"Why is Latios here?" Misty called out in surprise.
Brock's eyes were also wide open, though compared to a normal person's, they were still a bit small no matter how surprised he was. He nodded hesitantly. "This is truly incredible. And... it looks very angry!"
"You people!"
Just as they were looking at Latios, they heard an angry shout from a girl behind them. They turned to see the girl who looked exactly like the one Latias had transformed into, hurrying over from behind.
And this person, holding a drawing board and wearing a white hat, was the real human girl!
"Huh?"
Ash looked at the red-haired girl standing in front of them, then at the white-hatted girl behind them. "There are two of them, exactly the same!?" he said in disbelief.
The white-hatted girl glared at Ash. "How did you get in here!? Are you thieves?"
"Of course not!" Ash quickly shook his head. "We're Pokémon trainers from Pallet Town and other places. We followed this girl in!"
The white-hatted girl's gaze swept over Natsui and the others, then fixed on Ash, seeming to remember the moment he had tried to talk to her earlier. "You're very suspicious," she said coldly. "Latios, get them out of here!"
Hearing the girl's words, Latios reared up, about to attack. Just then, an old man's voice came from the side.
"Stop!"
Natsui and the others turned again to see the guide they had met in the cathedral walking over.
The round-looking old man walked closer and said to the white-hatted girl and Latios, "Bianca, Latios, that boy is not lying."
The white-hatted girl, called Bianca, looked at the old man. "Grandfather, but..."
Lorenzo made a gesture for Bianca to be patient, then looked at Latias. "Latias, did you want to play with them?"
"Latias?"
Ash, Misty, and Brock followed Lorenzo's gaze to the human-like Latias, all wondering why the guide was calling her Latias.
Could it be...
This girl was a transformed Latias?
With everyone's eyes on her, Latias nodded. She then took Ash's hand, led him to the swing, and got on it with him.
Latias placed Ash on the seat, while she stood behind him. With a gentle push from Latias, the swing began to move back and forth with both of them on it.
Just then, Latias's body suddenly changed. Her girl form vanished, and in its place was a Pokémon that looked a few sizes smaller than Latios, with a red lower body!
"Whoa!"
Ash was startled by the transformed Latias and quickly jumped off the swing.
At the same time, the stunned Misty and Brock finally understood why the girl hadn't spoken the entire time. It wasn't that she didn't want to, but as a Pokémon, she couldn't speak human language!
Even Bianca, watching Latias play with Ash, couldn't help but murmur, "It seems Latias really likes this boy."
Lorenzo nodded. "Seeing how happy Latias is, it's certain that she was the one who led them here."
With the misunderstanding cleared up, Latios went over to Pikachu and licked its wounds, clearly expressing its apology and affection for the earlier harm.
Ash and Pikachu quickly became friends with the two legendary Pokémon. Latias and Latios carried him as they flew all around. Seeing this, Misty's Togepi excitedly wriggled out of her arms and jumped onto Latios's back.
Natsui also took the opportunity to tell them about rescuing her from the two female thieves.
"So that's what happened," Lorenzo said gratefully after hearing the story. "Thank you for saving her."
Bianca also looked apologetic and formally introduced herself. "I'm so sorry. My name is Bianca. I was too impulsive earlier."
"It's nothing," Natsui shook his head. "If it were me, and I saw strangers breaking in here, I would also try to drive them away to protect the Pokémon."
At their invitation, they went to sit down for a while. On the way, Lorenzo explained, "For generations, our family has protected this secret garden for the Latios and Latias who visit this island. This place was built by their power and is where they live."
"A secret garden for legendary Pokémon..." Brock nodded in understanding. No wonder there was a barrier at the entrance.
Arriving at a nearby table, Bianca served them tea and smiled. "This Latios and Latias are brother and sister. Latios is the older brother, and Latias is the younger sister. Compared to her well-behaved brother, Latias is much more lively. She often transforms into my likeness to leave here and explore the city."
Just then, the eyes of both Latios and Latias began to glow with a white light. As Latios dove into the water, Latias came over to the group. Her eyes flashed, and suddenly, a different scene appeared all around Natsui and the others.
It was an underwater world, surrounded by clear pond water. Everything was so real, as if they were actually there.
Seeing Ash's surprised face, Bianca smiled. "This is the ability of the two legendary Pokémon. They can connect their minds and allow us to see from their perspective. We call it Dream Projection!"
"Dream Projection?" Brock murmured. "So, everything we're seeing now is really happening to Latios?"
"That's right," Lorenzo said. "I think Latios and Latias are doing this specially to welcome you."
Natsui sat in his chair, taking in everything before him.
It was truly a projection. He was still in the same spot, with solid ground under his feet and the sounds and smells of the garden around him, yet the scene before him was like a 3D movie, making him feel as if he were truly underwater.
After playing for a while, Latios returned to the group, and the Dream Projection ended.
Perhaps because no one had ever been invited into the garden by Latias before, or perhaps because of the earlier misunderstanding, Bianca was very patient with Natsui and his friends. She led them to some stone tablets and continued her explanation. "A long time ago, Latias and Latios brought a power that could drive away darkness. It was a gem called the Soul Dew. After they saved the island, a legend remained that the Soul Dew was left here. Those two female thieves you mentioned... the reason they want to capture Latias is probably because they're after that Soul Dew!"
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