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: "?"
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=
You can read up to chapter 103 on patreon.com/NiaXD.