AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! We've finally made it to the 60th chapter of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu as they continue their journey through the Johto region. I'm having Chuck and his wife make appearances in this chapter. I'm also having the instrumental version of "Born to Be a Winner" in this chapter. You'll recall that it's the theme from Pokémon: Johto League Champions. Music was composed by John Siegler and John Loeffler while the lyrics were sung by David Rolfe. Please feel free to read and review responsibly at your leisure.
TEASER: Tristan and Hillary reach Cianwood City. Tristan decides to face Chuck so he can earn that elusive fifth badge. But will he and his Pokémon maintain their focus to attain their victory?
Chapter 60: CLOSE-RANGE COMBAT
(Music Cue: Opening Title 1999-2001 (as heard at the beginning of "The Chikorita Rescue"))
Today, our heroes are planning a trip to Cianwood City so that Tristan can face the Gym Leader, and earn that city's Gym badge. But for now, they're faced with a major emergency!
Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, and Togepi watched with concern the next morning as they saw Hillary's Lapras looking unwell.
"Poor Lapras," said Hillary. "It's been feeling like this ever since I got up this morning. It doesn't even feel like giving us a ride."
Tristan felt Lapras' forehead. Sure enough, it was very hot to the touch. "Yup, I'd say your Lapras is very sick. It definitely has a high fever." Quickly, Tristan checked his backpack and saw that the supplies he had wouldn't help. "I'm afraid Lapras' fever is too high for even me to treat here. The supplies I have on hand won't be enough."
Hillary sank to the ground. "Now what'll we do? Lapras is the only means of reliable transportation we've got. And it needs help quickly."
Suddenly, Pikachu's ears pricked up, alerting Tristan and Hillary at once.
"Do you hear something out there, Pikachu?" asked Tristan.
Presently, a slim, blue, quadruped, mammalian Pokémon with white diamond-shape markings appeared out from the high cliffs and was speeding its way toward them. It had a thick, purple mane, which flowed beautifully as it ran.
"Whoa, what's that?" gasped Hillary.
"Whatever it is, it sure is awesome seeing it run and jump like that," replied Tristan
Pikachu and Togepi marveled in agreement.
The Pokémon landed on its feet just inches away from Tristan and Hillary. Then it saw Hillary's ailing Lapras, and it lay flat on the ground.
"Now what's it doing?" asked Hillary.
"I think it wants us to get on," replied Tristan. He turned to the Pokémon and asked, "Is that what you want?"
The Pokémon gave a nod.
"Come on, sis!" said Tristan excitedly.
"Okay!" agreed Hillary. She took out her Poké Ball and quickly returned her Lapras back into it. Then she put Togepi inside her backpack as she, Tristan, and Pikachu climbed on the Pokémon's back.
(Music Cue: Flying Dragonite (Kairu))
The Pokémon stood up, and set off with an enormous jump towards the sea. But instead of diving down, it seemed to be jumping and skipping on the surface of the water, just like a stone, and was doing so effortlessly.
Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu held on tight as they enjoyed the exhilarating ride.
"This is the best ride across the sea I've been on in a long time!" said Tristan excitedly. "Are you having a good time, Pikachu?"
Pikachu nodded excitedly as it felt the wind blowing its ears around.
"I certainly agree, Tristan, this is a blast!" agreed Hillary. Let's just hope this Pokémon will take us to Cianwood City, she thought. Or better yet, a Pokémon Center.
The Pokémon continued jumping along the water's surface as it took Tristan and Hillary across the sea.
Fortunately, the Pokémon brought them to their intended destination. With a final jump, it landed neatly on the ground and walked a few paces. It then lay flat on the ground again.
Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu dismounted.
Tristan then noticed where he and Hillary were. "I don't believe it! This is Cianwood City!"
(Music Cue: Ecruteak City)
Hillary saw that Tristan was right. "The Pokémon must've guided us here. But how...and why?"
Tristan took one last good look at the Pokémon. "Thank you very much."
Pikachu and Togepi thanked it as well.
The Pokémon gave a nod, and then it jumped into the water, skipping over the surface as it went.
"Come on, let's see if we can find a Pokémon Center," suggested Hillary. "Lapras needs urgent help."
"Right," agreed Tristan.
And together, they ran all over Cianwood City in the hopes of finding a Pokémon Center.
They managed to find one a few minutes later and ran inside posthaste.
Hillary explained Lapras' dire situation to Nurse Joy.
"Yes, you're absolutely right," said Nurse Joy. "Its fever is very high. But unfortunately, I don't have the necessary medicine to help cure it."
"But there must be something you can do!" insisted Hillary. "Isn't there?"
"Well, there is a pharmacy that's been in Cianwood City for 500 years," explained Nurse Joy. "The pharmacists there make powerful medicines that are hard on fevers and ailments and gentle on the Pokémon."
"Well, then, that's that," said Hillary. "I'm going there right now, and I'm gonna find that medicine for Lapras. Nurse Joy, could you watch it for me?"
"Of course," replied Nurse Joy.
"Thanks! I'll be right back!" And Hillary ran out of the center.
"Wait for us!" called Tristan as he and Pikachu ran after her.
A short time later, they made their way to the Cianwood City Pharmacy and went inside.
"What? Your Larpas is ill? That's terrible!" said the manager after Hillary explained the situation to him. "Hold on, I have just the thing that'll help." And he took out a container of medicine from one of the shelves and gave it to Hillary. "Give this to Lapras for the next week, and it'll feel better. However, I must insist that it not battle or give you any rides until it's feeling 100 percent."
"Yes, sir," replied Hillary. "Thanks so much. I'm headed back to the Pokémon Center right now." And she ran out followed closely by Tristan and Pikachu.
"Good luck!" called the manager. "And be careful!"
Back at the Pokémon Center, Hillary gave the first dose of the medicine to her Lapras.
Lapras seemed to be cheering up and felt better quickly after that. However, it still felt unwell.
"I wish there was something I could do to help pass the time," said Tristan.
"Actually, there is!" said Hillary. "You have a Gym battle coming up, right? Why don't we go there right now?"
"But what about your Lapras?" asked Tristan.
"Lapras will be fine until we get back," replied Hillary. "Nurse Joy's taken very good care of it so far. Besides, the manager said it didn't need to stay here at the Pokémon Center for a whole week. We just can't ride it for a whole week. And we'll figure something else out when we're ready to move on."
"You're right, sis," agreed Tristan. "Let's go to the Gym."
And together, they walked out of the Pokémon Center and started searching for the Cianwood Gym.
They walked through town while enjoying the sights.
"This city's quite a popular tourist attraction," remarked Hillary. "It's got beaches and resorts and almost everything you could ever ask for. Of course, for you, Tristan, that's not as important as winning a badge here, right?"
"Right," agreed Tristan. "Are you ready for another great battle, Pikachu?"
Pikachu eagerly nodded.
Just then, sudden noises caught Tristan and Hillary's attention.
"Whoa, what's that?" asked Hillary.
"It's coming from this direction," replied Tristan. "Come on."
(Music Cue: Let's Run! (as heard in "Beauty and the Breeder"))
And he and Hillary dashed posthaste to the source of those sounds.
A fat, yet muscular man was seen training with a bipedal muscular humanoid Pokémon in gray skin. "Come on, Machoke, focus your energy!" The man had short brown hair and a large spiky mustache. He wore loose white pants and a maroon and black belt.
Machoke was giving the man chop after chop after chop while throwing all the punches.
"That Machoke looks strong," remarked Hillary. "And that man must be crazy!"
"You said it, Hillary," agreed Tristan.
Sure enough, the man looked like he was getting attacked by his own Machoke.
"Come on, Machoke, show me what you got!" yelled the man.
Machoke took a few steps back and charged toward the man. It struck him with a powerful Karate Chop.
"Whoa, that's brutal!" exclaimed Hillary.
"I'm sure glad I'm not that guy," agreed Tristan.
"Now Machoke, give it all you got!" yelled the man. "Submission!"
Machoke hit the man again and sent him rolling towards the beach.
Tristan and Hillary quickly rushed to him.
"Are you okay, sir?" asked Tristan.
"Okay?" replied the man. "That was the best Submission attack I've ever experienced in quite some time! Come here, Machoke, I'm so proud of you!" And he and Machoke embraced one another as tears fell from their eyes.
Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, and Togepi were left feeling very puzzled.
The man turned to Tristan. "Hey, you, with the glasses and hat."
"Who, me?"
"I reckon you're looking for the Cianwood City Gym, right?"
"Yes, sir, that's right," replied Tristan.
"Then let's go!" ordered Chuck. "Come on and march to the Gym! Double time!" And he began marching military style. "Hup, two, three, four, Hup, two, three, four..."
Tristan and Hillary marched along with him and his Machoke.
A few minutes later, they came to a building with a large gate in front of it.
"I guess this is it, right?" asked Hillary.
"It may not look like it, but it is," replied Tristan.
Presently, Machoke came to the Gym followed by the man, who was lagging behind and quite out of breath.
"What's the matter?" panted the man. "Can't you run?"
"Yeah, sure," replied Hillary sarcastically. "We're the one's who can't run. By the way, do you know how much further it is to the Gym?"
"Why, you're standing right in front of it," smiled the man.
Presently, several people dressed in robes came out of the Gym and said, "Greetings, Master!"
"Master?" Tristan was surprised. "Wait, does that mean..."
"Yup, that's right!" replied the man. "I'm the meanest, leanest, roughest, toughest, Fighting Pokémon Trainer in all of Johto. But you can call me Chuck."
Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, and Togepi were left speechless.
But Tristan soon spoke up. "My name's Tristan, Chuck, and I'd like to challenge you to a Gym battle so I can compete for a Storm Badge."
"So, you're raring to go, already, huh?" smiled Chuck. "I accept your challenge, my young friend. But first...
(Music Cue: Golden Silver)
"We eat, eat, eat! And then we eat some more!"
Inside the Gym, everyone had been handed a big bowl of food.
Tristan and Hillary's Pokémon were invited out to eat as well.
Chuck began stuffing his face full of food.
"I suppose we should dig in, too," whispered Hillary to Tristan.
Tristan slowly took his first bite of food. He was so satisfied with the taste that he kept on eating and eating. "This is great!" he said.
"Really?" Hillary couldn't believe her ears. So she tasted the food as well. "Awesome!" And she kept eating as well.
Just then, a woman came out of the kitchen. "So, how do you like the food?"
"We love it!" said Tristan and Hillary together.
Pikachu and Togepi happily agreed.
"There's plenty more where this came from if you'd like a second helping," smiled the woman. "After all, if you're planning to battle my flabby husband, you should have no problem beating him."
"Hey, who are you calling flabby?" Chuck felt a little insulted, but happily kept eating.
Half an hour later, everyone felt very happy.
"Ah, that was a great meal," sighed Tristan as he gently rubbed his stomach. "I can't eat another bite."
"Me, too," agreed Hillary. "By the way, what was that food we ate anyway?"
"It's Pokémon Power Food!" explained Chuck. "It's specially designed to power up the Pokémon and the Trainer for fighting in battle. And it improves focus, too."
Tristan could see that he felt stronger than ever. "Wow, you're right, Chuck. Now I know I'm ready for our Gym battle."
"Now that's the attitude I like to hear," smiled Chuck. "So let's go and burn off those calories!"
"I'm ready to burn them by just watching Tristan's Gym battle," said Hillary.
Tristan and Chuck positioned themselves on opposite sides of the Gym's battlefield a few moments later.
One of Chuck's students came to judge the match. "The official Cianwood City Gym battle between Chuck the Gym Leader and the challenger, Tristan from New Bark Town is about to begin. Each Trainer may use two Pokémon, and the battle will be over when both Pokémon on either side is unable to battle. The challenger may use a substitute when necessary, but the Gym Leader is not."
"All right, Tristan, I'm gonna use my Machoke and my Poliwrath!" said Chuck as he threw his Poké Ball.
A blue bipedal Pokémon with a round body and muscular arms emerged from the white light that shot out of it. It had a black swirl in the center of its chest.
"Wow, a Poliwrath," said Hillary as she scanned it with her Pokédex.
"Poliwrath, the Tadpole Pokémon. Poliwrath is an excellent swimmer, and its powerful muscles make its attacks extremely effective."
Sparks crackled from Pikachu's cheeks. It wanted to battle.
"You're wanting to battle, aren't you, Pikachu?" smiled Tristan. He knew that Pikachu would have the type advantage against Poliwrath.
Pikachu eagerly nodded.
"All right then, you get in there."
Pikachu jumped onto the battlefield and prepared to face Poliwrath.
"Yeah, smart choice," said Hillary. "Pikachu's Electric attacks should be able to beat Poliwrath with no problem."
Togepi agreed with her.
"Let the battle begin!" declared the referee as he raised his flags in the air.
(Music Cue: Kanto Gym Leader Battle (as heard in "One Trick Phony"))
"Pikachu, start off with a Thunderbolt attack!" instructed Tristan.
Pikachu launched a powerful bolt of electricity at Poliwrath, scoring an early direct hit.
"Yeah, that was super-effective!" said Hillary excitedly.
Togepi cheered loudly in agreement.
Sure enough, Poliwrath was getting zapped by Pikachu's attack, but suddenly, it managed to break free of it.
"What happened?" gasped Tristan in surprise.
"I guess I should've warned you," smiled Chuck. "My Poliwrath's got thick skin, so it's built up a resistance against Electric attacks. All right, Poliwrath, DoubleSlap attack!"
Poliwrath used its hands to deal Pikachu damage over and over.
"Poliwrath, focus your energy!" shouted Chuck. "Do it for the victory!"
Poliwrath continued to deal damage using its DoubleSlap attack.
"Whoa, that's a lot of direct hits!" said Hillary nervously. "I just hope Pikachu can handle it."
"Hang on, Pikachu!" encouraged Tristan.
"Now, Poliwrath, blast it with your Water Gun!" commanded Chuck.
Poliwrath shot a blast of water from the center of its chest and scored a direct hit on Pikachu, causing it to slide backward.
"Pikachu, use Quick Attack now!" ordered Tristan.
Pikachu jumped up and ran on top of Poliwrath's Water Gun as a white line streaked behind it. It managed to ram into Poliwrath, even though it didn't take the damage from it; however Quick Attack caused its Water Gun to stop.
"Now, Pikachu, use Thunder!" commanded Tristan.
Still at close range, Pikachu managed to launch an extremely powerful bolt of electricity at Poliwrath, scoring a huge direct hit on it.
"Yeah, that should do it!" said Hillary excitedly.
Togepi chirped in agreement.
Poliwrath fell to the ground.
"Come on, Poliwrath, you can do it!" encouraged Chuck. "Focus your energy!"
Poliwrath struggled to get back on its feet, but the damage from Pikachu's Thunder was too great, and it collapsed again; it had been knocked out.
"Poliwrath!" cried Chuck.
"Poliwrath is unable to battle...Tristan's Pikachu wins the match!" declared the referee.
"Yes!" said Tristan excitedly. "Way to go, Pikachu."
Pikachu struck a victory pose and gave a happy reply.
"Phew!" sighed Hillary. "That was a close one. Good thing Pikachu had enough guts to stand up to Poliwrath's attacks and defeat it with Thunder at the same time."
Togepi chirped in agreement.
Chuck cried tears of joy as he congratulated his Poliwrath. "You certainly gave it your very best, Poliwrath, and for that, I'm very proud of you. And now for a well-deserved rest." He returned Poliwrath to its Poké Ball. He turned to his Machoke. "All right, Machoke, it's all up to you now."
Machoke stepped forward and prepared to face Pikachu, who was looking tired.
"Another strong Fighting-type," said Hillary to herself. "I wonder how much longer Pikachu can keep this up. That battle with Poliwrath really wore it out."
"Are you okay to keep going, Pikachu?" asked Tristan.
Pikachu gave a nod.
"Then let's give Machoke a Thunderbolt attack!" commanded Tristan.
(Music Cue: Johto Wild Pokémon Battle (as heard in "A Ghost of a Chance"))
Pikachu jumped up and launched a bolt of electricity at Machoke.
"Focus your energy, Machoke!" encouraged Chuck.
Machoke stood there and took the attack head on, but soon broke free like it did nothing.
This isn't good, thought Tristan. Thunderbolt didn't do a thing.
"Pikachu's tiring out fast," said Hillary to herself. "That Machoke's got skin that's as strong as steel."
"Machoke, Karate Chop attack!" ordered Chuck.
Machoke used its forearms to attack Pikachu, sending it flying and crashing into the ground.
"Now finish it off with Submission!" commanded Chuck.
Machoke rolled over and over, and sent Pikachu rolling with it.
"Pikachu, hang on!" cried Hillary.
Togepi cheered loudly for Pikachu.
Pikachu was sent crashing into one of the walls, and fell to the ground thanks to Machoke's Submission attack.
"Pikachu, can you get up, pal?" asked Tristan hopefully.
Pikachu tried getting up, but the damage from Machoke's Karate Chop and Submission combo was too much for it to take, so it collapsed again; it had been knocked out.
"Pikachu is unable to battle...Machoke wins the match!" declared the referee.
Tristan quickly rushed over to Pikachu. "Pikachu, how do you feel?"
Pikachu gave a weak, but happy reply.
"You were great," smiled Tristan. "You just take it easy for a while." He carried Pikachu over to Hillary, who was happy to watch it for him. Then he came back to the battlefield and took out his Poké Ball. "You're gonna have to win this one by battling at close-range. Heracross, I choose you!" He threw his Poké Ball.
Heracross emerged from the white light that shot out of it.
"Ah, a Heracross," smiled Chuck. "All right, Machoke, let's get ready." He got into position. "Now focus your energy, Machoke, and get primed for battle."
Machoke agreed and used several Karate Chops on Chuck.
"Come on, Heracross, let's do that, too," advised Tristan.
Heracross gave a hard nod.
"Now show me a Tackle attack!" commanded Tristan.
Heracross flew at Tristan and used its horn to strike him.
Hillary was shocked, but Tristan hung in there for all it was worth.
"Great...that was a good one," grunted Tristan. "Just keep focused."
Heracross nodded.
(Music Cue: A Fight! Real vs. Copy Pokémon (as heard in "Ring Masters"))
Everyone was focused a few minutes later.
"So, are we ready to go again?" asked Chuck.
"You bet we are," answered Tristan.
"All right, Machoke, focus your energy and use your Karate Chop attack!" instructed Chuck.
Machoke charged toward Heracross and prepared to strike.
"Heracross, use your horn to block it!" instructed Tristan.
Heracross flew in and used its horn to block Machoke's attacks.
As long as Heracross stays focused on the team and on our victory, thought Tristan, then there's no doubt that we'll win that badge.
"What could Tristan be planning?" said Hillary to herself. "There's no way Heracross can win just by defending. Unless this is all part of his plan to wear Machoke down."
Heracross continued to block Machoke's attacks using its horn.
"All right, Machoke, it's time to teach Heracross a thing or two," said Chuck. "Use your Cross Chop attack!"
Machoke crossed its arms as they began to glow. Then it struck Heracross, sending it backward.
"Heracross!" cried Tristan.
"Now, Machoke, it's time to show it our most powerful attack...Submission!"
Machoke rolled into Heracross, causing them to roll all over the battlefield.
Seconds later, Heracross was sent spinning into the air.
"Hang in there, Heracross!" encouraged Tristan. "Just stay focused!"
Heracross opened its eyes and landed neatly on its feet.
"Impossible!" gasped Chuck.
"Wow, that was a nice recovery!" added Hillary. "Tristan must've tapped into Heracross' instincts and helped it focus!"
"Okay, Heracross, let's give it all we got!" commanded Tristan.
(Music Cue: OK! (Orchestra & Guitar (as heard in "Hook, Line, and Stinker")))
On Tristan's command, Heracross' horn started to glow in a bright white light, and it flew straight towards Machoke.
"Wow, that must be Megahorn!" exclaimed Hillary. "Heracross must've just learned that attack!"
Sure enough, Heracross had learned to use Megahorn, and it rammed into Machoke, who was attempting to block Heracross from getting even closer.
"Come on, Machoke, focus your energy!" encouraged Chuck. "Focus on your victory!"
Machoke did its best to block Heracross from getting any closer to it.
"Heracross, full power now!" shouted Tristan.
Heracross heard him and pushed even harder, causing Machoke to lose its grip.
Machoke soon found itself flying into one of the walls and slid onto the ground.
"Machoke, focus your energy!" encouraged Chuck.
Machoke struggled to get back on its feet, but the damage from Heracross' Megahorn coupled with it crashing into the wall was too much for it to take. And it soon collapsed and fainted.
"Machoke!" cried Chuck.
"Machoke is unable to battle...Heracross wins the match!" declared the referee. "The victory goes to Tristan from New Bark Town!"
(Music Cue: Route 26 (as heard in "Mild 'n Woolly"))
"Heracross, we did it!" cried Tristan excitedly.
Heracross flew to Tristan and embraced him as Hillary, Togepi, and Pikachu approached.
"That was great, Tristan," commended Hillary. "Your Heracross' Megahorn was really something. I never expected it to learn that attack in the middle of a Gym match."
"Thanks, sis," replied Tristan. "Heracross stayed focused and did the work. Heracross, you were awesome."
Heracross gave a happy nod and thanked him.
"Machoke, you gave it your all, and for that, I'm proud of you," said Chuck. "You're a winner in my book whether you win or lose." He turned to Tristan. "Well, Tristan, you and your Heracross worked very well together. You kept yourselves focused and maintained your concentration."
"Thanks, Chuck," replied Tristan.
"I reckon that if you continue to stay focused," continued Chuck, "you'll be a mighty force to be reckoned with in the Johto League. As proof of your victory here in the Cianwood Gym, I want to offer you this Storm Badge. You earned it." And he gave Tristan a badge that looked like a golden-brown fist.
"Thanks, Chuck," replied Tristan as he accepted the badge. "We'll do our best." And he happily raised his new badge in the air and proudly proclaimed, "We did it! We got the Storm Badge!"
"Pi-Pikachu!" added Pikachu.
Heracross also did a victory pose as everyone celebrated Tristan's latest victory.
"You know what this means, right, Tristan?" said Hillary.
"You bet I do," replied Tristan. "Only three more badges to go, and soon I'll be able to compete in the Johto League."
"Then what do you say we train even harder and work towards that goal together?" suggested Hillary.
"You're on, sis," agreed Tristan.
"Jasmine still can't battle, huh?" said Tristan as he spoke with Janina on the video phone at the Pokémon Center.
"She says that there's still a long line of challengers," answered Janina. "But she managed to take on five of them just today, and I have a feeling that she will take on even more than that tomorrow. So I wouldn't worry; you'll get your chance to battle her soon."
"Thanks, Janina," replied Tristan. "I'll just be patient a little bit longer."
"Be safe out there, Tristan," said Janina.
The video screen turned off.
Nurse Joy came to Hillary with her Poké Ball at that moment. "Hillary, I'm pleased to announce that your Lapras will soon be back to normal."
"Thanks, Nurse Joy," replied Hillary. "I realize that I can't ride it until it's fully restored. But how do I get it to exercise before then?"
"Maybe it could swim alongside you when you ride another Pokémon," explained Nurse Joy.
"Hey, Tristan, let's get your Lapras," suggested Hillary. "That way, our Lapras can learn from one another."
"Great idea," agreed Tristan. "Let's talk to Professor Oak.
A moment later, they explained the situation to him on the video phone.
"Well, it's a shame that Hillary's Lapras is not feeling quite its best," said Professor Oak. "However, I'm sure that Tristan's Lapras can ferry you across the sea with no problem."
"Great," said Tristan. "Would you mind sending it here?"
"I'd be very happy to do that, Tristan," smiled Professor Oak. "However, you already have six Pokémon, so you'll have to send one to me before I can send you your Lapras."
"Which one should I send, Professor?" asked Tristan.
"I think your Heracross would be your best bet," answered Professor Oak. "With Ash's Heracross living here, your Heracross could learn a thing or two from it."
"Okay, Professor, I'll send Heracross to you," said Tristan. He took out Heracross' Poké Ball and held it close to him. "Bye, Heracross, thanks for your hard work. Be good for Professor Oak, okay?" And he put the Poké Ball on the transporter and pressed the button.
The Poké Ball transformed into white light and disappeared through the transporter. Seconds later, Lapras' Poké Ball appeared.
The switch had been made.
"I'll take good care of your Heracross," smiled Professor Oak.
"Thanks, Professor," replied Tristan.
The video screen turned off.
Just then, Chuck and his wife entered.
"I'm sorry to hear about your Gym battle in Olivine City being delayed," said Chuck's wife. "But I know what you can do to pass the time."
"What?" asked Tristan and Hillary together.
"Why don't you go explore the Whirl Islands?" suggested Chuck.
Tristan gasped in shock. "I remember those islands! Grandma took us there on our vacation just before our journey through Johto began!"
"Then I'm sure you'll have no problem navigating through them," said Chuck. "Rumors have also surfaced that mysterious Pokémon live there."
"Like Lugia?" asked Tristan.
"It's possible," replied Chuck. "Maybe you could visit those islands and check it out for yourselves. Who knows? There may be Pokémon who may have already made friends with you there."
Though he may never know it, Chuck was right on that statement; Tristan had made friends with Lugia at the very start of his Johto journey, and he was looking forward to seeing the place where it first came into the world.
"And we have something else for you," added Chuck's wife. "This is your ticket that's good for any passage through the Whirl Islands should you need it." And he handed Tristan a ticket that had a picture of a whirlpool on it.
"Thanks so much," said Tristan. He turned to Hillary. "Well, sis, are you ready to explore the Whirl Islands?"
"You bet I am!" said Hillary excitedly.
(Music Cue: Born to Be a Winner (instrumental version)
The next morning, Tristan and Hillary were situated on the back of Tristan's Lapras, who was very excited to see them again.
Hillary's Lapras swam alongside as they left Cianwood City behind.
"Well, it's time to say goodbye to Cianwood City," sighed Tristan.
"For now," replied Hillary. "But we'll be back, won't we?"
Pikachu and Togepi agreed.
"I wonder what kinds of Pokémon we'll see on the Whirl Islands," said Hillary.
"Me, too," agreed Tristan. "I know we'll see some Water-types there." He then thought, I know one Pokémon we'll see on the Whirl Islands, though. And that is Lugia. I wonder how it's doing.
And so, Tristan earns his fifth Gym badge, getting him one step closer to entry into the Johto League. As our heroes begin to set sail towards the Whirl Islands, what Pokémon will they see there? And will Tristan reunite with his friend, Lugia? Stay tuned for the answers as our heroes' continue their unforgettable Johto journey.
► TO BE CONTINUED