Pokemon: The Gameboy Effect-Chapter 192: Venusaur

In the early morning, John made his way through the dense Mayan forest, the mist curling around him like a ghostly veil. Beside him loomed his Totem Venusaur, an absolute titan compared to the usual species. The massive pink flower on its back, supported by a thick, palm-like trunk, made it resemble a walking tree at first glance. The sheer size of the creature only reinforced that impression.

John sat comfortably on the back of the colossal Venusaur, leaning against the sturdy trunk of its flower. The wide-open petals formed a natural canopy over his head, shielding him from the sun. It was a sight to behold—like riding a moving fortress of nature. He couldn't help but think that Ivysaur, with its budding pink flower, should have been the one called Venusaur, while his current mount deserved a name like "Mighty Tree."

His journey with Bulbasaur had been an eventful one. On the very night he obtained it, he had taken it straight into Project Volcano, a brutal challenge that forced the little grass-type to evolve into Ivysaur before long. With his days spent attending morning studies, tackling tasks in the afternoon, and squeezing in Gameboy sessions at night, he didn't have much time for reckless adventure. Instead, he had meticulously trained Ivysaur by grinding experience in the underground power station near Mauville City. By the time it hit level 32, it evolved into Venusaur at an unusually early stage, thanks to the unique nature of its Totem form.

Now, the massive Totem Venusaur, more than three times the size of a normal one, made its way through the jungle like a walking mountain, occasionally knocking over smaller trees in its path.

"Grab those wild apples," John instructed.

Two thick emerald-green vines extended from beneath the flower on Venusaur's back, effortlessly plucking the apples from the treetops and dropping them into the satchel hanging from John's waist.

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"Four apples, three Chesto Berries, two Wiki Berries..." John muttered, checking his list. "That should cover today's quota."

The Breeder Camp wasn't stocked with endless supplies, and part of the experience was learning to gather resources from the surrounding ecosystem. Trainers were required to complete at least one task per day, whether it was capturing local Pokémon, picking rare berries, collecting special soil and ores, or other fieldwork. Each task was worth a certain number of points, which could be exchanged for various Pokémon-related items, including rare treasures not found in the market.

There were even Secret Pokémon Items available, but their cost was outrageous. You'd need to find a treasure-tier item in the wild just to afford one—and even then, you'd still have to make up extra points. John had long since decided that if he ever stumbled upon such a valuable item, he'd rather sell it through his own channels than trade it for an overpriced reward.

Unfortunately, he didn't have those kinds of connections. His mentor, Scarlett, and Principal Badman certainly did, but John wasn't about to go running to them for help.

Besides, the lesser-tier items were affordable with accumulated points. He had no interest in chasing after the elite rewards—his daily tasks were just a means to get through the day with minimal effort.

"Well, that's everything." He patted Venusaur's side. "Let's head back to camp."

The fruits of the Mayan forest were different from those found elsewhere. Although they shared the same names as regular berries, they carried a unique aroma. The camp staff used this scent to verify that collected goods were authentic.

One trainer had tried to cheat the system by purchasing berries from outside and turning them in, only to be caught instantly. He was promptly sent back to school in disgrace.

John had once considered using items from his Gameboy inventory to fulfill these tasks, but after hearing about that trainer's fate, he quickly abandoned the idea.

Finding tree fruits wasn't difficult—he had already mapped out where they grew. After the first few trips, it became routine, taking no more than an hour each day. The real challenge was dealing with wild Pokémon encounters. Some creatures traveled in packs, and if you provoked one, you risked facing the whole group. That was a battle even he wanted to avoid.

Upon returning to camp, he found the place bustling with activity. Researchers and students alike were busy with their assignments.

Even after a week, people still hadn't forgotten the spectacle of John releasing his shiny Gyarados on the night of the Pokémon selection. The camp had been abuzz with gossip ever since.

Some had even gone to the Breeders Association to protest, claiming that he must have borrowed someone else's Pokémon, which would have been a violation of the rules.

Their complaint lasted less than a minute before they were shown the door.

The Breeder Camp wasn't bound by arbitrary restrictions. If you could command a Pokémon effectively, it didn't matter where it came from. And considering Gyarados' notorious temper, it was no small feat to control one. The accusers had basically outed themselves as jealous sore losers.

At this moment, several students noticed Ivysaur—except it wasn't Ivysaur anymore.

"He evolved again?" someone muttered, eyes wide.

The size alone made it clear. Just a week ago, when they all set out for the Mayan Forest, John's Totem Bulbasaur had evolved into Ivysaur. And now, in record time, it had reached its final stage.

"This guy's Pokémon grow like weeds," another whispered.

Normally, fast evolution came at a cost. Some trainers fed their Pokémon special growth enhancers to rush their development, but doing so often stunted their long-term potential. Nobody was stupid enough to do that to a Totem Pokémon.

The only explanation? Totem Venusaur was simply built different.

Other breeders couldn't help but compare their progress. The fastest among them had only just achieved their first evolution yesterday, while some hadn't even reached that stage yet. Meanwhile, John's Pokémon had already outpaced them all. The gap was staggering.

Just then, a familiar voice called out from in front of a tent.

"John!" Scarlett waved him over.

"What's up?"

"Get ready. We're diving deeper into the Mayan Forest."

John smirked. "Finally, something interesting."