EPISODE 125: The Path of time!

<Tun tun tun nun nun!>The bell sounded loudly.

"Alright Trainer Kalem, Zoroark is feeling much better now." Nurse Joy uttered with a pleasant smile as Zoroark walks out of the emergency room with a long red bandage applied on its neck.

"Thank you for your assistance Nurse Joy!" I gushed with joy and pleasure while playing with Zoroark's chin.

<Zor! Zoroark!>The Pokemon showed affection by licking my cheeks.

"Don't let Zoroark participate in battles for now, and I suggest that you keep Zoroark out of her Pokeball while her wound is healing." Nurse Joy recommended and reminded with a pleasant smile.

"Sure thing Nurse Joy... Zoroark, you stay with my friends while I'm off to the towers." Rubbing her chin, I instructed Zoroark to stay momentarily with my friends while I visit the legendary towers.

"Don't worry Kalem! We'll make sure Zoroark is safe and sound." Zhery promised with a pleasant smile on her face.

"Thanks Zhery, I'll be off to the legendary towers. Keep my wooden box safe for now while I'm gone too!"

Excitement shivers around my body, I can finally catch a legendary Pokemon. Still, even with a legendary Pokemon, I won't be able to use it in the Laurenburg Pokemon League. Gym battles? No, I can't use legendaries as well, but I can use them to battle ordinary matches or rivalry matches.

Each tower has a specific direction, one lies in the east... one lies in the west, and one lies in the north. The catch is, you're not sure which tower your heading to, meaning... You have to choose from three paths, there are no labels on what tower you're heading to, or symbols either. It's a guess, and once you reach the tower... there's no going back.

"Kalem Ketsueki, welcome to the Idai-sa no michi" Zedrick introduced while his cape flapped majestically.

"Or in English, the 'Paths to greatness'" Murdock added and translated.

"Now, it's time for your legendary hunting event! The rules are simple to understand." Zedrick uttered with a smile.

"I'm ready Zedrick, Murdock! Hit me with some rules!" I beamed with excitement and determination.

"First thing's first! You need six Pokemons." Murdock instructed.

"Six Pokemons? Phew... Good thing I switched out Scyther before I left." My once worried mood turned into exuberance after remembering my deeds. I asked Professor Bellice to send Scyther to me since Zoroark and her Pokeball is with Zhery and my friends.

"Hehe, don't get excited quickly... a lot of trainers lost the battle against the legendary birds," Zedrick warned.

"I can just throw my master ball right?"

"You only have one master ball, if the legendary bird dodges the ball... it is game over. I suggest that you put the Pokemon to sleep first or make it faint. No one was able to succeed, that's why they're still three." Murdock recommended.

"Um... ok then, what are the other rules?"

"As you can see, there is no sign nor label to where you are heading to. Meaning, you have to choose one, without knowing which legendary bird you shall be battling." Zedrick instructed and explained.

"All the towers have the same color, meaning you will only know what legendary Pokemon lies in the tower, if you reach the top floor," Murdock added.

"Seems simple to me, alright, let's do this!" I beamed with excitement.

"Not so fast, during your journey towards one of the three legendary towers lies a trial you must pass. If you pass the trial, you move to the tower, if you fail, it's game over." Murdock warned.

"T... Trial? What kind of trial?"

"There are four trials you must surpass in order to reach the legendary bird. The trial of time, trial of space, trial of life, and the trial of matter." Zedrick explained.

"The trial takes place when it wants too. Be careful, oh... and one more thing, once you catch the legendary bird, temptation shall strike you on your way down." Zedrick warned.

"Temptation?"

"Yes, while you walk upon the stairs on your way down, temptation will force you to look back, if you look back... the legendary bird shall return to the top floor even if it is inside the master ball. It's game over when you look back." Zedrick warned.

"What's the purpose of all these trials anyway?"

"These trials make sure that the legendary birds don't fall to the hands of evil. Temptation flows in the heart of evil, if you surpass temptation, you are worthy of the legendary bird." Murdock explained.

"The time is right for the trials to place, choose one path and it shall guide you to the treasure of the legendary towers. No matter what, do not let evil take over your heart, once it does... you automatically fail the trials of Densetsu! Or... legends in English." Murdock's voice echoed over the mountains.

"So Riolu, what path should we take? Left... right... or forward?"

"I don't know... the decision is up to you! Don't regret it once you finally make up your mind."

"Of course Riolu... but since you are my buddy, I want you to choose a path! Go ahead."

"R... Really kalem!?" RIolu beamed with joy as sparkles covered his eyes.

"Of course! Now choose one buddy!"

"Ok... hmmm? Let's see..." Riolu squinted his eyes and thought deeply.

"So what's the decision Kalem and Riolu?" Zedrick queried.

"Well left means right and right means wrong, forwards means.... Let's just take the left." Riolu suggested.

"Alright then, Zedrick, Murdock! We choose the left to take the left side!" I beamed with excitement.

"Hmmm, ok then. You're up for a tight spot. Please state to me your current team." Murdock instructed.

"Sure!

-Grovyle

-Support

-Scyther

-Riolu

-Gardevoir

-Mawile

Zoroark is with my friends while Dragonair is with my official professor."

"I see... here's a hint to where you are heading. This legendary bird knows a move that could knock out your Pokemons in one hit!" Murdock chanted.

"Thanks, Riolu... our legendary adventure begins today!" I beamed with excitement.

"Pass through the arc, and once you step inside... you can no longer step out," Zedrick warned.

My feet walked slowly towards the red arc. It was shivering with excitement and worry for my upcoming events. Once I pass through, there's no going back. Am I ready? Of course!

Me and Riolu leaped inside the Arc! A leap of faith indeed. I looked behind, Zedrick and Murdock disappeared right away. It was like their bodies dispersed just like Mr.Hikari.

"The decision has been made, there's no turning back Riolu! Let's go."

The path was made out of brittle pebbles, while white snowy trees surrounded the area. The ambiance was silent, and all we saw were squirming Pokemons.

"Seems normal to me," I uttered with relief while walking with my buddy Riolu.

It is indeed a long walk to the tower, I don't even know which tower I am headed to. Eyes watch, ears listen, something unexpected might happen.

"Riolu, do you feel something strange?" I queried while tingles flowed up my spine.

"I feel perfectly normal. Are you hallucinating Kalem?"

"I don't know... I feel a sudden pull. Like something is pulling me from behind." I uttered with worry.

"It's probably your imagination-" Riolu uttered when suddenly multiple voices uttered in front.

"Step right up folks!"

"2 for one, 2 for one!"

"Buy and Sell! Buy and Sell!"

"Mommy can you buy me that doll?"

"Not not Sabrina..."

The voices seem to be coming from a nearby market.

"Riolu, come on... let's go!" I beamed with excitement and followed the voices.

The voices led me and Riolu to a not so shabby public market. There were thousands of food stalls everywhere, and everyone was wearing old fashioned Japanese clothing.

"Excuse, what year is it today?" I queried one of the bartenders.

"What year? It's 1998 sonny, have you been asleep or what? haha!" The bartender teased.

"1998, but today is 2020," I uttered softly.

"Hi there Mr!" A young girl with a dark green hair uttered behind.

"Oh hi there... are you from around here?" I queried.

"Nope, my name is Sabrina and I'm from the Kanto region! This is Abra. Isn't he cute?" The young toddler laughed and chuckled.

"Um... yeah, he looks cute. Are you lost Sabrina?" I queried.

"Yes... I was trying to look for my mother, but I got lost. Can you help me find my mother? Please..." Sabrina smiled and begged.

"Don't get distracted Kalem, we have to get to the tower," Riolu uttered.

"Um... we have to help Sabrina first Riolu, this might be a trial," I whispered softly.

"Trial? What trial?" Sabrina queried.

"Wait... you heard my voice!?" I uttered with shock.

"Mother thought me how to hear silent voices, she's a gym leader from the Kanto region, and soon? I'll be taking her place!" Sabrina smiled and chuckled.

"Oh, ok then. Come on, let's go help find your mother."

Me, Riolu, and Sabrina walked across the large crowd. A lot of people were buying Magikarps, Feebases, and different vegetables. Smoke gave me and Riolu eagerness to buy some food.

"Hey Mr.Kalem, how come your shirt is different from mine?" Sabrina queried.

"Ah.... um, you know my name?"

"Yes! I can read your mind as well, it looks to me you're from the future!" Sabrina smiled and grinned.

"Yeah... don't tell anyone alright, please," I begged.

"Sure thing, but first... please buy me that doll," Sabrina begged.

"You want that creepy looking green-haired doll!?"

"It doesn't look creepy. Actually, it looks like me."

"Fine... I'll buy the doll for you, but you promise me not to tell anyone."

"Of course Mr.Kalem! Your secret is safe with me!"

I bought an old creepy doll which looked like a girl with green hair. The doll had a royal white gown and a small little hat.

"Here's your doll Sabrina!"

"Thank you Mr! Watch this..." Sabrina uttered with joy and played with her doll.

"Hi there! My name is Sabrina!" The doll suddenly spoke.

"What!? Is it possessed or something!?" I queried with fear.

"No... I was talking through the doll. Don't worry, I'm a friendly little girl, in the past of course." Sabrina chuckled.

"Yeah... Let's just go, before something weird happens again." I uttered with fear.

How could a girl speak through a doll!? She can read people's minds? Is she a Psychic Pokemon or something.

"Come on Kalem, don't be a scaredy Meowth!" Sabrina smiled and chuckled.

"A... A scaredy Meowth? What are you talking about?" I queried.

"You're scared to battle me in the future. Is that correct?" Sabrina queried.

"Can you stop reading my mind. Just play with your creepy doll please." I begged.

"No problem Mr.Kalem! I'll be waiting at the docks of Vermillion city." Sabrina smiled and chuckled again.

"Wait... I'm going to the Kanto region in the future!?" I uttered with shock.

"I don't know... If I tell you, it won't happen. Hee hee!"

"Um... ok then, it's fine by me. Let's go find your mother!"

Sabrina's weird powers were starting to make me worried. She could see the past and the future? And you expect me to win against her in the future?

"She's gonna forget about me right? Once the trial is over." I whispered silently to Riolu's ear.

"Probably... I'm even scared to go near her." Riolu uttered with fear, and that's when we heard two strange grunts with an R on their chest. They looked young, and they were trying to bully someone.

"Give me your money now!" the grunt uttered.

"Ah!? Mr.Kalem, it's my mommy! Team Rocket is trying to steal money from her." Sabrina uttered with shock and worry.

"Team Rocket!? What are they doing here, shouldn't they be in the Kanto region?" I queried.

"Don't ask me, ask those grunts! Please save my mother Kalem!" Sabrina begged.

"Of course I will, at least it's not team Chaos!" I beamed with determination and leaped into action.

"Hey! Leave the woman alone team Rocket!" I uttered with resentment.

"No one messes with team Rocket, kid! Leave us alone or prepare for trouble!"

"Fine by me, I'll fight you!"

"Do you know who you're dealing with?"

"Team Rocket grunts who will soon blast off, hence the name... Rocket!" I teased.

"Grgh! This is the last draw! Prepare for trouble and make it double. To infect the world with devastation, to blight all people in every nation! To denounce the goodness of truth and love, to extend our wrath to the stars above, Team rocket, circling Earth all day and night, surrender now or you'll surely lose the fight!" The grunts warned.

"Aren't you two, too young to become grunts of evil organizations?" I queried sarcastically.

"Grgh! Just you wait, come on out Koffing! The name's Archer!"

"Ekans, it's your turn to shine... my name is Proton!"

"A two on one battle? Alright then! Shuppet I choose you!"

<Shuppet! Shup!>The Pokemon floated around me and Riolu. Everybody was watching with awe.

"Don't be an arrogant child, Ekans... use bite!"

"Koffing, use sludge wave!"

"Shuppet, dodge the attacks then use Nightshade on Ekans!"

<Ekans!>The Pokemon uttered with rage.

"Now use Sucker Punch on Koffing!"

<Shuppet Shup!>The Pokemon smiled gladly and launched the attack on Koffing! Both Pokemons bounced back to their trainers.

"Use Sucker punch again, then night shade on Ekans!"

"Koffing, dodge the attack!"

"Ekans you too!"

*The Pokemons were unable to dodge! Shuppet began to glow!*

"Yay Mr.Kalem! Yay!" Sabrina uttered with joy.

"Oh no... It's a rocket emergency." Proton uttered with fear.

"Yes! Good work Shuppet, keep up the evolutionary process!" I beamed with excitement.

"Shuppet is evolving! Shuppet is evolving!" The Pokemon smiled and floated around while evolving into a Pokemon.

<Shup! Shup! Bannette!>The Pokemon evolved into a scarier form. She had a zipper on her mouth and was colored in twilight darkness.

Her eyes were scary and gloomy. She looked like a scary puppet, with a golden zipper mouth.

"Shuppet is no longer Shuppet! Shuppet is now Banette!" The Pokemon beamed with excitement and circled Ekans and Koffing. She showed her scary face and opened the zipper located on her mouth. The two Pokemons saw an unforgettable nightmare.

"Ahh!? We'll be coming back for you!" Proton warned.

"Riolu, blast them off with Seismic toss!"

<Rio!>The two grunts were thrown to the sky, alongside with their Pokemons.

"We're blasting off again!" Proton and the other grunt uttered with fear and worry while flying through the sky.

"Well what do you know... This wasn't their first time blasting off!" I teased and laughed.

"Banette is strong!" The Pokemon uttered with joy and hugged my body.

"I know Banette! Your power is amazing! Congratulations on evolving!" I beamed with excitement while hugging her back.

"Mommy are you ok?" Sabrina rushed with a worried mood.

"Yes I am dear... I've been worried sick! Where have you been!"

"I was looking for you too mommy, but Mr.Kalem found me and bought me this doll!" Sabrina beamed with joy.

Sabrina's mother went near me and thanked me for saving her and reuniting her with her daughter. Her face gave me a pleasant smile.

"Bye Mr.Kalem! Bye Riolu! I'll be waiting at Vermillion city, then... I'll challenge you at Saffron city!" Sabrina uttered and smiled.

"Yeah... sure, I'll be waiting for you too. hehe." I uttered with worry and fear while walking further from the market.

Everything turned silent, and when I and Riolu looked back? Everybody was gone. The market disappeared and the trees continued to sway.

"I guess that means, we passed the trial of time." I smiled and hunched.

"Yay! That leaves us to three more trials right?"

"You're right Riolu! Thanks to Banette, we were able to save Sabrina's mother." I uttered softly while holding her Pokeball.

"That Sabrina seemed strange to me, I guess you have a future meeting with her!" Riolu teased.

"That's when I go to the Kanto region, for now? Let's just focus on the present and prepare for the future!"