The forest had finally returned to its natural tranquility, though it still bore the scars of the devastation wrought by Vicious's violent rampage.
But the Lake of Life had been restored. With the forest's guardian deity still present, it wouldn't be long before this land regained its former prosperity.
The three treasures were back in Ash's hands, though he noticed they had changed.
The two feathers had lost the majority of their divine power, becoming little more than beautiful keepsakes. Once they reached Olivine City, he planned to mail them home to his mother.
The mysterious lock on the strange ball, however, had been opened, revealing itself to be a miraculous Poké Ball. Ash grinned and tossed it forward. "I choose you!"
With a familiar pop, a Pokémon actually emerged from within! It had a round head, a green body, and tiny, translucent wings.
"Celebi!"
Misty, Molly, and Diana cried out in unison. Ash had summoned yet another Celebi from the unlocked ball! However, this one was tinyno larger than the span of two palms. It was clearly still an infant, which explained why it had been kept safe inside such a miraculous ball.
Ash found himself growing more curious about the creator of this ball. To think someone had fashioned a Poké Ball that required the feathers of Ho-Oh and Lugia to unlock, all to protect a hatchling Celebi!
Woken by the girls' exclamations, the little Celebi let out a cute yawn, stretched its tiny limbs, and drifted down into Ash's palm where it promptly fell back into a deep sleep.
Infants really did sleep a lot.
Molly leaned in close, her eyes wide with curiosity. She looked up at Ash and whispered, "Ash, is this a baby Celebi?"
"That's right. A well behaved baby, just like you, Molly. Why don't we let it sleep?"
Ash recalled the little Celebi into its ball and hung it around his neck. This specialized Poké Ball didn't take up one of his standard slots, allowing it to become the seventh Pokémon in his party.
"How wonderful! I'm a big sister now! Don't worry, little baby Celebi, I'll protect you!" Molly cheered, looking at the ball on Ash's chest with delight.
"Another companion for the journey," Brock mused. He was already mentally calculating what a baby Celebi might eat and how best to raise it.
"Brock, we're gaining more than just one companion today!"
Ash smiled and walked over to the majestic Suicune. "Suicune, it's time for us to head out!"
Suicune nodded. This was an agreement they had reached long before they even entered the forest. Ash pulled out an Ultra Ball and tossed it. With a flash of light, Suicune was officially captured!
"Suicune and Raikou! Ash, you've already caught two of the Legendary Beasts! Now all that's left is Entei!" Molly counted on her fingers, her admiration for Ash reaching new heights.
Misty's eyes were practically sparkling. Even though she wasn't the one who caught it, the idea of traveling with a Water-type Legendary like Suicune was a dream come true.
Suddenly, a massive wave surged from the center of the Lake of Life, and a terrifying silhouette burst forth!
"It's a Tyranitar!" Brock was the first to shout.
Even though Ash had destroyed its Dark Ball, it was still thata Pseudo-legendary! After the Dark Balls were destroyed, the Scizor and Sneasel had fled into the depths of the forest to return to their wild states. This Tyranitar, however, had been knocked into the Lake of Life by Meganium earlier. The restored waters had healed its wounds, and now it had returned.
"This one seems to be a wild Pokémon now," Ash murmured as he watched the ferocious beast stomp toward the shore.
Brock and Misty snapped out of their shock and nodded. "It looks like it!"
"Then I'm catching it!"
Ash tossed two more Poké Balls. "Wartortle, I choose you! Lapras, stay back and watch the battle!"
Under the influence of the Dark Ball, Tyranitar had once grown to a height of three metersa literal titan. Now that the ball was destroyed, it had returned to its normal size, but the Lake of Life had healed the damage from the modification and the previous battle. It was stronger than it had ever been.
This was Tyranitar's chance at a new beginning, and Ash's chance as well.
Tyranitar didn't attack immediately. It locked eyes with Ash and Wartortle, stepping out of the lake one stride at a time until it stood directly before them.
"Roar!"
A battle cry filled with raw power announced the presence of the Pseudo-legendary. It was a formal challenge. It was staking its dignity on this fight; if it lost, it would become Ash's strongest Pokémon.
"Go for it, Ash!" Molly cheered, realizing that Tyranitar was essentially offering its loyalty through combat.
Brock and Misty were floored. This trip into the forest had been a spontaneous decision made on a ferry, and while it had been dangerous, the rewards Ash was reaping were staggering.
"Here it comes! Wartortle, Hydro Pump!"
A Hydro Pump was far superior to a Water Gun, not just in volume but in sheer impact. The blast struck Tyranitar head-on as it stood in the lake, forcing the massive Pokémon backward.
However, Tyranitar dug its powerful legs into the lakebed and stabilized itself, charging up a Hyper Beam in response.
"Dive into the water to dodge it!"
Wartortle submerged just as the Hyper Beam tore through the air, striking the surface of the lake and sending a massive plume of water into the sky.
"Now, Wartortle, Aqua Tail!"
There was always a moment of lag after using Hyper Beam. No matter how physically imposing Tyranitar was, it could only reduce that recovery time so much. For Ash, even a split second was the window he needed. This was the thrill of a Pokémon battlethe scales of victory could tilt in a heartbeat!
Wartortle leaped from the water, trailing a spiraling vortex of spray, and slammed his tail into the top of Tyranitar's head.
"Roar!" Tyranitar recoiled from the heavy blow, let out an enraged howl.
As a Pseudo-legendary, its power was not to be underestimated. Its eyes snapped open, and its dark energy manifested as a giant set of fangs that clamped down on Wartortle with a Crunch.
"Rapid Spin!"
Despite the pain of those jagged teeth, Wartortle withdrew into his shell and began to spin at a violent speed. Sparks flew as the shell ground against Tyranitar's teeth. It was a brutal exchange where both sides took heavy damage.
Tyranitar finally released its grip and stomped the ground. Sharp stone pillars erupted from beneath the earth, striking Wartortle with a heavy blow that sent him flying.
Truly, Tyranitar was a beast born for war. It never stopped its offensive.
Wartortle fell back into the Lake of Life. As the sacred waters began to mend his injuries, a brilliant light suddenly erupted from the depths!
Ash's original powerhouse from the Kanto Region finally began its final evolution within the Lake of Life.
Much like his Venusaur's evolution, Wartortle's body began to swell rapidly. His shell grew thicker and harder, and two massive metal cannons extended from his shoulders. He reached nearly two meters in height, his silhouette radiating pure power.
"Blastoise!"
The cry of the newly evolved Blastoise was deep and resonantthe sound of true strength.
"Blastoise, use Hydro Pump!"
The evolved Hydro Pump was terrifying. The twin metal cannons roared, unleashing a blast so powerful it sent the heavy Tyranitar tumbling backward through the air.
"Now!"
Ash threw the Poké Ball. He had officially captured the Johto Pseudo-legendary, Tyranitar!
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