AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! Here is chapter 58 of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu as they continue their journey through the Johto region. I didn't have Silver show up until Tristan and Hillary reached Olivine City. In the games, he doesn't battle the player there, but I'm having him do a one-on-one battle there as he didn't see Ho-Oh. You'll see what I mean when you read this chapter.
TEASER: Tristan and Hillary finally arrive in Olivine City for Tristan's next Gym battle, but Silver shows up and instantly blames them for not seeing Ho-Oh west of Ecruteak City and challenges Tristan to a battle! Will that stop Tristan from obtaining his fifth Johto League Gym Badge? Plus, they discover a mysterious life form on Pikachu. What is this life form?
Chapter 58: TOTODILE'S BIG DAY
(Music Cue: Opening Title 1999-2001 (as heard at the beginning of "A Goldenrod Opportunity"))
Our heroes are still on the road, but to their surprise and excitement, they finally made it! At last, they have reached their next destination: Olivine City, and they know that it was well worth the trip.
"Yes!" said Tristan excitedly. "Olivine City Gym, here I come!"
Pikachu agreed as it rushed off with Tristan.
"Hold on!" cautioned Hillary.
Tristan and Pikachu stopped in their tracks, causing them to fall flat on the ground.
"Hey, what'd you stop us for?" asked Tristan impatiently.
"There's one thing we have to do first," reminded Hillary. "Do you remember what that is?"
"Oh, yeah," said Tristan. "We have to stop by the Pokémon Center first."
Hillary nodded. "That always comes first, you know. Come on, let's go there. You'll thank me. You'll see." And she happily walked off with Togepi in her arms.
Tristan and Pikachu were still bemused.
"I don't know how Hillary does that," whispered Tristan to himself.
Pikachu quietly agreed with him.
(Music Cue: Pikachu Appears!)
As they approached the city limits, they stopped to see the sights.
"Look, you can see the ocean from here," said Hillary.
"It sure looks beautiful, doesn't it?" agreed Tristan.
Pikachu and Togepi also agreed.
Tristan took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Ah, the fresh ocean air smells good."
"And it feels good, too," added Hillary.
Everyone stood still for what seemed like hours as they felt and quietly listened to the sounds of the ocean and the light breezes that followed.
"I remember the last time we came here," said Tristan.
"Yeah, this was the place we took the ferry to the Whirl Islands," agreed Hillary.
"And met Lugia there for the first time," put in Tristan.
"Hey, do you think we could see the place where Lugia was born?" asked Hillary.
"You mean its home?" replied Tristan. "I'm sure Lugia wouldn't mind. After all, we are it's friends."
"And I'm sure we'll get to see some Pokémon we haven't seen before," added Tristan. "There are just so many opportunities waiting for us across the sea! I can't wait to see everything it has to offer!"
"Well then, what are we waiting for?" said Hillary. "Let's go to the Pokémon Center and rest up first, then we'll do your Gym battle, and finally, we can explore the Whirl Islands after that!"
"Okay!" agreed Tristan.
And they happily dashed posthaste to the Pokémon Center.
Inside, Nurse Joy greeted them warmly. "Welcome to the Pokémon Center.
"Nurse Joy, would you look after our Pokémon please?" asked Tristan and Hillary.
"Sure, I'd be happy to take care of them," smiled Nurse Joy as she took Pikachu, Togepi, and all of Tristan and Hillary's Poké Balls into the examination room.
"Hey, Tristan, we should give Grandma a call," suggested Hillary.
"Good idea," agreed Tristan. "I'm sure she'll be happy to know that we've reached Olivine City."
(Music Cue: Pokémon Center 1997-1998 M77B)
"Ah, Tristan and Hillary, it's so wonderful to see you again," smiled Veronica, Tristan and Hillary's grandmother, on the video screen. "You two are looking as well as ever."
"Hi, Grandma," replied Tristan and Hillary together.
"So where are you two now?" asked Veronica.
"We just reached Olivine City," answered Tristan.
"That's wonderful news, dear," replied Veronica. "So are you planning to go for your fifth badge?"
"You bet I am," said Tristan excitedly. "My Pokémon and I are all raring to go. And once I get that badge, we'll be one step closer to the Johto League."
"I can wait to see you compete," smiled Veronica. "And Hillary, how's your battling experience going?"
"It's going well," answered Hillary. "I competed in a few tournaments already. I've won some and lost some. But Tristan's been doing his fair share of these tournaments, too."
"Have you decided what you wanted to do yet?" asked Veronica.
"I really hadn't thought of it yet," replied Hillary.
"Well, I'm sure you'll find the answer," said Veronica. "It's never too late to choose your own path. And competing in those tournaments is a great way to decide what you want to do."
"Grandma's right, Hillary," agreed Tristan. "Sometimes you need to battle and train with your Pokémion in order to find a goal that works for you. There may even be goals that we haven't even thought of yet."
Hillary nodded and understood what Tristan and Veronica were saying.
"I couldn't have said it better myself," smiled Veronica. "Well, I have to go, kids. Good luck in your Gym battle, Tristan. And remember, I love you."
"Thanks, Grandma, you, too," replied Tristan and Hillary together as the video screen turned off.
Just then, the recovery signal rang.
Nurse Joy came out of the recovery room with Pikachu and Togepi as well as Tristan and Hillary's Poké Balls, much to their delight. "Everyone here seems to be doing very well."
"That's great news, isn't it, Hillary?" said Tristan.
"Sure is," agreed Hillary.
"But..." began Nurse Joy.
"But what?" asked Tristan and Hillary together.
"Your Pokémon appear to have tiny life forms stuck to them," replied Nurse Joy.
"Tiny life forms?" asked Hillary, who was getting more and more nervous. "What do you mean?"
"Let me show you through the microscope," said Nurse Joy as she pulled an instrument over. "I had just discovered it when I was examining Pikachu."
"Is Pikachu gonna be okay, Nurse Joy?" asked Tristan.
"Don't worry," she assured him. "Pikachu and the rest of your Pokémon seem to be perfectly fine." And she let Tristan look through the microscope.
What Tristan saw made him jump in surprise.
"What is it, Tristan?" asked Hillary.
"I saw lots of tiny purple blobs all over Pikachu's shiny coat!" gasped Tristan.
"Let me see," said Hillary. And she looked through the microscope. Sure enough, when she looked into it, she could see that there were tiny purple blobs all over Pikachu. "You're right, Tristan. There are purple blobs everywhere. No wonder we couldn't see it at first."
"Unfortunately, that's all I know about this life form," concluded Nurse Joy. "It's a brand new thing that I hadn't seen before. But I can't tell you anything more about it at this Pokémon Center. None of my sisters or cousins had discovered this either. I think I'll contact them and try to find out more about it." And she walked through the doors back to the examination room.
It was obvious that Tristan and Hillary became very worried and held Pikachu and Togepi close to them.
"Maybe we should contact Professor Elm," suggested Hillary. "He might know something that Nurse Joy doesn't."
Tristan nodded in agreement.
(Music Cue: Golden Silver)
When Tristan and Hillary contacted Professor Elm on the video phone, they told him the whole story.
"Oh, I see," said Professor Elm. "I can see why you two are in such a panic right now."
"Yes, Professor Elm," replied Tristan. "Is there anything you know about this life form?"
"Well, you see..."
But before Professor Elm could continue, a familiar figure came beside him. "Hello, kids!"
"It's Professor Oak!" said Tristan and Hillary together.
"What are you doing in New Bark Town?" asked Hillary.
"I had wanted to stop by and see how Professor Elm was doing," explained Professor Oak, "and he had come across this momentous discovery about those life forms that he was talking about."
"Please tell us more, Professor Oak!" implored Tristan.
"Yeah, this could be important!" added Hillary.
"All right, now calm down, kids, there's nothing you need to worry about," chuckled Professor Oak. "The life forms that Professor Elm was talking about may be connected to the mysterious life form known as Pokérus."
"Pokérus?" repeated Tristan.
"Yes," replied Professor Elm. "It multiplies fast and infects other Pokémon, too."
"You mean it could infect Togepi, too?" asked Hillary worriedly.
"Actually, that's all the Pokérus does," answered Professor Elm. "It spreads and multiples like wildfire, but that's all it does."
"We believe that the Pokérus is a viral life form that infects Pokémon," explained Professor Oak. "But instead of getting sick, it makes them feel even better and stronger than they've ever been before."
"But other than that, there's nothing that we really need to worry about," finished Professor Elm. "And it'll go away over time."
Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu all breathed sighs of relief.
"There's still so much about this new virus that we don't know, and we plan to study as much about it as possible, but we hope that you'll rest easier tonight knowing that your Pokémon won't have any ill effects with this virus," said Professor Oak.
"We'll do our best," replied Hillary.
"Bye, kids," said Professor Elm. "And good luck."
The video screen turned off.
As Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, and Togepi walked out of the Pokémon Center, a thought crossed Tristan's mind.
"Hey, do you suppose that this Pokérus will help my Pokémon and me win future battles?" he asked.
"I'm not sure, Tristan," replied Hillary. "But I think I know a good way to put that theory to the test. Let's go to the Olivine City Gym and find out."
"Great idea, sis," agreed Tristan. "Let's go."
But just then, a familiar red-haired boy came to the scene and demanded, "Hold it."
Tristan and Hillary stopped dead in their tracks.
"Oh, no, not Silver again," groaned Hillary.
"It's him, all right," said Tristan disdainfully.
"I stopped you because I wanted to take my anger out on someone," explained Silver. "I was told that I could find some legendary Pokémon just west of Ecruteak City, but there was nothing there! Nothing!"
Tristan and Hillary were confused.
Silver became more and more angry. "All this trouble of going west of Ecruteak City to find this Pokémon, and for what? Just so I could find some good-for-nothing wimps like you?! It's all your fault!"
"What do you mean, our fault?" demanded Hillary. "We don't even know what you're talking about!"
(Music Cue: Johto Rival Theme)
"Spare me all your lies!" yelled Silver. "Croconaw, battle mode! Right now!" And he angrily threw his Poké Ball.
His Croconaw emerged from the white light that shot out of it. It looked as mean as ever.
"Hillary, let me battle him this time," suggested Tristan. "This is a great way to put Professor Oak's theory to the test."
"All right, go for it, Tristan," said Hillary.
Tristan turned towards Silver. "All right, Silver, if it's a battle you want, you've got one! Totodile, I choose you!" He threw his Lure Ball.
Totodile emerged from the white light that shot out of it. Sure enough, it was ready for battle.
"So, you're using Totodile," smirked Silver. "A weak Pokémon for a weak Trainer like you."
"We'll see who's weak," said Tristan. "Totodile, Water Gun attack!"
Totodile shot a powerful blast of water from its mouth at Croconaw, but this one seemed to be more powerful than normal. Nevertheless, it scored a direct hit on Croconaw.
"Hm, so you have gotten stronger after all," smirked Silver. "I underestimated you. Now it's my turn to respond. Croconaw, fight back with your Water Gun!"
Croconaw responded with a powerful blast of water of its own and scored a direct hit on Totodile.
"Okay, Totodile, hang tough!" encouraged Tristan.
Totodile landed on its feet and charged forward.
"Croconaw, use Bite!" instructed Silver.
Croconaw charged and proceeded to bite Totodile using its sharp teeth.
"Totodile, blast it with your Water Gun!" ordered Tristan.
Totodile shot another powerful blast of water from its mouth at Croconaw at close range, causing it to score a huge direct hit on it.
"Follow it up with your Bite attack!" commanded Tristan.
Totodile lunged forward and used its teeth to bite Croconaw hard and wouldn't let go.
"Yeah, that hit the mark!" said Hillary excitedly.
Pikachu and Togepi cheered for Tristan loudly.
Croconaw was tossed to the ground.
"Stay strong or else!" demanded Silver to Croconaw.
Croconaw struggled to its feet.
Just then, Tristan realized something. He's threatening his own Pokémon to stay strong. He thinks that Pokémon are tools for battling. But my Pokémon and I have more power than just sheer brute force because of our friendship and trust. And I intend to prove that right here and now. "All right, Totodile, get ready to charge in again!" he said aloud.
Totodile charged forward and prepared to attack again.
If he thinks I'm gonna fall for the same trick twice, then he's more senile that I thought, thought Silver. He then shouted, "Croconaw, Slash attack now!"
But Tristan thought quickly and shouted, "Totodile, grab hold of Croconaw with your Bite attack!"
Totodile quickly used its teeth to grab Croconaw's sharp claws, stopping it in its tracks. Then Totodile jumped up and down while at the same time, tossed Croconaw up and down on the ground. It seemed to be having fun.
Silver seethed in anger.
"Perfect, Totodile, now toss it into the air!" commanded Tristan.
Totodile thrust Croconaw into the air with all its might, leaving it defenseless.
"That's it, Totodile, now aim your Water Gun at the ground!" instructed Tristan.
Totodile shot its Water Gun attack directly at the ground, causing it to be airborne.
"Hey, that's new!" said Hillary.
Pikachu and Togepi agreed. They had never seen a Totodile fly before.
Totodile came up to Croconaw, who had begun to fall back to earth. It was now within striking distance.
"Totodile, finish it off with your Water Gun attack!" ordered Tristan.
Totodile shot another powerful blast of water from its mouth at Croconaw, scoring a direct hit on it and accelerating its fall.
Croconaw crashed into the ground, causing a cloud of dust to form.
Silver gasped in shock.
When the dust cleared, Croconaw had a dazed expression in its eyes. It had been knocked out.
As for Totodile, it landed neatly on the ground.
"Excellent, Totodile," commended Tristan. "Great job."
Totodile nodded.
Silver returned Croconaw to its Poké Ball and said, "Hmph! You never would've met a legendary Pokémon anyway. Besides, battling you was a waste of time, and I can beat you and Hillary any day." And he turned his back on them and walked away.
"Hey, you get back here!" shouted Hillary.
"Let him go, Hillary," said Tristan as he put his hand on her shoulder. "He knows that battling me won't do him any good when it comes to finding legendary Pokémon like Ho-Oh. Right, Pikachu?"
Pikachu nodded in agreement.
"I guess you're right," replied Hillary. "Come on, let's look around."
That evening, Tristan, Hillary, and their Pokémon were climbing up the stairs inside the Shining Lighthouse.
"This place sorta gives me the creeps," said Hillary nervously. "Do you think we'll run into anything scary in here?"
"I doubt it, Hillary, because I haven't seen any sign of any wild Pokémon living here," replied Tristan.
Just then, there was a flashing light just around the corner.
"What's that?" asked Hillary.
"Let's see what it is," replied Tristan.
And together, they ran up the final flight of stairs.
(Music Cue: Ecruteak City)
When they got there, they saw a yellow bipedal Pokémon with a white belly. It had a red orb at the tip of its tail, which was flashing repeatedly.
"Wow, I wonder what that is," said Hillary as she took out her Pokédex.
"Ampharos, the Light Pokémon. Ampharos emits a strong light from the tip of its tail. which can be seen over long distances and serve as a beacon to those who are lost."
"I wonder if this Ampharos has a Trainer," said Hillary.
"I'm sure it does because it's doing its job for someone here," replied Tristan.
Sure enough, the Ampharos was doing its job, and wouldn't move a muscle.
A moment later, they went outside to admire the sunset across the sea.
"What a beautiful sight that is!" said Tristan.
"You said it, Tristan," agreed Hillary.
Pikachu, Togepi, and Totodile were just about to agree when suddenly, Totodile was bathed in a bright white light.
"Whoa, what's going on with Totodile?" gasped Tristan.
"Totodile's starting to evolve!" replied Hillary.
Sure enough, Totodile was growing in size as it evolved. When the light faded, it had an asymmetrical pattern on its chest, and its jaw was yellow.
"It's a Croconaw now!" said Tristan as he ran to embrace his Pokémon. "Congratulations, Croconaw."
Croconaw bit Tristan's head lightly to show its affection.
"Hey, watch those teeth, will ya?" said Tristan playfully.
Hillary and Pikachu gave a good laugh as Croconaw continued to show its affection.
Presently, the sun was starting to disappear over the horizon.
"It's getting pretty late, Tristan," said Hillary. "We should think about heading to the Pokémon Center for the night."
"I guess that means I won't be having my Gym battle today," replied Tristan sadly.
"Don't worry, Tristan," Hillary assured him. "You'll get a chance to battle the Gym Leader."
Tristan gave a small smile. "I guess you're right. Seeing a beautiful sunset is a nice consolation prize. Plus, Totodile evolved into Croconaw."
Hillary nodded in agreement. "That's right. You've gotta look on the bright side of things. There's no point in just pointing out the negatives, right?"
"Right," agreed Tristan.
Pikachu, Togepi, and Croconaw also agreed.
Although Tristan did not get his Gym battle in today, he knows that he attained some victories of his own, including defeating Silver in battle once again and his Totodile evolving into Croconaw. But he knows that he will have to take on the Olivine Gym Leader at some point, but the question is...when will it happen? You'll have to stay tuned to find out!
► TO BE CONTINUED