A/N So, here's the newest chapter! It's, as always, the epitome of 5/10, nay, the God-Emperor of complete and utter Meh, but, hey, maybe some of you will get some enjoyment from it.
On a completely different note, I've broken 900 Reviews, and 1000 Followers! In all honesty, I never did expect this story to get nearly as big as this. But, against all odds, and, even more impressive, against my own terrible writing, we made it!
I want to thank every single one of you. It's all of you who make me wanna write this, and it's all of your reviews, fav's, follows, and, heck, complaints, flames, hatemail, and the like that pushed my lazy butt this far!
So, Here we are. The last chapter of the first arc. Next chapter will be up whenever it's finished, which hopefully won't be long, but, until then, I hope that this sad attempt at writing sates you all for however long that may be.
Also, a amazing thank ya to my prereader, TheGrunt22! She's awesome!
Pikachu sat in the tree he had found in a stony silence, his expression cold, and his irritation evident as he overlooked the clearing in which that elder Lati had brought them to. The shock of Altomare's terrible loss had faded a while ago, and instead, a cold, yet raging fury had rose up to take it's place. Another selfish group, trying their hardest to destroy the world had, yet again, hurt his precious trainer. But, for the first time, there had been some genuine losses. An entire city's worth, in fact.
It wasn't surprising, not really. After all, how many close calls had they had? How many times that they had came within a hair's breadth of destruction?
Sure, Pikachu had always thought that, maybe, they would get lucky yet again. Or, if they didn't, that, when they finally fell short, that all they would lose was maybe some legendary, or the loss of some old tribe out in the boonies. But, Life never liked to hold back for that sort of thing, did it?
And, as for the loss itself, again, his trainer would be the one to foot the emotional bill. His poor little human couldn't seem to catch a break lately. No, instead of being on his adventure, he had to become a dragon. Not only that, but a race with a massive target on them. Which, just happened to coincide with Altomare's fall.
Now, Pikachu wasn't normally the most paranoid of mouses, strictly speaking. But, this stank of some sort of divine intervention. The timing, the situation, the fact that Ash not only magically changed species, but also changed into one of the few demi-god Pokemon in existence. That, for whatever reason, they managed to make their way to the city where everything would fall down.
Never mind the fact that Ash also happened to be just the perfect race of rare Latios that could actually overtake a Jet, and, untrained, actually take it down as well. Again, Ash was in the perfect place, at the perfect time, with the perfect skills for the job.
But, why couldn't the world just leave Ash alone? Hadn't he served enough? Hadn't he saved the world, the planet, everyone, several times over? The boy had given enough as it was. Why did the universe insist upon taking everything Ash had, and more?
At the thought, Pikachu gave a small sigh, and shook his head, instead opting to look over to his trainer. The Princess was currently giving him what seemed to be a grooming, albeit a more intimate one, with little, gentle caresses and nips along his sides as she did so. At the sight, Pikachu made to say something, before noticing that Ash actually seemed to be enjoying it.
He would hold his tongue, and as much as he wanted to, he wouldn't interfere. Ash earned some respite, even if it was simply one of a more... physical nature. And, right now, he would accept any harbor in the storm for his friend, even if it was an irritating, controlling Latias with no sense of personal space or individuality. He'd just have to leave the pair of them be, at least for now. Instead, he would resume his watch, while ruminating upon the situation.
Ah, yes. They were still, in a way, lucky. They had failed in one of the more important objectives, but, for the situation, it was the best case scenario. After all, if what that old Latios said was true, it could've been one of those times where the entire world had been on the brink of destruction. As cold as it sounded, millions dead would've been light if this had happened when, say, they had to save Lugia. The oceans wouldn't have only struck Altomare then, and instead, if his understanding was right, they would've lost every coastal city, along with the weather getting screwed up enough for mass famine and drought as well.
No, in a cold, logical way, this had been one of the best case scenarios. It was only the loss of a single city. No matter how tragic it was. And, if that old Latios was to be believed, Ash had prevented yet another group from taking over the world. So, they were still "winning".
Too bad that cold, heartless logic did actually offer any solace. Just cold, heartless emptiness instead.
Pikachu grumbled a bit at that fact internally for a moment, before looking back to Ash, and finding that, to his surprise, the pair had a gentle, yet desperate hug going. And, it suddenly hit him that, yes, Latias was suffering too.
Ash wasn't the only one hurt by this. Sure, Ash was the type to be considered the all loving hero, but Atiae... Altomare was her home. Anyone she had precious to her would've, at the very least, met her there. She had lived in the city since her birth, and knew the canals better than he knew Ash's ranch. The loss of Altomare was akin to Ash's family home burning down, with Ash's mom and all of his Pokemon in it. The loss of almost everything and everyone she loved.
At the realization, Pikachu sighed, and shook his head. While he knew it wasn't humanity's fault, they really had a habit of making the literal worst villains. Sure, they had heroes like Ash to balance it out, but still. They really had the capability to royally screw up the world if they wanted.
He'd have to cut her some slack after this. Sure, she was still an overbearing, possessive female who had basically forced a relationship, but... She genuinely cared for Ash. And she was, in a way, what they made her into. And, hey, maybe the fall of Altomare would mellow Atiae out.
At the thought, Pikachu made a outward scoff of disgust, this time aimed at himself. That line of thought went somewhere terrible. He was just gonna drop that there, and instead, play the chaperone, and let Latias comfort his beloved trainer. Her ministrations, as intimate as they seemed, were being both accepted and welcomed by the emotionally injured Ash. Suffering loved company, and right now, they were the two the most hurt.
Plus, she was proving much more effective at being Ash's rock than Pikachu could currently manage. After all, the avenues that Latias had to comfort the pair were options that were... not available to him.
At least, not without making things extremely awkward. He doubted that his attempts at seduction would make Ash feel better, at any rate.
"Ash, please roll over. I need to get to your side better."
The male didn't really think about the request much, and, instead, did exactly that, rolling clumsily onto his side without a second thought. The mindless monotony, the thoughtless following of orders, there was a freedom in it. He didn't have to think, he didn't have to feel, all he had to do was sit there, and, in a way, get showered in affection. It didn't hurt. It didn't sting, and it didn't require him to think or act on any of today's previous events.
It was... nice. And, the gentle, loving caress of his claimed as she fixed his feathers and made sure that he looked suitable was nice, too. It was akin to the loving, gentle hugs his mother gave him when he felt down, but more... heated, in a way. It didn't have the feeling of absolute security, but it had it's own feeling, a welcome and passionate heat, akin to when one won a Pokemon battle. A hint of excitement, and... passion.
Ash internally felt a pang of revulsion at the thought, which brought him from his haze. He was getting far too into it. He took a moment to shake his head, to bring himself back to reality. This wasn't right. He was using Atiae as a security blanket, letting her knead his worries and hurt away, when hers... hers were much worse. He was selfishly using her, for his own gains.
That was something Paul did. Something Team Rocket did.
Something monsters did.
He had to do something. Anything. She was hurt, hurting, no doubt worse than he was.
And so, with that thought in mind, he rolled back onto his belly, and rose up from the ground.
"Ash?"
Her tone was confused, and possibly, a bit hurt. But Ash didn't pay it much heed, and instead, turned towards her.
"Atiae..."
He didn't really know what to do. So, instead, he moved forward, and wrapped his arms around her, holding her both close and tight.
"I'm sorry."
She didn't really say anything, and instead, just sat there.
"I'm sorry."
Atiae continued to be silent, so Ash just pulled her closer.
"If... If I was faster, or knew what to do, or... anything, I could've did it. But... I couldn't. It's my fault the city is gone. And... I'm so sorry."
Ash noticed that he had finally broken down, and let the tears fall. He had failed. Failed the city, failed his friends, failed Atiae. Failed Latios, who had entrusted both his sister, and the city, to him.
But, as he held her, he felt her arms wrap themselves around him, and she returned the hug. But, she still remained silent for a moment, instead opting to just continue the embrace in silence.
But, after what seemed to be forever, she pulled back, and made a shaky sigh. "I..."
She swallowed audibly, and looked Ash straight in the eyes. "I... I don't blame you. I don't. Never."
It wasn't as if it removed a weight off of his shoulders, but hearing the reassurance was welcome. But still, he hurt her. Before, and now, and he had no real way of comforting her, as she did for him.
Or, didn't he?
There was a small, yet comforting voice in the back of his mind. He knew exactly what she wanted, what she desired. It wasn't as if she had ever tried to hide her attraction, even in the past. But now... He could act on it. He might not be able to fix the problems of the world, but he could certainly give her what she wanted.
Him.
It would be so simple. She wanted him. And, that was the one thing he had to give. It would be easy, and while he couldn't fix the world's current problems, he could be there for her.
All it would take was a kiss. He didn't have to do the whole Soul bond thing, not yet. But... he could be her crutch. And... he had no doubt that she could be his, if he truly needed it. That's what romance was, wasn't it? Being there for each other, loving and protecting, comforting and holding? He could do that. Easily. He did that for everyone, anyway. All he would have to do is... prioritize her. And, well, at this point, she had his priority anyway.
Yes. That would be it. He could, nay, would love her. That would be his gift, his... penance. He could give that freely, after all, and if there was anyone who he owed enough for that, it was her.
And so, with that in mind, he leaned in, and connected his lips with hers. It was a short, sloppy kiss, much like their first, but, it felt a little more final.
"Atiae... I love you."
"Good job."
The still awake Latias didn't immediately respond, and instead chose to instead remain silent as she took the effort to untangle her neck from Ash's own, before looking over to the mouse. She didn't say a thing, but it was easy to tell that she wasn't happy to the mouse, and she continued to keep her body snuggled against both the sleeping Sky-Dancer, and the Soul Dew he held.
"So... You're holding up well."
The sentence wasn't really necessary, but it got a reaction from the female. She scoffed, before giving the mouse a frown. "No, I'm not."
The mouse didn't really react outwardly, instead opting to shrug. His body language was neutral, but that didn't fool the Latias. That was the look of a rather furious pokemon. She herself had done the same thing, many times.
"Could've fooled me. After all, didn't you just get what you always wanted?"
The irritated Latias huffed, and instead, made a point to nuzzle Ash before responding, instead choosing to focus on her claimed for a moment, rather than pay the annoying mouse any attention. He was asleep, finally. She didn't doubt his dreams would be terrible, however. One didn't go through such a terrible loss without nightmares.
But she would be there for him. After all, even if the city was lost, he still managed to save the Soul Dew. And, even if he hadn't, she would be there for him. He was the holder of her soul, and not even the loss of Altomare would change that.
"Just because I may have "gotten" Ash, doesn't mean the loss of Altomare weighs any less on my mind. I am not some one dimensional waif who's emotions are dictated merely on what my love may or may not do."
The mouse shrugged casually up from his perch, and looked directly over to where she lay. "Regardless, "Atiae", You got the boy. He's yours now, probably forever. Sure, you did get him through a whole slew of emotional manipulation and the loss of a city and all, but what relationship isn't built off of that sorta thing these days? And yet... you look disappointed. So, let's forget the whole, "Millions are dead" thing, and instead focus on Ash."
The statement made Atiae bristle, and while she didn't rise from her place beside Ash, she did shoot a livid glare at the electric type. "Millions are dead, and you want me to forget?"
The mouse smiled slightly, but it felt sick, twisted. He garnered no enjoyment from aggravating the Latias. But, still, he needed to do something. He couldn't just sit here, stewing in his own anger, rage, and sadness. And, what better thing to work on than a overly attached and possessive Latias, who Ash was now "Determined" to be with?
So, he'd have to play a little. Maybe, allow a bit of his own anger out, and prod the high and mighty "Princess" into giving him something, anything to work with. And Atiae was proving to be just like Bayleaf, in a way. She needed someone to hit her over the head, for her to get angry, before she would dare get to the point. So, he'd just have to poke and prod until she gave him something.
"Eh, Right now, there is absolutely nothing we can do about that. And, short of hunting down Celebi, and forcing her to send us back, There won't ever be a way for us to "fix" this. However, what we can do, right now, is fix you. Or, Ash and you. As I said, you won. Ash is yours. But, I'll be damned if I just sat back, and watched as he jumped headfirst into a relationship that just screams "Broken.""
The mouse then sighed. "So, My office is open. I am Doctor Chu, and I'll be your therapist for the evening."
The Princess growled lightly. "Is this just a game to you?"
At the question, the mouse actually smiled a little, this time in actual amusement, before reclining further into the tree. No, this was really the opposite. It was just another day in the life of Ash Ketchum, and his stalwart companion, Pikachu. Another day, another crime against life itself that they were forced to stop, another cruel deed that they were to clean up.
"Maybe. After all, after saving the world so many times, I'm probably pretty broken in the noggin'. But, if there is anything I've learned from my journeys, it's that if we aren't all on the same page, someone could come down with a terminal case of being dead."
Pikachu sighed after finishing his statement, before looking straight over to Atiae. "And if Ash ends up being the one dying, because of your own hang-ups, I'll kill you myself, and there won't be anything your Body guards could do to save you. So, let's start. Why, Atiae, are you unhappy? What was wrong with Ash's confession?""
Atiae let out a low, angry growl, before rising up from Ash's side slightly. "Alright, fine. Let's act as if I didn't care that almost everyone I loved is dead. That the city I grew up in wasn't entirely destroyed, that the herd that forced themselves upon me didn't cause the ruination of all I loved, time and time again. Let's just play make believe, and act as if I don't care." She then took a moment to take a calming breath, before letting it out slowly.
"I'm not a fool. Ash's "Confession" is about as legitimate as yours would be. He's hiding himself in both duty and me, and is willing to lie to my face for it. And, even if I was, for some reason, alright with that, there's the whole, "Everyone I loved died" thing as well. We're stuck on the coast of Johto, a giant target, many injured, homeless, disoriented, and Ash, the holder of my heart and the bravest one I know, is about as fit for doing what he does best as I am in leading the herd right now. Which is to say, absolutely unable to do anything."
"I have a ton of reasons why to be angry, Pikachu. And a very many reasons why, right now, I don't want to deal with you."
The mouse simply sat in the tree for a moment, before sighing.
"A Princess doesn't leave her herd, and instead choose to cuddle her claimed for hours that she could've used to maintain the peace. A Princess doesn't show such outbursts of emotion. A Princess doesn't use another as a surrogate for her own emotions. A Princess is strong, independent, and indomitable. And right now, all I've been able to do to keep myself together is do exactly what I shouldn't be doing."
Pikachu huffed in irritation. He hated being the team Councilor. He was supposed to be the impulsive, hot-blooded and over-protective fighter of the group. Quick to make a thunderbolt, and even quicker with a joke. And yet, he also seemed to be one of the most stable, that he was the one that propped up the other pokemon, and helped them stand tall when Ash needed it most.
But, that was just his lot in life. He'd play the part. And, while he wouldn't dare try too cheer up Ash due to his own horrific mood, he didn't really care if he accidentally said the wrong thing to Latias. She could use some tough love, and frankly, she seemed to do better when someone was actively insulting or pushing her, even if it was only due to poorly chosen words.
"Well... Yeah. You are kinda sucking at being a Princess right now. But that raises a huge question. Why are you the Princess?"
The Latias gave Pikachu a glare, and the mouse shrugged. "If you're this super awesome, super powered and wonderful Princess, how could you fail? How could you suddenly need something as stupid and pointless as comfort?"
She just continued to glare, and Pikachu sighed in disappointment. She acted as if everything she did couldn't be wrong, yet also was the worst option possible. It was a very delicate balance, and one that he didn't want to disrupt. Such a terrifyingly volatile mix of pride and self loathing.
"I'm just saying. Why are you the Princess, anyway, if you break down so easily?"
The female continued her silence, but her glare faltered. The mouse, regardless of her opinion, had a point.
"It's because, as much as you hate it, you're not the cold, detached and angry Latias you think you are. You just buried those feelings deep, deep down. And... well, I guess it took a bomb the size of Altomare to dig it back up. So... congrats, I guess. You're not such a cold bitch like you thought. So, I have a different question. Why are you the Princess? I woulda thought that, the instant someone else showed up to watch Altomare, you would be on the first flight to Johto, to hunt us down."
"Atiae" sat there in moment for a moment, before letting out a small sigh. "I considered it, for a long time. But, in the end, I couldn't abandon the city I lived for, that my brother died for. It was my duty. And, as I was the guardian of Altomare, I couldn't just stay, and not become the leader."
The mouse cocked his head to the side in confusion. "Why not?"
The Latias nuzzled the sleeping Ash for a moment, before continuing. The male was sleeping relatively peaceful, and for that, she was glad. "A Guardian's position isn't just like holding a territory. One can't just wander in, and force the old Guardian out, if you want the place. They would either have to leave it forever, or you would have to take it. So, if someone, say, a herd, wants the area it entails, there are four ways of getting the land from the guardian. Killing them, adopting them if they are young enough, mating with them if they are single and willing, or them leaving peacefully. And, I was too old for adoption at this point. So, I either had to die, leave Altomare forever, or join the herd through a mating bond. Or, I could take a third option. I could keep the land, and forcibly subjugate any of those who felt that they could be the leader, and take the land from me. And... that one was the most reasonable."
She sighed, running her claw over Ash's sleeping head to comfort herself. "I got to continue waiting for Ash, I got to stay, and protect Altomare. And all it took was a simple battle, and I would be in charge of whoever showed up. I had to beat every herd leader, and make them bow to me. to claim me as their superior, or have them lay upon the ground, broken. I was some no-name hatchling, from no special line, from no herd, one who hadn't even made it to her fourteenth year, and yet, here I was, besting all comers. Making them Bow to me. I became what I needed to be, a cold, powerful Latias, that none could best. It wasn't easy. So many wanted this island, this city. The last safe place. And, so many of them were willing to die for it."
Pikachu blinked at the implication, before shaking his head. He had no place to judge in that regard.
"So, there you go. That's all I'm going to give you." And, with that, she turned around, and leaned back into Ash's side without another word.
Pikachu simply sighed, and instead, leaned into the trunk of the tree once more. He got more out of her than he expected, but, much less than he hoped. But, at least he gained a smidgen of respect for her. Someone who was that dedicated to a cause wouldn't give up easily. And that meant that she wouldn't just give up on Ash.
He could make that work. And, hey, if he couldn't, he'd do what he had to, he supposed. Nothing would stop him from keeping Ash safe, be it wayward Gods, or selfish love interests.
"My Princess."
The electric type jumped slightly, the voice catching him as he was lost in his thoughts, and thus, completely off guard. He swore at himself as he looked over to the newfound source of vocalization, irritated at spotting not one, but two latios. He had been paying far less attention than he should've, and, had this been a dangerous situation, Ash could've been hurt.
"Yes, Lorip?"
"The... Council, or, what is left of them, is ready for you and your claimed."
The female grumbled aloud at the statement, and started to rise. "I'll go. No need to bother Ash."
The other Latios spoke up at that. "Er, Milady, I mean no disrespect, but the Prince is needed more at the meeting than you."
Atiae rose a very irritated eyebrow at that, and stared at the Latios. Be on "Leave" as she may, what could they need Ash for that they wouldn't need her as well? "And, why is that?"
Lorip sighed, and moved in front of that younger Latios in a halfhearted attempted at shielding the younger drake from the angry Latias. "My Princess, as it is standard, you are in a moment of grieving, which means that someone else shall take your responsibilities. And, that Council has decided that your claimed will be your replacement, until I deem you sufficiently recovered."
At that moment, both Atiae and Pikachu exclaimed their opinion in a single chorus.
"What!?"
End of Act One.