. The Sacred Ash is not created solely from the Sacred Flame. It entails depleting an extremely valuable and scarce resource."

Lucas's curiosity was piqued. "What's your sacred item?"

"None of your business."

Sensing the conversation drawing to a close, Lucas seized the moment for one final question. "Do you have any knowledge of Mewtwo's whereabouts?"

"Yes, but I do not dare approach him right now," Meowth replied. "After being freed from Giovanni's control, he is confused and most likely volatile. I'm not even sure if there are any consequences from being created in a laboratory."

"Is it possible that he possesses some negative traits?" Lucas asked. "I have some trait-shedding potions that may be able to help, but I would need to physically touch Mewtwo to use them."

"That is an interesting solution. If I meet him, I will try to determine his condition."

Meowth abruptly fell off the bed and landed on his face. He shook his head and rose to his feet. "Where am I?"

"Mew came to visit," Lucas told him.

"Not this again!" Meowth exclaimed, clearly exasperated. "If he keeps hijacking my body, that rascal might just give me brain damage!"

Lucas couldn't contain his laughter. "I think it's a bit late for that."

Meowth darted out of the room. "This is all your fault!"

Lucas returned to the computer and logged into the forum where he had posted his article. It had gained significant traction in the past week. He scrolled down through the comments, pausing when he saw someone he recognised.

Professor Oak: "This is extraordinary! I have been conducting experiments with some of my colleagues, and I can confidently say that this theory has merit. More research is needed, but I am confident this will revolutionise Pokemon training. Could the author of this article please send me an email so we can discuss it further? I would like to learn more about effort values."

There were dozens of responses to Professor Oak's comment, with most of them positive. That was the result of having someone credible support your work. He was sure that it would gain more momentum in the future.

Lucas grinned. "I would love to see Oak's reaction if he found out I had posted the article."

As Lucas delved deeper into the forum, he stumbled upon a peculiar trend. It appeared that several users had adopted "Enigma" as their username in jest. Their posts were filled with outlandish claims and fantastical stories, diluting the credibility of anyone using the name seriously. His article was the only one left unaffected because it was the original.

Lucas left the computer desk and reached for the 'Aura Infusion and Sculpting' book on the table before sitting down on the couch. He had been practising the first exercise outlined in the book for days, attempting to materialise his aura with limited success. The process proved difficult, requiring a wide range of strategies and techniques to master.

The first step in manifesting aura involved practising deep meditation to establish a connection with one's inner energy and life force. This demanded a state of complete focus and a tranquil mind, a task that proved to be quite daunting for Lucas at first.

The next step was to visualise the aura as a vibrant, colourful energy form that existed outside of the physical body. Initially, the most basic approach was to visualise the aura gathering on one's hand. The manifestation often took on unique forms that weren't easily controlled consciously and typically mirrored natural elements. Lucas' aura manifested as crackling blue lightning, with electric energy pulsing within his grasp.

After developing a strong connection to one's aura through meditation and visualisation, the individual can begin to manipulate and shape the energy. This could include moving the aura around the body, expanding or contracting it, or even changing its colour and intensity using focused intention and energy control.

Intent and emotion played a crucial role in materialising aura. By directing positive emotions, intentions, and beliefs into the process, the individual can strengthen and expand their aura, making it more tangible and visible to others.

Lucas raised his hand, his gaze unwavering as he descended into the depths of his power. In a moment of intense concentration, lightning appeared within his palm, a mesmerising display of power that danced without scorching his skin or causing discomfort. Lucas considered the possibilities, envisioning lethal attacks based on this electrified aura. The image of Emperor Palpatine wielding force lightning to defeat his enemies flashed in his mind, eliciting a mischievous grin.

Putting aside the allure of destructive power, Lucas reminded himself of his main goal: to master energy manipulation and learn the Aura Barrier skill. He could see himself creating a new barrier skill, but the process would be time-consuming.

To learn Aura Barrier, he needed to first shape and expand his aura into a form similar to a flat pane of glass. Starting small, he focused on perfecting the form before expanding it in size. Before he could shape it, he needed to consolidate the individual strands of lightning energy that made up his aura.

Lucas honed his focus on his aura, visualising the crackling lightning energy coalescing into a singular entity. Gradually, the flickering bolts intertwined, merging into a sphere of energy the size of a tennis ball. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as his aura resisted the transformation, threatening to fragment and revert to its original lightning form. He persevered for several moments, his willpower battling the unruly energy within his grasp. Despite his efforts, the aura succumbed to the strain, collapsing back into its familiar lightning configuration.

Lucas exhaled in frustration. This was going to take a while.

Lucas, Sabrina, and Daisy travelled to Pallet Town to witness the beginning of Ash, Delia, and Misty's Pokemon journey. Delia had initially hesitated, preferring to delay their journey until March to avoid the harsh winter conditions, but Ash's enthusiasm had swayed her decision, compelling them to set out sooner than planned. Because the Pokemon League ran on a two-year cycle, and they were in the middle of it, Ash only had a year to collect all sixteen badges from the United Kanto region and prepare for the junior competition.

Arriving at the Ketchum house, they were met with a bustling crowd gathered on the front lawn, with familiar faces like Professor Oak and his grandson among them.

He greeted the adults first, then moved on to Ash, who was speaking with Misty and Gary. They all had their packs with them, full of supplies and equipment for their journey. Sitting on Ash's shoulder was the Pidgey Lucas had gifted him, as well as a new addition that surprised him.

"Pika!"

"Hey, kids," Lucas greeted them warmly. "Ready to kick off your adventure?"

"Absolutely!" Ash exclaimed, pumping his fist, nearly dislodging his Pokemon from his shoulders.

Gary, on the other hand, adopted a nonchalant air. "There's nothing worth getting excited about."

Misty ruffled Gary's hair, prompting a scowl from him. "Quit trying to be all cool."

Lucas pointed to the Pikachu standing on Ash's shoulder. "I see you have a new companion. Where did you get him?"

Ash grinned. "Professor Oak gave him to me. He was researching a Pichu egg, which hatched into a Pikachu."

Lucas nodded. He had delivered the egg to the professor. The research sought to determine how certain Pokemon evolved in their eggs. He could accomplish it without doing any research thanks to his ability, but it didn't work for every Pokemon.

Gary snorted. "Grandpa was so disappointed with his research findings that he decided to discard Pikachu like yesterday's leftovers. Ash sure got lucky."

"Pika!" Pikachu's cheeks sparked violently, prompting Gary to flee.

"Stupid Gary," Ash mumbled.

"Who will be accompanying Gary on his travels?" Lucas inquired. "Is he tagging along with you?"

"Heck no," Ash retorted. "He's got some cheerleader lady following him around. Have you seen her? She's waving pom-poms and screaming Gary's name."

Lucas spotted her in the crowd and observed her for a moment. "She's definitely full of energy."

"That's one way to put it," Misty remarked sarcastically.

Lucas grinned. "I'm sure Professor Oak had more in mind than just her cheerleading skills when he hired her. She has to protect Gary, after all."

"My mum would outshine her as a cheerleader," Ash smirked, though his smile faded. "But I'd rather not have someone constantly reminding me to change my underwear."

Misty and Lucas chuckled at Ash's embarrassed expression.

"May I borrow Pidgey for a moment?" Lucas requested, and Ash handed the Pokemon over.

Using his Insight skill on Pidgey, Lucas nodded in satisfaction. Ash was taking good care of him. Pidgey was the first egg he bred as a Pokemon Breeder, although he didn't benefit fully due to his developing skills at the time. Pidgey's stats and potential slightly exceeded Icarus', although he wouldn't benefit from the same evolutionary bonuses.

He summoned Icarus and Icaria to spend some time playing with their son.

"Check this out," Ash exclaimed, pulling a red object from his pocket. "It's a Pokedex. Professor Oak gave it to me."

"What did he want in return?"

Ash grinned sheepishly. "Just to log data on all the Pokemon I encounter. He also wants me to test a new training method using my Pokemon as subjects. Have you heard of effort values?"

Leaning in, Lucas whispered to Ash, "I can assure you, the method is entirely legitimate. If you stick to it, your Pokemon will be stronger at the earlier levels."

Ash nodded, his eyes wide with excitement.

Lucas made his way over to Delia, who enveloped him in a hug. "I've been following your exploits in the news. You've truly come a long way."

"Not too shabby for an orphan, huh? I owe a lot to you," Lucas replied gratefully.

"Nonsense," Delia dismissed. "Your achievements are a testament to your own abilities."

Lucas shifted the conversation, asking about Delia's upcoming travel plans.

"We'll be settling in the capital until winter passes," Delia explained. "Ash will have plenty to keep him busy exploring the surrounding cities, and it's safer than camping outdoors."

"A good plan," Lucas agreed. "Let me know if you need anything."

Delia smiled. "I will, thank you."

A few days later, Lucas decided to put his new aura ability to the test. With a thought, he summoned a shimmering barrier that covered his entire body, glowing with a protective energy.

"Alright, give me your best shot," Lucas challenged Meowth, who eagerly prepared to attack.

"You asked for it. Just don't blame me if you regret it," Meowth retorted, crouching down in anticipation.

"Quit the talk and attack already."

Meowth leapt forward, claws extended, and began a relentless barrage of Scratch attacks against the barrier. Small cracks began to form under the onslaught, but Lucas concentrated his aura, swiftly repairing the damage. Despite Meowth's persistent assault for thirty seconds, the barrier held strong, much to the dismay of the frustrated Pokemon.

Meowth collapsed to the ground and pouted. "You could have at least let me land one scratch!"

Lucas ignored Meowth and dispelled the barrier, feeling satisfied with his progress.

He finally formed the barrier last night after hours of practice with his Aura Infusion and Shaping skill. It had levelled up, increasing his maximum aura capacity by one hundred. His Aura Barrier skill had also been upgraded, lowering the cost of maintaining it and improving its resistance to damage. He also possessed the ability to repair the barrier at any time, as long as it could withstand the attack without breaking. He still had to experiment with his other Pokemon to determine the maximum amount of damage the barrier could mitigate.

Now that he could better manifest and shape his aura, he could experiment with his new potion-making method.

Lucas entered the alchemist's hut. Sabrina had grown tired of Brock and him using the kitchen to make potions, so he built the hut as a separate workspace for all of his alchemical work.

On the table was an alchemy pot. It was made of dark, aged metal with elaborate engravings of mystical symbols and intricate patterns on the surface. The pot's large, round body was supported by strong, claw-like legs that elevated it off the table. It was purchased from an antique store and meticulously cleaned. It looked like it had been maintained well, so he should get plenty of use out of it.

Lucas took the vials of Sacred Ash from his pocket and poured them into the pot, then lit the ash with a long lighter. The flames erupted in a spectacular display of colours and heat, enthralling Lucas as he began shaping and manipulating the sacred flame with his aura, honing his control over it.

"Now, let's put this new method to the test and see what kind of potions I can create."

So, what do you think? In the next chapter, Lucas experiments with alchemy.

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