Chapter 70:

Gracedia Anatomy

I was almost out of Victory Road, but I wasn't in any hurry. After all, Barry did want to challenge me to a battle. If I took my time, it would give him a chance to catch up. He did need to get the Beacon Badge if he hadn't won it already.

Knowing him, he would try and get here as quickly as possible. But there is somewhere I wanted to check out so it would give him a little bit more time. The exit was in sight, but I wanted to explore the other room that was next to me.


Well, inside of the room was foggy. Once again, couldn't be bothered to learn Defog so it would have to stay that way.

"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea" I thought to myself.

Wait a minute. I knew what I said about Defog; that's it! Mantine could learn it! I taught it to Mantine, then sent it out. "Mantine, Defog!" Mantine flapped its wings, clearing the fog away. Nothing special was there aside from being in a cave.

"Good job" I said, as I recalled it. Now I could go through easily. "Let's get a move on!"

"Hello?" A female voice from nowhere stopped me dead in my tracks. Someone else was clearly with me. Well, of course people would be training. But was I imagining things? I guessed that was the case, so I continued walking.

"I expected you to respond!" the voice came again.

"WHERE ARE YOU?!" I yelled. "I've dealt with Ghost Types before outside Eterna City, you don't scare me!"

"You really think I'm a Ghost Type?" The voice was coming from behind me. I turned around and saw a young teenager. She was wearing a black and white gothic dress and very well brushed black hair. "I… didn't know that's what you thought of me."

"Well you would be if you sneak up on my like that" I told her. "Okay, let's take this slowly. What's your name?"

"I don't have time for introductions" she said. "I mean, I know who you are. You're Lucas Pratt. You saved the Universe. But I don't have time to tell you my name."

I walked with her in the direction she was going. "Hey, we could go together! Come on!"

She stopped in front of me, staring in my direction. "Don't you have a League to get to? I'm not here for that nonsense, I need to get through here. You'll just slow me down."

Well THAT was a ridiculous statement. I've met people in retail that had better manners than this girl. No. I insisted to go with her. "I won't slow you down. There are strong Pokémon here, we can take them down together!"

"Listen. Thank you for clearing Team Galactic, thank you for clearing this fog, congrats of getting 8 Badges, please leave me alone."

She stared walking off, just as a Crobat came down from the ceiling and attacked her.

"AAHH!" she screamed. "Someone help!"

I stood there; arms crossed. "Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you didn't need my help."

Marley was still screaming.

"Fine. Luxray, Thunder Fang!" Luxray was sent out. It bit down on Crobat with electrified fangs. Crobat was down in one.

"Oh, I don't need help" I said, imitating her voice poorly but purposefully. "Err, leave me alone. You'll just slow me down."

"Okay, I'm sorry!" she said. "Just that one time. I have my own Pokémon you know."

"I helped you, so I get to go with you. Now. We will start off with your name. What is it?"

"Marley" she replied. "I'm trying to get to a garden of flowers that is SECRET. However, you decided to come along anyway so you'll just let loose its secret."

I shook my head. "If I go, I won't tell a soul. I think it's going to be slow progress without me. Come on, hop to it!"

Marley gave an annoyed puff, like a child that's been asked to do chores and started walking alongside me.


Not a word was said for about 30 seconds. Someone needed to break the silence, and it sure wasn't going to be her. Her mouth was as motionless as a Shedinja.

"So… what is this Garden that is top secret?"

"None of your business" she said. "This is important. If word gets out, everyone will be looking for it."

"I won't mention it then, that's what we agreed."


As we continued to walk, we came across two Trainers. One was a Black Belt, and one was a Psychic.

"Okay Lucas, battle them please."

I know she didn't like my insistence, but this was another level. "Marley, we are going to battle together. You said you have another Pokémon with you, so let's make it doubles!"

Marley's cheeks puffed in a grumpy fashion. "Okay Mr. Goody Two shoes. I don't know why you're being so demanding, but if you insist."

We walked in front of them.

"Ah, going to Route 224?" asked the Black Belt.

"Erm…" I didn't know what to say. Wait, they know the Route, how would they know the Garden? It didn't bother us; the battle started.

"Go Machamp!" From Black Belt Jack came a large grey Pokémon with four muscly arms.


Machamp

042

Fighting Type

Superpower Pokémon

Region of origin: Kanto

5'03" (1.6 m)

268.6 lbs (130 kg)

It punches with its four arms at blinding speed It can launch 1,000 punches in two seconds.

Machop -Lv 28- Machoke -Trade- Machamp


"Oh no, punch" Marley said. "Too bad my Pokémon is a Rock Type. Go do it Lucas."

"Hold on" I told her. "Let's see what the Psychic has to say."

"I choose Gardevoir!" said Psychic Angelina. She had a white and green Pokémon which had a dress like body to it.


Gardevoir

159

Psychic Type

Embrace Pokémon

Region of origin: Hoenn

5'03" (1.6 m)

106.7 lbs (48.4 kg)

To protect its Trainer, it will expend all its psychic power to create a small black hole.

Ralts -Lv 20- Kirlia -Lv 30- Gardevoir


"Oh no, not a small black hole!" Marley shouted.

"It doesn't use them in battle" Angelina assured her. "Send out your Pokémon."

"Gladly" I said. "Go Toxicroak!" I shouted. It wouldn't do good against Gardevoir. "Marley, who are you using?"

"Go Arcanine." She sent out a large orange Pokémon with black stripes and orange fur.

"That isn't a Rock Type" Angelina said. "Sheesh, this girl is not with it today."

Arcanine wouldn't be scanned with the Pokédex due to not being found in Sinnoh, but Marley reluctantly went into detail.


Arcanine

059

Fire Type, yeah not a Rock Type I know.

Legendary Pokémon, yeah, I wish.

Region of origin: Kanto

6'03" (Sorry, can't be bothered with the other metric)

341.7 lbs (Not with this one either).

Its proud and regal appearance has captured the hearts of people since long ago or whatever.

You know what, just give a Growlithe a Fire Stone and you got yourself an Arcanine, can I finish tutoring you now?


"What is your problem?" I asked.

"You know what? Fine, let's get this over with. Arcanine, Extreme Speed." Arcanine charged into Gardevoir very fast.

"We're only getting started" I told her. "Toxicroak, use-" Toxicroak started clapping for Machamp. Machamp seemed very pleased with itself, but this led to confusion. "Hey, what was that?"

"Flatter" Jack told me. "It's like Swagger, but it raises Sp. Attack when inflicting confusion. Congrats."

"Gardevoir, Psychic!" Gardevoir blasted energy at Toxicroak. It was down in one. "Oh no!" I yelled, recalling Toxicroak. "Marley, what are we going to do?"

"Eh" she replied.

"Machamp, use Cross Chop!" Machamp however hurt itself in the confusion.

"Okay, I choose Empoleon!" I yelled. "Well Marley, you take a move."

"FINE!" she shouted. "Arcanine use Crunch." Arcanine bit down on Gardevoir. It was almost knocked out.

"Gardevoir, Thunderbolt!" Gardevoir fired a bolt of electricity at Empoleon. It did a lot of damage.

"Machamp, Cross Chop!" It hurt itself again.

"Surf!" Empoleon created a large wave that swamped the battlefield. Gardevoir and Machamp were both down, though Arcanine also took a lot of damage.

"ARCANINE!" Marley shouted.

"So, you do care!" I replied. Marley gave me an annoyed look. "Let's settle this argument somewhere else." Instead of celebrating the victory, I apologized to the Trainers, then took Marley by the arm and we walked away.


"What is wrong with you?" I asked. "Oh, I get it. What you need to do is important and secret, but you could at least appreciate the help. You certainly didn't need assistance with that Crobat earlier."

"Tut tut tut" she said. "I don't care about battles. I just want to get to this Garden and be done. If you don't like me, don't help. I gotta get-"She felt around her dress for her black and white bag. "Where is my bag?" she asked, showing the first sign of concern since the Crobat. "Oh no."

"Find it yourself" I told her.

"Wait!" she said. "I won't be rude if you help me one more time! It's important!"

"Nope", goodbye."


I was muttering to myself as I walked off. Who did she think she was? Does she have any friends? I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't. I didn't want to waste any more time.

Just then, from the corner of my eye. I saw two people in black uniform. I crouched behind a rock.

"Yeah, this is the one belonging to that girl" the male of the group said. I wanted to know if what they were talking about was…

Sure enough, it was. They were holding Marley's black and white bag. What was I to do? Would I jump out?

"Giovanni would be most proud" one of them said.

That sent an alert to me. My suspicions were stood correct immediately when the two people turned round, revealing a black, red R on their shirts.

"Team Rocket" I thought to myself. I said I wasn't going to help Marley anymore, but I couldn't ignore this.

"Hey!" I yelled revealing my hiding place. "Give that bag back! It's not yours!"

"Oh no" Grunt M told Grunt F. "I was warned about this kid. He's the one who took down Team Galactic."

"Well let's take him down then!" Grunt F responded.

I got my Pokémon ready when…

"WAIT!" Marley shouted running up to us. "That's mine!"

"Oh, is it now?" Grunt F told her. "You want it? Then you'll have to battle for it."

Marley eyed me, tears in her eyes. "Listen, I know what I've been like to you. But they can't take what's inside away. It's important. I promise. If you help me just this one last time, I won't be rude anymore." She held out her hand.

I gulped. What was I to do? No. This was important. The tears in her eyes showed how desperate she was.

"Deal" I said shaking her hand. "But you also need to show some ambition during this fight."

"ANYTHING!" Marley said wailing.


"Go Crobat!" shouted both Grunts sending out the purple Flying Types. Marley stepped back in intimidation.

"Marley don't worry" I said. "We can work together to take them down. Luxray, go!" I shouted.

"Okay. I choose Arcanine!" she yelled.

"Crobat, Air Slash!" both Grunts yelled as they slashed the air. It hit both Pokémon. Luxray didn't take much damage, but it did flinch.

"Marley, cover me!" I told her.

"Erm… okay. Arcanine! Thunder Fang!" Arcanine's fangs charged up, then it bit one of the Crobat. "Oh yeah! Wait, what just happened there?"

"You're excited! See? Battles are fun!"

"Let's take another move. Arcanine, Extreme Speed!" Arcanine dashed forward at breakneck speed into the Crobat that she hit before. A Critical Hit, it was knocked out.

"Crobat, Air Slash!" Crobat used Air Slash on Arcanine.

"Luxray, Thunder Fang!" Luxray chomped down hard on Crobat. This led to paralysis. Now was our chance.

"USE THUNDER FANG!" We both yelled as our Pokémon used the Electric Type move on the other Crobat, finishing it off. It then flew into the Grunts with such force that they flew out the cave.

"Looks like Team Rockets blasting off again!" they yelled, disappearing into the sky with a twinkle.


"I can't believe I was so rude before!" Marley said, still celebrating her victory. "That was fun!"

I smiled back at her. It's great when you give things a chance. However, we had wasted valuable time. We needed to get to the Garden. The exit was very close.

"Let's head there together" I told her.


Route 224. It was a beautiful seaside path with no houses, but lots of grass.

"Not far to go" Marley told me. "We need to make it to the north before sundown or my journey will have been for nothing." She went into her bag and pulled out a brown envelope. "A man here should be waiting for me at the north."

As we continued to walk, we saw two Pokémon. One was cream coloured in a white shell with red and blue markings on it.


Togepi

173

Normal Type

Spike Ball Pokémon

Region of origin: Johto

1'00" (0.3 m)

3.3 lbs (1.5 kg)

It transforms the kindness and joy of others into happiness, which it stores in its shell.

Baby Pokémon


The other looked just like it, but it was all white, had a long neck and small wings.


Togetic

174

Normal/Flying Type

Happiness Pokémon

Region of origin: Johto

2'00" (0.6 m)

7.1 lbs (3.2 kg)

To share its happiness, it flies around the world seeking kind-hearted people.

Togepi (Baby Pokémon) -Happiness- Togetic


I told her that they evolve into Togekiss, which Ethan has.

"You know Ethan?" she asked. "Oh wow, what's he like?"

I simply said that he's strong and, well, kind-hearted. He never gives up and is always someone you can rely on, which is something she should be aware of in life.

"Just like I can always rely on you?" Marley asked.

Well, yes sort of.


Soon, we reached a rocky portion of Route 224. Marley stopped in her tracks. "This is the place."

I'm sorry, this was the Garden? A rocky slate is a funny definition let me just say. Marley however was confident, and the sight of a certain celebrity made her even more certain. Who was that man? Well, the white lab coat and brown hair gave it away.

"Hello" said Professor Oak gleefully.

I was starstruck. I was meeting the one and only Professor Samuel Oak, the Professor of the Kanto region. He studies the relationship between people and Pokémon.

"Professor Oak. Nice to meet you" I stuttered.

"Well, I know all about you. You are Lucas. A little Pidgey told me that you have all 8 Sinnoh Badges. Congratulations!"

Marley was starting to get concerned. She was eyeing the sun in the sky. It was 3pm, and it was lower than when we got out the cave.

"We should get down to business" she said. In her bag, she got out the envelope letter and gave it to Professor Oak. He opened it and skimmed it quickly with his eyes.

"Hmm. Yes, this is authentic. You are Marley! So, do you have it?"

Marley opened her bag again. There were clearly more contents inside. She put it down on the floor and something crawled out. It was small and white, but had grass growing on its back. It also had a pink flower growing on it.

"I should tell you what it is" Marley said. "Your Pokédex can't scan it, but I also want this place to be as secret as possible as the data in it would stay."


Shaymin

492

Grass Type

Gratitude Pokémon

Region of origin: Sinnoh

0'08" (0.2 m)

4.6 lbs (2.1 kg)

The flowers all over its body burst into bloom if it is lovingly hugged and sense gratitude.

Legendary Pokémon


Well, I could see why Marley was determined now. She had an ultra-rare friend with her. I had no time to be in awe though. Professor Oak turned his attention to a giant grey rock.

"Marley. What you are to do is write a name on it. Someone who has helped you come a long way."

Marley's mouth opened a little. I saw sadness in her eyes.

"To tell the truth" she said. "I've not known many people. I didn't have many friends growing up and as I got older, they all left me. "

"Well, maybe not all of them" I told her, putting my hand on her right shoulder.

Marley wiped a tear from her eye. "You're… right." She grabbed a small chisel and wrote a name into the rock.

LUCAS.

"You helped me get here. That's why I've chosen you."

Suddenly, there was an earthquake. We grabbed onto the sturdiest thing we could to keep ourselves from falling over, with me grabbing onto the rock. Sinnoh is in the middle of a tectonic plate, so it's not like earthquakes don't happen. Still, this felt very sudden.

As the ground shook, I could see something rising from the water. I couldn't see what it was though, as my grip on the rock loosened. I feel to the ground and, as soon as it had begun, the earthquake stopped.

I got us, dusted myself off and saw what had risen from the ocean; it was a path. I know some sands banks create paths due to the tide, but there was something very weird about this path; it had flowers on it. It stretched out quite far to.

"What's this?" I asked.

"Seabreak Path" Marley said, just as Shaymin started jumping about gleefully. "Come on, the Garden is up ahead!" She ran off ahead of me with Shaymin.

"Hey, wait up!" I said as I ran along the flowery path. I didn't know how something like this was possible. How could a flowery path suddenly rise from the sea?


It was a solid 10 minutes of running before we reached the island at the end. I was out of breath by the time we made it.

"Welcome" Marley said. "To Flower Paradise!" Flowers were slowly waving in the wind. Red, blue, yellow, it was like a rainbow in bloom.

"So" I said. "Why is Shaymin here?"

Marley pointed to a small ledge. There were pink flowers. The odd thing though (as if I hadn't seen enough oddness today) was that they were the only pink flowers there.

"Don't pick them!" Marley yelled, even if I wasn't going to pick them anyway. "Those are Gracedia, some of the rarest flowers in the world. Shaymin needs to touch them."

Shaymin slowly walked up to the Gracedia. It sniffed them, then started to glow.

"Is Shaymin evolving?" I asked Marley.

"It's transforming" Marley replied.

The glowing died down, and Shaymin looked different. It was bigger, had biff white ears and a small green head.

"I present, Shaymin's Sky Forme!" Marley presented. "When it sniffs a Gracedia, it changes into a Flying Type and travels the world."

Shaymin jumped up and started flying about happily. However, it stopped and looked at the sun. it was now even lower. In a couple of hours, it would have completely set into the sea.

"Shaymin. You must find another Flower Garden. Once the sun sets, you will become Land Forme again. Also try not to go to any cold areas; frigid temperatures will also change you back. Good luck on your travels."

After saying its final goodbyes, Shaymin flew off into the distance. "Bye Shaymin!" I yelled as it disappeared over the horizon. "Hope to see you again!"


"Thanks again" Marley said when we got back to the Victory Road entrance.

"We wish you luck" Professor Oak said. "Oh, and say hi to Professor Rowan for me. He came to Kanto not too long ago; we've been good friends for a long time."

"I will" I said. "I'll do my best!"


By nightfall, I had reached it. The massive waterfall. On top of it, the giant white and red palace that was the Pokémon League.

As I rid up the waterfall on Mantine, I reminisced on the journey I had taken. The friends I had made. The enemies I had beaten and when I reached the top, I got a beautiful view on eastern Sinnoh. I could see Hearthome, Solaceon, Pastoria, Lake Valor, it was incredibly nostalgic.

But it was time to think of the future. My biggest challenge lay ahead of me.