Pokemon Heroes: Sinnoh Saga [Book 1]

Chapter 57: Catching Contest Number Two, the Great Marsh

"The Great Marsh has always been a sore spot for us ever since we left Pastoria City. For reasons you will soon find out, something happened at the Great Marsh that we feel we could have prevented had we been more vigilant and alert. Because of us, countless people and Pokémon suffered...well, I feel that way anyway. Everyone says I'm taking this too harshly, but to this day, I feel I can never do enough for Pastoria City and the Great Marsh. But that's not what this chapter is about. No, it's about the second Catching Contest we had. This time, the stakes weren't so big. Who won? You'll just have to read to find out."

The group stood before the entrance to Pastoria's Great Marsh. It was a large brick building with several floors. It was the most modern looking building in the area. The top floors were research labs apparently, where Pokémon Scientists and Professors studied the Pokémon that lived naturally within the Great Marsh, as well as the Pokémon that the marsh seemed to attract.

The bottom floor resembled a train station, where two massive, passenger trains—built to run on tracks built on the soft, muddy ground of the marsh—brought passengers to the different zones of the marsh.

The massive trains betrayed their size. They were silent, and they were eco-friendly, being mainly electric and solar powered. No fuel or coal required. It helped protect the marsh, and also meant they were near silent so that they did not disturb the Pokémon living in the natural eco-system.

Pastoria City was very protective, and very cautious with its Great Marsh—as was the Sinnoh League who regulated it in conjunction with Pastoria City.

For their trek through the marsh the group came prepared. They had Poké Balls, natural bug spray, wide brimmed hats to keep out the sun—these hats had mosquito net veils to keep bugs away from the face. They had neoprene overalls for wading in deep waters, thick neoprene boots to keep the water out and the mud off their feet, and rubber ponchos for keeping their arms free and moveable, without exposing too much skin to the elements.

They carried their supplies in small waterproof bags slung across their shoulder. Each of them had their Poké Ball Belts on them to battle the wild Pokémon of the marsh.

Jeremy kept Pikachu on his shoulder—and even Pikachu wore thick boots to prevent himself from getting stuck in the mud.

"Do you all have your train passes?" asked Sam as the group walked up the stone steps into the building.

Before anyone could respond they bumped into a large figure.

The figure wore a long, black coat, a fedora, and heavily tinted sunglasses. A scarf was wrapped around his face, so you couldn't see anything below his eyes—which were hidden by the glasses anyway. He walked quickly, looked jump, and had his hands tucked in his pockets.

Two smaller figures followed behind him, dressed similarly.

"Excuse me," said Sam carefully, trying to be kind, "Guess I didn't see you there. You all right?"

The man said nothing. He nodded and kept walking—faster than he had before. His two followers kept up with the breakneck walking pace as they disappeared down the street.

Sam could've sworn he saw a flash of red hair as the figure—obviously a man—charged off down the street.

"That was weird..." said Niya warily, "You okay, Sam?"

Sam nodded. His eyes narrowed as he stared off the figure. His gut sank.

"Sam?" asked Alyssandra, "Are you okay?"

Sam nodded again. "Yeah I'm fine."

"What's wrong?" asked Jeremy, "You seem focused on that man."