They know that the harshness at this moment is for the good of Latios.
It can't always live under Natsuhiko's protection, nor can it forever stay out of battles.
Shedding more tears and sweat now is to shed less blood in the future.
After all, it's fighting under Natsuhiko's care now, without worrying about its life, but in the future, there's no telling what could happen.
This is something Alakazam, who has been trained by Natsuhiko since childhood, understands deeply.
Although it adheres to the same philosophy as Natsuhiko, its psychic power constantly hovers no more than a meter away from Latios, ready to rescue at any time.
Fortunately.
Latios, deserving of being a highly gifted Pokémon, managed to defeat an opponent slightly stronger than itself after a brief adaptation.
This also allowed Natsuhiko to see the outstanding potential of Latios.
It might not have been a good start for it, and it realized that other Pokémon belonging to Natsuhiko, despite appearing glorious, had put in a lot of effort and sweat behind the scenes.
But this will definitely have a profound impact on Latios' future character and habits.
They traveled for a while.
While resting under a big tree.
Natsuhiko personally treated the injuries of Chimchar and Latios.
For Chimchar, getting hurt was not uncommon even before following Natsuhiko, and with the application of medicine and massage now, it quickly became lively again.
As for Latios...
Natsuhiko sat under the tree with a helpless smile, beckoning Latios over.
Latios looked aggrieved, biting its lips, drooping its eyes, and showing a reluctance to come over.
"Come on, a little massage and it won't hurt soon." Natsuhiko's voice was very gentle, with a special magnetic tone.
Latios showed hesitation.
Is it angry at Natsuhiko?
Yes.
But as Natsuhiko is the closest, even regarded as a parent by Latios, no matter how much its body resists, it can't truly feel angry or even annoyed at heart.
Finally, under the encouraging gazes of Togekiss and Alakazam, Latios came to Natsuhiko and lay horizontally on the ground.
Seeing the wound on Latios' wing, Natsuhiko also felt a pang of sorrow in his heart.
But there's no choice, some things can't be avoided just because he feels sorry or chooses not to do them.
That wouldn't be doting, but harmful.
Gently placing his palm on Latios' wing.
Feeling the temperature from the palm on its wing, Latios' body trembled slightly with grievance and tears welled up in its eyes.
It's odd to say.
Clearly feeling very painful, but as soon as Natsuhiko's hand touched it, it somehow didn't hurt as much anymore.
"Oss..."...(｡•ˇ‸ˇ•｡)...
Drip, drip—
Crystal tears rolled down from Latios' eyes.
People who have been angry with their parents as a child know, sometimes the difference between crying and not crying is just a fleeting thought, a little time to calm down might pass it.
But if someone comes over to quietly comfort you at this time, the grievance in your heart might flood out like a burst dam.
"Does it hurt?" Natsuhiko's gentle voice came again.
Latios instinctively wanted to nod, but it sniffed and chose to shake its head.
Turning its neck.
Seeing Natsuhiko seriously treating its wounds, unable to hide the concern in his eyes, Latios suddenly didn't feel aggrieved anymore.
Perhaps the pain was on its body, but the sorrow was in Natsuhiko's heart.
"If you don't like battling, we don't have to fight anymore," Natsuhiko suddenly said.
He's not the kind of trainer who stands on the high ground of "it's all for your good" to command Pokémon.
So when choosing Pokémon, he usually considers whether the Pokémon's personality and philosophy align with his as a very important criterion.
Just like back then with Chimchar and Cyndaquil, he chose the lively and combative Chimchar over the timid Cyndaquil that grew up under protection.
As for the equally reserved Doublade, it was because Natsuhiko saw a reflection of his own personality in it.
Facts have proven, he and Doublade harmonize very well.
So if Latios doesn't like battles, Natsuhiko will not force it.
He has never viewed Pokémon as mere tools.
Pokémon are living beings with their own thoughts and personalities; you can't force them to do things they dislike just because of your own demands, this is a basic quality of a Trainer.
Even if not battling or growing would seem like a waste for a Pokémon like Latios.
But that's its own choice, a Trainer must respect it.
And it's precisely because of this respect that Natsuhiko's Pokémon are all very fond of him.
Respect is mutual.
"Oss~~"
Latios turned its head, rested it on Natsuhiko's shoulder, and gently nuzzled his cheek.
Extending a small tongue, it lightly licked.
Latios forgave Natsuhiko.
It was only upset about Natsuhiko's emotionless command during battle, not that he insisted on it finishing the fight.
The thought in its mind was that the gentle, caring Natsuhiko had disappeared.
Latios had been with Natsuhiko and his Pokémon for a while, and had mentally prepared for battles, just being prepared doesn't mean it can handle sudden pain.
But now it knows, the gentle Natsuhiko hadn't disappeared, he was just hidden.
And with that, it was at ease.
It extended its tongue and gently licked Natsuhiko's cheek.
"Oss!"
'I want to try again, I think I can do it!'
Natsuhiko smiled, gently stroking Latios' neck, and softly said: "Alright, let's try it together."
...
Togekiss: How heartwarming (rubs eyes).
Alakazam: (glancing at it) Don't you understand crisis management?
Togekiss: Eh?
Alakazam: Then you must have heard the saying. The longest road is the tactic of Natsuhiko. Know about advancing by retreating?
Togekiss: =͟͟͞͞=͟͟͞͞(●⁰ꈊ⁰●|||)
————
PS: Originally, I didn't want to write about Latios' inner changes, but upon reflection, this is a process that both Pokémon's transformation and growth must go through, so I spent more words on it.
The latter part is a joke.