Pokemon: Raised by Legends, Chapter 59-60 (Patreon)

Chapter 59 - Professor Oak’s Help

After lunch, Professor Oak began leading the children around to observe the wild Pokemon living nearby, all under their eager gazes.

Fuyuki was among them, walking with Ash and Serena.

Unlike the other two, though, he seemed only mildly interested in the explanations Professor Oak gave along the way.

“Fuyuki, did you really grow up with Pokemon?” Ash asked, unable to hold back his curiosity.

“Of course.”

“What’s it like, living with Pokemon?” Ash’s eyes shone with longing. “Like, waking up every morning and seeing their faces, playing with them every day. Is it really like that?”

“Pretty much,” Fuyuki said with a smile, nodding.

“Whoa!” Ash’s eyes lit up. “I want to live with Pokemon too!”

“Ash…” Serena tugged gently at his sleeve. In her eyes, Fuyuki had grown up without parents and had only Pokemon to rely on. He was already pitiful enough, and Ash saying something like that felt wrong.

“It’s okay, Serena,” Fuyuki said softly, clearly understanding what she meant.

“Huh?” She froze for a moment.

Ash watched the two of them exchange looks, completely lost.

“Hey, what are you guys talking about?” he asked.

Serena glanced at Fuyuki, who was walking ahead with Raikou, and lowered her voice. “Fuyuki doesn’t have a mom or dad. He’s had to live in the mountains with Pokemon since he was little. It’s so sad…”

That was when it clicked for Ash.

He stopped, thought hard for a moment, then ran after Fuyuki. “Fuyuki!”

“What’s up?”

“Well, um… do you want to come live at my house with Raikou?” Ash blurted out. “My place is really big, with lots of rooms. It’s just me and my mom there!”

Fuyuki hadn’t expected that. He blinked, then laughed and shook his head. “Thanks, Ash, but it’s okay. Father and the others already have our own home, so I won’t trouble you.”

“Oh… I see.” Ash still looked worried. “But… are you sure it’ll be okay?”

At that, Raikou shot Ash an unmistakably displeased glare.

With it around, what kind of problem could the Little One possibly have?

“Don’t worry,” Fuyuki said with a grin. “Who knows, maybe we’ll meet again someday.”

He knew perfectly well that when Ash turned ten, Ho-Oh would give him a Rainbow Feather.

And Ash would head to Mount Tensei with his companions to face the trial of the Rainbow Hero.

“What are you all talking about?”

Professor Oak’s voice called out from nearby.

Legendary Pokemon as rare as Raikou didn’t show up every day. If he missed this chance, who knew how long it would be before he ever saw one again?

So after briefly introducing a few nearby Pokemon to the rest of the children, Professor Oak hurried over to Ash and Fuyuki.

“We’re inviting Fuyuki to live in Pallet Town!” Ash said eagerly. “He doesn’t have parents and grew up in the mountains with Pokemon. It’s so sad, Professor Oak!”

“So that’s how it is,” Professor Oak said, studying the boy in front of him.

Fuyuki was neatly dressed and spotless, hardly what he imagined for a child who’d supposedly lived deep in the wilderness all his life.

Did Raikou actually help him find human clothes?

He didn’t dwell on it for long. Ash’s concern wasn’t unfounded.

Turning to Fuyuki and Raikou, he asked, “By the way, Fuyuki, you said you were found by Raikou in Viridian Forest, right?”

“Mm.” Fuyuki didn’t mention that it had actually been Entei.

“Do you know how old you are now?”

“I just turned seven.”

“Then you’re actually a few months younger than Ash,” Professor Oak said with a smile, looking at him.

Ash puffed out his chest. “Professor Oak, I’ll take good care of Fuyuki!”

Fuyuki fell silent.

“All right, all right,” Professor Oak said, then turned back to Fuyuki. “Here’s the thing. The Kanto League gives special consideration to children with circumstances like yours. If you want to live in the human world, I can help apply to the League. You and Raikou could move to Pallet Town and live with us.”

“No need, Professor Oak.” Fuyuki shook his head.

“Hm?” Oak was taken aback.

“Father isn’t really used to human society,” Fuyuki said, glancing at Raikou beside him. “And we’re happy with how we live now.”

“I see…” Professor Oak sighed, a little helpless. After thinking it over, he added, “If you ever need help in the future, you can come find me at my lab in Pallet Town.”

Fuyuki’s heart stirred. “Really?”

They’d been living out in the wild with no official identity in the human world. If they ever wanted to travel, some form of identification would be essential.

Just like the Pokedex Ash used to prove his identity to Nurse Joy.

This was something he could ask Professor Oak about someday.

Oak smiled and nodded. “Of course.”

Then, as if something occurred to him, he added, “Oh, right. You should join us for this summer camp. When it’s over, I’ll take you to Pallet Town.”

“And when you turn ten, you can come to my lab like Ash and the others, get a starter Pokemon and a Pokedex.”

He considered it a small thank-you for being allowed to observe and study Raikou.

Ecological data on a Legendary Pokemon, along with its unique bond with Fuyuki, was priceless in the academic world of Pokemon.

“Yes!” Fuyuki cheered before quickly asking, “Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle, right?”

“Hm?” Professor Oak hadn’t expected him to know. He chuckled and nodded. “That’s right. Those three are easy to bond with and well suited for beginner Trainers, so the Kanto League distributes them as starter Pokemon.”

“Though,” he added with a wry smile, “not every child likes Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle. I once met a kid who asked if I had Meowth instead.”

The mention of starter Pokemon had both Fuyuki and Ash buzzing with excitement.

“Oh yeah, Fuyuki, which one would you pick?” Ash asked eagerly. “As for me… I’d choose Charmander, one that can use fire attacks! Then we can have a Pokemon battle, okay?”

Fuyuki thought to himself that Ash wouldn’t get any of them. Even if there were extras, Professor Oak wouldn’t hand one over.

After all, Oak had already prepared a Pikachu just for him.

Back when Professor Oak had traveled through time as a child, he’d seen with his own eyes the partnership between Ash and Pikachu.

Chapter 60 - Back Then

The seven-day summer camp came to an end in the blink of an eye.

After handing the children back to their parents, Professor Oak took Fuyuki and Ash to his lab in Pallet Town.

“We’re here. This is my laboratory,” Professor Oak said with a smile as he introduced the place.

Fuyuki looked around with curiosity. It seemed almost exactly the same as what he remembered from the anime.

“Want to stay and play here for a couple of days?” Professor Oak asked.

Fuyuki had enjoyed this trip so much that he was reluctant to leave. He was just about to agree when Raikou spoke to him through telepathy.

“Little One, it’s time to go back. Entei has returned to Mount Tensei.”

The words on Fuyuki’s lips were swallowed back down. He shook his head regretfully.

“No, Professor Oak. We’ve been out for a long time already. It’s time for us to head back.”

Seeing that he had made up his mind, Professor Oak could only nod. “All right.”

Then an awkward smile crept onto his face as he made a request.

“Well… Fuyuki, there’s a small favor I’d like to ask.”

“Huh?” Fuyuki blinked.

Professor Oak’s eyes lit up. “Could I take a photo with Raikou?”

Raikou frowned slightly at that.

It exchanged a look with the child, then let out a helpless sigh.

Fuyuki grinned. “Father agreed!”

Professor Oak’s face immediately brightened. He hurriedly told his stunned assistant to fetch a camera and take a picture of him and Raikou together.

Click!

The moment was captured.

Professor Oak stared at the photo, joy filling his heart.

“Thank you, Fuyuki. Thank you, Raikou.”

“Then we’re heading off!” Fuyuki swung himself onto Raikou’s back and waved goodbye to Ash and Professor Oak.

“Mm, remember to come see me when you turn ten,” Professor Oak said. “If you ever have time, you’re welcome to visit the lab anytime.”

“Fuyuki, we’ll definitely meet again!” Ash shouted. “By then, I’ll be a Pokemon Trainer!”

“Yeah, for sure!” Fuyuki waved back.

Riding on Raikou’s back, he quickly vanished from their sight.

Ash went home, leaving Professor Oak alone in the lab.

Professor Oak turned on his computer, found a friend who worked at the police department, and sent an email.

【Seven years ago, were there any cases of a missing child in Viridian Forest?】

While waiting for a reply, he looked down at the photo of himself with Raikou, a smile he couldn’t suppress spreading across his face.

Enjoying something alone wasn’t nearly as fun as sharing it. This kind of thing had to be shown off.

With that thought, he opened his mailbox again and sent the photo to Professor Elm in Johto, Professor Ivy in the Orange Islands, Professor Birch in Hoenn, and Professor Rowan in Sinnoh.

Not long after the emails were sent, his inbox began chiming nonstop.

【Professor Elm: Raikou?! Where did you find this Pokemon? Don’t tell me a Trainer near you caught Raikou and left it at your lab. How did you pull that off?! Wait for me, I’m coming over right now!】

【Professor Ivy: ?】

【Professor Birch: This is… the Legendary Pokemon Raikou? That’s incredible! I checked, and this might be the first time such a clear photo of Raikou has ever surfaced. Professor Oak, I’m really jealous!】

【Professor Rowan: As expected of Professor Oak. With this, academic records on Raikou will become much more complete. Professor Oak, may I research Raikou together with you? I’m very interested in whether Legendary Pokemon can evolve. I’ll come visit another day!】

Professor Oak sipped his hot tea leisurely as he read through the replies from his friends and colleagues. There was only one feeling in his heart.

Pure satisfaction.

Let those guys be jealous.

Just then, another email popped up.

【League Investigator 007: Seven years ago? There was indeed a serious infant disappearance case in Viridian Forest.】

Attached was a news report from seven years ago.

Professor Oak quickly set down his tea and opened it.

【Outrageous! Despicable Pokemon Hunters Murder Innocent Civilians!

Early yesterday morning, a car crash was discovered on a road in Viridian Forest. After investigation by Officer Jenny, the vehicle belonged to a family of three from Viridian City, Mr. Matsuda, his wife Yumiko, and their child Fuyuki.

The family had been happily heading out for a camping trip when they encountered deranged Pokemon Hunters. Mr. Matsuda was brutally killed on the spot. Mrs. Yumiko attempted to flee with her child by car, but was ultimately murdered as well. Their child, Fuyuki, remains missing.

Kanto League investigators and Officer Jenny have apprehended the two evil Pokemon Hunters. In light of their heinous crimes, the Kanto League has decided to sentence them to death.

If anyone finds the child Fuyuki, son of Mr. Matsuda and Mrs. Yumiko, in Viridian Forest, please contact Officer Jenny immediately. Phone number: 39158328!】

Professor Oak froze.

Fuyuki’s young, smiling face surfaced in his mind.

Seven years ago.

The timing matched. The location matched.

Could the Fuyuki he met today be the child who vanished in that incident?

A surge of sorrow, pity, and compassion welled up in his chest.

Then he thought of how Raikou had always been wary of humans.

At that moment, a scene from seven years ago formed in his mind.

Mr. Matsuda, passing by, had discovered Pokemon Hunters illegally capturing wild Pokemon. Having grown up with Pokemon and received a good education, he bravely got out of the car to stop them, only to be violently attacked.

After seeing her husband killed, Yumiko panicked and tried to escape with her young child.

In the end, the Pokemon Hunters attacked again, the car crashed, and Yumiko died on the spot.

Raikou might have just happened to pass by then.

It witnessed humans dying to protect Pokemon, and unable to bear it, decided to take in the child named Fuyuki and raise him.

All the way to today.

Professor Oak’s heart was filled with mixed emotions.

He mourned Fuyuki’s past, yet felt genuine happiness that the boy had been taken in by Raikou.

【Professor Oak: What happened to the bodies of that couple?】

【League Investigator 007: We recovered them and buried them in the cemetery in Viridian City. Why do you ask, Professor?】

【Professor Oak: Send me the address.】

If one day Fuyuki wished to learn about his origins, Professor Oak would tell him everything and let him go pay his respects to his human parents.