Author's Note:
I sincerely apologize for just ginormous delay. Vacation, procrastination and distraction, these are the bane of all story writers, and I happened to fall victim of them. But no worries, I have not forgotten this stories nor my supporters; which is why I shall work doubly hard to try and make up for the lost time. My only wish is that all of you will forgive me for being truant on the updates.
And of course, please enjoy the read.
Second Training Begins
Ash… Ash…
The sound of heavy panting could be heard over the steamy environment of the starry summer night. Green grass swayed and danced with the playful wind, while the ambient sound of night life sounded mute in the heavy air.
Ash…! Ash…!
The panting became more rushed now; a lot more rapid and forced as if from excitement or exhaustion. The delicate wind heaved a final longing sigh and herded away the cheeky banks of louds that hid the moon from the world.
Latias!
A second set of panting seemed to join the first, adding to the heaviness to the already hot and steamy atmosphere. The moon light seeped through reluctant wisps of cloud to reveal a grassy plain dotted with rolling hills. Small flowers and ferns decorated the scenery like ornaments decorate a fancy dress.
Ash…! It hurts…!
I sorry, Jewel! Shall I stop?
The sounds of panting seemed to ease up a little, but it did nothing to alleviate the hot steamy air of the starry summer night. Moonlight branched off into many prismatic beams of light as the vapors in the air shimmered and wavered.
No… I…I am fine… I can keep going…
Jewel…
Finally, the clouds became bored with flirting with the moon and moved on across the starry night sky, fully revealing the night scene below. The source of heavy panting originated from two shadowy figures on the plain; one of them had the silhouette of a young male trainer, the other, a Pokémon. The two of them were racing across the grassy plain while holding on to each other's hand. The destination of the figures was not clear, but it would seem both of them had been running for quite some time.
"Ash, how much longer?" asked Latias mixture of impatience, fatigue and excitement, "My sides are really hurting now."
"Just a little bit further, Jewel," comforted Ash Ketchum and urged his Legendary Pokémon along, "There! We're here! This is what I wanted to show you!"
The rolling grassy plain ended with a sheer cliff, which overlooked a rocky shoreline bordering the vast, unending sea. The waves lapped coyly against the unmoving rocks as if to tease them into joining the sea's warm embrace like a vivacious woman teasing her reluctant lover to join her. Although the picturesque vista of the seaside cliff was impressive by itself, it was not what Ash wanted to show Latias. The true breath-taking view of the scene was the number of glowing Water Pokémon responding to the night's call. Schools of Tantacool and Tantacruel, migrating shoals of Lanturn and even a few groups of Staryu and Starmie; all surfaced to answer the light of celestial bodies above them with lights of their own. The water Pokémon flickered and glowed according to the tide, which made the waves, looked like an undulating carpet of glowing light.
"It's beautiful…" breathed Latias, all her fatigue now forgotten.
"Let me show you something even more beautiful," said Ash slyly besides her.
"Hmmm?" Latias turned to see what her lover was referring to, but instead her lips met Ash's in mid-turn. The red Eon Pokémon didn't shy away from the surprise kiss; but rather she accepted Ash into her with all her heart. Latias was overflowing with joy and gratitude, for here at the edge of the land, there is no one else to judge their action. No more does the young couple has to hide their affection in front of the society's constraints, no more do they have to sneak a few quick kisses to show their love; for under the hot summer sky, their romance could be allowed to become just as steamy as the air around them. Heart racing, Latias aggressively pulled Ash forward to deepen the kiss, until both of them could feel each other's heart beating through each other's chest.
"Hah!" exclaimed Ash, expelling a giant pent up breath from his lungs," I can't take it anymore! We are going to do this!" With that, Ash hooked his fingers under the edge of his shirt and began to peel it off.
Latias' heart almost came to a screeching halt as Ash's sudden behavior triggered mass jumble of indecent thoughts in her not-so-innocent mind. Sure, she loves Ash to her death but such impulsive move out of nowhere…
"E…Ehhhh…?!" Latias managed to blurt out pass her initial shock, "N…N…Now?!"
"Don't worry, it's going to be okay," soothed Ash who is now topless, "I am here."
"But…But…I am not ready!" stammered Latias, wringing her hand in nervousness, all the while her cheeks were getting redder by the second.
"Just relax my dear," murmured Ash, tickling Latias' cheek with his breath as the young trainer put an arm around his Pokémon, "Trust me your fear will be over pretty soon."
"O…Oh, alright," Latias whispered back nervously as she prepared herself far what is to come, "P…Please be gen…gentle…" Latias could had sworn that the air around her grew to a level so stifling that she may need to shed all her feathers in order to cope.
As for Ash, the young trainer felt something was amiss as he was confused about his Pokémon's behavior and response.
"Huh? What are you talking about," asked Ash curiously, "I was thinking about how hot it is and that we should dive off the cliff for a quick swim."
"Huh…?" mimicked Latias with a blank expression on her face; all the mood of the moment evaporating into thin air.
"I know it can be scary at first," continued Ash obliviously, "But if we are careful and do it correctly, jumping off a cliff into the sea can be quite fun and refreshing!"
Latias was unsure if she should feel embarrassed or resentful at Ash for misleading her like that, but before she could decide, her beloved took her of her and held it fondly against the side of his cheek.
"Before we do that, there is something I must tell you," said Ash earnestly, closing his eyes in content as he rubbed his face against the soft feathers of Latias' hand, "Jewel-"
(Keep droolin li' 'a' 'n tha'il soon flood dis place.)
-CLUNK!-
For the second time of the week, Latias was given a rude awakening. This time, she leaped up from her sleeping bag so fast that her skull collided with Skarmory's beak in a dull metallic thud. The speed and impact from Latias' surprise was enough to send the Armor Bird Pokémon stumbling back.
(Bah! young lady, 'a' 'un actually 'urt!) exclaimed Winston as he tried to shake away the mired of star exploding behind his eyes.
"Nggh…Owww…" mewed Latias, tenderly hugging her sore spot at the top of her head. Already there was a throbbing bump forming at the point of impact.
"Oooh… That's quite an impress Skull Bash attempt," came the sarcastic voice of Tudor from nearby, "Although, may I suggest a much softer target next time for a beginner like you?"
"Hey! That is not funny!" interjected Ash, who seemed to have woken up for quite some time before Latias.
"Ash!" said Latias, perking up at the sound of her lover's voice, "You're okay!"
"And quite an accomplishment at that," commented Tudor, "Came back practically frozen to death, and yet after one night's rest and some food, he recovers like nothing had happened before. I am pretty surprised to be honest; even Pokémon with Recover can't heal that fast."
True enough, when Latias rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, she saw her beloved Ash sitting next to her smiling; strong, healthy and sound; there was not a single trace of mishaps that had happened to the young trainer on the previous day. In fact, Ash seemed to fare even better that Winston, who still has one wing bound tightly with bandages. Latias was too, surprised by her Trainer's resilience and recovery, which seemed to surpass that of a Pokémon.
"What's for breakfast? I am famished." asked Latias, changing the subject.
(Breytfast? Oh, uz poor 'n delusional Trainee,) laughed Skarmory patronizingly, (Does thee av an ideeur wha' tahhm o' t' day it is?)
A quick look out the window of the cabin told Latias that it was well into mid-day. No wonder Ash was up before her!
"It's that late already?" gasped Latias, "Why didn't anyone wake me?"
This time, Ash answered her.
"Well, you were sleeping so peacefully," explained Ash sheepishly, "So I asked as a favor to let you remain like that. He owes us that much," added Ash, pointing at Skarmory, who let out a cough and looked away uncomfortably, "Besides," continued the young trainer with a teasing smile and held up a soggy pillow, "The look of you dreaming was so adorable that I couldn't bring myself to wake you!"
"Ash!" admonished Latias embarrassed, snatching away the pillow from her grinning lover. Latias felt so much heat rushed up to her face that she swore there were steams sprouting out of her ears.
"Sorry to interrupt such loveable scene," interrupted Tudor, who now seated himself at the dinner table, already busy writing away on a piece of paper. For one reason or the other the Yanma looking Pokémon Researcher was always writing something, "But I am afraid there are some orders of business to take care of."
"Yeah," replied Ash angrily, "Let's begin with your explanation of why you wanted us to be killed!"
With a defeated sigh, Tudor lowered his pen and wiped his glasses with the hem of his white lab coat."
There seems to be some misunderstanding at hand," began the Pokémon Researcher, "And I apologize for cause you bodily harm as result,"
"Misunderstandings? Apologize?" snorted Latias, "Winston here had crippled Ash for no reason at all and left him to die in the blizzard!"
(Ah admit ah av gone overboard wi' t' young lad,) said Skarmory humbly, (Bur ah 'ed it orl unda control.)
"I know it is hard to believe for the two of you," added Tudor, "But trust me, it was all part of a plan."
Tudor paused to study the young couple's response carefully. From the looks of it, none of them seemed to be fully convinced by his story. But then, who can really blame them? After all, Tudor did order his Pokémon to have Ash and Latias eliminated if they were to fail their first day of training. That plan, however, seemed to have gone in a strange direction after some inexplicable occurrence. For now, Tudor knew head to come up with some cover story and he had to come up with them fast.
"Even without being a Pokémon Moveset specialist, one should know, a Pokémon's growth potential increases exponentially if they were forced into a desperate situation," said Tudor, "Winston and I were simply trying to create such situation as best as we could. And look at the result! An Ice Beam! The result far exceeded what I dared to hope for!"
Ash turned to look at his Eon Pokémon expectantly, for he knew better than anyone else in the world that his Latias did not know how to use such high level ice attack beforehand. If what the Moveset specialist had said was indeed true, then Latias must had learned Ice Beam all by herself to save him! Ash felt his chest swell with pride and his adoration for Latias grow deeper as he realized how amazing of a Pokémon his lover was.
"You know, that was very amazing, Jewel," agreed Ash, "How did you managed to come up with such powerful attack like that?"
"Actually, I-" began Latias, but stopped short, "I am not too sure, it just happened I guess…" Latias wanted to tell Ash privately about the mysterious voices that helped her saved their lives, but she suddenly remembered how Tudor can mysteriously overhear telepathy. Judging by how intensively the Moveset specialist was staring at her, Latias decided to stay silent for the time being.
"So anyway," said Tudor, after a brief lull of silence in the cabin, "Now that you two have passed the first test with flying colors, it's time for the second stage of your training."
"Second stage?!"
"Second stage?!" gasped the young couple in unison. The news came at such surprise that even Winston the Skarmory threw a slight scowl at his owner.
"That's right," chuckled Tudor, ignoring the various reactions around the room, "You didn't think your training was as easy as just defeating Winston, did you?"
Neither Ash nor Latias thought beating Tudor's Skarmory was anything but easy, but both of them held their tongue.
"So what is the second stage?" asked Ash
Instead of answering directly, Tudor reached into the pocket of his lab coat and took out three miniaturized Pokeballs, which in turn drew even more startled reaction from Skarmory.
"To be honest with you I've never expected things to turn out like this," admitted Tudor as an introduction to his explanation," But now that we are here, I am going to be completely honest with you. Winton and I are not the only ones conducting researches at Mount Silver."
"Are you referring to them?" asked Latias, indicating the Pokeballs
Tudor nodded and picked up one of them.
"I have determined that the best way for you to improve Latias, is to battle against overwhelming odds. Now sine you have already defeated my Skarmory," here, the Moveset Specialist paused to pocket the Pokeball he had picked up, "This means you have to defeat two more of my Pokémon before I consider your training as complete.'
"Well, what are we waiting for?" asked Ash enthusiastically, "Let's get to it right now!"
(Not sa fast,) chimed in Skarmory, (t' bottles theur see are currently empty, sa theur are art o' jouce.)
While Ash looked crestfallen, Latias was secretly glad, for she was not looking forward to face any of Tudor's Pokémon again, whatever they are.
"Quite so," agreed Tudor, "Like Winston here, they are also my research assistants. Currently I have sent both of them to different parts of the mountain to gather data so you will have to seek them out in order to continue your training."
"Let's just say the search is also part of your training," said Tudor with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, "Don't worry, I shall provide you with my Pokémon's locations, so finding them shouldn't be too hard."
"Alright, alright!" said Ash impatiently, "Whatever it is, I just want to get it over with!"
"Sure," smiled Tudor in a way that made Latias think she and Ash had fallen into a trap, "Now, it will take some time to make the necessary arrangements, so why don't the two of you go outside and enjoy some time for yourselves? You will be notified when everything is ready."
Seeing the reason in Tudor's words, Ash agreed silently; and besides, it felt like ages since the trainer had any personal time with Pokémon, so he took Latias' hand and led her out of the cabin.
(J'espère que vous savez ce que vous faites, Gilbert,) said Skarmory shortly after Ash had closed the door behind him. (Parce que vous aviez exposé chaque membre de notre operation. Eternara ne sera pas contente de ceci.)
"Ton travail n'est pas de remettre en cause mes décisions, mais de les obéir, lieutenant," reminded the Moveset Specialist sternly, "Je peux tu assurer, notre opération ne sera pas mise en péril, pour j'ai pris toutes les mesures nécessaires"
(Que voyez-vous dans ce garçon qui vous met dans telle bonne humeur ?) asked Skarmory as he closely watched his owner settled down by the table.
"Il y a quelque chose de spécial à propos de Ash et son Pokémon," said Tudor as he began to scribble out two quick notes on Mail papers, "Si nous l'utilisons soigneusement, il sera utile dans aider nous avec exécutant nos projets."
(Wha' is sa special abaht 'im exactly?) pressed Skarmory, as he caught sight of Ash peering through the cabin window.
"Don't act foolish now, Winston," chided Tudor, effortlessly switching back to Universal while he made some shooing motion towards the window, "You and I both know that was a Category Articuno blizzard. There is no way anyone could have walked away from that alive; especially not with the injuries you had inflicted on those two."
(Sa wha' does thee plan ta doa naw?)
Tudor paused his writing to consider his answer and options carefully. If he was right with his suspicion about Ash, the young trainer would either turn out to be his most valuable pawn… or his worst enemy.
"I am going to see if I can find out more about Ash and Latias through 'training processes. If I can't, I am going to make sure he is powerful enough to occupy the full attention of Indigo League, that way our plan can be carried out without any annoyances."
(Eur theur sure thy plan is goan fettle?) asked Skarmory with doubt-filled tone.
"Well, it doesn't hurt to try, does it," shrugged Tudor who had just finished writing his instruction to his other Pokémon and sealed the Mail papers separately. Skarmory wordlessly took the paper in his beak when Tudor handed them over. "Now I want you to look for an opportunity to deliver these instructions to the others unnoticed. I don't want Ash and Latias to suspect anything."
As Skarmory nodded in acknowledgement, Tudor withdrew his Armor Bird Pokémon into its ball. Looking around to make sure he had missed nothing, the Moveset Specialist picked up his Super Rod and walked out of his cabin, leaving behind his Skarmory in its Pokeball.
At the sound of Tudor leaving his cabin, Ash and Latias looked over expectantly to see if their instructor was ready for them. To their disappointment, and doubly for Ash, the Moveset Specialist simply shrugged and smiled in a nonchalant way.
"Sorry Ash, it seems like this is going to take more time than I've expected," said Tudor, adjusting his Yanma like glasses slightly, "Why don't the two of you accompany me on a relaxing fishing trip by the river? It will help us pass some time."
"But I don't want to fish," whined Ash, "I want to start my training now!"
"Well, right now there is nothing we can do," said Tudor, walking towards the forest, "If you don't like fishing, you and Latias can bury each other in river mud or something… whatever you kids do for pastime these days… Anyway, regardless if you are coming or not I am going to the river."
Ash and Latias watched silently as the Moveset Specialist disappeared into the forest with his Super Rod. Late midday sun beat mercilessly down on the young couple as they stood in front of the log cabin pondering their next move. It was hard to believe that just on the previous day Ash and Latias nearly froze to death while they stood sizzling under the sun a day later.
"Well, it's too hot here," said Ash breaking the silence, "I am going to the river, at least we can stay cool there."
"But how would we know when Tudor's other Pokémon will be ready to train us if we leave this place?"
"Bah!" answered Ash with a wave of his hand to show his lack of concern on the issue.
Latias followed her lover into the forest and hummed softly in appreciation to the respite the shade of the forest was providing against the summer heat. For a while, Ash and Latias trekked in silence, enjoying the ambient forest sounds under the viridian canopy. Passing familiar terrain from their previous trek up the mountain, Ash could not help but reminisce fondly about the time just before he and Latias discovered Tudor's cabin.
"Remember the reason why we went up this path for the first time, Jewel?" asked Ash fondly, "We were going to start a whole new life for ourselves."
"Yes, I remember," said Latias looking around her surrounding, "It seemed like forever since that day."
"Yes…" replied Ash, suddenly choked with emotion, "I can't believe there were so many things that happened since then… and how fast it all happened."
"Perhaps it was for the best, my love," said Latias as she sidled closer to her human lover and nibbled playfully at his ear. In return of her intimate gesture, Ash tickled a spot beneath Latias' wing joint, a spot he found that would make Latias coo in delight.
The rest of the journey went on mostly in silence with occasional casual banter about a landmark which they remembered or about a passing wild Pokémon. Pretty soon they have reached the Pecha berry tree grove where Ash and Latias first made their plans to live away from the world. The fragrant smell of ripe berries hanging from the tree reminded Latias how hungry she was. With a shout of delighted "Laaa!" the red Eon Pokémon flew up to the dangling fruits and began to munch away without a care in the world. The sound of Ash laughing below her made Latias pause and look at her lover curiously.
"Sorry, sorry!" apologized Ash with a big grin, "It's just… you looked so funny, Jewel! Fancy, a Dragon Pokémon, eating berries out of a tree like a Butterfree!"
"Oh, you!" pouted Latias, sending a shower of ripe Pecha berries to rain down on Ash with her Psychic in retaliation.
After Latias had eaten her fill, the young couple cooled off by splashing each other in the shallows of nearby only after they were thoroughly soaked and exhausted, they dragged their tired selves on to the bank and sprawled out to wait for the sun to dry their clothes and feathers.
"Ash?" whispered Latias as she snuggled close to Ash
"Hmm?"
"I wish moments like these come more often and will never pass…"
"Yeah… me too… me too…" said Ash as he watched fluffy Mareep-like clouds float lazily across the sky.
Combined with the warm air, steady chuckle of the river and their fatigue, Ash could not stop his eyelids from drooping ever lower with each passing second.
"Hey, Jewel, precious?" asked Ash, somehow managing through the thick haze of drowsiness
"Yes?" it seems Latias too, was slowly succumbing to the lull of sleep.
"What were you dreaming about before you woke up? You looked like you were lost in paradise or something…"
"Oh, uh… I… well…" stammered Latias; despite her efforts to make a passable excuse, the fog of fatigue that hung heavily over her mind made it difficult, "I was… I was dreaming…"
"'…about how I've learned Hydro Pump and was in the process of drowning Tudor and his despicable Skarmory in it!'" interrupted a very familiar and obnoxious voice of Tudor from somewhere above the young couple.
All thoughts of sleep were quickly driven away as Ash and Latias struggle to recover from their surprise and establish their bearings. After a few confusing seconds, they found Tudor standing over them with an amused expression on his face.
"How… how did you find us?" demand Ash as he scrambled to his feet.
"Never mind how I've found you," answered Tudor dismissively, "I came here to tell you that my Pokémon are ready for you. Are you ready to start?"
"You bet I am!" exclaimed Ash who was now more awake than he was in the morning.
"Very good. Now, I want you to fly to this location," said Tudor, handing over a folded piece of paper to Latias, "If you followed the instructions on their correctly, you should be able to reach it by night fall.'
Latias unfolded the paper and looked at it in puzzlement.
"I… I don't know how to read…" admitted Latias sadly, "Well, at least not on this complicated level," she added quickly in hopes to avoid total embarrassment.
"It's alright, Jewel," said Ash, giving Latias an assuring, pat on her back, "Since we are traveling together, I can easily read the instructions for you."
"Oh, no you're not," interjected Tudor, "From now on, you will be trained separately. Latias, you will receive your training from my other Pokémon, while you, Ash, will train with me."
"What?!"
"What?!" exclaimed the young couple indignantly
"That is how the training program is going to work," replied Tudor coolly, "If you don't agree with the terms, you can always turn around and walk away."
Latias pulled Ash aside out of Tudor's earshot and gave him her extensive list of concern regarding Tudor's proposal. Although Ash could understand Latias' concerns, the young trainer counter-argued that despite Tudor's extreme methods, she was given the chance to learn one of the most powerful Ice-type moves in the world. After a long and serious conversation, to which Tudor was tactful enough to wait patiently through it all, Ash managed to convince Latias to go along with Tudor's plan. Returning to Tudor, Ash let the Moveset Specialist know that his proposal had been accepted.
"A smart choice, Ash," said Tudor with a sly grin, "Now, Latias, if you fly in that direction you will come across the area depicted your piece of paper soon enough. Even if you can't read, you won't be able to miss it… I think…"
Latias did not answer Tudor, for she was still angry at him for separating her away from Ash. Instead, she stared longingly into her lover's eyes; transmitting all her doubt, regret and fear with her gaze. In return, she saw Ash's eyes were filled with sorrow; his eyes glazed over with tears. The young trainer tried to hold his gaze with brave determination, but after what seemed to be an eternity of excruciating moment, Ash forcefully jerked his eyes away from Latias while trying his best to hide his overflowing eyes from the red Eon Pokémon. Ash's little subterfuge did not escape Latias' notice, and her heart was torn asunder to see her beloved shed his tears. If it were under any other circumstances, Latias would had tackled Ash to the ground and sat on him until the young trainer changes his mind on sending her away. But the red Eon Pokémon knew that Ash meant well, so she decided to use her longing and desire as her fuel to succeed at the next stage of training as fast as possible so she can once more fly into the warm embrace of her beloved trainer.
"Goodbye, Ash…" whispered Latias tearfully, as she zoomed off without a backward glance; for she feared that if she looked back, she would not be able to move forward ever again.
"Are you alright?" asked Tudor after seeing Latias disappeared into a tiny speck in the sky.
"Y...yeah…" mumbled Ash as he quickly cuffed away his tears, "Yeah, I am good."
"Glad to hear that. Come, back to the cabin we go. We shall start your training immediately."
The hike back up the mountain was not as stifling as before as the sun had moved its scorching beam to other parts of the world. With every step Ash worried about Latias and began to doubt his decision to go along with Tudor's plan. With every step he took, the young trainer had to fight the urge to frantically run off and chase after his precious Latias like a madman and would not stop to rest until he had found her… or he is dead. Just as the pressure within his head had built up to the point which Ash wanted to scream and rage with frustration, the young man felt a hand descend heavily onto his shoulder.
"Ash, what you did back there was no easy thing by any stretch of imagination," said Tudor earnestly, "But to become a Champion is not something that can be done through dream and ambition alone. You need RESLOVE. You will need to endure much more trying times than this should you even want to come remotely close to your dream. Now comes the time to test your resolve. Will you endure and overcome or will you crumble at the starting line?"
With his question, the Moveset Specialist stepped aside to reveal that he and Ash had reached the edge of the forest where the log cabin could be seen. Ash understood the true meaning behind Tudor's words; the Yanma looking Pokémon researcher was giving him a last chance to change his decision. Once he crossed the edge of the forest, there would be no turning back. Up until now, Ash's mind was filled with doubt, but Tudor's words had given him the focus he needed to push through with his decision. Clenching his fist tightly, Ash steeled his nerves and boldly stepped passed Tudor, out of the woods and towards the log cabin. With a nod of approval, Tudor followed.
"Very well, Ash. Let the pain begin…"
Author's Note:
Once again, I hope you have enjoyed the story so far, and please do not forget to voice your opinion on the story's progression. Even a negative comment will help me much more than none!
Skarmory and Tudor's Hoenn dialect sequence:
S: I hope you know what you are doing, Gilbert. Because you have just exposed everyone in our operation. Ever Grande City is not going to be happy about this.
T: Your job is NOT to question my decisions, but to obey them, Lieutenant. I can assure you, our operation is not going to be in jeopardy, for I have taken all necessary measures.
S: What do you see in that boy that puts you in such good mood?
T: There is something special about Ash and his Pokemon. If we use him carefully, he will prove to be useful at helping us carry out our plan.