Chapter 4: An Evolution Transformation
Mandy's POV

We rested at Al's cottage for awhile after the little discovery and got to see Al's power first-hand when food was scarce. All he did was touch an apple tree, and it bore ripe apples instantaneously. We stocked up and gave the rest to the Pokémon.

Sandra, or Sandy as she liked us to call her, could read minds. She saw our fears and dreams, told us never to give up, and that our fears would be overcome by courage. However, her words didn't encourage me much. I was still shocked by the fact that Teresa and I are cousins.

After we rested for about a week, we were ready to continue. While Teresa went to get her Pokémon, I stood at the door. I was thinking about what Sandy had said and I wasn't sure whether I could overcome my fears. A hand touched my shoulder and I looked to my left, and saw Sandy standing next to me.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

"Yeah. I'm fine," I replied. "Sandy, uh..."

"What did your mother look like, you ask?" She had read my mind again.

"Yeah. During her Pokémon journey."

"She was like you."

"Huh?"

"Kind-hearted and brave," she continued. "She challenged any trainer that stood in her way and cared for her Pokémon more than ever."

I was speechless. Sandy smiled at me.

"Your mother was the kind of person who followed her own path through life, never letting another decide the course she should take for her."

"Really?" I asked.

"Yes. When she was your age, our mother wouldn't let her become a Pokémon Trainer. She thought that she might get hurt. However your mother ran away to fulfill her dream."

"She ran away?" I echoed.

"Yes. She was quite stubborn at that time. Mandy, let me give you a word of advice. Don't let your fears get to you. You have one thing that is everlasting. Your friendship with your Pokémon and friends."

I was speechless when she said such kind words to me. Eevee jumped onto my shoulder and smiled at me. I smiled too, feeling more confident about myself.

"Thanks, Sandy," I said.

Teresa came back, and we left. Al came with us on his mother's command (Teresa chased me for saying that he only came for her), and our duo upgraded to a trio. We walked along until we came to a fork in the path.

"Both of these paths go to the same place," Al informed us. "They rejoin each other in about a two-day walk."

"Is one of them more dangerous than the other?" Teresa asked.

"No. They're both safe, if you have Pokémon with you," he replied. "It's a golden opportunity to catch some bugs."

I looked at Teresa.

"I think we should split up to catch more Pokémon," I suggested. "Both of our Pokémon will become much stronger that way. They'll be battling, and neither of us will dominate on the battlefield. Plus, there are Pokémon we haven't caught yet."

Before Teresa could say no, Al spoke, cutting her off.

"Good idea. I'll go with Teresa so that if her Pokémon get injured, | |I can care for them. You can heal your Pokémon on you own if they get injured."

"Right. I'll see you in two days!" I called. I took the left path, while Al and Teresa took the right.

"Eev vee ee?" Eevee squeaked, a bit worried about this.

"Don't worry," I said. "It's also a good opportunity for them to get to know each other, and maybe even fall in love."

"DON'T HAVE A SICK MIND, Mandy!!!" Teresa yelled from the other road. I guess she had heard me.

"Maybe I shouldn't have thought of that," I said, sweatdropping. "Well, Eevee, let's go!"

We walked on and saw Teresa and Al disappear into the forest. As we walked along the path, we came across a Spearow, pecking at the ground, looking for bugs.

"A Spearow!" I exclaimed softly. I quickly took out my PokéDex and opened it. It entered the data of the Bird Pokémon.

"Spearow, the Tiny Bird Pokémon. This Pokémon eats bugs in grassy areas. Spearow has to flap its short wings at high speed to stay airborne. It has an extremely bad temperament and must be treated with caution. Spearow evolves into the Beak Pokémon, Fearow."

"Hmm... Looks like it's gonna be tough, but... Eevee, ready?" I asked.

"Eev!" he replied.

"Okay, Eevee! Sand Attack!"

Eevee kicked a wave of sand at the Spearow with his hind legs. Before the Spearow could do anything, the wave of sand blurred its vision.

"Now, Tackle attack!" I ordered. Eevee charged at the Spearow and tackled it. The Spearow quickly flew to the sky as its vision got better. It zoomed towards Eevee, ready to use Peck.

"Eevee, dodge it!" I yelled.

Eevee quickly dodged the attack as the Spearow fly to the ground. It missed Eevee and furiously tried to get its beak out of the ground with no luck. I took out a PokéBall and threw it at the Spearow and it was instantly drawn inside. The light glowed as the ball shook. I waited patiently until the light died.

"Yes! We caught a Spearow!" I cheered.

"Eevee!" Eevee shouted with glee.

"Let's catch some more Pokémon, Eevee!" I said.

We continued searching for any Pokémon nearby. I suddenly thought of something.

'I wonder how Teresa is doing. I bet she's caught a lot of Pokémon by now,' I thought as we searched through the forest.

~*~*~*~*~

After hours of catching Pokémon and training, I looked at my catch. So far, I had caught a Rattata and a Caterpie, along with my Spearow. That brought my total of Pokémon up to five. We did have a hard time avoiding a swarm of Beedrill after a Weedle ran away from us and called for help.

"Sheesh!" I exclaimed. "I never thought that catching Pokémon could be this tough! At least we didn't get stung, right?"

My Pokémon looked at me, uncertain about something.

"Oh, I didn't forget. I'll give you names now. Let's see." I said slowly. I looked at my Spearow and thought of a name.

"I know!" I exclaimed. "Fearless is your name. You look like the type who is never afraid."

Fearless puffed out his chest boldly and with pride, pretending to be strong, which made me giggle. I turned to my Rattata and picked her up.

"Let's see. Hmm. How about Tara?" I asked. Tara nodded gladly at her new name. I put her on my lap and turned to my Caterpie.

"And now yours." Caterpie looked at me with his big eyes.

"How about... Felix?"

The Pokémon all face-faulted at that name. Well, I do admit, wouldn't Felix the Cat-erpie sound weird?

"Okay, okay!" I exclaimed. "How about Freedom?"

Freedom nodded his head in agreement.

"Now that that's settled, we'd better head -," I began, but then something that was moving in the tall grass caught my eyes. A lightning shaped tail poked out of the grass. I gasped.

"It's a Pikachu!" I squealed. "The most popular Pokémon! And the cutest too!"

This was my chance to capture a Pikachu. I quickly took out my PokéDex and entered the data.

"Pikachu, the Mouse Pokémon. When several of these Pokémon gather, their electricity could build and cause lightning storms. Pikachu has an electric generator on each cheek. Beware of electrocution! Pikachu evolves into the Mouse Pokémon, Raichu. Pikachu is the evolved form of the Tiny Mouse Pokémon, Pichu."

And there just had to be some sort of caution about Pikachu. I looked back at my Pokémon.

"Hmm... This could be bad. Since Flying-type Pokémon can't handle | |lightning, and Bug-types might get fried... Well, Eevee, it's your turn. Can you handle this?" I wondered.

"Vee!" he replied and jumped in front of me.

"Alright," I said. The Pikachu, who was eating, dropped his food and prepared for battle. It bared its teeth, trying to intimidate us.

"Eevee, Tackle it!" I shouted. Eevee quickly charged at the Pikachu, but the Pikachu charged up with electricity and shot a Thundershock at him.

"Eevee, watch out!" I cried. Before the lightning hit him, Eevee jumped, avoiding the attack, and tackled the Pikachu.

"Alright! Now, Quick Attack!" I ordered. Eevee dashed towards Pikachu, hitting the Mouse Pokémon, and causing it to lose consciousness. I grabbed a PokéBall and threw it at Pikachu. It drew the Pokémon in and the ball shook furiously. After a few minutes, it stopped and the light disappeared.

"Alright! We caught a Pikachu!" I cheered. I picked up the PokéBall| |and released the little critter. Pikachu didn't look too happy of | |being caught.

"Well, hi," I said. "I'm Mandy. This is Eevee. Sorry we had to | |hurt you."

I reached out to pat him. I didn't realize he was starting to charge up.

"I think I'll call you -," I began, but Pikachu suddenly sent a Thundershock at me, and it was a big one.

"YAAAHHHHH!!!" I screamed as sparks fired everywhere. As the shocking current died, I lay on the grass, twitching with pain while stars flew around my eyes. Twice I've been shocked, and it HURT!

"N- now I know h- how other t- trainers feel..." I whined. I tried to get up despite the twitching pain in my bones. Pikachu jumped away and glared at me.

"Hey, come on. Can't we be friends?" I asked. Pikachu still looked away.

"I guess not," I sighed. Then I thought of a solution. "Wait!"

I rushed to my bag and pulled out a red apple I was saving for a break.

"If I can't ask for your friendship, then I'll just have to win it. Here." I held the apple out to Pikachu, which seemed to have caught his attention. He sniffed the apple first and backed a step away.

"It's alright. You can have it," I assured him. Cautiously, he took the apple from my hand, looked at me again, and started to eat it.

"There. That wasn't so bad," I said. "Let me think of a name. How about Pika? Sound good?"

Pika continued to eat the apple until he finished eating to the core and threw it aside.

"Well, now that we're friends, lets -," I began, but just as I reached to pat him again, hoping he would be friendly, Pika sent another Thundershock at me. I screamed again. This was not getting anywhere. After the shock, I lay on the ground, covered with soot, and dizzy from the bolt. I held out the PokéBall to call him back.

"R- return!" I called. I returned all of my Pokémon to their PokéBalls, except Eevee, and brushed off the soot. Unexpectedly, a voice shouted from the treetops.

"Sheesh! A girl can't handle a Pikachu. How pathetic," it said.

"Who's there!?" I yelled. Three men stepped before me. A man in a black suit with blazing red hair was in front. A man with watery blue hair, and a third with shocking yellow hair stood behind him. A symbol was imprinted on their shirts. I knew what it represented.

"You're Team Rocket!" I yelled accusingly.

"You got that right!" the yellow-haired man declared.

"So you know us. We're flattered. My name is Wave," the blue-haired man told me.

"Rage, they call me," the red-haired man said.

"Spike's the name and taking Pokémon is our game," said the yellow-haired man.

"Now hand over that Eevee," Rage spat.

"What-!? Why do you want him!?" I demanded.

"Eevee are very rare because of their mutation. He will be very good for our Boss," Wave explained.

"You're not taking Eevee away!" I cried.

"We'll see." Wave pulled out a blue PokéBall.

"Golduck, I choose you!" he yelled as he threw the blue PokéBall. In a flash of white light, a Golduck came out.

"A Golduck..." I breathed, pointing my PokéDex at Golduck.

"Golduck, the Duck Pokémon. This Pokémon is often seen swimming elegantly by lake shores and is often mistaken for the Japanese monster, Kappa. Golduck is the evolved form of the Duck Pokémon, Psyduck."

"Hmm... Somehow, it looks like a Kappa," I remarked. Rage took a red PokéBall from his belt.

"Magmar, I choose you!" he shouted as he threw the ball. A Magmar came out of the PokéBall. My PokéDex entered its data.

"Magmar, the Spitfire Pokémon. This Pokémon's body always burns with| |an orange glow that enables it to hide perfectly among flames. Magmar is the evolved form of the Live Coal Pokémon, Magby."

Spike picked a yellow PokéBall.

"Electrode, I choose you!" he shouted and threw the PokéBall into the battlefield. An Electrode burst out of the ball and grinned. Again, my PokéDex entered its data.

"Electrode, the Ball Pokémon. This Pokémon stores energy under very high pressure, and it often explodes with little or no provocation. Electrode is the evolved form of the Ball Pokémon, Voltorb."

I felt uneasy. It was three Pokémon against one.

"For some reason, this doesn't look good," I said. "Oh, well. Guess I have to fight!" I grabbed three PokéBalls and tossed them in the air. "Freedom, Fearless, Pika! I choose you!"

Freedom and Fearless came out, ready to fight. Pika, on the other hand, turned away. The three men laughed.

"BWAHAHAHA!!! Are these your only Pokémon?" Spike laughed.

"I just started, you moron!" I screamed.

"Looks like this is gonna be an easy battle. Golduck, Disable!" Wave ordered. Golduck's gem glowed red, and an unknown force froze the Pokémon, except Pika, who managed to dodge the force.

"No!" I cried.

"Magmar, finish them off with Flamethrower!" shouted Rage. Magmar inhaled and exhaled a stream of fire, aiming at the paralyzed Pokémon. I didn't want them to get killed. Without thinking, I leapt towards my Pokémon and pushed them out of the direction of the Flamethrower. I felt the intense heat from the attack, and the flames singed my clothes, but I was unhurt. Well, except for some burns. I looked at my Pokémon to see if they were alright.

"Hey, y- you okay?" I asked. Okay, I was hurt worse than I originally thought. The three looked at me, stunned. Pika also looked at me, confused. "I'm glad you're okay."

Eevee saw my burns and his ears perked down. I could tell he was worried.

"Let's finish them off," I said. Sensing my bravery, they all | |nodded. I stood up, despite my burns still hurting.

"So, you're still standing. You're even dumb enough to risk your life to save the Pokémon," Spike sneered. "Electrode, Swift!"

"Freedom, String Shot!" I ordered. As Electrode charged up, Freedom shot a thread of silk into the air.

"What's that supposed to do?" Wave asked with a smirk.

"You'll see. Fearless, do it!" I shouted. Fearless flew just above the ground and zoomed around, creating a small cyclone. The thread flew around with the current. Team Rocket's Pokémon got pulled into | |the strong current and the thread wrapped them up like mummies. With| |the sticky silk wrapped around them, they were unable to move.

"What the -!?" Spike cried, shocked of what two little Pokémon could do.

"Now, Eevee, Quick Attack!" I ordered.

"Electrode, Self Destruct!" Spike shouted.

"You idiot!" Wave yelled. "You'll blow up our Pokémon!"

But it was too late. Electrode glowed bright and exploded, blowing up the forest. The explosion burned the trees and smoke arose. It separated me from my Pokémon. Then all went black.

I didn't know how long I was unconscious, but when I woke up, I felt pain in every part of my body. I had more burns than I had before. I looked around. The forest was singed to a crisp. The ground was covered with soot and smoke hung in the air. I saw my Pokémon badly | |injured from the blast.

"Eevee...! F-Fearless...! Freedom!" I cried.

"Maybe that was a good idea," a voice said. The trio stood up, unharmed along with their Pokémon.

"Even though our Pokémon would get hurt," Wave pointed out. Rage kicked hard at my chest. I choked out in pain and lay on the ground, clutching my stomach. The three approached Eevee and each took out a| |stone. I recognized them. They were Evolution Stones, each in a different color. One was a Water Stone, the second, a Fire Stone, and the third, a Water Stone.

"The boss would prefer something more than an Eevee," Wave pointed out. "Now which stone should we use?"

"I say we use the Fire Stone! Fire is more powerful!" Rage declared.

"I prefer using the Thunder Stone!" Spike argued. They were going to evolve Eevee, to make him more powerful. I didn't want that to happen, but I was badly injured. I couldn't move much. I felt totally helpless.

"The Water Stone, and that's final!" Wave yelled.

I saw Eevee regain consciousness. He looked hurt. I noticed something glittering under his furry neck. It was my necklace. It must have come off my neck during the blast. But that wasn't all I noticed. The sky suddenly turned dark. I looked up and shielded my eyes. A solar eclipse was forming. Team Rocket continued arguing, not noticing anything.

"Everyone knows water's weaker than lightning!" Spike yelled.

"My Magmar could superheat the air to make electrical attacks useless!" Rage said hotly.

"Water could be fire in a flash! You'll see!" Wave shouted. As they continued arguing, I looked at Eevee and saw him do something that neither other Eevee nor trainers would ever do.

Eevee twitched his ears onto two stones, one on the Fire Stone, and the other on the Water Stone. His tail was placed over the Thunder Stone, and his paw was over the necklace. And all at the same time! Eevee glowed with a white light and shocked everyone. As the light died away, in the same place where Eevee had stood, stood a Vaporeon. I was amazed...but hurt in the heart.

'Eevee...' I thought.

"What the hell-!?" Spike exclaimed.

"Why did you give it the Water Stone when we haven't decided!?" Rage demanded.

"I didn't do anything!" Wave shouted. Suddenly, Vaporeon glared at them with raging eyes and unleashed a Hydro Pump. The powerful force of water pushed them aside.

"Damn that Pokémon! Electrode! Attack!" Spike ordered. Electrode rolled towards Vaporeon. Suddenly, Vaporeon glowed and a blast of fire was sent towards the lightning Pokémon, frying it. Standing on | |the same spot where Vaporeon had been was a Flareon.

"What the -!? Wave gasped.

"Eevee...!?" I cried, shocked that he turned into a Flareon.

"Dammit! I don't know what in the world is going on, but this is the end! Golduck! Water Gun!" Wave shouted. Again, Flareon glowed and bolts of lightning electrified the water Pokémon before it had the chance.

"My Golduck!" Wave cried. Growling at them now was a Jolteon, standing on the same spot where Flareon had stood.

'Wait a minute! Can Eevee transform? How can it be?' I wondered.

"Mandy!" a voice shouted from above. I looked up and saw a Fearow landing on the ground. Teresa was riding it. She quickly came off the bird to see me injured and Jolteon growling at the three men. The eclipse began to leave.

"Teresa..." I moaned.

Teresa knelt down and asked, "Mandy -is that Eevee?"

I nodded. I was sure of it. Jolteon then transformed in a Pokémon I had never seen before. Teresa whipped out her PokéDex.

"Umbreon, the Moonlight Pokémon. This Pokémon protects itself by | |spraying poisonous sweat from its pores when agitated. Umbreon evolves from the Evolution Pokémon, Eevee, at night."

Umbreon's eyes glowed and gave a Mean Look at Magmar. Magmar shivered from his| |glare. Teresa was about to send Evolution to help when Umbreon transformed into another Pokémon I'd never seen before. Teresa and I were shocked. Again, she used her PokéDex.

"Espeon, the Sun Pokémon. This Pokémon uses the fine hair that covers its body to sense air currents and predict its enemies' actions. Espeon evolves from Eevee during the daytime."

Evolution heard Teresa's call and joined Espeon. Teresa then noticed the three guys standing before Espeon with their Pokémon out in front of them.

"You, there! Who're you?" she demanded. The trio laughed.

"We're Team Rocket, and we'll beat you kids to a pulp!" Spike declared. "I'm Spike."

"I'm Rage, and welcome to your demise," Rage sneered.

"I'm Wave. It's time to end this," Wave said.

"Not on your life!" I exclaimed weakly.

"Psychic, now!" Teresa shouted to Evolution after talking to her in Pokémon language.

"Espeon, Psychic!" I ordered. Both of our Pokémon used Psychic and together they threw Team Rocket into a tree. Spike's Electrode suddenly glowed.

"Not now, Electrode!" he shouted, frightened, but it was too late. Electrode used Explosion and sent them flying into the sky. Espeon turned back into Eevee and fell to the ground, panting. Teresa ran to Al and me and saw that he was wrapping my burns in Caterpie silk.

"It's the best natural remedy out there," he informed us. Teresa looked surprised. Al continued.

"Mandy can't heal herself, so this is the best we can do. There you go. All done. Thanks, Q-T-Pie," he said and patted my bandages. I gritted my teeth because that REALLY hurt!

"Sorry," Al apologized as I glared at him. Q-T-Pie nodded her "You're welcome" and went back to Teresa. She brought her back inside her PokéBall. I got up and ran to my Pokémon. I noticed Pika come over, looking angry. A few cuts were on him.

"Pika, return!" I called quickly. Pika went back into his PokéBall. I sighed with relief. Teresa looked at me with raised eyebrows, waiting for an explanation.

"Pika shocks me every chance he gets," I explained. "I'll heal him at the nearest Pokémon Center. That way I won't get shocked for a third time."

I healed Freedom, Fearless, and Eevee and returned all of my Pokémon, except Eevee, to their PokéBalls. I breathed unsteadily as the burning pain was still hurting me a bit. (Alright, a lot!)

"Let's stick together from now on," Teresa suggested.

"Yeah," I moaned. We exchanged a smile. Teresa suddenly grew serious.

"How did Eevee gain the ability to transform into his evolutions?" she questioned.

"Team Rocket used all three Stones that evolve Eevee during a solar eclipse. They stole my Moon Stone and used it on him too; I still have it, though," I told her, showing her my dull Moon Stone necklace. It didn't have its usual shine to it anymore. And it didn't look like a Moon Stone at all.

"Are you sure it's a Moon Stone?" Teresa wondered.

"To tell you the truth, I don't know what it is," I admitted, staring| |at my necklace as I wondered what it was.

"Anyway, let's get going," Teresa said.

"Actually, it would be best if we stayed the night in a little treehouse I built as a kid not too far from here," Al suggested.

"Good idea!" Teresa and I exclaimed in unison.

"Jinx!" Teresa shouted quickly. I, on the other hand, held in laughter.

"Mandy," she said, and I burst out laughing, feeling my worries drift away in a second.