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((NOTE: CHAPTER REVISED))
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"Please, you're the only one I can ask!"

The petite, fairy-like Pokémon blinked her large, blue eyes at the human before her.

"I know you two traveled together once. So please, warn someone so this doesn't happen!"

She pondered the situation. It wasn't wise to meddle with time. It was true that she held a small connection with the one in question. Under these grave circumstances, maybe. Perhaps…

Perhaps it was possible. Just this once. She glanced away, as if something had caught her gaze. Staring off into the distance, she blinked slowly before returning her crystal stare to the human who awaited her decision with bated breath. At last, she nodded. Turning away, she began to glow, vibrantly but gently. The trees around them responded in kind. A portal opened up, and with one last glance at the human behind her, she spanned the gap and entered the vortex of time, sealing it again behind her.

x~x~x~xBackwardsx~x~x~x

A sigh escaped the redhead as he trudged over the scarce path winding through the sparse grass. The teenager slowed, glancing wearily around him. But he suddenly broke the tranquility with a shout as he stumbled to the ground unexpectedly.

He flipped onto his back, irritation plain on his face as he glared up at the face of his green, sauropod of a starter Pokémon, who was grinning beneath his two yellow antennae.

"What was that for?" Silver asked, trying to sound angry, but it came out more irritated.

Meganium merely snorted and playfully headbutted Silver again as he was getting up, toppling him over into the grass.

"You know, I might just reconsider letting you walk outside your Pokeball, you lousy pansy," Silver muttered as he got up again, dusting off the sleeves of his long jacket. "And I might rethink giving you and the rest of those slackers weekends off."

Meganium snorted again, taking no alarm from his master's growled threat. Despite Silver's sour exterior, he had gotten to be a lot friendlier with his Pokémon, and he rarely mistreated them anymore. Silver would never admit it, but he enjoyed being in their company.

Silver worked them hard, that was true, and he was still often curt with his battling companions, but he had been getting a lot better in past months. On weekends, he'd take time off from the intense training, and they would walk. Just walk, taking time to think, relax, and reenergize. Silver took turns with each of his Pokémon, but it was an understatement to say that he favored walking with his Meganium.

Silver slowed again, looking around at his surroundings. The Ilex Forest at noon was a quiet place. Most of the bug and grass types that resided here hunkered down midday, being more energetic during the morning and nighttime hours. The trees blocked out most of the sun, with only scattered beams penetrating the branches here and there.

Silver blinked as something caught the corner of his eye. The shrine. Not sure what compelled him, he moved towards it, staring at the small structure. He never had taken much notice of it before. All of the previous times he traveled through Ilex, he was too conceited and dismissive of it to spare it more than a glance.
This time, though. He blinked out of his thoughts when he heard a thump. Meganium had flopped into the shade of the tree next to the shrine, sprawling across its roots. He blinked up at Silver, who again feigned frustration.

"Fine, you pansy. I guess there's no moving on until you've have your nap," he said, reluctantly walking up to the tree, turning and sliding down its trunk until he was sitting with his back against it.

He resignedly checked his PokeGear, which reminded him that it was Sunday. Early tomorrow morning, he'd have to return to his schedule. Silver alternated between training at Dragon's Den and observing trainers fight the Elite Four, on the lookout for new strategies. All the trainers he watched lost without fail. With one exception.

He smirked. No doubt, at the level of experience that she was at, she could take the Four on without a hitch before challenging Lance one more in a climactic battle that got the crowds riled up. He'd learned that she would have a rematch with them on occasion, after accidentally smacking into her at the plateau and losing promptly against her in a proposed warm-up battle. After the both had healed up their teams, she left for her scheduled gauntlet run and he had hidden among the crowds that had come to watch.

It was rather ironic. Initially, Silver's emotions around the girl ranged from dislike to confusion. Despite all his efforts to defeat her, she had continued to best him, time after time. And despite his rudeness, she had always treated him kindly. After some time and several battles had past, he came to respect Lyra and her team and the not-so-crazy notion that befriending a Pokémon could bring out its strongest power.

Not to mention that it was Lyra who became his first friend.

(*(*(Flashback)*)*)

"What do you want? Did you come to make fun of me?"

The cinnamon-eyed girl with the memorable hat looked at the redhead in confusion, her enormous, ever-loyal Feraligatr flanking her.

"Silver, what are you talking abou-"

"Well, get it over with then! 'Cause I don't care," Silver lashed out, feeling foolish for his actions. The girl had never made fun of him before. But here he was, caught in the act of spending time and bonding with his Meganium. He was pretty much admitting that all of his previous actions were wrong. He didn't look her in the face. He knew that he deserved someone calling him out on what he was doing. At the very least, he expected a taunting 'I told you so'.

"Silver," she began, frowning slightly. "I wouldn't make fun of you. You know that."

His tensed shoulders relaxed slightly. At least she didn't seem to think of him as an idiot.

"Well, then why are you here?" he asked bluntly, gesturing around at the enormous, water-filled cavern that was Dragon's Den.

"Well, when we met in Mount Moon, you said you were coming here to train," she said brightly. "I think it's great that you're strengthening your bond with your Pokémon."

He blinked, uncertain of how to take her praise. He wasn't used to being complimented.
"Uh, thanks…"

"So," she continued with her trademark grin. It lightened his mood a little. "Mind if I train here, too?"

"That sounds like an excellent idea. Count us in, too, if you'll pardon our interruption."

The teenagers whirled around at the familiar voice. Two adults had just clambered off of a Gyarados and onto the dock that led to the shrine. The woman was dressed mostly in blue, with a cape, gloves, and unique high-heeled boots. Her long blue hair was pulled back into a high ponytail. The man who had spoken wore mostly black fringed with red. He also wore a cape and his fireball of spiky light red hair stuck up in the back.

"Hi Clair!" Lyra called delightedly, Silver frozen in shock as he stared at the man. "Hi Lance!"

"Lyra," the former Johto Champion responded warmly while his cousin nodded in greeting. He went to shake her hand and pulled the brunette into a brief hug. "You've been doing well?"

"Yes, of course," Lyra laughed cheerfully once he had released her. "Silver and I were just-"

"You!" Silver interrupted loudly, pointing at the dragon master. He was vaguely aware of being filled with seething anger, which he believed was connected to his largely pathetic six on one defeat against the man's Dragonite a few months ago. "I may have lost to you before, but that won't happen again! I challenge you!"

"Hm?" Lance looked a little surprised, but also slightly amused. "Oh, yes! I remember you, now. You were the one who was trying so hard to defeat me without trust and compassion towards your Pokémon."

"Hey, Silver's not like that," Lyra interjected defensively. "Not anymore. He's kind towards his Pokémon now."

Silver felt an unexpected pride in Lyra's words, standing a little straighter and with a spark of confidence in his eyes.

"Really? We'll see. I accept your challenge, Silver. But let's make it more interesting," Lance offered, indeed noticing a change in the teenager's posture and demeanor.

"How?" Clair asked, breaking her silence.

"A tag battle," Lance answered his younger cousin with a smile. "Two-on-two."

"What, not up to challenging me by yourself?" Silver asked, crossing his arms.

"Aw, c'mon Silver," his rival said enthusiastically. "It'll be fun!"

He sighed, giving in to her bubbly personality.

"Great," Lance said, clapping his hands together amiably. "All right. Lyra, you'll be on my team."

Silver's head jerked up, feeling indignant.

"That means you're with me," Clair said, stepping forward.

"No way!" The words tumbled defiantly out of his mouth. He felt that anger again. He reached to grab Lyra's shoulder as she was about to walk over towards Lance. She stared back at him over her shoulder, looking nearly as surprised as he felt.

"I'm not going with the crazy costume woman," Silver blurted.
"Why you insolent little-!"

"Stick with me, Lyra. We can beat them both," he stated, jaw set in determination.

"Oh… okay…" Lyra responded slowly, before smiling brightly in agreement.

"Oh, don't mind me," Clair snarled, her eyes flashing dangerously at Silver. "I'm just going to do my utmost to crush you, you little Wurmple!"

"Bring it on," Silver said coolly, feeling confident with Lyra at his side. "Go, Crobat!"

He felt a smirk slide over his face when Lance, Claire, and Lyra gave a startled look at the bat that appeared, flapping his four wings and raring to go.

"But don't Golbat only evolve into Crobat…" Lance started, actually astounded.

"…when they've formed a true bond of friendship and trust with their trainer!" Lyra finished, positively beaming at Silver. He felt that odd sense of pride again.

o0O0o0O0o

It was a spectacular battle. As amazing as it was to battle Lyra, it was exhilarating to battle alongside her. Silver's Crobat and Gengar eventually fell against Lance's Gyarados and Clair's Dragonite, respectively. Clair was following through with her threat. In most of her attacks, she targeted Silver's Pokémon for his insult earlier. With a sigh, he decided the last of his allotted three Pokémon. Meganium appeared in a flash. He knew that it was a bad type match-up, but he didn't particularly care. Lyra glanced at him. Despite only being on her second Pokémon, she commanded her Beedrill to use U-Turn. Lance's powerhouse of a Dragonite hardly suffered, but she flashed Silver a grin as she held up her third Pokeball.

"Let's go, Fang!"

He understood what she was doing now. Her starter and his, their first Pokémon, fighting together to finish the battle.

o0O0o0O0o

"Fang, use Avalanche!"

"Dragonite," Clair countered, "Use Protect!"

With a weary roar, Dragonite obliged, throwing a defensive shield around herself before Fang collided with it in a flurry of ice and snow.

Both pairs of Pokémon, the twin Dragonite and the rivals' starters, were worn out. They were on their last leg. But Silver was sure that if they went all-out on one final attack, they could clinch it. Lyra and Silver spared each other a glance, both thinking the same thing.

Time to end this battle.

On the same breath, they ordered the most powerful move in their Pokémon's arsenals.

"Fang, use Hydro Cannon!" "Meganium, use Frenzy Plant!"

Fang reared back his head, opening his massive gaping jaws. An orb of water swelled between his jaws, glowing blue. With a snarl, he let loose a tremendous jet of water, bigger in diameter than Lyra was tall, shooting with unerring accuracy at Clair's Dragonite, shattering what remained of her Protect and sending the yellow dragon clear over the shrine.

Meganium's whole body seemed to glow green, bugling with all his might. A rumble came from the water, and enormous thick roots studded with sharp spines splashed upwards out of the liquid, having punched holes in the lakebed in their fury to get at their prey. They struck Lance's Dragonite head-on, wrapping around him and sending him crashing down onto the dock.

Both Feraligatr and Meganium were breathing heavily, exhausted from their efforts. If they hadn't knocked out the Dragonite, then they were sitting targets. The Dragonite pair glared at their adversaries, limbs trembling. First Clair's Dragonite's eyes slid closed, head dropping back down. Lance's dragon was made of sterner stuff, still on all fours. He stared up at Meganium and Feraligatr, who stared back. Neither side gave in until finally the yellow beast succumbed and dropped to the ground, admitting defeat.

Silence seemed to echo in the cavern from the sheer enormity of what had just happened. Silver didn't even dare to breathe, convinced that both Dragonite would suddenly spring back up on their feet to finish his and Lyra's Pokémon off. But it didn't happen. Clair looked flabbergasted, mouth agape, while Lance's face was one of more warm surprise. The two dragon-tamers slowly walked over towards their fallen companions to check on their well-being and (in Clair's case) to make sure the defeat wasn't a figment of imagination.
Clair gave a slightly sour glance in Silver's direction, as she returned her Pokémon. Lance, however, having muttered reassurances to his defeated dragon on how proud he was before returning him, straightened up with an inspired smile.

"Did you see that, Clair?" he asked.

"Oh, I see…" Clair said with an resigned sigh.

"Never have I seen such an intense double battle. You two make a great match!"

Silver blinked, confused by Lance's last statement, but he was even more startled when the former champion walked up to him and stuck out his hand. Silver slowly grasped it with his own, shaking it. Lyra looked awe-struck. Lance stepped back, grinning at them.

"I apologize about what I said earlier. It appears you were right about him, Lyra," he spoke earnestly, catching Silver even more off guard. "Good job to both of you. But now I must be off."

Nodding to the both of them, he turned with a slightly over-dramatic swoop of his cape and walked back over to the edge of the dock.

"I must go, too," Clair added, releasing her Aerodactyl and clambering onto his back. "Good battle, Lyra. And to you, you lousy little smart-mouth."

Lance also took a seat on the Aerodactyl, and with a few wing beats, the two dragon tamers were gone.

Once they were out of sight, Lyra let out a loud whoop, cheering and grinning like there was no tomorrow. Even Silver was feeling happy, and he allowed a small smile to grace his features as his pigtailed partner ran up to hug Fang. Then she went to hug Meganium, who had adored Lyra from day one, despite Silver's scolding. Then she spun around to face the redheaded teenager, breathless.

"You did it, Silver! You and Meganium knocked out Lance's most powerful Pokemon!"

As much as Silver would have liked to take the credit, he reluctantly shook his head. "You helped… a lot."

"Yeah, but your Meganium gave the finishing blow that decided the match!" she said, beaming. It was obvious she wouldn't let his excuses get in the way of the excitement. He sighed, still smiling slightly, turning to check on Meganium. He hadn't gone three steps when Lyra practically tackled him with a hug from behind.

"Lyra! What the heck are you doing?" he spluttered out in surprise, his arms pinned to his sides as he staggered to keep from falling over.

"I'm just proud of my friend, that's all," she chirped back, letting him go.

He glanced back at her, thrown off guard. Did she just say-

"Friend?" he repeated, as if the word was from a foreign language.

"Of course, Silver," she said, tilting her head to one side, smile still in place. "You've been my friend for a while!"

Silver blinked again, before returning the smile- a genuine, unhesitating smile. After a while it dropped into a smirk, but one that no longer was malicious.

"Don't think I've forgotten about my goal of defeating you, though, Lyra. I won't go easy on you!"

She returned the smirk. "What else are friends for?"

(*(*(End Flashback)*)*)

Silver stirred suddenly, his neck stiff from sleeping against the trunk of the tree. He blinked the grogginess away, opening his metallic grey eyes to see the unchanged landscape of Ilex Forest. Judging by the angle of the sunbeams, he had slept for couple of hours. But something didn't feel quite right. Something had shifted while he was asleep, but he couldn't place what. He turned his head to see Meganium, still sleeping undisturbed a few feet away. He turned his head to look over at the shrine, and had to bite back a shout of surprise.

A pair of wide blue eyes regarded him from only a few inches away. He toppled over, landing on Meganium, who snorted and jumped, forced out of his sweet dreams. He was about to irately shove Silver back, but stopped short when he saw the cause of his master's reaction.

A Pokémon, only the size of Meganium's head, floated effortlessly on transparent wings. Her tiny, humanoid body was delicate and slender. Two enormous, powder blue eyes, rimmed with black, gazed boldly yet warily out at them from her pale green face.

Silver's mouth worked soundlessly in an effort to make sense of this sudden appearance. Finally, he plunged a hand into his navy bag, fumbling around until he managed to grab a book that listed the Pokemon of the Kanto and Johto regions. Not being in the possession of a Pokedex, he had to do things the more… traditional way.

Boredom had made him flip through this book many times before; skimming the tidbits the book had to offer about Pokémon, hunting for powerful additions to his team. In the very back were listed the rare, obscure, and mythical beings thought to inhabit the areas. He quickly scanned the pages until his eyes came to rest on a similar rendering of the Pokemon in the book. His eyes widened, and he looked up at the Time Travel Pokémon incredulously.

"Celebi."

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Updated AN:
Alrighty then. Hard to believe this was first written a bit less than three years ago, huh?
It took me longer than I promised, but as you can see, I am working to, er, refurbish these older chapters. Not rewriting, of course. But I am patching them up, freshening up some wording, fixing some mistakes, replacing a couple of paragraphs that just don't sit well with me anymore.

With any luck, this will ease me back into writing, and I'll be able to bring this story its well-deserved final chapters.
Thank you to all who have cheered me on the past three years!

~Meta-Akira