"I have a present, too!"
With that, Dongshu ran to the other side and brought out the candy he'd been saving for a long time. He'd kept it especially for Entei.
Entei was deeply touched by the sight.
It licked Dongshu, then glanced at Raikou, who was not far away.
Raikou: "..."
That expression seemed to be proving that Entei was the most important Pokémon in this human cub's life.
After Dongshu had fed it the candy, he began rummaging all over Entei again.
Entei was puzzled as it watched the little one inspecting its fur.
Raikou, however, understood. The human cub was checking whether Entei had been injured while away!
Its feelings suddenly grew very complicated.
Seeing that Entei wasn't hurt, Dongshu finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Now that Entei was back, the heavy worry in his heart had finally lifted. He no longer needed to fear that Entei might run into danger out there.
They could be together again, living happily in their new home just like before.
Speaking of their new home... Dongshu looked at the carpet and wooden floor beneath him and asked Entei proudly, "Entei, I changed our home into this. Pretty amazing, huh?"
"Of course it is." Entei's heart softened. It licked Dongshu's hair and, in a rare moment, told him, "You're the most amazing child in the world, little one."
"It'll be even better in the future!" Dongshu's eyes lit up.
Once he had enough Shock Points, he could expand this cave into a perfect home, suitable for him, Entei, Raikou, Marshadow, and all the other Pokémon!
And then... he'd raise a whole bunch of fluffy Pokémon!
"Mm. I believe in you," Entei said.
After a long separation, Dongshu was back in Entei's warm embrace.
He was too excited to fall asleep, so he chattered on, telling Entei about everything that had happened over the past few days.
He told it about doing magic tricks for the Pokémon in the mountains and planting Berries with Raikou...
At that, Entei glanced at Raikou.
As Dongshu kept talking, a wave of sleepiness washed over him. He simply curled up in Entei's arms, closed his eyes, and drifted off to sleep.
The two Pokémon watched him quietly, neither disturbing him.
After a long while, Entei used telepathy to speak silently with Raikou.
"When will you leave?"
"What? Afraid I'll steal your little one?" Raikou asked in return.
Entei: "..."
"No." Entei shook its head gently. Looking at the little one beside it, it spoke with solemn authority. "You're right. This is no longer just my concern."
Raikou paused.
Entei continued, "We all have our own duties to fulfill, and we can't stay on Heavenly Green Mountain for long. With only my strength, I'm afraid I won't be able to take good care of the little one."
"But I can't leave him alone on Heavenly Green Mountain, either. So, Raikou, I hope you'll help me raise him."
Entei gazed at Raikou. It was worried that the little one might come to like Raikou more, but other things were clearly more important.
When it came to what truly mattered, Entei chose to share the responsibility of raising the little one with Raikou—and Marshadow.
With more Pokémon looking after him, the little one would be safer and have an easier time growing up.
"Hmph." Raikou snorted, its voice sounding proud and cold.
Just as Entei thought Raikou was about to refuse, Raikou spoke again.
"Since that's settled, from today on, I'm this human cub's father."
Entei furrowed its brow. "I'm the little one's father. I met him first!"
"You entrusted this human cub to me to raise, so I should be his father, too!" Raikou snorted.
"I am!"
"I am!"
Marshadow, watching from the shadows: "..."
It couldn't stand to watch any longer and was forced to emerge from the shadows.
When they saw it appear, Raikou and Entei immediately turned to look at it.
Marshadow's gaze was distant. "Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to compete with either of you over which one of us is this human cub's father. I just wanted to say that, according to human customs, we should give this human cub a proper name."
A name?
At that, Entei and Raikou froze.
They looked at each other for a few seconds, then nodded.
"Indeed."
"Calling him 'little one' and 'human cub' all the time won't do," Entei said thoughtfully.
It was fine for now, but once the little one grew up, it wouldn't be appropriate.
The problem was, what kind of name should they give him?
"How about Raikou?" Raikou suggested.
Entei's brow immediately furrowed. It looked at Raikou, thinking, You're not even trying to hide what you're after!
"No!" Entei objected. "I think Little Treasure suits him better!"
Because the little one was its treasure.
"It doesn't sound good!" Raikou looked proud. "Just call him Rai!"
"Little Treasure!"
"Rai!"
"..."
"Ma Xia..."
Marshadow sighed helplessly, then spoke up at just the right moment:
"I once entered this human cub's dream. He has a name. His two parents, who have both passed away, gave it to him."
At that, Entei and Raikou were taken aback.
They looked at Marshadow.
Marshadow continued, "Dongshu. His name is Dongshu. His human parents gave him that name with all their love and hopes, wishing he would stand strong and grow well, like a tree in winter—even in the face of biting winds and heavy snow."
"..."
Entei and Raikou fell silent.
They glanced at each other. This time, they didn't argue. Instead, in perfect unison, they turned to look at the sleeping human cub.
After a long while, Entei's solemn, authoritative voice rang in the minds of Marshadow and Raikou.
"Then let's call him Dongshu!"
Raikou fell silent, then gave a quiet "Mm," no longer arguing with Entei.
"Ma Xia?" So that was that, then?
Marshadow looked at the two Pokémon.
Entei and Raikou nodded their large heads at the same time.
Only then did Marshadow relax. It silently slipped into Dongshu's shadow, leaving Entei and Raikou to watch over him.
"Has Lord Ho-Oh still not returned?" Entei asked.
Raikou shook its head.
"What about Suicune? Any news of it?"
Raikou shook its head again. "I haven't seen it in a long time, but I can sense where it is. It's in the Johto Region now."
"I see."
Entei said no more.
After all the exhausting travel, it had hurried day and night to get back and see the little one. It had barely stopped to rest along the way, and now its body was utterly exhausted.
Entei looked at the little one beside it. He was sleeping on the soft carpet he had made, and Entei felt completely at ease.
Before long, Entei closed its eyes and drifted off to sleep with Dongshu.
Before you continue