"Gold rank or not…" shouted Haruki, running forward, ready for battle. "I'm still gonna kick your butt!!!"

Charizard continued to hold Hoshi tight as he watched the Charmander charge towards Tyranitar. He chuckled and then turned to face Alakazam, "He can handle the human…but while he's busy…" He set Hoshi down in front of Alakazam, keeping a grip on the little pokémon.

Alakazam nodded and raised his spoons as his eyes glowed, "Barrier!" A large bubble appeared around half of the clearing, enclosing every pokémon except Haruki and Tyranitar.

"Hoshi!" shouted Haruki, running past Tyranitar to the force field. He began to pound at the bubble with his fists. "Metal Claw!" he screamed, his claws hitting the bubble and bouncing off. Tyranitar grabbed Haruki from behind and tossed him into the air and reared back his hand and yelled,

"Dragon Claw!" The force of the attack his Haruki square in the face, knocking him across the clearing. Haruki stood up, a large bruise beginning to appear on his cheek, and he charged forward and jumped into the air.

"Fire Fang!" His teeth bit into Tyranitar's arm, flames erupting from his mouth as they did.

Tyranitar smirked, "Dark Pulse!" Again, Haruki was knocked back across the clearing, and again he stood back up and began to charge at Tyranitar again. Meanwhile, inside Alakazam's Barrier, Charizard released Hoshi and stepped back until he was at the edge of the force field, leaving the two other pokémon in the center.

"So…" said Alakazam, beginning to circle Hoshi slowly. "You managed to survive our last encounter, and, even with my Team's best attacks hitting dead on, you managed to walk away without even a scratch…you're more powerful than I realized…much more powerful…"

Hoshi kept his eyes on Alakazam, shaking where he was standing. He whimpered as he watched Alakazam, wondering what was going to happen but afraid to find out. "I-I-I don't k-k-know w-what you're t-talking about…" he stuttered.

"You…you are the Destroyer…the one destined to destroy this world…"

Hoshi's eyes grew wide, "W-What…?"

"Didn't you know…ah, but of course…you couldn't have..." Alakazam mused. "You're so young…there is no way you know…" Hoshi continued to listen closely, Alakazam now had his full attention. "It's easy to predict some other's future…but near impossible to predict your own…"

Charizard watched on. Alakazam was toying with the little pokémon, and he was quickly losing interest. Why was Alakazam bothering with enlightening the future Destroyer with facts that he didn't need to know…that he wasn't supposed to know. If it was up to him, Hoshi would be dead right now. He had half a mind to just fire a few Fire Blasts right into the little pokémon's back, but that wasn't Alakazam's plan. All he had to do now was watch until Alakazam gave the signal for back up.

"If you had known your future from the very beginning…would you want to stay alive…knowing that you would be the downfall of an entire world? Or would you try to change your future and hope for the best…? I know you went to Xatu yesterday…so you must have heard his prediction of you…"

Hoshi shook his head. "N-No. I w-was asleep…"

"Pity…" Alakazam said quietly. "I went to Xatu long before you or Team Getchu ever thought about seeking his predictions…let me recite to you what Xatu foretold to me…" Alakazam closed his eyes. "Darkness will begin to form inside the Destroyer in his youth…grasping the soul tightly in its grip…multiplying the already powerful pokémon's abilities…and twisting his dreams…" Hoshi stood frozen as he listened, unable to believe what he was hearing. He didn't want to hear anymore, but he couldn't stop listening. He covered his ears and shut his eyes tightly.

"No…!"

"Infecting them with images that will make him fall into despair…" Alakazam continued, his voice growing louder with each word, "and hopelessness…making him believe that to get what he wants…what he needs…he has to destroy…and kill…until he finds it…"

"Stop! Please, I don't want to hear any more!"

Hoshi shook his head in denial. He didn't want to know this; he didn't want to know what he would become. But Alakazam continued his slow emotional torture. "We shall all suffer…and the suffering will not stop at only our world… but…for the entire universe as well…"

"STOP!!!" Hoshi roared, a blast aura erupting from his body, sending a huge shockwave throughout the Barrier.

Haruki, who had just been knocked back for the tenth time, looked over at the dome where the three pokémon were sealed. He saw the brightness of the blast. Was that an attack? Did Alakazam create that attack? Was Hoshi…gone? "Hoshi?!" he cried out. Tyranitar stopped and watched also. He knew that it was not Alakazam's attack, but it looked to be just as powerful…possibly even more powerful than any of Alakazam's attacks. By the looks of it, the Barrier was just barely strong enough to contain the blast, but how much more attacks like that could it take?

Inside the Barrier, Charizard shielded himself with his wings, but the power of the blast still caused him considerable damage. He fell to the ground, near unconsciousness. Alakazam, however, cast up a Barrier around himself as Hoshi unleashed the attack, but it shattered, and he too was considerably damaged, but still able to stand…just barely. "R…Recover!"

Alakazam glowed for a moment and most of his damage was healed, but he was still badly hurt. He looked over and saw Hoshi's body emitting white energy, and he took a couple of steps back; he had to try to heal himself again. Hoshi realized what Alakazam was about to do, and he cried out, "Heal Block!" A beam of aura hit Alakazam, but made no visible damage.

"What…kind of attack was that? …Recover!" But nothing happened. "Recover!" Again, nothing happened. Alakazam realized that that must be the attack's affect, but he'd never heard of an attack having that affect. The only attack that could do anything close was…

"Disable!" Hoshi shouted. Now, even if Heal Block faded, Disable would prevent Alakazam from healing himself.

"A…Alakazam…!" grunted Charizard as he staggered to his feet. Without the ability to heal, Alakazam would be at a huge disadvantage; healing was part of all Alakazam's strategies. Alakazam probably never guessed that this little pokémon would know any attacks to prevent healing. Hoshi looked over at Charizard and he lifted his hand, and Charizard braced for the attack,

"Gravity!" Hoshi cried out, and Charizard was thrown to the ground, unable to get up again. He could feel an invisible force holding him down against the ground. He tried to beat his wings, but he was too weak and the force of Gravity was too strong for him to move an inch. He was helpless, and if he was helpless then Alakazam was no match for Hoshi either.

"Confusion!" shouted Alakazam. The attack hit dead on, but it simply bounced off of Hoshi's body, having absolutely no affect. "No…!" Alakazam was very tired, but he had to eliminate this threat. How?

"Alakazam!" shouted Tyranitar. He stepped back a couple of steps. "Dragon Claw!" His claws bounced off the Barrier, but he kept repeating the attack. Tyranitar was sure that if he attacked the Barrier long enough, then it would break and he could aid Alakazam…he was a Dark type, and the little pokémon's powers wouldn't affect him, and that might at least give him a small advantage. Haruki, stumbled to his feet, badly damaged. He breathed hard as he watched Tyranitar attack the Barrier, and then he looked over and saw Hoshi. Hoshi was actually winning! He somehow had Charizard glued to the ground and Alakazam looked to be on the verge of defeat. He then realized that if Tyranitar managed to break through, then the tide of the battle inside could change…he had to stop Tyranitar at any cost.

"F…F…Flamethrower!" he yelled, and a jet of fire burst from his mouth, hitting Tyranitar in the center of his back, but Tyranitar continued to attack the Barrier. Haruki could have sworn that the Barrier as cracking…he had to think fast. "Hey, ugly!" Tyranitar stopped his attacking and turned to face Haruki.

"Shut it, kid-!" he saw Haruki charging at him. Haruki jumped up, eye level with Tyranitar.

"Focus Punch!" The attack hit Tyranitar on the side of his face and he was knocked away from the cracking Barrier. Haruki danced where he landed, clutching his aching hand. "Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!" He stuck his hand in his mouth as tears welled up in his eyes. "Dat Hurd!" He looked over at Tyranitar, surprised to see him laying on the ground moaning. Did he really hit him that hard? Then he noticed that Tyranitar was dripping wet. He looked over to see something running towards the clearing, but what was it? As he watched it grow closer, he began to see the figure more clearly…and he became greatly relieved…

Hoshi charged up for another attack, and Alakazam threw up another Barrier around himself, ready for the attack he knew would smash his defense.

"Rin!" shouted Haruki happily as he pulled his hand from his mouth, limping over to meet the Squirtle. He flung his arms around him, "I'm so glad to see you!"

"What happened to you?!" asked Rin, setting down the pack quickly and opening it.

"Oh, this?" he laughed nervously. "It's just a couple of scratches…"

"A couple of scratches? Haruki, you look like you've been through a tornado!" Rin pulled out the Berry Pouch, pulling out an Oran Berry.

"Thanks," Haruki said gratefully, quickly eating the Berry. He immediately felt better. When he finished, he looked at Rin. "How'd ya find us?"

"Well," said Rin. "You two were taking an awfully long time with the berries, so I went to find you. I was barely inside the forest when I heard the sounds of attacks. I ran towards the sound and when I reached the clearing, I saw you charging towards Tyranitar. I thought that your attack might fail, so I attacked him from behind. Tyranitar may be a Dark type pokémon, but he's also a Ground type…so he's weak against Water type attacks."

Haruki nodded. "Good thing you did. I probably wouldn't be able to take him down on my own with the condition I was in."

"Yeah…" Rin looked over at the Barrier. "Woah!"

"He's doin' good on his own, don't ya think? I was worried at first, but he's got 'em on the ropes now."

"That light…"

"Huh?"

"Look at the glow of the light," said Rin, all serious. Haruki looked at Hoshi in the barrier. He was glowing like before when Hoshi first faced Alakazam's Team, but…

"It's white!" realized Haruki.

Rin nodded. "Yeah, it's not dark anymore…which means-"

"Hoshi's not gonna be the Destroyer!"

"Right! We have to stop the battle, but how?"

"First, we need to break that Barrier…" said Haruki.

"Let's attack it together!" Rin ran up to the side of the Barrier jumping up into the air, "Aqua Tail!" He swung around in midair and struck his tail on the side of the Barrier, making the cracks in it widen.

Haruki charged at the Barrier, "Focus Punch!" His fist struck the Barrier and the cracks spread along its side.

"Let's attack all at once now!" said Rin, stepping back a couple of feet, ready to for another attack. "You with me, Haruki?"

Haruki nodded, standing beside Rin. "You know it! Ready…" They began to charge at the Barrier.

"Aqua Tail!"

"Focus Punch!"

Their attacks together shattered the Barrier, exposing the pokémon inside.

"Yeah!"

"We did it!"

Alakazam looked over at Haruki and Rin as the Barrier disappeared. "What-?!"

Haruki and Rin ran forward, "Hoshi!!" the called out together. Hoshi turned towards them.

"Haruki! Rin!" he cried happily, running to meet them as he powered down, knocking them to the ground as he hugged them. "I'm really glad to see you guys!" he began to cry. Haruki patted the little pokémon's head.

"There, there, it's okay now." He laughed. Rin stood up and picked up the bandana of berries and book Hoshi had dropped earlier. He undid the knot with some difficulty and the berries they had picked earlier fell to the ground.

"Aspear Berries? Is that all you guys got?"

Haruki and Hoshi sat up, Haruki looking somewhat offended, "Hey, give us a break…it was either those or a Tamato Berry." Rin handed the bandana back to Haruki, and Haruki tied it back around his neck.

Alakazam staggered over to where Charizard lay pinned to the ground. He waved his spoon over Charizard and the Gravity attack was lifted. Charizard stood up and looked at Alakazam. "Are you…alright?"

Alakazam nodded, "Yes…but the effects of his attacks on me are still in place…we need to wait for those to fade if I am to heal myself-"

Alakazam's sentence was cut short by two Oran Berries floating in midair in front of him and Charizard. "What the-?" asked Charizard, surprised. He and Alakazam looked up to see Hoshi walking towards them. Charizard began to tense up, but Alakazam threw a hand in front of the fire pokémon. He watched Hoshi closely as the little pokémon approached. Hoshi lifted his hands and the berries fell into each one. He held them up to Alakazam and Charizard.

"Here…" he said, smiling. "They'll make you feel better."

Charizard turned his nose up at the offered Berries, but Alakazam stared at the little pokémon in front of him. "Take it…" he said softly to Charizard.

"But, Alakazam-!" Charizard said defensively.

"You and I both are exhausted, and we need to revive our strength." Charizard eyed Alakazam. "It's alright…it's safe…" Charizard nodded hesitantly, taking the berry and eating it, feeling his strength quickly returning. Alakazam took the other berry, his hand brushing Hoshi's, and his eyes narrowed. "Your aura…"

Haruki walked over and stood beside Hoshi, placing his arm around the pokémon. "Yep, Hoshi doesn't have that darkness in him anymore. We don't know what forced it out of him, but we're glad it's gone."

Alakazam closed his eyes and smiled, "I should have known that…during our battle…your aura was different from our first encounter…" He ate the berry and felt his strength begin to return. "Thank you…Hoshi."

"Excellent…" said a soft voice.

Everyone looked up to see Xatu standing a few feet away. "Are you…Xatu…?" asked Hoshi, stepping forward. He gazed in awe as the pokémon approached him. Xatu nodded.

"Yes…" Xatu replied, gazing around at the company of pokémon in front of him. "I have been watching the struggle from afar…" He looked in Haruki and Rin's direction. "You two…the Squirtle and the human who is a Charmander…you are the ones responsible…for this…" Xatu wrapped his wing around Hoshi, pulling him gently to his side; Hoshi looked up Xatu and smiled.

"Y-You're saying," began Haruki, "that we're the ones who caused the fight?"

"Haruki, hush!" hissed Rin. "Let him finish…"

"You two…with your kindness…have saved our world…" Everyone was silent. Xatu then looked to Alakazam. "Alakazam…you, however…nearly destroyed the world…"

Alakazam was astonished, "W…What? What do you mean, Xatu?"

"…because," continued Xatu, "you tried to wipe out…not the Destroyer…but…the Protector…"

"The…Protector?" asked Hoshi, confused. "B…But I thought-"

"What you thought, young one…what Alakazam told you…that was only part of the prediction. He had left before hearing the rest…

"And when the Destroyer has learned friendship…and love, he will no longer be called Destroyer…but Protector…of our world…" Alakazam hung his head in slight shame as he listened to the rest of the prediction, his Team standing behind him. "No where…does it say that once the Destroyer has gained what he was searching for…that he still must be eliminated…and for that Alakazam…" Alakazam braced for his punishment. "You will be the one…to aid me in summoning Celebi…"

Everyone gasped. Haruki was the first to speak, "Summon Celebi? You mean…you can summon Celebi? Right here? Right now?"

Xatu nodded. "Yes, and it is with great haste that we must do it…for Celebi is to return to the past soon…and it could be a long time before she reappears in this time again…"

Alakazam stepped forward, "Xatu, but what about-?"

"The pure of heart…the caregiver…and the one whom is not what he seems?" Alakazam nodded. "Can't you see them…? For they are among us…"

Alakazam looked around, "You mean…?"

"Team Getchu…please step forward…" whispered Xatu. Haruki and Rin stepped forward until they were in front of Xatu. Xatu raised his other wing and pointed to each one in succession. "Hoshi…the pure of heart…" Hoshi left Xatu's side and stood in between Rin and Haruki. "Rin…the caregiver…" Rin blushed and scratched his head, smiling widely. "And…Haruki…the one whom is not what he seems…" Haruki stood up straight, smiling and saluting to Xatu.

"Just tell us what we need to do, Xatu!"

"I need you three to join hands…to channel your energies…" Xatu looked over at Alakazam. "And you need to focus your mind…concentrate only on Celebi…" Alakazam nodded and stepped forward, standing across from Xatu with Haruki, Rin, and Hoshi between them.

"Right." He closed his eyes, raising his spoons as they began to glow, his body glowing. Xatu also closed his eyes and began to glow. The trio looked at one another, each nodding to the other, and they joined hands. They began to glow as well, their energy beginning to pulse softly through the forest.

Tyranitar and Charizard watched as the forest seemed to whisper, searching for through its own depths for a single soul. "Amazing…" whispered Charizard. Tyranitar nodded in agreement, speechless.

Suddenly, a bright blinding light appeared, shining from above. A small shadow descended within the light, flitting about excitedly. "Joy! Oh, joy! The future is bright! The shadows are gone! Oh, joy! Oh, joy! Oh, joy!"

The trio in the middle gazed up in awe, hearing the pokémon's voice. "Is that…?" asked Hoshi, captivated by the light.

"Could it be…?" Rin whispered, his eyes following the flitting shadow.

"It is…" said Haruki, smiling wide and beginning to laugh happily.

The figure touched down on the ground gently, gazing around at the company gathered around it. She squealed happily, jumping up and doing a flip in midair.

"Celebi…" said Xatu and Alakazam quietly. Everyone else stared in awe…they were in the presence of a legendary pokémon; all they could do was stare.

"Oh, Xatu!" cried Celebi happily, floating over to Xatu, meeting his gaze. "I have seen it! The future...it is bright! Everything is at peace!"

Xatu nodded, "Yes…the Destroyer shall never wreak his devastation upon this world any time soon." He raised his wing in the direction of Team Getchu. "The Protector will see to that…"

The Team looked at each other and realized that they were still holding hands. They quickly let go, Rin and Haruki laughing as their faces flushed with embarrassment. Hoshi, however, approached Celebi slowly. He tilted his head and stared up at the pokémon hovering above him. "You…you're the one…"

Celebi nodded, drifting down until her feet grazed the ground. "Yes, it is me. It was me. I couldn't bear to see the world as it would be…so I traveled back in time to find you, Mewtwo."

Hoshi stared. It was the first time since he had arrived in this time that someone had actually called him by the name he was given before everything happened…before he knew love, and before he had friends. He shook his head, "That's not my name. My name is Hoshi now…"

Celebi blinked, but smiled, "Hoshi, such a wonderful name. Tell me, who has given you this magnificent name." Hoshi pointed behind him at Haruki, and at the same time Haruki raised his hand.

"I did, Celebi."

Celebi walked over to him, gazing at him with her large blue eyes. "…Haruki."

"But…how did you-?"

Celebi giggled and smiled sweetly. "I discovered you running from your home after I had returned from the future. I heard your mother call out your name and I watched you as you ran, and so I decided to follow."

Haruki listened, and he had half a mind to point at Celebi and yell "Stalker!"

"…I noticed how excited you were about becoming a trainer, and I just knew you had to have a strong love for pokémon. To save the world, I needed someone who could show compassion to a pokémon who knew not what compassion was…and a great trainer can show compassion for any pokémon, no matter the circumstance.

"I began to use a small spell of Hypnosis to lull you to sleep slowly…and I had made the Tree of the Ancients visible to you, hoping you would fall asleep under it."

"That was the tree I didn't recognize?!"

Celebi nodded, "Yes. The Tree of the Ancients has mystical abilities, and when you fell asleep and touched its bark, I asked it for help…I asked it to bring you here, to this place, but…with you being human…my hope was slim that you would fit in. So, I asked of its assistance with your appearance…"

"And…that's why I'm a Charmander?"

Again, Celebi nodded. "Yes."

"…Is…is there a way…I could change back?"

"Yes…you go back the way you came. All you simply need to do…is to touch the bark of the Tree of the Ancients, and you shall be returned to your proper place and form."

"That's all I have to do…?" asked Haruki slowly. "Touch the Tree…and I'm back to my human self…?" He was in shock and he could feel his heart being torn two ways. Haruki looked back at Rin, who, before he could change it, had a sad look on his face. He turned back and saw Hoshi, staring at him with tears filling his eyes. "Well…"

"Hmm? What's the matter, Haruki?" asked Celebi, tilting her head.

"The thing is…if that's all I have to do…" he began to smile slowly, "then, I guess I can stay around for a while longer. After all…" He looked at Rin again, "I am part of a rescue team."

"Not just any rescue team," said Rin happily, tears of joy welling up in his eyes, "the best rescue team ever…Team Getchu!" He ran up and hugged Haruki tight, both of them laughing. Hoshi watched them hug, wiping his eyes and smiling softly.

Haruki looked over Rin at the little pokémon, "Hoshi, get over here!" he laughed as he extended his arm to him. Hoshi let out a sound between a sob and a laugh, running over and joining the duo.

After a minute, Celebi smiled and said softly, "Hoshi…it's time."

Hoshi pulled away from Haruki and Rin reluctantly, but before he could walk towards Celebi, Haruki placed a hand on his shoulder. "Wait, Hoshi…" Hoshi turned back to Haruki. Haruki reached behind his head and undid his red bandana, and Hoshi watched as he tied it gently around Hoshi's neck.

Hoshi touched the bandana with his fingers, "Haruki…?"

"It's a reminder…so you can remember that no matter what time you're in…you'll always be an honorary member of Team Getchu." Tears began to stream down Hoshi's cheeks as he nodded and hugged Haruki. "Take care of yourself…"

"…And if you're ever near the area, drop us a line!" said Rin happily, hugging Hoshi also. "Even if we're old and wrinkly, we'll be happy to see a familiar face."

Hoshi giggled and wiped his eyes, nodding. "I promise…" he turned back to Celebi and walked over to her. She gazed at him softly, "Are you ready?" He nodded and Celebi placed her hand on his shoulder. "Then, let's go…" She closed her eyes, and both she and Hoshi began to glow. The forest around them had also begun to glow brightly as well. Haruki and Rin shielded their eyes from the bright light and they could see Hoshi casting them one last look as he waved at them, and then just like that…he and Celebi were gone.

The light dimmed, and Haruki and Rin lowered their arms, staring at where Hoshi and Celebi had vanished. "He's gone…" said Haruki slowly, a bit sad now. Rin nodded. Neither of them had remembered the other pokémon in the clearing, and, without a word to the two of them, Alakazam's Team and Xatu left.

"Well, Haruki…" said Rin, breaking the silence. "We still need a leader…"

"Not this again!" groaned Haruki, turning and beginning to walk in the direction of the base.

"I'm just saying! With those attacks of yours and your great leadership…" Rin replied excitedly, catching up with Haruki and walking beside him.

"I already told ya…no! It's too much responsibility!"

"Aww, come on!"

"No!"

"But-!"

"I said NO!"

Five years later, Haruki stood outside the base of Team Getchu, stretching his wings wide and yawning. He had just woken up from a seriously needed nap after having completed an A ranked mission the day before with Rin. In the years since Hoshi's departure from that time, the base had grown considerably with the help of the Mankey brothers; the Team had also grown in members over the passing years…as did Haruki and Rin's leveling up. With all the training and missions, Haruki and Rin evolved. Haruki was now a powerful Charizard and Rin, a strong, yet still energetic, Blastoise. Of course, Rin's energetic and hyper behavior was not as cute now as it was then, and occasionally wore on Haruki's nerves. Everyday, Rin would travel from the lake to the base and ask Haruki if he had seen Hoshi…and every day was the same answer.

Haruki looked around for Rin, concerned. Rin usually arrived at around this time, and he was never late…but today he was. He tightened the knot on his bandana and began to walk towards the lake.

He was halfway there when he saw Skiploom hovered towards him, "Hello there, Haruki!" Haruki smiled. He remembered that this Skiploom evolved from the Jumpluff who had helped him and Rin find Hoshi those years ago. Haruki nodded and continued walking.

"Hello, Skiploom."

"Where are you going today? On another mission?"

Haruki shook his head, "No, not yet anyway. I'm going to visit Rin."

"Is he sick?"

"I don't know, but I'm going to find out."

"Well, I'm heading for the village. Do you want anything for your next mission?"

"No, but thank you. I'll see you later, Skiploom."

"See you, Haruki!" Skiploom said as he floated away from Haruki towards the village.

Haruki continued walking until he reached the lake, but one look around at the surface told him that Rin was not there. Just as he was about to turn around, he saw Rin emerge from behind a cluster of trees, running towards him. "Haruki!" he shouted as he waved at him.

"There you are! I was beginning to think you moved without telling me. Why-?"

"Wait," panted Rin as he stopped in front of Haruki. "There's…there's a request…mailbox…"

"What?"

"You…didn't check the…mailbox…!"

"I know, because I was coming to see if you were still alive or not. You were late and I was starting to get worried-" Haruki said.

"We have a request…from Pelipper…"

"What does Pelipper want?"

"No, no, no. Pelipper delivered the request…!"

"So…?"

"It said," continued Rin, "that we're needed at the Pelipper Post Office right away!"

"Then, let's go!"

"Right!" They began to make their way towards the Post Office past the village. As they entered the village, they noticed that it was very busy. Everywhere they looked they saw rescue teams from all over. They continued walking, greeting everyone who acknowledged them; Team Getchu was now Gold Rank, and all Haruki could do was smile when the smaller pokémon gazed at them in awe as they passed. He remembered that he and Rin must have looked like that when staring at Alakazam's team for the first time; a Pichu was so excited when they looked in its direction and greeted it, that it fainted from an overcharge of its own Static.

Soon, they left the limits of the village and could see the Post Office up ahead. "There it is," said Rin. "I wonder who sent us the request…"

Haruki nodded, "Me too. I wonder if there's trouble at the Office."

"I don't think so, but it did seem pretty urgent…"

They quickened their pace and finally reached the Office. Standing outside were two figures, one of them Haruki and Rin recognized as Alakazam. They, however, didn't recognize the other; the figure was tall and kind of thin, and yet…Haruki couldn't shake the feeling that he knew the stranger.

"Good day, Haruki and Rin," said Alakazam, stepping forward and shaking Haruki and Rin's hands.

"It's nice to see you too, Alakazam," Haruki said, smiling. "Are you the one who sent us the request?"

"Not me, no."

"Then, who-?"

The stranger stepped forward at his question. "It's great to finally see you two again…"

"Erm…have we met?" asked Rin, puzzled.

"Don't you recognize me, Rin?"

Rin continued to think hard as Haruki eyed the figure closely, and then noticed a tattered red bandana around the stranger's neck…and it dawned on him. "H…Hoshi?"

Hoshi smiled and nodded. "Yep, it's me."

Rin shouted, "Hoshi?! It's really you!" He ran forward and hugged the pokémon tightly. "After all these years…how've you been?"

"I've been good. I've missed you two so much…!" Hoshi said, tears streaming down his face as he hugged Rin back tightly.

"We almost didn't recognize you," said Haruki, looking Hoshi over. "You've grown so much…"

"Yeah," said Rin as he let go of Hoshi and stepped back. "The last time we saw you, you were barely two feet tall!"

Hoshi smiled and straightened his back, showing his full height, "Yeah, and now I'm all grown up."

Haruki smiled and hugged Hoshi tight also. "It's really great to see you again, Hoshi."

Hoshi nodded, "It's great to see you too, Haruki."

"Hey!" Rin shouted, playfully punching Hoshi on the arm.

"And Rin." Hoshi added, rubbing his arm and laughing.

Alakazam smiled and bowed, "I think I'll leave you three to your little reunion…" And, like that, he teleported away. Hoshi looked back at Haruki and Rin,

"How long was I gone?"

"It's been five whole years yesterday since you left us…" said Haruki.

Hoshi's eyes widened, "Is that all…? I must have gone farther back than I thought…"

"Why do you say that?" asked Rin.

"Because…I'm seventeen-years old."

"Wow…how old were you when we met?"

"I was a little over a year old, I guess."

"So," said Haruki, "you've been gone from us for…sixteen years."

Hoshi nodded, "Yes, it seems so."

"Wow," said Rin, slightly in wonder, "that's a long time…"

"You've been waiting sixteen years to see us again?" asked Haruki.

"Yes…and there was something I was wondering about through all those years…"

"Hmm? What?"

"I was afraid…that by the time I actually caught up with your guys' time…that you would be gone, Haruki…"

Rin was confused, but Haruki knew exactly what he meant…he had meant that he was afraid that Haruki would have gone back to his own place and human form. He smiled, "No, I haven't gone back yet." He gestured at Rin. "Someone had to keep him in line, and I guessed that it had to be me."

Hoshi laughed, and both Haruki and Rin smiled. It had been five whole years since they had last heard Hoshi laugh or seen his smile. "It's really great that you're back, Hoshi…" said Rin. "After all these years, we still don't have a leader…so, if you want…"

Hoshi smiled and turned his head away, crossing his arms, "No, I don't think so…too much responsibility."

Haruki stifled a laugh at Rin's expression, "Aww, not you too! Come on, we need a leader! I don't see why you or Haruki-!"

Hoshi laughed again, "I was just messing with you, Rin. Of course, I'll be the leader if you need one that bad…"

"You mean it?" asked Rin, grinning widely.

"Of course."

"Finally!"

"Yeah," said Haruki, smirking. "After all these years, you've finally got a leader for the Team." He looked at Hoshi. "So…have you got someone?"

"Hmm?" asked Hoshi, tilting his head.

"You know…someone special?"

"What are you talking about, Haruki?"

Rin looked Haruki and then up at Hoshi, and realized immediately what he was meaning, "Ohh…" he nudged Hoshi playfully, winking. "He means, is there anyone special in your life right now…?"

Hoshi blinked. "Yeah, you guys. You're my best friends…"

Haruki laughed, "No, I mean, do you have a special lady friend?

Rin nudged Hoshi again, "Come on, you can tell us…"

"I'm afraid I don't understand…" said Hoshi, confused. Haruki and Rin groaned…surely Hoshi had to have some clue as to where this was going! "What are you two talking about?"

"Do you have a girlfriend?!" they shouted in unison.

"A girlfriend? What's that?"

Rin hit his forehead with his hand, groaning loudly as Haruki shook his head. "Seventeen years old…and he's still as naïve as he was when he was one."

Hoshi shrugged, "You guys are weird."

They rolled their eyes. "Whatever," sighed Haruki. He really was surprised at Hoshi, and he was sure Rin was too. Suddenly, they could hear a loud voice.

"Another mission! A mission for Getchu!"

Hoshi, Rin, and Haruki looked around and saw a Pelipper flying above them in the direction of their base. "Come on!" said Rin excitedly, beginning to run towards the base, Haruki and Hoshi following behind him.

Several minutes later, they were deep in the forest, walking along the trail. Hoshi was scanning the trees for any sign of the pokémon they were supposed to be searching for. The mission they had received was a C ranked mission…there simply was a little lost pokémon in the forest who couldn't find their way out. Rin kept his eyes on the ground, looking for tracks to identify, and Haruki kept his eyes straight ahead, listening for any calls for help. They continued walking until the came across a break in the trees, and Haruki had the feeling of déjà vu. He scanned the area and heard a small whimpering; he approached a nearby tree stump and discovered a red tail shaped like a plus shaking terribly. It had to be a Plusle.

"Hello…" Haruki said calmly, peeking around the stump at the small pokémon. The pokémon looked up, terrified, but that quickly disappeared as soon as it saw the bandana around Haruki's neck.

"You're…you're Team Getchu!" it said excitedly, looking over at Rin and Hoshi. "Did you come to rescue me?"

Haruki smiled and nodded. "We sure are; now, let's get you back home safely…" He picked up Plusle and set it on his shoulders, but as he turned to leave he noticed something familiar. He couldn't think of what it was immediately, but a moment later it hit him as he gazed at the stump where Plusle had been hiding…the same stump he had been asleep on five years previously!

Hoshi noticed something was strange about Haruki's behavior. "What's wrong, Haruki?"

Rin looked at Haruki also, following Haruki's gaze…and it hit him. This was the spot where Haruki first arrived. Haruki turned his gaze to the closest tree, the one Meowth had said that he had fallen out of…it had the be the Tree of the Ancients Celebi had told them about the day she and Hoshi had left for the past. Thoughts began to race through his mind as he took a cautious step towards the Tree, but Rin put a hand on his shoulder to stop him from going any farther. "We have a mission to complete, Haruki…" he said quietly.

Haruki continued to stare at the Tree, unable to hear Rin. He was barely a couple of feet away from returning to being human…back where he thought he belonged. "Haruki?" asked Hoshi, stepping forward and touching his arm. Haruki jumped and shook his head, turning his gaze away from the Tree.

"Let's get Plusle to safety…" he said quietly, walking back along the trail. Hoshi and Rin looked at each other sadly, and followed close behind Haruki. Half an hour later, they were out of the forest. Haruki picked up Plusle and place it on the ground gently. "There you go, and next time, be sure to walk with someone who knows their way around the forest."

"Okay, I will!" said Plusle happily, turning and running towards the village, looking back and waving at the trio. "Thanks, Team Getchu!"

Haruki, Hoshi, and Rin watched the Plusle run until he was within the boundaries of the village. Then, Hoshi and Rin looked at Haruki, and Rin broke the silence. "That…was the Tree back there…wasn't it…?"

Haruki nodded slowly, "Yes, it was…"

Hoshi looked at Rin as he continued to speak, "Do you…do you miss it? Being…human…?"

Haruki remained silent, and that moment of silence seemed to last forever in his mind. Hoshi spoke next, quietly, "Haruki…do you miss your family?"

Haruki looked at Hoshi with wide eyes…never once did it occur to him that he might miss his family. He was always concerned with becoming human again…he never once stopped to think that his family might be waiting for him…his mother and father…and Quilly…all of them…back home. He closed his eyes and nodded. "Yes…"

Rin looked as if he was about to protest, but Hoshi put an arm in front of him. "Then…you should go back to them."

"What…?" asked Haruki, unable to believe what he was hearing.

Rin hesitated but nodded in agreement, "Yeah…I'm sure you miss your Ma and Pa…as I'm sure they miss you."

Haruki stared at them in astonishment. "But…what about-?"

"The Team?" asked Rin, finishing his sentence. "You've taught our Team well, Haruki…we'll be fine."

Haruki looked at Hoshi; half hoping for an objection, but it never came. He swallowed hard and took a deep breath. "Will you…?"

Hoshi finished his sentence this time, "Come with you…and see you off?"

Haruki nodded.

Hoshi smiled, "Of course…" Rin nodded and smiled.

Haruki took another deep breath and turned back towards the forest, walking slowly along the trail with Hoshi and Rin behind him. Soon, they were back where they had found Plusle, staring at the Tree of the Ancients. Hoshi placed a hand on Haruki's shoulder. "Are…you ready, Haruki?" Haruki nodded hesitantly, stepping towards the Tree until he was in front of it. He looked back at Hoshi and Rin, taking a last look at them as he raised his hand to the Tree, but before he could touch the bark, Rin stopped him.

"Wait, Haruki…" he said as he reached behind his head and untied his blue bandana, folding it carefully. "I…want you to have this." He extended it to Haruki, who simply stared down at it. Hoshi also untied the red bandana from around his neck, folding it and extending it towards Haruki.

"And…this."

"You guys…?" asked Haruki softly, looking from one to the other.

Rin smiled. "They're reminders…"

Hoshi continued as he smiled, "So you can remember that no matter what time you're in…"

"Or where or what you are…"

"You'll always be an honorary member of Team Getchu."

A tear streamed down Haruki's cheek as he accepted the bandanas, hugging both Hoshi and Rin. "Thank you, guys…I'll never forget either of you…ever…"

They smiled and hugged Haruki back tightly. "Take care of yourself, Haruki," said Rin in Haruki's ear.

"We'll meet again one day," said Hoshi reassuringly. They stepped back from Haruki and he turned to face the Tree. He turned his head and smiled at his friends as he lifted his hand…and he placed it on the bark. Immediately, the Tree of the Ancients began to glow brightly, sending soft pulses of energy through his body. He could see his friends' tear streaked, yet smiling, faces as they waved at him; darkness began to flood his vision…and then…they were gone. He could feel himself falling again, and he was surrounded in darkness. The familiar tingling sensation swarmed his body as his body began to cool down, and after what seemed like eternity…his face hit the dirt hard.

Haruki sneezed as blades of grass tickled his nose. He opened his eyes slowly and saw that he was lying in the grass by the road. He sat up and stretched, looking around. The vision of the forest had faded and was replaced with the scenery he had fallen asleep looking at. He looked behind him, expecting to see the tree he had fallen asleep under…but it was gone. Haruki looked down at his hands, turning them over and taking in their appearance. They were definitely human hands, but what else he noticed took him by surprise…they were exactly the same as they were when he was ten. He stretched out his legs and saw that he was still wearing the same pants, and as he observed his body more he discovered that he was wearing the exact same clothes he had wore the day he left home. "Was it…was it all just…a dream…?" he asked as he felt of his hat and hair. Rin…and Hoshi…everyone…were they just figments of his imagination? Did everything he experience…was it all just a daydream. It had felt so real…

He was about to stand up when he noticed something on the ground…two somethings. Haruki reached over and picked up what appeared to be two bandanas…one blue, and one red. Upon closer inspection of them, Haruki noticed berry stains on the blue bandana, and the red one was tattered…Rin and Hoshi. Haruki laughed. "It was real! They were real!" He thought for a moment, and smiled wide. "They are real…and we will meet again." He placed the two bandanas in his backpack, slipping the pack back onto his shoulders, and he began running down the road towards Pallet Town.

An hour later, Haruki burst through Professor Oak's laboratory doors. "Hey, Professor!"

"Well, hello, Haruki," said Professor Oak cheerfully. "I was afraid you weren't going to make it here before the pokémon were all gone." He smiled and gestured towards a table in the center of the room with three pokéballs lying in a row on its surface. "I'm sure you've thought long and hard about which pokémon you would like. So tell me…which pokémon will you choose as a partner on your journey?"

Haruki stared at the pokéballs, gazing at them as thoughts raced through his mind about which one would be best. He reached out slowly and picked up one of the pokéballs and held it up. It opened and a beam of light hit the floor and began to take shape, and standing in front of him…was a Charmander. "This one…I choose Charmander."

"Very well then, a Fire type…great choice!"

Haruki knelt down beside the pokémon and pulled off his pack, setting it on the ground. He opened it and pulled out the two bandanas his friends had given him. "Which one do you like, Charmander…?"

"Char…? Charmander!" Charmander said as he pointed to the red one.

Haruki smiled as he tied the bandana around Charmander's neck, "This one belonged to a dear friend of mine…he's very powerful. Maybe some of his power can rub off on you…" He laughed.

"Charmander!" The pokémon laughed as he stroked his new bandana.

"What do ya say, buddy? Ready to begin our journey together?"

Charmander nodded, "Char!"

THE END

(OR IS IT?)