Logan didn't actually know how to play the flute.
In fact, back during his university days before transmigrating, he had once bought a flute on a whim. But aside from barely learning how to make a sound come out of it, he had never mastered anything else.
Fortunately, playing the Eon Flute didn't require beautiful melodies. There was no need for refined technique—so long as sound was produced and the energy contained within could be released and spread, that was enough.
After wracking his brain for a while, Logan finally managed to clumsily blow out a barely passable rendition of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star."
Even that melody came out one note at a time, hopping awkwardly along.
As the Eon Flute was played, an invisible, intangible energy ripple spread outward. This wave couldn't be detected by human technology, nor sensed by Pokémon—it existed beyond both. As the distance increased, the ripple gradually thinned, yet it still effortlessly enveloped the entire southern island region.
This was the origin power of Latios and Latias.
Only those two Pokémon could perceive where it came from.
"Brother?"
Latias, who had been sitting on the swing in the garden, absentmindedly eating and thinking about something, suddenly twitched her ears and lifted her head.
Above her, Latios's figure appeared as well. After hearing her call, he nodded slowly.
"…It's the call of the Eon Flute. I never expected it to appear again after all these years."
The Eon Flute was created when Latios and Latias infused their own origin power into a flute, forming a contract with humanity. As long as someone played the Eon Flute and the two Legendary Pokémon sensed it, they were obligated to respond.
That was the flute's only function.
It didn't control Latios or Latias in any way. In the original contract, the flute was meant to be used only when humans faced disasters they could not overcome on their own—a call for help.
As for whether the two Legendary Pokémon would actually assist…
That depended entirely on their own will.
"Let's go, Latias. We can't refuse the call of the Eon Flute. Let's see who the one playing it is."
"Mm!"
Latias nodded eagerly. Sitting on the swing, her body shimmered with starlight, transforming back into her dragon form. She raised her head and released a clear, melodious dragon cry toward the sky. Together with Latios, they faded from sight and departed Alto Mare, heading toward the source of the flute's call.
Aside from Alto Mare, the southern island region consisted entirely of uninhabited islands.
Latios and Latias tucked in their foreclaws and flew at high speed like bombers. Before long, they arrived above a deserted island, where they saw the figure of a man playing the Eon Flute.
Though both Pokémon knew that anyone holding the Eon Flute would already be aware of their arrival, they didn't immediately descend. Instead, they circled above the island, first confirming the man's identity and intent.
"…It's him?"
Latios asked in surprise upon seeing the person below.
"Ah! It's Logan!! I'm going down first, brother!"
Latias's voice was filled with delight as she immediately dove downward.
"Wait, Latias! Don't lower your guard so easily!"
Latios hurriedly called out to his sister telepathically.
"It's fine, it's fine! Logan is a really good person—don't worry, brother!"
Latias waved her claw dismissively, ignoring Latios's warning as she rushed straight toward the island.
Just before landing, her body shone once more, shifting from Pokémon form back into human form.
She skipped forward cheerfully, clasped her hands behind her back, and suddenly popped up in front of Logan as if trying to startle him.
"Good to see you again, Latias."
Logan's expression was calm. He stopped playing, slowly put away the Eon Flute, and greeted her with a smile.
"Eh?"
Latias hadn't expected him to show no surprise at all, as though he had known she would appear.
"Eh, what eh?"
"You… don't think it's strange to see me here?"
Latias glanced around at the surroundings. The waters around the island were shallow—large ships couldn't approach, and hardly anyone would ever row a small boat out here.
"Didn't I tell you last night? We'd be meeting again very soon, Latias."
Logan lifted the Eon Flute slightly in his hand.
Only then did realization dawn on her.
"…So you already knew. You already knew I was Latias."
The Eon Flute could pinpoint the location of Latios and Latias. That meant the moment Logan saw her, he must have already known her true identity.
Logan found it faintly amusing. Latias was intelligent and thought very much like a human, yet her logic still differed—she had only realized this now. That innocent clumsiness was oddly endearing.
"Since you already knew Latias's identity, why did you deliberately approach her? What was your goal?"
Latios finally abandoned concealment. His form appeared above Logan, watching him warily.
"I have no ill intent, Latios… Latias."
Logan slowly raised the hand holding the Eon Flute and looked up at Latios with a smile.
"Given your ability to perceive human emotions, you should be able to sense that, shouldn't you?"
Latios hesitated briefly, then nodded. Just as Logan said, he sensed no malice from him—if anything, Logan inexplicably inspired a sense of goodwill.
Compared to Latias's innocence, Latios was far more cautious and steady.
"As I said yesterday, as a Dragon-type master, learning of Latios and Latias's whereabouts and wanting to capture them isn't strange at all."
Logan turned the Eon Flute idly in his hand.
"My purpose here is to capture both you and Latias."
Latios immediately rejected the idea.
"I made a promise with Alto Mare's ancestors to guard this city. Neither Latias nor I wish to leave."
If Legendary Pokémon could be convinced to leave just because someone said 'come with me', such things wouldn't be legends anymore.
Logan had never expected success through mere bravado.
…
"That's not quite accurate."
Logan spoke calmly.
"According to my research, your original agreement wasn't to guard Alto Mare itself—but to guard the Soul Dew."
Latios was visibly shocked. That was something from over a thousand years ago, yet Logan knew it in detail. It was clear how much preparation he had done.
"And besides—aren't you being selfish?"
Logan continued evenly.
"Perhaps you, Latios, never wanted to leave this city. But Latias is different. Her nature is that of a lively, curious girl. She stays here out of habit—out of staying by your side—not because she has no longing for the outside world."
"When a new possibility appears before her, her heart naturally stirs."
Logan looked straight at Latios.
"When I asked her whether she'd ever thought about leaving Alto Mare, I clearly felt her hesitation—her interest."
"Don't be surprised. I can sense the emotions of Dragon-type Pokémon. It's not quite mind-reading, but it's close enough."
"Only caring about your own stability while ignoring your sister's feelings…"
Logan suddenly turned toward Latias.
"That makes you a failing older brother, Latios."
Latias had already returned to her Pokémon form. Instead of hovering on all fours, she floated upright like a human, exposing her soft underbelly toward Logan—an instinctive display of trust.
Among Pokémon, just like animals, exposing one's most vulnerable area was a sign of complete trust.
Logan placed his hand gently on Latias's belly and stroked it.
She flapped her wings, giggling as if ticklish.
"Hey—don't touch there! It tickles!"
"What a beautiful, clever, and adorable dragon you are."
Logan said softly.
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