A/N: It's been a while. Snaps. I do not own Poke'mon. But I do own a Pikachu hat. Enjoy! ^^
Jolteon bristled eagerly at the challenge, Miki smiling pleasantly. "Best of luck to you and Eevee, Alice." She bowed. Alice quickly followed suit.
"Thank you. The same." Alice replied, the corners of her mouth lifting into a small smile.
Miki raised a brow at the confidence brimming from the girl and her Eevee, who performed a small half-bow as well.
"Don't hold back." Miki remarked. "Quick attack!"
Eevee yelped, leaping aside. Jolteon's sharp fur raked against him as it passed, causing minimal damage.
"Jolteon is the fastest evolution – keep that in mind!" Alice yelled to Eevee, who recovered and launched into a defensive move. Eevee darted quickly about, creating an illusion of being multiple places at once.
"Double team, eh? Very good." Miki commented, smiling. "Careful of that, Jolteon. A nice thundershock should do that trick."
Jolteon nodded, but was suddenly tackled by the swift moving Eevee. Alice grinned. Eevee leapt back in time to avoid Jolteon's retaliatory spark.
"Without a single verbal command…" The kimono girl muttered to herself, surprised. "Well then, ramp it up, Jolteon. Thunderbolt."
Eevee could not evade the lightning fast attack. "Agility." Jolteon's speed increased drastically, and Alice knew Eevee was in trouble. She grit her teeth as Jolteon zapped Eevee at close distance. Eevee struggled to get to it's feet…
It took Alice a moment to realize what had happened, when she saw both Poke'mon go flying. Jolteon had come in for another close thunderbolt, and Eevee had taken the attack, tackling Jolteon with full force in lieu of avoiding the shock. The attack had still taken quite a toll on Eevee, who panted, half-limping.
Jolteon rose easily to its feet, eyes glinting dangerously. This fight was going to be over quickly.
"Very resourceful, Eevee. You essentially used volt tackle. Unluckily for you…Jolteon absorbs electricity for strength." Miki explained, smiling. Jolteon's fur crackled with electricity, and it was clear to all that Jolteon was gearing up for a final attack. It advanced slowly upon Eevee.
Eevee leapt to it's feet as best as it could, feebly trying to attack Jolteon. Jolteon swatted at it with a paw, effectively disabling the fox-dog. The electricity surrounding Jolteon grew more intense, and-
"W-wait!" Alice yelled, hating herself for what she was about to do. "Clearly, the match…is over." She saw Eevee hang its head, eyes closed shamefully. What a loss…
Jolteon dispelled the electricity, shaking off casually and preening it's fur. Miki nodded. "A good trainer knows when enough is enough." She replied sagely, calmly. Her eyes followed Alice as the girl ran to Eevee, stoking it and whispering words of encouragement.
"Please, take Eevee to the Poke'center, and then return here for our decision." Miki said, the other kimono girls nodding in unison.
Alice nodded numbly, gently cradling Eevee in her arms as she left.
Discussion commenced.
Alice dropped her proud posture as soon as she was out of the building. She slouched, gripping the now unconscious Eevee closer to her. She had considered recalling Eevee to its poke'ball, but there two things preventing that. Alice felt it a great disrespect to Eevee's valiant efforts. Her other reason was selfish; the only reason she wasn't in tears was for Eevee's sake. If she cried in front of the fox-dog, that would only dishearten the Poke'mon. Without Eevee watching, she would have no restraint for her tears.
It was literally a five minute walk to the Poke'center. The probability of anything happening in this time was very low. But not low enough, thought Alice wryly, as Daryl approached. Go away!
"Alice! Why is Eevee so beat up?" Daryl questioned, oblivious to Alice's sullen glare.
"I don't suppose that's any of your-"
"Did you lose to one of the kimono girls?" Daryl interrupted, shaking his head. "No offense, but I kinda knew you would…"
"Did you know?" Alice snapped sarcastically. "Good for you."
Daryl continued as if he hadn't heard. "Harsh, Alice. That really sucks. Seriously."
Alice grit her teeth as she and Daryl entered the Poke'center. "Nurse Joy…" Alice mumbled, catching the Nurse's attention immediately. Nurse Joy rushed over, gently taking Eevee.
"What happened, dear?" The nurse asked worriedly.
"She lost." Daryl interjected solemnly.
"Eevee tried his very best, Nurse, to defeat Miki and her Jolteon. It was not enough…" Alice ignored Daryl, hanging her head with a sigh at hearing herself say those words.
"It sucks. Seriously." Daryl added, shaking his head.
Nurse Joy gave him an odd look before returning her kind gaze to Alice. "That is alright, Alice. I have faith that Eevee's performance was no less than admirable." With a smile she headed into the back to heal Eevee. Alice remained silent, letting the sad smile fall off her face.
"Well, I'll see you later. Sorry you won't get to evolve your Eevee." Daryl finished lamely, flashing a smile. Alice had a brief image of herself strangling him – she sensed Kadabra's amusement at the conjured image.
Kadabra…we lost.
But you did not fail. He replayed the memory of the kimono girls, explaining the rules regarding how they decided who was to get an evolutionary stone. He further reminded her of Miki's impressed comments and expressions.
Alice nodded, flicking a solitary tear from her cheek. Thank you. The only response was a feeling of warmth and friendship.
Nurse Joy walked back into the front room, Eevee beside her, completely rejuvenated. The fox-dog hung it's head, whining a little.
"Eevee!" Alice scooped up the dejected Poke'mon, stroking the soft fur reassuringly. "I'm so glad you're okay. You did fantastic! That volt tackle idea – brilliant." Eevee looked up at Alice's grin in surprise. "No matter the result, I am so very proud of you."
"Vwee!" Eevee nuzzled happily against Alice's arms, locking her as if to say, 'thank you'.
"Now let's go get that thunderstone!" Alice yelled enthusiastically, Eevee yelping excitedly with her.
Nurse Joy couldn't help but smile as the two ran out the door – not just Poke'mon and trainer, but Poke'mon and friend.
Alice burst into the Ecruteak Dance Hall with proud posture, Eevee padding along beside her. The kimono girls smiled at her reappearance.
"We have come to a consensus, Alice." Miki said, smiling. "Before we tell, let some of my sisters share their commentary on our battle."
Zuki spoke first, Umbreon nodding along with her words. "What most amazed me was Eevee's strategy. You didn't have to give a single command! That is a unique trait among trainers, and all credit goes to your Poke'mon. Eevee was insightful, dodging and planning it's attacks. It was wonderful to watch."
"Thank you…" Alice said, bowing her head. Eevee gave a doggish grin, delighted with all the praise.
Naoko spoke next, Flareon cooing it's compliments to Eevee. "There is little to add to what Zuki as said. We were all very impressed with the impromptu use of volt tackle. If Eevee was as experienced as Jolteon, it is my opinion that you might have won."
Alice bowed her head yet again, muttering further thanks.
"Now, Alice, is your reward." Miki motioned Jolteon to come forward. The electric-type obliged, carrying in its mouth a thunderstone. It placed the stone at Eevee's feet. Eevee barked with delight, tail wagging emphatically. Alice bent down and picked up the stone, a smile spreading over her face.
"Thank you, so very much." Her face glowed with happiness as she pocketed the stone, scooping Eevee into her arms with a giggle.
The kimono girls smiled. "Eevee deserves it." Miki replied.
Alice nodded, exclaimed a good-bye and ran out the door, skipping and yelling, Eevee barking along right with her.
