April 1st, 430pm
A little over five hours later Richard arrived in Virbank after driving straight through Floccesy Town and Route 20, not stopping to see the sights or catch any Pokemon as there weren't any Pokemon that interested him at all.
Richard as a rich kid abstained from checking into one of the cheap and cramped rooms at the Pokemon Center and checked into a elegant and spacious 40 sq. meter room at the Rosewood Hotel, which is the most expensive hotel in Virbank for 5 days. Richard checked into a room on the top floor which overlooked a portion of the Virbank Waterway and Wharf area. Apparently it is quite the sight as the receptionist mentioned that from the room you can see the water give off a "sparkling shine" as it reflects both the moonlight at night. The total cost of the room plus one meal/day is 55,000 Pokedollars, essentially it is 11,000/night at this Hotel and the Rosewood is not the most expensive hotel in Unova.
Virbank is the 5th largest city in the region by population, the city boasts a total of nearly 400,000 residents. It is home to a Large Industrial Complex, a Large Port Area, Pokestar Studios, a Gym and the 2nd largest Concert Hall in the region. The Famous Punk Rock Band "The Toxics" are based in this city as well as some famous Idols whom are signed to Pokestar Studio's Music Division.
Richard has a few days to rest with his Pokemon as Roxie Melody the Virbank Gym Leader is not taking any challenges until the afternoon of April 4th due to her band holding several concerts on the 2nd and 3rd. So he is just planning on exploring the Virbank Official Pokemon Market tomorrow. Who knows their might be a third team member just waiting to be bought.
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April 2nd, 1pm
Richard got up quite late around 11am, he used one of his Hotel Meal Tickets for an plentiful brunch and fed his Pokemon. After all that was done he quickly showered and threw on a Black Polo, Lilac Colored Jeans and Black Sports Shoes. Richard leisurely walked to the Official Market.
[Almost Identical to Gary Oak's Outfit in Fire Red minus the Wristbands and Necklace]
The so-called Official Pokemon Market is a League Sponsored Event that takes place from 8am-6pm every Friday-Sunday where you can buy or sell Pokemon and items without paying the 10% fees one would have when legally selling Pokemon to official League stations such as a Pokemon Center. You can also test the talent level of the Pokemon you want to sell via the Talent Testing Machine(Black Tech). This machine does have a fail rate of 5% and it cost 200$ to test each Pokemon, which in Richard's view is quite a reasonable price for the fail rate.
According to some forums Richard read retesting talent is a b**** due to price hike of 10 times which amounts to 2,000$, the League also gives an Official Verification Ticket that shows the Pokemon's Talent Rating so scamming is a non-issue or so they say online.
The Markets occur in every city and are usual packed during the three days they take place each week, as many trainers want to take home as much money as they can. The League also verifies the trainers who sell Pokemon through this channel, which filiters out the less reputable trainers whom have committed a crime, are recorded having abused Pokemon and things of a similar nature. Those types of people gather in the "Black Market", which while well-known to League Authorities remains elusive so they haven't quite put an end to this illegal activity.
Here is how the normal selling process works at the Pokemon Center, Trainer A wants to sell a Bronze Lilipup to which the PokeCenter pays 1,000$ for the Pokemon, Trainer A takes home 700$. 200$ is taken off for talent testing and 100$ is taken off for "fees". While the same trainer could make a little more at the Official Market by not having to pay those "fees". Most trainers like this event and they do their utmost to sell their catches during this weekend event, though for a majority of these trainers they end up having to sell directly to the league and end up paying the fees anyways because not many typically buy Pokemon with weak talent(Bronze).
Most of the Pokemon found during the market are Bronze and Silver, with the occassional Gold Grade found here and there. Gold Grades are usually auctioned for the best price, though that depends on the rarity of the Pokemon like the Dragon type which are exclusively auctioned off(Usually). Richard once wondered why Dragons were exclusively auction and that answered came out to be financial in nature. As the League does not want to sell this type of Pokemon to someone who cannot bear the cost for raising these high-maintenance Pokemon.
Some Pokemon from other regions are also sold during this time by tourists or some League Members that are in Unova for business. Typically a Gold verified Pokemon(Common) goes for 30,000 at a minimum for Pokemon of the first stage(Lilipup). Bronze are sold for a price between 1,000-12,000 and Silver are sold for 13,000-30,000. Fossils and other items can be sold at an unfixed price. Yes, Fossils are classified as an item though they can be on the more expensive end.
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The good Pokemon(Gold) are usually sold towards the center of the venue so Richard headed directly there, he gave a quick glance towards some Silver Graded Pokemon from Kanto and Galar. No matter how unique these Pokemon are in Unova, they do not have a place on Richards Team. As arrogant as that may be, Richard's upbringing and the pride ingrained in him as someone who has reincarnated will not allow him to have a Pokemon below the Gold Grade.
At the Center area there weren't more than twenty Gold Graded Pokemon left as many were most likely sold during the morning. Of the Pokemon that Richard appraised via his ocular skill only a few interested him. These Pokemon are as follows:
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Name: Elekid(F)
Level: 12 (Upper Beginner Rank)
Type: Electric
Ability: Static
Talent: Gold
Moves: Quick Attack(A), Leer, Charge, Thunder Shock
Innate: Hammer Arm
Priced: 60,000$
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Name: Numel(F)
Level: 9(Lower Beginner Rank)
Type: Fire/Ground
Ability: Own Tempo
Talent: Gold
Moves: Ember, Tackle, Focus Energy
Innate: Heat Wave[Locked]
Price: 80,000$
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Name: Honedge(M)
Level: 12(Upper Beginner Rank)
Type: Steel/Ghost
Ability: No Guard
Talent: Gold
Moves: Tackle, Fury Cutter, Shadow Sneak(I), Autotomize(I)
Innate: Block
Price: 65,000$
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Badge Count: 1
Account Balance: 27,945,000 (-55,000 Hotel Cost)
Which of the 3 Choices? Like the Author Comment. Most likes will be the 3rd addition to the team.
Polls close Sunday, July 24th 8pm. Central Standard Time, United States.
Will most likely upload next chapter Tuesday or Wednesday.
Google the Gary Oak(Fire Red) Outfit if you want to know what it looks exactly like.