Operation Rescue Latios

"It's over everyone, Team Aqua is no more." Archie spoke to his organization with a look of guilt and regret upon his face. "We have no right to interfere with legendary Pokemon and try to change the world for our benefit even if we thought we were doing the right thing. Our carelessness almost caused the end of the world and I accept full responsibility for my actions, Team Aqua has no place in the world."

"No you can't do this!" Matt growled out. "Team Aqua is all I know, I worked my butt off to get as high into the organization as I did!"

"Shut up Matt, Archie is right. We all saw it, the power was too much for him and drove him insane. It was sheer luck that Groudon got summoned the same day or we'd all have perished in a tide of water!"

"Nobody asked you Shelly!" Matt shouted out, flexing his arms to signify his muscles before looking on towards the various grunts. "Are you all really going to listen to a weak leader and his equally weak choice of admin? I am Matt the great, the strongest of the strong and I'm taking over this operation!"

"Don't be ridiculous Matt, you may be strong but you're severely lacking in the brain department. There's a reason we're both admins!" Shelly retorted with a shake of her head. "Don't listen to his disillusions, we all would have perished today had it not been for the interference of the Kanto Champion Lance and those brats! Not even Matt would have lived despite his insistence on the matter." Matt glared at her as his face turned to that of pure rage.

"I'm not going to stand here and be ridiculed by you, I'm continuing this operation with or without Archie. Whose with me?!" Matt turned to face the various grunts though much to his disappointment only a few raised their hands.

"Well you certainly aren't doing so here, I'm dismantling this place." Archie growled out. "I suggest you get going before I inform Officer Jenny of your plans."

"Forget you all," Matt began storming off with the few that agreed to follow him going after him.

Times were tough for Matt's crew over the next year, they constantly clashed with the far larger and more organized faction of Team Magma remnants led by the super genius Courtney and almost any other operation they did ended up getting foiled by the international police agent known as Looker who always seemed to be one step ahead of them, every time one of his men were caught while he got away eventually it was just Matt and a few others which was the day that he came.

Archer walked into a cafe that Archie had happened to be eating at for the day, the man soon dropping a metal suitcase upon the table while shifting glances around to make sure they weren't being watched. "You're a rather bold man Matt though you may be lacking in the brain department based on how your organization only consists of three people but fortunately for you I have an offer for you. My boss is in need of some proper leadership in the region and you are just the right sort for it, you'll have proper funding for your escapades and assistance in avoiding the authorities."

Matt opened the suitcase and looked up immediately afterwards. "No catch?" He asked.

"Well..."

"Greetings former adversary," Matt jumped up with a growl as he heard the cold calculative voice of his rival.

"You!"

"I advise you accept his offer, Matthew. You clearly need the help and we can take over the region together, there's no need to fight when we have a common goal." Courtney held out her hand in a inviting manner.

Matt gritted his teeth as he continued growling out at Courtney before eventually holding out his hand to take hers.

Archer smirked. "Great, you may continue doing your operations as you see fit but know this. Any and all legendary or mythical Pokemon you may catch belong to Giovanni and are to be sent directly to him upon capture. Further instructions on operating the Hoenn branch will be sent your way later but know this, you two are co-leaders. You must discuss with one another of your plans, no longer will you two solo act."

"A fitting deal to me." Courtney smiled lightly as she kept her eyes on Matt.

Matt clearly didn't look pleased though, it was his goal to capture a legendary Pokemon and wreck havoc so that everyone would have no choice but to worship his greatness! Then maybe Archie would see sense and come back to work with him! "Fine." He let out a reluctant sigh, it was either that or Team Rocket would likely eliminate him. Didn't mean he necessarily had to fully comply though.

Courtney narrowed her eyes suspiciously at his wording but said nothing for now.

"Tios?!" Latios jerked up his head as he continued to lay upon the ground, his body too weak and wounded to move anymore. A worried look crossed his face as he sensed his sister coming, closing his eyes as he willed her to go away and leave him to his fate. The blue eon twin's eyes shot open upon realizing that two others were with her, a human male and a Pikachu. Latios' look turned to a mixture of fear and anger, worried for his sister while also furious that she dare bring a stranger to their home!

"Based on that reaction I can only assume your sister is coming back!" Matt had a sinister smirk across his face as he began rubbing his hands together. "Courtney may be the co-leader but once I've got you both in my clutches I'm sure to be the one and only leader!"

Jackie grunted out as he struggled to untie himself from the knots that Matt's Machamp had tied around his arms and legs. "I'm sorry but that is your plan? You've really got no ambition."

"Shut up!" Jackie's words triggered the former Team Aqua member.

"A guy like you won't go anywhere, no wonder you constantly botched operations after the disbandment. You've always been a follower and that's what you'll always be, you weren't met to lead!" Jackie smirked, aiming to distract Matt and it was working.

Matt's face was bright red and burning with rage as fire flared within his eyes, glaring intensely at Jackie before pointing at him as he ordered an attack.

"Machamp destroy him with Seismic Toss!"

"Champ!" Machamp rushed over and bent down to pick Jackie up only to wind up getting blasted with a powerful thunderbolt attack! "M-Machamp!" The Fighting type cried out as electricity surged through his bones.

Matt turned around with a growl to identity the culprit, his eyes growing wide before quickly turning to rage upon recognizing who it was. "You! I lose everything thanks to you!"

"I'm sorry but who are you?" Ash asked as he climbed off of Latias' back upon arrival, he had a serious expression but a curious look briefly showed itself as the man didn't look familiar at all.

"I'm Matt the great, strongest of the strong! Tremble before my powerful might!" Matt flexed his muscles while Ash and Pikachu gave each other a quick glance before shrugging.

"Yeah we have no idea who you are."

Matt face faulted before quickly springing back to his feet. "You remember Archie? I was his number two!"

"...Shelly?"

"I'm not a girl!" Matt stomped his feet in a fit of rage as he immediately threw out his arm and blindly ordered an attack.

"Crawdaunt use Guillotine!"

Crawdaunt rushed forward, his pincers snapping in a menacing manner as he rushed Ash and Pikachu.

"Thunderbolt!" Electricity sparked out from Pikachu's cheeks as he flashed Crawdaunt a smirk before blasting him with a massive dose of electricity!

"Crawdaunt!" The Water/Dark type cried out as the electricity fried his body, soon toppling over to his side with swirls in his eyes as Matt's jaw proceed to drop. "W-Who are you?!"

"Ash Ketchum, a good friend of mine and a champion to boot!" Jackie spoke up while flashing Ash a light smirk. "Never thought our paths would cross again least of all like this."

"A c-champion?!" Matt tensed up, a frightened look crossed the man's face before quickly masking it as he let out a loud laugh and followed it up with a cocky smirk. "Well either way you're going down, I can see that you clearly don't have a Mega Ring while I on the other hand..." Matt threw a ball forward, releasing a Sharpedo while reaching out with his other hand to activate a Mega Band he wore at on his forehead, possibly choosing that particular accessory to avoid covering up any of his muscles. "Sharpedo let's show this punk the terror of the ocean with Mega Evolution!"

"Shar!" The familiar pink link surrounded Sharpedo as Ash kept a straight face, he was used to beating Mega Evolution without having his own. It wasn't impossible to do it just took a very strong Pokemon to do the deed and thankfully one was right in front of him! Though him being able to handle them didn't necessarily quench his thirst on wanting a Mega of his own, Keystones just weren't easy to come by! The light soon faded to reveal the form of Mega Sharpedo as a ringtone could be heard from Matt's pocket. The man scowled and quickly reached in to answer it with an impatient tone.

"What?"

"Dear Matthew is that anyway to speak to your co-leader? I have a carefully calculated plan to capture Registeel and you were supposed to be here five hours ago! Where are you?!" Matt flinched as he heard Courtney's voice.

"I'm... occupied."

"What would keep you occupied in the middle of the ocean?" Courtney coldly responded.

"What?! How did-" Matt looked at his phone before quickly hanging up. "She got me chipped... well whatever, once I have the Lati twins I'll come swooping in to save the day! Sharpedo use Poison Fang!"

"Shar!" Mega Sharpedo quickly maneuvered across the field, his teeth glowing a toxic purple coloring before biting down and sinking his teeth into Pikachu faster than he could react. Pikachu let out a faint cry as his face started looking purple.

Ash recognized the signs of the poisoned status and seeing how this wasn't a real battle, he chucked a Pecha berry from his pocket and aimed it at Pikachu. "Pikachu catch!"

"Lati?!" Latias watched the action as a look of admiration formed across her face. Everything her cousin had informed her about Ash turned out to be true, he helped others out in need and was quite caring for Pokemon even those that weren't his own given how he agreed to drop everything to come and save her brother! Latios watched the scene as well but had a less readable look.

"Pi pi, Pikachu!" Pikachu cried out upon finishing the berry, licking his lips before his cheeks started to spark up while Ash reached for his pocket and withdrew his z-ring.

"That Sharpedo is definitely nothing to sneeze at, it's fast and can pack quite the punch! I say we eliminate it as soon as possible!" Pikachu nodded in agreement as Ash threw him his cap, Matt raised an eyebrow in confusion as he wondered just what Ash was up to, Jackie also looked confused by that as he'd never seen an attack start off like that before but he was sure Ash had a good plan whatever it may be.

"Alright Pikachu, 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt!" Pikachu leaped up high into the air, his body sparking as he began absorbing electricity from dark storm clouds that formed above his head and releasing it shortly afterwards, firing seven differently colored bolts of energy directly at Matt and his Pokemon, creating a miniature explosion that sent him along with Mega Sharpedo and Machamp blasting off into the sky and sending them out to sea!

"Whoa..." Jackie and Latias were both left awestruck at the sight of the powerful move, never seeing anything like it before!

Latios soon cried out for his sister causing Latias to briefly leave his side as she went to remove the bonds that left Latios tied to the ground while Ash went to work at removing Jackie's bonds.

"What kind of move was that? I've seen some z-moves in my time but nothing like that!" Jackie exclaimed causing Ash to emit a light chuckle as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"It's just something that Pikachu and I came across while in Alola."

"It definitely packed quite the punch!" Jackie punched the air while exclaiming it before looking at where Matt had flown off to. "It's a shame that he got away but he's small fries compared to his co-leader, she's the real mastermind behind the Team Rocket branch here despite what he'd like to believe."

"I thought Team Aqua and Magma disbanded." Ash commented.

"Most of them did, there are some that idolized the criminal life or lived for it in Matt's case and knew nothing else so they decided to continue. Getting absorbed into Team Rocket at some point," Jackie turned to Latios and looked him over, the blue eon Pokemon looked patient as he checked him over but he was still giving Ash the stink eye.

"Well the blue and red orbs are gone, I saw it happen with my own eyes so I'm not sure what they aim to accomplish but if I see any of them on my travels I'll help take them down!" Ash offered his assistance as Latias turned her head to give him another look as a thoughtful expression filled her gaze.

Latios soon got up, his eyes clenched shut as he flinched from the pain before flying over to his sister and nudging her side with his head.

"Come sis, we can't afford to stay here anymore. His associate had him chipped and no doubt she'll be checking the area out to see what he was doing here." Latios pushed her with his head, attempting to push her away but Latias planted herself to the ground and shook her head.

"I'm sorry brother but I've decided to go down a different path, sure our mother was killed by a human but that doesn't mean we should right them all off! Jackie's always been checking up on us and Ash has helped constant legendary and mythical Pokemon over the years, even saving the earth quite a handful of times too! Not everyone is out to get us and I think I'd be just as safe with Ash as I would be traveling around with you."

"Y-You'd pick a human over me?!" Latios had a look of disgust. "And tell me sis, would these Pokemon and the earth even have needed saving if it wasn't for a human?"

"Yes but..."

"Not all of us are bad!" Ash butted in, resulting in Latios pressing his head up against Ash's and meeting him with a fierce glare. "I've helped Pokemon all over the world, saving them from various villainous organizations or just common thugs. I've never hurt a Pokemon in my life nor have my friends, you don't have to trust us completely Latios but I'm just asking that you give us a chance."

"Yeah, you should join me!" Latias wrapped her wing around her brother, giving him an affectionate nuzzle. Latios turned to her before pushing her away.

"Ketchum, my sister insists on traveling with you. What do you say to that?"

Ash looked towards Latias as the duo locked eyes, Latias flashed him a warm smile before affectionately nuzzling his cheek to show that is indeed what she wanted. Ash turned back to Latios and nodded in response. "Seeing as she wants to, sure! I'd be happy to have her on my team, the two of us can go stronger together and form incredible bonds!"

Latios' eyes closed as he read Ash's mind once more, getting images of Ash interacting with various Pokemon from his past; He saw Ash and Butterfree's relationship all the way from a Caterpie until he was released for Butterfree's own happiness, he saw Charizard disobeying Ash and Ash refusing to give up on him, even working to save Charizard's life, he saw Ash foolishly throwing himself in the way of Mewtwo's attack and getting killed then promptly resurrected with the magic of tears, along with various other interactions like offering Chimchar a place on his team and giving Litten a new home after his friend passed. Latios looked towards the ground as he felt tears coming to his eyes from the scenes that he had encountered, soon turning to Ash before giving him a nod of approval.

"Thank you brother, I know Ash will take good care of me and I'll become even stronger with him as my partner!" Latias exclaimed before turning to Ash. "I'm ready!"

Ash cast a glance at Latios as he couldn't help but wonder if the eon twin might change his mind, Latios didn't react so Ash reached into his pocket and withdrew an empty Pokeball before holding it out to Latias. "Welcome to the team Latias!"

Latias tapped the ball with her forehead and disappeared in a beam of red light as the ball began shaking within his hand before chiming to announce the capture.

Latios looked at Ash once more before turning his back to him and taking off into the sky, disappearing into the horizon in a blue blur as Ash stared off after him. "Goodbye Latios, I hope someday you'll start to view humans differently!"


"No way, you got another legendary?!" Marnie was star struck as Ash showed off Latias shortly upon returning to the ship. "I never thought I'd see one in person let alone two!"

"Whose the other legendary?" Chloe asked with a confused expression.

"His Kubfu," Zach informed. "He's a lucky guy, most trainers don't even own one their whole career as a trainer!" He was happy for his friend but couldn't help but feel a tad bit jealous about the fact.

"Oh there was one thing I forgot," Latias spoke telepathically causing Chloe to get startled and leap back, Ash's other friends didn't seem phased by it however. Latias reached beneath her left wing, revealing a small circular purple stone with a red swirl in the middle of it as she reached out and placed it within Ash's palm. Ash's eyes widened from surprise upon recognizing what it was.

"A Mega stone?"

The eon Pokemon nodded in confirmation. "Mine, Latiasite. It'll allow me to Mega Evolve, you do have a keystone right?" Latias asked, tilting her head resulting in Ash sweat dropping while emitting a light chuckle. He should really get to work on finding one soon but he wasn't sure where to start, perhaps he could ask Drake upon arrival on Draco Island.


"Ow my aching head," Matt groaned, rubbing his head as he awoke upon a deserted island. Nothing could be seen for miles on the open sea and Sharpedo was still out cold from getting sent blasting off with the powerful electric attack!

Matt kicked the sand out of frustration, not noticing a portal opening up behind him as a figure stepped out. "That kid's ruined things for me twice, so unbelievably unfair!"

"Matt." The voice caused Matt to immediately hop off the ground with an excited expression though that expression soon turned to confusion. It was Archie but he was... different.

"...did you do something to your hair, boss?" Matt asked while reaching out to give the man a poke just to see if he was real and not a mirage. Archie slapped his hand away with a frustrated look.

"Get your hands off me, fool! I ain't the Archie you know, I hail from an alternate earth where I won and I intended on performing an encore on this earth. Care to assist me?"

"O-Of course, it's all I live for! Seriously, I missed-HEY! Where's the alternate me?!" Matt looked mildly annoyed as a different version of Shelly stepped out from behind Archie to reveal herself. Archie and Shelly glanced at one another before speaking.

"You died."


"Regi!" Registeel collapsed to it's knees in defeat as Courtney was quick to hurl an Rocket Ball at the Steel type, the legendary Pokemon disappearing in a beam of sinister light before the ball chimed to announce the capture of the legendary.

"It turns out I miscalculated, we didn't need Matthew." Courtney coldly spoke while turning to her men. "Now for Regirock and Regice,"

And so Ash got Latias

Alternate Archie reveals himself but it'll be awhile before he enters the fray.