The Incarnation of the North Wind

Standing before Xiao Yan was one of Ho-Oh's followers, the incarnation of the north wind-Suicune.

"Although I acknowledge you now, that doesn't mean I'll let you catch me yet. Show me how strong you are!"

Suicune roared at Xiao Yan. Dark clouds immediately filled the sky, lightning flashed and thunder rumbled, and before long, rain poured down.

"Go! Pikachu!"

Xiao Yan chose his Electric-type Pikachu to face the Water-type Suicune.

(I held out my hand, and raindrops fell right into my palm.)

The electric sacs in Pikachu's cheeks kept building up power.

"Come on, Suicune!"

Blue Water-type energy rapidly gathered in Suicune's mouth, then he fired a powerful Water Gun at Pikachu.

Even though the rain boosts the power of Water-type moves...

"Pikachu, dodge it, then use Thunder!"

Suicune tried to dodge, but couldn't. Lightning struck him straight from above.

"In the rain, Thunder never misses."

Suicune was now paralyzed, and his breathing began to grow uneven.

"You really are strong. Unless I give it everything I have, I won't be able to defeat you, Ho-Oh's chosen one." Suicune rose from the ground, his eyes gleaming white.

The next second, the north wind came howling in. Trees large and small bent almost parallel to the ground under its force, and the temperature plummeted. The biting wind brought great flurries of snow. Snowflakes began drifting from the sky, falling faster and faster until they formed a Blizzard that swept toward Pikachu. Unable to dodge in time, Pikachu took the full brunt of it.

"Pikachu!!!"

After the Blizzard passed, Pikachu was still standing on the battlefield, but he had suffered frostbite. His body began trembling slightly, and his stamina was steadily draining away.

"Pikachu... we'll win! Let's end this battle with this move."

"Volt Tackle!!!"

Wrapped in electricity, Pikachu charged at Suicune with lightning speed. Volt Tackle struck home, and as the Electric-type move slammed into Suicune, his face twisted in pain.

"I admit you're impressive, but you're still not strong enough to defeat me." Suicune's eyes gleamed white again. A moment later, the temperature began dropping once more. Thick ice formed over the ground and the river. The earth trembled, and even the air seemed about to freeze solid.

So cold... I feel like my whole body is about to freeze.

Pikachu lay on the ground in agony, his body nearly frozen solid from feet to head.

(Suddenly, the temperature stopped dropping, and the ice slowly began to melt.)

"Paralyzed at a time like this..." Suicune's paralysis had kicked in, forcing his move to stop.

The ice on Pikachu's feet hasn't melted yet, so we'll use this move.

"Thunderbolt."

Suicune couldn't dodge in time and took a direct hit from Thunderbolt. Weakened, he collapsed off to one side.

Seizing the moment, Xiao Yan threw an Ultra Ball. Once Suicune was inside, the ball kept shaking. Xiao Yan stared nervously at the wobbling Ultra Ball. Before long, it stopped moving, confirming that he had successfully caught Suicune.

"Pikachu, we did it!"

Pikachu gave a few happy cries in response to Xiao Yan, then collapsed as well.

"Pikachu!"

Xiao Yan hurriedly scooped Pikachu into his arms.

"Thanks for all your hard work! You can rest in your Pokémon Ball for now!"

(I took out a Pokémon Ball and recalled Pikachu, then picked up the Ultra Ball I had just caught Suicune in.)

"From today on, we're companions. You and Pikachu should both get some good rest in your balls!" Xiao Yan said, looking at the two balls in his hands.

After watching Pikachu's battle with Suicune, Xiao Yan's Pokémon were all fired up and began training on their own nearby.

Just then, Entei walked over to Xiao Yan.

"Well done. You beat Suicune."

"We only won because Pikachu fought so hard."

"No... I could see it. It was your bond that won this battle. Before we knew it, everyone had gradually come to accept you and wanted to keep traveling with you. That includes me. I want to stay by your side and be a source of strength for you, too."

"Entei... thank you!"

That's right! It's because of this bond that everyone is living here with me now.