Time flew, and the days slipped by. Childhood always seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.
The sun and moon continued their endless cycle over Heavenly Green Mountain. Spring flowers bloomed across the wilderness, and summer cicadas sang throughout the forest.
Before long, autumn arrived.
In this season, when the leaves began to turn yellow and the fruits ripened for harvest, Dongshu was about to turn two.
Inside the cave, Fire Emperor had its eyes closed, seemingly resting.
Suddenly, a childish voice called from outside.
"Fire Emperor, the fruit on the trees has grown!"
Fire Emperor slowly opened its tiger eyes and saw Dongshu running toward it, his face full of excitement.
At the sight of him, a hint of warmth appeared in Fire Emperor's usually stern and dignified expression.
It licked Dongshu's cheek, then said, "I know."
"Come look with me!" Dongshu couldn't wait to share this happy news with Fire Emperor.
They had worked hard to make it happen.
Every morning, he and Fire Emperor took the Squirtle Watering Can to a river in the forest, filled it with clear water, then brought it back to irrigate the land.
After months of hard work, their efforts had finally borne fruit.
Fire Emperor couldn't resist Dongshu's pleading, so it stood up and went with him to the orchard outside.
The Berry seeds Dongshu had buried in the soil with Raikou had now all sprouted and grown into sturdy, towering fruit trees.
All kinds of colorful Berries hung from their branches. They seemed to have earned Arceus's favor, for each one was plump, juicy, and incredibly tempting.
Cheri Berries like cherries, Strawberries, Pomelo Fruits like pears...
"Now we'll never have to go outside to look for Berries again!" Dongshu said excitedly.
Fire Emperor stood beside him and nodded slightly.
Then Dongshu thought of something else.
Over the past few months, he had been performing magic tricks in front of the Wild Pokémon down the mountain, or speaking with them in Pokémon Language.
This had earned Dongshu quite a few Shock Points.
Of course, after seeing several magic shows and gradually accepting the fact that a human could speak Pokémon Language, those Pokémon were no longer very surprised.
Even so, he had become friends with many Wild Pokémon and formed bonds with them.
Thinking of this, Dongshu said to Fire Emperor, "We can't eat all these Berries. When it snows, let's share them with everyone in the forest!"
"All right." Fire Emperor was pleased that Dongshu was willing to help other Pokémon.
The more he did so, the easier it would be for him to earn Lord Ho-Oh's approval.
"Rumble! Pitter-patter!"
A rumble of thunder suddenly sounded in the sky.
A moment later, raindrops began to fall from the dark clouds.
It was raining!
Fire Emperor quickly led Dongshu back into the cave so he wouldn't get wet.
Watching the gentle autumn rain outside, Dongshu asked expectantly, "Is Raikou back?"
"No, it's just an ordinary autumn rain." Fire Emperor looked up at the sky and shook its head. Sometimes, it hoped Raikou would come back a little later. Whenever that fellow returned, it was sure to come and compete with him for Dongshu.
The Legendary Beasts could vaguely sense one another's locations.
Raikou had gone to the neighboring Johto Region, while Suicune seemed to have started its journey back from a distant place and was now heading toward Heavenly Green Mountain.
"Oh, all right."
When he learned it wasn't Raikou, Dongshu sighed like a little adult.
Fire Emperor furrowed its brow slightly, instantly growing wary. "Do you like Raikou?"
"Raikou said it would bring me a Present next time it comes back!" Dongshu said, his voice full of anticipation.
Heavenly Green Mountain was far from the human world. Although Fire Emperor was with him and many Wild Pokémon played with him, Dongshu sometimes still felt a little bored.
When Fire Emperor went out, it had returned with a Clefairy Doll for him. What would Raikou bring back?
Hearing this, Fire Emperor immediately relaxed. Thankfully, Little One was only looking forward to the Present Raikou would bring.
A Present... Speaking of Presents, Fire Emperor turned to look at the Clefairy Doll.
That Clefairy Doll had become Little One's favorite toy. Every night, he hugged it while he slept.
Next time I go out, I'll bring back a few more dolls. Fire Emperor made up its mind.
As Little One's favorite father, it couldn't let itself be outdone by Raikou when it came to Presents.
Dongshu didn't give Fire Emperor's thoughts much consideration.
It was raining outside, while the cave was warm and dry.
Dongshu rode on Fire Emperor and opened his System Store.
Over the past few months, with Marshadow and Fire Emperor's help, he had explored nearly all of Heavenly Green Mountain, performing magic tricks for Wild Pokémon wherever he went.
By now, he had saved up a full 6,000 Shock Value.
For him, that was an enormous fortune.
But even if he spent it all on Rare Candies to level up Fire Emperor, he couldn't afford enough to get it through even one level's worth of experience.
Based on his observations and experiments over the past few months, Dongshu had discovered something.
In the System Store, it took 2,000 Shock Points to raise a Pokémon from level 1 to level 2, and 3,000 Shock Points to raise it from level 2 to level 3.
By that logic, raising a Pokémon from a newborn all the way to level 100 would take several million Shock Points!
Dongshu didn't dare imagine how he could earn that much. He'd probably have to accomplish something world-changing in front of the people of every region...
Forget it. I should improve our living conditions first!
Dongshu looked toward an item in the store that he had coveted for a long time.
[Secret Power: A mysterious power that can be used to hollow out mountainsides and tree trunks to create a Secret Base. Cost: 5,000 Shock Points.]
Secret Power was a Move that some Pokémon could learn in the games. It was a specialty of the Hoenn Region and the Sinnoh Region.
In the games, players could find large trees, grassy hollows, and walls with small holes throughout the Hoenn Region.
With Secret Power, they could open up these secret spots and turn them into Secret Bases, which they could decorate in all sorts of ways.
They could put in tables and chairs, potted plants, decorations, dolls, carpets, posters, cushions, and all kinds of other things.
"5,000 Shock Points..." Dongshu's eyes gleamed. "I hope this doesn't disappoint!"
Dongshu had meant to warn Fire Emperor first, in case the changes to the cave startled it. But then he thought better of it. If Fire Emperor and Marshadow, who was watching in secret, were shocked, perhaps he could earn some Shock Points back.
Fire Emperor, who was keeping a close eye on Little One, thought, "?"
It thought it had just seen a slightly "evil" smile on Little One's face, as if he were about to play some kind of prank.
Exchange!
As 5,000 Shock Points were deducted, a brilliant white light burst through the entire cave before Fire Emperor's wary gaze.
Within the light, Dongshu felt Fire Emperor quickly shield him behind its body.
But the glow lasted only a few breaths before slowly fading.
When it had completely disappeared, Fire Emperor saw Little One grinning at it.
Fire Emperor immediately realized that Little One had used his special ability again.
"Don't be scared, Fire Emperor!" Dongshu hugged one of its forelegs.
"..." Fire Emperor sighed helplessly, yet affectionately.
It turned to look and saw that the once ordinary cave had undergone an astonishing transformation.
The uneven rock walls had been turned into smooth, flat stone walls. The cave was now square, like a house built by humans.
The wooden floor it knew so well still covered the ground, and it and Little One were still standing on the soft carpet.
Fire Emperor was stunned.
"Little One, what is this...?"
"This is our home!" Dongshu replied.
The room made from the cave was much bigger than before!
Dongshu gazed with satisfaction at his handiwork. Those 5,000 Shock Points had been well spent!
Next, he could buy wallpaper, tables, chairs, sofas, and other furniture to decorate the place. Then this cave would feel even more like a home!
It was his and Fire Emperor's home.
No, it was the home he shared with Fire Emperor, Marshadow, and Raikou!
*
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away.
A Pokémon with a blue body and white, blocky markings on its skin ran along a stream, carried forward by the North Wind.
It had a blue, jewel-like crest, and two white, ribbon-like tails swayed lightly behind it. It looked elegant and mysterious.
This Pokémon was the final member of the Ho-Oh Guard: the Aurora Pokémon, the Incarnation of the North Wind, Suicune.
Recently, Suicune had found the movements of the other two members of the Ho-Oh Guard very strange.
Ever since last autumn, Fire Emperor had returned to Heavenly Green Mountain. It had left for only a few days, then stayed there ever since.
Not long afterward, Raikou had also gone to Heavenly Green Mountain and stayed there for several days before leaving.
Suicune had a vague feeling that its two companions were hiding something from it.
To find out what was happening at Heavenly Green Mountain,
it decided to return and investigate why Fire Emperor had been staying there for so long.
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