Chapter 4: Of Team Galactic Grunts and Flowers

By the time Jubilife city comes into view, my feet felt as sluggish as ever and my body was getting heavier by the second. I've had enough walking for a day and really wished I had a bicycle to make things less tiring. If I wanted to get to Eterna city, then the only way there (not counting route 207) would be to pass through the Ravaged path. Making my way back to route 204, I notice a small crown near the exit of the Town. Upon closer watch, I realise that Lucas and professor Rowan were part of it, along with two other individual all wearing the same blue and white shirt and having the same blue hair.

"Ah, Haru. Impeccable timing as always" the professor says as he notices me.

"Good evening professor, what's wrong?" I ask

"These miscreants are babbling utter nonsense that I just can't stomach" he replies in disdain. "Show them some manners, if you will"

"Eh?" I blurt out, confused

"Oh, professor Pokemon, must you be so difficult?" said one of the men "we are approaching you strictly as businessmen."

"All you must do is provide us with all your research findings" added the other. "In return, we'll refrain from causing massive damage to your assistant."

"W-wait massive damage?" I asked, shocked.

"Haru! Join me and battle these guys!" Lucas turned to me

"Yeah, okay they seems like trouble" I replied, taking out my Monferno's pokeball

The two people weren't much trouble as their Zubat and Wurmple proved to be no match to Monferno and Lucas' Turtwig. After a short battle, the two of them ran out of Pokemon and started making their way towards the exit,

"You leave us no option. We will retreat for now." said one

"Because Team Galactic is benevolent to all we shall leave" added the other

"That lot...they called themselves Team Galactic" professor Rowan mumbled.

"What do they do?" I asked

"When Pokemon evolve, they seem to release some type of energy...However, I believe that it's a mystic power far beyond our control. But Team Galactic seems to be trying to use that power for something…" he said, pensive.

"I see…"

"Anyways, Haru, well done! You battle quite capably" the professor commented.

"Thank you professor"

"Haru, did you know about this?" Lucas asked

"No, I had no idea."

"The professor studies about the evolution of Pokemon too, and according to his research, 90% of all Pokemon are somehow tied to evolution!"

"So that's why they were after you…"

"Anyways, we have things to take care of so we'll see you later!"

The duo then left and a strange man wearing a blue jumpsuit came to me.

"Oh, that was very good! Nicely done! Truly excellent!" he exclaimed.

"E-excuse me who might you be?" I asked, confused

"Oh, I beg your pardon, I'm from Jubilife TV! And I'd like you to have something for letting me see that smashing battle!" he chimed, handing me a fashion case.

"A fashion case?" I ask, puzzled.

"With it, you can dress up your Pokemon and watch their appeal grow! Please visit us at the TV station for prizes and contest!" he said before walking away.

Contests huh. Guess I'll check it out later. I make my way to the cave I saw earlier and, with the HM I obtained near Oreburgh city, I smash the rocks away and clear a path to the exit. The sky is now full of stars and the moon was shining brightly. The gentle evening breeze blows as I keep walking through all the trainers who were surprisingly still looking for battles. After a while, the scent of of honey tickles my nose and Floaroma town enters my sight. Although I had only seen the town in pictures and books, the view was still stunning. Patches of flowers, with various color ranging from pink to blue can be seen everywhere. In contrast to the presence of flowers, only 3-4 buildings were present. Apart from the Pokemon Center and the Pokemart, there was a flower shop and three small houses.

After finishing my usual business at the Pokemon center, I head for the Floaroma Meadow, the place I've yearned to visit ever since I was a child. After passing through the small opening, I enter a big meadow filled with flowers as far as the eye met. However, my contentment was cut short as I heard loud voices coming from the right. I turn my head and two Galactic grunts stood there, cornering a poor old man.

"Enough arguing! Hand over that sweet Honey!" shouted one

"Do as we say! Team Galactic will have that Honey!" Added the other

"Hey you two! What do you think you're doing?" I shouted in anger

"Hey! This kid is a witness! What'll we do?"

"We don't need the brat running off for help…"

"Huh? Me? Run away? Aren't you funny now." I taunted

"Heh. We'll just ensure that the brat stays quiet then!"

One of the grunts then released his wurmple and I pulled out my Monferno. I notice that they weren't very experienced in battles as they didn't really coordinate their combos. After defeating him and his colleague easily, they run off hastily, leaving behind some sort of key. I put it in my pockets and bid the old man farewell. I then go back to Floaroma and head onto route 205, only to be greeted by a young girl.

"Help!Help!" she cried out running towards me

"What's wrong?" I ask

"Please, can you get my papa for me? He works at the Valley Windworks. But the are people dressed like spacemen are mean and won't let me in…" She said, with tears in her eyes.

"Okay. stay right here, I'll go take a look."

After a few steps, the identity of the "spacemen" she was talking about became rather obvious. In fact, on the other side of the bridge stood two Team Galactic Grunts, blocking the path to any passerby.

"We are Team Galactic and we're conducting research in Eterna forest!" said one, stopping me.

"Our research involves catching Pokemon in the flowery meadows of Floaroma Town. We are also using the energy of the Valley Windworks for something. But that is of no concern to you!"

What a pain. I could take them on right now but I need to go look for that girl's father in the Valley Windworks. Large windmills stood in front of a big building guarded by one of team Galactic's members. After taking him down (in a pokemon battle, of course), I head inside using the key I got earlier and start searching for the girl's father.

The building had a very modern look from the inside. A long corridor lead me into a large room filled with bizarre machines and monitors. Inside were many team Galactic members and each of them were guarding an area. After sneaking through them thanks to my Budew's stun spore, I am greeted by a lady with red hair.

"I'm one of Team Galactic's three Commanders." She introduces herself. "We've been trying to create a new world that's better than this one...but people have shown little understanding in what we do"

"That might be because your methods are just as horrible as your idea." I retort

"Huh. you don't understand either, do you? It's a little saddening…" she sighs dramatically.

"Of course not. No one with common sense would."

"So, let's have a battle to decide what we should do next." she offers. "If I win, you leave. If you win, we, Team Galactic, will leave!"

"Sounds fine to me!"

After a long fight, I barely take the win thanks for my Monferno's rock type moves being super effective against her Purugly. Needless to say, she was way more experienced than the ordinary members and knew very well what she was doing.

"Oops! I messed that one up!" she says, nonchalantly. "That's all right, though. I quite enjoyed our battle. I guess it's time to say good-bye and leave for the time being!" she chimes and leaves the building along with the other members. One of the lab workers then told me about their plan of gathering as much energy as possible to create a new universe.

"Thank you for saving me! I can finally see my little girl again" he says, gratefully.

"It's my pleasure sir." I reply

After the girl reunites with her dad, I happily exit the building and cross the bridge, now free of any team Galactic Grunts.