Chapter 146: Eevee’s First-Tier Friendship Unlock
Rio got the answers he wanted. Zapdos had indeed been captured by Team Rocket. Boss Giovanni was currently leading his men to Mt. Ember, lying in wait for Moltres. As for Articuno, a separate Rocket team was stationed in the icy caverns of the Seafoam Islands, though it was still uncertain whether it would appear.
"I need to hurry to Mt. Ember," Rio muttered.
A moment later, Archer awoke from the hypnosis. Remembering the questions he’d been asked, he stared at Rio in terror. "What did you do to me?!"
"Didn’t do a thing to you," Rio said with a roll of his eyes, kicking Archer toward Erika and the others. The guy sounded like he’d been violated—did Rio really look like he had that kind of interest?
Half an hour later, Rio said goodbye to Erika at the Celadon Game Corner. She had invited him to a victory celebration, but he politely declined.
"Little Eevee—your cure might depend on this."
After leaving the Game Corner, Rio found a secluded spot and held Eevee in his arms. Having witnessed him personally dismantle Team Rocket’s Celadon base, Eevee’s friendship had reached 20 points. All it needed was a new Poké Ball to unlock its first-tier reward.
CRACK! Rio crushed Eevee’s old Poké Ball under his foot, then caught it in a new one. A moment later, the notification sounded:
[Eevee’s starting friendship was -20. Current friendship is 50. Increase of 70 points qualifies for First-Tier Reward Unlock.]
[Reward Unlocked: Eevee’s talent upgraded to Champion level. Acquired Ability: Multitype.]
"Multitype?" Rio’s face lit up with surprise. Wasn’t that Arceus’s signature ability?
He quickly released Eevee and checked its updated stats:
[Pokémon: Eevee]
[Level: 28 (Time until next level: 115 days.)]
[Talent: Champion]
[Friendship: 50]
[Ability: Multitype]
[Gender: Female]
[Moves: Tackle (31%), Helping Hand (31%), Quick Attack (30%), Bite (30%), Covet (29%), Take Down (28%), Ember (27%), Water Pulse (27%), Thunder Shock (27%)]
[Description: This Eevee has unlocked the Multitype Ability. When it was first born...]
Rio noticed that the words "Afflicted by illness" had vanished from the level line—and the lifespan countdown was gone too.
"Eevee—how are you feeling? Does it still hurt?" Rio asked eagerly.
"Gren~" Greninja also looked on with anticipation.
One by one, the other Poké Balls on Rio’s belt opened on their own—Charizard, Red Gyarados, Annihilape, and Munchlax all emerged, staring intently at the only female in their group.
"Roaar~"
"ROAR!!!"
"Annih~"
"Ka~"
Only Gengar was trapped in the ancient Poké Ball, screaming telepathically in Rio’s mind: "Let me out, kid! How can you keep Old Ghost from witnessing such a moment?!"
With a flash, Rio released Gengar. Now one human and six Pokémon all focused on their sole female companion.
Eevee, touched by their concern, let out a soft cry and tentatively channeled its evolution energy. The light of evolution enveloped its body as it evolved into Flareon—calmly, without any sign of pain.
"Eevee~" Eevee looked up in surprise and joy. One human and six Pokémon beamed with relief—even Annihilape, though its smile was somehow more terrifying than its usual scowl.
"Try the other forms!" Rio said excitedly.
"Gren~"
"Roaar~"
"ROAR!!!"
"Annih~"
"Go on, little Eevee—try again!"
"Eevee~"
Eevee’s body glowed again, shifting from Flareon to Jolteon—still completely at ease. Their smiles widened.
"Try Vaporeon!"
"Gren~"
"Roaar~"
"ROAR!!!"
"Annih~"
"Yes, yes—try it!"
"Eevee~"
For a third time, evolution light enveloped Eevee as it transformed from Jolteon to Vaporeon—still completely comfortable, not a trace of pain on its face.
"Excellent, excellent!" Rio clapped his hands in delight. He could now confirm that the Multitype Ability had resolved Eevee’s genetic disorder. It was now a perfect lifeform, just like Arceus.
But then... "Eevee—can you try evolving into Espeon, Umbreon, or Glaceon?" Rio asked tentatively. Since it had Arceus’s Multitype, shouldn’t it be able to evolve into other Eeveelutions too?
Eevee looked at him in confusion. "Eevee~"
"Little Eevee says it doesn’t know how to evolve into those forms—it only has Fire, Electric, and Water evolution energy within it," Gengar translated.
No? Rio frowned, deep in thought. If it couldn’t evolve into other types, then what was the Multitype Ability for? Just to stabilize its genes?
Wait—it said "only"... A flash of insight struck Rio. He pulled an Ice Stone from his bag—one Munchlax had given him earlier.
"Eevee—try this."
"Eevee~" Eevee attempted to absorb the Ice Stone. Two seconds passed—nothing happened.
Was I wrong? Rio frowned. Eevee had said it only had Fire, Electric, and Water evolution energy. He’d thought that by giving it an Ice Stone, it could gain the energy needed to evolve into Glaceon.
Wait—Glaceon’s evolution requires not just an Ice Stone, but also being near an ice-covered rock. That’s it!
Realizing the missing piece, Rio put the Ice Stone away, deciding to try again when they encountered an icy environment.
"Everyone—let’s celebrate Eevee’s recovery with a big feast!" Rio announced to his Pokémon.
"Ka~" Munchlax was the first to respond, followed by nods from Charizard and the others.
The next morning, Rio flew to the Sevii Islands on Charizard, heading toward Mt. Ember in hopes of encountering Moltres.
"It’s time to use this feather," Rio said, pulling out the feather Raikou had given him.