Tales of the Eeveelutions

What do you desire most?

                             Chapter 4

Gabriel and Trace stood there for a moment until they turned to face each other. Trace already knew Gabriel would say yes, but he wasn't sure if he wanted to be a leafeon. He had his heart set on being a Jolteon like his father, but he was scared to say no to being a leafeon in case it upset the queen and ruined the chances of the alliance gaining them as allies.
"Have you both made up your minds?" Asked Queen Levy.
Gabriel stepped forward and bowed to the queen before saying, "Your majesty, I would be honored to be a leafeon and if possible live here the rest of my life."
Hearing this, the queen smiled at Gabriel. When Gabriel was given permission to rise she turned her attention back to Trace and focused on him as if he was the only one in the room. Trace felt his heart beat quicken and wished someone would interrupt this moment, but alas no such luck for Trace.
"Your majesty, may I have time to think this decision over?" Trace asked nervously.
"I'll give you until the end of today to think it over Trace. I would be very appreciative if you decided soon, because the flower festival is coming up in three days and I need to know if you and Gabriel will be apart of this ceremony as my honored leafeons." She said but kept a serious look on her face the whole time she talked to Trace.
He bowed and was dismissed with Gabriel and his mother. After they left the throne room all three were very quiet, nor did they make eye contact with each other as they made their way to the bedroom of Coral and Jayce, who was sitting in a chair reading a book on home construction. He looked up from his book and smiled at his family.
"Well this is a nice surprise. Didn't expect company today from you three." He stood up and jumped off the chair to walk over and kiss his wife.
  "Good to see you too my dear." Said Coral smiling at her husband. "Our sons have won the bet they made with Princess Blade and were offered the chance to become leafeons. So far only Gabriel has accepted the offer."
Jayce turned to his two sons looking them in the eyes. His look of concern for his two children was easily noticeable.
"Don't worry dad, this is what I want to do. I have always been into growing things in our garden at home with mom and ever since we came here I have felt at peace even during this past several days of trying to learn about the leafeons, and came to know so much in a short time." Said Gabriel his tail waging a bit behind him. Gabriel was obviously excited about this decision he made.
Jayce sighed and looked at Coral before returning to Gabriel, giving him a small and somewhat happy smile.
Trace on the other hand looked worried, because once he evolved he couldn't turn back.
"You do know this means you will be living here right, Gabriel?" Said Coral
"Yes mother I know and I am ready to be on my own. I have saved up some money and if the leafeons join the alliance it would be helpful at least." He said trying to reassure his mom.
"Okay dear, I just wanted to make sure you knew." She said giving a small smile before turning to Trace who remained silent the whole time. "Trace have you come close to making a decision? The queen does not like to wait."
Trace looked at his mother before looking down at the floor. He was only 9 years old and normally they don't encourage eevees that young to evolve yet. Normally the age to evolve was 12-13 years of age and Gabriel was 16 and more than ready.
"No mother I am not sure. I am just nervous and I don't want to make a decision I'll regret, since the queen is only offering this one chance to be a leafeon, I just don't know what decision to make." He said a bit shakily.
Trace's parents knew their youngest would struggle with such a decision since he had told them his one dream was to be a Jolteon like his father, but now the little eevee seemed unsure being faced with such a decision as this from a royal.
"Trace, you can always stay here and see if you prefer the idea of being a leafeon." Said Gabriel trying to be helpful.
Trace shook his head, but gave a smile to his brother. "No Gabriel, I can't just stay in one spot for the rest of my life. That's another reason why I'm not sure if I would want to be a leafeon. I like traveling too much. Also I'm scared I'll upset the queen by saying no." Said Trace admitting his fear to his family.
Jayce and Coral looked at each other and than back at Trace. Jayce walked over and put a paw on his son's back.
"Trace, it will be okay. Your mom and I, will handle it if the queen happens to be upset about you refusing her proposal to be a leafeon. We are sorry if you felt like the pressure was on your answer, but it's really not. So make the decision that will make you happy, because you only get one chance to evolve." Jayce said reassuringly making Trace smile and hug his father.
"In that case I have to tell the queen my answer. May we go see her now?" Said Trace.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As the four family members came before the queen, all four bowed to her and when they were given permission to rise, Trace stepped forward and was prepared to give the queen his answer.
"Hello Trace, have you made your decision already?" Asked Queen Levy.
"Yes your majesty, and I am afraid that my answer is no. I like the leafeons and the beautiful territory all of you love in, but I don't feel like I would be happy being a leafeon." Trace said with as much courage and confidence that he could muster.
The queen leaned back in her throne and stared at Trace for a moment before speaking, "If this is your final decision I will respect it. Though I feel like you would be a valuable member to the leafeons."
"Your majesty, I am honored by your compliment, but I still feel like my decision is best for me." Said Trace bowing to the queen in respect. Queen Levy stood up on her throne looking down at the eevee.
"If you ever decide that you wish to be a leafeon in the next few years, I shall allow you a place here as a honored leafeon member." She said before turning to Gabriel. "And you are sure this is the decision you want to make Gabriel?"
"Yes your majesty, with all my heart and being I want to be a leafeon. I have never felt so at home before and I never want to leave here," said Gabriel bowing to the queen.
Queen Levy's smile was almost as bright as the sun when she heard those words from a outsider. She jumped down off her throne walking over to Gabriel and made him stand up.
"Than stay you shall. Please walk with me to the moss covered rock that eevees must travel to so they may evolve." Queen Levy said and lead the way to the moss covered rock. It took them awhile to get there and the small group was joined by Tara who was out enjoying herself during the whole week.
When they arrived at moss covered rock Gabriel looked at it wide eyed. His heart pounded inside his chest as he was finally going to be a leafeon. The Queen stepped forward and smiled as she stood by the boulder.
"Alright Gabriel, you must now battle to be a leafeon. Your opponent will be one of my head elites..." she was saying but was cut off by her sister Princess Blade.
"No sister, he must fight me instead! He has to prove he is worthy to be a leafeon to me once more." Princess Blade looked at Gabriel who stared back.
The look in his eyes gave a chill down her spine as the look of determination was filled inside them. She grunted as she stepped forward and waited for Gabriel to confront her.
"Well Gabriel, are you ready for one more chance to prove your worth being a leafeon?" She said getting in a stance.
Gabriel stepped forward as well and got into his stance, "Ready when you are Princess Blade."
Both opponents stared each other down ready for their battle to commence. Neither one gave any sign of fear as the air around the two fighters began to grow tense with the small crowd ready to watch this very important battle.