Chapter 26

"What is that thing?" David squinted at the bird.

"That's a Honchkrow," said Ash, "but I don't think it should be here..."

"Is that another Pokemon?" asked David.

I nodded. "Do you think there's another portal around here?"

"Well, only one way to find out!" said Ash, "Come on Pikachu!"

David chuckled as we ran after Ash. "Is he always like this?"

"Like what?" I asked.

"I dunno," David shrugged. "one moment he's more mature than most adults and the next he's like an 8-year-old kid,"

"That's just Ash," I grinned. "Pikachu calls him a blockhead a lot,"

"Blockhead... that's a new one," said David, "hold on, you said only Pokemon could understand each other right?"

"Yeah," I nodded.

"Then how can Ash understand Pikachu? Is he a Latios too?" asked David.

"I don't know, but he's not a Latios," I said, "I guess he and Pikachu have just been together so long that Ash can understand him,"

As David and I caught up to Ash and Pikachu, the Honchkrow suddenly swooped down and zoomed past us. I ducked as it made a loud crowing sound.

Ash started running faster to catch up with it, while David and I sprinted as hard as we could. I had almost forgotten how fast Ash could run.

As we rounded a corner I suddenly heard a familiar voice.

"Honchkrow, return." Cyrus stepped out from behind a building. He glanced at us, an amused look in his eyes. "I should have guessed you would come,"

"Give it up Cyrus!" yelled Ash, "There's nothing here for you!"

"I agree," said Cyrus, "which is why I am returning. Trying to create a new world was a mistake when I had yet to learn of the other world that this one was linked to. You showed up at a very convenient time. Now I don't have to go through the trouble of making a portal myself,"

"What do you mean?" asked Ash.

"Your Latios is very special," said Cyrus, "don't you realize the potential of a legendary Pokemon who has lived in both worlds? That is the key to creating a new universe!"

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said, "but I'm not going to help you!"

"Don't worry," said Cyrus, "I only need your power, not your cooperation,"

Before I could react, he threw something red and shiny at me. I felt something hit my head as my consciousness faded and I blacked out.

With Latios, Latias, and the Lake Guardians (3rd Person P.O.V.)

Latias' eyes shot open. "Brother! Wake up!"

Latios groaned slightly before opening his eyes. He yawned. "What is it sis?"

"Ash and Michael are in trouble!"

"How do you know?"

Latias hesitated. "I... don't know how, but I just do,"

Latios stretched before levitating off the floor. "Don't worry, I believe you, but there's nothing we can do. We'll just have to hope they'll be alright,"

Latias sighed. "I know, I just don't feel very good about this,"

"I know sis, I don't either," said Latios, "for now though, the best thing we can do is get some rest. We're going to need the energy if we have to fight when they come back,"

"Yeah, you're right," said Latias, "I'll try to get some sleep,"

"Alright," said Latios, "I'll make sure to wake you up as soon as we can do anything,"

Latias smiled. "Thanks, brother," She levitated back to her spot on the floor and closed her eyes. Laying down on Spear Pillar's rocky surface wasn't the most comfortable thing in the world, but this way at least they would know when they were needed. Azelf, Mesprit, and Uxie had stayed as well and were resting on the other side of the central triangle. Latias was very worried about Ash and Michael, but it had been an exhausting day and she soon fell into a restless sleep.

Whoosh!

A sudden noise from the center of the room startled Eons and Lake Guradains out of their sleep. The noise came from a swirling black vortex in the center of the room which soon grew to the size of a doorway.

Latias tensed, preparing a Mist Ball. If this was what she thought it was, she would have to fight.

With Michael (Michael's P.O.V.)

My head throbbed in pain as regained consciousness. I tried to remember what had happened, but the pain didn't allow me to concentrate. I could do nothing but stay still and hope the pain would go away.

Suddenly a voice rang in my head. "Use your power,"

'What power?' I thought.

"Open the portal," the voice echoed.

'W-what portal?" I could barely form the thought.

"Do it, now!" The command ended with a loud blast. I felt as if my head were going to explode.

"Make it stop!" My voice faded in the glowing expanse of red.

Then it stopped.

I opened my eyes to find myself staring at... myself? I blinked, but I was still looking at a shiny Latios.

"Let Michael go now!" Ash stepped towards Cyrus.

"I'm afraid I can't do that," said Cyrus, "now Latios, take care of these pests!"

I was unable to do anything as I watched myself fire a Luster Purge at Ash and Pikachu, one more powerful than I had ever used before. I tried to do something, anything, to stop it, but my hand just passed through my Latios form as I tried to stop it.

I looked down at myself and noticed I was in my human form, though I could see right through my body. Was I dead? I tried to come up with a reason for my predicament, but I couldn't think of anything. I could tell Cyrus was controlling my body with the red chain, but nothing else made sense.

I tried to stop an attack from hitting my brother, but the move just passed right through me, hitting David and throwing him to the ground. Tears came to my eyes as I watched myself hurt some of the only friends I had.

Why couldn't I just be normal?

"That is an option if you wish it to be,"

The voice surprised me enough to make me whirl around. "Who's there?"

"Who I am is of no concern to you, but the choice is still yours,"

"What do you mean?"

"You said you wish to be normal, correct?"

I nodded, still a little confused.

"Then you don't want to be a Latios? If so, you can go back,"

"Go back where?"

"You will go back to your family and live a normal life. None of this has to happen,"

"But what about my friends?"

"You can make new ones. After all, wasn't being a Latios the reason you were closed off to everyone except your brother?"

I thought about the question for a moment. I had always told myself that I could never make any real friends because they would view me as a freak or a monster but that was just an excuse to close myself off. The real reason was that I was just too afraid to open myself up to someone, even before I was a Latios. Staying home and not bothering to even try to bond with anyone was always much easier for me. But when I met Latias and Ash and bonded with someone for the first time, everything changed. Sure, people in this world would be scared of my Latios form, but I could easily have just stayed in my human form and made friends that way.

"Your decision?"

I was startled out of my train of thought, having almost forgotten I wasn't alone. I watched as Cyrus used my powers to open up a portal and knew I couldn't leave my friends behind. "I'm staying."

"Very well, may you fare well then, young Latios," The voice grew fainter with its last words and echoed in my head. As soon as it had faded, the world began to spin around me as I was shot back into my Latios form.

There we go! I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

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