Chapter 3

While the sunlight reflected through windows and shone bright inside of the white office of Fennel Walker, she sat on her chair, looking at her beloved son. Redwald was too nervous since the beginning of the conversation. Although Redwald said that he was nervous because he did not know how to compromise with Eevee, Fennel knew that the true reason why Redwald was too nervous was that he was worried if he was not qualified to be a Pokémon Trainer. Fennel was sure that Redwald was going to be a great Pokémon Trainer, but she could not just tell it out of nowhere. Instead, she went along with her better idea.

“Let me tell you the story of Eevee, Red.” She said. At least Redwald could understand why Eevee behaved that way.

“Professor Oak has a habit of going to the woods and explore or investigate whatever he feels like. Most of the times, he expects me with him. One of those days, we were in the Viridian Forest to look for a particular plant. There Professor Oak found Eevee, your Eevee, all alone under a tree. He was in a horrible shape, exhausted. He was hungry, thirsty, too tired to even stand up and all dirty. Professor Oak offered him to come along with us. He said that he would provide him food and water, maybe even some care. But once Professor Oak reached his hand to Eevee, Eevee suddenly circled the wagons and bit Professor’s hand. It was a stubborn bite that would convince anyone and change their mind. Eventually, Professor Oak understood that Eevee could never be persuaded, so we returned to the laboratory. First we brought some food and water with us, then asked Clefable to come along with us. We thought, maybe if Eevee saw us with a healthy Pokémon, he could trust in us more.”

The story was getting too tense for Redwald. But he was ready to hear all about the truth in the end. Placing his chin above his right hand, reclining his elbow to the chair, Redwald softly nodded his head.

“When we got there, Eevee was still on the same spot. He was a domestic Pokémon who had no chance in the wild world. The wild Pokémon came and went and attacked him. Eevee could not respond them in any way with no order from a Trainer. We weren’t even sure if Eevee ever battled. Also he could not provide his needs such as food and water, because the lake was too far away from that point and Eevee could not tell if a fruit was poisonous.”

“Eventually, we got there again and Professor Oak gave him the food. Eevee was cautious at first. But once he smelled the food and was sure that it was no warning issue, he dug in and ate like he never ate before. He was so tired of lack of water that the whole bottle was done in seconds. After that, he felt so good that he took his time to sleep. We just sat on rocks and waited for him to wake up.”

“Even we didn’t expect it to take that long but after half of a day, Eevee finally woke up. We could carry him to the laboratory there, but it would only frighten him. So we decided to stick around. After the awake, he felt fresh and nice. We had no idea how many days had he been there, waiting for whatever it was, but you couldn’t help but pity on him.”

“Eventually, Clefable communicated with him. Eevee still didn’t trust in us or Clefable, but once Clefable touched her hand on Eevee’s body, Eevee felt like he could count on her and us.”

“That’s the thing about Clefable, right?” Redwald said. He remembered that once he was too scared because of an Onix in the backyard of the laboratory that he hid in a cabinet and did not leave there for hours. Everybody in the laboratory, his mother, Professor Oak looked for him everywhere but he was nowhere to be found. Eventually Clefable was the one who spotted Redwald right. But he was so scared to get out that he only rejected. But once Clefable used her magical hands and put them on Redwald’s legs, Redwald suddenly felt safe and let Clefable take him out of the cabinet. That could be quite a dangerous weapon in the wild world to think of it, however.

“We couldn’t understand their language. But Professor Oak and Clefable somehow are able to communicate and understand each other in mysterious ways.” Fennel said. “There are myths all around that once someone is the best trainer of a particular Pokémon that they could ever have, they have an unvisible bond which lets them talk to each other telepathically. I never believed it could be true until I met Professor Oak and Clefable.”

“So, Eevee told Clefable that his Trainer was in the forest and asked him to wait there until he gets back. All of us, even the angel souled Clefable, knew that it was a lie. His Trainer abandoned him and made sure that Eevee wouldn’t chase him behind. Instead, he would stick to that point for days, maybe even weeks until he loses his belief in his Trainer.”

“That’s the most horrible thing ever a Trainer could do to their beloved Pokémon!” Redwald responded. Suddenly he felt a pity growing up inside of him despite he was annoyed by Eevee’s attitude back then. Now it all made sense to him that Eevee was rightfully making the true decision for himself. Some other Pokémon could never agree on going along with a Trainer, even.

“We couldn’t leave Eevee there. But also we couldn’t tell him that it was all a lie. Neither he would believe us, nor it would have any benefits for him. Instead Professor Oak quickly came up with another plan. He asked Eevee to come along with them until his Trainer returns. But we would stick a note on the tree and let him know the location of Eevee. Once he returns, he could always find his Eevee at the laboratory. It wasn’t a permanent solution, but it was the best one we could come up with at the moment.”

“Still it wasn’t good enough for Eevee. He was so attached to his Trainer that he couldn’t risk the chance of not seeing him or her once they return. Not to mention that Eevee still had doubts on trusting us.”

“Professor Oak thought it would be the best to keep watch on Eevee. I went there every morning, brought food and water for him, stood there to protect Eevee in case of any attack. The evening shift was another assistant’s. Professor himself also visited Eevee every day. But there is one thing that effected me a lot. Eevee was hungry for not food or water, but love the most. He was an uncared Pokémon despite of his love for his Trainer. You have no idea Redwald, how horribly Eevee was treated. One of those days, I brought soap and clean water to wash him off. Not only he felt so good after the bath, but he cried out of happiness. He just leaned on me and cried a river.”

Redwald felt horrible after he heard all about Eevee. No Pokémon could ever deserve to be treated like that, especially if they are waiting for their Trainer no matter what.

“There was no way to convince Eevee to come along with us, but there was no way to tell him that his Trainer actually abandoned him. I was desperate, sad and helpless. There was nothing to be done.”

“One day the other assistant reported the laboratory that Eevee was getting sick, he had a fever. So I brought Clefable with me to treat him. Clefable knows the medical intervention after all. When we got there, Eevee was burning alive. Clefable made her magical touch but Eevee could not gather himself together enough. We needed a plant to prepare a natural cure. So Clefable and I decided to split up to look for it. When I got back, I saw two Weedle were attacking Eevee. I reached to my Poké Ball and called Lickitung out of it.”

“Lickitung was not really experienced for a Pokémon Battle but once she saw the danger Eevee was put into, she didn’t even hesitate and did her best to protect him. But before it took so long, Weedle were able to poison my Lickitung, making her weak. But it can’t be considered useless attempt. Lickitung bought some time for Eevee in the end.”

“Then there she was, Clefable appeared behind the bushes. She was so pissed off that she suddenly used her ultimate move, Sing, to get Weedle out of the picture. I quickly treated Eevee and Lickitung as they were poisoned. But even then, it was no longer an option for me. Eevee had to come with us no matter what. It was his life we were talking about.”

“Eevee was mad at me at first after he woke up. I ensured him that I left a note on the tree in case his Trainer returns to see him. I told him that his Trainer was always welcome to the laboratory. In fact, I actually left a note in case his Trainer changes his mind and wants him back. But Eevee was depressed and sad at first. So I brought him home, let him be friends with Meowth. There Eevee realised the truth – what it truly was to love and care a Pokémon. He was touched the way I treated Meowth that once he cried again. I told him to let them all out. So did he.”

“As the time passed by and Eevee accepted the truth about his Trainer, he kept a distance between him and everbody else except me, Professor, Clefable and his only friend Meowth. He did not trust in anyone else. But even it was a big improvement for him. Professor and I were quite glad with the result so far.”

“After a while, Professor Oak wanted Eevee to explore and train himself. But he was never alone all his life. He couldn’t make it all by himself. So he decided to give Eevee to one of his students as their first partner. But Eevee was not ready. Once Professor mentioned that he was going to be given, Eevee quickly rejected. But Professor Oak insisted him that it could turn out to be better for both of them. Since he still didn’t want that to happen, Professor Oak gave them a chance to meet at least to see if the Trainer could change Eevee’s mind. But it didn’t work. After the first day, Eevee attacked his owner and returned to the laboratory and hid under the desk. He was uncomfortable.”

“That’s almost the same story, mom.” Redwald said. “He doesn’t talk to me, he hates me. I am the symbol of everything horrible he went through and he will never respect or love me.”

“No, Red. You are wrong.” Fennel said. “There is something you are missing here.”

“What is it, mother?”

“Before the camp began, Professor Oak asked Eevee if he wanted a Trainer and Eevee put a smile on his face. He is willing to be someone’s partner, Red. He just wants you to try. Try hard and make him satisfied with you. Give him some time to trust you. He wants to trust you. He only doesn’t know how and why.”

“So all I need is give him a reason to trust me.” Redwald thought loudly. Fennel nodded her head. “And he will respect and love you automaticly, Red.”

Humans

 * Redwald Walker
 * Professor Oak (mentioned)
 * Fennel Walker

Pokémon

 * (mentioned)
 * (mentioned)
 * (mentioned)
 * (mentioned)
 * Onix (at the lab; mentioned)
 * Wild Weedle (mentioned)