"What a shame… I really thought that Bulbasaur was a wild Pokemon," Fuyuki muttered.
"You like that kind of Pokemon?" Raikou asked, a little surprised.
"I heard that when human Trainers turn ten, they receive a starter Pokemon from someone and travel together," he explained. "I didn't know where to get one, so I thought I might as well catch one myself and make it my starter partner."
"There's no need for that," Raikou said calmly. "Whether it's me, Suicune, Entei, or even Ho-Oh, any of us would gladly become your starter Pokemon and travel with you."
It paused, then added, "I wield the power of lightning. If you want to challenge Gyms, I can lend you my strength and defeat every opposing Trainer."
The meaning was clear. Raikou hoped that when the Little One turned ten, he would choose it and set out together.
"No, that's different," Fuyuki said, shaking his head. "You're my family. What I want is a partner, a friend, someone who grows with me."
Raikou almost said that it could be that partner too, but the thought faded.
Their power had already changed beyond recognition thanks to the Little One.
On this land, even beyond the seas, there were very few who could stand against them.
If they fought together, almost no one in this world could stop them.
If anyone ever dared bully the Little One, they would face their wrath.
The Little One was a good child. He loved Pokemon, and he would treat them well.
With that thought, Raikou spoke again. "What kind of Pokemon do you like? If I encounter any in the future, I can invite them to Mount Tensei to be your friends."
Raikou expected him to agree.
Instead, Fuyuki shook his head again.
"No, I want to meet them myself!" His eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Just like Ash in the anime, traveling every corner of the world, meeting Pokemon, getting to know them, becoming friends.
And if both sides wished for it, they could be caught and live together from then on.
"Then do as you wish," Raikou said.
"Yeah!" Fuyuki hugged the huge head and kissed it hard. "Raikou is the best!"
Raikou clearly enjoyed that.
Fuyuki hopped down and began scanning the area for wild Pokemon.
"Let me see if there are any Charmander, Squirtle, Gengar, or Eevee around!"
He dove into the grass, only to lock eyes with a Pidgey pecking at bugs.
"Pidgey!" It jumped in surprise.
The next moment, it saw the human grin at it.
"Hi, Pidgey! Are you pooping here?"
Pidgey finally reacted and flapped its wings in panic, fleeing at once.
"…Local Pokemon are really rude," Fuyuki muttered under his breath.
Back on Mount Tensei, everyone would crowd around him and play together.
Sighing, he stood up and looked around, searching for other Pokemon.
That was when he heard a girl crying.
"What was that?" He looked at Raikou.
Raikou had clearly heard it too, lifting its head toward the sound.
At the same time, deeper in the forest.
A girl in a skirt and round hat moved cautiously across the grass.
Tears welled in her eyes.
"Everyone… where are you?"
Rustle.
The bushes nearby shook.
Serena, who had come to Pallet Town for Professor Oak's summer camp, yelped and fell back in fright, staring at the bushes in terror.
A Poliwag hopped out.
A wild Pokemon.
She trembled all over.
The Poliwag glanced at her, then bounced away without attacking.
The shock broke her last bit of composure, and tears streamed down her face.
"I didn't want to come camping…"
Her mother had insisted on signing her up, saying Professor Oak was hosting it himself. She had only agreed because she wanted to meet him.
Now she cried out miserably, "Mom!"
Rustle.
The bushes stirred again.
She snapped her head around and saw a huge Pokemon emerge, shaped like a massive tiger, expression cold, pressure overwhelming.
There was no doubt about it. This was a powerful wild Pokemon.
Her pupils shrank. She froze, unable to move.
"Poliwag!"
Another shout came from a different patch of grass.
A boy dressed like a shorts-wearing kid pushed through the bushes.
The moment he saw Serena on the ground and the terrifying Pokemon in front of her, Ash froze.
"Huh?"
Seeing the tears on her face, a possibility flashed through his mind.
She had been attacked.
Without thinking, Ash rushed forward and stood in front of her.
"Hey! Don't hurt her!"
Professor Oak had said that as a boy, he needed to protect girls who came from far away.
"Huh?!" Serena stared at him.
At that moment, Fuyuki, following close behind Raikou, emerged from the bushes and saw the scene.
…Ash and Serena?
What were the odds?
One look at their expressions told him exactly what had happened.
Perfect. Reckless and brave, just like Ash.
Ash and Serena noticed him too, both turning their gaze toward the newcomer.
Fuyuki smoothly climbed onto Raikou's back. Looking at the still-young Ash and Serena, a playful urge bubbled up.
"Rrrow!" He spread his "claws" and deliberately tried to scare them.
"Aah!" Serena squeaked and hid behind Ash.
Raikou said nothing.
"All right, all right, don't be scared. We won't hurt you," Fuyuki said from atop its head.
Only then did Ash and Serena realize that this Pokemon seemed to belong to the boy.
"R-really… it's okay?" Serena asked softly.
Ash didn't fully understand the situation either, but seeing no sign of aggression, he relaxed a little. "It should be fine."
He reached out to help her up.
She cried out in pain.
"What's wrong?" he asked quickly.
"My foot is hurt…" she said, holding back tears.
"Are you okay?" Ash crouched down, then suddenly remembered something. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wrapped it around her ankle. "This is when you use this. There!"
She tried to stand, staggered, and nearly cried again.
"It hurts!"
Ash blinked, then said, "Then let's say a spell!"
He raised both hands and shouted, "Pain, fly away!"
Serena repeated it, but…
"It still hurts."
Ash frowned, thinking hard.
Then the boy beside them spoke.
"Use this."
Ash looked over and saw something being handed to him.
"This is a Potion," Fuyuki said.
"Thanks!" Ash grinned brightly.
He turned back and carefully treated her injury.
"Thank you," Serena said softly, glancing at Ash and then at Fuyuki.
"All right! Try standing up," Ash said, holding out his hand.
With his help, she finally stood.
"Come on, let's go back to camp. It's that way!"
"Okay!" Gratitude filled her chest.
Ash then looked back at Fuyuki and the mysterious, powerful Pokemon beside him. Excitement surged inside him, but he forced himself to stay calm.
"Hey, we're attending Professor Oak's summer camp. Do you want to come play with us?" he asked.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=
You can read up to chapter 96 on patreon.com/NiaXD.