In a forest filled with falling autumn leaves, a powerful, agile figure charged forward, carrying a small child on its back as it ran across the ground carpeted in gold.
"Rustle, rustle!"
Thick, sturdy paw pads crushed the dry, brittle leaves beneath them, producing a steady rustling sound.
Entei's golden-red eyes were fixed straight ahead.
The Little One's parents had died protecting Pokemon. As a member of Ho-Oh's Guard, it was only right that it take care of their child.
The Little One had no parents anymore. From today on, it was the Little One's father.
Now, it would take the child back to Mount Tensei. First, because it was the territory of Ho-Oh's Guard.
Not only did Entei live there, but so did Marshadow, Suicune, Raikou, and Lord Ho-Oh himself.
Second, the Little One's existence needed to be reported to Ho-Oh.
Lost in thought, Entei suddenly felt the child on its back tug at its fur.
Its focus snapped back. It gradually slowed, then came to a stop beside a towering tree.
Turning its head, it looked at the human infant on its back. The eyes that usually carried only dignity and authority now held a trace of warmth.
"What is it?" Entei asked through telepathy.
Although the Little One couldn't speak yet, Entei felt that the child understood it.
At this moment, Fuyuki felt completely numb.
From the instant Entei had carried him out of the human town until now, his brain had lagged behind.
Had he just been kidnapped by Entei?
No… that couldn't be right…
But compared to that, there was something far more urgent.
He needed to pee.
"Bah-bah-bah!"
Put me down, now!
Seeing the Little One's anxious expression and his flailing motions, as if trying desperately to say something, a hint of confusion crossed Entei's face.
What was wrong with him?
It was just about to ask when, in the next second, it felt a warm stream trickle down its back.
The child stiffened, wearing an expression of pure resignation.
I'm done for, Fuyuki thought. Entei's definitely going to bite me to death now.
Entei's pupils shrank. At last, it realized what had happened.
At the same time, the cheat ability panel that had been quiet for so long suddenly reacted.
[The dignity of a Legendary Pokemon must not be violated. Your act of urinating on a Legendary Pokemon is shocking beyond words, and marks the first time in Entei's life.]
[How many firsts does one get in a lifetime? Shock points from Entei +5!]
"..."
Five minutes later.
Deep in the forest, beside a gently flowing, crystal-clear stream.
Entei stood submerged in the water, with only its head above the surface, staring at Fuyuki on the riverbank with those golden-red eyes.
There was a clear sense of helplessness in that gaze.
Fuyuki looked guilty as hell. Thankfully, Entei hadn't bitten him to death. Instead, it had jumped straight into the river.
Still, watching Entei bathe, looking oddly ridiculous in the water, Fuyuki couldn't hold it in and let out a giggle.
Entei: "..."
In the next moment, it rose from the river. With a light leap of its massive body, it landed neatly on the bank.
It shook the water from its fur, then drew on the flames within it. In almost an instant, every trace of moisture in its orange-red coat evaporated.
After that, it stepped over with its heavy limbs, lay down behind the child, and stuck out its tongue, starting to lick the "fur" of the little cub.
Of course, it wasn't actual fur. It was simply how feline Pokemon cleaned and groomed those they cared for.
Feeling Entei's tongue brush across his face, Fuyuki was completely stunned.
Thinking back on Entei's behavior over the past few days, an unbelievable idea surfaced in his mind.
Don't tell me Entei sees me as its… offspring?
But how was that possible?
They'd only known each other for a few days.
Was it because Entei saw that his parents were gone, thought he was too pitiful, and worried that even in a human town no one would take care of him? Was it sympathy, compassion, or simply a sense of duty as a member of Ho-Oh's Guard that led Entei to adopt him outright?
Had these few days of caring turned into a responsibility?
Fuyuki was stunned.
If that was really the case… then everything Entei had done suddenly made sense.
What was this supposed to be?
Despite his shock, he found he didn't actually reject the idea.
After all, there were plenty of examples in anime where humans were adopted and raised by Pokemon.
Like Zarude and Koko in the movie, or Tommy, who was separated from his parents in a plane crash and later adopted and raised by a kind Kangaskhan.
So that means… from now on, I'm going to live with Entei?
Fuyuki felt shocked, and a little happy.
Shocked that a Legendary Pokemon like Entei had adopted him, a human child.
Happy that he didn't have to part with it after all.
With his parents gone in this life, he had no family left in this world. And Entei was the one he was closest to now.
More importantly…
From the earlier peeing incident, Fuyuki had figured out how his cheat ability worked.
While Entei was busy grooming him, Fuyuki focused his thoughts, and the panel appeared before his eyes.
The Shock Points, which had been at zero, now read five.
That meant he could exchange it for a bottle of Moomoo Milk from the shop.
[Moomoo Milk: 100% nutritious milk produced by Miltank. Long-term consumption helps the body grow stronger. Cost: 5 Shock Points.]
No… better save it, Fuyuki thought. In case something special comes up later.
By then, Entei had finished grooming him.
Realizing that the child was still very young and couldn't handle long-distance travel, Entei chose not to move on. Instead, it lay down on the golden leaves, turning itself into a massive, living cushion.
Fuyuki turned back to look at it. Sensing the gaze, Entei opened its eyes and met his stare.
What is it? Entei asked silently.
The Little One didn't answer.
With slightly clumsy movements, he turned around and gently reached out, touching Entei's face.
Entei froze for a moment, but didn't move.
Honestly, Entei was a really handsome Pokemon.
In real life, it looked like a mix between a lion and a Tibetan mastiff, majestic and imposing.
Before he could stop himself, Fuyuki leaned in and planted a quick kiss on Entei's face.
The next second, Entei's body stiffened.
Right after that, the panel popped up again.
[Since its birth, Entei has always walked alone, never this close to any human or Pokemon. Your affectionate action has greatly shocked it.]
["Perhaps the Little One already sees me as its father." Shock points from Entei +5!]