Chapter Description: Umbreon, leader of the last wild Pokémon tribe in war-torn Euon, makes a decision that changes the lives of her and her minions forever. Part Five, Extra #19


The Journal

Chapter #49: The Intruder, Part Five (Extra #19)

I would be a liar if I said Star didn't bend.

While she remained stubbornly optimistic, the Espeon still had the hardships of the Euon tribe lifestyle to shake her down.

One evening I found her staring out to the southernmost valley. An icy ravine, dry terrain, and dead remnants of a once-alive forest were the highlights of the sight. She had Eevee and Eevee2 with her.

"What are you doing?" I asked Star.

"Did you ever wonder how far it goes?" she inquired.

"The Winding Frozen River?"

"Yes."

"No."

"Really?" the three Pokémon responded together.

"But Miss Umbreon, this land is so full of wonder. Don't you want to explore?" asked Eevee.

"No one leaves the tribe unless I allow it."

"May we go explore?" asked Eevee2.

"No."

"Why not?" the two of them whined.

"I'll be with them," said Star. "I'll keep them safe."

"I don't trust it out there. We are a tribe. We stick together and obey the leader," I asserted.

"I don't think that's fair," Eevee huffed. "How come Frosglas and Messenger and some of the other Pokémon get to go on adventures?"

"Certain members of our tribe are strong and experienced and they are the only ones who can leave. This conversation is over."

I padded through the now-heavy snowfall, eager to reach my den before the unwelcomed company did. I was sick of their questions. It was getting dark, and I was more than prepared for rest.

Ten minutes into my walk, I noticed that Star had followed me.

"Where are the new additions?" I asked Star as she came closer, the Eevee no longer with her.

"Sandopan saw us chatting and offered to watch them for a little while," Star replied.

"You need something from me."

"I was wondering why you became so unnerved when you saw me looking off into the distance like that. I didn't do it to annoy you."

"I don't want people to think they can run away."

"Why do you insist on always having the tribe stick together?"

"It is what tribes are supposed to do."

"But don't you ever want to have an adventure?"

I was tired of her questions, and retiring to my den was no longer an option, so I left to go check on the Fires, who were supposedly roasting nuts for our upcoming feast. It was my job to make sure that fire stays under control.

"Don't leave!" The Eevee called out to me.

Sandopan and the two youngsters were on my heels. Star giggled and danced around with them.

"We didn't mean to hurt your feelings," said Eevee2.

"I think it will do you good to answer their questions, perhaps share some interesting information about yourself," Sandopan suggested. "Since I have already heard them call you Pan—"

"Silence!" I ordered.

Sandopan walked away but the others remained.

I decided to ignore them. I had given everyone here so much already; I wasn't about to share my origin story. Besides, someone was bound to tell them sooner or later. That was probably the subject on Sandopan's mind as I left her alone with Star and the two young Eevee.

But I was not out of the ice yet. Not long after lying down to rest, I woke abruptly in the night after experiencing a nightmare based on a series of critical events from my past.

XO

"Eevee3, get off that rock! It's too high and too close to the Winding Frozen River!" my father screamed.

"No! this is my Thinking Spot! I will come here when I need to think!" I asserted.

He was unable to persuade me. I went to the Spot daily and spent hours in my head full of stories I wished to tell and dreams I wished to make a reality. I longed for adventure.

"This is an order, not a suggestion. Stay away from this river!" he barked.

"No!"

I tried to jump because I felt that the smooth, winding slide of mystery was calling me. I truly believed that the Winding Frozen River was pleading for me to pursue my dream of running away from this frozen chunk of land.

But my father stopped me. He grabbed me by my scruff and yanked my body backward, landing me in a snowbank. He dug me out and sat me before him. I groaned and refused to make eye contact as he admonished me.

"Nevermore shall you try to leave this island," he scolded. "You are powerful, surely you will one day become the leader of this tribe. You have a duty. Everything you need is here. You do not have to go looking for trouble. An attempt at escape may become the death of you, and perhaps the death of this tribe as well."

I didn't take that warning seriously. I attempted to flee almost every day of my life for over two years. But someone always got in my way. It seemed everyone knew of my desires, and everyone wished to promote the wishes of my father.

One day, as Rapidash, Rapidash2, Crabominable, Beartic, and Frosglas returned from gathering food, I looked around to see if I could finally make today my adventure. I knew my father would be busy helping feed all the youngsters and keeping the fire burning. I figured that he wouldn't notice my departure. My regular nanny was ill and resting. I was healthy and full of spirit. The stars were aligned.

As soon as the ice was clear, I sprinted off into the wide-open space that was once impenetrable. Atop the Winding Frozen River, my footsteps glided over the ice as I headed southward. I wanted to yell with pride and joy but I knew better than to draw attention.

Then the blizzard came, and it came fast.

The heavy snowfall made it impossible for me to keep gliding, and after hours of free travel, I knew I was miles down the river and well out of sight. My fur became caked with snow and ice. My eyes hurt and I had to keep them closed in order to protect myself from the harsh conditions.

I journeyed blindly; all I knew was that I was still atop the river, though I wasn't certain at the time. I came to regret my decision, but it was too late. I began to wonder about my family. I wondered if they cared. Whenever I did open my eyes, all I saw was whiteness. I was in pain and at one point pondered the possibility that I had died and was now a wandering spirit, lost from the frozen isle we called home.

Then there were lights—warm, glowing lights. Not fire. Something better. I hastened towards them, then discovered that they were moving towards me. My chest was heavy. I laid my stiff, frozen body on the hard, white ground and closed my eyes.

"It's an Eevee!" a shrill voice exclaimed.

"Are you sure?!" someone asked.

Someone was touching my fur. It was comforting, the most comforting feeling I had ever experienced.

"Look, brown fur," said a different voice.

"Whoa. I thought maybe you were talking about a Keokeo, but wow…must be freezing."

"Its coat's thick."

"Why is it all the way out here?"

"Probably abandoned. Poor thing."

"This is a good thing. We get to keep it."

"I want it!"

"We'll see."

"Put it on our sled."

I squinted and saw dark orange fur. There were Growlithe lined up in two rows, and two Arcanine in the front. I counted three humans. One was small, likely a child. They had a large wooden sled, like the ones my mother once told me about, back when she lived with humans. Before she disappeared.

I fell asleep. When I woke up, I was very warm. The warmest I have ever been in my entire life. I was wrapped in blankets. I swerved to stare into the eyes of a human. A girl with dark auburn hair and deep brown eyes.

"My name's Linette," she said as she patted my head.

"I'm Eevee3," I yawned after some hesitation.

"We rescued you. You were out in the snow. What is your name?"

"I just told you, I'm Eevee3."

"I'm silly! I know you can't talk. I'll call you Pangari. You look like a Pangari."

"What does that mean?"

"You and I will be as close as we can be. My pop said that you can be my Pokémon. I always wanted to take care of my own Pokémon!"

The child crowded me in her arms. She smiled and whispered 'Pangari' repeatedly. Then she put me down, left the room, and came back a moment later with some strange fruit.

"Berries to make you less sleepy," she explained as he placed one in my open paw. "Pop said that it will give you mental and physical energy. Try it."

I did as the small girl requested. She was right; the berry did make me feel less tired and more energized. I mewed a 'thank you'.

"Awe, you are welcome. Pangari, you are going to love it here. You should meet our Growlithe and Arcanine."

Linette placed me on the ground. I followed her through two doorways and down a flight of stairs. At the bottom of the stairs were couches and many water bowls. When we arrived, a dozen Growlithe and the two Arcanine I saw earlier greeted us, as well as a Charizard.

"You are that Eevee Linette found!"

"You look young!"

"How old are you?"

"Why were you out there alone?"

"Do you have a trainer?"

"Where is your family?"

"I love your coat!"

"You have a lot of extra hair!"

"Who are you?"

"Don't crowd her," Linette lectured the curious fire types.

I was grateful she intervened because their voices were disorienting me. I felt better when they stopped talking.

Linette explained part of my situation to the fifteen of them.

"Pangari was alone in the snow. My parents and I looked all over the place for her family, I mean miles. Grandpa went out looking too. We think Pangari's family left her behind," Linette announced. "She'll be part of our family now. Pop said I'm her trainer."

"Good for you, Linette!" several of them cheered.

"I am glad you like her," she responded.

Linette left me alone with the other Pokémon. The large female and male Arcanine apologized. They said the other twelve Growlithe were their babies and that since they don't get many new Pokémon up here, it was exciting to find a wandering Eevee. The Charizard's name was Flame. She didn't say much, but I noted her watching me carefully as if she suspected me to be unworthy of this family's trust.

"I am Eevee3," I told them. "My father is the chief of my tribe. Once I choose my stone, I will compete in a battle along with my other two siblings, and the victor will take over the tribe."

"Linette and her parents said they didn't see any other Pokémon out there, though."

"My tribe is good at hiding from humans."

"Why do you hide from the humans?"

"We enjoy being wild."

I should have thought twice about that response, but I didn't, not then and there. Did we enjoy being wild? I don't think so. But wild is all that most of us had ever known.

"If you have trainers, you get warmth and food and you learn new moves, and you make lots of friends," said one of the Growlithe.

"My tribe values being wild. Humans are not our friends."

"Give it a chance."

"I don't think I have any choice after being captured."

"Linette is a good girl. You'll see."

XO

The dream was so visual that I felt as though I still heard the voices of those Growlithe and Linette when I awoke. But it was just Star and the Eevee. She was singing to them. I had opened my eyes, but Star didn't seem to notice. I closed them rapidly and listened to her voice:

"It's not simple to say
Most days I don't recognize me
That these shoes and this apron
That place and its patrons
Have taken more than I gave them
It's not easy to know
I'm not anything like I used to be
Although it's true
I was never attention's sweet center
I still remember that girl

She's imperfect, but she tries
She is good, but she lies
She is hard on herself
She is broken and won't ask for help
She is messy. but she's kind
She is lonely most of the time
She is all of this mixed up
And baked in a beautiful pie she is gone but she used to be mine"

There was sadness in the tone and sniffles. Without thinking it through, I opened my eyes and sat up. Sure enough, Star was teary. The Eevee were asleep.

"Are you…okay?" I asked.

"Yeah, just…feeling homesick, ya know. Not that I don't like it here…" Star replied.

Star is too sweet to be sarcastic. I don't understand why she tries so hard to be positive. It doesn't seem to get her anywhere.

"I wouldn't know what homesick feels like," I told her.

"You were somewhere before you were here," said Star. "Or else you wouldn't be an Umbreon. One thing that makes Umbreon and Espeon unique is the fact that we need friendship with a human to make us evolve."

"I didn't call that place home."

"What place?"

"I am not talking about this."

I tried to block her out, but she bounced back into my face. I felt cornered.

"If you share some of your past, I'll do whatever you want. I mean it," she said.

"I feel as though you will do whatever I want anyway."

"That is probably not true. I'm opened minded, but I do have a few staunch values. Is it so bad to tell me?"

"Is it so important for you to know?"

"No."

Star bit her lip. She cried a little. Homesick? Or was it me? Both? Or guilt?"

"Did you cause me to have that dream?" I asked

"I didn't do anything to your dreams," she replied. "Honest."

"Hm."

I have been on a roll with trusting her. There was no reason for me not to do it now.

I divulged to her my dream.

"I bet Linette is the human who became your best friend. You trained at night, and one night, you transformed into Umbreon. I like the name Pangari, by the way. I want to call you that, if it's okay," Star said the moment I paused my retelling.

I was now somewhat regretting my decision to confide to her this nightmare.

"It's not okay, because my name is not Pangari. But you are correct in saying that Linette is the human who became my friend," I retorted. "Was my friend. No anymore, and never again."

"Whatever happened to you and Linette?"

"We grew up."

"Will you talk about it?"

"Yes, I will."

XO

+ Thank you to those who are reading and reviewing:)

+ Those lyrics are from the song 'She Used to Be Mine' by Sara Bareilles.

+ Next Chapter is journaled contents.

For a list of characters, places, and other quick facts introduced in this chapter, check below the cut.


OCs Introduced:

- Umbreon's father

- Linette

- Linette's parents

- Linette's home

Canonical Characters:

- Crabominable

- Beartic

Original Locations:

- The Winding Frozen River

Canonical Locations:

- N/A

Important Miscellaneous Other:

- The person who helped Umbreon evolve was named Linette.

- Linette named Umbreon 'Pangari'.

- Pangari was once friends with humans now she despises them.

- Pangari suspects that Star may be messing with her dreams, though Star denies it.

Trivia:

- The name Pangari means 'shadow'.