"Come on, everyone, let me introduce you. This is Silas, he's from-"
Sanyechi paused mid-sentence, his eyes narrowing as he turned back to study Silas.
Silas thought to himself, 'Still trying to probe me, huh? Fine, I'll give you something to chew on.'
"I come from a small island overseas," Silas said with a calm smile. "Right now, I'm traveling through Hoenn to challenge Gyms and compete in the League."
Besides Sanyechi, the bespectacled young man, there were two identical twin boys and the same girl who had earlier admired Eevee's fur. From their elegant clothes and the Pokémon standing at their sides, Silas could tell they were direct-line trainers from well-off families.
Recognizing him as one of their own class, not just some civilian trainer, they welcomed him readily.
"Silas, you're lucky you met us. Otherwise, if you'd been tricked by some lowly commoner, that would've been a disaster."
They made no effort to hide their disdain for ordinary trainers. Silas didn't comment he simply listened quietly.
But when he mentioned that his Eevee came from a Gym, their interest spiked.
"Mr. Norman, the Petalburg Gym Leader, values my potential," Silas explained smoothly. "He signed an investment contract with me, and Eevee here is part of that investment."
The others exchanged envious looks. Especially Sanyechi-now he understood why Silas's Eevee looked so healthy and well-bred. Of course… if it came from a Gym, it must be of the highest quality.
One of the twin brothers asked curiously, "So, Silas, you're here to evolve Eevee into Leafeon?"
Silas shook his head. "Not yet. I was just curious about this Moss Rock and came to see it. My Eevee only just hatched and it's far too soon for evolution."
"Eevuii~"
The little fox peeked her head out from behind Silas, timidly glancing at the larger Eevee nearby.
Through their conversations, Silas learned most of them had come here specifically to evolve their Eevee. They had set up camp around the Moss Rock, waiting for the right moment.
"I see… using Breeze Grass mixed with clean water to wipe Eevee's fur makes it shinier?" one trainer explained.
"And Mago berries can improve its cleverness," another added.
As they spoke, they confirmed Silas's status as an invested trainer like themselves. Any lingering distance faded, and they happily welcomed him into their circle.
The five spent the day discussing Eevee training methods. Everyone had different insights there was no single perfect method, only what suited each individual Pokémon. Silas listened carefully, taking in every detail. Every Pokémon is unique… you can't just blindly copy old ways. Training has to fit the individual.
When evening fell, they exchanged notes one last time before returning to their tents.
That night, Silas lay awake in his sleeping bag, reflecting on what he had learned.
'So… the rains will come in a few days, and after that, wild Shroomish will appear in large numbers. That's why they're all camping here.'
He chuckled softly. "Well, I'm not in a hurry to reach Rustboro. Staying a few days won't hurt."
"Eevuii~"
His little partner nudged her head into the sleeping bag, tail swishing outside while her small body trembled slightly.
Silas gently stroked her fur. "So you're afraid of the dark, huh?" he whispered with a smile, soothing her until she drifted off.
With dozens of trainers in camp and night watch rotations arranged, Silas finally allowed himself to sleep.
....
The next morning, the camp bustled with noise. Pots clanged, Pokémon sparred, and voices rose in friendly calls.
Silas yawned, ate some butter bread with nutrient veggies, and prepared food for his Pokémon. Holding Eevee in his arms, still half-asleep, he wandered the camp.
"Eevuii…" The little fox gave a drowsy cry, blinking sleepily.
Sanyechi approached, adjusting his glasses. "Silas, how about a mirror match? My Eevee against yours."
Silas's eyes lit up. He looked down at the small fox in his arms.
"Eevee, what do you think?"
"Eevuii~!"
Though reluctant at first, the little Eevee didn't resist. She had seen many battles by Silas's side and this would be her first step into one.
Word spread quickly, and a crowd gathered. A mirror match between two Eevee was too rare and adorable to miss.
"Little one, give it your all," Silas encouraged, ruffling her fur.
"Eevuiii~!"
With a determined cry, Eevee leapt into the field.
The two foxes faced each other, small bodies tense. Silas's Eevee was clearly smaller, but her eyes shone with courage.
"Eevee, Tackle!" the trainers shouted in unison.
"Eevuii!" ×2
The two tiny bodies collided hard. Silas's Eevee was thrown back, dust clinging to her fur. She shook herself angrily, clearly offended at being dirtied.
"Use Swift!" Silas commanded
"Ee-veee~~"
She leapt high, tail sweeping, scattering shining stars that shot toward her opponent. With her Adaptability ability boosting her same-type moves, the attack carried surprising force.
"Sand Attack, block it!" Sanyechi called calmly. His Eevee kicked up a cloud of grit, scattering some of the stars.
The crowd cheered at the cute exchange-their movements lacked power, but their spirit made it entertaining.
"Enough, let's stop here," both trainers said almost at the same time, ending the battle.
It was only a friendly spar-there was no need to push it further.
But just as the crowd began to disperse, Sanyechi's Eevee suddenly glowed with a brilliant light. The energy linked with the Moss Rock towering nearby.
When the glow faded, a graceful new form stood where Eevee had been its body sleek, its fur green and fragrant.
"Leafeon!"
Gasps rippled through the camp.
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(End of chapter)