Chapter 2- Liberation and Liberation

So that's how I, Alto Lati Juniper, came into this world: I hatched from an Egg conceived by a human father and a Latias mother. It's not the happiest of tales, I suppose, but it's mine. My childhood was… overall sheltered. My adoptive mom eventually grew tired of the media and more or less cut me off from the outside world. I never complained; the Eon Pokémon are generally pretty shy, and I was no exception.

One day I lay in a field behind the lab, wings folded against my back "Alto!" Professor Juniper called.

"Yes, Professor?" She never liked the term "mom."

"This Cinccino won't cooperate! Can you help me out here?" She took care of some Pokémon from the Day-Care to help lighten the load. Apparently the couple was extremely overwhelmed if Juniper managed to find the time to help. She even cleared out the field I now rested in to provide the available space. I suppose that while she was always rather busy on various projects, she still cared deeply about people and Pokèmon. And me, wherever I fit in.

I ran across the field. I could not fly for some reason. I've read that Latis are born floating actually, so flying was natural to them… but the human part of me has insisted I stay grounded.

And yet… there's nothing I want more to soar through the air, free and powerful, tearing through the clouds at Mach I just like my Latios ancestors. As such, it is my fervent goal to learn to fly… someday. Juniper and I have already looked into planning a trip to Alto Mare to meet my mom and learn from her, but we've just been too busy thus far.

I reached the back porch of the lab where Professor Juniper kneeled, holding a pair of scissors and attempting to coax a Cinccino out from under a table.

"C'mon, little fella. Just a couple hairs- that's all, I promise." The fluffy, mouse-like Pokémon shook her head emphatically.

The Cinccino noticed me. "Ugh, thank goodness you're here, Alto. Can you please tell her there's no way she's getting a single hair off me until she washes those filthy, hairless sausages she calls fingers?" I burst out laughing.

"Sure, thing," I replied, which probably sounded like "La, ti,' but Pokéspeak and human sounded the same to me.

"What? What'd she say?" Juniper said, laughing along.

"She said, and I quote, 'there's no way she's getting a single hair off me until she washes those filthy, hairless sausages she calls fingers.'"

Juniper chuckled. "Is that all? Why didn't you just say so?" The Cinccino facepawed.

Juniper left to wash her hands. I sat with my back pressed up against a wooden beam, basking in the bright sunlight. Hmm, I bet Fern would really enjoy this, I thought, taking out a Pokéball. I clicked the button on it, releasing my Serperior.

"'Morning, Fern," I said. "Thought you'd enjoy the sunlight."

"As I matter of fact, I would! Thank you." The large, elongated Grass Snake Pokémon coiled up, her leaves turned to catch as much sunlight as possible.

"Why do you insist on being in your Pokéball? Isn't it nicer to be out and about?"

"You're my trainer; it's where I belong." She gave me a soft smile.

"I'm Pokémon enough that that sentence bothers me. Why can't we just be friends?"

"You're human enough that that sentence bothers me. It's always been my dream to compete in the Pokémon league, but I need a trainer to get me there."

"Obviously I've done a great job these past five years."

"Well, I find ten-year-olds to be a little young to go on a Journey," she sniffed. "Besides, we've already trained a lot here; we'll be extra prepared for the gyms!"

I always found this conversation a little disconcerting. I really was happy here at the lab, helping Professor Juniper, but… I needed to head out sometime. Juniper always said I'd know when I was ready. Now I'm fifteen and I still don't feel ready. The outside world scared me. What would regular humans and Pokémon think of me, a strange hybrid of the two? Would they hate me? Would they fear me? It's tines like this that I wish I was normal.

"Alto…" Juniper called in a strange voice. "I think you should come see this." Snapping out of my thoughts, I stepped inside. The Day-Care man held a remote as he and Juniper watched a TV screen with concern.

An emphatic man in a robe spoke to an audience in Accumula town. "…deserve to be free! Who are we, as humans, to oppress the majesty that is Pokémon? We tear them from their homes, separating them from their families and force them to fight mercilessly for the rest of their lives! We imprison them in a tiny ball, forcing them to have any sense of 'freedom'- and I use the term loosely- when we so desire."

"I happen to like it in there! What's wrong with this guy?" Fern declared, having followed me in.

The strangely garbed man continued, "I am calling for total Pokémon liberation. It is perfectly clear that-"

The Pokémon caretaker turned off the TV and looked at Juniper. The professor scowled and said, "This guy is complete Tauroscrap. The history of human-Pokémon relations is deep and rich. Obviously, you can't stop all the abuse in the world, but really? 'Freeing' all Pokémon? I may not know Pokéspeak like you, Alto, but I'm pretty sure most Pokémon are happy with their trainers."

"You've got that right," Fern said. "Even though my trainer hasn't left on his Journey yet, hint hint," I rolled my eyes, "There's no way I'd want 'liberation.' …Uh… can you translate that, please, Alto?"

I relayed the message. The Day-Care man sighed. "I'm glad to hear that. However, every day people come to my Day-Care and ask me to 'liberate' their Pokémon. They won't even stay around to listen to reason as they abandon their poor friends. I've done my best to care for them, but I've got too many Pokémon and too little time. Poor guys. They have no idea why they were abandoned." That resonated with me.

I balled my hand into a fist, although the blue padding on my hands kind of got in the way. "We can't let him do this! I don't know what his motives are, or if he's just insane, but this can't go on!" I made up my mind, finally making the decision. "Professor Juniper, I'm ready to go on my Journey. I want to show myself to the world as living proof that Pokémon and humans can be happy together! Not to mention, I want to challenge the Pokémon league and win it, for Fern."

"You're certain on this?"

"I've never been more certain about anything. If things get too hectic…" I bent my scales, turning even my clothes invisible. "…I'll do that," I finished, becoming visible again. "Or, you know, use Luster Purge or something."

"Well, I can't stop you," Juniper said, smiling, "But at least give me time to help you pack."


Juniper found one of her hiking backpacks and began to stuff it with all the essentials- a change of clothes, food, water, bug repellant, a first-aid kit (which contained mostly Sitrus and Lum berries), etc. I hefted the backpack and slipped it around my shoulders, bending my wings in an awkward position. "Ow, ow, ow," I repeated as I let it slide off me. Folding my rigid wings first, I tried again. This time it went on with much less difficulty. Fern watched with excitement.

Juniper stood at the doorway, giving me one last hug. "Finally, here's a list of things to buy when you need to restock and twenty thousand Pokédollars. Call me if you ever need me!"

"Thanks, professor. I'll make you proud."

"I'm sure you will, Alto. Enjoy your 'liberation!'" Fern and I looked at her funny. "…Bad joke?"

"Bad joke," Fern and I said in unison.

"Well… good luck, you two."

"Bye, Professor!"

We set off towards Accumula Town, taking the first steps of our arduous quest.

"You ready?" I asked Fern as we entered Route 1.

"Are legs overrated?" she asked. I blinked, totally confused. "Yes, I'm ready! Let's go!" She darted ahead.

"Wait up!" I ran after her into the forest.

Author's note: When I mentioned I had a couple other ideas, this was it. Also, I'd like to hear you feedback on other hybrids you'd like Alto to meet and Pokemon you'd like him to catch. I'll be sure to consider them!