AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! Here is chapter 95 of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu as they continue their journey through the Johto region. I decided to base this chapter from the Pokémon: Master Quest episode: "Why? Wynaut!" where instead of focusing on badges, it focuses on the theft of Tristan's Silver Wing. Also, for those of you who watched Dragon Tales growing up, you may recall that Max is afraid of snakes. His anime counterpart is also afraid of snakes, including Arbok. You'll see what I mean when you read this chapter.
TEASER: Team Rocket steals Tristan's Silver Wing! How will he get it back? And in the battle to protect his Silver Wing, Tristan must also protect Max from Team Rocket!
Chapter 95: THE SILVER WING CAPER!
(Music Cue: Opening M01B & M01C 1997-1998 (as heard in "One Trick Phony!"))
After spending his first three days in Blackthorn City with his new friends, Emmy and Max, Tristan finally got the opportunity to challenge Clair, the Blackthorn Gym Leader to a Gym battle for his eighth and final badge. Clair's Pokémon were tough to beat, but with excellent teamwork coupled with skill and strategy, he managed to defeat her, winning the Rising Badge as a result.
Now that he has it along with his other seven badges, Tristan can hardly contain his excitement as his dream to compete in the Johto League tournament has become a reality.
(Music Cue: Route 29 (as heard at the beginning of "Forest Grumps"))
Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, and Togepi were all happily enjoying their breakfast with Emmy, Max, and Clair on her balcony the next morning.
"I bet you're happy today, Tristan, and it's not because of the food you and Clair made," smiled Hillary.
Tristan nodded. "The food may have helped play a part, but now, I have all eight badges, so now I can finally compete in the Johto League."
Pikachu happily agreed. It was just as excited as Tristan was.
"Technically, it's called the Johto League Silver Conference," replied Clair.
"The Silver Conference?" repeated Tristan.
"Oh, that's just the formal title of the Johto League," explained Clair. "It's where Trainers from around the world will compete. It will take place less than three months from now at Silver Town, which is located at the foot of Mount Silver."
Tristan didn't feel happy anymore. Hmmm. Three months certainly isn't a lot of time. I don't think I'm quite ready yet. I have a whole lot of work to do.
Tristan was lost in thought when Emmy saw the uncertainty in his eyes. "Is everything okay, Tristan?"
Tristan was briefly startled. "Yes, Emmy. It was nothing. It's just that I want to get started on my training right away, and make sure my Pokémon and I are all ready to go." And he quickly finished his breakfast. "Come on, Pikachu, we'd better get started right away."
Pikachu quickly followed him inside.
"What's with Tristan?" wondered Max.
"I guess the pressure of the Silver Conference must be getting to him," replied Emmy.
"Well, that may be part of it," said Hillary.
"What do you mean by that?" asked Emmy.
(Music Cue: Mystical Story (as heard the second time in "A Bout with Sprout"))
"Back when Tristan and I were at the Indigo Plateau, he was participating in the Kanto Pokémon League, but Team Rocket had taken the Moltres flame from Indigo Stadium and stole truckloads of Pokémon, including those from Tristan's rival, Blue, as well as our mom and dad. Giovanni, Team Rocket's leader, was the mastermind of the whole operation. Tristan and I worked together to save all the Pokémon from a nasty fire. We even helped save all the Pokémon from Giovanni as well, plus we rescued Blue and our parents."
"Then what happened?" asked Max.
"The Pokémon League was cancelled," answered Hillary. "Since there was no flame, the competition couldn't continue, so we had to trek through the Orange Islands so that Tristan could continue his challenge and compete in the Orange League. But since I helped Tristan rescue everybody, I ended up getting my first Pokémon, Squirtle. And I was able to become a Pokémon Trainer early."
"Wow! How lucky are you!" said Max and Emmy together.
"Anyway," continued Hillary, "Tristan and I were going through the Orange Islands, and fortunately, he won all four of his Gym matches, plus won against Drake, the leader of the Orange Crew. However, he felt that he didn't know how well he would've done before all the trouble started at the Indigo Plateau, so he wants to compete in the Silver Conference to see how far he's come and how much further he needs to go to be the very best."
"I understand," said Clair. "He must still be upset with himself because he felt that he could've prevented the Indigo League from getting cancelled."
"He shouldn't feel bad about that," protested Max. "It wasn't his fault that Team Rocket came to the Indigo Plateau and caused big trouble."
"Definitely not," agreed Emmy. "And besides, I'm sure there are still other places that you and Tristan haven't been to yet. Aunt Clair, may I follow Tristan and see what he's up to? I'm sure he hasn't gone very far."
"Sure, Emmy, you may do that," answered Clair. "But don't go too far."
"Don't worry, Aunt Clair! I'll be back!" called Emmy as she ran off to find Tristan.
(Music Cue: Team Rocket's Secret Strategy 1997-1998 (as heard in "Beauty is Skin Deep"))
Meanwhile, not too far away, three familiar figures, including a cat-like Pokémon were hatching still another plot against Tristan and his friends. Yes, it was Jessie, James, and Meowth, the Team Rocket Trio. As they looked on, they could see Tristan running toward a clearing in the woods.
"I wanted to steal that Twerp's badges so I could compete in the Silver Conference," grumbled Jessie. "But no, he and that Pikachu and that Noctowl had to butt in and ruin my plans once again."
"Don'tcha mean our plans?" corrected Meowth.
"Besides, we all paid the price for it," added James. "If it hadn't been for you wanting to steal those badges in the first place, we wouldn't have faced the same humiliation like we did at the Indigo Plateau!"
"Oh, never mind that!" fumed Jessie. "Let's just find a way to settle our dues debt so that we won't have to worry about it anymore, and the first place to start is that other Pikachu."
"Hey, look over dere! Around dat Twoip's neck!" said Meowth as he pointed out.
Sure enough, Tristan's Silver Wing was glistening brightly as he ran past.
"That looks valuable enough to steal," smiled Jessie.
"And we'll be rich beyond belief!" added James.
"Den I say we steal it and sell it, and den we'll be outta da hole once and for all!" put in Meowth.
"Wobbuffet!" agreed Wobbuffet as it popped out of its ball.
Meanwhile, Tristan had sent all of his Pokémon out to join him and Pikachu.
Meganium, Quilava, Feraligatr, Pupitar, and Dratini were all happy to see him, but Dratini took one look at Tristan's other Pokémon and quickly jumped into his arms in fright.
"It's okay, Dratini," Tristan assured it. "These are all my Pokémon friends." He turned to them. "Everyone, please say hello to Dratini, our newest friend and your newest teammate."
Meganium, Quilava, Feraligatr, and Pupitar, along with Pikachu gave Dratini a warm welcome.
"Okay, everybody, we're getting ready for the Silver Conference in less than three months' time," explained Tristan. "So we're gonna start our training today to make sure we're as ready as we can be."
All the Pokémon happily agreed. They wanted to become stronger just like Tristan.
"Now you're all going to need a battling buddy for the first drill," continued Tristan. "Quilava, you'll practice dodging Pikachu's Thunderbolt. Meganium and Feraligatr can work on practicing their defensive moves. And Dratini, you can practice using your ExtremeSpeed to dodge Pupitar's attacks. Okay, let's get to work!"
All of Tristan's Pokémon except Dratini spread out into the clearing, as Dratini was still a little shy.
Pupitar came back over to find Dratini.
"Don't worry, Pupitar," said Tristan. "Dratini will be fine. You can practice your defensive moves with Meganium and Feraligatr."
And Pupitar went off to join them just as Emmy arrived on the scene.
"Wow, Tristan," said Emmy. "You have so many cool Pokémon. But what about Lugia?"
"Lugia's not really mine, Emmy," explained Tristan. "It's only a wild Pokémon, but we're really good friends. In fact, it gave me this Silver Wing as a gift." And he showed Emmy the Silver Wing as it glistened in the sunlight.
"Awesome," said Emmy. "That Silver Wing must mean a whole lot to you, just as that Dragon Scale is important to me and Max."
Tristan nodded. "I always try to keep it safe," he continued. "It's so safe that it's powerless in the hands of anyone else, especially bad people."
Emmy was astounded. "I'd sure like to see someone else try and use it besides you and Hillary."
Presently, they heard a voice. "Greetings, youngsters."
(Music Cue: Goofball Alert (full version as heard in "Tricks of the Trade"))
Tristan turned around to see two people, a man and a woman, in fortune-telling attire with a crystal ball on a nearby table. "Who are you?"
"We're fortune tellers, who can tell your fortune about anyone and anything," explained the woman, "including how well you'll do in the Silver Conference."
"Wow, what perfect timing!" smiled Tristan. "But how did you know I was competing in the Silver Conference?"
"Our expert fortune-telling skills give us the ability to know anything and everything about you as well as your hopes and dreams," explained the man.
"And not only that, we have the ability to predict when and where you'll meet legendary Pokémon," added the woman.
"Wow, you can predict when I can meet legendary Pokémon?" Tristan seemed to be impressed, but little did he know that the man and the woman were Jessie and James in disguise.
"Of course," smiled the woman. "If you'd like, we can use that personal item around your neck to tell you all that you need to know. It'll give our fortune-telling skills a major boost."
"Oh, you mean my Silver Wing?" Tristan was surprised, then he said, "I'm sorry, I can't give this to you."
"Oh, don't worry, we'll make sure it gets back to you safe and sound when we're finished telling your fortune," the man assured him.
"Do you promise?" asked Tristan suspiciously.
"We promise," replied the woman and man together.
"Well, all right." Reluctantly, Tristan removed the Silver Wing around his neck and slowly handed it to the fortune tellers.
"I don't know about this, Tristan," said Emmy nervously.
"Ah, something's coming to us crystal clear!" smiled the man as he gazed longingly at the Silver Wing.
"Me, too!" agreed the woman. "I see...that this Silver Wing now belongs...to us!" And before Tristan knew what was happening, she kicked the table with the crystal ball, causing him and Emmy to fall flat on their backs.
(Music Cue: Lugia Appears! (as heard in the Japanese version of "Revelation Lugia"))
"My Silver Wing!" cried Tristan.
"Come on!" implored Emmy as she helped Tristan up. "Let's follow them!"
And she and Tristan chased after the two fortune tellers as fast as their legs would carry them with Tristan's Pokémon right behind them.
"You won't get away with this, you crooks!" shouted Tristan. I can't believe I handed them my Silver Wing! he thought.
"Give that Silver Wing back!" yelled Emmy. "Who are you creeps, anyway?!"
Then the two fortune tellers threw off their disguises and recited their motto.
(Music Cue: Team Rocket's Motto 1997-1998 (as heard in "Why? Wynaut!"))
"Prepare for trouble as we get away with the Silver Wing!"
"Making your plight double is a very good thing!"
"To protect the world from devastation."
"To unite all peoples within our nation."
"To denounce the evils of truth and love."
"To extend our reach to the stars above."
"Jessie!"
"James."
"Team Rocket digs up valuable treasure at the speed of light!"
"Surrender your riches or prepare your rags for a fight."
"Meowth, dat's right!" put in Meowth as he landed his balloon.
"Wobbuffet!" added Wobbuffet as it popped out of its Poké Ball.
"Team Rocket!" exclaimed Tristan.
"Who's Team Rocket?" asked Emmy.
"They're just thieves who steal Pokémon among other things," explained Tristan.
"Oh, you're so suspicious," chuckled Jessie. "We just found something that belonged to you, so we decided to steal it instead."
"That's right," put in James. "And we're going to make bundles of silver and gold to sell this thing."
"Dat's what our fortune is," finished Meowth.
"Wobbuffet!" added Wobbuffet.
"That Silver Wing is no use to you, but it's very important to me! So give it back!" demanded Tristan.
(Music Cue: Team Rocket Appears (as heard in "One Trick Phony"))
"Hi ho silver...away!" cried Jessie, James, and Meowth as they triumphantly started taking off in their balloon.
"Oh, no you don't!" retorted Tristan. "Meganium, use your Razor Leaf attack on that balloon!"
Meganium shot a flurry of razor-sharp leaves at the balloon.
"Arbok, Poison Sting now!" shouted Jessie as she threw her Poké Ball.
Jessie's Arbok emerged from the white light that shot out of it and unleashed a barrage of poisonous needles from its mouth, cancelling out Meganium's Razor Leaf.
"Oh, no!" grunted Tristan.
"Weezing, use Smokescreen now!" ordered James as he threw his Poké Ball.
James' Weezing emerged from the white light that shot out of it and emitted a green cloud of thick, smoke from its two mouths, which enveloped Tristan, Emmy, and the Pokémon, causing them all to hack and cough.
Quickly, Tristan dug into his backpack and took out a small washcloth. "Here, Emmy, it'll filter the smoke."
Emmy covered her mouth and nose with the washcloth.
"I can't see anything. Feraligatr, wash the Smokescreen away!" ordered Tristan.
Feraligatr unleashed a Water Gun attack at the enveloping smoke, instantly clearing it up.
But when the smoke cleared, Team Rocket had disappeared.
"They're gone," said Emmy. "Now what do we do?"
Tristan clenched his fists in anger. "They got my Silver Wing. I can't believe it."
Emmy put her hands on Tristan's shoulders. "It's okay, Tristan. We'll get it back for you."
"But that's not just any Silver Wing," protested Tristan. "That's a special Silver Wing that has many magic powers."
Presently, Max and Hillary arrived on the scene as Clair and Dragonair flew alongside.
"We saw the whole thing," said Hillary. "Are you two all right?"
"Yeah, we're fine, but Team Rocket just stole Tristan's Silver Wing," explained Emmy.
"What?!" gasped Max, Hillary, and Clair together.
"They disguised themselves as fortune tellers so that they could see how well Tristan would do in the Silver Conference," continued Emmy. "They also said they could show him when he'll meet new legendary Pokémon.
"And I fell for it big time," added Tristan as he sunk his head low.
"I'll help you look for it," said Clair.
"I will, too," added Emmy.
"Me, too," put in Max.
"Me, three," agreed Hillary. "And don't worry, Tristan. We won't rest until the Silver Wing is back around your neck where it belongs."
Tristan felt better after that. "Thanks a lot, you guys. Now let's split up and search."
"Okay," agreed Hillary. "Emmy, why don't you come with me? Max, you go with Tristan."
"And I'll search for those crooks from the air," added Clair.
"Let's do it!" said Tristan.
And they split up in different directions to find Team Rocket.
Meanwhile, Team Rocket, flying in their hot-air balloon was celebrating their victory as they looked longingly at Tristan's Silver Wing.
"Look at that," smiled James. "I'd say that Silver Wing is worth at least a cool billion."
"So let's sell dat thing and be outta debt forever!" suggested Meowth.
"Oh, no," replied Jessie sternly as she seized the Silver Wing. "This piece of jewelry is more suited for a girl like me. And besides, it's pretty."
"Oh yeah? And who says you could wear it?" asked James suspiciously.
"I say so, Mister Perfect!" snorted Jessie. "I'm the leader, of this group, and what I say goes."
"Not!" retorted James as he reached for the Silver Wing and grabbed it.
"Hey, let go of it, James!" grunted Jessie.
Meowth got in on the argument and tried to steal the Silver Wing himself, but neither James nor Jessie would let him.
Suddenly, Wobbuffet popped out of its Poké Ball and bumped into them, causing them to lose their grip on the Silver Wing.
"No!" they cried as they watched the Silver Wing fall toward the bushes below.
Jessie was very angry. "Now look what you've done! Thanks to your arguing, we lost the Silver Wing!"
"Don't blame me!" retorted James. "You were the one who wanted to keep it all for yourself!"
"Oh, trying to give me the guilt trip, are you?" snorted Jessie. "Not on my watch, you don't! Not when we know that Wobbuffet made us lose it in the first place!"
Wobbuffet shuddered as she approached.
"This is all your fault, you bumbling blue blob!" she scolded. "It's not enough that you pop out of your Poké Ball all the time. It's not enough that you ate our donut holes. And now you made us lose something of sentimental value to us!"
"Save it, guys!" put in Meowth. "Let's just go down dere and find dat Silver Wing before dose twoips do!"
And they quickly turned the balloon around to retrieve the Silver Wing. Little did they know, however, that a pair of blue fingerless arms came out of the bushes and caught it. Then they went back in the bushes with the Silver Wing and disappeared from sight.
Meanwhile, Tristan, Pikachu, and Max had been walking for half an hour.
"Where do you think Team Rocket is, Tristan?" wondered Max as he and Tristan came to the bushes. "I mean, how will you get your Silver Wing back if you can't track it down?"
Tristan shook his head. "I wish I knew, Max. If anything, those guys are good at running away like total cowards."
Then suddenly, Tristan felt something come into his left hand. He looked over and gasped in surprise. He knew what it was. "Look! My Silver Wing!" he cried.
"It is? Yeah!" said Max. "It came back to you! But how?"
"I guess Team Rocket lost it by accident," replied Tristan. He then put the cord attached to it back around his neck. "Now it's back where it belongs."
"But how will the others know that you got it back?" asked Max.
"I'll call Hillary and let her and the others know," answered Tristan as he took out his Poké Gear.
Meanwhile, Hillary, Togepi, and Emmy weren't having much luck locating Team Rocket.
"We've gone pretty far, and there's still not a trace of Tristan's Silver Wing or Team Rocket anywhere," Hillary said with concern. "They must be miles away by now."
"We promised to help him find his special Silver Wing, and we let him down," sighed Emmy sadly. "Tristan's gonna be very disappointed."
Just then, Hillary's Poké Gear rang.
Hillary quickly took it out and answered it. "Whatever it is, can it wait? I'm trying to...Oh, hi, Tristan, what's up?"
"The Silver Wing's been found safe and sound, and is back where it belongs," replied Tristan on the other end.
"Awesome!" said Hillary excitedly. "How'd you get it back?"
"I'm not sure exactly," answered Tristan. "It must've come back to me, as if by magic."
"Don't be silly," said Hillary. "There's no such thing as magic."
"Would you believe me if I said Team Rocket must've dropped it by accident? And besides, how would you explain all the attacks Pokémon use or how I'd..."
"Okay, okay, I get the point," chuckled Hillary. "Stay right there. I'll get in touch with Clair, and we'll come to you." Then she thought to herself, But how? How can I get from here...to there? Suddenly, she saw a bright shining light from far away. "What's that?"
(Music Cue: You Have to Earn Respect (full version)
"Whatever it is, it's really bright," remarked Emmy. "Do you suppose that light will lead us to Tristan?"
"Let's hurry and find out," agreed Hillary as she and Emmy raced to the source of the light.
Hillary quickly called Clair. "Tristan's got his Silver Wing back, Clair, and we're now following a mysterious light."
Clair and Dragonair, who had been searching from the sky, also saw the shining light that Hillary and Emmy were following.
"Whatever that light is, it's pretty powerful," said Clair. "We'll get to it now, Hillary. Thanks for the heads up." And she hung up and put her Poké Gear away. "Come on, Dragonair, let's check it out."
And together, they took off toward the light.
Meanwhile, Tristan was noticing his Silver Wing glowing brightly.
"Whoa!" gasped Max. "That's like my night light back at home! Only it's ten times as bright!"
"Maybe my Silver Wing is like a guiding light that helps guide my friends back to me whenever we get separated," suggested Tristan.
"Do you really think so?" asked Max.
Tristan gave a nod. "Lugia told me that this Silver Wing comes with many magic powers, but I've never seen it act like this before."
Unfortunately, three other people also saw the Silver Wing's light from their balloon, and they descended toward Tristan and Max.
"There's our silvery prize!" came Jessie's voice.
Tristan, Pikachu, and Max turned around to see Jessie, James, and Meowth descending down on them.
"Team Rocket!" exclaimed Max.
"What do you want?!" demanded Tristan as his Silver Wing stopped glowing.
"We just want dat Silver Wing!" answered Meowth.
"Forget it!" retorted Tristan. "This Silver Wing stays with me!"
(Music Cue: Raid! (full version as heard in "Extreme Pokémon"))
"All right then, we'll take it by force! Go, Victreebel!" shouted James as he threw his Poké Ball.
James' Victreebel emerged from the white light that shot out of it and immediately attempted to devour him yet again.
"Will you get off and attack?!" barked James as he got out of Victreebel's gaping mouth and threw it down to the ground.
"Go, Arbok!" shouted Jessie as she threw her Poké Ball.
Arbok emerged from the whit light that shot out of it and glared at Max as it flicked its long tongue out.
"Sh-shoo! Go away!" shivered Max. "I'm afraid of Snake Pokémon!"
"I'll handle this, Max," said Tristan as he stood in front of him. He took out his Fast Ball and threw it. "Quilava, I choose you!"
Quilava emerged from the white light that shot out of the ball and ignited the flames on its head and back. Then it charged into battle.
"Arbok, Poison Sting attack!" ordered Jessie.
Arbok shot a barrage of poisonous needles at Quilava.
"Dodge, Quilava, and use Quick Attack!" commanded Tristan.
Quilava nimbly ran from side to side, dodging Arbok's Poison Sting in the process, and shot forward as a white line streaked behind it. Then it rammed into Arbok, causing it to fall to the ground.
"Come on, Arbok, don't let those wimps beat you!" barked Jessie.
"All right, Twerp, you asked for it!" fumed James. "Victreebel, Razor Leaf now!"
Victreebel shot a flurry of razor-sharp leaves at Quilava.
"Burn those leaves with your Flamethrower, Quilava!" instructed Tristan.
Quilava shot a powerful stream of fire from its mouth at Victreebel's Razor Leaf; the flame burned all the leaves instantly.
But unfortunately, while Tristan and Quilava were focused on the battle, they didn't see Arbok leap over them, and it headed straight toward Max, who screamed in fear.
"Watch out, Max!" shouted Tristan.
But just as Arbok was within striking distance, a Hyper Beam came out of the sky and struck Arbok head on, and it fainted instantly.
"Arbok!" cried Jessie.
Max was surprised.
So was Tristan. "Where'd that blast come from?"
(Music Cue: Gym (Version 2 as heard in "Why? Wynaut!"))
"We're coming, guys!" cried Hillary as she, Emmy, Clair, and Dragonair quickly arrived on the scene.
"Perfect timing!" replied Tristan as he ran over to greet them.
"Are you and Max okay?" asked Emmy.
"We are now," answered Max. "That Arbok really scared me. I hated that tongue and that Poison Sting attack."
"Well, why don't we give Team Rocket something to be scared about?" smiled Clair. Then she turned to Team Rocket. "All right, you! It's not enough that you attempt to steal my Pokémon and Blackthorn City's Dragon Fang, not to mention Ash's badges in the process!"
"Then you steal my Silver Wing for the fun of it!" added Tristan.
But Emmy was the angriest of them all. "And now you attack my defenseless little brother?! You've done some pretty low things, but you've definitely reached a new low!"
"Speaking of low, I think we'd better lay low and just go," suggested Jessie.
"Quick, Weezing, use your Smokescreen!" ordered James as he threw another Poké Ball.
Weezing emerged from the white light that shot out of it and unleashed a thick, green cloud of smoke from its two mouths.
"We're not falling for that trick again! Squirtle, blast that Smokescreen away with your Water Gun!" commanded Hillary as she threw her Poké Ball.
Squirtle emerged from the white light that shot out of it and unleashed a powerful blast of water from its mouth, negating Weezing's Smokescreen, as well as blasting Weezing itself as well as Victreebel, who both fell to the ground on top of the defeated Arbok.
Jessie and James cringed.
"I don't think those Twerps are too thrilled," said Jessie.
"What do you propose we do?" asked James.
"Run for it!" yelled Meowth as he ran in terror to the balloon.
"Wobb! Wobbu!" agreed Wobbuffet as it popped out of its Poké Ball and ran with Meowth to the balloon.
Then Jessie and James quickly scooped up all their Pokémon, followed Meowth and Wobbuffet to the balloon, and prepared to take off into the air.
"You're not getting away that easily!" said Hillary. "Squirtle, hit 'em with your Water Gun!"
"Pikachu, use your Thunderbolt!" added Tristan.
Pikachu and Squirtle leaped into the air and teamed up,
Squirtle launched another blast of water from its mouth while Pikachu unleashed a powerful yellow bolt of electricity from its body.
The two attacks combined and scored a huge direct hit on Team Rocket's balloon, causing it to explode.
BOOM!
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!" screamed Jessie, James, and Meowth as they and their Pokémon disappeared into the sky.
DING!
"All right! They're gone!" cheered Emmy and Max together as everyone celebrated their victory.
"I'm glad that's over," said Clair.
"Me, too," agreed Hillary. "But there's something that we don't quite get."
"What's that, Hillary?" asked Tristan.
"How'd you get your Silver Wing back if Team Rocket took it?"
"Well, I..."
Tristan was about to answer when suddenly, a small bipedal Pokémon in blue fur hopped out of the bushes. It had a spherical head with earlike fingerless arms, and it had a black tail with a white eye-like spot at the end.
"Whoa, what's that?" gasped Hillary.
Max and Emmy knew what it was as they saw it hop away.
"That was our good friend, Wynaut," answered Max.
"Wynaut?" repeated Tristan.
"It can be pretty mischievous at times, but it's always willing to help other Pokémon out," explained Emmy. "And sometimes, it secretly helps humans." And she gave a chuckle.
"You know, I bet it must've been Wynaut who found the Silver Wing and handed it back to me," said Tristan.
"I wonder if Dexter has any information on it," said Hillary as she tried to look it up in her Pokédex.
But all she got from it was, "No available data."
"No data?" said Hillary, who was surprised. "Maybe Wynaut is a Pokémon that lives in another region far away from here."
Tristan thought about that possibility, but he could never forget the fact that he got his Silver Wing back from Team Rocket, let alone that he got all eight badges so that he could compete in the Silver Conference in less than three months' time.
"What's this? You earned all eight badges?" said Veronica excitedly on the video phone at the Pokémon Center that evening.
"Yup, that's right, Grandma," replied Tristan. "Now I can finally compete in the Johto League."
"That's wonderful news, dear," smiled Veronica. "I'll be sure to tell your grandfather. He will be very pleased to hear it. And I know Professor Oak and Professor Elm will be ecstatic."
"Thanks, Grandma," said Tristan. "We'll be stopping by on our way to the Silver Conference."
"We can't wait to see you," said Veronica. "Take care."
The video transmission ended.
"Grandma and Grandpa will certainly be excited when we come home again," said Hillary.
"I know," agreed Tristan. "It'll be great."
Pikachu and Togepi also agreed.
(Music Cue: Route 26 (as heard in "Mild 'n Woolly"))
The next morning, Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, and Togepi were ready to leave Blackthorn City.
Emmy and Max were sorry to see them go.
"It's too bad you have to leave now," sighed Emmy.
"I really enjoyed going on some of these adventures with you," added Max. "We want to do it again."
"Well, you never know," replied Hillary. "It could happen sooner than you think."
"Hillary's right," agreed Tristan. "And I had a blast hanging out with the two of you. And I know we'll play together again real soon."
"We'll be staying with Aunt Clair for one more day before we have to go back home," explained Emmy.
"Yeah, back to New Bark Town," added Max.
"New Bark Town?!" Tristan and Hillary were delighted to hear this, for New Bark Town was the same town where they were from.
"That means we can play together again soon after all!" said Hillary excitedly.
"Definitely!" agreed Emmy.
"Cool!" said Max. "Would you like to come over and play with us sometimes?"
"We'd be happy to do that," smiled Tristan.
"And I'd be happy to give you two directions to New Bark Town," said Clair. "Follow this road over there; it'll take you to the sea. Then travel on the coastline, and you should reach New Bark Town in a day or so. Then register for the Johto League Silver Conference at the New Bark Town Pokémon Center."
"We'll remember that, Clair," said Hillary. "And thanks for letting us stay with you, Emmy, and Max."
"Actually, I should be thanking the two of you for helping them out over the past five days," smiled Clair. "You were both a very big help."
"We were happy to do it," replied Tristan.
Pikachu and Togepi agreed.
"Goodbye, kids! And be careful out there!" called Clair as she waved to them.
"We will! Goodbye!" replied Tristan and Hillary together.
"Bye, Tristan! Bye, Hillary! Bye, Pikachu and Togepi!" added Emmy and Max.
Pikachu and Togepi also waved just as they and their Trainers departed.
Having safely recovered his Silver Wing, and having earned all eight of his badges, Tristan's spot in the Johto League Silver Conference is guaranteed. Now our heroes can look forward to more exciting adventures as they continue their journey toward their next destination: New Bark Town.
► TO BE CONTINUED