Latios awoke in the secret garden. It was still very dark, meaning Latios had not been asleep for long. He looked to his side and saw Latias cozily sleeping close to him. A small smile appeared on his face before he turned around and attempted to go back to sleep. He could not, however. And every time he dozed off, he awoke again. Latios gave a soft sigh. He was very tired, no doubt. But something was keeping him up. He decided just to lay quietly on the ground. He felt the pulse of his heart beat echo throughout his body. He listened to the sounds around him, until finally, ever so slowly, closed his eyelids and fell asleep. Latios dreamed he was in the secret garden on a very sunny day. He wasn't alone, however. Latias was with him, and she was flying about having fun, while he sat near the lake and watched everything around him. The nature of this place had always intrigued Latios, whether it was the bird Pokemon happily chirping in the trees, or the winds swaying the blades of grass. Latios looked over to Latias and smiled, as he watched her flying about. A rustling in a nearby tree caught Latios's attention, and he watched. Leaves trickled down to the ground and the shaking continued until suddenly a Pidgeot emerged from the green leaves. Latios's vision flashed white, and he heard his name being called by a seemingly old, wise voice. Again, a flash of white, and a voice calling his name. Latios eventually was pulled out of his dream because of the flashes. He awoke and was heaving. He looked over to Latias, and let out a sigh of relief that he had not woken her. Latios heard more rustling. He turned around, and out came a Pidgeot from a tree, followed by the white flash and his name being called. Latios quickly looked around at his surroundings, and brought his arm up to his face, and shifted it around. It was not a dream. Latios had complete control over his body movements. Scared, Latios pulled himself off of the ground. He saw the Pidgeot again, and with his eyes, Latios followed its path as it left the secret garden. Again, he heard his name called. Latios felt he should follow the Pokemon, but was hesitant at the idea of leaving Latias alone in the night. Latios looked at the Pidgeot, then back to Latias. Latios made up his mind, and decided that he would follow the Pidgeot. Slowly, Latios bent over Latias, and lowered his head to her level. "I'll be back." he whispered into her ear. Latios lifted himself from the ground, and flew off quietly to where the Pidgeot had been. He picked up his speed as he located the Pidgeot, and he followed it outside of the secret garden. Upon exiting the secret garden, Latios now followed the Pidgeot through open sky. Latios looked down upon the island in amazement as he always did. There was a haze layer over the forest, giving off an eerie sense of the night. Latios continued following the Pidgeot, and it led his closer and closer to the caves that he and Latias had explored earlier that night. Sure enough, Latios realized where they were headed. It was that exact location, with the pictures and the underground lake. The Pidgeot lowered its altitude and maneuvered through the many trees. Latios did the same. It occurred to Latios that he had a friend who was a Pidgeot, and he had seemed rather wise when he had talked to him. So, he wondered if this Pidgeot had been his friend. However, there was no sure way of telling, as it was far too dark to see any details beyond the fact that the Pokemon was indeed a Pidgeot. The Pidgeot's altitude continued to steadily fall, until finally the bird Pokemon stopped near the opening of the cave, and folded its wings, before redirecting itself into the cave. Latios followed, and, upon entering the cave, could see nothing. Steady dripping of water could be heard echoing throughout the cave. Latios heard the fluttering sound of a bird flapping its wings, and turned towards where he thought the noise had come from.
"Hello, my friend." the bird said, still concealed in the darkness of the cave.
"Pidgeot? ...Is that you?" Latios asked, curiosity in his voice.
"Yes, Latios. I am. But I am no Pidgeot." The source of the voice shifted across the room, and Latios turned once more to find it. "Look, my friend. Over here." Pidgeot said, as a light shined on one of the many paintings in the room. Latios hurried over to the light, and saw a man, with a blue orb, bowing to a Latios and Latias.
"I don't...understand..what is this creature?" Latios asked, wondering about the figure in the painting.
"Turn around, my friend." Pidgeot said, and the whole room bursted into a blinding white light, and slowly dimmed. Latios swung around, and in his sight, was a two-legged creature, with two arms. The figure wore ragged clothes, and had gray hair and a gray beard. His arm was pointed out towards Latios, and in his hand was the blue orb in the picture. The orb was beautiful. It glowed an oceanly glow, with what seemed like white clouds. The middle, however, was the most amazing. It glowed even brighter than the rest of the orb.
"Who..who are you? What are you?" Latios asked nervously.
"I am human." the man replied simply. "I have been asked by your father and mother to watch over you. For you, and the other, are the last of your kind. This island on which you live. The beauty that has been bestowed upon it. It is all the doing of your ancestors. They have given you this, in the hopes that it will be a resting place for when you are wearied of your tasks. What I hold in my hand is the life force of the island. This blue orb..is none other than the Soul Dew. In it, lies your fathers soul." The man stood, he didn't move a muscle. He awaited the defender's reply.
"What am I to do?" Latios asked. "Last of my kind..a task?" he had wanted to simply ask "why me", but decided against it.
"The city of High Seas.." the man began. "Once again requires your assistance. As does the rest of the world. A shadow looms across this planet. It has been foretold that your kind would light a path in such an event that would threaten every being of the world. A wizard, once banished, has returned once again, only to cast a shadow over this land. To control it for himself. Such is the greed of my race."
"Why have you brought me here?" inquired Latios.
"I myself have not brought you here, Latios. That is fate's doing. I am simply the guide. I am here to train you." replied the man, as he brought the soul dew closer to himself and held it to his side.
"To train me?" Latios turned his head quizzically. "I know everything I need to know."
Latios's reply seemed to have angered the man. He groaned and frowned. "That's a bold statement, young one. Very bold."
Latios lowered his head and thought for a moment. What he had said obviously displeased the man. What more was there for him to learn? Latios had lived on Southern Island all his life. He learned what and what not to eat. He learned of some of the dangers of the world. The man brought his hand that carried the Soul Dew up again.
"You've not learned many things, Latios. That I can assure you." the man said.
Latios frowned. "How would you know this?" he asked, his irritation began to show in his face.
"I know many things Latios. I know of the world. I know of the prophecy..." the man trailed off. "I know of what you must do."
Latios's eyes widened at the mention of the prophecy. He had talked with Pidgeot about it before.
"What of this prophecy?" Latios asked. "What am I to do?"
"That...will be revealed to you in time." said the man. "But there is something else that you must learn here and now."
"And that would be..?" Latios asked.
"How to properly defend yourself by wielding the powers granted to you by your ancestors. You have used them only on rare occasions. One of them being when you lifted that tree off of me in that storm. That had been a test. And you have proven that you are aware of these powers. You must now learn how to channel them and use them more effectively. For if you don't, much lies in danger. Much already lies in danger." the man walked towards Latios, and extended the Soul Dew to him. "Take it, my friend. Feel the strength that is your ancestry."
Latios took the Soul Dew in both hands, and watched in awe in what he saw. In it, many Latios's and Latias's flew, all of them his ancestors. Latios felt a sort of strength rush through his body. Latios began to consider the man's words. "How am I to defend myself?" Latios asked, simply.
The man scratched his beard. "That time you moved the tree trunk." he began. "Learn to channel this energy again."
"How?" asked Latios.
"Look deep inside yourself. What you are feeling by holding the Soul Dew is what you must harness. Open up your mind to the Soul Dew. And they will help you." the man explained.
Latios did as he was told to, and brought the Soul Dew up to his face. He held it tight, and felt the warmth it gave off. He emptied his mind, and let the forgotten energy flow through him like the blood in his veins. He closed his eyes, and was silent for a moment.
"The one who sleeps in the secret garden now." the man said, breaking the silence. "You must protect her. There is a way for you to check on her, even from here. It is called sight-sharing."
Latios, somehow, understood the man, and opened his eyes. What would normally be his eyes was replaced by a bright white glowing light. Latios's vision was not of the cave. It was of Latias. He saw exactly what she saw. She had awoken, and was looking around the garden for Latios. Noticing this, Latios quickly snapped out of the sight-share, and bolted for the exit to the cave.
"Stop." said the man, sternly. The word echoed throughout the caves. "There is one more thing you must learn here."
Latios ignored the man, and continued flying towards the exit. With one swift movement, the man in robes waved his hand, and a force field blocked the exit. Latios turned around and looked at the man. "What is this?" he asked, though it wasn't really a question.
"A force field." said the man. "I cannot allow you to leave here until I teach you one more thing."
Latios shook his head violently. "Look, you can teach me this another time. I really need to get back to her. Now stop the force-field." demanded Latios.
"If you must return to her this instant..." he trailed off. "Remove the force-field. Yourself."
Latios sighed angrily and turned towards the invisible force-field. He slammed into it, only to be flung a ways back. He continued this, for a few tries, each time he put more force and effort. It could not be done by mere force.
Despite Latios's desperate attempts to break free, the man laughed. "No, no. All wrong."
Latios, who was now extremely irritated, approached the man. "You're right. You're the one holding the force-field. Attacking you is the only way to break the field."
The man smiled. "It is not the only way. But it is a way indeed." The man spread his arms out wide. "If this is how it must be, attack me. Attack me now."
Latios hesitated for a moment, but then found the resolve to attack the man. He needed to get back to Latias. So, Latios charged towards the man. He simply dodged, and laughed. Latios grew increasingly agitated, and finally he was in a position to where he could not miss. He charged, faster then before. The man lifted his arm, and a flash of light stopped Latios's charge. Latios flew back against a wall, panting.
"Get. Up." the man ordered. "That series of attacks was pathetic."
Latios, sweating, panting, got up on his feet again. He was fairly sure he knew what the man expected from him. Latios's eyes glowed a yellow-white glow, and he channeled a powerful psychic attack, that sent the man tumbling to the floor, into the wall. He threw his hounds out in front of him to lift himself up. He laughed and coughed at the same time. "E..Excellent.." he said, still trying to get to his feet. He struggled, and Latios flew over to assist him. Latios helped him up onto a leaning stone in the wall. Latios could have said how "pathetic" the man had been in his defense, but decided against it. The man lifted his head to speak. "G..Go now, Latios. Return to her.
Latios looked towards the exit. He just barely heard rain droplets outside. Latios heard a figure approaching, and walked slowly over. It was Latias. As soon as the man realized this, he returned to his Pidgeot form and flew straight over Latias and Latios, and out the cave. Latios was still breathing rather heavily from the pervious fight.
Latias walked up to Latios slowly. "I thought you might be here.." she said softly. "You seemed...uneasy about this place when we were here earlier."
"I was." he admitted. "That bird brought me here. The bird was a friend, in fact. Pidgeot..." Latios considered his next words. "..But he isn't really a Pidgeot. You remember that two-legged figure in that picture over there? He's one of them. And he spoke of the prophecy." explained Latios.
"That's...quite a bit of information." she said quietly, as she moved closer to him. "What happened exactly?"
Latios cleared his throat and spoke. "Well, you see, while we were sleeping in the secret garden, I began having these dreams. It was daytime, and you were flying around the garden, while I was on the ground looking around. I saw a tree begin to shake, and I watched it. A Pidgeot emerged, and as it flew out, there was a bright flash in my eyes, and I heard my name being called. I woke up almost instantly, and I couldn't get back to sleep. Then it happened again. The tree shook, and a Pidgeot flew out of the tree, and I saw the flashes again. And heard my name. I decided to follow." he finished.
"So that's what you meant when you said goodbye." she smiled.
"Yes." he returned the smile. "I didn't want you to worry about me."
She smiled again, more than last time. "Thank you." she said sweetly. "But I don't think it's possible for me not to miss you."
Latios blinked lovingly as he reached for her arm. "Well, maybe so." he smiled. Latios's expression soon turned back to seriousness. "...Pidgeot brought me here, and showed me the..." Latios stopped talking and looked around the room. "Where did it go? Oh no..." Latios sighed heavily as he realized the Soul Dew was gone.
Latias blinked, and looked into his eyes. "Where is what?" she asked, softly.
"Remember that orb in that picture over there?" Latios asked. Latios nodded and continued listening. "Well.." he said. "It's real. And it's called the Soul Dew."
"So that's what it's called..." she said.
"Yes...and in it...lies the souls of our ancestors." he explained, a grave tone in his voice.
"That's...amazing. Does the Soul Dew have anything to do with the prophecy, Latios?" she asked, Latios still holding her arm gently. There was a red liquid slowly coming down Latios's arm, and Latias noticed this immediately. Blood. "You're bleeding.." she gasped slightly.
"Oh that.." Latios smiled softly. "Pidgeot..or the man...and I got into a fight." he explained. "He used...a certain power on me that threw me into the wall." he explained.
Latias sighed. "What power?...And why would a friend do this to you?" she asked.
Latios blinked slowly. "Well...he sort of was telling me he had something to teach me. I said I needed to get back to you for the night and...things didn't go very well after that. The power he used...is a power both you and I have." Latios said. "And I learned how to use it tonight."
Latias nodded. She didn't know much about any powers she might have, but she believed him all the same. She looked into his eyes, and noticed that they were bloodshot. "You look horribly tired." she said. "Perhaps we should return to the secret garden?"
Latios nodded and coughed softly. Latias slowly pulled him along to the exit. They both heard the raindrops getting louder as they neared the exit. Latios, as tired as he was, did not like the sound of a storm. That meant it would be difficult to fly, because he wouldn't be able to see clearly, and the winds would fling him around. Latias looked over to her lover in concern. Latios had been through a lot this night.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"Yes..." he whispered. "...Just need some sleep. I am very tired."
The two walked outside the cave together. They both were being pelted by raindrops. The occasional flash of thunder lit up the whole island for a quick second.
"How is your arm?" Latias asked, concerned about the bleeding.
"It will heal." he replied. "...But quite a bit happened tonight. It's going to be awhile for me, and you too, to understand all of what happened tonight."
And with that, they were up in the air. Whatever sluggishness Latios felt on the ground was gone once he had been flying for a minute or two. At the speeds they were flying, the raindrops no doubt hurt. They both flew into the darkness of the night, and the rain did not let up. Latios could barely see the forest down below. Luckily, he knew very well where the secret garden was, and, when they approached it, Latios arched down. Latios followed. They reached the entrance of the garden, and slowly walked in, side by side. The trees in the garden provided a very good covering from the rain. Latios, the sleepiness returning to him, starting off quickly to where he and Latias had been sleeping before. She followed, and soon they were both at their resting place. The sounds of the night could still be heard. There were a few hours before sunrise, so they would be able to get back to sleep. Latios slowly fell to the ground, and Latias did too. They whispered their goodnights, and both of them fell asleep once again.