Chapter 18: News of Entei
Entering Cerulean City, Ash did not linger to admire the scenery along the streets. After giving only a brief glance at the poster for the water ballet displayed on the bulletin board, he headed straight for the Pokémon Center.
After traveling in the wilderness for several days, restoring his Pokémon's stamina was the basic duty of a trainer.
Placing Pikachu on the tray along with the rest of his Poké Balls, Ash handed everything to Nurse Joy. Then he planned to go to the cafeteria, grab a free cup of fruit milk, and take a short rest.
When he finished resting, if it was still early, he intended to check out what exactly was going on at the Cerulean Gym.
If the battle went smoothly, he could even take some time afterward to enjoy the gym's famous attraction—the water ballet performed by the three beautiful sisters—and improve his artistic appreciation…
He also wondered whether Misty, the girl who admired Red, was as strong as the one he knew in his memories.
However, before Ash even finished his cup of milk, hurried footsteps disrupted his plans.
"Excuse me—please move aside!"
A young trainer rushed into the Pokémon Center, anxiously carrying a badly injured Poliwhirl.
"This is serious—Chansey, stretcher bed!"
Nurse Joy took only one look before urgently directing Chansey to take the Pokémon into the treatment room.
"I'm counting on you, Nurse Joy…"
The boy lowered his head, looking both worried and defeated.
"Please don't worry. As Pokémon doctors, there is no injury we cannot heal."
With a comforting smile, Nurse Joy turned and headed into the treatment room.
"Hey, what happened? What did you run into to get hurt this badly?"
A bold, energetic girl at the counter stepped forward to question the boy.
The boy scanned the area, expression darkening. After hesitating a moment, he clenched his teeth and revealed the news:
"It was Entei… Entei appeared on the outskirts of Cerulean City."
"Entei!"
Ash, who had been preparing to call home, immediately paused, eyebrows tightening as he put down the phone.
Entei… originally a vassal of Ho-Oh. Although there were no confirmed reports of its population…
But considering Suicune's many sightings—and even reports of a Shiny Suicune—it was understandable that Entei also existed in plural numbers.
From what Ash knew, the bald scholar Blaine from Cinnabar Island was a genuine wielder of Legendary Pokémon.
Not only did that mad old man possess Entei, he had even temporarily taken control of Mewtwo.
This crazy world certainly had its share of crazy elders… like Blaine… or even Professor Oak sometimes…
Therefore, in this era, Legendary Pokémon were no longer symbols of invincibility, but instead extremely rare and coveted "precious" resources/pokemon.
Capture a rare Legendary… become a "Legendary Trainer"… smash through the Pokémon League… ascend to Champion… marry Cynthia… and reach the peak of life—
Tell me, doesn't just imagining it make your heart beat a little faster?
Clearly, the other trainers in the Pokémon Center lobby were thinking exactly the same thing.
Even with previous examples of disaster, nothing could extinguish their passion for Legendary Pokémon.
This boy was beaten so badly—not necessarily because Entei was too strong, maybe he was just too weak!
With that hopeful mindset, all the trainers in the lobby exchanged glances and immediately bolted out the door.
A Legendary Pokémon! Whoever caught it first, owned it!
"Ash, your Pokémon have finished recovery."
At that moment, the public announcement sounded from the counter.
Retrieving his Poké Balls and hoisting Pikachu back onto his shoulder, Ash smiled:
"Let's go, Pikachu. We're going to check it out too."
Ash didn't intend to capture Entei—but watching Entei crush some overconfident trainers sounded quite interesting.
"Pika!"
Pikachu nodded and tightened his hold on Ash's collar. Ash didn't hesitate—he simply turned and sprinted, zooming out of the Pokémon Center like a gust of wind.
"Wow… impressive speed,"
Nurse Joy murmured in amazement behind the counter.
On the Pokémon Center's television, a weather alert was scrolling across the screen:
[The Cerulean City Meteorological Bureau has issued a red-level heavy rain warning. Rainfall in several areas has exceeded 200 mm, and flash floods or landslides may occur. All nearby trainers are advised to take shelter at the nearest Pokémon Center immediately to avoid danger.]
Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy of the forest outside the city, forming a patterned mosaic of shifting light and shadow.
Entering the mountain path on Cerulean City's outskirts, Ash immediately sensed that something was wrong.
"The weather changed…"
Frowning slightly, he pressed forward.
The Rainbow Feather resting at his chest emitted a soft, multicolored glow. Ash had a feeling—Entei appeared because it wanted to see him.
With that thought, he continued deeper along the trail.
"Entei!"
Suddenly, a girl's voice rang out. Startled, Ash immediately dashed toward the source of the sound.
Elsewhere, a brown-green–haired boy with sharp reflexes also leapt through the trees, rushing toward the same place.
…
In a clearing within the forest, a massive figure stood atop a boulder.
White smoke flowed from its back like drifting flame-colored clouds.
On its forehead gleamed a golden crest shaped like three leaves and a red six-point star.
Its dignified, majestic eyes gazed downward as though surveying all beings below.
"Entei!"
Ash instantly recognized the Pokémon before him—one of the legendary trio, the Guardian Beasts of Ho-Oh: Entei!
"Hey! I found it first—don't you dare steal it from me!"
A girl's excited voice echoed out.
Dressed in a blue shirt, she looked terrified that Ash would beat her to the chase and immediately ran straight toward Entei.
Before Ash could even speak, she had already thrown out her Poké Ball.
"Piplup! I choose you! Bubble Beam!"
"Piplup!"
A round blue penguin Pokémon popped out, full of pride and overflowing with confidence.
Even facing Entei, it didn't hesitate at all.
Opening its beak, it fired a stream of bright blue bubbles.
Boom!
With a single effortless jump, Entei dodged the attack and landed heavily behind Ash.
Without a word, it unleashed a burst of Flamethrower.
BOOM!
The scorching flames made Ash's expression twist—
Seriously?!
She attacked you—why are you aiming at ME?!
With a quick slide, Ash twisted his body as Pikachu leapt upward from his shoulder.
"Thunderbolt!" Ash roared.
"Pika—CHUUU!!"
Slapping its cheeks, Pikachu released a blinding flash of electricity.
Ash had only intended to observe from the sidelines—
But attack him?
Absolutely not.
Even if he couldn't win, he'd at least hit back!
Once again, Entei avoided the attack with a light, almost casual leap.
BOOM!
It landed behind the girl and Piplup.
"Watch out!"
Ash shouted.
This girl was fearless to the point of reckless. Even though the opponent's strength was obviously beyond her level, she simply scooped Piplup into her arms and shouted:
"Piplup! Again! Bubble Beam!"
"Piplup!"
Brimming with defiance, Piplup shot out another stream of shimmering blue bubbles.
Entei did not hold back.
It simply opened its mouth—
—another burst of Flamethrower.
BOOM!
A flaming sphere surged toward the girl.
"Pikachu! Thunderbolt!"
Ash called urgently.
"Lucario—Aura Sphere!"
From the other side, a calm young man had also joined in.
BOOM!!
Thunderbolt and Aura Sphere collided with the fireball—
Holding it back for only two seconds.
But those two seconds were precious.
Ash dove forward, tackling the girl out of harm's way.
The blazing fireball roared past, grazing Ash's back.
Entei looked at Ash for a brief moment—its expression unreadable.
It seemed satisfied with what it saw.
Then, with a graceful turn and two effortless leaps, it disappeared from sight.
To be continued…
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〔TL〕
Every 100 powerstones = 1 bonus ch.
Every 2 review after 100 ps = 1 bonus ch.