Alec scratched his head with a nervous chuckle and had said, "Yeah, It's just that bank robber I battled kinda just got to me ... The way he had treated his Pokemon ... It was disrespectful to all Pokemon Trainers! Something like that ... It just makes me angry!" Alec said, pouring out a confession as to why he wasn't paying attention all that much. The words had left his lips impulsively.

Having realized that the man probably had no idea what he was probably talking about, Alec flailed his arms a little and said, "I-I don't know that came out! Jeez ... Maybe I should worrying about that for now and just focus on getting my Gym badges," Alec had said with a sigh. Just as he was about to speak to the man he had accidentally bumped into one more time, a group of people had once again noticed Alec.

"Hey, aren't you that Trainer who had fought that Bank Robber on the news!? Yeah, it is you! I just wanted to say what you did was amazing! You were able to save those people with your Pokemon! If you also see that other guy that helped you, tell em I said the same for him!" A young woman said smiling gleefully at Alec. There was also two kids standing next to the lady.

"Mister trainer! Your Pokemon were awesome! Can I get your autograph!?" The older kid had asked. Alec chuckled and said, "Y-yeah! Of course!" Alec said hesitantly for a split second. He took the poke ball the kid had and just scribbled his name with the marker the kid had as well. Alec was a little nervous, if anyone with a brain could see it. After all, it was plastered on his face with the expression he was giving slightly.

After that, the small family had walked away and Alec waved them goodbye. Alec had then breathed with relief and then said, "I need to get used to the 'publicity' thing. Especially if I wanna be the Champion," Alec sighed, slightly disappointed at himself. For someone who was extremely energetic as well as rambunctious, he sure did not know how to handle such a thing. Then again, he couldn't be rude to them. After all, they were just praising him for what he had done. Alec had even lost his focus on the man he had bumped into.

Alec blinked, facing the man that he had bumped into after hearing his wise choice of words. Alec had grinned from ear to ear and said, "You're right about that! I can't worry about something silly as that when I'm facing a Gym Leader, huh?" Alec said, keeping the grin on his face; his attitude taking a a complete three hundred and sixty degree turn out of no where.

"Speaking of which, I need to stop by the Slateport Gym and make an appointment to schedule my gym challenge! I also gotta decide on which of my friends I should choose for the challenge," Alec said. "Say, do you know where the Gym is in Slateport? See, I'm from Johto, so I hardly know where anything is." Alec had said grinning once more.

"Also, I'm Alec Foster by the way! Nice to meet ya!" Alec said. It was then that one of his Poke balls had opened up by accident from Alec accidentally pressing the button on the ball. His Salamence, Rex stood there calmly looking at Alec and then at the man. "Oops. Well at any rate, this is here is Rex! He's been with me from the start of my Journey as a trainer!" Alec said, petting the Blue Dragon that stood by him. Rex continued to stand there, looking at Alec.

Alec had heard that Salamence were typically hard to train, however as one could see, Rex was very well trained, despite Alec's childish nature. I guess it was because he had experience of Dragon type Pokemon back home in Blackthorne City. "You're ready for that gym Challenge aren't ya buddy?" Alec said to Rex. Rex lightly nodded with a small huff. There was also a slight sense of determination in not just Alec's eyes, but Rex as well.

Alec's grin had grown wider at Fernando's words and said, "Then I can't wait to check it out myself!" It was obvious that excitement glowed around his being as he spoke. The kid had it all. Determination, excitement, as well as confidence. After all, he didn't come all this way to chicken out of a Challenge, especially for a Gym battle! That was why he was here in Hoenn.

Alec had graciously listened to Fernando who had given him directions to the Gym. Alec's face brightened once more with a smile. What's more was that the man had also said he would be able to give him a hint that would help him with his Gym Challenge. Alec was ecstatic, however in the back of his mind, he slightly questioned how Fernando had known so much already about the Gym.

Alec couldn't think of any explanation other than the fact that the man himself had been living here in Slateport for quite a while, which did explain why. Alec grinned at Fernando's compliment while Rex bowed its head to give his thanks to him as well. "You should see my other Dragon Pokemon someday! Then again, I don't just have Dragon Pokemon. I have some others as well!" Alec grinned.

"Also, I'll take whatever help I can get, so please! Tell me that hint?" Alec asked not wanting to sound eager, however, it was clear he was still brimming with excitement at the fact that he would be given a hint that could help him get his Badge.

"A Dragon Master, huh? Reminds me of back home! Hopefully I can meet her one day!" Alec said, keeping the grin he had on his face. Alec didn't know anything about a Council either, but it sounded like a cool job for someone to have. Alec didn't really think about his future in terms of career. In all honesty, he just wanted to become a Pokemon Champion. He had not thought of what that truly meant though, aside from being the strongest trainer of the Region.

Alec had then listened once more to Fernando, taking in the information he was given. There was more than just one hint which was actually helpful to the young trainer. 

Alec's grin grew wider and said, "It sounds like the Gym has like a Strategy theme from what I can tell. Sounds like the Gym challenge may be tough, but I won't let that stop me! I'll win for sure! Thanks for your help Fernando! I'mma go and make my appointment for my gym challenge now! Hopefully we will meet again!" Alec said happily, putting his Salamence back in his Poke ball before he ran off in the direction Fernando told the young trainer to go.