The sun had finally broken through Vermilion's stormy skyline. Golden light glimmered across the streets, drying the puddles that yesterday's rain had left behind.
William adjusted his jacket and looked up at the modern glass building ahead of him. Sakuragi Research Institute.
Unlike Professor Oak's countryside lab, this one stood tall and polished, a hybrid between a tech hub and a nature conservatory. Solar panels shimmered across the roof, and glass tubes filled with greenery climbed its sides like veins of living data.
"Let's check this place out," William murmured, glancing down at Eevee perched on his shoulder.
"Vee!" she yipped, tail flicking excitedly.
They walked through the sliding doors. Inside, bright holographic displays floated above sleek desks. Screens showed regional Pokémon data with the migration charts, evolutionary energy patterns, even live transmissions from field researchers across Kanto.
A young woman with purple-tinted hair and a gentle smile greeted him.
"Hello there! Welcome to Sakuragi Institute. You must be a trainer. What can I help you with?"
William nodded politely. "I'm William from Sinnoh Region. I just won the Vermilion Gym badge yesterday. I came to talk with Professor Sakuragi about Eevee's evolution."
The woman blinked in surprise. "Evolution theory? That's a favorite topic of his! I'm Chrysa, one of the research assistants. I'll let him know you're here."
She turned around and called out to a man at the far end of the lab, who was tinkering with a floating drone shaped like a Poké Ball.
"Professor! You've got a visitor interested in Eevee evolution theory!"
The older man turned, his lab coat flaring slightly as he moved. His hair was slightly messy, but his eyes were sharp and kind. The kind that looked both into data and into people.
"Ah, an Eevee trainer!" Professor Sakuragi said warmly, approaching with a firm handshake. "You've come at a good time. I've been studying adaptive evolution in Pokémon energy signatures."
William smiled slightly. "Then we have something in common."
He lifted Eevee into his arms. "I've been training her since the beginning. But no matter what I do, she doesn't seem to choose an evolution. Not even with evolution stones nearby. I think it's… something different. Something internal."
Sakuragi's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Fascinating. You believe the trigger might not be environmental or artificial, but emotional one or perhaps a resonance unique to the bond between trainer and Pokémon?"
William nodded. "Exactly."
The professor crossed his arms, pacing thoughtfully. "That's a rare theory. There are scattered reports about evolution triggered by strong emotions, atmospheric conditions, or even space-time anomalies but they're never consistent."
He turned toward a digital projection showing Eevee's cellular structure.
"Eevee's genetic code is one of the most unstable among Pokémon species. It's like a prism waiting for light. You might be right. The evolution could depend on what kind of DNA is more balanced and match. I can tell your Eevee just needs some kind of conditions to evolve."
Eevee tilted her head as if listening.
William looked at her fondly. "Then maybe… she's just waiting for the right moment."
Sakuragi smiled. "Perhaps. If that moment comes, young man. I'd like you to record it. Document everything: the conditions, her behavior, your bond. You might just provide data that rewrites evolutionary biology. Don't worry I will reward you for your help."
William nodded. "I will, Professor."
While they talked, footsteps echoed from the back of the lab.
A girl who is around William's age peeked around a corner, her hair short and dark brown, her eyes bright with curiosity.
"Dad, who's that?" she asked.
"Ah, Koharu," Sakuragi said, smiling. "This is William, a traveling trainer from Sinnoh. He's researching Eevee evolution for his pokemon."
"Eevee, huh?" Koharu crouched to Eevee's height. "You're so cute. But your fur looks a bit thicker than normal Eevee. You must be special."
Eevee puffed up proudly. "Vee~!"
William chuckled softly. "Yeah. She's a bit proud and lively, but she really is a special one."
Koharu smiled and stood. "Nice to meet you, William. You sound like one of those serious travelers you hear about on the news."
"Serious," William said with a faint grin. "Maybe. I just have goals that don't stop at badges."
That made Professor Sakuragi raise an eyebrow and smiled. "Ambitious. I like that. After all you are young with dreams."
After their discussion, William helped Chrysa and Ren (the other assistant) record some of Eevee's data readings.
They noted her heartbeat synchronization with William's commands, her aura response to evolutionary stones and all producing results that confused even the machines. William's Eevee is more stronger, bigger and energy reading are off the charts. They all thought that Eevee must be one of the Alpha pokemon.
When they were done, William leaned against the railing of the institute's rooftop terrace, gazing over Vermilion's glittering bay.
"Professor," he began, as Sakuragi joined him, "have you ever heard about something called the Mysterious Garden?"
Sakuragi adjusted his glasses. "Ah… that legend. I know about that. Why do you ask?"
"Legend? I am just curious."
He nodded. "Yes. Some trainers claim there's a hidden place deep within Kanto Region. A natural sanctuary where wild Pokémon live untouched by humans. The Mysterious Garden, they call it. Rumor says rare Pokémon gather there to evolve under pure conditions, not influenced by stones or machines, but by nature itself."
William's eyes narrowed slightly. "Do you believe it exists?"
The professor hesitated, then smiled faintly. "I believe there's truth in every myth. But no one has ever found it. Even modern GPS and drones can't track it — the terrain doesn't match any map. Some think it's a dimensional fold, others call it a mirage."
He looked at William meaningfully. "If you plan to find it, you'll need more than strength. You'll need understanding and luck of Pokémon, and of yourself."
William exhaled softly, eyes drifting toward the horizon. "Understanding, huh… maybe that's what I'm missing."
Eevee brushed her tail against his arm, looking up with quiet faith.
William smiled and turned back to the professor. "Thank you for the advice. I'll keep searching and I'll record everything, just like you said."
Sakuragi nodded. "Good luck, William. And if you ever find that place… bring back something more than data like photos."
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