"Lucky..."
Chansey was startled, anxiously looking at the young man staring at it.
Am I going to be sold again? Sent out onto the battlefield again, only to be beaten? Why did the shop owner lie and say I've only been sold twice?
Countless doubts filled Chansey's mind, the tension leaving it bewildered and at a loss. It could no longer hear any sounds around it, and even when placed in the Pokeball, it remained uneasy and restless.
But.
The imagined tragic fate, repeated over and over, did not come to pass.
Though outwardly cold, the other's heart was full of good intentions. Not only was Chansey not attacked, but it was also given a full meal. To be honest, it hadn't eaten such a peaceful meal in a long time.
The other's name was Baimu, who had a very loyal and dependable partner by his side.
After finishing its meal, Chansey speculated about when it might be sent out to battle and how long Baimu's goodwill would last before being exhausted.
Interestingly, Baimu chose to chat with it.
Even though most of the time it felt like talking at cross purposes, with neither side fully understanding the other, Chansey couldn't help but feel increasingly relaxed.
Was chatting really such a wonderful thing?
Chansey recalled the little girl, realizing that it had hardly spoken more than a few words with her. Most of the time, it was constantly being handled like a doll.
Come to think of it, this was its first time talking to someone for so long.
And when Baimu mentioned it only needed to heal Aron, Chansey was equally incredulous.
Can healing really be enough?
It desperately hoped someone would tell it this was real, and the act of healing Aron and Vibrava gave it some confidence.
Perhaps.
Maybe it didn't need to attack anyone; just healing others might be sufficient.
That's how it continued living by Baimu's side.
Gradually, it found that no matter how many times it hesitated or felt confused about the future, or about everything before it, there would always be a warm hand gently pushing it from behind, giving it confidence, showing it what to do.
That was Baimu's hand.
For a moment.
It felt that initiating an attack wasn't such an unacceptable thing, because Baimu was kind and reliable, because Baimu was nothing like those people from before.
But if it had to step onto the field right now, Chansey was still a bit hesitant.
It really should go on.
Ever since it knew Baimu had a very important competition, this thought flashed through its mind countless times.
One afternoon after Aron's battle, as Baimu's good friend—the blonde human—suggested it should give it a try.
Chansey felt this might be an opportunity.
Though panicked, nervous, and with every part of its body showing reluctance, it still decided to give it a shot.
But.
"Never mind."
Baimu refused, without much hesitation, "It hasn't overcome its inner hurdle yet; there's no need to force it."
Why?
I can do it!
Chansey desperately wanted to express that it actually could, but ultimately it only managed to keep rubbing its little paws, unable to utter a sound.
Then, Baimu, seemingly noticing its dilemma, gently patted its head and smiled gently yet earnestly, "If you're unwilling, just refuse. I won't blame you; after all, we're a team, supporting each other."
"Do what you want to do, do what you think is right. Aron and I will always stand by you, and you can choose for yourself."
Do what you think is right, do what you want to do.
Destiny is yours to choose.
No one had ever told it this before. Chansey didn't know how that day passed, its mind endlessly circling around these words.
Can I really make my own decisions?
Really.
Can I truly choose my own destiny?
Is that so? But I still hope you'll come to push me, just a little, so I can truly meet tomorrow.
Standing in front of Aron.
Chansey watched as Baimu was knocked down by a Mightyena, hearing him say the familiar words, seeing the hand meant to gently push it from behind bleeding profusely.
It gazed into the distant horizon.
As if freedom, those tender words, all the exciting days had gone far away.
"Lucky——!!"
Aah——!!
Chansey screamed hysterically, the immense spiritual power repressed in its mind flooding out like a breached dam.