Tokiwa Forest—the daytime here was as dim as night.
The enormous canopy blotted out the sun, while thick trees, grass-covered ground, and the gloomy environment made this place a paradise for Bug-type Pokémon.
Here, Caterpie and Weedle were as common as stray dogs by the roadside.
After leaving Viridian City, Dongshu and Fire Emperor officially entered this famous place inhabited by countless Wild Pokémon.
But...
Looking at the fork in the road ahead, Dongshu could not help asking, "Dad, why aren't we taking this path?"
The map clearly showed that this route would be shorter if they were heading to Pewter City.
Fire Emperor: "..."
Of course it could not take that path, because Raikou was waiting ahead.
If they ran into each other, Raikou would take its place and stay by Little One's side.
Thus, Fire Emperor told the first lie of its life.
"I can sense danger on that road," it said.
"Huh?" Dongshu looked rather confused. Danger? What danger?
Could Zapdos be blocking the way ahead? But shouldn't Zapdos be nesting at the Abandoned Power Plant right now?
Fire Emperor said nothing more and simply kept walking forward. "This path will be safer."
"Alright." Dongshu quickly shifted his attention to the Bug-type Pokémon living around them.
Caterpie—so many Caterpie! Come to think of it, Ash's Butterfree seemed to have been caught in Tokiwa Forest. He wondered where Ash had gotten to by now.
Seeing this, Fire Emperor finally relaxed.
The members of the Ho-Oh Guard shared a very subtle connection.
They could sense one another's locations.
For example, at that moment, Fire Emperor could clearly sense that Raikou was waiting for them ahead on the neighboring path.
Suicune's presence flickered faintly somewhere in the west, and even Lord Ho-Oh's aura hovered in the sky dozens of kilometers