Our story begins where another one ends.
7 years ago, Ash Ketchum set out with a simple goal, to become a Pokémon Master, to be the very best, like no one ever was. He has proven himself to stand among the strongest trainers in the world, he fought against pretty much every major criminal organisation out there, saved the world from calamity more times than he or his friends could remember, he danced with death on numerous occasions.
It seems like nothing can stop Ash Ketchum. Except of course, directions.
"Pika?"
At least that's what Pikachu thought. He's been watching his trainer just blankly staring at a map for the last half hour. Knowing Ash and his sense of direction it wasn't too far-fetched to think he was lost, but something did seem off, something Pikachu noticed his trainer has been doing for a while now. Rather than looking at the map in confusion, the young trainer's blank stare just happened to be in the map's direction. Ash was lost alright, but not in the directional sense. He was lost in thought.
It wasn't uncommon for Ash to be so deep in thought, but it was usually preceded by a significant loss or set back in his journey.
Whatever he's thinking about, I just hope he snaps out of it before it gets dark. Pikachu thought. They had already walked quite a distance from Pallet Town so turning back wasn't an option and the next Pokemon Center was also too far away. Maybe I should just look for a good camping spot and hope he's done thinking when I get back. With his course of action planned, Pikachu let out a last Pika before venturing out to look for a suitable place to put up a tent, knowing full well Ash wouldn't hear him.
You might be wondering what has gotten our young champion so worked up. That is a question that not even Ash himself knows the answer to. He's been thinking a lot about the last 7 years, about his journey, the places he's been, the people he's met and the Pokémon he's helped. He has experienced things no adolescent should experience. He has seen things, that would leave most adults scarred. At the time he didn't think too much about it, he was more focused on helping. On achieving his dream.
Now that he was champion however, he had ample time to review his journey. But instead of focusing on the good, Ash found himself remembering all the people and Pokémon he's watched die. There were 2 that occupied his mind in particular, Sir Aaron's Lucario, who sacrificed himself at the Tree of Beginning and Latios, who sacrificed himself to save Altomare. The latter was especially fresh on his mind, as only a few days ago he helped a Latias and Latios escape from a Pokémon hunter.
Ash let out a heavy sigh, the first noise he's made since he took out the map. It always went like this, he would get lost in thought, thinking about his journey, those thoughts would transition to the Latios and Latias from a few days ago, and that would lead him back to Altomare. Back to the narrow canals that made the city so famous, back to the bridge, to the museum, to the secret garden, to the pier, where he thought he would leave it all behind, back to her.
"Pikachuuuuuuu!"
Pikachu's thundershock finally brought the young champion out of his thoughts and back to reality. A reality that was beginning to darken. The sun was already quite low, and Ash and Pikachu still didn't set up camp.
"Ouch. Couldn't you have done something less painful, buddy?", Ash asked, slightly annoyed at his rude awakening.
Pikachu didn't dignify his question with a reply and only pointed into the forest letting out his usual cries of "pikas" and "chus". Having been a team for 7 years and going through thick and thin together, Ash could pretty understand almost anything Pikachu was telling him. In this case the yellow mouse told his trainer about a clearing in the forest, next to a small lake that would make for the perfect camping spot.
Ash sighed in defeat.
"Sorry for making you worry Pikachu and thank you for giving me a wakeup call. Now let's get good look at what you found."
The walk to the camping spot was quiet. Both were thinking about the same thing. Pikachu wanted to know what was on his trainer's mind and Ash wanted to ask his oldest friend for advice. Before either of them could decide however, they arrived at the lake. Ash's eyes widened at the scenery before him.
The two friends arrived at a large, roughly oval shaped lake. On the far side, the dense forest was creeping its way right up to the edge of the water. To the left, its approach was halted by a small cliff side that extended over the whole left side of the lake until it stopped some 10 metres from where Ash was standing. To the right, the forest extended halfway across the length of the lake, its tree density ever decreasing until the forest made way for a more open, grassy landscape. Only a few trees remained, randomly scattered throughout the meadow, like tall islands in a green ocean.
But the natural beauty wasn't the only thing that's gotten Ash amazed. There was also an abundance of wild Pokémon. He could see Woopers, Marills and their respective evolutions all play with each other in the lake while a group of Magikarp swam by. Various bug type Pokémon were crawling on the trees, while flying type Pokémon were zooming through the air. It was serene scene, one which Ash wanted to last forever, but unfortunately the local wildlife had other plans. As a group of Rattatas ran out the forest behind Ash and Pikachu and jolted right past them, the young champion became startled and tripped over, falling to the floor with a big thump.
"Ow! Pikachu are you alright?", looking around to locate his yellow companion, he saw Pikachu, unharmed, looking out to the lake. Following his partners gaze, Ash found himself looking in the eyes of those who he was admiring not too long ago. He was expecting most of them to run away immediately or for 1 or 2 to attack them. What he wasn't expecting was for them to just stare at them, or rather him, with more curiosity than fear.
Looking to his friend for any advice on what to do, Ash found Pikachu looking back at him with a grin and a thumbs up.
"Pika Pikachu!"
"Oh, so you warned them about me, huh.", he let a breath he didn't know he was holding. Understanding your Pokémon to this extent really was handy. Just then, one of the stronger looking Pokémon, a Scizor, came buzzing up to him. Any other trainer would have feared being approached like that, but Ash isn't any other trainer. He trusts Pokémon more than he does some humans. Plus, Ash has something else that sets him apart from most other people. As he closes his eyes to focus his mind, he notices the light blueish aura of Scizor approaching him. The colour signified no ill intent, which reaffirmed Ash's initial trust in the bug type.
When he opened his eyes, he was met with one of Scizor's claws. Not one to turn down anyone's generosity, he gratefully accepted the help.
"Thanks, Scizor."
Instead of the nod of acknowledgement he was expecting, Ash received something far more special. The red bug type bowed down, a sign of great respect in the Pokémon world, one which Ash felt he didn't really deserve. After all, he didn't do anything that would warrant this level of respect from such strong looking Pokémon.
Regardless of the reason, Scizor disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, buzzing off into the dense forest on the other side of the lake, leaving both trainer and Pokémon confused.
Deciding that it was high time for them to set up camp, the two made their way to one of the lonely trees in the meadow. It was as good a spot as any, plus the setting sun made choosing a spot quickly a lot easier.
After finally having their sleeping quarters for the night, the two boys decided to relax for a bit, to enjoy the sun a bit more, that was so tenaciously refusing to set. But relaxation was easier said than done, as the Pokémon around them were still watching him, their eyes glued on his every moment. He sweatdropped at the scene, then turned to his yellow companion to ask the question that's been bugging him since the Scizor helped him up.
"What exactly did you tell them?"
"Oh well, nothing too extreme. Just that you're one of the nicest trainers I know, that you love Pokémon aaaaaand I might have told them that you're the Chosen One", he quickly added at the end.
"Wait, wasn't that part of that Shamouti Island prophecy? That was ages ago! Why did you remember that?", Ash thought his confusion was warranted, after all the legend of the Chosen One wasn't all that relevant to his journey since the Shamouti incident. Or so he thought.
Pikachu was likewise confused, but his confusion stems from the fact that Ash really was this dense.
"Are you kidding me Mr. "I met every Legendary Pokémon in existence"?! Did you really think all of those encounters were just you being lucky?"
The sheepish nod he received cemented in Pikachu's mind the fact that his trainer really was an idiot.
"Ash, listen to me. I'll try to explain in a way that even you will understand. The Chosen One is to us Pokémon, what Legendaries are to you humans. In terms of status, you are like second only to Arceus herself and maybe the Creation Trio."
"So, I'm like a super star to Pokémon?"
"If that helps you understand, yes", Pikachu couldn't help but let out a sigh. Ash for his part, still didn't seem satisfied, considering the Pokémon were still looking at him. Even the Scizor was back, watching from atop the cliff side.
"Why did you have to tell them I was the Chosen One? I feel like I'm some exotic Pokémon at a Kindergarten."
Now it was Pikachu's turn to be sheepish.
"Well, you see, when I arrived the local Pokémon already smelled or sensed your presence, so they were already on edge. The Scizor even wanted to attack me!"
"So, you told them who I was to get them off your back."
"And it worked! When I told that Scizor you were the Chosen One, she immediately backed off. I guess she's like the guardian of this place or something like that."
A guardian, huh? Ash's eyes travelled to the far side of the lake, where the cliff was situated. And a red one at that. His eyes travelled up the cliff until they came upon the red bug type. A guardian with a prominent red coloration, protecting a body of water. He really couldn't escape it. No matter what it always came back to…
He just noticed he had been staring and apparently so did Scizor. She was shifting her body awkwardly in place, averting her gaze. Ash let out another heavy sigh and let himself fall backwards on the grass floor. Why was his head such a mess? Why did his thoughts always return to that dock on Alto Mare? Why was she constantly on his mind?
"You know you can talk to me about anything, right?"
Of course, Ash knew that, but how could he explain something he didn't even understand himself. He needed more time to think, but now he also had to think of something to say to Pikachu.
"You ever think about all the people we met on our journey?", the young champion asked, his eyes fixed on the slowly appearing stars in the night sky.
"You mean how they're doing since we've last seen them?"
His trainer nodded; his gaze still fixed on the blackness above them.
"Well, anyone particular in mind?"
La…. Whoops. Almost let her name slip out. That would have been difficult to explain. Too difficult.
"Nah, just in general. We always leave so quickly, so we never really have the time to get to know the people we help."
"Is that why you've been so pensive these last few days? Feeling regretful for not getting to know people?"
Was it regret? Regret for not taking the time to properly know all those he had helped? Regret for simply just leaving after everything was said and done? Regret for not being there for her after she lost her brother? Regret for just watching her walk away after she gave him that ki-. No! Not again!
"I'm feeling really tired buddy. I think I'm gonna go to sleep early tonight."
"Oh…ok. I think I'll stay out here a bit longer."
"Alright buddy, have fun…. And good night."
"Good night, Ash"
As he made his way into his tent, his mind began to drift yet again but this time it didn't wander too far. He looked at his backpack. Something within it was demanding his attention. But first, he had to make himself bed ready, which pretty much only entailed getting into his pyjamas.
After he changed, he opened his backpack to retrieve the item he had on his mind; a rolled-up paper. Finally, he scurried over to his sleeping bag, made himself comfortable within its warm confines and unrolled the paper. It was a drawing depicting Ash and Pikachu, but that wasn't what made this drawing so special. What made it special was both the person who delivered it and the way they decided to deliver it. Thinking about still made him blush, but he shook those thoughts away.
It's been a long day and Ash just wanted to sleep. So, he rolled the drawing back up and held it close to his chest before letting out the last heavy sigh of the day.
"Good night… Latias."
On a small island off the coast of Johto, a lone girl was sitting on a bench by one of the piers. She had long, messy, white hair with fiery red highlights, that reached halfway down her back. She was wearing a turquoise blouse with a white necktie and a short dark red skirt. Her amber eyes were looking out over the horizon. As she has done almost every day for the last 7 years. Waiting. Hoping that by some miracle, he would appear from behind the horizon. A single tear found its way down her cheek, but she didn't pay it any mind.
This was the one peaceful moment she had for herself after a long day of patrolling the many canals of the city. Her city; Alto Mare.
The pier she was sitting by held a special place in the girl's heart, for it was here where she bid farewell to the boy who helped save her city, and her friends and even herself. It was here where she gave him a goodbye present befitting of her hero. A gift from the heart, presented with a gesture from the heart. One she had hoped would put a definitive end on what she assumed was nothing but a childish crush.
Unfortunately, she was wrong on both accounts; it wasn't the end, and it wasn't just a crush.
Which reminded her of tomorrow, the last Sunday on the month. Time for the monthly meet-up with her friends.
As she quietly stood up from her bench, her hair flowing in the wind, she made sure nobody else was here to see her. With the coast clear, she closed her eyes as a white light engulfed her body. Her neck became elongated, her legs shorter and from her back protruded two wing like structures. When the light subsided, the girl was gone and, in her stead, floated a majestic, red and white Pokémon. This was Latias, guardian of the City of Water!
Ready to head back to the Secret Garden to get some well-deserved sleep, she floated up in the sky and turned towards the direction of her destination. But before she zoomed off, she turned towards the horizon one last time. With a sad smile and a melancholic look, she could only whisper.
"Good night, Ash."
Then she zoomed off.
Author' Note:
So yeah, there you have it. The start of a new journey. For both Ash and me. Feel free to leave any criticism you might have in the comments. Although I've been reading fanfics for quite a while this the first I'm writing one myself and also the first time since a long time I've actually written anything substantial. I don't really have a beta reader, but I'll do my best to not leave any egregious mistakes. This is all still very new to me.
I really shouldn't need to say it at this point but this is an Altoshipping fanfic. So if that's something you're not on board with, consider yourself warned.
Fair warning to any potential readers, updates will be random, tho I'll try not to leave anyone hanging for too long.
With all that said, I hope you're looking forward to the next chapter.