Notes: It was Amber2002161's idea for me to try having Kalin use some psychic powers, although I took it in a much different direction than she has in her verse.

Chapter Ten

The couch was set up in Radley's room that night. He could have leaned it against the wall, but instead he brought it close to the bed. Evie warbled in approval. Radley chuckled and petted her.

"Now we need some food," he mused.

The Eevees exclaimed in glee.

Kalin smiled a bit. "I'll make it. Or help you make it," he suggested.

"Let's do it together," Radley said.

They brought the Eevees into the kitchen and let them sit at the table while they worked on dinner. The Eevees were happy to watch and make commentary, and also happy to eat when it was ready. Radley chuckled, petting Evie.

"It's been a big day, to say the least," he mused. "We had a big adventure and we made a new friend."

Evan cheered.

"It still seems strange we didn't see any other Pokemon in cages," Kalin frowned.

"Maybe there weren't any other Eevees and the cages were programmed to only drop on Eevees?" Radley suggested. "Although I have a hard time believing Team Rocket would pass up other Pokemon if they wandered in too."

"Exactly," Kalin said.

"Vee," Evie frowned.

"A lot of what happened today was pretty loco," Radley said. "Let's just hope things will be better now. All of us deserve some peace and quiet."

Everyone concurred, although all secretly wondered what might happen next. They all doubted the problems were behind them.

After dinner, Radley carried Evie into the bathroom and set her on the counter. "Okay, now we need to change your bandages," he said.

Evie nodded and rubbed him and held out her wounded paw.

Kalin shook his head in disbelief. "They really do understand everything."

Radley undid the old bandages and took the new when Kalin held them out. "That makes it even more repugnant how Team Rocket treats them," he said angrily. "I can't stand to think what Evie must have gone through if she really was with them."

"Vee," Evie said softly.

"What kinds of experiments do they do?" Kalin wondered.

"There was one infamous one where they forced Magikarp to evolve early, so the Gyarados that came out of that were the wrong color and even more vicious than usual," Radley said. "And they wanted to broadcast a radio signal that all the Pokemon would react to. It would've turned them all into Team Rocket's slaves." He sighed. "It wouldn't have taken them long to see that Evie doesn't evolve. They would have put her through all kinds of cruel tests to try to force it."

"Eevee-vee," Evie said.

Radley finished bandaging her and petted her. "Okay, pretty girl. Kalin and I are going to shower and then go to bed. You and Evan can get settled, or you can stay up if you want."

"Vee!" Evie nuzzled him and looked to Evan, who seemed okay with either option.

The Eevees settled on the pet couch when Kalin and Radley each took a bathroom to shower in. Evie stretched out, looking blissful. "I'm so glad everything turned out okay!" she exclaimed. "We're all home safe!"

"Yeah, but we still have to worry about Team Rocket," Evan pointed out. "They're probably after us both."

Evie's ears drooped. "I don't want to Gigantamax! I might hurt Radley! Or someone else! And it would be so scary being that big!"

Evan sighed. "I know. . . ."

". . . Have you ever seen a Gigantamax Eevee?" Evie asked.

". . . Once," Evan said.

". . . It was bad?" Fear shone in Evie's eyes.

". . . It's better if you don't know," Evan said.

That only worried her more. "But I need to know!" she exclaimed. "It might happen!"

Evan sat up straight and looked away. "Her Trainer couldn't control her. She wanted to play and he couldn't make her understand she was too big. She tried to jump into his arms . . ."

"No!" Eviesobbed. "No no no!" She hid under the couch cushion.

Evan laid down and nuzzled her. ". . . Actually, I don't know what happened," he said. "I ran away because it looked like it was going to be horrible and I didn't want to see."

She slowly looked over at him. "So . . . maybe it was okay? Maybe she didn't hurt him?"

"Maybe," he said. "I didn't hear any awful sounds. . . ."

Evie sighed. ". . . You're not just saying this to make me feel better?"

He licked her head. "I really don't know what happened."

Marginally comforted, Evie snuggled closer to him. By the time Radley and Kalin came out, both Eevees were sound asleep.

Radley had to smile. "How cute. They really took to each other." He quietly covered them with the throw.

". . . What happens if they really take to each other?" Kalin asked.

Radley quirked an eyebrow and gave him a playful look. "Oh, well, when a boy and a girl really love each other . . ."

Kalin lightly swatted at him.

Radley chuckled. "Honestly, no one even knows how Pokemon eggs are formed. No one's ever seen it happen. Apparently they never do it when anyone's watching because it's such a sacred ritual. But it might not be sexual at all."

"Eggs. . . ." Kalin stared at the soft, furry animals. "They make eggs?!"

"All Pokemon come from eggs in the media," Radley said. "I suppose it's the same in real-life. And to answer your original question, if these cuties decide to start doing that . . . well, we might have to give some adorable pets to the Bunch. I'm not sure our house could hold them all."

Kalin looked a bit overwhelmed. "If they make a lot, we couldn't."

"Maybe we could even go into the breeding business," Radley said. His eyes gleamed a bit. "That would bring in big money." But the look was gone just as quickly. "Do you think animals feel sad when their babies are taken away?"

Kalin averted his gaze. "Probably, if they're loving parents."

"It would probably be even more pronounced with Pokemon, since they seem to understand things on the level of adult humans," Radley said. He shook his head. "I couldn't do that to them, unless maybe they'd be right here in town and could still see each other all the time."

Kalin finally smiled a bit. "I know."

Radley headed for the bed and laid down. "I hope this will work out," he said in concern, staring at the ceiling. "If Team Rocket comes, I wonder if we'll really be able to protect them."

Kalin laid down too. "I think we can," he said, draping an arm around Radley. "The Eevees aren't pushovers, and if I have to, I'll tap into my abilities."

Radley smiled too. "That's true, we have resources. I have my pendant too, if it ends up the best option is dumping Team Rocket in another dimension."

Kalin smirked. "Anything to keep them away from us."

"Maybe we should also take more trips into Pokemon region territory and see if we can find some good guard dogs," Radley said. "I'd suggest buying regular ones, but I'm afraid they wouldn't be any match for vicious Pokemon with special abilities."

Kalin frowned and nodded. "Maybe we should look into it. Are there a lot of dog Pokemon?"

"I know of some, anyway," Radley said. "Growlithe and Arcanine . . . Mightyena . . . Houndoom. . . ."

". . . Houndoom." Kalin stared at him. "Where did they come up with some of these names?"

Radley chuckled. "Apparently they're just writing down what the Pokemon say. Don't shoot the messenger and all that."

"Right." Kalin shook his head. "Even after everything we just came through, it's hard to remember it's real."

"Even though we have two adorable Pokemon sleeping right here?" Radley countered.

"Even though," Kalin nodded. "I wonder why Evan latched on to me. Why would he think I would make a good owner for him? He must sense my darkness. Animals are smarter about things like that than people are."

"Then that should tell you that you are better than you still think you are," Radley said. "Evan knows that."

Kalin grunted.

"You don't think I'm a fool, do you?" Radley smoothly asked.

"Of course not," Kalin said.

"And you know how much I care about you and see the good in you. Yusei too, and everyone else."

". . . True," Kalin conceded. "At least all of you know me, though. Evan doesn't yet."

"Apparently he feels he knows enough," Radley said. "And he does."

Kalin managed a faint smile. It was hard to argue with Radley's logic sometimes.

Eventually they dozed as well.

xxxx

The succeeding days were peaceful and happy, to everyone's relief. Evie healed quickly and she and Evan were both adored by the townspeople. Every day, they skipped and played and followed Radley and Kalin around town. At the diner, they curled up on cushions in the windowsill and soaked up love and affection from everyone passing by them. It was all quite idyllic, but so much so that both Radley and Kalin were sure the other shoe was going to drop sooner or later.

"It would sure be nice if things would just go on like this, wouldn't it?" Radley remarked one night as he cleaned the counter after a successful evening of dining and karaoke. Evie batted at the cloth as she sat on a stool.

"It would," Kalin agreed. "But don't get too comfortable; it likely won't." He leaned on the counter with one elbow and petted Evan.

"Yeah." Radley frowned. "We haven't heard anything from either Team Rocket or Portman. And knowing all of them, that just spells the calm before the storm. They're planning something. Or Portman is, anyway. And if Team Rocket knows we have Eevees, they must be plotting too. It's weird they haven't tried to snatch these cuties yet."

"Eevee," Evie sighed.

Evan growled. He wanted Team Rocket to stay away forever.

"I know," Kalin said. "If my powers included reading people's minds, I could find out what they're thinking." Frustration filled his eyes. He wished he could do more to help this situation.

"We'll probably know soon enough," Radley said. He gave a tired sigh. "I wish we'd been able to find more Pokemon to help us out here. I feel like we're really not suitably prepared for what might happen."

"They're in hiding again," Kalin said. "Or swiped by Team Rocket."

"Or both," Radley said. "Some swiped, some hiding. It's good our Eevees know useful attacks. And we have our abilities too."

Kalin nodded. "We'll probably end up having to use them if there's an attack."

"If we can." Worry passed across Radley's features. "I can hardly ever actually get my pendant to work, and you can rarely activate your psychic powers outside of duels."

"I think the only times I did were against the fake Jarvis in Scotland and during our past encounter with Portman," Kalin agreed.

"That's encouraging, though," Radley said. "Maybe if she causes trouble again, it will activate against her a second time."

"Maybe," Kalin said. He didn't look convinced.

xxxx

Observing as usual through the monitor feed, Dr. Portman sneered. "Or maybe not. Who's to say." She glanced over her shoulder to Dr. Bridger and Prinna. "I believe it's about time to make our move."

"And just what are you going to do?" Dr. Bridger bitterly asked. The last days had been little else but watching the family hour after hour. He felt dirty to have intruded so much on their private moments, and he could see Prinna did too.

"We're all going to pack up in the van for a nice drive," Portman replied. She stood and crossed to a table with a strange ray gun and an open case. "My latest invention will be perfect for this." She picked up the weapon, running her hand over it before setting it in the case. "All the power of Dynamax Cannon in a man-made device! Far more reliable than expecting that temperamental Pokemon Eternatus to cast the attack. And it makes Gigantamax possible anywhere instead of only in the Power Spots of Galar."

Dr. Bridger's lip curled. "What does it even matter whether that little Eevee can Gigantamax or not?! I know, you said you're trying to get into her mind, but she doesn't belong to Team Rocket! Nor will she, as long as her owner and his friend draw breath!"

Portman snapped the case shut and one of her henchmen picked it up. "You know as well as I do, Doctor, that a Trainer is supposed to have a certain band to control a Pokemon in Gigantamax form. I have one, while Mr. Ramon does not. I want to know whom the Eevee will obey."

"That's barbaric!" Dr. Bridger snapped. "We both know you'll try to have her hurt him!"

"I will try to see if it happens," Portman said. "I won't interfere, at least not at first. Gigantamax is supposed to alter a Pokemon's personality. In Eevee's case, they should become more innocent and playful, losing the intelligence to recognize that they are too big to romp and jump as they normally can."

"If she hurts her owner, she'll want to die!" Prinna exclaimed. "She might just lay down and die of a broken heart!"

"She might," Portman agreed. "That is a risk I will take."

Dr. Bridger snarled. "Well, I won't take it!" he snapped. He grabbed for the case. "This can't be allowed!"

"No!" Prinna cried. She leaped forward. She didn't want this evil plan to go into effect, but she didn't want her beloved owner harmed either.

Portman's henchmen immediately grabbed Dr. Bridger from behind, wrenching his arms behind his back. Portman looked completely unsurprised.

"I was expecting this from you, Doctor," she said. "You will unfortunately be staying behind with my men, but your Pokemon comes with me."

"What?!" Dr. Bridger struggled against their vise-like grips. "Prinna won't obey you! She will only listen to me!"

"She will obey me if that is the only way to keep you alive," Portman replied.

Prinna went stiff. From her expression, she was looking into the future to see what would happen if she refused. Her tail and ears drooped.

"She's right," she said sadly. "I'll have to go with her." She blinked back tears. "I'm going to keep you safe."

"Oh Prinna. . . ." Dr. Bridger's shoulders slumped. ". . . Can you see what will happen in this horrible experiment?"

Prinna sighed. "The future is always changing. Right now . . . it doesn't look good." She nuzzled him and went forlornly over to Portman, who sneered.

"Be sure to watch everything on the monitor feed, Dr. Bridger," she said smoothly as she headed out the door with Prinna and the case. "It promises to be quite the show."

The door slammed shut and locked. Dr. Bridger stared after it, cursing the foul woman under his breath.

"Sit down," one of the burly henchmen ordered. He pushed Dr. Bridger into the chair Portman had vacated.

Dr. Bridger didn't resist. All he could do was pray for a miracle. Even if he didn't deserve one, the innocent Pokemon certainly did. And the Eevees' owners. If Portman had her way, they were going to be in for the fight of their lives.

"Why did I ever think Team Rocket was a worthwhile organization to join?" he berated himself. "I knew they were bad, but I wanted their resources and their money to further my own research! Now Prinna and I are trapped and we're helping hurt these innocent people because of our concern for each other! There's no way out."

"You're breaking my heart," one of the thugs mocked. "You made your bed! Now you have to sleep in it!"

"Yes, I most certainly do," Dr. Bridger sighed. "And I've dragged so many others down with me. There's no excuse for all I've done. If I thought I could undo it by dying, I would. But I can't do that; Prinna needs me!"

"They're planning to kill you and keep your Pokemon anyway," the thug told him.

"Well, of course they wouldn't really let us go," Dr. Bridger said in resigned disgust. "But somehow I have to save Prinna from her fate, even if I can do nothing about my own."

"You can't help her either!" was the cold retort. "You're here and she's gone with the doctor to hurt those guys and their Eevees!" The cruel man sneered. "I wonder what a Gigantamax Eevee really looks like. I hope we get to see."

"Prinna is only along to tell what the Eevees are saying," Dr. Bridger snapped. "She would never hurt anyone!"

"But she's just gonna stand by and let this happen," the thug said. "That's as good as hurting."

Dr. Bridger ran a hand over his face. It truly did look hopeless.

"Please, God, spare a miracle or two for them," he whispered. "And one for Prinna too. She deserves a happy life, better than I can give her here."

There was nothing else he could do but wait and watch the screen.