Starter Pokémon were strictly controlled by the League!
To avoid wasting resources, the number given out was limited!
This was mainly done to prevent infiltration by dark syndicates!
Those eligible were individuals from families that had paid taxes to the League continuously for over ten years, or those who had recommendations from a League Professor or even an Elite Four member.
If dark syndicates still managed to exploit a loophole after all that, then the cost of obtaining a starter Pokémon would be a bit too high!
However, the reason the Pokémon League could become the largest faction in the Pokémon world was, first, strength, and second, resources!
Massive amounts of resources!
And these resources could only be exchanged by League members through the accumulation of contribution points!
Pokémon!
TM disks!
Secret treasures!
Held items!
Evolutionary items!
Even the qualification to obtain a pseudo-legendary!
After hesitating for a moment, Leo said firmly, “Professor, I wish to leave my qualification to obtain a starter Pokémon to someone else!
And I want to convert the tax funds into League contribution points!” Mr.
Yamashima’s eyes narrowed slightly as he smiled with deep meaning, his eyes full of approval!
Professor Birch, on the other hand, revealed an expression that said ‘just as expected’, smiled, and said, “Are you sure?” Taking the Pokédex and Poké Balls, and handing Nuzleaf over to Professor Birch, Leo nodded seriously.
“Onix is my best partner!
Having it by my side is enough for now!
Even though I really want a Mudkip…” The boy gave a slight smile.
“I already have some leads, so I should be able to catch one myself!
Rather than wasting the resource, it’s better to convert it into contribution points!
I’ll save them up to exchange for what I truly want!” What an ambitious boy!
Yamashima praised him inwardly, but outwardly put on a carefree grin and said, “That’s an impressive level of resolve, kid!
It’s rare for a youth like you to make such a choice!” Professor Birch nodded in agreement and said, “Then I won’t force you!
Don’t worry, I’ll submit your acquisition qualification to the League so you can get the corresponding contribution points!
The qualification to obtain a starter Pokémon is worth quite a few points!” Scratching his head in slight embarrassment, Leo ultimately nodded firmly.
“Then I’ll leave it to you, Professor Birch!” Looking at Nuzleaf curled up in Professor Birch’s arms, he said, “Professor, I’ll leave Nuzleaf in your care!
Nuzleaf, take care!” “Nuzleaf!~” Greeting the boy with a smile, Nuzleaf seemed to be in great spirits!
“Mhm, I’ll take good care of it!” Professor Birch patted Nuzleaf’s little head and smiled.
“When it’s willing, I’ll send it back.
Don’t worry!” Leo nodded and was just about to say goodbye when Mr.
Yamashima suddenly interjected.
“Kid!
Since you’re about to set off!
I need to tell you one more thing, about the reason for the bug swarm’s riot!” “Bug swarm riot?
You mean the Beedrill?” Leo thought about how he was attacked by Bug Pokémon just by passing by.
“I was confused at the time.
Beedrill have strong territorial awareness, but that’s against intruders.
I didn’t enter their territory, I was just passing by!
Not to mention I had Onix with me, so there was no reason for them to attack directly…” “Exactly!
Beedrill are irritable, but they rarely leave their territory to attack proactively!” Yamashima nodded.
“They only launch counterattacks against enemies that invade their territory, and most of the time, they just drive them away!” As an expert on Pokémon habitats and habits, Professor Birch had a lot of say in this.
He nodded and said somewhat seriously, “The things that can cause a riot among Bug-type Pokémon, aside from territory invasion, mating, or racial wars!
There’s one more!
That is the legendary and precious Golden Honey!” Golden Honey?
Leo nodded thoughtfully, watching Professor Birch turn to the computer and pick up a document.
“As a ‘secret treasure’ for Bug-type Pokémon!
It has a massive attraction to all Bug-type Pokémon!
This is normal!
But!
Looking at the current situation, the attack on Leo doesn’t fit any of the reasons that would trigger a Beedrill riot!” Leo recalled information in his mind.
Golden Honey…
Sighing inwardly, fragmented memories surfaced.
Not just for Bug-types, Golden Honey was precious to all Pokémon!
It could boost the Beauty condition of all Pokémon!
And their friendship with their trainers!
And for Bug-types, it was even more important!
Golden Honey could improve a Bug Pokémon’s mastery of Bug-type energy!
Increase the chance of learning new moves!
It could even help Bug-type Pokémon evolve!
It was said that Bug Pokémon that evolved by consuming Golden Honey would have their lifespans increased!
However, Golden Honey was far too rare and mysterious!
In a very small number of Vespiquen mother nests, a special Vespiquen would be born.
Compared to a normal Vespiquen, it produced more pheromones, thus attracting and controlling more Combee.
When the quantity reached a certain threshold, a qualitative change would occur.
Numerous Combee would work hard to offer the honey they gathered to please the Vespiquen.
The special Vespiquen would consume the honey while nursing her larvae, producing a unique hormone that fed back into her own hive.
Over time, as it accumulated, it condensed into a new kind of honey like a blooming flower.
This was Golden Honey.
It originated from the essence and natural energy of an entire Combee colony!
One had to know, a Combee colony would only ever give birth to a single Vespiquen, and among the many Vespiquen out there, only one would be a special Vespiquen!
“But I didn’t smell the legendary magical fragrance…” Leo was puzzled.
Only a special kind of Burmy in the Sinnoh region had the ability to find Combee nests, and it was said that they did so based on the unique, magical scent emitted by Golden Honey.
A scent of happiness!
“That’s because, once Golden Honey leaves the Vespiquen’s nest, its fragrance gradually turns inward!” Mr.
Yamashima, standing to the side, suddenly spoke up.
Leo looked at the suddenly serious Inspector and listened as he continued, “This Golden Honey cannot be detected by humans.
Instead, it produces an odorless excitatory hormone that only Bug-type Pokémon can sense!
It makes them excited!” “Are you saying that the Beedrill and the bug swarm rioted because they sensed the Golden Honey, became excited under the influence of the hormone, and that’s why they attacked passersby indiscriminately?” “No!
This hormone originates from the Vespiquen…” Professor Birch chimed in.
“The hormone produced by a special Vespiquen stimulates a Bug Pokémon’s senses, causing excitement, but it won’t make them confused, aggressive, or engage in self-harming suicidal behavior!” “Suicidal behavior!?” “Ah, recently, not just in the Hoenn region, but in various regions all over the world, there have been incidents of Bug Pokémon rioting and attacking passersby!” Mr.
Yamashima explained to Leo.
“Not just attacking passersby!
According to intelligence, there was even an incident where Bug Pokémon invaded a Fire-type Pokémon’s territory and ended up dying entirely.
That’s why the League dispatched Inspectors everywhere to investigate whether it’s due to natural causes or dark syndicates!” Leo nodded, indicating his understanding.
If it was a natural cause, it would be fine, but if it was caused by a dark syndicate, it could trigger massive changes.
As a part of the natural ecosystem, any life population was indispensable.
If Bug Pokémon suffered mass deaths, it could affect the local food chain, and more seriously, lead to irreversible and severe consequences.
One had to remember that this was the Pokémon world, and Pokémon were the ones in charge.
After all, Arceus was just sleeping, not dead!
Even if Arceus didn’t need to step in, what about the Hoenn weather trio?
The Legendary Golems?
Or the bystander Regigigas?
Not to mention, Bug-types had a boss of their own.
Genesect was known as the “World-Destroying Bug!” “Is that why you’re investigating here, Mr.
Yamashima?” “Yes, there have been several incidents of bug swarms rioting and attacking trainers recently, all in the forests between Petalburg City and Littleroot Town.” Mr.
Yamashima nodded.
“That’s why our Inspectors were dispatched to different regions to investigate the specific cause, and Petalburg City is my jurisdiction!” “Have you found any results?” Leo asked.
After all, he was about to embark on his journey, and the roads were lined with forests and grass, so there would be no shortage of Bug-type Pokémon!
Exchanging a glance with Professor Birch, Yamashima spoke.
“It’s basically resolved!
As long as you don’t arbitrarily venture deep into the jungle!
You can safely set off for now.” Basically resolved…
huh?
He could tell they were still hiding something, but since it didn’t affect his travels, it shouldn’t be a big deal…
“That’s good then!” Not dwelling on the matter anymore, Leo said happily, “Thank you, Mr.
Yamashima and Professor!
Then, I’ll be setting off!” “Mhm, be careful on the way!
Wishing you great results at the League Conference, Leo!” Professor Birch patted his shoulder and encouraged.
“Ah, I will!” “Then I wish you good luck too, kid!” Mr.
Yamashima reverted to his carefree demeanor.
Leo nodded, returned to the medical room to recall Onix, said goodbye to Professor Birch and Mr.
Yamashima once more, and left the lab.
Watching Leo’s departing figure, Professor Birch asked in a low voice, “There won’t be any problems, right?
Are there results?” Mr.
Yamashima also nodded seriously.
“There won’t be any problems.
This was artificially manufactured chaos!
A bunch of sewer rats actually dared to recklessly conduct research at the genetic level of Pokémon!
Utterly audacious!” Mr.
Yamashima took out a Poké Ball and headed for the lab’s entrance; he was leaving too.
“Elite Four Drake came personally, both sides should have already made contact by now!” “Dragon-type Elite Four Drake?
That’s good!” Hearing this, Professor Birch felt relieved, then shook his head, returned to his computer, ignored the departing Yamashima, and went back to his own research.
Above Littleroot Town, a Dragonite flew rapidly toward the north.
Meanwhile, deep within Petalburg Woods.
A series of intense explosions boomed loudly!
High up in the sky, a massive Pokémon hovered there!
Its body shape resembled a giant quadrupedal lizard from his past life!
It had two gorgeous, crescent-shaped, blood-red wings!
And a long tail.
Its base color was deep blue, while the inner sides of its head, neck, limbs, and tail were blood-red.
Its lower jaw and abdomen were covered by three plates of outer shell.
There were two blood-red ridges above its eyes, and three small triangular wings on each side of its head.
This was a powerful Dragon!
Salamence!
The pseudo-legendary of Hoenn!
Elite Four Drake’s ace!
“Salamence, Dragon Breath!” Standing on the dragon’s back, Elite Four Drake watched the fleeing Team Dark grunts, his calm command carrying not a single ripple of emotion.
A massive amount of Dragon-type energy gathered in Salamence’s mouth, and immediately after, a giant red shockwave blasted toward the ground!
The immense energy detonated, accompanied by a huge roar and screams of agony.
“Pokémon, nature, and people—all these elements combine to form this world!
It was that Dragonite who taught me this lesson, which is why I stand by my position as an Elite Four!” Closing his eyes, Elite Four Drake reminisced.
“I once aspired to be the world’s greatest sailor, dominating all the world’s sea routes!
However, my ship was caught in a terrible storm during my voyage.
Though I barely avoided sinking, my food and water were running out!” “When I was in despair!
Just as I was about to give up, a Dragonite appeared!
It guided my ship and brought me back to land…” Opening his eyes, he looked at the ground.
“Whether human or Pokémon, there exists a selfless kindness!
And you all…” Anger surged in his eyes.
“Using despicable methods to incite conflict between humans and Pokémon, showing no regard for the extinction of Pokémon, and having no reverence for life whatsoever!
As the ‘accomplices’ of the Evil Moon syndicate…” Sensing Drake’s fury, the already hot-tempered Salamence flapped its wings and roared.
The intense pressure pinned the Pokémon on the ground, rendering them unable to move!
Squads of League Inspectors escorted the members of Team Dark into vehicles, recalling those Pokémon into Poké Balls.
After interrogation, the Pokémon that hadn’t committed crimes would be released back into the wild or handed over to League trainers to be cared for.
A Dragonite flew over quickly, carrying Inspector Yamashima on its back.
“Sir Drake, is it over?” “Ah, this is the last place.
I’ll leave this to you!” Elite Four Drake took out a box and handed it to Yamashima.
“What’s this?” “Open it and see!” “This is!” Looking at the 8 bottles of golden, semi-coagulated liquid neatly placed in the box, “Golden Honey?” “Exactly.
There was one bottle in every base.
There were 9 bases in total, and this is the only place where none was found.” Drake frowned.
“Take them back to the League first and store them properly.
I will stay in Rustboro City for a while to observe the situation further.” “Yes, Sir Drake!” “I’ll leave the rest to you here.
Let’s go, Salamence!” “Roar~!!” Letting out a massive roar, Salamence flapped its wings and flew off into the distance.