Summary: With another lead, Larson and his friends are off. They depart from Saffron and head towards their next destination, while Larson has more time to reinfect on his missing friend.
Note: Enjoy. I spent like 2 hours on this of nonstop writing, so hopefully someone is courteous enough to tell me their thoughts.
I couldn't help but feel a little sorry for her, as it was just in my nature. I knelt down, "Are you alright"?
She writhed, "Grunt, why didn't you just take the information and leave"?
I answered, "Because I had to save your mom as well".
She didn't seem to get it, "But she's not yours. You could've just left". The Sabrina realized, "Why haven't you left me...already"?
I took her hand and helped her up, "You might be a murderer. But your mother told me you not only kept her around. But that you also are basically split. That little girl is your past self or something. It's not the real you. You let training take over your life and shut everyone out". I reflected briefly over my words and muttered to myself, though she heard it too. "Kind of what, Ethan did".
Sabrina admitted to me, as if I'd gotten through. "I never meant to kill my father. I did this to myself...like you said. I regret it, and...consequently, I regret all those trainers I 'ended' as well". She visibly frowned, "I lost all emotions, to where I committed all those acts. Either accidentally or purposely, a lot of people are dead. But, I could never harm my mother".
I just listened to her, "That younger version of me manifested and...I just got worse it seemed. I've come to realize just now what the real result of all my selfishness has been over the years".
I looked to her and asked solemnly, "Please. Turn my friends back".
She nodded her head, and in that instant, not only did Hexy and the pokemon return, but her mother was now back to human. I also noticed that the little girl had vanished as well.
Her voice was still much of the same, but I could feel that she actually 'felt' now. Her mother came over, and despite everything, she hugged her daughter, "Sabrina".
Sabrina actually shed some tears and said sincerely to her, and probably everyone, "I'm sorry".
The mother held her daughter's face in her hands, "I know".
They then both turned to me. Sabrina then told me what I wanted to know. "Your friend Ethan was here years ago. He managed to beat me and took my marsh badge without much thought. We didn't interact very much, but I did overhear him talk to his cyndaquil about heading to Turnback Cave. He must've been attempting to capture on of the most powerful pokemon".
I rubbed the back of my head, "Jeez. Sinnoh is halfway across the country".
Hexy knew what Sabrina was talking about, "So you think he went after Giratina"?
Sabrina nodded her head, "That's the only real reason to take such a trek to the cave. Many have tried and failed, so he could be dead for all I know".
I had a slight outburst, "He's not dead! Heavy Sigh, but anyways, isn't Giratina the Satan of pokemon"?
Hexy responded, "So it's said in the myths. Some say he doesn't exist at all. Like Arceus. But either way it's a lead. You got what you wanted".
Sabrina added, "The quickest way to the cave is to catch a boat to Sunyshore City, down Route 222, through Valor Lakefront, halfway down Route 214, then once you reach Sendoff Spring, you'll see the cave right across the lake".
I thanked her, "I appreciate it. But, what are you going to do now"?
She took a long breath, "I'm going to turn myself in".
I was a bit shocked but respected that, while the mother defended her, "Don't do that. We can make up for what you did somehow".
Sabrina rejected her, "No. I need to for what I've done. But before that, I'm going to have this place demolished. So, the last time you'll see me will be on the news probably. The last you'll see of this place is as debris".
She turned to her mom, returning Alakazam and handing the pokeball into her mother's hand. "Take care of him for me mother. Maybe I'll see him and you again".
Lastly, she went over to me, "Maybe our paths will cross again under more civil, circumstances. But before you leave, let me give you this".
She opened up the palm of her hand and revealed a badge, "Here. Take it".
I slowly took the small pendant and looked at it, "What's this for"?
Sabrina responded, "You two both beat me. You've earned the marsh badge whether that matters to you or not. You both earned my respect. That said, goodbye, and good luck".
She walked right past us without another word and stepped out into the night. Turning to her teary eyed mother, I tried to console her, "It's her decision. She hurt all those people, including probably you. Just let her go and honor her wish. That's about all you can do right now. Besides, she's an adult".
She held the Alakazam pokeball closed in her hands tightly, "I guess I will be the new gym leader until she returns. Or at least until the gym is gone".
Silence. After a minute she saw we were still here, "Don't get me wrong. I appreciate you saving me. But...this hits hard for a mother. It feels like I've lost her for all those years, and now she's gone just as soon as she came back to her senses".
I placed my hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry for your loss, but, there is a chance she'll be back from prison. Also, listen, I don't mean to impose. But it's late, so could we spend the night here"?
She wiped the tears from her eyes, "Of course. Of course, it's the least I could do".
Leading us to a couple of rooms, I spoke to her first. I asked, "Are you going to be alright"?
She reassured me, "Yes. I have her pokemon to keep me company. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. Just...it'll take me some time to recuperate from, all of this".
The next day, we bid the mother farewell and booked a ride to Sunyshore City as instructed. Fortunately nothing much happened along the routes and we finally ended up at Sendoff Springs without a hitch. As me and Hexy entered the clearing along with Mimikyu, we hiked up the hill until we reached the namesake, though it was more like a lake.
The water was crystal clear, and right across the water we could see Turnback Cave. There was even a boardwalk, rather unscathed. The forest around us teemed with pokemon like noctowls, and there were schools of magikarps swimming in the water. Along the trees I saw a dusclops though, and I began to have flashbacks. The pokemon just looked at us as I balled my fist and glared at it. It seemed to be just doing it's own thing though, collecting wood.
Hexy reminded me, "Don't worry, not every pokemon is evil, remember"?
I was still reluctant, "Yeah, I know. But after the stuff I've seen so far, including with you, I kind of expect everything to be out for us. I mean, just seeing a dusclops walking around makes me want to attack it. Guess that's how Mimikyu feels about pikachus. Which I also detest at this point. But whatever, let's get across that lake".
Taking out my pokeball for Frillish, Hexy took my arm gently. "Listen, let's take a rest right now. I'll go gather some berries for us and our pokemon. Just, rest, okay"?
I smiled, "Aww, you do care".
She replied, "Yeah, a bit. But next time it's your turn to gather. So, just stay here with Mimikyu until I get back".
With Hexy doing that, I took her advice and calmed my mind. Taking in the scenery and fresh air though, reminded me of that time in Ilex Forest back in Johto with Ethan and Hurry.
I was just as scared of the forest back then as I was now. "Ethan, remind me what we're doing here again? It's so dark".
He glanced back my way with Hurry at his side, wearing the same confident smile he always had. "Don't sweat it Larson, you'll see once we get there. Just stay close to me and Hurry, he'll keep away the wild pokemon".
We arrived at a clearing where the grass was up to our waists, and in the distance and shadows, we found what Ethan was looking for. "There it is, see it? The shrine".
I rolled my eyes, "We came all this way for a shrine"?
Ethan answered, "Yes, and no. You'll see. Come on".
He made some playful banter, "Hey 'Grey', remind me why you never caught yourself a pokemon, again"?
He knew why but I played along, "Because I don't want to go through what you did to catch Hurry, 'Gold', remember? That and how they can pretty much all kill you in some way".
He gave a fake laugh, "I know. Sorry. But seriously, it'd do you good to catch at least one in your lifetime. You've seen how much fun me and Hurry have together. Imagine having your own. Heck, even the humanoid ones. What about them"?
I thought about it, but still no. "Nah. I mean the aspect of a gothitelle or gardevoir is nice, and I mean...they are really pretty...but still they are still technically pokemon. Just looking at a gardevoir the wrong way, they could filet your mind".
As we reached the shrine, which kind of looked like a tiny pagoda, Ethan and Hurry started looking around frantically. I finally wanted answers, "Okay, no more secrecy. Tell me why we're out here".
Ethan looked to Hurry, then me. "Okay, guess I can spoil the surprise early. I'm looking for a mythical pokemon. A Celebi".
Back then I was quite the skeptic when talking about that stuff, "Mythical means it doesn't exist Ethan, come on".
He insisted, "What, you don't believe in Arceus, or Giratina"?
I shrugged, "They could exist. But a 'guardian of the forest'? Get realistic".
My friend raised his arms, "Okay. Tell you what. If we find nothing then I'll admit you were right. But you have to help me find one. Deal"?
I agreed, "Deal".
We got to work searching around the shrine, and even separated a good distance. Unfortunately too well, but at the same time it turned out to be a good thing in the end. Walking around and realizing I was too far, I began to get a little scared and even wrapped my arms around my shoulders like I was cold.
Then, I heard rustling, and before I knew it, I fell on my ass. "Who's...what's there"?
The rustling stopped, but then out popped a dumb looking weedle. 'Wee, dle'.
I rose to my feet and began to walk the other way, keeping my eyes on the small pokemon. But as soon as I looked in front of me, I was startled upon seeing a flying pokemon. It greeted me, 'Celebi'.
It spoke in a feminine voice, and pokemon smiled at me before beginning to fly around in rings around the trees. After watching it have fun, the Celebi returned over to me and stared with a friendly face. I reached out, "You're, real"?
She took my hand, then took the other and began lightly moving me around in circles like a dance. I found myself willing moving along with it, 'Bi, cele, cele bi'. Her skinwas pink patterned and her antennae had green tips, while he big eyes were deep green with black circles around them. Her wings flapped rapidly, and she even lifted me up.
I began to laugh a bit with joy, as the too of our eyes locked, and honestly, I had to admit for a humanoid pokemon she was beautiful. I ended up saying it out loud, "You're really pretty". She seemed to be flattered, as a blush, I think, came across her face. Letting go of me, touched the ground and a flower sprouted up.
At this point I wasn't even afraid of how dark the forest was now that I had company. Celebi handed me the flower. It was orange and blue with tips of red. I'd never seen anything like it. I handed it back to her, which she seemed to take as another compliment as she began giggling.
I almost forgot why we were here too, and then it hit me. "Oh, hey, um, listen. My friend Ethan has been looking for you. Do you mind if I introduce you two"? She gave an open mouthed smile with her eyes closed, 'Cele. Celebi'. She seemed to agree, "Alright this way...oh. I forgot I lost him".
Celebi tapped me on the shoulder, then pointed to her antennae, then towards a direction, 'Celebi'. I replied, "So, you can tell where his is using those"? She nodded her head in clarification. "Okay, take me to him please".
I followed her through the woods, and sure enough back to the shrine. But no Ethan. "He's not here. Did you make a mistake", I asked her. Then I heard him call, "Larson"! I yelled back, "Over here". As he made his way back here and into the clearing, he saw me and Celebi. His mouth dropped.
He ran over with Hurry, "You found a Celebi?! A shiny one too"?
I admitted, "More like she found me. Also I've never seen one so I had no idea she was shiny".
Ethan grinned, "I noticed you called Celebi a 'she'. You seem acquainted already".
I rubbed the back of my head, "Well I...uh. She um, played around with me and got me much happier when I was scared and alone so...she kind of saved me in a sense. She's a lot of fun".
Ethan kept smiling, "I think you might have your first crush. On a pokemon no less".
I denied it, "What? I mean I found her for you and she was the one who started playing…".
He cut me off, "Hey, it's fine. Remember what the history books say. It's completely normal for you two. Just uncommon".
Celebi giggled again. I turned with a red, embarrassed, but upset look, but I couldn't get mad at her. "Er".
Hurry then began hopping up and down to get Ethan's attention, 'Cynda. Cyndaquil'. He looked down, "What is it Hurry"?
Suddenly, a huge swarm of beedrills came flying out of the trees and surrounded us. I thought I was going to pee myself, "That's a LOT of giant wasps".
Charging us, Ethan commanded Hurry, "Use Flamethrower". Hurry blew flames from his mouth that singed some of the beedrills but they didn't retreat.
The beedrills retaliated, and ganged up on Hurry so much I'm surprised he only fainted. They all shot out him with Pin Missiles, shooting their stingers again and again. Though Hurry outran many of them, there were too many and he was knocked out.
Seeing this, Celebi flew over to Ethan, 'Celebi. Cele bi, bi cele'. He retrieved Hurry and Celebi even healed him for Ethan, but he seemed to get whatever the message was. Taking out his pokeball, he captured her, just to then release her. She was now his pokemon.
I could see the anger in his eyes, and while me and Hurry stood next to each other, we watched it unfold. On her own volition, before Ethan said a word though, she signaled all of us to cover our ears. She used Perish Song, and while muffled and unaffected completely, I heard the sorrowful melody.
Ethan shouted, "Use Leaf Storm". Using her psychic powers, she used telekinesis it seemed to cause every leaf in the vicinity on the ground, to fly upwards and cut all the beedrills.
The beedrills retaliated using more Pin Missiles, but Celebi managed to dodge every single shot like a natural. Ethan gave the next order, "Use Confusion". She then let out a telekinetic, pink force wave that affected every beedrill. The swarm started to use Poison Jab, but being confused they all either stabbed themselves or each other. Once their confusion wore off, the beedrills all went right for Celebi with Fury Cutters.
She danced around them like an angel, dodging every single jab of their stingers and this was dozens of them. Once they had all missed, she made a bold move, again without Ethan's command. She used Perish Song a second time, though this one wouldn't affect us in the long run.
Suddenly, she fell to the ground unconscious due to the song, but unlike her, what happened next kind of scarred me. Before me, Ethan and Hurry's eyes, all the beedrills' head exploded into green blood. The visceral scene was gruesome to say the least, with some having half their heads blasted off, other's completely gone and some with their red eyeballs strewn about.
I cried out to Ethan, "What in God's name just happened"?
He could barely believe it himself, but he explained. "Well, according to myths, if Perish Song is used multiple times in the same battle, the opponent WILL die instead of faint. The user will pass out but will be severely injured internally".
I was confused, "Why would she do that"?
He gave his thoughts, "To protect us, I guess".
When she woke up, she seemed like herself again, but a little weaker. 'Celebi'?
She happily flew around until seeing what she did. She flew down to the ground and lowered her head in shame. But we did forgive her due to her intentions. I started, "We get why you did that". Ethan continued, "But you probably shouldn't do that ever again. It killed those beedrills, but it also hurts you too".
She seemingly apologized in her language, 'Cele, cele bi. Bi cel, cele bi cel'.
We couldn't help but forgive her. But we definitely knew what she was capable of, and like it or not she was dangerous. I congratulated Ethan, "Well, you got your celebi, now what"?
He smiled, "I use her to get to the leagues. But, she's technically 'ours' since you were the one who found her, so...you know".
I looked to Celebi, "What do you think? Is it okay if I use you once in awhile"?
She smiled, 'Celebi'.
Ethan laughed, "I think that's a yes".
I was amped after the adventure, "Okay, let's get out of here".
But before that, Celebi flew close and locked eyes with me. She lowered her face to where her eyes looked up at mine. I couldn't help but blush. Then, in that moment, she pressed her lips against mine. We were kissing...and it felt incredible. I found myself holding her close.
After breaking away from it, she giggled, while Ethan and mostly me were dumbfounded and happy at the same time. My first kiss was just with Celebi.