Eevee had slipped out just yesterday.
But its stomach was already rumbling with hunger today.
Curiosity had always been its greatest flaw. Day after day it was fed the same energy cubes, and every now and then strangers would come to choose among them. That life had become unbearable.
It didn't want to be chosen. What if the Trainer who picked it turned out to be cruel? Wouldn't that be like stepping straight into a nightmare?
The thought alone was terrifying.
So Eevee hatched a plan with two of its little friends. The moment the caretaker turned his back, they slipped out together.
During the first hour of freedom, Eevee felt thrilled.
It saw sights it had never seen before towering skyscrapers, countless Pokémon walking alongside their Trainers, and foods of every shape and smell displayed along the streets.
But by the second hour, confusion began to sink in.
Those delicious foods weren't meant for "wild" Pokémon like itself. The vendors kept saying it needed some kind of "payment."
It had no such thing, so it couldn't eat.
That realization stung.
Back at the breeding center, food had never been a problem.
By the fourth hour, fear took over.
Somewhere along the way, it had lost its two friends. The streets were too crowded, and none of them had any "life experience." The others were just as curious as it was, and in no time, they had wandered off in different directions.
By the time night fell, Eevee was alone.
The city grew darker, and in the shadows, pairs of crimson eyes glinted. Meowth gangs stared at it with mocking expressions. Its little body trembled with terror.
And worse still, it couldn't find its way back home.
All it could do was run.
But soon, the temperature dropped sharply, and the skies opened up. First came drizzle, then a full downpour.
Shivering and soaked, Eevee regretted everything dragging its friends out with it, leaving the safety of the breeding house, everything. Now, cold and hunger gnawed at its body.
Then, through the curtain of rain, it spotted a building that looked like a breeding center.
A faint spark of hope lit up in its chest.
"Just a little farther... just a little..."
Step by step, the tiny Eevee dragged itself toward the light.
Holding Vulpix in his arms, Lin Feng went to check the front door. He opened it, but there was no one outside.
Just as he was about to turn back, he felt a tug at the hem of his pants.
Looking down, he saw a drenched little bundle of fur lying weakly on the doorstep, pawing at him with the last of its strength.
"Bui..."
"Bui..." (Help...)
"Huh?!"
The sight jolted Lin Feng. Without hesitation, he scooped the Pokémon into his arms and rushed inside.
Towels, drying, wrapping, then a bowl of leftover fresh cabbage juice from the day before he went through the entire routine swiftly and carefully.
Only after the Eevee was warm and dry did Lin Feng finally exhale in relief and take a closer look.
No doubt about it this was an Eevee.
And a very young one, no bigger than half the size of a normal Eevee.
Once dry, its fur shone with a healthy sheen. Its ears were soft, its bushy tail slightly darker in color, and its fluffy white ruff framed its neck like a scarf. Its tiny nose twitched adorably.
Clearly, this wasn't some wild Eevee. It had been well-bred and well cared for.
Did it get separated from a careless Trainer? Or maybe it snuck out on its own?
Both possibilities flashed through Lin Feng's mind.
He searched the Eevee's body carefully for any identification.
Nothing.
With no other option, he activated the Eye of Insight.
[Pokémon: Eevee]
[Gender: Female]
[Ability: Anticipation]
[Potential: Purple]
[IVs: HP (19), Attack (20), Sp. Atk (21), Defense (21), Sp. Def (20), Speed (25)]
[Level: 8–9]
[Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Growl, Quick Attack, Baby-Doll Eyes]
[Friendship: 30 (So warm...)]
[Joy: 40 (I survived...)]
"A Eevee this small?"
Lin Feng frowned, holding her gently. Just as he was about to check for any lingering issues, her eyes fluttered open.
Round, jet-black eyes like polished gems stared back at him.
Lin Feng let out a breath of relief. "You're awake."
"Bui?"
Seeing that the person holding her wasn't the familiar caretaker, Eevee froze for a moment before panicking.
"Bui? Bui!" (Who are you?!)
"I'm the owner of this breeding house," Lin Feng explained patiently. "You're a clever little one, aren't you? You managed to find a breeding center in this situation. If you'd ended up somewhere else... well, the townsfolk would probably have brought you here anyway."
He reached out with his Verdant Power, gently soothing the frightened Eevee.
"Bui?"
Her mind felt foggy. She remembered stumbling toward a breeding house but this wasn't the place she had imagined.
"Here, let me remind you."
Lin Feng carried her to the doorway. "You collapsed right here, soaking wet and burning with fever. I brought you inside and treated you. Ring a bell?"
"Bui?"
As he spoke, the memories began piecing themselves together in Eevee's mind.
But then, her thoughts snapped back to her missing friends.
She shot up in panic, crying out, "Bui! Bui?"
(Outside... two more... friends!)
Lin Feng's brows furrowed. "Wait slow down, you mean..."
But Eevee grew even more desperate, pawing at him as she repeated, "Bui... Bui..."
(Two more... still out there...)
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