Most wild Pokémon won't fight a strong enemy they can't defeat to the end.
Conceding is commonplace.
So when a Pokémon forms a bond with a Trainer and fights against its nature, giving its all just to defeat an enemy, it becomes precious.
"It's over, quite quickly too."
Baimu pats the Hydreigon who is vigorously flapping its wings to disperse the smoke.
The eager Dragonair understands the Trainer's intention, its expression slightly dejected.
What's more painful than being unable to compete with a trump card?
It's having to watch the trump card perform without having a chance to prove oneself.
Mawile yawns wearily, feeling it should have been this way all along; back in the Eco Park, it had to beat up those thick-skinned Pokémon trying to snatch things.
Talking sense?
They have no interest in sense!
The Trainer, having too much contact with smart Pokémon, completely forgets how to deal with foolish Pokémon.
"happy~"
Blissey looks toward the Trainer, getting his nod of approval before starting to treat the injured Pokémon.
Altered-color Gengar helps out as a mobile toolbox, while Porygon II goes with the Dragapult Siblings and Steelix to bring back the escaped wild Pokémon.
Sun Corsola...
It doesn't work.
Altered-color Milotic stays inside its ball and never comes out; the channel is too small for it and there's no need to come out under the scorching sun.
Baimu glances at Helena, saying, "A complete resolution. Miss Helena, you can attend to other matters now. I imagine you're quite busy managing so many wild Pokémon."
"Indeed, very busy..."
Helena nods with a complex expression and dispatches Gardevoir to assist Blissey, pointing northwest, "If you don't mind, come have lunch with us at noon? Since moving out of Pyrite Town, you haven't seen our new place yet."
"Perhaps next time, today I probably won't have time."
Baimu waves his hand refusing.
In order to provide rescued Pokémon a better life, N arranged the primary habitat in a vast valley.
It's said that the vegetation coverage there rivals the outskirts of Pyrite Town; it's a little paradise created through tireless cooperative effort with a troupe of Grass Attribute and Ground Attribute Pokémon.
Yet, with so many Pokémon living there, the place inevitably feels overcrowded.
Conflicts occur frequently among the wild and fierce Pokémon. It's not uncommon for the defeated ones to leave the valley and live elsewhere.
Before Baimu stands a small group of Pokémon dispersed from the main troops.
He just exchanged messages via Pokémon line with N, who replied with a long message detailing the situation of wild Pokémon over the past six months.
Although N later gathered a good number of former Plasma Team associates who share his ideals to assist, managing such a massive array of wild Pokémon comprehensively with only those is impossible.
So for the wild Pokémon branching out due to conflict, despite N's intent to dissuade them, there's little he can do.
Relations between Pokémon definitely exist.
Like Zangoose and Seviper, these types of Pokémon are destined to struggle living together, and many other Pokémon share the same fate.
Different habits lead to imbalance points that even N cannot resolve.
They can only search for habitats elsewhere themselves while being provided with basic resources for survival.
Fortunately, no wild Pokémon has faced drastic adverse effects from extreme environmental rejections, as they ultimately find temporary residencies.
N doesn't know how long this can last, and that's one aspect troubling him.
"No home for poor souls."
Baimu walks toward the Mega Aggron, signaling it to release the Midnight Lycanroc.
Aggron returns to its original form, throwing Lycanroc to the ground.
The opponent seems to have been awake for a while; it quickly jumps backward upon landing, snarling with bared teeth several meters away, watching them fiercely.
Baimu raises an eyebrow, "Didn't you realize you lost? Do you have trouble admitting defeat?"
"Ow…"
The Lycanroc intended to howl but fell silent upon hearing this, its fierce posture softened as it looked at its fallen clan mates, lowering its head in despair.
Yes.
They lost.
They lost again.
The hard-earned home forced out once more, as if this land offers them no belonging.
It sways towards its clan.
Other Lycanroc gradually regaining consciousness see the leader's expression, each showing sadness and lament as they gather around.
The Midnight Lycanroc Leader glances at its companions, nods slightly, and prepares to leave.
Other species of wild Pokémon seeing this also appear sorrowful.
"Hey! Where are you all going?"
Baimu calls to the wild Pokémon in confusion.
The Lycanroc Leader turns its head, barking with an expression slightly disdainful, "Ow!"
"Shasa!"
Hydreigon looks displeased upon hearing, Aggron sees the Trainer not understanding, growling lowly: "Guhhou~"
Baimu barely grasps its meaning.
The Lycanroc Leader indicates that even in defeat, they won't become slaves to humans, preferring to leave in search of a new home.
"Slaves, huh..."
He recalls that morning when N said — "everyone's hearts have been wounded by humans."
Clearly, half a year later, wild Pokémon still cannot forgive the harm done by poachers, even though his offerings are so generous, they're still resistant to anything related to humans.
These fellows likely also cannot comprehend where their daily food comes from.
It won't do.
If this keeps up, it certainly won't do.
Baimu believes continuing the divide between humans and Pokémon, along with an excessively harsh living environment, sooner or later large-scale wild Pokémon assaults on cities will occur.
Then can N stop it?
Maybe he can, perhaps... he too cannot impede the collective will of wild Pokémon.
What should be done?
As he watches the Lycanroc among departing wild Pokémon, he suddenly recalls residents of Valley of Creation who once mentioned coming to Ore, contemplating.
"Wait! Everyone, please wait!"
Helena's voice interrupts his thoughts.
At this moment, having just treated other Pokémon, the "Goddess of Peace" stands in front of the Lycanroc, "I know you are very angry, very sad, but believe me, Baimu is different from the humans you've encountered before!"
"Ow!"
The Lycanroc seems to refute something.
"Yes, it's true he doesn't understand your language, but does a language barrier mean mutual understanding is impossible? It's not so, Lycanroc. Though Aggron who defeated you is Baimu's Pokémon, Steelix that provides you a stable habitat is his Pokémon too!"
Helena sincerely adds, "He also knew of your existence and never meant to drive you out; he's seeking a peaceful resolution, why not give him an opportunity?"
The Lycanroc Leader still shakes its head.
It resolutely distrusts humans other than N, Helena, and Babina.
The opposing Pokémon came to drive them away now wanting them to work; Lycanroc, aware of its own lack of cleverness, fears being taken advantage of by humans, opting to leave early.
At this moment.
Porygon II leads Steelix and Dragapult Siblings to gather the previously fleeing wild Pokémon back, returning to the bustling scene at the well once again.
The resounding cries make the place noisy.
Helena wishes to continue persuading the Lycanroc Leader; Baimu, pondering briefly, decides to prove his goodwill to Lycanroc.
Suddenly.
The sky darkens.
The blazing sun somehow obscured by deep gray clouds; wild Pokémon gradually quiet down, the Lycanroc Leader also surprisedly watches the sky.
You should know the southern part of Ore rarely sees a single rainfall in a month.
How could this be so sudden—
Baimu senses something, looking toward the horizon, "No way…"
'Chirrup—'
'Chirrup—'
An elegant duet, one large one small, suddenly emanates from the cloudy distance, anyone can hear the joy within.
Then.
Two faint white figures intermittently emerge from the clouds, approaching rapidly.
Fine rain descends.
Helena covers her mouth, awe-struck, "Lugia!?"
"Passing by… no wait, coming straight to me?"
Baimu watches the Lugia Mother and Child flying straight here, both honored and amused.
Now faced with stubborn wild Pokémon, his persuasion holds power.
He looks at the Lycanroc Leader shielding itself from the rain.