Cleaning the Cave

Item: Feather of the Ice God.

Origin: A feather from the most powerful Articuno, said to have been formed from ice and snow.

Effect: Can intimidate certain Pokémon to some extent, especially Ice-type and Flying-type Pokémon; releases a trace of cold air, providing slight relief during unbearably hot summer days.

After learning the feather's details, Yan Yang felt that it did not seem particularly useful, but he did not care. More importantly, it symbolized his victory over Articuno and made for a fine keepsake.

Besides, feathers from Legendary Pokémon were not easily damaged and could be preserved for a long time.

It was just that in weather this cold, holding the feather was rather freezing.

Entei held the feather in his mouth and took Yan Yang home.

"We're finally home!" Yan Yang was thrilled. What had happened today was simply unforgettable. It had been such an incredibly fulfilling day—how wonderful it would be if every day were like this.

However, a child's energy was limited. After going through so much, he inevitably felt tired. After fiddling with the scarf a couple of times, he lay down beside Entei and fell asleep.

Entei rested as well, though his mind remained awake.

He thought about what had happened today. Humans truly were complicated creatures. Sometimes, he simply could not understand what they were thinking.

Their technology was impressive as well. They had even invented things capable of influencing Pokémon's minds, and they had already used them against Pokémon like Articuno. Who knew what other nonsense they might come up with in the future?

Entei had lived for so long that he had seen plenty of humans slaughtering and enslaving Pokémon. His temperament had long since become much calmer, but he still loathed and hated those people.

Fortunately, those lunatics were only a small minority. Most people were still willing to treat Pokémon kindly and grow alongside them.

Hmph. He only hoped those people would stop causing trouble. Otherwise, he would beat up every one of them he encountered.

Enough of that. He should think about Little Sun instead.

This child had grown so much. He was unexpectedly clever, and his command during this battle had been remarkably decisive and efficient. In human society, he would certainly make an outstanding Trainer, not to mention that he was still so young.

Still, Entei worried. Little Sun was surrounded by so many mysteries, and Entei was truly afraid that something he did not know about might cause the child harm. Fortunately, everything was normal for now.

Perhaps he was overthinking things. What could possibly happen to such a small child?

But when would Little Sun finally be honest with him?

The more Entei thought, the more muddled his thoughts became. His former self had never contemplated so many things. Over the past few years, he had thought more than he had in the previous several centuries.

At that moment, a sound came from outside the cave. Entei rose alertly and, after confirming that he had not woken Yan Yang, headed outside.

With the scarf, Entei no longer needed to stay by Yan Yang's side at all times.

Outside stood an Odistar. Entei naturally recognized it. Its child often played with Yan Yang, and the two were good friends.

He still remembered when they had first met. Back then, Odistar had refused to let its child play with Little Sun. But after they became familiar with one another, it had allowed it, and it often brought Berries for Little Sun as well.

But why had it come to find them at this hour? Had something happened?

Odistar paced about anxiously. When it saw Entei emerge, it rushed over as though it had seen a savior, gesturing wildly and looking utterly panicked.

After the two exchanged a few simple words, Entei followed Odistar away.

Thanks to the scarf, Entei was at ease and did not have to worry about the child getting cold.

Yan Yang did not know how long he had slept. By the time he woke up, the sky was nearly dark.

Entei was not beside him. He had probably gone out to patrol the mountain again.

Yan Yang felt that Entei had such a tiring life. Outside, he had to help Pokémon in trouble, and sometimes he even had to visit human society to observe humans. At home, he had to take care of Yan Yang and prepare this and that.

If Yan Yang had to do so many things, he would definitely complain. Yet Entei had never done so. He truly was a pure and kind Legendary Pokémon, worthy of being Yan Yang's favorite.

Yan Yang felt that he should do more himself, but what could a five-year-old body accomplish?

Looking at their somewhat dirty and messy home, he suddenly had an idea and decided to give it a thorough cleaning.

Most caves were dark and damp, covered in moss, and some even leaked.

But because of Entei, their cave remained warm year-round, so there was naturally no moss. And the cave Entei had chosen as their home certainly would not leak.

Entei cleaned the cave sometimes too, but due to the limitations of his body, many places could not be cleaned thoroughly. Now was Yan Yang's time to shine.

Once he made up his mind, Yan Yang got to work.

Without any tools, he could only use clothes that no longer fit him as cleaning rags.

He dampened them with a little snow from outside, then started wiping everything down.

The walls, the floor, and the large rocks were all wiped clean. He also cleaned every nook and cranny.

Yan Yang was somewhat of a perfectionist. Following the principle of "if you're going to do it, do it right," he would have cleaned the upper parts of the cave too if he could reach them.

He did not just wipe things down—he organized their belongings as well. They had previously been left scattered about carelessly, but now he gathered them all in one area, making everything both neater and more convenient.

The cradle, baby bottles, clothes, Berries, stones he had picked up, and the strange little trinkets other Pokémon had given him—all of it was organized. It looked far more pleasing now.

As he worked, the cave grew cleaner and tidier, and the air seemed to carry a fresher scent.

Yan Yang did not know how long it had been before he finally stopped. He looked around, felt satisfied at last, and ended his work.

Looking at the results, Yan Yang felt quite proud. He had often cleaned his room at home in his previous life, but he had never felt such a sense of accomplishment as he did today.

Still, he was rather tired. A five-year-old's stamina was simply too limited. Yan Yang lay on the pile of dry grass where he usually slept, gasping for breath, and only recovered after several minutes.

By then, it was already very dark outside, though it was probably only around six in the evening. Winter nights always fell quickly. There was much less time to play during the day, but correspondingly, Entei had much more time to spend with him.

Yan Yang heard footsteps outside and knew Entei had returned. He got ready to run out and greet him.

Before Entei even entered, he saw Yan Yang rushing out and hugging his foreleg. Somewhat helpless yet affectionate, he looked down at him. This child was still as clingy as ever.

"Dad, what did you go out to do?" Yan Yang asked.

Entei told him what had happened. It turned out that Furret had come looking for him because Sentret had gone missing, and they had gone together to search for the little Pokémon.

In the end, they found Sentret inside a tree hollow. It had taken shelter there from the wind and snow, then fallen asleep. Since it had stayed up late the night before, it slept until very late and failed to return home at the agreed time.

Yan Yang found it amusing. He had not expected little Sentret to be so carefree—and to stay up late, too. How could something so small even manage that?

Perhaps it was a Pokémon's nature?

When Entei returned to the cave, he quickly noticed how clean it was, as though it had been tidied up.

"You did this?" Entei asked.

Yan Yang nodded.

"You didn't need to do this. I can handle all of it. You just need to play and enjoy yourself." Entei seemed a little distressed.

"No, I wanted to do it. It feels really nice. I'm very happy," Yan Yang insisted.

"...All right. Do it if you want to. And if you don't want to, that's fine too. I'll agree either way." Entei naturally respected his child's wishes.

"Yay." Yan Yang felt that Entei was simply too easygoing. He rarely refused him, and he was willing to trust and support him. To Yan Yang, he was the best Pokémon—and the best father.

Outside, the sky was pitch-black, and the wind had grown much gentler. The forest was silent, yet the father and son's voices inside the cave sounded especially clear, filled with warmth.