AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! Here is chapter 5 of the Adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu in Johto. There are a few things I want to point out. Perhaps you'll recall the Fearow and the Spearow flock from the anime? You know, the same Fearow that Ash encountered at the very start of his journey. Unfortunately, they make an appearance in this chapter because to Fearow, Tristan resembles Ash in some ways, but not in others. I've also added the song, "Pokémon Johto" as a music cue towards the end of this chapter. This is the opening theme for the third season of Pokémon, aka Pokémon: The Johto Journeys. This song was composed by John Loeffler and John Siegler, and the performer is the music group called Johto. The lead singer is PJ Lequerica. No, I don't own the music or the franchise whatsoever. Pokémon, Pikachu, and other known Pokémon names are treademarks of Nintendo. Please feel free to read and review at your leisure.

TEASER: After the horrible incident at Professor Elm's lab, Chikorita distrusts all humans. But after a Fearow and a flock of Spearow attack, it's up to Chikorita, Tristan, and his Pokémon to work together and save the day!

Chapter 5: THE SWEET SCENT OF SUCCESS

(Music Cue: Ash's Decision to Fight (second part))

Last time, Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu were ready to begin their journey through the Johto region as they stopped at Professor Elm's laboratory because he knew of her good talent as the youngest Pokémon Trainer. Hillary chose Cyndaquil, or rather it chose her.

While our heroes raced home to show their grandparents Hillary's new Cyndaquil, a young boy named Silver broke into the lab and abruptly stole Totodile in the process.

On the way back to the lab, our heroes discovered the Totodile that Silver stole, and Hillary challenged him to a battle to avenge the heinous act he had committed.

Despite the type disadvantage, Hillary won the battle thanks to Cyndaquil's powerful Flamethrower attack.

Unfortunately, when they got back to the lab, they learned that Chikorita was completely terrified of the outside world with zero trust in humans.

Now, our heroes are left wondering what to do about Chikorita's bad temper. Will they be able to find a way to calm it down and free it from its fear of humans?

Chikorita was still trembling with fright after the horrible incident it had just witnessed,

"Poor Chikorita," said Hillary sadly. "Now it's afraid of all humans because of what Silver did."

"It's all my fault this happened," replied Professor Elm. "I should've been able to stop him, but I didn't have the skills like you do. I'm just a Professor, and nothing more."

"You're being too hard on yourself, Professor," said Veronica. "If I know our grandchildren, they'll do whatever it takes to make things right. Right?"

"Right," agreed Tristan and Hillary.

Pikachu agreed, too.

"I think we should get this place back in order," suggested Eric. "Maybe Chikorita will feel more at ease when it's all cleaned up."

"Great idea, Grandpa," replied Tristan. "Let's get to work."

(Music Cue: Route 29)

A short time later, everyone started cleaning up the mess that had been made earlier that morning.

Eric swept up the broken glass while Veronica held a dustpan.

Hillary helped pick up all the loose papers and put it all near Professor Elm's computer. It was all unread research, and she knew that Professor Elm would get to it sooner or later.

Tristan's Venusaur used its Vine Whip to haul Professor Elm up to help him carry a board to where the glass was.

Tristan was on the outside on top of Charizard as he helped nail the board in place from the other side.

After the window was boarded up, everyone used brooms and dustpans to sweep and clean up the dust.

Of course, it was still tricky with Chikorita still under the table and refusing to budge.

Next, Veronica used a vacuum cleaner to get rid of the remaining dust on the floor.

Sure enough, the mess had been cleaned up, and the lab returned to the way it was before Silver came.

"Well done, everyone," said Professor Elm. "All of you worked super hard today."

"It was our pleasure, Professor Elm," replied Veronica. "I'm used to doing this every day back at home."

"But we still don't know what to do about Chikorita," said Hillary.

Sure enough, Chikorita was in the exact same spot hiding under the table.

"Yes, this is quite strange," said Professor Elm.

"I have an idea," suggested Veronica. "Let's all come to the house and have a big lunch party. Think of it as a bon voyage before our grandchildren set off on their brand new adventure."

"Great idea, dear," replied Eric. "You always make something really good."

"Well, I try, dear," said Veronica.

Tristan thought about it, but then said, "I think I'll stay here with Chikorita."

Veronica was a little surprised. "You're not hungry?"

Tristan shook his head. "I can't just leave Chikorita alone and do nothing. Besides, I think it can learn that that there are people that can be trusted in this world. I'll join you guys a little later."

Veronica understood. "Okay, you've convinced me." She turned to the others. "Come on, everyone! Let's go to my place!"

"All right, I'm starving!" said Hillary as she, Eric, Veronica, Pikachu, and Professor Elm left the lab and headed for the house.

Tristan waved to them as they left. Then he crawled under the table where Chikorita was still trembling. "I bet you're scared of the outside world, aren't you, Chikorita?"

Chikorita slowly nodded.

"Is it because of the way Silver took Totodile away?"

Chikorita nodded again.

"Well, I just wanted to let you know that I'm not like that guy at all," said Tristan. "I care about all Pokémon and people. And I would like to be your friend if you'll let me."

Chikorita slowly moved forward, but then it stepped back.

"It's all right, Chikorita," said Tristan. "Take all the time you need. I know!" He took off his backpack, opened it, and dug out some Pokémon food. "I bet you're hungry. Try this. A good friend gave me instructions on how to make good Pokémon food some time ago. It's quite tasty."

Chikorita saw the Pokémon food Tristan had dug out. Closer and closer it slowly came, and then it ate a piece. Chikorita seemed to like it.

Tristan smiled. His plan was working.

Chikorita came closer and closer to him, until...out it came from under the table.

"That's great, Chikorita," said Tristan. "I knew you could do it."

Chikorita was confused. Then it leaped into Tristan's arms.

"I want to show you something, Chikorita," said Tristan. "Do you want to come outside with me?"

Chikorita was puzzled, but it agreed to go outside with Tristan.

Outside, Tristan showed Chikorita the wonderful weather near the surrounding forests.

The sun was shining and the breeze was light and warm.

Chikorita seemed to like it.

"Do you like being outside, Chikorita?" asked Tristan.

Chikorita nodded. It then jumped out of Tristan's arms and lay itself down on the grass in the sun.

"I wonder why Chikorita loves the sunshine so much," said Tristan. He was full of curiosity. Then he remembered the new Pokédex that he just got. He took it out and scanned Chikorita with it.

The Pokédex had the same voice that his last Pokédex had. "Chikorita, the Leaf Pokémon. Chikorita emit pleasant aromas from the leaves on their heads, and they love to sunbathe."

"So that's what it's doing," said Tristan. He then lay himself down next to Chikorita. "You love this warm sunshine, don't you?"

Chikorita slowly nodded. It looked much more relaxed.

"You see?" said Tristan. "Just lying here doing nothing feels great!"

Just then, multiple angry squawks were heard just overhead.

Tristan and Chikorita immediately sat up and looked up.

(Music Cue: Cause for Alarm (as heard in "Fighting Flyer with Fire"))

A flock of small avian Pokémon with brown plumage and pinkish red feathers began to descend down on them.

"It's a flock of Spearow!" cried Tristan. "Run for it!"

Sure enough, that's what it was, and they began their attack, diving down quickly on Tristan and Chikorita as they ran as fast as they could.

"Duck!" shouted Tristan. He and Chikorita quickly got down to avoid them just in time. "Phew! That was a close one."

But just then, the Spearow made a 180-degree turn and flew at them in the opposite direction.

"Look out! Here they come again!" cried Tristan.

Sure enough, the Spearow flew down on them again.

Tristan managed to get out of the way, but unfortunately, Chikorita wasn't so lucky.

"Chikorita? Chikorita, where are you?" called Tristan as he frantically searched for it in the flock of Spearow.

Chikorita gave a frantic cry for help.

To his horror, he found Chikorita being pecked mercilessly by the Spearow flock.

"Hey, you! Leave my Chikorita alone!" demanded Tristan as he tried to push them away despite the sharp beaks and talons. Eventually, he reached Chikorita and held it tightly in his arms. "Don't worry, Chikorita, I've got you."

Chikorita felt a sense of relief as its eyes teared up.

Just then, an even angrier squawk was heard from above.

Tristan looked up to see a large brown avian Pokémon with a huge beak closing in on him and Chikorita. "That's a Fearow!" he cried.

True enough, it had apparently chosen Tristan as its target. To Fearow, he looked like another Trainer that it first met quite some time ago.

"Hurry, we'd better make a run for it!" And he started to run with Chikorita still in hand.

But unfortunately, Fearow was too fast for them and closed in on them.

Tristan quickly got down low on the ground with Chikorita still wrapped tightly in his arms.

Unfortunately, Fearow used its talons to grab him and carried him high into the sky with the Spearow right behind it.

Tristan let out a yell as he was carried off. He then looked at Chikorita, who was now terrified again. "Don't worry, Chikorita, I won't let anything bad happen to you. I promise."

When Chikorita heard the word 'promise,' it felt a great sense of relief and remembered how Tristan went so far to befriend it. It then leaped out of his arms, onto his head, and finally came to rest on Fearow's back, surprising it.

(Music Cue: Title Screen 1999-2001)

It then released a pink powder from the leaf on its head, affecting both Fearow and its flock of Spearow to the point where they all relaxed.

"Wow, that's a sweet scent," remarked Tristan.

Sure enough, that's what it was, for Chikorita had used Sweet Scent to quell the attitudes of both Fearow and its flock of Spearow.

Fearow's grip on Tristan slackened until finally, it released him.

Tristan let out a yell as he fell.

Chikorita gasped in horror as it shot two green vines to catch Tristan just in time.

Tristan breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Chikorita, great save," he said. He then threw two Pokéballs and shouted, "Charizard, Pidgeot, I choose you!"

Charizard and Pidgeot emerged from the white lights that shot out of them.

Charizard quickly flew to Tristan as Chikorita gently deposited him on its back.

Tristan looked up to Chikorita, who was still on Fearow's back. "Chikorita, quick, jump on!"

Chikorita leaped off of Fearow's back and landed in Tristan's arms.

"That's great, Chikorita," said Tristan. "Now let's get those guys."

Chikorita eagerly nodded in agreement.

"Go, Pidgeot, hit 'em with your Quick Attack!" commanded Tristan.

Pidgeot flew toward Fearow and the Spearow with a white line trailing behind it, scoring clean hits on all of them.

"Charizard, finish 'em with Flamethrower!" ordered Tristan.

Charizard shot a long powerful flame from its mouth at Fearow and the Spearow, scoring a hot hit on them that seemed to last forever.

At the house, Veronica was the first to notice the fiery spectacle outside the window. Little did she know that it was Charizard's Flamethrower that caused it to happen. "Hey, everyone, check this out!"

Everyone came to the window and looked out. Sure enough, they saw the long and powerful stream of fire in the sky.

"Tristan sure is missing a great fire show out there," said Hillary.

Back where Tristan was, Fearow and the Spearow frantically flew around in circles thanks to Charizard's fiery blast, and soon, they all beat a hasty retreat.

"We did it!" cried Tristan excitedly.

Chikorita shared in the excitement as Charizard and Pidgeot gave cries of triumph over their foes.

Tristan turned to Chikorita. "This wouldn't have been possible without you, Chikorita," he said. "I'm very grateful to have a friend like you."

Chikorita agreed.

"Let's all head back to the house," suggested Tristan.

Charizard and Pidgeot nodded.

Tristan then turned to Chikorita. "Do you want to meet my friends, Chikorita? They're very nice."

Chikorita thought about it. Then at last, it nodded.

"All right!" said Tristan. "Let's go!"

Charizard gave an affirmative roar as it began flying toward the house with Pidgeot squawking in agreement and flying close behind it.

Meanwhile, back at the house, everyone was waiting for Tristan to return. Presently, they heard a loud roar from the sky.

"Look, there he is!" said Hillary as she and Pikachu looked up and saw Charizard and Pidgeot flying toward them.

Tristan was riding on Charizard, and he had Chikorita with him. "Hey, guys! Sorry I'm late!"

"Chiko!" added Chikorita.

"How about that!" smiled Professor Elm. "Looks like Tristan and Chikorita became friends after all."

"That's our grandson, right, dear?" said Veronica.

"You said it," agreed Eric.

Charizard landed on the ground, and Tristan and Chikorita dismounted.

Pidgeot landed right next to them.

(Music Cue: A Future Hope)

Pikachu happily ran to greet Tristan and jumped on his shoulder.

"Hey, pal!" said Tristan. He was just as happy to see Pikachu as it was to see him.

Chikorita was confused.

"Chikorita, this is Pikachu, my best friend," explained Tristan. "Pikachu is the very first Pokémon I started out with right when I started my journey."

Chikorita smiled and greeted Pikachu warmly.

Pikachu did the same for Chikorita.

"This is my sister, Hillary," continued Tristan. "And these are my grandparents."

"Hi, Chikorita," said Hillary.

"It's nice to meet you," put in Veronica.

"How do you do?" finished Eric.

Chikorita smiled. It had never been so happy to meet new friendly people in its life.

Then everyone smelled the sweet aroma that Chikorita emitted and relaxed.

"I guess this must be how Chikorita relaxes and makes new friends, right?" said Hillary. She was a little puzzled.

"I think so," replied Tristan. "Well, everybody, let's eat!"

Everyone agreed, including Chikorita, who happily jumped onto Tristan's other shoulder.

Professor Elm came to Tristan. "You know, maybe this Chikorita might be happiest going along with you. It could use a great Trainer like you to show it the world all around it."

Tristan then turned to Chikorita. "Is that true, Chikorita? Do you want to come along with me?"

Chikorita smiled and happily accepted the offer.

Tristan was now full of delight and proclaimed, "I got a Chikorita!"

"Pi-Pikachu!" added Pikcahu.

"Chiko!" finished Chikorita.

Tristan suddenly remembered. "But I already have six Pokémon. How do I choose which one to leave behind?"

"I have an idea," suggested Professor Elm. "Why don't you send Professor Oak your Pidgeot and Lapras. He's always been wanting to research how Lapras behave. And besides, Professor Oak has a big lake that Lapras can swim around in. And Pidgeot can patrol the lab on its rounds in the sky."

"Okay," agreed Tristan. "I'm sure both of them will be happy to see Professor Oak.

Pidgeot seemed to agree.

"Then it's decided," said Professor Elm. "And while we're there, you can sign up for the Johto League."

"All right then," said Tristan. "Let's eat!"

"Yeah!" everyone else said excitedly.

(Music Cue: Pokémon Johto)

Everyone had a great lunch, and afterwards, Tristan, Hillary, their grandparents, Pikachu, and Professor Elm made their way to the Pokémon Center.

Everybody wants to be a Master
Everybody wants to show their skills
Everybody wants to get there faster
Make their way to the top of the hill

Each time you try, gonna get just a little bit better
Each step you climb is one more step up the ladder

It's a whole new world we live in (Do-Do-Do, Do, Do-Do)
It's a while new way to see (Do-Do-Do, Do, Do-Do)
It's a whole new place with a brand new attitude
But you still gotta catch 'em all and be the best that you can be

(Do-Do-Do, Do, Do-Do; Do-Do-Do, Do, Do-Do)
Pokémon Johto!
(Do-Do-Do, Do, Do-Do; Do-Do-Do, Do, Do-Do)

(instrumental continues)

At the Pokémon Center, Tristan and his friends came to the front desk.

Nurse Joy greeted them all warmly. "Welcome to the Pokémon Center," she said.

"My name's Tristan from New Bark Town," said Tristan. "I'd like to sign up to participate in the Johto League."

"Ah, a local Trainer," smiled Nurse Joy.

Tristan handed Nurse Joy his Pokédex and pushed it into a slot inside a machine.

Tristan's picture came up on the machine, and the word 'OK' flashed onto the screen.

"Congratulations, Tristan," smiled Nurse Joy. "You're now fully qualified to participate in the Johto League."

"Great, thanks, Nurse Joy," replied Tristan.

"How many badges does Tristan need to win in this League?" asked Hillary.

"The magic number is eight," answered Nurse Joy. "Once Tristan earns eight badges, he's be able to participate in the Johto League tournament."

"All right, I can't wait!" said Tristan excitedly.

A moment later, Tristan came to the video phone and called Professor Oak.

The video screen turned on, and Professor Oak's face appeared. "Ah, hello, Tristan," he said. "Looks like a big party here. How are things going?"

"Great, Professor Oak," replied Tristan. "I even got a Chikorita to take along with me."

"That's wonderful news," said Professor Oak. "But keep in mind, you already have six Pokémon, so you'll have to send at least one of them to me first."

"I'm going to send Pidgeot and Lapras to you," said Tristan.

"Excellent choices," smiled Professor Oak. "Put your Pokéballs with Pidgeot and Lapras in them, one at a time, on the transporter next to the screen. Then push the button to transport."

"Got it," replied Tristan. He took out Pidgeot and Lapras's Pokéballs and held them close. "Bye, guys. Thanks for helping me get this far. I'll see you real soon." He put Pidgeot's Pokéball on the transporter first and pushed the button.

But you still gotta catch 'em all and be the best that you can be
(Do-Do-Do, Do, Do-Do)
Pokémon Johto!
(Do-Do-Do, Do, Do-Do)
Yeah!

A surge of white light surrounded the Pokéball. Seconds later, it disappeared, taking the Pokéball with it.

Next, Tristan put Lapras's Pokéball on the transporter and pushed the button.

The same thing happened with it, and it disappeared.

Professor Oak showed the two Pokéballs on the screen to Tristan. "Your Pidgeot and Larpas made it here safely."

"That's great, thanks, Professor," replied Tristan.

"I wish you success on your new journey," said Professor Oak. "Keep in touch every now and then, okay?"

"We will," smiled Tristan.

Pikachu and Chikorita waved to Professor Oak just before the video screen turned off.

(repeat chorus)

Outside the Pokémon Center, Veronica and Eric gave Tristan and Hillary big hugs as they said their goodbyes.

"Bye, Grandma. Bye, Grandpa," said Tristan and Hillary together.

"Goodbye, kids," replied Veronica. "Take care of each other."

"And Pikachu and Chikorita, take good care of them, too," added Eric.

Pikachu and Chikorita gave happy replies.

A few moments later, Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, and Chikorita waved goodbye to Veronica, Eric, and Professor Elm, who all waved back until they were out of sight.

And so, Tristan adds Chikorita to his ever-growing family of Pokémon. And now, this part of Tristan and Hillary's story has finally begun. What new Pokémon will they discover? And what new people will they meet? Stay tuned for more of this action-packed adventure!

(Pokémon Johto!)

► TO BE CONTINUED