Pokémon : An Unexpected Odyssey

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"Shut up!" Jessie snapped, hurling a rock at a cluster of Pidgeys that scattered into the early morning sky. Her frustration echoed through the clearing as the flying types flapped away hurriedly.

James groaned awake, the discomfort evident on his face as he uncurled from his makeshift bed on a tree branch. Sleeping on such uneven surfaces was always a nightmare, and he could feel every aching muscle protesting as he tried to stretch.

I can't believe we were beaten by a stupid kid in a paper bag, Jessie growled repeatedly, her annoyance simmering with each repetition. Neither Meowth nor James had the energy or the desire to calm her down, especially not first thing in the morning.

"Hey, there's a message from headquarters," Meowth announced as he brandished an R-shaped phone. "All Team Rocket personnel have been issued a command from the executives to find an Eevee currently hiding in the Viridian Forest. Any operative that succeeds in capturing this Eevee will be granted an apprenticeship under an executive."

Jessie and James's jaws dropped in unison, their earlier irritation quickly replaced by a surge of excitement. This could be our chance at redemption.

"This message was sent an hour ago," Meowth added with a sly smile, watching as excitement practically bubbled over in his companions.

"Most of the operatives will be here in about 20 minutes to an hour," James estimated, trying to calculate their advantage over the others. The urgency of the situation was clear.

"Come on, we have to find this Eevee and get our deserved promotion!"

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The morning had started out so perfectly, peaceful and bright, the kind of day Austin wished could last forever. The clear, cloudless sky stretched above him, and the warmth of the sun on his back was just right. Making pancakes outdoors felt like the perfect way to start the day, even if he had to cheat with a store-bought mix. Just add water, stir, and bam—instant breakfast. What could go wrong?

Apparently, a lot. As he tried to flip a pancake, his enthusiasm got the better of him. Hot butter splashed onto his arm. "Ouch!" he yelped, the sudden sting sharp and burning, leaving an angry red mark.

His Pokémon—Pikachu, Rattata, and Spearow—stared at him, wide-eyed, clearly curious about what had just happened.

"Don't worry, guys, just a minor setback," he muttered, though the skin on his arm still tingled. Determined, he flipped the next pancake perfectly, placing it on a plate with a small surge of pride. It was a victory, a small one, but he'd take it.

Before he could savor the moment, though, a clatter broke the peace. Austin turned just in time to see the plate sliding across the flat rock, the pancake disappearing in an instant. His frown deepened as he scanned the area, searching for any sign of the sneaky culprit, but all he found was a small puddle of water next to the rock. Suspicious.

Alright, so that's how we're playing it? A smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. Whoever or whatever had swiped his pancake wasn't getting away that easily. He placed another pancake on the plate, this time ready, waiting. Come on, show yourself.

At first, nothing happened. Patience. His Pokémon watched with mild curiosity. "Okay, guys, turn around. Don't scare off our little thief," Austin whispered. Pikachu and Rattata grumbled but obeyed, while Spearow seemed more bored than anything.

"Hey, Spearow," Austin called, flicking a snack towards him. Spearow's sharp eyes locked onto it, and with a swift motion, he snatched it mid-air. Austin had to admit—Spearow's reflexes were impressive. Pikachu and Rattata, not wanting to miss out, gave him those classic big, pleading eyes, silently begging for a share of the treats. But Austin stomped the ground firmly, signaling them to stay put. They grumbled but stayed where they were.

And then it happened.

Out of the corner of his eye, Austin saw it—a blue paw creeping out from behind the rock, as quiet as a shadow. Gotcha. His heart raced as he lunged, catching the movement reflected in his Pokédex's screen. But by the time he reached the plate, it was already too late. All that remained were pancake crumbs, now floating in the puddle where the pancake used to be.

Wait… floating?

Austin grabbed a nearby stick and hesitated for just a moment before prodding the water gently. His heart raced, the sound of his pulse loud in his ears. The water rippled, and then—two black eyes stared back at him.

"What?" he whispered, barely able to process it. The water began to shift, swirling and forming into a distinct shape. A Pokémon.

Slowly, it emerged—a Vaporeon, its light blue skin shimmering, dark blue markings accentuating its sleek form. Austin's mind raced. Vaporeon? Here?

"Reon!" it cried out, but before Austin could even think, Pikachu leapt into action. Instinctively, he unleashed a Thundershock, the electricity crackling through the air toward the water-type.

But something unexpected happened.

A white glow engulfed Vaporeon, its body shifting, transforming before Austin's eyes. The light faded, and in its place stood a yellow, spiky Pokémon.

"Jolteon?!" Austin gasped, struggling to comprehend what he was seeing. The fur—the way it absorbed Pikachu's attack like it was nothing—it sent chills down his spine. No way... No freaking way.

This was Vee. The special Eevee from Pokémon Adventures manga. The one who could evolve and devolve between the three Kanto Eeveelutions. But how? How was Vee here, in this world? Wasn't this the anime world? How could he be here?

And if Vee was here... Did that mean Red was out there too? Austin's mind swirled with questions, none of which he had time to answer because Jolteon was already on the move. It sent a Thundershock racing toward Spearow. Austin could see it all happen in slow motion—the electricity sparking, Spearow flapping desperately to dodge—but he wasn't fast enough. The bolt hit him directly, sending him tumbling to the ground with a sickening thud.

Austin's heart dropped.

Pikachu and Rattata were ready to leap into action, their eyes filled with determination, but Austin couldn't let this escalate.

"Stop it!"

The air seemed to freeze around them. Austin felt every muscle in his body tense as Jolteon—no, Flareon now—stood before them, transformed yet again. The light of evolution had faded, leaving behind this new form, its reddish-orange fur gleaming in the dim light of the forest. Its dark, intense eyes locked onto Austin's, and he swore he could feel the heat radiating from its body.

Vee stood by Austin's side, but he couldn't tell if Vee was ready or terrified. Maybe both. He sure was. His mind raced. What now? What's its next move? What's his next move?

Everything was silent for a heartbeat, then Austin's instincts kicked in. "Cover me!" he shouted, his voice cracking with the urgency of the situation. He didn't have time to think—he just moved. Flareon's eyes flicked towards Pikachu, and Austin saw the embers starting to gather in its mouth.

Quick as he could, Austin snatched Spearow's Pokéball. But he wasn't fast enough. Flareon's embers clashed with Pikachu's Thundershock mid-air, the two attacks colliding in a bright, blinding flash. The noise was deafening—a sharp crack, followed by the sizzle of sparks raining down on them. A

"Rattata, go!"

His little lady was already moving before he could finish the command, darting forward in a blur of speed. He barely had time to register her movement before his attention shifted back to Spearow.

"Spear…"

Spearow was singed, his feathers charred from the last attack.

"You did your best, buddy." Austin's voice came out soft. He grabbed a potion from his pack, spraying it over Spearow's injuries with a shaky hand. "Just rest now. We'll take it from here."

Austin returned Spearow to his Pokéball, trying to push down the guilt gnawing at him. His focus needed to be on the battle, but a part of him kept screaming: What if he hadn't been fast enough? What if Spearow had been hurt worse?

He shook his head. No time for that. Eyes back on the fight.

Rattata was already dodging Flareon's Swift attack. Those yellow stars shot out from its mouth, sharp and fast. Too fast. Austin's heart leapt into his throat, but Rattata—she's… she's incredible. She swerved to the right, narrowly avoiding the first barrage, but the stars—damn it—they were coming back. They boomeranged.

He felt his breath catch as the stars closed in, but Rattata… she flipped, like something out of a movie, and those stars slammed into each other mid-air. An explosion of light and sound, and suddenly, there was an opening.

She was going for it!

"Go, go, go!" Austin found himself cheering, not caring how stupid it sounded. He couldn't help it. Rattata slammed into Flareon with a full-body tackle, knocking the fire type off balance. His heart soared. She did it.

"Wow," Austin breathed, staring at the small Rattata in disbelief. She was fast—faster than he'd ever thought possible. And clever, too. There was something sharp in the way she moved, the way she read her opponent and adapted. This wasn't just a scrappy little Rattata scraping by; she was a fighter.

But before Austin could fully process what he'd just witnessed, distant voices reached his ears. They were faint at first, but unmistakably getting closer.

"James, do you hear that? The sound of battling. Eevee might be there."

Jessie's voice, dripping with sharp confidence. And where Jessie was, James and Meowth wouldn't be far behind. Austin's heart sank like a stone in water. Team Rocket. Of course, they were here. Of course, they were after Vee.

His stomach twisted as the pieces clicked into place. He'd thought—hoped—that coming through Viridian Forest a couple of days later might help him avoid this exact situation.

His eyes darted to Pikachu, panic rising in his chest like a tidal wave. If they saw him—if they recognized him as Bag Boy…

"Pikachu," Austin whispered sharply, "hide in the tent. Don't let Team Rocket see you."

Pikachu's ears twitched, his eyes flicking between Austin and the forest. For a moment, he hesitated, but then he nodded, scampering off toward the tent. Austin exhaled in relief, his mind racing as he fumbled with his backpack. His fingers closed around the Max Potion Nurse Joy had given him, and without wasting a second, he splashed it over the injured Eevee.

The blue liquid hissed and crackled as it made contact with Vee's body, releasing a sharp, almost metallic smell that was both sterile and faintly sweet. The sound of sizzling filled the air as the Pokémon's wounds began to heal, vanishing before Austin's eyes. Vee blinked in confusion, his body stiffening as the pain faded. He looked up at Austin with wide, uncertain eyes.

"Vee," Austin whispered, crouching down slowly, trying to seem as unthreatening as possible, "come with me. I can keep you safe."

The Eevee didn't move. Why would he trust him? Austin could practically see the doubt written all over the Pokémon's face.

"Listen," Austin said softly, glancing over his shoulder. He could hear the crunch of footsteps growing louder. "Team Rocket's closing in. You've got two choices: You can run and hide, but how long do you think that's going to last? Or you can trust me, and I'll get you out of this forest. No one will even know you're here."

Vee's ears twitched, his expression unreadable. He didn't run, but he didn't step closer either. Austin's heart pounded in his chest. He didn't have time for this.

He reached into his backpack again, this time pulling out his thermos. His fingers were trembling as he unscrewed the lid. "Look," he said, "just… do the Vaporeon water thing, okay?"

For a moment, Vee just stared at him, his large eyes searching Austin's face for something—what, Austin didn't know. He tried to hold his gaze, to keep his expression calm. Please trust me. I'm not like them. I'll keep you safe.

And then, something shifted. Vee's cautious stance softened, his eyes narrowing with a hint of determination. Maybe he remembered the berry Austin had offered Pidgeotto, or the way Austin had helped Spearow without hesitation. Or maybe it was the Max Potion, the undeniable proof that Austin wasn't here to hurt him. Whatever it was, Vee made his decision.

The Eevee's body shimmered for a moment, his form shifting as he transformed into water. Austin watched, holding his breath, as the liquid form slipped effortlessly into the thermos. He screwed the lid on tightly, his hands shaking. "I've got you," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

His grip on the thermos tightened as he crouched lower, whispering to the Pokémon inside. "If things go south, I want you to run. I'll hold them off."

Vee's watery form swirled slightly, his wide eyes visible through the container.

"Alright, here's the plan," Austin muttered, snatching a scarf and a pair of glasses from his bag, hurriedly pulling together a makeshift disguise.

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"Hey, you!"

Jessie, James, and Meowth stumbling out from the undergrowth, tangled up in Misty's bike. They looked like they'd been through hell, clothes torn, hair disheveled, and their eyes fixed on him with a mixture of desperation and frustration.

Austin's fingers tightened around the thermos, feeling Vee tremble inside. He could practically feel the anxiety radiating from Vee, but he had to keep calm, had to keep them from noticing anything off. His mind raced, trying to come up with something—anything—that would get him out of this without giving away Vee.

"Have you seen an Eevee around here?"

"Yes," Austin replied, forcing his voice to stay steady, even though inside, he was freaking out as he sat down on a nearby rock, acting like he had all the time in the world, but his heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might explode. Play it cool, Austin. Just play it cool.

Jessie's patience was wearing thin. "Tell us!"

"What do I get in return?"

They exchanged a glance, desperation clear in their eyes. Austin could see the exhaustion, the weariness. Maybe, he could use that to his advantage. His mind scrambled for something to stall them with.

"What do you want?"

Meowth, cut in, "How do we know you ain't pullin' our leg?"

Austin let out a chuckle, motioning for Rattata to join him, feeling a weird surge of confidence, even if it was all an act. "You know," he started, "the Eevee I fought was doing something weird… evolving and devolving into Flareon, Jolteon, and Vaporeon." He waved his arms dramatically, really selling it while 'accidentally' knocking over the thermos.

Jessie wasn't having it, though. She got right up in Austin's face, her grip suddenly tight on his shoulder. Rattata growled low in her throat, her ears and tail bristling. Austin felt his muscles tense under Jessie's hold, but he had to stay calm. Had to stay in control.

"Tell us!" she barked.

"How about that bike?"

Jessie shot a look at James, who sighed and handed it over reluctantly. Austin pointed off into the trees to the right. "That way."

"How do we know you ain't just yanking our chain?"

Austin just smiled, his heart pounding in his ears. Timing was everything now.

And right on cue, the distant call of an Eevee echoed from the direction he pointed. The trio's heads snapped toward the sound, and without another word, they bolted, vanishing into the trees. Austin didn't waste a second. His hands moved quickly, packing up his belongings as fast as he could. They bought it. They actually bought it.

His plan had been simple—distract them long enough for Vee to slip away, lead them on a wild goose chase, and then circle back. As Austin turned, he spotted him. Vee emerged from the bushes, his brown fur blending in with the forest as he quietly padded over. His cream-colored tail flicked, eyes wary but relieved.

"Welcome back," Austin whispered. Pikachu hopped into the basket of the bike, ears twitching as he glanced up at Austin. Vee hesitated for a moment, his eyes meeting Austin's, and he could tell Vee was unsure.

"Come on, we've gotta move. They'll be back any minute." Austin patted the basket, and Vee jumped in beside Pikachu. His hands gripped the bike's handles, and he took a deep breath.

Alright. Let's go.

Austin pushed off, his legs pumping the pedals as fast as they could. The wind rushed past them, cool and crisp against his skin, but his heart wouldn't slow down. It was like the wind was pulling him forward, like he could outrun everything if he just kept going. Pikachu's ears flapped in the breeze, and Vee looked ahead, his wide eyes taking in the forest rushing by.

They have no idea what's coming next. And neither do I. But for now, Austin just had to keep riding. Keep moving forward.

Two hours later, an exhausted Austin finally slowed to a halt, parking the bike near a fallen log and slumping down onto it. His legs ached from the relentless pedaling, and his breath came in uneven bursts. He reached into his bag, pulling out a bottle of water and a small pack of dehydrated lemons. The forest around him was tranquil, the faint rustling of leaves and distant chirping of bird Pokémon providing a serene backdrop to his rest.

Vee leapt gracefully out of the bike's basket, his light steps barely making a sound on the forest floor. He paused, his wide, dark eyes fixed on Austin as he sniffed the air cautiously. Austin popped a piece of lemon into his mouth, the tangy taste drawing his attention back to Vee. The Eevee tilted his head, curiosity glimmering beneath his wariness.

Austin chuckled softly, holding out a piece of the dried fruit. "Here," he said, his voice calm. "Try it."

Vee approached slowly, his body low to the ground, each step hesitant and deliberate. He snatched the lemon with a quick motion, retreating a few paces before biting into it. His eyes widened immediately, his ears flicking back as his tongue darted out to combat the sharp sourness. Austin couldn't help but laugh at the reaction.

Pikachu, perched nearby, crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at the exchange. Noticing the jealous look, Austin grinned and tossed him a slice as well. "Don't worry, I didn't forget you."

Pikachu sniffed it, took a tentative bite, and instantly scrunched his face in exaggerated disgust. His ears shot upright, and his tail twitched wildly as if the lemon had personally insulted him. Austin burst into laughter, his worries momentarily forgotten in the humor of the moment.

The lightheartedness faded as Austin turned his attention back to Vee, his expression softening. "Vee," he began, his voice steady but gentle. The Eevee's ears perked, his muscles tensing as he looked up at Austin warily. "Can I ask you something?"

Vee didn't move, but his watchful gaze told Austin he was listening.

"Do you want to join us?" Austin asked, leaning forward slightly. "Not just for today, not just until the forest is behind us. I mean… really join us. As part of the team."

The question hung in the air, heavy and unspoken. Vee's body stiffened, his ears pinning back as a flicker of doubt flashed through his wide, dark eyes. Then, in an instant, he bolted. His small frame darted through the underbrush, leaves scattering in his wake. He couldn't trust this human—he couldn't trust anyone. They were all the same. They wanted his power, and they would hurt him to take it. His heart twisted painfully at the thought, but it only fueled his determination to run.

"I can permanently fix you!"

Vee skidded to a halt, his claws digging into the dirt as he froze mid-stride. His breath came in shallow pants, and he turned his head slowly, cautiously, to look back. Austin hadn't moved from his spot on the log. He was sitting there calmly, his expression unreadable, but his tone carried a strange weight—one that cut through the noise of Vee's panic.

"I can make it so you never have to experience that pain again."

Vee's ears twitched, and he turned fully now, his gaze locked onto the human. There was no greed in Austin's eyes, no hunger for power, no cold calculation like the scientists who had poked and prodded him.

Austin raised his hands slowly, palms open in a gesture of peace. "I know you've been through a lot. I don't know the full story, but I can tell you're hurting. That instability in your body—what they did to you—it's not fair. And it doesn't have to be permanent. I can help you."

Vee stayed rooted in place, his chest rising and falling as he processed Austin's words. His body trembled with the urge to run, but something in the boy's tone made him pause. For the first time in a long while, it felt like someone was offering more than just promises. It felt like hope.

"Your body—this thing you can do, evolving and devolving—I can tell it's not natural. It's unstable, and I bet it hurts like hell. But I can help you fix it." His eyes locked onto Vee's. "I don't have all the answers yet, but I know where to start. I just need you to trust me."

Vee's tail stopped flicking, and his ears flattened as he stared at Austin. Something about the boy's words seemed to chip away at his defenses, but doubt lingered in his wide, dark eyes.

Austin placed a Pokéball and a thermos gently on the ground between them.

"It's your choice. ome with me, I promise I'll do everything I can to make things better."

Pikachu, sitting nearby, gave Vee a small, reassuring nod, his eyes full of quiet understanding.

Vee hesitated, glancing at the Pokéball, then back to Austin, then to Pikachu. His claws dug slightly into the dirt as he stood motionless, his body caught between the instinct to flee and the desire to believe. Slowly, cautiously, he stepped forward.

Finally, Vee lowered his head and touched the Pokéball with his nose. A soft click echoed through the quiet forest as he was pulled inside.

Austin stared at the Pokéball in his hand, feeling its faint weight and the enormity of what had just happened. He let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Welcome to the team, Vee."

Inside the Pokéball, Vee's mind swirled with uncertainty and a fragile hope. The pain he had carried for so long felt distant for the first time, like a storm finally breaking. Maybe this human really could help him. Maybe this time, he had made the right choice.

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[ Author's Note ]

A bit of context for anyone who might not be familiar: Vee is an experimented-on Eevee with the unique ability to evolve and devolve into any of the three Kanto Eeveelutions. This character originates from the Pokémon Adventures manga and is part of Red's main team. In the manga, Red helps Vee evolve into an Espeon, which causes it to lose its ability to devolve and evolve further.

Now, my question to all of you is: Would you prefer that I follow what Red did in the manga, where Austin helps Vee evolve into an Espeon, Umbreon, or Sylveon, causing it to lose its unique abilities? Or would you like me to take a more unique route where Austin helps Vee maintain the ability to evolve and devolve into all Eeveelutions, from Flareon to Sylveon?