Pokemon: Resurgence Chapter 63

Hi all, 

Here’s the next chapter. I have updated the Status post as well, which was a nightmare. The next chapter will be Artisan’s Path, which will be out tomorrow.

Chapter 63

Lucas slammed the laboratory door shut, his chest heaving as he leaned against it. The metal groaned under the relentless onslaught of the frenzied Rattata outside. He silently thanked Salem for phasing through the door and unlocking it from the inside. Without the Banette's quick thinking, he might've been trapped outside, at the mercy of the mutated horde.

"Bloody hell, that was too close," he gasped.

Meowth's fur stood on end, and his tail puffed to twice its normal size. "You're telling me, partner. I thought we were goners for sure. Those weren't normal Rattata out there."

Lucas ran a shaky hand through his hair, his mind reeling. "What in Arceus' name did those scientists do to them? They were like something out of a nightmare."

As his heart rate began to slow, Lucas reached out through his mental bond to Icarus and Saphira, who were still circling above the lab.

“Are you two alright up there?” he projected.

Icarus's voice came back, tinged with concern. “We're fine. Those Rattata can't reach us. Do you want us to fly for help?”

Lucas considered it for a moment. “Hold off for now. The Rattata can’t get to us here, and I want to investigate a bit. Keep an eye on the situation outside.”

“Understood,” Icarus replied. 

After speaking briefly to Saphira, he cut off the connection.

Salem drifted silently nearby, his button eyes gleaming in the dim light. The rest of Lucas's team were scattered around the room, each trying to calm their nerves after the harrowing escape. 

Lucas grimaced when he remembered that Dante's pokeball was still out there, lost in the frenzied swarm. He swallowed hard, pushing down the rising panic. Dante was safe as long as he remained within the ball, but the thought of losing his companion made Lucas's stomach churn.

Lucas fumbled for the light switch. He winced as harsh fluorescent bulbs flickered to life, revealing the full extent of the laboratory. The room they'd entered appeared to be a central hub, with long corridors branching off in several directions. Overturned tables, shattered glassware, and toppled equipment littered the floor, telling a story of hasty abandonment.

"Blimey, this place is massive," Meowth observed. “But they were quick to abandon it." 

Lucas nodded. "They were bloody thorough about not leaving anything behind."

He fished his mobile phone from his pocket, hoping to call for help, but his heart sank when he saw no signal. He retrieved the Hologram device from his inventory, but it fared no better. 

"Damn it all," Lucas muttered. He approached a bank of computers, their screens dark and lifeless. Loose wires dangled where hard drives had been hastily removed. Filing cabinets stood open, their contents stripped bare.

The relentless scratching and squeaking outside intensified, a chilling reminder of the danger that lurked just beyond the door. Lucas shuddered, his imagination conjuring images of the sea of mutated rodents, their eyes glowing with unnatural hunger.

"Right, we need to find another way out of this mess," he said. "Spread out, look for anything useful. There's got to be something they missed."

They fanned out across the lab, searching for clues or potential escape routes. Lucas rifled through drawers, finding nothing but dust and the occasional paper clip. Meowth clambered atop shelves, peering into empty beakers and flasks with growing frustration.

"Oi, partner!" Meowth suddenly called out, his voice echoing in the cavernous space. "I've found something interesting over here."

Lucas hurried over. Meowth pointed to a reinforced door set into the far wall. It remained undisturbed by the chaos that had swept through the rest of the facility.

Lucas approached the door with cautious optimism.

His hope quickly turned to dread as he spotted a weathered sign hanging at eye level. Its message sent a chill down his spine:

WARNING: BEACON ACTIVE

DO NOT ENTER

RATTATA SWARM CONTAINMENT

Lucas's blood ran cold. "Bloody hell, they created a beacon to attract the mutated Rattata? What were they thinking?"

Meowth's whiskers twitched nervously. "Looks like they bit off more than they could chew with this little science experiment, eh?"

A low growl from Max drew their attention. The Electabuzz stood before a toppled filing cabinet, pawing at a sheet of paper trapped beneath. Lucas carefully extracted the document, his eyes widening as he scanned its contents.

"It's some kind of evacuation order," he said. "Dated eight months ago. Blimey, listen to this: 'The beacon's power source is self-sustaining. It's the only thing containing the Rattata swarm in the area. If it shuts off, they'll spread to the rest of the forest.'"

The implications hit Lucas like a punch to the gut. Even in his panicked escape, he'd noticed there must have been hundreds of Rattata, at least. But now he suspected there were far more, an army of mutated rodents that could easily overwhelm a small town without adequate protection. Perhaps a city like Viridian would also be in danger.  

Meowth snorted. "So they just... left? Didn't clean up their mess? That's proper irresponsible, that is."

"Looks like it. The order mentions the 'extreme danger' posed by the swarm. No one wanted to risk cleaning up the mess they'd made. They would rather pretend it didn’t happen."

Lucas and Meowth pressed on, delving deeper into the abandoned laboratory. The acrid stench of chemicals and decay hung in the air, a grim reminder of the forsaken experiments that had landed them in this nightmarish predicament.

"I don't fancy this one bit, partner," Meowth whispered.

"Neither do I," Lucas muttered, "but we've got to find a way out of this bloody mess."

They traversed countless rooms, each stripped bare save for overturned equipment and detritus scattered across the floor. Despite their hasty departure, the scientists had been meticulous in removing anything of value, and any incriminating evidence as to who was responsible for the research.

As they rounded a corner, a metal staircase appeared, leading up to a sturdy door marked 'Roof Access'. The sight sparked an idea in Lucas's mind.

"We could have Saphira pluck us from the roof before those Rattata even realise what's happening," Lucas suggested.

Meowth's tail swished sceptically. "I dunno, partner. It seems a tad too straightforward."

A cacophony of scuttling noises echoed from above as if to confirm Meowth's misgivings. The sound of countless tiny claws scraping against metal sent shivers down Lucas's spine.

"Dammit," Lucas breathed, his hopes dashed. "They're on the bloody roof as well."

Abandoning the notion of roof access, Lucas reached out to Icarus through their mental bond. "Icarus, I need a bird's eye view of the situation. No pun intended. What can you see from up there?"

There was a moment's pause before Icarus's voice filled his mind. "There must be thousands of Rattata that make up the horde. They're swarming the entire building. I've never seen anything like it."

Lucas's heart plummeted. The situation was far more dire than he'd dared imagine. 

"What's our next move, partner?" Meowth asked softly, his usual bravado conspicuously absent.

"I haven't the foggiest," Lucas sighed, running a hand through his hair. "How can those responsible be so bloody irresponsible? They should have dealt with this mess when it first arose. These Rattata are breeding out of control, and if nothing's done soon, they'll become a catastrophe of epic proportions."

"It's just like humans to muck things up and scarper without taking responsibility," Meowth replied.

It was hard to disagree with Meowth’s assessment.

“If we stop the beacon, the Rattata will disperse and allow us to escape,” Lucas mused. “But that would allow the swarm to spread throughout the forest. The devastation to the Pokemon population would be bad enough, but what if it reached the city?”

“We could shut it off temporarily,” Meowth said. “As soon as they have dispersed from around the laboratory, we turn it back on and escape through the roof.”

Lucas considered the idea, turning it over in his mind. On the surface, it wasn't a bad plan, but the more he pondered, the more potential pitfalls emerged.

"Hold on a tick," he muttered, brow furrowing. "We don't know nearly enough about this beacon contraption."

Meowth cocked his head. "What do you mean?"

Lucas ticked off concerns on his fingers. "What if we can't get through that reinforced door? It looks like it could withstand a lot of damage. And even if we manage to breach it, who's to say the scientists didn't install additional security measures?"

He paused, a more chilling thought occurring to him. "And let's say we do manage to turn it off. What then? Would we even be able to switch it back on once it's deactivated? For all we know, shutting it down could be a one-way street."

“I hadn’t thought about that, Meowth.”

Lucas closed his eyes, his mind racing as he contemplated their predicament. There was one potential avenue of escape, but it was fraught with risk. His Aura Barrier skill had been improving steadily, now at level four. It was significantly more robust than when he'd first acquired it, capable of withstanding considerable damage. He estimated he only needed a bit more practice to max it out. But would it be enough to save them?

The only other option was to send Icarus and Saphira back to Viridian City to alert the authorities. But how long would it take for them to grasp the gravity of the situation? The Pokémon couldn't exactly communicate with humans, so getting them to follow into the forest might prove a time-consuming endeavour. 

Lucas's eyes snapped open. "Meowth, I might have an idea. It's risky, but it might be our only shot at getting out of here in one piece."

The feline Pokémon's ears perked up. "I'm all ears, partner."

"My Aura Barrier is on the cusp of reaching its maximum level," Lucas explained. "If I can push it just a bit further, it might be strong enough to shield me from the swarm long enough for Saphira to swoop in and whisk me away to safety."

Meowth's eyes widened. "That's absolutely mental. Have you any idea how many of those little blighters are out there?"

Lucas shrugged, a grim smile playing on his lips. "It’s the best plan I have got. Besides, we still have Salem. He can take some of the heat off us.”

He sat down cross-legged, and summoned his barrier. By now, he could manipulate it with considerable finesse. When focused solely on himself, it consisted of several layers capable of withstanding significant damage. He'd tested it against his Pokémon, and none had managed to breach it with one of their strongest attacks. Although, he mused, it probably wouldn't survive a second one.

To err on the side of caution, Lucas resolved to push his barrier to its absolute limit. Thanks to his ample supply of aura potions and increased aura capacity, he should have more than enough energy to sustain the effort. His advancements in his Aura Infusion and Sculpting skill had bolstered his total aura to over two thousand units.

As Lucas began to focus his energy, channelling it into strengthening his barrier, he couldn't help but wonder what other secrets the laboratory held. Whatever horrors had been unleashed here, he was determined to bring the truth to light. The world needed to know about the Rattata threat, and those responsible had to be held accountable. 

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

As the last echoes of hymns faded from the vaulted ceiling of Saffron City's grand cathedral, Bishop Castor stood at the pulpit, his steely gaze sweeping over the dispersing congregation. A razor-thin smile, devoid of warmth, carved across his angular features. Despite the tempest of scandals that had battered the Church of Arceus in recent months, these simpering fools still flocked to their shepherd, bleating for guidance and absolution.

Yet, Castor's keen mind couldn't dismiss the undeniable truth: attendance had waned, particularly in the Eastern Kanto region. The pews, once packed to bursting, now bore conspicuous gaps—silent testaments to waning faith. It was this very predicament that had prompted the Pope to dispatch Castor here.

A mirthless chuckle escaped Castor's lips. A Herculean task, indeed, given the formidable opposition that had coalesced against them. The upstart Prime Minister, the Elite Four, and that decrepit old fool, Professor Oak, had all aligned against the Church. If that fool Zero hadn't made such a silly mistake, then maybe it wouldn’t have come to this point.

As the last parishioner shuffled out, leaving behind the lingering scent of incense and false piety, Castor descended from the pulpit. He observed the priests as they moved about and collected the donations before retreating to his private chambers. Just as he was about to settle down for some tea, his phone buzzed insistently. Frowning at the interruption, he answered, "Yes?"

"Your Grace," an agitated voice said. "We have a situation at the Viridian Forest facility."

Castor's grip on the phone tightened. "Explain."

"Our sensors have detected an unauthorised presence within the laboratory. Someone has managed to breach our defences."

"One of the Rattata, perhaps?" Castor asked.

"No, Your Grace. Impossible. The security measures would prevent any of the subjects from entering. This is... something else."

“What about the sentry?” Castor demanded. “Have they reported anything?”

“They aren’t answering my calls. Either they have abandoned their post, or something has happened to them.” 

Castor's mind raced, considering the implications. He paced the length of his chamber, the soft swish of his robes the only sound in the suddenly oppressive silence.

He should have dealt with this months ago. The Viridian Forest facility had been a thorn in his side since its inception, a constant source of worry. But he had kept it operational, clinging to the possibility that the research conducted there might yet prove useful. Even when it failed, he decided to keep the Rattata horde around as he had another use for them.

Castor had orchestrated the removal of all incriminating evidence, severing any visible ties between the Church and the clandestine laboratory. A sentry had been posted, a loyal zealot tasked with eliminating anyone who stumbled upon their secret. These precautions, Castor had believed, would suffice to keep their sins buried. But it appeared that it hadn’t been enough, and he now had to clean up the mess. Even though it would alter his plans slightly, there was nothing he could do about it.  

"Your Grace?" the voice on the phone prompted, pulling Castor from his reverie.

"Yes, I'm here," he replied. "It seems our hand has been forced. We can no longer afford to keep the lab around."

"What are your orders?"

"Dispatch a squadron of Knights to the facility immediately. Their primary objective is to eradicate the Rattata swarm and destroy the lab. Leave no trace of it behind. You will have to move through the forest to remain unnoticed."

"And the intruder, Your Grace?"

A cold smile played across Castor's lips. "Eliminate them. We can't risk anyone uncovering the truth of what transpired there."

"It will be done, Your Grace."

The line went dead, and Castor lowered the phone, his razor-sharp mind already dissecting the problem, analysing potential outcomes, and formulating contingencies. Who had stumbled upon their secret? How deep did their knowledge run? The church couldn’t afford another scandal so soon after their role in Daisy' Oaks' kidnapping and the attempted murder of Lucas Walker was revealed.

He approached his ornate desk, extracting a small key from a chain concealed beneath his clerical collar. The hidden drawer slid open noiselessly, revealing a thick dossier—the sum total of the project that had started with a proposal from Dr Fuji.

Castor's eyes scanned the documents one final time, his memory committing every damning detail to the vaults of his mind. The ambitious scope of the Viridian Forest experiment unfurled before him—a first step in resetting the world to its rightful order. In theory, it was brilliant. In execution, it had proven to be a complete failure.

He snapped the folder shut and moved to the fireplace. Without ceremony, he cast the dossier into the fire, watching dispassionately as years of research and countless ethical transgressions crumbled to ash.

Castor's gaze was drawn to the towering stained-glass window dominating one wall of his chamber. The visage of Arceus, rendered in a kaleidoscope of vibrant hues, seemed to stare back at him with inscrutable judgement. For the briefest of moments, a flicker of doubt threatened to breach his ironclad resolve. Was this truly the path ordained by the God Pokémon?

But as quickly as it had come, the moment of weakness passed. Castor's features hardened once more, his conviction reasserting itself with steely determination. The Church's sacred duty was to shepherd humanity, to protect them from their own base impulses and the chaos of an unchecked world. If that mission required venturing into morally ambiguous territory, then so be it. The end, he reminded himself, would justify the means.

Returning to his desk with renewed purpose, Castor began crafting a message to the Pope. He would need to be apprised of this development.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 

Lucas stood in the centre of the laboratory, his eyes closed in concentration. Taking a deep breath, he focused his energy, willing his Aura Barrier to expand beyond its usual confines.

The air around him shimmered as the barrier grew, pushing outwards in a translucent dome. It enveloped nearby tables and equipment, continuing to stretch until it encompassed a significant portion of the room.

"Wow," Meowth whispered, his paw tentatively reaching out to touch the barrier's surface. "How far can you push it, partner?"

Lucas gritted his teeth, beads of sweat forming on his brow as he strained to extend the barrier further. The dome pulsed, expanding in increments until it pressed against the laboratory walls.

"This... this is its limit," Lucas said, exhaling. "About ten metres in diameter."

He held the barrier at full extension for several seconds, marvelling at its strength and resilience. Even at this size, it felt robust, capable of withstanding significant force.

Slowly, Lucas relaxed his concentration, allowing the barrier to contract back to its standard size around him. As it shrank, he noticed something remarkable— maintaining the smaller barrier now felt effortless, as if it had become an extension of his very being.

On the downside, his barrier was now more costly to maintain. However, it was insignificant in comparison to his aura capacity. There would be few situations in which he would have to maintain his barrier for so long, and if there were, it would be a dire one.  

Lucas opened his menu. As a result of his maxing out his Aura Barrier skill, his Aura Guardian profession had levelled up, bringing with it a new skill: Aura Projection. 

=========

Skill: Aura Projection  Level 1/3  Next: 3 SP  Type: Active  Aura: 25 + 10/min.

Description: Aura Projection is a technique that allows the creation of illusory visual projections. Users can manifest up to three human-sized or smaller illusions within a 30-metre range. These projections can be static or have limited movement but lack sound or physical substance. While useful for distractions or disguise, they cannot pass through objects and close inspection reveals their true nature. The skill drains 10 aura points per minute per projection and requires concentration to maintain. As the ability improves, users can create more complex, numerous, and potentially audible illusions with greater range and duration.

=========

Lucas's mind raced with the possibilities this ability presented—the power to create illusory projections that could distract or deceive others. It was a tool that could prove invaluable in tight spots, and Arceus knew he found himself in plenty of those.

Icarus' voice echoed urgently in his mind. “Lucas, a large group of humans is moving through the forest, heading straight for the laboratory.”

Lucas froze. "What do they look like, Icarus? Can you describe their clothing?"

There was a moment's pause before Icarus responded. “They're wearing white uniforms with metal armour plates. There's a symbol on their chests—it looks like Arceus.”

"Bollocks," Lucas swore. "Those are Church Knights. This situation just got a whole lot more complicated."

"Church Knights?” Meowth asked. “What in blazes are they doing here?"

Lucas shook his head, a grim expression settling on his face. "It's got something to do with the mutant Rattata. We must have alerted them when we entered the laboratory. Whatever's going on, we need to scarper. Now."

He returned his companions to their pokeballs. Only Salem remained out, as he would be used to help escape from the laboratory.

Lucas retrieved three aura potions from his inventory and drank them down. After so many hours working on his Aura Barrier, he was running a little low on aura.

"Saphira," he called out through their mental link, "get ready. We're making a break for it."

Saphira's voice echoed in his mind, clear and resolute. "I'm ready when you are. You better hurry, as the knights are almost here."

Taking a deep, steadying breath, Lucas summoned his Aura Barrier and covered his body. With so many layers of protection, it could take a lot of damage. He turned to Salem, who nodded, letting him know he was ready.

"Right then," Lucas muttered. "Let's do this."

He approached the metal staircase leading to the roof and began to ascend. The scratching and squeaking from above had intensified to a fever pitch, a chilling cacophony that set Lucas's teeth on edge. 

As he reached the top of the stairs, Lucas's hand hesitated on the door handle. The sounds on the other side were deafening now, a writhing mass of rodent fury barely contained by the thin metal barrier. Sweat beaded on his brow as he steeled himself for what was to come. With one last glance at Salem, who nodded almost imperceptibly, Lucas gritted his teeth and pushed the door open.

The scene that greeted him was nothing short of apocalyptic. A sea of writhing, mutated Rattata surged towards the opening, their eyes glowing with an unnatural, sickly red light. Before Lucas could fully process the nightmarish tableau, the swarm was upon him, a tide of fur, teeth, and claws crashing against his Aura Barrier with the force of a tidal wave.

The impact nearly sent Lucas tumbling back down the stairs. He dug his heels in, muscles straining as he pushed back against the onslaught. Salem sprang into action, launching several Shadows Balls at them, resulting in explosions that sent large swaths of them flying. The Banette's presence spread confusion and fear amongst the horde, causing some to turn on each other in a frenzy of snapping jaws and raking claws.

"Bloody hell," Lucas gasped. 

Inch by agonising inch, Lucas fought his way onto the roof. The open sky above offered a tantalising glimpse of freedom, but the sea of Rattata seemed endless, a roiling mass of fur and fangs that stretched as far as the eye could see. Just as Lucas began to fear his barrier might shatter under the relentless barrage, a familiar cry pierced the air, cutting through the chaos like a knife.

Saphira swooped down from above, her serpentine form a vision of grace and power against the starry sky. She summoned a gust of wind that scattered the Rattata like leaves in a storm. The sudden squall cleared a path to Lucas, a momentary respite in the sea of teeth and claws.

"Now, Saphira!" Lucas shouted, his voice hoarse from exertion.

The Dragonair dived, her movements fluid and precise. Her tail wrapped securely around Lucas's waist, the scales cool and smooth against his skin even through his clothes. With a powerful gust of wind, she lifted him from the roof, away from the grasping claws of the mutated horde. Lucas's stomach lurched at the sudden ascent, but relief flooded through him as the distance between him and the Rattata swarm grew.

As they gained altitude, Lucas caught sight of Icarus circling above, the Pidgeot's keen eyes scanning the chaos below. Salem materialised beside them, easily keeping pace with Saphira's flight. 

But their moment of respite was short-lived. As they ascended further, Lucas spotted movement at the edge of the forest. His blood ran cold as he recognised the white uniforms and gleaming armour of the Church Knights.

"Bloody hell," Lucas muttered. "They're here already."

The Knights were spreading out with military precision, their movements speaking of rigorous training and absolute discipline. Dozens of pokeballs glinted in the sunlight as they prepared to engage the Rattata swarm. With a series of flashes, powerful Pokemon materialised before them—Gallade, Togekiss, Altaria, Ampharos, Clefairy, Espeon, Florges, Audioino, Tsareenam to name a few. Their battle cries echoed through the forest, before they started attacking the horde of Rattata.

As he watched the scene unfold below, a memory tugged at Lucas's mind. He quickly accessed his inventory. "The video camera," he said, pulling out the device with a triumphant grin. "We need to document this. It might be our only chance to prove what's happening here."

The device hummed to life, its lens whirring as it focused on the chaotic scene below. He swept the camera across the battlefield, capturing the clash between the Knights' Pokemon and the mutated Rattata horde. The viewfinder displayed a scene that looked more like a war zone than a forest clearing.

"This is Lucas Walker," he began, surprised at how steady his voice sounded despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins. "I'm currently airborne above an abandoned laboratory in Viridian Forest. What you're seeing is the result of some sort of experimental project gone horribly wrong."

He continued narrating, his words tumbling out in a rush as he tried to capture every detail. He described the abandoned town, the eerie silence that had blanketed the forest, and the horrors they had discovered about the research As he spoke, movement caught his eye. Several Altaria had taken flight from amongst the Knights, their powerful wings propelling them rapidly towards their position.

"Not good," Lucas said. "They've spotted us. We need to leave!"

His gaze was drawn back to the ground, now barely visible beneath the seething mass of Rattata. Somewhere in that chaos was Dante's pokeball. The thought of abandoning his companion sent a wave of guilt crashing over Lucas. Leaving him behind felt like a betrayal of the worst kind.

"I'm sorry, Dante," he whispered, his voice catching in his throat. "I'll come back for you, I promise."

The pursuing Altaria was closing in fast, its streamlined form cutting through the air with terrifying efficiency. 

"Icarus," he called out. "Time for a power-up!"

Icarus let out a piercing cry in response. Lucas activated the Mega Evolution, and light engulfed Icarus. The Pidgeot's form shifted and grew, power radiating from him in palpable waves. As the transformation was completed, Mega Pidgeot appeared, his expanded size and plumage a riot of vibrant colours, drawing the attention of the Knights on the ground.

"Salem, Icarus," Lucas commanded. "Hold them off while we retreat!"

Salem and Icarus moved into defensive positions, ready to intercept the approaching threat. 

Turning his attention back to the camera, Lucas continued his narration, his words coming faster now as the urgency of their situation pressed upon him. "The Church Knights have arrived," he reported, his voice tight with tension. "They're engaging the Rattata swarm, but they're also pursuing us. We're retreating now, but this isn't over. Whatever happened here, whatever experiments led to these mutated Pokémon, the truth needs to come out."

As they flew away, the sounds of battle fading to a distant cacophony behind them, Lucas thought about his next steps. The church wasn’t going to let him go that easily, and it was likely they would uncover his identity because of Saphira. He needed reinforcements.

Lucas reached into his pocket and retrieved his mobile phone. He'd been too caught up in their escape to check it earlier, but now he prayed for a signal. To his immense relief, two bars flickered to life on the screen.

"Right then," he muttered, "time to call in the cavalry."

His first call was to Cassidy. Thankfully, she answered promptly..

"Mayor Cassidy, it's Lucas. We've got a situation. I need you to alert the Police and the Rangers. There's been a... an incident in Viridian Forest. I'll explain more later, but we need all hands on deck."

“Troublesome,” she grumbled. “Alright, I will get them organised. Hold on.”

Next, he dialled Professor Oak's number. The old man answered quickly, his voice sharp with concern as Lucas briefly outlined what he'd discovered.

"Good lord," Oak breathed. "I'm on my way. Anything to stick it to the church."

The Elite Four were next on his list, who were all a part of the legendary Pokemon response team. Although the emergency wasn't related to a legendary, he didn’t think they would mind helping him out with the situation. They responded swiftly to his call. Lance, in particular, seemed to grasp the gravity of the situation instantly.

"We'll mobilise immediately," the Dragon Master assured him. "Hold your position, Lucas. Reinforcements are on the way."

With each call, Lucas felt a small measure of the weight lifting from his shoulders. But he wasn’t finished yet. Next, he needed to call Shichiro.

"This is Lucas," he said as soon as the line connected. He wasted no time, outlining the mutated Rattata, the abandoned laboratory, and the Church Knights' involvement.

"You've done well to bring this to our attention,” Shichiro said. “I'll send out some soldiers at once, but it may take some time for them to mobilise."

With the authorities alerted, Lucas turned his attention to spreading the news. He called Sabrina next, knowing she would kill him if he didn’t tell her what was happening. 

"I sensed something was amiss," Sabrina said, her usually calm voice tinged with worry. "I'll return as soon as I can. Don’t play any more heroics and get out of there, Lucas."

Finally, he dialled Butch's number. His manager answered on the first ring, as if he'd been waiting for the call.

"Butch, I need you to gather some reporters and meet me at home. Trust me, you won't want to miss this."

As he finished the last call, Lucas looked back and saw Icarus and Salem flying behind them. More than two dozen Pokemon were chasing them from behind. As long as he can stay ahead of them until he reaches the city, he should be fine.

"Stupid church!" Lucas exclaimed. “You don’t know who you're messing with.”

So, what do you think? In the next chapter, a huge confrontation is at hand, and Lucas is in the middle of it.

Thanks for reading.