The girl on the screen was indeed Latias in her illusory form. But from the outside, she looked like any ordinary human—and she was incredibly cute! With wine-red hair, a white beret, a green short-sleeved shirt, and a white skirt, she looked like a gentle, charming girl.
It was perfectly natural for Ash to like such a girl, but... why did so many people watching feel a sudden pang of discomfort in their chests?
In the Footage—
Ash jogged after the girl and finally closed the distance. He called out to her across a bridge. "Hey! Girl with the wine-red hair, wait a second!"
The girl holding the sketchbook froze. Wine-red hair? That was her. She turned to see a boy in a hat she'd never met before, with a Pikachu on his shoulder.
"Why did you just leave without saying anything earlier?!" Girl: "???" She looked at Ash with utter confusion, as if she had no idea what he was talking about. "What are you saying? You're a weird person..." Thinking she'd run into a creep, the girl quickly jogged away.
Ash, driven by his worry about the earlier kidnapping attempt, chased after her. But the maze-like streets of the city soon had him turned around. He lost the girl and got himself lost in the process.
"Pika!" Pikachu chirped, pointing. On a small bridge nearby, the girl stood there, looking at him with a gentle, affectionate smile. "Are you... Waiting for me? Didn't you just run away? What is going on!" Ash's head was spinning; he felt like he'd swallowed half the water in the Water Capital.
The girl didn't speak. She just waved, gesturing for Ash to follow. Ash followed her without a second thought.
[Catlin: Did you guys notice?]
[Lance: Needless to say! As an investigator, I have that much eyesight!]
[Bruno: Notice what?]
[Lorelei: Sasuga Bruno, the only designated 'clown' of the Elite Four!]
[Cynthia: The girl's clothes are the same, but she's missing her sketchbook and her white beret.]
[Wallace: Most importantly, the way this girl looks at Ash is so warm and kind, completely different from the cold confusion of the girl before. This... is the real Latias!]
In the Footage—
Ash followed the girl through winding paths until they reached a magnificent building. But her destination wasn't the building; it was the wall next to it! She stepped directly into the wall. Ash rubbed his eyes—it was a dead end!
"Pika-pi!" Pikachu bolted in first. Seeing his partner disappear, Ash steeled his nerves and walked through. After a dark tunnel, the light broke.
He had entered a hidden paradise! Lush greenery, blue water, blooming flowers, and butterflies everywhere. It was a sanctuary for Pokémon living in harmony.
The girl waved him over to a swing set. She sat on the swing, looking incredibly happy, as if enjoying the greatest joy in the world. Even Ash was momentarily dazed by her radiant smile.
Suddenly, small windmills nearby began to spin. A wake appeared in the water, as if something was charging toward them! Ash sensed it but saw nothing until a massive splash erupted beside him, soaking his clothes. Something invisible was there!
"Something's there!" "Pika!" Pikachu jumped in front of Ash, unleashing a Thunderbolt! The golden lightning cut through the air but missed. The invisible figure slammed into Pikachu, sending him tumbling across the grass.
"Pikachu, are you okay!" Ash rushed to his side. As he helped Pikachu up, the invisible entity circled back. Ash couldn't see it, but the whistling wind told him it was coming fast. With no time to dodge, Ash instinctively pulled Pikachu into a protective hug.
At the final second, the girl jumped in front of Ash! The invisible figure screeched to a halt, kicking up a cloud of dust. As it stopped, color bled back into its body. A streamlined blue body, jet-like wings, and a red triangle on its chest. This was the Eon Pokémon—Latios!
Latios growled at the girl, clearly angry and telling her to get away from the human. "Lati...os?" Ash recognized him instantly. But why was he so mad?
[Lance: Latios likely views Ash as an intruder.]
[Diantha: Or... is it possible Latios thinks Ash is going to steal his sister away?]
[Cynthia: Haha, Ash's charm is just too great—to humans and Pokémon alike!]
[Bruno: You people are terrifying! Are you serious?!]
In the Footage—
As the standoff continued, a sharp voice rang out. "Where did you two come from!" Ash looked up and saw a second girl with wine-red hair! He looked left, then right, rubbing his eyes again. Two of them? But the one on the right had the beret and the sketchbook.
"Answer me!" The girl moved to Latios's side. She remembered this boy from the bridge—was he a stalker who followed her to their secret garden? Ash hurriedly introduced himself, explaining that he followed the other girl. Before he could finish, the girl with the hat snapped, "You look suspicious! Latios!"
'Kyah!' Just as Latios prepared to attack, an elderly voice stopped them. "Bianca, Latios, stop!" An old man with a white beard, Lorenzo, walked over.
Ash recognized him as their guide from the Cathedral. "Bianca, what this boy says is true," Lorenzo said. "Latias, you wanted to play with him, didn't you?"
The girl next to Ash—Latias—nodded with a smile. Ash was stunned. Latias? Who are you talking to, Grandpa? Before he could react, the "girl" pulled Ash to the swings. Under the beautiful sun, surrounded by flowers, the boy and the girl swung together. The music was romantic, and they looked like a perfect match.
Vaniville Town, Kalos: Serena's fist tightened. It was one thing to compete with other girls, but now she had to compete with a Pokémon?! For the first time, she felt like she was going to lose her mind.
Twinleaf Town, Sinnoh: Dawn watched with her mother. "Ash is too much of a flirt! Girls are one thing, but now Pokémon? Wait... why do I care? He's just a travel companion... right?"
Alola Region: Lillie frowned slightly. She couldn't describe the feeling. Ash was brave and kind, and she certainly had feelings for him, but... this?
In the Footage—
Latias stood on the swing while Ash sat. She was wearing a white skirt and was practically leaning against the back of Ash's head. If Ash looked down even slightly, he'd see things he shouldn't. But of course, he's Ash.
"Wait... Grandpa called you Latias. Isn't that a Pokémon's name? And why do you look exactly like Bianca?" As Ash turned to look at her, the girl dissolved into particles of light.
Her body transformed into the red, jet-like form of Latias! She was using her forelimbs to push the swing while hovering in the air.
Startled, Ash tumbled off the swing. Latias immediately flew down to help him up. "I'm okay, thank... thanks! So that's why your hand felt different..." 'Huo Huo,' Latias chirped happily, circling Ash. She wasn't afraid of him at all.
"It seems Latias really likes Ash," Lorenzo mused. Bianca was puzzled. "Latias is usually so shy. She never approaches humans. Why him?" "Who knows? Maybe the boy has a special 'affinity'..."
Nearby, Latios landed next to Pikachu. Pikachu, still wary from the earlier attack, flinched. Latios leaned in close, and Pikachu closed his eyes, unsure of what the legendary dragon wanted to do...
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