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Pastoria City was a pleasant city, not small nor big but had its own harbor. The city's main attraction and purpose was that of nature reservation, not just with the Great Marsh its self but also the rare Pokemon that inhabited it. As Ryan walked about he would spot sailors coming in from the harbor, fishermen as well, and most importantly Pokemon Rangers of all kinds. As he walked around he would spot a booth set up with a wide variety of scarves on display. An eccentric man was trying to get people's attention but not many paid him and his Pachirisu any mind. Once he spotted Ryan though he locked in on him as his new target.

"You! Young man! You look like a talented Pokemon trainer! Come, tell me about your Pokemon!" What was his pitch?

The man beamed happily as Ryan approached and actually spoke to him, and not to tell him to shut up either! This made his day already. "Excellent! Let's see one! You see, I sell special scarves that uh..." As if he lost his train of thought the man began to snap his fingers, as if trying to find the words he just lost. "Special, yes." He muttered, picking up a blue scarf and holding it out to Ryan. "Blue is...beautiful?" He said, unsure of himself, his Pachirisu looked up at him concerned for his trainer.

"I'm sorry, I'm just not cut out for this." He said after looking down at his Pokemon and sighed, dropping the scarf on the booth's counter. "I'll be honest, this isn't my business. My father died months ago and left all this to me. I've been struggling to get it back off the ground since but I just don't have what it takes I guess." He explained to Ryan. "That scarves are amazing though, don't let my lack of salesmanship paint them in a poor light. My father worked hard on all of them. Pokemon Coordinators used to come from all over to buy them from him now I can't even give them away."

"Hm...maybe you're right." The man responded, contemplating Ryan's words. "Maybe. I did always want to travel to Hearthome and show off my father's scarves in the Super Contests. Pachirisu's mother here used to model them for my father. What do you think, girl, think you can one up your old mom?" He asked his Pachirisu, who began to spin around in circles happily in response. "Then it's decided! I'll make plans to go to Hearthome and show Sinnoh myself the best scarves the region has seen! Thank you, sir, your words really inspired me. Here, take this as a proper thank you." He said, putting the Blue Scarf in Ryan's hands. "My father's scarves have the strange ability to bring out the inner beauty of a Pokemon that wears it. One day I'll figure out his method and make even better scarves! But for now I'll settle on dazzling the world with them. Maybe I'll see you around." He said, shaking Ryan's hand before packing his stuff up and moving on.

As Ryan stood there with the scarf in hand he would get the sense that he was being watched. Perhaps Crasher Wake wasn't kidding after all.

The Great Marsh was a short walk from where Ryan was previously and soon enough he would find himself standing in front of the great gates to the marsh and Safari Zone. He had been here not long ago so the spendor of the gates was perhaps a little worn off on him. As he entered he would be greeted by the same female receptionist as last time.

"Oh, you're back! Wanting to explore the marsh some more? It really is a nice place to just relax in." She smiled happily at Ryan. "Would you like to take on the Safari Zone challenge this time perhaps?"

"Oh! A volunteer, huh? You don't look like a Pokemon Ranger so I take it Crasher Wake sent you." She said with a smile, as if she already knew to expect him, which was not unlikely.

"Any who, I have just the thing. We already have a Pokemon Ranger from Fiore on it but its proving to be more trouble than we expected. Today a large colony of Carnivine appeared in the Great Marsh and if you know how the marsh works it is not unusual for colonies of Pokemon to migrate across the expansive marsh. Usually they stay in small groups spread out across the marsh but today we've spotted unusually large group and they have trespassed onto Yanma territory. It's not pleasant to think about but Carnivine prey on Yanma and we fear that the Carnivine population is getting out of control and threatens the Yanma population. We would like you to meet with the Pokemon Ranger out in the marsh and assist them in pushing back the Carnivine colony and maybe breaking them back up." The woman explained.

"The southeastern pond, just go right in and go right, you can't miss it. You'll note the deeper pool of water in the center, that's where the Yanma like to congregate. The Wooper and Quagsire properly won't be too happy with the Carnivine treading upon the pool either so be cautious." The woman warned Ryan.

As Ryan entered the Great Marsh he would walk down a familiar path, spotting the tram just a few yards ahead of him. However this time he would step off the concrete walk and onto the soft damp ground to the right. While where he was walking for now was relatively firm it was clear up ahead he would have to sacrifice the dryness and cleanliness of his shoes to advance, provided he didn't have other methods to avoid walking through the swamp. Signs ahead warned him that some areas were deeper than they appeared and to not linger in one spot for too long or risk becoming trapped in the mud.

Regardless of how he proceeded into the marsh its self he would journey through the open expanse, large vegetation sparse in this part with trees dotting the area but plenty of tall gross to have to wade through. Eventually he would come to the deeper part of the marsh and if he was walking he would find the swamp waist high here. As he moved along something would become aware of his presence and hopefully he became aware of it too soon enough.

"Chaaar-bok!" Hissed the giant snake Pokemon as it leaped out of the marsh behind Ryan, having sneaked up behind him from underneath the swampy water, mouth agape and fangs bore as it executed a Poison Fang hoping to sink its teeth into Ryan the Prey.