Altomare Town.
The Underground Garden.
On the trunk of a towering tree, Latios watched his sister, Latias, who had fallen asleep again during the day, his eyes filled with concern.
In recent days, his sister had grown increasingly drowsy.
Previously, this was the time she loved to wander through human towns.
She would carry her sketchbook and, under the sunlight, stroll through the city streets, using the techniques she had learned from Canon to capture the landscapes she loved.
"Ugh…"
Latios landed gently on the tree and, looking at the sleeping Latias, could not help but reach out to stroke her.
There was no response.
"Wah…"
Latios let out a long call.
If he could not sense his sister's steady breathing, he would have feared she was gone.
He decided it was time to talk to Canon and, ideally, to have a human doctor check his sister's health to see if something was wrong.
…
Meanwhile, in the dream world, under Mew's hypnotic influence, Pokémon without strong willpower had fallen asleep.
"Alcremie? Alcremie!"
"No…anything…"
"Sweet?"
"Woof woof?"
When the sights of Water City appeared, most of them had been watching TV one moment, and the next moment found themselves flying through the air. Panic briefly overtook them.
But soon, they realized that even at this height, they would not fall. It was as if they had gained the ability to float in midair.
"Woof woof!"
Arcanine, discovering the joy of flight, darted across the sky.
Some sharp-eyed Pokémon soon noticed Mew laughing mischievously from above.
They realized it was Mew who had brought them here.
"Yo, Mew, yo Mew~" (This is a dream, a place called Water City~)
Mew explained happily, "Yo, Mew… Kirlia is here too~"
At the mention of "dream," everyone understood immediately; when they heard "Kirlia," some Pokémon's eyes lit up.
Since Mew had embarked on his journey, Kirlia had scarcely appeared in their dreams, spending each day outside.
"Sweetheart? Sweetheart?" (Where is she?)
Starly asked without restraint.
"Yo, Mew~"
Mew covered his mouth and chuckled, saying nothing, simply flying ahead.
"Everyone can go wherever they want to play."
Lin Feng had not said that all the Pokémon had to follow him and Mew.
Even the Dragonite that had been napping in the room had been drawn into this dream.
Bored, it flapped its wings and flew toward a flat area.
Most Pokémon enjoyed the novelty of flight, but some followed Lin Feng and Mew as they descended onto Water City streets.
Arcanine and Ninetales, curious, even tried to touch nearby passersby.
When they reached out their claws, they discovered they could not touch them at all.
"This is a dream. These scenes are all Kirlia's imagination. The people only exist in her memory," Lin Feng explained.
"Oh…" Ninetales responded, still curious.
Through narrow alleys and across bridges, Mew quickly led them to a wall.
The Pokémon initially did not understand why Mew led them into what appeared to be a dead end.
But when Mew collided with the wall, they realized it was an illusion.
Passing through, they entered an area resembling a park.
Ancient trees towered overhead, wide enough for someone to wrap their arms around, and in the gently flowing pond, Wooper lived with its family.
Continuing forward, they arrived at their destination.
Beside the pond, near a swing, stood a young girl with two orange-red braids, wearing a green short-sleeved shirt and a white skirt.
She swayed the swing gently behind her.
In front sat a smiling Jirachi…
Her clear, crisp voice echoed through the hidden underground garden.
"Jirachi~ Lin Feng! And everyone!"
Surrounded by a bustling group, Lin Feng naturally could not move silently.
Kirlia quickly waved to Lin Feng, her face beaming with a radiant smile.
Now, she felt no disappointment about her sleep.
Lin Feng smiled back as he noticed the young girl behind Jirachi.
If he remembered correctly,
this Latias, in her transformed form, was a human named Canon.
Pokémon: Latias
Gender: Female
Ability: Levitate
Type: Dragon/Psychic
Talent: Gold
IVs: HP 25 / Attack 25 / Sp. Atk 30 / Defense 31 / Sp. Def 31 / Speed 31
Power Level: 42–46
Moves: Charm, Charge, Helping Hand, Recover, Confuse Ray, Tailwind, Dragon Breath, Dragon Pulse, Dream Eater, Dragon Dance
Happiness: 30 (Curious about you)
Affinity: 20 (Senses something unusual about you)
After checking the panel, Lin Feng nodded quietly to himself.
Mew had chosen the correct Pokémon.
Still, he thought, could her energy level really be only 42–46?
No wonder in Pokémon Heroes: Latios and Latias, she and Latios were defeated by the Legendary Ho-Oh and Arceus.
"Ugh…"
Suddenly, a crowd of Pokémon and a human burst in, startling Latias. She immediately reverted to her true form and activated invisibility.
"Kirlia~"
Kirlia quickly flew to her side, explaining, "This is Lin Feng, the human I told you about who makes super delicious food~!"
Lin Feng also quickly restrained the Pokémon behind him.
When encountering unfamiliar Pokémon, it is best to wait for introductions before approaching.
"Ugh?"
Latias appeared, blinking at Lin Feng.
Mew and Kirlia had been her friends over the past few days.
More accurately, Mew had introduced Kirlia to her.
That day, she had been walking in Water City in human form and collided with Canon.
Latias froze, thinking Canon had something to tell her, only for Canon to lead her to the garden.
But the Canon she was holding turned into her own form.
Oh my!
She had been terrified, feeling like her scales might fall off.
Latias could not help but giggle in surprise.
Then her true form appeared: a small, pink Pokémon.
Latias, slightly angry, reverted and chased the small Pokémon, planning to scold it properly.
No matter how she pursued, she could not catch it.
Finally, exhausted, Latias stopped, pouting, and looked sadly at the little Pokémon.
The little Pokémon stopped too, tilting its head, then retrieved a ball and offered some treats…
Energy cubes.
Latias had eaten these before, so she did not accept the food from the mischievous little Pokémon.
But the little Pokémon began eating on its own and even poured some strange liquid into a cup.
The "water" smelled enticing, drawing Latias closer to ask,
"Wow?" (What is this?)
"Yo, Mew~" (This is honey mead, brewed by Lin Feng. Very tasty. Want some?)
Latias hesitated.
One moment she was considering whether to eat the energy cube, the next she became intensely curious about the honey mead.
She did not want to drink.
But ultimately, Latias could not resist.
She sat with the little Pokémon, eating the energy cubes and drinking cup after cup, until she felt dizzy and collapsed beside the little Pokémon.
Before she fainted, she only saw the little Pokémon smile triumphantly, then lost consciousness.
Later, Latias met Kirlia again in a dream.
Kirlia said, "There is a human named Lin Feng. He knows there is a Pokémon here who likes transforming into a human, enjoys painting, and guards Water City."
"He asked Mew and me to become friends with you. And all the food and drinks we had were made by him. He is an excellent chef and a kind human."
The star-shaped Pokémon explained that this was her dream.
She should have slept for a thousand years in unconsciousness, but after tasting Lin Feng's cooking, she only needed to sleep one year. Whenever familiar Pokémon or humans slept, she could enter their dreams.
Latias was astonished.
She could hardly believe that somewhere else, a human knew she liked to transform and wander around sketching in town.
She thought only Canon and her father knew.
But how?
Even making such delicious honey mead and energy cubes?
This sparked intense curiosity in Latias toward this human she had never met.
So, every day, she sought out Mew or entered its dream, listening to Kirlia tell stories about Lin Feng.
"Is this what humans are like?"
Latias cautiously approached him.
Even in a dream, she could sense the warmth and friendliness radiating from this human.
"Hello, Latias."
Seeing the little red Pokémon, Lin Feng cleared his throat and smiled, greeting her.
"Wow~"
Latias lightly extended a paw.
Lin Feng paused, then reached out hesitantly, "Do you want to shake hands?"
As Latias placed her clawed hand on him, she let out a joyful roar.
"Wow~~"
The next moment, Lin Feng was stunned as Latias flew behind him, wrapping her arms around him.
"Ah? Hey, hey?"
The sudden action left Lin Feng confused.
By the time he reacted, they were already flying above the underground garden.
"Wow~"
Latias responded with an indecipherable sound.
"Ying ying ying!"
Below, Ninetales and Arcanine were dumbfounded.
Their trainer was being carried away?
Ninetales quickly grew anxious.
"Eeeek!" (Put down my Lin Feng!)
Her expression turned icy, and delicate snowflakes began drifting around, though the temperature remained unchanged.
Soon, Kirlia flew beside her, explaining that Latias was a Pokémon. Lin Feng understood!
Ninetales's tension halted. She realized that Lin Feng had indeed greeted Latias moments ago.
"Hehe~…"
Mew also hovered above, watching Lin Feng's bewildered expression and chuckling.
Finally, she saw Lin Feng in a predicament!
After a while, Latias released Lin Feng, landing by the pond swing. She assumed Canon's human form, letting him sit on the swing.
She stood behind him.
"Phew…"
Lin Feng touched down again, sighing deeply, gripping the swing's ropes, his eyes filled with confusion.
He understood why Kirlia and Mew got along with Latias.
But this was his first time meeting her.
Even if Mew or Kirlia mentioned him intentionally or not, Latias shouldn't have been this enthusiastic on first meeting, right?
Something was definitely off.
Lin Feng sat on the swing, lost in thought.
Soon, a lightbulb seemed to appear above his head.
Honey mead!
Latias must have tasted the honey mead!
And not just a little!
To reconcile with her, Mew had offered her the drink!
No wonder, even in this first meeting, their intimacy level had already reached 20.
Now, it had climbed to 45 and was still rising.
Realizing this, Lin Feng chuckled lightly.
Had he even become a Pokémon Enchanter without using the power of the Unchanging Stone this time?
"Wow?"
Seeing Lin Feng suddenly laugh, Latias curiously leaned closer.
Lin Feng waved, "Latias?"
"Wow?"
Seeing Latias's innocent face up close, Lin Feng felt a bit embarrassed.
She should return to her original form. Being looked at like this made him uneasy.
In both his past and present life, he had little experience interacting with girls his age.
At a normal distance, it was fine; too close, and he felt uneasy.
"Wow wow?"
Latias glanced at herself, confused, but reverted to her small red jet-like form, staring intently at Lin Feng with eyes full of curiosity.
She was fascinated by this human.
Why did he know so much about her?