Chapter 3
Even though Ash hit his head on the ceiling at least twelve times going to the kitchen, Latios was proud of his progress. Normally, it took a few days to a week before a Lati learned how to fly. He was looking forward to seeing what else Ash could learn.
What he wasn't looking forward to was explaining everything. But they had already kept Bianca, Lorenzo, and Ash's friends waiting for a whole day. Better to get it over with.
"Ow!" The lights flickered as Ash crashed into one of them. He glanced back at Latios and Latias. "I'm okay!"
He hasn't even complained once. Latios smiled to himself. Even though he has every reason to be mad, or at least annoyed at Latias and me, he isn't. I can see why Latias likes him so much.
Bianca gave Ash a shy wave as they entered.
Ash waved back. "What's cooking?"
"Ash," Latios sighed. "She can't understand you, remember?"
"Oh, right…" Ash gave Latios a rueful look.
"Hey, Ash," said Latios gently, knowing he was upset. "I know it's hard, but it could have been much worse. I mean, you're a legendary, for Arceus' sake!" Should I try teaching him telepathy? Even though Latias and I just learned it?
"You're right," said Ash, "Hey, I'm bigger than I was before! Does that mean I can eat more?" He looked at Latios expectantly.
Pikachu shook his head. "You may look completely different, but you haven't changed one bit."
"Can we teach him telepathy?" asked Latias, "Or maybe you should, I don't really know how to."
Ash frowned. "You guys can use telepathy? How come you didn't before?"
Latios shrugged. "I'm guessing when you saved me, the extra energy you gave us, let me and Latias tap into enough psychic power to use it."
"I have no idea what you guys are talking about, but dinner is ready if you're hungry!" Bianca called, waving them over to the dining room.
After a few minutes of everyone coming and getting their food, and another five minutes of Latios helping Ash through the halls to the dining room, everyone finally began to eat, while Ash chowed down like there was no tomorrow.
"Are you always like this, Ash?" asked Latias.
"Like what?" Ash said, his voice muffled by the food being stuffed into his mouth. He looked a lot like a starving Snorlax.
Latias stifled a giggle. "Never mind,"
Bianca looked between Latios and Latias. "Are you two going to explain, or am I going to have to tickle you until you do?"
"Whoa, there," Latios was NOT in the mood for a tickle fight. "There's no need to get crazy, we were going to explain the best we could right now, anyway."
Pikachu nudged Ash's claw. "You'll have to stop eating for a moment."
Ash plopped one last berry in his mouth. "Oops, sorry,"
"Brock?" Misty said, "I know where Ash is."
Brock nodded. "There's only one person I know who can eat that much food and still want more."
They both looked at Latios.
Latios sighed. At least they weren't mad. Yet. "Yes, that is Ash. Latias and I don't know exactly why he turned into an orange Latios, or whatever he is."
Misty sighed. "Leave it to Ash to do the impossible!"
"I suppose I'll have to change our schedule a little bit," Brock said, pulling out a notebook.
"Can we still do the Silver Conference?" Ash's eyes widened. "Can Pokémon enter? Will they let me in if I get my last badge?"
"I'll see what I can do," said Brock, "But seriously, you rose from the dead after you jumped between Mew and Mewtwo's battle, saved the world from the bird trio's wrath with Lugia, battled an illusionary Entei, survived a killer twig monster and saved Celebi's life, saved Latios' life, and now turned into a strange 'Lati'. I think the Conference is the least of our worries."
"Okay, stop stalling," said Pikachu, "What actually happened?"
"Okay, okay!" said Latios, "When we charged at the wave, I was already weakened by the DMA, so when we collided with it, my soul started to leave me since Altomare needed a new Soul Dew. Latias thought of a way to save me, and, although it had risks, we went through with it. She flew to the shore, and I had her and Ash teleported back to me. We told Ash that if he went through with it, he might not even survive. He agreed anyway, so we began."
"Typical Ash," said Misty.
Ash glared at her. "I couldn't just let him die!"
Misty rolled her eyes. "I was kidding,"
Once they had settled down, Latios continued. "About halfway through my revival, Ash's body started to glow orange, and he began to transform into the dragon before you. It was too late to stop the process, as all three of us would die if I did so. Thanks to the extra energy from Ash's transformation, I was able to piece my soul back together, and Latias and I flew Ash back to you guys. We had just enough energy left to fix the Soul Dew and fly back here."
Did Ash even remember what happened? Latios thought. Will he be angry now, or just more confused? And what about Pikachu, Misty, and Brock?
Bianca took out her laptop, the click of the keys breaking the silence.
"What are you doing?" asked Misty.
"Ash's color just reminded me of something," Bianca waved them over to look.
On the computer screen, Latios noticed several carvings that resembled him and Latias, and a set of pillars similar to the ones in the Altomare.
"A few weeks ago, I found this article on a strange set of ruins." Biance started to read from the computer. "Statues of Latios and Latias on pillars surround the entrance. Archaeologists found a strange door that they couldn't open. Three colored dots form a triangle in the center of the door. A blue dot, a red dot, and," she took a deep breath, "an orange dot."
"I know that look," Lorenzo's eyes glinted as Latios turned to face him. "You and Latias go there with Ash. I'm sure the Soul Dew will be fine for a day or two."
"Misty and I will help guard the garden while you guys are gone," said Brock.
"Just don't take too long," said Misty, "knowing Ash, you'll run into some other legendary Pokemon and have to save the world again."
"Hey, I'm not that bad!" Ash retorted.
Pikachu rolled his eyes.
"Wow, you learned telepathy fast," said Latias.
Latios did a double take, realizing Ash had been using telepathy this whole time. That was… unnaturally fast. But maybe some the energy from last night had let him use telepathy, just like it did for him and Latias.
"Huh, I guess I did," Ash grinned. "Can you guys hear me?"
"Loud and clear," said Brock.
"I guess we should get going," said Latios, "I'm not sure how long it will take to get there."
"But Latios, we have no idea where this temple is," Bianca reasoned.
"Don't worry, Bianca," Latias telepathed, "Ever since you told us about the ruins, Latios and I seem to know exactly where it is, almost like it's calling out to us or something. Right, Latios?"
Latios nodded. He had been feeling a strange urge to go north ever since Bianca had mentioned the ruins.
"When do we leave?" asked Ash.
"Right away," said Latios, "We should head to the dock."
Ash reached down, trying to grab something by his tail feathers. His eyes widened. "Oh no, what happened to my Pokémon?"
"Latios gave them to me to hold onto at the dock," said Brock, "They're all safe and sound."
Ash sighed in relief.
"Oh, Ash," said Latias, "You should probably turn invisible."
Ash tilted his head. "How do I do that?"
"Just concentrate on turning yourself invisible," said Latias, "your feathers should do the rest."
Ash closed his eyes and, slowly but surely, began to turn invisible. Not as fast as Latios or his sister, of course, but really good for his first try. Ash opened his eyes. "Alright! I did it!" he cheered– and promptly turned visible again.
"That was fast," Latios had only expected Ash to glimmer slightly or turn partially transparent. "Just keep picturing yourself invisible. Once you get it, just keep it in the back of your mind so you don't have to think about it all the time."
So Ash tried. And tried. And tried. About 20 minutes later (Latios expected it to take hours), he was able to hold his invisibility fairly well, and Latios told everyone it was time for them to go.
"We'll see you all later!" said Latias, "We should be back soon."
"Be careful!" Bianca said.
"We will!" Latias chirped.
Latios grinned as they arrived at the harbor. "Ready to fly faster than a jet plane?" he asked Ash.
"Ready as I'll ever be," Ash replied.
And they were off.
~~~
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