Hey! Welcome back.

How are you? I hope you're doing well. Here is the next chapter of MSA! It was a head scratcher for sure, but I think I got all the points I wanted to touch on across to the best of my ability. Following the events of A Rough Encounter, Maverick and his friends now head on to the edge of town, where their next destination awaits. I hope you enjoy.

I'll see you at the bottom!

.......

Maverick's Sinnoh Adventure
Arc 1: The Roar of Time & The Spacial Rend

Chapter 10: A Path We'll Take

.......

Maverick smiled vibrantly as he and his group of friends traveled through the outskirts of Sandgem. Being further north of town eliminated the scent of oceanic salt, replaced with the growing smell of pine trees that populated Route 202 ahead. Looking left offered the teen a view of a wide expanse of space behind cobble fencing, filled with multitudes of Pokémon native to all sorts of regions. The stone fencing led up to a metal gate, hiding a pathway leading to a large structure, complete with a brick tower that housed a windmill. Seeing all this only confirmed one eager guess from Sabrina, throwing her arms up in jubilation.

"We're finally at the Pokémon Professor's lab!"

"It's about time," Rika sighed dramatically, close to dropping to her knees. "I thought we'd never get here." Hearing that, Maverick had to nod his head in agreement. He chuckled a bit and walked over to his sister, before rubbing her back.

"You did good, sis! I'm happier I didn't have to drag you all the way here, 'specially since you were complaining about your feet hurting." She proceeded to glare at him, causing a rumble of laughter to erupt from the boy. Shaking his head, he looked to the building in awe. It was...quite large, perhaps even larger than how he remembered it passing by as he grew up, much to his confusion. "Does one man need all this?"

"'Course he does!" Sabrina chimed in, eyes wide and sparkling behind her glasses. "With all that research he does on evolution, and with how many Pokémon there are, the guy would need all the space he could get! The Pokémon Professor's one of the leading researchers in the industry, behind the one and only Professor Oak!"

"Oh, uh, the Pokédex creator from Kanto, right?" Alex asked from behind, tilting his head. Maverick turned to look at him, seeing him bring a hand to his chin, as if deep in thought. "I read somewhere in a book that creating the Pokédex wasn't easy. He actually had to draw the Pokémon back then, and for him to do all of that by himself is just admirable."

She nodded, adjusting her glasses as she spoke. "It's a lot for one man. He actually had some help from a select few people. Their help in bringing the Pokédex Project to light boosted the popularity of Pokémon training around the world, so many people know who Professor Oak is because of that."

"That's honestly really cool," Alex commented, nodding in understanding.

"Right? Since then, the Pokémon League began to fund the research development team's proposals, and as a result, it brought a lot of changes to the training scene because of all the new info they found!"

"Wow...that young girl really knows her stuff. She could give the professor a run for his money, haha!"

Swiveling around, Maverick's eyes landed upon a woman in a white lab coat, standing behind the stone fence. She gave the group a kind smile and leaned upon the rock, the sun causing her red framed glasses to glint. The boy seemed to vaguely recall the woman present at the starter distribution event as the professor's aid. Sabrina went red in the face, her own glasses beginning to fog up. "Oh, I...uh, did a lot of research, hehe..."

The woman smiled a little wider, and the group moved a bit closer to her, causing Rika to perk up a bit. "I was tending to the Pokémon out here and I began to listen in. I like you, blondie. I believe there's no research in the world to be shy about. Well, what brings you and the rest of your group here?" she asked, standing up to put her hands on her hips. Maverick spoke up.

"Hi. I'm here with my friends to see the professor. See, my own Pokédex was banged up, so Nurse Joy from Sandgem put in a request order for a replacement."

"A replacement already, huh? I'm curious. What exactly did you do to it?" she asked with a tilt of her head. Maverick turned a bit red, looking off to the trees.

"It sorta slipped..."

The woman hummed as her lab coat fluttered in the calm wind, a few Pokémon behind her shivering at the occurrence. "I remember you. Maverick, right? You didn't peg me as the clumsy type, but eh, can't be helped. You and your friends can come on in; the professor's been expecting your arrival," she said with a little giggle. Maverick smiled a bit at her positive attitude as the woman walked over and opened the gate for them. They walked with her to the lab, crossing over the plains and the long path leading up to it. A weird sense of excitement bubbled up within the teen as they got closer to the building's entrance, but it faded to awe as soon he walked past the sliding glass doors. "Here we are."

It was bigger on the inside.

The large, dome like structure housed a multitude of windows on the second floor, giving light to the room. The walls were lined with books and memorabilia from years past, coupled with diagrams and charts of the internal structures of many Pokémon. Along with the multitude of research material, many lab assistants moved to and fro like a colony of Durant, skittering from text to text. While Maverick released a breath he never knew he held, next to him Sabrina was practically gushing.

"Welcome to the lab! Sorry for the chaos in here, we had an influx of Trainers come and go, and then had to deal with a recent development in our research, but you couldn't have come at a better time. Which reminds me, your Pokédex, may I see it for a moment, along with your Trainer card?" the woman asked to the group. She received the devices from Rika and Alex, but...

"You don't have one, blondie?"

"Me? Oh, no," Sabrina replied with a shake of her hands. The assistant merely hummed, taking it all in.

"Hmm. Well, it's a good thing you're here," she said, adjusting her glasses. "As for the 'dex, I'll get that taken care of for you two."

With a nod, they walked further in, with Maverick seeing a researcher peer at a few documents intensely, before comparing them to others on the desk next to him. He then grew a bit curious, looking at the women with hands stuffed in his pockets. "Um, what recent development in your research? If you don't mind me asking..."

The woman seemed to perk up, before shaking her head. "It's all good, Maverick. As you know, the professor's been researching how evolution works within Pokémon, as they all react differently to the event. Before evolution begins, we noticed some Pokémon begin to change physically, growing larger, or changing color slightly for their new bodies. Some get a little sick, like Fire Type Pokémon, who deal with their heat sacks expanding in their bodies. Some Pokémon only evolve under special conditions, like many Bug Types. However, some Pokémon evolve under evolutionary stones, like Pikachu who turns into a Raichu. Get it?"

He nodded at the info, most of this he already knew. Rika seemed to grip Chimchar's Pokéball at the mention of Fire Types getting sick. "Now, among those who evolve with stones, we learned there may be a new type of evolution method that only applies to certain Pokémon in their final evolutionary stage. It's nothing concrete as of yet, so as of now it's only a hunch among our institution."

Maverick grew immensely confused at this, wondering how Pokémon could despite being in their final stage. The other's tilted their heads, sharing his feelings. "So...could it be like a branch evolution, like Gallade and Gardevoir, maybe?"

The woman giggled lightly, adjusting her glasses. "Oh no, young one. This is completely different!

"Anyway, follow me, you all can hang out here while I get the professor for you," the assistant continued as she led them to a homier room. The smaller room seemed more like a personal office than anything. Idle conversation began. Maverick heard Rika and Sabrina converse amongst themselves; the blonde giving some of her own theories about the Red Gyarados, something he knew his sister was always interested in. She guessed it may have been linked to whatever evolution method that woman was talking about.

Looking around, Maverick's eyes slid upon a picture frame of what seemed to be a much younger Professor Rowan alongside what looked to be Professor Oak, both of them smiling, holding up a red device with a picture of the Kanto starter Bulbasaur next to the number "#001". He picked up the frame to read the caption underneath.

THE FIRST POKÉDEX
POKÉMON RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
SPECIAL THANKS: TRAINER CLASS OF '05

Putting the frame down, Maverick looked up, seeing a multitude of awards plastered on the wall. Doctorate degrees of the sciences, alongside trophies of various scholarly competitions shined back at him, but what mostly caught his eye was one trophy on the center of the shelf. It seemed to be a little darker than the others due to its age, but against the others, it also seemed well taken care of. It adorned an insignia of a Pokéball, both sides of the crescents making up the shape skewed to opposite sides. It looked to be an older logo for the Pokémon League Committee, different than the one on his jacket. Next to it, multiple newspaper articles were plastered on the wall, but the text seemed faded. Curious, Maverick looked down to read the caption on the bottom of the trophy, a bit hard to make out from the dark, bronze color.

"...Whoa," he said with a staggered step back. His eyes widened as he looked to the dark trophy, beginning to breath heavily. He called to his neighbor, not believing a lick of what he saw. "Alex, dude, you gotta take a look at this!"

"Sup?" he called, voice indicating he was heavily distracted.

"Professor Rowan was the first ever Sinnoh League Champ..."

"Wait, what?"

"Huh?!"

"You're lying!" Alex said with a bated breath. The dirty blonde came from behind him with the two girls as they regarded the very same trophy. "Are you serious?"

"'Pokémon League Champion. Lily of the Valley Conference. Trainer of the First Class?'" Sabrina read off to herself, wrapping her arms around her figure in disbelief. "So...just thirty-two years ago he was at the top of the region?"

"That's incredible," Rika breathed, eyes wide.

"Oh, spare me the praise. That was a lifetime ago."

"Professor Rowan?!" the group shrieked, spinning around to face the old man. He was dressed in his brown jacket as if he just came back from somewhere. Behind him was the assistant from earlier, giggling slightly. The professor chuckled and guided them back to the main part of the room, overlooked by the upper floor away from the other researchers. This part of the room was less crowded. Ahead of them, Maverick saw a counter which rested a few scattered pieces of paper, microscopes, and an incubator containing what looked to be a Pokémon egg. It was stationary.

"Were you really the first ever champion?" Alex questioned as they settled in. Rowan, the old man known for his intimidation, gave him a soft look as he took off his brown jacket. He cleared his throat as the assistant smiled warmly at the question, her blur hair tied up in a messy bun. Alex took the words right out of Maverick's mouth, the boy wondering how someone like Rowan eluded his knowledge of the Pokémon League's history.

"Before I became a professor, perhaps I was. I can never really know, as old as I am," he spoke, voice trailing off a bit. The assistant next to him burst into laughter and walked over to them, putting a hand on Rowan as she giggled mid-sentence.

"He's just bursting your bubble, of course he was the champion at a point. Believe me, I know. I watched his matches and his coronation ceremony on some tapes!" Maverick could only blink stupidly at the revelation. It was crazy to think that the professor was even a Trainer at some point, let alone a champ. "Well, now then, back to business for me," she said, walking over to a computer to handle updating their Pokédex.

"Quite," Rowan's gruff voice replied as he looked to the group. He scanned them, reintroducing himself as he did so. "Previous champion or not, I am now Professor Rowan. Uh, you, young lady, I believe we haven't met yet. What's your name?" he asked, putting his hands behind his back. Maverick heard Sabrina gulp, stepping forward as she was addressed. She hastily put a strand of hair behind her ears.

"It's...Sabrina Valdez."

He hummed. "Sabrina...oh, right, I think you also made to see me. Let's start with you, then. What brings you here?"

She blushed, nervous to start things off. "Um, really, I'm here to get my license as a Trainer, and as a Pokémon Watcher. I've completed Trainer's School in Hearthome City before I moved here, so my registration as a Trainer was never documented until after I moved. I've also taken prerequisite courses to qualify myself in the research field as an intern..."

"Oh? A Pokémon Watcher? We don't get many of those," the assistant voiced, looking to the girl with a curious expression. "What made you want to become one, blondie?"

"Well, I really like to draw, see, and Hearthome City's Amity Square was a spot I hung out at a lot, so I'd sit there and draw the Pokémon I saw walking by with their Trainers..." she began, pulling out what looked to be sketchbook. She walked towards the two, opening a few pages. The assistance eyes glowed, peaking Maverick's curiosity to get the better of him. He peered over Sabrina's shoulder and took it in.

Sabrina's art was a sight to behold. Amongst the doodles of shapes were Pokémon and humans drawn with striking detail. From Pikachu to Buneary, Torterra to Happiny, from a young boy to an old woman, the artwork looked as if it captured the scenery to a tee. The drawings went on to cover the rest of the permitted Pokémon of the park, while a couple set pieces of the place were documented as well. Rowan's eyes glinted at what seemed to be pillars of an old ruin drawn, causing him to hum. The girl in question was a red as a Cheri Berry, hand shaking as she held the book out. She lowered her arm almost immediately out of embarrassment.

"Sabrina, this is...!" Maverick began, deep in awe.

"Yes...I see you have quite an amazing skill for art, consider me impressed, Sabrina."

"Myself as well, blondie. You're my new favorite," the assistant noted with a large smile. She walked back over to the computer to continue her work. Unable to take the praise, Sabrina's glasses fogged up considerably as she stammered a thanks, wrapping arms around herself. "You've got to grant her the ability to be a Watcher, sir."

"There is that, yes. Mm...Sabrina, tell me, you said you've come to get your Trainer license as well?"

She grunted out a yes, beginning to explain. "I moved before the school year was over, so I couldn't attend the starter event in Jubilife City."

"I see. Well, unfortunately, despite how much you've wowed me with your art, I'm sad to say you're missing just one requirement, and that is at least a year of travel experience around any region as a Pokémon Trainer." Maverick saw her eyes get wide, before she hung her head a bit, defeated. Yikes.

"Of course," she said, somewhat deflated. "I guess that makes sense. Can't have a Watcher who can't handle different environments..."

"It's a requirement. Becoming a Pokémon Researcher of any form demands broad knowledge of both Pokémon themselves as well as the sciences. Your drawings suggest that you were able to get up close and personal to them, but that's with a Trainer's help. Wild Pokémon aren't so keen with humans invading their territory, and you learn that lesson as a Trainer first," the professor noted with a huff. He looked at Sabrina as he spoke, nothing but sincerity and understanding in his eyes. To Maverick, they looked as if they held years' worth of experience, more than he could ever fathom.

"There are dangerous Pokémon out there, so having a deep understanding of personal protection is the utmost of importance to yourself."

She nodded a bit. "Well, I'll register as a Trainer and then...travel around, I guess."

Seeing how deflated she looked, the teen felt a small pit of pity at her situation. He didn't want her to be by herself, no. Not just yet. Before he could even think, his mouth blurted out his innermost thoughts. "If you have to travel around Sinnoh, you could just do it with us!"

Sabrina looked at him, eyes wide behind her glasses. "Yeah, that can be fun!" Rika agreed, giving her a smile, "having another girl around can definitely help in dealing with these two idiots when they get rowdy."

"For one thing, at least it'll keep Maverick honest," Alex snickered, causing the boy in question to give him a look, while completely ignoring Rika's jab. "Anyway, I'm down for it, blondie. It could be fun." Maverick saw Sabrina's golden eyes grow wider from their offer, looking at him for confirmation. He just nodded and held out a hand, feeling his face heat up.

"You helped me a lot back there, so...uh...what do you say?"

She just smiled, rosy cheeks and all, and accepted his hand, giving it a squeeze. "I accept," she said, eyes looking to his. They shared eye contact for a bit before Maverick smiled warmly at her, embarrassment flooding into his veins at high speeds.

The professor hummed, gathering the attention of the room. He held a far-off expression, before he grinned, shaking his head. "You remind me of your father, Maverick. He was the same way back when he and Kimberly first set off. You have a good heart. Well, now that this has been taken care of, let's move on to you next, shall we?" he said, turning around to pick up a pouch. "You three, may I please see your Pokémon?"

"Sure thing," Alex said, moving forward along with Rika. "Piplup!"

"Chimchar, it's time to wake up!"

"Turtwig, come on out! You too, Starly."

All four multicolored Pokéballs released their Pokémon, who chirped and cried out joyously at seeing Rowan again, who smiled warmly. After greeting his Trainer, Turtwig trotted up to Rowan to give him a large smile, the man kneeling to eye level, giving him a rub on the head. "It's good to see you too, little one. I must say, your Turtwig is in good health, along with the rest of your Pokémon. You three did an amazing job thus far."

Hearing that, Maverick smiled again, rubbing the back of his head.

"A Starly too, huh? Good choice, young man. I must say, the way you've accepted Turtwig as your own astounded me. I've enjoyed your display of affection back at the ceremony, and to hear how you've dealt with that Staraptor makes you something special," the professor continued, handing him a pouch. "Here. This little thing holds your new Pokédex – you can put it on your belt so the Pokédex can be at your side instead of in your pocket. It already contains the new update."

"Thank you so much, professor," Maverick said, taking the item. He pulled out the new device, a nice matte finish on the black cover plate.

"What's this about the new update I keep hearing about?" Rika asked, hugging Chimchar, who greeted her in response. The chimp then looked around, somewhat disinterested in the conversation while Piplup opted to run around. Turtwig was as silent as ever, a feeling shared by Starly who just glared at everyone.

"Oh, I can answer that one," the assistant noted, pulling out the memory of his companion's Pokédex from the computer. After placing it back in the slot, she gave the two devices back to Alex and Rika, both turning it on. "This new update changes Dexter, the virtual assistant, to be used with a voice command. We made a prototype of this feature years back but discontinued it since Dexter had a bit of...a personality, yeah."

"It was condescending, the old one. I found the feature to be humorous; but Oak had other ideas," Rowan added with a shake of his head. "Regardless, it now responds to the sound of your voice. It's programmable, so it learns along with you, but you can change it as you like," he said, handing Sabrina a Pokédex of her choosing. She chose a yellow color.

After clipping the pouch to his belt, Maverick turned on his new Pokédex as well. The top screen read "Pokédex", complete with a spinning Pokéball to signify its loading screen. Sound came through the speakers, and Maverick breathed slightly as the interface changed.

"Please insert a Trainer Card on the left slot of this Pokédex to format and activate," it spoke through tinny speakers. Sliding the gold card in, the screens informed of it formatting, warning not to turn the Pokédex off in that state. As soon as it was done, it spoke once again.

"Format complete. Hello! I'm Dexter, a Pokédex programmed from the Pokémon Research facility in Sandgem Town for the Pokémon Trainer, Maverick Anderson. My function is to provide Maverick with information and advice regarding Pokémon and their training. If I am lost or stolen, along with Trainer Card, please request for a replacement at Rowan Labs." Dexter took a short pause. "This device model, HANDY910, is currently up to date. Registration complete! I am now ready for use."

"This is awesome!" Maverick exclaimed, as he scrolled through the UI. Turtwig agreed next to him. The assistant smirked.

"Thank you! I helped program that device model under the guidance of Professor Rowan. I'm the one who handles the Pokédex development in this lab, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask and I'll be happy to help. You can call me Sonia."

"Sonia, thanks so much. I'll be sure to take better care of it from here on." The others agreed with him, marveling at their devices. They were each equipped with a Pokédex holder as well, slipping them in the pouches at their belts. The woman nodded, hands on her hips.

"I believe you. Now, come with me blondie, let's get you registered up." The girl in question merely smiled and walked towards the lady to a different part of the room, leaving just Maverick, Rika, Alex, and their Pokémon in her wake. At this, the professor cleared his throat and addressed them, sun lighting the room through the large glass window.

"Now then, is there anything else I can do for you while you're here?"

He thought for a bit. "...I guess the last thing to do is register for the Pokémon League. My friend Nelson told me to do that." The professor merely hummed and asked for his Pokédex and Trainer Card, while Turtwig stared up at him silently. What caught the boy off guard was Alex doing the same thing. "Wait, you too?"

"What, you thought I was just gonna sit around while you go on and fight Gym Leaders? Not a chance!" Alex smirked at him, while his Pokémon chirped at his side. Rika stood next to him, hugging Chimchar a bit tighter. "This was something we practically dreamed about as kids, so I'm not going to pass this up, bro."

"Hm. And neither will we, right, Turtwig?" he asked his Pokémon with a smirk. The turtle just nodded, but Maverick knew this was something they already agreed on. He looked to Alex and saw how his blue eyes held a fire in them. He had to chuckle a bit, remembering all their talks of one-upping each other on the grand stage. "There can only be one winner, you know."

"We'd know each other's moves and abilities like the back of our hands in our battle."

"Maybe," Maverick chuckled, "but it boils down to execution. There's no way you'll beat my Pokémon."

"Heh, we'll know soon enough, Mav," Alex snickered, as if he knew something he didn't. Professor Rowan hummed again as he put their Pokédex into a computer, causing the two of them to look up from their declarations.

"You young Trainers remind me a lot of Oak and I, back when we first met," he mumbled as he typed something in. Confusion swept over the boy, until he remembered the picture of the men in question.

"You and Professor Oak?" Rika asked with a tilt of her head. Rowan nodded, as the Pokédex began to sync with the online database.

"Mm. Him and I were always going toe-to-toe together in our youth, back when the League first opened. Back then, the Pokémon League wasn't widespread like it was today. It was only a niche, with Kanto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh holding its first local tournaments. The Johto Region would later on share its League with Kanto in the following years. Those that registered for the League during its beginnings were dubbed the first Trainer class, and among the first were myself, and Samuel.

"We joined in when word of mouth began to buzz," Rowan continued, beginning to pace back and forth. "That was when Pokémon training officially became a recognized occupation. I was in my late twenties when the League was introduced, yeah, with Oak being a few years younger than me. We were fresh out of college, so we thought to check it out. We agreed to a participate in separate regions, so I moved from Kanto to come to Sinnoh. Back then, there were only four Gym Leaders we had to beat - the four Leader system would later become the current day Elite Four, so my Pokémon and I got their badges, and fought valiantly at Lily of the Valley Island. Oak did the same thing at Indigo Plateau."

"And that's how you became a champion, right?" Alex asked with fists pumped. Rowan guffawed, tilting his head up to release joyous laughter. Maverick smiled again.

"Ha, yes, that's how I became the first Pokémon League Champion – of the Sinnoh Region. Next thing I knew that young man became the Champion of Kanto, effectively at the heart of the League. Our rivalry with each other only made us equals in that regard, so we picked up our major in college and pursued Pokémon Research, and to this day he managed to match me in expertise, but he's far more decorated than I am, oh, by miles."

"He's right." Sonia came from the other side of the room with Sabrina, the girl taking place next to Maverick (she now held a gold Trainer Card). "The Pokédex was all Oak's idea, so a previous champion was requesting help to bring this to light. Professor Rowan helped him, but he also chose a few Trainers of the Fifth Class. Among them were the Battle Legends, Red and Blue - they helped with testing the device. After the completion of the Pokédex Project, the League Competitions became widespread and Pokémon training became immensely popular, due to the influx of young Trainers. Professor Oak became the leading authority on Pokémon research, while designing the modern Pokéball as well. He helped make the League what it is today, along with Mr. Goodshow."

"And that's what brings us here, thirty-two years later," Rowan said with arms open. "The Pokémon League has changed over the years, but what never changes are the spirit of the young Trainers like you all who help keep it alive. That spirit is represented by Moltres, who lights the Pokémon League flame. Each year, the League competitions celebrate welcoming its new Trainers in a grandiose way, so I can't wait to see you two walk the stage in the opening ceremony, like your parents have, and generations past." Alex nudged Maverick, a wide smile on his face, as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. Maverick felt the same way, a pit of excitement planted deep within him. Rowan turned to the computer and nodded.

"Dexter," he called.

"Yes, professor?" a robotic voice responded. He gave the two a sideways glace, a grin threatening to emerge.

"Please register Maverick Anderson and Alex McKnight as Pokémon League Trainers, effective immediately."

"Bzzt! Right away sir!" it chimed, and the pad where Rowan placed their devices began to glow. "I am now reformatting data on the Pokédex and updating the Trainer Card. Now copying over...now updating Trainer Class Rank...and done! Welcome to the Pokémon League, bzzt!" the voice greeted as the pad stopped glowing. Rowan took the items and handed it back to the owners, Maverick now noticing little white boxes underneath his picture on the Trainer Card. Underneath his name was his Trainer Class Rank, now reading Pokémon League Trainer ('32) opposed to Pokémon Trainer (Maverick assumed the latter was just a generalization rank).

Sonia then handed both of them a badge case, noticing it matched the color of their Pokédex. It was hexagonal in shape, resembling a rectangle with sheared edges, complete with the current day Pokémon League insignia plastered on the front, the same one on his jacket. Opening it up, Maverick saw a ring of ridges surrounding a bigger ridge that matched the league insignia on the front, but what caught his attention was the amount of ridges. There were four on the corners, bringing the total amount to...

"There's thirteen?" Maverick breathed in confusion, showing it to the professor. The professor nodded, grabbing another badge case to show to him.

"I did say the Pokémon League is changing. All of this is new, but there's been talk of the Champion League, wherein many Trainers of high ranks, Gym leaders, and otherwise come together to fight for the title of Pokémon World Champion."

Maverick's eyes grew in size at this, looking to Alex who shrugged in response. Rika and Sabrina were just as confused as well. Professor Rowan continued. "The Champion League, or PWC, is something the League Committee is still developing, but the stadium at Lily of the Valley island is currently undergoing reconstruction, being the first to hold the tournament in perhaps a couple of years."

At this, Maverick hummed in thought. He glanced at his Pokémon, both Turtwig and Starly stared back at him, with the latter tilting its head in question. "Do...I have to gather thirteen Gym Badges to participate in the League, uh, conference?"

"Oh, no, no," Rowan said, demonstrating his next words with his badge case. He pointed to the ones gathered around the bigger ridge. "All Pokémon League Trainers are required to gather eight Gym Badges of their choosing to participate in a League Conference, the tournament held every year. The big hole you see here, the one in the middle - that's where a Pokémon League Badge goes, the one you get for participating or winning a conference. So, throughout your journey, you get eight badges and receive a bonus for your efforts," he noted before pointing to the four ridges in each corner.

"Ace Trainers have the option of gathering all twelve to qualify for the World Championship, the last four badges being a League administered test. It's nothing you have to worry about right now, since becoming an Ace Trainer is a full rank above your own, with requirements difficult to obtain."

Alex had to ask. "What are they?"

Sonia answered this after adjusting her glasses. "To be an Ace Trainer? At least a few years of training experience with high consecutive rankings in the Pokémon League Conferences, or a letter of approval from the League Committee themselves. It's a pretty exclusive Trainer Class."

"Let me get this right," Sabrina asked, stepping up after listening in, "in order to participate in the PWC, they would first have to become Ace Trainers, and get twelve badges to qualify?"

"Correct," Rowan voiced with hands behind his back. She grunted in understanding, looking to Maverick's badge case. "It's still a world away, so for right now, as a Pokémon League Trainer, I'd focus more on obtaining eight Gym Badges and participating in the conference to see how far I'd go, wouldn't you agree?"

At this, Maverick pondered to himself. An opportunity to fight on the world stage? Against a host of Gym Leaders and high-ranking Trainers around the world? It certainly seemed daunting, but the Pokémon League Conferences can help him prepare for just that, even if it's a few years from being realized. He still had many questions, but he saw Turtwig and Starly look at him, the bird rather confused, the turtle communicated something through his stare.

A flame, the same one Alex held in his eyes just a while ago.

He wanted this, too.

"Yeah...that's what we're going to do. I'm going to become an Ace Trainer, and then we'll fight on the world stage for the title of World Champion," Maverick declared, clenching a fist. "I'll make sure of it!"

"I don't know about the world, but I'll win the next League Conference, so I'll try my best, too!" Alex said with a smirk. He grinned at him, and Sabrina stood up next to Maverick, now with Shinx by her side.

"And I'll become a Pokémon Watcher, Professor. I'll make sure I get there, under your guidance," she said with a nod, and the professor nodded back, scanning them. Maverick saw his eyes land on Rika, who held Chimchar.

"And how about you, Rika?"

"I'll..." she began, now withdrawn. Maverick saw her face heat up, eyes flickering left and right.

She couldn't finish her sentence.

Professor Rowan merely grunted, walking over to the girl to lay a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry much about what you should do right now. I saw you at Trainer's School, Rika. You're a brilliant young lady, so let your field come to you. Understand?" the professor asked. Rika just nodded slowly, hugging Chimchar as her face burned. Maverick made to say something but was cut off by the sound of another assistant in the building walking towards them.

"Professor Rowan, I'm sorry to interrupt, but this is urgent," the young male said with a bow. Turning away from Rika, Rowan walked toward him, putting the badge case in his pocket. "Oh? What's going on?"

"Well, there's a call for you from the Kalos Region, sir. There's been a development on our research regarding the Evolution Project. A few more stones have been unearthed, and we found a new list of Pokémon that can be compatible from our database - one of which may include the Pokémon of that egg, sir," he said, pointing to the incubator on the counter behind them.

Rowan rose an eyebrow, going over to the egg and peer at it. He grunted, pondering a bit. "New Pokémon, huh? Okay...George, bring this egg over to the upper floor for testing, while I talk to my colleague. Sonia, if you would, please," he mentioned, gesturing towards to group as he took his white lab coat and draped in over his body on the way out.

"Oh, of course, professor," she said without missing a beat.

Before he left, Professor Rowan looked to the group one last time. "I'm sorry, but I have to go now, however you have my full support in your future endeavors. Maverick, Rika, Alex, Sabrina, and to the Pokémon, I wish the best of luck to you!"

"Thanks Professor Rowan!" the group called out. The previous champion of Sinnoh gave one last smile and left.

Sonia cleared her throat, bringing the attention to her. "You three have dreams you're willing to fulfill, and we're here to help you every step of the way. I know you guys can do it, and I wish you the best of luck," she said with a nod. "Now, let's give you guys a waypoint."

She led them over to a large map of the Sinnoh Region. The map had markings on it, scribbled texts near the middle of Mt. Coronet, some near three bodies of water across the region, and one, a lone one, way past Snowpoint City to the north. Maverick could barely make it out finding it as a funny way to spell Sinnoh Ruins.

"Since we're in the southwest, there is a recommended track to fight Gym Leaders from this starting point," she began, dragging her finger to one spot a little north of them. "Every major city has a Gym Leader, and there's twelve of them. You may recognize some Trainers have different Gym Badges on your journey, but that's because they started their journey in a different location, meaning they have a different track of Gym leaders to fight than you. You can always deviate from the recommended track and fight some of the other four that aren't on your track, though.

"Here is Oreburgh City, where Gym Leader Roark resides. This is where you'd want to head off to first. It's a little past Jubilife, which is down Route 202. Blondie can guide you there, right?" she said with a wink. Sabrina merely blushed.

"I'd be happy to."

"Good. Then this brings you north. After your Gym Battle with Roark, you can go on to fight Leader Gardenia, after wading through Floaroma Town and Eterna Forest. You want to head over here next. Then there's Hearthome City, to the southeast..." she pointed, going all across the map. Maverick looked on with rapt attention, memorizing every twist and turn. A little bit of back tracking was involved, but the recommended track took them all around the region. "And finally, we land in Sunyshore City, where Volkner resides. That pits you on a boat to Lily of the Valley Island. Got all that?"

"Just one question," Alex mentioned.

"What's up?"

"The other four Gym cities of the different tracks, where would they be?"

"Hmmm..." she pondered, looking at the map. "Those places would be Alamos Town, a bit below Eterna City. Another would be Lilypad Town, close to Lake Acuity, to the north. Crown City, west of Pastoria near Pokémon Mansion, and Daybreak town, near Sunyshore City, to the east."

Alex hummed, looking at those places of interest. "I'm guessing these places would be the locations where Ace Trainers can prove their worth?" Sonia shook her head.

"As long as you have eight badges received anywhere of your choosing, then the remaining four locations would be the League administered test. The Gym Leaders of these locations are relatively new and are under review, so there may be changes to the Gym leader roster by the time you become an Ace Trainer."

"Good to know. Got it, then that'll be a path we'll take," he said, looking to Maverick and Turtwig, nodding. "Thanks a lot, Sonia."

"It was my pleasure, really. I wish you the best of luck," she bowed. She led them out the front door, Maverick noticing Professor Rowan locked in a serious discussion with a young man through the video phone. He had a bit of an accent. He listened in as best he could...

"Are you sure the new stones are compatible with these Pokémon?" Rowan asked. The younger man on the screen nodded.

"I'm sure, I spent the last week and a half cross referencing and deciphering these texts from three-thousand years ago. It was a bit of a struggle, but these Pokémon, and their new forms...apparently they're called Mega..."

He walked too far to hear the rest.

"Oh, would you look at the time. The sun will set soon."

"Oh? Well, I guess one more night in Sandgem wouldn't hurt, right?" Alex asked them, shrugging. They agreed, and walked over to the fence, seeing some of the Pokémon move about. Sonia walked over to Rika and pulled her aside, Maverick just within earshot.

"Hey, if I were you, I wouldn't sweat it," Sonia spoke to Rika, who seemed quiet ever since Rowan talked to her. "You'll get your dream one day, trust me."

"...Thanks," she said, nodding slowly. Sonia smiled, as did Maverick.

They took their place outside the establishment, and Sonia closed the gate. Wishing them well on their way, Maverick walked back to town with Alex and Sabrina by his side, while he saw Rika trailing a little bit behind them, looking to the setting sun illuminating the clouds behind them. He still had many questions, but for now, Oreburgh City may be a place where he can find them.

.

.

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To be continued.

.......

Hi there!

Diamond here. I do hope you enjoyed the latest chapter of MSA. Being a little more on the exposition and dialogue side, I had a little bit of trouble with this one, but I do hope the issues aren't too glaring, though. Also, the Sonia you see here isn't the same one from SWSH, this one existed way before those games were even announced! Now, there's a bit to unpack this chapter, but what was the thing that stuck out to you most? I'd like to see your thoughts, so leaving a review would be helpful in seeing areas where I can improve.

Finally, I'm active on Twitter, where I post art of MSA, as well as fanfiction of other series. My work will eventually cover the Master Quest series written by Potat Lasaro, and the Ancienverse series written by Epicocity, as mentioned. Links to both series (and more!) are in my bio on Fanfiction.net, so please do check it out!

Now then, please stay safe out there, and always remember to live long and shine on.

Until the next chapter,
~XDiamondX90