Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
Ash raised his hand to block the dazzling sun, and Pikachu chirped happily on his shoulder.
"Pika Pika! (Over there)"
"What is it, Pikachu?" Ash looked in the direction Pikachu was pointing, and under a giant oak tree, a small brown figure was curled up.
Xiao You ran over first: "It's an Eevee! So cute!"
The three gathered around and found that this Eevee had an exquisite nameplate hanging around its neck, with water and food placed beside it.
Brock squatted down and gently picked up the nameplate to examine it.
"It says... 'If found, please return to the Reizo family in Stone City,'" Brock read.
"It seems like a lost Pokémon."
Ash gently stroked Eevee's head.
Eevee opened its eyes warily, and seeing the strangers, immediately backed away a few steps, but showed no intention of running.
"Don't be afraid, we're here to help you," Ash said softly, taking out some Pokémon food from his backpack.
"Are you hungry?"
Eevee sniffed, cautiously approached, and took the food.
Pikachu jumped down from Ash's shoulder and greeted Eevee in a friendly manner.
The two Pokémon quickly became familiar with each other.
"We have to take it back," Xiao You said.
"Stone City isn't far from here; I remember it's just over the mountain."
Brock nodded: "And that place is famous for its evolutionary ites, so we might encounter something interesting."
Ash gently picked up Eevee: "Then let's go! Pikachu, lead the way."
"Pika! (Got it)"
The entrance to Stone City was decorated with colorful ribbons and balloons, and the City square was bustling with people, lively and festive.
"Wow, is there some event going on?" Xiao You excitedly stood on her tiptoes to look around.
A passing Trainer heard their question and enthusiastically explained: "This is Stone City's annual Evolution Fair! All the City's ite collectors will display their treasures, and there will also be Pokémon battles and evolution performances!"
The Eevee in Ash's arms suddenly squirmed uneasily, seemingly wanting to break free.
"What's wrong, Eevee?" Ash asked confusedly, then noticed Eevee staring at a tall display stand in the center of the square, where three elegantly dressed men stood.
"That should be the Reizo family," Brock said, pointing to the banner above the display stand.
"Look, it says 'Reizo Brothers' ite Exhibition.'"
The three pushed through the crowd to the display stand.
The oldest man, Reizo, was showing the audience a Thunder Stone that glowed with electricity.
"Trainers, evolution is the most wonderful moment in a Pokémon's life!" Reizo's booming voice echoed across the square.
"Today, we brothers will show you the magical power of various ites!"
Ash raised his hand and shouted: "Excuse me, is this your Eevee?"
The entire venue instantly fell silent, and the three brothers' gazes simultaneously landed on the Eevee in Ash's arms.
"Eevee!" The youngest, Archie, exclaimed in surprise.
"Big brother, it's Taiichi's Eevee!"
Reizo quickly walked down from the display stand: "Young man, where did you find it?"
"Under a big tree outside the City," Xiao You replied.
"We saw the nameplate and brought it over."
Mizuchi patted Ash's shoulder: "Thank you so much! This Eevee is our younger brother Taiichi's partner, and it's been missing for two days."
"Taiichi!" Archie turned and shouted, "Come quickly, your Eevee is back!"
A boy, half a head shorter than Ash, slowly walked out from behind the display stand, but his face showed no expected joy.
"Taiichi, your Eevee is back, aren't you happy?" Brock keenly noticed the boy's abnormality.
Taiichi lowered his head, his fingers intertwined: "Uh... happy..."
Reizo didn't notice his brother's strangeness and enthusiastically said to Ash and his companions: "As a token of our gratitude, you can use any ite at today's fair as you please!"
"Really? That's great!" Ash said excitedly, then suddenly thought of something.
"Oh, by the way, I have a special Eevee, maybe I can find a suitable ite for it!"
Xiao You, meanwhile, squatted down to be at eye level with Taiichi: "Taiichi, you don't seem very happy, can you tell big sister about it?"
Taiichi glanced at his brothers, who were talking to Reizo, and whispered: "I... I don't want Eevee to evolve..."
"What?" Xiao You's eyes widened in surprise.
Taiichi's voice grew even softer: "My brothers say Eevee must choose an evolved form, but I think Eevee is great as it is... So... so I let Eevee pretend to be lost..."
Xiao You looked at the conflicted boy with sympathy: "I understand.
Don't worry, I'll help you."
At the same time, Ash was browsing various ites in front of the display stand.
Suddenly, a light blue stone emanating cold air caught his attention.
"What kind of ite is this? I've never seen it before!" Xiao You asked curiously.
Mizuchi walked over and introduced: "This is a rare Ice Soul Stone, which can allow specific Pokémon to gain Ice-type evolution.
It is said to have a special effect on Eevee as well."
Ash's eyes lit up: "My Eevee is a special Rainbow Eevee, already able to transform into four forms, if you add this..."
Archie interjected: "To obtain the Dark Night Stone, you need to participate in the Pokémon Battle competition at the fair, and the Champion's prize is it."
"Where do I sign up for the competition?" Ash asked impatiently.
Reizo pointed to the battle arena on the other side of the square: "Right over there.
But I warn you, the participants are all very strong."
"Just what I wanted!" Ash's fighting spirit soared.
"Pikachu, let's go!"
Xiao You watched Ash run off, then turned to Brock: "Ash went to the competition, we need to help Taiichi."
Brock nodded, then his gaze was attracted by a group of passing pretty girls: "Ah, of course... but I think you might be better at handling this kind of situation..."
Xiao You sighed helplessly: "Alright, you go 'gather information,' I'll handle things here."
The battle area was packed with spectators.
Ash squeezed to the registration desk and handed over his Trainer ID on his rotom phone.
"Ash, from Pallet Town, participating Pokémon is Eevee."
The staff member registered him and handed him a number plate: "Third match, please be ready."
Ash found a seat and released his Rainbow Eevee from its Poké Ball.
Under the sunlight, Eevee's fur shimmered with a dreamy rainbow luster.
"Eevee, do you see that Ice Soul Stone?" Ash pointed to the blue stone on the display stand.
"If we win the match, you'll be able to unlock a new Glaceon form!"
Eevee chirped excitedly and rubbed against Ash's hand.
"First match over!" The referee's voice rang out.
"Second match contestants, please prepare.
Trainer Xiao Zhi for the third match, please wait in the waiting area."
Ash came to the waiting area, observing the battle on the field.
A Trainer using Charmeleon was fiercely clashing with an opponent using Blastoise.
"Charmeleon, Flamethrower!"
"Blastoise, Hydro Pump counterattack!"
Steam filled the arena, and the audience gasped in surprise.
Ultimately, Blastoise won due to its type advantage.
"Second match over! Third match contestants, please enter the arena!"
Ash took a deep breath and walked onto the battle arena.
His opponent was a boy wearing glasses, who looked a few years older than him.
"I'm Ayin from Saffron City," the opponent pushed up his glasses.
"My participating Pokémon is Electabuzz."
The referee raised the flag: "Battle start!"
"Eevee, I choose you!"
The Rainbow Eevee gracefully leaped into the arena, drawing gasps of admiration from the audience.
Ayin was clearly also stunned by this special Eevee.
"What kind of Eevee is that? Its colors are so unique!"
Ash smiled confidently: "This is a Rainbow Eevee that can transform into multiple forms! Eevee, use Dazzling Gleam!"
A fragrant Twister swirled around Eevee, heading towards Electabuzz.
Ayin reacted quickly: "Electabuzz, dodge and then use Thunder Punch!"
Electabuzz nimbly jumped away, its right fist gathering electricity as it charged towards Eevee.
Ash remained calm: "Eevee, Lively Bubble!"
Eevee spat out several water orbs, which collided with Electabuzz's Thunder Punch, erupting in a dazzling light.
The conductive nature of water caused Electabuzz to take damage itself.
"Clever tactic!" Ayin praised.
"But it's not over yet! Electabuzz, Thunderbolt!"
A powerful electric current rushed towards Eevee.
Ash shouted: "Eevee, Pop Pop Break!"
Eevee glowed pink all over and rushed towards Electabuzz at an astonishing speed, slamming into its opponent before the electric current could hit.
Electabuzz was sent flying several meters, barely managing to regain its footing.
"Electabuzz, Thunder Punch again!"
"Eevee, Icy Frost!"
Eevee emanated a cold Haze, instantly covering the entire field.
Electabuzz's movements suddenly became sluggish, and the gathered electric light dissipated.
"What's going on?" Ayin asked in surprise.
Ash explained: "Icy Frost can reset all Pokémon's abilities! Electabuzz's stat boosts have been cleared!"
Ash seized the opportunity: "Eevee, final blow, Lively Bubble!"
The water orb accurately hit Electabuzz, knocking it to the ground.
The referee began the countdown: "Electabuzz is unable to battle! The winner is Ash and Eevee!"
The audience erupted in enthusiastic applause.
Ash ran over and picked up Eevee: "That was great! We won!"
In the next two matches, Ash and Eevee cooperated perfectly, defeating opponents using Golbat and Machamp respectively.
When the victory of the final match was announced, the entire audience stood and applauded.
"The Champion of this year's Fair Pokémon Battle competition is—Ash and Rainbow Eevee!" The host loudly announced.
"Please come to the stage to receive your prize!"
Reizo personally handed the Ice Soul Stone to Ash: "Excellent battle! Your Eevee is truly unique."
Ash took the stone, which emanated Dark-type energy, and turned to Eevee: "Are you ready?"
Eevee nodded.
Ash gently placed the Ice Soul Stone on Eevee's forehead.
The stone gradually melted into Eevee's body, and Eevee's fur began to glow, its form gradually changing.
It had black fur and red eyes, giving it a fierce impression.
Its golden ring-shaped patterns would glow faintly under moonlight, stimulating mysterious power.
"That's amazing!" Mizuchi exclaimed.
"Can it freely switch between two forms?"
As if responding to his question, Umbreon glowed again, reverted to its normal Eevee appearance, and then transformed back into Umbreon.
The audience gasped in surprise.
Archie said excitedly: "I've never seen an Eevee like this!"
Ash explained: "This is a product of Team Rockets' experiments; they injected Eevee with Mew's genes.
To unlock each evolved form, a corresponding special ite is needed."
The three Reizo brothers showed angry expressions: "Those despicable Team Rockets!" Then they looked at Eevee with pity, "But this is truly a miracle..."
On the other side, Xiao You had successfully convinced the three Reizo brothers.
She walked over with Taiichi and his Eevee.
"Brothers," Taiichi said, summoning his courage, "I still hope Eevee stays as it is..."
Unexpectedly, Reizo squatted down and gently patted his younger brother's shoulder: "We understand.
Miss Xiao You told us that the bond between a Trainer and their Pokémon is more important than evolution."
Mizuchi added: "And after seeing Ash's Rainbow Eevee, we realized that the possibilities of evolution are far richer than we imagined.
Perhaps one day, when both you and your Eevee are ready, it won't be too late to consider evolution."
Taiichi finally smiled and hugged his Eevee tightly: "Thank you, brothers!"
As the sun set, the fair was nearing its end.
Ash and his companions bid farewell to the Reizo brothers.
"If there's any news about special ites, we'll contact you immediately," Reizo exchanged contact information with Ash.
"We also want to see what new evolved forms Eevee can unlock."
Ash nodded gratefully: "Thank you for the Ice Soul Stone.
Eevee, say goodbye to everyone!"
Rainbow Eevee transformed back to its normal form and waved its paw at everyone.
Pikachu also jumped onto Ash's shoulder: "Pika—chu! (Goodbye)"
Xiao You took Taiichi's hand: "Take good care of Eevee."
Taiichi nodded vigorously: "Mm! I will!"
Brock, meanwhile, had collected a pile of girls' contact information and waved contentedly: "The ladies of Stone City are truly enthusiastic..."
The three left Stone City as the sun set, with Taiichi and Eevee's joyful laughter echoing behind them.
New adventures awaited them ahead.