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_ Hello my fellow furries, and Happy Lunar New Year! _

_ *The Year of the Horse is finally over, but the racing has yet to end. I want to take this chance and thank you all for giving me the needed precious support throughout a year, even though my writting pace has slowed down considerably. * _

_ Well, today we celebrate another Lunar New Year and a new chapter in our lives, so it's only fitting that I post the latest chapter of "A trainer's Story" now. Hope you all will have a good read, and I wish you a new year full of joy, luck, as well as prosperity. _

---

We always look forward to our future, but sometimes, one needs to take time to look back at his past, for without past, there will not be any future...

The Voyage to the Past

...

"This city, I recognize it now..." Latios stammered, "The place I originate from - Alto Mare."

"Originate from? Wait, so this is your...hometown?" Jaden asked, looking stunned. Normally, that would have been quite a stupid question/comment to make, but he couldn't come up with anything better at the moment. Now that Jaden recalled it, before they had become mates, he had once wondered where the pokemon's homeland was, but Latios never answered him. As a consequence, Jaden gradually dismissed that question, especially when he had a handsome and loving Eon pokemon to occupy his mind.

Suddenly, guilt flooded Jaden's stomach. How could he call himself Latios' mate if he didn't even know this basic information?

"Anyway," Latios grumbled, eyeing the ground, "Right now, we should focus on figuring out how we ended up here, or where the others are."

"Well, let's have a quick look at what happened before I passed out." said Jaden, tapping his chin, "This morning, we arrived at Celestic Town and learned that the ruin there was broken into. Then, Cynthia noticed our mega stones, and she suspected us of stealing them. Things were about to get ugly before Jake stepped in and proved our innocence...Man, we owe him big time, and I'm glad that Jake finally knew how to use that power."

Latios nodded, though he didn't seem to be listening.

Jaden continued, "After that, we agreed to help Cynthia find the key stones, and while inspecting Celestia ruin, I noticed the painting of a pokemon trio. What did Cynthia call them again...Lake guardians? Finally, there was some strange light and I fainted. When I woke up, we're already here. Now, I'm no geography expert, but I'm pretty sure Alto Mare isn't anywhere near Celestic town. Heck, it isn't even in Sinnoh, so how on earth did we get here in that instance? Were we somehow teleported here?"

"I don't know." Latios said nonchalantly, "For now, we should look around the city to check if anything is unusual. By the way, since I know this city but you don't, you'd better stay close to me unless you want to become lost."

There was no chance for Jaden to protest or even reply. As soon as he finished his statement, Latios turned around and floated away, without noticing that his pace was quite faster than usual.

Poor Jaden, having tried his best to keep up with the hasty Eon pokemon, but in after a while, he gradually ran out of breath. Their distance gradually became dangerously far, and Latios was about to get out of his earshot.

"Latios!" Jaden shouted, "Wait for me!"

The Eon pokemon froze. What was he doing? He left behind the one person whom he had sworn to forever protect. He stormed off and sulked like a child. Did that kind of behavior befit a legendary pokemon?

Latios inhaled deeply. He needed to calm down. He was angry with this city...and with himself, not Jaden.

...

"Sorry, are you okay?" asked Latios, looking concernedly at Jaden, who was panting heavily.

"I...am...fine..." Jaden faltered, hands on knees as he tried to regain his breath, "Can...we...slow down a little?"

"Sure, but I have a better idea." Latios said and gently helped Jaden stand up, "Since it's my fault that you become like this, I'll make up by giving you a ride. Are you okay with that?"

The last question seemed to be a waste, because Latios, more than anyone else, should know there was no way Jaden would refuse such an offer.

And damn right he didn't. With a nod, Jaden smiled broadly as he climbed onto the Eon pokemon's back, and together, they soared along the canals.

Normally, that would have been a wonderful experience, being able to ride on your mate and fly above the peaceful and transparent surface of canals while enjoying the clear blue sky. However, it wasn't the case this time, because during their flight, Latios was being awfully quiet, and admittedly, tense silence began to fill the air between the two mates.

It was then Jaden finally noticed something odd was going on with Latios. The way he sounded and acted since they had been in this city...For someone who had just returned to his hometown, Latios didn't look remotely excited. In contrast, he seemed...bitter and angry. Just what had gone wrong between him and this place?

"Hey Latios..."

"Huh?"

"Don't be angry if I ask this, but...something is bothering you, isn't it? Does it have anything to do with this city?" Jaden ventured.

Latios went silent.

Crap, he is angry! Jaden thought dreadfully. Before he could apologize to Latios, the pokemon, however, broke the silence, "It's okay. I knew you would notice, sooner or later. I'm just afraid...of your question, because I've always kept the answer inside my heart. Even my sister doesn't know about this, but if it's you, then..."

His voice was drenched with pain, and Jaden wondered if he had done the right thing or not, but at this point, there was no turning back. The Eon pokemon continued, "I...hate this city. I never want to return here again. That's why I always travel. I want to drive the image of this place out of my mind."

"But...why?" Jaden asked, shocked. Of all people and pokemon he knew, Latios would be the last one he thought to hate his own homeland.

"When I was a child, I used to live here with my sister...and my father. He was also a Latios, like me, and the people of his city named him their guardian...the city's guardian."

Another Latios, here in Alto Mare? Now t_hat's _interesting, Jaden thought.

"Besides you and my sister Latios, father is probably the only one I most love and respect. I look up to his incredible power. Even compared to me and Mega Lucario, he is still the most powerful pokemon I know." Latios said, voice brimming with infinite admiration. Jaden wondered if that was an overstatement, because he had seen both Latios and Mega Lucario in action. It was hard to think Latios' father was stronger than both of them. Then again Latios' seriousness told Jaden that he wasn't kidding.

"He was strict, but also very kind. He took care of me and Latias but never spoiled us. I would say there is no better example of a father in this world..."

Jaden said nothing. The way Latios described his father also reminded him of his own father - without whom he would have not been able to make it this far. That was an addition in their similarity list then - they both had amazing fathers.

"My childhood...no, my whole life would have been perfect. I had a bright and innocent little sister, a thoughtful and caring father...But no, it had to turn out the wrong way!"

"Calm down." said Jaden, stroking Latios' neck gently, "What happened?"

"My father...disappeared. One night, I woke up and waited for him to return, but it never happened. I waited for one day, two days, a week, a month...and that's when I finally realized that he'd abandoned me and Latias."

Jaden was shocked. How could Latios' father have done that, considering those words Latios used to describe him: kind, thoughtful and caring...It just made no sense?

"I literally lost everything: My father, my happiness, my moral support. Do you know how that feels, Jaden?"

He did. Even to this day, Jaden still sometimes recalled that nightmare when his parents had rejected him and Latios had nearly broken up with him. In that moment, joy seemed to have vanished, all that left was loneliness and despair...overwhelming despair. If that was his case, Jaden couldn't begin to imagine what Latios had been through.

"Latias was the only motivation for me to continue living. I gave up everything and tried desperately to become stronger, because I had to protect and take care of her in my father's place. Then, as soon as she could live on her own, I left this city. My hatred for father became my hatred for this city. I'll never forgive him for abandoning us, for making my sister cry."

...

Latios' story had long been over, and so had the day. As the warm golden sunlight had finished basking the world in its final glory, the cold darkness of ambient night gradually took over.

"Latios, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked..." Jaden said apologetically.

"It's not your fault. Being able to confide in you actually makes me feel way better. I just...it hurts so much every time I think about that time." Latios managed to stifle his sob, but a tear still escaped the corner of his eyes and fell onto the calm water surface beneath.

Jaden honestly didn't know what else to say. He wanted, so very much, to comfort Latios but somehow, Jaden had a feeling that everything he said now would only backfire. At least for now, the subject should be changed, "A-anyway. You said that you lived somewhere here, right? Where exactly was that place?"

"The secret garden." Latios said.

"Secret? Does this mean it's hidden from the outer world?" asked Jaden, curious.

"Precisely," the Eon pokemon nodded, "The entrance to that garden is invisible to most people. Since we don't want to become objects of exhibition, we live away from the humans. In fact, the only person we trust enough and allowed to enter that garden was Lorenzo."

(A/N: My apology, but I'm too lazy to think of a new character, so I'll be reusing Lorenzo, just in this one chapter.)

"Who is he?"

"The curator of this city's museum and a mechanic of the Alto Mare Defense Mechanism. He was a kind and wise man. He accidentally found his way to the secret garden but instead of revealing the location, he kept it a secret. My father decided that we could trust Lorenzo, and indeed, he was a valuable guardian. Also, since we can't speak human language, it was quite handy to have him around to prevent any curious humans from approaching the entrance."

"And what's the 'Alto Mare Defense Mechanism'?" Jaden inquired again.

"Oh that...well, I just knew that from Lorenzo, but as the name suggested, it's a giant machine located in the museum. Apparently, it was built long ago, around the time this city was founded, and serves as a last line of defense should Alto Mare is ever threatened." Latios explained, "According to Lorenzo, when used, the mechanism gains its user unlimited control over the city. They can freely manipulate hidden barriers, change routes and even control the water at will."

"That sounds a little...scary." said Jaden, shivering.

"Nah, don't worry. The system has actually never been used, and it won't likely be in the future too." Latios shook his head.

"Eh, why?"

"Bad engineering." the Eon pokemon snickered, "The mechanism's builders seemed to forget such a huge and powerful system requires a tremendous power source to operate, and where could you have found something like that here. Besides, Alto Mare is just a remote and isolated city with pretty much nothing spectacular or valuable, so no bad guys will ever target it."

"You have a point there." Jaden agreed. There was a very strong hint of sarcasm in the way Latios talked about Alto Mare, but Jaden decided to ignore it, "Hey Latios, since we're already here, I really want to visit the secret garden. Could you take me there?"

The Eon pokemon went silent, and Jaden only had time to regret making that stupid request. The mood had just begun to brighten, and already he screwed up again. As of now, he might as well asked Latios something like 'Hey, tell me more about your painful past?'

Thankfully, the Eon pokemon was tougher than Jaden thought. Inhaling deeply, Latios nodded, "Okay, but I need a moment. It's been ages since I was last here."

(Minutes later)

"Something isn't right. Can you feel it, Jaden?" Latios asked as he took a turn into another alley.

"No. What exactly is it?" Jaden replied.

"We've been flying around the place for a while, and I don't even try to be invisible, but no one seems to notice us. I know it's night time and all, but the streets do have lights...Why do people completely ignore us?" Latios explained.

"Now that you mention it...that does sound strange." Jaden muttered.

The Eon pokemon nodded, "When we fly above the canals, the water didn't show our reflection at all, nor did any kind of mirror or glass in the city. If my theory is correct...Jaden, try touching that wall on your left."

Jaden obliged, and his eyes widened in shock/horror. His hand had completely gone through the wall. He felt nothing at all, "L...Latios, what is the meaning of this?"

"Just as I thought." the Eon pokemon frowned, "We have no physical appearance here. Either us...or this whole thing is an illusion."

"But then...why can I touch you?" Jaden questioned.

"Again, just my theory. Since we're being from the same dimension, we can affect nothing but each other here." Latios said quickly, "But enough of that. We're most there, the secret garden."

As of that moment, they were flying through a small, steel archway which vines all over it. Then came a 3-way junction, the left turn led to a main street while the right turn was a dead-end. And surprisingly enough, Latios took the right turn.

"Where are you going, Latios, hey, Latios..." Jaden didn't have enough time to ask as Latios, without hesitation, brought them straight though the solid wall. Before Jaen realized it, he was inside a very dark tunnel.

"That was dangerous, Latios!" Jaden scolded.

Latios chuckled, "You forget that we're intangible here? Besides, this is the entrance. It only appears as a dead-end to trick outsiders. Now open your eyes, and welcome to the secret garden."

...

Jaden's jaw dropped. The garden was the most magnificent thing he'd ever laid his eyes on (except Latios, of course). By garden's standard, the place was immensely large. Aside the astonishingly beautiful flowers and grassy fields, there were ponds everywhere, both natural and manmade, all of which formed a complex habitat of plant, insect, aquatic and amphibian pokemon such as Oddish, Wooper, Yanma and Poliwag. Lined the garden were marble, pokemon-shaped sculptures and fountains, as well as trees whose sizes varied from small to huge. The elegant lighting was a perfect last touch to complete this wonder. If Eden had ever existed, Jaden was sure it would have looked like this.

"Breathtaking, isn't it?" Latios smiled, "Wait until you see the Soul Dew."

"The_what_?"

"Quite a precious and beautiful sphere it is. No one knows where it originates from, but Soul Dew has resided in this garden since the dawn of Alto Mare. Also, it's a rare and powerful source of energy. Remember what I said earlier about the Alto Mare Defense Mechanism? Well, if anything could power it up, that would be the Soul Dew."

"Now I can't wait," Jaden grinned, "Let's go and see it alread-..."

BOOM

"What in the world...?" Jaden stammered, startled.

"It's from the museum." Latios shouted, "Jaden, get on!"

As soon as Jaden (barely) settled on his back, Latios folded up his arms and accelerated, literally assuming the form and speed of a jet. He burst out of the secret garden, even taking a shortage by flying through several walls.

Soon, they were in front of a fairly large, mostly classical but somewhat modern building. The entrance was closed, but that really didn't matter much as the two once again just went through it. They entered a bright corridor lined with pokemon-related works and samples. There was, however, no time for enjoying, as Jaden and Latios only cared about rushing forward at full speed.

However, when the two reached a main hall at the end of the corridor, what was happening rendered them completely speechless.

...

Later, when Jaden tried to recall that situation, he always had trouble choosing where to start.

In the middle of the hall, stood a giant, bizarre-looking machine consisted of a modified pillar and attached to the top was a weird, mechanical arm-like part with a giant orb at one of its ends. Jaden had no trouble figuring out what it was - The Alto Mare Defense Mechanism. The system was lying dormant, but somehow, Jaden had a bad feeling already by just looking at it.

Next to it was a cage made of several spinning rings, in which was...Latios - his Latios, or at least Jaden thought so until he noticed the differences. The trapped Latios had a slightly bigger built than Jaden's, with a mixed color scheme of light grey and dark, purplish blue. Finally, instead of a curved pentagon, the white part on this Latios' head took the form of a diamond.

Even when imprisoned, the mysterious Latios radiated a distinguish aura of power and majesty. His fixed amber eyes glowed dangerously, piercing through the brightly lighted hall. Jaden's mind started to race as he tried to put the pieces together, and just vaguely, but he had an idea about who this Latios was.

A pokemon who was stronger than both his Latios and mega Lucario, the guardian of Alto Mare...

"Father," Latios stammered, confirming Jaden's guess, "But how...how could this happen?"

The same question was running through Jaden's mind. Who in the world could have done something like this to Latios' father, someone whom the Eon pokemon had admitted to be even stronger than him? What was going on here?

He, however, wasn't kept waiting too long for the answer.

"Comfortable eh, Latios?" come a gleeful but heavily mocking tone. From the hall's shadow, walked out a man - a middle-aged man dressed impeccably in a white suit as well as gloves and scarf matching color. The man's clothes gave him a noble and elegant look which, however, heavily contrasted with the malicious sneer on his face.

"Look at you." The man smirked, "The guardian of Alto Mare. You truly live up to your title, single-handedly taking out all my pokemon...But even the mighty Latios will be tamed if his precious children are in danger."

The trapped Latios made no sound. Instead, he slowly ran his eyes to the left corner of the hall. Jaden followed suit, and he gasped in horror.

Unconscious and being tied up by ropes were another Latios and a red counterpart of him, who Jaden quickly recognized as his Latios and the sister - Latias, probably the Eon duo when they had been younger, since both pokemon looked pretty much the same as they were, expect for their size, which was far smaller than that now. Next to the Eon Duo was an elder in mechanic outfit who was also suffering the same fate. Could that be Lorenzo, the human guardian Latios had mentioned earlier?

So that's how he managed to capture Latios' father, but still...using two innocent, vulnerable pokemon and an elderly citizen as hostages, how low can someone get? Jaden thought, hands trembling with anger. He glanced at Latios, expecting the same reaction, yet the only thing showed on the Eon pokemon's face was utmost bewilderment.

"What's wrong, Latios?" Jaden inquired.

"This..." Latios stammered, "Why haven't I got any trail of this memory in my mind. Even if I was unconscious, there's no way I could forget this kind of trauma..."

Before they could continue the subject, the white-wearing man, however, spoke, "Your power is supposed to be used for the protection of this city, but now, it'll be mine to freely used, along with this."

At that moment, Jaden finally noticed the object which the man was holding - a palm-sized translucent sphere whose lively blue color made it looked almost like it was containing fire. Without a shadow of doubt, that was the Soul Dew. It truly was beautiful, but what in the world was this man going to do with it?

Then, he remembered what Latios had said earlier...If anything could power up the Alto Mare Defense Mechanism, it would be the Soul Dew.

There was a 'clang' sound of objects being dropped into metal. The Soul Dew had been placed into a holder on the main pillar of Alto Mare Defense Mechanism.

The system began to operate.

...

Horror.

It was extremely embarrassing for Jaden to admit, but at this moment, all he could feel was horror. Even though he was intangible, the power of the Alto Mare Defense Mechanism as well as the shock from its activation still somehow affected Jaden, sending chills down his spine.

At the same time, the mechanic arm-like part began to move. It rotated a few times before lowering itself to the ground, gaining the man in white access to its huge orb, which turned out to be some sort of control area as it opened, allowing the man to walk inside.

There was an enormous pulse as if the city of Alto Mare itself had just awakened, and Jaden had an eerie feeling that it indeed had.

"Jaden, you stay here and keep an eye on this. I'll go out to check what's going on with the city." Latios said.

"But..." Jaen wavered. Having to stay here alone was rather unpleasant, not only because the Defense Mechanism was freaking him out, but also the pure evil and power-hungry aura from the man in white was making him feel insecure.

Latios' stern look, however, ended the argument. To further reassure Jaden, he softly grabbed the teen's shoulder and smiled, "Don't worry; I'll entwine our visions so that you can see what's happening outside."

Jaden wanted to smack himself, how could he have forgotten that sight-sharing ability of Latios? After all, he'd recently used a similar ability, which was memory-sharing, on Jake to help the latter consider his feelings more seriously.

"Be careful." He said.

Latios nodded and quickly disappeared into the corridor, eyes glowing bright blue. Jaden knew sight-sharing was taking effect as his vision suddenly changed. The hall disappeared and became constantly changing, blurry scenes; with the exception of the Alto Mare Defense Mechanism, the captured father of Latios, his two hostage children as well as Lorenzo. Soon, Jaden found himself looking at the outside of Alto Mare Museum, moving above the canals.

Meanwhile, inside the Defend Mechanism's control area, the man in white was making some odd hand motions, and at the same time, Jaden gasped when he saw (from Latios' POV), from out of nowhere, steel fences of various shapes emerged, blocking all entrances or exists to many alleys and streets. Many people were startled, and Jaden knew they had completely no idea what was going on.

At the same time, sparks started to fly in the floating cage of rings, causing the captured Latios to wail in pain.

But the white-wearing man's test had yet to end there. He held up both hands as if trying to scoop up something, and much to Jaden's surprise, water, driven by unknown force, burst out from the canals and formed various twisting water columns. The man then turned his hands upside down, and the water columns struck. The citizens, trapped by the barriers of their own city, were unable to escape as the water attacked and injured them, as well as caused massive damage by destroying houses and buildings.

"Now that's more like it." The man said triumphantly, "This city is just the start. Soon, I'll figure out a way to control all the water on this planet. I'll rule the world, and you, Latios, you'll have the honor of serving me to death!"

Jaden was clenching his hands to hard that they were on the verge of bleeding, yet he felt none of that, for his stomach was bubbling with disgust and anger. That evil, white-wearing, gentleman-wannabe bastard, as if he couldn't get any lower, but hurting innocent people just to test his power, to fulfill his selfish desire? He was beyond any redemption! Jaden wasn't the kind of person who would easily resort to violence, but right now, he honestly wanted to run towards that guy and sucker punch his smug face.

But then, drunken in his own insanity and lust for power, the man failed to see what Jaden, as well as Latios' father, was seeing. Lorenzo had somehow regained his consciousness, and was now cutting the rope binding him with a pocket knife.

Lorenzo was trying his best to conceal his movements, but Jaden knew the white-wearing man was gradually regaining his concentration and escaping with two still-out-cold young pokemon would be an impossible task for the elder. He needed a distraction, but from who? Jaden wouldn't hesitate, but his intangibility wasn't helping much.

Latios' father solved that problem. Perhaps it was a parental will of wanting his children to be safe, or a simmering anger of having to watch as his power was misused and caused the suffering of his city, his people - things that he was supposed to protect. Either way, the Alto Mare guardian couldn't allow the white-wearing evil of a man to have his way anymore, as he, in an attempt to escape and create a division, banged his head against the cage which retaliated by emitting even more sparks to shock him down.

"Still struggling eh?" the man said, "Give it up. That container was designed to harness and control your power. There's nothing you could do."

Or was it? As he continued to fight his way out the imprisonment, the pokemon's body stared to glow, brighter and brighter every second. Doubt and fear masked the man's face as he watched the cage becoming more unstable, before, with a massive BANG, it exploded, sending fragments of rings flying everywhere. As for Latios' father, the pokemon fell onto the ground with a thud, battered and covered in wounds and burn marks, yet still managed to cast a grateful gaze toward Lorenzo, who as of now, had managed to free himself and evacuate the two hostage pokemon as well.

"He escaped, but that...that's impossible!" said the man in white, not believing his eyes. Then, as luck would have it, the Defense Mechanism started to go berserk, spinning around disorientedly with the man still trapped inside the control center. All he could do was screaming and begging for help, but there was no respond as both Latios' father and Lorenzo preferred leaving him there to face his well-deserved punishment.

"Are you okay, Latios?" asked Lorenzo, the young Latios and Latias cradled in his arms, and the pokemon gave a wary nod. Then, something got their attention. Ejected from its holder, the Soul Dew bounced off the ground as its color started to become black.

"No...This is bad, really bad." Latios' father exclaimed as he stared at the blackened Soul Dew. Somehow, Jaden could hear the pokemon's voice in his head. It was essentially similar to his Latios', albeit a little deeper and more mature.

"What do you mean?" Lorenzo asked.

"The Soul Dew was used for a purpose other than protecting Alto Mare. It has been stained by evil and now start to corrupt, but the worst has yet to come." Latios' father explained, "A corrupted Soul Dew will cause the Defense Mechanism to malfunction, leading to disastrous consequence."

Focusing on the conversation, Jaden barely noticed the effect of sight-sharing had worn off and Latios was returning to the museum, until the pokemon tapped his shoulder, making him jump and spin around.

"The chaos ceased. Did I miss something important here?" Latios inquired.

"You sure did. Long story short, your father successfully deactivated the Mechanism, although it's a little messed up now." Jaden said. The Eon pokemon went silent, perhaps still resented his father, but Jaden couldn't quite believe Latios' story about his father abandoning him and all, because from everything Jaden had been witnessing so far, he knew one thing for sure: Latios' father truly loved his children. There must have been a reason behind his act, supposed that it really had happened...

Jaden expected Latios to be quiet for a while, but it surprised him when the Eon pokemon spoke first, "Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?" Jaden tilted his head, confused.

"Shhh..." Latios held up his hand. He closed his eyes for concentration and his ears twitched, "Sounds like...running water, and some sort of rumblings from the sea. Don't tell me..."

Latios' eyes budged open, and from his expression, Jaden knew some nasty stuffs were about to happen.

...

Even when riding on Latios' back as the pokemon flew them to the port, Jaden couldn't think of anything worst which could possibly happen to this city, and he really hated being proven wrong.

They arrived at the shore at a nearly identical moment as Latios' father and Lorenzo, just in time for Jaden to witness the scariest sight in his life, and he had already seen some _seriously_scary sights.

From a not-so-far distance away, a massive tsunami was slowly approaching Alto Mare. Distinctively gigantic but deadly silent, the advancing wave looked almost like an ferocious predator, looming over its prey. If the city got struck, it would be completely wiped out from this world.

Jaden didn't know what to do, nor could he move his trembling limps. Facing such a force, he felt so helpless, insignificant and terrified. Next to him, Latios was also having the same reaction.

However, when all hope seemed to be lost, a deep voice broke through the darkness and silence.

"There's no other choice. I'll use all my power to stop the wave." Latios' father declared.

"No, you mustn't!" Lorenzo protested, "I know you're powerful, Latios, but your current stage is just too weak."

"May be I'll die trying, but I _have to_try." the pokemon said, voice brimming with resolution, "If I don't act now, all shall be lost, including my children. As the guardian of Alto Mare, my consciousness will never allow that."

"What's about your children?" Lorenzo croaked, "What am I supposed to tell them after this? Think again, Latios!"

"You don't have to tell them anything." said Latios' father as he looked at his two children; his eyes glowed, "There. I've altered their memories. When they wake up, they'll remember nothing from this day. Tell them I left the city and abandoned them."

"That's much too cruel. Are you going to make your own children bear a grudge again you for the rest of their lives?" the old curator wailed.

"Better than letting they drown themselves in sorrow. Don't worry, even if my body perish, my soul will always stay with you, in a new Soul Dew. Lorenzo, this is my last request: Please, from now on, take good care of my children."

Reluctantly, Lorenz nodded.

The elder Eon pokemon smiled, and Jaden felt like his heart was melting...such warmth and gentleness, "Farewell."

Then, he enclosed himself in a brilliant blue aura and charged forward the tsunami, before becoming a column of light and intercepting the giant wave just in time before it could hit Alto Mare.

...

Finally, the truth...

"Father...Dad!!!" Latios cried out, tear running down his face as he couldn't do anything but watched his father making the final and most noble sacrifice of all. All this years, he had resented something that had never really happened; he had been holding a grudge against his father, who, instead, should have been respected and honored.

Eventually, the tsunami was subsided and the column of light also died down, reducing into a small sphere. It floated toward Lorenzo and landed gently onto his hands. Jaden had a feeling that from now on, that Soul Dew would forever protect Alto Mare.

Jaden was as shocked as Latios. Having a amazing father himself, the trainer could more or less understood the Eon pokemon's pain, being exposed to the cruel truth that had caused a serious rift between him and his father, and even now, after having known his father's heroic deed, there was still nothing he could do? Being Latios' mate, Jaden could only stay by his side and offer as much comforting as he could. He didn't say anything, though, for Jaden knew how empty the words 'I'm sorry' could be.

Then again, what was the point of being here? They weren't able to help Latios' father, and now the Eon pokemon was left heart-broken. What good had it done them?

He got the answer immediately.

Suddenly, everything around Jaden and Latios started to become white. Soon, they weren't in Alto Mare anymore, but an empty, seemingly endless dimension of white. How had they ended up here?

"So now you know..." came a soft but emotionless voice. Jaden brought his head up and found the source.

Hovering above him and Latios was a small and extremely innocent-looking pokemon with two tails and closed eyes, giving Jaden an impression that it was sleepwalking. Most noticeably, its face was completely devoid of emotion, which gave off quite an eerie and timeless feeling, as if the pokemon had existed for eons.

Even Jaden had only seen this pokemon once; he instantly recognized it - one of three lake guardians, the embodiment of knowledge.

"Uxie!" Jaden called.

"Precisely." The lake guardian nodded, before turning to Latios, "How do you feel now, Latios."

"How do I feel?" Latios shouted, glistering trails marked his cheeks, "How do I feel when I have to watch my father die in front of my eyes? Why did you do this, Uxie? Why did you have to cast this illusion?"

"To answer your questions: First, this isn't an illusion." said Uxie, "This is the truth underneath your memories, which was concealed by your father's power. I merely help you unearth it. And secondly, you need to know. The truth may hurt, but you need to know. For me, knowledge is always the greatest weapon. You're very powerful, Latios, but this is as far as you can go. Know why?"

"..."

"Because you've been holding this grudge against your father. Your own hatred and lack of knowledge have limited your potential."

Latios flinched. Uxie was right. Even though it was extremely painful to witness his father's final moment, Latios found the knot in his chest had been lifted and now he loved and respect his father more than ever.

"As for you, Jaden, do you know why you're here as well?" Uxie said.

"Uhm...no." Jaden admitted.

"You share the closest connection to Latios, and I think you two should be together at times like this. Plus, now you know more about him, it'll be even easier for you two to understand each other. As of now, you are ready to receive a new power - An evolution that exceeds evolution."

"An evolution that exceeds evolution...Mega Evolution?" Jaden questioned, wide-eyed.

"Good guess." Uxie smiled, "Yes. From now on, you two will inherit that ancient power. Use it well, for there'll be a time when that power is needed."

"Wait!" Jaden protested, "I don't want that. What if it corrupts Latios?"

"The answer is yours to make. Will you trust your mate well enough to believe he won't be changed by the evolution's power, or will you not?" Uxie shrugged, "But soon, this world will face a crisis like none it has evder seen, and the power of Mega Evolution is our only hope. Besides, you saw your friends Jake and Lucario. Have they let this power get between them?"

"..."

"Your call, Jaden." Latios said, "I won't regret anything, whether you accept this power or not, but be resolute with your decision."

It took Jaden a long time, but when he brought his face up, there was only determination in those blue eyes as he gave Uxie a confirming nod.

"Very well." Uxie declared. The lake guardian started to shine, and soon, it was transformed into a sphere of light. However, Jaden and Latios had yet to get it, as they both were staring at another figure that had just appeared from out of nowhere.

With his honey-colored eyes filled with pride and love as well as his warm smile, the spirit of Latios' father gave his son and Jaden an encouraging nod, which they nod appreciatively in respond.

Together, Jaden and Latios reached for the light. As of this moment, their souls were united, once again.

...

Jaden sat up so fast that he nearly headbutted Jake, who, along with Ryan and Cynthia, as well as their pokemon, was looking at him worriedly.

"Ugh..." Jaden rubbed his forehead. He looked around and realized he was in Celestic Ruin again, "What happened?"

"Same thing we wanna ask you." said Jake, "You and Latios fainted after being exposed to that freaky white light, but it was only you two."

"I see..." Jaden muttered, feeling a round gemstone in his closed hand. So that experience was real. He had travelled into Latios' past and looked at the truth hidden within. He had received a new power. Jaden looked at Latios, who was also awake now, and they had a silent conversation via gazes. The message was clear: Save the story for later.

"Sorry, but my head is a bit blank." Jaden lied, "Did we miss anything?"

"Yes." Jake said; his expression became serious, "We've found the missing key stones."