Pokemon : Rewind

A few minutes later, the door to the living room swung open, revealing a thin, balding man in his forties wearing a white lab coat. 

His round glasses perched precariously on his nose, and his wide, friendly smile instantly set the room at ease.

"Hello, nice to meet you, Ash, Brock, and Misty," the man greeted, his enthusiasm palpable. He bent slightly to address the smaller members of the group. 

"And of course, Pikachu and Togepi—nice to meet you too!"

"Pika pika!" Pikachu chirped back cheerfully, while Togepi waved its tiny hands, emitting an excited squeal.

"It's an honor to meet you, Professor Elm!" Ash and his friends stood, offering warm greetings.

The man before them was none other than Professor Elm, the Johto Region's leading Pokémon researcher and one of Professor Oak's most accomplished protégés.

Elm's impressive academic background included earning his master's and professorship at Celadon University, where he had specialized in Pokémon breeding. 

He had since made groundbreaking contributions to the field, including discovering Pichu, Pikachu's pre-evolution, and publishing influential research on Pokémon egg groups.

"Professor Oak speaks very highly of you," Brock said, shaking Elm's hand.

"That's kind of him," Elm replied modestly, adjusting his glasses. "He was one of my mentors, and I've always looked up to him."

In addition to his work on Pokémon breeding and evolution, Elm was spearheading an ambitious project on Pokémon as sustainable transportation alternatives. 

Tasked by the World League, his research aimed to provide eco-friendly travel options for trainers.

As they exchanged pleasantries, Elm settled onto the sofa, sipping the tea his assistant, Aoki, had brought.

"Professor Oak mentioned you'd be stopping by, but I'm surprised he didn't share more details about why," Elm began, glancing between his guests.

The group exchanged puzzled looks.

"Actually, he didn't tell us much," Misty admitted. "He just said we should come meet you."

Elm chuckled awkwardly. "I see. That's very like Professor Oak—to leave out the specifics!" Adjusting his glasses, he added, "There's something I'd like to ask for your help with."

"Of course! We'd be happy to help," Ash replied eagerly, leaning forward.

Elm smiled at Ash's enthusiasm. "It's not a major issue, but it's become quite the inconvenience. Lately, the forest near my laboratory has been enveloped in a dense fog.

This fog is so thick that it's causing hindrance to my research and discouraged rookie Trainers from entering the forest to train. I suspect it's caused by a Pokémon."

"A Pokémon?" Misty repeated, intrigued.

"Yes, our instruments suggest the fog isn't natural," Elm explained, his expression growing serious. 

"It's unusual for a Pokémon to create such an effect unless it's highly skilled—likely Silver level or higher."

Brock furrowed his brow. "If it's a Pokémon with that much power, it might pose a danger to inexperienced Trainers."

"Exactly," Elm confirmed. "I would have sent my assistants to investigate, but they're all on leave. Given Ash's strength, I hoped you might look into it."

"We'd be glad to help," Ash replied without hesitation, his resolve clear.

Elm's face lit up. "Thank you! Be cautious, though. If the Pokémon is hostile, it could be challenging to handle."

---

Elm handed them a map, and Aoki guided the group to the edge of the forest before heading back to the lab.

As the trio approached, they saw the fog firsthand. It clung to the forest in an unnatural way, dense and confined to the trees, with a distinct boundary where it abruptly ended.

"This is incredible," Brock remarked, studying the fog. "The precision required to control it like this—it must be an exceptionally powerful Pokémon."

Ash nodded. "Whatever's causing this, we need to find it." He adjusted his backpack and retrieved a searchlight.

The beam of light barely penetrated the thick mist. Shadows flickered at the edges, hinting at the vast unknown ahead.

"Stay close," Ash cautioned, leading the way. "Let's stick together and stay alert."

The group stepped into the fog, and the world around them seemed to vanish. Each step felt heavier, the oppressive silence broken only by the crunch of leaves beneath their feet.

---

After some time navigating the dense fog, Pikachu's ears twitched, and its tail stiffened.

"What is it, Pikachu?" Ash asked, stopping in his tracks.

"Pika!" Pikachu pointed into the mist, where faint movements stirred the shadows.

Suddenly, a soft, melodic hum resonated through the air. The sound was haunting yet strangely calming, drawing the group's attention.

"Do you hear that?" Misty whispered, clutching Togepi tightly.

"Yeah," Brock replied, his expression tense. "It's coming from up ahead."

Ash narrowed his eyes, stepping forward cautiously. The fog thickened, and the hum grew louder, reverberating around them.

Out of the mist, a figure began to materialize. At first, it was indistinct—a blur of movement—but as it drew closer, its form became clear.

"It's… a Pokémon!" Ash exclaimed, his voice tinged with awe.

The creature was unlike anything they had encountered before. Its sleek, ethereal body shimmered in the dim light, and its movements were graceful, almost hypnotic.

"It's using the fog as a shield," Brock observed.

"Who are you?" Ash called out, stepping forward. "Are you causing this fog?"

The Pokémon's eyes glinted, and for a moment, it seemed to study them. Then, without warning, it released a powerful gust of wind, scattering the mist and forcing the group to shield their faces.

When the wind subsided, the Pokémon was gone, and the fog began to dissipate.

"What just happened?" Misty asked, her voice shaky.

"It retreated," Brock said, scanning the now-clear forest. "But why?"

Ash clenched his fists, determination blazing in his eyes. "It's strong, but it didn't seem hostile. We need to find out more about it."

As the trio made their way back to Professor Elm's lab, they couldn't shake the encounter from their minds.

"What kind of Pokémon was that?" Ash wondered aloud.

"I think we've only scratched the surface," Brock replied.

The mystery of the fog—and the Pokémon behind it—was far from over.

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