(Eevee)

"What?! But what if I can't use it? What then?!"

"Don't worry you will. You need to have faith in it, and it only just happens on instinct. Only you yourself can do it as long as you react on time and before you know it will be only too easy to activate. You can practice as much as you want but without knowing how it can be accomplished it's utterly pointless. But the sooner you learn it the sooner we can move on, alright?"

I didn't understand. This seemed impossible.

"But I don't want to rely on faith and reaction time just so it can work. There must be something else than just that because what you said is physically impossible. I don't think I can do it..."

I was shaking throughout my whole body and I knew I wouldn't be able to do it if I'm too nervous. There was no hope for me. I just wanted to run away and hide and I was surprised at myself for being this scared

"Hey Eevee?"

"Y-Yes..."

"Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you. If I hit you at all it will just be a tap so nothing to worry about. I'm just going to act like I'm going to punch you and I'm expecting you to respond like it's a punch and use Protect at the right time."

His words calmed me a bit but my body felt rigid and I doubt I can properly dodge him right now.

"That's all I'm asking from you Eevee. Can I trust you to do it?"

I nodded but I was still shaking a bit and I was trying my best to calm down. I silently prayed to myself that this will work.

He stepped back until he was about 10 feet away. I did the same and the circle on the court was in the middle of us. I looked at where he was standing and it made me wonder how fast he was. And I sat down on all fours because I was too nervous to stand up.

As soon as I sat down I noticed that Sylveon was standing on two feet. A long time ago it was once considered taboo for any member of the Eeveelution race to stand on two. I mean I only do so occasionally because nowadays other Pokemon just thinks it looks wierd. But when I looked at his legs they were standing firmly on the ground. He looked like he excercised on two a lot, and it left me wondering just exactly how strong he was.

"Umm, you're not going to attack me like that now are you?"

"Of course I am. This is my fighting pose when I'm not using any attacks, so yeah."

"Okay, I guess if that's what your comfortable with..."

This situation just got really awkward fast.

"Alright then here we go! Ready..."

I stilled in place.

"Set..."

I was starting to sweat and I just wanted this to end.

"GO!"

I froze as he was charging at me. He's was too fast I'm not going to be able to do it!

I closed my eyes when he was a foot away. I braced for a hit, but all I felt was air.

I opened my eyes and his fist was only two inches away from my face. He pulled it back in surprise.

"What happenned there? I thought for sure it would work because you were looking dead at me, unless of course you were-"

"Why did you stop?"

"What?"

"Why didn't you hit me when you had the chance? I was wide open and you could have gone for it. So why didn't you? Do you think I'm too weak and pitiful to take a hit, is that it? Well? Say something!"

He smiled again and made me mad again.

"There is spark of fire in your eyes that continues to die out."

"What?"

"You eyes had them just now but it died out again. I noticed that it only appears when you get angry, and if you keep it in check you will be able to use Protect, I just know it!"

He wasn't making any sense now.

"What are you talking about?"

"Your spark represents your will to never give up. And as long as it's visible all the doubts will vanish and you will use Protect with it."

"But how will I use what I can't see?"

"No it's what is seen. It's something you must find in yourself in order to learn anew. Do you understand?"

I never expected him to being saying this but it left me feeling suddenly calm in just seconds.

"Are you ready this time?"

I got ticked off a bit at his comment and I suddenly couldn't wait to show him how it's done.

"Just do it."

"Umm, okay..."

He walked back to the same position and went in back in his fighting pose.

"Ok...One..."

I took a breath.

"Two..."

Exhaled and braced myself.

But instead of shouting three he took off charging at me even faster this time. I kept my eyes peeled on him and my mind clear. I was reminded of Riolu for a second but I shook off the thought. I didn't want to be afraid of her anymore. He was a foot away from me in two seconds. I closed my eyes because I refused to see the same scene repeated again. Please work! I braced myself for it.

I felt air.

I opened my eyes and I was so shocked by what I was witnessing it was too hard to grasp.

Sylveon's fist was stuck 1 inch away from my face in a thin Protect.

"Wow, not bad for a start."

The Protect was not very large, about the size of a small plate, before it disappeared after lasting about 3 seconds.

I fell on the floor dripping in sweat. The most intense 20 seconds of my life were just lived.

Sylveon offered his hand to help me up but I refused it and got up on my own.

"Well that's enough for one day I suppose. Say, you wouldn't mind if I bought us some Magikonalds now, would you Eevee?"

(Note : Protect is tiring Eevee out more than she thought, but she is still determined to not give up. And is it possible that Eevee is starting to make a friend? Find out in Ch 11 ~ Eevee!)