Chapter 113 Sylveon's Love
Before leaving the LCCC, Ash looks again at Sigmund's dead body, for some reason, he wants to pity the doctor, but after what he has done to his siblings, Heather, Charlotte, and her sisters, he is not sure if he can just forgive him. But that also gives him the question, why would Lin kill the doctor? Is she also one of the members of the orphanage? Is that the reason why she has become the leader of Team Meteor?
Serena: Ash! There you are!
Lillie: Yeah, we're so worried about you.
Ash finds that Serena and Lillie are waiting for him, but the others are gone and he has a bad feeling.
Ash: Where are the others?
Serena: They have been chasing the Meteor Grunts into the gym. We decide to wait for you.
Lillie: But where is the Doctor? Aren't you trying to go after him?
Ash: Found him dead, and I have to battle the PULSE Mr. Mime with along with his Pokemon. (Takes out the six Pokeballs) Speaking of which, I think there is something I should do first before getting to the gym and meeting up with others.
Serena and Lillie look at each other and nod, and then they all head back to Reborn City. After getting to Jasper Ward, Ash takes out the Ribbon Collar as he shows it to the landlord, then she permits them to go to the second floor, where a Gardevoir is there.
Gardevoir: -Oh?- -I must have left the door unlocked as I've been cleaning...- -My apologies, stranger, but I should ask you to leave.-
Ash: We're here because we have a Sylveon with the Ribbon Collar. The address is said here.
Gardevoir: -...Hm?- -You came here intentionally... because you found a collar with the address.- -A collar like that could have only belonged to one Pokémon.- -Ash, is it?- -Please tell me, is she safe?-
Ash: She's safe.
Ash sends out Sylveon, and she is surprised to be back in her old home, but she doesn't seem to be comfortable as she asks Ash to recall her.
Gardevoir: -As long as she is well now, that is as all right as what is all wrong could be.- -My apologies, Ash. I should not have parsed your memories on my impulse.- -That was a disrespectful thing to do to a human.- -As an apology, please allow me to share some of my own with you.- -I will show you why that Sylveon should never return to this place.-
Ash, Serena, and Lillie nod as they like to hear the story.
Gardevoir: -It has been such a long time...- -My trainer originally brought her here as a present to his daughter.- -I have mixed thoughts on the idea of Pokémon being given as gifts to other humans.- -The idea of property and ownership between our species is as problematic as it is revolting,- -But on the other hand, is it not a darling thought that one's presence could be such a boon that it might be considered a gift?- -But not all gifts turn out to be as they were expected.- -Especially not this one.- -Back then, she was called...- -Scarborough.-
(Flashback)
A younger girl named Edie is surprised to see an Eevee that is given to her by her mother.
Edie: Wowww... It's really mine!?
Lottie: That's right. Papa said she's all yours, as long as you take care of her.
Edie: What's its name?!
Lottie: Scarborough.
Edie: (Frowns) Eeeeehh? That's an ugly name.
Lottie: Now, now... You wouldn't like it if someone said your name was ugly, would you?
Edie: Um, no, but if my name is ugly it doesn't matter whether I like it or not. And besides, my name is cute! All the neighbors said so.
Lottie: Nevertheless, that's her name. Your father's friend had already named it that when he decided to pass it on. Apparently he was picking up a present for his own daughter, and somehow managed to get two! And you know how rude it is to change the name of a Pokémon that's been given to you.
Edie: Whatever, I guess. At least it's cute. (Turns to Eevee) Hey, Eevee. You'll be best friends with me from now on, okay?
Eevee just looks around the place a little nervous.
Lottie: I think it's still a little scared. Suddenly coming to a new place can be jarring for young Pokémon.
Edie: What? There's no reason to be scared. (Hugs Eevee) Here, okay? You're my Pokémon, and Pokémon are supposed to listen to their trainers. So when I say you don't need to be scared, you need to listen to me, okay?
Eevee can only nod because she's scared of how bossy the girl is.
(Flashback Ends)
Gardevoir: -To say that Edie and Eevee were inseparable would be beyond stating the obvious.- -She never let Scarborough out of her sight, if she could help it.- -But one might say she never really had sight of that young Pokémon anyway.-
(Flashback)
Lottie: Edie, did you feed Scarborough today already?
Edie: Huh? Oh... No, not yet.
Lottie: Edie! It's almost sundown! How would you feel if you had to go without food all day?
Edie: It's fine, mom. I'll feed him.
Lottie: "Him"? I told you before, dear, Scarborough is a girl.
Edie: No, he's not. Scarlett's a boy.
Lottie: "Scarlett," now? Isn't that a lady's name as well?
Edie: Uh, no? It's Scarlett's name, and he's a boy, so it's a boy's name. Wow, adults can really be closed-minded...
Lottie: Whatever you say, pumpkin...
Edie: Scarlett's gonna grow up and become a Sylveon, and we're gonna be just as strong as Papa and his!
Lottie: A male Sylveon, huh?
Edie: Sylveon can be male too! There's nothing wrong with that!
Lottie: Well, you know how it evolves into Sylveon... But it won't do that unless you take proper care of it. So start by making sure you feed her, all right?
After a while, both Edie and Lottie leave the room, only Scarborough is in the room, Eevee turns on the TV and she sees how many Eeveelutions are there.
Scarborough: Ooh, that Pokémon looks like me! I wonder what this show is about?!
TV: "Today on Evolution Revolution, we explore the unique properties of arguably the most versatile Pokémon known to date- Eevee! As most trainers know, Eevee boasts the unique ability to evolve into one of as many as EIGHT different Pokémon! But just which of those evolutions is really the best?"
Scarborough: Wow, there's so many! But Edie only ever talks about Sylveon... (Looks around) She's not here yet, right...?
Eevee looks into the TV and starts to imagine what kind of Eeveelution she can become.
Scarborough: There should be lots of other things I could become! Like Flareon! (Imagine itself as a Flareon) Flareon are really fluffy, and they're always super warm so they're great to hug and cuddle a lot! (Imagine itself as a Jolteon) Or there's Jolteon! I hear Jolteon's fur becomes pointy and zappity when it gets upset! That means no one can mess with it unless it lets them! (Imagine itself as Vaporeon) Then there's Vaporeon! If I became Vaporeon, I'd never have to worry about not being given water again, since I'd practically be made of the stuff! Plus, if I ever got scared, I could just dissolve and hide! (Imagine itself as Leafeon) Leafeon is really cute too! Running through the forest surrounded by nature must be great! I'd love to make the whole place my home and just roam as far and free as I wanted... (Imagine itself as Glaceon) And Glaceon is so cool! With a stare like that, it practically owns every room it walks into! Ice Types are always elegant and powerful...Do you think people could respect me like that, too? (Imagine itself as Umbreon) And Umbreon... Umbreon is the paws-down coolest! The way it glows and melds into the night...! I bet Umbreon can take anything anyone throws at it too! I'd feel super safe with one! (Frowns) Huh... But would I want to be an Umbreon, or just marry one? (Imagines itself as Espeon) Finally, Espeon... With their powers, they can see the future, protect themselves and others, and even reflect anything that comes at them... They're cute and cool, and basically one with the sunlight! (Jumps around) Yeah... Yeah, yeah, yeah! I want to be- (Frowns as it imagines itself as a Sylveon) But why...? Do I have to...?
The imagination is cut off when Edie comes back home, much to her surprise.
Edie: Huh, Papa's not back yet again? I wonder if he had another challenger... Oh well. Scarlett! Did you miss me?! You need to come out like a good boy and greet me properly when I get home! (Notices the TV) Oops, did I leave the TV on? (Looks at the TV) Oh, it's about Eeveelutions! Huh? They're only talking about Espeon right now? Gross, who likes that thing? Don't tell me you were actually watching that.
Edie then grabs Eevee and shows her the Sylveon pushie that she has.
Edie: You see this? This is a Sylveon. This is what you need to become, Scarlett. (Looks at the TV) Not that, (Looks at the Sylveon doll) This. Okay?
Scarborough: (Frowns) Sylveon... Not Espeon... Not anything else... I have to become a Sylveon... don't I? Maybe then she would love me enough to feed me, and take care of me... And she'd be happiest that way. But...
(Flashback Ends)
Gardevoir: -As you may know, ordinarily it is impossible for a Pokémon that does not love its Trainer to evolve through happiness.- -But love takes more forms than happiness can account for,- -And as it turned out, Scarborough was far from an ordinary Pokémon after all.-
(Flashback)
Edie: Mom, mom! Scarlett did it! He finally evolved into Sylveon!
Scarborough is now a Sylveon, and Edie is showing her mother about it.
Lottie: Well, I'll be darned... I must say, I'm surprised...
Edie: I TOLD you it'd work out!
Lottie: You sure did, pumpkin.
Edie: Because Scarlett loves me.
Lottie: I suppose... somehow, he does.
(Flashback Ends)
Gardevoir: -After that, everything should have settled down into make-believe happily ever after.- -But nothing done for others ever works out quite as it should.-
(Flashback)
Scarborough: If this is what love is like...
?: LOTTIE! EDIE!
Lottie: Barrie! What's going on?!
Barrie: Something is growing all across the ward! Hang on! I'll get you guys out of here! Gardevoir, Azumarill! Clear a path for us!
Lottie: Edie, take Scarlett and go!
Edie: What about you!?
Lottie: I'll be right behind you! But it's my job to get you out of here safe! That's what love is!
Scarborough: I'd rather have never been loved at all.
Edie: Okay...! Papa, I'm gonna jump!
Barrie: I've got you!
Scarborough: Isn't it a Pokémon's right?
Edie: Mom!
Barrie: Lottie! Hang in there!
Lottie: No, I'm okay! I can't get out, but you two should go on ahead! Get to safety and come back for me; I couldn't move if I tried.
Barrie: You know I can't-
Scarborough: It's their right to choose who they give their love to.
Lottie: Do it for Edie! NOW!
Scarborough: But now...
Edie: Mom's gonna be okay, right?
Barrie: She will, pumpkin spice. She has to be.
Edie: We'll go back for her, right?
Barrie: I'll go back for her. Just once we-
Scarborough: (Stares at her reflection) I'm going to be like this forever, aren't I?
(Flashback Ends)
Gardevoir: -In the end, only Edie's mother survived.- -Most of my trainer's Pokémon were recovered or disposed of by Team Meteor,- -But, separated by the girl, Scarborough escaped.- -I can only assume she fended for herself for some time before finally being captured.-
Ash, Serena, and Lillie can't believe what happened to the story, Ash feels really sorry for Scarborough, since all she wants is to be loved.
Lottie: Gardevoir? Is someone there?
Gardevoir: -Perhaps you had better show her what you found.- -But please make no mistake.- -Scarborough does not belong in this house.- -Take her to a freedom she has yet to enjoy.-
Ash, Serena, and Lillie nod as they walk to the woman, who is lying on the bed.
Lottie: Ah, a visitor? You'll have to excuse me for not being more accommodating... It's been quite some time since my vitality has left me. How can I help you?
Ash: We found this Ribbon Collar from a Sylveon. (Shows the item)
Lottie: This... (Holds the item with tears) I see. Thank you for bringing this to me. Scarlett... Or... was it Scarborough? Is she well?
Ash: She is very well.
Lottie: That's... That's lovely to hear. I suppose keeping her away from here would be best. I know as well as any that my daughter was not as kind to her as she could have been. But one can only lead a Horsea to water. ...I suppose, in the end, she fell in. Thank you for taking the time to bring me what you've found. Please take good care of Scarborough.
Ash: Don't worry, I'll take good care of her.
Lottie: Can I offer you this for your trouble? I don't exactly make it out to the Department Store much these days. (Gives Ash the final Department Store Sticker) I'll be all right, as long as I have his Gardevoir to look out for me. In a way, it's sort of like he still is. So you have to look out for her. I already failed to.
Ash nods as they leave the apartment, then they're on their way back to Labradorra City.
Lillie: I can't believe that Sylveon had a hard life...
Serena: Yeah...I'm glad you found her, Ash.
Ash: Indeed...Scarborough is really strong, she is also the one who stopped PULSE Mr. Mime... Now let's not let the others wait for us.
Serena and Lillie nod as they all head back to Labradorra City.
I hope you like this chapter, since it is actually where you got the final Department Sticker, but it is also a sad story since of all the Eeveelutions, I like Sylveon the most. The next chapter will be someone's return.
