Lilycove had the dubious honor of being one of Hoenn's largest tourist spots. People from all over would come to visit its gorgeous beaches, tranquil forests, and even the annual Wallace Cup. It was also known for its close proximity to two of Hoenn's most famed destinations, Mt.Pyre and the Safari Zone. At the heart of the city, you would find perhaps the most divisive place amongst both locals and tourists, a place that was loved and hated in equal measure.

"Christopher dear, which dress do you think suits me better? At first, I thought of the red one, but the blue one is practically speaking to me. And it matches my eyes so well! But the red one…"

Professor Birch felt his life draining away as his wife Samantha rambled on about some new clothes she had found in the Lilycove Department Store. This place was like a black hole to both his wallet and enthusiasm, as no matter what he said he knew his wife would buy both articles of clothing. Truly, it was the main reason to avoid Lilycove at all costs for all husbands with any wit about them.

The Department Store wasn't actually one store. It started as one, but as Lilycove turned into the major center of tourism within the Hoenn region, demand for all types of goods grew. The building was quickly expanded with areas contracted out to meet demands. In time it had become the largest mall in the entirety of the Hoenn region, and one of the largest in the world. The monolith towered nearly twenty stories and was wide enough to take up multiple city blocks. Its sheer size only dwarfed by the price of the goods within.

His wife's dilemma finally came to an end, his input unnecessary like he predicted. Seizing the opportunity and before she could move on to the next store and find even more articles of clothing, Birch spoke up.

"Honey, as much as I would love to keep shopping with you, duty calls, and I can't put it off any longer." At his wife's quickly souring mood and pouty eyes, he quickly backtracked "I mean, you can still keep my wallet and buy whatever you want, but I have to go. I love you bye!" And so the most intelligent man in the region, ran away from his wife hoping that if he ran fast enough, there would be no chance of him ever coming back to this cursed building.

Once he made it out of his wife's line of sight, Birch took a deep breath, his form not as athletic as it used to be before he married and indulged in the "good life". After wiping some sweat off his brow, he beckoned up the ACE trainer who was assigned to be his bodyguard for the day. After all, being one of the most esteemed professors in the world had to have some drawbacks.

"Dean, please stay with my wife in the store. I won't be needing security for today."

The ACE trainer, who had run after him without skipping a beat, didn't react physically but verbally protested. "Sir, with all due respect, my job is to protect you, not your wife or any other asset. I cannot uphold my mission if I am not by your side at all times."

Ah yes, Birch almost forgot the reason that this ACE trainer was less involved in his personal life than most. Because while every ACE had their quirks, you couldn't get to be that strong without them, Dean's was that he would follow every rule to the letter and nothing more or less.

At first it was… nice. Birch could appreciate the diligence and enthusiasm of the league trainer, but after several weeks he had grown tired of the ACE's antics. Birch liked to consider himself a laid back man outside of work, and Dean's particular intensity simply collided with his own attitude. He shifted in his posture, offering a retort.

"And whilst it is true I need protection, you know I'm heading to the Lilycove ACE headquarters. I doubt that your presence there would make any significant difference. My other half on the other hand has no one to guard her and is in desperate need of protection. Take good care of her, Dean, that's an order. We will meet back up at 1800 sharp."

Dean's brow twitched slightly, unable to disobey a direct order from the Pokemon Professor, he muttered a quiet "yes sir" before heading back to the Bearticshka store. Birch nodded at the ACE and stepped into an unfortunately packed elevator, the persistent jingle not really making him feel less like a wishiwashi packed in a can. As soon as the elevator finally came to a stop at the low level - the stupid thing stopping at every single possible floor - Birch practically ran to the door, escaping from the wretched place.

Once outside, the salty but fresh scent of the sea immediately hit the Professor's nose. Lilycove may be a city, but one thing it did spectacularly was blending itself with nature. It wasn't like Fortree where the city was the forest, but it was still remarkable.

Against all odds, Lilicove had somehow preserved the feeling of a small seaside town, while growing into the tourist empire it was today. Walking down the streets it was clear to see some of the buildings that had stood since the city's founding, now in use as either museums, restaurants, or homes for the wealthy.

Flying types soared through the air, the calls of Wingull being a constant background noise throughout the city. Taillow roosted on the tops of buildings, weaving in and out of public view. And even the occasional Tropius lazily glided across the sky, basking in the sun's rays.

And this was just the northern side of the city! As he went further south towards the center more and more of the city's heart came to life. Different stores selling all types of goods assailed his eyes. The focus shifted from the luxurious aisles of the Department Store and the tourist industry to day-to-day needs, some stores even catering to Pokemon trainers. Buildings never shifted from their roots here, but modernization seemed to have leaked through the cracks, making this part of town feeling more like an odd amalgamation of the new and the old.

And right in the heart of the city was the ACE trainer compound. The building didn't stand out much, it was relatively small, and overly plain if anything. If one didn't know what it was, it would be likely that they would mistake it for someone's house rather than a military base. Yet its bland and unassuming nature could do nothing to hide the power radiating from it. If a threat to the city ever presented itself, the power of the trainers lurking within would make itself known and this unassuming building would turn into a fortress impenetrable by almost any organization.

Birch strolled up to the front door of the building and rang the conveniently placed doorbell, which had a sticky note above it that said "RING ME! PREFERABLY MORE THAN ONCE!"

Since the Professor was a very knowledgeable and mature man; he did his duty and absolutely did not delight in pressing the doorbell at least a dozen times. Without delay, the door flew open and a visibly fuming ACE trainer was revealed.

"I swear the next time you brats ring that doorbell I'm gonna-" The ACE's eyes flashed in recognition and panic. "Oh, Professor! I'm so sorry but there's been a group of kids recently that keep spamming this stupid doorbell and it's really starting to get on my nerves. R-Regardless, that's no excuse to be yelling so please forgive me sir!" The now thoroughly embarrassed ACE trainer began to ramble, and once the Professor finally processed it, he burst out into laughter.

He quickly composed himself before facing the perplexed trainer. "Ah, I believe the answer to your problem lies in this note right here." The Professor took the note off the doorbell and presented it to the girl, and her embarrassment immediately transformed into rage.

"Oh the next time I see Colson I'm going to make him wish he and his Pokemon were never assigned to this unit!" The ACE trainer then quickly gathered herself and turned back towards the Professor. "Anyway, what are you doing here sir? I don't remember you scheduling anything for today, and the project in the Safari Zone has been running smoothly."

Before Professor Birch could respond, however, the ACE trainer grabbed his wrist and dragged him to the lounge. Two more trainers were sitting on the couch watching TV, but the ACE trainer who had led Birch inside shut it off before smiling innocently at the duo on the couch. In response, the other two trainers bolted out of the room as fast as they could. Birch was starting to realize that maybe he should be praying for whoever this Colson was.

"Don't worry, miss..." He stopped for a second, cuing the young woman to introduce herself.

"No need for formalities with me, and Reem is fine."

"Reem then. I come here on another project based with Elm, and to investigate a recurring report on Safari Research. Is it true there's a boy that keeps coming to visit a certain Chikorita?" Reem's eyes lit up and a smirk covered her face.

"Is it true? You bet it's true! That kid, Raymond I think was his name, has been visiting the Meganium herd for almost two years now. The Chikorita is the child of the leader of the herd and has somehow convinced her father to take a liking to the kid. After multiple visits, the boy managed to tear down the walls of some of the softer ACE trainers, which led to them caving into requests for more visits. That then led to a quasi civil war between the Pro kid and Anti kid factions. The fighting was brutal and honestly closer to a war than a simple skirmish, but eventually, the kid's supporters won out and the other side was forced to deal with it. I have never been so proud of my unit."

"Anyhow, to cut a long negotiation short the kid now visits every other day, can only 'train' once a week, and is heavily regulated at that. Claims he's going to be a Pokemon trainer, but he can't find a good sponsor and doesn't have the money to support a journey without one. I think some of my coworkers are trying to pitch in to give him a starting fund, but it'll be rough for him even with the boost. You know how rookies go."

Birch hummed to himself for a moment, before clapping his hands and standing up.

"Excellent! If you don't mind, can you spare me someone to teleport out there? I think I'm gonna meet this young man and decide what to do from there!" The professor then blinked and turned back towards Reem." He is there today right?"

Reem nodded. "Yeah, today is one of the kids' days. I'll take you to him in just a second." The ACE commander turned 180 degrees before yelling again. "Listen up! I'm going to escort the professor to the Meganium herd! While I'm gone Ritchie is in charge! If anyone causes any trouble or blows something up I'll personally skin you alive!"

The ACE trainer, seeming satisfied, turned back towards the professor before smiling and releasing her Exeggutor. One look was all it took before the two people and Pokemon teleported right out of the house.

The Safari Zone was an incredibly unique area within the Hoenn region. Sure, a majority of the zone was similar to the rest of the region with tropical forests, vast plains, and clear bodies of water stretching for miles.

However, it also featured complex underground cave systems spread below its earth, unique rock formations serving as perches for many exotic flying types, and home to many more rock types, a thick desert, and a large swamp on the opposite ends of the reserve. The Safari Zone featured biomes that couldn't be found anywhere else in Hoenn, and that was both a trainer and researcher paradise.

It was truly a marvel, and it was a wonder how each region had its own, all so similar yet all so different. But, Bitch wasn't here to admire or study this today.

The vast clearing in front of him was filled with Johto's premier grass type, the species seemingly thriving here in Hoenn. Their natural physique allowed them to flourish amongst the high trees and even higher heat of the area. Hoenn's higher humidity boosted their growth to where it seemed as if the average size of Bayleef in the herd was slightly above average when compared to its Johto counterpart.. Not to mention the now ten Meganium that made up the top of the group, compared to the four that first arrived.

Further analysis showed several cliques within. In one area, groups of Bayleef sparred in order to determine a hierarchy. In another, young Chikoritas simply lounged in the sun and soaked up its rays. The imported herd of grass types were fascinating and it felt as if a small part of him died as he put that focus into the back of his mind.

Reluctantly, Birch turned his attention to a duo in the corner of the clearing. The pair of one human and one Pokemon were currently lying about. The exhausted grass type appeared to be taking a break while the boy tried to explain something to it. After a moment, the Chikorita stood back up and the boy moved off to the side and picked up a rock.

The boy then yelled something and threw the rock high in the air, passing directly in front of the Pokemon. The Chikorita launched a leaf attack toward it… but it had the worst aim that Birch had ever seen and the leaves passed wide to the right. For a moment, the Professor questioned if he had made a mistake in coming here. However, the thought was banished as soon as the leaves turned 180 degrees and destroyed the rock.

Birch could only blink at the display of Magical Leaf, a move normally learned at the Bayleef stage, and an excellent use of one at that. Magical Leaf was generally only a slight correction of the course: changing what would be a near miss into a hit by allowing the leaves to lock on to the energy signature of the Pokemon. What just happened must've been the leaves locking onto the minor amounts of Rock-Type energy left inside the stone (one of the ACE on duty must've had a rock type make some stones for practice), and with that minor energy signature, it allowed the leaves to fully change course and attack the small stone. Of course, it wasn't perfect, a handful of leaves had continued on their previous course, but the vast majority had hit their mark. This meant that, for at least that move, the Chikorita was very ahead of the curve.

The boy must've been happy about the results as well. He excitedly pulled the Chikorita into a hug and joyfully spun her around. Also, was that ACE trainer secretly recording him? Must be one of the "Pro kid" people Reem was talking about. The Professor decided it was about time to introduce himself, and absolutely did not delight in the way the kid jumped whenever the sound of Birch's clap made its way into his ears. The kid turned around to meet the professor, and his eyes widened as soon as he registered who was in front of him. It also seemed as if his grip subconsciously tightened if the now squirming Chikorita was any indication. The boy hurriedly released his uncomfortable Pokemon, and Birch struggled to contain his laughter as he started speaking.

"So, you must be the 'Bloom Boy' I've seen in my reports so much! I have to say, I'm impressed. To have learned Magical Leaf to such an extent, before even going on a journey… not something many people can accomplish." The boy looked down blushing, unable to keep eye contact with the professor. Something that most would expect of a twelve-year-old, not a near sixteen-year-old. "Oh, it seems in my excitement I forgot to introduce myself! My name is Professor Christopher Birch, the regional professor of the Hoenn region."

The kid somehow shrunk into himself even more. "My name is Raymond Coast, Mr. Professor sir. And it really isn't that impressive. We've been working on that move for a while so it was only a matter of time before Bloom learned it. She deserves all the credit." Raymond shone with pride at that, warmly smiling at the grass type.

The Chikorita briefly inflated at the praise, before slapping Raymond's leg in what Birch could only assume was a disapproving manner. It seemed as if she believed Raymond wasn't giving himself enough credit. Birch agreed.

"Please stop with the formalities, it makes me feel old. But speaking of training, how exactly have you been doing so? I can't imagine you have your trainer's license yet." Of course, Birch knew a little of what he'd done thanks to the status reports and what Reem had told him earlier, but it was always best to get knowledge straight from the source.

Raymond began to look slightly sheepish and began to explain slowly as if the speed of the story would get him in less trouble. "Well… at first I could only see Bloom here once a week, and in that time I would generally give types on type energy and ideas I had found over the week, bringing a cliff notes version for her to work on. Once the ACE trainers found out, however, they decided that someone without a license shouldn't be allowed to train a Pokemon by themselves, so we came to a compromise.

Once a week, this number has never changed even with more visits, I am allowed to spend the full day coaching Bloom and helping her learn and master moves. During this training, she's not allowed to fight other Pokemon, test moves on other Pokemon, and must have all training plans approved by both the ACE trainer present and the head Meganium. Every other visit, Bloom is not allowed to battle any Pokemon, or train any moves unless my visitation and/or training rights are revoked. This has been the policy for almost two years now."

Birch hummed. While it's true a single Pokemon being trained for this period of time would generally be a problem for a new trainer, he could see how cleverly both the trainers responsible and the head Meganium were when deciding the course of action.

A Pokemon being trained for that long would be stronger than if it had not trained at all, there were a few methods that determined where that strength lied. There were two main ways to train a pokemon: experience in battle versus move training. This could also be simplified as training raw power versus training technique and skill.

It was apparent that Bloom had undergone the move and skill method of training, which vastly improved her base and helped her for the coming journey. Just from that one Magical Leaf, it's obvious that they've done much more than just learn simple moves. They developed each one heavily and possibly made combinations between them for maximum effectiveness. So, while Bloom has roughly the same amount of raw power that she would be if she hadn't trained at all, in a battle she'd be vastly more prepared than any other Chikorita. Not to mention that once she starts growing power-wise, this base will only help and grow stronger with her, which leads to a faster increase in strength and more time for other endeavors.

In addition, it would be less likely to draw undesired attention. If Bloom had started the season as strong as the average Bayleef, then many people would've assumed, and rightfully so, that Raymond had been given an unfair advantage and demanded consequences against him. What those may have been Birch could only guess, but even his guesses aren't pretty. But since she's the same-strength wise, even if suspicion came upon the duo they would be able to easily fly below the radar without looking as if they had been holding back, or at least to the full extent of their restraint.

As for combat training, a different aspect is emphasized. In a battle between Pokemon, each one gains combat experience and, in closer fights, can gain an overall power increase. Stronger Pokemon also lead to a greater increase, which can be seen as a major cause of the slow power creep between top-tier trainers. But again, this requires a battle between Pokemon to reach these maximum gains.

Bloom has been training, yes, but her battle experience has been minimized so she doesn't have as much raw power as she could have had. But what she does have is variety and mastery over the moves under her control.

Indeed, this plan was probably the best possible outcome. Now just to make sure that it can still fit with his.

"If you don't mind me asking, what exactly is your plan for this season? I assume you're going to become a trainer if the work here is any evidence, but do you have a sponsor or anyone backing you at all?"

Raymond suddenly deflated and even the once celebratory Chikorita looked down in gloom. "I'm afraid not profess- Mr.Birch. I tried to study and get good enough grades to be one of the top 3 in my class to get a school sponsorship, but with all the smart kids that was impossible. My parents tried a little to help, but couldn't find anything." There was a hidden venom in that voice, Birch would have to look into that later." And I don't have the experience or background for any companies to invest in me. So I'm planning on scrapping whatever I can together, taking a licensing test, and buying a Pokeball before setting out with Bloom." Raymond's eyes flashed with panic before looking at the professor, making eye contact for the first time today.

"I mean, I get that Bloom is part of this research project you have going on. I can tell that much by the ACE presence and the fact that you're here, but surely you can let me take her! I promise I'll do whatever it takes or whatever you need; I can't just leave Bloom I'm sorry sir but I can't-"

The boy's rambling was cut off by the sound of chuckling before laughter took over the professor. Seeing the boy's bewildered expression, Birch came back to reality to explain.

"Don't worry Raymond, I wouldn't dream of separating a pair like you and Bloom. In fact, that would go against my very duty as the regional professor! So, let me ask you once again: What do you plan to do this season? Or better yet, what is your goal as a trainer? Are you setting out hoping to go out and discover more about yourself like so many others? Do you want to simply leave town and make your own footprint on the world? Or perhaps you want to be one of the few who do well enough to be picked up by the league as a combat trainer, or maybe even an elite trainer? Tell me Raymond: what drives you? What do you want to accomplish with Bloom?"

Birch could hardly contain his excitement! This is it! The moment of truth has finally arrived! This alone decides whether or not his trip here was worth it, and judging by the fire in the boy- no, the man's eyes he could already feel his hopes soar.

Raymond's eyes glowed as he stood straight up, posture demanding attention. Bloom similarly rose to match him and tried to amplify his presence. To give her credit, she did the best job a Chikorita could do (even if the ACE fan girl squealed as a camera repeatedly went off in the background).

"My goal Birch is no mere goal at all. It's a promise. A promise that one day I will climb to the summit of this world and surpass it, leaving what was once the top only the dust on my shoes! I will become a Champion, and I will be able to master my own destiny, and decide my own fate! Together with Bloom, I know that we will be able to reach that peak, and break past it with all of our might!" At the end of this proclamation, Birch blinked and Raymond's face slowly grew more and more red as he slowly molded into an embarrassed puddle in front of the professor's eyes.

What was once yelling now turned to mumbling. "Sorry about that. I get very worked up by my dream and can get a little enthusiastic about it. Some of the ACE trainers still have recordings of the first time they asked me."

At this, Birch noticed both Reem and the other ACE trainer quickly flashed him what looked like two separate videos of Raymond doing an impassioned speech. And, it appeared that some of the Bayleef were snickering as well - if their now hidden faces were any indication. The Professor just smiled and shook his head, before clapping his hands to refocus Raymond back on himself.

"Excellent! With a passion like that and a Pokemon such as Bloom by your side, I'm sure you can go the distance! In fact, I'm so confident I have an offer just for you." Birch's eyes gleamed, and a smirk overtook his face.

"As you may know, I'm the one in charge of the Meganium herd here, but that's not the full truth.

You see, there's been a push recently to establish bonds between regions so that another war doesn't overtake the world. To accomplish that, leagues have been working together to increase overall interaction and sharing of knowledge between them. There are a few examples of this present such as the lending of ACE trainers, cultural classes being implemented in regions to help show other perspectives, and even the abolishment of the requirement to be born in the home region to become an Elite Four. And one major example of this is inter-regional research projects between professors.

This Meganium herd is an example of such. The Meganium and other Pokemon were provided by Professor Elm of the Johto region, and with them I am using my field of study of how Pokemon's habitats and climate affect growth, as well as what effect they have on the region. So while I'm technically in charge since this is my area of expertise and region, Elm has an almost equal say and helps run all of the data and numbers based around it, monitoring a similar herd that lives in Ilex Forest. But that's all background data.

What matters now is the future projects. You see, while my main field is what I said earlier, one of Professor Elm's main fields of study is the bonds between Pokemon and people and how that impacts their growth. So I'm here to do my half of the project.

This project compares people who've bonded with their starter prior to their journey, and the traditional route of meeting their starter on the day of the journey's start. I currently have found two candidates, but am in desperate need of a third. I was struggling with how to find one until I was looking through the notes on the Meganium herd again and found a small reference to you. Once I did, I quickly searched and found out everything I could about you and Bloom here, and much to my pleasant surprise you were the perfect candidate!

So, Raymond Coast, I come here with an offer! If you agree to become a part of this study and help me, then I will help you and offer you a full lab sponsorship with all the perks included. What do you say?!"

Okay, so maybe Birch should've slowly explained it to the kid instead of dropping it on him like a bombshell, but he was excited! The Chikorita was as well if her now apparent dancing was any sign. Even the lead Meganium and ACE trainers had recovered by now and were celebrating!

But all that didn't mean much when the person he'd just given the offer to had crashed harder than the computer did when Birch tried to teach his dad how to use the internet. Almost a minute passed and the kid still hadn't moved! His state of paralysis was only broken when Bloom decided enough was enough and hit him straight in the head with a seed, causing his head to snap back in place with equal amounts of panic and clarity.

"Wha-wha- Uh, Profess- no, Birch! I'm really excited about the offer, ecstatic even, but are you sure you want me? I'm not exactly the smartest kid out there so I don't know how much help I'd be with all the science stuff involved, and I'm sure there's plenty more qualified people than me! And even then I won't be able to afford the trip to your lab to start my journey so I don't know how I could even possibly assist!" Raymond had started to ramble again, but at this point, Birch could only sigh at that. It seemed the kid wasn't fully understanding it yet.

"Don't worry about all the little details! If you do accept, I'll give you a package on everything you have to learn to be able to do the work properly, and then you'll have a month to learn that before I teleport you over to my lab for the start of the season. And, I'm sure about this decision. The fire in your eyes, when you said you dream, was enough for me to lose any doubts I had. So, I ask you again Raymond Coast, do you accept my offer?"

The boy looked down at his partner Pokemon, their bond allowing millions of unspoken words to flow between their eyes, before both turned towards Christopher, radiating equal amounts of excitement and determination.

"We accept!"

Hello again everybody, Lugia Moon here!

I'm amazed by the feedback on chapter one, and after many complications and threats have managed to get out chapter two! The next chapter should start the journey, so we can finally get to what all of you all came for!

Wha- no it's not to see me suffer! It's pokemon training obviously. Why would y'all even say that?

Anyhow ignoring my violence craving fan base (you know who you are), remember all feedback is both appreciated and turned into motivation, so please hit me with more.

Huge thanks to my Beta readers YuuriEs and KingKongHill! They truly make all of this possible. Although hopefully I don't double my beta readers every chapter. That may take a bit to proof read.

Also sorry about the delay. I meant to get this out like a week ago but I'm afraid editing got away from me. Hopefully this won't happen again and the next chapter will be out much sooner.

Until next time, this is Lugia Moon signing off.