Well, here it is, the fourteenth part of the fifth and final installment in my 'Heart' series on the right day as promised. Ash and Dawn's latest journey has now begun as the year is underway they, along with May, head to two Contests for the girls to participate in and get their Kalos ribbons as their final adventure in Kalos. To get to those Contests they have to pass through the Wetlands, surely noting could distract them along the way as they traverse an area of Kalos they've never been to before but where one of Ash's Pokémon, who just so happens to be in his current team, comes from. That is all the administrative stuff I have for this Part and as there are no guest reviews to respond to or questions to answer I will leave this off here but do please keep your reviews coming as I love hearing from y'all. That is it for this pre-Part note which means that it is once again time to sit back which and enjoy the latest installment in Heart of Champions. Part CCIII: Trouble in the Wetlands.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon.

Part CCIII: Trouble in the Wetlands

"So this is the Wetlands?" Ash asked as he served up the lunch he'd made for himself, Dawn, and May using one of the simple recipes that Brock had provided him while looking around the area. "Doesn't seem all that swampy to me."

Ash wasn't wrong as currently the trio had set up their table and chairs on the banks of a calm river with trees on the other side and a dirt road up a bank behind them with a bridge over the river just to the north of their lunch spot. They'd been on the road until Ash's stomach decided that it was time for lunch and had taken advantage of the nice day to set up on the grass by the river.

As they did they let out their Pokémon to play and stretch while May and Dawn prepared the food that Tracey had sent with them for their Pokémon that would tide them over until they got to Laverre. As that was happening Ash used one of Brock's recipes to cook lunch for them though of course it would be nothing close to Brock's quality.

It was three days after they'd decided on this route and they'd made good time on their journey to Laverre City. First, as planned, they'd used the transportation service that Ash was entitled to as Champion to go to Professor Sycamore's lab in Lumiose City where they'd spent the night with the Professor and his assistance discussing their plans for the coming month or so in Kalos.

Naturally that let to Dawn revealing her intention to Mega Evolve Pinsir at some point and so she promised the Professor to send him details on it afterwards but that wouldn't be until Laverre at least as she wouldn't have Pinsir's Mega Stone with her on until Banette was sent back as she was more likely to Mega Evolve Banette in the next Contest than Pinsir. The Professor understood this and chatted with the girls about how they thought Mega Evolution would affect Contests especially with the Majestic Festival at the end of the year.

That led to a spirited discussion of the various tactics one could employ with Mega Evolution in Contests and the eagerness of the girls to see it in action when they got to the Haunted Contest. After that though it was time for bed, with Clemont out of town at the moment they were staying at the lab, and they crashed as they had a long day in Lumiose City to get ready for their final journey in Kalos.

That was mainly because they wouldn't get a chance to properly resupply until Laverre and route 14 was one of the longer ones in Kalos. That was before you added in the Wetlands, the woods after them, and the chance of ending up at the haunted mansion which all made the journey a little trickier so they needed to be prepared for it.

The girls also had to get outfits for the Haunted Contest due to Kalos's rules, something Dawn thoroughly approved of, while Ash shopped for a new outfit himself. Dawn would do that after her Contest outfit while May already had her new outfit, and then they'd meet up for lunch before going to get the provisions they'd need in addition to what Tracey and the Professor had supplied them for the trip to Laverre.

While they had new outfits, all three agreed that because they were still in Kalos they'd stick to their current ones as they'd worn them throughout their time in the region so it felt wrong to change now. However, the moment they moved onto Alola, or in May's case wherever as she was getting more and more certain that the moment she or Dawn won a ribbon they should split up for various reasons and then meet again in Unova for the Wallace Cup, they'd change into their new outfits for the year.

That would come though, first the girls had to secure their Kalos ribbons and add them to the special cases the Contest Committee had sent them for their Majestic Festival qualification so the day after getting everything they needed in Lumiose City they set out north and onto route 14 heading into the Wetlands. That was a few days ago and now the trio were officially in the southern reaches of the Wetlands but as Ash noted they weren't really living up to their name other than the river that was flowing south so was coming from the swamps that gave the Wetlands its name.

"Well remember they do call the whole route the Wetlands for short despite the actual Wetlands only being part of the route." May pointed out as she finished serving the food to the Pokémon and sat down at the table while Dawn pulled out supplies so that the girls could make Poke Bloc after lunch, they had the supplies for poffins but that was better suited to a Pokémon Center due to the equipment needed so they'd wait for one to work on the Sinnoh contribution to Contests there, before she too joined them. "We probably just haven't reached it yet as Lumiose wouldn't be too close to a swamp. Likely it's the first major point and we're closing in."

"Huh, I guess that would make sense." Ash said as Goodra smiled and shared food with Piplup and Pikachu while Lucario and Greninja ate in quiet silence, the four ghost types grouped up to discuss the upcoming Contest that was partially in honor of their type, and the others did their own things as they stretched out over the area that had enough space for even May's Tyrantrum to be out in. "Well I can't wait to see what they're like. I don't think I've been to a proper swamp since that Croagunk festival we went to in Sinnoh."

"Oh yeah that was a good time." Dawn said with a smile. "Brock's did really well and he used it to try and attract the Nurse Joy there as she had a female Croagunk, at least I think that was who had it. Where was it again? The Great Marsh, that's what it's called and it's down by Pastoria City. That was a good time, a fun little side adventure before your battle with the gym leader there if I recall."

"Yup, Crasher Wake, beat him without losing a Pokémon in a really good battle." Ash recalled with a smile. "Pretty sure that that was the last time I did that before I faced Valerie in Laverre I believe so a good accomplishment."

"I visited the Great Marsh myself while I was in Sinnoh for the Contest circuit there, I actually caught my Skorupi there though." May said recalling it well and realizing she should use the two Pokémon she caught in Sinnoh more now that she was back on the circuit. "It was a good time; they even had a Contest in Pastoria that I won. Sinnoh will be nice to see again and as it's the region I won there's no doubt going to be some kinda spectacle, I've already heard that region winners are getting special events when they participate in the regions they won again. It will be a little embarrassing though."

"Yeah I won in Kanto so I'll expect that there and if it's in Pallet Town that will only add to it I feel." Dawn said with a chuckle as they ate. "Amusing how I won Ash's region, you won mine May, and Ash won the Kalos League so none of us won the major competition we entered in our home regions."

"Funny how travels work out like that." May agreed as they heard the sound of a vehicle, one of the more rugged kinds you'd expect to find in this kind of environment, approaching along the road but paid it no heed. "But it only makes it more amusing."

"That it does." Dawn said as the car slowed while passing them as the driver, the warden of the area who watched over the Wetlands called Keanan, looked over to the group enjoying a meal and blinked at the Goodra that he saw smiling with a Pikachu and Piplup as he was sure he recognized it just as his Bellsprout who was in the seat next to him in the truck popped its head out and did recognize the Goodra. "And now we've…"

"Bellsprout!" Bellsprout yelled causing Keanan to hit the breaks and all of them to jump and look over to the sight of a frantic Bellsprout sticking its head out of the back of the small three wheeled pickup truck that was there and waving its leaf arms frantically as it gestured towards Goodra. "Bell, Bellsprout!"

"Bellsprout? What up?" Keanan asked as he looked out as Ash, Dawn, and May looked at the Pokémon in confusion. "Do you recognize that Goodra? I'll admit it does look familiar."

"Bellsprout." Bellsprout said with a nod. "Bell, Bellsprout."

"Well the young man with it, I'm sure I know who he is." Keanan said as he got out of the truck and walked around it as the three people, a raven haired young man who looked like he was just out of his teens, a blue haired girl in black and pink, and a brunette in a tight pink bike top looked up at him still confused by the whole situation as the Bellsprout hopped out as well. "Yeah, there's no doubt about it. Hey, you're our new Champion aren't you? Ash if I recall, that was some battle you had with Diantha from what I saw of it."

"Bellsprout." Bellsprout said as he ran up to Goodra now certain it was indeed the same Pokémon and impressed with how big and strong he'd become in his time away from the Wetlands. "Bell, Bellsprout."

"Goodra." Goodra said with a smile recognizing the Bellsprout and bending down to hold its leaves in its hands as Ash and the girls got even more confused with what was going on. "Goo, Goodra."

"Er, yeah I am." Ash said as the man climbed down the bank to greet them. "Um, what is going on?"

"I could ask you the same thing, I wasn't expecting our new Champion to be out here in the middle of nowhere." Keanan said as Bellsprout and Goodra chatted like old friends, which they were and Goodra finally realized how close they were to his old home. "I saw your battle with Diantha, and your ones before that, we all watched them back where I live in the Wetlands but to see you here is a surprise."

"We're on our way to some Contests north of the Wetlands." Ash said noting that the man was clearly getting on in years with tanned skin and medium gray hair and beard wearing a fisherman's hat and glasses and what were clearly brown work clothes under a green vest so he no doubt worked in the area in some capacity. "My fiancée Dawn and friend May are Top Coordinators so they're going for the Kalos ribbons now before we head to other regions for the others ones they need to get so as to qualify for the Majestic Festival."

"Huh well I guess that explains it, you aren't a famous movie star like Diantha is so we're going to have to get used to the new Champion with his own idiosyncrasies after a decade or so of her." Keanan said as a shout from his Bellsprout got his attention and he turned and finally recognized the Goodra for who it was. "Oh, so it is who I thought it is. Been a long time Goomy, or should I say Goodra now. I saw you in the Kalos final and thought you were a little familiar but I figured that was because of how rare your species is."

"Huh, when you put it like that, I'm just realizing it now." Dawn mused. "Goodra is the only one of its kind I've seen all year in Kalos, until Diantha used one in her battle with Ash."

"Woah yeah and I didn't see one my first year in Kalos either." May noted. "Goomy and then when he evolved into Sliggoo were the first time I saw both forms and we didn't see a second Goodra until Diantha's."

"Yes, Goodra isn't a common species despite being native to Kalos and the evolution requirement of it needing to be raining for it to evolve adds to it." Keanan said. "But seeing this Goodra in person really drives it home. You're looking great, to think you of how far you've come in less than a year and here I was thinking we'd never see each other again."

"Goodra." Goodra said with a smile as he nuzzled into Keanan, he recalled the kind old man from his time as a Goomy in the Wetlands, he'd managed the area so that the wild Pokémon there could live a fun and peaceful life but alas even he couldn't help when that evil fairy and her army of bugs and serpents had attacked their peaceful home. "Goo, Goodra."

"I think I'm missing something." Ash said. "Do you know Goodra? Because it seems like you know each other."

"Yes I do." Keanan said as he rubbed Goodra's face with his gloved hand. "I'm sorry for not introducing myself, my name is Keanan and I'm the warden of the Wetlands so the caretaker of this area of Kalos. This Goodra, back when it was a Goomy, made its home here in the Wetlands just beyond where we're standing."

"Wait really?" Ash asked amazed. "Goodra, you're from the Wetlands? I think May mentioned that you might be given the nature of it but I guess I never really asked for confirmation about that."

"Goodra." Goodra said with a nod. "Goo, Goodra."

"So cool, I always wondered where you came from and this confirms it." Ash said. "Say Goodra, lets see where you used to live, what do you say?"

"Goo." Goodra said in a sad voice that caught them all off guard.

"Bell, Bellsprout, bell." Bellsprout said as he launched into a long lecture on the current situation and implored Goodra to come back and help now that he was big and strong, a Champion's Pokémon no less it seemed, so he may be able to help them this time around plus Wooper would love to see him again as they'd all been worried for Goodra ever since he was blasted away during the invasion. "Bellsprout, bell, bell, Bellsprout."

"Goodra." Goodra said with a smile before turning to Ash and nodded. "Goodra, goo, Goodra."

"Alright let's head out then." Ash said as he looked around at their area. "Just a moment while we clean up."

The others nodded and quickly Ash, Dawn and May cleared up their meal, bagged the dirty dishes to wash latter, and recalled their Pokémon with the exceptions of Pikachu, Goodra, and Piplup. When that was done Keanan got back in his truck and they climbed into the back and he took them to the Wetlands proper and his little place there.

As they passed the bridge that had been just north of them they truly hit the Wetlands and Keanan had to park his truck in a special area before they got out and walked on foot over a wooden walkway raised from the swampy ground by spikes and to a long house covered in overgrown moss and set into what looked like a rock with a wooden patio in front of it though they didn't go in. Instead they stood on planks just before the patio and looked out over the Wetlands and there was no doubt now that they were in the Wetlands now.

That was because laid out in front of them as far as the eye could see was a lush, green, marshland with ponds dotted throughout it, a river winding through the area, and small rocky hills around the edge with a few trees here and there for good measure. A larger pond, or perhaps it was a small lake based on its size, could be seen in the distance and with a small rocky protrusion that was too big for a hill but too small to be truly considered a mountain at the end.

Past it and in the distance were more tree and even a proper mountain off to one side that had to be past the end of the marsh the gave the Wetlands its name. It was truly an impressive sight and one of the many natural wonders Ash had seen in his travels.

As they had made their way to Keanan's place Ash had told his story to Keanan of how he'd found Goodra when he was a Goomy and fell on him from the sky and the subsequent events leading to Goomy joining his team, through his evolutions and the victories he'd had as one of Ash's Pokémon. It was a good tale and Keanan smiled at it as Ash told it.

It was good to hear that Goodra was doing well and had grown up big and strong. Keanan had seen as much when Goodra had fought that Galarian Weezing in the Lumiose Conference final but to hear the full story of how the little Goomy had reached that point was something else. It really drove home just how much had happened to Goomy since it left the Wetlands and Keanan was pleased to see the results of all that experience in the strong Goodra that Ash had raised.

"I see so that's how it all happened." Keanan said as they all looked out over the Wetlands as Ash finished his tale. "You're with Ash now, well you've picked a great trainer who's brought out the best of you. The winner of the last Lumiose Conference who proceeded to sweep the Kalos Elite Four and then defeat Diantha and become Champion of Kalos, talk about good luck and right when you needed it the most."

"Goodra." Goodra said with a smile.

"I'm glad you met such a good trainer who has great friends with him." Keanan said with a smile. "So how does the old place look? It's been a while since that day."

"Goodra." Goodra said as he surveyed the area and smiled as the damage caused by the minions of that evil fairy seemed to be restored but that was it, there was something missing and as Goodra looked his expression fell and his tone got sadder. "Goodra."

"I'll admit, seeing this place now there is one thing I'm still confused with." Dawn said as they all looked out over it. "How did Goomy fall from the sky that day he met Ash? And how did he get there in the first place, we weren't near the Wetlands at the time but far to the west of here on our way to Coumarine City."

"Yeah though the distance would explain why he was so sick, traveling that far in the air when you can't dry out will do that to a Pokémon." May said. "But still I don't get it, this place looks ideal for a Goomy. The ponds are just what a Goomy needs to stay hydrated and the climate seems well balanced for one."

"Huh, it really does." Ash said as he looked to Goodra. "You know, I never did ask you and I'm sorry I didn't, but why did you leave the Wetlands, Goodra?"

"Goodra." Goodra said sadly. "Goo, Goodra."

"I recall that day well and it has to do with the nature of the Wetlands." Keanan said his expression grim as he explained the situation. "You see, there's a spring here in the Wetlands that contains water that can heal Pokémon's minds and body. Several months ago, and for quite a while before then, Goomy lived here happily with all of its friends in peace and harmony with each other and nature as it should be but then, out of nowhere, the peaceful nature of the Wetlands was rent apart by a terrible feud that broke out over that spring when for as long as I've been here there had never been an issue with it before."

"A terrible feud?" Ash asked the concept sounding familiar to events he'd dealt with in his past but he had had so many adventures that he couldn't remember the specifics of some of them. "What do you mean? Surely a spring like that should foster harmony between Pokémon, not division."

"If it was the Pokémon here then that would have been the case as they know how to live in harmony and share the spring but it's not." Keanan said with a sigh. "It was Pokémon from outside of the Wetlands who came for the spring and attacked so as to take control of it for reasons that we still do not know as they now guard the spring and let no one near it."

"Goodra." Goodra said his tone sad at the news as he'd only been present for the invasion.

"What kind of Pokémon?" May asked.

"It was an army of bug types for the most part that invaded the area." Keanan said. "A mix of Beedrills, Pinsirs, Yanmegas, and Ariadoses, along with some Sevipers as well so it wasn't all bug types though Seviper is a poison type like Beedrill and Ariados."

"At least two of those species we have a history with." Ash said. "Me and Beedrills don't get along at all."

"Pikachu." Pikachu said with a nod.

"And I've had a few run ins with Ariadoses in my time." Dawn said. "Always come out on top but still, they don't like me too much."

"Pip, Piplup." Piplup said in agreement as he nodded in Dawn's arms.

"But my Pinsir is a good Pokémon and Goodra gets along with her well." Dawn said. "So we never really thought that there was an issue. There was with fairy types at first but that slowly worked itself out in the end."

"Goodra." Goodra said with a small smile, he'd been wary of Pinsir when they met but learned that she was atypical to her species as she was timid and preferred to look pretty and do appeals in those Contest things that the girls who wanted to mate with Ash did or talked about rather than battle so between that and her best friend Vileplume, Goodra learned her story while telling her his so that she understood his hesitation and it had helped them bond. "Goodra, goo, Goodra."

"That's good but if you have her on you I'd advise not sending her out." Keanan said with a word of warning. "Here bug types are feared but not as much as one other type and if you have any of that type then don't send them out at all."

"Which one?" May asked. "Which type is feared here?"

"The one of the Pokémon commanding the invasion force." Keanan said. "A Florges."

"Florges?" Ash asked a little confused. "It sounds vaguely familiar but I can't picture it."

"The final stage of Flabébé which is a Pokémon that Bonnie has." May said. "It evolves from a Floette, a Pokémon that Shauna has. Trevor has a Florges who I think Trevor used his in the Wallace Cup though you may have missed it. It's one of those pure normal types that became a fairy type after the change. Also it comes in different styles depending on the flower that it selected as a Flabébé."

"Goodra." Goodra said seriously confirming it.

"Wait so that's why you had an issue with fairy types?" Ash asked. "Back when we first met that is. I recall you didn't like Serena's Sylveon."

"Goodra." Goodra said with a nod though thanks to Ash teaching him Sludge Bomb and beating that fairy type in Laverre after evolving for the second time, Goodra had gotten over his fear now that he could fight them on his own terms, and he'd gotten to know a few good fairy types like the Sylveon and Slurpuff who traveled with them the year prior, well Slurpuff still did, so he knew all weren't bad. "Goo, Goodra."

"Florges was the leader of the group, she arrived in on a Yanmega and ordered the attack." Keanan said. "The Pokémon here are mainly Quagsires, Woopers, Lotads, and other water types or Pokémon who like water like Goomy as well as several Gulpins. During the battle Florges somehow crossed paths with Goodra, as a Goomy of course, and his friend he was always with, a Wooper, and used Moonblast on them. In the ensuing explosion Goomy was sent flying and landed on a Swanna's back that was fleeing the Wetlands as well. That's how Goodra left the Wetlands and what happened here. There's been trouble ever since."

"That's terrible." Dawn said her eyes wide.

"Goodra, I never knew." Ash said patting his friend on the arm. "You went through so much no wonder you were sick and scared when we met."

"Pikachu." Pikachu added sympathetically.

"Piplup." Piplup said sensing Goodra's despondence and trying to cheer him up despite really wanting to play in the water that was around him. "Pip, Piplup."

"Goodra." Goodra said with a smile as he thanked his trainer and friends. "Goo, Goodra."

"So that's what happened to Goodra." Dawn said understanding the situation now. "But what of the others? Are they still here or did they flee like the Swannas did?"

"No, thankfully and happily they're all still living here, even the Swannas returned as they were just flew off to avoid the conflict as Florges's army was too strong." Keanan said which pleased them until his tone shifted and he got sad again. "Alas while they are all here they've been forced to live in a corner of the Wetlands and remain there as the Florges now controls the Wetlands with her bug and Seviper army but so long as they don't try to go for the spring they're left alone. Well, that is what has been going on here so you know the situation. If you don't mind me, I've got to get back to my duties."

"Goodra." Goodra said sadly as Keanan walked away to draw some water.

They fell into a bit of a lull at that as they didn't know what to do so they just stood around and processed it as Keanan got to work pumping some water nearby for whatever tasks he had to do that day with Bellsprout helping him out. As he worked Goodra stepped off the planks and onto the grass of his homelands and stood there a sad look on his face as he looked out towards the spring and thought back on the happy times he'd had here. As he did the trio, Pikachu, and Piplup made their way onto the patio to relax there as they looked out over the Wetlands.

"It's quiet." May noted breaking the silence as she looked out over the area. "Almost too quiet for an area like this. I'd expect to see water types in the water, flying types in the sky, poison, grass, and bug types in the reeds and grasses, and other Pokémon that enjoyed this kind of environment all around."

"When you say it like that it's really noticeable." Dawn said. "Though it's also peaceful at the same time which almost masks the lack of Pokémon. Hard to think that there was conflict here, that trouble exists at all in such a place is unimaginable."

Ash didn't say anything to that, he was thinking on the situation. Something was up for sure and he was going to do everything he could to find out what it was and resolve it peacefully. Pokémon should be friends; they shouldn't fight so he couldn't fathom why I Pokémon would lead an invasion force into the Wetlands. Regardless of why, Ash was going to do all that he could to stop that from continuing to happen. He just didn't know how to go about it and before he could think of anything Goodra suddenly let out a loud, long, wail.

"Goodra!"

The wail got everyone's attention because it contained all of Goodra's pain and sadness at what was going on in his home as his voice carried over the Wetlands reaching a good portion of it. As it did Keanan looked to Goodra with sadness in his eyes and in the process noticed something that wasn't good, the water level in the stream he was working was now noticeable lower based on the water marks on the pump.

He'd not noticed it before but now that he did he started to get worried. Something more might be afoot in the Wetlands that had gone unnoticed for months so he began to get what he needed to run some tests on the water and got ready to head into his hut to do so.

However, elsewhere in the Wetlands, in the small corner where the Woopers, Quagsires, Lotads, and Gulpins that usually made their homes in this part of the Wetlands but had been forced to exist in a small corner out of fear of Florges and her army heard the wail as well. It echoed around them as they looked around at the sound.

In that area one of the Woopers hopped out and onto a rock ecstatic at the sound of the wail despite the despondence in it because he recognized the voice of the Pokémon behind it. It was his lost, best, friend Goomy's voice only now it was stronger and by the sounds of it he'd evolved twice.

With a happy dance and exclamations to his fellow exiles, Wooper turned and rushed out of their hiding to where he'd heard Goodra's voice coming from. His friend was back and it sounded like he'd grown up since he was accidentally exiled from the Wetlands by Florges during her invasion so perhaps now they had a chance to end her tyranny and restore the peaceful harmony of the Wetlands.

However, as Wooper rushed off, a few of the other Pokémon behind him to see where he was going, they weren't the only ones to hear it Goodra's wail. Several bug grunts who followed Florges did as well and hurried to tell her what was going on.

"Goodra." Goodra said sadly after his wail as he bowed his head and closed his eyes sadness overcoming him.

As he did Wooper reached the area and hid in some tall marsh grass for a moment as he looked at the Goodra that had called out. It was a shock to see the tall, strong, dragon type here but it had to be Goomy, he just knew it. Still, Wooper was surprised to see his friend so grown up but he put that aide and walked out of the grass.

"Wooper?" Wooper asked as he approached Goodra. "Wooper?"

"Huh, a Wooper." Ash noted as the trio saw were broken from their reaction to Goodra's wail as the water and ground type came out of the bushes and began to exchange words with Goodra. "I wonder what it's doing here."

Wooper was trying to make sure that this Goodra was indeed his friend Goomy and asked about that to which Goodra confirmed and Wooper finally saw that he was indeed right and got really happy at the confirmation. This was made more so by Goodra bending down and using his right head tail thing to pick up and bring Wooper up to eye level as he was now a lot taller than his old friend as he smiled back at Wooper glad to be reunited once more.

"Well it looks like that Wooper is good friends with Goodra." Ash said smiling at the interaction. "I wonder if it's the one he was close with."

"Probably." Dawn said smiling as well. "It was the first to come here so it has to know Goodra well but look, there are more."

"All his old friends." May said happily as several more Woopers along with a few Quagsires, Lotads, and Gulpins came out of the bushes to great Goodra amazed that this was indeed the Goomy they all knew and who they thought they'd never see again. "I bet that they never expected that Goomy would return as a Goodra."

"No doubt." Dawn said as Goodra put Wooper down and greeted all his old friends. "But this is so nice to see, a touching reunion."

Ash just smiled at the sight as Goodra flexed one of his head tails to show off his new strength and picked up a Lotad with the other for good measure. It was a great sight to see as all the Pokémon looked happy to see Goodra again and it gave Ash an idea.

"Hey Goodra, you know what, I bet this is a great time to show all your friends how much stronger you've become since you were last here." Ash said. "You did help win the Lumiose Conference after all."

"Pika, pika." Pikachu added.

"Goodra." Goodra agreed, he'd been forcibly exiled by that evil fairy but fate had seen to it that he'd land on none other than Ash Ketchum who would train him up to be big and strong, strong enough to be part of the first team to win a Conference for Ash and set up Ash's run that led to him becoming the new Champion of Kalos. "Goo, Goodra. Goodra? Goo, Goodra?"

The final part was asked to all his old friends who had been amazed by his physical strength asking them if they wanted to see just how much stronger he was now. Then he could tell them the tales of his great battles with Ash, how he evolved into a Goodra to beat a fairy type, and all his adventures that made him what he was today. Naturally his friends all agreed and so Goodra rushed forward to an open area and unleashed a powerful Dragon Pulse into the air were it explode as his friends cheered at his display of strength.

Naturally a move like this wouldn't work on Florges but it was more to show how much stronger he'd become than anything else. Goodra had the move he needed for that Pokémon should he face her again only this time he wouldn't be a weak little Goomy, he was a strong Goodra now, a Champion's Pokémon and he'd be ready for anything.

"Swanna!"

The call came from a Swanna that flew over to the area. It wasn't the same one that Goodra had landed on as a Goomy but it was part of the flock that called the Wetlands home and while they too had been cowed by the airborne bug types they had more freedom than the other Pokémon here because they could fly. They also served as scouts to help warn the land bound ones from the bug types that roamed around the spring guarding it for Florges when something was up.

Now, though, the Swanna flock had noticed the movement and mobilization of Florges's army and come to warn the others because not only were the bugs on the move but Florges herself was coming which was unusual for her as she usually stayed within the spring. They too had heard Goodra's cry and figured that that was why and when they saw the strong Dragon Pulse they sent one of their number to go get Goodra and let it know what was going on which that Swanna was doing right now.

"Goodra? What's happening?" Ask asked as Goodra suddenly ran off following the Swanna as the sounds of explosions began to be heard in the distance. "What was that?"

"An attack." Keanan said running up to the trio his tests briefly ignored by it as he had a rough idea where the attack was coming from. "That's where they lived, I think Florges is on the move for some reason. No doubt she heard Goodra's cry, or one of her followers did, and wants answers."

"Right then let's sort this out now and get to the bottom of it." Ash said as he vaulted over the railing and onto the grass with a slight squelch before he began to run to catch up to Goodra though it wasn't as fast as he could run thanks to the terrain while Pikachu ran next to him having leapt after Ash so as to aid Goodra as well. "Goodra, we have to help them out, this is your home too."

"Goodra." Goodra called back to Ash though he was going to charge on ahead as he wanted to get there as fast as possible to protect his old friends. "Goo, Goodra."

"Well looks like it's time for an adventure." Dawn said. "Ash didn't really wait did he. We've only just started a new journey and already he's found something to get involved in."

"No he didn't." May said. "But we should have expected it from him."

"Hold on girls." Keanan said a little force in his voice that held them in place for a moment. "I couldn't stop Ash so I'll have to tell you this and have you relay it to Ash."

"No on can." Dawn pointed out and May nodded. "But we can tell him what you need him to know. What is it?"

"You need to tell him that you lot shouldn't get involved with this conflict." Keanan said. "This is an issue between wild Pokémon so they should solve be the ones to solve their own problems. I get that Ash is Goodra's trainer now and he's not going to be stopped but I hope he sees that only Goodra should be involved in this as Goodra alone was involved in the original dispute so has a right to help now."

"Um yeah that might be hard." Dawn said. "Ash isn't one to back down but if we go and relay this to him it might work, especially if he can at least cheer for Goodra and the others."

"That would be great." Keanan said with a smile. "Goodra will need the support of his trainer for this so of course Ash can cheer for it."

"Alright then let's head out." May said and Dawn nodded as they to headed out into the Wetlands though they took the planks to get there as it was easier.

Thankfully they soon caught up to Ash and Pikachu as they were slowed by the soggy ground while Keanan and Bellsprout remained at his place watching the situation from there. That only lasted a moment before Bellsprout reminded Keanan that he was doing something and Keanan turned to get back to the tests that he had to run.

"Ash, don't get involved!" Dawn called out as they reached him. "This should remain between wild Pokémon and Goodra. Let him deal with this, this is probably why he wanted to get stronger in the first place so you should let him be the one to resolve the issue."

"Yeah, you know better than to interfere with a wild Pokémon feud." May said. "Now get on the planks so that we can quickly reach Goodra and support him."

Ash paused for a moment torn about what to do but after a thought he sighed and headed to the planks with Pikachu running ahead of him to get there. The girls were right, this was Goodra's fight not his, he had to leave this to Goodra to handle on his own.

"Alright but we're going to cheer hard." Ash said Dawn and May helped him onto the blanks and they set off. "And if I see something noticeable I will get involved. There is something more at play here, I'm sure of it, and I'm going to get to the bottom of it no matter what."

May and Dawn nodded at that as they fell into pace behind Ash as they hurried after Goodra. Whatever was going on, the troubles in the Wetlands were about to a come to a head.

Meanwhile, ahead of where they were, Goodra and his friends followed the sounds of the explosions to their current home, the little corner they existed in, to find Yanmegas and Beedrills dropping attacks on it as the Pokémon who'd remained cowered in fear from the aggressive bug types. On top of one of the Yanmega stood Florges herself, her blue flower collar clear as she called down to the Pokémon asking where the Pokémon that had let out the cry her followers heard was but not getting the response she wanted so she gave the attack command.

"Florges." Florges ordered and instantly several Yanmega and Ariados attacked. "Flor, Florges."

As the attacks converged on the cowering Pokémon, however, Goodra rushed forward and leapt in their way taking all the hits himself. He could handle it though and the explosion covered him in smoke as he prepared his counter so that the moment it was clear he opened his mouth his attack already ready to go.

"Goodra!" Goodra said as he blasted out another Dragon Pulse and raked it across the line of bug types sending them flying or scurrying back as the ground exploded and Florges was momentarily blinded but when it cleared she saw Goodra there revealing that it was the Pokémon who'd cried out a few moments ago.

"Florges?" Florges asked as she was now face to face with Goodra, well above it but still they were facing each other, and realized that this was the Goomy she'd met briefly during her invasion to claim the spring for her offspring as Wooper rushed to the Pokémon who stayed to explain the situation while the others who'd been with Goodra came to back him up, Goomy had returned as a Goodra and would protect them. "Florges."

"Goodra." Goodra said seriously confirming that he indeed was that Goomy, his face serious as he no longer feared this evil fairy and he issued his challenge to Florges as Ash and the girls reached the area in time to watch the battle unfold from atop a small cliff that overlooked it. "Goodra."

He was here to protect his homeland, to stand up to Florges and to end this invasion once and for all. It was time to show how much stronger he was thanks to Ash and to be there for his friends. It was time he became the Guardian of the Wetlands.

Naturally Florges couldn't handle this, she had her own reasons for being here and why she needed the spring, she wasn't going to let this stuck up dragon type that had once cowered before her stop her from saving her child. She wasn't evil, she just wanted to help her child who was sick and had been manipulated by two humans and a cat Pokémon called Meowth into this not that she'd realized. As such, she saw Goodra as the enemy and with an order to her army Florges began the battle of the Wetlands.

"Florges."

Ah a nice cliffhanger to end this two part adventure one with the next Part concluding Ash's time in the Wetlands and the last time Kalos where Parts are heavily drawn from, but as will be shown next week, different from the anime. There really isn't much more to say about this Part, it is a setup one, so the only thing to add before I end this note is that I am still taking suggestions for Ash and Dawn's next outfits and they will be revealed when the Kalos arc ends and they arrive in the next location on their journey for the year. That is all that I have for this Part so I'll leave it off here. As always if you like my work then please favorite (both this story and me in general to be notified of any new content I post), if possible leave a review as I really like hearing what you think of my work and your suggestions that help complete this story (and respond as best I can) and just in general keep enjoying my work. Until next time.

Stringdog