CH.1 Strange Behavior

A young man of nineteen walked out of a relatively large building in Goldenrod. It had been four months since the Lugia disaster and already the city was starting to look like it's old self. He stopped as a long black car pulled up in front of him and got in.

"Where to Mr. Maxwell?" asked the man at the steering wheel. "Home, I'm just ready for this whole nightmare to be over," Andes replied. He had been extraordinarily busy all week and hadn't spent any time at home.

The man driving the car looked back at him. "Something on your mind?" he asked. "Yeah I'm a little nervous about something," Andes replied undoing the red tie around his neck. "I don't see what could make you so worried," the man said finally giving up on trying to figure it out.

Andes let out a mixed sigh of satisfaction and stress. "Girlfriend problems," he said at last. "Well there's plenty of fis-" the man started. "No Drew we didn't break up, it's…something a bit more private," Andes said.

"From what I've seen you're both crazy about each other, so why are you so stressed?" Drew asked slowing the speed of the car down as he came to a red light. Andes rubbed his temples, unsure how to explain his predicament.

Andes looked back up at him with a goofy look on his face. "Ah, I see what's eating at you," Drew said grinning. "Uh hu, and if you tell anyone I'll be putting a help wanted sign up," Andes replied.

Both laughed it off taking some of the stress off Andes' mind, but it still lingered. It was different now with Latias. It had all started a few months after Lawrence had stolen his soul's energy. Latias had used her own energy to bring him back from his dormant state.

He had been enjoying his time with her and with his friends having finally given up fighting. At least until Lance showed up and recruited him. Together they had finally tracked Gale and Sam down and relocated both of them to a classified area. Far from anyone who may want to use Gale's powers for evil.

He suddenly felt a great force surround him. "Hey Drew I'm gonna put the window up," he said pushing a button in the back. He was now all alone in the back part of the car. He closed his eyes and his breathing slowed almost to the point of a deep sleep.

"I am here," he thought. "Andes, do not fret over such a thing. You have her heart and she has yours," came a voice that was so full of power it made Andes weary. "Arceus, is that all the message you bring?" he asked puzzled.

"Andes, do not be afraid to take her as yours. You have all of our blessings," and with that Andes' eyes flew open and he gasped for air. Arceus' words still echoed in his mind. He sat motionless for a minute, processing the fact that the creator of everything had just spoken to him.

He flipped open his wallet and stared at the picture of him and Latias together. Bianca and every one else had teased about them being together even before the thought had even popped into either one's head. He had slowly grown attached to Latias though and finally given up his heart.

One night came to mind as he thought back on the time they had spent together. It had started to storm badly on Alto Mare and Latias had been frightened after lighting hit one of the trees in the secret garden. She had woke him up in the middle of the night when she asked to sleep over.

Andes was still out of it at the time and just grunted a yes. It took about five minutes before he came to and realized who was snuggled up next to him. The next day he was teased by Bianca, accusing him of things Andes never even gave a second thought about.

He closed his eyes tightly, as if straining to think. "I'm gonna need some professional advice," he mumbled to himself. The car stopped just as he pulled out a cell phone. He quickly shoved it back in one of his pockets and got out of the car.

Before him was the boat that would be taking him home, the Silver Raider. It was the fastest way back to Alto Mare with three powerful engines, and a sleek arrow dynamic design. It wasn't built for a cruise though, it was small and the rooms weren't exactly five star.

Once out on the open ocean he pulled out the cell phone again and held down the seven key. "Hello?" came a girls voice through the other end. "Hey how are things?" he asked in a carefree tone. "Guess you're on our way home hu?" the voice inquired.

"Yes, and my day's about to get a whole lot more interesting," he replied. "Good because someone here is starting to miss you," the voice said giggling. ""Hey Bianca is she any where near you?" he asked.

"No why?" she asked in return. "I kind of need your opinion on something," he said sheepishly. "What on?" she asked grinning on the other end. "It's something special," Andes said blushing on his end of the line. "What kind of "something special"?" she asked again enjoying torturing the truth out of him.

"It's for Latias, and it's really important," Andes said in a more serious tone. Bianca was a bit stunned by his sudden change in tone causing a puzzled look to cross her face.

"How special?" was the last question she asked in an almost equally serious tone.

"The kind of special that she'll remember for the rest of her life," he said a soft smile crossing his face. "When you get home meet me at the museum. I'm sure Latios can do something about keeping her occupied," Bianca said glancing back at the blue and white dragon.

"Thanks, I'll be there in about…two hours," he said glancing up at the clock in the room. Andes had always refused to wear a watch because he believed that whatever happened in life would happen when it was supposed to.

After two hours in a cramped room he was finally home. He wasted no time in making his way to the museum looking for Bianca. "Where is she?" he asked spying Bianca. "Oh Latios is keeping her occupied, but probably not for much longer," she replied.

"Well, thankfully there's only two questions that need to be asked," Andes said looking around as if expecting to be tackled at any second. "Okay what's question one?" Bianca asked enjoying every second of his dismay.

"What's her favorite color?" he asked smiling a bit. Bianca's eyes widened when she realized where this was going. "Come on, we really don't have long" she said grabbing him by the arm. "Oh come on now both of you are trying to tear off my arm?" Andes moaned.

They were in a jewelers store in a matter of minutes in awe at all of the necklaces and rings on display. Bianca immediately went up to the counter and asked to see all of the amber colored cuts. "Okay lover boy it's all you now," Bianca said watching closely as he looked over each one carefully.

His gaze finally fell upon one in particular. The label said Star Burst cut Amber. Something in the back of his mind told him that this was the one meant for Latias. "I think we have a winner," Bianca said as he continued to look it over.

The man nodded and walked back around with a whole tray of rings that had the selected cut. "Of course, wouldn't want to make choosing a ring to be easy," he said sarcastically picking two up that looked in the best condition. He finally selected one and had it sized to fit Bianca's finger for reference.

Both of them walked out of the store, Andes quickly hiding the precious object in his pocket. "So, are you ready?" Bianca asked turning to him. "I hope so, maybe I won't screw this up," he said trying to relax. "Anywhere special you want me to send her?" she asked keeping an eye out.

Andes thought for a second weighing the options. "Lets try the secret garden," he said starting towards the hidden entrance. "Hope she hasn't worn Latios down too much," Bianca said running in the opposite direction.