Sitting in a cage, with its back to them, lay a Pikachu. Serena walked over to it. "Pikachu?" she whispered. She was almost certain that this was Ash's Pikachu. Pikachu turned to face her and she saw the sadness in its eyes. "Pika?" it asked hoarsely. It obviously hadn't spoken in a long time. Serena felt a tear crawl down her cheek as saw that Pikachu had completely given up. Greninja stood behind Serena. "Gren nin gren ninja," it informed Pikachu. Meowth had tears its eyes also. "Greninja told it that we're gonna get it out of here," Meowth translated for Misty and Serena. Misty was still in front of Celebi but she was watching Pikachu sadly. She had never seen Pikachu like this and it was breaking her heart. Serena took a deep breath and wiped away the tears and turned to Meowth. "Meowth, we need to get these cages open," she reminded the Pokémon. Meowth looked at Serena and nodded. It scrambled away and within a few seconds the cage doors swung open slightly. Serena scooped up Pikachu and Misty scooped up Celebi. They turned to leave only to see Meowth held by the scruff of its neck by a tall imposing man. Misty recognised the man. It was Giovanni, the head of Team Rocket itself.

"Giovanni!" Misty growled furiously. She calmly handed Celebi to Greninja. She didn't trust herself to hold the Pokémon any longer. She held her hands in fists at her sides. "That's correct girl. Now hand over that Celebi unless you want Meowth here to get hurt," Giovanni replied calmly but there was a dangerous edge in his voice. Misty snarled at Giovanni. Serena couldn't help but ask Giovanni her question. "Why? Why do you want Celebi?" Serena demanded. Giovanni looked at her and smiled malevolently. "Because I'm happy with the past," he retorted clearly. He waited for a few seconds but saw that Serena didn't understand what he meant. He sniggered. "Ash Ketchum was a thorn in my side. He destroyed my plans and had an uncanny knack for getting in my way. He caused the destruction of my gym, he foiled many of Biff and Cassidy's plans, and he stopped me from using Meloetta in Unova. In short I knew that if it weren't for that boy, I would have already achieved world conquest. I had already set a plan in place to get rid of the boy when Meowth and those dimwits Jessie and James reported to me that he was dead and presented me with that Pikachu," Giovanni explained trailing off, motioning towards Pikachu in Serena's arms. It lay there in her arms unmoving. It could have been dead except for the fact that Serena could feel its warmth and heartbeat. "If I allow you to take that Celebi, then I know you will try to change the past and all this might never happen. So I'll make a deal with you. You can take that Pikachu, it does nothing but mope in its cage all the time anyway, and this Meowth and leave. But if you don't take my deal, then things might have to get… ugly," Giovanni warned them threateningly.

Misty was outraged. "Serena, Greninja get Pikachu and Celebi out of here. I'll hold off Giovanni," Misty told them in a dangerously even voice. Serena glanced at Misty. It didn't sit well with Serena to leave Misty here alone but Serena knew that if she didn't take Celebi and go then they might miss their chance at saving Ash. Serena nodded curtly and Greninja and Serena ran out of the room each cradling a traumatised Pokémon. Giovanni threw Meowth against a wall hard and the Pokémon crumbled onto the floor unmoving. "You think that you can defeat me then girl?" Giovanni asked furious. Misty said nothing and called out her Staryu.

Getting out of the facility was a lot harder than it was getting in. Serena and Greninja had to fight their way out. Team Rocket thugs came out of nowhere with Pokémon. Serena was now holding Pikachu and Celebi while Greninja fought the many opponents. Gradually they made it out of the facility and saw Tracey and Gary waiting just inside the trees. "Where's Misty and Meowth?" Tracey asked them immediately, noticing their absence. "Giovanni was waiting for us. Misty told me and Greninja to leave them behind," Serena explained clearly out of breath and distraught. "It's okay Serena, we understand. Now let's get to the cliff. It's already twelve," Gary reassured Serena taking Pikachu from her.

Then the group ran as fast as possible through the forest towards the cliff. Team Rocket thugs chased them the entire way. Eventually they reached the cliff with minutes to spare. Serena saw a large stone memorial set near the edge of the cliff. She breathlessly walked over to it. Her legs screamed with fatigue but they couldn't relax. Not yet. Serena read the stone. "This stone marks the place where Ash Ketchum left this world. Ash Ketchum was a talented trainer who lived in Pallet Town. Rest in Peace," Serena whispered to herself. Her eyes prickled with warm tears but she blinked them away. This wasn't going to happen. This was all going to change, she'd make sure it did. Gary nodded to her. Celebi looked weakly at Serena. "Celebi, please I need you to time travel. We have to go back ten years into the past to save Ash. Remember him, we all played together at Professor Oak's lab. He's Pikachu's trainer," Serena prompted Celebi gently showing Celebi Pikachu, who lay unmoving in Gary's arms. Celebi tried to focus its power but simply couldn't it was too tired. It slowly shook its head. Then shouting could be heard in the trees. Team Rocket thugs were closing in on them. "Please Celebi! You have to try harder… please do it for me! Do it for Misty! Do it for Pikachu!" Serena begged the exhausted Pokémon. She knew it wasn't fair for her to ask Celebi this but she had no choice. Celebi was Ash's last hope. Gary looked at his watch, they didn't have long before their deadline passed. It was two. Ash went over the cliff a few minutes after two.

So I know what you're thinking, will they get there in time? Will Celebi be able to time travel?

Well… until the next chapter.