Jethro's Swampert

**Jethro's Swampert** (Japanese: **ジェスロのラグラージ** *Jiesuro's Laglarge*) is the first Pokémon that Jethro captured after embarking on his journey, and his fourth overall.

## **History**

### **Hoenn**

Swampert first appeared as a Mudkip as one of the two Pokémon that was in Professor Birch's bag. When Jethro was rescued by Gwendolyn from a pack of wild Mightyena, she took him to her Secret Base. He thought she was a Pokémon of some sort, and was shocked to the spine when she started talking. The two ended up getting into a fight after he ordered Poochyena to Bite the supposed "Pokémon." Still holding his own Pokémon from fighting back, he phoned Professor Birch on the Pokégear that was in his bag, and was told to choose the "blue Pokémon," which he then chose over the "green one". However, against Gwendolyn's well-trained Torchic, he was no match even with his type advantage.

Mudkip soon evolved into Marshtomp, gaining the awe of the Pokémon Fan Club Chairman, who also adored Mightyena and Zangoose. He tried to help Jethro enlist in the Contests, but with no Hoenn Contest Pass, he wasn't accepted. Instead, the two ended up being dragged into a mire when three Team Magma Admins kidnapped the two along with Captain Stern. When Jethro awakened, Marshtomp popped out of his Poké Ball to help free him, but to no avail. Upon realizing that the one interrogating Stern for information now was in cahoots with Tabitha and Courtney, who had attacked him and Gwendolyn before, Jethro used his Pokéblock-making skills to lure Blaise's Slugma into the Submarine they were planning to steal. Marshtomp managed to counter Slugma's fire attacks, but soon fell to Blaise's illusions. After overcoming it, Marshtomp attacked with Earthquake, allowing the two to reach the escape pod.

Marshtomp battled against Jethro's father, Norman, at the Weather Institute. After Mightyena and Zangoose were defeated due to Norman knowing how they attacked, it was revealed that they were a distraction for Marshtomp to set up a Mud Shot attack, which landed a direct hit after shooting through some pipes. Norman quickly counters with Vigoroth and it seems the two were evenly matched. Jethro soon attempts to fire Marshtomp's high powered Mud Shot, but it is stopped by Mr. Stone's Castform's Sunny Day.

Later, Marshtomp is used alongside Jethro's other Pokémon to battle against Courtney and her Ninetales. Although Jethro had a five-to-one advantage, his team was beaten due to Ninetales having control of nine different fireballs.

While in Fortree City training under Wallace, Marshtomp evolves into Swampert. As Jethro looks it up in the Pokédex, he realizes that Swampert evolved because of all the battles they had over their journey together.

Swampert, alongside Jethro and Gwendolyn's other Pokémon, battled against Archie and Maxie. He and Gwendolyn's Blaziken attempted to deliver a decisive blow, but failed to do any real damage. Swampert and Blaziken attack the meteor fragment coming from Archie and Maxie, which sends a powerful blast of energy out. The energy hits Maxie and Archie's foreheads, turning them back to normal and stops the power of the Red and Blue Orbs.

### **Battle Frontier**

Swampert advanced Jethro through the Battle Dome. Despite being one of his three options to fight against Magna, he was not used.

Later, Swampert is taught Hydro Cannon, and was paired up alongside Roberta's Blastoise and Martinez's Feraligatr to attack with a triple Hydro Cannon to help destroy Guile Hideout's Kyogre-shaped creature.

### **Meteor Threat**

Swampert, alongside Blaziken and Sceptile, trained under Ultima in order to fully master the ultimate moves. The training was issued by Steven and Mr. Stone as part of a plan dedicated to preventing a giant meteoroid from crashing into the planet. With Jethro having business elsewhere, Steven trained Swampert in his Trainer's stead.

When Jethro returned to stop the attack Zinnia led on the Sea Mauville, Jethro and Swampert battled together, achieving Mega Evolution for the first time, and Mega Swampert battled against Zinnia's Goodra, easily defeating it.

## **New Era**

### **Sinnoh**

During the performance stage of the Wallace Cup, Swampert was chosen for Jethro's performance. Jethro orders him to use Hydro Cannon on the large pool, creating numerous waves, before finishing his performance with Muddy Water and Earthquake, causing the now-brown waves to dissipate, which earns him favorable scores, allowing Jethro to advance to the battling stage.

## **Personality and Characteristics**

Swampert was noted for being less coordinated, swift, and graceful compared to the rest of Jethro's team at the time, and habitually left a trail of mucus from his nose. Despite this, Swampert quickly won Jethro over with his resourcefulness and ability to use his fin's enhanced senses to detect enemies.

Swampert exhibits great fortitude and power in contests and battle, becoming Jethro's main powerhouse as his journey developed. After evolving, many of Swampert's clumsier traits as a Mudkip seem to have faded, as Swampert became relatively more aggressive and focused during battle, especially important ones, such as his battle against Archie and Maxie.