Pokemon: Resurgence Chapter 85

Hi all,

Here’s the third chapter. The final chapter will be out tomorrow. Please forgive the formatting, as I'm having an issue with Patreon.

Chapter 85

Lucas sprawled on the sofa, staring at the ceiling as his mind replayed the day's chaos. The television droned in the background, some mindless game show providing white noise. Sabrina sat across from him, legs tucked beneath her as she read a book.

The front door slammed with enough force to rattle the windows. Lucas bolted upright, exchanging a quick glance with Sabrina before they both hurried to investigate.

They entered the hallway to find Bree standing in the entryway, Salem hovering at her shoulder. Between them lay an unconscious man, face-down on the hardwood floor.

"I come bearing gifts," Bree announced, her stitched mouth curving into a smile.

Sabrina halted mid-step. "Bree, what the hell?"

Lucas peered at the motionless figure. "Is he dead? Do I have to get rid of the evidence?"

"Shut it, Lucas." Sabrina's voice sharpened. "Bree, explain now."

The doll-like entity rocked on her heels, mitten-hands clasped behind her back. "I caught him watching the property. He saw your visitor, so I stopped him from leaving and reporting to whoever sent him."

Lucas swore under his breath. "I should have known people were watching the property. Nice save, Bree."

Bree shrugged. "It was nothing." 

"What were you doing out there in the first place?" Sabrina asked.

"I was bored and kept getting these eerie feelings we were being watched, so I went to investigate." Bree nudged the unconscious man with her foot. "It turns out I was right."

Lucas crouched to examine their uninvited guest. His dark clothing blended perfectly with the nighttime surroundings—clear evidence of someone trying to avoid detection. 

"What are we going to do with him?" Lucas asked.

Bree made a dismissive gesture. The man's body rose several inches off the floor, suspended by invisible force. "Don't worry. I've got this sorted. Just give me an hour, and he'll tell us everything we want to know."

"Bree, you can't torture him," Sabrina protested.

"Why not?" Lucas stood, brushing off his knees. "I'd like to know what the man knows. Surely you're not squeamish? This man is threatening us."

Sabrina pinched the bridge of her nose. "Still, I'd rather not go to such extremes from the start. For the time being, we'll keep him imprisoned while I work on recovering my ability."

"Are you referring to your mind reading?" Lucas asked.

"Yes. I regained the ability a few days ago, but it needs a lot of work."

Lucas' eyebrows shot up. "Why didn't you say so earlier? Have you been reading my mind?"

"Once. I immediately stopped when I realised your mind is a cesspool."

"Well, you know what they say." Lucas grinned. "Fuck around and find out."

Bree, growing impatient with their banter, began bouncing the man on the floor with her telekinesis, and his head hit the floor repeatedly.

"Alright, don't give him brain damage," Lucas said, rushing toward her. "I'll take him off your hands."

As Lucas approached, he noticed something odd—a faint blue energy emanating from the man's body. It pulsed weakly, almost imperceptible, but unmistakable to someone trained in aura manipulation.

"This man is an aura guardian," Lucas announced.

Sabrina stepped closer. "So, he's from Team Aura? Or someone else in the Rota Kingdom interested in us?"

"I don't know. But he likely can conceal his aura." Lucas studied the prone figure. "I've heard about it. The only reason I can detect it now is because he's unconscious."

Bree floated closer, her button eyes fixed on the man. "Another enemy to worry about? Why do you offend so many people?"

"It's a gift. Lucky I have a homicidal doll to watch my back."

Bree smiled.

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

Morning dew soaked through Lucas's boots as he patrolled the property's perimeter. Max lumbered beside him, the massive Electivire scanning the tree line for any sign of movement. Icarus circled overhead, his keen eyes sweeping the surrounding countryside.

So far, they'd found nothing—no active surveillance. But Lucas hadn't missed the signs of recent occupation. Whoever else was spying on them wasn’t subtle. 

Bree had assured him the man she'd captured was working alone last night, but Lucas couldn't shake his unease. He had a lot of parties interested in him.

He had to deal with the same nonsense with his property in Hoenn. It remained under official observation, with Rangers maintaining a security perimeter. Rayquaza's continued presence made the site a point of international interest. 

Lucas needed to visit soon to harvest some meteorite rock, but navigating the bureaucratic red tape would prove challenging. Negotiations between the regional governments for access to the material were still ongoing, so it wasn’t a priority. And it didn’t matter who it went to, as long as he profited from it.   

At least the intruder was secured. Lucas had locked him in one of the auxiliary buildings with heavy restraints. He wasn’t taking any chances. The man might possess capabilities Lucas couldn't anticipate. Salem would stand guard until they could extract the information they needed from him.

A shimmer in the air caught Lucas's attention. He halted mid-stride as the light coalesced into Mew's familiar form. The legendary Pokemon hovered at eye level, tail swishing behind it.

"What do you want?" Lucas crossed his arms. "Are you proud of yourself for the stunt you pulled at the summit?"

Mew's voice materialised directly in his mind. It was necessary. They were going to restrict you, and I cannot allow that to happen.

"Have you seen today's newspaper?" Lucas asked. "It's already gotten out I'm friends with not one legendary, but two."

Isn't that a good thing? Your enemies are less likely to bother you, knowing you're under my protection.

"Really? I've got a prisoner spying on my property. It doesn't feel like they're scared of me."

Despite what he said, he couldn’t deny the fact that being associated with Mew and Rayquaza would give his enemies pause. It meant he could relax and focus on his business for the immediate future and continue to train his Pokemon and grow stronger.      

That's why I'm here. Mew drifted closer. I can prevent people from spying on you.

Lucas narrowed his eyes. "What will it cost me? Don't tell me you want a pill as well?"

Not necessary. Mew's mental voice carried a hint of amusement. You will owe me a favour.

A notification chimed in Lucas's interface:

=========

New Legendary Quest! 

Mew's Favour: Owe Mew an unspecified future favour. 

Reward: +1000 favourability with Mew, +2 skill points.

=========

"Am I going to regret this?" Lucas asked.

No idea. Isn't not knowing the exciting part?

"I'm going to regret it."

Mew shot skyward, vanishing into a patch of clouds. Lucas watched until the pink speck disappeared entirely, wondering what exactly he'd committed himself to.

He turned to survey his property. Despite Mew's promised protection, unease gnawed at him. The estate sprawled across several acres, but the surrounding woodland offered too many vantage points for determined observers. Team Rocket, Team Aura, various government agencies—the list of parties interested in monitoring him grew by the day.

The obvious solution was to expand. Purchasing the adjacent lands would create a wider buffer zone, allowing him to implement proper security measures. Additional acreage meant more distance between his operations and potential spies, more space to detect intruders before they got close enough to observe anything sensitive.

This would simultaneously solve another pressing issue—Raijin's territory quest. The young Zapdos required a certain amount of territory. 

His thoughts shifted to the electric batteries he still needed to purchase for the breeding facility. Securing a reliable power supply remained a priority, especially as their operations expanded. The expense would be immense—quality batteries capable of storing Raijin's electricity didn't come cheap—but the investment would pay off in the long run. With Raijin charging the system, they could operate completely off-grid.

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

Lucas watched as the two Pokemon positioned themselves at opposite ends of the training field. This dedicated battle area had been one of his first requests when the construction crew began work on the property—a necessity for proper training without damaging the surrounding landscape.

Nero wanted one more battle in this form before he evolved into Krookodile, and Lucas had chosen Ash as his opponent. They were at the same level, so it was a fair contest. Both had learned some new moves recently and were eager to test them out in battle. 

The Krokorok's eyes narrowed, muscles coiling beneath his rough hide. Ashe's nine tails fanned out behind her, each tip flickering with flame. 

Nero struck first, jaws snapping as he lunged forward with blinding speed. Ashe twisted aside, her tails leaving trails of fire in the air. She countered with a swift Flamethrower, the searing blast forcing Nero to dive sideways.

The ground erupted as Nero vanished beneath the surface, leaving only a shallow hole. Ashe's ears perked, tracking his movement through vibrations in the earth. When the ground bulged behind her, she leapt skyward, avoiding Nero's ambush by milliseconds.

His claws sliced through the empty air where she'd stood. Ashe landed gracefully and launched three consecutive Fire Spins that carved spiralling paths toward her opponent. Nero met the first with Stone Edge, the rocky projectiles shattering the flaming vortex. He rolled beneath the second and took the third head-on, crossing his arms as flames washed over him.

Emerging from the fire with scales smoking, Nero charged. His Crunch attack narrowly missed as Ashe sidestepped, countering with Quick Attack, which struck his flank. Nero absorbed the blow, pivoting to catch her with his tail. The impact sent Ashe tumbling across the field.

She recovered mid-roll, springing back to her feet as Nero pressed his advantage. His Foul Play technique redirected her momentum against her, turning her recovery into vulnerability. Ashe crashed into the ground, dust billowing around her.

Lucas watched intently from the sidelines. Nero dominated through raw power and cunning, but Ashe remained dangerous. Her Nine-tails Talisman trait could trigger unpredictably, potentially turning the battle.

As if responding to his thoughts, a strange energy pulsed through Ashe. Her eyes glowed with inner fire, and the temperature around her skyrocketed. The Nine-tails Talisman had activated.

Her flames transformed from orange to blue-white, doubling in intensity. Her next Flamethrower scorched a trench across the field, the heat so intense it caused Lucas to shield his face. Nero barely evaded, diving sideways as infernal heat blistered his tail.

Ashe pressed the attack, unleashing waves of superheated flame. The ground blackened beneath her paws, grass withering instantly. Each breath expelled fire, creating a storm of heat that drove Nero back step by step.

With survival instincts kicking in, Nero plunged underground. The earth above him baked and cracked as Ashe's flames swept over his escape route. The superheated ground must have been agony against his scales, but he remained hidden.

Seconds stretched into a minute. Ashe stood vigilantly, flames cascading from her jaws as she searched for movement. The Nine-tails Talisman's effect began to fade, her flames returning to their normal hue.

In that moment of transition, Nero struck. He erupted from the earth directly beneath her, jaws clamping around her midsection. The momentum carried them both skyward. At the apex of their ascent, Nero twisted, driving Ashe toward the ground.

The impact cratered the field. Ashe lay stunned, unable to rise as Nero stood victorious, chest heaving from exertion.

"Great fight," Lucas said, recalling Ashe to her pokeball. 

Ashe's Nine-tail Talisman trait was unpredictable, making it difficult to use strategically. However, when it activated, it often turned the battle in her favour. Nero's victory over her was a true reflection of his skill.

"Are you ready to evolve now?"

Nero grunted in confirmation.

Lucas retrieved a leaf stone from his pocket. He held it out to Nero, who snatched it with surprising gentleness. The Krokorok examined it briefly before popping it into his mouth.

Lucas winced at the crunching sounds as Nero's powerful jaws pulverised the stone. Evolution stones were among the hardest substances in the Pokemon world, yet Nero chewed through them like candy. The grinding diminished until Nero swallowed the last fragments.

It was one of the stranger evolutionary requirements he encountered. Nero had to consume ten evolution stones, and he would gain some resistance to the associated type. He had fed Nero water, leaf, and ice stones to shore up some of his weaknesses. This was the last stone he needed to trigger his evolution.  

For several seconds, nothing happened. Then Nero's body began to glow, first from within, then bursting outward in brilliant light. His silhouette warped and expanded, growing taller and bulkier. His snout elongated, and his arms thickened with new muscle.

When the glow subsided, a Krookodile stood where Nero had been. His crimson scales gleamed in the sunlight, and black markings accentuated his fearsome appearance. Nero flexed his new claws, inspecting them with satisfaction.

He took experimental steps, testing his centre of gravity. When he opened his jaws, rows of razor-sharp teeth flashed menacingly.

Nero was slightly larger than average for his species, though not dramatically so. He had declined a growth potion, believing it would impede his digging ability. The decision seemed wise—his new form balanced power with mobility.

Opening his menu, Lucas examined Nero's parameters.

=============

Species: Krookodile
Gender: Male
Favourability: Honoured 1040/16000 (+20% stats)
Favourite Food: Dryad Dust; Nero Recipe X
Level: 40  Next: [1%]
Exp Cache: [56700]
Stats obtained from EVs [100/300]
Special Ability: Anger Point

=========

Attack: 235 [197]

Special Attack: 126 [106] 

Defence: 135 [113]

Special Defence: 127 [108]

Speed: 210 [184]

Luck: 85 [71]

=========

Moves

Mastered:
Crunch, Torment, Sand Tomb, Mud Slap, Swagger, Dig,

Unmastered

Sand Storm: 85%, Foul Play: 68%, Earthquake: 52%, Stone Edge: 8%, Aqua Tail: 1%

=========

Description: Nero has evolved into a Krookodile, reaching his final evolutionary form. While still maintaining his fierce temperament, Nero has developed a grudging respect for Lucas and a territorial protectiveness over the team. His battle style combines brute force with surprising tactical awareness, often luring opponents into false security before unleashing devastating combinations. 

=========

Hidden Stats
Intelligence: 7
Endurance: 10
Energy: 8
Aptitude: 9

=========

Affinities
Normal: 49%
Ground: 96%
Dark: 96%

Water: 50%

Rock: 37%

=========

Inherent Traits (Can be passed onto offspring)
Ground-type Aptitude (Expert) - Significantly increases ground-affinity training by thirty percent.
Dark Elemental (Expert) - Significantly increases the power and effectiveness of dark-type moves.
Attack Boost (Master) - Massively increases attack stat potency.
Speed Aptitude (Expert) - Significantly increases speed stat training efficiency.
Paralysis Ward - Immune to the paralysis status condition.

Burn Resistance - 50% chance to resist the burn status condition.

Freeze Resistance: - 50% chance to resist the freeze status condition. 

Ice-type Resistance - 25% damage reduction from ice-type moves.
Grass-type Resistance - 25% damage reduction from grass-type moves.
Water-type Resistance - 25% damage reduction from water-type moves.

Learned/Acquired/Unique Traits
Sand Diver - Can swim beneath the sand as if it were swimming through water.
Berserker - When in critical condition, it sacrifices defence to raise its attack.
Energy Control - It's more efficient with its energy consumption, requiring less to execute a move.

On the Edge - When facing a Pokemon 10+ levels higher, attack and speed increase by 20%.
=========

“You’re an absolute monster,” Lucas murmured. 

With their bond having reached honoured status, Nero's stats had received substantial boosts across the board. Despite this deeper connection, the Krokorok steadfastly refused to communicate through their mental link. Lucas had come to accept this stubborn silence—at least Nero followed battle commands without hesitation, which mattered more in practical terms.

He made a mental note to address Nero's overcrowded move pool soon. The Krokorok had accumulated too many techniques over his training period, and some would need to be sacrificed to maintain battle efficiency. 

His mobile rang. The screen displayed a name he hadn't seen in ages.

"Delia, how's it going? How are the kids?" 

"I'm doing good. So are Ash and Misty." Her voice carried the warmth he remembered. "I don't know if I can say the same for you."

Lucas chuckled. "Have you been watching the news?"

"Yes. It seems like you're in the news every other day. You've come a long way since I first found you."

"I wouldn't be here without you."

"I'm sure you would have survived somehow," Delia replied. "You have the ability to get yourself out of dangerous situations."

"Nope, I was definitely done for." Lucas watched as Nero experimented with a Crunch attack, his new jaws crushing a boulder effortlessly. "How's Ash's league journey going?"

"He's doing well. He has earned three badges so far. Pidgey has evolved into a Pidgeot."

"That fast, huh? I'm glad my first egg is doing so well." Lucas felt a twinge of pride at the news. "Where are you located?"

"We're returning to Pallet Town briefly before continuing to Pewter City."

"Well, I might drop in to see you at some point."

The conversation continued, with Delia sharing stories of their adventures. When the call ended, Lucas stood watching Nero explore his new form. The connection to Delia reminded him of simpler days, before legendary Pokemon and international politics had complicated his life. 

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

The cardboard boxes sat half-dismantled on the living room floor, surrounded by a sea of machine parts and documents. Lucas scratched his head as he flipped through a particularly dense technical manual, squinting at diagrams he couldn't make sense of.

The shipment from Devon Corporation had arrived at dawn—three crates of equipment and research notes for reviving fossil Pokemon. Though impressive, the jumble of parts resembled nothing like the sleek laboratory setup he'd seen at Devon's headquarters.

Sabrina found him cross-legged amongst the chaos.

"You look lost," she said, leaning against the doorframe.

Lucas tossed the manual aside with a groan. "Is it that obvious? I can't make heads or tails of it."

"Why don't you let me do it?" Sabrina walked into the room, carefully stepping between the scattered parts.

"Good thinking. You're a lot more mechanically inclined than me."

Sabrina sat down opposite him. "I'm not just talking about assembling the machines. I want to tackle the project myself. You've got too many things on your hands already."

Lucas paused, eyebrows raised. "Are you serious? What brought this on?"

"Other than training my Pokemon, I don't have much else to do. Besides, I've been involved with some scientific projects with the Silph Company. I have some knowledge of the fossil technology."

"Help yourself. I would rather be doing other things. Do you know where you want to set up?"

"There's a couple of empty buildings on the property. I can use one of them."

Their conversation halted as Brock appeared in the doorway.

"Mayor Cassidy is here," he announced. "She's in the guest receiving room."

Lucas exchanged a puzzled glance with Sabrina. "Did she say what she wanted?"

Brock shook his head. "She seems rattled."

Curiosity piqued, they followed Brock down the hallway. Inside the receiving room, Cassidy paced back and forth, her immaculate appearance in disarray. Her clothes were torn and stained with what looked disturbingly like blood. When she spotted them, she stopped abruptly.

"Lucas, the shit has hit the fan." 

"What happened?" Lucas moved closer, noting the bruise forming on her cheek.

"Giovanni's goons ambushed me. My bodyguards are dead. I barely escaped with my life."

Lucas frowned. "He sent them to attack you in the city?"

"No, I was at the mines, doing an inspection." Cassidy ran a shaking hand through her dishevelled hair. "They completely blindsided me."

"It looks like Giovanni is getting impatient," Lucas said. "What are the authorities doing about it?"

Cassidy slumped onto one of the chairs. "I don't know. I immediately headed here. There's no way I can keep my job as mayor while Giovanni is after me."

"Have you notified my uncle?" Sabrina asked.

"Yes, I called him. He's going to choose a replacement until this matter gets resolved."

Lucas studied her for a moment. "Why did you come here? Do you think I can stop Giovanni?"

"Lucas, you're associated with two legendaries," Cassidy said, desperation clear in her voice. "There's no way he would attack this place."

"I get it. You want to be a freeloader."

"No." She straightened her spine. "Put me to work. I don't care what it is. So long as I can stay here."

Lucas exchanged a glance with Sabrina, who shrugged. He took a moment to consider whether allowing Cassidy to stay made sense. 

The biggest concern was their Aura Guardian prisoner locked in the auxiliary building. If Cassidy discovered him, explaining the situation would prove complicated. Still, she already knew about Bree and his connection to legendary Pokemon, 

Besides, having a former mayor with connections throughout the region could prove useful. The breeding operation needed permits, their business ventures required political support, and Cassidy's administrative experience might streamline these processes.

"I could always use more help around the place," he decided. "For the moment, I'll put you in the guest room."

"Thank you. You're a—"

She trailed off when Bree trotted into the room, her face rapidly paling. "She's living here?"

Bree's stitched mouth curved into a smile. "Cassidy, right? We have so much to catch up on."

Cassidy shuddered.

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

The morning sun cast long shadows across the grounds as Lucas and Sabrina stood outside the auxiliary building. It was nearly identical to the other structures on the property—a nondescript outbuilding that wouldn't draw attention. Perfect for holding a prisoner.

"Ready to test your mind reading?" Lucas asked.

Sabrina nodded, taking a deep breath. "Go ahead."

Lucas focused his thoughts on a sequence of numbers.

Sabrina's brow furrowed in concentration, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Seven... nine... three…two…five and—Lucas!"

"Too explicit?" Lucas asked innocently. "You got them all correct. Let's see if it works on our guest."

They entered the building, moving through a small anteroom into the makeshift interrogation chamber. The prisoner sat chained to a metal table bolted to the floor. Despite his restraints, they'd made some concessions to comfort—a proper bed in the corner, a small bookshelf, even a radio. No point in unnecessary cruelty.

Marcus looked up as they entered, his expression betraying nothing. They had tried questioning him without resorting to using Sabrina’s abilities, but it had yielded zero results—not a word, not a gesture, nothing but stoic silence.

Sabrina took the seat opposite him while Lucas leaned against the wall. 

"Let's start simple," Sabrina said. "How are you feeling today?"

Marcus stared through her as if she weren't there.

"Are you hungry? Thirsty?" she continued, her questions deliberately casual. The plan wasn't to get verbal responses but to make him think about the answers—thoughts she could access.

His eyes gave nothing away, but Sabrina smiled slightly.

"Malcolm is an interesting name," she said. "Were you named after someone in your family?"

Marcus jerked his head up, surprise clearly written across his face at the mention of his actual name.

“Why were you spying on us?”

Silence.

Sabrina tilted her head. "His job was to scope out the property, to give a team the best chance to assassinate you."

"Damn, they're still after me?" Lucas pushed away from the wall. "What's their problem?"

"How are you doing that?" Marcus demanded, his voice hoarse from disuse. "Get out of my head!"

"He speaks," Lucas remarked dryly.

Marcus strained against his restraints. "I thought you had lost your psychic powers, Sabrina. You better kill me, or I'm going to reveal it to the world."

"Don't worry. You won't be remembering this conversation." Lucas said.

Marcus's eyes widened.

Sabrina continued. "Why is Team Aura targeting Lucas?" 

Marcus clamped his mouth shut, clearly trying to control his thoughts. Sabrina repeated the question, phrasing it in different ways, watching his face closely. The man's forehead beaded with sweat as he fought against her mental probing.

After several minutes, Sabrina leaned back, satisfaction crossing her features.

"What is it?" Lucas asked.

"Lysandre is part of Team Aura," she said. "It's him that wants you dead."

Lucas cursed under his breath. "I shouldn't be surprised. He’s an Aura Guardian. He might be originally from the Rota Kingdom."

Sabrina spent the next several minutes asking targeted questions, extracting fragments of information despite Marcus's resistance—Team Aura's approximate membership, their main base's rough location, the hierarchy with Marcus operating under Lysandre's direct commands. Her progress stalled frequently. Marcus's knowledge had clear boundaries. 

"They're compartmentalised," Sabrina said to Lucas. "Each member knows only what they need to. Marcus doesn't have access to the full picture."

Marcus smirked despite his situation. "Even if you crack my head open, you won't get what isn't there. 

“I don’t think we will get anything else out of him,” Sabrina said, rubbing her forehead.

Lucas frowned. “Are you okay?” 

“Just a slight headache. I overused my abilities.”  

"What are you going to do with me?" Marcus asked.

Lucas walked to the door and opened it. Bree waddled into the room, her button eyes fixed on Marcus, mitten hands clasped behind her back.

"What the hell is that?" Marcus recoiled, chains rattling as he pushed his chair back from the table.

"Meet Bree," Lucas said. "Sabrina's alter ego, only a lot meaner. She has this amazing ability to wipe people's memories."

Bree's stitched mouth curved upward. "I still say we should kill him. Less messy that way."

"Get that thing away from me!" Marcus struggled frantically against his restraints, eyes never leaving Bree's approaching form.

"No killing," Sabrina said firmly. "Having his memories completely wiped is punishment enough."

She motioned to Lucas, and they stepped out of the room, closing the door behind them. Through the wood, they heard Marcus begin to shout, the sounds quickly escalating into terrified screams.

Lucas grinned. "It's a beautiful day, isn't it?"

"You're as bad as Bree."

"High praise, indeed."

The screaming continued behind them, gradually fading as they walked away from the building, leaving Bree to her work. They would drop Marcus off in a random location and leave the man to live his life without his memories. Perhaps he would turn over a new leaf and live an honest life. 

They had gotten enough information from Marcus to pass on to Queen Illene. Lucas didn’t want to get involved in any more drama if he didn’t need to, and she knew more about the organisation than he did. That would change if they tried to attack him. He would make sure they couldn’t bother him ever again.

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

The two-storey building stood out, its modern exterior contrasting with the rustic aesthetic of the Rota Kingdom. 

It was constructed from polished stone and tinted glass, with "LUCAS WALKER'S BREEDING EMPORIUM" emblazoned across the front in striking gold lettering. The construction team had only completed it a week ago, but the wait had been worth every pokedollar.

Lucas straightened his tie, surveying the massive crowd gathered before the storefront. They spilled across the courtyard, some having arrived before dawn to secure prime positions. The side entrance to his property had become a temporary thoroughfare, with kingdom guards managing the flow to prevent overcrowding.

Sabrina stood beside him, elegant in a tailored navy dress that complemented her purple hair. Her presence had a calming effect on Lucas's pre-opening nerves. 

"Quite the turnout," she murmured, her eyes scanning the crowd.

Queen Ilene stood on a small raised platform to the left of the entrance, flanked by her royal guards. Her presence lent credibility to the venture; her endorsement was worth more than any advertising campaign. 

Through the glass frontage, Lucas could see Daisy. Brock and Cassidy arranging the display cabinets, meticulously positioning each item for maximum impact. 

The store had fifty-seven eggs for the opening day. It represented a staggering investment of time and resources. He managed the feat by maxing out his Skilled Breeder skill and investing in more breeding pairs.

The pre-orders for the Eevees alone had earned him a small fortune. All of his buyers were here to claim their Pokemon. Skeptics had scoffed at his claims of controllable Eevee evolution, but today would silence them permanently.

Professor Oak stood near the front of the crowd, deep in conversation with Bill. Their presence wasn't surprising—Oak's scientific curiosity and Bill's Eevee obsession made them inevitable attendees. What did surprise Lucas was the number of media representatives. He counted at least five different networks setting up equipment.

The recent border opening between Kanto and the Rota Kingdom had timed perfectly with his launch. Officials from both regions had been working for months to establish a formal alliance, with today marking the first day of unrestricted travel. The political maneuvering behind this development reeked of Shichiro's influence, though Lucas wasn't complaining about the convenient timing.

He checked his watch. Almost time.

A young woman approached, her press badge identifying her as a reporter from the Celadon Chronicle. "Mr. Walker, can you comment on how you've achieved the breakthrough with Eevee evolution that's eluded researchers for decades?"

"You'll see for yourself in about one minute," Lucas replied.

The reporter opened her mouth to ask a follow-up question, but Lucas was already moving toward the entrance. He glanced at his watch again—exactly noon.

He pulled a small remote from his pocket and pressed a button. Inside the shop, hidden panels in the walls slid open, revealing specially designed habitats. Inside each one stood a different Eevee evolution—all eight variants represented. Gasps erupted from those close enough to the windows to see.

With practiced showmanship, Lucas approached the ribbon stretched across the entrance. Queen Ilene stepped forward, accepting the ceremonial scissors from a guard.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Lucas addressed the crowd, "welcome to the future of Pokemon breeding."

So, what do you think? Three months have passed in this chapter, so quite a bit has happened.. I will be slowly revealing it over the coming chapters.

Thanks for reading.