~Attractive Altomare Chapter 2~
~Familiarity~
Ash pulled himself from the water, absolutely soaked to the bone thanks to Latias' stunt, but he couldn't be mad. Especially not after the workout she just gave him. He'd not expected to be jumped as soon as he got back for a visit, but it wasn't an unwelcome approach. Still feeling the pleasure aching in his loins, the raven haired man sighed.
"Latias?" He asked out loud, hearing a loud splash burst from the waters of the fountain.
Her honey gold eyes peering at him as water dripped down her head were full of curiosity and love. 'Yes?' She asked with no hesitation.
"Was I…" Ash wasn't completely sure how to ask this, but he needed to feel it out anyway. "Was I good?" He inquired.
Latias took no time at all. 'Yes. I loved it! I love you! I've waited so long to do this… I…' She lowered her head back into the water, small air bubbles coming to the surface as her eyes narrowed, 'It's been hard to be alone for such a while… I thought I'd lose myself if I had to wait any longer.'
Ash listened intently, eyes softening a touch. "I can't imagine what that'd be like…" That was true. He'd been surrounded by family and friends, but when he left. Latias had lost a brother and only had Bianca and Lorenzo around. At least, as far as he knew. It put things into perspective for the young man and made him question just how little he thought of stuff like that. Then in the pit of his stomach, he felt a twinge of guilt.
"I'm sorry…" He said suddenly.
Latias didn't know what to make of that. 'Come again? Sorry for what?' She asked Ash, slipping a little more into the water.
Ash frowned, taking a moment to look at his own reflection. "I left immediately afterward… When you lost your brother… I should've stayed a little longer. Mayb-" But he stopped when Latias interjected.
'And that's not your fault. You didn't know that all of this was going to happen. You saved us when the chips were down. I don't blame you.' Latias finished, hoping she got the point across.
Ash couldn't help himself as he tried to bite off more than he could chew. "But I could'v-" Latias shook her head, her honey gold eyes capturing his own.
'Done nothing. You had a journey to go on… If anything, I was young and naive at that time. I'm still young, but I've matured. Five years is a lot of time to think about things, but relatively short for myself.' She said, seeing him nod dejectedly, 'I'm just glad you found your way back at all and that I got to show you how much I wanted you.' Latias lifted her head out of the water, showing him a wide smile that warmed him up slightly.
Ash felt the smile running back to the front and he saw the dragoness blush. "You know… I real-"
He was interrupted when another voice entered the fray. "It's kind of awkward watching you two flirt." Bianca said as Latias dunked herself in the water and Ash looked up to see her holding two towels.
She sported a teasing grin on her face, but her eyes betrayed the warmth she felt underneath the facade. "If I had to say anything else, though, it'd be that you two look really cute together." Bianca added, watching as Latias' shadow dove further into the water and disappeared likely out of embarrassment.
Ash merely chuckled. "It's her fault for being so cute in the first place." He admitted as Latias resurfaced, blushing heavily.
'Y- You!' Latias squeaked out, hearing Bianca giggle from above.
Latias began to sink again, but Bianca spoke up. "I've got your towels." She said, clearing the stairs and making her way over.
She handed Ash one and laid the other on the edge of the fountain. Bianca smiled at the raven haired man and sat down next to the towel between them. Latias was expecting her to tease some more, but her best friend seemed distant at this moment. The dragoness felt a little bewildered by this change and then some anticipation creeped in.
Bianca's hair blew slightly in the breeze as she turned to Ash. "So, what are your intentions for my best friend?" She asked the man with an obvious teasing lilt to her voice. "As if I didn't already know ." Her smirk was palpable and Ash jerked away to look in any other direction.
He even scratched his chin with his pointer finger. "I mean… I've already…" He turned to Latias for help, but she looked rather helpless in this situation.
Latias thought she was going to be serious. 'Hey! It seemed like you were being thoughtful a moment ago!' The Dragoness trilled in a more annoyed fashion.
Bianca smiled at her. "Maybe… But it's fun to tease you." Latias blushed even more so thinking of the time before Ash had arrived.
Latias pondered on that, her cheeks blazing. 'Not as much fun as it is to tease you.' The dragoness stuck her tongue out and it was Bianca's turn to lose her foothold. Scowling playfully at the dragon, she stuck out her tongue in response.
Latias lowered her eyes, slurping back up her tongue as it swiped her lips. Bianca's blush intensified and she tried focusing on anything else. The eon celebrated her minor victory with a happier trill.
Ash looked between the two, noticing just how close they seemed to be. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you two were-"
The paintress' eyes widened as she spoke up. "Actually! I probably should go get Grandpa! He'd be excited to see you, Ash." She made up on the spot as Bianca quickly stood up to remove herself from the equation.
Ash was confused, but nodded as he watched her leave. He could hear Latias giggling in the background and he sighed. "What'd you do anyway?" Latias merely disappeared without saying a word. With nothing more to add, Ash took a look at the towel and silently thanked Bianca.
~Meanwhile~
Bianca walked toward the workshop located at the back. The past year had gone by without much of a hitch and she had Latias to thank for that. Her stress levels had gone down significantly, and the work Bianca had put in was managed primarily due to her trysts with the dragoness and the relief they provided. Though, she wouldn't admit it to anyone.
'Except to myself… My best friend is really good.' Bianca thought, remembering all the ways they'd put their endurance to the test.
The paintress was enamored too, but now that Ash was back, would there be any room for herself? It was a question that gnawed at her mind for a while, perhaps even until Latias would inevitably leave. At least, it made sense to the young woman. Having gotten a look at Ash herself, she had to admit that he looked fine himself.
Another thought wormed itself into her mind. 'I wonder if…' Her eyes narrowed and she dismissed the idea or tried to at the very least, 'Maybe Latias would…' Bianca shook her head, focusing instead on the door in front of her. She gripped the handle and pushed it open. Looking around, she guessed that her Grandpa wasn't in his shop. 'Where could he be?' She wondered while wandering through the darkened room, before reaching and exiting through the front door. Finding herself on the crowded canal side, she closed the door behind and locked it tight.
Bianca headed toward her home as quickly as her legs would carry her. Getting closer, she slowed, panting lightly as the door came into view. She made her way inside and looked around only to see Lorenzo sitting back in his favorite chair looking at her in surprise.
"Erm… Bianca? It's a surprise to see you home so early. What's going on?" He asked her.
Bianca moved in. "We've got a return visitor. I bet you can't guess who?"
Lorenzo put a hand to his beard, contemplating just who it might be. "If it's the tax man, I want nothing to do with him."
For once, Bianca agreed. "Right… But that's not who I'm talking about. It's Ash Ketchum actually!" She said, sounding a bit more excited than she thought.
Lorenzo leaned back in his recliner. "Oh, well, that's…" He trailed off, thinking for just a moment, "Huh, you said Ash Ketchum?!" Her eyes widened as the older man suddenly got a burst of strength, leaning forward and closing the recliner, he jumped up. Then immediately felt a wave of pain shoot through his back.
"Grandpa! You should take your time." She said, worried for him.
"Urgh! I'm not the man I used to be… But that doesn't mean I won't go greet Ash myself." He huffed, shifting back to lean on his chair.
Bianca went to procure his cane and passed it to him, earning a thanks from her Grandpa. "What are we waiting for? We need to go? Is he in the garden?" He asked as Bianca nodded.
"Yeah, but how'd you guess?" She hadn't specified that.
"Because I figure that once he got into town, Latias would meet with him if she could." He'd noticed her depression and happiness when being around Ash. She hadn't been like that since, but Latias had gotten better over the years.
Bianca was surprised, but followed him as he pressed his cane to the floor. "Like I said, no time to waste. Let's get moving." Together, he and Bianca would head for the Secret Garden.
~Secret Garden~
Latias floated backward in the fountain, listening to the soothing sound of it pouring from the source. She enjoyed that sweet serenity that came with this mystical place she'd called home for the longest time. Ash was soaking his hat in the water, trying to clean it up the best he could after Latias hid herself underneath it. The day was shown through the veil of psychic energy from above and hit the two with warm natural light.
Ash was having a time with it until his eyes widened. "Oh yeah!"
Latias shifted, moving her head to look up in surprise. 'What's up?'
The chocolate eyed man turned to her. "Did you teleport Pikachu by any chance?" He asked her to which she nodded.
'I did actually do that… He should be here somewhere.' She said, glancing around and wondering why he hadn't shown himself yet.
Ash shrugged. "Well, as long as he is here, it shouldn't be too much trouble. For all I know, he could be asleep." He said and Latias' head splashed back down to look up at the ceiling.
'Yeah, maybe so.' She agreed with a slight nod.
"You said he was here, Bianca." Ash perked up, hearing Lorenzo's voice.
"He's right this way, Grandpa." Bianca led him to the stairs and helped him down while Ash set his hat on the edge of the fountain.
Lorenzo ambled his way over with his cane tapping the stone. "It's been a while, Ash. I've heard about some of your adventures. Are you here on official business?" he asked.
Ash stood up and extended his hand, shaking Lorenzo's firmly. "Nope, no business this time. I just really wanted to visit. It really has been too long."
The older man agreed with a nod. "Five years is quite a while. Latias has really missed you," Lorenzo said, still shaking Ash's hand.
Ash chuckled nervously, scratching his head with his free hand. "Yeah, I got the message." Bianca smirked at Ash, who added, "She definitely made it clear anyway." He glanced at Latias, who was hanging on the edge of the stone fence surrounding the fountain.
"That's understandable," Lorenzo remarked, finally letting go of Ash's hand. The raven haired man chuckled nervously as the last few hours or so replayed in his mind. It suddenly got quiet, uncomfortably so.
"Are you alright m'boy?" Lorenzo questioned him as Ash snapped to attention.
"Uh, yeah! Just got a lot on my mind." Ash said quickly enough.
Bianca, noticing the tension, decided to change the topic. "You know what we all need? A nice meal together." She turned to Lorenzo. "How about we go out for dinner tonight?"
The older man brushed his beard with intrigue. "Do you have a place in mind?" Lorenzo asked.
Bianca nodded eagerly. "Yes! There's this new place called Trattoria Amore. They specialize in Italian cuisine. I think you'll love it." She looked at Ash, who nodded enthusiastically.
Ash grinned, feeling more comfortable. "I actually heard about a place with that name in Lumiose City. Funny there's another one here."
"It might just be a coincidence," Lorenzo said thoughtfully, scratching his chin.
Lorenzo sighed, rubbing his back. "I've got to do something before I go that way, so why don't you all explore the town in the meantime? There's plenty of new places to see." He looked at Latias expectantly who trilled happily. She floated up out of the fountain, shaking off the excess water from her smooth, feathery form. Then her form shimmered and shifted until a carbon copy of Bianca was seen with the only noticeable difference being her eyes.
Speaking of eyes, she captured Ash's own as she strode up to him. 'I've seen some of these new spots, but there is an old spot I want to visit. Should bring up some memories.' Latias telepathically sent his way as she grabbed the man's hand.
"H- Hey…" He protested, but didn't resist her gentle yet forceful tug that pulled him along.
Ash was being pulled away as Latias moved toward the back entrance of the garden. Lorenzo chuckled softly before turning to Bianca. "And what are your plans?" he asked.
Bianca watched them for a moment before sighing. "I think I'll follow them to make sure they stay out of trouble."
Lorenzo gave a small smile. "Promise you'll be careful, and I'll catch up with you all later, okay?" he said, tapping his cane.
Bianca nodded and smiled back. "Of course! But maybe you should take it easy too. Your back has been bothering you a lot lately."
Lorenzo grunted in agreement, rubbing his back. "It really has…"
Bianca hesitated. "I could stay and help you."
He shook his head. "No need. You're young, go enjoy yourself. Time waits for no one."
"If you're sure…" she said, trailing off as Lorenzo waved her away.
"I'll be fine," he reassured her. She waved back and turned to leave.
As Bianca walked a few feet, she heard a rustling in the branches above. A yellow blur darted through the trees. "Pika!" he squeaked victoriously as he leaped toward Bianca, who caught him in surprise.
"Pika-pi!" Pikachu nuzzled against her chest as she hugged him.
"Ash is going to miss you, you know?" she said. Pikachu nodded, and Bianca set him down. He quickly ran ahead, with Bianca following close behind.
Lorenzo sighed. "To be young again…" He cursed his aching back, feeling the weight of many years bearing down on him in the twilight of his life.
At times like this, Lorenzo hoped that Bianca would eventually meet someone and have a fulfilling life. 'I won't be here forever. I just want everything to work out,' he thought, humming to himself.
"Can't just stand here all day…" he said aloud.
'So why are you?' The question was clear as day, though no one seemed to be nearby.
"Hrm? Latios?" the older man questioned as the eon Pokémon indeed appeared, with his sister trailing close behind.
'Yeah, it's me,' Latios said, as his sister thrust her head forward.
'And don't forget me!' she added with a giggle.
Lorenzo had been surprised just five years prior when these two had miraculously appeared. Initially, he thought their arrival would complicate things. However, he couldn't have been more wrong. The new siblings had managed to keep Latias out of her depression and had made things easier overall. He greatly appreciated them both, and it eased his heart to bond with the new Latios, though he felt slightly guilty thinking of him that way. The last thing he wanted was to fully replace the other Latios he had known for so many years.
"I don't think I could forget either of you. So, would you like to help me along?" he asked, and the two eons eagerly nodded and assisted him to his destination.
~Pokemon Center~
Sato breathed a sigh of relief as he flopped onto the bunk bed in his rented room. The cushion squeaked annoyingly as his thoughts piled up, boggling his mind. He had finally battled his hero, the man he had always looked up to.
So, why did it feel like it wasn't enough? Sato knew he had done his best with what he had. Chameleon had fought tooth and claw to do the damage it managed against the croc. If the battle with Ash had gone that way, who was he kidding himself about for the tournament he had signed up for? Everything had led up to this, and the more he heard about his potential opponents like Kuro and the legendary Tobias, the more it seemed like a pipe dream to force himself to compete against such insurmountable odds.
'Ash wouldn't give up…' That much was certainly true and undeniable. But Sato had to admit that Ash was a seasoned trainer, while he had barely scraped by getting his third badge after no fewer than ten attempts against Whitney. Sure, he had trained his team a lot more thanks to those nine losses, and he might be a step closer to his dream, but that step felt minuscule compared to what lay ahead.
His thoughts shifted to his brother, a successful trainer who had given him a Pokémon that had been more of a hassle than a help. It could utterly decimate other trainers, but only when it deemed them worthy opponents, often going too far.
'Compared to him…'
He didn't want to finish that thought. The very idea of being compared to his brother in every circumstance weighed heavily on him. Sato's mother often pushed him to be just like his brother, and the young teen had worked hard to achieve something ideal, whatever that was supposed to mean. His father wasn't around often, always working hard to support them.
They both wanted what was best for him, but he never understood exactly how to get there. The stress was palpable, as was his yearning to achieve a goal that always seemed out of reach, much like his brother. It really put him on an imaginary pedestal.
'And that could be my fault…' Sato wouldn't speak up about the problems he was having. Stressing himself to the maximum of his burdens was his way of life, and every day he didn't push further beyond himself from the day before felt like another failure.
When he watched a match on television or the internet, he'd get so excited. The action, the power on display, and the drive to win it all or go home with nothing made him starstruck. Especially when Ash Ketchum came on the scene. His first league run had put him in the top 16, and he was the underdog for sure. Sato had rooted for him all the way, but when Ash didn't win, it felt like a slight against all the underdogs out there.
Yet, Ash didn't stop climbing his way up the ladder. He continued to push on and had a great run at the Silver Conference. Sato and his brother had watched it with gleaming eyes and wide smiles until those smiles turned into frowns. Even then, Ash continued on, and the Hoenn League came around. That was the most ridiculous one yet! Losing to a Meowth in boots! Ha! Ash's placing kept improving, and he still moved forward.
One of the most controversial losses in Ash's career hit like a truck. Sato denied it all the way. He hated how Tobias, this random guy, just happened to have two legendaries. What a cheap victory! The fanbase had ultimately chosen to call it a fluke, and still, Ash had gone the furthest he'd ever had before.
An inspiration to many by this point, Sato felt like maybe he could live up to those aspirations as long as his hero could move on after each loss. When the Unova League happened, everyone just forgot about it. Who'd want to remember something like that anyway? Just another thing. Sato felt miserable just thinking about it.
'What a headache,' he thought, pushing it away.
Once in a lifetime, they said, a miracle could happen. And it did, right in time for the ultimate contest of skill and raw determination. The Kalos League had crowned a new champion: Ash Ketchum! Sato and his brother couldn't believe it. Although they were watching from different places, they both saw the incredible moment. Greninja had taken down Alain's Charizard with a final attack so devastating that it rocked the stadium. The Blast Burn had choked just before it could hit Greninja, sealing the victory.
The two were ecstatic, feeling excitement rush through their veins. This was what being a trainer was all about: struggling until hard work paid off, making everything fall into perspective. It felt good to see the underdog finally reach his pinnacle—a pinnacle that Sato could only dream of achieving himself.
'I'll get there one day. I know it!' Those thoughts were seeds waiting to bear fruit in his mind.
Turning over, the young teen rested his head on a soft pillow and let sleep slowly take over. Soon enough, he was fast asleep, with dreams larger than life taking hold.
~Inner-City Altomare~
Gazing out at a familiar scene, Ash and Latias stood on a balcony overlooking the place where they had first met. Everything looked just as it had before, as if time hadn't left its mark on the surroundings. The water pump stood next to the grate, and children were playing frisbee in the square below. It felt like a moment frozen in time, where all was right with the world. Latias held Ash's hand tightly, both of them basking in the warmth of the breeze. Latias wore a smile that could melt even the coldest heart, turning it into a beacon of love.
She gently tugged him away from the balcony, and he happily followed her lead. Together, they settled on a bench, Latias snuggling up next to Ash, emitting a sigh of contentment.
'Do you remember when you saved me from Annie and Oakley the first time?' Latias asked Ash, nuzzling his neck, to which he responded by resting his chin in her soft hair.
"Yeah. We ran for what felt like forever. There were so many twists and turns, we're lucky to have given them the slip!" he replied, his tone reflecting a mix of reluctance to recall such a time yet acknowledging it nonetheless.
Latias giggled. 'It was scary, but also exciting. I was running with such a cute boy!' She grinned, cuddling Ash even more tightly. 'And now you're back, and we can do this all over again! Without the danger, anyway,' the eon added with a happy trill.
Ash nodded, gently disentangling his hand from hers and wrapping his arm around Latias' shoulder. A wave of affectionate feelings passed between them, making each other happier with every passing second. 'I wanted to do this with you... to hold you and cuddle until the stars showed high in the sky,' she murmured softly into his mind.
Ash hesitated, his thoughts swirling with the weight of unspoken words. Latias had confessed her love, and while he felt something profound for her, he struggled to articulate it. The adventure and thrill of his journey had always been his focus, but now, in this moment of calm, he was confronted with feelings he couldn't ignore.
"I… I did too. I was just too blinded by the adventure. Just a dumb kid when I was passing through." He rubbed her shoulder gently, earning a soft coo from Latias.
But Ash hadn't said everything he wanted to say. The words were right there, but he couldn't bring himself to say them. Did he love her back? Why was it so hard to express? Grimacing inwardly, he tightened his hold on Latias. She turned to him, worry etched on her face.
'Is something the matter?'
Ash looked into her honey-gold eyes and shook his head. "No. At least, I don't think there is."
Latias let out a small cry, nuzzling him. 'Do you want to talk about it?' she asked softly.
Ash paused, thinking earnestly about her question. Her head continued brushing his neck, eliciting a sharp intake of breath and a bit of laughter. His thoughts continued to gnaw at him, but he decided to quash them for now.
"No. I'm not ready to speak on it quite yet, but when I am, I'll let you know." He replied, hoping to reassure her.
Latias nodded, her eyes gentle. 'Take as much time as you need. We'll have plenty of that to go around.' She wiggled her eyebrows playfully, adding, 'And more fun…' She trailed off, watching him blush a light pink.
"R- Right." He stammered, scratching his head with his free hand.
At this moment, Ash felt lighter than he had in a long time. The comfort of Latias and the charm of Altomare were exactly what he needed. Everything he had gone through had led to this moment, and while unexpected, it was something he deeply appreciated.
"Thanks, Latias…" He trailed off, leaning against her, content to sit back and enjoy this time. Latias merely accepted the thanks happily, glad to have him there.
From behind the nearest corner, Pikachu poked his head out. Seeing Ash and Latias on the bench, he smiled earnestly. "Pika chaaa..." he trailed off, his sensitive ears picking up the sound of footsteps approaching.
Bianca appeared behind Pikachu, grinning at the tender scene before her. 'I'll have to bring this up later,' she thought, then leaned down to the electric rodent. She scooped him up, and Pikachu didn't protest, snuggling into her hold.
"We'll go get some ice cream and let them enjoy themselves," she whispered. Pikachu nodded in agreement, and the two departed the scene as swiftly as they had arrived.
Latias sighed, 'I wish this could last forever.' She felt Ash's hand falter, his hand moving away from her shoulder.
"It can, but you might have to... come with me." Latias' eyes widened a little and she moved away from him slightly. He felt a twinge of worry. "But I wouldn't force you to. It would be up to you." She stood up, moving to the balcony.
Latias wasn't sure if she was nervous, happy, sad, or just unsure of that possibility. She had never known anything beyond Altomare. Could she go with Ash and leave this place?
Ash walked closer to her, cupping her hand in both of his. "I'm going to be here for two weeks. I'm exploring this idea just as much as you are and..." He trailed off, letting go of her hand entirely to take off his backpack.
Latias, in the form of Bianca's twin lookalike, was surprised as Ash pulled out a familiar cylindrical container. He unscrewed the lid and turned it upside down. A piece of paper slowly slid out into his other hand.
He smiled at her, "You know, I thought about you and Bianca a lot more than either of you probably knew." He unrolled the now familiar painting, and Latias was practically tearing up by this point.
"This really meant a lot to me," Ash said, showing her the picture of him and Pikachu looking quite happy together. Latias felt warm knowing that he had kept it for so long.
Ash smiled, "I wasn't sure which one of you actually made it. I wanted to ask, but you left so quickly." Latias clutched her shirt, one hand covering her mouth, tears flowing freely.
Ash gasped and moved toward her again, pulling her into a hug. "I didn't mean to make you cry…"
Latias shook her head, 'I made it…' Her voice echoed in his mind, clear and emotional. She looked into his brown eyes, 'You have no idea how good it feels…' She trailed off before continuing, 'To know that you treasured it for so long.' Before she could think about what else to say, Latias closed the gap between them and pressed her lips to his, a gentle and heartfelt kiss that spoke volumes.
Sparks flew inside her brain, and it felt wonderful. A heavy blush spread across her cheeks as she moved to grasp Ash's neck, threading one of her hands through his jet-black hair.
They stayed like that, lost in the moment, under the bright blue skies. Latias began to feel something else poke her thigh, causing her to open her eyes wide.
'So, you must really like this form? Or is it because of Bianca?' she asked, her voice teasing in his mind. Ash turned redder than usual.
"Well, I uhh…" He stammered, trying to find the right words.
She put a finger to his lips, silencing him gently. 'It's okay, Ash. I understand.' Her eyes sparkled with affection as she continued, 'It's still me, no matter what form I take.'
Ash nodded, relief washing over him. "I know. And I like you for who you are, not just how you look." The words had tumbled out faster than his mind could catch them and Latias hoped to hear those treasured words follow with something more, but a loud pop followed by a woosh would sound off as a bright flash gave form to Bayleef.
Bayleef saw the scene before her and it utterly horrified the grass type. Letting out a shrill gasp of pure shock as the tears began to run down her face, she ran off leaving the two completely blindsided. This had happened so quickly that Ash was still processing it, but Latias seemed curious about that sudden event.
'Erm… What was that about, Ash?'
Ash felt compelled to explain himself. "She's always been like this. Anytime another woman even talked to me, she'd get aggressive." Latias tensed at his words, her eyes narrowing slightly.
'So, you've been around other women?' she asked, her voice a mixture of curiosity and mild irritation.
Ash shook his head quickly, his hands waving in a dismissive gesture. "Not like this. Definitely not like this!" he assured her.
Latias's posture relaxed, a gentle smile spreading across her face. 'That's good... You shouldn't be with just anyone. It should be someone special, someone who truly understands you,' her thoughts echoed warmly in his mind.
Ash's thoughts stuttered to a halt. "Special...?"
Latias nodded, her hand reaching out to grasp his. Her touch was light, yet it sent a wave of reassurance through him. 'I gave my heart to you. I wouldn't want anyone else in the world. But I'm not familiar with human traditions. If someone else loved you as much as I do, I'd be willing to share,' she added with a playful yet sincere smile. 'As long as everyone agreed.'
She then looked around with a sense of urgency. 'We should find her quickly.'
Before Ash could respond, Latias enveloped them in a soft, glowing light, and in an instant, they were teleported to the docks. The world blurred for a moment before snapping back into focus, the salty sea air hitting Ash's senses.
"Woah! I'll never get used to that," Ash said, trying to steady himself on the uneven wooden planks of the dock. The transition left him slightly disoriented, but Latias's soft giggle brought him back to the moment. Her laughter was like a gentle melody, easing his nerves as he found his footing.
Latias pointed to the right. 'You go that way. I'll look over here.' She didn't wait for his reply and headed off, her determination clear.
She already knew where to look. Being a psychic had its advantages. She walked purposefully into the back alley not too far from where she'd teleported herself and Ash. Almost immediately, she spotted the forlorn figure of Bayleef, her leaf drooping low.
Bayleef stood there, her head hanging. She had seen Ash with admirers before, but this time it stung more than usual. Her leaf was practically touching the ground, reflecting her mood. 'Surely, he would notice me someday, right?' she thought, feeling a wave of sadness wash over her.
Latias approached Bayleef quietly, reaching out to touch the little dinosaur on the back of her neck. Bayleef jolted in shock, spinning around to face her.
"Who or what are you?!" Bayleef's thoughts spilled out audibly, her eyes wide with surprise. "What is this?!"
Latias withdrew her hand and spoke calmly. "It's a force field. We can speak on even terms here. It takes a lot of energy to maintain this, so I usually keep the translation part off when I do other activities." She leaned back slightly, offering a friendly smile. "I'm a Pokemon too. Latias is my name. Nice to meet you." She extended her hand towards Bayleef.
Bayleef hesitated for a moment, her eyes narrowing in suspicion before she cautiously reached out and shook Latias's hand. "Latias? I've heard of you. You're one of those legendary Pokemon."
Latias nodded. "Yes, I am. And I know you're Bayleef, one of Ash's closest friends. I can sense your feelings for him."
Bayleef's eyes widened again, this time with a mixture of hope and fear. "You can? Then you know how much I care for him."
Bayleef looked at Latias in astonishment. "Wait! Does Ash already know?" she asked, her voice tinged with surprise and a hint of fear.
Latias nodded, much to Bayleef's further amazement.
Bayleef's gaze dropped, her expression turning sorrowful. "But that would mean that I wouldn't have had to..." She trailed off, unable to finish her sentence.
Latias tilted her head in confusion. "To? What?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
Bayleef hesitated, the weight of her guilt pressing down on her. She had taken advantage of Ash in a moment of overwhelming desire, and now, facing Latias, the reality of her actions was inescapable. Latias sensed her reluctance and gently encouraged her. "Please, if I can help you, I will. But you need to tell me, especially if Ash is involved."
The barrier Latias had created made it impossible for Bayleef to hide the truth. With a heavy sigh, she finally confessed. "Well, I may have taken advantage of him..." She trailed off, her voice barely a whisper.
Latias' eyes narrowed in concern. "Taken advantage of him? How? Why?" she pressed, wanting to understand the full extent of what had happened.
Bayleef felt herself shrinking under Latias' scrutiny. "You're a Psychic-type, right?" she asked. Latias nodded. Bayleef looked away, her voice filled with shame. "Just look into my memory..." she said awkwardly.
Latias hesitated but then reached out to touch Bayleef's head, delving into her memories. The landscape around them shifted, and they were transported to a familiar-looking hotel room. In the memory, a desperate Bayleef, overwhelmed by her heat, sat on a couch with Ash, who seemed to be trying to calm her down.
The next few minutes flew by in a blur. The memory showed Bayleef using her Attract move on Ash, compelling him against his will. The scene faded, leaving Latias to pull her hand back, her expression one of disgust and disappointment.
"So, that's how... You used Attract?" Latias said, her voice cold.
Bayleef couldn't meet her gaze, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I did... It felt right at the time, but now I just feel awful. It's like I need a crutch just to be with him," she confessed, her voice breaking with frustration and regret.
The jealousy and shame Bayleef felt were palpable. Latias, her expression intense and unforgiving, crossed her arms. "Apologize," she stated firmly.
Without thinking, Bayleef immediately replied, "I'm sorry…" Her voice trembled, but Latias shook her head.
"No! Not to me. To him. You should tell him everything!" Latias insisted, her tone firm and unyielding.
Bayleef's eyes widened in shock. "W-What?! But he'll hate me!" The thought of confessing such a grave mistake to Ash was terrifying.
Latias' eyes softened, but only a little. "That's a chance you have to take. I know Ash is a good person, and so do you. Maybe he'll forgive you." She then looked away, adding with a hint of sternness, "If you don't tell him yourself though… I won't forgive you."
Bayleef was struck by Latias's stern look, which worried her beyond comprehension. 'If I don't tell Ash, she might,' Bayleef thought to herself, but then realized that Latias had heard that slip as well, thanks to the barrier.
Latias' brow furrowed at Bayleef's internal admission. Bayleef dipped her head in understanding, knowing she had been caught. As Latias let down the barrier, she stepped toward Bayleef and patted her on the head, a gesture that was both reassuring and insistent. Latias then leaned her head toward the exit of the area, signaling for Bayleef to follow.
Bayleef got to her hoof-like feet, and together they walked away from that secluded spot. One was filled with hopeful determination, while the other was consumed with worry and uncertainty about how things would turn out. But Latias wasn't going to dwell on that right now. She was looking forward to the evening, where she had a certain plan for Mr. Ash Ketchum.
As they moved through the quiet streets, Latias' thoughts drifted to Ash. The sun had dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm, golden hue over Altomare. The thought of spending time with Ash later filled her with a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. She knew that tonight was important, not just for her, but for Ash and their evolving relationship even though she had jumped the gun.
Bayleef, on the other hand, was silent, her mind racing. Each step felt heavier than the last. The prospect of confessing to Ash filled her with dread, but Latias' words resonated within her. Ash deserved to know the truth, and Bayleef knew that she had to face the consequences of her actions. With each passing moment, she steeled herself for the difficult conversation ahead, hoping against hope that Ash's forgiving nature would prevail.
~Meanwhile~
Ash was sitting on a bench, feeling a bit tired from all the searching he had been doing. To help with the task, he had sent Pidgeot out to scout the area. He hoped to hear back from his friend soon enough, but instead, an unexpected delight arrived—an ice cream cone appeared right in front of his face.
He looked up to find both Pikachu and Bianca standing there, smiling. Grinning back, he took the offered ice cream cone as Bianca sat down beside him.
"Thanks, Bianca," he said, his gratitude evident. Bianca smiled, closing her eyes and savoring the gentle breeze that swept through the area.
"How'd you know?" she asked, watching Pikachu hop off her shoulder.
Bianca continued, "You should be a bit more careful with this little guy. He could have gotten lost."
Ash chuckled softly. "Well, I already knew where he was. I even knew who you were despite your twin. I recognized La- ow! What was that for?" He questioned, rubbing his arm where she pinched him. Bianca looked around at the people walking through the plaza.
Bianca's eyes narrowed. "Them." She arched her eyes with an inquisitive look. "I'm still wondering about how you knew?"
Ash grinned and eagerly replied, "I've picked up on a few things since I left here. I can see other people's and Pokémon's aura." He looked at Bianca, and she saw his eyes glow slightly, feeling a warm sensation in his presence.
He elaborated, "It's something I've been able to do since I met Lucario a while back." He finished nonchalantly.
"Though there are some cases where a Pokémon can hide their aura. Like right now, Bayleef is hiding from me and thus hiding her aura." Ash took a lick of the slowly melting ice cream cone before continuing, "Sometimes Pokémon can subconsciously hide themselves when they don't want to be found. I saw Pikachu's aura the moment that me and La-" His mouth was suddenly covered by Bianca's hand. His eyes widened in surprise as he mumbled an apology for the repeat offense.
Bianca removed her hand and nodded for him to continue, "and your twin had come home." Ash explained. Bianca nodded in understanding, watching as Ash began to really enjoy his ice cream.
"That's why I didn't initially worry, because I knew he was fine and I asked her." Ash finished and Bianca nodded approvingly at the young man.
"Chuuuu…" Pikachu trailed off in contented happiness, his cheeks sparking slightly as he nuzzled closer to Ash.
Bianca was impressed with how much Ash had changed from the boy she and Latias had met long ago. Back then, he had been brash and impulsive, but now he exuded a sense of calm strength. His maturity was evident, and it made her blush as she turned to look away, trying to hide the warmth spreading across her cheeks.
'I just can't believe it,' she thought to herself.
"Speaking of fine. Hey!" He shouted, seeing Latias approaching them with Bayleef close behind.
"And she brought a friend," Bianca noticed the dinosaur following her. Latias nodded, while Bayleef looked down at the ground. Ash, surprised, nodded in acknowledgment.
"Gotcha," He smiled, glad to see them. Turning to Latias and Bayleef, he continued, "Still, I'm glad to see you both made it back okay. I'm happy that you're doing better, Bayleef."
Just then, a familiar sound came from above.
"Pidgeo!" Pidgeot called out while slowly floating down with small flaps of his large wings. He looked a bit frustrated, indicating that Latias's barrier had worked well. Latias silently celebrated that her abilities had been effective, even against such a sharp bird.
Bayleef leaned into Ash as he petted her. He couldn't place it, but for some reason, this felt familiar and made him blush. 'That's weird… It's like this anytime I'm around her too.' The feeling wasn't normal, and it bothered him.
Latias frowned a little, just a bit jealous that Bayleef was still getting attention from Ash despite what she'd done. But she let it slide, knowing she would get everything out in the open once they had the time. Ash finished petting Bayleef and called both Pidgeot and Bayleef back to their Pokéballs.
Ash moved over to let Latias have a seat next to him. "May as well enjoy the last part of the day with us," he said. Latias snuggled right up to him.
Knowing what had been done to him bothered her, but she was determined to right that wrong. Tonight would be a wonderful time for her and Ash. She glanced at Bianca while thinking about this.
As the sun began to sink below the buildings, the group of four watched with awe. Though it was colder than they had anticipated, Ash felt warm with Bianca pressed up against him and Pikachu sitting on his head. It was a great day.
'I'm the luckiest guy on the planet,' Ash thought to himself. His ice cream had completely melted away, covering his hand in a sticky residue, forgotten in the moment.
~Beach Side~
Well, it was official. For Koro, at the very least, the day was basically the worst. Sure, for most it was a perfectly fine and normal day, but his day was ruined. He made his way down the beach side, watching the salty water lap at the shoreline. His spirits had been high in the prospect of his career as a trainer, but not so since his last meeting with that man. That horrible man…
'It was too good to be true… It's always shitty luck.' Koro stepped shakily forward, the sand below sucking up his boot as he lifted the right one up and took the grains with the inlay of his under soles into the air.
They spilled back to the untainted sand below and a small group of Krabby watched him in what appeared to be awe. He merely continued his self-deprecating walk without paying them any mind. He'd been needing something to uplift his career and this tournament was the first opportunity.
Koro took a particularly harsh step, sinking a bit more than usual and fell forward into the sand. His jacket flew up, harsh granulated sand covered his body while his face felt the full effect head on. Pain. A slight amount, but there nonetheless. Shaking slightly on the ground, he moved his arms and pushed off the sandy beach. Brow furrowed, the older teen grunted while spitting out the sand that found its way inside his mouth.
Unpleasant thoughts rushed through his mind, but nothing particularly new. 'It's unfair…'
Was Arceus himself going to come down and smite him next? Koro wouldn't put this past the ethereal god though there was no sign that Pokemon would ever come back to this planet or if he even existed to begin with. Maybe the Pokedex was just playing guessing games and the thing was merely a drawing. Still, Koro kind of wished it would happen so he could escape this cruel reality he was living through.
'Like he'd ever spare me…' That's just not the hand Koro was dealt. Standing on his two feet again, his gaze shifted to the city. Brushing his hands through his hair and getting rid of more offending sand particles, he moved on. Perhaps he would be able to push these thoughts aside with a long walk.
~End of Chapter~
Legacy of Time: And finally, this one is redone. Hopefully all of you will let me know what you think of it in the reviews below! Stay tuned for more.