"Suicune? The embodiment of the North Wind, Suicune?"
"Uh-huh! That's right! Since you're my good friend, and Suicune is my good friend, I want to introduce you to each other! Normally, Suicune doesn't meet just anyone!"
Paige beamed adorably as she spoke.
Before long, the two of them stepped past the entrance of the cave.
A bright white light flashed.
What appeared before Ash's eyes was a crystal-clear lake.
At the bottom of the lake, there were several branches—likely from ancient fallen trees—that had taken root and begun growing once again.
The lush green of the submerged trees made the lake even more breathtaking.
"Suicune~ Suicune~ Are you here? I brought a new friend to meet you! If you're here, come on out!"
Paige waved her tiny hands enthusiastically, her big eyes gleaming as she stared at the lake.
A thin mist hovered over the water's surface.
Just as Ash was wondering whether this mist was created by Suicune's Mist move, the Master Ball containing Mewtwo suddenly opened on its own.
Mewtwo emerged.
"Hmm… Ash, this place gives me a very… soothing sensation…"
This was rare. Mewtwo had actually taken the initiative to emerge.
"Whoa! Ash! Is this your Pokémon? It… it can talk?! That's so cool! Even cooler than Suicune!"
In Paige's innocent mind, being able to speak human language automatically made Mewtwo more impressive than Suicune.
After all, Suicune couldn't talk—it could only understand human speech.
Still, in a way, she wasn't wrong. Mewtwo was indeed stronger than Suicune.
"Yeah, this is my partner, Mewtwo. It's been by my side for a long time, always protecting me. It's just like you and Suicune—best friends."
As Ash finished speaking, another one of his high-grade Poké Balls trembled.
Latias wanted to come out.
He released it.
"Lu-ne~ Lu-ne~"
The moment Latias emerged, it immediately dove into the lake.
Once it entered the water, it seemed even more lively.
"This is…"
Ash narrowed his eyes slightly.
Could this lake be like the one at Purity Cave—infused with an extraordinary energy that could rejuvenate Pokémon?
"Hmm… This place is very similar to Purity Cave's lake. I can sense traces of its aura here…"
Purity Cave… Mewtwo regarded that as its home.
"Lulu"
Latias let out a series of cheerful cries, inviting Ash to jump in and play with it.
"Whoa! Ash! You have another Pokémon this beautiful?! And it can fly! Way more convenient than my sister's Drifloon!"
Paige's eyes sparkled as she fixated on Latias' elegant form.
Ash, however, focused on the center of the lake.
A gentle northern breeze stirred.
Ripples spread across the water's surface.
There, amidst the mist, a noble silhouette emerged.
Suicune had arrived.
The embodiment of the North Wind—Suicune.
Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh… There was no way this was the same Suicune he had encountered before.
Just one glance told Ash that this was an entirely different Suicune.
Suicune walked across the water's surface with effortless grace, as if gliding over a mirror.
"Yay~! This is so fun! Oh! Suicune is here! Ash, this is the friend I wanted to introduce you to!"
Paige, overjoyed, ran forward and hugged Suicune.
Surprisingly, she, too, could stand on the water—Suicune was supporting her.
"You are Suicune… The water-type energy inside you is truly immense."
Mewtwo gazed at Suicune, and Suicune returned the look.
Mewtwo was an artificial Pokémon, unbound by the laws of nature.
However, this Suicune also lacked divine energy.
Suicune had sensed two overwhelming presences here, but neither seemed hostile. Moreover, with Paige around, it felt safe enough to reveal itself.
Ash turned his attention to Suicune and used his Aura Of Vision.
[Pokémon]: Suicune
[Category]: Aurora Pokémon
[Type]: Water
[Ability]: Pressure
[Hidden Ability]: Inner Focus (Activated)
[Potential]: Purple Rank
[Level]: 85
[Moves]: Bite, Leer, Water Gun, Bubble Beam, Rain Dance, Gust, Calm Mind, Mist, Mirror Coat, Ice Fang, Extrasensory, Hydro Pump, Blizzard…
Level 85.
This wasn't surprising.
Suicune was an exceptionally rare Legendary Pokémon.
All Suicune shared the unique ability to purify water—wherever they passed, the water would become pristine.
Given that this lake had remained in such a pure state, it was clear that this Suicune had lived here for a long time.
Meanwhile, Latias, a Pokémon naturally drawn to water, was already playing with Paige, circling Suicune excitedly.
Even Mewtwo, usually aloof, had settled into the lake.
Unfortunately, Pikachu wasn't here to witness this Suicune.
Ash had no intention of capturing it.
If this Suicune weren't bonded with Paige, perhaps he would have considered it.
But he knew of another Suicune—one even stronger.
That one… he might try to recruit.
This one, however, was better suited to remain here—protecting this land and the Pokémon that depended on it.
"Hmm… hmm…"
"Lu~lu~~"
Suicune and Latias were communicating, while Paige ran around Suicune in circles.
In the dense white mist covering the lake, their silhouettes flickered in and out of sight.
Time passed swiftly.
Eventually, Paige reluctantly bid farewell to Suicune, watching as it disappeared into the mist.
"Ash, let's go back."
She led Ash out of the cave and back to her home.
Yet, as they stepped inside, Paige suddenly paused, frowning.
Something… felt strange.
Had she… forgotten something?
She couldn't quite place it.
Still, her young mind quickly dismissed the thought.
Happily, she ran off to find her sister, Marnie.
At that moment, Ash and his companions left the Pokémon Center in the wilderness.
What Paige didn't realize was…
Mewtwo had erased her memories.
She no longer remembered ever taking Ash to meet Suicune.
For her, this encounter had never happened.
A child like her should be allowed to grow up without such burdens.
With this, Ash, Dawn, and Anabel resumed their journey toward Eterna City.
(Author's Note)
(PS: There's been a lot of battles recently, so here's a more peaceful chapter to balance things out. Suicune is elegant and noble, but the one Ash will capture… is not this Suicune!)
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