Pokemon: My Pokemon Has a Tailed Beast Template

Chapter 269 269: A Familiar Stranger

In the darkness of the night, without a watch, Sam had no way of knowing the exact time.

He didn't know how long had passed, but just as he was starting to grow impatient, Gengar finally returned.

There was a strange look on its face—confusion mixed with disbelief, as if it had encountered something it couldn't understand.

After communicating through their mental link, Sam quickly learned what had happened.

Gengar had encountered Ash Ketchum, Brock, and a girl it had never seen before in the forest. But when it approached them, they didn't recognize it at all.

That left Gengar completely baffled.

Sam, however, immediately understood.

This was no longer Kanto… or Johto.

Just yesterday, Ash and Brock had been with him near New Bark Town, dealing with poachers. There was no way they should be here—and certainly not with a different girl while Misty was missing.

There was only one explanation.

This wasn't his timeline anymore.

Celebi's time-space gate had brought him to a completely different era.

To confirm his theory, Sam followed Gengar toward where Ash and the others were.

Meanwhile…

"Brock, didn't that Gengar just now seem strange? It felt like it knew us."

Ash spoke as they walked through the forest.

"I felt the same way," Brock nodded. "It seemed familiar… but I'm sure I've never seen it before."

"Right! Pikachu, you felt it too, didn't you?"

"Pikachu."

Pikachu nodded in agreement.

"This is so weird…" Ash muttered, rubbing his head.

"Let's not worry about that right now," said Dawn with a hint of irritation. "We've been lost in this forest for ages. At this rate, who knows when we'll reach Crown City?"

Brock gave an awkward smile, clearly embarrassed—it was his navigation that got them lost.

Before he could respond, something beautiful appeared ahead.

A group of Beautifly danced gracefully under the moonlight. Silver powder drifted through the air, sparkling like stars.

The breathtaking sight instantly lifted their spirits. Even their frustration at being lost faded away.

Refreshed, they continued forward.

But trouble came quickly.

A commotion nearby drew their attention.

Looking toward the source, they saw a group of Vigoroth surrounding a strange Pokémon on a cliff.

Seeing it in danger, Ash didn't hesitate.

His sense of justice kicked in instantly.

"Go, Infernape!"

"And don't gang up on one!"

But the Vigoroth weren't actually trying to hurt it—they were just trying to discipline a mischievous Zorua.

Realizing they were misunderstood, the Vigoroth simply shook their heads and left.

Hidden deeper in the forest, Sam watched everything unfold.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

He finally understood.

This was the timeline of Zoroark: Master of Illusions.

Which meant—

Ash and the others would soon encounter Celebi.

To protect Celebi from Pryce—and to return to his own time—Sam needed to find it as soon as possible.

And he already had a plan.

"Hello."

Sam's voice suddenly broke the moment between Ash and Zorua.

He stepped out of the shadows.

Ash and Brock immediately felt something strange.

Their instincts told them this man was familiar…

But their minds insisted they had never met him before.

"Pikachu…"

Pikachu sensed it too.

It cautiously approached Sam, staring at him with curiosity.

Sam smiled, crouched down, and gently picked Pikachu up.

"Hello, Pikachu."

Seeing this, Ash couldn't hold back anymore.

"Hey… have we met before?"

The question caught Sam slightly off guard.

After a brief pause, he answered calmly:

"…We probably have."

Ash nodded, then introduced himself.

"Hi! I'm Ash. This is Brock—and Dawn. Nice to meet you!"

Sam smiled.

"Nice to meet you too. My name is Sam."