| " | \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAfter a good night's sleep following an eventful day in Hearthome City, Shinxy and his friends set out to Pastoria City, where Shinxy was eager to win another gym badge and be one step closer to earning all eight, which would grant him access to the Battle Frontier where he could see his mother. He and his crew set out through route 212. Upon exiting the southern entry point of Hearthome, they walked upon neatly cut grass next to a very large wall surrounding an even larger mansion. Shinxy: Wow, what's with the giant house? Crystal: That's the pokemon mansion, owned by a man named "Mr. Backlot". I hear lots of pokemon like to gather in his trophy garden behind the mansion. That, and he is very nice and lets trainers catch some. Think you'd like to stop by? Shinxy: Nope! I think I'd prefer catching pokemon out in the wild, you know? It seems a lot more fun than catching them in some rich guy's garden. Altan: Though it seems like it'd be difficult pretty soon, look over there. Altan pointed to the path forward and the group kept moving, and found the path to the next city was blocked by a large pool of mud. Mewtwo: What is the substance that covers the path ahead? Altan: It's mud. Basically just dirt that's been very wettened by lots of rainfall. It's not deadly or anything, but... Crystal: It's filthy! It'll mess up our clothes for sure. Altan: Let's just go the long way around- Shinxy: Wait, what's that?! Just ahead of them, an odd looking pokemon had sprung up from the mud. Shinxy took his pokedex out from his poket and the device identified the creature as a Quagsire. Crystal: A Quagsire? I heard Crasher Wake has one of those. Altan: It's not too surprising to see it here, given that areas with lots of mud would be a perfect habitat for a half water half ground type, though you'd think it'd be more likely to find it's pre-evolution, Wooper, instead. Shinxy: Half water, half ground? That means it's only weak to one type of attack! Stand back guys, I'm gonna catch it! Shinxy tossed a pokeball and out came his Mew, and he set his bag on the grass beside him. Crystal: Uh-oh... Altan: Don't you dare... Without further regard for the condition of his clothes, Shinxy jumped into the pool of mud with no hesitation. Making quite the splash, but not big enough to reach his pals and ruin their clothes. Altan: Shinxy!! You just ruined your clothes! You only had them for like a couple of days! Shinxy: Relax, I'll just wash them later! Now for the Quagsire! Shinxy engaged the wild Quagsire in combat, instructing his Mew the desired battle moves to use. Since Mew could float, it's fur was not dirtied up by the mud. A short few minutes later, Quagsire was weakened enough by Mew's attacks that Shinxy confidently threw a pokeball at it. Three shakes, then a click, and the odd looking pokemon was added to Shinxy's roster. Shinxy: Haha! Awesome! We got it! Thanks, Mew! Shinxy put Mew back in it's pokeball, then climbed out of the mud. His clothes, as well as his feet and tail were soaked. Crystal: Shinxy! You're filthy, just like I said! Altan: You're gonna have to take another shower as soon as we get to Pastoria, and throw those clothes in the wash too. Shinxy: Totally worth it~ Mewtwo: This "mud" appears not to be deadly as you said, but it coats my trainer's body despite him not being submerged in it anymore. Altan: Yeah it'll do that. Come on let's get moving. Shinxy's friends were more eager to get to Pastoria now that their pal needed a bath, and so they continued. Upon reaching their destination, Shinxy immediately noticed a familiar face. Shinxy: No way! Hey, Joey! Over here! Heeeeeeeyyyyy! The yellow raccoon's attention was caught, and he looked at where the voice was calling him from. He smiled and approached Shinxy's group. Joey: Shinxy! Wow, feels like it's been a long time since we went our separate ways from Twinleaf Town. How've you been? Have you been protecting your Mew? Also, have you been uh, playing in the mud? Shinxy: Yes, to both of those questions! And I've made some great friends as well. Altan, Crystal, and Mewtwo there. Altan: Mewtwo's supposed to be a secret as well... Crystal: But Joey's another friend of Shinxy's, and he already knows about Mew so it's not a big deal that he knows Mewtwo as well. Mewtwo: It's very nice to meet another one of my trainer's friends. Joey: Wow, you got a neat crew there, buddy! I had two companions as well, but we sorta went our own ways. Shinxy: Oh, I remember now... Felix called me on the pokegear and said you met him a little while back. How's he been? Joey: Felix is doing fine as well. In fact, he wanted me to tell you he got his old friend back. Apparently he mentioned Adam to you when you met him? Altan: Yeah. Felix told us he didn't want to join our group here because he wanted to go save his friend or something. Crystal: Mmhmm. It's nice to hear that went well. Joey: Yep. Felix is in Veilstone City with his friend now working on something to fight Team Galactic with. That's where we parted ways. Anyhow, I defeated the gym leader of Veilstone, Maylene the other day, and Crasher Wake yesterday. I'm up to five badges now. Just decided to spend last night at a hotel here before setting off. I'm headed to Canalave City now, so I'll see you around! Shinxy: Wha, you have five badges?! I only have three! Crystal: It's okay Shinxy, it's not a race. Shinxy: Well I'm gonna get my fourth one today anyways... Joey: There you go. By the way, if you're looking to battle Crasher Wake, I saw him head out to route 213 earlier. He's probably there training, so you know. Anyways, See ya. Joey waved goodbye to his friend, and set off to continue his own journey. Shinxy: Wow, I kinda feel like I've been slacking, with Joey so far ahead of me in badge count. Mewtwo: The path you've taken up until now has been much different than his. Altan: Yeah. I bet he hasn't met Dreike and Terra, or his own legendary pokemon to hide from Team Galactic. Shinxy: Doesn't matter anyways, since his goal is different from mine too. He wants to be Sinnoh Champion, but I'm just collecting badges to get to the Battle Frontier and see my mom. Crystal: What if your mom payed you a visit here? Shinxy: I... haven't thought about that. I guess I'd just be collecting badges for fun at that point! Then I could see her more later. Anyways, I'm gonna go to route 213 to challenge Crasher Wake. You guys wanna stay here and wait for me? Altan: Sure. But first, get yourself cleaned up already! Shinxy: Oh! Haha, I almost forgot about that. Okay, first I get cleaned up, then I talk to Crasher Wake! \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t