When we last left our heroes, they had arrived in Johto’s Ilex Forest, where Celebi dwells. Ash remembers that only the holder of earth knows the song to lure Celebi from the intimidating trees and thick brush, but since that song has only been heard in legend, no one really knows what this song is. Inspired, Brock tries making up a jazzy improvisation, and that is enough to lure Celebi out from the forest.

Now, Celebi has his own challenge for our heroes…

Episode 33: The Growth of Power

Celebi just laughed. “It was quite a pleasure to sing with a holder of earth again after many years!”

“Gee…all I did was make something up.” Brock admitted.

“Quite all right–the song past holders of earth always sang has been lost, so I doubt you would’ve known it…” Celebi assured Brock before turning business-like. “The trees have told me the Soul Amulet is being assembled, so I know of your quest. As for what my piece is, it is an engraving of leaves set over the Heart of Fire, and named the Forest Circlet.”

“Have you seen any odd blinking sensors anywhere in the forest?” May interrupted.

“Now why would you want to know that?” Celebi was confused.

“Others–evil ones–have been following us on our adventure, and we have learned that they are close by if we see a blinking sensor.” Ash explained.

“Hm…I have not seen any such sensors, but just in case, come with me to my abode–if any of those are close by, we can rid the forest of them.” Celebi suggested, motioning for the group to follow him into the darkened forest.

After winding through the large tree roots and almost swampy forest floor, the group arrived at a small shrine-like building in a clearing that, unlike the rest of the forest around it, was surrounded by grass and wildflowers. Celebi just flitted on top of the small building’s roof. “Now…tell me about these evil ones that are following you…”

“Before we do…” Ash hurried over to a patch of grass, where a familiar beep echoed through the forest. “This is one of the sensors I was telling you about…”

Celebi grimaced. “Step back, please…” he cautioned as he hovered over to the small button like sensor. “You too, Young Master.” Ash obediently abandoned the sensor and hurried to rejoin his friends.

“What’s he going to do?” May asked.

Ash watched as Celebi charged a familiar ball of yellow light–he knew this light as a Solarbeam, and if anyone was caught in it, they would be gravely wounded at best! “Hit the dirt!” he yelped before diving down into the grass to shield himself from the impending explosion. The others did likewise and shielded their eyes and ears, only feeling the ground below them shake for a few moments as the Solarbeam impacted the sensor, then a loud pop and some electrical spark noises as the sensor exploded.

“Talk about going out with a bang…” Misty sighed as she looked up from the grass to see the aftermath of Celebi’s attack–the only evidence anything had happened was a charred explosion crater in the grass and pieces of what used to be a tracking sensor scattered everywhere, with the largest piece still containing sparking wires.

“There…now no one will know anything about what we speak of here.” Celebi assured the group as he warped away the sensor’s pieces and healed what plant life had been charred in the attack.

“We’re clear to get up now.” Brenna whispered to the others, who gingerly got up from the grass, still a little shaken from the explosion.

Celebi returned to the small bamboo shrine and settled on the roof again. “You were saying, Young Master?”

“Well, ever since our adventure began, I have seen the Rockets follow us–be it through those sensors or getting a glimpse of them following our trail.” Ash explained. “We’ve known ever since the beginning they would likely try and follow us, but after discovering them right on our heels in Seafoam Cave, I’ve been worried they might try to corner us, or worse, beat us to the mountain and take the Amulet.”

“You don’t have to worry.” Celebi replied. “If the evil ones were to take the Amulet from you, they would not even be able to make a wish, even if they knew the melody that goes with the Amulet. The Mew on Mt. Coronet is smarter than legends would make her out to be.”

“So hypothetically, if they took the Amulet from us and tried to make a wish, all we would have to do is sing the Song of Power to prove to the Mew that we are the true Amulet bearers?” Brenna asked.

“Exactly.” Celebi replied. “Furthermore, your combined powers would be enough to punish these evil ones for even trying to take it from you.”

“Let’s hope we don’t have to do that…” Dawn shuddered at the thought of the Rockets trying to make a wish.

“In addition to the Forest Circlet, my abode also has another item for you…” Celebi replied.

“Two Amulet pieces in the forest shrine?” Leila was shocked.

“This other item is not part of the Amulet itself, but instead, it is a companion item to it, meant to be worn by the holder of the earth melody.” Celebi explained, making everyone else balk.

“Let me get this straight–in actuality, we’re going after nine amulet pieces?” Ash was confused.

“While I’m sure you may be surprised to know the Amulet may have more pieces than you thought, this companion item is just as important as the Pokemon Soul Amulet itself.” Celebi continued. “When the earth holder receives it, he will have the power to sing you into a more powerful form.”

“A powerup?” Ash was excited.

“Yes–the evil ones that pursue you will likely step up their attacks as you search for the last four Amulet pieces, and as such, you will need more powerful attacks and items to protect yourself.” He formed an image of a pendant of a leaf, but Ash could see that the details on the leaf were musical staves. “This is the Pendant of the Siren’s Leaf–what the holder of earth will need to grant you your new powers.”

Ash swallowed hard as the small shrine seemingly grew into a full sized building, allowing him and his friends inside….

To Be Continued…

o^-^o: What’s inside the Forest Shrine? Don’t miss Episode 34 on this Web site next week!