Ash found himself visiting the secret cove with his Pokémon again. He brought a berry pouch, stocked with ones he was sure Latios would like along with ones to help with his wing.
Lycanroc led the way like before and they came across the secret cove. Once they entered the area, Ash had his Pokémon stay back like before then. Ash slowly but surely approached, checking for any signs of Latios.
Carefully walking around, Ash suddenly felt the presence of the Legendary…
Behind him.
Ash turned around and saw a mild distortion on top of a pile of rocks which uncloaked itself into the Blue Eon Twin himself. Latios hovered slowly and wearily of the trainer before him.
Ash held out a few Oran berries and Latios, still weary, used Confusion to take them and set them down. He ate one, with his eyes on Ash before floating back and eating his share.
Ash's Pokémon crept out and stood by their trainer with their gazes on Latios. A few minutes later, Ash's stomach growled. "Aw man," he groaned. He knew most berries were consumed by Pokémon not by humans.
Latios, hearing the complaint, used Confusion again on a tree and took off an apple. He hovered it over to Ash who was surprised at the gesture but took it anyway. Latios eyed Ash as he took a bite from it and swallowed.
Ash gave a small smile which made Latios attempt his own. He had never seen a trainer like Ash before. In a bold decision, Ash rose up and tried to approach Latios with an outstretched hand. Latios growled and hovered away to his own secluded area.
At the failed attempt, Ash sighed in reluctance. The action was rather bold and knew it would be a rather long time for the Dragon/Psychic-type opened his heart to Ash.
Much later, Latios, after a period of rest, awoke to see Ash trying to train his Pokémeon.
"Ok, Charmeleon, Slash! Grovyle, Leaf Blade! Frogadier, Aerial Ace! Lycanroc, Rock Throw! Monferno, Flame Wheel! Pichu, use Thunder Shock!" Ash shouted.
Charmeleon brought his claws down, which had been elongated and carved into a practice boulder. Grovyle's elbow leaves turned green and cut into the same boulder. Frogadier brought down a glowing white foot onto a tree. Lycanroc's tail had rocks circling it before hurling them, albeit without much aim. Monferno turned into a flaming spiral and sped through the grotto with control flames. Pichu worked up a charge and fired a weak stream of electricity.
Looking at his lineup, Latios could tell they were average strength but had the potential to be stronger. Ash cheered at their success before having a timeout. "Alright everyone, take five." The Pokémon all gave their respective cries.
Ash dug through his berries, giving them each a respectful share to their liking. While they ate, Ash sat down and took a nearby stick to start doodling on the ground. He worked on a sketch work of Latios, not entirely accurate but still good work.
Latios flew close, observing the sketch and the other trained Pokémon. Ash looked unbothered by the Eon Pokémon's closeness and continued to sketch.
Latios then got an idea and his eyes flashed blue. Taking a discarded tree with Confusion, the Dragon/Psychic-type began to drag it into the ground, creating small trenches in a jumbled pattern. Ash wasn't sure what he was getting at but he assumed Latios was attempting to draw.
Once Latios stopped, Ash stood up and tried to make sense of the lines, which seemed to be all over the place. Ash stepped on a line and Latios growled, causing Ash to catch himself. He took his foot off the line and Latios stopped. Ash noticed this and repeated the action, resulting in the same action. When Ash stepped over the line, Latios didn't make a growl and Ash continued on.
Ash carefully stepped over the 'drawing' of Latios slowly but surely. He was doing so well before realizing he was in front of the Legendary. Turning around slowly he came face to face with the legendary Blue Eon Twin.
Looking into the eyes, Ash slowly reached out with the palm of his hand. Latios looked wearily at the action, growling. Ash's Pokémon finished their snacks and watched in apprehension.
Ash stopped this, seeing the Legendary wasn't comfortable. Still, he saw Latios was somewhat opening up to him so he turned away before repeating the same action. Ash knew better than to force this trust, especially since Latios could hurt him without a second thought.
Latios carefully sniffed the hand… and nuzzled his head into it. Ash felt the action and turned to see Latios making contact with his palm.
It was a brief moment and Latios backed off before floating back, albeit in an injured flight pattern.
But Ash couldn't believe what had happened.
He had made contact with a Legendary Pokémon.
...
Later that night, Ash and the other newbie trainers were at the Pokécenter with Oak retelling one of his many stories.
"I watched as the Nidoking smashed a house to splinters all with a smile. He let out a roar before my Arcanine struck him with Extremespeed and knocked him off kilter." Oak regaled.
The other trainers were in awe, mostly except Ash and Serena. Ash was still trying to figure out where he stood but being discreet about it. He was only picking at his food with Pichu.
"Did you ever catch the Nidoking?" Max asked.
Oak shook his head, "I couldn't. The Nidoking escaped and I haven't seen it since. Our chief believes he encountered the same Nidoking however but it is hard to tell."
"Well, Gramps," Gary boasted, "If any Pokémon ever tries to wreak havoc on Pallet Town when I'm a trainer, me and my team are going to win until the very end! Whether it's catching or battle! That way, they know not to mess with the Oaks!" His Umbreon rolled his eyes but barked in agreement.
"That's where you learn about the type advantage," Oak advised, "But there is more. Wounded Pokémon are easy targets too. If it can't run, swim, or fly, it can't get away. An immobile Pokémon is a trapped Pokémon."
Oak let out a yawn before saying, "Alright. I'm off to bed. You should be, too. Tomorrow, we get to the more vicious Pokémon. Slowly but surely making our way up to the Aerodactyl. But who'll win the honor of battling it?"
"Maybe Ash should, after all, he did battle one before," Misty snarked as the others snickered. Ash brushed it off.
"No way, it's going to be me." Brock boasted, "It's a Rock-type so I should be able to handle it."
"Better sit down, Slate." Kiawe proclaimed, "I've got dibs. I'm the strongest of Alola. The fuel of the Wela Volcano flows through me!"
As the others began to state how they were discussing how they should battle the Aerodactyl, Ash and Pichu snuck off for the night. He was mildly in a foul mood after the jab Misty threw about the Aerodactyl. Serena saw him sneak off but brushed it off, not caring what the boy and his mouse were doing.
However, what Oak said lingered in Ash's head. If Latios was too injured to fly…
If Ash helped it, maybe it… he… will be able to fly out of harm's way.
...
The next morning, Ash and his Pokémon arrived. "Hey, Latios!" Ash shouted. He was carrying a large Berry pouch. Charmeleon, Monferno, and Lycanroc also carried some more Berries.
The Blue Eon Twin uncloaked himself and approached, somewhat actually joyful to see Ash.
"I bought some berries. I hope you're hungry. I've got some Oran, Wiki… and a Yache Berry. Just berries glory," Ash said, tossing it to the ground.
Latios hovered over a few before growling at the sight of a Keiba Berry. Ash noticed and plucked it out, "You don't like Keiba Berries?" Ash noted as he pulled out his Pokédex. Checking it, he discovered Keiba berries halves Poison-type moves.
Latios proceeded to lift several Oran berries and eat them then scope the bunch of berries once more. Latios eyed a Tanga Berry and consumed it in delight.
Ash wondered why but then remembered Latios is a part Psychic-type. Ash deduced that maybe Pokémon have favorite berries. Of course Pokémon would rather survive against their type disadvantages.
Latios landed on the ground, tilting his head in curiosity to see why Ash had come back. Ash motioned for Frogadier and Grovyle to come forward, who were holding some Potions. The Blue Eon Twin looked confused and turned to Ash, who began explaining.
"Latios, look. I want to help you get better." Ash explained, "It's my fault you are even injured so I think it's best to make sure you are at full recovery. Then you can fly off, deal?"
Latios gave a calculating gaze at the boy. He admits, he wouldn't be sure how much longer he would survive in this cove without having any proper care. And Latios was growing to trust the boy.
With a nod, Ash began to spray a Potion on the wound and Latios winced in mild discomfort. "Sorry about that," Ash apologized and warped gauze around the injured part. Once finished with Latios, Ash stood back to admire his handiwork. He fed the Blue Eon Twin some berries, and finding out Latios really enjoyed Tanga berries.
And from there, a few new ideas from this experience how he could put these skills to work while he trained.