Pokemon: Bounty Hunter Alex

Chapter 530: Chapter 530. Final Preparations

At the heart of the Silver Network’s Kanto headquarters, Alex and all the girls except Clarissa gathered in the command center around a long table, with Alex seated at its head. They were discussing his imminent departure on his first dimensional expedition now that he had officially reached the Master rank.

”The main reason I’m leaving in a hurry is Guzzlord. It only has about 20% of its energy reserves left, enough to last a few years at most before it starts rampaging again. Rather than heading back out into space to feed it, I think it’s better to begin my first dimensional expedition instead,” Alex explained. ”With Clarissa having spent 20 years away in exchange for just over half a year here, I’d like to hear your opinions on this matter.”

”We barely get to see you once a month, and now you’ll be gone for a year at a time?” Kaia asked, more out of complaint than concern.

Alex was strong, so there was no reason for her to worry about his safety. Her concern was more about how his absence would affect their daily lives. With Alex fully focused on his training in Lumiose City, they hadn’t been getting enough of him lately.

”It could be the opposite,” Nyx pointed out. ”He could be gone for a century while only a day passes for us.”

”Are you going to be okay, Alex?” Vera asked, concern evident in her voice. ”It worries me that you’ll be all by yourself for so long. If only one of us could go with you.”

”Apparently, the trip itself requires the physique of a Master, so it isn’t worth risking your lives just so I can get laid.” Alex said with an appreciative smile. ”Besides, ever since my love triggers were removed, sex just hasn’t been the same for me.”

Before the love triggers, sex was just sex. It was a carnal release that relaxed his body. There was no love or intimacy behind it; he was basically just using women to satisfy his lust. Once the love triggers were introduced, he felt intimacy and fulfillment for the first time. Now that he finally understood love without relying on the triggers, sex had taken on a whole new meaning that simply couldn’t be compared to what it was before. It was an expression of love and intimacy that became so much more pleasurable precisely because he was sharing it with someone he loved.

As he was now, he no longer wanted sex any other way. Doing it with someone random had become pointless. Without the emotional connection he shared with his girls, there was far less reason for him to seek it out. It wasn’t like he was addicted to sex anyway.

”I’m willing to allow it, so long as you spend no less than a full year with us between expeditions,” Kaia said, giving her ultimatum. ”No matter how long the expedition lasts, you have to spend a full year with us here. And I don’t want you excessively training like you are now either. Since you’re already at the Master rank, there’s no reason for you to push yourself so hard anymore.”

”Do you girls agree?” Alex asked, finding no objections. ”Alright, then. One full year with your girls between expeditions. Although, you’re wrong about how the Master rank works, Kaia. It’s precisely because I’m at the Master rank now that I need to train even harder. The Master rank has no limits, after all. If I slow down now, I might miss out on reaching the next threshold.”

Based on the information about Master ranked trainers that Alex now had access to, he understood that the next threshold for Pokémon was akin to godhood. It was no longer about building their physiques or mastering their energy. Instead, it was about connecting with the universe and attaining something resembling authority over it.

In theory, a Pokémon powerful enough could attain authority over aspects of the universe, similar to how Palkia is known as the Pokémon who governs space while Dialga governs time. At least, that was the theory, because there was no confirmed threshold beyond the Master rank. They were simply making assumptions based on how Legendary Pokémon worked, believing that it was the next natural step in their growth.

”Continuing with the meeting, the reason I called all of you here was because I wanted to get a list of things you girls would like me to bring back,” Alex said. ”I’ll be heading to universes similar to this one, so if there’s anything you want, let me know. That could include materials, rare seeds, advanced technologies, unique or rare Pokémon, or anything else you think might be valuable. Celise, I’d like you to take care of this matter.”

”Got it,” Celise replied. ”I’ll compile the list before you leave.”

”I want Master ranked materials!” Rhea exclaimed. ”Getting them through the League or other organizations isn’t sustainable. They’re stupid expensive, and I only get ounces of the stuff at a time. I’d like to eventually upgrade all the technology we have to Master rank.”

”Just have Rotom copy databases of information for me. I’ll take care of the rest,” Nyx said.

”Powerful plants like Herba Mystica,” Kaia said. ”I don’t really have anything specific I want other than a new and interesting project like that.”

”Master ranked or Legendary Pokémon corpses,” Vera said. ”The only thing holding me back from reaching Master breeder certification is experience working with Master ranked resources. I have a decent stockpile of materials, but it isn’t enough. The more corpses you bring back, the better.”

Everyone turned to Vera in surprise at her sudden, bloodthirsty request.

”What? I’m a breeder who makes Pokéblocks. Of course I’d be interested in corpses. They’re full of powerful materials, you know.”

The rest of the girls shared their own requests as well, with some asking for cute Pokémon or similar things. It wasn’t as though Alex planned on becoming a hunter once he arrived, but he wouldn’t pass up an opportunity if one presented itself.

They continued the discussion until it eventually shifted toward Alex’s preparations.

”I don’t really have any new toys for you, Alex,” Rhea said. ”Unlike Clarissa, who didn’t have any gadgets on her, you pretty much have everything I’ve ever invented. The only thing you’re missing is something like my Bunker for defense, but it’s only rated for Champion rank, so it’s practically useless to you. The most I can do is restock your ammunition and give you enough supplies that you could wipe out a region if you actually needed to. Apart from that, I can maybe add some extra storage space since your Lifeline will be full.”

”You’ll need more food,” Lina suggested. ”I’ll prepare as much as possible for you and your Pokémon so you can all keep training even in other dimensions.”

”You might need to carry a portable database,” Nyx said. ”Since you’ll need the computing power to hack into the League with Rotom, it’ll need as much help as it can get. You’ll also need somewhere to store all the valuable data you collect.”

”How about a homestead kit?” Kaia suggested. ”Bring some berry seeds with you so that no matter where you find yourself, you’ll be able to grow your own food.”

”Let’s skip that option,” Alex said. ”I have too many Pokémon with me to stay at a place long term that can’t sustain them. I’d rather head home immediately once I run out of provisions. That said, Lina, I need enough food for all of us to last one year, even if that means reducing the space allocated for ammunition. Rhea, even if I need to destroy a region, I’ll use the B.O.M.B. rather than waste bullets. Just make sure I have enough ammunition to wipe out a Master ranked nest twice, and that should be enough.”

Rhea and Lina agreed, while Kaia continued to insist.

”I’ll add a small emergency kit just in case.”

Alex didn’t argue and simply smiled. It was better to accept their willfulness, if only to give them peace of mind.

”Alright, take your time with the preparations because I’m not in that much of a hurry to leave. Guzzlord still has time before it gets hungry, and I still need to reach the peak of my physical potential at the Master rank. Let’s set the deadline for half a year and see where we are then.”

”Are you planning on heading back to Lumiose City to continue training?” Kaia asked.

”No. I’ll head back there in the future once all my Pokémon reach the peak of the Champion rank and can no longer break through the threshold. For now, I think they’ve learned enough to tide them over. I plan on staying here to focus on myself while spending as much time with you girls as possible.”

And so, for the next half a year, Alex trained his body relentlessly, solidifying his power at the Master rank. This allowed him to have full-on brutal spars with Kommo-o, Urshifu, and the others without them needing to hold back, as Alex was finally on par with them in terms of physical strength. The only exception was Azuking, who was simply too much of a powerhouse, capable of dealing Master rank levels of damage.

He also spent plenty of time with the girls, enjoying their time together through sex, dates, relaxation, and small vacations. He spent plenty of time with his children as well, who were growing more and more independent with each passing day. He trained with them, personally taught them, and prepared them for the dangers of the world.

Finally, roughly a year later, all preparations were complete. His physique had reached its peak, his supplies were fully stocked, the defenses of all Silver Network bases were on high alert, and he had said his farewells to his family.

Standing in the central hall of Prism Tower in Lumiose City, Alex was prepared to venture into the unknown on his first dimensional expedition.