Kanto Region, Mt. Tensei, Winter.
In the cold winter, the snow fell incessantly outside, making time inside the cave seem to slow down.
Amidst the swirling snowflakes, it seemed as if only Fuyuki and Raikou existed in the world.
They huddled together in this small cave in this vast and desolate land, keeping each other company.
Entei had never experienced anything like this before.
Since being resurrected by Lord Ho-Oh a hundred years ago, it had carried an important mission.
For hundreds of years, the Ho-Oh Guard had been almost constantly on the move across this land.
"…" Entei's face was shrouded in shadow as it looked down at the little one beside it. Though its expression was impassive, its heart was filled with tenderness.
Like the profound love of countless fathers for their children, silent yet deafening.
As an adult, Fuyuki, with its soul, naturally saw everything Entei had silently sacrificed.
To his astonishment, Entei, a legendary Pokémon, went to such lengths for him.
It helped him find food, groomed him, and warmed him with its own body heat…
All of this showed that Entei truly treated him like its own child.
It was impossible not to be moved. Unable to reciprocate, Fuyuki diligently followed Entei, learning Pokémon language.
Throughout the winter, Fuyuki would talk to Entei and practice almost every morning upon waking.
Entei was also amazed by Fuyuki's extraordinary learning talent.
This would occasionally grant Fuyuki a few to over ten Shock Points.
Fuyuki saved them, only spending 5 Shock Points on a bottle of MooMoo Milk when he wanted a change.
Three months passed quietly as Fuyuki slept nestled in Entei's arms.
Although humans don't need to hibernate, a life of eating and sleeping in a cave is probably no different from hibernation.
Under Entei's protection, Fuyuki finally survived the most difficult winter.
He didn't get sick, didn't freeze to death, and didn't starve.
Fuyuki couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, and not only him, but Entei also felt a great sense of relief.
Finally—the little guy survived this winter.
The old father felt a great weight lifted from his shoulders.
When Fuyuki left the cave again and came outside, the world had undergone a complete transformation.
The snow had melted, the rivers had thawed, everything had revived, and the forest was once again covered in a vibrant green coat.
Three months later, Fuyuki was one year and four months old.
Gifted as ever, he could stand up and slowly begin to walk on his own two feet.
However, he couldn't walk very far.
Entei silently watched Fuyuki from behind, watching him stumble as he walked.
Its expression was majestic, its body tense, ready to step forward and cushion the little one's fall.
However, Fuyuki didn't fall. After taking a few steps, it turned back excitedly and said,
"Entei, spring has arrived!"
Although it couldn't yet speak in long sentences, Fuyuki could clearly express itself in Pokémon language.
Entei felt a pang of disappointment at Fuyuki's address. The little one still didn't want to call it "father"?
Oh well… whatever, as long as the little one is happy.
It sighed inwardly, then stepped forward, walked to Fuyuki's side, and together they gazed at the springtime azure mountains.
The large, fluffy head nodded gently: "Yes, the weather is starting to warm up."
Entei's gaze swept across the land below. It could clearly see that with the arrival of spring, the Pokémon living on this land were leaving their nests and venturing out.
"I want to go to the forest!" Fuyuki's eyes lit up as it looked at the mountains below. He wanted to try and see if he could communicate with other wild Pokémon using the Pokémon language taught by Entei.
Entei nodded, agreeing. The little guy had almost finished off the berries stored in the cave.
He'd go down the mountain to pick some more for the little guy!
Thinking this, Entei habitually picked up Fuyuki by the scruff of its neck, intending to put it on his back.
But the moment he bit down, the little guy cried out in pain.
Winter had passed, and Fuyuki had grown considerably. His old coat no longer fit, so with Entei's help, he had long since taken it off, now only covered by a large leaf.
Entei bit down, landing directly on his neck.
"Ouch!"
Entei cried, looking at the little guy with teary eyes.
Almost forgot… Entei licked the spot he'd just bitten, then leaned down and said in a deep voice,
"Come on my back!" Fuyuki skillfully climbed onto Entei's back. Once he was settled, Entei got up and ran down the mountain.
Shortly afterward, the two arrived at the forest they'd met before.
Entei skillfully found a berry tree, placed Fuyuki on the ground, and began using its Psychic powers to harvest the berries.
Fuyuki, meanwhile, focused its attention on the surrounding grass. He wanted to find a wild Pokémon to test his Pokémon language skills.
Unfortunately, the Pokémon here seemed to deeply respect Entei. As soon as Entei appeared, they scattered, merely watching from afar, rarely approaching.
Fuyuki's gaze locked onto a Nidoran in the distance. Taking advantage of Entei's distraction while harvesting berries, he staggered to his feet and slowly walked towards the Nidoran.
But when the Nidoran saw him approaching, it seemed startled and quickly darted into the grass, disappearing from sight.
Fuyuki: "..."
Was he really that scary?
Fuyuki looked around, then quickly focused his attention on a wild Beedrill.
"Since that's how it is, it's you, Beedrill!"
He turned around, attempting to approach the Beedrill and communicate with it.
The Beedrill was quite perceptive; it detected Fuyuki's intention almost instantly.
Although this was the edge of its territory, as a Pokémon with a very strong sense of territory, the Beedrill immediately perceived the human's actions as an intrusion.
A piercing buzzing sound emanated from its body—the high-frequency vibration of its wings.
However, the next second, the Beedrill spotted a terrifying figure behind the human intruder.
Entei: Stare—
The Beedrill's pupils contracted, and it immediately flew away without looking back.
Fuyuki: "?"
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You can read up to chapter 38 and more soon on [email protected]/PokeficLord.