Celebi weaved through the cracks of time, hoping to evade its relentless pursuers. Under normal circumstances, its ability to slip between timelines would have ensured its escape.
Yet, Heath 's sinister Dark Radiation Device continuously locked onto Celebi's energy signature, tracking it even through the folds of time. No matter how many times it tried to vanish, it remained pinned in place.
Desperate, Celebi changed course, aiming for the ancient shrine deep within Ilex Forest. If it could reach the shrine's powerful time-energy field, it might finally escape these dangerous humans.
Just as it neared the shrine, a beam of light shot from the distance, exploding midair.
The force of the blast sent Celebi spiraling out of control, slamming into the forest floor.
—
From above, Magnezone, Magnemite, and Magneton descended, floating through the air via electromagnetic pulses. Their eyes glowed as they charged another powerful energy blast.
Celebi let out a weak, distressed cry. It disliked fighting, and its battle instincts were poor—escaping seemed impossible.
—
Just then, Brooke and his teammates arrived.
Two Pidgeot swooped down, placing themselves between Celebi and its attackers. With a single command, both unleashed a scorching Heat Wave, sending a fiery storm roaring through the air.
The intense flames engulfed the Steel-types. Overheated and overwhelmed, Magnezone and its allies collapsed to the ground, unable to continue battling.
"Celebi, are you alright?"
Brooke and his friends cautiously approached the small legendary Pokémon. Celebi, recognizing them as protectors, nodded in gratitude. A faint, green healing aura radiated from its body, rapidly mending its injuries.
Celebi then turned toward the shrine in the distance, its gaze filled with urgency.
"You want to go there?"
The Pokémon nodded and immediately flew toward the shrine, ignoring its lingering wounds.
—
Several hundred meters away…
Watching his fallen Steel-types, Bisharp let out a sharp huff. He raised a hand, sending a surge of electricity through the ground.
Suddenly, the forest trembled.
A massive underground force awakened—hidden Steel-type Pokémon, buried beneath the earth, erupted with a powerful quake.
Brooke and his friends quickly went on high alert. Though they were rookies, they understood the danger immediately.
"We need to be careful."
They each released a Pokémon—Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise—standing guard in a perfect formation.
—
Not far away, Heath analyzed the situation through his tracking device.
"Two Pidgeot, a Rhyhorn, and the fully evolved Kanto starters… Seems like a random group of traveling trainers interfering with our work."
He chuckled darkly. "Trainers here are so noble—always sticking their noses where they don't belong."
From behind, Blake Hall responded in a cold, disinterested tone.
"Get rid of them. No unnecessary casualties."
Heath smirked. "Understood."
—
From the forest depths, a massive form emerged—Steelix.
Its massive, serpentine body crackled with electricity. Utilizing Magnet Rise, it floated ominously above the ground, its metal tail radiating power.
In an instant, Steelix struck—whipping its tail at Pidgeot with devastating force.
Pidgeot barely dodged, but stray electric currents from the impact left it paralyzed. Seizing the opportunity, Steelix lunged again, its tail striking Pidgeot mid-air, sending it crashing down.
"Dammit—Pidgeot, Heat Wave again!"
Brooke's Pidgeot flapped its wings furiously, summoning another blast of superheated air.
But Steelix merely smirked.
The ground erupted into a raging sandstorm—Sand Tomb neutralized the flames, consuming Pidgeot in a vortex of swirling debris.
Then, from above…
A swarm of Magnemite descended.
Moving like a synchronized battalion, they locked onto Blastoise, descending in perfect formation.
One Magnemite suddenly dropped from the sky, landing directly in front of Blastoise—before exploding on impact.
BOOM!
A devastating explosion rocked the area.
The force sent Blastoise skidding back, smoke rising from its heavily damaged shell.
—
More explosions followed.
A second Magnemite charged straight toward Charizard. Charizard retaliated with Flamethrower, incinerating the first one—but the second one got through.
BOOM!
Charizard roared in pain as the explosion ripped through its wing, forcing it to crash.
Meanwhile, Venusaur stepped back cautiously, sensing danger—only for Forretress to appear from below, latching onto its vines.
A second later, a blinding explosion erupted.
—
Amidst the chaos, Bisharp hovered above them all, observing.
Below, Magnemite and Forretress formed perfect tactical formations, closing in on Brooke's team.
—
Heath activated his communication device.
"You're outnumbered. Leave."
Brooke, though surrounded, stood firm. "What the hell do you want with Celebi?!"
Heath 's voice remained calm. "That doesn't concern you."
His allies, now terrified, started to reconsider their situation.
"We… We should go. Blue warned us—these guys aren't just poachers."
But Brooke refused to back down.
"If that's the case… then I definitely won't abandon Celebi."
—
Heath sighed.
"Such a shame. You really don't understand your situation."
Without warning, a laser shot out, piercing Brooke's right shoulder.
Blood gushed from the wound.
Brooke staggered, gripping his arm as his vision blurred.
—
Celebi panicked, attempting to heal him.
But Magnemite swarmed forward, charging up Zap Cannon attacks, aiming directly for Celebi.
Seeing the danger, Brooke threw himself forward—shielding Celebi with his own body.
BOOM!
The explosion ripped across his back.
His companions rushed to his side, lifting his bloodied form from the ground.
—
"Hmph."
Heath observed coldly.
"Small-time trainers with big hearts. Brave, but foolish."
Brooke gasped for breath, clutching Celebi tightly. His vision blurred from rapid blood loss, but he refused to let go.
"Listen… You guys have to find Blue. Get help."
His friends hesitated. "But Brooke, you—"
"GO!"
Summoning the last of his strength, Brooke turned and ran—racing toward the shrine.
A hail of Magnemite followed, exploding behind him.
Each detonation tore through his back, ripping his skin apart.
Yet, he never screamed.
With iron determination, he kept running.
—
From afar, Blake Hall watched, expressionless.
One of his subordinates—Ice—grinned.
"Heath , you really are cruel. If you really wanted them to leave, you could've just used Hypnosis or something."
Hawk, however, remained indifferent.
"Enough distractions. Focus on the mission."
—
At the Shrine Entrance
Brooke, barely conscious, stumbled toward the steps of the ancient temple.
Above him, Bisharp flickered forward.
Its blades gleamed as it prepared to strike, aiming directly for his neck.
—
"Arcanine—Overheat!"
A wave of scorching fire erupted.
Bisharp recoiled, stepping back.
From the flames, Blue and Arcanine emerged.
He rushed forward, grabbing Brooke's collapsing body.
Brooke gasped out his final plea:
"Save Celebi… Please…"
Blue's eyes narrowed.
"Leave it to me."
With a flash of light, Arcanine activated Extreme Speed, racing toward the shrine—and sending Celebi into the temple's protective barrier.
Instantly, a massive pulse of time energy flooded the forest.
Seeing Celebi was safe, Blue wasted no time.
"Let's get out of here."
In a blur of fire, Blue and his team disappeared into the depths of the forest.
—
(Chapter End)