AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! Here is chapter 20 of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu as they continue their journey through the Johto region. I had originally wrote this chapter several months ago, but have made several edits before now. Now before we proceed into this chapter, I want to explain a few things to you. First of all, Ash and Misty make cameo appearances in this chapter as they battle each other in the Whirl Cup on TV, based on the Pokémon: Master Quest episode "The Perfect Match." Second, the small baby Lugia sort of reminds me of a Trumpeter Swan named Louis from E.B. White's Trumpet of the Swan because this Lugia seems to have a bit of a problem. In the book, you may recall that Louis doesn't have a voice so he must use a trumpet to overcome that difficulty. But in this story, Lugia hasn't grown an inch since it first hatched. But there will be a happy ending sometime in the very near future. Second of all, you may recall Oliver from the three part Lugia saga also on Pokémon: Master Quest. Let's imagine that this is the time that Oliver befriends one of the baby Lugia, whom he calls Silver. We didn't see what happened after the parent Lugia emerged from the water and scared him, but what happens if the smaller baby Lugia proves his innocence? Lastly, I was inspired to make the Silver Wing enchanted like the enchanted dragon scale from the children's television series Dragon Tales, whose production companies include Sony Pictures Television and the Sesame Workshop. The Silver Wing will have magical abilities, but you'll have to wait to see what they are. I DO NOT own any of these franchises including Pokémon. Pokémon, Pikachu, and all other known character names are trademarks of Nintendo. Please feel free to read and review.
TEASER: While Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu receive a message from Mewtwo and Mew, telling him that a legendary Pokémon will be meeting them, the parent Lugia is trying to pull out all the stops in order to get its small baby to grow. Will it succeed? And when the small baby proves how intelligent it is and proves a boy's innocence, it must make the ultimate sacrifice for the safety of its entire family.
Chapter 20: ALONE
(Music Cue: Opening Title 1999-2001 (as heard in "Once in a Blue Moon"))
Today, Tristan and his friends are continuing their journey to Azalea Town. But for now, they're inside the Pokémon Center, and after getting a good night's rest, they're getting ready for another big day on the road.
Tristan and Pikachu were eagerly watching a battle broadcasting live on the Whirl Islands on TV the next morning. He saw a Trainer wearing a Pokémon League Expo hat battle another Trainer with orange hair tied into a side ponytail. "Yeah, go, Ash!" he said excitedly.
"What are you watching, Tristan?" asked Hillary as she and Togepi came into the lobby.
"I'm watching this great battle between Ash and Misty," answered Tristan.
(Music Cue: Goofball Alert (as heard in "The Fortune Hunters"))
Hillary took a real close look at Misty. "Oooh, I like her. I think she's gonna win this one."
"Dream on, Hillary, 'cause Ash is the one who's gonna win. Besides, that Kingler's Crabhammer attack will probably cut Misty's next Pokémon down to size."
"I'll tell you what," said Hillary. "Let's make a little wager. If Ash wins, I'll give you an extra chocolate shake. But if Misty wins, you have to give me an extra chocolate shake."
"You're on!" said Tristan. He could feel the excitement of having two chocolate shakes in one day.
"Ash and Misty are tied at one Pokémon apiece," said the commentator on the TV screen. "The next battle will decide the match."
Misty got into position to send out her second Pokémon, but to her surprise, a white light shot out from her bag, and it revealed a Psyduck, who promptly jumped in the pool, and flailed about, struggling in vain to swim.
"Misty will be using her Psyduck," said the commentator. "But it's drowning. Probably not a good move on Misty's part."
"No, no, no!" gritted Hillary as she clenched her fists in frustration.
"Ha!" laughed Tristan. "Say goodbye to your chocolate shake."
Psyduck managed to get on one of the floating platforms, showing a victory pose.
(Music Cue: Raid!)
But just then, the battle resumed as Kingler struck out into the water straight toward a defenseless Psyduck, using its claws as the driving force.
"Kingler is moving through the water with amazing speed," said the commentator. "Unable to swim, Psyduck has nowhere to run."
Then Kingler grabbed on to Psyduck's head using those claws.
"There's no escaping Kingler's ViceGrip," said the commentator.
Psyduck struggled in vain to break free as Kingler's grip grew tighter and tighter.
"Yeah, that's it, Kingler!" said Tristan excitedly.
Hillary just stood with her arms crossed tightly as she continued to watch the battle. She couldn't stand the thought of losing her chocolate shake.
"Kingler has a tight grip on Psyduck with its claw and won't let go," said the commentator.
But just then, Psyduck glowed in a blue aura as the pressure on its head mounted to a fever pitch.
Tristan and Hillary couldn't believe their eyes as Psyduck's telekinetic power grew stronger and stronger.
Then Psyduck opened its eyes as widely as it could, and they glowed in the same way as it did.
"That's a Confusion attack!" gasped Hillary.
Sure enough, Psyduck's Confusion sent Kingler flying with amazing velocity.
"Wow! Psyduck used Confusion to blast Kingler away in one shot!" said the commentator.
Thanks to Psyduck's Confusion attack, Kingler was sent flying into Ash, with both of them knocking each other out.
"Ha! In your face, Ash!" said Hillary.
"Kingler is unable to battle...Psyduck wins and the match goes to Misty!" declared the referee.
Tristan was shocked. He couldn't believe that a powerful Kingler could lose to a Psyduck that couldn't swim, let alone battle.
"Now who gets the chocolate shake?" smirked Hillary.
Tristan groaned.
(Music Cue: Kanto Route 1 (as heard in the Japanese version of "Pokémon: The First Movie"))
A little while later, Tristan and Hillary were on the road as they walked on the open path.
Tristan was still in a very grumpy mood. He was still sore about losing his chocolate shake for the day.
"Aw, don't feel bad, Tristan," said Hillary.
"Hmph!" grumbled Tristan. He didn't want to be reminded of the loss of his shake.
Presently, they came to an open field where several Pokémon were relaxing nearby.
"Look at all the Grass Pokémon, Tristan!" said Hillary excitedly. "That might cheer you up."
"You're right!" added Tristan as he took out his binoculars. "There are Gloom and Vileplume. They sure look like they're having fun sunbathing."
Pikachu and Togepi seemed to agree.
"And look!" said Hillary. "I see some round pink Pokémon flying through the air!"
"Where?" asked Tristan. He tried to find them in his binoculars, but didn't see them at first, but soon, he found them. They were pink and round, but they had long, green leaves spinning as they flew through the air on the wind's soft breeze. "I wonder what they are." He put down his binoculars, took out his Pokédex named Dexter, and scanned the pink Pokémon.
"Hoppip, the Cottonweed Pokémon," identified Dexter. "This hopping Pokémon is light as a feather, and can be lifted in the air with the gentlest breeze."
"Hey, the Pokédex is right!" said Hillary. "They really are flying, and the wind isn't even that strong!"
Tristan took a deep breath and took in some fresh air. I sure wish I could fly like those Hoppip, he thought.
(Music Cue: The Moon Stone)
Suddenly, Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, and Togepi saw two Pokémon appearing in the sky above them like magic. They were both purple and pink bipedal feline Pokémon; the purple one was bigger.
Hillary yelled out in surprise. "Aah! Those two Pokémon just appeared out of nowhere!"
"They sure know how to sneak up on people!" added Tristan.
Sorry about that, said the purple Pokémon as it and the other Pokémon landed next to them. I asked Mew to teleport us to your location.
Tristan smiled. He knew who they were. "It's Mewtwo and Mew! How have you been?"
We really don't mean to drop in like this, but I just got word that a new legendary Pokémon will be coming your way very soon, explained Mewtwo. And it's an extremely powerful Pokémon that normally sleeps at the bottom of the sea.
"The bottom of the sea?" repeated Tristan.
"But wait a second," said Hillary. "If we discovered all the Pokémon in Kanto, doesn't that mean that there are legendary Pokémon in Johto that we need to befriend as well?"
That's exactly why Mew and I came to you, answered Mewtwo. There are several legendary Pokémon in this region that you need to befriend. And this one will be one of them. You must do what you can to be this Pokémon's friend...and don't forget about the task of finding that item I told you about. I'm counting on you. I know you won't let us down. And with that, Mewtwo and Mew, using their Psychic powers, took off into the air and flew away.
Tristan and Hillary were left confused.
Pikachu and Togepi were just as confused as their Trainers were.
"That was pretty weird," said Tristan.
"You said it, Tristan," agreed Hillary. "I wonder what legendary Pokémon in the Johto region we're going to meet first?"
And they pondered that question for what seemed like hours.
(Music Cue: Arriving at Pokémon Park (from the beginning of the Japanese version of "Pikachu's Summer Vacation" (as heard in the beginning of "Hour of the Houndour")))
Meanwhile, in a remote area of the Whirl Islands, the parent Lugia watched its two babies proudly as they played together. They dove underwater, had swimming contests, and even splashed one another.
But something seemed to make it very concerned. the parent noticed that something was different about one of its babies. It was eating well and swimming well, even better than its other baby had, and its flight feathers were growing rapidly: much faster than expected. Plus, it was able to speak telepathically, giving it a lot of intelligence at an early age. However, it didn't see any difference in its physical growth. As a matter of fact, it didn't even grow half an inch since it first hatched. So it took the smaller baby aside so they could talk in private.
Normally, almost no Pokémon could speak telepathically unless they were a Legendary Pokémon or a Pokémon that's special, but the smaller Lugia seemed to have the intelligence to do it with anyone in the few short days since it hatched. It never spoke on the morning when it first met Tristan and his Pikachu because it was a newborn.
Ever since it first saw the boy, it seemed to want to be with him so they could play together, yet it also wanted to see the world for itself. It hadn't seen him or Pikachu since that morning, which made it very sad. It wanted to see him again, but wasn't sure where he was or what he was doing.
When no humans are around, the parent Lugia could speak telepathically in human language like its baby could.
The parent spoke first. My little boy, it said, it has become my opinion that you haven't gotten any bigger.
What do you mean, Mother? asked the baby.
Well, I haven't seen you grow any taller or longer, answered the parent. Your wingspan hasn't grown at all, either. Your sibling, however, has grown by about three feet. You should be as tall as your sibling by now. So, starting today, we're going to do some extra hard workouts so you can grow as big as I am. That means you won't play with your sibling for a while.
But mother... the baby began.
We are going to do it, insisted the parent. No exceptions. Being small and unable to fly can put you in real danger. And besides, your being able to talk may have exposed all three of us to the outside world, putting us all at great risk. So get to the other island, and let's get ready to race across. I'll be with you in just a moment after I get your sibling to a safe location and out of sight.
Yes, Mother, sighed the baby sadly.
In a few moments, the parent Lugia and the baby got to the small island and got ready to start the race.
All right, said the parent. We'll race to the other side of the water by going across the water at high speed.
How? asked the baby.
What we'll do is use our wings like paddles to run on top of the water and propel us to that island over there, explained the parent. There will be plenty of obstacles that we will have to watch out for.
When do we start the race, Mother?
We'll go as soon as the sun comes out from behind that cloud.
There were several clouds in the sky, and the sun disappeared behind one of them.
For a while, it looked as if the sun would stay behind that cloud forever. But suddenly, the sun came out.
GO!
(Music Cue: Get Pokémon!)
The race was on!
Both the parent and the baby Lugia splashed into the water and struck out, racing toward the other side as they went. Their wings were beating the air and they were kicking hard. Their legs and feet allowed them to scoot across the water at high speed like swans.
The baby Lugia seemed to beat its wings faster and harder than the parent was, and it was running super-fast as it went.
Presently, a ferry was seen coming from across their racing route with the baby Lugia directly in the ferry's path.
My baby, look out! cried the parent Lugia.
But the baby Lugia saw the ferry and zigzagged right in front of it to dodge it and continue the race.
However, the parent Lugia was seen up close by the passengers, scaring them as it tried to go by.
"Look out! It's a giant sea monster!" cried one.
"Hit the deck!" yelled another.
Just as the parent Lugia and the ferry were about to crash into one another, the parent dove into the water with a tremendous splash to avoid it and waited for it to pass.
As for the passengers on the ferry, they were all dripping wet as it sailed on.
When the ferry passed, the parent Lugia came back up to the surface and continued where it left off. It ran as fast as it could, beating its wings as it went.
However, the baby Lugia proved to be too fast.
Presently, a small island was seen in the distance. As the baby reached it, it hopped out of the water, flapped its wings, and landed neatly on the ground on the sandy beach. Yes! I won! it cried.
The parent Lugia made it to the island a few seconds after the baby did. Well, you beat me, it said.
This is so much fun, Mother! said the baby Lugia excitedly. Can we do it again?
The parent nodded. Yes, we must do it again. We have to get you to start growing as big and powerful as I am so you can protect yourself.
And so they did.
(Music Cue: Pikachu & Raichu Racing (from the Japanese version of "Pikachu's Summer Vacation" (as heard in "Don't Touch That 'Dile")))
The parent Lugia and the baby raced from the first island to the second island and then back again.
But no matter how much the parent Lugia tried to catch up, the baby was just too fast.
Every time, the baby won every race in quick succession. As the other baby Lugia peeked over the surface and watched, the smaller baby went faster and faster and grew stronger and stronger with each race. But as fast and strong as it got, it still didn't get any bigger.
Eventually, the parent Lugia grew too tired to race anymore.
Are you okay, Mother? asked the baby Lugia.
The parent Lugia panted wearily. Don't worry about me. I'm fine. It then took a moment to finally catch its breath. Your swimming and your speed are excellent. But you still haven't grown an inch. Perhaps you're not trying.
But I am trying, mother," insisted the baby. Honest!
After the workouts were over, the parent Lugia said to the smaller baby Lugia, Could you please watch your sibling while I get more food for you underwater?
Okay, I guess, replied the baby nervously.
With that, the parent dove into the water.
(Music Cue: The Day is Conquered (as heard in "Grin to Win"))
As the smaller baby watched its sibling, it thought to itself, I wonder what would happen if I can jump and flap my wings. If I can beat my wings fast and swim fast, maybe I can use these wings to do something else useful! It then started flapping its wings, and suddenly, with hardly any effort, it found itself airborne. "Hey, I'm flying! I'm really flying! it said joyously. It called to its sibling. Sibling! Sibling! Look at me! I'm really flying!
But the other baby Lugia was looking the other way, so it didn't notice.
I did it all by myself! Look at me! Look at me!
But still, the other baby Lugia looked the other way, completely oblivious to what was going on.
Well, I'll just have to prove how well I can fly, the smaller baby Lugia said. And it flew higher into the air to prove how well it could fly. First it did aerial somersaults. Then it followed up by zigzagging from place to place in the sky. Next, it spun into a dizzying dive and made a tremendous splash in the water. But just as it went below the surface, it emerged again and climbed higher and higher into the air at remarkable speed. Finally, it flew in circles as it increased its flying speed. After it circled fast one final time, it decided to look for a place to land. So it landed on the island where the larger baby Lugia was and landed next to it. Look, sibling! I did it! I really did it! I flew high into the sky on my very first try!
The larger baby Lugia seemed to be excited for its sibling, and it cooed happily, but it didn't seem interested in the fact that it could fly.
You know, it's too bad Tristan isn't here with me to see me fly, the smaller baby Lugia thought to itself. He'd be able to see all the tricks I've done on my very first flight! I may not be able to grow large, but at least I can fly. Flying makes me so happy that I'm gonna do it some more! And it flapped its wings and took off into the sky again, doing all the tricks it did on its last flight in the same order. It then flew even further to test out its stamina. It was having so much fun flying in the sky that it had forgotten all about watching its sibling as its parent had asked it to.
Meanwhile, a nasty storm came up all of a sudden. In the distance, a boy in green swimming trunks was happily playing and riding on a Lanturn's back.
The bigger baby Lugia sensed the powerful storm and swam off to try and warn the boy.
Meanwhile, the wind picked up and it started to rain, causing the waves to grow bigger and bigger.
(Music Cue: Lugia Appears! (as heard in the Japanese version of Revelation Lugia))
It was very hard for Lanturn to navigate through the waves, even with the boy sitting on its back.
Just then, a big wave threw the boy and his Lanturn into the depths of the sea, causing them to spin out of control.
The larger baby Lugia noticed the commotion and quickly dove down to save the boy from drowning.
Lanturn was dizzy from the spin, but soon regained its senses. However, the boy had passed out.
The larger baby Lugia managed to get the boy on dry land a short time later. It curiously looked at him.
Presently, the boy regained consciousness and slowly opened his eyes. He saw the larger baby Lugia, who was very friendly to him. "Who are you? Did you save me?" he asked.
The larger baby Lugia cooed and nodded happily.
Then, the boy saw Lanturn in the water close to shore. "There you are, Lanturn," he said. "It looks like you're okay, too." Then he turned to the Lugia. "Thank you for saving me. My name is Oliver. Do you have a name?"
The baby just cooed curiously. It didn't know what names were.
"That's all right," said Oliver. "I think I'll call you Silver. Because you're silver in color, and you're very cute."
The larger baby Lugia seemed to like the name, so it cooed happily.
Just then, the ground seemed to shake. Seconds later, there was a tremendous splash of water.
(Music Cue: Thunder/Zapdos Appears! (as heard in the Japanese version of "Revelation Lugia"))
Suddenly, a big shadow emerged from the sea and hovered over the boy, who gasped in fear as a mysterious call was emitted.
It was the parent Lugia, and it didn't look happy. It apparently didn't like seeing its young around strangers.
Elsewhere, the smaller baby Lugia was having the time of its life. It was spinning and doing somersaults in the sky. Then it heard the parent's mysterious call and suddenly remembered. Oh, no! it gasped. My sibling! It may be in trouble! And it flew off toward the source of that sound as fast as its wings would carry it.
Meanwhile, Oliver was trying to explain what happened to the parent Lugia. "Please believe me, Lugia!" he begged. "I never wanted to hurt Silver! It saved me from drowning!"
Oliver's Lanturn joined in the persuasion to prove that he was innocent.
But the big Lugia just glared at him with its angry eyes.
Presently, the smaller baby appeared. It saw its parent, Oliver, and Silver together, and quietly landed not too far away.
The big Lugia kept glaring at the frightened boy.
The smaller baby was scared for the boy's safety and looked into his eyes. This is all my fault. I left my sibling alone during that storm. That poor boy must've wanted to be friends with my sibling after the storm, but my mother showed up scaring him. I have to help him! And it quickly flew to where Oilver, Silver, and the parent Lugia were. Please, Mother! This human is telling the truth! He means no harm! My sibling is safe! Please don't harm the boy!
Silver nodded as it and the smaller baby Lugia tried to calm the parent down.
The parent stopped glaring at Oliver and turned to the smaller baby.
Oliver was surprised at seeing another baby Lugia, who was still much smaller than Silver. He didn't know this Lugia could talk telepathically. Still, he was relieved that the parent turned away from him.
However, the parent started looking at the smaller baby Lugia in disappointment.
Oliver looked on in astonishment as the parent dove into the water, encouraging both Silver and the smaller baby to follow it.
The parent took the smaller baby aside some time later and had a private talk away from Silver and Oliver. You were supposed to watch your sibling, it said sternly. I asked you to do one simple job, and you failed me.
But I was flying, Mother! the baby insisted. I learned how to fly in the air on my first try without any help! I was having the time of my life!
I don't care! the parent said angrily. Your sibling could have been captured by that human over there! How could you just leave it here all alone? And how could you tell that human was telling the truth, anyway? You should be ashamed of yourself!
The baby Lugia felt like crying after hearing those words. Tears formed in its eyes. I could sense it in the boy's heart, Mother.
The parent saw that it had hurt the baby's feelings. It then comforted the smaller baby Lugia.
I'm sorry, said the parent. I said those harsh words, never realizing how sensitive your feelings were. Now I'm the one who should be ashamed. I was just looking out for your sibling. I am fiercely protective of it and you. But there may be something about you that I may have missed all this time. You said that you were flying, right?
The smaller baby nodded.
And you can speak telepathically with almost anyone, continued the parent. That is highly unusual for any Pokémon.
But why couldn't you emit any words with that human over there? asked the baby.
Because I can only speak when there aren't any humans around, answered the parent. I only emit roars of a...a dragon when any human, good or evil, is around. You may be able to talk with humans anywhere. Perhaps, you may have developed some intelligence much faster than your sibling or I could have ever had. You may be the most intelligent of all of us here.
The baby started to feel better after that.
However, continued the parent, now that you have made yourself fully independent by flying around on your own, I am going to have to ask you to leave us.
The baby was shocked. Leave? But what am I supposed to do without you, Mother?
(Music Cue: Life's Purpose (as heard in "Charizard's Burning Ambition"))
You're all grown up now, replied the parent. You have someone who can take better care of you than I can right now. You may not be able to reach your full height. However, you've gotten stronger and faster with all of our workout sessions, plus you're able to fly without any help, but your sibling cannot. I also have to deal with the presence of a human here. And as good as your intelligence is, your presence here could put all of us in great danger.
The baby stood there, shocked at the thought of leaving, but soon, it sadly understood why it had to go.
Before you go, I must give you this, added the parent as it picked up a strange silver feather it found on Ogi Isle and gave it to the baby.
Isn't that one of my feathers, Mother? asked the baby.
The parent nodded. It is indeed your feather. And it tucked the Silver Wing safely in the baby's feathers. Please take this as a lasting reminder of my love for you. You and that human you made friends with may find it useful. There may even be something magical about this feather.
Magical? But what do you mean?
Go, my baby. Find your own way. Have a sense of adventure. Have fun. And remember that I will love you always, even when you're not here.
The baby and the parent hugged each other and held each other real close for a long time. Then slowly, they let each other go.
Maybe I'll see you again someday, said the baby as tears began to fall from its eyes. I love you, Mother, and goodbye. Don't forget me. Then it sadly took off into the air.
The parent sadly looked on until the baby was out of sight. Goodbye, my baby. And good luck.
As the sun sank lower and lower in the sky the parent kept watch over Silver as Oliver continued to play in the bay with it and his Lanturn swimming nearby It was still nervous around strangers, but it was right there should any trouble come. However, it never stopped thinking about the smaller baby Lugia, who continued to fly through the night as tears fell from its eyes.
And so, the tale of a legendary Pokémon begins as it flies without looking back. What new adventures will it have in its life? And will it cross paths with Tristan again? Stay tuned as the young Lugia keeps on flying...
► TO BE CONTINUED