9 Chapter 9

Under the awed looks from Atsumu, Ash, Pikachu, and Chandelure, a brilliant blue glow surrounded Eevee, visually stunning everyone as her body began to change, growing larger and longer until the blue glow dissipated, leaving the first-ever ghost-type Eeveelution, in all her glory.

Everyone stared at the new Eeveelution, that was born into this world. Her dark purple fur, purple sclera with black iris-filled eyes curiously looking at her paws, still in a daze from the feeling of evolution, before her eyes widened, her paw going to her neck as she felt something warm on her neck and tips of her fluffy light purple tail.

It didn't hurt as she went towards the ocean, staring at her reflection, her eyes widening in surprise at her appearance, a purple flame swaying with a spiral pattern around her neck and little wisps coming off her tail.

' I look so cool! ' She yelled, snapping everyone out of their daze.

' Spectreon. That's your species name, huh. ' Atsumu thought in joy and pride when Spectreon yelled out.

" You sure do! " Atsumu said with a smirk, walking towards her as she turned around and ran up to him, before twirling around so he had a good look.

' Fascinating! I wasn't expecting you to evolve, but the surprise is welcomed, plus the fact that you look fabulous! ' Chandelure said, circling her, making her smile at the praise, as she puffed out her chest with pride.

" OI! We're going to end the battle here. " Atsumu called out.

" Wait wait wait... What's happening? How did that happen? And...Okay, I guess. " Ash said immediately, utterly confused as he tried to wrap his head around the events that he had just witnessed.

" Oh that. Well to put it in simple terms, I wanted to discover a ghost-type Eeveelution, the first of its kind. " Atsumu said.

" A Ghost-type Eeveelution? " Ash questioned. " Aren't there supposed to be 8? "

" Well, people are going have to change that number to 9. There are 9 Eeveelutions now. " Atsumu said as he scratched Spectreon behind her ear.

" Okay, but... Like...How? " Ash asked as he motioned to Spectreon.

' Woah. ' Pikachu said in awe as he touched Specreon's flames while Chandelure watched from the side, examining the fire.

" Hmm... It's better if I explain at the pokemon center while examining Spectreon thoroughly. " Atsumu said as he got up from his crouched position.

...

"Excuse me, Nurse Joy. " Atsumu called upon stepping into the Pokemon Center and walking up to the head nurse, Ash right behind him with Pikachu on his shoulder, " I need to use one of the clinical rooms. "

" Eh? Why? " Nurse joy asked curiously.

" My name is Atsumu Miya. I need to run a few examinations. " Atsumu said, after handing her his Pokedex, opening his id.

" Go to room number C2. It's currently available. " Nurse Joy said as she handed Atsumu his Pokedex.

" Thank you. " Atsumu said as he walked towards the room with Ash following behind him, glancing at Nurse Joy before looking at Atsumu's back.

" That... was way too easy. What did you show her? " Ash asked, catching up to Atsumu.

" Oh that. I'm an assistant researcher, working under professor Kukui, the head pokemon researcher in the Alola region. By showing that status to pokemon centers, I'm allowed to use clinics that don't need to be used by the center and do some examinations. " Atsumu explained.

" That's useful. All researchers can use this and Nurse Joy won't complain pr ask what you're doing? " Ash asked.

" Mostly. Clinics are just used to examine pokemon. Any serious injuries that a pokemon has are mostly treated directly in other rooms. So, they won't make much of a fuss and disturb us. They are already extremely busy tending to other pokemon brought in by trainers. " Ataumu said, his eyes landing on the door plate that held 'C2'.

Atsumu grabbed the doorknob, twisted it, and push the door. Stepping inside, Atsumu glanced around the room while walking towards the cupboards with Ash following his every move, curiosity brimming in his eyes.

" Lock the door. " Atsumu told Ash, who locked the door right after.

Atsumu released Spectreon from her Pokeball, appearing on the table.

' Nice room. ' Spectreon said as she looked around, looking at Pikachu hopped onto the table.

' So what was that move that you used at the end of our match? ' Pikachu asked curiously.

' Oh that was Poltergeist. ' Spectreon said.

' Poltergeist? 'Pikachu repeated.

' Yep. To put it in simple terms, I can pick up objects and attack opponents with them. ' Spectreon said.

' I see. So would any additional effects happen based on the item being used? ' Pikachu asked.

' I.. don't think so. ' Spectreon thought. ' I haven't seen any additional effects from using an item. Is it supposed to be that way? '

' No. When you said using an item to attack someone, I thought of the move Fling. ' Pikachu said as he crossed his arms.

' An interesting comparison, ' Chandelure said as he floated close to the pair, ' but, Poltergeist doesn't work the same way as Fling. The item gets covered in ghost-type energy, which is controlled by the user to attack the opponent directly, the item won't give an additional effect.'

' I see. But how did you manage to learn the move? Shouldn't the only ghost-type move that Eevees can learn, Shadow Ball? ' Pikachu asked.

' I thought the same, but nope! ' Spectreon said smugly.

' It took Eevee quite a while and i lot of training to have an extremely fine-tuned control over ghost-type energy for her to use those moves. However, the only moves she knows are damaging attack moves, such as Shadow claw, Shadow sneak, Phantom force, e.t.c. '

' Seriously?! That's amazing! ' Pikachu exclaimed.

' I know right. In the beginning, I couldn't even make a Shadowball that well but here I am now, a ghost-type Eeveelution. Oh man, I wonder how my biological family would react when they see me now. ' Spectreon thought.

' I am primarily concerned about how you would act in front of them again. ' Chandelure stated, looking at Spectreon's smug face.

' Oh please, I... would act appropriately. ' Spectreon states.

' I know. ' Chandelure says with a closed-eyed smile. ' We taught you, after all. '

' And now I'm curious about your past. ' Pikachu commented.

' Really? I can tell if you want? ' Spectreon said.

' ...Just like that? ' Pikachu blinked.

' Yep. ' Spectreon said.

" Alright. I have everything. " Atsumu said as he looked at the notepad, stethoscope, and tongue depressor on the table. The weighing scale and height measure are near the table.

" What tests are you going to perform? " Ash asked.

" Just the basics. This is just to gain data to record before sending it to Professor Kukui to inform him about the success. He's been eager for this result and would be furious if he didn't learn about it right away. " Atsumu said with a slight chuckle, imagining Kukui's reaction.

" What do you usually test? I... feel like there should be more tools that are used? " Ash gestured to the tools on the counter.

" You know all the data that's in the Pokedex when scanning a pokemon... " Atsumu said to Ash, who nodded.

" I'm recording that and doing other tests to make sure the evolution went smoothly. While she is, probably, perfectly fine, it's better to check just in case. " Atsumu said.

" So... how did this even work? " Ash asked, as Spectreon step onto the weighing scale.

" Well from our battle, I'd say this is a case of a pokemon evolving by knowing a certain move and using a battle to trigger the evolution. " Atsumu stated while measuring Spectreon's height.

" Wait? Move? Eevee had to know a certain move to... evolve? " Ash asked confused.

" Yep. It's not the first evolution that falls under this specific category. Take Yanmega, Tangrowth, or Mamoswine for example. For their pre-evolutions to evolve, they need to know the move, Ancient Power. " Atsumu said.

" That's how they evolve?! " Ash asked surprised, remembering the moments where he saw a Yanma and Piloswine evolve while getting a nod from Atsumu as Spectreon jumped onto the table while Atusmu wore a stethoscope.

" Though friendship could also play a factor. " Atsumu stated.

" Friend...ship? " Ash asked doubtfully.

" More specifically, friendship evolutions. For some Pokemon to evolve, they need to have a strong bond with their trainer to evolve, classified as friendship. The evolutions usually happen during battle. Eevee has three evolutions that require friendship to evolve, Espeon, Umbreon, and Sylveon, though Eevee needs to know a fairy-type move to evolve into Sylveon. " Atsumu explained, placing the stethoscope down.

' She has a heartbeat. ' Atsumu thought.

" Open your mouth Spectreon. " Atsumu said as he held a flashlight. Spectreon opened her mouth as Atsumu turned on the flashlight and used a tongue depressor to check the inside of her mouth, using it to test her teeth.

' She went through the same phenomenon as Decidueye and Froslass upon evolving. She has the Ghost typing but still retains a skeletal structure, along with blood and tissue. It wouldn't be a far stretch for her to be able to phase through matter with enough training, she will have gotten used to her new body. ' Chandelure deduced.

' You're right. ' Atsumu agreed.

' The flames surrounding her neck are the same flames when using Will-o-Wisp. Her body structure is similar to an Espeons, but her legs are more reminiscent of a Flareons, along with the neck scarf made out of flames and her tail. Her eyes are familiar to an Umbreon along with her ears. '

' She'll be able to learn more Dark-type moves now, along with Psychic-type moves. Perhaps she can learn other Fire-type moves other than Will-O-Wisp, but we will have to test that later. On a more critical note, we need to know what her ability is now. ' Atsumu thought.

" So... you done? " Ash asked.

" Yeah. " Atsumu responded.

" Who are you calling? Is it professor Kukui? " Ash asked, as Atsumu took out his phone and pressed a saved number, humming in response.

" Yo, Atsumu! " Kukui greeted, making a peace sign from his side of the facetime.

" Sup Kukui! Try guessing why I called you. " Atsumu said with an excited smile.

" Hmm... That's quite the difficult question. Why would my protege call me? What could have happened to make him call... Just show me the ghost-type Eeveelution!! " Kukui exclaimed, stars in his eyes at the prospect.

" Ask and you shall receive. " Atsumu said, turning his phone to show him and Spectreon on-screen, Spectreon tipping happily towards the professor, a visible smirk on her face.

" Ohhhhhhhhh... My Arceus! Don't you just look badass?! I want to pet you so bad. " Kukui gushed, his fantasies of what a ghost-type Eeveelution blown out of water when reality hit him like a tidal wave.

' Should... Should I say something? Or do I stay silent? ' Ash thought, watching events play out on the sidelines.

" I swear, if I had a pokemon that knew teleport and was strong enough, the moment would be so much better. " Kukui said.

" Then fly here and come meet me. " Atsumu said.

" I have work Atsumu! " Kukui countered.

" Just take a break, for like... a week or two. " Atsumu suggested.

" Thought crossed my mind already... Who's the kid in the room? The one with the cap? " Kukui asked, pointing to Ash's image who was on screen.

" Me? " Ash asked, pointing to himself.

" Yeah. What's your name? " Kukui asked. Atsumu walked over to Ash and handed him his phone to talk to the professor.

" Ash Ketchum. I'm from Pallet Town in the Kanto region. " Ash said.

" Kanto! That's quite far from Kalos. Are you participating in the league? " Kukui asked curiously.

" Yeah, I am. " Ahs responded with a confident smile,

" You planning on winning the entire thing? " Kukui asked.

" Heck yeah! " Ash responded with a smirk.

" That's the spirit! You'll go far! Hey Atsumu!! " Kukui called out.

" What?! " Atsumu asked.

" This kid may beat you in the league!! " Kukui declared.

" Congratulations! I already knew that! " Atsumu sassed, causing Kukui to chuckle.

" So... how is your journey so far? " Kukui asked, turning his attention back to Ash.

" It's going... good. " Ash said.

" Good, huh? Want to talk about it? " Kukui offered.

" Uh... well... okay. " Ash responded.

" Can we talk outside though? " Ash asked.

" I'm in another region, in my house talking to you over the phone. " Kukui said.

" I know. I was asking Atsumu since im holding his phone. " Ash said.

" Take your time. " Atsumu responded, shooing Ash away.

Walking towards the door, Ash turned the lock and walked out of the room, Pikachu following him, the door softly closing behind them.

" So... What pokemon do you have on your team? " " Kukui asked.

" I have Pikachu, my starter... "

' Sup. ' Pikachu said.

" Froakie and Fletchling. " Ash said.

" Hmm... Are you starting over in Kalos? Using a brand new team the entire journey? " Kukui asked.

" Yeah, I am. " Ash said. " I was planning on using them and only them in the Kalos League and win... "

Closing his eyes, Ash spoke...

" But I don't think it will be enough. I say Atsumu's battle against Viola and he told me he was disappointed with the battle against Grant while doing advanced gym battles... "

" So you don't think the pokemon you'll train will be strong enough my the Kalos league comes around. " Kukui surmised.

" Yeah. That's about it. " Ash said, sighing.

" So then... what will you do? " Kukui asked.

" Train. Giving everything I have to prepare before the Kalos league starts and then, win the entire thing. " Ash confidently declared.

" Is that so... Then... why are you so worried? " Kukui wondered.

" Well... because... because I don't want to be like the others who went up against him! " Ash said, his eyes glazed over, his brain replaying the battle between Atsumu and Viola, something he replayed in his head over and over.

" When he faced against Viola, I watched him counter everything she tried to do... and I couldn't peel my eyes away from the fight. Not one-word came out of my mouth... I was in awe. "

" My favorite moments were when he used Mimikyu against all of her pokemon, Viola's Heracross especially. He was two perhaps three, maybe more, steps ahead of her. "

" But? " Kukui asked.

" Atsumu wasn't satisfied with the match. He was upset. The challenge he wanted wasn't there and it probably repeated in his match against Grant, given how he acted when we met with each other just a few minutes ago. "

" I just don't want to be like them. " Ash said.

" Hmm... is that so? Perhaps the reason you feel this way... is because you don't be a disappointment... " Kukui suggested, causing Ash's eyes to widen in surprise.

" in Atsumu's eyes. "

" That... feels right. " Ash muttered.

" Oh... So I managed to once again prove my power. Well done Kukui. " Kukui said, praising himself.

" But in all seriousness, I can see that what you want... is... essentially, to be Atsumu's rival. " Kukui said.

" He's far ahead of you in terms of strength and you want to fight against him in an official match. But you don't want to be like the previous gym leaders who went up against Atsumu, Trainers who couldn't even make him sweat in their battle.

A proper rival. someone who can reach his level and win against him. "

" Did I get that right? " Kukui asked.

" Yeah... " Ash said, smirking, " That's how I feel! "

" Good! " Kukui exclaimed. " Let me tell you this, though you might have already understood what you need to do. In order to face off against Atsumu, you'll need to train harder than you normally do, a LOT harder. "

" I know. He is far ahead of me... and I need to close the gap. " Ash said.

" You're right... but by how much? " Kukui asked.

" I... " Ash stuttered.

" Let me give you a more accurate description of the gap you need to close. If Alola had established her own official line up of Elite Four members and a champion position, not the pokemon league champion, but Alola Champion, Atsumu would be Alola's Champion. " Kukui stated.

" Alola's... Champion?! " Ash repeated.

" Yes. He is the strongest trainer in Alola. How he does against the other regional Elite Four and Champion is speculation, but from what I've seen, experienced from by battle with him, his accomplishments, his merit, he would be able to take them on and give them a run for their money. " Kukui said.

" Really? " Ash asked, his hands trembling, the screen losing focus which Kukui noticed.

" Yo. You good? You're shaking the camera a bit too much. " Kukui called out.

" No, I'm not good. " Ash admitted. " I'm excited! " he said with a large smile on his face.

" Haahahaa... Tha's what i like to see! " Kukui said.

" Eh heh... Yeah. Thanks, professor. I feel a lot better. " Ash said.

" No problem. " Kukui said.

Slamming the door open, Ahs walked inside towards Atsumu, who in return glanced at Ash who held Atsumu's phone in front of him.

" Thanks for letting me talk to him. " Ash said, as Atsumu took his phone from Ash.

Turning on his heel, Ash speed walked to the door.

" Bye. " Ash waved before his figure went out of sight.

"What's got him in such high spirits? " Atsumu asked.

" Oh, I gave him a little motivation. " Kukui answered.

" Is that so? "

" So... why was he with you? " Kukui asked.

" Because... I expect him to give me a battle. " Atsumu said, remembering Ash's fight against Viola.

" Eh?! Is that so? Well, you have time. Be sure to send me Spectreon's data soon, otherwise, I'll come over to Kalos and travel with you. " Kukui threatened, a smirk on his face.

" Yeah yeah. " Atsumu said, waving off the statement.

" Well. Imma hang up now. Bye Spectreon. " Kukui called out.

' Bye! " Spectreon yipped happily before Kukui ended the call.

' Whatever you learned about Ash during that phone call Kukui, I already knew. ' Atsumu thought.

'I saw it with my own two eyes that day when he fought Viola and the other matches he participated in from the other leagues he entered.

I have high expectations. Whether he reaches them or not, is all up to him. He can take a few months, a few years, a few decades even. So, until I obtain undeniable proof that he can never catch up to me...

I'll wait. '

____________________________________________________

Sup.

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