AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! Here is chapter 109 of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu as they continue their journey through the Johto region. In this chapter, we go further into Tristan's past and why he wanted to become a Pokémon Trainer in the first place. In the very first chapter of the very first story, we never really figured out how Tristan got over his fear of Pokémon until a fateful day when someone from the future helps him out. You'll see what I mean when you read it. Also, they go back in time when Silver and Giovanni, who knew each other by friendship and not family, separate from one another. I hope you like it. Please feel free to read and review responsibly at your leisure.
TEASER: Tristan and Hillary go back in time to when Silver and Giovanni separate and end their friendship after Silver accuses him of Giovanni's disappearance. Also, they go back in time to help someone in need, little realizing that Tristan gets to help his past self, and realizes why he wanted to become a Trainer in the first place!
Chapter 109: A FATEFUL PAST
(Music Cue: Ash's Decision to Fight (Ash Appears! (as heard at the end of "A Goldenrod Opportunity"))
The Silver Conference has really heated up. Tristan and Cal faced off in a three-on-three battle in the 'A' Stadium, with Tristan's Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise taking on Cal's Meganium, Typhlosion, and Feraligatr. The battle was evenly matched right from the start, and it all came down to Blastoise and Feraligatr.
Both Pokémon gave it their all, and the match ended in a draw, which gave Tristan four total points, which was just enough to earn him a place in the Victory Tournament.
But when our heroes came to the Pokémon Center, they found out that Tristan was pitted against none other than Silver, one of his fiercest and most bitter rivals.
"I knew you'd make it to the Victory Tournament, Tristan," smiled Silver. "Now we'll see which one of us is really the better Trainer."
"Yeah? Well, you'd better watch out, Silver, 'cause I'm gonna put you in your place once and for all," replied Tristan.
(Music Cue: Imminent Danger (full version))
"What makes you think you're gonna defeat me this time, Silver?" asked Tristan suspiciously.
"Because I have the Pokémon and the training I need to win against you," replied Silver. "Even if your Pokémon team maximized their powers, you still wouldn't win."
"That's what you think," retorted Tristan.
Lugia and Silveena quietly looked in through the Pokémon Center's window.
Uh-oh, whispered Lugia. I don't like where this is going.
That kid really looks mean, added Silveena. But why?
"Look, you and Hillary don't understand what it's like to be me," huffed Silver. "You see, about a year ago, I had a real close friend abandon me. And this all happened after the Indigo League was cancelled."
Tristan, Hillary, Togepi, and Pikachu were surprised.
"What do you mean?" wondered Hillary.
"This person had just lost a very important battle, and he had been on the warpath," explained Silver. "But after that huge chaotic event, he decided to walk away from our friendship altogether and just remain part of Team Rocket full-time."
"Team Rocket?" gasped Tristan.
"Do you know who that so-called 'friend' of yours is?" asked Hillary.
"His name...is Giovanni," answered Silver.
Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, and Togepi all gasped, for they all knew who Giovanni was.
"But he's the leader of Team Rocket!" protested Tristan. "Why would you be friends with him anyway?"
"Because he and I had a lot in common!" shouted Silver. "Giovanni and I had conversations that went on for hours. And ever since the Indigo League was cancelled and he walked away from our friendship, I haven't been able to get in touch with him at all! And it's all your fault!"
"You don't know the kind of man Giovanni is at all!" protested Tristan.
"He was a great man!" insisted Silver. "Until a you two broke his battling spirit and sent him into hiding!"
"Please, Silver, just listen to us!" pleaded Hillary.
"Never! I've had enough of your lies! Now I know he's out there somewhere, and I won't stop until I find the truth, even if it means forcing the answer out of everyone on the face of the planet!" And he started walking out of the Pokémon Center as Tristan and Hillary followed him.
Lugia barred his way. Hold it! What give you the right to talk to my friends that way?
"Outta my way!" demanded Silver. "Move! Now!"
I won't move! Not until you apologize!
"All right, Lugia, calm down," Tristan assured it. "Just let him go."
Lugia reluctantly let Silver pass by.
Silver turned towards Lugia. "Look, I don't care how strong or legendary you may seem to be, but those friends of yours have been the bane of my existence ever since I met them. And they owe me answers." And he turned his back and walked scornfully away.
Who does he think he is? grumbled Lugia. He's got some nerve telling you what to do.
"Forget about him," said Tristan. "The Silver Conference along with Giovanni's disappearance has gotten him preoccupied, that's all."
"We'll figure out his story later," replied Hillary. "But right now, let's grab some dinner. I'm sure a good meal will help calm everybody down."
"Good idea, sis, I'm starving," agreed Tristan. "Besides, I wanna make sure all my Pokémon are in tip-top shape for the Victory Tournament."
(Music Cue: The Pokémon Castle (full version))
That night, as Tristan and Pikachu lay awake in bed, he thought back to his conversation with Silver.
Silver's words rang in Tristan's head over and over. "Giovanni and I had conversations that went on for hours. And ever since the Indigo League was cancelled and he walked away from our friendship, I haven't been able to get in touch with him at all! And it's all your fault!"
Hillary turned to Tristan. "Can't you sleep?"
Tristan sat up. "Nope," he replied. "I'm still thinking back to what Silver said about Giovanni. If he's as good a person as he thinks he is, then why did I have to defeat him back at the Indigo Plateau?"
"Don't you remember, Tristan? He stole the Moltres flame from the Indigo Plateau, and kidnapped Blue and our parents. We had no choice. Plus, he's the leader of Team Rocket, in case you didn't know."
"I know that," said Tristan.
"Then why'd you ask?"
Tristan sighed. "I just wish Silver would believe us. He doesn't understand why we can't be friends with a fiend like him. He orchestrated my kidnapping a few years ago."
"He's just mad because he hasn't heard from Giovanni in such a long time. His hero-worshipping of his idol has completely blinded him to the truth."
Tristan felt better after that. "Come to think of it, can't you sleep, either?"
"Nuh-uh. Whatever affects you affects me, too. Why don't we take a little walk to clear our heads?"
Tristan agreed.
As Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, and Togepi walked outside, they saw Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres as well as their offspring fast asleep. Raikou, Entei, Suicune, Lugia, Silveena, Ho-Oh, Goldie, Mew, Mewtwo, and Celebi were all sleeping peacefully, too.
"I'm sure glad our Legendary Pokémon friends are here to see me compete," said Tristan.
"I am, too," replied Hillary. "As big a competition as this is, they know how important you are to them."
"You helped out, too, sis," smiled Tristan.
Celebi stirred a little, then opened its eyes and flew over.
"Hi, Celebi," smiled Hillary. "Sorry about that. Did we wake you up?"
Celebi shook its head.
"Still, I wonder why Silver blames us for Giovanni's apparent disappearance," continued Hillary.
"If only we knew why Silver's acting this way," said Tristan. "Then maybe we can tell Silver the full story."
Just then, Celebi began to glow in a bright green light that grew brighter and brighter.
(Music Cue: Mewtwo's Awakening
"Whoa!" cried Tristan.
"What's going on?!" exclaimed Hillary.
The green light enveloped Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, and Togepi before they knew what was happening.
Lugia woke up to the bright light and gasped in shock. What's that?!
Seconds later, the light disappeared, and Celebi, Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, and Togepi disappeared with it.
What happened? it asked worriedly. Where'd our friends go? It turned toward the other sleeping Legendary Pokémon. Wake up, everybody, we have an emergency!
Silveena and Mewtwo opened their eyes. As did the other Legendary Pokémon.
What's wrong, Lugia? asked Silveena.
Tristan and Hillary have disappeared, and Celebi, too! explained Lugia.
They've what?! Silveena could scarcely believe her ears.
Most of the Legendary Pokémon seemed nervous at the sudden turn of events that took place.
But Lugia was the most anxious of all. Come on! We have to hurry and find them so we can bring them back here!
I'm afraid that's not possible, replied Mewtwo.
What do you mean? wondered Lugia nervously.
It's not about 'where' they are, but 'when.'
You mean...?
Mewtwo nodded. Celebi has taken our friends on a trip through time. And Celebi is the only one who can take them back to the present. Finding our friends in time won't be easy. In order to get back, they must go back with Celebi.
Silveena was worried, too. I hope this doesn't mean they won't be stuck in time...wherever they are...or whenever they are.
Tristan slowly opened his eyes as the bright light faded. He was confused by the new surroundings. "Where are we?"
Pikachu and Togepi eyed their new surroundings carefully.
Hillary was confused, too. "I'm not sure." Then she noticed more and more trees instead of buildings they had seen at Silver Town. "Tristan, look! I think we've been transported to another place! Perhaps another time."
"Say what? Another time? That's right! Celebi must've brought us here! But why?"
"I wish I knew."
Just then, two people could be seen conversing with one another. One was a red-haired person with long hair.
"Over there! There's Silver!" cried Tristan.
"But who's that other person?" wondered Hillary.
"Let's go see," suggested Tristan as he, Hillary, Pikachu, Togepi, and Celebi raced over to get a closer look.
But to their surprise, they saw a smartly dressed man with Silver. He had an orange business suit.
"Whoa, no way!" gasped Tristan.
"What is it, Tristan? What do you see?" asked Hillary. Then she gasped, too, for she knew who was conversing with Silver. "It's Giovanni!"
"The leader of Team Rocket? But why would Giovanni have been friends with Silver anyway?" wondered Tristan.
"Let's listen and find out."
Sure enough, Giovanni and Silver were in the middle of a long discussion that shocked Silver.
"What? You're leaving?! What do you mean you're leaving?! Is it because of the most recent defeat you were handed at the hands of a kid?!"
Giovanni nodded. "I have no choice. I'm leaving to order new supplies for our new building."
"What's the matter with you?! You said you were the strongest Trainer in the world!"
"That once was true, Silver. But ever since that kid defeated me and saved his family and friends, I've had no choice but to accept the fact...that this kid is stronger than me. You can't move on without learning to accept defeat. So, in order to create a stronger organization than ever, I must do this alone."
"Even if you were strong, and gathered as many people as you can gather for this organization of yours, you could still lose to one lousy kid?! What's your problem?!"
"Adding more promising people to our organization will create a massive source of strength. However, I've been unsuccessful in utilizing their full potential. But one day, Team Rocket will be the most powerful organization ever, and the entire world will cower at my feet. One day, you'll understand what I mean, but until then, I must hone my skills alone...for the good of Team Rocket."
"I'll NEVER become like you or your stupid team! NEVER! EVER!" snapped Silver, and feeling sad and angry, he bolted away as fast as his legs could carry him with tears running down his face.
Giovanni slowly turned away. I know how you feel, Silver, he thought. Losing to Tristan after he saved his friends and family has shaken my self-confidence, too. But I must press on alone. And that's just how it is.
Tristan and Hillary sadly looked on.
"Now I can understand why Silver blamed us for why Giovanni hasn't been in contact with him lately," said Hillary.
"I feel bad for Silver," agreed Tristan. "But I had no choice. I had to stop him."
Hillary then turned to Tristan. "Remember when you couldn't wait to become a Trainer?"
"Yeah, sort of, but why do you ask?"
"I remember the day after we first moved to New Bark Town, and I could tell that you were afraid of Pokémon for some reason. I was napping at the time, so I didn't know why. I also remember that Grandma's Eevee went out to play with you to make sure you were safe."
"Yeah, how could I forget that? I remember the time when a strange group of people decided to attack us for some reason. I didn't know it was Team Rocket at the time, but I had completely forgotten about them after my kidnapping. Then this great Trainer came and..."
But before Tristan could finish his speech, Celebi began to glow in the same bright green light.
"Whoa, what's this?!" exclaimed Hillary. "What's happening now?!"
The light grew stronger and stronger until at last, Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, Togepi, and Celebi disappeared, and the light with it.
Tristan and Hillary opened their eyes. They found themselves out in an open field in somewhat familiar surroundings.
The sun was shining high in the sky.
"Hey, where are we?" asked Hillary.
"Looks like a field of some kind," replied Tristan. "Hey, I know where we are! Look there!"
(Music Cue: The Mythical Mew (full version)
Sure enough, they could see a familiar house in the distance.
"We must be home, back in New Bark Town!" exclaimed Hillary. "But why did we come here?"
"I don't know," replied Tristan. "But there must be some reason why we're here."
Just then, they heard a voice as a person left the house.
"I'm going out to play, Grandma!"
"Okay, dear! Eevee, could you please look after Tristan for me?"
Eevee happily replied and ran out, happily following a kid out into the field as he did so.
"Tristan? Where? Is that Grandma calling me?"
"Let's hide so we won't be seen," suggested Hillary.
And so they went into some nearby bushes as fast as they could.
Hillary took out her binoculars from her backpack and looked into them through the bushes. Then she gasped. "Tristan, you're not gonna believe this, but there's someone there that you're not gonna believe! And I don't mean Grandma!"
"What do you mean? Let me see." And Tristan snatched up the binoculars and looked through them himself He then gasped in shock. "Wait a second! That's me!"
"That's you?!"
"Yes, from five years ago!"
Hillary, Pikachu, and Togepi were just as surprised as their Trainers were.
Celebi was shocked, too.
"That must've been Grandma's voice from five years ago that we've heard, too!" added Hillary. "Which means this must be the moment that you were attacked by Team Rocket!"
"I remember that we'd moved to New Bark Town, and I wanted to play out in the field because there was so much room to move around, and Grandma let me outside to play as long as her Eevee was with me," explained Tristan. "She knew that burning off energy in that field would get me to grow big and strong. But not long after, there was something that sounded like...like that!"
"Like what?" asked Hillary.
(Music Cue: The Rockets Unveilled)
Just then, a purple serpentine Pokémon suddenly jumped out, opened its mouth wide, and hissed loudly. It had a yellow ring around its neck, and a yellow underbelly, and a yellow rattle at the end of its tail.
The younger Tristan screamed as the Pokémon glared at him.
"That Ekans was the one who scared me in the past!" gasped Tristan.
"The little you is in trouble!" exclaimed Hillary. "And he needs help!"
"Hillary, wait here. Come on, Pikachu, we've gotta help me, uh, my younger self!" said Tristan as he and Pikachu dashed to the rescue as fast as they could.
Three people wearing black uniforms were snickering evilly as they looked at a terrified younger Tristan. They all had red 'R's on their uniforms, and were all Team Rocket Grunts.
"Wh-who are you guys?" trembled the younger Tristan. "Wh-what do you want?"
"So, kid, how'd you like to play with us?" asked the first Grunt.
"Yeah, we ain't gonna hurt ya," added the second Grunt.
"Just give us the Eevee, and we'll leave you alone," put in the third Rocket Grunt.
Eevee jumped in front of the younger Tristan and was ready to defend him.
"This Eevee doesn't wanna go with you!" replied the younger Tristan.
"Ekans, go get that pipsqueak," smirked the first Rocket Grunt.
(Music Cue: Lugia Appears! (as heard in the Japanese version of "Revelation Lugia"))
Ekans charged and tackled the little Eevee so hard that it was sent careening into a nearby tree.
"Eevee, no!" cried the young Tristan.
Eevee struggled in vain to get back on its feet.
"Well, we can finish it off, and we'll give it to the Boss," smiled the second Grunt.
"No, get the kid first, then get the Eevee," suggested the third Rocket Grunt. "The kid doesn't stand a chance against us anyway."
"That's a great idea," smirked the first Rocket Grunt. "Okay, Ekans, go get him!"
Ekans leaped into the air toward the completely defenseless younger Tristan, who trembled in fear.
Suddenly, a yellow bolt of electricity came through the air and struck Ekans, scoring a direct hit and sending it crashing to the ground.
"Ekans, no!" cried the first Grunt.
Then the three Rocket Grunts turned to see Pikachu along with Tristan standing in front of his younger self.
"Make like Beedrill and buzz off, Team Rocket," warned Tristan, "or you're gonna wish you had."
Pikachu agreed as electricity crackled from its cheeks.
"Hey, you! Butt out!" demanded the first Rocket Grunt.
"It's none of your beeswax!" put in the second Rocket Grunt.
"What they said!" finished the third Rocket Grunt.
"I won't let you hurt this kid or this Eevee," said Tristan defiantly. "You're gonna have to get through us first to get to them."
Pikachu agreed defiantly as electricity crackled from its cheeks.
"Oh, so you want us to pick on you instead?" snarled the third Rocket Grunt. "Fine, we can handle that."
"If that's how you wanna play, then so be it!" agreed the first Rocket Grunt. "Okay, get him, boys!"
"Zubat, let's go!" shouted the second Rocket Grunt as he threw his Poké Ball.
"Rattata, you, too!" added the third Rocket Grunt as he threw his own Poké Ball.
(Music Cue: Kanto Trainer Battle 2 (full version as heard in "Pop Goes the Sneasel"))
Zubat and Rattata emerged from the white lights that shot out of them as they joined Ekans.
"Hey, three against one? That's cheating!" accused the younger Tristan.
"So what?" smirked the first Rocket Grunt. "We love to lie, cheat, and, most importantly, steal Pokémon. And once we get through with this kid, you're next."
The younger Tristan cringed, but the present-day Tristan smiled.
"Don't worry. I can deal with those three losers. Just watch," Tristan assured his younger self.
"Ekans, use Poison Sting!" shouted the first Rocket Grunt.
Ekans unleashed a barrage of poisonous needles at Pikachu.
"Pikachu, dodge and use Thunderbolt!" commanded Tristan.
Pikachu jumped into the air, avoiding Ekans' Poison Sting in the process. Then it unleashed another yellow bolt of electricity at Ekans and scored another direct hit on it, but this hit was much bigger compared to the last one.
The first Rocket Grunt was shocked. "That's a Thunderbolt?! Wow!"
The younger Tristan was impressed. "Wow, cool!"
"Oh, yeah? We'll show you cool!" retorted the third Rocket Grunt. "Rattata, Quick Attack!"
Rattata charged at Pikachu as a white line streaked right behind it.
"Pikachu, use your Quick Attack, too!" instructed Tristan.
Pikachu sped at Rattata the same way as Rattata did to it. Both Pokémon collided with one another, but Pikachu's size won out, and Rattata was pushed back into the third Rocket Grunt.
"Super cool!" smiled the younger Tristan.
"You nimrods, you're not even trying!" barked the first Rocket Grunt. "This time, attack together!"
"Go!" shouted the the second and third Rocket Grunts together.
This time, Ekans, Zubat, and Rattata charged at Pikachu at the same time, and scored a direct hit that sent Pikachu flying.
"Pikachu!" cried the younger Tristan as he began to tremble again.
Pikachu slid and crashed to the ground.
"Looks like that's the end of the line for your stupid rodent," smirked the first Rocket Grunt.
"Don't give up, Pikachu," encouraged Tristan. "You can do it."
To the younger Tristan's and the three Rocket Grunts' surprise, Pikachu managed to get back on its feet.
"No way!" gasped the younger Tristan.
"Impossible!" exclaimed the first Rocket Grunt.
"It can't be!" cried the second Rocket Grunt.
"How'd that thing withstand our combined attack?!" put in the third Rocket Grunt.
Tristan turned to his younger self. "You see? The battle's not over till the last move is made." He then turned his attention back to the battle. "All right, Pikachu, here we go again!"
Pikachu leaped back into the battle and charged toward Ekans, Zubat, and Rattata.
Eevee recovered from its injuries and jumped in front of the younger Tristan.
Then Tristan turned to his younger self. "I think Eevee would like a piece of the action, too."
The younger Tristan was surprised. "Is that right, Eevee? Do you really want to battle?"
Eevee gave a hard nod.
"All right, go for it!" said the younger Tristan.
Eevee leaped into battle alongside Pikachu.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt attack!" commanded Tristan.
Pikachu leaped into the air and unleashed a powerful yellow bolt of electricity at Zubat and Rattata, scoring direct hits on them simultaneously.
Zubat and Rattata were knocked out and collapsed in a heap, much to the surprise of the second and third Rocket Grunts.
"Awesome!" commended Tristan.
Pikachu was just about to give a happy reply when suddenly, Ekans leaped into the air and charged in to attack it from behind.
"Look out, Pikachu!" cried Tristan.
"Quick, Eevee, Tackle attack!" ordered the young Tristan.
And before Ekans could strike, Eevee quickly charged in full-body style and intercepted it, scoring a direct hit on it in the process.
Ekans landed on top of Zubat and Rattata.
"Thanks for the assist," smiled Tristan. "Now what do you say we finish them off?"
"Uh-huh!" agreed the young Tristan. "Eevee!"
"Pikachu!"
"Double Quick Attack!" they shouted together.
Pikachu and Eevee both rushed toward their foes with white lines streaking behind them. They hit the Rocket Grunts and their Pokémon with such force that they were sent soaring through the air.
The Rocket Grunts and their Pokémon screamed as they blasted off high into the sky.
DING!
"We did it!" cried the younger Tristan as he and Eevee jumped up and down.
Tristan and Pikachu smiled. They were happy with the way things turned out.
Tristan put his hands on his younger self's shoulders. "You've just seen a demonstration of what teamwork can really do. I have a feeling you're gonna be a great Trainer someday."
"Do you mean that?" the young Tristan replied. He then turned to Eevee, who agreed with what the present-day Tristan said. "That's awesome! Thank you for helping me beat those guys. That was the best battle ever!"
"There'll be others, though," reminded Tristan. "But I'm sure that the bond that we formed here today is one that'll stand the test of time."
"Definitely," agreed the young Tristan. "Just wait till I tell Grandma about this! Come on, Eevee! Let's go see Grandma!"
Eevee agreed as it ran with the young Tristan back inside the house.
"Hey, Grandma! You'll never believe what just happened!" called the younger Tristan excitedly as he opened the door and closed it behind him and Eevee.
Tristan then ran to join Hillary, Togepi, and Celebi back in the bushes.
"Wow, so is that why you wanted to be a Pokémon Trainer in the first place?" asked Hillary. "Because of that battle? Did that really help you get rid of your fear of Pokémon or something?"
"Well..." began Tristan.
But just then, Celebi began to glow in a bright, green light, which enveloped it, Tristan, Pikachu, Hillary, and Togepi in it.
Seconds later, they all disappeared.
Where could they all be? asked Lugia worriedly back in Silver Town in the present-day. I wish they'd come back.
Suddenly, a bright light appeared out of nowhere, and soon, Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, Togepi, and Celebi emerged from it.
(Music Cue: I Got a Victory Badge! (as heard in "Viva Las Lapras"))
Lugia, look! cried Silveena as she pointed out.
Sure enough, everyone had come back in one piece, much to Lugia's relief.
Lugia flew over and embraced them. I thought I lost you for good this time!
"Don't worry, Lugia," Tristan assured it. "We were just going on a trip down memory lane. Now I'm even more excited than ever to compete and win in the Victory Tournament!"
Pikachu eagerly agreed.
"But first, we have to take care of Silver," reminded Hillary.
"Then tomorrow's the day that Silver gets beat once and for all!" said Tristan excitedly.
"Tomorrow's a day off," corrected Hillary.
"What? Day off?"
"It's a day where Trainers rest so they can prepare for the Victory Tournament the following day. We can use this time to work on a strategy against Silver."
"I think I've already figured that out," replied Tristan. "Come on, let's get some sleep."
"I don't think any of us will get to sleep after that little adventure," chuckled Hillary.
Hillary may be right, thought Tristan. It seems like it happened only yesterday. If that battle never took place, I don't think I'd have ever wanted to become a Pokémon Trainer.
Lugia was so excited that it kept asking questions as it followed them back to the Pokémon Center. What did you guys do? Where'd you go? What'd I miss?
Mewtwo gave a genuine smile. That Lugia is as curious as ever. It loves adventures just like Tristan and Hillary do.
You said it, Mewtwo, agreed Silveena.
After our heroes' unexpected time-hopping adventure, Tristan's inspiration of battling to be the very best burns brighter than ever. Now with the Victory Tournament just around the corner, and Silver as his next opponent, will he achieve his dream of being the champion of the Johto League Silver Conference? Time will tell, so stay tuned!
► TO BE CONTINUED