AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! Here is chapter 30 of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu as they continue their journey through the Johto region. You may recall that the writers of the Pokémon anime eventually abandoned the G.S. Ball plot altogether, and you may also recall that Kurt has not been seen in the anime since Ash, Misty, and Brock left Azalea Town. But what were to happen if the G.S. Ball mystery was solved? I'm basing this chapter from the encounter with Celebi in the Crystal version games and the Crystal Version game on the Pokémon console. And I'm also adding some music cues from the fourth Pokémon moive or Pokémon 4Ever: Celebi: The Voice of the Forest. Please feel free to read and leave responsible reviews at your leisure.
TEASER: Kurt, the Poké Ball expert, discovers something about the G.S. Ball as it wiggles and glows, so he and his granddaughter, Maizie, go with Tristan and Hillary and embark on an unforgettable adventure to the shrine in the center of the Ilex Forest. But they'll have to get past Tristan and Hillary's rival, Silver, first! But an even bigger surprise is waiting for them at the shrine.
Chapter 30: THE MYSTERY OF THE G.S. BALL
(Music Cue: Opening Title 1999-2001 (as heard at the beginning of "The Chikorita Rescue"))
After winning a Hive Badge from Bugsy in the Azalea Town Gym, Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu are ready to take on more exciting adventures as they continue their Johto League journey.
"Wow, Tristan, that Hive Badge really looks beautiful," remarked Hillary as she and Tristan prepared to leave the Pokémon Center. "It almost looks exactly like the back of a ladybug, or, in Pokémon terms, a Ledyba."
Tristan took a closer look at his badge. Sure enough, there were black spots on it. "You're right, sis. It does bear a striking resemblance."
"Only six more badges to go, and you'll be able to participate in the Johto League," added Hillary.
"Then we shall continue to grow stronger and train even harder," replied Tristan. "Right, Pikachu?"
Pikachu eagerly agreed.
"So, Tristan, what's our next destination?" asked Hillary.
"Let's take a look," replied Tristan as he looked at his Pokégear. He pushed a few buttons and responded, "According to the map, our next stop is Goldenrod City. It's where Great-Grandma Rachael and Great-Grandpa Stuart live, and apparently, that place has a Gym, too." He showed Hillary the map.
"Great," said Hillary excitedly. "That's where you can get your next badge."
"Right, and once I win, I'll have three," added Tristan.
"Pi-Pikachu!" agreed Pikachu.
Togepi chirped in agreement as well.
"Hey, do you think we should pick a few Apricorns before we leave Azalea Town?" asked Hillary curiously.
"Well...I suppose it couldn't hurt," replied Tristan reluctantly. He had wanted to start travelling to Goldenrod City right away. However, he eventually agreed to the idea. The day had only just begun, and he was willing to spend another hour or two in Azalea Town picking Apricorns before moving on.
After an hour of picking ripe Apricorns, Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu all raced to Kurt's house. There, they met Maizie.
"Hi, guys," said Maizie. "Did you guys have a good time picking Apricorns?"
"We sure did," answered Tristan.
"I think my grandpa just finished making those Apricorn Poké Balls for you," said Maizie.
"That's great," replied Hillary. "May we go see him?"
"Sure, come on inside," said Maizie, and she led Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu into the house.
Kurt was waiting for them. "Ah, Tristan and Hillary," he smiled. "It's nice to see you again."
"Good to see you, too, Kurt," replied Tristan.
"I just finished those Poké Balls for you," said Kurt as he pointed to the pile of fourteen Pokéballs, two for each Apricorn brought to him. "I know it was a lot of work to make them all, but I enjoy doing this sort of thing."
Kurt gave both Tristan and Hillary seven different Apricorn Poké Balls. They were a Fast Ball, a Moon Ball, a Friend Ball, a Heavy Ball, a Lure Ball, a Love Ball, and a Level Ball.
"Thanks so much, Kurt," said Hillary.
"We appreciate it," added Tristan.
At that moment, Kurt gave a big yawn.
"What's wrong, Grandpa?" asked Maizie.
"Well, I am a little tired," answered Kurt. "I burned the midnight oil making all those Poké Balls. However, I know that I should make them just right."
"I know that you're tired now, but once you've regained your strength, do you think you can make more of those Poké Balls for us?" asked Tristan.
"I'd be happy to," smiled Kurt. "Do you have any more of those Apricorns?"
Tristan and Hillary each took seven different Apricorns out of their backpacks.
"That's another nice collection of Apricorns," remarked Kurt. "When these are done, I'm sure you'll become even better Trainers with great Poké Balls and wonderful Pokémon."
"Thanks, Kurt, that means a lot," replied Hillary.
Tristan noticed an interesting Poké Ball on one of the shelves. It was gold on top and silver on the bottom. It had the letters G.S. inscribed on them. "What's that Poké Ball you have, Kurt?"
"Oh, that's the G.S. Ball," answered Kurt. "I don't know what mysteries surround that ball, but I'm hoping to find out very soon. It's protected with a very powerful lock, and I don't know how to unlock it, at least not yet."
"Hey, Tristan," said Hillary. "Do you remember the time back when we first met Brock, and he told us about the G.S. Ball?"
"That's right," answered Tristan as his memory started to come back to him. "I remember that he and his friends, Ash and Misty, had traveled to Valencia Island so Professor Ivy could study it."
"That is correct," affirmed Kurt. "Afterwards, Professor Oak got it and studied it for awhile. Then, after much studying, he asked Ash, Misty, and Brock to deliver it to me. So far, I haven't found a clue as to what this ball actually is or where it actually came from. But I know the answer will come to me sometime soon."
Suddenly, the G.S. ball on the shelf began to glow and it started shaking.
Everyone was very surprised, including Kurt and Maizie.
"Kurt, what's going on with the G.S. ball?" asked Hillary.
"I don't know, but it looks like an answer is about to come to us," replied Kurt.
The G.S. ball shook so hard that it fell off the shelf. Fortunately, Kurt ran and caught it just in time. "Huh? What's this?"
Sure enough, the G.S. ball continued to wiggle in Kurt's hands.
"What's going on, Grandpa?" asked Maizie worriedly.
"I don't know, but there must be some reason why this ball is glowing and shaking like it is," replied Kurt. "I have to find out!" And he ran outside.
"Wait up, Grandpa!" shouted Maizie as she, Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu ran after him.
When they got outside, they gasped in disbelief at what they saw.
Hundreds of wild Pokémon were flying over a thick forest of trees like an angry swarm of bees.
"Do those Pokémon live in that forest?" asked Tristan.
"Yes," answered Kurt. "Normally, they're very calm and friendly, but something's making them grow very restless, as if something was about to come there."
"What do you mean, Kurt?" asked Hillary.
"It's hard to say for sure, but what we do know is that those Pokémon look very restless in there," explained Kurt. "The only way we'll know for sure is if we go into that forest and see for ourselves." He went to Tristan and gave him the G.S. Ball. "Tristan, I need you to keep an eye on this. Perhaps, if we take it to the Ilex Forest up ahead, maybe we can help calm the Pokémon down."
"The Ilex Forest?" repeated Tristan.
"Yes," answered Kurt. "It's so full of thick and dark trees that it can be very hard to see in there, especially at night."
"Then let's go into the Ilex Forest and figure this out," said Tristan. He was clearly determined to help Kurt and the residing Pokémon any way he could.
"I'm with you, big bro," added Hillary.
Pikachu and Maizie nodded in agreement.
"But before we go, I promised to give Professor Oak a call the moment I found out anything new with the G.S. Ball," added Kurt. "I'll be right back." And he hurried inside his house.
"Well, I suppose we should wait here for Kurt, right?" asked Tristan.
"Well, as long as the Pokémon don't attack us, I'm fine with that," said Hillary.
"Me, too," agreed Maizie. "Grandpa's been wanting to get some sleep after making those Apricorn Poké Balls, but I don't think this latest event will let him even if he tried."
Inside the house, Kurt wasted no time calling Professor Oak on the video phone.
"What's that?" gasped Professor Oak. "Did you say that you may have figured something out about the G.S. Ball?"
"I'm not saying that I know exactly," replied Kurt. "But as the G.S. Ball started to glow, the kids and I saw all the Pokémon acting restless in the Ilex Forest!"
"The Ilex Forest?" Professor Oak was astounded. "I think I've been there at least a few times before. You don't suppose it might have something to do with the spirit that watches over it, do you?"
"I don't know, but I believe that the only answer may be at the Ilex Forest Shrine," replied Kurt.
"Tristan and Hillary have their Pokégears on them, right?" said Professor Oak. "I'll try and keep in contact with them as much as I can. In the meantime, I should let Ash, Misty, and Brock know about this, too. After all, we both have promises to keep."
Kurt nodded in agreement.
A few moments later, Kurt came out of the house. "All right, kids, let's go into the Ilex Forest and solve the mystery of the G.S. Ball once and for all."
Everyone nodded in agreement. And together, they left the urban areas of Azalea Town behind them.
The Ilex Forest was so thick with trees that sunlight could hardly be seen.
"So this is the Ilex Forest," said Tristan. He checked his Pokégear to try and see his exact location, although it didn't give him the information that he and his friends needed. He took out his paper map and compass to help him and the others find their way, but the shade of the trees was so dark that he couldn't read the map, and the compass needle was spinning so much that he couldn't figure out what direction they were going. "That's so weird."
"What is?" asked Maizie.
"The compass is going crazy," answered Tristan. "It's hard to pinpoint our location here. I wonder if this has something to do with the trees. Or maybe it could have something to do with the events leading up to our G.S. Ball mystery."
"Like the Pokémon going restless and the G.S. Ball glowing the way it did?" asked Kurt.
"Maybe," replied Tristan. "I don't know if everything about this is true. But it can't be just some coincidence."
"It sure is creepy," remarked Hillary.
"Let's all try and stick together," advised Kurt. "There's safety in numbers."
"Grandpa's right," agreed Maizie. "If we get lost here, we'll never be able to find our way."
"Why don't we hold hands?" suggested Tristan. "That way we'll be sure to stay together, and we'll make sure that nobody gets scared here."
(Music Cue: Legend of the Forest)
Hillary and the others agreed as they each held on to each other's hands.
The Pokémon seemed to be flying everywhere, acting restless just like Kurt said.
Pikachu and Togepi were starting to get a little restless themselves.
"It seems like those Pokémon just can't relax for some reason," said Maizie. "It's almost as if they're anxious about something."
"But what do they sense that we don't?" wondered Tristan.
"It's hard to say for sure," said Kurt. "In all my years of helping find out about mysteries, neither I nor Professor Oak knows the answer, at least not yet."
There was a moment of silence as the voices of Pokémon were heard in the distance.
"I think our only course of action is to go to the Ilex Forest Shrine," Kurt said at last.
"The Ilex Forest Shrine?" repeated Hillary. "What's that?"
"It's a place where the spirit of the forest is known to live," explained Kurt. "Professor Oak told me that he's been at this place a few times before."
"He has?" asked Tristan.
Kurt nodded. "Legends say that this shrine honors the spirit that watches over this forest. I don't know if the legend is true, but what I do know is that it's the only clue we have."
"Do you know the name of this spirit?" asked Hillary.
"I'm not quite sure," replied Kurt. "Some people say that the spirit that watches over this forest may be a Pokémon, but I'm not sure if it is. Other sources say that it can travel through time, but I can't be sure about that, either."
"Then let's make our way to the shrine, right, Grandpa?" said Maizie.
"Precisely," answered Kurt.
Presently, the Silver Wing around Tristan's neck glowed.
Tristan held it in his hands. "That's weird."
"What's weird, Tristan?" asked Hillary.
"My Silver Wing seems to be reacting to something," replied Tristan.
"But what?" asked Hillary.
"I'm not sure," said Tristan. "Lugia never told me about this before."
Maizie was surprised. "You're friends with the legendary Pokémon, Lugia? You're so lucky."
Tristan nodded. "We were caught up in a chase by Team Rocket, who was trying to capture it. I'll never forget the feeling of flying high and fast on its back. It was like a roller coaster. Someday, I'd like to see my friend again."
"And you will," said Hillary.
"So what powers does this Silver Wing possess that you know of?" asked Kurt.
"I don't know everything about it yet," replied Tristan. "Lugia told me that this Silver Wing has many magical powers, but I've never seen it glow like that before."
"There has to be a logical explanation why the Silver Wing would just glow at random," said Maizie.
Tristan agreed. "There's only one way we can find out for sure. We have to go to the Ilex Forest Shrine."
"No, you have to tell me something," said a voice.
Everyone was startled to find a familiar red-haired boy approaching them.
"It's Silver!" gasped Hillary.
Kurt was surprised. "You know him?"
"We know him, all right," replied Tristan. "He's the Trainer who treats his Pokémon very harshly, especially in battles."
"So, is it true that Team Rocket has returned?" asked Silver.
"Yes, it's true, Silver," said Hillary. "We battled and beat them at the Slowpoke Well in Azalea Town in case you missed out."
"What? You beat them?!" exclaimed Silver. Then his expression of shock turned into a smile. "Ha! Quit lying."
"We're serious here, Silver!" said Hillary, who was beginning to lose patience.
"So you are," smirked Silver. "Well, let's see how good you really are."
"I'll show you, Mister Know-It-All!" said Hillary as she prepared to take out her first Poké Ball.
(Music Cue: Johto Rival Theme)
However, Tristan stopped her. "Why battle her when you can battle me instead?"
"But Tristan..." began Hillary.
"We have more important things to do," answered Tristan. "And there are restless Pokémon in this forest, and we have to get to that shrine. Besides, we didn't exactly come into this forest to argue all day."
"Fine, then I'll take you on," smirked Silver. "It doesn't really matter who I battle. If you insist on humiliating yourself, then be my guest. We'll battle three on three."
"Fine with me," replied Tristan. "This match'll be over in no time."
"Gastly, battle mode!" shouted Silver as he threw his first Poké Ball.
A black spherical Pokémon surrounded by purple gas emerged from the white light that shot out of it.
"Let's get this over with quickly," said Tristan. "Let's do it, Pikachu!"
Pikachu leaped off of Tristan's shoulder and got into position to face Gastly.
"Let's begin," said Silver. "Gastly, Lick attack, go!"
Gastly flew forward and proceeded to lick Pikachu with its tongue.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt now!" ordered Tristan.
Pikachu shot a powerful yellow bolt of electricity from its cheeks and scored a direct hit on Gastly.
"What?!" gasped Silver as Gastly collapsed and fainted. He didn't say a word as he returned Gastly to its Poké Ball. "Hmph! Lucky move. But it'll take more than dumb luck to beat me." He then took out his second Poké Ball and threw it. "Zubat, battle mode!"
Silver's Zubat emerged from the white light that shot out of it.
"Zubat, Bite attack now!" ordered Silver.
Zubat flew toward Pikachu and proceeded to bite down on it using its fangs.
"Pikachu, use your Thunderbolt one more time!" commanded Tristan.
Once again, Pikachu unleashed a yellow bolt of electricity from its cheeks and scored a direct hit on Zubat.
Like Gastly, Zubat was defeated with just one attack.
Silver returned Zubat to its Poké Ball. "You may have beaten my first two Pokémon with ease. But let's see if you can defeat my third Pokémon!" He took out his third Poké Ball and threw it. "Croconaw, battle mode!"
A blue bipedal crocodilian Pokémon emerged from the white light that shot out of it. It looked like Totodile, but it was bigger, its lower jaw was yellow, and it had an asymmetrical yellow and blue pattern around its chest.
"Silver's Totodile must've evolved," said Hillary. "I guess it's a good thing I'm not battling him." And she took out her Pokédex and scanned Croconaw with it.
"Croconaw, the Big Jaw Pokémon. The evolved form of Totodile. The tips of its fangs are slanted backward. If it loses a fang, a new one quickly grows in its place."
"That's like teeth that always get replaced," remarked Maizie.
Kurt nodded in agreement.
"Croconaw, Bite attack!" ordered Silver.
Croconaw charged at Pikachu and proceeded to bite down on it with its fangs.
"Pikachu, dodge it using Quick Attack!" instructed Tristan.
Pikachu sped from side to side as a white line streaked behind it and nimbly dodged Croconaw's fangs.
"Fine, then we'll use Water Gun instead!" said Silver.
Croconaw jumped back and shot a blast of water from its mouth.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt attack!" commanded Tristan.
Pikachu unleashed another yellow bolt of electricity from its cheeks at Croconaw's Water Gun.
The two attacks collided and pushed each other back and forth like a see-saw.
But Pikachu was able to push Croconaw's Water Gum back, and sure enough, its Thunderbolt scored a direct hit on it, sending it flying.
Croconaw crashed into a nearby tree and collapsed on the ground. It had been knocked out.
Pikachu nimbly landed on its feet.
"Great job, Pikachu," commended Tristan.
Pikachu replied happily.
"Hmph! Useless Pokémon," huffed Silver as he returned Croconaw to its Poké Ball. Then he turned to Tristan. "Listen, you. You only won because my Pokémon were weak."
(Music Cue: Imminent Danger)
Hillary was indignant. "Weak?! Just because Pikachu is strong doesn't mean that your Pokémon are weak!"
"Just be glad that you weren't the one battling, or your weak Pokémon would've lost just like mine did," said Silver. "I hate the weak. Pokémon, Trainers, it doesn't matter who or what. That brother of yours has proven to be quite strong, however. But I'm going to be stronger and wipe out the weak. That goes for you and Team Rocket, too, Hillary."
"I'm not weak!" said Hillary as she raised her voice.
"Team Rocket acts big and tough in a group," continued Silver. "But get them alone, and they're weak. I hate them all." And he started to leave. "You two just stay out of my way. Trainers like you only prove to be a distraction." And he turned on his heel and left.
"Yeah, that's right, Silver!" shouted Hillary as Silver left. "Next time, show a little more respect, huh?"
"Come on," advised Tristan. "We have to get to that shrine before the entire forest goes out of control." And he raced ahead.
Hillary and the others followed.
A few moments later, Tristan, Hillary, and their friends came to the deepest part of Ilex Forest and saw a small structure in the distance. They all stopped.
"Is that it, Grandpa?" asked Maizie.
"It's the one and only," answered Kurt. "The Ilex Forest Shrine."
Presently, the G.S. Ball started to glow again, and it wiggled harder than it did before.
Tristan managed to get a tight grip on it so it wouldn't wiggle so much.
"Tristan," said Kurt. "I think the only way to use the G.S. Ball is to put it on the Ilex Forest Shrine."
"But why, Kurt?" asked Tristan.
"Well, I don't know for sure," replied Kurt. "But once that ball is placed on the shrine, the answers to its mystery will be revealed."
Tristan thought about it. Then he said, "Okay, Kurt, I'll do it."
Presently, the Silver Wing around Tristan's neck began to glow even brighter than it did before.
"My Silver Wing!" gasped Tristan. "It must be glowing because of this, too!"
Presently, all the Pokémon living in the forest gathered to see Tristan and his friends at the shrine.
"The Pokémon are all together!" said Maizie.
"They've come to see what may be a major historic event," said Kurt.
Tristan continued to hold the G.S. Ball tightly in his hands.
"Go for it, Tristan," said Hillary. "And no matter what happens, we're all behind you."
Pikachu, Togepi, Kurt, and Maizie all nodded in agreement.
Tristan nodded and slowly moved forward towards the shrine. When he reached it, he noticed a perfectly round hole in it. "This must be where the G.S. Ball goes." He neatly placed the ball in the hole, and then he slowly stepped back from the shrine to where Hillary and the others were standing.
(Music Cue: Take Flight: Towards the Legend!)
Suddenly, the light from the G.S. Ball grew even stronger, and it soon enveloped everyone in the vicinity in a bright yellow light.
"What's happening now?" asked Tristan.
"I have a feeling we're about to find out," replied Kurt as he and the others continued to watch the event unfold.
All the Pokémon watched anxiously from a distance.
The light was so strong that it could be seen for miles around.
Tristan, Hillary, Kurt, and Maizie all watched anxiously as the light from the G.S. Ball continued to glow brightly.
"What's going on with the G.S. Ball, Grandpa?" asked Maizie.
"We'll see any second now," replied Kurt.
Presently, everyone heard a little clicking sound coming from the G.S. Ball.
"What's that?" gasped Hillary.
"That must be the powerful lock," answered Kurt. "Maybe now that the ball is unlocked, it might open."
And open it did, for as it did, a bright light emerged from it.
Everyone gasped in wonder as the light began to reveal itself.
All the residing Pokémon in their vicinity were just as anxious about the light as Tristan and his friends were.
Then slowly, the light began to glow dimmer, and a small form began to take shape from it.
When the light vanished, a green fairy-like creature emerged.
The creature had round toeless feet, three-fingered hands, and clear wings on its back. It had a round head that came to a curved point, along with a green pair of antennae with blue tips on its head. The creature stretched its arms, legs, and wings and opened its eyes, which were baby blue with thick black rings around them.
"Is that a...Pokémon?" asked Tristan.
"What a cutie!" remarked Maizie.
"That must be the spirit that protects the Ilex Forest," said Hillary as she looked on in wonder.
It was then that Kurt gasped. "I remember now!"
"You remember what, Grandpa?" asked Maizie.
"I had just figured out that the spirit that protects the Ilex Forest is a Grass-type Pokémon," answered Kurt. "And this legendary Pokémon has the unique ability to travel through time."
"Through time?" gasped Tristan.
"That's a legendary Pokémon?" added Hillary. "That may explain why Tristan's Silver Wing glowed when we were closing in on the shrine!"
Kurt nodded. "This Pokémon can go anywhere between the past and the future," explained Kurt. "And its name...is Celebi."
"Celebi...so that's its name," said Tristan as he scanned the Pokémon with his Pokédex.
"Celebi, the Time Travel Pokémon. Revered as the Guardian of the Forest, Celebi appears wherever beautiful forests exist. This Pokémon has the ability to travel through time."
"That's...awesome," said Hillary.
Celebi studied its new surroundings, then it slowly flew over to Tristan.
"Hi, Celebi," said Tristan as he slowly put his hand out.
But Celebi quickly flew back, seemingly startled.
"It's okay," said Tristan. "We won't hurt you. We just want to be your friends."
Celebi closed its eyes and turned away.
"I guess Celebi must be a bit shy," said Hillary.
"That doesn't surprise me," replied Kurt. "I'd be shy, too, if I was stuck inside that G.S. Ball as long as Celebi has."
Maizie nodded in agreement.
Suddenly, without warning, a huge, flying armor-like bird came out of nowhere, surrounded in red flames, and scored a huge direct hit on Celebi and sent it flying, much to everyone's horror.
"Celebi!" cried Tristan as he ran as fast as he could toward the falling Pokémon, He quickly fell to the ground to catch it in his hands just before it hit the ground.
Hillary and the others rushed over to him.
"Tristan, are you okay?" asked Hillary.
"I'm fine," he answered.
Sparks sizzled from Pikachu's cheeks, warning the group that an enemy was approaching.
(Music Cue: Iron Masked Marauder's Theme)
Tristan then turned around and saw two people in blue uniforms with gray vests over them. The vests had letter "R"s on them.
One of them had yellow hair while the other had longer, grayish blue hair.
"We'll just take that Celebi off your hands now," said the yellow-haired person.
"Oh, yeah? And who are you?" demanded Hillary. Then she noticed the letter "R" on the two vests. "Hey, you're Team Rocket!"
"Correct," said the long-haired person. "My name's Hun and this is Attila. You will hand over that Celebi immediately."
"Forget it!" said Tristan defiantly.
"That wasn't a request, kid, it's an order," said Hun warningly.
The armor-like bird flew in front of them and prepared to attack again.
"Who's that Pokémon?" asked Maizie worriedly.
"Let's see," said Hillary as she scanned it with her Pokédex.
"Skarmory, the Armor Bird Pokémon. Because Skarmory nests in briers and is constantly scratched by thorns, its wings become razor-sharp."
"A nasty name for a nasty Pokémon," remarked Kurt.
"We're only gonna ask you nicely one more time...hand over Celebi or else," ordered Attila.
"Celebi does not belong to you!" said Tristan defiantly. "If you want Celebi that bad, you'll have to go through us first!"
"What he said!" agreed Hillary.
"All right, you asked for it," said Attila. "Skarmory, Sky Attack!"
Skarmory quickly flew toward Tristan and his friends as it surrounded itself in red flames.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" ordered Tristan.
Pikachu leaped into the air and shot a yellow bolt of electricity at Skarmory
But even though Skarmory was getting hit by Pikachu's Thunderbolt, it still flew on, and scored a direct hit on Pikachu.
"No, Pikachu!" cried Tristan.
Pikachu was sent flying, but fortunately, Tristan managed to catch it in his arms.
However, as Attila and Hun closed in on Tristan in front of him, Skarmory closed in on him, Pikachu, and Celebi from behind.
"He's surrounded!" gasped Hillary.
"That was just a taste of our power, kid," said Hun. "Anyone who dares to get in our way will be eliminated. Show him, Attila!"
"Right!" replied Attila. "Skarmory, get rid of him once and for all! Sky Attack!"
"Look! That Skarmory's aiming for Tristan!" cried Maizie.
"Don't you dare lay a finger on him!" demanded Hillary.
"How about an entire attack?! Go!" shouted Attila.
Skarmory flew straight at Tristan, and as it did, it surrounded itself with red flames.
"Tristan, look out!" cried Maizie.
Tristan braced himself as he did everything he could to shield Pikachu and Celebi from Skarmory's attack.
And so, our heroes have figured out a critical piece of the G.S. Ball mystery, and discovered the legendary Pokémon, Celebi. Now, our heroes find themselves under attack by this dangerous pair of villains as Tristan stands in the way of Skarmory's powerful Sky Attack! Could this be how it ends for Tristan? Stay tuned!
► TO BE CONTINUED