Hello again!

So the gang went to a new colosseum in hopes of finding Team Cipher members and take them to their main base.

Enjoy!

Nightshroud: The Beginning

Chapter 18

After thinking that Team Cipher will attack at Omega Colosseum the group decided to go on their flying Pokémon to keep the Trainers and their Pokémon safe and capture at least one of them to force them to take the group to their base. Right now they are on their way as Latios abruptly stopped, almost knocking Nightshroud and Pikachu off in the process.

'Hey! What's the big idea?!' Pikachu exclaimed angrily.

"What's wrong Latios?" Nightshroud asked.

Latias, with Rui on her back, noticed her brother not moving and stopped herself making Rui confused. "What's going on?"

'I feel it. Something's calling to me.' Latios muttered before diving down.

'Wait up brother!' Latias called diving down as well.

"Latios!" Nightshroud yelled while hanging on for dear life at the speed they are going. Pikachu doing the same except on Nightshroud's shoulder.

"Where're we going?!" Rui exclaimed tightly closing her eyes and holding onto Latias' neck. The Eon Duo abruptly stopped in front of an old, worn out colosseum. Nightshroud and Rui hopped off of them looking sick. Nightshroud composed himself while Rui got on her knees.

Seeing this Nightshroud went to her and offered his hand. Noticing his hand Rui took it letting him help her up and mouthed a 'Thanks'. Nightshroud then turned to Latios. "Okay. What is up with you?"

'I sensed something calling to me here.' Latios replied.

"Where are we anyway?" Nightshroud asked looking around.

"We're at the Orre Colosseum." Rui informed.

Nightshroud looked at Rui confused. "Orre Colosseum?"

"It's an old colosseum that was only known to elites with the exception of Wes and Michael who already battled in the colosseum."

"Cool." Nightshroud then noticed something round and picked it up to take a close look. He widened his eyes in realization.

"What is it?" Rui asked bending her knees to get a look.

"It's a Mega Stone. One of the key components of Mega Evolution."

"So that's a Mega Stone."

Nightshroud stood up with the Mega Stone in his hand. "Latios said that something is calling to him." He then turned to Latios. "Is this it?"

Latios nodded. 'It is.'

"Why would Latios be drawn to a Mega Stone?" Rui asked.

"The Pokémon can sense their respective Mega Stones nearby." Nightshroud explained. He then gaped looking at the Mega Stone again. "If Latios was able to sense this Mega Stone here then this must be Latios' respective stone. In other words this is Latios' Mega Stone or, should I say, Latiosite."

"Latiosite. So Latios can Mega Evolve."

"Looks like it. I think I will hold on to it for now." Nightshroud put he Latiosite in his overcoat.

"Why?"

"Because the others are probably at the Omega Colosseum right now, wondering where we are."

"Right." Rui then let realization hit her. "Isn't it a coincidence that we happen to find a Mega Stone in Orre?"

"Now that you mentioned it, it is weird. Especially in front of an old colosseum." Nightshroud said putting his hand on his chin. "Maybe somebody left that Latiosite for us to find. But who?" He then put his arms down. "We probably shouldn't overthink this. Let's just get to the Omega Colosseum with the others."

"Yeah. You're right." Latias lowered herself to let Rui get on.

"Let me help with that." Nightshroud said walking toward Rui as she turned to him. He scooped Rui up bridal style, making the female blush, and placed her around Latias' neck, who looked displeased. Nightshroud then went to Latios and hopped on him.

Rui snapped out of her stupor, still a little red-faced, looked toward Nightshroud and smiled. "Wow Ash. You are a real gentleman." The red on her face disappeared. "Unlike Wes."

"Well Wes has always got an assertive personality, but what're gonna do? It's not like you can change him."

Rui sighed. "I know."

"Hey Rui." Rui turned to Nightshroud with a 'Hmm'. "Be honest." Then he asked the question that would make Rui change her opinion. "Do you have feelings for Wes?"

Rui madly blushed when he asked the question. "Well . . . I-I d-d-don't th-think." She sputtered out.

"You don't think? I said I want your honest answer. Is it 'Yes' or 'No'?"

Rui took a deep breath. "No." She then looked toward Nightshroud. "And I'm honest. I don't like Wes that way."

Nightshroud smiled. "I believe you. Your aura would've flared if you lied. It's strange though. You two have traveled together for a while so I'd assume that you two like each other."

"That's probably what Michael thought too."

"And probably everybody else too." Both then shared a chuckle. "Now I believe we've kept everybody waiting long enough."

"Yeah. You're right. Let's go!"

Nightshroud nodded. "You heard the lady. To the Omega Colosseum!" With that the Eon Duo took off into the sky.

While on Latias Rui was thinking about the conversation with Nightshroud. It's really true that she does not have any feelings for Wes. And then she went back to when Nightshroud swept her off her feet. She began to blush madly, smiling at the same time, at the image of her in his arms. She can feel her heart beating faster than a speeding Dodrio. Even if it was for just about a second she really enjoyed being carried in Nightshroud's arms.

'So weird. I really never felt this way around Wes. Maybe because I don't really like him that way.' Rui thought. 'I guess me liking Wes was an illusion and it was just a middle school crush. And-' She then turned her head to Nightshroud, who was next to her, looking at him dreamily. 'Being in Ash's arms was fantastic. It made me feel like I want to stay carried forever. And he's very good looking with the hair, the body, the face despite the scar. And most importantly he really knows how to treat a girl.'

Rui then came to a decision. 'He's the one. I'm in love with him. He's the knight I've been looking for.' She then realized something. 'But what if Wes likes me? I guess I can talk to him about my feelings to Ash. He barely has emotion.' She now focused her attention on her pigtails. 'Now that I found my man I've outgrown these pigtails.' She then reached to undo the pigtails.

This caught Nightshroud's attention as Rui undid her pigtails and let her hair flow with the wind. He can only stare at how Rui looked with her hair blowing with the wind. From the looks of it the hair would reach below her neck. In his eyes she looked absolutely beautiful.

"Like what you see?" Rui questioned with a smile breaking Nightshroud out of his trance.

"Uh . . . Why did you undo your pigtails?" Nightshroud asked.

"I just thought that I have outgrown them."

Nightshroud nodded. "To be honest. You look better without them."

"Aww. Thanks." With that the jealous Latias sped up leaving the boys slightly behind with Nightshroud still staring with a smile.

'What was that?' Pikachu questioned breaking Nightshroud out of his trance.

"What?" Nightshroud muttered out.

'You were totally drooling over Rui's beauty.'

Nightshroud felt his face heat up as he blushed. "I was not."

'You were too.' Pikachu teased with a smirk. 'And, honestly, I don't blame you.'

"I'm not attracted to Rui."

'Really? You're not attracted to that hair blowing in the wind. Or the way her shirt showed off her belly button. Or that mini skirt that-'

'That's enough Pikachu!' Latios yelled startling Pikachu. 'We got some important business to do, like stopping Team Cipher and saving the Tao Trio. Besides Ash will figure out his feelings without you badgering him about it.'

Pikachu sighed. 'You're right. It's best if we focus on the task on hand.'

Nightshroud sighed in relief and looked down at Latios. "Thanks Latios."

Latios smiled. 'No problem. Just did you a favor. I still owe you a lot for freeing me from the Soul Dew.' Nightshroud nodded.

Meanwhile Latias was raving jealous thoughts in her mind as she was flying. Sure Rui was cute before, but now that she took down her pigtails she is now full blown attractive. She obviously did that to get Ash's attraction. Latias herself has a crush on Ash, but has yet to tell him because she was too nervous. She gave him her appreciation from helping her save her brother by kissing his cheek before he left Alto Mare.

Latias knew that Ash was a human so there was no way a relationship between him and her was never gonna happen. But since Ash is now part Pokémon she might have a shot. It was already competitive enough with Meloetta, now Rui becomes a part of it too. She knows Ash is too focused on stopping Team Cipher to start a relationship with anyone. Once this mess is over she will confess before it's too late, she thought. With that said the group continued toward the Omega Colosseum with the others.

Meanwhile, while all of that was happening, the others, Wes, Michael, Cheren, and N made it to the Omega Colosseum. Professor Krane wasn't kidding when he said it was huge. There was a main battlefield in the middle, surrounded by four smaller arenas. Cheren and N recognized it basically looks like a typical Pokémon League Stadium.

"Wow! It is huge!" Michael exclaimed in awe.

Wes nodded in agreement. "I wonder how long they took to finish it. When did they start anyway?"

"Probably after your rise as a hero." Michael answered.

"Considering how many fields there are it has to be when I was still in Team Snagem."

"Let's just get you three signed up." Cheren said not knowing that Nightshroud or Rui are not with them. The three flying Pokémon dived down at the front of the colosseum. When they got to the ground the Trainers except N returned their respective Pokémon.

Wes returned Flygon.

Michael returned Salamence.

And Cheren returned Unfezant.

"Okay. So where do we sign up for the Grande Prix?" Michael asked.

"Something tells me we should go there." Wes answered pointing toward a Pokémon Center near the entrance of the colosseum.

"Why is there a Pokémon Center here?"

"Usually when you want to sign up for a Pokémon League you'd go to a Pokémon Center. So it would make sense since the colosseum looks like a stadium for a league." Cheren explained.

"Ash has been doing this over the years of being a Trainer after winning 8 badges." N added.

"Is that right Ash? I've never really entered a Pokémon League before and I-" Michael was about to ask before he finally noticed that Nightshroud is not here. "Hey. Where did Ash go?" Everybody else then looked around themselves.

"Yeah." Wes noticed somebody else was also missing. "And where's Rui?"

"Weren't they with us a moment ago?"

"It dosen't look like it." N said.

Cheren then noticed the sun is about to set. "And it's getting late. If Ash doesn't get here soon it may be too late to sign up."

"Don't worry. Latios and Latias are some of the fastest Pokémon around. They will get here." Wes assured. As soon as he said that two speeding figures came closer to the group. "Well speak of the devil." It was Latios and Latias with Nightshroud, Pikachu, and Rui.

The Eon Duo stopped a few inches from the ground which allowed Nightshroud to hop off of Latios and Rui hopped off of Latias. "Where were you two?" Michael questioned.

"Sorry. We got a little sidetracked." Nightshroud apologized.

"With what?" N asked.

"Latios sensed something calling to him and stopped at the Orre Colosseum." Rui explained.

"What's the Orre Colosseum?" Cheren asked.

"It's an old colosseum where elites and the strongest Trainers battle in difficult tournaments." Wes answered. "Me and Michael were the only known Trainers to beat it."

"What was over there?" Michael asked.

Nightshroud reached into his overcoat. "This." He pulled out the Latiosite to show everyone who was in awe.

"What a beautiful stone." N commented.

"What is it?" Cheren asked.

"This is a Mega Stone." Nightshroud answered. "One of the key components of Mega Evolution."

"So that's what a Mega Stone looks like." Michael said.

"And if I remember correctly every Pokémon that can Mega Evolve has their own respective Mega Stone." Wes replied.

Nightshroud nodded. "That's correct. The appearance of a Mega Stone differs for every Pokémon. Latios was able to sense it nearby. So this Mega Stone relates to Latios, a Latiosite."

"So Latios can Mega Evolve." Cheren observed.

"Wait. Didn't you say that Mewtwo was the only Legendary Pokémon that can Mega Evolve?" Wes questioned.

"You know. He's right. Latios is a Legendary and he can Mega Evolve." Michael added.

"I also said that there are still some mysteries revolving around Mega Evolution. There may be other Pokémon that can Mega Evolve that I don't know." Nightshroud replied. "So anyway. When you have a Mega Stone you give it to the Pokémon that it's compatible with." He then turned to Latios. "Observe. Here you go Latios. You hang on to it from now on. With it you will be able to Mega Evolve."

Latios nodded with a smile. 'Let's do this.' Nightshroud handed the Latiosite to Latios, the latter gratefully accepted it and took it in his hands. After Latios took the stone the Latiosite glowed brightly and entered Latios' chest. Once it got in there the glow died down.

"What just happened?" Wes asked in disbelief.

"That happens when you give a Pokémon their respective stone." Nightshroud answered turning back to the group. "The Mega Stone retracts itself into the body of the Pokémon. If it were to hold a different Mega Stone besides its own then it won't work."

"Cool! Now let's see Mega Latios!" Michael exclaimed excitedly.

"I'd love to test it out, but you, me, and Wes need to sign up for the Omega Grande Prix before it's too late."

"Yeah." Cheren agreed. "It's getting dark."

Nightshroud turned toward the Eon Duo having their Poké Balls out. "Return you two." With that the two were sucked in the balls by the beams of red light as Nightshroud put them back on the necklace.

"Hey Rui." Michael said getting the female's attention. "What happened to your-" He tried to find the right word, but he doesn't know what they were called so he motioned his hands on top of his head.

"They're called pigtails you moron." Wes replied making Michael stick his tongue out at him.

"Let's just say that something told me that I don't need them anymore." Rui answered.

"I'm glad someone said it." Wes remarked.

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Rui exclaimed with an irked face. 'This is one of the reasons why I stopped liking Wes.' She thought.

"Let's just get to the Pokémon Center and get some rooms."

"We need to sign up too." Michael reminded Wes and Nightshroud. With that the gang headed toward the Pokémon Center.

When they got inside the gang saw that there are no Trainers in the lobby. Just the front desk where Nurse Joy and Chansey always work. "It looks pretty empty here." Rui said.

"Yeah. Where is everybody?" Michael questions.

"Considering that there is a tournament coming soon they must be training." Wes guessed.

"Considering that it's late and the tournament is in the morning some must be asleep." Cheren analyzed.

"Let's just give Nurse Joy our invitations and get some rooms. It has been a long day for all of us." Nightshroud said.

'Yeah. If I remember correctly all day today you battled Wes and Ho-Oh with Mewtwo and won, taught everybody else about Mega Evolution, Professor Krane called about the Omega Colosseum and its opening tournament, we all decided to come here, found a Latiosite, and finally made it here.' Pikachu deduced.

They reached the front desk where Nurse Joy greeted them with a smile. "Welcome to the Pokémon Center. Are you here to enter the Omega Grande Prix?"

"Yes we are ma'am." Nightshroud said bringing out his letter as well as Wes and Michael. "We got these invites to enter." They opened their letter to show the nurse the invites with the 'Yes' box marked on each one.

"Oh, yes. Nightshroud, Wes, and Michael. We were expecting you. Just hand them over and I'll enter you."

"Thank you Nurse Joy." Michael thanked as he, Nightshroud, and Wes handed their invites which the nurse gratefully took.

"And can we get a couple of rooms?" Wes asked.

"Of course." Nurse Joy said handing the gang a couple of keys. "Here you go. Rooms 122 and 123 are yours for the remainder of the tournament."

"Thanks again Nurse Joy." Nightshroud thanked before the gang went to find their rooms.

The group finally found their rooms after going up the stairs. Room 122 was at the right wall with 123 next to it. "So, how should we divide up?" Nightshroud questioned.

"I know!" Michael responded. "How about me, Wes, and Ash take Room 122 while Rui, Cheren, and N take Room 123?"

"That's okay with me." Wes said.

"Yeah. Great." Rui replied unsurely. Under the mask Nightshroud was also not comfortable with the choice.

"Well we better hit the hay." Cheren said stretching.

"Yeah. Good night guys." Michael said waving to Rui, Cheren, and N who went in Room 123 with Rui slowing a bit. "Well let's get into our room!" Michael unlocked the door with their room key and opened it and ran inside with Wes behind. Nightshroud took one more second looking at the door of Room 122 before going into Room 123 and closin the door.

Nightshroud, Wes, and Michael quickly chose a bed to sleep in as there are two bunk beds. Nightshroud took the bottom bunk on the right wall as Michael took the top leaving Wes on the bottom bunk on the left alone. Michael put on yellow pajamas and got under his covers. Nightshroud just took off his mask revealing his scarred face, shoes, socks, overcoat, and shirt revealing his tight 6 pack abs. Wes is just wearing a dark gray t-shirt along with his pants.

"Well we better get some rest. We got a big day tomorrow. Good night." Michael said quickly and then went to sleep. Light snoring was heard by the two who are still awake.

"It's amazing that he falls asleep so quickly." Wes commented.

"Well he can get tired so quickly at his age." Nightshroud added.

"If anything we should need rest more than he does. Our day is longer."

Nightshroud shrugged. "Eh. What're you gonna do?"

"Invent a machine that can make him more mature." Wes responded sitting on his bed.

"Please. Like you're an inventor." Nightshroud countered sitting down as well.

"Touché." Wes admitted going under his covers. "Night."

"Night." With that Wes went straight to sleep leaving only Nightshroud awake. He looked towards the sleeping Pikachu on the side of his pillow. Taking this as an opportunity Nightshroud stood up and put on his shirt and shoes, went to his desk to unclip Latios's Poké Ball from the necklace, and made sure to take the room key before leaving the room and got out the Pokémon Center.

Nightshroud got outo to the desert, but still stayed near the Pokémon Center with Latios's Poké Ball in his hand. When he felt that he went far enough he threw the ball making Latios come out. Latios yawned before turning to Nightshroud.

'What is it Ash?' Latios asked.

"There's something I want to get out of my chest." Nightshroud replied with a deep breath. His face began to grow a deep shade of red as he tries to find the right words. "It's not gonna be easy for me to say. I-I . . . I l-l . . . I like . . . uh."

Latios smiled. 'You're trying to tell me that you like Rui.'

Nightshroud sighed not looking surprised one bit. "So you knew."

'I kinda got the hint when we were flying here.'

Nightshroud nodded. "Yes. I like Rui. I like her a lot. And I'm pretty sure she likes me back. She probably got rid of her pigtails for me."

Latios chuckled. 'That is a romantic gesture.'

"Anyway, I didn't call you out here just to tell you that. I kinda need a favor."

'What is it?'

Nightshroud sighed. "I know Latias likes me. But, as you know, I don't feel the same way about her. I know I'm part Pokémon, but I just feel like that I'm more attracted to human girls."

'That's probably because that part is so small. It's not big enough to give you powers of a Pokémon, but enough for you to understand our language.' Latios replied floating next to Nightshroud. 'Technically you're almost 100% human.'

Nightshroud nodded in acceptance. "Anyway. I just don't know how to break it to her. I mean I could tell Meloetta and she would be cool with that."

'Cool with what?' A feminine voice asked making the two boys turn to see Meloetta coming towards them.

"How did you get out of your Poké Ball?"

'I learned how from Dewott.' Meloetta answered floating on Nightshroud's left side. 'What were you two talking about?'

Nightshroud turned his head to Latios who nodded which says to tell her. Nightshroud sighed with a nod before turning back to Meloetta. "Alright. Here we go." He took a deep breath. "I'm in love with Rui."

'See? Was that so hard?' Latios questions with a smirk.

Meloetta had a confused look on her face. 'Did I just hear you say that-'

Nightshroud nodded. "Yes. I'm in love with Rui."

Meloetta suddenly gave off a huge smile. 'That's great! I'm so happy for you!' She exclaimed hugging Nightshroud in the process.

"Wait. You're not upset?"

Meloetta let go of the hug and shook her head. 'No way! I did have a crush on you, but I know it wouldn't work out between you and me. Your happiness is all I wanted and that's when you and Rui become a couple.'

Nightshroud smiled. "Thanks Meloetta. I knew you would be cool about this." That smile then turned to a frown. "But this discussion is about how Latias would react. She's the one I'm most worried about."

'And I can see why you would.'

"I just don't know what to do."

Latios sighed. 'Okay. How about this?' He said gaining the attention from the two. 'Once this whole mess is over, as another debt to you, I'll talk to Latias about letting you go.'

"Really?! You would do that for me?" Latios nodded 'yes'. Nightshroud smiled. "Thank you Latios. That's another one I owe you."

'You're welcome. And I will keep my promise. Meanwhile, you should take Pikachu's advice. Focus on defeating Team Cipher for good.'

Nightshroud nodded. "I will do that." He then returned Latios into his Poké Ball.

'Another debt?' Meloetta asked confused.

"I'll tell you later." Nightshroud replied as he and Meloetta walked back to the Pokémon Center.

And done!

Yes. Those were Ash/Rui moments. I finally decided that Ash and Rui become a couple. I'm sorry for you Colosseumshippers if you're disappointed, but no flaming please. It's MY story! I can do whatever I want, within reason for the rules of course. And if you don't like it, too bad!

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