Pokemon: Resurgence Chapter 27

Hi all,

Trying to format and edit on Patreon is a chore. Considering how much platform fees they take, you would think they would implement some basic features that actually work properly. 

Okay, rant over. Here’s the next chapter.

Chapter 27

The ship returned to Vermillion City at a more leisurely pace compared to its departure. Lucas enjoyed spending time on the main deck with Sabrina and Brock, basking in the sun and admiring the breathtaking scenery. The ship glided gracefully through the vast sea inlet, passing beneath a magnificent bridge that connected two stretches of land between Routes 16 and 17. This bustling inlet was alive with ships and boats, all gracefully gliding across its sparkling waters. Vermillion Harbour was a homeport for many ships, so there was always activity to see.

The trio spent the majority of their time relaxing. They needed time to mentally refresh themselves after their ordeal. Even though the tragedy was mostly avoided, twenty-four people died. To be honest, Lucas wasn’t as affected by the experience as he appeared. Now that he had had time to think about it, he wondered why he had become so accustomed to death so quickly since arriving in this world.

He also spent time practising a new recipe he discovered on the ship while searching for supplies after it capsized. When he saw the description, he knew Arceus had to be watching out for him. It happened to be exactly what he needed when he arrived in Saffron City.

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

Face-Changing Potion

Description: This recipe uses a combination of ingredients to delicately alter the facial features, resulting in a transformed appearance for the user, giving the illusion of being someone completely different. This transformation is completely undetectable to both human technology and Pokemon senses. Its effectiveness can be increased by combining it with other disguising techniques. The potion has only one distinct appearance per user and lasts four to six hours.

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

He barely managed to make the face-changing potion after several attempts. If he wanted to sell the growth potion at the auction, he needed to be cautious. Such a valuable commodity was bound to attract unscrupulous individuals, so concealing his appearance was a good option to avoid trouble.

Lucas stood on the deck, taking in the sprawling sight of Vermillion City in the distance. At first glance, it was clear that this city was significantly larger than Viridian City. A large part of this disparity could be attributed to the city's massive harbour.

But it wasn’t the city itself that drew his attention, but the massive sea wall that encircled it in a wide arc. The sheer size of it had him speechless, and he wondered how long it took to build. There was an opening in the centre that allowed ships to pass through, but he imagined that it would become congested when there was a lot of traffic.

"The sea wall was completed about a decade before the war," Brock explained from beside him. "The residents of Vermillion City discovered that building a city right next to the water wasn’t a great idea."

“What happened?” Lucas couldn’t remember reading about it while studying the region’s history, but his primary focus had been on events following the war.

"The city was terrorised by a group of powerful sea Pokemon," Sabrina said from his other side. “They didn’t know the exact number, but there was a sighting of a Wailord. The Pokemon would frequently cause massive tidal waves that would flood much of the city. They were known as the "terror of the seas."

"Why would they attack the city?" Lucas questioned.

"No one knows for sure," Sabrina answered. "But a major reason could be that the city established several fisheries along the coast, providing an easy source of food for Pokemon. They were forced to relocate inland as a result, but the attacks continued."

“Why didn’t they get rid of them?”

"It’s not easy to find Pokemon in the depths of the sea," Brock said. "It is the most hostile place on the planet, which is why it remains largely unexplored to this day. They probably thought it was easier to build the sea wall. There are not many incidents these days, so the wall is mostly unnecessary, but it is there in case the city requires it."

They prepared to disembark as soon as the ship entered the harbour. As soon as Lucas stepped off the ship, he was overwhelmed by the bustling activity and deafening sounds of the harbour. Meowth appeared to feel the same as he clutched Lucas' head tightly. But that may just have been eagerness, seeing so many potential marks in one place.

Lucus looked around with interest as they walked down the dock. The main difference he noticed from his world was that people here used Pokemon a lot more for unloading and loading ships. Machamp was by far the most popular Pokemon, thanks to its four arms and immense strength. There were also some cranes powered by electric Pokemon, but they were used for heavier loads.

Sabrina called for a carriage once they were out on the streets.

"Is there somewhere in the city you would like to see first?" Sabrina asked. "If you want to stay and explore, I will leave you here. I need to return to Saffron City.”

“Are you going to use the tower?” Lucas asked. He was curious about what it was like to teleport with a Pokemon. When he returned to Viridian City, he planned to use it to save time.

“The scenery along Route 6 is a sight to see,” Sabrina said. "I want you to witness it for yourself."

"Then let’s head straight to Saffron City. I can explore Vermillion later.”

He had to turn off his ItemFinder when he arrived at the harbour because it kept going off. Although there were fewer items per unit of space than on the cruise ship, it still went off frequently enough to be annoying.

Sabrina glanced at Brock, who shrugged his shoulders. He had no concrete plans, so he was just going with the flow.

They told the driver to take them to Saffron City. The carriage made its way through the city, towards the north entrance. Lucas noticed an abundance of independent stores specialising in various products, such as electronics and trainer outfits. He had seen some of them for sale in Viridian City, but they were always out of his price range. They were made primarily of Pokemon materials and provided a variety of benefits.

"What are the ethics of collecting Pokemon materials?" Lucas asked. "Surely, they cannot be killed for that reason alone."

Meowth's collar was also made of Pokemon materials, so he had always associated harvesting their bodies with unethical or illegal activities.

"It is illegal to kill a Pokemon for the sole purpose of harvesting their bodies," Sabrina said. "They can only be harvested after they have died from natural causes or circumstances beyond the owner's control."

"That seems like a difficult thing to police," Brock observed.

"That is right," Sabrina agreed, nodding. "The Rangers are usually in charge of this matter, but it is also handled by a separate department within the government."

"You don't want to piss off the legendaries,” Lucas realised.

Sabrina sighed. “A huge part of how the government functions is how to avoid upsetting them. We cannot match their power, so we can only endure. The government put in place policies aimed at protecting Pokemon from abuse at the hands of humans."

“I am a fan of what the legendaries did,” Brock admitted. "The world seems more balanced, and there are no major conflicts."

Lucas pointed his finger at him accusingly, half in jest. “Don’t tell me, you belong to the Church of Arceus?”

"No way!" Brock scowled, folding his arms in protest.

"I don’t think the world is balanced at all," Lucas said, turning serious. "Why are organisations like Team Rocket allowed to exist if the government is so concerned about retribution from the legendaries?"

“I don’t have a good answer for that,” Sabrina said. "Team Rocket is a group that has a presence throughout the United Kanto Region, including the government. They are like a cancer that keeps coming back, no matter how many times we remove it."

The subject made the atmosphere heavy, and they fell silent as they left the city. Security was significantly tighter here. They had to pass through a checkpoint, a gated building where people had to show their identification and the carriages were searched for contraband. They also had to pay a toll, which Lucas considered unfair. Given how close and densely populated the five eastern cities were, the cities must be making a lot of Pokedollars just from the toll fees alone.

Lucas noticed a structure just outside the city with a set of stairs leading down into the ground. “Is that the underground route?”

Sabrina followed his gaze and nodded. "The underground tunnels are extensive, linking all five major cities in the east. It’s no longer widely used and has fallen into disrepair. Some criminals use it as a place to hide from the authorities.”

Lucas frowned. "Doesn’t the government care about them?"

"Cleaning up is more trouble than it is worth because they don’t have enough personnel to search the tunnels. The authorities’ mindset is that you enter at your own risk.”

Given how far the tunnels stretched, there must have been a lot of treasure to be found. He may want to check it out when his team is a lot stronger.

The route between Vermillion and Saffron City was much more developed than previous areas he had visited. This area of Kanto was the hub of both commerce and political power, and it demonstrated how easy people's lives were in comparison to other areas.

The route was reminiscent of a watercolour painting, with its picturesque scenery. On either side of the road, there were verdant pastures, quaint houses, gardens, and tranquil ponds. Rangers could also be seen patrolling the roads frequently. From what Lucas could see, their job appeared to be superfluous because there were few wild Pokemon around.

After a few hours of travel, the carriage arrived at Saffron City. Lucas' first impression of the city was of the towering skyscrapers that dominated the skyline. Once they passed through the checkpoint, he had a chance to take in the capital city of the United Regions of Kanto. In contrast to Vermillion City's vibrant and lively atmosphere and oceanic city vibe, Saffron City proved to be a disappointment. The entire city appeared to be painted in grey tones, with little colour variation. It evoked memories of his old world, a bustling city designed solely for efficiency with little regard for aesthetics.

The carriage made its way down the paved road, which was filled with carriages, as it ventured further into the heart of the city.

Sabrina noticed his disappointment and sighed. “Saffron City is a product of the old world, before the war. It’s an ageing edifice that refuses to change, although there has been some progress in recent memory. You will see it as you explore the city more.”

Lucas could confirm what she had said. The farther they travelled, the more he noticed splashes of colour popping up here and there, adding vibrancy to the city. Meowth poked his head out the window, looking excited. The Pokemon was an urban dweller at heart.

Sabrina handed him a map. “I got this at the checkpoint. You are going to need it if you want to get around. Where do you want to get off?”

Lucas looked at the map, which was extremely detailed and included all of the main services and important locations. He noticed that the Devon Corporation was also listed, and its buildings took up almost an entire city block. According to his recollection, the government purchased the company after the war and played an important role in producing the majority of Pokemon technology specifically for the Kanto region.

“Drop us off at the Trainer’s Square,” Lucas said. “Brock and I can check into a hotel first before we start exploring.”

Sabrina thought for a moment before speaking. “I live in an apartment complex. I could find you an empty apartment if you would like.”

Lucas shook his head. "I’m not sure how long I will stay here, but it will not be long. Viridian City will be my home for the foreseeable future."

Sabrina nodded, turning her head away to look out the window.

Lucas observed her, wondering if she was disappointed that he would not be staying in the city any longer. Her expression was difficult to decipher. Sabrina has made incredible progress and has become much more approachable since our first meeting. She used to speak in an extremely formal manner, as if she had been raised by an ancient noble family. But he had noticed a significant improvement in her and took great pleasure in seeing her emerge from her shell.

"When will you be done with your business in the city?" Lucas asked. “You are always welcome to come visit me when you return to finish your vacation.”

"I will be busy for the next few weeks," Sabrina said, smiling in response to his suggestion. "My uncle needs me right now. But I will take you up on your offer when I am finished with my business."

The carriage arrived at Trainer's Square, where Brock and Lucas disembarked. Sabrina seemed to want to say something, so he handed Meowth over to Brock and shooed them away.

"This is my address," Sabrina said, passing him a piece of paper. "I don’t have time today, but I would like to speak with you if you have time tomorrow. Shall we have dinner together around seven in the evening?”

“I’m looking forward to it,” Lucas replied. “What do you want to speak about?”

Sabrina hesitated, biting her lip. "If we are to continue this relationship, I need to tell you about my past. You may change your mind about having a relationship once you know the truth.”

"That is not going to happen," Lucas insisted, pulling her in closer and kissing her deeply. “I don’t care about what happened in your past, but I am willing to listen.”

Sabrina appeared a little disoriented. “Alright.”

“By the way, do you happen to know a good auction house in the city?”

“There’s the Payday Auction House. It has the best reputation out of the three in the city."

Lucas looked at Meowth. "That sounds a little sketchy.”

Meowth opened his mouth in protest, but Lucas quickly covered it with his hand.

Sabrine climbed back into the carriage and watched it pull away before approaching Brock. “Let’s find a place to stay.”

Brock pointed at a nearby building. "This hotel looks good enough, and it is within my budget."

Lucas checked his watch. It was already the middle of the afternoon. He wanted to settle his main business today, so he couldn’t waste time looking for a place to stay.

“Alright, let’s go get checked in, and then I need to head to the alchemist guild.”

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

Brock was distracted by a woman at the hotel and he abandoned Lucas to pursue her. Promising to meet up later, Lucas set out on his own to the Alchemists Guild, with Meowth perched on his shoulder.

“When are you going to tell them that I can speak, Meowth? I find it difficult to keep quiet all of the time, especially if you plan on spending more time with them in the future.”

The question took Lucas by surprise. "I didn’t think you would want to reveal your secret. I have no objections to sharing your secret with Sabrina, but it is probably too soon with Brock. I have not known him long, and I am not sure how long he will be around."

“Dat sounds like a plan.”

The Alchemist Guild, located on the western side of the city, was a magnificent dome-shaped structure made primarily of glass. The front entrance exuded extravagance, with a gold cauldron sculpture on display. It was an unusual choice to display, as cauldrons were rarely used in modern alchemy, though some alchemists continued to use them for certain potions. Lucas wondered if the statue was made of genuine gold and how many attempts had been made to steal it. It looked like it weighed several tonnes, though, so it wouldn’t be easy to steal.

Meowth’s eyes glowed when he saw the cauldron. “Partner, I wonder if it’s attached to the floor? Perhaps you can store it in your inventory."

Lucas snorted. "I doubt it would be so easy. The guild must employ plenty of security. They would be able to afford it."

There were a few guards at the entrance, but he suspected there were more hidden out of sight. Lucas entered the building and approached the counter. He stood in line and looked around as he waited.

The guild's first floor appeared to be used to serve the general public. It was separated into three distinct sections. Similar to the adventurer's guild, there was a request board where people could make requests to guild members. The next section was a shopping area where you could buy potions, ingredients, and various equipment. The third section was the most interesting because it functioned similarly to a combined medical and Pokemon centre, serving both humans and Pokemon. In the event of an emergency, you could seek treatment here rather than at another medical facility.

The female attendant at the front desk welcomed him. “What can I do for you, sir?”

“I would like to register with the guild.”

To register with the guild, you must pass a test in which you create a potion using our facilities," the attendant replied. "We have a room available for you if you want to take the test right now. One of our examiners will monitor you to ensure that no cheating occurs. A fee of five hundred pokedollars is required, and you need to use your own ingredients.”

“Do you want to return to your pokeball?” Lucas asked Meowth.

Meowth shook his head and hopped onto the counter, surprising the woman.

Lucas rolled his eyes. "Do you mind if he stays here while I take my test? He hates it when I make potions because he is very particular about his fur."

Meowth rolled over, showing his belly and acting cute, and the woman cooed. She rubbed Meowth's belly, assuring him that he would be taken care of.

Lucas paid the fee and was directed to the second floor, where over two dozen alchemy rooms were available for guild members to use. After meeting with his examiner, Lucas entered the room and saw a basic potion station setup. There was ventilation to keep the room free of smoke and other fumes, which could be dangerous if inhaled.

"What potion are you planning to make?" The examiner asked. Mr Silva was a senior alchemist with a cheerful demeanour and a bulging belly that stretched his shirt to the breaking point.

"A smoke grenade," Lucas answered. He wanted to use it because it wasn’t that valuable compared to the growth potion, and he didn’t know how to make any other potions except the face-changing potion. He wasn’t going to reveal that potion to the world.

“I’m not familiar with that potion,” Mr Silva admitted.

Lucas smiled. He would be surprised if the man recognised it since it was an original potion of his. He took one from his backpack and handed it over to him. "It is a potion that emits a large amount of smoke to obscure the surroundings. It’s ideal for escaping a dangerous situation.

“Alright, we can test it out once you have made the potion,” Mr Silver said. “Proceed.”

Lucas took out the ingredients he needed and checked the equipment to ensure it was clean. Mr Silva nodded his approval as he observed this action. By this point, Lucas had had plenty of practice making the potion, so he didn’t run into any issues. The only thing he had to be aware of was its high viscosity, which meant it would harden quickly if not removed from the heat at the appropriate time.

He poured the mixture into a glass vial and handed it to the examiner. 

Mr Silva examined the two side by side and concluded that they were identical. "Let’s test it out. The ventilation system will remove the smoke.”

They retreated to the doorway, and Mr Silva tossed the potion against the far wall. It shattered, and smoke poured out, filling the room. Mr. Silva quickly shut the door and turned to Lucas.

“What a marvellous potion!" Mr Silva exclaimed. “Did you invent this potion?”

Lucas nodded.

“That’s an incredible accomplishment for such a young man,” Mr Silva said, rubbing his hands together. “Do you wish to sell the recipe to the guild? I imagine it would be worth a fair bit of pokedollars, depending on the evaluation. You will also receive some guild points as well.”

“I will think about it,” Lucas replied, after considering the matter.

Even though receiving guild points sounded appealing, he was aware that the guild would not offer him that many pokedollars in comparison to what they would earn from it. He would get more recipes in the future, so sacrificing one wasn’t the end of the world, but he needed to think about other options first.

Mr Silva appeared disappointed, but he said nothing. He led Lucas back downstairs and guided him through the guild registration process. Before leaving, Mr Silva gave him a business card and told him to call if he needed anything.

Lucas examined his new guild card, which looked similar to an adventurer's guild card.

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

Kanto Alchemist's Guild

Name: Lucas Walker

Sex: Male

Age: 18

Rank: Novice Alchemist

Next: [0/500]

Requests Completed: 0

Membership No. 76751

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The Alchemist Guild had only five ranks, but it was more difficult to advance to the next one because requests usually included specific quality requirements for the potions. If you failed a request, you received a much harsher punishment than the adventurer's guild. He needed to make sure he accepted requests that were appropriate for his skill level, or he would be wasting his time.

Lucas considered looking at the request board but decided to come back another day when he had more free time. Meowth hopped back onto his shoulder, and they left the building.

"You didn’t steal from the poor woman, did you?" Lucas asked.

"I am offended by your insinuations, partner," Meowth said, waving his paw around.

Lucas raised an eyebrow.

Meowth sighed. "She had nothing of value. What a letdown.”

Lucas pulled out a map and looked for the Payday Auction House. It was several blocks away from here, but he needed to attend to some business first.

He went to the shops and sold all of the valuable items he found. He also got rid of some of the extra healing items and pokeballs because he did not think he would ever use them all and knew he would find more later. That reminded him that he needed to explore the city with ItemFinder enabled to find all of the hidden items.

He then went to a clothing store and bought some baggy clothes, which he changed into in a nearby bathroom. He padded them with extra clothing to give the impression that he was overweight. The disguise didn’t look too shabby, if he could say so himself. Finally, he drank the face-changing potion and experienced the painless but strange sensation of his face melting and shifting.

He was aware that the change was only superficial, as a potion could not perform reconstructive surgery on his face and then restore it to normal in a matter of hours. But when he looked in the mirror, he was astounded by the transformation. Not only had his features changed, but his face shape appeared to have changed as well.

“You don’t even need the fat suit,” Meowth said. “Not even your girlfriend would recognise you right now.”

“Well, better safe than sorry right?” Lucas replied.

Lucas made his way over to the auction house and soon realised he should have found a bathroom closer to change clothes, as walking was awkward. Meowth didn’t hold back, mocking him for his predicament.

The Payday Auction House turned out to be even more extravagant than the alchemist guild. It was obvious that Meowth was the inspiration behind the establishment, as evidenced by the towering statue of him perched atop the roof. 

The entrance featured a grand arch supported by several pillars, welcoming visitors into the lavishly decorated foyer, complete with a magnificent chandelier hanging overhead.

"Now, this is my kind of place!" Meowth exclaimed. "Do you think we will get a discount because of my presence?"

"Be quiet," Lucas said as they approached the front desk, where a sharply dressed attendant waited to serve them.

"How can I help you, sir?" The attendant's moustache twitched as he sneered, looking at his shabby clothes with disapproval.

Lucas didn’t care what the man thought of him. He pulled out a growth potion out of his pocket and showed it to the man. “I wish to sell this at the auction.”

The man grabbed the potion and examined the item carefully. “I don’t recognise this potion. What are its effects?”

Lucas told him, and the man’s eyes widened. He looked at Lucas with clear suspicion, and it appeared as if he was going to dismiss him without verifying the potion.

"If I go to another auction house and it turns out this potion is valuable, you will be in big trouble."

The attendant frowned, then motioned for Lucas to follow him. He led him down a corridor with several doorways before stopping in front of one and knocking. The words "Snory, the potions' appraiser" appeared on the door. What an odd name.

The attendant opened the door, and Lucas followed him in. He was taken aback by the scene in front of him. The room's only piece of furniture was a small desk in the corner, with several apparatuses placed on top of it. Behind the desk, an elderly man sat reading a paper in front of him. But what drew his attention the most was the massive Pokemon lounging on the floor.

>Species: Snorlax

Level: 61

Condition: Perfect

Threat Level: Zero<

This couldn’t be Snorly, right? The Snorlax was so huge that he didn’t know how it would fit through the door. Snorlax was surrounded by huge piles of food, which it was currently snacking on. It didn’t even look up when they entered.

“Excuse me, sir. I have an unidentified potion that requires evaluation," the attendant said with a bow, his attitude completely different from when he spoke to Lucas.

The elderly man looked up. “What are the effects?”

When the attendant told him, the elderly man stood up and rushed over to grab the potion vial from his hands. He examined it for more than a minute before turning to speak with Lucas.

“Kid, my name is Jasper,” the elderly man said. He could not have been more than five feet tall, dressed in a brown tweed suit, and hunched over as if he were carrying a heavy weight on his back.

“Lucas.”

"You can not be lying about the potion's effects," Jasper grunted. “Or I will feed you to Snorly. You will not even be considered a snack by him.”

“Snorlax.” The Pokemon chuckled and slapped his belly.

“I’m not lying. How will you verify the potion?” Lucas asked. “It usually takes a week or two to see the full effects of the potion.”

Instead of answering him, Jasper walked over to the Snorlax. He unstoppered the vial and took a dropper from his pocket to take a small sample of the potion. Snorlax's mouth opened, and Jasper fed him the sample.

“How is it, Snorly?” Jasper asked. “Does the potion work?”

After a brief pause, Snorly raised his hand and gave Jasper the thumbs up. Lucas looked at the two, confused about what was going on.

Jasper smiled when he noticed his confusion. He seemed to be friendlier than just a moment ago. “Snorlax has a unique skill that mutated from the Gluttony special ability. He can taste something and determine what effect it would have on someone."

Lucas’ jaw dropped. “That’s an incredible ability.”

To confirm the man's words, he used Insight on Snorlax. Sure enough, the ability existed, and it was called Gourmet.

Jasper clapped his hands. “Now that the potion has been verified, let’s talk business. Marcus, please bring some refreshments to my office."

Marcus bowed and departed. Jasper led Lucas out of the room and down the corridor to a set of stairs to the second floor. Their destination was a huge office, where he was seated in a comfortable leather chair and offered some refreshments.

"I am the owner of Payday Auction House," Jasper explained, nodding to Meowth on Lucas' shoulder. “I approve of your taste in Pokemon. I used to have a Meowth, but he died more than twenty years ago. He was the inspiration behind building this company.”

Lucas was about to respond when the man waved him off.

"Forget about it. I am here to conduct business, not reminisce. Since you came here, I am assuming you want to sell your potion. How would you like to go about it? I can offer you a price for it, or you can take your chances and sell it at the auction.”

“How much are you offering me?” Lucas asked.

“Forty thousand Pokedollars,” Jasper stated. “I’m willing to buy all the growth potions you have.”

Lucas didn’t have to think about it for too long. “I am going to sell it at the auction, and I have five growth potions to sell initially. Is my identity going to be kept secret?”

Jasper nodded. "I won’t reveal your identity, and I can provide you with a secret exit that will ensure you aren’t followed. I cannot completely guarantee that your identity will not be revealed, however. There are a lot of people watching the auction houses with their own agendas."

Lucas appreciated the man’s honesty.

Jasper pulled a pocket watch out of his vest and checked the time. “There happens to be an auction happening tonight, and I can add your potions to the list to be auctioned. Are you interested?”

Lucas grinned. "Of course."

So, what do you think? Lucas is going to be rolling in the Pokedollars soon, but is there anything at the auction that will catch his eye?

Thanks for reading.