Last time, Jackson had reached Alto Mare, participating in the water chariot race and winning it with his Dewott. During this time, a mysterious girl had been following him, curious about him. When they eventually pursued her, they not only found out that she had a twin, but that one of them was really a Pokemon named Latias. Gaining her trust, he was guided to where she lived, unaware of the people that were watching them from the sky.
Several minutes later, Latias in her human form was leading Bianca, Jackson, and Leafeon through an archway, before reaching a wall. Latias turned to Jackson and waved him over before she ran to the wall. To Jackson's surprise, she phased right through it.
"An illusion?" Jackson asked, rushing up to the wall with Leafeon at his size.
"Go on. She's waiting for you!" Bianca told them, pushing Jackson through the wall. Leafeon was startled, before pursuing him.
Through the wall, Jackson found himself in a dark tunnel. He walked forward looking about, before reaching the end of the tunnel, and was amazed. He and Leafeon arrived in an area that was basically a forest park in the middle of the city. The trees were fully grown and practically covering the area above like a roof, with seeps of sunlight coming down into the area.
"Oh, wow!" the pair gasped as Bianca appeared.
"It's like a hidden oasis!" Leafeon noted.
Just then, Jackson reached the stairs that led down into the forest park, witnessing Latias at the bottom of the stairs, before she closed her eyes and transforming into Pokémon form. "Come on, Leafeon! Hop on!" she called out to Jackson's partner.
Leafeon looked to Jackson, asking, "Is that okay?"
"Go right ahead." he answered. Leafeon went halfway down the steps, before making a bound that landed her on Latias' back. With her settled on, the Eon Pokemon took off, flying through the trees, laughing and enjoying herself with Leafeon.
Jackson and Bianca watched the two fly about, till they heard someone say, "Ah, Bianca. I see someone else has stumbled into this place with us." The two turned to see a short and stout old man with a bald head and a white beard approach them.
"Grandpa." Bianca greeted, while Jackson turned his attention to him.
"Who might you be, young man?" the old man asked.
"I'm Jackson Alpphire." he introduced himself, "And apparently I just got introduced to where Latias lives at." They all turned to see Latias and Leafeon together, Leafeon leaping off as Latias did an aileron roll in the air, before stopping to catch her ride before they continued their aerial dance.
"Ah, I see." the old man understood, "I'm Lorenzo. I work as a tour guide at Alto Mare's Museum."
"Pleasure to meet you sir." Jackson greeted, raising a hand to shake his.
"Well, you are a mannered young man." Lorenzo stated, looking to Latias, "I'm glad to see that Latias has taken an interest in another person. She's not one to show herself or where she lives to others. She must've considered you very special."
"Really?" Jackson asked.
Just then, Latias appeared, floating to Jackson's side as she stated, "It's true. I could feel you have a really strong bond with Pokémon, and not just normal ones. I was immediately interested in you from the moment I saw you."
"Gee, thanks." Jackson thanked her, mentally wondering if it was due to him being from another world, or being acquainted with Legendaries, or even being a Pokémon at one point.
"You must have a lot of questions, I bet." Bianca asked, "Like why does Latias look like me when she transforms."
"Well, I did read that in my dex that she can transform her body, but that was one question I had, nevertheless."
"It's because Latias and I grew up together, so she would transform into me a lot." Bianca answered.
"It's simple, but useful." Latias stated, flying behind Bianca and transforming into her human form, with Leafeon leaping off.
"And you're not able to talk in that form?" Jackson asked her.
Latias opened her mouth, and her Pokémon cries came out as she answered, "I can't talk like a human in this form but speaking like a Pokémon in this form is rather awkward."
"Latias, you know how I don't like it when you do that with me!" Bianca scolded her. Latias bowed her head and made a signal she would 'zip her lip'.
"Yeah. I would feel the same way if that were to happen to me." Jackson admitted.
"Hold on. I have a question." Leafeon started up, "From what I am aware of, Latias are usually known to be alongside their male counterpart, Latios. Is there one in this town?"
"Latios?" Jackson asked, causing Bianca and Lorenzo to look surprised, while Latias looked away, a sense of remorse coming across her face. Jackson saw this, then asked, "Should...should I not talk about that guy?"
The grandfather and granddaughter pair looked to Latias, who paused for a second, before she looked to one side of the forest, to a specific area.
(Insert 'STAND UP' by Twill (full version))
Music Intro
(Traveling through shining golden tunnel of energy, leading out into space with many world, all of which different colors, with the central world being the Pokémon world. The logo 'Jackson in Johto' appears on screen, before the camera passes through the arch of the 'n' from 'in, going into the world, through the clouds, where the glowing shadow of Ho-Oh can be seen, to the sea, where the shadow of Lugia is flying beneath the waters, before reaching the shoreline, getting blinded by the sun.)
Yeah, stand up boys!
Come on, face forward
(Jackson stands up, with Quilava at his side, followed by Dewott, Weavile, and Scyther, all of which expressing their unique personalities to Jackson.)
The call enveloping you is your guide
Step towards tomorrow
(Dewott gets angry at Weavile for trying to act so cool, while Jackson rolls his eyes before he, Quilava and Scyther took off ahead, with Weavile following behind, ignoring Dewott, who panicked and ran to not be left behind.)
Yeah, stand up girls!
At the end of what's more than real
(Leafeon rises up with Lyanne as Jackson and the boys pass by. The two look to one another, before giggling at the sight of the boys, before looking to the sky.)
We'll grab a light that's been covered by thick clouds
(Camera goes up into the starry sky, where a ball of light was slowly falling down, with the image of Gardevoir inside, her eyes slowly opening up as she looked up.)
How we spend our days before isn't good enough
(Camera passes by still images of all the companions and gym leaders that he has met or will meet in the future, including Cypher at the end of the pictures, while Jackson, Lyanne, Leafeon, and the rest of his current team walked along the bottom of the screen.)
At full speed
We can blast through
Even the highest wall
(Team Rocket suddenly appears, with the four admins of Team Rocket standing together, with the images of their ace Pokémon at their side, and the satellite system right above them.)
Stand up for your dream!
(Jackson draws his sword, while Lyanne turns into her Latias form, and the rest of his team ready to fight together.)
Be enthusiastic at what you do, no matter what it is
(Jackson rushes forward as he slashes his blade against Team Rocket grunts, followed by a spin kick, sending them flying, while Leafeon leaps up and unleashes a forward somersault Leaf Blade, taking out their Pokémon.)
Push your way through to make an opening
(Weavile unleashes an Ice Punch as Dewott throws a Water Pulse at a different direction, followed by the pair unleashing simultaneous Night Slashes. Quilava leaps through their attack, going into a Flame Charge.)
No matter how far
The answer you're seeking is
Stand up for your dream!
(Scyther flies in, unleashing an X-Scissor, followed by a Vacuum Wave, before Latias flies above him, unleashing a Mist Ball, sending it ahead. The attacks all created an explosion that consumed the scene in smoke.)
Even if my feeling show weakness
Your voice that I hear close by
(In the burning Ecruteak City, a serious Jackson raced along the path with Leafeon and Quilava at his side, towards the two towers, where a deranged Ho-Oh and Lugia were at, unleashing Aeroblast and Sacred Fire onto the city.)
Gives me courage and strength
I can go the distance
(Jackson leaps high, landing on Latias's back as they flew off, with the rest of the team leaping with him before encased in a stream of their signature colors, before the screen turn white, with a crystal blue Pokéball with a gold and silver sword crossing behind it the only thing remaining.)
"Is there something the matter?" Jackson asked, "If it's because I said something about Latios, I'm sorry."
"It's alright." Lorenzo assured her, "If you must know, there use to be a Latios in this town. He was Latias's sibling."
"So, she had a brother." Jackson understood, looking to Latias, "And when you say, 'use to', does that mean..."
"Follow me." Lorenzo told Jackson guiding him down the stairs, with everyone else behind him. They went through the forest, with Jackson looking around at the beautiful forest, where he also saw artificially made ponds for Pokémon, and a fountain one one side of the place. They went up the steps to the backside of the fountain, where a smaller one was at. There was also a segmented mural on the floor, showing a picture story of some sort.
"You see, I knew Latias' parents back when the city was on dry land." Lorenzo explained, "He then used his powers to gift us with water that spread across the city, becoming the water city you see before you. However, as a result of expending their energy, they disappeared from the world, leaving behind Latias and her brother alone."
"So, they were orphans." Jackson understood, looking very sorry for Latias as she walked by him.
"But in his place, Latias' father, Latios, left behind his being in the form of a Soul Dew." Lorenzo continued, reaching the small fountain was at. Jackson approached and looked within, seeing a spherical jewel that glowed and bubbled from in the water.
"Is that his Soul Dew?" Jackson asked, mentally noting, 'It kinda feels almost like a Chaos Emerald.'
"No. That is Latias' brother's Soul Dew." Bianca answered, "You see, a few years ago, a couple of people attempted to utilize a device called the 'Defense Mechanism of Alto Mare', or the DMA for short. It was a device our ancestors used to protect our city from evil, and it utilized the power of both the Soul Dew and either Latias or Latios."
"The villains were from a group called Team Rocket." Lorenzo explained, "I'm sure you are familiar with them?"
"Yeah, I am." Jackson answered, glaring as he looked down. So even back then, Team Rocket was still about.
"They took the previous Soul Dew, as well as Latios, and tried to use the DMA for their own wicked reason." Lorenzo explained, "However, a young trainer who Latias took an interest in selflessly stood up and stopped them. However, at that point, the damage was already done. Latios was weakened, and the Soul Dew shattered from its power being overused for evil purposes. From its destruction, the water receded, and was about to consume the city in a terrible tsunami."
"But despite his weakened state, Latios used the last of his strength, alongside Latias, and they stopped the tsunami from destroying our city." Bianca finished, looking sad, "That was the last of Latios' strength, as his body vanished, and he became the new Soul Dew for our city."
Jackson finished hearing the story, and looked to Latias, who looked very sad at this. Just then, some of the Pokémon of the garden came around them, and started to cheer up Latias, causing her to look happily around at all of them. Their comfort caused her to feel relieved again, though Jackson couldn't help but notice that she wasn't fully happy.
So, Latias has been alone without family, apart from you guys?" Jackson asked the granddaughter and grandson duo.
"That's right. Latias is our guardian of Alto Mare." Lorenzo answered, looking to her as she transformed into her Pokémon form, happily playing with the other ones.
"Doesn't she get lonely, being the sole guardian here?" Jackson asked. This drew Latias's attention.
"She's got all of us here." Bianca answered.
"And her brother still lives on within the current Soul Dew." Lorenzo stated, "She is not the only guardian in this town."
Jackson looked from them to Latias, who looked back as she was still surrounded by Pokémon. Jackson could tell from her expression. She wasn't lonely, per say. But she did have an expression that showed something he wasn't a fan of.
The sun was setting as Jackson said his farewell to everyone, before wandering the town, getting an understanding of the environment. He left his Pokémon at the Pokémon Center in town to get some rest. He had just reached the portside of the town and was looking out to sea. The whole meeting with Latias had him thinking about stuff, mostly the expression she showed before.
He was about to return to the Center when he stopped as he saw Bianca standing at the edge of the port, seeing the last boat sail off into the distance. After a couple seconds, Jackson realized that it wasn't her, but Latias in Bianca's form. She had the same expression she showed before.
Jackson raced over as he called out, "Hey!" Latias turned to see Jackson racing towards her, before he came to a halt right beside her. "Latias, what're you doing here?" he asked. Latias didn't answer at first, but Jackson noted, "Bianca's not around. Just talk to me."
She paused for a second, before she started to speak, "I'm just watching the ships sail off. I often wonder where they're going."
Jackson looked to the ship sailing off into the distance, not saying a word. Finally, he asked, "You wanna leave this city, don't you?"
Latias spun to him in surprise as she asked, "What makes you say that?"
"I can see it in your expression, even from before." Jackson noted, "You love this town, that I can see, but I can also tell; you feel trapped. You're stuck in one place, not able to leave, aren't you?"
Latias paused for a moment, before smiling as she replied, "This is just another reason why I find you such an interesting person. I can tell you had an insight unlike most." Jackson looked to her in confusion as she paused, before continuing, "I know I have a duty to be the Guardian of Alto Mare. I have to follow what my brother and my parents sacrificed their lives for. They did so much for this town, so I feel it's my duty. Even so..."
"You want to explore more, see what the worlds has to offer." Jackson finished her sentence. Latias paused, before nodding. "Considering your true form, I can understand that living for a long time in one place could get pretty boring. So, why don't you get out and explore the world?"
"I can't." she answered simply, "I have a duty to fulfill. I have to protect my brother's Soul Dew."
Jackson paused, thinking for a moment, before saying, "You know, Lorenzo did say that the DMA was taken down after those Team Rocket members used it. Plus, I've noticed how much Bianca, Lorenzo, and all the local Pokémon here love this city." Latias looked to him, wondering what he was getting at. "Latias, I think you shouldn't force yourself to be the only one who protects this city or your brother's Soul Dew. Trust me, as a former hero, that protecting people is not a one-person job. You should be free to step away and allow others to work in your stead if things are tough for you."
"But..." Latias started, but Jackson intervened as he told her, "If you have time to worry, you run. That's what my best friends in the whole world taught me. He also taught this princess we knew a long time ago. Then, once you run, you can leave those worries behind. And, not to disrespect your brother or your ancestors at all, just because family tells you to do one thing..." He paused, thinking about his father, his malicious grin forming from his face. "...doesn't mean you should follow it. You are your own person. So, follow what you want to do."
"Follow...what I want to do." Latias echoed, looking from Jackson, before looking to the sea beyond. If she wanted, there was one path she really wanted to take. However, she was worried about taking it on her own.
"Just think about it, tonight." Jackson told her, turning away to walk back to the Pokémon Center, "When it's all said and done, you decide what is right." Latias watched him leave, thinking about what he had told her.
As Jackson left, he looked about, until he saw something above. It was a drone with a camera attached. Based on what he saw, he could see that it was looking specifically at Latias. He looked back at her, as she was starting to walk away, and gave a concerned glare. Something was going on.
That night, everything was peaceful and still within the city. Everyone, both humans and Pokemon, were asleep. However, there was still one group that was out and about.
At the wall with the hidden passage within, half a dozen female characters appeared, all in the Team Rocket grunt attire. With them was a woman in white, not hiding herself in the darkness.
"This is the place, Lady Ariana." one of the grunts told her superior.
"Excellent work." the woman named Ariana answered, before pulling out a pair of high-tech glasses, looking through the lenses. She was able to see the mysterious energy in front of her that hid the tunnel that led further in. "Incredible." she muttered, "So this is how they managed to hide such a secret for decades. Had it not been the information given to us by the two agents who previously targeted them, we wouldn't have been able to make it this far so quickly. Okay, Team Rocket. Let's enter in and secure our prize!"
"Yes, ma'am!" They answered, rushing into the hidden passage, with Ariana right behind them.
Up above, someone else was hidden in the shadows. It was Jackson's Weavile, looking down at the scene that had just took place. "Looks like Jackson was correct." he muttered, as Leafeon also joined his side.
"He said it looked like someone was watching Latias, and he was right." she stated, "Let's go and stop them from capturing her! I'll set off the signal!" She concentrated, before unleashing a Sunny Day that shot into the air. The light shone brightly throughout the city, glowing like the sun.
Back at the Pokemon Center, Jackson was watching outside, keeping tabs on whether there was an attack on Latias and her home or not. He saw the light in the sky and confirmed his theory. "Time to blade things up a notch." Jackson told himself, opening up the window, and hopping out of it, before utilizing his Speed Shoes to dash along the street.
Inside the secret park, Latias was in her Pokémon form, semi-asleep, her mind thinking on Jackson's words. She really did want to go out into the world, explore it, see more. However, her duties were tying her down, not to mention she was rather scared to go alone on such a journey. With all that in her mind, she was having a hard time falling asleep. 'Brother, if you were me, what would you do?' she asked herself, looking towards the fountain where her brother's Soul Dew was at.
Just then, Latias saw the windvanes nearby start to spin. These windvanes were not your average ones, as they are able to tell when someone has entered the secret park. Who could be coming at this hour? Bianca and Lorenzo were asleep. Jackson wouldn't have come back so late, would he? Regardless, she grew concerned as she turned invisible.
Through the passage, the Team Rocket grunts and Ariana appeared, looking about. "Remember that Latias is able to turn herself invisible." Ariana informed them, "Ready your scanners, and find where she is at!"
"Yes, ma'am!" the girls answered, pulling out eyewear to look for Latias. Finally, seeing Latias flying in the air, one of them called out, "Right there!" They called out their Pokémon, which consisted of Ekans, Grimer, Oddish, Spinarak, Murkrow, and a Golbat. Ariana tossed her ball up, and out came her Pokémon; an Arbok.
"Ekans, use Acid!" "Oddish, use Acid, as well!" Two of the grunts called out, and the pair of Pokemon fired off a stream of acid that shot in the area where Latias was at, who evade them before they struck her.
She turned opaque as she muttered, "They can see me?! Then in that case, Dragon Breath!" she shot a deluge of green flames down at the Team Rocket members, who braced themselves from the attack.
"She is strong, but not strong enough." Ariana stated, "Keep her distracted!"
"Grimer, Sludge Bomb!" "Golbat, Air Cutter!" "Murkrow, Night Shade!" three of the grunts called out, and their Pokémon fired off a ball of poison, a series of razor-sharp winds, and an eye beam of ghostly energy. The three attacks had Latias on the defensive, evading the attacks, before getting hit by Murkrow's attack.
"There! Arbok, Glare!" Ariana shouted, and her partner used its tail strength to leap up in front of the flinched Latias, who looked up to see her opponent's eyes flash, suddenly putting her into a paralyzed state. "Now, Wrap!" Ariana followed up, and her Arkob managed to move itself in midair to wrap its body around Latias' body, binding her and causing her to crash to the ground, unable to move.
Latias tried to raise its head and fire off another Dragon Breath attack. "Spinarak, hold her down with String Shot!" one of the grunts ordered, and her partner shot sticky string that bound around Latias' neck and slammed her head to the ground. She couldn't move from the spot.
"Excellent job, everyone." Ariana told them, "Now, let's secure Latias for transport! Someone, secure the Soul Dew!"
"Yes, ma'am!" two of the grunts answered, taking their Grimer and Oddish with them as they raced towards the direction of the fountain. Latias was struggling, her teeth gritting as she tried to fight the triple binding threat. However, there was no way to escape the situation she was in. Tears started to form from what was happening. She was useless, and she couldn't even save herself or her brother.
Just then, Weavile raced towards the two heading for the fountain, summoning Night Slash, before launching into a leaping slash, striking down Grimer before it got close. This caused the two grunts to be stunned as Weavile got in front of them, while Grimer hit the ground, instantly knocked out. "Not gonna happen." he told them.
"Wha- Where did this Pokémon come from?!" one of the grunts demanded.
Ariana looked to see what took place, before seeing something fly above her, and looked up to see Leafeon fly overhead, before coming down and slamming her tail onto Arbok in a Leaf Blade. Arbok gagged in pain, loosening its grip on Latias, and backing off.
"Latias, are you okay?!" Leafeon asked.
"Leafeon...what are you...?" Latias weakly asked.
"Jackson had a feeling someone was gonna come and attack you." Leafeon answered, "He's on his way."
"That Pokémon..." Ariana muttered, recognizing Leafeon, "That boy owns that Leafeon. Capture it and that other Pokémon immediately!"
"Yes, ma'am!" the grunts replied, as the one who lost her Grimer called out a Magnemite in its place.
"Can you stand, Latias?" Leafeon asked, seeing her situation.
"I can try..." Latias answered, floating off the ground. She collapsed again, as the paralysis took over.
"Latias!" Leafeon cried, before turning to see Murkrow, Spinarak, Ekans, Golbat, and Arbok surrounding her. She readied to fight, while defending Latias. Meanwhile, Weavile avoided a Thundershock and Mega Drain from his opponent, unable to help her.
Just then, a Poliwhirl from the pond leapt up and unleashed Bubblebeam that got in front of Leafeon and Latias. The Team Rocket grunts were startled, as this was followed by Swift stars thrown down from the trees by an Aipom, along with a Sonicboom from a Yamna that woke up. A Haunter appeared and unleashed a lick on Golbat, paralyzing it. A Noctowl from another tree flew down and unleashed Confusion on the Spinarak, sending it flying. The Pokémon in the park were waking up and retaliating against Team Rocket.
"What is going on?!" one of the grunts demanded.
"The wild Pokémon are fighting back?!" another grunt exclaimed.
"Do not falter!" Ariana ordered, "They are just mere wild Pokémon! We'll capture them if they are interfering with our plans!"
"Then how about some actual trainers join the fun?!" Jackson's voice came out of the blue, and Ariana spun about to see the swordsman trainer stand there, with Bianca right by his side. He had met up with her at her grandfather's workshop, which had a shortcut to the hidden park.
"Bianca...and Jackson." Latias muttered.
"Get away from Latias, this instant!" Bianca shouted, pulling out a Pokéball, and tossing it up, which revealed itself to be a Houndour.
"Didn't know you were a trainer, too." Jackson noted.
"After losing Latios, I wanted to have a partner I would use to protect Latias when she needed it." she informed him.
Jackson spun to Weavile, who was still keeping Magnemite and Oddish at bay, and call out, "Weavile, blade things up a notch!"
"Understood." Weavile answered, before unleashing an Icy Wind at the pair of Pokémon, freezing them in place, and even icing the ground underneath the grunts, causing them to slip and fall over. Weavile then unleashed Ice Punch, slugging Oddish into Magnemite, and knocked the two of them out.
"Good boy." Jackson muttered, as he raced to Leafeon.
"Arbok, Glare!" Ariana shouted, and his python Pokémon slithered towards Leafeon, ready to paralyze her.
"Sunny Day!" Jackson shouted, and Leafeon unleashed sunlight into the air, showering the night sky with sunlight. Arbok unleashed its Glare onto her, but it had no effect, thanks to the Leaf Guard ability.
"Nice try. Quick Attack!" Leafeon shouted, slamming into Arbok, and sending it skidding backwards in pain. It skidded right back to Ariana's side, who tutted in irritation.
Bianca joined the wild Pokémon as they dealt with the rest of the Team Rocket grunts, her Houndour unleashing a Fire Fang onto the Murkrow. This left Jackson with Leafeon and Latias facing Arbok and Ariana.
"I take it you're a head honcho in the Team Rocket group?" Jackson asked.
"Foolish child. You are speaking to Ariana, one of the top executives in Team Rocket!" she introduced herself.
"You're basically on the same level as Proton." Jackson understood, "He wasn't a big deal back in Azelea Town."
Ariana looked surprised as she realized something, before smirking as she noted, "I see. So, YOU were the trainer he spoke about that stole our business back in Azelea Town. Thanks to you, our business has plummeted from what you did."
"Selling Slowpoke tails was business for you?! It sounds sick to me and the Pokémon!" Jackson barked, while Leafeon was just as angry.
"Pokémon ARE business." Ariana mocked him, "They are used to our benefits, selling them to the highest bidder, and using the Legendary ones for our gain, such as that Latias there! You are a trainer, so you know how powerful one can be if they have one of those with you."
Jackson looked back at the weakened Latias, who looked worried he might agree with her. However, after a second, he dug into his pocket, and tossed out a Cheri Berry he had on him, saying, "Here. This'll cure your paralysis."
Latias looked to it, before feeling guilty that the thought of him in the worst way would cross her mind. "Thank you." she replied and ate the berry. Thanks to this, she found her body able to move more normally again, floating up off the ground.
"You may consider Pokémon wild beasts that are used as tools and finances, but I've seen them function and act just like the rest of us." Jackson retorted to Ariana, "We can teach one another how to live, how to cooperate, and how to fight. And to prove that, I'll let Leafeon fight you without me commanding her."
"Are you joking?" Ariana questioned.
"I'm not. I taught Leafeon all I know." Jackson noted, drawing out his blade and stabbed it in the ground, "If you win this fight, then I'll step aside, and not get involved with your fight with Latias." The Eon Pokémon was stunned that he would make such a bet.
"You are absolutely cheeky, aren't you?" Ariana asked, "My Arbok has the advantage in all forms, in regard to my commandment of it AND type advantage. You are either arrogant or excusing your weakness! Arbok, Sludge Bomb!" Arbok shot poisonous balls from his mouth at Leafeon, who danced about the attack with her great speed from her Chlorophyll ability and grace.
"You think you can hit me with that?" Leafeon asked, "Quick Attack!" She dashed forward, striking Arbok in the gut again, hurting him once more.
"Enough of this! Arbok, bound her with Wrap!" Ariana ordered. Arbok slithered to Leafeon, binding her in place, squeezing her body. "Now take her out with Crunch!" Arbok's fangs glowed, ready to chomp down on its prey. However, he stopped as it saw Leafeon's body glow with solar energy from her tail, quickly gathered by Sunny Day.
"Got you where I wanted!" Leafeon growled through the Wrap attack, "Solarbeam!" She shot her attack point-blank into Arbok, dislodging him from her, before crashing to the ground, defeated.
"Incredible..." Latias muttered, seeing what Leafeon had done.
Ariana glared at Jackson as she called back Arbok to his ball. She looked to see Weavile had knocked out both Pokémon and grunts nearby. She then looked to the wild Pokemon, Bianca, and her Houndour all defeating the grunts and their Pokémon. She tutted again, before saying, "Unbelievable..."
"Told you my Leafeon was tough." Jackson told her, "So, have I proved my point?"
"You only got lucky, this time around." Ariana retorted, "Trust me, this is far from over. Team Rocket has bigger plans than you realize."
"And I'm gonna find out what it is, am I?" Jackson asked.
"Oh, you will learn in due time." Ariana scoffed, tossing out a Pokémon, and out came her own Murkrow, "And it will not only gain what we desire, but our boss will return to us once again! Murkrow, Haze!" Murkrow unleashed a blast of dark smoke that consumed the field.
Jackson shielded his mouth as he backed off and placed a hand next to Latias to make sure she was by her side. After a few seconds, he pulled his sword from the ground, gathering winds, before unleashing a gust that expunged Haze. When it was gone, Jackson looked about to see the defeated grunts and their Pokémon were still sprawled all over, with the wild Pokémon, along with Bianca, were standing about. Leafeon and Latias were also with him, too. The only one who wasn't here was Ariana and her Murkrow.
"Looks like she ran away." Jackson muttered, before Latias flew over to the fountain. She transformed into her human form, stumbling towards the edge of the fountain, looking within. Thankfully, the Soul Dew was still there, and she gave a sigh of relief. She then turned around as Jackson and Bianca raced up to look at her, and she smiled and nodded, saying everything's alright.
The next morning, in the secret park, Latias was in her Pokémon form, looking down at her brother's Soul Dew. She paused for a moment, before muttering, "Brother, I have made a decision. I hope you won't be bothered by my choice..."
There was a moment's pause, before the Soul Dew glowed, and Latias's gasped as her eyes glowed a blue hue. Suddenly, for a brief moment, she saw the illusion of a Pokémon that looked very much like her, only a bit bigger, its body blue instead of red. It looked to her for a moment, before nodding in understanding. Just as suddenly, Latias's eyes went back to normal. She was rather surprised for a moment, before smiling as she said, "Thank you, brother." With these final words, she flew away, and dove into the pond, going to the canals.
Sometime later, Jackson and Leafeon were at the port, their ship arrived to pick them up. Bianca and Lorenzo were there, seeing him off.
"I can't thank you enough for what you've done for Latias." Lorenzo told Jackson, "You have our thanks."
"It was pretty eventful, to say the least." Jackson admitted, looking about, "I wonder where she's at, right now?"
"Probably flying somewhere around the city." Bianca answered, "Latias does tend to do that."
Jackson paused, wondering if this was too blunt of a question. He then threw caution to the wind before asking, "Hey, if Latias were to leave the city, would that be bad?"
Bianca and Lorenzo looked surprised as the former asked, "What made you ask that?"
"Well, Latias did admit to me that she was very curious about the world outside of this town, but she feels tied down by her duties. You did say the DMA is no more, so there is really no reason for her to be here apart from you guys and the Soul Dew. But if you ask me, the Pokémon that live in this town, along with you guys, seems to protect the Soul Dew quite well without her."
"But even so-!" Bianca started, before Lorenzo stopped her, placing a hand on her arm, before saying, "Latias is indeed the Guardian of Alto Mare. However, I doubt anyone else would notice if she were to leave."
"Grandfather!" Bianca gasped.
"Bianca, even I started to see she felt too confined in her responsibility." Lorenzo told her, "I am rather impressed you are noticing it, too."
"It's just, I know the feeling." Jackson compared, "I don't like being tied down in one place, and neither did a dear friend of mine. He always wanted to run wherever, whenever, and live with freedom in his heart. I follow his example, as do a lot of my friends, and I do wanna help others that feel trapped."
"Well, in the end, it is up to her if Latias wants to go or not." Lorenzo noted.
At this point, Latias' invisible body flew over the city, before landing in the shadows near the port, before she transformed into her human form, taking off as she threw a shoulder bag over her right shoulder. She raced as fast as she could, even as she heard the whistle blow for the ship Jackson was gonna take.
"Looks like the ship's about to set sail." Jackson noted, adjusting his backpack, looking to Leafeon, "Let's go. We gotta get back to Olivine City."
"Yes. Let's see how Ampharos is doing." Leafeon reminded him.
They were about to turn when they saw someone approaching from behind. Bianca and Lorenzo turned to see who they were looking at and were surprised. Latias was approaching them, carrying a white shoulder bag on her.
"Latias?" Leafeon asked as she stopped in front of them, panting to catch her breath, before straightening herself up.
The group saw her bag and could immediately tell what she had planned. "Looks like you made your decision?" Jackson asked, smirking at her.
Latias nodded, before looking to Bianca and Lorenzo, looking worried they would reject her choice. Bianca looked hesitant, but Lorenzo closed his eyes, before smiling as he said, "It is rather strange. I almost feel like a father seeing his daughter go off on her own. But I won't stop you, Latias. Do what you want. We will take care of the Soul Dew."
Latias smiled, before looking to Bianca, who was struggling, but decided to follow her grandfather's choice. She held back the tears as she reached Latias and hugged her, saying in her ear, "Promise me you will come back. I will get lonely if you are gone too long." Latias backed away from her, also tearing up as she nodded in response to her promise.
"Welp, be seeing you, Latias." Jackson told her, about to hop aboard the ship. However, he felt a pair of hands hold his one, and he turned to see she had grabbed ahold of him. Jackson looked at her face, as she looked anxious, but insistent. It took a few seconds, before he realized something. "Do you...want to come with me?" he asked. Latias nodded strongly.
"Does that mean you are letting Jackson capture you?" Leafeon asked.
"Hell no!" Jackson argued to Leafeon, "I don't want to put her in a ball, especially when she looks like this!" He looked up at Latias, saying, "But you can still come along as a companion. Is that okay with you?"
Latias smiled and nodded, coming close to Jackson's ear, before whispering, "I'm afraid to go on my own. Plus, I want to see the world in your eyes, and grow stronger to be a better guardian."
She backed off from Jackson as he understood what she said. "I'm completely fine with that. Let's go explore the world together!" he declared, raising a hand to her. She beamed happily, and took his hand, shaking it. Bianca and Lorenzo seemed satisfied with this decision.
The ship's whistle blew again, and the newly formed trio raced onto the ship, getting on board before it took off. Latias's family waved and called out their goodbyes as the ship took off, going out into sea. Jackson called out his goodbyes, promising he would keep her safe, while Leafeon and Latias waved goodbye to them.
As soon as they were far off, Jackson realized something, and turned to Latias. "You know, now that we're off on this adventure, we should change your name we're around other people. It would get awkward if people knew who you really were."
"I guess that's fair." Latias understood, "Why don't you give me a name in my human form, then."
Jackson was rather taken aback, but closed his eyes, thinking. Sure, just naming a girl out of the blue. No pressure. He wanted to make sure it was simple, but sort of similar to her true name. Finally, after a moment, he said, "How about Lyanne? It's a pretty simple and good name."
"Lyanne..." Latias muttered, thinking about it, before smiling as she said, "That'll do just fine."
"Great!" Jackson looked relieves she was fine with it, "From now on, it's the mute Lyanne when around people, and Latias when it's just us." Latias, now taking the name Lyanne, nodded in approval.
"I'm glad about this." Leafeon noted, "Deep down, I felt there was too much masculinity in this group." Jackson laughed at this, mentally noting that it was sort of true. They had one new member to partake in their journey.