AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! Here is chapter 22 of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu as they continue their journey through the Johto region. I was inspired to write this chapter for two reasons. The first reason is because of one children's book called Clifford, the Small Red Puppy, which is part of the Clifford the Big Red Dog franchise by the late Norman Bridwell. In that story, Emily Elizabeth's love for Clifford allows him to grow from a small red puppy to a big red dog in a matter of days. Clifford is the mascot of the publishing company, Scholastic. The second reason is because of the very first Dragon Tales episode called "To Fly With Dragons," where siblings Emmy and Max visit Dragon Land and fly with their dragon friends for the very first time. Dragon Tales' production companies are the Sesame Workshop and Sony Pictures Television. And this is just another reminder that I don't own Pokémon. Pokémon, Pikachu, and all other known character names are trademarks of Nintendo. Please feel free to read and leave responsible reviews at your leisure.
TEASER: After Lugia tells its story to Tristan, his love and compassion allows it to grow big and strong. But during their first flight together, they once again find themselves under attack by Team Rocket, and it's up to Lugia to overcome its self-doubt and save the day!
Chapter 22: GROWING UP
(Music Cue: Movie Title 2000: Emperor of the Crystal Tower)
Last time, Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu had an unexpected visit from a Lugia, only to discover that it was the same small Lugia that Tristan saw and bonded with when it first hatched on Ogi Isle in the Whirl Islands. Seeing its injuries, our heroes wasted no time bringing it to the Pokémon Center for treatment. However, Lugia was not feeling at all safe in unfamiliar territory, but Tristan's presence was all it took to help it calm down. The next morning, our heroes were unexpectedly attacked by three Team Rocket Grunts, who were the same ones who attacked and attempted to capture Lugia to begin with. Thanks to Lugia's smoking idea, our heroes used Cyndaquil's Smokescreen to escape Team Rocket's evil clutches. Now, our heroes are anxiously listening as Lugia prepares to tell them its story of how it got to their location in the first place.
"So what happened, Lugia?" asked Tristan as he and his friends continued to peer through the bushes.
"And how did you learn to fly so quickly?" added Hillary.
Lugia sighed sadly. I'm afraid that's the trouble. And it began its sad story.
(Music Cue: Second Chances)
Ever since I first hatched and saw Tristan, I always knew I had some talent, began Lugia. How much talent anyone has is a complete mystery, as you know. But I never even knew I could swim so fast until I actually saw Tristan for the first time. Well, a few weeks after I hatched, my mother took me under her wing and noticed that I hadn't grown at all. So we did vigorous training exercises every day. We had diving and swimming races, and I was able to beat her in every one of them. But no matter how much stronger or faster I got, I still didn't grow.
But the day before yesterday was the day that changed my life forever, for my mother asked me to watch my sibling while she got some food underwater. After she went, I wanted to see if I could get myself off the ground. And as strange as it sounded, I was able to do it without any guidance from my mother. I really wanted to see how fast and far I could go. It felt like the happiest day of my life. I felt so free that I wanted to fly all day long.
But because I was flying so fast and far, I didn't see a huge storm come in, nor did I see my sibling disappear. Apparently, it had rescued a boy from drowning in the water from that storm. By the time I figured it out and flew back, my mother was already at my sibling's location. Honestly, I thought that she was going to hurt the poor boy because my sibling was around strangers. And you know how dangerous strangers can be. My mother yelled at me for not watching my sibling like I was supposed to, but she realized that I had a lot of talent, and had the potential to gain more. However, my flying talent came at a price. I was forced to leave my family behind because I was able to fly so early in my life, and my mother told me that my presence there with them could put my entire family in danger. I didn't want to say goodbye. But apparently, destiny had other plans for me. I was brokenhearted, and I couldn't figure out where I'd gone wrong, nor did I know who else to turn to for help.
I was searching high and low in the Johto skies to find Tristan when I was viciously attacked by a flock of Koffing and Golbat from those same three people we just saw. Apparently, those guys thought I was valuable because I was not only a Legendary Pokémon, but I was the smallest Lugia to be able to fly. I was hit so many times that I thought I was finished, but I was somehow able to communicate with my mother, who told me to make my wish. So I wished with all my might that Tristan would save me, and then I was sent plummeting down to earth, thinking that this was the end. I had fallen down somewhere and pleaded for someone to help me. And that was the last thing I remembered...
"And that's how we found you," said Hillary.
"Or you found us," added Tristan. "No wonder you've had a pretty tough life so far."
"That's very sad," finished Nurse Joy.
Lugia nodded as tears fell from its eyes. It began to cry.
"Oh, dear, was it something I said?" asked Nurse Joy nervously.
Tristan gently picked up the crying Lugia and hugged it gently in his arms. "It's okay, Lugia. You're safe."
"We're really sorry, Lugia," said Hillary. "We didn't mean to make you feel bad."
I know, replied Lugia as it wiped the tears from its eyes. It's just that leaving my family was one of the hardest things I've had to do.
Tristan cradled Lugia in his arms as it sobbed its heart out. "I feel your pain, Lugia. Hillary and I were forced to leave our former home in Pallet Town behind after Team Rocket carried out their attack. I was just caught in the middle and had gotten kidnapped. I wish I could forget that awful day, but for some reason I just can't."
Lugia understood what Tristan was talking about as tears continued to fall from its eyes.
"We know that there are some very bad people in this world, but we're not like them at all," added Nurse Joy.
"Tell you what," put in Tristan, "you can stay with us as long as you like, and we'll even help you out."
Lugia stopped crying and said, Do you mean that?
"Of course, Lugia," replied Tristan. "That's what friends do, remember?"
Oh, thank you Tristan, said Lugia as it threw its face into Tristan's arms. You're the best human friend I could ever ask for.
"But how can we make sure that Lugia stays safe?" asked Nurse Joy.
"Lugia can sleep with Pikachu and me in the bedroom tonight," suggested Tristan.
"That's a good idea," replied Hillary. "That way, we'll know for sure it's safe. After all, when it was with you in the examination room, it didn't feel afraid anymore."
Togepi chirped in agreement.
And so it was decided.
That night, Tristan, Pikachu, and Lugia got into one bed while Hillary and Togepi crawled into the other.
"Good night, Lugia," whispered Tristan. "I hope you have pleasant dreams."
What are dreams? asked Lugia.
"Dreams are a succession of images, ideas, or feelings that occur in the mind while we're in deep sleep," explained Tristan.
"Some of these dreams can be good while others can be bad," added Hillary. "We've all had a mix of both every now and then."
Well, I want to have good dreams, said Lugia.
"So do we," replied Tristan.
About what you said to me last night, said Lugia. You'll still like me even though I may not grow any bigger, won't you?
"Of course, Lugia," answered Tristan. "I like you very much. Just like Pikachu."
The children turned off the lights, said goodnight, and fell fast asleep.
Then Tristan said to himself, "Lugia, I wish you could grow big and strong...and I could fly in the sky with you."
After Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, and Togepi all fell asleep, Lugia closed its eyes and whispered to itself, I wish I could grow big and strong like my mother. It kept repeating itself over and over again. But in a matter of minutes, it soon fell fast asleep. As it slept, the Silver Wing in its wing glowed faintly, just like a nightlight.
(Music Cue: Depart to the Pokémon Castle)
During the night, Lugia had a dream where it had grown significantly larger. Tristan and Pikachu were having a blast flying on its back as it soared high in the sky. Lugia was really enjoying the company.
Having fun, guys? asked Lugia.
"You bet we are!" answered Tristan. "Aren't we, Pikachu?"
Pikachu happily agreed with him as it hung on tight to Tristan's shoulder.
Well, then, how do you feel about going faster? suggested Lugia. That way you'll really feel like you're flying along.
"Go for it, Lugia!" replied Tristan.
Okay, here we go! said Lugia as it picked up speed.
Tristan and Pikachu were really having a ball as they flew faster in the sky.
Wanna see me do a vertical loop? asked Lugia.
"Yeah, let's do it!" said Tristan excitedly.
All right then, hold on tight! said Lugia. It effortlessly did an aerobatic maneuver in a complete circle twice, just like a roller coaster, as Tristan and Pikachu held on. Then Lugia straightened itself out.
"Wow, that was fun!" said Tristan.
Soon, they saw a gigantic cloud, and they were headed straight for it.
"Look out! We're gonna crash!" shouted Tristan as he and Pikachu braced themselves.
They hit the cloud with a big bang.
"Ouch!" grunted Tristan.
Tristan and Pikachu found themselves on the floor, wincing in pain. However, the big bang that was heard didn't come from the cloud, for he and Pikachu noticed that they had fallen out of the bed onto the floor the next morning. What they saw next made them jump up in surprise.
"Hubba-wha?!" exclaimed Tristan. He rushed to a sleeping Hillary in her bed. "Hillary, wake up! You've gotta see this! Lugia's grown big time!"
Hillary moaned as she woke up. "Okay, what is it that you wanted me to see this time that couldn't wait until I...WHAT IN THE WORLD?!"
Sure enough, they all saw that Lugia had grown by about seven feet to the point where it was just as big as a Lapras. Hillary's shouting had aroused Lugia from a sound sleep on the bed.
"How did this happen?" asked Hillary in confusion. "That Lugia's huge!"
"I wish I knew," replied Tristan. "I'm surprised that Lugia didn't break the bed yet."
Just as Tristan said that, he and Hillary heard the bed begin to crack under Lugia's added weight.
"Uh-oh," said Tristan and Hillary together.
The bed frame broke and Lugia fell to the ground with a loud bang.
"Me and my big mouth," said Tristan disgustedly.
Suddenly Nurse Joy burst into the bedroom. "What's going on in here?" she asked. "I thought I heard a...WHOA! Goodness! That Lugia's huge!" She had noticed that Lugia had grown considerably.
"That's what I said," replied Hillary.
"I've never seen a Lugia grow this fast before," said Nurse Joy. "Normally, it takes several months for a Lugia to mature and grow, let alone fly."
What happened? yawned Lugia in a deeper voice.
"I think you grew a lot," answered Tristan.
Sure enough, Lugia saw the unintentional damage to the bed its growth spurt had done.
Nurse Joy sighed. "Well, it looks like we have no choice but to take Lugia outside before something else happens," she said.
"But Lugia can't be outside alone," protested Tristan. "What if someone tries to capture it while we're not looking?"
"Tristan's right," agreed Hillary. "What if Lugia has nightmares and nobody is there to comfort it?"
Nurse Joy gave the matter a lot of thought. "Why don't we try and take Lugia outside together and then I can give it a checkup?" suggested Nurse Joy.
A little while later, everyone managed to get Lugia outside without damaging anything, although it did take a lot of effort.
Nurse Joy gave Lugia a checkup as promised. She checked Lugia's mouth and saw that two teeth were growing in nicely on the bottom. Next, she carefully checked its wings and its eyes.
"Well, despite the fast growth, there's definitely nothing wrong," concluded Nurse Joy. "Lugia seems to be in perfect health."
"That's great. Thank you," replied Tristan.
"What a relief," added Hillary.
"If you're all planning to sleep outside with Lugia tonight, you should think about dressing warmly," advised Nurse Joy. "It's supposed to be chilly tonight. I'll be heading back inside, but why don't you two play with Lugia?" And she walked back inside.
"Well, what should we do, Tristan?" asked Hillary.
"We play with Lugia, that's what," answered Tristan. "Let's play with the beach ball!"
And together, Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, and Lugia all tossed the beach ball into the air, although it was hard to get the ball past Lugia. It was able to return almost any shot.
(Music Cue: My Friend, Pokémon)
Nurse Joy was right, for that very night after the sun went down, the air felt chilly.
"Brrr!" shivered Tristan. "I should have brought something warmer to wear."
"Me, too," agreed Hillary.
Pikachu shivered, too. It was shivering much more than Tristan and Hillary were.
"Hey, Pikachu, why don't you come over here?" suggested Tristan.
Pikachu happily ran to Tristan and jumped into his arms.
Then Tristan held Pikachu very close to him and they shared their body heat. "How's that feel, Pikachu?"
Pikachu still felt cold, but was slowly warming up.
"I think I'll go and sleep in a nice, warm bed instead," said Hillary. And she picked up Togepi and went inside the Pokémon Center for the night.
"Good night, sis," said Tristan. "Sweet dreams."
It sure is cold out here, said Lugia. Then it thought to itself. What should I do? If I don't do something, Tristan and Pikachu will freeze. What would my mother do? Then, it thought of how it used to get warmth from its mother's wing whenever it got cold. Then at last, it said to Tristan, I think I have an idea that may keep us all warm.
"What is it, Lugia?" asked Tristan.
Well, why don't you and Pikachu sit over here in front of me, and we'll all get comfortable? suggested Lugia.
Lugia carefully positioned itself in front of a tall tree and Tristan sat in front of it. Then, using its left wing, it carefully tucked Tristan and Pikachu in under it.
Lugia's wing was like a warm blanket, and Tristan and Pikachu didn't shiver anymore.
"Gee, I feel a lot warmer now," said Tristan. "Thanks a lot, Lugia."
Pikachu agreed.
You're welcome, replied Lugia. I hope you sleep well. It then yawned and closed its eyes. Tristan?
"What is it, Lugia?" asked Tristan.
There was a long pause. Then Lugia said, I'm very happy that we're friends. It then fell fast asleep.
Tristan closed his eyes. "I am, too, Lugia." In a few minutes, he and Pikachu were sound asleep.
The next morning, the air warmed up.
Lugia grew once more during the night. It was now close to 21 feet long and six meters high, which was well above average for a normal Lugia. It wasn't long after Lugia woke up that it heard muffling under its wings.
"Let me out! Let me out of here!"
"Pika Pika!"
It was Tristan and Pikachu, who were buried in Lugia's wing.
Oops, sorry, said Lugia as it carefully took them out.
"Phew! That's better," gasped Tristan. "It was getting a little stuffy in there." Then he noticed that Lugia got even bigger. "Lugia, you've grown again!"
I don't know how I keep growing, replied Lugia. If I keep growing like this, I could be bigger than the world.
"Well, it looks like your wish came true," said Tristan. "You wished to grow big and strong, and now, look at yourself. You really look big and strong now."
Presently, Hillary and Togepi came out of the Pokémon Center. "Good morning, guys, did you sleep well?" Then she noticed that Lugia got even bigger. "Goodness, this is the fastest growth spurt I've ever seen! Not to mention the growth that happened overnight! That Lugia's bigger than all of us!"
Sure enough, Lugia was much, much bigger than Tristan and Hillary. It could easily carry them compared to 48 hours before when it could easily be carried itself.
"Hey, Tristan, I'm gonna get us some breakfast to celebrate this occasion," said Hillary. "It shouldn't take me long, but maybe you and Lugia can spend some time playing together."
"Okay, sis," replied Tristan. "I'm looking forward to it."
And Hillary and Togepi went back inside the Pokémon Center.
Come on, Tristan! said Lugia excitedly. I want to show you what I can do! Pikachu can come, too! And it started to take off into the air...but not for long, for it noticed Tristan and Pikachu still on the ground. Aren't you coming?
"We can't fly!" called Tristan.
Can't fly? Lugia was surprised. It then landed on the ground next to Tristan and Pikachu. Not even a little bit?
"Nope," answered Tristan.
I don't understand it, said Lugia. I thought other things can fly like I could.
"Well, some things just aren't made to fly on their own," explained Tristan. "Humans can't fly, and neither can some Pokémon."
I know! said Lugia. I can give you a ride!
Tristan really got excited after he heard that. "Would you do that?"
Lugia nodded as it folded the plates on its back and lowered its slender neck toward the ground. Go ahead. Climb on.
(Music Cue: Route 38 (as heard in "Charizard's Burning Ambitions"))
"Okay!" smiled Tristan as he and Pikachu climbed on Lugia.
Ready? asked Lugia.
Tristan and Pikachu nodded.
Lugia stood up to its full height as it raised its plates back up, flapped its wings, and easily lifted itself off the ground.
Tristan and Pikachu were enjoying the breeze on their faces as they flew higher and higher in the air.
"This is amazing!" said Tristan.
Lugia seemed to be enjoying the company as it flew. I've never carried anyone up into the sky before, thought Lugia to itself. Tristan and Pikachu feel so light on my back. It's almost as if they were never here. But they are, and they're my precious cargo. So I have to make sure they stay safe.
"Hey, Lugia, do you think we can go a little faster?" asked Tristan. "That way we'll feel like we're really flying."
Okay, replied Lugia as it increased its flying speed.
Tristan and Pikachu were really enjoying themselves now.
"This is fun, Lugia!" said Tristan. "Are you having a good time, Pikachu?"
Pikachu excitedly nodded in agreement.
Even Lugia seemed to be having a good time. I've never had such fun before in my life.
Meanwhile, not too far away, the Team Rocket Grunts had seen everything from their helicopter.
"Is that the same Lugia?" asked the first one.
"It is, if it's been hanging out with that kid all this time," replied the second one. "But it's so big now."
"Who cares?" put in the lead Rocket Gunt. "Let's just get it anyway and get it to Professor Namba. It doesn't know any attacks, thus leaving it totally defenseless!"
Just then, Pikachu picked up on the sound of helicopter blades whirring and alerted Tristan.
(Music Cue: Legendary Birds Freed (second part (as heard in the Japanese version of "Revelation Lugia")))
Tristan turned to see an electrified net that was launched from the helicopter and headed right for him, Pikachu, and Lugia.
"Dodge it, Lugia!" commanded Tristan.
Quickly, Lugia dove down and avoided the net.
"Rats! We missed it!" one of the Rocket Grunts said as he watched from the helicopter.
"Hey, you, kid on the Lugia, hand it over, or you'll be sorry!" demanded the voice of the lead Rocket Grunt from a loudspeaker.
"It's Team Rocket!" said Tristan. "We have to get out of here."
Hang on, I'm gonna try and get us out of harm's way! advised Lugia as it flew higher and faster in the air.
Tristan and Pikachu held on tight as Lugia flew.
"They're getting away!" said one of Rocket Grunts.
"Then don't just hover there, you idiot! Go after them!" yelled the lead Rocket Grunt. "Here! You take the controls!" And he forced the other Grunt in the pilot's chair as he pulled on the stick.
The helicopter's engine increased in power as it climbed higher and faster and chased after Lugia.
Lugia continued to climb high and fast above the ground with Tristan and Pikachu hanging on tight.
I sure hope Lugia has more power than Team Rocket does, thought Tristan nervously.
Do you think we lost them, Tristan? asked Lugia.
"I don't know, and I don't want to find out," replied Tristan.
Suddenly, they heard the whirring of helicopter blades. Sure enough it was Team Rocket's helicopter.
"I think it's safe to say they've seen us!" said Tristan.
"Get them!" shouted the lead Rocket Grunt.
A flurry of Poké Balls was tossed out of the helicopter's windows, revealing a flock of Golbat, which gave chase at once. They soon closed in on Tristan and Lugia.
"Faster, Lugia! They're gaining on us!" exclaimed Tristan.
Lugia flapped its wings even harder, allowing it to fly even higher and faster in the sky, but as high and fast as it flew, the Golbat almost seemed to match it speed for speed.
"All right, we'll just have to slow them down," said Tristan as he turned to Pikachu. "Okay, Pikachu, give them a Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu jumped off of Tristan's shoulder and let loose a yellow bolt of electricity at the Golbat, shocking them and knocking them out.
But soon, another flock of Golbat took its place.
Tristan saw them close in. "All right, Pikachu, if at first we don't succeed, blast them with your Thunderbolt again!"
Once again, Pikachu shocked the Golbat with a yellow bolt of electricity, but no sooner did Pikachu defeat the Golbat than another flock took its place.
The Golbat encircled Lugia, Tristan and Pikachu on all sides.
"We're surrounded!" grunted Tristan.
All right, time for evasive maneuvers! advised Lugia as it went into a dizzying dive through the circle of Golbat to avoid them.
Tristan and Pikachu were getting dizzy, all right, but they managed to hold on to Lugia for dear life.
Then Lugia leveled out and began climbing up at remarkable speed.
Lugia, I believe in you, thought Tristan. I know you can stop them if you just believe in yourself.
Suddenly, Lugia was at the same altitude as the Golbat and faced them.
"All right, Lugia, it's now or never!" said Tristan. "Do whatever it takes to stop Team Rocket!"
Lugia then opened its mouth. It was at that instant that blue energy formed inside it.
Tristan and Pikachu gasped in shock as Lugia fired an incredibly powerful beam from its mouth at all of the remaining Golbat, causing them to crash into the helicopter.
Lugia then aimed the beam at the helicopter itself, causing a tremendous explosion, and all of the Rocket Grunts were sent flying into the distance.
DING!
The cloud of smoke from the helicopter explosion was just clearing as Tristan and Pikachu looked on. They couldn't believe what they had just seen.
"Whoa. What was that?" asked Tristan.
I'm not quite sure, replied Lugia. All I knew was that I used a powerful attack on those Golbat, and all of a sudden, boom.
"Maybe Dexter knows what attack you just used," said Tristan.
Who's Dexter? asked Lugia.
"It's what I call the Pokédex," answered Tristan as he took out his Pokédex to look up the name of the attack.
"Aeroblast, Lugia's most powerful attack," said Dexter. "A powerful beam of energy is shot out towards the opponent; sometimes, it can land critical hits."
(Music Cue: Route 26)
So that was an Aeroblast, said Lugia. It was very surprised at its newfound power. I never knew I could do that.
"I didn't either," replied Tristan. "We'd better get back to the Pokémon Center. I'm sure Hillary and Nurse Joy are worried about us after our battle with Team Rocket. Think you can take us there, Lugia?"
Your wish is my command, smiled Lugia as it gently did a 180-degree turn and started flying back toward the Pokémon Center.
Hillary, Togepi, and Nurse Joy had just come outside the Pokémon Center.
Hillary saw Tristan and Pikachu riding on Lugia's back as it descended lower and lower in the sky toward the ground. "Look, there they are!"
"Hey, sis!" said Tristan. "Sorry we're late!"
Lugia landed neatly on the ground. Then it lowered its neck, allowing Tristan and Pikachu to dismount.
"I really couldn't make it out exactly, but I thought I saw a tremendous beam of energy in the sky, and something exploded," said Nurse Joy.
"That was just Lugia taking care of business," replied Tristan. "You should've seen how powerful Lugia's Aeroblast attack was. It was super-strong."
"So that's what it was," said Hillary. "Was it its first try?"
Tristan nodded.
"Well, I shouldn't be surprised anymore," chuckled Nurse Joy.
"Just wait till it gets some training in," added Hillary. "Then it'll be really strong in no time."
Lugia then turned to the kids and embraced them with its wings in gratitude. It really liked them, particularly Tristan and Pikachu. I don't know what I would've done without you, it said. You helped me regain confidence in myself. But I'm still unsure of what I should do now.
"Why don't you come along with us," suggested Tristan. "That way we can play together all the time, and you'll never be alone."
Lugia shook its head. That's very nice of you to offer, but I'm going to explore the world on my own for a while. I want to find my own purpose in life and learn to take care of myself.
Tristan felt sad, but happily understood Lugia's wishes. "I think you made a good decision, Lugia. You'll be just fine on your own. But I hope you know that I'll miss you very much."
I know you will, and I'll miss you, too, replied Lugia. Oh, I just remembered something very important that I should give to you.
"What is it, Lugia?" asked Tristan. He wondered what gift Lugia would give to him.
Lugia managed to dig out a silver-colored feather from its wing.
Tristan was surprised. "Is that a Silver Wing? That looks just like the Silver Wing that Grandma told me about in her story!"
Lugia nodded. It is. However, it isn't just any Silver Wing. It happens to be a magical one that fell out of my feathers just by chance when I first hatched.
"What do you mean, Lugia?"
Do you remember the day we first met?
"How could I forget that?" said Tristan. "You really wanted to meet me because you wanted to learn from me, right?"
That's right, nodded Lugia. Apparently, my mother noticed the Silver Wing on Ogi Isle and gave it to me because she knew you would find it useful. Maybe that's the reason why fate brought the two of us together. There are so many magical powers that come with this Silver Wing, and summoning help from me in an emergency is one of those powers.
Tristan began to understand what Lugia was saying to him.
Well, if, at any time you need me to come over to your location, whether it's to play or it's an emergency, you can always use it to wish that I'm here. I'll be there instantly.
(Music Cue: Such Sweet Sorrow)
Tristan marveled at the Silver Wing. "Thank you so much, Lugia. I'll never lose it."
"Wow, Tristan, that's so awesome!" said Hillary.
Nurse Joy agreed.
So, what's next? asked Lugia. I mean, where are you off to now?
"We're on our way to the next Gym in Azalea Town, so I can get another badge," answered Tristan.
I know you can do it, said Lugia. In the meantime, I look forward to the day when we see each other again.
"You can count on it," replied Tristan happily.
Lugia gently hugged Tristan with its wings. Then, it spread its great wings, and with a few flaps, it rose into the sky as Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, and Nurse Joy waved goodbye.
"Bye, Lugia!" called Tristan. "See you soon!"
And he and his friends continued waving until Lugia had flown out of sight.
I'm proud of you, Lugia, thought Tristan. "You've really grown up. I can't wait to see you again.
"I have something special for you from your grandmother, Tristan," said Nurse Joy. She handed him a special little case. "This case will be a perfect place to keep that Silver Wing of yours."
"Thanks so much, Nurse Joy," smiled Tristan. And he placed the Silver Wing inside and carefully put the case in his backpack
"And I have these for you two," continued Nurse Joy as she handed Tristan and Hillary necklaces with beads that looked like a leaf and fire, respectively.
"This is wonderful," smiled Hillary. "I'm very much obliged. This reminds me of when I first got my Cyndaquil."
"And me of getting Chikorita," added Tristan. He then turned to Hillary. "Hey, sis, do you think that the Silver Wing is the same item Mewtwo asked us to look for a while back?"
"It could very well be, Tristan," replied Hillary.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" said Tristan excitedly as he started running off. "Let's go!"
"Hey, Tristan, wait for us!" called Hillary as she, Togepi, and Pikachu started racing after him.
"Good luck on your journey!" called Nurse Joy as she waved to them. "And be careful out there, guys!"
"We will, Nurse Joy!" called Tristan and Hillary. "Thank you!"
And as they left the Pokémon Center, they felt happy in the knowledge that they had befriended Lugia and potentially saved its life.
(Music Cue: The Moon Stone)
Later that day, as Tristan and Hillary continued on the road, Mewtwo and Mew suddenly appeared in the sky and landed next to them.
You two seem excited, grinned Mewtwo. Did you find something?
"I think we found what you asked us to look for! Check it out!" said Tristan as he took out his case, opened it, and showed Mewtwo the enchanted Silver Wing that Lugia gave him. "This is the Silver Wing that my friend, Lugia, gave to me. It told me it was magical, and it fell out of its feathers when it first hatched. We even had a chance to fly in the sky together."
That's the item I asked you to find, all right, grinned Mewtwo. Well done. I knew you could do it. With that Silver Wing, you'll be able to get Lugia and any of the other legendary Pokémon you befriended to your location at any time. Now, Mew and I would like to show you to our new meeting place.
"Well, what do you think, Tristan?" asked Hillary. "Should we go with Mewtwo and Mew to wherever their new meeting place is?"
"Yeah, let's do it!" said Tristan as he and Hillary grabbed on to Mew as it got ready to use Teleport.
After seeing Lugia grow up in record time, Tristan and Hillary prepare to go with Mew and Mewtwo to their new meeting location. What new meeting place does Mewtwo have in mind? Stay tuned as our heroes' Johto League journey continues!
► TO BE CONTINUED