Receiving no reply from Marshadow, Entei could only turn his puzzled gaze toward Suicune.
"…" Suicune was silent for a moment before speaking softly, "Let's just hope the situation you described doesn't come to pass."
Entei thought again of Raikou's temper and gave a heavy nod.
Suicune said no more.
Seeing that, Entei lowered his head as well, resting it on his forepaws.
Soon, the cave fell quiet once more. Only the fading crackle of the campfire and the patter of rain outside remained.
The next morning, Hayato was the first to step out of the cave, his expression slightly odd.
He halted outside, then turned his head—only to see two massive, imposing figures stride from the cave's shadows, coming to stand on either side of him.
Hayato: "…"
Good grief. Other people's trials were all about overcoming hardships and enduring grueling battles.
But him? Not only had he faced no difficulty so far—he even had two bodyguards escorting him the whole way.
It didn't feel like he was on a trial at all. More like he was on a sightseeing trip to Bell Tower.
But what mattered even more was—
Did Ho-Oh know that he and Cramorant were already on the way?
That thought made Hayato fall into deep contemplation.
"What troubles you?" Suicune, walking up beside him, asked gently.
Entei also cast a stern gaze his way.
"Wait a second."
After a brief pause, Hayato took off his backpack and pulled out the feather from its inner pocket.
Because of the previous night's rain, the morning air still felt damp and heavy.
The feather that had accompanied Hayato for more than two years shimmered brilliantly in the morning breeze, radiating a rainbow-like glow.
Hayato: "…"
Suddenly, he felt it wasn't the feather that was strange—it was Ho-Oh.
Upon seeing the sign of the chosen one, both Entei and Suicune lowered their heads, gazes fixed on the radiant feather.
It was glowing… Yes, that was the mark bestowed by Lord Ho-Oh, proof that he had been chosen for the trial as the Rainbow Hero.
Nothing unusual about that! Entei and Suicune both thought at once. So why was Hayato making that expression?
They lifted their eyes from the feather, puzzled, and looked at the human before them.
Hayato's expression was awkward. After a moment of silence, he asked, "Do you know how humans like me usually come by one of these feathers?"
That? Yes, they knew.
Entei, looking enlightened, explained, "When Lord Ho-Oh soars across the world, if it encounters a human whose heart is pure and kind, it will willingly leave behind a feather for them."
"And… has there ever been a case where Lord Ho-Oh was… passive about it?" Hayato asked casually.
At that question, both Entei and Suicune froze.
Moments later, Suicune shook its head lightly and replied, "Without Lord Ho-Oh's consent, no human could ever take a feather from it."
Hayato: "…"
He really wanted to ask—what if it wasn't a human?
That time on the ship, he had seen Ho-Oh. His thoughts had wandered—from Ash's encounter with Ho-Oh, to the feather Ho-Oh had left behind.
Cramorant must have picked up on his thoughts, misunderstood that he wanted a feather too, and then… well…
Even though so much time had passed, every time Hayato recalled the incident, he couldn't help but think it absurd.
Even more absurd was the fact that the feather had accepted him.
For a moment, Hayato truly didn't know what to say.
Seeing Entei's dignified eyes and Suicune's gentle gaze, he silently swallowed the words.
Forget it. Best not to tell these two big lovable beasts about all that.
The answers to his doubts could wait—once he met Ho-Oh, everything would become clear.
The rainy night passed. After the wild Pokémon who had taken shelter in the cave thanked Entei with a wave of their claws, they darted back into the dense forest.
The chosen one and two of Ho-Oh's guardians continued on toward Bell Tower.
This time, Hayato chose Entei as his mount.
Suicune, though not chosen, was undaunted. Its body moved lightly, like the north wind itself, keeping pace with Entei at his side.
Two days later, Hayato crossed the outer ridges of the Mt. Silver Range, finally stepping into its inner depths.
Compared to the outskirts, this place was far more remote—so much so that even the ecology of the wild Pokémon here had shifted.
Perhaps because of the distance from human settlements, the wild Pokémon of these forests had grown wilder… and stronger.
Sandslash with their razor-sharp claws, Nidoking and Nidoqueen with bulging muscles, Victreebel lurking silently in thick grass waiting for prey to stumble close, and hot-tempered Primeape that flew into a rage at the slightest provocation…
Yet thanks to Entei and Suicune's presence, not a single wild Pokémon dared attack.
As usual, Hayato crouched in the grass with them, camera in hand, recording the lives of these wild creatures.
But just as they were about to set out again, Hayato suddenly heard a cry for help.
Huh?
He looked up, scanning around, trying to locate the voice.
But Entei had already raised its head sharply, staring intently in one direction.
Hayato: "…"
Right. As a human, his senses would never match those of a Pokémon.
Following the voice, Hayato walked along a narrow path thick with weeds until he reached a slope.
At the top of the slope lay a broken wooden cane. The cry for help came from down below.
One glance was enough—someone must have fallen.
He crouched to peer over. Sure enough, an old man in plain clothes lay against a rock at the bottom, calling weakly for help.
Hayato's first thought was that the old man might be faking it. But judging from his condition, that seemed unlikely.
Fine. He'd just treat it as a good deed.
After all, when he first arrived in this world, many strangers had lent him a hand.
With that in mind, Hayato leapt down the slope.
It was only about two meters high—not too bad.
Seeing him jump, Entei and Suicune followed, landing beside him protectively.
Hayato helped the old man up. "Are you alright?"
The old man, panting heavily, lifted his eyes to the boy. He was about to express his thanks—but the moment he caught sight of the two massive beasts behind him, his breath caught in his throat, and he forgot his own condition. He cried out in shock:
"T-They, they, they're?!"
"They're companions traveling with me for now." Hayato didn't bother to hide Entei and Suicune's presence, offering a casual explanation.
The old man looked dazed.
Living in the Mt. Silver Range, he naturally knew the legends that Bell Tower was Ho-Oh's resting place. He certainly knew of Entei, Suicune, and Raikou.
From time to time, trainers claimed to encounter Entei or Suicune in the wild. So to humans, photos of them weren't exactly a secret.
Anyone with even a bit of knowledge would recognize them at a glance.
"My goodness…" Seeing the two Sacred Beasts walking calmly at the boy's side, the old man muttered, "So they've already acknowledged you…"
Hayato smiled faintly.
At last, the old man came back to himself and said gratefully, "Thank you for saving me."
It was nothing.
Hayato didn't mind. He looked the old man over—he had no Poké Balls, and didn't look like a trainer traveling with Pokémon.
He set him down on a rock and asked casually, "So what are you doing this deep in the mountains all alone?"
"No, I live here." The old man shook his head and pointed. "I've lived here for over ten years now…"
Hayato: "…"
Well, what do you know—he'd actually stumbled upon someone who had chosen to leave civilization behind and live in the wild.
The old man then said, "If it's not too much trouble, could you escort me back? In return, you may rest at my cabin anytime you wish…"
Unnecessary. Hayato had a tent, and Pokémon. He could rest anywhere.
He sighed softly.
Never mind. Might as well see this through.
After all, he'd been lazing around with Entei and Suicune, snapping photos of wild Pokémon along the way. He wasn't in any rush to reach Bell Tower.
Seeing his agreement, the old man's expression softened. "Thank you… and sorry for the trouble."
Hayato retrieved his cane, helped him along, and soon they reached a small wooden cabin at the end of the path.
The door was unlocked.
Hayato pushed it open and led the old man inside.
Once seated, the cabin's simple contents came into view: a plain wooden bed, a table with a few stools, tools hanging from the walls, and a campfire outside for cooking.
"You don't have family?" Hayato asked, surprised.
How could an old man dare live alone in such wilderness?
Even he had to admit—the courage was impressive.
The old man shook his head, his face full of sorrow. "No family. For years, I've lived here with an old companion. But two days ago… it suddenly ran off. It hasn't come back since."
"A person?"
"It was a Lucario." The old man sighed sadly. "Perhaps it felt I'd become too useless…"
Meanwhile, Raikou was still galloping this way.