Natsui rode Dragonite, following their original path with Celebi to find Sammy and Vicious.
The endless forest below was a uniform sea of green. Fortunately, Dragonite remembered the general direction. They hadn't flown far before their calls connected with Sammy.
But when Dragonite landed, Natsui saw only Sammy and Charmeleon. Vicious was gone!
"Where's Vicious?"
Sammy's face was etched with guilt. "Sorry, I saw he was blind and let my guard down. He jumped into the river and escaped when I wasn't looking. I wanted to chase him, but I was afraid you'd come back and not find me, so I waited here..."
That guy escaped again?
Natsui felt the missed opportunity but knew it wasn't Sammy's fault, so he didn't press the issue. He just asked, "So he was faking his blindness?"
Sammy shook his head. "No... it must have been real. I saw a lot of blood coming from his eyes; he was definitely injured. Even when he escaped, he stumbled toward the sound of the river and jumped in."
Natsui was speechless. Vicious truly was bold.
If it were him, Natsui would never dare jump into a river while blind, with no idea where he'd wash ashore. It was a near-certain-death scenario.
To think he would rather gamble his luck this way than be captured. It seemed he valued his freedom more than his life.
But...
Even if he miraculously made it to shore, how would he escape this forest, blind and without any Pokémon?
Natsui also recalled that Vicious hadn't seen the blue light or heard the sound of Celebi's time travel. He probably still didn't realize he was 40 years in the past.
Perhaps he hoped to find his discarded spider robot to escape. But this was 40 years earlier. No matter how hard he searched, his efforts would be futile.
Thinking about it, it was a miserable fate for him.
Just then, Sammy noticed Celebi and was clearly happy to see it. Natsui explained that they had returned to their original time.
"So, I'm back 40 years ago? Back in my original time?"
"That's right. You..."
Natsui nodded, but just as he began to speak, the roar of an engine cut him off. A motorcycle suddenly shot out from behind a nearby tree.
The rider was a thin-faced man in his thirties or forties, wearing a retro jacket and an old-fashioned deerstalker hat. His right eye was covered by a black eyepatch, and he looked far from friendly.
A Scyther and a Houndoom flanked the motorcycle. The man and his Pokémon stopped directly in front of Natsui and Sammy.
The man's gaze lingered on Celebi before shifting to Sammy. "I thought you'd vanished, but you just ran here! You made me search everywhere. What? Not running now? Too scared to move?"
At the sight of this man, Sammy instinctively recoiled. Even Celebi edged away.
Natsui was confused. He turned to Sammy. "Who is this guy? He sounds incredibly arrogant."
"He's the Pokémon hunter who was chasing Celebi back in this time!" Sammy's first instinct was to pull Natsui and run.
But then he remembered his companion's powerful team, which included the Legendary Suicune. He calmed down and said, "He cornered me and Celebi, forcing us to flee to your time."
"I see." Natsui nodded. He looked back at the hunter, a slight smile on his face. "Bullying a kid takes no skill. Why not try battling me?"
"Who are you!?" The hunter sensed the confidence in Natsui's voice. He sized him up and snorted. "Another meddling brat?"
He then spotted Natsui's Dragonite and laughed loudly. "Today really is my lucky day! Not only do I get Celebi, but I find a rare Dragonite. It's bound to sell for a high price!"
Natsui was done talking.
He whistled. The next second, an enraged Dragonite flew straight at the man. The hunter, who had been about to spout some threat about 'young people not knowing their place,' watched in horror as his Scyther and Houndoom were taken down in a few simple moves. He was terrified!
"What!!?"
Dragonite charged, knocking the man flat. Before he could scramble up, Dragonite pinned him with one foot, immobilizing him.
"That's it!?" Natsui shrugged. "I thought you were tough, but this is all you've got."
Nearby, Sammy and Celebi breathed a sigh of relief, stunned that Natsui had defeated the hunter so easily.
"Who the hell are you!?" Staring with his one good eye, the man looked up at Natsui in disbelief.
"Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is that your day is about to get much worse." Natsui ignored him and instructed Dragonite, "Dismantle his motorcycle, destroy his Poké Balls, and toss him in the river. Let him keep Vicious company. Maybe those two scoundrels will hit it off."
Dragonite nodded, executing its Trainer's orders precisely.
It kicked the man into the river, then turned and smashed the motorcycle to pieces. It wasn't done. It retrieved the Poké Balls from the bike, released the Pokémon inside, and crushed the spheres flat.
After finishing the job, Dragonite dusted off its hands and returned proudly to Natsui's side.
With the situation resolved, it was time to part ways.
Natsui extended his hand to Sammy. "Well, this is it. Celebi is sending me back to my time. You should get back to your sketching journey."
Sammy grasped the hand, a thousand words caught in his throat.
He had met Celebi, traveled 40 years into the future, met the older Towa, and rescued Celebi from a hunter. He had just met Ash and wouldn't even get to say goodbye.
It all felt like a cherished dream.
In the end, he could only express his feelings with a deep bow.
"Thank you so much..." he said, bowing low. "Please... tell Ash and Ms. Towa goodbye for me. Ask them to forgive me for not being able to say it in person!"
"I will."
Natsui clapped Sammy's shoulder. He looked at the boy who would one day become Professor Oak, a knowing smile spreading across his face.
To think that you, the future, highly respected Professor, would bow to me today. It's... actually quite satisfying...
After their farewells, Sammy stepped back, clearing the area for Celebi's time travel.
Celebi focused its power. As the blue light and clear sound swelled, Natsui and Celebi vanished before Sammy's eyes.
Staring at the empty ground, Sammy stood for a long time. Finally, having calmed his emotions, he turned with renewed determination and continued his journey.
...
When the light faded, Natsui reappeared in the exact spot he had left.
Traces of the battle remained, but Ash was gone.
He must have panicked when they disappeared and returned to the lake to regroup with Misty and the others.
Instead of finding Erika's group, Natsui seized the opportunity, while he was alone, to begin his Celebi-luring plan.
He sent out Eevee to play with Celebi.
He knew they got along well, and Eevee's presence would help Celebi lower its guard.
He dropped his pack, pulled out his kettle, and heated some river water. Then, under Celebi's curious gaze, he poured the water into a cup of instant noodles.
That's right. He was using the same strategy: using food to lure Celebi into following him.
This trick rarely failed, especially on little gluttons. The longer they lived in the wild, the harder it was to resist.
His relationship with Celebi was strong; they were friends. Celebi trusted him completely. They were in a peaceful forest with no interruptions. The timing and location were perfect.
If this failed, Natsui might as well give up.
When the noodles were ready, Natsui peeled back the lid, releasing a fragrant aroma. Celebi, watching eagerly, was practically drooling.
Natsui smiled and asked, "Want some?"
Celebi nodded frantically.
He offered the cup. As Celebi moved closer, Natsui pulled it back, sighing with feigned disappointment.
Celebi looked up, confused.
"It's a pity, such a pity..." Natsui said, letting the sentence hang.
Celebi, smelling the food, its stomach growling, chirped lightly, asking what was a pity.
"It's a pity I have to leave this forest soon. I can't be your friend anymore."
Celebi hadn't even reacted yet, but Dragonite turned its head away. Having experienced this exact routine, it knew what was coming.
Sure enough, Celebi's expression fell. It had only been two days, but they had been far more exciting than its previously quiet life.
But it understood that partings were inevitable.
Seeing this, Natsui said, "If only... I wish you could travel with us. Leave this forest, see the vast ocean, the bustling world, and all kinds of amazing food..."
At the mention of "food," Celebi gulped, its eyes fixed on the noodles. It had only ever eaten wild fruits; it had never smelled anything so tempting.
Seeing its state, Natsui handed the cup over. Celebi, casting aside all its Mythical dignity, dove in and began to eat ravenously.
Instant noodles smell great and taste good, especially the first time. For Celebi, it was a revelation; it wanted to eat the container itself.
After finishing, it patted its round belly, still wanting more.
Sensing the moment was right, Natsui adopted a tempting tone. "It's a shame. You have to stay here. If you came with us, I'd treat you to even more delicious things. I bet you've never had strawberry cake, have you? It has bright red strawberries on top, and the cream below just melts in your mouth. Oh, and there's ice cream..."
As Natsui described the food, Celebi drooled. Even Dragonite, standing nearby, smacked its lips.
Eevee, as if on cue, chirped at Celebi.
As a gift from the Ecruteak sisters, Eevee had tasted the best foods in the city and was the perfect spokesperson.
The man and his Pokémon continued their pitch. Seeing the spark of interest in Celebi's eyes, Natsui knew it was time. "By the way, do you want to travel with us?"
Celebi hesitated. The outside world sounded amazing, but it was attached to the forest.
Eevee chimed in again, reminding Celebi of the fun they'd had and the perks of traveling with a human.
Dragonite also added a few words of encouragement.
Seeing Celebi wavering, Natsui struck while the iron was hot. He took out the GS Ball and placed it in front of Celebi.
"How about it? Want to travel with me and see the world?"
The atmosphere grew quiet. Natsui had revealed his true intention. Dragonite and Eevee fell silent, watching Celebi, awaiting its decision.
They weren't stupid; they knew their Trainer was trying to catch Celebi and had been playing their parts perfectly.
Convinced by the human and his two Pokémon, Celebi gave a naive smile and nodded.
Perfect! The trick worked.
Natsui extended the GS Ball. As it touched Celebi's forehead, a blue light enveloped the Pokémon.
Celebi entered the ball, which shook slightly a few times and then fell still.
Natsui finally let out a long breath.
Celebi was caught.
Before he could celebrate, he heard footsteps approaching. Several people were talking as they neared his position.
He had just stood up when Erika and the others emerged, looking anxious.
"Huh!?" Misty stopped, stunned. "Ash, you said Natsui disappeared! He's standing right here!"
It turned out Ash had panicked when Natsui and Sammy vanished. After a frantic search, he had rushed back to the lake to get the others.
Hearing the news, Erika's group had hurried over.
Seeing Natsui alone, Ash asked, "Natsui, where did you go? And where are Celebi and Sammy?"
"You might not believe this, but I just visited 40 years in the past. I helped Sammy defeat the hunter who was chasing him."
"Oh, I see." Ash scratched his head. "So where are Sammy and Celebi? Didn't they come back with you?"
"Sammy stayed in his own time, of course. That's where he belongs," Natsui said. "By the way, Ash and Ms. Towa, Sammy asked me to say goodbye. He's sorry he couldn't do it in person."
"Sammy..."
Ash's shoulders slumped, disappointed that his new friend was gone.
"Ash, don't be sad." Towa's perspective was clearer. "Sammy is from another time. Too much interaction could damage the present. We should just be happy he made it back safely."
"You're right." Ash nodded firmly. "Then... what about Celebi?"
"Celebi..." Natsui said with a smile. "It went where it belongs."
He left it as a riddle. It wasn't that he didn't want to tell them; it was that Towa, Miku, and White were present. As locals, they might object to him catching the forest's guardian. He would explain everything to Ash later.
With this, the incident was truly over.
It was time for Natsui and the others to continue their adventure.
The group said farewell to Towa, Miku, and White, and headed toward the forest's edge. The three villagers turned back toward their home.
They might never meet again, but the experience would remain etched in their hearts.
They walked in silence until they exited the forest and reached a small town at the foot of the Indigo Plateau. Here, it was time for Natsui and Ash's group to part ways.
Facing the three, Natsui smiled and said, "Well, I'm off to Hoenn. After you rest up at home, hurry over, or I'll get a huge head start."
"Don't worry!" Ash thumped his chest. "As soon as I get back to Pallet Town and tell my mom, I'll head straight for Hoenn!"
The two shared a look. Natsui then said his goodbyes to Misty and Brock.
Brock was simple enough. But Misty smiled and said, "I won't keep you waiting. Once I check in with my sisters at the Cerulean Gym, I'll come find you right away!"
"I'll be waiting for you all." Natsui and Erika waved. "Well then, see you in Hoenn!"
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