Alright everyone, now important here: The Poll will be closing soon. As soon as the next chapter after this one is uploaded the poll will be closed. If you haven't voted, this will be your last chance to vote. If you haven't yet and want a say on what Second Legendary Pokémon Ash will catch, I suggest you vote now as you won't get another chance. Anyway now, I am going to do one thing, start building up the team again a bit. I am focusing now on assembling the team I have in Pokémon X. which I am two Pokémon short. Anyway let's get to the journey back to Kanto.
Chapter 37: Friends
It usually is a long journey back to Kanto even by air, but in reality it would only take less than a quarter of a day by air as Planes are fast, but if you travelled by boat or land it would take at least over a week due to the speed difference. A certain trio of individuals were travelling by air but not in the form you would usually see in a rare occasion were taking advantage of their flight experience.
Latias was leading the group with Ash following her with Pikachu riding on him. Latias was leading because she wanted the chance to show off a little with her flying skills compared to Ash was in a joint agreement still a beginner flyer while having had experience over the last few months.
They were still a while off the Kanto region yet for one particular reason, which was they were stopping on every island they come across and visiting places as they were wanting to enjoy their trip back and also have the chance to see the sights. They would have arrived back if they had fled on endlessly but it is not the case.
Latias looked back to Ash and asked him "How are you doing back there". Ash was happily to reply to her by boosting himself a little and flying to Latias's side and said "How's this". Latias rolled her eyes and said "It is good I guess". Ash begun to tease her "What's the matter Latias worried I might become a better flyer".
Latias grinned toward Ash and said "Do you really want to test me on that, because I am happy to". Ash teasingly said "I hear a lot of talking but no action to back it up". Latias narrowed her eyes towards Ash a little but continued to smile at him "Do you really want to find out how much better I am".
Ash shook his head to her "No need Latias". Latias was curious and asked him "Why would that be Ash, hmm?" Ash smiled to her "Because I already know you are the better flyer, don't need an example". Latias looked to him and rolled her eyes and looked forward "You sure know how to tease don't you Ash". Ash looked up a little and said "A little, right Pikachu".
Pikachu smiled and mockingly said "Occasionally". Pikachu had been observing the banter between the pair and he was finding it odd as he said to himself "Ash doesn't always act like this around all of us. He always seems to be acting this way with Latias….Is there something happening I don't know about or does Ash feel more a friendship with Latias then the others".
Pikachu continued to watch them having their unusual conversations and occasionally laughing or teasing each other. It was all very confusing to Pikachu "It is so strange, I have never seen Ash act like this before…What could it be?"
Suddenly land was beginning to appear in the distance, everyone looked on to see it was an island they were approaching. Ash then said to them "Let's go see what is on this island, I wonder what kind of people and Pokémon will be there". Pikachu agreed with him saying "Yeah, It is exciting". Latias was quick to speak up "Let's go". Ash and Latias quickly sped up to their quickest speed and the Island was becoming closer very fast.
Ash said to Pikachu while they were flying "So Pikachu how has the journey since we set off from Unova been". Pikachu held an arm up and happily said "It has been fun, seen quite a few places and I wonder what else we will see". Pikachu then stopped and said another thing "Though I don't like keeping everyone waiting back in Kanto".
Ash nodded his head in agreement with Pikachu "Don't worry after we have explored around here we will head for home. I promise you Pikachu, I know you're in a rush to get back to Snivy". Pikachu ears dropped a little and said "Yeah well, there's that too". Latias shook her head and thought "Boys, they sure do make me smile". They approached the Island and were flying above it.
They looked around to see it wasn't too much forest as it was a small island but there was a big town to the right of them on the edge of this island. They turned and headed towards the town to see what was happening over there. Latias looked around and saw a port with some ships "I wonder where those ships are headed. All kinds of places". Ash smiled to her and said "We can ask when we get there, let's find a place to set down and change back first".
Latias and Pikachu nodded. They flew above the town out of sight and looked around. They saw many people and Pokémon. Pikachu saw an alleyway between two buildings right next to the port which was unused. "There, you can change there". Ash looked down and nodded "Good eyes Pikachu, let's go". They all flew down until they levelled into the alleyway. Ash floated himself into the position. Latias flew besides him as Ash enveloped himself in energy and changed form into human. The energy expelled around Ash and he stood up.
Pikachu was stood on his shoulder and Ash looked to Latias "Are you changing Latias" Latias shook her "No, I want to stay Pokémon, I doubt many people would recognise me as a Latias, just a rare Pokémon probably". Ash nodded to her "Okay, if you want to". Latias smiled as Ash respected her opinion. They turned to the exit and moved towards it. They came out of the alley to be right next to the docks. They saw a ship docked which passengers were loading onto it slowly "Shall we go see where they are headed?"
Latias and Pikachu nodded and they quickly set off towards the cruise ship. They saw a man standing near the walkway connecting to the ship which passengers get on. Ash walked up and the man said "Hello young man, are you going to be cruising with us today". Ash shook his head to him "No sir, I am curious where is this ship going?" The man made a big smile "Ah, you came at the perfect time then, this ship is going to be going on a week cruise around the islands here, it will stop at each of the seven islands for one day giving all the passengers a chance to see all the joys and wonders of each before eventually returning here as its final destination".
Ash got excited about that "Really, that's sound awesome, are there lots of Pokémon on each island". The man nodded to him "Indeed there is young man". Ash got excited and thought "I bet you want to see all those Pokémon don't you". Pikachu excitedly held his arm up "Yeah". Latias smiled to them "It would be a nice experience".
The man noticed Pikachu and Latias and said "Well young man you have some particular Pokémon. Pikachu a rare species while I don't know the other one. A rare species". Ash nodded "Yeah this is Latias, her species comes from certain parts of the world". The man nodded to him "Indeed it seems, I have never seen one before".
Ash then asked him "Is there any chance for us to go on the ship". The man nodded and happily said "Of course young man, you came at the perfect time, at this time of year we give one cruise with free boarding just to promote its existence and show how much we adore our customs for all people to enjoy".
Ash was excited greatly "Awesome". The man took out a piece of paper and gave him a pen "Can I just have your name and signature on here please in this box". Ash accepted them off of him and write down the required into the boxes before handing them back. The man accepted them off of him and then handed him a key "Here is you room key for this cruise. Hop on board". Ash nodded to the man "Than you so much, let's go". Ash begun running up the walkway with Pikachu and Latias following after him.
They arrived on the ship and they took a position at the side to look out to the city. Latias looked to Ash and Pikachu and said "That man was very nice, letting us come on for free and giving us a room key". Pikachu nodded "Yeah this is going to be great, I wonder what we are going to see on these islands".
Ash looked to him as Pikachu jumped onto the railing on the side of the ship and said "Well Pikachu it will be something to look forward to". Ash looked at all the people getting on the ship after they did. There were people with different backgrounds: Families while little kids, beginner trainers with their first Pokémon, artists, a doctor or two".
The fact that many different people were coming on was enough to interest Ash. Latias then asked "With this many people these cruises must be popular". Ash agreed with her and said "Yeah, I wonder what the seven islands hold on them". Ash looked down to see a woman talking to the man next to the walkway. She was writing her initials on the piece of paper. Ash looked and saw a Glaceon standing next to her.
Ash was interested and watched as the two walked up the walkway, according to what the woman was carrying she was an artist too but something different. Once they reached the ship the woman looked down and said "Come on everyone we need to get sorted". Ash looked at the walkway to see a sight. Some Eevee came running up the walkway. 3 jumped up and were excitedly playing around the Glaceon. Ash smiled and said to Pikachu "Wow some Eevee, Pikachu". Pikachu smiled at them and watched.
Suddenly they saw a fourth Eevee climbed onto the ship but it looked less enthusiastic then the other Eevee. Ash was curiously watching for a moment. The nervous Eevee looked to its owner "Alright everyone let's get sorted". Ash looked to Pikachu who jumped on his hat "This is going to be great".
The nervous Eevee looked down a little but when it saw Ash it looked at him. Seeing how he was playing with Pikachu, It made him curious. Ash noticed the Eevee and looked at it. Eevee continued to look at him until he heard his trainer "Eevee come on lets go". Eevee looked to its owner and the other Eevee. It looked back to Ash one more time before it eventually ran off towards the rest of its group.
Ash and Latias looked to each other and Latias asked "Why was that Eevee looking at you". Ash shook his shoulders "I have no idea, it looked nervous compared to the other three Eevee". Pikachu then thought something up "Hey can we go check out our room now". Ash sighed "Nothing changes with you Pikachu, Alright lets go check it out".
A couple of hours later…
The ship had set off towards the first Island and it would be arriving soon. People had been settling in doing normal activities. Ash, Pikachu and Latias had gone topside to the pool as one was provided. They were taking full advantage of it with Pikachu on a blow up ring relaxing and Ash in his human form in swim wear while Latias sat on the side wishing to watch instead.
Ash remained in human form due to the possibility of anything seeing Ash as while they were alone now that could change at any moment. Ash came up for air and saw Latias at the side and swam over "Latias how come you don't want to come in". Latias shook her head "I am fine here, I don't feel like swimming right now". Ash saw Pikachu who was relaxing floating towards him.
Latias smiled and said "Tip him over". Ash agreed with her and grabbed the ring. He leaned it and then flipped it sending Pikachu into the water. Ash quickly got out and sat next to Latias and they laughed a little. Pikachu swam up and popped his head out of the water. "Hey who did that"? Ash and Latias looked to each other and then back to Pikachu "Did what Pikachu".
Pikachu grinned and jumped at Ash "Oh yeah Ash". Pikachu and Ash begun playing again with Pikachu running around Ash's arms and on his head. Latias watched amusingly and thought "Those two are the perfect example of brothers". Ash stood up and said "Well I am going to dry off now". Ash stood up and took his towel off the side and begun drying himself up.
While they were preoccupied a woman holding a drawing frame came down the stairs to the swimming pool. She looked around and found a spot to set up the drawing frame next to some unused sun beds. She then took out some pencils and put them on the side of it. She looked behind her to see Glaceon jumping down and sitting next to her "Hey Glaceon are the others coming". Glaceon called out up the stairs as if it was calling out to someone.
Ash noticed the noise and looked as he was getting changed into his clothes. Suddenly three very excited Eevee came running down the stairs and running over to Glaceon and sat next to the ice Pokémon while two of them were playing around. The Eevee that was slightly nervous and less enthusiastic then the others came down the stairs and made its way over to the group and sat next to Glaceon.
Ash was watching as the woman said "Okay you are free to go play around here but don't run off". Glaceon went and lied down next to its owner. One Eevee went and sat next to the pool side. The two excited Eevee were playing around pushing at each other and rolling around. The Nervous Eevee remained seated and looked at its siblings as they were playing around, looking like it wanted to join in.
The two Eevee went rolling towards the nervous Eevee who got worried and braced itself as they collided into him. They all got hit. When the nervous Eevee shook it's head and sat up it saw the two Eevee begin shouting at him, speaking harshly at him as if he was the cause of the interruption of their playing. The nervous Eevee dropped its ears and backed up a little.
The two Eevee continued to shout at it until Glaceon tired of the noise growled at the pair who immediately stopped shouting and looked at the Glaceon who told them off. The two Eevee went away to continue playing and the nervous Eevee walked away from the group and sat on another side of the pool.
The Pokémon sat down and watched it's siblings as they were playing about. It looked down and felt a little sad. Ash having witnessed the whole thing felt a little sorry for the little Eevee stood up as he had finished getting dressed. He walked over towards the Eevee.
The Pokémon looked up to see him approach and Ash squatted down at his side and Ash said "Hey, are you okay". The Eevee looked down away from him and shook his head as his ears fell down again "Can you speak?" The Eevee said one word to him "Yes?" Ash nodded to him and spoke again "Are your friends a little upset".
Eevee shook his head "No, they are my brothers and sisters, and no they aren't". Ash nodded again as Pikachu and Latias approached behind Ash. "Okay, are your brothers and sisters not happy"? Eevee looked to Ash in surprise "You…You can understand me?" Ash nodded to him "Yes I can, I can understand Pokémon language". Eevee turned to Ash and sat looking at him "That is weird, I have never encountered a human that could do that".
Ash smiled to the Eevee "I do know only certain humans have the ability, my name is Ash, and do you have a special name or just Eevee". Eevee nodded "No just Eevee. You are a strange human". Ash made a little chuckle as Pikachu walked up to him "My name is Pikachu nice to meet you". Ash held out his hand and said "Well it is nice to meet you Eevee, it is not often I see one of your species". Eevee looked at the hand and to Ash again and continued to look between.
Eventually Eevee made a smile and placed his paw on Ash's hand. Pikachu said "So where do you and your siblings come from". Eevee looked to him and smiled "My siblings and me live with our owner, Amy. She is a drawer and a breeder at the same time, we live on the island we left. Glaceon there is our older sister looking out for all of us".
Ash then noticed the two Eevee playing and said "So what about those two, they seemed like they weren't getting along with you". Eevee looked to the two and calmly said "Those are my older and younger brothers, I don't get along with them very well they are always picking on me and blaming me for stuff. I don't even know why". Ash saw the Eevee look down saddened.
He tapped Eevee on his back calmly and said "Hey no need to be sad, you may not be able to get along with them but don't forget how you act around them makes the difference". Eevee looked up to Ash and eventually smiled and nodded to him as they looked to the lone Eevee sitting next to the water "That there is my little sister, we get along very well".
Ash nodded and smiled "I was going to say she looks smaller then you". Eevee nodded to him and smiled "So where do you come from". Ash looked to Pikachu and Latias and then back to the Eevee "We are from the Kanto region, we were returning there but we thought we would go on this cruise before we head back".
The woman who was drawing noticed Ash and Eevee socialising. She turned and walked towards them and Glaceon noticed as well. They both walked over and the woman said "Excuse me, is there something wrong". Ash looked up to her and smiled" No, I saw this Eevee looking like he was upset so I came and talked to him. You're his owner?"
The woman nodded and said "Yes my name is Amy. Nice to meet you". Ash stood up and said "My name is Ash, I am a Pokémon trainer, and this is my partner Pikachu". Pikachu held his arm up and said hello to them". Amy waved to Pikachu but stopped when she saw Latias "Wow what a rare Pokémon you have there. I have never seen one before". Ash smiled and said to her "She is another of my partners, Latias". Amy was shocked at that "Really a Latias, I heard stories about that Pokémon".
Ash was surprised "Really, you have". Amy happily said "Yeah I like to imagine what they look like and draw them, speaking of which do you mind if I draw your Latias". Ash was curious and said "Really, you want to draw her". Amy quickly answered him "Yes, I have never seen one, I would like to draw her to memorise her, if it is okay, don't worry you don't have to stand still, I am really good at drawing when something is moving too".
Ash looked to Latias who nodded to him and he said "Yeah, she doesn't mind". Amy then excitedly said "Thank you so much, I will just get my pencil and drawing kit". Amy walked away quickly to get her stuff an Ash smirked to Latias and said via mind link "Looks like you have an admirer Latias". Latias quickly smirked back "Well at least I have one".
Ash smirked again and said "I do have an admirer". Latias was curious for his answer and he said to her in mind link "You". Upon hearing that Latias could not help but make a blush to that "More than an admirer thought Ash". Ash was nodding to her and then looked back to Eevee "Hey Eevee, do you want to come play with us in the pool". Latias quickly said in mind link "You just came out of the pool". Ash said back to her in mind link "New friend who needs a little cheering up".
Latias thought about it and dropped the thought as Eevee was thinking. In the short time it got to associate with this trainer, Eevee felt safe, happy around him. It was an odd yet welcoming feeling as Eevee wasn't quick to trust people. Eevee smiled and happily said "Yeah, I am happy to". Ash stood up and happily said "It is settled. Pikachu, Latias into the pool". Ash quickly took off his shirt and hat and put them down again. He readied himself and said "Let's go".
Before he could move he found himself grabbed. Latias wrapped her claws around his arms and lifted him up into the air. She floated over the pool and teasingly laughed and Ash pleadingly said "Now Latias is this really necessary". Latias nodded to him and whispered "Happy Splashing Ash". Latias let Ash go and he made a little scream and he fell down and splashed into the pool.
Pikachu and Eevee both laughed at Ash's Predicament as Latias floated down into the water and joined Ash in the pool. Ash came up and caught his breath. Pikachu quickly said to Eevee "Watch this". Pikachu sprinted and jumped onto Ash's head and pushed him back underwater. Eevee laughed again as Ash resurfaced once more turning to Pikachu and Latias and said "What is this. Gang-up on Ash day". Latias floated to his side and said "Nope, just giving you a boost into the pool".
Ash shook his head "If you say". Eevee now feeling confident enough to join in also jumped up and landed on Ash's head. Ash felt the nudge and saw Eevee showing his paw at Ash "Oh now you are going are you". Ash quickly took hold of Eevee and held his breath. He dived down with Eevee on his head. Ash let Eevee go who swam back up to the surface.
Eevee surfaced and Pikachu asked "Enjoy that". Eevee nodded "Yeah that was fun, I didn't expect Ash to do that, I thought he was going to throw me off". Latias shook her head at him "No, Ash would never do that anyone". Suddenly Pikachu and Eevee both found themselves getting caught by Ash who positioned them on his shoulders.
"Hello there". Pikachu then said "You know Ash, you sure know how to strike from below I will give you that much". Ash narrowed his head "What is that supposed to mean". Pikachu then teased "You're too scared to approach head on". Ash taking it seriously said "Hey, I can too". Pikachu laughed at him "I am just kidding, Mr serious". Latias laughed and Eevee joined in. Latias then said "Pikachu got you there Ash". Ash shook his head "Yeah I guess he did". Eevee was very curious about this. Never before had he met people as enthusiastic as this, so confident. He was beginning to think highly of his newfound friends.
Okay people, there ends another chapter, still a whiles off yet but getting there at the same time. Anyway let's give a reminder. Poll will be closed when the next chapter is released onto fan fiction. If you haven't voted this is the last chance you will have so get voting if you haven't yet.
See you all next chapter.