Thanks a lot to everyone who reviewed! Keep showing this love and support guys! Seeing as major of my audience doesn't mind shorter chapters, I have decided something. I'll upload chapters of mixed lengths, no lower than 5k and no more than 20k. How about it? Do let me know!
I know you all must be wondering why Eevee's name is suddenly changed to Mystic, right? I'll tell you after the chapter is over!
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.
Xxx
Evolution!
"Are you okay Braixen?" Cynthia asked her starter. Braixen gave her an assuring look and stood up straighter, nodding at her. "Let's begin then."
Cynthia looked at Electabuzz carefully, trying to figure out any weak points of his she could use. Finding none to her disappointment, she decided to focus on the battle.
"Electabuzz, use Thunder Punch!" Electabuzz rushed forwards, left fist covered in electricity. He swung at Braixen who parried it with Fire Hit. Paul, who had never battled a Braixen before, was surprised.
"Flamethrower!" Braixen stepped back after the next parry and breathed fire on Electabuzz. The Electric Pokémon gritted his teeth at the flames, stumbling back. "Now Flame Charge!"
Braixen took advantage of the cover Flamethrower provided, camouflaging her with flames and blending in. She tackled Electabuzz and hit him hard, dropping him on his butt.
"Shock Wave!" Electabuzz quickly blasted the speedy Braixen with accurate electricity, shocking her and making her stomp. "Now Thunderbolt!"
"Flamethrower!" Braixen inhaled and exhaled fiery flames while Electabuzz discharged strong current. The two met and pushed against the other, cancelling the other out. "Now!"
Braixen pushed forward once again, rushing forward with increased speed towards Electabuzz. "Low Kick!" The Electric Pokémon swung his kick low, not falling for the same trick twice.
Braixen yelped as her feet were kicked out from under her. She fell down face first, the Flame Charge dispersing. Electabuzz snarled and unleashed a point blank Thunderbolt.
"Gr." Cynthia gritted her teeth as her starter withered from the damage. "Fire Hit!" Braixen reached for her stick and grabbed it. Turning around, she slammed it in Electabuzz's face, surprising him and cutting the Thunderbolt off. "Flamethrower!"
"Light Screen." As Braixen proceeded to bath Electabuzz into her unforgiving flames, a green barrier formed between them and lessened the intensity. "Now Thunder Punch."
"Bite!" Electabuzz raised his fist and, ignoring the mild burns forming on him, punched down. Braixen opened her mouth and snapped it around his fist, digging in.
Electabuzz let out a surprised cry as his Thunder Punch faded. Braixen dug in, making sure to render it useless for the rest of the battle.
Paul wasn't letting it happen so easily though.
"Thunderbolt!" Electabuzz crackled with energy and another series of current travelled down his fist, right into Braixen. Braixen felt her jaw go numb and she let go of his fist.
"Flame Burst!" Braixen formed the ball and spat it in Electabuzz's face quickly making him stumble off Braixen. The Fire Fox quickly pressed on with her Fire Hit, whacking the Electric Pokémon.
"Discharge into Thunder Wave." Electabuzz unleashed a non-concentrated blast of electricity, shocking Braixen and forcing her back. Electabuzz sneaked in the paralyzing blast too.
"Protect!" Cynthia hollered just in time. Braixen was unable to block the Discharge but she did manage to evade getting paralyzed due to her barrier. Electabuzz let his Discharge dissipate as Braixen made some distance between them.
Cynthia saw Electabuzz wince as he raised the fist Braixen had bit into. That gave them a slight advantage. Cynthia wasn't sure how exactly Braixen was able to hold off against Electabuzz in Close Combat for so long.
"You're more coordinated with Braixen that with Squirtle." Paul commented. "She's your starter?" Cynthia nodded.
"You haven't seen anything yet Paul!" The blonde challenged. "Am I right Braixen?" Her starter howled in agreement.
"Thunderbolt Electabuzz!" Electabuzz continued the battle.
Xxx
"Time for your first battle Charmander." Ash told his newborn. Charmander gave him an excited nod and rushed in front of him. Ever since he had seen Ash battle with trainers, he wanted to battle too.
Mystic rushed in front of them, wagging her tail excitedly. "I'll be guiding you Charmander. Okay?" The Fire Lizard nodded. "Let's begin! Use Scratch!"
Charmander ran towards Mystic at a slow pace, reaching her after a few moments and swiping. Mystic simply sidestepped, letting him pass her. Charmander stumbled to a stop, glaring at the Evolution Pokémon. "Use Ember!"
Charmander inhaled and set out weak embers out. Mystic didn't dodge them, enduring them. "Now Scratch! Don't stop until you hit her!" Charmander let out a cute battle cry and ran forwards.
Mystic easily dodged all of them, not having to exert much effort unsurprisingly. Ash watched on analytically as Charmander exhausted himself trying to hit Ash's starter.
"Quick Attack Mystic." Mystic rushed forwards in a blur, tackling Charmander before he could react. Charmander hit the ground, struggling to get up.
Mystic pounced on him from behind, pushing him down and placing her weight on him dominantly. Charmander struggled against her but Mystic growled threateningly in his ear, making him freeze.
"Stop." Mystic stepped off the Fire Type, helping him up. Charmander gave his favorite aunt a wary look. "You'll have to train a lot to reach the level it does." Ash showed his newborn a photo of a Charizard.
Charmander stared at it, awestruck. "You have a long way to go before you become this. And if you want to shorten it, then you'll have to train." Ash put the pokedex away and looked at the Fire Type. "Are you going to train Charmander?"
The Fire Type, desire to grow the strongest reignited within him, nodded. Ash smiled and gave him a look over for any bruises or anything. Mystic had held back a lot in the battle but it never hurt to check.
"We'll work on your moves later." Ash told him. "First, you need to increase your endurance. For that…" Ash told Charmander to do a few exercises and let Mystic guide him.
"I'll check on you guys later." Ash told them and walked over to the other pokéball. Ash looked over Lairon who was practicing his moves and let him be.
He then checked up on Bulbasaur and Skylar who were battling. Bulbasaur needed some practice against airborne enemies and Skylar could use battling against someone like Bulbasaur.
Bulbasaur was holding his own pretty well though Skylar's unpredictable strikes were pretty tough to defend against. Ash smiled as memories of Viridian Forest appeared in his mind.
How May helped him develop a style for Skylar and gave him valuable tips he'll use for the rest of his journey. Skylar had benefited a lot from her tips.
Ash let them to their own devices and walked to the last Pokémon of his team, Viper.
Ash had decided not to let the Grass Snake train for a while since she was dealing with her evolutionary problem. "Feeling better?" Ash questioned the Snivy.
She nodded, having recovered a bit from another evolution surge. "Any idea what's causing this?" The Grass Type nodded. "Mind sharing?" She thought about it.
She shook her head after a few moments. Ash nodded. "No problem girl." Ash got up. "If you need me, I'm here. Kay?" Viper nodded. Ash left the Grass Type to her own then.
The Snivy didn't tell because she herself wasn't completely sure on the reason. If she was, she would've already told Ash. Viper, having nothing else to do, thought about the exact reason.
There were a lot of reasons she wanted to evolve. She would be a Servine, a stronger and faster version of herself. It would also help cover the gap between her and her teammates.
The only reason she knew that was against evolving was the fact that it would change her. That reason had been sorted out already. Viper sighed and lay back, wondering just what is the reason.
She closed her eyes, remembering the memories that flashed in front of her eyes. Grudges, promises, remarks, and threats from her troubled past.
Viper wondered why they were resurfacing now. She thought that she was past all that. Besides, Viper would fulfill all of them when the time came. She wasn't letting it go so easily.
Her eyes opened sharply.
She may have just discovered the reason.
Xxx
"Braixen!" Cynthia exclaimed in horror as her Starter was overwhelmed from Electabuzz's rapid strikes. Braixen fell to one knee, trying her best to endure the seemingly never ending Thunderbolt.
The battle was going great until Paul found an opening. Electabuzz had forced Braixen on the defense since then and even managed to breach it.
"End this with Thunder Punch!" Braixen stared as Electabuzz closed the distance between them, fist enveloped in electricity.
"Protect!" Braixen formed the barrier, letting the Thunder Punch bounce back. It also cut off the Thunderbolt, giving Braixen an opening. She utilized on it, using Flamethrower and burning him.
"Light Screen!" A light yellow barrier formed around Electabuzz, blunting the flames. Braixen got up on both knees, rushing forward with Fire Hit. "Grab it!"
As Braixen swung her stick at the Electric Pokémon, he parried it with Thunder Punch and grabbed it with his other hand. Braixen gasped as Electabuzz tried to pull it out of her hand, grinning nastily.
Cynthia's starter increased the flames on the other end making Electabuzz gasp. The flames gave him a nasty burn, and Braixen pushed her stick into his stomach.
Electabuzz let go of it with a gasp, and Braixen pushed in. "Discharge Electabuzz!" Electabuzz let go of another discharge around her, shocking Braixen as she kept on stacking hits against Electabuzz.
Electabuzz wrapped his arms around Braixen as she tried to jump back. Electabuzz gave a nasty grin and turned the Discharge into a Thunderbolt.
"Bite!" Cynthia's starter opened her maw and bit down on Electabuzz's shoulder. Electabuzz winced but didn't loosen his grip, turning the battle into one of endurance.
"Finish it Electabuzz!" Paul commanded. Cynthia still had one last card up her sleeve.
"Hypnosis!" Paul's look morphed into one of alarm quickly as he realized Cynthia's command. It was too late though, as Braixen had locked eyes with Electabuzz and already lulled it into sleep.
Electabuzz was a tough Pokémon to force into unconscious, Braixen realized. Hypnosis won, however, given his tiredness and the prospect of sleep being very tempting.
The Thunderbolt ended and Electabuzz's grip loosened. Braixen pushed against him, breaking free and stumbling back. Braixen fell hard on her rear, gasping in pain.
Electabuzz fell on his back, snoring lightly. "End this with Solar Beam Braixen!" Braixen got up on shaky feet, calling on all of her energy for one last attack.
The sun's bright light was used by Braixen as she charged her strongest attack. Her opponent, Paul's Electabuzz, snored away, not knowing the danger he was in.
"Faster Braixen!" Cynthia urged as Electabuzz stirred. Paul stared on with a frown, looking at Braixen who was struggling to even stand. "You can do it!"
"Electabuzz! Up!" Paul called as his Electric Type stirred. Any slumber was shaken off him at Paul's command and he began to get up. Cynthia's eyes widened in alarm.
"Now!" Braixen finished preparing her final strike and unleashed it. She collapsed right afterwards.
Electabuzz blinked as a blinding blast of light surged towards him. Paul's command fell on deaf ears as his second choice was blasted with the full brunt.
"Gr." Paul growled as Solar Beam exploded. Cynthia watched on in satisfaction as the shockwave from it made her bangs fly around wildly. The smoke from the Solar Beam surrounded Electabuzz, making it difficult for anyone to see whether Electabuzz had fainted.
When the smoke finally cleared, Electabuzz was seen unconscious to no one's surprise. "That was expected." Paul grunted, returning him. Cynthia returned her starter as well, looking at it with pride.
"Epic job Braixen." She praised. "Keep up the good work." She pocketed the ball and thought about her next choice. Nidorino, Buizel, and Roselia all three were good choices. Cynthia didn't want to fight with Roselia though. Her synergy with her trainer was still sloppy, similar to Squirtle.
That left Nidorino and Buizel. Since Electabuzz was out, Cynthia wondered if Paul had a Pokémon against Water Types. Same with Nidorino. Since Sandslash was out of the battle, Cynthia doubted Paul would have a Psychic Type or another Ground Type on him.
"Both of our battles and both ended on a tie." Paul commented, playing with his last choice. "You're stronger than you let on, Cynthia." Cynthia bit her lower lip, wondering on how to take that in.
"Ready for our last battle?" The blonde questioned instead. Paul nodded, selecting her last pokéball. She was confident in her choice. "Then let's do it."
"Suit yourself." Paul threw his pokéball and out came his starter, Grotle. Cynthia tensed as her own choice was revealed, Buizel. The Stealth Rocks flew forward, digging themselves into Buizel's side.
Buizel grunted in pain and staggered before straightening himself. He glared at Grotle instead, playing it cool. Cynthia looked at Grotle with uncertainty.
Grotle was Paul's starter, and the blonde had no doubt he'll be the strongest in his team. Buizel was strong too but he had a type disadvantage against him too.
Cynthia was sure Paul had a strategy suiting Grotle's style too. He wasn't the type of trainer who'll foolishly not prepare. Cynthia knew she was losing her nerve against Paul.
Cynthia felt Riolu tug at her pant leg and looked down. 'You can do this Mom!' He encouraged. 'I believe in you!' Cynthia felt all the doubts inside her vanish and raised a shaking hand.
Curling it into a fist, she faced Paul and his starter. "I'm ready!" She declared. "Let's do this Buizel!" Buizel had Ice Type moves at his disposal as well. They'll surely help against Paul.
"Grotle! Use Razor Leaf!" Grotle immediately sent a wave of sharp leaves towards Buizel.
"Sonic Boom!" Buizel flicked his tail towards the leaves, sending a blast of sound energy. The two met and cancelled the other out, the blast of sound rendering the leaves useless. "Now use Rain Dance!"
"Sunny Day Grotle!" Cynthia felt déjà vu as battle for the weather occurred once again. Buizel didn't seem fond of this struggle as well, judging by his look.
The two weathers struggled against each other before cancelling the other out. "Water Gun!" Buizel spat the water towards Grotle who endured it easily.
"Just use Ice Beam Cynthia." Paul smirked. Cynthia gave him a surprised look. "I know about that."
"H-how?" Cynthia questioned.
"I saw you at the Departmental Store in Celadon." He began. "Why wouldn't you get your Water Type an Ice Type TM? Especially when you're about to fight against a Grass Type Specialist."
'There goes my trump card.' Cynthia grumbled. "Buizel! Use Ice Beam!"
"Light Screen Grotle." The pink screen flashed in front of Grotle, blunting the Ice Beam and reducing its damage. Cynthia ordered an Aqua Jet which Buizel summoned quickly.
Paul smirked as Buizel closed the distance between them. "Crunch." Grotle endured the Aqua Jet pretty easily, opening his mouth and lunging forwards.
Buizel, who had just landed after impacting Grotle's hard shell, nearly got bitten by the turtle. He managed to jump back in time and sent a Sonic Boom right at his face. Grotle winced a bit at the attack and Buizel carried on with Aqua Jet.
Paul didn't command anything, letting Grotle take it. As expected, it didn't hurt much at all. In fact, Grotle didn't even act like it bothered him.
Cynthia sharply inhaled. Grotle had very high physical defenses and Light Screen didn't help either. It augmented his special defenses too. She'll have to think something quickly or it'll end up like Buizel's fight with Gloom.
"Razor Leaf!" Grotle shook his bushes and sharp leaves came out, flying towards the Aqua Jet covered Buizel. Buizel zoomed around, dodging the leaves.
"Ice Beam!" Buizel realized he had perfect aim and fired off the arcing beam. It didn't hit Grotle on his face though. Instead, he aimed for the bushes on his shell.
Grotle winced as the cold beam hit his back. Buizel dropped from the sky downwards, using Aqua Jet to increase the momentum. "Protect!" Cynthia gasped at the similar strategy.
"Watch out!" It was too late, however, and Buizel hit the hard shield hard. Buizel dropped down, stunned, and Grotle ran forwards, mouth wide open.
"Crunch!" Cynthia cursed as she felt victim to the same strategy again.
"Sonic Boom!" Buizel flicked his tail towards Grotle, expecting it to stun him. It didn't. Grotle rushed through, his defenses and Light Screen helping him, and he jumped.
Grotle opened his mouth, preparing to bite the Water Type. Buizel gasped as Grotle bit his torso, slamming him down. Cynthia realized that she may have just lost the battle.
"Giga Drain." Buizel let out a strangled gasp as his energy was sucked out of his body.
"Scald!" Buizel inhaled and spat steaming warm water into Grotle's face. The Grove Pokémon stumbled back, feeling his eyes screaming at the impact with the warm water. "Now Ice Beam!"
"Slam him down!" Grotle, who still had a painful grip on Buizel's body, raised him and slammed the Water Weasel down, stunning him. "Now Giga Drain!"
Grotle raised a leg and slammed it on Buizel's stomach. Buizel gasped at the feeling and felt hurt when his energy began to get sucked out. Cynthia chewed on her lower lip nervously at the sudden turnover.
"Sunny Beam!" Cynthia realized the move and she knew that if it was triggered, Buizel would surely lose the match.
"Ice Punch!" As the sun shined intensely above them, Buizel clenched his fists and slammed them into Grotle's leg. He managed to push the leg off him and inhaled deeply.
"Aqua Jet! Get away!" Cynthia hollered. Buizel enveloped himself in water and decided to speed away. As he getting ready to run, however, Grotle opened his mouth and fired off a powerful Solar Beam. "Protect!"
There was a tremendous explosion, blowing their hair around wildly. Cynthia saw Buizel escape the smoke with Aqua Jet and smiled. "Ice Beam!"
Buizel, who knew Grotle's location, fired off the Ice Type move. It struck since Grotle was nicely sized and it was hard to miss for Buizel. Cynthia looked at Paul who seemed confident.
His reason showed when Grotle was seen mostly unharmed. Cynthia's jaw dropped at that. He had taken a Solar Beam to his face, suffered from an Ice Beam, and still wasn't fazed?! Even Light Screen couldn't save someone that much.
"Fire." She spotted his Solar Beam far too late. Grotle fired off the beam towards Buizel with perfect aim, catching him in his path. Both trainer and Pokémon, stunned from Grotle's condition, were unable to react in time.
Buizel let out a defeated cry as he dropped from the sky, landing in front of Cynthia harshly. "Good job Grotle." Cynthia stared at the fainted Water Type, in a state of mild shock.
Riolu managed to shake her out of it and gestured to Buizel. 'Did we just lose Mom?' The blonde nodded, not wanting to believe it herself. She lost, again.
Cynthia returned her defeated Pokémon with a bitter smile. She pocketed the pokéball with shaky hands and took a deep breathe. Paul returned his Grotle and walked towards her.
'You did your best Mom.' Riolu encouraged. 'Next time, I'll battle! And we'll win then for sure!' Cynthia cracked a small smile and picked him up in her arms, tugging his cheek slightly.
"You did well Carolina." Paul commented, extending a hand. "Not many trainers can tie with Electabuzz. Nice battle." Cynthia shook it, giving him a small grin.
"You're really strong, just like I expected." Cynthia remarked. "I knew it would be a tough battle from the start." Paul raised an eyebrow at the praise.
"It was pretty close too, don't get demotivated." He said. "You need to work on your Squirtle though. The synergy between you two is really low."
"Yeah," Cynthia admitted. "I have a couple Pokémon like that." Paul narrowed his eyes.
"And you still haven't solved it?" He asked.
"Well, no." Cynthia flushed in embarrassment. Paul sighed at that.
"If you want to win against the Fuchsia Gym Leader, then you need to up your game." He said. "These excuses won't help in the long run. Train your Pokémon." He turned on his heel.
"Thanks for the advice." Cynthia called out. Paul held up a hand and walked away. Cynthia sighed and decided to treat her Pokémon first. "He's right, you know." She told Riolu.
"I'm not training that much nowadays." She said. "That's why everyone is getting ahead of me." Her look changed into a determined one. "That changes from today."
"We're going to train hard and we'll be the best!" She turned to Riolu. "What do you say Riolu?" Riolu cheered with her.
'We'll be the best Mom!' Cynthia smiled.
The battle with Paul may have resulted in her loss but it lit something inside her. The desire to be the best was lit inside Cynthia.
And the blonde would make sure to use it to the fullest.
Xxx
"Enjoying girl?" Ash questioned his starter. Mystic let out a relaxed sigh as Ash softly ran a brush through her fur. "Rest easy. You deserve it." Mystic had fought to her limits against a strong trainer today.
Bulbasaur managed to tire his first choice out before fainting and Skylar defeated it before succumbing to his second choice. Ash had sent out Mystic who had pushed herself to her limits to defeat the remaining two Pokémon.
Ash tried battling with Lairon too but there styles had really differed. Lairon's style was a bit foreign to Ash and thus, it was taking some time to properly adjust. He'll come around sooner or later, Ash was sure of it.
"What do you think is Viper's problem?" Ash questioned her out of the blue. "Did you try to ask her?" Mystic nodded and gave a sad yip. "She's not telling you either huh."
Ash spotted his Snivy sitting a little distance away, looking at the night sky. "Wanna try again?" Ash questioned. Mystic gave a tired yip to him. "I'm tired too girl. But we really need to do it sooner or later."
Ash got up, picking Mystic up with him. The two headed over to Viper who gave them a wave in greeting. "How're you feeling girl?" Ash questioned her. Viper replied that she was as fine as Ash was in Rock Tunnel.
Ash grinned at her reply. "Glad to see your humor is back." Ash said, picking her up and adjusting her in his lap. "So, update on your evolutional problem?"
Viper sighed and replied that she may or may not know about the problem. Ash nodded. "Mind sharing your lead now?" Viper shook her head. "Viper," Ash began softly. "Why don't you want to share it with me? I thought you trusted me."
Viper gestured frantically, trying to say that it wasn't about trust or anything. She sighed and idly played with a pebble. Mystic yipped and said that if it was about her being present, she could go away.
The Eevee got up, deciding to leave. Viper stopped her from leaving though. "Viper, if you feel or think that we'll judge you differently for telling us the reason, we won't." Ash tried.
Viper didn't respond this time, looking away from them. "You know," Ash continued. "If you keep something troubling inside you and don't share it, it'll eat you from the inside out."
Viper gave him a look. "I'm speaking from experience Viper." Ash told her. "You may or may not know it, but I have gone through it too." He sighed and looked at Mystic who gave him a yip. "I never told you about how I met Mystic, right?"
Viper shook her head. She had guessed Mystic was his starter and the two had met from there. "Well, I and Cynthia were exploring the woods near Professor Oak's lab," Ash began. "We were very young then, mind that, and then…"
Flashback…
Two kids, one with messy black hair and tan skin and the other with blonde hair combined with pale skin were exploring the woods around Professor Oak's lab.
"I don't think we should be here." Cynthia told Ash meekly. Ash gave her an assuring look.
"Why are you worrying Cynthia?" Ash asked her. "Nothing's going to attack us." Ash said, putting his hands behind his head carelessly.
"It never hurts to be safe." Cynthia replied back in a small voice. She kept looking around; as if afraid something would pounce on them.
"Now you're making me worry too." Ash retorted, rolling his eyes. "Chill girl, chill. Are you like this from the start?" Cynthia didn't reply to that. "Cynthia?" Ash turned to her. "Reply please."
"I'm in an unknown area, with someone I barely know, exploring this without telling my mom, and you're asking for a reply?" Cynthia asked him in surprise.
"So you do have a voice." Ash teased. Cynthia puffed her cheeks cutely.
"Now you're starting to sound like Gary." Cynthia complained. Cynthia furrowed her brows suddenly. "Do you hear that?" The blonde questioned.
Ash concentrated and heard a faint crying voice. "That sounds like a Pokémon." Ash told Cynthia. "Come on!" Ash ran towards the source.
"Wait!" Cynthia hollered, running after her. "We shouldn't just run without help!" Ash didn't listen to her though, making her run up to him instead.
"Here!" Ash said, crouching next to a brown fox like Pokémon. It was quivering and faintly crying. "Hey there," Ash began softly. Cynthia reached Ash and peeked over his shoulder to see who he was talking to.
"Is that an Eevee?" Cynthia questioned Ash. Ash shrugged, picking up the brown fox.
"She's hurt." Ash told the blonde. "We need to get her to Professor Oak." The blonde nodded.
"I'm afraid that's not going to work." The two trainers turned around and saw a tall guy looking at them. Eevee whimpered and tried to hide from him. "She belongs to me. Give her to me and go mess around somewhere else kids."
"How about no?" Ash replied.
"Then my Crobat will slowly kill you with poison." Ash spotted the Flying/Poison Type perched on his shoulder. "Any other question?" Seeing none forthcoming, he outstretched a hand. "Hand over the Eevee."
"No!" Ash hollered loudly. "I'll never give her to you. She doesn't want to be with you!"
"No one's asking you!" The man shouted, curling his hand into a wrist and trying to snatch the Evolution Pokémon from Ash. Ash ducked under it, throwing it to Cynthia.
"Catch!" Cynthia gave a start and quickly grabbed the Eevee. She looked at Ash who gestured her to run.
"I don't know the way back!" Cynthia protested. The man grinned and walked over to her.
"Run anyway! I'll find you later!" Ash told her. Cynthia was too late, however, and the man swiped for Eevee. Cynthia let out a yelp and back stepped, turning around and trying to run.
The man's Crobat took off, appearing in front of her face and shrieking. Cynthia let out a surprised cry and fell down on her butt. The man grinned and lunged forwards.
Ash tackled him to the side making him fall down and grabbed Cynthia by the wrist. "Let's go!" He said, pulling her up. Cynthia's silver eyes widened.
"Behind you!" The man's Crobat bit into his shoulder suddenly, his sharp fangs tearing through the shirt. Ash's gasped in pain, eyes rolling to the top of his head. "Ash!" Cynthia screamed.
Ash weakly tried to fend off the Crobat and shuddered. Falling to his knees, Ash succumbed to the Giga Drain and collapsed in front of Cynthia.
"Mind handing over Eevee now?" The man asked. "Over smart brat. Sorry for your loss." He didn't seem really apologetic. Cynthia shook the limp body of Ash repeatedly, trying to wake him up.
Eevee yipped in sadness, pawing at Ash's face. "Come over here now." The man said to the Evolution Pokémon.
"She does not belong to you!" Cynthia hollered, anger clearly showing. "Nor does she want to be with you! Why can't you just leave her alone?" The man growled in frustration and grabbed her by the hair roughly.
"Looks like you want to join your friend too." He warned. "This'll do." He pulled out a pistol and placed it on her temple. "Pop goes the blondie." Cynthia flinched, closing her eyes as tears threatened to rush out.
"Ow!" Cynthia felt the cool barrel of his gun be removed from her temple and opened her eyes. Eevee was in front of her, growling threateningly.
"Crobat! Finish them!" The man barked. The Crobat lunged at them. Cynthia picked the wounded Evolution Pokémon and covered her with her body, clutching her tightly.
She felt Crobat's steeled wing tear into her back and gasped. Cynthia closed her eyes, darkness enshrouding her vision.
Flashback Pause…
"My and Cynthia had our fair share of dangerous scenarios."Ash told them fondly. "Back then, we didn't quite understand the seriousness of someone dying." Ash told them. "We were little, we still are. All of us almost died during that."
Viper commented that Ash and Cynthia ran into trouble ever so often. Ash chucked at that. "Get used to that. We get hurt even when we're not together." Viper remembered Rhydon and nodded.
"Getting back to the story…"
Flashback Continues…
"Huh?" Ash let out a gasp as he took in the surroundings. "Where am I?" He noticed someone at his left and noticed it was his Mom. "Mom?" Ash spoke up, voice rough. He shook his mother and she stirred from slumber immediately.
"Ash?" She exclaimed. "Ash!" His mother hugged him tightly upon waking. "I was so worried about you!" She said, kissing his forehead.
"I'm fine Mom." Ash told her. "Where is Cynthia? And what about Eevee?" Ash questioned, looking around.
"They're fine." Delia replied. "Both of them are really worried about you." She gave him a serious look. "What happened in the forest Ashy? Tell me."
"Well…" Ash remembered the entire event and suddenly realized how foolish he was. He could've handled it so much better. "Can I tell you later? I seriously don't want to right now."
"Sure. There's someone else who wants to meet you." Delia got up. "Cynthia dear." Ash gave a relieved look as his blonde friend entered in the room.
"Thanks for calling me Ma'am." Cynthia thanked her.
"Call me Delia dear." She left, leaving the two alone. Cynthia sat down on the chair previously occupied by Delia, giving Ash a concerned look. Ash gave her a guilty look.
"How're you?" He questioned.
"Alive, thankfully." The sarcasm in her voice was real. Ash sighed sadly. "Look, it's both of our-"
"How's Eevee?" Ash interrupted.
"Why don't you ask her?" There was an excited yip and Eevee ran up to them. She yipped and jumped on the bed, nuzzling Ash.
"Hey girl." Ash greeted. "How are you feeling now?"
Flashback Pause…
"That's how we met." Ash told the Grass Snake. Viper nodded, realizing the story. "You must be thinking on how this relates to your current problem, right?"
"Well, we decided not to tell our parents the truth." Viper blinked. They decided what? "My Mom is understanding and wouldn't have acted that harshly. But Cynthia's Mom…" Ash shuddered. "She gets really angry sometimes. Cynthia didn't want to tell her Mom and that meant I wouldn't tell them either."
"And that's when you come in Viper." Ash continued. "It was a very traumatic experience and it obviously took us a while to recover. The most stressful part was not being able to tell Mom."
"I wasn't that much affected by the event as compared to Cynthia. She was a mess." Ash told them. "I tried to persuade her to spill the beans and tell it to our parents but she was scared of it. She was afraid that her Mom would scold her or cut our friendship forever."
"I kept getting nightmares; both of us did in fact. One night, I finally decided to tell my Mom about it." Viper kept hearing, curious about Ash's past. "It was middle of the night when…"
Flashback Continues…
"Eevee?" Ash said, looking around. "Cynthia? Guys!" He heard a yip of pain and saw the poacher carry Eevee away. "Wait! Don't!"
Ash woke up with a start. Looking around, Ash suddenly felt scared of the dark. Eevee was at his side, waking from her slumber and yipping questioningly.
"It was a nightmare." Ash panted. He scooped Eevee up and hugged her tightly. "Thank God." Ash looked at Eevee who licked his face comfortingly. "I cannot hold it in any longer Eevee. I need to tell Mom about this."
"Tomorrow I'll tell her."
Flashback Pause…
"And I did." Ash grinned. "She was cross, I could tell that much from her look, but she didn't scold me like I expected. She knew my love for Pokémon would override any common sense anyway."
Viper said that Ash did get into a lot of trouble just to save some Pokémon. He took her even though she was known to hate males with a passion, he intervened in the Hidden Village attack just to save the inhabitants of it and their own teams, and he captured Lairon to protect any crippling damage from Rhydon even though he could've escaped when they were fighting.
Mystic yipped, saying that she'll get used to it after some time. Viper idly commented that she already was. The Grass Snake said that Mystic and Ash went way back. It was a big surprise Mystic didn't evolve into one of the forms that depended on friendship.
Mystic winked mysteriously making her narrow her eyes. She signaled that she'll tell her later. Viper bought that. She then gestured Ash to continue his story.
"I'll continue." Ash yawned before resuming. "It helped a lot when I told her the truth. She asked why I didn't tell the real version of the incident before and I replied honestly."
Viper blinked, questioning that did Ash really throw Cynthia under the bus that quickly? "I had enough of lying to her Viper." Ash defended. "She promised not to say anything to Sophie and asked me to persuade Cynthia to say the truth."
"Eventually, Cynthia caved in when I promised her that my Mom would help lessen any punishment that she gave her but that's beside the point." Ash stopped. "You see-"
Viper interrupted and gestured him to continue. She was enjoying the story. "Okay." Ash said slowly. "Cynthia decided to tell Sophie the truth. She was really mad, let me tell you," Ash's look said it all. "But her concern for her daughter won and she decided not to give any punishment."
"Cynthia thanked me a few days later and said that it helped her a lot. There comes the moral of this story." Ash ran his fingers in Mystic's fur. "You'll recover a lot faster if you tell someone the cause of your problem. We suffered uselessly for not telling the truth. If we had spoken the truth from the start, it would've been much better."
Viper nodded, deep in thought. "So my dear Grass Snake," Ash chuckled. "Want to tell all that now?" Viper nodded and began to gesture and speak.
The language barrier irritated Ash a lot. He was able to get the gist of most of the stuff his Pokémon spoke but sometimes it wasn't enough. The rookie wondered if there was a device or something that'll translate it.
Psychic Pokémon were rare to find and even rarer to capture one. He really wished there was a medium between them.
After a while, Ash managed to translate and understand Viper's point. "I understand now." Ash nodded. "So basically, you're saying that all the threats, promises, and vows you have made to get back at those who had made your life hell are blocking you from evolving?"
Viper nodded, saying that he got the gist of it. "But you don't know why they're blocking?" Viper looked away at that. "Viper, you have told me this much. Why not the complete truth too?"
Viper sighed and said that she was feeling ashamed. Eevee blinked. Where did that come from? Viper said that she felt that all the promises, vows, and threats she had made were empty and she just acted cool but wasn't even a fraction of what she pretended to be.
"Viper," Ash said, pulling her close to his chest. "Why are you thinking like this?" Ash questioned. "It's a long chance that we'll meet them anyway and if we do, you can always extract your revenge."
Viper said that she wanted to take the revenge in her current form, not as a Servine. She'll change when she'll evolve and Viper didn't want to rely on evolution to stand up for herself.
Viper stated that she kept losing one battle after another. First against Cynthia's Buizel, then against Bulbasaur, the poacher's Luxray, Paul's Electabuzz, and Ash's now captured Rhydon and Lairon too. She barely won a battle!
"You know that most of these losses were not your fault." Ash pointed out. "You weren't at tip top condition against Cynthia's Buizel and Bulbasaur. Same with Luxray but you almost defeated him despite the power gap between you."
"Paul's Electabuzz could be one of the genuine losses you have suffered but then again, Mystic also lost against his Turtwig." Ash carried on. "You stood up against Rhydon for us, against a Pokémon that took out Oceanus like he was nothing, and Oceanus had a Double Type Advantage against him, mind that. We both know that Lairon is stronger than most of our teammates too Viper."
Viper cut in, saying that all of those were excuses. She added that she had support from her team against Luxray and Rhydon yet they all lost. "Yet you did most of the heavy lifting." Viper paused. "Reimagine the battle Viper. Do you really think we would've lasted that much against them had you not struggled?"
Viper thought about the fights and paused. She did harm Rhydon and Luxray the most, especially the latter. "You're selling yourself too short Viper. You may have lost most of the battles but you helped us win the war in the majority of cases."
"What you are in the past doesn't matter Viper. What you are right now is what does. These achievements all are in the past girl." Mystic looked at Ash with an adoring smile. "We train every day to be better than what we are yesterday. You cannot let someone render your struggles fruitless Viper."
"Whenever one of my Pokémon evolves, I feel like we have earned the evolution. You should too." Ash grinned as a memory appeared in front of his eyes. "Zeus evolved from a Pichu into a Pikachu midnight. I didn't grumble or anything when that happened but instead, felt really happy." Viper felt something stir inside her and it wasn't uncomfortable this time too.
"You don't have to evolve if you don't want to Viper." Ash carried on softly. "I'll never force you to do something you don't want to do girl. Remember that." Ash couldn't maintain a serious face and cracked into laughter. "If Cynthia was here, she'll say that I'm beginning to sound like my dad or something."
Viper let out a soft cry abruptly making Ash focus on her. A soft white glow surrounded her and she looked at Ash with uncertainty. "Viper, listen. I have an idea."
"When you're evolving, think about us. Think of all the positive moments. Think of what I have told you right now. Don't let the old memories block you." Ash said, picking her from his lap and setting her on the ground so she could have some space.
Viper outstretched a hand to Ash. Ash grabbed it gently making her smile. The soft glow intensified, swallowing her entire body. Mystic looked on in wonder as Viper's body began to change.
The Snivy grew taller in front of their eyes. Ash smiled as Viper began to successfully trigger her evolution. Everything was going fine now-
Viper gasped, clutching Ash's hand tightly. "Viper?" Ash exclaimed in alarm as the glow around her began to pulse and randomly increase and decrease.
Mystic yipped in alarm, getting up from Ash's lap and walking over to the Grass Type. Unknown to them, Viper had clenched her eyes shut tight.
She struggled against the evolution, having lost control over it. Viper tried to force it to work correctly and flow naturally but it resisted. She didn't understand why.
She could vaguely hear Ash telling her to loosen up but her mind was in too much of a whirlwind to work correctly. She felt the evolutional energy pulse and cringed.
Viper felt someone touch her and nuzzle her. Viper opened her eyes and leaned into the touch, hearing the creature beside her say something she didn't quite understand, but her body did.
Her body relaxed and the energy stopped resisting against her. Viper felt her body go at ease and the evolution continued. Viper grew taller, her tail elongated alongside a lot of other changes.
The glow pulsed one last time before fading. Viper saw Mystic close to her and heard her yip in excitement. "You finally evolved Viper." Ash exhaled.
The Servine looked over herself, finally realizing that she had indeed evolved. She looked with a new perspective, with new eyes. Viper found that she was able to think much more clearly than as a Snivy.
She didn't know how much her battle capabilities had increased, but it was clear they had increased. Viper felt the adrenaline from evolving decrease a bit, getting taken over by exhaustion.
Viper held her hands up and looked at them. She had changed, that much was evident. But Viper found that it didn't bother her anymore. Nor did the memories she despised so much previously. They just didn't hold any importance anymore.
"Done ogling yourself?" Ash teased. Viper looked up from her hands at Ash and leapt at him. Ash let out a startled yelp but managed to catch her. Mystic felt a vague déjà vu at the scenario.
Viper nuzzled him happily making Ash chuckle. "Someone's excited." Viper tested her body and grinned excitedly. "Let's scan you first."
"Servine, the Grass Snake Pokémon, and the evolved form of Snivy. Servine whips its opponents with vines, and dodges their attacks by hiding in the shadows of thick foliage. This Servine is Female and has the ability Overgrow. She knows the following moves: Vine Whip, Leaf Storm, Slam, Swords Dance, Leaf Blade, Mega Drain, Leaf Tornado, Grassy Terrain, and Synthesis."
"Looks like evolution gave you some side benefits too Viper." Ash commented. "We'll test your new move tomorrow morning, kay?" Viper nodded, understanding his exhaustion.
Ash yawned, feeling tiredness from the day catching up. "Well, I'm hitting the hay now Viper." Ash told them, getting up. Riolu was off with Skylar. "I'm going to go checkup on the others and get Riolu too. See you guys later."
Ash left, leaving the duo alone. Mystic yawned and curled up on her spot. The Servine's gaze lingered on the Evolution Pokémon for a few moments making the Eevee question what she wanted to say.
Viper asked on when she'll evolve to which Mystic shrugged. Viper remembered her wink before and shrugged. Mystic will tell them when she'll want to evolve.
Viper questioned Mystic whether she knew how far was Lavender Town to which Mystic replied that they'll reach there within two weeks. Viper nodded.
The Servine thanked Mystic for her support to which Mystic grinned and curled up besides her, feeling a bit tired herself too.
Viper smiled as her eyes shut down, welcoming the comforting darkness that covered her vision. Today, she had taken a huge step in her life.
She had let go of her past, something the Grass Snake didn't believe to be possible before.
For the first time in her life, Viper felt genuinely happy.
And she had earned it too.
Xxx
The reason I did it? When I named her Karma, it was a spur of the moment. It doesn't suit her personality guys, I think. That's why I have renamed her Mystic. Hope you guys don't mind! Thanks.
Response to Reviews:
Ultron0901: I cannot tell you any of the things you have asked since they would be spoilers. There won't be a poll for Ash's Eevee sorry. I've already decided it. And glad to know you like longer chapters!
Cobb: Off course they will. Cynthia had entire chapters to herself a few times and so did Ash, am I right? I'm trying my best to manage between two protagonists so hope I'm handling it pretty well.
Mr. Dato: Glad to know!
Issei182: Thank you for the opinion.
Andrew: True bro! Thanks for the open minded suggestion!
UltimateCCC: This does bring a smile to my face.