Latias looked at Ash in surprise. "What do you mean?" "I know a Pokémon we can ask for help." He replied. "That's great! Where can we find it?" Latias asked ecstatically. "That's where the trouble starts. Last time I saw him was at Mt. Quena, but he left that day as well." "So you don't know where he is?" Ash shook his head. "I do know how we can get him to find us though. We just need to head over to Mt. Quena." "But isn't Mt. Quena impossible to scale?" Lorenzo asked. Ash shook his head. "Not impossible, just very difficult. Plus, we won't be climbing it. We'll be going under it." Lorenzo and Latias both seemed confused by this statement. "I'll explain it all later. For now I need to get an old friend from Professor Oak." Ash said standing up from the couch. Latias jumped up from the couch and followed him. "I'm coming with you!" Ash thought about it for a few seconds before accepting. He remembered the promise he made to the Pokémon, but Latias wasn't a human which meant she would be fine. "I guess there are few benefits to our relationship." Ash said to himself.
"Ash! How have you been? I heard you went on a trip to Alto Mare!" Professor Oak exclaimed. Ash scratched the back of his head. "I've been good and it was kind of on a whim, but I'm glad I did. Alto Mare is a beautiful city. It's nice to actually have time to enjoy the place, but that isn't what I called you for. Do you think you could send over Charizard?" Oak looked at Ash questionably. "Charizard? What for?" "It's a personal matter." Oak shrugged and left to retrieve the giant lizard. He returned a few minutes later and sent Charizard over in his Pokéball. "Is that all you needed?" Ash waited until he had Charizard's ball in hand before he nodded and said farewell to the Pokémon professor. "What do you need Charizard for?" Knowing Latias could read his mind, he replied likewise. "I needed someone who could fly. We'll head over to Mt. Quena via flight and then land before we get there. The weather is dangerous and unpredictable so we'll probably spend the night in a lodge with a couple of old friends before coming back to Alto Mare." Latias nodded in understanding before she asked her next question. "When are we leaving?" Ash smiled and walked outside with her by his side. He released Charizard who seemed to frighten a couple of tourists. "We leave right now."
Latias clung to Ash as they soared over the ocean towards Mt. Quena. She was in awe at first having never experienced flight from more than her own. "This is amazing! I've never flown on another Pokémon before!" Ash laughed at her excitement. "It's quite the sight to behold isn't it? Charizard and I have been through quite the rough patches. Haven't we buddy?" he said directing the last question to the large lizard. Charizard responded with a roar. "Well, now, that was a long time ago. I haven't thought about Entei for a while now. I wonder how Molly is holding up." Ash replied. Latias looked at Ash in confusion for more than one reason. "How do you know what they're saying?" "What?" "Your Pokémon! It's almost like you know what they're saying." Ash looked at Charizard who looked at him in return and they both shrugged. Latias was stupefied by this reaction. "It may have something to do with my aura, but I think it's because of how long I've been with them. It kind of just happened." Latias took this in as food for thought, but her thoughts were soon interrupted. "There it is. The first natural wonder of Johto!" Latias looked over his shoulder and saw a large mountain in the distance. "I remembered you, now it's your turn to remember me." Ash said quietly.
[Author's Note: I feel good about this chapter. It kind of rolled off the brain today. Enjoy and HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone!]