Perhaps sensing the astonishment of the human on its back, Entei spoke with a voice full of majesty:
"Raikou possesses the ability to create thunderclouds and fly upon them—just like my Sacred Fire and Suicune's power of purification."
"I know…" Hayato murmured.
Only now did he recall that Raikou's records had once mentioned its ability to summon storm clouds for flight.
Legend said that its thunderous roar could shake the very air like a lightning strike hitting the ground, rattling the earth itself. It would release the surging power within its body in the form of lightning bolts while dashing freely across the land.
When travelers heard thunder in the wild, it was said to often be Raikou passing by.
As they spoke, Raikou brought them all back down to solid ground.
Lucario turned to Hayato and gave him a word of thanks.
Hayato smiled. "It's nothing. Hurry back to your Trainer. He's been worried sick about you these past few days."
Lucario nodded, then turned and dashed into the depths of the forest, the slip of paper still clutched in its hand.
Soon, only the three Legendary Beasts and one human remained on the hillside.
Entei and Suicune stood at Hayato's side. Raikou, however, remained opposite them, its gaze fixed silently on the human in the middle.
Hayato couldn't help but feel a touch of emotion at the sight.
He had to admit—Raikou, when awake, truly resembled a lone, aloof tiger estranged from its pack.
Suicune exuded a gentle aura. Entei radiated regal authority. But Raikou—its demeanor was unlike either of them.
It lacked Suicune's gentleness, and though its stern expression resembled Entei's, there was a cold detachment within it that Entei never had.
Overall, Raikou gave the impression of a creature that did not like humans. Toward them, its attitude leaned more toward mistrust than acceptance.
And so, faced with the chosen one, Raikou chose to simply watch from a distance.
Its imposing stance was, in truth, a little intimidating.
Although Hayato dearly wished to ride it, he had the strong feeling that if he tried, Raikou would instantly fry him to a crisp inside and out.
Forget it. He had already touched it, already seen it—he had no regrets.
The only pity was that he hadn't managed to take a group photo…
With that thought, Hayato asked offhandedly, "Will you come with us to the Bell Tower?"
Raikou's golden eyes bored into him, and a voice deep as thunder rumbled directly in his heart:
"You have already passed my trial."
And with that, its duty was fulfilled.
Raikou slowly turned away, departing without another word.
Hayato felt a pang of regret as he watched the beast's silhouette vanish into the mountain forest.
Entei, too, gazed after its brother. Only when Raikou was fully gone did it lower its head and speak gently:
"Do not be saddened. One day, you will meet again."
Just as they themselves had met with this chosen human.
So long as the chosen one passed the trial of any among them, he would earn that guardian's recognition.
Though Raikou seemed cold, Entei knew: if their Rainbow Hero ever faced true danger, Raikou would rush to aid him no slower than either Entei or Suicune.
That was the bond of friendship they shared with humanity.
"…Yeah."
Hayato nodded firmly as he looked toward the path Raikou had taken.
Partings only served to make the next encounter even better.
"It's time we set out again." Hayato lifted his gaze to the north.
There, rising high into the misty heavens, stood a towering peak.
Mt. Silver's sacred spire—Bell Tower.
"Truly not coming with us?"
Within the lonely forest, Marshadow floated beside Raikou, drifting along at its side. Its voice was soft and echoing:
"This chosen one is different from the humans we've met before. He is worthy of our trust."
Raikou gave no reply. It halted mid-stride, then spoke with cool detachment: "You have changed."
Marshadow froze.
Raikou continued forward. "In the past, you never spoke with us like this."
Scenes from the years it had spent silently observing Hayato flashed through Marshadow's mind. "I like the way that human lives with his Pokémon. To him, they are truly family."
"You want to live with him?" Raikou asked.
Marshadow remained silent.
Seeing this, Raikou rumbled in warning: "I can feel it. Ho-Oh has given another feather to a human. When this trial ends, you must part ways with him."
"And you should not be following me." Raikou's voice grew distant as it pressed onward. "Return to him. Guide him to the Bell Tower."
Marshadow said nothing.
It vanished without sound—just as it had appeared.
Only when its presence had completely faded did Raikou dash to a high ridge where the view stretched far and wide. Like a king surveying his domain, it raised its head toward the Bell Tower's direction.
Go forth. Complete the final trial, our Rainbow Hero.
Elsewhere.
Lucario sprinted with all its strength down the familiar path it had walked for over ten years, racing back toward the little wooden cabin.
Besides the slip of paper, its hands clutched several sprigs of medicinal herbs used to treat falls and injuries.
It pushed open the door. Inside sat an old man, alone in his chair. Their eyes met—the most intimate bond in this world reignited at once.
Clatter!
The items in the elder's hand fell to the floor as he stared in shock at the companion who had stayed with him for over a decade.
Lucario silently extended the herbs and the letter.
The old man accepted them. At the sight of the very plants he had once mentioned to Lucario long ago, his heart tightened.
He unfolded the slip of paper. After reading its contents, disbelief filled his face. He murmured, "You went out… just to find herbs for my injury?"
Lucario gave a small nod.
At that, two lines of tears slid down the old man's weathered cheeks. He whispered hoarsely, "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry."
Lucario gently wiped his tears away with its paw.
"All these years… it was my fault," the old man said. "I should have stood up again long ago. Lucario—let's finally fulfill the promise we made thirty years ago!"
To travel the world together, and become a true Pokémon Trainer!
Seeing his Trainer's spirit reignite, Lucario's face lit up with a rare, heartfelt smile.
"Tomorrow, we'll set out. Lucario—where should our first stop be?" the old man asked as he turned to tidy up the cluttered cabin.
Lucario pointed toward the wall map of the Johto region.
The old man followed its gesture. Ecruteak City.
The very city where he had first met Lucario.
"You still remember…" The elder wiped the tears from his face and laughed.
Lucario nodded softly.
Pulling out a dusty pen and paper, the old man sat down and spoke as he wrote:
"When you see this letter, Lucario and I will already have set out on our journey.
I thank you sincerely for returning Lucario to me, and for making me realize that I cannot let us sink into despair any longer. We are going to pursue the dream we left behind in our youth.
Farewell, Trainer. May your own journey be safe.
Oh, and as for this little cabin—please feel free to use it whenever you need."
(End of Chapter)