Star-Crossed Lovebirds

Of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, fleeing was the best!

In one word: run!

With his cheat ability, as long as he was given enough time to grow, even with just a Swine, there would come a day when he could slay gods.

But clearly, that was impossible.

Because Fire Emperor would never do such a thing, and Lord Ho-Oh was not the kind of Pokémon who would casually blame his subordinates.

Noticing that Little One beside him seemed somewhat nervous, Fire Emperor lowered his massive head and gently rubbed against his cheek. A rare trace of gentleness seeped into that majestic, solemn voice.

"Do not worry. Lord Ho-Oh is not a bad person."

Suicune's pupils contracted. Had he heard that correctly?

Fire Emperor... was actually speaking to this human cub in that tone?

After comforting Dongshu, Fire Emperor turned back to Suicune and said in a deep voice, "When Lord Ho-Oh returns, I will report this matter to him myself."

With that, Fire Emperor turned around and led Dongshu back into the cave.

Leaving Suicune alone, watching their retreating backs with a complicated expression.

He calmly considered the situation.

From what Fire Emperor had just said, it seemed that Marshadow and Raikou had known about this for quite some time.

Why had they not stopped Fire Emperor?

Marshadow was only responsible for testing the Rainbow Heroes participating in the trial, so Suicune could understand why he had ignored the matter.

But what about Raikou?

As far as Suicune knew, that fellow had always been extremely hostile toward humans.

Suicune recalled how Raikou had stayed on Heavenly Green Mountain for a period before leaving.

A guess suddenly formed in his heart.

—Perhaps Fire Emperor's attitude had been too resolute. Raikou might have tried to dissuade him, but failed to change his mind. In the end, Raikou simply chose to ignore it, leaving Heavenly Green Mountain alone to continue carrying out his mission.

That was right. It had to be that!

"Never mind. Lord Ho-Oh will be back soon. When the time comes, I'll leave everything to Lord Ho-Oh," Suicune thought.

After all, he and Fire Emperor were Pokémon of the same rank. And with Fire Emperor's personality, since he had already made up his mind, nothing Suicune said would likely change it.

With that in mind, Suicune did not linger any longer. He turned and left.

For the time being, he planned to remain on Heavenly Green Mountain and wait for Lord Ho-Oh's return.

Meanwhile, Fire Emperor brought Dongshu back to the cave.

He lay down on the carpet, his expression rather grave as he looked outside.

This day was finally drawing near.

According to Suicune, Lord Ho-Oh would soon return to Heavenly Green Mountain.

Seeing how serious Fire Emperor looked, Dongshu could not help but comfort him. "Don't be scared, Fire Emperor!"

"I am not scared. I am merely worried..." Fire Emperor was not afraid that Lord Ho-Oh would blame him.

He was only worried that Lord Ho-Oh would order him to send Little One back to the human world.

Little One depended on him so much... No, rather than saying Little One depended on him, it would be more accurate to say that he had unknowingly grown accustomed to Little One's presence.

He could not bear to part with him.

But as Lord Ho-Oh's messenger, he could not disobey Lord Ho-Oh's orders either.

Fire Emperor was overwhelmed by conflicting emotions. He closed his eyes, and after a fierce internal struggle, he made a decision.

If Lord Ho-Oh ordered him to separate from Little One, then he would take Little One and leave Heavenly Green Mountain, raising him alone.

The world was vast. There would always be a place for them.

And once Little One had grown up, he would return to Heavenly Green Mountain and beg Lord Ho-Oh for forgiveness.

No matter what punishment Lord Ho-Oh handed down, he would willingly accept it.

"It is nothing." The worry vanished from Fire Emperor's face, and his voice became increasingly majestic and resolute, as though he were making a promise to Dongshu. "No matter what happens, I will protect you."

After spending so long with this big cat, even if he said nothing, Dongshu could guess his thoughts from his expression and eyes.

With such a serious look, had Fire Emperor perhaps made some decision that went against his ancestors?

Could it be that, for his sake, Fire Emperor had resolved to defy Lord Ho-Oh?

Dongshu could not help picturing Fire Emperor carrying him through the forest, fleeing in every direction, while a devilish Lord Ho-Oh chased after them with Raikou and Suicune.

If that happened, would he and Fire Emperor not truly become a pair of "star-crossed lovebirds"?

No... Lord Ho-Oh probably would not be that evil. At most, he would drive Dongshu off Heavenly Green Mountain and have Fire Emperor send him back to the human world.

If Lord Ho-Oh really did that... a blazing fighting spirit suddenly ignited within Dongshu.

Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river—never look down on a poor young man!

When he came of age and became a Trainer, he would immediately exchange for a hundred Rare Candies to raise his starter Pokémon to level one hundred, then come to Heavenly Green Mountain to fulfill Lord Ho-Oh's "ten-year promise."

He would defeat Raikou, Suicune, Marshadow, and Lord Ho-Oh alike, conquer them with his overwhelming strength, then catch Lord Ho-Oh's entire family in Poké Balls. That way, no one would be able to stop him from being with Fire Emperor.

So...

"Don't be afraid, Fire Emperor!" Dongshu comforted him again.

Fire Emperor said nothing. He merely licked Dongshu's cheek, like a great tiger grooming its cub.

"Has Suicune left?" Dongshu peered toward the cave entrance.

"No. He will probably remain on Heavenly Green Mountain until Lord Ho-Oh returns," Fire Emperor replied.

"Alright, then."

At the mention of Suicune, Dongshu could not help recalling the Suicune from the anime that had been caught by humans using a fishing net.

Could it have been this Suicune?

Dongshu had no way of knowing.

Although Fire Emperor's heart was filled with anxiety over Lord Ho-Oh's return, sometimes he wished he and Little One could remain in this moment forever.

But time was like that. Whether one wanted it to or not, it kept moving forward.

Day after day passed, and in the blink of an eye, autumn had already reached its end.

The temperature outside gradually fell, and from time to time, a cold wind howled past.

Fire Emperor stood at the cave entrance, gazing solemnly into the sky.

He had a feeling that this winter would be especially cold.

Still, with him around, there was no need to worry about Little One freezing.

Throughout the entire autumn, Dongshu and Fire Emperor had continuously gathered Berries. After two months, the Berries they had picked had filled the entire Secret Base.

Looking at the room that was nearly packed full, even Fire Emperor, imposing as he was, could not help showing a trace of shock.

Furrowing his brow, he asked worriedly, "...Little One, can we finish eating this many Berries?"

Although Berries could be stored for a long time without spoiling, they would still go bad if kept past a certain point.

"If we can't finish them, we can share them with everyone in the forest!"

Dongshu had originally only wanted to store food so they would not go hungry.

But now there were too many Berries. Rather than leave them here to spoil, it would be better to give them to the Pokémon in the forest.

Fire Emperor had no objections.

One human and one Pokémon carried baskets full of Berries in their mouths and headed down the mountain.