Chapter Fifteen

The forests were quiet and calm. Dark grey leaves softly swayed in the gentle breeze, tickling Arric's ears as he ducked beneath them. Beneath him, the grass muffled his footsteps, flattened by those who had trekked earlier that day, making it easy for the two Pokémon to make their way towards the Evolution Ritual. Arric followed silently behind Vesper. The Flareon loomed in front of him, his massive bulk of a body somehow easily squeezed between a tree or two that stood too close together on their path, the tiny branches catching at his dark crimson fur, leaving only a few tiny strands behind.

The quiet walk reminded Arric of his younger years, when he would scramble behind the Tribal Leader, puffing and panting, scurrying over large logs and rocks, flitting through the bushes and brambles in a bid to keep up, while Vesper would call back in mockery of how he was "too slow." When really, the big Flareon had hidden himself behind a tree, ready to pounce on Arric as he zipped past, rolling in the grass head over heels, laughing as they wrestled. He was so small then, so young, when the world seemed more simple and responsibilities were something he did not have to worry about. As Arric got older, those walks turned into runs of training, the wrestling turned to mock fighting and the laughter turned to tears of frustration and anger. Arric missed those days. He watched Vesper, stride before him and wondered why did it all have to change? What made him growing older have to grow distant as well? What had Arric done that made Vesper hate him so much now?

Arric broke a bare stick off a branch and idly fiddled with it. Rubbing his fingers over the wood, sliding over the knobs and bumps of the stick before twirling it in his hands a few times, dragging it along the ground. He tapped it against the trunks of the passing trees, lost in thought, looking towards the sky and watching the sun slowly make its way across the sky. It was going to be dark soon as the bright blues had started to turn orange and red, pink clouds streaking across the sky. Arric sighed. It was a lot more different travelling with Vesper than it was with his friends. Where were they now? They were probably all at the Evolution Ritual, preparing the clearing for all the visiting tribes. Arric felt his stomach fall. He still had no idea who to choose. No tribe had really stuck out to him. His eyes flicked up to Vespers back. Perhaps he should just pick Flareon and be done with it. Everyone expected that of him, it was what he has been trained for his whole life. Vesper and Lea were his family after all. But the more Arric tried to convince himself of it, the more it left a sour taste in his mouth and a heaviness in his chest. It was not what he really wanted but how could he say that, if he did not even know what he really wanted to begin with. He blew out in frustration, catching the attention of Vesper, who glanced over his shoulder. The Flareon took in the defeated look on the hobbling Eevees face and stopped, turning towards him.

"You know," Vesper spoke, "If you choose another tribe, Lea and I will understand."

Arric cried out in frustration and swiped his stick at a nearby bush, watching as the caught leaves leapt into the air and floated down slowly to the ground.

"I don't know which tribe to pick!" Arric growled, "Everyone wants me to pick but you're all liars and secret hoarders. How do I know this isn't some trap to just trick us into whatever you guys have planned?"

Vesper brow furrowed as he grabbed Arric, slamming his back into a tree, his face inches from his with a snarl on his lips, "Listen here Arric. This isn't some game; some idea you have cooked up in your mind. This is your future, the future of the Eeveelutions. Our tribes depend on the choices you Eevee now make."

Arric shoved him away, balling his fists in anger, "Then why don't you just leave it as the old way? It's clear that you all want it that way anyway! It's clear it won't work with this ritual, the pilgrimage failed!"

"It's not as simple as that!" Vesper roared, "It's been years without litters of Eevee, when there used to be so many. Tribes are dwindling as others become crowded. The only reason we have not all died out, is from the tribes working together. It's the best option we have right now without making it a lottery system and it gives you choice, that's more than what I had when I was your age."

Vesper threw his hands up in frustration, his face growing dark in anger, "You should have kept your mouth shut Arric. This would have panned out just fine but you've always been full of ideas, ever since Lea found you. You just can't help yourself!"

Arric laughed bitterly, crossing his arms across his chest, "If I kept my mouth shut, all us Eevee would be Jolteon by now and we would never have a chance to choose anyway."

The air around them burned with an invisible fire between them. The two glared at each other, sizing each other up until finally Vespers shoulders dropped with a sigh. He seemed to deflate within himself, "You could never understand Arric. Before Lea found you, we had been trying to have a litter for years. We had given up hope." He looked up at Arric with a look in his eyes that made Arric look away, "And now it's time to choose and I can only hope you pick the right one."

Arric blinked back his shock, his mouth opened to speak but nothing came out. He did not know what to say. Before him the Flareon drew his shoulders back, the look in eyes gone in a matter of seconds. He turned away from Arric and continued forward, with Arric following a small distance behind.

The rest of the way was left in a heavy silence, the pair had been joined by a few others as they drew closer and by the time they had made it to the clearing, the sun had well and truly set and the full moon was making its way into the sky. Vesper and Arric pushed themselves through the growing crowd of Pokémon up onto the same large ledge that held all eight tribe leaders.

"This is where I leave you." Vesper sounded small and Arric reached a hand to his shoulder. "I know you will make the right choice my son."

Arric could only feel his whole body shrivel into nerves as he watched the Flareon climb to the top of the ledge. He glanced around at all the faces in the clearing. Nearly all of the tribes had gathered. He could see no sign of any Jolteon and a few guards weaved their way through the crowd. Arric scanned the clearing for his friends, finding them easily near the center where a large stone slab had been placed. A small wooden chest was nestled behind the pedestal. Arric made his way to his friends, his leg started to ache slightly from the walk but it was far better than what it had been in days.

"Hey guys, starting without me I see."

"Arric!" Grace flung her arms around his shoulders in a tight hug before pulling back with a blush.

Tak clapped him on the shoulder, "It's good to see you here. I was getting worried that they wouldn't let you come at all."

"I almost didn't." Arric shook his head, "Master Vesper brought me. I had been kept asleep by Madam Nia under Madam Estella's request after I spoke to her about my dreams."

Tak growled, "They would do that wouldn't they. I had tried to come see you but they told me you were too unwell."

"I tried to visit also but Madam Nia would chase me away." Quin added.

"We all tried." Hannah nodded, smiling at Arric, "It's so good to see you."

Arric smiled warmly at his friends. It had been a horrible couple of weeks but he knew he could not have done it without them. Arric wondered would their friendship change once they had all Evolved or was this not really a friendship at all?

"Guys what is going to happen after all this?" Arric waved a hand around him. "Do we just go our separate ways?"

The six of them fell quiet. The clearing buzzed with excitement around them but it did not lift any of their moods. Finally, Quin spoke up, "I don't want to lose you guys, you're the only friends I have."

Tak chuckled, pulling Quin to him with one hand around his shoulder, ruffling his hair, "I don't think we could stay away from each other, even if we tried."

The girls nodded in agreement. The Eevee looked around them, suddenly feeling the nervousness that Arric had felt before. Quin started to shake and Grace twirled with a piece of her hair nervously. "So have you guys made your choice?"

They looked at each other with uncertainty when the chatter of the clearing began to die down as the Tribe Leaders stood from their seats to address the clearing. Estella stepped to the front, raising her hands up to gather everyone's attention.

"Tonight the Evolution Ritual has finally come!"

Cheers rose from the clearing in unison and the Espeon let them celebrate for a few seconds before raising her hands for silence once more.

"Before us stand six Eevee who will now choose to join the ranks of the one of the tribes among us. Their choice is their own and we will respect their choice no matter what we think otherwise."

Estella stepped forward to the edge of the rock. Her eyed glowed a brilliant blue as she took one step and then another, the light from her eyes spread to surround her as she slowly floated to the ground to the pedestal. Behind her the other Tribe Leaders made their way down, fanning into a line behind her.

"What about the Jolteon Tribe?" A Sylveon called out from the crowd. Murmurs of agreement rippled across them.

"I have informed Master Volke that due to his actions, his tribe is not allowed to join the festivities but if any of the Eevee so choose to join them, they are still welcome. Master Vesper will stand in his place being his eldest brother. After such a meeting between the Tribe Leaders will take place and the Jolteon will answer for their attack on the Eevee."

The chattering of the crowd grew as other voiced their disagreement or support. Hannah and Bree hanged their head, trying to avoid the glares the crowd gave them. Grace placed her arms around Hannah, "No matter, we support you two okay?"

The twins nodded softly and Estella rose her hands, her voice cutting across everyone's minds with a fire, "Silence!"

The clearing fell silent and Estella motioned for Grace to step forward, "Would you step forth Grace."

Grace squeaked with excitement and stepped forward to the pedestal, the moon bathing her in its light as it shone down into the center of the clearing, barely reaching the rim where the trees canopy shrouded the Pokémon who watched.

"Grace, who have you pledged?" Estella asked the Eevee before her.

Grace straightened up and spoke, her voice ringing out, "I have pledged Tribe Vaporeon."

The Vaporeon in the clearing burst into cheers, the blues and greens of their fur dancing amongst themselves. Estella nodded with a smile and moved back, motioning for Karn to step forth. The Vaporeon, knelt down, flipping open the box at the foot of the pedestal and pulled out a dark blue stone, inside the stone liquid seemed to flow changing into all shades of blue as it shifted through the cracks inside the stone. Karn stepped towards Grace, a large grin on his face as he held out the stone to her. He placed it gently in her hands.

"Now Grace, hold the stone close to you, close your eyes and let the power of the Vaporeon Tribe surge inside you!"

Grace hugged, with trembling hands, the stone to her chest, squeezed her eyed shut and waited. She felt something inside her build, growing slowly from her chest, until it spread over her body. Her limbs tingled, she felt as if her body had melted into water itself and was changing her. She could not open her eyes in fear of what she would see and a bright light swallowed her. Slowly the tingling faded away and she felt a power inside her that she had known was there all along as if it had been with her sleeping this whole time. She opened her eyes and looked down at her hands. The stone had dimmed and she handed it back to Karn, sweeping a look over her body. Her brown was gone. Her skin was a rubbery, soft dark blue, her hair as white as the clouds. She felt across her neck at the frill that now surrounded her head.

Karn placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her towards the silent crowd, "We welcome Vaporeon Grace to the Vaporeon Tribe!"

Everyone cheered, Karn nudged Grace towards the opening arms of the Vaporeon who hugged her and welcomed her. Karn returned to his place and Estella stepped forward, grinning as she watched Grace jumping with joy only to spin in amazement at the dolphin tail she now sported. The Espeon drew her attention to the five Eevee.

"Quin, I ask you to approach."

To everyone's surprise, Quin strode confidently to the pedestal, holding his head high, he nodded to Estella. She raised a brow at him, "Quin, who do you pledge?"

Quin puffed his chest, "I have pledged Tribe Leafeon!"

Nia stepped forth and pulled a dark green stone from the box. It glowed brightly, green liquid swirling inside just as the water stone had before. Nia stepped towards Quin, biting her lip to contain her excitement as she placed the stone in Quins hands.

"Quin, my child, just hold this close and feel the power of Leafeon rise within you."

Quin nodded, closing his eyes and holding the stone to his chest tightly. He felt a tickle inside him, like tiny bugs crawling on him. It spread all over his body and it took everything he could muster not to squirm with laughter. He felt his body change, his body trembled so much, he felt his legs would give beneath him but soon the trembling subsided as did the crawling bugs. As he opened his eyes, he raised a hand to feel along the leaf that now sprout from his forehead. His fur had shortened and changed to a bright grass green, his fluffy tail now a long, broad leaf. He was still small but taller than when he was an Eevee. Giddily, he handed the stone back to Nia and she smiled as she spun him around toward the crowd, calling out.

"Quin of Tribe Leafeon!"

The roar from the crowd was deafening and Quin raced to the other Leafeon, who leapt around him, dancing with him as they welcomed him. Arric laughed and cheered along with his friends until Estella called for them to be silent once more.

"Arric. Please step forth."

The air in the clearing suddenly changed as Arric stepped towards the pedestal. Whispers started in the crowd as they watched Arric. Arric's legs quivered beneath him, he felt sick, his breathing heavy and he could not seem to swallow the lump that had formed in his throat. Estella watched him carefully, a curious look in her eyes as she took in the Pokémon's reactions around her.

I am sorry for what I have done to you Arric but I am not sorry for what I have done for our tribes.

Her voice rang through his head and he felt the tendrils of his last nightmare, crawl into the back of his mind. His heart raced as he looked at the Tribe Leaders before him. His mind raced with the entities. They each called to him but behind them, lurking in the mist was the creature, waiting for him, taunting him. He did not know what to do.

"Arric. Who do you pledge?"

No sound came from the clearing. Arric stared at the ground, trying to ignore the stares of the tribes around him. His body felt slick with sweat and he suddenly wished he was back at the bottom of the ravine again. At least there he was alone. He faced Estella, forcing himself to look into her eyes and he was sure he saw a flicker of longing in her eyes but it was gone before he was sure.

"Madame Estella I-"

A howl rang out from the darkness. The Pokémon looked around them in the clearing confused. Another howl and another rang out until a chorus of haunting howls echoed through the clearing. Estella turned towards the other Tribe Leaders,

"It's Volke! We need to stop them!"

A blast of electricity hit the center of the clearing, sending the crowd into a panic. Pokémon fled into all directions as lightning crackled across the ground. Blurs of yellow jumped into the crowd, howling. The Jolteon's fur crackled with electric sparks, sending dancing bolts into the crowd, scattering the Pokémon into the night. The Tribe Leaders roared to their guards to get the tribe members to safety, Estella's eyes glowed as she shot a wave of energy towards the Jolteon who sped through the clearing at lightning speed. Arric stood frozen to the spot, circling around himself as he watched the panic unfold. His friends raced to him as Estella joined them, her voice shooting through the other Pokémon's minds, telling them to get themselves to safety wherever they could. She turned to Arric and the others.

"Master Volke will be coming for you Eevee. We must-"

Estella screamed in pain as a thick bolt of lightning struck her. She crumpled to the ground, shaking as sparks danced off her charred body. Laughter rang out from the darkness and a large Jolteon slipped from the trees. In his hand he held a brightly glowing stone, crackling with energy. Estella coughed, turning towards Arric, "Take your friends, get out of here!"

"Not so fast Estella." Volke growled.

Jolteon crawled from the shadows, forming a circle around the group with Volke walking towards them. Arric clenched his fists, ready to pounce when Estella held out a hand to him.

"No Arric. He will surely kill you if you try."

Volke laughed, his face twisting into a sneer, "Yes Arric. Do what our dear leader says, since she seems to dictate everything around here."

He barked and another shot of lightning stuck down at Estella and she managed to deflect most of the blow in time with a ball of psychic power. Volke growled and reached down to grab Estella, pulling her up by the scruff of her neck. She scrambled to her feet wearily.

"I should have taken over long before. None of this crap of choice. Nothing is stronger than Jolteon and I will show you. You are nothing to me Estella. Nothing."

"Volke please, stop this." Estella pleaded. She screamed as Volke sent a bolt of electricity along his arm and into her body.

"Father stop!" Hannah pushed herself past Arric to stand before the Jolteon, "I pledge Jolteon, just let her go! We will pledge Jolteon."

Volke glanced at the other Eevee. Bree hung her head and nodded, Tak crossed his arms, glancing at Estella and Volke before grudgingly nodding. Hannah turned to Arric, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Please Arric."

Arric nodded shortly and Volke laughed in triumph, throwing Estella to the ground. He pointed at Arric with a sly grin, "You first. I will enjoy this."

Stepping forward Arric reached for the thunder stone, weighing it carefully in his hand. He looked down at Estella who coughed into the dirt, glaring up at Volke. Arric turned the stone in his hands and pulled it close to his chest. He suddenly caught something in the corner of his eye, spun on his heels and raced towards the edge of the clearing.

"No!" Volke roared.

The Jolteon who surrounded them held fast before Arric, still clutching the stone to himself but far enough so that the buzzing feeling in his chest did not grow stronger. He gritted his teeth and crouch low, sliding along the ground. A ball of purple stuck the two Jolteon before him, lifting them enough so he could slip under and make his way into the trees.

Run Arric!

Estella's voice filled his head in a rage, then suddenly her presence was gone as Volke swiftly struck her with another bolt, causing her to lose consciousness. He could hear his friends call after him but he dared not slow down. He could feel the electric energy of the Jolteon Tribe Leader as he barraged on after him like a raging bull. Volke was quicker but Arric knew the forest better. The two raced through the trees, Arric leading the chase. He knew he had to lose the Jolteon, just long enough for the other Tribe Leaders to stop him. He had to keep his friends safe, he would not be forced to be Jolteon. He pushed his legs harder, his heart pounded in his chest, his breathing ragged. He zigged through the bushes and zagged over the fallen logs. For once Arric was glad he was smaller as he could slip through the forest easier than the raging Jolteon behind him.

Arric suddenly remembered a small cave system was nearby. It was not known by many as it was covered in years of foliage and Arric had only recently uncovered it a few months before when Vesper had sent him out to look for fruits. Veering to the left, Arric made a beeline for the cave, with Volke hot on tail. He could feel Volke's electric static as he gained on him. Arric would not last much longer if he kept going but all he needed to do was reach the caves. Pushing his legs harder, he swung around a patch of trees, slipping through the foliage and down into the wet caves below.

Darkness swallowed him and Arric made his way deeper, using the stone as his light source. His feet splashed into small puddles, the walls wet and slick around him. He could hear Volke crashing blindly behind him, slowing down as he came after him. Arric slipped into a small crevice, burying the stone into his fur to try and block out its light. He hoped Volke could not hear his heart as it pounded in his ears or his breath which left him ragged. It was suddenly too quiet, Arric strained his ears to try and hear where Volke was. The dripping of water off the walls into the puddles below would have been soothing to Arric if he was not hiding for his life right now.

All of a sudden the cave lit up in bright light and in the center of it, with electricity sizzling off him in jagged waves, was Volke. Arric shrieked in horror as Volke clawed at him, pulling him from his hiding space and flinging him across the cave.

"I have had enough of you Arric. Enough games. Give me the stone."

Arric clutched the stone tightly in his hands, backing away from Volke but only finding a wall at his back. Frantically Arric tried to slip past but was grabbed from the back of the neck, flung against another wall. The stone slipped from his grasp and spiraled across the wet floor deeper into the cave. Arric scrambled after it, with Volke close behind. Wrestling for the stone, they kicked and fought, pulling the stone from the others grasps. The stone had grown slippery from the water and slid like a bar of soap from their hands to the floor a few feet from them. Arric and Volke leapt for the stone but Arric reached it first, sliding with the stone into the darkness. He felt the ground tilt and suddenly his speed gained as he slid further down a tunnel of the cave. Arric braced himself for the bottom, rolling across the floor until his head connected with the stone wall.