----------------------------Eevee's Symphony – Ice Field Inferno-------------------------
The night air at Indigo Plateau was alive with the kind of magic only a Pokémon League could conjure. Strings of glowing lanterns hung between vendor stalls, casting warm amber light on crowds milling about in excited clusters.
The scent of street food wafted everywhere sizzling skewers of Magikarp fillets, fresh berry smoothies, and cotton candy spun from Sweet Scent-infused webs. Laughter echoed from game booths where kids tried to ring a Pikachu tail with hoops, and distant fireworks popped like mini Fire Blasts, painting the sky in bursts of color.
It was the perfect post-inauguration vibe everyone riding the high of the opening ceremony, trainers swapping stories, and families snapping photos with mascot Pokémon.
Ash strolled through it all with his usual laid-back grin, Pikachu perched on his shoulder, tail flicking lazily in time with the music from a nearby band playing League anthems on recycled Poké Flutes along with eevee on his other shoulder enjoying the rythm.
Misty walked beside him, her arm looped through his, eyes wide as she took in the festivities. Sabrina was on his other side, quiet but content, her hand brushing his occasionally like a secret reassurance.
Brock trailed a few steps behind, juggling a massive bag of snacks he'd already bought "for research purposes."
"Man, this place is hopping," Brock said, munching on a caramel apple. "It's like Viridian City Festival but on different level."
Misty nodded, pointing at a stall selling glowing Eevee ears. "Look at that! We should get some."
Ash chuckled. "Go for it. But first anyone hungry? Like, real food hungry?"
Sabrina tilted her head. "I could eat."
Misty's stomach growled on cue. "Starving. Those stadium hot dogs were a rip-off."
Ash's eyes lit up. "Barbecue. Let's do a proper one. I saw some grills for rent near the trainer lodges. Brock, you in?"
Brock's eyes sparkled. "Barbecue? Say no more. I'll handle the prep I've got spices in my bag that could make the ingredients even tender."
Misty and Sabrina nodded vigorously, almost in sync. Misty's face broke into a huge grin. "Yes! With all the trimmings berries, veggies, the works!"
Sabrina's smile was softer, but her eyes gleamed. "As long as there's something spicy."
Ash laughed, leading the way. "Deal. Let's grab supplies."
They veered toward a market area bustling with late-night vendors. Ash haggled for fresh cuts of beef meat (ethically sourced, of course), while Misty loaded up on Pecha and Oran Berries. Sabrina picked out exotic spices from a Johto stall, her psychic sense guiding her to the freshest ones. Brock, ever the pro, snagged veggies and skewers, already muttering recipes under his breath.
By the time they reached the rented grill near their lodge, the moon was high, stars twinkling like distant Pokémon eyes. Ash got the fire going with a quick spark from Pikachu and eevee helping , while Brock took over the cooking station like a battlefield commander.
As the meat sizzled and aromas filled the air, Brock pulled out a crumpled prelim bracket sheet from his pocket. "Hey, Ash your next field's tomorrow. Ice Field. Tough one slippery terrain, cold boosts for certain types. You ready?"
Ash flipped a skewer, grinning. "Born ready. Ice Field? Sounds fun."
Misty leaned in, popping a grilled berry into her mouth. "So, what Pokémon are you using tomorrow? Something Fire-type? Or one of your Water crew to turn the ice against them?"
Ash's eyes twinkled with mischief. He leaned back, taking a bite of his skewer. "Wait and watch."
Misty pouted, crossing her arms. "Tease! Come on, spill!"
Sabrina smirked faintly. "He likes his surprises."
Ash just laughed. "Trust me it'll be worth it."
The night wound down with full bellies and easy chatter. The barbecue smoke mingled with the cool night breeze, and for a moment, the League pressure felt far away. Misty and Sabrina leaned against Ash, Togepii sleeping on misty's bag, Brock told bad jokes, Pikachu and eevee snored on a pile of empty skewers. It was perfect.
But tomorrow? Game on.
The Ice Field arena was a frozen wonderland under the stadium lights vast sheets of ice, jagged pillars rising like crystal teeth, snow flurries whipped up by hidden fans. The cold bit at exposed skin, and trainers' breaths fogged the air. Spectators bundled in jackets, cheering as the announcer hyped the next match.
Ash stepped onto the green side, the chill seeping through his boots. Pikachu shivered on his shoulder but gave a determined "Pika!"
Across the field, his opponent emerged: Dracian from Pewter City. Tall, rugged, with a miner's build and a confident nod. He'd made a name in Rock-type circles, but his eyes widened slightly when he saw Ash.
"You're the kid with beast of team," Dracian said, voice gruff but respectful. "This'll be fun."
Ash nodded. "Let's make it a good one."
The announcer's voice boomed.
Announcer: "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, ROUND THREE ON ICE FIELD! ON THE GREEN SIDE THE SENSATION OF THE PRELIMS ASH KETCHUM!"
Commentator 1: "This kid's on fire! That shiny Gyarados and that alpha steelix blew everyone away last rounds!"
Commentator 2: "And on the red side PEWTER CITY'S DRACIAN! Rock-solid trainer with a rep for tough Ground and Ice combos. Can he freeze out Ketchum?"
Announcer: "THREE-ON-THREE! BATTLE… BEGIN!"
Ding ding ding!
Dracian threw first.
"Seel go!"
The seal Pokémon slid onto the ice, clapping its flippers with a bark.
Commentator 1: "Seel! Ice/Water type perfect for this field. It'll slide around like a pro!"
Ash gave signal to his shoulder and eevee jumped on the field.
"Eevee I choose you."
Eevee landed lightly on the ice, paws sliding a bit before he steadied. He shook his fur, eyes locked on Seel with a determined yip.
Commentator 2: "Eevee? Cute choice, but against Seel on Ice Field? This could be tricky!"
Dracian: "Seel Ice Beam! Freeze the field!"
Seel fired a blue beam, icing over platforms, turning the arena into a slippery maze.
Eevee skidded but dodged with Quick Attack.
Ash smiled.
"Eevee Swift!"
Stars shot from Eevee's tail, homing on Seel.
Seel tried to dive too slow. The stars pelted it, drawing a yelp.
Commentator 1: "Swift hits! Eevee's not messing around!"
Dracian: "Aurora Beam!"
Rainbow energy lanced toward Eevee.
Ash: "Double Team!"
Eevee multiplied illusions scattering across the ice.
Aurora Beam hit a fake, shattering it.
Seel spun, confused.
Eevee closed in.
"Iron Tail!"
Eevee's tail glowed steel-gray. He leaped, slamming it into Seel's side. The seal slid across the ice, barking in pain.
Commentator 2: "Iron Tail connect! Seel's taking damage, but it's still in the fight!"
Seel shook it off, diving under ice.
"Icy Wind!"
Cold gusts erupted from below, freezing Eevee's paws to the platform.
Eevee struggled, yipping.
Commentator 1: "Ooh, Icy Wind! Eevee's stuck speed down!"
"Now Headbutt!"
Seel burst out, charging.
"Eevee adapt! Vaporeon form!"
Eevee glowed blue. Body shifted fins sprouting, tail lengthening. He melted into water form, slipping free of the ice.
Seel's Headbutt hit empty air.
Commentator 1 (stunned): "What the Eevee just changed? Into Vaporeon?!"
Commentator 2: "That's no ordinary Eevee! It's evolving no, transforming! The crowd's losing it!"
The audience gasped, then roared.
"A mutant Eevee?!"
"It can switch forms?!"
Vaporeon-Eevee dove into the pool, vanishing.
Seel looked around, confused.
"Aqua Tail!"
From below, Vaporeon-Eevee erupted, tail whipping Seel across the face. Seel spun, crashing into a pillar fainted.
Commentator 1: "Seel is down! One hit after the transformation! What is this Eevee?!"
Dracian: "Cloyster go!"
The shellfish Pokémon clamped shut, spikes out.
Commentator 2: "Cloyster! Tanky as hell Shell Smash incoming?"
Dracian: "Icicle Spear!"
Spikes fired like missiles.
Vaporeon-Eevee dodged some, but one grazed his fin.
Ash: "Switch Jolteon!"
Blue glow faded to yellow. Fur spiked, electricity crackling. Jolteon-Eevee zipped across the ice, speed blinding.
Icicles shattered behind him.
Commentator 1: "Another transformation! Now Jolteon form! This Eevee is a shapeshifter!"
Commentator 2: "The crowd is on its feet! This is unprecedented!"
Dracian's eyes widened. "Cloyster Withdraw!"
Cloyster clamped tight, defenses maxed.
Jolteon-Eevee circled, sparks flying.
"Thunderbolt!"
Electricity arced striking Cloyster's shell. It smoked, but held.
"Spike Cannon!"
Spikes erupted from the shell.
Jolteon-Eevee weaved through most, but one clipped his leg, drawing a yip.
Commentator 1: "Cloyster's holding! Eevee's taking hits this is a real fight!"
"Pin Missile!"
Jolteon-Eevee fired electric needles piercing the shell gaps. Cloyster shuddered.
Dracian: "Aurora Beam!"
Rainbow blast fired.
Jolteon-Eevee dodged barely slipping on ice.
"Adapt Flareon!"
Yellow fur turned red. Flames burst from Flareon-Eevee's mane, melting the ice around him.
Aurora Beam hit painful but the fire form shrugged it off.
Commentator 2: "Flareon now! Eevee's switching types on the fly adapting perfectly!"
Crowd chanted: "Ee-vee! Ee-vee!"
"Fire Spin!"
Flames vortexed around Cloyster, shell heating red-hot.
Cloyster opened, panicking.
"Hydro Pump!"
Water blasted through flames grazing Flareon-Eevee.
He winced, steam rising from his fur.
Commentator 1: "Hydro Pump connects! Eevee's hurt this isn't one-sided!"
"Overheat!"
Flareon-Eevee inhaled, then unleashed a wave of white-hot fire. Cloyster's shell cracked under the heat, water evaporating instantly. It fainted in a hiss of steam.
Commentator 2: "Cloyster down! Two KOs Eevee's evolving mid-battle to counter everything!"
Dracian's hands shook. "Arcanine go!"
The fire dog roared, flames flaring.
Commentator 1: "Arcanine! Fire-type powerhouse speed and power!"
"Extreme Speed!"
Arcanine blurred, slamming into Flareon-Eevee. He skidded back, yelping.
Commentator 2: "Direct hit! Eevee's taking damage!"
"Switch Leafeon!"
Red fur turned green. Leafeon-Eevee shook off the hit, vines sprouting from his body.
Commentator 1: "Leafeon now! This Eevee's a walking Eeveelution encyclopedia!"
Dracian: "Flame Wheel!"
Arcanine curled into a flaming ball, rolling toward Leafeon-Eevee.
Ash: "Razor Leaf!"
Blades of grass shot out clashing with the flames. Some burned, but others sliced Arcanine's side.
Arcanine broke through, grazing Leafeon-Eevee.
He grunted, fur singed.
Commentator 2: "Arcanine's pushing! Eevee's struggling to keep up!"
Dracian: "Crunch!"
Arcanine lunged, jaws wide.
"Synthesis!"
Leafeon-Eevee glowed green, wounds healing under the stadium lights.
Crunch connected painful but Leafeon-Eevee held.
Commentator 1: "Synthesis! Healing mid-battle smart play!"
"Leaf Blade!"
Vines extended into glowing blades. Leafeon-Eevee slashed cutting Arcanine's flank.
Arcanine howled, bleeding.
"Fire Fang!"
Flames engulfed Arcanine's teeth. It bit down.
Leafeon-Eevee twisted dodging most, but fangs grazed his leg.
He limped slightly.
Commentator 2: "Eevee's hurt! Arcanine's not going down easy!"
"One more switch Umbreon!"
Green fur darkened to black. Rings glowed yellow. Umbreon-Eevee's eyes narrowed, shadows lengthening around him.
Commentator 1: "Umbreon form! Dark-type shift Arcanine's Fire moves are weakened!"
"Extreme Speed again!"
Arcanine blurred.
Umbreon-Eevee stood still.
"Feint Attack."
Umbreon-Eevee vanished into shadow reappearing behind Arcanine, striking hard.
Arcanine staggered.
Commentator 2: "Feint Attack lands! Arcanine's reeling!"
Dracian: "Flare Blitz! All in!"
Arcanine ignited, charging like a comet.
"Dark Pulse!"
Umbreon-Eevee unleashed rings of black energy clashing with the blaze. Explosion rocked the field.
When dust cleared, Arcanine lay fainted.
Umbreon-Eevee panted, bruised but victorious.
Commentator 1: "ARCANINE IS DOWN! ASH KETCHUM WINS WITH ONE POKÉMON EEVEE'S TRANSFORMATIONS WERE INSANE!"
Commentator 2: "The crowd's going wild! That Eevee is a phenomenon adapting, evolving, overcoming! What a match!"
Ash returned Eevee, patting the ball. "You were amazing, buddy."
Dracian stared, then smiled weakly. "Your Eevee… it's special."
Ash nodded. "He's family."
The stadium chanted: "Ee-vee! Ee-vee!"
Another prelim down.
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Okay, some of you will get confused why everyone wasn't surprised to see Leafeon and Umbreon from other regions. Actually, in my story, most people already know about these things.
Now, should I use Mega Evolution and let Gary advance the prelims to have a 6v6 against Ash? As you know, this Gary from my fic doesn't have a cocky attitude anymore after Ash's achievements reached Oak and his allowance got cut. So this Gary is stronger than his canon counterpart. What do you guys suggest? Leave me a comment.