Bypassing the locals, Manny spent the night at the Pokémon Centre. When dawn rose in the hoary sky, Manny ignored the sights of the fair city, including the Great Marsh it was famous for. He went for the Gym but heard rapidly approaching footsteps behind him. He braced himself… but there was no impact.
"Toge-prrrreeeeeee!"
Manny turned around at the baby Pokémon's call to see Mint's pearly-white grin.
"Hey, you can't expect me to crash into you all the time! People might think we're lovers!"
"Thank you for ruining my morning with that delightful image, Mint. I was planning to have breakfast, but I don't think I'll be able to get down any food for the rest of the day."
"You're welcome. Every time Dad came home, he always stood JUST behind Mom, so that when she turned around she would crash into him and he would tell her that."
"Every single time?"
"As far back as I can remember! Mom HATES it when he does that!"
"I can tell whose genes you inherited. I'm challenging Crasher Wake today."
"I'm his apprentice! Master is awesome! He knows my Dad!"
Manny stared at Mint but the boy was guileless as ever.
"I'm off to defeat your Master, then."
"Wanna see my Espeon and Gabite first? They evolved like an hour before you arrived."
"No."
"Uh, okay. Maybe some other time!"
"To-ge, To-ge!" Togepi waved with one paw, using the other to hold fast to Mint's hair.
888
Waving hello to the sunglasses stalker, Manny solved the Gym's watery puzzle. While facing the gauntlet of Gym Trainers, Manny's Grotle evolved into Torterra. As usual he stood toe-to-toe with the Gym Leader and as usual the Leader made a speech.
"Welcome! I don't get challenged very often! The glory you are now beholding is the Pastoria Gym Leader! That's right, I'm Crasher Wake! My Pokémon were toughened up by stormy white waters! They'll take everything you can throw at them, then pull you under! Victory will be ours!"
"Good heavens, you are loud for a half-naked man."
"Come on, let's get it done!" the wrestler roared, flexing his tremendous muscles.
Crasher Wake's Gyarados, Quagsire and Floatzel stood not a chance against Luxray and Staravia, the latter evolving into Staraptor after the battle.
"Television sure does exaggerate Trainer battles," Manny said, having won his fifth Gym victory. "They make it look as though convoluted techniques and dodging actually work."
"It seems the undertow pulled ME under…" Wake laughed. "But I had a great time battling with you! You've earned this!"
The boy received the Fen Badge from Crasher Wake along with the TM for Brine.
Manny smiled, shaking the man's huge hand. "Thanks! I had fun too."
"That's the whole idea! We're in this for the fun!" Wake beat his chest, still laughing in the face of defeat.
"Now here is a man," Manny thought with newfound respect, "that I can relate to."
888
The weird sunglasses guy expressed his platitudes, showing Manny that his name had already been added to the list of certified Trainers at the Gym entrance.
"Why are only Hannah, Mint and I listed here? Aren't there thousands of other Trainers in Sinnoh?"
"Yes, but they're not Champs-to-be."
Manny did a double-take.
"YOU are the one carving our names into the plaques?"
"I sure am. I pay the Gym Leader a handsome sum and he or she allows me to carve whatever I want into these statues."
"You're crazy."
"Yes but I'm never wrong. One of you will be League Champion," the weirdo grinned, his sunglasses glinting.
Mint was waiting for Manny outside the Gym. He was feeding Togepi with a baby bottle and didn't appear to mind the formula dribbling down Togepi's chest and onto his scalp.
"We have five badges now, gained with little or no effort," Manny remarked, flicking his shiny new Fen Badge into the air with his thumb.
"That's not true; we've fought every single Trainer and wild Pokémon we encountered on our adventure. By the way Manny I have something to tell you!" he said while burping Togepi over his shoulder.
"It can wait. Have you seen Hanny?"
"Nuh-uh. I've been hanging out with Master Wake!" he said, shaking his head before replacing Togepi there. "Oh, and before I forget, I have to tell you this really important thing…"
Wake derailed Mint's train of thought as he emerged from his Gym.
"Oh, Master!" Mint gushed, stars in his eyes. Togepi greeted the wrestler with little squeals of delight. Wake, however, was stern.
"…Listen, kid. I know your father. I won't deny that. But I don't recall ever taking you on as an apprentice. Not in the least. Besides, you two don't need me; you can become strong on your own without being my apprentice."
"He's right, Mint."
"It doesn't matter! I made you my master! I decided! But forget that! There's trouble brewing! There's a Team Galactic goon in front of the Observatory Gate. He said something about using a bomb!"
"WHAAAAAAT? No-one messes with Pastoria! Not on my watch!" Wake exploded like a tsunami making landfall, dashing off at top speed.
"Hey! Master! Wait!"
The boys chased the Gym Leader halfway across the city to the public entrance of the Great Marsh.
"Hey! What am I, chopped liver? Don't forget I'm here, too!" Mint whined at the man, who was busy ignoring him, looking around the gate's entrance area.
"So where's this Galac…"
DDDOOOMMM!
Everyone in the area covered their heads and kissed concrete. After the place stopped shaking they got back on their feet while the citizens of Pastoria City went mad around them, running here, screaming there and yelling everywhere. Togepi was inconsolable so Mint cradled him in an effort to calm his wailing. A Team Galactic grunt ran out of the gate.
"Fweh! That was rough."
"YOU! What have you done?!" Wake yelled, every vein in his body popping.
"Technically speaking, it wasn't me; it was the package that arrived: the Galactic Bomb. Me, I was told to push the button, so I did. Like, 'poink'! Oh, that's right! Mustn't forget! The test results need reporting! Cheerio, then! You daft codger, your mask's absurd!" he insulted Wake before running pell-mell for the eastern city limits. Wake turned to go after him but gritted his teeth and instead turned towards the gate. Acrid black smoke was pouring out of the entrance to Hell.
"The Great Marsh is invaluable… You two! Do NOT follow me! Don't let anyone else in, either! There'd be big trouble if there's any of that bomb left!" Crasher Wake ordered. He ran inside, determination and worry marking the face beneath the mask.
His face was white with shock, but Mint resolutely stood guard, still trying to shush a bawling Togepi. "Go after that Galactic goon, Manny!" he shouted, tears filling his eyes.
"Right!"
Manny unfolded his bicycle to begin the chase. Then he remembered his promise, and summoned Ponyta instead. There were many conflicts Manny preferred to stay out of, but ignoring a terrorist who had probably killed dozens of people was unthinkable. He would do something about it! His Pokémon would protect him. He was a superhero now.
Whether it was supreme stupidity or astronomical arrogance, the goon was loitering just outside the eastern gate, as though he hadn't just thrown an entire city into chaos. Manny bellowed at him, reaching for a Pokéball, but the goon ordered him not to follow before running off again. On the other side of the gate, Manny heard the goon talking to himself.
"Stop right there!"
"We needed the energy from the valley Windworks to make this. Our boss is a scientific mechanical genius!" he crowed, running off once more. Manny and Ponyta galloped after him onto the beach along Route 213 to the narrow track of sand beside the cliff, where the goon was again talking to himself.
"This Galactic Bomb sure packs a wallop!"
He turned around when Manny ordered him to freeze. Ponyta whinnied with anger.
"GRAW! You were eavesdropping again!"
Before Manny could chase him for the third time, Looker ran up to Manny.
"Hello, my friend! The cargo that the Team Galactic brought is worrisome, so I have come."
"Looker, a Team Galactic member just blew up the Observatory Gate! Didn't you hear the explosion?!"
Looker's already intense eyes became gaping saucers in his face.
"The Team Galactic!"
He looked away from Manny.
"Oh, no, no, no! How did I miss it? Ah, Looker, this time you have made a mistake of the ages! The man, who I have seen running away, he was the bearer of the bomb! Ach! This will not do! Wait! Wait, I say!"
He ran past Manny into the fancy hotel. Returning Ponyta, Manny followed him inside.
"Ah, my friend, it is you! Yes, I am at this hotel now. I am interviewing the people to see if they have seen anyone suspicious."
"There is only ONE way through here, you idiot! Where ELSE could he have gone?"
"I would like your assistance," Looker cut his tirade short. "Go search outside, if you will. The suspect, he may have already slipped away ahead unnoticed."
Screaming with frustration, Manny flung open the hotel doors, tossed Ponyta into the air and raced her with all their might along the smooth stone walkway, knocking over aristocrats in his way. While galloping north to the lake, Manny caught sight of his target. The goon did not run this time, and summoned a Croagunk that Ponyta thrashed.
"Oh, no! I wanted to set this bomb off, myself… I will have to give it to the Commander," the goon groaned before limping away.
"Oh, no you don't! Ponyta, get after…"
"Hi, Manny! How's your Pokédex coming along?"
"WAH! Cynthia!" Manny fell off his mare in surprise. "Did you hear what happened in Pastoria? Hurry! Catch the Team Galactic goon! He went north, holding another bomb!"
"I came to research the folklore about the lake, but it doesn't appear that the lake is open to the public, now."
"Cynthia! There's no time!" Manny shouted while picking himself up. "We have to go after that terrorist! He must have killed dozens of people in the Observatory Gate!"
"According to folklore, there is an island inside the lake, and within the island is a mirage of a Pokémon. No-one must enter the chamber of that Pokémon…"
"Why aren't you listening to me?" the boy cried. "I'm a superhero now, I have to save all the people, but I couldn't save the ones in the Marsh..."
"Oh! I was supposed to talk to you about something else," she said, but Mint came running up to them, carrying an egg in his arms. When he neared they saw that it was Togepi who had receded into his shell, exhausted from crying, now asleep.
"Did you catch that goon from Team Galactic, Manny?" he demanded, but then registered Cynthia's existence. "Whoa! Is she your older sister, Manny?"
"What?" Manny whimpered with dismay.
"Oh, Master Wake sent me to tell you that the explosion in the Great Marsh wasn't anything serious. Nobody was hurt, and the Marsh itself suffered little damage, but next time I see 'em, I'm gonna make that Team Galactic pay!"
Manny sat down on the grass, drew his knees to his chest and covered his head with both arms. Ponyta nosed his shoulder to no avail.
"You're certainly more impatient than you are energetic," Cynthia told Mint. "Here, take this Secret Potion. It'll cure the chronic headache of the Psyduck who are blocking the path north to Celestic Town."
"Gee, thanks!"
"I see that Hannah gave you Togepi. Are you making him happy?"
"Very!"
"He will serve you well when he evolves."
"Oh, he's not gonna be my servant; he'll always be my friend!"
Cynthia stared at the sleeping Togepi, then at Mint's earnest face. She turned away, blinking rapidly.
"I went on a big adventure with a Pokédex when I was younger," she said. Her tone of voice was no longer majestic and authoritative, but wistful. "I hope you and Manny get to meet every kind of Pokémon there is to see!" she said fervently.
"We plan to! Bye-bye!"
After she left, Mint poked Manny's cowering figure with his shoe.
"Hey, wake up! Your sister gave me this; she's awesome."
"She's isn't my... Mint, I'm going to stay like this until the world makes sense again," Manny muttered from his cringing position on the grass. The fury-fueled adrenaline had drained from his system, so his thighs were inoperable from riding Ponyta again.
"Uh, 'kay. I'm gonna help the Psyduck get better!"
"Go on then. Say hi to Hannah if you see her."
888
Mint had already obtained the HM Fly from Veilstone City, so he secured Togepi in his hair before flying to Solaceon Town. He used the Starly he had caught ages ago when he had just started his adventure with Manny. How a five-pound bird managed to carry a boy weighing eighty-five pounds is the mystery of the ages. Nevertheless, despite all the natural laws he circumvented, Mint cycled north after touching down in Solaceon, merrily picking berries, planting some more, and using the Versus Seeker to re-battle Trainers along the route, including those in the Café Cabin.
Replenishing his supply of MooMoo Milk, he downed a full, creamy, calcium-packed bottle before spraying the flock of Psyduck with the Secret Potion. Once he performed this task, the Psyduck waddled off. Cynthia appeared behind Mint, walking from the direction of Solaceon Town.
"I see that you used the Secret Potion."
"I sure did! Hey, wait a minute, why did you give me the potion if you came here yourself?"
"I forgot to give you this Old Charm. I'd like you to give it to my grandma in Celestic Town. She's the town elder, and has a bossy atmosphere about her; you'll recognise her right away."
Mint accepted the item for delivery.
"I'm on the case, Manny's sister!"
A grin quirked the corner of Cynthia's perfectly formed mouth.
"Why do you say I'm Manny's sister?"
"You have to be, 'cause you're always so SERIOUS! Just like Manny! Everything is serious business for him!"
"I'll try to relax, but I find it difficult to do so these days."
"Get a massage from that nice lady in Veilstone. She massaged Togepi for me!"
Cynthia laughed. Mint's heart sang at the music of it.
"I'm afraid she only knows how to massage Pokémon. I will take your advice, though, so I'll visit the Resort Area. I feel like I've been wearing the same set of clothes forever!"
"I know what you mean. Bye, Cynthia!"
While Mint waded through the very tall grass, he encountered the Ninja Trio: an infant band of ninja cosplayers who thought they were hot stuff. Mint showed them who was boss; after all, he had bested Crasher Wake that day.
Forging further north, the route became very foggy. Employing his Starly once more, Mint defogged the area, allowing him to locate and humiliate every Trainer he came across.
"Why did you pick a fight with us?" Zac and Jen, a pair of Ace Trainers, asked. "Here we are, lost in the fog, and some blonde kid with a Togepi on his head beats up our Raichu and Gyarados!"
"I have a sixth Gym to conquer, DUH, now hand over the prize money. Baby supplies ain't cheap!"
Despite his multi-millionaire status, Trainers would not get off scot-free. Besides, more money meant more rides in his future amusement park. He used the Amulet Coin to full effect, lifting over seventeen thousand Pokédollars from the hapless pair. After whizzing along on his bike to the route's end, he encountered a senior citizen with an air of despondency about him. The man was sitting on the stairs leading into town, but stood when Mint approached. There was resignation in his voice.
"I've decided. I'll have one last Pokémon battle with you, then I'm retiring as a Trainer."
When Mint demolished his team without breaking a sweat, the light was rekindled in the elderly man's eyes.
"This… this is what I have been looking for! Purpose! I will continue to train my Pokémon! Next time we battle, young man, we will be much stronger!"
"Awesome! Now give me your money."
"Toge-prrreee!"