"Ka~?" Munchlax tilted his head, blinking. "Entei?"
The name meant little to him, but the warmth radiating from the majestic beast's back lulled him like a cradle. The air around Entei shimmered with heat, yet to Munchlax it felt safe—so safe that part of him wanted to curl up right there and drift into another nap.
Entei's deep voice rolled like thunder. "Little one, why were you, a harmless child, attacked by those humans?"
Munchlax scratched his chin, answering with innocent honesty."Ka~. I don't know. They had crates of fruit. I ate them all. I was going to bring them to Ethan so he could pay, but they didn't listen and attacked me instead. It's not like I didn't want to pay…"
Entei's crimson eyes softened. "Ethan?"
"Ka~. My good friend," Munchlax replied proudly. "Whenever I eat, he pays for me."
"Where is he now? I will take you to him."
Munchlax paused, little paws fiddling with his lips in thought. Finally, he said, "Ka~… I think he's in a city called Pewter."
Entei nodded, mane flowing as he turned. "That is not far. I will take you."
But as he bounded toward the city, Munchlax suddenly cried, "Ka~—stop, stop!"
Entei halted, puzzled. "What is it, little one?"
Munchlax waddled into a bush and pulled out a strange object: a small blue glass whistle. He examined it briefly, then tucked it into his belly fur with satisfaction.
Entei tilted his head. "Why keep that?"
"Ka~. I always exchange treasures with Ethan for food. I'm a good Munchlax—I don't eat for free."
With a grin, he clambered back onto Entei's back.
As they traveled, Entei glanced back. "Why exchange at all? Isn't Ethan your trainer?"
"Ka~. No. He's Charmeleon's trainer. I'm just his friend."
Entei's expression flickered with curiosity. "Strange… You seem fond of him. Why not make him your trainer?"
Munchlax looked troubled. He pressed his paws together. "Ka~. I haven't decided. My old trainer once promised me food if I won battles—but he lied. I'm afraid Ethan might do the same."
Entei rumbled gently. "Has he lied to you yet?"
Munchlax thought. "Ka~… No. Once he told me to run to a tree in ten seconds and he'd treat me to a feast. I did it, and he really bought me everything I wanted. He's always kept his word since."
"Then he seeks your trust," Entei said firmly.
Munchlax's ears twitched. "Ka~… maybe. I think of Charmeleon sometimes. He used to be weak and depressed, waiting to die. I could beat him without effort. But after meeting Ethan, he grew strong enough to defeat me—and now he looks so happy every day. I'm a little jealous."
Entei's mane billowed in the wind as he nodded. "Ethan is a good trainer indeed. Perhaps you should try trusting him."
"Ka~… Do you really think so?"
"I have walked this world for centuries," Entei intoned. "There are both good people and bad. The difference lies in how you discern them. If you feel sincerity from Ethan, then trust him. And if one day you no longer feel it, leave him. You are not a servant. You are your own master. Never forget that."
Munchlax chewed on those words, paws pressed to his lips. He wanted to reply—but by the time Entei glanced back, the little one was already fast asleep, snoring against his mane.
"…Cute little one," Entei murmured.
When Munchlax woke, night had fallen. The first thing he saw were skyscrapers, their windows glowing like constellations.
"Ka~? Where is this?" he asked in awe.
"Pewter City," Entei answered. He stood atop a high-rise, mane rippling in the night wind. "Look below. Find your friend."
Munchlax peered carefully, eyes darting. Then he spotted the familiar red-roofed Pokémon Center. He pointed eagerly. "Ka~! Ethan must be there."
Without hesitation, Entei leapt from the building. He weaved between streets and rooftops until, within moments, he landed in the shadows across from the Center.
"Go," Entei said, lowering himself.
Before climbing down, Munchlax reached into his fur and pulled out a round, pink berry. "Ka~. Here, this fruit is delicious. For you."
Entei blinked in surprise. He knew Munchlax's reputation for devouring everything in sight. To share willingly… it meant much.
He accepted the gift, swallowing it whole. A soft glow spread through his mane. From his neck, a single strand of fiery orange-red hair loosened, floating into Munchlax's paws.
"If one day Ethan deceives you," Entei said solemnly, "burn this hair in fire. I will come. I will take you away—and I will see justice done."
Munchlax stared, wide-eyed, then tucked the glowing hair deep into his fur as though it were the rarest treasure in the world.
By the time he looked up to thank him, Entei was gone.
"Ka~… I understand, Entei," Munchlax whispered.
Moments later, Munchlax waddled toward the Pokémon Center, belly swinging side to side. At the door, he found Ethan Carter and Charmeleon returning, both looking anxious.
"Where have you been?" Ethan scolded, relief and anger mixing in his voice. "Do you know how worried we were? If you wanted food, you should have told me instead of running off!"
"Rua!" Charmeleon added, crossing his arms, eyes stern. Do you have any idea how much trouble you caused?
Munchlax lowered his head, ears drooping. "Ka~… Sorry."
The simple, heartfelt apology softened Ethan's expression. He sighed, crouched, and placed a hand gently on Munchlax's head. "Forget it. Just… next time, tell me first, alright?"
Munchlax's frown evaporated instantly. His eyes lit up—and then promptly locked onto a ramen shop across the street. Drool streamed from the corners of his mouth.
"Ka~. I want that."
Ethan's eyebrow twitched. "…You never change."
Before he could protest further, Munchlax tugged him insistently toward the shop, shoving a small item into his hand as if to barter.
Ethan glanced down and froze. It was the same blue glass whistle Munchlax had found—a rare item said to cure sleep instantly. His eyes widened further when he noticed the system's overlay:
[Munchlax's intimacy: -14 → 0]
"What…? How did it jump so high in just one day?"
Ethan stared at Munchlax, who was now happily burying his face in a bowl of noodles.
"What happened to you out there?" he muttered under his breath.
From a distant rooftop, Entei watched in silence, mane flowing under the moonlight.
"Little one," he rumbled softly, "may your trust be rewarded."
And with a single leap, the Legendary vanished into the night sky.