With two exceptionally high-quality academic papers and the newfound fame brought by the discovery of a new evolution and the revival of extinct past forms of Pokémon, Lucas was quickly gaining recognition.
Thanks to these achievements, it wouldn't be impossible for Lucas to become a full-fledged researcher, or even, after catching up on core knowledge, apply to become a full Pokémon Professor.
After all, the two journals Professor Oak had already contacted were among the most reputable in the research field.
For anyone, this would be a golden opportunity to rise swiftly in their career.
But did Lucas really need that kind of fame?
After all, becoming well-known also comes with a barrage of interviews, attention, and many subsequent troubles that would occupy much of his time. The researcher profession, when you think about it, is one that easily leads to hair loss and overwork.
Though it wouldn't be right to say he enjoys lying flat, Lucas still wanted to avoid trouble as much as possible.
Was there anything wrong with following two top experts in the field, leisurely "padding" his resume?
As he thought this, the answer naturally appeared in Lucas's mind.
Although your offer is tempting, I must refuse!
That's how he felt, but by the time he spoke up, his words had softened.
"Thank you, Professors, for your kind offer. However, I feel my abilities are still insufficient to bear the title of first author, nor am I mentally prepared to become a full researcher just yet."
His words were tactful and humble.
He didn't know how others would see it, but both Professor Oak and Professor Rowan appreciated Lucas's refusal to be swayed by profit—that's a rare quality.
Given how Lucas had never given interviews despite his notable feats on Shamouti Island, it was clear he was someone indifferent to fame and fortune.
Professor Oak nodded, smiling as he accepted Lucas's decision.
"In that case, let this old man be first author, with you as second, after Professor Rowan. Tracey contributed a lot too—he'll be third author. How does that sound?"
That was Professor Oak's proposal.
Professor Rowan, who had only helped by remote guidance, naturally had no objections. Lucas also readily agreed.
As for Tracey—he looked as though struck by a windfall, standing frozen with reddened eyes.
For someone whose main jobs were sketching and running errands, being credited on two papers that would rock the Pokémon research world was unthinkable.
Overwhelmed, Tracey hugged Professor Oak's leg, loudly promising that if Professor Oak ever secretly made instant noodles, he'd occasionally pretend not to see.
He then hugged Lucas—the real "big shot" who brought Ursaluna and Arcanine—getting tears and snot all over Lucas's pant leg.
Looking alarmed, Lucas could only have Ursaluna pick Tracey up like a kitten.
With the papers settled, Professor Oak could now begin drafting. After several rounds of refinement, the manuscripts would be sent to the agreed journal emails for impartial review. Once validated, publication would follow.
Given the timeline, the papers should be out by the end of the month, in December's issue.
By then, Arcanine, Ursaring, and Ursaluna could be formally logged in the Pokédex database.
Since the data had already been collected, Lucas didn't need another trip.
Everything sorted out, and having explored Pallet Town thoroughly, Lucas planned to fly back to Paldea on Dragonite.
But first—
Spotting Ash approaching, Lucas repeated Ash's earlier words.
"So, you're heading to the Hoenn region next?"
"Yeah! Charizard has returned to the Charicific Valley, and Pikachu and I aren't about to lose out!"
Ash nodded vigorously, his intentions evident on his face. Pikachu, perched on his shoulder, was brimming with anticipation for new challenges.
Naturally, Lucas had no reason to stop him. After all, he probably knew what inspired Ash to travel to Hoenn.
It must have been the defeat at the Silver Conference at the hands of Harrison, with Blaziken and Kecleon leaving Ash a deep impression.
Lucas quietly muttered that Groudon and Kyogre might be waking soon, then asked, "Have you decided which Pokémon you'll bring on the journey?"
Lucas had always thought Ash could swap out Pokémon during his travels, nurturing old and new team members together. That way, old partners wouldn't be left watching tournaments on TV, only appearing at the end for a flashback.
Ash clearly took Lucas's advice to heart. Lifting the shoulder Pikachu stood on, he declared,
"Pikachu is coming to Hoenn with me!"
Then he reported the rest:
"And also Armarouge, Pidgeot, and Larvitar."
Of the three, only Larvitar hadn't evolved yet—unlike Bulbasaur, who refused to, or Wartortle, who returned to the Fire Brigade to earn money. Larvitar showed no reluctance—if anything, it looked forward to evolution.
Lucas was gratified to see Ash had grown.
He sent Ash off, asking, beneath Ash's odd expression, if he had paid off Misty's bike.
Puzzled, Ash replied he hadn't—bikes were too expensive. But Misty, back in Cerulean to take over the Gym, had generously given him another region's worth of time.
Watching Ash scratch his head as he left, Lucas sighed deeply.
Hang in there, boy from Pallet Town.
At this rate, your debt will be up to two bikes next time.
Still, with Armarouge, Pidgeot, and Larvitar added to his lineup, maybe things wouldn't go as badly as in canon? Anyway, Lucas still felt like cursing at the monopolists selling bikes at sky-high prices.
It was getting to the point he had to ride Arcanine and Dragonite everywhere. Sure, the ranch earnings could cover a bike, but he just felt buying one made you a sucker.
"Hoo—"
Breathing visible in the cold, Lucas noted Kanto's temperature was dropping. The change over the past couple of days was stark; many Pokémon in the Oak Lab's backyard had started huddling for warmth.
At this rate, Pallet Town probably wouldn't see snow—just like the basin region he'd lived in before crossing over.
Lost in thought, Lucas headed back into the lab. It was time to call in the Pokémon playing out back and bid farewell to Professor Oak and Tracey. The Blueberry Academy Gym Test delegation would be arriving in just a few days.
Ceruledge should be training with Typhlosion on fire control, as Charizard had already left.
Dragonite had gone to meet Professor Oak's own mysterious Dragonite.
Arcanine was likely racing with local Kantonian Arcanine belonging to trainers for boarding at the Institute's backyard.
Ursaluna was staying with Ursaring.
Speaking of Ursaring, Lucas suddenly remembered something:
"That Ursaring—it couldn't possibly belong to those two, could it?"
By "those two," he meant the legendary trainers of Pallet Town.
He remembered when he'd carried a peat block and had been led by Professor Oak to find that Ursaring. Even in the packed "crouching dragon" backyard, it had claimed prime territory—a testament to its strength.
It wasn't Gary's Ursaring; Professor Oak said it was being boarded, not his own.
So, looking at the strong trainers in Pallet Town, there weren't many options.
Indeed, Lucas thought as he rounded up Cerulean, Dragonite, and Arcanine by distance order.
But on the way to fetch Ursaluna, he met someone unexpected.
A handsome young man his age, with brown hair and an unknown pendant at his chest, resembled Gary but was like his upgraded form. He held a bold gaze and surveyed Lucas with a searching look, arms folded.
Matching his intimidating presence, the youth spoke:
"To avoid being unfair, let me ask:
You're not a poacher sneaking into the lab, are you?"
Sharp eyes glinted with coldness—one wrong move, and he'd strike without mercy.
He clearly had great faith in his abilities, as shown by his demeanor.
He must've heard complaints or gotten a tip, so he gave Lucas time to respond.
Lucas studied him pensively. "Blue?"
"Hm?"
The youth looked surprised—did this person know him? But he had no memory of Lucas.
Lucas alternated his gaze between Blue and the path to Ursaluna and Ursaring's den.
"Did you just go see Ursaring, or were you just leaving?"
Blue was a quick study—being Professor Oak's grandson and very intelligent, he picked up Lucas's meaning at once.
"…You're the one Gramps mentioned?"
A smile broke out across Blue's face, his former hostility gone, and he slung an arm around Lucas's shoulders.
"Gramps told me about that Ursaring evolution—wanna come see for yourself?"
Lucas nodded. "Sure, let's go. I was just retrieving Ursaluna. So that Ursaring is yours?"
"'Ursaluna?'" Blue repeated, baffled, but shrugged it off. "Yeah, that Ursaring Gramps used as a 'test subject' is mine—boarded here for convenience."
He clenched his teeth and grumbled, "Just because I'm his own grandson, Gramps just texted me and that was it—no updates! I hurried back, fearing he'd go overboard and Ursaring would get hurt."
In these few words, Blue explained how, after years out of sight (according to Ash), he'd abruptly returned to Oak's backyard.
It turned out to be on Professor Oak's orders!
Lucas, not wanting to hear more family drama, cut him off, "Shall we go up?"
"…All right." Realizing he was rambling, Blue asked one more question.
"By the way, your name?"
"Blue—the great Trainer. You?"
"Lucas. Right now, I run a farm."
"Farmer? Strange—I felt a strong urge toward you just now."
"What kind of urge?"
"A Pokémon battle."
…
Inside the Cave—
"Whoa, so this is Ursaring's new evolution, Ursaluna? Didn't expect Ursaring could evolve further—someone else will be very surprised to hear it."
Blue carefully checked over the Ursaring clinging beside him—definitely his, not some swapped-in doppelganger. Not only was the muscle bulked up, the claws had huge potential, really stirring the Trainer's spirit.
With proper training, it could become a core team member.
Next, Blue turned his gaze to Lucas's Ursaluna.
"There's a marked difference from mine—so this is Ursaluna?"
"Looks strong. But are you really just a farmer?"
"I do run a farm in Paldea. You're welcome to visit."
The subject was efficiently dropped.
Blue raised an eyebrow. "Paldea? That League's only been founded these last few years, right? You must be from far away."
"In the past, I might have taken you up on the offer, but right now I'm going to be busy for a while."
"Why?"
Lucas was honestly curious.
Blue—still technically only a five-minute Kanto League Champion—being busy?
He petted Ursaring's thick fur and said, "Ground and Normal types—perfect for me to take over as Viridian Gym Leader."
"Let me think—the new moniker should be…"
'Blue of the Earth.'
"How's that sound?"
…