"This device seems to have been built for peace, but no one knows how to use it. It's said that the cathedral has been rebuilt many times, but this device is believed to have existed here since the beginning…!"
Everyone listened to Lorenzo's explanation, but Ash's attention was elsewhere—he had spotted a red-haired girl standing in the second-floor corridor. It was the same girl he had rescued earlier that day.
"Misty, Brock, Gary—head back to the Pokémon Center first. I've got something to take care of," Ash said as he ran off.
"Ash...!"
"What's going on?"
Brock and Misty were both puzzled, wondering why Ash had suddenly rushed off.
Only Gary understood what Ash was doing.
Of course, he went off to have a romantic encounter with Latias—but unfortunately for him, he had mistaken the real Bianca for her. This time, it wasn't Latias in disguise.
"Let's just head back to the Pokémon Center and wait for Ash," Gary suggested.
After a full day exploring the city and cathedral, Gary needed a break before dealing with anything else later that evening.
As for Ash—let him enjoy his time with Latias properly.
Evening.
Ash returned to the Pokémon Center around sunset.
"Ash, where have you been? You're so late—we were starting to get worried!" Misty scolded.
"Sorry… I saw the girl I met this afternoon and went to follow her, but I lost track of her and got completely turned around in the city. If I hadn't run into Bianca by chance, I might still be lost," Ash explained.
"Is that so…?"
Gary stepped in front of Ash and stared at him with suspicion.
"Come on, Gary—you know me. I used to get lost all the time when we played in the woods as kids."
"You really do have a terrible sense of direction. But then, why do I smell a familiar scent—one that only Latias had on her—coming from you?" Gary asked pointedly.
"Ah! No way... That must be Bianca's scent!" Ash said hurriedly.
Misty frowned and walked off without a word.
Ash, as dense as ever, didn't realize Misty was jealous. He thought he had dodged the issue and didn't feel the need to explain further about the afternoon.
He had promised both Lorenzo and Bianca that he wouldn't reveal the secret of the garden.
Everyone gathered for dinner at the Center's small restaurant. After eating and drinking their fill, they returned to their room to rest. Since the Pokémon Center in the tourist-heavy city of Alto Mare had limited space, the group had to share a single four-person room, with bunk beds for everyone.
Night fell.
Ash and the others were asleep—except for Gary, who lay awake, waiting silently.
Around 1:00 a.m., the window suddenly opened. A figure slipped in, and a brief flash of light disturbed the silence, waking Ash.
"Bianca?!"
Ash's voice also woke Brock and Misty. Gary got up as well and looked toward the window, where Bianca stood. But above her head, a name floated:
[LV60 Latias / Quasi-Legendary]
The girl wasn't Bianca. She was Latias in disguise.
Noticing Latias's worried expression, Ash stepped forward. "Bianca, what's wrong?"
Latias, looking helpless, hugged Ash like a frightened child—like the real Latias he'd met before.
Ash instantly realized: this wasn't Bianca—it was truly Latias.
"Ash, what's going on?" Misty asked.
Ash knew he couldn't hide it any longer and revealed Latias's true identity.
Misty and Brock were stunned to learn Bianca was actually a Pokémon. It felt strange… but not entirely impossible. After all, Ditto could transform into a human too. They accepted the truth quickly.
"Latias, these three are my friends—you don't have to worry," Ash said gently.
Latias glanced at Brock and Misty, then looked back at Ash with concern. Ash gave her a reassuring nod.
Trusting him, Latias revealed her true form—her body shimmered, shifting from Bianca to Latias.
Brock and Misty were awestruck by the transformation. Only Gary remained calm.
Latias didn't waste time—she immediately projected a mirror illusion, showing them what had happened.
In the holographic image, Lorenzo and Bianca were tied up with silk-like threads. Nearby, Latios was encased in a glue-like substance and trapped in a circular barrier next to a strange device.
Annie and Oakley placed the Soul Dew into a groove on the device. Oakley entered the control cabin and began operating it. Latios—trapped inside the barrier—was in visible pain as the machine activated.
There were two energy barriers, but only one was functioning. The second couldn't activate because Latias wasn't present—Latios couldn't power the mechanism alone.
The image faded as Latios cried out in agony. Latias nearly collapsed from the mental strain of sharing the vision.
"Latias—are you okay?" Ash asked with concern.
"She must've escaped from those two women and was injured doing it. I'll treat her right away," Gary said as he pulled out a pink Poké Ball.
"Why are you taking out a Poké Ball? Shouldn't we use a Potion or something?" Ash asked in confusion.
"This is a Heal Ball. When you catch a Pokémon with it, the ball automatically heals their injuries and even cures status conditions," Brock explained.
"Exactly. If we send Latias to the Center now, it'll take too long. But if we use this, she'll recover almost instantly," Gary added.
Gary's plan was to use the Heal Ball to capture both Latias and Latios. It was a sound excuse—and perfectly logical.
"Latias, this Heal Ball will help you heal. Don't be afraid. I'll let you out right after," Gary said.
"Vii…" Latias looked at the Poké Ball in Gary's hand with fear and distrust.
"Don't worry, Latias. Gary's my good friend—he won't harm you," Ash reassured her.
"Vii…" Latias hesitated. She nudged Ash gently from behind and pushed him toward Gary, as if trying to say something.
Everyone looked puzzled—what was she trying to communicate?
"Latias… are you saying… you want Ash to be the one to use the Heal Ball?" Gary asked.
"Vii!"
Latias nodded firmly.
The moment she did, Gary swore he heard his heart break.
After all the planning, all the effort… it was Ash she had chosen.