14 Chapter 14

"Explain"

Emmet caught the serious undertone in Professor Oak's voice and the pointed look at Sylveon. Realizing this was about Eevee's unexpected evolution, he opted for a light touch. "I don't follow, Professor. Is there a problem?"

Oak's gaze didn't waver. "I think you know exactly what I'm asking, Emmet. What did you do to Eevee?"

Emmet tilted his head and grinned. "Trained her. Quite rigorously, in fact."

The Professor leaned in. "I meant regarding this evolution. I've never seen this particular Pokemon form before. The scientific community was very sure Eevee had no Normal Type evolution."

Emmet leaned back somewhat relieved they made the assumption she was Normal type, the grin still on his face. "Trained her very, very hard?"

Professor Oak's eyes narrowed. "Emmet, you're on thin ice. Remember, I sponsor your journey. I can also revoke that sponsorship."

Just then, Emmet noticed a slight twitch at the corner of Oak's lips, a tell that betrayed the professor's strict demeanor. He decided to push his luck. Turning to Sylveon, he spoke softly, "Say your goodbyes, Sylveon. Professor Oak doesn't want to see you anymore."

At this, Professor Oak's stern visage cracked, and a hearty laugh escaped his lips. He bent down to give Sylveon an affectionate pat. "Alright, alright, you got me. But listen, Emmet, you have to keep this under wraps, and I mean, make sure it's tightly sealed."

Emmet's eyes widened, puzzled. "Why? You're a researcher. Shouldn't you be itching to study Sylveon?"

Professor Oak sighed, "Believe me, it's a monumental struggle to hold back my scholarly curiosity. But my instinct tells me Sylveon is only starting to come to terms with this new form. She likely has abilities, quirks, strengths, and weaknesses yet to be discovered. The best way for her to explore these changes is in the natural course of your journey."

Oak's eyes softened, and he looked directly at Emmet. "After you've finished your journey, after the Indigo circuit I mean, would you let her stay at my ranch for a while? It would provide a fantastic environment for her to adapt and for us to study her new form more closely."

"Alright," Emmet started cautiously, "as long as Sylveon is up for it when the time comes, it's a deal."

Professor Oak's eyes twinkled. "That's fair. I hope she'll give us the chance. Studying her could reveal insights that might help her—and other Pokemon—reach new potentials. We might discover things that could make her even stronger in the future."

Sylveon, as if understanding the weight of the conversation, gave a soft chortle and nuzzled Oak's hand, indicating her amenability, at least for now.

"But I'm still wondering," Emmet probed, "why the secrecy? Why can't I tell people about Sylveon?"

Professor Oak sighed deeply, his demeanor turning more somber. "Because information, even incomplete information, can be incredibly dangerous. Especially when it comes to new Pokemon evolutions. Collectors, trainers, and even scientists might take whatever you say and extrapolate from it, often with disastrous consequences."

The Professor began pacing, absorbed in a painful memory. "Years ago, a seasoned trainer returned from a worldwide journey and casually mentioned to a popular magazine that he'd seen an Ice-type evolution of Eevee. Even without proof, even without a name or detailed information, that little tidbit set off a maelstrom."

"Within a year," Oak continued, his voice tinged with regret, "there were almost 500 reported cases of frozen Eevees. Trainers were subjecting their Pokemon to harsh, icy environments, thinking they could force this undocumented evolution. The consequences were heartbreaking."

Oak paused, clearly disturbed by the tale. "It only came to an end when the League imposed hefty fines and criminal sentences for attempting such reckless experiments. They had to make it clear that no credible information existed about this supposed Ice-type Eevee evolution to stop the madness."

Emmet felt a lump in his throat, suddenly overwhelmed by the magnitude of responsibility he now carried. The excitement he initially felt about Sylveon's new form now felt secondary to the potential harm that could come to other Eevees if word got out.

"Understood, Professor. Sylveon's evolution stays under wraps until we have more information and a responsible way to share it," Emmet confirmed, the gravity of his words settling between them.

Professor Oak nodded, visibly relieved.

Emmet felt a surge of joy as Sylveon, Firefly, and Cleffa bounded onto the bed. Each Pokemon showed their affection in their unique way—Sylveon with her graceful ribbons, Firefly with a reserved but appreciative nuzzle, and Cleffa with excited hops and giggles. Even Firefly, who had become noticeably more stoic since evolving into a Charmeleon, softened under Emmet's warm embrace. It was a wholesome scene, each Pokemon melting into the unconditional love of their trainer.

Professor Oak allowed the heartwarming reunion to unfold for a few moments before clearing his throat loudly. The noise caught their attention just as Emmet was tickling Cleffa, eliciting joyful squeals from the baby Pokemon.

"So, Emmet," Oak began, "I've already consulted your Pokemon with the assistance of my Alakazam to understand what happened from their perspective. Now, I want to hear from you. What do you think went wrong when you and your Pokemon were attacked by the Sneasels?"

Emmet's eyes lost focus as he pondered the events, vividly recalling the tension, the darkness, and the Sneasels leaping from the shadows. Every decision he'd made flashed before his eyes as he searched for a mistake.

After a significant pause, Emmet spoke, "Professor, I think what went wrong was my own emotional state. I let the fear and desperation cloud my judgment. Instead of maintaining a clear focus on directing my Pokemon during combat, I was too caught up in trying to heal the ones who had fallen. Maybe if I had been calmer, I could've led them more effectively, multitasking between supporting the injured and strategizing for the ones still in the fight."

"Maybe I have not being training them as well as I could. Their move variety was severely lacking, they had no idea how to act when backed into a corner and in my insistence to grow my team slowly, I deprived myself from having more Pokemon to help me out"

Emmet furrowed his brow, continuing to dig into his memories, searching for more answers. Oak observed, arms crossed, giving Emmet the room to think it through.

"Actually, that's all I can think of, Professor. The situation unfolded so quickly that my only instinct was to heal my fallen Pokemon while hoping that the others could hold their own in the fights. I know it's not the best tactic, but in that moment, it was the only option that seemed viable. I just... I just didn't want to lose anyone," Emmet finished, his voice tinged with a mix of regret and determination.

Sensing his emotional shift, Cleffa hopped onto Emmet's lap and snuggled into his stomach, chirping her name as if trying to soothe him. Sylveon extended one of her ribbons to hold his hand gently. Even Firefly leaned in, resting against Emmet as if offering a silent reassurance.

Oak's eyes moved between Emmet and his Pokemon, his face expressionless but his gaze intense. He seemed to be evaluating not just the young trainer's words but the relationship he had with his Pokemon.

Whatever Oak was searching for in Emmet's expressions and those of his Pokemon, he seemed to find it. His face broke into a genuine, approving smile, lightening the atmosphere in the room.

"Emmet, let me ease your conscience," Oak began. "You performed far better than most trainers with a similar level of experience would have. I'd be hard-pressed to think of anyone, less than two years into journeying, who could handle such an extreme situation any better. It's easy to scrutinize yourself in hindsight, but remember, you were up against tremendous odds with no experience."

Emmet's eyes brightened, and Oak continued, "The event was a tragedy, yes. You were the only trainer affected, but the Clefairies weren't the only ones that perished. The group that released all those poached wild Pokemon created an ecological disaster for Mt. Moon. The balance has been tipped, and the effects are far-reaching and devastating."

"As it stands, Mt. Moon's ecosystem has been irreparably damaged. It's going to take decades of work to restore any semblance of stability. And that's the best-case scenario. The flora and fauna that once thrived there will suffer for years, maybe even generations, to come."

Oak's expression became grave, "The Clefairy line is now on the brink of extinction. There were multiple groups of Weaviles and Sneasels released into the cave system. They've been hunting indiscriminately and seem to have an uncanny knack for finding Clefairies. The League's top researchers, myself included, are baffled as to how these Pokemon have managed such an effective targeting of the Clefairy species."

He looked sorrowfully at Cleffa, "The League has moved the entire Clefairy line to the 'Endangered' list. This means they are no longer allowed to be used in official battles. Trainers who own a Clefairy are required to bring them in for health checks at a Pokemon Center once a month. There's also a breeding program in place, with significant financial incentives for trainers willing to contribute to it. These are desperate measures, but necessary."

Oak sternly added, "Capturing any member of the Clefairy line from this point on is strictly prohibited. Any violation of these guidelines will lead to criminal charges. The League is taking this situation extremely seriously, and no exceptions will be made."

Emmet's eyes widened, remembering he hadn't officially captured Cleffa. Oak noticed his reaction and grinned. "Looks like Cleffa here got lucky," he said, tossing a Pokeball toward Emmet. "She's the last of her line to be captured before the new ruling took effect. Take more care not to drop these in the future," he winked.

Relief washed over Emmet, "Thank you, Professor. Honestly, I can't express how grateful I am. Not just for Cleffa but for everything you've done for us. It means the world to me, and I'm sure to them as well."

Cleffa seemed downcast, absorbing the news about her species' dire situation. Then something clicked in Emmet's mind. "Professor, you said 'the group that released all those poached Pokemon'—does the League know who's responsible for this mess?"

Oak hesitated, then released his Alakazam and a Gengar from their Pokeballs. "Secure the area. We can't risk eavesdroppers." Alakazam closed his eyes, focusing, and Emmet felt a psychic wave pass through him, cleansing the area of potential surveillance. Gengar vanished into the shadows, and Emmet felt an eerie energy pulse, making a mental note to study the differences in Ghost Type energy for future reference now that he had had contact with it.

While curious, Emmet felt perhaps Oak was about to share confidential information. He wasn't about to question it.

"Emmet, what you and the ecosystem of Mt. Moon suffered was orchestrated by a criminal organization known as Team Rocket," Oak began. "The disaster mobilized almost 80% of the League's battle-ready personnel, creating a gaping hole in our defenses. Team Rocket seized this opportunity to infiltrate Silph Co. in Saffron City. They made off with millions in Pokedollars worth of lab equipment and exponentially more in the form of research data. The League's emergency response team was overwhelmed; many were brutally killed. This was a meticulously planned operation and I'm afraid of what they will manage to achieve with what they got away with."

"Champion Lance is apoplectic about the whole situation. You have to understand, Lance is a man of action, and Team Rocket has hit a nerve," Oak began. "He's mobilizing resources from his home in Blackthorn City and pulling every string he can within the Dragon Clan of Johto. They're putting boots on the ground, conducting raids, anything they can to capture Team Rocket members and halt their operations. The League is actively tracking suspicious shipments, monitoring communications, and collaborating with international agencies. Lance himself is leading several covert operations. He's turning the resources of two regions to put an end to this blight."

"The cold war between the League and Team Rocket is heating up, and it won't be long before the situation reaches a boiling point," Oak continued, a weight in his eyes. "When it does, it'll affect not just Mt. Moon, not just Kanto, but Johto as well. Emmet, promise me you'll keep your head down when that happens. Train your Pokemon, continue your journey, but don't go looking for trouble. The times ahead are going to be turbulent, and I'd hate to see you get caught up in something you can't handle."

"I promise, Professor. I'll keep focused on my journey," Emmet said. Then, shifting gears, "But, how are my Pokemon? I'm especially worried about Firefly. That Weavile's Poison Jab did a number on her."

"Ah, Firefly. She's quite the fighter," Oak answered. "The long exposure to the Poison energy, especially from a Pokemon as potent as a Weavile, has had an unusual effect. She's developed a certain resistance to Poison energy types. It's like her physiology adapted to combat the venom coursing through her veins, a sort of biological countermeasure. On the downside, the scar on her face is permanent, although it will fade somewhat over time. But don't worry too much; Charizards wear their scars like badges of honor. It's part of their culture, a symbol of the battles they've survived. She's fully recovered and ready for battle."

"As for Sylveon, her physiology is a bit of an enigma. Eevee evolutions have always puzzled us, and this new evolution is no different," Oak continued. "Our preliminary tests are inconclusive, but using data from other Eevee evolutions as a baseline, her recovery rate is noticeably faster. It's possible this rapid healing is unique to her evolution. Sylveon might have inherent advantages we don't yet understand. So while it's difficult to give a precise status, she appears to be in good health."

"Finally, Cleffa. She's quite young, our tests indicate she's no more than two months old," Oak said. "Yet, she demonstrated remarkable mental acuity, navigating Mt. Moon's labyrinthine tunnels. This speaks volumes about her potential. However, given her age, I'd strongly recommend you moderate her training regimen, especially physical training, until she evolves into Clefairy. Her young body isn't yet equipped to handle the kind of stress that older Pokemon can."

Emmet's fingers began to twitch, his gaze shifting nervously from Professor Oak to the floor. Finally, he cleared his throat. "Professor, do you... um, know if my mom is aware of what happened to me?"

Professor Oak's face softened into a warm smile. "Ah, yes, your mother. She was actually the first one on the scene after you were found. The moment she heard you had gone missing in Mt. Moon, she disregarded her superiors' orders and raced to find you. She was by your bedside until very recently. In fact, the only reason she's not here now is that Lance offered her a spot in an operation targeting those responsible for this disaster. She's a valuable asset to the League, and her expertise was required. The league has few Ghost Type experts and for some reason they need this particular type."

"She was hesitant to leave you, Emmet," Oak continued. "I saw the conflict in her eyes. But once the doctors assured her that you were out of the woods and would be well looked after, she agreed to go. Due to the nature of the operation, she's gone radio silent. We might not hear from her for a while; these missions can last for months and are shrouded in utmost secrecy."

"Thank you, Professor, that's a load off my mind," Emmet sighed, visibly relaxing. "Knowing she's out there doing something about this situation somehow makes me feel better. Still, it's been a long couple of days. I think I need some rest."

"Absolutely, rest is crucial for you now," Oak responded, standing up. "Before I go, the doctor asked me to inform you that you'll be discharged tomorrow morning. You'll be free to continue your journey, and I expect great things from you, young man. Take care." With that, Oak nodded, turned, and exited the room.

As Oak left, Emmet felt the psychic aura of Alakazam and the eerie presence of Gengar dissipate from the room. He turned to his Pokemon—Firefly, Sylveon, and Cleffa—and clenched his fists. "Listen up, all of you. Team Rocket will pay for what they've done." The visage of the torn bodies of Clefairies and the hurt form of Firefly and Sylveon flashed through his mind. "I don't care how long it takes or what we have to go through. They will pay."