Aakash POV
With both Orange-ranked Pokémon dealt with and the riot finally brought under control, the atmosphere throughout the zone changed almost immediately.
The surviving wild Pokémon slowly began retreating deeper into the forest, no longer displaying the unnatural aggression that had driven them earlier. Around the perimeter, Pokémon Department personnel moved in quickly, securing the area while medical teams checked both injured wild Pokémon and department members. The soldiers who had been holding the containment lines throughout the operation finally allowed themselves to relax now that the greatest threats had been eliminated.
I looked toward Primeape, who had already calmed down after his battle. Despite the bruises covering his arms and the dirt clinging to his fur, there wasn't a trace of fatigue in his expression. Instead, he looked mildly dissatisfied, almost as though the battle had ended before he had truly enjoyed himself.
"You'll get another chance soon enough," I said with a smile.
Primeape snorted before allowing himself to be recalled.
Pidgeot landed beside me a moment later, shaking the rainwater and dust from her feathers before letting out a soft cry.
"You did well."
She rubbed her head lightly against my shoulder before returning to her Poké Ball on her own.
With the situation under control, I walked toward Apoorv and Rakesh, who were helping their exhausted Pokémon stand.
"Let's move outside the zone first," I said.
The two nodded without complaint.
Their clothes were stained with dirt and soot, while their expressions clearly showed the exhaustion from fighting an Orange-ranked Pokémon for so long. Even so, both carried themselves with quiet satisfaction. For first-year academy students, surviving such a battle while following orders and maintaining formation was already an impressive accomplishment.
Once we reached the temporary command post outside the containment barrier, I stopped and turned toward them.
"Release your Pokémon."
Rakesh looked slightly confused.
"Mine have already fainted," he replied. "Shouldn't we just take them to the Pokémon Center?"
"I know," I answered calmly. "Release them anyway."
Neither questioned me further.
Rakesh released Charmeleon and Persian, both of whom appeared unconscious the moment the red light faded. Their bodies were covered in bruises and burn marks accumulated during the battle.
Beside him, Apoorv released Prinplup and Totodile.
Although they had managed to remain conscious until now, the moment they appeared outside their Poké Balls, both Pokémon swayed unsteadily, their exhaustion finally catching up to them after the adrenaline of battle wore off.
Only then did I reach for another Poké Ball.
A soft white light appeared.
A familiar yet noticeably larger figure materialized beside me.
Chansey.
Only a few days had passed since Happiny had evolved, yet she had already begun carrying herself with the gentle confidence characteristic of her species.
The moment she appeared, both students stared in surprise.
"Happiny evolved?" Apoorv asked.
"A few days ago," I replied with a nod. "She was already close after all."
"Chansey~"
She looked up at me with her usual warm smile before tilting her head.
Who needs healing?
I simply gestured toward the four exhausted Pokémon.
Chansey immediately understood.
Without another word, she walked over to them, her expression becoming unexpectedly focused. A gentle pink glow began gathering around her hands before gradually spreading outward, enveloping Charmeleon, Persian, Prinplup, and Totodile alike.
The soothing light flowed across their injured bodies like warm water.
Burns faded.
Bruises gradually disappeared.
Cuts closed one after another.
Even the labored rhythm of their breathing slowly returned to normal.
The healing process lasted only a few minutes, yet when the glow finally disappeared, the difference was astonishing.
Charmeleon was the first to stir.
His eyes slowly opened before he looked around in confusion, apparently expecting to still be lying in the middle of the battlefield.
Beside him, Persian stretched lazily despite having been unconscious only moments earlier. The newly evolved Pokémon blinked a few times before instinctively checking that Rakesh was unharmed, and only after confirming that fact did he finally relax.
Persian slowly turned toward Chansey before lowering his head respectfully.
"Persian."
There was a quiet sincerity in his voice as he gave a small nod of thanks.
Chansey smiled warmly and waved her hands modestly.
"Chansey~"
Persian then padded toward me without any hesitation. The moment he reached my side, he gently rubbed his head against my leg, the elegant demeanor he had displayed after evolving momentarily giving way to the familiar affection that had never changed despite his new appearance.
I chuckled softly and reached down to stroke the fur along his back.
"You did exceptionally well today," I said. "You protected your trainer, evolved under pressure, and managed to halt Typhlosion's charge. You should be proud of yourself."
Persian closed his eyes briefly, clearly enjoying the praise before giving one final contented purr.
Only then did he turn around and trot back toward Rakesh.
The moment he reached his trainer, Rakesh knelt beside him and wrapped both arms around the newly evolved Pokémon without caring that his academy uniform was still covered in dirt and soot.
"You scared me back there," Rakesh said with a relieved laugh, scratching gently behind Persian's ears. "But... you were incredible. You evolved, protected me, and fought an Orange-ranked Pokémon without backing down. I couldn't have asked for a better partner."
Persian's tail swayed proudly behind him, and although he tried to maintain the composed elegance expected of his new form, the pleased expression on his face betrayed just how much the praise meant to him. Charmeleon, now fully awake beside them, crossed his arms with a satisfied grin before giving Persian an approving nod, silently acknowledging both his evolution and the courage he had shown during the battle.
Prinplup stood up next, testing his wings before giving a grateful nod toward Chansey.
Totodile, meanwhile, immediately jumped to his feet as though nothing had happened before attempting to pounce toward a nearby puddle.
Apoorv caught him by the tail before he managed to embarrass himself.
Chansey covered her mouth with a soft giggle.
Both students stared at their fully recovered Pokémon before looking back at her with unconcealed amazement.
"I knew Chansey were good healers," Rakesh admitted, "but seeing it in person is completely different."
I smiled.
"This is exactly why Chansey are considered indispensable partners for medical teams. A properly trained Chansey isn't simply a healer."
I looked down at the pink Pokémon standing proudly beside me.
"They're the reason countless trainers and Pokémon return home alive."
Chansey's smile widened slightly at the praise, though she simply clasped her hands together modestly, clearly more interested in whether anyone else needed treatment than in receiving compliments herself.