Let's Get Going! (Pokémon)

Chapter 12: Light and Ice

I had barely walked two steps away when some called out my name.

"Elaine!" A man in a lab coat yelled. He was standing near a house, presumably his. I eyed him suspiciously, because he knew my name. "Remember me? I'm one of Professor Oak's assistants."

I relaxed a bit, but became annoyed. Why did so many people feel the need to talk to me? Couldn't they bother Chase or Trace instead?

"I'm so glad I ran into you!" Oak's assistant continued. "Why don't I show you a neat trick? Actually, no... It's a little too bright out here. Inside! I'll be waiting inside to show you. Whenever you're ready, Elaine!"

I became suspicious again. I had my Pokémon and pepper spray at the ready just in case I would need to protect myself from a setup of some kind. I swung open the door and saw the assistant standing by his kitchen table.

"So you came! Then let's get down to the bass tracks," Oak's assistant said, clapping his hands together in glee. "I've got something good to show you. Believe it or not, I have mastered the Secret Technique Light Up! Now, let me turn off the lights and..."

Yup, I thought. Sorry, Professor, but I had to use the weapon you gave me against your own guy. The lights went out and I couldn't see anything.

"There, nice and dark! Now, if you calm your heart and breathe deeply... you will be able to sense your surroundings, no matter how dark it is!" Oak's assistant said cheerfully. Suddenly, everything looked like it did before, but the light switch was still down. "See? It seems bright, even with the lights off. My keen focus spreads to those around me, you see. Here, I can teach you how to do it, to!"

"Sounds like the key is just breathing," I said, rolling my eyes. "and don't you realize that this is just Flash? Why isn't anyone researching humans knowing Pokémon moves?!" Eevee yipped at the man, distracting him from my glaring question.

"...Huh? It seems Eevee wants to learn it instead, Elaine." Oak's assistant looked confused.

"Ugh, not again," I muttered. Naturally, Eevee wanted to learn all the Secret Techniques and leave me with nothing. "Eevee already knows the S.S. Anne captain's technique."

"What!? And you say it already knows the Secret Technique Chop Down?" Oak's assistant looked shocked.

"Yeah, that's what I said," I replied.

"I see! Professor Oak had mentioned it, but it really does seem that your Eevee is special!" he exclaimed. "Fascinating! Let me try to teach it! Here, let me turn off the lights." He flipped them on and off, leaving the room in darkness. I could feel Eevee tensing up on my head.

"Now, Eevee! Follow what I do," Oak's assistant instructed. "Calm your heart... breathe deeply and... sense... your surroundings!" Suddenly, there was a flash of light and the room was illuminated once more. Eevee yipped proudly. The assistant looked ecstatic.

"Your Eevee- it really is quite wonderful!" he gushed. "Now, use Secret Techniques to your heart's content! Since they're not moves, you can use them even if your Pokémon doesn't have the energy to battle!" I thanked him and left with Eevee, who still looked proud of his accomplishment. As soon as I walked out the door, I heard a familiar voice.

"Oh! Elaine!" It was Trace, of course, approaching me at an alarming speed. "Did you learn how to use Light Up from Professor Oak's assistant, too?"

"Not exactly, Eevee interrupted and got taught instead of me," I said.

"Wha..? You didn't learn it... but Eevee did?!" Trace shouted. "That partner of yours really is amazing, Elaine..."

"Really? Because last I checked he can't evolve," I retorted. In the back of my head, I realized he was giving us a compliment, but in the moment I said what came to mind.