Pokémon Heroes 2003

In the picturesque city of Alto Mare, a tranquil oasis is guarded by two magnificent dragon siblings, Latias and Latios, whose paternal legacy is steeped in heroism. According to local lore, their father, a revered Latios, saved the city from a formidable evil Pokémon Trainer and their Kabutops and Aerodactyl by transforming the streets into canals. This valiant feat earned the city’s gratitude, prompting its citizens to construct the Defense Mechanism of Alto Mare (D.M.A.), a powerful deterrent against potential threats. Though the D.M.A. remains unused, it is said that the father Latios’ soul resides within the sacred Soul Dew (ko-koro no shizuku), an artifact capable of fueling the city’s defenses.

In the present day, a sinister plot unfolds as Team Rocket agents Annie and Oakley acquire a historical tome detailing Alto Mare’s history, with the ultimate goal of harnessing its defensive capabilities. Meanwhile, Ash, Misty, and Brock are touring the city when they inadvertently cross paths with an ethereal Latias. As the trio becomes entangled in the mystery, Annie and Oakley disguise themselves as humans to stalk Latias, utilizing their Espeon and Ariados to attempt a capture. Ash and Pikachu intervene, guiding Latias to safety before she vanishes into thin air.

Upon visiting the city’s museum, the trio meets its erudite curator, Lorenzo, who regales them with tales of Alto Mare’s storied past, the D.M.A., and the fossilized Pokémon that serve as a testament to the city’s resilience. Ash becomes fixated on a young girl, Bianca, whose resemblance to Latias’ disguise sparks his curiosity. As he pursues her through the city, Latias herself appears, leading Ash and Pikachu to a hidden sanctuary where she and Latios reside, sheltered by Lorenzo and his granddaughter Bianca.

As night falls, Annie and Oakley infiltrate the sanctuary, successfully capturing Latios and the sacred Soul Dew. However, Latias manages to escape, prompting Bianca and Lorenzo to thwart the thieves’ plans and prevent them from unleashing the D.M.A.’s full potential. The Soul Dew and Latios are exploited to power the machine, which is then used by Oakley to revive the Kabutops and Aerodactyl. As Alto Mare descends into chaos, Bianca and Lorenzo are captured, and Ash, Pikachu, and Latias find themselves on a desperate quest to rescue their allies and reclaim the city from the clutches of Team Rocket.

As Oakley’s desperate attempt to drown the trio ends in chaos, Latias’ extraordinary psychic abilities spiral out of control, causing the D.M.A. to malfunction wildly. The group finally reaches the museum, where they manage to rescue the imprisoned Latios and shut down the destructive machine. However, their relief is short-lived as Annie seizes the opportunity to claim the blackened Soul Dew, unwittingly shattering it and unleashing a catastrophic tidal wave that threatens to engulf the city’s water supply. The combined might of Latias and Latios is required to stop the deluge, with the tragic consequence being Latios’ ultimate sacrifice. Meanwhile, the Kabutops and Aerodactyl are restored to their fossilized states, while Annie and Oakley find themselves trapped within the D.M.A.’s confines.

Days later, Ash and his companions discover the lifeless body of Latios, their grief tempered by a poignant shared vision with the dying Pokémon. As they prepare to depart Alto Mare, saying farewell to Lorenzo, they are left wondering about Bianca’s whereabouts - her absence a stark contrast to the city’s renewed vitality. Upon leaving the city, they catch sight of Latias or Bianca (her hat lying abandoned on the dock) standing resolutely on the docks, gifting Ash with a sketch of himself and Pikachu before departing without a word. Ash bids his enigmatic farewell, leaving Brock and Misty perplexed as to whether the girl was indeed Bianca or Latias.

In a stark contrast, Annie and Oakley are eventually rescued by authorities and taken into custody, where they are forced to confront the dark secrets within Lawrence III’s possessions, their treachery laid bare in the cold light of justice.