Here's the next chapter, enjoy people :)
Disclaimer: I don't own pokemon! If I did, Ash would actually age.
''Meloetta'' Speech
'Meloetta' Thoughts.
In front of the S.S. Anne, Ash was waiting in line, ready to board the massive cruiser which was ready to set sail. The young man could barely contain his excitement as he let his eyes wander over the hull of the ship with a lot of curiosity.
''Awesome,'' he exclaimed, impressed with the sheer size of the S.S. Anne. He had never seen such a massive ship before, and thanks to Lt. Surge's generosity, he could board it for free.
''Melo!'' His invisible legendary had to agree in a hushed tone. She was floating at Ash's right, as usual, and was just as eager as her trainer.
Pikachu was resting on Ash's right shoulder, looking with wide eyes at the cruiser, while Eevee was on his left shoulder, yipping happily.
''Yay, we're going to ride the boat!'' she sang joyfully, wagging her bushy tail from side to side.
''We certainly are, pipsqueak. It's going to be an experience we will never forget, I'm sure,'' Pikachu replied while giving her a friendly rub on the head.
She giggled; all of her muscles tensing in anticipation. She couldn't wait until they were finally on board. ''Are we going to battle on the ship?''
Meloetta cooed, and gave her a gentle hug. ''Of course we are, sweetie,'' she whispered. ''We're going to win for your daddy and make him proud, okay?''
''Yes! I want to battle for daddy and show how much stronger I've gotten,'' she yipped back cheerfully.
Pikachu laughed. ''Aren't you eager, pipsqueak. It's good timing though; your uncle is still a bit tired from the battle against Raichu. So the spotlight is all yours, sweetie.''
Eevee nodded her fluffy head and nuzzled Ash's cheek. ''I'm going to do my best, daddy. Just watch me.''
Ash giggled at the ticklish feeling of his fox pokemon's soft fur against his cheek, and nuzzled her back.
''You're excited, huh?''
Eevee gave a high-pitched cry of approval, very much enjoying Ash's affection.
''Just a little longer, Eevee. We're all excited. I can barely wait myself,'' the raven haired trainer confessed.
''Melo mel,'' his petite legendary then chirped lovingly, hugging her trainer close and nudging him forwards; it was finally their turn to board.
The S.S. Anne was just as impressing on the inside as it was on the outside. When Ash entered, he was soon directed to the main ballroom.
There, little stands were set up, selling all different kind of pokemon related merchandise. But that wasn't what caught Ash's eyes. In the middle of the ballroom, a massive crowd had gathered around a pokemon battle. A loud explosion followed, determining the battle. Cheers could be heard for the victor, who was apparently undefeated.
''It was to be expected,'' a very familiar voice sneered. ''After all, your Porygon was no match for my Wartortle.''
Upon hearing the voice, Ash's eyes turned to saucers. ''No way,'' he muttered. He couldn't believe it.
As if Gary had heard him, he turned around and gave a cocky smirk to the raven haired boy when he noticed him. ''Well, if it isn't Ashy-boy!'' he stated obnoxiously. ''I'm impressed. I would've never expected you here.'' Gary's tone was mocking, taunting Ash who couldn't help but ball his fists.
''Gary!'' he grumbled in return through gritted teeth, his happiness completely gone.
Meloetta's attitude changed drastically too. Her cheery demeanor turned serious very fast. She didn't know Gary that well, but from what she had heard and seen when Ash started his journey, she could only conclude he was a big bully, and bullies needed to learn their place.
''The one and only, Ashy-boy. So, you've defeated Lt. Surge I've heard.'' Gary sauntered closer to the raven haired boy while his personal cheerleader squad followed behind him.
''Yeah, I did. He was pretty tough, but I won on my first try!'' Ash responded proudly.
Gary began to laugh—as did his cheerleaders—and he snorted. ''Tough? He was way too easy. His Raichu was laughable, just like your Pikachu is, probably.''
Pikachu growled, his cheeks sparking dangerously with electricity at Gary's comment.
''Oh, and I see you've got yourself an Eevee as well. Are you trying to copy me, Ashy-boy?'' he taunted. ''Well, at least do it right. That Eevee looks way too weak.''
Meloetta felt a wave of anger well up inside her. 'How dare you insult Pikachu, Eevee and my Ash?' she thought furiously. It was only because Eevee had already jumped from Ash's shoulder in front of him, ready to battle, that she hadn't acted yet.
Ash reacted confident to Gary's remark, especially when he saw the fire in his Eevee's eyes and her proactive response. ''Weak? My Eevee is in the top percentage of Eevee. She will defeat your Eevee with no trouble.''
''Oh really? I bet Pikachu and Eevee are your only pokemon so far. Well let me tell you, I've already caught forty five different pokemon. Do you still think your Eevee can defeat me?'' Gary declared cockily.
''It doesn't matter how many different pokemon you have, Gary. The only thing that matters is how you train them.''
Gary gave a low whistle and snickered to his cheerleaders. ''See that, girls? Ash is trying to be a big boy. Let me show you what happens to little kids that act tough!''
They all cheered him on in response. ''Gary, Gary, he's our man! If he can't do it, no one can. Go, Gary!''
Gary cracked his neck, and then confidently threw his pokemon of choice on the field. ''Go, Eevee!''
The brown fox appeared in front of Gary, almost identical to Ash's own pokemon. The only difference between Gary's Eevee and Ash's Eevee was that she was a bit bigger.
When Gary's Eevee spotted her opponent, she began to chuckle disrespectfully. ''Oh my, aren't you a bit young to battle me? I don't want to hurt you, little girl.''
Eevee growled. ''Try to hurt me. I'm going to defeat you for my daddy so that your meanie trainer will shut up,'' she squeaked.
''You tell her, pipsqueak!'' Pikachu cheered. ''Go got her!''
Gary's Eevee feigned hurt. ''My meanie trainer? Now why would you call him that?''
''He told me I was weak! That's a lie. My daddy trained me really hard, as did Uncle Pika and Aunt Melly.''
Gary's Eevee chuckled again. ''Is that so? Do you know what I think? That your trainer is the one who's lying. You're not strong, you're weak. He's been feeding you lies because he pities you.''
''Don't listen to her, pipsqueak,'' Pikachu called out.
''Why don't you shut your yap, pretty boy?'' Gary's Eevee retaliated smoothly, winking at him.
Pikachu blushed slightly and mumbled something under his breath, but otherwise didn't say anything.
''Hey, don't be a meanie to my uncle!''
''I can be anything I want, little girl, because I'm strong. Face it, your daddy doesn't really love you. You're weak; a pathetic Eevee that still has a lot of growing to do.''
Tears started to form in Eevee's eyes, while her legs started to buckle. This made Gary's Eevee smirk. Beating down her opponent mentally, especially such a rookie as Ash's Eevee, was way too easy and satisfying. She had her shook. Ensuring victory was going to be a cakewalk now.
''Uhm, Meloetta,'' Pikachu hissed. ''Shouldn't you intervene?''
The only response he got was a petite hand of the legendary on his shoulder in reassurance. Meloetta was calm; very calm. She obviously knew something Pikachu didn't know, so he decided to trust her.
Meanwhile, Gary and Ash were ready to battle, while the former of the two was snickering. Ash's Eevee was shaking almost uncontrollably. He understood it very clearly though; his Eevee was just that intimidating, simple as that.
''Well loser, you'll get the first shot. Show me your Eevee's strongest Tackle,'' he taunted with a grin, which resulted in some laughs from the crowd. They too saw how much Ash's Eevee was shaking. It was obvious who was going to win.
''Okay. Eevee, Quick Attack followed with Take Down,'' Ash commanded.
Gary's Eevee never saw it coming. She fully expected her opponent to be rooted to her spot, too afraid to even move anymore and second doubting herself because of the things she said. However, the complete opposite happened.
In a split second, the moment Ash was done uttering his attack, Eevee's features turned to absolute fury. She disappeared for the naked eye, her Quick Attack so fast it propelled her forwards like a jet engine. The next moment, she had converted all of that momentum in a Take Down, which hit Gary's Eevee square on her chest.
There was no cry of pain, only a loud thud as she was sent flying like a lethal object to Gary, who in turn got hit square in his chest as well. Gary grunted painfully as he and Eevee both tumbled down hard on the floor; she was knocked out instantly.
The crowd watched slack-jawed and with bated breath. Nobody dared to say a thing as Ash's Eevee walked to a stunned Gary as if she was Giratina incarnated and coming for his soul.
When she was looming over them with a murderous snarl, she took a deep breath. ''You never, ever, say a bad thing about my daddy again,'' she squeaked loudly. ''He would never lie to me. He made me strong! I am strong!''
She looked back at Ash, Pikachu and where she knew Meloetta was. Especially when she saw the proud look on Ash's face, her eyes started to water with joy. ''I love my daddy.''
A bright light then began to take over her body, which made her shine as brilliantly as the sun. She grew bigger, taller, stronger. Her fur changed from a chocolate brown to a cream and pink color, and her eyes turned to a beautiful sky blue.
When her evolution was complete, only a gorgeous young Sylveon remained, which made Ash gasp loudly.
''She... she evolved,'' he muttered, stunned at her beauty and radiance.
He didn't know how to react. It took Meloetta to get him out of his spell and to call out to his just evolved Sylveon.
''Eevee, you've evolved! You're a Sylveon!'' he yelled happily. ''You did it, girl. You did it!''
Sylveon couldn't contain her emotions anymore. With a contagious smile and tears falling freely from her eyes, she tackled her trainer and nuzzled him in pure joy. She cried her eyes out while she yipped happily.
''I love you, daddy. Thank you, thank you for always believing in me!''
Ash didn't respond. There was no need. Sometimes, a gesture was worth more than a thousand words. Instead, he kissed her softly on her forehead while keeping her close.
It didn't take long before Pikachu and Meloetta joined in too, all hugging Ash close. He felt warm inside. These pokemon were his family through and through. They loved him, and he loved them back. Nothing was ever going to change that fact.
So hey, Eevee finally evolved and Gary got what he deserved :D So did you guys like it, love it, hate it? Reviews are always welcome! Next chapter the conclusion of the S.S Anne. Until next time ^^
~Syrup-Waffle