~ Eevee
"*Cough *Cough *Cough. Wow, that was a lot of dust."
I said as I dusted myself off and was slighty relieved that my asthma didn't kick in.
But once I stepped inside I couldn't see anything more than a foot forward. I quickly grabbed my flashlight and switched it on and began to explore. As I made my way through the court I could see the ancient bleachers and noticed that only one was broken through on the right. A board from the roof was on the floor revealing a little sunlight from above. A few banners hanging on the wall but I couldn't read them from here. It may have been 4:45 right now but it was still very dark in this court.
I saw a few seperate rooms and was tempted to inspect all of them until I saw the fusebox on the wall. I walked up to it and when I opened it up I was greeted with over 20 different switches. The lettering for them was all faded and I hoped I could manage to turn them all on without having to guess. It turns out all of them were stuck except for the last five of them. I switched them on easily and only my half of the court was lit up. I was feeling pride in my small accomplishment that I didn't even here Sylveon walk in until he spoke.
"Oh thanks for turning on the lights on Eevee. It's a lot harder to set up in the dark so thanks again."
He was carrying several boxes and a couple of grocery bags but he quickly set them down in relief and leaned a bit against a box.
I fought the urge to ask if he was ok after carrying all that because I wasn't ready to suck up to him yet.
"Ready to begin?"
" That's why I'm here, so yeah."
"Before we begin, may ask you a question first?"
"What is it?"
"Have you been praticing using Protect yet, Eevee?"
Oh no! I haven't because I've been too busy focusing on catching up with my make-up work the past four days that I completely forgot about it.
"I've been busy lately that I forgot to practice using it. But then again I don't know how to use it if I don't know what it looks like, right?"
"Yeah, it's okay. I'll just draw it on the chalkboard for you then."
I was relieved that he didn't mad about me slacking off from training and he showed no sign of frustration either. He was just surprisingly calm and patient as usual.
He then opened a box and pulled out a small chalkboard. I was about to comment in disbelief when he simply touched it causing it to grow to about the size of a floormat. He pulled out a metal clamp from the same box and attached it to the chalkboard. Then used a small lever attached to it and started raising it up until it was a convenient height.
Except the chalkboard made me feel like I was in a math tutoring session and I didn't like it one bit. He pulled out a piece of chalk from his knapsack and started to sketch on it.
"Uh wait, you don't have to draw me an example. Why don't you just show me a video on Pikatube or something?"
"I would do that if there was Wifi in here but there isn't. Not even your data works so I have to make do with this."
I silently cursed at the bad internet connection and was getting agitated when I noticed that Sylveon seemed to be enjoying this. So I tried to make small talk with him.
"Were seriously in the 26th century and we still have Wifi problems? Those electric types don't even know what their doing."
"Their just trying to do their job as best as they can, so I really can't say anything bad about them either. But I don't mind taking advantage of it either don't you think?"
He turned at me to smile for a bit before turning back to continue his sketching.
"I suppose you're right. But giving us better Wifi will help us grow up faster as long as we stay in touch with modern technology and learn how to mature from it too."
"It sort of does I suppose. But technology also keeps us glued to our screens and keeps us from being more active outside and time socializing with others in person decreases as a result, so you should stay off it when you can because it's good for you mentally."
He made a good point but I hated how easily he contradicted me and made me feel so naive about it too. I tried to stay calm but my grip was slowly weakening.
"And also, Eevee..."
"Yes?"
"You shouldn't be in such a rush to grow up and worry about opening up to other Pokemon about it. Because life as you get older gets tougher with every decision you make. So you should just enjoy the time you have as a kid before it's too late. And just go with the flow and have fun from time to time. That's how I see life and I think it might help if you see it that way too, right?"
He smiled at me again and I couldn't take it anymore. My anger burst out before I could stop it.
"What would know about my life and how difficult it has been for me? I'm an only child at home so besides my parents worrying about me, everything is put on my shoulders and I just have to keep smiling and act like nothing bothers me. When everything does. I get picked on at school because I'm a weak nerd that can't defend herself and I hate that my parents know about this too. Everyday. So I have to act like an adult to keep my parents off me and so they can finally see me as the daughter that is all grown up and be proud that she can do anything. I have no choice in it. I have to grow up. And I don't need you talking to me like life is so simple and I can just waltz through it like nothing! You...No! Everyone doesn't understand all this pressure being put on me, they wouldn't be picking on me if they knew right?! Instead I have to keep worrying my parents by coming to home everyday with bruises and I can't do anything about and just move on day after day like I always will! So don't you dare tell me to act like a kid because it's pratically impossible in my current situation! You honestly have no idea! So stop smiling at me and just do what you came here to do! That's all!"
I was pratically gasping at the speech I just made. And when I looked at him his smile had vanished. His face was all seriousness and maybe even guilty at what he said to me.
"I'm sorry about your situation. And it's okay if you want to act like an adult, I would be too in your situation."
He left me feeling selfish after remembering that I said 'he wouldn't understand me'.
"Can I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
"I know you probably don't like me and you don't want to be friends. And you don't want any sympathy or someone that will judge you. But can you honestly admit that you don't want help from someone who is willing to? And maybe they just want to make things easier for you and maybe help you trust someone even just a little bit?"
I don't know why but his words made me feel guilty after saying all those mean things to him. I get that he's eager to help me and he's not just my teacher but maybe he is possibly a companion. He can read through and see my pain as bright as day but I still couldn't find it to trust him. But I could say this.
"Well that seems fair enough... And...I'm...I'm...I... Nevermind...Forget I said anything."
I wasn't ready to apologize yet so I said nothing. He wasn't bothered by it though and he just finished his scribbling.
"Ok this is what it looks like."
He simply drew a half circle going around a failed attempt at an Eevee. I fought back the urge to laugh.
"Protect is a basic forcefield that protects the user from taking damage, but you can tire out from it if you're not careful. It's a matter of stamina, reaction time, concentration, and willpower to fully activate it. Once you master it, it is easier to use and it will become the ultimate protection. And the best part is almost nothing can break throught it."
"Ok, that makes sense, but how how many turns does it last?"
"Where PP points are concerned you can only use it 10 times, and use it only once in a pattern every two turns or so after letting your opponent attack next. So it's not very excessive but it is useful from time to time."
I was a little disapointed about the dilema of Protect, but as long as it protected me for a good turn I can easily block any bad blows.
"You also have to know how to use it before we can continue. So let's put it to the test right now."
" Wait, how am I going to do that though?!"
"I'm going to attack you without warning and you're going to have to cast it out on your own."
(Note : Will Eevee be able to use Protect? What if she can't? Find out in Ch ~ 10)
