Disclaimer: Pokemon is copyrighted to Satoshi Tajiri and Game Freak (characters, concept, and creatures).

Author Notes: Now for something different. Hope you like it.

Title: Gratitude
Setting: Sinnoh's Victory Road
Journey: N/A
Characters(s) of Focus: Irvin Darusu, Marley
Summary: The brother of Ian Darusu, Irvin, is usually plagued by bouts of low self-esteem. What will a quick detour in Victory Road on his way to the Sinnoh League do for him?

Sharp slashing sounded echoed across the hollow and long final section of Sinnoh's Victory Road, a normally quiet yet suspenseful location. The sound of rock being forcibly crushed was then heard as a Rhyperior crashed into the rocky wall of a tall rock structure. "My dear Rhyperior!" Veteran Terrell exclaimed in shock as the humungous Drill Pokemon painstakingly rose back to his feet. Its opponent was a Xatu, one that was calmly roosting on the ground with its white wings covering its front.

"It seems the climax of this battle is approaching." A male teen, the owner of the Xatu, muttered forebodingly. His attire consisted of a battleship grey, short-sleeved jacket with long coattails, a blood red sash, and battleship grey hakama with blood red and midnight blue shoes. His collected blood red eyes watched the Rock/Ground type defiantly exercise its arms, ready to continue.

"I'm afraid not, young Irvin." Terrell responded, "We both have the desire to enter the Sinnoh Pokemon League, but only one of us will continue on in this last leg of Victory Road!"

The male, now identified as Irvin, replied wryly, "No one ever said it would be easy." Irvin was a member of the Darusu Family and the nephew of Fantina, Hearthome City's Gym Leader. Unlike Ian or Ivanna, whom were coordinators, he travelled some of the known regions in order to procure Gym Badges. At this moment in time, he successfully obtained all eight badges of the Sinnoh Region and was on his way to attend the Pokemon League Conference that would be held two days from now. But first, Veteran Terrell, one of the many wandering trainers in Victory Road, was trying to send him back to the beginning as he too possessed the desire to be a part of the grand competition.

"Rhyperior, Megahorn!" Terrell commanded as he pointed a finger at the Mystic Pokemon. Rhyperior's drill-like horn illuminated a light green color and charged at the stationary Psychic/Flying-type, its powerful stomps shaking the area.

"Stop it with Psychic." Irvin commanded calmly. Xatu raised its left wing from its current position and suddenly used telekinesis to prevent further advancement from the Drill Pokemon.

"NO!" Terrell exclaimed in disbelief.

"Steel Wing, Xatu! End it." Irvin ordered. Both of the Mystic Pokemon's wings illuminated pure silver as it flew toward the halted Rhyperior. The same sharp slashes echoed across Victory Road's final section and were then accompanied by a thunderous thud. Rhyperior was once again down and was certainly not going to get back up.

"It seems my desire was stronger than yours." Irvin said matter-of-factly.

"Argh…" Terrell groaned in frustration but maintained his sportsmanlike conduct, "So it seems…I concede my defeat to you, young Irvin! I wish you and Xatu the greatest of luck in the Pokemon League."

Irvin responded wholesomely, "Why thank you, Terrell. I hope I get a real official battle with you in the tournament. But for now, we must part ways." Terrell recalled Rhyperior and bowed; Irvin and Xatu returned the gesture, and they walked separate directions.

"Zangoose, get me up there with Rock Climb."

The Car Ferret Pokemon nodded and turned around so that its trainer could jump on its back. Irvin did so. Then, its sharp claws extended as they glowed an almost blinding white color as the Normal type scaled the huge rock wall in a matter of seconds. Xatu was patiently awaiting their arrival at the top of the stone structure.

"Much appreciated, Zangoose." Irvin acknowledged as he jumped off Zangoose's back and pulled out a Poke Ball, "Return." The red and white device recalled it back in via infrared beam. Meters away from the apex of the stone structure was an opening. "There. We finally made it to the end of this accursed Victory Road." Irvin announced in relief. "

"Xa. (At last.)"

Irvin wiped the sweat off the hairline of his midnight blue hair before continuing on. Xatu lifted itself off of its perch and flew behind him. The two entered the hole and were immediately greeted with a very thick cloud of grey mist. "Just our luck…" Irvin groused, "Do you mind, Xatu?"

Xatu replied obediently, "(Not at all, Sir Irvin.)" The Mystic Pokemon flapped its white wings and immediately began to clear out the fog, making visibility much better. Irvin and Xatu approached a cliff and met a large lake within the stone and earth of this floor of Victory Road. "Always something…" Irvin sighed distastefully.

"(Do you want me to make sure we did not take a wrong turn?)" Xatu asked, looking at its master.

"Do so please." Irvin replied. Xatu nodded, flew upward, and inspected the surroundings around the lake. The lake was the shortest route to take; the alternative path had some trainers battling, and Xatu definitely did not want to participate in any more. The icing on the cake was that there was an entrance in the far-off distance.

"(It's best we cross this lake, Sir Irvin.)" Xatu stated as it descended back to Irvin's level, "(Lest you wish to encounter more trainers.)"

"You already know the answer…" Irvin mumbled as he took out a Poke Ball. He had enough of Victory Road and wanted to rest already. He didn't understand why people exhibited so much passion and exhilaration as the prospect of doing a marathon of battles. "Kangaskhan, execute Surf and guide us across safely!" Irvin yelled as he threw out his Poke Ball. The device let loose white light into the water, and it materialized the Parent Pokemon, Kangaskhan. Irvin jumped onto the Normal-type's back and tenderly took the Baby Kangaskhan the mother extended to him, so that it wouldn't be drowned inside her pouch as she swam. Xatu hovered above them in order to look for anything threatening or out of the ordinary.

Irvin cradled the Baby Kangaskhan whilst tickling it playfully, even with a straight face. The baby pokemon giggled childishly at the Darusu's ministrations. Kangaskhan smiled warmly because she was glad that a benign trainer was her and her baby's master.

Xatu's black eyes noticed something drifting idly in the way of Kangaskhan's Surfing. "(Kangaskhan, look alive.)" The Mystic Pokemon informed. The Parent Pokemon looked ahead to see a small wooden boat some feet away from her.

"(Sir Irvin, a boat is ahead.)" Kangaskhan notified but, for some reason, didn't feel threatened by it.

"Hm?" Irvin noticed the obstruction in the path and frowned, "Swim around it."

"(Don't.)" Xatu suddenly objected as it swooped down to the boat, "Xa. (Someone is lying on her back in here.)" Irvin nodded and directed Kangaskhan to the boat to which she promptly swam over. Indeed there was a female lying on her back almost lifelessly on the floor of the boat. The girl possessed short black hair with a white ribbon located on the right side of her hair. Her outfit was rather strange; it was based off the Japanese gothic Lolita style. There was a black mantle outlined by white stripes, black arm warmers, a black vest with white buttons and two parallel white lines running down the front side of the vest, a black saucer-like skirt with white wavy horizontal segments, black leggings, and black boot-style shoes with white socks poking out of the top.

"(What ails her?)" Kangaskhan inquired concernedly.

"(Seemingly nothing. Her mind is calm and alive.)" Xatu responded, using its psychic capabilities to establish if the girl was truly without life.

Irvin carefully stood up, so that he wouldn't accidentally fall into the water, got off of Kangaskhan's back and entered the boat. He placed the Baby Kangaskhan onto one of the boards acting as a seat before kneeling down to the ostensibly unconscious girl. Gently, he shook her shoulders, "Hey, wake up." The female stirred a little and her eyelids slowly lifted open, revealing deep blue irises. "Oh, so you aren't dead." Irvin said as he straightened himself to give the girl some space.

The dark-haired female sat up and looked at Irvin with half-lidded eyes, "Why are you invading my domain?"

Irvin stared at her as if she asked a truly idiotic question, "To give you a Viking's burial…" He said dryly and sarcastically, "No, to ascertain your vitality."

The girl maintained her emotionless façade as she lifted herself slightly to sit on the seat opposite of Irvin's, "I see…Your concern is appreciated."

Irvin, feeling as if he should continue to monitor this strange girl for her own sake, picked up the Baby Kangaskhan and handed it back into its mother. "Return." Irvin said as he recalled Kangaskhan from the water with its Poke Ball.

"My assumption is that you're going to keep me company?" The female questioned.

"You could say that." Irvin said cryptically as Xatu perched itself on the side of the boat.

"…I'm Marley…" She introduced herself.

"Irvin Darusu."

"Irvin...Hn…" Marley droned as she looked at the floor of the boat pensively. She was letting the name sink into her mind so that a sense of familiarity with him could be achieved.

"So tell me why you're idly floating in a boat alone in a place like this." It wasn't a simple question. It was a demand. People tended to question anything that was out of the ordinary. As they talked, Xatu used Psychic to change the boat's course to the direction of the exit.

"…I want to get across this lake so that I may reach the end." Marley answered. It was at this point Irvin noticed a small picnic basket at her feet. Oddly enough. The black-clad female then returned the question, "What about you…Irvin?"

Irvin responded, "To get into the Sinnoh Pokemon League."

Marley nodded slightly, "I see…"

At that point, silence befell between the two. The only sounds present in this section of Victory Road were the calm swishing of the water and the muffled sounds of battling between hot-blooded trainers on dry land. Irvin and Marley, and even Xatu, actually did not mind this lack of noise. Truth be told, all of them liked it. It was pleasing, and they preferred to bask in the presence of their company rather than speak, unless of course there was no other option.

"…You're chatty." Irvin pointed out dubiously, finally breaking the silence.

Marley's deep blue eyes met Irvin's blood red eyes as she said quietly, "I... I don't like to talk... I choose my words carefully, but they may still hurt someone accidentally... When I think of that, I clam up..."

"Hm. You and I have something in common." Irvin announced. For once since this conversation began, the Lavender Town resident brought forth a hint of emotion from Marley: she looked at him with a slightly intrigued expression.

"Please…Elaborate." Marley requested as she picked up the picnic basket from the floor and placed it in her lap.

"You like silence, I do too. I abhor cacophony, and it seems so do you." Irvin answered.

"Hmm..." Marley pensively droned before saying, "You're rather perceptive…I don't encounter many people similar to you."

"If you say so."

"(Sir Irvin and Lady Marley, we've landed.)" Xatu suddenly announced. Both turned to see that the end of the lake was approaching.

"Ah…The stone tablet is up ahead." Marley said simply.

Irvin looked at her with a raised brow, "May I ask what is this 'stone tablet' you speak of?"

"…My time with you is drawing to a close," Marley replied. Neither Xatu or Irvin expected that statement, "Our paths go in opposite directions…You wish to participate in the Pokemon League, correct?" A small, soundless nod was the response. "Then you needn't worry about me…You and Xatu have more important matters. As do I."

The boat finally reached the rocky dock and a small flight of stairs were seen just ahead. "This is where we say goodbye. Pleasure acquainting you, Irvin Darusu." Marley said in parting.

But before she could even stand up, Irvin sharply shot up and exited the boat. "I can wait. The Pokemon League does not began for two days." He said adamantly as he extended a hand to her.

Marley exchanged gazes from the male's hand and his blood red eyes wonderingly. "...You are very benevolent." Marley acknowledged as she took Irvin's hand and was assisted off the boat. Xatu had a content expression on its face as it hovered above the duo.

Marley and Irvin proceeded to traverse up the stairway and out of the exit. The two had entered Route 224 of the Sinnoh Region. "Never seen this before." Irvin commented, looking around with prying eyes. The scent of fresh flowers was in the air, as much as he hated it. He could also hear the waves in the distance.

"You asked…what the stone tablet I seek is." Marley articulated as she began walking.

Irvin followed with Xatu still hovering above them, "Correct."

Marley opened up one of the flaps of her picnic basket, took something out, and presented it to Irvin. It was a rose-colored plant with six even petals and a faded center.

"And that is?" He asked.

"Gracidea." Marley answered before putting the plant back in the basket, "A plant that is especially important to the Gratitude Pokemon."

"Gratitude…Pokemon…"

Irvin was about to reach into his black knapsack to take out a Pokedex until Marley spoke again, "Shaymin…the Gratitude Pokemon."

"Shaymin, huh?" Irvin responded, "You must be entirely interested in it."

At that moment, Marley stopped walking and looked up to gaze at the sunless yet beautifully alit blue sky, "Yes, I am…this certain Pokémon is so wonderful. It's a Pokémon that conveys the feelings of gratitude in a nice way...I truly admire that."

Irvin looked at black-clothed female with a mystified expression, "So…Marley enjoys the quite but has a welcoming attitude when it comes to gratitude." This felt strange to know. Though, Irvin dismissed it as a result of lack of interaction with most people. It was usually took something outstanding to catch his attention such as being asleep on a boat in Victory Road.

Marley averted her gaze from the sky and back to Irvin, "…Your expression…Have I elicited something?"

Irvin quickly snapped out of his stupor and replied, "Apologies. I was just ruminating on your mannerisms. You're quite unique in that I don't encounter many people similar to you." He decided to use the phrase she used on him just because.

Marley once again displayed a hint of emotion: a small pink tint graced her cheeks as her normally dull eyes widened slightly. "Well, thank you…" Marley replied while regaining her normal placid countenance, "Allow me to make a remark…"

"Of what sort?"

In the small duration Irvin has acquainted Marley, the girl did something that could be deemed uncharacteristic: she smiled – the faintest ghost of a smile. One that actually made her seem quite pleasant. "I feel the same towards you, Irvin Darusu. Not many people will sacrifice to understand me…or even share a hint of gratitude as have you."

Irvin founded himself more honored than he should feel. Perhaps it was because Marley exhibited something other a monotonous deadpan. Well, at least compared to Ivanna and his mother, Marley was more decidedly more wholesome to be around, "Well, like I said, I try."

Marley nodded appreciatively, "Please keep trying then."

"(I hope you haven't forgotten about me, Sir Irvin and Lady Marley.)" The Mystic Pokemon stated from above.

Marley looked up at the Psychic/Flying-type, her smile long gone now and back to her usual state of expressionlessness, "Oh how inconsiderate of me, Xatu…Please forgive me for not expending acknowledgement to you."

Xatu shook its head, "(Make nothing of it, Lady Marley. The thought of you being considerate of me is enough reward.)"

Ultimately, the duo and Xatu reached the dead end of Route 224, but the object that stood out the most was the pale, white rock near the cliff.

"A dead end?"

Marley objected, "This is not a dead end…Watch." Irvin obliged by standing silently where he stood; Xatu descended to ground-level and stood on the soil. Marley walked toward the white rock, took the Gracidea Flower out of the picnic basket in her hand, and place it atop the stone. She backed away and did nothing else. Suddenly, after about a minute of nothing, the white stone began to glow majestically.

Xatu remained placid as it stated, "(I see…I understand what she's doing.)" Spontaneously, the Gracidea Flower hovered off the white rock as a path began to materialize from the cliff literally out of thin air. Eventually, the phenomenon stopped and an entirely new section of Route 224 was formed.

"The path that leads to the Gratitude Pokemon…The Seabreak Path." Marley said; although it could barely be noticed, she possessed a form of anticipation in her voice.

"Well, let's walk down the path." Irvin said as he walked forward. Subsequently, Marley grabbed his shoulder to prevent further advancement, "Hm? What's the problem?"

"If Shaymin truly wants to see…it will come to us." Marley answered as she removed her hand from his shoulder, "Waiting is imminent."

And, thus, a ten-minute waiting game had begun. Just like the last two times silence befell, neither Irvin nor Marley minded as they patiently and hopefully waited for the arrival of the Gratitude Pokemon. When the ten minute mark was passed, Marley sighed in defeat, "I suppose Shaymin has no desire…"

Irvin looked at Marley sympathetically, "I'm sorry, Marley."

Marley looked at him and replied, "No, no…it's fine. Come, we may leave."

Irvin and Marley turned to walk away, but Xatu's white wings extended from its front and stopped the humans' legs from going further, "(Hold it.)"

Marley looked at Xatu questioningly, "What is it, Xatu?"

Irvin got the idea and explained to Marley, "Xatu's right eye can see the future and its left can see the past…I think Xatu is perceiving the arrival of Shaymin."

Marley suddenly had regained hope and small forms of anxiety appear as she asked, "Are you certain?"

"(Well that…)," Xatu extended its right wind forward as if it were pointing a finger, "(And here it comes.)" Irvin and Marley swiftly turned their head to the direction to see none other the pure Grass-type Gratitude Pokemon happily trotting down the flowered pathway of the Seabreak Path.

"It's…It's Shaymin!" Marley exclaimed with her deep blue eyes wide at the sight of the Pokemon she adored so much.

"So that's Shaymin." Irvin muttered as Shaymin skipped onto the top of the white stone where Gracidea Flower was stationed. Immediately recognizing its favorite vegetation, Shaymin tapped the rose-colored flower and instantly started glowing green. "What's it doing with the Gracidea?"

"Shhh…" Marley shushed him as another phenomenon began. Shaymin's body began to metamorphose, no longer becoming the smallest legendary Pokemon to date. When the light faded, Shaymin transformed into its Sky Forme.

"It evolved?" Irvin questioned.

"No," Marley answered, "Shaymin, when exposed to Gracidea, transform into its Sky Forme. I finally was able to bear witness to this event…" Shaymin Sky Forme looked at the two and the Xatu standing in-between them and smiled heartily; Marley and Irvin returned the smile. The Grass/Flying-type legendary Pokemon then flew off into the distance with Irvin and Marley waving.

Sunset finally befell the scenery of Route 224; the Seabreak Path mysteriously disappeared once more. Irvin and Marley stood at the small beach just off the platform where the white rock was, beginning their salutations.

"Thank you...That was the Pokémon that conveys the feelings of gratitude... You made it so I could see it..." Marley said appreciatively, which was rather paradoxical considering her state of expressionlessness had returned.

"Nah," Irvin kindly objected as Xatu humbly bowed, "I merely assisted. It was you who had the utmost desire to see Shaymin."

Marley nodded as she took out a Poke Ball from the picnic basket and tossed it up. The red and white machine opened up so that a white light could materialize a Crobat. "Will you be at the Pokemon League?" Irvin asked, almost impulsively.

"I cannot guarantee that…" Marley answered, "However…you are correct in assuming I will be supporting you throughout the whole event."

"Better than nothing, I suppose."

"With that…" Marley spoke again as she approached Irvin, "I must convey thanks in my own words…To you, Irvin Darusu, thank you…" That instant, Marley placed her soft tender lips onto Irvin's left cheek in order to express her gratitude. The Darusu flushed a color that was superior to his own eye color. Xatu and Crobat snickered in the background while insinuating romantic suggestions. Tantalizingly, Marley slowly removed her lips from his cheek. "Farewell for now…Irvin Darusu." Crobat then performed Fly in order to sweep up Marley and glide off into the distance with her.

Irvin wasn't able to describe how he was feeling, given that had he never experienced said feelings. Literally, that was the first time a girl had ever showed that much attention to him. Well, that and Irvin never really made an attempt a courtship himself. "Unexpected." He mumbled to himself, sighing as he cracked his neck. What a long day this was. He was ready for normalcy again.

"(What a peculiar descriptor.)" Xatu noted in interest, "(Most people usually brand such an experience as outstanding, euphoric, or some such verbose adjective."

"I'm not most people." Irvin turned around as he placed his hands in his pockets and started walking of, "Now come on. Let us be off. We cannot get distracted."

"(Yes, indeed. The Pokemon League awaits.)" Xatu concurred. The Psychic/Flying-type spotted a green blur across the twilight-covered horizon. "(My right eye can bear witness to the future.)" Xatu thought as he saw Shaymin Sky Forme smile at it before disappearing into the sky, "(And because of the Gratitude Pokemon…the bright future for Irvin and Marley is all too clear for me.)"

Xatu wished it had a mouth to smile with.

Author Notes

The Marley that appears here is a combination of both the anime and the game versions. I left it references to both interpretations to help highlight that.