Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon or any of the characters, except the OCs Grassmans.
Chapter 1: Prologue part 1
Celebi had long felt special ties to the house long before the Grassmans moved in. It had watched countless people live in the house and leave for various reasons, such as death, relatives living elsewhere, or simple relocation. Yet something about the new people was different. Maybe it was the kind couple standing in the doorway of their new house. Or maybe it was the four-year old boy, who seemed full of joy. Whatever the reason, Celebi knew it wanted to be friends with those people.
"Well, this is it, gang." Mark Grassman said, looking around the hall. "Our new home."
"And look, dear" Kate Grassman pointed at Celebi, who decided to reveal itself to them. "It even comes with its own tenant."
Little Greg Grassman squealed happily. "Oh Mummy, can I play with it? Please?"
The boy's parents chuckled. "Of course, sweetie. We'll just going to be unpacking in the other room. Call us if you need anything." Mark said.
"Oh, and Celebi," Kate said, smiling at the Pokemon, "Make sure Greg doesn't get hurt, OK? He tends to be a bit…overenthusiastic sometimes."
Celebi smiled, nodded and flew off, the little boy following it.
Six years later:
Mark and Kate Grassman were sitting together on a sofa and looking at photos of their family and Celebi, taken throughout the years they lived there.
"Look at this one." Mark said, pointing at a photo of a twenty-year-old man with a shocked expression and tears shining in his eyes. "This was when Celebi decided to go time traveling and brought back twenty-year-old Greg with it. Our boy seemed so different; all grown up and serious." (AN: Story spoiler alert!)
"Yeah, remember how surprised he was to see us?" Kate commented. "It was almost as if we never hung out together in the future. I wonder what happened."
"Well, whatever the future has in store for our son, it can't be all bad." Mark pointed to a glinting object on the older Greg's hand. "We know he gets married in the future. Good thing our Greg was asleep at the time the future Greg visited us. I think they both would have freaked out." Mark then turned to a different page. (AN: Story spoiler end.)
A few minutes later, their reminiscing was interrupted by a knock on the door. Mark and Kate looked at each other, then Mark went over and looked out the peephole. His eyes widened.
"Kate, its Team Rocket!" Mark whispered nervously. "Get Violet, I've got Shadow here." He pointed to a single PokeBall on his belt. "Let's see what they want."
He opened the door and three men in black uniforms with a pink "R" on the front entered.
"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Grassman." The Rocket who appeared to be the leader said. "Our sources indicate that a legendary Pokemon known as Celebi inhabits this household. We have been sent here to retrieve it."
Greg chose this unfortunate time to walk in, with Celebi floating over his shoulder.
"Hey Mum, Dad, what's going…" he trailed off as he and the three goons made eye contact.
"There it is!" one of the goons shouted. "Get it!"
The three Rockets were stopped in their tracks as an Espeon and an Umbreon materialized between them and the ten-year-old.
"So you are willing to protect Celebi." The Rocket leader stated, turning back to the scared yet determined couple. "Very well."
He motioned to the other two and all three of them chose two Pokemon each, then sent them out."
Kate stared at the advancing small army of creatures, while Mark used the time to yell at his son.
"Greg, take Celebi and run! Don't worry about us, we'll be OK." Mark then smiled grimly. "Take care."
Greg took one last, faltering look at his parents, then turned and ran, Celebi flying behind him.
The lead Rocket watched him go. "You two are aware that once we're done here, we'll go after him? Are you really willing to risk your life for your son and his friend?"
Mark nodded, while Kate said "You have no idea what we would do for them."
A few minutes later, while hiding in a forest, Greg heard an explosion.
Greg stood among the remains of his house, tears streaming down his cheeks. His parents were now nothing more than two charred bodies, burned almost beyond recognition by the explosion and the following fire. The Rockets had long since left, taking his parents' Espeon and Umbreon as compensation for Celebi eluding them.
"They will pay for this." He muttered to himself, then turned to Celebi. "I will make sure their boss will regret messing with me."
Celebi looked at him and nodded, sending a telepathic message straight into Greg's mind.
I'm with you. We're in this together.
