From a distance, Latias appeared to be nothing more than a red-and-white dragon.
But when observed up close, one would notice that her feathers were not ordinary at all—they were like countless pieces of crystalline glass, refracting light in shifting hues. Only when those reflections reached the human eye did they settle into familiar shades of red and white.
Latias was a Pokémon whose gender was unmistakable at a glance. Most striking of all were her large, beautiful eyes, always brimming with a cheerful smile, completely unlike Latios's sharp and serious gaze.
Tickled by Logan's touch, Latias lifted her claws to her mouth, her body trembling as she giggled. She circled Logan twice, then leaned in and happily licked his face with her tongue.
Latios paid no attention to the playful interaction between his sister and Logan. Instead, he continued thinking about what Logan had said earlier. Latios and Latias possessed a resonance ability—because of this, he knew Logan's words were not mere speculation, but conclusions grounded in reality.
His sister Latias, once Logan brought it up, had indeed begun to develop a desire to see other regions, rather than spending her entire life circling this tiny corner of the Southern Islands.
This human truly possessed the power to perceive the emotions of Dragon-type Pokémon!
Logan sensed the shift in Latios's heart. His Dragon Tamer power granted him a natural advantage when facing Dragon-types.
It was much like persuasion itself—if an unattractive person and a beautiful person both tried to convince you of the same thing, setting aside all other factors, most humans would instinctively trust the beautiful one more. Logan's Dragon Tamer power functioned in much the same way when dealing with dragons.
And Pokémon thinking was far simpler than human thinking—even highly intelligent Pokémon like Latios and Latias were no exception.
Seizing the momentum, Logan continued:
"…In the distant past, you and Latias helped the people of Alto Mare repel invaders, and you were willing to swear an oath to protect this city. That alone proves that when facing an urgent crisis, you are Pokémon willing to give yourselves to help others."
"Since you are willing to help humanity overcome danger, then why—when facing a crisis threatening the entire world, all Pokémon, and even yourselves—do you still choose to hide in this remote corner instead of standing up to confront it?"
Logan's words caused Latios's expression to shift. His sharp eyes locked onto Logan as he asked in shock,
"…What exactly do you know?"
"I don't know every detail," Logan replied calmly, unwavering.
"But I understand the general truth."
"…You who are known as the 'Eon Pokémon,' and Arceus—the so-called god from whom you originate—are far more closely connected than other Legendary Pokémon. Compared to them, you should be more sensitive."
"Arceus has already fallen into crisis. It isn't madness born of its own will—an external force is influencing it, driving it insane."
"If nothing is done—if it is not corrected and guided back onto the proper path—then not only humanity, but Pokémon and the entire world will be destroyed!"
"You possess the power to resolve a crisis that engulfs the world. Why, then, do you continue to linger here, wasting away in this forgotten place, waiting for annihilation? Are you truly willing to watch your sister wait here for the end?"
Logan appealed to reason, emotion, and the greater cause—using righteousness itself to pressure Latios.
This strategy only worked because Latios and Latias were rational, human-like Legendary Pokémon. If Logan were facing monsters like Kyogre or Groudon, no amount of reasoning would matter—those two would answer with violence first and discussion never.
Latios already felt a natural goodwill toward Logan. And now his sister had openly taken Logan's side. Logan's words stirred him deeply—especially since this human knew secrets so ancient and hidden that even he was astonished.
Still, reason restrained him.
"…Impossible," Latios said slowly.
"No human or Pokémon can oppose Arceus. It created this world and Pokémon, and the world in turn gave birth to humanity. Neither humans nor Pokémon can defy it."
To Latios, opposing Arceus was not a matter of courage—it was a matter of impossibility. Waiting quietly for the end felt more rational than struggling against a god.
"Just as you said," Logan replied evenly.
"This world's humans and Pokémon cannot oppose it—because the world itself was created by Arceus."
Logan had read the myths: in the beginning, chaos formed an egg; from that egg emerged Arceus, who then shaped the universe. The story resembled the legends of Pangu splitting the heavens from Logan's original world.
"But that premise applies only to those of this world."
"What if the one opposing it is not of this world at all?"
"I stand completely outside Arceus's dominion."
"I am not from this world—and therefore, among all living beings, I alone can contend with it!"
"Now the choice is yours, Latios."
"Will you fight alongside me for that sliver of salvation… or wait quietly for inevitable extinction?"
Logan clasped one hand behind his back, gazing proudly at Latios. Rational beings hesitated the most—they worried, weighed consequences, and struggled internally. Emotional beings acted on impulse, but rational ones needed conviction.
Logan liked rational beings. He despised blind emotion.
Because with reason, one could talk.
"I am determined to have both you and Latias," Logan continued coldly.
"You are indispensable to my plan. I will not give up."
"Even if you reject me now, it doesn't matter. I may lack many virtues—but stubbornness is not one of them. I will pursue you to the ends of the world if I must."
He spun the Eon Flute in his hand, drawing Latios's gaze.
If Logan's earlier argument was the king's path—persuasion through destiny—then this was the tyrant's path: absolute pressure.
Latios could refuse.
But with the Eon Flute in Logan's possession, neither he nor Latias could ever truly escape.
"Brother… he isn't lying."
Latias drifted between Logan and Latios, unmistakably choosing Logan's side.
"He really does have that possibility. I think… we can go with him."
Watching his sister defect so openly left Latios helpless. He knew Logan wasn't lying—Logan's Dragon Tamer power allowed hearts to resonate. Dragons could feel his sincerity as clearly as he felt theirs.
Seeing that the moment had ripened, Logan delivered the final blow.
"…Even she agrees with me. What reason do you still have to hesitate, Latios?"
Logan reached into his sleeve and revealed a Poké Ball.
The instant Latios saw the Pokémon within, his pupils shrank.
"…Mew!"
In that moment, Latios's turmoil finally settled.
"I agree with your reasoning… in principle. But—"
Before he could finish, Logan cut him off.
"…I know. No matter how grand the ideals, everything must be proven with strength."
"No matter how eloquent my words are, power is the final truth."
With a sharp flick of his wrist, Logan hurled a Poké Ball into the air.
"…Go—Garchomp!"
"Let us use strength to shatter your final hesitation!"
"Let us convince Latios and Latias—through battle!"
"ROOOAAARR—!!"
A dragon's roar tore through the sky.
Sandstorms erupted.
Garchomp surged forward, carrying the fury of dragons, charging straight toward Latios.
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