Why not just tell the Trainer that evolving at five hearts is fine?
On the back of Porygon, the Galarian Corsola sitting on the "throne" made no comment.
Unless Baimu strongly requested it to speak, it would only admire Milotic's beauty with its eyes; admiring beauty occasionally is also conducive to a laid-back life.
Ever since the Trainer warned Hydreigon, it hasn't been harassed anymore. Strangely, it feels a bit out of place—maybe its brain is broken?
No, it seems like ghosts don't have brains.
It told itself a cold joke for amusement; the fluctuations in its mind are something it never had before, but ever since it started "working," its body began running like a rebooted large machine, unable to shut off.
"Roar..."
Steelix lowered its mountain-like head, surprised that the previously thin and small Feebas had transformed into something resembling its shape and quite beautiful at that.
Sadly, it couldn't compare to its own resilient, shiny, and mighty body!
Big is good! Hard is strong!
Steelix had never been dissatisfied with its own body; instead, its towering and imposing physique was its pride.
Every time it flew overhead and saw the envious (or scared) eyes of others or other Pokémon, it wanted to roar with delight, and more often than not, after roaring, those people and Pokémon would be even more envious.
Fantastic!
"Meeelo~"
Milotic looked around at its familiar companions and breathed a sigh of relief at their unchanged attitudes.
Though it was very satisfied with its new body, it didn't want its companions to treat it differently, just like before would be best.
Finally.
Milotic cautiously gazed at Aggron, who had been standing on the outermost edge and hadn't come forward, then timidly approached, "Meeelo?"
The latter didn't respond for a long time, making it uneasy.
The next moment.
Aggron gently lifted its paw, tenderly placing it on Milotic's head, lovingly caressing it and softly growling, "Gurroo."
"Congratulations, it's been really hard for you all this time."
At that moment.
Milotic was teary-eyed and suddenly lunged at Aggron, nuzzling against it, "Meeelo~~"
This is what it most wanted to hear.
Besides the Trainer, only Aggron truly understood how much effort it put in to climb the Dragon Gate Waterfall, how many times it wanted to give up, and how many times it chose to grit its teeth and persevere.
Because they had gone through it together!
Every bit of progress, every scar, every disheartened night, every battle full of determination.
If it weren't for these experiences, Milotic didn't think it could've endured until today. Although the Trainer's encouragement was also important, it was chasing that magnificent silhouette, which was the reason it chose not to give up.
So when Aggron congratulated and comforted it, the emotions inside Milotic surged and overflowed uncontrollably.
"Meeelo!"
I've really worked hard!
To evolve, to not let everyone down, I've worked very hard! I didn't give up until the very end!
It was really tough, really challenging!
Praise me more!
"Gurroo..."
Aggron bewilderedly embraced Milotic, seeing Baimu smile and nod from afar, showing a look of helplessness but also a bit touched, "Gurroo~"
Yes, you did great, you were amazing.
You'll always be my pride.
It comforted the sobbing and coquettish Milotic, as someone who witnessed its growth firsthand and was involved in it, it had long regarded Milotic as an important junior.
And now Aggron somehow understood the feeling a Trainer has when watching it grow from weak to strong and mature into today.
The overwhelming pride was hard to calm down.
"I feel like this Trainer is redundant." Baimu leaned against Blissey's head, lightly scratching Hydreigon's chin with his right hand, jokingly bantering with the other Pokémon.
Everyone looked at Milotic and wasn't disdainful or dismissive of its near breakdown but only showed a little envy, friendly teasing, and affection.
A Pokémon crying after evolution, even in animations it might not have been seen; he could only say that having personally nurtured them, he realized the diversity of Pokémon, as well as the fact that many possess intelligence comparable to that of humans.
After all, intense emotions are a hallmark of advanced life forms.
As if hearing his words.
Milotic, teary-eyed, turned its head and used its tail fin to pull Baimu over, nestling him between it and Aggron, "Meeelo~"
You're not redundant at all!
"Ugh! Well, I suppose I misspoke, but I'm about to be squished to death..."
He murmured.
To make matters worse, Hydreigon, seeing the Trainer being embraced, rushed over, blocking his escape route.
"Shaa!"
"Happy~"
Blissey, for some reason, joined in the action, then Porygon and the reluctantly advancing Galarian Corsola, with Steelix curling its massive body around the outside.
Mawile folded its arms, feigning disinterest in joining in, yet naturally flew over to sit on the other shoulder of Aggron, mischievously grabbing Baimu's hair in the gap, "Tchidoo~"
"...Having all of you is truly a blessing."
Nearly squashed like a pancake, Baimu said helplessly.
All the Pokémon felt the Trainer's awkwardness and laughed together. Milotic, who was crying earlier, couldn't hold back either, even the corners of Corsola's mouth perked up.