Pokemon: The Chosen Ranger

So, you're the one called Summer?

That was what Celebi had originally intended to say. But the next moment, what it sensed wiped away that thought entirely.

Celebi saw dense time ripples surrounding Summer, indicating that he had the potential to time travel at any moment. For a human, that was far from normal.

Even stranger, Celebi couldn't see Summer's future—nor could it truly understand what kind of person he was.

The turning point was in this forest. Celebi didn't want to leave. But approaching such an unpredictable human was too dangerous. After thinking it over, Celebi made a decision—travel back in time.

It would return to the day Summer first arrived in Sunset Forest… and witness firsthand what kind of person he truly was.

"Alright, time for today's patrol. Rillaboom, Ogerpon."

Stepping outside, Summer stretched his arms. Yesterday, he had tested the two newly acquired Z-Crystals, and thankfully, nothing unusual had happened. Who would have thought that Pheromosa's arrival would indirectly strengthen their team?

But just as he was about to take another step forward, he suddenly froze.

"…Rilla?"

"Bo?"

Rillaboom and Ogerpon exchanged concerned glances. Summer never made that kind of expression. Could it be—was time distortion about to occur again?

"…Strange. Why do I suddenly feel like I've been watched since the very day I arrived in Sunset Forest?" Summer pressed his fingers to his forehead, eyes closed. Someone was watching him. But whoever it was… they didn't seem hostile.

"Hmm… Given its habits, it would be sitting on the thickest branch of the second tree southwest of Rillaboom. Rillaboom—use Drum Beating on whatever's up there."

Without hesitation, Rillaboom struck its drum, sending a massive root surging from the ground straight toward the spot Summer pointed out. Moments later, Rillaboom's eyes widened in shock.

It had caught something.

The root swiftly retracted under Rillaboom's control, and when Summer saw who was bound—he fell silent.

It was Celebi.

Summer had jokingly blamed time-related events on Celebi before, using its name whenever something weird happened. But now… Celebi had actually shown up.

And considering Celebi's ability to travel through time, that meant…

It's been watching me all along?

Celebi was equally speechless. Had it not exhausted its time ripples from the last jump, there was no way it would've been caught like this.

However, Celebi now had a much better impression of Summer. Protecting the forest, being kind to Pokémon—these were all points in his favor. Without realizing it, Summer had already won over a Legendary Pokémon.

"Rillaboom, let it go. And… sorry about that, Celebi. For, uh, borrowing your name without permission."

Hearing its name, Rillaboom quickly withdrew its roots. This was the so-called "Forest Guardian" Summer had mentioned before?

Celebi fluttered into the air, wings shimmering as it gave a small nod—that's more like it.

For the first time, Celebi looked directly at Summer. And for some reason, the more it looked, the more pleasant it found him. The whole getting-captured thing? Already forgotten.

Arms crossed, Celebi began thinking.

Since the moment Summer arrived in Sunset Forest, he had time-traveled seven times, and every time, the forest changed. There was no doubt—Summer was blessed with extraordinary power, not just over time, but space as well.

No wonder the turning point appeared in this forest.

But the question was… who did this power truly belong to? If it was him—the man Celebi had seen in its vision—the consequences would be disastrous.

"…Can I ask why you specifically traveled back in time just to watch me?" Summer asked.

Ogerpon covered its mouth. That sounds just like a stalker…

Realizing the misunderstanding, Celebi frantically waved its hands. I was just evaluating your character! How could saving the world be considered being a stalker?!

Ogerpon, however, remained unconvinced, giving Celebi a deeply suspicious look. Since it lacked telepathy, Celebi had to go through quite a bit of effort to explain the whole situation to Summer.

"So, let me get this straight," Summer said, summarizing everything.

"Someone is trying to capture you and use your powers to rewrite history, creating a dark future. You came to Sunset Forest searching for a way to prevent that future from happening. And you found me. But because you didn't understand my powers, you went back in time to investigate me."

Celebi nodded. That was exactly it.

"…So, does that mean I passed your evaluation?" Summer asked.

Celebi nodded again—because it had seen the story of this forest.

The timid, self-doubting Grookey who grew into a Rillaboom capable of protecting its home. The ambitious Rookidee who finally achieved its dream. The young Phantump who made its own choices.

The once-lonely Hatterene who found true friendship. The Lilligant who danced freely. The Ogerpon who was no longer shackled by its past.

The Milotic who discovered its purpose. The Ursaluna who finally smiled.

Celebi hadn't just been watching Summer—it had been watching all of Sunset Forest's Pokémon. And at the center of all these changes… was him.

But it wasn't just Pokémon.

People, too.

Marnie, who had grown stronger.

Gideon, who seemed to be aging backward from joy.

Nessa, who had rediscovered her creative spark.

The model who found clarity.

The martial artist who overcame his doubts.

The masked boy who made his first friend.

And every single uninvited guest that had been dealt with.

Celebi had witnessed it all.

It extended its tiny hand, looking into Summer's eyes with its pale blue gaze.

Will you help me save the world?

"Ah, of course I will," Summer replied, without hesitation. "I don't want to see Sunset Forest—or anyone here—disappear. I don't want all the effort I've witnessed to be erased."

Reaching out, he gently grasped Celebi's hand. At that moment, a silent agreement was made. Together, they would stop the man from Celebi's vision. They would ensure history stayed on the right path.

"In that case, Celebi… stay here. Let Sunset Forest become your home—your shield of protection." Summer smiled.

Celebi was deeply moved and wanted to nod immediately, but it had its mission. It couldn't stay in one place forever.

For Celebi, there was no past or future—only the present. To maintain its energy, it needed to absorb time ripples from the most active point in time—something it called "the Now."

It was said that the heartbeat of the god of time determined the placement of this Now. And where it was… that was where Celebi had to be.

So, reluctantly, Celebi explained its dilemma.

"…Then just make Sunset Forest your permanent Now," Summer said simply. "Stay here, until the problem is solved. Let your kind handle the future part."

Celebi's eyes widened in realization. It could do that.

It would only have to monitor the past…

But if it time-traveled too far, it might lose track of Sunset Forest.

"…That's an easy fix. Just leave a marker."

Summer grinned. "A shrine that preserves the power of time, maybe? I am pretty confident in my woodworking skills."

Celebi blinked. That… could actually work.

A small smile formed on its face.

I never expected this…

Sunset Forest has become my home.

The future… suddenly seems so much more interesting.

(End of Chapter)