Soaring high above the Great Marsh, Gabe glanced down from the back of Tropius to get a better view of the vast swamp below. Tropius let loose an excited roar as he caught sight of what Gabe assumed to be the sauropod's home.

"This is where you used to live, isn't it?" Gabe called to his friend.

Tropius turned his head and glanced back at Gabe, giving him a nod in reply.

"Well if that's the case, why don't we go down and visit for a while?" Gabe suggested, earning a roar of approval, followed by Tropius diving swiftly downward.

As they drew closer to the ground, Tropius cried out, his voice echoing through the swamp to herald his return. The familiar call reached the ears of the inhabitants of the Great Marsh, prompting a return cry from a multitude of Tropius. Before Gabe knew it, several Tropius soared into the air to greet them upon their descent.

This must be his family...

After landing, several Tropius approached them, one of which was assumed to be the mate. She had a much lighter coloration than his Tropius. She nuzzled into her mate affectionately and then glanced down at Gabe in mild curiosity.

Looks like he's been missed... must feel nice to be reunited like this.

Gabe reached a hand out for the female sauropod to sniff. After a moment, she pushed her head into his hand affectionately.

"Hey there, nice to meet you," Gabe said softly, gently stroking her head.

The female cooed at his touch, and then drew her long neck back to look at her mate and then back to his rider.

"Don't you worry, I've been taking good care of him," Gabe said with a bright smile.

Gabe's Tropius seemed to acknowledge this by lowering his neck and nudging Gabe lightly. While he was a stubborn oaf, he was a valuable asset to his team, and currently his best bet when it came to his next challenge.

Tropius can cover most of Crasher Wake's team. The real problem that Tropius will face is that Gyarados of his...

Gabe knit his brows at the thought of the gym match ahead of him.

Jamie may have to take care of Gyarados. I know for sure that she can handle that fight. That leaves Tropius for Buizel and Quagsire. As for my backup... Golduck will feel right at home in this battle.

Having concluded what his lineup was going to consist of, he decided to focus on other matters.

Just looking at this place, and how expansive it is, makes me wonder just what kind of energy source was used to power the Galactic Bomb. In the games, after I defeated the gym, the bomb was detonated...

Gabe slid off Tropius and began to look around the Marsh, all the while mulling the situation he was facing, around in his mind.

But this isn't entirely like the game either. That much is evident from the robbery that Jupiter no doubt pulled off, Mega Evolution, and the fact that I have Hakamo-o and a Z Crystal. Anything can happen at this point.

A faint beeping sound soon caught his attention. Realizing that it was his gear, he rifled through his bag and pulled it out to answer the call.

"Hello? oh, hey Dawn! what's up?" he asked, bouncing on his heels as he spoke.

"Just thought I'd say hello. It's been a while since we've all met up. How are you?" Dawn replied cheerfully.

"I'm alright, just making my way to Pastoria City. I'm at the marsh right now for a little pit stop. Turns out, Tropius had a mate here. Imagine that," Gabe laughed.

"Is that so? sounds intriguing. I'm heading there myself actually. Gonna make any new friends while you're there?" Dawn inquired.

"Um... well," Gabe paused, glancing down at two green spheres on his belt, "I sorta have already," he finished.

Nestled on his belt was a heavy responsibility. So great was the weight of what he bore, that if it were to end up in the hands of Team Galactic, it could mean the end of everything as he knew it.

Yeah Dawn, I've made new friends alright, and if I don't take care of them, we're all screwed.

"That's awesome! you'll have to show me when I get to Pastoria! anyway, I need to get going. I'm on an errand for the professor. Talk to you soon!"

"Later, Dawn!" Gabe replied quickly before she hung up.

Putting his gear back into his bag, he took a deep breath. Looking around, he could see that winter had left its mark on this swamp. While it wasn't horrifically cold, there were signs of frost along the ground and on trees. Adjusting his scarf, Gabe turned around, only to be met with the eyes of his Tropius, whose neck was lowered as a signal that he was ready to depart. Rubbing the sauropod's neck, Gabe hopped onto his back and tapped his sides.

Looking over at the female, he gave a warm smile as he said, "we'll be back, so don't worry."

The female, along with what Gabe supposed to be the kids, all nodded as if to say they understood. Soon, Gabe and Tropius were airborne again, and headed towards Pastoria City.



He had done it. After months of painstaking labor and research, Charon had finally completed his work.

"Success!" He declared, throwing his hands up in jubilant fashion. "I've done it!"

Running a hand along the surface of the explosive, he marveled at his own handiwork.

"Well done Charon, this is such outstanding work! I expected nothing less from my top executive," Charon said to himself as he did his best impression of Cyrus, all the while blissfully unaware that one of the grunts had just walked in.

"It is quite marvelous isn't it? the power contained within this prototype will be more than sufficient enough for the task it was made for, master Cyrus," Charon went on.

"Magnificent! If all goes well, you will be promoted to a much higher position than you currently hold, far above that of the other admin," Charon continued, earning an amused look from the grunt who had been standing nearby for several minutes as he waxed on.

"Oh thank you, but I hardly think I—"

Charon stopped ashe turned around to see one of his cohorts standing nearby.

"Reporting in, admin Charon," the grunt said as he stood at attention.

"Ah, yes... I did send for you. Tell me, have you any word from the members of our team who were selected to carry out the mission?" Charon asked.

"Affirmative. The squadron is ready to head out as we speak," replied the cohort.

Charon grinned at the news. Finally, it was time for his genius to shine.

"Excellent! I will have my team prepare the bomb for deployment. Dismissed!"



Gabe and Tropius soon touched down in Pastoria City after having flown over the Great Marsh. After hopping off Tropius, Gabe had to take a moment to drink in the sight of the city. From what he could see, there was a festival of sorts about to take place. That's when it hit him...

The Croagunk Festival! I remember watching that episode... Cream of the Croagunk Crop! Shoot, I don't have a Croagunk to compete with though...

Gabe knitted his brows in slight frustration at this thought. As he contemplated what his next move was, a peculiar noise from behind, caught his attention.

"Huh?" Gabe mumbled, turning around to see what had made the noise.

As he turned, he heard the same sound coming from his right, prompting him to turn his head again. Upon doing so, he heard a soft giggle echoing around him.

"That's odd... if I didn't know any better, I'd say I'm being—whoa!" Gabe cried out as he felt himself being lifted into the air.

"Tropius, a little help here!" Gabe called to his companion.

Just as Tropius went to grab Gabe, the blond was dropped right into a partially melted snow bank. Once more, a fit of laughter filled the air, causing Gabe to scramble to his feet. Gabe and Tropius both glanced around in an attempt to pinpoint the location of the laughter.

Feeling a tap on his shoulder, Gabe turned his head, but nothing was there. He felt a tap on his other shoulder, and once again there was nothing there. This continued for a few seconds more before Gabe spun completely around out of frustration, only to fall back onto his rear in surprise. What he saw was what he thought it was, as there was no mistaking the cry of the Pokémon whose eyes he was looking into. What he did not expect, was the appearance of said Pokémon.

The creature before him was indeed a Kirlia, however it wasn't like any Kirlia he'd ever seen. She had purple hair that was done up in a single ponytail instead of two. The rest of it came down to her shoulders and curled upward at the ends. A single red horn jutted out of the top of her head. Her primarily white body still retained the three ruffles on either side of her hips, and her legs were purple like her hair. Two crimson eyes looked down at Gabe as she remained suspended, upside down, in the air, her hair falling downward as well.

The two simply stared at one another for what seemed like an eternity before Gabe decided to break the silence.

"Y-You're a—"

"Hey Barry!" came a loud shout, causing the Kirlia to teleport away.

"Wait, don't! go..." Gabe sighed, picking himself up from the ground.

Running towards him was none other than Lucas.

"You okay Barry?" Lucas asked as he watched his friend dust off the snow.

"Yeah, I'm alright, I think," he replied, looking around for any sign of the Kirlia he'd seen.

"What was that back there?" Lucas inquired, earning an exasperated sigh from Gabe.

"It was a Kirlia. At least... I think it was. It certainly looked like one, but the coloration wasn't the same," Gabe mused.

"Not to state the obvious, but you have a blue Psyduck," Lucas pointed out.

"About that..." Gabe laughed nervously as he returned Tropius before releasing Golduck.

Lucas blinked as he saw the shimmering golden duck that burst forth from his sphere.

"Whoa! that's so wild!" Lucas exclaimed. "He's actually—"

"Gold, I know. I found it funny too," Gabe replied as he returned Golduck and hitched him to his belt.

"Did anyone else evolve? A few of mine have," Lucas beamed.

"Really? you'll have to show me," Gabe grinned.

Lucas paused for a moment to think. After a moment or two, a smirk etched its way onto his features.

"How about a battle? It's been a while since we last had a good fight," Lucas suggested.

Gabe couldn't resist. It would be a good opportunity to get his team ready for the gym battle at hand.

"Alright Lucas, you're on!"