They had gathered so many Berries from this forest. Would that leave the wild Pokemon living here unable to survive the winter?
Images flashed through Fuyuki's mind, scenes of Pokemon starving because of this, and he couldn't help turning to Entei, trying to ask about it.
"Goo-goo, gah?"
Hearing the Little One speak from its back, Entei immediately responded through telepathy.
"What's wrong?"
Fuyuki pointed at the Berry tree that had only a few fruits left, then looked toward the retreating figures of the Kangaskhan.
"Goo-goo, gah?"
There was still a gap between them when it came to language, but seeing the worry and reluctance on the Little One's face, Entei somehow understood him anyway.
It turned its gaze to the Berry trees, its expression solemn, and explained through telepathy.
"Don't worry. Even though we picked some Berries, what remains is more than enough for them to get through the winter."
"I didn't harvest from just one place. The Berries in the cave were gathered from many different areas. From each place, I only took a small amount."
More importantly, Berries were something special.
Even if every single one was picked, in less than three days the trees would be full again.
Hearing this, Fuyuki finally relaxed.
If Pokemon really starved because of this, he wouldn't have been able to accept it.
So the Little One was worried that by picking too many Berries, the Pokemon here might go hungry?
Entei was briefly surprised, then felt a surge of pride and warmth. As expected of its Little One, so kind-hearted.
The human child and the Legendary Pokemon continued on. After wandering for a while, Fuyuki started to feel tired.
Drowsiness crept up on him, and he slumped against Entei's back, nodding off.
Seeing this, Entei said nothing. It turned at once, planning to take the Little One back to the cave so he could sleep.
But just as they passed the spot where the Kangaskhan mother had gathered Berries earlier, Entei sharply caught a cry for help.
The sound was filled with urgency, tinged with panic.
Entei frowned slightly and broke into a run toward it.
Fuyuki, who had been half-asleep, jolted awake at the sound.
What was that?
Entei reached the scene in moments.
Under the Berry tree stood the Marowak mother and child from before.
The mother Marowak was staring anxiously at her child, Cubone.
"What happened?" Entei frowned, its authoritative voice echoing in Marowak's mind.
"Graa!"
Marowak glanced at Entei with reverence and quickly explained.
Her child had been too playful. Seeing a Berry pit on the ground, Cubone thought it was food and swallowed it.
No one expected the pit to lodge itself in his throat. He couldn't cough it out, and he couldn't swallow it down.
Cubone lay on the ground now, barely able to breathe.
His eyes were shut tight, his face twisted in pain, with only his round belly rising and falling rapidly.
It was obvious how much he was suffering.
What should they do?
Entei frowned, trying to help, but it had never encountered something like this before and didn't know what to do.
Seeing that Entei had no solution, the Marowak mother grew even more frantic. She cried out mournfully, watching her child's breath weaken by the second.
Just then, both Entei and the Marowak mother heard a soft, childish voice.
"Yi-yi, ya-ya?"
Marowak looked up and saw a human infant on Entei's back.
"Little One?" Entei froze.
Then it felt the child struggling, trying to climb down.
Confused but trusting him, Entei lowered its body.
Fuyuki slid down and crawled to Cubone's side, carefully examining him.
The pained expression and labored breathing made it obvious. Cubone was choking.
"Yi-yi, ya-ya!"
Fuyuki quickly turned to Entei and the Marowak mother, motioning for them to lift Cubone off the ground.
The two Pokemon didn't understand and hesitated.
Growing anxious, Fuyuki crawled back to Cubone and tugged at him with all his strength.
The Marowak mother was at a loss, but Entei reacted.
After days together, it knew the Little One well.
Its child never acted without reason.
Understanding his intent, Entei spoke firmly to Marowak.
"Lift him up."
Though confused, Marowak realized this might be the only way to save her child.
She quickly helped Cubone to his feet.
Fuyuki moved behind Cubone and began pounding with his soft little fists at the spot between his shoulder blades and spine.
Nothing happened.
His strength was too weak.
Left with no choice, Fuyuki looked to Entei and gestured urgently.
"Yi-yi, ya-ya!"
He grabbed Entei's massive paw and dragged it toward Cubone.
Entei understood. It swung its paw in one clean motion.
The tremendous force sent Cubone flying, and with him, the Berry pit shot out of his throat.
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Cubone broke into violent coughing, his face contorted in pain.
The round Berry pit rolled across the ground.
Seeing this, the Marowak mother's face lit up with overwhelming relief.
She rushed to check on her child.
When she realized Cubone had only suffered minor injuries and was otherwise fine, she finally let out a long breath.
She looked at the human child and Entei with deep gratitude.
Behind Entei, its cloud-like mane drifted in the wind. Standing there, the ever-dignified Legendary Pokemon showed a rare hint of gentleness.
Fuyuki grinned at the Marowak mother and let out a giggle.
With everything resolved, Entei gently picked Fuyuki up in its mouth and set him back on its back, then turned and walked away.
Neither of them noticed that within their shadows, a small figure was quietly watching it all, eyes gleaming faintly.