I watch as Roberto eats his calcium-rich formula with bits of Feebas.

Something that hurts a little when you consider that Feebas are considered an ugly fish that can survive anywhere, leading to a large population of them in plant-rich waters, reason why they are fished and eaten without remorse by people ignorant of the potential they hold. I won't lie, I'm tempted to go down to the river south of Rustboro and catch one.

"Riiith." Roberto notices me and waves his claws at me.

"How can you be so cute?"

"He is indeed very cute." Sophia says, startling me a little.

"Is the first time you see him right, he is Roberto my starter."

I tell the elder... I still don't know what she's doing here and it's been 3 years since I've been here, huh.

"Congratulations kid, the blondie must be happy now that you don't have to borrow Cloud for fights anymore."

"I bet he is, where is Cloud?"

"Sleeping, he got overexcited by a show."

"I see, Sophia, what are you doing here?"

"Having a bite to eat?" She looks around the cafeteria.

"I mean at the orphanage, I just realised I never asked."

"You took your time, I am a social worker, my role in the orphanage is to help and check on the welfare of the children, unlike Teresa I work for the Civil Council instead of the League."

"……"

"Don’t look at me like that, if you must know I excel at my job." If she say that looking me at the eyes I may believe it.

You? The one who dragged me along as an excuse so you could drink with Mia.

“By the way is safe for him to eat that?”

I watch Roberto eating the bones of the Feebas.

"Yes. Anoriths are aquatic predators, and the bone calcium helps develop their exoskeleton."

"Aah, of course, so obvious."

"You've never seen an Anorith before, have you?"

"I was too shy to ask."

"……"

"Excuse me." A voice interrupts.

I turn to see the newcomer, a purple haired woman with an emotionless expression dressed like a secretary and carrying a bag, it was Courtney, seeing her now I can say she is better than eating chicken with your hand, too bad she is crazy.

"Hi, how can I help you?" Sophia greets.

"I'm here on business with Marcus Poplar." The inexpressive admin says, looking at me.

"What?" Sophia turns to me.

"I remember you were with Mr Maxie, I assume this is about what he mentioned yesterday."

"Yes."

"I see, I'm sorry I can't be a proper host, but can we talk about this in my room?"

"As you wish."

"Perfect, this way. Sophia, I'll tell you later."

I lead Courtney to my room after recalling Roberto, whom she glances at, and as we enter I notice that she is looking at my books in particular.

"Please, sit down."

"No need."

"Now, did Mr Maxie mention that you will tell me the details of our collaboration?"

"Yes, Mr Maxie stipulates that he will be kept informed of your current research into regional myths and any projects you may have, in return for which he will provide you with a PokéNav, 10,000 Poké a month and the complementary Magma equipment, this will be a temporary arrangement until you reach the age of majority, where if your results are satisfactory we will upgrade your contract to a permanent one."

"That's a generous offer, but I have to say that my current project is being worked on by the Rustboro Gym and Trainer School, so I cannot grant any exclusivity rights."

"Mr Maxie only wishes to be updated for the moment as he wishes to support your career as much as his own interest in history."

"In that case I accept, do you have the contract at hand?"

She silently begins to take items out of her bag and place them on my desk.

"This is the initial payment, along with our starting equipment, a Magma Uniform and Emblem, along with 6 Potions and Pokéballs, usually we are able to grant starting Pokémon, but it seems you are settled." She looked at Roberto's ball.

"A recent gift, just after I met Mr Maxie."

She nods before handing me two pieces of paper, the contract I assume.

"If you sign both, give me one and the other is your copy."

"Done." I sign with a pen I have on my desk.

"Then my role is over, Mr Maxie expects at least one call a week."

"Understood." She nods before taking something out of her bag.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"This is your PokéNav, it has both my and Mr Maxie's numbers registered, anything other than your reports will communicate with me."

"Thank you, may I ask your name?"

"Courtney Fukuen, if that's all, I'll take my leave."

"A pleasure, and give Mr Maxie my thanks."

Without a word she takes her leave, after she close the door I release Roberto on my lap before scratching his back.

What a mess.

I wonder how they got my size, I look at the uniform and the emblem on it.

This is bad, I should innocently tell Roxanne about this so I can get out as soon as the shit hits the fan, luckily they will be distracted for a while now that I have led them to Sootopolis, Wallace can deal with them before they get impatient and mess with mt chimney and I have to tell them where the orbs actually are.

But these things take time, and by that time Ash, or Brendan if he exists, would have dealt with them.

Well, I better go to Roxanne and tell her the news.

"And tomorrow we'll start your training in the gym."

"Riiiiith."

He really enjoys his scratches.

-------

Once again outside Roxanne's office, but this time.

*mumbles*

She seems to be in there with someone but I can't hear what they're saying, should I knock? I don't want to wait standing here.

Fuck it.

*knocks*

The sudden silence doesn't inspire confidence.

"Who is it?" Roxanne's voice asks from the door.

"It's me, Marcus."

Again the silence is unsettling.

"Come in."

Now I don't want to. Despite my whining, I open the door and enter, only to see my lovely mentor together with a silver-haired, handsome man in a suit.

Aaah fuck, wait Marcus, maybe he's not here for the Team Magma information you gave yesterday, maybe he's here to ogle a new rock, he and Roxanne are part of that rock lovers/hunters group after all.

Yes, to ogle a new Rock-type Pokémon like Kleavor!

GOD DAMNIT.

*Roxanne breaks my trance.

"Marcus, this is my friend Steven, I think I told you about him."

"Steven Stone." He holds out his hand to me with a smile.

"Ah, Marcus Poplar, sir." I accept the handshake.

"I was telling him about our conversation yesterday."

"R-Really?" Calm down, they don't know you know Magma's true intentions.

"Yes, I am a rock collector and Roxanne asked me to get you the Black Augurites you need."

Thank God, Arceus and Helix.

"That means the project has been approved?"

"Yes. After reading your thesis and considering your actions in the gym and at school, I have decided to give you this opportunity."

"I'm grateful, but I don't think I've done that much at school?"

"Don't put yourself down, I remember Mr Ivan's praise after you two debated Professor Sycamore's discovery of the Fairy Type."

"It's only a matter of time before the Fairy Type is recognised in the world, two years at the most."

That old geezer dares to question Gardevoir's supremacy, and that is a hill I will die on.

"Your thirst for knowledge will take you far."

Right, Steven, this is not the time for Gardevoir.

"We will also discuss the depth of your research into regional mythology." And here it comes, unless.

"You embarrass me, Mr Maxie said the same thing."

At that, I see Roxanne's sharp gaze and Steven straighten up.

"By the way, in the afternoon they came with the contract for the sponsorship."

"Really, and how did it go?" Roxanne asks.

"Well I think this is a temporary arrangement and they are just asking me to keep them updated on my research into myths and projects, of course the benefits are small in exchange at least until I get older enough to upgrade to a formal sponsorship. Too bad about the shorts, I don't think I'll be using the uniform they give me."

"It's a good opportunity but maybe a bit rushed, you need to read the contracts carefully before you sign them, if you want I can check to see if everything is in order." Steven offered.

"I wouldn't want to impose, especially on someone as busy as the champion."

"It's no bother, in addition to being the Champion I am the heir of Devon Corp, so I am used to such things." What's his game here?

"It's true, Steven is a master at such things, otherwise he would not have any free time". Roxanne clarifies.

"Hahaha." Steven laughs quietly.

"In that case I'll get my copy of the contract and give it to Roxanne."

"Good."

"Before I forget, may I know what you told Maxie to get him so interested?" Here it is.

"I tell him about an old Draconid legend of two orbs that can control Groudon and Kyogre and unleash their true potential, forcing them to use a Rainbow Stone to awaken Rayquaza's true power and defeat them; it is said that the orbs still exist, guarded by a family of guardians; I told him my speculation that the family is currently in Sootopolis, but I am not sure if it is the same family that now guards the Cave of Origin."

They listen attentively to my words, a frown forming on their faces the more I speak, as I finish they turn to face each other, creating an environment where I can cut the tension with a knife.

"What's wrong?" I ask, putting on the most innocent face I can.

"Nothing, don't worry..." Steven interrupts.

"The truth is Marcus, Team Magma have been involved in some shady activities lately, due to their reputation as a humanitarian group the League had to err on the side of caution and declare them terrorists."

Ah, I can see the lifeline Roxanne was throwing me is slipping away.

"I didn't know." I bow my head.

"There was no way you could have known, so we don't blame you, but the information you've given us is very worrying." Roxanne tells me.

"How do you know it's accurate?" Steven asks.

Bullshit, don't let me down now.

"A few years ago, when I first came to the city, I met a grandmother named Aster who told me such stories, she was the Draconid Lorekeeper and gave me the books that tell of the events."

"I see... that doesn't prove the accuracy of the myths."

"So I think, but they tell of a meteorite impact in the area that is now Sootopolis, awakening Groudon and Kyogre and shaping it into the peculiar landmass that it is today, aside from the legendary, Professor Cozmo's findings proving that it was indeed a meteor that was responsible for Sootopolis' current form.

"Can I ask you to give the books to the League?"

And this betrayal bullshit, I expected more from you.

"That... will be difficult."

"Why?" Roxanne asks in surprise.

"The books may no longer be in my possession."

"What happened?"

"Let's just say they had an unfortunate accident."

"Then how could you continue your research?"

"Those books have nothing to do with my research on evolution, unless those stories about using marbles to evolve Pokémon beyond their limits are true."

Steven averts his eyes and stiffens a little.

"You're joking." Mega Evolution is still a top secret, I see.

"Putting that aside, if your deal with Team Magma required such information, what were you planning to do?" Roxanne scolds me.

"Like I said, the information in the books is only from the Draconid perspective, with a little effort I could locate the various lineages in Hoenn and single out the family that guards the orbs, the same with information on Groudon and Kyogre, the Draconids only care about Rayquaza."

"If it were that easy, both Team Magma and Team Aqua would have done it by now." Steven said.

"Not hard per se, but confusing and time-consuming history is always murky and tainted by perspective, but as you said, if they really wanted to know about the orbs, it was only a matter of time, but to think that Team Aqua was also involved."

"It's like you said, with such a delicate situation brewing, we can only prepare to defend if they try anything, at the moment the League has no concise evidence to stop their operations."

The three of us fell silent as I considered the situation.

"Maxie had asked me to give him weekly updates, I don't think he has the resources to launch a major operation in Sootopolis, maybe I'll cut the flow of information and just update him on Project Kleavor and various other things, of course after consulting with you on what I can say."

"That will be for the best." "You don't know that," Steven says and Roxanne protests.

"Roxanne, this is the best chance we have to defuse the situation until we are ready."

"He's my student Steven, he's not a trainer under the league yet, you can't force him to do anything."

You have a look. Better do something.

"I want to help."

"WHAT!" As much as I want to repay Roxanne, this is my chance.

"The reason for all this is because I tell Maxie what I know, I feel guilty and want to amend."

"It's neither your fault nor your responsibility, you had no way of knowing what they were planning."

"Even then, if I can help, I want to. Just like you did with me."

"I..."

"Roxanne, don't dismiss his determination." Steven supports me.

"... Fine, but from tomorrow your duties in the gym will cease, you will train with me and work on your project until the start of the season."

"I will not disappoint you.

"Perfect, with Norman's arrival in two weeks, the preparations for the start of the season will be complete."

Wait a moment.

"Norman, the new gym leader?" I ask.

"Yes, he will be the first to arrive to take over Petalburg, and as he is a good friend of Professor Birch, he and his family will be moving to Littleroot, despite my pleas, can you believe it Roxanne, a gym leader who does not live in his town."

"Norman Maple has proven himself to be a strong and disciplined coach, if he doesn't slack off in his duties, I don't see the problem."

"Not you too."

Roxanne and Steven start to talk about the league, but I can't help thinking that I might not have had the year I thought I had.

Weren't the orange islands a full season? Why is the plot moving so fast?

I suddenly remember how bad I am at maths.

OK, relax, now you've got help dealing with Team Magma, it'll take time but it's doable, now what happens to Team Aqua once Magma is dealt with? And Zinnia? Or Deoxys with his meteor?

……That sounds like an Ash problem or Brendan, I really should check Professor Birch's data.

"We'll deal with that at the next meeting." Steven explains while Roxanne rolls her eyes.

"Before we're done, can I ask you something?"

They look at me and I try to control a blush.

"Can you tell me how to use my PokéNav?"