Chapter 5: Morning in Alto Mare
A tranquil sun rose the next morning in Alto Mare, the early morning rays reflecting in its many canals. The pleasant beams of sunlight soon washed over the Secret Garden, shining through its many branches, waking several of the Pokemon that called the Garden home. The most recent of these residents was among them, his crimson eyes fluttering open. It hadn't been the first time Ash had been woken up by the sun's rays shining through the seams of his eyelids, but this was his first morning waking up as he was now. He awoke in a panic upon feeling his ovoid hands and jet-like wings until he remembered the events of yesterday and calmed down.
Ash yawned, and almost immediately felt the absence of Pikachu's familiar presence. He frowned. He had always woken up alongside his best pal, and it saddened him to feel nothing where Pikachu was before.
But despite this, Ash knew Pikachu was alright, and that he was still adventuring somewhere out there. Perhaps he'd see Pikachu again one day, but for now, his focus was drawn to the new presence that lay beside him. He looked down to see his fellow Eon whose neck he had been using for a pillow. The sun had the same rousing effect on her, for she squinted as the beams from the rising sun illuminated over her face and her golden eyes gently fluttered open.
"Morning," greeted Ash with a friendly smile.
Latias stared at Ash as she awoke, unmoving, before suddenly backing away from him, breaking his hold on her as she moved to hover in front of him, her face wearing an expression of shock.
"Woah, Latias!" He said worriedly as he hovered off the tree branch to float before her as well. "What's wrong?"
Latias just stared at Ash, her eyes suddenly glistening as she reached out to him with her claw.
"A…Ash?"
Ash's worry only grew at her sudden emotional demeanor as he reached out and took hold of her ovoid hand in his. "Of course it's me, Latias..."
Without warning, Latias lunged forward and grabbed Ash in another aggressive hug, almost knocking them both out of the air again. If it wasn't for his extensive experiences with his Bayleef and her enthusiastic tackling, Ash was certain he would have been on the floor right now.
"Latias! What's wrong!?" Ash asked again.
"I… I was so afraid that what happened was just another dream…" she mumbled over his shoulder, rolling her neck around to bury her head into the feathers on the back of his neck. "... that… that… I'd wake up and be alone again. But you're here…you're really here…"
Ash's concern worsened further from her words, and he reached out to her, returning the embrace, rubbing the back of her neck with his muzzle. Latias's trembling redoubled at his touch. The longer he hugged her, the more guilt was hitting him like a bullet train. How lonely had Latias been all this time?
They hovered in the air, Ash comfortingly stroking Latias, occasionally feeling a slight dampness on his shoulders and back. Just as he was beginning to wonder how long he was going to have to stay like this, a reprieve came in a most unexpected form. Ash's stomach growled, hard enough to shake both of them. Latias was snapped out of her emotional stupor at the vibration stemming from Ash, concern for his well-being blossoming within her now. She let go and backed away, hovering before Ash as he gently released her, seeing he now sported a blush, which only seemed to deepen as his stomach let out another loud growl.
"Hee hee, sorry," he apologized in embarrassment, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.
Latias blinked away the last of her tears and gave Ash an understanding smile, then chuckled slightly in light humor. After all, for his stomach to grow so loud he must be starving. "That's okay, you can't help it if you're hungry, Ash. In fact…"
Latias's stomach growled, and she smiled at him supportingly. "Yeah, I could use some breakfast too."
It occurred to Ash only then that he had absolutely no idea what to do about food as a Pokemon. It was a well known fact that Pokemon and humans followed entirely different diets, with a few consistencies, such as desserts and the like, so what was Ash going to eat as a Latios? Pokemon food? He remembered that one time he had tried Brock's special recipe. It had tasted like a collage of thrown together flavors. Not too appealing, to say the least. But he was an entirely different per…Pokemon, now… maybe his sense of taste had been altered to match his body?
"Hey, Latias, what exactly do Eon Pokemon eat?"
Latias was briefly taken aback by his question before remembering his circumstances.
"Oh, there's lots of things we can eat, Ash," she explained happily. "Several of the Water Pokemon around Alto Mare are really tasty… though personally I prefer the Remoraid to evolve into Octillery first. More soft bits than crunchy bits that way. The flying types like the Pidgey and Murkrow aren't too bad either, if you don't mind plucking out some of the feathers."
Ash had stopped listening to her explanation after "Pokemon around Alto Mare are tasty". The fact had really never occurred to him that, as a Pokemon, he might actually have to eat other Pokemon for sustenance. As a human, he had occasionally partaken in the consumption of a Pokemon, but usually during social gatherings, like celebrations or festivals, and they had always been prepared beforehand. From what Latias was describing he would have to hunt Pokemon personally, as in chase down, kill, then eat. He…didn't know if he could stomach such a prospect. Being a Pokemon Trainer, Ash's goal had been to capture and train Pokemon, not kill and… eat them.
"Um, Latias?" He inquired, gently interrupting her extended explanation of how certain Pokemon taste. "I…don't suppose there's an alternative to eating Pokemon, is there?"
Latias tilted her head in confusion. "What are you talking about?"
"Well…the thing is…" Ash said nervously, rubbing the back of his head in unease. "I've…never hunted before. At least not anything I intended to eat. Is there anything else I might eat?"
"Oh, yeah!" Latias awkwardly chuckled, having, yet again, overlooked certain aspects of Ash's situation. "Of course, Ash. Plenty of berries grow here in the garden."
Berries. Now that was something Ash could get behind.
"That sounds wonderful," commented Ash eagerly.
"Latias…!"
The Eon Duo's train of thought was interrupted by the sound of a familiar voice. The pair looked to the source, finding Bianca and her grandfather entering the Secret Garden. Lorenzo was pushing a steel serving cart that was ladened with food.
"Hey, Latias, you there?!" Bianca called out into the garden again. "We've brought you guys breakfast!"
"Oh hey, perfect timing!" declared Latias excitedly, beaming at the sight of her friends and what they had brought. "Seems like we don't have to worry about teaching you how to feed like an Eon just yet, Ash!"
Ash nodded in agreement, feeling great relief that he was spared that uncomfortable topic at least for now, and they drifted down to ground level, Bianca and Lorenzo beaming at the sight of them.
"Ah, there you are, Latias," Lorenzo greeted the red Eon Pokemon in his wizened old voice. "And you've brought your new friend as well. Good!"
Ash was bursting to say that he wasn't actually a "new friend" but he stopped himself. The language barrier was a real annoyance to him: Anything he'd say they'd just hear as "Latios".
"We thought you guys would like some breakfast," said Bianca, taking one side of the cart and assisting her grampa in carefully transporting it down the stone steps that led into the garden.
As Ash eyed the cart he realized they hadn't just brought breakfast, but brought enough for a full blown picnic for all four of them. There were bottled drinks, sandwiches, several types of berries, even pokepuffs. Ash became eager at the sight of them, however, Latias had attention for the other items Lorenzo and Bianca had brought along with, well, the human food. There were these pale colored cups that contained Pokemon food, as well as tiny cubical objects that Ash recognized as Pokeblocks, from his experience with May.
Bianca handed Latias one of the cups of Pokemon food, and she accepted it with an excited squeal that even Ash couldn't interpret anything legible from, flying around the picnic three times before popping the lid of the cup and emptying about half of the little brown pellets into her mouth, then proceeded to chew happily. Lorenzo and Bianca were enjoying a couple of sandwiches whilst she frolicked, relieved at Latias' joyous behavior, as well as grateful to this mysterious Latios for raising her spirits.
Both Bianca and Lorenzo turned to see how their new guest was doing, only to be met with a sight that made the smiles drop from their faces for a look of confusion. Rather than start with any of the Pokemon oriented foodstuff, the Latios was chowing down on pokepuffs and a sandwich as he hovered at ground level next to the blanket. It was almost instinctual for Pokemon to go for Pokemon food, for it carried the necessary protein and nutrition to help make a Pokemon strong, and yet, despite this, the Latios ignored it, opting to instead start with the human food. While it wasn't unusual for Pokemon to partake in such things that humans like to eat, it was odd that a Pokemon would pass up legitimate Pokemon food for it.
Ash silently wished he could thank Bianca and Lorenzo properly as he continued to satisfy his hunger. He reached out for more, only to be halted by Lorenzo's sudden words.
"Take it easy on the sweets, young Eon," he said, slight rebuttal in his voice.
"Grandpa's right," said Bianca, picking up one of the cups of Pokemon food and offering it to him. "If you wanna stay a healthy Latios you need to eat stuff that's good for you."
Ash looked at the offered cup wearily, but he accepted the cup from Bianca regardless, and, with a quick look at Latias, who hovered over and gave him a reassuring smile as she chewed the other half of her cup, Ash popped the lid and sprinkled a few of the pellets into his mouth.
The flavor hit him hard, as he knew it would, only in the complete opposite direction as he was expecting. The pellets were surprisingly appealing actually, tasting of a certain combination of fruit and vegetables, but in a palatable way. His expression softened as he chewed, emptying more of the canister into his mouth once he swallowed, feeling a slightly warm sensation as the Pokemon food landed in his stomach. Latias let out a cheerful bark as she hovered closer to the Latios, discarding her empty cup and exchanging it for a second one, grabbing another to offer to the Latios as she hovered next to him, ready to enjoy their second helping together.
Bianca and Lorenzo beamed at seeing them interacting, Latias showing signs of life that she had lacked for so long, but they couldn't help but notice certain oddities about this Latios the more they watched him.
"Strange," commented Lorenzo as he drank some Pecha berry juice from a thermos. "It's like he's never had Pokemon food before."
"Well, he is a wild Latios," stated Bianca, watching as Latias offered her friend some Pokeblock, the Latios wearing the same unsure expression he had when first trying the Pokemon food. "It probably is the first time he has had Pokemon food."
"Perhaps," commented Lorenzo, having contemplated that himself. "But if he is a wild Latios, why does he have such an affiliation for human food like sandwiches and pokepuffs?"
Bianca and Lorenzo watched as Ash grew further content with the taste of Pokemon food, continuing to gobble up more and more of it. It was a new experience for Ash. The rush of energy made him feel like he could do multiple cartwheels… well, if he still had legs.
Breakfast continued without incident, and after eating their fill Latias insisted that they explore Alto Mare together. The Eon Duo said goodbye to Bianca and Lorenzo and left the Secret Garden to explore the city, exiting through the pool that led into Alto Mare's intertwining canals. Exploring Alto Mare this way was a lot like the first time Latios and Latias had demonstrated their sight-sharing to Ash, though now he could also see, hear and feel everything as well. It was quite the experience… how easy it was to cruise the canals without the aid of a boat. He and Latias remained transparent to avoid drawing attention, jetting beneath the surface, passing underneath rowing gondolas and swimming past a variety of water Pokemon that were sharing the canals with them.
Eventually they graduated from the canals to the open air, finding a secluded area where they could breach the surface without drawing attention. Of course, stopping proved easier said and done for Ash, as it was taking everything for him to not crash into anything, his own velocity so great he could barely time his turns and movements in time to avoid collisions. Yet Latias showed no such strain as she sped along in front of him, dodging bridges and weaving through turns almost before they came into view. Sure, it could be attributed to Latias's familiarity with Alto Mare, but Ash was fairly certain that her practiced movements were also the result of her experience as an Eon.
Eventually, Latias and Ash found themselves hovering high above the Alto Mare Museum, where the DMA was housed. Latias's eyes shimmered behind her transparency as she beheld the majesty of her hometown. To Ash, somehow, the spark in her eyes felt like it had only recently been rekindled… as if her flame had been out for some time until just recently.
She really had suffered in her solitude.
"Alto Mare really is a beautiful place," Ash suddenly commented.
"It is. It really is," Latias agreed with a gentle nod.
"Which is why we need to do everything in our power to defend it," Ash proclaimed, turning to his fellow Eon. "Latias…"
The tone in which Ash said her name carried such conviction that Latias quickly became concerned, turning from Alto Mare's majestic sight to face him.
"...I need you to teach me how to use the moves of a Latios."
—
That afternoon found the Eon Duo out at sea some miles from Alto Mare. They had decided to relocate so as to avoid risking anyone being caught in the crossfire, and it had turned out to be accurate foresight, as Ash quickly found out. He hadn't seen much of what a Latios was capable of during his first visit to Alto Mare, but with Latias with him, he was able to get a glimpse at what he had never been able to bear witness to.
Several of the moves a Latios could use coincide with their duel-typing; Dragon and Psychic, though there were moves of other typings as well. There was Dragon Claw, Dragon Breath, Dragon Dance and such, as well as Psychic, Heal Pulse, Confusion and, the move that most excited Ash, Luster Purge. According to Latias, Luster Purge is a Latios's signature move, similar to how a Fishious Rend is to a Dracovish, or a Meteor Assault is to a Sirfetch. Ash was a Latios now, so it only made sense that he should learn the signature move of his kind first. Of course, that was his plan… but he needed to figure out a way for it to stop igniting in his face first.
"Come on, Ash! You can do it!" Cried Latias encouragingly as she hovered beside Ash, sweat dripping down the back of his neck as he clenched his eyes in concentration.
With a grunt of determination Ash slowly opened his mouth, trying to direct the energy in his body precisely the way Latias instructed him. Slowly, a sphere of pulsating pink energy began to form, his entire body trembling from the effort. This was the point he had gotten to on all of his previous attempts, and it was here he had always produced less than favorable results. Now that the energy had been collected he needed to fire it in a continuous stream that would shoot forth and strike a target. It was proving extremely difficult however… like trying to shoot water from a water pistol without the water pistol.
"Come on Ash! You've almost got it!" insisted Latias, though she eyed the sphere of light before him wearily.
Ash knew that he couldn't hold this position forever, but he still wasn't sure how to direct the energy from a condensed sphere into an outgoing stream, so he decided to try something else… verbalization.
"Luster Purge!" Ash screamed as physically and as mentally as he could.
The sphere of pink light exploded with enough force to send Team Rocket blasting off, throwing both Eon Pokemon back and sending them skidding across the sea before screeching to a halt about forty yards away from the point of the explosion. The pair plunged beneath the surface with a mighty splash, both Ash and Latias tumbling through the clear water in a cascade of bubbles before they both regained their senses and managed to make for the surface. The Eon Duo breached with a much gentler splash than their entry, panting for breath, slightly charred as they levitated out of the water.
"Are you alright, Latias!?" Ash asked worriedly, frantically flying over to her, looking over her slightly blackened form.
Latias shook her head a few times to clear the ringing in her ears, before flashing Ash a silent, reassuring smile, a bright sheen of golden light encompassing her form as she used Recover. Watching her restore herself from his misfire, yet again, reminded Ash of how fluent Latias was with the skills of her kind. While appearing as a gentle and very affectionate Pokemon, she was still a Guardian of Alto Mare and had all of the qualifications for the role… he needed to be at her level if he was going to fight alongside her efficiently. It was a goal, as evidenced by his current efforts, he wasn't anywhere near achieving.
The aura of Latias's Recover dissipated, revealing a pristine, soot free form. She reassuringly smiled, only to notice his focus had shifted from her to where the explosion of his last attempt at a Luster Purge had gone off, a forlorn expression on his face as he watched the ripples he'd unintentionally caused shifting through the seawater.
"It's okay Ash," She hovered up beside him, taking hold of one of his arms in her own. "Luster Purge is an exceedingly difficult move to learn. It took my brother months to learn it, and it took me almost a year to fully get Mist Ball right. Maybe you should start with a move that's not as difficult?"
"I don't think it's the difficulty of the move that's the problem," contemplated Ash. He looked grimly at the ground. "I may be a Latios now, but I was a human before. I don't think I have the necessary instincts to use Pokemon moves."
Latias paused, lacking in a rebuttal. Despite this, Latias gently glided forward and softly trailed her tongue up Ash's cheek in an affectionate lick, much to the young trainer turned Eon Pokemon's embarrassment.
"Don't give up, Ash," she said, tightening her grip on his hand. "I believe in you."
Ash blinked in astonishment. After being hurled around with him like a ragdoll for what had to be a dozen times by now, she still had faith in him?
"Really?"
Latias nodded. "I've believed in you ever since you saved me from those two evil women and their Pokemon, and that belief only grew after you did so much for me and Alto Mare. Now that you're one of us, I still believe in you." She grinned. "We'll stand strong together against anything that might threaten Alto Mare."
Ash paused, but his face soon broke into a slight smile. "Thanks Latias."
Latias let out a happy whine as she leaned forward and nuzzled his cheek with hers.
Before the pair could resume training, a small division was torn out upon the surface of the sea in the distance. Ash and Latias turned to face the odd phenomenon just in time to notice that it was barreling towards them. A streamline from spearheaded the shockwave carving through the water, semitransparent. To most it would appear entirely invisible, but to Ash and Latias its form was easily recognizable.
After all, an Eon Pokemon's camouflage was easily distinguishable to fellow Eons.
It continued to carve a path through the surface of the ocean until it was directly before them, finally halting just in front of the pair. As soon as they regained their composure, the camouflage had dissipated. But this Eon wasn't red or blue… it was purple. And there was only one form of Eon that was purple. Then the Eon's form began to change, and as a bright burst of light shone from its body, its appearance shifted. The massive, purple form of the Eon turned red and shrunk as the light dissipated, and another Latias now hovered before them. And she looked quite furious.
"Would you two mind telling me why you're out here making enough noise to churn the sea?"
The Latias's voice was just as tranquil as the Latias that hovered next to Ash, but carried a more mature tone, as well as an edge of experience. Her eyes were just as golden as Latias's as well, but carried several years behind them. Ash had to guess she was at least twice as old as the Latias he knew, though it was hard to judge with voice tone and eyes alone.
"Oh, Alpha, it's you!" proclaimed Latias, bowing her head respectfully.
The Alpha, as she had been introduced, looked at the fellow Latias with an eye quirk until recognition appeared in her expression. "So it's you…the self-proclaimed defender of the nearby human settlement."
"Yes, honored Alpha," said Latias, lifting her head up to meet the other Latias's eyes. "I am the Latias acting as the Eon Guardian of Alto Mare."
"Hmm, I should've known," said Alpha, clear disdain in her voice.
Ash was shifting his view between the two, looking at them, confused. "You two know each other?"
"Oh, yes!" confirmed Latias, hovering over to Ash's side and indicating to the other Latias with a claw. "Ash, this is the Alpha Latias of the Eon Pokemon flock."
""Alpha Latias of an Eon flock?"" Ash inquired.
"Mhmm," Latias confirmed with a nod.
Ash's confusion only grew. "What is an "alpha"?"
"Oh!" said Latias in realization, remembering Ash wasn't too knowledgeable about the life and customs of an Eon Pokemon. "It's like this Ash," explained Latias: "Eon Pokemon live in flocks that are led by the most experienced Latias and Latios, known as Alphas." She turned to the other Latias. "And this Latias is the elder of the flock that lives around her, alongside her mate."
"Is…that where your family came from?" he asked, remembering what Lorenzo had told him about Latias and Latios's origins.
Latias just gave a sad smile and nodded. "When me and my brother were small we lived in the flock, until that catastrophe struck Alto Mare so long ago."
Ash remembered that story well, when Lorenzo had told him about the evil trainer that attacked Alto Mare with his Aerodactyl and Kabutops until Latios and Latias's father intervened by bringing water to Alto Mare and drowning the evil Pokemon. An act of heroism that cost him his life, orphaning his children.
Alpha appeared annoyed. "And had you and your brother returned to us you wouldn't have had to endure so much, and your brother wouldn't have suffered the same fate as your father."
Latias glared at the Alpha Eon, "Both my brother and father made a noble sacrifice! Alto Mare would have been destroyed without them!"
"A sentiment I will never agree with," said the Alpha Latias. "But I am not here to discuss differences in beliefs. I'm here to discuss why you two are out here making so much noise."
"What does it matter?" said Ash, crossing his arms in indignation. "We aren't bothering anyone!"
"Yes! You are!" said Alpha, turning to Ash to face him for the first time since she arrived. "The hatchlings are trying to get some sleep and your actions have woken them up multiple times already."
Before either Ash or Latias could inquire however, the Alpha Latias seemed to take full notice of Ash and a hint of suspicion formed in her eyes. She suddenly zoomed forward and inspected Ash with close scrutiny.
"I wasn't expecting a couple of Eons to be the cause of the commotion, but now that I know it's the wayward pair from Alto Mare, it all makes sense now. The explosions have all the telltale signs of a Latios trying to learn his kind's signature move," she said, a bit of an edge to her voice as she leaned even further towards Ash, who had to crane his neck back to avoid their noses coming into contact. "You're obviously not the original Latios who is this girl's sibling, for he has perished. Who are you? And why can you not perform Luster Purge at your age?"
Her strict gaze gave Ash the impression that he was being interrogated. Looking over her shoulder Latias, he silently inquired about what he should do. Latias, still mildly annoyed, gave a simple nod, telling Ash all he needed to know. Taking that as his cue, Ash explained his situation to the alpha Latias.
For the first time since she had arrived, the Alpha Latias's strict demeanor dropped, simply regarding Ash with a look of recognition.
"Wait, Ash?" Her eyes narrowed. "I should be skeptical about the legitimacy of your tale, but given what happened the last time we crossed paths, I'm really not surprised."
Ash blinked in surprise as did Latias. "We've met before?"
"Don't you remember the incident involving Hoopa?" asked the Alpha.
"What? That was you!?" Ash inquired in surprise.
"Yes. Me and my mate were the Latias and Latios summoned to aid you at that time," replied the Alpha Latias sternly. "So what reason does Arceus have for doing this? Why has he decided to create a new Eon Guardian for Alto Mare? A lot happened before he got involved with the calamity Hoopa caused."
Ash sighed, immediately diving into a detailed explanation about Team Phreatic, their origin and current intentions. The Alpha Latias simply regarded him with interest.
"...That's why we're out here training," said Ash. "I've got to get stronger. If Team Phreatic gets their hands on the DMA, it won't be good!"
The Alpha Latias had a scowl on her face as she looked out at Alto Mare in the distance. Her eyes, however, had grown somber.
"You say you need to get stronger in order to protect that machine? This DMA?" she inquired, almost reluctantly.
"Yes," said Ash, looking at the spot where his last Luster Purge had blown up in his and Latias's faces shamefully.
The Alpha Latias closed her eyes, seemingly in resignation. "Then I suggest you both accompany me back to the nest," she said.
Both Eons from Alto Mare stared at her in shock.
"What?"
"Why?"
"Latias will be unable to train you properly in the way of the male variety of the Eon Duo," explained the Alpha Latias as she hovered closer to Ash. "Latias and Latios may share an unequaled kinship with each other, but the differences in skills and moves differ enough to where they are unable to learn their signature traits from each other."
"How do I get stronger then?"
"By learning under a proper teacher," explained the Alpha Latias. "What you need is another Latios. A Latios with proper experience." She turned back to face the other Latias. "And you are coming as well."
"Huh?" Latias raised an eyebrow. "Why do I need to go? I'm pretty fluent in my moves."
"That may be, but there is one skill you have yet to master," said the Alpha Latias, shining as she adopted her Mega form.
Despite their apprehension, the pair looked at each other, reluctantly nodding in agreement. Though the thought of leaving Alto Mare for some time was risky, they weren't going to be doing much to help it without the aid of the Alpha. The Alpha simply made a motion to follow, and the trio was off, Ash regaling the tale of his adventure with Hoopa to Latias as they traveled, their laughter ringing out over the ocean waves.
—
After Shelly briefed him on the desired information he was to obtain this time, Brodie had been dropped off by Team Phreatic's submarine at an uninhabited island nearby to prepare for his latest assignment. Shelly had apparently stumbled on something big and needed information pertaining to certain subjects in order to fully utilize it.
"Look at this thing!" said Brodie to the Ditto on his shoulder. "It's like something out of a spy movie."
"Ditto, dit!" said Ditto, nodding his gelatinous head in agreement.
They were currently sitting in a souped up car, confiscated by the Officer Jenny of Alto Mare upon the arrest of its previous owners. He had swiped it while infiltrating the jail; the design was something he liked, and he'd definitely treat the paint job better than the previous owners.
"Alright buddy, let's roll!" said Brodie, flooring the gas pedal and driving the car off the cliff on the far side of the island. The car changed to its jet mode and took off, flying into the sky, leaving Alto Mare far behind.