Saffron City

No problems getting through the gate house this time and no rocket goons loitering around. I guess I should check in at the pokemon center.

Hello again, I see you’ve changed your outfit.

- Hi, could I get my pokemon healed please?

Of course! Oh! I’m supposed to remind you, there’s someone waiting for you in the union room.

- What? Union room? Remind me? I’ve not been here in over 3 years!

I’m sorry but that’s all I know. Your pokemon are fully healed. We hope to see you again!

I make my way into the union room and see a familiar face, well not so much a face as an outfit.

Hello, I’m going to cut to the chase. I’m here to make a couple of trades.

- What? Trade? I don’t even know you!

We can trust him.

- Why?

You trust me, right?

- Fine, what sort of trade?

As you know, some pokemon evolve when they undergo the trading process. I know you have two pokemon with you that’d like to get stronger.

- How do you know so much about me?

You’ll find out eventually, it’s important you reach Mount Silver, and to do that you’ll need strong pokemon.

I let Abby and Tremors out of their pokeballs.

- Well, how about it? Ready to evolve?

Shadabra!

After a quick switcharoo in the trade machine Abby pops out evolved.

Abby ♀ Lv. 42

Alashazam!

She kept her speech impediment…

- Your turn, Tremors.

Iwaaaarrrrk…

Reluctant? That scar on your midsection… Once you’ve evolved you’ll be as hard as steel, you’ll never sustain wounds like that again.

I turn to Tremors, his scar still showing from under the metal coat.

- It’s your choice, I’ll support you either way.

Tremors nods and returns to his pokeball, another quick swap in the trade machine and he evolves.

Tremors ♂ Lv. 49

Grrraah!

He still has his scar.

And with that, we’re done for today. Surge phoned ahead to the gym here by the way, they’re expecting you.

- Thanks, I guess. But I still don’t know your name.

The stranger in black makes his way to the door.

You already know it.

He walks out and disappears around a corner.

- I’m pretty sure he didn’t tell us his name.

Don’t we have a Marsh badge to win?

The gym has the same old setup, even the teleporter puzzle is the same.

I’ve been expecting you, I foresaw your arrival.

- Um… I know Surge just called you.

It’s just like him to spoil my fun… so you’re here to get your lost badges back. I can’t just give you a replacement.

- I know, let’s just battle already!

Fine, but I warn you that I foresaw your defeat too.

Go Espeon!

- Go Zuul!

- Shadow ball!

Shadow ball!

Zuul and espeon each launch a shadow ball and they meet in the middle of the arena and explode, filling the building with a blinding flash of darkness.

Zuuuu…

- Quick! Finish it before it recovers! Shadow ball!

Shadow ball!

Zuul forms another shadow ball between her hands and punts it at espeon before it can react. Espeon is engulfed in darkness.

Go Mr.Mime!

- Zuul you’ve done enough, come back! Go Tremors!

Psychic!

Mr.Mime waves his hands and Tremors is flung into the ceiling and crashes back to the floor.

- Dig!

Mimic!

Mr.Mime copies Tremors while he does nothing. Once Mr.Mime is done mimicking Tremors digs underground, ruining the floor.

Light Screen!

Mr.Mime builds a barrier of light in front of itself and Tremors erupts from the ground behind him and slams into Mr.Mime, crushing him against the floor.

Go Alakazam!

- Tremors return! Go Acanthite!

Energy ball!

Alakazam crosses his spoons and fires a green glob of energy at Acanthite that’s deflected off her feathers mostly.

- Night slash!

Reflect!

Alakazam conjures an energy barrier in front of itself. Acanthite dives at alakazam at high speed and vanishes just before impact. From alakazam’s shadow Acanthite leaps out and claws at it’s back, dealing critical damage.

Betcha didn’t see that coming!

Enough! I once again bestow upon you the Marsh Badge.

Now get out.