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Even without asking, everyone could guess what might be hidden inside that hollow tree.
Maybe, just maybe, Celebi was in there.
The group exchanged glances and hurried toward the twin giant trees ahead. Wild Pokémon nearby didn't stop them; they only turned curiously to watch as the group ran past.
When they reached the massive roots, there was no clear path upward. Luckily, a thick vine dangled from above. Without hesitation, Ash leaped, grabbed it, and started climbing.
Since there was only one vine and it swayed dangerously with every movement the others had to wait their turn.
Watching Ash's quick and nimble climb, Misty chuckled.
"Wow, he's fast! Even a Mankey would be jealous of those climbing skills!"
That earned a round of laughter. Ash's ease on the vine was so natural that even a forest-dwelling primate Pokémon might have felt outclassed.
Kai grinned. "Of course he's fast! You think a human-shaped Pokémon's just for show? Put Ash in a battle, and he'd probably outmaneuver half the Pokémon out there!"
When Ash finally reached the top, Brock and Misty followed, while Kai decided to take the easy way up.
He released his Dragonite, who carried both him and Erika gracefully to the top of the great tree.
As Kai jumped down from Dragonite's back, he nearly slipped because the surface was slick with moss, forcing him to be careful and deliberate with each step.
The Pokémon gathered around the hollow turned curiously as the group approached, then parted to make way.
Inside the hollow, a small, round-headed, grass-green Pokémon lay weak and trembling.
"Is that… Celebi?"
Ash and Misty gasped, then quickly hushed themselves.
Sam nodded and knelt beside it, reaching out gently. "It's okay… we're not going to hurt you."
But Celebi didn't know that. Even though it was Celebi who had brought Sam through time, it hadn't done so intentionally. It didn't recognize Hernor or anyone else.
As Sam's hand neared, Celebi's body tensed. A sudden wave of psychic energy burst outward, knocking everyone back.
Ash and Sam, being closest, took the full hit and were thrown several feet away. The others stumbled but managed to stay on their feet except Misty, who was so light she flew right into Kai's chest.
Kai caught her instinctively, and the two tumbled backward until Dragonite's soft belly stopped them. Dragonite blinked, tilting its head as it helped them steady themselves.
Ash clung to the vine to avoid falling off the trunk, pulling himself back up with a scowl.
"Hey, that's dangerous! We're not bad guys, you know!"
But his frustrated tone only startled Celebi again. Branches and vines suddenly lashed out, swatting Ash back and forth before tossing him aside.
"Hold it!" Kai sighed, rubbing his temple. "You're just making it worse. Celebi's hurt and scared—it doesn't trust humans right now. Charging in won't help."
Ash's anger softened. He scratched his head sheepishly. "Yeah… guess I did scare it, huh? Sorry, little guy. We're here to help you, promise!"
Still, the vines kept twitching nervously.
"Let me try," Erika offered, stepping forward with calm grace.
Maybe it was her gentle aura, just her kind eyes, but the moment Erika knelt by the hollow, the vines slowed. She reached out slowly, and this time, Celebi didn't resist.
Kai folded his arms, sighing dramatically.
"Of course. Figures. Guess even a Legendary Pokémon can't resist a beautiful face."
When Erika finally lifted Celebi into her arms, the others gathered around. Up close, Celebi's green body shimmered faintly. Its head was round and doll-like, its blue-tipped antennae twitching faintly, and its tiny wings quivered like a butterfly's.
It blinked its huge eyes once, curiously studying each of them… before exhaustion took over. Celebi's eyelids drooped, and it drifted into sleep.
For a brief moment, silence fell. Everyone knew this was the perfect chance—an injured Mythical Pokémon, helpless in their grasp. One Poké Ball could change everything.
But Kai didn't move.
Neither did Ash, Brock, or Erika.
Catching it now would be taking advantage of its weakness and none of them were that kind of Trainer.
"Let's get it some real medical help," Sam said.
They all agreed. Although they had basic healing sprays, Celebi's wounds were serious. The safest option was to take it to Arborville the nearest forest village with a Pokémon healer.
Kai suggested flying ahead with Dragonite, but Sam shook her head. "If hunters are tracking Celebi, flying might expose us. We'll stick together. It's safer that way."
Kai wanted to argue but then remembered something.
If he split off, he might miss the "story trigger" that would lead to Celebi's full recovery and the chance to bond with it later.
"Fine," he said with a smirk. "But if any hunters show up, I'll handle them."
They started toward the village together, praying the journey would be uneventful.
Unfortunately, fate didn't care about prayers.
Halfway there, as they crossed a shallow stream—
Boom! Boom!
Smoke bombs exploded around them, filling the air with thick gray haze.
"Cough—what the—?!" Ash sputtered, waving the smoke away. "Who's there!?"
Right on cue, two overly familiar voices rang out.
"Prepare for trouble!"
"And make it double!"
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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