Lucien was momentarily unsure how to comfort the Machoke in this state.
Recalling the lives the two had led, he realized that the long years of oppression had scarred them deeply. Their spirits had been crushed, leaving behind bodies that moved only out of habit, like machines still running after the soul inside had already died.
Now, if someone suddenly told them that no one would ever harm them again… who would believe it?
The two Machoke stood frozen, blank eyes reflecting the dim light.
Lila watched quietly, her expression filled with pity.
"Your Highness… were we wrong?" she asked softly.
"It isn't about right or wrong," Lucien said hoarsely, shaking his head.
What could he even say?
It was true that some humans enslaved Pokémon, and also true that some wild Pokémon harmed humans. They were, after all, different beings, two species trying to share one world. Peaceful coexistence was never that simple.
Prejudice, fear, conflict, bloodshed… all of it was inevitable.
Lucien drew a slow breath. "That's why I have a goal," he murmured.
Lila turned to him, startled. "A goal?"
"I want to build a place where humans and monsters can live together peacefully," Lucien said quietly.
"Your Highness…"
Lucien's gaze softened as it fell on the two Machoke. Then, as a thought struck him, his tone turned commanding.
"Machoke," he said firmly.
The two Pokémon tensed instantly.
"I order you to stop and rest whenever you feel tired. And if anyone dares to mistreat you… you will fight back. Do you understand?"
"Machoke!" The two nodded quickly, unable to disobey their master's command.
"Good. Stay here and rest until you're fully recovered." Lucien turned to Lila. "I'll leave them in your care."
"Yes, Your Highness." Lila smiled warmly. "You two can relax here."
The Machoke exchanged a glance, their eyes flicking uncertainly to Lucien.
But Lucien had already turned away.
"His Highness has other duties," Lila said gently. "From now on, I'll be looking after you. Come, lie down and get some sleep."
The two Machoke hesitated. Everything here felt alien.
There was a soft wooden bed, flowers blooming on the table, and shelves lined with herbs that filled the room with a gentle, comforting scent.
Their old home had been nothing but a cold, damp stone cell lit by a single torch, sealed by iron bars. They were only taken out when someone needed their strength.
Seeing their hesitation, Lila opened the back door.
Warm sunlight poured in, spilling over a garden full of blossoms. Several petite green Pokémon basked lazily among the flowers, their leaves swaying gently in the breeze.
Lila smiled. "See them? They're called Petilil. They live peacefully here, just like you will."
The Machoke stared at the serene sight in awe.
Lila said softly, "you'll live just as freely as they do."
At those words, a faint glimmer of hope flickered in the two Machoke's eyes.
Could they… really live freely beneath the open sky, like those gentle Petilil basking among the flowers?
The answer to that question came sooner than they could have imagined.
After drinking the potion Lila had prepared, their strength returned quickly. By the afternoon, the two Machoke went out as usual, joining the workers at the sawmill to carry timber.
At first, everything seemed the same as before. They worked silently, lifting heavy logs, their movements steady and mechanical. But soon, several of the workers came over, smiling as they approached.
"Hey, big guy, come take a break too!" one called out cheerfully.
"Machoke…?" The Pokémon froze, startled.
"These jobs won't be done in a day," the man continued, waving them over. "You've got to rest properly if you want to have the strength to work tomorrow."
He grinned, handing each of them two ripe berries.
The two Machoke stared at the fruit in their palms, their expressions blank with confusion.
The man chuckled. "His Highness Lucien told us to look after you. Said you work too hard, that kind of effort isn't good for your health."
"Machoke…"
At the sound of that familiar name, Lucien, both Machoke froze again.
His Highness Lucien… always His Highness Lucien.
Before they could react, a few workers gently took them by the arm and led them toward the shade. The Machoke tensed, instinctively bracing for pain, for the sharp crack of a whip that always came when they stopped working.
But the pain never came.
The air was still, the laughter of humans echoing softly nearby.
Cautiously, the two Machoke looked around. Could they… really rest?
Around them, the workers chatted as they ate, talking about the new homes they were building and the kind of lives they hoped to have.
The Machoke sat quietly, listening, still clutching their berries. Finally, one lifted the fruit to its mouth and took a tentative bite.
Sweet juice burst across its tongue. The flavor was warm, comforting, and unfamiliar. And suddenly, inexplicably, tears welled up in its eyes.
They didn't even know why they were crying.
"Hey, big guy, why are you crying?" one of the men asked in surprise.
"Are you that tired?" another added, remembering how tirelessly the Machoke had worked the past two days.
"Don't push yourself so hard," the first man said kindly. "Even strong ones like you need rest!"
The two Machoke listened in silence as more tears slipped down their faces.
They had endured endless years of cruelty, and yet, this simple kindness was what finally broke them.
No one mocked them for crying. No one yelled or sneered.
Instead, someone patted their broad backs and said gently, "It's alright. Rest for a few days if you need to. His Highness Lucien's a good man, he won't be angry, even if you take a break."
Though the man spoke lightly, everyone knew the truth: no one here wanted to slack off. Everyone wanted to build their new home as quickly as possible.
"…"
After resting a while, the two Machoke stood again.
This time, when they returned to their work, they did so not out of fear, but out of gratitude.
They worked with steady hearts, no longer slaves bound by chains, but companions striving alongside their new friends.
They loved this place. They loved their kind master, His Highness Lucien.
...
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