Thank you everyone

Eevee sat in the bushes, looking at a trainer who sat on a log, his face once blocked out with shadow, revealed to be kind, and his smile spread across his face naturally. He was surrounded by Pokémon that ate and enjoyed his company.

The man looked over to the bush and walked toward it. Eevee quickly tried to sink back into it, but he slowly crouched down, resting food on the floor before her.

He had a Charmeleon at the time, her gaze looking back to Eevee as she slowly ate what he had given.

"That's enough for today, let's head back to the center, okay?" the man declared, all the other Pokémon letting out a victorious cheer as they headed back.

They came back every day, training, eating, having fun. Over time, Eevee decided to join them on that log, the trainer patting her head with a soft smile.

"Welcome to the team." That voice echoed in her head since that day, the best thing that ever happened to her.

"Officials say there are some stones in here that make Pokémon stronger," the man declared, sitting by the edge of a cave in Fuchsia City. The team had grown a lot since then. Charmeleon had evolved into Charizard, and Eevee felt she had to grow too. Nevertheless, she was forced to stay behind.

After hours, impatience got the better of her, and she lightly treaded inside the cave to see what was wrong.

Flames ran up the stone-cold walls, so hot they could be mistaken for lava. Many cries were heard, and the smell of burning flesh filled the area around her.

Once the path cleared, she charged forth. Though there was nothing she could do, she stole a glimpse of her trainer's final moments. His body lay on the floor, ankle sprained, as he looked up at the Charizard before him, her body mutated beyond recognition. But Eevee knew who it was.

The trainer smiled softly, knowing it wasn't her fault, murmuring to himself softly, "I should've never come here. I'm sorry, to all of you—" Tears ran down his face as the monster charged its next attack. "To all my dearest Pokémon, who've been by my side till now, and to you Charizard, I'm sorry!" Flames engulfed the area around her once more, burning the flesh of Eevee's trainer right before her eyes.

She was speechless as the orange light reflected off her black, beady eyes.

She jolted awake in the middle of the night, her wounds healed yet she panted softly, tears rolling down her cheeks from the nightmare she just had, from the memory she didn't want to have.

Her gaze shifted to her Pokéball that rested right by her. Seeking comfort, she pressed the button and headed inside, missing the warmth of the one her trainer used to hold.

"Hey, have you seen Eevee?" Khalid asked as I packed my bags, a look of fear laced in my eyes once I heard the world coming to a stop and my heart racing.

"Did she run off to that cave again?! In her condition?!"

"I don't know!" Khalid responded, in equal panic.

"We need to go back!" I announced, grabbing my Pokéballs and hurrying to the door.

"H-hold on a minute!" Khalid shouted, trying to get his stuff together as well.

As we both scurried around like headless chickens, Zorua walked over to Eevee's Pokéball, sniffing it intently before looking at us with a huge smile. She yipped to get our attention, but the ruckus was too loud.

She let out a soft sigh, creating a small Shadow Ball and shooting it towards me, the blow enough to knock me off my feet but not injure me much.

"What was that for?!" I cried, rubbing my cheek. "This isn't the time to—"

I saw Zorua yipping at the ball that lay in the room, a soft smile on my face as I walked towards it and picked it up.

"Okay, buddy," I huffed, getting down to one knee before me, and looking down at the Pokéball before releasing it. Eevee appeared before me, letting out a soft cry and a confused look. We were in the center rooms, about to head out. Our bags strapped to our backs and our team at our side.

"We're about to leave now, so what you want to do from now on is your choice," I muttered. Khalid looked at me and gave a soft nod.

I smiled softly and looked at Eevee. "So, what do you want to do from now on?" Eevee took a minute to think about it. Both Khalid and I got our stuff together and turned to leave through the center doors.

"Eevee!" A cry was heard from the door. I turned to see the tiny fox staring at me with a determined look, running up towards me and hitting my leg repeatedly with its head.

"H-huh? What's wrong, Eevee—" I was confused by the sudden aggression. Khalid soon let out a small laugh and looked towards me.

"I think she wants to go with you," I looked both in awe and surprise at both him and Eevee, letting off a small smile. "Is that true, Eevee?"

Eevee nodded vigorously at my query, jumping onto one of my shoulders. Zorua yipped, her tail wagging as she did the same, the two of them causing me to almost lose my balance.

"H-hey! One at a time!" I cried, almost toppling over. Khalid couldn't help but laugh at what was happening.

The team was getting bigger, and my dream seemed just along the horizon, soon to be recognized. From the time I left the Pokémon school, I didn't expect to come this far, to do so much on my adventure. Honestly, I didn't even think I'd meet so many great friends along the way. So I'm happy. Thank you, Zorua. Thank you, Jeffrey. Thank you, Chloe. Thank you, Khalid. And to all my Pokémon, welcome to the team...Eevee.