I originally thought this movie was just Ash and Latias's (the red Lati) exclusive romantic "love story" film, and that it basically wouldn't have anything to do with anyone else.
But I never expected that the unconscious Latios (the blue Lati) would accidentally enter the signal-amplified Dream World!
"If it's 'dying,' it hasn't actually died yet. It's just lost consciousness and fallen into a coma."
"… Wait a moment."
Calyrex suddenly spoke up. A strange blue light flickered in its eyes. After the light dispersed, Calyrex looked at Latios with that calm, blank expression.
Then it turned its big head and waved its little hand at Hikaru, signaling him to come closer and listen.
"What is it, Your Majesty?"
"Mm. I just saw a bit of the future."
It was said that Calyrex possessed the power to see through all things past and future. After regaining part of its faith, Calyrex could now vaguely glimpse certain special futures.
Calyrex said solemnly, "This Latios will die very soon."
Hikaru nodded. "Yeah, I know."
Calyrex blinked, still blank-faced. "Mm! Friend, has your own foresight awakened to such a level as well?"
What foresight? He couldn't do anything like that. He just knew the plot.
Hikaru grumbled inwardly, then laughed it off. But Calyrex looked troubled.
"This is really difficult."
"Life and death are natural laws. Death cannot be absent from this world. But natural disasters and man-made calamities are two different things. And for me, regardless of which it is, if I see it, I must extend a helping hand."
"If I hadn't seen it, I could pretend I didn't know. After all, they aren't my subjects."
"But now that I've seen it, I feel miserable. Friend, I know you possess all knowledge. How can we save this Pokémon that is about to step into death?"
Hikaru shook his head.
"Latios's death is because it sacrifices itself to save the people of a city. But yes, that is indeed a disaster caused by humans."
"When Latios or Latias dies, their soul becomes an item called the Soul Dew."
"If the Soul Dew is polluted and destroyed, the city will suffer. At that time, as long as you can find a new Soul Dew, you can solve the problem."
Unova did have a new one, but there was no way to borrow it right now.
Soul Dew was an extremely difficult item to obtain. As for Johto… Steven should have excavated one, but that crystal was probably already given away.
The incident in Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias was actually quite simple.
Two world-famous female thieves—Annie and Oakley—found records of the legendary gemstone "Soul Dew" in a certain library, and greed took root. They also wanted to capture Latios (the blue Lati) and Latias (the red Lati), so they arrived at the water city of Alto Mare.
They chased Latias and Ash's group, discovered the location of the Secret Garden, stole the Soul Dew, and activated the machinery inside Alto Mare's famous landmark, the "Cathedral." That device had originally been left behind by Alto Mare long ago to face enemies. It required the Soul Dew and Latios to operate.
In the end, the device went out of control and triggered an unprecedented mega-tsunami. Latios and Latias used their power to erase the tsunami, but Latios also exhausted all its energy and, upon dying, became the Soul Dew.
Within the series of events in this city, the main focus was really the feelings between Ash and Latias (the red one).
There was a kind of beauty that was hard to name.
From the unique romance of the water city itself, to Latias's hazy affection for Ash—hazy yet brave love, a romantic and beautiful story.
Whether the bond between humans and Pokémon could surpass friendship and reach the level of love, and Latias's farewell kiss to Ash at the end—those were among the most classic moments in film history.
As for Alto Mare's Cathedral device, it was undoubtedly a product of "mystic science." The setting that it would self-destruct by triggering a mega-tsunami if it ran out of control was… frankly, hard to understand.
"Calyrex, the Soul Dew isn't an ordinary jewel. If it were, we could craft it through jewel-making techniques. But the material required for Soul Dew is the soul of Latios or Latias."
"Even if you use a Pass Orb as a material, the Soul Dew you create will have no soul. It won't possess the Soul Dew's full power."
"Mm. However… there may still be a turning point."
Since Latios was currently in a coma, that meant the polluted Soul Dew hadn't completely shattered yet.
As long as it could be purified in time, everything could return to normal.
Of course, if Latios didn't die, then Ash and Latias's emotions probably wouldn't "ascend" any further…?
After all, that was the movie's climax.
"The second method is—"
"The Eon Flute!"
And this, he just happened to know how to make!
He had once obtained an "Infinity Plate" from a blue Latios, and because of that he had gained permission to go to Southern Island—and also learned the crafting method for the Eon Flute.
The Eon Flute was a flute that could summon Latios or Latias no matter where you were.
At the same time—
This flute could also allow Latios and Latias, when carrying their Mega Stones, to Mega Evolve!
Of course, Alto Mare did not have any Mega Stones.
But there was still plenty of time!
As long as the right person blew the flute, the other Latios and Latias on Southern Island would come all the way from Hoenn!
There was no need to worry about their speed!
In their normal state, they were as fast as jet aircraft!
And after Mega Evolving, Latios could fly through the sky at Mach 4—boasting the highest-tier Speed among Pokémon!
If the flute was blown now… the Latios or Latias that answered the call…
Maybe it would even summon the one belonging to Hoenn's protagonist—Brendan's Champion-class Mega Latios!
"Back in Alto Mare's ancient times, there should have been a legend, right?"
Hikaru looked at the raising head of Latios.
"On an island called Alto Mare, many simple and honest people lived there. Among them were an old grandpa and an old grandma."
"One day, the two of them found a pair of injured little brother-and-sister by the seaside and brought them home."
"Under the careful care of the grandpa and grandma, the siblings' injuries slowly healed."
"But suddenly one day, an evil monster came and invaded the island."
"Just as the island was about to be swallowed, before the grandpa and grandma, the siblings released a brilliant light and rose into the sky, and their forms changed."
"It turned out they were the Eon Pokémon—Latios and Latias."
"They flew into the sky and called for their companions from far away to rush in through the air."
"They brought the power to drive away darkness and evil. That power was a jewel shining with a crystal-clear blue glow. This was the gemstone called Soul Dew."
"The island returned to peace. After that, on the island where the Soul Dew was kept, Latios and Latias would often come and stay for a time."
"From then on, the island was never again attacked by that evil monster."
"But the story has a hidden sequel."
"The grandpa decided to use the Soul Dew's power to protect the island permanently—meaning that humans invented a device that could utilize the Soul Dew's power."
"When those with ill intent use the Soul Dew, their hearts are polluted. The dew disappears, and the island is lost alongside it."
"Without a doubt, that ancient grandpa must have been a researcher of mystic science."
"And now, even if you go back, the Soul Dew has already been polluted. Its shattering and destruction is an inevitable result."
Latios had listened with confusion and curiosity at first. But when Hikaru said the Soul Dew's disappearance was inevitable, it immediately found it impossible to accept!
Calyrex said, "Mm, friend. Is that the story of that water city?"
Hikaru said, "Exactly."
"In the story, the Soul Dew saved the city. Therefore, once the Soul Dew is lost, the city's destruction becomes inevitable."
"But the second solution I'm about to describe is the most important thing in resolving the crisis within the story. That is… 'companions.'"
"Latios, calm down."
Hikaru sprinkled another handful of sunlight down, dispelling Latios's urgent agitation. The blue Lati was utterly helpless.
"Latios…!"
First—never mind what kind of person you are, and what kind of weird, rare existences you Pokémon are—I don't have time right now!
You actually know the ancient story. That's something even I don't know. It's a human legend…!
But if you won't let me go back immediately, then what exactly are you trying to do?!
Latios shook its head. "Latios!"
It's too late.
Calling for companions takes time. Even if something huge happens, they can't possibly arrive right away!
Hikaru extended a hand toward Latios and activated the power of recollection.
"I know. You should have been born in Alto Mare, and you've never left, right?"
"Latios."
Latios was shocked.
This human… saw its past?
The two Eon Pokémon of Alto Mare had never left the water city. They lived in the Secret Garden and rarely interacted with humans.
Latios had some understanding of how dangerous human society could be, but its younger sister Latias did not share that awareness.
Because she fell for Ash, she invited him into the Secret Garden. In the process, she underestimated just how evil those two female thieves were.
"Tonight, a massive calamity will occur—just like in the human legend. That 'monster,' the tsunami, will swallow the entire island, and you will lose the Soul Dew."
"Therefore, you need companions. Under normal circumstances, it might indeed be too late. But under another circumstance, it can be done!"
"Do you know Mega Evolution?"
Latios was blank, utterly confused.
In all its life, it had never even heard of such a thing.
Hikaru immediately smiled.
"In your homeland—Southern Island in the Hoenn region—your kin there guard a legendary power: the secret of Mega Evolution."
"By evolving further, you obtain an even greater power!"
"There's still time!"
"Wait just a moment. The carving recipe is…"
Hikaru began working on the spot.
Unlike the Time Flute, the Eon Flute wasn't made of stone, bone, or jade. It was a rare wooden flute.
At the tail end of the flute was red inlay. At the top, there were wing-like ornaments, like airplane wings.
[A Legendary Craft: Eon Flute!]
[Description: An ancient flute that can call Latios or Latias no matter where you are! It contains intense longing and memories, holding immense psychic power! In the Hoenn region, the Eon Flute is regarded as a legend on par with Southern Island itself. Only the Hoenn Champion Steven and Brendan can use it!]
[Effect: When Latios or Latias is carrying a Mega Stone, if the user holds a Key Stone, it will resonate with the Key Stone. If the user does not hold a Key Stone, it can consume the flute owner's mental power and Mega Evolve directly through the flute!]
[Bring the flute to your lips and you can play the legendary music, "Illusion of Soaring the Skies"!]
The moment the flute was created, Latios immediately felt an ancient call!
It was as if certain memories etched deep within memory and DNA had awakened. Though this item had just been created, it carried a power that felt nostalgic to it!
"Latios?"
What is that, exactly? The Southern Island you mentioned, the Eon Flute, the Mega Stones—these are all things I've never heard of.
But with this… can we really protect the island?
Hikaru said, "I hope we can make it in time. In any case… believe in the Eon Flute!"
"Hoenn is southwest of Johto. We should make it!"
Not being able to go to Alto Mare was indeed a pity.
After all, the Cathedral device was also a product of mystic science. If he could study it, maybe he could understand the essence of mystic science.
Then when he returned to Johto, he'd visit and take a look.
In any case, he wished Ash and Latias eternal happiness. Maybe in this world, Ash could even travel together with Latias?
No… that kind of thing probably had no meaning anyway.
With Ash's usual pattern, once he reached a new region, the red sister would most likely be sent to Professor Oak's backyard to "retire," ending up the same as the Moon Concubine.
"I'll treat it as paying for my ticket—so this romantic, beautiful story can have a perfect ending."
"No matter how far apart you are—"
"As long as you sound the Eon Flute, your companions will come to your side!"
"And remember Southern Island's message: All dreams are another reality. Do not forget them…"
"Give this to someone you truly trust. Have him play the flute. Don't worry—just put the flute to the lips, and it will play on its own!"
————————
Johto Region, the water city of Alto Mare.
"Wake up, Latios!"
A familiar human voice called into its ears.
It was the anxious voice of the girl named Bianca, someone who had lived together with it.
Latios snapped its eyes open!
The sounds of the Dream World quickly faded. That really had been a bizarre dream. It shook its head and assessed its current situation.
It was locked inside the Cathedral device, while those two foreign wicked women were controlling the Cathedral's control system.
That device had been built by ancient humans. It could protect Alto Mare from any external enemy.
The humans who lived with it—Lorenzo-san, and the girl Bianca—were both bound by the silk threads spat out by an Ariados.
The foreign thieves were stealing Alto Mare's power.
And stealing its own power as well!
The Soul Dew was gradually becoming filthy, yet it could do nothing.
Then Latios felt something on its body. It reached into its feathers, and its whole body froze.
All dreams are another reality. Do not forget them…
That strange voice echoed in its heart!
Just as the mysterious dream-craftsman had said!
That wasn't imagination!
In the dream, it truly received something important from a strange human craftsman!
The Eon Flute!
Someone who can play the flute…
That's right—have my sister bring that boy in the hat over here!
(End of Chapter)
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