Entei stopped.
Fuyuki spotted Raikou standing not far ahead.
Raikou's sharp gaze swept over the child with scrutiny and wariness before shifting to Entei.
With a Berry-filled basket held in its mouth, Entei didn't speak. It simply lifted a paw and walked into the cave, setting the basket down on the ground.
Raikou remained at the cave entrance, looking inside. Its eyes crackled like lightning. The cave was small enough that a single glance revealed everything within.
A nest made of fallen leaves.
A basket full of Berries.
Raikou's brow furrowed tightly before it finally spoke.
"So you really did adopt this guy."
"Little One, get down and go play for a bit." Entei lowered itself, letting the child slide off its back. Then it turned to Raikou, the gentleness in its voice carrying a note of authority. "This has nothing to do with you. You've always misunderstood humans. The Little One isn't the kind of human you think. No… he's learned the Pokemon language now. He lives like a Pokemon. He isn't human. He's the same as us, a [Pokemon]."
"What?" Raikou stiffened. "You taught him the Pokemon language?"
Shock flashed across its face as it stared at the human infant. Humans learning the Pokemon language? That was impossible. Just as humans could never truly understand Pokemon.
[Raikou is extremely shocked that you have mastered the Pokemon language. It believes humans can never learn the Pokemon language, just as humans can never truly understand Pokemon.]
[Shock Points from Raikou +50!]
Fuyuki watched the two big cats stand there in silence, clearly communicating through telepathy.
At first, he was curious about what they were talking about.
Then the notification flashed across his panel, and everything clicked.
Oh, Entei's telling Raikou about me learning the Pokemon language.
Right then, Raikou glanced his way.
Fuyuki grinned at it, friendly and wide.
Raikou's breath hitched. It snapped its gaze away and turned back to Entei.
"Entei, have you forgotten the mission we carry?!"
"I haven't forgotten," Entei replied at once.
Raikou's voice dropped, thunder simmering beneath it.
"Oh? Then do you know what's happening out there? I've been roaming this land nonstop. Those vile humans have started hurting Pokemon again!"
Entei's gaze sharpened.
Pokemon Hunters again?
Each of the Legendary Beasts bore different responsibilities.
Suicune purified polluted waters, racing across the land on the north wind, seeking places where clear streams still flowed.
Raikou lived apart from others. Distrustful of humans, it roamed remote regions, appearing during thunderstorms or when Electric-type Pokemon were in danger.
As for Entei, the duty it carried was to burn away all evil with Sacred Fire, rescuing Pokemon from the clutches of those who would harm them.
At Raikou's accusation, anger flared within Entei. But the moment it heard that evil had surfaced again, the fire inside it cooled.
Raikou stared at Entei coldly.
"And you're hiding here, living comfortably in a cave with this deceitful, wicked human infant."
Entei's mind was calm.
"Where did they appear?" it asked.
"Mt. Silver," Raikou replied coldly.
Entei took a slow breath.
It was reluctant, deeply so.
But it knew it had to leave.
Before it did, it had to make sure the Little One was settled.
Entei looked at Raikou and said earnestly, "I can't leave the Little One here alone. Raikou, while I'm gone, I want you to take my place and look after him until I return."
What?!
Shock and fury surged through Raikou.
It wanted me to take care of a human infant?
Ridiculous.
"Impossible. Absolutely impossible!"
"You brought this thing back yourself. I warned you before. You didn't listen. No matter what you say, I won't take responsibility for him."
A double rejection, clean and final.
"The Little One's parents died protecting Pokemon. We should bear the responsibility of caring for their child. And if we don't, he'll die," Entei said firmly. "I promise, once I drive those evil people away, I'll come back immediately."
Raikou fell silent.
As far as it could remember, this was the first time Entei had ever lowered itself to plead like this.
It studied its companion.
"Is it worth it?" Raikou asked.
For a human, going this far.
"He's different," Entei said, shaking its head.
"Hmph…" Raikou closed its eyes, a low rumble leaving its throat like a weary sigh. After a moment, it opened them again. "I'll only ensure his safety. Everything else has nothing to do with me."
"Thank you," Entei said quietly. The rest, it planned to entrust to Marshadow.
Raikou turned and left. Its powerful body vanished from sight in a few swift bounds.
Only then did Entei relax. It returned to the cave and saw the Little One sitting on the leaf pile, staring at it with wide, anxious eyes.
Entei walked over and lay down behind him like always, gently licking his hair.
"En…tei?" Fuyuki's voice was soft and young.
"Mm." Entei replied through telepathy, then added, "That was Raikou."
"Raikou?"
"I'm leaving Mount Tensei for a while. There's something important waiting for me out there." Entei nodded, lowering its gaze to the Little One. "During that time, Raikou will take care of you in my place."
Entei was leaving?
Fuyuki's eyes widened.
For nearly five months, Entei had been the one caring for him. Taking him out for walks. Playing with him. Sleeping beside him at night.
Hearing it would leave, a wave of anxiety and reluctance surged through him all at once.
Entei saw the Little One's eyes redden.
"Don't go!" Fuyuki blurted out, instinctively clinging to it.
Entei sighed softly, pressing its massive head against him as it soothed him in a low voice.
"I'm not leaving. I'm just going out to do something. I'll be back soon. Be good, Little One."
Fuyuki hugged its head tightly and asked in a muffled voice, "How long?"
He knew he couldn't stop it. The Legendary Beasts all had their missions.
"Not long," Entei promised. "Once I'm done, I'll come back for you right away."