Pokemon: Raised by Legends, Chapter 63-64

Chapter 63 - Your Starter Trio Seems a Little Different from Mine

Day and night cycled on. Time slipped quietly past. Flowers on Mount Tensei bloomed, withered, and bloomed again. Before anyone noticed, three more years had gone by.

Winter faded into spring. As the New Year of League Year 205 came to an end, a brand-new 206 quietly arrived.

The heavy snow that had blanketed Mount Tensei all winter finally melted away. Fresh green pushed through the soil, and the wild Pokemon that had slept through the cold season began emerging from their nests, returning life to the vast mountains once more.

Inside the Secret Base halfway up the mountain, Fuyuki, now ten years old, lay sprawled on a soft carpet, fast asleep.

The chill of early spring still lingered. Even with the fireplace roaring, he had no desire to get up, burrowing deeper into warmth instead.

At the other end of the room stood Ho-Oh, Entei, Suicune, Raikou, and Marshadow.

Ho-Oh glanced over the Legendary Beasts and Marshadow, then spoke slowly.

“By human reckoning, Fuyuki has turned ten this year. It is time for us to prepare for what comes next.”

Entei paused, looking at the sleeping Fuyuki before asking, “Ho-Oh… does that mean you intend to place the trial of the Rainbow Hero upon him?”

“No.” Ho-Oh shook its head, sounding almost surprised. “Fuyuki is already our Rainbow Hero.”

Over the years they had lived together, Ho-Oh had watched the child help wild Pokemon again and again, playing with them, caring for them, never asking for anything in return.

Combined with all he had done for them during those years, the child before its eyes had long since become an outstanding Rainbow Hero in Ho-Oh’s heart.

Its hero-raising plan had succeeded beyond expectation.

The Legendary Beasts froze for a moment.

“Then… what do you mean, Ho-Oh?” one of them asked.

Ho-Oh looked at them, clearly unimpressed. “Have you forgotten? This year, Fuyuki turns ten. He’s been talking my ear off all winter, saying that once spring arrives, he wants to travel.”

Realization finally dawned on them.

“Letting him travel alone is something neither I nor any of you would feel at ease with,” Ho-Oh said, sweeping its gaze across the three. “So we must decide who will stay by his side to protect him.”

“Obviously me!” Raikou declared at once. Lightning crackled across its body, electric energy surging through the sleek, glossy fur Fuyuki had carefully groomed over the years.

“Raikou, don’t forget,” Entei said, frowning. “Fuyuki is my child.”

Raikou let out a low growl. “And don’t you forget our agreement. He’s not yours alone.”

Entei knew that well, but still…

“Fuyuki is closest to me,” it said, choosing the shortest, sharpest words possible.

Raikou’s momentum stalled instantly.

Watching from the side, Suicune spoke up calmly. “I could accompany Fuyuki as well.”

Over the past three years, Fuyuki had prepared many Rare Candy for it, pushing its strength to frightening heights.

Suicune would never forget that feeling. It liked this child, liked the way he clung to them, the food he prepared, and the life they shared together.

Even though it had been the last member of Ho-Oh’s Guard to arrive, Suicune still wanted a chance.

Marshadow observed quietly, eyes dark, already prepared for the outcome.

Ho-Oh narrowed its eyes, watching the argument unfold. When the time felt right, it finally spoke.

“All of you have your own missions to fulfill. There is no need to quarrel. I will go in your place and protect Fuyuki myself.”

Raikou, Entei, and Suicune froze, shock written plainly across their faces as they looked at Ho-Oh.

"Ho-Oh… this..." Raikou stepped forward, wanting to say more.

Entei’s heart sank.

Suicune remained silent.

“Entei and Raikou, your duty is to protect the weak and uphold order. Suicune, yours is to purify water sources,” Ho-Oh said gently.

After a pause, its gaze shifted to the still-sleeping child. “And Fuyuki’s power requires vast energy to function. Only by staying with me can he gain more of it.”

Just like the first time it had taken Fuyuki into the human world, gathering immense energy from humans.

Ho-Oh still remembered how the child had condensed that energy into a Rare Candy and gifted it to it.

If they traveled together through the human world, wouldn’t Fuyuki gain even more energy?

With Ho-Oh having spoken, the Legendary Beasts could only agree, unwilling as they were.

Before any of them could say more, the sleeping boy stirred awake.

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

As soon as Fuyuki opened his eyes, he realized they had been communicating through telepathy behind his back.

“Fuyuki,” Entei said, “today is your tenth birthday. We were discussing who should stay with you and travel alongside you.”

Right! He was ten now! By the rules of the Pokemon world, that meant he could finally set out on a journey!

Excitement chased away all his drowsiness.

“Fuyuki,” Raikou said, glancing at Ho-Oh before daring to ask, “who do you want to travel with?”

They couldn’t defy Ho-Oh’s decision, but Raikou knew that if the child chose for himself, even Ho-Oh might be willing to compromise.

All eyes turned to the ten-year-old boy.

“Huh?” Fuyuki froze.

So this day had finally come?

His gaze drifted over Entei and the others, their expectant looks making it impossible to decide.

The scene reminded him of anime and games, where a professor laid out three starter Pokemon for a new Trainer to choose from.

Three choices at the beginning. Pick your starter Pokemon.

Only… his starter trio seemed a little different from everyone else’s.

On the left stood Entei, dignified and imposing, golden-red eyes blazing as heat rolled off its body.

In the center was Suicune, gentle and serene, an ethereal presence flowing around it.

On the right was Raikou, aloof and sharp-edged, cold on the outside but kind at heart, electric energy humming beneath its fur.

Behind the three stood Ho-Oh, radiant with rainbow light, wings spread wide, master of Sacred Fire.

And in the shadows of the corner, Marshadow’s small figure was impossible to ignore.

At this moment, all five Pokemon were watching him, eyes filled with anticipation, waiting for his answer.

Fuyuki: “?”

Chapter 64 - Setting Off for Pallet Town!

At the same time, in the Kanto region, Pallet Town.

On the country road leading to Professor Oak’s laboratory, a boy in pajamas was sprinting at full speed.

“Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Charmander, any of them is fine, just wait for me!”

Ash was full of regret. Today was the day he was supposed to receive his starter Pokemon, but he had been so excited the night before that he barely slept, which meant he woke up way too late.

At this hour, all the kids in town had probably already picked their starter Pokemon and set off on their journeys!

“Please don’t let them all be taken!” Panic churned in his chest.

He pushed himself harder, legs burning, and finally reached Professor Oak’s lab just before the last Trainer was about to leave.

In front of the lab, a cheer squad made up entirely of pretty girls surrounded a handsome, arrogant-looking boy, cheering nonstop.

“Amazing! Amazing! Gary, Gary, go, go!”

Ash hurriedly shoved his way through the crowd and slammed straight into him.

“Ow!” Ash clutched his head.

“I’m the one who should be saying that,” Gary replied. When he saw who it was, a curious smile spread across his face. “Ash?”

“Gary?”

“So it really is you?” Gary said, his expression turning strange. “Ash, you were late from the very start, huh?”

“Gary…”

“Call me Mr. Gary!” he said proudly. “But you actually showed up late today. As my rival, you already lost to me completely right out of the gate!”

“You mean… you already got your starter Pokemon?” Ash’s eyes went wide.

Gary smiled faintly and pulled out a Poke Ball. “That’s right. It’s right in here!”

“Gary, Gary, you’re amazing!” the cheer squad shouted again.

Gary raised both hands confidently. “Thank you, everyone! Thank you, my girlfriends! I’ll definitely become a Pokemon Master and make Pallet Town famous across the world!”

“Yeah! Mr. Gary is the best! Being his girlfriend is so amazing!”

Ash glanced back at the girls. He felt a little lost, but what really caught his attention was which starter Pokemon Gary had received.

They had grown up together in the same town, long since treating each other as rivals.

Now that Gary had his starter, Ash couldn’t help but feel intensely curious.

“So what did you get?” he asked. “Charmander? Bulbasaur? Or Squirtle?”

Gary answered mysteriously, “That wouldn’t be convenient to tell you. After all, I’m the grandson of the famous Pokemon scholar Professor Oak. My starter is naturally something special.”

With that, Gary bade everyone farewell, turned around, and climbed into a red convertible.

The cheer squad followed after him.

In an instant, the lively scene in front of the lab vanished, leaving Ash standing there alone.

Whatever. It wasn’t like this was the last time he’d see Gary anyway.

Ash turned and rushed into the lab, shouting, “Professor Oak! Professor Oak! I’m Ash, I’m here to get my starter Pokemon!”

Inside, Professor Oak was eating instant noodles. Hearing the noise, he stepped out, looking surprised.

“Ash? Why are you so late?”

Ash scratched his head awkwardly. “I was too excited last night and stayed up too late. Professor Oak, where’s my starter Pokemon?”

“They’ve already been taken by the kids who weren’t late,” Professor Oak said.

“None left at all?!” Ash stared in shock.

“Well…” Professor Oak rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “There is still one.”

He reached out and picked up a Poke Ball marked with a lightning symbol.

With a click, a Pokemon with yellow fur and two brown lightning-shaped stripes on its back appeared in front of Ash.

Mount Tensei, the Secret Base.

Fuyuki stared at the Pokemon in front of him, still unable to make a choice.

If he picked Raikou, Entei would be unhappy. If he picked Entei, Suicune would be hurt. And if he picked Ho-Oh, all three Legendary Beasts would feel disappointed.

It was way too hard.

For an ordinary new Trainer, this wouldn’t be such a problem. After all, they’d never met their starter Pokemon before, so not being chosen wouldn’t hurt that much.

But this was different.

They were family. They had lived together for ten years.

So the Legendary Pokemon saw Fuyuki look up at them with pitiful eyes and ask softly, “Can’t we all travel together?”

“We all have missions in different regions,” Ho-Oh replied.

Raikou, Suicune, and Entei fell silent.

Before long, though, they realized something. This choice was clearly tormenting their child.

We shouldn’t be doing this to him, Ho-Oh sighed inwardly.

Fuyuki had grown up with them since he was little. No matter who he chose, the ones left behind would be hurt.

He didn’t want any of them to be sad, which was why he couldn’t decide.

“That’s enough,” Ho-Oh said, making its decision at last.

Its gaze settled on Entei. “In that case, Entei will stay by Fuyuki’s side for now and protect him.”

Entei froze. “Ho-Oh…”

Raikou frowned, clearly dissatisfied. “Ho-Oh!”

Suicune opened its mouth, then closed it again without speaking.

“Fuyuki was brought back by Entei, and Entei has always been the closest to him,” Ho-Oh said, looking at the other two. “Raikou, Suicune, there’s no need to worry. If you encounter Fuyuki and Entei later on, you may take over Entei’s role and remain by his side to protect him.”

That way, it was fair to Entei, to Raikou, to Suicune, and to itself.

Hearing this, the Legendary Beasts no longer objected.

“Yes, Ho-Oh!”

Entei finally let out a long breath. As expected, Ho-Oh was fair.

With the decision made for him, Fuyuki also felt a weight lift from his chest.

“Then it’s time for us to leave Mount Tensei,” Ho-Oh said.

Raikou felt a little reluctant, but it understood that this was Ho-Oh’s decision.

If it came down to it, it could always go find Entei later and take over guarding Fuyuki.

At that very moment, the same thought crossed both Ho-Oh’s and Suicune’s minds.

Fuyuki and Entei saw the three Pokemon off.

Before parting, Fuyuki waved at them. “We’ll see each other out there!”

Raikou and the others nodded in response. They didn’t linger on Mount Tensei, turning and leaving, quickly disappearing from view.

Fuyuki let out a long breath, gazing at the rainbow stretching across the sky and the vast world beyond Mount Tensei.

At last, he could leave this place and truly set out into the Pokemon world.

Pokemon world, here I come!

“So… when do we leave?” he asked Entei.

“Whenever you’re ready,” Entei replied.

They needed to prepare properly before setting off. Over the past three years, Fuyuki had only gone out once with Ho-Oh, just to bring Suicune up to max level.

After daily expenses, he still had around a hundred thousand Shock Points left, more than enough for everyday needs.

Even if he spent them all, it wouldn’t be a problem.

He was grown now. If needed, he could always have Entei cooperate with him and battle other Trainers or Gym Leaders, earning Shock Points that way.

Still, before officially departing, they had to visit Professor Oak’s lab in Pallet Town. Fuyuki wanted to ask Professor Oak if he could help him get something like a Pokedex, an item that could prove his identity and make travel in the human world easier.

Only…

Fuyuki glanced at Entei beside him.

Last time, it had been Raikou accompanying him to see Professor Oak. Now it was suddenly Entei instead.

How was he supposed to explain that?