Marshadow casually picked up an Energy Block and stuffed it into its mouth, chewing away.
It seemed to think the taste was quite pleasant, the sweet flavor tantalizing its taste buds, and it squinted its eyes in comfort, its small body giving a slight shiver.
"Marsha —" it moaned softly.
"Togepi..." Togepi pursed its lips, a little reluctant.
Little shadow, is it delicious...
Like a neighboring child, clearly eyeing the candy in someone else's hand, yet too shy to ask directly, only able to inquire if it tastes good, hoping the other would catch the hint.
"Marsha Marsha." Marshadow nodded honestly.
Delicious.
Togepi's expression froze, staring blankly at Marshadow.
And then?
Following the usual steps, shouldn't it ask if I want some, then I can reluctantly say I'll try, and finally eat together?
But Marshadow clearly didn't understand such social nuances; saying "delicious" left Togepi not knowing how to respond.
Natsuhiko placed his hand on Togepi's head, gently rubbing it.
Then he took out several "Poke Fairy Energy Blocks" and placed them in its arms.
"Don't worry, there's plenty of stock I prepared for you."
He looked again at Marshadow.
The issue of Beedrill's aura, Marshadow just mentioned it briefly but couldn't explain further despite being asked.
Helplessly, he had to let it go.
"Marshadow, why are you following me?" Natsuhiko asked.
Marshadow tilted its small head, its chewing motion halting, blinking and thinking for a moment.
"Marsha Marsha —"
Through Abra's "translation," Natsuhiko learned that Marshadow said....
Because you're a good person.
Natsuhiko's expression stiffened slightly.
Perhaps due to past life influences, every time he hears the word "good person," he has a feeling the other is subtly mocking him.
"Marsha Marsha."
They follow you, and they're all so happy, I.....try.
His gaze swept over Beedrill, Abra, and Togepi.
Finally, his eyes rested on Togepi.
In its orange eyes flickered curiosity, exploration, and a hint of mischief.
Happy?
Natsuhiko pondered slightly, Marshadow likely meant that he had a close relationship with his Pokémon.
When Marshadow served as the "Rainbow Hero" examiner, it could vaguely sense the bond between Pokémon and Trainer, even able to create illusion techniques to influence the Trainer, helping them find their true inner self.
So, did Marshadow think that he and his Pokémon were particularly close, hence following him?
Marshadow was looking at Togepi.
"Marsha Marsha?"
You, did you remember?
With its eyes smilingly curved, it softly called out, then disappeared back into the shadow.
Natsuhiko called out a few more times, but Marshadow didn't reappear.
Propping himself up with his knees, he slowly stood and exhaled deeply, "Anyway, at least I'm sure Marshadow means no harm, that's enough."
Having a Pokémon that constantly hides in your shadow doesn't guarantee one's safety.
Now that it's confirmed Marshadow has no ill intentions, he can at least feel a bit more at ease.
"When it sees something interesting again, maybe it'll leave on its own like last time."
Suppressing the odd feeling in his heart, Natsuhiko restrained his scattered thoughts and looked up at the mountainside.
"It's time to see if I can handle that Druddigon."
"Sizz-Pee!"
"Abra!"
Beedrill's scarlet compound eyes were brimming with battle intent, and Abra was full of enthusiasm.
Listening to the spirited words of the two Pokémon, Natsuhiko's lips curled into a smile.
Wait, isn't there one missing?
"Togepi?"
Looking down, he saw Togepi standing blankly in place, holding a crystal-clear Energy Block in its hands, mouth agape, unable to take a bite.
Its small eyes had lost focus and sparkle.
The faint pink starlight reflected in its eyes, seemingly projected by the pink Energy Block in its hand, or perhaps... originating from within.
Noticing that Togepi didn't respond, Natsuhiko paused, then softly called out again, crouching by its side.
"Togepi?"
"Toge...pi..."
Togepi murmured, its eyes still not regaining focus.
The Soothing Bell on its neck began to sway gently, uncontrollably at this moment.
Emitting a clear, ethereal, melodious rhythm.
And at this moment.
The view before Togepi's eyes was completely different from what Natsuhiko and the others saw.
Dim, oppressive, rigid, and rugged sensations swept over.
"Togepi..."
Togepi softly called out, its voice echoing in the confined space.
It quivered.
It remembered.
It remembered where this place was.
The cave!
The tunnel!
The tunnel where it has lived since it was born!
Rocks were everywhere, with Pokémon encased in them; though they weren't easy to get along with, they fortunately had mild temperaments.
Gurgle——
Togepi's stomach suddenly growled, and it reached out to touch its round belly.
It was hungry.
Almost instinctively, it brushed its body, and a dark lump appeared in the palm.
This was the most essential thing to survive in this tunnel, and also its most precious item.
But for some reason, even as its stomach kept growling, it had no appetite at all.
It seemed to have long forgotten the taste of these things, only feeling that they certainly wouldn't taste good.
"Togepi?"
Togepi scratched its head, feeling like it had forgotten something.
Forgotten something that seemed very important to it.
Forgotten something that had unknowingly occupied a large, significant place in its heart.
Forgotten, even though it couldn't remember what, if it tried hard to think, it would ignore its growling stomach and involuntarily grin.
Forgotten....
"Togepi?"
'What did I forget?'
Togepi almost instinctively reached out to grab something to the side.
It was as if whenever it wanted to do something, it would reach for that particular thing, something not too soft, not too hard, but always responsive, something it could reach.
But unfortunately, it reached out and grasped only air.
"Togepi?" Togepi paused again, gazing at its hand as it slowly withdrew.
It gently pinched it.
Empty.
'What am I grabbing?'
"Roar!!"
Just as Togepi was in a daze, a savage roar came from the depths of the cave, fiery tongues sweeping through, instantly melting the rocky walls.
That terrifying figure, which instilled fear in all the Pokémon in the tunnel, darted past, with sharp claws just centimeters away from its eyes.
This feeling was still so familiar.
"Togepi..."
'I...'
The feeling of always missing the crucial piece was driving it somewhat crazy, somewhat annoyed, somewhat... melancholic.
"Ring ding——"
Suddenly, a crisp and pleasant familiar sound rang in its ears.
Like countless morning bell and evening drums, striking deep within its soul.
The next moment.
A series of familiar images flashed before its eyes like slides, fleeting.
Yet each one added a bit of brightness to its gaze.
From escaping the jaws of Aerodactyl, tasting a glimmering block for the first time, seeing sunlight for the first time, testing Technique under his command for the first time, using Waving Finger to leave him speechless for the first time, stepping onto the battle field with him for the first time, helping him fulfill a lottery wish for the first time, learning to make glimmering small blocks just like him for the first time... the first time...
Him.
Who is he?
Gradually.
In the gentle sounds of the bell like a paintbrush, a familiar figure emerged from a hazy Black Mist.
That familiar gentle gaze, seemingly cold but with warmth at the corners of its mouth, the warm and safe yet slightly firm embrace, the pants hem it occasionally tugged on...
"Togepi!"
Togepi's eyes instantly lit up.
Like two bright lamps in this dark tunnel, specks of pink glimmers swirling within.
That already etched-in-heart figure reflected deep within its eyes.
'Natsuhiko! It's Natsuhiko!'
Togepi finally remembered!
It remembered everything!
Natsuhiko!
He brought a huge turning point in its fate, slowly becoming a reliance!
Togepi's body suddenly radiated dazzling white light, dispelling the surrounding darkness.
"I remembered! I want to help him... I want to help Natsuhiko achieve all the goals he wants to reach!"