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Any reasonable person would understand that virtually no Pokemon could effectively counter such an Eevee.
On the contrary, when facing various Pokemon, this Eevee could freely change forms to counter its opponents.
If facing a Grass-type Pokemon, it would become Flareon. Against Fire-types, it would transform into Vaporeon. When confronting Dragon-types, it would evolve into Sylveon. Against Psychic-types, it would become Umbreon.
Unless the enemy was significantly stronger than this Eevee, how could anyone expect to defeat an Eevee that would always counter their type?
Of course, opponents could use Normal-type Pokemon against this Eevee, but if one day Eevee could evolve into a 'Fighting-type Eevee' or 'Steel-type Eevee,' they would be completely helpless.
Team Rocket had considered this potential and conducted research toward this goal, intending to successfully transform Eevee's capabilities.
As for how many Eevee would be killed or injured during the process - that wasn't something Team Rocket would consider.
"So, how did the Eevee transformation plan progress? Was it successful or did it fail?" Eddie asked, feigning ignorance.
Although he despised Team Rocket's methods, he didn't waste time lamenting what had already occurred. After all, he would destroy Team Rocket eventually.
Right now, what mattered most was Eevee - the Eevee that had been successfully transformed!
"When I went to destroy that laboratory, the Eevee had already escaped, but I found these documents, which is how I learned about the project," Erika explained.
"Actually, it was because this Eevee suddenly escaped from a facility covered in wounds and was discovered by trainers in Rainbow City - that's when we found the laboratory's location."
Erika spoke with evident shame.
The shameful part was that they had only discovered Team Rocket's laboratory because of the persecuted Eevee. Without it, Erika wouldn't have found the place at all.
But discovering it felt useless, since the experiments had been ongoing for some time. It was unknown how many Eevee had been tortured because of it, and the successfully transformed Eevee must have endured unimaginable suffering.
"Team Rocket is powerful with many resources. They've probably bribed numerous high-ranking officials - otherwise, they couldn't have maintained such secrecy for so long," Eddie observed.
Eddie naturally understood Team Rocket's power. Who could have imagined that under a powerful Gym Leader's management, Team Rocket could build such an extensive laboratory and branch?
Eddie refused to believe there weren't corrupted officials providing intelligence to the organization.
That Game Corner was probably also Team Rocket's creation. It would be more accurate to call it Rocket Game Corner rather than Rainbow Game Corner.
They had simply constructed such a famous, massive Game Corner in Rainbow City's bustling district, then built their organization's largest biological laboratory underground.
Countless people were probably involved in this operation. Under their protection, who could imagine this was actually a Team Rocket branch?
"Well, we've eliminated them now, so let's discuss what we need to do next," Eddie said pragmatically.
"Erika, do you want me to find this Eevee? Why don't you search for it yourself? Has it gone elsewhere?"
Eddie genuinely didn't want to focus on Team Rocket at this moment. After all, the local Team Rocket forces had been destroyed by him, and now he should concentrate on current priorities.
Besides, he was actually quite curious. In the original storyline, Erika had possessed the ability to capture this Eevee, but he didn't understand why she had used it to test Ash instead.
"I know where that Eevee is. Since it escaped, I've always had people watching over it," Erika revealed, then slowly explained further.
"However, since that Eevee experienced such trauma, it must be extremely wary. As Rainbow City's Gym Leader, I can't leave the city most of the time, because managing and protecting this place is my responsibility."
Erika looked at Eddie as she spoke, an inexplicable light flickering in her eyes, as if she perceived something special about him.
"That Eevee represents an important Team Rocket achievement. I have absolutely no confidence in entrusting it to other trainers. Misty recommended you to me several days ago, the day you defeated her."
"I wanted to test you personally, since Team Rocket matters are extremely important. But based on my observations over the past two days, plus Misty's endorsement, I feel confident entrusting Eevee to your care."
"Ding! You received Erika's request and triggered the hidden quest: 'Capture Eevee!'"
"Quest objective: Capture the Eevee transformed by Team Rocket."
As Erika finished speaking, the quest Eddie had been waiting for finally appeared.
"Most importantly, Morning Sun, I can now fully confirm that you're a trainer who truly loves Pokemon, and I believe you can treat that Eevee properly."
Eddie had just received the quest when he heard Erika's additional words.
He noticed that Erika's gaze seemed somewhat unusual.
"Uh, what do you mean? Although I do love Pokemon, you've only known me for less than two days. How can you be so certain?" Eddie asked, genuinely confused.
Whether it was Erika's strange expression or her inexplicable trust, Eddie found the situation rather odd.
"I am Rainbow City's Gym Leader, an expert in Grass-type Pokemon. Without bragging, I've reached Gym Leader level and have gradually approached Elite-level thresholds during this period," Erika stated matter-of-factly.
"So?" Eddie naturally knew how powerful Erika was and understood she wasn't boasting, since it was the truth. But he still didn't comprehend what Erika meant by mentioning this.
"Grass-type Pokemon are the Pokemon most closely connected to nature. Having reached this strength level, my Pokemon and I explore and understand nature more deeply than specialists in other types."
"Therefore, although my Pokemon and I cannot control Nature Power - because I sense that's something only Champion-level trainers can master - while I cannot control it, I can somewhat sense Nature Power's presence."
Erika paused here, but Eddie finally understood what she was implying.
At this moment, Eddie's brow furrowed and his mouth twitched slightly.
At this moment, he had only one thought: Thank goodness Erika is an ally.