Chapter 142 Time Travel Part 1

After a few days, Ash goes to the Night Club alone as he wants to give the girls some free time to explore the region. He finds Simon on the desk and he talks to him.

Simon: Hello, Ash. Like many of the others here, I've decided to make good on the forgiveness that's been offered to me and show up to see what help can be offered in the aftermath of my former associates' poor choices ...Well, and mine too. I hope you can find comfort with that. Let's focus on business. Apparently, a boy in Agate City was going for a swim in the creeks throughout the town and found something. A portal is hidden underwater, below the city. I believe it's the place that Lin took that sacred stone from. No sign of any Anomalies yet, and fortunately the kid had the good sense not to explore further, but someone's gonna need to go check that out. It's even possible that the stone itself will somehow turn up, as its whereabouts have been unknown since Lin had it. Should I mark down that you're on the case?

Ash: So the Agate City underground Portal...Sure, I'll check it out.

Simon: Copy that. Best of luck out there. And might I say, it's good to be on the same side as you rather than against.

Ash nods as he walks towards the Agate City, after diving underwater to where Lin took the Sacred Stone, he finds the portal. After getting into the portal, they find that they are still underwater.

Ash: What is this place? (Checks the Pokegear) Manyworld Pool?

After diving for a while, they finally find the diving spot as they float up from the water, and they are surprised to find themselves in a forest, but the skies are filled with stars.

Ash: This place is beautiful...but what kind of place is this?

As they navigate through the place, Ash realizes that this whole forest is floating in the air, and there are jumping stones at the end of the path.

Ash: Is this the New World? Or this is still the Reborn? I am confused...

As he continues to move forward, he finds a Tapunium-Z on the ground, and he decides to pick it up while reaching the end goal, and the Lin portal appears once more.

Lin: You know, adults always say you should put things back where you found them. But what if where you found them wasn't where they belonged in the first place? Leave it to adults to not think anything through! People get old so quickly that they don't realize when they've lost touch with reality! But we kids have a better sense of these things, you know? We haven't gotten lost yet, so we see things like they are. That's just science. Why else do you think I would have had to take on such a boring personality when I was pretending to be one? That's just how you talk to adults. Everyone knows it.

Ash glares at the portal, as he wonders if what she said were true enough.

Lin: But you probably won't be satisfied by that, huh? Someone out there will be like "how DARE lin did not return the relic stone that I DEFINITELY personally care about and have a personal attachment to?!" What I do with the relic stone is none of their business. You remember, right? The relic stone? From agate? Very powerful? Of course, you do! It was such an integral part of the story and plot!

Ash: Plot, huh?

Lin: Lol I'm kidding. It's just a stupid rock! We have tons of those around here. Look! here's one... (Creates one in front of Ash) And there's one over there! (Creates the second one) aaaaaaaand~ (Puts the sacred rock from Agate on the ground where Ash can't reach) Who says I'm not generous. Also, you might want this. (Gives Ash a Fresh Water)

Ash: (Confused) Thanks?

Lin: I see a moldy onion up there! You can use that to wash your hands after you throw it away! Proper hygiene is important! Or so the adults say. They're really out of control, huh?

After Lin's portal disappears, Ash looks forward and finds Celebi on the ground weak.

Ash: Celebi! (Rushes towards the Pokemon) Are you okay?

Celebi just looks at Ash helplessly, and Ash realizes that he has the Fresh Water and he pours it on the Pokemon, after gaining the water, Celebi slowly talks.

Celebi: Ash...I...I'm sorry...

Ash: What are you doing here, and how are you so weak?

Celebi: I'll explain...but come with me.

Celebi creates a doorway as Ash walks through with him, and they find themselves back at the Reborn League Building, and much to their surprise, they bump into Elias.

Elias: Prosperitas, Pax Pacis, Obsequium. A gleaming gate to the New World appears before me, and out steps my Lord. The miracle of my sight was more than enough, but you grace me further, performing another miracle before my very eyes. While I'm sure you already knew this, you have caught me at a time of reflection. Today, I am not here as a member of the Elite Four, but instead as a pilgrim. Before there was a Pokémon League here, there was instead a temple. I spent much time there in my youth. Even if the temple is gone, this place feels... important. Sacred, even.

Ash: I see, so that's why your chamber looks really like a temple.

Elias: (Notices the Celebi) Errare humanum est. My deepest apologies, my Lord. I got so caught up in my reminiscence that I did not see the reason you have come here. Celebi, the Time Travel Pokémon- I have read much about it. It does not look as lustrous as the diagrams would suggest, though.

Ash: I know, for some reason, he is weak.

Elias: Ah, of course, I see. This is a test of my knowledge. I shall inspect the Pokémon at once. (Carries the Celebi) You poor creature... It must have been very strenuous to make it even here. (Checking the injuries) I'm sorry. This is beyond my ability to heal. The Relic Stone would surely be able to help in this matter, however, last I heard, you had traveled to the New World to locate it? But you are here with Celebi, and no Relic Stone in sight.

Ash: Yeah, we couldn't retrive it.

Elias: I understand, my Lord; you wish for me to solve this problem without its power. Allow me a moment to consider my options. I apologize profusely for this delay. (Comes up with an idea) Of course, this is a brilliant test you have devised for me, my Lord! You arrived here when I was reflecting on the old temple, with a Pokémon in need of aid. Specifically, a Pokémon that can travel through time, but not space. I lack the knowledge to heal Celebi without the Relic Stone, but Father Taube, the keeper of the temple... Nobody knew more about Legendary Pokémon. My Lord, please accept this offering.

Then Ash is given another Fresh Water, considering he used up the last one trying to heal Celebi.

Elias: Aqua Pura. Legendary it may be, but Celebi is still a Grass Type. Some water should give it enough energy for a trip through time. I'm sure you already are aware, but- be prepared before you give it the water. I doubt an injured Pokémon will waste any time trying to get to where it thinks it can be healed.

Ash nods as he tries to pour the water onto Celebi, and Celebi feels a little better, but not enough. And much to their surprise, they find themselves starting to leave the area.

Ash: Time travel? Now?

And after that, Ash, Elias, and Celebi are out of the people's sight. When they wake up, they find themselves in a temple.

Ash: Where are we?

Elias: I apologize, my Lord; This temple holds a lot of memories for me. I was briefly overwhelmed. When I was a child, I would often visit Phoe-

?: Oh, visitors? I'm very sorry, but I was just here to get some things, I can't give a sermon today. But if you just need food, help yourself to the fruit downstairs! Our doors are always open, even if I am not present.

Ash can hear the voice, but he can't see the man just yet, and he is confused.

Elias: Ah, the task at hand. Of course. Father Taube is an incredibly important and busy man, but he will surely aid us with Celebi. Also I kindly request you do not mention my name. It may be complicated if he figures out who I am. (Walks forward) Aquila non capit muscas. We understand you are incredibly busy, and would not bother you if we were not in the utmost need of aid. Tempus rerum imperator.

?: Time waits for no man. You are very well versed in the ancient tongue. Judging by your garb, you are also of our Order? It is of no matter- I truly am in a hurry, but if this is as urgent as you say, I will do what I can.

Then Ash finally sees the man, the man has a similar face as Taka, but with the brown hair, and he is wearing some sort of priest outfit just like Elias.

?: (Notices Celebi) Goodness. That Pokémon is dripping wet. Is it raining outside? I... Oh my. That's a Celebi. I see what you meant about time. A priest with a penchant for wordplay.

Elias: I- goodness no, I didn't- Of course, I had no intention of making light of the presence of a Legendary Pokémon. Mea Culpa. My sincerest apologies for any disrespect.

Taube: Goodness, you don't need to apologize for making a joke; I enjoy a good laugh myself! If anybody has been disrespectful, it is me- I have yet to introduce myself! I am Taube Alcantara. I oversee this temple. You appear to be a priest of our Order, but I do not recognize you. I take that to mean Celebi has brought you both from another time?

Ash is surprised, he has heard about this man from Elias' diary and from Taka: he is Solaris' father.

Elias: De futuro. We are from the future.

Taube: I see... You appear rather nervous about me, I can only hope that means my time leading the Order is viewed positively in the future. Be that as it may, you may be calm. You do not need to show off your mastery of the ancient tongue to me- I do not doubt your devotion to Arceus' teachings.

Elias: Oh, no, I did not mean to show off, Father Taube. I assure you, this is how I regularly speak.

Taube: Really? What of those that are not of the Order, who do not know the ancient tongue? It is our duty to aid and support all people of the region, including them. I'm surprised you don't find that difficult if you risk alienating them by regularly speaking words they don't understand.

Elias: That's...

Taube: But there go my manners again! Welcome to my temple, guests from the future. What are your names?

Elias: Ah, right, of course. My name is... Solaris. Solaris Brown. And my companion here is called Ash.

Ash is surprised that Elias would use Solaris' name, but he decides to act along.

Ash: It is nice to meet you, Father Taube.

Taube: Solaris and Ash? It is lovely to meet you both. Now, no matter how much of a rush I am in to get home, I must see to my duties. A Legendary Pokémon has traveled through time for my aid; it is only right to do everything I can to help. Come here, little one- permit me to take a closer look at you.

As Celebi floats towards Taube, Elias turns to Ash.

Elias: My apologies again... I panicked and just said the first name that came to mind. Please forgive this lie, my Lord.

Ash: Don't worry.

Taube: Have you tried giving it water? (Realizes the dripping) Apologies, a little joke- you clearly have. Twice, by the looks of it. This Celebi is... not all here. It appears like it was somehow injured while traveling through time. In the process, fragments of its being were scattered throughout the timeline. The only way I can think of to fix this is the Relic Stone. A powerful artifact, tied closely to Celebi... Unfortunately, that's all the way in the Orre region. Not an easy trip even if you're not in an unfamiliar time period. The Relic Stone would call all the fragments of Celebi into one place. However... I think I can be of some help. I have a garden downstairs- mostly just to grow food for those who need it. But it is a holy place, touched by Arceus. The fruit always grows well, and is delicious. And it is... serene. Perfect for meditating. I suspect a location like that would be very appealing to Celebi. If this one spends some time down there, it should be able to attract at least some of the fragments. It won't fully heal it, but it should get it in much better shape. It should at least be strong enough to get you back home. I apologize I can't offer more.

Elias: The Relic Stone... Unfortunately, it is similarly inaccessible in our time. However, we possessed no alternative, so I am overjoyed to hear you have one. I presume this will be most effective if Celebi meditates on its own for a time?

Taube: Exactly, yes. I apologize for the wait. Like you no doubt are, I am quite eager to get home. But it is important to see this through; Celebi came here for our aid.

Elias: It is no burden to wait for us. I would be honored to read some of the texts you have here, in case there are some the Order was unable to preserve?

Taube: By all means, you are welcome to read whatever you wish. Ah, and the entrance is just back there, Celebi. I hope you find it peaceful.

Celebi nods as he floats to the garden downstairs.

Taube: However, while you are of course free to look through my texts... I must admit, I couldn't help but notice you both have Pokémon on you. Between my responsibilities with the Order and the changes at home, the only person I can ever find the time to battle is Joseph. Who, naturally, I'm no match for. How can a humble priest compete with a man that traveled to Orre to conquer Mt. Battle? And given we have time to kill... Would one of you two care for a battle?

Elias: (Surprised) Joseph... Hazel? I have heard the name. Your servant, if I recall correctly?

Taube: Ah, I see you've been studying Order doctrine. Yes, I suppose the traditions dictate he is my servant. But, even if he is too proud to admit it, as far as I'm concerned, he's nothing short of my closest friend.

Elias: That's... Interesting, I see.

Taube: I'm sure my newborn and his young Elias will get along just as well, too. But enough about me. As I said, do either of you wish to battle?

Elias: Newborn...? Ah, congratulations...I apologize; I do not quite feel up to battling at this particular moment... But Ash has beaten me once before, and would make the better challenge. He serves as a Champion of sorts for the Order.

Taube: A Champion of sorts? I hope in the future the Order does not have a need for somebody to defend us as such. But it is nice to know we have talented trainers on our side, nonetheless. You are free to look around, of course, but speak to me when you wish to battle, Champion of the Future. (Leaves)

Elias: ...Newborn. So he was just born... And I am still a child, still without sight. Taube and my father were... friends? Pardon me; I have been given much to consider. (Leaves)

Ash is now surprised at what just happened, and he can't believe he get to battle Solaris' father, and he also learns how Elias and Solaris are still infants, but he decides to accept Father Taube's battle so he can have a chance to go home.


And I'll end this chapter, this is going to be the first of the three chapters of the Celebi Quest. I hope you like this chapter and we'll be battling Father Taube in the next one.