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Pokemon: Way of Life Chapter 9
🕑 Added 2022-10-11 04:09:04 +0000 UTCDisclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. It belongs to Nintendo and Gamefreak.
Hi all,
This chapter fought me really hard. I have decided to remove the Mind Palace. It sounded good on paper when I first conceived it, but I can no longer see a way of fitting it into the story. I want Lucas to explore the Pokemon world, not his own mind. It's already taking an age to start his journey. So I hope that the removal is believable enough. Sorry to anyone who enjoyed the Mind Palace.
Chapter 9
March 18th
Two days later.
Lucas watched as Dante pulled himself up the rope tied to the tree. They were on the beginner obstacle course, designed to train baby Pokemon from when they hatched from the eggs. This was the same obstacle course that dad's Machop was using until recently.
So far, there has not been much progress. Baby pokemon were a lot frailer than their older counterparts. Their stats were also halved until they left the baby stage, so they were not much use in a fight. This was the best time to try and train their stats. He was surprised to find out that Pokemon used {Aura} not only for their {Moves} but also for their stamina. It decreased depending on the physical exertions the Pokemon undertook. It was necessary to watch their Aura during a battle because it could disappear quickly if he weren't careful.
Dante tired out quickly because {Aura} was only at 12. Regenerating it was not easy either, as it usually took a day which included getting a night of good rest. Fortunately, there were ways around that, but the only one accessible to him now was using Leppa Berries. They restored Dante's Aura by a small amount. However, he could only feed him a little, as overfeeding Pokemon berries could make them sick. So, for now, it was slow progress. But that was okay; he wasn't impatient. Lucas enjoyed the process of Dante getting stronger and would often train beside him.
Lucas looked at his watch and called to Dante. "Okay, that's it for today."
Dante jumped down and ran over to him, and Lucas picked him up, holding him in his arms. He moved towards the mansion. Lucas asked Vincent for a favour, so he had a meeting with him today.
Inside, Vincent was talking to Sophia in the entrance hall.
"Hi, Vincent. Thanks for coming," Lucas greeted.
"You only need to ask," Vincent said simply.
"What do you want to talk to him about?" Sophia asked curiously.
"He promised to teach me martial arts once I had recovered enough," Lucas said. "I want to set up a training schedule."
Okay, he was going to hell for lying to his mother. Yes, he wanted to learn martial arts, but that wasn't the only reason he wanted to talk to him.
"That's nice. I'll let you get on with it," Sophia said, losing interest. She wasn't much of a fan of fighting, but she understood that it may protect Lucas one day.
Vincent followed him into the living room. "You lied to her," he accused.
Lucas sat on the sofa. "I didn't necessarily lie; I just omitted some facts."
"Don't get cute me with about semantics," Vincent snorted. He joined Lucas in sitting down.
"Well, if she finds out what I'm about to ask, then she will freak out," Lucas shrugged.
"What is it?" Vincent asked simply.
"Have you found any clues to anyone who may be watching me?" Lucas asked.
"No," Vincent said, looking disgusted with himself.
“Well, it can't go on like this. I will always be trapped here if I always have to worry about someone with bad intentions."
"What are you planning?"
"I want to set a trap," Lucas rushed out quickly. "I want to stage a scene where I go to Adrian Potts's apartment and look as if I'm searching for something. They are going to get paranoid, and they may decide to investigate. Then you can bring in your law enforcement buddies and arrest him. He will give us information on the organisation, and I will finally have some freedom.
"No, not a chance," Vincent said flatly. "It's too dangerous."
Ralts raised his small hand in agreement.
"We can take precautions," Lucas argued.
"There's likely Pokemon involved that will be tracking your every movement. You won't be able to hide from them.'
"So I have to make it convincing. I will break a wall or something."
Vincent rubbed his face in agitation. "You're not listening to me, you little brat. We already nearly lost you once; it will not happen again."
"Is there no way to do this safely?" Lucas asked
Vincent groaned and rubbed his face in exasperation. "On one condition. We get your grandad involved. He will be able to guarantee your safety. I don't have a Pokemon team besides my Steelix, which can't be used in this situation."
Lucas knew Vincent lost his Pokemon team but didn't know the details as to why, and he wasn't going about to ask such a personal question.
"Okay, let's get to planning."
{0(((..)))0}
March 19th
The next day.
Lucas stepped outside of the taxi and paid the driver. An incredible horde of people swarmed around the central shopping district despite the cold temperature. Everyone wore winter clothing and walked with a purpose while street stalls hawked their wares.
He lifted his shoulder bag and leisurely walked towards the shopping mall. The four-storey complex sold almost everything, and Lucas promised himself that he would explore the mall later on when he had the time.
Lucas told his parents he wanted to explore the shopping district, and they reluctantly allowed him to go after giving him a wallet stuffed with Pokedollars. Lucas was astonished by the amount and felt guilty for deceiving them, so he would use the money for something besides himself.
Lucas made his way inside the mall to the information kiosk, where there was a mall map. After getting his bearings, he headed to the nearby public toilets. Inside, he opened an unoccupied stall. Good, there wasn't anyone else here.
Taking off his shoulder bag, he unzipped it and removed another set of clothes and some items. He pulled his clothes off and switched them for a pair of khaki pants and a t-shirt. Lucas retrieved a pair of glasses and a wig with dark hair. Finally, he placed a cap on his head to hide his features. The last item went into his pocket.
Lucas shoved the bag and clothing into his inventory. He was supposed to dispose of them in the trash, but he considered it a waste.
"Right here it goes," Lucas took a breath and left the public toilets. The idea was to make it look like he was doing something suspicious. That way, if someone is following him, they will be on high alert and pay more attention to him. Now he looked different enough but still identifiable to a trained eye.
He walked across the plaza and took a different exit.
Lucas walked quickly in the direction of Adrian Pott's apartment. After arriving at the apartment complex, he waited casually until someone opened the door. Lucas stopped the door from closing. Slipping in, he crossed the foyer and summoned the elevator to the third floor.
He strolled down the hallway to Adrian's apartment door, lined with police tape. Taking a look around first, he put a shoulder against the door and pushed hard. The door had been weakened enough that it didn't make too much noise as it broke open. Lucas closed it behind him and looked around curiously.
The apartment looked sterile. To his left was a reasonably sized kitchen with a cooking island and a huge industrial refrigerator. Straight ahead of him was the living room, a combination of glass, chrome and black leather furniture and a few abstract paintings hanging on the wall. To his right was the hallway that led to the other rooms.
Lucas entered the bedroom. After locating the wall where Haunter had hidden the folder, he pulled a small saw blade out of his pocket. He stood next to the wall, estimated the spot Haunter had left the folder, and began cutting through the drywall.
A voice spoke in his earpiece. “I have spotted a man walking towards Adrian Pott’s apartment. Looks like he took the bait.” Lucas did not acknowledge the voice, but he did increase his pace. He needed to get the folder before the man arrived.
After making a lot of noise and leaving a mess on the floor, Lucas removed a small square piece of the wall and reached inside. Certain he was being watched, his hand searched the space and found the folder. He mentally sent the folder to his inventory as soon as he grasped it. A notification popped up, but he dismissed it silently.
He pulled his arm back empty-handed and faked, looking disappointed. Lucas turned around quickly when he heard something from behind him. A masked man walked in with a gun pointed at him and motioned him to move away from the hole.
Lucas raised his hands in defence and moved slowly away from the wall and towards the bed. "Who are you?"
"None of your business, kid. What were you looking for?"
"Nothing," Lucas shook his rapidly, looking terrified.
"We shall see soon, brat." The man used his left arm to reach into the hole while keeping the gun trained on him.
In the doorway, in the man's blind spot, a long purple Arbok slithered into the room silently. It raised its head and waited. The man retrieved his arm empty-handed and was about to speak when he saw the Arbok from the corner of his eye. He quickly turned his head and was met with a {Glare} from Arbok and was instantly paralysed. Lucas dropped to the ground and rolled under the bed as the closest exploded open, revealing his grandad. His appearance was superfluous because the man was going nowhere. Arbok had wrapped itself around the man with its teeth bared.
Police swarmed into the room, and Arbok released the man into their hands. Lucas crawled out from under the bed and boasted. "See, went flawlessly."
"Flawless, my ass," Tobias snorted. "We didn't plan for him to be carrying a gun. Who keeps those around these days? He didn't even release a Pokemon."
Vincent entered the room and smacked Lucas on the back of the head.
"Hey, what was that for?"
"For worrying me," Vincent stated.
"Whatever," Lucas said. "Thanks for the assist, Arbok."
The Pokemon hissed at him, and Tobias returned him to his Pokeball. Was that a positive response?
Lucas sat on the bed as the adrenaline left him and realised he could have been shot today. He had {Aura Sheen of Protection} on, but there was no way it would have stopped a bullet at its current level.
"Let's get you home," Vincent said after he finished talking with the police.
{0(((..)))0}
Lucas lay on his bed with the folder and took a breath. He opened it up, and the words at the top of the page immediately stood out to him.
Project Mewtwo- A Pokemon/Human Hybrid
He stared incredulously and shook his head as if in denial of the words. The first page was an introduction to a thesis by Doctor Goldman.
Is it possible to create a hybrid from a legendary Pokemon and a human? A perfect blend of power and intelligence that is entirely under your control. The ideal weapon for steering humanity to a glorious new age. As long as we suffer under the oppression of the Pokemon, humans will never reach their full potential.
This is the hypothesis I bring to you and the research I have undertaken to prove that the concept is not just a wishful fancy. First, let us speak of the Legendary Pokemon, Mew.
Mew is, without a doubt, a powerful Pokemon, even more so than the three legendary birds; Articuno, Moltres and Zapdos. It is also unusual because it is not aloof and very approachable, unlike other Legendary Pokemon. I stumbled upon this fact when I found the Pokemon playing with my daughter in the backyard. Fascinated, I carefully manufactured a friendship over the next few months as I devised a way to contain the Pokemon. I am incredibly thankful that the accessories created by Silph Co. seem to work, protecting me from any psychic intrusions. That or Mew had zero interest in reading my thoughts.
I used those accessories as inspiration to build a machine that contained psychic power. I captured Mew and spent the last couple of years creating the first version of the serum. Somehow, Mew escaped, but it did not matter. I had all the data that I needed….
Lucas rubbed his face with his hand. Was this what it meant by awakening? He continued reading the thesis, which detailed his various trials and errors. Several versions of the serum were created and tested illegally on long-term coma patients. They all ended up dying. His justification was that they were virtually dead already.
He wondered when the organisation entered the picture. Did they discover the research, or were they a part of it from the beginning? It must have a lot of influence and money if they can pay off doctors like Adrian Potts to do their bidding. Injecting the serum did not take just one dose but multiple doses over a long period.
The obstacle that kept the research from progressing was that to create a Pokemon/Human hybrid; they had to find a way to combine energies into one, a.k.a Balance. From what he read, no one patient passed this stage except for him. If that was true, then all their research was dependent on him. They were not going to let him go easy.
Lucas began to shake with nerves. Was he becoming something like Mewtwo? A twisted creation under the control of this organisation. He stood and began to pace to try and release some anxiety. He paused when he spotted himself in the vanity mirror. Stepping closer, he peered into his reflection and his purple eyes. Stumbling back, he fell to his knees and started breathing heavily.
A hand patted his knee, and Lucas looked at Dante, who was looking at him concerned. A soothing presence touched his mind, and Lucas relaxed. He picked Dante up, looked back in the mirror, and saw that his eyes had returned to normal.
Lucas returned to bed. There was no need to worry. It may be true that something was happening to him. Still, he had something that the organisation didn't plan in their calculations. He had the 'System.'
=====
The Quest: Awakening 01 has received a new objective.
Current Objective: Enter the Mind Palace and seek out a solution.
=====
The ????: Stage One Perk has been revealed!
[Evolution: Stage One] (Passive) [Lv: 3] (Next: 57%) [Cost:---]
Description: The player has been subjected to illegal research and is now evolving into something else. The player may become something terrifying and out of control if he does not find a solution.
Enters Evolution: Stage Two at level 10.
All Attributes + 10%
=====
You have learned a new Skill!
[Aura Sense] (Passive/Permanent) [Lv: 1] (Next: 0%) [Cost:5]
Description: The player can sense the energy of all living things in a certain range around him. Red Energy denotes a Pokemon, and Blue Energy, a human. At higher levels, the range of detection increases. It can be turned off with the command: '[Aura Sense Off].'
Aura + 1%
Current Range: 10.39 metres [Perception Modifier]
5 Aura is permanently restricted when turned on.
=====
Lucas calmed himself by petting Dante. Sure, he was staring down at a terrifying ordeal, but he now had a path forward. However, one thing was bothering him about the entire situation. Was it simply a fluke that he happened to be the one who took to the serum, or was this the System's intention all along for him to gain this new power? The previous host had probably died due to the serum, even though his chance of waking up was virtually zero. Why did the body retain the serum after he had awakened?
'The Narrator feels like the protagonist is too curious for his own good. Just go with the flow.'
"So I'm hearing your voice again. The news keeps getting better," Lucas muttered.
Dante tilted his head at him in curiosity. Lucas patted his head. "Okay, buddy. If my theory is correct, you will join me in my Mind Palace due to the bond, so don't be frightened."
'{Mind Walker}'
Lucas opened his eyes and found himself in a small space. Beside him, Dante cried out in alarm. Lucas comforted him.
Looking around, he noticed that he was somewhere different. Where was the tower?
"Your back."
Lucas turned around, and Xavier stood there, looking like before. Dante trilled in confusion. "Xavier, where are we?"
"The Mind Palace is gone," Xavier said flatly.
"What!?”
"The Mind Palace was built to be a place to resolve your issues with your past life,” Xavier said. “After watching your progress over the last few weeks, it was decided that it was no longer needed. You have already faced the most critical memory from your past, and are already changing. Also, Arceus wants to encourage you to explore the world, so having a Mind Palace is counterintuitive."
“Wait, Arceus built all that so I could try some therapy? How about sending me a psychiatrist instead? It is much more effective than having me relive that memory.”
“Arceus had other ideas for the Mind Palace, some of which may appear in the world someday. As for the memory thing, I don’t know why Arceus did it that way. If you ever meet, you can ask. Maybe he wanted to test your resolve? Being responsible for a power like the ‘System’ is no small thing.”
“Hey, what about the quest I need to complete?” Lucas argued. “And my detriment?”
"They will disappear when you return to the real world.”
“So can features and such be taken away on a whim?” Lucas started petting Dante in agitation. “I have no control?”
“No, remember this was a gift from Arceus,” Vincent replied. “He is not all-knowing and is still working out the wrinkles. Tell me honestly, do you miss the Mind Palace so much?”
Lucas hummed. "I won't lie. I haven't given it much thought over the last three weeks. Other than wanting to see you again, but something was blocking me."
"That's because it takes a lot of work to undo something of this complexity, Xavier said. "If you had entered, it may have destroyed your mind."
"Yeah, that would be bad. Hey, what about the skills I wanted to buy from the Shop?"
"Have you not already been duly compensated," Xavier smirked.
Lucas snapped his fingers. "Right, the Move Tutor function."
"Correct," Xavier said, moving forward and looking at Dante wistfully. "I find it ironic that one of my favourite Pokemon ends up being your first Pokemon."
"Sorry," Lucas said. What else was he supposed to say?
Dante jumped from his arms, and Xavier caught him in surprise. A smile bloomed on his face, and he petted Dante.
"Am I supposed to ask you about the Awakened quest?"
"Yes," Xavier nodded, handing Dante back over to Lucas. "There is a skill you need to practice to prevent an uncontrollable transformation."
"Wait, I'm still going to transform?" Lucas asked hysterically.
"All I'm allowed to say is that if you follow the questline, you will be satisfied with the result. You won't lose your humanity, Lucas."
A vague answer but reassuring nonetheless.
"Here is the skill," Xavier said.
=====
[Immutable] (Active) [Lv: 1] (Next: 0%) [Cost:10]
Description: The player has a high sense of self. No matter how much the player may transform, he always will return to his natural body when only he focuses. The higher the level, the more he can change back.
Can change 2% of total body mass back to normal.
Physique + 1%
Charisma + 1%
=====
"Wait a minute, how am I supposed to practice the skill?" Lucas protested.
"Have you noticed any other changes on your body?"
"Nope."
"There should be already some small changes that aren’t visible," Xavier said, "that should allow you to practise your skill."
“Right,” Lucas said dubiously.
Xavier sighs and looks resigned. "I guess it's time to say goodbye."
"What do you mean?" Lucas asked. "I can't come back?"
"No, it's my turn to move on. I have found my purpose."
"Oh," Lucas was struck dumb.
Xavier giggled. "You should see your face."
"So I guess this is goodbye. Thanks for all your help. Sorry, it turned out this way.”
"Silly. I have already said it’s not your fault. Make sure to look after my family. Before I go, there is one last thing I need to do," Xavier said, reaching out and touching his head.
"What are you doing?"
"Giving you back my memories."
{0(((..)))0}
Lucas woke up in the morning with Dante curled up in his arms. Momentarily confused, he looked out the window where sunlight was streaming inside. Remembering the conversation with Xavier, the memories of Xavier began to trickle in a bit at a time. Lucas lay there in a daze as he started remembering everything, the trickle turning into a stream, then a river, until everything was revealed to him.
=====
Congratulations!
You have rediscovered your memories from your previous host!
Intelligence + 3
=====
The Quest: Resolution has been deleted.
The Detriment: Ghosts of the Past has been removed.
The skill {Mind Walker} has been deleted.
=====
The Quest: Awakening 01 has received a new objective.
Awakened 01
Stage One
Current Objective: Reach Level 10 in the {Immutable} skill before Evolution: Stage One perk reaches level 10.
Time Remaining: ??????
Rewards: Rare Candy, Potion x 5, Full Heal x 3
Failure: Uncontrollable transformation
=====
Lucas read the notifications in a daze, still reeling from the memories he was trying to process. He had been lying there for over an hour, receiving new memories, and it was a painful occurrence, to say the least. Random memories kept popping into his head, distracting him. He decided to wait another hour before getting up and hoped his mind settled.
Dante woke up and stretched, his round eyes blinking blearily. He smiled when he focused on Lucas and jumped into his arms. Lucas laughed and started playing with the Pokemon. Dante never failed to lift his mood.
Lucas focused back on the quest update and nodded his head. He needed to finish the quest as soon as possible. As time passed, the perk seemed to be passively increasing in skill level, so there was no room for laying about and waiting for trouble. The Rare Candy was a boon because now he could raise Dante's potential to 'S'. Not that he was in any rush. From what he understood, in the Pokemon's first twenty levels, the AP gains were the same across every Pokemon. It was only at level twenty-one that the potential came into play.
Dante tugged his shirt, and Lucas looked down at him. The Pokemon rubbed its belly in a cute expression of hunger.
Lucas picked the Pokemon up and headed downstairs. "That reminds me, buddy. Mother is going to show us a new recipe she has been working on specifically for you."
Dante perked up and raided its arms in excitement. The Pokemon had been eating one of his mother's traditional Pokemon food for psychic-type. Dante liked it, but his mother seemed determined to create something better for the Pokemon.
Downstairs, he found his family finishing breakfast. He stood inside the doorway, watching them for a moment. After receiving memories from the previous host, it felt even more impactful in how he thought about them. Flashes of memories that showed his childhood may just colour his perception of them in a more positive light, but he didn't care. This was his family, and he silently thanked Xavier for being so unselfish in sharing them with him.
"Why are you standing there like a weirdo?" Abigail asked.
"Little brat, I was having a moment. Now it's lost. How are you going to compensate me?"
"What happened?" Sophia asked.
Lucas walked inside and sat down at the table. "So something major happened when I woke up today."
"Is that why you're so late for breakfast?" David asked.
"Yeah," Lucas took a breath. "I remember everything."
Sophia dropped her knife on her plate in shock. "Lucas?"
David leaned forward. "How?"
"What do you mean how? Last night I went to sleep with no memories, and today I woke up with all my memories. It was confusing to sort through all of them, and I still keep getting hit with random snapshots." Lucas gave them some examples of memories from his past.
“Is this something the experiments are responsible for as well?” Sophia asked. “You are already recovered your physical condition so fast.”
“Maybe we should have some tests done just in case,” David said.
Trying to keep calm, Lucas thought of an appropriate answer. “Who do we go to that we can absolutely trust? What if we find something we don’t like? Why borrow trouble until absolutely necessary?”
His parents nodded, and Lucas sighed in relief. Sophia and Abigail hugged him hard, and David patted his shoulder as they all chatted about the discovery. It was good that they believed it so readily and not question it too closely. They were probably relieved that he had his memories back.
"So, do you have the new recipe yet?" Lucas asked Sophia. "Dante is feeling hungry."
"That's right. I knew I had forgotten something," Sophia rushed out and returned a few minutes later holding a container with some Pokefood inside. She set the container on the table and motioned for Dante to eat. The Pokemon didn't hesitate and began eating voraciously.
"So I have been giving him small samples of food to see what he likes the most," Sophia said, "and this is what I came up with. It's really nutritious as well."
=====
Congratulations!
You have discovered one of Ralts favourite foods.
Sweet and Spicy Meatballs
Ralts Affection has been raised by 5
Ralts Attack has raised by 1
=====
Pokemon Bond Level has increased
Level 8 > Level 9
=====
Feelings of extreme contentment could be felt across the bond. Lucas turned to his mother and hugged her excitedly. "Dante loves the food. You are amazing."
Sophia flushed but smiled in happiness. "Thank you. I'm glad he likes the food."
"You have to teach me how to cook Pokemon food," Lucas said. "It will come in very handy when I begin travelling."
"Of course. I have been extra busy lately, but I should have time in about a week." Sophia moved back to her seat.
"You need to know the basics to complete the trainer course anyways," David said.
"About that. Where do I take this course?" Lucas asked.
"The Pokemon School has a class every three months. The next one is in two months. Do you want to go?"
"Yeah. Regaining my memories has filled a lot of holes in my knowledge. I'm confident I can take the secondary school exam soon and get a high score."
"I will put your name in for attendance," David promised.
Lucas's phone rang. "Hello?"
"Hi, Lucas. Do you have some free time?" Daisy asked, "I thought I would show something that's going to revolutionise Pokemon breeding as thanks for helping me the other day."
"Really?" Lucas asked, interested.
"Yep, it could help with Dante's training as well."
"I will see you soon," Lucas promised.
{0(((..)))0}
"What is this room?"
The aromatic smells hit his nose when he stepped inside the small room. The walls were lined with shelves with various containers filled with different ingredients. Dried herbs and spices were strung up around the room, and a small worktable stood against the back wall.
Daisy stood at a table with a mortar and pestle. Lucas approached the table and stood next to her. He watched as she took a small piece of wood pulp, placed it in the mortar, and then started grinding it down with the pestle.
"This wood is called Enchanted Agarwood. The wood is well known to not only be resistant to energy but can even absorb type-energy into its wood. This wood was treated with fire-type energy. We use this as a base for incense that promotes egg reproduction in compatible fire-type Pokemon."
Lucas watched in interest as she combined a few ingredients with water and then rolled the brown mixture into a ball.
"So far, we only have a few incenses that work effectively," Daisy continued. "It takes a lot of time to find the right ingredients that make a scent that works for a particular Pokemon. We prioritised the three main starters because they are easy Pokemon for beginner trainers. Because of the incense, we now have a steady supply of Pokemon eggs for those three Pokemon."
Daisy rolled the mixture out into three long strands and placed three bamboo stakes inside them, and then expertly wrapped the mix around the stakes. She then put them aside to dry and retrieved an already prepared incense. Lighting the incense with a match, she held it out to him.
Lucas smelled a powerful scent that reminded him of liquorice but with an underlying smoky aroma. “Is this dangerous for humans?”
“If you inhale it for too long. But that is for only people who have not bonded with Pokemon, so you're safe.”
“So it can be only used for Pokemon breeding?”
"Egg reproduction is just one benefit. There are so many others, like increasing the efficacy of Pokemon training, learning {Moves}, and recovering {Aura}."
"Interesting. May I have a go at making one?"
Daisy smiled at his interest, moved slightly, and watched Lucas repeat her steps. Lucas fumbled his way to making his first incense, nowhere as skilled as Daisy. However, he got exactly what he wanted out of the activity.
=====
[Craft: Pokemon Incense] (Active) [Lv:1] (Next: 0%) [Cost:3]
Description: Combine materials to create incense which releases a fragrant scent when burned. Pokemon Incense has vast benefits for Pokemon, and it is only in the early stages of development. Discover your own recipes and introduce them to the world.
+1% to Dexterity
Decreases drying time by 1%
Increases Incense parameters by 1%
+0.5% chance to gain inspiration and create a new recipe.
=====
"A good effort for your first time," Daisy said, inspecting the result.
"Thanks. I think I just discovered a new hobby. Do you have any recipes for recovering energy?"
"I thought you may ask that. Here is a recipe for one we have developed here." Daisy handed him a book. "It is only a basic version, but it should help. There are a few other recipes inside as well."
"I can't take it for free," Lucas protested. "This must be worth some serious Pokedollars. I hope you have it patented."
"We sold it to the Kanto government, so it's widely distributed. Incense making is our main resource besides tourism to keep all the Pokemon cared for in the Reserve."
"Well, thanks. This is going to come in handy."
Lucas finally had a crafting skill and would abuse it unashamedly to make his own incense to help his team and sell for profit. Since it was only in the early stages, there were so many undiscovered recipes out there to find. Who knows what bonuses it could produce? This was unlike the games where incense was still underutilised.
The world was slowly opening up to him, a new and exciting discovery under every layer. Lucas already had too much on his plate to devote time to his new skill. Still, the potential was too irresistible not to pursue.
First, he had to solve the problem with his {Immutable} skill, and then he would grind the hell out of his new crafting skill.
So what do you think? I hope removing the Mind Palace wasn’t to jarring.
Cheers.
