Chapter 38: To Train or Not to Train

(Somewhere in the Kanto Region)

It was the dead of night, but a research facility deep in the heart of Kanto was still hard at work. A few scientists were looking over an Eevee, making a few notes on his condition before leaving.

"Still no luck, today?"

"No. She's a stubborn one, but we'll get it to evolve eventually."

Satisfied, the two turned off the lights and left for the day. After a few minutes, Eevee opened a sleepy eye, making sure no one else was around. She didn't know where she would go, but she couldn't stay there. Making her way to a small vent in her room, she nudged it open, being extremely careful not to make a sound. Then, slowly and carefully, she made her way through the air vents until she came to one that would lead towards the outside. Determined to be free, she performed a Double Kick, breaking it and giving her a taste of freedom. However…

"Hey, what're you doing?!"

Crapd, she's been spotted. Without thinking, she dashed off into the woods, just barely managing to evade the two scientists as they watched her vanish off into the woods.

"Crap, she got away!"

"Should we go after her?"

"Are you kidding? If we lose her, all of our efforts will be in vain! We have to find her!"

"Right!"

"Crap, crap, crap! I'm going to be late!"

Chloe was running frantically towards her school, cursing herself for not setting her alarm like she thought she had. Goh would never let her hear the end of it if she missed class. But just as she approached the steps, she noticed a small shape hiding in the bushes. Kneeling down, she discovered it was a female Eevee, covered in leaves, twigs, and cuts all over.

"Oh, you poor thing. Are you alright?"

"Hey, you! Stop right there!"

Chloe straightened up to see two scientists running up to her, looking very distraught.

"Have you seen an Eevee anywhere? Female, averaged size, possibly in a hurry?"

Chloe could tell instantly they were looking for the Eevee she had discovered, but something told her not to let them know that.

"Uh, yeah, I think I saw her running towards Route 11."

"Are you sure?"

"Totally!"

"Route 11, got it, thank you!"

The two ran off, Chloe making sure they were long gone before turning to her new friend. Eevee, who had seen everything, cautiously crawled out of her hiding spot, nearly collapsing from exhaustion before Chloe caught her.

"You poor thing. Come on, let's get you cleaned up, dad will know what to do."

Luckily, her dad was available, and they got the Eevee cleaned up. At the moment, she was resting in the lab, Chloe and Professor Cerise keeping a close eye on her.

"It's a good thing you brought her here when you did. She was in a bad shape, but she'll pull through."

"Thank goodness. I was afraid she was seriously ill."

"There you are!"

Suddenly, the doors flew open, and the two scientists from earlier stormed in, pointing at Eevee.

"That Eevee is ours! Hand her over!"

"No way! Clearly, you can't take care of her."

"Butt out of this, kid!"

Professor Cerise, not happy with how they were treating his daughter.

"I don't know who you are, but this is private property. If you don't leave now, I'm calling the police."

"Ha, good luck! That Eevee is rightfully ours!"

"Yeah, so fork her over!"

"Did you catch her with a Pokeball?"

The two scientists' faces fell.

"Um, well, not exactly…"

"More of a butterfly net, but…"

"Then she's a wild Pokemon, and as such you have no jurisdiction over her. Now, you can either leave by your own free will, or I can get Officer Jenny involved."

Realizing they were beaten, the two scientists retreated, but not without one last message to them.

"This isn't over!"

Chloe shuddered, the cold stares from them sending shivers down her spine. Seeing his daughter in distress, Professor Cerise placed a hand on her shoulder to comfort her.

"Don't worry Chloe, we'll keep Eevee safe. I'll call the Humane Society tonight and have them bring her to a good home."

"Thanks dad, but I just can't help but shake the feeling we'll be seeing those creeps again."

A while later, Eevee woke up and slowly began moving about. She was still weak, but she was improving greatly just as Chloe came in with some food. At first Eevee was scared of her, but when she saw that it was the same person who protected her from the mad scientists, she settled down and let Chloe sit down next to her.

"So why are those guys after you anyway? No offense, but an Eevee doesn't seem like its worth all the trouble."

Eevee pointed towards a poster on the wall, showing Eevee, her possible evolutions, and the means by which to evolve her.

"Oh, I see. Those guys are studying you and your evolutions, right?"

Eevee nodded, but then her face fell.

"Do you…not want to evolve?"

Eevee didn't respond, but Chloe could sense that wasn't the whole story.

"Or is it that you don't know what you want to evolve into?"

Eevee nodded sadly. Chloe smiled, and gently stroked her fur, making Eevee smile slightly.

"Yeah, I know the feeling. Everyone thinks I'm going to be this great Pokemon Professor just because my dad is, but truthfully I don't know what I want to be. Do I want to compete in the Pokemon League? Become a Coordinator? Something else? I don't know, and sometimes I feel like I'm being pulled in every which direction. But whenever I start to feel like that, I like to think of something my mom told me once. No matter what path you choose in life, all that matters is that you enjoy it!"

Chloe's speech made Eevee feel a little better, and she nudged up against Chloe for some cuddling, which she was happy to provide.

"You're very welcome."

"Alright, enough fun and games! Hand her over!"

Chloe screamed, instictively grabbing Eevee as the two scientists from before barged into the room.

"You two again? Leave her alone, she doesn't want any part in your research!"

"Tough luck! We've wasted enough time letting her choose what she wants to become, now we do things the hard way!"

"Yeah, so move over!

"No! I won't let you put her through any more torment!"

"Then I guess I'll have to take you with us!"

Chloe closed her eyes, squeezing Eevee tightly to her chest in fear until…

"Freeze! You're under arrest!"

Nervously, Chloe opened her eyes to find the two being led away in handcuffs by Officer Jenny.

"You two are under arrest for breaking and entering, Pokemon cruelty, and attempted kidnapping. You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law."

"But that Eevee belongs to us!"

"Tell it to the judge!"

Chloe breathed a sigh of relief as her father came running in.

"Chloe, are you alright? Those crooks broke in through the air duct, and I heard you scream-"

"I'm fine, dad. Thank goodness Officer Jenny came when she did."

"I'll say. I had a feeling those two would be back, so I asked Officer Jenny to keep a watch over the lab."

"Don't you two worry. Those two won't be going anywhere for a long time."

Chloe breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness. I'm hitting the hay, that's enough excitement for one night."

"Goodnight, Chloe."

But just as Chloe was about to leave, Eevee whimpered fearfully.

"What's wrong? Would it help if you slept in my bed tonight?"

Eevee smiled, and gave an affirmative "Vee!"

"Alright then, it's settled!"

"Yamp Yamper!"

"Of course, you can sleep there too!"

"Yamper!"

The next morning, a breeder came and took Eevee to their daycare to take good care of her. Chloe was sad to see her go, but was happy in knowing that she protected her from people who wished to harm her. Besides, she had school to catch up on.

But when she returned to the lab after school, she was surprised to see the breeder having returned, along with Eevee.

"Huh? What's going on?"

"I think this little Eevee wants to tell you something."

The little Eevee nudged a Pokeball towards Chloe, not stopping until it was right at her feet.

"Do you want me to capture you?"

"Eevee!"

Chloe considered it for a minute, before smiling and picking up the Pokeball. Gently, she tapped it against the Normal Type's head, absorbing it into the Pokeball and capturing her instantly.

"Alright, my first Pokemon!"

"Congratulations, Chloe!" The breeder told her. "I have a feeling you two were made for each other."

"Thank you so much! I promise to take good care of her."

After the breeder left, Professor Cerise handed Chloe a small present.

"Consider this an early birthday present. Just a little something to commemorate the start of your journey."

Chloe unwrapped the present to find a Rotomphone all set and ready for use.

"This way, whenever you decide on what you want to be, you'll have all the tools you'll need."

"Thanks, dad!"

"Hey guys, we're back!"

Just then, Ash, Goh, and Lillie arrived, back from their vacation.

"So, what'd we miss?"