With Pokémon Black and White on the horizon I have been asked if I will include any of the 5th generation Pokémon in this story. After some thought I have decided that I will not. Only Pokémon from Generations 1 - 4 will appear.
Chapter 19: Time for a Reunion
It had been just a few days since Ash and Nikki left Lunick Town, but already they had put quite a bit of distance between them and the small town that gave them so many memorable moments. Not only did Ash win his first Legenda League Gym badge, but he also gained a new Pokémon in the form of a Growlithe that had been abandoned by his previous trainer. Now they were on their way to Carnation Town so Nikki could compete in her second Pokémon Contest. However, that was for a later date. Now it was training time, so while Pikachu, Buneary and some of the other Pokémon looked on Ash and Nikki were preparing for a quick training session. Their Pokémon of choice were Shinx and Growlithe.
"(This should be good,)" Buneary commented.
"(You can say that again,)" Pikachu agreed. "(Ash has been wanting to really put Growlithe to the test, and I think Nikki and Shinx are just the pair to help him do that.)"
"You guys ready?" Nikki called.
"We're ready!" Ash answered. "You go ahead and make the first move!"
"That may be a big mistake, Ash!" Nikki warned. "Shinx, use Spark!"
"(Here I come!)" Shinx barked. She charged ahead, her body coated in blue electrical energy.
"Dodge using Double Team!" Ash instructed. Right before Shinx made contact Growlithe created multiple copies of himself. Shinx charged right through one of the copies and came to a stop. Shortly after Growlithe revealed himself by removing the copies.
"Not bad, huh," Ash boasted.
"That was pretty clever," Nikki admitted. "Now let's see how you deal with this! Charge Beam!" Shinx spun around and fired her Charge Beam, the concentrated beam of electricity streaking towards Growlithe.
"Counter with Flamethrower!" Ash shouted. The Puppy Pokémon quickly spat out a stream of fire that intercepted the Charge Beam, the two attacks showing to be even in strength.
"Good job on that reaction time, Growlithe!" Ash praised. Growlithe let out a bark of confidence.
"Okay, let's try Spark!" Nikki shouted. Once again a blue veil of electric energy engulfed Shinx as she charged forward.
"Flame Wheel!" Ash countered. Growlithe cloaked himself in flames as he curled into a ball and sped towards the charging Shinx. The two attacks collided, and just like with Charge Beam and Flamethrower before them they too were evenly matched. The two Pokémon got out of there attacks and jumped back in front of their respective trainers.
"Looks like these two are an even match," Ash commented.
"They may seem that way, but I'm about to change all that!" Nikki declared. "Get in a quick Charge and then go into Spark one more time!" Shinx began to growl as she boosted her electrical powers.
"Don't let her get that Charge in, Growlithe! Use Roar!" Ash instructed. Growlithe let out an intimidating bark. Shinx was startled by it so much she immediately materialized into energy and retreated back to her Poké Ball.
"Aw, come on! You've got to be kidding me!" Nikki groaned.
"Sorry about ending the battle like that, but those are some of the things you've got to be ready for," Ash said as he and Growlithe approached her.
"I suppose so," Nikki said, still a bit dejected that she lost. "Still, that was quite the clever tactic you used back there, waiting for me to call out Charge before making your next move."
"Well, to be perfectly honest I just called out that attack because it was the one move he knew I hadn't used yet," Ash admitted.
"So in other words you just used a move and hoped it would work, right?" Nikki assumed.
"That's… pretty much it," Ash admitted. Nikki shook her head while at the same time placing a hand on her forehead.
"You must have a four-leaf clover on you somewhere, because you have to have some of the greatest luck out of anyone I've met," Nikki stated. "Either that or I have some of the worst."
"How about we chalk this one up to a lucky shot," Ash suggested.
"I suppose that would work," Nikki said. "Makes me feel not as bad about losing." With the battle now concluded Pikachu, Buneary and the other Pokémon gathered around the trainers.
"(That was quite the showing,") Pikachu commented. "(Growlithe really impressed.)"
"(I'll say,)" Buneary agreed. "(It's too bad you and Shinx had to lose, though.)"
"Well, it was just a practice battle, so I think I'll let this one slide," Nikki said, acting completely different than she was a few minutes ago.
"She sure cheered up quick," Ash whispered to Pikachu.
"(No kidding,)" he agreed. Unaware of what was just said Nikki turned to Ash.
"So, shall we get moving?" she suggested.
"Sure," Ash agreed. "If at all possible I want to get to a Pokémon Center to get Growlithe looked at and to make a roster change."
"Well if I read the map right there should be one just up ahead," Nikki stated. "It's right on the edge of a forest we have to pass through."
"Alright then. Let's go." They recalled all their Pokémon except for Pikachu and Buneary, who were sitting on their respective trainer's shoulders. With everyone ready to leave they set off for the Pokémon Center.
At the Pokémon Center Nikki offered to take both Shinx and Growlithe to be checked up by Nurse Joy while Ash made the call to Professor Oak's lab to request a roster change. During the call Ash informed the professor about what happened with Growlithe.
"… so after we beat Allistar he tried to take off, but Officer Jenny showed up and arrested him on the spot," Ash said.
"That's good to hear. It's a shame that someone like him managed to receive a trainers' license," Professor Oak said.
"I know what you mean, but the best part is after the battle Growlithe wanted to come with us," Ash continued.
"My, that is good news," the professor commented. "I'm sure Growlithe will be a fine addition to your roster."
"So do I, and speaking of my Pokémon roster I'd like to make a change," Ash said.
"Of course. Now who will you be swapping today?" Professor Oak inquired.
"I want to keep my team balanced, and since I have two Fire types with Growlithe and Torkoal I was thinking of sending one of them back," Ash stated.
"I see, and which one will you send back?" the professor asked.
"Since Growlithe is new and needs so time to get used to the group I'll send Torkoal back," Ash answered.
"Okay, and who will you be taking?" Professor Oak asked. Ash had to think for a bit before coming up with a reply.
"If it's not too much trouble I'd like you to send over Bulbasaur," Ash requested.
"It's no trouble at all," Professor Oak replied. "In fact most of the work Bulbasaur usually does as the peacekeeper has been taken over by Torterra. Why there hasn't been an incident here in weeks."
"That's great news, Professor. Now that he's not needed there as much I'm sure Bulbasaur will love being able to travel with me again," Ash commented.
"I have no doubt of that," Professor Oak agreed. "Now I'm sure you two have a lot of catching up to do, so as soon as you send over Torkoal I can send over Bulbasaur." Ash nodded and unclipped Torkoal's Poké Ball from his belt. He placed it on the Poké Ball transporter and watched as it was sent to Professor Oak's lab.
"I received Torkoal on my end," he reported.
"That's good," Ash replied.
"Now for Bulbasaur," the professor said. "Bulbasaur! Could you come here?" Moments later a small green lizard with a bulb on his back ran up to the professor.
"(You called?)" Bulbasaur inquired. The professor looked down at him and smiled.
"I have some good news. It looks as though you'll be traveling with Ash once again," he stated. Bulbasaur's eyes lit up with excitement.
"(R-Really? Are you serious?)" he stuttered.
"Absolutely," Professor Oak answered. "In fact I called you over so I could send you to meet him." Bulbasaur was getting more and more excited with each passing moment.
"(It's been so long since I traveled with Ash!)" he excitedly stated. "Oh, but are you sure Torterra can handle things here on his own?)"
"I'm confident he can. Ash once told me Torterra acted as a peacekeeper back when he was still a Turtwig," Professor Oak explained. "You have nothing to worry about."
"(Well in that case let's get this show on the road!)" Bulbasaur declared. Professor Oak couldn't help but laugh as he returned Bulbasaur to his Poké Ball and placed it in the transporter.
"Here he comes, Ash," the professor announced. Moments later the Poké Ball was sent through the transporter.
"The Poké Ball got here safely," Ash reported.
"Glad to hear it. Now you be careful, and good luck in your next Gym battle," Professor Oak said.
"I will, and thanks," Ash replied. He ended the call just as Nikki got back with Growlithe's Poké Ball.
"Nurse Joy said Growlithe will be fine with a little bit of rest," Nikki said.
"That's good," Ash replied. Right then Buneary noticed the Poké Ball that Ash got from Professor Oak.
"(Someone new?)" she inquired.
"For you two yes, but not for me and Pikachu," Ash explained. He gripped the Poké Ball tightly in his hand.
"Time for a long-overdue reunion!" he shouted as he tossed the ball. The ball opened and Bulbasaur materialized moments later. He took a moment to gaze at his surroundings.
"Bulbasaur!" Ash called. At the sound of his trainer's voice the Seed Pokémon spun around. As soon as he saw Ash he sprang towards him, crashing into this chest and knocking him to the ground while causing Pikachu to tumble off of Ash's shoulder.
"(Ash! I've missed traveling with you!)" Bulbasaur cried, nuzzling his face against Ash's.
"Same here, buddy," Ash responded.
"(Glad to have you back, Bulbasaur,)" Pikachu greeted.
"(Good to be back, Pikachu,)" Bulbasaur stated. The two Pokémon slapped paws. Right after that Bulbasaur noticed Nikki and Buneary.
"(I don't think we've met,)" Bulbasaur commented.
"No, you haven't," Ash said. He got up and proceeded to introduce Bulbasaur to the rest of their traveling companions.
"This is Nikki and her Buneary. They're traveling with us," Ash explained.
"(Hi. Nice to meet you,)" Bulbasaur greeted, extending a vine.
"(Likewise,)" Buneary replied, shaking the vine.
"Same here," Nikki added, shaking the vine as well. After that she took out her Pokédex and scanned him.
Bulbasaur, the Seed Pokémon. The seed on its back is filled with nutrients. The seed grows steadily larger as its body grows.
"(So, where are we heading now?)" Bulbasaur asked, eager to get on the road.
"Well, we're heading to Carnation Town for Nikki's next Pokémon Contest, but first we have to get through a forest," Ash explained.
"(Hopefully we won't get lost on the way. I seem to recall you had a bad habit of doing that,)" Bulbasaur commented.
"I've gotten better over the years, and besides that Nikki has the map," Ash retorted. "If we get lost it won't be my fault for a change."
"I'll just ignore that little remark," Nikki stated.
"(Okay, everyone. Let's play nice now. We've still got quite a bit of traveling to do,)" Pikachu suggested.
"Pikachu's right. We've got too much traveling to do for us to be standing here taking jabs at each other's navigation skills," Nikki stated.
"Yeah, and to be honest I was pretty bad back in the day," Ash admitted.
"(Okay. Now that we've got that taken care of we can get moving,)" Pikachu said. Ash returned Bulbasaur to his Poké Ball and, after Pikachu and Buneary had taken their places on their trainers' shoulders, the group left the Pokémon Center.
"So, you've got your team all set?" Nikki inquired.
"Yup. Along with Pikachu, Bulbasaur and Growlithe I also have Buizel, Swellow and Glalie with me," Ash replied. "I'd say that's a pretty balanced team."
"Can't argue with that," Nikki agreed. As they continued on they came across a sign on the side of the path. They paused to read what it said.
"Chrono Woods: The Forest Guarded by Time," Ash read. "Guarded by Time? What do you think that means?"
"You got me," Nikki answered. "We may find out once we enter the forest itself." Ash assumed Nikki was right as they continued on towards their next destination.
Half an hour had passed since Ash and Nikki read the sign on the side of the path, and now there were standing right outside a very large and dense forest.
"This must be Chrono Woods," Ash assumed.
"Must be," Nikki agreed. As they stared at the forest all of them got a strange, yet foreboding feeling.
"Something about this place doesn't feel very welcoming," Nikki stated. "It almost makes me not want to go in there." Ash, however, was undeterred.
"We have to pass through. There's no other way," he stated.
"Yeah, but…"
"We'll be fine. As long as we stick together we'll make it through," Ash reassured her. Though Nikki was still unsure Ash's confidence was enough to convince her to press on.
"A-Alright… I'll trust you," she said.
"Okay. Now everyone, stick together," Ash instructed. The group mustered up their courage and entered the forest.
Upon entering the forest the group came upon their first problem. The trees were grown so thick over their heads that hardly any sunlight could get through. Even though it was the middle of the day it seemed more like the middle of the night.
"This is ridiculous! I can barely see my hand in front of my face!" Nikki griped.
"I wasn't expecting it to be so dark," Ash commented. "Hey Nikki. You still have your flashlight?"
"Yeah. Give me a second." They paused for a bit while Nikki searched her backpack for her flashlight. That was proving to be quite difficult with the lack of light they were currently dealing with.
"Come on, where is it?" She dug through her backpack, wondering if she was making any sort of progress. Eventually her hand bumped into something she hoped was the item she had been searching for.
"Please be it," she hoped. She grabbed the object and took it out.
"I can hardly see what it is, but it looks like it might be the flashlight." She began feeling around for the on switch. After a few seconds she found a button. She pressed it and instantly the area in front of her and Ash was bathed in light.
"Yes! We have light!" she cheered.
"Great! Now we won't be walking around in total darkness," Ash said.
"Before we do any more walking I say we check out where we are first," Nikki suggested. Ash didn't object as she shone the flashlight all around the general area. For the most part they appeared to be alone, but as Nikki continued to shine the light what looked like eyes appeared amongst the trees.
"I t-think you need to t-turn off the f-flashlight, N-Nikki," Ash stuttered, becoming slightly unnerved by the many eyes that suddenly appeared.
"Y-Yeah… s-sure," Nikki agreed. She turned off the light, but the minute she did the sound of flapping wings surrounded them. Moments later they were swarmed by a horde of bat-like Pokémon.
"Ah! Golbat!" Nikki screamed. The Bat Pokémon swarmed the two trainers and their Pokémon, screeching loudly and flapping their wings furiously.
"Let's get out of here!" Ash shouted. He grabbed Pikachu while Nikki grabbed Buneary. With their Pokémon secure they attempted to escape through the trees. They didn't care where they were heading, just as long as it was away from the Golbat. They put quite a bit of distance between them and the Golbat before finally stopping to rest next to a river.
"Is… everyone okay?" Ash asked.
"Yeah… just… exhausted," Nikki panted. "That was… not the welcome… I was expecting."
"I don't think… anyone… was expecting that," Ash stated.
"Do you think… we lost them?" Before Ash could respond the Golbat burst out of the trees and swarmed them again.
"Forget I asked!" Nikki yelled.
"Let's try to lose them again!" Ash suggested. Before they could move the Golbat went on the attack, launching a volley of Air Slash attacks at them.
"Look out!" Nikki warned. She, Ash and the Pokémon all jumped out of the way, but in the process one of the attacks struck the ground next to Nikki. The shockwave sent Nikki stumbling towards the river.
"Nikki!" Ash called.
"Whoa! Ash, help me!" The two trainers reached for each other, but the Golbat fired another volley of Air Cutter attacks, cutting them off. With nothing to help keep her balance Nikki and Buneary fell into the river.
"No!" she cried as the river carried her and Buneary away.
"Nikki! Buneary!" Ash called. He wanted desperately to help them, but with Nikki gone the Golbat focused all their attention on him and Pikachu. The Air Cutter attacks continued, forcing Ash and Pikachu to continuously dodge. After a few dodges Ash found an opportunity to strike back.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" he shouted. The Electric mouse was more than happy to comply as he unleashed a massive Thunderbolt, electrocuting every Golbat surrounding them and forcing the Bat Pokémon to retreat back into the forest.
"Good going, Pikachu," Ash praised. That moment was short lived, though, for Ash and Pikachu's concern immediately went to Nikki and Buneary.
"Come on. Maybe they washed up somewhere downstream," Ash said. With a nod Pikachu jumped onto his shoulder and hung on as Ash charged through the forest, following the river with hopes that they would find Nikki and Buneary. Unbeknownst to them, though, they were being watched.
"Well well, it appears as though the twerpette is all washed up," James commented.
"If you ask me she was all washed up to begin with," Jessie spat.
"You know, this is the perfect opportunity for us to sweep in and snatch their Pokémon," Meowth said.
"Really? How so?" James questioned.
"Think about it. The main twerp will be so busy looking for the twerpette that he won't notice us until it's too late," Meowth explained.
"You may be on to something there, Meowth," Jessie commented. "Let's do it." With their objective clearly planned out the mischievous trio silently followed Ash and he searched for Nikki.
Deep in the forest Nikki and Buneary had finally gotten out of the river. They were both soaking wet, but otherwise unharmed. However, that was the last thing on their minds. Their main concern was getting back to Ash and Pikachu, but that was easier said than done.
"There's no telling how far away that river sent us," Nikki commented. "We could be miles away from Ash and Pikachu now."
"(Do you think they're okay?)" Buneary asked.
"I hope so. They were left all alone with those Golbat," Nikki said. That only made Buneary worry even more. Thankfully Nikki was quick to dispel her fears.
"They'll be fine. Pikachu has a type advantage on those Golbat," she stated. "In fact I wouldn't be surprised if he had already sent them packing." This made the Rabbit Pokémon feel a bit better, though she was still noticeably worried.
"Come on. Let's see if we can find the main path," Nikki suggested. The two of them left the river and headed into the forest in their search for the path that would hopefully take them back to Ash and Pikachu. Fortunately the forest wasn't as thick overhead as it was when they first entered, so they could see without the use of the flashlight. Unfortunately that didn't make finding the main path any easier.
"I wish we had some idea of which way to go. Right now we're just walking blind," Nikki commented. Buneary nodded in agreement as they kept looking. They soon reached a small clearing with a clear view of the sky. Nikki used her arm to partially shield her face as she gazed up at the sky.
"Man… we've been walking around in this dark forest for so long I almost forgot that it was still daylight," she commented. As Nikki gazed at the sun Buneary made a discovery.
"(Hey, check this out!)" Right in the middle of the clearing was a small shrine. It appeared as though no one had tended to it in a long time. It was overgrown with moss and vines, giving it a rather ancient appearance.
"(Who do you suppose this shrine is for?)" Buneary wondered.
"No clue," Nikki replied. As they gazed at the shrine they were being watched from within the forest. A pair of blue eyes watched them closely, almost as if whoever they belonged to was expecting them to do something.
"(Let's check it out,)" Buneary suggested.
"Well… okay. We may find out who it's for," Nikki agreed. As the two of them approached the shrine the mysterious watcher's eyes furrowed in anger. It had determined they were a threat to the shrine and would do whatever it took to deter them. The eyes briefly flashed blue, indicating that an attack had just been used.
"(Hey Nikki. I've got a feeling that we're being… watched,)" Buneary stated.
"Watched? Watched by what?" Nikki asked.
"(I don't know. I just know that something is watching us,)" Buneary said. The two of them stopped and looked around. Aside from the trees surrounding the clearing they saw nothing else.
"I don't see anything. Maybe you were just…"
"(Nikki! Help me!)" At the sound of her Pokémon's distressed call Nikki spun around and gasped in surprise at what she saw. A vine had somehow snaked its way from one of the trees, slithered across the ground undetected and grabbed Buneary.
"Let her go!" Nikki demanded. She reached for Buneary, but before she could grab her the vine retracted, pulling Buneary against one of the trees. Shortly after that more vines appeared and bound the Rabbit Pokémon to the tree.
"(Let me go!)" Buneary demanded. She did all she could to free herself, but the vines refused to give.
"Hang on! I'm coming!" Nikki called. She managed to take one step before a tree root sprouted from the ground and caught her ankle, almost making her fall.
"(Nikki!)" Buneary cried.
"You won't… get me!" Nikki declared. She tried to pull her leg free, but that soon proved to be useless. She then reached down to unwrap the root from around her ankle, but she quickly discovered that the root was a bit stronger than she first thought.
"Come… on! Let… go!" While she struggled with the root around her ankle two more sprouted behind her. With Nikki unaware of their presence they wrapped around her upper arms and pulled her back-first to the ground, stunning her on impact.
"Ow… that hurt," Nikki groaned. While she regained her bearings more roots sprouted from the ground and grabbed her. Two sprouted on each side of her and grabbed her wrists, two more coiled around her waist and a fifth wrapped around her other ankle. By the time Nikki realized what was happening it was too late.
"No!" she screamed. She pulled against the roots to see if she could free herself, but they held fast.
"I… c-can't… break free!" Nikki groaned.
"(Try reaching your Poké Balls!)" Buneary suggested. Nikki tried to move her arm, but because of the roots she could barely move her arm at all.
"It's… no good! I can't… move… my arms!" Nikki shouted. Unable to reach her Poké Balls Nikki knew she and Buneary were in serious danger.
"What do we do now?" she panicked. "I wish Ash was here!"
"(He may be nearby! Try calling for him!)" Buneary suggested. With nothing else to lose Nikki took a deep breath and called for the Pallet Town trainer.
"Ash! Where are you?" She could only hope he had heard her.
Ash and Pikachu were nearby, still searching for any trace of Nikki and Buneary. So far though they had little success in finding them.
"Nikki? Buneary?" Ash called.
"(Where are you guys?)" Pikachu shouted. After getting no response Ash sighed.
"Do you think they're even in this part of the forest?" he wondered. "I mean, what if the river carried them further away than we think?"
"(Don't lose hope. We'll find them,)" Pikachu reassured.
"Yeah… yeah, you're right. We just have to keep looking," Ash said. With renewed focus they got ready to continue their search. But then…
"Ash! Where are you?"
"(Did you hear that?)" Pikachu asked.
"That was Nikki! She's in trouble!" Ash gasped.
"(It sounded like it came from over there!)" Pikachu said, pointing to their right.
"Let's go!" With Pikachu in the lead they charged through the forest. They didn't know what sort of danger Nikki and Buneary were in, but they hoped they wouldn't arrive too late.
The unknown being looked on as Nikki and Buneary struggled to free themselves, though the expression in its eyes had changed. They had gone from anger to curiosity. There was something about the name Nikki had called out that stirred something inside of it.
"Ash! If you can hear me we need you!" Nikki screamed.
"(Pikachu! Please answer me!)" Buneary cried. The two of them kept trying to break free of their bondage, each one hoping Ash and Pikachu had heard their cries for help.
"Nikki! Buneary!"
"(Can you hear us?)" Nikki and Buneary both got excited at the sound of the voices.
"That's Ash and Pikachu!" Nikki cheered. "Guys! We're over here!" Seconds later Ash and Pikachu burst into the clearing. As soon as they emerged into the clearing the mysterious eyes grew wide in surprise.
"You two okay?" Ash asked as soon as he spotted Nikki and Buneary.
"Other than being a bit 'tied up' at the moment we're fine," Nikki joked. "Do you think you could hurry up and cut us loose or something?"
"Just sit tight. We'll have you two free in a jiffy," Ash said. He turned to Pikachu.
"Use Iron Tail to cut them free," he instructed.
"(Coming right up.)" Pikachu powered up his Iron Tail, his tail taking on a whitish glow. Just as he was about to take his first swing at the roots holding Nikki…
"(Ash? Pikachu? Is that really you?)" Upon hearing the voice Ash and Pikachu looked around.
"Did you hear that too?" Ash asked.
"(Yeah. It sounded… familiar,)" Pikachu stated. As Ash and Pikachu tried to figure out where they had heard that voice from Nikki wondered what was taking them so long.
"What are you waiting for?" Nikki inquired.
"That voice… I think Pikachu and I know whose voice that is," Ash replied.
"If that's the case then maybe you could ask them to let me and Buneary go," Nikki requested.
"(You guys… do remember me, don't you?)" the voice asked. As they listened the voice became more and more familiar.
"(Hey Ash, I think this is…)" Ash nodded, knowing who Pikachu was talking about.
"Is that you… Celebi?"
"(Yay! You remembered me!)" From within the forest a floating green orb appeared. It quickly approached them, flying around them a few times before stopping right in front of Ash and Pikachu. Then, the orb dispersed and revealed a small fairy-like Pokémon inside.
"(It is Celebi!)" Pikachu said.
"It's been a while, hasn't it," Ash commented.
"(Yup! I'm glad you didn't forget about me,)" Celebi said.
"We'd never forget about you," Ash stated. Nikki could only stare in surprise.
"Y-You guys know Celebi?" she asked.
"Yeah. We first met her back in Johto, and then again in Kanto," Ash explained.
"(Is she a friend of yours?)" Celebi asked.
"Yeah. Do you think you could release her and her Pokémon?" Ash requested.
"(Sure thing!)" Her eyes flashed blue just as they did before, and within seconds the roots holding Nikki and the Vines holding Buneary all retracted. Buneary hopped over to the group while Ash helped Nikki back to her feet.
"(Sorry about doing that. I wasn't sure if you were going to harm my shrine or not,)" Celebi explained.
"That's okay. You were just protecting your shrine," Nikki said. At the mention of Celebi's shrine everyone gathered around it.
"(Looks a little unkempt,)" Pikachu commented.
"(There haven't been many visitors to my shrine, so the grass and moss have been able to grow around it,)" Celebi explained. "(I don't mind, though. I think it gives my shrine a rather ancient and mystical look.)"
"That's certainly one way to put it," Nikki commented. While they conversed around the shrine Jessie, James and Meowth were concealed in the woods.
"What luck! We come looking for Pikachu and we find Celebi!" James excitedly whispered.
"I say we take the big prize now and come back for the small one later," Jessie suggested.
"Sounds good to me," James agreed.
"Then let's get busy with some stealing," Meowth said. The three of them burst out of the forest and into the open, startling Ash and the others.
"What the? Not you three!" the Pallet Town trainer groaned.
"What do you want this time?" Nikki demanded.
"Normally we'd be here for Pikachu, but this time we have a bigger and more valuable prize in mind," Jessie declared. Right then all three of them pointed at Celebi.
"And that prize is you," Meowth declared. As Team Rocket eyed Celebi Ash, Nikki and their Pokémon put themselves in between Team Rocket and the Time Travel Pokémon.
"There's no way we're letting you get your hands on Celebi!" Ash declared.
"Too bad you don't have a say in this matter!" Jessie said.
"Less talking, more grabbing!" Meowth said. The three of them lunged at the group, intent on taking Celebi for their own.
"We won't let you!" Ash declared. As he, Nikki and their Pokémon got ready to repel Team Rocket's attack Celebi began to grow worried. She wanted no part of the battle that was to come.
"(I've got to get out of here!)" She began to concentrate, her body giving off a greenish glow.
"Celebi! What are you doing?" Ash asked.
"(Getting out of here!)" she replied. As the glow grew brighter Ash realized what she was doing, and also what that meant for himself, Nikki and Team Rocket.
"Celebi, wait! We're too close! You're going to…" But he was too late. In a bright flash Celebi vanished, traveling to an unknown time period. Unfortunately in her haste she had taken Ash, Nikki, their Pokémon and Team Rocket with her. One could only wonder where, and when, they'd end up.
A chance meeting with Celebi has turned disasterous as a random attack from Team Rocket has sent them spiraling through time. Where will they end up? When will they end up? Find out in the next chapter of Search for Power!
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