"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." -Albus Dumbledore

Goldenrod City, Johto

-Elliot-

     A flash of pink and yellow sweeps by my feet, resulting in my Rhydon being blown back towards Whitney, who throws her body sideways just in time.

     "Great work Miltank!"

     Ignoring their matching smirks, I race to my Pokémon. My breathing relaxes once I see he's all right, just banged up. Shoving aside my guilt, I quickly return him. I had failed him. Again. 

     "If you wanna rematch you know where to find me!" Whitney's annoying voice taunts me out of the gym.

     Shoving my hands in my pockets, I only stop to heal my partner before retreating to the trail leading into Goldenrod, the only place trainers are allowed to train their Pokémon. The constant replay of my last battle made me regret skipping out on practicing with the other trainers.

     Guarded by trees on one side, the ravine to the other end makes for a great blockade to catch any wandering souls, but other than being overly crowded by young kids like it was when I arrived, there wasn't a person in sight.

     The trees rustle as the wind picks up ominously. Angrily brushing my dark hair out of my eyes, I head further into the forest.

     I need to train Rhydon more, and possibly catch a new Pokémon. I was second at my school in battles, so why can't I beat Whitney and her lousy Miltank? 

     Frustration wells, but I send it packing. Getting angry will only help me if I harness it and find a solution. Focusing on that, I push through the thicket until I come to a clearing.

     So that's why there was no one on the road.

     Two trainers stood half a football field apart, the younger one cried out as his Nidorino skidded across the turf, laying unconscious at his trainer's feet. The winner, a sandy haired kid of twelve or thirteen, praised his Espeon, accepting the praise of the handful of trainers surrounding them.

     "Great job Liam!"

     Nodding in the person's direction, his eyes fell on me. "Hey, wanna battle?"

     "Me?" I asked bewildered.

     The crowd turned towards me, but I ignored the dozens of eyes on me. I'd had larger groups watching me.

     "Yup! We've already battled everyone else," Liam stated, gesturing to the vacated spot the last challenger had occupied.

     Smiling, I take the space, "Alright but you better make it worth my time."

     "Show 'em what to do Smoke!" Liam encouraged as an Umbreon took the field, his Espeon standing behind him.

     "Come on Rhydon!"

     "That Umbreon of yours is pretty tough," I admitted, shaking Liam's hand after our match. Despite it's weaker defensive stat, Umbreon managed to put up a fight, using his speed and Rhydon's larger size against us.

     Liam grinned. "Thanks, but we still can't beat Whitney."

     "Who can?" I joked, tucking my hand in my pocket. "We just came from there actually. She beat us too."

     "Maybe we should train together then."

     "Sounds good, you can show me how you trained your Pokémon to be so light on their feet."

     "Sure thing." Liam fake saluted.

***

     Jumpluff floats overhead as Elliot left the small diner, sinking into his chair with a sigh. Rhydon happily munched on the muffin he was given, shooting his trainer a sympathetic look as he did so.

     Slamming the glass down, I tilt my head, finding Eevee staring at me, still. Ever since returning from training, I'd see this dark brown fox Pokémon studying me. Although it was still several yards away, I could see its long ears from here as it sat in a nearby alley.

     "'Don." Due to Rhydon's size we'd chosen this cafe with tables outside the main building.

     Sighing, I tear my gaze away from the new mystery. "What do you think?" I ask Rhydon, jabbing a finger behind me.

     "Rhy, Rhydon."

     "That's what I thought." Rhydon couldn't figure out why that Eevee had been near us a lot recently.

     "What'd you think?" A silvery voice inquired.

     Turning towards the voice I jumped to my feet. "Where'd you come from?"

     Whitney smiled, Clefairy leering at me haughtily in her arms. "I was just taking a walk and heard you mumbling to yourself."

     "I was talking to Rhydon." Taking a deep breath I force my muscles to relax.

     Chill. Just because you're angry she beat you doesn't mean it's okay to go off on her. She's still a person too.

     "Sorry," I sigh, smiling apologetically. "Been a rough week,"

     Whitney patted Rhydon, who enjoyed the attention. "It seems your Rhydon here is quite fond of you."

     "How'd you figure that?"

     Her pink ponytail bobbed. "I can't explain it exactly, but it's like I have this sixth sense for a Pokémon's affections towards people."

     "So you can tell how close they are to their trainer?" Rhydon and I shared a glance at this, curious.

     "Not as well as some people can, but that's the gist of it." Whitney's eyes furrowed. "Think it was inherited." 

     Following her line of sight, I'm surprised by how close the Eevee has gotten. Instead of being ten yards away, it's now sitting on an empty chair only two yards away.

     "Seems like that Eevee does too," Whitney whispered, her proximity startling me. She was gone before I could retort. Ignoring her I retrieve my styrofoam cup and head inside the cafe.

     "Rhydon, we sho-" I nearly stumble over my own feet in shock. In the two minutes I'd been gone, Eevee had bodly approached my towering Ground/Rock-type and started up some form of conversation.

     Dumbfounded, I caught Rhydon's eye, and motioned to the fox Pokémon. Extending one arm, Rhydon kept the conversation with Eevee flowing. However, Eevee heard my approach and rushed off into a nearby bush.

     "What was that all about?"

     Rhydon shrugged, expressing his concern as we searched in vain for the Eevee. Eventually, we gave up, training at the forefront of our minds, knowing it'd come back if it wanted to.

***

     One week turned into three more, each day tougher than the last as we competed with new trainers. Eevee began reappearing a few days later, making an appearance every so often. Despite my urgency to beat Whitney, I couldn't help stopping whenever I noticed Eevee, sometimes leaving it some berries in between battles. Although I'm not the keenest observer, I did note how Eevee only ever showed itself near that one cafe, and only if no one else was outside.

     "So do you know anything about an Eevee that hangs around here?" I questioned the shop owner as I waited on my drink.

     Gray whiskers bounced, an laugh almost surfacing. "That one?" he gestured through the window to the one sitting next to Rhydon. 

     I nodded, accepting my latte. 

     "He's been hanging around for the last few months." Grabbing a rag, he started wiping down the counter. There wasn't anyone behind me in line but his nonchalant attitude aggravated me. Sipping my latte, I forcibly relaxed my shoulders. 

     "So what's his story? Any ideas?"

     He shrugged. "Could've been left by a trainer. Plenty of them drop off any Pokémon they no longer want after losing to Whitney." 

     Whitney. That name followed me everywhere. "Do they always hang around here?"

     "Some do, I feed them leftovers when I can, but eventually most move on. Heading to the forest or caught by another trainer,"

     Thanking him for the information, I glance one more outside, paying for a muffin along with my drink. The action surprises me, but I don't stop to think on it. Rhydon distracts the Eevee as I approach. Cradling my latte in the crook of my arm, I break off a piece of the Chesto berry muffin. Eevee's ears perk up, peeking out from behind Rhydon. I freeze, but he just studies me. Don't ask me how I'd decided it was a male. 

     "Are you hungry Eevee?" I asked quietly, unfolding my hand to reveal the food. When he didn't immediately run, I set it a few feet in front of me, backing away a bit. 

     Eevee's ears swirled in different directions before locking on me. Glancing at my Rhydon uncertainly, I take his hint, breaking off another smaller piece and tossing him the rest. The instant he catches it, we down our parts of the muffin.  simultaneously. The Evolution Pokémon regards us curiously, seeming to laugh as I cough on the muffin's dryness. Taking a few sips of my latte to relieve it, I don't notice when Eevee eats his portion. 

     Why would anyone abandon you? I wonder as I watch the caramel colored Pokémon enjoy the Chesto berry flavor. 

     "Eevee?" I crouch down, waiting for him to look at me. "Why do you keep hanging around us?"

     Eevee repeats his name several times, then realizing I don't know him well enough yet to understand, he turns to Rhydon. 

     "Rhydon, don don," Locking eyes with mine, he translates. 

     "I see." Nodding, I return my attention to the small fox. "You can't survive on your own, but you didn't want to trust just any human after your last one left you."

     Eevee nods, jumping up suddenly, quivering. A minute later Whitney appears, turning the corner onto our street. 

    "Don't worry," I do my best to keep my tone unconcerned. "Whitney's a good trainer."

     Uncertainty crosses his features, but when Clefairy waddles up to him and strikes up a conversation, Eevee starts to relax.

     Standing up, I turn to face Whitney. "What are you up to now?" 

     Whitney ignores me. "Oooh! What a cute Eevee! Is he yours?"

     Alarmed, my eyes caught Eevee's who looks just as startled. Whitney leans down to pet him, but he dodges, leaping to stand next to me. 

     "Oh, I'm sorry." Whitney giggles nervously. "Does he not like being touched?"

     Rubbing my neck, I chuckle. "He's still getting used to people again," I find myself explaining.

     "Again?"

     "He was abandoned by his previous trainer." 

     "How awful!" 

     I nod. "Some people don't deserve to train Pokémon." 

     Silence follows, but not the uncomfortable ones I tend to avoid at all costs. 

     "I haven't seen you at my gym in awhile," Whitney finally says. "You must be tired of losing." 

     "We've been busy training, so get ready to lose," I retort.

     "You sure talk big, but can you back it up?" Her quartz hair bounces as she rocks on her heels. 

     Clefairy snickers, enjoying my torment. 

     Rhydon grunts, flexing his muscles. 

     "We'll beat you, just you wait." 

     "Oooh, I'm quaking in my boots." 

     "You're not even wearing boots," I point to her white converse.

     I'd always been annoyed by phrases like that made no sense. Like "you scared my socks off". No one can make one's socks literally come off by scaring them. 

     "It's an expression."

     "A lame one." 

     "You're one to talk." 

     "What's that supposed to mean?"

     Whitney smirked. "You couldn't even beat one of my Pokémon."

     "That's because you started with your Miltank!"

     "I got tired of using the same order on every challenger." Whitney shrugged.

     An unfamiliar texture touching my leg halts further retorts. "What is it Eevee?" 

     Chestnut eyes wide in fear, Eevee cowers low to the payment. Instinctively, I lay a hand on his head. His eyes close for a second before meeting mine again, the familiar expression shocking me. 

     "Hey, it's okay, we're just teasing each other," I say quietly, wanting to ease the fear I remember my sister's eyes holding years ago when she got yelled at by our dad.

     Slowly, Eevee's shaking stops, peeking around me to Whitney who smiles kindly. 

     "We've known each other most of our lives," she assures him. "We're just joking around. Promise. Elliot's a good friend, I couldn't yell at him."

     Eevee's eyes brighten. Both of us notice my hand on his head for the first time. I start to pull it away, but a gentle nudge stops me. Eevee pushes his head into my hand until I stroke his fur. 

     "Seems like he really likes you, even if he doesn't quite trust other humans yet," Whitney remarks. 

     "Truth is Whit, I haven't even caught him yet." 

     "Have you even tried?"

     I shake my head, straightening up. "It hadn't even occurred to me."

     Whitney studies me silently for a moment. "You sure did grow up while you were at that fancy school of yours."

     "I guess so." I shrug. 

     "Anyway. I'm heading back to the gym, wanna come?" 

     Glancing at Eevee I hesitate. I used to eat with Whitney's family when we were kids since my parents aren't home much, and my older sister was off at university. 

     "Eevee can come too, if he wants to," Whitney suggests. "We have plenty of food."

     At the mention of more food, Eevee smiles. 

     "Want to join us Eevee?" I smile, returning Rhydon to his PokeBall.

     Eevee hops excitedly. "Vee, Eevee!"

     Whitney laughs, leading the way. I'd only taken a few steps however before I'm halted by another tug on my pants-leg. "What is it Eevee?"

     Eevee motions for me to come closer, so I bend down. Only a moment's hesitation passes across his face before he springs onto my shoulder, shocking me and nearly causing me to drop him. 

     "Is this how you like to travel with someone?" I tease, moving carefully as I stand.

     "Eevee!" 

     I've heard it said that some people say Pokémon can't change their tones like humans, but I swear, I heard a smile in Eevee's voice as we leave the cafe behind.

***

     Night had fallen by the time we had finished cleaning up the kitchen. Whitney had long ago stopped trying to get me to not help, my mom's instance on taking care of one's own mess winning over Whitney's desire not to let her guest do anything. 

     "I think you should keep Eevee," she announced as we sat on her porch, the only place her parent's couldn't spy on us. The stoop was just wide enough on either side for a swing, one of which Whitney was stretched out on.

     My eyes fell on Eevee who was curled up on my lap, asleep. Rhydon lay at my feet, asleep as well. I'd never thought of catching an Eevee (mostly due to how much I think they're overused) but the thought of keeping this one made the peace surrounding me right now more tangible. The thought of allowing anyone else to catch this kindhearted Pokémon, possibly treating him poorly made my blood boil. However, I'd never let Whitney know when she was right, and that wasn't going to change now.

     "Why do you say that?" 

     Whitney sat up, swinging around to look at me, resting her elbows on her knees. "He clearly doesn't want to leave you,"

     He had been following me all evening, barely tolerating Whitney's parents and only allowing me to touch him.

     "That's all you have?"

     Her smile reflects off the waning light. "Isn't that good enough? You don't have to battle with him unless you want to. Pokémon training was created solely on the friendship between humans and Pokémon." 

     "I'll see what he wants," I sigh, hating not having a comeback. Gently shaking Eevee awake with one hand, I fish Rhydon's PokéBall out, deciding not to wake him. Eevee's eyes glint in the stream of red light as Rhydon returns to his capsule. 

     "Vee?"

     "It's time for us to go Eevee," I explain, reluctant to get up. "It's getting late."

     Yawning, Eevee and I stand. "Thanks again for dinner." 

     "No problem, you're both welcome here anytime," Whitney calls as we leave.

     The cafe is on my way home so I decide to wait until we get back to it's empty tables to speak. Throwing myself down in one of the chairs, I study Eevee, unsure how to broach the topic. Eevee immediately hops into my lap, curling his tail close to his body. 

     "Eevee," I begin finally. "I know you don't trust us humans anymore, or not most of us that is," I continue, remembering how he'd let me feed and pet him today. "And you probably don't want to battle again after your last trainer-"

     "Eevee! Ee!" Eevee interrupts, flicking his tail. 

      "You want to battle?" I guessed.

      Eevee nods, gently pressing one fore paw against my heart. 

     "All right," I grin. "Then do you want to join our team?"

     Eevee butts me happily, cheering his approval. 

     And that's how I found myself training two Pokémon to go up against Whitney instead of one. When I left the Academy, I thought maybe I'd get a handful of Pokémon, but of all the possibilities, I never would've guessed I'd pick an Eevee. Or more accurately, one would choose me. 

***

     "Finally ready to challenge me again?" Whitney calls as I enter the gym, the large space echoing her words.  

     "Only if you're ready to lose," I countered, stepping up the challenger's rectangle. A sandy terrain separates us, the sand imported from Cianwood as Whitney used to brag.

     "You're pretty cocky for someone who's about to lose." 

     "Are you ready to battle or are you just gonna stand there jabbering all day?"

     Clefairy bounds onto the field in answer, as ready to battle as her trainer.

     "Rhydon let's go!"

     "Clefairy! Metronome!"

     "Quick, Rhydon," I call, hardly daring to breathe. "Earthquake!"

     Metronome allows Clefairy to use Dig, but the ground shakes as soon as she's below ground. Whitney falls as the ground shakes, but I had practiced this move enough to keep steady until the it settles, groaning as it returns to normal. 

     "Clefairy?"

     Whitney waits only long enough to regain her balance before racing onto the field where her Fairy-type lays unconscious, the sand meant to protect her spitting her up in its rampage, Dig failing.

     "Is she okay?" 

     "She'll be fine," Whitney reassures me, relief clear on her face. "Go Nidorina!"

     Nidorina appears as Whitney returns to her post, blue spikes glinting in the light. The quadrupedal scrapping a dust cloud up in anticipation. 

     "Are you up to battling still?" 

     Rhydon nods, bracing himself. 

     "Good, now use Rock Blast!"

     "Hyper Beam!"

     Boulders rise out of the field, hovering in mid-air until Rhydon forces them forward with his mind. One manages to hit Nidorina but a yellow beam collides with the rest, destroying them before landing a direct hit to Rhydon. 

     "Rhydon!"

     The smoke clears rapidly, leaving a weakened, but still standing Rhydon. 

     "Rhydon," I breathe a sigh of relief. "Now use Bulldoze!"

     "Don't let it get close!"

     Roaring, Rhydon pushes off the floor without hesitation. Nidorina dodges the first time, but Rhydon isn't one to give up and connects on the second try, sending Nidorina flying. 

     "Nidorina!"

     Whitney's cry rouses the fallen Poison-type, who struggles to rise. Rhydon's pants matches Nidorina's as they stand studying each other. 

     "Go again, we can't let them get another attack in!" 

     "Quickly, use Crunch!"

     With some difficulty, Rhydon leaps into action, Nidorina following suit. The dust rose as the two rushed across the field, becoming so thick I have to cover my face. The collision releases a blast of air, pushing the dust away. Grateful, I lower my arms, coughing. 

     "Rhydon?"

     "Nidorina?"

     Whitney meets my gaze across the field, reflecting my shock. Nidorina lay near Rhydon, both unconscious. Returning Rhydon, I rest my finger on Eevee's PokéBall. We've gotten further than last time, I realize staring at Whitney's last Pokemon. 

     "What's the matter Elliot? Scared?" Whitney taunts, hands on her hips, her expression perfectly matching Miltank's.

     You've managed to get past two of her Pokémon, all you have to do is defeat her Miltank. I reminded myself, relaxing my shoulders. Not wasting any more time, I launch my final PokéBall into the air.

     "Vee," Victor, my Eevee, growled at his opponent.

     "So we finally meet in battle, Eevee."

     "His name's Victor," I informed Whitney, sharing a look with my newest partner. I'd decided to forgo my usual no-nickname rule when we started training with this trainer whose whole team consisted of one Eevee and half of Eevee's evolutionary line. The name itself came from one of the few books I read since I couldn't think of a better one.

     "Can't say I'm surprised you decided to stay with Elliot."

     Eevee barks happily before resuming his stance. We'd avoided her since we teamed up so we could keep our strategy secret while we trained.

     "Ready Victor?"

     Eevee flicked his tail in answer, one ear turned toward me.

     "It's up to you Victor," I inform, watching as he sprung into the air as Miltank rolled beneath him. Purple orbs hit the Normal-type as it passed below Victor, halting her progress.
Miltank stood dazed for a minute before Toxic started affecting her. Anger replaced her usually gentle features as she turned to the culprit.

     "Miltank use Rollout once more!"

     "Dodge!"

      Victor avoids the first few tries, but despite her size, Miltank loses no strength as she plows across the field to Victor, packing a good deal of damage when she hits my Eevee.

     "Victor!"

     Eevee extends one limb at a time, shaking his head. Somehow Miltank is strong enough to nearly knock him out with a single hit, though she's weaker from Toxic. I'm glad we copied Liam's strategy for dealing with larger Pokémon.

     Liam was the one who taught me the best way to make the most of my smaller Pokémon's skills, using his Umbreon and Espeon's Toxic/Moonlight combo.

     But will it be enough? I wonder as Victor strides forward on shaky legs, eyes locking on me. He wants to win as badly as I do, I realize for the first time. His last trainer didn't treat him well and he wants to give this his all, for me.

     Fleeting thoughts follow, but my high speed mind halts its racing as Victor steps back onto the field, a strange bluish tint covering him. Miltank smirks at him until the light grows, the silhouette of my Pokémon changing. He's evolving?

     "Sly!" Victor cries out, the light dissipating.

     Dumbfounded I stare at my changed partner. His ears elongated in proportion to the rest of his larger body, pink ribbons flowing from a bowtie on his neck.

     "Sylveon!" Victor's long pink and white tail brushes my arm, filling me with energy. We can do this.

     Whitney's eyes widen. "Miltank! Are you okay?"

     In the excitement of Eevee evolving, Miltank had taken a knee, the Toxic sapping her health faster now.

     "Do you want to surrender?" I goad, smirking.

     Whitney glanced worriedly at Miltank, who waved her off and stood, but not without some difficulty. "Guess not." she shrugged. "Now use Body Slam!"

     "Victor!" I call, unsure if his move-set changed.

     Shaking his head, Victor gracefully dodged Miltank's attack and wrapped his twin ribbons around the cow. He released a beam of light that hit her directly. White smoke partially obscured the pair but soon cleared, revealing Miltank passed out on the ground while Sylveon stood shakily, close to fainting himself.

     "We...won?" Shock roots me in place until Victor reaches me, living proof the battle wasn't some dream. "You were great Victor!"

     "Syl, Sylveon!" Victor smiles at the praise, rubbing his head against my waist.

     "You both were," Whitney compliments, returning her Pokémon. "And you did great Miltank." Heading to the back table behind her, she grabs something before meeting me halfway across the field.

     "That was a tough battle Whit," I admit slowly, sharing a look with Victor who nods in agreement.

     "You weren't a pushover this time." Whitney smiles, handing me my hard earned badge, turning to leave.

     Victor nudges me pointedly. "Hey, what are you doing now?"

     "Oh nothing, why?"

     "Wanna grab a bite to eat? All that battling made me hungry," I ask lamely.

     "Sure but why'd you ask?" Whitney questions as we leave, dropping our Pokémon off with Nurse Joy. "Usually it's me asking you."

     "Don't you mean telling me?" I deadpan, recalling her form of "asking" that included dragging me places when we were kids.

     "You're better company than most people." I shrug. "Besides, I'd rather not be the one loner at the cafe during lunch hour again."

     "Awe," Whitney coos, reaching over to pinch my cheek.

     Swatting her hand away I pick up my pace. "Hurry up or no lunch for you." I ignore her whine, glad when the older businessmen don't tease me when they see Whitney, unlike how they'd come to tease me for being alone recently.

     "What's your plan now?" Whitney breaks the comfortable silence as we sit down, slightly disconcerted by sitting inside for once.

     I wait until the waiter rushes out to take out order, glad we got here before it got busy. "Two burgers and fries with chocolate milkshakes," I tell him without looking at the menu. Whitney waits patiently for him to leave, not bothered by my ordering for her since she used to do it for me all the time.

     "I'm not sure," I state calmly, unconcerned. "I stayed here to get this badge." I point to the new Plain badge on my lapel. "I hadn't thought much further than that. I know I'm going to challenge the league once I get the other badges, but not much else."

     Whitney remains quiet until our food comes, then, "I'll take you to the next gym." She accentuated this by stabbing the air with a fry, ignoring the surprised look I give her.

     I knew it was no use arguing with her, and although I wouldn't admit it out loud, some company would be nice, for a time. Even coming home can surprise you, I think listening as Whitney animatedly replays our battle.

______________________________________

Word Count: 4261

A/N: Hey everyone!

Hope you enjoyed this one-shot, it took me awhile to write and edit. It's for the PokemonWritingLeague 's February contest and I'm entering into the miscellaneous category for this year's Watty awards. Decided I'd only enter the two most recent one-shots (but not allowed into the same category). What'd you think of Victor, Elliot's Eevee? I didn't plan him when first writing this story, but some Pokémon pick their trainer and this is one of them xD Elliot looks more like the guy on the cover except with light brown hair, but the way Eevee is standing in the picture is how his stood on his shoulders (until he evolved that is). All credit goee to the artist since I don't own it. Same goes for the music. You should check out both the YouTubers, they have some cool Pokémon conteI wanna give a big shoutout to Dictator-Chan and SGmijumaru for their help with some of the wording and to RedPandaWorld for all her encouragement today as I finished this up. Dedication for this chalter goes to one of my long-time Wattpad buds Inufru for her help in editing this. I had a harder than usual time catching my mistakes so thanks so much! Hope y'all have a fabulous weekend and smell ya later!

PQOTD: What's the most interesting way you think a Pokémon has or can evolve? Can be yours or one in the anime. Personally I love how Serena's Eevee evolved (though copying it was unintentional).

-CoordinatorIza ^_^