Chapter Eight
Yusei stood in front of the memorial at last. Without knowing for sure what Pokemon may have been involved in Zero Reverse, they had not inscribed specific names. Instead, it was a beautiful sculpture of Arceus, generally thought of as the god of the Pokemon, standing in a bright doorway to welcome various Pokemon coming towards him. Underneath was an epithet carved in stone.
May all the Pokemon lost in tragedies of the world
Find peace and love in the afterlife
Yusei bowed his head. "I am so sorry," he said quietly. "I don't know if any of you were caught in Zero Reverse, but if you were, I feel like I bear that responsibility now. My dad tried to stop it from happening when he realized what they were doing was dangerous . . . but he couldn't. He never wanted something like that to happen. I didn't either. But that doesn't change that it did."
He blinked in surprise when he felt an otherworldly presence. For a moment he saw Meowths, Persians, Eevees, and others around him. Several rubbed against his legs before vanishing.
He smiled softly. "Thank you." He straightened, turning to go.
Kalin was standing close to the stairs, waiting for him. "Are you alright, Yusei?" he asked.
Yusei sighed but nodded. "They don't blame me. They've forgiven me. And . . . I think they're at peace."
"There's nothing to forgive from you," Kalin said. "You didn't do anything wrong . . . unlike me." He looked down at Evan. "I wonder if I'm really suited to this."
"Eevee!" Evan exclaimed.
Yusei laid his hand on Kalin's shoulder. "This Eevee doesn't care what you did before. He loves you for who you are now. He sees what all the rest of us see—that you're more than suited to this. I know you'll love and care for him just as much as Radley does for Evie."
"I hope so," Kalin said. ". . . But wait, this wasn't supposed to be about me! It was supposed to be about you!" He looked chagrined.
Yusei smiled in amusement. "It's fine. Let's go down to the others, okay?"
Kalin nodded. "Alright."
Going down the various levels of the cemetery wasn't nearly as eerie as going up. The fog wasn't as thick and there wasn't the overwhelming feeling of a restless spirit. But it was still confusing, thinking of what the strange woman had said—and sung!—to Evie, and sobering to see so many graves on every level. And when they all came back to the first cemetery level, there was another surprise.
"Hi, everyone!" Rebecca Hawkins-Muto was standing there with Jordan, Nico, West, and the rest of the Bunch, waving to the arriving group.
"Kalin!" West beamed, running over to him. "You still have your Eevee!"
"Yeah, I wasn't planning to give him up," Kalin said, a bit awkward. "He's wanted to be here ever since we rescued him from the cage."
"'We'? Oh, don't be so modest! You're the one who lifted the cage off of him!" Radley chuckled playfully.
"Eevee," Evan said, although he looked from Kalin to Evie.
"And of course, you wouldn't have found him without Evie hearing him call for help," Radley added.
Evie snuggled him.
"I know," Kalin said. He absently dug his fingers into Evan's ruff and scratched it pleasantly. "What brings you here, Rebecca?"
"Yugi told me you guys were all coming out here and why," Rebecca said. "I thought you might get lost, so I drove out too. I found these guys at a shrine and brought them all over in my van."
"We've certainly had a time," Radley said. "But before we talk about all of it, did you have a cousin named Emilia who bred Eevees?"
"Yes, actually," Rebecca said. "Grandpa still talks about her sometimes. She died and her Eevees were sold or given away. There was one who was never found, though, one of the last ones who hatched before she passed away."
"Vee . . ." Evie looked down.
Radley petted her as he continued. "Shortly before you came, this Emilia apparently spoke through one of the local channelers and thinks my girl is one of her Eevees," he said slowly.
"And she sang this really freaky song!" Scotch added, and sang a few bars to demonstrate.
Rebecca frowned thoughtfully. "Ordinarily I would have scoffed at spirit possession, but I'm in no position to do that anymore. And that is Cousin Emilia's song."
"Why is it so weird?!" Biff cried.
She shrugged. "Who knows. That branch of the family always was a little strange. Maybe there's a deeper meaning to the song and maybe not."
"Why would she come back and haunt the Tower?" Kalin wondered.
"Maybe she saw you were coming and she decided that was the best way to communicate with you?" Rebecca shrugged. She walked over to Evie. "In any case, if this really is her missing Eevee, technically she belongs to my grandfather and me."
"VEE!" Evie pressed herself against Radley's shoulder in desperation. She would not be forced to leave again. She would not!
Radley held her close. "You said all the others were sold or given away," he pointed out. "Apparently you guys didn't want them yourselves, for whatever reason. If you want money, I'll gladly pay you for her. You're Yugi's wife; I can't believe you could be unfeeling when you're married to somebody as kind and warm as he is. Just look at this sweet girl. She doesn't wanna go with you."
Evie was vaguely trembling in Radley's arms. "Vee . . . vee . . . vee . . . !"
Rebecca frowned. "She barely even knows you. Why would it be such a problem?"
Radley sighed. "We knew each other years ago, probably right after she disappeared from your cousin's place. She showed up in Napa Valley at my family's vineyard and we played together a lot when I was a kid. Then one day she just wasn't there anymore. I don't know what happened, but I suspect Team Rocket took her and the other Pokemon who came around too. I didn't see her for years until she stumbled out of the mountains the other night."
"Animals all look alike to me," Rebecca said. "How can you possibly know it's the same one?"
Evie turned and looked at her. "Ee-VEE!"
Radley petted her. "Oh, she's made it very clear. I wondered if there was any chance it was her, and as soon as she was feeling well enough to really focus on me, she let me know she's really the one."
"Eevee! Eevee!" Evie cuddled closer to him.
"So please, won't you have a heart?" Radley implored. "I'm willing to pay you for her. Surely you don't want an Eevee so desperately that you'll take this little one from me?"
Rebecca sighed and leaned back, straightening her glasses. "No, I won't do that."
"Oh, thank goodness," Nico said. "Well, since we're finally all together again, why don't we have the lunch I made? You can join us too, Rebecca."
"Thanks," Rebecca said. "I can't stay too long, but maybe for that."
"Lunch sounds great," Radley agreed.
"Eevee!" Evie exclaimed.
Biff noticeably relaxed as they headed back outside. "Finally," he said. "Do we havta stay in town to eat or can we go someplace else?!"
Radley chuckled sympathetically. "I think you've had to deal with more than enough ghosts for today, Biff. Let's find a nice spot outside of town."
Everyone was agreeable to that, so they headed back through the town gate and into the woods. It wasn't long and they found a nice, shady spot that would work well for a picnic. Nico spread out the blankets that had been brought and everyone settled down to eat.
Kalin was still studying Rebecca, frowning as they started on the sandwiches and salads. "Did you really come all this way just because you heard we were in here and thought we might get lost?" he asked.
Rebecca sighed. ". . . No," she admitted. "I came mainly because I was worried after some other things I heard. Team Rocket is definitely in the area, but for some reason they're looking just for Eevees."
Evie stiffened. "Vee?!"
Evan also looked worried. "Eevee . . ."
Radley petted Evie comfortingly, but looked worried. "Why would they only want Eevees?"
"I'm not sure," Rebecca frowned. "But you know I'm a scientist, and recently some Team Rocket scientists tried to recruit me to join a project of theirs. They were investigating the phenonenon of Gigantamax Pokemon."
". . . Okay, that's a new one on me," Radley said. "What is that?!"
"Some Pokemon have the ability to temporarily become enormous," Rebecca said. "The original version of that is called Dynamax. Gigantamax is even more powerful. Dynamax really only changes a Pokemon's size, but Gigantamax alters their appearance in other ways and can even change their personalities."
"Vee!" Evie hid against Radley.
"That sounds pretty scary, alright," Radley said, petting Evie again.
"Team Rocket just let you refuse to join?" Kalin grunted.
". . . Or did you refuse?!" Scotch exclaimed.
Rebecca rolled her eyes. "Of course I refused! I half-expect them to come back later and try again, though." She sighed. "Anyway, there are only 32 known Pokemon who can Gigantamax. Eevee is one of them, so it's possible Team Rocket is looking for Eevees to experiment on for this project."
"That's messed-up," Billy frowned.
Evan growled.
"Hopefully the police will locate any other Pokemon caught in those traps," Yusei said.
Rebecca nodded. "Since they're interested in Eevees, and you have two of them, I was worried that they might target you."
"That's possible," Kalin frowned. He rested his hand on Evan's back while the Pokemon chewed on a sandwich half.
"There's more." Rebecca leaned back, looking serious as she continued. "Not all individual Pokemon within the 32 species can Gigantamax. Those who are capable of it can't evolve, for some reason." She looked to Radley. "You said you met your Eevee during your childhood, and here she is still unevolved. It could be that she's actually incapable of it because she can Gigantamax."
Evie fearfully shook her head. "Vee-vee-vee!"
Radley held her close. "And if Team Rocket learns about her, they'll really want her." Now he was afraid too. "We have the Pokeballs. Let's just go home after we eat. There's no need to stay here any longer."
"I agree," Rebecca said. "But it may only protect you for a short time. Team Rocket may start branching out to check the cities and towns on our side of the mountains, since they know some of the Pokemon are starting to come back."
"Then we'll be ready," Kalin vowed. "They won't get either of our Eevees without a fight."
Evan looked up at him in joyous awe. "Eevee!" Kalin had acknowledged that Evan was his. That made him so happy.
Kalin smiled a bit.
Radley did too. "Team Rocket has never tangled with Radley's Bunch before." He smirked. "We'll give them what-for."
The rest of the meal was peaceful. Afterwards, Radley and Kalin each took a Pokeball and bent in front of their respective Eevees.
"Are you ready?" Radley asked.
"Vee!" Evie nodded.
Radley opened the Pokeball and Evie willingly went inside. Following Radley's lead, Kalin did the same for Evan.
"Now you're officially ours by Pokemon standards," Radley smiled.
Evie leaped back out of the Pokeball. "Eevee-vee!" she exclaimed in joy.
Evan jumped out again too, and promptly rubbed Kalin's leg. Kalin picked him up.
"We should still get collars and licenses for them back in the City," he said.
"Yes, and we have plenty of time to pick a car for us as well," Radley smiled. "Well, shall we go back?"
All were in agreement.
"I could drive you back to your vehicles in my van," Rebecca said. "Or some of you, anyway. The whole group is too large even for my van!"
"That would be fine," Jordan said. "We don't want to get lost again, especially if Team Rocket is after the specific kind of Pokemon we brought."
The kids didn't protest. Now that they knew Evie and Evan might be in danger, they were all too willing to leave.
Rebecca gathered up everyone she could. The others walked, following near the van as she drove slowly back to where Jordan's van and the motorcycles had been left.
It was a relief to get settled back with their own vehicles. Radley and Kalin climbed into Jordan's van with their Eevees, as did Nico and West. The Bunch, Yusei, and Antinomy got out their motorcycles.
"I'll stay with you until we're back in the City," Rebecca said. "We might as well travel together since we're going that far anyway."
Jordan nodded. "Thank you."
On the ride, Kalin took out his phone and started a search for Gigantamax. Radley looked over in surprise. "You can do that while we're moving?!"
Kalin nodded. "Most people get motion sick, but I'm fine." But he stiffened and frowned at what he read.
Radley's stomach dropped even though he wasn't the one reading. "What is it?"
Kalin hesitated. "It will probably scare Evie even more. . . ."
Evie looked up. "Vee . . ." She nudged Kalin's hand.
"I think she's saying she needs to know," Radley said.
Evie nodded. "Vee!"
Kalin sighed. ". . . It says Gigantamax Eevees become even more playful and innocent, but they end up hurting or killing others because of their size."
Evie wailed and burrowed against Radley.
Radley gently stroked her fur. "Hey, it's okay," he soothed. "We're going to do everything possible to keep them from doing that to you. And even if it happens, you're forewarned. You'd never hurt me."
Evie looked up at him with shining eyes, still fearful but with a spark of hope. "Vee?"
"That's right," Radley insisted.
Kalin looked away out the window. Radley had tried to soothe Kalin similarly on many occasions. Kalin still feared sinking into hatred and insanity, but Radley was always there to try to make it right. Just being around him was calming. No matter how much Kalin still worried, Radley's faith in him never faltered. It was the same with Yusei as well. And somehow Kalin was sure that the purring animal on his lap believed in him too.
He had so many good friends. . . .
It was a surprise and a relief when they safely emerged from the canyons and drove back into the City without incident. Rebecca veered away when they neared the Game Shop.
"This is where I get off, unless you want to come say Hi to everyone again," she called out the window.
Radley looked down at Evie. "Well, we still have plans to try to buy a car, so I think we should do that and head home," he said. "Evie's pretty shook."
Rebecca nodded. "Of course. I'll call or text you if I find out anything more."
"Thanks," Kalin said.
"We'll probably be going now too," Yusei said. "Kalin, please let us know what happens."
"I will," Kalin promised. "Thanks for coming, Yusei, Antinomy."
Antinomy nodded. "It was enlightening. Good luck with your Pokemon."
"Thanks," Radley said, and smiled down at Evie.
xxxx
New Domino City had many car dealerships. Radley and Kalin tried one with a favorite brand and finally found what seemed perfect—a van with room to take their motorcycles and strong enough to travel over the desert between the City and Satisfaction Town. Radley was determined to have the highway built and had arranged by now for construction to start, but it would be some time before it was finished, so travel across the desert roads was still necessary for a while.
"I wonder what the guy thinks of our Eevees," Radley chuckled as they got it ready to go.
"I think he was more interested that I paid the full cost instead of just a down payment," Kalin deadpanned.
"Eevee!" Evie chirped.
Evan sniffed the van all over before warbling in approval.
Radley laughed.
"I'm glad you found something," Jordan smiled.
"Yeah! It's really neat!" West beamed.
"We definitely like it," Radley grinned. "Thanks for all your help today, all of you. I know it's been a long day."
"It was fun, though," Nico said. "I hope we can do more things like this."
"We will," Kalin promised.
Radley leaned back in the passenger seat. "So our last stop should still be the pet store to get collars and name tags," he said.
Kalin nodded. "And maybe one or two of the Bunch should stay outside with the Eevees while we go in. I don't know how the pet store staff would handle us coming in with what looks like foxes."
Radley sighed. "Yeah, that's a good point."
"Eevee," Evie sighed too.
Kalin got behind the wheel and drove to the nearest pet store while Radley held both Eevees on his lap. The Bunch followed around them on their motorcycles.
"We'll take good care of them!" Scotch promised when they stopped in the parking lot.
"I know you will," Radley smiled.
The store had a wide selection of collars and colors. Radley finally picked one in red. Kalin had a struggle choosing what one he wanted, but at last opted for a dark blue. They picked diamond-shaped tags, engraving them with Eevee name, the home address, and the phone number. They also selected a pet couch big enough that both Eevees could lay on it. Satisfied, they were soon ready to head back out.
A television turned to the news caught their attention before they could leave. Angela Raines was reporting, and what she said sent both their stomachs plummeting.
"This just in! Alice Portman, institutionalized in the City's asylum for the criminally insane, has escaped. Details are still coming in, but apparently, two of her henchmen disguised themselves as staff members to break her out of the asylum. Police are warning citizens that she is dangerous and not to interact with her if anyone should see her. Immediately contact your local authorities if you believe you've seen this woman." A familiar image flashed across the screen.
Shuddering, Radley turned away. Portman had come after them the last time she had gotten out, wanting to see if she could make Radley snap by harming his loved ones. He had felt like it, but had managed to control himself in the end.
"Why?" he exclaimed. "Why would she have to get out now? And what if she comes after us again? I wouldn't put it past her to hurt innocent animals."
"I wouldn't either." Kalin's voice darkened. "But if she tries again to hurt you, or tries to go after the Eevees, I won't put it past myself to kill her."
Radley really couldn't find it in himself to protest. It would certainly be in defense of loved ones. Kalin would never be convicted for that. Radley didn't have the heart to do it himself, but if it came right down to having to do it to save them, he wondered if even he would end her life.
He hoped it wouldn't come to that.
He drew a shaking breath. "Come on. Let's get home before anything else happens," he groaned.
Kalin was in complete agreement.
