1.Ash's Story (Part 2: Johto)

Chapter 84: The Tidal Bell Awakens

The Whirl Islands looked different now that we had returned with Whirlpool.

The sea still turned around the rocks in fierce white circles, but the currents no longer felt like walls telling us to stay away. We had crossed these waters before through timing and local help. This time, Lapras knew Whirlpool, and the Glacier Badge let us cross the spinning water without waiting for another route.

Lapras carried Lillie, Larvitar, and me across the waves while Pikachu balanced near my knee. Togetic floated low beside us whenever the spray settled, and Espeon stayed close to Lillie whenever we reached rock. Reisa carried Ethan on Feraligatr, while East and Kris followed on Mantine as East watched the wind and current.

Larvitar stared at the whirlpools from inside Lillie's careful hold. His claws tightened on the blanket whenever white water spun close to Lapras.

Larvitar dug his toes into the blanket and clutched its edge, "The sea is pulling hard. I do not want it to spin us away."

"Lapras knows what to do," I said gently. "We are crossing one whirlpool at a time."

Lapras lifted her head and steadied beneath us, "Hold on when the water turns. I can carry everyone through."

Pikachu leaned close to Larvitar's blanket, "I am right here. Watch Lapras instead of the spinning water."

Ahead of us, a familiar voice called from a rocky shore path.

"Hey, Ash! Is that really you?"

I turned and saw Ritchie waving beside a small camp bag, with Sparky standing near his feet. For one second, the Whirl Islands, the bells, and the League all disappeared behind the surprise.

"Ritchie, it has been a while!" I called as Lapras brought us closer.

Ritchie grinned as Sparky bounded forward. "Same here. I cannot believe I met you here of all places. Are these your new travel companions?"

We came ashore carefully, and I introduced Lillie, Reisa, East, Ethan, and Kris. "Larvitar is traveling with us while he recovers."

Lillie gave Ritchie a gentle nod. "It is nice to meet one of Ash's old friends."

Reisa smiled brightly. "Any friend who brings another Pikachu into a sea mystery already fits our group."

East studied the shore behind Ritchie. "You chose a good waiting point. It is outside the strongest current."

Ritchie rubbed the back of his head. "I wish I could say that was all skill, but Sparky complained every time I picked a worse spot."

Pikachu's cheeks stopped sparking as he looked toward the rocks, "Sparky picked better than Ritchie did."

Pikachu touched noses with Sparky and flicked one ear, "You still watch everything before your Trainer notices it."

Ritchie laughed at the two Pikachu even though he could not understand the exact words. "Sparky still has plenty to say."

Lillie glanced toward the cave entrance. "So why are you here?"

Ritchie looked out over the water. "I heard there is a mystery Pokémon somewhere in the Whirl Islands. I wanted to check it out before heading toward the League road."

"What a coincidence," I said, touching the Tidal Bell at my side. "We are going to see that mystery Pokémon too."

Ritchie noticed the bell and grew serious. "That sounds like more than a rumor."

"It is," I said. "We should explain while we go."

The Whirl Islands cave swallowed the sound of the open sea and replaced it with echoes.