A/N: I know this isn't the greatest story, but I know its decent for what its worth.

Chapter 7 – Fated Meeting

Outside Violet City

Late Afternoon

The trip down Route 32 was rather uneventful, aside from facing against several trainers and beating them. Logan was just enjoying the scenery as he walked down the path that lead to the entrance to the Union Cave, which he needed to go through in order to reach the next town, Azalea Town.

As he walked, Logan saw the Magnet Train whizz overhead across the long bridge that stretched across the sea, to which he can make out Cherrygrove City in the distance. The train was one of the main connections between Johto and Kanto, as both stops for the Magnet Train were located in both regions' major cities: Goldenrod City and Saffron City respectively.

Prior to the conception of the Magnet Train, the fastest way to travel between the two regions was by ship aboard the S.S Aqua. It was a fast cruise liner that made port in Olivine City and would make port between there and Vermilion City. The ship still runs the service today, but many seemed to opt for using the Magnet Train as it takes at least half an hour to get to both cities to and from, but the S.S Aqua offered the chance to battle trainers that were coming to and from both regions so it really depended on the person's preference.

It was about 4:30 PM by the time Logan reached the entrance of the Union Cave, and after stopping at the Pokémon Center that was just outside the cave for the convenience of travelers to heal, he made his way through the rather small cavern.

The cave was lit so it wasn't as dark as Dark Cave, but dark enough so that the Pokémon that thrive at night or the darkness, mainly Zubat, wouldn't be disturbed by the light. Of course, Logan had a run-in with a couple trainers, mostly Hikers and, for some odd reason, Fire Breathers.

Logan knows that there is more to this cave as there is another area of the place he could explore, but doesn't have any water Pokémon that he can use surf in the water. Plus there are likely slightly stronger Trainers training down in the deeper part of the cave, and he just wanted to reach Azalea Town before nightfall.

Azalea Town

Dusk

Finally, Logan was able to reach the small forest town as the sun was beginning to set. Azalea Town was a fairly small village, located at the edge of the largest forest in Johto, Ilex Forest. The forest was blanketed by thick trees that even daylight can't shine through, and made traveling at night a hassle as it could turn into a maze if one isn't prepared.

The town is also home to the Charcoal Kiln, where a father and son work to create charcoal and sell them for profit, by cutting some trees from the Ilex Forest. The charcoal itself can be useful for fire-type Pokémon as it helps boost their power if held. And of course, Azalea Town is home to an older gentleman by the name of Kurt, who crafts Poké Balls from Apricorns. Logan studied on Johto history and saw that before the mass production of Poké Balls, people used to hollow out special fruits known as Apricorns. They are grown all around Johto and come in a variety of colors that are made into special types of Poké Balls you wouldn't be able to get at any Poké Mart.

And of course, there was the main attraction to the small town: the Azalea Town Gym. Here, it is where Bugsy, the Gym Leader that specializes in Bug-type Pokémon, trains. He is a young bug collector that studies up on everything bug Pokémon and is pretty skilled in using the rather overlooked type.

Logan would work on a strategy for his Gym Battle later, as he knows Chika and Abby are at a disadvantage as they are both weak to Bug-type attacks. But since he was able to overcome Falkner and his Flying-type Pokémon with his two Pokémon, he was sure he can win this one and gain his next badge. For now, Logan made his way to the Pokémon Center to check-in for the evening and get dinner. He had a long day and just wanted to relax before tackling the Gym tomorrow.

Azalea Town – Pokémon Center

Midnight

Logan was already fast asleep, as Chika and Abby were also asleep in their usual spots. As Logan slept, he wasn't sure but he began to hear something in his mind. It caused him to stir around a bit. Soon, he cracked open his eyes, tiredly and yawned.

He then looked to the direction out the window toward the dark Ilex Forest. He didn't know why, but something there was… calling out to him.

"…Huh…?" Logan responded tiredly as he started to get out of bed. Doing so, caused Chika and Abby to also stir awake, and then looked to their trainer tiredly as to why he was up. He simply looked to them with a look of confusion.

"Girls… there is something in the forest calling out to me… I can't put my finger on it, but I just feel compelled to check it out… I'm probably just hearing things and was dreaming it, but… I got to go and make sure I'm not thinking things up." He explained, and without explain further, the two Pokémon understood.

He simply called them back to their Poké Balls, putting on his jacket and shoes and taking out his flashlight and begun walking out of his room.

He exited the Center and saw how quiet the small town was at night, only hearing the sound of nocturnal Pokémon that roamed at night. He looked toward Ilex Forest and started to make his way to the forest entrance.

Ilex Forest

Midnight

Logan turned his flashlight on and shined the path in front of him. It was completely dark in the forest, not even the moonlight shined through the dense trees the enveloped the top. He shined around, not seeing anything out of the ordinary, though on his guard as he didn't know what Pokémon could be roaming out here in the dead of night. As he walked, he began to notice light in a clearing.

"Huh? What's that over there…?" He asked as he walked out to the small clearing. He looked up seeing that the night sky was visible and the moonlight shined down. As he looked forward he noticed something peculiar: a small Hokora shrine.

Logan approached it and looked at the small plaque beside it and read:

"Ilex Forest Shrine. Built to honor the forest's protector."

Logan felt tempted to peek inside the shrine as the small doors were closed, but felt he be desecrating it if he did that so decided against it. But, he couldn't shake the feeling though as to why he came here.

It was then he started to feel a breeze pick up, the trees began to sway slightly as the leaves rattled from the breeze. Then he saw white, as a bright light flashed above the shrine, causing him to shield his eyes.

"Gah! What the-?!" He screamed out, holding his arm over his eyes.

Suddenly, the breeze died down, and then the sound of a giggle was heard.

"Huh…?" Logan took his arm off his eyes and looked up, and then, he saw it.

His eyes widened and his jaw dropped as he saw a small pink creature, with large green eyes with black spots over them, sitting on top of the shrine, its small leg over its other leg in a style of that of a female sitting. It simply smiled at him.

He was staring face to face at a Celebi, but not just any Celebi…

But a shiny one…

"You finally came…"

The sound of a young female voice rang out inside the boy's head. He looked around, but soon looked back at the Celebi, deducing that it was speaking to him via telepathy.

A shiny Celebi, his first encounter with a legendary Pokémon… Deep down, Logan couldn't contain his excitement. However, he stayed calm, likely not to scare it away.

Logan simply stared at her, "You were expecting me…?"

She nods, "For as long as you might think, child… It was fate that we would meet."

What did she mean by that? They were fated to meet? This raised a lot of questions for the young trainer, but Celebi seemed to notice that in his eyes and raised her hand up.

"I know, I know, you have a lot of questions, but you'll learn about them soon enough. All you need to know now is that you were destined to meet me. And soon, your dream will become reality." She explained.

"Wait, we were going to meet regardless, and that my dream… will come true?" Logan asked in awe. Was this a dream?

The Celebi giggled cutely, finding the child's enthusiasm adorable.

"Of course it is going to come true! Meeting me is what is going to set the events of your destiny. You will meet the other legendary and mythical Pokémon of this world in the future, but you have a even greater destiny ahead of you. What that is, I can't say to you now…" She elaborated.

"…This is a lot to take in. Are you sure I'm not dreaming now?" Logan just asked. This talk of destiny and whatnot was confusing him.

The Celebi floated down to the boy and simply poked his nose.

Logan of course reacted, and found that gesture confusing, but it dawned on him that the Celebi touched him and it felt real… he wasn't dreaming this.

Logan, then out of nowhere, poked her back. She felt real. He was clearly excited that this was in fact real.

She just chuckled, "You are pretty cute, child. You are a kind and gentle soul, and filled with innocence. You care deeply about Pokémon and treat them with love and respect. And it has been foretold, that you will do much greater for our world. But for now, you still have your journey ahead of you, one that will prepare you for your future…"

"…And I will be there by your side." She finished.

Logan wasn't sure he heard that right. Did she just say… what he thinks she just said?

"You'll be by my side… wait that means you're…?" He asked, but was interrupted by the small time-traveling Pokémon with a nod.

"I am. As meeting me is the catalyst of how your future will turn out, I am to join you and protect you in any way possible. You are a child that is precious to this world, and I don't know what I would do if something would happen to you…" She explained.

She wanted to come with him?

It took every ounce of manpower not to jump around and be giddy about it, though inside he was just ecstatic that a legendary Pokémon was going to travel with him! Not only that, it was his first legendary encounter ever…

"I…I don't know what to say, but I'm truly honored that you want to become a part of my team and travel with me!" Logan said, as he bowed.

The Celebi then sweat dropped, giggling as she rubbed the back of her head from that praise.

"Aha, no need to be so formal with me. After all, we are friends now!" She said as she held her arms out in order to emphasis it.

Logan then rubbed the back of his head, sweat dropping.

"Heh heh… Sorry. Anyway, I don't think I got your name." Logan said as he realized they never been properly introduced.

"My name is Logan Ryuko, but you probably know that already. What is your name?" He asked.

"You may call me Celei."

"Well nice to meet you Celei! So, how are you going to be traveling with me? I don't think I want unnecessary attention if others know that I have a rare Pokémon like you traveling with me…" Logan asked.

"Well, you could simply capture me. Use this to do it." She then used her psychic powers on the shrine, which then opened up and inside of it, a golden Poké Ball rested inside a hollow spot for it. The top half of it had the initials "GS" engraved in it.

Logan goes and takes the ball out and looked at it.

"What kind of Poké Ball is this?" Logan asked.

"It is known as the GS Ball. It is a rather mysterious thing, as many people tried to uncover the mysteries surrounding it, but came up with nothing. Even Kurt tried to study it and had no luck. So they decided to place the ball here in the shrine as an offering of sorts. However, it seems to respond to the touch of a legendary Pokémon and I feel it might have been created to capture one in mind. I suppose you could use it for me." Celei explained.

Logan listened and just looked at it more. He read up on the mysteries of the GS Ball and of course, researchers and Poké Ball experts couldn't figure it out as many couldn't try to open the ball to see what it contains. After what Celei said, it likely contained nothing and was most likely meant to capture a legendary Pokémon.

He then looks to the Celebi.

"I don't know. It doesn't seem right. I mean the fact that I have a Celebi is amazing and awesome, but I don't know if I should capture you. I read that most legendaries who would be captured by a Poké Ball would have their powers limited than what they are capable of if left alone, and I don't feel as though I should rob you of that freedom."

Celei blinked as she listened to his reasoning, and just smiled.

"Oh Logan… You are such a modest child, and very considerate of another's well being, but I am alright with being captured. You are right though, it would draw unnecessary attention to you if anyone would see me with you, but if you don't want to capture me right now and that is alright. I have other ways of getting around without being seen; after all I am a Psychic-type so it sort of comes natural. But just in case, take the GS Ball with you. Should something happen, you at least have a means of capturing me before another does."

Logan thought about it, and she had a point. At least she was understanding of his reason and respected that, and should something happen he would be able to capture her immediately. He then clips the GS Ball onto his belt with his other two Poké Balls. He would need to introduce Chika and Abby to Celei later, but for now he yawned.

"Well, I suppose we should head back to town then. I want go back to sleep, and prepare for the Gym tomorrow. At least we don't have to worry about anyone seeing you with me at this time of night." Logan said, as he stretched.

Celei nodded and floated down and sat on Logan's shoulder. With that, the two new friends and allies head back to the Pokémon Center to go back to bed, and prepare for tomorrow.

He wondered if he should use Celei in the Gym Battle tomorrow, as he knew he could trust the Gym Leaders to keep it a secret from everyone about him having Celei. He would likely only share this information with someone he could trust, but other times Celei agreed to vanish when going through a highly populated area and reappear when they were clear from many people.

Despite everything up to this point, it still stands: Logan's dream to seeking the legendary Pokémon is coming true.