"Check it out! It's a small competition for trainers and pokemon."

"And it's being run by Marvin of the Elite Four! We've got to go!" Davis and the others were passing through a small town when they overheard trainers talking about some competition and one of the Elite Four. They all took a look at the poster and saw what they were all talking about.

"They're right." Tetsu said. "There's a competition going on in a place called the Wild Forest. That's actually Marvin on the poster." They took a look and saw Marvin himself. Marvin looked like an elderly man with a bald head with him wearing a blue and beige toga and carried a staff with him.

"Ven told us about him." Cletus said. "Marvin is the one who specializes in grass-types and he is capable of using Mega Evolution. He's also called the Forest Sage."

"A competition run by one of the Elite Four? Sounds like something I want to be a part of." Davis said. "In fact, this gives me the chance to do some bonding with Galvantula. I haven't really bonded with Galvantula like I did with the others."

"Sounds like a great idea." Cletus said.

"This is going to be a lot of fun." Davis said as he couldn't wait to take part in this.

It's a big big world, but you know where to find me

We'll be together and we're gonna do it our way

We'll discover we believe in each other

On adventures with my friends like every day

And we're already on our way

The journey starts today

OHHHHHHH Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh

OHHHHHHH Oh Oh Oh OH OH Oh

The journey starts today

OHHHHHHH Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh

OHHHHHHH Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh

The journey starts today

(Davis' voice) The Sage's Evolution

Our heroes were continuing their journey. However, they stopped when they heard about a small competition going on in a place called the Wild Forest that is being hosted by one of the Elite Four. It was too great of an opportunity for Davis to miss.

They arrived at the Wild Forest, but it was so thick and lush. It was more like a jungle than an actual forest. Once they got there, they saw other trainers with their pokemon.

"Wow. A lot of people showed up for this." Tetsu said.

"When they heard one of the Elite Four was going to be here, they couldn't resist." Cletus said.

"All this means for me is that I have a lot more people to beat. Galvantula, let's go!" Davis called as he released his pokemon.

"Galvantula!"

"Galvantula, let's do our best in this." Davis said, but Galvantula didn't really seem all that interested. It really just turned away from Davis. "Hey! That's not nice!"

"I guess Galvantula has a bit of an attitude." Tetsu said. "Anyway, how about we give this a try, Cletus."

"Sure. Sounds like fun. Sandile, come on out!" Cletus called.

"Croconaw, let's go!" Tetsu called as they both chose the pokemon they're doing this with.

"Sorry, Imperialdramon. Looks like you'll have to hang back alone for a while." Davis said.

"No worries." Imperialdramon said as he was fine with things.

"Saur!" That was right when everyone heard the call of a pokemon. All of them looked and saw a Venusaur walk out from the trees and they all saw Marvin riding on Venusaur.

"Welcome one and all." Marvin said. "I'm so glad you all came to join in this. I am holding his competition to help deepen the bond between trainers and pokemon. A vital thing that is important in life. The bonds we share with one and all is vital in our lives and is important not to forget that. First, let me share with you the story of where this competition is being held. This place is called the Wild Forest for the vast flora that have grown through this place. It started out as a mere forest, but from people tuning themselves with nature, sharing love and nourishment is what helped the plants grow into what it is today. I truly do love it when people respect nature."

"I'm guessing this guy has a green thumb or something." Davis said, but Tetsu just shushed him.

"Let me explain how this is going to work." Marvin said. "There are two parts to this competition. The first part of this competition is a race. You must simply follow the trail and be among the ten teams that make it to Maze Manor."

"Maze Manor?" Davis questioned.

"I've heard that there is a mansion somewhere within this forest." Cletus said. "It was abandoned many years ago. Stories say that it's concealed by the forest to keep people away."

"Come on. That's just a story." Tetsu said as he didn't believe it.

"All of you should get ready. We're about to start." Marvin claimed. "One more thing I should mention. The team that finishes this entire competition will have a chance to battle against me." A chance to battle one of the Elite Four? That certainly got trainers excited for this. All the trainers and their pokemon lined up and got themselves ready for this.

"Come on, Galvantula. We can't miss the chance to battle one of the Elite Four." Davis said. A battle against some big shot certainly did seem to get Galvantula's attention.

"Ready... Go!" Marvin shouted and everyone took off. It didn't really matter how they get to the mansion. They just have to be among one of the ten teams to make it.

"Go get them, Davis!" Imperialdramon cheered as he was really the only one who stayed behind.

"Oh? You're not racing?" Marvin said as he took notice of Imperialdramon.

"Uh... No. My trainer's name is Davis and he wanted to use this to bond with his newly caught Galvantula." Imperialdramon claimed.

"I've never seen a pokemon like you before." Marvin said as he seemed really interested. "While you're waiting for your trainer, come and join me." He invited Imperialdramon to join him in spectating this race. Meanwhile, all the trainers and their pokemon tried getting to that mansion. All they have to do is follow the trail to do so.

"Let's win this thing, Galvantula! We got a chance to battle one of the Elite Four!" Davis said, but Galvantula appeared to be running ahead of Davis. "Hey! We have to finish together!" It seemed like Galvantula wasn't interested in working together. However, that was when a Vileplume and some Gloom appeared and cut off all the trainers. "What's this?"

"Vileplume!"

"Gloom!" The Vileplume and all the Gloom attacked the trainers and were trying to keep them all from finishing.

"I guess Marvin failed to mention there would be obstacles." Davis complained. Some of the trainers tried to force their way through, but the Vileplume and Gloom weren't going to let them pass so easily. They were a resilient bunch, but Cletus already had a way.

"Sandile, use Dig so we can get around them." Cletus said.

"Sandile!" Sandile started digging away with Cletus following after. A few trainers had other ways of getting around them and kept going.

"Galvantula, we need to try and..." Davis tried working with Galvantula, but Galvantula already acted as it used Sticky Web and trapped some of them and kept going. "Hey! Stop going without me!" He called as he still tried to keep up with Galvantula.

"No way am I going to be left behind. Let's go, Croconaw!" Tetsu said.

"Croconaw!" The two of them tried to force their way through, but Vileplume ended up blasting both of them with Stun Spore and stopped them in their tracks.

...

Maze Manor

Some of the trainers managed to get around the Vileplume and Gloom and were able to make it to the castle, where Marvin and Imperialdramon were waiting for everyone. Cletus and other trainers made it. All of them stood outside the giant mansion in the middle of this forest. As for Davis, he made it as well, but Galvantula didn't make it easy for them.

"Galvantula! You can't go off on your own!" Davis complained.

"It would seem Galvantula shares the same ambition as you, but doesn't really listen." Cletus said.

"Welcome everyone to Maze Manor." Marvin said. "It's called that for a reason. The inside is a complex labyrinth with traps inside. The rest of you need to work with your pokemon and tried to find a way out. The first team out will battle me. When you're all ready, you may begin."

"Galvantula, let's try and work together this time." Davis said, but Galvantula already went on inside before everyone else could go running inside. "Hey! What did I just say?!" He called as he chased after his pokemon with everyone baffled at what they just saw before all the other trainers went running inside.

"So, was that your trainer?" Marvin asked Imperialdramon.

"That's him." Imperialdramon said with Marvin already taking some interest in them.

...

Inside

Inside, the place was really like a maze. It was difficult to tell what leaded where. Cletus and Sandile could see that as they searched around for anything that might lead them to the exit, but there was no sign of anything like that.

"Sandile, do you see anything? I can't even tell where we are." Cletus said, but Sandile can't find anything. "Marvin said there were traps. What did he mean by that?" Cletus didn't know what he meant by traps until he came across one. The floor opened up right underneath them and they both fell through and ended up in a different part of mansion before they crashed into the ground. "Now I get it. Who designed this crazy place?"

"Sandile..."

...

Davis

Everyone stumbled upon some sort of trap. They either ended up falling through a trapdoor, ended up in a different part of the mansion, or ended up trapped somewhere in another room. Finding a way out isn't going to be easy. It's even harder for Davis since Galvantula is just going around and is doing its own thing.

"Galvantula, stop!" Davis called as he tried to keep up with it. "You can't just keep going off on your own!" He reached out and placed his hand on Galvantula, but Galvantula zapped his hand. "Did you just zap me?"

"Galvantula..."

"Galvantula, you can't just..." Davis was about to lecture his own pokemon until the floor opened up right underneath Galvantula and Galvantula was about to fall through, but Davis moved as fast as he could and was able to grab Galvantula by one of its legs, using every ounce of strength he could to keep Galvantula from falling. "I've got you! You can cling to walls, right? Start climbing!" He called as he struggled to hold Galvantula up. Galvantula was able to get its footing on the wall and was able to climb out. "That was close. I thought my arms were going to be pulled out."

"Gal..." Galvantula was a little surprised that Davis would help it like that.

"See why you can't go off on your own." Davis said, but it did allow him to get a little insight to Galvantual. "Look, I get you're not use to having a trainer. In fact, we didn't really bond when I caught you. It's going to take some time to get use to each other, but that's why I want us to do this. I was hoping we could be closer."

"Galvantula..." Galvantula was touched by what Davis just claimed.

"Now, let's see if we can find a way out." Davis said as the two of them started moving together. The two of them moved through the whole mansion until they found themselves at the roof of the mansion. "We're on the roof? Great. Where do we go from here?"

"Galvantula!" Galvantula spotted something. When Davis came and took a look, he saw the finish line.

"There's the finish line, but how do we get there?" Davis questioned. That was when Galvantula moved and got Davis on its back. When Galvantula did that, Galvantula shot some webbing on a tree. "Oh boy." He said as he could see where this was going. Galvantula jumped off the building with Davis holding on as tight as he could. Galvantula swung through the trees and landed down right on the finish line. "A warning would have been nice."

"It would seem that we have our winners." Marvin said as he stepped forward to speak with them.

"Davis! You and Galvantula finished first!" Imperialdramon said.

"That means you get the chance to battle me." Marvin said as both Davis and Galvantula liked the sound of that.

...

The Battle

Since Davis was named the winner, he gets a chance to battle one of the Elite Four again. It was going to be Galvantula vs. Venusaur. As for Davis' friends, they stuck around to see the battle.

"It's going to be Galvantula vs. Venusaur. Isn't Davis at a disadvantage since electric attacks won't be so strong against Venusaur?" Tetsu questioned.

"Perhaps, but we'll see how things go soon enough." Cletus said.

"Okay, Davis. Your partner told me a lot about you while we were waiting." Marvin said. "I'm rather interested to see what you can do. You took on Ven before, but don't make the mistake that he and I are on similar strength. You're about to face a different kind of powers." He flipped open the top of his staff and showed the keystone in it. "Now, Venusaur! Bloom well and Mega Evolve!" He pressed against the stone and that caused energy to travel towards Venusaur. When that happened, Venusaur began to glow and completely changed forms.

"Venusaur!"

"There it is... Mega Venusaur..." Davis said.

"That's mega evolution?!" Tetsu said as he was amazed.

"Yes. It happens from the bond between trainer and pokemon, and I heard the pokemon can revert back to normal." Cletus said.

"Careful, Galvantula. Mega Evolution is quite the power, but you can handle it." Davis encouraged. "Let's start this battle by using Electro Ball!" Galvantula formed a ball of electricity and threw it straight at Venusaur. Venusaur endured the attack.

"You'll have to try better than that. Venusaur, Vine Whip!" Marvin ordered. Venusaur attacked this time as multiple vines stretched out and lashed against Galvantula. After that, they wrapped around Galvantula and lifted Galvantula up in the air. Once that was done, Galvantula was smashed against the ground.

"Hang in there, Galvantula!" Davis encouraged.

"Please use Take Down!" Marvin politely ordered.

"Galvantula, Poison Jab!" Davis said. Both pokemon went at each other with Venusaur charging while Galvantula had poison flow through its mandibles. The two of them clashed into each other and tried to push the other back. They ended up cancelling each other out.

"Galvantula is certainly a resilient pokemon, but I'm afraid it won't help with this move. Use Bulldoze!" Marvin ordered.

"Davis, watch out! That's a ground-type move!" Cletus warned. Venusaur raised itself up and was about to smash the ground.

"No you don't! Sticky Web!" Davis called. Galvantula launched a series of webs that tied around Venusaur and kept it from using the attack. "Let's shock their system! Electro Web!" Galvantula launched another series of web at Venusaur, this time with an electric charge to them. They tied around Venusaur with Venusaur getting shocked.

"That was some quick thinking, but I'm afraid it just isn't enough." Marvin said as that didn't sound good. "Petal Blizzard!" Venusaur unleashed a massive flurry of pink petals and they slashed right through webbing. The attack was so intense that no one could really see anything. "I'm afraid it's over. Bulldoze!" Venusaur was able to use the attack this time as Venusaur smashed against the ground. A powerful wave shot through the ground and smashed right against Galvantula with a lot of damage being dealt. Galvantula was knocked out of the battle.

"Davis lost..." Cletus said.

"Marvin is just so strong." Tetsu said.

"Galvantula!" Davis called as he rushed to Galvantula's aid. "You okay?"

"I have something that could help." Marvin said as he walked over with a bottle as Venusaur returned to normal. "This is a special elixir of berries and herbs that I made myself. It might be bitter, but it will help Galvantula." He claimed as he pured some of it in Galvantula's mouth. Galvantula hated the taste, but was already starting to feel better. "Davis, Imperialdramon tells me that you used this as a chance to bond with your newly caught Galvantula."

"That's right." Davis said.

"Would you say it was a success?" Marvin questioned.

"Uh... I say it was a rough start, but we're getting there." Davis said as he petted Galvantula's head.

"Good. Then, this was a success. The point of this was to bring your closer to your pokemon." Marvin said. "Those bonds are special and important. As long as you have them, you and your pokemon will continue to grow strong together."

"I already something like that. I'm just glad I got to spend some time with Galvantula." Davis claimed. "Galvantula, let's make a great team."

"Galvantula!" Galvantula certainly seems to like the idea.

It would seem that Davis met with some success. He and Galvantula are closer now than they were before. He'll continue to grow closer with all his pokemon as long as they battle and travel together. With a fun day coming to an end, the journey will continue on.

To Be Continued...

AN: Okay, I'm going to take a break there, but I will be back to this story eventually.