Finding it within myself to cut out unnecessary action scenes, here is the most recent re-work of Alice's mom deciding she needed to intervene.

Context: Alice is twenty-one years old, and works at the Museum of Science in Pewter City. She has abandoned her dream of becoming a Pokémon trainer. Her mom, Eleanor, can't sit back and watch her daughter exert herself in longer and takes action into her own hands.

May 27th, 2004

Friday

Earlier that night

The sun set over the Town of Pallet. It painted the sky in hues of pink and orange, and the dimmed sunlight was cast over Eleanor. She reveled in its limited warmth before it finally succumbed to the horizon.

She sat down on her porch. Her cup of tea had finally cooled enough that she could enjoy it.

The life of the night slowly awoke.

Furret emerged from their burrow, Eleanor often watched them scamper across the earth. The family of Furret had lived on their property for as long as she could remember. They had long established themselves before Eleanor arrived with baby Alice.

A distant hoot caught her attention.

The Noctowl swooped in the air before it perched itself on the patio fencing. She immediately zeroed in on the letter tied to her Pokémon's leg.

"Earl," Eleanor called and retrieved the nuts she had pocketed earlier. She placed them at his talons and carefully removed the note; the off-white color of the paper contrasted starkly with the dark lettering of her name.

Dear Eleanor,

What an old-fashioned way of reaching out! Oh, reading your letter brought me back to much simpler times. It feels like it was all just yesterday... I'm glad you've kept in touch! I'm doing well, and so are the grand-kiddos. I'm happy to know you and Alice are well as well!

The lab is just as time-consuming as ever, at least with research. Not too many youngsters are interested in battles these days... I do hope it's merely a phase. I hate to see such wasted talent.

Which is why I'm happy to say I have just the Pokémon for Alice. The spirit in that girl is just as strong as Neil's, and I think he'd be thrilled to watch his little girl grow into a strong trainer.

There are still some things I need to finish up. Though welcomed, it is rather last minute. I should have more details for you by morning; I think I will just give you a call. Much less time-consuming.

And taxing! That Earl of yours refused to leave until I gave him every berry I had. You've spoiled that bird dearly.

Talk to you soon, take care, Eleanor.

Sincerely, Professor Samson Oak.

Eleanor smiled at the letter.

Perfect.

She placed her pokéball beside Earl, who happily pecked at his treat. He'd return to it when he was ready.

He was just a little Hoothoot when she found him all those years ago in Johto. He was the first Pokémon she had ever caught on her own. It had been nearly twenty years now; the wear and tear of his feathers signified his age. Eleanor scratched at his chin before she retreated back indoors.

The house would be empty for most of the day. Alice worked long shifts at that museum, and she took it seriously.

Eleanor thought she took it too seriously at times.

She wasn't meant to be some desk slave.

Eleanor almost scowled at the mental image.

An intervention was necessary.

Alice's handwriting was quick and messy. A strange combination of print and cursive, it was difficult for her to understand right away.

"-Sometimes I wish I could've been a trainer. It was never an option, though. But that's what a dream is, right? Something unobtainable, an impossible standard. Most people can only operate with an unobtainable dream-" It went on about more intimate details and she shut the journal.

It was dated March of 2004.

Yet Eleanor hadn't heard a peep about it from Alice in years.

She ran her hand over the smooth leather cover. The letter she received from the professor slipped into the pages.

Alice would see it soon, her bike could get her from Pewter City to Pallet Town in just under an hour.

Eleanor just hoped she could give Alice the opportunity she always wanted for herself.

And the one her father would never get to see.