Chapter 1: Meeting — The Beginning of Everything
Towering trees stood like silent guardians, their branches and leaves interwoven into a dense green canopy. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the treetops, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow across the forest floor.
The ground was blanketed in thick fallen leaves and soft moss, while low shrubs and vibrant wildflowers decorated the surroundings.
This was an uninhabited forest — a paradise for countless wild Pokémon.
Pokémon like Hoothoot and Pidgey rested quietly among the branches. A gentle breeze passed through, causing the leaves to rustle softly as various Flying-type Pokémon soared through the sky. Their cheerful cries echoed through the forest like a harmonious chorus.
From time to time, the sound of flowing water could be heard in the distance. Near a lake, Water-type Pokémon such as Magikarp and Chinchou played freely in the water.
Within the tall grass, Pokémon like Sunkern and Sentret would briefly pause before darting away, radiating pure vitality and energy.
However, this peaceful scenery did not last long.
A flash of lightning suddenly tore across the sky, followed by a deafening clap of thunder. Heavy rain arrived without warning.
The Pokémon in the forest hurriedly searched for shelter. Yet some remained unaware of the coming storm, standing idly as the rain began to fall.
Only when the downpour truly began did panic set in. Unable to find shelter after being drenched for so long, some Pokémon cried out helplessly where they stood.
At that moment—
A powerful gust of wind swept fallen leaves into the air. A scorching aura followed, and through the rain charged a massive lion-like Pokémon.
Its entire body seemed wrapped in flames. The rain evaporated the instant it touched its fur, leaving its body completely dry. With each step it took, flames danced around it, radiating intense heat that made it nearly impossible to approach.
This was Entei — one of the Legendary Beasts, a renowned Legendary Pokémon of the Johto region. Its gaze was resolute and commanding, as though it could see through all things.
Entei stopped and surveyed the surroundings before releasing a mighty roar filled with overwhelming authority.
The frightened Pokémon immediately ceased their cries, following Entei as though they had found their protector.
Leading the group away from danger, Entei gradually lowered his body temperature. The blazing heat faded, replaced by a gentle warmth.
After several minutes, they arrived at a spacious cave — Entei's resting place within this territory. The soaked Pokémon shook the rain from their bodies and expressed their gratitude with joyful cries.
Entei's expression remained unchanged. Protecting Pokémon in distress was simply part of his duty as one of the Legendary Beasts.
He lay down to rest. Once the rain stopped, he would continue his journey, helping other Pokémon in need.
Then—
"Wah… wah… wah…"
A faint cry echoed from afar.
Though distant and nearly drowned out by the heavy rain, Entei's senses were incredibly sharp. He immediately stood up and rushed back into the storm to locate the source.
The cries continued, growing weaker with time.
Understanding the urgency, Entei accelerated.
Soon, he reached a nearby river. Dark clouds covered the sky like a heavy curtain.
The once calm river had become violent under the relentless rain. Its waters turned murky, currents surged, and waves crashed against the riverbed with thunderous splashes. Visibility along the banks was blurred by the dense rain.
Through the curtain of water, Entei quickly spotted a basket floating in the river. It had become caught in the branches of a fallen tree near the shore, swaying dangerously as if it could be swept away at any moment.
Entei knew immediately — the cries came from inside that basket.
The raging river and the desperate cries formed a sharp contrast, as if destruction and new life were locked in a silent struggle.
Without hesitation, Entei rushed forward, seized the basket with his jaws, and swiftly carried it back to the cave.
The Pokémon inside the cave were delighted to see Entei return. They gathered around him, curious about the strange object he carried.
Entei gently set the basket near the cave entrance and nodded to reassure them.
The rainwater on his body had already evaporated under his natural heat. He observed the basket cautiously. It was clearly a man-made object — could it be dangerous?
When he opened the lid, he found no threat inside.
Only a sleeping baby.
The infant's cheeks were soft and flushed red. His small eyelashes trembled beneath closed eyes, and his tiny fists were tightly clenched. His body shivered slightly, as if trapped in a frightening dream.
Beside him lay a small bottle filled with milk.
"…A human child?" Entei was astonished.
How could a human infant appear in such a remote forest? The baby was only a few months old at most.
Entei gently touched the child's head with his paw. It felt unusually warm — the baby had a fever. He wasn't merely asleep, but likely unconscious from illness.
That explained everything. The basket had not been waterproof, and the heavy rain had soaked the infant's body.
The surrounding Pokémon curiously gathered around. Having never seen a human before, they were filled with curiosity. But upon realizing the infant was sick, worry quickly replaced their excitement.
Pokémon like Sentret, Bulbasaur, and Bellsprout exchanged uneasy glances, unsure what to do. A fragile life was at stake.
Entei, however, remained calm.
He opened his massive jaws. Deep within his throat, scorching energy gathered and condensed into brilliant white flames that shot toward the unconscious infant.
To an outsider, it might appear as though Entei was attacking the child.
But this was no ordinary fire.
It was Sacred Fire.
Sacred Fire — the signature ability of Ho-Oh and Entei — was not merely a destructive force. It possessed miraculous healing power, capable of purifying illness and dispelling negative energy.
Sure enough, after being enveloped in the Sacred Fire, the infant's trembling ceased. Slowly, he opened his eyes.
He looked calmly at Entei — the one who had cured him.
Then he closed his eyes again and soon began to breathe softly, falling back into peaceful sleep.
Seeing the child safe, the other Pokémon relaxed and returned to their places.
Yet that brief moment of eye contact stirred something within Entei's heart.
He had never seen this child before, yet he felt a strange sense of familiarity — an inexplicable connection.
Perhaps it was only an illusion. Or perhaps all human infants looked alike.
Still, a question remained.
How had such a young child appeared in this deserted forest?
The intelligent Entei could only reach one conclusion — the child had been abandoned.
The thought filled him with anger.
How cruel must parents be to cast aside their own child and let him drift helplessly down a raging river?
…Though they had at least left a bottle of milk. A trace of conscience — but barely.
No wonder Lord Ho-Oh had grown disappointed in humans. Once they had driven Pokémon away out of fear, and now some even abandoned their own offspring.
Truly disheartening.
Of course, not all humans were like this. He had once encountered kind individuals such as the Rainbow Hero. Otherwise, he might have personally sought out the child's parents to punish them.
As Entei gazed at the sleeping infant, he began considering what to do.
Return him to humans?
Impossible. His current trust in humans was far too low. Even if returned, there was no guarantee the child would be cared for — he might simply be abandoned again.
No.
Entei made his decision.
Since humans had cast him aside, Entei would raise the child himself — at least for now — and observe how he grew.
He did not understand why he made such a decision. It simply felt like the most sincere desire of his heart.
Nor did he realize that from this moment onward, the destinies of humans and Pokémon would become intertwined.
Just then, the heavy rain ceased.
The dark clouds parted, and warm sunlight streamed into the cave, illuminating the peacefully sleeping infant.
The beginning of everything… had quietly arrived.