Ah, both love and hate this arc. If I was a better writer, be it rewriting the story to accommodate for it or just redoing the overall storyline, I feel like I would have been able to do this story without having to rely on students of some kind. Not that there's anything wrong with these types of stories, it's just an overused cliché to me and I feel like as a writer I should to my best to avoid the most common things instead of relying on them as such heavy crutches.

"It's a little out of season for new trainers, isn't it?" Alex covered a yawn. He'd never had a reason to come to New Bark before, so when he'd gotten an email from Juniper late last night asking him to be at Professor Elm's by 8 am, he'd had to wake up before sunrise to teleport to Catalia. From there, it was a long two hour run through the forest and countryside until he arrived into the town's limits.

Suffice to say, he was tired. The Professor was kind enough to let him have a cup of coffee, but it would still take some time before it kicked in. Alex watched lazily as Morgan trotted past at what was (for them) a relaxed pace. The litter of eevee following after him were chasing at what was best called a run, many of them skidding along the tiled floor when they rounded the corner of a table.

"Oh, just a bit," Professor Richard Elm joked, yelping when the evolution pokemon nearly caused him to trip. Balance was quickly restored though, and the safety of the pile of paperwork in his arms was maintained. For now. "There's an off season reality series that a few groups are investing in. Johto's the second region to host it. Newbie eeveelution trainers and how they prepare for next year's Silver Conference."

"Silver Conference, huh?" Alex let out a long whistle. "They're pretty optimistic." He let the professor struggle to put some things in place for a moment before moving over to help.

"Oh, thank you. They're hoping an extra half year will be enough to teach them enough to get somebody a placing in the top 16. The last season four of their trainers made it there, with two of them even getting top eight."

"Seems like a sound idea then. But you know, I can't help but be suspicious as to exactly why I'm here. Juniper's drunken apology letter didn't tell me anything other than to be here this morning." The rumble of paws against the tiled grew closer once again. Alex stepped closer to the path they'd been loosely following. With a quick jerk, he reached down and snatched the slowest one off the floor, tapping its nose placatingly. "Hey there, little guy. No worries, just doing some standard check ups." The eevee calmed down significantly after that, letting him run through the standard battery.

"Juniper? Drunk? I wasn't aware she did so."

"She and her colleagues got new information regarding one of their findings from Relic Castle. Apparently somebody was finally able to explore a section of the Abyssal Ruins in Undella Bay long enough to retrieve some artifacts suggesting that trade happened between the two kingdoms. She didn't say much else, but I guess it's a pretty important thing."

Heart rate elevated beyond the standard range for physical activity. Breathing heavier than desired. Alex pressed down lightly on the eevee's limbs, moving his fingers around gently. Muscle mass slightly lacking. "You're the runt of the litter, aren't you?"

"That one?" Richard looked up from his data pad and adjusted his glasses. "Yes. That one was the smallest of the litter."

Alex hummed. "You my friend, have a difficult life ahead of you." He tapped the eevee on the nose once more before setting it down on the floor. "But you didn't answer my question. About why I'm here?"

The professor cleared his throat. "Juniper and Willow both owed me a favor."

"A two-Fer." He crossed his arms, wishing there was something sturdy enough to lean against. "Wow. I'm absolutely going to hate this, aren't I?"

"We- myself, the network station, and the breeders involved, would like you to teach the trainers from time to time."

"Declined." Alex pulled out a seat and flopped down into it unceremoniously, chuckling as Morgan managed to give the eevees the slip by disappearing into a puddle on the floor. "You have a chance to convince me though, but first, two questions. One: these aren't from my family, are they? Two: why me? I get taking a favor from Juniper, but surely there must have been a better option?"

"Collens Breeding United? I wasn't aware you were that close to them. Unova's quite the large place, and families can trace their lineage quite far." Richard frowned. "This won't cause a problem, will it?"

"Nah. It's just that side of my family doesn't exactly approve of my life choices. Breeding's the family business, so me not contributing anything's a sore spot." Morgan reappeared right in front of the frantically searching eevee's, a low powered Quick Attack letting him disappear behind a shelf.

Richard adjusted his glasses once more. "They aren't aware of your contributions towards pokemon studies in their natural environment, as well as the general results occurring from dietary differences?"

"They might read the findings once it gets the backing of a reputable source, but they never read the fine print." Alex chuckles. "If they did, they would've changed their tune long ago."

"My apologies," Richard uttered. "As for your second question, all of the trainers I could pull in who would fit the bill are either out of the country or weren't willing."

"And so the task fell to me. How wonderful."

"If it helps, I'm certain you'll do a great job. I read some of the files and videos on you. The fact that you've managed to teach nearly all your pokémon moves they shouldn't be able to learn is an incredible feat. I can't say I'm very familiar with your team, but the level of manipulation your misdreavus has for her abilities would grow to a terrifying level if she ever evolves."

"The skill my pokémon've achieved's the result of several years out in the wilds. Unregulated battles meant they had to get creative to surpass the challenges." Alex coughed. "I'm sure the year we spent trying to participate in the Coordinator circuit helped with that. A lot of effort had to be made in order to make things look visually appealing. If we ever have to train in public, doing stuff like that is what we do, just so we don't cause any collateral damage."

For a while longer the two of them watched the pokémon scurry about the empty lab. In order to make the lab more presentable for cameras, all of Richard's assistants had been sent out on errands or to the other labs scattered around the fields of New Bark. "Anything I should be expecting for when the rascals arrive?" Alex asked during a quiet moment.

"Your participation was rather last minute, so things are kind of unorthodox. The staff will direct you once they get here. For the most part just look fit for a show." Richard adjusted his lab coat. A side effect of pursuing new information, professors tended to let their coats become rather dirty. That this one was cloud white suggested anything less than his best would be dissatisfying.

As the rumble of feet faded away, Alex stepped over to the decorative case containing the pokéballs of the pokémon. "I think it's about time we pull them in. If we let them keep playing, they'll be too tired for when their bits need to be filmed."

"You were part of a program too, weren't you?" Richard asked once everyone was put away. "I thought I saw something about that when I was looking you up."

"A side special a couple years back regarding my status as one of Unova's Double Battle Subway Bosses. I was affiliated with Ingo's crew." Alex took a sip of bottled water. Sparkling. Weird. Never pegged Elm for this stuff. "They were following a trio of trainers and their progression through one of Unova's specialties when one of them had the unfortunace to come across me. I'd just come off my stint as a coordinator when I signed onto the Subway, so all of my battles were ended in style. The producers liked what they saw about me and asked if they could get some footage about how I trained my Pokémon and part of my history. They're the reason why I dislike being in the public eye."

"Bad press?"

"Oh no, far from it. They glorified me. After my mini-series got released, I couldn't take three steps in Nimbasa without somebody stopping me. Everybody wanted a piece of the 'Unbeatable Subway Boss'. All of the other regular Bosses were able to be defeated, but every attempt the trainers had against me ended up a loss, even when they started forcing me to use the company's rentals." Alex pulled out his old outfit. A pure white jacket and conductor's cap adorned with gold. "This was actually my Coordinator's outfit. My bosses let me keep it while I was working the trains. Made who I was working under kind of ironic."

Richard snapped his fingers. "I remember you! They called you the Conductor! All of your Contest performances were played to music of all kinds."

"And how fortunate that Conductors are in charge of trains." Alex laughed." The network had a field day with that." The two of them fell into a comfortable silence. "Does this network know about me?"

"No. When their original candidates declined the offer, the network deferred to my judgment for recommendations. Your degree in Pokémon Sciences doesn't hurt."

Alex crossed his arms. "You know my expertise lies with psychics and humanoid creatures, right? Quadruped physiology is only something I dabble in to care for Morgan."

"The training needed for a strong psychic can be applied to a lot of other typings, especially those that are energy based in nature."

"I think you're overestimating my abilities," he muttered.

"Plus, I remember your work during the Opal City fire two years ago. You took full control of the trainers out in the outskirts that day, keeping the blaze from spreading until it got put out by the proper firefighters."

"I remember that. A clutter of joltik managed to find their way into the building's wiring system and chewed away the coatings. Happened in enough places that when the draw got too strong that day, it ignited some materials at the substation." Alex tapped his finger on his forearm. "Investigations said the draw was an anomaly that day, but they couldn't pinpoint anything and the case eventually became closed."

"See? You give yourself too little credit, Mr. Collens."

"Just Alex, please. Mr. Collens is for if I get a job in the city and not one that has me globetrotting."

When the kids and film crew finally arrived, Alex had moved out to the backyard to enjoy the peace and quiet while he could. While 13 (or possibly 14 if they weren't just Provisionals) wasn't quite the age where they were impossible to teach, four years of studies meant they were often overconfident on certain things and wouldn't listen to any other way until they failed.

"I hope you're ready to have an entire litter of brats pester you," he told Morgan. The vaporeon had settled into his lap the moment he sat down, quietly looking over the spacious field. While not quite as big as the attached fields for any of the other professor's main labs, New Bark was such a wide place that the total land was probably more. Richard was still Johto's premier trainer sponsor; a large amount of pokémon had been sent his way over the years, and they all required a place to live.

Suddenly Morgan growled quietly, slipping out of his grip and turning into vapor. Alex didn't follow after. If his pokémon had felt his presence was necessary, he would have been signaled to do so. A few minutes later, the disturbance revealed itself to be a group of six kids loudly walking towards the center of the field. By their lackadaisical pace and distinct clothing, Alex assumed they had a right to be there.

Red, Yellow, Blue, Lavender, Black, Green, Cyan, Pink. It wasn't straight colors of course, but by the primary component Alex felt safe in assuming these were the Mentors. They had to be younger than him by twelve years, easily. The one in blue caught his eye though; a primarily dark blue unzippered jacket with a white undershirt, both the hemming of the shirt and the interior of the jacket were a deep magenta. What truly drew his attention though was the fairly minimalistic symbol of an articuno with its wings spread emblazoned over his heart.

Before he could think too deeply on it, the door leading inside opened, Alex turning to look. Two film crews stepped out and began setting up around the teens, they themselves now split into two teams. At a barely heard signal, the teens threw out their pokéballs, releasing the evolutions they were associated with. As far as battles went, it was more than adequate. The power and techniques involved for the four against four were definitely worthy of top 16, and Alex felt comfortable in saying he was willing to bet on the glaceon trainer being able to make it into Top 4.

Midway through the battle, the door opened once again. Eight kids spilled through the exit along with three more film crews. Behind them, Richard and another man, smartly dressed and with a full set of hair, followed at a more sedate pace.

"Ah, Alex! I was just telling Mr. Compton here about you."

Alex rose and offered a hand in greeting. A part of him was minorly concerned about where Morgan was hiding, but he trusted the vaporeon not to cause a problem.

"Professor Elm says you have quite the pedigree. An official Battle Master, teaching your pokémon moves they're normally unable to, an attempt at being a Coordinator which apparently has influenced your training ever since, a year and a half as a Unovan Subway Trainer and Boss, and several years as a Ranger."

Alex gave a small smile. Said out loud, his life did seem pretty impressive. Technically speaking though, he didn't really deserve the title of Battle Master. While he may have had at least eight official badges from the six IPA recognized regions, because he never placed top 4 in a Conference (Junior, Senior, or Masters), he hadn't earned the right to challenge a region's Elite 4. The prestige of having the badges of at least two other regions did mean he could bypass that requirement, but it felt wrong doing so otherwise. Plus, after the operation in Orre, IPA battling just didn't feel right, pride of strategy notwithstanding.

"I admit, it's a little concerning for us to have you be so old when everybody around you will be only in their teens. Regardless, I hope you won't mind taking the role of Uncle for the children. As somebody who owns a vaporeon yourself, you'll likely be working with Adam the most, but if you ever end up in the same place as one of the other groups we'd like it if you offered your wisdom to them if they ask for it."

"I'll do what I can," he said. "Plus, it'd be kind of nice to find out kids I tutored got top 16 of a conference."

Richard took a step forward. "Alex, would you mind battling against me? The kids have seen battles before of course, but we'd like to try and establish you as their elder."

"Sounds like a plan." Alex glanced over to the battle still ongoing. The umbreon was left facing off alone against the jolteon and flareon. A Sunny Day was going strong and the umbreon's rings were glowing brightly. Without type advantage, his bet was on the umbreon winning. "Was there anything specific you wanted done? Either for the cameras or to show off?"

"If you could use your vaporeon only, that would be wonderful," Crompton answered, handing over a lav mic setup. "Also, we're going to be filming quite candidly, so be mindful of your behavior and anything you say. We can cut things out of course, but the less work for our editors, the better."

It took a bit of guidance from the nearby assistant as well as a physical reference from Richard, but the personal mic was soon clipped to all the relevant places. "One on One, IPA format?" Alex asked. As always, the other person gave a hesitant affirmation. "We'll try to show off then."

"Not too much, please." Richard gave a partially embarrassed smile. "My pokémon are enough to deter thieves and protect me when I go out into the wilds, but we're not much for battling otherwise."

"Actually, you probably won't need to battle at all," Cromptain said, "only start it up. Felicity, the Umbreon Mentor, has a rather competitive personality and I'm sure she'll try and battle you in his place."

To hide the smirk or not? Nah, it would be more fun if he didn't. "I'll keep that in mind." Alex brought his thumb and forefinger to his lips, letting out a sharp whistle. When Morgan materialized and bounded across the field mid-battle, two cameras tracking him as the water type scrambled up Alex's body and lounged upon his shoulders.

The trio (and lone pokémon) arrived at the middle of the field right as the battle ended. Compton began clapping graciously as the umbreon trainer recalled her pokemon. "It is so lovely to see you all again. I'm glad that you've all kept your bonds of friendship strong since our parting."

The boy clad in red, peach, and black, leapt over to the yellow and white themed boy and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "Of course we did! The Heroes of Kalos would never let such a small thing such as time split us apart!"

"It's true." The girl in green, dressed almost like a shaymin personified, nodded happily. "We may not have been travelling together since the Lumiose Conference, but we kept in touch all the time!"

The trio looked to their other companions. Without a word or gesture, they all grouped together and bowed. "Thank you for bringing us together, Mr. Compton!"

The man laughed. "Think nothing of it. I only ask that you help teach the next wave of trainers about the strength of friendship. We're a long way from Kalos, and this time the trainers won't have the benefit of knowing each other beforehand. Regardless, I know you'll all do splendidly in assisting them with their new eevee companions."

"And cut!" What seemed to be the cinematographer began shouting out orders to the rest of the film crew. "Trainers, to your new positions!"

What Alex thought was just a façade turned out to be truth, the eight kids happily talking with each other as they moved out of focus of the cameras.

"Remember kids, just pretend the cameras aren't there. If there's anything unsightly or something you don't wish to be on air, we can always edit it out."

Alex stepped over to Richard, feeling slightly out of place. The cameras he was used to were always far away in the stands. Having multiple within throwing distance was a little unnerving. "You sure you want to go through with the battle, Professor? I know as one of the faces of the region, your reputation's kind of important."

The slightly balding man chuckled. "Funny you mention reputation. Compton said that it's actually important we raise yours. You're old blood in terms of the Trainer community, and your gym battles aren't exactly public. People have kind of forgotten about you." Richard gestured for Alex to get closer. "He's actually hoping that having you take part in this will end up getting some popularity back for more seasoned Trainer shows. Apparently ratings for Trainers in their twenties and above have fallen quite a bit."

Alex shook his head. "Of course. I get to be a prized minccino."

"Cut! Professor, Mr. Collens! To the center, please."

Alex took a breath before stepping forward. Quietly, Morgan cooed in his ear, his tail undulating slowly.

"And action!"

"Before we set you off on your journeys, we'd like to give you a little taste of what to expect at the Silver Conference." Elm gestured towards him. "This is Alexander Collens. He's a trainer from Unova and has travelled the world. Today, he will be battling against me to show you what a proper trainer and their pokémon can do."

Almost as if prompted, the black themed girl, more utilitarian than the way Sinnoh's Champion Cynthia dressed, stepped forward. "Professor, I don't mean to intrude, but if you wouldn't mind could I battle him in your place? I placed top 8 in the Lumiose Conference last year and I'm eager to see how I stack up against a Senior level trainer."

Richard hesitated, thrown off balance even with prior warning. "I suppose if you wish to." Compton gave a discreet thumbs up. "Very well." The professor stepped away, rejoining the ring of observers.

Unlike the quiet novice trainers, the Kalosian trainers were quite enthusiastic in their cheering. Alex almost felt a little bad, being portrayed like the bad guy.

"My name is Felicity Charlemaine. Last time we had somebody else be our personal instructor. I suppose you'll be this year's?"

Alex nodded. Shaking hands with the girl, he did his best not to stare at the cameras. "It was a bit of a last minute thing. I'm lucky enough with my work that I can spare time to assist you. If you're alright with it, would you mind talking once we're done here? I'd like to know more about your group and how things went last time around."

Felicity gave a friendly smile. "Of course." A moment later, the amiability turned to one of pure sass. "Six on six sound good to you?"

Alex gave an exaggerated shrug. "Unfortunately all but one of my pokémon are out at the moment." A bold faced lie. Breaking out the rest of his team for a trainer who hadn't even completed a second region would be unfair, no matter how hard they pulled their punches. "Right now all I've got on me is this guy." Morgan let out a loud coo at that, twitching his tail a few times.

"One on one then." The girl plucked a pokéball off her belt, this one having its top jaggedly split into blue and black with a crescent moon prominently displayed. "My umbreon versus your vaporeon.

Alex moved to a spot designated by one of the crew members, Morgan dropping down to his feet. "I suppose you've only done the standard format then?" The confusion was clear as day. Next chance he got, he was going to battle a gym leader. "Whenever you're ready." A trill from Morgan made him glance down, the water type's tapping left forepaw signalling what he wanted.

"Luna, let's go!"

Now how did that line go again? "Pardon the intrusion," Alex tapped one final button on his X-gear before moving his arms as if throwing on a jacket. As he brought his arms to his normal battling position, left arm hanging by his side with his right perpendicular to his chest, the white coat he once wore finished materializing. "But I need to make sure your ticket is in order."

/ - /

Alex gulped down the liquor, basking in the early fall's night chill. The conversation he'd had with the now-placed Mystic member, Kennith Volta, had been more entertaining than he expected. Only a year into his enrollment, Blanche had let Kennith go complete his duties, provided he was allowed to bear the symbol of their team throughout the affair; it helped that the teen would be able to put his work keeping record of everybody's progress for future projects and credentials.

"So do you normally drink much or is this just because it's available?"

Alex glanced out the corner of his eye at Felicity. In the light of the waxing moon, her outfit seemed to glow in various spots. Not quite a full replication of her primary pokémon like so many trainers were wont to do, but close enough the connection was there. "This specifically is because it's available. My normal choice of drink is only for dinner parties where I'm expected to order something. Alcohol dulls the mind, and at my age and level I can't risk a bad morning."

"You're not that old," she countered.

"No, but I'm getting up there." Alex took another pull. If he hadn't known the girl was from Kalos, where the rules on what teens could partake in was a lot more lax, he'd feel a bit guilty about drinking in front of her. "So what brings you out here?"

"I could ask the same of you."

"Humor this old man."

She scoffed, a short breath of air that sounded like it came from the top of her mouth rather than the back of the throat. Perhaps this was her form of disbelief? "The kids were starting to bug me too much. Let Volke handle the paparazzi, he's good at that."

"Hm." Alex let the silence hang for a few moments, listening to the calls of a nearby hoothoot. "I don't really like being stuck indoors for too long, especially with people. I'm much more comfortable with the outdoors."

"So you're an introvert then."

"I've never had that label made official, but I've been told I'm one, yes." Idly, Alex wondered what June was up to at that moment. Knowing her, she was either neck deep in paperwork and figuring out trails or fawning over her delphox.

"Next time we battle, could you not go as easy on me?"

"What makes you say I went easy on you?" He asked instinctively.

"One of our friends, the vaporeon trainer you were talking to, looked you up. There's a video of you fighting against one of his company's leaders in Goldenrod." Felicity fell silent. "Do you think I'll be able to get that strong some day?"

"I couldn't answer that," he responded. When she didn't immediately protest or refute his statement, Alex smiled. "The strength that my pokémon have achieved is something that's been gained over years of battling wild pokémon far from the maintained roads. Imagine the kind of battles you see in Seniors Quarterfinals, except every single pokémon has that level of strength and instead of a Singles format, it's just you and your team versus anywhere from four to sixteen if not more opponents at once." A sip this time.

"The first time you fail, you promise never to go that far out into the wilds again. But then you do. Because the things you want to see are that far away. So you train. You train and train and train and the people you can fight against and it not be a waste of your time start becoming less and less. Your pokémon start having to hold back more and more because their normal level that they've learned from each other would hurt others. It's meant to hurt others." Alex took a long, deep breath. "If you're searching for the kind of strength that my pokémon have, know you're going to have to dedicate yourself to a cause that you won't always like. It's a life of battle, and trying to find a way to keep yourself sane when you're not battling is hard."

Another pull. Alex held the bottle upended a moment to make sure every drop was drained. "For now, focus on travelling. Focus on your friends. Ask questions from every older trainer you come across about what they do for a living and what they enjoy. Networks don't show it, but there's more to pokémon than battling, breeding, or contests. You just gotta look around for it." Somehow, he felt like he disappointed the girl. "I'm gonna call it a night. See you tomorrow, Felicia."

"My name's Felicity," she corrected.

"You'll have to impress me to earn that right."