I was disappointed to see the Proto DS, also known as the PokéNav, the Plus version to be precise - I was expecting the orange Tamagotchi instead, and it didn't help that I couldn't figure out how it worked until Steven showed me.

It was so embarrassing. I've never got on with any kind of phone, so I've always avoided them as much as possible, let alone the modern ones that are like mini-computers, despite my feelings I can't deny their usefulness.

"And with that we end today's lesson, remember those of you who want to apply for internships, do it by the end of the week."

It's finally over and with the project plus Roxanne's help I can bypass the last two years of education, I should calm down, this impatience is what gets me mixed up with magma, but for now.

"Alan, wake up, class is over."

"Eh, I am awake." Then he shakes his head to wake up fully.

"Let's go for a drink, this time I invite you."

"Are you sick?" he puts his hand on my forehead.

"Don't push your luck."

"Yeah, like you could ever beat me at cards."

"Haaa."

Alan and I go to the nearby cafe, this place is quite good thanks to the countless sleep deprived students from both the civilian and the trainer school, thankfully higher education is not essential except for a few jobs in this world which in turn make said education highly specialised.

I order a Coke and a sandwich, whereupon Alan asks for a sundae.

"Do you ever drink anything other than cola?"

"Water." An addiction that follows me from my former life, this time I'll be careful not to addicted again.

"I don't really like it, the bubbles are too much for me." I ignore Alan's blasphemy.

"Anyway, do you remember the rumours I asked you about?"

"About Gardenia and the ice one, right?"

"Yes. I don't need them anymore."

"Why not?"

"I wanted to know if they had any new evolution methods for Professor Rowan, and I have already checked."

"Really, which ones?" He comes closer and lowers his voice.

"Piloswine, Yanma and Tangela evolve after learning the ancient power move, the move triggers a dormant genome and triggers the evolution. This is not public, so keep it to yourself."

"Damn, you could make a lot of money with this data, how did you discover it?"

"It overlaps with my own project, the reason I brought you here."

"Project?" My friend looks confused.

"Yes, remember that Roxanne gave me Roberto, I am pushing a plan that I have been working on since last year because of that, which netted me an early sponsorship."

"No way." He looks excited.

"Yes, it's a new evolution, I can't tell you now, but I plan to make the discovery public before the start of the season."

"I know you were smart, but not that smart." Oh yes, keep stroking my ego.

"But because of this I will get the internship in the gym to work on the project, once I am done I am not sure what offers will come."

"So you won't be at school?"

"At least not in class."

"How lucky." He begins to think.

"But thanks to all this, I now have a PokéNav." He gasps.

"About time, I mean, who doesn't?"

"It's useful, take it, put your number in." I hand it to him.

"Sure."

"Anyway, I want to know what your plans are now, Sunny's pretty strong already, so is your dad going to put you in that ranger camp?"

"Nah, I'd rather be here-" He got quiet and looked at the PokéNav.

"Alan?"

"Marcus, why is Steven Stone number here?" Right, if Wallace is Hoenn's idol, then Steven is not far behind in popularity.

"I met him yesterday in Roxanne office, you know I collect stones, thats why." I snatch the PokéNav from his hands.

"I should start collecting stones too." He was awestruck.

"Don't, what I'll tell your parents when you die of boredom."

"But is THE Steven Stone."

"I was lucky, starting to collect is not a ticket to know him."

"You're right, but if I stay with you, it's only a matter of time."

"Eat your ice cream and answer my question."

"Fine, mmm, I think I would finish school here and then start my journey."

"You'll wipe out the competition by then, thanks to your dad's team training you."

"Not with you around."

"Where does that confidence come from?"

"You know a lot of Pokémon, more than some teachers. I bet in 2 years, you will be the main competition at the conference."

"Some things can only be learned through experience, I just like to read."

"Yeah, like if working in the gym doesn't help."

"That is."

*Ring*

I was interrupted by an incoming call on the Pokénav. I signal to Alan to wait.

"Yes."

"Marcus, are you in the gym?" It was Roxanne.

"I'm in the cafe next to the school, I was just catching up with Alan."

"Have you forgotten our training?"

"No, it's still 30 minutes earlier than the usual gym time." I excuse myself, perhaps in vain.

"I see, remember that the situation has changed, from now on come to the gym after school."

"Yes Madam." She rolls her eyes.

"I will be waiting," and she ends the call.

"Whopish." Alan imitated the sound of a whip.

"Shut up."

"And you say you have no experience."

"Just let me pay and we'll go."

-------

After saying goodbye to Alan, I rush to the gym's training area, a different arena to the one where the matches take place, filled with training equipment and reinforced to withstand the havoc that Rock-type Pokémon can wreak.

As I enter, I see Roxanne sitting on a bench, reading.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." She looks at me and puts her book down.

"Don't worry, we didn't set a time."

"Still, I know how busy you are, so I appreciate your time."

"Don't worry, but I want you to know that I am against you dealing with all of this, it is too dangerous and it is the League's responsibility to deal with any criminals."

"I know, thanks for letting me help."

"You are too stubborn, but as your teacher and mentor it is my duty to prevent you from getting killed, so prepare for a hard training, we only have a month to get you to an acceptable level."

"Yes!" I release Roberto for his ball.

"Anorith."

"Bud, are you all right? It's time to train."

"Rith, rith." He gets cheerful and makes little slashes with his claws.

"Well, the first thing you need to do with a new Pokémon is to know what it can do and improve from there, I know you are already aware of its needs and the theoretical aspect of raising and training Pokémon, so we will focus on getting practical experience and physical conditioning, after that we can start in the basics of energy manipulation for Pokémon."

Roberto looks lost at the explanation.

"Don't worry buddy, just follow what I say."

"Anorith." Roberto nods.

"First, show me what Roberto can do."

"Roberto, look at that boulder over there." I point to a large boulder full of marks in a corner.

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"Rith."

"Go and make a Fury Cutter."

"?" Of course.

"Remember what you did to cut the Magikarp?" I imitate the cutting motion with my arms.

"An."

He rushes over to the boulder and starts slashing at it as his claws give a light green glow, showing the use of the Bug-type TE.

"Keep going." Each slash accumulates more and more energy, increasing the attack power, but the reinforced boulder is still too hard for him.

"Stop."

"Now harden yourself."

He begins to focus before a faint white glow begins to travel through his body, enhancing his defense.

"5 seconds, we need to work on that. Now do you think you can pull off a water gun?"

"??" I might need some videos to explain how I call his moves.

"Water gun is a move where you throw water really hard with your mouth," I say, pointing at my lips.

"Anorith, rith."

"Just try it, buddy."

He concentrates before spitting out a small stream of water, but without the power to do any damage.

"Rith." He turns to me, looking down.

"Don't worry, we're here to improve, I bet you'll master it in no time."

"Perfect, I have measured Roberto's current level, he will work on mastering his moves while you train your endurance."

Roxanne, who was watching, just dropped the bomb on me.

"What?"

"As you hear."

"But what about Roberto, who will be watching his training." At this point I became desperate.

"Don't worry about it."

She says, sometimes I forget that she is a fossil expert, before grabbing a Pokéball and releasing an Armaldo.

"Anorith!" Roberto starts running in circles around the Armaldo.

"Maldo." He looks amused.

"He is Shale and will help you with your training from now on."

"And I have to train my body."

"Yes."

I see her smirk, she is well aware of my aversion to any kind of training and has been planning this revenge all along, I guess this is my punishment for worrying her.

"You will do this for two hours every day before you go and study Scyther biology and training methods for another two, then come for Roberto and go home to write up your progress for the final paper on Project Kleavor."

"Speaking of which, how is the progress with the Scythers?"

"I managed to get two Scythers from the breeders, one with preparations to evolve into Scyzor and the other with Elite training, they will be ready next week."

"And the Black Augurites?"

"Steven will send them tomorrow, one from Mt. Chimney and the other from Sinnoh."

"I see, next week will be the day."

"Stop procrastinating and start running."

"*sigh* Yes."

And so my gruelling week begins, thanks to Shale's guidance Roberto is progressing in leaps and bounds and I don't have to look for videos to show him the moves he needs, which is a plus, on my side I get to learn more about Scyther biology after nearly passing out every day thanks to Roxanne's spartan training. In my spare time, I am also starting to write my big thesis on Noble Pokémon and where to find them, but it will take a while to finish, so the main focus is on Project Kleavor.

Of course, my update on Maxie was supervised by Roxanne and I managed to pull it off.

Yesterday the Scythers arrived and I got a chance to study them, the one trained to evolve was more bulky and sturdy thanks to a diet rich in iron and has a remarkable mastery of the Steel TE thanks to the move Steel Wing. Steven would be proud.

The other one is slimmer with stronger legs and sharper scythes and was generally faster at using TE.

And so the big day has arrived and thanks to Roxanne I have been able to submit my thesis to the Scientific Union and today someone is coming to see the results so I can get credited.

And now I am waiting in the training area.

"Are you nervous?"

"Yes, it's the moment of truth." If I fail, I am finished.

"I remember the first time I competed at the conference, even with all my experience and preparation I was still nervous, it's only natural" He puts a hand on my shoulder.

"Thanks, but aren't you busy, is it okay for you to be here?" I ask Steven.

"If I only worked I would have even more white hair." He says with a gentle laugh.

"Thanks for the Black Augurites by the way."

"Don't mention it, they were paid for and I have to admit I am curious. It is not every day that a new Pokémon is discovered."

"More like rediscovered, but I agree."

Our conversation came to a halt as we heard footsteps approaching. Then the door opens to reveal Roxanne and the Scientific Union representative, Professor Birch.

"We're here, is everything ready?" Roxanne asks.

"Yes, we have been waiting for you, Professor, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. Marcus Poplar," I shake his hand.

"Nigel Birch. And the pleasure is mine, this is a special occasion as it is almost unheard of for someone so young to present a discovery of this magnitude, only Kukui have that honour". He comments, clasping my hand enthusiastically.

"I still have a lot to learn."

"That does not make this achievement any less important. Steven, it is good to see you, how is the League treating you?"

"Likewise Professor, the league is busy with the season starting soon."

"Hahahaha, as usual then. But with Norman here I bet your work will be easier, he is quite competent after all."

"I hope so, but we are not here for me." He says, looking at me.

"You're right, what do you say champ, ready to get started."

"As much as possible if you could make room."

Everyone steps back as I walk over to a table I have set up and switch on the camera to record these events, grabbing the Scyther's Pokéballs before releasing them.

"Scyy." "Scyther!" the two greet the audience,

"As you can see, Professor, these two specimens have been trained and bred for different purposes, and their peculiarities are included in the final work."

I take a deep breath to stop the shaking as I open the box containing the Black Augurites and show them to the Professor.

"This is a volcanic stone known as Black Augurite, the one on the right was mined from Mt. Chimney while the other was found in the Sinnoh region, Steven here was the supplier of these stones." The professor looks at Steven before nodding.

"The last record of a Kleavor was two hundred years ago, as a Noble Pokémon it is in the care of the Pearl Clan while the Sinnoh region was still called Hisui, I will now proceed to trigger the evolution, who wants to be the first?" I ask the Scythers.

After they look at each other, the Regular comes closer, so I grab one of the stones and give it to him.

I hold my breath for a moment as nothing happens, but then a blinding white glow envelops the Pokémon.

After a moment, the glow fades to reveal a black and brown, stone-skinned mantis with axes for hands, a Kleavor.

"Thank God, Arceus and Helix."

The three behind me still managed to laugh at me despite their awe.

"This is Kleavor, a Rock and Bug-type Pokémon, its abilities and moves are theoretically included in the thesis, which we will confirm or discard as they are trained by the Gym. I will develop the second one.

I repeat the process with the other Scyther, with the same results.

And now the two Kleavors are comparing themselves, obviously happy with their new form, as I stop the recording.

"And this is for you, Professor." I hand him the SD card.

"Congratulations Marcus, you will be the talk of the Union I report this."

"Congratulations." Steven and Roxanne say as they clap.

"Thank you very much." I bow to them.

With this, I'll have enough reputation and support that Magma won't think twice about risking my safety, but it still doesn't solve the problem. Let's enjoy the moment, I can worry about it later.

[NIGEL BIRCH POV]

It has been two days since I sent the report on the young Marcus project, I must say it is a miracle that we were all free for a meeting so soon. Haah, this will be harder once more regions are integrated into the Union, I think 7 is enough, but Oak may disagree.

I join the video call.

"Hello, is everyone there?"

"Hi." "Sup." ""Hello."" My colleagues greet me.

"Only Rowan is missing, he is the one most involved in this." Oak says.

"Sorry for the delay, it was more engaging than I imagined and I had to consult an outside source." Rowan arrived.

"Really, it's rare for you to be so shocked." Aurea said.

"His thesis mentions mine, and he was able to correctly guess the Ancient Power Evolution method as a pivotal point in his research into ancient Sinnoh Pokémon, and according to Nigel, that is not all?"

"He told me that this is just the first project, as his plan is to bring back all of these Noble Pokémon."

"So his focus is on Ancient Pokémon?" Sycamore asks.

"I'm inclined to say evolution or regional variations." Oak chimes in.

"W-will the gym be inclined to lend the Kleavor for breeding, it may bring new egg moves." As always, Elm can only think in his own field.

"I'm curious about the Stone Axe move he mentioned." Kukui comments cheerfully.

"That's something to discuss with the Rustboro Gym, as they are the owners of the Kleavors." I tell them.

"How strange, I wonder how someone in Hoenn could have made such an investigation that is centred in Sinnoh?" Sycamore mused.

"I bet only he knows the answer." Aurea says.

"In any case, we must decide on our actions regarding the boy."

Oak explains and is followed by silence.

"I vote to make him a professor." Rowan says.

"A bit young, don't you think? He hasn't even finished school yet." Aurea argues.

"Kukui started like that. I also vote to make him a professor". I add.

"The current education system only requires attendance for the first three or four years, then you are encouraged to seek internships, unless you want a specialisation and need to attend college, if he already has such an achievement then no harm done." Oak says.

"Yes, look at me, I never finished the whole course and I am a regional professor now, maybe in a few years he will be here with us. I vote in favour." Kukui chimes in.

"I-I remain neutral." Elm says.

"I vote against, he is too young." Aurea says, "I'm not surprised it was Unova who pushed for the trainers to be 16.

"I vote in favour." Sycamore decides.

"It's decided then, this will be good publicity for the Union, so prepare yourself Birch, you will be quite busy." Oak sets it.

"I think so."

"Now on to the next topic."

-------

And so began a series of events that, despite Marcus' hopes, would not bring the comforting peace he hoped for.

"So this is the one Rowan asked about, I have a lot of questions for him."

Yet it was he who wanted to become more, and humans thrive on challenge.

"Myths and history... He may be a threat."

But for now, he remains unaware of the changes his actions will bring.

"Looks like I won that gamble."

After all, knowledge is power, and many desire such a thing.

"Matt! You need to see this?"

-------

*Ring* *Ring*

"Mmm Gardev..."

*Ring* *Ring*

"Eh wa." I sluggishly pick up the PokéNav.

"Yeah."

"DUDE, WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?" Alan shouts, waking me up.

"Wait, what thing?"

"THAT YOU WERE GOING TO BE A PROFESSOR!"

"'Say what?"