AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! Here is chapter 119 of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu as they continue to wrap up their adventures in the Johto region. I decided to try and dig into Amber's backstory in this chapter. You may recall that a little girl named Amber died during childhood. And you may recall that Dr. Fuji spent almost all his time on his cloning research to try and bring Amber back as a result. But what if Dr. Fuji's research was the reason Amber died? And what would've happened if he had spent more time with Amber instead? We'll just have to see about that now, won't we? As always, please feel free to read and review responsibly at your leisure.
TEASER: Mewtwo asks Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, and their Legendary Pokémon friends for help to remember the first human it bonded with during the cloning process, so with Celebi's help, they travel through time and meet a little girl named Amber. But Amber's loneliness makes her want to leave this world for good! Will her father, Dr. Fuji, realize his mistake before it's too late?
Chapter 119: ADVENTURES TO REMEMBER, PART 4
(Music Cue: Opening Title 1999-2001 (as heard at the beginning of "Takin' it On the Chinchou"))
Still figuring out their next move, our heroes decide to rest at home in New Bark Town for a few days with a little time for a few adventures together with their Pokémon friends. But for them, every day is an adventure.
"Great breakfast as always, Grandma," said Tristan as he, Hillary, and their Pokémon sat down to breakfast outside their home the next morning.
"I figured since you had some big Pokémon, including that Tyranitar, we should join them out here for our meal this morning," replied Veronica.
"Great idea," added Hillary. "Plus, it's like we're journeying to new places."
Lugia and Silveena happily chowed down on their breakfast together close by.
"Those two sure seem happy," remarked Eric.
"I think Lugia and Silveena really love being here together," added Hillary.
"Yeah, now that Lugia has fulfilled its dream of being with Silveena, I don't think anything will stop them," put in Tristan.
Pikachu and Togepi agreed.
(Music Cue: Messenger)
After breakfast, Veronica dug out an old newspaper to show to Tristan and Hillary.
"Who's that girl, Grandma?" wondered Tristan.
"That's a picture of a little girl named Amber," explained Veronica. "According to the article, she went missing 20 years ago. Although some reports say that she passed away in an accident, they are yet to be confirmed."
"Wow, that's very sad," said Hillary. "Her parents must be devastated."
Pikachu and Togepi agreed sadly.
"If only there was some way to travel back in time so that we can figure out what happened," continued Veronica. "Then her parents wouldn't be spending so much time filling the hole that can't seem to be filled."
Tristan and Hillary looked at each other.
Tristan and Hillary were trying to figure out what adventure they wanted to go on next.
"Where do you want to go, sis?" asked Tristan.
"I don't know," replied Hillary. "Where do you want to go?"
"I suppose we could explore the Whirl Islands again," said Tristan.
"No, we did that already," replied Hillary. "Maybe we should...no, we did that..."
It was apparent that neither of them knew where they wanted to go until a familiar Legendary Pokémon landed slowly right next to them.
Can't decide, can you? said a voice.
Tristan and Hillary turned around to see Mewtwo looking at them.
"Hi, Mewtwo!" said Tristan. "It's great to see you. Wait a minute, what are you doing here in New Bark Town?"
I sensed you had some trouble deciding on your next adventure, so I figured I should come here.
"Yeah, but why?" Hillary was confused.
Well, I wanted to have an adventure with you, too, so... Mewtwo gave a long pause. Then it replied, The truth is, I need your help.
"Sure, Mewtwo, what is it?" asked Tristan.
(Music Cue: The Pokémon Castle)
Well, I've been trying to remember a human I once bonded with when I was being cloned from Mew, explained Mewtwo. But sadly, my days of being cloned and of that human have been clouded. This human showed me compassion and told me the most important message I had ever heard: Life is wonderful.
"Life is wonderful?" repeated Hillary.
Mewtwo nodded.
"Do you know who this human friend of yours is?" asked Tristan.
Sadly, I cannot remember, sighed Mewtwo. If only I could travel back in time and find out who this human was. I think this happened over 20 years ago.
"Hey, I know!" said Tristan excitedly. "Celebi can take us back in time."
"That's a great idea, Tristan!" agreed Hillary. "We'll go 20 years back in time and see who this human Mewtwo made friends with is!"
This made Mewtwo smile. All right, let's go.
"Lugia! Celebi! Come on over, you guys!" called Tristan.
"You, too, Silveena!" added Hillary.
Instantly, Lugia, Celebi, and Silveena flew over to them.
What's up? asked Silveena.
Are we headed on a new adventure? asked Lugia.
"Yup, we're gonna go back in time," explained Tristan.
Time travel? Oh, boy! said Lugia excitedly. I can hardly wait!
This'll be fun! added Silveena.
Wait, hold on, cautioned Mewtwo.
"What's wrong?" asked Hillary.
We can't time travel here, explained Mewtwo. I wouldn't want to worry anyone who saw us disappear completely.
"Mewtwo's right," agreed Tristan. "If Grandma and Grandpa saw us travel through time before their eyes, they'd get worried sick, thinking we'd never return safely home to them."
"Then we'll just have to tell Grandma and Grandpa that we're leaving on another adventure and be back before dinnertime like we always do," said Hillary.
"Okay, I'll go and tell them," replied Tristan as he quickly made his way to the house to tell Veronica and Eric. "Grandma! Grandpa! Hillary and I are going out on another adventure, and we'll be back before dinnertime!"
"Okay, dear," smiled Veronica. "Oh, I almost forgot. Here's a lunchbox picnic full of sandwiches in case you and Hillary get hungry." And she put the lunchbox in Tristan's backpack. "Just be careful out there."
"And have fun," added Eric.
"We will! Thanks, guys!" called Tristan as he closed the front door behind him. Then he quickly rejoined the others waiting outside. "Okay, we're in the clear."
(Music Cue: Flying Dragonite (Kairu (full version as heard in "Enter the Dragonite")))
All right, let's go! cried Lugia excitedly as Tristan and Pikachu climbed onto its back.
Hillary and Togepi climbed on Silveena.
I know the perfect place for our adventure. Please follow me. And with Mewtwo leading the way, it led Lugia, Silveena, and Celebi into the air and flew off for their next destination.
"Looks like we're heading out to sea again," said Hillary as she and her friends left Johto's mainland. "I wonder where we're going."
I'm not sure, Hillary, replied Silveena. But wherever it is, I'm sure Mewtwo has a very good reason for taking us there.
The ocean looks so calm down there, remarked Lugia. Wanna see me do a trick? And before Tristan knew what was happening, it did a loop the loop as he held tightly to it. That was cool, wasn't it?
Settle down, Lugia, reminded Mewtwo. Remember, you're carrying precious cargo.
Yeah, I know, but I just couldn't resist, replied Lugia. It's all part of my training. How are you doing back there, Tristan?
"Oooh, I feel dizzy." Tristan could barely hold it together after the dizzying loop the loop.
"Oh, please don't even think about throwing up," grumbled Hillary. "Lugia, promise me never to do that without warning us ever again."
I will. Sorry about that. Lugia felt most embarrassed.
(Music Cue: The Moon Stone)
Presently, Tristan recovered enough to see something familiar down below. "Look down there! I recognize that place! It seems like it grew bigger the last time we were here."
"Wait, is that New Island?" gasped Hillary.
Yes, answered Mewtwo. New Island is the place of my original birth, and the place where we'd meet up in case we needed to.
"Meet up? What do you mean?" wondered Tristan.
Remember when when you first bonded with Lugia? explained Mewtwo. In case there was a real emergency where you and your friends were in real danger, we'd meet up here and discuss a plan. But since we haven't seen any real danger aside from the dangers you faced in Goldenrod City, we haven't really needed to do that very much.
"But we still don't know where we're going," said Hillary.
Don't worry, you will, replied Mewtwo. Just follow me. And it led them to a remote hideaway on the island where several Pokémon welcomed them as they flew by.
Everyone landed a safe distance away.
"So what are we doing on New Island anyway?" wondered Tristan as he, Pikachu, and Hillary dismounted.
They were about to find out, for just at that moment, Celebi began to glow in a bright light, which enveloped everyone in it. And in a few seconds, they all disappeared.
Tristan opened his eyes to find himself and his friends in different surroundings. "Wait, where are we?"
"Looks like another island," replied Hillary. "But it looks totally different. And what's with that building over there?"
That's the original lab where a group of scientists used the fossilized remnant of Mew, explained Mewtwo. I was created from that very fragment.
(Music Cue: The Mythical Mew)
So is that how you came into existence, Mewtwo? asked Lugia. I was born into this world when I hatched from my egg on the Whirl Islands. How could it be that cloned Pokémon like you can breathe the same air that original Pokémon like me do?
I can see why you're such a curious Pokémon, for I had that very same question when I was living at Mount Quena with my cloned Pokémon friends, answered Mewtwo. But during my time on this island and the time on Mount Quena, I had learned that the circumstances of one's birth don't matter. And I was able to find some of those answers on my own when I was healed by the spring water there.
That's amazing! said Silveena. I never knew that spring waters could have the same effect on you as it would on me if I was in there.
"So you're saying that real and original Pokémon have the same earth, and are capable of looking at the same sky that the original ones and humans do?" wondered Hillary.
"Then that just proves that all Pokémon are living creatures, no matter how they were born, right?" added Tristan.
Yes, answered Mewtwo as it nodded. Everyone, whether they were born or created, lives the same way.
"You know, I think I learned that by watching a movie sometime before I first became a Trainer," said Tristan. "It just make me happy knowing that all living creatures deserve a chance to live how they want to. Right, Pikachu?"
Pikachu nodded in agreement.
I couldn't have said it better myself, Tristan, put in Lugia.
Presently, they saw a man with a long beard and a long, pointy nose walk out of the building. He was wearing glasses.
"Who's that guy?" wondered Hillary.
That's the scientist who led my creation, answered Mewtwo.
They saw the man climb into a helicopter and take off into the air.
Let's follow him and see where he goes, advised Mewtwo.
And as Tristan and Pikachu climbed on Lugia, and Hillary and Togepi climbed on Silveena, Mewtwo and Celebi led them into the air to follow the helicopter, leaving the island behind and flew out to sea once more.
(Music Cue: Strange Weather (as heard in the Japanese version of "Revelation Lugia"))
They came to a beautiful place with buildings and trees in the background.
"Where are we now?" wondered Hillary as she and her friends landed.
I'm not sure, replied Mewtwo, but something about this place seems sort of familiar to me. It's as if I'm being called here by the voice of an old friend.
"Old friend?" repeated Hillary. "Could it be the human you once bonded with?"
I'm not sure, answered Mewtwo. But I know the answers I seek are near.
Presently, they heard a young girl's voice from inside one of the houses, and it sounded sad and angry. "Why do you have to work a lot, Daddy?"
"It's just for research purposes." That voice had come from the man Tristan and Hillary saw earlier. "I've been doing a lot of work for the past few days, and I can't play with you right now. I'm close to a breakthrough, and I need all the concentration I can get."
"I can't stand it, Daddy! You never care about me, and I can see you never will!"
"Amber, wait!"
"Amber?" repeated Tristan and Hillary together. But before they knew what was happening, they saw a young girl with turquoise hair wearing a white jumper storm out of the house.
Tristan gasped. "I've seen that girl before!"
"You have? Where?" asked Hillary.
"I remember seeing a picture of her in that old newspaper Grandma showed us," explained Tristan. "The article said that Amber Fuji went missing. Some reports say that she passed away in an accident, and his father, Dr. Fuji, was so distraught with the loss that he obligated himself to research Pokémon cloning full-time so that he could bring Amber back. His wife split up with him all because of his research."
"That's very sad," replied Hillary.
Pikachu and Togepi agreed mournfully.
Suddenly, Mewtwo's eyes widened and it gasped too.
"What's up, Mewtwo?" asked Tristan. "Do you sense something?"
There was a long pause. Then it said, That's the human. That's the one I remember seeing.
"Amber?!" exclaimed Tristan and Hillary.
Lugia and Silveena were shocked, too. You mean that girl?
Mewtwo nodded. She's the one human who taught me that life is wonderful. She showed me the place where she used to live as well as the wind, the sun, the moon, and the stars, as well as day and night. My memories of this...Amber...and the fateful day we met are all starting to come back to me.
Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, the two Lugia, and Celebi listened in amazement as Mewtwo told its story.
(Music Cue: An Email for Professor Oak (as heard in the Japanese version of "Emperor of the Crystal Tower: Entei"))
Back when I was in my cloning chamber, Amber taught me about how wonderful life is, explained Mewtwo. She and I explored this very city in our minds with clones of Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur, who all had a "two" in front of their names.
"So they were named "Charmandertwo, Squirtletwo, and Bulbasaurtwo?" wondered Hillary. "And Ambertwo as well? Kind of far-fetched isn't it?"
Yes, it is, agreed Mewtwo. But it's true, and I was the exception to that rule because I was cloned from Mew. Plus I was bigger. Anyway, we all kept our original names, and we were able to communicate with each other by use of telepathy, just like I'm doing with you now.
But then, the Charmander clone started to disappear. So did the Squirtle and Bulbasaur clone. Then the worst thing of all happened. I lost Amber...forever.
A tear fell out of Mewtwo's right eye. My brain waves were so out of control that the scientists put me to sleep so I could forget the memory of losing Amber.
"So you're saying this was happening inside your mind?" asked Tristan.
Yes, answered Mewtwo. I could remember almost anything, even while I wasn't fully conscious. That's why when I woke up and came into this world, I lacked the compassion I once had. And as you know, I'm unlike other Pokémon.
"But I always thought that you could speak human language like humans can," put in Hillary.
Well, Pokémon don't usually speak human language, replied Lugia. But telepathy allows some of them to communicate their thoughts to anyone who understands them. So in a way, we can understand each other because of that. Right, Mewtwo?
Mewtwo nodded in agreement.
It was then that they saw Amber running down the street.
"Where's Amber going now?" wondered Hillary.
"I don't know, but I have a very bad feeling," replied Tristan. "We'd better follow her."
(Music Cue: Ash's Decision to Fight (Decision))
Everyone rushed after her as fast as they could for what seemed like hours. Then they came to a private street where almost nobody could be seen.
It was then that Amber stopped and stood in the middle of the street. "If my daddy doesn't care about me, then I might as well not be here."
"What's she doing?" asked Hillary. "She knows she's not supposed to be in the middle of the street like that."
Suddenly, Dragonair emerged from the white light that shot out of one of Tristan's Poké Balls. It had been sensing something wrong.
"What's up, Dragonair?" asked Tristan.
Looks like Dragonair senses something bad about to happen to Amber, answered Mewtwo.
"Yeah, but what?" wondered Hillary. It was then that she gasped in shock as she saw a car barreling toward Amber.
(Music Cue: Danger! Pikachu! (as heard in "Enter the Dragonite"))
"That car! That car's gonna run her over!"
"Amber, get out of there, quick!" shouted Tristan.
Pikachu and Togepi yelled out to her to get out of the way before it was too late.
But Amber was too far away for her to hear their shouts.
Mewtwo widened its eyes as it looked on in horror, it knew that Amber couldn't get out of the street fast enough.
We've gotta do something before it's too late! cried Silveena.
But suddenly, Dragonair flew in at breakneck speed.
"Wait, Dragonair!" called Tristan. "Where are you going?"
But Dragonair didn't reply, for it used ExtremeSpeed to fly her out of the way of the onrushing car in the nick of time, just before it struck her.
The driver of the car screeched to a halt, confused as to what had happened and got out of the car to see the blue blur that had gotten Amber out of the way. But seeing nothing, he got back into the car and drove away.
Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, and Togepi met up with Amber and Dragonair as they sighed with relief.
"Are you okay?" asked Tristan.
"I don't need you to help me," replied Amber scornfully.
Mewtwo then arrived. Are you sure?
Amber was startled to see Mewtwo standing behind her. "Who are you? I don't know you."
It's all right. You're safe now, replied Mewtwo. Look in my eyes.
(Music Cue: Unconditional Love)
Amber stared long and hard into Mewtwo's eyes. She then recognized Mewtwo by the look in its eyes. "I somehow recognize you. You...you're Mewtwo. And you saved my life."
"Actually, it was Dragonair that did it," corrected Tristan.
"Dragonair?" repeated Amber.
Dragonair gently flew lower to the ground next to Amber.
Mewtwo felt another tear falling from its eye. I've wanted to meet you again.
"Again? What do you mean? Have we met before?" Amber was confused.
I mean, I want to be friends with you, Mewtwo replied, attempting to correct itself. We all do.
"We all saw how sad you felt when you left your home," explained Hillary.
"Who are you guys anyway?" asked Amber.
"We're from the future," answered Hillary. "I'm Hillary, and this is my brother, Tristan. And that's Pikachu, and my friend, Togepi."
Pikachu and Togepi greeted her warmly.
"And this is Celebi, and this is Lugia along with another one, Silveena," added Tristan, introducing them.
Hello, Amber, said Lugia and Silveena warmly.
Amber was surprised. "You can talk too? How is that possible?"
"In the future, where we come from, we saw in the articles that you had gone missing. Some people say that you passed away in an accident," explained Hillary.
"I did?" Amber gasped, for she knew that if Dragonair hadn't come along, she wouldn't have survived. "I don't know how to thank you for saving me back there. But how do you know all this anyway? And how do you have so many Pokémon friends with you?"
"We're Pokémon Trainers who always go out on a journey," explained Tristan.
"Journey?" repeated Amber. Then she gave a sigh. "I wish I could do that, too, but my father never wants me to journey with Pokémon. All he does is spend his time alone doing research and never pays attention to me. He wants me to follow in his footsteps and be a scientist for some organization that I don't even know about."
"Well, have you ever touched a Pokémon before?" asked Hillary.
"No, never," answered Amber as Dragonair hovered next to her.
"Well, here's your chance," said Tristan.
Amber hesitated. Then she slowly touched Dragonair's forehead.
Dragonair seemed to like it.
"This is so cool," said Amber. "I never knew that interacting with Pokémon could be so much fun."
Suddenly, Dragonair was bathed in a bright white light.
(Music Cue: The Day is Conquered (full version as heard in "The Fire-ing Squad"))
Everyone gasped in surprise.
"Whoa, what's going on?!" exclaimed Amber.
I recognize that light! gasped Silveena.
"Dragonair's beginning to evolve!" explained Hillary.
"Evolve?" repeated Amber. "That's...amazing."
Dragonair grew arms and legs, and grew bulkier as it evolved. When the light disappeared, it looked like a yellow bipedal dragon with a pair of antennae on its forehead.
"Wow!" said Tristan excitedly. "Dragonair just evolved into Dragonite!"
Dragonite smiled and nuzzled against not only Tristan, but Amber as well.
I wonder how it evolved, said Lugia. By the training or the way it saved Amber's life?
"Both things may have something to do with it," replied Hillary. "You know, Amber, Dragonite may be bigger, but it's just as gentle as Dragonair was."
Dragonite nodded in agreement as Amber gently stroked it.
"Hey, would you like to try flying on Dragonite, Amber?" asked Tristan.
Amber was a little surprised. "You mean, I can fly on it?"
"Sure," replied Tristan.
Amber smiled and agreed. "Could you help me get on?"
"Sure I can." And Tristan carefully lifted Amber onto Dragonite's back. "Now be careful with Amber, Dragonite."
Dragonite nodded. Then it flapped its wings and lifted itself and Amber up high into the air. Then it leveled itself out and took off like a jet with Amber hanging on tightly to it.
"This is so much fun!" cried Amber excitedly. "Can you go even faster?"
Dragonite nodded. Then it glowed in a bright aura and sped up fourfold using ExtremeSpeed.
Whoa! exclaimed Lugia. Even at my best, I couldn't go at that speed. Dragonite moves like a jet!
Pikachu and Togepi agreed excitedly.
"Maybe I should've gone with Amber, too," added Tristan.
Amber does seem to be having fun up there, agreed Mewtwo. And it was right, for Amber was having the time of her life flying on one of the fastest Dragonite that had ever flown in the sky.
A few minutes later, Dragonite slowly and carefully landed on the ground, and Tristan helped Amber dismount.
"Wow, Dragonite, thanks so much!" said Amber. "That was so much fun!"
Dragonite nodded as Amber gently stroked it.
"A job well done, Dragonite," commended Tristan as he stroked it. "I can tell you've gotten faster since you evolved."
Dragonite nodded.
"Amber! Amber!"
Tristan, Hillary, Amber, and the Pokémon turned to see a familiar figure with a long beard and long, pointy nose and glasses approaching.
"Is that your father?" asked Tristan.
"Yes, that's my father," answered Amber sorrowfully. "Dr. Fuji."
Everyone gasped in disbelief, especially Mewtwo.
That's the man who told me that I was only an experiment when I was created, said Mewtwo sadly. He, along with the other Team Rocket scientists who never cared for me.
(Music Cue: Miracle Tears)
Sure enough, Dr. Fuji quickly approached as he tried to catch his breath. "I've been looking everywhere for you. Are you all right? Let's go home."
But Amber simply turned away from her father, much to his shock.
"What's wrong, Amber?" asked Dr. Fuji. "Why don't you want to go back home?"
"All you care about is your stupid research," complained Amber. "Why can't you ever spend time with me every once in a while?"
"But I..I do spend time with you, Amber," spluttered Dr. Fuji. "I...I just never have time. I have to do important research for this group of people I'm working with on New Island across the sea. And I can't afford to..."
"Spend time with your one only daughter!?" burst out Amber. "It's because of your selfishness that I ran away in the first place! I stood in the middle of the street so that I'd no longer have to deal with the misery of being alone!"
Dr. Fuji gasped, for he knew his daughter was right. His research was the reason that Amber put herself in grave danger by just standing there in the middle of the road, waiting for something to put her out of her misery.
Hillary came over to Dr. Fuji. "I probably wouldn't call you 'Father of the Year,' but maybe you should try giving up this research. Amber would be gone if it wasn't for Tristan's Dragonite flying in to save the day."
"Wait, so you two saved my precious daughter?" gasped Dr. Fuji. "I could've saved her in a heartbeat if I'd been there to protect her."
Tristan then came to Dr. Fuji. "Maybe your feelings aren't the only ones that count. I learned that Trainers not only have to care about their own feelings, but should put the feelings of others ahead of their own, especially for Pokémon."
Hillary nodded in agreement.
It was then that Dr. Fuji realized his mistake. "You're right. It's all my fault. I should never have ignored the only daughter I've ever had. My research was the reason why she ran away." He then slowly turned to Amber. "I'm sorry, Amber. I pushed you further and further away. You're the only daughter that your mother and I have, and it'd just break our hearts if you'd left us for good. From now on, I promise to spend less time with my research and more time with you. I'll even give it up if I have to. Won't you please come back home so we can be a family again? Nothing would please me more than to see your gentle smile."
Amber thought long and hard about her father's words. At last she said, "Okay, Daddy. You've got a deal." And she and her father embraced one another.
"That's my girl," said Dr. Fuji.
Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, Togepi, and the other Pokémon proudly looked on as they saw the happy reunion between father and daughter.
"Now what do you say we head back home?" suggested Dr. Fuji. "We'll start playing together every day from now on. I promise."
Amber happily agreed and laughed joyfully as she and her father disappeared into the distance.
Tristan returned Dragonite back into its Poké Ball. Then he suddenly remembered something and asked, "But wait, what do you suppose will happen, Mewtwo? If Amber was gone, would you not have been here?"
Before Mewtwo could answer him, Celebi suddenly glowed in a bright green light, causing everyone to be enveloped in it, and as the light disappeared, so did they.
A moment later, Tristan, Hillary, and their Pokémon friends found themselves back in the same beautiful city, but with people bustling all around them.
"Well, it looks like we're back," said Hillary. "Celebi must've transported us here."
"But where's Mewtwo?" wondered Tristan. "Did we lose it somewhere?"
"I sure hope not?" replied Hillary.
What if we accidentally left them behind? asked Lugia worriedly.
Pikachu and Togepi were concerned, too.
You haven't lost me yet, said a voice as Tristan, Hillary, and the Pokémon turned around to see Mewtwo floating down to the ground near them with a woman with green hair, seemingly all grown up.
"It's Mewtwo!" said Hillary excitedly.
"And is that...Amber?" added Tristan.
Sure enough, it was the same person with the big smile and green hair. "That's right, my name's Amber, and I'm still the same person, but 20 years older."
"But how was Mewtwo still able to be here?" asked Hillary.
You see, explained Mewtwo, even though Amber's father had spent much more time with her, he never completely gave up on his research. He still found a fossilized remnant of Mew and created me from it, but seeing how Amber was still a lonely child by herself, he wanted to make sure he had a friend. So when I was created, he told me that I needed to have compassion for others. You two first taught me about compassion back in the early days of your journey. And now with our journey through time completed, Amber and I can finally have some quality time together. Mewtwo then walked over to Tristan and Hillary. Thank you, Tristan. Thank you, Hillary. It's because of you that I was able to have my fondest memory of Amber, the very first human I ever bonded with, restored. You've opened the door for me. Now it's time for us to make up for lost time and get back together.
"But wait, you're not leaving us, are you?" asked Tristan.
Don't worry, Mewtwo assured him. I won't be gone completely. I'll still be one of your closest friends, and our friendship will always be in our hearts forever. And I'll still be here in case you need me. Remember, the power you need is right around your neck.
Tristan realized that Mewtwo was right, for he knew that he could have Mewtwo and other Legendary Pokémon he and Hillary befriended help him at any time.
"We'll miss you, Mewtwo," said Hillary. "Please take care, and don't ever forget us, okay?"
I will remember you always," answered Mewtwo.
Presently, Celebi flew around Tristan and Hillary, as if it was saying something.
"What's up Celebi?" wondered Tristan.
Celebi flew and danced all around him. Then it flew all around Mewtwo and Amber.
It seems that Celebi wants to come along and play with Amber and me for a while, explained Mewtwo. But it will be available anytime you need it.
Tristan nodded. "Well, Celebi, you take care, too, and we hope you stay well."
Celebi nodded.
Then, Mewtwo used its psychic powers to lift itself and Amber up into the air with Celebi close behind.
"Goodbye! And take care!" called Tristan as he and Pikachu waved to them.
"See you soon!" added Hillary. "And Amber, let's meet up again soon!"
"So long!" replied Amber. "And thank you all for everything!"
Pikachu and Togepi said their goodbyes as well.
And everyone continued to wave until Mewtwo, Celebi, and Amber were out of sight.
"That was one of our best adventures yet!" said Hillary. "We not only got to meet Amber, but we corrected history!"
"I guess that's true, sis," agreed Tristan. "Although it would be nice to correct every bad thing that happened in the past, what matters is that we learn from our past and make an ever brighter future. Right, Pikachu?"
Pikachu nodded in agreement.
"Come on, let's get home!" said Tristan as he and Pikachu excitedly got on Lugia. "Grandma and Grandpa are never gonna believe this!"
Hillary agreed as she and Togepi climbed on Silveena.
And together, they took off into the sky, heading back to their home in New Bark Town.
"Oh, kids, you're not gonna believe this!" said Veronica excitedly as Tristan and Hillary sat down to dinner that evening.
(Music Cue: Meeting and Parting (full version))
"What?" asked Tristan and Hillary together.
"According to the news on television, Amber, the girl who had been missing for 20 years mysteriously turned up today in a city somewhere in the Kanto region, and appears to be happy and healthy with some new Pokémon friends, too."
Sure enough, there was a picture of Amber, who was smiling and laughing along with Mewtwo and Celebi, who were flying in the distance.
"She sure seems to be having fun, doesn't she, Hillary?" said Tristan.
"She sure is," agreed Hillary. "And what a happy ending to a sad story."
Pikachu and Togepi agreed.
Lugia and Silveena quietly watched through the window.
I wonder what Amber will do now, said Lugia.
Who knows? replied Silveena. But whatever choice she makes, I hope she has a great life, has many wonderful memories, and makes a lot of friends along the way.
And so, Tristan's Dragonair evolves into a Dragonite, and thanks to our heroes, Mewtwo and Amber's lives have taken fateful turns for the best. And as their unforgettable Johto journey comes to a close, they remember all the adventures that they had together with many more that are yet to come.
► TO BE CONTINUED