Chapter 27

Pain washed over me again but it wasn't as bad as before. I noticed I had gone through the portal and was now in Spear Pillar.

Latios, Latias, and the Lake Guardians flew up to us, I could tell they were talking but wasn't able to make out the words.

"Take care of them," The command sounded in my head once again.

"No," This time, I was able to fight the command, though it cost me a lot of effort.

Cyrus, however, couldn't understand me and the command was repeated through the red chain, more powerful this time. I struggled hard against it as the pain intensified again. It was like a war was going on and I was right in the middle. Just as I thought I could hold out no longer, Latias fired a Dragon Pulse at my head and the red chain exploded, sending a giant wave of energy through me. The last thing I remembered before falling into unconsciousness was a couple of faint calls of "Michael!".

I woke up to a splitting headache. Where was I? I looked around the room and noticed I was lying on a bed in a Pokemon Center.

"Michael, you're awake!" Latias rushed over to me. Her voice sounded cheerful but tired.

David patted me on the back. "I knew you would make it!"

"But what about Cyrus, Team Galactic, the portal and-"

"Everything's all settled," said Ash, "after Cyrus lost control over you, we were easily able to defeat him," He smiled. "you did a great job back there Michael,"

"I think he's still confused," Pikachu jumped onto my bed. "What's the last thing you remember Michael?"

I racked my brain for any memories. "I remember going through the portal," I started, "then Cyrus told me to attack and..." I stopped. "I think I blacked out after that,"

Latios nodded. "I think I know where we should start then,"

Flashback (3rd Person P.O.V.)

Latios and Latias watched as Michael and Cyrus came out of the portal.

Cyrus glanced at the Eon Duo and the Lake Guardians. "Latios, take care of them,"

"Brother, what's wrong with Michael?" Latias shot a worried glance in his direction.

"I'm afraid it's the red chain," replied Latios, "Cyrus must have gotten control over him,"

"I said, take care of them!" Cyrus yelled.

Michael's eyes flickered from normal to red and his body shook as if fighting a battle.

"He's trying to resist it," Azelf flew up to Latios and Latias. "he has a lot of strength, but I don't know if he can last much longer,"

"Do it now!" Cyrus' voice rang out again.

"Oh no you don't!"

"Sis, wait a sec-" Latias fired a Dragon Pulse at the red chain before Latios could finish his warning.

Boom!

The red chain shattered on impact, creating a huge shockwave that blasted all of them back. When Latias looked again the red chain had disappeared, leaving Micahel knocked out on the ground.

"Michael!" Latias rushed over to the shiny Latios. "Are you okay?"

Latios flew over to her and examined Michael. "He'll be okay sis, I don't see any injuries. He probably just got knocked out from the explosion,"

"No!"

Latios and Latias turned around, almost having forgotten Cyrus was still there.

"Wait, the Adamant and Lustrious Orbs! I can still use them to create a new world!" Cyrus rushed over to the pedestals but stopped halfway there, frozen in mid-air.

Mesprit's eyes glowed as she held Cyrus in place. "I think you've done enough harm for one day,"

Azelf nodded. "How do you think we should punish him?"

"I could wipe his memory," suggested Uxie.

"Don't do that, just send him to jail with the others. We aren't that cruel,"

"Ash?" Latios flew over to the portal.

Ash smiled. "Yep! It's me!" He tripped and stumbled on the ground.

"Are you okay?" asked Latias.

"Don't worry, I'm fine," Ash picked himself up. "is Micahel alright?"

"He'll be okay," Latios gestured to Michael. "he's just used all his energy,"

"He'll probably wake up in around three days then," David stepped out of the portal. "Man, that thing is disorienting,"

"Who's that?" asked Latias.

"That's Micahel's brother, David," Ash helped David to his feet. "David, these are my friends Latios and Latias,"

"Michael told me about you two," David shook Latias' claw. He chuckled. "you both do look almost the same as him,"

"We are the same kind of Pokemon," Latios shook David's hand as well.

Latias giggled. "If Michael wasn't shiny, you'd probably have a hard time telling the difference,"

"You're going to have to fill me in on some of this stuff," said David, "Michael doesn't seem very shiny to me,"

"Let's get everyone to a Pokemon Center first," said Latios, "the closest one should be in Oreburgh City,"

"I guess Pikachu and I are a little beat up too." Ash dusted himself off. "Think you can handle carrying me Latias?"

"Climb on!" Latias lowered herself.

"Thanks," Ash turned to David. "you can ride on Latios, it's a little too far to walk,"

"What about Michael?"

"I got it covered," Ash pulled out a Pokeball. "Michael, return!"

David's jaw dropped. "Okay, you gotta tell me how that works,"

Azelf flew over to Ash. "Don't worry about Cyrus, we'll handle him,"

"Okay," said Ash, "will we see you guys after that?"

"Probably not," said Azelf, "we'd love to hang out, but we have duties in our lakes,"

"Feel free to visit us anytime though," said Mesprit, "just call us if you're ever near one of our lakes,"

"We will!" said Ash, "See you later!"

"Goodbye!" the Lake Guardians and Cyrus vanished with a flash of light.

Flashback End

"After that, we just came here," finished Ash, "you were out for quite a while though,"

"How long?" I asked, even though I was already pretty sure what the answer was.

"Three days," David chuckled.

I shrugged. "Same as before huh?"

"Before?" Latias looked confused.

"When I used Luster Purge for the first time, it took so much energy that I was out for three days," I explained. "that's when you saw it on the television,"

"No wonder it took me three days to find you!" Latias pouted. "You were sleeping!"

We all laughed at that, including Latias.

"So... what do we do now?" I asked once everyone calmed down.

"I dunno," Ash shrugged. "you're free to stay with me if you like, but I understand if you want to go back to your family,"

I shook my head. "My family is great, but the human world just isn't for me,"

"How are we going to get David back?" asked Latias.

"I'm not in a hurry," said David, "I told my parents I might be gone for a while so they wouldn't worry too much,"

"Hey Michael, weren't you able to open a portal earlier?" Ash looked at me. "Or was that just the red chain?"

"I don't know, I wasn't exactly able to tell," I remembered that I had been 'outside' my body during that time, but decided not to bring that up.

A flash of light suddenly lit up the room, causing me to shield my eyes. When I looked again, Arceus had appeared in a corner of the room.

"I apologize for the light, it happens whenever I use teleport," Arceus turned to us. "It's good to see you are all doing well, Azelf, Uxie, and Mesprit were concerned for your health, especially you Michael,"

"I'm much better now," I levitated slightly off the bed.

"I think we've all recovered," said Ash, "thanks for sending them to help us,"

"They were happy to help," said Arceus, "but more importantly, you successfully stopped Team Galactic and saved the Sinnoh region. Latios and Latias, for your efforts, I deem you free from your duties in Altomare. You are free to spend the rest of your lives as you please,"

"Thank you Arceus," said Latios, "but what about the Soul Dew?"

"The Soul Dew will be kept under special protection," said Arceus, "after your incident with Team Rocket, I decided we had been too relaxed on its protection,"

Latias did a flip in the air and hugged Latios. "Can you believe it, brother? We can finally explore the world!"

Latios hugged her back. "Yes sis, we can finally do what we've both always wanted,"

Arceus smiled. "Pikachu, you also played a major part, therefore I grant you the power of the Zap Plate," A single plate flew from Arceus and lightly toughed itself on Pikachu.

"Woah," Pikachu's cheeks sparked with electricity as the plate flew back to Arceus. "Thanks, Arceus, I feel so much stronger!"

"You're welcome," Arceus turned to Ash. "Chosen One, thank you for helping Michael on his journey and training him to be strong enough to defeat Team Galactic. Since you're around Pokemon a lot and want to be good friends with all of them, I grant you the ability to understand Pokemon," Arceus' eyes glowed for a brief moment as he looked at Ash.

"You mean I can understand any Pokemon now?" Ash was stunned. "Wow! This is great! Right buddy?"

Pikachu nodded. "I was getting tired of being a translator,"

"Now David," Arceus continued, "you may not have helped much in stopping Team Galactic, but you played an important role in helping Michael with his powers before he found the Pokemon world. I struggled to find something suitable for you, but I can give you this," A rectangular object floated to Daivd.

"What's this?" asked David, turning the object over in his hands.

"That is a Rotom Phone, with it, you can contact people across the world. I have already added Ash's Pokedex contact for you,"

"Wow, thanks!" David turned to me. "I'll make sure to keep in touch!"

"I will too," I smiled. "I'll try to get one of them too so you can call me directly,"

Arceus spoke up. "Michael, throughout your journey so far you have grown exponentially. Before I give you your reward, I have a question for you,"

"What's the question?" I asked.

"Why do you think you were chosen?"

And we're wrapping the book up with a few more chapters!

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