Autumn Forest

Heavenly Green Mountain, the highest peak.

Marshadow stared at the glass bottle the human child had handed it, a bit dazed.

It had encountered many humans before, glimpsing countless human things through their dreams and memories.

For instance, this glass bottle held a food called Moomoo Milk, packed with high nutrition that could greatly benefit both humans and Pokémon.

Among them, human children needed it more than anyone.

Because as Marshadow knew, human children weren't like Pokémon—they were weak and fragile, and if something bad happened, they'd shatter like glass.

More importantly, Marshadow had learned from the memories of past Rainbow Heroes who came to undergo the trial.

Human children had to drink Miltank's milk during their early years, as it helped them grow stronger and healthier.

And now, something so vital to that human child had been given to it.

Something it didn't need at all.

"Marsh..." Marshadow murmured involuntarily.

Its mind replayed the memories it had seen in the dreams of this human child brought back by Fire Emperor.

...Was this intent?

*

Dongshu's thirty-five Shock Points were barely enough to buy anything in the dazzling System Store.

He racked his brain for ways to earn more Shock Value now, only to find that either his age didn't fit or the ideas were simply unworkable.

After all, he was still a baby under a year old—couldn't walk, couldn't talk, and spent most of the day sleeping.

In the end, Dongshu felt completely deflated.

Ah, forget it, just take it one day at a time!

Dongshu lay on the Leaf Bed Fire Emperor had made for him, thinking like a total slacker.

Seeing Little One let out a surprisingly human-like sigh, Fire Emperor felt a bit puzzled.

What was its little one worrying about?

Or what was he anxious over?

Food?

Fire Emperor's gaze shifted to the pile of Berries stacked like a small mountain.

As a Legendary Pokémon, it didn't need to eat—these were all gathered specifically for Little One, enough to last until next spring.

Or was he worried about safety?

Fire Emperor wanted to say that this was Heavenly Green Mountain, the domain of Lord Ho-Oh and the Ho-Oh Guard—no one, human or Pokémon, could cause trouble here.

With its protection, no one could harm Little One.

Fire Emperor thought hard but couldn't figure out why Little One had sighed.

It said nothing, simply walked over and lay down beside him.

Huh?

Dongshu sensed Fire Emperor's arrival and turned to look at it, at this Pokémon clearly watching over him.

Dongshu had never imagined being taken in by a Pokémon.

Nor had he ever thought that Pokémon would treat him like its own child.

And now, had Fire Emperor noticed his sigh and come to silently keep him company?

He couldn't deny being moved, because all along, this Fire Emperor had been so, so good to him.

Dongshu turned and hugged Fire Emperor's big paw.

Fire Emperor, how should I treat you?

As a father? That was impossible—calling a Pokémon "Dad" was just too weird.

As a Pokémon? But their current relationship clearly wasn't the traditional bond between a Trainer and a Pokémon.

"Sigh!"

Dongshu couldn't help sighing again.

Forget it, there was plenty of time. If nothing unexpected happened, he'd be living with Fire Emperor for a long while.

No use dwelling on this now. Take things as they come, settle where you land. Instead of agonizing over it, he might as well check how much Shock Value a Rare Candy for Fire Emperor would cost.

If it wasn't too expensive, he'd just buy a few dozen and see if he could feed Fire Emperor straight to level one hundred.

Then they could strut around this world however they pleased.

A Rare Candy was a very special item—it couldn't be exchanged directly like other goods. Instead, you had to select a nearby Pokémon to see its specific price.

Dongshu thought "Fire Emperor" in his mind.

Soon, the price appeared behind that Rare Candy.

[Rare Candy (Fire Emperor Exclusive): Used to raise a Pokémon's level. Cost: 46,000 Shock Points.]

Dongshu: "..."

The Fire Emperor figured Little One had been cooped up sleeping in the cave too long and was bored, hence the sigh.

Though a Pokémon, the Fire Emperor knew that human cubs needed careful tending and care.

So that afternoon, during a relatively warm spell, the Fire Emperor picked up Little One and carried him into the forest for a stroll.

It was already deep autumn. The mountain woods grew more desolate by the day. When the north wind blew, anyone thinly dressed couldn't help but shiver.

Normally, such weather wasn't fit for taking a cub outside—it might make them catch a chill.

But with the Fire Emperor around, that wasn't much of a problem.

The Sacred Fire inside it roared like molten lava, radiating a scorching heat from its entire body. That warmth enveloped Dongshu, keeping him cozy.

Riding on the Fire Emperor's back, Dongshu finally got a rare walk. His attention was instantly drawn to the Wild Pokémon inhabiting the mountain forest.

A Mankey swinging between trees on vines, wary-eyed but showing awe at the sight of the Fire Emperor. A Krabby and Graveler mother-and-child pair, their expressions reverent. And Kangaskhan, leading their babies in groups as they roamed the forest...

These Pokémon wandered back and forth, looking quite busy.

Dongshu watched them with keen curiosity.

Soon, he noticed something.

Were these Pokémon roaming the forest in search of food?

Probably. Pokémon were remarkable creatures—they too could sense winter's approach.

And as far as Dongshu knew, many Pokémon had a habit of gathering and storing food before winter hit.

He saw a group of Kangaskhan stop beneath a Berry tree. The mother Kangaskhan, huge yet gentle-faced, plucked Berries from the tree with her claws and handed them to the little Kangaskhan hiding in her belly pouch.

The little one munched happily.

The mother smiled softly, watching her child eat.

There were several Kangaskhan. In no time, only a few scattered Berries remained on the tree.

Their bellies full, the Kangaskhan turned and left.

Seeing this, Dongshu couldn't help but think of the mountain of Berries the Fire Emperor had gathered over the past few days.