=Chapter 36, The Journey Resumes=

(Jacob's PoV)

"So what was this file called?" Karen asked.

"Project Dark Aura…" Jacob saidd as he, Jessy, Sara, Lance, and the rest of their Pokemon watched in a group as Karen fiddled with Jessy's PokeTech, her miniature computer that allowed her to access data from a data disk as well as store data on it on various Pokemon, fauna, vegetation, berries, and other such entries. "That's what it said on the computer."

(This Project Dark Aura sounds bad.) Sara whispered to Jacob from his lap.

"No kidding Sara, anything with the word Dark can't mean anything cheerful and nice." Jacob replied to her, making her chuckle.

"Alright let's see, well these files were transferred quite easily, the only trick is… finding the right file to open." Karen said as she fiddled with the PokeTech.

"Don't ruin my PokeTech Karen, that thing cost me a lot of money!" Jessy said. "I want to find out about this Project Dark Aura as much as anyone, but really this sounds like something for the police to handle, not us!"

"Sometimes you gata take things into your hands and… Aha!" Karen shouted eagerly as she flipped over the PokeTech and showed them all the file that was finally opened. "Alright let's see what Viridian and his pals were up to and why they wanted our Eon Duo's dad so badly."

(Did you find out what they wanted with me?) Elder Latios asked as he, his mate, and their two children flew into the clearing. (Forgive the interruption, but my daughter and son told me that you had information about why they were after me.)

"It's alright Elder Latios." Jacob said. "We were just about to find out now."

"Alright too many people here to read it at once, so I'll just read out for everyone to hear." Karen said, taking the PokeTech and starting to read it.

"A Message to… it doesn't give a name." Karen said. "It just goes blank after that, I guess this was probably going to be transferred and sent to some big hot shot."

"What does the rest of it say?" Jacob asked, and Karen resumed reciting.

"Project Dark Aura: Project Dark Aura is the revival of the Shadowfication Process abandoned by the Cipher Syndicate in the region of Orre, but with the distinction of altering the approach taken to shadowfication of a Pokemon." She read out loud. "Shadowfication in the Orre Region, under the guide of Cipher Head Evice, with lead scientist Administrator Ein, as well as Grand Master Greevil, Cipher planned to use Shadow Pokemon to attempt World Domination. The Process, while previously unknown, allowed one to turn a Pokemon into a Shadow Pokemon via, in the words of Ein, "Shutting the door to their hearts". This Process, turned the Pokemon into a soulless fighting machine, capable of inflicting great damage to its enemies."

"However, while the process to create these Shadow Pokemon was unknown, a new discovery has allowed us to revive this previously abandoned process for our own purposes. Unfortunately, while this process was brilliant in creating incredibly aggressive Pokemon, who will not hesitate in using full force against any opponent, it fails in the regard that the process is reversible."

"The benefits of Shadowfication, is that the Pokemon loses its sense of identity, and simply refers to all objects as either enemies, allies, or unimportant entities. Another benefit is the ability to enter an enraged state in which its emotions become chaotic, allowing it to deal increasingly greater damage with its abilities as it uses lethal force, which was referred to as Hyper Mode in early notes. Thirdly, the Shadow Pokemon, after becoming a soulless fighting machine, would attack not only Pokemon but Trainers and other humans as well, essentially making the Pokemon more feral than even a normal Pokemon."

"The Process however was plagued with many a flaw under Cipher's guide, as the process was not permanent. It could be reversed through simple contact with a Trainer's party, or by being with the Trainer and thus more positive influences. When a Trainer battles with a Shadow Pokemon, the battle can rekindle and reopen the heart that allows it to bond with a Trainer or Human, due to the positive effects of battling instead of attempting to seriously injure an opponent because they are an enemy. Simple acts such as calling the Pokemon's 'name' allowed it to remember who it was, who called it, and spark more positive feelings and emotions, thus opening its heart even further. Even small influences such as a 'massage' or other such pampering treatments encouraged more positive feelings of attachment. Due to the ability to reverse the effects of Shadowfication, and the opening of its 'heart', a Pokemon could be 'purified' and thus immune to the shadow process."

"Also due to the influence of Celebi in the region of Orre, the Shadow Pokemon were able to be purified with greater speed thanks to its ability to reverse time on a Pokemon's heart, to instantly open it. Because of these failings, Cipher could not manage or use the Shadow Pokemon to achieve its objectives."

With Karen's reading finished, she looked at everyone around, and there was a sense of fear coming from her. Jacob felt it too, they now knew why Viridian's Pokemon acted the way they did, without care or concern for their opponents or even the Trainers they protected.

"Shadow Pokemon?" Jessy asked. "You mean… those Pokemon he used in that lab…"

"And at Mt. Chimney when he tried to capture Articuno… were Shadow Pokemon." Jacob said, nodding in understanding. "No wonder that Jolteon tried to kill us… or why they didn't hold back in hurting our teams. They were nothing more than fighting machines, whose only purpose was to battle and beat their enemies down, no matter what condition that was."

Sara shivered in his lap, and Lance looked very worried next to Karen. (So what you're saying is they were planning to turn me into a soulless fighter?) Elder Latios asked, a hint of anger in his voice. (Well… I'm glad they failed. The mere thought of hurting another Pokemon to that extreme, of potentially hurting my mate and young…)

His mate gripped one of his claws and nuzzled him gently to calm him down. (It's alright my love, they failed, and they cannot cause such harm now.) She said to him, causing him to nod in agreement. (They failed to capture you, and now that you are safe and they are gone, we need not fear such a thing happening.)

"I wouldn't count on it." Jacob said. "You were their third legendary they tried to capture, but I doubt they will just give up on capturing a legendary. Besides… there's something else we forgot about. They know where Southern Island is, someone knew how to get here, and they may come back again, only this time with more Pokemon. I think someone might have betrayed your location to this group."

(NO!) Elder Latios shouted, surprising everyone in the clearing. (Nobody who knows our island's location would reveal it to one who is untrustworthy. It has not happened and never will happen!)

Everyone was surprised at Elder Latios' outburst, and even his own young and mate were surprised, if not outright shocked. (My love, why are you so… angry at this?) His mate asked nervously. (If they have a belief that maybe we were betrayed by one we once trusted, perhaps they might be right. What if we were betrayed by one we trusted…?)

(No, we have not been betrayed!) He yelled again, this time knocking his mate's claw away from him as she tried to calm him down. (I know for a fact that no Human who knows of our island's location has betrayed it. It hasn't happened.)

(How do you know Mr. Elder?) Sara asked him, causing him to angrily stare at the Kirlia but she stood her ground. (How can you be sure?)

At this he turned away from them, and looked up at the sky. (Because before I met Arthur, the young boy whom I shared our island's location with, we never performed the psychic vow.) He said quietly. (Before that, we simply had to trust that the humans we showed our island would keep it secret. They have kept it secret… there is only one other Latios on this island who is older than me who still remembers the last Trainer we showed our island to before Arthur. He is currently the oldest of all of us, you know him my mate.)

His mate nodded in understanding before he continued. (He was the last of our kind to show a Human our island, that human was a young girl no older than Karen. But she died… many years ago, and he felt her death from across the seas. The two were quite close, closer than most Pokemon and Trainers become, and when he felt her death, we all heard him cry out in sorrow. Even to this day, he mourns her loss, and on the night of her death, he leaves the island to fly over the land that the two once soared over together.)

He turned to look at them all, and this time Jacob could see the furry and certainty in his eyes. (She never revealed our island's location, though many asked her, and even one horrible group tried to force it out of her, she refused to reveal it. The Trainers of the past that know of us who still live, would never reveal it just to capture one of us, why would they when we would welcome them with open arms? There are few who remember from the old days before you three, but those who do still live would never betray us, and those who did and might have no longer live, taking the secret to their grave. This Viridian who tried to take me, did not know of our location else he wouldn't have snuck to the island.)

"Okay, how about we drop that subject because we don't know how they found out about your island." Karen said, and there were nods of agreement, but Elder Latios merely landed in the grass and apologized to his mate for his outburst. "Let's see what this next file says."

Karen accessed the next file, and read out, "Phase 1, Project Shadow Aura."

"For our plan to succeed, we have divided the project into two separate phases to be carried out by two groups. Phase 1 of the project is the acquisition of specimens for testing Project Dark Aura's ability to turn into Shadow Pokemon."

"For these tests, we have decided to capture large numbers of Pokemon that are commonly seen throughout various regions. The reason for this is that a sudden drop in population in rarer species or breeds of Pokemon will raise suspicions and possibly inspire Trainers to investigate the reason. Therefore, more common species of Pokemon will be captured in vast quantities, though not so vast as to be noticeable to everyday eyes, but enough to satisfy our needs. An example of this would be Wurmples in Hoenn, and Caterpie and Weedle in Kanto."

"Furthermore, we will have our agents enter into deeper areas where more evolved and powerful Pokemon are, to allow us to gather different samples of Pokemon for our needs. In particular Pokemon with strong family connection or close bonds with other Pokemon. One example of this are Ralts species line, such as its more evolved forms, Gallade and Gardevoir."

"It should be noted that, due to the experimental and somewhat inconsistent nature of this research required to achieve higher stages of the Shadow Project, life expectancy for lower evolved species of Pokemon is minimal. For more evolved species, the life expectancy is greater, but because of their evolved forms, we can expect them to survive the experiments with a thirty percent higher rate of survivability compared to their lesser evolved states."

As Karen stopped reading everyone looked at Sara, including Jacob who could feel her tears through their link. Sara was crying heavily, and it was no surprise as to why.

(My… parents?) She whispered to them all, holding her head with her hands as she cried. (You mean… they took my parents… to experiment on? Why would they do that… my parents did nothing to them!)

"It's okay Sara, I'm sure their alive." Jacob whispered gently, trying to calm her down as she clutched at his mind and arm for support. "We'll find them, I promise!"

"Beuuu…" Kora whined, looking depressed as Jacob remembered that her nest brothers and sisters were taken as well.

But unlike Sara's parents, whom at least had a chance to survive because they were both fully evolved Pokemon, poor Kora's nest sisters and brothers, all of whom were Wurmples, had only a sliver of a chance. Even then, there was very little hope that all of them would be alive, if she was lucky maybe one or two, but if the file held any truth, they had very little hope of finding Kora's nest sisters and brothers.

"Those monsters…" Jessy whispered angrily, and behind her Feral and the rest of her team were matching her anger with glares of their own. "They capture so many poor, weak, defenseless Pokemon to experiment on. Knowing that they might die, and do not care about them?"

Jacob shared her anger as well, after being so close to his team, especially feeling Sara's feelings and emotions, he could not believe that anyone could be so cruel.

"It gets worse." Karen said, making them all look up at her. "Phase 2 is just an altered version of Phase 1, but it's much worse."

"Phase 2 of our project involves the capture of Pokemon that have been bonded to Trainers or Humans. For this we have implemented the services of notorious Team Snagem, as Cipher did before. Team Snagem, with their reputation for stealing Pokemon via their unique method of 'snagging' a Pokemon from their own Trainer, will remove suspicions of missing wild Pokemon, and instead focus the eyes of the public on Snagem's movements."

"Unlike previous Snagem efforts however, we have constructed a specially designed Snag Ball to supply the team with to allow them to capture specific Pokemon that we will target. The objective of this phase is to acquire special Pokemon, not in terms of rarity or breed, but Pokemon that have formed close bonds. These bonds will be used to test the shadowfication process to see if Pokemon that would never harm a Human unless in desperation and self-defense would do so under its effects."

"Life expectancy of these Pokemon is based on a Pokemon by Pokemon basis, with the probability stated in Phase 1 holding true for Phase 2. In accordance with the operation's plan, we can use Team Snagem as both a scapegoat and as a public figure, both to turn the eyes of the public against should our operation be discovered prematurely."

As she finished Karen and the others became silent, letting all of this information sink in.

"So that's why Snagem has been so active these last few years." Jacob said, still doing his best to comfort Sara and now Kora. "This group, whoever they are, are trying to create Shadow Pokemon, and they are using wild and bonded Pokemon to experiment on."

(This sounds even worse than I thought it was.) Elder Latios said. (They must be stopped before they succeed.)

"What else do the files say?" Jacob asked Karen, who was still silent as she continued to read the PokeTech.

Karen read the PokeTech for a few minutes before she finally spoke up, and they could hear the fury in her words as she read out the next file.

"Stage 1, as of this moment we have planned for Project Dark Aura to mirror the bond that seems to form between Pokemon and Trainer, but we plan to do this in a sped up process. Where a natural forming bond takes time, and personal experiences to be formed, our project intends to create an artificial bond that turns the previously mentioned Shadow Pokemon becoming a soulless fighting machine, into a simulated bonded Shadow Pokemon. The process will capitalize on the previous benefits of shadowfication of a Pokemon, such as increased aggressiveness and damage output, while removing or decreasing the negative side effects, namely the ability to reverse the process."

"This new Process will be divided into five different stages, mirroring the five bonding stages that give a Pokemon even greater power by whatever unknown and untestable method it does to give that Pokemon its power. However, these stages cannot be applied to a Pokemon all at once, and must be applied in sequential order from Stage 1 to Stage 5. All previous attempts to apply Stage 2 or higher onto a Pokemon without the previous stage in numerical order have caused subjects to go into an enraged and uncontrollable state, requiring the test subject to be terminated."

"Stage 1 involves increasing its ability to avoid attacks by sensing them and dodging them before they can hit. Tests have shown Pokemon with this ability improve their dodging skills in combat by roughly fifty percent according to studies. However, test subjects have also shown that this ability grants them the necessary senses to avoid attacks that should normally be unavoidable, including unseen attacks."

"It should also be noted, that upon Stage 1 of the Shadowfication process being applied to them, Shadow Pokemon gain a purple glint in their eyes. While we do not know what this entails, it should be noted that this glint is visible to the naked eyes. Attempts to remove the glint have resulted in massive loss of test subjects, as they lose eyesight as a result. Further attempts to remove this glint have also caused massive loss to the Pokemon's psyche as for some reason they become overwhelmed by feral instincts, and become savage at a moment's notice."

Karen was quiet as she waited for someone to talk, but when nobody did, she continued to read the next stage. "Stage 2 entails increasing the Pokemon's mental discipline to increase its overall damage output, allowing it to deal more powerful hits. In this Stage a Pokemon's ability to deal damage is increased exponentially, furthermore tests show that in Stage 2, Shadow Pokemon are able to consistently deal this damage without needing to rest."

"It should be noted though, that while Shadow Pokemon under Cipher's guide were able to have the process reversed, our process has failed to achieve the goal of preventing this reversal as of yet. However, tests have shown that upon reaching Stage 2 of Shadowfication, Shadow Pokemon have become less interested in having it reversed, and thus resist attempts to reverse the process. At this stage though, the Process can be reversed, but it is harder to achieve at Stage 2 than it is at Stage 1. Further tests prove that as each numerical stage is applied, the process becomes harder and harder to reverse."

"Working theories by our scientists suggest that upon reaching Stage 4, the Shadowfication Process is irreversible, however we can neither confirm nor deny if this theory holds truth."

They were all silent at this, and even Karen was not saying anything as she simply stared at the screen.

(A simulated bond between Trainer and Pokemon?) Latias asked them. (I don't get it, how can one 'simulate' something that takes time to create?)

"I don't know Latias, but these guys are trying, and they are succeeding." Jacob said.

"The last file we have is Stage 3, after that there's nothing else." Karen said quietly as she fiddled with the PokeTech to access the file and read it out.

"Stage 3 is currently undergoing serious testing, at this stage Pokemon become loyal to whatever Trainer controlss them, however this feeling only lasts as long as the Pokemon perceives that said Trainer is stronger than they are. Upon reaching the conclusion that either the Trainer is too weak to control them, or they have become too powerful to need their human counterpart, the Shadow Pokemon begins to rebel against said Trainer."

"Due to Shadow Pokemon being increasingly aggressive against humans and Pokemon alike, this result of rebellion ends with the chance of the Trainer being killed in the process. It is unknown when this happens, but in all tests to achieve this result, ninety five percent of subjects rebel against the Trainer, resulting in either the subject being terminated or the Trainer and subject being lost."

"Tests have shown that until reaching Stage 3, Shadow Pokemon under Stage 2 and Stage 1's effects are forty percent likely to rebel and turn on the Trainer. It is likely that as the Shadow Pokemon approaches Stage 5, their loyalty to the Trainer will increase with each stage. However until Stage 4 tests are finished, this is merely a working theory."

"Furthermore, due to our inability to test our new process on a legendary class Pokemon, we are unable to determine if this process has any effect on such Pokemon. The following Legendary Class Pokemon have been identified with their known region, and their status have been updated as of two months ago. Further legendary Class Pokemon are expected to be added to the list as we continue to progress towards Stage 5."

Karen then started reading off the list of Pokemon as well as what they have been identified in terms of their status.

"Johto Region, Suicune: Status (Escaped), Reason: Failure to entrap before local Trainer intervened."

"Kanto Region, Articuno: Status (Escaped), Reason: Failure to capture due to a local Trainer intervention."

"Hoenn Region, Latios: Status (Located), Awaiting Capture Confirmation or Status Update.

"Kalos Region, Xerneas: Status (Located but Unknown), Unable to track due to all attempts being thwarted by unknown party."

"Sinnoh Region, Unable to Identify."

"Unova Region, Reshiram: Status (Unknown), Unable to locate at this time."

After reading the list, Karen turned off the PokeTech and returned both it and the data disk to Jacob and Jessy. Then they were silent as they all thought about what they heard.

"So this is why Viridian is after legendary Pokemon… to create them into a Shadow Pokemon." Jacob said quietly.

"They've killed Pokemon just to experiment on them, they've stolen people's friends and used them like test subjects." Jessy said in silent anger.

"And they're going to keep doing it as long as nobody stands up to them." Karen said, getting up and pulling out her team's Pokeballs. "So what are we standing around here for you two, those guys have a lot to answer for, and I'm itching to find that son of a Garbodor to teach him a lesson he'll never forget!"

"But we're just Trainers Karen, this sounds like its way over our heads!" Jessy said cautiously. "I know we have tough Pokemon, but Viridian wiped the floor with us. Two whole teams only took out two of his Pokemon, how can us ordinary Trainers compete with such power?"

"Simple, we keep fighting!" Karen said, a determined expression on her face as she said it. "Look, at this moment we're the ONLY People who know about this happening. If we start spreading word about this, they'll catch onto us soon and they'll target us. Like you said we're too weak at this point to beat Viridian's Pokemon in a straight up fight. But we can become stronger, and the only way to do that is the Pokemon League Challenge!"

"So that's your plan, take on Viridian and whoever he's working for by keeping up with the Pokemon League Challenge?" Jacob asked in confusion. "How does that help us?"

"Put two and two together Jacob." Karen said. "They need to test these Shadow Pokemon, and the best way to do that is in the Pokemon League, where there will HUNDREDS of Trainers with hundreds of Pokemon. They can't resist testing their Shadow Pokemon against such competition, it's the only way they can do it outside of controlled environments like a lab."

"She has a point I think." Jessy said thoughtfully. "Testing and theorizing can only go so far, true battles are chaotic, and true battles test the strength and experience of individual Pokemon and their Trainers. You can't match that in a laboratory."

"Exactly, and the only way they can get that kind of data is to test their Shadow Pokemon out in the field." Karen said. "So if we keep going to the Pokemon League, eventually we'll come across these goons and learn more about them. Either their Pokemon will tell us or we'll beat it out of the Trainers. Heck, I'll do it even if I have to make them talk with my bear hands!"

They all looked at each other, and silently agreed. They would continue with the Hoenn Pokemon League Challenge. "So it's settled then, we return to Hoenn." Jacob said to them all.

"Yea." Jessy answered.

"No questions here." Karen responded.

All of their Pokemon nodded in agreement as well, they stood by their trainers no matter what, and this news about this group using Shadow Pokemon only inspired them to fight all the harder.

Meanwhile, the Eon Pokemon present, Elder Latios and his Mate, as well as their two young looked at each other. Before they flew away to talk in private.

=The Duo's Choice=

(Latias' PoV)

They flew for a few minutes before they came to a stop some distance away from Jacob and his friends, where they wouldn't be interrupted.

"They're returning to their home." Her mother said calmly. "I guess we can't expect them to avoid this issue forever can we?"

"When a Trainer hears the call of adventure and danger, they cannot resist it." Her dad said sadly. "That is how it was with me and Arthur, he could not resist the challenge of the minor league, and so we continued to face challenge after challenge. Those three will no doubt challenge this threat, but they will not be alone. Their Pokemon will stand beside them, every step of the way."

Latias nodded, but something she had in the back of her mind had been itching at her to talk to her parents about. And by the looks of her brother, who silently nodded at her, had also been thinking the exact same thing.

They owed a debt to Jacob and his friends, they wanted to repay them. But would their parents accept their decision.

"So will you three be taking them back to the mainland, or will you send others to do it?" Their mother asked. "I'm sure after what you've endured you'd like to stay here and rest my love."

At this, Latias knew that it was now or never, and so cleared her throat and spoke up. "Uh mom, I mean… Matriarch!" She said, gathering her courage and using her mother's title to show how serious the situation was to her. "May my brother and I make a request of you and the Patriarch?"

At this their father and mother became quite surprised, having never been addressed in those terms by their young before. However that surprise soon ended and was replaced by suspicion as their mother, as she usually did when concerning the two of them, and raised her voice at them. "Yes you two may." She said.

Latias gathered her courage, and took a deep breath before she stared determinedly at her mother. "My brother and I wish to leave Southern Island, and Join Jacob and Jessy on their journey!" She said.

"Absolutely not!" Her mother said, intimidating the both of them by ruffling her feathers and making herself look larger. "You two are not ready to leave and I will not have you threaten yourselves by following those three anywhere! You heard what they are going to do, they plan to challenge foes that might kill them, and I will not let you two be put in that danger as well."

"But Moth… I mean Matriarch." Her brother said, gathering his courage as well to speak up. "We owe them, if they didn't help us we wouldn't have saved the Patriarch, your mate! We cannot let such a debt go unpaid even if we show them our home and welcome them here."

"I don't care if they save half of the Herd!" She yelled. "You two are not going with them and that's…"

She was stopped as her mate silenced her with one claw, and then kissed her full on the mouth, an act that always caught her off guard and instantly made her less intimidating. *Oh boy… here we go.* Latias thought giddily, knowing that whenever dad did this to mom, he instantly got his way with her, especially when it came to mating season.

(I never knew dad would side with us.) Latios whispered to her privately. (I guess it has to do with him having a Trainer as well.)

As they watched, she instantly blushed and leaned into the kiss, closing her eyes and becoming passive and submissive to her mate's dominance. With her mouth now under his control and her claw in his grip, he massaged her neck and touched her favorite spot that made her melt in his grip, and then she became the most submissive Latias on the entire island, willing to do anything he asked if he would keep doing what he was doing. Her dad may be old for a Latios of over forty years, and not as fast or as agile as other, younger, Latios' on the island, but when it came to the Matriarch and her love for him, he could not be bested and thus remained Patriarch even as others tried to win her heart over the years.

(Matriarch's PoV)

*Ooooh my mate knows how to make me feel…* She thought to herself as she moaned in bliss as she and her mate's tongues battled for dominance in her mouth, a battle she was more than willing to lose. *None of those other fools could compare to my mate, he's my other half, my other heart, we were made for each other and I'll have no other…*

After a few moments he stopped kissing her and she was still blushing and still submissive towards him, and they all knew she'd listen to him now. "Has anyone ever told you that you're irresistible when you're protective?" He said soothingly, holding her claws in each hand, looking at her with a twinkle in his eyes that made her swoon for him. "I say we let them go my mate, they can't be contained here forever, and they aren't hatchlings anymore."

She blushed even deeper and looked at her young sadly, before she leaned on her mate and wept a few tears. "But they're so young…" She whispered.

"They're older than I was when I disobeyed the Patriarch and Matriarch and left the island to see the world beyond." He said soothingly, massaging her neck as he held her close to him. "Yet when I returned, I was matured, stronger, and a wiser Latios than any of the others on the island, including the Patriarch and Matriarch. Arthur made me that way, and when I returned he introduced me to you, after we spotted you spying on us. These humans are trustworthy, I know they will take good care of our young in our place."

"But I don't want to see them get hurt…" She moaned sadly, knowing that she was losing the argument to keep them on the island and away from those horrible people who captured her mate.

"We can't protect them forever my mate, the only way to do that would be to keep them in their eggs, and you know that isn't possible." He said with more gentle nuzzles and affections of love. "We must let our young fly from the nest and experience the world around them. A little pain is expected from a journey, we can't go through life without feeling it."

She looked up at him, and only could think of one final, feeble, desperate argument that might win her mate over to her way of thinking.

But she knew it was pointless, he had won the argument before she even began it.

"What if they abuse them… like other Trainers might?" She said.

Her mate smiled and kissed her full on the mouth again, making her melt and actually levitate closer and closer to the ground, letting him hold her up with his own strength. Once she was under him and him on top of her, he stopped kissing and held her cheek gently with one claw.

"If I believed for a second that they might abuse our young, I would not have even stayed to thank them for saving my life." He said. "I looked into the hearts of those three Trainers, and I know they can be trusted. Trust them my love, trust that they will keep our son and daughter safe from harm. I trust them, why can't you?"

She finally nodded and submitted to her mate's wishes. She knew she couldn't keep her two young forever, but she wished that this wasn't the time they had to go. Yet he had a point, better to entrust her two young into the care of those two Trainers, then to let them go and be captured by someone else who might abuse them or not care as much about them.

(Latias' PoV)

Latias and her brother watched their parents fawn over each other, or at least their dad assert his dominance over his mate for a few minutes before they regretted being forced to watch it in person. When they started kissing again and their mother became more submissive, going so far as to let herself be underneath him to the point where they were on the verge of mating, was when Latias had the temptation to just let them settle it on their own.

*Do we have to sit here and watch…* She asked, really finding the situation awkward.

Next to her, Latios her brother looked just as awkward as she was feeling, like he was trying his hardest to find the tree to his right as interesting as he possibly could.

Then finally, their parents got their attention, and Latias could tell that their mother was going to let them go. "My two children…" She said to them, flying over and holding touching both of their cheeks with her claws. "I know I can't keep you here forever… but I wasn't expecting you two to want to leave so suddenly like this."

"Mother, it's not like we'll never return home." Latias said in embarrassment.

"Yes mother, we'll come back eventually." Latios said.

"I know, I guess just being an old Latias makes me feel protective of you two…" She said, taking her claws away so she could look at them both. "Well… can you forgive your old mother for just being a little over protective?"

"Mother you're not that old, your only two years younger than dad!" Latias said, trying to cheer her up.

"Oh yes I am old, just like your dad, I'm having harder times keeping up with you younglings nowadays." She said with a smile. "Just look at my feathers, they're changing colors every day, I'm not the same bright red that you have my daughter."

"Maybe my mate…" Their dad said, before he took her claws in his own, turned her around and kissed her passionately once again, causing her to melt and blush just like before. "But even if your feathers turned pure white, you'll still be the sexiest Latias on the island to me every mating season."

"Ugh, Dad, please, not in front of us!" Latias and her brother said in disgust, thoroughly embarrassed whenever he decided to talk that way to their mother.

"Yes, at least wait till we're gone to get mom to mate with you again!" Latios said, turning around and trying to wipe the memory from his mind.

Their dad chuckled, causing them to look at him, and saw that he had gone back to his usual self, with a twinkle in his eye that they knew he approved of their choices. "Look at you two, getting ready to leave us for the first time." He said. "So my two younglings, have you decided with which Trainer you will go with? This is probably the most important choice you may ever make in your life."

Latias and her brother looked at each other, before they nodded at their dad and told him who they wanted to go with.

"Then let's go tell them, and best not keep them waiting." He said with a smile.

(Jacob's PoV)

"Alright are we all set?" Jacob said as he and his friends waited for Elder Latios or whoever was going to take them back to Hoenn.

"Yep, all Pokemon are present and accounted for." Karen said. "So now all we need is our ride home."

"Way to call our hosts transportation Karen." Jessy said. "Speaking of whom, though, where are they? I know they'll miss having visitors so I was expecting a big crowd to see us off!"

Jacob and Sara were just as curious as they stood there waiting at the edge of the island where they arrived. He knew Elder Latios would send them back home, but he was wondering who would take them. (Maybe he's asking for volunteers?) Sara thought up.

"Maybe." Jacob said.

Minutes passed before finally Jacob saw four Eon Pokemon flying toward them, Elder Latios, his mate the Matriarch, and their two young Latios and Latias. "Hey there, I guess we're all leaving together again?" Jacob said, waving hi to them all.

(You got that right!) Latias said as she flew up to him and gave him an affectionate nuzzle. (My dad wouldn't let any other Eon Pokemon see you three off besides me and my bro!)

(Indeed.) Latios said, shaking Jessy's hand with his claw. (After the adventure we went through, it would be sad if we didn't get to fly our newest friends back to their home.)

"Well, let's get this show on the road!" Karen said, adjusting Lance in her arms so he was more secure. "Nobody likes sad goodbyes, and we have to get back on the road to the Pokemon League Challenge!"

At this, all four of the Eon Pokemon looked at each other, before Elder Latios flew up to the three Trainers, a serious look in his eyes. (I'm afraid only one of us will be saying goodbye to you when we return you to Hoenn.) He said.

At this all three trainers got confused. "What?" Karen said.

Latias and Latios looked at each other before they floated in front of Jacob and Jessy, then looked at them seriously. (Jacob, me and Latios have reached a decision that wasn't easy to come to.) Latias said to him. (We had to do a lot of thinking and talking, but we both agreed that we wanted to join you and Jessy on your adventures. If you will have me Jacob, I offer you my allegiance and wish to join your party as one of your Pokemon.)

(I too offer you my allegiance Jessy, and wish to join your team as one of your Pokemon.) Latios said to Jessy, but was audible to all of them. (If you will have me, I will take my place at your side in your team. Together we will find out and put a stop to these people who would slaughter so many innocent Pokemon to create Shadow Pokemon with twisted simulated bonds.)

"You mean, you both want to join us on our journey?" Jacob asked, both he and Sara amazed that the two Eon Pokemon would want to go with them. "But what about your parents, don't they…"

Both Eon Pokemon shook their heads. (If they wish to join you, we cannot stop them.) He said with a smile. (It is up to you now you two, my young have offered you their allegiances. If you accept then you must capture them both, and promise to take care of them from now on.)

"So let me get this straight, Jacob gets a Latias to join him, and Jessy gets a Latios to join her?" Karen said, a grin on her face as she elbowed Jacob and Jessy. "Congratulations you two lucky dogs, never ganna get this chance again. I say take it while the going's good."

Jacob and Jessy looked to each other, and nodded, agreeing silently to accept their offer. It would be an insult to say no to them after the way they asked and said they reached their decision. "Alright then, the only way to accept is to capture you two." Jessy said, reaching into her bag and pulled out two white Pokeballs with a red circle in the center. "Here Jacob, a special Pokeball for a special occasion."

Jacob looked at the Pokeball, noticing it looked just like an ordinary Pokeball except the fact that the upper half was white as well as the bottom half. "What kind of ball is this?" He asked.

"They're called Premier Balls." Karen said instantly. "Special Pokeballs that aren't sold and instead have to be earned. Either through special events or via purchasing multiple Pokeballs at once."

"Yep, I had some to spare to, one for you Jacob." Jessy said as she held out the ball for Latios. "Well Jacob, we started our journey together, and now we each get our very own legendary Pokemon to take care of. I have to say I am honored to have joined you on this endeavor, and to Latios, I hope I prove worthy of having you on my team."

"Yea, same here, I hope to prove worthy of having you on my team Latias, and I'm honored that you'd choose me to be your Trainer." Jacob said as he held out the Premier Ball to Latias.

Both Eon Pokemon nodded, and at the same time, tapped their heads onto the Premier Balls' capture mechanisms. Allowing them to be turned into beams of red light and sucked into the Balls themselves. Seconds later the balls resounded with a ping, indicating the capture was successful, and neither had to shake because they willingly accepted the capture. Then together Jacob and Jessy released both Latios and Latias.

Instantly Latias jumped Jacob and hugged him tightly, almost causing Sara to fall off as she clung to his shoulder. (Thank you for accepting me Jacob, I promise to do my best on your team!) She said happily.

(Sister, show some dignity please?) Latios said as he allowed Jessy to scratch his head.

"Well since you've captured over seven Pokemon, not counting Sara, you're now over the legal Six Pokemon Limit." Karen said. "When we get back, you'll be required to send one of your Pokemon to someone to take care of while you travel."

"That's alright, I can send Kora back to Professor Nomel." Jacob said as he pet Latias' head to make her giggle. "She likes spending time with him, and she enjoys his cooking as much as she loves mine."

(I think she just likes eating food in general.) Sara said with a laugh.

After a few seconds Jacob and Jessy were approached by Elder Latios and his mate the Matriarch. (Jacob, Jessy, Karen, I know you three will go far in your journey, I have a few words of wisdom that have been passed down through generation after generation of Eon Pokemon.) He said, sounding very sage like with his voice. (Those whose memories fade seek to carve them in their hearts. Never forget that your memories of your travels, your journey, your life, tell your story to those who hear and listen to them. Treasure your time you have with those you travel with, for each moment that passes is another treasured moment you can never get back or relive.)

His mate moved next to them and spoke her words of wisdom as well. (All memories are but another reality, never forget.) She said to them, before looking at Jacob and Jessy with her piercing glare. (Take care of my two young, if I find out you were mean to either of them, I will make sure your Pokemon won't ever be able to recognize you ever again!)

At that threat, both Trainers nodded in understanding before Karen walked over and elbowed Jacob again. "Meow Jacob, you just get all the girls don't ya?" She said with a grin. "Sara, then Suicune, Coral, Kenna, now Latias, who's next?"

"What are you talking about…?" Jacob said, blushing madly as Sara blushed alongside him.

"Oh come on, I'm only pulling your leg!" Karen said, smacking his shoulder and sending him to land face first into the ground.

Latias helped Jacob back up and glared at Karen, apparently angry at her for hurting her new Trainer.

(Very well then, shall we get going?) Elder Latios said flying over to Karen and lowering himself so she and Lance could get on.

Jessy nodded to Latios and climbed on him as well, safely securing his Pokeball to her belt.

Latias nudged Jacob and lowered herself so he could climb on. (Shall we Master?) She asked with a smile.

"You don't need to call me Master." Jacob said as he and Sara climbed into place in front of her wings. "Jacob is perfectly fine."

(Got it Jacob!) She said with a chuckle. (This is so weird having a Trainer, I'm not used to it.)

In seconds, they took off and headed for Hoenn. Just as they Jacob saw the Matriarch following behind them with what looked like the entire heard following behind, all of whom waving and saying their goodbyes to Jacob and his friends, as well as the two youngest Latios and Latias' of the herd. All Jacob could do was hold on tight to Latias and Sara with one hand, while he and she waved goodbye to the herd, and Southern Island.

He vowed to someday return to Southern Island, but for now, he had a task that he had to carry out. It was a task he put on himself, a task that demanded his attention, but it was a task that he was willing to pursue.

Viridian, and whoever he was working for had to be stopped, whatever the cost. Too many Pokemon were suffering because of them, and he was causing too much suffering.

*To think…* Jacob thought as Latias performed a spin in midair to amuse him. *To think that when I first started out, the biggest problem I had was finding the right path to Petalburg City.*