Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon. It belongs to Nintendo and Game Freak.
Hi all,
Here's the next chapter. Lucas focuses on his breeding business, and hires Butch as his manager.
Chapter 60
Lucas and Sabrina appeared in their backyard, the familiar sight of their Viridian City home providing welcome respite from their whirlwind adventure in Kalos. They'd devised a method of rapid transit that involved switching between Dante and Sabrina's Pokemon for a series of teleportation jumps. Lucas started the journey with Dante and then passed the device to Sabrina, allowing her Pokemon to take over. This tag-team approach significantly reduced their travel time.
"Home sweet home," Lucas sighed, stretching his arms skyward.
He winced as the burns on his arms protested—a lingering reminder of his confrontation with Lysandre.
Sabrina nodded. "Feels like we've been away forever."
They shuffled inside, fatigue evident in every step. Neither had fully recovered from their late-night raid on the Team Flare base.
"I'll tackle the unpacking," Sabrina mumbled, unsuccessfully stifling a yawn. Hoisting her bag, she retreated to their bedroom, leaving Lucas alone with his thoughts.
He sank into the leather sofa, his mind swirling with Kalos memories. Team Flare's machinations, the Mega Stones, his new teammates, and Clemont's technology innovations all competed for attention. The Hololens Clemont had given them particularly interested him. Perhaps he should let Shichiro know about the technology, so he could approach Clemont about importing it to the Kanto region.
His thoughts drifted to the Alchemist Guild and Clemont's request—evolving the Electrizer potion into an efficient energy source. While it tempting to jump straight into it, other projects demanded immediate attention. Still, he'd picked up the request from the guild. The points offered would instantly rank him up if he completed it.
Despite his exhaustion, curiosity propelled Lucas towards the Pokemon Den. He needed to see how his Pokemon had fared in his absence.
The familiar scent greeted him as he pushed open the door. The air hummed with soft coos and chirps, a soothing melody that instantly put him at ease.
"Well, look who's back!" Brock called out. He approached with a wide grin. "How was Kalos? Did you bring me any souvenirs? Or better yet, any lovely ladies' numbers?"
Before Lucas could respond, Daisy appeared, clipboard in hand. "Welcome back, Lucas. Don't mind Brock, he's been insufferable since you left."
"I can imagine. How have things been here?"
Daisy smiled. "Oh, you're in for a treat. Your new Eevee hatched a few days ago. She's an absolute darling."
As if on cue, a small furry head poked out from behind the doorway. The Eevee, already at level fifteen from her time in the egg, matched the size of her older counterparts.
"Hello there," Lucas cooed, crouching down. The Eevee approached cautiously, sniffing his outstretched hand before nuzzling against it.
"She's perfect," Lucas murmured.
"She's got great potential," Brock said. "Her level is remarkable for a newly hatched Pokemon. We're waiting a bit before taking her out to gain some experience."
Lucas scooped up the Eevee, cradling her gently. As he held her, he activated his Insight skill to check her parameters. Just as he'd anticipated, her starting stats were impressive. It may have cost a lot of experience points, but it ensured the Eevee got off to a great start.
He'd also spent experience points to change her evolution preference to Vaporeon, so he'd need to start working towards that goal. The same applied to all his Eevees. Once he had a breeding pair for every evolution, he could begin producing specialised eggs for sale. They would command premium prices.
"What about the others?" Lucas asked.
Daisy led him on a tour, highlighting the progress of various breeding pairs. Seven of the nine pairs had produced eggs in various stages of development. The remaining two pairs' levels were still too low, explaining their lack of production. With the Eevee group, he had nine eggs total.
The remaining Eevee hadn't produced an egg yet, suggesting Datto hadn't taken up his offer to breed with a second Pokemon. Lucas decided to hold off until one of the younger Eevees matured further.
Every Pokemon had accumulated experience points thanks to Daisy and Brock's training sessions. Lucas reminded himself to return later to level them up, as their stats had maxed out for their current levels. He would then have Brock and Daisy continue training their stats and levelling up until they exhausted their experience points.
Throughout the tour, Lucas meticulously kept notes. Though tedious, they would help manage his resources and prevent any costly mistakes.
After the tour had ended, Lucas was satisfied with the progress. His breeding programme hadn't merely survived in his absence—it had thrived.
"Thank you both," he said, the Eevee now asleep in his arms. "I couldn't have done this without you."
"That's what you're paying us good money for," Daisy said. "I wouldn't mind a break. Even with Yolanda and Salvadore helping, it's still demanding work."
"I might need to hire another person soon," Lucas agreed. "For now, don't take the Pokemon out to get experience. Train them here."
Outside, Lucas spotted Icaria perched vigilantly in front of the Pokemon Den. Her keen eyes scanned the surroundings, a feathered sentinel guarding their home.
"Hey, beautiful," Lucas murmured, stroking her glossy plumage. Icaria leaned into his touch, chirping softly. "You've met the requirements for evolution. Soon, you'll be even more formidable in protecting our little home."
Icaria nodded, puffing out her chest proudly.
Lucas called forth the rest of his team.
Meowth, ever the opportunist, immediately sidled up to him.
"So, partner," he purred, "about my cut from all the hidden loot we found..."
Lucas mentally calculated Meowth's share. He counted out the pokedollars and handed them over. Without a word of thanks, Meowth scampered off, undoubtedly to stash his newfound wealth in one of his many secret hiding spots.
Saphira made a beeline for the pool. Though it barely accommodated her now, she slipped in with a contented sigh. Lucas made a mental note to expand the pool soon, even though she had access to the sea biome in the Pokemon Habitat.
His two newest team members, Raphael and Nero, explored their surroundings with unbridled curiosity. Raphael, the artistic Squirtle, soon scampered back to Lucas, eyes wide with expectation. Understanding the unspoken request, Lucas reached into his inventory and produced a set of art supplies.
Raphael took the sketchpad and pencils. He settled himself beneath a nearby tree, tongue poking out in concentration as he began to draw.
Lucas sat on a bench and opened his menu. He'd earlier noticed enough accumulated experience points to reach level forty.
With a thought, he allocated the points. Curious about his new abilities, he examined his status and discovered a new function: Custom Interface Creator.
"Now that's interesting," Lucas muttered.
He explored the new feauture. It would allow him to create tailored interfaces, or alter existing ones to organise information to suit his specific needs.
"Perfect timing. I've needed a better way to track all my breeding Pokemon."
Though not as flashy as other abilities, Lucas recognised the immense practical value. An interface automatically tracking his breeding Pokemon's progress would streamline his work considerably.
Through focused mental commands, he began crafting a new interface. Lucas visualised an organised display showing all his Pokemon eggs, their incubation progress, and current experience points. At a glance, he could see how much experience was needed to fulfil their potential.
The interface would also display detailed information about his breeding Pokemon, including levels, egg production status, and other vital stats. It would show basic information by default, with easy access to specific details when needed.
Lucas input all the necessary information using his notes. Once completed, he activated it. The system would now update automatically.
Current Incubating Eggs
Eevee H - Level 5 - 17 days to hatch - Experience: (0/80000)
Eevee I - Level 5 - 23 days to hatch - Experience: (0/110000)
Nidoran C - Level 5 - 25 days to hatch - Experience: (0/40000)
Houndour C - Level 5 - 27 days to hatch - Experience: (0/60000)
Paras C - Level 5 - 28 days to hatch - Experience: (0/50000)
Mankey C - Level 5 - 28 days to hatch - Experience: (0/45000)
Snubbull C - Level 5 - 29 days to hatch - Experience: (0/50000)
Cubone C - Level 5 - 29 days to hatch - Experience: (0/60000)
Spheal C - Level 5 - 31 days to hatch - Experience: (0/70000)
Cleffa C - Level 5 - 34 days to hatch - Experience: (0/70000)
Wooper C - Level 5 - 34 days to hatch - Experience: (0/50000)
Eevee Breeding Group: 7 Eevees, 1 Ditto.
Current Breeding Pairs:
Pair 1: Eevee A and Eevee B (Level 18/20) - One egg hatched.
Pair 2: Eevee C and Eevee D (Level 18/20) - One egg produced.
Pair 3: Eevee E (Level 18/20) and Datto (Ditto - Level 29/30) - One egg produced.
Singles:
Eevee F: Level 20/22
(newly hatched) Eevee G: Level 15
Miscellaneous Breeding Group: 26 Pokemon
Current Breeding Pairs:
Nidoran - Level 28/31- One egg produced.
Paras - Level 29/32 - One egg produced.
Mankey - Level 32/34 - One egg produced.
Cubone - Level 28/31 - One egg produced.
Spheal - Level 31/33 - One egg produced.
Cleffa - Level 29/32 - One egg produced.
Wooper - Level 28/30 - One egg produced.
Snubbull - Level 14/18
Houndour - Level 11/15
Singles:
Squirtle - Level 20/23
Raticate - Level 15/19
Zubat - Level 17/20
Bellsprout - Level 18/21
Ledyba - Level 10/14
Murkrow - Level 10/13
Duskull - Level 11/15
Aron - Level 17/20
He divided his Eevees from the rest of his Pokemon, as they would be his main source of income. He could add more groups as his breeding operation expanded. His naming scheme wasn't perfect, but he wasn't convinced naming them all individually would be worthwhile anyway.
Lucas frowned. "I need to decide what to do with the Eevees. Should I evolve them before having them produce more eggs? That might provide additional benefits."
Another issue was whether to start selling eggs from the miscellaneous group after hatching. He needed to start somewhere, but wasn't sure about selling in Viridian City and competing with Gloria. Due to the limited number of cities relative to Pokemon Breeders, this was an issue he'd eventually face. He wondered how Gloria had eliminated all other competition. Perhaps it was simply her pedigree and operational scale.
Lucas stood up, needing to move before drowsiness overtook him. He knew he should sleep more, but he still had tasks to complete. First, he needed to call Butch and hire him as manager. Brock mentioned Butch had called several times. The man was growing impatient—he wasn't one to wait for opportunities to come to him.
He'd decided to hire Butch but wanted to interview him with Sabrina first, ensuring they agreed on everything before signing the contract. He recognised potential underlying problems that might make bringing Butch aboard too much of a risk.
A sharp knock at the door roused Lucas from his research in the office.
"I'll get it," Sabrina called from elsewhere in the house.
Lucas pushed himself from his chair and entered the living room to find Sabrina ushering in Butch, the self-proclaimed president of Lucas's fan club, dressed in an immaculate suit.
"Mr Walker, Miss Kuroi," Butch greeted them smoothly. "Hope I'm not intruding. I thought it best to strike while the iron's hot."
Lucas exchanged a glance with Sabrina, who shrugged almost imperceptibly.
"Not at all, Butch," Lucas replied, gesturing towards the sofa. "Please, sit. Would you like a drink?"
"Whiskey would be lovely, thank you," Butch said, settling onto the sofa.
Sabrina glanced at the clock, surprised by how he could drink so early in the day, but made no comment.
As she fetched drinks, Lucas sat opposite Butch. "You certainly don't waste time. It's been just an hour since I called."
Butch leaned forward. "Well, Mr Walker, I've been waiting on tenterhooks for your return. Your need for a manager, coupled with Miss Kuroi's similar situation, presents an opportunity I'm eager to explore."
Sabrina returned with drinks, handing a glass to Butch before sitting beside Lucas.
"What exactly are you proposing?" she asked.
Butch sipped his water before responding. "I'm proposing to manage both your affairs—public relations, scheduling, contract negotiations, everything. Your recent exploits have grown your reputation in Kanto. You'll need someone to help navigate these new waters."
Lucas nodded slowly. "And you think you're the right person?"
"I know I am," Butch replied without hesitation. "My experience in personal management, along with my... let's say, colourful background, gives me a unique perspective. I can foresee issues before they arise and manage sensitive situations discreetly."
Sabrina raised an eyebrow. "Colourful background?"
Butch had the grace to look slightly abashed. "Mr Walker is aware of my past association with certain organisations. It's not something I'm proud of, but it's given me invaluable insights into how various entities operate. That knowledge could be crucial in protecting your interests."
Lucas watched Sabrina's expression carefully. He'd told her about Butch's background, but hearing it directly from the man himself was different. To her credit, Sabrina's face remained impassive.
"What exactly would your role entail on a day-to-day basis?" Lucas asked.
Butch's face lit up. He reached into his briefcase and pulled out a folder.
"I've taken the liberty of drawing up a preliminary plan," he said, handing them a piece of paper each. "First and foremost, I'd handle all media inquiries. Your growing reputation stemming from your Pokemon Arena fights, Mr. Walker, and Miss Kuroi's status as a former gym leader have been attracting attention."
Butch didn't know half of it. He had no idea that Lucas had created the growth potion or that he had signed a deal with Shichiro for the recipe. If he did, he imagined he might just explode from joy. Lucas' breeding career was still in its infancy, so it wasn't well known, but that would change once he started evolving Eevees into the different evolutions.
"I'd also manage your schedules," Butch continued. "Coordinating your responsibilities at the Pokemon breeding facility, Miss Kuroi's commitments as the Prime Minister's niece, and any public appearances or endorsement opportunities that might arise."
"Endorsements?" Sabrina echoed, sounding sceptical.
Butch nodded eagerly. "Absolutely. We could be selective, of course, only choosing partnerships that align with your values."
"What about confidentiality?" Sabrina asked. "Some aspects of our work are sensitive."
Butch's expression sobered. "I understand completely, Miss Kuroi. Discretion is paramount in my line of work. I would never divulge any information without your explicit approval. And, if I may add, my past experiences have taught me the value of keeping secrets."
Lucas and Sabrina exchanged another look, a silent conversation passing between them. After a moment, Lucas turned back to Butch. "Let's say we're interested. What would be the next step?"
Butch's face broke into a wide grin. "Excellent! I've drafted a contract for your review. It outlines my responsibilities, compensation, and includes a robust confidentiality clause. I'd encourage you to have your legal counsel look it over, of course."
He produced two thick envelopes from his briefcase, handing one each to Lucas and Sabrina.
"Take your time to review everything," Butch said, rising to his feet. "I'm available any time to discuss the details or answer any questions you might have."
As Lucas showed Butch to the door, he found himself impressed by the man's preparation and professionalism. It was a far cry from the somewhat shady character he'd first met.
"Thank you for your time," Butch said, shaking Lucas's hand firmly. "I look forward to hearing from you both."
As the door closed behind Butch, Lucas turned to find Sabrina already poring over the contract.
"What do you think?" he asked, joining her on the sofa.
Sabrina looked up, her expression thoughtful. "It's comprehensive, I'll give him that. And having someone to handle the increasing media interest would be a relief."
Lucas nodded in agreement. "His background is a concern, but it could also be an asset. He'd know how to deal with various organisations if they ever cause trouble."
"True," Sabrina replied. "And it would be convenient to have one person managing both our affairs. Less chance of scheduling conflicts."
They spent the next hour going through the contract, discussing the pros and cons of bringing Butch on board. By the time they'd finished, the sun was setting, casting long shadows across the living room.
"So," Lucas said, leaning back and rubbing his eyes, "what's the verdict?"
Sabrina was quiet for a moment. Finally, she looked up at Lucas. "I think we should give him a chance. On a trial basis, at least."
Lucas nodded. "Agreed. Let's sleep on it and if we still feel the same in the morning, we'll give Butch a call."
Lucas and Sabrina decided the next morning, after much thought, to hire Butch as their manager. They called him early, and Butch wasted no time getting started on managing their affairs. He returned to their house and began to sketch out a more detailed plan. Lucas was dizzy from how fast Butch worked, and it was no surprise when they found him back in their living room the next day.
"We've only just set up email accounts for both of you to handle professional inquiries," Butch said, "but the response has already been overwhelming."
"What kind of inquiries are we talking about?" Sabrina asked.
"Interview requests from various media outlets," Butch said, "endorsement offers from Pokemon-related companies, invitations to speak at events... the list goes on. Your recent activities have garnered quite a bit of attention."
Lucas felt a little overwhelmed. "That's a lot more than we expected."
"Indeed," Butch nodded. "Which is precisely why you need me. I'll filter through these requests, prioritise the most beneficial ones, and handle all the negotiations. You won't have to worry about anything."
As Butch began outlining some of the more interesting offers, Lucas realised he needed to share some crucial information. "There's something else you should know, Butch. Something that needs to stay absolutely confidential."
Butch's eyebrows rose, but he nodded solemnly. "Of course, Mr. Walker. You can trust me with anything."
"I'm an alchemist," Lucas said. "Not just a hobbyist, but a professional. And I'm the creator of the growth potion."
Butch's jaw dropped. For a moment, he sat in stunned silence, processing the information. Then, his face split into a wide grin. "Mr. Walker, this is incredible! Do you realise the implications of this?"
Lucas nodded. "I do. That's why it needs to remain a secret. Only a handful of people know, including the Prime Minister."
"We'll need to be very careful about how we manage this information and your public image."
Over the next hour, they discussed the implications of Lucas's revelation. Butch suggested using the influx of interview requests and public appearances as a way to subtly shape Lucas's public image, emphasising his breeding work while keeping his alchemy activities under wraps.
"We'll need to be strategic about which offers we accept," Butch mused. "Some of these endorsement deals could inadvertently shine too much light on your activities. We'll focus on ones that align with your public persona as a breeder and trainer."
As they talked, Lucas found himself impressed by Butch's quick thinking and discretion. The man had a knack for seeing potential problems and opportunities alike.
By the end of the day, they had a comprehensive plan in place. Butch had sorted through the numerous requests, identifying key opportunities that would benefit Lucas and Sabrina while maintaining their privacy.
"I think this is the start of a very fruitful partnership," Butch said as he prepared to leave. "Thank you for trusting me with this information, Mr. Walker. I won't let you down."
As Lucas and Sabrina watched Butch drive away, they exchanged a look of cautious optimism. They had taken a risk in bringing Butch into their confidence, but they both felt it was the right decision.
"Well," Sabrina said with a small smile, "things are certainly going to get interesting around here."
Lucas couldn't help but agree. With Butch managing their public affairs and his secret alchemy work continuing behind the scenes, he had a feeling their lives were about to become more complex—and more exciting—than ever before. The challenge now would be balancing their private lives and work with the growing public interest in their activities.
The week following Butch's appointment as their manager unfolded in a whirlwind of activity for Lucas.
He fed Icaria a growth potion, and nearly a week later, she underwent a dramatic transformation. A majestic Pidgeot stood in her place as the brilliant white glow faded. Though not quite as large as Icarus, her new form was impressive.
Throughout the week, Lucas dedicated several hours each day to his alchemy, focusing intently on the Effort Value Reset Potion. By week's end, he felt he was on the cusp of a breakthrough. The latest batch had shown promising results, and he was eager to conduct further tests.
Between alchemy sessions, Lucas devoted time to honing his aura abilities. The encounter with Lysandre in Kalos had exposed the limitations of his Aura Barrier, spurring him to push his skills further. He spent hours every day working on it, his dedication evident in the strengthening barrier. However, despite his progress, he had yet to level up the skill.
Lucas made significant strides with his Aura Infusion and Sculpting technique. As he advanced to the next level, he found he could manipulate his aura with greater precision, forming more complex shapes and maintaining them for longer periods. This newfound control opened up possibilities for combat and non-combat applications. Moreover, it increased his aura capacity by a substantial four hundred points.
Midweek, Lucas received a call from Shichiro. The Prime Minister updated Lucas on the growth potion's status.
"Production is in full swing," Shichiro reported. "We're building up a substantial stock before making the announcement. It will have a major impact this will have on the region, Lucas."
Despite his already considerable wealth, he was looking forward to the royalties from his growth potion. Once he had a few potions constantly earning him royalties, he would be set for life without having to do anything else. However, he needed to recreate each potion using traditional alchemy methods to ensure their viability for mass production.
Butch, ever the astute businessman, had planted a seed in Lucas's mind. He suggested that Lucas consider establishing his own company to market and sell his potions. It was a move that would allow him to retain a larger share of the profits. The idea was daunting. He recognised that such a venture would require careful planning and execution.
Lucas weighed the pros and cons, knowing that his exceptional skills in alchemy were likely to become public knowledge at some point, regardless of his efforts to maintain secrecy. With Butch's expertise in managing public affairs, he would be better equipped to handle the attention and scrutiny that would come with such a revelation.
Despite the demands on his time, Lucas ensured he spent quality time with his Pokemon team. He set up rigorous training sessions in the backyard, working on their individual strengths and addressing their weaknesses.
Lucas paid special attention to Nero, his newest team member. The Sandile's aggressive nature posed a challenge, but he was determined to earn his trust and channel that energy into productive training. By the end of the week, he noticed a slight improvement in Nero's attitude, though there was still a long way to go. He would evolve soon, and he didn't know if that would increase his aggression.
Raphael, on the other hand, presented a different challenge. The artistic Squirtle was more interested in his creative pursuits than training. Lucas had to devise an incentive program, offering rewards for meeting training goals. Motivating Raphael would be an ongoing challenge.
All of his Pokemon increased their levels by at least two, rapidly depleting their experience points. He needed to gain more experience, not only for his team but also for the Pokemon eggs. He began planning to venture out, considering locations that would provide good experience and effort values.
Another goal Lucas wanted to pursue, but hadn't found time for, was evolving his Eevee group into their different forms. He reasoned that having a team with all Eevee evolutions would significantly boost his reputation as a breeder. However, he realised he'd need to wait until more eggs hatched to complete the set.
Lucas added the mushroom essence to his alchemical pot, watching as it swirled and merged with the other ingredients. He manipulated the sacred flame, adjusting its temperature using his aura control. The mixture began to glow, shifting through a spectrum of colours before settling on a deep, iridescent blue.
He held his breath. He'd been so close before, but this time it felt different.
After what felt like an eternity, the reaction stabilised. Lucas decanted the liquid into several glass vials. He held it up to the light, watching as it seemed to capture and refract the rays in mesmerising patterns.
He opened his guidebook, searching for confirmation of his success. As his eyes scanned the new entry, a wide grin spread across his face. He'd done it. The Effort Value Reset Potion was complete.
Effort Value Reset Potion
Description: When administered to a Pokemon, this potion completely resets their Effort Values to zero, allowing for a complete redistribution of the accumulated points so far. The process is painless and takes effect almost immediately. A single dose is effective for Pokemon up to level 50. For higher-level Pokemon, multiple doses may be required for a full reset.
Side Effects: Some Pokemon may experience temporary disorientation or fatigue immediately after the reset, but these effects typically subside within an hour.
After a week of failures and wasting a plethora of ingredients, he had finally created the potion. It was difficult to determine the value of this potion, but as word spread about the forum article, demand would far exceed that of the growth potion. Consider all of the high-level Pokemon who couldn't retrain their effort values to match their combat style.
He would like to say he planned it this way, but it was more of a stroke of luck.
"Let us go see if Sabrina is interested in the potion," Lucas said, rising to his feet. "I am sure I will get a lot of boyfriend points for this."
So, what do you think? In the next chapter, there will be a time skip as Lucas' team gains strength along with some new evolutions.
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Thanks for reading.