The Bond

by purpleshard5

Ash is made aware of Latias's continued suffering and goes to comfort her. In the process, he realizes his true feelings for her and goes on an epic journey to become a Latios. He wants to be with Latias as more than a friend, something he can't do as a human. Altoshipping.

29. A New Visitor

Chapter 29: A New Visitor.

The morning sun had barely begun to rise when the group stirred, the quiet hum of the lab's machinery the only sound that broke the early dawn's silence. Delia had already started to pack her things, her movements precise and efficient. Brock, ever the early bird, had finished his packing and was now double-checking his supplies, making sure he had everything he needed for the journey ahead.

In the room Brock and Misty had shared, Misty sat up in bed, yawning and stretching her arms out wide, her hair cascading around her like a fiery halo. "Getting ready to go, huh?" she asked her roommate, her voice still thick with sleep.

Brock looked up from his pack, a sad smile playing on his lips. "Yeah," he said, his eyes scanning the room one last time. "I have to get back to Pewter City, check in on the gym."

Misty nodded, a hint of sadness in her eyes as she watched him. "I've got to go back to Cerulean City, too," she said. "My gym isn't going to run itself."

Both trainers had felt the pull of their responsibilities, the weight of the lives they had left behind. But as they sat there, in the soft light of the early morning, the gravity of what Ash had done weighed on their hearts. They had seen the transformation, and had felt the power of the Eon Pokémon bond. It was a secret they could never fully share with anyone else, a burden that was both awe-inspiring and terrifying.

"Can you believe it?" Brock murmured, his voice a soft rumble that seemed to echo in the stillness. "Ash...he's a Pokémon now."

Misty sighed, rubbing at her eyes. "I know," she replied, her voice thick with a mix of wonder and sadness. "I've seen him battle with the best of them, save the world more times than I can count, but this...this is just..." She trailed off, at a loss for words. "I mean, I knew he'd go far, especially for the sake of Pokémon, but I never thought he'd go this far."

Brock nodded solemnly. "He's always had a special bond with Pokémon, though," he said. "This is just...different."

Misty felt a pang in her chest, one that she couldn't quite place. It was a feeling that was as uncomfortable as it was foreign. Jealousy, she realized with a start. Jealousy of what Ash had found in Latias. It wasn't that she didn't want him to be happy—she did, with all her heart. But she couldn't help but feel a twinge of something as she watched them together. They were so in sync, so connected, it was as if they had been together for a lifetime, not just a few short months.

And yet, she knew that she couldn't hold onto that feeling. This was Ash's path now, a destiny that had been laid before him by fate and the whims of the Pokémon world. It was a journey she couldn't follow, no matter how much she wanted to. With a sigh, her eyes fall on her own bag, half-packed and seemingly mocking her with its emptiness.

After a quick breakfast, the group gathers outside Professor Oak's lab. The air is thick with unspoken goodbyes, the warmth of the morning sun doing little to ease the chill in the atmosphere. Brock shoulders his pack, his expression a mix of sadness and determination. He looks at Ash, then at Latias, his eyes lingering for a moment before he turns away. "I'll see you both later," he says, his voice gruff.

Misty steps forward, clasping Brock's hand. "Take care," she said. "And don't get into too much trouble without us."

Brock squeezed her hand gently before letting go, his eyes shifting to Ash and Latias. "You too, you two," he said, his voice thick with unspoken meaning. "And if you ever need anything, you know where to find me."

With that, he turned and began to walk down the path that led out of Pallet Town. The dirt crunched under his shoes, the early morning dew leaving a trail of wet prints that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight. As he disappeared around the bend, Misty felt a tear slip down her cheek, her heart heavy with the weight of goodbye.

But she didn't let it show. Instead, she turned to Ash, her eyes shining with a fierce determination. "You know," she said, hefting her bag onto her shoulder. "You should come visit me in Cerulean City sometime. I'm sure Gyarados would love to battle you."

Ash nodded, his own eyes alight with the fire of challenge. "I'd like that," he said. "Maybe I'll get a chance to show him how much I've learned."

Misty's smile grew a little wider at his words. It was a promise, one that she knew he would keep. "You better," she said. "But for now, I've got a gym to run. I'll be waiting to hear about your adventures."

With a final nod, she turned to go, her eyes lingering on Pikachu for just a moment. He looked up at her, his tiny face filled with a mix of sadness and understanding. He knew she had to go, just like the others. With a silent goodbye, she began to walk away, her steps measured and deliberate.

The knock on the lab door was sudden, a sharp sound that echoed through the quiet lab. Delia poked her head out of the room, a look of mild surprise on her face. "I'll get it," she called out, walking quickly to the door. She pulled it open, revealing the figure of a young man with spiky hair and a determined look in his eyes.

"Gary," Delia said, her voice a mix of surprise and recognition. "What are you doing here?"

Ash felt his heart leap into his throat. He had hoped to avoid this encounter, but it seemed fate had other plans. He looked down at Latias, who nodded in understanding, and together, they willed themselves to become invisible. The power of their bond surging through them, they faded from view, their forms blending seamlessly with the shadows of the room.

Gary stepped inside, his eyes sweeping the room. "Hi, Mrs. Ketchum," he said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "I was just passing through and thought I'd stop by to visit Grandpa."

Delia stepped aside, allowing him to enter. "He's in the back, working on something," she said, her voice tight. "But you're welcome to wait in the living room."

Gary nodded, his eyes scanning the room as he made his way in. "Thanks," he said, his gaze finally settling on Pikachu. "Well, if it isn't the electric mouse," he sneered, his smugness evident. "Guess that means Ashy boy is around here somewhere."

The little Pokémon's cheeks puffed up in indignation, and he let out a sharp, "Pika!" that echoed through the room.

Gary's smile grew wider. "Ah, so he is, huh?" he said, his voice filled with a mix of amusement and contempt. "I wonder if he's gotten any better at battling."

Ash's breathing hitched. The rivalry that had fueled so much of their childhood, the competitive spirit that had pushed him to become a better trainer, now felt so trivial in the face of the profound bond he shared with Latias. He had transcended the limitations of a mere trainer—he was something more, something beyond the confines of what anyone else could ever understand.

Delia looked at Gary, her expression a mask of calmness that didn't quite hide the concern in her eyes. "Actually, sweetheart," she began, her voice firm. "I don't think it's a good idea for you two to battle right now."

Gary raised an eyebrow, his smugness unshaken. "Oh, come on," he said, his tone light. "I just want to see if he's learned anything from all his gallivanting around the region. Besides," he added with a smirk. "It's not like he has any chance of beating me."

But even as the words left his mouth, the air around him grew heavy, the tension palpable. He couldn't explain it, but something felt...off. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, and he had the sudden, unshakeable feeling that he was being watched. He spun around, his eyes scanning the room, but there was nothing there.

"Pika, Pikachu," Pikachu squeaked, his voice filled with agitation.

Ash, still invisible, gritted his teeth, his annoyance growing with each one of Gary's taunts. Yet, he remained silent, hidden from view. His heart raced, the human emotions of anger and competitiveness bubbling just beneath the surface of his newfound Latios form. He had come so far, grown in ways he never thought possible, and yet here was his old rival, poking fun at him as if he was still the same little kid from Pallet Town.

Gary's eyes narrowed, and he called out, "What's the matter, Ash? Have you become so scared of losing that you've resorted to hiding behind your mom?" His voice was laced with mockery, each syllable cutting through the silence like a knife.

Delia's eyes flashed with anger. "That's enough, Gary," she said, her voice firm and unyielding. "You've always had a cruel streak, but this isn't the time or the place for it."

Gary's smirk faltered, but he didn't back down. "What's the matter, Mrs. Ketchum?" he taunted. "Is your little champion too scared to face me?"

It was not Ash or Delia who responded. Instead, the room was filled with a sudden blast of wind, knocking over a lamp and sending papers flying. Before anyone could react, a form materialized from the shadows in a shower of blue sparks—Latias, her eyes blazing with an intensity that made even the sun seem dim. With a powerful surge of energy, she slammed into Gary, tackling him to the floor. The impact was so forceful that it sent a shockwave through the room, knocking the air out of the trainer's lungs.

"Latias, no!" Ash's voice was a desperate cry as he rushed forward to intercede. But Latias was beyond reason, her eyes a whirl of anger and pain.

Her feathers bristled as she leaned over the stunned Gary, her sharp teeth bared. "You dare," she hissed, her voice filled with a fury that seemed to shake the very air. "You dare mock the one who has given up everything for me?"

Gary looked up at her, his smugness gone, replaced by shock and a touch of fear. "What...what are you?" he managed to sputter out, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Latias leaned in closer, her eyes narrowing. "I am the one who loves Ash" she hissed. "I am the one who he gave up his human life to be with. And if you ever dare to speak about him like that again, I will show you the true power of an Eon Pokémon."

Gary's eyes widened as he tried to process the words he didn't understand, but he recognized the fierceness in this Pokémon's stance. Then, as if a lightbulb had gone off in his head, he looked at the Pokémon straddling him and realized who she was. "Latias," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "But...how?"

It was then that Ash-Latios appeared before him, his form solidifying as he pulled Latias away from the stunned rival. "Latias, please," he pleaded, his voice filled with a mix of love and desperation. "This isn't the way."

Her eyes flickered from rage to confusion as she looked at Ash-Latios, then back to the man on the floor. "But he..." she began, her voice trailing off.

Ash stepped closer, his form radiating comfort as he wrapped his arms around her. "It's okay," he murmured, his voice a gentle purr. "Gary's always been like this with me. It's just who he is."

Latias's anger subsided, the fiery rage in her eyes dimming to a gentle glow as she nuzzled closer to him. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice filled with regret.

Ash-Latios stroked her back gently, his eyes filled with understanding. "It's okay," he said. "I know you were just defending me."

Latias took a deep breath, her form trembling slightly as she pulled away from his embrace. "I'm sorry," she murmured again. "I just...I can't stand it when people say those kinds of things about you. You're the bravest person I know."

Ash-Latios nodded, his gaze never leaving hers. "I know," he said. "And that's why I love you."

The room was silent for a moment, then, as if on cue, the door to the lab slammed open and Professor Oak's booming voice filled the space. "What on earth is going on here?"

Gary sat up slowly, his eyes still fixed on the duo before him. He had heard of the legend of the Eon Pokémon, but never had he imagined that they would be hovering in his grandfather's lab, looking at him with a mix of annoyance and rage. "I...I don't understand," he stammered, his mind racing to piece together what he was seeing.

Before he could say another word, Delia had stormed over, her hand raised. "That's for insulting my son!" she exclaimed, her palm connecting with the top of his head with a resounding thwack.

"Mom!" Ash protested, but his voice was drowned out by Pikachu's laughter.

Professor Oak looked from Delia to the stunned and slightly embarrassed Gary, his eyes narrowing. "Alright, again, what's going on here?" he demanded, his voice stern.

Gary rubbed the top of his head, looking slightly dazed. "I just wanted to challenge Ash," he mumbled, his earlier smugness gone. "But...but I didn't expect..." His eyes darted to the Eon Duo, and he swallowed hard.

Everyone else in the room looked at each other with a mix of surprise and uncertainty. It was clear that none of them had expected this turn of events. Delia took a deep breath, her hand dropping to her side. Oak blinked, looking slightly taken aback. He had never seen this side of Latias before, the fiery protectiveness that blazed through her like a comet.

"Gary," she began, her voice firm but gentle. "I think you should sit down."

Gary looked up at her, his eyes still wide with shock. He nodded slowly, still trying to comprehend what had just happened. He stood up and sat down in the nearest chair.

Ash took a deep breath, his resolve firm. He knew that keeping secrets would only lead to more misunderstandings. He turned to Professor Oak, who was watching the scene unfold with a mix of amazement and concern. "Professor," he said, his voice steady. "Could I borrow your translator again?"

Oak blinked, then nodded, understanding dawning in his eyes. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the device, handing it over to Ash without a word, who took it and placed it on his head, the metal prongs folding out to form a sleek headset. The device hummed to life, a soft blue light glowing from the microphones as the sides of the Latios's mouth.

"What...what is this?" Gary's voice was a mix of awe and skepticism as he stared at the headset.

"It's the Pokémon-Human Communication Interface," Professor Oak said, his voice filled with pride. "I've been working on it for years, and it appears that it's finally operational."

Gary stared at the headset in amazement, his mind racing with the implications. His grandpa had been working on this device for years, was it really working now? If it truly allowed a Pokémon to communicate with humans, it was a breakthrough that would change the very fabric of the Pokémon world. "So, this Latios can use it actually talk to us now?" he asked, his voice filled with disbelief.

Professor Oak nodded solemnly. "Yes, and there's actually more to this Latios than meets the eye," he said, his gaze lingering on Ash.

Gary's eyes darted from the professor to the Latios hovering before him, then back to the professor. "What do you mean?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Gary," Ash said, his voice clear and strong, the translator making each word resonate with a power that seemed to echo in the room. "It's been a long time since we've seen each other."

Gary stared at the Latios before him, his jaw practically on the floor. He knew that voice. That was Ash's voice, the same one that had called out as his and Gary's Pokémon competed in countless battles. But here it was, coming from the mouth of a creature that was more myth than reality to him. His mind raced to keep up with the revelation, his thoughts tangling together like a Growlithe in a bush.

"A-Ash?" he managed to choke out, his voice wavering as his eyes searched the room for his rival, unable to fathom that the familiar voice had come from the Latios.

"Yes," Ash-Latios replied, his gaze unwavering. "It's me." He lifted one of his feathery limbs, the moonstone-like claw glinting in the light. "I'm over here, Gary."

Gary's eyes darted from the graceful figure of Latios to the empty space beside him, his mind racing. This couldn't be real—his best friend and rival, now a legendary Pokémon? It was too much to take in. "But...how?" he stuttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Ash-Latios took a deep breath, his eyes drifting to the floor, the weight of the story heavy on his shoulders. "It's a long story," he began, his human voice a stark contrast to the ethereal form he now occupied. "It started when I came to Alto Mare for the Tour de Alto Mare." His voice grew softer, the words weaving a tale of adventure and friendship. "I met Latios and Latias here, and we became... close." He paused, his eyes flicking up to meet Latias's, who hovered protectively beside him. "When the city was in danger, when a tidal wave was going to destroy everything..."

Gary leaned in, his curiosity piqued. He had heard whispers of the event, the legend of the Eon Duo who had saved Alto Mare, but never had he imagined that Ash was involved. "What happened?" he asked, his voice hushed, the sneer from before forgotten.

Ash-Latios took a deep breath, the pain of the memory still fresh. "Latios made the ultimate sacrifice," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "He gave his life to save the city, to save everyone." The room was silent, the gravity of his words hanging in the air like a fog.

Gary felt his heart drop. He had always seen Ash as a rival, someone to beat, to prove himself against. But here he was, hearing a tale of sacrifice and love that went beyond any battle they had ever fought. "But you," he whispered, his voice cracking. "You're a Latios now?"

Ash nodded, regret in his eyes. Not regret for his decision to take on this new form, but for being so blind in the beginning. "After Latios passed, Latias was heartbroken," he said, his voice filled with pain. "I tried to be there for her, to help her through it. But in the end, I had to leave to continue my journey." His gaze drifted to the floor, the memory of that parting heavy in his heart. "I thought she'd be okay," he murmured. "I never knew she was suffering so much."

Latias looked away, her feathers drooping as she recalled the endless nights spent in the garden, the only solace the whispers of the moon's lullaby. But now, with Ash by her side, she felt a warmth spreading through her, a balm to the wound that had never truly healed. She leaned into him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Gary stared at the weeping Latias, his heart wrenching at the sight of the beautiful Pokémon in such distress. He had seen Pokémon in pain, in battles and in defeat, but never like this—so raw and unabated. It was a stark reminder that Pokémon had feelings, too, and that their lives were not just tools for human ambition.

Ash took a deep breath, the translator capturing the sorrow in his voice. "After I left, she started having these nightmares," he said, his eyes filled with pain. "They were so bad that they drew the attention of Darkrai."

Gary's eyes widened with horror. "The Pokémon of Nightmares?" he whispered, his voice trembling with the gravity of the situation.

Ash nodded gravely, his feathered head bobbing slightly. "Yes," he said, his voice a mix of relief and sadness. "But in a way, it was a blessing. Darkrai's empathy led him to Latias, and through her, to me. He saw the bond we shared and knew that I could help her in a way he couldn't." He paused, his eyes glazing over with the weight of the past. "He showed me her nightmares, the torment she faced each night."

Gary leaned forward, his curiosity burning brighter than a Charmander's tail. "But why didn't you just attack it?" he asked, his voice filled with the bravado of a young trainer who hadn't faced the full complexity of the Pokémon world. "And why did he seek to help Latias? Darkrai's got a reputation for feeding on fear, on the nightmares of people and Pokémon. Why didn't it just take advantage of her?"

Ash-Latios looked at him, his gaze filled with a mix of pity and frustration. "Gary," he said, his voice a gentle reprimand. "You've got it all wrong." He sighed, his human emotions resonating through the Pokémon form. "Darkrai isn't evil. He's just misunderstood. He's a creature of the night, yes, but he's also one of balance, ensuring that the world of dreams and reality don't collide unchecked."

Gary stared at him, his mind racing. It was hard to reconcile the fearsome creature he had heard about with the gentle words coming from Ash's lips. "But if that's true, why does he scare people?" he asked, his voice still a whisper.

"Because fear is what people expect," Ash-Latios said with a sigh. "They don't understand him. They only know the whispers of his power, the way he can manipulate the fabric of dreams. But he's more than that. He's a guardian of sorts, keeping the balance between the light and dark."

Gary leaned back, his mind racing. This was a side of the Pokémon world he had never considered before. "But how do you know all this?" he demanded, his voice shaking slightly. "How could you know what a creature like Darkrai is really like?"

Ash-Latios chuckled, the sound a melodious trill that filled the room. "Let's just say I've had some...unique experiences," he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he remembered the incident in Alamos Town. "But that's a story for another time." He paused, his gaze growing serious. "The important thing is that Darkrai helped me understand Latias's pain, and together, we figured out a way to save her from the nightmares."

Gary nodded, his mind racing with questions, but before he could ask another, something clicked. "You became a Latios to replace her brother?" he asked, his voice a mix of shock and accusation.

Latias's eyes flared with anger at the suggestion, and she hovered toward him, her form shimmering with a fiery aura. "How dare you," she growled, her voice low and menacing.

Ash-Latios held up a hand, his gaze firm. "Latias," he said, his voice a gentle command. She paused, her eyes searching his. He knew she was hurt, that she had been through so much. But he had to make her understand. "I didn't do this to replace Latios," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "I did it for us."

Gary looked at the pair, his expression a mix of confusion and concern. He hadn't understood the Latias's words, but what Ash said, "I did it for us." "But why?" he asked, his voice cracking. "Why would you become a Pokémon for her?"

Ash met his gaze, his eyes filled with a dedication and resolve that was unmistakable. "Because I love her," he said simply, his voice strong and clear despite the translator. The room fell silent as his words hung in the air, a declaration that resonated through the very fabric of the lab.

Gary stared at him, his mind racing with the implications. "But you're a human, Ash," he whispered, his voice thick with disbelief. "How can you love a Pokémon like that?"

Ash-Latios leaned closer, his gaze unwavering. "Love doesn't have a type, a species, or a form," he said, his voice filled with a quiet conviction that seemed to resonate through the very air of the room. "It just is. And when you find it, you hold onto it with everything you've got, no matter what the cost."

Gary stared at him, his mind racing with questions, but none of them seemed to hold water in the face of the truth that stood before him. "But why change?" he asked, his voice a mere whisper. "Couldn't you just stay with her as a human?"

Ash-Latios looked at him with a soft smile, the gentle curve of his Latios mouth speaking volumes. "I could have," he admitted. "But being by her side as a friend wasn't enough." He paused, his gaze drifting to Latias, who hovered just a breath away. "I wanted to be part of her world, to experience the beauty and the pain she goes through as an Eon."

Gary sat back, his eyes wide with understanding. It was clear that this was no whimsical decision made in the heat of the moment. This was a choice made with a love that transcended boundaries, a love that was willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of understanding. "But what about your journey?" he asked, his voice thick with the weight of their shared past. "What about becoming a Pokémon Master?"

Ash-Latios's smile grew a little sadder, the corners of his mouth turning down. "The journey never ends, Gary," he said, his voice filled with the wisdom that could only come from experiencing so much. "But the prize at the end isn't what I thought it was." He paused, his gaze drifting to the distant horizon seen through the massive window of Professor Oak's Lab, to the endless skies that called to him. "When I won the World Coronation Series, I felt like I had reached the pinnacle of what a trainer could achieve." He took a deep breath, the air in the room seeming to still around them. "But when I looked at Latias, I realized that there was so much more to life than just winning battles. So much more to experience, to understand."

Gary was taken aback once again, his mind reeling from the revelation. This wasn't the Ash he knew, the one who lived and breathed for the next Gym badge, the one who saw Pokémon as tools for his own glory. This was someone who had seen the true essence of the world, who had felt the depths of love and sacrifice. It was humbling, to say the least. "But what about your friends?" he asked, his voice tight. "What about Pikachu?"

Ash-Latios turned, his feathers fluttering slightly as he searched the room. A moment later, a familiar figure hopped into view, the iconic yellow Pokémon looking up at them with a knowing gaze. "Pikachu," he said, his voice filled with warmth. "He's been with me through everything, and he understands."

Pikachu leaped onto Ash's back, his little electric paws resting on the Latios's feathers, a gesture that was as familiar as it was surprising. He nodded firmly, a determined "cha" escaping his lips. It was clear that their bond was unbroken, a testament to the unyielding friendship that had spanned across countless adventures.

Gary's eyes searched Pikachu's, and for a moment, he saw the understanding that Ash's longtime companion had for his trainers decision. If Pikachu was okay with this, then maybe, just maybe, he could find a way to be too.

But the question remained. "Does this mean we can't battle anymore?" he asked, his voice a mix of sadness and curiosity. The thought of never facing Ash in a Pokémon battle again was a sobering one, a realization that the core of their rivalry had shifted in a way that was hard to comprehend.

Ash-Latios chuckled, the sound like a soft melody that seemed to resonate in the very air around them. "Gary," he said with a gentle shake of his head, "my body may have changed, but my spirit remains the same." He paused, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "And if you ever feel like testing your skills against an Eon Pokémon," he added with a wink, "I'd be more than happy to oblige."

Gary's eyes lit up with excitement, the challenge in Ash's voice striking a chord deep within him. "You're on!" he exclaimed, a grin spreading across his face. He hadn't felt this alive in a long time. The prospect of battling his friend in a form he had never dreamed possible was more exhilarating than any Gym badge or tournament victory.