"Hisss—!"
Finally, his head was free. Kashiwagi sat on the edge of the bed, gasping for air. He didn't even have time to wipe the drool off his face; his chest was heaving as he fought for oxygen.
Even though Hydreigon hadn't used any real force—biting his head with the same "gentle" pressure he'd use on a hand—the guy's breath was vile. And the sheer volume of drool? One swipe of that giant tongue and Kashiwagi was nearly enough to for him to transmigrate again.
It was a near-death experience. He'd seen his life flash before his eyes, one step away from uttering his final words.
Thankfully, Mawile and Aggron were quick on the rescue. It took the two heavy-hitters—one prying the jaws open, the other hauling Kashiwagi's head out—while the rest of the team tugged on the tail.
They finally forced the beast to release its "Prey of Love."
...
Wait, Kashiwagi thought, what actually happens if I die here?
He'd probably turn into one of those lonely wandering spirits you see in the anime, eventually escorted to the Spirit World by a Duskull.
What's that saying again?
"The probability of being murdered by your own Pokémon is low, but never zero."
After a few moments of panting, his heart rate finally settled. He patted the Blissey standing next to him. "Don't worry, I'm not that easy to kill."
"Happy~!"
Blissey let out a worried sigh, setting down a cup of water to gently wipe the dragon spit off his face with a warm towel.
...
Not far away, Hydreigon was being surrounded for a "family meeting."
His bratty behavior wasn't exactly new, but this was a first. The Trainer was literally convulsing from the bite!
How dangerous!
Aggron and the others looked incredibly stern. Their piercing glares were so intense that the normally boisterous Hydreigon practically pressed his three heads against the floor in shame.
Galarian Corsola floated nearby. Her usually downturned mouth was hiddenly twitching upward. Her red eyes were filled with pure schadenfreude.
Sure, she'd been worried about "unemployment" if her boss died, but now that it was clear he was a survivor, she was ready to fully enjoy the sight of this "Husky-Dragon" getting scolded.
Even the usually reserved Porygon chimed in with a ruthless digital protest. Mostly, it was seeking revenge for being benched during today's battle against Flannery.
It would have been so much better if the husky had evolved after winning just one battle, but no, he had to fight two.
It was incredibly frustrating.
Porygon kept adding fuel to the fire, somewhat guilty of its own actions, but in the heat of the moment, no one questioned its motives.
...
The "Guilty" Party
Trapped in the center of the circle, Hydreigon realized he'd messed up big time. The Great Dragon was now a puddle of depression. Mixed with his guilt was a sense of grievance, and low, raspy whimpers leaked from his throats.
"Hydrei..."
"Aggg-rooon!" Aggron barked a sharp reprimand.
If he hadn't watched Hydreigon grow up and known the big lug didn't mean it, he would've shown him exactly why the flowers bloom red today.
But while Aggron was being "firm but fair," Mawile was much more direct. She ground her teeth and delivered three swift slaps to his main head.
Smack! Smack! Smack!
"Hydrei..." Hydreigon just whimpered and pulled his heads back, the flower-like fur around his necks drooping like wilted petals.
...
"Alright, alright. Don't crowd him like that," Kashiwagi intervened, having finally recovered. He stepped forward to comfort his indignant team.
"He didn't do it on purpose. We just need to work on his oral hygiene."
Seeing how much Aggron and the others cared for him, Kashiwagi felt a wave of genuine emotion. All that bonding time really did pay off.
"Agg-roon!"
"Maw-ile!"
Aggron and Mawile looked at him simultaneously with expressions that clearly said: 'You're just going to spoil him, aren't you?'
"Oh, come on! That's enough! I know you guys love me..."
Kashiwagi gave them each a rewarding head pat—even Galarian Corsola didn't escape the affection. Finally, he looked at the pitiful Hydreigon, who didn't even dare to lean in. Kashiwagi reached out and pinched the dragon's cheek.
"I'm not mad. It's a happy day, so turn that frown upside down. Just remember to leave me some breathing room next time. I've got three holes in my face, leave at least one of them open for air."
"Hyyd-reigonnn...~"
The overwhelmed Hydreigon couldn't hold it back anymore. He buried his main head into his Trainer's shoulder, let out a low, vibrating wail that sounded suspiciously like crying.
He knew he'd gotten carried away in the excitement. He loved his Trainer more than anything; he'd never hurt Kashiwagi on purpose.
"I know, I know. You're a good boy." Kashiwagi hugged the massive head and patted it, officially closing the matter. He dismissed the rest of the bored crew.
"Go hit the hot springs if you've got nothing better to do."
Galarian Corsola's mouth immediately slumped back into a frown. She floated off to sleep, utterly speechless.
I waited all that time for drama and got nothing. The Trainer spoils that idiot way too much.
Porygon, failing to spark a full-blown riot, looked equally disappointed. It turned to fly away, but Kashiwagi caught it, apologizing for not letting it battle today.
"I'll definitely get you out there next time. It's a promise."
Kashiwagi patted its blocky head.
"Pah-ree!"
Porygon's digital gloom vanished instantly at the comfort. Its blocky legs did a little happy jig, and it zipped off to practice Shadow Ball.
The logic was simple: the more move types it mastered, the more versatile its Conversion would become. And more power meant a higher probability of getting deployed to the front lines.
Kashiwagi didn't stop there. He went around and gave each of his Pokémon some one-on-one "quality time." He needed to make sure they didn't think he was playing favorites with the big dragon, which could lead to resentment or a fractured team dynamic.
Aggron was easy. He'd long since outgrown his "angsty teen" phase. As a Pokémon with a natural instinct for territory, he was surprisingly magnanimous and rarely held a grudge. He just gave a stoic nod and went about his business.
Mawile, however, was a tougher crowd. She remained remarkably stern, crossing her arms and demanding that Kashiwagi strictly discipline the "problem child" before he got even more spoiled.
"Maw-ile!" (Control that beast!)
"I hear you, I hear you," Kashiwagi reassured her. "Trust me, you know me better than anyone. I've got this handled."
"Maw-ile...?" (You promise?)
"Cross my heart."
Faced with Kashiwagi's silver tongue, Mawile reluctantly accepted the truce.
Meanwhile, Blissey didn't care about the politics—she was purely worried about his physical state. She kept hovering, wondering if he'd sustained internal injuries or if they should take a quick trip to the Pokémon Center for a check-up.
"I'm not made of glass, Blissey! You're worrying over nothing~" Kashiwagi laughed, patting her soft arm before heading toward the bed to check on Galarian Corsola.
The coral phantom hadn't reacted at all. Since she didn't get to see Hydreigon actually get in trouble, she had decided to just bury herself in the pillows and go to sleep. She was a little grumpy, sure, but mostly she was just a "spectator" whose favorite show had been canceled.
"Alright."
After several unresponsive attempts, Kashiwagi stopped bothering and eventually turned his attention to the water tank where Feebas was floating.
Perhaps due to her Oblivious ability, she seemed a bit dazed. She hadn't quite processed the chaos that had just unfolded and responded to Kashiwagi's greeting with a slow, rhythmic stream of bubbles.
"Doing good, girl," he nodded.
To help Feebas evolve via Beauty, Kashiwagi had done his homework. Most Milotic Trainers emphasized one thing: Confidence.
Not the delusional "I'm pretty" kind of confidence, but the self-assuredness that comes from recognizing one's flaws and working toward a better self. Combined with Blue or Rainbow Pokéblocks, it was the secret sauce for growth.
Kashiwagi had been feeding her Rainbow Pokéblocks for over two weeks now, but the confidence part was still a work in progress. She needed more battles, more seasoning.
Maybe a Contest? he thought. If the opportunity arises, letting her take the stage might be just what she needs.
"I'm looking forward to your future," Kashiwagi said softly, reaching into the water to stroke her smooth, cool fin.
Feeling the warmth in his voice and the genuine affection in his eyes, Feebas flicked her tail and blew a happy bubble.
The more she felt this warmth, the more she looked back at her lonely past with a sense of "good riddance." She often wished she'd met Kashiwagi sooner. As for her old trainer—that little boy—it had been less than a month, and she had already forgotten what he looked like.
...
Having finished his rounds, Kashiwagi rubbed his sore shoulder.
"Now then... there's just one thing left to do."
He stepped into the bathroom and pulled out a very strangely shaped, oversized toothbrush. Hydreigon, who had been following him like a giant puppy, suddenly froze. His wings flared nervously.
"Hydrei..."
"Don't even think about running. If you bolt, I'm pinning you down," Kashiwagi said with a predatory smile.
...
Question: When does Hydreigon hate his Trainer the most?
Answer: Never! He only hates the toothbrush!
Good Kashiwagi, Evil Toothbrush!
...
"Hydrei-gon..." Hydreigon hovered in place, but his center head leaned back as far as his neck would allow, looking utterly repulsed.
Unfortunately for him, that "Stinky Dragon" breath had to go. Getting your head bitten is a minor inconvenience; getting gassed out by the smell is a hazard.
"Open up!"
"Hydrei-gonn—"
"Three!"
"Hydrei..."
Reluctantly, Hydreigon clamped down on the brush, and Kashiwagi led him to the shower area by the hot springs.
"How is your breath this bad? I don't even feed you anything pungent. Is it a Dragon-type thing? Does Dragon-formula food just rot in there?"
Kashiwagi pried the jaws open.
There were no health issues, so it had to be the diet. Each of his Pokémon had a customized menu based on "Glowing Recipes," supplemented with attribute-specific minerals—like the steel ingots Aggron snacked on.
"Hydrei?" (Finished?)
"Almost."
"Hydrei?" (Now?)
"I said almost!" Kashiwagi scrubbed away at the serrated teeth. The dragon asked if they were done every two seconds like a toddler in a car seat.
Finally, it was over. Kashiwagi took a cautious sniff and nodded, satisfied. "We still need a permanent solution, though. This 'stink-cloud' life isn't sustainable."
Free at last, Hydreigon dove headfirst into the hot spring, trying to put as much water as possible between himself and that dreaded brush.
"..."
Kashiwagi climbed into the hot spring himself, pulling out his Pokédex to check Hydreigon's updated move pool. Evolution usually unlocked some heavy hitters.
When he was a Zweilous, he'd automatically picked up Hyper Voice and Crunch. But this time? The list was staggering.
"Nasty Plot... Outrage... hiss! We hit the jackpot!"
He let out a sharp breath as a cloud of white steam swirled around him. He hadn't expected Hydreigon to deliver such a massive surprise. Setting aside the terrifying Outrage for a moment—Nasty Plot?!
That was a game-changer. It was the special-attacking equivalent of Swords Dance, and it fit his vision for Hydreigon as a specialized "Special Artillery Piece" perfectly. If the big guy had known this move back when he was a Zweilous, he wouldn't have had to rely on Roar to force out Magcargo or gamble with Dragon Rush against Slugma's Overheat.
He could have fought with a much more stable, overwhelming tactical advantage.
...
Kashiwagi forced his racing heart to calm down. Hydreigon was officially in his final stage, but he wasn't a "Complete Being" just yet. He still needed better coverage moves—Fire, Water, Fighting—that cover his weaknesses.
But there was one specific move Kashiwagi had been hoarding for a long time, waiting for this exact moment.
He patted Hydreigon's belly—now adorned with those distinctive purple stripes—and handed over his hidden trump card: the Roost Technical Machine.
"Hydrei-gon?"
Being taught a move via the Simulator for the first time made Hydreigon blink in confusion. Suddenly, his body glowed with a pure white light. Countless ethereal, energy-formed feathers materialized in the air, drifting down and dissolving into his scales with a brilliant shimmer.
He'd instinctively activated the move the second he learned it.
"Not bad," Kashiwagi nodded, watching the dragon look at his own claws in wonder.
Honestly, a wild Hydreigon usually looked terrifying enough to give most Pokémon a heart attack. But because his Hydreigon was such a goofy "Husky-Dragon," that ferocity was constantly being undercut by his "not-a-single-thought-behind-those-eyes" expression.
With three heads and that dopey energy, he had achieved a rare state of being: Aggressively Adorable.
He'll probably be more serious in a real battle, right? Kashiwagi thought. ...Probably.
...
...
By evening, Kashiwagi and Blissey had just finished prepping dinner when Raikou came vaulting over the stone wall surrounding the hot spring.
It landed right in front of Kashiwagi, who was currently balancing two heavy food bowls.
Raikou: "..."
There is nothing quite as awkward as a legendary beast sneaking out and then getting caught red-handed while sneaking back in.
Fortunately, Raikou was thick-skinned. It acted as if nothing had happened and immediately began scanning the area to see if its dinner was ready. After these few days, the high-quality meals had become a bit of a habit.
Even though, as a legendary, it didn't strictly need to eat—absorbing natural lightning was technically enough—it wasn't about to turn down a five-star meal.
"Oh, so you do know where home is," Kashiwagi said, eyeing the beast with a playful, narrow-eyed look.
"I figured out why you're stalking Team Rocket in Hoenn, you know."
He laid out the intel regarding the Mega Crystal Ore.
"Am I right?"
"..."
Raikou didn't answer. It padded silently toward its bowl and began to eat. Internally, it was a bit shocked. How does this kid's information network move so fast? He figured all that out in a single afternoon?
But Raikou wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of a "yes." It maintained a stoic silence, letting him guess.
...
Watching the lightning-bolt tail flicking behind Raikou, Kashiwagi knew he'd hit the mark. That tail only twitched like that when the beast was annoyed or caught off guard.
But a question remained: How did Raikou know about Team Rocket's plan to weaponize Mega Evolution? Where did its intel come from?
This really intrigued Kashiwagi.
Then, he added,
"Actually, you don't need to be so stressed. Their plan is destined to fail anyway. Here's why..."
Raikou continued eating, but it sharpened its ears.
By the time Kashiwagi finished explaining the technical hurdles, the beast remained noncommittal.
It wasn't just about the Mega Evolution power; it was about the intent. Whether Team Rocket succeeded or failed, if they were doing something "bad," Raikou was there to put a stop to it.
Still, Raikou was frustrated. It had caught the scent of that fleeing Rocket grunt earlier, so why had the trail gone cold after a whole afternoon of searching?
I suppose human towns are just too cluttered with smells...
Suddenly, Raikou spotted a new silhouette in the corner of its eye. It looked at the three-headed dragon and froze for a few seconds before its memory clicked. The Zweilous?
It evolved? Why does it have more heads now? And since when could it fly?
"Hydrei-!" Hydreigon noticed the legendary cat watching him and gave a very friendly, enthusiastic greeting.
"Hmph..." Raikou let out a low rumble of acknowledgment and swallowed the last of its food. It looked at the hot springs but decided it had had enough soaking for one lifetime.
It walked over to the largest bed and curled up, resting its chin on its paws for a nap.
Seeing this, Kashiwagi finished his dinner at record speed and washed his hands. It was time!
The post-dinner window was when Raikou's guard was at its lowest. If he was a little "bold" now, he could probably get away with it. He wanted to break the ultimate barrier: The "No Touching the Head" rule.
At least let me get the chin, he thought.
He sat cross-legged in front of the legendary beast and rubbed his hands together.
Zzap!
A jolt of static electricity made him flinch and pull back. Raikou's fur was naturally charged after using its moves—getting shocked was part of the experience.
Kashiwagi tried again, slowly resting his hand on the beast's warm, muscular back. Raikou cracked one eyelid open, saw it was just the kid, and closed it again. It didn't resist.
For a creature that rarely interacted with humans, these past few days had been a revelation. Kashiwagi's meticulous care—the silent, gentle attention of a dedicated Breeder—was something it had never experienced.
So much that even after failing to find the Rocket grunts, it had instinctively returned to this hotel.
I'm healed. I could leave right now, Raikou thought. I've always left before.
But something—a peculiar gravity—had pulled it back. It had jumped that wall and accepted Kashiwagi's mixed look of "where have you been?" and "glad you're back."
Why am I letting a human brat pet me? Raikou couldn't quite explain it.
Maybe this was what Ho-Oh saw in humans. They were unpredictable, persistent, and always brought something unexpected to the table.
Lost in thought, suddenly, a wave of pure, tingly bliss surged from its chin straight to its brain. Raikou's eyes snapped wide open. Its fur crackled with sparks, and its tail went rigid as a board.
It snapped back to reality and realized Kashiwagi's hand had somehow migrated to its chin, and the boy was gently scratching that "sweet spot."
Raikou's body instinctively released a defensive discharge of electricity, but Kashiwagi didn't budge.
"Insulated gloves, buddy!"
Kashiwagi grinned triumphantly, raising his left hand to show off his secret weapon.