Chapter no.35 The Moonlight Pokèmon

Read advance chapters of all my works or want to support me.

https://www.p.a.t.r.e.on.com/Adamo_Amet

....

Join us on discord: 

https://discord.gg/DXv2nkTB

••••••••••••••••••

Fairy types... a Pokémon type immune to dragon attacks. A type not native to the Japanese continent, only found in regions like Kalos, Alola, and Galar.

Austin had repeated this to himself a hundred times by now. But he had to. He had to remind himself that, despite knowing so much about this world, there were still so many unknowns. So many things he didn't know and couldn't predict. And that made everything feel... real.

He didn't know Ash's story after Unova, didn't know what happened to him in Kalos or beyond. Frankly, he hoped it was better than whatever mess Unova's anime was, but it didn't matter.

"Seymour, calm down," Austin said, his voice sharper than he intended.

Seymour was pacing like a Meowth chasing its tail, his nerves frayed as they discussed the situation at hand. And yeah, Austin got it. This was a big deal—a fairy-type Clefairy tribe. Something that could change the landscape of how people thought about Pokémon in Kanto... or maybe even the entire continent.

But the problem was bigger than that. People. Poachers. Scumbags who would do anything to get their hands on something rare, something valuable. The moment the world found out about this tribe, it would be chaos. These Clefairy would be hunted, captured, and sold to the highest bidder. And knowing that made Austin's stomach churn.

Seymour wanted to keep them a secret, to let the Clefairy tribe live in peace, hidden from the world. And for a second, Austin understood where Seymour was coming from. But then reality slapped him in the face. Secrets never stay secrets forever.

"We can't hide them forever, Seymour," Austin said, rubbing the back of his neck as he glanced at the man. "It's only a matter of time before someone stumbles onto them. And if we're not prepared... well, we both know what'll happen."

Seymour stopped pacing and looked at him, eyes wide with worry. Austin could see it—the doubt, the fear of what might happen if they made the wrong choice. But Austin had already made up his mind.

"Look, we need Professor Oak. We need the Pokémon League. If they know about this, they can protect the Clefairy. Set up a reserve, maybe even a research facility. We can control how this gets out and make sure these Pokémon are safe."

Seymour hesitated, chewing on his bottom lip, but eventually nodded. He knew the boy was right, even if he didn't like it.

Seymour handed Austin his Pokétch, and Austin dialed Professor Oak's number. His fingers felt stiff, like they didn't want to move, but he forced them to. The phone rang, and Austin felt a knot of anxiety tighten in his chest.

"Hello, who is this?" came the familiar, warm voice of Professor Oak, cutting through Austin's spiraling thoughts.

Seymour practically squealed beside him. "Hey there, Professor, it's me," Austin said, trying to keep his voice steady, casual. But he could feel Pikachu's eyes on him, sensing his tension as it gave a quiet, "Pika," at his feet.

"Oh, my boy, where are you calling from?"

"I'm calling using a friend's Pokétch from Mt. Moon," Austin said, trying to keep things casual as Pikachu tried to let out another cry. He gently bonked him on the head, causing him to settle down, though Pikachu pouted a bit.

"Mt. Moon?" Professor Oak asked, sounding intrigued. "I guess you were in a hurry, huh? I'm sure Daisy will miss you."

Austin felt his face heat up, trying to fight back the embarrassment as memories of his failed attempt to shoot his shot with Daisy flooded back. Why did he even try? Sure, she was pretty—no, beautiful—and for a moment, he thought, why not see what happens? But then he remembered, I'm stuck in the body of a 10-year-old kid. Hormones didn't really mess him up too much yet, but it was bad because Daisy only saw him as a younger brother. He must've looked like an idiot in front of her family. Ugh.

Austin cleared his throat, trying to play it off. "Why, is she jealous she can't be on this awesome journey?" He forced a chuckle, doing his best to sound oblivious. Anything to keep the Professor from reminding him of what he'd lost... if only I were older.

Professor Oak laughed softly but relented. "Never mind, my boy," he conceded. "What can I do for you?"

"Seymour," Austin said, nodding toward the young scientist, who looked like he was about to faint from nerves. "Do it for the Clefairies," he encouraged, adding quickly, "And no rhymes, please."

Seymour nodded back, taking a deep breath before launching into a long, drawn-out explanation to Professor Oak. It turned into an hour-long discussion between the two of them, most of which went completely over Austin's head. Something about Clefairy habitat preservation, their evolutionary significance, and… he didn't know what else.

While they talked, Austin decided to do something more productive. He made his way over to the fairy tribe, who were beginning to settle down for the night. The soft moonlight bathed the area, casting a calm glow over the scene. One by one, the Cleffas curled up into little pink balls, their tiny limbs tucked beneath their bodies as they huddled close to each other. Their ears twitched, and their small, round bodies shifted slightly as they let out little murmurs of contentment, the soft hum of their breathing filling the air. It was peaceful. If only life could always be this calm, he thought as he watched them.

He smiled, feeling the weight of the day start to settle on his own shoulders. "Let's just go to sleep, everyone," he said quietly to himself, glancing down at his own team. It was time to tuck them in, too.

First, he scooped up his Rattata—his hairless Rattata, her smooth, furless skin cool against his hands. She yawned, revealing her tiny, sharp teeth, before curling up in the crook of his arm. She was always the first to doze off, her little body going limp almost instantly as he placed her into her bed. He gently adjusted her so she was curled up in a ball, her pink tail wrapping around her body like a snug blanket. Her little nose twitched, and she let out a soft, satisfied squeak. Austin smiled. Rattata always slept like a small bundle of quiet energy, like a coiled spring finally at rest, waiting for the next adventure.

Next was Vee. He was a little more restless, always needing to do a few circles before he found just the right spot to settle. Austin watched as he turned and turned, his fluffy tail swishing behind him before he finally flopped down with a soft huff. His ears perked up for a moment, checking for any last-minute sounds, but as the night grew quieter, he relaxed, his head resting on his paws. Vee's fur shimmered slightly in the moonlight, soft and warm, like a fox finding the perfect nook to curl into for the night. Austin reached out and gently stroked his head, feeling his body relax further under his touch. Vee gave a quiet little yip before closing his eyes.

Finally, there was Pikachu. He was the hardest to settle, still buzzing with energy even after a long day. "Come on, buddy," Austin whispered, coaxing him over. Pikachu hopped into his arms and nuzzled against his chest, letting out a soft "Pika" as he yawned. Austin placed him down gently beside Vee, but not before Pikachu rolled onto his back, his little paws twitching in the air as he tried to get comfortable. Typical Pikachu—he never slept in the same position twice. Austin laughed softly as Pikachu eventually turned onto his side, his tail wrapping around him like a blanket. His soft snores were barely audible, but they brought a sense of calm that Austin didn't know he needed. Pikachu looked so peaceful, like a tiny ball of yellow fluff, safe and secure.

As Austin finished tucking in Pikachu, Vee, and Rattata, he felt a light tap on his shoulder that nearly made him jump. He turned to see Seymour standing there, holding out his Pokétch.

"It's the professor," Seymour said quietly, handing it over.

Austin nodded and took a few steps away from the group to talk, with Seymour trailing beside him.

"Yes, Professor?" Austin asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

"My boy, I have to say, I never expected to hear this news," Professor Oak's voice came through the line, sounding as surprised as Austin had felt when he first learned about the fairy-type Clefairy tribe.

"Same here, Professor," Austin said, glancing at Seymour. "But I was hoping you could help Seymour with this. It's a bit out of my league."

"Of course, of course," Professor Oak replied quickly. "This is a monumental discovery, one that could cause quite a bit of chaos, not just from poachers but from regular trainers. Many would want to catch such an incredibly rare fairy type, and that could lead to problems."

That thought hadn't even crossed Austin's mind. Naturally, trainers would go wild over a new fairy-type Pokémon. The Clefairy tribe could easily be swarmed, not just by dangerous poachers but even by well-meaning trainers who wouldn't understand the harm they could cause.

"My boy," Oak continued, "have you caught a fairy-type Clefairy, or do you plan to?"

"No to both," Austin answered quickly, not wanting any misunderstandings. Seymour shot him a surprised look, and he could hear the shock in Professor Oak's voice too as the professor responded.

"I thought you'd jump at the opportunity to catch such a rare Pokémon."

"Normally, yeah, I probably would have," Austin admitted. "But there are reasons why I'm holding off. First, the food needed to raise a fairy type is more expensive and harder to find, and I don't want to risk someone finding out I've caught one. That would just bring attention to the fairy-type Clefairy tribe. And besides... I don't need another fairy type."

"Another fairy type?" both Professor Oak and Seymour asked, clearly confused.

"Yeah," Austin said, realizing he hadn't explained. "Seymour mentioned that there's a fairy-type Eeveelution, so I'm not worried about catching another fairy type right now."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Austin could hear them both mutter, "Eeveelution?" as if the term was foreign. It suddenly dawned on him that the term Eeveelution, something so common among Pokémon fans in his world, wasn't used in this one.

"That's a great term!" Professor Oak exclaimed, sounding genuinely impressed. "I might just start using that myself."

Austin couldn't help but smile, even though he was still feeling a bit awkward. "So, uh, what's the plan, Professor?"

"The plan is simple, but it's going to take some time and cooperation," Professor Oak explained, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "We'll need to involve the Pokémon League to set up a research facility here in Mt. Moon. Once the facility is established, the League would close off the Mt. Moon tunnels to prevent any disturbances. This will protect the Clefairy tribe while the researchers conduct studies on both the fairy-type and normal-type Clefairy populations."

He paused for a moment, letting the plan sink in. "The research will focus on understanding the differences between the two types and their interactions. The goal would be to introduce fairy-type Clefairy to normal-type Clefairy habitats once we've learned enough. If the introduction goes smoothly, we could potentially introduce fairy types into the broader Kanto region. That would allow for the natural spread of fairy types across Kanto without disrupting the native Pokémon ecosystem too much."

Austin took a deep breath, processing the plan. "Great," he said, though a bit confused about why he needed to hear all this.

"Do I need to do anything?" Austin asked, not really sure what his role was supposed to be in all of this.

"Well, I just wanted to let you know that your monthly stipend will be increased to 15k," Professor Oak said. Seymour gave a light clap, his excitement evident.

Austin blinked. "Oh, thank you, Professor, but... why?" he asked, genuinely curious. It seemed a bit too generous, even for helping with the whole fairy-type Clefairy situation.

"This discovery is going to bring so much prestige to the lab," Professor Oak replied, though something about the way he said it didn't sit right with Austin. It wasn't the words themselves, but the way Oak's voice carried a certain eagerness. Almost like he was more interested in the fame than the actual research.

"Isn't this Seymour's discovery?" Austin asked, glancing over at Seymour, who was practically beaming with pride.

"Yes, you are looking at Oak Lab's newest member and the head of the Clefairy research team," Seymour puffed out his chest, clearly thrilled at the prospect. He didn't seem to care much about anything other than the fact that the Clefairy would be safe.

Austin hummed thoughtfully, watching the interaction unfold. Looks like Oak is a bit more... shrewd in this world. He wasn't naive. Absorbing Seymour into the lab and taking credit for the Clefairy discovery? It was smart, and he had to give Oak credit for that. The prestige would come rolling in, and Oak would be at the center of it all, wrapped up neatly in a bow.

Not that Seymour seemed to mind. He was just happy that the Clefairy tribe would be protected. And honestly? Austin didn't care that much either. The Clefairies would be safe, and that was what mattered most. Plus, he was still getting a bigger stipend, so there wasn't much to complain about.

But there was still one thing Austin couldn't let slide. "About the stipend," he said, a small smile tugging at his lips. He knew Oak wasn't stupid. The professor understood that Ash Ketchum was tied to a lot of important events, especially with the whole Celebi situation. There was no way Oak didn't see the potential in keeping Austin happy, and he was going to take full advantage of that.

"If this is going to be a huge discovery," Austin continued, "why not make it an even 20k? I mean, with everything going on, I'm sure the extra support would help me stay on top of things."

There was a pause on the other end of the line. Austin knew Oak was considering it. Come on, old man, he thought. You know it's worth it. Determined to make this raise happen, he waited, confident that he could convince Oak to bump it up to 20k if it was the last thing he did.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Vee was in a field. Soft grass beneath his paws, the scent of flowers filling the air, and sunlight warm on his fur. It was peaceful—too peaceful. He could see his human, laughing with the others, his face relaxed, his guard down. The other Pokémon were playing, darting through the meadow without a care in the world. It was the kind of life Vee always imagined. This... this is perfect.

But the warmth started to fade. The field dimmed, the light twisting into shadows, and the air turned cold—so cold it bit through his fur and into his bones. His legs felt heavy, like they were sinking into the ground. He tried to move, but he couldn't. His paws were stuck, frozen in place. Something was wrong. His heart pounded in his chest, panic rising like a tidal wave. No, not here. Not again.

Vee blinked, and the field disappeared. The flowers, the sunlight, the laughter—all gone. His eyes opened to harsh, sterile lights glaring down at him. His body was strapped down, his legs locked tight by cold metal restraints. A muzzle clamped over his snout, muffling his whimpers and growls. No... no, please, not here!

He thrashed against the restraints, trying to break free, but it was no use. The lab—their lab—surrounded him, the same cold, unforgiving place he had barely escaped from before. His heart hammered in his chest, each beat feeling like it was trying to burst free. He could hear them—those scientists—moving around him, their voices low and mechanical. They didn't care. They never did.

Then he saw them. His friends. They were all there, strapped down like him, helpless. No, no, no! His mind screamed, but his voice couldn't follow. The muzzle kept him silent. His eyes darted around, desperate for a way out, for something to break free, but all he saw were their faces—blank behind their masks. Cold. Empty.

"This is what you get for escaping Team Rocket," a scientist's voice echoed through the room, sharp and cruel. Vee saw the syringe in his hand. He saw it pierce Austin's skin. His scream—oh, God, his scream!—it tore through Vee, shaking him to his core.

He roared, or at least he tried. His voice was nothing but a muffled growl as he thrashed, harder now, pulling at the restraints until they cut into his skin. I have to save them! I have to get out! But the more he struggled, the tighter the bonds became, suffocating him, trapping him.

Helpless. Powerless. The words buzzed in his head, louder than the scientists, louder than Austin's cries. I can't protect him... I can't protect any of them.

Something ignited inside him, burning hotter than the sterile light. Anger. Rage. It twisted through him, filling the void of helplessness with something primal, something fierce. He could feel it coming—the familiar piercing light of evolution.

Vee trembled as the weight of it all crashed down on him again. Tears filled his eyes, blurring his vision as the memories clawed at him. He knew exactly what was happening—he'd seen it before, felt it before.

I'm a target. We're all targets because of this... His chest tightened, the fear gnawing at him like it always did. The faces of the other Eevees flashed in his mind—dozens of them. They didn't make it. He did. And every time he closed his eyes, he saw them fall, one by one, while he lived.

Vee hated it. Hated this evolution that marked him.

The pain hit him, sudden and overwhelming, like it always did. No matter how many times he'd felt it before, it never got easier. Every time felt like the first, like his body was being torn apart, shredded piece by piece. His muscles burned, his skin seared. He could feel his cells ripping themselves apart, only to be stitched back together in some twisted, agonizing process.

The pain—it was unbearable. It was as if molten lava was being poured over his body, burning every inch, every nerve, every muscle. The heat crawled through him, setting his bones on fire, searing him from the inside out. He wanted to scream, to cry, to make it stop, but all he could do was endure it.

The light swallowed him, every part of him dissolving into the heat, into the pain. He couldn't hold on anymore. Everything was slipping away—his human, his friends, his body. All of it was dissolving, and he was helpless to stop it.

Please, make it stop...

But there was no stopping. Only the endless, burning pain of being torn apart.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Vee jolted awake from the nightmare, his heart racing, paws trembling. The cold sweat that clung to his fur felt all too real, as if the molten pain from his dream still lingered. His breath came in sharp, shallow bursts as his surroundings came into focus. He wasn't in the sterile lab, bound by cold restraints. He was in the Moonstone Cave, where the cool air smelled of damp earth, and the faint glow of crystals dotted the walls. Why now? he wondered, shaking his head. Why am I still afraid when I'm safe?

For a moment, he allowed himself to just breathe, grateful that his internal turmoil hadn't disturbed the others. He didn't want to worry them, especially Austin.

"You okay?" a voice cut through the stillness, startling Vee. He froze, his ears twitching as he turned toward the source. It was Austin, wide awake, his face illuminated by the soft glow of the cave. Why is he awake?

Vee's eyes locked with his trainer's, silently asking the question.

"Couldn't exactly sleep," Austin explained, offering a tired but warm smile.

The boy patted his lap, an invitation that Vee didn't need to think twice about. He padded over, curling up in his trainer's lap, feeling the familiar warmth of Austin's body against his fur. The boy began to gently scratch behind his ear, and Vee closed his eyes, the tension in his body slowly easing. The soft strokes felt like silk brushing against his fur, calming him with every touch.

"Did you have a nightmare?"

Vee hesitated. He trusted Austin, more than anyone, but the weight of his fears, the memories of the lab, still hung heavy over him. Was it worth bringing up?

They sat in silence for a moment.

Then, in a tender gesture, Austin leaned down and kissed the top of Vee's head. "I'm here for you, Vee. Whatever it is, we'll face it together."

That was all Vee needed. He began to move, crouching low as if hiding. His body tensed, mimicking the feeling of being bound. Then, in a sudden burst, he jumped up, paws spreading out as if mimicking an explosion. He looked at Austin expectantly.

Austin tilted his head, thinking. "Something scary? An attack?"

Vee nodded vigorously and continued his performance. He exaggerated his movements, tiptoeing around Austin as if sneaking, his eyes darting from side to side. Then, he froze, pointing at an invisible object in front of him before quickly recoiling, as if whatever he saw terrified him.

Austin's face softened as he pieced it together. "Is this about Team Rocket? Were you having nightmares about them?"

Vee let out a soft "Eevee!" nodding again, this time more urgently. He could feel the panic bubbling back up, the weight of the fear pressing against his chest.

Without a word, the boy reached out, pulling Vee into a gentle embrace. The warmth of his arms, the steady beat of his heart, it was all the comfort Vee needed in that moment.

"It's okay, buddy. They're not here. You're safe with me," Austin whispered, his voice firm but soothing.

Vee snuggled closer, feeling the protective warmth of his trainer, his body slowly relaxing, the edge of fear dulling.

"Do you know what's causing these nightmares?" Austin asked, his fingers still gently brushing through Vee's fur.

The evolution Pokémon shook his head, his ears drooping slightly. He pawed at the ground, then pointed towards his head, shaking his body as if to say the nightmares were confusing, chaotic, and hard to explain. Austin watched closely, trying to figure out what was going on in his Pokémon's mind. The helplessness in Vee's eyes tugged at his heart.

Austin remembered something his therapist had used with him—an approach that helped him process difficult memories by drawing parallels between his emotions and past situations. Maybe that could help Vee too, he thought. He wanted to show his Pokémon that they weren't alone in feeling scared.

"Do you remember when we were in Viridian Forest, and we met Sird?" Austin's voice wavered, discomfort creeping in as the memory of that day resurfaced. Vee nuzzled closer to him, offering silent comfort with his presence.

"I try not to show it," Austin continued, his voice growing softer, "but that day... when those Beedrills were killed... it really messed me up." He paused, the weight of the memory heavy on his chest. "I've had nightmares about it too. Sometimes, I stay up late, reading book after book, just to be too tired to dream when I finally fall asleep."

Vee, sensing his trainer's vulnerability, gently placed a paw on Austin's hand. Austin smiled weakly, grateful for the simple gesture, and gave Vee's paw a gentle squeeze in return.

Vee hopped to the side, mimicking walking over an imaginary obstacle. Then, he pointed to his heart and raised his paws, looking at Austin expectantly. The silent question was clear: How did you get over it?

The boy sighed softly, his eyes softening. "I didn't really get over it, Vee," he admitted. "I just accepted that I was scared of Team Rocket, scared of what they could do to us, afraid of seeing us hurt or worse—like what happened to those Beedrills. And... feeling paranoid, scared, that's all part of it. And that's okay."

Vee tilted his head, clearly confused. How could being scared be okay?

"Being scared keeps us on our toes, buddy," Austin explained, his voice steady. "It's why we're still here, and why we're still alive. Fear makes us careful."

Vee pondered the idea, his big eyes reflecting his deep thinking. After a moment, he slowly nodded, the concept beginning to make sense. He gave Austin's knee a gentle bump with his head.

Vee paced a little, then acted out another scene: he pretended to sleep peacefully, then jolted awake suddenly, clutching at his chest as if scared. His eyes locked onto Austin's with a worried look.

"What about the nightmares?" Austin asked, recognizing the question in Vee's performance. "Are you asking if I still have them?"

Vee nodded.

Austin leaned back slightly, thinking. "Sometimes," he admitted. "Not as much after we defeated Ariana, but they come and go."

Vee continued his act, mimicking the fear and struggle in his sleep before pointing to himself and shaking, a clear display of how much the nightmares still haunted him.

Austin's brow furrowed with concern. "I don't know why they're happening so much now," he said softly. "But I think we can get help for that. When we get to Cerulean City, let's look for a doctor who might know how to deal with this. We can talk to someone who understands what you're going through."

He knew that finding a therapist for Vee would probably be the best way to deal with the nightmares. Something had triggered them recently, and he didn't want Vee to keep suffering in silence.

Vee shook his head vigorously, his expression clouded with guilt. He mimed an action of shielding others, then pointed at himself, his body language heavy with the weight of self-blame.

"Vee," Austin said softly, sensing the depth of his Pokémon's distress. "It's not your fault what happened on Mt. Moon. The things Ariana and Team Rocket did—they're responsible for their actions, not you."

Vee still looked troubled, his gaze downcast. Austin wasn't going to let him feel guilty for something beyond his control.

"I know it's hard," he continued, his voice steady. "Watching others get hurt... it makes you feel like you should've done something, like you could've stopped it. But you did everything you could. We both did. Blaming yourself for the actions of people who want to cause harm is like trying to stop a thunderstorm with your mind. It's out of our hands, buddy."

Vee shifted, his ears twitching as he absorbed the words, but the guilt still clung to him.

"And about people," Austin said, his tone hopeful now. "Not everyone's like Team Rocket. There are so many good people out there, people who want to help, people who do good." He paused, trying to instill a sense of hope in Vee. "It's smart to be cautious, but don't let fear keep you from seeing the good in others. Not all humans are bad. Some are kind, caring, and they fight against evil just like we do."

Reaching out, Austin gently placed his hand on Vee's head, stroking the soft fur between his ears. Now came the next hurdle: addressing Vee's fear of being found by Team Rocket.

"Team Rocket will never be able to find us, Vee."

Vee's posture shifted, skepticism and doubt clear in his eyes. How could Austin possibly know that?

Anticipating the silent question, Austin reached for his backpack and pulled out a map of the Kanto region, spreading it out in front of them.

"Look here, Vee. Back in Viridian Forest, we had no choice but to keep going forward, so Team Rocket did what they had to do. But look at all these paths now." He pointed to the many routes leading away from Cerulean City. "After Mt. Moon, we have endless choices. We've been careful, always covering our tracks. The chances of running into them again? Incredibly slim."

Austin met Vee's gaze, his tone calm and reassuring.

"If any problems come up, we'll deal with them. We're safe right now, and we're in this together."

As Vee listened, the tension began to ease from his small form. He seemed to accept Austin's words, but Austin knew there was one more thing left to address: Vee's guilt.

Austin leaned forward slightly. "And Vee, we're a team, right?"

Vee nodded, his big eyes looking up at Austin with uncertainty.

"We fight for each other. Rattata, Pikachu, Spearow—they all took those risks because they knew it was necessary. And trust me, every one of us would do it again in a heartbeat."

Vee's eyes shimmered with emotion, as if asking, Why?

Austin smiled softly, wiping the beginning of tears from Vee's eyes.

"Because that's what teams do. We support each other, no matter what." He chuckled lightly, adding, "Besides, look at the bright side—Spearow's on his way to becoming an Alpha Pokémon, Rattata's got a shiny new coat, and Pikachu? He scored a lifetime supply of ketchup packets."

That last comment brought a small smile to Vee's face.

"As I said before, don't feel guilty for what others choose to do... ever." Austin leaned forward and kissed Vee's forehead gently, a comforting gesture. "Okay?"

"Eevee!" Vee chirped, a note of agreement in his voice.

Austin smiled as he settled back into his sleeping bag. Vee curled up on his chest, his small body finding comfort in the steady rhythm of Austin's heartbeat. Together, they looked up at the vast expanse of the night sky.

The stars twinkled like scattered diamonds against the deep velvet of space, each one a silent sentinel watching over the world below. Austin lay back, his eyes tracing the night sky as he pointed upwards, outlining the constellations with his finger.

"Vee, see that cluster there? That's called Cassiopeia. It kind of looks like a W or an M, depending on how you see it," he explained softly, his voice a gentle murmur that blended with the night's stillness.

Vee chirped in response, his tone soft and thoughtful. Whether he understood the words or simply found comfort in the sound of his trainer's voice, Austin couldn't tell, but it didn't matter. It was the shared moment of calm, the quiet bond between them, that felt important.

Austin's mind wandered for a moment.

I wonder what the names of the constellations are in this world.

He had spent so much time in Kanto, but the familiarity of Earth still tugged at him.

Just then, he felt Vee's small paw gently touch his chin, pulling him back to the present. Vee pointed at himself and then mimicked the action of speaking or calling out a name. The question was clear—Why do I have a nickname when the others don't?

Austin blinked, surprised by the curiosity in Vee's gesture. He hadn't really thought much about it before. Nicknaming Pokémon wasn't usually his thing. Whenever he read Pokémon fanfics, the various nicknames for each Pokémon always seemed to add unnecessary confusion, so he had avoided them in real life too.

But Vee was different. Vee was special. From the moment they met, it had been instinctual for Austin to call him by the nickname. It wasn't just a random name—it came from the Pokémon manga, from Red's own Eevee. It was nostalgia, sure, but also affection.

Austin chuckled softly. Can't go back now, I'm in too deep, he thought with a smile. Reaching out, he playfully booped Vee's nose, feeling a warmth in the simple, silly act.

"That's because you're a special Eevee, and someone special needs a special name," Austin said, his voice teasing but full of sincerity. "But don't tell the others, okay?"

Vee nodded, a flicker of pride in his eyes, though his bashful expression showed he wasn't quite sure how to respond to the compliment. After a brief moment, he turned his gaze back to the moon, now a bright sentinel in the dark sky, standing watch over them like one of the stars themselves.

Austin watched his Pokémon for a moment, feeling a deep sense of peace settle over him. In this quiet space, with Vee on his chest and the stars above, the world felt calm, the worries of the past and future distant, as if nothing else mattered except the bond they shared. He closed his eyes, breathing in the cool night air, allowing himself to relax in the comforting presence of his Pokémon, and in the simplicity of this moment.

Meanwhile, Vee gazed up at the moon, his thoughts beginning to drift, taking him deeper into his own reflections. For so long, he had feared the shadows—every dark corner felt like a place for danger to hide, a threat waiting to strike, like Team Rocket. He had always been alert, always cautious, always expecting the worst.

But now, under the vast open sky, with the moon and stars casting their gentle light, the night didn't seem as threatening. It felt different—almost protective, as if the night itself was embracing him and Austin.

Vee's eyes flicked over to Austin, who lay beside him, looking peaceful. A warmth surged through Vee, spreading from his heart to the tips of his fur. This human, this boy who had become his family, had changed what night meant to him. Where once there had been fear, there was now trust, a bond strong enough to light even the darkest places.

I want to protect him, Vee thought. I want to be strong—for him, for all the adventures we have ahead.

As this resolve settled into Vee's chest, something remarkable began to stir. It wasn't like the forced evolution he'd experienced in the lab. This time, it was different. This time, the feeling wasn't painful or frightening—it was comforting, almost as if it were meant to be. The sensation was powerful, yet grounding, a natural step forward born from love and bravery rather than fear or manipulation.

A soft light began to envelop Vee, gentle and glowing like the stars themselves. It was as if the moon and the stars were lending their light to him, guiding his transformation. The aura of evolution wrapped around him, filling the air with a quiet, steady energy.

The shift in weight on his chest roused Austin from his light doze. As his eyes fluttered open, he was met with a breathtaking sight. Where Vee had been, there now sat a sleek, black Pokémon with glowing red eyes and yellow rings adorning its body. Austin blinked in awe, his heart swelling with joy as he realized what had happened—Vee had evolved into an Umbreon, the Moonlight Pokémon.

Austin reached out, his hand gently brushing against Umbreon's soft, sleek fur.

"Congratulations," he whispered, his voice filled with pride and elation. Umbreon nuzzled into his touch, affectionately licking his hand. Austin couldn't contain his happiness—Umbreon was one of his favorite evolutions, and seeing Vee take this step felt perfect. He was relieved that this time, evolution hadn't been forced or painful.

But before Austin could revel in the moment for too long, something strange happened. Umbreon shook its head, a motion that caught Austin off guard. He watched, confusion growing, as a brilliant light suddenly enveloped Umbreon again. This time, the light of evolution seemed to reverse, transforming Umbreon back into the familiar form of Eevee right before Austin's eyes.

Austin sat up in disbelief, staring at Vee, who was now back to his original form. Vee looked equally confused, as if he had no idea what had just happened either.

"...Huh?"

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

[ Author Note:

Well, remember when I asked y'all in Chapter 11 whether I should go with Vee getting all evolutions or just one? Many—and I mean many—of you had things to say, and frankly, I loved every single comment (except for the Vaporeon creepypastas, fuck you). Anyways, now that this chapter is out, it's obvious which option I chose: all Eeveelutions, baby.

Now, the reason I chose it was because, frankly, I really like the plotline of Austin and Vee trying to collect all the Eeveelutions.

Now, about the power level—obviously, Vee is too OP with all the Eeveelutions, so the nerf that Vee gets is that he can only transform once per battle into his stable form (like Umbreon's evolution doesn't cause pain, so it's stable). And because of this stability, it's harder to defuse, so it takes more time. Because of that, Austin just opts to have Vee use one transformation per battle.

What did you think of this chapter alongside Vee's development?

...

Thanks so much for sticking with my work. Your support and feedback mean the world to me. Have an awesome day, and I can't wait to hear what you think in the comments! ]