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"Why is Latios here!?" Misty cried in shock.
Brock's eyes widened too though, given how small they normally were, the expression didn't look all that different. He nodded slowly, hesitation in his voice:
"This really doesn't make sense… and it looks angry!"
"You there!!"
The sudden shout of an angry girl came from behind them. They spun around and saw a girl who looked exactly like the human form Latias had taken earlier.
She hurried toward them, a sketchpad in one hand and a white sunhat perched on her head.
Unlike the other one, this girl was a real human.
"Huh?"
Ash blinked between the red-haired girl in front of them and the sun-hatted girl behind, blurting out:
"There are two of them!? Two of the same person!?"
The girl in the hat glared at him. "How did you even get in here!? Are you thieves?"
"Of course not!" Ash shook his head vigorously. "We're Pokémon Trainers from Pallet Town and beyond! We just followed her inside!"
Her eyes swept across Kai and the others before locking back on Ash. Clearly remembering how he'd tried to strike up a conversation earlier, her tone grew cold: "Very suspicious. Latios drives them out!"
At her command, Latios rose into the air, preparing to attack. But before he could strike, an older man's voice rang out.
"Stop!"
They turned and saw the same round, jolly-looking tour guide they'd met earlier in the cathedral. He hurried over and raised a hand.
"Bianca, Latios… that boy isn't lying."
"Grandpa, but—"
Bianca hesitated, but the old man Lorenzo gestured for her to calm down. Then he turned toward the red-haired girl.
"Latias, were you just playing with them?"
"Latias!?"
Ash, Misty, and Brock all glanced at the girl in astonishment. Could it be that she wasn't human at all… but Latias in disguise?
Under their questioning gazes, the girl nodded then took Ash's hand and pulled him toward the swings. She pressed him into a seat, then stood behind him. With a gentle push, the swing set swayed forward and back.
And then her form shimmered vanishing in a flash of light. Where the girl had stood now hovered a smaller Pokémon with a sleek red-and-white body: Latias!
"Whoa!"
Ash yelped, leaping off the swing in surprise.
Misty and Brock finally understood why the girl had never spoken along the way. It wasn't that she wouldn't talk she couldn't. She wasn't human at all!
Even Bianca, watching Latias play so happily with Ash, murmured: "Looks like Latias really likes that boy…"
Lorenzo nodded. "If she brought them here, then it's clear she trusts them."
Latios, no longer hostile, drifted down beside Pikachu and gently licked its scratches as an apology for the earlier attack. Pikachu chirped happily, accepting the gesture.
Before long, Ash and his Pokémon were laughing and playing together with the two Eon Pokémon. Latias and Latios soared through the sky, taking turns giving Ash rides.
Misty's Togepi squealed with delight, wriggled free of her arms, and hopped onto Latios's back to join in.
Meanwhile, Kai explained how they had rescued Latias from the two thieves.
"I see…" Lorenzo said gravely. "Then we owe you our thanks. Who knows what might have happened otherwise?"
Bianca looked embarrassed and bowed her head. "I'm sorry. My name's Bianca. I… overreacted earlier."
Kai shook his head. "Don't worry about it. If I saw strangers sneaking into a secret place like this, I'd have done the same."
The tension eased, and Bianca invited them to sit. As they walked, Lorenzo explained: "For generations, our family has watched over this secret garden a sanctuary created and protected by Latios and Latias. This is their true home."
"A hidden garden for Legendary Pokémon…" Brock mused. "No wonder the entrance was protected by a barrier."
At a small stone table, Bianca served them tea and continued: "Latios and Latias are siblings. Latios is the older brother calm and reserved. Latias, on the other hand, is playful and full of energy. She often takes on my appearance to wander the city."
Just then, the eyes of both Pokémon began to glow. Latios dove into the water, while Latias floated close by, her eyes shining brighter. Suddenly, new images sprang into view around them.
They were underwater surrounded by crystal-clear water and schools of fish. The vision was so vivid it felt as if they were truly there.
Ash's jaw dropped. Bianca chuckled. "This is their special power. By linking their minds, they can share what they see with others. We call it the Dream Projection."
"Dream Projection…" Brock echoed. "So everything we're seeing is what's happening through Latios's eyes right now?"
"That's right," Lorenzo confirmed. "It seems they're showing you this as a welcome."
Kai sat back, marveling. Even though his feet still touched solid ground, the illusion surrounded him like a living, three-dimensional film.
After some time, the vision faded as Latios surfaced again, the projection dissolving into reality.
Perhaps because no outsiders had ever been brought this deep before or because of the earlier misunderstanding Bianca now spoke more openly. She led them to a series of stone tablets and explained:
"Long ago, Latias and Latios brought with them a jewel said to hold the power to banish darkness. It's called the Soul Dew. After saving the island, they left it behind. According to legend, the Soul Dew still rests here, hidden within this city. And those two women you mentioned… I'm certain they're after it."
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