AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! Here is chapter 68 of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu as they continue their journey through the Whirl Islands. Luka from the anime makes one more appearance in this chapter. Please feel free to read and review responsibly at your leisure.

TEASER: Tarah asks for help searching for a locket that she lost one year ago while on a boating trip through the Whirl Islands. But when Ed teases a Shellder and Tentacool, a dangerous chase ensues, and Tristan and Hillary must help the Trainers to safety, thus causing the quest to find Tarah's missing locket to be no easy task.

Chapter 68: WHIRL CAMP, PART 2

(Music Cue: Opening Title 1999-2001 (as heard in "Once in a Blue Moon"))

Today, after a day of meeting and greeting other Trainers, Tristan and Hillary look forward to another exciting day at Whirl Camp. Lugia is the designated lifeguard, and Tristan and Hillary are the camp's junior counselors. But Tarah, who gets around by wheelchair has asked them a favor.

"I really need your help," said Tarah.

"What is it?" asked Hillary.

"Well, I need to find something I lost," replied Tarah.

"What did you lose, Tarah?" asked Tristan.

"Well, it's kind of complicated." And Tarah started telling her story.

(Music Cue: Bill's Lighthouse)

"It was about a year ago that my dad and I explored the Whirl Islands by boat," she explained. "I wanted my mom to come, too, but she said that she had other things to do at home. She and I are really close, and she wanted to give me something to remember her.

"She gave me a locket that had a picture of her in it. That helped me feel better. Every time I looked at it, it was like my mother was with us.

"But during our boat ride, we saw a bunch of Remoraid swimming by. I wanted to get a closer look, so my dad helped me out of my wheelchair to help me see them. But unfortunately, my locket around my neck broke off, and it dropped into the ocean. I wanted to dive down after it, but my dad wouldn't let me. He said that lockets are replaceable, but I'm not. Of course, that made me really sad. I haven't seen that locket since that day.

"That's why I need your help to find my locket," said Tarah. "I get lonesome without seeing that picture of my mother in it."

"Well, we'll help you find it somehow," said Tristan. "Right, Pikachu?"

Pikachu agreed.

"And I can help out, too, right, Tristan?" asked Hillary.

"Of course you can," smiled Tristan. "We'll do our best to help you get that locket of yours back."

"Oh, thanks, guys, you're the best," said Tarah.

Professor Elm came over as he saw Lugia having its breakfast in the distance.

"That Lugia friend of yours is really something," remarked Professor Elm. "A Lugia befriending a Trainer is something I don't see very often."

"Professor Elm, Lugia's been wanting to see how humans can stay underwater for an extended period of time," explained Tristan. "Do you have any equipment on hand?"

"Well, I don't have it," replied Professor Elm, "but I know someone else who does."

"What do you mean?" asked Hillary.

"I mean I know someone who has some of that special equipment," explained Professor Elm. "As a matter of fact, kids, I've been told that Luka from Ogi City on Yellow Rock Isle is coming to visit us today, and she's going to lead you and the other Trainers on an underwater exploration."

Tristan and Hillary were surprised.

"Luka's coming?" asked Hillary.

"Does that mean we can dive underwater and see all the Water Pokémon that live there?" asked Tristan.

"Precisely," replied Professor Oak. "And I have a feeling it will expand your horizons."

(Music Cue: Route 29)

Sure enough, Luka's boat came to Silver Rock Isle, and a few minutes later, Luka herself appeared. She saw Tristan and Hillary and immediately came to see them. "Tristan! Hillary!"

Tristan and Hillary turned to see her. "It's Luka!" they said excitedly.

"How have you been?" asked Luka.

"We've been well," answered Hillary.

Presently, Luka saw Lugia in the distance. "Wow, so that must be the Lugia Tristan was talking about. I heard that it's your lifeguard for Whirl Camp."

"It is, Luka," replied Tristan. "It's been wanting to see how humans can stay underwater for an extended period of time."

"Well, that's why I brought my diving gear," smiled Luka.

Presently, all the other Trainers arrived.

"Well, you'd better get everyone together so we can get started," suggested Luka.

Tristan and Hillary nodded in agreement.

"Hey, everybody!" called Hillary. "It's time to gather round!"

All the Trainers stopped what they were doing and sat down on the ground...all but Tarah, who sat in her wheelchair.

Lugia saw all the Trainers gather together and flew over. It gently landed next to them.

Professor Elm came to them. "We have a very special guest today," he said. "So I'd like for you to give her you undivided attention. Please welcome deep-sea diver Luka from Ogi City."

Everyone clapped, even Tarah.

Luka came and faced the group of Trainers. "Good morning."

"Good morning, Luka," the Trainers answered.

"Yes, as Professor Elm mentioned, my name's Luka," said Luka. "I've been exploring the seas in the Whirl Islands for some time now. I've had a few Trainers help me a few times before on my underwater explorations. And now, I'd like to lead you on an underwater exploration. You know, for fun."

Everyone seemed to like the idea.

Tarah raised her hand. "Excuse me, Miss Luka?"

"Yes, young girl in the wheelchair?"

"I've been wanting to find my lost locket," said Tarah. "I lost it near Silver Rock Isle when my dad and I were on a boat ride a year ago. It fell in the water, and I haven't seen it since then."

"What does your locket look like?" asked Luka.

"It's a waterproof necklace with a golden-shaped heart," explained Luka. "It has a picture of my mom in it."

Luka then smiled. Then she said to the Trainers, "Okay, everyone, the nice girl in the wheelchair says she needs help to find her lost locket. So we'll all plan to go underwater using our special diving gear."

Everyone was happy to help Tarah...all but Ed.

Hmph! Thanks a lot, Tarah, thought Ed disdainfully.

A few minutes later, every Trainer had been outfitted with special diving gear, including Pikachu and Luka.

Lugia came to Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu. Wow, you look great!

"Thanks, Lugia," replied Tristan. "Now you'll get to see how it works."

"That's right, Lugia," agreed Hillary. "So you'll be getting your wish after all."

Pikachu nodded in agreement.

Luka explained how the diving gear worked as she put it on. "The diving suits you're wearing will help protect you from the cold temperatures you experience underwater. The deeper we go underwater, the colder it gets. Second, the goggles you have will help protect your eyes and help you see underwater. The air tanks that you carry on your back contain the air that's used to help you breathe through the face mask. And finally, the face mask helps you talk and communicate with other people underwater."

Everyone seemed intrigued by how the gear worked.

Lugia seemed to be impressed. So that's how the Trainers will be able to talk and breathe underwater.

"Now, you must make sure that you have every part of your gear on at all times while you're underwater," cautioned Luka. "And even though we can stay underwater for an extended period of time, we'll all need to watch our air supply. Any questions?"

Tarah raised her hand. "Hey, Luka? I can't swim so well since I'm in my wheelchair most of the time. How will I be able to see the action?"

"And Togepi can't swim very well, either," added Hillary.

Luka came to Tarah. "I have something special for you, Tarah," she said. And she took out a special computer out of her backpack. Then she turned it on and gave it to Tarah. "I've outfitted every Trainer's diving gear with a special camera, so you'll be able to see what they see underwater."

"Oh, thank you, miss Luka!" said Tarah.

Hillary gave Togepi to Tarah to hold. "And Togepi can see it all with you."

"Thanks, Hillary," replied Tarah. "I'll take good care of it."

"And I'll take care of the both of you," added Professor Elm.

(Music Cue: Surf M40B 1997-1998)

A few minutes later, Luka and the Trainers set off in her boat as Lugia swam alongside.

Cody was a little nervous. "Well, this is gonna be a whole new experience for me."

"Why's that, Cody?" asked Tristan.

"I've never been down in the bottom of the ocean before," explained Cody. "When I was afraid of the ocean, I never had the chance to see and experience it for myself, and I kept having nightmares about being trapped in the bottom of the ocean with no way out. But now that I remember going into the ocean and saving you from those waves on Seafoam Island, I don't feel as afraid to try something new."

Tristan smiled. "Well, when it comes to the ocean, there will always be a way out. We'll just be very careful, right, Pikachu?"

Pikachu nodded in agreement.

"Thanks, Tristan," replied Cody. "I'll remember that."

Presently, Luka stopped the boat. "If anyone has a Water Pokémon that they'd like to use to assist in our dive, feel free to use them."

Tristan sent out Croconaw while Hillary sent out her Squirtle.

Oliver came forward. "And I have a Pokémon that'll help us, too." And he tossed his Poké Ball in the air.

A blue Pokémon resembling an anglerfish emerged from the white light that shot out of it. It had red eyes and a Y-shaped antenna with an orb at each end.

"That must be Oliver's Lanturn," said Tristan to himself.

Professor Elm took Tristan's Pokédex out and gave it to Tarah. "Would you like to look it up, Tarah?"

"Okay," replied Tarah as she scanned Lanturn with it.

"Lanturn, the Light Pokémon. The light that it emits from its tentacle-like limb shines bright enough to illuminate the bottom of a deep sea."

"That's awesome," said Tarah.

"Okay, is everybody ready?" asked Luka.

Everyone said yes.

"Okay, let's put on our mouthpieces and explore the underwater world!" said Luka. And she and the Trainers put on their goggles and mouthpieces and dove underwater while Tarah, Togepi, and Professor Elm stayed behind to watch the boat and the action on Luka's computer.

"Promise me that you'll be careful down there, okay?" said Tarah.

"Don't worry, we'll be fine," Tristan assured her.

"And I'll make sure he's fine," added Hillary.

And I'll make sure they're all fine, put in Lugia.

Tarah smiled as Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu dove underwater.

Lugia soon followed.

(Music Cue: The Mythical Mew)

Cody was amazed at how different it was below the surface. It's wet all right. And it certainly looks peaceful. He then gasped as he saw a school of Goldeen beautifully swimming by. "Wow," he said to himself. Then he realized that thanks to the diving gear and face mask, he could communicate and talk just like the others could.

Tristan came to Cody. "How do you like it?"

"It's great," answered Cody. "Life down here does look wonderful for these Pokémon. All they do is swim, eat, and sleep all day. It's amazing that a life as simple as the life those Water Pokémon have can be so great."

Pikachu seemed to be enjoying swimming like a Water Pokémon as well.

Tristan smiled as he saw Pikachu floating by. "Looking good there, Pikachu."

Pikachu smiled and gave a reply.

Even Croconaw was enjoying itself as it swam.

Luka gathered all the Trainers and Pokémon together and gave each of them a flashlight. "These flashlights will help you see as we go deeper into the sea," she explained. "Now just so you don't get lost, I need you to stay with a buddy. Tristan, I'll need you to be with Cody."

Tristan, Cody, and Pikachu nodded in agreement.

"Hillary, I'll need you to be with Ed," continued Luka.

"Hmph!" grumbled Ed.

I don't know about this, thought Hillary.

When she assigned the other Trainers with a buddy, she said, "I'll swim with Oliver since he has a source of light. Now just remember that even though Tarah asked us to find her locket, there's no guarantee that we will. However, there's always room to have fun down here and explore. Lugia will also help supervise things while we swim down here. Now let's all enjoy our time underwater and report back to this spot in one hour."

All the Trainers and Pokémon nodded in agreement and swam off.

As Tristan and Cody swam together, Lugia swam alongside.

Wow, you two are swimming very nicely, remarked Lugia. Does this special equipment help people talk and breathe underwater like I do?

"Yes it does," answered Tristan.

That's awesome. Wanna have a quick swimming race?

"Sure, as long as everyone stays out of danger," replied Tristan.

Don't worry, I have excellent hearing and perfect vision, even underwater. And everyone is within my line of sight, so if someone gets into trouble, I'll quickly come to the rescue.

"Okay, you've convinced me," chuckled Tristan.

We'll swim to that abandoned ship, which is about 100 yards away, and back to this exact spot, explained Lugia. Whoever gets back here first wins.

"You're on," agreed Tristan.

Hey, Cody, would you like a ride? asked Lugia.

"Okay," replied Cody. He seemed very excited to ride on Lugia for the quick race.

"Hey, what about us, Lugia?" asked Tristan.

Pikachu can ride on you! Tee-hee! chuckled Lugia. Just for this race. And you've got Croconaw.

Croconaw nodded as it offered Tristan a lift.

"Well, I guess that's only fair," said Tristan.

Pikachu got on Tristan's shoulder.

"Ready, pal?" asked Tristan.

Pikachu nodded.

(Music Cue: Get Pokémon!)

Everyone got into position and got ready to race.

"Ready?" called Tristan. "On your mark...get set...GO!"

At that instant, Croconaw and Lugia swam as fast as they could; however, Lugia built an early lead thanks to its incredible speed.

Cody was laughing as he hung on.

So, Cody, are you having a good time? asked Lugia.

"You bet I am, Lugia, this is a blast!" replied Cody.

Back on the boat, Tarah was watching the action on the computer. She saw Cody riding on Lugia. "Hi, Cody!" Then she saw Professor Elm walk over. "That Lugia really is fast! I've never seen a Pokémon go that fast underwater before."

"Well, this Lugia has been known to be one of the best swimmers out there ever since it hatched," replied Professor Elm. "I guess Lugia couldn't resist testing out its speed against Tristan to see who was faster. However, I think we all know who that is."

Tarah was getting more and more excited as she saw the race unfold.

Back underwater, Cody and Lugia had just reached the abandoned ship. Then they quickly turned around and headed back to where they started from. They swam past Tristan, Croconaw, and Pikachu, who were just getting to the abandoned ship.

"We'll see you at the finish line, Tristan!" called Cody.

"Oh, yeah?" replied Tristan. "We'll see who sees whom!"

And he, Croconaw, and Pikachu reached the abandoned ship, turned around, and headed back to where they started from. Pretty soon, they caught up to Lugia and Cody.

Ready to go faster, Cody? asked Lugia.

"You bet!" replied Cody.

At that moment, Lugia swam even faster, and pulled away from Tristan and Pikachu.

"No fair! Wait up!" shouted Tristan playfully as he, Pikachu, and Croconaw swam even faster in an attempt to catch up to them.

In a few short seconds, Lugia and Cody had made it back to the exact same spot that they had started from.

"Yes, we did it!" cried Cody. "We won the race!"

We sure did, Cody, agreed Lugia. Now we just have to wait for the slowpokes to catch up.

Seconds later, Tristan, Pikachu, and Croconaw swam up to Cody and Lugia.

"Well, at least we made it," replied Tristan. "It was a good race, Lugia. When it comes to speed, you're one of the best."

Well, I did go faster toward the end, replied Lugia.

Tristan turned to Cody and said, "Did you enjoy riding on Lugia underwater?"

"It was awesome!" replied Cody. "It was better than any water ride at an amusement park!"

Tristan smiled. "I'm glad you had fun."

(Music Cue: Taken for a Fool)

Meanwhile, Ed was teasing a Shellder by playing with its tongue. "This one is so much fun to play with!"

"Ed, you have to stop!" implored Hillary as she and Squirtle came up to him. "That Shellder doesn't like having its tongue grabbed like that!"

Shellder quickly closed its shell, but not before it attempted to clamp Ed's hand.

However, Ed quickly got it out of the way.

Hillary gave a sigh. "You have to stop provoking Pokémon like that, Ed, or else they'll attack you."

"Oh, so what?" replied Ed. "What's the worst that could happen besides getting clamped by a measly Shellder? Besides, it didn't hurt me."

"No, but it tried to," insisted Hillary. "Don't you realize that you could've gotten hurt if that Shellder clamped you like that?"

"Oh, pish tosh!" said Ed in disbelief. "I'd never let something like that scare me, let alone clamp me. Hey, look at that!" Something had apparently caught his eye, and he quickly swam off.

"Ed, wait, come back!" called Hillary as she swam after him.

They swam to what appeared to be a short, thin leek.

"Wow, look at that!" said Ed. "I bet we're gonna have a field day with this feast!" And he tried pulling it into his hand. Little did he know that it was a gray tentacle.

"Um, I don't know if you should be pulling that thing, Ed," said Hillary nervously.

"Who cares what you think?" replied Ed. "Now help me pull."

Suddenly, the tentacle was pulled back as Ed tried to pull it. Then, a blue jellyfish Pokémon appeared and beat a hasty retreat.

"That was a Tentacool," said Hillary.

"Aww, no fair," groaned Ed. "I wanted to have that leek for dinner."

Just then, a pair of eyes glowed balefully.

"Now we're in for it," said Hillary nervously.

Ed wasn't scared. "So what if a pair of eyes glows at me and threaten to do bodily harm? I'm not screaming in terror and swimming for my life like you seem to be."

"Will you be quiet?!" shouted Hillary.

(Music Cue: The Rockets Unveiled)

Suddenly, Hillary and Ed saw multiple gray tentacles approach as a big jellyfish Pokémon with two large red orbs on either side made its appearance.

"I have a bad feeling about this," said Hillary nervously.

Sure enough, the Pokémon didn't look very happy, and it swam slowly towards Tristan and Hillary.

"That's a Tentacruel!" gasped Hillary.

"Do you think it has dinner for us?" asked Ed hopefully.

"I'm sure that Tentacruel knows we mean no harm," replied Hillary. "This is no time to panic."

(Music Cue: A Fight! Real vs. Copy Pokémon)

Just then, Tentacruel raised its front appendage and pointed it at Ed and Hillary.

"Uh-oh," gasped Ed. "I guess we're gonna be dinner!"

"I was wrong," said Hillary. "This is a terrific time to panic. Looks like Tentacruel's getting ready to attack."

"Why?" asked Ed.

"Well, I don't know, Ed," replied Hillary. "Maybe you teased that Tentacool over there!"

Suddenly, Tentacruel unleashed a Poison Sting attack toward Ed and Hillary.

"Look out!" cried Ed.

"Squirtle, Water Gun!" ordered Hillary.

Squirtle fired a powerful blast of water from its mouth at Tentacruel's Poison Sting negating the attack.

"Come on, we have to warn the others and get back to the surface immediately," advised Hillary.

"But what about Tarah's locket?" asked Ed.

"We can't worry about that now, Ed, not while everyone is exposed to the danger," replied Hillary. "Now let's move!"

And they swam off.

But as soon as they did, Tentacruel quickly came after them.

Back on the boat, Tarah had seen everything. "What's going on? Why is that Tentacruel chasing them?"

"I don't know, Tarah," replied Professor Elm. "But it looks like they might have invaded the Tentacruel's territory. We have to get the Trainers back on the boat and get out of here."

Meanwhile, Lugia had picked up on the danger. Uh-oh.

"What's up, Lugia?" asked Tristan.

Just look there, replied Lugia as it pointed to Tentacruel chasing Hillary and Ed.

"This is bad," said Cody, who was concerned. "What should we do?"

Just then, a voice came from Tristan's diving gear. "Tristan, this is Luka. There's a dangerous Tentacruel chasing Hillary and Ed. Hillary alerted me of the danger just a few seconds ago. Find all the Trainers and get back to the boat immediately."

"Understood," agreed Tristan. He turned to Cody and Lugia. "Come on, we have to find the others and get back to the surface."

Cody, Lugia, and Pikachu nodded in agreement and swam off. It didn't take them long to find all the Trainers and warn them of the danger.

"Hurry, everyone," warned Tristan. "We have to get back to the boat."

And they all started to the surface.

Meanwhile, Tentacruel was steadily gaining on Hillary and Ed.

"What do we do, Hillary?" asked Ed.

"We'll think of something," replied Hillary.

Tentacruel shot another Poison Sting attack at Ed and Hillary.

But just then, another Water Gun attack negated it.

Hillary and Ed turned around to see that Tristan and his Croconaw had come to their rescue. Then she saw that Luka, Lugia, and the other Trainers were with them.

"Perfect timing, Tristan," smiled Hillary.

"Lugia and Luka, you two make sure that the others make it back to the boat while Hillary and I hold that Tentacruel off," suggested Tristan.

You got it, Tristan, replied Lugia.

"Just be careful," advised Luka. She turned to the other Trainers. "Okay, follow us!"

And she and Lugia led the other Trainers to safety.

But just then, a little necklace with a heart-shaped locket floated by and it got caught in Lugia's wing as it rose up higher and higher.

Lugia didn't take much notice.

"Water Gun!" ordered Tristan and Hillary as they faced Tentacruel.

Squirtle and Croconaw teamed up and blasted the Tentacruel with their Water Gun attacks.

On the boat, Professor Elm and Tarah saw Luka, Lugia, and the others emerging out of the water.

Luka manged to help the Trainers back on board her boat.

"Okay, Tristan and Hillary, we're all clear, so come on back!" said Luka.

"Right!" agreed Tristan and Hillary.

And they and their Pokémon quickly swam away from the Tentacruel to the surface and safely back on the boat.

Afterwards, the boat took off at full speed straight toward shore.

Later that evening, all the Trainers were back in their regular clothes as Luka had a long talk with Ed on the beach.

"What?! What were you thinking, Ed?" exclaimed Luka, her voice full of scorn and concern. "You should know better than to provoke that Tentacool the way you did. And playing with a Shellder's tongue wasn't very smart of you, either."

Ed gave a big sigh. "I just wanted to play with those Pokémon."

"I know you just wanted to play with them, and there's nothing wrong with that," said Luka. "However, provoking them isn't the way to do it. Some Pokémon don't like being teased."

Ed nodded reluctantly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to expose everybody to the danger."

Luka gave a sigh. Then she replied, "Well, as long as everyone came out of it okay, that's all that matters."

"Even me?"

"Even you." Then Luka put her hands on Ed's shoulders. "I'm sure that you learned your lesson from all this."

"Yes, I did," replied Ed. "I will never provoke a Pokémon intentionally again."

"Good for you," smiled Luka. Then she turned to the Trainers and said, "Despite that mishap with that Tentacruel, I hope you all had a fun time swimming underwater."

"Yes, Luka, we did," all the Trainers said together.

(Music Cue: A Future Hope)

Tarah came to Luka. "Hey, Luka, did you ever find my locket?"

"No, I'm afraid we didn't," answered Luka.

Tarah sighed. "Oh, well. I guess it's gone. I guess I'll never find my locket."

Presently, Lugia was seen struggling with one of its wings.

"What's the matter, Lugia?" asked Tristan as he and Pikachu came over.

I have this itch on my right wing, and I can't reach it! Could you please help me?

"Sure, Lugia," replied Tristan as he attempted to scratch Lugia's itch.

Ahhhh, that's better, sighed Lugia.

But as Tristan scratched Lugia's itch, something fell out and dropped to the ground.

It was a necklace with a golden-heart shaped locket attached to it.

Tarah recognized it immediately and rolled over. "That's my locket! That's my locket!"

"Your what?" Tristan couldn't believe it.

Lugia gently picked it up with its wingtips and handed it to Tarah as Luka, Professor Elm, and the others came over. You mean this thing?

Tarah opened up the locket, and sure enough, there was a picture of her mother, and it was still intact after a year in the water. Then she put it around her neck and asked, "Where was it?"

I'm not sure, replied Lugia. All I knew was that something got in my wing as I was rising to the surface with the others, but I didn't want it to distract me while I helped them to safety.

Tarah gave Lugia a hug. "Oh, thank you for finding my locket, Lugia. You're the best."

Oh, it was nothing, Tarah, replied Lugia. And you're very welcome.

"I'm glad that worked out," smiled Luka.

"What do you say to a little dinner, everyone?" suggested Professor Elm.

All the Trainers agreed and invited Luka as a special guest as they ate dinner around the campfire.

After a fun and exciting day of underwater adventures, Tarah has been reunited with her lost locket after a year of absence. Now our heroes and the other Trainers will look forward to another exciting day tomorrow as Whirl Camp continues.

► TO BE CONTINUED