Chapter 12: The Eevee That Can't Use Attacking Moves

Pokémon language – a field of study that no Pokémon researcher in any discipline can afford to ignore. If the language of all Pokémon could truly be deciphered, perhaps the various problems that have plagued the academic world for many years could be solved.

However, unlike human languages, which have clear and specific meanings, Pokémon language uses overly simple syllables, expressing different meanings only through subtle changes in tone and frequency. Furthermore, different species of Pokémon have different vocalization patterns, which poses a huge challenge to deciphering Pokémon language.

Hmm... in a sense, I've suddenly acquired a skill that could save me decades of detours. Maybe I should go straight back to Pallet Town and discuss salary with Professor Oak?

"Hey, are you listening to me?"

A complaining voice snapped Kazuki out of his thoughts. He turned his head to look at the orange-haired girl walking beside him.

She had a refreshing and capable style, with a distinctive ponytail and wisps of orange hair framing her face. 

Her swan-like neck was held high, revealing delicate collarbones, both wild and naturally elegant.

What? You're asking why I'm not continuing the description further down? Please, as a young man of the new century from Kanto, I would naturally not do something as crude and disrespectful as staring at a girl's chest! Besides, there's nothing much to see on that flat plain...

"Ah, I was thinking about something else... Sorry, sorry."

"It's okay." Even though she said that, Misty suddenly felt a very unpleasant feeling for some reason. Could it be that annoying Ash was saying bad things about her?

After Ash innocently took the blame, Misty calmed down a little and continued, "Since you didn't hear me just now, let me introduce myself again—I'm Misty, from Cerulean City."

"I'm Kazuki from Pallet Town."

Another one from Pallet Town? Misty glanced at the Pewter Badge pinned to his waist and the black and white Pokémon surrounding him, and instantly understood:

"Are you a trainer traveling for experience, too?"

Another person who thinks I'm a Pokémon Trainer... Kazuki was already too lazy to correct this misunderstanding. He just gave a vague affirmation, without giving a definite answer.

However, this reaction only strengthened Misty's judgment. She had initially struck up a conversation out of curiosity about his interaction with his Pokémon, but as they talked, she discovered that his knowledge of Pokémon was incredibly vast and exciting. Coupled with that brand-new dark gray Gym Badge—

Undoubtedly, this was a very powerful Pokémon Trainer... And judging by his knowledge, he's definitely not a rookie!

Unaware that he had once again been given some strange and bizarre labels in someone else's mind, Kazuki felt that it was almost time to part ways. After all, they were about to leave the limits of Pewter City in a few more steps.

"Well, it was really great talking to you. I hope we can meet again... Oh, right!"

As they were saying goodbye, Misty suddenly remembered something. She quickly pulled out a letter from her backpack. "You're going to Cerulean City next, right? Could you do me a favor? Please deliver this letter to the Sensational Sisters of Cerulean City's Water Ballet..."

...

Mt. Moon, a famous mountain near Pewter City. Over ninety percent of Pewter City's special stones are mined from the caves of Mt. Moon. It's also the fastest route from Pewter City to Cerulean City.

However, convenience and speed also come with certain risks. Mt. Moon's caves are home to many Pokémon, some of which are quite aggressive. Incidents of travelers being attacked are not uncommon. But on the other hand, it's also a good place for new trainers to expand their teams.

In the dim light, several Zubat and Golbat folded their purple wings and hung silently upside down from stalactites. Suddenly, as if they had smelled something, they emitted a few sharp cries and scattered.

One young Zubat flapped its wings, navigating through several tunnels with a clear destination, finally landing on the shoulder of a walking black-haired young man.

"Ha, you could smell this, your nose is really sharp."

Kazuki chuckled and took a blood bag from his backpack. He had prepared this in advance at the Pewter City Pokémon Center, but he hadn't expected to use it so soon.

The bat Pokémon that inhabit Mt. Moon's caves have a bad reputation due to their blood-sucking habits. 

But what few people know is that they are quite united within their own species. 

A Golbat that successfully obtains food will share the blood it has painstakingly sucked with its hungry companions.

One thing that Pokémon researchers must remember is to let go of all fear and disgust towards any Pokémon, because these feelings will breed prejudice that obscures understanding. This was the first thing Professor Oak said to Kazuki when he entered the research institute, and he has always kept it in mind.

The young Zubat didn't immediately take the blood bag. Instead, it nuzzled Kazuki's neck affectionately before revealing its fangs and biting open the seal of the blood bag.

An unevolved Zubat's appetite isn't very large. 

The blood bag had dropped by less than half when it burped contentedly. 

But even though it was full, it didn't fly away. It continued to perch on Kazuki's shoulder.

This was a symbol of friendship. Seeing this, the other Zubat in the cave would naturally not disturb Kazuki and his group.

"Is it necessary to curry favor with them...? If they really dare to attack, just beat them until they don't dare to have any bad intentions."

Aron, on the other shoulder, spoke lazily. But a casual glance from its blue eyes made the Zubat's purple fur stand on end.

"Don't always think about solving problems with violence."

Kazuki calmed Zubat's emotions and looked at Aron with a bit of helplessness. He really didn't know what to say about this problem child beside him. It was already like this as an Aron. If it evolved into an Aggron, would it become some kind of sadistic queen? Shudder...

Realizing that his thoughts were sliding in a dangerous direction, Kazuki immediately stopped. That was close. He was almost attacked by the dark history of his dead childhood again.

"Zubat is fine, Aron is just..."

Noticing that the little bat on his shoulder was acting strangely again, he initially thought it was still afraid of Aron's intimidation. But he quickly realized that wasn't the reason—

Because a chorus of abusive and noisy sounds also reached Kazuki's ears.

"Woof?" Hei raised its furry head and looked at him questioningly.

After a moment of hesitation, Kazuki made a decision. "Let's go and see what's going on."

The sound echoed off the rock walls, reverberating through the cave. As they got closer, the noise became louder and clearer:

"You can't learn this, you can't learn that. What's the point of following me like this? Just go back where you came from!"

Kazuki frowned and quickened his pace. After climbing over a low rock wall, he saw a boy about his age with a dark expression, loudly scolding a small creature with brown fur, long ears, and a fluffy tail.

That's... an Eevee?

Eevee, a Pokémon beloved and admired in the Kanto region and around the world. 

Apart from its adorable appearance that appeals to both genders, what's more important is that it has the most diverse evolutionary paths in the Pokémon world. 

Including the Fairy-type Sylveon, which was discovered in recent years, it has a total of eight different evolutions. 

Therefore, it is also known as the "Evolution Pokémon."

However, this popular Eevee seemed to be receiving poor treatment from this boy—the fur around its body was drooping, and its color was very dull. Its small body was covered in various injuries. Some were probably traces left by attacks from various types of Pokémon in battles, while others... seemed more like man-made injuries.

The boy became more and more agitated as he scolded. In a fit of anger, he raised his leg and kicked Eevee. "Useless thing, you like getting beaten, don't you? Then I'll let you get beaten enough!"

He was about to kick the Eevee, which had just been knocked to the ground, again. However, a huge pulling force from his shoulder made him lose his balance and almost fall to the ground.

"Can't you talk things out? There's no need to use violence." The boy turned around to the source of the voice and saw Kazuki's slightly displeased face.

He had initially intended to stay out of other people's business, but after seeing the boy resort to violence without a word, he couldn't hold back any longer.

"Who are you..." He wanted to quickly shake off this meddling busybody, but the grip on his shoulder was so strong that he couldn't break free. He even felt a faint pain, as if his shoulder was about to be crushed.

"What do you know? This thing hasn't learned a single attacking move since it started following me. Every time we battle, it can only get beaten up on the field. What use do I have for such a useless Pokémon!?"

Hearing the boy's merciless scolding, Eevee, which had just managed to stand up on all fours, lowered its head dejectedly. The light in its round eyes seemed to have faded.

"If you like it, you can have this trash. Just don't bother me anymore!"

Feeling the force on his shoulder loosen slightly, the boy directly flung Kazuki's hand away. He glanced at Eevee on the ground and then walked away without looking back.

"Eevee!"

Seeing its trainer leave without it, Eevee cried out in panic and tried to run after him. However, its leg injury flared up at that moment. 

It stumbled and fell to the ground.

"Eevee..." The mournful sound echoed in the cave, but it failed to make the figure in its sight stop, until it completely disappeared.