I'm happy. Ash was finally starting to act more like himself. All of us felt horrible for making him lose at the Ever Grande Conference, especially after his change in behavior afterward. Doubting himself at every turn, thinking that it was his reason that we lost and that he was not a good trainer.
Bullshit! I growled in my head.
Ash is the best trainer and friend anyone could ask for. Patient, caring, and loving. One that would never push any of us into evolving if we don't want to, even if that would mean he would have stronger pokemon on his team. This is why we all love him and treasure him. Which is why it breaks our heart whenever we see him so lost and sad…
A feeling that the new guys rapidly shared with us. Making their incorporation to the family fast and smooth. Although, it was also tiring for most of us, as we were not used to the fast pace training Ash had incorporated.
Plusle and Minun were under my tutelage. Milktank and Zangoose took their training from Tauros and Snorlax, the normal types in the team were rapidly becoming the most versatile fighters we have. Eevee and Snorunt practiced most of the time with Glalie, Eevee seems to have decided to evolve into a Glaceon. Tyrogue was taken as a disciple of Primeape just like Heracross, whenever he was not training Kricketune.
Poochyena and Houndour took their training from Espeon, who surprisingly enough did not need much training before reaching the level of us, veterans, both canines already learned every elemental fang attack, plus Bite and Crunch. Sylveon just like his mate did not need much training and decided to be the teacher of every new Fairy Type member. Slugma and Torkoal became training buddies, just like Corpish and Kingler. Now every new fire, water, grass and flying member was taken under the tutelage of Charizard, Bulbasaur, Squirtle and Pidgeot. Yes, even Sceptile, who even if he is stronger than Bulbasaur, does not possess the refine control over grass moves that Bulbasaur has. The rest trained mostly only with Ash, whenever they were not learning new moves from other pokemon.
This last month, to say simply, was hellish- that's for sure. We also knew that the following two before leaving for Sinnoh would be as bad or even worse. But we also knew that it was the training we needed, and it was already showing results. Bayleef had evolved into her final form Meganium. Cyndaquil, Totodile and Corpish received the push they needed to finally evolve into Quilava, Croconaw and Crawdaunt- which we all have been waiting for a long time. From the new fellas, Nincada had evolved into Ninjask and Shedinja, surprising no one, as bug pokemon had a rapid growth when trained correctly by a trainer. Who did surprise us was Slugma, I mean they might not be difficult pokemon to evolve but still only one month of training and he was already a Magcargo.
All these evolutions had the rest of the pokemon pumping with energy. Houndour and Poochyena fighting at every turn, trying to push the other into evolution, just like they were doing right now. Luckily, they kept the fighting mostly whenever Ash or Bulbasaur was around. The others use that energy… for other things.
It seems like every pokemon in Ash's team was pairing up. Meganium with Sceptile, Nidorina and Nidorino, Tauros and Milktank, Kricketune and Heracross, Plusle and Minun, Skarmory and Pidgeot, Snorunt clearly has a crush on Glalie, both Slowpoke were already together before getting here and I am sure that once Houndour and Poochyena stop focusing so much into evolving romance will surely bloom between them.
It made me feel lonely… and sad, honestly. I missed Umbreon. She's normally around Professor Oak's coral at this time of the year. Then again, she's not interested in me, other than for using me as a reliever during her heats… she made that clear last year.
"Ah." I sighed; it sucks to be in one-sided love.
"I'm back everyone!" My head whipped to the side, as my trainer returned from his trip to Celadon City.
I had wanted to go with him, like we always do, but he wanted me here to keep everyone in line and training, as I am supposed to as his starter. He did take a couple of the new ones with him: Froakie and Swablu.
"You're back!" I exclaimed, claiming back my usual spot on his shoulder.
The rest of the pokemon followed my suit, returning to our trainer's side. All except for Houndour and Poochyena who were locked in a Tackle fight, skull bashing against the other, growling threateningly.
"They are at it again, eh," Ash commented, in a deadpanned way.
"What else did you expect of brutes like them?" Espeon huffed, sneering at the show of brute force.
She's quite the character… refinement and grace are a must if you want to be in her presence. Otherwise, you'll be less than dirt under her paw.
"Don't worry Your Grace, I'll stop them for you." Ash chuckled, kneeling in front of her to scratch her behind her ears.
"And that's why you are such a good subject," she mewled. "Right there!" Many of us laughed at the scene, of course, Ash would be able to tame a queen like her. "What's that smell?" She suddenly stopped, getting closer to sniff Ash's neck.
Now that she mentions it, what is that smell? I asked myself. It's as if flowers are coming from Ash.
"Oh, the smell? The fragrances of Erica's shop are quite strong. When I left the store, my clothes and I ended up smelling like flowers. I bought some perfumes as a present for mom, May, and Misty. I also got some fragrances for the team, to take our grooming to the next level." He explained with a smile, making many of the girls exclaim in excitement.
Making my heartache. How long has it been since I last saw a smile as honest as that? I nuzzled our cheeks together in comfort, mewling when he scratched my other one. This time I'll take better care of him.
However, our celebration party got cut short as a bright shine came from the fight before us.
"Oh, no." Espeon moaned. "Don't evolve!"
Sylveon chuckled at his mate's distress and snuggled her to his side, with the help of his ribbons.
Soon the light disappeared, leaving behind a Houndoom and a Myghtyena, howling in victory.
"At least, they'll stop fighting at every turn." I sighed, trying to stay positive even if I wanted to moan and sob like Espeon.
"Wow! Congrats guys!" Ash exclaimed, rushing towards them.
I jumped off knowing well what was coming next. Just as I predicted, Ash fell on the ground as he was assaulted with licks by both Houndoom and Myghtyena. Ash laughed, trying to get them off but failing.
"We did it! We evolved! Thank you!" Mightyena exclaimed, licking Ash all over again.
"Praise us! Praise us!" Houndoom lost all sense of himself and his pride, acting like a pet instead of the Dark Type pokemon he is.
"I got it! I got it!" He laughed, sitting up with both of them trying to take a position on his lap. "Well done! I am so proud of you two!" Both canine pokemon howled once more before throwing themselves at Ash again.
"Arceus help me," I sighed, shaking my head. "Ok, you two, stop it!" I ordered them.
They, surprisingly, obeyed me. I was excepting to fight them and assert my dominance as the Alpha of the strange combo of pokemon we have, now that they've evolved. But it seems that their canine genes are keeping them in line for now, obeying my position out of respect and loyalty in equal parts. But still, I'll keep an eye out on them, Dark Types like to be in charge, the same way I'll have to take care of the dragons once they do evolve.
"Thanks, Pikachu," he laughed, sitting back up, nuzzling me once I returned to his shoulder. "Ok, everyone, gather round!" He called out, they did as asked even if some of them looked at him in curiosity. "This last month was hectic, I know. Many left us… but many joined us too. Trying to advance in strength and ability, while trying to catch the new ones with the rest. Many evolved and had to get used to their new forms and the power bust that comes with evolution. I can't be any prouder than I am!" His words made us all burst in pride and happiness, there is no gift or better feeling than having made our trainer proud. "However, some of you had been training before you came to me and were already at the team's level. We trained you and you got better, but there's only so much I can do in your actual forms… so, I made a quick trip to Celadon City Department Store and got all we need to make that happen." He told us, raising a bag as he smiled at us. "Nidorino and Nidorina, step forwards guys."
The Poison Types couldn't have been faster as they take their position in the middle of the circle created by pokemon, with enough distance between them. So, when they take their new form they won't end up them bumping into each other. Ash stepped forwards and placed two Moon Stones in front of them. They looked up at Ash in gratefulness and excitement. Ash said nothing, he just smiled at them, patting their heads, before stepping back and letting them take their time. They looked at Ash once more, at each other and then at the rest of the pokemon, who smiled back at them, and then at the same time touched their respective Moon Stones. Soon a bright light appeared again, leaving us with another two newly evolved pokemon. Nidoqueen and Nidoking roared in excitement, looking at their new bodies in happiness.
Ash let them have their moment and get comfortable with their new forms before turning towards Eevee and gesturing him to step forward, towards the now empty circle. Eevee perked in happiness, turning towards his parents before rushing towards Ash and attacking his face with kisses. Ash laughed at the cute pokemon, before placing him on the ground and taking out an Ice Stone from the bag. Espeon and Sylveon stepped forward, to be near their son as he took an important step in his life, but stayed far away, as this was his moment. Eevee soon was no longer an Eevee but a Glaceon. We all roared in happiness for one of the youngest members of our misfit pack. Glaceon was rapidly engulfed by his dad's ribbons as this one cuddled him and his mom.
"Glalie," he called out, taking us by surprise, as Glalie was already on his final form. "Did Snorunt master Ice Beam and Shadow Ball as I asked you?" Glalie perked up and made a twirl. "I'll take that as a yes," he chuckled. "Snorunt, can you step forward?" Shyly but determinedly, she did, looking at Ash hopefully. "Do you think you are ready for this?" He asked, rising a Dawn Stone on his hand. Snorunt jumped in excitement and nodded her head furiously, all her shyness gone at the prospect of being able to evolve. "Ok," he chuckled. "Then, it's all yours," he said, placing it on the ground for her to grab.
Which she did at once, turning into a beautiful ethereal Froslass. She twirled on the air, liking her new body and rapidly flying towards Glalie, after giving Ash a cold kiss.
Lucky bastard, I grumbled in my head, as I watched Glalie blush at the attention of the pretty ghost.
"Now all that's left is deciding which one of you wants to become a Slowbro and who wants to be a Slowking," Ash said looking at a couple of Slowpoke, placing Galarica Wreath on the ground and a Galarica Cuff besides it. "I had to ask Nurse Joy for this item, but she found a couple of trainers willing to trade one for a Thunder Stone in Galar. Alakazam's Teleportation Messenger Service is the best."
"Thunder Stone?" I tilted my head "The one Nurse Joy gave us after Lt. Surge defeated us?"
"Yes, that one," Ash replied, I loved how he always seems to understand me… well, any of us really. "I also traded the one Togetic had dug up from the beach when she was still a Togepi."
The male Slowpoke took his time but at the end he touched the Galarica Wreath, evolving into a Slowking. Before the female one grabbed the Galarica Cuff and…
"That's a Galarian Slowbro?!" I exclaimed, alongside many other pokemon.
"There's something wrong with that evolution!" Squirtle shouted, pointing at the newly Slowbro "Isn't that supposed to be on her tail?! Why is it on her hand?!"
"His head! Where's his head?!" Glaceon shouted horrified, pointing at the Galarian Slowking.
"Hahaha," Ash laughed at our reactions. "Surprised guys? That's how their Galarian forms are supposed to look like," he informed us.
I glared at our trainer and shocked him, he ended up twitching on the floor. That's what he deserves for teasing us. I turned my back to him and called everyone up.
"Those who just evolved we will be training to get you used to your new bodies and abilities, the rest can go and relax for the rest of the day." Just like that everyone, but the newly evolved pokemon left.
Well, everyone except for Espeon and Sylveon who stayed for his son, Glalie who Froslass did not allow to leave, and Poltergeist who stayed for their friends. I was about to start giving out orders when a familiar scent caught my nose.
"Nice team you've got there Ashy-boy," Gary whistled, looking at my pack in appreciation, before getting into a heated discussion with Ash like always.
Not that I cared, all my attention was on the Dark Type pokemon in front of me, besides the clearly newly evolved Jolteon, who's supposed to be a stranger to me but whose scent is familiar. My eyes turned from one Eeveelution to the other, not being able to keep the betrayal from them.
"You did not," I growled lowly, using all the energy in me to keep from shouting. "Tell me you did not do what I think you did."
"Let me explain," she cut me off rapidly.
"Explain what?!" I shouted, getting everyone's attention, not that I cared. "Explain how you kept your pregnancy a secret? Or maybe that you did not tell me you had my daughter? That you trained her and had her evolve without even letting me meet her when she was still an Eevee?!"
"I couldn't…" She tried to excuse herself, but I did not let her lie to my face anymore.
"You couldn't?!" I shouted incredulously. "Your owner has an Alakazam for Arceus's sake! Of course, you could! You simply did not! Try to explain that!" Umbreon just looked at the ground in shame. "That's what I thought" I chuckled humorlessly.
I had always wanted to win a discussion against her, but I never thought victory would be so bitter.