5 Chapter 5

The rest of Emmet's stay at the Pokemon Center was quick and efficient. Charmander aced her checkup, surprising Nurse Joy with her rapid growth. The nurse seemed a bit puzzled, commenting that Charmander's development was unusually rapid yet remarkably healthy. She added her own set of data requests to those of Professor Oak's for Charmander's next checkup, ensuring it would be just as thorough.

Emmet didn't mind the extra attention at all. To him, there was no such thing as "too much healthcare," especially when dealing with the unknown factor that was EM. He figured that more data could only be beneficial for understanding how EM affected Pokemon.

After the Pokemon Center, Emmet had a pressing timetable. He left a bit before lunchtime, making a beeline to stock up on supplies for an extended stay in Viridian Forest. Before his departure, he'd had an eye-opening chat with Professor Oak, who was at the center for research.

The Professor had imparted several tips on caring for a young Eevee and noted that Viridian Forest was an ideal training ground for Charmander and Eevee. He did, however, caution Emmet to avoid Scyther and Pinsir. According to Oak, these Pokemon could be very dangerous and had been known to attack humans without provocation.

Taking the advice to heart, Emmet worked with Professor Oak to draft a 10-day training regimen for their time in the forest. After that, the plan was to head to Pewter City to challenge Gym Leader Brock for the Boulder Badge. The schedule was rigorous but well thought out.

Emmet exited Viridian City, Charmander and Eevee trotting alongside him. Once they were far enough from the city and the stream of other trainers dwindled, they veered off the beaten path for some privacy. Emmet and Charmander spent time explaining to Eevee what they'd learned from EM. They went over techniques for physical development and how to meditate for better control over Normal Type Energy.

Eevee was beyond excited about tapping into EM. Almost immediately, she began drawing on its power, dashing ahead of Emmet and Charmander in short bursts to build her stamina and speed. She would then jog back more slowly to catch her breath, visibly eager to grow stronger.

Fortunately, Emmet had anticipated such energetic behavior. He had packed supplies for what could equate to 30 days in the wilderness, even though he planned to spend no more than 15 days. This foresight proved invaluable, especially given Eevee's newfound enthusiasm for training.

Once inside the checkpoint building marking the official entrance to Viridian Forest, Emmet found himself answering a series of questions posed by the Ranger on duty, named Dan. The questions ranged from how long he planned to stay in the forest to whether he was aware of the potential risks. Dan even asked if he could check Emmet's supplies to ensure he was adequately prepared.

Emmet wasn't bothered by the questions; he knew they were asked with good intentions. Since the implementation of this questioning process, incidents of trainers getting lost or injured in the forest had dropped significantly, which Emmet appreciated.

While discussing these formalities, Ranger Dan looked at Emmet with a sudden recognition. "Wait a minute. Are you related to Ranger Diana Grant?" Dan inquired, his eyes narrowing with curiosity.

"Yeah, she's my mother," Emmet replied, trying to read Dan's expression. "She left a message saying she's currently at a training camp on Mt. Silver. Why do you ask?"

Dan's face lit up with realization. "Your mother and your father are heroes to me. They saved my life back when I was a rookie. There was an avalanche of Gravelers and Golems threatening a village at the foot of Mt. Moon, and they stepped in. I'm really sorry to hear about your father's passing."

Hearing his father mentioned like this made Emmet pause. He felt his chest tighten but managed a subdued, "Thank you for saying that, Dan. It means a lot."

"It's a damn shame," Dan sighed, shaking his head. "The way the Ranger commanders failed your father... they should've done better."

Emmet was caught off guard. "What do you mean? All I know is that he was killed by a rogue Tyranitar on Mt. Silver."

Realizing he had said too much, Dan looked around nervously to make sure no one was listening. Satisfied they were alone, he said, "I'm sorry, Emmet. I shouldn't have said that. Your father's mission was supposed to be confidential. I happened to be patrolling Mt. Silver when I ran into him. He seemed agitated, but wouldn't say why. All I know is he headed toward the second highest peak and... well, you know the rest."

Emmet stood there, stunned, his mind racing through a whirlwind of possibilities. Had his father died because of an accident, or was there foul play involved? Did his mother know? His face flushed with confusion and concern.

Seeing Emmet's distressed expression, Ranger Dan spoke softly, "Look, I'm sure your mom is looking into it, or has already done so. The best thing you can do is stay out of trouble, so she doesn't have to worry about you too."

Nodding slowly, Emmet thanked Dan for his words. As he walked into Viridian Forest, Charmander and Eevee sensed his troubled mood. They gestured to him, suggesting they set up camp and prepare for the night ahead. Their empathetic nudges made Emmet appreciate their company even more in that moment.

As they finished setting up camp, the sun dipping below the horizon, Emmet took a deep breath, exhaling slowly before addressing Charmander and Eevee. "I know you both were worried about me back at the ranger station, and I really appreciate it. I've had a lot to process. But now, I think I'm okay, really. How are you two holding up?" His gaze moved from Charmander to Eevee, noticing their keen attention and feeling reassured.

Switching gears, Emmet began to outline their training plan. "Now, on to business. We have some long days ahead of us. Training, battling, and developing our skills. Professor Oak gave us specific guidelines to improve certain attributes. But with the help of EM, we can go above and beyond. We can enhance not just what's recommended but also other aspects. Does that sound like a plan?" Emmet looked at them, waiting for any sign of apprehension.

Turning to Charmander, he elaborated, "See, Charmanders aren't naturally known for speed, you know? Your leg-to-torso ratio doesn't make you a sprinter. However, with EM, we might make something like Quick Attack possible for you. It won't be as fast or as powerful as Eevee's, but it's another tool in your arsenal. You could use it for dodging or changing your position swiftly in a battle. Would you like to try mastering that?"

Charmander looked at Emmet, then let out a determined, "Char!"

"Great," Emmet said, then moved on to the next point. He took out some resistance bracers from his bag and held them up for Charmander and Eevee to see. "These aren't your ordinary harnesses. They are designed to restrict your movements, forcing you to exert constant physical effort. It's like a gym that you can wear, helping you develop muscle faster. Sound good, or does it feel too uncomfortable?" He looked at both of them, gauging their reactions.

Eevee hesitated for a moment at the sight of the harness but then shook her head and let out a resolute yip, signaling her readiness.

"Excellent! Now, every day from sunset until our dinner time, we'll focus on mental strength through meditation. I'll be honing my psychic manipulation skills, which will help us communicate more effectively in the future. Imagine sending you commands mentally in the middle of a battle, catching the enemy completely off guard. How cool would that be?" Emmet glanced at their faces, seeing grins of anticipation.

He then refocused on Charmander. "So, for your meditation, you'll start with Normal-type energy. We'll keep at it until you can either perform a Quick Attack or we confirm it's not feasible. Then we shift gears to Fire-type energy; you'll work on mastering Flamethrower. After that, Steel and Dragon energies will be our next focus. Don't worry, I'll guide you through sensing these different energies when it's time. How does that sound?"

Finally, Emmet looked at Eevee and posed a question. "Before we start, you have a decision to make. Do you know about Flareon, Jolteon, and Vaporeon?"

Eevee nodded her head, her ears perking up.

"That's just the tip of the iceberg. Have you ever heard about your other possible evolutions? Like Espeon, Umbreon, Leafeon, Glaceon, or even Sylveon?"

Eevee widened her eyes in surprise and shook her head slowly, clearly intrigued by the revelation.

Emmet shifted his weight, leaning back against a tree and giving Charmander and Eevee a serious look. "There's something else I should tell you. Along with the Energy Manipulation, or EM, I've gained some unique knowledge. I've double-checked it, and as far as I can tell, no one else knows what I'm about to share with you, especially about Eevee's potential evolutions. Are you both ready for this?" His eyes flicked between his two Pokemon, watching their nonverbal cues closely. Charmander's flame flickered brightly, and Eevee's ears perked up—signs they were both attentive and prepared.

"I know we discussed the three common Eevee evolutions: Flareon, Jolteon, and Vaporeon," Emmet began. "But let me dive deeper into each of these and then introduce you to the lesser-known ones. Flareon is a Fire-type, fluffy and red. It specializes in powerful fire attacks but isn't particularly fast. Jolteon is an Electric-type, spiky and agile. It's great for quick and shocking ranged attacks. Vaporeon is a Water-type, sleek and well-adapted to aquatic environments, excelling in water-based attacks."

"Now, beyond these, we have Espeon. It's a Psychic-type with a sleek, lilac appearance and specializes in mental and ranged attacks. Then there's Umbreon, a Dark-type, black and mysterious. Umbreon excels in defense and can weaken opponents. Leafeon is a Grass-type, green and nimble. It's great for physical and ranged grass attacks. 

He takes a sip from the canteen before continuing. "Glaceon, an Ice-type, is pale blue and specializes in ice attacks, often slowing down opponents. And finally, Sylveon, a Fairy-type. It's pink and ornate, focusing mainly on healing and supporting abilities. Each has its own unique fighting style, offering a wide array of tactical options." Emmet paused, giving Eevee time to absorb all the information. Her eyes darted as if visualizing each evolutionary form, displaying a whirlwind of curiosity and wonder.

Emmet caught Charmander scrunching up her face when he mentioned Sylveon's Fairy typing. Realizing that the Fairy type wasn't commonly known yet, he looked at both Charmander and Eevee, noting that Eevee seemed oblivious to this unique detail. He cleared his throat, preparing to dive into this lesser-known subject matter.

"Ah, I see Charmander caught that. Yes, there's another type of Pokemon that's not widely known yet. It's called the Fairy type," Emmet began. Eevee's ears pricked up, intrigued, while Charmander's eyes focused more intently on him. "This type is unique; it's particularly strong against Dragon, Dark, and Fighting types. Its strengths offer something new to the conventional type matchups."

Emmet continued, "However, Fairy types are weak against Steel and Poison types. So, there's a balance, just like with any other type. They excel in healing and supportive moves but can also wield considerable offensive power." His eyes met Charmander's, ensuring she was following, then flicked to Eevee, who seemed to be soaking up the information like a sponge.

"I don't want to influence your choice too much, Eevee, but if you were to evolve into Sylveon, you'd become our group's Dragon Slayer," Emmet said, a touch of excitement in his voice. "Not that I'm saying you should; I've got plans for each of your potential evolutions. But, the Fairy type offers unique possibilities, especially against Dragons."

Eevee's reaction was immediate and effusive. Her ears perked straight up, and she started yipping joyfully at the sound of the phrase "Dragon Slayer." Emmet couldn't help but find her enthusiasm infectious and downright adorable. He showered her in pats and scratches behind the ears. On the side, Charmander simply shook her head at their antics, her face displaying a kind of stoic amusement as she watched her trainer and teammate revel in the moment.

The atmosphere changed as Emmet's expression turned stern. "Alright, we need to address a matter of critical importance, one that will shape the trajectory of our lives," he declared. His face was unreadable, his tone serious, as if he were about to announce a life-altering decision.

Both Pokemon were caught off guard. Charmander's flame flickered as if hit by a sudden gust of wind, and Eevee swallowed audibly. They fixed their eyes on Emmet, bracing themselves for this momentous announcement.

Clearing his throat dramatically, Emmet intoned, "We need to decide... if you guys want nicknames." A playful smirk appeared on his face, and it became evident that he was pulling their legs, treating the issue as if it were of monumental significance.

Mock outrage was the immediate reaction. Eevee and Charmander leaped on him, nuzzling and pawing him in a playful attempt to tickle him into submission. It was a cacophony of yips, growls, and human laughter.

Using his psychic powers, Emmet gently levitated himself out of their reach. "Alright, alright, jokes aside," he said, still chuckling. "I do want to know if you'd like nicknames. I know most Pokemon prefer their species' names, but exceptions exist. So, what's it going to be?"

Eevee shook her head vigorously, her ears flapping. Clearly, she had no interest in a nickname, at least for now. Charmander, on the other hand, went into a contemplative pose, her eyes closed and arms crossed. After a few silent moments, she opened her eyes and nodded at Emmet. She wanted a nickname.

A warm, affectionate smile spread across Emmet's face. "I've got the perfect nickname for you. How about Firefly?"

Charmander pondered the name, her eyes narrowing as if measuring the weight and significance of each syllable. Then, with a gleam in her eyes, she let out a joyous call of her own name, signaling her approval.

Grinning, Emmet extended his hand towards Charmander. "Nice to meet you, Firefly." She stretched out her small claw and shook his hand, entering into this new chapter of their journey.