A Cycle Begins and Ends

This one-shot is based on a story that I've read, that which I loved the concept of. So I decided to write one of my own. I didn't copy the story, just what it faces, but I also added what I wanted. All in all, the story is similar to what Ash is going through, just that someone different is going to help Ash.

Anyways, enjoy.

It was dark, it was humid, it was quiet, but most important he felt alone.

He didn't know why, he's supposed to be celebrating his victory over his Alolan League victory. It was amazing, so euphoric that it was exhausting. Then a sudden Ultra Beast attack, made his exhaustion worse. But it was all over.

Yet why couldn't he sleep?

Ash, looking out the sunroof of prof. Kukui's house knew that the stars would slowly move through time. All of which could be spent resting.

But Ash knew from experience, that sleep wouldn't come for a while.

Being careful to not wake up Pikachu, Ash rose from his bed and changed into a set of clothes. That being a plain white shirt, with black shorts and sandals. Ash brushed Pikachu's fur with his hand until he let go and headed down a ladder to the main area of the house.

Being mindful as he stepped over Lycanroc, and not making too much noise for Rowlet sleeping on a chair. Reaching the door, Ash looked back and gave a smile, and opened it before gently closing it.

Walking through the sandy beach, Ash began to converse with himself.

"Calm down, calm down. Everything is fine,"

Ash was right, everything was fine. Nothing bad happened, yet he's had worse. Oh, how he's had worse.

Closing his eyes Ash, could shudder as his unconscious mind gave him memories of terrible events with different results. From seeing the world end, to worse ways. But Ash shook his mind away. Not now and not ever will he break down now, in front of Pikachu, in front of his friends. He just needed rest, but that was near impossible with his past haunting him. 'Man do I need sleep,' Ash grumbled inside himself.

A friend of his always told him to talk to someone. And how could he not, he has Pikachu, his mom, prof. Oak, prof. Kukui, and many more. But what then?

Ash fell to his knees as he couldn't stop his tears from escaping his eyes. "Why, why me. Latios, Lucario, I'm sorry," Ash cried to himself.

He wanted to stop, but the aftermath of near-death experiences, encounters with legendary pokemon and more had him on his knees. He would have kept on going but something stopped him.

"La,"

Turning to his right, Ash was amazed to see a floating dragon beside him.

"A Latias?"

"La," the Latias confirmed as it tackled Ash to a hug.

Ash didn't know what to do as he let the pokemon hug him. He gave a hesitant pat on the pokemon's back. The pokemon reeled its head back and seemed to yip at him, giving weird hand signs. Ash chuckled at the scene as he said, "I'm sorry but I don't think I've met you."

"La," the Latias sighed out before it connected its head to his forehead.

Suddenly, the memories flooded back into Ash as he remembered who the Latias was. It was the one from Altomare. It... no she showed him about what happened, it showed her leaving Altomare and coming to Alola.

"But why?" Ash said, the tears slightly pouring.

She bobbed her head in happiness as she yipped a few times. When she finished her story, not that Ash understood her, she began to do a double-take on him. Her face was full of concern as she eyed Ash on why there were tears on his cheek.

Ash tried to rub his face in an attempt to hide the tears but Latias was fast enough to stop what he was doing as she nuzzled his face. "La, Latias," she seemed to ask.

Ash shook his head, "It's nothing trust me," as he got up.

Ash would have walked back to his house but Latias blocked his path, a stern look on her face. She glided forward and gently pushed him down on the sand. She landed on top of Ash to prevent him from leaving, but Ash was still resisting.

"No stop. I'm fine, I just need some rest," Ash pleaded, struggling to get up.

Latias shook her head to his plea. She then let out a coo and nuzzled Ash. She could feel him tremble beneath her, so she kept doing what she was doing to help him. She moved her face close to his cheek and gave a soft peck to remove the tears that were gliding down Ash's face.

Ash had enough as he let everything out then and there.

Latias spread her arms out and hugged Ash, while Ash spilled everything out. Ash let out a few gasps before going back to crying. A few seconds later, Ash began to confess his mind, "Why? Why do they have to suffer? Why do some of them die?"

Latias narrowed her eyes in confusion as she didn't know what Ash was talking about. So all she could do was hug him more and nuzzle his tears away.

"Why did I, a kid for crying out loud, have to do it, to save the world. I'm just a kid that deals with legendary pokemon and stopping evil organizations. So much so that my worst fear comes true, to not be strong enough to save someone."

Ash took a deep breath and continued,

"Why Latios, Lucario. I could have helped, but why did you have to sacrifice yourself. *sniff* I miss you Lucario. You too, Latios,"

It then did Latias droop into sadness as she heard Ash's confession. She wanted to help but with her not speaking the human language it was rather difficult. So she did the only thing she have thought of. She moved her head in front of Ash and connected her head to his forehead.

Ash stopped speaking, tears still leaking from his eyes, and looked at what Latias was doing. Ash not knowing what could happen, wrapped his arms around Latias for comfort. Smiling at this Latias was prepared.

Latias let out her energy, which flowed around the two. Ash looked in wonder as the glowing aura flowed around them, like waves. Suddenly the auras began to sink into Ash. Ash didn't know what to expect but when the auras were entering in him all he felt was raw uncontrolled power. This got Ash to gasp in panic as that was how Lucario's aura felt at the Tree of Life, which killed him.

"Latias..." Ash screamed but Latias cooed him for silence.

Focusing, Latias concentrated on the aura which forced a different reaction. Ash leaned back and took in the aura. Instead of a powerful feeling, it instead became warm, so nice. Ash's breathing calmed down as he leaned towards Latias. He then looked at Latias, who move her head back.

She wrapped her neck around Ash and suddenly spoke, "It's ok, I miss him too,"

"Latias?" Ash asked.

The pokemon shifted as Latias answered "Yes, it is me,"

Ash felt astounded that he could hear her voice. It was young and beautiful to his ears. But now he felt that he could tell his feelings away. So he hugged Latias again which earned a giggle from the eon pokemon.

The pokemon patted Ash's hair as she claimed out loud, "You know, ever since your Kalos finals, I've wanted to meet you again,"

"Really?"

"Yes, especially after the incident that happened after the league. I'm sorry for what happened there,"

"It's alright, but I thought the incident was kept under wraps?"

"It wasn't, it was all on TV,"

"Really, wow I never knew," Ash spoke in awe but he realized something.

"Does that mean that everyone else knows about it?"

"Maybe," was all that Latias said, with a shrug to solidify her statement.

Ash sighed as he didn't know what to think. He loved Alola, because it's a haven for him, to forget about the troubles of the world. He hoped that it wouldn't change as his friends would know about what he had been through.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Latias asked.

Ash gave a dull nod as he shifted to a more comfortable spot, one that Latias wouldn't put most of her weight on him. Finding a more comfortable spot, Ash began to recall all his troubles:

"There were so many life-ending situations that I've been through. Some of which I did die," Ash said. This shocked Latias as she couldn't understand what Ash meant that he died, especially that Ash is here right now. Thankfully Ash continued:

"The first one was the hardest thing to think of. The others are hard to think of as well, but... I don't know. I saw my friends nearly, or did die."

Latias looked into Ash's mind for some context, as she didn't get the picture of how Ash had 'died'. Inside the black void of Ash's mind could Latias see a locked gate. The only weird thing about the gate was that the lock itself was broken open. 'Is someone preventing Ash from recollecting a memory. If so, the locks are already broken,' Latias wondered to herself as she passed through the gate.

She suddenly found herself in the middle of an arena that would be used for a pokemon battle. On both sides were pokemon, parallel to each other, and had scornful looks on their faces. Latias would have asked what was going on, but both sides charged toward each other into a brawl. Latias could look in horror as both factions weren't fighting like pokemon at all. They were fighting like monsters, ready to kill their counterpart. She could see some use claws and teeth being used, and a cry of pain after.

Her heart stilled as she saw a familiar Pikachu fight his counterpart, but the only thing was that Pikachu had seemed to give up. The counterpart would scream to the original to fight, tears pouring out its eyes, seeing the feeble pokemon take the hit and not return the favor.

Latias heard a loud explosion behind her. Turning around quickly to find out what was causing those explosions, only to find two cat-like pokemon, fighting. She would have yelled to stop, but a young Ash beat her to it.

She looked at the young Ash. The sight of the young Ash made her heart flutter as she was attracted to his face. But she shook herself as she watched on. It took a second for Latias to remember the type of memory she was looking at so she begged Ash not to do anything stupid.

Her wish fell on false ears as her heart dropped at seeing Ash run towards the two pokemon. She screamed for Ash to stop, tears leaking in her eyes from fear of what's to come.

Both pokemon launched an attack but suddenly looked at the young boy as the kid was in between the two attacks. The young Ash closed his and braced for impact as light surrounded him, blinding most of the pokemon, Latias included.

When the light died down, Latias could scream in horror at seeing Ash turn into stone. She quickly flew to his side, crying at him to get a response. The pokemon around Latias began to shed tears for the boy. Latias noticing this cried alongside them.

Suddenly the tears from the pokemon all began to float and converge to the stoned boy. When enough tears emerged into him, a bright began to fill the room and Latias found herself back in the sandy beaches of Alola with Ash beneath her.

"I held a dying Celebi in my arms, having no hope of coming to life. I saw a dying Mew begin to rot. And I saw Lucario force all of his aura into the Tree of Life, saving Mew and the tree... but not himself," Ash continued as if he didn't know that Latias witnessed one of Ash's memories.

"I see," Latias said.

"I never thought about it because I had gym badges to collect and leagues to compete. It would help but only a little bit. So now I find myself here, in Alola for a vacation. But wouldn't you know it, I've gained the attention of Tapu Koko, that island guardian. Tapu Koko doesn't antagonize me but he's a constant reminder of all the legendaries that I've faced," Ash said.

"Well, I know this Tapu Koko wouldn't mean you harm. I knew that a trainer has to collect badges and compete. But still, why didn't you talk to someone?"

"Well, how would they take it. What would they do to me? Would they forbid me to not do any more adventures?" Ash asked, breath shaking. Latias quickly calmed Ash down by giving a comforting nuzzle to his neck and shoulder. Ash smiled at her affection so, in return, he caressed her back eliciting a purr from Latias.

"I don't think they'll do that. You'd just go on one yourself without their approval," Latias chided.

"Yeah," Ash laughed.

Latias moved her body a bit so that her face was in front of Ash's while still preventing him from moving. Ash sighed in annoyance which made Latias giggle, leaving her breath on Ash's face. Ash shook his head and chuckled alongside her.

"So what do I do now?" Ash asked.

"Just talk to someone about it. Just like you have with me," Latias answered.

"But I don't think they'll understand what I've gone through," Ash said.

"They will understand..."

"No, they won't. They have never held a dying Celebi in their arms. They've never had their life sucked away by a machine. They never have seen what I've seen," Ash stated, looking away from Latias with a down expression.

Latias leaned down closer to Ash so that he knew that she wasn't going anywhere. But still, Ash had that down expression on his face. So Latias decided to give him some words of comfort, "Listen, Ash, I know you think that you're alone. But you aren't and you need to know that. So say it with me, you aren't alone,"

"Latias please,"

"No, say it with me," Latias demanded with a stern look.

"But..."

"Please Ash," Latias pleaded, giving him some sparkly eyes for effect.

Ash gave in to the Latias on him, so he repeated her, "I am not alone,"

"Again,"

"I am not alone,"

"I am not alone," Latias repeated.

"I am n-not al-alone," Ash whimpered.

Latias looked at Ash as he started to cry again. Gently, she hugged the crying champion, wrapping her small arms around him. She nuzzled his cheek, wiping his tears away while doing so, and began to feel teary by hearing Ash cry. But all that she could do was hold him close to her.

Ash sniffed and rubbed himself on her feathers. Latias waited for him to do something. Suddenly Ash spoke, "Sorry about that,"

"Shush," Latias calmly shushed, "You're not in the wrong here. You needed this," Latias said as she pulled herself closer to him. Ash nodded in acceptance as they now began to enjoy each other's presence. Latias soon stiffened as she heard Ash yawn.

Looking down towards Ash, she could see him rub his eyes. Finish with rubbing his eyes, Ash gave Latias a sorrowful look with his tired eyes. Latias could coo at Ash as she leaned down and began to gently nuzzle Ash. Ash caressed Latias in appreciation. Done with her nuzzling, Latias encircled Ash in her arms and began to take in the air.

Ash let out a yelp of surprise and grabbed onto Latias neck, tightly, for safety. Latias soothed his fear by telling him, "It's okay. I'm taking you home,"

Ash nodded at this and began to take in the wonderful moonlight above, and the trees at the bottom. Looking at Latias, Ash questioned, "Since when did you get stronger?"

"Well I had too, to protect Altomare," she explained.

Ash let out a laugh as he pointed out some buildings he recognized. It wasn't until Ash pointed to his home. Looking down, Latias could see the house and that the sunroof was open. Lowering herself and Ash down, she did a few circles before carefully entering the house.

Looking around Latias could see the odd furniture that humans kept in their homes. But out of her eyes, she saw a familiar Pikachu, sleeping soundly on a bed. She eyed Ash, who in return nodded, and let go of the boy.

The boy landed carefully without a single creak of wood. Ash let out a sigh of relief before taking off his clothes, getting changed into some sleeping clothes. He was unaware of the blushing Latias that was eyeing him. She was eyeing his well-toned stomach, his biceps, and his chest. Latias had to look away to give Ash some privacy, but she still couldn't hold back a peek or two.

"Ok Latias," Ash whispered.

Latias nodded to herself and turned around to see Ash, wearing different black-colored shorts and a new white t-shirt. Ash pulled the bedsheets back then proceeded to lay down. He eyed Latias and urged her to join him.

Latias giggled before whispering to him, "Do you know what I'm going to do to you?" Ash smiled and shook his head. Latias gently lunged at Ash, hugging him tightly as it knocked the air out of Ash but he laughed a little.

"I'm going to hug you, cuddle you, snuggle you, maybe even never let you go," Latias cooed out as she did exactly what she said she was going to do. Ash could laugh at Latias as he tenderly rubbed her back, wings, feathers, etc. It was a fun time for them both as they enjoyed playing with each other.

After a while from their activities, Ash laid back on his bed with Latias on top of him, both with labored breathing. Latias, seeing that her face was close to Ash's face, leaned closer and whispered something to his ear.

"And I am going to kiss you," was all she said as she connected her lips to his. Ash's eyes widened in shock but soon closed as he enjoyed the kiss. He slowly wrapped his arms around hers, pulling her deeper. Latias purred from this as she melt into the kiss. Sadly they had to pull back to get some air.

With labored breaths, Ash whispered out, "I needed that. Thank you Latias,"

"And you need more," Latias cooed out.

With her eyes half-closed, she leaned in once again. Ash did the same as they connected their lips again. They didn't move around much like last time, they simply held each other and let their love show. Ash pulled back and pulled Latias down to the bed.

He would have reached behind her and pulled the sheets up, but Latias beat him to it as her eyes glowed and the sheet floated above them. She dragged it above their bodies and soon landed right above their necks. Latias nodded to Ash which he mouthed thanks.

So now here they are, holding each other, Latias nuzzling Ash's neck. Latias sniffed Ash's scent which was intoxicating to her, but Ash rubbed her head. She looked at Ash which he whispered, "Hey it's getting late, we should be asleep,"

Latias reluctantly nodded so Ash grabbed her and pulled her close. Latias cooed at Ash as she got comfortable and closed her eyes. Ash petted Latias head before whispering, "Goodnight," as he too fell asleep after.

The Next Day

"Alright class, today is going to be a special day," prof. Kukui announced as he walked into the center of the classroom.

Ash heard excited whispers around him this in turn made him excited as well. With the whole class paying attention, prof. Kukui continued, "Now I know that the year is late. But we are getting a new student to join us today,"

Ash's eyes widened as upon stating the new student, a single girl walked into the class. Everyone ogled at the new girl, but she wasn't new to Ash. To Ash, she looked like Bianca from Altomare. But Bianca was at Altomare so that could mean was that it was Latias in disguise.

"Now I would like everyone to know that she is mute so it'll be a while for everyone to get used to communicating with her," prof. Kukui explained.

'Yep, definitely Latias,' Ash thought to himself. Ash soon smiled which made Pikachu look at him, confused. Picking up Pikachu, Ash spoke to himself just loud enough that Pikachu could hear from him.

"From now on things will get interesting,"