Compared to Baimu.
Salamence and the others were clearly far more persuasive.
After just a few words, Banette abandoned its reckless attempt to seal the Spirit World Entrance a second time. Deep down, it knew Baimu was not Long He.
"It's all my fault. If I hadn't run off, if I'd just..."
"Rrroar."
"Laaah~"
Salamence and the other Dragon Pokémon approached the guilt-ridden Banette. Each reached out with a claw or wing and murmured comfort. How could they possibly blame it?
Banette was their companion. They had all accepted that long ago, and when a companion went missing, they went looking, no matter the danger.
If they blamed it for everything that followed, they could never forgive themselves. It would also dishonor their Dragon Tamer—Long He, who had sacrificed himself for his companions and for the greater good.
Their Dragon Tamer was gone. They did not want his death tarnished, nor did they want Banette to remain trapped in guilt.
Their comfort swept away Banette's earlier stubbornness and frenzy.
Banette knew that Salamence and the others, who had grown up with Long He and shared the same skies with him, could only be suffering. More than Banette was.
They wanted Long He back more than anyone.
Yet for Banette's sake, they held back their grief and tears to comfort their timid, helpless companion.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"
Banette threw its arms around Salamence's face and burst into sobs.
In that instant.
It was the Banette of decades ago again: timid and powerless, able only to cry quietly while Long He soothed it in a gentle voice.
But seeing Banette like this.
Salamence and the others looked relieved.
Banette had not changed. It was still the companion they knew, and nothing mattered more to them.
The three Dragon Pokémon and