Chapter 86: New Girl on the Block

A few days after their most recent trip to Galar, things had returned to normal in Vermilion City. One day, Chloe was in school when the teacher made an announcement.

"Attention, class! I have a special announcement to make. For the next month, we'll be having a new student with us. She comes all the way from Snowpoint City in the Sinnoh Region."

This got the class's attention, and they immediately stopped whatever they were doing.

"I'd like everyone to please welcome Regina!"

A girl with silver hair shyly popped out from behind the teacher, an Espeon practically attached to her leg.

"Um…h-he-hello."

"Oh, you have an Espeon? Here, let me take it to the garden for you."

"Actually, I…"

"You can sit next to Chloe. I won't be long!"

Regina tried to speak up, but the teacher was already out the door with her Espeon. Defeated, Regina walked over and sat down next to Chloe, who gave her a warm smile.

"Hi there! I'm Chloe. Welcome!"

Regina just glanced down sadly, and didn't say a word. Chloe was shocked, but felt that now wasn't the time to press it.

A while later, it was lunchtime at school. Chloe was just about to sit down with her friends when she spotted Regina. The poor girl was shyly sitting in a corner, not even having touched her food. Seeing that she could use a kind face, Chloe walked over to her.

"Regina, right? Would you like to sit with me and my friends?"

Regina glanced up, only to quickly avert her gaze.

"I'm…I'm good, thank you."

"Are you sure? We really don't mind."

"I'm fine. I'm waiting for someone."

Chloe was surprised, but when she saw Regina looking toward the garden area until it hit her.

"Your Espeon, I'm guessing?"

Regina nodded.

"I'm worried about her. She's not used to other Pokemon, just like…"

"...Like you're not used to other people?"

Regina nodded.

"She's my only friend. You see…"

I have a weak immune system, and could get sick from the smallest of things. My parents fretted over it, and kept me inside all the time. As such, I never had any friends. But in spite of my illness, I always dreamed of traveling the world.

One day, while my parents were distracted, I snuck out. I knew it was dangerous, but I just wanted to see it for myself. It was pouring down rain, but I didn't care. It was beautiful.

I didn't get too far before I started coughing. My asthma was starting to hit me, but just as I was about to turn around I heard a faint noise. A poor Eevee was on the ground, cold, injured and barely awake.

"Oh, you poor thing."

Despite my own condition, I couldn't leave her there. So I wrapped her gently in my coat and tried walking back to my house.

I didn't make it.

When I woke up, I was in the hospital, a nurse checking my temperature.

"H-how'd I get here?"

"The Eevee you were with went to get help. Luckily, a hiker managed to hear her and found you. Which reminds me, you have a visitor."

The door opened and the Eevee came running in, healthy and full of life. She jumped right up into my bed and began nuzzling me.

"I'm glad you're alright, at least."

"I'll leave you two to get acquainted. Your parents should be here shortly."

My parents were furious that I snuck out, but when I explained everything they calmed down. I was released from the hospital a week later, but the Eevee refused to return to her home. It took some begging, but eventually my parents let me keep her, and we've been together ever since.

"Wow, you guys have been through alot."

Regina nodded.

"The thing is, I've spent so much time alone, I'm not even sure how to interact with other people."

"If your parents were so against you going outside, how'd you convince them to let you come to school here?"

"They're here in Kanto on business for a month. They figured some human interaction would do me some good, and the principal is an old friend of theirs. I want to make friends, but… I'm scared."

Chloe smiled gently.

"Why don't you sit with us today? Just to see if it'll work. I promise, if you want to leave at any time you can, and I won't bug you again."

"Are you sure your friends won't mind?"

"I promise."

Regina thought for a moment, then stood up.

"Ok, I'll give it a try."

"I promise, you won't regret it."

Meanwhile, in the garden, her Espeon was likewise alone by choice. The Sun Pokemon watched the others scamper about with their toys, anxiously waiting for her owner to be done with school. Suddenly, she felt an object bump into her. Looking down, she found a tennis ball at her paw.

"Evoi!"

Looking up, she saw Chloe's Eevee and Yamper looking at her expectantly. Cautiously, she nudged the ball back to them, only for Yamper to nudge it right back. This went on for a few moments, with Eevee and Yamper mixing it up by bouncing it off their head and tails. Suddenly, Espeon had an idea. Using her psychic powers, she sent the ball rolling away, leading the two Pokemon to chase after it. Then Espeon sent it flying in the other direction, and the two chased it back. Espeon stopped, worried they would be upset, only for them to look at her with pleading eyes to continue. With a smile, Espeon continued the game, and the three enjoyed a long afternoon of play.

Just as Chloe promised, her friends welcomed Regina in with welcome arms. She even managed to trade half of her sandwich for a couple of cookies, and before long Chloe's friends were her friends too.

School had just let out for the day, and the two of them were heading over to the garden to pick up their Pokemon.

"I told you it'd be alright."

"I'm glad I listened. Thanks again, Chloe. It feels nice having a friend I can talk to and for them to talk back."

"Of course, Regina! Come on, why don't I show you my dad's lab?"

"Sounds great. Just need to pick up Espeon."

When they reached the garden, they found an adorable sigh awaiting them. Eevee and Yamper were curled up against Espeon, the Psychic type wrapped around them to keep them comfortable as they slept. But when they heard their trainers approaching, the three bolted awake and ran to them, Yamper and Eevee practically plowing into Chloe. The redhead laughed, and scooped the two into her arms.

"Hello, you two! I see you had a fun day."

"Yamp Yamp!"

"Evoi!"

Regina smiled and stroked her Espeon's fur, making the Sun Pokemon purr as she nuzzled Regina's palm.

"I guess we both made some friends today, huh girl?"

"Espeon."

All of the Pokemon at the lab loved Regina and Espeon. It took Chloe, Ash, Goh, and Lillie working together just to pry Dragonite off of them. Regina didn't mind, though.

"I've never gotten this close to Pokemon before back home. At least she's friendly!"

Everyone had a good laugh at that. But alas, all good things must come to an end, and soon it was time for Regina to head home. Everyone went to the docks to see her off. Eevee and Espeon had a very touching goodbye, while their trainers kept it short and sweet.

"Thanks for being my first friend. You'll call, right?"

"Of course! And be sure to visit again sometime."

"Don't worry, I've already convinced my parents to let me join permanently next school year."

After that, Regina boarded the ferry. As the ferry sailed away, she waved goodbye to her new friends until they were out of sight. After that, she turned to her partner with a newfound sense of adventure.

"I heard there's a Pokemon Contest coming up soon back home. What do you say we give it a try?"

Espeon smiled, and nodded. Regina shared her happiness.

"That's what I'm thinking. There's a whole world of adventure out there, and I think its time we sought it out!"

"Esp!"