In the footage—
Team Rocket stared back at Ash, their faces twisting into identical expressions of pure, unadulterated exasperation.
"...You literally didn't recognize us until we changed clothes!" Jessie shrieked, stamping her foot in frustration.
But that didn't matter now. Their top priority was shipping these captured academy Pokémon back to Boss Giovanni—and if possible, bagging Pikachu along the way!
The final outcome, naturally, went exactly as anyone watching the historical database would expect. Team Rocket frantically summoned their Rocket Prize Master, calling upon a Pelipper to drop a combat capsule into play.
But a single, merciless Thunderbolt from Ash's Pikachu tore through the air, triggering a spectacular explosion that sent the trio blasting off into the sky right on cue!
With Team Rocket dealt with, Ash and Chloe turned their focus back to the two researchers. They quickly learned that the duo belonged to the Eevee Evolution Research Institute, and this specific Eevee was a subject they were currently tracking.
Neither of them had realized Eevee had managed to slip away from the facility.
Since they didn't have official clearance to enter the school grounds, they had sneaked in quietly—just like Team Rocket—solely because they were terrified the institute director would find out they had lost a research subject! That was the only reason they looked so incredibly sketchy.
Ash and Chloe exchanged a glance. Aura might not be a literal lie detector, but the story aligned perfectly with the lack of malice Ash's senses picked up. So… this Eevee truly did belong to a laboratory.
Ultimately, as dusk began to fall, the two brought Eevee back to the Cerise Laboratory so the director of the Eevee Institute could come and collect it in person, though the two researchers couldn't escape a stern scolding.
The director turned out to be an old acquaintance of Professor Cerise; since they both operated out of Vermilion City and focused on Pokémon research, it was impossible for them not to be on familiar terms.
As the director prepared to take Eevee back, the little Pokémon looked back at Chloe with immense reluctance, and Chloe desperately wanted to ask to keep it. But she held herself back.
An Eevee was a highly coveted Pokémon worldwide, practically second only to pseudo-legendaries in rarity and valued even more than standard regional starters.
Why would an official research institute just give one away for free?
"Um… Director! It really looks like Eevee has formed a huge bond with Chloe! Since she doesn't have an official trainer yet, is there any way Chloe could become her partner?"
"I know it's a massive favor to ask… but if you need something in exchange, I'll do whatever it takes to get it for you! Whether it's funding or an incredibly rare item from my journeys, I'll figure out a way to provide it!!"
Ash spoke up suddenly, his voice ringing with absolute clarity. He had seen the genuine bond that had formed between Eevee and Chloe, recognizing that exact same spark of destiny he shared with Pikachu, and he wanted to do everything in his power to keep them together.
"Oh? Eevee, is that true…" The director looked down at the Eevee in his hands, asking if it truly preferred Chloe.
"Vee-vee!" Eevee nodded fiercely. It leapt straight out of the director's arms, dashed across the floor, and jumped right back into Chloe's embrace. Its intentions were completely unmistakable—it had officially chosen its trainer!
"Haha… well, look at that, she's completely chosen you, Chloe. In that case, I'll gladly leave Eevee in your care!"
"But what about the exchange Ash mentioned…" While Chloe was absolutely thrilled, she couldn't help but worry about the promise Ash had just made. If Ash had to pay an immense price just so she could keep Eevee, she would be carrying an even bigger debt to him!
"Oh, don't worry about compensation… I don't care about things like that! Honestly, I'm far more interested to see what kind of unique path this Eevee will carve out under your guidance."
"The truth is, this specific Eevee has been completely unable to evolve. We aren't sure if its genetic structure is simply too unstable, or if it simply hasn't made up its own mind on which direction to take… but as of right now, it cannot undergo any evolution.
That's why we've been observing it so closely. But with you, Chloe…" The director walked over and gently patted her head. "I'm certain you will help Eevee find its true path."
"... Yes! Thank you so much, Director! And… thank you too, Ash." Chloe thanked the director with immense gratitude before turning to offer a heartfelt thank you to Ash. If he hadn't stepped up to speak for her, Eevee would already be on a transport back to the institute.
"Aw, I barely did anything~" Ash chuckled, scratching his head in embarrassment.
"What a fine young man~ Alright, we'll take our leave now," the director teased playfully. Ignoring Chloe's instantly reddening face, he turned and walked out with his assistants.
...
[Professor Cerise: See! Look at that! This Eevee is practically a match-making Pokémon for Ash and Chloe!]
[Caitlin: ??? Are you completely delusional? How on earth did you connect those dots back to romance?!]
[Lance: Exactly. Professor Cerise, let's tone it down a bit. You've pushed that angle enough for one day. Instead of forcing pairings, it's better to congratulate Chloe on securing an incredibly rare partner—and they match each other perfectly!]
[Norman: Agreed. Even Ash noted that he felt a sense of destiny between Eevee and Chloe, drawing a direct parallel to his bond with Pikachu!]
[Professor Cerise: Hmm… matchmaking aside, I truly am incredibly grateful to Ash for stepping up and helping our Chloe keep Eevee!]
[Blaine: Why are you still daydreaming about that match… By the way, wasn't Ash planning to find a powerful ally to help him manage Eternatus next? Who do you think he's going to approach?]
[Leon: It might be me, or perhaps Cynthia, or maybe the two of us working together. After all, given Eternatus's raw power metrics… even in a dormant state, it requires at least two Champion-level trainers to safely manage a potential breach.]
[Cynthia: I suspect… it might not necessarily be a human trainer.]
[Sabrina: I agree, it doesn't have to be a person…]
[Caitlin: Oh!! I know exactly who it is! It could absolutely be Him!]
[Blaine: ??? No, wait, you guys… if you've already guessed who it is, just say the name! Why are you playing the role of a mysterious riddler?]
[Morty: Did everyone forget so quickly? We've already seen an incredibly powerful Pokémon that is more than capable of suppressing an entity like Eternatus.]
Blaine paused to think, and a legendary figure instantly flashed through his mind! The ultimate genetic Pokémon—Mewtwo! That was a Pokémon that shared a deep, historic understanding with Ash, and it was highly probable Ash would seek its aid.
The mere concept of Eternatus crossing paths with Mewtwo… the entire world was eagerly anticipating the footage!
...
In the footage—
Following the Eevee incident, the Cerise household warmly welcomed its newest member, and Eevee integrated into the family seamlessly.
Later that evening, Professor Cerise kept casting incredibly suspicious looks toward Chloe and Ash.
Between the sudden embrace in the morning foyer and the coordinated effort to keep Eevee in the evening, these two were looking highly suspect! But when he tried to subtly question Chloe in private, she insisted absolutely nothing was going on. Ah, the complex world of youth—he simply couldn't understand it!
"By the way, Ash, do you happen to remember the Gym Leader from Pewter City?"
"Mmph (Yeah)!" Ash replied, his cheeks completely puffed out like a bun as he chewed his food.
"He sent a formal request to the lab today. Apparently, there are reports of highly unique fossil deposits located within the wild zones of the Galar region.
He wants you and Chloe to head over to Galar to investigate. If you find any fossil specimens, just take some high-quality photographs for his archives—though if you manage to bring back an actual physical sample, that would be even better!"
"As for the research budget and compensation—"
"Oh, there's absolutely no need for that!" Ash swallowed his food and spoke up loudly. "The Pewter Gym Leader already helped us successfully resurrect our Aerodactyl and Amaura.
Now he just wants us to help him check out some fossils, so why would we ever charge him for that? If we're talking about a fair return, he already paid us back at the very beginning of our journey!"
"Right, Chloe?"
Chloe nodded in absolute agreement. Sitting nearby, eating her specialized Pokémon kibble, the Amaura perked up her head in confusion upon hearing what sounded like her name being called.
"Hehe, we weren't calling you, Amaura. Go ahead and finish your dinner~"
"Ruuu~" Hearing Chloe's reassurance, Amaura happily returned to devouring her meal. Looking at the peaceful scene, a bright, joyous smile naturally spread across Chloe's face.
She was going to get to go on another journey alongside Ash!!
...
Author's Note:The time for a rematch is drawing near! Charizard: I heard the Kalos region has a Charizard with the Ability Water Compaction? If he doesn't start making sense, I'm going to have to personally teach him a lesson!!
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