It was raining outside.
Inside the pitch-black cave, a blazing campfire crackled to life.
The firelight drove back the darkness, and the Pokémon who had originally gathered around Entei now sat in a circle around the flames instead.
The reason was simple—Entei's side was already occupied by the only human present.
On the opposite side of the fire lay Suicune, meeting Entei's gaze from across the flickering flames.
Marshadow, as always, lingered within the shadows, so perfectly melded with the darkness that one would never suspect a Pokémon was hidden there unless they looked very carefully.
Hayato took out the Pokéblocks he had prepared in advance and offered them to the wild Pokémon gathered around.
Seeing how happily they ate, he picked up another Pokéblock and, almost absent-mindedly, popped it into Entei's mouth. Then he asked,"Marshadow mentioned that you went to the Hoenn region a few months ago?"
Entei nodded, its deep, solemn voice resounding directly within Hayato's mind."We never linger in one place for long."
Once the Chosen One was brought to the Bell Tower, the three would part ways again—each heading in a different direction to continue fulfilling their own missions.
Whether it was Entei, Suicune, or Marshadow the Shadow Guide, the rule was the same.
For there were other Chosen Ones across the world who still needed their guidance.
Yet sadly, over all these countless years, very few had ever made it to the end.
In the glow of the firelight, Entei's expression seemed especially solemn. It lifted its head slightly, casting a glance at Marshadow in the shadows.
Something about the little specter felt… different from before.
In the past, Marshadow was exactly like a true shadow—silent, hidden, always lingering unseen. Never had it stepped forward so openly before the Chosen One.
In fact, most Chosen Ones never even knew it had been with them at all.
Hayato, of course, was unaware of Entei's thoughts. His own curiosity was fixed on something else—how exactly had Entei crossed the vast ocean between Kanto and Hoenn?
The question slipped out of his mouth before he realized it."The seas between Kanto and Hoenn are huge. How did you get across?"
Could Entei fly?
Entei replied simply, "I was carried across by a Wailord that lives in the ocean."
It was an enormous Wailord.
Long ago, when Entei had been wandering the land, it came across a beached Wailord stranded in the shallows. Out of instinct, Entei had aided it, healing its wounds and saving its life.
Ever since then, whenever Entei needed to cross to another continent, that Wailord would surface before it, ready to help.
Bathed in the firelight, Entei recounted the old tale in a calm, gentle tone.
There was no real need to share such details, but since the boy before it seemed genuinely interested, Entei didn't mind.
Hayato listened with keen fascination. The moment Entei described riding upon the Wailord's back, his imagination painted the scene vividly—a majestic Entei standing proudly atop the massive Pokémon as it breached across the ocean waves, ferrying it to distant lands.
Wailord, the Float Whale Pokémon.
The Pokédex recorded it as the largest Pokémon known to date. Chasing prey while leaping high above the sea's surface—it was a sight both awe-inspiring and overwhelming.
"Wailord must be enormous, right?" Hayato asked eagerly. Since arriving in this world, he had never seen one in person, but he could imagine it easily enough.
If he remembered correctly, the Pokédex listed its height at about 14.5 meters—roughly the equivalent of stacking nine of him together.
Entei nodded. "Yes. Very large. Much larger than this cave."
Hayato couldn't help recalling a silly thought he once had: what if a Wailord possessed the Levitate ability?
Wailord + Levitate = a sky-soaring leviathan.
Though… whether a Wailord could even survive without seawater was another question entirely.
Still, it was far too early to worry about that.
Even if he hadn't met one yet, Hayato believed that as long as his journey continued, the day would come when he would encounter a Wailord of his own.
After a full day's trek through the mountains, Hayato felt exhaustion creeping in.
Combined with the gentle patter of rain outside and the warmth of the fire inside, drowsiness soon washed over him.
Yawning, he waited until the wild Pokémon had finished eating, then pulled out his sleeping bag. Nestling close against Entei's side, he drifted off to sleep.
With Entei, Suicune, and Marshadow nearby—even though his Cramorant and Gengar remained within their Poké Balls—Hayato felt completely secure.
As the night deepened, the fire gradually died down. When all the Pokémon in the cave had fallen into slumber, Entei lifted its head and looked across at Suicune.
"Still no word of Raikou?"
Suicune shook its head lightly, its voice as soft as a flowing stream."No. But by now, it should have already sensed the aura of the Chosen One and the Rainbow Feather. Don't worry. It will come."
"No." Entei's gaze grew stern as it glanced at the sleeping boy beside it. "What worries me is that it may go too far."
Among the Legendary Beasts, Raikou was by far the most unpredictable.
In past trials, it had often challenged the Chosen One head-on, forcing them to prove themselves by defeating it in battle.
And in those battles, Raikou never held back. It unleashed its full power, drowning its opponent in overwhelming thunder, shattering their faith and resolve.
Its true intent was to observe: in the depths of despair, how would a Trainer treat their seemingly weak partners?
Would they encourage them to rise together against an insurmountable foe—or reject them as burdens, collapsing under doubt and fear?
But such a method was far too brutal.
Just the thought alone filled Entei's dignified eyes with disapproval.
Suicune fell silent.
It opened its mouth, recalling the terrifying sight of that bird who could topple heaven and earth in an instant. For a fleeting moment, it wanted to ask Entei—perhaps Raikou was not the one they should be worrying about?
Yet before it could speak, Marshadow's voice rose quietly from the shadows."I think your worries are unnecessary."
If anything, it was Raikou who ought to be concerned.
After all, when their Rainbow Hero laid eyes on that sleek, glossy coat of fur… who could say he wouldn't give in to his instincts? Just like in his dreams, he might overpower the beast on the spot—only to bury his face in Raikou's chest and indulge himself in petting its fur.
At that thought, Marshadow cast a sidelong glance at Entei's own thick, coarse mane.
Compared to Entei's dry, rugged pelt, Marshadow suspected Hayato would much prefer Raikou's smooth, silken coat.
"…Why are you staring at me?"
Entei blinked, a huge question mark practically floating above its head, as it shot Marshadow a bewildered look.
"Nothing."
Marshadow withdrew its gaze. Its small body sank silently into Hayato's shadow, vanishing without a trace.
(End of Chapter)