Chapter Four: Choosing the Path to Take (Sun Pokémon Espeon or Moonlight Pokémon Umbreon)

Rodney made his way back into Anistar City to head to the Pokémon Center. When he went up the front desk he was happily greeted by the Anistar City's Nurse Joy.

"Hello, and welcome to the Anistar City Pokémon Center. We restore your tired Pokémon to full health. Is there something I can help you with?"

"Yes," Rodney place both his and Rouges Pokéballs on the front desk in two separate groups. "thes group of Pokéballs here, are mine and the others along with Eevee belong to my brother. I decided to bring his Pokémon here for him after his Pokémon Battle lose."

"Oh, was it against the Gym Leader Olympia? She can be tough to beat?" Nurse Joy asked as she handed to Rodney's and Rouge's Pokémon to the Pokémon Center assistant Wigglytuff.

"No, I was the one he was battling. I'm afraid that I might have overdone it a little bit. Since he's my brother I expect more from him as a trainer then I do everyone else." Rodney let out a very heavy sigh as he lend up against the front counter.

"Don't you worry. Just tell me who your brother is so I can give him his Pokémon when he comes to pick them up." Nurse Joy said with a smile.

"His name is Rouge. Odd name I know, but please do take good care of his Pokémon."

"Don't you worry. It's my job as the Anistar City Nurse Joy to look after all my patients until their trainers come to pick them up. I'll be sure to take good care of your Pokémon as well. Just give me a few minutes and they'll be as good as new."

"Thank you Nurse Joy." Rodney bowed his head and then took a seat in the waiting room. As he sat there he thought about his battle with his brother. He then realized that he was a bit hard on Rouge when it come to the way he battled. If Rouge was battling Lee, Lee would've been more lenient with Rouge.

"I really did mess up today." Rodney sighed as he placed his head in his hands. After a few minutes of waiting at the Pokémon Center, Eevee suddenly came running up towards Rodney. He did his usual cute little whine and then tilted his head to one side.

"Eevee!!? Man, you're one quick healer I'd say it only been a few minute." Rodney said a bit shocked.

"Yes, I noticed that as well the last time your brother was here." Nurse Joy said as she walked up with Rodney's and Rouge's Pokémon. "In fact, all your brother's Pokémon are quick healers. Here's your Pokémon Rodney. Will you be taking Rouge's as well?" Nurse Joy asked and handed Rodney his Pokémon.

"Keep them here. I'll have Eevee go get Rouge after I have a little talk with him."

"Alright, we'll be waiting for him." Nurse Joy bowed and then went back to the front desk.

Rodney picked up Eevee and placed him on his lap. He then started to stroke the top of his head and back, calming him down before speaking to him.

"I'm sorry about the battle Eevee. I didn't mean to have Jolteon be so tough on you. Rouge most likely hates me right now for doing that to you. You and Jolteon were great friends back when he was still an Eevee. I hope the two of you can still be like that."

Eevee rubbed his head up against Rodney's chest. Indicating that everything was alright. Rodney just smiled and then there was a flash next to him as one of his Pokéballs flashed open. Jolteon then stood next to Rodney and Eevee. Eevee happily greeted his old friend.

"Looks like I had nothing to worry about with you two. Now Eevee, I know this isn't my decision, but I think you ought to evolve like Jolteon did." Eevee looked up at Rodney in great surprise. "Like I said it's not up to me. But I can see you evolving into maybe and Espeon or maybe and Umbreon. You have a talent for healing quickly and I think by evolving into one of those two Pokémon you could bring out all sorts of hidden abilities." Rodney suddenly placed Eevee on the floor before standing and calling back Jolteon. "Go back to Rouge and Lee and bring them to the Anistar City Gym. Can you do that for me?"

Eevee nodes and then took off out of the Pokémon Center and back to where Rouge and Lee were still at.

Rouge was still shocked over what had happened during his battle with his brother. Film clips of Eevee and Blaziken's battles kept flashing in his mind. Sitting on the ground with his head in his hands, Rouge continued to cry.

"I wasn't a strong enough Trainer for any of my Pokémon. Flygon, Lucario, Delphox, Blaziken and Eevee. I failed them all as a Trainer." Rouge mumbled to himself. Lee suddenly walked up from behind Rouge. Placing his hand on Rouge's shoulder.

"Listen Rouge. I know Rodney can be a bit... you know, harsh when it comes to you and being a Trainer, but he really does care about what happens to you. He just wants you to be the best Trainer you can be since your father has always so though on you since you were young."

"I guess.... I've always known that. Rodney did always take on more than he needed to, to make our father happy. Basically, leaving me alone so I didn't have to worry about anything. But then why does he battle like that?" Rouge turned and looked up and Lee. Lee took a seat next to Rouge to make it easier to talk.

"Actually, he only battles like that with you. Any other time his battling is different. He figures that if he battles like that with you then you'll see what you have to work on. Since you'll most likely face Trainers and Gym Leaders who are a lot tougher than he is. He's preparing you for what's out there."

Rouge though carefully about what Lee had said. Rodney only acts though around him because of all the pressure that their father put on the two of them. Suddenly, Eevee came running up to a Rouge, tackling his Trainer.

"Eevee!? You're healed already? Where's the others?" Rouge asked. Eevee pointed towards the Pokémon Center with its ear.

"Looks like their still at the Pokémon Center. Rodney must have told Eevee to come get us. Shell we go then?"

Rouge nodded. Lee and Rouge made their way back to Anistar City and headed to the Pokémon Center. Rouge retrieved his Pokémon from Nurse Joy and then asked where his brother was.

"Oh, Rodney headed over to the Gym to face the Gum Leader. If you hurry you could still make their battle."

"He already went to his Gym Battle!?"

Rouge quickly grabbed his Pokémon and then rushed over to the Gym. When Rouge reach the Anistsar City Gym, Rodney was already locked in the heat of battle with Olympia. Rouge watch in amazement as his brother's Pokémon did so well in avoiding their opponent's attacks. In no time, Rodney defeated the Gym Leaders Pokémon.

"Wow. He did it without any effort at all. Now I see why he battles differently with me just like Lee said." Before Rodney had a chance to see his brother saw his Gym Battle, Rouge quickly made his way out of the and back to the Pokémon Center to get a good night sleep.

Sitting in his room he was going over battle plan after battle plan in his head, but all of them ended up the same, losing again to Olympia. He combined every Pokémon he had, having Eevee in every combination, but each time it ended the same.

"Why is it that every time I think of a plan for tomorrow's battle in always end up in a lose!?" Rouge yelled to himself and then looked over at Eevee sleeping on the bed. "Maybe... I just shouldn't use Eevee in tomorrow's battle. I know he'll probably be upset about it, but after what happened today I realize that he's just not strong enough for this battle." Rouge carefully picked up Eevee, waking him as he did so. "Listen Eevee. I've been thinking about tomorrow's battle in my head and I think that... it would be best if you didn't battle tomorrow. I'll use someone else."

Eevee looked up at Rouge with shocked eyes.

"I know I've always used you in my battles, but after what happened in our battle with Rodney, you didn't stand a chance against Jolteon. You're not strong enough yet to face Gym Leader Olympia and her Pokémon."

Eevee suddenly jumped off of Rouge's lap and went to the window. He looked out at the moon, thinking of what Rodney had said to him about evolving to become stronger for Rouge.

"Eevee?"

Eevee turned to look at his trainer with understanding eyes before jumping out the window and heading out into the night.

"Eevee?"

Eevee ran off to where he and the rest of his Pokémon companions where trainer with Rouge earlier that day. He searched around to look for a good place to train for a little while before heading back to the Pokémon Center. He practice his attacks on the nearby trees. Trying to make them stronger for the sake of his Trainer. One by one he shot Shadow Ball after Shadow Ball until he became tired. Eevee sat by a nearby tree when he suddenly saw red eyes staring back at him through the darkness.

From the darkness and Absol appeared. At first Eevee was unsure what to do with this powerful Dark-type Pokémon staring at him. Absol turned around and started heading back into the forest. Before going into the darkness in which he came, Absol looked back at Eevee, urging him to follow. Eevee for some reason felt like he could trust this stranger Pokémon. Following him into the dark forest.