Pokemon: Resurgence Chapter 86

Hi all, 

Here’s the final chapter from last week. This week's schedule will be posted shortly. 

Chapter 86

The grand opening had been a remarkable success. Lucas sat in his office, going over the sales figures as evening fell. Every Eevee and most of the eggs had sold out—a fantastic result that left his inventory nearly depleted. Fortunately, another batch of eggs would be produced over the next few days.

He'd anticipated the Eevees would be popular, which was why he'd invested in ten additional breeding pairs before the opening. This foresight was proving crucial now that he had proven he could evolve the Pokemon into any of its evolutionary variants. Soon, the prices of Eevee would skyrocket even further, and he was poised to profit from it. Even if he ran out of Eevees, trainers were coming to him with theirs, for the sole purpose of evolving them, creating a profitable side business. 

The breeding facility needed to expand to accommodate the increased demand. The construction team was already scheduled to begin work tomorrow. The power station was nearing completion too, awaiting only the specialised rechargeable batteries. Once installed, Raijin could charge them, making the entire operation self-sufficient.

Lucas had doubled his property holdings, though without the discount he'd enjoyed on his initial purchase. The expansion had completed Raijin's territory quest, earning him valuable skill points and increasing his favorability with the legendary Pokemon. Unlike his other Pokemon, it was a challenge to improve organically.

Staffing remained his most pressing concern. Between himself, Brock, Daisy, and Cassidy, there wasn’t enough manpower to manage the breeding facility. Brock’s older siblings were helping out when they could, but he needed a more permanent solution.  He needed more staff who were trustworthy. It wasn’t an easy dilemma to solve.

Lucas pushed away from his desk and swivelled to face the wall. A massive steel plate mounted there bore dozens of holes, dents and scratches. Sabrina had protested its installation, calling it an eyesore, but Lucas had insisted. His space, his rules.

He raised his palm, concentrating. Blue energy coalesced above his skin, swirling and condensing until it formed a spear-like projection about the length of his arm. 

With a sharp motion, Lucas launched it toward the plate. The spear struck dead centre, penetrating partway through before stopping. After a moment, the spear disappeared.

"Still not good enough," he muttered.

He opened his menu, navigating to the skills section.

========

Skill: Aura Lance Level 2/5 Next: (natural growth) Type: Active Aura: 50

Description: Concentrates aura into a piercing projectile that can be launched with devastating force. Unlike broader aura attacks, the Lance's power lies in its focused penetrating capability, allowing it to pierce through conventional defences and even some energy barriers. 

========

Despite weeks of daily practice, he remained stuck at level two. The skill provided a crucial offensive option—something he had previously lacked—but mastering it proved frustratingly slow. He theorised it could damage lower-level Pokemon, though he hadn't tested this directly.

He formed another lance, studying its composition. Perhaps the issue lay in the energy distribution? He attempted to compress the aura more tightly, focusing it into a narrower point. The lance destabilised, dissipating into wisps of blue light. 

Lucas grimaced. He'd need to experiment further to get it right.  

"Lucas!" Sabrina's voice carried up the stairs. "You need to see this!"

He closed his menu and headed downstairs. The living room lights were dimmed, the television casting a flickering glow across Sabrina's face.

"What's happened?" he asked, dropping onto the sofa beside her.

She pointed at the screen, where a newscaster stood before Ecruteak City's iconic bell tower.

"...marking the third protest this week," the reporter was saying. "Sources within Western Kanto confirm that Elite Four member Pryce delivered a formal petition to Prime Minister Kuroi yesterday, demanding a referendum on independence."

The footage cut to crowds gathering in Goldenrod City, many carrying signs with slogans like "RESTORE JOHTO" and "END KANTO OPPRESSION." Protesters marched around the radio tower, their numbers stretching for blocks.

"Tensions escalated when supporters of unification staged a counter-protest," the reporter continued as the footage shifted to police officers separating opposing groups. "Authorities intervened after violence erupted, resulting in twelve arrests."

The screen split to show the newscaster alongside a political analyst.

"Dr. Wilkins, how significant is this development?" the anchor asked.

"What we're witnessing is concerning," the analyst replied, adjusting his glasses. "While separatist sentiments have simmered for the past two decades, the Elite Four involvement represents a dangerous escalation. Pryce's public support legitimises the movement in ways we haven't seen before."

"And the Prime Minister's response?"

"Thus far, measured. Kuroi has emphasised dialogue while reminding citizens of the economic interdependence between Eastern and Western regions. However, with recent polling showing forty-six percent support for independence in Western territories, he's walking a political tightrope."

The footage returned to Goldenrod City, where a banner hung across the train station: "THE JOHTO LEAGUE RISES AGAIN."

"The situation remains volatile," the reporter summarised. "Meanwhile, Pokemon League officials have scheduled an emergency meeting to address concerns about championship qualifying matches, many of which require cross-regional travel now threatened by potential border restrictions."

Sabrina muted the television, turning to Lucas with evident concern. "My uncle didn't mention any of this when we spoke yesterday."

"Probably didn't want to worry you," Lucas replied. "Or he's keeping his cards close."

"Pryce confronted you at the summit," Sabrina recalled. "He seemed personally invested in discrediting you."

"Political opportunity," Lucas said. "My connections to legendary Pokemon make me a symbol of Eastern power. Perfect target for someone building a separatist platform."

"This isn't just about politics. If they succeed, what happens to the missing people? To Giovanni's operations?"

"Chaos," Lucas answered simply. "Perfect conditions for criminal enterprises to flourish."

They sat in contemplative silence as the television continued showing scenes of unrest. A text message alert broke the quiet—Shichiro requesting a private call tomorrow.

"Does he want to draft you for unification propaganda?" Sabrina asked, reading the message over his shoulder.

Lucas snorted. "More likely wanting to ensure I don't accidentally make things worse."

"By what? Having another legendary Pokemon move into your backyard?"

"Don't jinx it," he warned, only half-joking. "At this rate, I'll need to buy an entire island just to house them all."

Sabrina's expression sobered. "Be serious. Western independence would fracture the League, the economy, everything."

"I am serious." Lucas pocketed his phone. "But it's not my fight. We have a business to run, and more than enough complications."

She studied his expression. "You truly don't care either way?"

"Independence or unification hardly affects me," he admitted. "We’re based in the Rota Kingdom. But I won't refuse Shichiro if he asks for help. He's family and a business partner."

"Thank you. Uncle needs every ally right now."

"Of course." Lucas tapped his fingers on the armrest. "Though I wonder what my assistance might be worth."

"And there you go, ruining the moment."

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Dawn broke over the Rota Kingdom, bathing the landscape in golden light. Lucas stepped out of the house, squinting against the brightness. Despite the early hour, warmth already radiated from the ground. June had arrived, bringing summer's full intensity to the Kanto region.

Lucas unclipped a pokeball from his belt and clicked the button. A flash of light, and Saphira materialised before him. Gone was the sleek Dragonair he'd trained for so long —in her place stood a colossal Dragonite.

Her orange hide caught the sun as she stretched. He had gotten lucky with Saphira’s final evolution. She had gained the Giant Strain mutation, pushing her size well beyond normal limits. She nearly matched the size of Oak's famous Charizard, though Scarlett had needed decades to reach such proportions. At this rate, Saphira would tower over her within a few years. She would continue to grow, albeit at a much slower rate. 

Wings like sails extended from her shoulders, stirring up dust with each lazy flap. Her antennae swivelled, testing the air currents. For such a massive creature, she moved with surprising elegance—the payoff from countless training sessions focused on maintaining agility despite her increasing bulk.

"Let's go survey the property," Lucas said, approaching her side.

“Why do we have to get up at such an ungodly hour?”

“Why are you complaining, princess? You get enough sleep as it is.”

‘There’s no such thing as enough sleep.” 

Saphira lowered her head. A subtle manipulation of air currents lifted Lucas effortlessly onto her back. Without even a running start, she flapped her wings, launching them into the air.

The ride was smoother compared to Dragonair form. Her broader back provided stability, though there was nothing substantial to grip onto. He only stayed securely in place thanks to Saphira's weather manipulation, creating a cushion of air pressure which prevented any risk of falling.

As they climbed higher, Lucas opened his interface and examined Saphira's status page. 

==========

Species: Dragonite
Gender: Female
Favourability: Revered 32000/32000 (+25% stats)
Level: 65  Next: [1%]
Exp Cache: [21030]
Stats obtained from EV's [300/300]
Current Level Potential Met?: Yes
Special Ability: Marvel Scale, Multiscale

Stats

Attack: 401 [225]

Special Attack: 230 [184]

Defence: 200 [160]

Special Defence: 201 [161]

Speed: 276 [221]

Luck: 150 [120]

Moves

Mastered: 

Agility, Twister, Thunder Wave, Aqua Jet, Dragon Tail, Dragon Breath, Protect, Dragon Rush, Dragon Dance, Draco Meteor, Aqua Tail, Hurricane.

=========

Description: Saphira has evolved into her final form, a majestic Dragonite. Despite her bulkier frame, she moves with surprising grace and agility. Her evolution has only heightened her already considerable pride, though she shows genuine affection toward Lucas. With her newfound strength and wings capable of circling the globe, she's become an invaluable transportation asset as well as a formidable battler.

=========

Hidden Stats

Intelligence: 8
Endurance: 7
Energy: 9
Aptitude: 8

Affinities

Normal: 100%
Water: 100%
Dragon: 100%
Thunder: 100%
Psychic: 85%

=========

Traits

Inherent (Can be passed onto offspring)

Dragon-type Aptitude (Master) - Increases dragon affinity training by forty percent.

Water-type Aptitude (Master) - Increases water affinity training by forty percent.

Attack Aptitude (Expert) - Increases attack stat training efficiency.

Attack Boost (Master) - Massively increases attack stat potency.

Speed Boost (Master) - Massively increases speed stat potency.

Defence Boost (Master) - Massively increases defence stat potency.

Wonder Scale Plus - 50% chance to resist all status conditions.

Superior Conditioning - The Energy and Endurance stats further improve Pokemon's condition.

Learned/Acquired/Unique

Energy Control: It's more efficient with its energy consumption, requiring less to execute a move.

Weather Control: Can manipulate weather patterns in a 1km radius, creating favourable winds or dispersing harsh conditions.

Sky Acrobat: Extraordinary aerial manoeuvrability despite large size, capable of complex flight patterns and rapid direction changes.

Giant Strain: The Pokemon grows well beyond the average size for its species.

Attack Plus: (Giant Strain) Increases Attack by twenty percent.

Speed Minus: (Giant Strain) Reduces Speed by twenty percent.

=========

The numbers reflected months of intensive training. All his Pokemon except Meowth had reached their sixties in level, including his auxiliary team members who saw fewer battles.

Saphira was a powerhouse, no two ways about it. All of his Pokemon were to a certain extent. With his current team, he could challenge the elite Pokemon League and have a good chance of winning. More importantly, he could hold his own against his enemies, and not have to rely on Sabrina to help him. It was a testament to how far he had come from when he first entered this world.  

More significant than raw power was the bond they shared. Each of his main team had maxed their favourability—the pinnacle of Pokemon-trainer relationships. This connection transcended conventional commands, allowing thoughts to flow between them with intuitive ease. In battle, this shortened reaction times dramatically, giving them crucial advantages against opponents. 

Saphira banked northward, giving Lucas a sweeping view of his property below. The breeding facility dominated the eastern section—multiple buildings and fenced enclosures, along with the main house. The power station was placed to the north of the main house, with multiple buried cables connecting to every building. The storefront was located at the property's edge, its distinctive architecture visible even from this height.

This aerial inspection had become a daily routine. Despite Bree and Salem frequently patrolling the perimeter for intruders, he found reassurance in personally overseeing his domain.

Lucas was far from finished with his property expansion. He planned to build specialised habitats that mirrored his Pokemon Habitat function—environments perfectly tailored to each species' needs, transforming the property into a paradise. He primarily used the function for training, preferring to keep his Pokemon in the real world. At some point, he needed to purchase the final upgrade for the Pokemon Habitat. It offered a special benefit, but he couldn't access it until the physical habitats were completed.

Movement caught his eye as Icaria approached, joining them on their inspection of the property.

The female Pidgeot almost matched Icarus in strength, but she was noticeably smaller. Unlike him, she hadn’t gained the giant strain. But she was still formidable in her own right. Lucas had secured another Mega Stone for her, enhancing her ability to protect both property and breeding stock. 

She had contributed further by producing two more eggs, which had sold out quickly. Despite how common Pidgey were, they were still a popular species, due to their final evolution.  

After completing their inspection circuit, Saphira descended to the ground. Lucas dismounted, patting her flank appreciatively. She immediately headed for the swimming pool at the back of the house, which he had to expand due to her size. Saphira hadn’t lost her love for water after evolving into a Dragonite.

Lucas headed for the incubation building. 

Inside, temperature-controlled chambers lined the walls, each housing eggs at various stages of development. The individual compartments allowed him to fulfil any special egg requirements without affecting the others.

Lucas stopped before a particular incubator. Unlike the other eggs surrounding it, this specimen displayed a unique pattern. It represented his first successful cross-breeding attempt, made possible by maximising his Pokemon Compatibility skill. Cross-breeding allowed him to test how he could blend certain traits and abilities to make a powerful Pokemon from the outset. 

Technically, he had already achieved it with Datto and his partner Eevee. But since the Pokemon could breed with almost any Pokemon, it wasn’t a true representation.

Soon, the results of his experiment would hatch, proving once again that conventional wisdom regarding Pokemon breeding had significant gaps—gaps he was methodically exploiting for profit.

"Not long now," he murmured.

After producing so many eggs, his Pokemon Breeding profession had reached level nine. He predicted he would reach level ten in the next month, as his egg production continued to expand. 

Lucas's mobile buzzed, and he fetched it from his pocket. Shichiro's name flashed on the screen.

"To what do I owe this honour?" Lucas answered.

"I wanted to speak with you personally," Shichiro replied.  

"I'm surprised you have the time to speak to me. You look stressed on the television, old man."

A huffed laugh came through the line. "Nothing I can't handle. Are you busy?"

"Always. What do you need?"

"I need to speak to you in person. It's not something I want to discuss over the phone. Can you come to Saffron City?"

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "So mysterious. Are you pulling me into another one of your schemes?"

"Maybe."

"Well, I need to update my Breeder's credentials, and Saffron City is as good a place as any to do it."

"You've already reached the Guardian rank?" Surprise coloured Shichiro's voice.

"You underestimate me, Uncle. I've met the requirements to apply for the Elite rank."

The Breeding Profession was divided into five ranks: Caretaker, Guardian, Elite, Master, and Grandmaster. The ranks existed primarily for posterity and for increasing the value of a breeder's business. With his stranglehold on the Eevee evolutions, it wasn't something Lucas strictly needed, but the recognition held value regardless.

"Congratulations. I will make a call to ensure the process is expedited."

"It's the least you could do. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Alright." Shichiro hung up without another word.

Lucas set the phone down, wondering what the man wanted. Whatever it was, he was certain it would inconvenience him somehow.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

The next morning, Lucas summoned Dante. The Gardevoir materialised beside him, and Lucas placed a hand on her shoulder. The world blurred, resolving into the outside skirts of Saffron City.

Lucas entered the city and headed straight for the administrative office where the Breeders' licenses were processed. 

He couldn't apply for his license in the Rota Kingdom, as the region lacked the necessary infrastructure. Pokemon Breeding remained relatively new there. Fortunately, his Kanto license would be recognised in both regions.

Shichiro had kept his word. The application process took just an hour after Lucas presented his paperwork. The clerk handed him a gold badge shaped like an egg with wings, his name engraved across the centre. Below his name, "Elite Breeder" was inscribed in flowing script, accompanied by his registration number. Lucas pinned it to his shirt before leaving the building.

He headed for the Prime Minister’s residence. Security personnel flanked the entrance, their expressions stoic as Lucas approached. After checking his identification, they escorted him directly to Shichiro's office.

Shichiro rose from behind his desk as Lucas entered. "I see you've already updated your license. You have come far in such a short amount of time."

"What can I say? I'm a genius."

Shichiro snorted. He walked to the drinks bar and poured two glasses of whiskey. After handing one to Lucas, he raised his own. "To your achievement."

"Drinking this early? And a toast?" Lucas accepted the glass warily. "Why do I get the feeling I'm being set up for something?"

"I need a favour." Shichiro took a sip, watching Lucas over the rim of his glass.

"I knew it. What is it?"

"Are you aware of the tensions in the other regions regarding the Church of Arceus?"

Lucas swirled his whiskey before answering. "It's hard to miss. After being kicked out of the Kanto Region, they're trying to assert dominance elsewhere by injecting themselves deeper into the government. But they're getting pushback. Some of the church's mystique has disappeared since legendary Pokemon have been making more appearances."

"Don't forget your part in this," Shichiro pointed out. "Everyone knows now that you can interact with them, and it's making people question if they should be treated like gods, as the Church has been preaching."

"I imagine I'm not their favourite person right now."

"That's an understatement. Have you forgotten who's running the church?"

Lucas's expression sobered. "I'm not likely to forget. So, what do you need from me?"

"I need you to search for some people in the underground tunnels that connect the five eastern cities."

"What does this have to do with the Church?"

Shichiro sighed, setting his glass down. "When the churches in Kanto were abandoned, I assumed all members retreated from the region. I was mistaken. Many have taken up residence in the tunnels, and I need them removed. I’m afraid they are working with the main church to undermine me in some manner."

"Isn't this a job for the police? Or the army? Why do you need me to do it?"

"Because church members aren't the only ones who've taken up shelter there. Some corrupt politicians who escaped my net have also gone to ground."

Lucas narrowed his eyes. "Where are you getting your information?"

"I got it from an adventurer guild member who ventured down there with his party to complete some bounty hunter missions. Only he made it out alive."

"Sounds dangerous. Are you trying to get me killed?"

"And face Sabrina's wrath?" Shichiro shook his head. "I need you because of your discretion. Some of these politicians possess sensitive information I don't want getting out. Plus, I need someone with the ability to infiltrate the tunnels and capture these people without creating a commotion."

"You've come to the right man. I could get away from the office for a bit." Lucas paused. "But what's in it for me?"

Shichiro grabbed a sheaf of papers from his desk and handed them across. Lucas flipped through them. Each page contained a picture of a target, along with a bounty price and Adventurer's Guild points.

Lucas mentally calculated the pokedollars on offer. It added up to several million. While he wasn't desperate for money, his finances had taken a hit over the past few months with all his expansion projects. The bounties would be a good way to replenish his funds. 

He looked up. "Do these bounties count as guild quests?"

"Yes. I'm collaborating with the Saffron City guild master on this, except the bounties are only being offered to you. Are you interested?"

Lucas considered the offer carefully. He'd been meaning to work on his Adventurer's Guild ranking. With the points on offer, he would reach the top rank easily. Moreover, he'd wanted to explore the underground tunnels anyway, since a Zygarde Core was hidden down there.

As he was thinking, a quest notification appeared.

========

New Regional Quest! 

The Criminal Underbelly: Capture all bounty targets hiding in the underground tunnels connecting the five eastern cities.

Reward: +1000 reputation with Eastern Kanto, +5 skill points, +500,000 experience.

========

Lucas dismissed the notification

"Why didn't you ask Sabrina?” Lucas asked. “All her Pokemon are in the level seventy range now. She's still stronger than I am."

Shichiro's expression darkened. "Subject Sabrina to those types of criminals? Those sex traders and rapists? Murderers? Are you crazy?"

Lucas grimaced. "You're right. What was I even thinking?"

"I know you're busy, so I don't expect you to complete these bounties right away, but I wouldn't wait too long. I have an uneasy feeling they're up to something."

Lucas nodded, gathering the papers. "Don't worry. Once I've made some preparations, I'll head into the tunnels."

"Good. Just don't die down there, or Sabrina will kill me."

"I think you have to worry about Bree the most," Lucas said with a grin. "We're best buddies, remember?"

Shichiro flinched.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Lucas returned home and went in search of Sabrina. He found her in her small laboratory—a plain building they'd repurposed after he'd given her free rein with the Devon fossils.

He pushed open the door to find her hunched over a workstation, brow furrowed in concentration. A half-reconstructed Kabuto fossil lay under bright lights, surrounded by tools and scanning equipment. Sheldon perched on the edge of the table, his tentacles waving gently as he watched her work.

"How's it going?" Lucas asked, leaning against the doorframe. "Have you cracked it yet?"

Sabrina looked up. "Not quite. We're so close, though. We're able to revive a Pokemon, but they're still presenting with defects that make their survival unsustainable."

"Would my trait-shedding potion work on them?"

Sarbina shrugged. "Maybe. But I don't want to rely on them, since you're the only one who can use it. The technology is going to spread everywhere one day, and I don't want people irresponsibly reviving Pokemon that don't have the best quality of life."

Lucas nodded. It reminded him of the Fearow Gang and their experiments on Pokemon, which caused a whole load of health issues. Rather than fixing a flawed method with a crutch, it was better to get it perfect from the start.

"So," Sabrina said, setting down her tools, "what did my uncle want?"

Lucas explained about the bounty targets hiding in the tunnels, the church members, and corrupt politicians. Her expression grew increasingly skeptical as he spoke.

"Isn't that a little too dangerous?" she asked when he finished.

"No. I'll be in disguise and have my team with me. They can handle most situations, and if not, Dante can always teleport me out of there."

Sabrina absently stroked Sheldon's shell. "If you say so. Who's going to cover your responsibilities while you go bounty hunting?"

"I was hoping you could look after the business. It'll be only for a week at most."

"What's in it for me?"

"You're starting to sound too much like me." 

"You corrupted me. In so many ways." Her lips quirked upward.

Lucas grinned. "Some are more pleasurable than others. What do you want in exchange for your help?"

"I'm going to take a leaf out of Mew's book and say you owe me a favour."

"That's not fair. You could ask for anything." He waggled his eyebrows. "What if I promise to give you more orgasms?"

"Nope. I can do that myself. I hardly need you for that."

"That was a low blow."

"You shouldn't have corrupted me. You know what they say. Fuck around and find out."

Lucas grumbled as he left the building. His girlfriend was getting too sassy for his liking. Did she have a reset button?

Lucas paused outside and opened his inventory to see what supplies he had. He needed to prepare thoroughly for exploring the tunnels. They were extensive and held countless dangers, so he couldn't go into it lightly. Furthermore, he needed to create a criminal persona to blend in with all the other lowlifes.

Shichiro had made it clear that the tunnels housed the worst sort of criminals—escaped convicts, sex traffickers, murderers. People who'd crawled into the darkness to avoid justice. 

It would be a dangerous mission, but a profitable one. Between the bounties and the quest rewards, it would be worth the risk. Plus, he'd move one step closer to finding all the Zygarde components.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Lucas clutched the handle of his battered rucksack, scanning the abandoned maintenance corridor. The official entrance to Saffron's underground tunnel system had been sealed off years ago, but he had learned about this service access—a rusted metal door hidden behind a dumpster in an alley three blocks from the Pokemon Centre.

"What a dump," Meowth muttered, wrinkling his nose at the musty air. "Are you sure this is right?"

Lucas adjusted his grimy jacket. The face-changing potion had transformed his features enough to make him difficult to recognise. His normally neat hair was unwashed and wild, completing the image of someone who'd fallen on hard times. The torn clothes and scuffed boots weren't just props; he'd altered them to ensure they looked authentically worn.

"This is it," Lucas confirmed, activating his aura sight. 

His skill illuminated the surroundings, revealing cracked concrete walls covered in graffiti. Water dripped somewhere in the distance, each splash echoing in the emptiness. 

"Remember, I'm Rickard now. A former Team Rocket grunt who got left behind when the organisation abandoned Eastern Kanto."

Lucas adjusted the knife strapped to his thigh—a proper fighting blade, not some decorative piece. In these tunnels, anything less would be spotted as a fake immediately. The weight of his regular pokeballs felt strange against his chest, hidden in an inner pocket rather than displayed on his belt. For the sake of his cover, he carried three empty pokeballs visibly, giving the impression of an underequipped trainer living on society's fringes.

The silence pressed against his eardrums as they descended deeper. Unlike the bustling city above, the tunnels carried a hollow, abandoned feeling. Their footsteps echoed despite their attempts to move quietly, each sound magnified in the enclosed space.

"The trader's market should be two kilometres ahead if the guild's intel is correct," Lucas said. "Then I need to find the tunnel that connects to Cerulean."

"You're the boss."

The tunnel widened into what had once been a storage area. Rusted shelving units lined the walls, most empty save for broken equipment and scattered tools. Lucas swept his torch across the space, empty save for scattered debris and a sleeping bag tucked into a corner. Someone had been here recently.

"Meowth," Lucas whispered, nodding toward the makeshift bed.

The feline Pokemon padded over, sniffing the fabric before returning. "Cold. Nobody's been here for at least a day."

They continued past the storage area, following a maintenance passage that hadn't seen proper upkeep in decades. Every fifty metres or so, Lucas checked his map—something he had obtained from the Adventurer's Guild. His interface map was also updating in real time, ensuring that he didn’t get lost.   

The tunnels formed a labyrinth beneath Kanto's eastern cities, with offshoots and service corridors branching from the main passages.

After twenty minutes of walking, a faint glow appeared ahead. The smell changed too—cooking fires, unwashed bodies, and the distinctive acrid tang of chemicals.

"Someone's manufacturing something down here," Lucas murmured.

"Better living through chemistry," Meowth replied sarcastically. 

As they drew closer, voices carried through the tunnel—slurred arguments, barked orders, and occasional bursts of laughter. The underground community wasn't trying to hide its presence. Why would they? Law enforcement rarely ventured this deep, and most citizens had forgotten these passages even existed.

"Remember," Lucas said, "we're here to trade first, gather information second. No hint of bounty hunting until we've established ourselves."

Meowth nodded, his demeanour shifting subtly. His usual cocky swagger intensified, claws extended just enough to catch the light. "Got it, boss. Just a couple of dirt-bags looking for an opportunity."

The makeshift market appeared around a bend—a widened section of tunnel converted into a bizarre bazaar. Sheets of corrugated metal formed stalls, while strings of bare bulbs provided harsh lighting. Figures huddled around fires built in metal drums, warming hands or cooking meals in blackened pots. Others lounged against walls, watching newcomers with predatory interest.

Lucas straightened his shoulders and adopted a wary but confident stride—the walk of someone dangerous enough to be left alone, but not threatening enough to be challenged. He pulled his jacket tighter, concealing the knife but making sure its outline remained visible.

"Showtime," he muttered. Meowth padded alongside him, whiskers twitching as he catalogued threats, exits, and potential marks.

The first test of their disguise awaited.

So, what do you think? In the next chapter, Lucas continues to explore the underground tunnels.

Thanks for reading.