Hello readers, this is my very first story. I hope you enjoy it, please leave any comments you have whether it be praise, criticism or ideas, I would love to hear from you.
As always, I'd like to thanks the ones who left reviews and/or PM'd me: ChaosFox 60, Legodood93 & Thunderwolf7226
I've had a few people ask about certain Pokémon on the poll and why some are not on it for example Tyranitar, Gardevoir and Lucario. The simple reason is that everyone, literally everyone adds Pokémon like them to Ash's party and I just wanted to give some different Pokémon a chance.
Alright so the beginning of this chapter will be leading off from the end of chapter 1. It will then return to the present time, I'm not 100% happy with this chapter however I have ideas for the rest of the story and I want to get to them. So, I hope you'll enjoy this chapter, feel free to suggest any improvements that could be made.
I don't know if this is necessary but I've seen other people do it so - Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon.
Ash walked through the barrier and entered the Secret Garden, his thoughts wandered to his Pokémon and he couldn't help but worry what had happened to them. He hoped that Pikachu, Hawlucha and Talonflame had managed to save the rest of their family and were either already here or were on their way. He shook away any doubt he had, Pikachu was there after all and he would make sure that they got to Alto Mare safe and sound.
Ash glanced around the area trying to spot Latias but couldn't see her anywhere, he did see the Soul Dew though and walked over to it. He still felt guilty over the events that ended up with Latios having to sacrifice himself to become the Soul Dew and save Alto Mare. Ash muttered an apology to the Soul Dew and started walking around hoping to find Latias but was unable to find her.
"Latias! Hey Latias are you here?!"
Moments passed and the only answer Ash got was silence, his shoulders slumped as thoughts of Latias ignoring him, forgetting him or even worse turning against him like the others had ran through his mind. He was so deep in thought that he didn't see the dragon flying towards him, a few seconds later she accidentally knocked Ash down and then laid on top of him while nuzzling him. A massive smile broke out on Ash's face and he wrapped his arms around Latias tightly.
"Ash you've come back!" Latias said with tears in her eyes.
Ash gazed straight into the amber eyes he loved, he moved a hand to her face and gently wiped away her tears. A blush immediately crept onto Latias' face and she quickly went back to nuzzling Ash before he could see her crimson cheeks. Eventually the dragoness stopped her nuzzling and turned her gaze back to Ash with a saddened expression.
"You're all over the news, Bianca, Lorenzo and I were watching the news report and we don't believe a word they're saying. I'm sorry about your mother and that so many people you trusted didn't believe in you."
"Thank you Latias, you have no idea how much that means to me. The loss of my mother is painful and the betrayal of those people has hurt me immensely but the only person I needed to stand by me is you," Ash said.
"Why me?" Latias asked.
Ash knew that this was it, the moment of truth where he could finally tell Latias how he really felt about her. However, doubts started to run through his head, various scenarios of the dragoness' reaction varying from joy to disgust made question whether telling her was a good idea. If she didn't feel the same way, he risked losing the important person still in his life and after recent events he couldn't afford to lose her. He shook the doubt away, it was clear that no matter what Latias wouldn't abandon him even if she didn't feel the same way. Now that he'd got the negative thoughts out of his head he took a deep breath to calm himself.
"Because, because I love you Latias. I have done for a long time now, I just never had the guts to admit it,"
"You really love me? Why, I'm Pokémon?"
"I couldn't care less about you being a Pokémon. I love you for who you are Latias, you being a Pokémon doesn't matter. You are everything a man could ever want, you're playful, kind and smart. How could someone not fall in love with you?"
Ash looked away from Latias, scared to see her reaction to his confession. After a few moments of silence Ash heard a sob, he turned his gaze back to Latias and saw that the dragoness had tears in her eyes. He instantly began to panic thinking he'd upset her, he started to repeatedly apologise for upsetting her not giving Latias a chance to reply. To Ash's surprise Latias suddenly pressed her mouth against Ash's, the action shocked the young man but he quickly got over his shock and returned the kiss. Neither had kissed someone before so it was awkward kiss between two clearly inexperienced people but despite that they both felt that it was the most incredible moment of their lives.
"I love you too Ash."
A smile formed on Ash's face and he tenderly stroked Latias' face, he brought her into another kiss and when they broke apart a bright light engulfed the two of them. They both stared at each other wondering what was going on when they both felt something inside them
"Okay um what just happened?" Ash queried.
He then noticed that it was no longer Latias laid on him but a human instead, she had long red hair that trailed down to her back, pale skin, and was about five foot six. At first, he was confused but the moment he saw the woman's amber eyes he knew that it was the one he loved. The confusion quickly set back in though as to his knowledge Latias had been unable to create a human form and to this day had still been mimicking Bianca. Ash stared into Latias' eyes and saw that she was just as confused as him. Latias had been just as bemused as Ash was when she saw a face she'd never seen before beneath her, he had long white hair and ruby red eyes. However one look in his now red eyes confirmed that it was Ash who was laying beneath her.
"Whoa Latias I didn't know you'd created a human form for yourself, you look incredible," Ash said.
"I haven't made one, it's one skill I haven't been able to do,"
"So how have you got a human form?"
"I believe I can answer that question,"
The pair were startled be the new voice, they quickly untangled themselves from each other and got to their feet ready to defend themselves and the Soul Dew against this new possible threat. They both relaxed though when they saw a familiar psychic type smirking at them.
"Mewtwo?" both Latias and Ash said.
"Correct, I'm glad you remember me," the psychic type replied with a chuckle.
"What are you doing here?" Ash queried.
"Well firstly I wanted to make sure you were safe which evidently you are. I would have preferred it if you had come to me first though, we would have gladly kept you safe on Mt Quena."
"I know you would have done Mewtwo but I'm a wanted criminal, people will try to find me and that would put you and the clones in danger. Staying here is the safer option for us all, the Secret Garden can't be accessed by anyone unless they are permitted. I appreciate the offer though,"
"Very well Ash, although always remember that there is a place for you amongst the clones and me. Now is suppose you want an explanation on the changes you and Latias have gone through. It is simply a side effect of a human and Pokémon bonding, due to differences in Pokémon and human DNA there were severe problems when they would mate. This forced Arceus to create a way for them to be compatible in the off chance that a Pokémon and human should bond. His solution to the problem was to make both become hybrids, this is the reason why for example Ash now has white hair and red eyes. Something you should know is that while you both have access to your Pokémon powers in this form you cannot change into a Latios or a Latias,"
Ash and Latias were stunned to silence by what Mewtwo had told them, it was a lot of information to process in a short space of time. While Latias was deep in thought about what Mewtwo had said, Ash approached the clone and placed his right hand on the psychic types shoulder which Mewtwo quickly replicated. This was the closest form of affection you could share with Mewtwo, his pride ensured that hugs and to a degree handshakes weren't an option.
"Thank you Mewtwo,"
"It is my pleasure to assist you Ash, now I must return home. When things have settled here you should come visit Mt Quena I know the clones would like to see you again,"
The clone vanished before Ash could reply leaving him and Latias alone in the Secret Garden. Ash turned his gaze to Latias and saw that she was staring at her hands looking deep in thought. He started to wonder if Latias was now having regrets, she had been a Pokémon her whole life and now she was forced to be humanlike from now on. He placed his right hand on her shoulder which made Latias immediately turn to face him, his thoughts momentarily stopped as he stared into her gorgeous amber eyes but he quickly regained his composure.
"Hey if you don't like this form I'm sure that I can call in a few favours with Arceus and get him to turn you back into a Latias,"
"No I like this new form, it's just a bit of a shock to the system. Do you like our new forms?"
"Yeah, I'm ecstatic with this change and I must say you look beautiful,"
Latias blushed and looked away for a moment as she recollected her thoughts, she had to admit that while before their transformation he had his boyish good looks he now looked like a handsome man. She suddenly felt a hand on her face that gently turned her so she was facing Ash again. Before Latias could speak Ash pressed his lips against her again, the couple reluctantly broke the kiss and stared lovingly into each other's eyes.
"I love you Latias,"
"I love you too Ash,"
As soon as Ash finished the tale the female Pokémon surrounded Latias and welcomed her to their family. Latias was overwhelmed by the support she had gotten from her new family and thanked them all while embracing them. Meanwhile the male Pokémon were quick to congratulate Ash with a series of high fives, fist bumps and a few hugs. Suddenly Ash spotted Jessie, James and Meowth stood at the back of his Pokémon, he cursed himself for not spotting the trio earlier and was ready to send them blasting off again. The trio saw the look on Ash's face and stepped forward with their arms raised in submission.
"Don't worry kid we're not here to steal Pokémon or do anything evil. We quit Team Rocket not long after the incident, we met up with your Pokémon and they said that there was a place for us here," James said.
To say Ash was dubious of James' response was an understatement, after the events that happened a month ago, it was difficult for him to trust people especially ones that had stalked him for over six years and tried to steal his family. Ash turned his attention to Pikachu who was still sat in his arms, knowing that he could trust his best friend's judgement.
"Are they telling the truth Pikachu?"
'Yep, if it weren't for them we might not have made it here,'
Ash was genuinely surprised by what Pikachu had said, he would have never expected Team Rocket to not only believe in him when no one else did but also help his Pokémon rather than lead them to Giovanni. Ash placed Pikachu on the ground and then slowly walked towards the trio with a blank expression on his face, silence took over the Secret Garden as everyone watched Ash wondering what he was going to do.
Ash stopped in front of Jessie, the blank expression on his face immediately morphed into a smile and he embraced her. The former Team Rocket member was shocked by the action but was quick to return the young man's hold. He broke the hug with Jessie and moved on to James and Meowth, the trio were stunned by the rather surreal moment. They had expected a lot of things to happen when they finally met Ash but they never thought that he would instantly accept them.
"Welcome to the family,"
"It's nice to see that despite what happened you haven't changed Ash," a familiar voice said.
Everyone turned to face where the voice had come from, some readying attacks in case this to them unknown person was dangerous however they halted their attacks when they saw Ash embrace the two new arrivals. The Pokémon that had met them before quickly approached the pair reacquainting themselves.
"Bianca, Lorenzo it's great to see you both but how long have you been there?" Ash asked.
"The whole time, we saw the Lapras carrying you down the waterways and we were worried that you were here to steal the Soul Dew. So, we went through the other entrance and waited for Latias to arrive and drive you away," Bianca replied.
Concerned looks appeared on Ash and Latias' faces, both had been worried about the reaction Bianca and Lorenzo would have to their newfound relationship. Ash knew that Bianca and Lorenzo would be highly protective of Latias and most likely wouldn't approve of their relationship due to him being human and her formerly being a Pokémon. The couple had wanted to break it to them on their own terms but that wasn't going happen.
"Neither of you should worry, we're happy for the two of you," Lorenzo said reassuringly.
"Yeah, if you two are happy that's what matters to us," Bianca added.
Ash and Latias sighed in relief, breaking the news of their relationship had been weighing heavily on their minds so they were now put at ease. The new family spent a while exchanging stories and updating each other on what had happened over the past month. Once they were done Ash went and thanked all the Pokémon who had stayed by his side individually. He finally came to the Beedrill that had accompanied his Pokémon and when he got a closer look he immediately knew which Beedrill it was.
"Wait you're the queen from Viridian Forest, what are you doing here?"
'The inhabitants of Viridian Forest overheard about what happened in Kalos. So, I decided to come here and see what this Alto Mare was like and if it was a suitable place for my swarm to live and I am impressed. I shall leave here soon and return with my swarm as well as families of the Butterfree line as well some of the Pidgeot flock and a small family of Pikachu as well. You have done a lot for the Pokémon of Viridian Forest and we wished to return the favour by helping you in any way possible. Us living here gives us that opportunity,'
"Thank you, I appreciate your help but is there room for you all in Alto Mare."
'There are many trees on this island that the bugs and birds can live in and the Pikachu can live here. In exchange for allowing us all to live here we'll be peaceful and helpful when possible. However, if the people here try to catch us we will be forced to leave,'
"I completely understand that but you have no need to worry about being caught, there's an embargo on that in Alto Mare so no one will try to catch you."
The Queen Beedrill looked relieved at Ash's statement but then pointed her stinger at something behind Ash. The young man turned around to see what she was pointing at and he saws Lorenzo and Bianca looking at him with a bemused look on their faces. It was then that he realised that they were probably curious as to how he was conversing with a Pokémon so easily.
"Sorry I forgot to mention that thanks to my new form I can understand Pokémon. This Beedrill is the Queen of a swarm that lives in Viridian Forest and she's going to bring them as well as some other Pokémon to live here."
"Now it makes sense," Bianca replied.
"You know all those Pokémon coming to Alto Mare could be good for the local businesses, an influx of different Pokémon could encourage tourists to visit," Lorenzo stated.
"Lorenzo's right, how often can you see completely docile swarms of Pokémon that live near a large city? People will come to get photos of all the Pokémon and maybe some will want me to draw them with the Pokémon too. If the Pokémon are okay with that," Bianca said.
Beedrill nodded at Bianca in response and then with a wave of her stinger she flew away back towards Kanto. Ash watched the slowly fading form of the Beedrill and began to worry for her safety, it was a long way back to Kanto on her own. He quickly looked around the area for someone to accompany the queen back to Kanto and spotted Noivern, he ran over to the flying type who looked at his trainer curiously.
"Hey Noivern could you do me a favour and escort the Beedrill Queen back to Viridian Forest? I don't like the idea of her being alone on that journey,"
The bat nodded and quickly flew off after the Beedrill Queen which was a great relief to Ash, even though he knew she was more than strong enough to defend herself it was a great reassurance for him to know that she had one of his loyal Pokémon escorting her. When the pair finally faded from sight Ash turned his focus back to his Pokémon and was once again grateful that so many had stood by his side. A couple of hours later the sun started to set and Lorenzo and Bianca headed home leaving Latias, Ash and his loyal Pokémon alone in the Secret Garden
"Well get settled in guys, this is our new home." Ash announced.
A/N
Next time the people of Alto Mare will get their first glimpse of their new defenders and the first of Ash's new Pokémon will join his family. (The poll will still carry on, it's just that this one is guaranteed to get through so I'm adding it in next chapter.)