AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! Here's Chapter 26 of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu, as they continue to make their way through Kanto. I was inspired to write this chapter after seeing the episode "Bye Bye, Butterfree," which was where Ash Ketchum released his Butterfree. I'm attempting to use my imagination, and to do that, I've added Shinji Miyazaki's music cues and episodes where they were referenced, but the song "The Time Has Come (Pikachu's Goodbye)" also makes an appearance in this chapter. That song and its lyrics were composed by John Siegler, John Loeffler, and Norman J. Grossfield. As always, please feel free to read and review, and remember, feedback of any kind, positive or negative, is welcome.

TEASER: Tristan and Hillary are taking time off, but when a Pokémon hunter tries to steal many Butterfree to make money, Tristan's Butterfree doesn't seem to be a match for him. Hope is not lost, however, when it finds a mate that it likes, and when it does, it proves its incredible strength. Will it be enough to free the captured Butterfree in the hunter's possession?

Chapter 26: SAFETY OR FREEDOM

(Music Cue: Sunbasking)

After winning a Soul Badge from Koga at the Fuschia Gym, Tristan and Hillary decide to treat themselves to some relaxation, while enjoying the peace and tranquility of Fuschia City.

"The weather is just perfect," remarked Tristan as he rested in the shade of some trees.

"I know," Hillary replied. "We don't get chances to relax like this very often."

Pikachu agreed with them as it stretched in relaxation.

"It seems like I've been doing some nonstop training lately," said Tristan. "And Koga's expecting us to meet this person in the Safari Zone, but I don't know who it is that we're supposed to meet."

"Even Pokémon Trainers deserve a break every once in awhile, so let's make the most of today just kicking back," suggested Hillary. "Besides, I think you're sweating the small stuff too much."

"Good idea," replied Tristan. "Let's get all the Pokémon to join us." He took out five Pokéballs and tossed them in the air.

Butterfree, Pidgeotto, Ivysaur, Charmeleon, and Wartortle materialized from the white lights that shot out of their Pokéballs. They obviously looked happy to see him.

"Hey, everyone," said Tristan to the Pokémon, "I know we've been busy training, and we've been used to it, but today, Hillary and I have decided that we should just take the day off, especially since we've just earned a Soul Badge. I couldn't have made it this far without you.

All the Pokémon replied happily.

"Now that's a little more like it," said Hillary. "Come on, Tristan, it's time to relax."

"You're right," smiled Tristan as he watched Butterfree and Pidgeotto happily flying through the air. "Butterfree and Pidgeotto seem to be having fun together," he thought. "All of us have been through many adventures together."

Ivysaur, Charmeleon, and Wartortle lay on the ground right next to Pikachu, enjoying the peace and quiet.

It seemed as if nothing was going to happen for the rest of the day, but suddenly...

BOOM!

(Music Cue: Desperate Situation)

An explosion was heard in the distance followed by a fleeing flock of frantically flying Butterfree. Everyone sprang to their feet at once.

"What do you think is going on, Tristan?" asked Hillary.

"I don't know, but maybe we should check it out," replied Tristan. He took out his five Pokéballs and aimed the buttons at the Pokémon. "Everyone, return!"

The red beams hit the Pokémon, transforming them into red energy as they shot back inside.

As Tristan put his Pokéballs away, he noticed that Butterfree was nowhere to be seen. "Where's Butterfree?"

"Didn't you return it?" asked Hillary.

"I don't know," replied Tristan. "Butterfree must have gotten scared by the explosion and flown off somewhere."

"Pika!" cried Pikachu as it pointed in the sky.

"What is it, Pikachu?" asked Tristan. Then he looked up and saw Butterfree flying toward where the explosion took place. "Butterfree!" he gasped. He turned to Hillary. "Come on, we've got to follow it!" And he and Pikachu ran off.

"Hey, wait for me!" shouted Hillary as she ran after him.


Meanwhile, not too far away, some of the Butterfree, who were starting to fly away, got struck by multiple Electric attacks. One by one, they collapsed on the ground and were scooped up in a giant net and placed in a giant cage.

A yellow humanoid Pokémon with black lightning bolts on its body was standing before the captured Butterfree. It had two antennae on its head and a tail.

A man with a beard looked on happily at his catch. "Excellent work, Electabuzz," he said. "Those Butterfree are no match for your Electric attacks."

Electabuzz replied as it flexed its biceps.

Just then, another Butterfree raced onto the scene. It was Tristan's Butterfree, and it looked pretty mad.

"Well, what do you know?" said the bearded man. "There's another Butterfree that will fetch a nice price. Go get it, Electabuzz!"

Electabuzz charged toward Butterfree, but suddenly, a voice shouted, "Okay, hold it!"

That voice belonged to Tristan as he, Hillary, and Pikachu had arrived on the scene.

The bearded man was clearly annoyed. "Who are youse guys?" he demanded.

"Tristan, look!" gasped Hillary as she pointed to the cage.

"Those are Butterfree, and they must be trapped!" replied Tristan. He turned to the bearded man. "All right, let those Butterfree go right now!"

"Why are you stealing them?" demanded Hillary.

"Because I'm a hunter," replied the bearded man. "My name is Taz. I've been trying to capture as many Butterfree as I can for my client so I can make money."

"That's just sick!" exclaimed Tristan.

"And now, I have two kids who are trying to mess up my plans?" said Taz in an annoyed tone. "However, I'm happy to make a deal. Just hand over your Butterfree and I'll let you bug off."

"Why do you want my Butterfree?" asked Tristan suspiciously.

"Because, kid," replied Taz, "I get a bonus for every Trainer's Butterfree I can catch."

"There's no deal! Just let the Butterfree go!" demanded Hillary.

"Hmph!" grumbled Taz. "In that case..." He snapped his fingers.

At Taz's command, Electabuzz stepped forward and aimed a Thunderbolt at Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu, who narrowly dodged the attack.

Tristan was very angry. "What did you do that for?" he asked.

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

"I have other ways to get what I want from you," replied Taz. "So I'm going to ask you nicely one more time...Hand over that Butterfree and leave."

"And we're going to tell you one more time...no!" answered Hillary.

"Then you leave me no choice!" yelled Taz. "Go, Electabuzz! Thunderbolt now!"

Electabuzz shot another powerful yellow bolt of electricity from its antennae at the kids again.

"Butterfree, use your Psybeam!" ordered Tristan.

Butterfree shot a mysterious colored beam from its antennae at Electabuzz's Thunderbolt.

The two attacks collided in midair, creating a big explosion.

"Electabuzz, send it flying with a Thunder Punch!" shouted Taz.

Electabuzz flexed its muscles as electricity sizzled from its fist. Its Thunder Punch scored a clean hit on Butterfree, sending it crashing into the ground.

"Butterfree, hang on!" exclaimed Tristan as he quickly ran to Butterfree side.

"That Electabuzz is strong!" remarked Hillary. "That hunter definitely means business!"

"Well, I can mean business, too!" said Tristan.

"That Butterfree is mine, kid, so hand it over immediately, or else!" demanded Taz.

"No way!" shouted Tristan. "My Butterfree is staying with me! We've been together too long, and it's too precious to me to give it to a creep like you!"

"Okay, Electabuzz, give it a Thunderbolt!" ordered Taz.

Electabuzz shot another powerful yellow bolt of electricity at a motionless Butterfree, and was about to score a clean hit when suddenly, a powerful Flamethrower shot out and collided with Electabuzz's Thunderbolt, creating an even bigger explosion.

"Wow, that was some Flamethrower!" gasped Hillary.

"But who did it?" asked Tristan.

A large brown canine Pokémon with black stripes came into Tristan and Hillary's view. Its head, muzzle, and chest were covered in shaggy, beige fur.

Then, a motorcycle came into view and quickly stopped next to the Pokémon. A woman in police attire shouted, "Quick, come this way!"

"It's Officer Jenny!" said Tristan.

"Perfect timing!" added Hillary.

Tristan picked up Butterfree and motioned Pikachu to follow them.

"Arcanine, make sure that you stop Electabuzz!" commanded Officer Jenny.

Arcanine charged toward Electabuzz full-body style, and successfully rammed into it, causing him to crash into Taz.

"Hurry, kids, get on Arcanine!" ordered Officer Jenny.

Tristan and Hillary quickly did as told as Pikachu climbed on Tristan's shoulder.

"Butterfree, return now!" said Tristan as he aimed the Pokéball's button at it.

A red beam shot out, transforming Butterfree into red energy, which shot back in the ball.

"Let's go!" shouted Officer Jenny as she began speeding off through the smoke on her motorcycle. Arcanine started running after it with Tristan and Hillary hanging on tight to its mane.

When the smoke cleared, Taz saw that everyone had disappeared from view. "ARRRGH!" he growled. "You escaped this time...but you've escaped for the last time! Why did Officer Jenny butt her nose into my business and save those meddling kids anyways? Oh, well, at least I still have these Butterfree. What I have should be sufficient enough."

The captured Butterfree looked very sad as they looked on helplessly in the cage..


Meanwhile, Officer Jenny, Arcanine, the kids, and Pikachu were speeding along the streets of Fuschia City.

"Thanks for saving us, Officer Jenny," said Hillary.

"You really helped us out," added Tristan.

"I'm just glad I came along when I did," replied Officer Jenny. "It happens to be Butterfree's mating season, and this Pokémon hunter named Taz is using this opportunity to steal as many Butterfree as he can."

"What's a Pokémon hunter?" asked Tristan.

"Pokémon hunters or poachers usually try to catch wild Pokémon, many of the same species, in order to sell for profit," explained Officer Jenny. "They're known for having exceptionally powerful Pokémon, like that Electabuzz you just saw."

Tristan and Hillary listened in astonishment.

"Furthermore," she continued, "hunters are never afraid to attack humans directly in order to get what they want. And they use nets and cages to do so instead of Pokéballs."

"That's outrageous!" said Tristan as he clenched his fist tighter and tighter.

Pikachu agreed with him.

Hillary was getting worried. "If Taz has been attacking and capturing Butterfree, we might be in danger right now, especially since Tristan has one, too."

Presently, they saw a building with a large letter P on it.

"There's the Pokémon Center," said Officer Jenny. "Let's get there as fast as we can!"

And they continued on their way, little realizing that Taz had been secretly following them in his jeep with the caged Butterfree in tow.

"That's right, rest up," he said to himself. "As soon as you're ready, I'll crush you and take that Butterfree away from you once and for all. Meh heh heh heh."


(Music Cue: The Enigma)

Later, at the Pokémon Center, Nurse Joy was treating Tristan's Butterfree.

"Don't worry, Butterfree, you're going to be okay," whispered Tristan as he watched Nurse Joy at work. He was concerned about Butterfree's confidence after its last battle with Electabuzz and how it would affect its self-esteem.

Hillary, however, was in a happier mood, gently stroking Officer Jenny's Arcanine. "It's so nice and warm," she said.

"Normally, I don't allow other people to play with Arcanine because it strictly works on police business," said Officer Jenny, "but you and Tristan seem to be the exception to the rule, especially since you two care about Pokémon." Then she looked at Tristan, who was still staring through the window. "Has he been standing there the whole time?"

Hillary nodded. "I think he's worried about Butterfree, especially since he couldn't defeat that Electabuzz before."

"Why don't you ask him to come over here for a minute?" suggested Officer Jenny.

"Okay," replied Hillary. "Hey, Tristan, come check out Arcanine!"

Tristan and Pikachu came over to where the others were standing. "It sure looks big," he remarked as he scanned it with his Pokédex.

"Arcanine: The Legendary Pokémon: The evolved form of Growlithe," identified Dexter. "It is said to run gracefully and lightly, as if it were flying."

"Wow, no wonder we had a smooth ride on our way here," said Tristan. "That Arcanine does know how to fly."

Hillary smiled. "I knew that'd cheer you up. You can pet Arcanine, too, if you want."

"Could I do that?" asked Tristan.

"Of course," replied Officer Jenny.

Tristan gently stroked Arcanine's fur. It seemed to like it. "It's certainly been trained well," he said to Officer Jenny. "No wonder it was able to stop Electabuzz."

Just then, Nurse Joy came out of the operating room.

Tristan quickly ran to her. "How's Butterfree?" he asked.

"Butterfree's going to be fine," replied Nurse Joy.

"That's good," said Tristan. He was relieved that Butterfree was going to be back to normal soon.

"You should be very happy," continued Nurse Joy. "I've been treating many Butterfree for the past few days during this unusual breeding season."

"You mean mine wasn't the only one?"

(Music Cue: Legend (Version 2) M31B)

Nurse Joy shook her head. "Trainers have been finding injured wild Butterfree all over Fuschia City," explained Nurse Joy. "One by one, they keep coming here like there's no tomorrow. Some were in worse shape than others. Just the other day, I managed to find this beautiful wild Butterfree. It's taken quite a long time for it to recover from its injuries, but it has the most beautiful scales on its wings that even I've ever seen."

Sure enough, as Tristan looked through the window, he could see its scales glittering like diamonds. "It's so beautiful," he said.

"It looks a little smaller than some of the other Butterfree we've seen," added Hillary.

"This Butterfree has been looking long and hard to find a good mate," continued Nurse Joy. "It wants to have someone strong and handsome to help protect it during the season, and possibly for life."

As she spoke, Tristan's Butterfree slowly opened its eyes. It looked around at its surroundings, and presently came to the beautiful Butterfree, who woke up shortly thereafter. Its face turned red and it instantly became attracted to it.

"Whoa, what's going on with Butterfree?" asked Tristan, who was surprised.

"Your Butterfree seems to be romantically interested in that beautiful Butterfree lying across from it," answered Nurse Joy. "It's fallen in love."

"Love?" repeated Tristan.

"That's right," replied Nurse Joy. "After a Butterfree finds a mate that it likes, it will start doing a courtship dance."

"What's a courtship dance?" asked Hillary.

"A courtship dance can involve some fancy flying, or it could mean showing off its best attacks to grab its attention," explained Nurse Joy. "Sometimes, it could mean a little of both. Either way, Butterfree does all it can to attract the attention of its future mate. If its courtship dance is successful, the other Butterfree does a dance, also."

Tristan then came to a realization. "If Butterfree's successful in finding a mate and raise a family, that means I won't be able to see my Butterfree again for a long, long time," he said sadly.

"But think about it, Tristan," said Hillary. "If Butterfree can't find a mate, it will never have any babies. How do you think your Butterfree was born if it never started out as a Caterpie in the first place?"

Tristan paused for a minute. Should I really let my Butterfree go? he thought. Or should I have it stay with me? If I let Butterfree go, it can be happy flying freely with its mate and raise a family. If it stays with me, I can keep it safe inside its Pokéball. However, if it does, perhaps it will never be happy being cooped up inside its Pokéball all day and all night long. He thought long and hard about what Hillary had just said to him as he continued to watch his Butterfree attempt to do a courtship dance for the other Butterfree. "It sure looks happy, doesn't it?" he said aloud.

Hillary and the others agreed that it did.

"I think I'll check on the two Butterfree in the treatment room," said Nurse Joy. "I'll be right out."

She was about to enter the treatment room when a smartly dressed man came into the Pokémon Center. He was clean shaven, and he had a cane with him. "Excuse me," he said, "may I please see if there are Butterfree around? I've heard that it was mating season and I just wanted to get a close look at them before they fly off."

"Of course," replied Nurse Joy. "There are two of them in the treatment room right now."

He slowly walked inside the treatment room with Nurse Joy.

Little did Tristan and Hillary know that it was really Taz in disguise, and he was plotting to capture the two Butterfree that were inside the room.

Suddenly, Arcanine began to growl.

"What's the matter, Arcanine?" asked Officer Jenny.

In the treatment room, the disguised Taz said to Nurse Joy, "I'd like to take these Butterfree with me so I can see them fly off."

"I don't think that's such a good idea," replied Nurse Joy. "Those two Butterfree still haven't fully recovered, and they don't want to be hurt any more than they are now."

"Oh, I'm not going to hurt anything except, maybe, you," said the disguised Taz as he threw a Pokéball.

(Music Cue: Rocket Powered Disaster)

Taz's Electabuzz materialized from the white light that shot out of it, scaring Nurse Joy.

Tristan and Hillary were shocked as they saw Nurse Joy get cornered. "That's an Electabuzz!" they both exclaimed.

"Electabuzz, Thunderbolt!" ordered Taz.

Electabuzz shot a powerful yellow bolt of electricity at all the electrical medical equipment, causing all of it to short-circuit.

"Hey, what's the idea?!" demanded Nurse Joy.

"I'm taking these two with me!" replied the disguised Taz as a net was released from his cane, trapping the two Butterfree with it.

Everyone gasped in shock.

"Oh, no, Butterfree!" cried Tristan.

"Sorry, but I'm in a big hurry, so outta my way!" demanded the disguised Taz, as he pushed Nurse Joy aside. Then he took his catch and jumped out of the treatment room to make his getaway, but was stopped by Officer Jenny and her Arcanine.

"Hold it right there!" she demanded. "Just who do you think you are?"

"Ha!" laughed the disguised Taz. "I told you I wanted to see those Butterfree fly off, but I'm not going to let them. You fools fell for my phony act." He threw his disguise off, and sure enough, it was Taz, bearded face and all. "Go get them, Electabuzz!"

Electabuzz stepped forward and readied itself for an attack.

Tristan quickly scanned Electabuzz with his Pokédex.

"Electabuzz: The Electric Pokémon," identified Dexter. "Normally found in power plants, this Pokémon can wander away and cause major blackouts in cities."

"Electabuzz, Quick Attack!" commanded Taz.

Electabuzz charged toward everyone in the way with a white line trailing behind it. Despite Electabuzz's speed, everyone managed to dodge its Quick Attack. Unfortunately, Taz and Electabuzz chose that moment to escape from the Pokémon Center.

"Bye! Time to make some dough!" he laughed as he started his jeep and zoomed off.

In the confusion, Tristan and Hillary quickly came to Nurse Joy's aid. "Are you okay, Nurse Joy?" they asked.

"I'm fine," answered Nurse Joy. "But where are the two Butterfree?"

"They're with Taz!" said Tristan. "We've got to go after him!"

"We'll do that immediately!" replied Officer Jenny. "I'll take my motorcycle while you take Arcanine!"

"Right!" said Tristan as Officer Jenny climbed on her motorcycle to chase after Taz.

Arcanine lowered its body so Tristan and Pikachu could climb on its back.

"Hillary, don't worry, we'll be back soon!" called Tristan. "In the meantime, stay with Nurse Joy!"

"Got it, Tristan!" replied Hillary.

"Let's go, Arcanine!" said Tristan. And the two of them raced after Officer Jenny as they began chasing Taz.


Meanwhile at Taz's location, the two latest Butterfree in his net were thinking of a way to get out of this situation. Tristan's Butterfree saw the other trapped Butterfree in the cage behind the jeep. So, it decided to use all the strength it had to break itself and its future mate out of the net by using its Tackle attack over and over again.

"Save your energy, you twits," taunted Taz as he drove along. "Your useless attacks aren't going to help you get out of that net."

But Butterfree kept going on, wiggling and tackling its way inside the net. The other Butterfree watched in astonishment as it did so. Then it tackled the net harder and faster.

Officer Jenny, Arcanine, Tristan, and Pikachu were watching the whole thing from a short distance away.

"Look at Butterfree go!" said Tristan. "It just won't quit!"

"It looks like your Butterfree is trying to prove its strength to the other Butterfree in that net," added Officer Jenny.

"I just hope Butterfree will have enough strength to break out of that thing," finished Tristan.

Butterfree struggled on as it tackled the net. Sweat was dropping down its face with every Tackle attack, but it was worth it in Butterfree's perspective as the net started to crack. With as much strength it could muster, Butterfree performed its most powerful Tackle attack, breaking the net. The two Butterfree were freed from it.

"Yeah, Butterfree did it!" cheered Tristan.

"Incredible!" remarked Officer Jenny.

Butterfree, who was pretty mad, flew in front of Taz's jeep and faced him, much to his surprise. He hit the brakes and skidded to a halt.

"You're gonna pay for ripping that net!" fumed Taz.

Butterfree wouldn't have any of that, so it fired a Psybeam at Taz, striking him.

Now, it was Taz's turn to be mad. "That does it! Electabuzz, go!" he screamed as he threw his Pokéball.

(Music Cue: Kanto Trainer Battle (as heard in "A Scare in the Air"))

Electabuzz materialized from the white light that shot out of the ball.

"Electabuzz, Thunder Punch attack!" ordered Taz.

Electabuzz flexed its muscles as electricity sizzled through its fist. It lunged at Butterfree, but Butterfree dodged it by swerving.

"Go, Electabuzz, just keep attacking it!" yelled Taz.

But Butterfree wouldn't give up so easily; it continued to swerve from left to right, dodging Electabuzz's Thunder Punch attack.

Tristan and Officer Jenny were watching Butterfree and Electabuzz's battle.

"Butterfree needs help!" said Tristan as he started to take out a Pokéball. "I'm going in!"

"Hold on!" advised Officer Jenny, stopping him. "I think Butterfree will be able to handle Electabuzz on its own. Besides, I think it wants to prove its own strength to the other Butterfree right now."

Electabuzz came in close to Butterfree, but sure enough, it kept swerving to the left and right, dodging every one of Electabuzz's attacks. As Electabuzz got tired, Butterfree began tackling the cage. It was harder than the net, but Butterfree kept at it.

"Don't let that thing beat you, Electabuzz!" commanded Taz. "Give it a Thunderbolt!"

Electabuzz fired a yellow bolt of electricity at Butterfree, but at the last second, it dodged, causing the cage to be struck instead. Fortunately for the other Butterfree, that cage was immune to electricity, but unfortunately for Electabuzz, its own electricity was bounced back at it, causing it to take damage instead, despite being an Electric Pokémon.

"Get up, Electabuzz!" yelled Taz. "Hurry up and grab that Butterfree!"

"All right, that's enough!" shouted a voice.

It was Officer Jenny as she and Tristan appeared in front of Taz.

"Give back those Butterfree now!" demanded Tristan.

"I'm placing you under arrest for stealing these Butterfree during mating season!" declared Officer Jenny as she took out a pair of handcuffs.

"In your dreams, punks," countered Taz. "Electabuzz, Thunderbolt!"

(Music Cue: Gym (Version 1 (as heard in "The Rivalry Revival")))

"Pikachu, stop it with your Quick Attack!" ordered Tristan.

Pikachu quickly rammed into Electabuzz with a white line trailing behind it just as Electabuzz prepared to attack. The force of Quick Attack sent Electabuzz flying into Taz. They both crashed into the ground.

While that was going on, Butterfree continued to tackle the cage again and again. Then, Butterfree used its Tackle attack at full speed and broke the cage, freeing all the Butterfree trapped inside. The glittering Butterfree beamed at Butterfree's incredible strength.

Taz and Electabuzz looked on in horror.

"AUGH!" he cried angrily. "Give those Butterfree back! They're my money makers!"

"Pikachu, give them a Thunderbolt!" commanded Tristan.

"Arcanine, Flamethrower!" added Officer Jenny.

Pikachu shot a yellow bolt of electricity from its cheeks while Arcanine shot a hot stream of fire from its mouth. Both attacks hit Taz and Electabuzz. And just to add insult to injury, Butterfree gave then a dose of its silvery Sleep Powder from its wings, causing them both to fall asleep.

"That ought to take care of them," said Officer Jenny as she placed the handcuffs on Taz's wrists. Then, she turned to Tristan. "I should thank you for your help."

"Actually, Butterfree was the one who made it all happen," replied Tristan.

Tristan's Butterfree happily flew to him, followed by the glittering Butterfree.

"Butterfree, it's because of you that all the other Butterfree are safe," he said. "I'm proud of you."

Butterfree replied happily just as the motor of Nurse Joy's jeep came close.

"Tristan!" called a voice.

It was Hillary, along with Nurse Joy, who had arrived on the scene.

"Are you okay?" asked Nurse Joy.

"We're fine," answered Tristan.

As the Butterfree did courtship dances for their mates, the glittering Butterfree did a dance for Tristan's Butterfree, who happily accepted the offer to do a courtship dance of its own.

"It looks like the glittering Butterfree has accepted your Butterfree as its mate," said Hillary.

"Yeah," whispered Tristan. He proudly continued to watch the Butterfree dance in the air throughout the afternoon.


(Music Cue: Tears After the Cloudy Weather)

At sunset, Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu prepared to say their goodbyes to Butterfree at one of Fuschia City's cliffs.

"I guess it's time," said Hillary. "Whoever thought today would be our last day with Butterfree? It seems that we got to know it just yesterday."

"I know," replied Tristan. "But if Butterfree wants to raise a family and fulfill its destiny, then who am I to stand in its way?" He bent down and talked to the glittering Butterfree first. "This is a great Butterfree you have as your mate. Please take good care of it for me."

The glittering Butterfree nodded.

Then, Tristan came to his Butterfree, who felt sad. "I know we have to part ways, Butterfree," he said. "But before we do, I have a scarf for you." He gently tied it around Butterfree's neck to make it more handsome.

Butterfree seemed to like its present and nodded approvingly at its Trainer.

"Even if we're separated from one another," continued Tristan, "we'll always be friends...in our hearts." He put his right hand on the left side of his chest.

Butterfree nodded and understood what Tristan said as it began to tear up.

Tristan extended his arms as Butterfree flew to him. They shared one last hug together as tears began to fall from their eyes.

Hillary got a little teary-eyed herself as she watched them embrace. It felt heart-wrenching to watch.

After what seemed like forever, Tristan and Butterfree let each other go. The two Butterfree began to climb into the sky as the other Butterfree appeared.

"Look at all the Butterfree!" she said as she stood in wonder.

"I know," replied Tristan. "They're all flying free...that's the way it should be."

(Music Cue: The Time Has Come (Pikachu's Goodbye)

As Tristan closed his eyes, he smiled and thought about all the memorable moments he and Butterfree shared together from when he caught it as a Caterpie in the Viridian Forest, to its battle with Samurai when it evolved into a Metapod, to its battle with Blue and his Eevee where it evolved into a Butterfree, and to many of its other battles where it got stronger and stronger.


I close my eyes and I can see the day we met,

Just one moment and I knew:
You're my best friend, do anything for you.

We've gone so far and done so much
And I feel like we've always been together.
Right by my side through thick and thin,
You're the part of my life I'll always remember.

The time has come,
It's for the best, I know it.
Who could have guessed that you and I -
Somehow, someday, we'd have to say goodbye.


(Instrumental continues)

"Tristan, look!" said Hillary. "The Butterfree are almost out of sight!"

Tristan opened his eyes and ran to the edge of the cliff. With tears still streaming down his face, he waved as he shouted, "Goodbye, Butterfree! Good luck, buddy!"

Butterfree turned around and saw Tristan waving at it. Then it called out to him, with its own goodbye.

"I'll never forget you, Butterfree!" called Tristan. "Take care!"

"Thanks for everything, Butterfree!" added Hillary. "We'll miss you!"

Pikachu waved goodbye as a few tears streamed down its face.

Butterfree called out its goodbyes again as it, its mate, and the rest of the other Butterfree began to fly across the sea.

Tristan wiped the tears from his eyes as he watched.

Hillary walked up to Tristan and said, "You know, Tristan, you were born and raised with a lot of courage. I think you helped raise it to not only gain confidence, but have a lot of courage, too.

Tristan smiled and replied, "Thanks, sis. I know it's for the best, but I just know Butterfree will be happy with its new life."

They continued to watch as the Butterfree disappeared into the sunset.

In life, one experiences hellos as well as goodbyes. With Butterfree beginning a new life, Tristan remembers the fond memories they shared together...

Somehow today, we have to say goodbye.

...as the adventure continues.

► TO BE CONTINUED