To all people who have read my other stories you know I haven't done any updates in months. I haven't been well for roughly 3 years now so it hasn't been easy to get the chapter posted. Also for "Pushing Me Away" I have a writers block. I am back for now so I'll try my best to get Pushing Me Away and Suffering the Didact updated frequently.

Disclaimer: I own nothing

(A/N: thoughts, 'telepath', "Speech" and Pokespeach[(...)])

Our heroes had just finished watching Ash rematch the Indigo Leagues Elite Four and Lance. They were on route 22 approaching Viridian City on their way back to pallet town. Suddenly they heard the roar of a familiar Charizard.

"Ash!" Lance shouts.

"Huh?" they say collectively as they turn to see him.

He climbs off his Charizard and sprints to meet them.

"Ash, Team Rocket has gotten their hands on a Soul Dew! I don't know what they're planning but we need help finding out and stopping them. If you're in then I need you to head to Alto Mare to make sure their Soul Dew is safe and learn what they may be planning to do with it. When you're done meet me in Mahogany Town to check their hide out."

"Alright, let's stop Team Rocket!" Ash says.

"Pika-pi!" Pickachu agrees.

"So much for visiting your mom," Brock says.

They arrive at the Viridian PokeCenter to get Ash's Swellow for commuting and then set off to Cherrygrove, flying on the backs of their Pokémon.

Upon arrival in Cherrygrove they pay their fair and board the Ferry to Alto Mare.

It had been nearly 5 years since his last trip to Alto. As they drew closer all the memories came flooding back, especially those of Latias. Back all those years ago she had kissed him or at least he was fairly certain it was her. Ash had been so dense back then not knowing what it was he felt for her., Now he was older and more mature he knew exactly what it was and he had known for some time. He was excited to see Latias, Bianca and Lorenzo again. Ash really hoped Latias could forgive him for not visiting. He was in love with Latias but how would it work they were so different. She, being a Pokémon and him a human. He was being naïve he told himself. He had been holding onto that memory for years. For years he had wanted to avoid his feelings, but now they were being pushed back together, not that he minded but he was afraid of what may happen to their friendship. Did she feel the same way and if she did he hoped she didn't have to deal with the pain of missing him like he did. He could see the city on the horizon as the sun set. They would be there come nightfall. He swallowed the lump in his throat and tried to clear his mind. He just hoped he hadn't ruined anything for leaving so long. Never had he had so much anticipation and dread for something. Either way it was going to happen.

Meanwhile…

Latias looks out over the ocean watching another sun set. One of many in her life time and many to come. Here she sits alone watching the sun sink into the horizon as she has for the past five years since her brother died. Then Ash left shortly after compounding the pain. Tears form in her golden eyes… she loved him. It was foolish she knew, he was a human after all it would never work she thought. A girl could dream though, right? She smiles to herself as she recalls kissing him, but it wasn't like he knew it was her. He probably thought it was Bianca. If he really felt 'that' that way about them he would have returned by now. Now here she was all alone without her brother and in love with someone who obviously didn't love her back and human at that. Maybe she was destined to live out her life alone in pain and suffering and stuck guarding a city for several thousand years. Tears began to fall as they did most days. Almost five years had passed but the pain was still there and she felt it might never leave. She just wanted to be free of it all. She still had Bianca and Lorenzo she thought but they didn't understand what she was dealing with. Also Bianca was away more often than not and Lorenzo was growing old and could no longer play games with her or provide the company she needed. She returned to the garden and cried herself to sleep by the fountain that held her brothers' soul.

They arrive to empty streets and canals. The city was quiet at night. They find a Hotel to stay in for the night. In the morning they would find Lorenzo and Bianca. Ash lay down and Pikachu jumped onto the bed and lay down beside him. Brock and the Ninetales he had caught several months back did the same, along with Dawn and her Piplup that still hadn't evolved. Dawn had given it an Everstone saying she liked him just the way he was.

"Goodnight buddy," Ash says.

"Pika," Pikachu responds with a sigh.

Soon they all drift off to sleep quickly.

Morning comes early, Brock and Dawn attempt to wake Ash so they can get breakfast. However being that he's Ash he doesn't even stir, the kid could sleep through a hurricane. Brock and Dawn sweatdrop when he doesn't wake. Pikachu takes it upon himself to wake his trainer up.

"Pika… chuuu!" he says as he charges and unleashes a thunder bolt on his sleeping trainer.

"AHHHHH!" Ash shouts in pain as electricity races through his body.

Slightly charred he gets up off the bed.

"What the hell?" he asks, glaring at Pikachu.

"Maybe if you would actually wake up that wouldn't be necessary," Dawn tells him and Brock laughs.

"Pika! Piplup! Ninetales!" the Pokémon exclaim in agreement.

Ash just sweatdrops. Ash being annoyed with Pikachu doesn't let him ride on his shoulder.

They followed Ash for a while but soon realized he was lost. So Brock took the lead and they finally made it to the museum where they found Lorenzo talking with a few tourists.

He was older than last time. He had aged a fair amount but still slightly resembled Santa.

"Hello Ash!" he says spotting them.

"Hey Lorenzo! Good to see you," Ash says.

"Hey Brock and who's this?" Lorenzo asks gesturing to Dawn.

"This is Dawn, she's a Pokémon coordinator from Sinnoh. She joined us when me and Ash started our journey there and has been with us ever since," Brock informs him.

"Nice to meet you Dawn, that's quite an adorable Piplup you have."

"Thanks," she says blushing.

"Pip-piplup," Piplup says looking proud.

Seeing this they all chuckle.

"Anyways Lorenzo I wish we could talk longer but I need you to take us to the garden right away it's of utmost importance," Ash tells him.

"Certainly."

They make their way quickly through allies and across canals till they reach the secret garden.

Upon entering Ash runs to the fountain and lets out a sigh of relief. Lorenzo gives him a confused look.

"We were told the Soul Dew may have been stolen," Ash says.

"Ah I see, well as you saw it's still here safe and sound. Who was said to have it?"

"Well Team Rocket. It's good to see it's safe but the problem is that they have a Soul Dew in their possession. We were told it may have been this one. That is why we came."

"Oh dear that's not good. Then again good and Team Rocket never go together."

"Where are Latias… and Bianca?' Ash asks trying not to sound overly excited but failing miserably.

Lorenzo smiles softly seeing him excitement.

"Latias is somewhere watching over the city I suppose and Bianca is just inside making lunch. She will be happy to see you again."

Ash heart sinks hearing that Latias isn't there.

"Well let's head inside and eat quickly as I'm assuming you'll want to leave shortly to stop Team Rocket."

Brock is about to agree but Ash interrupts.

"Actually we were going to stay a couple days. We were hoping you could give us information on what Team rocket might use a Soul Dew for since you know so much about it."

Thanks to all my faithful readers and new readers too. This is the beginnings of a long story I have spent a lot of effort on and I really hope you enjoy it. Don't forget REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW. Thanks :)