I walked through the peaceful Ilex Forest, enjoying the silence as my  starter, Chikorita, skipped along cheerfully ahead of me. I allowed a  small smile as I watched her playful pounce on a leaf as it fluttered to  the ground in front of her. My Pokemon turned around and proudly showed  me her catch, wagging her stubby tail playfully. However, upon seeing  that my face had fallen back down into a serious look, her tall drooped  and disappointment shown in her eyes. Noticing this, I bent down and pat  her head.

"Don't worry, Chikorita," I stated, "You antics are  just as funny as ever. I just... don't really feel like smiling right  now. Not when my dad is..." I trailed off, unable to finish the sentence  as a lump formed in my throat and tears stung my eyes.

My  father had died about two months ago, on a trip into the Ilex Forest. No  one had any idea what had happened. A traveling trainer had found him  lying dead near a small pond, several bent trees near by, as if a large  battle had taken place. His Pokemon, a Typhlosion, was missing.

During the funeral, I had  listened to many people tell me "I'm sorry for your loss," "He still  lives on in your soul," and similar things, in an attempt to comfort me.  But those words were empty. They had no meaning, not unless they could  bring my father back.

I never got the chance to tell him I loved him... To tell him good- bye...

"Chi, chikorita ita?" I heard my Pokemon question, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I  glanced down and saw Chikorita sitting in front of me, concern  reflecting in her eyes. "It's okay, Chikorita," I conforted her, "How  about we do some training?"

"Rita, chik, chikorita!" Chikorita  cheered, bouncing around happily. She then turned around and trotted  deeper into the forest. I followed her, not really caring where she was  heading, and instead focusing on the forest around me.

My dad  loved the Ilex Forest. We lived in Goldenrod, and the Ilex Forest was  his favorite place to go and get away from the hustle and bustle of city  life. He would disappear for days on end, going into the forest to  train, leaving me at home with Mom. On rare occations, he would bring me  along and tell me stories about a legendary protector of the forest,  who could even turn back time.

I snorted. Like that was true. A  'protector' like that couldn't exist. Although I wish one did. Then I  could reverse that morning, erase it from history.

I told him I hated him! I told him I never wanted to talk to him again! And I never did...

I yelped as I fell flat on the forest flor. Chikorita had stopped, and I hadn't noticed in time.

"Hey! Watch it!" I snapped angrily, standing up and dusting myself off.

Chickorita flattened herself to the ground "Chi..." she mumbled.

I sighed. "Sorry for snapping at you. I was just remembering out last converstion."

"Chi, korita!" Chikorita exclaimed, tugged on my clothes.

"Right,  training," I stated. I glanced around at the space we were in. Several  logs were around, but the undergrowth wasn't too dense, and the trees  were spaced out enough to help with agility training.

"Okay, Chikorita," I commanded, "Use Razor Leaf on that log!"

Chickorita  complied, and a flurry of needle- sharp leaves enbedded themselves into  the nearest log. Chikorita looked back at me, triumph gleaming in her  eyes.

"Good job!" I praised her, "Now use Reflect!"

A round,  orange barrier formed around Chikorita. To test it, I tosses a pebble  at it. The stone bounced of harmlessly, and Chikorita lowered the  shield.

"Great!" I exclaimed, "Now try a Magical Leaf! See how long you can control them."

Several glowing leaves appeared around Chickorita, and she focused, spinning them in circles.

Suddenly,  a huge gust of wind blew all of Chickorita's leaves spiraling away. The  gust was so strong, the trees bent, and I had to struggle to stay  upright.

"Rita rita! Chikori chikori, chikorita!" Chikoria angrily exclaimed when the wind died down, frustrated at the failed attack.

"What was that?" I inquired, staring in the direction of the blast..

"Chikor, ita a!" Chikorita shouted. She dashed in the direction the wind had come from.

"Hey, Chickorita, wait up!" I called, dashing after my Pokemon.

Chikorita continued to run on as I followed close behind her, struggling through the forest. Chikorita eventually stopped in a strange clearing, and I paused to get my breath.

"Don't... run away... like that," I panted.

Chikorita ignored me and instead trotted up to a small building at the edge of the clearing. I followed her and looked over the building curiously. Words were etched onto the side that read, "A Shrine to the Forest Protector."

"Forest Proector?" I stated doubtfully, "I find that hard to believe."

Well then, believe it. It's true.

I galnced around the clearing. "Who's there?" I demanded. Chikorita let out a warning growl.

I am.

A light flickered in the center, and out emerged a Pokemon.

"Who are you?" I demanded.

I am Celebi, the Time Travel Pokemon.

"Time Travel? Isn't that Dialga's thing?" I asked.

That dragon with steel for brains? Annoyingly, yes. But I had the role first! It's mine! Not his! Mine!

"Oookay..." I stated, taking a step back. Chikorita did the same.

Sorry about that. Dialga and I don't quite... get along. Anyway, I need to talk to you.

"What would you need to talk to me about?" I asked.

"Korita! Chikori," Chikorita agreed.

Ah yes. What was it that I was told to do again? Oh! Congradulations! You are to become my newest Shrine Keeper!

"Er... Shrine Keeper?" I inquired.

Yes. Shrine Keeper. A real honor. You will help watchover this Shrine and all it represents. The last Shrine Keeper... Well... he...

"Died," I finished.

Such a cruel way, too. Left his whole family behind. But at least he managed to put it off. For a little while.

"Put what off?" I asked.

The end of the world.

"Chikorita?!" Chikorita exclaimed.

"Please tell me that's sarcasium," I stated.

Don't I wish. But no. In fact, that's why I called you hear today!

"To stop the end of the world?" I inquired.

No. To destroy me, of course.

"What!?" I exclaimed. Chikorita looked just as shocked.

Well, it's complicated, but I'll explain it as best as I can. You see, there are many different time lines, just as there are several different worlds. They will cross at certain points in Time. That's how I time travel. Of course, if something happens to one of the time lines, Time becomes deteriorated, blah blah blah, bad things happen. Then Dialga is summoned and I get an earful for not doing my job.

"This has to do with you destroying yourself how?" I inquired.

Let me finish! Anyway, there is a Celebi for each time line, and as such a Shrine Guardian for each time line, although they may go by different names. And in this one particular time line, about two months ago, the Celebi there became corrupt, and so did the Guardian. So my Guardian and I were sent to fix it. However, we failed. The Guardian died. It almost took out our entire time line as well.

"How did you stop the corrupt Celebi?" I asked eagerly, like a child listening to a bedtime story.

I closed the portal and the Celebi couldn't follow.

"That's it?" I asked, "No special powers, no extremely strong attack? You just closed the portal?"

Yeah.

"Well that's anti- climatic," I stated.

I didn't say I defeated the corrupt Celebi. In fact, that's what I need your help with.

"Really?" I asked, "Why?"

You're the new Shrine Guardian. Duh.

"Why am I the new Shrine Guardian?" I inquired, "I'm not special."

That's what everyone says! Not "Wow! I'm honored!" or "That's amazing, thanks!" Nooooo. It's why. "Why me? Why am I the picked person?" You could at least pretend to be greatful!

"Chikori, chikorita!" Chikorita called to Celebi.

Sorry. I didn't realize your trainer was always like this. Wow. This is going to be interesting.

"I can kind of hear you still," I stated.

Good for you. Now, to go stop the evil me from destroying everyone and getting Dialga ticked off!

"Wait! I don't even know what I'm supposed to-" I was cut off as a bright light engulfed Celebi, blinding me.

When the light receeded, I found my self standing in a clearing that looked very similar to the clearing with the Shrine. Only the Shrine wasn't there.

"Where are we?" I asked, looking around bewildered.

This is the alternate time line. It seems I entered too early.

"What do you mean, 'entered to early?'"

Well, basically, when I enter a time line, I can enter it at a range of times. The range depends on where the time line crosses ours in Time. I've misjudged our jump and we're a bit early.

"Well then, Chikorita and I will just do some training," I stated. I looked around, seaching for Chikorita, but I couldn't find her. "Chikorita? Where's Chikorita!?" I exclaimed.

I left her at our time line. This quest would be to dangerous for her.

"What?!" I exclaimed, "How am I supposed to help you without my Pokemon?"

You'll get along just fine. Gezz. What is it with trainers these days? Can't do a thing without Pokemon. Just like those other humans in the 'Earth' time line who can't do something without picking up their phone...

"Excuse me? Aren't I from earth?" I demanded.

Nevermind.

"What exactly am I supposed to do, anyway?" I inquired.

What? Didn't I tell you?

"Uh, no," I stated bluntly.

Er.., you'll see for yourself.

"What do you mean by tha-" I was cut off as the ground trembled. "Is it an earthquake?!" I exclaimed. Suddenly, a tall, towering, thing came it to view. It was constructed from various foilage, and violetish black sparks of energy crackled around it.

"What in the world is that?!" I shouted.

That would be evil me. Oh, and past me is about to come here as well.

"You need more 'yous,'" I dedpanned, "And- wait- did you say past you?"

Do you really want another lecture right now, of all times? Humans need to get their priorities straight. It happens. It just does. Why? I don't know! But it does. So don't question it.

A small white orb appeared next to where I was standing, and out came Celebi and-

"Dad?!" I shouted as a familar figure came out of the glowing sphere. "My dad was your past Guardian?!"

He's your dad?

"Yeah, but he died... two months ago..." I mumbled, tears coming to my eyes as I recall the scene.

Ohhhhh... This is going to hurt...

The man who had come out of the white orb looked around. His eyes past over me and Celebi as if we weren't there.

"Why- Why couldn't he-" I stuttered.

He can't see you.

"Why not?"

Because I don't want him to see you.

"Why? And how?"

Because! Oh my gosh, humans are pushy! It just is! Except it!

"Aren't you in a good mood," I replied snarkily.

Yeah. I am going to love watching my old Guardian die, again! It's not like I see him as a friend or anything!

"Oh," I stated, "Sorry. Wait- my dad died... here?!"

And again, with the questions. You really should just stop being suprised. Everyone else saw this coming.

"What do you mean, everyone else?"

Did I say that? Oops. Now I'm going to get an earful from Palkia, too. He loves his walls to much.

"What? What do you mean?"

None of your business. Now, watch and see how a Shrine Guardian does their job.

"Okay," I grumbled, discontent with Celebi's answer.

As Celebi and I had our conversation, other Celebi and my dad had accessed their situation, and apparently come up with a solution.

"Typhlosion!" my dad called, tossing out a Pokeball. Out popped a familiar Typhlosion, in battle stance, flames firing from his shoulders n

"Typhlosion, Blast Burn on that giant tree thing!" my dad commanded.

"Giant tree thing?" I speculated, "really dad?"

He wasn't the best with words. Or names. Or much, really.

"Wow, I feel so much better," I deadpanned.

Anytime.

As I watched, my dad's Typhlosion struck the ground with his first, as flames burst from beneath the tree creature, which immediately caught fire.

A small shape zoomed out and faced my dad.

The creature looked like Celebi, but with one major difference; instead of wide, blue eyes, this Celebi had blank, grey eyes that were slits.

"You are the Celebi who is causing so much trouble here," my dad stated, staring at the Celebi.

The Celebi responded by firing a Shadow at my dad. He quickly jumped to the side.

This Celebi has been corrupted. It cannot hear you.

I blinked in surprised. "Celebi?"

Wrong me. That was past Celebi.

"You sound the same!"

You don't say.

The past Celebi formed a shadow ball. A similar looking attack formed in my dad's hands.

"Is dad using a..?" I questioned, trailing off

Pokemon move. Yes. Now be quiet.

I watched in amazement as my dad am past Celebi tossed the attacks at evil Celebi.

However, the evil Celebi didn't even flinch, and immediately zoomed at my dad. It tapped him on the head as it zoom past.

Be careful. This Celebi has your memories now. It will use that against you.

Suddenly, a voice was in my head. Unlike past Celebi and now Celebi, it was deep and somewhat ominous.

I can see it. You daughter hates you.

My dad blinked and took a step back.

She hates you. She said it herself. She thinks that you go to the Ilex Forest to get away from her. She thinks you doing care about her.

Careful! He is just manipulating you!

She hates you. You can hear her voice now, can't you? Screaming at you, telling you that she hates your guts and never wants to talk to you again.

My dad took another step back, then another. Fear shone in his eyes as the Celebi continued to taunt him.

Suddenly, two string vines burst out of the ground and wrapped themselves around my dad. The vines then started to spark with evil energy, shock my dad. My dad let out a pained shout. 

"Dad!" I cried out.

I turned to Celebi. "Let me help my dad! Please! Let me help him!"

Wait a moment...

Suddenly, past Celebi rush at evil Celebi, smashing into it and slamming it to the ground. Typhlosion followed up with a well aimed Flamethrower.

The vines that bound my dad vanished, and he crumbled to the forest floor, panting heavily. I rushed over to him.

"Dad!" I cried, "Dad can you hear me?"

"A- amy?" my dad struggled to speak, "Wh-why- how?"

"That doesn't matter, dad," I said, gently helping him up, "You're going to be okay."

I reached to my trainer's kit to clean my dad's wounds, but he stopped me.

"Don't waste your time," he chocked out, "It won't work."

"But dad!" I yelled, "Please, let me help!"

"Not... enough... time..." my dad panted, "Stop that corrupt Celebi. Please."

"Dad..." I mumbled, "I... I... I love you! I love you more than I could ever say!"

My dad smiled. "I love... you too...."

"D- d- dad?" I stuttered, "Dad? Please, wake up! Dad!"

Tears streaming down my face  as my dad's eyes grew blank and lifeless. "Dad..." I mumbled.

He was weak. There is no need for people like him.

Uh oh.

I glared at the Celebi. "How dare you?" I demanded, "How dare you say that about my dad!"

A flash of fear shown in the evil Celebi's eyes.

Without any hesitation, I stated bombarding the evil Celebi with attacks. I had no clue how I was doing it. I just knew that this creature had killed my dad, and it was going to pay.

Stop!

I ignored the voice.

Amy, stop!

I stopped and turned around to face my Celebi. "What?" I shouted angrily.

You sort of already killed the evil Celebi.

"What do you mean, I-" I glanced at the ground, as saw that in fact the evil Celebi was dead.

"Did I?"

Yes.

"And you?"

Past me is back in the past, along with you... Dad's body... I sent Typhlosion to stay with your Chikorita. I'm sure that's what you dad would want.

Finally, I couldn't handle it anymore. I broke down on to the ground, sobbing.

---

~ Author's Note

And so is my entry to the second round of PokemonContests contest.

Haven't been on Wattpad in almost five days... Sorry...

*looks at clock* 11:55.. I'm so going to lose... Well.... I Tried. Now good night. I don't feel like making a long Authors note.