AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! It's been awhile, but here is the 60th chapter of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu. Feel free to read, review, and enjoy, even though this chapter is a tad shorter than most of the chapters here.

TEASER: On their way to Team Rocket Headquarters, Tristan and Pikachu make a brief stop in Pallet Town to learn about the events of his past while Hillary feels helpless and restless while waiting for their return. How can she prove herself this time?

Chapter 60: HILLARY'S BOLD MOVE

(Music Cue: A Fight! Real vs. Copy Pokémon (as heard in "The Ancient Puzzle of Pokémopolis)

Last time, as Tristan and Hillary recovered at the Pokémon Center, their parents were on a journey of their own as they traveled in a remote area of the Kanto Region. They soon came face to face with the disguised Giovanni, who seemed friendly at first. But when an army of Team Rocket Grunts attacked them, Giovanni revealed his true identity, and told them that he was the mastermind of the attack in Pallet Town and at their house in the past.

Sarah and Bill battled valiantly against the Team Rocket soldiers, but were outnumbered by the Rocket soldiers' army of ten Gyarados

Shortly thereafter, Tristan and Hillary saw that their parents had been taken captive live on television.

Seeing the potential danger, but not knowing how much there was, Tristan had Hillary and everyone else stay behind at the Indigo Plateau Pokémon Center while he and Pikachu took off with Charizard into the sky directly toward Team Rocket Headquarters.

Now, with the future of the Pokémon League hanging in the balance, what will be the fate of everyone involved?


Tristan, Pikachu, and Charizard continued to fly high in the sky, searching for Team Rocket Headquarters.

Presently, Tristan saw Pallet Town in the distance, and instructed his Charizard to land there.

Charizard descended and landed neatly on its feet, allowing Tristan and Pikachu to dismount.

Tristan took a moment to check his surroundings. It seems peaceful enough, he thought. But something doesn't feel quite right.

Suddenly, he saw a big brown patch of earth and ran over to it. He recognized it immediately. "This is it," he said aloud.

Pikachu and Charizard were confused.

"This is the exact same spot where my parents' house used to stand," he explained. "But I don't know what happened to it."

He began to tell what he knew back in the past. "After Mom and Dad started their Pokémon journey and Hillary and I moved to New Bark Town, the house that was standing here must have been torn down. But why did it happen?" He still didn't remember all the details of being kidnapped all those years ago.

Just then, Pikachu spotted something in the distance and immediately alerted Tristan.

"What is it, Pikachu?" asked Tristan.

Pikachu pointed to a booth with a video phone in it.

"A phone!" said Tristan. "I'd better call the others and tell them what's going on."


In no time at all, Tristan relayed the information to his grandmother, Veronica.

"So your old house is no more, huh?" she said. She then felt very sad. "I know you've been thinking about what I told you about your being kidnapped not too long ago, but I should probably tell you why the house is no longer there."

Tristan listened as Veronica told part two of the story she told a couple months prior.

"After your Mom and Dad started their Pokémon journey, they wanted the house to be demolished so that you and the others would never be reminded of that terrible incident ever again," explained Veronica.

"You mean the time I got kidnapped?" wondered Tristan.

Veronica silently nodded. "Your parents, plus your grandfather and I all talked on the phone the day after you came to live with us. And we all agreed that that very house you used to live in was no longer welcoming because of that incident. So we all called a demolition team to have the house torn down, while salvaging all the valuables."

Tristan understood what his grandmother told him. He would want any trace of evil removed from any particular place if it reminded him too much of anything terrifying that happened there.

"Hillary's been worried about you ever since you left," added Veronica. "Are you sure you're up to the task?"

"I have no choice, Grandma," answered Tristan. "So, yes. I have to help Mom and Dad, plus Blue and his Pokémon. Please tell Hillary not to worry about me. I'll be back with everyone."

"That's the attitude," smiled Veronica. "I'll tell Hillary that you'll be okay. Good luck."

"Thanks, Grandma," replied Tristan. "I love you."

The transmission ended.

"I'd better let Hillary know about this, too," said Tristan as he took out Pidgeot's Pokéball and threw it. "Pidgeot, go!"

Pidgeot materialized from the white light that shot out of the ball and awaited Tristan's instructions.

"I need you to fly over to the Indigo Plateau and find Hillary. Tell her that I'm okay, and help her in any way possible.

Pidgeot complied and flew off.

Presently, two helicopters flew high overhead.

Tristan couldn't exactly make out what they were, but maybe they could give him a clue. Maybe those helicopters are going to the same place we need to be, he thought. He turned to Charizard and Pikachu. "Okay, guys, let's go follow those helicopters."

Tristan and Pikachu quickly got on Charizard's back and together, they all took off into the air and followed the helicopters.


Meanwhile, just outside the Pokémon Center at the Indigo Plateau, Hillary was starting to get more and more anxious, and she was in a very bad mood. "Why can't I be on an adventure with Pokémon, too?" she fumed. "It's not fair that Tristan wants to play the hero and I have to stay here! Phooey! Well, if I had a Pokémon, I'd help him in a heartbeat!"

Veronica appeared next to Hillary. "There you are, Hillary."

"Oh, hi, Grandma," sighed Hillary.

"What's the matter, sweetie?" asked Veronica.

"It's just that..." Hillary paused for a few seconds. "...I want to be a Trainer, too. I know I've been helping Tristan on his journey, but I want to actually train Pokémon just like he does."

Veronica knelt down to Hillary's eye level. "I know how you feel, dear," she said. "However, Pokémon Trainers don't start out with their first Pokémon until after their tenth birthday, and I'm afraid you're not quite at that age yet."

"I don't care!" shouted Hillary, making Veronica nearly fall backward in surprise. "There's just something that's telling me that Tristan could be putting himself in real danger this time...danger that he can't possibly get out of! I don't care what anybody says about being a trainer at ten years of age. I have to help him somehow!" And she started to dart off.

"Wait, Hillary, come back!" shouted Veronica.

But it was no use. Hillary was halfway gone. She didn't stop to when suddenly, she bumped into a man and fell backward. "Ow, my head!" she moaned.

"Here's some advice, Hillary," said the man. "Doduo says to look behind and ahead, and then, you'll have nothing to dread."

"Professor Oak?" gasped Hillary in surprise. She clearly wasn't expecting Professor Oak to make an appearance.

Veronica quickly came over to Hillary. "Hillary, are you okay?" she asked.

"I'm fine," replied Hillary.

"I heard about last night's incident," explained Professor Oak. "Tristan and Hillary first told me about Blue being a member of Team Rocket, and he was solely responsible for taking all the Pokéballs."

"But most recently, he was captured by those said people because he wanted to steal them for himself," added Hillary.

"What did you say?!" gasped Professor Oak. He was clearly surprised by this turn of events.

Hillary nodded. "Team Rocket has him and his Pokémon hostage, and Tristan's on his way to free them at Team Rocket Headquarters right now."

Professor Oak became concerned. "This could be a problem, for Tristan doesn't always know the best method for dealing with enemies in their home field."

"Do you think he's really in that kind of danger?" asked Veronica nervously.

"It's hard to say for sure, for even though Tristan's raised some powerful Pokémon, the chances for success are far from certain," answered Professor Oak.

"That's why I have to help him in any way I can," said Hillary. She had never felt so determined in all her life.

Professor Oak and Veronica looked at each other.

"What do you think, Professor Oak?" whispered Veronica.

"I think she's got the courage," answered Professor Oak. He turned to Hillary. "Hillary, your grandmother and I have decided to give you a test."

"A test?!" exclaimed Hillary. "But I didn't study for one!"

"Now, take it easy, Hillary," said Professor Oak. "This is a different kind of test. I'm going to loan you a Pokémon to help with Tristan's rescue mission. If you and this Pokémon can work together and succeed in your task, I'll award you with a very special privilege."

Hillary gave the matter a lot of thought. Finally, she said, "It's a deal, Professor Oak."

Professor Oak took out a Pokéball and gave it to Hillary. "This Pokémon should come in very handy for your mission," he explained. "Normally, I give this Pokémon to new trainers, but since this is an emergency situation already in progress, I'm willing to make an exception."

"We'll work together, so don't worry, Professor," said Hillary as she put the Pokéball away in her backpack.

Presently, everyone heard squawking overhead as a flying figure came straight toward them, making them all nervous.

"Something's headed this way," said Professor Oak.

"And at a fast pace, too," added Veronica.

The figured squawked and revealed itself.

"It's Tristan's Pidgeot!" cried Hillary excitedly. "So he was worried about me."

"Tristan was thinking ahead after all," added Professor Oak.

Pidgeot landed neatly on the ground in front of Hillary.

"Pidgeot, I'm going to need your help," said Hillary. "I've been asked to help Tristan on his rescue mission. "Will you help me?"

Pidgeot nodded and insisted she climb on its back.

(Music Cue: Ash's Decision to Fight (second part)

"Well, Hillary, your test begins now," said Professor Oak. "Best of luck on your mission."

"I promise I'll succeed," replied Hillary.

"And remember, Hillary," added Veronica, "we're so proud of you and Tristan no matter what happens to you."

"I'll do my best, Grandma," said Hillary. "Let's go, Pidgeot!"

Pidgeot gave a determined squawk as it and Hillary took off into the sky.


Meanwhile, Tristan, Pikachu, and Charizard had followed the helicopters to a big building with some balconies and struts.

"There it is, guys," said Tristan. "Team Rocket Headquarters."

Pikachu and Charizard nodded affirmatively.

"Well, there's no turning back now," said Tristan. "So let's do this."

And they followed the helicopters over the fenced area.


And so, as Tristan and Pikachu make it to Team Rocket Headquarters, Hillary, out of concern for her brother, has been given a test to help him by Professor Oak. What Pokémon will she be working with? What is this special privilege, and will she pass Professor Oak's test? And will Tristan be able to succeed in rescuing his parents, and his nemesis, Blue? This adventure is only just beginning, so stay tuned!

TO BE CONTINUED...