I know it's a bit shorter than the others, but can only think of so much without dragging it on, right?


"You're learning fast, Meilin-san," Entei commented, his voice proud despite bearing a somewhat cold look.

For the last few weeks, he's been having her melt various boulders, picking ones no one would notice or believe had fallen elsewhere.

He started her small in melting smaller ones, those where it was possible at least two men to life and carry. But as she made one after another melt faster, he would guide her to new ones much larger.

But as he hoped, she also kept the flames well controlled, having her burn a boulder, yet no harm come to the surrounding flora. Before, she burned them, but at a surprisingly fast pace, they were becoming less and less burnt.

He couldn't help but see his old master through her, recalling the days they trained much like this.

"D-domo arigatō," the girl panted heavily.

"Sit down and rest, it would do no one any good if you collapsed," the Pokémon spoke, gesturing for her to rest against his side.

Grateful for the break, she walked over, leaning against the warm body, wiping sweat off her forehead. She would have made it evaporate with her growing power, but she was too tired, so opted for the old fashion way.

"At this rate, you should easily master your Element by the end of this week," he spoke, feeling her shift, turning to meet with her gaze.

"R-really?"

"Hai, these past couple months, you've been learning quite fast. Faster than even my late master had when he first became an Element."

"Entei-san, could I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"Out of all the Elements, which one do you consider is hardest to control?" she asked, hoping it won't sound offensive to the powerful Pokémon.

"I honestly cannot say, it varies person to person. There have been Elements we've heard whom had difficulty controlling theirs where descendants and predecessors have had hardly any trouble at all."

"Then there's the initial activation?"

"That is another, most are emotional, whether they are human or beast, some more than others."

"I see… So between us, minus Rita-chan, who do you think might have the hardest control then?"

"I would suspect that Li-kun would have the most difficulty."

"Really?"

"Hai, from times I've seen him or have spoken with Raikou about him, he is an unusual boy. He seems stronger than normal, yet at the same time completely fragile."

"He is? I never noticed and I grew up with him…"

"He had been trained to hide his emotions to avoid having them used against him, which is likely why. He is having to in a sense, learn to freely use these emotions without losing complete control."

"So the training he had to control them could end up being his downfall?"

"I believe so, especially with an emotion like fear. I've heard of Elements before my time that've had similar means of releasing their element. Some have managed while others end up losing complete control, making them outcasts out of shame than hatred."

"That's so sad…"

"It was, but most were self-made than being scorn from other Elements or the people themselves."

"Is that what happened with that king, the one who betrayed you? Was he scared of something?"

"I'm not certain, he might have been, hiding it with his large pride and tremendous greed."

"Has he always been like that?"

"Prideful? Always. Greed? Not until the other kings and queens began dying and we learned of his intentions. He despite bearing those traits, he was intelligent, wearing masks we never knew existed to hid his real self."

"So if you saw what he was, would you have killed him?"

"Possibly, though we would have tried to reason with him. He was one of us, he may not have been related to any of the kings and queens by blood, but he was loved regardless."

"I hope whoever the other Elements are, they're kind."

"So do I," he sighed, seeing the girl draw her knees up, resting her arms and chin on top, sorrow filling her features.

After a couple hours passed, the girl having fallen asleep, needing it greatly after all she's done so far, the Pokémon kept a wary eye out.

He needed not only to look for a potential attack from Eevee, but in the case of hikers showing up. The area wasn't friendly for them, usually barring them from even entering the area, yet that doesn't mean they always listened.

Eventually, he glanced up at the smoking top of the volcano, one they've been training around, inching closer to the base.

Lips curling into what could be viewed as a smirk, it softened as he leaned down, gently nudging the girl awake.

"What is it?" she asked, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, wondering how long she was out for.

"I believe it's time that I start showing you how you can replenish your strength much faster than time alone."

"Really?"

"Hai, it would be beneficial, especially if there is a chance we could use Sakura-san's magic or the others magic our advantage. Even Eevee's ownpowers if he were to use them against any of us."

"You mean, if he breathed fire at one of the others, I could take it instead, absorb it even?"

"That's exactly correct, one of the reasons why Elements always sough company with one another. We defend each other, if one is in danger, the other is nearby to lend their strength."

The idea of not running from a blazing fire, it was both terrifying yet intriguing.

She's always been curious, yet never ventured out of fear of being caught by her family or Li's. She didn't want to answer why she tried to stick her hand in an open fire or was playing with matches.

But now…

"However," Entei spoke up, interrupting the girl's thoughts. "You must promise me something."

"What is it?"

"Do not hold back your Element, not even a little. If you do, you may end up causing harm to yourself. Do you understand?"

"I understand."

With a simple nod, they both got up, the Pokémon urging her to climb onto his back as where they're going will be dangerous to trek.

As he leapt from rock to rock, occasionally a fallen tree or poking ledge from the side of the mountain, they made their way.

Until they reached their destination, Meilin was lost in her thoughts, promising to herself that she won't fail, not when lives are at stake.

Unlike before with the cards, lives are at stake, this no longer some game or test to help complete.

No, now her strength, all of it, is needed.

She can no longer simply stay on the sidelines nor let herself get saved because she did something dumb while in combat.

She's willing to train for as long as necessary if it meant protecting her friends and family. The thought alone was enough to make her hands curl into his fur more, determination shining in her eyes.

After a few minutes of leaping, rarely stopping other than for the Pokémon to get his bearings or let the girl regain hers, they arrived.

Both were at the mouth of the volcano, the young girl feeling goosebumps run all over her body at the sight of steam and the rush of heat sweep past her.

She knew he wouldn't drop her without warning; he wasn't short tempered or unpredictable as Raikou seems to be.

She could only imagine what the electric Pokémon must be doing to poor Li due to their opposite personalities, the human boy's element needing work.

How could the boy possibly control electricity using raw fear if he's rarely fearless to begin with?

Shaking her head, she focused on what the task may be at hand very soon, readying herself to jump off his back when told so.

Heeding his words, she didn't resist, feeling the heat disappear, her body feeling more rejuvenated than any night of sleep ever brought her.

"Climb down," Entei spoke as he crouched low for her to hop down. "From here, you'll have to follow me less you wish to hit your head on a stalactite."

Once she was down, he led her towards a cavern to take them inside the volcano, guiding her, though the space was somewhat for him.

Yet the way he moved about, weaving through any formations that came from the walls, floor, ceiling even, it was clear he had been here before. Likely has been scoping areas that would fit her training years ago, knowing it would someday come.

Despite not feeling the heat the closer they got to their destination, the young girl knew that if she had been an ordinary human she would have passed out or died by now.

Briefly lost in her thoughts, she nearly walked into the mass of fur, realizing he had stopped.

Realizing the space had opened up some, she was able to carefully move around, mindful of any rocks she could trip on.

"Whoa…" Meilin stared down from where she stood, seeing actual magma boiling and bubbling.

Scientists would love to see something like this without having to fear for their lives. Even a photographer would be ecstatic for a chance. Who knew magma could look so beautiful?

"I see that you're impressed," Entei chuckled softly as he leaned down to be eye level with her, taking in the sight as well. "I remember the first time I saw magma myself as a cub. I was both in awe and completely terrified."

"You were scared?"

"Hai, but it was many years ago, when I was first learning to becoming a guardian before my predecessor passed on."

"I don't want to sound rude, but what are we doing here? What sort of training do you want me to do?"

"Once I deem it safe, I will have you enter that pool of magma, to fully connect with your Element. But as for training, you're doing it right now. You've listened to what I said, allowing the heat of this volcano restore your strength."

Amazed, she glanced, excited to see how far she's come, hoping the others are where she's at too, to feel the way she is right now.

"Do you know why I picked thisvolcano out of all the other active ones we passed?" Entei spoke softly as he took a spot to sit and watch his master carefully.

"I'm sure that there's something special about it. I don't know how or why, but I feel it somehow."

"I'm pleased to hear that," he smiled, "this is one of the purest volcanoes around, one of the first to appear when I roared in mourning of my late master and friend. It is also here he is buried, the shrine we passed to be precise."

Realizing what he said, her excitement faded somewhat, "O-oh…gomen'nasai…"

"Don't apologize, he died in honor. He died protecting all and avenging our fallen friends. While I may have the same powers to see or manipulate the dead, I know his soul is at peace. Therefore, I am at peace."

"Entei-kun…"

Despite his strong words, she could tell, could see the hurt in his eyes as he recalled his previous master, feeling for him with losing someone so dear.

Yet she also wondered if Sakura and Li are in similar places where Suicune and Raikou's previous masters were buried.

The very thought almost brought tears in her eyes before blinking them away just as fast as they formed.

She needed to be strong right now, not have a breakdown.

These three mourned their fallen friends and survived.

While it hurt them still, they moved on, knowing dwelling on the past won't help.

It's no use crying over something they've come to peace with, she could always acquire flowers later after training to leave at the shrine.

Even if she can't do it now, she could always do it later, either with Entei's help taking her back or maybe asking Li's mother.

Whether the former blaze element could see his old partner or not, the kind gesture may just be enough.

He would know Entei's not only safe, but has a new master and friend to help him and he is helping her.

"So what do you want me to do first?" she asked, feeling a strange sense of vigor coursing through her.

She knew there was more to this training than listening alone, wanting to do the best she can not only for Entei, but for everyone.

"As of now, you're harmonizing with your Element perfectly, it will take some time before its completed where you make physical contact. But until then, we can work on other aspects of your training."

"Like what?"

"Remember when I showed you how to shape and control fire, to draw it from trees and plants? How I had you drag it onto sand or water to snuff it out?"

"Hai, you want me to do that here?"

"But not with fire alone, but actual magma. Focus on lifting it and shaping it in the air without making contact."

Understanding, she was about to start before another thought crossed her mind, namely when thinking of the tale.

"Entei-kun, that old story, I mean…"

"What is it?"

"It mentioned of spheres, are they like what Eli-kun used?"

"Somewhat, what he used is similar both in design and function to what is used for us, but completely different at the same time."

"Where's yours then? Or the others even?"

"You'll learn soon enough, I promise."


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