Setting:
•Route 29, Johto•
•After 2 PM•
•Late February, the same day•
•Amber (Wolfe Alias) POV•
Chapter Fifteen
Old Allies, New Forms
As we headed out through Route 29, we battled various wild Pokémon on the way, though I didn't feel like catching any. Really I had seen most of these Pokémon too many times before: Pidgey, Rattata, but Sentret was pretty interesting. Still, I wanted to think about my team before catching anything. I already had a grass type, and the egg would be a water type, and when that evolved, it would be a ground type too.
So I figured that my weaknesses so far were grass, counterable by Chika, fire, counterable by the Mudkip or its evolved forms, Flying, Ice, Electric until Mudkip evolved, Poison, Bug, and I guessed that was all for now. That was already quite a few weaknesses, so I figured that I'd need to cover them up somehow. Along the way, Chika gained a few more skill levels, and we both felt pretty proud about that.
Finally, we made it to Cherrygrove City, and it was mid-afternoon. Figuring we'd hit the Pokémon Center for a short break and some grub, we headed into that direction. Chika affectionately patted my cheek with her leaf as she rode on top my shoulder.
As we entered the Center, two furry objects tackled me. Shocked, I opened my eyes since I instinctively closed them once I was knocked over to find two furry faces licking my own. Blinking, I realized that they were my Pokémon; only…they weren't like they were when I left them…
I had a friend, Bill, who ran the whole computer Pokémon transfer system. Aside from talking computer lingo, we had another thing in common: Eevees. When Team Rocket ran the game corner in Celadon, we both spent every penny we had to liberate the poor Eevee given away as prizes. Because of this, we came about quite a collection of them.
We found homes for some, kept others, and then some went to the wild. Unfortunately, they bred like rabbits… One of the eeveelutions licking my face was the first offspring of one of my Eevee that I obtained as a gift and the first Eevee I rescued from the game corner. The other was a stray that I took in. Only, they weren't Eevee anymore, and on top of that, if they were around, that meant Bill was around.
As if to answer my thought, I heard a familiar voice calling to the two Pokémon. "Espeon! Umbreon! Don't attack trainers coming in through the door!"
He then muttered more to himself than to the Pokémon, "It's bad enough I have to recalibrate the whole system in Cherrygrove, but watching these two as well? Sheesh, I wish Amber were here to take these two off my hands. I can't go anywhere without them causing mischief."
I got up and patted the two Pokémon on their heads. "It's okay, Bill. I guess no matter what I look like, I'll always smell the same to these guys. Man, they've grown."
"Umm? Do I know you?" Bill asked, looking up from a half-discombobulated computer.
"We've met before. How about we get some lunch and talk about it?"
"Sure. I've been working on this for hours with no break. I guess I am getting pretty hungry." Just as I figured, Bill hadn't changed a bit: always work first and other stuff later. He was always a pretty hardcore kind of guy.
I sat down at a table while Chika jumped down and introduced herself to Espeon and Umbreon. Bill then joined me at the table. Looking to make sure we weren't being overheard, I decided that Bill could keep a secret; after all, he was too busy for small talk most of the time.
Keeping my voice down and changing it to what it originally sounded like back when I was Amber I whispered. "Bill, it's me, Amber."
"What!?" He said somewhat loudly. He then toned it down some. "But I heard you were dead! Team Rocket burned your school to the ground."
"Actually, I burnt it so I could go undercover. My family moved to Johto a few days ago."
"Your Dad still a cop?"
"Yeah, but he's staying away from Team Rocket cases when he can. I'm the one in charge of that investigation now." It was a white lie, but I didn't want to risk getting Dad in trouble.
Bill whistled. "Wow. That's pretty dangerous."
"Yeah." I agreed. "But I think I may actually have a lead this time."
"Really?!" He seemed genuinely interested.
"I hope so in any case. Just answer one question for me. Have you seen Silver lately?" I asked seriously.
"I saw him about half a year ago. Why?" Bill was giving me his undivided attention.
"How is he?" I asked dreading the answer.
"Hmm… Well to tell the truth, he seemed kinda…distant. You know? I mean even less social than before. Just between you and me, I think he wants to avenge your so-called death on Team Rocket."
"Exactly." I sighed.
"Oh, I get what you're getting at. But do you really think he's capable of finding Team Rocket?"
"I certainly hope so. I'm already letting him get away with theft—but only because he's the only lead I have."
"You don't say!? What'd he steal?" Bill asked in alarm.
"A Totodile from Professor Elm… I just hope that Totodile is alright. Silver seemed kinda unstable last I saw him. I battled him yesterday trying to get the Totodile back." I frowned.
"He didn't recognize you?"
"Nope." I shook my head. "I would've revealed my identity to him if he wouldn't be my only lead on Team Rocket… That and now he's a thief… Meh…" I sighed.
"Sounds like a tough break for you. Especially since I take it you have none of your original team with you." Bill frowned.
"That's the truth. I do have Chika though. She's a pretty tough cookie," I bragged.
"I know! Take Espeon and Umbreon with you!" He grinned.
"You sure?" I knew they were mine, but Bill seemed to have taken such great care of them.
"I'm positive! They've been getting in my face ever since they evolved. I think they're lonely. After all, they are your Pokémon in the first place. I just watched them for you."
"Eh…well—"
"—I even have their pokeballs with me!" He fished the two pokeballs out of his pocket and handed them to me. "Please take them, Amber. It's for the best for all of us. Last time I fixed a system error, Espeon chewed a wire, and Umbreon lost a few screws that held the hardware together. They're not happy fixing computers with me, but I can't leave them back at my cottage near Cerulean because they wrecked my house when I left them alone before."
"Alright, I'll take them." I agreed.
"Thanks!" He smiled. "You know…it sure is taking a while for our table to be waited on…and I am pretty hungry." I heard his stomach grumble, and mine joined in the chorus.
"I'll go flag down Nurse Joy. Meanwhile, you can poke-sit."
"Oh joy." He replied as an unenthusiastic pun.
I walked over to the nurse's desk and rang the bell for service. After inquiring about a meal, the nurse smiled, and I sat down again.
"So?" He asked.
"She said the Chansey would be out with food for all of us in a few minutes." I grinned.
"I guess that'll suffice." He sighed.
"So, how have things been for you, Bill? Still the number one poké-maniac?" I joked.
"Of course! I've completed more research on Eevee, by the way. I found that if you travel to the Sinnoh region, an Eevee could evolve into a Grass type when touching a special moss rock, or an Ice type when touching a glacial rock. One day, I think I'll travel to Sinnoh so I can have a Leafeon and a Glaceon…" He trailed off dreamily.
Bill was obsessed with Eevee and its evolutions, always was, and always would be.
"That'd be pretty cool. Oh by the way, did I tell you that Blitz and Neelix are a couple now?" I asked.
Bill was the only one who knew all of my Eeveelutions by their nicknames aside from myself and Silver.
"That's awesome! If they ever have any eggs, you know who to give them to." He replied.
"I don't know about that. I mean…I don't think they'll produce eggs unless they're in a daycare center, but then again, I don't really know. Anyway, how are all your Eevee doing?" I asked.
Right then and there I wish I would've asked a different question, as Bill owned at least 50 Eevee alone since I last saw him.
"Oh they're doing well. Let's see… Fluffy is still fighting with Perky. Happy and Mr. Flufftail are doing just fine. They help me with my OS research…." And on he continued, although I pretty much tuned him out. "And Snowflake my white Eevee— Oh look, the food's here!"
Savedby the Chansey. I thought as the Nurse Pokémon set steaming bowls of soup in front of us. Chansey then gave my three Pokémon a bowl each of assorted berries. From there, the three swapped for flavors they liked. We ate in silence until we both finished.
"Good meal," I stated, happily full.
"Certainly." Agreed Bill. "So…" He lowered his voice. "What am I supposed to call you? I'm pretty certain I can't call you Amber anymore since you're undercover right?"
"Right!" I grinned. "The name's Wolfe."
"Eh, fitting enough. But enough of that. So, Wolfe, what exactly do you plan on doing to pass the time?" He lowered his voice again, "when you aren't searching for Team Rocket?"
"I think I'll take on the gyms. I've wanted to do that for some time now anyway. My first stop is Violet City."
"Cool. Gyms. Yeah, that sounds like something you'd enjoy all right. Hey listen, when you get to Goldenrod, feel free to stop by my place there. They have a gym in Goldenrod."
"I thought you still lived on Cerulean's Cape." I asked curiously.
"I do, but my mother and younger sister live in Goldenrod, and right now Johto has major issues with the computer transport system, so I'm pretty much living with my mom until I can get everything running smoothly."
"Sounds rough. Sure, I'll pass by and visit." I agreed.
"Thanks. I'd love to see how much Espeon and Umbreon grow till then. Please take good care of them, okay? I really did get attached to the little guys, but they get in my way even if they don't mean to."
"I promise I will, Bill."
"Thanks. By the way, I got a pokegear. I'll give you my number so that you can call me and let me know how they're doing." He handed me his business card, which had a huge emblem of a shiny Eevee, no doubt the one he named Snowflake, as the background.
"Thanks Bill" I took out a pen and wrote on a napkin my number and handed it to him. "Here's mine so you can tell me how the progress with the transport system goes. Just in case I need to give a Pokémon to Professor Oak."
"Sure!" He accepted it and put it in his pocket. "I guess I'd better get back to work. I don't get paid for idle chatter," he chuckled.
"Alright. Nice seeing you again, Bill. Take care of yourself."
"Nice seeing you again, too, Wolfe. Be careful." He grinned.
"I will. Later!"
By then, he was already focusing on the computer in the corner of the room. So, I looked down at my two new traveling companions.
"I guess we'd better get going. You guys don't mind coming along with me, do you Espeon and Umbreon?"
"Espe!"
"Umbre!"
They both replied happily. Chika seemed pretty happy, too, since for once her friends got to come along with her.
"You know, before we leave, I think I'll get info on you guys." I pointed my Pokedex at Espeon first.
Species: Espeon, Sun Pokémon
Type: Psychic
Ability: Synchronize
Number: 188, 196
Height: 2' 01"
Weight: 24.4 lbs.
Color: Purple
Egg Group: Ground
Gender: Female
Nature: Sassy, Mischievous
Likes: Bitter
Dislikes: Sweet
Stats:
Endurance: 10/20
Attack: 10/20
Defense: 12/20
Special Attack: 18/20
Special Defense: 15/20
Speed: 19/20
Moves Known:
Wish –Normal—Status— The user wishes upon a star to heal either itself or a team member within a few minutes.
Yawn –Normal—Status—The user gives a persuasive yawn, which lulls the opponent to sleep.
Sand-Attack—Ground—Status—The user flings sand into the opponent's eyes, causing the opponent's accuracy to fall.
Tackle—Normal—Physical—35/35 The user charges in with a full body tackle.
Pokedex Entry:
An Espeon is extremely loyal to any trainer it considers to be worthy. It is said to have developed precognitive powers to protect its trainer from harm. It uses the fine hair that covers its body to sense air currents and predict its enemy's actions.
"Ah, so you're my little female Eevee that was bred from my first two Eevee, huh Espeon?" I grinned at the pink Pokémon.
"Espeon!" She replied while washing her face.
"Okay, now let's see about Umbreon." I pointed the dex to Umbreon.
Species: Umbreon, Moonlight Pokémon
Type: Dark
Ability: Synchronize
Number: 189, 197
Height: 2' 07"
Average Weight: 37.4 lbs.
Color: Black
Egg Group: Ground
Gender: Male
Nature: Docile, Likes to Fight
Likes: No Preference
Dislikes: None
Stats:
Endurance: 17/20
Attack: 14/20
Defense: 19/20
Special Attack: 14/20
Special Defense: 20/20
Speed: 11/20
Moves Known:
Bite—Dark—Physical—The user bites the foe fiercely, which may cause the opponent to flinch in pain or terror.
Sand-Attack—Normal—Status— The user flings sand into the opponent's eyes, causing accuracy to fall.
Quick Attack—Normal—Physical—The user charges in with an incredibly quick tackle that is almost guaranteed to strike first.
Tackle—Normal—Physical—The user charges in with a full body tackle.
Pokedex Entry:
When darkness falls, the rings on the body begin to glow, striking fear in the hearts of anyone nearby. When agitated, this Pokémon protects itself by spraying poisonous sweat from its pores.
"Okay, so you were the Eevee that knew Bite and Quick Attack as egg moves. Cool." I grinned at the black fox.
"Umbreon," replied the Pokémon sitting at my feet as he calmly looked at me.
"Okay, well since we need to keep on moving, how about we go onwards to Route 30?" I suggested.
"Espe!"
"Umbre!"
"Chika!" Replied the trio happily.
And so, my team of three and I exited the Center and left Cherrygrove behind as we entered Route 30 once more, only this time, we'd be going all the way to Route 31.