AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! Here is chapter 57 of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu as they continue trekking through the Johto region. I decided to base this chapter on the last chapter of The Dragon's Child by Jenny Nimmo. In the book, Dando overcomes its difficulty and flies his friends to safety. The song "Never Too Far From Home" appears in this chapter, and the lead singer is Shareef McQueen from the musical sextet Johto. You may recall hearing this song on the Totally Pokémon CD or on the Pokémon episode "Houndoom's Special Delivery." As always, please feel free to read and leave responsible reviews.

TEASER: Now that Ho-Oh and Goldie have been rescued, now comes the hard part for Tristan and Hillary: teaching them to fly, but the window of opportunity is closing as Butch and Cassidy plan to steal them. Will they succeed in their evil plot?

Chapter 57: HATCHING RAINBOW LEGENDS, PART 2

(Music Cue: Movie Title 2001 (Japanese version)

Last time, our heroes were excited to see their eggs hatch into beautiful and cute baby Ho-Oh right before their eyes. They had been gifts from the Ho-Oh they met in Ecruteak City as part of their test. Shortly thereafter, they came under attack by Butch and Cassidy of Team Rocket, but the big Ho-Oh managed to come to their rescue.

Afterwards, the big Ho-Oh decided it was time to take the baby Ho-Oh away for their own safety.

Hesitant at first, our heroes gave the babies to the big Ho-Oh, but when they looked up and saw them fall out of the sky, they called their friend Lugia to their location.

With Lugia's help, they took off into the air and managed to save the two baby Ho-Oh.

Now they've taken on the task of raising the baby Ho-Oh. But with Butch and Cassidy still around, their task of keeping the two babies safe may prove to be more of a challenge than they expected. How will they overcome this obstacle?

"There has to be a way to keep the two baby Ho-Oh safe," said Tristan as the sun began to go down. He paced around nervously.

Hillary agreed with him. "Just when Ho-Oh and Goldie were starting to get used to us, Team Rocket shows up."

Team Rocket? Not again, grumbled Lugia. It was bad enough when they tried to capture me not too long ago, but now they want those babies, too? What nerve!

Tristan gently put his hand on Lugia's neck. "It's okay, Lugia. I know you're upset, but I promise we'll figure something out."

Lugia calmed down. Thanks, Tristan. I needed that.

"But how can we help keep the baby Ho-Oh safe, Tristan?" asked Hillary. "They can't fly yet, and I'm sure that they don't know any attacks, leaving them defenseless."

Tristan thought and thought until at last, he said, "Well, then, we'll just have to help them grow big and strong all by ourselves."

"But what about your Gym battle in Olivine City, Tristan?" asked Hillary.

"I don't care," replied Tristan. "Even if I miss the Johto League, a Pokémon's safety and happiness is more important. It doesn't matter how long it takes as long as we can do something to help Ho-Oh and Goldie grow big and strong."

May I help give them flying lessons? asked Lugia.

"Sure you can," answered Tristan. "We're all gonna have to work together to help out."

"Let's do it!" said Hillary excitedly.

"Great! We'll start first thing tomorrow morning!" announced Tristan.

The Pokémon agreed.

(Music Cue: My Friend, Pokémon)

Night soon fell, and Tristan and Hillary got into their sleeping bags.

Lugia had already fallen asleep in front of a large tree after making itself comfortable.

Hillary saw Goldie walking around Hillary.

"What's up, Goldie?" she asked. "Do you want to come and sleep with me?"

Goldie nodded and crawled in with Hillary and Togepi. It folded its wings, closed its eyes and fell fast asleep.

Hillary gently stroked Goldie's feathers, which were very soft.

Ho-Oh crawled into Tristan's sleeping bag and got comfortable. Then it closed its eyes and fell fast asleep.

"Hey, Tristan?" asked Hillary.

"What's up?" whispered Tristan.

"I realize that Ho-Oh and Goldie are cute as babies."

"Of course they are. Anyone who was as fortunate as we were to see the baby Ho-Oh hatch would agree."

"But don't you wish they'd grow up fast so that they could defend themselves?"

Tristan gave the matter a lot of thought and remembered what happened with Lugia. Hillary's right. They have to grow up, and soon. Because if Team Rocket comes back and captures them, they'll be defenseless. "You're right, sis," he said in a whisper. "I do. I wish Ho-Oh and Goldie would grow up to be big and strong, just like Lugia.

"Can it really happen? I mean how will we help them grow?"

"I know we can help them somehow. We just have to believe."

"Okay. Well, goodnight, Tristan," said Hillary.

"Good night, sis," replied Tristan.

And they both fell asleep.

As Tristan slept, his Silver Wing began to glow faintly like a night light, just like the first night Lugia slept with him.

The night was calm and the moon and stars shone brightly in the night sky as Tristan, Hillary, and their Pokémon friends slept peacefully all night long.

The next morning, Tristan and Hillary woke up early.

Tristan made oatmeal for himself and Hillary. Shortly thereafter, he made some Pokémon food for the Pokémon. Then he gave a large portion of Pokémon food to Lugia.

Lugia seemed to enjoy the taste. This is so good! How'd you learn to make good food like that?

"A good friend taught me to make delicious recipes when I was just starting out on my journey," replied Tristan.

Your friend must be really good at cooking things to teach you, smiled Lugia.

"You can have seconds if you want," smiled Tristan.

Lugia went on with its breakfast. But then it asked, What's seconds?

Tristan gave a good chuckle. "It's a second helping of food."

Oh, I see.

As Tristan's Bayleef, Quilava, Totodile, Heracross, and Larvitar, as well as Hillary's Squirtle, Cyndaquil, Eevee, Lapras, and Pichu ate with Pikachu and Togepi, Hillary came over to Tristan and said, "This is rather strange."

"What's strange, sis?" asked Tristan.

"Well, doesn't it seem that Ho-Oh and Goldie look bigger to you after just hatching yesterday?"

Sure enough, Ho-Oh and Goldie had grown a little in size, although Tristan didn't notice it at first.

"Well, I'm gonna give Ho-Oh some food," said Tristan.

"But what can you give it?" asked Hillary. "Baby Pokémon can't have solid food yet."

"I can still give some Moomoo Milk," answered Tristan. "I remember giving some to Lugia when it was recovering from its injuries at the Pokémon Center earlier on our quest."

"Great idea, Tristan," agreed Hillary. "I'll give some to Goldie, too.

Tristan fed Ho-Oh some Moomoo Milk while Hillary did the same for Goldie.

Ho-Oh and Goldie both loved the fresh taste and flapped their wings in approval.

Meanwhile, Butch and Cassidy were hiding in the bushes.

"Those Ho-Oh look like they're well-guarded," grumbled Butch.

Cassidy had to agree. "We'll just have to sit and wait for now, especially with that good-for-nothing bodyguard here."

(Music Cue: Never too Far from Home (as heard in "Houndoom's Special Delivery"))

After breakfast, everyone worked out and trained with Ho-Oh and Goldie.

A Trainer's life is hard
You travel routes so far
Away from friends and family
You learn to sacrifice
Always ready to pay the price
But what you have to understand
Even heroes need a helping hand

Whatever you want, whatever you need
You know you can always count on me
There'll always be someone waiting
'Cause you're never too far from home.

Wherever you go, whatever you do
You know we'll be there to pull you through
You know there'll be someone waiting
'Cause you're never too far from home

Whatever you want, whatever you need
All of our love will set you free
You know there'll be someone waiting
'Cause you're never too far from home

Wherever you go, whatever you do
All of your dreams will soon come true
You know there'll be someone waiting
'Cause you're never too far from home

(repeat chorus)

The day passed quickly, and that night, everyone fell fast asleep with Lugia closely guarding Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, Togepi, Ho-Oh, and Goldie.

Eventually, though, Lugia soon got tired, and it, too, fell fast asleep.

(music fade out)

The next morning, Tristan stirred in his sleep as one of Ho-Oh's wings covered him like a blanket.

Hillary felt something in her sleep, too, but she didn't take much notice.

Lugia opened its eyes and yawned as it stretched its wings. Then it saw that both Ho-Oh and Goldie had grown dramatically during the night. It quickly came over to Tristan and Hillary. Guys, wake up! You've gotta see this!

Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, and Togepi burst awake at once from Lugia's shouting and covered their ears.

Apparently, it had also startled Butch and Cassidy, who were still hiding in the bushes.

"Ouch!" grunted Hillary. "That's loud!"

"I'll say," agreed Tristan. Then he opened his eyes and saw that Ho-Oh had grown significantly larger. "Wow! Hillary, look!"

Hillary gasped in shock as she saw Ho-Oh's enormous size. It was now 17 feet tall, much larger than Ho-Oh's average height. Then she saw that Goldie had grown significantly larger as well. "Goldie's grown larger, too!"

"This is amazing!" said Tristan. Did my Silver Wing somehow help these baby Ho-Oh grow big and strong?

"This calls for a celebration!" said Hillary excitedly. "Tristan, fix us something really good for breakfast, won't you please?"

"You got it!" replied Tristan. And he went straight to work to cook something special to celebrate the occasion.

Everyone had a healthy breakfast, including Ho-Oh and Goldie, who really enjoyed it.

Then Tristan and Hillary cleaned everything up in no time.

"That was really great, Tristan," said Hillary. "I'd call this one of your best breakfasts ever."

Lugia had to agree. This was even better than yesterday.

Then two more voices were heard.

What a great meal this is!

These humans have great taste in good food.

Everyone was startled.

When Tristan and Hillary turned towards Ho-Oh and Goldie, they said, Thank you very much.

Tristan and Hillary gasped in shock. "You guys just talked to us!"

It must be telepathy, remarked Lugia. Some Pokémon have that ability like I do.

"That's so cool!" remarked Tristan.

"I'll say it is," agreed Hillary.

Tristan was still concerned. "But now we have to teach Ho-Oh and Goldie how to fly before..."

But the rest of Tristan's speech was interrupted when a Flamethrower suddenly shot out at him and Hillary.

Look out! cried Lugia as it quickly flew in front of them and used Safeguard to protect them.

Tristan and Hillary opened their eyes and saw that they had been unharmed. But they were most upset.

"What do you think you're doing?!" demanded Hillary.

(Music Cue: Team Rocket's Interrupted Motto (as heard in the Japanese version of "Mewtwo Strikes Back ("Mewtwo's Counterattack")))

Suddenly, Butch and Cassidy appeared with Houndour standing in front of them.

"It's time for you to prepare for trouble," smiled Butch.

"I think we already did that," reminded Cassidy. Then she turned to Tristan and Hillary. "So, your Ho-Oh friends got bigger. Now they're even more valuable. Now hand them over."

"Just leave us alone!" demanded Tristan.

"You should know that Flamethrower attack was just a warning," said Cassidy. "Next time, I won't miss."

"Just try it!" retorted Hillary.

"All right, but just remember, you're the ones who asked for it," said Cassidy. "Houndour, Flamethrower!"

(Music Cue: Melt the Crystal (as heard in the Japanese version of "Emperor of the Crystal Tower: Entei"))

Houndour shot another stream of fire from its mouth at Tristan and Hillary.

But Lugia blocked the attack by using Safeguard again.

"Hitmontop, Rapid Spin!" shouted Butch as he threw his Poké Ball.

Hitmontop emerged from the white light that shot out of it and got into a headstand, then it spun rapidly to attack.

"Pikachu, use your Thunderbolt!" ordered Tristan.

Pikachu jumped up and shot a powerful bolt of electricity to stop Hitmontop and Houndour in their tracks.

"Houndour!" cried Cassidy.

"Hitmontop!" cried Butch.

Houndour and Hitmontop had both been knocked out.

Tristan, Hillary, take Ho-Oh and Goldie and get them as far away from here as you can, advised Lugia. I'll hold those two humans off and come back to you later.

"You'll be okay?" asked Tristan.

Yes, now hurry and get going, replied Lugia.

"Come on, guys, let's go!" shouted Tristan.

"Yes," agreed Hillary as she took out her Poké Ball and threw it. "Cyndaquil, use your Smokescreen!"

Her Cyndaquil emerged from the Poké Ball just as Lugia climbed higher into the sky, and shot a black cloud of smoke from its mouth at Butch and Cassidy, who were blinded by the smoke and hacked in it.

"I can't see a thing" exclaimed Butch.

"This smoke is so darned thick!" hacked Cassidy.

Everyone, including Ho-Oh and Goldie, ran from the scene through the cover of smoke into the forest as fast as they could.

When the smoke cleared, Butch and Cassidy saw that they were gone. They were most annoyed, but the wouldn't give up.

Cassidy took out her portable radio. "Cassidy here. We need backup. Follow those kids, and don't let them get away."

Deeper into the the forest Tristan and Hillary ran with Ho-Oh and Goldie close behind.

"How much longer do we have to keep running?" asked Hillary.

"I guess until we feel safe," answered Tristan.

"Do you think we lost them?"

"I sure hope so."

Deep inside, Tristan felt worried about Lugia, and so did Pikachu.

They both stopped.

"What's the matter, Tristan?" asked Hillary.

"I just can't stop thinking about Lugia," replied Tristan. "I mean, what if Lugia gets hurt or something in its battle against Butch and Cassidy?"

"I'm sure Lugia will be fine, Tristan," Hillary assured him. "Remember, Lugia said so. Come on, let's keep going. Team Rocket'll find us too easily if we stay here. But we'll have to face them sooner or later, so we'll need to be in a good position if we want to beat those guys."

Suddenly, they heard whirring noises from above.

Tristan, Hillary, and the Pokémon couldn't get a good view because the noises were too high to see.

"Do you think it could be Butch and Cassidy's reinforcements?" whispered Tristan.

"I don't know, and I don't want to know," replied Hillary. "We'd better keep moving, though."

And so they did.

Meanwhile, high above, some Team Rocket Grunts were searching for Ho-Oh and Goldie in their helicopters.

"Well, did you see them yet?" asked the first Rocket Grunt.

"No, nothing yet," replied the second Rocket Grunt.

A third seemed to be pretty upset. "It's those pesky kids again. They always mess up our plans!"

"Well, they won't this time," said the first Rocket Grunt. He took out a pair of binoculars and focused them on the clearing below. Suddenly, he spotted Ho-Oh and Goldie right behind Tristan and Hillary as they came into the open field. He took out his radio. "Targets sighted."

"Attack them now!" instructed Cassidy's voice.

And they quickly dove down from the sky.

Meanwhile just below, Pikachu pricked its ears and alerted Tristan and Hillary to the whirring noise up above.

(Music Cue: Entei's Theme (from the Japansese version of "Emperor of the Crystal Tower: Entei"))

They saw the helicopters, which had letter "R's", flying lower and lower towards them.

"It's Team Rocket!" gasped Tristan.

"And they just got reinforcements," added Hillary.

Ho-Oh and Goldie quickly came to Tristan and Hillary.

Quick, Tristan, you must climb on my back! commanded Ho-Oh.

You, too, Hillary, climb on, added Goldie. And we'll fly away from them.

Tristan and Hillary were shocked, but scrambled on Ho-Oh and Goldie respectively.

"But can you really fly?" asked Tristan nervously.

We'll have to, answered Ho-Oh. We have no choice.

And so, Ho-Oh and Goldie started running with Tristan and Hillary hanging on tight. They both tried flapping their wings, but they couldn't get them into the right rhythm.

All the while, the helicopters were getting closer and closer.

"Come on, guys, don't lose hope yet!" encouraged Hillary.

"You can do it!" added Tristan.

Suddenly, something small and shiny came out of both Ho-Oh and Goldie's wings and landed in Tristan and Hillary's hands. One of them was green, white, and red while the other was gold, yellow, and white.

"What's this?" wondered Tristan.

"I don't know, but I suspect that these are for us," replied Hillary.

Presently, they began to flash repeatedly, like a heart in rhythm.

"Why are they flashing?" wondered Tristan.

"Maybe they're trying to get us to do something," replied Hillary.

Just then, Lugia flew low beside them. Quick, use those feathers!

"What do you mean, Lugia?" asked Tristan.

Presently Hillary thought of something. "Maybe, Lugia's trying to get us to tell Ho-Oh and Goldie to flap their wings to the flash of those feathers!"

"That's it!" gasped Tristan. "Ho, Oh, flap your wings to the flash of this feather!"

"You, too, Goldie!" added Hillary. "If you flap your feathers at the exact time these feathers flash, then we're sure to take off into the air!"

Ho-Oh and Goldie nodded to each other and started flapping their wings at the same time as the flashes of the feathers. They ran faster and faster, and sure enough, they were able to lift themselves into the air.

Tristan and Hillary looked all around as they climbed higher and higher.

"Whoa, we're flying," gasped Hillary. "I guess those feathers really did the trick."

"You're right, Hillary," agreed Tristan. "Ho-Oh and Goldie flapped their wings in perfect sync to the flashes of those feathers, and we were airborne because of it."

Presently, the sounds of whirring helicopter blades got closer again.

"It's them again!" grunted Tristan.

"I thought we lost them!" added Hillary.

"This is your final warning, children!" shouted Cassidy through the loudspeaker.

"Hand over the Ho-Oh or else!" demanded Butch over the loudspeaker.

"I've about had it with Team Rocket," said Hillary.

"Me, too," agreed Tristan. Then he shouted, "You listen here! We won't let you steal our Ho-Oh friends away from us because we made a promise to protect them! And if you expect us to just hand them over, then you're in way over your heads! But if you want them so bad, then come and get us!"

"Tristan, what are you doing?" whispered Hillary. "Are you trying to get their attention?"

"You will live to regret those words, kids!" shouted Cassidy. "Get them!"

And all at once, the helicopters flew at Ho-Oh and Goldie at tremendous speed.

But at that moment, Ho-Oh and Goldie's bodies began to glow in a golden light, and then, they shot a powerful rose-colored flame from their beaks directly at the helicopters as Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, and Togepi all gasped in shock.

The blast was so powerful that it made the helicopters explode on contact.

BOOM!

The blast sent Butch, Cassidy, and all the Team Rocket Grunts flying into the sky at breakneck speed. "Looks like we're blasting off again!" they yelled as they disappeared.

DING!

As the smoke cleared, Tristan and Hillary marveled at the newfound strength Ho-Oh and Goldie had.

Lugia, who had been watching from a distance, was also impressed as it flew over to Ho-Oh and Goldie.

"What a powerful attack!" said Hillary. "What was that?"

"I don't know, Hillary," replied Tristan. "Why don't you check it out on your Pokédex?"

And she did.

"Sacred Fire, one of Ho-Oh's most powerful attacks. This all-powerful Fire attack has a one in two chance of leaving the opponent with a burn."

So that was Sacred Fire? gasped Lugia. It kind of reminds me of the Aeroblast attack I used for the first time.

"Well, I'm sure Ho-Oh and Goldie's Sacred Fire attacks will keep Team Rocket away from us for a long while," smiled Tristan.

"You said it, Tristan," agreed Hillary.

(Music Cue: To the Hopeful Sky)

That evening, as the sun was setting, the Silver Wing around Tristan's neck flashed and glistened.

Looks like you made another legendary Pokémon your friend, remarked Lugia to Tristan. And Hillary, you and Goldie look like you're really great buddies.

It was true, for Goldie nuzzled Hillary affectionately, giving her a good chuckle.

"Just like you and I are, Lugia, and Pikachu, too," added Tristan. "Right, pal?"

Pikachu and Lugia nodded in agreement.

Now it's time for the three of us to fly off, said Lugia. But I promise we'll see each other again real soon.

Tristan and Hillary felt sad, but understood why.

Don't worry, you'll see us all again, Ho-Oh assured them.

That's right, agreed Goldie. Hillary can call me or all the legendary Pokémon she befriended using her golden-colored Rainbow Wing she gained.

And you, Tristan, can use your Silver Wing to call me and the legendary Pokémon you befriended, added Lugia.

Tristan and Hillary felt much better after that.

And a moment later, Lugia, Ho-Oh, and Goldie took off into the air and departed in three different directions.

But as Ho-Oh and Goldie left, two rainbows were seen in their wake.

But just then another rainbow-colored Pokémon was seen flying above Tristan and Hillary.

"Whoa, look up there!" said Tristan.

Sure enough, the Ho-Oh that Tristan and Hillary met in Ecruteak City flew gracefully on its wings as it said, Well done. You've proven yourselves to be worthy in my eyes.

"Worthy?" asked Hillary. "Does that mean..."

Yes, you have passed my test. Farewell. And off it flew as it left a large rainbow in its wake.

"That's awesome," said Tristan.

"Yeah, we passed the big Ho-Oh's test," agreed Hillary. "Ho-Oh and Goldie were kept safe, and we defeated Team Rocket."

"Now we can focus on my next goal," said Tristan excitedly. "Olivine City, here we come!"

"Pi-Pikachu!" agreed Pikachu.

And so, Tristan and Hillary manage to thwart Team Rocket's evil plan to steal Ho-Oh and Goldie and passed the big Ho-Oh's test. And as they look on, they think about the many mysteries surrounding the world of Pokémon.

► TO BE CONTINUED